Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:10 am

BeautyView: Mara Segal, Founder & CEO, Utique Inc.

Mara Segal, Founder & CEO, Utique Inc.

Mara Segal is changing the face of beauty distribution. I like to think that her idea for vending machines that sell beauty and care products (displayed behind her in her head-shot), in both travel and full retail size, came from an altercation with an FAA agent who forced her to throw away a bottle of shampoo. I know I have been in that situation before… but it took Mara to come up with the concept of Utique. I admire Mara – I admire her work ethic, her resilience, her determination, and her art collection! Next time you forget your moisturizer, or your body lotion gets taken from you, remember to look for a Utique!

AP: What city were you born in? MS: Rochester, MN.

AP: What city to do you live in? MS: San Francisco, CA.

AP: What is your middle name? MS: Clair.

AP: What is your astrological sign? MS: Sagittarius.

AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? MS: I love packaging design and the spectrum of colors that changes each season.

AP: Least favorite thing? MS: It is overcrowded and complex, making it difficult for consumers to navigate. It also often takes itself too seriously in advertising tonality and can feel intimidating for consumers.

AP: What is your most prized possession? MS: Assuming we are limited to material goods: music and my random art collection. My latest acquisition is a neon orange Qi Guangci bunny sculpture that I picked up in Beijing – I love looking at it every day.

AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? MS: I was pre-med in school before I fell in love with architecture and design and switched my major.

AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? MS: ToyWatch; it was a gift from a dear friend.

AP: Diamonds or pearls? MS: Depends on the presentation!  Check out Solange Azagury Partridge: she can make anything beautiful and provocative!

AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? MS: Diane Von Furstenberg; she is a brilliant, progressive woman and pioneer in so many ways.

AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? MS: I think this is the hardest part and something I am still working on it. Balance likely rests in a strong team that has your same standards of execution so that you can truly get away with peace of mind.

AP: What are your three top tips for travel? MS: 1. Pack light/have travel-sized versions of the regulars to reduce packing/unpacking time. 2. Be in the moment. 3. Find a local or someone who knows a local via your network – always invaluable for insights.

AP: What is your favorite book? MS: I cannot commit to one!

AP: What is your cocktail of choice? MS: Gin with different fresh accents like cucumber, mint, or basil.  I have also seen more hot chili infused drinks recently and love these – I am slightly addicted to spicy food and drinks!

AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? MS: Sleep.

AP: What fragrance do you wear? MS: Malin and Goetz, Lotus Root.

AP: Botox or not? MS: Not.

AP: Hair color: natural or not? MS: I go back and forth, mostly to mix it up.  Right now I am experimenting with balayage, which is supposed to be less harsh on the hair.

AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. MS: Video Games by Lana del Rey. Clair de Lune by Alexis Weissenberg and Something Good Can Work by Gotye.

AP: Quote to live by. MS: Eleanor Roosevelt is my favorite source of quotes and inspiration:

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” 

“What you don’t do can be a destructive force.” 

“You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.”

AP: Who is your mentor? MS: I cannot cite one…  I have learned from all of the entrepreneurs and risk takers I read about and those I am lucky enough to come into contact with.

AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. MS: I see a lot of young adults place pressure on themselves to have the final career solution with a first or second job… I encourage open mindedness and the strength to make a change when something feels stagnant or you lack passion for it.  You learn just as much about yourself and your career desires by doing a job that doesn’t suit you!  Also, always rationalize your fear and define the downside of taking a risk with something unknown…  It is always better to have tried!

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords : | | |
Posted on January 21, 2012 at 10:07 am

Cleaning out closets, Spring 2012 fashion trends

Every January, I like to clean out my closet. It makes me feel organized, it helps me plan my clothes and accessories purchasing for the first half of the year, and it means that usually I will wear some long-forgotten clothes during the first month of the year (shopping my own closet). This week, I organized my closet, with two new twists. I happened to do this the same week as the Fashion Group International of DC Spring Trends event, which was this past Tuesday at Tysons Galleria. I got a fabulous preview of spring 2012 trends, which further motivated me to clear out some space for a few new gorgeous pieces. The second twist is that for the first time in my life, I have coordinated hangers. I made the mistake of walking into The Container Store about two weeks ago, to buy just one item, and I got lost in the hanger aisle. $150+ later, I am the proud owner of a complete collection of Platinum Huggable Hangers. I never thought that good hangers could make such a difference in a closet, but now I can’t believe I waited so long. My closet looks better, my clothes aren’t slipping off the hangers. And, added benefit, I had to physically touch every hanging piece of clothing I own to switch its hanger. This made for a more thorough closet clean-out. And thorough closet clean-out + springs fashion trends = I have my shopping list ready.

