Compacts & Vignettes from iVillage Beauty & Style

Run, (for) Fashion, Run!: Part 1

2008-07-02T14:55:40Z

Hi Ladies,

As I walked from the park to my building last week, panting, sweating, darn near choking on the few ounces left in my water bottle after running 5 miles, I heard the most unexpected words from an adorable, flirty, and very-girly neighbor, let’s call her Ms. C.

“Hey Tai, I love your shorts! I like your top, too. In fact, I like the whole outfit. Cute! ”

I managed to heave an exhausted, “Thank you,” and told her where I got my fitness get up.

When I got to my apartment, I paused for a minute to check out my fitness attire: shorts, top, and kicks in the mirror. My take, the duds are cute, stylish, and remarkably on trend with summer fashion – bright hued, fitted, functional and transitional. (I could, if I wanted, wear the bottoms to the pool or grocery store or pair the tee with a pair of cargo shorts for a casual day out.)

My, how times have changed, I thought. Remember when women exercising meant doing the Jane Fonda aerobic work out…”and-one-and-two-step-up-and-right-up-and-down-and-turn-left” in a pink leotard atop leopard print leggings and bright pink legwarmers? Ugh! And while I know plenty of 80s fanatics wore the same or similar-looking ensembles out later in the day, I certainly wouldn’t have advised it. And, unless you’re currently enrolled in ballet, tap or modern dance classes, I think it’s safe to rid your wardrobe of the boat neck onesie all together. No, really.

As I prepare to “officially” train for this year’s ING New York City Marathon (I’m running to raise money for one of my favorite charities, Malaria No More, malarianomore.org), I feel encouraged not only in philanthropy but in fashion.

Though I don’t have a swanky, coveted membership to Equinox, New York Sports Club, or an indie, local, training outpost where the style-conscious go to train (and be seen), I’ll wear my comfortable, well-made, and style-forward gear as I run on the terrain in my suburban ‘hood, in my building’s gym and then all the way to the finish line in Central Park on November 2, 2008. Beauty-fully!

Whether you’re training or working out hard to make your bod it’s best for the summer and beyond, here are a few of my in-fashion get-fit (and on-your-mark-get-set-to eradicate malaria) essentials.

Nike Graphic Women’s Running Boy Shorts, $35, Nike.com

Nike Air Zoom Vomero 3 Women’s Sneaker, $125, Nike.com

Apple iPod Nano, $199, Apple.com

Timex Fitness Tracker, $90, Timex.com

Do tell! Do you get “dressed” when working out? What do you look for in fitness attire? Any fitness attire questions…ask away. I have a few trainers ready to answer!

Stay tuned for Run [for] Fashion, Run!: Part 2 where I’ll share the best (yes, tested!) beauty products that go the distance of a workout. I mean, if you don’t look good…well… you don’t feel as good. Right?

Tai

Here's Looking at YOU, beauty!

2008-06-24T20:32:26Z

An out of this world-class production. Images shot by world-renowned fashion lensman Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue’s July issue. Exquisite couture frocks: Missoni, Cavalli, de la Renta are draped on the frames of if-looks-could-kill models. (On set, I imagine stylists, creative directors, makeup artists, their minions, assistants, and interns swirled and raced to and fro to be sure everything was just so and not too, too.)

What may sound like any “fabulous” high-fashion shoot and its resulting spread or a slightly more-down-to-earth clip from America’s Next Top Model is truly an even more extraordinary authentic, in-print first.

Mr. Meisel’s posing mannequins don’t fit what has been the fashion industry’s hushed-or-worst-still- unspoken-rule-but-not-at-all-a-secret that it (the industry) has long preferred its models fair and toothpick thin; a subscription that leaves women—like me—feeling like an airplane passenger neighbor never greeted, seen but not worth the time.

But all Mr. Meisel’s subjects, though they fit designer sample sized duds (usually 2 or 4), the beyond-gorg gals are raven, caramel, and honey-toned in complexion.

