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Beauty Featured Finance Lifestyle Living NYC Wellness

Downtown’s Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide 2020

 

We can all agree that 2020 was a year like no other, and it will go down in history as one of the most difficult collective challenges in our lifetimes. As the hashtag says, #weareinthistogether. No matter your level of income, age, skin color, or which part of the world you live in, we all had to rethink how we get from morning to night, facing challenges like working remotely and DIY beauty regimens.

We are grateful that our favorite brands made 2020 easier for us. We figured out how to get through it, even if it meant that our hair colorist had to drop off a premixed color formula so that our dear life partners (or children) could apply.

It may not have been a pretty sight, but from the creative photos on social media, it certainly came with a large dose of humility and humor.

This year we have decided to honor the brands who were there for our company in our Downtown’s 2020 Ultimate Beauty Gift Guide.

Here are a few of our favs!

 

Supremÿa Eyes at Night. Exceptional night skin care dedicated to revealing the youth of the eyes.

 

 

Supremÿa Cream An exceptional night treatment specifically for dry skin or skin lacking comfort, which targets the visible signs of aging to offer noticeably enhanced rejuvenation.

 

 

Scent Sational gifts from Sisley Paris. Sisley continues the original collaboration with artist Quentin Jones celebrating Izia in a new package inspired by her colorful ‘rock’ universe. Collages of roses, fluorescent ink, and flecks of paint boldly decorate the box. Its delicacy and lightness contrast with the ‘rock’ design of the box and echo the singular rose at the heart of the fragrance.

 

 

A limited-edition holiday bundle of 3 bestsellers from Bali Body, Ultra Dark Self Tan, Face Tan Water & BB Cream, it’s everything you need for the perfect glow. In a festive gift box!

 

 

Roam Slippers

 

 

ROAM slippers and sandals are all about comfort. They have custom-molded footbeds that are pillow soft while completely supporting your feet. The mid-soles are wrapped in neoprene for wicking and breathability, keeping your feet cool. There is also memory foam added to the uppers that allow the shoes to mold and form to your feet – truly creating a hug for your feet.

 

TYME

​Make ​​travel and everyday styling easier, and faster with Tyme. Combining many different size curling irons with a straightener. No more cluttered drawers, cabinets, and suitcases – just one tool.

One of our Publisher’s new FAV!

 

 

 

Joon Saffron Rose shampoo, this gentle conditioner detangles, hydrates, and smoothes hair. Used in traditional Persian beauty rituals for centuries, the “Antioxidant Powerhouse” created by Saffron, Rose, Pistachio and Pomegranate nourish and strengthen the hair strand while restoring elasticity, making your hair look/feel softer, stronger, and healthier.

Persians have used Saffron, Pistachio, and Rose in beauty rituals for centuries. Saffron, a spice worth more than its weight in gold, is used to strengthen hair. Pistachio nourishes and moisturizes for bouncy and smooth hair.

Coming from a haircare background, Shiva and Kayvon Tavakoli spent their entire lives in the salon haircare world. Their father came to the US when he was 17 years old and after moving to Houston, built a successful salon empire and haircare laboratory.

 

 

 

Joanna Vargas, We needed something to help keep our beauty regiment up, as we all worked from home, spas, and salons were closed during the quarantine. For a wide-awake look, with or without concealer, use the Magic Glow Wand to reduce the appearance of puffiness, invigorating your complexion, bringing your glow back.

 

Use it with a serum or mask for an unbelievably soft and radiant look!

 

One of our newest discoveries Deborah Lippman’s, hand and feet moisturizer, trust us, it will change your hands and feet forever. With the hard winter approaching, start now and by spring you will feel like a new person!

Your hands are the first to reveal your age. Keep them guessing with this award-winning cream formulated with shea butter, avocado, and jojoba oil. Winner of Health Magazine’s Healthiest Hand Cream, as voted by leading dermatologists Broad spectrum SPF 25 sunscreen protects from the sun’s UVA and UVB harmful rays Shea butter, Avocado, and Jojoba oil keep hands moisturized Botanical brightening complex helps to even skin tone.

 

 

 

 

Again for the 3rd year in a row, we are including BrooklynBotany. We cannot get through a winter without their scrubs and now new Sweet Almond oil.

This holiday season we sampled their new Blueberry Scrub, all we can say is THANK YOU Brooklyn Botany. Our dry skin feels renewed, and radiant, the winter dry itch is gone.

 

 

Sweet Almond Oil, the perfect name for Brooklyn Botnay’s oil..  sweet it is, very mild, and hypoallergenic. This oil is safe to be used for almost all skin types including sensitive, dry, and oily skin. It can even be used on children and babies skin.

