What women in their 20′s want

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

So maybe it’s the oldest stereotype ever that Jewish people eat Chinese food on Christmas, but when we asked our friends, the stereotype held true about 50% of the time. A quarter didn’t eat Chinese food, and the last quarter celebrated with gentile friends. Where’s the best place? we wondered. Apparently for a cultural experience, you head to Peking Duck House in Chinatown and for a more posh version, eat at Tao on 58th Street.

At Peking Duck House, a cozy elegant haven tucked away on the grungy part of Mott Street south of Canal, you have to order peking duck. Um, duh. The house made pancakes and eggplant in  garlic sauce are amazing. But take it from the website, it’s all about the duck. They slice it at your table, and it just might be the best peking duck in Manhattan. There is actually a midtown Peking Duck House too, but for some reason it doesn’t taste as good sans Chinatown excursion.

Peking Duck House 28 Mott Street  212.227.1810

At TAO, the Peking duck is also delicious. The vast former theater houses a coy fish pond, a third level private room and hands-down my favorite dessert in the city. But for the main course, the sea bass, lobster dumplings and short ribs are crowd pleasers. Keeping with Christmas tradition, the Peking duck rivals Peking Duck House. And afterward, enjoy the dessert tray (you only need the small) of mouse filled fortune cookies, Mochi, chocolates and sorbet. A small dessert tray feeds up to five. If it’s the weekend, go later because TAO has live roaming musicians on the weekend nights starting around ten.

TAO Asian Bistro  58th Street between Park and Madison  212.888.2288

And toast to a Merry, Merry Christmas.

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