  1. More boots. This may be left over from fall, but with a single pair of black boots, I need to invest in this department. At the same FGI event mentioned above, I found fabulous olive-colored Chloe Gold Accent boots on sale (which usually wouldn’t sway me, but Chloe….).

    Chloe gold accent boot

    I still need rain boots, and I would like them in plum color please. Thank you Simply Soles. For this DC winter weather, I definitely need a pair of real winter boots; I am fascinated by the Caribou nubuck leather and rubber ones by Sorel.

  2. With boots come tights. I am not a fan of tights, I feel so strongly about not liking tights I even blogged about it a long time ago. But, tights are necessary it seems (I have stubbornly tried my black boots with dresses and no tights in the winter, with no positive results). Hue opaque tights it is. I’ll stick with black, I am not ready for their Deep Red or Aubergine selections.

  3. Trina Turk, Spring 2012

    Spring 2012 will be filled with color, color that pops, jewel tones. Specifically tangerine and deep turquoises. Trina Turk exemplifies this perfectly in this dress. If not that one, I will definitely add a jewel-toned short dress to carry me from day to night this spring.

  4. The LWD is taking over the LBD. White is back, I can’t wait to wear more of it. My choice, Jason Wu for Target, I am in love with this white dress. It comes in black too, I might have to get both.

    Jason Wu for Target

Post a comment | Read Comments (1)
Keywords : | |
Posted on January 13, 2012 at 2:40 pm

BeautyView: Lynne McNees, President, International Spa Association

Lynne McNees, President, International Spa Association

Lynne McNees, President, International Spa Association

The first thing I did way back when I decided that I was going to launch Alchimie Forever in the US to spas, of course, was to become a member of ISPA. Since 2005, I have benefitted so from the International Spa Association. I have learned from spa professionals. I have met numerous spa owners and managers. I have learned from peers throughout my Task Force involvement. I have made BFFs. And, perhaps most significantly, I met my husband. Since 2005, throughout these experiences, both personal and professional, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Lynne McNees, President of ISPA. I know not to discuss politics with her; I know she gets up earlier than I do most mornings; I know she loves Wyoming. Yet I did not know much of the below…  and I now have a new must-read book on my list!

AP: What city were you born in? LM: Okinawa, Japan.  My dad was in the US Army.  I really “grew up” in Dallas, TX but moved to Washington, DC my senior year in high school… ouch!

AP: What city to do you live in? LM: Georgetown, Kentucky, about 30 minutes outside of Lexington.

AP: What is your middle name?  LM: Jeanice, but I use my maiden name Walker now.

AP: What is your astrological sign? LM: Capricorn.

AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry?  LM: The entrepreneurial spirit and inventiveness.

AP: Least favorite thing? LM: The unnecessary and excessive packaging.

AP: What is your most prized possession? LM: Can I say my cute husband?  If not, our two longhaired miniature dachshunds Jackson Hole and Teton Spirit would be my final answer!

AP: What is something about you most people don’t know?  LM: I’ve landed on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the ocean. I’ve stood on the DMZ.  I flew a fighter jet during mid-air refueling.

AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? LM: Sometimes. The model varies depending on my mood.

AP: Diamonds or pearls? LM: Diamonds – definitely diamonds.

AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? LM: Paul McNees, my husband’s father who passed away when Barry was in college.

AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? LM: I will never be balanced! Balance is a daily practice I work at with a lot of great friends, hard exercise and a great bottle of Oregon Pinot Noir.

AP: What are your three top tips for travel? LM: 1. Water. 2. Hiking. 3. Humor.

