Recently in Skin Category

For Fashion Week in New York, I got my makeup done by Cheri at the Fashion Suite at Waldorf Astoria, she did a great job but that is not what I was most impressed with. We were chatting and she mentioned that she is 50 years old and I almost fell off my chair! She looks 35, at most 38, I am not kidding. She is fair with delicate skin that usually ages prematurely. She then told me her secret and I immediately bought some. It is the Guerlain Super Aqua Serum for day and night moisturizing. It is made with extracts from a dessert rose and if you think about it, it makes total sense, the flower is able to thrive in dryness so there must be something to its DNA that I can definitely use! I mean, I live in LA and it is dry dry dry all year round. It shields the skin from the harmful environment so the hydration is allowed to stay in. She has been using this for 15 years and I am telling you, she has not aged since she first started using it because like I said, she looks 35! This thing is like a vampire's secret. I must and will stay my age forever =) At Sakes Fifth Avenue for $162.

I know, this sounds like what you had with last night's dinner but this mask is so natural you could probably eat it! I love the Naturopathica line, it is holistic and effective. If you don't have time or on a budget, using the right products could replace your monthly facials. I have been running around, traveling like crazy so my facial schedule is totally off. I have all these events to go to so I have to make sure I look good. This mask works miracles. It is anti aging and renews your skin cells with raw wasabi and green tea extracts. It will make your skin soft and smooth so I have been using it the day before a big event to make sure my makeup goes on evenly. So the big question is, does that wasabi sting? Yes, it does a little, I love the feeling of products working on my skin so I don't mind but this isn't as strong as come acid or enzyme masks I've used. It also is not green, it kind of looks like chocolate chip coffee ice cream, the raw wasabi are little dark specks. I am starting to try more from this line that I have come to love!! At Naturopathica for $56.

You are in for a real treat, girls! Every week in February you will have the chance to win the Daily Essentials Skincare System (valued at $150). You will love this anti-aging prevention and treatment cleansing, exfoliating, and hydrating trio. The detoxifying cleanser removes toxins as well as remove every day make up; the exfoliate, my personal favorite, has tiny crystals that leave your skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated like never before. The hydrating moisturizer completes this mini facial experience leaving your face silky smooth.

Enter to win the Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System by answering the following: Who is this leading lady who already won 2 Golden Globes and is now nominated for an Oscar? Please put your answer in comments by Friday Feb. 6th at 11:59pm EST. One entry per person, please. Please use an active email address to enter so we can contact you when you win.

Thank you Freeze 24/7 for sponsoring this Snob Quiz Giveaway!

How many products claim to make your skin healthy as well as prevent common signs of aging? Yeah, can't be helped but I'm a bit of a skeptic. Seems like a lot to ask from a few products, but I am impressed by the Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System. I am hooked, I must admit, after using this for a week. There are three steps to this skincare system: Cleanse, Exfoliate, and Hydrate. You begin by using the Skin Glace Daily Detoxifying Cleanser and Mask. You would not think that this gentle and thin cleanser would be so powerful in actually removing your every day make up so thoroughly, but it does. You then go on to the IceCrystals Anti-Aging Prep and Polish, which I absolutely LOVE! This exfoliate has tiny crystals that you massage over your face that instantly give you the tingling sensation that let's you know things are working. Once you rinse and dry your face you will instantly notice the deep cleaning that leaves your face so soft and pure. The IceCream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer completes this mini facial experience by rejuvenating the cells. You will go to sleep a very happy girl knowing that a lot was accomplished! After only a week, I have noticed my skin healthier, brighter and smoother. Freeze 24/7 Daily Essentials Skincare System, $150, also available at Henri Bendel, Fred Segal and Saks Fifth Avenue (in store only).

I've been curious to try something from Kanebo Sensai ever since I read Beauty Snob Tina's write-up on the Kanebo Sensai Foundation Series. Well, the time has come! I've been using the Kanebo Sensai Instant Silky Foam Cleanser ($50) every other day for about three weeks now (I alternate with a bargain-find cleanser that I use with Clarisonic -- more on that soon!), and I love it. The interesting thing is that I don't usually like foam as much as cream cleansers because I never feel that my face gets as clean, but the Kanebo Sensai cleanser is very rich and leaves my skin soft (though I still follow cleansing with an anti-aging cream). The cleanser is recommended for those with normal-to-oily and combination skin, but my skin is sensitive and it hasn't been a problem in the least. As a side tidbit, the cleanser is formulated with Koishimaru silk (which gives the moisture), once exclusively used for the imperial family in Japan!

I've written about Yes to Carrots before. I think it's such a fun line of eco-friendly products and best of all it's affordable so no matter your income level there's no guilt involved. Yes to Carrots is aimed at the those with Dry to Normal skin, but they recently came out with two new lines -- Yes to Cucumbers and Yes to Tomatoes which are aimed at those with Normal to Sensitive skin (Cucumbers), and those with Oily/Combination skin (Tomatoes). All of the lines offer a variety of skin, face, body, and hair care products all of which are formulated with organic fruits and vegetables along with 26 minerals and they're all Paraben-free. I've used a bunch of products from their line and there are a few that stand-out for me. I love the Yes To Cucumbers Eye Love Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel ($14.99), for when my eyes are puffy and red from a bad reaction to makeup or a lack of sleep, and the Yes To Carrots Hair and Scalp Mud Mask ($12.99), is amazing -- way better than the much pricier one from Ojon ($55) that I was using before! Also I love the smell of the Yes To Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner ($7.99) and it takes very little for it to be effective, though since my hair is highlighted, when I use it I always follow it with a spritz of Fluide Chroma Riche from Kerastase (leave-in conditioner, $34). For a list of places where you can check-out the "Yes" line for yourself click here!

