SPRING BEAUTY

Winter is not over by any means, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t prep our skin for our red carpet moments and spring which is around the corner. We took a moment with VERTERE® Skin Care Founder, Bethany Hilt on how you can boost the radiance of your skin within 48 - 72 hours! That means you could be ready for date night with your significant other, a night out with the girls and more with her collection and honed in tips.

STOP CONSUMING SUGAR AND EXCESS SALT

Bethany reminds us to, “avoid even the seemingly innocent sweeteners such as stevia and molasses. When using salt in cooking, use Pink Himalayan Salt”.

INCREASE YOUR WATER AND COCONUT WATER INTAKE

There are a number of options to stay hydrated outside of the classic water. Coconut water is also a great beverage to include. “Dehydration causes fine lines to appear prominent and creates a dullness. Hydrating from the inside will help counteract this,” she stated.

START USING A GENTLE DEEP CLEANSER

The creator of VERTERE® notes that their, “Refining Treatment Cleanser is a great choice because it visibly minimizes pores, plumps fine lines/wrinkles, brightens and clarifies - results are noticeable after the first use. The gentle deep cleaning action helps keep pores clean (which also helps pores look smaller and makeup look better) and the lactic acid eliminates flakiness and dryness so your skin looks gorgeous and supple.”

DAILY, APPLY DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION CREAM SPF 18 

Dramatic Transformation is a, “patented powerful blend of multiple peptides, a safe lightener/brightener, lactic acid and loads of non-pore-clogging oils gives an immediate dewiness to the skin, and skin’s texture and radiance will be noticeably improved.”

APPLY NON-COMEDOGENIC OILS ON TOP OF YOUR NIGHTLY TREATMENT

“Toss the old idea that the thinnest product is the one to apply first in this instance. Press a small amount of argan, baobab or jojoba oil onto your skin after you’ve applied your night treatment - especially if it’s a retinol or prescription retinoid. Skin will reap the maximum benefit from direct contact with the active while the oil will seal in moisture to create a beautiful glow.”

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY VERTERE

Let's Talk Nugg

Whether it’s time for an at home spa day or you’re in need for serious TLC for your face, nügg is all about giving your face an array of options to keep it looking radiant! We took a moment to chat with Dr Conny Wittke, founder and creator of nügg to know more about why she created it and what makes it such a great item to have with you whether you’re at home or traveling.

ATHLEISURE MAG: What sets nügg Beauty apart from other beauty brands that focus on the face?

DR CONNY WITTKE: nügg is all about providing prestige quality skin care at affordable price point and we work very hard to always live up to that promise. We use unique blends of natural oils and extracts and small, portion-size pod packaging for six (soon seven) different face masks so that you can easily tailor to your changing skin concerns, product waste through unused product is avoided and you can also easily multi-mask. Also, we manufacture with an innovative Natural Oil Dispersion Technology that uses physics instead of chemistry to blend oil and water which avoids the use of chemical emulsifiers that can impair your natural skin barrier function. That is great for healthy skin
and also gives a very unique skin feel. Last but not least, all our masks are formulated with >90% natural or naturally derived ingredients and without petrochemicals, parabens, synthetic fragrances and synthetic colors.

AM: What are your 3 must haves within the collection that we can use to combat winter dryness?

DR CW: Our hydrating face mask is fantastic to combat winter dryness, as well as our soothing face mask if your skin is also sensitive. Our deep cleansing mask is also great as it provides a very gentle, oil-based cleanse that cleanses and hydrates at the same time but doesn’t strip skin of moisture. Our skin RX pack for dry/dehydrated skin gives dry winter skin a boost in just 4 days with a very easy-to-follow 4-day face mask regime.

AM: What are your favorite key ingredients that are within the line and are there fragrances that could make their way into the line?

DR CW: Our face masks are formulated with high quality blends of natural oils and extracts and each blend is tailored to very specific skin care concerns and objectives so they are all great for different reasons. Also, the base for our masks is aloe juice as opposed to water which makes them even more soothing and nourishing. We do not use any synthetic fragrances in our products so any odor comes from the natural oils used in the mask. E.g. our revitalizing face mask has a very fresh, minty smell due to the peppermint oil that is used in the formulation to give skin radiance and a dewy glow.

My personal favorite is our soothing face mask that is loaded with soothing chamomile extract, shea butter and bisabolol and hydrates and calms
the skin at the same time.

AM: At what point did you decide to create this line as it’s not only a great idea but is so great to use when you’re traveling?

