What women in their 20′s want

Most beauty posts last week focused on the Academy Awards dress, jewelry, make-up and hair. But take a second look and you might notice white. Ubiquitous, er rampant, white. Maybe celebs lathered on sunscreen during their winter vacations so the rest of America wouldn’t feel raging jealousy that their monetary status lends blizzard escapes. Or they are trying to show Jersey Shore lovers that guns don’t kill people, tanning beds kill people.

But seriously, the amount of red carpet white was stunning. Skin looked exfoliated, scrubbed and very well protected from the big bad sun. The cheeks were quite bare – just a swipe of shimmery pink or the teeniest hint of tan. “It’s an entire movement towards a more pure lifestyle,” said my favorite Bliss facialist. Keeping skin safe from UVA rays (see also: anti-melanoma trend) is a lifestyle choice. And as much as we love J Wow and Snookie, skin cancer, we don’t want age spots and wrinkles in our future. We’re fine with glowing white faces for our gala’s this spring. So as the sun starts to show it’s pretty face, lather up liberally ladies. Lather up.

Emma Dinzebach

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

German-born luxury women’s apparel retailer, Escada, was bought Megha Mittel after filing for bankruptcy in August 2009. Megha Mittal, daughter-in-law of he Lakshimi Mattal (CEO of the world’s largest steel company and 8th richest person in the world), plans to turn the brand from red-carpet only to everyday ready-to-wear.

Maybe that explains the deeply discounted pieces at the Escada Sample Sale, at the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 19th Street. Luxury clothing and some accessories up to 90% off retail values. Yesterday, the apparel section offered a large variety with timeless classics and wardrobe backbones as well as the marked Escada evening dresses. There are many pieces for work, interview or a day of shopping. Our Editor scored a pristine English riding-style jacket for $95 marked down from $950. The accessory selection was slimmer. Shoes were marked down, most of them 90% off retail price.

The sale drew a more conservative crowd of middle-aged, well-dressed professionals, which may explain how the organization remained in tact. Sizes are plentiful and staff are friendly and there to answer questions about sizes, prices and damages. Be prepared to check your belongings at the door. All sales are final.
       

WHEN: 3/7 – 3/10 Sun-Tues. (10-7), Wed. (10-5)

WHERE: 110 W. 19th St. between 6th & 7th Ave

Emma Dinzebach
 

Some of our friends flew South (really far South) to catch a mid-winter glow, but we weren’t so lucky. So we set off to find our get our glow on el natural. Face masks, bronzer, extensive exfoliation, and a even pricey facials only got us so far. To obtain an authentic mid-winter glow, we had to work our way from the inside out.

Sweat, however uncomfortable and icky it might be, is your dull winter skin’s best remedy. Why is sweat so good for your skin? A good sweat can remove up to 30% of your body’s toxins.  Foods we eat, drinks, and the smoggy city we live in fill our bodies with toxins on a daily basis. Sure our body naturally rids itself of some toxins, but sweating is a fool proof way of cleaning our bodies and making our skin shine bright.  (Incidentally sweat helps regulate our pulse and calm our neurotic NYC nerves.)

Winter might be a time when you sweat less – the gyms are cooler, outdoor runs are increasingly difficult with the streets covered in snow and slush, etc. But winter is one of the most important times to flush your skin. So hit the gym, got to hot yoga, or run the stairs in your apartment building. But by all means, sweat once a day to rejuvenate your skin.

Emma Dinzebach