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

I’m sure I’m not alone when admitting that sometimes there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to fit in time for personal grooming – but is pre-flight pampering possible when you’ve got hours to kill at the airport?

When I think of airport indulgences, I think of the long overdue and much needed airport wine. However, a couple of glasses will dehydrate your skin and make you feel not so beautiful – so, a spa is the way go to.

Or is it?

Airports are vying to be our go-to beauty destinations and besides beauty vending machines airport spas are the place to go to get a little pampering.

Here is a list of time-starved services that are springing up at airports nationwide. Let’s explore which options are truly viable.

Manicures and Pedicures (YES)

This could be the safest and best – as long as you have enough time to let your polish dry! To make this bet even safer, skip the manicure part and just go for a polish change. That way you don’t have to worry about when the tools were last cleaned, etc.

Facials (NO)

Facials at the airport could easily be a hit or miss. Having oily skin I look for pros that can empty out my pores like no one else. Great aestheticians have years of experience and training, plus a set of expert tools to make your skin glow. I don’t think airports can provide this experience, although Anne Bauso, contributor for Allure, had a facial at the airport and shared her amazing experience.

Blowouts (YES)

I am talking about a basic blowout – no cut, colour or up-do. This service would be best done when you get off the plane – nothing is worse than disheveled airplane hair! I recently wrote a handy list of airports that have blowout services for VANE Airport. It’s definitely safe to try a blowout at the airport at least once.

Waxing (NO)

Best to say no to avoid getting burned or a rash. Can you imagine sitting on a plane for 6 hours with a wax rash?! Plane seats are uncomfortable enough as it is… Bustle recommends “…go(ing) to a professional technician that only waxes.” You want someone who specializes in waxing and knows what they’re doing!

Massage (YES)

Massages are the best option if you’re looking for a little relaxation at the airport. Before and after your flight – this pampering option works anytime. There are also a few varieties of massage available at the airport:

• Chair Massage: We are familiar with this service already offered at almost every nail salon in New York City. However, airport chair massages are usually done in the front of the store, are very public and not as relaxing because of all the airport distractions.
• Table Massage:  I have done it before and didn’t regret it but I can’t be sure that others will experience the same treatment. Table massages and facials at the airport are slightly more expensive compared to spas outside the terminals but hey, so is everything else at the airport.
• Coin-operated Massage Chairs: Although lacking in human touch, many airports offer chairs around their airports. If you have time to kill and are not wild about making more of a commitment, why not?

I am all about personalized services and prefer to go to my regular beauty teams who know my skin, hair and preferences but when you really need something done at the airport, there’s not much you can do. Having said that, a manicure, blowout and massage are low risk beauty services that I have experienced with success.

The pros of pre-flight pampering

These beauty services accept walk-ins (though reservations are welcome) and most places do have a separate treatment area in back for table massages and pedicures.

The cons

We may never know what we are going to get and most places are a little too noisy to be relaxing – which can be expected at an airport.

Maybe one glass of wine paired with a 20 minute chair massage is all I need to take off into bliss mode!

Cristina Alcivar is the Founder of Vane Airport, Twitter: @CrisAlcivar

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

Travel Beauty’s #GirlBoss Series continues with mother of four Julia Samersova Garfinkel - fellow Brooklyn girl and founder of cast inc. cast, inc. is a full service casting agency based in New York City that specializes in advertising campaigns, editorials, fashion shows and commercials. With an impressive worldwide network of modeling and talent agencies, art directors, producers, photographers and designers, cast inc. works with some of the most prominent names in the industry.

TB: What Was Your Path To Becoming An Entrepreneur? Was It Always A Goal Of Yours?

JSG: No, it was never a goal. I had been working as a model manager for close to 12 years. I had worked at four agencies (Elite, Ford, Company Management and Next). In 2004, I decided to make the jump to the client side and become a freelance casting director. My best friend John Pfeiffer, Casting Director legend, took me to J&R Music World and bought me my first laptop. John and my mom encouraged me to do my own thing. I jumped into the shallow pool with my eyes closed and wished for the best! I had nothing to lose. I was not operating from a place of fear, so it all fell into place! The first year was tough financially and I had to borrow money just to survive. Gradually, through networking, word of mouth and sheer perseverance I started to flourish! The better I did, the more driven I became.

TB: It’s Your Job To Find Beautiful People. How Has Being A Casting Agent Changed The Way You Relate To Beauty…Inner And Outer?

JSG: Constantly working around beautiful men, women and children has taught me that inner beauty trumps outer any day. A gorgeous person becomes ugly very quickly with a bad attitude, and vice versa. I have also learned that personality goes a long way. You can’t just be pretty or handsome with nothing inside. Then you are just a pretty, empty shell. Also, genetics are a motherf#@ker, period.

TB: What Constitutes The “It” Factor? What Makes Someone Truly Stand Out?

JSG: A sense of humor and sense of self.

TB: What Beauty Hacks Have You Established Over The Years As A Casting Agent, Mom and Entrepreneur?

JSG: Massage, massage, massage! I am a huge massage freak! We found an incredible masseuse that comes to our home once a week. He is a Tibetan Buddhist from Mongolia; a true healer. I also have been massaging my kids daily (sometimes twice daily) since they were born. I believe that touch is so essential to intimacy, both with my husband and with my children.

I am also a huge sunscreen fanatic. Always on the hunt for a fabulous easy to apply, yummy smelling, natural sunscreen.

I love anything vanilla scented…but not cheap vanilla. I also love musk, patchouli, tobacco, citrus, sandalwood and bergamot. Scent is very important to me – it establishes the strongest memories. Also, manicures and pedicure, family style, on the regular!

TB: How Has Your Work Shaped The Way You Talk To Your Daughters About Beauty?

JSG: It’s never too early to start the dialogue about beauty, weight, societal expectations, self love, nutrition and sex in my house. We talk about everything in an extremely open, liberal way. We answer questions very honestly and name body parts by their real names. Sex is not some secretive, sinful thing.

My oldest daughter has seen my weight fluctuate several times. From very overweight to “medium” (as she calls it) to too thin! As a family, we stress the importance of fitness and activity. We try to eat super healthy but are not perfect, so of course there are plenty of lazy days and pizza parties! I tell each of my kids a million times a day how absolutely gorgeous they are. I hope it just sinks in!

TB: What Beauty Products Can’t You Live Without?

• Sunscreen!
• Maybelline New York Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black
• I love Weleda products with all my heart! The citrus body lotion!
• Coconut Oil for everything!
• Chanel Vamp or Iced Roses by Essie for nails
• Baby Foot Deep Exfoliation for Feet peel (OMG!)
• L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
• Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Cream
• Tweezerman tweezers
• Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist Hair Conditioner
• Exfoliators! I use different ones all the time
• Ling NY Skincare DUAL MOISTURE EMULSION (Ling for facials too! Ask for Carol!)
• Q-tips and baby wipes!
• Black hair ties!
• Gillette Clinical Antiperspirant
• Atelier Cologne Absolue – Vanille
• Dove Soap (love the smell)

Photo credit: Wildfox Fall 2015 campaign. Cast by cast inc. Photographer: Mark Hunter

By: Claire McCormack, Twitter & Instagram: @clairemcmack