 

Can’t get to St Barth this year, no worries, they bring their delightful products to you. And, just in time for Christmas with Ligne St. Barth

Feel the beauty of the island – surrounded by warmth, a breath of wind cools your cheeks. Sea Breeze embodies the lightness of a tropical summer day: with the deep blue Blue Lagoon shower gel, tingling like a bath in the surf. Try this sun splash, with grapefruit as an invigorating freshness accord. This beguiling Premium Care Oil gives your body, face, and hair, a golden sheen.

 

 

 

We cannot get enough of this brand. Anything they make it superb. We love the new refill pouch. Sustainability is here for Ouai.

We have tried many dry shampoo’s and it can be hit or miss. But not with Ouai’s Super Dry Shampoo. Works every time and does not leave your hair unruly or limp.

 

 

Ready for a private dinner at home for two, or just want to feel sexy? Intensely seductive, Good Girl Eau de Parfum Carolina Herrera’s Suprême reinvents the iconic Good Girl fragrance with a daring new formula. Redefining the emblematic contrast of lights and shadows encourages you to connect with your rebellious side. Grab one for a delicious stocking stuffer.

 

One does not think about body serum. However, we have been using Immunocologie body serum for years. Yes, it does moisturize, repair, and restore. It’s very light to the touch but deeply moisturizes. A dry oil intended for full-body application. We found that after a bath or shower apply, and leave on your skin all day and or night, it’s silky smooth and your skin will feel radiant and restored.

 

 

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Give the gift of luxury to your loved one, or maybe the gift you have been looking for yourself. Join Downtown New York’s newest intimate space Club 27 where you can focus on your personal fitness and wellness goals, surrounded by inspiration and without any distractions.

 

Mudras.com

 

With this signature bespoke massage treatment, you will experience the magically unique and tailor-made Body Reset massage. This is considered a secret weapon for many of our #MudrasFam. The BodyReset Technique was developed by Yotam Kafri founder of Mudras.com Holiday special for first-time clients. Get 30% off on your first session!
Mention Downtown Magazine to get your special offer. LIMITED TIME ONLY!

 

 

Get your gift certificate now!

 

For those who are enjoying the sheer pleasure of CDB, these are our picks for the 2020 Holiday Season

 

 

 

Meet our first CBD infused moisturizer specifically formulated for the face. Lord Jones Whole Plant Formula Acid Mantle Repair is a soothing CBD moisturizer formulated to help maintain the acid mantle, support the skin’s moisture barrier, and rebalance the appearance of stressed skin.* Each jar contains 250mg of CBD (<0.3% THC).

 

Treat the CBD purist in your life to a trio of our most popular Lord Jones products gumdrops, body lotion, and Royal Oil.

 

 

 

These premium tinctures contain 500mg of full-spectrum CBD derived from specially-sourced hemp for unparalleled purity and quality. Each dropper delivers approximately 20mg of CBD. Available in two flavors, Orange and Peppermint.

 

 

Her Royal Hempress

Her Royal Hempress skincare collection is defined by synergistic, small-batch blends of CBD and potent botanical actives that have been specially crafted with the highest attention to detail. Created by a generational, social-conscious gardener & mother Emma Spivey, Her Highness uses powerful botanical ingredients to complement the transformative CBD to leave skin feeling naturally radiant and for therapeutic relief. 

Her Highness 

Her Highness is a cannabis lifestyle brand based in New York with a curated collection of cannabis, CBD, and consumption essentials designed with the modern consumer in mind. Her Highness product is thoughtfully designed with the intent of bringing cannabis into a woman’s world, not the other way around. With a dynamic range of stylish, high-quality products for smoking, stress relief, self-care, and pleasure, Her Highness satisfies every cannabis craving.

New Highs CBD

New Highs CBD hopes to enlighten and empower women and men towards the path of an elevated lifestyle utilizing the healing properties of CBD. New Highs products invigorate the mind, body, and soul-lifting up high while remaining non-intoxicating.

“Dr. Kerklaan Therapeutics inspired by his desire to help my patients. In 2013, patients started asking about CBD and their health. He took the opportunity to research, study, and attended conferences in order to confidently provide answers to patients who were asking about the health benefits of CBD. Here are just some of our favorite products.

Deep moisturizing lotion utilizing condensed red ginseng water that strengthens the skin barrier and balances the pH for healthy and luminous skin. Donginbi Red Ginseng. DONGINBI was created in 1899, based on internationally recognized manufacturing company Cheong Kwan Jang’s philosophy of creating Korean red ginseng for external use.

Botanika life has a wide array of products catering to an active and healthy lifestyle.  Improving what already works by bringing in nature’s miracle ingredient CBD.

