Packing gratis. This isn't even all of it. Yikes.

I <3 NY

O.M.G.

Our hotel experience in Boston

Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear most amazing fan video

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

Missed Connections

"I saw this captivating girl at the Metropolitan Museum of Art yesterday (Tues 8/11) around 2pm/2:30pm. I used to work at the Met so I went to visit some old co-workers and to see the new exhibits. When I was in the American Wing Statue Courtyard, and in the period rooms I noticed this beautiful, interesting brunette wearing a white tank top and peach colored skirt who was taking pictures of statues and writing something in a book. I regret not attempting to talk to her. It's a long shot, but if she's reading this, my name is TJ and I would love to get to know you to any capacity! You stood out more than the artwork... "

"tuesday aug 11

we were both waiting for the 4 train at union square, reading our books when we got on the train. someone near you got up and i took their seat. you got off the train before me. god, you were so beautiful.

you probably wont read this, but if you do...let's grab a coffee together."

"We switched from the F to the E, and didn't have to wait at all! You were wearing a black dress and worked in costume design, which I still think is really cool.

I don't know if anything long-term would work out between us, but i should have told you how beautiful I think you are."

On Wednesday I got on the D train after work. At the 2nd stop, the guy next to me got up, so I slid over to my favorite seat, next to the door. In moving, I thought I noticed the guy across the doorway from me checking me out. Things like this usually go COMPLETELY over my head, or I assume I just imagined it, and I've been trying to be a little more conscious and accepting of being hit on so I can take advantage of it and get myself out there. And I've also been trying to be more proactive. So I glanced over when more people were getting on the train, and our eyes met. He smiled. I don't have the guts to keep the eye contact going for long, so I pulled the look-away-and-smile move. A few moments later I looked back. Again with the look exchange and smiling. According to friends who are more experienced in the dating pool of Manhattan, the second look was my signal that he could approach me. So I waited for it. My heart was beating so hard. This wasn't just any guy, this was a maybe-35-year-old very attractive tall caucasian man in a nice suit. !!!!! By now I am used to guys in the Heights checking me out, but an attractive slightly older man in a nice suit is an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT BALL GAME. And so my bubble of considering myself not attractive enough has been popped. Just like that. And it feels amazing.

The reason why I write this post is not because I am conceited. Quite the opposite. I write this post because I have struggled with self-image concerns since I became aware of my looks. That magical age where you start comparing yourself to your classmates. I could write examples of the horrifying things fellow students have done to or said about me but suffice it to say, the struggle is deeply-rooted and difficult to conquer. 5 years at a college obsessed with marriage where no one wanted to date me didn't help matters. So here I am, in the center of millions of single men, finally learning the rules of the dating game. And Wednesday night was a big lesson. And a huge triumph. This man finally fit the demographic of what my 12-year-old self pictured when dreaming of her future. (Not that I'm expecting my man to look like what my 12-year-old-self pictured, but that particular demographic of man has previously never hit on me, being a curvy girl.)

I'm not sure why this man didn't ask for my number, as he was obviously digging me-- he kept his eye on me the entire ride. He stood up to let me know he was getting off at the next stop, but I didn't want to make the first verbal contact, that was supposed to be his job (and my heart was beating way too hard). I had done the look exchange three times. I felt that was enough to send my approval of approach. If I'd had business cards, I would have slipped him one, but all I had in my bag was a crumpled menu. After he got off he stayed on the platform with his eye on me. I guess he'll be a one that got away.

After coming up to the street out of the subway I immediately phoned a friend to squeal and jump up and down with. Confidence is key, and mine is growing.

The quotations at the top of the post are from the Missed Connections section of Craigslist. My roommate insisted I look for a post about myself. Reading that section is kind of magical. I doubt many people actually find the other person they found so mesmerizing, but what a romantic gesture! It's one of those things that restores your faith in humanity.

I love how these statements are someone's vain cast into endless cyberspace, on the tiniest chance it will catch on something.

It's really happening, folks.

Our hearts are still beating at an accelerated rate. October 21st is our departure date.

oh Brandon

Your face annoys me. But your dance has won me over. I think Jeanine is in her head in this dance. Brandon is the one I can't take my eyes off of. He risks and commits in every dance. He is the best dancer this season. I don't think he's taken a wrong step.

What a fantastic day

This was our view walking back towards the boardwalk.

