spabeauty

gold standard
Springs hottest beauty ingredient has more going for it than just shine.

PhotograPhy by: Jarvis oxley; styling by: andrea Ferronato

Few trends stand out more this spring than gold, found in everything from accessories to makeup. And why not: The hue exudes a warm, sunny glow, and it works well on all types of skin tones. Golds roots in wellness go even deeper. The first recorded use was by ancient Egyptians, who ingested it to restore youth. Ayurvedic tradition uses the metal to increase blood circulation, and in the West, colloidal gold serves as an anti-inflammatory and an energy booster. Were not making any miracle health claims with these goldinspired finds, but we know theyre a great way to get you glowing.
Get gold at your fingertips. Essie Cosmetics nail polish in Shifting Power, $8

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1 stila eye shadow trio three sheer shades of gold for the eye: base, crease and line. $28 2 napoleon perdis eye pencil a creamy, blendable liner thats preservative-free and filled with antioxidants. $18 3 oro gold cosmetics 24k gold deep peeling a gentle peel infused with gold, vitamins and green tea. $114.95, 2 oz. 4 ambre blends ambre glow antioxidant-packed body moisturizer made with mica minerals (diamonds, pearls and gold). $50, 4 oz. 5 jane iredale 24-karat gold dust highlight eyes, cheeks and lips, or mix with moisturizer to accent decolletage. $12, .06 oz.

6 larocca body cellular gold hydrating body balm a thick cream packed with shea butter and olive, tangerine and grapefruit oils. $35, 6.76 oz. 7 guerlain lor radiance concentrate with gold Flakes of real gold in a cooling clear gel smoothes pre-makeup skin. $70, 1.1 oz.

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Matthew Moran (1); Jon whittle (3, 6);

spabeauty Neck Creams

spa tested

Repair and protect one of the first (not to mention one of the most graceful) areas of your body to show signs of aging. Heres the scoop on three creams, what theyre made of and why they work.
HOW IT WORKS this two-part process is like a serum/moisturizer combo. apply the concentrate an intense gel filled with a blend of chamomile and pectin to hydrate and counteract aging and follow with the cream, which firms with Kigelia africana (an african plant), elastin and vitamin e. HOW IT WORKS based on scientific research, this noninvasive treatment uses patented technology including alpha lipoic acid to fight free radicals in the air, while the natural compound dMae helps to create firmness. vitamin e is also added for extra protection and moisturizing benefits. HOW IT WORKS Plum kernel extract smooths skin and minimizes redness, while sunflower and bocoa helps with elasticity and tone. it also has anthyllis to fight lines and thinning skin. tip: once or twice a week, remove dry skin by exfoliating the area first. vERdICT the concentrate isnt too heavy, and it makes my skin glow. then the cream locks it all in. Concentrate: $67.50, 1 oz.; cream, $62, 1.7 oz. vERdICT i love the texture it is heavy but not greasy, and it sinks into my skin. it also leaves a slight tingling sensation that lets me know its working. $135, 2 oz. vERdICT this silky cream is very smoothing, and it has a really great fragrance to boot. Plus, a little seems to go a long way. $80, 1.7 oz.

PEvOnIa RESTORE nECK and BUST CREaM and COnCEnTRaTE

PERRICOnE Md COSMECEUTICaLS COLd PLaSMa SUB-d

CLaRInS advanCEd ExTRaFIRMInG nECK CREaM

Ultimate Mani

Nail polish that doesnt chip is high on the list of urban beauty myths, along with hose that dont run and a red lipstick that works with every skin tone. Which is why I was so skeptical when I heard about Shellac. A manicure that doesnt damage your nails like gels can, and lasts up to two weeks? Thats too good to be true, I told my manicurist as I sat down to try it. The process is the same as with a traditional mani base coat, color, top coat but after each step you place your fingertips in a specially designed UV machine that sets the product as you go. When the stylist finishes the last coat, youre finished too no waiting around for nails to dry or fumbling as you try not to smudge your tips. But the true test was time. In the following days, I went on two business trips and renovated my home office, lugging boxes and moving furniture. But it wasnt until day 10 that I saw my first chip (I blame that stubborn file cabinet). Not quite two weeks, but close enough for me! Shellac has been a huge hit since it was launched last May so much so, salons initially had trouble keeping it in stock, and imitators have been popping up all over. The only downside was limited color selection; they only offered 12 shades. That changes in March, when Shellac introduces 10 new hues, including a Hot Pop Pink perfect for spring. Visit cnd.com to find a salon offering Shellac near you. Price varies by salon, but typically $10 to $20 over traditional manicure. Susan Moynihan

3 beauty apps to download right now

Beauty 911 ($1.99) From broken nails to red wine stains, weve all been there. here youll find tips youve heard before as well as others worth investigating. OPI (Free) virtually try on more than 200 oPi nail lacquer shades, customizing the screen to match your skin tone. you can even name your favorite colors. Stilas Get the Look (Free) Preview and purchase new color combos for eye, lip and blush. bonus: get stepby-step instructions on how to apply.

