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50
Calista! Keanu! Marisa! Ian! Courtney! All Join Hollywood’s Coolest Club
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JULY/AUGUST 2014 @CompleteSenior
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CS JULY/AUGUST 2014
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INSIDE JULY/AUGUST 2014
Big Stories
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Oh, Lenny You’re So Fine…
Lenny Kravitz leads the impressive celebrity roster of newly-minted 50 year olds. BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA
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Social Security: When To Retire? It Matters
One of the most important decisions you’ll ever make means big money. BY BUCK WARGO
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Where You Want To Go
CS does the work for you and selects five amazing luxury hotels for your bucket list. BY ABBY TEGNELIA
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The Photographer Celebrities Love Meet Mike Ruiz, the handsome artist the super famous always seek out.
More
1 HOME 5 FUNNY 6 EDITOR 42 GORGEOUS 46 FAMOUS 48 GET OFF MY LAWN
BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA
ON THE COVER
Rock star Lenny Kravitz photographed by Lev Radin; (this page) Debbie Harry photographed by Mike Ruiz
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“Young people today are expressing ideals of inclusion, individualism and freeedom. I ardently believe that these qualities will win over derision.” —Mike Ruiz, page 32
This pencil is $0.50
This pencil is $20.50
They’re exactly the same thing. Pretty simple choice, right? All Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by the Federal Government. This means you could be overpaying every month. Call 866-358-0714 to comparison shop with an independent advisor.
www.unitedmedicareadvisors.com Click here to get your FREE QUOTE
FUNNY 6 JOKES, 6 MEN: GET READY TO LAUGH SOME OF OUR NATION’S BIGGEST MALE COMEDIANS BRING THE FUNNY—SERIOUSLY. “I was just offered a job in Palestine. They offered me half a million dollars— plus funeral expenses.”
Mason Jackie
JULY/AUGUST 2014 Volume 1, Issue 3
Richard Pérez-Feria Vice President, Editor in Chief
Design Director Warren Baskin Senior Editor Buck Wargo Beauty + Grooming Editor Marco Medrano Entertainment + Travel Editor Abby Tegnelia Editor at Large Richard Zombeck Senior Photographer Myrna Suárez Contributing Editors Martin Andelman Erin Dostal, Ashlee Kinney, Mario Quirce
Bill Baskin
Chief Executive Officer, Publisher Advertising Director Jeremy Buttke Production Director Warren Baskin ©2014 Complete Senior, Inc. All rights reserved. Advertising: advertising@completesenior.com Editorial: editorial@completesenior.com Info: customerservice@completesenior.com
Jay Leno “The New England Journal Of Medicine reports that nine out of ten doctors agree that one out of ten doctors is an idiot.”
Robin Williams “God gave men a penis and a brain, but unfortunately not enough blood supply to run both at the same time.”
Gary Shandling “I wrote a suicide note once and it said: ‘I’m not mad at anybody; this is just something I wanted to do for myself ’.”
Jeff Foxworthy “I have never been jealous not even when my dad finished fifth grade a year before I did.”
Steven Wright “I’d kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.”
CS is published by Complete Senior, Inc. Bill Baskin Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Buttke President Tetsuya Kosaka Chief Operating Officer Eli Gladden Chief Marketing Officer Complete Senior, Inc. 31642 S. Coast Highway, Suite 102 Laguna Beach, CA 92651 T. (877) 479-4544 (toll free) F. (949) 379-8041 facebook.com/completesenior @CompleteSenior @CompleteSenior
EDITOR BEYONCÉ AND I SHARE THE SAME BIRTHDAY—AND MUCH MORE AS THE CALENDAR INEVITABLY SPEEDS TOWARDS MY HALF-CENTURY MARK, IT’S TIME TO ANSWER SOME BIG QUESTIONS. BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA
B
eyoncé and I share a birthday. On September 4, one of us will be 50 years old. By reading that sentence out loud, it marks the first time I acknowledge what I’ve been silently obsessing about for the better part of a year. I’m actually turning 50. In countless ways, that fact seems impossible to me. My incredulity stems not so much from how the inevitable aging process is impacting me personally, but how 50 is the age I still picture my parents as being. How could I be turning the same age as my mom and dad? My mother, Addy, is a beautiful, brilliant, active woman who came home from work nearly three decades ago seemingly distraught as she announced to my closest friends and me assembled in the den, “I cannot be turning 50! I can’t believe that half my life is over!” As the room fell silent, I broke the sudden tension by saying, “Half your life? Are you kidding? You better not live to be 100—who’s going to take care of you that long?” As my friends burst out laughing, my mom, who appreciates rough humor as much as anyone I know, smiled, kissed my cheek sweetly and said rather ominously, “Oh, my son, how I look
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FACE TIME
“George Orwell said, ‘At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.’ Look at mine. I’m a happy man.”
forward to the day you turn 50.” Yeah, whatever mom, that day was a million years away. That day is now here. I’ve never been particularly worried about age; in fact, to mark my other momentous birthdays, I’ve been fortunate to have amazing friends to make sure no one would ever forget. When I turned 20, my fellow Tulane University buddies planned a weekend bender they dubbed “Papi Gras” on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ famous French Quarter and orchestrated my staying sauced from Friday afternoon to Sunday night. I may not remember much, but the pics reveal all had a most festive weekend. When 30 hit, my Manhattan-based crew organized a Labor Day four-day “Papipalooza” in the impossibly chic Hamptons on Long Island. As the clock struck midnight and I officially turned 30, my friends (more than two dozen) and I were bouncing up and down, deliriously happy, dancing with abandon at a hot nightclub. It was a most wonderful memory to be sure. But nothing—nothing—could prepare me for the epic nature of what turning 40 would mean. As I rounded the
corner and landed at 40 I was the Editor in Chief of Time Inc.’s People en Español, the largest and most important magazine for Hispanics in the country, my famous friends and colleagues decided that they weren’t going to let that huge birthday pass without fanfare. The result became a sort of unbelievable birthday world tour that encompassed ten massive parties in five countries and three continents including a mind-blowing mega kickoff at the legendary celebrity destination, Chateau Marmont, held at Bungalow 2 where I was staying for a week. The party was insanely fun and it was easily one of the greatest nights of my life. The fête was organized by Queer Eye’s superstar interior designer, Thom Filicia, and the music came courtesy of Ellen rock star DJ, Tony Okungbowa, who spun so expertly that the dozens of Hispanic and Hollywood A-listers in the crowd were dancing in a joyful frenzy. I couldn’t believe all of this was happening for me. Nuts. Other birthday events were equally mind-blowing and
It was certainly good being me at 40. Now, 50. Though some of my closest friends are rumbling about making a big deal out of this next chronological landmark in my life, I’m uncharacteristically silent on the subject. And the simple fact that I’ve had enough over-the-top celebrations to last me a lifetime is certainly a factor (as is craving more stillness as I get older), but it does bother me that turning 50 is affecting me in such silly, but undeniable ways. Look, I’m a smart guy; I know, logically, that 50 is only a number and all that, but it’s something else, too. I have questions I need answering. Big questions. Am I on the right path? Is the clock winding down faster than I’m ready for? What, exactly, is my life about? After sharing my internal monologue with my closest friend—who himself just hit the half-century mark a few months ago—he told me that everyone he knows had similar reservations about turning 50. “It’s not the fact of becoming 50, it’s what that number represents. Also, so
“I had to answer some big questions: Am I on the right path? Is the clock winding down faster than I’m ready for? What, exactly, is my life about?” included a South Beach (Miami) 400 person blowout hosted by dear friends Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio, at their Ocean Drive hotel, Cardozo, that came with all the fixins’—red carpet, dozens of celebrities, live music, samba dancing troupe imported from Brazil, a massive cake with my likeness that more than a few party revelers seemed to enjoy hacking into a little too much. The other celebrations held for me included a four-star dinner in Mexico City’s W Hotel attended by that country’s most famous folks, an impressive New York City dinner at superstar chef Jean-Georges’ incredible restaurant followed by a jaw-dropping soiree hosted by music mogul Charlie Walk at his beautiful TriBeCa duplex that filled up with many of Gotham’s heaviest hitters and boldfaced names. Oh, but there was more. Crazy parties soon followed in Madrid, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Montreal and, most impossibly, Sydney, Australia. It was, of course, the most humbling time of my life.
