Spring Fashion

spotlight Guide to Fashion & Beauty A Baltimore Jewish Times Special Section April 20, 2007 Customized Cosmetics Is Thin Still How To Find The Right Bra Fit Big Trends In Spring Fashion In On The Runway? is pleased to announce the arrival of the Dr. Sheri Rowen editor’sletter inside... FRAXEL II The most advanced in-office facial laser resurfacing with minimal to no down time. The new FRAXEL II offers “Fractional resurfacing with a million points of light.” This breakthrough procedure is safe and effective in repairing aging and sun-damaged skin. Results you can see and feel. Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Shorn he year, 1981. Designer jeans, Nike sneakers and headbands were at the fashion forefront.There was change in the air. With my ill-advised Dorothy Hamill haircut a faint memory, it was time for an update. For those in the know, there was only one option.Thanks to Farrah and Heather, feathered bangs were de rigueur. Mustering my courage, I informed my mom about my vision.After getting a strong recommendation from a friend, she took me to a local salon and entrusted me to a young French stylist,whom I’ll call Monsieur F After . being given explicit instructions to feather my bangs, but not to touch the length,my mom left to run an errand. Although the intensity of Monsieur F’s pungent garlic breath threatened to knock me unconscious, I sat tight, willing to persevere. Monsieur F picked up a pair of gleaming scissors and began hacking off large chunks of my long locks, until my hair was well above chin length.Afraid to protest,I remained mute.Feeling utterly T • Dramatically improves wrinkles around your eyes (crows feet) • • Eliminates brown spots and melasma • • Improves skin texture, tone and firmness • • Removes signs of aging on your neck, chest, hands and arms • Botox • Juvederm • Restylane • Radiesse • IPL • Laser Hair Removal Spider Vein Treatment • Microdermabrasion • Obagi - No Derm Skin Care powerless,I watched in horror as he moved to my bangs, which he snipped with equal fervor, resulting in two tiny insect-like wings. When my mom returned, I held in my tears, politely smiling at Monsieur F. Upon reaching the safety of the family station wagon, I released my agony in a torrent of unrelenting tears. The next day, before school, I struggled to make the best of my remaining tresses. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail which, I’m afraid, closely resembled the stump of a rabbit’s tail. Upon entering my classroom, as if on cue, the class bully let out a loud cackle. It took what seemed years to grow out my hair and, to be perfectly honest, to this day I am still apprehensive about having my hair cut. Often, I cling to split ends for far too long, in the belief that it is better to have dead hair than no hair at all. In this first-ever issue of Spotlight, we focus on the latest fashion and beauty trends, in the hopes that you’ll avoid a similar beauty or fashion trauma. Here’s to a happy spring, and may all of your future haircuts be horror-free. I 12 04 05 06 13 Best Face Forward All Dressed Up Is Thin Still In? How Uplifting! Custom Cosmetics Editor: Laurie Legum Art Director: Kim Trompeter Production: Brianne Weber, Ebony Brown, Greg Worsley, Heidi Traband, Lisa Drobek, Oriana Ng, Phyllis Levin Photographer: Rebecca Gardner Laurie Legum, Editor llegum@jewishtimes.com Cover Illustration Audrey Pondek Start looking as young as you feel! Schedule your free FRAXEL consultation with Dr. Sheri Rowen – a $150 value. This is a limited time offer, so call today! 042007 410.821.5333 Must present coupon at time of consultation. Coupon has no cash value but will be applied towards your first FRAXEL treatment. Coupon good through 06/30/07 When you call, ask about our INVITATION-ONLY SEMINAR! Get your ticket today for our seminar, to be held June 2nd at the GRAMERCY CARRIAGE HOUSE. Meet the representatives, enjoy a lecture by Dr. Sheri Rowen and receive special “event-only” offers on all cosmetic procedures and products. This event is limited to only 100 guests. Call 410.821.5333 Today!!! 1407 York Road, Suite 210 • Galleria Atrium • Lutherville, MD 21093 April 20, 2007 3 All Dressed Up spotlight Dresses lead the way in spring fashion trends. Anath Hartmann Special to the Jewish Times spotlight Is Thin Still In? The link between high fashion and low weight is more troubling than ever. Laura Laing Special to the Jewish Times PHOTO REBECCA GARDNER W ondering if the clothes you bought last spring are still in fashion this year? We spoke to local clothing store owners to get the scoop on what’s hot now. PHOTO CHRISTOPHER JUE/ICON SMI For women, it seems dresses are back in a big way — in pretty much all styles and colors. “A lot of the fashion for spring is based on the dress,” says Robyn Fischer, owner of The Red Garter, a women’s clothing boutique in Pikesville.“Think the casual little dress, the cocktail dress, the office dress.They’ll be shirt dresses, sundresses and shifts, and some will have embroidery, others will have a Bohemian style.” Karen Ciurca-Weiner, vice president of Vasarri Boutique in Pikesville, concurs.“One of the biggest trends this season is the dress,” she says.“There’s the day dress that can go into evening, in all patterns, all fabrics and all straps.As far as length goes, minis are in but we’re also seeing a lot of tunics over jeans.” Wondering if those leggings you bought in ’06 will still serve you come warmer months? You can rest easy.They will, says Ms. CiurcaWeiner.“Leggings are still in, especially cropped leggings under skirts, which gives a softer kind of look.Also, short shorts in a kind of nautical look — think stripes in red and blue — are in.As for spring colors, we’re seeing a lot of yellows, greens and lavenders. Very pastel.” Not a girly-girl? No worries:“Black and white are still very popular colors, as are neutrals like sand and beige,” she explains. As for patterns, forget the skulls you saw Britney and Lindsay wearing last season. “Think polka dots and geometric patterns for the spring,” Ms. Ciurca-Weiner says.“Skulls are definitely one of those trends that were big a little while back, but we Hot spring accessories from the Treasure House don’t carry trends like that which don’t last long.” Jeans, that old standby, get a few renovations for spring, too. “The really wide fit, the 22-incharound bell-bottoms, are really in right now,” describes Scott Wable, owner of The Jean Pool in Mount Washington.