Shizuka New York Day Spa Blog

How far will people go in search of beauty, and what the heck does beauty mean anyway? The Frisky posted a series of wild (and often disturbing) examples of bod mod, a.k.a. body modification, practices ranging from the “lip window” to Lord of the Rings-style elf ears, scarring and more.

All of these make the Geisha Facial seem vanilla in comparison.  After all, it’s just bird poop! They also demonstrate to what great lengths women and men will go to in search of beauty. [The Frisky]

Mega-retailer H&M recently settled a lawsuit brought on by a consumer watchdog agency regarding the lead content in its handbags, wallets and other accessories. Believe it or not, some of the items contained as much as 115 times the legal limit for lead!

Remember that it was lead in their thick white makeup that first led ancient geishas to experiment with nightingale droppings like the ones used in Shizuka New York Day Spa’s Geisha Facial. [The Frisky]

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Shizuka New York Day Spa with soothing couple’s massage (the perfect date idea) and a V-Day spa package designed to provide much-needed pampering to the singles out there. Receive a complimentary chocolate and champagne toast with either of these Valentine’s Day spa treatments February 12 – 19, 2010.

50 Minute Couples Massage, $200 per couple
80 Minute Couples Massage, $290 per couple
Find more NYC couples massages here

Single (And Loving It!) Spa Package

2.5 hours, $195, Available 2/12 – 2/19/2010.

Celebrate YOU with a detoxifying infrared sauna session, Coffee Break Mud Wrap, Express Facial, and a special champagne toast for one!
Find more NYC spa packages here

Recessionistas beware! Before you buy that $20 imitation perfume from a street vendor consider that said knockoff may contain bacteria, antifreeze, and even urine (gross!). A beauty expert for ABC news posited that the urine found in certain fake perfumes tested may have been there purposefully to alter the pH of the liquid and also “for color” (double gross!). If you are not yet convinced, these cheap imitators can also cause major skin irritation. Do your body a favor and save up for the real thing, even in this economy, because genuine perfumes are more closely monitored and regulated. [ABC News]

Take advantage of a great spa deal and take 10% off any of the photo facials in our NYC day spa through next Wednesday, January 27 when you mention this website!

Find more details here…

You may remember from our recent post, Style Watch: Nail Bling, that Katy Perry rocked a ‘disco ball’ manicure at this year’s VMAs. Other fans of this celebrity manicure include Serena Williams, Pink and Beyonce.

Time Out New York featured this trendy nail look at Shizuka New York Day Spa as a great way to bling out your New Year’s Eve look. What goes into a disco-ball manicure? Hundreds of shimmering Swarovski Crystals that will make your nails shine like the Swarovski star atop the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree a few steps away from our NYC day spa. The price of a disco ball manicure is $180, although you can get it for $150 through December 31, 2009 when you mention Time Out.

To make an appointment for a disco ball manicure, contact us online or call (212) 644-7400. BTW, Shizuka New York Day Spa is open until 6pm on New Year’s Eve, and while you’re at it, try our brand new Collagen Boost Facial, the ultimate pre-party facial on special through December 31.

Is Katy Perry’s look a little too extreme for your style? Try our Crystal Manicure ($65), a more subtle and affordable version of the celebrity manicure.

Celebrity facialist Shizuka Bernstein spoke with FoxNews.com recently about ‘manscaping’ and current trends in male grooming. Over the past few years, her spa, Shizuka New York Day Spa, has seen a steady growth in the demand for men’s beauty treatments, including men’s facials, manicures & pedicures, and hair removal treatments including laser hair removal, electrolysis and waxing. The following is an excerpt. Read the full ‘manscaping’ article here.

‘Manscaping’ – 3 Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair

There was a time, back in the 1970s, when a hairy chest and a few gold chains were all the rage in men’s fashion.

But the birth of “metrosexuality” over the past decade has men striving for a “smoother” look, paving the way for a movement called “manscaping.”

Men have been going for men’s facials, manicures and pedicures — grooming procedures once limited to women. And one of the more recent trends involves the removal of unwanted hair, mostly on the chest and back.

Some men try shaving the unwanted hair off, but quickly tire of the daily requirements of shaving and soon head to the salon to seek out alternatives.

“Men have been coming in for facials for a while, but I would say it’s really the last 10 years that men have been doing hair removal,” said Shizuka Bernstein, owner of Shizuka New York Day Spa in Manhattan.

Read more…

Check out this space-age-looking Japanese creation that tells you if your breath is date-ready. The Digital Bad Breath Checker is $50 at Japan Trend Shop. They say it’s for women, but maybe we all could benefit from such a handy gadget. BTW, the English product name does not do the original Japanese justice, loosely translating to Loving Breath. [TheFrisky.com]

Here’s a bit more of Japanese culture in a crazy kitty. From Chopsticks Feeding Squirrel-Like Kitten on Youtube:

“To avoid being bitten and pounced on during kitty training, we have been using chopsticks and toothpicks to feed the kittens their treat. As seen in this video, this technique has worked particularly well with training “Gluteus,” where the kittens will sit up straight, balancing on their buttocks muscles (the largest of which is the gluteus maximus).”

Crazy? Cute? Crazy cute?

You’ve heard of Atkins, South Beach and Master Cleanse, but what about cookies? The new Hollywood Cookie Diet promises to slim your waistline while satisfying your sweet tooth. An indulgent meal replacement program, the Hollywood cookie diet replaces breakfast and lunch with four high-protein and high-fiber cookies.

At $19.95 for a three day supply, the Hollywood Cookie Diet is not so cheap (you still have to eat a full dinner), and we can only imagine that these are NOT your grandma’s cookies. [Allure]

A study this year at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University used a unique method to show the effects of lifestyle choices on aging. Researchers photographed and interviewed 186 pairs of twins during the 2006 and 2007 Twins Festival in Twinsburg, OH and compared these data to find clues into how our daily choices affect the way we age.

In the above example, researchers recorded an over-11-year gap in perceived age difference between 61-year-old twin sisters Jeanne (left) and Susan (right). “We don’t have the same taste in men and weather,” says Jeanne who lives in Ohio and has aimed for “as little sun exposure as possible” in contrast with her sun worshiping Floridian counterpart. In addition to her tanning habit, Susan also smoked a pack-and-a-half per day for 16 years during her 20s and 30s.

The evidence of aging is far stronger in twin sister Susan’s hyperpigmentation (sun damage and age spots) and the greater appearance of fine lines and wrinkles under the eyes and around the mouth.

In addition to sun exposure and smoking, another major factor in the appearance of age in the twins was weight. In women below 40, lower weight generally translates to a more youthful appearance.  However, in women over 40, more weight contributes to a younger look by filling in fine lines, wrinkles and skin sagging. In the case of the above 46-year-old twins, Laurie (left) weighs 38 pounds less than her sister Lisa (right) which contributes to her more pronounced wrinkles and sagging in the eye area.

Other factors that could contribute to aging include birth control pills (younger), antidepressants (older) and stress (older). [MSNBC.com]

DCL’s Super Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50+ DCL Skin Care’s Super Sheer Sunscreen 50+ combines powerful sun protection in a lightweight and sheer application. DCL’s Super Sheer Sunscreen SPF 50+ is non-whitening, PABA-free and fragrance-free for all skin types. Size: 2.5 oz Price: $24.00

The Huffington Post debuted a new series this week titled “The Big Picture” where you can find blown-up and untouched photos of celebrities in all their glory, or lack thereof. Take a look at the above closeup forehead crops of Lindsay Lohan (age 23) and Elizabeth Hurley (age 44) who were among the first lucky celebs to be featured. Can you guess which photo matches which celeb? Click on the images to find out!  [TheFrisky.com]

Thinking about dressing up as a Geisha this Halloween? Take a look at this very thorough video that depicts a Geisha applying her makeup for some pointers and don’t forget to wash your face before applying makeup!

Don’t forget that spa facials, including the Geisha Facial, are 10% off Sunday, November 1st through Saturday, November 7th when you mention this website.

If you liked it then you should’a put some bling on it. Nail bling is a hot celebrity fashion trend because of it’s immediate wow factor. By celebrity logic, why have one or two jewels on your hands when you can have a hundred shimmering crystals? Witness Katy Perry (above) at the VMA’s.

Other fans of nail bling include Serena Williams, Pink, and even Sasha Fierce herself who sported this nail ring from Bijules NYC in the “Sweet Dreams” video. Priced at $4500, Jay Z really must “like it.”

Understandably, these looks may be a little over the top for the everyday woman. However, we recommend our Crystal Classic Manicure ($45, 40 min) that adds just a few sparkling Swarovski crystals to two fingers of your choice for a much subtler look that can still give you that celebrity vice you’ve been craving.

P.S. Don’t forget that the Classic Manicure is 10% off October 26 – 31 as a part of our Halloween spa specials.

We already know that women will go to great lengths for beauty, however this might be a bit much. There’s eyelash perms, eyelash extensions, and even Latisse, but what about LED eyelashes?

Korean fashionista Soomi Park has created a unique new tool for self expression. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, hers is looking rather bright.

LED Eyelash is a clever product that speaks to many Asian womens desire for bigger eyes. It features an inclination sensor with mercury to turn on and/or off. The sensor can perceive the movements of the pupil in the eyes and eyelids. If someone wears it and moves her head, LED Eyelash will flicker following the movement.

We’ve been fans of LEDs (light emitting diodes) for years, and LEDs are actually used in one of our skin care treatments, the GentleWaves Facial. What do you think…is this trend going to catch on? A great Halloween look? Enjoy the video.

If you think your skin is starting to resemble that of a jack-o-lantern, you might consider making Jack into a pie and then slathering that on your face.

