NARS Sheer Glow Foundation Plus Orgasm Illuminator Equals Perfection

I'm not much of a cook, but I've got one heck of a recipe for ya...

Yesterday, my boo took me out for breakfast. As we sat across the table from each other, Graham kept gushing about my complexion. "Your skin looks amazing. Really, you're glowing...it looks so fresh and healthy." That's when I really started beaming, as Mr. Spoiled Pretty throws around compliments like manhole covers (his euphemism, not mine).

So what's my secret? Unfortunately, this time, it had nothing to do with the pregnancy hormones. This glow was a gift from NARS. A few weeks ago when I was in NYC for Fashion Week, I had an opportunity to meet with the NARS team - and I got color matched by James Boehmer, NARS International Lead Makeup Stylist. NARS gifted me with their Sheer Matte and Sheer Glow foundations in Cadiz (medium-dark with caramel and red undertones) - which was a PERFECT match, by the by.

Anyways, so my glow yesterday was the result of the Sheer Glow Foundation mixed with the new Orgasm Illuminator. Here's the recipe: mix 2 parts foundation with 1 part Orgasm Illuminator, and apply with a brush or sponge (I recommend the beautyblender). Then go somewhere where your beauty can be truly appreciated, and wait for the compliments to start flying.

Glo-oh-ow get 'em, girl.

PS - I want to take this opportunity to give a big shout out to NARS for their wide range of foundation shades. Far too often, women with deeper complexions find themselves forgotten by makeup brands. Not so with NARS. I'm so glad to have found this foundation. I encourage you to go to your nearest NARS counter or Sephora store and get color matched too. I guarantee you won't be able to leave empty-handed.

Urban Decay Spring 2010

Urban Decay is one of my top 5 makeup brands, so I was super stoked to get deets and pics of their Spring 2010 collection in my inbox earlier this week. Here's the skinny:

24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in (top to bottom) Binge, Crash, Mildew and Oil Slick were previously only available in Urban Decay's holiday gift sets, but now Urban Decay is introducing these new fame-bound shades to their beloved 24/7 pencil family. Crash is a rich deep eggplant, Oil Slick is black with silver sparkle, Mildew is a dark green based on our best-selling shadow, and Binge is a long-awaited navy. You're probably heard me say it before, but I'll say it again - 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils are the BEST eyeliners on the market. These pencils, with their creamy-on-the-eyes and waterproof formula (so you can apply to the inner rims) are must-have additions to your beauty arsenal. Available at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

Designed for stars of film and flat screens, Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder, this high-tech translucent powder, keeps you camera ready at all times. The micro-fine powder fools the eyes with "optical blurring." Imperfections are seemingly airbrushed away for a soft-focus finish. Skin appears flawless, even under bright, unforgiving light. Tiny water particles float along the skin's surface and actually "burst", creating a microscopic ball bearing effect when the powder is applied. The feel is refreshing, smooth, and light as air.

Apply as a finishing touch after your foundation. Or, wear it along for bare, youthful look. Used under make-up, it transforms foundation into a liquid powder! The sleek gunmetal lid and clear base showcase a unique mess-free system and attached puff. Other brands require swirling, brushes and hassle, whereas this is all-in-one, and even has an "on/off" feature to keep your purse powder-free! Available at Sephora and urbandecay.com.

Stardust Eyeshadow is an eyeshadow that has a prismatic sparkle set against a wash of captivating colors with 40% more glitter than the most sparkly shadows from Urban Decay. The futuristic, squeeze-open case holds over two times the amount of product than other Urban Decay eyeshadows.

Top row: 54 (light purple w/iridescent sparkle), Atmosphere (deep turquoise w/iridescent sparkle), Bobby Dazzle (white w/iridescent sparkle). Middle row: Diamond Dog (brown w/iridescent sparkle), Griffith (green w/iridescent sparkle), Moon Spoon (gray w/iridescent sparkle ). Bottom row: Retrograde (dark purple w/iridescent sparkle), Space Cowboy (beige w/iridescent sparkle), Void (black w/iridescent sparkle).

Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden is an eye prep product that provides smoother, longer-lasting, and absolutely crease-proof eyeshadow. If your shadow likes to move it, move it - you need Urban Decay's Primer Potion...which is now also offered in a very-wearable, tawny, matte hue. Available exclusively at Sephora.

Amino, What A Mask-o!

