Get a NuFACE and Help Haiti
If you want to lift and smooth your skin, but aren’t quite ready for a surgical facelift (or injectables) you might want to look into NuFACE, a battery-powered device that promises to tone and rejuvenate skin with microcurrent technology. And, if your act fast, your purchase will do more than just reduce wrinkles.
During the month of March, the company is making a donation to the Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund with every NuFACE device sold. They retail for $325 and come with Conductivity Gel, Optimizing Mist, an instructional DVD, and a user manual.
See some NuFACE before and after photos and a training video to learn more about how the technology works.
—Stephanie Kinnear, web editor
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Biodynamic Wines from Truett Hurst Winery
With holiday parties and New Year’s plans in full swing, the perfect pairing for any party is a great bottle of wine. Make it a biodynamic wine, and do better for yourself and the environment.
I recently visited Truett Hurst winery in Healdsburg, California’s Dry Creek Valley, and was blown away by the beauty of the property, as well as their biodynamic farming principals. Here you will find an indoor tasting area with two tasting bars and lounge area, an outdoor lounging/picnic patio (made of eco-friendly materials!), and peaceful, creek-side seating where you can enjoy a glass of wine and watch the fish swim by. There are even goats and sheep on the property (part of the biodynamic principals).
Of course, besides the beautiful property, the main focus is wine! My personal favorite is the Dessert Wine; it’s honestly one of the best I’ve ever had.
They have a great Zinfandel Rose that is perfect for pairing with lighter dishes and meats like seafood, turkey, and chicken, and an amazing selection of reds—their specialty.
Truett Hurst wines can be purchased online, or stop by their tasting room and try them for yourself!
For other holiday drink recommendations, check out Natalie’s picks on Day 5 of our holiday gift guide.
—Veronica Sooley, photo editor
Photographs by Veronica Sooley
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Six Senses: The Gift of Luxury
Whenever I tell people I recently spent nine months living at luxury spas, I’m always asked the same question: Which one was your favorite?
The truth is, I don’t have a favorite. (It’s the safe answer, I know.) Each location really offered something special—though I will admit there were a few standouts. One of them was Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi.
From my Thai spa therapist Elle who managed to release tension I never knew I had to my loveable butler Tony who made sure that my bathroom was stocked with lemon grass-scented products and not lavender, the Six Senses staff succeeded in anticipating my needs without ever intruding in my space. And for me, that is exactly what makes a destination spa worth going back to.
So when I received an email announcing that Six Senses is now selling gift certificates, I was especially excited. The certificates are available in denominations of $100 and $1,000. They can be used for any spa service, or for stays at any Six Senses, Soneva, and Evason resort. Staying true to the company’s commitment to protecting the environment, each order is packaged in a unique box that is handcrafted from 100 percent recycled elephant poo. (Don’t worry the paper is odorless!)
A tip for spa connoisseurs: If you’re lucky enough to be on the receiving end of this lavish present, redeem your certificates at the newly opened Soneva Kiri by Six Senses. This tropical wonderland is located on the secluded island of Koh Kood, Thailand. Accessed by the resort’s private plane, it features 42 private pool villas and, of course, the brand’s signature Six Senses Spa.
—Maria Wakem, senior editor
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 12 – Gifts that Give Back
Between the shopping, cooking, and traveling of the holiday season, it’s easy to forget how lucky we are to have presents to buy, families to cook for, and friends to visit. That’s why I always try to give presents that do more than pamper and please my loved ones: gifts that give back to those in need.
Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee offers organic bath, body, and home products handmade by residents of Magdalene, a residential community for women trying to escape addiction and life on the streets. All proceeds fund programs that help the residents of Magdalene learn job skills as well as recover from their ordeals.
Giving presents has never felt so good.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
Get more ideas for gifts that give back after the jump.