“So are the pencil legs and the skinny jeans.They all go really well with gypsy tops, the peasant-style blouses, which are in, too. Most of the stuff that’s coming in now is the really paper-thin denim in a medium wash. For men, it’s about the same: a bootleg or straight leg in a really soft denim.” If you like your jeans a little dressed up, that’s fine as well, Mr. Wable says. “A really big thing for the summer is beads and embroidery on jeans. And we’re also seeing a lot of jean skirts in various lengths.” If you’re more into accessories than clothes, we’ve got your spring fashion overhaul covered there, too. “As far as bags go, clutches are huge right now for both day and nighttime,” says Jodi Brodie, co-owner of the Treasure House in Owings Mills along with her mother, Rhona Rosengarden.“We’re seeing a lot of gold chains on bags, like we did in the fall, only sleeker and more feminine, less biker-chick. Patent leather is huge in black, white, red and other colors. Monogrammed necklaces in gold and silver are big, though some people like getting numbers on their necklaces, too. I have a ‘30’ on mine because both my kids’ birthdays are on the 30th. Bracelets are also big; we like the leather and chain bracelets by the brand Bita.” If you’re into belts, Ms. Brodie says, there are a couple of styles you can choose from for spring.“The waist-cinching belt is big right now, but so is the skinny belt,” she explains. Designers who are hot this spring? The Treasure House is all about Rebecca Minkoff, Alexis Hudson and the French brand Abaco for the upcoming warmer weather. If you’re into shoes, ditch the pointy-toed booties and stock up on stacked or wedge heels, round-toe pumps and sandals.They’re sure to go great with those new pastel sundresses you’ll be buying. I Anath Hartmann is a local free-lance writer. he postcard Melissa Needy is holding features three artfully styled photographs of a stunning woman. In small type at the bottom are her measurements and height.At 5 feet 11 and 140 pounds, this model wears a size 4 — too big for high fashion modeling in NewY ork. “I have models that really want to be in high fashion in New York,” explains Ms. Needy, president and CEO of L&M Modeling Agency in Reisterstown.“But they can’t because their hips are a little too wide or they’re a little chunky,even at size 4 or 6.” “The U.S. has such a problem with weight, health issues and eating problems,” adds Ms. Needy’s booker Christine Flowers. The fashion industry is now in the center of a debate about thinness that exceeds concerns in the 1960s when Twiggy came on the scene. Last November Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston died, weighing only 88 pounds. Sisters Eliana and Luisel Ramos also died of weight-related causes, Eliana in February and Luisel last August. In September, the Madrid regional government banned models with body mass indexes (BMIs) of less than 18 from the city’s fashion week, an announcement that caused many in the fashion industry to go on the defensive. Cathy Gould, North American director for New York modeling agency Elite, called the move “outrageous”and discriminatory. Yet Ms. Needy, a model herself, applauds the move, saying that she would welcome BMI restrictions in the United States as well.According to the World Health Organization, anything below 18.5 BMI is considered underweight, while above 25 BMI is overweight.The National Association for Eating Disorders notes that the average BMI for a high-paid model is 16.5. It’s not likely that the United States Laura Laing is a local free-lance writer. T will see sweeping changes, however. Responding to criticism, the U.S. fashion organization, made up of modeling agencies and designers, set non-binding suggestions: healthy food offered backstage and no drinking or smoking during runway shows.The group also recommended that designers not use models under 16 years old and set a curfew of midnight. Dr. Harry A. Brandt, director of the Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt in Towson, is sincerely concerned about the models.“The employers encourage weight loss,” he says.“They want the clothes to just hang on the model. We’re talking about an industry that historically has encouraged people to engage in behaviors that are linked to [anorexia nervosa,] the most deadly psychological disease.” Famed Israeli fashion photographer and modeling agent Adi Barkan is also concerned about the models. Nearly 14 percent of the girls who came to his auditions were anorexic, he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an interview. He is now fighting against these trends by refusing to use too-thin models. Instead of encouraging models to lose weight, which is the trend according to Ms. Needy, he sends them home to gain weight. The winner of Mr. Barkan’s competition to find a healthy-sized model was Moran Sankovsky, who is 16 years old, 5 feet 6 and 139 pounds. And Mr. Barkan is toiling to get the rest of the Israeli fashion industry on PHOTO PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP/GETTY IMAGES board. He has received commitments from several Israeli companies that use fashion models, but he won’t stop there. “I will not rest until I convince top fashion designers like Calvin Klein to join the campaign,” he told JTA. Understandably, there is concern among medical professionals and parents that young girls are getting the wrong idea of what it means to be at a healthy weight. The fashion industry “creates an image that does not even exist in nature,” Dr. Brandt says. Computer wizardry has as much to do with fashion these days, as hips are virtually trimmed, necks lengthened and lips are plumped using Photoshop. While the fashion world cannot shoulder the blame for eating disorders among young girls and women,Audrey Brashich, former teen model and author of “All Made Up:A Girl’s Guide to Seeing Through Celebrity Hype and Celebrating Real Beauty” (Walker & Co., 2006), believes the industry does hold some responsibility. “I think the fashion industry could do a better job of making changes in the standard definition of beauty it promotes instead of saying that this is ultimately what women want since they buy the clothes and magazines that showcase the look,” she says. In October 2006, Ms. Brashich spoke at Beyond the Mirror, an event for teen girls and their mothers sponsored by Hadassah of Greater Baltimore. “I think we buy [these fashions] because there aren’t sufficient alternatives, and we’ve never been educated to demand something different,” she continues. Ms.Brashich is grateful for Madrid’s stand and the dialogue that has resulted. “Spain’s decision has refocused the world’s attention on issues like body image and media influence.And that’s great!” Still, it would be even better news if the U.S.fashion world were making firmer stands.“The fashion industry needs to take a very pro-active stance to protect its employees,” Dr.Brandt says. Meanwhile, it’s up to parents and the target of fashion magazines — young girls and women — to resist the unhealthy and unrealistic images portrayed on catwalks and in the pages of Seventeen and Glamour. “Moms have to remember — your kids are always watching you and listening to what you say,” Ms. Waranch says.