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Smooth Operator


Gucci Westman doesn’t apply makeup in an ivory tower. She wields her brushes on people—Reese, Gwyneth, and, once, me—who have to function in the world and get photographed pretty much constantly (not me). A smudge or an Angelina Jolie–style powder gaffe could cause a public-relations meltdown. So when she decided to make a matte lipstick for her Westman Atelier line, she took her time, testing the formulas to be sure the texture didn’t make the lips feel tight, parched, or pinched (all common pitfalls). The resulting Lip Suede Matte Lipstick is a soft, smoothly gliding bullet containing moisturizers, peptides, and vitamins C and E, along with a touch of clay to keep the color from feathering or fading. And, if you need to touch up before a photo op, there’s a clever little mirror on the cap. ($50, westman-atelier.com) —Linda Wells

Collect

That’s Rich


Ruby red, saffron, magenta, amethyst—they could be considered neutrals in Sabyasachi’s hands. Dubbed “the king of color,” India’s most accomplished fashion designer is known for his elaborate, wildly expensive (as in $23,000) wedding dresses, worn by Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, and much of Bollywood. Now he’s taking that opulence to lipstick with a limited-edition collection for Estée Lauder. These are not for the faint of smile—the Rouge Benegal practically pulsates and lasts for up to 10 hours. Even the tube is a statement piece, topped with Sabyasachi’s tiger medallion and plated in 24-karat gold. “So much has been written about Indian beauty, but no one has brought luxury beauty from India,” the designer told us at the launch party. “I want to be the one to do it.” We have no doubt. ($63, esteelauder.com) —Ashley Baker

Lather

Magic in a Bottle


Plenty of hair-care brands have landed in hot water for claiming to encourage hair growth. Leonor Greyl doesn’t go quite that far with their new shampoo and serum, but they do hint at a little magic. The Énergisant shampoo adds noticeable volume, even though the formula is a low-lathering, somewhat runny liquid. Inside are proteins that allegedly wrap each hair fiber in a protective layer, fortifying everything, and leaving behind a warm, almond scent. The serum delivers extra density and works invisibly on wet or dry hair, without adding oil, alcohol, glycerin, or excess weight. I’ve been using the pair for over a month and can detect a bit more bulk in my anemic hair—and I’ll take it! ($92 for the shampoo; $120 for the serum) —Linda Wells

Book

Face First


J. K. Place in Paris has much to recommend it. There’s charm, comfort, and the intimacy of its size, with just 29 rooms in a former hôtel particulier close to the Musée d’Orsay. The handsome rooms are filled with unfussy antiques from the French flea markets and more far-flung locales. But what makes me weak is the spa, with its sleek, efficient Technogym equipment, small pool, sauna, and—drumroll, please—facials from Nobel Panacea, the skin-care line created by a Nobel Prize winner. The three facials offer different degrees of intensity, and all include L.E.D.-light-therapy machines. The High Tech Glow Facial replaces the gray film of an overnight flight with a bright, fresh flush. And instead of chocolates on your pillow, housekeeping leaves pouches of Radiance Resilience Serum tied with a pink bow. (from $206, jkplace.paris) —Linda Wells

Sweat

It Works for Jen!


Wouldn’t it be nice to have a body like Jennifer Aniston’s, more or less? That’s partly what inspired me to dive into Pvolve, a workout she endorses. The low-impact program combines resistance bands, a ball to squeeze between your thighs, light weights, and a mat that looks like a tic-tac-toe board and helps you achieve the proper form. The moves are precise, controlled, and sweat-inducing. Now I start my day choosing from one of the 1,300-plus sessions in Pvolve’s digital library. Three weeks in, I already feel remarkably stronger, but I still don’t look anything like Aniston. Maybe it’s the haircut. ($199.99 for the signature equipment bundle; $14.99 for a month of classes) —Linda Wells

The Ranch Hudson Valley
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Hidden Valley Ranch


Destination spas in the Northeast have never been terribly compelling, what with their inconvenient seasons and general dearth of Zen. But The Ranch, which started in Malibu and expanded to the Apennine Mountains outside Rome, has converted a historic estate on a Hudson Valley lake into a luxurious retreat. It’s less than one hour by car from Manhattan, meaning New Yorkers can slip away for four or five days to hike on its 200 wooded acres, eat spare but inventive vegan meals, surrender to daily massages, and collapse in bed at eight p.m. Even a short visit is capable of snapping guests out of their bad habits, as I can attest. I’ve been to both the Malibu and Italy locations and found each experience to be truly transformative. It isn’t easy—and there will be blisters—but real New Yorkers don’t believe in easy. (from $2,575; theranchlife.com) —Linda Wells

Issue No. 14
April 5, 2024
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Issue No. 14
April 5, 2024