There was a blogger, had clogged pores
Amino – what a mask-o!
A-M-I-N-O
A-M-I-N-O
A-M-I-N-O
Amino – what a mask-o!



For the past month, I have been walking around with the most clogged pores ever. I'm not talking about a blackhead here and there. I'm talking about pores so congested that I can actually feel how engorged with gunk they are.

I tried just about everything to purge my pores. In my bathroom, I was channeling TI...chanting "bring em out" while slathering my face with every cleanser, toner, and treatment in my beauty arsenal. And while these products left my complexion looking a bit better, my face still felt full.

Enter Bioelements Amino Mask - the answer to my proverbial prayers. This medicated acne treatment coaxes dead skin and sebum from pores, destroys acne bacteria, controls overactive oil production and helps to hear existing blemishes. The creamy and airy texture was a welcome surprise - and after just one use, my face felt like it could breathe again. Amino Mask is like Vicks VapoRub for stuffy pores.

Lazy Night: Purity Made Simple High-Foaming Daily Cleanser

Oh yes it's lazy night
And the cleanser's right
Oh yes it's lazy night
Oh what a night (oh…what a night)

I admit it. I’m lazy. I love to pile on the makeup, but hate to take it off. When it’s time for beddy bye, I just want to bypass the bathroom pit-stop, slink under the covers and drift off to sleep. Sometimes I justify my laziness by reasoning that I only wore mascara and lipgloss during the day…so a nighttime cleansing would be nice, but isn’t entirely necessary. Damn, I’m lazy.

Fortunately, my indolent ass just discovered Philosophy’s new Purity Made Simple High-Foaming Daily Cleanser. Philosophy took their best-selling creamy face wash and whipped it into a fabulous foam. The paraben- and sulfate-free formula gently melts away the toughest makeup, dirt, oil and debris, and leaves the skin refreshingly clean (not dry or tight). Just dampen skin and dispense 2-3 pumps of cleanser. Massage onto skin for 30 to 60 seconds and rinse. That’s it.

I suppose even the laziest of the lazy has 30-some seconds to spare. Plus the cleanser is so amazing, you’ll momentarily forget how much you loathe late-night face washing.

Purity Made Simple High-Foaming Daily Cleanser is available at Nordstrom, Sephora, and philosophy.com.



Take it away, Kool and the Gang...

Carissa's Bridal Makeup Must-Haves: Day 6

Carissa, writer and editor of Hooked On Beauty and professional makeup artist says:

No matter what I do, I can't really cover dry, flaking skin. Brides should use a good exfoliant (one they've used before and know won't cause a reaction) the morning of the wedding like Fresh Sugar Face Polish for smooth skin that glows.

To learn more about Carissa and her services, visit coloradoweddingmakeup.com.

PS - Don't forget to enter the Ultimate Bridal Beauty Basket giveaway!

Shiny, Unhappy People

I thought I was done being Miss Greasy Face. In September, I waved goodbye to the oil slick that had summer vacationed on my t-zone. Little did I realize it would be home for the holidays.

I love the way super-rich winter moisturizers soothe my chapped, flaky face; my skin is so thirsty in the morning that it just drinks in the moisture. But by 10 am, I’m rummaging in my purse for my powder compact. And at the end of the day, I’m dabbing at my face with napkins left over from my Saladworks lunch.

If I could get away with the same gel moisturizer I use during warm months, I would; but as luck would have it, when I try wearing a lightweight moisturizer in the winter, I end up looking something like this…


Well, thanks to Eve Lom Moisturiser SPF 15, the oil slick took another vacation – which I think will be a permanent one. Somehow it manages to pamper my parched skin, without any shine or greasy residue; I apply a liberal amount in the AM and I’m shine-free all day - and all night. I would recommend this moisturizer to anyone, regardless of skin type. It’s just that good.

Isn’t it time you learned all about Eve? Eve Lom products are available at Space NK and evelom.com.

Bliss Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk: A Retraction

Last month, I said some not-so-nice things about Bliss’ Clog-Dissolving Cleansing Milk. After my bad experience, I was going to toss out the bottle; but since it cost me $28, I found it another home.

Yesterday, my sister informed me that the cleanser has totally transformed her skin. After only three days of using it (in the AM and PM), she said the solution was aggressively unclogging her pores - without irritation or over-drying; her whiteheads were literally being pushed out of the pores in her t-zone, and she has seen a reduction in the number of breakouts.

So what’s the point of this parable? The moral is that products work differently on different people. So keep an open mind, and ask for samples - whenever possible - before you commit to a full-sized product.

