When it comes to 'The Art of Beauty', Ziba (and Sumita) knows best. I met Sumita Batra, CEO of Ziba Beauty, on a flight from LA to Grand Rapids. In the boarding area, I asked if the seat beside her was free. It was. I sat down and our conversation on beauty, film and poetry began. When I boarded the plane soon after, I referenced my ticket to locate my seat assignment. I found my seat and also found Sumita, sitting in the seat right next to mine. Our conversation continued, as we picked up where we left off only moments ago. At one point, I confessed the reality of my 'non-girlie-girl' nature and my inability to properly apply makeup. In response, she shared beauty secrets and product recommendations, followed by her vow to make me a 'girlie-girl' yet. After several trips to Ziba Beauty salons, while still I'm a work in progress, I do believe I'm getting there one spectacular service at a time. Cheers to unveiling the beauty within by understanding 'The Art of Beauty'!
As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve never been a ‘girlie-girl’. That said, when it comes to makeup, I have no idea what I doing. For this reason, I decided to put my face in the skilled hands of Oscar at Ziba Beauty. When it comes to makeup, the beautiful options are endless with help from the right people and products. In the magic that is ‘The Art of Makeup’, consider Oscar (makeup artist with Ziba) the magician. I watched as he literally applied his teachings. In a vintage, handheld mirror, I looked on as I saw my reflection change before my eyes with his artistry. Oscar taught me how to use the tools of the trade and the products of professionals, while providing me with education on how to create an ‘everyday look’ with makeup. He explained that when this is done well and done right, the look should maintain natural accents wherein the makeup itself has no start or end - no lines of demarcations. It is in ‘blending’ that beauty is exemplified. Now, because there are some days that are more special than others - a special look is sometime required. Oscar took my look with makeup from ‘everyday’ to ‘extraordinary’ with a few additional steps. When all was said and done, I realized that assets alone can’t do the job. It’s the application that’s essential.
True story. With the legacy of my family lineage, I was born with genes wherein I am flat chested and very hairy. Yes, I have a lot of hair. All that said, just because I’m born that way doesn’t mean I have to be that way. The flat chest I’m fine with, it’s all the hair that’s the issue. I thought I would start with my eyebrows at Ziba with a service they are known very well for - threading. While there are many ways to remove hair, I have found the benefits of threading make it my method of choice. First and foremost, as I’m still unfamiliar with just how to go about shaping my eyebrows properly, the accuracy threading provides for defining the shape of the brow is incredible with cleaner, straighter lines. Second, the process of threading removes each individual hair from the follicle for lasting results. While everyone’s rate of hair growth is different, the results can last for up to two to three weeks, making this procedure both effective and economic. As my skin can be rather sensitive, a third reason threading makes sense for me is because there are no harsh chemicals used. I don’t have to worry about any irritation - no rashes or discoloration. All in all, threading works with me - not against me. In accepting the genes I’ve inherited (and the hairy traits that they provide), I have sought out and found a service that seems tailored to fit my needs. Cheers to less hair! After all, less is more.
Wax on. Wax off. And as the wax goes off, so does the hair - with little pain I might add. In fact, when I had waxing done for the first time, I went to Ziba Beauty where I experienced no pain - only perfectly smooth skin. The finest honey, lemon and sugar go a long way and remove hair for a long time. At Ziba, their wax is a formula imported from India that is very gentle and easy on even sensitive skin. The product adheres only to the hair - not the skin. So, when the wax is lifted off with 100% all cotton strips, the hair is removed and the skin surface remains smooth and non irritated. While waxing services are offered in a variety of applications from bikini to brazillian to full body, I started with just my legs and loved the results. A day at the park is fun, but a day at Ziba Beauty is better. Forget Disneyland, I’m going to Ziba. Cheers to smooth and sexy results!
While henna isn’t new and has been around for centuries, it was brand new to me. My first experience with henna was provided by Ziba Beauty. Patti, a mehndi artist at Ziba, provided the very definition of ‘intricate art’ with the fluid application of freehand henna. I asked where the name ‘henna’ came from. It turns out that henna is the name of the plant from which the dye is derived from. This led me to ask more about the dye itself and was happy to hear the temporary ink is all natural and organic presenting no dangerous or damaging elements for the skin. Beyond that, I found it first hand to be enjoyable - aromatically speaking with eucalyptus and menthol notes. The delicate design provided an experience for more than one of my senses. As the ink was applied, it felt like a butterfly dancing across the surface of my skin. I watched intently as the fragrant dye was piped on without use of any stencil or sketched outline for accuracy. The artistry of the application was nothing short of beautiful - as was the end result of the design that wrapped around my hand and wrist. For a ceremonial occasion bound in tradition, for a special event accented with artistry or for no other reason than to just experience it, henna is a beautiful art form that I highly recommend.
Whether it's a large statement or a subtle suggestion, Glitter Mehndi speaks for itself and with signature style that begins with the outline of the design. At Ziba, this artwork is done by hand without the use of stencils. THE GLUE When it comes to Glitter Mehndi, even the application of glue is artistic. Applied in phases in order to adhere one layer of color at a time, the glue defines the direction of the design. THE GLITTER The sculptor has clay. The painter has paint. And the Glitter Mehndi artist has glitter - lots of it. In layers, the glitter is applied shade by shade. While most is brushed away, what remains defines the design with vivid, vibrant colors. THE JEWELS Final touches come in the form of bindis, rhinestones and jewels. As opposed to wearing a piece of jewelry, your body becomes the jewelry itself. So, in essence, the ‘bling’ becomes an integral part of you. While it started as a new form of Mehndi for South Asian brides, Glitter Mehndi is a service now sought after for celebrating all sorts of special occasions. It can be applied alone or as an accent for traditional mehndi designs and lasts up to 3 days. Cheers to feeling gorgeous with glitter!
So, I'm not what you would refer to as a 'girlie-girl'. When it comes to facials and such, I'm a novice. That said, I decided to seek out an expert in skin care. My search led me to Ziba Beauty and Natasha. I was greeted at the door and introduced to Natasha Offir, a veteran in the field of Esthetics. Our session began with a conversation, as most all enjoy experiences do. She asked me questions. I gave her answers. Then the roles were reversed, with my questions asked and her answers provided. Natasha believes in providing personalized skin care. She explained that because all skin isn’t the same, there isn’t any one facial that works for everyone. Depending on your skin, she provides a facial specifically tailored to fit your needs. With customized care, she applies natural products and practices to deliver incredible results. Between the Pumpkin Enzyme Treatment and the Chocolate Mousse Mask, I can’t say what part of my facial was most delicious. I came to Ziba for a service, but I left with more than that. Expectations were exceeded with the experience and education I received. I now understand skincare in general and my own skin as well much more than before. So, has this non-girlie-girl been converted by this experience? I think that just might be the case.
There are a great many beautiful fragrances in this world. However, if the very definition of the word 'beauty' came in the form of a single scent & a single story, I believe Coco Chanel would be it. www.chanel.com |