Glowelle is a new beauty drink that launched this month and is being sold at Bergdorf Goodman and Neimen Marcus (believe it or not the line comes courtesy of Nestle). It's made with a blend of antioxidant vitamins, phyto-nutrients, botanical, and fruit extracts that are said to help fight the signs of aging by nourishing the skin from within. I tried it in a powder pack because I'm always looking for an alternative to my One-a-Day for Women pills which are so massive they give me an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach. Now, I wish that I could get all the right vitamins and such from my diet, but unfortunately even back in my late teen years when I was a vegetarian (I started eating meat again because I ended-up only consuming cheese, bread, and chocolate -- so I was literally 18 with a cholesterol problem!!), I wasn't getting my essential vitamins. So to that end I tried the 7-day Natural Pomegranate Lychee Flavor blend in the powder pack (50 calories) - it's described as exotic pomegranate with a hint of tropical lychee. I have to say to Glowelle's defense that I have a very sensitive palette, but personally I couldn't drink this on a regular basis. That said, I do think that getting the essential vitamins is critical for good skin and to that end drinking something like this could only help. However, if you're not getting the vitamins and such that you need from your food, a quick 7-day pack isn't going to do the trick -- you need something like this everyday! But don't forget to take your vitamins, drink fruit and vegi smoothies, and lots of water as well, especially now when the weather gets cool and all we want to do is sit at home eating things we shouldn't!!

Caviar? Champagne? Truffles? Yes, yes, yes! Talk about being snob-worthy:) But I'm not talking about these decadent goodies as dinner, I'm talking about them as skincare ingredients. That's right, you can live the good Sex and the City life with Om Aroma -- the organic spa and skincare line that combines natural and organic ingredients with a luxe twist. The collection, which targets wrinkles and signs of aging, has a line which include: Elixir de Beauté - a Champagne Facial Cleanser ($48, 3.4 oz), Crème Luxe - a Truffle Face Crème ($95, 1.7 oz - comes for oily, normal, or dry skin), and Extrait de Caviar - a Caviar Eye Crème ($72, 0.5 oz). You can get all three for $175 with the Luxe Collection. I love the idea of these ingredients being used, plus I'm always alleviated when I read that products make a point of using appropriate minerals and vitamins. So was this as luxe as it sounds? Yes! Truly all 3 products are so smooth and soft -- the eye creme is like butter (minus the nasty grease!) -- seriously the cream just glides on. The only product I had a slight problem with is the champagne foam cleanser. It's brown with darker-colored crushed champagne grape-seed particles so it looks really messy on your washcloth and you can't really tell what's makeup and what's brown spotty cleanser, also the smell which I didn't notice till it was all over my face (smells totally different once it's on your skin) -- was not great -- that said it does, like the eye and face cream go on delectably easily and leaves your skin nice and smooth...mmmm:)

Shop for fabulous Philosopy products here!

Last week I attended a Philosophy brunch in Dallas for the beauty obsessed, and when you combine food, beauty and a bunch of girls-- you are guaranteed a great time!  Philosophy representatives discussed how their company began as a single product available only through a dermatologist called BioMedic. Cristina Carlino, the founder of BioMedic, saw a new need to serve her customers by creating a product the at didn't have to be sold through a doctor but also offered great results; that's when Philosophy was born.

I am pleased to introduce you to my dermatologist (one of the best in the biz in my opinion!)-- Dr. Rick Wilson. Dr. Wilson has agreed to be our resident Beauty Snob Beauty Doc and will answer any questions you may have about your skin! Please post your questions in comments and I will submit them to him each month. To make an appointment for a magnified full-body skin cancer scan call (972)-560-6360 for an appointment.

The golden tan that people love is actually an injury response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damage. Combine that with multiple dark moles and your risk of skin cancer—possibly fatal melanoma—increases dramatically. Fair-skinned individuals have an even higher risk of skin cancer at a younger age. Yet, you can control many of the cancer risks by getting a meticulous skin examination.

Malignant melanoma, or black mole cancer, is now the No. 1 fatal cancer in young women 26-28 years of age. And, the overall risk of melanoma has risen dramatically from one in 1,500 in 1920 to one in 63 at present. More than 1 million skin cancers are detected annually in the U.S. with 10,850 deaths from skin cancer—8,110 of those from melanoma—according to the American Cancer Society. An estimated 60,000 new cases of melanoma are anticipated for 2008. That’s why early detection is life saving.

First off... let me just say WOW! Toki is a natural collagen drink clinically shown to reduce fine lines and age spots (collagen injections anyone?). Collagen is a protein that gives firmness and elasticity to the skin making appear young and supple, as you begin to age past 30, collagen becomes more and more difficult for your body to make or store. Toki puts a large dose of collagen right back into your body and skin with three glasses a day! I tried the powder that you mix into your drinks, and found that 1) it's hard to have 3 glasses a day, every day because you can't always be home to make it or take it to go 2) there are really only a few beverages I would recommend adding this to. The powder has a tart lemony flavor that goes good in one thing -Lemonade. Also, it doesn't dissolve in cold liquid, so I would mix it into a few teaspoons of hot water (letting it dissolve) and then adding it to your lemonade... Or just get it in the tablet form =) Anyways, I really REALLY really enjoyed this. And am placing an order for my mother ASAP! Had I thought ahead I would have taken before and after pictures, but now you will just have to take my word for it!- And the word is GREAT!

