guest blogger Amanda Martin...

Guest blogger Amanda Martin is co-contributer to 110 Sullivan. She is also better known to some as mother of the adorable Luna from Luna is My Dog (a must-read for pet lovers everywhere!).

Dear Flawless Beauty,
I know that you're, like, totally obsessed with facials, products AND celebrities. It's ok, you don't have to hide it anymore, I am too. Sometimes, I just need to know what Jessica Simpson wore to her birthday party and what size Ashley Olsen's coffee was today! Then I was thinking, how great would it be if someone blogged on Flawless Beauty not just about an amazing spa experience, but the celebrity action involved too!?

Thanks to my lovely Fiance, I was treated to my choice of spa treatment at the infamous Christine Chin Spa in the Lower East Side, which, I quickly discovered is the celebrity spa of choice. As soon as I walked in the waiting room I noticed on the coffee table there were portfolios of celebrity headshots. Three books worth of signed messages, including "thank yous," "I love yous" and "your a savour." Kate Moss, Padma Lakshmi, Carmen Kass, Karolina Kurkova, Eva Longoria, etc etc etc! Little ole' me has an appointment in the same secret beauty lair as Kate Moss?!

Upon arriving, I was greeted by Miss "Mean" Christine - a nickname given by a Vogue editor when Christine left not one pore uncleaned. Her Yorkie BeeBee was with her as well as her army of estheticians.The newly updated spa (moved from a smaller space on Rivington Street to Orchard Street below Delancy) was executed beautifully. I appreciated that it was not just about form, but about function. The waiting area was clean and relaxing. The lighting was dim except for underneath the cabinets where there were a mix of fabulous facial ingredients.The rooms were spotless and had a private bathroom in each.

For my treatment I chose microdermabrasion, something I have never had done before. Afterwards, I was given a green tea calming mask to soothe my skin and I am happy to report no peeling, redness, or any other bothersome side effects. I'm enjoying the softness of my newly discovered skin. Christine Chin's products give the results I need in the scents I like, only that of cleanliness. I was willing to purchase some after the treatment. I left with her signature Nourishing Toner (pictured above), I've used it everyday since and still love it! Overall the pricing was about right for the quality, service and location. I would return again for my next treatment.

My only disappointment of the day was not running into any of the aforementioned celebrities in her small waiting room. Next time I hope...

I also hope all of you can try Christine Chin and please report back to any sightings! Oh and service recommendations too!

XOXO,

Amanda "soon-to-be-Jemanda-officially" Martin

Korres in Soho...

I was walking through Soho the other day when I noticed a new Korres store! I then learned on their website that they actually opened in October. The design is very modern and clean, their first US store as well! For those of you not familiar with Korres, they are a Greek company from Athens, making great natural products in exotic scents with well designed packaging. A lot of their products are available at Sephora, but now you can buy directly from them, if your in New York. One of my favorite lotions they offer is the guava body butter.

five days of fasting...

I have been meaning to follow up on my Organic Avenue love fast that I posted a few weeks ago. Overall, it was a really great experience. The menu was tasty, although I will admit by the last day I didn't even drink two of the items. I think I was getting bored from the taste of some of the drink options. The menu consists of seven "meals" so you're drinking almost every other hour until 7 PM. I wasn't too hungry throughout the day; I was late in the evening though. I avoided all social events after work and the gym because I felt like I just needed to go home and relax. The most challenging part of the fast for me was not being able to snack at my desk, which is apparently a serious habit I've picked up after working in an office for so many years! Overall, I felt amazing (physically and energy-wise) during the day. I drank a ton of water, which I think also helped my energy level. I highly recommend fasting; you learn amazing things about your body and its habits when you clean out your digestive system and rest. I was happy with the service and meals Organic Avenue provided me with. The customer service was a little inconsistent. I did the fast with my roommate and coworkers, and we all had odd things happen during the week. It wasn't anything big enough to make me not use Organic Avenue again … maybe they are just understaffed? Not sure. Hopefully with the price they set, they will get everything worked out because I only see their fasts getting more popular in the future.

time for a New Years fast...

To start of the New Year and just because it's about that time, I am doing the 5 day L.O.V.E fast by Organic Avenue. I usually like to start the New Year off with a detox of some sort. In the past I have prepared food myself but this time I am going to give Organic Avenue a try. I feel it's easier to follow through with fasts when I don't have to prepare the food. It's best when the food is ready in front of me and I don't even have to think about it or go to the grocery store ect... Every morning I pick up (delivery is also an option) 6-7 prepared liquid meals for the day. The fast is for 5 days. Shouldn't be too hard, well see. Organic Avenue offers 3 levels of the fast depending on your current eating habits. Their website is also a good source for all sorts of product and information on vegan lifestyle and other topics pertaining to the environment.Fasting is good for a number of reasons. Mainly, fasting provides your body with a way to relax. Fasting also gets rid of your bad eating habits...well at least twice a year! Your body becomes more in tune with what you consume and your senses become heightened. This is also a great way to find out what may be causing skin issues. Anyway, I don't start the fast for another week or so but will let you know when completed if I can recommend Organic Avenue!