AP: What is your favorite book? LM: China Calls by Anne Collins Walker (my mom). It’s about my Dad advancing President Nixon’s historic trip to China.

AP: What is your cocktail of choice? LM: Other than Oregon Pinot Noir, Bourbon and Ginger.

AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? LM: Experimenting with all the fun ISPA member products and LOTS of water!

AP: What fragrance do you wear? LM: Aromatherapy Associates – Revive!  I am addicted.

AP: Botox or not? LM: Why not?

AP: Hair color: natural or not? LM: Luckily – my natural color but now I have to cover the gray!

AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. LM: “Its 5 o’clock in the morning” by Lily Allen. “The Walk” by Mayer Hawthorne. Everything Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson.

AP: Quote to live by. LM: Clear eyes. Full heart. Can’t lose.

AP: Who is your mentor? LM: I’m lucky, every ISPA Chairman and their unique style has been a valuable mentor to me.  Additionally, both my parents with their unique (and distinct) approach to business.

AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. LM: Hard work prevails (and, never underestimate the impact of a handwritten thank you note!).

Post a comment | Read Comments (1)
Keywords : | |
Posted on January 10, 2012 at 12:10 am

Purple and gold

My doorway in the Quarter

I have to preface this post by saying that until a year ago, I was not a college football fan. In college, my dad told me, you have to study. Excel. Make As. Work to pay for room and board. College is not about sports. Well, apparently some people disagree, and this week-end of purple and crimson was an extravaganza of college football. BCS. Ball Championship Series. This year, LSU versus Alabama, in the New Orleans Superdome. Could it get any better?

So in my head I started writing this blog around 2 pm today, when I realized that somehow mistakenly I had thought today was a normal work day. Not so in New Orleans. Not so in Baton Rouge either. I was going to write about the Voodoo magic that took place to help the Tigers. About the walk down Bourbon street to the Superdome – how I got a fabulous purple and gold boa. I was going to write about second-lining behind the band on Poydras street, singing along with the crowd. Then I was going to write about the annoying see of crimson red that has inundated New Orleans this entire week-end.

My new purple and gold boa

We walked into the Superdome, my husband, his brother Tatum, and Tatum’s girlfriend Amber. We almost got into a half dozen fights, just because of the energy and the fans’ respective passion for their teams. The two couples sitting in front of us were actually lovely, I felt bad throughout the entire game about making a snide comment to one of the ladies about her green shirt. Was she from Washington State? Did she not have anything red to wear in her closet? Clearly, the college football craziness was rubbing off on me.

In any case, rather than tell you about all that, I will tell you about the walk home. We left with about 5 minutes left in the game (then the score was still 15-0, thank goodness). We left with mostly LSU fans, which was good because we might have gotten in trouble if faced with red jerseys. As I was walking out of our section, I turned to the lady in green, shook her hand, and told her apparently her green shirt was a lucky shirt. And “good game.” It took all I could muster of good graces and proper manners, and she smiled and said thank you and I thought, this is just a game. Not a good game, but just a game. As we were exiting the stadium, we saw a woman in tears. We saw a couple completely silent, with the woman’s hand on her man’s shoulder. Apparently she knew that words were just not going to make him feel any better. We heard a man say “Well, now we can worry about the world and the unemployment rate.” We met two women while trying to hail a cab who told us “Well, they really should have put Jarrett Lee in the game.” We got in a cab, and the cabbie reminded us that Alabama was so helpful to New Orleans after Katrina. “They are our guests,” the cabbie said. “Please be kind to them.” Yes, we will be. There is not enough kindness to go around. Even with such a heart-breaking loss.

In the meantime, there is a fire going in the courtyard, so that we (actually, they) can all burn our shirts, which apparently weren’t our lucky shirts. Then, of course, there is next season. And before then, of course, there is the rest of the NFL playoffs, and there is the Superbowl.