Toki is available in several health food stores across the US, and you can also order from their website. $150 for a 30 day supply.

Her latest masterpiece, Synergy 7, is a state-of-the-art, luxurious facial offered exclusively at the Renée Rouleau Skin Care Salons in Plano and Dallas, Texas. In addition to her Dallas clients, Renee's proven results have earned her the confidence of celebrities such as Lisa Rinna, Eva Amurri, Cheryl Ladd, Jessica Simpson and Ashlee Simpson, as well as cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists, who often refer their patients to Renee after cosmetic skin procedures.

"Renée Rouleau's products are fabulous!" says actress Lisa Rinna.

Check out Renee's site to find the product best suited for your skin type and receive a free beauty gift with free shipping! Or call 888.211.7560 to schedule a facial so you can experience what Allure magazine calls "The Best Facial in Dallas".

I've previously written about my positive sugaring experience at Shobha and I'm excited to share with you one of their latest products -- Ingrown Relief Lotion -- such an essential for anyone who sugars or waxes. The lotion just came-out last week and it's a simple one-step (yes!) hair removal aftercare to treat and prevent ingrowns. The formula is not at all harsh, there's no smell, and it's paraben-free. It's also packed with all the good stuff like chamomile, tea tree oil, and glycolic acid to sooth, exfoliate, protect, and help shed the dead upper layers of skin that trap body hair under the surface during re-growth. Shobha recommends applying it to clean, dry skin nightly (wait 48 hours after waxing/sugaring), and then using it daily for optimal smoothness (once for prevention and moderate bumps, twice if you have more severe ingrowns).
Shobha Ingrown Relief Lotion retails for $22.00 (but there's an introductory offer of $17 through the end of the month!), online and in all Shobha locations. On a side note, if you purchase the cream with a waxing or sugaring you get $10 off and you'll get it free if you purchase a Shobha service six-pack!

Beauty really is skin deep and I always find that the best solution to skin problems is usually a positive boost in attitude and less stress (a day at the spa, anyone!?) -- easier said than done, I know and it often feels like a vicious circle with skin dullness, wrinkles, breakouts, and such causing stress which in turn only worsens our blemishes. What is a girl to do? Beauty Snob Tina was kind enough to send over some Olay Definity products for me to try out and I've been diligently using them for the last few weeks (on a side note -- love the space-age packaging! and it comes securely sealed so there's no worrying about people having put their fingers in the product before you bought it. Also, the products are compact enough to throw in your handbag or travel bag). The Definity products work together to help reverse the appearance of past damage, reduce the look of brown spots, dullness, uneven tone, and wrinkles. Of course, Olay recommends using their complete line of products for optimal effect, but I just used three and I have to say that especially around my eyes (they always give away my ongoing sleep deprivation:(..), I saw noticeable improvements. Read on for my take on the products I used!

Sometimes I think that being a beauty junkie is a curse for someone who, like me, has very sensitive skin. Every few months the skin around my eyes freaks-out on me and I wake-up a puffy, red mess and I end-up having to go to my optometrist only for him to, once again, prescribe a cream, tell me not to wear any cosmetics for a week and then there's nothing to do but test-out product after product trying to find which one is the culprit -- even makeup that for years didn't cause problems, can suddenly irritate your skin, so the struggle for those of us who are constantly switching-up their routine is nothing if not a challenge! This of course leads me to Prescriptives and the timing couldn't be better, because their fall colors just came out and while the colors aren't my fav (can anything come close to Chanel!?), they're just what I need to make sure my face doesn't go crazy right now! The colors are a nice mix of soft neutrals and darks (Plum, Fig, Cobalt), and all are dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.

Read more for the complete rundown of the new Prescriptives colors!

Agent Provocateur Body Glamour ($40) was one of those products I just had to have despite a seriously foul smell that I knew would refrain me from ever using the product. Has anyone else ever fallen victim to cute packaging? I just loved the shape of the bottle and the signature pink and black color-combo works so well I knew this would look fab in my bathroom! Of course, I'm kicking myself for needlessly spending $40 (though for Agent Provocateur isn't that kiiind of a bargain?), because it takes up room on my already cluttered bathroom counter-top. It's too bad that all of Agent Provocateur's products smell like cheap granny perfume, (even their pink tissues that come in a sleek black box with sexy messages like Desire Me printed on both the box and the tissues themselves, are scented with this scent that just makes my stomach turn), because I truly love everything about the way these products look! On a side note, I find their bras similarly to look fab, so I buy them often even though they feel cheaply made and more so then not, end-up itching me to the point where I can't wear them or they seem to fall apart easily. Someone help AP so I don't continually have buyer's remorse!

Every winter I think -- uch this cold weather, it makes my skin so dry! -- then every summer I think the exact same think about the heat! Needless to say, the majority of my body care products are body moisturizers so, like shampoos and conditioners, I like to mix things-up when it comes to my moisturizers. Always a favorite though is L'Occitane's Amande Firming & Soothing Milk Concentrate ($38). There is nothing that smells quiet as delicious (you'll litterally smell the fresh almond scent through the packaging!). I just tried Curel's Natural Healing Nourishing Lotion however and it's pretty great too (and at $2.99-$9.99 depending on the size, it's significantly cheaper). I was attracted by the ingredients which include lavender, chamomile, and oatmeal extracts, so I wasn't surprised when I loved the smell -- it has a just-got-out-of-the-shower soapy smell and it's nice and greasy which I like. Unfortunately it doesn't moisturize for as long as L'Occitane's body cream and the packaging doesn't exactly make me want to show it off in my bathroom (metallic blue, plastic), but for the price it's better than most Neutrogena and Dove products I've tried (both of which don't have the most appealing packaging either...though again at these prices, I cant really complain:)...).
Has anyone tried any other good moisturizers lately that would be worth trying out!?