many people in our age group are suddenly dealing with disease, financial worries and mortality issues and all of that naturally raises grave concern.” But, you know what, here’s what I’ve resolved: I’m turning 50 years old, and I’m just great. I’m healthy, happy, love and receive love, my parents and siblings are all good and my friends are the best people in the world. Oh, and I have a job that challenges and thrills me in a million unexpected ways. Bottom line: I have a damn good life. As of late, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about what George Orwell famously said, “At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.” Look at mine. I’m a happy man. So, yeah, a blessed life is something Beyoncé and I share besides a birthday. I wonder if Ms. Knowles is free for a (quiet) celebration on our big day. Jay Z can come, too.
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CS JULY/AUGUST 2014
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DEPT
Oh
Lenny
You’re So Fine… Lenny Kravitz Leads
the new
SEXY CELEBRITY
LOOK WHO’S
50 Club
whose members include Calista, Keanu, Marisa and both Courtneys. Sign. us. up.
BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA
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LENNY KRAVITZ
Whenever I catch sight of America’s resident coolest kid in class, Lenny Kravitz, live on stage, performing at the Grammys or in a darkened movie theater projected larger than life on the screen, it makes me uncomfortable. Well, uncomfortable may not be the precise word I’m looking for; more like, the incredibly talented New York City native makes me hyper self-aware about my own hyper self-awareness. You see, Kravitz is sooo acutely comfortable in his own skin, even with all the amazing and fashion-forward trappings he’s known for—leather! piercings! jewelry! tattoos!— that by comparison, any other human is simply, well, lacking. Whom, exactly, can compete with the likes of this studly, black, Jewish, rock god who happens to be (in his down time) an acclaimed actor whose muscled physique would even make David run for cover? No one—that’s whom. That’s a lot of pressure to live up to, but incredibly, Kravitz seems to take it all in stride. The fact that his demeanor is way more California laid back than NYC in-your-face intensity ups the incredulity meter on this man’s perfection. Trust me, if Lenny Kravitz wasn’t so damn charming and self-effacing, he’d be impossible not to hate. But I don’t hate Lenny Kravitz—and neither do you—exactly the opposite is true. We want to be his friend; scratch that, his best friend, his wingman, his drinking buddy or something much, much closer. So as this country’s ultimate BMOC (big man on campus) rounds the corner and lands on the other side of the celebrity 50 club—clearly as club president—it should give us some comfort to know that the image we first had of Kravitz all those years ago scorching his rendition of “American Woman” is still the Kravitz we see today. Not only is Lenny Kravitz a true American original, he seems to know it and rolls with it. Fact: I want to be Lenny Kravitz’s friend. Fact: You do, too.
COURTNEY COX
In many ways, this constant television presence hasn’t changed one bit—physically or personality—since we first saw a glimpse of her bopping along with Bruce Springsteen on the concert video of his biggest pop hit, “Dancing In The Dark,” back in 1984. She was funny/intense on Friends and she’s funny/intense currently on Cougar Town. Courtney Cox makes funny/ intense very desirable indeed.
ROB LOWE
Of all the superlative roles Rob Lowe has beautifully portrayed over the years on film and television—The Outsiders, St. Elmo’s Fire, The West Wing, Parks & Recreation—it was his supporting role (an extended cameo, really) as terrifying/ he-can’t-be-serious Hollywood plastic surgeon (Dr. Jack Startz) in HBO’s terrific Liberace biopic, Behind The Candelabra, that still boggles the mind. Equal parts monster and enabler, Lowe kept his portrayal on a razor’s edge teetering from unwatchable camp to calculated genius. It was a marvel to witness his masterful performance.
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CALISTA FLOCKHART
We first really got a look at this feisty, reed-thin powerhouse in a (very good) supporting role in the hilarious film The Birdcage opposite some scenery-chewing pros (Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Dianne Weist, Nathan Lane) in 1996, but it wasn’t until she embodied the title role in TV’s smash, Ally McBeal, a year later did we realize that this pretty skinny girl was here to stay. Is it any wonder Han Solo (Harrison Ford) snatched her up?
COURTNEY LOVE
Being a celebrity—you know, once you get past (or used to) the privileges and special meme-me reality—can be difficult, particularly when one has a penchant for stepping in it as often and as publically as the lead singer of Hole, the ex-Mrs. Kurt Cobain. As talented as Courtney Love is, we wouldn’t be surprised if her future was either drama-free and prosperous or filled with yet more agonizing all-too-public spectacles of fame spiraling. Sinner or saint, Love remains an exceedingly interesting celebrity to watch.
DEPT
STEPHEN COLBERT
When a red-hot career gets even hotter—Colbert was recently announced as the replacement to the iconic David Letterman when he retires from his CBS late night talk show next year—something interesting happens: Everyone, suddenly, had an opinion about the announcement. Though he uncannily and relentlessly portrays a character in his wildly popular Comedy Central show, The Colbert Report, it will be the real Stephen Colbert network audiences will get to see nightly. We can’t wait.
WYNONNA JUDD
In many ways, Wynonna Judd embodies a sort of the poor little rich girl of country music persona that is at once heartbreaking and slightly cloying. But when we separate ourselves from her crazy childhood (alongside her movie star younger sister, Ashley), her Southern-fried Mama Rose (Naomi), her numerous failed relationships, it all comes back to that voice— pitch perfect, ethereal, clear as a bell. Wynonna Judd’s life may be a country song cliché, but her pipes are stuff that dreams are made of.
BLAIR UNDERWOOD
With President Obama’s election, Hollywood released its clearly long-held pent-up need to cast African-American actors as occupants of the Oval Office. Everyone from Jamie Foxx to Morgan Freeman has donned the Commander in Chief flak jacket, but it was Blair Underwood’s role in the short-lived NBC show, The Event, that caught my eye because it doubled down on the character’s ethnicity by also declaring that Underwood’s POTUS was—wait for it—Cuban, President Elias Martínez. Now that’s a leader of the free world we all can get behind.
MARISA TOMEI
If it’s possible to be an Academy Award-winning actress and simultaneously be grossly underrated, then Marisa Tomei has that down. Do yourselves a favor and spend a weekend or two watching this gifted actress in any number of her beautifullycrafted performances—from, yes, My Cousin Vinny to her spot-on Oscar-nominated turn in the wrenching In The Bedroom— Marisa Tomei is nothing short of amazing. Not a false note to be found in any of her roles. How many actresses (or actors) can you really say that about? I think the list starts with someone named Meryl and ends with the actress known as Streep.
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DEPT
NICOLAS CAGE
Is there a more oddly compelling/weirdly effective Hollywood actor working today than Nicolas Cage? If winning the Oscar, Golden Globe and SAG awards for Leaving Las Vegas wasn’t enough, his careermaking turn opposite Cher in Moonstruck is simply cinematic gold. Odd or not, Cage isn’t forgettable. Not even a little.
