nochelatina Style Features

A La Moda: Seasonal Skincare

11/16/2009 11:36:00 AM

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and football. One of the most popular dishes at every Thanksgiving table is a pumpkin pie. It brings back memories of childhood and everything that is home. Due to a rise in health concerns and nutrition, pumpkins have taken on a new life outside of just being a holiday staple.

On the health front, there are chemical compounds found in pumpkins that help those who are pre-diabetic and those with type 1 diabetes. Pumpkin seeds are a great snack as they provide healthy fats and are high in proteins, zinc, and iron. They are also low in cholesterol and are high in magnesium. Pumpkin seed oil is another healthy attribute. It is produced from roasted pumpkin seeds and contain natural fatty acids that are great for heart health and overall nutrition.

When it comes to beauty, pumpkin extract is a widely used ingredient in many skincare products. Some of the main benefits of pumpkin extract are:

• Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves skin tone and vitality
• Helps prevent and improve appearance of stretch marks

Here are three pumpkin infused skincare products that are great all year long and make you look sensational no matter what the holiday.

Top Pumpkin Skincare Product: Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, 3.30z ($44)

This easy-to-use peel is a great at-home treatment for those who wish to safely exfoliate skin without enduring the harsh side effects of chemical peels. The pumpkin enzymes dissolve dead skin cells within minutes, leaving your face smooth, hydrated, and glowing. The irresistible pumpkin scent doesn’t hurt matters!
Shop here.

Top Pumpkin Skincare Product: Dr. Brandt Anti-Irritant Soothing Moisturizer, 1.7oz, ($65)

This soothing moisturizer is ideal for those suffering from sensitive, highly-irritable skin. It helps reduce inflammation and provides moisture where needed. It is also a protector against free radicals and other environmental stressors.
Shop here.

Top Pumpkin Skincare Product: Lush The Great Pumpkin Soap, 2.5oz, ($5.95)

This all-natural soap blends whimsical design with soothing properties for a fun-filled bath or shower experience that will leave you smiling. It is a limited edition soap so be prepared to stock up when the holidays roll around.
Shop here.

A La Moda: Celebrity Beauty Tips

11/9/2009 11:39:00 AM

We live in a culture that is obsessed with all things celebrities. From gossip blogs to reality shows, we can’t get enough of watching our favorite stars and their every move. My personal celeb obsession centers around beauty. I have to know what products or treatments these Hollywood hunks and starlets swear by since they seem to have access to all of the latest products. Plus, what they wear will inevitably will be the trend for the rest of us fashion forward chicas!

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing celebrity hairstylist and beauty expert Hasblady Guzman. Guzman has worked with Gerard Butler, Ana Ortiz, Eva LaRue, and Paris Hilton. She will also serve as a judge on the season finale of the Emmy-nominated show “Split Ends" on the Style Network next month.

Below are Guzman’s top five celebrity beauty and style tips:

#5 Celebrity Beauty Tip: Oprah Winfrey understands just how important it is to exfoliate, hydrate, and protect skin. You can do all three with one amazing product. I highly recommend Aveda's Tourmaline Charged Protecting Lotion Spf 15/Oil-Free.

#4 Celebrity Beauty Tip: Padma Lakshmi of Bravo's "Top Chef" definitely has glowing and natural-looking skin that can be achieved by avoiding overexposure to the sun. I believe in avoiding sun scorching by opting for a healthy spray tan by Infinitysun.

#3 Celebrity Beauty Tip: Paula Abdul has been photographed on numerous occasions wearing the luxurious Kre'at Lashes. This is a great way to just open up your eyes and instantly look youthful and coquettish.

#2 Celebrity Beauty Tip: Blonde is back but not for summer. The new winter blonde looks gorgeous on Shakira, January Jones, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears. Combine this look with luxurious seasonal cream-colored dresses and sweaters with black patent leather heels.

#1 Celebrity Beauty Tip: This holiday season Victoria Beckham is the one to follow. It's all about strong lips, milky skin, tons of lashes, and little to no eyeliner. These simple rules to follow this season will make you the one to remember all year.

