Jersey City Business: Roses and Rebels

No, I didn’t get a tattoo this week, although I’m kind of regretting not taking the opportunity. How many people get tattooed by a tattoo master on their own show? But here’s the truth: I’m really scared. I love the way tattoos look, and I had a baby ALMOST without an epidural, but I’m still kind of scared of pain. And I’m even more scared of the permanence. Full disclosure, I almost got a tattoo of the comedy and tragedy masks at 16. I just really think the realization that I almost permanently marked my body with something as cheesy as that, has made me second guess my own judgement. And what about all the people who permanently have tramp stamps?!?

Anyway, on to our amazing three part feature this week! We got the opportunity to film at “Tattoo Rescue”, and “Inkmaster” tattoo artist, Christian Masot’s Downtown Jersey City shop, Roses and Rebels. This is a guy who’s been lauded as a tattoo master. Not one to miss out on a tattoo opportunity, I asked HudsonCounty60 Director, SanMartin Garcia if he wanted the opportunity. And boy, did he. The shop itself is cooooool. We’re talking exposed brick, open work stations, there are some of Christian’s awesome paintings on the walls, and Chi.Flo & Roses and Rebels merchandise hanging on a couple of clothing racks. Did I mention there’s something like a one year waitlist?

Christian, himself, is a Hudson County native, which is really nice for me. I rarely meet someone from the area when we shoot, and it’s especially nice to reminisce with someone about the old days of Jersey City. He reminds me of kids I used to know, and it’s fun to talk to someone else about how things have really changed. After television success and opening a shop in Hawthorn, he returned to JC to open Roses and Rebels.

The entire tattoo process itself was a mystery to me. I thought you walk into a tattoo shop and pick some preconceived design off a wall. Instead, Christian asked San to send over an image of what he was looking to get. It started simple— the yellow umbrella from one of his favorite films, “Harold and Maude”. He sent over the image from the Criterion Collection cover. When we arrive, Christian pulls up the image and uploads it to a super fancy iPad program and goes to work. He begins tracing, removing colors and resizing all while discussing the meaning with San. And I guess this is as important as the process— what does it mean to SanMartin? The film is about an elderly woman who meets a suicidal 20 year old at a funeral. They begin a romantic relationship, but it means more than that to San. She shows him how to live. So after talking and explaining the personal significance, Christian takes what starts as a tattoo of an umbrella, and ends up as a tattoo of the woman holding the umbrella and taking the disappearing hand of a young man.

After deciding on a final design, Christian takes a picture of San’s arm and places the tattoo in the intended spot. I mean, how cool is that?? He then prints on to tracing paper and we move over to the tattoo station. Christian begins setting up. He pulls out brand new needles, paint, solutions, etc. Next thing I know, we’re off. San has setup the camera to film the process, his arm is on the rest and the tattooing has started. In about 45 minutes he’s done! I thought this was something that would take hours, but that’s it! And it’s wonderful! So beautifully done. SanMartin is incredibly happy with the results, and it’s abundantly clear why Christian is the master that he is. And here I am, wishing I had taken the opportunity to get the tattoo I’ve always wanted (minus the masks).

For more information on Christian, you can follow him on Instagram here, as well as Roses and Rebels here. And lastly did you check out my super cool Chi.Flo shirt? You should check them out here. Now go forth and mark yourself.

Local Beauty: Sipps Organics

Welcome to our new “Locals Blog” feature, where Hudson County experts share their insight and expertise. Today we’re starting off with Kathleen Callahan, our Local Beauty expert.

BY KATHLEEN CALLAHAN

Since becoming a licensed Esthetician a few years ago I’ve become obsessed with the ingredients that are in our skincare products. I’m always on the lookout for lines that offer botanicals and natural ingredients and are made in small batches, so I thought what better place to look than my local farmers market. I decided to take a walk over to the Riverview Park Farmer’s Market recently to see what I could find. My expectations were fairly low, as this particular farmer’s market is still relatively small, but I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon SIPPS Organic Skincare.

