DivaDebbi's SAG Awards 2016 Report Card

Have the SAG's always been presented on a Saturday night? As much as I love the Red Carpet, my Saturday night plans trumped this easily...I'll bet yours did too.  It's a shame, because in reviewing the evenings fashion, there were more splendid dresses and fewer tragedies that I can ever recall. If this is the Oscar preamble, the stylists are on their A game and the mirrors the stars look in are apparently in focus. Brava!

Kudos as well to the divine Idris Elba, one of my many pretend boyfriends, who had a double win for Best Supporting Actor in Beasts of a Nation and his amazing work on the BBC police drama Luther. I'm all for them casting Elba as the next James Bond.  I think he would be fantastic in the role.  For me, a lot of the outcry over the lack of nominated black actors for the Academy Awards is not justified...I never see color, only the work. Personally, I don't think anyone deserving was excluded this year and to nominate someone for the sake of diversity seems disingenuous. Shaking the Academy up and better balancing the age, sex and race of its members??? Loooong overdue.

Off my soapbox...

I adored so many of the dresses last night. No single trend emerged, though we did see lots of women pretty in pink, shades of blue, hunter green, thigh high slits and an abundance of sleeves. Overall, the stars looked radiantly beautiful in a wide array of designers.  For the first time I have an A+ and A list, and the age of the winners spans from 16 to 70. Naturally, the F list continues in infamy, though my heart is always a little heavy for those who end up on them and the stylists, designers and looking glass that failed them.

Moving on..,
A+

Alicia Vikkander in Louis Vuitton
As always, extraordinary

Emilia Clarke in Dior Haute Couture

Eva Langoria,
Looking  sexy and toned in Julien McDonald

Naomi Watts
Stunning in Burberry (and one of my faves)

Rachel McAdams looking fit and elegant in Elie Saab

The delightful Kiernan Shipka in Erdem

Helen Mirren, crushing it in Jenny Packham

S

Soarise Ronan, demure & elegant in a pale pink beaded Michel Kors

Rooney Mara in Valentino
(I don't favor black on the RC, but I think she looks divine)

Priyanka Chopra
Ultra femme in Monique L'Hullier

Maisie Williams
I adored her choice of midcalf by Ermanno Scervino

Marisa Tomei
Elegant, in understated Zuhair Murad Couture
(A first for both of them.)

The A List:
Almost perfect; Julia Louis Dreyfuss, Tina Fey (who often looks like Prom Mom), Claire Danes, Viola Davis, Diane Lane, Sarah Hyland and the always beautiful, but insanely predictable, Sophia Vergara.

Do you think they deserved a higher mark???

The F List:

There, there Darlings... all is forgiven, just not forgotten.

Gaby Hoffman
I wish she had opted for a more traditional length, just so we would
have been spared the jade suede clogs

Sola Bamis...a very busy bee

 Betty Draper would not be caught dead in this... Literally.

The satin version of her Game of Thrones armor, sans sword
that she looks infinitely more comfortable in

Julianne Moore in a midriff baring lettuce wrap

Joanna Froggat is another perennial on my worst dressed list
Didn't any of those years of dressing the exquisite Lady Mary pay off???

Nicole Kidman in Gucci for Ringling Brothers

The lovely Christina Hendricks is a perennial on my F List.
Why, oh why does she always look Marie Antoinette at Madame Tussaud's???
I contemplated publishing my cell phone. I offer all of my services to
you, on my dime for the Emmy's. DivaDebbi@gmail.com

Lori Petty
I think she's pulling our chain.
Why would anyone want to look like Billy the Kid in Mary Kay Pink,
if not for shi*ts and giggles?

So my loyal lovelies, there you have it...Who did you love and who did you loathe? Who did I miss fab and flop???

Always fun to recap for you and looking forward to the the Oscar's, less than a month away!

xox,
DD

Dreaming in Color

Dreaming in Color by divadebbi featuring Niche Modern

Mary Katrantzou colorblock dress / Precis Petite cardigan shrug, $70 / Christian louboutin pumps, $605 / Bottega Veneta snakeskin handbag / Miss Selfridge colorful earrings / Niche Modern vase / Butterfly Topiary Garden Frame

Allure's 9 Best Anti-Aging Drugstore Finds

A few of Allure.com's picks for best anti-aging products available at drugstores and mass merchants

One of my regular beauty reads is Allure.com, (though I'm still a little cranky about their firing their Founder and 20 year Editor, Linda Wells.  I liked Linda and her monthly letter to her readers was one of the few I actually read, though I can't deny Allure needing a reboot.)

Every one of my senses perks up when I see an article about excellently rated drugstore beauty buys. As I was downloading this into my beauty file, knowing that I was getting perilously close to the bottom of my beloved Exuviance Age Reverse Cream and pondering my next purchase, I also thought I should share it with you.  All of the choices were recommended by top dermatologists, who actually refer them to their patients.

