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SENSAI Summer Skin Care and Makeup Must-Haves

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 4:01PM

SENSAI Cellular Performance Hydrachange Tinted Gel Cream

By: Ariston Anderson

I've long been a fan of luxury beauty line SENSAI, the Japanese masters of skin care and cosmetics. The key ingredient to all of their products, from their Double Cleansing Program to their Sun Care line, is silk. The rare Koishimaru Silk holds 300 times its own weight in water, giving the products throughout their line a way of softening the skin that has never been achieved by regular skin care products. They've launched a brand new line, highlighting their ever-advancing science and exclusive ingredients ready to take you through summer.

Gallery: Sensai Summer Skin Care and Makeup Must-Haves

CELLULAR PERFORMANCE BODY COUNTOUR CONCENTRATE

Products are available for purchase on kanebo.com, bergdorfgoodman.com, NeimanMarcus.com, or by phone at 212.872.2537/800.588.1855 x2357.

HOMMAGE Atelier by Julien Farel: The Ultimate Urban Destination for Men

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 3:01PM

By: Ariston Anderson

When it comes to the ultimate in relaxing and unwinding for men, there's little to be found in today's fast-moving world. Even most airport executive lounges nowadays have little to offer besides a roomy chair and free wifi. But where can a man truly relax before a major business deal, or destress from a red eye flight? HOMMAGE, the brand that has redefined what luxury is for the modern man, has come up with just the spot, their first global atelier by Julien Farel.

The exclusive club, opened its doors April 4 in New York City. And don't worry, this club is not for metrosexuals. It's for the discerning jetsetters and dealmakers of the world, who deserve to have their own man time in the only way suitable: in a classic penthouse hideaway surrounded by the absolute best service and offerings.

HOMMAGE, the brand behind the world's most expensive razor counts Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and Cory Monteith among its many fans of products. Elevating the brand into a new realm of indulgence, one only needs to take one step nto the doors of the new HOMMAGE Atelier and discover a world set apart from the busy Manhattan streets. Chairs are modeled after first class seats on the most premium airlines. Guests are welcomed with a glass of single-malt scotch, complimentary shoe buffing and jacket steaming. Every detail of the space is carefully accounted for, including art work curated by the Lincoln Center Vera Art List Program.

Luxist spoke to HOMMAGE CEO and Founder Tom Wilscam to learn about his vision for the new atelier.

StriVectin-SD Launches Virtual Anti-Aging Tool

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 2:01PM

By: Ariston Anderson

StriVectin is a brand that's all about results. To celebrate this brand legacy, they've launched a new product which has been on their wish list for a long time: a virtual tool that lets you instantly see results on your own face.

The skincare line has always promised high outcomes. The new StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate takes this even further, showing that test subjects demonstrated in just eight weeks, a 20 percent decrease in fine lines and wrinkles, 25 percent improvement in skin laxity, and nearly 100 percent improvement in texture, not to mention it increased skin barrier function by 40 percent for long-term skin health benefits. The secret weapon is a patented NIA-114™, niacin derived formula that works to strengthen the skin's barrier by 40 percent to protect it from environmental wear, as well as increasing peptide levels 4x to stimulate higher-quality collagen.

But what does this all mean for your face? After discovering incredible before-and-after photos in clinical trials, they were so impressed with the results that they wanted to give users a way to see how the products could change their own skin. Enter the first virtual, anti-aging results tool for the web, Facebook and iPad, a new product built by ModiFace that uses advanced facial recognition and HTML 5 to show users real results.

Casa Noble: Driving More Refined Tequila Consumption

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 1:01PM

By: David Kiley

Tequila seems to have to fight for respect more than other spirits, such as whisky, rum, brandy and even vodka. Perhaps it's because Tequila seems to be more associated, in the U.S. with benders and beach parties rather than snifters and sommeliers.

But one of the small-volume craft Tequila producers helping to raise Tequila's image beyond the margarita is Casa Noble, a brand whose history dates back to the 1700s.

