Curl's Night Out at Hela Spa

Learn how to be the best Curly Locks you can be while enjoying cocktails from Black Leaf Premium Vodka, sushi from Sushiko and cupcakes from Frosting-a-Cupcakery. Learn how to say goodbye to frizz and make your gorgeous locks shine.  Hela Spa, May 24, 5-8 pm

Start Black Friday with mimosas and breakfast!

Don't let dreary crowds get the best of you. You'll shop in style at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie on Friday from 9 - 2. Start the day with a sip and a nibble, a chance to win a $500 beauty gift basket AND $50 gift card for spending $100!

Then cross the street and get beautified at the Ted Gibson Salon/Hela Spa in Chevy Chase. On Black Friday only, the spa is offering half-price facials. Receive a Microderm, Glycolic, or Eminence Facial with a complimentary LED treatment.

Finally, hit the road to Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda where you'll find lots of free parking and fabulous Black Friday specials at South Moon Under. Print out the flyer below and get your deals at any of SMU's 13 locations.

Don't forget to go down a few doors and pop into mother/daughter(s) Belina boutique. They're 50% off sale started Nov. 22. This fab little store offers top of the line fashion for both daughers and their sophisticated moms.

Fabulous Faso

Keep an eye out for new jewelry company FASO, which I discovered the other night at the Chevy Chase Hela Spa's Tashia Senn fashion show. I had the pleasure of meeting Maryam Sardari and Banefsheh Fatoorechie, whose unique jewelry was an elegant addition to the runway. FASO combines natural stones like turquoise with delicate pearls and other semi-precious stones to create unique, sophisticated pieces - that can not only be seen from the front, but also draped down the back for an elegant look from behind. When I met Maryam, I immediately noticed her necklace and complimented her on it. I was happily surprised to learn she and Banefsheh had designed it. What I love about some of the necklaces is the unique mix of delicate shimmer with the boldness of natural stones. So far Faso is available at Caramel in DC and at Bloomers in Alexandria and can be seen at shopfaso.com . The partners hope to launch their fabulous jewelry in many more boutiques soon. I can't wait for their MoCo debut!

Tashia Senn show at Hela Spa

Saturday night Hela Spa and Ted Gibson Salon in Chevy Chase hosted a Tashia Senn fashion presentation featuring the local designer's fabulous fall/winter 2010 collection. The architectural collars and structure combined with flowing fabrics and ruffles reminded me a bit of Akris meets Armani--feminine and strong. I appreciated the originality of the collection and how all the pieces--though different--worked together. A brick dress not only had striking lines in front, but enough detail in the back to make the dress a definite parting thought. Notable also was a subtle gray architectural jumpsuit with a strong collar that culminated in loose, long legs--and a big, red zipper going up the back. A soft, evening dress in a gray tone-on-tone stripes flowed softly in perfect contrast against the more structural pieces that highlighted the show. There was no shortage of fun in this elegant collection--a bright dress with a mini-skirt composed of yellow feathers was the eye-catching showoff. Hard to believe this young designer launched her first collection last fall; we'll be following her. The night wouldn't be complete with swag and food: Guests received goodie bags of salon products and Ruth's Chris steakhouse provided crabcake sandwiches and platters of munchies.


Tashia Senn with spa manager Emily Villalva


Post-runway poses


I want to swirl around in this dress. I love how it both contrasts and fits perfectly
with the orange dress next to it.




Most back views were as interesting as the fronts



Models mingled in the salon, post-show


Love this high-collared coat


Note the fun red zipper on the back of the jumpsuit that's also pictured below.

Mama Mio Party!

Mama Mio! Join Hela Spa and the Ted Gibson Salon at the spa's Georgetown location from 5-8 Friday night for a famous Mama Mio hand treatment. Get 15 percent off massages and spa services and receive a gift certificate for a manicure. Skincare specialists will be available to answer any questions. (Mama Mio Countdown Kit as shown left: $70)

Spa Week is almost here!

It's time to pick up the phone and start booking appointments: Spa Week is coming Oct. 12-18. Local spas are offering a huge array of services for just $50. It's like getting a gift certificate for no reason (other than we all need a  little rejuvenating downtime.) I'm booked and ready to enjoy a much-needed "stress melter" and a facial at my neighborhood Red Door. Other local venues include Hela Spa & Ted Gibson Salon, Jolie Day Spa, Veria Wellness Center, Perez Salon, Renu Med Spa, The Salon & Spa at Saks, Dermatology and Skin Care Center, Roxsan, Massage Heights and many more! Please visit www.spaweek.com for a complete list of services and locations (nationwide).  

Surreal Life of Hair

A couple of weeks ago I sprinted out of a writer's conference at Dupont Circle to interview celebrity hair stylist Ted Gibson at the Ted Gibson Salon and Hela Spa at the Collection at Chevy Chase. I returned in the nick of time for "Poetry Speed Dating" (don't ask) after getting both to meet a fellow military brat and a whole new look. The affable stylist also said he's shot footage for an upcoming reality show "Ted Gibson Beauty Universe" about everyday salon life (remember the emotive Jonathan Astin's "Blow-Out"?). Here's more of what we talked about:
ME: What's your favorite look at the moment?
TED: Shoulder-length and longer. Think about growing out your bob now.
ME: What about Kate Moss and Heidi Klum? They cut off their long hair.
TED: I think Kate Moss and Heidi Klum are icons. But I think what we're going to be seeing now is longer hair. I cut Annie Hathaway's hair off for her [for a movie]. So right now it's about shoulder length. We're growing hers out.
ME: Do chunky highlights still rule?
TED: I think it's a little more subtle now.
ME: How long have you been doing hair?
TED: I've been doing hair for about 20 years.
ME: Really? You look really young.
TED: Thank you. I'm 43.
ME: Tell me about your signature look.
TED: I'm really into very sexy, sexy hair--for all ages. I don't know any woman who doesn't feel that way.
ME: What is your favorite Ted Gibson product?
TED: Hair Sheets
ME: What would you do with my hair?
TED: I would make it very blond. You could handle more hair. It would be very, very hot.