Sarah and I had a correlating day off. This doesn't often happen. Our first plan was to go kayaking for free on the Hudson and then catch Harold and Maude in Bryant Park. But kayaking turned out to only be between 5 and 7, not ideal for movie-in-the-parking. And then when I awoke this morning at 9:30 (it is a beautiful beautiful thing when I just naturally wake up this early), I had the brilliant idea to go to the beach. Something I tried and failed to do a week or so ago. And boy howdy am I glad we did.

Sarah is not very tolerant of travel time. (Yes, she will have to get over this in South America.) And since it was kind of late by the time she woke up, we decided to do Coney Island instead of a couple of other free beaches attainable via public transit. It's slightly closer. And when I say Coney Island, that does not mean we planned to go to the amusement park. No no no friends. I do not feel the need. So we gathered our bath towels, beach reads (Sarah's: Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, Mine: No One Belongs Here More Than You, Stories by Miranda July) and iPods, heading out the door for the D train.

I have not previously enjoyed that much beach time in my life. I remember a childhood trip or trips to the beach. North Carolina? Virginia Beach? I'm not sure. I remember something we called sand crabs (are they actually sand fleas?), dead jellyfish (creeeeeeepy!), and my dad and maybe Catherine holding my hands so I could go out into the ocean. A wave surprised me, I drank some sea water, and burped really loudly. Oh and boogie boards. Retrospectively, I don't know why the sand crabs didn't freak me out more, because I'm pretty sure they would now. But we were totally into capturing them and playing with them. Weird.

One college summer I spent a day on the Mediterranean coast in Italy, in a very small town with a fantastic ocean view (rocky though), called Livorno. But I was in too-ashamed-of-my-body-to-wear-a-suit mode and spent the day lounging on the rocks fully clothed. Much to the disappointment of my good friends Logan and Sylvia who were enjoying the sparkling blue waves without me. I loved all the Italians though, they have such a different attitude toward their bodies. No shame at all. No matter what shape and size you are. Different mentality than Americans.

So today was absolutely delightful. Coney Island beach is fairly trashy and dirty when compared to many other beaches, but still, for my first real beach experience in years, nice enough. Sarah and I just lounged, played cards, listened to iPods, waded into the waves briefly, and lazied away hours with the sound of water in the background. Sarah also protected me from this guy who dug me a little too much. We were out of the city for a brief respite (do not get me wrong I LOVE NYC), and I loved sitting on the subway in our beach get-ups instead of day to day wear. Since I work retail and whenever I am working I am aiding and abetting other people in their day-off or vacation hurrahs, I find special pleasure in flaunting my time-off activities. Hahaha, I see you young woman, heading to work, well guess what? I am obviously heading to the beach! How does that feel? Yes, Seph0ra certainly brings out the ugly in me sometimes.

So here we are back at home. A day of achieving nothing but relaxation behind us. And I am A-OK with that readers. Because a beach day here and there is what summer is all about.

And yes, of course I wore plenty of broad-spectrum sun screen. I am a Seph0ra Bot after all.

My view, brought to you by Coney island beach day

If only this just happened to be part of my transit every day

Up on the High Line

The Secret of Kells

Who wants to go see this film with me at the IFC on Saturday at 11 AM?!?!

love it!!

though the music is really low

Wade... and Travis!

So apparently the last number of Brandon and Jeanette's is not on youtube. How disturbing because I really need to post it. Wade+Roisin Murphy again, magic. And Jeanette, I love you! Please win this show. You can do no wrong. She totally commits every ounce of herself whenever she is performing.

But in searching for the number, I stumbled across this number of Wade's, in which he performs, with Travis!

Mia again

I loved this. It's no surprise that Mia choreographed one of my favorites of the week (and of the season). This was so gorgeous, so effective. Kayla's performance was really excellent. This number made me gasp out loud twice! (My roommate-- and doubtless others-- thinks I am ridiculous.)

That movement is such a powerful portrayal of this kind of darkness. I love dance.

Yes, we're in!!! I can finally breathe now.

In the voucher line... Still waiting...

