I was watching Good Morning, America recently & was surprised by a report about a study asking women of various ages if they’d rather spend an hour having sex—or pampering themselves. Overwhelmingly, women responded they’d rather take time for themselves! An important step—most of us spend so much of our lives doing for others. On New Year’s, more women pledge to take better care of themselves than any other resolution. It’s February! How are you doing?
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU: Making resolutions as I light the candles on my New Year’s Eve table—Here’s to a Happy, Healthy 2026! Candelabra & gold candles from Home Grown in Haverford, my mom’s black Lalique dishes, herringbone salad plates from ralphlauren.com—don’t you love the confetti through my chandelier? My granddaughter did that!
Let me help. The easiest way to stick to a beauty regimen is to book appointments. See your hairdresser. See a make-up artist. Call a gym, a trainer, a facialist, a manicurist. Even better, make standing appointments. And keep them. Try buying yourself gift certificates. Just do it!
MAKE STANDING APPOINTMENTS, AND KEEP THEM: My weekly schedule always includes a blow-out at Salon Cachet in Haverford or Ralph Manne in Wynnewood & a manicure at La Beaute Nails in Rosemont
At every price point, nothing gives a lift as quickly as make-up. It’s a fact. History teaches us when times are tough women run for cosmetics. Called the “lipstick index,” cosmetic sales go when the economy is uncertain. Even in the worst of times—for relatively few dollars you receive an immediate pick-me-up from a new lipstick.
RELY ON PROFESSIONALS YOU TRUST: Getting glam at Saks Fifth Avenue in Bala Cynwyd; my favorite new fold-down make-up bag from havenbagco.com
That said, how many lipsticks, blushers, and eye shadows reside in your make-up bag? How many do you use? Same with me. Same with most women. That’s why you need a professional. They’re behind every counter. Use them.
MY NEW FAVORITE THING: Djurda, my make-up professional at the Sisley counter at Saks, recently introduced me to “Le Teint” foundation, giving me smooth coverage & dewy “glow” at once, from saks.com or bluemercury.com
If you look good, you feel good. There are loads of new products in an array of prices to help. To catch me up on the latest scoop, I visited Saks Fifth Avenue’s Djurda Pantoviv, at the Sisley counter in Bala Cynwyd, one of Philadelphia’s finest make-up consultants and my make-up guru for years.
DO NOT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT YOUR LIPS ON: The newest lipstick & gloss from christiandior.com & lauramercier.com
And though there are trends—particularly as we become 60ish—we just want to look beautiful. When Djurda shows me a new shadow and says, “You’re going to love this,” I usually do; when she says, “This new lipstick is the hottest thing but too bright for you,” she’s usually right too.
I NEVER WALK OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT MASCARA: “Monsieur Big” mascara–I do not leave home without it–at lancome.com; new to the market, “Big Deal” mascara at loreal.com
That said, personally, I will not leave the house without mascara. It opens and defines your eye, makes you look younger, prettier, and more alert. Chanel to Maybelline and everything in between, for me, a must-have. Eyeliner—pencil or liquid—enhances even further, use a Q-tip or eyebrow brush to blend.
THE EYES HAVE IT: Quadra eye shadow at saks.com or chanel.com; an array of Nars shadows at bluemercury.com
Ready for something new? Try a smoky eye, offered at every counter. A beautiful look on almost everyone. Start with a light, shimmery shade under the brow, apply a matte brown in your crease, then a lighter shade across the lid and a darker hue in the outer corner. Don’t forget brows—nothing is more aging than grey hairs in your brows. And always, a softer lip with dramatic eyes; important lip with softer eyes.
“THE SKINNY” ON SKINCARE: Esthetician Michelle Collins has “done my skin” for 20+ years; the newest thing in serums from “esthetician to the stars” Keren Bartov at bergdorfgoodman.com
Of course, even the most exquisite make-up application will never look right without wonderful skin beneath. Esthetician Michelle Collins, 267.476.6145, has been taking care of my skin in her Wayne office for 20+ years with micro dermabrasion & peels. I supplement with serum, moisturizer & eye cream. Again, so personal. Let your professional put you on a regimen. Give it a month—you will be amazed.
CREATE A HOME SPA: A myriad of body & bath products in several soothing scents at moltonbrown.com and bluemercury.com
Once you’ve put on a good face, take time to unwind at the end of the day. It’s all about wellbeing and vitality. Looking and feeling healthy and fit. Workouts to yoga to meditation to creating a home spa. Indulge in luxurious bath products, leaving your skin smooth as silk. And don’t forget to treat yourself to a delicious scented candle. So perfect on a cold evening or a wonderful gift for your favorite hostess.
ANOTHER FAVORITE THING! Nest scented candles–my fave is “Moroccan Amber,” at Home Grown in Haverford or bluemercury.com
Pamper. Unwind. Relax. Rejuvenate. Stick to your resolutions. Steal an hour at least once a week. Go to the gym. Get a mani/pedi. Have your hair blown out. Have a massage. Just do it! What do women want? Now you know. Here’s to a Healthy & Gorgeous 2026!
Three great binges for cold, snowy nights: “Bridgerton, Season 4” and “His & Hers” (great twist at the end you won’t see coming!) on Netflix; “Heated Rivalry” on HBO Max—this is the steamy new series everyone is talking about–don’t miss it!
ps. When it’s freezing cold & windy, I love to be “tucked in” on my pretty white sofa & binge TV. In Philadelphia it’s been in the teens & 20’s, with wind chills in the single digits, for the past two weeks—I ran straight through these shows in two or three nights each. You’ll enjoy them all!!!
Chic at 60ish! 
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