Casa Noble, which produces about 150,000 litters of Tequila of different ages each year, produces from a holding of about 3,000 acres of blue agave, about one-tenth that of Tequila giant Jose Cuervo (curve also buys blue agave from other growers). And Casa Noble's blue agave fields are mostly on slopes and hillsides, which stresses the plant, and the company believes produces a more complex tasting agave plant.

Four Seasons Provence Offers Experiences for All

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 11:01AM

By: McLean Robbins

The Four Seasons Provence at Terre Blanche sits in a unique location – it's not on the French Riviera's famed coast, nor is it located in the chic towns of Nice, Cannes or St. Tropez. The resort instead sits between the three towns, nestled at the base of the hillside village of Fayence and near the towns of Mons, Tourettes and Grasse.

Still, the resort offers a variety of private experience for guests seeking a retreat with a variety of customized experiences. A-listers flock to this hotel during peak times like the Cannes Film Festival, and stars like Angelina Jolie have holed up at the hotel for a few weeks of privacy. This writer had the pleasure of spending a few days at the resort earlier this month.

Dr. Frank Lipman's Remove Cleanse

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 10:01AM

Dr. Lipman Eleven Eleven Wellness Remove Kit

By: Ariston Anderson

I have to admit, I'm not one for fasting. I've tried it all: lemonade, green juices, Organic Avenue. They all just left me craving more of the foods I was trying to rid my diet of in the first place.

But when I came across Dr. Frank Lipman's Cleanse Program, I knew the kit created by a medical professional, seemed a step above the rest. My primary goal was to cut my sugar cravings, rather than multiply them. And many health fanatics from Kevin Bacon to Donna Karen have given this detox the gold star of approval for helping to reset their own systems.

The cleanse consists of three protein shakes a day, plus a lunch and dinner consisting of greens and protein. No booze, no sugar, no gluten for two weeks straight. A big bottle of glutamine capsules is included, known to help curb sugar cravings, as well as daily vitamins. And in just two weeks, it promises to boost your body's own ability to detox.

The program is designed to be taken on the go, with a blender bottle that easily mixes up shakes wherever you are. I decided to put it to the ultimate test and bring it with me to South by South West. The annual festival, held in Austin, Texax, is not only home to amazing interactive panels, show-stopping indie films and emerging rock acts, but also to liter-sized beer mugs and huge baskets of BBQ brisket. I knew if I could do it in Austin, I could do it anywhere.

The shakes ended up being great on the plane and kept me from indulging in processed snacks. The taste, a thick vanilla with a hint of lemon, wasn't bad, and I never dreaded making it a part of my daily routine. Once I arrived in Texas, I had the added convenience of two morning shakes, and not having to worry about where to find breakfast.

The festival became a breeze, and for the first time while traveling, I felt that I was actually getting healthier rather than destroying all the progress I had made back home. I did make the mistake of putting a shake in a water bottle for later, and having a colleague ask me if I was drinking cake batter. I since put it in opaque bottles when I was chugging in the open.

Did I cheat? A couple of times. You try and turn down a famous Austin fish taco. But overall, I stuck to it, and even with the few cheats managed to lose five pounds and flatten my stomach after the two weeks were over.

And the best part? My sugar cravings were gone. I was able to walk by the chocolate aisle without even glancing at it. The cleanse is a great thing to do annually to reset your system. And it's the perfect kit to take while traveling if you fear you're going to kill your diet and pack on a few pounds.

Benefit Launches High SPF Moisturizer

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 16th 2011 8:01AM

Benefit Triple Performing Facial Emulsion

By: Ariston Anderson

Every summer, I'm on a search for the perfect SPF day cream -- something light enough for my sensitive skin, yet provides both UVA and UVB protection.

San Francisco makeup giant Benefit recently launched a skin care line with promising products that work fast for brighter, younger, radiant skin. The collection is packaged in fun vintage bottles, inspired by the waters of San Francisco's gorgeous coastline. After sampling the line, I discovered a beauty must-have that I'm looking forward to wearing in the warm months ahead: Triple Performing Facial Emulsion.

