luscious locks

Throughout my years in the beauty biz, I've been introduced to lots of products--some basic, some innovative, some invigorating, some calming, some essential and some luxurious. And while I've rushed to try most of them, there were a handful I saved for "special occasions." Terax is one of those brands. I remember getting my first tube of Terax Crema and wanting to make it last for way more than it was intended to. And now--years later--when I try it again, I have the same reaction. I started with the Miele hydrating shampoo for normal to dry hair (6.7 oz; $20). It has honey and elder for moisture and shine as well as wheat protein and vitamins for strength and vitality. It also lathers up rich and creamy and rinses out thoroughly. I followed up with the one-and-only Terax Crema. The luxurious conditioner is scented with rice flower, shea, bergamot and juniper--definitely soothing to the senses. Designed to moisturize hair and restore split ends, breakage and dryness, it leaves my hair silky, shiny and super-soft (I can't stop running my hands through it!) Thankfully, it comes in a 2 oz. tube ($9), a 6.7 oz. tube ($22) and a very rewarding 16.9 oz. ($48) pump bottle--definitely worth the investment! For more great Terax Hair Care products, check out ULTA, Sephora.com or Beauty.com.

love your skin

In the dead of winter, it's hard to find products that soothe your skin. For me, it was always a challenge to find a gentle cleanser that still gets the job done. That's why I was ecstatic when I came across an innovative collection of products from Ole (pronounced ooh-la) Henriksen. Owner and founder of Ole Henriksen Face/Body day spas in Los Angeles, London and other major cities, Henriksen used his degree in cosmetic chemistry to create a skincare line designed to nurture, soothe, comfort, smooth and transform (Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba and Julia Stiles are all fans). I have to admit, he did have to win me over though. The first product I tried was the On The Go Cleanser (7 oz; $21) for normal/combination skin. While I loved the fresh, citrusy scent (thanks to a healthy dose of vitamin C), I thought it left my skin feeling dry. But I didn't give up. Next I tried the Apricot Cleansing Lotion (7 oz; $21), a rich, creamy, comforting cleanser for dry/sensitive skin--and I was hooked. The lightweight lotion felt super-soft and emollients like avocado, sesame and apricot oil left my skin feeling smooth and clean. I followed it with the Nurture Me ($40) soothing cream for sensitive skin or rosacea. The scent conjured up memories of St. Joseph's Baby Aspirin, probably because it's packed with vitamins, so it's obviously good for you. By now an avid OH fan, I have also fallen for the New Beginning Scrub ($24), a smoothing and oxygenating exfoliant with tea tree oil as well as the Sheer Transformation ($45) silky restorative cream which also targets uneven skin tone. I haven't tried the new African Red Tea products (www.olehenriksen.com) yet but they're next on my list. Stay tuned...

brows that wow

Personally, I've always relied on my local salon to get my brows into shape, but I decided it was time to look into some do-it-yourself options. So I asked New York City-based brow expert Ramy Gafni about the secrets to getting brows that wow... "Start with a precisely balanced, angled tweezer with a rounded tip," says Gafni. "It will grab the tiniest hairs without breaking them and will be gentle on the delicate skin around the eyes." Try the Ramy Tweezer by Tweezerman (www.tweezerman.com). Then start shaping. "The biggest mistakes women make are tweezing their brows too thin or putting the arch in the wrong place," says Gafni, who suggests having brows shaped professionally and following the line for as long as you can. Next, invest in a curved safety scissors to trim excess length and a small double-ended brush to set hairs in place and apply brow filler. Brush on Eye LIFT Brows ($38) before applying moisturizer or makeup for instant firming and a brow 'lift.' Fill in your brows with Miracle Brow ($24) or the Perfect Brow Wand. "To use Miracle Brow, dip the angled end of the brush into each shade and apply where needed. Then use the blending brush to remove excess. The Perfect Brow wand is a double-ended pen--brush on the neutral brow filler that works on every hair color, then blend in the universally flattering highlighter along the underside of your brows using your finger to emphasize your arch and give brows a visual lift." Want more info? Check out the complete line of Ramy Beauty Therapy products at www.ramy.com.

