La Mer:
The Concentrate
8/12/14

Although I'd received small samples of this wonder serum over the years, I never really understood how or why I should use The Concentrate. While I've been a devout fan of the original Crème de la Mer and The Eye Balm Intense since my college years (completely my roommate's fault), this product was a complete mystery to me. The problem with La Mer products is that they're like potato chips and Chanel nail polishes – you can't have just one. I went from using the original Crème de la Mer to using The Eye Balm Intense, then The Hand Treatment, The Lip Balm, The Cleansing Foam, The Hydrating Infusion, The Mist, and so on and so forth. I won't continue my embarrassingly long list. You get the idea.

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I'm now knee-deep in The Concentrate, and lemme tell ya – it's true love. Sure, it was created by a scientist to help heal burns and skin wounds and all sorts of scary skin ailments. Now imagine what it does for healthy skin. That's right. We're talking flawless. Heaven for an admitted skincare perfectionist. Any teeny tiny fine lines I had? Gone. A hint of an old scar? Gone. All flaws gone! Aside from banishing any minor imperfections, my skin has never looked better. My pores are minuscule, any redness or unevenness in skintone is immediately corrected, and my skin is glowing. I would bathe in the stuff if I could. I've even taken to applying it around my eye area prior to applying either the Crème de la Mer (safe for use on the eye area, including eyelids) or under my eye cream. I also apply it on my neck and décolletage, of course. 

My verdict? Worth every penny. Whether you have scars and your skin needs TLC or simply want to use The Concentrate as an omg, endless compliment-inducing skin miracle, you can't go wrong. There's no other product like it. Is it overkill for people with great skin? Sure. But there is no shame in my game. My skin may be pretty darn flawless, but this is my secret weapon to keeping it that way– and I do enjoy the compliments. ;)

La Mer 'The Concentrate' is $425 for a 1.7 oz. bottle, & $325 for a 1 oz. bottle. 

Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Barneys & La Mer online. 

La Prairie

Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream

2/24/14

I would be remiss not to post about this coveted, luxury eye cream after my review of La Mer's 'The Eye Balm Intense'. Since I've found myself ensconced in La Prairie over the past year, I purchased their Skin Caviar Lifting Luxuries Set, which included a full size jar of this eye cream. The packaging is gorgeous and in keeping with the Skin Caviar line with its blue glass jar, metallic cap and trim with spoon holder for the signature La Prairie embossed spoon. Lovely on any vanity tray. But what does it do?

Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream promises to solve all of our eye area woes. True to its name, it promises to help restore firmness and elasticity, deeply moisturize the eye area and reduce the look of dark circles and puffiness. That's a tall order! I find the cream to be quite rich, and have been using it solely at night. It's too rich for eye makeup, and could easily turn mascara into a hot mess. I prefer the benefits and texture of La Mer 'The Eye Balm Intense' for day use, as it's both cooling and lighter in texture. 

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After cleansing and toning, I start with La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex, which is a fancy name for a highly-effective eye serum. Since most eye creams shouldn't be applied to eyelids, the serum is a necessity for me. A little bit goes a long way with this rich cream, which helps ease the sticker shock. Just less than 1/4 of a spoon is enough for the entire eye area, including between and above the brows and from the sides to the hairline, as well as below the eyes. I always apply eye area treatments before facial serums and creams, or they tend to pill or flake. 

I honestly didn't notice much of a difference until about three weeks after beginning the treatment, and I'm still somewhat on the fence. It's certainly hydrating, and my eye area is still dewy in the morning. Bonus points there, since moisture prevents wrinkles. I don't have puffiness (knock on wood), so I can't comment on that. As far as lifting and firming benefits, I think I'm too young to truly reap the benefits this luxury cream offers. Sure, it's delightfully hydrating and I have seen fine lines vanish. But is it worth it?

My verdict? Although it looks lovely on my vanity and hydrates my eye area through the night, I think those with deeper wrinkles and puffiness would benefit more from this cream. I imagine I'll revisit this cream in about a decade - and I'll be happily using it up - but I'm going to start using my beloved La Mer 'The Eye Balm Intense' both day and night. It's about $125 cheaper and addresses my needs at present. 

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream is $310 for a .68 oz. jar. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. 

Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask
1/5/14

Happy New Year! I haven't posted in quite a while, and I'm really excited about this new discovery. I've been a fan of Chantecaille for quite some time, and I can't believe I waited so long to try their clay mask. I regularly use and love their Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask and Fruit and Flower Acids Mask. 

I'd been using Kiehl's Rare Earth Pore Cleansing Masque, and had tried other clay masks like Aēsop's Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque but was disappointed. Sure, the Kiehl's mask worked well. But like most clay masks, it left my face feeling tight and would sometimes cause some redness if left on for too long. I'd avoided Chantecaille's clay mask purely because of the color - black. I knew my expensive, soft washcloths would be stained. I read review after review in global fashion and beauty publications with raves about this product. Alas, I could resist no longer.