The facial emulsion offers full SPF 15 PA++ sun protection, boosted by plant extracts, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to provide maximum antioxidant advantages. With a light citrus scent, that's not too medicinal, it's the perfect lotion to wear under makeup or alone on a bare summer face. It also provides supreme hydration through Benefit's patented tri-radiance exclusive complex, designed to capture and maintain water to rebuild the skin's natural reservoir.

One hit of the emulsion on my face, I instantly felt refreshed. It provided a silky gloss that was neither greasy nor oily. In weeks, you will see a decrease in spots and fine lines and an increase in skin firmness. It's the one product to protect your skin against sun damage that no beach bag should be without.

Why Diageo Is Seeking to Buy Jose Cuervo

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Apr 15th 2011 10:01AM

By: David Kiley

United Kingdom drinks giant Diageo is believed to be considering a bid to buy the historic and iconic Jose Cuervo Tequila brand, the biggest Tequila brand and operation in the world, from the Beckmann family whose family tree traces to the original Antonio de Cuervo and a Mexican land grant from Spain in 1758 to start a blue agave farm.

Diageo already controls most of the distribution of Jose Cuervo. But media reports on both sides of the Atlantic say the beverage company, which also owns Guinness and a raft of other spirits brands, including Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky, Tanqueray Gin and Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey, would pay perhaps $2 billion to own it outright.

The reason for Diageo's interest is open for speculation for now, since neither side is doing much talking. But Tequila consumption has been growing, though 84 percent of world consumption is still concentrated in Mexico and the U.S., according to Just-Drinks.

Luxist Guest Post: George Miliotes, Master Sommelier at The Capital Grille Picks Valentine's Day Wines

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Feb 12th 2011 10:02AM

Wine can be an important part of your Valentine's Day celebration but choosing the right wine is a combination of making sure that the wine matches both the food and your beloved's preferences. George Miliotes, Master Sommelier at The Capital Grille restaurant group, offers up a few recommendations and romantic finds – including basic food pairing advice to help ease the course of true oenological love.

Best Wines for Romance
There is no magic wine that does it for everyone, as tastes vary. Find out what type of wine your special someone likes. Then research and find the best of that type. Come armed to impress with the story of why the wine is the best of its type so you can wow your loved one with the knowledge as you drink it. Nothing says romance like I care enough to get you the best. Few suggestions (across price points) are below:

If they love Red, my faves are:

LOW ON DOUGH: Juan Gil Monastrell...there is no other red wine as flavorful for less than $20 and it pairs amazingly well with a Filet.
IN THE MIDDLE: De Toren Z $40...Merlot/Cab blend at a world class flavor level. Partial to a Delmonico? The plush yet strong tannins here will match perfectly with the marbled richness of the steak.
IN THE MOOD TO SPLURGE: Lewis Cellars 2007 Reserve Cabernet ...can run $175+ depending upon market. Is there anything more American than a dry aged New York strip sirloin? Have this great American Cabernet with the great American steak.

Unexpected Treasures: CIRCA Evaluates A Reader's Finds

by Unknown (RSS feed) — Jan 20th 2011 2:01PM

A reader submitted the following letter to Luxist's Unexpected Treasures column and CIRCA agreed to help us evaluate:

Going through some old "junk" chests I had I came upon a few of interesting pieces I thought I would submit.

The first piece is an 18K gold Zenith wristwatch. The watch belonged to my grandfather and I believe it is pre 1930. Upon further inspection (I am a watch aficionado) I believe it uses a Valjoux .22 Calibre Chronograph movement (I could definitely be wrong). The watch does not have a model or serial number as is common with a lot of older timepieces. I have not been able to find much information on the piece online so any help you and circa could provide would be wonderful.

The second piece is a Tiffany's sterling silver bean clutch purse designed by Elsa Peretti. Elsa was a good friend of my mothers and gifted the purse to her in the late 70s or early 80's (as the stamp on the back of the purse suggests.)

The third piece are a pair of Tiffany's earrings made out of palladium(stamped in the back), designed by Paloma Picasso, also gifted to my mother by Elsa.

I would love to see what circa has to say about these pieces and they certainly were an unexpected treasures.

Best Regards,
Federico

Click through for the response from CIRCA...