“Especially girls.” She encourages parents to start dialogues about what their children consider beautiful and how that differs from what they witness in popular culture. “Parents need to tune in to what their kids are doing,” Dr. Brandt says. Teenagers and older children who are at risk for eating disorders often withdraw from friends, compulsively exercise, obsessively worry about their weight, refuse to eat with the family, and wear layers of clothing to hide extreme weight loss. And locally, Ms. Needy sees changes. She’s received calls for more representative models. Norman Cole, owner and manager of Notorious Runway Productions Inc. in Glen Dale, is planning a large spring fashion show featuring Marylandbased designers. He booked models of all sizes for the production. “It’s no longer tall, skinny models,” he says.“The people who wear the clothes are all sizes.” I 4 Spotlight April 20, 2007 5 Gold Center at spotlight Pikesville Engravers Valley Village 9133 Reisterstown Rd. Owings Mills How Uplifting! Finding a properly fitting bra is a load off your shoulders. Amy Landsman Special to the Jewish Times 410.902.1800 042007 pikesvilleengravers@yahoo.com Purchase any pair of regular priced Brighton shoes during April 15th thru May 15th and receive this exclusive Brighton Tee Shirt Free! (While Supplies Last.) Brighton Collections by Alli 042007 www.kokopelli1.com 1128 COLUMBIA MALL COLUMBIA, MD 21044 410-997-9470 4805 TOWSON TOWN CTR. TOWSON, MD 21204 410-296-5999 April 15th thru May 15th, 2007 Engaged or Married? Send us your announcement and photo. Recently jewishtimes.com verybody thinks they’re a 36C,” chuckled the clerk at a local lingerie shop. Big, small and in-between, the clerk has seen them all, and knows full well that bras are definitely not a one-size-fits-all proposition. In fact, even if you really were once a perfect 36C, you’re probably not anymore. That’s because breast size changes during a woman’s life.Your monthly cycle,those extra 10 pounds,pregnancy, nursing, menopause or exercise can all play a part in whether you’ve gone up or down a size or two. “Nine times out of 10 they are wearing the wrong size,” says sales clerk Dorothy Stocksdale of Lingerie Lingerie at The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson. Think about it; since sizes range from 32AA to 44G, the right size for you has got to be out there somewhere. Bra size is determined both by cup and the size of your rib cage. Manufacturers — and there are dozens of them — all size their bras slightly differently. So you may very well be that perfect 36C in a bra by one maker, but something different in another. “Not all cups are created equal,” says Lingerie Lingerie owner Barbara Bianco.“It’s not rocket science, but there is a lot to it.” In a well-fitting bra, the band and straps work together to keep you lifted, and you should feel comfortable all day. “Some bras take the pressure off your shoulders,” says Lynn Fram, “E co-owner of Bare Necessities at Green Spring Station in Lutherville. “You look perky rather than saggy.” How do you know it’s time for a new bra? “When you’re not comfortable, or you’re stretched out, or you see the pretty one in the window,” then it’s time, says clerk Beverly Lutters of Lingerie Lingerie. “We also tell people you should have five to seven bras in your wardrobe.They would usually last nine to 12 months with rotating them regularly,” notes Ms. Fram. “It depends how many you have, how you take care of them. If you have two bras, that will last you maybe six months. If you have six or eight they’ll last you a little longer, then they’ll all go at the same time!” observes Cookie Rosenberg, owner of We Fit in Pikesville, who has 40 years of experience fitting ladies of every shape and size imaginable. Using a tape measure, you can size yourself.(The Web site onehanesplace has a handy fitting guide.) But for the most accurate results it’s really best to have someone else do the measuring. “Most women are OK with being fitted,” observes Ms. Fram. Lingerie Lingerie owner Ms. Bianco says the biggest mistake ladies make when they try to self-fit is buying too big in the band and too small in the cup. “The worst thing you can do is have a band that’s too big around. Then it tends to ride up in the back. It sags in the front.The fit is terrible, Gotta have bags “Gotta Have Color” at Gotta Have Bags. Barbara Bianco (right) does a fitting in her store Lingerie Lingerie. PHOTO REBECCA GARDNER the look is terrible,” Ms. Bianco says.“You want your bra to fit low and snug. It should fit parallel all around.” The ladies “always say they’re bigger in the cup,” notes Ms. Rosenberg,“The truth is they are bigger in the back.Then they wonder why their bras are riding up. It’s because they need to go smaller in the back, and bigger in the front.” It’s not a criminal offense to toss your bras in the washing machine. Just be sure to use a lingerie bag, wash on the delicate cycle, and never use the dryer. “You get more mileage out of them” that way, notes Ms. Fram. Like fashion in general, bra styles change with the times. Colorful, lacy bras were all the rage back in the 1980s when fashion tended toward shoulder pads and big sweaters. Today, the look is more formfitted. Pointy bras have given way to a smoother look, observes Ms. Rosenberg. Nude is in.White out. (Don’t wear a white bra under a white shirt. It’ll show.) A black bra is also a wardrobe staple. Molded bras, which uplift and hide your nipples without changing your cup size, are also popular these days.A padded bra gives you push-up. Underwire provides support. “If you wear a lot of T-shirts or tight sweaters, I want to get you something that’s smooth and uplifting and that hides nipples if that’s an issue. If you wear tank tops then you want to do a racer back bra,” says Ms. Fram. If you like shirts with skinny straps, you may want a strapless bra.Bridesto-be will need a specialty bra designed to give shape under a heavy dress. Some women are bigger on one side than the other, and a good lingerie shop will do alterations. Wider straps for full-figured women are available these days.And many bras are also tag free,so there’s nothing scratchy under your shirt.You can also buy bra accessories, such as holders to keep your straps in place or gizmos to hide your nipples. If you are pregnant or nursing you will definitely need a new bra. Many nursing moms also need a bra to sleep in. “We have about nine different style bras and we go up to a size G, which is very rare,” says Shirah Talles, owner of Tummies Maternity in Pikesville.