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords : | | | |
Posted on January 6, 2012 at 3:59 pm

BeautyView: Kelly Kovack, Co-Founder, Purpose Built

Kelly Kovack, Co-Founder, Purpose Built

Last fall, with the help of my Board, I decided that it would be helpful to have some marketing and branding professionals look at my brand. After all, I turn to experts to help me formulate my products, why should I not turn to experts to help me brand my products? While this seems very rational, if you know me, you know how much of a control freak I am, which made entrusting a branding firm with Alchimie a personal challenge (I have had a few extremely strange dreams about this project… the kind of dreams that remind me of those I had when I started school, in which I would show up to class realizing I had forgotten to prepare for a test, or forgotten to put on my clothes). After 9 meetings, 8 RFPs, and much thinking, I put my brand in the hands of Kelly Kovack, of Purpose Built. I have not regretted my decision for a single minute. We are in the midst of our brand renovation project (you may see some fine-tuning of our website and copywriting in the next few weeks), and given how much Kelly and I interact these days, it seemed fun to have a call with her where for once I was doing the asking, and she had to do the thinking and the answering…

AP: What city were you born in? KK: Montreal, Canada, but I grew up in Palm Harbor, Florida (it sounds more beautiful than it is).

AP: What city to do you live in? KK: Manhattan.

AP: What is your middle name?  KK: Ann, which was also my mother’s middle name.

AP: What is your astrological sign? KK: Taurus, which most people do not find surprising…

AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? KK: I love that our industry offers a great balance between creativity and business. This suits my personality and skill set.  

AP: Least favorite thing? KK: I don’t like the perception of the beauty industry from the outside. Outsiders seem to feel that it is a superficial industry. Being in the industry, you realize that there is nothing superficial about helping someone clear their skin. The beauty industry is really about giving confidence to people.

AP: What is your most prized possession? KK: I have a lot of things I truly love, like books and art. But things can always be replaced. Experiences and memories are my most prized possessions. They mean much more to me than things.

AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? KK: I am a very good cook. But I don’t cook very often and my fridge really only contains champagne, water, and vitamins. I live in NYC, I eat most of my meals out… but when I do cook, my dinners become type A extravaganzas…

AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? KK: I do. A vintage Rolex. It was a gift to myself after I went through the sale of Bliss to LVMH. It was the first time I had money and felt comfortable making such a significant purchase. Since then, I have been a consultant and I have had my own business. Throughout that time, I always thought “if all else goes bad, this is another month’s worth of expenses.” That I still have the watch and never had to sell it to make my rent is worth a lot to me.

AP: Diamonds or pearls? KK: Both.

AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? KK: It depends on my mood. At this very moment, dead would be Katherine Graham, and alive would be Christine Lagarde. I find her completely fascinating and so chic. The way she has been able to navigate a truly masculine industry in a truly feminine way is amazing.

AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? KK: I’m not sure I have found it, but as I have gotten older, I have realized that setting up standing appointments is key (acupuncture, gyrotonics, core fusion). They are non-negotiable, my team knows it, I know it, and I have learned to work around them.

AP: What are your three top tips for travel? KK: 1. If traveling in a group, always rent a house or apartment rather than staying in a hotel. 2. I like to pick a regular spot to go to every day when traveling, like a coffee shop, where I can be recognized, and ask people for tips. (This includes when I travel for business, I like to always stay at the same hotel). It brings familiarity to the traveling process. 3. Always have loads of reading material.    

AP: What is your favorite book? KK: It’s impossible for me to pick one, so here are my most recent reads: Just Kids by Patti Smith and A Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake.   

AP: What is your cocktail of choice? KK: Vodka martini. A little dirty, and very dry.

AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? KK: Mixing super aggressive products with super gentle ones. At night right now I use Renova with Rodin face oil over it. Also, hydration: I would love to bathe in hyaluronic acid.

AP: What fragrance do you wear? KK: Odin Fragrances… of course. Right now I am wearing a fragrance we are launching next year. Usually however, I constantly rotate between the 6.

AP: Botox or not? KK: It took me a long time to do it, but now I’m hooked.

AP: Hair color: natural or not? KK: Unfortunately and only out of necessity, not. I would really rather do anything than sit in a salon for two hours. I wish I could rock my gray hair… but not yet.

AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. KK: Just a growin by Young man. It’s around you by ANR. Bald by The Darkness.

AP: Quote to live by. KK: “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.” by Gandhi.