TERRI HATCHER
Long before playing poker with the ladies on Wisteria Lane on Desperate Housewives and even before she lit up the screen as a modern Lois Lane opposite Dean Cain in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, Terri Hatcher delivered what’s arguably one of the funniest lines in Seinfeld history (a show known for its off-the-charts comedic writing). The line involves a part of Hatcher’s character “natural” anatomy that is most definitely worth a YouTube search.
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ROSIE PEREZ
This Oscar-nominated actress is known as the tough-as-nails New Yorker who made her debut in Spike Lee’s early film, Do The Right Thing. The moment Perez opens her mouth and her patented Nuyorican nasal explosion emerges as words, we knew we were dealing with a major player. She hasn’t disappointed one bit. KEANU REEVES From Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure to Speed and from Point Break to The Matrix trilogy, Keanu Reeves has starred in some of Hollywood’s most memorable films and his turns in the acclaimed Dangerous Liaisons and My Own Private Idaho further solidified his acting cred. This perpetually youthful Canadian-American surfer dude is just getting started.
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DEPT
IAN ZIERING As the perpetually happy rich guy (Steve Sanders) on the original Beverly Hills 90210, Ian Ziering fooled most into believing that his character was him and didn’t require acting at all—an unfair assessment. Currently riding a comeback with the past year’s most unlikely smash, Sharknado, Ziering is also reprising his (shirtless) role as the hunky MC at Chippendales Male Revue on the Las Vegas Strip. Not bad, not bad at all. MARISKA HARGITAY This Emmy Award-winning actress is so intense and believable you often catch yourself holding your breath when watching some of the more dramatic scenes she thrives in as Sgt. Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, a job she’s had for more than a decade-and-a-half. The demanding role all but makes more incredulous her famous lineage, her mom is Hollywood icon Jayne Mansfield and her dad is famous actor/ bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay.
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MATT DILLON One of the original “young guns” that starred in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders (Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze), Dillon was supposed to be a superstar. Though (arguably) he’s underachieved on that front, he’s put in solid performances in acclaimed films including the Oscar-winning Crash, There’s Something About Mary, Wild Things and In & Out. MOLLY SHANNON The deft trick Molly Shannon has pulled off is to remain one of the most memorable and beloved players on Saturday Night Live, a series notorious for over-thetop personalities and egos, yet, she did it. Her characters on that show remain scorched in our collective consciousness (Mary Katherine Gallagher, Terri Rialto, co-host of NPR radio show Delicious Dish and her dead-on impersonations of Donatella Versace and Björk are stuff of legend. Molly Shannon is funny—very funny.
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SANDRA BULLOCK
Currently riding high in the middle of a mid-career resurgence, Sandra Bullock is the Oscar-winning actress who was nothing short of captivating in her (mostly) solo role in last year’s acclaimed blockbuster, Gravity. Veering from heartbreaking drama and pathos to slapstick fall-down comedy is a deft trick not many Hollywood A-listers can pull off as seamlessly as this immensely likeable movie star. TRISHA YEARWOOD Trisha Yearwood is undeniably among the most beloved country music superstars working today, and she doubled-down on that status by falling in love and subsequently marrying the genre’s biggest star, Garth Brooks. Mother, accomplished Southern home cook (with her own weekly show on The Food Network), best-selling author, devoted wife: Trisha Yearwood sure seems to enjoy having it all.
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RUSSELL CROWE
The Academy Award-winning star of A Beautiful Mind, The Insider and Les Misérables is best known for his careerdefining turn in Gladiator, Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning epic. Mercurial, explosive and immensely talented, this Australian-born movie star isn’t slowing down one bit.
ELLE MACPHERSON
It’s amazing to think about that Elle Macpherson, the breathtaking Australian supermodel, has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s fabled swimsuit issue a record five times. One look at this hard-working entrepreneur and it’s easy to see why she’s been regarded to as “The Body” for decades. And, by the look of things, that body and that face and that ambition are just getting started.
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Social Security
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When To Retire? (it matters) WHEN TO PULL THE TRIGGER ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS IS A DECISION WORTH A LOT—A LOT—OF MONEY. BY BUCK WARGO
THE DECISION
People need to consider all sources of income before making a decision about Social Security, including the use of a reverse mortgage.
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teve Gorin is a lucky man. He says he’s very fortunate to work in a profession that allows him to retire later than most Americans. The 67-year-old professor of Social Works at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire is opting to wait and take Social Security when he turns 70. It’s a strategy he’s thought through and one that will financially benefit he and his wife Cynthia in their retirement. By waiting until 70 instead of retiring at 62, Gorin will receive 76 percent more a month in Social Security benefits. It’s 32 percent higher than if he took benefits at his full retirement age of 66. There are also other advantages for
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waiting since Social Security benefits are based on the highest 35 years of earnings. Many older Americans add to their benefits by earning more as they approach retirement. Gorin, who has a part-time job as well as executive director of the New Hampshire chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, says he’ll be ready for retirement. That’s important to Gorin because the school doesn’t provide a pension. It does have a 401(k) plan that he’s contributed and will help in his retirement years. But as long as he was healthy, he could keep working, Gorin saw the benefit in waiting. “I’m not going to be Bill Gates, but I certainly would be in a lot better spot than if I took it age 66,” Gorin says. “A defined contribution plan depends
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“Making the wrong decision can be a very costly mistake. No one knows for sure how long they’re going to live.” on the ups and downs of the market. The markets took a hit over the last several years and so did my defined contribution plan. My wife also works for the same school (as a professor), and she’s also hoping to wait until age 70. We’re not pleading poverty, but having the additional funds will be helpful to us in retirement.” Gorin estimates he’ll earn slightly less than $3,000 a month once his Social Security benefits kick in. Once he starts earning those, his wife Cynthia Moniz will be able to take a spousal benefit and get a portion of his benefits at age 66 without affecting her ability to work and earn income. That allows her benefits to grow by 32 percent until age 70. “I want to stress my position is a fortunate one and I recognize that others don’t have the job opportunities that I have,” Gorin says. “There are people that lose their jobs and are forced to take it at age 62 or 66 and people who physically can’t keep working beyond 62 or 66. I work hard but my job doesn’t involve physical labor. I’m not somebody who stands on their feet all day or works in a steel mill or factory.” People need to consider all sources of income before making a decision about Social Security, including the use of a reverse mortgage that are growing more popular. For those with income from a 401(k) or IRA, they can draw from that income first before taking Social Security and bridge the gap that
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they need, according to the experts. Getting an eight percent gain from Social Security in their lifetime benefits for every year of delay and having it adjusted for inflation can’t be beat. “It’s hard to find that kind of guarantee in terms of returns,” says Kelly O’Donnell, vice president of marketing for Financial Engines, a defined contribution management account provider. “In that age group, they have a more conservative portfolio more about creating income than growth. They traditionally have a lower return than eight percent.” Maximizing Social Security is important with more than 10,000 baby boomers a day retiring and more than half take their benefits at age 62. Twothirds of Americans take Social Security benefits when they turn 62 or three months of their retirement. That’s vital because the Social Security Administration reports that nearly two thirds of those 65 and older get more than half of their income from Social Security and one report says 80 million workers aren’t covered by any retirement plan and will have to rely on Social Security unless they work part time. The Social Security Administration reports the average monthly benefit is just below $1,300 a month, which equates to about between $15,000 and $16,000 a year. The Washington, DC-based Employee Benefit Research Institute reports of those people 65 and older who
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fell in the lowest 60 percent of incomes, relied on Social Security for 88 percent of their income in 2010. It’s even more important for them since many are trying to pay for rising rents or cover mortgage payments to stay in their homes. That’s why the decision to take benefits is important and the numbers show how the difference is staggering, according to the nonpartisan National Academy of Social Insurance, which has launched a public education drive. For someone who’s scheduled to receive $1,000 a month in Social Security benefits at their full retirement at 66, they would only receive $750 a month if they started accepting at 62. In contrast, if the person waited until 70, they would make $1,320 a month, a 76 percent gain over what they would accept at 62. “The purpose of our project is to help people understand the case for
SOCIAL SECURITY: BIG NEWS For a comprehensive Social Security benefits planning roadmap created by a best in class Social Security rules engine, the only one of its kind, go to completesenior.com. Social Security expert analysts combed through more than 700 pages of Social Security rules to develop an invaluable tool that will assist you in determining your optimal time to retire so you can receive the most money from Social Security. The right choice means the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars in Social Security/retirement benefits.