“Most of our bras are adjustable so any given day you can adjust your bra up a cup size or down a cup size because when you’re nursing your body is changing, you’re fuller on some days than others. They’re also one-handed friendly so if you’re holding your screaming baby in one hand you can unhook the bra with the other!” Think nursing bras are built strictly for function, not fun? Ms.Talles points out that while she certainly carries traditional styles, she has sexy Elle Macpherson models in stock as well. Buying a trainer bra is a rite of passage for pre-teen girls. Bare Necessities co-owner Mindi Leikin says about half the girls are very shy and the other half are perfectly comfortable in the dressing room.“We try to work with them and put them at ease,” Ms. Leikin says. Generally the moms stay outside during the fitting. The saleswoman gives the girl a loaner T-shirt and then calls mom in to see how it looks.After 22 years in the business, Ms. Leikin says she now has adult customers she fitted for their first bras when they were girls. So even if you’re not that perfect 36C, take heart. Few women are. But whatever your size, the bra that makes you look and feel your best is certainly out there somewhere. I Exclusively at Magda Sizes 0-16 Cotton Summer Washable Suits PA N T ICULAR is the collection of sportswear from Alex Garfield & Jaime Nortman Formerly Barry Bricken Still carry lines: – Barry Bricken – Belford – Ball of Cotton 10749 Falls Road Greenspring Station Suite 100 Lutherville, MD 21093 410-337-2008 Arlene M. Burman Full Service Image Consultant & State Licensed Makeup Artist Amy Landsman is a free-lance writer who in the course of writing this article ended up tossing out over half the bras in her dresser. Fit To Be Sized Bras are always available at department and discount stores, but if you want to be fitted, check out: Lingerie Lingerie, 410-296-8808, lingerielingerieshop.com Bare Necessities, 410-583-1383, necessarysecrets.com We Fit, 410-484-1022 Tummies Maternity, 410-602-5388, tummiesmaternity.com Specializing in bar and bat mitzvahs, wedding parties and other special occasions in-home spa parties • skin care consultations 040607 410.833.0972 amburman@aol.com | www.beautipage.com/amburman April 20, 2007 7 846 W. 36th Street • 410.243.5999 Wed.-Sun. 11-5pm jewishtimes.com 6 Spotlight 042007 042007 Karen Weiner, owner of Studio of Makeup, disinfects a makeup brush. What’s In Your Makeup? Face it:True beauty includes being safe, too. Linda L. Esterson Special to the Jewish Times W omen spend billions of dollars each year on cosmetics and a significant amount on salon makeovers, but do they really know what they are putting on their faces? The cosmetic industry is not monitored by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and thus manufacturers can use any ingredients in their products they choose.They may also change makeup formulas at any time without needing government approvals. Dr.Ronald Sweren,a dermatologist in practice 25 years who recently joined the Johns Hopkins Dermatology & Cosmetic Center at Green Spring Station, recommends that consumers Linda L. Esterson is a local free-lance writer. always read cosmetic labels, much like they would do for food products.This can be especially important for women with allergies. “You can’t assume a product will always be the same,” Dr. Sweren says. “Read labels. Know what you are putting on yourself.” It’s also important to know how to apply products. Beginning with the face, Dr. Sweren recommends starting with a clean face, first using a mild cleanser like Dove or Cetaphil. Next, moisturizers are recommended, especially those with sunscreen. Toners,alphahydroxy and betahydroxy creams can be irritating to the skin and often unnecessary.A minimal number of layers — usually moisturizer and foundation — is best. “My philosophy is minimal is better,” he says.“Even in medicine ... less invasive is better. I want to use the least that does the work, fewer pills, less creams.” It is crucial to ensure that makeup is as sterile and safe as possible.Bacteria and other germs can easily reside in makeup, especially those items that are moist and thick like mascaras. This can lead to infections like conjunctivitis or “pink eye” and, if neglected, can result in severe conditions requiring treatment. When going for a makeover at a salon or cosmetic counter, there are precautions to take. First, make sure the salon’s tester units are clean and not full of dust particles and remnants of previous uses.The counters, too, should look clean. It is important to be sure the cosmetician also sterilizes her hands before working on your face. “Especially if she’s doing stock work, you don’t want her to put dirt on your face,” explains Karen Weiner, owner of Studio of Makeup in Owings Mills. Hand sanitizers, she says, are sufficient. Pay close attention to how the makeup is used. If cream foundation or concealer is selected, make sure the makeup artist removes the product with a spatula and applies it with a brush. If the brush is dipped into the cream, it contaminates the product. It may have been dipped into the tube for other clients as well, and could heighten the spread of infection. Eye or lip pencils should be sharpened before and after each use to remove the crayon portion, where bacteria may fester.Ask the cosmetician to sharpen the pencil in front of you to be sure.The sharpeners, too, should be cleaned between clients. “The biggest culprits of pink eye are eye pencils,” says Weiner.“Bacteria grow in warm, dark, moist places.” If the cosmetician attempts to use a pencil without sharpening it, ask her to do so. “It’s no different than asking someone at the deli counter who takes money to wash their hands before making your sandwich,” she says. Lipsticks, too, should be scraped with a spatula and a lip brush used to apply it directly to the lips. Eye shadow and blush should be scraped onto a tissue and applied with disposable swabs.Weiner says her studio staff wipes down powder shadows constantly. Mascara is the trickiest. It should be applied with disposable wands only dipped once.The best option, Ms.Weiner says, is to bring your own or buy a new tube at the salon. Hygiene practices are also important at home. Ms.Weiner explains that all cosmetics have a shelf life before they “go bad.” Foundations and concealers should be tossed in the garbage after one year if opened. Lipsticks may last a maximum of two years. If a tube smells like a crayon, then it’s gone rancid and should be tossed. If it smells fine but hasn’t been used for a while, cut the end off with a butter knife to remove resident bacteria. Mascara should be changed every eight weeks. Ms.Weiner recommends storing mascara tubes upside down and refraining from pumping the wand, which allows air into the tube and speeds up its drying out.