AP: Who is your mentor? KK: I don’t really have a mentor, but there have been a lot of people who have taken a chance on me during my career.

AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. KK: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Never stop learning. Work hard and own successes and failures. You can learn more from failures than successes, but don’t make the same mistakes twice. And most importantly, if you hate getting up in the morning and going to work, find another job.

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords : | | |
Posted on December 31, 2011 at 10:26 am

My 2012 New Year’s resolutions

I love the last day of the year, for a variety of reasons. First, more than any other day, champagne reigns supreme. Second, it is the occasion to wear something red and new. Mom always said that wearing something red and new would bring us good luck in the New Year, and this was always the perfect excuse to buy a new dress, new underthings, a new necklace (tonight I will wear a beautiful new red dress from my favorite store in Geneva, Apostrophe). Third, the last day of the year is the day to take stock of the previous 364 days, and to plan for the next 365. Last, but not least, the 31st of December is no longer “only” New Year’s Eve, it is also the eve of my wedding anniversary. Tomorrow will be the first…  

I also love the last day of the year because it is the day to think about New Year’s goals and resolutions. Here are mine.

  1. Read one book per month. (In continuation of my 2011 “read more” goal – this time it is more measurable and thus more actionable).
  2. Have one spa treatment per month. I will count eyebrow waxes and pedis as spa treatments… this should be one resolution that is fun to work on. An expression of my belief that we all need to take better care of ourselves, and that I need to live what I preach.
  3. Continue to reduce clutter. I am a firm believer in quality over quantity, and I commit to purging more and buying less (but always nicer things).
  4. Develop a better morning routine. This is the same goal as I had for 2011 – I failed miserably at this this past year. Maybe it is because I don’t quite know what a better morning routine is. I just know that waking up to my phone’s horrible buzzer, checking email before getting out of bed, and immediately having my mind race about everything I need to do, every fire I need to put out, is not very zen. Maybe I should split this goal in two and say the first part is “figuring out what a better morning routine is,” while the second part will be implementing this new morning plan.
  5. Practice one random act of kindness per week. Kindness to my family, my friends, to perfect strangers, and to myself. Just because.
  6. Drink 16 ounces of water per day. In 2011, one of my goals was “drink more water” – like “read more,” it was too general and not quantifiable enough. Hence I failed. I will try again in 2012. 16 oz. may not be enough, but it’s a start. Baby steps.
  7. Continue to work at my personal relationships. Be the best wife I can be. The best sister I can be. The best friend I can be. The best daughter I can be. And more. Never take anyone I love for granted. And show/tell the people I love that I love them. Early and often.   

It is only 9:30 am in New Orleans, and I have my 2012 resolutions figured out. This leaves me the rest of the day to get a head start on some of them… Happy New Year to you, may your 2012 be filled with love, happiness, health, and peace.

Post a comment | Read Comments (5)
Keywords :
Posted on December 21, 2011 at 1:41 pm

The pleasures of holiday travel

I love to travel. Good thing, as I just realized earlier today that this calendar year I will have travelled just over 100,000 miles. And that’s just on US Airways (which is 80% of my travel, Southwest gets the rest…). Good thing I do love to travel, I am on the plane, my second plane of the day, from Philly to Zurich. I am taking the roundabout route from DC to Geneva (DC-Philly-Zurich-Geneva). A few minutes aog, I had to get my passport checked at the gate check-in desk. The nice US Airways flight attendant looked at my boarding pass and said “Wow, Chairman, you must travel a lot, that’s a lot of miles.” I smiled, nodded, as she continued: “Are those your dad’s miles… you look so young…” I assured her they were all mine, and was somehow happy she asked if they were my father’s instead of my husband’s. May I don’t look like the globe-trotting beauty entrepreneur that I am, but at least I still look young enough that I must be getting perks from my father, not from my husband… Small victories.

