Jan F. Lee

GLAM ROCK -- Juicy -- March/April 2011

2011-04-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

FABULUXE NAILS! -- Juicy -- January/February 2011

2011-03-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

Red-hot hair color -- s2smagazine.com -- January 2011

2011-01-31T21:35:00.000-08:00

When Rihanna first rocked her fiery red ‘do, we turned green with envy. “Rihanna's red is fun and definitely suiting for a performer,” said Aura Friedman, lead color ambassador for hair care brand Wella.

While the everyday gal may not perform in front of sold-out crowds, one might still want to rock bold red tresses like Ri-Ri.

If so, go for a more natural-looking version of Rihanna’s color. Aura suggests adding a shadow of a slightly darker or more natural red at the root. Then, make the ends slightly lighter or brighter to create dimension all over. “Even when creating a bright unnatural color, I still like to emulate nature,” said Aura, who has worked with M.I.A., Lady Gaga and up-and-coming female MC Rye Rye.

Work with your stylist and/or colorist to choose and achieve the right hue for you. Aura recommends that women with medium skin tones, like Zoe Saldana, accompany their red with rich chestnut roots, a hint of dark copper and paprika ends. Ebony skin tones like Alek Wek’s would look great in a true red, like a fiery orange-red or even a bright cool-toned red.

One thing to keep in mind is that reds are known to fade faster than other colors. To deter fading, don’t wash your hair as often, use a cool rinse on your hair at the end of your showers and only use shampoos and conditioners formulated for color-treated hair.

While we’re loving Rihanna’s hair right now, we cannot wait to see what the beauty trendsetter has up her sleeve for her next look.

Get the Look: Metallic Nails -- Jonesmag.com

2010-12-27T09:49:00.000-08:00

Dreaming of metallic nails for the holidays, but the current budget doesn’t allow for a Minx manicure? A great alternative is the Fashion Diva Chrome Nails by Broadway Nails. The silver and zebra print gives you a stylishly eclectic look, while the $5.99 price tag leaves you with plenty of money for holiday shopping.

A Broadway glue-on nails manicure will last for up to 7 days, and when you want them off simply soak them in acetone so you won’t damage your natural nails. They even come in short or medium lengths for those who dare to partake in the longer nail trend like Rihanna. For those who pause at the thought of press-ons, don't knock 'em until you've tried 'em!

Available at major drugstores nationwide or beautyonlinesupply.com.

November 2010 -- Sister 2 Sister -- Faux Finishing

2010-11-18T08:46:00.000-08:00

My story made the cover..."Facelift Without the Knife" at the top!!!

Fly & Dry -- October 2010 Sister 2 Sister

2010-09-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Get blow drying tips in the latest issue of S2S courtesy of...me. :)

Got Hair Milk?: The Best Ingredient for Dry Hair - Jonesmag.com - August 2010

2010-08-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

Looking for a hair product that will protect your mane against the hot sun and humidity? Look no further. Hair milk is the ingredient du jour that beauty brands are incorporating into their hair products for moisture and hydration.

“Dry hair is frizzy hair!” says Carol’s Daughter resident hair expert, Eric Bland. “It’s important to use hydrating products when washing and styling your hair,” he adds. Hair milk does just that.

Below, we’ve rounded up the top ultra-moisturizing picks made with milk ingredients that will create healthy, nourished hair.

Mizani Moisturfusion Milk Bath

This shampoo formulated with milk of almond extract and silk proteins cleans hair while replenishing and smoothing. “Follow with your conditioner, applying it mainly to the ends of your hair where curls are their driest,” suggested Eric. Try Mizani Moisturfusion Silk Cream Conditioner, also made with milk of almond extract, in addition to coconut oils.

Lush R & B

R&B (which stands for Revive and Balance) is a great conditioning treatment to protect your hair against sun damage. “It is best to follow your regular routine with a leave-in conditioner for extra hydration every time you wash your hair,” said Eric. Oat milk, olive and coconut oil revive and balance dull and dry strands.

Read the rest here at Jonesmag.com...

National Harbor -- Jonesmag.com -- June 2010

2010-06-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

Aside from the monuments and museums, the Nation’s Capital now has even more to offer Chocolate City visitors. National Harbor is a shining new waterfront destination located in Prince George’s County, MD—just fifteen minutes outside of D.C.

If you’re looking at National Harbor from across the scenic Potomac River, it has an ethereal glow, like it might not even be real. But it is indeed real, and offers plenty to eat, play and love.

Eat

For lunch, head to Ketchup, another fabulous restaurant brought to Maryland by the people behind Geisha House in L.A. and Dolce in ATL. Taking American classics and updating them with an upscale twist, Ketchup’s Southern Spiced “Shake & Bake” consisting ofcountry spiced pecan crusted chicken with barbecue baked scarlet runner beans and sugar snap peas, is a must taste.

You can then head over to Cake Love. D.C. locals flock to the various Cake Love locations in the area and this one is no different. Using only natural ingredients, Darren Brown, D.C. local and host of Food Network’s “Sugar Rush” offers decadent goodies, like the 44 Cupcake topped with vanilla buttercream and caramel, named for our awesome President.

For dinner, Grace’s Mandarin offers a stunning view of the Potomac River and generous portions of delicious Pan Asian cuisine. The ambiance and décor make you feel as though you are visiting Asia for the evening (the waitresses are actually dressed in authentic-looking garb).

Play

At the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center—really a city within a city—stop by Relache Spa for an ultra-pampering experience. In addition to a pool and fitness area, Relache has spa and salons services, like The Ensemble, 120 minutes of attention for your face, hands and body. Treatment rooms offer tranquility and Potomac scenery.

When evening hits, there are a couple of different spots to chill out. You can hang at the bar or play a little pool at the W XYZ Lounge at the Aloft Hotel Or you can head to Pose Ultra Lounge on the 18th floor of the Gaylord. Take in gorgeous nighttime scenery on the wraparound terrace with an exotic drink in hand. If you like to get a little rowdy, Cadillac Ranch restaurant has a mechanical bull with your name on it.

Love

Art is big at National Harbor, as it is home to several different galleries, like Art Whino and The Art League, that range in works from street/graffiti art to classic landscape pieces. At the Amber Tree Gallery, you can purchase authentic African artifacts from various countries in the Western African region.

Although National Harbor plays host to many different festivals and events throughout the year, a definite highlight is the highly-acclaimed Cirque du Soleil’s OVO premiering Thursday, September 9 at the Plateau.

When you visit the D.C. area, consider staying at one of National Harbor’s six hotels. It’s only eight miles away from Reagan National Airport and is a hop, skip and a jump from the city. To get to D.C., just hop on a water taxi to Georgetown and enjoy the ride or water taxi tour.

Visit www.nationalharbor.com and check out the full calendar of events to see what you can get into the next time you visit the Obamas.

Click here to see the story at Jonesmag.com...

Clean Up Your Act -- Jonesmag.com -- May 2010

2010-05-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

You know that washing your face twice daily is essential to ensuring skin always looks healthy and fresh. But is your cleansing as effective as it could be? Celebrity makeup artist/esthetician Denise Tunnell gave us tips on choosing the right cleanser based on your skin type.

Oily/acne-prone skin

Look for cleansers with antibacterial agents, like benzoyl peroxide or tea tree oil, and use gel-based cleansers to absorb oil. Surprisingly, oil-based cleansers are a viable option as oil-based cleansers dissolve oil.

Try: Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser, $6.29, walgreens.com, powered by benzoyl peroxide to fend off breakouts.

Combination skin
With combo skin, your goal is to find a gel or foaming cleanser that harmonizes the face, yielding a nice balance between your oily T-zone and dry zones.

Try: Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, $18.50, origins.com, helps control excess oil and dryness.

Dry skin
Look for milky-textured cleansers with moisture binding ingredients, like chamomile and aloe. To treat dry patches and flakiness, Denise said, “Salicylic and lactic acids are great for shedding the top layer of skin.”

Try: Burt’s Bees Soap Bark & Chamomile Deep Cleansing Cream, $8, burtsbees.com, will leave your face baby soft.

Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin can be hard to shop for, but try to avoid harsh ingredients and stick to organic, as-close-to-natural-as-possible, or botanical-based cleansers.
Try: Caudalie Gentle Cleanser, $26, caudalie-usa.com, which uses grape-seed polyphenols (OPC) to protect skin against free radicals.

Remember: Water alone will never do it said Denise. “You need a product to penetrate your pores for a deep cleansing.” Also, stay away from cleansers that use alcohol, as it strips skin of moisture.

See the story on Jonesmag.com here.

June 2010 -- Sister 2 Sister Magazine

2010-05-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

Gross Anatomy: Lance Gross -- Honeymag.com -- March 2010

2010-03-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

As a promising young actor dripping with sexiness, we’d say get forward to seeing a lot more of Lance Gross, especially on the big screen. Better known as Calvin on Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Lance has already won the hearts of many with his humble demeanor and his seemingly wholesome image. He just received his third NAACP award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series, and now Gross is reaching even more hearts in Our Family Wedding.