While wine and flowers are great, I always try and bring something personalized when I'm invited to a dinner party or event, and when I read about the Ooh La Spa Kit it just screamed my friend Christine's name -- she's a perfume guru, moving to Paris to pursue her dream of becoming a nose -- needless to say she has an amazing sense of smell and a keen appreciation for essential oils which is why I couldn't wait to try out the Ooh La Spa Kit with her! The at-home aromatherapy spa kit is super-cute (it's packaged in a circular box that folds open), and comes complete with everything you'll need (even a cloth headband to keep your hair out of your face!) for a do-it-yourself facial! Everything is in travel sizes, so it's perfect for those times when you're traveling and don't find any nearby salons or for a night of beauty fun with your girlfriends (no you never get too old for these!):) Available at Sephora for $52.

When you’re as pale as I am, even the smallest flaws are immediately noticeable, so if there’s one thing I’ve tried a lot of it’s cellulite creams (especially come new-bathing-suit-buying season..errr..how I abhor fluorescent lights!)…Unfortunately, I have yet to encounter a cellulite cream that does much besides moisturize my skin. I just spent the last 2 weeks (twice a day), using the Shiseido 'Body Creator' Aromatic Sculpting Concentrate ($63), and while I typically love Shiseido, I was nothing if not disappointed by this cream.
First of all, the smell was so potent that it took 5 minutes of hand washing with lots and lots of liquid soap to get the smell off my fingertips, which, I guess wouldn’t have been a problem had I liked the scent, but alas, the cream has a lemony-sort of floral smell that makes me think of those cheap incense people sell on the street. Besides not noticing any improvements (though it does leave your skin very soft), the cream didn’t absorb well, so I was left with greasy tights making my clothes all gross and sticky!!

I feel like every time I go looking for a new skincare product, I end up spending hours reading boxes and testing-out various creams only to end-up buying from the same brands that I always do. I have such a hard time sorting through all the clutter, not to mention how easy it is to loose track of finding effective products when you’re faced with all that cute packaging!
Let me save you some time and effort -- next time you’re shopping for skincare, go straight for the Hungarian Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream and their Thermal Cleansing Balm.

BEST SELF TANNER EVER!! I’m pretty sure I have tried every self tanner ever made, which is my qualification for recommending this to you, my beauties! I am Swedish, German, Irish and French (aka: pale), and I need to be very careful when I use self tanners because they mostly turn me orange. Most of the time I mix self tanners with lotion to dilute them before I apply, otherwise my light skin will show every streak and every glop. Does this sound familiar? For my fellow naturally pale friends, this is exactly the product for you. This is the first product I can tell you delivered exactly what I had always hoped for, a faux day of sun bathing. The really great part about this is that you can totally notice a difference after the first application, but you can also continue to build it up by reapplying every few days or as needed…

Clinique Self-Sun: Touch of Bronze Moisturizing Body Lotion -$18.50

...Read on for self-sun application tips and tricks ;)

I use men's razor, the same kind my husband uses actually, which lead to the constant bickering of "did you use my razor?", which lead to the argument of whose hair is coarser, my leg's or his face's. I am happy to announce that we have left this battle behind and moved on to other more pointless ones. I am using women's razors again because they finally made one powerful enough for me, the Venus from Gillette. I want 4 blades or 5 blades or however many blades he has, why can't I get the same treatment in razors? I don't want these dinky, cutesie, gel infused, contour shavers that contours itself out of shaving all my hair. I don't need my razor to look "lady like", I want one that works. The Venus has 5 blades, yes count them, 5!! It is contoured and has the gel around the edges which does add some benefits. I am not against these things, I just don't want them to distract from the job of shaving. Instead of having the tiny strip of the shaving gel right above the blades, this razor has it all around the outer frame so the gel has a chance to get on the skin surface instead of just going directly into clogging the blades. I still used shower cream when I shaved, somehow I just don't have enough confidence in the gel alone. The slight contour does make it easier for that part of the leg next to the shin that is curved, a totally straight razor would require a couple of passes there. When you buy the initial package, it comes with one extra razor and a handy holder and dispenser that suctions on your shower wall. No more rusty blades causes by razors sitting on a wet surface. No more razor mix ups but more importantly, I am getting a great shave that leaves my legs totally smooth.This new razor launches on Feb. 12, you can get it at Drugstore.com for $11.99 for the starter kit (comes with a razor, 2 cartridges and the shower pod).