“Buy a small sample or inexpensive mascara if you don’t use it often,” recommends Ms.Weiner. Powdered items like eye shadow, blush and pressed powders last up to three years. Scraping the top after long periods of non-use is suggested. Lip and eye pencils are good for about a year. One other important note is sunscreens.According to Ms.Weiner, oxygen disturbs the efficacy of sunscreens. She recommends purchasing new bottles each year. “You shouldn’t take the chance.” Nails are also an area of concern. Women love to go for manicures and have fashionable colors on their nails. But they need to keep in mind that the manipulation of the cuticle and nail bed can be a generator of infection. According to Dr. Sweren, the best advice again refers to minimizing. Don’t allow the manicurist to clean under the nail, which can lead to a separation of the nail plate from the nail bed and an infection called onycholysis. In addition, cuticles should not be pushed back or cut. The cuticle protects the nail folder and damage leads to infection. Because equipment sterility is paramount, Dr. Sweren recommends that women either take their own instruments for manicures or make sure they are satisfied with the salon’s cleaning regimen. Pedicures provide similar cause for infection.According to Dr. Jerry Katz, a Randallstown podiatrist, the first rule is not to soak your feet in the foot bath in the same solution as previous clients.The basins should be cleaned between clients, not just rinsed, as fungal and viral infections can be transmitted through the foot bath.The best option is to avoid soaking altogether unless the salon can ensure that the foot bath is properly sanitized.In addition,pedicure instruments should be sterilized or stored in sterile solutions. Dr. Katz also recommends his patients purchase their own pedicure tools. And like the manicure, Dr. Katz recommends against trimming cuticles as they serve as protective barriers against infection. Unlike fingernail polish that often is replaced quickly after chipping, toenails may wear the same polish for months. Dr. Katz recommends against this practice as it, too, can lead to fungal infections. “Wear it for a couple of weeks and then remove it,” he says.“And leave it off as long as you can tolerate it.” Dr. Katz has treated women who leave toenail polish on for months. Resulting problems can mean the difference between fungal infections and abscesses. Fungus causes little more than a localized infection and discoloration; the abscess can cause pain and requires treatment.The abscesses Dr. Katz sees are most often the result of a salon pedicure. “A lot of it is common sense,” says Dr. Sweren. I PHOTO REBECCA GARDNER Certified Eating Disorders Specialist SUZANNE RICKLIN LCSW-C, BCD, CEDS Adolescent & Adult Psychotherapy For Individuals, Couples, Families and Groups In Private Practice For Over 25 Years 5570 Sterrett Place • Suite 101 • Columbia, MD 21044 Friday, April 20, 2007 Baltimore Jewish Times 042007 410.730.0552 Jeweler admits to love affair of Uptown Ofer Minka, owner admitted to an Jewelers, recently ongoing love affair with gold, diamonds and gems of all sorts. When questioned, he explained it this way, “Fine jewelry is in my blood. For 24 years I have been making, selling and repairing fine jewelry. I simply love everything about it. And when you love doing something, you do a better job than someone just doing it for a paycheck.” If you want someone to love YOUR jewelry next time it needs repair... if you want to own jewelry that has the craftsman’s touch, come see us. K You WILL be satisfied – guaranteed! 8 Spotlight April 20, 2007 9 042007 Uptown Jewelers DIRECT IMPORTER OF DIAMONDS FROM ISRAEL 1422 REISTERSTOWN RD. FREE PARKING IN REAR 410-602-2135 uptownjewelers@gtb.net 042007 spotlight What’s The Skinny? Denim jeans may be a staple in American culture, but the styles don’t remain the same for long. Jill B. Rothstein Special to the Jewish Times t’s no secret that denim is an essential part of any woman’s wardrobe. However, it wasn’t always that way. Denim didn’t become popular until the early 1900s when denim jeans served as a souvenir for people visiting dude ranches. We can trace denim’s ever-changing history up to today.The 1950s produced James Dean and his denimwearing rebellious attitude.The ’60s were synonymous with denim bell-bottoms and the ’80s with the tapered leg.The past few years have brought about the skinny jean, the destroyed denim look, and the ultra low rise. But as with any trend, it’s out with the old and in with the new. Most people will agree that the Jill B. Rothstein is a local free-lance writer. PHOTOS REBECCA GARDNER I skinny jean is not for everyone. Joe Uddeme, owner of Box of Rain in Hunt Valley, believes that the skinny jean will remain popular through the summertime and into the fall.“The skinny jean doesn’t work for everyone. It looks best on a taller person and works well with a tunic top or ballerina flats.” By fall time, we’ll be seeing less of the skinny jean and a return to the boot cut and wide leg pant, although the straight leg, which gives a sleeker look without being too constricting, will stick around for a little longer. Wide leg and boot cut jeans are much more forgiving to a variety of body types. Many Baltimore-based boutiques have already seen a change in sales.At Box of Rain, the racks contain both skinny and boot cut pants, and women seem to be quite glad the boot cut is back in. Keeping with the trend of moving toward comfort, the low-rise look that has been around for the past several years is on its way out.Replacing it is a higher rise, approximately 11/2 to 2 inches higher.The higher rise is good for women since it has a very forgiving fit through the hip. Dianna Unitas, manager and cobuyer at Fresh located in Timonium, explains,“Jeans dropped so low in the past couple years. In 2007 we will see a higher rise — more of a trousertype fit.” Ms. Unitas anticipates this look to catch on in late spring and into summer and fall.This look will be more of a business dress style and works well on many body types. These styles will also pay close attention to detail and spots like the back pockets and zippers. Moreover, stretch is making a comeback. People love the jean with some stretch in it, as it is sympathetic to the woman with more curves. Jeans, once worn for dirty work, are getting a cleaning for 2007. Washes will either be very light or very dark, but clean, nonetheless.A dark indigo jean helps give a clean, smooth look to the leg and works well both in the office and for a night out on the town.Additionally, says Gwendy Long, owner of Holly G in Federal Hill,“a gray jean is a good alternative to white for pants, skirts and shorts in the summertime.” Blacks, too, are an option, rather than dark blue