Recently in Face Category

I love browsing the cosmetic section at drugstores, my latest discovery is the best yet--
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Foundation with SPF 18.  I was intrigued by its claim of "Instantly erase fine lines, creases and age spots" and figured it's worth the $11 to try it.  The Eraser also claims to be the first anti-aging makeup with micro-corrector applicator micro-fills that smooth imperfections on the skin's surface and it does just that.  The minute I applied it lines and freckles on my face seem to disappear!  The texture is also very soft and lightweight so it doesn't even look like I have much make up on.  Definitely try this if you're on the other side of 30.  But I do have a problem with the sponge applicator-- you can't clean it and I'm just waiting for it to mold and stink.  I'm going to try a brush head spray cleaner but don't know if that will work.  It also takes a few minutes the first time to click the foundation through the top.  But it's worth the trouble!  SPF 18 Sunscreen: $11.16  Buy Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Foundation here.

I love a good cream blush for that healthy natural glow but they often do not last more than an hour or two. The latest from Make Up Forever, however, not only lasts-- it actually needs to be washed off (and it will stain the fingers so wash immediately after application!).  And don't worry about being too shiny-- this is made with mattifying and reflecting powders so you won't look greasy, just pretty and flushed. The texture is also less oily than most brands and the bottle with pump is also a lot less messy. I got "Truth or Dare", it looks scary bright pink in the bottle but on the cheeks it made me look like a teenager. Okay, so that's stretching it but definitely years younger!  MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Blush $25 here

I get oxygen treatment facials from Intraceuticals whenever I can-- at least once a month and weekly if I have time (hey, don't judge-- Madonna gets them DAILY!).  The oxygen infused Serum contains lightweight Hyaluronic Acid and a powerful combination of vitamins and antioxidants that penetrates the deepest layers of the skin, making my skin tone bright and texture refined.  They recommend a series of 6 weekly facials and then monthly maintenance but since I am so flaky, I've never done the entire series so I'm on the perpetual program which is fine by me cuz I love the way my skin looks afterwards! 

Last week, I tried the newest treatment from Intraceuticals-- CLARITY, which addresses adult acne.  It's not a huge problem for me but every so often I do get a blemish that drives me nuts!  I mean how annoying to go through puberty without the body of a 16 year old!  Seriously though, I end up picking at the blemish or squeezing it too early which leads to-- you guessed it, scarring!  For those with a severe acne problem, there is a Clarity infused oxygen treatment but I only need the Clarity pen for my occasional break outs.  It's a genius product-- a disposable unique applicator pen containing a concentrated formula to target acne blemishes and speed up the healing process while reducing redness.  The applicator tip is designed to be replaced daily to avoid contamination and bacteria.  It comes with 15 tips and you can purchase replacements as necessary. Use as required or twice daily onto blemishes and watch them disappear without a trace!  I know this sounds crazy but I can't wait for my next adult pimple so I can zap it with this pen!

I get my Intraceuticals treatments and products at Ritz Carlton Spa in Dallas (214) 922-4820

If you don't live in Dallas-- go on their website to find a location near you.  Intraceutical oxygen infusion treatment is a MUST in your beauty regimen!

After visiting Spain last week I now know why I love so many Spanish brands.  The Spanish take so much pride in their industries, be it beauty or bag (did you know Dior bags are made in Spain?), and are meticulous in everything they do.  My all time favorite Spanish beauty line, Natura Bisse, has a new product that I'm obsessing over, The Cure Sheer Cream.  Not just any tinted moisturizer, this is a an actual treatment cream that will fight the environment while giving our complexion an added boost.  I used it this morning to kickboxing and it gave me just enough coverage for the gym.  With SPF 20, I skipped my sunscreen, too.  So it's like 3 products in one!   Go to a Natura Bisse counter at Neiman Marcus to test it or get "The Cure Sheer Cream" ($160) at Natura Bisse here

The oft-copied concept behind Le Prisme was actually originally developed by Givenchy way back in 1989, so it's no surprise that theirs is the best (not only color-wise, but the design of the compact, with it's sliding compartment for the brush is amazing...especially since so few compacts come with brushes anymore!). The idea behind the compact is to create a quartet of complementary powders so you can control level of coverage and intensity of color (especially useful during the summer months when people's skin changes color frequently with sun exposure). The original Le Prisme has been continually re-invented and I'm loving the new Givenchy Le Prisme Visage Mat ($45) option for summer when many of us don't want extra shine. The finish is velvety soft, it's build-able so you can use it as a highlighter or for darker all-over coverage, and it comes in a variety of quartet options.  

I try not to get into all the hype over big brands but when it comes to La Mer serums, I am a total devotee. It first started when I had a minor burn on my face from a curling iron 5 years ago (I know, my quest for beauty often scars me, how's that for irony?!) and a La Mer specialist suggested I use its face serum on the wound. I used the sample they gave me and saw a drastic improvement within a week, needless to say-- I ran back to the counter and bought the entire bottle.  After two months of use, the burn completely healed WITHOUT scarring!

