You’ve Got Nail

May 8, 2012 | By

The Internet: A place where people find out news, connect with friends, and collectively worship good manicures.

There are approximately 2.9* billion blogs based entirely on nail art (exhibits a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n…), and an estimated 8.6%* of all Internet and mobile bandwidth is said to be reserved for the purposes of sharing recent manicures, breaking news on nail polish collaborations with upcoming movies, and featuring roundups of cool manicures found on said Internet. *Numbers are estimates based entirely and vaguely on recent RSS, Twitter and Instagram feed.

Well, I fully succumb to the beast. Manicures aren’t just pretty and pampering… they can be life-changing too! Remember, my decision to sponsor a Filipino child? It came moments after my decision on which OPI nail polish I was going to spend my week with. Manicures are an easily accessible luxury and serve as a mental, physical and sartorial break from life, and talented nail artists are in hotter demand than ever before.

Nastygal.com‘s May lookbook was chock full of irresistible nail design, and they interviewed nail artist Madeline Poole, who created all the looks. Of course, she has her own nail blog too, exhibit o.

Check out the photos below and the interview here. Rock on, nail goddesses!

Tell me below – what is your favorite nail blog?

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New Beauty Weapon: Eyelash Perm

April 17, 2012 | By

Kim Kardashian may not be the world’s most desirable human being right now, but there’s one thing we can’t deny her. Okay, fine, two. One: her phenomenal derriere. Two: her ridiculously amazing lashes.

Now, I’ve gotten eyelash extensions before, and those are okay. Half of the girls in the office swear by them. But personally I didn’t love them because you can’t use mascara (I still feel like I need it), and because they didn’t feel natural to me. But what’s even better than lash length to make your eyes pop? Lash CURL.

I showed you parts of this treatment in the Wellness Gone Wild video, now watch the full lash perm in action. It’s an hour long professional process that uses a series of serums (potions!) to curls and set your lashes, and it lasts up to 3 months. Ditch your lash curler for good, and wake up flirty always. “The flirt without the work!” as Carol Swanson C. put it on Facebook. It’s been five weeks so far and they’re still just as curly as they were day one. Proof is at the bottom of this post.

See how it all works here:

Skintology Skin and Laser Center, a brand new spa in Chelsea, NYC, specializing in medical skin resurfacing, laser hair and tattoo removal, all-organic facials, SmartLipo and eyelashes is offering an Eyelash Perm on their Spa Week menu, so I had to investigate.

The spa: A bright reception area with a waterfall opened up into a much bigger spa than it seems from the outside. Hallways upon hallways of treatment rooms lined the spa, and each room had its own quirky/kitschy personality. My room was a tropical paradise. There was an aquarium nearby. A pond-like ambiance set the mood next door.

The video above explains it all, and here’s some more live action from Instagram.


Here I am, right after the appointment:

And here’s me this morning with mascara, but I haven’t touched a curler!
Hair perms are better left in the nineties, but lash perms for LIFE.

Skintology Skin & Laser Center
181 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10011
212.989.6555

Spa Week $50 treatments April 16-22, 2012

  • Laser Hair Removal: Choice of Bikini Line, Underarm, Lip, Stomach Line or Other Small Area (See Menu for All Options)
  • Choice of 50 Min Signature Chamomile, Jojoba & Avocado or Citrus & Ginseng Skintology Facial
  • Eyelash Perm
  • Steamy Creamy Manicure and Pedicure Package
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Spa Foodie: Pour Some Honey On Me!

March 15, 2012 | By

Could you ssspare a sssmall sssmackerel? Winnie the Pooh was always after another drop of honey and that’s because it really is a golden food. We know that honey makes a naturally delicious sweetener, but as it sits in our cupboard, does that adorable bear smugly smiling have a secret?

Honey has many secrets for health, well-being and beauty. Honey has soothing properties which can sooth sore throats,  scrapes and burns and just sooth away a bad day in tea. The antioxidants in honey even give weak immune systems a boost, but let’s focus on the beauty boosts of honey!

Honeybees just might be nature’s best cosmetologists. Honey is a valuable natural beauty ingredient and you may have seen honey as an ingredient in lip balms, soaps, face scrubs and body oils. And the bees do all the work! Bees also take one for the team and  die if they come into contact with toxins, so pollutants don’t make it into their hives. That’s some serious safety control.

After trying to handle that cute, and always stickily frustrating bear, it can be hard to get the stick off of your hand but you should just wipe it on your face. Honey has been used for centuries to unlock beautiful skin. A natural humectant, honey draws in and retains moisture. It is also packed with powerful antioxidants, which protects the skin from damage and will help keep aging skin youthful. In general, the darker the honey the higher level of antioxidants. Honey is also a good choice for those with acne-prone skin because it helps heal your complexion and helps kill the growth of certain bacteria on the skin’s surface. Your skin craves everything honey has to offer so don’t say, “Oh, bother” to lifeless skin,  stick on some honey to keep your skin radiant and smooth.