 

Whatever your plans for this holiday season, stay safe, do not gather in large crowds, think about your loved ones and, wear a mask. We look forward to seeing you in 2021.

 

From our home to yours Happy Holidays!

Categories
Beauty Wellness

5 Facts About CBD

CBD is one of many chemical compounds that is found in cannabis plants.

But unlike marijuana, taking CBD doesn’t give you a high because it either doesn’t contain the compound that gives you a high (tetrahydrocannabinol THC) or it contains small traces of it. 

 

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a very popular ointment with a huge variety of health benefits. But what do you need to know about it before you start using it?

 

 

  • Health and CBD

 

The first thing you need to know about CBD before taking it, is how it might help you. 14% of Americans use some type of CBD, the reasons for using it all differ. For example, 40% of those who said that they use CBD stated that they use it to deal with pain, while others stated that they used CBD to help with anxiety, insomnia, arthritis, and migraines. 

 

Studies have shown that CBD can have many health benefits, however, more analysis needs to go into the effects of CBD. So before you start taking CBD always talk to your doctor first to make sure it is right for you and your symptoms. 

 

 

  • Multiple Ways to Take CBD

 

Another interesting fact is that there are multiple ways of taking CBD. This is particularly useful for those who can’t take capsules or tablets. You can buy CBD oil, CBD creams, CBD edibles, CBD capsules, and CBD skin patches.

 

The most popular way to consume CBD is by using CBD oil and placing drops under your tongue. But this isn’t the only way you can take CBD oil, you can buy CBD oil and mix it with your own food and drinks. For example, you could add some oil to your morning fruit smoothie to really give your day a boost. 

 

 

  • Different Types of CBD Oil

 

Not only are there different forms of CBD products, but there are also different types of CBD oils. 

 

CBD Isolate uses only CBD and removes all other compounds from the hemp plant. Full-spectrum CBD contains all compounds found in the hemp plant (including vitamins, minerals, and a trace of THC). Whereas broad-spectrum CBD contains all the compounds in the hemp plant but removes any THC.

 

 

  • CBD is Non-Addictive and Mostly Legal

 

CBD is safe to take because it isn’t addictive, this is because it doesn’t contain addictive features like there are in THC. This is why CBD is legal in many countries around the world. 

 

However, CBD isn’t legal in all countries, so you should always check the regulations and laws in your country before you buy some.

 

 

  • CBD is Used to Medically Treat Epilepsy

 

Although more studies are needed before CBD treatment can be approved, CBD is used to treat two types of Epilepsy, known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. The drug is called Epidiolex and is CBD oil from a hemp plant.

 

Medical professionals can provide patients with Epidiolex if they have these two conditions. So you never know, with more research into the effects of CBD, other health conditions may be treated in the future with CBD products.

 

Are you looking to treat chronic pain, insomnia, or anxiety? If so, the Nordic Oil website is a great place to start. 

Categories
Featured

Downtown’s 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

Card: LovePop

Dress: Mod Cloth, Tankee Slip: Shapeez, Earrings: Macy’s, Bracelet: Dana Bronfman, Shoes: Chinese Laundry, Clutch: Rachel Roy.

Boots: Dr. Scholl’s, Tie: Drake’s, Jacket: Nobis, Eau de Toilette: Gucci, Bike: Trek FX LTD.

Lipstick: Flower Beauty, Mask Set: Erno Laszlo, Eye Pencil & Mascara: Urban Decay, Brush: Hot Heads, Eau de Toilette: BVLGARI, Shimmer Body Oil: Forager Botanicals, Hair Ties: Teleties, Mask Kit: L’Oréal Paris.

App: HOOCH, Smart Home Assistant: Google, Headphones: Master & Dynamic, iPhone: Apple, Speaker: Vifa.

Shoes: Little Wren, Poncho: Faherty, Piano: Schoenhut, Bag: Mokuyobi, Speaker: Xoopar.

Self-cleaning Puppy Pad: BrilliantPad, Bowl: Henri Bendel, Treats: Zuke’s, Toy: Harry Barker, Rocketeer Park: ZuGoPet, Vintage Stripe Bed: Harry Barker.

Premium Vodka: Zirkova One+Together, Candle: goop, Champagne Sabre: Berkel, Knit Throw: West Elm, Chair: Sonder Living.

Bradford Watch Company: The classic, timeless watch gives back this holiday season and partners with March of Dimes to support research and programs that promote healthier pregnancies for all moms. 

Luba: 50 percent of the proceeds from this t-shirt goes directly to the foundation LOVE by Luba, which gives back to women’s shelters.

The Giving Keys: Through their social impact employment model, every product purchased supports job 
creation for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Every Mother Counts: 100 percent of the proceeds from the holiday collection will go toward Every Mother Counts’ work to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for every mother, everywhere. 