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The small jar and somewhat sizable price tag concerned me at first glance. After cleansing my face, I began to apply the mask. I was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly and easily it was to apply, and how far such a little amount went. It felt cooling and soothing, and didn't dry like most clay masks. It has a pleasant, spa-like scent of rosemary and other natural ingredients. I expected my face to be charcoal or black, but it actually takes on somewhat of a dark, bluish hue. I waited the instructed 10 minutes before washing it off for the first time. If you've used clay masks, you know how difficult a task it can be to remove them. This mask is completely different. Just a soft washcloth and some warm water, and the mask easily and gently washed off my skin.

About the fourth or fifth use, I realized that 30 minutes had passed and I'd forgotten to wash the mask off. Even though I exceeded the instructed time of 10 minutes, my face wasn't tight whatsoever. None of the usual hard, tight clay mask woes. I believe the honey helps keep the mask from becoming too stiff and uncomfortable. Once again, a little warm water and a soft washcloth was all it took to remove the mask. It really tightens my pores and leaves my skin soft, smooth and glowing. Because it is a purifying or detoxifying mask, any tiny underlying pimples or imperfections immediately come to the surface and are magically gone the following morning. I had certainly never experienced this level of success with any other clay mask. Having both combination and reactive/sensitive skin, this is the ideal purifying mask. Gentle and effective. 

My verdict? The best clay/purifying mask on the market. Totally worth staining one of your best washcloths for. Chantecaille did it again!

Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask with Rosemary and Honey is $78 for a 1.7oz. jar. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Barneys. 

Foaming Cleansers
11/4/13

The evolution of cleansers isn't surprising, as consumers expect a lot from products in an over saturated market. I use foaming cleansers on a twice-daily basis, with an exfoliant (review soon) three mornings a week after cleansing. I used cleansing milks and lotions for a long time, blindly assuming they were the most gentle. That said, I never felt like they got my face and neck completely clean - and I don't even wear foundation. I relied on toner to thoroughly clean any residue or film after cleansing. Now I use toner mainly to prepare my skin for treatments like serums and moisturizers. I've compared three different foaming cleansers at varying price points to find the best. I used each cleanser for a full month to test their efficacy, and I chose three brands whose products I use, since they've already established quality and trust. 

First up was Chantecaille, and I had high expectations given how many of their products I use and love. Chantecaille's Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser contains rice bran for gentle exfoliation, while geranium acts as an antibacterial. Seaweed regulates sebum production while soybean, green tea and olive leaves are supposed to naturally protect the skin from free radicals. I found that it only took a dime-sized amount to create a nice foaming lather when I rubbed my hands together and applied to a wet face. It does take awhile to fully rinse off, and my skin never felt fully "rinsed." That bugs me. It has the consistency of rice pudding, and it's hard to imagine that is sufficient exfoliation on its own. During that month I also used their Fruit & Flower Acids Mask for proper exfoliation. As far as any scent, there was none to speak of even though they mention a citrus scent. Hm. 

left to right: Chantecaille, La Prairie and NARS

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Next up was La Prairie, aka my holy grail of skincare at present. La Prairie's Foam Cleanser is true to its name. This water-activated foam in their signature light pink hue is mousse-like in texture until combined with water. It can range from near creamy to super foamy depending on how much water you mix it with. Like Chantecaille, I only need about a dime-sized amount to reach a full lather on my wet face. What I really like about this cleanser is that it doesn't take forever to rinse off, and my skin feels clean without feeling stripped of moisture. The fragrance is quite mild and pleasant. This is strictly a foaming cleanser without an exfoliation element, as La Prairie has two different products meant solely for exfoliation post cleansing. I've found this system incredibly effective, as I prefer a deep exfoliation a few times a week rather than a light daily exfoliation. 

Last but not least was NARS Purifying Foam Cleanser. NARSskin launched last year, completely revamping the brand's skincare line. NARSskin products are grounded in simplicity and are paraben-free, gluten-free, oil-free, alcohol-free and synthetic fragrance free. This cleanser gently exfoliates with botanical exfoliating spheres, while rose and peony extracts soothe skin and reduce shine. Like Chantecaille and La Prairie, a dime-sized amount lathers up a lovely foam which has a refreshing, natural orange scent and rinses off fairly easily. Formulated to prepare the face for makeup, this is a fantastic choice for women who wear foundation. 

My verdict? I bought full-sized bottles of both La Prairie and NARS, and passed on the Chantecaille cleanser. La Prairie is my runaway favorite, in conjunction with their Cellular Mineral Face Exfoliator. NARS is fantastic for travel when I want one product that does it all. Chantecaille missed the mark, but I still love many of their other products. 