A La Moda: Dark and Lovely

11/2/2009 2:20:00 PM

One of my favorite trends for the fall and winter seasons is dark nail polish. I used to be so opposed to it. I was that girl who would get her weekly mani/pedi and always pick the same polish – Limoscene or Ballet Flats by Essie – two impeccably pure light pink polishes that looked more like wisps of cotton candy than nail color. They gave my nails a beautiful, soft, feminine look that I just adored. It’s not that dark polishes didn’t have their appeal, but I just didn’t think I would ever cross over to the “dark side.” I never felt like I had that “bad girl” vibe to carry it off.

Well, all of that changed this past Halloween. I decided to get in the spirit of things and painted my nails a deep dark purple hue that almost gleamed black in the light. I absolutely fell in love with the richness and sensual appeal that it gave my nails – almost as though I was bad enough to be that sultry woman in the shadows smoking her cigarette with her dark ruby red lips blowing rings of smoke into the air. I could be that mystery femme fatale.

When it comes to wearing dark polishes – there are a few things you must do in order to avoid the dreaded, punk rock, messy nails that will look anything but chic:

#3 Rocking Dark Nails Tip: Trim Nails Short
This is very important as long nails tend to look more cheap and tacky than beautiful especially when you apply bold, deep hues. Be sure to trim them short and file them in a nice square shape with rounded edges for a nice neat looking nail.

#2 Rocking Dark Nails Tip: Apply Base Coat
After nails have been filed, cleaned and dried, the next step is to apply a good base coat which will help with the application of the dark polish as well as lessen the chances of nails being stained or yellowed by the dark color.

#1 Rocking Dark Nails Tip: Apply Two or Three Coats of Color
For maximum effect, apply three coats of color. One coat is not enough to showcase the true richness of the dark hue that you choose. Be sure to clean around the nail after painting them in order to maintain a clean look.

Now that you have the tricks of the trade - how do you pick the perfect shade of darkness? Easy, it’s all about your skin tone. For those with fair skin, choose cool, metallic blues, purples, and grey. The thing to remember with fair skin is cool undertones. For those with medium skin or dark skin, black, reds, and plums, go for colors with a hint of warmth and texture. Have fun chicas because it’s all about being dark and delicious!

Mexican Designer Turns Heads with ‘Stop Staring!’

10/29/2009 3:23:00 PM

Alicia Estrada was sick of the unfriendly gazes elicited by her 60s-inspired, self-made clothing. So one day in college she decided to write ‘Stop Staring!’ in black paint on the back of her skirt. When the phrase drew positive attention, Estrada decided to write it on all of her garments. She would have never guessed Stop Staring! would turn into the brand name for her famous clothing line which now attracts the likes of countless celebrities and socialites, including Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian.

Since her days of wearing shower curtains because she couldn’t afford fabric, Estrada’s designs have evolved to be mostly 1940’s and 1950’s-inspired vintage dresses that continue to be a major trend on the runways and in pop culture. However, what makes Stop Staring’s dresses different from other collections is they’re designed with the thought that women’s bodies are different today than they were 50 or 60 years ago,

“I really work hard on finding our flawed areas,” explains Estrada. “I know a lot of Latinas have curvy shapes. As a Mexican, this is what I did so we could walk in a room and embrace our shapes.” Estrada states the way her dresses’ silhouettes are cut is what makes them flattering for every body type, minimizing waists and enhancing the bust line. As a size 14, she relates to females who think “dresses just don’t fit them right,” and that’s why all of Stop Staring’s! garments are available up to size 18.

“I understand what girls are going through when they’re looking for clothes,” says Estrada. “Clothes are such an important part about what we feel and present to the outside world. For me, when I started this clothing line, it was never about getting rich quick.” In fact, with dresses costing around $150, many of Stop Staring’s! buyers tell Estrada the line is under priced. However, keeping the dresses in an affordable price range is of vital importance to her. “I’m glad the celebrities are wearing them, but I’m really happy the professionals are wearing them as well,” she says. “They’re real day to dinner dresses. You can wear them to work and then for drinks.”