DR CW: Before starting my own venture, I was the CEO of Tweezerman for many years. During that time, I traveled A LOT all over the world.
During that time, I noticed a big void in the market for truly high quality face masks that are super easy to integrate into your skin care regime
and also extremely travel-friendly. That’s how the pod-style packaging was born and also the name nügg which is short for “nüggets of goodness for your skin.” It literally all happened during a flight from Shanghai to New York after a whirlwind trip that left both me and my skin quite exhausted.

AM: Have their been celebrities that you know of that enjoy using it?

DR CW: We know that Whitney Port enjoys our face masks and are very proud of that!

AM: What products will be released in 2016?

DR CW: Yes, 2016 is full of innovation for us. Inventing fantastic new products is our favorite thing and in early 2016 we will expand into additional mask categories. With a de-stress face mask we are also launching an additional face mask “flavor” that is very timely to help the skin fight off the impact of stress and environmental damage.

AM: How do you juggle your time between business and friends/family?

DR CW: Honestly, that is probably the biggest challenge of an entrepreneur as there is always too much to do and you “live and breathe” the business always and everywhere. However, our office is just 5 minutes from our home and that gives me the flexibility to go back and forth easily and also the ability to spend time with my wonderful two children. I started the business together with my husband and one of us is always home when the children come off the school bus and we try to have dinner together as often as we can.

AM: How do you achieve balance and stay connected/present?

DR CW: I’m really lucky that I truly and thoroughly love what I do so that gives me a good base… I also try to walk whenever and wherever I can instead of driving, I eat (reasonably) healthy and when I get unbalanced I swim which is extremely good for me both physically and mentally. For vacation, we love to hike in the mountains or do paddle boarding and swimming in lakes upstate which is fantastic for achieving balance and being very connected to nature and the present.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY Nugg

Winter Skincare Tips

Many have experienced mild (and surprisingly warm) temperatures over the winter holidays, January tends to be quite chilly. In addition to staying warm. it’s about protecting your skin - face, body and armpits too! Dermatologist and Dove Deodorant Spokesperson, Dr. Alicia Barba shares how skin can stay nourished this season.

ATHLEISURE MAG: How do we care for skin with temperatures and wind chill that can cause damaging effects?

DR ALICIA BARBA: There are a lot of factors that affect your skin in the winter months, especially in colder climates, that lead to dry skin. Everything from the wind to heating systems to low humidity can wreak havoc on healthy, glowing skin. To defend against the elements, it’s important to wear soft, natural clothing fibers such as cotton, as well as outerwear such as hats, scarves, and gloves that will act as your first line of protection, and recognize that moisturizer will be a key element in protecting your skin.

AM: How can we maintain moisture within our face, body, and underarms?

DR B: Never be exclusionary with your skin care routine, and that means paying attention to your entire body including your face, hands, neck, knees, elbows and even underarms. Look for multi-benefit products like Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant, which will provide odor and wetness protection as well as moisturizers to keep your underarms soft and smooth. Face creams with SPF and moisturizing body washes are also great for a simplified routine. 

AM: How do you know when your skin has been affected by extreme temperatures?

DR B: You can tell your skin has been affected by cold temperatures when chaffing occurs, or when it appears burnt, flaky or ashy. This can sometimes lead to itchy skin, which I call “winter itch.”

AM: How important is SPF in the winter especially on days when we don’t see the sun?

DR B: SPF is extremely important in the winter! During the colder season, the ozone layer is thinner, which can increase the damaging effects of the sun. 

On cloudy days when we don’t see the sun, it’s important to protect your skin against harmful rays as UVA and UVB penetrate clouds! All year, you should wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or more. 
 
AM: What should the skincare routine be during the winter when you’re maintaining great skin?

DR B: During the winter, take short showers in water that’s not too hot since it can have a drying effect on the skin. Use a gentle shower cleanser and follow with moisturizing body and face creams. Areas like your underarms where many women shave also need to be moisturized, so I like to use Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant that has built in moisturizers in addition to 48 hour odor and wetness protection. As always, for any skin that is exposed to the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen. 

AM: What products are perfect to use in the winter in colder climates?

DR B: This time of year it’s all about moisturizers and protectants, and you can often find multi-benefit products that can do both. Everything from moisturizing lip balms and cleansers to face creams with SPF to antiperspirants that provide moisturizers for softer, smoother underarms. 

AM: Are there certain ingredients that we should aim to include within our routine for optimal skin?

DR B: As mentioned, look for multi-benefit products that emphasize the inclusion of moisturizers and protectants. Other products that are great for your skin are plant-based oils such as avocado, primrose and almond. These oils sink into your skin to keep you hydrated longer.

 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Dove

CLEANSE PROGRAMS

A powerful component of balance pre- and post workout is ensuring that your body is getting essential nutrients that it needs. Pressed juices and cleanses are all the rage as we look for ways to automate better health. Celebrity Nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder has hand selected an array of vitamins and other power foods within Glow Bio that is located in LA but ships nationwide. 