I am always up for trying new products in case there is something out there that is better than what I have, so I decided to get a full make-over and consult at the Sue Devitt counter at Barneys. I actually did this twice, the first time just for make up and the second time for both treatment products and make up. I liked the idea that all their ingredients are natural and from the sea, that's what I prefer, just like my food (I can pretty much eat sushi every night of the week, yummy and all those fish oils are so good for your skin!). I tried everything, the foundation (the color didn't match and it was actually so sheer I didn't feel like it was enough to even my tone), the shadows (yes, it's full of sea kelp which sounds amazing, but it wasn't much different than other shadows, even the colors weren't extraordinary), lip stick, lip liner and gloss (all good enough but like the shadow, nothing special) and then the make up artest used the Sue Devitt Triple Touch Reflecting Bronzer ($30). I am not a huge bronzer fan, I am naturally tan looking and if and when I do get a tan, it lasts all year long. This bronzer was different, it didn't make me look like I was darker (which is the main reason for my dislike of bronzers, I don't want to look like the female version of George Hamilton, plus like I said, I already have a darker complexion). This bronzer brightened my face, gave me a youthful glow and brought rosy cheeks in my life. It was like a face lift - it gave me at least 10 years back in my life. It has 3 shades so I use the different shades on my eyes as a finishing touch for a natural look. I even use the darkest shade as a lowlight around my jaw bones for contouring. This stuff is brilliant!!

Another product worth mentioning from Sue Devitt is the Purifying Cleanser ($40). I am an obsessive freak about cleansers, it is absolutely the most important step in a beauty regiment. I have tried every cleanser known to me out there so of course I had to try this one. This is not just a cleaner, it has treatment properties in there as well for a one two punch. The sea ingredients are detoxifying and contains collagen that keeps circulation up even after it is washed off. This cleanser is so pure you can leave it on your face, no need for water - just tissue off after use. This is great for travel when you need a refresher. How well does it clean off make up? I always do my white towel test, does it leave any make up residue on my pure white towel after drying my face? This totally mild and delicious smelling cleanser passed the test with no problems. I didn't even have to use that much product and it took off heavy mascara, eye liner and foundation without the need to be harsh.

They also have a moisturizer, the Anti-Aging Facial Concentrate ($125) that claims to include ingredients that act like Botox to relax your skin of wrinkles but I haven't had a chance to try that. I got a sample but I need to test it out over a period of time to see its effectiveness. Stay tuned!

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I treated myself to a facial. (Yes, there are some nice spas in Alabama.) I was informed by my aesthetician, (who's name was Dixie, poor thing) that I had beautiful skin but I needed to begin fighting signs of pre-mature aging before it was too late. This was especially true if I intended on living in big, polluted cities for the rest of my life. She suggested a skin care line by Dior which is fabulous! It is called Global Skincare and it includes five different products which work together to resurface the skin and reduce age spots. I am particularly crazy about the Capture Totale Muti Perfection Eye Treatment which dramatically reduces dark under-eye circles and quickly absorbs into the skin. Visit Dior's homepage for store locations and prices.

Holy beauty heaven!! Looks like Santa has done his market research and created the most awesome beauty set the world has ever seen! I mean, who wouldn't want a luxurious pink leather trunk filled with everything you could possibly want from Bobbi Brown? It's like going to the Bobbi Brown counter and taking home their entire display (but brand new and unused of course). If someone bought this for me for Christmas, I would be a very very happy wife (hint hint). I feel like a little kid in a toy store looking at this, it makes me all anxious with giddiness and desire. I would go home and play with it for hours and get really mad if someone even remotely look at it much less touch it. There is a total of 60 items, including foundation, brushes, eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, lip glosses, lash curler, mascara, make up remover, moisturizer, eye cream, the list goes on. Exclusively for Neiman Marcus, you can get this whole thing for $2000.

The entire list of contents in this make up trunk is after the jump.

As a part time bartender my hands get gross sometimes. I try to get regular manicures to keep up appearances but sometimes it’s a hard schedule to keep up. In between manicures I try to regularly use Bliss Manicure’s Best Friend. It’s a great cream that hydrates skin and keeps your cuticles ready for trimming. It’s good to use because if you don’t moisturize around your nails regularly, manicures can be downright painful. I rub this in every morning after I get out of the shower and every night after bed. Your fancy manicure will go to waste if it looks silly because the skin around the nails is red and aggravated. It’s a small price to pay for great hands. $18 at Sephora.com Bliss Manicure's Best Friend 0.5 oz

Post by Beauty Snob Nicole

Many of our readers have asked about Proactive and if it is recommended by Beauty Snob. Well as it turns out I have been using Proactive on and off for years. Bottom line: I highly recommend it. Here’s the thing, I think your skin condition has ebbs and flows due to stress, the seasons, hormones etc. Sometimes you’re dry sometimes oily sometimes combination. The commercials and brochures tell you to use it every day twice a day, which sometimes you need to and sometimes you don’t. The bottom line is everyone’s skin is different and using Proactive in different amounts for your skin condition is the best way to use the system.

The system is really simple. It is three steps; cleanser, toner and repairing lotion. There are other products such as the refining mask in the picture, but I stick to the basic three step kit. I find using the cleanser in the shower is the best way to go for me. They recommend it sit on your skin for a minute or two which is perfect when you’re washing your hair. And I like to use the repairing lotion and toner at night as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Living in CA it is sunny almost every day! In addition to clearing up acne I’ve found Proactive gives your skin a healthy glow, but I must say I also use a heavy moisturizer in the winter. One of my friends is taking Acutane and her doctor recommended she use Cetaphil lotion, which is super gentle and won’t make you break out. I only use it a couple of times a week at night if my skin feels tight or uncomfortable. I also bought the little travel pack so when I’m away I can still keep up my regime. I had two late nights in a row a while back and I didn’t wash off my makeup or use my Proactive and oh my goodness did my face pay for it the next week! I know that is such a beautysnob faux pas to not wash your face, shame on me! But now I’m back at it and my skin looks great!