La Prairie Foam Cleanser is $75 for a 4.2 oz. tube. 
NARS Purifying Foam Cleanser is $29 for a 4.9 oz. tube. 
Chantecaille Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser is $60 for a 2.46 oz. tube. 

All available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks. 

La Prairie
Skin Caviar Luxe Cream
9/26/13

A longtime cult favorite, this luxury moisturizer graces the vanities of everyone from celebrities to skincare fanatics, and the Skin Caviar line remains beloved by many, with the Skin Caviar Luxe Cream having recently celebrated 25 years. My first experience with La Prairie was due to my generous and well-heeled sister, who'd come out to Portland for a visit after I'd just moved west and landed my first job as a Jr. Designer at adidas in 1999. I lived on ramen and PB&J back then, so her visits were always a welcome treat. We found ourselves at Saks one afternoon, and I found myself wanting everything on the La Prairie counter. She took direct aim, had the saleswoman gather up her bounty of beauty purchases, including my first La Prairie product. I applied that eye cream as though it were the last jar on earth; sparingly and with great care. I remember how hard it was to go back to anything else after such a luxurious product. Warning: this product has the same effect. 

As my career progressed I started using Crème de la Mer, which was the holy grail of moisturizers to me. I still adore that cream, and use it frequently during cooler weather. That said, I recently fully reacquainted myself with the magic that is La Prairie and can't imagine giving up my Skin Caviar Luxe Cream. From the classic blue jar and silver top to the embossed silver spoon, no expense was spared on packaging. Once inside you'll find one of the richest, most luxurious creams on the market. No, it doesn't smell like caviar or fish. It smells quite pleasant, with a delicate scent that mostly dissipates after application.

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The texture is creamy and thick, with a little going a long way. This isn't for those seeking a matte look, but creates a perfect and natural dewy glow. It screams healthy skin, which I love. The amount shown above on the spoon covers my face, neck and décolleté. Here are key benefits, directly from La Prairie:

• Drenches the skin with intensive moisture and nourishment

• Delivers concentrated firming agents to help stimulate collagen production

• Reinforces the skin’s vitality and enhances its natural anti-fatigue factor

• Smoothes and retexturizes skin’s surface with targeted Alpha Hydroxy Acid exfoliation

Since Caviar Extract is rich in protein, it transforms the texture of skin while providing serious hydration and making skin feel incredibly smooth and silky. I tried samples of this cream for a week prior to making my first purchase, and I couldn't stop touching my face and neck. Nothing had ever radically and instantaneously improved the texture of my skin the way this cream managed to. Have I mentioned the firming and improved skin elasticity? Come morning, my skin was radiant, taut and the softest it had ever been. After a single week of samples, there was no going back. My skin can be a gnarly mix of sensitive, allergy-prone and combination, and I've had nothing but positive experiences with this cream as well as other Skin Caviar products. Hurray! Since the cream is so rich, I've been using it nightly after toner and serum (and Cellular Power Infusion every three months, which deserves an entirely separate post). I clean the metal spoon with toner after use, and air dry. 

My verdict? Yes, this cult luxury cream is a major splurge. But given how little you use each application and the miraculous, immediate positive results...I can't imagine being without it. Pick up a sample at your local La Prairie counter inside upscale department stores. You won't regret it. I promise. 

La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Cream is $410 for a 1.7 oz jar. 

Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman. 

Sisley
Black Rose Cream Mask
8/26/13

Let's sleep on it- or with it on, in this case. I posed the question, "do you use face masks?" on Facebook a few months ago, and was shocked that so many women aren't reaping the benefits of my favorite skincare ritual. I know that time is a major factor for many people, and I'd like to share the time-saving beauty (no pun intended) of masks you can wear overnight. There are no added steps involved, since these masks are applied after cleansing and toning in lieu of a serum and a moisturizer. Sound more enticing yet?

I've had my eye on Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask after reading an article in a July NYT Fashion & Style article about masks you can leave on overnight. It was photographed beside my beloved NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask, and I've been using lots of products with rose water and rose oil to calm inflammation. It basically had my name written all over it. While the Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask has their signature Rosewater base, it's meant to soothe and heal. This new mask by Sisley is their very first to contain anti-aging active ingredients. It brightens the complexion, revitalizes and heals, plumps up fine lines, gives the skin a surge of hydration, and makes my face absolutely radiant. And...you can SLEEP WITH IT ON! No extra time or steps involved, so no excuses! This joins the ranks of some of my all-time favorite overnight masks, shown below. 

