Liquid Gold

A publicist recently sent me a teeny, tiny vial of the latest beauty elixir to join cult ranking—Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil—which I vowed not to dip into until the most brutally cold day arrived in New York. Well, I think the past week qualifies. I've been using this precious, aromatic oil (composed of 11 essential botanical juices, including fragrant Indian jasmine and Moroccan argan) since temps dropped below freezing a few days ago, and my complexion has reaped the rewards, remaining smooth and, rather shockingly, glowy in spite of furiously chafing winds. Created by stylist Linda Rodin, the non-greasy mix is, no wonder, a favorite of models backstage and behind-the-scenes on photo shoots. Massage just a few drops into cheeks, and even over lips and lashes for extra conditioning. A little really does go a long way, which helps ease the burn of its lofty $135 price tag.

Helping Hands

This New Year's, resolve to keep hands smooth, hydrated, and young-looking with these tips from my article in the January issue of Self, on newstands now.

Lash Call

With the FDA-approval of Latisse, the prescription eyelash lengthener, early last year, mass market beauty companies have been racing to create their own OTC versions. Jan Marini (who stirred an industry-wide maelstrom when she formulated the now-defunct Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner years ago using bimatroprost, the same active ingredient in Latisse) has a new non-RX product, Marini Lash, which relies on peptides to boost the volume and thickness of lashes. Dermatologist Peter Thomas Roth's version—an insider favorite among beauty editors—Lashes To Die For Night Time Eyelash Conditioning Treatment —contains moisturizing vitamins A, C, and E, plus pro-vitamin B5, a known hair thickener, to plump and strengthen fringe in four weeks. And at the bargain price of only $13, L'Oréal Lash Boosting Serum, promises to condition strands and minimize hair loss to create the illusion of fuller lashes.

From La Rive Gauche to Uptown Manhattan

Madison Avenue is aglow this time of year, and it's not because of the holiday lights. This month, Diptyque Paris, the beloved French candle company, opened its uptown flagship boutique just north of the Whitney Museum. (Recession? Quoi recession?) The jewel box of a shop—reminiscent of the Left Bank original with its minimalist black and white decor—is stocked with both classic best-sellers and limited-edition, seasonal scents. Wintry wicks in Pine, Roasted Chestnut, and Feu de Bois (that's Firewood) add an instant, festive ambience to holiday gatherings—or make lovely last-minute hostess gifts. Can't justify the $68 price tag? Pas de problème. Travel-size minis start at $28, and only feel rich.

Genetic Counseling

I've never much cared for my nose. I always thought it was too long, too hooked, too ethnic, too...much. My unsubtle profile was a particular source of insecurity growing up. In high school, I made myself an expert at concealing it—or, at the very least, downplaying it—by carefully positioning myself while sitting next to crushes in Biology and English, and eventually, boyfriends at the movies. Who knew when there might be a casual sideways glance cast in my direction? As a college student, I inexplicably, and rather impulsively, decided to embellish it with a nose ring. Perhaps that was an attempt to embrace its Indian-ness. The diamond stud suited me at the time—and everyone else seemed to like it. It became my thing. A sort of safety net. Like a tweedy Chanel bag zhuj-zing up a so-so outfit. Later, an acquaintance I met in Spain (and eventually lost touch with) told me my nose was "cute." I didn't believe her, but I never forgot the compliment. Then a funny thing happened. I had a little girl. The day she was born, I looked at her tiny face for the first time, and I saw my very own nose from another angle. It was the same curve, same length, same pointed tip—on another, little person. So teeny, so proportionate, and finally, I realized, so perfect.

Head Gear

Who needs semi-permanent nail polish and solar-powered eye-cream? Lately, I'm inspired by the simplicity of retro-glamour. Like these adorable, pin-up worthy shower caps from Benefit (left) and ZAZZ (right). Satiny, ruffled, embellished, and unapologetically girly, both conjure an era in which being a fancy lady meant sipping a Champagne cocktail in the bathtub—not having your beauty SWAT team on speed dial.

Clip Art

'Tis the season for tinsel, eggnog, and back-to-back cocktail parties. Need a quick, party-ready look? Stash a few antique crystal barrettes in your office drawer (attach them to a pretty grosgrain ribbon to avoid mixing them up with actual supplies) for instant, Parisian-girl cool. Add a cluster above a loose chignon, or just one to hold back sideswept bangs. Et voilà! Bring on the bubbly.

Lip Service

Looking for the perfect holiday lipstick shade? Check out this story I wrote for Real Simple. Then, find the mistletoe!

Strike a Pose

It's no secret that Jennifer Aniston works hard to maintain her ultra-svelte figure. Now, she's thanking her coach—yoga instructor Mandy Igber—by helping her launch an instructional DVD. This Thursday, Aniston jets back to L.A. from sultry Marrakech, where she feted the $176 million relaunch of the iconic La Mamounia Hotel, to host a party for Ingber's Yogalosophy DVD, which arrives in stores this month. The Love Happens star, who makes a cameo in the intro, says "Mandy brought yoga into my life. This workout will change your body and your mind.”