Beauty by honey sure sounds sweet, but I put it to the test…

Moisturizing Honey Mask. I mixed 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of cream and smoothed on face. That’s it! My face felt like it was eating the mixture up (it must have been hungry). The smell actually made me hungry and I ate the remaining mask with a graham cracker. Not really, but the thought did cross my mind.

(Honey bear supervision and honey mug shot.)

Despite feeling like a sopaipilla, after 10 minutes I easily washed off the mask and my skin definitely felt softer and a little happier. My phone, however, is still  a sticky mess. I haven’t heard, “Honey, you’re glowing” yet so I’m going to be as persistent as Pooh Bear with my honey routine and hopefully I’ll get there.

Here are some more honey do it yourself recipes to get glowing!

Honey Shiny Hair. Mix 1 teaspoon honey, a squeeze of fresh lemon, and 1 quart of warm water. After shampooing, pour through hair. Let your hair dry as you normally would, no need to rinse out.

Honey-Apple Toner. This sweet alpha-hydroxy miracle will help to firm, smooth, and moisturize your skin. In a blender or food processor, combine 1 peeled, cored apple with a tablespoon of honey and pulse until smooth. Apply pulp gently to face and allow to remain for 15 minutes, then rinse.

Honey Hair Conditioning Treatment. Combine 1/2 cup honey and 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup olive oil (depending on the dryness of your hair and scalp). Saturate hair and scalp with this conditioner, then put on a shower cap and allow the conditioner to remain for 30 minutes before you shampoo and rinse as usual.

Don’t miss these $50 spa treatments that you can book now. They’re the bees knees!

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What Does Your Lipstick Shape Say About You?

February 22, 2012 | By

Do you remember that lipstick phenomenon back about 10-15 years ago, when suddenly everyone was examining their lipstick shape like a palm reading? If you take a look at all your lipsticks, you’ll see a general pattern in how they form to your lips. And apparently, we learned, the shape of your lipstick holds great meaning, and provides insight into your personality, strengths, weaknesses and emotional tendencies. This all came rushing back to me when I was out with my friend Justine the other night and she went to reapply her pout with this:

WHOAH! What sort of psychological implications can be made based upon this double-edged, double-black diamond of lipstick shapes? Let’s find out – here’s what Beauty Press reports…

Well, Justine would be closest to shape #1, and she does have that strong personality. As for me, sure I’m a power woman (#4)! See below – that gentle slope really brings out my energy and creativity, no?

What about you, sweet lips? What shape does your lipstick form to, and does your lip-psychoanalysis match your personality?

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Meet Shaffali Skincare CEO, Blending Rituals with Beauty

February 10, 2012 | By

Here at Spa Week, we believe spa transcends beyond outer beauty and into overall inner health and well-being (in case you haven’t noticed!). So, a few weeks ago when I got my hands on a sample kit from Shaffali Skincare, I was so excited to learn that not only did the products work wonders on my skin and smell fantastic, they are also grounded in strong Ayurvedic practices and rituals that promote overall health and wellness from the inside out. At Shaffali, a facial cleanser isn’t just a soap. It’s a purifying experience where French lavender and Indian turmeric wash away impurities, stress and insecurities while increasing self-awareness and inner confidence. Each Shaffali product is accompanied by a ritual: a mantra, breathing exercises and meditation, to help you harness the full power of the products and yourself.

I had a chance to interview the creator and CEO of Shaffali Skincare, Shaffali Miglani herself. Learn all about how she got into Ayurveda, how the products and corresponding rituals are created and what yoga means to her. Plus find out about her first business, her favorite spa treatment and her New Year’s resolution…

**Spa Week Daily Exclusive: Receive $11 off your next Shaffali Skincare purchase at Shaffali.com with code: SW212

Stephanie: How were you introduced to Ayurvedic practices?

Shaffali: My mom’s cooking, both home remedies and beauty recipes, introduced me to Ayurveda. My mother is truly an exceptional cook who has an amazing repertoire of recipes from all over the world. As young child, I was very curious and wanted to cook like my mom. The house was always filled with the warmth of her creations.

When did you know this was something you wanted to do for a living?

I have always been drawn towards creating my own business. One of my most favorite and comical memories is when my two neighborhood friends and I picked all the rose on our whole block (yes, including from other neighbor’s yards!) and soaked them in water. Then we sold this rose petal water as a perfume. Instead of a lemonade stand, we had a perfume stand! At around 14 years old, I started creating my own skincare creations and recipes on a weekly basis to replace store-bought skincare products. Because of my childhood, my kitchen cabinet is truly my medicine cabinet, full of herbs, seeds and spices I use for a variety of recipes.

When I was a freshman in college, I was torn about wanting to do something deep and meaningful, like practicing holistic health and wellness, versus something practical, like starting my own a business.  So, I decided to merge both the meaningful and the practical and work in the spa industry. After a few years, I was offered a job at a skincare manufacturing company that distributed products to resort spas in over 130 countries. It was there that I had the epiphany of starting my own skincare line – especially as I had been refining my own creations for over 10 years by that point. I truly felt I had something special, unique, thoughtful and effective to offer.