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Premium Eco-Care Yoga Mat
Price: $115
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Fair Winds Trading Rwanda Basket
Price: $46 |
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Pink Clarisonic Mia
Price: $149 |
More of our 2009 Gift Guide:
- Day 1: Gifts for the Home
- Day 2: Skincare
- Day 3: Fashion
- Day 4: Gift for Men
- Day 5: Food & Drink
- Day 6: Fitness
- Day 7: Jewelry
- Day 8: Makeup
- Day 9: Eco-Friendly
- Day 10: Homemade Bath Products
- Day 11: Books
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 11 – Books
Editor’s Pick: Eckhart Tolle explains why it’s important to be present in the “here and now” in a way that’s easily understandable, and he makes the “how” accessible to anyone who reads his books.
His latest, Oneness With All of Life ($25) brings his words to life with beautiful illustrations.
—Julie Sinclair, editor-in-chief
Get more gift ideas after the jump.
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Living Life as a Thank You by Mary Beth Sammons
A book that teaches the reader to cultivate graitute every day. It includes personal stories, inspirational quotes, and a gratitude tool kit—perfect for the holiday season. Price: $10.85
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In the Face of Fear: Buddhist Wisdom for Challenging Times A collection of essays from Buddhist teachers and writers on how to persevere through challenging times. Price: $10.85 |
More of our 2009 Gift Guide:
- Day 1: Gifts for the Home
- Day 2: Skincare
- Day 3: Fashion
- Day 4: Gift for Men
- Day 5: Food & Drink
- Day 6: Fitness
- Day 7: Jewelry
- Day 8: Makeup
- Day 9: Eco-Friendly
- Day 10: Homemade Bath Gifts
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 10 – Homemade Bath Products
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you make yourself. And if, like me, you dread the maddening crowds of holiday shoppers, a homemade present is a great way to get in a festive mood in the privacy of your own kitchen.
In keeping with all things Spa-related, here are links to a few easy-to-follow recipes for bath products I found online. I have not yet tried these recipes myself, but if you try them at home, I’d love to know how they turned out!
- Brown Sugar Body Scrub: An all-natural scrub that sounds sweet enough to eat.
- Vanilla and Almond Soap: This exfoliating soap recipe doesn’t require lye, eliminating the risk of alkali burns.
- Milk Bath: Packaged in a simple glass jar, this would make a great hostess gift.
Check our collection of 13 DIY Beauty Recipes for more homemade gift ideas.
—Maria Wakem, senior editor
Image: Caren Alpert
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 9 – Eco-Friendly
When the weather is warm, there’s nothing more relaxing or enjoyable than sitting outside in the evening with friends and enjoying a glass of wine or a cup of tea. And soft, beautiful lighting can really take the experience up a notch. Although it’s hard to imagine warm weather right now, I want to plan ahead and get one or two people on my list a set of Solar Shoji Lanterns ($79).
These lanterns are charged up by the sun during the day and flip on automatically at night. And, although they look like paper, they’re actually made from a weatherproofed nylon. So they should hold up in bad weather and last quite a long time.
—Stephanie Kinnear, web editor
Get more eco-friendly gift ideas after the jump.
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Recycled Rice Tote Bags from Gecko Traders These bags are made from discarded rice bags in Vietnam. They’re totally fair-trade and the perfect size for lugging home all the groceries. Price: $25
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Eco Starter Kit from EcoHatchery This EcoStarter Kit promises to help the typical US household cut utility bills by $260 per year and shrink its carbon footprint by 2.5 tons. Price: $97.50 |
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Organic Cotton Herbal Spa Socks
Price: $32 |
More of our 2009 Gift Guide:
- Day 1: Gifts for the Home
- Day 2: Skincare
- Day 3: Fashion
- Day 4: Gift for Men
- Day 5: Food & Drink
- Day 6: Fitness
- Day 7: Jewelry
- Day 8: Makeup
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 8 – Makeup
Editor’s Pick: There’s nothing better than looking flawless on the go and that’s why I’m hoping to get The Kit by BeingTrue ($75) this Christmas. Perfect for travelers or beginners, The Kit includes two shades of SPF17 mineral foundation (which you can blend to create a custom color), a blush compact, a finishing mist, as well as a retractable brush and a sponge for seamless application. Best of all: the mineral foundation contains Idebenone, an antioxidant that brightens and smoothes skin.