My companion in waiting

2 raccoons gamboling in Central Park

Waiting in LONG line for Shakes in Park at 6AM

favorite choreography this week

Sonya isn't usually right up my alley, though contemporary is, but I thought this dance was beautiful. It really showcased Kayla, which was nice, and I wish it had equally showcased Kupono. But whatevs, the dance was gorgeous. (Though I think Wade's crash test dummy dance is still my favorite of the season.)

favorite couple

So it's been another week of training SOS (it went really well), and today I am in recovery mode-- laying in bed watching SYTYCD has been a lovely Saturday morning. Especially after a week of SOS, a week of moving and a couple of emotional upheavals, and another week of SOS. I am ready for a break. And I've got to say, this week of dance was really fantastic. Was I the only one to shed a tear of the Dizzy Feet Foundation? I love dance.

Janette and Brandon are officially my favorite couple, though Brandon bugs the hell out of me. He is an undeniably great dancer. And I think I want Janette to win the show. I think she can if she keeps things up. I love her.

I do not love ballerina girl. Yeah right those dance choices are random. She needs to go home next week.

Loving the breeze whilst studying in bed.

My new room is so peaceful. These are going to be 3 very short months.

Finally. I am sitting in my new bed, eating an actual meal-- not standing and scarfing a sandwich-- I am relaxing and watching a show after a very very long day of moving. And my new room has blinds so I can sleep in tomorrow. Finally.

And, I am so wonderfully pleased by the goodness in people. Thank you friends. For the move, and for the pup. I am so so so so so so so glad that people came through for him.

Miyazaki goodness

wowza

I wasn't a huge fan of any of the dances this week-- but I liked the group dance. That Tabitha and Napoleon.

Whoa

Damn MTA

How many times must the MTA make me late for work? Today I was sitting still down there for 20 minutes. This was my view. I am an extremely dissatisfied customer. Who resents hiked prices for not-improved services.

The down side

Today I returned a dress that I loved. Because, if all goes according to plan, it will just be too big for me in a couple of months. I bought it about a month ago, and spent too much money on it-- I LOVED it. And it looked great on me. But for that investment, it had better be a dress to last me years, not months. So goodbye pounds, goodbye dress, hello South America. I should have been saving that money anyway.

While packing, I've come across some clothing I haven't worn since I left home. My work pants from W-S that were border-line tight when I left Pittsford? Quite loose! In the trash, my friends. That green corduroy jacket I have been wearing for years? Too big! Follow the pants! I feel great. Thank you NYC for being a walking city, a stairs city, and for the free gym memberships I have been provided.

Bed.Bugs.

Hey Poppy!

I have a love/hate relationship with Washington Heights.

Love: the community, neighborhood atmosphere. Once it's warm out, no one stays inside. Their living rooms are communal, on the sidewalk, in the streets, in the parks. Countless lawn chairs are unfolded on the sidewalk, radios and stereos accompany your walk home, children run chaotically around between countless groups of bingo-players, all the men are grouped around their tables of dominoes. They are serious about their dominoes. Soon the fire hydrants will be broken open to blast cool water into the street, but it's not quite hot enough for that yet (I finally saw the first one yesterday, so it's getting there). The sidewalks, streets, and parks are strewn with collective chicken bones. My dog has a hey-day. Everywhere I walk, any time of day or night, whether I have no makeup and my gym clothes on, or if I'm all done up for a night out, I unfailingly get hit on. "Hey Mommy!" "Hey white girl!" *lip-smack-kissy-sound* From guys around my age all the way up through the old men with no teeth, everyone checks you out. Does this get old? Yes. Did it make me uncomfortable at first? Absolutely. Is it nevertheless flattering? Yes. I don't quite understand the reasoning behind this incessant hitting-on; do they ever think it will get them anywhere? But it will never change. No matter how many times I pretend I can't hear them through my iPod. Dominican men will, however, help a girl out. If they see me struggling, carrying a heavy load of laundry up my stairs, it is out of my hands into theirs. I don't often give them the opportunity, but once in a while it is very appreciated. I can walk the streets by myself here at 4 in the morning and not feel at all in danger. Am I going to make a habit of it, or make myself conspicuous? Of course not. And is the reason for it generally a favorable one? Not really. But it is still useful. (I live in a two-block span of the highest drug trafficking in upper Manhattan. Because of this, drug lords keep a very tight rein on what goes on in these two blocks. There isn't a lot of trouble around here because that would attract police attention-- obviously not desirable from a drug lord's perspective.) There is a bodega in a two block radius open at all times in case you get the sudden urge for oreos, plantains, candy, or anything else unhealthy. There is generally a great deal of friendliness around here, especially if you speak Spanish. There is no way you can't feel a part of the neighborhood here, and I really appreciate that.