Starring opposite to America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker and Carlos Mencia, Lance plays Marcus Boyd, a striking piece of man-goodness engaged to Lucia (Ferrrera). The hilariously comical culture clash between their families makes it harder for them to get married than they anticipated.

Honey asks Gross about his budding career, his penchant for tweeting his horoscope and why real-life Our Family Wedding moments aren’t an issue in his engagement to Eva Marcille.

Honey Magazine: So, you studied acting at Howard University. Is that when acting began for you?
Lance Gross: I always knew I wanted to do it. Ever since I was a kid I was always fascinated with how actors could bring characters to life and how actors play different characters. I was always intrigued by Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn and Denzel Washington, people like that, but I grew up as a very shy kid, so I had to break out of that shyness. It really didn’t happen for me until college. So that was definitely when I made the decision that this is something I do want to pursue.

How did college help you break out?
It was just more about me being on my own and me being independent. I was kind of forced to interact with people, so that was an easy way to break me out of it. I went to school on a full track and field scholarship. Going into college, I wanted to major in theater, but my coach told me I would have to pick one of the two, either major in theater or run track [because of conflicting schedules]. Of course I chose to have school paid for and run track, but all through college I felt like I made the wrong choice. That’s when I decided to minor in acting, and then when I graduated I was going to give up track and pursue my dream of acting.

If given the chance, what would be your ideal role to play?
I would love to play Midnight from The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. If that is ever made into a film, that is the character I would love to play.

Read the rest here...

Sister 2 Sister Magazine -- February 2010

2010-01-25T20:31:00.000-08:00

Sister 2 Sister Magazine -- Haute Contour-- October 2009

2009-10-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

Cover Story with Supermodel/Actress/TV Host Donna Feldman -- ShyMagazine.com -- July 2009

2009-07-13T18:21:00.000-07:00

When we say the word “hot,” we actually mean Israeli supermodel Donna Feldman. Where might you have seen her stunning face? How about campaigns for Christian Audigier swimwear, Justin Timberlake’s “Senorita” music video, GQ magazine, the NBC hit show “Deal or No Deal,” Adam Sandler’s "You Don’t Mess with the Zohan," and many, many others.

Currently, Donna can be seen co-hosting the Fox News show “Redeye” commenting on all that is worth commenting on. She just finished working for German lingerie client Quelle and she just won the 2009 Valsport America Model Search to be featured in their first ever North American Valsport Lifestyle ad campaign.

Growing up, Donna was extremely shy (her friends were surprised when she went into modeling) and in the beginning, she didn’t set out to be an actual model. When she was studying Fashion Marketing/Merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she thought a good way to network with designers was to be a fit model—“basically the human mannequin for clothing companies.” It then grew from that to print work, catalogs, magazines, TV, international campaigns, and more.

We got the chance to chat with Donna and find out more about the beauty and her beauty within.

What do you think makes you stand out in the modeling world?
I am certainly the curvier, more feminine and natural-type model compared to many in the modeling world. I get hired as more of a personality and as a real woman rather than just another stick thin alien-looking type girl.

Have you ever been compared to any other models?
The 90’s supermodel Yasmeen Ghauri.

How did it feel to be picked as one of the hottest women in the world by Maxim and FHM magazines?
Very flattering and exciting of course.

What do you like most about working in television?
I like TiVo-ing it and watching it later with my family and laughing at myself! It’s always a fun time!

What are your hobbies?
Lately dancing has become a wonderful hobby of mine along with playing videogames, swimming, and makeup artistry.

Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have an American Staffordshire Terrier named Lucy.

Read the full article on Shymagazine.com here.

Sister 2 Sister Magazine -- Redesigning Women -- June 2009

2009-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Ever thought about getting color contacts to update your look?

Hair Sugar...How'd You Get So Fly? -- Shymagazine.com -- May 2009

2009-05-08T09:12:00.000-07:00

As the owner of Hair Sugar, a premium human hair retailer and blog, Sherri is a young entrepreneur with only bigger and better things ahead of her. The Gaithersburg native now lives between Atlanta and the DMV, and services clients in need of premium hair weave, namely Indian hair, nationwide.

“I’ve always been kind of obsessed with hair,” Sherri said when explaining how she got into the beauty business. With a background in public relations and digital marketing, along with a lifetime love of hair (she really wanted to be a hairstylist), starting Hair Sugar only made sense. And now, dollars, too! With Hair Sugar, Internet-surfers can obsess right a long with Sherri by reading the Hair Sugar blog, on which Sherri posts product reviews, event recaps, weave tutorials and more tips to “sweeten your hairstyle.”

Why create the blog?

“It’s not just about selling hair, but it’s also to provide people with a one-on-one person to talk to. Anyone who gets a weave for the first time, or any new hairstyle, usually has a thousand questions. Customer service is huge to me.”

What are some things you’d like to do in the future with Hair Sugar?

Eventually I have plans for Hair Sugar to give back to the community. There are a couple of different organizations out there, like Locks of Love, and Pantene has Beautiful Lengths. We would like to donate hair or money to those organizations to help women with cancer. I see the difference it makes in a person when they like their hair. And I can see the difference in a person when they’ve lost their hair. As much as we can help give that back to a person, through a wig or through money, I’d love to do that.

What are some of your fave beauty products?

I use a lot of different products and I review products that are good for weaves on the blog. My favorite hair product so far is BioSilk. Just about everything that they make is great for weaves because it doesn’t weigh it down. And if the budget doesn’t allow for that, Dove is excellent.

What celebrities are you loving right now?

I love Vanessa and Angela Simmons. They are such role models. I love Beyoncé. Whoever does her hair needs an award. Just the way she wears it…I know she wears lace fronts and that’s kind of a next step for Hair Sugar. But her colorist and weavologist are the bomb.

Visit www.Hair-Sugar.com to find out more information. Hair Sugar also has a presence on Twitter (@hairsugar), YouTube and Facebook.

Link to original story on Shymagazine.com

D.C.'s Hottest Bartenders -- Shymagazine.com -- April 2009

2009-05-08T09:06:00.000-07:00

How would it feel to have the hottest bartender in D.C. make you a drink? You could surely find out by heading over to the third level of The Park at Fourteenth to seek out Matty and Yones behind the bar.

The two, with much talent and now many admirers, were just announced the winners of On Tap Magazine’s Hottest Bartender Competition, each garnering over 2,000 votes. Not ones to take things at just face value, we found out a little more about these hotties.

For someone who considers herself a tomboy, winning the title of hottest bartender really hasn’t even hit Matty yet. “It’s kind of ironic that I won this contest because I don’t even see myself like that,” she said. The Dominican/Peruvian beauty is a D.C. native and is currently a full-time student. Working on a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice at Marymount University and an Associates in Marketing at NOVA keeps Matty busy, but you won’t find her alseep behind the bar.

Born and raised in Izmir, Turkey, Yones came to America in 2001 on a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Illinois, acquiring a degree in International Politics. After that, the almighty internship brought Yones to the metro area. After realizing politics really wasn’t his thing, he got his second degree in Personal Training. He now services the D.C. metro area as a personal trainer. He got his start spending summers behind the bar at his uncle’s beach clubs back in Turkey.

What do you like about bartending?

Matty: The loud music, the people…just seeing people have fun. It’s an intense yet fun atmosphere. It’s such an exciting job. Everyday is going to be different.

Do you have any crazy bartending stories?

Yones: I have lots! Which one should I say? [Laughs]. Tip-wise, I had these two ladies. Basically, they had a $25 tab and but completed it as $600. I turned to them and said, “Miss, you put an extra zero by mistake.” They weren’t intoxicated, but they came to the bar a little buzzed, so after a couple of drinks, I thought they were mistaken. But she was like, “No, no, no. That’s your tip.”

What’s the best drink you make?

Yones: I make pretty good French Martinis. I make good Berry Blossoms, which is actually a signature drink at The Park.

Matty: I’ve been told my Patron Margaritas are really good.

Since you’re in the clubs, you probably hear the same songs all the time. Are there any songs that still get you hyped?

Yones: There are a bunch of them. The latest one that has been banging right now is “Turn My Swag On” by Soulja Boy. I like it. It has a good beat. Before that, we had “Put On” with Young Jeezy and the remix with Jay-Z.

Where do you like to go for fun?

Matty: Everywhere SHY is, I pretty much am.

Stormy -- Sixsentences.blogspot.com -- February 2009

2009-02-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/2009/02/stormy.html

Divine Nine -- SHYMagazine.com -- Sept. '08

2008-09-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

Divine Nine

Stop on by Station 9

Station 9 Restaurant and Lounge has combined the history of its building and the international culture of the U Street neighborhood to bring you authentic contemporary American cuisine. Your only regret will be that you hadn’t been there sooner.

Back in 1912, 1438 U Street NW was the post office station for zone nine. Today, amidst U Street’s revitalization and diversification, 1438 is home to stand-out Station 9 Restaurant and Lounge. By fusing its building’s history and its current eclectic surroundings, Station 9 boasts a truly contemporary American menu with international flavor.

