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Aug 8

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Daily – “The Perfect Blowdry”

There are “Blow Pops”.

There are “blowfish”.

There are “blow torches”.

There are “glassblowers”.

There is Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the wind”.

There is “Hootie & the Blowfish”.

There was Mohamed Ali who “traded blows” with Joe Frazier in the “The Thrilla in Minila”.

Bob Woodward and Carl Berstein were “the whistle blowers” in the Watergate scandal.

You can “blow your speakers out”.

You can “blow bubbles”.

You can “watch the wind blow”.Yosemite Sam will “blow ya to smithereens!”

Our National Deficit just “blows”.

My career will “blow up” if everyone will “like” SerafinoSays.

Then there is an entirely different type of “blow”… a blowDRY.  If I had a dollar for every time a client said, “If only I could blowdry my hair like you do”, I would have oddles of “money to blow”.

I am the first to admit blow drying is an art form in itself that is performed by many, accomplished by few.  It is difficult to replicate the perfect blowdry at home, but not impossible if you follow the correct procedure and practice.  And so, let SerafinoSays “blow your mind” with the three little acronyms to a perfect blowdry; BS, BS & BS.

SerafinoSays Secrets to the Perfect Blow dry: Read more

Aug 5

Daily – “Who Wants To Be A Celebrity?”

Are you among the many that are sick of celebrities complaining about fame?  I mean how bad is it raking in millions of dollars all the while adored by millions?  We get it, your privacy is intruded upon, quite possibly trounced during certain phenomenon, but aren’t the benefits a fair trade-off?  I mean really, every job has its ups & downs and the fame business is no different.I once counted myself among the working stiffs that thought celebs should quit their lamenting!  That all changed when I dipped a toe in their world.  Not that I have screaming fans chasing me throughout the NYC (although I have achieved stardom at my local diner ~ think of Norm entering the friendly confines of Cheers, his favorite watering hole), but I interact regularly with celebrities and their inner circle.  Until you observe this first-hand you can’t appreciate the cost of fame… its incalculable!Celebrity is a business, not unlike a butcher, baker or candlestick maker.  The biggest difference is the person is the product or commodity for sale, which requires extensive and constant marketing and promotion.  It is really no different than what Apple does to announce the latest iPhone, what GM does to promote new features on a car, or Coca-Cola reminding consumers it is better than Pepsi.  Think about it, to some extent a celebrity is only as good as their last hit movie, TV show, play, song, or photograph so a large part of their job description is to constantly remind the consumer they are “new and improved”!

The biggest point of differentiation in my example is a celebrity is not an inanimate object that is unemotionally affected by the media exposure.  Let me give you an example.

There are great extremes taken to maneuver a celebrity about without causing a fan-based riot.  Not unlike a presidential campaign, there are advance teams taking precautions to not only make life easy for the celebrity, but not to disrupt the public’s normal daily routine.  Although, I discovered it is nearly impossible to avoid the advances of the lurking media.I learned my lesson firsthand while walking the streets of Paris.  It was a casual morning stroll with a few A-List celebrities, all of which were dressed in unassuming attire.  The streets seemed absent of any media and very few fans approached our group.  What I hadn’t considered was the telescopic camera lens wielded by paparazzi (or stalkarazzi for you industry insiders).  They must hide behind bushes, in darkened cars, buses, and in manholes… all to catch a flattering, or preferably unflattering shot of celebrities and whoever was traveling with them.

Literally less than 1 hour after our morning walk the email and Facebook tags started that notified me there were dozens of pictures of myself strolling with the celebrities through the streets of Europe… all without our knowledge.  The photographs posted included the good, the bad and the ugly!  If I knew better I would not have worn my signature “comfy” travel attire of jeans, James Perse T-shirt, Nike hoody, Converse Chucks and hair slicked back in a disheveled pony tail.

I realize how fortunate I am to travel the world with an actor to promote a movie.  Although, while I initially thought I would relish in the lifestyle of private jets, hotel suites, first class dining and never having to wait or want for anything, there is a heavy price to pay… loss of privacy.  A little element in our everyday lives that you don’t fully appreciate until it’s taken from you.

Don’t get me wrong, being whisked through customs without the pain staking process of standing in line, entering hotels through secret entrances and having chefs prepare meals off the normal menu is just flat-out FANTASTIC.  It’s the next part that is alarming.