In my new place, I will still be in the Heights, but it's a more diversified Heights. Here, on 172nd and Amsterdam, Sarah, myself, and the two girls across the hall are the ONLY non-Dominicans. Once you get west of Broadway, this isn't quite the case. So the cultural identity is manifest to the extreme here. And that includes the aspects of the neighborhood that I am not so in love with.

Hate: THE EXCESSIVE NOISE ALL NIGHT LONG. The Dominican culture very much appreciates music, dancing, and having a good time. No matter how many people you live around or how late at night it is. In fact, I find it much easier to sleep during the day than at night. I have already expressed, in a previous post, how much I appreciate a love of music and dance in a culture. AND, I would prefer not to hear music blasting through my earplugs at 3 in the morning when I have to get up at 5:30 to go to work. I don't even have a typical 8-5 job like many New Yorkers do, which would make the situation all the more inconsiderate. This is what I am most excited to leave behind. My new street is ever so much quieter, and it will be such a relief. Currently, I lay down in bed on the weekends with quite a bit of stress, nervous that I won't be able to sleep that night. And dealing with possibly irritating clients for 8 hours the next day on three hours of sleep is pretty daunting. The typical Dominican practice is to open all the doors of a car parked on the street, and crank the music as loud as it will go. Which is EXTREMELY LOUD. Which is loud enough to rattle things on my desk. On the fourth floor. There are typically 2 cars on each block set up in this way. So I lay down, close my eyes, and I feel that bass BUM. bum bum. BUM. bum bum. Like a constant, off-kilter tapping on my heart. A police car rolls by, and they turn it down. And then they turn it up again. Obviously, not everywhere in the Heights is like this. I just happen to live in a pocket of 100% Dominicans. Who are living their culture loud and proud. And I would prefer to sleep at night, so I'm saying so long. I am also saying so long to the pungent smell of weed that constantly pervades the western half of my block. To the old men (every man) who will not leave me alone, whether it be with their mouths, gestures, or eyes. To the streets and park that are trashed every single night.

Some of these things may happen in other parts of Manhattan. And I am hoping (and expecting) that not all of them do simultaneously. Or that at least my ear plugs will keep enough of the noise out. Because I'm not asking for perfect silence, I am only asking for enough quiet that none of the noise will leak through my ear plugs, which I am perfectly willing to wear every night in exchange for enough sleep.

So it is, with a bittersweet goodbye, that I bid adieu to 172nd and Amsterdam. Despite everything, I am grateful for my 9 months here. It has been truly different from any other living situation I have ever experienced. I welcome that. I am really glad to have gotten to know some Dominican culture, and history, while living here. I have been happy in my very first own apartment. It was a nest perched up above a park, however infested it may have been. It was mine, and I loved it.

Hello 163rd and the annoyances I don't know exist yet.

hi Mia

Well damn, there goes Ashley. I do not agree.

this is big

I do NOT like Brandon. He rubs me the wrong way. And I DO NOT LIKE DISCO. And damn, this number was pretty fantastic.

And P.S. Ashley and Kupono are up there for me as a couple. Just an FYI. Even if they didn't quite rock their number this week, I think I can tell that they are fantastic dancers nevertheless.

new choreographer

I don't like Jonathan, and I think this dance would have been much better in someone else's hands. And I like this new choreographer. Yes, I am a sucker for contemporary, and yes, I am a sucker for this song. AND the dance was beautiful.

(when we train, we say AND instead of BUT, and it is somewhat difficult to get out of that habit. Pardon me please.)

rolling over and going back to sleep

OMG blog. What a week. I know there were other things I wanted to post about, and then I went into SOS, and I have no memory prior to it. What is SOS? It is the basic training program all Seph0ra employees attend (ideally), that teaches the basics of skincare, complexion, makeup, and client service. It is what I went to T the T in March to be able to teach. And boy did I teach. I worked 53 hours in 4 days, and that does not include the 4 hours a night that I prepared for my following day's presentations. Hello sleep deprivation.

And it was a success. I had a great time, the participants had a great time, and we all learned a lot. I always come away from a week of education refreshed in an exhausted-to-the-bones way. The education program is by far the best thing about this company. That is where the best people are, the best practices are, the best spirit is. And I get to go back and do another in about a week. Because I am good at this.