Proactive can be purchases a couple of different ways; online, over the phone, or from a kiosk at the mall. The kiosk locations can be found on the Proactive website. All in all I think Proactive is a great acne system and I would recommend it to our readers!

Everyone knows how I feel about Boots products. (For all you newcomers, I LOVE them!) So when I was wandering around Target this weekend and came across the Soap and Glory line I wondered if I had enough love in my heart for another budget British cosmetic line. I’m going to be honest. I picked up The Righteous Butter because I loved the packaging, (I’m a sucker for a fun container) but I purchased it because I thought the smell was amazing. It’s a warm, soapy, almost floral scent that manages to retain its smell without being to perfumy. My skin has been really dry from the sudden change in weather and just one application of this body butter made it feel tremendously smooth and soft. I’m planning a trip back to Target very soon to try some of this great new line! $14.99 at Target.com

I am currently obsessed with the Skin Deep Website, a safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products from researchers at the Environmental Working Group. I have been on it all weekend looking up every brand in my bathroom, it was shocking how many items in my bathroom are rated "high toxicity" and that may cause cancer, render me infertile amongst many other scary hazards! Go through the site and search for your favorite products to see what you come up with. I could not find my favorite luxury brands such as La Prarie, Natura Bisse, Sisley or La Mer on the site, hopefully it is because their products are tested extensively to avoid causing hazard? (or maybe they were too expensive for the scientists to buy and test?).

There seems to be a pattern of beauty companies across the board with body lotions being listed as highly toxic even if their other products are of low or no risk (For example, Skinceuticals C&E ferulic is safe but the Skin Firming Body Cream is a high hazard- I am throwing mine in the trash tonight!). In fact, I am so freaked out that I have decided to use my son's baby products from California Baby (rated 0- low hazard) on my body until further notice. I am not one to scare easily and often ignore the urban legends of lipstick accumulating in the stomach etc but this really got my attention! Of course I will do more sleuthing with doctors in order to validate the site's claims, let me know what you beauties come up with.

Here's a thought, perhaps the reason Aveda products tested so high for toxicity is because they do not do any testing on lab rats....

I am a liquid hand soap girl, bar soap makes me feel unclean, especially when I don't know who has been using it. In my own bathroom, sure, but to be honest, at other people's houses, even if I know them well, I don't enjoy using their bar soap. And they're messy on top of it! Here is an alternative that is not only beautiful and elegant but sanitary! These honey scented soap leaves will impress any guest and will spruce up your bathroom when displayed. These come neatly stacked in a box and are perfect little host gifts for when you go to dinner parties. These soap leaves are molded from real leaves, giving them the true texture and natural beauty of leaves. I love it! Get them at Trace Elements, box of 20 for $12.50.

Prescriptives make up was a favorite when I was in college but through the years had faded to the back of my mind as a fond memory. I still remember the gray compacts I used to carry around with me in the early '90s, it was so modern and chic, the young and cool sibling to Estee Lauder line of products. But I lost track of my favorite items from Prescriptives as new brands lured me away with fancy colors and gimmicky shades. Last year I returned to the Prescriptives counter after almost a decade away and had a lip gloss from another company recreated as it was discontinued, the make up artist did such an amazing job mixing the exact shade of my gloss that I started paying attention to Prescriptives again. I discovered many women obsessed with Prescriptives custom blend foundation and who swear it is the only way to look natural and dewy. Honestly, I didn't really believe any of them, I was a Chanel foundation addict and didn't think any brand could match the dewiness my Teint Innocence provided me. Well, I was proven wrong last week at the Prescriptives counter at Bergdorf Goodman's infamous beauty basement!

One of the many fears of pregnancy is stretch marks. Personally, it is a small price to pay - I've been lucky and have minimal damage to my skin but I've seen the bad and the really ugly and it is still a small price to pay to have a baby. But there is no need to fear. Tina did a story about her pregnancy belly ritual, I had my own using mainly Dr. Hauschka's Blackthorn Oil, so maybe that is why I came away unscathed the first time. But this second time around, there are some small wrinkles on what was the underside of the behemoth belly. This Decleor Vitaroma Body cream was promoted by Oprah for getting rid of her many stretch marks caused by dieting. My mom jumped on the bandwagon wanting to get rid of her 30+ year old pregnancy stretch marks and I fully doubted its ability to undo what has become scars on an old body (sorry mom for saying you're old but I think 70 is still considered old these days, right?). To my astonishment, these deep wrinkled stretch marks became much lighter, albeit not altogether gone. She bought me jars and jars of this stuff but I didn't want to use them because I didn't want to admit that I would get stretch marks. Well, hello baby #2 and hello looser skin cuz this time around voila, here they are! Thank god for moms because I had these on hand and began immediately using balefuls daily. This stuff works!! I'm not in love with the smell, it is some floral fragrance but it's just not my thing, but who cares! Even if it smelled like rotten fish eggs I would suffer for the sake of smooth skin. I have already seen a dramatic difference and it has only been 6 weeks and by the progress I've seen. I waited to do this review because I needed to know if this was a fluke thing on my mom but it is in fact a miracle worker. So far I've bought 2 for myself and ordered 3 more to give to my friends who sadly suffer from the worse stretch marks I've seen. I mean, I would never suggest plastic surgery but in their cases it is almost a necessity. Now that I am convinced this product works, I will renig my suggestion of surgery to them and offer this instead. Totally worth it for $80, available at Nordstrom.