I'm leaning toward trying either the Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream or the Avene Yesthereal Anti-Wrinkle Cream, since I am currently using their Cicalfate Cream during the day and I am quite liking it.

Wearable Art

Wearable Art by divadebbi featuring canvas wall art

Mary Katrantzou top, $990 / RED Valentino coat / MSGM short skirt / Gianvito Rossi black leather boots / Moschino 80s fashion / Pendants necklace / Yves Saint Laurent fragrance / ICanvas canvas wall art / Maples pink rug

Shades of Blue/Harlee's World

Shades of Blue/Harlee's World by divadebbi 

3 1 Phillip Lim navy blue top, $245 / Paul Smith navy jacket, $570 / MANGO cuff pants / George J. Love black ankle booties / Kevin Jewelers 14k charm / 3.1 Phillip Lim aviator glasses, $175 / Lauren Ralph Lauren wide leather belt / Dolce Gabbana lipstick / Mac cosmetics makeup / Marc Jacobs eyeliner / WallPops vinyl wallpaper


Have you seen Shades of Blue?  Shades of Blue is a new NYPD procedural on NBC, starring Jenny from the Block, well cast as Harlee Santos a single Mom, whose criminal ex-boyfriend is the father of her daughter, as is Ray Liotta, a dirty cop, who runs a dirty crew, that Harlee is part of.

It's surprisingly good.

What also works is Harlee's style, which I predict is going to be trend worthy, The clothes she wears are mostly very fluid, (with the exception of a fabulous body loving Victoria Beckham dress she wears on a date). There is a masculine bent to her pants and footwear, but pairing them with low cut tee's and tanks give them a sexy edge.  It's a welcome departure from the usual Theory suit and white button down shirt, depicted on every woman in law enforcement on T.V., from Carrie Mathison to Olivia Benson.

Toss in her tossed bob, red lips and well lined eyes and Harlee looks unlike anyone else. Literally, it's hard to take your eyes off of her.  I have read that J. Lo was influential, with her stylist, on creating Harlee's look, incorporating some of her own clothes with pieces sourced from Zara and Club Monaco. Nice work!

So if you haven't seen Shades of Blue, catch up with it On-Demand and as far as the trend thing goes, just remember where you heard it first...

xox,
DD

They Had Me at Halo: My Experience with the Halo Laser (Part 2)

Yesterday I posted Part 1 of my experience with the Halo Laser by Sciton, performed by Dr. Mark Schwartz in NYC at his office and outpatient surgical facility at 79. E. 79th St. The Halo Laser is customizable.  I opted for a medium to deep treatment. Please click here to learn more about Halo, the world's first hybrid fractional laser from its developers at Sciton.

Here is my Part 2, the follow up, with pictures of my treatment throughout the week and my final results:

Day 2, the morning after, before makeup. 
It's working.  Game on!

Day 2 after makeup at work. No one noticed anything amiss.
Dr. Schwartz provided me with an excellent post treatment cream;
Avene's Cicalfate. I've already purchased another tube.
Love it!

Day 3. More redness. My skin looks and feels like sandpaper
I was still able to cover this with makeup. With my hair down
no one could see the sides of my face, where Dr. Schwartz 
treated areas more deeply due to sun damage

  

Night 5. Tight itchy and peeling.  I would have given
anything to have been able to exfoliate, which Dr. Schwartz warned against.
Premature exfoliation can result in hyperpigmentation. Magically, after swathing
my face in Cicalfate, this was gone after I washed my face the next morning

8 Days Later and glowing! I l LITERALLY forgot
to use foundation. This is just a bit of self tanner and blush.
Probably the first time I hadn't used some form of coverage in 25 years!

Overall,  I think I achieved all of the results that the Halo Laser by Sciton purports to do:

Halo wiped out years of sun damage, evened my skin tone, improved my texture, shrunk my pores and helped minimize fine lines. And the radiant glow???  It surpassed all of my expectations. I accepted compliments on my skin from friends and colleagues all week and of course told anyone who would listen what I had done.

In terms of downtime, there really was none to speak of.  More good news???  My skin will continue to improve over time as the dermal rejuvenation phase kicks in.  The results will last for years as long as I am vigilant about sunscreen.

Both Dr. Schwartz and Megan checked in with me several times for updates. If you are interested in learning more about the Halo Laser please click here  to see Dr. Schwartz website for a full description of the treatment. If you are considering getting the Halo Glow, you could not be in better hands.  The fee for a Halo Laser Treatment is $1500. 

Just remember, you wear your face everyday...It's all a matter of your personal priorities.  If you are contemplating getting this treatment, I would put this ahead of a few new frocks, that you will wear on occasion, in rotation with all the other things already hanging in your closet!