Estrada reveals that celebrities discovered Stop Staring! just as regular shoppers would – by running across them in boutiques. “Paris Hilton just ordered a dozen more dresses, and I think people come back for the actual fit,” she explains. “As with anyone else, a celebrity is looking for a quality product. The dresses will always remain affordable, and that’s part of my upbringing. I wouldn’t go out and spend thousands of dollars on a dress myself.” Hilton recently wrote on her Twitter account that Stop Staring! has the “sexiest 40’s and 50’s pin-up dresses.” However, on top of the dresses being sexy, Estrada states she thinks it’s important the dresses remain classy and not too over-the-top.

Other celebrities who favor the line include Eva Mendes, Kat Von D, Christina Aguilera, and Dita Von Teese, just to name a few. While all the dresses are made in Los Angeles, they’re sold in over 35 countries and have a large following in Europe. Stop Staring! is also working on the addition of eyeglasses, jewelry and shoes to its line. In the meantime, fashionistas can look just as glamorous as golden-era Hollywood icons without turning back the hands of time.

To learn more about Stop Staring!, click here.

A La Moda: Getting Sexy for Halloween

10/26/2009 11:41:00 AM

I absolutely love Halloween. From theatrical costumes to over the top makeup, this is definitely a holiday for divas who like to make a scene. There’s something about getting into character that really excites me. You get to choose who or what you want to be and then you have to find or make the ideal costume and makeup to help you unleash your fantasies.

So chicas, what’s it going to be? Naughty nurse, cheerleader, or even Little Red Riding Hood? You’ve got a myriad of choices to choose from, but I’ve come up with some tips to help you select the best costume for your personality.

Seductive Things That Go Bump in the Night

In this category lies all of the monsters, witches, ghouls, goblins, and other creepy crawlies. Just because you’re into the darker side of things doesn’t mean you have to forgo your sexy side. This year’s most sought after costume for women is most likely a vampire after the success of Twilight. So, if you decide to do the evil temptress with the biting stare, here are a few tips on how to execute the sexiest vampire ever!

Getting Sexy for Halloween: Costume
Find a revealing costume that shows off your killer cleavage and curves. Many of the vampire looks are all about showing off long, shapely legs and bountiful breasts. One of the best ways to showcase your legs is with a pair of black fine fishnets. They will keep your legs warm in the chilly autumn night air and give your legs a sexy sheen and style that will lure many victims your way. Most vampire costumes are black, red, or deep purple/maroon. Find the color and cut that complements your shape and you’ll be the talk of the night. One of the key aspects to this look is fangs – make sure yours are white, glossy, and shine whenever you smile.

Getting Sexy for Halloween: Hair
For hair – you need to go long, dark and straight. Vampires are not known for sweet, chic hair. If anything, their hair is as severe as their pale white skin so be sure to invest in a great pin-straight dark wig which will add the right amount of glamour to your look.

Getting Sexy for Halloween: Makeup
For makeup – it’s all about the alabaster glow. Leave your bronzers and shimmers behind and go for the ghostly pale powders. Make sure your face is completely clean and shine-free before layering on the powder as this will ensure a smooth application and gorgeous results. Next, you will want to really dramatize the eyes by applying brow powder in a shade darker than you usually wear and extremely dramatic eyes. I am a fan of the traditional smoky eye for this costume – black liner with black shadow smudged over it and then blended out over a pearlized white or cream colored base. Just a slight hint of blush – very slight and bold, blood red lips with tons of gloss – the more gloss the better!

Stop Traffic! Scandalous Occupations

In this category lies all of the professions that many of us actually do on a day to day basis. There’s something about dressing up as a naughty teacher or fire fighter that drives anyone wild on Halloween. It’s sort of satisfying to the human psyche to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes even if only for one night! One of the most popular professions that women love to dress up as is a police officer. There’s a lot to be said about being in an authoritative position. It’s about the power, sex appeal, and strength behind a female cop that is truly irresistible.