How has this affected your life and your brand?

The key ingredients in Shaffali Skincare are Ayurvedic. For each product there is a corresponding ritual experience that one can do as a part of a meditative Ayurvedic practice where the mind, body soul and spirit are addressed as well as the skin.

How did these skincare rituals come to fruition? Who created them?

These rituals are a result of my own experiences. Every week, I do a ritual of preparing my own homemade skincare products. Then I do items (such as a guided meditation) to bring balance to my soul as well. After years of doing this, and especially after being trained as a yoga teacher, I started correlating specific thoughts with specific steps in each skincare practice.

Why are these rituals important? How do they affect the skin, mind, body, soul etc?

The rituals are important because they address what is going on inside so that you can truly have a glow on the outside.

Who comes up with the interesting ingredient combinations that make up the different products?

These come from the refinement of my own weekly rituals (I’ve being doing this for the past 15 years, so, 15 years x 52 weeks, I never miss a week, equals 780 refinements and experimental versions of recipes). These refinements continue to propel new product development for the Shaffali line. It is not uncommon for you to find me at home in my skincare lab (my kitchen) concocting new creations on the weekends.

What advice can you give our readers about Ayurvedic practices and products?

My advice is to approach Ayurveda with an open mind. Don’t overlook it or be intimidated by it. According to Ayurveda, in order to live a happy and healthy life you have to take yourself into account, your body type and mind you are born with (your dosha). Then you can implement your own personal plan to optimize your dosha (or balance) through the foods you eat, exercise, your state of mind etc. (To find out more about your dosha, take our quiz.) Knowing yourself, through Ayurveda, can create a rich and beautiful life path.

Which Shaffali product(s) do you use every day?

Every day I use the Detoxifying Exfoliant with Peppermint + Pineapple and the Replenishing Moisturizer with Neem and Neroli in the morning. For me, the exfoliants’ aromatherapy scent of peppermint and pineapple is like my natural caffeine wake-me-up in the morning. The exfoliant is not only a manual scrub but also contains a fruit enzyme peel. I leave it on for a few minutes while I make my tea and brush my teeth so I get a mini facial each morning.

How does your brand balance wellness and beauty?

Our mantra is “reflect the light within,” which refers to finding your inner beauty, balance and happiness and making it shine on the outside. Our logo has many spiritual interpretations; it is a beautiful symbol of the light and beauty within each of us. It also represents a stylized Lotus Flower, which rises towards light and beauty. Like a Chakra, or energy center, in the body, it is symbolic of our higher self.

How does your relationship with yoga influence your brand?

Yoga is an inherent part of the brand. As I mentioned before, each product has a ritual experience associated with it: positive mantras and instructions for what to think about when inhaling and exhaling the aromatherapy in the product, which is the mantra for the line as a whole (reflect the light within).

Due to my intertwined connection with yoga, I started a signature workshop where I teach yoga poses that correlate to each step in the Shaffali self-facial. This workshop is called “Beauty from the Inside Out” and, after many requests, I am going to be offering a certification course to train yoga teachers so they too can teach these workshops as official Shaffali Ambassadors.

What advice can you give our readers about yoga?

Yoga is a beautiful way to quiet the mind while becoming mindful of the body. It is not just exercise, though it can be used as such. The beauty in it comes from the exploration and introspection of the self. It teaches you to be comfortable in the quiet and challenge of any pose. I use yoga as moving meditation and I like to emphasize the mind, body, breath and soul connection, which I encourage students to embrace fully. Through this embrace and awareness, I believe we can become more conscious of every aspect of our lives, in both the microcosm (our being) and macrocosm (the universe), leading us to our highest potential, and in essence, our highest self.

Tell us about your wellness blog, Meditate on This…. How did this get started? Who writes for it?

I am the main writer for the blog. I share bits of insight, resources and wisdom from my own humble experiences of living a wellness lifestyle. I also have guest writers from time to time who offer reflective or wellness oriented pieces. The blog also helps me connect with the Shaffali community. It helps me remind people that Shaffali isn’t just a brand name but is also a real person who has a sincere story and belief behind the brand.

What is your number one skincare tip/trick?

It comes as a package: Sleep, a smile, a good diet, love and happiness from within.

What is your favorite spa treatment to receive?

Shirodhara. My third eye is a place on my body that I am extremely sensitive to; it is our marma point for intuition, meditation and relaxation.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

I have been writing my New Year’s resolutions for as long as I have had my journal (22 years). This year, my resolutions are focused on self-improvement. My resolutions are to eat more sea vegetables, experiment with a Gluten-free diet (two of my very dear, and very different friends swear by this), fast more (I used to fast so much often when I was younger, again, the influence of my mother) and launch all of the exciting new Shaffali products that are in the works!

For more from Shaffali, sign up for her blog newsletter and visit Shaffali Skincare on  facebook page.

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