Beauty411

Bulgari Gem Essence Skincare

Bulgari, a name synonymous with extraordinary gemstones, has taken that knowledge and developed a luxury line of skin care, Bulgari Gem Essence Skincare.  The Cosmetic Research Department of Bulgari, based in Switzerland, was created to bring together dermatologists and other experts to create exceptional skin care treatments based on the the natural properties of precious stones and latest technology.  Who better?

The key ingredient of Bulgari skin care is Bulgari Gem Essence; a combination of gems in liquid and powdered form.  The gems use four extracts of fine and precious stones that were chosen for their beneficial effects on the skin--sapphire, malachite, tourmaline and citrine.

Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel and Cleansing Milky Emulsion

Darphin introduces two new botanical blend cleansers, Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily and Cleansing Milky Emulsion with Verbena.  In the summer, with my combination skin, I am always on the lookout for a good facial cleanser.  Darphin indulges my need for a gentle cleanser, one that is lightly fragranced and is non-drying.

Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily is ideal for all skin types.  It lathers into a generous foam, leaving skin hydrated and soft.  Ingredients include White Water Lily, used to hydrate and protect skin, Vitamin B5 to calm and repair, Coco & Sunflower Fatty Acids to keep skin soft and supple and Barberry to reduce the appearance of redness.  I've found the Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel with Water Lily to be perfect for my skin, especially with all of the product testing that I do.  $35.00

Darphin Cleansing Milky Emulsion with Verbena is a creamy cleanser, suitable for sensitive skin that is prone to redness and irritation.  The Organic Verbena has soothes skin, while Licorice extract comforts and Babassu Oil moisturizes and prevents dryness.  This is a lovely cleanser and would be ideal for year round use.   $40.00

Darphin Cleansing Foam Gel and Cleansing Milky Emulsion are available at www.darphin.com, select Neiman Marcus stores, Bergdorf Goodman, Bluemercury and select spas and boutiques natiowide.

Cor Facial Soap

Cor silver-based facial soap is a multi-tasking skincare product that simultaneously plumps, tones, balances, deep cleans and heals surface skin, resulting in a vibrant, healthy complexion.  Silver is well known for its antibacterial properties and is often used in burn treatment products.

The premise of Cor soap is that it deposits active ingredients directly into the dermis layer of the skin.  These all-natural ingredients, silver, silica, collagen, chitosan and sericin, work to fight bacteria, even skin tone, balance oil levels and repair surface cells.  Cor facial soap is suitable for all skin types, because it has a pH that is similar to the natural pH of the skin.  Because of the antibacterial properties of the silver, Cor soap may be an especially good choice for acne-prone individuals or individuals with sensitive skin. 

I've never used anything but a liquid or gel facial cleanser and have to admit, I was somewhat reluctant to try any soap that came in a bar.  In my use of a Cor sample bar, I loved the foamy lather; it doesn't strip your skin or leave it taut.  In fact, it's a very nice treatment product.  Your skin really glows with continued use and it looks and feels great.  My recommendation would be to order a travel (sample) size and try before you buy.  My sample size bar lasted about a month with twice daily use.

Cor facial soap is available at www.corsilver.com.  Sample size retails at $ 14; full size at $125. 

Clarisonic Skin Care System for great skin!

The Clarisonic Skin Care System has taken the beauty world by storm and after using one for the past 8 weeks, I have to admit that I'm hooked!  The Clarisonic is the first sonic oscillation face brush that deeply cleanses, stimulates and clarifies the skin.  It's been clinically shown to be 2 times more effective at cleansing the skin than manual cleansing with soap and water.

It was that fact that really interested me, along with the fact that because the Clarisonic cleans so well, your skin is better able to absorb products such as serums and moisturizers.  Good skin care is an investment and I want to make sure I am able to optimize the products that I use.

It's recommended that you use Clarisonic Skin Care System twice a day.  In my experience, I initially had some minor sensitivity, but I changed the brush head from a normal one to one for sensitive skin and have been fine ever since.  Using the Clarisonic, my skin is softer, smoother and I have noticed a significant reduction in pore size.  My skin doesn't feel taut or stripped after using it.  I love the fact that I can charge it up and leave it in my shower.  My recommendation?  Get the Clarisonic for great skin!

The Clarisonic Skin Care System retails at $195 and is available at Nordstrom (stores and online), QVC and online at www.blissspa.com, www.sephora.com, www.saksfifthavenue.com, www.beauty.com and www.clarisonic.com.

