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. 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. 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?

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.

Treat Yourself! CHECKUP

TWO HOUSTON DENTAL PRACTICES THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE

Jeni’s Ice Cream

CITYCENTRE

Get the scoop at this gourmet ice cream shop, where service is an art. Treat yourself to a waffle cone with two scoops of Maple Soaked Pancakes— tastes like a tripe stack drowning in maple syrup and salted butter.

For a little instant gratification, visit ThrIVe Drip Spa at Memorial Green, an infusion therapy and lifestyle wellness spa that puts a modern spin on traditional medical treatments. Customized drips and injections allow your body to absorb 100 percent of the vitamins and nutrients it craves. Had Covid and can’t shake the lingering effects? The Immuno Drip packs a potent punch: 10 grams of vitamin C, zinc, and a double dose of the detoxifying agent glutathione. Looking to lose weight? Come in twice a month for the Slim Drip with B12 to increase energy and carnitine that revs up metabolism. To see faster results, ask for a Lipo C shot between visits or ask about the Emsculpt Neo, a non-invasive body shaping procedure that burns up to 30 percent fat and builds up to 25 percent muscle in one focused area with only four 30-minute sessions. Sapphire Smiles Dental Specialists Kaviani Modern Dentistry

CITYCENTRE

When we were all wearing masks, no one noticed your smile, but that’s not the case now that life is slowly returning to a new normal. Maybe your teeth don’t seem as white as they once were (aging, smoking, even that daily espresso may be culprits), but teeth whitening can reverse that. Sapphire Smiles Dental Specialists offers the service, which can be done in a single visit. Or ask about veneers, which can mask minor imperfections and bring a smile back to your face.

“Everyone is into cosmetics now,” says Cat Carmichael, dental hygienist. Partly to blame for the whitening craze is social media, where “veneers are big,” she notes. Adults and children are also booking appointments with the on-staff orthodontist to get their teeth straightened.

Regular dental visits are imperative, says Carmichael, particularly so that Sapphire’s dentists can check for gingivitis and gum disease, as well as to educate patients on the importance of good oral hygiene. To help with that, Sapphire Smiles recommends using the Oral B Genius smart electric toothbrush, which uses 3-D motion sensors and artificial intelligence to track how long and how well you brush. “Patients love it because it lets you know how to improve your brushing technique and gets the teeth really clean,” she notes.

With three dentists, an orthodontist, a periodontist, an endodontist, a dental surgeon, and a dental implant practitioner on staff, Sapphire Smiles Dental Specialists is truly a “one-stop shop,” offering Saturday hours and on-call staff for emergencies. “We really provide a ‘no excuses’ opportunity for patients who aren't fans of going to the dentist,” says Derek Leonard, CEO. Memorial Green

In practice for some 25 years, Kevin Kaviani, D.D.S., credits new technology and digital tools—including artificial intelligence and augmented reality technology, digital scanners, 3-D printers, and more—with enabling him to “do things I’ve never been able to do before for patients.”

Indeed, digital dentistry is helping Dr. Kaviani do a faster, better, and more precise job now. Before any numbing or drilling is done, a patient can experience how his or her teeth will look once an action plan is initiated with the dentist. “I call it a ‘smile test drive,’” Dr. Kaviani says. Using digital design, Dr. Kaviani reproduces a digital file that patients can put into their mouths to see what veneers, crowns, or straightened and whitened teeth would look like. “Patients are taking more ownership now of their mouths and smiles, and what we can deliver looks better, fits better—it’s just phenomenal,” he says. Using digital tools can also help uncover more than what’s going on with a patient’s teeth. The dentist has also spotted breathing problems, gum disease, bone loss, and more. Because he consults with a growing network of Houston medical professionals and specialists—including allergists, dermatologists, neurologists, oral surgeons, and even speech pathologists—Dr. Kaviani can take a more holistic approach to patient care now.

“With digital tools, there’s a whole paradigm shift,” says Dr. Kaviani. u

Or plan a staycation downtown at newly opened The Laura Hotel, Autograph Collection, at GreenStreet—it’s sure to cure what ails you. Experience fine dining at Hull & Oak Southern Kitchen where modern, southern-inspired dishes pay homage to the Lonestar State. Take a dip in the rooftop pool, book a facial or massage at the spa, or get a workout in at the onsite fitness center. The perfect end to your day? A craft cocktail at the hotel bar.

Thinking about switching to a plantbased diet? JuiceWell, CITYCENTRE, has been serving up delicious, plantbased foods since 2014. Sample any of the cold-pressed juices, like Recovery (kale, Asian pear, ginger, lemon) or Pineapple Sunrise (pineapple, apple, orange, cucumber, mint, chia seeds). Try one of their eight smoothies or make your own bowl with healthful ingredients like acai berries, a powerful antioxidant, or dragon fruit, which has high levels of vitamin C to boost immunity. There are lots of dairy-free options made from almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews, and pecans as well as seasonal items. It’s a plant-based menu to live for. People are naturally social creatures and being isolated is not in our nature. No wonder we’ve been craving community and connection. That’s just what you’ll find at Life Time Athletic Resort with eleven locations, including CITYCENTRE and GreenStreet in downtown Houston,. They’ve just rolled out a new program called ARORA that offers the aging community group fitness classes, a complimentary personal training session, and, more important, a weekly coffee club meet-up where they can strengthen that sense of belonging that we’ve all been missing. Pickleball—a hybrid of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong—isn’t just for “active agers” anymore. Sure, seniors became addicted to the sport because it improved reflexes, balance, and range of motion, but at Life Time, there are a lot more forty-somethings on the court these days. Not ready for in-person classes just yet? Life Time offers a digital membership with an app that offers cycling, yoga, and more on demand or in real time.