The décor of teal walls, complemented by black trimming and wood flooring, is clean cut, but just as inviting as a modern-day version of Grandma’s house. The ambiance is upscale with a casual feel, much like U Street itself. Co-owners Aymeric Saha and Samir Tazi recruited local artist David Rosenberg to design furnishings, like the spherical lighting fixtures made out of plastic cups.

Executive Chef Terrell “Chef T” Danley, two-time nominee for “Chef of the Year” by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, created the sundry Station 9 menu. Some of the sumptuous appetizers are Mama’s Salmon Cake served with a delicious dried pepper mayo and Braised Oxtail. “People are always intrigued by the Grilled Calamari,” said Saha. Frequently ordered main dishes are Big Bob’s Bass with roasted corn, Pan Seared Scallops with lemon potatoes, “U” Street Steak and Mama Laura’s Chicken. It’s real comfort food. You could call it soul food, but only in the sense that you’re eating food that’s comes from the heart.

The drinks have fun, P.O.-oriented names like Goin’ Postal (Jose Cuervo, Chambord, lime, ginger ale) and Special Delivery (Bombay gin, brewed and chilled Earl Grey tea, lemon). The menu prices are reasonable on the regular, so any time is a good time to stop by if you haven’t already.

A big favorite with the restaurant clientele is the big Sunday brunch buffet. Customers pile their plates at any (and all) of the four stations: customized omelets, hot stuff like seafood and fluffy pancakes, fruits and salads, pastries. An R&B and oldies mix of “feel good” music flows throughout the room. “People are shaking their heads all while they are eating. It’s a fun thing,” said Saha.

After dinner, sometimes you get that feeling that you just aren’t ready for the night to end, but you’re not quite sure where to go next. At Station 9, all you have to do is head upstairs to the lounge area, sometimes called The Lounge at Station 9. The entire area, the private booths and single tables are regularly requested for fundraisers, birthdays, corporate events and more.

To check out the menu or to get more information, visit www.Station9dc.com.

CP Style: Lauren Merkin is Workin' -- BeautyNewsNYC.com

2008-07-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

Fashion-savvy city ladies (say that three times fast) are always looking for that statement bag that will get them stopped at least three times on the way to dinner and then even more in the restaurant. I don’t know anyone who can get enough of, “I just love your bag!” If you aren’t hearing these words enough, we have something for you: Lauren Merkin Handbags. Eye-catching fabrics and timeless designs are what make women fall in love at first sight.

Merkin is just as intrepid as her beloved handbags. In the summer of 2002, she found herself with an MBA, but without the creative job she craved, so she whipped out her Singer. After creating three bag styles and a portfolio of samples, she cold called buyers at top Manhattan boutiques and by the end of the spring of 2003 Lauren Merkin was one of Bergdorf’s best sellers.

Now, the collection includes day, evening and, most recently, cosmetic bags for all to flaunt and covet. Each shape has a name and personality of its own, which helps you decide what you’re really looking for. Need something bold and bright to punch up your outfit? Take Sadie with you. For the perfect evening accessory, take Caroline in raspberry. A day at the beach? Cassie is game.

Shop now at LaurenMerkin.com and for you’re next dinner, you’ll have to leave earlier to make time for all the compliments you’ll get on the way.

Published July 23, 2008 here in City Pulse on BeautyNewsNYC.com.

The Temptress Four Review -- Kiwibox.com

2008-07-10T22:17:00.001-07:00

The Temptress Four

By Gaby Triana

HarperTeen

Four out of Five Kiwis

"Yo, Kill, All, Fee!" Sounds like an ancient Mayan sha-woman chant or something. But it's actually a group of four tight-knit chicas-- Yoli, Killian, Alma and Fiona. Before they get a tarot reading from the creepy Madame Fortuna (or as Alma would say, Fartuna), they had to say their "mantra," complete with hands piled in the middle of the circle of friends. Sounds cheesy, but that's what best friends do. And most of the time, the cheesiest moments are the most memorable.

The girls have just graduated from high school and are about to embark upon a week long Caribbean cruise on The Temptress. Fiona suggested the reading as a way to suppress thoughts that the girls would split ways after the trip, but the reading garnered even worse news.

"One of you will not come home..."

Gaby Triana, author of Backstage Pass and Cubanita, wonderfully weaved a story of four teenaged girls facing life-altering decisions into an excellent page-tuner, great for summer reading. The descriptions of beaches, beautiful sunsets, cute boys and bountiful cruise ship dinners had me on Priceline.com checking out the cruise deals by the end of the book.

One of the qualities I found engaging in The Temptress Four was the dialogue. It was lively, yet still natural. This may also be because I found so many similarities between the voice of the main character, Fiona, and my own. But she's so relatable, that I believe many other readers could as well. And if you don't, there are three more characters that cover all the bases.

There's Killian, the uber-hot one who gets all the guys; Alma, the dark one with a wicked sense of humor and an uncanny ability to know all; and last but not least, there's Yoli, the supposedly "good girl," who ends up surprising everyone. Even though the characters reminded me of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants lassies, it didn't make the book any less interesting to read.

Dyad Royale --- SHYmagazine.com

2008-06-19T14:02:00.000-07:00

They’re living the life of luxury and you’re invited...

Champagne. Shrimp. Lobster tails. House party?

In the world of Dave and Ray, that would be a “yes.”

“People couldn’t believe we went to that level of extreme to make sure we built an atmosphere,” said David “Dave” Chandler, 26, of their very first event a house party thrown for friends and family back in 2003. “[Ray and I have] always had a taste for upscale entertainment.”

After Dave met Ray Hamilton, Jr., 28, through a mutual friend at Ray’s graduation party, they’ve been best friends and business partners ever since. Specializing in entertainment, marketing and event planning and promotions, these “lifestyle coordinators” (don’t call them just party promoters) strive for the beautiful, opulent and luxurious in life and bring those concepts to nightlife with Dave and Ray Ent.

Some people who know Dave, a native of the D.C. area, and Ray, who hails from Pittsburgh, might think them an odd pair, but their differences are what work for them. “Different personalities, but we live by the same principals,” said Dave. “The commonality is the pursuit of genuine luxury entertainment and beautiful attitudes,” he added. Their slogan: It’s a lifestyle.

“When you come to a Dave and Ray event, you feel like you are a star,” said Dave. “One of the key components to our start is that any party can be music, alcohol and people. But I think there are little details that you add to a party to make it a successful event. And that’s what we pride ourselves on,” Ray said.

Others are able to partake in this lifestyle at Pandora Thursday’s at Park, one of their many events, but only select others. This is a member’s only party, so if you ain’t on the list, you ain’t getting in.

Another branch of Dave & Ray Ent. is 1693 Luxury Entertainment Group, named for the year Dom Perignon invented the world’s first and most luxurious champagne. Every four to six weeks, 1693, who along with Dave & Ray is comprised of TEAMBBC, IDC, and Talk of DC, put together a one-of-a-kind events that bring out people, from congressmen to NBA draft picks, dressed to the T to the swanky Todd English’s Olives on K Street.

“A lot of people take time for granted and we want the time that you spend at one of our events to feel as if you experienced something. After leaving, you wish it hadn’t been over and that you could get stuck in that moment. It’s something akin to an art aficionado walking through an art gallery and losing track of time. That’s what we want it to be for nightlife entertainment. Where you’re here and you are engrossed and time stands still. [Pause.] That’s going to be our next party,” said Dave. History in the making.

Read the rest here.

Hotlanta Book Review -- Kiwibox.com

2008-05-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Hotlanta

By Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller

Point Publishers

Four out of Five Kiwis

Mirror Louis Vuitton bags, Chanel ballet flats and Saab convertibles. The Duke twins, Sydney and Lauren, live the fabulous life of an upper crust family in Atlanta’s Buckhead. Life couldn’t seem to be any better. But the girls’ lives take a turn in the opposite direction once family skeletons start sneaking out of the closet. Authors Denene Millner and Mitzi Miller weave a suspenseful whodunit story of Dior and deceit in Hotlanta.

Sydney dreams of the socialite life with her “perfect” boyfriend, Marcus, and attending an Ivy League school. Her days are filled with heading the Homecoming Benefit Gala committee, volunteering and her man. But suddenly, Marcus is acting strange. When she finds something that questions Marcus’ faithfulness, Sydney doesn’t know what to think.

Lauren, co-captain of the dance team and most sought after girl in school, has aspirations of being a music video model. But if her mother and step-father found out she went down to the rough West End to audition for the new Thug Heaven video, they would totally kill her. They would then put her another six feet into the ground if they knew she had a boyfriend, Jermaine, down there as well. Its getting hard for her to keep up the lies.

If all that drama isn’t enough, when the girls’ biological father gets out of prison, they start to see that their step-father, Altimus, isn’t really who he seems to be. Because the girls are so different, they don’t always see eye to eye, but these circumstances are showing them they just might have to put the differences aside to get through.

It’s the Gossip Girl of the south.

When reading this book, you might find yourself saying aloud, “Oh, no he didn’t!” So, be forewarned because it gets that juicy. It’s hard not to get sucked into the world Millner and Miller have created. At times, you’re sympathetic for Sydney and other times you want to give Lauren a good shake. All in all, it was a good read. And although this was the first teen novel for the co-authors, I can not wait for the second book of this three-part series, If You Only Knew, coming out in October.

