1011947-C1 (9 x 10.875) CREEP: none (96+4 pages) p. 54

54 AFFLUENT MAGAZINE

LIFESTYLE

he question that arises every manic holiday season is how to stay

beautiful while juggling all the additional tasks, parties and events added

to our already hectic schedule. Keeping things simple (note I did not say

sparse) will keep you looking shiny and fresh. Focusing on hair, sleep,

skin, nails and general well-being with a little sparkly fun thrown in should do the

trick!

One of the most important elements of a great

holiday look is having gorgeous, silky and shiny

hair. My number one recommendation for this high

octane/high stress season is Australian stylist Kevin

Murphy’s paraben and sulfate free Angel Wash and

Angel Rinse. These are some of the best hair care

products that I’ve ever used! It’s no surprise that

this line has devoted fans such as Kylie Minogue (she loves the combination of

Angel Wash and Angel Rinse and Hair Screen). Angel Wash promises to gently

cleanse, control frizz and repair fine damaged hair and it delivers! I’ve been using it

for a few months now, and love this delicate recovery shampoo for fine, dry or

broken hair. Aloe, milk proteins and olive esters gently protect the hair in a low

foam formulation that smells heavenly. Angelica root extract and essential oil of

grapefruit gently cleanse stressed out hair and control frizz on fine, dry hair. I follow

with Kevin Murphy Angel Rinse for Fine Colored Hair, and adore how the cocoa

butter and chamomile gently repair my hair. Available online at Amazon.com.

Speaking of shiny hair, the silky surface of Branché’s

sleek pillow slips help diminish frizz and keep curls

smooth, while gentler movement of the hair during

sleep reduces hair breakage. The easy-to-pack cases

make Branché the perfect alternative to those starchy

hotel sheets we so often encounter and the satiny

smooth texture make them a luxuriously sexy addition

to any bed. Available in a variety of dreamy colors, Branché’s Charmeuse Cases

contain eighteen amino acids and a high copper content that work to restore hair

elasticity, luster and body. Branché’s beauty benefits have made it a must-have item

for many of the busiest celebrities. With fans such as Reese Witherspoon, Eva

Longoria, Kelly Ripa and Jennifer Lopez, Branché is quickly becoming the at-home

spa and salon treatment that makes skin and hair repair as easy as closing your eyes

and drifting off to sleep. For more information please go to branchebeautysleep.com.

If looking 15 years younger is on your holiday wish

list, then ARTISTRY Crème LuXury, which promises

skin that acts up to 15 years younger is a definite

must! In a clinical study, 93% of the women using

this product line experienced smoother skin, 88%

experienced a youthful glow and 79% saw fewer

wrinkles. These benefits are the result of a new

CellEffect technology which harnesses the power of cardiolipin, an essential lipid

worth 30 times its weight in gold. Cardiolipin is the key ingredient in ARTISTRY

CellEffect technology, formulated to help renew skin’s youthful energy. Priced at

$340, the luxurious ARTISTRY Crème Luxury is at the forefront of all skin care. To

find out more about ARTISTRY Crème Luxury, visit www.artistrybeauty.com.

Who can resist a little sparkle on the nails during the holidays,

especially when it’s so on trend this year. OPI has a dazzling array of

shades for the holiday season designed to complement winter

wardrobes. From sparkling silvers like Bring on the Tinsel to red hot

polishes like Spark My Mistletoe, these festive hues add a magic touch

to any occasion. My personal favorite is Teasy-Y Does It, a deep purple

taupe with lots of sparkle. Available at fine salons nationwide.

Next to sleep, peace of mind is one of

the most important components

necessary to exude true beauty. A trip

to the spa during this busy season may

seem counterintuitive, but the result

makes perfect sense! I recently slipped

away for some afternoon pampering at

the exclusive five-star St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, and am still enjoying the

calming benefits of a 90 minute massage. Upon entering Spa Gaucin, guests are

greeted by the spa concierge at The Well of Desires. By tossing a coin into the

wishing well, spa goers symbolically leave their cares behind as they enter a world

of relaxation and well-being. The spa décor is serene and botanically themed with

soft light from natural skylights, comfortable furnishings, inviting fireplaces,

bamboo floors and a built-in sound system offering eight different genres of music

to suit each client’s taste. The centerpiece of the Tranquility Room is a fireplace with

chaise lounges and easy chairs with ottomans overlooking the spa pool through

three chapel windows. As in many spas there are all types of wellness classes in

addition to relaxing treatments, but unlike many spas it also offers a fantastic wine

list which I was lucky enough to try before leaving. For more information please go

to www.spagaucin.com.

If you are searching for adorable sparkly stocking stuffers, then I

have a couple of great suggestions. For those who love bling and

flirty lashes, Tarte’s new “golden” curler with precious purple

rhinestones is just the thing! This innovative eyelash curler will still

give your lashes that same great curl, but with a tad more sparkle!

Never used an eyelash curler? It’s a cinch! To use: Place the open

curler on lashes, getting as close to the lash line as possible. The trick

is to squeeze the handles together until they touch, then release for the perfect curl

(without the "ouch" factor)! Need even more curl? Heat your curler for 5 seconds

with a hair dryer for a picture perfect lash. Tarte's limited-edition picture perfect

curler is available at tarte.com.

If sparkle means just one thing to you — diamond — then this luxurious pair of

creamy South Sea pearl earrings nestled in 18K gold starfish sprinkled with

diamonds will make you smile from the inside out. This is one of

my all-time favorite designs and a lovely play on the traditional

holiday star makes it a gift appropriate for all! Available in

several sizes and colors. Please go to www.maryjomatsumoto.com

for more information.

Wishing you all things bright and sparkling this holiday season!

Fashion designer Mary Jo Matsumoto writes a nationally syndicated style blog at

www.trustyourstyle.com. She is debuting her natural perfume, as well as expanding

her successful line of fine jewelry, women's couture line and luxury handbag line.

For more information, please visit www.maryjomatsumoto.com.

1 & 2: Angel Wash and Angel Rinse by Kevin Murphy

3: Branché’s Charmeuse Cases

4: ARTISTRY Crème LuXury

5: ‘Teasy-Y Does It’ Polish by OPI

6 & 7: Spa Gaucin’s Treatment Room and Lap Pool at the St. Regis Resort in Monarch

Beach

8: Tarte’s New “Golden” Curler

9: South Sea Pearl Earrings with 18K Gold and Diamonds by Mary Jo Matsumoto

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