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“HOW MAY I NOT HELP YOU?” “The Social Security office isn’t going to advise what’s best for you regarding your benefits.”
delaying Social Security if they can,” says Virginia Reno, vice president for income security policy for DC-based NASI. “We aren’t telling people what to do, but we sense that it hasn’t been explained very well to people that the benefits are much higher if you wait and claim them later. People can sign up with the Social Security Administration to check where they stand on what monthly benefits they’ll receive at ages 62, 66 and 70. It will also list their annual earnings over the course of their life. Jim Blankenship, a certified financial planner and author of A Social Security Owner’s Manual says if you’ve worked for only 30 years in which Social Security taxes were withheld, that means those five years would have zeros averaged
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into the calculation. For those with at least 35 years of employment, they may not have zeros but their incomes were so low when they were younger that it will bring down their monthly benefits once they take Social Security, he says. “If you have zeros in your past or low earning years, you want to replace them to boost your benefits,” Blankenship says. “It depends on the earnings, but it could be substantial. When you are talking about monthly benefits of $1,200, it could bring it down $100 or $200 a month. Financial planners and experts on Social Security are offering advice and software programs to help older Americans make the right decision with their financial future and retirement. Social Security is so big
and the rules so complicated that if you go to the Social Security office, they don’t offer you advice, says Stephen Wright, an associate financial planner with The Enrichment Group in Miami. “They’re not financial planners,” Wright says. “They’re there to help you do what you want to have done. They’re not going to advise you on what’s best for you regarding your benefits because they don’t know your financial situation.” Many would be surprised to learn they’re leaving money on the table when it comes to claiming all of the benefits for which they’re entitled such as the spousal benefit that Steve and his wife Cynthia are eyeing. “It’s a great way to earn some extra income in your 60s, but many people lose out because they just don’t know about it,” Wright says. “It’s a complicated system, and people are missing out on benefits they could be receiving because of it.” The Social Security rules are complicated and subject to change and people need to be aware of what’s happening and plan their strategy from there. That includes examples cited here. The federal government may pull in the reins of one option observers refer to as wealthy Americans “gaming” Social Security. Some have essentially called it “free money.” President Obama’s 2015 budget is targeting the strategy of “file and suspend” where one spouse at full retirement age of 55 decides not to take their benefit and allow it to grow 8 percent a year until age 70.
“It’s a complicated system, and people are missing out on benefits they could be receiving because of it.” That enables the spouse to take 50 percent of the other spouse’s benefit while still allowing it to grow. The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College reported that 46 percent of the file and suspend benefit goes to the top 40 percent of wealthiest households. Dr. William Reichenstein, financial author, Baylor University professor and head researcher for Social Security Solutions, says the example like the two married university professors waiting to take their benefits and taking spousal benefits should pay off over the long term in excess of $200,000. “Most people want to get the most as they an get as soon as they can without giving thought to it,” Reichenstein says. “In present value today you’re talking from $1.3 to $1.5 million. That’s a $200,000 difference if they started at 62. I don’t care how wealthy you are, this is a valuable asset and prudent management is so very important.” If you live to 80, the present value of benefits is about the same no matter if you start at 62 or 63 and any age through 70, Reichenstein says. If you’re single and confident you’re going to die before 80, you want to start benefits as soon as possible, he says. “It depends,” Reichenstein says. “If you’re still working, your earnings may wipe out your benefits. You may not effectively be able to start until age 66. But if your life expectancy
is going to be longer than 80, you may wait until 70 to maximize your expected lifetime benefits. If you’re worried about running out of (money) in your lifetime, you want to talk about delaying benefits. Social Security is one benefit you can’t outlive. If in doubt, it’s better to wait.” Reichenstein, 62, says the same principal applies to couples. Since he’s the higher earner in his family and his wife is six years younger, it’s best to wait to maximize benefits because she earns them after his death. By waiting to 70 instead of taking benefits at 66, Reichenstein says that is a 32 percent increase and yearly benefits can surpass $41,000 a year instead of $31,000 a year. “In today’s purchasing power and if my wife lives to only 85, and I think she’ll live longer than that, then you’re talking about another $210,000,” Reichenstein says. “Making the wrong decision can be a very costly mistake. No one knows for sure how long they’re going to live, but in this case by just waiting until 70, that’s an extra $10,000 a year.” People can continue to work while on Social Security but it won’t affect their benefits unless they earn more than $15,480 a year. The Social Security Administration withholds $1 for every $2 earned over that amount. It withholds $1 for every $3 of earnings above $41,400 a year. It only applies to those below their full retirement age, which is
66 for those born prior to 1960. For John Jensen, a retired high school physics teacher from Omaha, the math worked best for him and his wife, Sandra, a homemaker, to take his Social Security benefits at age 62. Jensen, who’s now 69, retired from teaching at 58 at which point he received deferred compensation that covered his health insurance costs until he was 62. While Jensen drew a teacher’s pension, he opted to take Social Security at 62 to help cover his $1,000 a month health insurance until he became eligible for Medicare at 65. He did so based on his life expectancy. Those numbers change and studies released today show that women who turn 62 this year should expect to live to 83 if you’re a man and 85 if you’re a woman. “Everyone goes through that decision when they hit that age,” Jensen says. “Should I take it or should I wait. I would have had to wait to 66 until you get full Social Security. They work it out so they get approximately the same lifetime benefits. The 62-yearold will take it for more years but at a lesser amount. The 66-year-old will get slightly higher amount for fewer years. On average it works out to be the same lifetime benefit for me.” Given the uncertain financial possibilities all of us in this country continue to face, Steve Gorin is absolutely right to consider himself a very fortunate man indeed.
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Where You WantTo
Go
FROM PRIVATE BUNGALOWS IN THE TROPICS TO ROMANTIC TUSCAN VILLAS AND STUNNING ESCAPES CLOSER TO HOME, THESE ARE THE LUXURY HOTELS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT. BY ABBY TEGNELIA
S
ipping champagne while soaking in the sun in an impossibly gorgeous infinity pool, vertical wine tastings of Brunello while staying at a Tuscan villa, open-air massages under an canopy on a private stretch of beach—when it comes to “bucket list” hotels, it’s all about the amenities and special experiences on offer. But where to start? After scouring the world’s most luxurious hotels, these stood out as the top five places in the world to relax and rejuvenate. Each is a sight to see, built into some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world. So get out your own bucket list and start editing—you’ll want to make room for these five stunning locales. Trust me.