Since the issue hit US stands last week, media and fashion insiders are talking even more about the typical absence of diversity, color and shape in fashion.

While “Conspicuous by Their Presence” author Cathy Horyn’s interviews with fashion-mavens including Iman and Bethann Hardison suggests diversity (though sometimes contrived) has “improved” over the years, they also maintain that the “industry” is still NI (in need of improvement). Well, but of course!

Thank goodness for platforms like O, the Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Essence, Lucky, and ivillage.com that celebrate women for their diversity. And, though only annually in it’s Shape Issue, American Vogue has in recent years featured a few women close to an American woman’s average size 12. In support of its sister publication, I’m sure, the July 2008 issue American Vogue recognizes three black supermodels-in-the-making, Jourdan Dunn, Chanel Iman, and Arelis.

Kudos to Steven for setting the precedent. Hopefully with fotogs like him and ”Love the Skin You’re In” campaigns launched by Dove leading the way the trend of including women of every shape, size, skin-tone, ethnicity, hair length and texture will become the new standard in fashion and beauty. I mean, it’s ideal.

Until we’ll fully there…you be you! Be beauty-full!

Tai

Oh, Man!!!

2008-06-13T17:00:52Z

Hi Ladies,

Like any other day, I chatted (or at least corresponded) with a few girlfriends yesterday. At some point during our communication I posed these simple questions, “Have you purchased Father’s Day gifts yet? What did you buy?”

I wasn’t surprised to learn that while they all look forward to indulging the men in their lives, few, with less than 72 hours ‘til the “big” day, have put their dollars or credit cards where their hearts are.

The answers were entertaining…to say the least.

Friend #1:

“Mrs. M” (35 years, Married 4 years, 1 child and very pregnant) said, “I find this to be a very interesting question that intrigues me…”

Clearly she hasn’t made a purchase!

Friend #2:

“Mrs. J” (31 years, Married 4 years, 2 children) said, “Yes. Of course! I actually gave it to him last night. He loved his giftsssss: a French-cuffed shirt, Paul Smith cufflinks, and tie. He’ll wear them to an event where he’s being honored this Saturday."

Good for you Mrs. J!!! She’s the sweetest, superwoman-mother-wife I know. (Really!)

Friend #3:

“Miss B” (31, In a Relationship, no children) said, “Oh my gosh! Shucks! I need to buy something!! Any ideas?”

Of course, Miss B! In fact, I have ideas for you and Mrs. M.…and all the Mrs.-es, Misses, and Ms-es, A-Z.

Three tips to last-minute, stress-free shopping for him:

Keep him at the forefront of your mind…of course. (You don’t want to get sidetracked when shopping.)
Consider his likes, dislikes, wardrobe and valet needs, his lifestyle…of course.

And the not so obvious:

Think about you, too!

After all (in the case of a stylish but practical gift), what’s good for the gander can be great for the goose. The perfect gift for him is one that you can borrow.

The Every-Man-Will-Like list:

Enter code: MENSALE at checkout for 20% off.

Ray-Ban Original Aviator Sunglasses, $129, macys.com. Up the cool factor of any guy in your life while keeping his style clean and traditional.

Man-ly and Pedi-cure, $95 at Bliss Spa, blissworld.com. I know, I know…most guys are slow to admit it…but who doesn’t enjoy being pampered (just a little bit) every now and again? Bliss’ signature Man-ly Cure was created with him in mind. If Bliss hasn’t come to your town (just yet), you’re favorite local nail salon will serve him the royal treatment, too.

Good luck, happy shopping and happy Father’s Day!

Tai

Point(ers) Well Taken…

2008-06-10T21:08:48Z

Hi Ladies,

This isn’t the newsy-est of news but I live for manicures. I indulge my handy senses at Pinky in Upper Montclair or Coco in East Midtown Manhattan every Saturday. As of late, I keep my pointers polished candy apple or fruit punch red. And when I’m feeling extra spunky: a coral-like cinnamon shade. I love admiring my freshly painted nails while I cook, drive, type, lift my blackberry to my ear, read…

Speaking of reading…I live for the New York Times style section, printed version.