—Natalie Rios, editorial assistant/research editor
Get more makeup gift ideas after the jump.
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Jane Iredale Limited Edition Sweet 15 Kit
Set includes 15 shadow shades, three Just Kissed lip plumpers, three Blush shades, and a large mirror for easy application. Price: $78
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Priti Dark Winter Night Kit
This kit include two non-toxic nail polishes—Magic Man Iris and Silver King—a 2-in-1 Top/Base Coat, and 2oz. Soy Remover. Price: $37.50 |
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gloLip Maven Collection from glominerals
Price: $65 |
More of our 2009 Gift Guide:
- Day 1: Gifts for the Home
- Day 2: Skincare
- Day 3: Fashion
- Day 4: Gift for Men
- Day 5: Food & Drink
- Day 6: Fitness
- Day 7: Jewelry
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 7 – Jewelry
Editor’s Pick: After the holidays, everyone starts to think about their New Year’s resolutions, and I’m betting one of the top resolutions is a step towards better health.
Help a loved one achieve their resolution with a chic solution: The Count Me Healthy bracelets ($88). These bracelets help to make tracking daily wellness goals fun and stylish: each one has 12 silver beads on it—which the wearer assigns a value or goal—that are moved to the other end of the bracelet once that goal is “crossed off” for the day.
Some of their recommendations for use are: counting glasses of water a day, counting points on popular diet “point” systems, number of cigarettes (help a loved one quit!), and so on…the list is endless. There are 8 different styles to choose from, including Golf Goddess, Mommy & Me, and Bride-to-Be.
—Veronica Sooley, photo editor
Get more jewelry gift ideas after the jump.
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Birdcage Cluster Necklace from Wendy Mink This necklace boasts gunmetal and gold filled charms, and a green onyx coin bead. The chain measures 34″. Price: $145
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Glowing Sun Medallion Necklace from Ten Thousand Villages
This fair trade, handcrafted necklace comes from Bombolulu Workshops in Kenya. It features a hammered brass disk and dark-stained neem wood on a dark cord and gold-colored chain. Price: $20 |
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7-City Transit Token Charm Bracelet This eco-friendly bracelet is crafted from transit tokens from seven different cities. It also features a sterling silver chain and lobster clasp. Price: $100 |
More of our 2009 Gift Guide:
- Day 1: Gifts for the Home
- Day 2: Skincare
- Day 3: Fashion
- Day 4: Gift for Men
- Day 5: Food & Drink
- Day 6: Fitness
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Spa’s Holiday Gift Guide: Day 6 – Fitness
Nothing dissuades me from my daily run like a chilly winter breeze—when it’s cold, I find it much harder to exercise. That’s why I need to stock my closet with workout clothes that keep me warm, and that’s why I’m putting this Traverse Jacket from Patagonia ($100) on the list of things I’d love to receive this holiday season.
It’s lightweight and not the least bit bulky, but it still offers both wind and water protection (no more using windy, wet weather as an excuse to skip workouts). It even has two zippered, hand-warming pockets and reflective flourishes so I’ll feel safe out running after dark.
—Stephanie Kinnear, web editor
Get more fitness gift ideas after the jump.
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Pure Relief T Spheres
Price: $30
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Nalgene Everyday OTG Water Bottle BPA-free, dishwasher-safe water bottle will fit perfectly in most beverage holders, bike bottle cages, and exercise machines. Price: $9.95 |
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Core Fusion: Body Sculpt DVD from Exhale Spa
A total body program designed to tone and sculpt all those hard-to-target places. If you don’t like DVDs, you can also purchase Gift Cards for classes at Exhale Spa’s various locations. Price: $14.99 |
More of our 2009 Gift Guide:
