Sundari is the brainchild of three beautiful women. Ayla Hussain, Cavan Mahony, and original supermodel Christy Turlington teamed up in 1999 to create products based on ingredients imported from India, like comfrey, sandalwood, and cornflower. There’s no dry-normal-oily breakdown at Sundari (which means “beautiful woman” in Hindi). Instead, it’s all about your dosha, your distinctive combination of the elements: air, space, water, fire, and earth. Everybody is a combination of all of them, according to the Sundari philosophy, with one more dominant than the rest. Vata types are ruled by air and tend to have skin that’s cold and tight; kapha, or earth-skin types, tend toward the oily; and pitta types, ruled by fire, tends to be sensitive. (Don’t worry, there are pamphlets and things to help you figure it out.) Since developing a holistic approach to skin care is all about the lifestyle, we wondered where the Sundari ladies go, once they’re cleansed and exfoliated and duly moisturized, to round out that radiant, inner-peace look.
For yoga, they go to Jivamukti (404 Lafayette St., third floor, 212-353-0214; and 853 Lexington Ave., near 64th St., 212-396-4200). “We give our staff passes,” says Turlington, “and we all make an effort to attend classes regularly.” For groceries, Turlington likes Life Thyme (410 Sixth Ave.; 212-420-9099), with its huge selection of vitamins, herbal teas, and organic veggies. Afternoon snacks at Sundari headquarters come from Lucky’s Juice Joint (75 W. Houston St.; 212-388-0300). “Reggae Rhumba is our favorite one,” says Mahony, “but there’s also an immune-booster that’s great for flu season.” Favorite restaurants are the very Zen Wild Lily Tea Room (511 W. 22nd St.; 212-691-2258) – “The colors and atmosphere are impeccable!” raves Hussain – and Angelika’s Restaurant (300 E. 12th St.; 212-228-2909): “It’s always fully packed,” says Mahony, “but it’s worth the wait for their delicious desserts made from tofu.” We’ll take her word for it. For a good read, Hussain loves East West Books (78 Fifth Ave.; 212-243-5994) because of its exhaustive collection of books on Eastern philosophy, yoga, Ayurveda, vegetarianism, spirituality, and meditation – and its killer selection of incense. Unfortunately, there is, as yet, no place to shop for Turlington’s genes.
Picks of the Week
French Connection’s inventory of flat-front pants, flirty skirts, and clingy tees is on sale (up to 75 percent off). Arrive early and comb the racks for the real finds – 1,500 pieces by sleek English designer Nicole Farhi will be mixed in. Parsons Exhibition Center, 560 Seventh Ave., at 40th St. (212-221-3157); A.E., M.C., V; Mon.-Thurs. 11-7, Fri. 10-6:30; 3/12-3/16.
Duty Free Apparel, Ltd. This week you don’t have to go any farther than midtown to get deals on logo bags from Prada, Fendi, and Gucci. Prada wallets are regularly $350 and up; here they’re $150. Fendi baguettes regularly start at $500; here they’re $275. 204 W. 35th St. (212-967-6548); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5:30; 3/14-3/21.
Antiqueria Tribeca is holding its first warehouse sale. A large selection of Art Deco, Biedermeier, and signed Thonet furniture will be up to 70 percent off. 129 Duane St. (212-227-7500); A.E, M.C., V.; Thurs.-Sat. 11-7, Sun. noon-6; 3/15-3/18.
United Colors of Benetton is clearing its Queens warehouse of brightly colored separates for men, women, and babies. There’s plenty of linen and light colors for spring, as well as some winter leftovers. 40-06 Main St., Flushing (718-461-7777); A.E., M.C., V.; Mon.-Wed. 10-7, Thurs.-Sat. till 8, Sun. noon-7; 3/15-3/22.