Vita Liberate: How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Vita Liberate Body Blur
$45

I know, I know, I know! It has been for-EVAH!  Apologies my Lovelies, it's just truly hard to find the time...I promise I will do better, but my posts will definitely be briefer.

After having a neck to toe freckle zapping session this winter, and spending a month in a burqa covering my wounds, I SWORE to myself, that I would stay out of the sun this summer.  Truly, why go through the discomfort, expense and fashion inconvenience only to have every spot resurface in mere minutes after a day at the beach or pool?

There is another problem...Self tanning, either professionally or self applied, seems to deposit and then expand, making any residual age spots or freckles look like my body has been pelted with pennies.

NOT pretty!

What to do???

A Drugstore Dream Mascara??? Yes Indeed!!!

Loreal Voluminous X Fiber Mascara
$11.99 ish

I have had to wait a few months for my eyelashes to grow back, after my 5 month stint wearing lash extensions.  Sadly...

Yes, I loved waking up every day with a full fan of lashes that cut my morning makeup time exponentially.  They looked spectacular! Every day, I made sure to apply eye lash growth serum and when I was in full wind down mode, which took about two months for all of the extensions to fall out, I began using Latisse.

I was hedging my bets that when all the extensions were gone, I would still have my original decent set of lashes.

Wrong!  Stumpy, gappie, crunchy.  Not a good look.

This is my ultimate take; if you are prepared to commit to monthly extensions for the rest of your life, great. Go for it! I could also see doing a one off, if you were planning an extended vacation. One month of application is not going to do significant damage. Beyond that?  NO. There is a price to pay, and it's steep.

OK, moving on.

I had made note of a new 2 sided Loreal mascara that comes with something so scathingly brilliant, every other cosmetic brand will surely be following suit...a BLACK PRIMER!!!!

Update: My Continued Journey with Aethern - The Fountain of Youth

Daily Doses of  beautifully packaged Aethern, convenient and travel ready

For those of you who have not yet been following, I am pleased to be able to share my continued Aethern journey with you.

Aethern, is a single daily dose of 14 FDA approved, vitamins, minerals, Bio Active Collagen Peptides and Hyaluronic acid formulated to increase skins elasticity,  firmness and radiance.

My results at just a little over 3 months of daily ingestion, lay truth to every claim, plumped up skin; less creepy crepe, (the bane of every woman of a certain age existence) and fewer fine lines.

Brava!  Additionally, the two mucus cysts that seem to come out of nowhere on my right hand have all but vanished along with the wrist and knee pain I was experiencing after weight training.  The anti-inflammatory properties in Aethern, is apparently, working like Jiffy Lube in my system.

Hands before Aethern

Hands after 3 months of taking Aethern

I am so thankful that I took pictures of my Aethern journey along
the way, because there is no disputing these are remarkable results!

No wonder, Aethern is beloved by famed Dermatologists Dr. Lisa Airan and Dr. Ava Shamban, both of who recommend it highly to their patients.

My partner Anastasia Cucinella and I recently had new head shots taken when our photographer Jay Ackerman, came to take updated photos of our store, Mary Jane Denzer.   It's always a bit daunting to have professional photos taken, but I was pleased with the results.

As the numbers start to creep up, aging can be disheartening...(I don't know anyone who doesn't feel at least 20 years younger than their biological age),  I decided to look back for a photo that was taken 10 years ago, to see how I am faring:

Review: Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliners

Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliners
$23

I had two recent epiphanies; 1) I have officially graduated to the need and use for a magnifying mirror for daily eye makeup and 2) I really am not all that talented at applying liquid eyeliner. 

Big Sigh!!!

My preference for Stila One Step Waterproof Pencils topped with Lancome ArtLiner, is hampered by the fact that I have to go out of my way to Ulta to purchase them, since, annoyingly, only half Stila's collection is sold at Sephora...(C'mon. Either you in or you're out).  In desperation, I recently tried Smashbox long wearing pencil, only to discover I'm allergic to it. No great loss as I found it a bit "grabby" while applying.

Moving on!

Things we Loved in Paris!

Things we Loved in Paris by divadebra 

My partner at Mary Jane Denzer, Anastasia Cucinella and I now have the difficult job of sorting through all the beautiful clothes we saw during Paris Fashion Week.  It's a tough job, but someone has got to do it!

As always, some of the dresses we loved best had a modern, architectural vibe, with some whimsical flourishes.  In the interim, our store is full of fabulous things for Spring from luxe sportswear to enjoy on the weekends, perfect daytime luncheon dresses  and of course, beautifully curated evening wear for your most important events.

Come visit! 914-328-0330.

xox,

DD

Tony Ward Tres Jolie!

We loved seeing couture designer Tony Ward in Paris during Fashion Week.  He and his team just moved into a magnificent atelier in an exquisite building, with remarkable original details including an old wrought iron lift.

Of course we will be buying  his beautiful gowns and cocktail dresses again for our store, Mary Jane Denzer.  Come and see what's in store from Tony Ward now!  As always, he provides gorgeous color options for all of his dresses, so one may be the dressing you have been dreaming of!  

