In a pinch? Out of ideas for your significant other? Rebekah Pizana, our contributor, found a few simple, but luxurious gift finds from this year’s Politics of Pretty beauty and spa event held on December 10 in the T Square Loft just above Tari Boutique, a high end vintage clothing store in Georgetown. The 3rd Annual event, put on by Politics of Pretty’s Kara Manos, featured Fox Ventures’ modular wireless LED furniture. Made of lucite, Fox’s furniture is customizable and adds that “wow” factor, Sales Manager Joyce MnKnade says. With a freshly caught Chesapeake oyster from Sea Catch Restaurant in one hand, and an Honest Tea, Versailles vodka cocktail in the other, Rebekah was able to narrow down her finds for three top stocking stuffers that will make the pickiest recipient sing “fa la la.”

Like many life-altering moments in the age of social media, it all started with a Facebook post. "Was just putting makeup on and looking in the mirror and thinking about what I'd like to PhotoShop out," I had typed in my Facebook status update box that morning after a long night of work with little sleep. My status update received the obligatory "You're perfect just the way you are," responses (thanks, mom!) but one of my friends, J Douglas, a renowned painter, responded with, "Not PhotoShop...but maybe a painting." Hmm, I thought…a painting.” Then an idea came to me. I could hire J to create a painting of me for my husband's upcoming 40th birthday.

I knew that this could be no ordinary painting. To impress my husband – "the man who has everything" – it would have to embody the essence of all that he loves about me...my energy, confidence, strength and sensuality. But to be true, it would also have to show vulnerability and be more than a little provocative. "How the heck can someone capture all of that in a painting?" I wondered as I dialed Val Cavalheri, a photographer friend who I thought might have some advice for me since she does portrait photography work. "Come into my studio,” she said. “I'll shoot some boudoir photos of you, and then we can choose one for you to give to the painter from which he can work." She said it so matter of factly that I almost missed the operative word in her statement. "Boudoir?!" I shouted, "Are you kidding me? As in naked?" She assured me, "It will be tasteful, classic and gorgeous. You will love it."

After hanging up the phone, I immediately thought of all the reasons why this was a terrible idea...I'm not thin enough, I'm too inhibited, it's too expensive, the pictures will leak out onto the Internet thereby ruining my chance at ever being elected President (okay, that last one wasn't rational but it did cross my mind). There were many reasons not to do this. And I could think of only one reason to do it – I knew that my husband would absolutely love it. By putting myself out there like this, I would be giving him a piece of myself in a whole new way (which is hard to do after 20 years together). With a knot forming in my stomach, I emailed Val to schedule the photo session.

Our world moves at such a fast pace. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? When it comes to technology, it is a very good thing. As time marches on, unfortunately, our skin can be the worse for wear. Sagging, dullness, lines, sun damage, broken blood vessels, redness, etc., can have a person longing for time to stand still. Fortunately, technology makes solving these issues fairly easy. Simple laser treatments are becoming a mainstay for people who wish to “turn back the clock.” Laser treatments can tighten skin, resurface the top layer of skin and stimulate collagen from deeper below the surface which leads to more youthful looking skin. Sun damage can be eliminated which leads to healthier, more rejuvenated skin. People with redness and/or broken capillaries can be rid of these in a series of very simple treatments. Lasers are a very safe and easy way to gain back the skin of our youth. The skin of the face, neck, chest and backs of the hands is the first to show the ravages of time. New and improved laser treatments are always being developed to treat the issues associated with aging. These treatments often require little or no down time and are very comfortably tolerated by the patient.

People consider nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery for a variety of reasons. They may want to look younger, gain self-confidence or change a feature they are unhappy with. A successful outcome depends on a variety of factors. The first step is to become as educated as possible about the options available to you. The following Q&A should answer some of your questions, and help you decide if nonsurgical cosmetic procedures and/or plastic surgery are right for you.

Liquid facelift is the new "buzz word" for anyone interested in turning back the clock on aging. The liquid facelift utilizes hylaronic acid fillers (Restylane, Juvaderm), calcium based fillers (Radiesse) and neuro-toxins (Botox, Dysport) − all administered at the same visit for full correction of lines, wrinkles, folds and creases. This unique and non-surgical procedure is gaining in massive popularity because the procedure can usually be done in less than an hour, with minimal discomfort and little to no downtime (although some swelling and bruising can be a side effect as a result of the injections). When considering this procedure, however, it is critical that you have the injections done by a doctor who has extensive experience in administering the proper fillers in the most benefi cial areas as well as the most expert techniques.

Now that summer is over and fall is into full swing, you might want to get your hair on a new workout routine, as in getting it into shape by cutting off some of those dead ends. Figuring out a new “do” for fall can take years off your look, and accentuate your best features. Before you ask your Stylist for the latest trend right off the runway, you should really look at your face shape and the texture of your hair to determine which style will look best on you.

What face shape do you have? That’s easy, pull all of your hair back into a tight ponytail or use a headband if your hair is short, and look straight into a mirror. Take your lipstick and outline your face on the mirror (don’t worry a little Windex will take it right off). Start by outlining your forehead, go around your cheeks, and down to your chin. Most likely your face shape wall fall into one of these categories: oval, round, square, heart-shaped or long.

Every year towards the end of summer, my hair starts looking a little dull, feeling a bit dry and just appearing lifeless. My guess is that your hair might be looking and feeling the same way. What can you do to repair your summer hair?

Clarify

Everyday styling products such as hair spray, gel and leave-in conditioner can cause a build-up over time. Add to that chlorine, and other “gunk” found in the ocean or lake and it’s no wonder your hair looks flat and dull. Regular shampoos alone cannot remove all of the build-up that ‘s weighing your hair down.

Summer on the east coast is in full force.  This hot weather can make you feel like you are melting on the inside; the trick is to keep your makeup from melting on the outside.  Sure a dewy glow is nice, but an oil slick – I think not.  Less really is more during the summer.  Take a look at these 5 makeup must haves for summer:

1.  Tinted Moisturizer – Summer makeup should be light, quick and easy.  Instead of a heavy foundation, try a tinted moisturizer to hydrate and even out your skin tone.  Press a little concealer on areas that need a bit more coverage.  Try Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer that has an SPF of 20 and also comes in an oil-free formula.

Q: A friend has asked my advice about whether or not she should get plastic surgery (breast augmentation). I think she looks great already - should I try to talk her out of it?

A: Plastic surgery is about more than just physical appearance. People elect to change their outside so they can feel differently about themselves inside. The most important thing you can do is provide support to your friend by asking questions about what she hopes to accomplish through surgery. Here are some guidelines:

In my field of expertise, one of the most difficult areas to improve is the lower eyelid tear trough (a combination of puffiness and hollowness), though I have found a combination of treatments that works.

In younger patients I use dermal fillers. My favorite for this area is Restylane®. If there is some atrophy of the cheek bone, I inject the cheek with Radiesse® for a lift to the cheek, which minimizes hollows.

With patients in their 40s and 50s, in addition to fillers in this area, I may add Botox® or Dysport® to decrease the crow’s feet around their eyes. To soften fine lines, I suggest either Fraxel® or TCA peels of their lower eyelid skin. For puffiness, I may recommend having the fatty pockets conservatively removed via an outpatient surgery called trans-conjunctival (inside the eyelid) lower eyelid blepharoplasty.