Vanity Planet: One of your go-to online beauty stores is pumping up the girl power as they partner with Coin Up and EmpowHer Institute to help support girls in underserved communities. 

Categories
Uncategorized

10 Products For Your Summer Beauty Bag

As temperatures creep towards the high 80s — and your make-up continues to melt off — invest in high-quality beauty products that will not only provide a fresh summer glow, but protect your skin and hair as well.

The beauty product jungle can be a challenge; should you go for a cleanser and a cream? Should you try a new choice or stick to trusted brands, guaranteed to give you good results?

We’ve done some digging and these are Downtown’s top 10 products that any beauty fanatic would be proud to have in her make-up bag.

Glossier Invisible Shield SPF 35

SPF is not an option but a necessity. Just to make sure you’re listening, we repeat, SPF is not an option. The clever people at Glossier agree and present the Invisible Shield SPF 35. The clear watergel formula will quickly absorb into your skin and is also designed to keep it clear of the city’s polluted air. It’s a win-win.


Photo courtesy of Glossier

Price: $34.00

MŪN Argan Pure Argan Oil

This is your 3-in-1; the Argan Pure Argan Oil is a softening treatment that you can use on your skin, nail cuticles and hair. Filled with vitamin E, antioxidants and beneficial fatty acids, the oil will give a much-needed boost during dry summer months. When using the the product in your hair, apply a small amount to the ends only, to avoid a ‘greasy scalp’ look.

Photo courtesy of MŪN

Price: $70.00

Savannah Bee Charcoal, Propolis and Volcanic Ash Cleanser

Activated charcoal has proven incredibly effective in removing toxins — it draws them out, which is exactly what you want in a humid city like NYC. Meanwhile, the added benefit of propolis and volcanic ash in this cleanser will gently exfoliate and hydrate and is perfect for keeping your skin clean this summer.

Photo courtesy of Savannah Bee

Price: $12.99

Urban Decay Travel Size Perversion Mascara

Perfect for mini-holidays, when you just want to bring your travel sized vanity bag. According to Urban Decay, the lash volumizing product is “so intense you might need a safe word, Perversion glides on and gets you sexy in one stroke.” Talk about making a lady blush…

Photo courtesy of  Urban Decay

Price: $10.00

SHOW Beauty Repair Treatment Mask

Pump up your locks with some quinoa protein. The Repair Treatment Mask, which also contains hydrolyzed pea, pro vitamin B5, caviar and white truffles(!), is the stuff of hair-related dreams. This luxurious treatment nourishes, strengthens and conditions dull strands and leave your hair soft and full of life.

Photo courtesy of  SHOW Beauty

Prices range depending on retailer.

Smith & Cult Illumify Starlings Highlighter

This is the second venture by the founders of Hard Candy make-up, Dineh Mohajer and Jeanne Chavez. The dynamic duo are beauty veterans with an eye for creating cosmetics that others envy; beauty with a dash of punk attitude and a dazzle of hipster. The Starlings Highlighter in Gilded Nude will become your new secret weapon.

Price:  $36.00

Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation

The base to your daily beauty routine — foundation! The Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation comes in 20 different shades and has a smooth, light consistency. Containing micro-fine radiant pearl Mica to even out your skin tone, this foundation sits, fits and looks just right For best results, apply with a make-up sponge or softly dab on with your fingertips.


Photo courtesy of Laura Mercier

Price: $48.00

Marc Jacobs Velvet Reality Set

Why buy one, when you can get three? The limited edition set was inspired by Marc Jacobs’ catwalk creations and includes a pop eye stick shadow in a shimmering icy grape shade, a waterproof gel eye crayon in cool blue and the velvet noir major volume mascara. If that’s not enough to win you over, the quirky make-up bag designed by British illustrator, Julie Verhoeven, will.

Photo courtesy of Marc Jacobs Beauty

Price: $49.00

Vita Liberata Ten Minute Tan

Stuck in the office all summer with no chance for a tan? And skin too fair to turn anything but a shade of pink when you finally have a moment to pop out? Self-tanning might be your knight in shining armor. This one from Vita Liberata is fast-acting and odor with vitamin C and Rosehip oil. But remember, always use a tanning mitt when applying to your skin for an even application.

Photo courtesy of Vita Liberata

Price: $39.00

Patchology Lip Renewal FlashPatch® 5 Minute Hydrogels

The trademarked lip treatment with its HydraSurge5™ Moisture System is a wonder for your lips. The product will plump, moisturize and perfect your pout, and we love this treatment. It’s easy to use, works fast and is well worth its price point.


Photo courtesy of Patchology

Price: $50.00