Come visit! 914-328-0330.

xox,
DD

Gearing Up To Get Back In The Mascara Game...

L'Oreal Voluminous Fiber FX Mascara

 My lashes have been on Holiday for the last 5 months... Let me attest to the beautiful notion of waking up daily and looking more than human with lash extensions.  Out the door time gets nicked in half because being eye ready makes everything else a slap and a dash.

I promised myself that after returning from Fall Fashion Week in Paris, (shopping with my partner Anastasia for our store Mary Jane Denzer), I would take a long, long break.  Frankly, I don't know a soul who did not suffer serious damage to their lashes.  I'm hoping to come out unscathed, by using Latisse, to minimize the lash loss.

Years ago, I used Latisse when it first became a, "thing".  While I did grow massive lashes, I also suffered from dry, red, scratchy eyes, which mitigated the whole experience.  Smarter this time, I ditched the thick, unwieldy brushes that came with the prescription, for a very fine brush.  My theory is that those brushes, which could have white washed a barn, were depositing too much product. So far so good.

We shall see...

In the meanwhile, I have started researching mascaras again.  What immediately caught my eye was a new Voluminous Mascara from L'Oreal.  The original is a goodie and is supposedly beloved by Jennifer Aniston. (Call me silly, but I'm among the legions hoping for a Brad Pitt reunion...Frankly Angelina and Justin seem a better match than they were to Brad and Jenn, respectively. And you???)

What is very clever about the new Voluminous X Fiber, aside from the fibers for volume, is that one side comes with a black primer!!!  This my lovelies, is a stroke of genius.  I love me some primer, but have sometimes seen tell tale traces of white on my lashes.  This has got to be one of those moments where competitors, are smacking their foreheads for not having thought of black primer first.

Well done L'Oreal!

The NY Times Weighs in on the Best Drugstore Makeup Buys

Bloomberg/ Getty Image courtesy of the NY Times

Love, love, love, the more accessible beauty coverage at the "newspaper of record" these days.   I nearly keeled when I received a beauty alert this morning,  with an article by Tynan Sinks on her favorite drugstore beauty buys.

Welcome to our world!  Here's the link.  Shout out to my sister Loren, who told me months ago to check out NYX concealer.  It's her new Holy Grail.  Tynan feels the same way...

Naturally I dashed out to my closest CVS, STAT.  The NYX display was  sadly baron...Ulta will no doubt, be better supplied.

Anyway, worth a read and maybe a note or two.  I'll keep you posted on that concealer...provided I can find it.

xox,
DD

Aethern- THE Fountain of Youth!

  Aethern, pronounced Eh-thern. My daily dose of science and beauty

As I approach the 10 year anniversary of my Blog DivaDebra, I have so appreciated you,  my loyal readers.  I am nothing if not a, "Girl's Girl", and what started from emailing my gal pals and bringing my favorite products picks to book club, has grown into a 10 year labor of love, with readers from all over the world!

Over the years, I have many times been approached to sample vitamins that promised what we all want, a convenient little slice of our youth, albeit thicker hair, firmer skin, or increased energy.

The problem is, I never felt that there would be any way to show my readers a measurable difference, if one existed at all!  Hence, I always nicely declined all offers.  I have only ever been interested in sharing the best of my product experiences and at times, the things to steer clear of.

There are two areas on a woman's body that are the tell tales of age. Time and gravity just win out here...One is the neck, the other is our hands.

With great luck, my beauty blogging life as always worked in a funny way...whatever I really needed often found its way to me.

Literally, one day before I met Paul Vella, the Business Development Partner at Aethern, I had the mortifying epiphany of seeing, really seeing, my left hand.  How and when did that happen?

Despite all my efforts at beating the clock,  I felt as if an octogenarian's hand had somehow been swapped with my own.  The horror!  Do see below, lest you think I am exaggerating.

Paul and I met at the Lucas Magnum Salon in Greenwich, during a day devoted to beauty and wellness.  Three things impressed me immediately:

The first is that  Aethern, which is FDA approved and clinically trialed, and, included greatly improved client hands in their promotional material. 

The second is that two of the most esteemed Dermatologists in the U.S.,  Dr. Lisa Airan in NYC and Dr. Ava Shamban in Beverly Hills,  believe in the efficacy of Aethern!  Both are personal fans and provide it to their high end patients at their practices and on their websites.

The third is that the magnificent Cate Blanchett,  is also an Aethern fan!  She includes in her beauty and health repertoire and mentioned it in this Allure article.  Of note; she is not a paid spokesperson.

Good enough for DivaDebra and her lovely readers!

Paul graciously offered me a 30-day supply of beautifully packaged Aethern.  One box convenient box, includes 4, slender, travel friendly boxes of 7 daily drinkable anti-aging vials.  Each is  filled with critical nutrients proven to increase radiance, hydration and firmness.

I made no promises to blog and told Paul that I have turned down many opportunities before.  He was extremely confident that I would love Aethern and wisely suggested I snap some before and after photos for my own reference.

We said our goodbyes...

