The Summer Soiree at the Red Door Spa: Finding Your Summer Style

Last night, I was invited to an event at the Red Door Spas in Cross Keys to see what was new for summer. The spa looked amazing and offered a sample of what their talent stylists, artists, estheticians, nail technicians and masseuse can do. Of course, I made a bee-line for the make up studio to see what was hot this summer.

I was happy to see celebrity makeup artist Lindsay Ebbin, who had given me a fall makeover last year, and I couldn't wait to hear what looks he would dish out for the upcoming season.

"Summer is about lightening everything up. Let your skin look radiant and bright, but with a sun kissed glow. Emphasize your eyes, but in a subtle way."

He took off my sadly smudged face from a day of busy, busy (read: stressful!) tv production. The first thing we discussed was how difficult it is for makeup artists to match my foundation. (I have almost gotten into many a fight at the MAC counter. They don't get it.) My neck is several shades lighter than my face. The added yellow blotches, melasma and smattering of freckles, don't make it any easier. Lindsay had the perfect solution, "Red Door has a custom blend foundation. We use a special camera to capture your perfect foundation. No two are alike. You can't get a more perfect match than this."


I worked with Deidra to create the perfect blend. I chose my skin type (dry) and the finish I wanted (natural). Then we held the camera up to the area right on my jawline. In less than 2 minutes, I had a sample size jar of perfect foundation. It was amazing! The Red Door in Cross Keys is the only location (that I am aware of) in the Baltimore area to be able to blend such a custom foundation.

I headed back to Lindsay to see what colors were in for summer. To create my bright, lifted complexion, Lindsay used the custom foundation and sealed it with their Pure Finish Mineral Powder. He then used their Pure Finish Bronzing Powder to create cheekbones and a sun-kissed glow in one quick step. For my eyes, he used a light golden shade and Bubbles, a beautiful blue in the crease. He lightly lined my lower lashes only and finished with a touch of mascara.


On my lips, he chose a color unlike anything I own. (Where was he when I was wandering in Sephora looking for something unlike anything I own?) He picked out Bronze Berry Pearl lipstick and finished with their lip gloss in Honey Glaze. The overall look was beautiful!


Next, I was on to hair. I was so curious to see if anyone new had some thoughts on what to do with my hair helmet. The stylist suggested I add a light, volumizing pomade after I flat iron my hair. She showed me how she would tousle my hair to give it a more lived in, less conservative mom vibe. The end result was messy, but really cute.


Much to my surprise, the Red Door has several massage and facial rooms, to de-stress and purify your face. I knew they had rooms, but not 20 of them. Now I know where to go when I need to relax, stat! I got in a quick seated massage and was once again told that your shoulders don't belong around your ears. I am not sure that is correct. My ear lobes rest on my shoulders naturally. I can't help it.

Not sure what to do to get your look summer ready? Check out the Red Door Spa for a head to toe makeover! And if you are in the DC area, check out the Red Door at the Willard. I am told they have amazing mani/pedis available on their gorgeous terrace. It's the perfect treat!


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Local Love: Elizabeth Arden Red Door in Cross Keys

I have recently had some luck growing my nails and not destroying my cuticles (again). Idecided to treat myself to a real manicure. Not a manicure where you just stop in, breathe strong fumes and hope for the best, but a real spa manicure.



After visiting the Red Door Spa at the Willard Hotel in D.C., I was hungry for the Red Door Spa treatment. I opted for the signature manicure ($42), made an appointment and got ready to relax. If you haven't been to the Red Door Spa in Cross Keys (Baltimore) before, they are a full service salon that focuses on luxe and really having their patrons get the most out of their service.

I haven't had a really nice manicure in a really long time. This manicure was really nice. Here is how it went.

It started with a warm neck wrap, which instantly helped me relax and enjoy the experience. Next came the warm lotion hand massage. This was followed by the filing and pushing back of my cuticles. Then a sugar scrub up to my elbows got rid of dry skin and revealed the softer, more luminous skin. After the scrub, my arms and hands were wrapped in warm towels while my finger peeked out to be filed into the perfect shape. I then got the most relaxing acupressure-based hand massage. Next, my hands were dipped in single-use paraffin and wrapped in a warm bag. While my hands softened in the paraffin, my nail technician gave me a stress-relieving shoulder and neck massage. Finally, my nails were painted in the hot fall color by Zoya, Dovima, which is a matte gunmetal gray.



My nails looked amazing and I felt even better. The entire manicure took about an hour. And made my 20 minute manicures at strip mall shops a thing of the past.

The Red Door Salon in Cross Keys is located at 42 Village Square, Baltimore, MD 21210, just south of the Northern Parkway and Falls Road intersection. Call 410.323.3636 to book your appointment.

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What's Hot This Fall : Chat with Lindsay Ebbin

While I am admittedly not the biggest trend setter when it comes to fashion, I do love makeup. While most looks in magazines are great for the runway, I wondered what I can wear every day, without looking like I think I am in a magazine. I recently got a chance to chat with Lindsay Ebbin, National Makeup Director for Red Door Spas to find out what he had to say.

GR: What is going to be popular this fall?

LE: Liners are thicker this fall, eyes are smokier. We are going to see lots of liquid liner cat eyes. What makes it different from earlier in the year? We are going to be seeing eyeliner that is thicker under the eye. Instead of on the upper lashes.

GR: What is the inspiration for that look?

LE: It started in London. It's not heroin chic, it's different. Think the looks of John Galliano. The liner and shadow continue around the lower lashes instead of just the upper lashes. It's about blending, not just smudging.

GR: What about skin and cheeks?

LE: In the recent seasons, color on the cheeks has been about a pop of color on the apples of the cheek to look fresh and simple. Now it is about contour. Lots of contour. Instead of a pop of color on the cheeks, color is starting at the hairline and going forward. We are seeing lots of structure. Think Robert Palmer from the 80's.

GR: It seems like pretty and natural has been popular for some time. What colors will be prominent this season?

LE: This season we are seeing a lot of earthy tones. Think lush, forest greens, earthy browns, deep plums and sultry indigo. Charcoal is great for evenings. On the lips, deep colors are showing up everywhere. Rich bordeaux reds and dark plums are a must have.

Lindsay was then kind enough to demonstrate a toned down version of this look on me. He started with the new Elizabeth Arden mineral foundation.
This foundation is shatter proof, so it is perfect for travel. You literally shave off a bit as you need it. It looked luminous and flawless.



He gave me a dramatic eye, using browns and really smoked them out. He contoured my cheeks and showed me an amazing red lip color, Ruby Pearl. The final look? Wearable, bold and really pretty.

Want to update your fall look in one easy step without sacrificing your wallet? Pick up the foundation (or any purchase over $24.50) from any Red Door location and for an additional $36.00 get this entire Beauty Made Easy kit.
It has almost everything you need to update your look for fall and comes in a a great vanity box. It's only available at Red Door Spa locations.

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