David Evangelista Salon at Cornelia Day Resort -- BeautyNewsNYC.com -- April 2008

2008-05-13T08:34:00.000-07:00

David Evangelista Salon at Cornelia Day Resort

Posted By Jan F. Lee

When I was younger, I rarely went to the salon to get my hair cut. Every several months or so, on a Saturday afternoon, I would head to my personal hairstylist/cousin’s apartment. She’d cut my hair, we’d talk, we’d laugh, her Yorkshire Terrier Toto (as in the Wizard of Oz) would bark uncontrollably at nothing and we’d laugh some more. I never thought I’d get a comparable feeling at a salon.

At the David Evangelista Salon at Cornelia Day Resort, I can say that I did. Stylist Patrick Ferrara gave me a fabulous haircut, made me laugh and I felt as though I was at a friend’s Soho loft, albeit it is overlooking 5th Avenue.

David Evangelista, an Emmy-nominated hairstylist, who contributes to CBS’s The Early Show and has worked for Frederic Fekkai and John Barrett, aimed to avoid “the intimidation factor” when designing the look of the salon. David felt that in these “monster salons” clients were shuffled around and felt lost. “ the client will feel like they’ve been taken care of, which is why the salons motto is “Style, Substance and Service,” said David.

It was uncanny how comfortable the intimate atmosphere, warm décor and friendly salon staff made me feel. There was not a scowl in sight! The fluorescent lighting was offset by soft table lamps at the communal station areas and the flood of sun light—great for seeing hair color in natural light noted Patrick—shining through the large windows. Then Beyoncé came on and I couldn’t help but bob my head!

The Salon opened last November. The collaboration between Evangelista and Cornelia is the first time a renowned hair stylist and a beauty expert joined forces to offer its clientele head-to-toe pampering in one prominent destination. Do you realize what that means? Even if you only visit the salon, you have access to the enchantingdare I say itlocker room, which looks more like a spa in itself, and other facilities, such as the Relaxation Library and the lovely rooftop garden.

As I got my hair washed, sitting in an Italian leather massage chair, I was offered a beverage and cookies. (Note: after 4pm, they offer champagne.) And If that isn’t enough, you can order food from the gourmet café upstairs during your services.

Before the cut, Patrick took note of my face shape and inquired about my daily hair routine and regular maintenance to better assess what cut would be best for me. He concluded that I should keep my length, but that we should “open me up” and add some layers, especially to the front.

Because I have naturally curly hair, but am currently wearing it blown-out, Patrick suggested that he straighten my hair with a wet/dry flat iron—a flat iron you can use on wet hair comprised with vents that help seal the cuticles and not burn the hair. The only product Patrick used on my hair was a little dab of Phyto 7 to finish. I couldn’t believe it. My hair looked healthy, shiny and had movement, which was exactly what the goal was.

Mission accomplished, minus Toto!

For more information, check out http://www.cornelia.com/.

Article printed from BeautyNewsNYC: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Book Review -- Kiwibox.com

2008-05-11T19:06:00.000-07:00

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

By C.S. Lewis

HarperCollins Publishers

5 out of 5 kiwis!

If you loved The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, you’re sure to love the next installment, Prince Caspian, coming out in movie theatres May 16th. But I suggest you stop by the bookstore before heading to the theater. The beloved Narnia series by C.S. Lewis has sold over 100 million copies and been translated in 41 languages, which means its obviously good reading, and movie versions of books are famous for leaving out juicy plot details (see: Harry Potter).

Prince Caspian begins a year and a half after the Pevensies (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) had last left Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. They are awaiting their train back to school at the train station, when Lucy feels a “magical tug.” Suddenly, they are all transported to a place they’ve never seen before that’s definitely no part of a train station or, for that matter, England.

After some surveying and an important discovery, they rescue a Red Dwarf named Trumpkin, who tells them the story of Caspian the Tenth, the true king of Narnia, and how the true Narnians have been in hiding since the rule of the Telmarines. Their ruler, King Miraz, is an evil, under-handed, mother-shut your mouth and Caspian’s uncle. But family meant nothing to him the moment Miraz had a son of his own to inherit the throne. Caspian had to flee because he found out Miraz was going to have him killed. The Pevensies help Caspian take Miraz down in Narnia’s civil war and restore him rightfully to his throne.

(Most of) the Narnian creatures are fun and will pull on your heart strings, especially mighty Reepicheep. Lewis created a world of characters that generations and generations will continue to enjoy. Its an easy read and a page turner. This edition of the book contains scenes of the movie, so you’ll get a sneak preview before the actual movie comes out.

Choosing the "Right" Doctor -- What's Up? Annapolis Magazine -- October 2005

2008-04-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

Backstage NY Fashion Week Fall '08

2008-02-21T14:31:00.001-08:00

VibeVixen.com -- May 2007

2008-02-13T16:58:00.000-08:00

Peña Coolada

by: Jan Lee

You have three cookouts to roll through on Memorial Day weekend and you need to look especially fly.

Your outfits are still in shopping bags in your closet and now you need the perfect accessories to set them off. Look no further than the adorable adornments by Erika Peña for your outfit upgrade.

For her Spring/Summer Kika collection, Peña (who has custom-designed jewelry for Nicole Richie) used lightweight lucite coupled with beads, charms, vintage pieces and even gold vermeil chains for punky effect. Her jewelry designs aren't just gorgeous and trendy — they reflect her carefree Puerto Rican roots and edgy New York lifestyle and often incorporate religious figures and good luck charms.

If you're a baller on a budget, go for the Lucite pieces so you can rock the same one with all your looks. If your boo is treating, go ahead and grab one in every color. To care for your precious pieces, make sure to store them in a dry, cool jewelry box. If you stash it on your dashboard, the cute little owl on your Amparo necklace ($45) might end up looking like road kill. FYI: Lucite melts. If you have a larger Lucite piece, be careful to protect it from scratches because Lucite is relatively soft and unforgiving of rough surfaces.

Check out the entire collection at ErikaPeña.com and get some of your favorite pieces at shopintuition.com.

(Click on title to view story at the Vibevixen.com site.)

BeautyNewsNYC.com -- Skincare -- February 2008

2008-02-13T16:53:00.001-08:00

Skin Care - It’s not just the department store or drugstore anymore...New York women now have more choices than ever!

By Jan F. Lee On 1st February 2008 In Skin Care For BeautyNewsNYC.com

Although we hate to admit it, so much so that we’ve added a French disguise to its pronunciation, sometimes we shop at Target (and we can‘t wait to see who’s the next Go line designer). There are the low prices and then there’s the recent foray into more upscale beauty brands. With the rise of luxury beauty awareness in their consumers, aka beauty junkies on a budget, mass retailers have started to collaborate with exclusive or high-end lines. Target was the first U.S. retailer to carry British sensation Boots No. 9.

But with the invasion, or, uh, rise of the Targets and Wal-Marts, we might be slowly losing connection with Mom and Pop stores around the corner in our neighborhoods. One might be mistaken to believe that in the near future, the only place you will be able to get your skincare essentials will be these humungo chain stores.

Stepping up to the plate, CVS/pharmacy (150 E. 42nd St., http://www.cvs.com/), America‘s largest retail pharmacy, opened its the newest, biggest and beauteous Manhattan store in Murray Hill this past October. “We like to say that we’re going beyond just selling beauty to ‘reinventing’ the way women experience beauty at the drugstore”, says Deb Armstrong of CVS. The beauty section is highly visible upon entering the store, which can be attributed to the illuminated shelving similar to department and boutique stores and there are knowledgeable beauty consultants roaming the area, ready with suggestions and armed with expertise. The store is open 24 hours and (coincidentally) exclusively stocks the 24.7 Skincare line– a new collection of high-tech skincare products that work “quickly to deliver instantaneous and visible results every day, every hour, every minute, all day long“ at prices ranging $19.99-$39.99. This type of product, dubbed “masstige” (a combination of “mass” and “prestige”) by beauty critics, gives consumers “high-tech, low hassle“ products.

Then there are the coveted brands that make us squeal with delight when we pull them out of our shopping bags that started out as the Mom and Pop around the corner way back when.
Kiehl’s (109 Third Avenue, http://www.%20kiehls.com/) began as The Brunswick Apotheke in 1851, serving “the citizens of the burgeoning Lower East Side medicinal herbs, unguents and concoctions mixed to family recipes as a small apothecary.” Kiehl’s sells strictly its own brand, but for the varietal sort, another old school apothecary that still carries its original moniker is C. O. Bigelow Chemists (414 6th Avenue, www.Bigelowchemists.com). The 168-year old West Village apothecary sells upscale skin, hair and fragrance products, “items that have stood the test of time, items that are designed to amuse, and some that are just plain good for you”. Its most popular brands being Diptyque, Geo F. Trumper and Kneipp to name a few, in addition its own very popular house brand. Only a NY store would make a Lip Shine that gives you minty fresh breath after that “everything” bagel!