One of the reasons I love to travel is the people watching at the airport. Have you ever noticed that airports seem to be these “unreal” spaces, out of time, out of space, out of our usual accepted behavior? Hence beer drinking at 7 am (which I have most seen at BWI airport). Or meltdowns at ticket counters where we forget all decorum and behave like 3 year olds. And the sweeter scene that I just witnesses, two sisters on my flight, one about 20, absolutely European, the other about 15, European but “Americanized” as my Mom would say. The older is encouraging the younger to drink Evian (did I say she was European?) and do some pre-overnight-flight stretches. So sweet. We smile at each other, that smile of older sisters taking care of younger sisters, and I think about Roxane, my young “Americanized” sister whom I will see tomorrow.

Today, I am particularly excited to sit on this plane for what I hope will be 7 hours. I can’t wait to sleep. No internet, no cell phone, just quiet time 30,000 feet up in the air. I am comfortable in Coach, and I wanted to share with you my travel tips. I know I share travel tips often (I do travel constantly), but the ones today are geared to overnight flights during the Christmas holidays.

  1. Extra time. I got to the airport in DC 90 minutes before my flight to Philly. I booked my flight from DC to Philly to have a 2.5 hour layover in Philly – just in case we would be late… which happens. Especially over the holidays. I love the US Airways lounge, and always thought the $40 day pass was the best investment even before I had access for free. Space. Quiet. Outlets to charge various devices. Nice bathrooms. Free wi-fi. Free wine. Free food (the warm kind). It is worth every bit of $40 if you don’t have automatic access.
  2. I can’t travel in sweatpants. I can’t even travel in yoga-wear. Not even for overnight flights. Instead, I have an all-cashmere outfit. Cashmere pants from White and Warren, which I bought years ago this time of year from my BFF’s boutique, Treat. A gray cashmere turtleneck from Apostrophe, my favorite boutique in Geneva. I can’t give up my heels – my travel heels are Lillybees of course. But at least I do take them off on the plane, to put on my bright pink Life Is Good socks. The whole outfit feels so good I get excited the day before knowing that I will get to wear all of this.
  3. My favorite eye mask – pink, silk, and so used that the elastic is a bit loose… I got this as a gift a few years ago from BFF Virginie, and haven’t used another since.
  4. My own bottle of water. There is nothing more uncomfortable than being thirsty on a plane, and while US Airways service is great even in coach, I hate to have to rely on someone else for water.
  5. Raw almonds. I don’t eat on overnight flights – I just get on, and go to sleep. So I need my emergency food.
  6. My very own Kantic+ intensely nourishing cream. Last night, I did our Kantic mask (as does Sharilyn Abbajay before every flight J), but throughout the flight, I need to moisturize.
  7. Judith Jackson Luna Body Elixir. It’s a roll-on, travel-friendly, and it smells so calming and soothing. Helps me relax, helps me not smell like plane.
  8. A toothbrush. Have you ever left your house in the morning without brushing your teeth? No. I don’t do it off a redeye either…  
  9. Similasan Dry Eye Relief eye drops. Next to being thirsty, having dry eyes is the most uncomfortable feeling on a plane.
  10. A pashmina (which I think of as the adult woman’s blankie). More cashmere – a girl can never have enough cashmere. The one I have tonight is pink. Just in case it gets cool. Or in case I need a pillow.

The pilot just came on to say our flight will be 7 hours and 5 minutes. And boarding is complete, I have no one next to me. Tonight, coach feels very luxurious! And I need to turn off my computer.

By the time I post this, it will be Wednesday morning and I will be in Geneva, hopefully with my two suitcases filled to the brim with holiday gifts…. Is this how Santa Claus travels? In disguise? Happy holidays!

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords : | |
Posted on December 20, 2011 at 8:54 am

BeautyView: Sharilyn Abbajay, VP Global Spa, Retail and Fitness, Marriott International

Sharilyn Abbajay, VP Global Spa, Retail and Fitness, Marriott International

Yesterday I spent a good part of the day with the board of the Washington Spa Alliance (WSPA), a DC-based association I am a founding member of whose mission is to “act as a knowledge center, connecting spa professionals in the nation’s greater capital region. WSPA works to promote the exchange and innovation in the field, and to ensure that the highest ideals of spa are met through policy and action.” I loved our meeting, our 2012 planning ideas, our brainstorming. And I particularly loved to be able to spend some time with Sharilyn Abbajay, WSPA’s co-chair, a dear friend of mine, and an industry veteran. During the breaks in our WSPA retreat day, I learned some new things about her…

AP: What city were you born in? SA: Toledo, OH.