And before that, I am moving! That's right, I'm moving down to 163rd. We hate our landlords, and we are ditching them. I'll be saving some money and living in a nicer place because Sarah and I are sharing a room. And I feel great about it. I do not feel great about the actual packing and moving. AND it will be a vast improvement. Hello west side of Broadway. Hello white people. Hello nights without my cosmetic table reverberating with the bass. Hello less cockroaches and a Super in the building. Hello to quiet, book-filled existence.

Hello 5th floor walk-up. Yikes. (Why is this apartment so expensive?!) AND, no worries, I am still saving money by sharing a room. This place is cute guys. Who wants to help me walk boxes from 172nd to 163rd? I have a week to do it.

I want to go to there

Exploring the relationship between art and nature? I must go there!

Wade Robson, how I have missed YOU!

my other favorite.

one of my favorites this week

OH SYTYCD! How I have missed you. And here comes the deluge of SYTYCD posts.

I miss watching this show with someone else and talking about it throughout (I definitely thought the judges could have been a litlte more harsh in a couple of cases...)

Loved this.

If you haven't, please do.

I'm sure by now you've all heard how delightful the pilot was for this show 'Glee'. If you haven't, or just haven't bothered to watch it yet, please do. It will delight you. Seriously. I am speaking directly to everyone in my family here, except Chris maybe.

This and many other things make me miss singing a LOT. Of course I still sing, around the house, but I mean performing. At least voice lessons. I really wish I could afford them.

hee hee hee

my roommate

Sarah and I are mid-project at the moment which necessitated a photo shoot on the roof. Look at my pretty roommate! Makeup and photography brought to you by yours truly. That second shot was the first one I took as I was seeing what the lighting was like, but I like it.

and I woke up today with very sore and achy muscles. I have too much to do for this nonsense!

I feel...

really afflicted.

bed bugs

very painful infected cyst

allergies going crazy in the head-- eyes, nose, throat, consequent headache

allergies from kneeling on the floor at rehearsal last night? going crazy on the shins-- itching like mad ALL THE TIME

unmentionable on my foot, upon which I stand all day

eczema on my chin

This is too much. What's going on? Two months ago I had NONE of these afflictions. (though my roommate had bed bugs, so I knew that was inevitable.)

Please PLEASE  go away. I don't have time for this nonsense!

Today I...

consulted with a Solver of Medical Mysteries. I don't have one, I just have an infected cyst. But he saw me anyway because I don't have health insurance. WEIRD experience.

played in the candyland of Dylan's.

picked up a prescription for CHEAP (accidentally).

discovered some beautiful art in the Washington Heights Library (The Three Incestuous Sisters by Audrey Niffenegger). (Who knew the W.H. Library would have such an impressive selection?)

battled with a team of Perseus ne'er-do-wells. It was frustrating. Yes, yes, we certainly do deserve a rent reduction.

went to a conversation with Kenneth Branagh. I love smart people. If he asked me to marry him I would say yes. His two-minute scene brought me nigh to tears.

put the dishes in the dishwasher, and collapsed into my beddingless bed (bed bug exterminators coming tomorrow) to sleep on my side not afflicted with an infected cyst.

Naturally

As I previously wrote about, I teamed up a couple of groups I'm involved with a couple of weeks ago for Earth Day. Earth Day NY, partnering with Green Drinks (a networking organization for eco-conscious Manhattanites and companies), were hosting a big Earth Day celebration/event, which would feature a fashion show. Well fashion shows go hand in hand with Seph0ra and its makeup artists. I thought doing the makeup with our plethora of natural cosmetics was a fantastic idea, and then setting up a table for mini-makeovers with natural cosmetics, and maybe even throw in some info about natural skincare, even better. My store manager passed my idea on to corporate, who loved it and supported by calling on the Seph0ra Pro Team and sending lots of Natural samples to hand out. I finagled lots of goodies from the generous Maragaret of Cargo Plantlove, and voila! Success!
The furniture showroom wherein the event took place. It was gorgeous.

These are not my pictures by the way. I stupidly left my camera at home because I didn't think I would have any time to use it. These are from a photographer who comes to all Green Drinks event, and all pictures can be found on their website.

The models we made-over were first-timers. This is a Before shot. My model is on the left.

My model being given the once-over by our leader, Nikki, from the Pro Team. She created the Look and approved all models before they hit the runway.