SI, POR FAVOR The Pacific Ocean surf greets you at One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, Mexico.
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CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO
Fashion designer Massimo Ferragamo’s 4,000 acre Italian retreat in Tuscany.
CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO Fashion designer Massimo Ferragmo’s 4,000-acre Tuscan retreat has its heart set on showing off what the region is most famous for—its food and wine. Cooking classes include making traditional pizza and pasta from scratch or baking generations-old cookie recipes, or relax over a dinner at Ristorante Campo del Drago, where farmto-table ingredients come straight from their sprawling vegetable patch, which also hosts a gardening class. I’ve always dreamed of staying in a Tuscan villa, and this resort is at the top of the line. The 17th and 18th century farmhouses are up to 6,000 square feet and are secluded
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in various corners of the property, including near castle ruins or overlooking olive groves. Villas have their own heated outdoor stone pool, a covered patio on which to in the views and a full kitchen so that a private Italian chef can cook you a private meal for the memory books. And let’s not forget that wine. The resort’s winery makes a delicious Brunello di Montalcino, and wine tours and tastings range from winemaking classes and barrel tastings of not-yetreleased vintages, to fun blind tastings and an intense two-day course. After indulging on all of this Tuscan cuisine, get outside to see the countryside—there’s a golf course, boot camp in the forest, hiking trails and a heated
DUNTON HOT SPRINGS
Luxe Americana in the picturesque Colorado Rockies near Telluride.
pool. Then rejuvenate in the luxurious spa, or by taking culture classes that range from painting to astronomy. The services and amenities can’t be beat either: Packing and unpacking, in-villa butler, personal bodyguard, valet service, SUV rental with driver for exploring Tuscany and private heliport for helicopter transfer.
DUNTON HOT SPRINGS Luxury Americana at its finest, Dunton Hot Springs is located in a breathtaking alpine valley of the Colorado Rockies near Telluride. The resort is its own town (a restored ghost town, to be precise), guaranteeing the
ultimate private experience. You may even rent the whole place, saloon and all, for you and 44 of your closest friends. There’s no cell phone service—don’t panic, the resort has Wi Fi—instead, head out into nature, including horseback riding, skiing on trails via helicopter-only access, kayaking, fly fishing, hiking and river rafting. Excursions include Dunton’s own winery, Monument Valley, desert wilderness so beautiful it’s called “Valley of the Gods” and the Canyon de Chelly. Are you more interested in relaxing on property? Feel free to spend all day taking in the views from Dunton’s famous hot springs. Food is local and organic, with wine pairings. Cozy up with some big reds, as snow is visible on
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ONE&ONLY PALMILLA
Widely regarded as Cabo San Lucas’ most beautiful resort, it’s also an A-list celebrity hot spot.
the mountains even in summer. Lodgings are spectacular— each “room” is its own stand-alone log cabin, surrounded by ponds, lush green landscapes and, yes, mountain vistas. Back to the spa—wraps, massages, facials and private yoga classes promise to rejuvenate. Still not at one with nature? Rent one of Dunton’s new top-of-the-line canvas tents to experience luxury camping at its nearby River Camp at Cresto Ranch; it’s all the rage, for extremely good reason.
ONE&ONLY PALMILLA The stellar staff wandering the grounds of Cabo San Lucas’ One&Only Palmilla resort touches their heart and slightly bows their head when passing a hotel guest— that’s how much love there is for this stellar tropical retreat. This dreamy celebrity-filled getaway is all about the tailored experience, as the sky’s the limit regarding special requests. The staff will arrange a day on a private
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yacht, whale watching, off-roading or even a tour of nearby lands while riding a camel. On property, my fondest memories are of private dinners arranged atop a bluff and a beachside massage for two. Every guestroom boasts a stunning Pacific Ocean view and private patio on which to soak it all in. The crème de la crème is the four-bedroom villa, which sits on its own private stretch of beach. It comes with an iPhone to call your butler, who’s available 24/7, plus a fire pit, private infinity pool, spa and outdoor rain shower. Non-villa guests have two pools to choose from—one that’s family friendly, and its original infinity pool with swim-up bar that’s for adults only (a very good thing). Find time to visit the award-winning spa, which offers all the pampering under the sun, plus 13 private treatment villas that are perfect for couples. Whirlpool baths, private gardens and rain showers get visitors in the mood for their private treatments.
AMANGANI
The Wild West gets an upgrade at this Jackson Hole, WY resort.
POUSADA MARAVILHA
Secluded island luxury off the northeast coast of Brazil.
POUSADA MARAVILHA The islands of Fernando de Noronha, off the most northeastern point of Brazil, beckoned my friend Andi Perullo de Ledesma for her honeymoon, and paradise it certainly is. The resort is decked out in tropical furniture made of local woods, and the archipelago itself is so environmentally protected that there’s a quota on how many people may visit each day. The views of lush jungle
The stellar staff at Palmilla touches their heart and bows their head when passing a resort guest. and clear blue water make it difficult to leave the patio in the guest bungalows (there are only eight in this secluded resort)—in fact, breakfast can be set up there every morning at your request. But you must make it outside to the pool. Andi and her husband, Lucas, could barely drag themselves away, forgoing many of their plans to explore the islands’ famously perfect beaches. The water is kept at a steady temperature day and night (just refreshing enough!), drinks and snacks may be ordered poolside and the sprawling infinity design overlooking those blue Brazilian waters has to be seen to be believed. The romantic property has little surprises throughout, such as hammocks and shaded sunbeds, in addition to the in-room hot tubs. Squeeze in a massage, and dine at the hotel’s restaurant for the freshest local seafood.
AMANGANI See the Wild West in a whole new light at the famous Amangani resort in Jackson Hole, WY. Amangani’s high altitude on the East Gros Ventre Butte (it’s a top ski resort December to March), boasts wow-factor views of Wyoming’s (completely justified) world-famous attractions, the Grand Tetons and Snake River Valley. In the summer, use the hotel as a gateway to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, although the grounds are so beautiful it will be next to impossible to even think about leaving. The luxury resort’s superior suites have a deck and soaking tub overlooking the mountain and valley views (amazing), faux wolf throw rugs and authentic cowhide chairs. And the hotel’s amenities only increase and get a lot better from there. Once you fall in love with Amangani, and want to make a more permanent arrangement, there are even homes for rent for those who want total privacy. There are even homes for rent for those who want unparalleled privacy; expect four bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, floorto-ceiling windows and neutral earth tones to mimic the surrounding mountains. Activities highlight the area’s wildlife, from biologist-led safaris (bears, bison, elk, mule deer, moose and coyote habitat the area), to bird watching and photography classes. The Snake River offers excellent fly-fishing, as well as kayaking and other water sports. Guests may also choose to take in the national parks from a hot air balloon, tee up at one of two 18-hole golf courses or attend the rodeo, which stops in town twice a week all summer. Who doesn’t love a rodeo or cowboys?
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The
Photographer (celebrities)
IN MIKE RUIZ’S STUNNING CANDY-COLORED WORLD, THE FAMOUS ARE BOTH BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURED AND NEARLY UNRECOGNIZABLE RESULTING IN A MAGICAL PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE FOR THE AGES.
W
BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA
MIKE RUIZ The master at rest.