jeans.Aside from just wash and color, the destroyed look––holes, frayed edges and paint stains––will start to disappear from shelves. Denim can be found all over the body, not just on pants. Cropped jackets are big for the summertime as well as miniskirts, which will always be great for a younger, more fun look. Mr. Uddeme says his store, Box of Rain, always does well selling cropped pants and believes we will start seeing more shorts in the next few weeks around the mid-thigh length.Also big this year is the boater short, which falls just around the knee,sometimes slightly above or below.Magazines often feature denim jumpers and dressers;however,Ms. Long warns buyers to avoid temporary fashions and look for classic pieces that can be worn year after year. Among the popular brands of jeans for 2007 are: 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, Joe’s Jeans, and Chip and Pepper. However, these brands do not come cheap. Gone are the days of $30 jeans.These brands often have price tags well above the $100 mark. But many will agree a great pair of jeans is priceless. Holly G carries a boot cut style of Denim for Immortality jeans that “is stretch so it fits your curves without getting saggy during the day.”And who doesn’t love a pair of jeans that stay put and show off all the right places? Most important, when shopping for jeans, is getting the right fit. It’s always important to take into account your body type when looking at styles.Women with long legs would benefit from a pair of boot cut jeans with a longer inseam. Some brands make styles with an inseam up to 36 inches, meaning no more “Where’s the flood?” questions. For ladies with full thighs and hips, a dark denim wash creates a streamline effect.Additionally, a flared leg helps counteract extra weight around the hips and thighs. For the woman with a short torso, a lower rise jean helps to make the top appear longer and in turn, more balanced. Conversely, for someone with a long torso, a higher rise, let’s say 9 inches, will hit closer to the waist and shorten the look of the torso. Petite women must undoubtedly spend a lot of time hemming pants. American Eagle’s straight leg jean boasts a low rise and stretch material that helps to conform to a smaller body. Ms. Unitas says that denim should match your age and display your personal sense of style. While Baltimore may not be a fashion capital like Paris or NYC, we do see many of the trends eventually make their way to our area.We may not be seeing extremes of these looks yet, but 2007 will surely bring new looks in denim. The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to our wardrobe is comfort. People’s fashion sense should be based on what they feel comfortable in, not what they see in the pages of their favorite magazine or on actresses on TV. I A girl’s best friend... 1350 Reisterstown Road Pikesville, Maryland 21208 410-653-3430 [LOCATED IN THE PIKESVILLE SHOPPING CENTER] OPEN TUESDAY-SATURDAY 10 AM-5 PM Introducing to the USA BERNARD SHEAR PRESCRIPTION OPTICIANS Voted “BALTIMORE’S BEST” Year After Year International Importers and Designers Unique Sunglasses & Eyewear THE RED GARTER 1777 REISTERSTOWN ROAD COMMERCE CENTER (Near Ruth’s Chris) 060206 7 For All Mankind wide leg jeans, $149 at Box of Rain J Brand straight leg, $160 at Box of Rain Citizens of Humanity flared, $215 at Box of Rain Joe’s Jeans high-rise boot cut, $160 at Box of Rain Citizens of Humanity skinny leg, $145 at Box of Rain Chip & Pepper boot cut, $165 at Box of Rain 9153 Reistertown Road Valley Village Shopping Center Owings Mills, MD 410.653.9363 Hrs.: Tues.-Sat. 10-5 April 20, 2007 11 410.363.1777 10 Spotlight 30306 spotlight Linda L. Esterson Special to the Jewish Times athleen Miller has always been self-described as “low maintenance” when it comes to makeup. Ms. Miller never noticed her coloring,or the small circles under her eyes.But when she turned 40 over a year ago, she thought she needed to wear makeup.After spending $400 at the Mac counter, she was left puzzled. “What did I do?” Her daytime charge is manager of an Owings Mills wellness center called Y Prescription for Health.It was our there that she met makeup guru Linda Seidel and they became instant friends. Ms. Seidel helped to open Ms. Miller’s eyes to makeup and that even the minimum can make a maximum impact. “Some women can be daunted by makeup,” says Ms. Seidel, a makeup artist and aesthetic rehabilitation specialist for more than 20 years.“But it only takes a little bit of makeup from an artistic standpoint.It’s all about art.” Ms. Seidel showed Ms. Miller how to apply foundation properly and how to brighten her eyes. Now, she uses light foundation under and around her eyes as a concealer and uses foundation a shade darker for the rest of her face.After powder and a little blush, she goes light on the eyeliner. Ms. Seidel encouraged her to take her time with mascara for a more even application and she uses two or three colors of eye shadow to brighten her eyes.For her lips,she uses an earth tone blend to complete the look.“It took me 41 years to learn how to apply makeup and learn about my features,” she says. The makeup artist introduced ways to intensify her coloring, using khaki, olive and other earth colors to bring out her eyes.She promotes highlighting the skin’s undertones, often blending a few colors together, and refrains from using brighter colors like raspberry or pink unless for formal occasions. Linda L. Esterson is a local free-lance writer. K “It’s been a great eye-opening experience,” says Ms. Miller.“It’s easy and a secret that everyone should know about — how to apply makeup the right way to enhance your physical attributes.” With Ms. Miller, as she does for every client, Ms. Seidel considers the face a canvas.“Makeup is art,” she explains.“You’re painting a portrait. Every brush stroke, everything you do is going to create an illusion.” The point, she says, is feeling good while glancing in the mirror. “Being able to apply makeup properly and in a way that you feel comfortable and confident instills a self-confidence, self-regard,” explains Suzanne Ricklin, a psychotherapist in practice in Columbia.“What people believe about themselves is what they project.” Ms. Ricklin says most women feel best when they feel comfortable with the way they present themselves.Some focus on bad hair days or blemishes,and when it becomes too much of an emphasis, their self-confidence is diminished. It also depends on their stage of life.Y oung mothers,for instance, don’t have time each day to worry about appearance; but even a little moisturizer and lip gloss can help them feel more “together.” “When people like the way they look, they become what they feel,” says Ms. Ricklin.