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Get Givenchy at Sephora.com

Acclaimed dermatological surgeon Dr. Patricia Wexler M.D. has been practicing for over 20 years and given her status as a dermatologist it's little surprise that she branched-out to create a skincare range. It has been at Henri Bendel since January though I have to say, despite the fact that I'm in the store often, I've never noticed it so I was looking forward to learning about it an event she hosted at the store a few days ago. Dr. Wexler is a pretty fabulous looking older woman - her skin is flawlessly smooth (though when I spoke to her I could tell that, that was in no small part due to botox), and she obviously has great taste because she was wearing a Rodarte necklace:) I have to say though I'm always weary of trying skincare lines started by dermatologist -- I've found myself in one too many doctor's offices where the MD is pushing his/her line of products/pressuring me to get some treatment that I know I don't need (seriously, am I the only one who has a problem with going into a doctor's office and seeing framed tear-outs from Cosmo magazine where the MD was featured??). I always worry that the ingredients in these lines will be too potent for my 20-something year old skin. It did not help alleviate my fears that when Dr. Wexler introduced her line and new products, most of the time was spent discussing treatments -- botox, microdermabrasion, restylane. Wexler said that while her products are highly effective they (like every other product), can only do so much -- I applaud her for being so honest! More after the jump!

Kate Moss and Misha Barton from people.com; RTW Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 from style.com

I first came across Edward Bess' line at Bergdorf Goodman a few months ago. Bess is a very young makeup expert (he's only 23!), but he has already worked with stars like Jennifer Aniston, Salma Hayek, Kate Moss, Cate Blanchett, Ashley Olsen, Elizabeth Hurley, and Brooke Shields! Ever since Marc Jacobs' last runway show I've had the 80s flashback look on my mind so I asked if Bess could give us some tips on how to get an updated version of the 80s look and here's what he had to say--
"Let everyone know you're with the band by pairing a bold red lip with super smokey eyes. I love Eternal Passion lipstick ($29) on the pout and Night ($29) to dress the eyes for the ultimate rocker-chic look."

When I asked him for a tip on getting the smokey eye look he said --

"Apply Night eyeshadow along your top and bottom lashes and blend outwards for a sexy smokey effect. Smudge with Luxury Eye Brush ($38) to look like a pro." I think the tip of pairing the smokey eyes with a crimson red is spot-on. What do you think -- Will you be going 80s this summer?

I am starting an intense regime as I slowly push my way to the "4th" floor of life. I discovered IS skincare a couple of weeks ago and started using its C Eye Advanced Serum, Eye Complex and Super Serum Advance ($130) for pigmentation issues.  All I have to say is OH MY GOD.  Why have I not heard of this before?  After requesting the press package I was shocked to find that it has been featured in almost every magazine available on a list of celebs that reads like Vanity Fair's Oscar party (actually this is the line celebs turn to for last minute firming, brightening and moisturizing before red carpet events!).  Another noteworthy fact is that IS works with Washington Cancer Institute in Washington DC-- they have developed innovative products that address the unique skincare concerns of cancer patients.  Many of these formulas not only help create vibrant and healthy skin, they also address important issues such as acne, chafing, uneven complexion, burns and scar tissue. 

I started the IS skincare line on a night when I had a bit too much fun with the girls.  I got home, used all three products plus a sample packet of the Youth Complex ($135) and woke up with the most amazing skin (my headache was the only reminder of the bottle of wine the night before).  Intrigued, I spent a few minutes massaging each product to see how it performed (since I could not remember how I applied it the night before)-- my skin absorbed all products immediately-- especially the serums, with no residue nor greasiness.  I love the eye serum and cream but the most amazing product was the Youth Complex (on my list to get since my sample lasted 2 days)-- the results were noticeable right away.  My skin looked tighter, smoother and brighter!  Not sure if this is permanent, will report back in a couple of months.  I'm now obsessively going through all the pamphlets to see what else I need to try.  There are two masks that I must try, the Resurfacing and Rejuvenating.  Will review when I get them.

Check out the line here and find out where to buy at a doctor's office or spa near you-- this is pharmaceutical grade stuff, you won't find it at Sephora.  Check a location near you here.

Or Call 818-638-8758 for more information.  You will not believe the results!  It's amazing and for the ultimate Beauty Snob!!!

Get a natural glow this summer with pink lips and warm browns. Clinique's Bamboo Pink collection is entirely inspired by its best selling lipstick shade, "Bamboo Pink". I love the all over face color, a nice alternative to bronzers if you are fair skinned or don't like the faux tan look!  All at Clinique counters or Clinique.com  

Tan while you sleep, without the sun's damaging rays? Sounds almost too good to be true. And well, if it does, then it probably is. I loved the idea of ridding of wrinkles, moisturizing the skin, and tanning while I sleep. I envisioned waking up to glowing bronzed skin after using this cream-- and to an extent, I did. My face got a bit of color and I did look well rested. But I was anything but well rested. First off, the cream stinks-- as in self tanner smell which kept me awake. The scent reminds me of a nurse at a doctor office I met once, she was about 90 pounds (at 5'4" it was borderline anorexic) and had the stinkiest self tanner scent I'd ever come across. Add that to the weird pale fuzz on her skin (another sign of anorexia) and I almost threw up. To this day I can not stand the smell of self tanners. The good part is after a week of using this, I look like I've been hanging out at the beach without the dry flaky skin-- this cream is ultra nourishing and has light reflecting optics and grapefruit extract to exfoliate while deepening the color of your skin. If you don't mind the stink, you need to try this.  As for me, I'll be using this on my body and legs, during the day. Good In Bed Skin Restoring Night Moirsturizer is $65 at Prescriptives.com