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hen it comes to Mike Ruiz, what you see isn’t necessarily what you get. Ruiz, a close friend of mine for almost two decades, is unquestionably one of the best celebrity photographers in the world. The first time I ever laid eyes on him he was walking towards my Park Avenue office in New York City. I noticed a tall, ridiculously handsome man (who was even more ridiculously muscled) fill out his T-shirt and my office doorframe. For a moment—just a moment—the photographer I had heard so much about didn’t speak and slowly glanced around the room assessing the landscape before saying, “You must be Richard!” in the sweetest, friendliest, most disarming voice possible. Given the wrapper this package came in, this kind and pleasant specimen was not at all what I was expecting. No macho bravura BS from this tower of muscle. I realized in an instant that Mike Ruiz is genuinely nice—as in really, really nice—and is genuinely talented—as in really, really talented. We’ve been friends and frequent collaborators since that very first day. The roster of powerhouse celebrities Ruiz has
KATHY GRIFFIN One of Ruiz’ dearest friends, the hilarious comedienne is up for (almost) anything.
VANESSA WILLIAMS Cold, futuristic perfection at its best for this beauty icon.
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The roster of celebrities Ruiz has photographed is impressive— Prince, Katy Perry, Ricky Martin and all of the Kardashians. photographed is in and of itself impressive—Prince, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Nicki Minaj, Raquel Welch, Ricky Martin, Debbie Harry, Adam Lambert, Kathy Griffin, Dolly Parton, every Kardashian and on and on—but it’s how he handles those assignments is what makes Ruiz such an in-demand master at the very top of his game. Widely known for his stunning hyper-realized, color-saturated, fantastical portraits of the planet’s most recognizable people, Ruiz transcends the all-toopredictable celebrity portrait and wills it into something else entirely: something delicious, something unexpected, something subversive— and the finished product transports the viewer to a different world, a more beautiful, severe, unblemished world, that makes all of us want to pack up all of our belongings and head straight there. Ruiz, who’s also a celebrated music video/feature film director for the likes of celebritydom’s biggest divas—Vanessa Williams, Kristine W, Kelly Rowland, Jody Watley, RuPaul—has been a fixture on a number of reality competition shows including America’s Next Top Model and The A-List, has launched an award-winning brand (signature book, interactive iPad app) called Pretty Masculine and boasts some
JACLYN SMITH The ageless star of TV’s Charlie’s Angels gives Sleeping Beauty a run for her money.
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Mike Ruiz beautifully transcends the celeb something delicious, something u
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brity portrait into something else entirely— unexpected, something subversive.
BROOKE SHIELDS
Epic, unforgettable image that marries the always-stunning supermodel/actress with New York City’s breathtaking landscape. This is classic Mike Ruiz.
Ruiz’s finished product transports the viewer to a different world, a more beautiful, severe, unblemished world.
Give me the "elevator pitch" for Mike Ruiz (30 seconds or less to describe yourself). Not unlike everyone else, I’m experiencing the joys and aches of life. As I continue traveling my path, I gain greater insight into who I am and how I relate to others and how they relate to me. Defining moment from your childhood. The moment I had an epiphany and realized that I had the power to prevent people from “walking all over me.” This somehow coincides with the first time I saw Olivia Newton-John as Sandy in the movie Grease. [Laughs] What’s been your happiest day? Today. And, when asked again in the future, that would be my answer for every subsequent day. MORGAN FAIRCHILD
Without her famous flowing blonde tresses the TV diva is rendered ethereal.
of the biggest corporate names on the globe as clients including the likes of L’Oreal, Donald J. Pliner, Garnier and many, many more. Later this year, Ruiz—the dedicated purveyor of perpetual celebrity gorgeousness—himself enters the “Look Who’s 50” club. And for someone who looks as great as he does, who’s as talented and celebrated as he is and who’s just as nice if not more so than the day I met him, the next half century is starting out beautifully for this amazing visual phenom, this celebrity photographer, this man called Mike Ruiz that I’m so very happy to be able to say is my friend.
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And your saddest? When my mother passed away. Tell me about your favorite celebrity moments. For such a broad variety of reasons that it would take too long to mention (but many of them are for the simple fact that they were the icons I looked up to in my formative years). That being said, I would have to include in the list of my favorite celebrity photo shoots Prince, Debbie Harry, Rod Stewart, Betty White, Brooke Shields, Sir Ian McKellen, Patricia Clarkson, Morgan Fairchild, Raquel Welch. Richard, I told you I couldn’t stop! [Laughs] What makes a Mike Ruiz portrait different is… My imagery is a reflection of the entirety of me. My art evokes a sense of hopefulness, which emanates from my underlying sense of optimism.
DOLLY PARTON
What more is there to say about country music’s reigning queen of trashy/couture flawlessness?
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MARTHA WASH
Mike Ruiz captures the essence of the dance music superstar’s huge breakout hit, “It’s Raining Men.”
“My art evokes a sense of hopefulness, which emanates from my underlying sense of optimism.” What challenges that lie ahead excite you? You know what, Richard, I haven't the faintest idea, which excites me in and of itself. What’s your mindset around joining the ‘Look Who’s 50’ club? Wait, it's still six months until I turn 50 for me! [Laughs] I can't truly say without being presumptuous whether I’m now a veteran at this thing called life, nor can I say that I'm necessarily scared by the proposition of aging. If my life experiences so far are any indication of what's to come, I eagerly await with child-like wonder to see how the rest of my life unfolds. Your tombstone will say… “Guess.” No, really—that's what it will say. [Laughs] Is this the best moment in your life? Yes. As I was alluding to earlier, this is but the apogee of many best moments in my life. Being part of the photography industry, I'm lucky to have a bird's-eye view of what is influencing and motivating what I call the newest generation. Young people today are expressing ideals of inclusion, individualism and freedom. I ardently believe that these qualities will win over derision, fear and ignorance. I'm just happy to be alive to see this. Actually, I'm just happy to be alive, period. [Laughs]
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GORGEOUS WATER WORKS
Water provides head-to-toe hydration, anti-wrinkling benefits by plumping skin, as well as flushing impurities from our body.
