Beauty411

Saks Fifth Avenue, Havaianas & our favorite makeup artists partner for charity

Bobbi Brown, Laura Mercier and Trish McEvoy, makeup artists extraordinnaire, have teamed up with Saks Fifth Avenue and Havaianas for a "Beauty Splash" benefitting charity: water.  Each woman was invited to design a pair of signature Havainanas reflecting the spirit of summer. 

Trish McEvoy wanted to bring to her sandal the feel of a walk on the beach.  Laura Mercier designed her sandal with a lip print showcasing the new lipstick shades in her summer collection.  Bobbi Brown created a pair of sandals, true to form...keeping it simple.

For the entire month of June, Saks Fifth Avenue will be offering it's customers these special edition Havaianas on saks.com, and from June 8 - 22 at all store locations for a retail price of $15 with any two cosmetic or fragrance purchases (while supplies last).  $1 from each purchase, up to $200,000 will be donated to charity: water - a non-profit initiative bringing clean water and basic sanitation into impoverished communities.

3LAB WW Eye Cream

3LAB WW Eye Cream is a serious anti-aging treatment product, with a cutting-edge formulation based on 3LAB's proprietary age-reversing Nano-Claire GY complex.  Nano-Claire GY is a bio-engineered human growth hormone that works at the cellular level to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Brought to you from the same developers as "h" serum, WW Eye Cream not only firms under eye skin, it stimulates circulation and evens skin tone.  That is important to note if you have dark circles, like I do.  WW Eye Cream also contains additional key anti-aging ingredients such as Portulaca Extract, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps to de-puff under eye bags and puffiness; Matriyxl 3000, which stimulates collagen production and Niacinamide, which suppresses melanin and combats UV damage.  Together, you have a multi-tasking product that effectively helps to firm and restore the appearance of the eye area.

I loved trying this product; it's perhaps the richest, most intensely moisturizing and luxurious eye cream I've used.  If you like high-end skincare, 3LAB WW Eye Cream is available at Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue.  More information on the complete 3LAB skin care line can be found on the 3LAB website.

Freeze 24•7's IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep & Polish and IceCream Double Scoop Moisturizer...Ice, Ice, baby!

Freeze 24•7's IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep & Polish is a creamy exfoliating treatment that will polish your skin and leave it tingling, to boot.   If you have fine lines, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, or as part of an anti-aging skincare regimen, exfoliating is an essential component.  Finding one with the right consistency and texture is key.  IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep & Polish uses new technology to produce very fine, uniformly shaped polishing crystals (magnesium oxide) that are encapsulated in a silicone emulsion so as not to irritate skin.  There are tiny green jojoba microbeads that massage skin.  And basil oil to cool, tone and add an herbal fragrance to your experience.  It's a very unique sensation; unlike other exfoliants I've used.  With continued use, Freeze 24•7's clinincal studies showed reductions in age spots, improvements in skin texture, reduction in sebum (oil) content and reduction in appearance of scars.  I used the IceCrystals product every other night for several weeks and liked it more every time I used it.  IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep & Polish retails for $65.

I also tried the IceCream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer, which I applied directly after using the IceCrystals product.  This is another high-tech product, that not only feels incredible on your skin, but it works.  Here's the 411.  You know I like my products to contain ingredients that deliver results. IceCream Double Scoop Moisturizer contains a combination of anti-oxidants (green tea); argirelene, which, over time, has been proved to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; Myoxinol with Hibiscus Protein seeds, which work to relax muscle cell contraction and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkes; L-Carnosine-another antioxidant that has protective properties against cellular damage.  That's a lot of anti-aging fighters in a rich cream that doesn't feel heavy on your skin.  Expect to see firming of the skin and relaxing of expression line formation.  Don't like those "parentheses" forming on either side of your nose and mouth?  or the dreaded "11"s on your forehead? This is a product that, over time, can work to minimize them.  IceCream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer retails at $105.

Bottom line:  these products are technologically advanced and they work.  Freeze 24•7 products are available at Henri Bendel, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and other retails including select Bath & Body Works stores.

Creme de la Mer and The Eye Concentrate

Creme de la Mer is a true legend in the world of cosmetics.  Creme de la Mer was developed by Dr. Max Huber, after suffering a horrific accident which left him with severe chemical burns.  Not finding relief through conventional medicine or science, he set out to develop his own remedy.  Twelve years and six thousand experiments later, Creme de la Mer was born. 

At the heart of the Creme de la Mer is the highly potent Miracle Broth.  This formula contains sea kelp, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, lecithin, antioxiandants Vitamins C, E and B12, plus other natural ingredients, humectants and emollients.  The bio-fermentation process for the Miracle Broth takes 3-4 months to complete and although the company is now owned by Estee Lauder, the meticulous bio-fermentation process has remained the same.  In trying out Creme de la Mer, in order to release and activate the ingredients, I took an amount a little bigger than a pea, and warmed it between my fingertips, then pressed the Creme into my skin.  I was worried that the Creme, being a thick and rich moisturizer, would cause my skin to break out, but it didn't at all.  In fact, my skin seemed to drink in the lightly fragranced Creme de la Mer and I noticed softer, smoother and more radiant skin; a healthy glow.  I love the ritual of applying the Creme; it feels very indulgent and luxurious. Creme de la Mer retails at $125 for 1 oz. 

The Eye Concentrate is a new eye treatment containing three forms of the same Miracle Broth as in Creme de la Mer.  The Eye Concentrate contains is formulated with the Original Miracle Broth, a cold-vacuum processed Concentrated Miracle Broth and a time-release Encapsulated Miracle Broth.  What does this Grand Slam of Miracle Broth do for you?  The first response I noted was the very quick resolution of under-eye puffiness.  In addition, I saw a more smooth appearance under my eyes, lessening of dark circles; an overall improvement in the appearance of the undereye area. I have to say, I consider this an excellent eye cream and have no reservations about recommending The Eye Concentrate.  The Eye Concentrate retails at $160.

Both Creme de la Mer and The Eye Concentrate are available online at the LaMer website.  You can also find the LaMer line at select Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys department stores.

3LAB "h" Serum: H for "highly recommended!"

3LAB products are an ideal blend of cutting-edge technology and natural botanicals.  Founded by a team of two renowned chemists and one famous dermatologist, the attention to both science and skincare results is evident. The 3LAB line itself is not a large one; instead it's a well-edited skincare line to match the precise philosophy of the company, which is the use of the highest grade botanical ingredients and state of the art scientific technologies to contest the forces of nature and time.

So let me tell you about my newest, favorite beauty product, 3LAB's "h" serum.  Through a patented process, 3LAB has been able to bio-engineer the functional-equivalent of human growth hormone.  What does that mean in relation to skincare?  Use of the "h" serum, with it's patented nanotechnology delivery system, in essence, increases the rate of skin-cell regeneration, promotes younger-acting and more luminous skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  The "h" serum contains potent anti-oxidants (a necessity in an anti-aging product), as well as humectants and other age-fighters.  Does it work?  Does it ever! My skin has never looked better; it is brighter, more radiant.  I apply a small amount (1 pump) in the morning and evening after cleansing my skin.  The "h" serum is not a sticky serum, either.  It's a luxurious light creme formulation that feels good on your skin.  I follow the "h" serum with moisturizer.

The 3LAB "h" serum retails at $200 and the 3LAB line is available at Barneys and Saks Fifth Avenue, although checking both websites, it appears you may need to call the stores directly to order.  In my book, the "h" stands for "highly recommended!"