Getting Sexy for Halloween: Costume
There are several variations of this costume, but all of them have one thing in common – legs, legs, and more legs. You will have to show a lot of leg with this look and trust me; it’s definitely a traffic stopper. Fishnets or just basic sheer pantyhose works well with this look. If you pick the sexy police jumper, be sure to unzip just low enough to expose a little cleavage. Make sure you’re police issued handcuffs are always at your disposal and tote a badge for that extra sense of playfulness when you’re ready to make an arrest!

Getting Sexy for Halloween: Hair
When it comes to hair, it all depends on the costume. Some police costumes come with hats, which mean you can choose to wear your hair in several different ways – long and straight, long and wavy, pulled back into a ponytail, or pulled back into a bun. This is strictly a matter of preference. Ponytails and buns are a more severe look while straight or wavy adds some heat to the look.

Getting Sexy for Halloween: Makeup
If you decide to wear the classic police aviators, your eyes will be shielded most of the night, but that doesn’t mean you get to forget about makeup. Be sure to do eyes with tons of sparkle and shimmer – light shadows will look fantastic with this as you pull down your shades and give a wink. Also, be sure to apply faux lashes for that extra sassiness. Lips will be the focal point of this look since your eyes are covered so go for high wattage gloss in a light or neutral tone and a little bit of shimmer on the cheeks!

Eco Beauty: Easy Tips on Going Green for a Gorgeous You

10/22/2009 1:47:00 PM

Many of us want clearer skin, shinier hair, and softer lips, but is the price worth it? With a walk down a drugstore aisle or a cosmetic boutique, shoppers will discover thousands of products from all over the world, ensuring that longer lashes and rosier cheeks are just a credit card swipe away. However, most products contain harmful toxins and preservatives that penetrate the skin and cosmetics aren’t regulated by The Food and Drug Administration. However, does this mean that every woman should give up using lipstick, foundation, or perfume?

Julie Gabriel, a London-based nutrition specialist and former Associate Beauty Editor for Harper’s Bazaar, is all too familiar with this dilemma. As a writer who has written more than 500 articles on beauty, she has analyzed some of the top products preferred by Hollywood’s elite. After some research, she realized the many dangers everyday products contain, encouraging her to discover more beneficial ways to get beautiful with ease. In her book The Green Beauty Guide, she discusses which ingredients to avoid and how Mother Nature can be any girl’s best friend. She took some time from writing her next upcoming book on beauty recipes to quickly discuss the benefits of green beauty, and how being a more radiant you can also save some green.

nocheLatina: What is green beauty?

Julie Gabriel: It’s about making a difference in the environment through your health. Green beauty is both good for your overall lifestyle, but also beneficial for your skin. Earth-friendly cosmetics are ideally made with organic extracts and packaged in recyclable cases. You have to take a careful look at the ingredients used in your cosmetics because it’s the key to finding out what you’re really putting on your skin. For example, using olive oil works better than massage oil. Green beauty saves money, your health, and the planet.

nocheLatina: How can we make our skin regimens a little greener?

Julie Gabriel: Great skin begins with moisturizer, especially during winter when icy conditions can cause dryness. The easiest way to green up your beauty routine is applying mild oils to remove makeup and to moisturize! You can also mix oils with some sugar to exfoliate. I recommend grape seed, olive, pomegranate, or almond oils. A few drops of oil will do wonders to your skin. They also soothe fine lines and wrinkles, making them less visible without botox. Unlike what most people think, oils do not clog pores. What really clogs pores is mineral oil, silicone, and other synthetic products that skin shouldn’t be absorbing. Even if you have oily, acne prone skin, natural oils can still be applied. If you use toners, skip the burning alcohol and switch to floral waters.

nocheLatina: One of the surprising things about green beauty is how fast it works. For example, honey can make a pesky pimple go away literally overnight.