Experienced celebrities should be accustomed to the requirements of always looking your best.  The following images makes you wonder what inspired their look.

NOTE: It is not my intent to make fun, poke or prod, it’s just a good natured reminder for you to always look your best. Read more

Aug 3

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Daily – Confucious say “Foot massage a must. Make feet happy!”

Written by Linsey Jones

There are many myths about walking into a Chinese massage parlor… I’ve seen plenty of movies… however when I was in Shanghai, I had to experience it for myself.

(Get your mind out of the gutter… I wasn’t going to “one of those” massage parlors).

After sightseeing and walking along the Bund (a picturesque promenade alongside the Huangpu River that weaves through Shanghai) in the sweltering heat, I thought it would be most appropriate to get a foot massage on the last day of my summer excursion through Asia, before heading back to the United States and that thing I affectionately called “work”… UGH!

Whenever I get a pedicure at home, I patiently wait for the 5-7 minute foot and leg massage after the cutting, filing and foot scrub of my “piggies”.  Even though the massage lasts for only minutes, it feels like an eternity sitting in the massage chair.  I close my eyes and think I’m in heaven, only to wake up within the blink of an eye when asked “what nail polish color did you choose for your toes?”

To my surprise, a real Chinese foot massage is truly an art form.  I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but I anxiously went along for the ride.  I learned that foot reflexology massage originated over 5,000 years ago and became quite popular during the Tang Dynasty around 618-907 A.D.  Practitioners of this traditional Chinese medicine suggest there are 62 reflection points, all of which correspond with different parts of the body.  Particularly crucial are the soles of the feet since the foot’s reflection points are connected to every single part of our bodies.  Basically, reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that relate to every organ, gland, and system of the body.


Read more

Aug 1

Daily – “Perfume…To Stink or Not to Stink?”

I try to set aside Sunday as a tranquil personal day, but as is often the case, errands that I can no longer procrastinate typically alter my best-laid plans. This past Sunday was no different. My sweetheart and I headed out on a gorgeous morning to wander the streets of New York in search of new stores, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques.As it neared noon and the humidity began to rise, we decided on a side trip to Bloomingdale’s for a lunch of the best Frozen Yogurt from their restaurant, Forty Carrots. The Peanut Butter yogurt with a side of rainbow sprinkles is a religious experience.As we worked our way to the escalators the inevitable occurred ~ confronted by the dreaded professional perfume sprayers. We were 100 feet from the fragrance counters when we first spotted the low hanging haze on the horizon with an indistinguishable smell. In preparation off the onslaught I told my sweetheart to put on a convincing “thank-you-but-no-thank-you-face” and at all costs to avoid eye contact. Before we knew it they were upon us, wave after wave of perfume sprayers accosting us in military-like precision. Being a highly experienced shopper I made it through unscathed, although I can’t say as much for my sweetheart. When I sensed it was safe to pause, I looked back to see my sweetheart with a fragrance sample in each hand, seconds away from a blast in the face from a third sprayer, while engaging a fourth fragrance advisor in conversation. I made my way back to this greenhorn to extract him from this horror. As I pulled him to safety we heard desperate shouts of “a gift of lotion comes with each purchase of perfume.”

I understand the innocent sprayers are working on commission and simply doing their best to rise above the noise of all the other sprayers. Although, even if my objective was to purchase perfume the overall department store experience leaves you confused and slightly nauseous.As we tried to enjoy our Frozen Yogurt we realized our senses were sensing a sensory overload of peanut butter, musk and floral. Really? Not what I was craving. We decided to turn this offensive experience into a pleasant adventure. Armed with our smart phones we searched for a fun solution and discovered The Fragrance Shop New York, a delightful little shop located on Seventh Street in the East Village. For over 20 years this cozy fragrance shop has been assisting customers whip up a fragrance that reflects their personal style or recreate an old favorite. With 200+ oils to choose from the Fragrance Shop is capable of custom blending nearly any perfume, cologne, or lotion…. Read more

Jul 27

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Behind the Chair – “Men’s Journal Cover shoot with John McEnroe

Growing up in South Florida tennis is considered a year-round game enjoyed by young and old alike.  Nearly every young Floridian has swung a tennis racquet at some point in their childhood; whether on an actual tennis court (my favorite surface is clay), a playground with ramshackled nets and faded lines, in the middle of the street with no boundaries, or simply striking a ball against your parents garage door.