Post by Beauty Snob Michelle

One of my best friends just brought her first house. It’s really scary in that “my friends are growing up and marrying and buying houses and having babies” sort of way. I was having the hardest time figuring out what to get her for a housewarming present. I ended up getting her a bunch of things for her guest bathroom. It was really fun to shop for and no one else had gotten her anything remotely close. (She did, however, get enough plants to fill a greenhouse.) One of the things that I put in my gift basket was this set of twelve guest soaps from L’Occitane. There are four different scents - Verbena, Honey, Olive Oil and Lavender and they all smell delicious! They’re also packaged into this great little box so you can keep them out on a shelf and they still look like decoration. I always love how L’Occitane wraps its products. They take such care with them that even if you’re in the local mall, you feel like you’ve brought products at an exclusive boutique in France. Set of twelve soaps $20 at Sephora.com. L'Occitane Harvest Soap Set

Just a fair warning this is going to be a bit personal, I’ve been waxing since I was 11. What can I say? I’m Italian, and grammar school kids can be so cruel. Hair removal is my life. Since I’ve been a waxing regularly for well over a decade, I’d like to think I’m impervious to the pain at this point (especially since I’ve had pretty much anything and everything waxed).

I figured a good way to test No-Scream Cream would be to use it on half of my upper lip. For some reason I’m less squeamish about putting this stuff on my face than . . . you know, down there. It advises application 30-45 minutes prior to waxing. When I first put it on it was very thick and white and took a bit of rubbing to get it to absorb completely. After 3 minutes my lip was already numb! It felt sort of strange and tingly, but numb. Ok I waited the 30 min and then started waxing! So I waxed away, and on the side where I used the numbing cream the pain was significantly less. It didn’t completely erase the pain but substantially dulled it!

Two weeks later I was ready to test it out on my bikini line. This time I did not feel any tingling when I first applied it. After waiting the recommended 30 minutes before the waxing began, I am disappointed to say, it felt the same as usual! What a let down after the great results on my face. Having now used the No Scream Cream in two locations, I would have to conclude that this product works best in small doses. It did wonders on my lip, and I would imagine it would do the same for an eyebrow wax, but alas it did not lessen the pain for a bikini wax. I would only recommend this product for those who are super squeamish about getting their eyebrows or lips done, as I did not find it effective for a bikini wax. I guess we’ll just have to continue to suffer for the sake of beauty! Get it at Amazon.

I recently read about Be Fine's line of natural skincare made of 181 natural ingredients and was intrigued by the concept. The company slogan states they will "Treat your skin to a gourment feast" and they literally do. Almost all of the ingredients are food, which they claim our skin is able to recognize and process better than chemicals. Instead of relying on the language of chemistry and technology, the company relies on the language of biology and food. The line is essentially vegan with vegetarian proteins, paraben-free preservatives and allergen-free fragrance. You could actually eat everything from the line although it wouldn't taste that good as they're designed to be digested by your skin. Best of all, creator Florence Sender conceived her skincareline with the assistance of chemists from Japan, Europe and the United States with absolutely no animal testing!

Sounds great right? But how does it feel and work on the skin? I tried out the line and I have to tell you, I am thoroughly impressed with it. I had an allergic reaction on my skin this week and my entire face felt tender and sore (my eyes were swollen too!). Every little thing made my skin hurt and sting, even my sunscreen. I was scared my usual 12 step routine would further irritate my skin and I had received my products samples from Be Fine earlier in the week so I decided to try it, hoping its natural ingredients would calm my skin. I used the neck cream and night cream the first night and my skin immediately felt better. The neck cream is amazing; lightweight, velvety and left my skin soft. The night cream was also incredibly moisturizing without leaving any greasy residue. I did some research on the company online and was shocked to discover that it is sold at CVS with an average price of $20! I had pegged it as a line sold at department stores or Sephora! I immediately contacted the company's PR rep and asked them to sponsor our giveaway so our readers can see for themselves the miracle that is food. Our August giveaway starts next Monday, August 6th and will run for 4 weeks. If you can not wait, run to CVS and try my favorites:

I am very fickle when it comes to shampoos and conditioners and am constantly trying different brands. I came across the Cornelia Signature line of hair products while browsing the site to choose treatments for my next trip to NYC (Kelly's sister, Eva, went there last month and has not stopped raving about it - you will read about it later), with a name like Shine Defining shampoo and conditioner, of course I had to try it!

I was surprised to see how pretty the packaging was when I received my goodies, and even more surprised that it was made in England instead of a random cosmetic plant in Jersey. Each box has a silhouette of a tulip and the packaging resembles something you'd buy at Neiman Marcus, it is obvious that Cornelia really made the effort to make its products as high end as its services. I used the shampoo and conditioner this morning and my hair is definitely shinier and softer; it has a fairly strong fragrance from essential oils which made me feel like I was in a spa all day but many of you may not. I loved that the fragrance was floral and not some vanilla or chocolate concoction that are usually popular with spa products, as Kelly always says- we do not need to smell like food! Cornelia Zicu, the owner of Cornelia Day Resort created this line with scents that reminded her of the tranquil forests from her childhood in Romania which is deeply invigorating and calming. I also got the moisture balancing body lotion which has the same fragrance; I can smell it as I type right now and I feel so pampered, it is a light lotion that works well in the heat of summer and made my skin soft, not greasy. Shampoo $35, Conditioner $37, Body Lotion $60. Now that I've experienced the products, I really can't wait to experience the spa but until then, I asked Eva to share her day at Cornelia Day Resort with us.

