Hands On

Amid the backstage whir at fashion week, NYC manicurist and spa owner Jin Soon Choi—hunched over in tight quarters, dressed in head-to-toe black, diligently focused on her work—almost seems to disappear. Yet the nails she steadily and quietly decorates (at Derek Lam, Oscar de La Renta, and Vivienne Tam, to name a few) have had a major editorial impact, and beauty giant M.A.C has taken notice. This month, the company teams up with Choi to debut her first collection of six, runway-inspired polishes. “They’re a direct translation of what we see at the shows,” Choi says. “I even used Beyond Jealous, a charcoaled bluish green, on the models at Doo. Ri for fall.” Each creamy shade has a matte finish, and is heavily-pigmented to cover nails in a single swipe. After all, “Whether you’re prepping for the catwalk or just going out,” Choi says. “Who has time to sit through two coats?”

*Article originally published for V magazine*

Spice Market

Before wedding day, Indian brides slather their faces and bodies with a delicate paste made of turmeric. According to ancient custom, the golden spice promotes radiant, glowing skin. Now Western skincare lines like DDF are mixing the ingredient into modern-day formulas alongside more common complexion boosters. Get a taste with Advanced Firming Cream (at right), which simultaneously plumps skin while leaving it smooth and luminous.

Mix Masters

Walking down Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn last night, my olfactory senses were peaked by all the perfumes wafting out of the Arabic stores lining the streets. Filled with imported curiosities from incense to garden lanterns, each souk-like shop seemed to house floor-to-ceiling racks of high-quality essences—including sweet rose, flirty honeysuckle, heady jasmine, and sultry musk. Inspired to channel my inner nez, I stopped in one to pick up a few vials of my favorite notes, plus a gorgeous handmade glass flacon to display my "couture" blend.

Meet Frédéric Fekkai!

With patrons ranging from models to socialites to UES tween gossip girls, Frédéric Fekkai's Fifth Avenue salon—located on the top floor of Henri Bendel—has always maintained a sceney atmosphere. (Glass of Veuve with your deep conditioning treatment? Por quoi, non?) Now the rest of us can get a taste of la vie belle as well. Tomorrow, August 19th, Frédéric will make a rare appearance on the main beauty floor to offer clients personalized hair consultations and share his latest product line. Drop by between 3 pm and 7 pm for your chance to schmooze with greatness—no appointment necessary.


Henri Bendel, 712 Fifth Avenue (at 56th Street)

Star Scenting

With everyone from Kim Kardashian to Halle Berry slapping their autographs willy nilly on fragrance bottles, it can be difficult to sniff out the good from the crass. So, naturally, I received the news that Avril Lavigne was joining in on the "celebrity" perfume action with a healthy dose of skepticism. But yesterday, at the launch party for her first scent, Black Star, (available this week at Kohls), I was genuinely surprised. A girly heart note of pink hibiscus is topped with juicy black plum, while a deep, nearly edible dark chocolate accord rounds out the bottom. The resulting combination is unexpectedly feminine, wearable, and addictive—proving the punk princess can still produce more hits than misses.

Pretty, Please

Certain grooming necessities—lacking in aesthetics—have long jockeyed for space in the corners of our medicine cabinets while their more attractive rivals stake claim up front. Until now. Moxie, an Australian manufacturer of, um, "feminine products," has designed affordable and chicly packaged tampons and liners (above) that look as sweet and non-offensive as a box of Lauderée macarons (available now at Duane Reade). Meanwhile, Q-tips have gotten a facelift with fanciful new containers that could eliminate the need for apothecary-style jars altogether. If only Chanel would come up with double "C"-embossed toilet paper, my bathroom makeover would be complete.

Bondage Girl

At the recent L.A. premiere of Inglourious Basterds, Angelina Jolie returned to her sex-pot roots, ditching the frumpy maxi-dress + ponytail combo in favor of a suctioned on black leather get-up and bondage-inspired stilettos. A welcome change was also her choice of eye makeup, which was smokier and smudgier than her old standby (upticked liquid liner). While pregnancy rumors are still unconfirmed, there's a good chance we can expect a plus sign announcement in the coming weeks—especially after this smoldering, "Yeah, I've still got it" look.

All in the Family

Call it beauty industry nepotism, if you will. Tracey Malone, sister to Jo, is launching her own line of skincare products, The Lubatti Collection (at right), which arrive exclusively in Space NK boutiques next month. Inspired by 1920s homeopathic facialist Madame Lubatti, whose massage techniques and ingredient knowledge were a favorite of Tracey's mother Eileen (also a facialist), the complete range includes skin and bath products formulated with exclusive recipes passed down from generations. Each is infused with ultra-hydrating, fragrant natural extracts (among them, almond, rose, jojoba, and honey) and comes elegantly packaged in displayable black and white jars. How's that for sibling rivalry?

Smooth Sailing

Since its launch late last year, Living Proof hair care has garnered MIT more pop cultural buzz than Good Will Hunting. Created by a team of university scientists trained "outside beauty," according to their website, this powerful product utilizes a fancy molecule (PolyfluoroEster, if you're interested) to completely eradicate fly-aways over time. This fall, the company unveils the pre-styling counterparts: No Frizz Shampoo, No Frizz Conditioner, and No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner. In the two short weeks I've been testing them, I'm thrilled to report that my curl-prone hair has felt softer, shinier, and smoother—even in unforgiving 95 degree temps. Log on to sephora.com next month to order a set of your own.

Swim Fan

As any suburban Jersey girl can attest, J. Crew swimsuits are a summer wardrobe staple—particularly if you're renting a house "down the shore." To keep their vivid pigments (i.e. papaya, tropical aqua, coral) and figure-flattering elasticity in top form all season, wash them once a week with The Laundress New York J.Crew Swimsuit Wash. This gentle, eco-chic cleanser, created exclusively for the company by laundry queens Lindsey Wieber Boyd and Gwen Whiting, removes sunscreen, sweat, and chlorine build-up while leaving a soft, fresh garden scent. Can't wait for the travel-sized version!

Win a Trip to Los Cabos with Origins!

It may be sweltering in New York City, but the cooler months are fast approaching. So why not start planning your winter getaway now? Origins' "Leave it all behind" sweepstakes is offering one lucky winner a gratis trip to Los Cabos, Mexico. The grand prize includes two roundtrip airfare tix, a three-night stay at the Marquis Los Cabos beachfront resort, two spa treatments, and the entire collection of Gloomaway products (I personally love the Grapefruit body souffle). To enter, fill out the registration form here before August 31, 2009.