“They smile more, their confidence is boosted.Makeup certainly has an elevating element to it.” Realtor Heidi Krauss agrees.“It really gives me a lot of confidence in the way I look,” says Ms.Krauss,37.“I look natural and glowing and feel better.” Her post-makeover look has helped her in business,she says.“It’s your image to the world, and it’s important.” Ms. Krauss underwent a full makeover with Ms. Seidel, beginning with her skin.According to Ms.Seidel, the skin needs to be treated first before any makeup is applied.Dehydrated and dry skin benefits from glycolic treatment cream to help the skin retain its hydration and exfoliate. Moisturizers soften and lubricate the skin’s surface. PHOTO REBECCA GARDNER Best Face Forward The right tone of makeup can put your world in a new light. Custom Cosmetics You’re one of a kind. Now, your makeup can be, too. Anath Hartmann Special to the Jewish Times Linda Seidel (in mirror, left), makeup artist, puts the finishing touches on Kathleen Miller's makeup. After conditioning, foundation is applied. Color selection is important. Instead of matching to the wrist, Ms. Seidel matches the color to the neck, which can be more reflective of a person’s true coloring. She takes into account the undertones; whether capillaries are visible and what shows through. She’s also sure to view foundation in natural light during daylight hours to avoid orange or rosy tones. Foundation is a performance product, Ms. Seidel says, and can be used either as a sheer veil or to even out the skin tone and conceal blemishes, sun spots and other discolorations for a flawless look. Dark circles underneath the eyes present a problem for many. Using concealer incorrectly can make them worse.Whether the woman has deep-set eyes that create their own shadows or puffy eyes with indentations underneath or dark and pigmented thin skin under the eyes, they are treated differently. As for eye shadow, colors should be complementary of the skin tone and eye color. Earth tones, mostly brown and taupe, enhance blue eyes. Color choices depend on the desired look, whether more natural or in line with the trends. Someone who is more of a makeup enthusiast may want to experiment more with a variety of colors and products that shimmer, intensifying for evening. Ms. Seidel shies away from labeling her clients as summer, winter, spring or fall, an old industry technique. Some clients choose to match their clothing and others, like Ms. Miller, go for a more minimalist, earthy look. “It’s all about technique and blending,” she says.“I can put a little bit of makeup on you and you could look made up. Or I could use a lot of makeup and blend it so it looks totally natural.” Ms.Seidel says color choice is really a personal preference, and whatever the choice, it’s about being complementary to the hair, eyes and skin. “It’s not about a lot,” she says.“It’s the art form of makeup for your skin and your features. If you learn the right way [to apply], you become your own make-up artist. Knowledge is power; beauty is power.” And there’s no right or wrong.It’s about understanding what works personally and putting the best face forward. “Whether you’re in the business world or a soccer mom, it’s still important how you present yourself,” Ms. Krauss says. I o one-size-fits-all drugstore cosmetics leave you looking blotchy, washed out or clownish? Then maybe it’s time for you to try customized makeup, the product of careful analyses of your unique skin tone, hairline and facial bone structure.Best of all,custom-made makeup is readily available to anyone who wants to buy it. “We’ve been very successful, I think, because with us, you can get exactly what you want — at the same price as Lancome or Clinique,” said Giella Poblocki, owner of Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics, a makeup company with locations in Maryland, ork,Pennsylvania and Louisiana. NewY “What you get with us is based on D three dimensions of color: depth, intensity and undertone.We ask if you want a simple makeup routine you can put together quickly in the mornings before work or something that takes a little longer.Customization has become the standard in everything — Look at Starbucks. People know exactly what they want, and they wish they could find that perfect cosmetic instead of shopping from one store to another and getting frustrated. “Giella is mass customization at competitive prices, and [your custom cosmetics] are ready for you to take home in five to seven minutes from the time we begin making them.” For those of you worried about putting harsh chemicals on your face, relax.“People are really concerned Natallua Ivchankova Giella, product specialist at About Faces in Kenilworth, mixes a custom lip gloss for a customer. PHOTO REBECCA GARDNER with what they put in their bodies now,” Ms. Poblocki added.“We’re the only customized makeup company to do nail enamel, and it’s all formaldehyde-free.We use a lot of oils — avocado oil, for instance — instead.” And Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics doesn’t test on animals, either. Three Custom Color Specialists is another boutique cosmetics maker that offers customized lipstick, face powder, blush, eye shadow and creme concealer in-store and by mail. “If it’s possible, we’ll look at the makeup people already have and advise them on what is working and what’s not,” said Trae Bodge, co-founder and creative director of Three Custom, which has stores worldwide.“The core concept of our ready-to-wear line is the division between cool and warm skin tones. We determine this by looking at the skin on the face, at the vein on their inner wrists and also asking questions,like ‘Do you tan or burn in the sun?’ Once we determine whether they are cool, warm or a combination of the two, and taking into account their hair and eye color, we can make accurate color recommendations for them.” The main ingredients that Three Custom uses are water, lanolin, beeswax, carnauba wax and glycerin, because these have low incidences of causing skin irritation. Prices at Three Custom are a bit higher than what you’ll find at your local CVS drugstore in the Maybelline aisle (a single compact of eye shadow is $36.50), but the price is worth it, says Ms. Bodge. “Drugstore makeup can be very poor in quality, with a few exceptions,” she said. Plus,“customblended cosmetics are ideal for people who have a hard time finding the right colors for themselves or are unsure what those colors should be. In addition to our color studio services Custom-made makeup is readily available to anyone who wants to buy it. in New York City, we duplicate discontinued colors via mail order and we save people a lot of time and money looking for shades that resemble their favorite discontinued shades by re-creating those discontinued shades for them.” So is customized makeup right for you? To determine if it is, you’ll need to weigh the pros (getting your “perfect” cosmetic shades) against the cons (price and the relative inconvenience of having to invest the extra time to mail in your current makeup or sit with a salesperson at a boutique to determine your best colors). Whatever your choice, there’s no denying that,for those of us who want the luxury of customized cosmetics, places like Custom Blend and Three Custom are heaven sent. I Anath Hartmann is a local free-lance writer. 