On Thursday mornings, Abdul (my Jack Russell) and I stroll to the local convenience store. I purchase The Times, open it slowly, unfolding the style section from the rest of the paper. Then I fan it neatly between my fingers. With Abdul’s leash in one hand, the bulk of the paper tucked underneath one arm, style in front of my face, I read as we walk back to the loft.

Every Sunday, regardless of the world’s most pressing news, I coolly and delicately (usually at my dining room table) thumb and point my way through the encyclopedia-thick edition – sifting, searching, shamelessly for “style.” (I return to the front page only after studying “Style”, perusing “Real Estate”, fawning over “Travel”, circling and highlighting to-dos in “Arts”, and raising or furrowing a brow or two at “New Jersey.” Yes, in that order!)

So imagine how I felt once I read the following words in my favorite news section of The Times:

“…having streaked, chipped or just plain grotty nail polish no longer suggests drug addiction, manual labor or pure laziness. Like untied high-tops, thread-worn jeans and bedhead, it’s now part of a deliberate look.”

Uhh?? Chipped nails deliberate? A matter of convenience or busy-ness? Certainly. (It happens to me far too soon and often then I’d like.) But stylish or intentional? Not for me!

Since I type on not one but two blackberries, my mani chips by day three. By day four, I usually keep my hands balled into fists. And when they’re not knotted, I hide them in my sleeves, or worse still, I file, pick, or rip at my already nail-bed length nails. I’d like to preserve my $15 investment for as long as possible without being chip-is-in cool. Call me old school, but it’s just not my style (by choice).

So, I asked two skin and nail-care experts for pointers on how to make a mani last. Here’s what they said:

· Nails that are dry, split or have ridges chip more easily. Keep your nails healthy by keeping your hands, nails, and cuticles moisturized, says Dr. Fran E. Cook-Bolden, a New York City-based dermatologist.

· Consider taking a vitamin supplement like biotin to help strengthen nails. Topical ingredients don’t work as well as oral supplements, says Cook-Bolden. (I started taking Biotin five months ago and my nails are visibly stronger.)

· Before applying the base coat, “dehydrate” the nail bed, says Skyy Hadley, owner and founder of As U Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, New Jersey. Remove natural oils from your nail with a nail polish remover. A clean nail bed helps “the polish adhere more to the nail,” says Hadley making it less likely to chip.

· Apply a base, two thin coats of color, and then a thin topcoat says Dr. Cook-Bolden. Hadley maintains a second topcoat helps.

· “Then apply another top coat on the third day,” says Hadley.

Olsen twin trend or not…busy professional or stay at home mom…if you’re nail bed is hosting a color that is half empty (or half full for that matter), I agree with Hadley. “Always carry nail polish remover pads,” she says, to remove the old and let your blank pointers live in solitude…point blank.

Check out my summer nail favorites. And don’t forget to share whether you let your nails chip freely or prefer they remain perfectly painted. If so, what’s your trick to making your mani go the distance? What polish colors are you wearing?

Tai

With the sun ablaze, in addition to my daily hand moisturizer, I apply, Sally Hansen Vitamin E Cuticle and Hand Oil, $6.59, www.drugstore.com at least once every two days.

As I said, I’m in really into fiery reds this season. I like the sophisticated, yet bright and smooth finish of OPI’s Monsooner of Later, $8, www.opi.com.

When in doubt, be ready to wipe the slate clean on a moment’s notice with Lippman Collection The Stripper to Go, $8, www.lippmancollection.com.