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(clockwise from top left): Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask | NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask | Chantecaille Jasmine & Lily Healing Mask | Valmont Renewing Pack

I'd received a sample packet of the mask from Nordstrom, and it was enough to cover my face and neck. Given that it's Sisley and priced accordingly, this reassured me that the tube would last for at least two months with twice weekly use. Given that my skin has been inflamed and irritated as of late, I was thrilled that I had no issues which rocks since I never bother doing those patch tests. I applied the mask about an hour before heading to bed and loved the soft, creamy texture. It glided over my face and neck with ease, and was incredibly smooth and cooling. I found the light and lovely scent to be fresh and relaxing. I awoke to perfectly hydrated, luminous skin. My face had a distinct glow, and I knew it was love. Our bodies do miraculous things to heal while we sleep, making nighttime skincare both incredibly important and a good thing to do for yourself. 

The mask can be used two ways; overnight like I enjoy it, or for about 10-15 minutes for a quick boost to revitalize dull or tired skin. Ideal after a long day, before heading out for the evening. Simply apply a generous layer as you would for overnight use, but tissue (not rinse) off any remaining product. Your skin will look radiant and stay hydrated all night. And let's not forget about the anti-aging active ingredients. This is a fantastic substitute for a moisturizer on days or nights when your skin needs a pick-me-up. 

My verdict? This dual-purpose mask can revitalize the complexion and provide a surge of hydration when skin appears tired or dull. Whether you're recovering from a late night out or want to improve your skin's radiance while you sleep, Sisley has formulated their best mask yet. This mask is already a cult favorite, and is often sold out at many stores. The secret is out!

Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask is $158 for a 2.1 oz. tube. 

Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, & Saks. 

Sisley
Nutritive Lip Balm
8/16/13

I love my lip balms, and this particular balm had been on my wish list for quite some time. Its hefty price tag, much like all Sisley skincare, kept me from procuring it sooner. I lived on Dr. Hauschka Lip Balm for years, and was quite happy with it. Then I made a typical Wendy move, and ordered up. La Mer was first on my luxury lip balm list, and it was love at first minty shine. Then I moved up to By Terry Baume de Rose, and knew I'd found the one. While I've been more than happy with Baume de Rose, curiosity got the best of me and I upped the ante and snagged the Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm. 

While I love many luxury brands, I don't subscribe to the notion that the most expensive products are the best. I like what works, and what feels and smells good, regardless of price. That said, I'm somewhat obsessive about lip and eye products, because they show signs of aging in frightening ways. Ways that make me test these products for preventative measures. A couple of ill-maintained faces were like my beauty boogeymen, assuring I continue taking excellent care of my skin. 

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As you're aware if you've read my recent posts, I'm in need of extra nourishing, healing, and soothing products for my currently inflamed and irritated skin. This happens to include my lips. Sadly, my beloved Baume de Rose which usually works wonders hasn't been healing enough for my chapped and parched lips. La Mer wasn't cutting it either. Both of those balms are generally incredibly soothing and effective lip treatments. They're just not true "balms" in terms of healing and consistency, which I desperately need. 

I decided to breakdown and open the jar of Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm I'd purchased weeks ago and hadn't touched. I was surprised that it was in a plastic jar at this price point, unlike By Terry which is $12 cheaper and in a pretty, frosted glass jar. It does come with a spoon to keep the jar germ-free which I like, but even that isn't high-quality plastic. Poor packaging aside, this is the most "balm-like" in texture. Its color is naturally yellow from its ingredients, giving it a medicinal look. Hydration is provided by hazelnut, plum kernel, and sunflower oils, in addition to shea butter and kokum butter. The consistency is smooth, but takes a minute to melt onto lips. It's not as hard as I expected, but it's also not jar to lip ready. It needs time to soften once it touches the lips. After a couple of minutes, it melts right in. There's no noticeable scent so that helps the sensitivity factor. It's incredibly hydrating if not a little boring, but it gets the job done. 

My verdict? I'm very thankful for this product while I'm tackling highly irritated, inflamed skin. But I'll be going right back to By Terry Baume de Rose and La Mer as soon as my skin is back to normal. This is only worth the money if you truly need healing from things like a really bad sunburn, very chapped and cracked lips, radiation exposure, and surface burns. A total waste of money for regular daily use. 

Sisley Nutritive Lip Balm is $72 for a .03 oz jar. 

Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus. 

Valmont Priority Cream
8/14/13

One of my favorite things is discovering a skincare brand I've never seen or heard of before. Barneys has been letting me down lately with "hype" brands that really only have one or two good products. I stumbled upon Valmont during a broad search for soothing and healing creams and masks on Nordstrom online (not available in-store) and through my dermatologist. I'd recently discovered some gems from Chantecaille, and was excited when I began perusing Valmont's offerings. A Swiss brand with a heritage rooted in spa-like skincare and healing, this family-owned business seamlessly blends Switzerland's natural resources with research and technology. From the company's website:

"A constant innovator, the company draws inspiration from latest cosmetic cellular findings to offer utmost anti-aging products with visible and long lasting efficacy. Patented Triple DNA, liposomed RNA and DNA, Glacial Spring Water and pure plant extracts are the key ingredients used for their unequalled hydration, regeneration and cellular reactivation properties."