Julie Gabriel: Honey is one of my favorite natural products to use for acne. It’s cheap, available in your kitchen, and won’t cause dryness or make the pimple worse. Honey is rich in antibacterial elements and can be mixed with onion or garlic. Secure it with a band aid and overnight, a breakout will be gone. You can also take raw onions, place them in a food processor until it becomes gooey, and place it on the skin. Yes it’s smelly, but onions contain sulfur, which heals pimples fast. Tea tree oil is also great for acne and smells much better.

nocheLatina: What advice can you give to someone who is ready to go green in their beauty regimen, but doesn’t know where to start?

Julie Gabriel: First of all, just because you buy one non-toxic nail polish, it doesn’t mean that you’re green. It’s so much more than that. If you’re only going to own one organic product, make sure it’s moisturizer. Anything that is meant to stay longer than five minutes should be organic. The product should be purely natural and not contain any chemicals, preservatives, silicones, or mineral oil. What’s great about green beauty is that you can make nearly any product at home and all the ingredients can be found at your local market or online for cheap. Green beauty is all about being creative, while fighting back against ingredients that can affect the water you drink, the air you breathe, and the grass you walk on.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out The Green Beauty Guide, we selected an easy to make, oil-based treatment from her book just for you. This Soothing Face Oil recipe comforts irritated, red skin, an ideal choice that even old man winter would approve.

Soothing Face Oil

Ingredients
1 tablespoon organic rose hip oil
1 tablespoon organic virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon organic aloe vera juice
2 drops calendula essential oil
1 drop chamomile oil
1 drop comfrey essential oil

Preparation
Combine oils and shake vigorously.

A La Moda: Wrap it Up-The Art of Wearing Scarves

10/19/2009 10:55:00 AM

I’m not sure about you, but it seems as though we’ve zipped through fall and are heading straight to winter. I love fall, especially the seasonal fashion, but due to colder temperatures already nipping at my nose, I’m have to add some layers to my look.

One of the best ways to add some warmth to your style is with a sophisticated scarf. Parisian women have paved the way with this simple, chic accessory. They are known for their creative methods and techniques, crafting their scarves into works of art that are more than just fashionable, but also functional.

Here are a few of my favorite scarves and ways to wear them for this particularly cold fall fashion season:

Pashmina – Modern Drape

Every chica has to have one of these gorgeous scarves in her closet. Pashminas became all the rage back in the early 90’s. Light enough to layer over any outfit, they add a certain panache to your look without adding any unnecessary bulk. The Modern Drape is just to pull it over your shoulders and then take one side and drape it over the other shoulder. In terms of color, it’s best to have a few different shades in your wardrobe, such as basic black, cream, white, salmon pink, turquoise for summer, and a deep jewel tone like purple or green for winter.

Wool Scarf – Noose Wrap

This is one of my favorite ways to wear a scarf. It comes across chic and complex even though it’s quite easy to accomplish. First thing you need to do is fold your wool scarf in half –be sure that you have a large enough scarf to do this as the smaller scarves will not work. Turn the folded edge towards you. Fold it in half again, but this time fold it along its width. So at this point, you should have an end that’s folded and an end that’s open. Place the folded scarf behind your head and tie it. Pull the scarf through the loop of the open end and viola, you have a noose wrap that is sure to set you apart from all the rest!

Silk Scarf – French Twist

Many women love this look because it exudes style and class without looking overdone, plus it keeps your neck and chest warm on those particularly brisk fall afternoons. First thing you will need to do is place the middle of your scarf at the back of your neck and let ends hang down in front. Next, wrap ends around each other loosely. Then, loop the ends back over each other again loosely. Still holding the ends of the scarf, bring them back to the front of the neck and tie in a tiny knot. Wear it with your favorite suit or over your sweater.

A La Moda: Beauty Myths Exposed

10/12/2009 10:47:00 AM

I know that I’m not the only chica that’s heard strange beauty rituals and myths. We’ve all heard them from our mothers, aunties, sisters, and cousins. From downright strange to just plain silly, every woman can attest to the fact that she’s been told some crazy beauty myth backed by a story of someone’s cousin’s sister who actually experienced it firsthand.

Here are a few of my favorite beauty myths and whether or not they are true.

Beauty Myth: Drinking 8 glasses of water a day will give you flawless skin.