A Beauty-full Balance

2008-06-06T17:10:59Z

Hi Ladies,

Recently, a colleague and friend, let’s call her “Mrs. Mac,” asked me what moisturizer I use on my face. I tried to dismiss her question at first. “Well, I really like quite a few face creams…,” I responded, slyly rattling off the names of at least five mass and prestige facial moisturizers I’ve tried at various points during my beauty editor career that I think are good. Mrs. Mac, a very hip, “well-maintenance-d”, extremely put-together, mother of three insisted, “BUT what do YOU use on your face, now, daily…today?” With a slight feeling of guilt I conceded, and mouthed, “Crème de L-A- M-E-R???”

“Umhmm”Mrs. Mac moaned. “My mother swears by Crème de La Mer. But I can’t, just can’t see myself spending…”

I cut her off. “I know. I know. It’s pricey. But I only make the purchase once, maybe twice a year. It’s one of my special treats to me,” I defended.

What I didn’t tell Mrs. Mac (hopefully, she’ll read this entry) is there’s a trick to making your beauty investment really work for you.

In the case of the Crème de La Mer: I use it daily, day and night, for three weeks when the season is just beginning to change. It helps to recondition and hydrate my skin. (It just happened that I was on Day 10 when I saw Mrs. Mac.) At the end of the three weeks, I go back to my more reasonably priced hydrator, Yon-KA Paris Pamplemousse (available at Blissworld.com).

At any rate, after chatting with Mrs. Mac about my love for La-Mer, feeling a tad bit guilty about its price, I thought about my beauty pantry. There are quite a few expensive items in it I swear by. But there are equally as many mass brands that, truth be told, I’d dare not live without.

Hey, it’s all about balance. And I think I’ve struck my beauty balance.

Stay beauty-full!

Tai

Here are a few of my favorite face, hand, and body-savers at every price point:

The Pricey:

3 Lab Perfect Hand Cream
, $55, barneys.com, softens my hands and my forever-dry cuticles. A highlight? I can wash my hands at least twice and not have to reapply which helps this decently sized tube last for at least two-three months.

The Economical:

Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Normal to Oily Skin, $7.99, walgreens.com. I love how the gel gently lathers. And seriously, I push this product on any and everyone who asks what cleanser they should use.

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Scrub, $6.99, cvs.com. I’ve suffered from "backne" (acne on my back) since I was a teen. Argggh! This gentle 2% salicylic acid exfoliant keeps my back clear and the rest of my body smooth.

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara, $7.65, drugstore.com. I’m a mascara fanatic! This formula is waterproof, smudge proof, and budge proof. I’ll manage to look dolled up all day this Saturday on the beach.

What’s the most you’ve ever spent on a beauty product? The least? Do you prefer shopping for beauty products at the department store, drugstore, specialty boutique (Sephora), or online?

“Self and the City” (town, plain, country, or wherever you are)

2008-06-02T16:32:36Z

Hi Ladies,

So, Friday was the BIG day! Friends had talked about it for the last year when swirling rumors were confirmed that Sex and the City: The Series would indeed become Sex and the City: The Movie. (Henceforth noted as “SATC: TS” and “SATC: TM,” respectively) Girl packs went out in droves, by the bus and plane-loads this past weekend to celebrate – my pack included. Though my group of friends didn’t converse about what ensemble, bob, lip color or peep toe bootie (Louboutin or Marni) we’d wear to the cinema, we did (and continue to) discuss which character we were most like almost ten years ago and who we think we identify with most after the screening.

This is a topic I’ve been contemplating for 9 years. Think I’m joking? Strut with me for a moment:

The year is 1999 (And unfortunately I wasn’t partying as hard as Prince would have liked, though I sashayed across the dance floor occasionally in a fierce pair of Nine West pumps). I am a senior in Dr. Steven Knadler’s Literary Theory: 417 class at Spelman College, a very small all-women’s, liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. SATC: TS is a recent hit on HBO. I am wowed, fascinated, inspired by their power, strength, courage, complexity of the archetypal women characters, and, of course, their shoes. (Though a little quirky, costume designer Patricia Fields definitely knows how to tell a story with clothes.)