What attracted me most were the hydration, regeneration and cellular reactivation properties, and that the brand seeks to constantly innovate. This is important, because cell regeneration isn't exactly an easy thing to accomplish. I want healing properties in my skincare without sacrificing anti-aging benefits. Sure, La Mer is in the game and I use and love them, but Valmont is a welcome addition. 

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I've needed highly healing and calming skincare as of late. The Chantecaille Jasmine Lily Healing Mask falls into this category, as will upcoming posts. My dermatologist highly recommends Valmont, which upped the trust factor. Since Valmont is literally only sold at a handful of spas in the U.S., through dermatologists and Nordstrom online, I was able to procure a bunch of samples from my dermatologist, as well as the lead aesthetician at the flagship Nordstrom Spa in Seattle. This helped greatly, as some of the price points (like La Mer) are quite high. 

I'd received samples of the Priority Cream on a day my face and other areas of my skin felt and looked like they was on fire, and I was in extreme discomfort. We're talking walking lobster and incredibly hot to touch. I cleansed with the White Falls Cleansing Emulsion, followed by the Vital Falls Toner, and finished by applying the Priority Cream to my face and other red and irritated skin. A little bit went a long way, as each tiny sample lasted three days. My face and body cooled immediately, and felt instantly soothed and hydrated. The consistency is lovely, managing to be light yet very hydrating. It has a very light scent, thats not at all "perfumy." The booklet I received with the samples explained that the cream immediately goes to work on microcirculation, which helps regulate (not hide) redness and inflammation. It was the first time my skin felt comfortable in over a week, aside from when I used the Chantecaille mask. But I can't wear a mask all the time, and this cream was a godsend. I immediately hopped onto nordstrom.com, and ordered several items I'd fallen in love with. If I had to choose one item, this would have been it. That's saying a lot, as everything I tried was amazing. 

My verdict? While I normally have combination skin, I've fallen into the sensitive skin category where I'll remain for awhile. For those of you with sensitive skin, rosacea, redness, radiation exposure, allergies, or sunburned skin, this is a fantastic cream. I simply can't say enough good things about it. Expect more Valmont posts soon!

Valmont Priority Cream is $195 for a 1.6 oz. jar. 

Available at Nordstrom (online only), through your dermatologist and Nordstrom spas throughout the U.S. Other spas may carry Valmont, but I'd only trust an authorized Nordstrom or Valmont Spas around the world. 

Note: there is an amazing Valmont Spa at the Plaza Athénée Hotel for those in the NYC area.

La Prairie
Cellular Radiance Eye Cream
8/9/13

I'm really angry with myself. I'm mad at myself, Nordstrom, my beauty bestie, and my Chase United MasterCard, who's always getting me into trouble. "Just think how many miles that will be!" My beauty bestie has serious La Prairie lust and constantly raves about certain products, but I hadn't touched the brand in ages until this year's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. La Prairie had an excellent set this year, and both the Cellular Radiance Cream and Cellular Radiance Eye Cream deluxe samples were included in price-qualifying GWP. 

I'm somewhat obsessed with eye creams, and am always in search of the next best thing. That miracle cream capable of erasing under-eye circles while keeping wrinkles at bay and my eye area well hydrated. After my nightly skincare regimen, I couldn't help but reach for this eye cream, which I kept at the ready. I gently dabbed the cream around my orbital bone and all around my eye area from corner to corner, between my brows, and lightly on my eyelids. I then proceeded to watch a Housewives show or Top Gear (odd combination, I know) and headed to sleep. Now, I've suffered from poor sleep for years and am lucky to get more than 90 minutes of uninterrupted sleep at a time. 

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I awoke the following morning having forgotten all about which eye cream I'd used, as I'm essentially comatose prior to coffee. On my way to the kitchen, I caught a passing glimpse of myself in the hall mirror. I stopped dead in my tracks, and ran back to have a closer look. Was this possible? I couldn't believe my eyes, no pun intended. My face looked fresh and well-rested, and my eye area was simply luminous, without a hint of an under eye circle or fatigue. "La Prairie!" I rejoiced, as I continued to admire at myself shamelessly. Once I'd gotten my caffeine fix, I hopped online to get more details about this magical cream. I couldn't help but chuckle after reading the description. Generally, luxury creams have lengthy descriptions justifying the expense by detailing unique anti-aging properties and other fancy tidbits. Here's the description for La Prairie Cellular Radiance Eye Cream on Nordstrom's site:

 "A multi-complex formula of time-correcting and restorative therapy. In an instant the eye zone area is immediately redefined, appearing luminous, lifted and hydrated, as wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles appear diminished."