Rocket Science

“The folly of one man is the fortune of another; for no man prospers so suddenly as by others' errors.” - Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

More than forty years ago, aerospace physicist Dr. Max Huber suffered a horrific accident. A routine experiment exploded in his face, covering him with severe chemical burns. Neither science nor medicine offered a treatment to minimize his scarring, so Huber decided to help himself. Twelve years and 6,000 experiments later, he perfected a product that has been dubbed “the miracle cream.” In the case of Crème de la Mer, the folly of one man is the fortune of thousands of women…and now I am one of them.

Typically, it takes a few weeks to see results from a new face treatment; but with Crème de la Mer, it only took me two days to notice a drastic improvement in the quality of my skin.

Concentrated ingredients - including sea kelp, essential vitamins and minerals, plus oils of citrus, eucalyptus, wheat germ, alfalfa and sunflower - are combined into a 'Miracle Broth', distilled, and fermented for three to four months. Then this nutrient-rich mixture is then hand-poured into jars, as not to disturb it delicate balance.

I can honestly say that when it comes to Crème de la Mer, the myth is indeed reality. There is a reason why it has achieved cult status. I now understand why Jennifer Lopez uses it all over her body - and we thought that J.Lo glow was the result of makeup. Only now can I appreciate why Victoria Beckham says it’s the one beauty product she can’t live without.

What I love so much about the cream is that it provides instant gratification. To activate the broth and release its key ingredients, warm a small amount between your fingertips. As you pat onto clean, dry skin, you will instantly feel the soothing effects of the cream.

Crème de la Mer may appear thick in the jar, but it simply sinks into skin – leaving it soft and luxuriously hydrated, with a youthfully dewy finish. Using other facial moisturizers, I would need to reapply throughout the day to treat dry patches – or apply powder to offset excess shine. With Crème de la Mer, I don’t have those problems – in fact, I haven’t been wearing makeup the past few days because my skin looks so radiant without it. It’s like I’m walking around with special lighting. Apply it in the AM and PM – that’s all it takes. And, as a bonus, the soft fragrance helps to calm me as I fall asleep at night.

At $125 for an ounce (or $1,350 for 16.5 oz), the price tag is a little frightening. But I think I’m just going to have to bite the bullet – because the thought of going back to some ‘regular’ moisturizer is a much scarier thought.

Put this on your holiday wish list: La Mer’s Holiday 2007 Gifts of Beauty, exclusive to Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

The Essential Collection gift set combines three of La Mer’s most coveted products, and is ideal for both newcomers and longtime La Mer devotees. The Connoisseur Collection include the Crème de La Mer and Eye Concentrate in two lacquered boxes. Looking for a stocking stuffer to spoil someone (or yourself) pretty? Look no further than The Lip Balm, which works on contact to soften and hydrate.

Philadelphia Phocus: Linda Harding (Giveaway Edition)

Last week, I called my friend after a trip to Rescue Rittenhouse Spa Lounge. After about a minute on the phone, she asked, “Why are you slurring your words?” Not having noticed anything different about my speech, I asked what she was talking about. She responded, “You’re facial drunk, aren’t you?” As I thought about her question, I realized she was right. I was facial drunk. My ‘Zoom Facial’ with award-winning esthetician Linda Harding was, quite literally, intoxicating. I mean, she isn’t called the Skin Diva for nothing. What makes Linda the best of the best? How long have you got?

When I visited the spa, I was warmly greeted and escorted to the waiting area – where I sipped on lemon water and perused some fashion mags. Considering that my last facial was three years ago (the horror!), I was somewhat apprehensive. But when Linda came to meet me, she immediately put me at ease with her friendly demeanor.

Once inside the facial room, I undressed, wrapped myself in a towel, and was tucked into the heated table; thanks to the cushy environs and tranquil ambiance, I already felt like a new woman – and the facial hadn’t even begun. Linda started with a careful study of my skin. “There’s good news and bad news,” Linda announced. “The good news is that you have great skin. The bad news is you’re doing all of the wrong things to it.”

She explained that I should be exfoliating every day, not just twice a week, which had been my usual routine. Then I closed my eyes, and Linda’s magic hands went to town on my face. First, she used a machine that employed the use of sound waves to remove layers of dead skin. This new method is as effective, for certain types of skin, as microdermabrasion; but unlike microdermabrasion, you can use it under the eyes, and it doesn’t irritate skin. It’s so gentle, yet effective, that Linda uses this machine on brides the morning of their wedding! Amazing right?