When asked to decide my semester-long literary exploration, I chose SATC: TS. (Others choose to critique E.L Doctorow, T.S. Eliot, and Jane Austen.) I tape record episodes weekly and then screen them in class. During each screening I lead the class in discussion about post structuralist theory. We use Michel Foucault literary criticism to dissect each character. No trait, flaw, hairstyle, and/or choice in outfit are off limits. SATC: TS is essence my classroom.

I earned an A- on the paper. My classmates and I, and all SATC fans, learned about society (some good things, and other things not so) as well as ourselves from SATC: TS. On the most simplistic level, Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte’s styles serve as code for who they (or we) were (or are) at any given time.

It’s interesting to see how their styles and personalities have evolved in the movie. The wonderful thing? While Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon were filming SATC: TM, we were busy writing and recording our own script, one take-by-beauty-full-take.

As an ode to our beloved Sex and the City, do tell where your style, beauty, and personality loyalties are. Take a look at the “Self and the City” Assessment. Are you more like Charlotte or Miranda? A little of Carrie and Samantha? Do tell.

I’ll go first:

My SATC Personality: Straddle, since college, being somewhat Carrie-esqe (creative, free-spirited), Miranda-ish (career-focused), and yep, Charlotte-like (slightly traditional at times).

My SATC Style: 60% Carrie (My style is a little unpredictable), 15% Samantha (flirty and sassy is good), 12.5% each Charlotte and Miranda (I certainly know how to dress for the board room).

My SATC Beauty: Usually the fresh-faced Charlotte (but tanner!) and the dreamy like Carrie.

At the end of the day (or series) I guess, I’m most like Carrie: a helpless romantic on the inside (and out…I mean, who wears a tutu past age 9?) and eternal optimist who hopes that life will always be like a box of fine chocolates or smooth, berry lip gloss.

Carrie Bradshaw

Personality: Free-flowing, effervescent, optimistic

Style: Unconventional, daring, creative

Beauty: ethereal, colorful, playful

Miranda Hobbs

Personality: Confident, direct, settled

Style: Conservative, practical, sophisticated

Beauty: Clean, natural, simple

Samantha Jones

Personality: Assured, passionate, fun

Style: Sexy, bold, expressive

Beauty: Enhanced, statement-making, coordinated

Charlotte York Goldenplatt

Personality: Positive, sincere, loving

Style: Traditional, demure, refined

Beauty: radiant, soft, fresh

Got Moisturizer?

2008-05-21T21:11:51Z

Hi Ladies,

I have a friend (let’s call him “Mr. F”) with skin as smooth and soft as the most exquisite silk. (No, that wasn’t a typo. Yes, I meant him…as in the friend is a he and not a she.)

While it’s nice to see that a guy cares about his grooming routine; I, quite frankly, wrestled with the fact that a male (even an extremely well-groomed one) could have skin softer than any she (especially me). Then again, from a scientific standpoint, perhaps it is possible. Men are usually more fully clothed in long-sleeved shirts and trousers and therefore less exposed to harsh environmental elements that tank top, short-sleeve, and skirt-wearing women face. But get this! When I asked “Mr. F” about his body moisturizing practices and he retorted, “I don’t really use lotion” I thought, Okay? That’s novel!

So, for the sake of my C&V gals, I decided that some skin-so-soft-seeking work was necessary.

I assessed my skin’s condition and reviewed my body hydrating regimen my dermis is very supple but more like silk shantung than the finer variety. And baby, when it’s cool outside, I apply a thick even heavy oil (like Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel in Aloe, $6, drugstore.com after a shower but before drying off, which helps the moisture lock into the skin for most of the day. But with warm weather here (kind of) and my competitive desire to have skin that rivals “Mr. F’s”, I decided to test a few of the season’s lightweight hydrators to see which potions get the job done.