Food for thought...

xox,

DD

They Had Me at Halo: My results with the Halo Laser (Part 1)

The hand held Halo Laser Fraction Hybrid Laser by Sciton

Whenever I receive an email one from my friends at Melissa Kelz Communications, I open it on the spot. Melissa and her team specialize in beauty, health, fitness and lifestyle. I can always count on receiving the most up-to-date information on what is going on in these fields. Melissa also represents some of the best plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the country, many of them practicing in my playground, NYC.  

Women in NY are on their A game and for some, that includes a lot of anti-aging maintenance. The biggest caveat? Everyone wants results, no one wants the downtime. Enter the beauty of the Halo Laser by Sciton.  The Halo Laser is a hybrid fractional laser that can precisely target the right depth, for each individual, to erase years of damage. Halo works as effectively as older deep dermal treatments but with minimal downtime.  The future is now!!!

When Melissa's team reached out to tell me that Dr. Mark Schwartz, a top rated Plastic Surgeon was successfully treating patients in his NYC office, I asked if it might be possible to receive a Halo Laser treatment to report on. I was excited that they said yes although a bit nervous...what was I getting myself into?

Dr. Mark Schwartz' beautiful office and outpatient surgical facility.
79 East 79th St. NYC
212-737-9090

Dr. Schwartz office is located on the Upper East Side in a gorgeous townhouse. His staff, Megan who coordinates patient services and nurse Barbara couldn't have been kinder or more accommodating. 

Dr. Mark Schwartz in his fully accredited outpatient
 surgical facility(for half a second I wanted to bolt!  Was I having brain surgery or a laser treatment?!)  More impressive then some hospitals I've seen.

I met with Dr. Schwartz first, who took the time to review my medical history and then explained everything about my treatment, and exactly what to expect during and after.  He answered all my questions and showed me pictures of patients during the healing process. He was warm, professional and caring and I immediately felt relieved that I would be in his skilled hands. 

We agreed to go for a medium to deep peel, in more heavily pigmented areas. Why go through this if not to get the best possible result? Women do choose light peels, however, when they need to be Red Carpet ready in a day or two.

Barbara then took 3-D pictures so Dr. Schwartz would be able adjust the Halo handpiece to treat areas of my face that needed deeper penetration than others. Next she cleansed my face thoroughly and applied an excellent numbing cream.  After a half an hour, I wasn't even sure my head was still attached to my shoulders!  Dr. Schwartz and I had discussed pain management. Local ladies often opt for a Valium/Percoset cocktail. Since I drove into town, we agreed on Advil/Tylenol instead, which I would have preferred either way. 

The treatment itself took about 25 minutes. As discussed, it felt warm and at times prickly. I think my tolerance for pain is fairly high.  On a 1-10 scale, I would put it at a 2/3. What was more uncomfortable, and what I had been prepped for, was the 45 minutes or so after the peel. At the point, it feels like the worst sunburn you've ever had.  Barbara and Megan took turns applying strips of gauze, dipped in cold water to my skin. They also had a tube they blew cool fresh air on my skin.  Both helped to reduce the sting considerably.  

When I left, since my eyes had been protected by goggles, I pretended I either looked like I had spent a week skiing in Gstaad or fell asleep on a beach in St. Barts. Either way, it wasn't pretty, but by the time I reached my sisters apartment, (the only time in my life I ever enjoyed walking in NYC on a freezing day,) it had subsided completely. Sis noticed nothing, other than I wasn't wearing any makeup, notable in and of itself!

Later than night I was a bit pink and swollen. I took some advil and went to bed.  Check back tomorrow for Part 2, of my Halo Laser treatment with Dr. Mark Schwartz, pics included.

It will be worth it...and for me, it surely  was.

xox,

DD

  

Review: Perricone MD's No Blush Blush

Perricone's No Blush Blush
$35 at Sephora

People think I'm a tough person to buy a gift for...I'm picky, (just ask my husband), and I have a somewhat deserved reputation for changing my mind about purchases.  There is one fool proof, 100% no return or swap gift that I am always thrilled to receive; a gift card to Sephora, which always leaves me giddy with appreciation and anticipation.

This is when I tend to splurge on products that I might otherwise deem as silly too pricey.  I have been curious about Perricone MD's "no makeup makeup" for awhile. Nicely, every product also has a skincare element to it; No Blush Blush for example contains DMAE and 30 SPF.  It is a very simple line with just a handful of products. Single shades "self adjust" to match "every skin tone".  I don't necessarily buy that, but if you are one of the people whose skin it does adjust to perfectly, you could tick one more thing off your bucket list.

Today

Today by divadebbi featuring floral home decor

Veronica Beard dress, $400 / Chloé black high heel boots / Mulberry gem bag, $1,405 / Byredo eau de perfume, $125 / Pier 1 Imports floral home decor

Softly

Softly by divadebbi featuring a feather wallpaper

The Row gray sweater / Carven cocoon coat / Brunello Cucinelli capri / Aquazzura leather flat / Gucci handbags purse, $1,725 / Aurélie Bidermann 18k gold earrings, $310 / Tom ford lipstick / Serena Lily feather wallpaper