My other favorite part of the facial was the Valmont product Linda used on my face. Valmont uses salmon roe DNA in most of its skincare products, which might sound yucky – but my skin found it absolutely yummy, and eagerly drank it up. Then, Linda used an electrical micro-current machine to push it into deeper layers of my skin – to boost the moisturizing and regenerating properties of the product.

Once my facial was finished, I was emotionally torn. Part of me couldn’t wait to see my reflection. On the other hand, I was sad that the process had come to an end. Once I looked in the mirror, I was amazed. My skin glowed and I couldn’t stop smiling. The results of my facial are indescribable…I can only liken it to peeling off the outer layers of an onion, revealing the fresh, hydrated layers beneath.

As if my new face wasn’t gift enough, Linda gave me a bottle of Biologique Recherche P50 Balancing Lotion – to maintain my new mug. P50, the cornerstone product in the Biologique Recherche line, is a vitamin-enriched exfoliating potion that purifies, hydrates, and tones, visibly improving whiteheads, blackheads, and symptoms of rosacea.

Before parting, Linda imparted some wisdom; avoiding stress, drinking lots of water, and using the appropriate products for your skin type are her top three tips for stunning skin.

Jealous that I had an appointment with The Skin Diva and you’re just reading about it? Well, here’s your chance to meet with Linda, get a Zoom Facial, and receive a bottle of P 50. If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, post a comment below or email me at spoiledpretty@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name and email address. Be sure to enter by 9pm EST on Thursday, December 20. One winner will be picked, at random, and I will reveal his/her name on Friday, December 21. Good luck!

Glacial Facial

A few days ago, when I blogged about my Aquis Microfiber Headband, I mentioned that I was trying a new facial mask. Well, the time has come to tell you about that new product.


The Glacial Facial Purifying Mineral Mud Masque, by Alaska Glacial Mud Co, contains the most mineral-rich and pure glacial clay in the world - harvested from the remote waters of the Copper River Delta in Alaska. It detoxifies, exfoliates, and softens skin while more than 60 nourishing major and trace elements promote healthy skin cell renewal. The mud is further enriched with a special combination of botanical extracts from the Pacific Northwest, chosen for their moisturizing, softening, and anti-aging properties.

So I used the lavender-peppermint variety of the masque (also available in vanilla-lavender and unscented) for the first time this past weekend. I applied the product with the mud masque application brush; which, I must say is such a great idea…it helps you apply a thin layer so that you don’t waste any of the masque, and there’s no messy fingers! Anyway, I brushed the mud all over, and once my entire face was covered, I started to feel it working. A first, I was a little afraid of the tingle – but it dissipated almost immediately. After letting it dry, I washed the masque off with a washcloth and warm water – revealing touchably soft skin. Seriously, I couldn’t keep my hands off of my face! And unlike most masks, it doesn’t leave your face tight and dry.

After a not so great experience with DDF’s Sulfur Therapeutic Mask (it didn’t do anything for my skin, the stinky smell lingered long after the product was washed off, and it made my eyes sting for two days), I am thrilled to have found a face mask that delivers on its promises.

Bottom line: the Glacial Facial Purifying Mineral Mud Masque offers both tradition and innovation for the spa-loving and eco-conscious goddess who wants to self-indulge at home.

Get Out Of My Face

Right now, I’m sitting at my computer waiting for my mud mask to dry (more on that later). What’s holding my hair back so that no stray strands end up stuck to my face? It’s my Aquis Microfiber Headband.

I purchased it at Home Goods for $5 earlier this year - but unlike some of the other impulse buys I made that day, this product was absolutely worth the money. Do I use it everyday? No, although I could and probably should. But it definitely comes in handy when I’m using masks and other treatments on my face and don’t want my hair getting caught in the product. Sure, you could just pull your hair back with an elastic band – but if you have bangs like me, you’ll find the Aquis Headband to be very practical.

The headband is a simple strip of plush microfiber with a velcro closure, that gently holds hair in place. Not only is it great at keeping your hair back while you're tending to your face with an at-home treatment, it’s especially helpful when it comes time to rinse said treatment off.

And just like a towel, when it gets dirty, simply toss it in the washing machine. Available at Amazon.com, Drugstore.com. and H20+.

You Don’t Have To Have Bad Skin

Head on over to the New York Times' website for an interesting article entitled, "Why Should Kids Have All the Acne?" Journalist Natasha Singer discusses pimples, product marketing, and ProActiv.