False-This sounds really good since we’re constantly being told how important it is to hydrate ourselves with good, clean H2O. The problem with this myth is that the amount of water you drink has nothing to do with the quality of your skin. For example, if you have acne-prone skin, you need to deal with the underlying issue of bacteria and oil-production which cannot be eradicated from drinking lots of water. Although this myth is far from true, it is a good idea to always drink water on a daily basis as this will flush out toxins and keep your system running and healthy.

Beauty Myth: Shaving your legs makes your hair look thicker.

Somewhat True-One of the worst things about shaving your legs and underarms is that once you start, you almost always have to continue or run the risk of looking like a Sasquatch. When you shave, the hairs are cut at an angle which causes the hair to look stubbier when it grows back. Waxing is a better alternative if you don’t want hair on your legs and underarms to appear thick and stubby.

Beauty Myth: Chocolate and greasy, fried foods causes acne.

False-Foods that you eat are not the cause for your skin erupting. It’s about oil production and bacteria which are oftentimes due to hormonal changes, environmental elements, and stress. Even though food isn’t the direct reason why acne might appear, it is a good idea to limit greasy foods and sweets since they can only exacerbate acne-prone skin.

Beauty Myth: You can destroy cellulite with creams or surgery.

False-We’ve been sold a bill of goods by so many beauty companies and spa facilities about getting rid of the lumpy bumpies, clinically known as cellulite. There is no cure for cellulite other than good old-fashioned exercise, which can help reduce the appearance and shrink some of the fat deposits. Also, firming creams help tighten the skin temporarily. Another quick fix is a faux glow which is always slimming and helps make skin appear even and smooth.

Beauty Myth: Brushing your hair 100 times a day will make it shine.

False-Too much brushing can cause significant damage to locks, especially if done on a daily basis. It’s best to brush hair a few times a day since this does distribute the hair’s natural oils which can bring on a natural shine.

A La Moda: On Being a Shady Lady

10/5/2009 2:27:00 PM

I have finally mastered the art of eye makeup. I know, it may seem elementary to some of you but for me, it has been a long, drawn out situation that I wasn’t sure I would ever master. For some reason, about six months ago, the makeup artist light within me clicked on and I began to work my eye makeup like a true professional. From smoky to cat eye, I can do it all with style and flair. There’s no better feeling than to know that you can work your look without help. All you need are great tools, a little patience, and the top products for a gorgeous face!

So now that I’m all cocky about my makeup skills, I was all too excited when I received the new shadow compact “Shady Lady” by the Balm, a really cool makeup line that started with one product – an amazing lip balm that had taken the industry by storm several years ago. The first thing that caught my eye was the cool packaging. Done up in a sultry leopard print, the sleek compact can fit beautifully in my favorite clutch or just sit pretty on my bathroom countertop. The instant you open it, you can’t help but to fall in love with the stunning array of shades – Caught in the Act Courtney (deep brown with golden sparkle), Shameless Shana (shimmering bronze), Luscious Lana (cool shimmery pink), Jealous Jordana (rich green with sparkle) Risqué Renee (deep shimmery navy), Curvy Cami (plum shimmer with sparkle), Jet-Setting Jennifer (pale gold shimmer), All About Alex (olive green shimmer), and Easy Wheezie (gunmetal grey shimmer).

These shadows are long-wearing and heavily pigmented, which is wonderful for those nights when you don’t want to worry where your shadow will wind up. Another great aspect to this amazing compact is that three of the shadows can be used as liners. After using this new compact, I am hooked and happy to let you know that this is the best way to experiment with shadows without breaking the bank. Shady Lady sells for $38 and is a limited edition item, so be sure to snap up your compact today. Whether you’re a makeup pro or an amateur looking to sharpen your skills, Shady Lady is the ideal compact for every beauty kit this fall.

For more info on Shady Lady, click here.

The Quest for Flawless Skin

10/1/2009 1:41:00 PM

When Joanna Vargas goes to college reunions, she always looks like the youngest in the room. Vargas hasn’t gone under the knife, botoxed, or been taking black-market meds. Her secret is simply taking care of her skin with once-a-month facials and only using organic products.