plump it up

In an age when most of us are searching for a way to slim down, some of us are still hoping to plump up--our lips, that is. Since I'm not exactly considering a trip to the plastic surgeon's office, Angelina Jolie's perfect pout is pretty much beyond my reach. I found I can come close, however, with a little help from glominerals (www.gloskincare.com). The company's gloLip plumper ($16), a unique plumping formula infused with spheres of Marine Collagen Atelocolalgen which trap water and swell to provide volume, is designed to do the trick. Capsicum Extract, which comes from peppers, stimulates lips (not sure how I feel about the tingling sensation but it's pretty mild) and safflower oil softens and conditions (just in time for Valentine's Day). Choose your hue--copper shimmer, sheer berry or natural, or soon-to-be-released plum and cherry--and get ready to pucker up!

under cover

So your life has been pretty stressful lately--too many important meetings to prepare for, late nights to recover from and emotional antics that really take their toll. The worst part is that more often than not, it all shows up on your face. If only there was a magic wand that could erase the damage. Introducing The Eraser ($19), a great new tool from Tarte Cosmetics. It's a 4-in-1 natural concealer that comes in ten shades to suit any skin color. Just swipe it under eyes day or night to send dark circles, blemishes and puffy eyes packing. The silicone and water based formula keeps skin hydrated and prevents creasing and caking. And a handful of hydrating, antioxidant-based ingredients like safflower seed oil, cucumber extract, vitamins C and E, and olive oil keep skin looking soft, smooth and brightened. I'm always wary of concealers that leave skin looking worse than it does naturally...but this one sounded so appealing, I couldn't wait to try it. Now I know why Mary Louise-Parker looked so great at the Golden Globes! Just twist the product up into the wand then brush it on. It absorbed easily and blended well with my skin tone. My skin felt soft and smooth--leaving me with nothing to hide! Check out www.tartecosmetics.com.

rub me right

The good news: I've really been sticking to my new year's resolution and have been hitting the gym more often. The not-so-good news: I wake up sore more often too. Aching muscles greet me each morning and sometimes get worse throughout the day. To the rescue: Naturopathica's Arnica Muscle & Joint Bath and Body Oil--designed to ease muscle soreness and joint tenderness and stimulate circulation in overexerted muscles. That's me--overexerted! After a three-year hiatus (to have my two kids), my newly exercising muscles are definitely working overtime. And the last thing I have time--or money--for is a weekly massage. So I decided to go the do-it-yourself route and rub on this newly formulated Arnica oil for some instant relief (you can also pour two to three capfuls into your bath). Not only did I feel a warming sensation in my muscles but the herbal scent offered great aromatherapy benefits and definitely made me feel pretty relaxed. Hesitant about partaking in herbal delights? Here's the best part: In adopting Arnica, Naturopathica has partnered with the American Botanical Council, an organization dedicated to providing funding to promote the proper use of herbs and phytomedicine and broaden the scope of herbal research. During April, 50% of proceeds from Arnica Muscle & Joint Bath and Body Oil will go to the American Botanical Council. If you can't wait till then to relieve your muscle pain, treat yourself to a bottle now, then buy one for a friend in April when you can give a great gift and promote herb power too. See www.naturopathica.com for more Naturopathica products.

best foot forward

Time was when pedicures were strictly meant for trying out the newest shade of polish. But lately things aren't all they were once cracked up to be. With every visit to the nail salon, I began to become a bigger fan of the razor blade and pumice stone--depending on these no-nonsense tools to scrape away the signs of ravaging my feet have endured. Not anymore. I just tried Barielle's new Heel and Callus Treatment Cream ($22) and I'm happy to say, I'm now well-heeled. Thanks to a high concentration of emollients and softening agents like vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, Soybean Oil and Stearic Acid, as well as marine-derived Sea Kelp Extract and Algae Extract, my feet have been magically moisturized. I apply the cream all over after a shower when it absorbs most readily and before I go to bed when it will have plenty of time to sink in. It smooths on easily and doesn't feel thick or heavy like other serious foot moisturizers. The result: Smoother, softer skin...and fewer trips to the salon. Look for it at select retailers or www.barielle.com this spring--just in time for sandal season.