It takes an army to look this good

I read somewhere that when Tina Fey was casting for "30 Rock", she offered a cameo to a real NY dermatologist named Dr Zizmor.  He is one of the most recognised people in the city, even though most of us have never had an appointment with him.  Dr Zizmor advertises prolifically on the subway, so "strap-hangers" across New York know his face well.  He promises to eliminate acne scarring, remove moles and other imperfections, and do it under all types of insurance and with specially-negotiated payment plans.  You can tell I've taken the subway more than once, can't you?

But Dr Zizmor is just one person in this City dedicated to making us feel better about ourselves.  There are also thousands of nail salons, waxers, and places you can get all manner of massage and makeover.  You can have things sucked out of your skin, or put back in.  You can have teeth removed, or you can have some added.  You can pay someone to change everything about your outside, to help you feel that little bit better on the inside.

I am no stranger to this practice either.  I'm not a touchy-feely massage person, but my guilty pleasure is a hair salon appointment.  I've written about this before, but as a textbook Leo, I'm fiercely loyal to the men and women I trust with my hair.

When a woman moves to New York, it won't be long before she's looking for a hairdresser.  But in this City, I think it's rare to find one person who will both cut and colour your hair.  You end up establishing a relationship with a stylist and a colourist quite separately - each has a very different area of expertise and you come to rely on that, and often pay dearly for it.  A new arrival to New York is often unaware that when you go to pay your bill, it is customary to not only tip your stylist, but also your colorist (and give a few extra dollars to the person who shampooed your hair and/or gave you a scalp massage).  There are little envelopes at the register so you can perform this ritual discretely.

Now in the interests of a little bit of promotion, allow me to introduce the two amazing ladies who are part of my self-confidence team.  Gina and Karen are both at the chic and trendy Patrick Melville Salon and I get to visit them at the beautiful Soho location.

Gina Kleinschmidt - Stylist
A behind-the-scenes regular, Gina can be found backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards and New York Fashion Week styling for Carolina Herrera, Rachel Roy, Carmen Marc Valvo and Vena Cava. Her work has been featured on The Rachael Ray Show and The Today Show, as well as in print publications including People, OK! and Celebrity Hairstyle. Gina specializes in men's cuts, extensions and special occasion styling.

Karen Conlon - Colorist

A native New Yorker, Karen immersed herself in the fashion scene early on. She’s been featured onOprah, Rachael Ray, The Today Show and Good Morning America, but is best known as the resident hair colorist on TLC’s What Not To Wear. Respected among industry pros and clients alike, Karen’s knowledge and expertise has earned her a noteworthy reputation in the salon business. Her work has been featured in several print publications, including InStyle, Glamour, People and Ebony.

Visiting professionals as accomplished as Gina and Karen can often get expensive.  But every woman will tell you there are also the intangible things that a good stylist and colorist can give you.  By and large you leave their company feeling happier, more confident, and more relaxed.  And to my way of thinking, in the hustle-bustle of New York, that kind of mindset is priceless.