AP: What city to do you live in? SA: Lanham, MD, although I feel like I live on an airplane.

AP: What is your middle name?  SA: Sue.

AP: What is your astrological sign? SA: Libra.

AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? SA: Touching people and making them feel special.

AP: Least favorite thing? SA: Too many choices.

AP: What is your most prized possession? SA: My family.

AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? SA: I’m a Nana… I have two grandsons, 4 and 1.

AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? SA: Yes, A Toy black watch. It’s all plastic, so I never have to take it off, and don’t have to worry about it when I travel.

AP: Diamonds or pearls? SA: Pearls.

AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? SA: Coco Chanel.

AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? SA: Hot bath with essential oils. Small indulgences…

AP: What are your three top tips for travel? SA: 1. Drink plenty of water. 2. The night before, use the Alchimie Forever blueberry Kantic Mask, religiously. 3. Pack light. If you forget it, you can always buy it there.

AP: What is your favorite book? SA: The Incredible Journey by British author Sheila Burnford. It teaches your survival, the importance of hope, perseverance, and protecting one another.

AP: What is your cocktail of choice? SA: Fiji water. Per Dr. Pamela Peeke, I swore off alcohol two years ago.

AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? SA: Sleep. 7 to 8 hours every night.

AP: What fragrance do you wear? SA: I blend the Aveda Shakras with Chanel Number 5. Depending on the day, a bit more of one or a bit more of the other.

AP: Botox or not? SA: Not. Not to say I don’t need it…

AP: Hair color: natural or not? SA: Not.

AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. SA: I don’t have an ipod.

AP: Quote to live by. SA: Never take your eye off the ball.

AP: Who is your mentor? SA: I have a lot of mentors… Margory Abbajay, my aunt. She was the first female Vice President of Revlon.

AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. SA: Stay true to who you are.

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords : | |
Posted on December 16, 2011 at 9:31 am

BeautyView: Katia Beauchamp, Founder and Co-CEO, Birchbox

Katia Beauchamp, Co-founder and Co-CEO, Birchbox

I love women entrepreneurs. I particularly love beautiful women entrepreneurs who have chosen the beauty industry as their playground. And above all, I love beautiful women entrepreneurs who have chosen the beauty industry as their playground and have gone to my Alma Mater, Harvard. I know two such women (I hope there are more…): Marla Malcolm Beck, of bluemercury fame, and Katia Beauchamp, of Birchbox fame. Last week, I had the pleasure of catching up with Katia, and learning a bit more about her.

AP: What city were you born in? KB: I was born in Austin, TX and grew up in El Paso, TX.

AP: What city to do you live in? KB: New York, NY.

AP: What is your middle name?  KB: Winter. My Mom’s maiden name; she had only sisters and wanted her name to be carried on.

AP: What is your astrological sign? KB: Scorpio.

AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? KB: I love how smart and imaginative it is. To me, the beauty industry is the perfect mix of creativity and business.   

AP: Least favorite thing? KB: Working in the beauty industry, I feel like I have to look perfect and polished and beautiful every day. I hate having to blow dry my hair every day.   

AP: What is your most prized possession? KB: My husband, if I can call him a possession.

AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? KB: Most people don’t know a lot about me… In high school I was captain of my cheerleading squad and president of my school. More recently, most people wouldn’t know that that my favorite workout is dance class, from hip hop to ballet and everything in between – and my favorite food is dumplings. (I dance so I can eat more dumplings!)

AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? KB: Yes, a gold Michael Kors.

AP: Diamonds or pearls? KB: Diamonds.

AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? KB: Dead: There are so many… Cleopatra. Alive: John Stewart; I love his point of view and intellect. 

AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? KB: The secret is forgiving yourself. And forgetting about the concept of work/life balance. There is no such thing. That balance is overall life, not this week or this month; you don’t have to be balanced, just prioritize different things at different points in your life.    

AP: What are your three top tips for travel? KB: 1. Avoid any restaurants that have pictures on the menu. 2. Try to befriend locals. 3. Book only one night at a hotel and find where you want to stay once you get there.  