Vargas is a celebrity facialist in New York City, whose specialty Triple Crown Facial uses a diamond-tipped wand and natural products to infuse the skin with minerals, drain puffiness, and enhance firmness. Although many women gawk at the $325 price tag, Vargas said it’s worth pulling a few extra bills from the wallet. “Taking care of yourself is always worth it,” says Vargas. “In New York, clients expect to see a difference in themselves. If this wasn’t working clients wouldn’t be buying.”

Never having had a facial worth a third of Vargas’ price, I wasn’t sure what to expect upon walking into her small Fifth Avenue studio for my appointment. But after I was given hot tea and a survey questioning my skin’s sensitivities and my personal goals of the facial, Vargas began her three-step process with results that stop questions from even the most cynical visitor. Half-way through, when she puts a mirror in front of my face to compare the side she’d worked on to my everyday Manhattan skin, I noticed a left side with more defined cheek bones adorned with a glowing touch.

Vargas said my skin’s filth could be attributed to many reasons. “Exposure to pollution, the way we eat, just generally environmental damage…causes metabolism to slow down just like in the body,” she explains. “Skin cells are less able to get rid of waste, process nutrients. Older women are less likely to produce collagen and especially younger women tend to retain a lot of water.”

Vargas encourages women to begin taking care of their skin at a young age, but says she doesn’t generally begin to see regular clients until they reach age 26 or 27, when they can start to see their own skin falling apart. “It’s much harder to correct damage once it exists,” Vargas said. “You don’t wait to go to the gym until your butt hits the floor.”

On top of monthly facials, Vargas sticks to simple, old-school skincare rules of washing everyday and exfoliating twice weekly with organic products. The reasoning for organic-only? “When I was pregnant, a client gave me a popular stretch mark product. I had this really sensitive nose and I smelled kerosene,” she states. “It said in very small letters, ‘Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing.’ I thought, ‘Who’s going to use stretch mark products besides a pregnant person?’ So I started going through all my products. I found the body assimilates organic products better.”

In addition to her facials, Vargas also offers anti-aging light therapy, tone-up body treatments, sunless tanning procedures, and waxing. “We have a tendency to be a drive-through culture,” states Vargas. “We want to pull in and make it all better, but for good skin, you really have to put in some effort.”

To learn more about Joanna Vargas and her Skincare Salon, click here.

Behind the Seams: Brian Reyes

9/28/2009 10:51:00 AM

Fall fashion is in full swing. Fashionistas from coast to coast are stocking up on their style stapes, warm wool coots, chic leather boots, and sophisticated sheath cocktail dresses. This season, there is a new face in the fashion forward crowd showcasing his vision of the modern woman with clothes that exude an impeccable sense of tailoring, structure, and use of sensuous fabrics.

Brian Reyes may be a relative newcomer on the fashion scene, but he’s been toiling away within the industry for years, honing his craft and preparing for the day when he would launch his own label. The Colombian talent began his foray into the fashion world as a protégé of Oscar De La Renta. Working underneath the iconic De La Renta’s tutelage, Reyes learned a great deal about the inner workings of the fashion business and developed a strong work ethic and a true passion for design that carries through his collections today.

Known as “The Go-To Designer” for New York City’s upper East and West Side socialites, as well as Hollywood’s fashionable set, Reyes is quickly gaining momentum for his keen sense of style and ability to create pieces that are complicated yet wearable. From America Ferrara to Amerie, Brian Reyes’ fans all hail his attention to the natural curves and lines of a woman’s body and his celebration of the natural female form with his body conscious collections. His collections are made for a woman who takes pride in her femininity and wears her sensuality on her sleeve like a badge of honor rather than a scarlet letter.

His Fall 2009 collection is the perfect mix of glamour, romance and sophistication. No bells and whistles here, you’ll find gorgeous fabrics and unique design aspects that are a testament to his strength as a designer and the power of his vision and voice.

Brian Reyes is truly a style star on the rise.

To view his latest collections, click here.