SPF You!

By: Ellie Eckert

Now that Summer is only a few months away, it’s time to get the necessary items to protect yourself, and your skin. You may be thinking, what’s the harm in a sunburn? An individual’s risk for melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns. Unfortunately, getting sunburned can be hard to prevent, which was proved in recent polls by the Skin Cancer Foundation. According to the survey, 42 percent of people reported getting sunburned at least once a year. Forgo taking a risk with your health, and instead invest in the proper sunscreen for your skin.

It is necessary to understand UVA and UVB rays. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “most people are exposed to large amounts of UVA throughout their lifetime, and although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent.” In other words, UVA is relatively equal in intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can even force their way through clouds and glass. If that doesn’t catch your attention, you might consider that UVA plays a major roll in skin aging and wrinkling. UVB, on the other hand, is the main cause of skin reddening and sunburn. These rays play a key part in the development of skin cancer. Unlike UVA, UVB varies in intensity based on season, location, and time of day. The Skin Cancer Foundation notes that “the most significant amount of UVB hits the US between 10 AM and 4 PM from April to October. However, UVB rays can burn and damage your skin year-round, especially at high altitudes and on reflective surfaces such as snow or ice.” Each rays are slightly different, and some consider UVB to be most harmful due to the damage it causes the outer layer of the skin. However, UVA rays penetrate into deeper layers of the skin, which can only mean that we need protection from both harmful rays, which is otherwise known as broad-spectrum protection.

When considering UVA and UVB, it is also necessary to factor in SPF, or Sun Protection Factor. According to theLibrary of Congress, SPF measures how effectively the sunscreen formula limits skin exposure to UVB rays that burns the skin, however it does not measure UVA protection. In simpler terms, SPF is a multiplication factor. If an individual can brave the sun for fifteen minutes without burning, then an SPF of ten would resist the burn for ten times longer (150 minutes).

Now that you know what you’re up against, it’s time to choose a sunscreen that best fits you. Doctor Ron Moy, who is a leading Beverly Hills dermatologist and President of the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), has created a sunscreen that guards against both UVA and UVB rays to fight photo-aging and cellular damage. DNA Defense SPF 30+ from DNAEGF Renewal is clinically proven, and has received a three star rating for advanced protection. Do you hate the heavy, oily feel of typical drugstore sunscreens? Moy has perfected the “light to the touch” feel, using Vitamins A and E, so you won’t be left with the uncomfortable feeling left behind by some skin protection products. What are you waiting for? Check out all of the great details on this product atwww.dnaegfrenewal.com.

Protecting your face from sun damage can be a difficult task. Women often choose to part with sunscreen, and to instead apply their usual makeup regimen. Instead, you may consider Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20, which is a 3-in-1 tinted treatment facial moisturizer(say that three times fast!) that hydrates, enhances, and protects with SPF 20. Skin is left feeling silky with a matte finish, and even protects against harmful UVA and UVB rays. You may not take my word for it, but Dr. Oz has featured this product as a miracle skincare product. Love what you’re hearing? Say no more. You can find this product online atwww.miracleskintransformer.com, www.beauty.com, or www.sephora.com.

If the greasy texture of most sunblocks is what is keeping you from applying a sunscreen each day, then look no farther. EmerginC SPF 30+ is a super lightweight, non-greasy, anti-aging sunblock that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Making use of Coenzyme Q10, green tea, Vitamins A, C, and E, antioxidants, and other herbal extracts, you can protect your skin, and even choose between tinted or non-tinted formulas. EmerginC is available atwww.emerginc.com, as well as leading spas nationwide such as Miraval, Trump, The Wynn, and the Four Seasons, among many others.

Need moisture and repair, all at once? Try Cellure REBUILD AM Day Cream with SPF 15. This benefit-filled cream defends skin from surface damage all day. It protects from the ravages of daily UV attack, is never greasy or sticky, and acts as an ideal makeup primer, creating a perfect and lasting finish. In addition it delivers a high concentration of stem cell proteins and ingredients. A blend of vitamin-rich, plant-based oils boost resilience and youthful texture while Pro-vitamin B5 helps stimulate skin-soothing moisturization.  Available online atwww.cellureskincare.com plus the Cellure flagship store in Soho, NYC.

We’ve all been guilty of ditching the sunscreen in order to achieve the “summer glow” that so many magazines promote. With skin cancer rates rising year-by-year, it’s important to know the facts regarding skincare. UVA and UVB rays may be slightly different, but they’re both working together inflicting destructive side effects to you and your skin. After hearing the harm caused by sun damage, will you take the steps to protect yourself and your skin?

