Have you waited until the absolute last nanosecond – today is the day, February 14, Valentine’s Day – to realize that you still have not picked up something special for your honey or Mom? Instead of running out at lunch, or right after work, like a crazy person on a tear, or settling for something not so unique just to check off the I got you something, box, give the gift of a pampering beauty experience! It’s so easy to phone a spa and purchase a gift certificate, and it’s something you can give right away. Everyone will welcome the gift of self-care. An indulgent treatment can be just the thing your favorite person needs to unwind, not to mention the perfect treat that communicates how special he or she is to you. Here are some of our favorite beauty and wellness treatments.

Shiatsu Shampoo at Salon Ishi

The shiatsu shampoo and head massage at Salon Ishi to the rescue. This is the quintessential serenity now gift and can be particularly wonderful during the cold winter months when our immune systems could use a little boost. A Japanese treatment is applied to open pores and gently cleanse and nourish the scalp. The massage activates acupressure points stimulating blood flow and relaxation. Prepare to be magically transported to a very happy place.

Salon Ishi, 70 East 55th Street, New York, New York. Call: 212.888.ISHI

Gift Certificate to Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté

Want to give someone a wonderful treatment experience but not certain what s/he would like? Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté is one of New York City’s preeminent spas. Yasmine has been written up in Vogue, New York Magazine, Allure and New Beauty – just to name a few – and offers a wide variety of world-class treatments including massage, cellulite and body treatments and semi permanent makeup sessions. Yasmine’s Remodeling Facial is the spa’s signature treatment. Be prepared to look 10 years younger by the end of your session! We also love the 60 minute Seaweed Wrap Treatment.

Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté, 60 East 30th Street, New York, New York. Call: 212.588.1881

Colonic at Exhale Healing Arts

At first blush this might seem like an odd gift, but for a wellness-minded individual, a colonic is a wonderful  - albeit unique – gift. Gina Mikan is as good as it gets. She uses the Woods Gravity Method, essentially an internal bath (possibly the best euphemism ever) that helps cleanse the colon of gas, mucus and accumulated fecal matter. There is no discomfort (really!) and only slight internal pressure, just a gentle flow of water in and out of the colon, expertly controlled by the therapist. During the procedure Gina explains the process step-by-step so your friend (or you!) will feel as at ease as possible, given the circumstances. The colonic appointment is one hour.

Exhale Healing Arts, Brooklyn: 71 Eighth Avenue (corner of Union Street) & Manhattan: 124 East 40th Street (corner of Lexington Avenue), Suite 703. Call: 787.406.8061. Email: ExhaleHealingArts@gmail.com

Hair & Scalp Treatment at The Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic

Treat him or her to a one-of-a-kind custom hair treatment. A one hour session which includes the application of hair and scalp cream and of course, Philip Kingsley’s world famous Elasticizer which was created expressly for Audrey Hepburn. Also includes infrared, radiant heat and/or ultraviolet light therapy, depending on your unique hair and scalp concerns and a heavenly scalp and neck massage. Whether you have hair loss, texture and/or scalp issues or just want to give your hair a boost of health and radiance, this gift is aces.

Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic, 16 East 52nd Street, New York, New York. Call: 212.753.9600

Aesthetic Treatment With Dara Liotta, MD

If you know someone who’s been considering a little cosmetic “tweaking”, but has been nervous about finding a quality doc, a gift certificate to Dr. Liotta’s practice is just the thing! Dr. Liotta is masterful at what she does. She is board certified in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery as well as Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Liotta spent five years training in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery before going on to complete fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She is intimately acquainted with, and comfortable manipulating, the delicate and complex anatomy of the face and neck from its most superficial to its deepest layers. As a Board Certified ENT surgeon as well as a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, she believes her job is not complete until everything looks good, functions well, and feels healthy.

Dr. Liotta does it all: from Botox, fillers and laser treatments to rhinoplasty, facelifts and necklifts (and more).