Sol, the creator and owner, was at her table with her mom (I love a family affair), and I struck up a conversation with her about her homemade, organic, natural skincare, as well as the journey that led her to this place. Three years ago Sol made a bold move and left her career in the Hedge Fund industry to pursue a different direction. As she told me, her priorities changed after losing her father and she was looking for something more fulfilling that gave her a sense of helping people. She had suffered from skin conditions the majority of her life and was constantly on steroids from her dermatologist. An avid researcher and lover of knowledge, she wanted to get the root of the problem and come up with a more natural solution-- SIPPs was born! All of her products are made in her kitchen right here in my hood (JC Heights). Sol is impressively knowledgeable about ingredients and I’d like to add that what she’s doing is working-- her skin is beautiful.

Her products include body butters that contain beeswax, a great natural moisturizer and has
been shown to help with skin conditions such as dermatitis. Her line also includes aroma rollers infused with lavender, a botanical water mist with rose, grapefruit seed extract (a great antioxidant) and geranium essential oil (I bought this product and am loving it so far). I also bought her facial serum/oil infused with rose and chamomile. Chamomile possess powerful skin properties including being anti-inflammatory and has been proven to help with eczema. Additionally, she has great body and hair oils that contain tea tree oil which is a wonderful ingredient for anyone suffering from thinning hair or dry scalp. Even though I would have been entirely happy with just going home with the few products that I bought, the best part was that Sol will custom make products for you! Of course as an Esthetician I was all ears! I’ve already requested a honey mask because I love all the wonderful effects that honey has on multiple skin concerns, including acne, dry and mature skin.

If you are looking for some real quality (and surprisingly affordable) natural skin and haircare
products that are locally produced, head over to SIPPs Instagram here or the website here. If you have questions about your skin or any skincare related concerns or just want to book an appointment for a custom facial follow me here. I’m pretty confident that I’ll be using many of her products in my upcoming facials!

Kathleen Callahan is a NJ native, having left New Jersey to attend college at the University of North Carolina where she obtained her bachelors in Communications. She now resides in the heights section of Jersey City. After spending a twenty year career in the Ad Tech industry working in NYC, Kathleen decided to follow her true passion, skincare. She attended Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics and obtained her Esthetics License. After working at several spas in NYC including Deify Beauty, Laser Lounge and Massage Envy she decided to start her own practice in New Jersey where she could focus on a more personal touch catering to her clients’ specific needs and preferences.

You can reach Kathleen through her Instagram or Facebook.

Hoboken Business: The Winston

When I heard a new Speakeasy was opening up in Hoboken I was so excited. Nothing at all against the Hoboken crowd, but we needed a bar that could refresh the Hoboken bar scene. More cocktail bar than Speakeasy, The Winston helps fill that void. Sure, there’s still Bud Light on the menu, but you can get a really nice looking and tasting cocktail also, and that’s really the focus.

Hector Noelle, Beverage Director, designs the cocktails, and as he says, likes to “get weird” with them. He takes classic cocktails and gives them a fun new spin, which I found to actually be well executed. I even appreciate the classic Hoboken bar offerings (Bud Light, Coors Light, Patron) because it makes nice cocktails accessible to everyone. 

Hector first makes the “Seeking Perfection”, a play on the classic Gin and Tonic. In his version he uses Hendricks Gin, simple syrup, lavendar bitters, tonic, and an amazing thing called b’Lure Flower Extract. b’Lure is an extract that starts blue and changes to purple based on the Ph levels of what it’s mixed with. In this instance, the tonic water triggers the color change reaction, which is why the cocktail is presented in two parts: in an oil and vinegar cruet— separating the booze components with the b’Lure and the tonic and lime juice component— and the empty coup glass garnished with a lemon slice and burnt Rosemary for the aromatics. The cocktail is definitely showy, but it actually tastes good. I’ve never been much of a gin person, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Next up was the “Dunkirk", a Oaxaca take on an Old Fashion. Hector starts by torching a cinnamon stick and turning a glass upside down over it, smoking up the glass. He then mixes habanero shrub, orange bitters and agave, replacing the muddled orange slice, maraschino cherry and sugar from the classic recipe. He then adds El Buho Mezcal and Patron Silver. I genuinely loved this drink. The cinnamon smoke and mezcal give the drink the smokiness you expect and want from an Old Fashion, while the habanero adds a nice little extra burn. It’s the perfect fall day drink in my opinion. 

I’m personally happy to see that Hoboken Nightlife is starting to shed its Frat boy image, even if just a little. Make sure to give The Winston a try because we need more establishments like it in town! For more information check out The Winston website here, and their Instagram here.