GET GORGEOUS ON-THE–GO: A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER YOUR SUMMER BEAUTY SURVIVAL KIT INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR SKIN AND HAIR TO FLOURISH IN THE SUN. BY MARCO MEDRANO
T
he sunny, activity-filled summer season is roaring and by now we may have encountered our first tan lines that snuck in (with SPF, of course), some humidity-driven hair frizz, mini-wrinkles that formed from squinting, a few very late/very early pool parties or a long stroll at
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the beach. Being pro-gorgeous (and anti-aging) doesn’t have to be a time bandit, and with a little preparedness we can still keep our youthful appearance from marching ahead of us. Here are a few new-to-market products and services that can fit into any schedule or travel plan. In summer we simultaneously encounter sweating,
direct sunlight on our hair and skin, humidity, then dryness from air conditioning—sometimes all within minutes. Aside from fatigue and dehydration, this wreaks havoc on trying to make a good impression. So, if oxygen and water are the mother of all beauty wellness (and, trust me, they are) they’re also the foundation of your hair, skin and health. This is why we (beauty expert folks) set out to pummel you with both earthly compounds. Oxygen breathes life into your lungs, skin, cells and brain for energy, circulation and positive thinking. That’s why we feel so good after any physical activity. Water provides head-totoe hydration, anti-wrinkling benefits by plumping skin, as well as flushing impurities from our body. Want to obliterate that Twinkie? A gallon of water helps you do it. Now, let’s get pro-gorgeous. Next time someone tells you to “breathe,” forego the eye roll and pull out you personal atomizer. Yes. Oxygen Plus allows you to breathe instant energy and production into your skin and body. Dosed oxygen into the lungs digests food better in the stomach and intestines allowing nutrients to absorb into our bloodstream and bodily cells—and even helps to break down alcohol. It’s also great for post-exercise recovery or general fatigue. The best part? You’ll look refreshed and smiley. Oxygen Plus comes in a home-based unit the size of a flashlight or in aerated canister packs and mini-travel sizes. I keep a six-pack in the pantry and one in my messenger bag for the afternoon. Being an “airhead” has never looked (or felt) better. Keeping with the oxygen theme, the Orlane Paris brand has been trusted for decades as a results-oriented, top-tier beauty ambassador. Their Anti-Aging Oxygenation System is one very powerful month-long, pre-packaged facial treatment that should be indulged. You’ll see why it’s a secret weapon for celebrities before going in front of the cameras. Just like your car needs oil changes, your skin’s appearance needs the occasional sparkplugs changed—or everything slows down and becomes dull. I
tried the four-week elixir and it proved to give me a bright, fresh, dewy glow. Additionally, I also put a few of Orlane’s heavyweights to the test: B21 Extraordinaire - Youth Reset (an amazing scientific serum release), Extreme Anti-Wrinkle Regenerating Night Care (for re-plumping and reversal) and Bio-Mimic Hydrating Masque for a weekly surge of lush, penetrable moisture. As they say, !Que rico! (how rich). You’re most welcome. NuFace’s technology has not only brought the non-surgical microcurrent facial-lift into the mainstream, but into our homes. I admit I’ve slacked off as a daily user (as the benefits are cumulative), but during my three-month sessions the visible results were truly undeniable. The Trinity offers three attachments: The Facial Trainer microcurrent muscle and tissue lifting piece, the LED Wrinkle Remover (red light therapy) and the ELE targets eyes and lips. With NuFace’s release of the “mini” we now have no excuse to lift on the go. Their Optimizing Mist contains Aloe Vera and hyaluronic acid to charge cells, plump skin and enhance the device’s glide action. The serum collection is stellar and can be layered during the treatment or used with your daily skincare regimen. I’m also addicted to Collagen Booster with copper. This baby could be your new best friend. (HINT: Forget the naysayers, watch the online tutorials, don’t forget the neck and be consistent). Now for something completely new: Mobile powder SPF protection in the form of Jane Iredale’s Refill-Me Refillable Loose Powder Brush that combines compact luxury mineral powders-of-choice within a petite, luxe brush. Allowing reapplication touch-ups of powder/foundation or powder/sunscreen without messing up your makeup! My “RefillMe” contains their Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen. L-O-V-E. (If your beau is rocking a shaved/bald head, get him one, too). Jane Iredale’s philosophy of “travel lightly and carry a good powder brush” comes from one of the most beloved brands known as the “skincare makeup,” producing one of the purest, safest formulas of mineral-based powders and foundations—a critical step our just-applied, expensive skincare deserves.
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GORGEOUS
ELIZABETH ARDEN
The Red Door Spas are always beautiful, but this particular NYC location is a true show-stopper.
Ever dream of going to Elizabeth Arden’s legendary Red Door Spa? What are you waiting for? The most famous red door has never gone out of style and remains luxe, yet comparatively affordable. What really impressed me most at a recent treatment day was how fingeron-the-pulse au-current Red Door Spa has remained—and continues to evolve. Three generations could not only feel right at home, but also confidently know there’s an Elizabeth Arden product and service to accommodate, with highly trained and dedicated technicians at every turn—whether you choose an all-day head-totoe rejuvenation
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or the revitalized Speed Services menu. This summer, gift-card yourself or a loved one to Red Door’s immediately transformative, cutting-edge hair treatments. Kérastase Chronologiste Caviar Ritual deeply infuses and strengthens every hair strand with an enormous concentration of “actives.” I had the Advanced Glycolic Smoothing Treatment which gently plumped and tamed my curly lengths, giving me soft, silky hair—that didn’t require any cure time (you could actually wet hair in the shower immediately). This glycolic, botanical keratin infusion is also extremely safe. The Red Carpet Blow Dry is a pared-down express service that also utilizes formaldehyde-free keratin proteins to achieve
So, if oxygen and water are the mother of all beauty wellness (and, trust me, they most certainly are), they’re also the foundation of your hair, skin and health. glossy, smooth hair that lasts for up to three shampoos—perfect for a weekend that requires your hair looking its social best. Be on the lookout for our online, in-depth coverage of Red Door’s exclusive skincare range, facial remedies, body treatments and seasonal hair fashion updates via Twitter @CSGorgeous. Nothing beats a professional, in-salon colorist. But if life finds you in a more remote location, and your hair color even more disconnected, consider eSalon, an amazing breakthrough home delivery service that will customize your hair color formula for around $20 and deliver it faster than your new roots can creep in. If your formula requires more customization, their licensed colorists are available nearly ondemand for feedback and update recommendations. Great for those that have to maintain their regrowth between color weaving. Summer means a lot of outdoor excursions, wardrobe changes and hair tweaks due to
PULSADERM’s tiny, yet powerful Buddy makes deep cleansing real easy whenever you travel.
pool, beach, exercise or a busy social calendar. As a 25-year veteran celebrity hair stylist and colorist, I find luxuriated, soft, shiny hair that moves has the very best endurance for long, multi-event days (and nights). I kid you not when I share my ampedup enthusiasm for the Davines line of hair care products. Made in Parma, Italy with more love and passion for purity than I’ve ever seen, I guarantee you’ll find a few items that will permanently define your routine. Aside from being globally ethic and sustainable (green), Davines has honed such specific cures for hair that it will only take one feel of your hair to realize they nailed it. My daily (yes, daily) go-tos? Oil Non-Oil, Melu Serum (or MOMO Cream) and OI Absolute Beautifying Potion (also great for smoothed, bouncy blowouts). In that order. Followed by DeDe Leave In Mist in the afternoon if I have to refresh for an outing. The true test of a gentle, organic or sulfate-free brand is whether you can run your fingers through your hair immediately after rinsing shampoo—or not. As I invite my salon clients to do every time.
Depending on whether your hair is fine, colored or chemically treated (including sun, chlorine or harsh water), curly, dry or coarse, Davines has the solution. When was the last time your shampoo, conditioner or styling treatment contained spinach, fig, tomato, cherry extracts or olive butter, apricot, pistachio or roucou oil—in large (or any) quantity? Never, that’s when. In respectful homage, I also want to salute one of the original skin and hair wellness brands that I still use to this day, Carita’s Fluide De Beauté 14 ultra-nourishing dry oil for face, body and hair. It feels disappearingly amazing and smells rich and their Daily Protective Cream for dry, colored or damaged hair nourishes beyond expectation. So there you have it: Your summer on-the-go pro-gorgeous survival kit. Now go out and have the time of your (beautiful) life.
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FAMOUS MARIA CELESTE: MEET THE MOST FAMOUS WOMAN YOU DON’T KNOW MARIA CELESTE ARRARÁS, THE ‘QUEEN OF TELEMUNDO,’ IS AS WELL KNOWN TO HISPANICS AS OPRAH IS TO EVERYONE ELSE. IT’S TIME YOU GOT TO KNOW THIS SUPERSTAR.