This is brilliant. You'll notice that they make absolutely no claims about your eye area actually being physically improved. The honest description tells how the cream makes the eye zone appear luminous, and wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles appear diminished. Genius. You can't fault them for truth in advertising, and any flaw absolutely appeared not only diminished, but nonexistent. I had to have it. Sure, it was essentially a cosmetic skincare trick by using a cream with light reflecting particles. The best I've ever seen, at that. I immediately ordered myself an overpriced, full-size jar and eagerly awaited its arrival. Since I can't count on actual skincare benefits from the cream, I layer it on top of La Prairie Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex (an eye area serum) and the Cellular Eye Contour Cream, or whatever else I'm using which has been Chantecaille Stress Repair Concentrate as of late. 

My verdict? Sure it's pricey and essentially a luminous aesthetic layer over other, skin-repairing and preventative eye creams. But looking that good rolling out of bed is priceless. Pick up a sample at your nearest La Prairie Counter and see for yourself!

La Prairie Cellular Radiance Eye Cream is $320 for a 0.5 oz. jar. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, & Bloomingdales. 

Travel-size Beauty

Travel-size Beauty
7/24/13

Whether it's a summer vacation or business travel, mini toiletries can be a woman's best friend- or a space-consuming, leaky nightmare. After many years of travel for both business and pleasure, I've learned a lot of tricks as well as some lessons the hard way. I've already revealed my quart-size Ziploc carry-on bag, which contains several items I don't need duplicates of, like rollerball perfume, eye cream, and lip balm. But what about all the other items, from the shower to styling your hair? I've had one too many mishaps with generic toiletry containers, so they're dead to me. 

Stores like Sephora make a killing off of travel-size items, with little value. It's taken me years to figure out the beauty of store samples, and which stores and brands offer the types of items I like to use. Kiehl's is incredibly generous with samples, particularly if you make a purchase (even small). I live for their deluxe-size shampoo, conditioner, and body wash samples. Many higher-end beauty brands like La Mer and La Prairie are quick to offer samples, since testing pricey products can eventually lead to a purchase of full-size items. Never order higher-end brands online, or you'll miss out on all the potential samples. They'll even make samples for you if they're out of what you want, and trust me when I tell you that their containers are far better than generic drugstore ones.

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One commonly overlooked travel savior is the Gift With Purchase or GWP. Half the reason I love the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is for the beauty sets, often complete with deluxe size GWPs. Both facial cleansers (Chantecaille and La Prairie), the La Prairie toner, and my La Mer samples (half of them, anyway) shown in the photo above were all GWPs that came with their respective beauty sets. It's a win/win if you already use the brands. Another place to score travel-size or deluxe size toiletries is hotels, of course. Heck yeah I take my daily Kiehl's supply when I stay at the Soho Grand, for instance. High-end hotels have high-end amenities, and you're paying a premium to stay there. Even mid-range hotels are offering nicer toiletries these days like Molton Brown and L'Occitane. If you're paying, it's hardly stealing. I've often had housekeeping leave extras in my room without asking for them. A tip helps!

I always like to bring a facial mask with me to rehydrate my skin after a long flight, and NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask is a reasonable size with a trusty closure. For my locks, I rely on my mini bottle of Moroccanoil that I refill from my full-size bottle, and blow dry shampoo to get the most out of my blowouts. Pretty much everything else is in my carry-on Ziploc. Then there's makeup, of course...but that's an entirely different bag. ;)

My verdict? You can never have too many travel-size favorites, no matter what the brand. And never, ever trust those empty plastic bottles they sell at drugstores or pack nail polish in your suitcase. Yes, that happened. 

Safe travels!

Blotting Paper

Tatcha Original Aburatorigami
Japanese Beauty Paper

I've been a fan of Tatcha's Rice Enzyme Powders for a couple of months, and was recently surprised to see their blotting papers online at places like Sephora. This struck me as interesting, considering they quite literally only sell their skincare products in the U.S. at Barneys and on their own website. I think this was a fantastic choice for the brand to introduce themselves to a larger market. 

I've been using blotting papers for many years, with varied results. Sephora's papers were literally like rubber, made from some sort of blue plastic material in a poorly-constructed black package. Then I tried Shiseido's, but I can't stand blotting papers with powder. I was beginning to feel like I'd have to settle, and I did for many years on Sephora's Blotting Papers. While doing some research for this post, I was shocked to see that Sephora now offers three options, including a Shimmer Sheet Set (doesn't that defeat the purpose?), and two other types of sheets with "treatment" ingredients, such as tea tree oil. I don't know about you, but all I ask for in a blotting sheets is to remove any excess shine from my face. Then I found Tatcha's. 