When I was asked by Men’s Journal to style the hair of legendary tennis player John McEnroe for a Cover shoot I was just downright excited.  I had spent countless childhood hours in front of the TV watching John battle famous rivals such as Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, and Jimmy Conners.  I had a huge crush on all.

I could not believe I would be meeting this Tennis icon.  John McEnroe is a 7 time Grand Slam Champion, and has 5 WCT Finals Titles, 3 Masters Grand Prix, 19 Championship Series, 4 US Opens and 3 Wimbledon’s… WOW!

My call sheet (a call sheet provides everyone on a shoot with the time, location and details of the job) indicated I was to arrive at an apartment building on Central Park West.  For those of you that don’t have an appreciation for New York City real estate, a “CPW” street address translates into a whole bunch of zero’s in the price of an apartment.

The doorman directed me to the rooftop garden… of course.  Again, for those non-New Yorkers, approximately 0.00003% of us in the City have rooftop gardens; we are just happy and content with a roof on our building.

Before I could catch a glance at the view, I was whisked to a table in a back hallway where I could set-up my equipment in preparation of John’s arrival.  Once I laid out the products, shears, cape, squirt bottle, makeup and the rest of the little goodies in my grooming kit, I turned and saw the set that was awaiting John.

You can view the set for yourself on the cover of this month’s Men’s Journal.   Central Park and a panoramic view of New York City… simply breathetaking.  It was only a matter of minutes before John arrived on set.  John politely introduced himself to the crew while he was directed to wardrobe where he consulted with the stylist on what would be best for the Cover.  After his fitting John headed in my direction.  I applied my favorite Burt’s Bees wax lip balm  , added a little MAC powder to take down the shine from the sun cascading on his face, then finished with a dab of Jonathan Product Dirt to create a cool texture in his hair.

After I finished I walked with John to set.  He had a few laughs with the crew, the photographer shot some beautiful images, and then John quickly departed for his next appointment.  For me my friends, this was the perfect day to a gorgeous Cover shoot.

“True Beauty isn’t about perfection.  By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

Jul 25

Daily – “SpaAHHHHHHHH!!!!!”

Written by Linsey Jones

They say when in Rome, do as the Romans do… so I guess when in Bali do as the Balinese do… pamper yourself!  One thing is for sure, I am a spa girl.  Among a myriad of lavish spas with unique Balinese treatments that use indigenous herbs, plants, roots, spices, barks and flowers indigenous to this beautiful land, I felt like Dorothy finding the Emerald Palace.  In summation, no region of the world outdoes Bali when it comes to spas.

I am truly honored to be a guest blogger for Serafino Says.  When asked by Kristan Serafino to do some research on exotic spa treatments while in Bali, I had no hesitations taking on this assignment to explore… sign me up!

While staying at The Westin Resort and Spa in Nusa Dua, Bali I was able to indulge in a natural hair crème bath for 60 minutes of pure bliss.  One of the most important beauty rituals for Indonesian woman is a crème bath; a special hair and scalp conditioning treatment that uses Vitamin E, natural ingredients and essential oils to revitalize the scalp and provide your hair with a radiant sheen.

The treatment begins with a citrus ginger shampoo followed your choice of three herbal blends for your specific needs based on the condition of your hair.  The crème is applied part by part with an intensive scalp massage that make your whole body tingle followed by a neck, back and shoulder massage with lavender oil.  The hair is then wrapped in a hot steamy towel for deeper penetration under the hair steamer.  Here’s a pic of me… don’t I look one of the girls singing backup for Frankie Valle’s “Beauty School Dropout” in Grease

While under the steamer for 15-20 minutes, Weri (the most amazing spa therapist at the Westin) relieved all my stress with once again with a hand massage.  But unfortunately, all must come to an end.  After a hot then cold rinse, ginger tonic was combed through my hair with a light scalp massage to revive all roots again!  Finally a blow dry to perfection.  Now you know the ancient  secrets of a Indonesion crème bath (Thank you Westin!)… try one of these relaxing treatments at home!  These ingredients are all natural so I’m sure a trip to your local health store like Whole Foods will have all that you need! Read more

Jul 18

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Daily – “Flat Irons May Look The Same But Not All Flat Irons Are Created Equal”

Serendipity… absolutely among my favorite words!  It’s rhythmic and whimsical to pronounce while fanciful to write, like following a meandering path through a ramble with its sweeping cursive letters.  It even comes with a magical definition, “an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.”