M
aria Celeste Arrarás is the most famous person living in America you’ve never heard of. I mean, she’s really, really famous. Maria Celeste—as she’s universally known, no last name necessary—is the Emmy Award-winning journalist/ anchor/host and single-most recognizable face on Spanish-language television. The so-called “Queen of Telemundo” is also the most relatable presence in the Hispanic celebrity zeitgeist. Her viewers not only watch all of her network programs by the millions, they fiercely believe every word she utters because she comes across not only as a trusted journalist (though she’s certainly that), but, improbably, as the viewer’s closest friend. No one else on television comes close to that connection. Need proof? During my nearly four-year run as Editor in Chief of People en Español magazine—the nation’s largest Spanish-language publication by far—I ran no less than six covers featuring Maria Celeste. Indisputably, the Puerto Rican-born dynamo was the most reliable newsstand seller for us, easily topping the likes of Ricky Martin, Shakira and, yes, Jennifer López. Inevitably, Maria Celeste and I became
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CS JULY/AUGUST 2014
LA REINA “I’m definitely an eternal optimist.”
(and have remained) very close friends. Meeting the beautiful and telegenic icon is an experience one doesn’t easily forget: First of all, she’s stunning; secondly, she speaks a mile a minute in the most appealing manner imaginable. The woman’s whip smart and as co-anchor (with José Díaz-Balart) of Noticiero Telemundo, the network’s important nightly newscast, as well as hosting and executive producing her long-running daily show (and ratings juggernaut) Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste, this undeniably superwoman/mother of three is as known to Hispanics as Oprah Winfrey is to everyone else. Maria Celeste was the very first Spanish-language journalist to serve as moderator of a presidential debate; she was the first Telemundo personality to co-host parent NBC Universal’s Today Show several times; is the bestselling author of Make Your Life Prime Time: How To Have It All Without Losing Your Soul and many more ethnicbusting accomplishments.
GIO ALMA/TELEMUNDO
BY RICHARD PÉREZ-FERIA
Maria Celeste comes across not only as a trusted journalist, but, improbably, as the viewer’s closest friend. Intelligent, indefatigable, informed: Maria Celeste has certainly earned the right to be the dubbed Queen of Telemundo. Isn’t it time you got to know Maria Celeste? How do you think your closest friend would answer the question: Who is the real Maria Celeste? I hope she’d say I’m someone who’s really down to earth, unpretentious, with an incredible passion for life and a strong sense of justice—but, mostly, a loyal friend. You’ve done so much in the Spanish-language TV world, any goals left to accomplish? There’s always something left to do, Richard. The day we don’t set new goals that’s when it’s over! I want to take two of my books to the big screen, I would like to help develop new talent, produce a couple of shows I have in mind, write a novel—do I keep going? I don’t think you have enough pages in this magazine! [Laughs] Do you want massive English-language success? Right now I have the best of both worlds because I’m able to work in both the English-language (Anglo) and Hispanic markets. I even have a name for it: “crisscrossing over!” My show Al Rojo Vivo con Maria Celeste is sometimes the highest-rated show in top markets such as Los Angeles and New York in its time slot regardless of language. Both Al Rojo Vivo and the internationally reknown Noticiero Telemundo which I co-host are seen in the US coast-to-coast and in some 15 Latin American countries. So it’s hard to let go of programs that have such incredible reach and so many millions of viewers.
If there’s turbulence, I’ll claw my nails into you. Wear longsleeved shirts when we travel together, Richard! [Laughs] You must have some great celebrity stories. Many times I’m asked who’s the celebrity that has impressed me the most, but the honest truth is that I much rather interview regular people. Non celebrities have no entourage, no agenda—they’re much more genuine and, generally speaking, reveal better, more interesting stories. There are exceptions, of course, including the smart, witty, talented and down to earth stars Shakira and Gloria Estefan. To interview either one of those true superstars is always such a delight. What would you change form your past and why? I wouldn’t have started to smoke when I was so young. It’s truly a nasty habit and I struggled with it for years on and off. Now, I don’t smoke at all, I hate it, but I always worry about the long term damage that I may have done. I’m sure you dont spend time thinking about this, but what do you want the first line of your obituary to read? How about “Maria Celeste was a rebel with many causes and was a successful human being”? Finish this sentence: In five years, Maria Celeste is… …In the middle of paying for three different college degrees! [Laughs] I have three beautiful adolescent children and in exactly five years time all three of them will be away at college! Oh my goodness!
What are your three best qualities? I’m an eternal optimist; I have a logical mind; and I never lose my faith in humanity.
Describe the perfect moment. The perfect moment is to be in a beautiful picnic in the mountains with my kids and dogs. Greenery soothes me. I love nature and animals. And if you throw in the company of a significant other—yes, it’ll be a perfect moment.
What are your three worst qualities? I speak way too fast; I don’t have any tolerance for superficiality; and I’m a terrible companion on airplanes.
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CS JULY/AUGUST 2014
47
THE PARKING DISABILITY MY SOLUTION TO THE UNFAIR PARKING CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY. BY MARIO QUIRCE
L
eaving the gym after an upper body workout, I entered the bottleneck at the exit door a little slower than usual. Although my slightly arthritic knees were acting up, it was really the plantar fasciitis on my left foot that had me limping. Behind me, clearly impatient, was a twenty-something couple. He had apparently cornered the local supply of gray market bovine steroids, which had by now consumed his neck, although I hoped not entirely his brains, so I would have a sporting chance of reaching the door before being knocked to the ground. Perhaps the ’roids were blameless, and it was the gallons of ink from his multiple tattoos that had devoured his coconut. At his side, donning small Spandex shorts was the equally rushed girlfriend. Somewhere in the Sahara, the ship of the desert wants its toes back. Finally past the door, they pulled ahead, and while I still had to tackle sprinklers, speed bumps and more than 20 rows of parked cars, Wonder Couple jumped into an SUV parked in one of the handicap spaces right in front of the gym’s entrance. And, yes, the disabled permit was hanging on the rearview mirror of their Cadillac Giganticus. I wondered if grotesque muscles and spandex were now considered a disability. If so, I’m not above putting on Lycra tights to lighten the load on my left heel. It really grinds my creaky gears when I see those spots for the disabled used by people who could outrun a goat up a rocky mountainside covered in the fresh morning dew and green moss. And climb they did, up about three monstrous steps to reach the spaceship’s leather seats. You’d think people with disabilities would choose a vehicle closer to the ground to avoid climbing, but, no, of the seven handicap spots, no less than four were occupied by giant SUVs, including a Toyota Gargantua that looked only slightly smaller than the USS Ronald Reagan.
48
CS MAY/JUNE 2014
I pondered the possibilities of just how ’Roid Couple had managed to score a handicap parking permit. Was it grandma’s permit they had permanently borrowed since she didn’t do much driving anyway? Or had they greased the palms of the doctor who signed off on the permit application? I had no way of knowing for sure without a few million dollars in a research grant from the feds, so I decided to do my own frugal investigation by paying closer attention to these parking spots for the disabled. Just a couple of days later I saw a car with four sprite teenagers pull into a handicap spot in front of the movie theater, and again, they had the requisite permit hanging on the rearview mirror. I thought of approaching them and explaining that if they took that space without needing it, then someone who actually needed it would not be able to use it. But I decided against it, realizing we live in a victim society and that all they had to do was call the cops and I’d be tasered and arrested for “harassment” and “child endangerment.” At several stores, I noticed the handicap spots were generally well populated, but inside I saw no one with a wheelchair, a walking stick or as much as a limp. There are even some spots now that have a sign with a baby carriage icon on them. I’m not sure if that’s for precocious babies driving their carriages to the mall or for moms with small kids. But if everyone is getting preferential treatment, I demand that we, the 50+ crowd, get some attention too, because as we all know, once you get over that chronological hump, things start to break down. So I say it should either be first come, first served in the parking lot, or the 50+ folks should get our piece of the parking pie too with spots clearly marked “For 50+ only”. I’m pretty sure all of us earned it. Haven’t you?
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