And now for Mom and Pop’s “Mom and Pop” –the real neighborhood beauty destinations that have stood the test of time. That have stared down the big chains and said, “We offer something different.”

Clyde’s On Madison (926 Madison Avenue, http://www.%20clydesonline.com/) has been serving the UES with a skincare shopping experience that they just can’t resist once experienced. “We have very loyal clientele,“ says Diana Garcia, skincare specialist and beauty consultant of Clyde’s. According to Garcia, the top three reasons people shop there are 1) the salespersons are not pushy like department stores salespeople, 2) the privacy and 3) the individual attention you receive as a customer. If you want to go where everyone knows your name, they are open 365 days of the year. They carry a lot of high end spa lines from all over the world, suiting the international set. They are the only supplier of Carita in the U.S. and also sell the lines of local skincare specialists, such as Alaur Skin Solutions by Dr. Albert Lefkovits.

For you Chelsea Girls (and Boys), stop by New London Pharmacy (246 8th Avenue, Newlondonpharmacy.com). “Beauty.Luxury.Wellness.” is the motto at this apothecary that sells skincare products, including cosmaceuticals, and beyond. The pharmacists, including husband and wife owners Abby Mouzakitis-Fazio, R.Ph., and John Fazio, R.Ph., have a combined 83 years of clinical experience and a staff of well trained specialists who can assist you in over 8 languages.
Savon Orange Verte, their own unique soap, is hand crafted by one of the oldest French soap factories in the heart of Provence “using family methods of manufacture that have been handed down since the nineteenth century.” The lovely soap is “triple milled twice” and contains no artificial colorings or preservatives. You can also find Bioderma, Elnett, Embryolisse, Blue Drops or any other hard to find, but can’t live without products (and we hear if they don’t have it they will try to get it for you).

So we’re just a bunch of lucky spoiled girls who can have our pick, according to our mood or lifestyle. We can now go to the big retailer for that exclusive, but wallet friendly line, or have Mama Pharmacist search for that unknown little indie brand that we must must have! It comes down to the experience we want to leave with. Maybe we’ll share our beauty finds with our BFF or maybe we won’t!

Article printed from BeautyNewsNYC: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com
URL to article: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/skin-care/skin-care-its-not-just-the-department-store-or-drugstore-anymore-new-york-women-now-have-more-choices-than-ever/

Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week Fall 2008 Beauty and Fashion Coverage -- Samantha Pleet

2008-02-13T16:41:00.000-08:00

Samantha Pleet: Jailhouse Rockstar

Posted By Jan F. Lee On 6th February 2008 In City Pulse for BeautyNewsNYC.com

Mug shots of her close friends posted up in the front area, a runway lined with the height marks mimicking the background of a mug shot and fabulously fashionable clothes in which you’ll look like a rockstar even if you ended your night in jail (which nowadays is where they usually end up). Samantha Pleet’s Autumn/Winter 2008 collection definitely had a theme. I like to call it “jailhouse rock.” The twenty-six-year-old had a great collection of high-waisted pants, shorts and dresses worn with ripped opaque tights and ruffled collars (aka the “bandit blouse”) in subtle tones of black and creams. A mixture of “I’m a lady with curves…but I’ll still kick your ass.” The men were blessed with hip outerwear.

Both the hair and makeup was ‘60’s mod rocker mixed with ‘70’s bohemian chic to reflect the style of the collection. Make Up For Ever Key Makeup Artist, Katie Pellegrino, explained the “young, hip, super funky,” face that “almost looks like they spent a night in the can.” She and her team used two types of black eyeliner: a crème pencil, Aqua Eyes, in black #1 and a liquid in #0L. Some lips were red #207 and others were nude #8C. The face was nude and dewy. Are you thinking rock star fresh out of the cell after an overnight stint? You should be. All of the products used in the show were waterproof and long-lasting, which is why Samantha herself wears Make Up For Ever all the time (she especially loves the eyeliners).

Gregory Alan gave each smooth-textured hairdo a little surprise to make your eye pop right to it. Straight hair was interrupted with a ripple created with a large barrel curling iron or accented with crimped pieces. Free spirited was the theme and the coifs reflected the style of the clothing individual models were wearing. CHI Silk Infusion protected the hair from heat styling while Osis Mess Up Matte Gum provided texture.

If sentenced to a year in fashion prison, dear warden…let me be wearing Samantha Pleet.

(For more pictures and articles on the BeautyNewsNYC website, click on the title link.)

Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week Fall 2008 Beauty and Fashion Coverage -- Tracy Reese

2008-02-13T16:21:00.000-08:00

Look What The Wind Blew In…Tracy Reese Fall 2008 Collection

By Jan F. Lee On 8th February 2008 In City Pulse for BeautyNewsNYC

A storm was a brewin’ backstage at the Tracy Reese Fall 2008 show. Finola Hughes, host of Style’s How Do I Look?, gushed about the collection of nature-inspired prints (much like Reese's Spring collection), models were swept here and there and fervor of anticipation rained on everyone.

Finola Hughes behind the curtains at Tracy Reese.

Edris Nicholls of Edris Salon on 14th St. was very free spirited with the styles. “I’m just seeing what happens,” she says as she creates an updo-esque hairstyle of tussled curls. But most of the models rocked flowing romantic waves. First, she the applied FHI Hot Sauce throughout the hair. Then, the hair was parted down the middle and rolled into buns and dried with a blow dryer. After the hair was dry, they took down the buns and brushed the hair out, creating the waves.

Then came the eye of the storm. Or rather the storm on the eye. Mally Roncal, using Mally Beauty products, took the idea of a storm and put it on the eyelid. She layered plum, pink and black shimmery colors on the eye to create an intense, but wearable smoky eye. For the cheeks, the tapped on the tops of the apple a berry cheek color (to be named). She continued to apply the cheek color up to the sides of the eye and the top corner of the eye. Finally, she topped with a pink shimmer powder. “If its nice and soft and light, its not going to look crazy,” she says. They used the same berry cheek color and dabbed it on the lips “and married the whole thing together.”

The Sally Hansen Salon Collection made a splash on nails for the fifth season collabo. Blending and layering Orchid Bloom (Reese came up with all the names for the polishes) and Age Correct Nail Growth Treatment, a watercolor effect took shape.

All of the pieces were very feminine and figure flattering, many of the styles timeless and trendy at the same time. The bold coloring, such as kelly green and bright red, was refreshing and the neutral toned pieces are sure-fire staples to any wardrobe.

(For more pictures and articles on the BeautyNewsNYC website, click on the title link.)

Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week Fall 2008 Beauty and Fashion Coverage -- Bumble and bumble Pre-Fashion Week Soiree

2008-02-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

A Fashion Week Soiree at the House of Bumble

By Jan F. Lee On 6th February 2008 @ 07:20 In City Pulse for BeautyNewsNYC.com

Bumble and bumble kicked off Fashion Week this past Tuesday celebrating Bb.’s new hairspray, Spray de Mode. In The House of Bumble loft overlooking the new Apple store in Meatpacking, there was a semi ANTM reunion as former contestant Bre, Miss J and noted fashion photographer Nigel Barker were in attendance, as well as Richie Rich–half of the dynamic duo Heatherette.

Richie Rich gets a smooch from Miss J.

The décor of the fete: multi-colored lights, “newspaper headlines” of the hairsprays’ praises and real live models. Yes, posted up on pedestals, live models, done up by MAC, were scattered about the loft, talking to, shaking hands with and entertaining party goers as if we were interlopers happening upon their own party world. And we kind of were. Would a regular ol’ model do that? I don’t think so. These models weren’t picked out at a casting call. These models were chosen as winners from a Myspace contest. “They wanted ‘real’ people,” explained Howard McLaren, Creative Vice President of Bumble and bumble.
Everyone now and then, the music would dim and the voice of one of the models would come through the speakers, a spotlight would fall on that model and on the far back wall, projected video streamed footage of their respective photoshoots. Each person had a story that explained their “character.”

A petite character, “the boho banker,” worked a baggy blazer and crimped ‘do for the crowd. The sweetest older woman ever, “the surreal socialite” (in an ordinary case, I would use “old,” but you are only as old as you feel and she didn’t look like she was feeling old) sported a wild child hairstyle as she lounged on a chaise taking admirers. Some of the models, most notably “the wilde hatter,” sported ultra playful hats designed by haute couture milliner Stephen Jones, which added even more character to the, well, characters.

As for the guest of honor, the hairspray, available March 10th, has amazing hold capabilities and it actually brushes out of the hair just in case you made your bouffant a little too big for your liking. Before its launch, it was real world tested (as are all of their products) backstage at couture fashion shows, which are known for off-the-wall and out-of-this-world coifs. Although it got its start in couture shows, its for every day wear by guys and dolls of all ages and scenes, from the mods to the rockers and even hippies. “Its about flexibility,” says McLaren.

(For more pictures and articles on the BeautyNewsNYC website, click on the title link.)

Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week Fall 2008 Beauty and Fashion Coverage -- Venexiana

2008-02-13T15:58:00.000-08:00

Vexed by Venexiana

By Jan F. Lee On 8th February 2008 In City Pulse for BeautyNewsNYC.com

Designer Kati Stern presented Venexiana‘s Fall 2008 show attendees with flowing silhouettes, luxurious fur in camel, gold, burgundy and brown and structured jackets with deep, deep V-necks. Old Hollywood (think Betty Grable) was apparent, as well as the rocker glam that Stern is known for.

Source: Getty Images

Venexiana designer Stern taking her walk down the runway. Would ya just look at the bob!

Especially in the pretty, yet edgy eye created by Lori Hamlin and her team. “It’s Rock ‘n’ Roll meets pretty,” she explains. “Katie is very Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Using products of various brands, Hamlin created a vibrant gold-moss and swept it on the lids. One whole box of Ardell individual lashes were applied on each eye, keeping up with the luxurious theme. The team stained the lips with a deep red with the finger while the models puckered.

The hair, structures curls to one side of the head “takes two seconds to do, but weeks to prepare for,” says hairstylist Karmela Lozina. Lots of work was put in to come up with the perfect gel formulation for staying power and a clean look of the Shirley Temples in the front and intricate “weaved“ design in the back. Sahag Air Power Hairspray and 3D Volumizing Hairspray also helped keep the style in place.

Kiss Nails custom-designed the nails for the show. Stern told them what she was looking for, they presented her with sample ideas and out comes the French manicure with a rhinestone in the upper left corner of the nail. Just as sophisticated and glamorous as the collection.
Kiss Nails are press-on manicures in a box. Just press one Kiss nail on top of your real nail (they come with a sticky glue on the back of them) and voila! A perfect manicure minus the salon. They come off easily with warm water and are sold in drugstores, mass market retailers nationwide and Walgreens.com.

(For more pictures and articles on the BeautyNewsNYC website, click on the title link.)

Locks of Love -- Sister2Sister Magazine-- Feb 2008

2008-02-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

(Click on image for larger view)

Resumé

2008-01-29T21:11:00.000-08:00

WRITING EXPERIENCE
Blogger/Contributor, Iconography the Magazine Blog, Baltimore, MD
7/2009- present
- Blog about the latest in beauty trends, editorials, street style and deals.

Staff Writer/Journalist, SHYMagazine.com, Washington, D.C.
5/2008- present
- Interview notable D.C. area nightlife figures and write stories on current beauty, fashion and nightlife trends and events.

Book Reviewer, Kiwibox.com, New York, NY
4/2008- 4/2009
- Wrote entertaining and engaging book reviews for teens.

City Pulse Editor, BeautyNewsNYC.com, New York, NY
8/2007- 9/2008
- Generated, assigned and edited stories about New York City beauty, fashion, culture and events for weekly e-mail newsletter.
- Reported on beauty and fashion for two NY Fashion Weeks by going backstage and interviewing hairstylists, make-up artists and designers.

Intern/Editorial Assistant, VIBE Magazine/VibeVixen.com, New York, NY
8/2007- 11/2007
- Conducted research for upcoming stories and transcribed interviews for associate editor.
- Assisted in day-to-day maintenance and production of VibeVixen.com web content by writing, editing, formatting and uploading stories to the web site.

Contributing Beauty Assistant, Vibe Vixen Magazine, New York, NY
3/2007- 4/2007; 5/2007- 6/2007
- Assisted Beauty department by researching beauty stories and writing copy for both the magazine and website.
- Corresponded with public relations companies to develop relationships, called-in products and attended beauty industry events.
- Organized beauty closet, updated contact list and filed press releases to ensure efficient recovery.

Winter Editorial Intern, Girls’ Life Magazine, Baltimore, MD
1/2007- 2/2007
- Assisted the editorial team with article, fashion and beauty research and the online team with blog research and ideas.
- Responded to letters with advice regarding teen girl issues and wrote pieces for the website and magazine.

Beauty Intern, Vibe Vixen Magazine, New York, NY
6/2006- 9/2006
- Assisted with beauty stories by recommending products, then corresponding with public relations firms to call-in products.
- Organized beauty closet and filed beauty press releases in relevant folders.

Other publications I've worked/written for: Collegeclub.com, RelateMag.com, Baltimore Magazine, What's Up? Annapolis Magazine, Iconography Magazine

EDUCATION

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
January 2007
Bachelor of Arts in Writing Seminars

SKILLS
MS Office (Word, Excel, Database, PowerPoint, Outlook), Adobe InDesign CS/CS2, Adobe Photoshop, FileMaker Pro, QuarkXpress, Dreamweaver, Bricolage and basic HTML.
References available on request.

Serge Lutens -- BeautyNewsNYC -- October 2007

2008-01-03T00:40:00.000-08:00

Band of Beauté

By Jan F. Lee

“Exclusive” doesn’t even describe the low-profile the Serge Lutens Beauté makeup line keeps. Think trying to get a limited edition lipglass set from M.A.C times 100. Serge Lutens had gained a cult-like following for his fragrance collection of over 30 unisex scents and now for his beauty line launched in May. Didn’t hear about? We’re not surprised. It seems as though hearing about Serge Lutens Beauté is about as likely as see Nicole Richie without her signature over-sized glasses and draping scarves.

Born in Lille, France, Serge Lutens started his career as a makeup artist, photographer and creative stylist for French Vogue. In 1967, Christian Dior picked him up to establish the luxurious Dior cosmetics line, which was later referred to as “a revolution in makeup” by American Vogue. Then in 1980, he moved on to Shiseido, where, as Creative Director, he created the signature pale skin/ bright red lip face that is often associated with the line. His next move was to fragrances and he eventually created the Les Salons du Palais Royal - a renowned “house of perfume”—and his own line.

Very far from your average trendy line, the Beauté collection consists of eight products packaged in refillable black lacquered metal cases created in limited quantities with the world’s finest ingredients and formulas. The collection is sold exclusively at Barneys New York and the Palais-Royale in Paris. Don’t think excess, but beauty essentials that “magnify a woman’s natural beauty.” This is the type of collection for a woman that has and will continue to wear the same lipstick for years (hence the cult-like following). And she better continue to wear it because the lipsticks, or Fards à Levres, are $75.00 each and $48.30 for a refill. Each is sculpted to create a perfectly defined lip contour. Two new lip shades—#7 (a russet, chocolate shade) and #8 (a warm toasty beige)—from the connoisseur of color were released in June. With the price comes exclusivity and quality that is difficult to surpass.

You can also join the Serge Lutens club by ordering products on the [1] Palais-Royale website.

Pubished on 1st October 2007 @ 00:00 In Beauty
Article printed from BeautyNewsNYC: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com
URL to article: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/beauty/band-of-beaute/

Music Artist Bio

2007-12-16T19:13:00.001-08:00

Capital.P Bio

(click on image for larger view)

Fugghedaboutit -- BeautyNewsNYC.com

2007-12-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

Fugghedaboutit

By Jan Lee

You may think you know Brooklyn, but you have no idea. To get a grasp, check out the Brooklynites: A Powerhouse Retrospective art exhibit (www.powerhousearena.com/thebrooklynites/) at the powerHouse Arena. And get there quick because the exhibit ends this Sunday, Sept 30th.

Together, Photographer Seth Kushner and Writer Anthony LaSala, native Brooklynites, captured and celebrated the essence of Brooklyn in a book entitled The Brooklynites — a compilation of images, interviews, and essays of BK’s people— both “the famous and the nameless, current residents and former inhabitants”—and places— nearly every neighborhood, from Brooklyn Heights to Brownsville, Bensonhurst to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bay Ridge and beyond” — collected over a three year time period. Famous notables include Spike Lee, Steve Buscemi, Rosie Perez and Matisyahu. The book, The Brooklynites, also features a foreword by Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Terence Winter, who is, of course, from Brooklyn, and of The Sopranos and Get Rich or Die Tryin’ fame.

The exhibition, curated by LaSala, will feature works from the book, in addition to additional images taken by some of most talented photographers in the industry today, like Andrea Chu, Erica McDonald, painter Robert Goldstrom and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Vincent LaForet.

Photograph taken by Andrea Chu

Read more about this excellent coffee table piece, especially if you are from Brooklyn, and even take a look inside at the powerHouse website (www.powerhousearena.com), or buy the book now for $35 buckaroos.

Now, count how many times I used the word “Brooklyn.” I don’t think I could ever tire. Brooklyn. Ha.

Also showing at powerHouse Arena is “an exhibition for social justice” documenting genocide, called Darfur: Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan.

What: Brooklynites: A Powerhouse Retrospective art exhibit
When: Open now through Sunday, Sept 30th.
Where: The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St., Brooklyn, NY

Published: September 2007

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2008 Coverage -- BeautyNewsNYC.com

2007-12-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

Reese’s Pieces Were Awesome!

By Jan F. Lee

For the 4th season, Tracy Reese partnered up with Sally Hansen to create a color collection of 8 shades for her Spring show inspired by exotic romanticism of North Africa, Tangier and Tunisia and their Salon line. The Sally Hansen team actually met and worked with Reese in her office to pick out colors, the collection justly compliments the Spring 2008 collection of vivid, high-voltage color. In the show, models wore Tunisian Sand—a shimmery beige. Other colors include a deep purple enhanced with gold shimmer called Arabian Night and a versatile pinkish orange color that looks pink against pink and looks orange against orange called Sumptuous Petal. The nail color collection will be available in stores March 2008.