Believe it or not, pumpkin is a very effective skin care ingredient. Natural enzymes in pumpkin break down dead skin cells and pumpkin is also loaded with beta carotene, a natural anti-oxidant. If your skin is feeling dull, dry or congested this October, try Naturopathica’s Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, an aromatic facial mask that decongests and polishes the skin. Here’s an easy way to work Pumpkin Enzyme Peel into your routine:

1. Start by taking a warm shower or bath. Cleanse your skin while bathing, using gentle circular motions. The steam from the water will also allow your pores to open.
2. Pat your face dry and apply Naturopathica’s Pumpkin Enzyme Peel to the skin. Allow it to sit on your skin for 3-5 minutes (dry your hair or listen to a tune). You may feel a light tingling sensation which means the peel is activating. However, if any burning or itching occurs, or if the skin becomes red, remove the product immediately.
3. Rinse Pumpkin Enzyme Peel off with lukewarm water.  To help remove the product, you can also use a gentle cleanser.
4. Apply your favorite moisturizer.  If it is in the A.M., make sure to apply sun protection before leaving home.
5. Repeat 1-2 times per week, as needed and tolerated by the skin.

You should also check out a homemade pumpkin facial recipe from Shizuka that was featured on FoxNews.com.

Dawn of the Dead? Zombie B-Movie? Nope, it’s French Vogue!

This gothed-out geisha may be crumbling before our eyes, but she sure is rocking out that blood-red leather jacket, manicure and…football?

Read more about Shizuka’s spooky Halloween spa specials and Halloween skin care tips.

Have you ever felt as if you were still wearing your Halloween makeup a week after all the parties and parades had ended?  There is no avoiding cheap costume makeup this time of year, and anyhow it’s probably part of the fun of Halloween.

Here are a few tips from Shizuka to make sure your ghoulish look does not carry over to November 1st.  You also should definitely check out Shizuka New York Day Spa’s Halloween Spa Specials.

Before You Haunt

When shopping for Halloween makeup, make sure to look for “non-comedogenic.”  This means that it is less likely to clog your pores and lead to blackheads and breakouts.

Before applying makeup remember to cleanse your skin thoroughly with your favorite cleanser to remove any dirt, debris, and bacteria that could get trapped under your makeup.

Tips For Removing Your Halloween Makeup

At the end of the night’s festivities, follow these easy steps to give yourself a quick at-home spa facial and remove all that caked-on makeup:

1. When you get home, dampen a clean face towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes until it is warm, but not burning hot.  For extra relaxation, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
2. Cleanse your face with lukewarm water.  Clay cleansers (such as Shizuka NY’s all-natural Clay Cleanser) work well for this.  Use gentle circular motions to massage the cleanser into your skin, and do not scrub.  Pay particular attention to areas of your face with the most makeup, and those prone to oiliness and breaktouts.
3. Place the warm towel over your face (pictured at right) and relax for 1-3 minutes, or about the length of your favorite Halloween tune.  Inhale deeply.  The warmth and steam from the hot towel will help to open your pores and loosen any remaining makeup.
4. Gently cleanse your skin a second time and rinse with lukewarm water.
5. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel and follow up immediately with your favorite toner, moisturizer and eye cream.
6. Drink a glass of water and sleep well.

Do you have a skin care question for Shizuka? Email it to blog@shizukany.com.

The thought of tiny carp nibbling away your foot callouses is sounding a little fishy to New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez. The “Fish Pedicure,” a recent Asian import, has already been banned in numerous states across the US for its questionable sanitation.

Cortez-Vasquez believes that existing departmental regulations permit her to cook the fish pedicure even without formal legislation. However, she is willing to take that step if necessary: “we believe we can do it from a health and safety standpoint through our existing regulatory process.”

Source: The New York Post

Is Lindsay Lohan starting to look old? We were shocked to see the Project Runway season premiere (above left) a few weeks back with LLo looking a bit dark and puffy under the eyes, tanorexic, and saggy in the skin for a 23 year old.

Perhaps Lindsay should take a cue from Kate Moss who woke up one day in her mid thirties to realize that all the partying, drinking and smoking can definitely catch up.

Excessive drinking can seriously dehydrate your body, including your skin, and smoking can rob it of essential Vitamin C. Excessive partying can also lead to lack of sleep – your body’s time to regenerate.

For more tips on remaining youthful and delaying the signs of aging, see Shizuka’s Secrets to Beautiful Skin.

Capture from the online video “How to Use Makeup for Men“

Okay, so we’ve previously dished about the new 21st Century metrosexual man and are 100% behind great grooming and skin care for men, but finding this was still a bit of a shocker.  For the couple that shares everything, introducing his and hers…unisex makeup?

Holly Doss Cosmetics has a new line of unisex foundations, bronzers, and for the more adventurous, eyebrow mascaras, “lipstix,” eye shadow, and even blush for men (and women) who want to look their absolute best. With product names such as “BECKHAM” and “JETER” you kind of can’t go wrong. Does Derek Jeter wear foundation? We’re not sure, but apparently a portion of the proceeds of JETER under-eye concealer go to his “Turn 2″ Foundation.

What do you think…is this going to be the hot new registry item for 2010?