A few days ago Liz Earle, co-founder and creator of the award-winning Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare collection, hosted a presentation in NYC. Despite having written over 30 books -- her latest one is called Skin Secrets and selling one of her cleansers every 60 seconds in over 80 countries around the world I wasn't all that familiar with Earle and her eponymous botanical skincare range. After the 60 minute presentation however I have to say that I was blown away by Earle, her background, her knowledge, and her dedication (and all that with FOUR KIDS!!). Her line has achieved tremendous success even though she has never advertised -- it's all word of mouth -- which saves her company a ton of money, savings that she passes on to the consumer. Nothing in the line costs more than $60 and most products are priced between $25 and $30. Earle has a serious cult following in Britain and it's little surprise given how packed with botanicals all of her products are --she's very careful about what she adds to her line and none of her products are ever discontinued. Naturally Active Skincare, which has been around for nearly 15 years, is meant for all skin types and formulated with the highest quality herbs, plants, vitamins, and essential oils. Jump for more!

In honor of NARS' 15th anniversary, François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics, has resurrected some of the brand's long-lost nail polishes ($16 each), from the NARS archives. The five shades will be available for a limited time beginning this month --

• Blue Lagoon (Originally launched in 2001) -  iridescent powder blue
• Cha Cha Cha (Originally launched in 2001) - semi-sheer tangerine with gold reflections
• Hunger (Originally launched in 2001) - hot orange red
  
• Tallulah (Originally launched in 1998) - rich grape
• Zizi (Originally launched in 1999) - clear with peach and gold glitter
  

The last thing I need is another bottle of polish, but I was too tempted to resist and ordered Hunger the other day. I love that there's a hint of orange in the deep red which makes it nice for summer. They've also come-out with a summer shade called Adelita (pearlescent pink), that I'm finding to be a nice alternative to my deep reds and bright neon pinks/purples. Jump for more on the NARS Summer collection!

In honor of La Mer's sea heritage and continued support of Oceana, the world's leading international ocean advocacy organization, La Mer is proud to announce that as part of this partnership La Mer has designed a limited-edition 8 oz/250 ml "World Oceans Day" Crème, with 100% of net proceeds going to Oceana. With 2009 marking the first U.N. officially designated June 8th as World Oceans Day - the World Oceans Day limited edition Crème de la Mer will be sold in May and June at Saks Fifth Avenue and www.lamer.com for $745 (yes expensive but a 1 oz jar is $130 so you're actually saving money by buying in a bulk size). If you're running low on your La Mer-- why not pick up a jar of this limited edition cream-- at least you know all the net proceeds will go towards saving our precious oceans! And did you know pollution is not what's destroying our eco system in the ocean? It's overfishing, specifically a practice of bottom trawling; a fishing technique that uses weighted nets to clear-cut the ocean floor. Coral and other marine life, once destroyed, can take hundreds of years to regenerate. As there is so much that we don't understand about the ocean life, ocean preservation helps safeguard these habitats for future study. Buy Limited Edition La Mer here.

I can't drink caffeine (Truth is, I hate the way it tastes, smells and makes me feel.) but I've wondered about its beauty benefits recently as it's been seen in everything from eye cream to butt cream.

Some manufacturers claim their products can take away under-eye puffiness or dark circles; others promise to smooth away cellulite. Sounds good, but do they work? ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, got the lowdown on what caffeinated products can and can't do for you from a group of experts and researchers, including dermatologists and plastic surgeons in their July issue. 

Eye creams

• The claims: Products such as Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Eye Roller, $13, Kiehl's Eye Alert, $21, and Lancôme High Potency Daily Moisturizing Eye Treatment, $36, reduce dark circles and puffiness.
• Experts say: If puffiness is the result of water retention, a caffeinated eye cream might help dehydrate the area. As for those dark circles, the deeper they are, the less likely it is that they will disappear. Caffeine's ability to constrict blood vessels can help, but it only works on the skin's outermost layer.
• Bottom line: Don't expect miracles, but you will probably get an immediate tingling or cooling sensation, and you might notice that bags look less severe and under-eye circles might appear a bit lighter over time.

Face creams

• The claims: Products such as Murad Environmental Defense Kit, $82, and Topix Replenix Cream CF, $63, are supposed to protect skin against premature aging and reduce redness.
• Experts say: Caffeine might improve the look of your skin and protect it from sun damage, but you should still use sunscreen. Recent studies have found that caffeine might also help sunscreens and antioxidant ingredients in skin creams work longer and more effectively. And there are no known negative effects of applying caffeine to your skin.
• Bottom line: Applying a skin cream containing caffeine every morning before you head out into the sun might not be a bad idea--but those creams are super pricey!