Super excitedly and full of spunk, make-up artist Mally Roncal, describes the make-up as “fresh and easy.” The models are rocking a full, natural-shaped brow, shimmery, bronzy lids atop dewy, glowy skin with the help of Mally Beauty products. On the cheeks is the crème blush Get Cheeky. The lip color, a mixture of a French Kiss lipstick and a unnamed nude lip gloss (both in production to debut soon) is inspired by her newborn twins. The difference between the models and her babies: “a lot of gloss to make it a little slutty,” she says followed a big smile. Mally Beauty is available at Bendel’s and QVC.

The hair, styled by Edris Nicholls of Edris Salon in NYC, is a fusion of a 30s sweep and two 70s braids. “Its easy to try. It’s fun. It’s accessible.” Edris started with blow-dried straight hair using FHI’s Hot Sauce, which infuses moisture into the hair via crystallized Jojoba and keeps the heat off of the hair. Create a part at one temple of the head. French braid the hair coming from each side of the part meeting at the nape of the neck on the opposite side of the head. All of the girls donned the Bruce Webber photo-inspired hairstyle. To give the style an eccentric, very matted look, Edris pulled at the braids. To seal the deal, she finished with Davines hairspray.

Published on 10th September 2007 @ 16:39 In City Pulse
Article printed from BeautyNewsNYC: http://www.beautynewsnyc.comURL to article: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/city-pulse/reese%e2%80%99s-pieces-were-awesome/

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Diran Diran

By Jan F. Lee

Out of all the shows I have attended so far, the Loris Diran Spring 2008 collection is the most gorgeous and most wearable. Hooray! Every single piece, from the light tunics, to the cocktail dresses, right down to the body-hugging minis. I would wear it all. Unfortunately, buying one of these pieces is a whole ‘nother story.

Anyway, the models were made up as “glowing, bronzed goddesses that had been lying in sun” with all new MAX Factor products. Lauralee Davis, key make-up artist, and her team covered any blemishes on the face and body (since a lot of pieces were a little revealing, ooh-la-la), with Erace Secret Cover-up. The trio eyeshadow palette, Ravenous, which consists of a black, a bronze and a dark golden color, was used to make the eyes dramatic. Volume Couture mascara added even more drama to the mix. On the lip, super shiny Maxalicious lip gloss in Champagne Bath complimented the bronze look aimed for. All the products used are available in stores now, except the mascara, which will be available in November.

The models were living “la dolce vita” in their 50s and 60s glamour-meets-today hairdos. In order to get the junk-in-the-trunk-looking style, Christo of Christo Fifth Avenue, used a cylindrical-shaped hair foundation sponge under very teased hair. Curlisto Glow and Shine polished while Curlisto Hairspray kept it all in place. “You can wear the clothes anywhere,” although the hairstyle doesn’t translate exactly. But the ‘do sans sponge is simple and easy. Tease the hair at the crown of the head, hairspray and throw on a headband for a sexy Tracy Turnblad 2.0.

Published 12th September 2007 @ 18:40 In City Pulse
Article printed from BeautyNewsNYC: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com
URL to article: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/city-pulse/diran-diran/

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Shaken, Not Stirred

By Jan F. Lee

Seeing twenty or so (insert your favorite 007 agent here)s strutting down the runway was an eyeful. With the James Bond action scene music bumping, Andrew Buckler set the mood for his men’s collection of futuristic bright colored suits, separates and swimsuits in his Spring 2008 Buckler show. I don’t know why, but the artificial weapons strapped to some of the models sculpted legs and arms had me a bit…shaken and stirred.

Inspired by Jude Law in the move A.I., Mark Edio for M.A.C. explains that the look is “very artificial, very mannequin, plastique looking.” He used base products to get a fluidity of skin tone from the face down to the chest. Using bronzer, he softly highlighted the face where the light naturally hits it, like the T-zone and right below the eye, instead of where you would normally apply a highlighter.

The hair, like in many other shows this season, was all about the individual models. Wigs cut loose near one eye were worn with the bright pieces. “Weighted long shapes are really in right now,” says Rusk Education Director Angela Greenland. A sleek James Bond ‘do complimented the pieces in the neutral tones.

Published on September 2007 @ 08:46 In City Pulse
Article printed from BeautyNewsNYC: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com
URL to article: http://www.beautynewsnyc.com/city-pulse/shaken-not-stirred/

RelateMag.com -- Beauty

2007-12-16T18:11:00.000-08:00

Makeup Tips

Have A Pink Spring

By Jan Lee

Think pink this spring, girls. The classic girly color has been featured everywhere, in every shade as the color of the upcoming season. We’ve compiled our hit-list for pink products this spring. You don’t need to wear the pink products all at the same time and don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades of pink on your beautiful palette.

To keep your lips moisturized and soft, try Realbeauty Inside and Out Flavor Blast Lip Balm in Very Berry available at Bath and Body Works. For shine and color, apply Shiny-licious lip gloss over the balm in any of these pinkalicious flavors: Berry-Bella, Strawberry Tart, or Lolly- Pink. Shiny-licious gives you fabulous shine, plus flavor. Also, using lip balm under lip gloss or color reduces stickiness and keeps your lips moisturized longer.

For your cheeks, brush on Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush. Use Whisper, a deep pink, for darker skin and Cotton Candy, a light rose, for fairer skin. These two pink shimmer shades will add the right kind of shine to your face. Jane Iredale makes mineral cosmetics, which are great for your skin because they won’t clog your pores, plus they have built in SPF and they’re water resistant.

For nails that will stop traffic, try a hot pink like L'Oreal Paris Bijou Nail Color in B. Dynamic. This new, super-shiny nail color works best with a base and top coat.

If you are one-stop shopping kind-of-girl, head to your nearest Benefit counter and ask for the Hopelessly Devoted to Pink! Palette. The palette includes three cute eye shadows and three luscious lip creams in different shades of pink that you can mix-n-match to make many different looks.

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Hair Dos

Your Hair’s Newest Friend: the Headband

By Jan Lee

Tired of your current hairdo, but don’t want to go for a drastic cut? Accessorizing can be a perfect solution. And why not start with the hot hair accessory for the spring - The headband! They come in tons of different styles and colors. But here are the five hottest styles now. And if you’re on a budget try turning some of these into a DIY.

The Skinny Headband
The skinny headband gives you and your hairdo a clean, sophisticated look. Wear it with your hair out or pulled back in a bun or ponytail.

The Two-banded Headband
You can pull this look off in two ways: you can double up on the skinny headband, wearing two at one time, or look for double banded headbands in stores. If plastic headbands give you a headache by the end of the day, use elastic headbands for a trendy athletic look.

The Fabric Headband
You can definitely find these cute headbands at your local beauty or accessories store! You can get this look with just a scarf by folding it to the desired width and then tying it with a knot at the base of your skull. If you need more structure to keep the scarf from falling off, wrap it around a think headband to keep it in place.

The Retro Headband
Take a step back in time and rock a thick plastic headband reminiscent of the 60s in a bright, primary color. If you are daring, go for a bold pattern and wear with free-flowing, textured hair.

The Chain Headband
Either a plain chain or a chain on fabric headband will turn “plain Jane” into a rock star. If you are feeling crafty, affix an old necklace onto a strip of fabric or an old headband; just make sure to use glue that will dry clear

Published: RelateMag.com, March 2007

BeautyNewsNYC.com -- November 2007 -- Spa

2007-12-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

Things are 'Looking Up' for Spa-goers: The 2nd Floor Spas of NYC

by Jan Lee

Most of the time, when you walk down the streets of NYC, you walk, meaning head straight, eyes in front of you, with your mind on a zillion things. But if you’ve ever had a chance to stroll, you’d see that there’s a lot happening at the second level, including some serious spa going. We like to call it the Second Floor of New York and we’ve discovered some gems beckoning through plate glass windows one floor above street level. Walk up to these picks because, man, will it feel good when you get there.

SPA JA

“Ja” means “now!” In Portuguese, that is. “We’re not a factory line. Every person’s important,” explained owner Giovanna Kufer. And that I believe. As I awaited Alexandra, the key holder to my Brazilian Body Sculpture treatment, nibbling on organic cookies and apple slices, I was given a towel laden with essential oils, like peppermint and sage, to put over my face. It felt like herbal air was clearing out my airways. Magnificent.

The Brazilian Body Sculpture treatment, which can take inches off the body, improve the appearance of cellulite and define the contours of the body, and is also good for people with chronic back pain and thyroid problems, consisted of two parts.

First, I laid in the Oceana 5 - a hydrotherapy chamber used by NASA—and received a body scrub. Then, an herbal wrap to help relax and detoxify the body. As I lay in the Oceana 5, infrared lights released uric acid, and stress and steam opened up my pores to engage the herbal nutrients.

