What women in their 20′s want

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

If you watched the Olympic Opening Ceremonies you most certainly saw M.A.C. make-up artists elaborate face designs. But six M.A.C. heavyweight artists will also paint the faces for the closing ceremonies, select figure skaters and victory medal presenters. The Canadian company’s selected artists are thrilled to be a part of the Winter Games and reported that their artistry runs the gamut from elaborate and theatrical to natural and outdoorsy.

M.A.C., like Polish cosmetic company Inglot, have their roots in costume make-up but have painted the mainstream make-up palate with vivid colors, making bold and bright accessible to every woman. In fact, just last week the Times Thursday Styles reported that now more than ever woman are opting for colors and relying on their make-up artists to show them how to wear the color appropriately. Teachers, corporate executives and even bankers – at least in NYC – don’t think twice about swiping their lids with blues, plums and greens, making make-up less of a necessary chore and more of an accessory. Whether it’s a painted pink pout or a purple lid, find your inner Rainbow Bright and use her to lift you out of the cold.

And if you are still scared, visit the MAC store on Prince in Soho. Unlike the two-week trained employees at Sephora, MAC make-up artists go through both costume and everyday make-up training and have mastered the art of balancing the two.

Emma Dinzebach

Words cannot stress our preference for homemade Valentine’s day meals. They are thoughtful gestures, quiet escapes and this year, an apartment romance will offer a particularly needed break from Fashion Week and long weekend tourists. But if he can’t cook, you’re too tired, your roommate smells like Fontina cheese, go to Emilio’s Ballato.

Ballato’s odd location on Houston between Mott and Elizabeth, is far from romantic, but walk in the door and you are transfoerred to Old World Tuscany complete with stucco walls and white table cloths.  If there can possibly be a hidden treasure left in New York City, it’s Emilio’s. The staff are courteous, prompt and present, and owner, Emilio, is there every night chatting with regulars and welcoming new patrons.

Ballato’s menu rivals the best Italian food in the city. The broccoli rabe, bolognese and caprice salad are delicious. The mozerlla literally melts in your mouth like cream cheese. Fish dishes are often prepared in a simple lemon caper sauce. The veal saltimboca is excellent – the proccuito crisp and veal tender. The homemade cannoli puts anything you find in Little Italy to shame.

Yes the celebrity sighting rumors are true, but because Ballato does most of their business with regulars (again, the location is odd and unassuming), it lacks the snottiness of other city dining hot spots. Call today for Valentine’s Day reservations.

Ballato’s 55 E. Houston  212.274.8881

Emma Dinzebach

Sundance is over. There was something about a football game. We are officially over winter and ready for skirts, dresses and the ability to freely wear heels without worrying about scary ice patches. Our body’s are craving a mid-winter dress and warmth.

All hail the winter piece that keeps on giving! We found – or are reporting on – yet another way to way your still bitchin’ fur vest. And your light weight, warmer weather appropriate leather bomber for that matter. Celebs, models and beautiful French women roaming the streets of Paris pair their fancy – see also: staple – dresses with their faux animal top pieces for both style and warmth.The infinite amount of looks you can create will give your sluggish winter brain a refreshing shot of creativity as you can use just about any winter-appropriate dress in your closet. Use your cotton dresses for a more casual look and your fancy frocks with fur for a night on the town. Jason Wu paired his faux fur with a navy band aid dress during Fall 2009 ready-to-wear collection and celebs like Olivia Palermo, Kate Moss, Blake Lively and so on and so forth. Just remember, to choose a less restrictive piece of outerwear to accommodate your frock and faux underneath.

Emma Dinzebach