That's mine on the left! I was a little nervous about being there because, as you know, I've been in Skin for a while, and never been given "real" makeup artistry training. But I fit right in. It was really fun to do a fashion show that had a Look to recreate. I'm a little hooked, I've got to be honest. I received special praise for my work on the cheekbones.

The artists.

The main floor. There was a basement, and the top floor which you can see here, where we were located. You can't really tell in this picture, but there were LOTS of people there. Other companies were there too like Lush, plenty of organic food companies, and organic alcohol (one of my jobs at Earth Day NY was, incidentally, to find companies to donate alcohol to the evening. So I reached out to organic alcohol companies. Thank you organic vodka company I don't now remember, how generous of you to get everyone drunk without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides. Success.) And of course the organic clothing store whose wares were displayed in the fashion show.

All of the models wore recycled newspaper headdresses, which I of course loved.

Look how proud I am of my work!

This was my favorite "garment" as they say.

The experience was fun, successful (we touched a lot of people and talked up our Naturals quite a bit), and definitely one of my highlights with this company.

Work is keeping me pretty busy at the moment. This next week I get to teach my entire cast "Service Express", a new consultation program the company is rolling out. I will be teaching them three looks. I am not a Color Expert. Go me. I will also be hosting Master Classes at our store starting next week or the following week for our clients, featuring a Mermaid Summer look, a classic smoky eye, and a trendy *new* look with a new palette off our shelves. We will be doing these every week from now on!

I am participating in this:

AIDS Walk New York, the world’s largest AIDS fundraising event, benefits Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and over 30 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations. GMHC is the nation’s oldest and most comprehensive AIDS service organization, serving approximately 15,000 people living with HIV and AIDS and their families each year, and countless more through its prevention and advocacy work locally and nationally.

Follow this link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support AIDS Walk New York.

Le Soleil

Today was 81 degrees and sunny. It was amazing. I walked around Central Park for not-long-enough (20 minutes). I had been outside for maybe 1 1/2 hours in all, much of it spent in the shade, and I started to turn a little pink. After putting on a little sunscreen this morning as always. It got me to thinking.

A week or two ago a mystery commenter asked me to write a blog about sunscreens (being an official Seph0ra consultant), since summer is coming up. BAM, delivered.

First, here are some fun facts I have learned through my company's education program:

- up to 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are actually caused by the SUN. The NUMBER ONE thing you can do to prevent aging is use a sunscreen every day.

-melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in young adults aged 15-29.

- one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life.

- one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during the course of a lifetime.

The majority (94%) of UV rays that reach the earth are UVA, the rays that caused skin wrinkling, leathering, sagging, fine lines, uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, breakdown of collagen and elastin, etc. UVA rays can and do penetrate through cloud cover, and UVA rays are also emitted by computer screens and indoor lighting, which is why it's important to wear SPF EVERY DAY (not just in the summer, and not just when you go outside). UVB rays are the rays responsible for burning. (So when a tanning salon tells you that your skin won't be harmed by the rays they are using, the UVA rays which don't burn, what they're really telling you is that the rays they are using are AGING rays so you will lose that lovely elasticity in your skin all the sooner. LOTS OF DAMAGE, DON'T GO TO A TANNING SALON.)

The SPF rating tells you how long the sunscreen has the ability to protect, not the potency of the protection. Reapply EVERY TWO HOURS as a general rule. The recommended amount is 1 TBS for the face, 1 oz. for the body. Using less will cut down the amount of time you can wait before reapplying. SPF ratings apply to UVB rays, which cause skin to burn, and not to UVA rays. Therefore, in order to get adequate protection against both rays, you must use a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection, not just a sunscreen with a high SPF. All physical sunscreens (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide) are automatically broad spectrum. Not so with chemical sunscreens, they usually protect against UVA or UVB, not both simultaneously. This is why products often have more than one sunscreen ingredient in them.

Using a moisturizer that has SPF 15, and a foundation that has SPF 15, does not = SPF 30. It will only equal the highest SPF in one or the other of the products, in this case 15.

Here are some of my favorite sun products, in no particular order:

This is the must-have-in-bag-at-all-times item. It's a powder that you can buff on over your makeup. In the morning I think it's easiest to slather on a good lotiony sunscreen, and after putting so much effort into my makeup in the morning, why would I want to disturb said makeup with a sunscreen lotion? Enter PTR Mineral SPF30! And it mattifies to boot.

