February 23, 2011
As women who regularly color their hair know all too well, beauty is pain. The hours-long process often leaves the scalp red and burnt. And then of course there are the potent chemical fumes the dye releases. L'Oréal Professionnel has changed all that with INOA, an odorless, ammonia-free solution that actually moisturizes and thickens hair. The secret behind INOA (Innovation, No Ammonia) is its Oil Delivery System, a new technology that uses an alkaline called monoethanolamine to impart the color, eliminating the ammonia—and, as a result, the noxious smell—from the mix. "With INOA, you have to do an extra shampoo because the oil is so rich. It's like giving your hair an olive-oil treatment," says Kathleen Flynn Hui, senior colorist at Manhattan's Salon AKS, which was the first U.S. salon to introduce the product. (When INOA launched in Paris last year, it was so popular that the company didn't have enough inventory to send to the States.) Until recently, salons may not have believed an ammonia-free product could provide the desired coverage. But the response in Europe has proven otherwise, and the trend is growing stateside. "I do eighteen clients a day, all with INOA," says Hui. "You should treat your hair like you do your face. You have to protect it." From $110 at Salon AKS. At 689 Fifth Ave.; 212-888-0707; salonaks.com. For other salons with INOA, go to inoa-us.com.
Photo Courtesy L'Oreal Professionnel
April 11, 2011
Last summer saw the U.S. debut of Sulwhasoo, Korea's top skincare brand, highly coveted for its effective incorporation of herbal medicine formulas. (Devotees, both in Korea and stateside, swear by the First Care Serum [$80], which increases the performance of your entire skincare regimen.) Sold only at Bergdorf Goodman, Sulwhasoo uses powerful indigenous ingredients, such as ginseng and white lily, which are blended together using poje, a traditional method that involves baking, steaming, fermenting or vinegaring each element. It may sound strange, but these ancient techniques, according to the company, enhance the beneficial qualities of the ingredients. This month Sulwhasoo introduces its Snowise collection (from $60), a new line that brightens and evens your complexion, especially good for those with dark age spots, hyperpigmentation and acne scars. With ginseng to restore the skin's vibrance and hedyotis diffusa—an herb that's said to even have cancer-fighting qualities—to help circulation, the Snowise Brightening Serum ($200) is notably light yet effective. To see fast results, New Yorkers can book the customized Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng facial at Bergdorf Goodman (free with $150 purchase of Sulwhasoo products). Trained at the company's Seoul headquarters, the aesthetician selects products for your specific skin type and also performs traditional treatments, such as a detoxifying facial massage using jade. Call 212-872-8726 for appointments; bergdorfgoodman.com.
April 29, 2011
Developed by identical twins and former Wall Streeters Anthony and Hubert Tsai, the TwinLuxe shaving collection aims, as the pair says, to “bring the barbershop experience into the 21st century.” The sleek razors and brushes were created by Marek Djordjevic, the exterior designer of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, and the product line, made from ingredients like pearl powder, white tea leaf extract and hydrolyzed rice protein, includes all of the necessities: a shaving cream, an exfoliating scrub and a series of cleansers and soothers, all paraben free. Products from $25; shaving kits from $790;
twinluxe.com.
June 30, 2011
Beauty aficionadas, act immediately: Chanel's fall 2011 nail polish collection has landed online, and it will likely go quickly, as others have in past seasons (remember the Jade frenzy from fall 2009?). The makeup collection (called Illusions d'Ombres de Chanel) of eye shadows, lip colors and powder blushes is heavy on bronze, copper and platinum, and the nail polish follows suit, coming in three new and very modern hues: metallic Graphite, silver-beige Quartz and a green-gold shade called Peridot. They'll be available at Chanel department store counters and specialty boutiques starting in July but have already hit the website. Make haste! $25 each at chanel.com.
Photo Courtesy Chanel
August 11, 2011
Keep this in your nail file. Photo courtesy of Butter London
For an airport manicure worth rerouting a flight for, head to Butter London in Seattle-Tacoma's Concourse C. The decidedly chic outpost, which delivers efficient, toxin-free nail treatments, is the singular hub for Butter London creative director Nonie Creme's fashion-forward nail polish line—a range of well-edited hues inspired by the custom shades Creme sends down the runway for the likes of Alexander Wang, Victoria Beckham and Betsey Johnson. This month Butter London releases five Fall–Winter 2011 lacquers, available for $14 on-site, online and at such retailers as C.O. Bigelow and Fred Segal. Their sparkly jewel tones (olive-gold, rusty rose, lush lavender) capture what Creme calls a "luxe-grunge" moment. Here's to hoping your flight is delayed. $26 for a manicure, $40 for a pedicure. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Concourse C; butterlondon.com.
Don't miss: Best first-class airport lounges
August 18, 2011
Serious about skincare. Courtesy of Bloom.com
Is it possible for a website to recommend exactly which beauty products will work best for you? New social beauty store Bloom.com thinks so. The site asks users to fill out a brief beauty questionnaire, and then, based on product feedback submitted by other users with profiles similar to yours, Bloom.com delivers personalized suggestions. "The more recommendations, the smarter the algorithm becomes," says Bloom.com founder Julie Mahloch. It's a fun way to discover new brands, and there's a bonus: Every Bloom.com purchase comes with rather large random samples tailored to you. (This writer was pleasantly surprised when her sample box included three of her favorite brands: Ole Henriksen, Pangea Organics and REN.) The site excels in skin and hair care, offering such high-end lines as Clarisonic, John Masters Organics, Dr. Brandt and Alchimie Forever. If you're looking for makeup brands beyond what's available in the drugstore, though, visit one of these sites. bloom.com.
Plus! Loctions, Potions and Serums
November 02, 2011
Photo courtesy of Organic Male
We tried the new Organic Male line during a summer spent in Italy, Mexico and California. Its simple four-step system is designed for every age and skin condition and takes less than four minutes to apply. Our sun-damaged faces drank up the vitamins and antioxidants found in the hydrating cleanser and serum. From $35; $170 a set; om4men.com.
November 08, 2011
Photo courtesy of Edward Bess
The 25-year-old former model began with only 15 lip colors and is now known for a makeup collection of perfect shades and luscious textures. This month, he launches a skincare line. From $30; bergdorfgoodman.com.
November 04, 2011
Photo courtesy of La Prairie
Launching this month at La Prairie spas in the Ritz-Carlton New York and Grand Cayman, and the Beverly Hills Hotel, is a 60-minute facial ($270) using the new Cellular Power Charge Night serum ($475). After a sleep-inducing treatment, we awoke the next day with firmer, brighter skin. laprairie.com.
November 04, 2011
Photo by James T. Murray
After five years of clinical research, celebrity stylist Julien Farel has created his first line of products. They’re effective in restoring hair’s optimal pH balance through a patented molecular process that works in hard or soft water. “It reactivates and rehydrates every cell in your scalp,” says Farel, “to make your hair young again.”
From $25; julienfarel.com.
