Beauty | Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 130

Beauty

November 9, 2011

Fashion Pulse Guy Tested: Every Man Jack

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Products specifically catered to men are nothing new to the market; the trend started circa 2002, and has only picked up steam since. Every Man Jack boasts honest products at affordable prices void of harsh chemicals and providing results necessary to conditioning, protecting, and moisturizing the skin and hair. Our Fashion Pulse Guy tested out some of the products from the line, courtesy of the brand, and the Every Man Jack Fragrance Free Shave Gel , $5 along with the Sun Protection Lip Balm, $5, surfacing as the winners. Light on scent and generous on moisturizing, these products do the trick for sensitive skin and moisture-craving lips. Find out more about Every Man Jack at their website, or you can easily pick up a product to try for yourself  the next time  you’re in Target, Whole Foods, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and more.

November 9, 2011

Damian West Makes the Cut

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Sometimes having too many options means that you will miss some real gems in the mix. Living in New York City, this is certainly the case, with a myriad of restaurants, spas, salons and more available in every neighborhood, and for most of us, selecting to attend the ones that are most convenient to work or home. That certainly is the case for me, and having not lived in the Village for 11 years, I forgot how quaint yet upscale, vibrant yet subtle, and overall “neighborhoody” the West Village can be. Damian West, a salon that has been in existence for 13 years in the area piqued my interest and brought me back to the area thanks to the offer to try one of their services.
[The “before” shot (Courtesy of Josh)]

Trying to let my hair grow and receiving a cut that wasn’t what I had in mind was my current status quo, so with high hopes I thought it was time to try a new place while moderately reshaping the current state of my mane. Damian West is a cozy, unassuming ground floor space, with a zen waiting room, fireplace, outdoor patio, and two floors of aptly spaced, intimate chairs to experience the hair care. My appointment was with Josh, and not only was she warm and welcoming and we instantly clicked, but without having to say much at all, she gave me a great hair analysis and knew what had happened in the last cut that went awry, and what I needed to improve upon my hair, features, and needs.
The results: [The “after” shot]

I got my asymmetrical bangs back, minding that darn colic in the front, as well as a softening and evening of the layers framing my face, but adding some dimension and shorter layers to the back to give more fullness and lift.

[The “after” shot, profile]

Damage, undone, glamour quotient — raised! I really love my new look, but also the entire experience of a warm, welcoming neighborhood salon with exceptional service, a talented and experienced staff, and products used.  I encourage you to experience Damian West, whether a New York City resident, commuter, or visitor. Cuts for women range from $110-$130, with blowouts at $50 and up. [reception area of Damian West][the elegant second floor space, Damian West]

-Julia DiNardo

November 3, 2011

Cleanup Soap: Our Chance to Clean Things Up

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[Rosemary Mint $8, at Cleanupsoap.com]

Cleanup Soap’s Design Metaphor: “As the soap disappears, so do the landmines.”

Cleanup Soap’s Design Goal: “Wash them away”.

Wondering what is going on? Cleanup is a company that raises funds for de-mining organizations to remove landmines, a target operated explosive weapon, and provide survivor assistance. Shockingly, the global landmine crisis is a pressing issue in over 80 countries worldwide.

Product designer Hidea Matsui strove towards addressing this humanitarian and economic issue while working on his senior project at Parsons. Landmines render land useless, “prohibiting communities from producing food and utilizing water sources, or from building infrastructure, schools and hospitals.”

The devastation caused by landmines led to a collaboration between Matsui and a team of students at Milano School for Management and Urban Policy – The New School (Parsons). Retailing at $8, $2 from each bar, available in Coconut or Rosemary Mint, is donated to the Cambodia Landmine Museum (NGO partner), outside of  Siem Reap. This facility is the home to an orphanage and school for over 30 at-risk children, and serves as a spiritual dwelling to heal the body and soul alike.

[Coconut Rice $8, at Cleanupsoap.com]

The Cambodian Landmine Relief Fund was founded by Aki Ra, a former child soldier. Aki Ra cleared mines slowly using the training he learned while working as a UN de-miner in 1994. He founded the museum, slowly compiling the collection of bombs, mines and other explosive remnants of the war. Today, the Cambodia Landmine Museum is the first licensed and accredited museum of its kind across the globe.

We are normally disconnected from such issues as we can easily shrug off things that do not interfere with our own daily lives. Yet, Cleanup is providing the opportunity to eradicate a crisis that you’lll never forget. By visiting Cleanupsoap.com and purchasing one of the two varieties of soaps, Cleanup is offering us the opportunity to care, support and secure a safer world.

With the simple act of washing our hands, we help clean the earth of a much larger issue.

October 20, 2011

The Dermalogica Skincare Tip You Won’t Want to Miss

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[My Dermalogica face mapping and prescription, post-facial]

I recently got a facial at Dermalogica Academy,  a terrific school and treatment facility located in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC, and had to share a bit about the experience, as I not only received a superb treatment, but also a prescription, and tips to extend a great complexion beyond the facial.

First, at Dermalogica Academy, extractions during a facial  do not hurt and are are non-scarring. The technique that students learn is not the traditional push and squeeze method that we all do at home in front of the mirror, but rather a side-to-side wiggle. I asked my skin expert, Susan, how and why it is done that way, and essentially, the rationale behind it is to first lift the entire pore, and then to gently nudge out all of stuff in the blackhead or whitehead, or zit instead of just pinching out the top half of it, and then leaving it open to get bacteria inside.

Dermalogica also used a formula that opens up the pores, making this whole process easier, and then afterward, another product to seal the problem areas’ pores. Instead of going at a pimple with the tips of your fingers next time, try to start outward and raise up the area, creating a plateau, and then with the sides of your fingers, move slightly back and forth to nudge it out. Pretty easy, and non-damaging to the skin, as you won’t damage anywhere else on yoru face with the force of your fingernails.
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