City Aesthetics, 154 E. 85th Street, New York, New York. Call: 212.288.2222. Email: facialplasticsnyc@gmail.com

By: Travel Beauty Editors

Gone (mostly) are the days of the post-injection frozen face, the seemingly emotionless Botox-bot shopping its way down Madison Avenue. As highly trained plastic surgeons in Manhattan’s upper east side beauty mecca, our needlework is getting much more subtle, “smarter”, and more customizable! Over the past year, I have seen a huge increase in younger patients, hoping to incorporate a little Botox into their regular beauty regimen to help prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles, and to set the stage for lovely, natural, beautiful wizening (I don’t like to say “aging”). My patients, both men and women, want to look natural, just a little more refreshed and less stressed. They want to be able to express themselves with their faces- to laugh, get mad and even cry.

Introducing Protox

Often, as part of their jobs, they must be able to express themselves with their faces to be effective and successful. Lucky for us all, with some experience and knowledge, Botox is highly customizable! Introducing what I’ve dubbed “Protox” – custom Botox designed with your professional goals in mind. A personal brand identity is key to one’s career and the face often says it all.

The Case of The Lawyer

Attorneys must have the ability to look disapproving. This patient always needs to maintain a little corrugator movement (this is the muscle group that give you the vertical “11 lines” between the eyebrows, and furrows the brow) in order to successfully argue a case or negotiate a mediation.

When The Psychiatrist is the Patient

A Psychiatrist needs to maintain a sympathetic demeanor without displaying a disapproving, “frozen” look. In contrast to the lawyer, this patient needs to seriously weaken movement in the corrugators so they can relax and listen to what their patients are saying without looking judgy, but keep a little movement in the frontalis muscle (the muscle that raises the eyebrows) so they can still look like they care about what they’re hearing.

Let The Teacher Teach

He needs to maintain the ability to look surprised and to be sympathetic. This patient needs to retain almost all movement of the frontalis muscle that raises the eyebrows, but can often benefit greatly from Botox used to soften the crow’s feet and raise up the arch of the eyebrow.

The Poker Player

This patient needs Botox to retain her poker face and help eliminate the look of surprise (frontalis muscle) and some of the most common facial “tells” such as clenching the jaw and flexing the masseter muscle at the angle of the jaw. (masseter muscle Botox) It’s important for poker players to be able to keep all emotion under wraps.

The Actor Needs to Emote

Performers need to be able to express all emotions, but must also look permanently airbrushed with subtle touches of Botox in a number of areas.

No matter your personal or professional goals, subtle, natural, customized Botox is possible in the hands of an experienced injector!

They say the eyes have it. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that “it” is my age. Every single year. Perhaps it’s because I have big eyes, but I feel like one night of crummy sleep can age me five years…or more. There’s the redness, the eyelid crepiness and–probably the most universal sign of raggedness–pitch black under eye circles. What to do, what to do?

I sat down with New York City plastic surgeon and Travel Beauty expert, Dara Liotta MD, to discuss how the face–specifically the under eye/cheek area–age, and what non-surgical options exist to make this aging process a bit more graceful.

“It’s not just wrinkles that age you”

Dr. Liotta said. “If you just ‘chase the lines’, you’ll end up with that obvious, overdone filler look. What can really age the face is volume loss and gravity, leading to a hollowed-out look. If you really want to look more youthful, you have to replace that lost volume.”  I asked Dara how volume loss ages the eye area, and she handed me a mirror. She instructed me to hold the mirror above my head and look up into it. “There are different components to under eye area aging, two are shadow and pigment. When you look up at yourself in a mirror, any shadow disappears, and all you are left with is pigment. No matter what anyone says, there is nothing you can do about pigment. No lasers, fillers or anything else will get rid of it.” (I frown slightly at this because, even looking straight up into the mirror, there is still some darkness underneath my eyes.)