12 Spotlight April 20, 2007 13 spotlight Spotty Forecast Acne, a familiar teenage pain, can follow some into adulthood. Carol Sorgen Special to the Jewish Times The best results in plastic surgery come from doctors with the most expertise. Drs. Silverman, Goldberg and the plastic surgery team at University of Maryland Medical Center are leaders in the fields of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Having trained at Harvard and Yale, respectively, both doctors apply the latest technological advances and proven surgical principles with stunning results. You’ll also find comfort in knowing that the strictest safety standards are followed, providing the highest level of patient care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 410-328-2360 or toll-free 1-800-492-5538. University of Maryland Plastic Surgery at Timonium 1 Texas Station, Suite 300, Timonium, MD 21093 University of Maryland Medical Center 22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Kernan Hospital 2200 Kernan Drive, Baltimore, MD 21207 Baltimore Washington Medical Center 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 f you were plagued by acne as a teenager, you probably thought that adulthood would bring an end to that embarrassing condition. But for all too many, acne remains a problem long after they thought they had put that particular worry behind them. There are two types of adult acne, explains Dr. Anthony Gaspari,Shapiro professor and chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.The first, known as acne vulgaris, or common acne,is a condition that can persist well into adulthood and usually is caused by hormones,making it more likely to flare up during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Nearly half of all women experience acne flare-ups and increased facial oiliness during the week preceding I menstruation, according to Dr. Diane S. Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University,speaking at a scientific session of the American Academy of Dermatology. “When adult women experience acne outbreaks, hormones are usually the primary culprit,” Dr. Berson reported.“Hormonal acne can be particularly frustrating because it may not respond to the same overthe-counter treatments that worked for some women during their teenage years.” Several treatment options are available for women with hormonal acne, says Dr. Gaspari.These include topical retinoids, topical antimicrobials (such as benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics), and oral antibiotics that are prescribed for more severe inflammations.A dermatologist also may prescribe isotretinoin for women with cystic acne that is accompanied by scarring. For women with hormonal acne whose acne flares up before their menstrual period, oral contraceptive (birth control) pills may be prescribed,says Dr.Gaspari. Oral contraceptives contain estrogen and progestin.They regulate the menstrual cycle and decrease the androgen activity responsible for acne,leading to “When adult women experience acne outbreaks, hormones are usually the culprit.” –– Dr. Diane S. Berson PHOTO NEWSCOM.COM decreased breakouts. Another medication that may also be prescribed along with an oral contraceptive is spironolactone, an anti-androgen, says Dr. Gaspari. Spironolactone prevents excessive oil production by blocking androgen receptors and decreasing androgen production in both the ovaries and adrenal glands, resulting in fewer flare-ups. While birth control pills are effective in treating hormonal acne, reports the American Academy of Dermatology, they can cause side effects. Mild side effects, which usually subside after the first month or two after starting the medication, include breast tenderness, bloating and nausea. However, there can be more serious complications, such as blood clots or strokes,especially if you are over 35 and/or a smoker. The second type of adult acne, known as acne rosacea, may be accompanied by typical acne lesions, such as pustules and red bumps, but may also be associated with redness and flushing, and enlargement of the oil glands.Acne rosacea can occur from early adulthood through old age, says Dr. Gaspari. Treatment for acne rosacea also includes topical or oral antibiotics, the retinoid medications used for acne vulgaris, and possibly low-dosage topical steroids. Whichever type of acne you have, it’s important to care for your skin properly, advises Dr. Gaspari. Don’t pick at your face, use harsh exfoliants, or anything other than a soft, damp washcloth. Use gentle cleansers and don’t wash your face more than twice a day. “Be gentle with your face,”says Dr. Gaspari.“Don’t traumatize your skin.” The myths about avoiding foods such as chocolate and french fries are just that — myths, says Dr. Gaspari. Y can minimize breakouts,however, ou by avoiding greasy makeup, heavy moisturizers and shampoos that leave a residue on your skin, especially your forehead. According to Dr. Berson, daily sun protection is also essential as some acne medications can increase the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.Also, when buying cosmetics or other skin or hair-care products, look for ones labeled non-comedogenic, meaning that they do not clog pores and are less likely to cause acne. One final note of advice from Dr. Gaspari: Don’t be swayed by TV ads or infomercials promoting skin care systems that promise to clear up your acne immediately and forever. “These products have the same ingredients that other over-thecounter products have, and you’ll wind up spending more money than you need to,” says Dr. Gaspari.“There is no magic bullet.” I Nelson Goldberg, M.D. & Ronald Silverman, M.D. umm.edu/plasticsurgery 042007 TropI…Cool ! FRESH! boutique fresh fashion. fresh attitude. fresh start. BETTER CONTEMPORARY DESIGNER CLOTHING FOR WOMEN Gatehouse Shoppes Green Spring Station Lutherville Carol Sorgen is a local free-lance writer. 443 901 0097 www.freshandhush.com For more information, visit medschool.umaryland.edu or add.org . COMING SOON Green Spring Station VIP Customer Card— Look for yours in the mail this Spring! 14 Spotlight April 20, 2007 15 Yo u d o n ’ t j u s t w e a r a Patek Philippe. Yo u b e g i n a n enduring love affair. 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