Though my face is not burned or injured in any way right now, I have other issues-- wrinkles from travel and stress!   Which is why I was very excited to receive a sample of La Mer's latest endeavor in the fight against age-- The Regenerating Serum. I used it during my 23 days whirlwind trip of fashion weeks around the globe and it kept me looking fresh no matter how little sleep I got!

But lack of sleep was the least of my worries, second hand smoke was the most worrisome for me in Milan and Madrid where almost everyone smokes-- even indoors at restaurants in Madrid!  At times I felt like I smoked 2 packs a day without ever touching a cigarette but my skin was just fine despite all the stress I put it through as I used the Regenerating Serum diligently each day. 

It took Four years and hundreds of hours of lab work to create this ultra-luxe elixir but only 3 weeks for me to see real results.  But don't just take my word for it-- check it out for yourself at a La Mer counter or purchase on their website here.  Price: 1 oz $250

Remember the 80's when you applied your make up colors depending if you're an "Autumn" "Spring" or "Summer"?  I mean back then, god forbid if you wore cool pink tones if you were determined a warm Autumn!  Thank god we've thrown all those misguided ideas out the window-- any one can wear any color if done right.  Which is what Bobbi Brown has taught us since she revolutionized the industry 20 years ago.  It's all about being as natural and neutral as possible, who says a brunette with olive toned skin can not rock a blue eye shadow?  With Bobbi's new "Color Strips Collection" you can do it all, effortlessly!  Color Strips is a complete spring eye, lip and cheek wardrobe designed by Bobbi so you can use pops of color with five eye shadows and three shades of pot rough designed to work together beautifully!  Color without boundaries,,, imagine the possibilities! 

The collection is at retail counters now but we will be giving away THREE SETS courtesy of Bobbi herself!  Stay tuned next Monday to find out how you can win Bobbi's new "Color Strips Collection"!  Or if you're like me and can not wait, run to a Bobbi counter today or click to her website here to purchase-- Price: $60.00

The day after the end of New York Fashion Week I made my way back to Bryant Park for an event that Sephora hosted to unveil their S/S 2010 collection. A number of goodies were revealed, but see below for the most exciting! All items will be launching nationwide at Sephoras in May.

Color Play 5-in-1 (pictured above)
Hard to believe but this limited edition palette is only $29.50! It includes five smaller color palettes each of which can be popped-out and plopped into the travel case shown on the right. The set comes with 50 eye shadows, 10 lip color, and five blushes.

Sephora by OPI Havana Nights
New nail colors for the season will be --

• Rumba Romance - brilliant golden bronze
• Teal We Meet Again - dramatic blue-green
• Havana Dreams - sunny sky blue
• Read My Palm - lush, tropical green
• Caliente Coral - bright coral
• Carribean Cocktail - shimmering sea blue

Each of the shades ($9 each), are high on vibrancy and shine. I have a feeling the golden bronze will be one of the "it" shades of the summer!

I.T. Makeup Brush Collection
I love that Sephora turned to an architect (Philippe Di Meo), to design their latest brush collection (highest quality to date, $14-$40). Not only are they super chic because of their metallic color-coded finish (fuchsia for the face, violet for the eyes, and blue for the brows), but caps were created for each brush to protect the bristles and to help keep the brushes clean (the brushes I use now are from Prescriptives and to avoid getting them dirty I have to store them in Ziploc bags!).

EDUN for Sephora
EDUN is an apparel brand that aims to raise awareness of the possibilities in Africa to encourage emulation. To help achieve this goal, EDUN and Sephora created two palettes ($36) with proceeds going to the Wildlife Conservation Society, a global charity that supports the Conservation Cotton Initiation program (which helps African farmers develop organic cotton in a way that supports community, trade, its development and biodiversity). The palette comes in two shade combinations (each with six shadows and two blush shades): White (warm neutrals) and Black (cool brights), and each comes housed in a natural wood case along with an organic cotton drawstring pouch.

Does anyone else remember those Noxzema commercials with Rebecca Gayheart circa  Jawbreakers? I can't think of one cleansing product more popular then the brand's Original Deep Cleansing Cream when I was a young teen. The iconic drugstore brand just released new products (and packaging), to join their classic cleanser including a Deep Cleansing Cream Plus Moisturizer (original cleansing cream with added moisture), Original Deep Cleansing Cream Pump (love this, because I hate sticking my hand in tubs of cream...bacteria...eeck!), Anti-Blemish Pads to target acne, and a Blackhead Cleanser. The packaging still looks very drugstore-esque, but for those on a budget with problem-prone skin, it's a welcome and reliable option.

Were you a teen Noxzema user like myself?

Bliss just added a moisturizer to their Oxygen family. Their new Bliss Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream is a lightweight gel-cream that will brighten, hydrate, and relieve dull skin by delivering a targeted burst of O2. I love the slight citrusy smell which is probably from the vitamin C ester. It's light weight enough for me to even use during the day. For night, I still need to have a heavier moisturizer in some of my dry spots, so if you're a dry skin type it's probably best for just day time. I like to massage it in the skin for about 30 seconds to really get the circulation going in my skin and add some brightness. Bliss Triple Oxygen + C Energizing Cream for $54.