Kimberly’s approach to this process is to  cleanse while adding nutritional value with Glow Bio’s one of a kind cleanses. Not only does it maximize the experience by eliminating toxins, but it maintains blood sugar levels via strategically placed fiber! The goal in this process is not to starve the body (which is the first thought that comes to mind when embarking on journeys of this nature). The true purpose is to rebuild the digestive system while ensuring that the results are sustainable to keep you on track.  

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You can select whether your cleanse will be 1 to 5 days (once again images of other cleanses that last for weeks on end come to mind). Whatever the choice, the primary goal is to have renewed energy, a toned body and of course great looking skin from the inside out.  

Visit the shop (or online) for the full line of cleanses and cold pressed juices at Glow Bio. It is located in LA 7473 Melrose Ave. (Cross Gardner) Los Angeles, CA 90046.

Kimberly Snyder is LA’s go to Celebrity Nutritionist, author and beauty expert (as seen on top morning shows, magazines ) Kimberly Snyder, has a star studded client list that includes Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum, Drew Barrymore, Dita Von Teese, Reese Weatherspoon and Kevin James. to name a few She sourced also provided food during production of movies including The Avengers, The Internship, 21 Jump Street and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Kimberly Snyder

DR SADIO - SUB ROSA AESTHETICS

Customization, personalization, baselines and “less is more” are just some of the keywords that plastic surgeon Dr Sadio uses to help women avoid surgery with her powers to help women.

We all have beauty services that we do with a set person who does our gel manis, eyebrow threading etc. It’s a trusted relationship where you feel that you can get what you need while being confident in placing yourself in the hands of a professional. After sitting with Dr Sonita Sadio at an event held at her West Village practice and again for our one on one interview, we love the focus and service provided at Sub Rosa Aesthetics! 

Talking with Dr Sadio is like speaking with a girlfriend that you have known for years. She talks with you about life, how your day is and when the topic of beauty and specifically what you want to do to ensure that your ageless beauty needs are met, you find that she looks to create the best look possible to avoid surgery. This fact is important to note as Dr Sadio is a plastic surgeon and focused on aesthetic surgery in her studies!

While you marinate on that fact, let’s talk about her member only practice. Her clients are those that start early to avoid doing more later in life for their skincare needs. They are not looking to appear “done” and are not interested in invasive procedures. 

Prior to becoming a member, there is a consultation which includes an intake question including surgeries and photos are taken. Goals are discussed and more importantly, a baseline is established. This is a question which allows the patient to share when they felt they looked their best. This moment in time assists Dr Sadio with how her client wants to look.

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Products that are currently used are reviewed. If both are comfortable with one another, membership would be approved and goals are set within a routine to get her to where she would like to be. During this time, Dr Sadio looks for products (not products created by her) that assist the goals outlined which include items the client already uses,  those that are available at your favorite department store counters, Duane Reade etc. In addition, nutrients that she believes should be within our skincare she creates with a pharmacologist that are made for the client specifically. 

Clients leave understanding the science, being able to work together to build their plan and having a routine that could include the first six months focusing on the reset or corrective process, and then the timeline of check ups is based on the individual needs.

Ageing graciously is about making good choices as being done is the new old. When she is working on someone’s face to ensure that their baseline is met, she offers a pro tip - when managing your skincare the face as well as the hands and neck need to be maintained. A face that looks youthful but hands and neck that look like they belong to someone older is a tell tale sign that work has been “done” (and in one area only).

Dr Sadio spent a decade at some of the world’s finest schools - Harvard Medical School, The Mayo Clinic and Yale College. As a medical student at Georgetown University she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society for academic excellence and won the school’s award for Leadership & Compassion.

The practice began to become a vision during her aesthetic surgery fellowship training in Manhattan. After performing a facelift, she looked through images of  her thirty and forty-something botox and filler patients. She realized that her minimally invasive approach had the power to make a woman continue to look on the outside as she feels on the inside -- energetic, happy, beloved - but without surgery.  

Even those who are not members of her practice  can hear her thoughts on an array of beauty topics on skincare management via her YouTube channel. 

 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Dr. Sadio

Night + Day Beauty

Update your look for 2016 with must haves to fit in your cosmetic bag. They work from day to night and our some of our favorite brands!

| LAURA MERCIER Creme Smooth Foundation in Toffee Bronze | DIOR ADDICT Extreme Lipstick in Wonderland | LANCOME GRANDIOSE Mascara in Noir Mirifique | URBAN DECAY 24/7 Glide - on Eye Pencil in Zero | BOBBI BROWN Eyeshadow in Eclipse | LAURA GELLER
Bronzer in Moonglow Gold |