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Last year, the FDA approved the prescription drug Latisse for treatment of hypotrichosis. Hypotrichosis is a condition of abnormal hair growth, usually characterized by lack of hair where “normal” people grow hair. (Not to be confused with alopecia, which is characterized by the loss of hair where hair formerly existed.) For suffers nationwide, this meant the growth of fuller, thicker, longer hair in places they formerly had none – places that piqued the interest of beauty product lovers hoping to plump up their eyelashes.

In the clinical study, 78% of patients experienced remarkable increases in fullness, length and darker colored lashes. The drawbacks, because of course there are some, are as follows: Eye itching and eye redness are the most common side effects during the 16 week recommended use of the product. And most people we know experienced at least some of this during use. Increased pigmentation on the eye lids may not be permanent, but likely occurs during use. There is a risk for hair growth where ever the solution is applied (gross), but this can be prevented with proper application.

Anyway, there are a whole list of precautions, side effects, etc. that you can find here. Otherwise, it pretty much works wonders. Visit the Latisse website to see the before and after lash pics like that above from the 16 week trial study.

A majority of the last decade was doused in popping bottles, months of reservations and overpriced jumpsuits. If the 90’s were the dawn of decadence, the turn of the century ignited man’s ability to visually underachieve. Visually, I said. Defying decadence? You ask, wondering what that might mean. Allow me to clarify: this decade began with American Psycho-style bankers blowing the concept of “valuation” out of the proverbial waters. It was a nasty combination of overpriced track suits and Chinatown  handbags. The last ten years were want, want, want. While we love the SATC wardrobe, the media saturated our minds with what we needed to look like Carrie & Co. Real Housewives, Entourage, even my beloved Gossip Girl make our lives mediocre compared to what we could have. In the end, we stood drenched in materialistic messages.

So we took a step back.

Next year, decade, season, we aim to root ourselves in…well, in ourselves, and live less focused on things and more focused on And in terms of making your face the prettiest in town, think from the inside out. Sure there are great spa deals; and we understand wanting a little lift here or a teeny tuck here. How we treat our bodies, however, is the true reflection of beauty. A more organic approach – water, stretching, balanced eating habits – will make weekly spa treatments unnecessary and allow you to use your spa visits and dinners out as more special, rewarding occasions. Oh, wee will still report the best restaurants, spa deals, sales and trends. (I mean, hello, that’s our job!) However, making our purchases reflect the person we aim to become will allow the next ten years to glow more genuine.

From TVC to you, Happy New Year.

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

Your friend has the straightest, shiniest, healthiest hair. She attributes her commercial-worthy locks to $250 Brazilian Keratin mastermind Faisal at Laicale salon in Soho. For the past year you’ve been spending a pretty penny on your locks, but it’s almost Hanukkah. You need to reorganize your budget to accommodate gift purchases, but you still want to look lovely for your holiday parties.
Ever-popular keratin hair treatments use the hair’s natural proteins (er, keratin) at the same pH level as your normal hair to strengthen, nourish and provide UV protection for your hair. Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT) leaves hair frizz free, soft and shiny for up to four months. Kertatin treatments can be performed on chemically treated hair, previously relaxed hair, permed and virgin hair.  (Note: It is super important to make sure Keratin treatments are received from reputable salons as treatments that have sulfide, chloride or formaldehyde can permanently damage hair and lead to hair loss.)

This is your lucky season. Empire Beauty School, with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, is offering the famed treatment from now until New Year’s Eve for $48. No, srsly. No, for real. Advanced students performing treatments are strictly supervised by salon professionals. Empire’s BKT is safe for all hair types (see also: won’t make your hair fall out) and produces shampoo commercial-worthy locks for the holiday season.

Call to schedule an appointment – Manhattan 646.213.0875, Brooklyn 718.373.2400, Queens 718.726.8383

Emma Dinzebach