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FARAH ANGSANA f/w 2012 – Beauty

By: Alexis Schroeder
Images by: Frank Rocco

Christo, of Christo NYC and a seasoned stylist to Fashion Week has been contributing his genius hair expertise for more than ten years now.  Having worked with designer, Farah Angsana for the past five years, he has “built a lasting and strong relationship” with her as he explained.  Not only has he bridged a friendship with Ms. Angsana, but he is also no stranger to his team.  I asked Christo if he had any special traditions before a show; he smiled and said, “I like to get my team together and go out to a nice breakfast.  We look at the style we want to achieve and talk about how we are going to do that.  Once the preparations for the show begin, I gather the team and show them a trial, explaining exactly what to do. Then, GO!”

The show’s inspiration transpired from the “international travel woman.”  To create the look desired, Christo had several of the models’ hair in a low chignon or left down.  “A lot of it has to do with texture.  If the model’s hair is a little wavy, we work with her natural hair structure.”  No two hair styles were exactly alike.  Very few hair tools and products were used to create each look.  “Very clean and natural is the main emphasis.”  To create the looks, Curlisto Systems Shaping Spray and Curlisto Systems Glow and Shine provided a flexible hold and luster.  The only styling tool used was Curlisto Tools Ozone Dryer, which is notable for healing scalp and skin conditions, such as dandruff and seborrhea.  The hair was moveable and “if they take their hair down, it’ll still be nice, clean, and refreshed.”  And that’s exactly what we all want after a long flight, right? Low maintenance.

Thirza Johanna, head make-up artist expounded upon the techniques for the make-up application.  The look requires a luminous 50’s glow.  A slight cat eye lined the lids, a luminous, peachy shade made their way onto the apples’ of the cheeks, and finished with a red matte lip for a clean, fresh look.  Each make-up artist used their own shadows, foundations, and mascaras; the only thing absolutely uniform was the scarlet red, matte lip by NARS Dragon Girl.  Each and every model looked slyly sexy.

As for nails, Patricia Yankee of Dashing Diva kept them short and rounded, applying peachy nudes.  Toes were done in the same color, as most of the shoes were open-toed.  Dashing Diva’s Boarding School and Season Tickets were the colors of choice, complementing each outfit.

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FARAH ANGSANA f/w 2012

By: Alexis Schroeder
Images by: Frank Rocco

In the 1940s and 50s air travel was of the utmost sophistication and class.  The public was fascinated with the glamorous and exotic career as a pilot or stewardess.  Designer and world traveler, Farah Angsana tells her collection’s story through a high glamour and cultured woman, who travels the globe herself and appreciates the fine detail of luxury.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Angsana about the collection’s inspiration.  “It’s the woman who loves to travel.  She can travel anywhere from Paris, Rome, New York, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Dubai.”

As the music began to seduce the audience before the show began, a sly, sexy, “catch me, if you can” vibe echoed throughout.  The colors chosen as Ms. Angsana described were, “I started with black and white, then silver, gray and also red, violet, and tangerine.”  The silhouettes were kept simple.  A corseted top attached to a long, lofty skirt, tapered pant, suit, or long train were all catwalk sightings.  Her clothes were made for that confident woman who is not afraid to sit alone at the airport’s lounge, sipping her cocktail.

Each outfit had just the right amount of embellishment to catch your eye and keep you guessing for days who that woman was.  Most of her ensembles included a leather biker-like glove, which gave a fresh attitude.  The fabrics ranged from lace, silk, chiffon, silk wool, wool crepe, and tweed lurex featuring crystal and sequin embellishments, ruching, and lace detailing.

A stand out, the tangerine silk chiffon satin gown with crystal and sequin embellishment details was magnificent.  I have never seen this color look so sexy before.  Another beauty was her scarlet red silk crepe long sleeved gown.  Almost as if a character out of a James Bond movie, I wondered if she had a dagger up her sleeve.  I could go on and on extensively about each piece, but the best in show was the Shanghai blue dragon scale embellished tulle gown. TO DIE FOR.  It was totally see through except for those parts that need to be left to the imagination.

With so many different outfits each creating their own mysterious story, I had to know which outfit she enjoyed the most to design.  “I really had fun doing all of them.  Each one speaks a little of its own story.  I loved it all.”  This was the first show that I have been too that I could tell a detailed story for each and every piece and loose myself in the details.  She definitely set a new standard for air travel attire!  Brilliantly sexy and marvelous.

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