Top 5 Winter Skin Care Tips from Renée Rouleau

Winter skin presents a different set of challenges than the routines you normally follow for summer skin.  Challenges with humidity, temperature extremes, wind, can all wreak havoc on your skin.  Renée Rouleau (www.ReneeRouleau.com) is a trusted skin-care expert and licensed esthetician who has been helping women to attain healthy, glowing, beautiful skin for more than 20 years. 

At the start of her career, Renée recognized the skin care industry had relied on a one-size-fits-all approach to skin care.  Not satisfied with that approach, Renée began formulating her own exclusive brand of products based on nine distinct skin types to ensure her clients the result they desired.  Her philosophy is simple: With the proper tools, effective products and a disciplined approach, anyone can have great skin.

Instead of over-moisturizing, increase your exfoliation

When the heat is on in the house and the air is cold outside, your skin will be depleted of its natural moisture, leaving your skin feeling tight and dry. People tend to load on the extra moisturizer to compensate for the dryness. This will not always solve the problem of dry skin. If your skin is dry, tight and flakey, it means that you have dry skin cell build-up on the surface of the skin. So rather than putting on extra cream to re-hydrate dead, dry skin cells (it doesn’t make sense!) try increasing your exfoliation with a gentle facial scrub containing an alpha-hydroxy-acid to remove the dry skin cells so that when your cream goes on, it hydrates the new cells rather than the dry cells.

Avoid greasy hand creams if you’re prone to breakouts

You may suffer from a condition we call ‘hand cream acne’ if you sleep with your hands on your face at night! We are more likely to use hand cream during the dry winter months than during the summer which leads us to using heavy hand cream to alleviate the dryness. Most often, this cream is applied right before you go to bed. If you sleep on your side with your hands on your face, the cream may be getting into the skin and clogging the pores. If you find that this may be happening to you, sleep with cotton gloves or change over your hand lotion. 

Change up your routine

Your skin acts differently from summer to winter and the best strategy for healthy, beautiful, problem-free skin is to adjust your skin care routine each season. In winter, the skin produces less oil, so for many skin types, oil must be added back into the skin to maintain its balance. Look for moisturizers containing Safflower Oil, Avocado Oil and Shea Butter. Switch from a gel cleanser to a cream-based cleanser and eye creams are a must in the winter. Spring and summer products will likely expire or reduce their effectiveness for the following year, so it’s a good time to purge your products.

Don’t neglect your neck

The friction caused from turtlenecks and wool fibers in sweaters can rub on the neck causing it to be dry and irritated. Use a hydrating cream mask on your neck once a week to replenish essential moisture. Make sure to exfoliate in upward motions with a mild facial scrub.

Properly care for your skin at the gym

After working out at the gym, make sure to wash your face, use an alcohol-free toner and a nourishing moisturizer. At the end of the work out, the salts created from perspiration can have a drying effect on the skin, combined with the cold, dry air outside and the heat in your car. So removing the salts and locking moisture back in the skin will greatly reduce dry skin.

Space NK offers online holiday discount!

Space NK, one of my favorite online beauty destinations, is offering a 20% holiday discount on orders over $150 when you shop online through December 14th and use code HOL001 at checkout.

Space NK specializes in a well-edited selection of luxury cosmetic brands, including By Terry (I highly recommend trying the Bronze-Expert, a fabulous bronzer in a genious applicator!), Chantecaille and more.  But wait--Space NK is a skincare lover's dream, carrying names such as Zelens Skincare, Kate Somerville, ReVive and Natura Bisse.

One of my picks for a skincare gift is the Eve Lom's Ultimate Cleanse Set.  Eve Lom, the UK-based renowned facial aesthetician, believes that less is more when it comes to skincare.  Her minimalist regimen revolves around cleansing and exfoliation.  The Eve Lom Ultimate Cleanse Set includes a jar of Eve Lom Cleanser, Muslin Cloth and Rescue Mask.

Discover Space NK and take advantage of this great opportunity; I'm making my list!

Clarisonic Special Offers for the Holidays!

Clarisonic lovers...great news!

There has never been a better time to purchase the Clarisonic (www.clarisonic.com) for your skincare regimen. Starting today, when you go to the website to purchase a Clarisonic, you will have the ability to personalize it (up to 18 characters).  It's a great option for yourself or if you're planning on giving a Clarisonic for a gift.

As an added bonus, you can also choose to break up the $195 payment into 4 payments. The easy payment program is only applicable for the month of Dec, so you'll want to hurry!  If you plan on paying in full, there is an incentive for you as well. With a $195 purchase you will receive a ½ oz renewal serum, and travel bag, a $55 in value!