Best of all, serendipity best captures the delightful ride I have experienced the past few months.  My story starts a long time ago, in a land far, far away.  Well, maybe not a long time ago, it’s more like two years ago, and it occurred here in New York City so the far away part isn’t quite accurate… but the rest of the story is like a fairy tale.

I am fortunate to have many hair care product and equipment companies ask me to test, or review their products.  While my clients end up being my test subjects, in the end everyone wins because we are discovering the latest and greatest in shampoos, make-up, clips, blow dryers, and so on.  A couple years ago I uncovered a professional line of hair care appliances manufactured by SalonTech and a love affair began.  I was never gifted any of their appliances, or asked to review a product for SalonTech.  Although, when I was approached by magazine editors for referrals or testimonials for my favorite hair care appliances I would wholeheartedly encourage them to try SalonTech.

About six months ago I got a call out-of-the-blue from the publicist for SalonTech saying the company is launching a new high-performing consumer line of hair care appliances and whether I would be interested in becoming their spokesperson.  It is just about now one of my favorite words “serendipity” popped into my thoughts!

Fast forward five months and twenty-nine days through numerous creative discussions, promotional photo shoots, marketing strategy sessions, and instructional videos to today, July 18th. Today, launching in over 200 Walmart Superstores across the country, I am overjoyed to announce the introduction of the Kiss Silicone Protexion Flat Iron… enthusiastically endorsed by yours truly!

11 reasons why the Kiss Silicone Protextion Flat Iron is the best flat iron on the market:

1.  Double Silicone Effects – Conventional iron plates clamp directly on the hair crushing the cuticle and absorbing the hairs natural moisture.  With the Kiss Silicone Protexion Flat Iron the patented double silicone bars guides the hair while preventing slipping and crushing of the cuticle.  Unlike conventional irons, it smooths the hair in one stoke retaining the hairs moisture allowing for healthy and shiny hair.

2.  Nano Ceramic Plates.

3.  420F Max Temperature for Professional Results.

4.  Ultra Fast Heat Up in 18 Seconds.

5.  Instant Heat Recovery.

6.  Long Lasting Frizz-Free Results.

7.  Ultra Thin & Ergonomic Handle.

8.  Curls, Flips, Waves and Straightens Hair.

9.  Auto Shut off after 60 minutes.

10.  Two-Year Warranty.

11.  Cost – $49.97

“True Beauty isn’t about perfection.  By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

Jul 14

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Daily – “Are You Nuts About Your Hair?”

We are all familiar with the phrase, “you are what you eat”, or more literally the food you choose to devour has a bearing on your health and even your state of mind. With the exception of the few “chosen ones” that can eat just about anything and never balloon over a size 4 (incidentally, I’m envious of you all), there is evidence supporting the logic behind this phrase.

As much as Smarties, Animal Crackers, Ding Dongs and Ho Ho’s would be my first choice of an afternoon snack between meals, the reality is there is zero, nil, and absolutely no nutritional value.

Recently SerafinoSays discovered not only do nuts have Omega-3 Fatty Acids, fiber & Vitamin E, but they are an excellent resource for thick and shiny hair.

I turned to my friends at Wed MD;

“Brazil nuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp.  Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.”

Next time you reach for the no nutritional snack, just treat yourself and go a little NUTS!

“True Beauty isn’t about perfection.  By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

Jul 11

Daily – “Some go to the Jersey Shore, but guess who’s in Bali”

Written by Linsey Jones

One of the fondest memories I have of my grandmother is sitting on her circa 1950 Ethan Allen red sofa eating vanilla fudge ripple ice cream watching the 1949 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s  Oscar winning classic musical “South Pacific”.  I used to dance around the room singing “Bali Hai” as I swayed back and forth as if I were on the island myself.  Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to go to Bali.  I never dreamed I would actually get there since it is half way around the world, but as luck may have it…Bali was fortunately the first stop on my travels across Asia.  How lucky can a girl get!As I lay here by the pool listening to the waterfall cascading, feel the cool breeze gently swaying the palm trees, looking at the clear blue sky, sipping on an icy cold pineapple daiquiri…I think to myself my husband sure does make a great cabana boy! (as he massages my shoulders while applying SPF sunscreen hourly)  YEAH RIGHT! I thought you would all laugh at that…he is actually sitting right here next to me working on his Blackberry or should I say “crackberry” as many refer to it!  TYPICAL!Over the last week I have come to appreciate the beauty of Bali – the people, the culture and the land.  Bali is truly beautiful and I wanted to share some of the treasures I discovered.  There are many different regions of Bali, all unique in their own way.  If you ever get the opportunity to visit, the following accommodations are five star in my book!  While I did not have a chance to stay at all of these hotels, I have either toured the properties, or enjoyed a delicious meal at their restaurants.