Here’s what I’m “feeling:”

Cetaphil DailyAdvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion, $10.99, walgreens.com

Seriously, this lotion goes on so thin, but is as hydrating as any rich and super-luxe cream. So smooth and light, it can easily double as hand cream, too. The best part: you can slip on a silk top and not worry about those messy residual lotion/oil marks.

GRN Grow Restore Nurture Natural White Tea Body Lotion by Exhale, $19, exhalespa.com

As soon as this paraben and dye-free hydrator touches the skin it seems to morph into water. But its nourishing, vitamin-enriched formula delicately scented of fresh essential oils lasts all day long.

Avon’s Skin So Soft Fusions Dual Softening Body Moisturizer
, $8.50, www.avon.com

I admit Skin So Soft is nostalgic for me. My mom and grandmothers swore that the legendary Avon dry oil spray could (and would) repel any bug known to man. The newest Skin So Soft cream formula left my skin moisturized and smooth, even after a four-mile run.

I’m a commitment-phobe when it comes to body moisturizers. So I’m dibbling and dabbling a bit and all three of these are in rotation. But with these lightweight heavy hitters, I'm confident my skin WILL BE waaay softer than.... I’ll keep you posted.

Until then, tell me about your summer skin-moisturizing routine. Do you stick with creams or lighten up? Which are your favorite and why? Does SPF alone work for you?

I am not my hair, am I?

2008-05-15T17:59:49Z

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am not your expectations (no)

I am not my hair

I am not this skin

I am the soul that lives within

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person

Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend

Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity

Expressing my creativity

--India.Arie, “I am not My Hair,” Testimony: Vol. 1 Life & Relationship (2006), Universal Motown

I am fortunate to say that I get compliments on my hair frequently. And God knows I appreciate them. Rarely am I asked whether the hair on my head is mine. But occasionally, it happens. But when I am asked the rather forward question, I often ponder whether or not Beyoncé, Kim Catrall, or Gwenyth Paltrow are ever asked the same.

So, today, I am coming out!

Yes, I’m wearing hair extensions. I have been for a little over a year. My “real,” au natural hair is chemically straightened, sandy in color and now rests healthily below my shoulders. But when I made a long-term commitment to wear my “temporary” longer tresses, it was a drastic change. What was one day a short, cropped, Mia Farrow-pixie that shaped my face like a customized picture frame became what my ultra-conservative, demure mother calls an “unbeweavable” hair-to-there hair-peration.

I beg to differ. My chest-length extensions are trés believable. The store-bought locks match my hair texture and color perfectly. And their believability-factor was, at least for me, a prerequisite to wear them in the first place. My stylist, Carla Gentry Osorio, is the genius weaver. However, as evidenced by this entry, my intention is not to fool anyone about where my own hair begins and/or ends. After all, I am not my hair. Or am I?

I mean, I believe women like you and I (and India.Arie) don’t see our hair as a defining characteristic of who we are. Instead, I believe, our tresses are a mere extension (no pun intended) of our style, personality, our mood, a matter of self-expressio. Or perhaps, in my case, an equally important convenience that affords the comfort of working out four times a week without worrying about “my” hair becoming excessively dry or damaged.

So with the season’s celebrity “It” hairstyles all of which I love, running the gamut – from the...

And the… Femme Fatale Sarah Jessica Parker:

And even the…Rock Star Rihanna:

What some might view as indecisive, I call cutting-edge. The asymmetrical cut has returned after a twenty-plus-year hiatus. But what remains hasn’t changed about this style? It’s still daring, funky, edgy, and rocker-chic!

I have to agree with India. I am not my hair! But my hair is ME, I mean “we”. And today (and for the last year or so) I’ve settled into feeling a little more femme fatal-ish like SJP. But with summer coming soon (I hope), who knows, I might just decide to take my rock-star quotient up a notch. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, what hair-statement are you making now or thinking about making?