AP: What is your favorite book? KB: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

AP: What is your cocktail of choice? KB: A dark and stormy.

AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? KB: Face oil, any kind. I really believe in oil as a makeup remover and moisturizer. I have really dry skin, so I layer a mist, then the oil, then a moisturizer.

AP: What fragrance do you wear? KB: I wear Sugar Litchee by Fresh. I also love Serge Lutens fragrances for when I need to feel more grownup.    

AP: Botox or not? KB: Whatever makes you feel beautiful; no judgment. Personally, I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

AP: Hair color: natural or not? KB: Not. I love coloring my hair color, I switch colors a lot, it’s one of the most fun things about being a girl.

AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. KB: Pumped up Kicks by Foster People; Suicidal by Adele; the entire She and He Christmas album.

AP: Quote to live by. KB: I’m not the type of person that likes quotes.

AP: Who is your mentor? KB: A friend and entrepreneur that is the founder of a few different companies. He is one of the smartest people I have ever met, a great sounding board, always makes time for me when I need advice.

AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. KB: Work hard and own it. You make your own success and your own luck. Ask for what you deserve. Don’t feel you have to abandon your femininity in the process…

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords : | |
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Ajune medical spa to close on December 28th

I love the train. Perhaps it is because growing up I took the Swiss train regularly. Always on time (not a myth, one second late and you miss it), always clean (also not a myth), it wound through the mountains slowly but surely and brought me to my Nona, to the ski slopes, to Bern. Amtrak doesn’t quite live up to the Swiss trains, but I still love the 3.5 hours of peace between DC and New York City. While my trips to NYC are always hectic, tiring, fun, and productive, this trip will also be sad. Tomorrow for the last time, I will visit Ajune medical spa, my favorite medical spa in the City and one of my very first Alchimie Forever clients. Indeed, on December 28th of this year, Ajune will be closing its doors (its website is already down, perhaps as a precursor to the closure).

Ajune has been at 1294 Third Avenue since it opened, 13 years ago. Owned by Dr. Maura Romita, a famed plastic surgeon, Ajune was one of the first spas to understand that spa goers wanted results, medical-style procedures, under medical supervision, but all in a softer, more spa-like setting.

Over the years (I started working with Ajune in 2004), I have had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful people, whether managers, therapists, aestheticians or receptionists. Margaret (now the spa director at Merge, also in NYC) was the one who brought Alchimie Forever into Ajune, and for that (and for the fact that she has since brought my line to Merge!), I will be forever grateful. Having worked at Avon prior to Ajune, she is a numbers-driven, no-nonsense operator, someone whom I have learned much from (and continue to today). I worked with Josephine for many years, whose smiles and kindness I still remember. Cara was my colleague Catherine’s favorite aesthetician at Ajune, a petite brunette, with a great extraction technique and constructive feedback and input on the Alchimie Forever product prototypes I would have her test. Most recently, I have had the pleasure of working with Amy, who was hired to work at the front desk a number of years ago and has since been promoted to spa director; today, Amy is in charge of this transition time.

To all of you, to Dr. Romita, to Dana, to the entire Ajune team, I say thank you. Thank you for taking on Alchimie before anyone did in NYC. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for your support and friendship over the years. Thank you for your business. Thank you. I will miss you. Catherine will miss you. New Yorkers will miss you.

Having spoken with Amy, she shares these bittersweet words: “Thank you to our loyal clients for their patronage; we hope that during our time open on third avenue, we provided you with incomparable service and an education about skincare that you will take with you throughout their daily life.”

Dr. Romita will be taking a select few technicians to continue working at his office at 853 5th Ave at the beginning of 2012. The services they will offer will be strictly clinical.

While the recession has not been kind to the spa industry, this is the first long-time Alchimie Forever spa partner that has closed. Ajune closing makes this economic turmoil feel a whole lot more personal, and brings home the fact that we are not out of the woods yet. We small businesses must continue to support each other, to help each other, to work together. And we consumers must continue to shop local, spa local, and to support our own communities.

Post a comment | Read Comments (0)
Keywords :