bargain news

Graci to Urban Daddy for rightfully comparing the new spot at One Little West 12th, oddly called The Collective, to something the Mad Hatter might muster up. The giant warehouse space looks like someone stuck a bar at one end then sneezed out a hodgepodge of tables throughout. The Collective might have thought to call themselves “The Collection” as they appear to have “collected” random items from other city destinations like LES’ graffiti, and Urban Outfitter’s pendant lights and from Chelsea, some faux Eames chairs. (Or maybe they are real. How would I know?) But the windows are wonderful and the randomness somewhat endearing. It might be the perfect place for the city variety to gather, er…collect, for post-workday wine or a cocktail before a night on the town.

From the masterminds who brought you STK and Bagatelle (The ONE Group), The Collective is bottle-service free and serves cholesterol heavy American fare (see also: drunk food) that just might give you a heart attack. I still cannot figure out why they added soy kettle chips to a menu that has blue cheese tater tots and short rib sliders, and I gave up chips for lent, but apparently, they are amazing. The menu offers a “Taste of The Hoods” with different entrees from each city neighborhood. (The Harlem is chicken and waffles with gravy. The Upper West side is lamb shank with fruity couscous. And so on…) So you won’t emerge skinny or ready to mix with B&Ters at Meatpacking clubs; but you’ll emerge happy. And that’s all that really matters anyway.

The Collective 1 Little West 12th Street  212.255.9717

Emma Dinzebach

Once ubiquitous only in Chinatown, minor surgical procedures are now popping up in popular “medical spas” all around town. Offering minimally invasive treatments like laser hair removal and Botox are amongst the package places like Tribeca Med Spa offer to keep up with customer demand. Most city med spas do indeed have M.D.’s on staff to perform medical treatments, but currently no regulative legislation exists to ensure medical spas are keeping up to snuff – medically, legally and otherwise. After a fatal liposuction case at a medical spa in Florida last year caused concern across the country and indicated a need for stricter regulations. Proposed legislation aims to regulate who can own a medical spa, which procedures are allowed, the training and credentials the person performing those procedures must have, etc.

In New York City, reputable medical spas include Tribeca Med Spa, Sensitive Touch in Midtown East,  GemVie Medispa, and Cosmetic enhancement can include Mesotherapy, Lypodissolve, (which is a Level I liposuction technique), vein removal, Botox, Restylane and Juvaderm. Each of these medical spas offer consultation and treatment performed by the supervising M.D., but other medical spas in the area do not. Medical spas are attractive because they offer competitive price points for services that were once luxury options. While we haven’t personally been to the above medical spas, for what it’s worth Dr. Gerald Ginsberg, a cosmetic surgeon and medical director at Tribeca Med Spa was highlighted by the New York Times.

Our advice, as always, is to research, research, research because when you have a bad facial, the worse thing that happens is a little redness or an allergic reaction. When you have a botched Botox job, it’s going to look a little worse. We found a site called Medical Spa MD, which appears to be a blog for the medical spa community and might be a good start to research the inner-workings.
Emma Dinzebach

Every once in a while we need a friendly reminder that our beauty products might be nearing past their expiration date. So you’re picturing tiny bacteria growing all over your shimmery Chanel eye shadow from last holiday season and now terrified that your face will break out in a puffy, bubbly rash. Relax.

There is a common misconception that expired cosmetic products will harm you in the form of allergies, rashes, etc. however, product expiration actually exists because beauty companies cannot guarantee that post-expiration date the product will perform to it’s fullest capability. That is actually why the expiration date exists. So don’t think that your face will burn off if you use a product past its expiration date. It won’t.

What will happen? Products past their expiration date can (and eventually will) change in consistency. You eye shadows, blushes and bronzers will likely lose their pigment, spread unevenly or slightly alter their color. Moisturizers and foundations will be less effective and unlike eye shadow and blush that you can just pile on more, won’t serve their original purpose.

Make-up’s general shelf life:

• Concealer/Foundation: Up to 12 months
• Mascara: 4-6 months
• Eye shadow: 3 years
• Powder: 2 years
• Eye liner: 3 years (if sharpened regularly)
• Nail polish: Up to 12 months
• Lipstick: 3 years
• Brushes: Clean every 2-3 months with mild detergent or brush cleaner
• Sponges: Wash weekly and discard monthly

Emma Dinzebach

If you visit spa-addicts.com or spa-nyc.com or any of the other pamper-loving New York City spa sites, you will be pleasantly greeted by an array of holiday spa specials. Buy one get one 50% off is a great deal at Skintology on 7th Ave and Graceful Spa on West 14th is offering discounted massages. Other specials include couples massages, free add on services with purchase of a facial, complimentary oxygen treatments, and so on.

At The Spa at Chelsea Piers, for every $150 gift card purchased, you receive a $30 credit, and for every $250 gift card, you receive a $50 credit. (Yeah, they apparently cannot perform simple math over there.) But hey, these are good deals! And if you are a little late on your Christmas shopping and can’t decide what to get your mom, sister, brother’s on again/off again girlfriend and so on, check this. You might just be rewarded for procrastination. At spas like Ettia Holistic Day Spa on the Upper West Side, for every four gift services you purchase, you get a fifth free. So if you have four people to buy presents for, you can get a free massage, facial or body wrap.

Even better? Spas are desperate for new clients in the new year, making it the best time to ask for what you want. If you love Ettia’s special but heart Haven’s services, ask them to match it. We tried last week, and four out of the five spas we called were willing to throw in a complimentary service with the purchase of four gift services. (The fifth that turned us down was Bliss.) So go for it. And relish in your present to yourself because by golly, you deserve it!

Emma Dinzebach