Post by Michelle

I’ll tell you a secret that not many people know. I sleep with Glamour Gloves. In fact, I swear by them. Glamour Gloves are gel lined gloves that you wear to bed at night with your favorite lotion on underneath them. The gel-lining works it magic overnight and pretty much forces your skin to absorb moisture and vitamins. The gel is actually infused with things like mineral and grapeseed oil and some other things I can’t pronounce, but sure make my hands feel great! I’m a bartender and my hands have been known to get super dry, but these gloves have totally solved my problem. I sleep with them on every other night and the difference is totally noticeable. Plus, they’re called Glamour Gloves. How fun is that to say? $48 at Sephora.com.
Bliss Glamour Gloves

Can't get to the beach? Or maybe you just can't stand sand in between your toes, the heat or the crowd? Whatever your reason, you don't have to give up the beach experience this summer. My favorite things about the beach are the smell, the exfoliation factor of the sand and salt water and the glossy sheen of sun tan oil (Bain de Soleil anyone?). These products from Bobbi Brown are my absolute favorites when I need a beach fix. It all started with the Beach Shower Gel ($32) (it was given to us at a conference where Bobbi was a speaker. She is an impressive woman and Tina and I were totally inspired). I just loved the smell of this shower gel and couldn't get enough so I got her entire line of Beach best-sellers. The Sand Bar ($16) soap is just plain brilliance in a brick form, it is bar soap that contains sand so it exfoliates as you use. So perfect for the guest bath! And if you have a beach house, how can you not have this? I used to walk around in the summer with Bain de Soleil on because I love the smell and I love the look of shiny tanned skin so I am happy to discover that the Beach Oil ($28) gives me what I want without the stickiness (and for some reason I now find it unacceptable to walk around with sun tan oil on when I am not actually tanning). Bobbi Brown products are available at Saks and Neiman Marcus if you want to stop by for testers. Savor the summer!

I'm probably going to get in trouble or receive threatening emails from PR folks over this comment but I am going to say it anyway. Stay away from products hawked by celebrity doctors! Let's first talk about Dr. Perricone, much as I agree with him about antioxidants( I ate blueberries and salmon by the pound when his book came out! I've actually been obsessed with blueberries my whole life and Kelly is convinced that is why I am such a genius- haha), I do not like his products! I purchased the entire NV Perricone line when it debuted but had to return it all within 3 days. Why did I take it all back? Because my face broke out in a serious rash (and I have tough skin that can stand the strongest acids and peels!).

Since then, I have tried products from Dr. Brandt (I know he uses more botox on earth than any other doctor but my question is does he use it all on himself? Look at his photo on upper left, he looks like a wax figure.) and Dr. Wexler, two of the most high profile dermatologists in the US. Again, I was sorely disappointed. And remember Michelle's disaster with Park Avenue Dermatologist Dr. Neal Shultz' products? It became obvious to me that being a great dermatologist and a genius with a botox needle doesn't always translate to high quality skincare. I became curious as to why physician lines are so popular since most of them do not even hold up to drug store lines like Olay (at least for me) and the answer was clear. Not everyone can afford to be treated by doctors with celeb clientele (or get in as most are booked 6 months in advance), so they opt for buying the products and fool themselves into thinking that they look like Jennifer Aniston. Which is why so many doctors are cashing in on their clients' fame.

After trying so many different lines from Celeb Doctors, my conclusion is you might as well buy from Victoria Principal or Cher on QVC, or better yet, run to the nearest CVS and try Olay's Regenerist line. At least with Olay Regenerist you'll see results without spending a fortune.

So that's my two cents but what do you think? Products from Skin Docs, worth it or not?

Beauty Snob note: I am not against all doctor created product lines, just the ones listed above that I have tried and have found to be over-hyped. All info in article is my personal opinion based on experiences with the products mentioned.

Post by Michelle
So this week my company has decided to hold their annual “summer outing” this week. They’re bussing us all out to Cape Cod where we will play tug-of-war, race in potato sacks and have lots of mandatory fun. I’m not too excited because unless it involves sand and an ocean, I’m not one for the great outdoors. I hate sitting on the grass because all sorts of bugs crawl around in it. I know, I’m a priss. I choose to embrace it. I’m planning on slathering myself with Badger Anti-Bug Stick. It’s an awesome (and not to smelly!) bug repellent. My favorite thing about this is that it doesn’t feel like you’re putting on bug repellent. It’s moisturizing without being to greasy. And it really works! The last time I was forced into a wooded area I left without a single bug bite! And it’s an awesome price! Only $9.00 at C.O. Bigelow

Post by Michelle
I love the sun. I know it’s bad for me and I try to take all the precautions to avoid the harm it can do to my skin. But there are some times, that no matter how hard I try, the sun will take its toil and I’ll end up with a sunburn. I’ve learned to live through the redness and I have my rigorous ritual of exfoliating and moisturizing down pat. One thing I discovered at the end of last summer was Dr. Hauschka After-Sun lotion. It’s wonderful! This is the perfect thing when your skin is toastier than you’d like. For me, the worst part of sunburn isn’t the redness or the pain, it’s the dry, paperlike feeling your skin gets after the sunburn has gone away. Dr. Hauschka’s lotion is a huge step towards eliminating that. The first time I used it my skin was so much softer than before and I was in the throes of one of the worst sunburns I had ever gotten. Now that beach season has officially begun I’m buying the biggest bottle I can find! $22.95 at C.O. Bigelow and Wholefoods.