It was I who excitedly, reached out to Paul next.  The night before my first dose, I decided that I would snap a photo and take one again, in the same spot, in the same lighting, at the same time of day.  I did this at two weeks and just recently again at two months.

It is very difficult to see changes of anything in real time.  Other than taking my daily dose each morning, I gave it little or no thought...until I reviewed some photos.  At the three week mark I noticed how much firmer and toned my arm looked in a photo that was taken of me:

Before Aethern

Hands 2 weeks after taking Aethern

2 months after taking Aethern
(of course I had to get a second box!)
Please take a really good look! 
This is remarkable!

My arm, noticeably firmer and radiant at 3 weeks

Additionally, I had a painful fluid filled sac on my pinkie, known as a "mucous cyst" common with aging.  It was of enough concern that I was going to see a hand specialist.  After just a few weeks it was no longer bothering me has remained significantly smaller!  The anti-inflammatory benefits are real.  A very happy surprise benefit!

I really do believe that a picture is worth a thousand words!  I am so happy that I have them to share with you.

I was so thrilled about my very visible results that I told Paul I would be honored to be a Brand Ambassador for Aethern.  In addition, I wanted to blog about it, share it with my readers and if possible provide them with a discount code, so you too, could enjoy Aethern's benefits.  I also wanted to be able to seel it at my own luxury boutique Mary Jane Denzer.

To my delight, Paul and his partner CEO Abili Falco, agreed to all four of my requests!

 Ok, so what is in Aethern?  Good Question! 

Roland Mouret J'Adore!

One of our absolute favorite designers is the always divine Roland Mouret.  His spare, chic aesthetic always as an element that makes you want to look a little closer...The fit? Sublime.  The icing? A timeless, LBB from handbag designer Tyler Ellis.

We are so looking forward to seeing the collection again in Paris, at his beautiful atelier for Fashion Week.  In the meanwhile, do come and visit us at Mary Jane Denzer to see the new spring collection.

J'adore!

xox,

DD

L'Oreal Age Perfect Cellular Golden Serum

L'Oreal Age Perfect Cellular Golden Serum
$20.99 - ish

I honestly can't remember a colder winter in the Northeast.  Winter is my least favorite season, except for the clothes.  Between the freezing temperatures and being pitch black at 5 pm, I don't have much motivation to anything besides eating beef stew in my pajamas.  Another lament???  My face is falling off...

I told you recently about my discovering of Rose Hip Oil. The obsessions remains unabated.  I have used a serum under my moisturizers for about 9 years now.  One of my favorites is Instanatural Vitamin C Serum , which I have ordered from Amazon.com dozens of times.  With this extreme cold,  however, my face has not been feeling hydrated enough, so I decided to look for a serum with a richer consistency on my last CVS run.

(BTW- kudos to CVS! They have decided that any beauty ads that they shoot will only include photography that has not been retouched.  It's a nod to the women's empowerment movement, to not perpetuate presenting unrealistic beauty standards to its customers. It's bold and interesting and I do think more companies will follow suit.  Good for them!

DivaDebra's 2018 Golden Globes Report Card

The Black Out of 2018

Well, it was an interesting night, no one can deny that.  The politics absolutely trumped the fashion, which was the point, of course...But Lord, it made for a snoozy Red Carpet -just sayin.

The night no longer belonged to the "mani-cam" an embarrassment that will not be missed, though boy, I wish I knew who on earth, they were, "wearing"!!!

It was the night where woman had there say and in tandem and groups the solidarity and message loudly sounded was # Time's Up; sexual harassment and inequality, your days are numbered.

Brava!!!

AuraGlow Tooth Whitening Pen

AuraGlow Tooth Whitening Pen
$18.99 on Amazon Prime

Minutes after reordering this little gem on Amazon, I received a reach out to try one of those charcoal whiteners from an Australian company.  I will admit to be curious about them, so I bit and accepted their offer to try their product for review...Let's see how long if ever it takes to receive.

In the meanwhile, I did want to share this very effective whitener, that is gentle and works without triggering gum sensitivity.   AuraGlow recommends using it daily... That seems like overkill to me...I can firmly attest that once a week will nicely remove surface stains from coffee, tea, wine etc. and will leave your teeth looking whiter.

I apply it to freshly brushed, tissue dried teeth, before bed and avoid drinking any liquids for at least 30 minutes.  I guarantee you will like what you see in the mirror in the morning!

The active ingredients are as follows:

Happy Healthy Beautiful New Year!!!

Hello Lovelies!

Long time no see, I know, but my new venture in the last year, has occupied much of my time and thought.  Co-Owning my own women's luxury store has been a dream come true!  I am blessed with an amazing partner, Anastasia Cucinella, a wonderful staff and two incredibly talented dressmakers, who make everything fit like couture!

For those of you in the Northeast, I invite you to drop by and visit us at Mary Jane Denzer.  We are conveniently located at the Ritz Carlton in White Plains, N.Y.  and valet parking is validated.  It would be a joy to see you!

Now! 

Onto my latest beauty find...I have noticed that every inch of my skin feels extremely dry, as we slog through a long patch of unseasonably freezing  cold weather.