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CloCKwise FroM toP leFt oPPosite: Jon whittle; bernhard sChMerl/Corbis; lasse Kristensen/veer; JaMes and JaMes/getty iMages; eve Chayes lyMan; JaCK MisKell PhotograPhy/Corbis

BOTANICALS Explained
sweet news
In a recent study, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that eating a 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate packed with flavonoids (plant-based compounds also found in red wine and tea) relaxes the blood vessels, increases circulation and improves blood flow to the heart all great for healthier-looking skin. The flavonoids in one square of dark chocolate daily also significantly decrease skin roughness and scaling, and may help protect it from UV rays. Tip: Stick to darker chocolates. Milk chocolate contains flavonoids too, but not nearly as much. RB aRGan OIL What It Is indigenous to Morocco, argan oil is extracted from the seed of the fruit of the argan tree. Why Its Beneficial it absorbs neatly to deliver antioxidants and essential fatty acids (eFas), which protect and nourish the skin. the plant sterols in argan oil help clear up acne, soothe eczema and plump up dry, dehydrated skin. Products to Try Kahina giving beauty argan oil, $36, kahinagivingbeauty.com; Josie Maran argan oil, $48, josiemaran cosmetics.com PLanT (OR FRUIT) STEM CELLS What It Is skincare brands extract plant stem cells found in a part of the plant called the meristem from grapes, echinacea, edelweiss, and apples grown on the Uttwiler spatlauber tree, native to switzerland, where the initial research took place. Why Its Beneficial the idea is that the plant stem cells repair and replace lost and damaged cells. Compatible with human skin cells, they increase collagen production, stimulate human stem cell growth, soften wrinkles and restore elasticity to aging skin. Products to Try naturopathica Plant stem Cell serum, $48, naturopathica.com; MyChelle apple brightening serum, $44, mychelle.com TURMERIC ExTRaCT What It Is long a staple of ayurvedic medicine, the pungent sun-scorched spice is a hot ingredient in skincare.

Its easy to get lost in the landscape and lexicon of beauty. Here is your guide to the buzziest botanicals of the season, and what they can do for your skin. Rona Berg

beyond beauty
For some business visionaries, a beautiful product line isnt enough they need to give something back. paris-based journalist sarah chayes first fell in love with afghanistan in 2001, when she was there on assignment with national public radio covering the fall of the taliban. when she was asked to stay on afterward and do something to help rebuild the country, she jumped at the chance. the result: arghand, a sustainable cooperative she created in kandahar that produces luscious oils, riverstone soaps and silky creams made from natural ingredients unique to the region: pink salts from the afghan highlands, pomegranate and wild pistachio oil, heady rose extract and sweet anise oil. the goal was to create a selfsustaining business that was an alternative to opium production and showed a democratic model in the work environment, by hiring (and compensating) men and women equally, says Jennie green, director of north american operations. sounds beautiful to us. Lotions from $22, arghand.org RB

Why Its Beneficial turmeric extract is loaded with tetrahydrocurcuminoids (thC), colorless compounds with antioxidant and skinlightening properties. Found in masks, serums and brighteners, turmeric calms irritation, inflammation and rosacea; reduces dryness; and stimulates circulation to give dull skin a sunny glow. Products to Try PratiMa rosacea therapy lotion, $32, pratimaskincare.com; Juara turmeric antioxidant radiance Mask, $39, juaraskincare.com aLGaE OR SPIRULIna ExTRaCT What It Is ocean-harvested algae (including seaweed, a type of algae), is an a-lister at the spa. blue-green algae is commonly known as spirulina. Why Its Beneficial a potent skin-firmer, algae is also rich in vitamins, minerals and amino acids, which are the building blocks of healthy skin. it fights glycation (the breakdown of collagen and elastin), keeps blemishes at bay and prevents dark spots by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase. Products to Try osea Undaria algae oil, $36, oseaskin.com; Mama Mio skincare Mighty Moisture, $60, mamamio.com

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spabeauty Spring Beauty Picks

Here at Spa, we test a lot of products. These are the things we cant live without this spring.
SKIn SPRITz A natural redhead with very sensitive skin, Im always looking for great products to calm, hydrate and soothe my face. Plus, Im such a sensory person that anything I put near my nose better smell amazing! After experimenting with an assortment of creams and serums I fell in love with Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist. Infused with rose and (yes) marshmallow, one spritz hydrates, tones and balances my dry skin, and pleases my senses. It doesnt get any simpler than that. $21, 1 oz., jurlique.com Julie Wilson, online features editor COLOR CURE Every spring, I swap my thick foundation for a lighter tinted moisturizer. But as I get older, tinted moisturizers dont offer the coverage I need, and applying too much leads to breakouts. Thats why I love Natura Bisss The Cure Sheer Cream; the velvety color-enhanced moisturizer is thick enough to offer coverage, but light enough to allow my own skin to glow through. Bonus: It contains Fermentus Glaciarum extract, to build collagen, and SPF 20, to protect from the sun. $160, 1.7 oz., naturabisse.com Susan Moynihan, editor in chief

SHOE In When I paint my toes, I usually end up stumbling around my living room, too impatient to wait for them to dry. But Pedi-Couture sandals finally allow me to walk around carefree without fear of smudging. The toe separators keep my toes smudge-free, and the padded soles are heavenly on my high-heel-loving feet. Choose faux fur or terrycloth, in a variety of styles including tiger print, metallics or solids like purple (pictured). Sizes run from small (6) through extra-large (10.5). From $25, pedi couture.com Tara Bradley, senior editor

Girls Getaway Room Package Starting at $349*

The Claremont Hotel Club and Spa in Berkeley invites you to a weekend of fun relaxing with the Girls at a true Californian landmark.

G etaway

Your Invitation to

Two pedicures in our Salon Two cocktails at Paragon Bar & Caf Breakfast for two in Meritage Plus the tax, parking and facilities charge are included in your package price.

Your place in history. Now.

www.claremont-hotel.com
*Based on double occupancy.

Pedi-CoUtUre: Jon whittle