“What you can treat with filler, however, is shadow”

I have some shadow too, so hearing this makes me happy. And hopeful. “Hollowness here [she points to under eye area] creates shadow, and a line right to the eye that draws attention and ages you.” Dr. Liotta said.

To reduce shadow in the under eye area, filler is added to the “tear trough”. This plumps up an otherwise hollowed-out under eye area that can become dark and thus, age us. “I only use Belotero for tear trough injections. It is the thinnest hyaluronic acid filler, which is so important as the skin under the eye is itself so thin. Other, thicker fillers can cause unpredictable swelling.” Indeed, search RealSelf.com for “tear trough reviews”, and you’ll read/see several horror stories of major, unsightly swelling as a result of thicker filler being used to treat tear trough hollowness. [This expertise is why I love Dr. L.]

What about this line that’s starting to form right through my cheeks?

I ask. This line, when coupled with pronounced nasolabial folds (the lines that form from the sides of the nose to the sides of the mouth), is what Dara refers to as the “thumbprint”, because the area between the two “lines” is the exact size of a thumb. She demonstrates by placing her own thumb between the non-existent “line” in her cheek and her non-existent nasolabial folds, but I get the idea.

“Well-done injectable cheek augmentation can take years off of your appearance. Since the skin is thicker in this area, I use Voluma here.” Dr. Liotta said. For those that aren’t on top of their injectable filler game, Juvederm Voluma is another injectable hyaluronic acid gel. It is the first and only FDA-approved filler that can instantly add volume to the cheek area. AND…since Voluma is a thicker filler, the results last two years! The amount of Voluma required for cheek augmentation varies between 1-4 syringes. “As we age, we tend to lose that youthful volume in the cheek area. Then, as gravity causes the natural fat pad of the cheek to drop, the nasolabial folds become more pronounced. By using Voluma to add volume back into the cheek area, you get a subtle, natural lift in the cheek that helps restore a well-rested, youthful look. This lift also improves the appearance of the nasolabial folds.”

Looking at Dr. Liotta’s before and after pics, it was amazing to see how much Voluma injected into cheeks improved the appearance of nasolabial folds–a different area of the face. The improvement is seen in the reduction of “shadow” on the side of the nose…the same reason women spend millions of dollars every year on highlighters meant to mask/minimize/erase such shadows.

I’m not ready to take the Voluma plunge yet

Dara swore I don’t need it yet–but it just might be my 40th birthday gift to myself!

I cannot recommend Dr. Liotta highly enough. As a Board Certified ENT surgeon, as well as a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, she is intimately acquainted with, and comfortable manipulating, the complex anatomy of the face. That’s why I won’t trust my face to anyone else. To get more information and to schedule a consultation, visit Dara’s website.

By: Claire McCormack, Twitter & Instagram

Experiences. Not Things.

Everyone is so busy running around during the holiday season—shopping, traveling, cooking, etc. Sometimes the best gift you can give is the gift of self-care! An indulgent day, or even an hour, can be just the thing your favorite person needs to unwind.

Shiatsu Shampoo at Salon Ishi

The shiatsu shampoo and head massage at Salon Ishi to the rescue. This is the quintessential serenity now gift and can be particularly wonderful during the holiday season when we are not only physically running around but have lots on our mind. A Japanese treatment is applied to open pores and gently cleanse and nourish the scalp. The massage activates acupressure points stimulating blood flow and relaxation. Prepare to be magically transported to a very happy place.

Salon Ishi, 70 East 55th Street, Manhattan. Call: 212.888.ISHI

Gift Certificate to Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté

Want to give someone a wonderful treatment experience but not certain what s/he would like? Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté is one of New York City’s preeminent spas. Yasmine has been written up in Vogue, New York Magazine, Allure and New Beauty – just to name a few – and offers a wide variety of world-class treatments including massage, cellulite and body treatments and semi permanent makeup sessions. Yasmine’s Remodeling Facial is the spa’s signature treatment. Be prepared to look 10 years younger by the end of your session! We love the 60 minute Seaweed Wrap Treatment.

