Charlotte Talks To: New London Pharmacy’s Abby Fazio

OWNER + PRESIDENT
NEW LONDON PHARMACY, NYC

WELCOME TO #CHARLOTTETALKSTO, WHERE WE FEATURE AMAZING WOMEN OUT THERE SHAKING THINGS UP AND REMAINING FABULOUS IN THE PROCESS. HOW DO THEY DO IT? BEHIND EVERY BEAUTIFUL AND BRILLIANT WOMAN ARE A FEW SECRETS THAT HELP THEM  “BE TIMELESS”.

Abby Mouzakiti-Fazio is Owner and President of New London Pharmacy, a New York City destination that she and her husband have been managing for three decades. Abby, a professional pharmacist who studied pharmacology at St. John’s University, is a working mom, new grandmother and much more. At first look, you see a glowing, healthy and caring individual. Start a conversation with Abby and you know immediately that you’re dealing with a true professional.

Pharmacology and wellness isn’t just what Abby does for a living. She’s also an educator, eternal student and inspiration. New London Pharmacy is the place New Yorkers and tourists alike have come to know not only as the place to fill a prescription, but where to find the latest in French and other European skincare, consult with a staff nutritionist, and pick up some of the best nutritional supplements and lifestyle items on the market today. Even pets are taken care of at New London! With an inviting staff of nearly 40, New London Pharmacy has become a go-to for those seeking advice, products and much more for better living.

Before taking ownership, Abby was an employee of New London Pharmacy, and it’s where she met her husband, John Fazio, a well-known pharmacist and compounding specialist (the practice of combining pharmaceuticals to meet a patient’s unique needs). The two of them eventually joined forces, gained control of the business and still jointly run it today. Between their combined Greek and Italian heritage, New London Pharmacy offers what your typical CVS or Walgreens doesn’t (and may never)—a very high level of personalization and attention. From routine patient follow-ups to local delivery, the business has become a sort of lower Manhattan landmark where models and stylists peruse the shelves for the latest in beauty and skincare and where some of the city’s top medical and dermatological professionals seek compounding or a high-level of expertise to incorporate into their respective practices.

Abby spoke to Charlotte’s Book about her daily rituals, her must-haves for self-care, and schooled me on the importance of a “routine”. From her facials with Charlotte’s Book Prestige provider Dr. Julie Russak, to her treasure hunting across Europe for the latest brands (including cosmeceuticals), Abby is an honest example of how to remain “timeless”.

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MORNING RITUALS:

“Being a pharmacist and business owner is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be very stressful and time-consuming. I find that if I begin my mornings with mindfulness meditation, the rest of the day will progress much more smoothly. I also get my day going with a Greek yogurt and coffee, absolute staples in my life! Also, starting the day wearing the right fragrance can make all the difference in the world. I’m currently obsessed with the Montale Paris Roses Musk Eau De Parfum.”

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SCRUTINIZING LABELS:

“I am most definitely a professional label reader and am obsessed with ingredients! As a pharmacist I know what’s in everything I use—the good, the bad, and the ugly. I use organic skincare, but only if it actually works. I don’t care how ‘clean’ it is. If it doesn’t work, it’s not for me. Ultimately, the efficacy of a product is paramount. My top three are items from The Organic Pharmacy, Radice and Julisis, an excellent line that comes out of Germany.”

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF OVERALL WELLNESS IN YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE:

“For me, and in general, meditation is a big part of overall wellness. And of course exercise and diet. And supplements, too. I always advise patients and clients to make sure their supplements are made from whole-food sources. You get 100% more potency that way! I also think a walk around the block (we are based in the Chelsea area of Manhattan) in the middle of the day is a sanity saver! I really love the Innate brand of supplements, they are the top of the top of the line. At first glance it seems as if they are much more expensive than regular vitamins, but when you consider that Innate has 100% absorbability as opposed to 15-20% that is typical of a drugstore vitamin, you’re actually getting much more bang for your bucks!”

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY, SELF CARE, AND A REGULAR DETOX:

“Family is paramount in Greek culture. My husband John and I have been partners in business and in life for many decades now. He’s my rock. But I also make sure to take time for self care, such as a long bath, regular manicures and pedicures, plus I do a total detox at least every three months or so. I wear many hats, and these rituals help me to be fully available to take care of others. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Reverence de Bastian Black Diamond Foot Scrub! And I believe in a detox regimen. Seasonal, or at least four times a year is essential. I personally follow the full detox regimen from The Organic Pharmacy. It’s very clean, the easiest and in my opinion, the best one out there.”

ON THE CURE-ALL:

“I am Greek and was raised on the Mediterranean diet, which I still follow. Staying hydrated with clean, filtered water is also important. What we place in our bodies is important, but as a pharmacist I think that nothing is as important as balance. For example, I have seen patients go on extreme diets and lose a lot of weight, only to gain it all back (and more) when they tried to go back to ‘normal’. Our bodies are amazingly well equipped to take care of us. We just need to keep ourselves well-rested, well-hydrated, well-fed and well-loved.”

ON A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT DAILY BEAUTY ROUTINE:

I think a daily beauty routine is an absolute MUST. Mine is quite extensive but for an idea of how I go about my regimen and those looking for ideas, here is a breakdown of some excellent items to implement:  The Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser, Radice Gentle Exfoliant Cleansing Milk, Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask, The Organic Pharmacy AntiOxidant Face Firming Serum, Sepai RMI5 V5.1 + Global Moisturizer, Julisis Sun Emulsion SPF 30.

ON 5 PRODUCTS TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER:

1. Inneov Fermete 45: There are supplements formulated to help promote smooth skin and an even skin tone, among other things.

2. The Organic Pharmacy Virgin Cold Pressed Rose Hip Oil: An amazing virgin oil, imported directly from Chile. This oil is wild crafted virgin cold pressed, so it is packed full of essential fatty acids, and contains a form of vitamin A that brings amazing healing and repairing qualities.

3. Julisis Silver Hand Treatment Night: This night treatment helps to repair, detoxify and sooth even the roughest skin.

4. Caudalie Beauty Elixir: This has extracts of grape, essential oil of rosemary, orange blossom and rose extracts, benzoin, myrrh, essential oils of organic balm mint and mint.

5. Homeoplasmine: A homeopathic remedy for skin irritations that works wonders.

ON HER FAVORITE COSMECEUTICALS:

At New London Pharmacy, we carry some awesome cosmeceutical brands and the best of the best are Joanna Vargas Skincare, the New York facialist who I am a big fan of, Alaur Skincare, which was founded by a dermatologist, Peter Thomas Roth, who has been in the industry for some time and is very effective and Sepai (pictured below), which is an amazing and technologically-advanced range of products that comes out of Barcelona, Spain.

ON HOW TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF:

I know it may sound somewhat cliché, but I would say be true to yourself and accept yourself for whatever you are in this moment. Yes you can lose the weight, find the man and have the great career. But it’s so important to know that you are enough just the way you are!

– As told to Dawn Kissi for Charlotte’s Book

Abby Fazio photographed by Roderick Angle in New York on June 23, 2015. Roderick is a fashion, portrait and lifestyle photographer and videographer. You can follow Roderick’s instagram feed, About Themselves, where he profiles interesting and creative individuals.

Experts, Concerns and Treatments Mentioned In This Feature:

Experts—
Dr. Julie Russak, specialist in cosmetic and general dermatology

Abby Fazio and The New London Pharmacy are located in the heart of Chelsea at 246 8th Ave, New York, NY