pour some sugar on me

This weekend I was having brunch with an Indian girlfriend of mine, dreading my impending bikini wax that afternoon - when she tells me she “sugars”. After a little “pour some sugar on me” we all tuned in to what she had to say. This model-turned doctor is one of my most well-informed beauty confidantes, and she strongly advocates this method for sensitive skin types like hers.

Sugaring - also referred to as “Persian Hair Removal”, is an ancient Egyptian practice made from all-natural ingredients to remove the hair follicle from the root. Similar to waxing, sugaring is the perfect solution for sensitive skin, because the there are no artificial ingredients that could possibly irritate the skin.

There are a few different types of “sugaring” on the market – the traditional method is the one with paste, which is the ideal since it’s more gentle. Some salons use a combination of sugar and wax or gel and advertise it as sugaring, but it isn’t the same. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to ask whether the paste is pure and wax-free. It can be difficult to find a professional that does the sugaring with the paste, but it’s worth it if you have trouble waxing.

How does it work?

With the traditional sugar paste method, the warm paste applied first in the opposite direction of hair growth and then in the direction of hair growth using the hands. It's then flicked off in the in the direction of hair growth. It is completely safe to apply repetitively over recently sugared skin to grab missed hairs and can be done in large sections. She reports that her hairs are finer and lighter than before she began sugaring – and her skin noticeable softer and smoother.

Upon doing some research, I found that if you’re on a budget, you can  make your own at home, however reviews suggest that it’s difficult to find the right consistency. Quite frankly it takes a certain kind of woman to be able to her OWN waxing. It is less painful than regular wax, but let’s be real here you’re still pulling your hair out from the root! Things could get sticky if you get my drift. It is much cheaper though – sugaring is slightly more expensive than waxing, ranging from $65-$85 for a full Brazilian.

If you live in the Manhattan area, there is a salon in Union Square that offers the traditional paste method and comes highly recommended. They occasionally offer discounts and specials at well. If their prices are a little high, they have been known to offer a 50% off Bikini Area Sugaring specials on YipIt.com  

Saloni Threading Salon

853 Broadway suite 612

New York, NY 10010

www.salonithreading.com

Tips from Coco: how to be successful featuring Mac Folkes

Mac Folkes is the mastermind who taught me how to work it down a runway years ago. Now here he is collaborating with supermodel and impeccable businesswoman Coco Rocha in this article for Milk Studios on how to conduct yourself as a model in the industry. I have to say, they can be harsh- but this is some dead on advice ladies so eat it up: How to be a Successful Model

Runway class with Mac Folkes at the ModelLounge NYC

Blinded by those headlights

Thank all of the sheer tops in the prefall Valentino collection for this post about dimmers. "Dimmers", also known as breast petals, are round shaped covers fashion models use to cover our nipples with minimum coverage, We've been using plenty of them to avoid shocking the poor buyers into distraction. With silk shirts on trend, this isn't the only client I'm going to need these for. Definitely a must-have for the model bag this season.

They're also of use in your daily life for situations like headlights through thin shirts in the summer or if you're wearing a lacy bra under a sheer shirt. Hollywood (the makers of fashion tape) also offer an adhesive lifting cup if you're feeling a little too saggy without any support underneath.

Most brands are shaped like flower petals but I've seen discs and butterflies as well. They sell silicone options that you can reuse but honestly go for the disposable ones - they're cheaper and more
adhesive. The silicone tends to make an odd shape and is a little heavy, where the paper petals are completely weightless.

Petals are not meant to replace a bra, they are only meant to cover your nipple. If you need a bra for support, please wear one. no one wants to watch your boobs giggle down the street. So you can stop worrying about "headlights" poking through your silks. Unless you're into that.

These are the best I've found. Available online for around $10.

Insider Tip: Camouflage

When you love fashion, your first priority isn't always practical. One of my stylish girlfriends just bought a pair of vintage high waisted Ralph Lauren peg leg pants in white satin. It was love at first sight, and she bought them because they were reasonably priced. They're absolutely beautiful, the only problem was that the seams from her everyday nude underwear showed through the thin fabric every time she sat. Not a good look!

Being the true friend I am, after admiring her new find I complimented her on the white piping peeking through her pants. She had a moment of shock and recognition, then we had a long debate as to whether commando was an option. We concluded that considering the fabric of the silk pants make that a no go. What she needed were some MySkins.

I wear MySkins almost five days a week because they are completely seamless, and they offer twenty different colors like "peaches" and "chocolate" to blend perfectly with your individual skin tone. Many of the outfits I find myself wearing in the showroom are samples. Due to time and budget constraints, many designers choose not to put lining in their samples. So it's important come prepared to provide the illusion of the finished product while remaining covered.

These underwear are an absolute essential in my bag. The brand has many options for women with ethnic skin tones as well, which not available from popular brands like Commando or Cosabella. MySkins are only $12 each - so you can try a few tones until you find your closest match. So see what they have to offer! www.myskins.com

I am a tried and true fan of their thongs, they also offer bras and other panty shapes as well. Let me know what you think!