SEMINYAK – Our first stop to the gray sand beach side area with beautiful resorts and boutique hotels along the streets filled with local Balinese flair; gift shops, inexpensive spas (try a fish pedicure) and mopeds! Tons and tons of mopeds!  My most favorite spot in Seminyak was watching the most beautiful sunsets at KU DE TA, a beachfront restaurant similar to South Beach.  A must see while staying at one of these hotels…

The Colony Hotel

The Legian

The OberoiUBUD – Bali is not all about the beaches!  Within an hour and a half drive from Seminyak is Ubud.  Truly rich in Balinese culture with the local artisan market displaying their handicrafts from woodwork to beading and yes my friends…a Starbucks! Never in a million years would I think this village would have a Starbucks.  Ubud is not commercialized at all, it is actually where you would find a lush green landscaping, temples, terrace rice fields, volcanoes and mother nature at its best!  There are the most luxurious hotels set amongst the tropical rainforest with the most dramatic views. Don’t forget your camera though, you actually might get a visit from the monkeys right outside your window!  So as you sip on your iced venti nonfat mocha latte, enjoy the views in your own private villa!

Four Seasons Resort

Puri Wulandari

Alila

NUSA DUA – If you want pristine beaches and miles of high-end resorts that cater to your every need, then Nusa Dua is the place!  All you need is your swimsuit…although no worries…even that can be supplied by one of the boutiques in any of the resorts.  So sit back, relax, put the laptop away and enjoy Bali at its best!

St. Regis

Amanusa

The Westin

“True Beauty isn’t about perfection.  By liberating people to realize this simple fact, we help them see the real beauty within themselves.” Kristan Serafino

Jul 8

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Daily – “First Class Seat to Heaven”

I am pleased to announce the return engagement of SerafinoSays contributing writer Linsey Jones.  Linsey’s inaugural post opened to rave reviews so I decided to treat you to another taste of her literary wit.

Written by Linsey Jones

As many of you know from my previous blog on June 27th, I am an elementary school teacher by trade, but “when I grow up” I want to be a professional traveler.  I want Samantha Brown’s job on the Travel Channel!  Samantha, wanna trade? I have applied to be on CBS‘s “The Amazing Race” four times with four different partners…haven’t even come close to being on the show, but I’ll continue to apply hoping some day I’ll see Phil Keoghan at the next Pit-stop!

Even though I won’t be backpacking “around the world” this summer, I must admit I’ve made out even better!  (Although the hopes of a million dollars at the end of my trip would surely be the best prize of all!).  I am joining my husband on one of his international business trips.

The biggest benefit of being a school teacher is summer’s off!  And I do take advantage of my three favorite months of the year: June, July and August!  This summer I will be embarking on a trip of a lifetime visiting some of the most beautiful and exotic areas in Asia.  So on Independence Day, as I fly over Lady Liberty en route to JFK, I pause for a moment, embrace my freedom as an American citizen, and soak up every minute of flying FIRST CLASS!!!

Yes, FIRST CLASS!  I realize this opportunity may never happen again, so as I sit in my “double-wide” seat on Cathay Pacific, I feel like I’m a kid in a candy shop.  Touching each gadget from the personal control handset and noise-canceling headphones for my flat screen TV to the wonderfully big bed – 81 inches long – that will remind you of sleeping at home along with your down comforter to keep you all snug as a bug.  Not only can you sleep like a baby during the 16 hour flight from JFK to Hong Kong, with the press of a button I was able to transform it into one of the most comfortable seats in the sky, with massage function, extendable side seat, drop-down armrest, and many other adjustments you could only hope for a pleasant and peaceful journey.  But even with all those comforts, I may sleep well, but what will I look like when I arrive?  Cathay Pacific has that all covered with complimentary amenity kits exclusively designed for Cathay Pacific with a woman in mind!  Next time you fly, try these similar products to make jet lag…disappear! (or enjoy in the comforts of you own home!)……. Read more

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