Clarisonic has taken the country by storm, ever since Oprah named it one of her favorite things.  I'm excited, as I will be doing an upcoming feature on the Clarisonic and how it is working on my skin.  Do you have a Clarisonic?  Share your experience in the comments.

Sonya Dakar Skin Care Clarifying Collection

Sonya Dakar Skin Care Clarifying Collection is a new cutting-edge solution for those who experience acne or breakouts, but also have concerns with sensitivity, aging and pigmentation.  Created specifically to address adult acne and rosacea, the Clarifying Collection combines some of the most natural and technologically advanced ingredients to treat acne and blemishes while soothing skin and healing irritation.  Super anti-oxidants from the Brazilian rainforest combine with tried and true ingredients like salicylic and lactic acids to improve skin tone, texture and appearance.

There are three products that make up the Clarifying Collection:

• Acai Clarifying Wash - A refreshing, lightly foaming, gel cleanser formulated with a blend of super anti-oxidants organic acai, copaiba and andiroba help to purify and balance oil production, and work act as anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.  Your skin doesn't feel tight after using this wash and I love the herbal aroma. $ 45.
• Deep Pore Clarifying Serum - This serum targets existing acne and prevents future breakouts while soothing and helping to protect skin.  This serum absorbs quickly, yet penetrates to reduce oil production and kill bacteria, leaving you with a clear and healthy complexion.  In addition, ingredients help to exfoliate, lighten and decongest, addresing anti-aging concerns. The Deep Pore Clarifying Serum can be used AM and PM.  Let absorb completely before applying Pore Minimizer or makeup. $ 42.
• Pore Minimizer - Helps to achieve a flawless, shine-free finish.  Regulates oil production while minimizing the appearance of pore size and improving skin texture.  Containing organic silicone and silica, the Pore Minimizer smoothes, mattifies and nourishes skin.  Use in the AM, under makeup and sunscreen.  $ 48.

During test panels, 99% of users saw overall improvements in texture and clarity from pimples and breakouts, as well as improvements in pore size. 100% of users reported lightening of acne scars with a major improvement in the reduction of oil production.

Sonya Dakar Clarifying Collection is available online at DermStore and the Sonya Dakar website, where a store locator can also be found.

Nude Skincare: For beautiful skin with nothing to hide

Nude Skincare, from the ergonomic, minimalism of their packaging to the buzz about their ingredients, is a luxury "green" skincare line that stands out.  

One of the things I like about Nude Skincare, is that the products are formulated with high performance biocompatible ingredients to deliver results.  The premise behind Nude Skincare is to protect the skin's acid mantle, which defends the skin against external damage.  When the acid mantle is damaged or irritated, it can lead to premature aging.  So by using pre and probiotics that don't damage the acid mantle, Nude Skincare works with the skin to maintain balance. Makes sense!

I have been using the Nude Cleansing Milk, which is designed for normal, dry and sensitive skin.  It's completely non-drying and soothing, with ingredients like iris (and yes, that's what I smell when I use the cleansing milk!), juazeiro extracts, baobab oil, soothing milk peptides and licorice.  It's gentle and moisturizing and doesn't leave a dry feeling to my skin at all.  I think this will be an excellent cleanser to continue to use as I change my skincare regimen from summer to winter.  The next time I'm in Sephora, I'm definitely picking up Nude Lips, a certified organic lip treatment. 

If you're looking for a skincare line without parabens, sulphates, PEGs, propylene glycol, TEA, DEA, phthalates, mineral oil, silicones, GM and potential carcinogens--then Nude Skincare is for you.  The packaging is entirely recyclable and ingredients are organic, fair trade or community traded.

Nude Skincare is available at Barneys and online at Sephora and nudeskincare.com

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Collection

Neutrogena introduces the new Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit collection of products, all containing dermatologist-tested recommended MicroClear™ technology.  A proprietary technology, MicroClear™ quickly penetrates into the pores to effectively, yet gently treat and prevent bothersome breakouts.  What’s more, all three formulas in the invigorating Pink Grapefruit collection contain mild exfoliating microbeads.  This new formula is great for those looking for a refreshing scent that rinses easily, leaving skin feeling clean, smooth and clear – no over-drying or sticky residue.  There are three products in the line:  a refreshing Facial Cleanser, a Foaming Scrub and a Body Wash. 

Make sure to enter the Neutrogena Fresh Faces 2008 Concert Sweepstakes by going to www.neutrogenaconcert.com before August 18th, 2008.  Five lucky winners will have the chance to win a VIP trip for two to LA to attend the Neutrogena Fresh Faces 2008 Concert on September 7th, which starts Vanessa Hudgens.  For complete sweepstakes information, rules and details, check the website.