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The Original Aburatorigami Beauty Papers were included with Tatcha's Sampler Set, which I'd purchased to get the full experience of their line. Like all their other products, the packaging design is beautiful and high quality. Made solely of Abaca leaf and gold, these incredibly thin and nearly translucent papers are a far cry from all the other blotting papers out there. I love a good story, and they deliver. These all-natural papers are powder free, fragrance free, and handmade. 

Why blotting papers? I've yet to meet a woman who enjoys a shiny face. If you wear foundation, primer, powder, or any other makeup on your face, blotting with a regular tissue will steal or mess up your makeup, moisturizer, and can leave fibers behind. Adding more powder to cover the shine creates an uneven look and can potentially clog your pores. These blotting papers remove shine while leaving your makeup intact, and without stealing your moisturizer. I don't wear any makeup aside from on my eyes and lips (and nails, of course), but I prefer my moisturizer remain on my face while removing any shine or oiliness in my t-zone. 

Using these papers is incredibly simple. Simply remove a single sheet from the cool envelope package and gently dab on any shiny areas. You can use both sides of the sheet, and discard with a good conscience since they're biodegradable. Tatcha also makes Evening Aburatorigami Beauty Papers, which are essentially smaller and darker - perfect for a clutch. 

My verdict? I can't imagine returning to the archaic blotting papers I once used, and nothing has worked as well or looked as good as Tatcha. Enjoy a shine-free summer!

- Original Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers are $15 for 30 sheets. 
- Evening Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers are $15 for 40 sheets.
- Aburatorigami Japanese Beauty Papers Duo is $19 for both products! Total steal.

Available at Tatcha online & Sephora. Note: the duo is only available at Sephora. 

Moisturizer - Chantecaille

Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream
7/11/13

I've had a couple of bad experiences with Retinol, but I've had great success with other Chantecaille skincare products and decided to give this cream a try. When the word Retinol was uttered, I used to cringe. I'd tried both an eye cream and another face cream containing the anti-aging ingredient and had visibly poor results, with one lone product being a happy exception. My skin became red and just didn't agree with the products. I'd just about written off Retinol until I saw that Chantecaille had a Retinol cream with excellent reviews. I've found the line to be gentle overall, so they'd already established my trust. Retinol has so many amazing and highly-coveted benefits, from warding off wrinkles to banishing breakouts, tightening pores and improving skin texture, I couldn't say goodbye.

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Since Chantecaille categorizes this as a nighttime treatment, I knew I'd have less irritation. Many age-fighting products containing ingredients like Vitamin C and Retinol have adverse effects on my skin in daylight. The idea that a night cream could not only clear up but also banish acne is refreshing. Once again, I must reiterate my love of all products working their magic while we sleep, when our body naturally goes into healing mode. After reading many an article about how Retinol loses its effectiveness over time, I decided to use it 3 nights a week, and continue using La Mer on alternate nights. I've simply incorporated this cream into my nightly regimen as I would any night cream - as a last step. Directions indicate applying two to three pumps onto fingertips and gently pressing onto entire face and neck until fully absorbed, careful not to tug at or pull skin. Very similar to La Mer's application method. To my delight, the application area also includes the delicate under-eye area where we all need an extra boost of anti-aging benefits. 

I immediately loved the soft and smooth texture of this cream, and how my skin happily drank it up. It's practically unscented, with perhaps a very slight Pure Rosewater scent, which is the product's base. Not exactly heavily perfumed. It's also Paraben-Free, which several of my readers have indicated is important to them. Because the cream feels so light during and after application, I was thrilled that my skin remained dewy and deeply hydrated all night, and still felt soft and supple come morning. Not only have I not experienced a single adverse effect, I've noticed major improvements to my skin texture (including smaller pores), a more even skin tone, and vanishing fine lines around my eyes. They've quite literally disappeared. Granted, they were small - but who wants wrinkles?! Not I. 

My verdict? This surprisingly gentle and effective night cream has become part of my nighttime skincare regimen three times a week. I see continued improvements with each passing week, and while it's somewhat expensive, it should last about two months with use three nights weekly. The smart pump design also keeps the cream germ-free. I simply can't say enough great things about this product. 

Chantecaille Retinol Intense Cream is $110.00 for a 1.7 oz. bottle. 

Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, & Barneys.