Yasmine Djerradine Institut de Beauté, 60 East 30th Street, Manhattan. Call: 212.588.1881

Colonic at Exhale Healing Arts

At first blush this might seem like an odd gift, but for a wellness-minded friend, a colonic is a wonderful  - albeit unique – gift, especially around the holidays when many of us are prone to overindulging! Gina Mikan is as good as it gets. She uses the Woods Gravity Method, essentially an internal bath (possibly the best euphemism ever) that helps cleanse the colon of gas, mucus and accumulated fecal matter. There is no discomfort (really!) and only slight internal pressure, just a gentle flow of water in and out of the colon, expertly controlled by the therapist. During the procedure Gina explains the process step-by-step so your friend (or you!) will feel as at ease as possible, given the circumstances. The colonic appointment is one hour.

*For a limited time, Exhale Healing Arts founder, Gina Mikan, is offering Travel Beauty readers a special introductory offer of $90 for a first colonic appointment. Just mention Travel Beauty!*

Exhale Healing Arts, Brooklyn: 71 Eighth Avenue (corner of Union Street) & Manhattan: 124 East 40th Street (corner of Lexington Avenue), Suite 703. Call: 787.406.8061. Email: ExhaleHealingArts@gmail.com

Hair & Scalp Treatment at The Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic

Treat him or her to a one-of-a-kind custom hair treatment. A one hour session which includes the application of hair and scalp cream and of course, Philip Kingsley’s world famous Elasticizer which was created expressly for Audrey Hepburn. Also includes infrared, radiant heat and/or ultraviolet light therapy, depending on your unique hair and scalp concerns and a heavenly scalp and neck massage. Whether you have hair loss, texture and/or scalp issues or just want to give your hair a boost of health and radiance, this gift is aces.

Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic, 16 East 52nd Street, Manhattan. Call: 212.753.9600

Microcurrent Treatment for Face and/or Body at SB Skin

Shamara Bondaroff, founder of SB Skin, has been featured in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Yahoo Beauty and more for her transformative face and body treatments. Know someone who is soon to be jetting off to the Caribbean? A gift card for a microcurrent body treatment (or five) with SB Skin is the perfect pre-vacay gift. What does microcurrent actually do? The low level electricity applied stimulates the muscles, causing them to contract — just like when you do crunches or squats — thus helping to tone and slim the area being treated (the stomach and bum are two of the most-requested areas). The treatment encourages lymphatic drainage, which makes skin look taut and smooth, and also majorly improves cellulite. One treatment will have a subtle, noticeable result, but the best way to really fulfill your derriere dreams is to get a series of at least five sessions. Bonus: Your friend (or you!) can also enjoy a body treatment and a facial AT THE SAME TIME.

SB Skin, 289 7th Avenue, #4 (2nd floor), Manhattan. Call: 917.273.7374. Email: info@sbskin-nyc.com

Aesthetic Treatment with Dara Liotta MD

If you know someone who’s been considering a little cosmetic “tweaking”, but has been nervous about finding a quality doc, a gift certificate to Dr. Liotta’s practice is just the thing! Dr. Liotta is masterful at what she does. She is board certified in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery as well as Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Liotta spent five years training in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery, before going on to complete fellowship training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She is intimately acquainted with, and comfortable manipulating, the delicate and complex anatomy of the face and neck from its most superficial to its deepest layers. As a Board Certified ENT surgeon as well as a Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, she believes her job is not complete until everything looks good, functions well, and feels healthy.

Dr. Liotta does it all: from Botox, fillers and laser treatments to rhinoplasty, facelifts and necklifts (and more).

City Aesthetics, 154 E. 85th Street, Manhattan. Call: 212.288.2222. Email: facialplasticsnyc@gmail.com

By: Claire McCormack, Twitter & Instagram and Alyssa Barrie Weiss, Twitter: @AlyssaBarrie