BEAUTY + WELLNESS
TAKE CARE You’ll find the latest services, products, and getaways right here. By Marianne Dougherty
Congratulations.
You made it through the last two years, which have been a challenge, but now it’s time for a little self-care. It could be something simple like a new shade of lipstick, lunch with a friend, or a mani-pedi. Feeling more ambitious? Check out cosmetic procedures like CoolSculpting, injectables, teeth whitening or veneers. Learn how to play Pickleball. Or pamper yourself with a long weekend at a luxury hotel where fine dining and spa services are on the menu. We’ve got the lowdown on what’s new for spring and where you can find it. So, let’s get started. What we’re seeing for 2022: bleached brows, colored eyeliner, neon or pastel eyeshadows, and the return of lip gloss after a few seasons of matte lipstick. If you’re adventurous, you might want to borrow a look seen on the runway at Etro where makeup artist Lisa Butler applied crystal face jewels at random underneath the eyes. Or swipe a little glitter across your cheekbones to add a bit of glam to your beauty routine. This season, men will be asking their barbers for less polished looks in favor of textured cuts like shags and mullets. Speaking of the business-in-front-party-in-back hairstyle, the mullet is making a comeback. Zendaya admits that she got “dragged” for wearing a mullet as far back as 2016. Turns out that she was onto something. We’re also seeing a lot of hybrid looks now. Carving out a lot of weight through the top and crown updates a shag that lacks oomph. It’s not quite a shag, not quite a mullet, but a perfect combination of the two. Think of the Mixie as part mullet, part pixie, with longer hair in back and super-short hair on top. As for color, ask for a deep chocolate brown shade or something called bronde, which is described as a fusion of blonde and brown. What to expect in the health and wellness sectors: Mindful, plant-based eating tops the list, but followers suggest that this is the way we were meant to eat and that it’s not a diet but a lifestyle that will yield significant benefits. Watch for next gen wearables that track sleep and offer health metrics like body temperature and respiratory rate, and stock your pantry with spices like turmeric that reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. Want to experience the mind-body-spirit benefits of forest bathing, the meditative exercise from Japan that’s sweeping the globe? Simply taking a walk in a local park or sitting in silence in your own backyard can boost immunity and reduce stress. Engage in a little self-care this spring, from deep-tissue massage to non-invasive skin resurfacing treatments to plant-based bowls. Take a look.
A tradional Swedish massage is a surefire way to relax and unwind, but if you’re experiencing chronic muscle pain or soreness, check out Ashiatsu massage at the Galleria Spa Salon Boutique, Century Square in College Station. It’s serious deep tissue work. The massage therapist holds onto a bar on the ceiling and walks her feet across your back and legs, accessing an entire muscle group at one time. A powerful, non-invasive skin resurfacing treatment like the Hydrafacial is just the trick to remove dead skin cells and impurities, while driving moisturizing serums deep into the skin. It’s a simple indulgence but one that pays big dividends. Don’t forget to visit the 1,500-squarefoot boutique where you can pick up a Blue Capri Candle. Not only is the color right on trend, but you’ll love the citrus and sugar scent.
15
Getting in shape is one of the best ways to take care of yourself, and Orangetheory Fitness, Century Square, offers a total-body group workout that combines science, coaching, and technology to charge your metabolism and give you the confidence that makes all the difference in how you feel about yourself. Also check out Orangetheory Fitness at Century Square.
Ask a beauty consultant at Sephora, at CITYCENTRE, to show you what’s trending in makeup this season. They carry all the top brands, like Nars, Bobbi Brown, Make Up For Ever, Marc Jacobs, and Fenty Beauty. You’ll also want to ask about Cote d’Azur, the new fragrance from high end haircare line Oribe. Its sun-drenched notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood will lift your spirits.
Unwind and rejuvenate mindbody-spirit at Anthony Vince Nail Spa, located at CITYCENTRE, which promises to deliver the ultimate salon experience. Sink down into one of the luxurious spa pedicure chairs and let the expert staff pamper you for the next hour. Houston’s premier nail care destination also offers a full bar so sit back, enjoy a mimosa and leave the world behind.
If you’ve spent the last two years on Zoom calls staring at your own face for hours on end, you’ve probably noticed a few things you don’t like, from crow’s feet to age spots to sagging jowls. It’s called the “Zoom effect,” and it’s driving people into the Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, at CITYCENTRE in Houston’s Memorial area, for cosmetic procedures like Kybella, an injectible that improves the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin. If you haven’t heard of PDO thread lifts yet, you’ll want to ask about the nonsurgical rejuvenation procedure that lifts and tones areas of the face, neck, or body by threading sutures through the surface of the skin. As the sutures disintegrate, they actually trigger a boost in collagen production that can last for up to a year. Millenials are asking about Baby Botox to smooth out the fine web of wrinkles in the neck area they’re noticing. It’s called “tech neck,” and it comes from looking down at their phones all day. Who among us has not put on a few pounds over the past couple of years? Go ahead, raise your hands. It’s called the “pandemic 15,” and there’s a cure for it. CoolSculpting is a noninvasive body sculpting procedure that literally melts away stubborn fat with no downtime. So many services, so little time, but isn’t making time for yourself what self-care is all about?