Hydrating Mask

NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask
7/9/13

I know many women don't wear masks, and I'm hoping this easy and super hydrating mask will encourage even one woman to give it a try. I personally love masks, and experience many positive results after use - not to mention that I find them to be very relaxing and a nice way to wind down after a hectic day. I've tried enough to distinguish the good from the bad, so any mask I blog about is something I've used repeatedly. I use masks that brighten, refine pores, exfoliate, lift/firm, soothe/calm and hydrate. That's a lot to sort through! I'm happily working my way through them all and sharing my experiences. 

Now that I've finished my ode to why I love masks, I'm excited to talk about one of my new favorites. NARS has always been known for their fabulous makeup, but they recently reformulated their skincare line and relaunched it last year. Practice makes perfect, and I immediately fell in love with this intensive hydrating mask that smoothes and softens the skin while natural botanicals enhance collagen production. Youthful glow? Yes please! It's also Synthetic Fragrance-Free, Paraben-Free, Alcohol-Free and Gluten-Free. This is good stuff, my friends. Great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

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The mask super simple to use and remove. For a quick burst of hydration and a dewy refreshed glow in a hurry, cleanse skin and massage a generous amount on face and neck, avoiding the eye area, and leave on for 5-10 minutes. The texture is incredibly soft, smooth and soothing. Then simply tissue off remaining product (your skin will drink up most of the mask) and follow with a toner. You won't need moisturizer after this ultra hydrating treatment. My favorite way to use the mask is to massage a super generous amount on my face and neck about an hour before bedtime, and allow the mask to work its magic while I sleep. If you follow my blog regularly, you already know how strongly I feel about using the right products at night when the body is in healing mode. This product is gentle and effective, leaving your skin radiant, silky smooth and hydrated come morning. What a nice way to start the day! 

My verdict? By far the best hydrating mask I've tried, bar none. The radiance and youthful glow are welcome bonuses. I highly recommend using it overnight to reap the most benefits. But starting slowly with a 10 minute trial run will win you over as well. A must-have.

I order my NARS products directly from my NARS and beauty guru in LA via phone and email. He's the skincare god who taught me the overnight method. They offer free shipping and generous samples to boot. Here's his contact info:

Michael Duquette | Award Winning, NARS-Certified Resident Artist

Nordstrom at The Grove 

323.900.1417

Michael.Duquette@nordstrom.com

NARS Aqua Gel Luminous Mask is $39 for a 2.6 oz. bottle. 

Or order from Nordstrom online, but you won't get extra, fun NARS samples. 

Facial Sunscreen

Clarins UV PLUS HP SPF 40 Day Screen

7/8/13

Sunscreen. It's one of those health and beauty items we use because we know we have to in order to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Nothing good comes from unprotected skin, from melanoma to premature aging. As a fair-skinned Irish redhead, I'm a firm believer in the benefits of SPF 30 as a bare minimum, which is easy to find when seeking body protection. Heck, they even make an SPF 100 now (overkill, but hey). While there are a bounty of options available for high SPF body care, options are very limited when it comes to facial protection. A lot of brands add sunblock to all types of beauty products, from foundation to moisturizers with added sunscreen. I don't wear foundation, and don't wear much more than serums on hot summer days, leaving me with very few options. I also find that moisturizers with added sunscreen are not only heavy, but leave my skin feeling greasy and prone to breakouts. Enter Clarins. 

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I first bought this product a couple of years ago online. I expected not to like it, since I've struggled with many SPF products on my face. This sunscreen was a fantastic surprise, for several reasons. It's oil-free so you don't have to worry about looking greasy or having it cause a breakout, it provides UVA/UVB protection with 100% mineral filters, AND it's SPF 40! If you wear foundation, BB/CC creams or any other makeup, simply apply this SPF before your makeup. For me, I love the fact that I no longer have to wear moisturizers with SPF instead of moisturizers I actually like. On cooler days or during the winter, I cleanse, tone, use my day serum (followed by another product I'll be revealing shortly), apply my moisturizer of choice, and finish with this SPF before any makeup application. No more suffering through greasy moisturizers to protect my skin! I also apply this to my neck and décolletage, as I do with my serums and moisturizers. 

One of my favorite things about this product is the packaging. There's a ball inside that mixes the SPF when you shake it prior to application. Then there's the small tip that provides control while dispensing the product (you squeeze the bottle) so it doesn't come rushing out at once. Control over your skincare is a good thing. This product allows you to choose which makeup and moisturizer, if any, you want while providing a high level of SPF protection. Gotta love that. 

My verdict? An oil-free SPF 40 designed for the face that's applied after your normal skincare and before your regular makeup? Not needing to change any of the skincare products or makeup you love while simply using this as an invisible shield is fantastic. I've been using this for about two years and can't imagine using any other sunscreen on my face and neck. A definite year-round staple. 

Clarins UV Plus HP SPF 40 Day Screen is $25 for a 1 oz. bottle and $40 for a 1.7 oz. bottle.

Available in both sizes at Nordstrom.