The second part consists of an uber-relaxing massage to help circulation, which in turn helps the body carry more oxygen, and build up more elastin, further firming the body. The whole treatment consists of 1-1 ½ hour sessions each week. It’s a long term process and they suggest at least 18 sessions.

Throughout the treatments and services, you get a full sensory therapeutic experience: color therapy with color lighting depending on the treatment, soothing classical music or sounds of nature playing in the background and aromatherapy throughout the spa. “We want the person to be truly soothed and relaxed,” said Kufer.

At Spa Ja, where all products are chemical-free or organic and treatments are non-invasive, they try to educate people about the benefits of going organic. Onsite is a retail area selling top organic spa and gift brands and products from around the world. Soon, they will also be offering Lypossage treatments.

Spa Ja
300 W. 56th Street, 2nd Floor (above Momo Sushi)
(212) 245-7566
http://www.spaja.com/

FINESSE DAY SPA

Warm and inviting Southwestern décor sets the mood in Finesse Day Spa. Leaving the trucks and car horns on the street where they belong, Lidia Czurgiel, owner, says she chose the second floor because “it’s less noisy than street level.” I sat in the cozy waiting room softly lit by illuminated “rocks” before my Lymphobiology® Eye Treatment.

The Lymphobiology® treatment stimulates the lymphatic system to remove waste material and excess fluids from the skin and body, allowing healthier fluids and nutrients to enter the skin tissue. Incorporating Lymphobiology® with a standard facial minimizes puffy eyes, dark circles and wrinkles by increasing the circulation and maximizing product effectiveness, allowing the product to deeply penetrate the skin and achieve the best results.

First, Czurgiel cleansed my face, and then massaged it with a sweet smelling oil. Next, she went over my face with a suction apparatus. It may sound weird, but it was oddly relaxing. She finished with Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm and Intensive Eye Repair. At Finesse, the Lymphobiology® treatment is used in combination with other facials and body scrubs, all over the face and body.
While in the locker room area, a woman, who travels from Jersey City to Finesse because it’s “low key and comfortable,” suggested that next time I try the Mango/Ginger Brown Sugar scrub. And as delicious as that sounds, I just might.

In the retail area, they offer Dermalogica (because they don’t have chemicals or perfumes) and G.M. Collin Paris products, as well as Essie Smoothie lotions.

Finesse Day Spa
133 W. 25th Street, 2nd Floor
(212) 352-3434
http://www.finessedayspa.com/

SUPPLE SPA

Supple Spa hosts a very intimate setting, great for couples’ getaways, which is their specialty. But alas, I was alone, and in the Sunset Room (there is also the Paris and Tokyo Rooms available), I prepared for my Deep Pore Facial. Oh yeah.

Surrounded by Asian paper screens and candlelight, Judy analyzed my face and skin.. Each facial is customized for different skin types. Using all Dermalogica products, she then cleansed and exfoliated, while steam blew over my face. Then, she extracted and massaged. To kill the bacteria, she went over my face with a hi-frequency device. And finally, she ended the treatment by toning and moisturizing my skin. Every step of the way, she made sure I was okay. Thank you, Judy.

I left with visibly even toned and clearer skin with a glow. And I had to find out where they got the terry cloth jumper they had me wear. It was super soft and cute.

Supple Spa is most known for its Royal Bath Treatment - a three-phase treatment consisting of an aromatherapy massage, Dead Sea salt scrub, and essential oils infused in a rose petal bath. For the last 30 minutes, you enjoy a massage and glass of wine while sitting in the water. Also offered are Swedish, deep tissue and aromatherapy massages and body treatments, as well as nail care and waxing services.

For other Supple options, visit Supple Spa II at 80 Delancey, also on the 2nd floor, or inquire about Supple Mobile Spa, where the spa comes to you.

Supple Spa
55 W. 19th Street, 2nd Floor
(212) 929-5948
http://www.supplespa.com/

VibeVixen.com -- Beauty

2007-11-04T11:56:00.000-08:00

(Click on title to go to actual story at VibeVixen.com.)

Gettin Digits
June 27, 2007

Vixens love to be pampered. But if you’re short on money and time, here are a few tips to get salon-style nails at home:

- Soak hands in warm water. Then, use a nailbrush to get the dirt out from under your nails and a nail pusher to rid nail beds of excess tissue. Using sharp objects will damage the skin area where your nail meets.
- Do not cut cuticles. Instead, the nail pros at Creative Nail Design suggest pushing back cuticles with a metal or wooden nail pusher, otherwise the cuticle would become thick. Only cut hangnails.
- Apply polish remover before doing your nails even when not removing old polish. It removes any grease allowing your polish to last longer. Choosing a remover that is non-acetone or has built in moisturizers, like SpaRitual’s Conditioning Lacquer Remover, to help limit damaging nails.
- Always use a base coat and a top coat to ensure your that polish lasts. Applying a top coat every couple of days will ensure polish stays on even longer.
- It's inevitable that you'll wind up with some polish on the skin around your nails. Use a wooden nail stick or Q-tip to swipe away the excess.

Here are the Vixen polish picks for summer!

Creative Nail Design Nail Enamel in Bed of Roses ($6; creativenaildesign.com
Dashing Diva Nail Colour in Anna Banana ($8; dashingdiva.com)
Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Fuchsia ($18; esteelauder.com)
Orly Nail Lacquer in Plum Noir ($7; orlybeauty.com)
OPI Nail Lacquer in Red Hot Ayers Rock ($8; opi.com)

Perfect Ten
June 27, 2007

Mani/pedi season is in full swing! But in order to get fly fingers and toes you shouldn’t put your health at risk.

Before your next trip to the nail salon, follow these tips to make sure your pampering experience is safe and clean.

Skip a day Don’t shave your legs for at least 24 hours prior to your nail appointment because microscopic cuts or tears in the skin will put you at risk of infection from bacteria, fungi and viruses transmitted by unclean tools if the instruments or foot basins aren’t clean.

Read the fine print Celebrity manicurist Bernadette Thompson says, “You can’t just assume that the people doing your nails know what they are doing, because they all don’t.” Make sure that the salon has a state license from the Board of Cosmetology and that your nail technician is licensed by the state Bureau of Barbering and Cosmetology. Look for the licenses posted on the wall or at individual stations.

Come prepared Thompson also suggests making sure your salon sterilizes their instruments, but bringing your own nail tool kit to the salon eliminates the worry. Be sure to clean tools between each salon visit. A couple of kit essentials are toe and fingernail clippers, an orange stick, files and a cute carrying pouch. If you need help gathering the right things, just ask your manicurist what you should bring. Enter to win your own nail kit from Creative Nail Design.

Don’t Make the Cut Opt for the pumice stone, foot file or exfoliating scrub to remove calluses instead of the credo blade (or foot razor), which is illegal in some states. This reduces the risk of cutting off too much skin and permanent damage as a result.

Booty Parlor
May 10, 2007

Wish your erotic accessories were as stylish as your fashion accents? Enter — oh, so sensually — Booty Parlor.

This bootylicious boutique of erogenous essentials includes everything a woman needs for a boudoir ball, including beauty products, lacy lingerie, designer toys and customized Love Kits. It’s no wonder Aisha Tyler, Jessica Alba and LisaRaye are all Booty Parlor enthusiasts.

Summer is fast approaching and a sexy body is a must for rocking a risqué mono-kini or an ultra mini. Luckily, Booty Parlor came up with Flirty Little Secret — a firming cream with pheromones! Attracting the opposite sex has never been so easy.

Wheat protein acts as a firming agent, a collagen booster creates the appearance of smooth skin, and a targeted enhancer, will firm and tone the bust. Use it all over the body to turn those bikini not-so-ready areas into curves you can’t wait to show off. But the real magic lies in the pheromone Androstenol, which inspires flirtation and enhances romantic feelings. Get ready to attract honeys like bees to…well, honey as you walk along the beach or boardwalk.

Booty Parlor products are available online at bootyparlor.com, drugstore.com and victoriassecret.com.

Girls' Life -- Beauty

2007-11-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

VIBE Vixen -- Beauty -- August/September 2007

2007-11-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Salon Selectives -- Vibe Vixen -- June/ July 2007

2007-07-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Contact

2007-01-29T21:30:00.000-08:00

Please feel free to contact me for writing and/or other business opportunities :)

Email: janflee@gmail.com
Myspace: myspace.com/jleeezy
Facebook: Jan Lee
Twitter: twitter.com/janflee
LinkedIn: Jan F. Lee

About Me

2007-01-29T20:54:00.000-08:00

I am a writer. My deep passion for writing started with overly dramatic entries in my little multi-colored diary and stems from a love of books.

I specialize in beauty writing, although I consider myself a generalist. I also have experience writing fashion pieces, features, book reviews and press releases. I also aspire to write short stories.

Things I Love: anything pertaining to food and drink (minus anything pertaining to curry), indie movies and/or overly-stupid comedic movies (i.e. Billy Madison, Grandma's Boy, The Hangover), cats (namely my Snowshoe kitty, Storm), and sleep.

Ultimate goal: to have a book on my bookshelf...written by me.