This was our Best of Seph0ra sunscreen last year (and the year before I believe), which I think is saying a lot. That's when our clients vote for their favorite sunscreen. It's easy, powerful, and doesn't weigh heavily on the skin. Shiseido in general has a lot of fantastic sunscreening products, such as a sunscreen for the delicate eye area, a sunscreen for the lips, (one of the areas most prone to skin cancer since people forget to protect it and some lip glosses and lipsticks augment the unhealthy effects of the sun), and sunscreens for the face and body.

For those clients who prefer to stick to Natural skincare products (myself included), my favorite natural sunscreen is by Ole Henriksen. He actually created two, the one you see here for dry skin with green tea and grapeseed oil in it (great antioxidants for further free-radical protection), and shea butter for moisture. And one with chamomile and algae extract for oily skin. They feel great, and look great, and are free of parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, and triclosan.

For those with oily or acne-prone skin this is a great choice. Dermadoctor always has a great blend of ingredients that utilizes plenty of antioxidants for free-radical protection. This product also has willow bark extract, the natural form of salicylic acid, to help clean out your pores. And it mattifies to keep your skin from getting oily. Very multi-tasky.

This is an easy choice for the body. The bottle sprays 360 degrees, so you can turn it upside down while you spray your back or your legs. Quick and easy.

This is not a sunscreen. This is the best after-sun product. It's a Yogurt Cooling Gel from Korres. Korres is one of my favorite skincare brands because they're natural, and they're from Greece. Korres started in the pharmacies of Greece, and uses homeopathic remedies from its homeland. Yogurt is very soothing and hydrating for the skin. After a few days of 60-90 degree weather in NYC, countless people have been walking through our store doors with sunburns, and I just want to hand them all this. It's so soothing, especially if you keep it in the refrigerator, and helps a burn heal faster and with less peeling.

Bottom line: wear sunscreen every day, and reapply regularly. Your skin and vanity will thank you in 20 years, and you will spend less in the future on anti-aging products trying to fix the damage you let happen to you.

words words

At BYU I dreamt of having the luxury of just popping into the bookstore and being able to buy any book that I wanted. For some reason this is what would most comfort me on rough days. Sometimes I would let myself buy a book, and then return it a few days later just so I could alleviate that desire. One of the books I picked up was this one, The Book of Embraces by Eduardo Galeano. It was sitting on an endcap, a small special display, because (I believe) the author was visiting the university. After reading a few pages, I thought it was beautiful and imaginative. Enchanting really, like the cover says. I have wished, years later, that I kept this book, which I never even read all the way through (I wouldn't return a book if I had read it all, I'm not one of those people.) I'm sure I just felt like I needed that $15 for more practical things. Years down the road I couldn't even remember the name of the book, nor the name of the author. While browsing the Latin America section at one of my favorite bookstores, I found it! Fate! And here it is, in my home, fresh from the library. I think I will buy it though eventually. Here's one of my favorite anecdotes so far:

 Celebration of the Human Voice/2

"Their hands were tied or handcuffed, yet their fingers danced, flew, drew words. The prisoners were hooded, but leaning back, they could see a bit, just a bit, down below. Although it was forbidden to speak, they spoke with their hands. Pinio Ungerfeld taught me the finger alphabet, which he had learned in prison without a teacher.

"Some of us had bad handwriting," he told me. "Others were masters of calligraphy."

The Uruguayan dictatorship wanted everyone to stand alone, everyone to be no one: in prisons and barracks, and throughout the country, communication was a crime.

"Some prisoners spent more than ten years buried in solitary cells the size of coffins, hearing nothing but clanging bars or footsteps in the corridors. Fernandez Huidobro and Mauricio Rosencof, thus condemned, survived because they could talk to each other by tapping on the wall. In that way they told of dreams and memories, fallings in and out of love; they discussed, embraced, fought; they shared beliefs and beauties, doubts and guilts, and those questions that have no answer.

When it is genuine, when it is born of the need to speak, no one can stop the human voice. When denied a mouth, it speaks with the hands or the eyes, or the pores, or anything at all. Because every single one of us has something to say to the others, something that deserves to be celebrated or forgiven by others."

Don't be scared, just watch.

even more?

A couple of pictures of me Sarah took.

We like how it almost looks like I am worshipping in this last one, or like it brought me to my knees. I was really just taking a picture. But nicely shot, Sarah!