In a nutshell, the story contends that people's quest for perfection, coupled with Guthy-Renker's marketing genius, has resulted in a windfall ("five million active customers and annual worldwide sales of about $850 million") for a product that's actually not much different from Clearasil.

I've never used Proactiv, so I'm curious about whether this really is a miracle product or if it's just all talk. Have you tried Proactiv? Share your Proactive experience in the comments section of this post.

FYI - Did you know that Jessica Simpson just renewed her contract with Proativ Solutions for a rumored $3 million? Look for new infomercials to air this holiday season.

Perfect Balance

I mentioned this product last month in my “Good Gourd” post, but it begs repeating – Molton Brown’s Skinbalance Toning Lotion is a wonderful product.

For years, I’ve been plagued with large pores and blackheads on my nose. But in just a few short weeks, Skinbalance Toning Lotion has totally transformed my skin. It naturally exfoliates and brightens the complexion. Unlike many toners, Skinbalance Toning Lotion contains no alcohol, so it doesn’t dry out the skin. In fact, pumpkin enzymes, pink grapefruit, lime and yeast extract combine to strengthen the skin and reduce moisture loss.

To use, simply apply to the face and neck after cleansing and before applying day or night moisture products. Skinbalance Toning Lotion gets rid of everything your cleanser missed…you’d be amazed at what you see on the cotton ball when you’re finished!

Space Cadet

Space NK, founded in 1993 by beauty junkie Nicky Kinnaird, began with one small shop in Covent Garden, London. Today, it’s a 50-store chain, offering a carefully edited selection of high quality, original and effective beauty products from innovators and specialists around the world.

"The process is a combination of personal research, word-of-mouth and pavement pounding during my international travels," Kinnaird explains.

In May 2007, the apothecary crossed “the pond” and opened its flagship store in the heart of SoHo. If you’re one of the lucky lasses with a Space NK in your neighborhood, I encourage you to take a trip to see, firsthand, what makes this chain so addictive.

Kinnaird adds, “For those of you unable to get to our stores in the UK and beyond, why not browse and discover products for yourself online?”

Spoiled Pretty thinks you’ll fancy Face Boutique’s Fresh Faced Moisturiser. Ideal for everyday use, this oil-free gel is designed to hydrate and nourish young skin while providing the perfect base for makeup. Its unique ingredients include zinc-rich Smithsonite, which regulates sebum, prebiotics to help reduce breakouts, and strawberry extract to tone. It's also crammed full of powerful antioxidants squeezed from cherries, apples and grapes.

Hell Has Officially Frozen Over

On Friday night, after returning home from a night out with friends, my husband took a long, hard look at me and asked, “Honey, when’s the last time you exfoliated?”

I was aghast at the question, considering this was a man who, just a few years earlier, had been cleansing his face with the same bar of Irish Spring he used to wash his body. He has since graduated to less archaic methods of skincare, but since when was he an expert in the art of exfoliation?

After taking a long, hard look at my dull complexion in the mirror, I reluctantly agreed that my husband might be on to something – so I asked what he recommended. He handed me his Energizing Face Scrub by Nivea For Men, and told me to give it a try.

As you all know, I’m not above using men’s products – so I applied some to my freshly-washed face and worked the product in in circles. The fine scrub particles are not for the faint of heart – so if your skin is on the sensitive side, you may find this to be a bit too abrasive. Otherwise, it’s great at unclogging pores and getting rid of excess impurity build up.

My husband’s Energizing Face Scrub did just what it promised – it smoothed my complexion by lifting off rough, dead skin. The “fine scrub particles” were a little more aggressive than I’m used to - so I think I’ll stick to my Fresh Sugar Face Polish and steal, I mean borrow, his Nivea Face Scrub once a week. And if he ever gets stingy and I have to go buy my own, it’s only $6.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, CVS, Walgreen's, and Rite Aid.

Opposites Attract

Surrounded by mystery, magnets have attracted attention since ancient times for their special soothing, smoothing healing properties. Cleopatra was said to have worn magnets at night to prevent aging – and these charged discs, in their simplicity and effectiveness, continue to appeal to those who wish to look and feel more radiant.

Those who swear by them say you look more awake afterward – you can even put them on after you finish your makeup.

Beauty Magnets Party-Prep One Day Face Magic is available at ShopIntuition.com.

Brown Sugar, How Come You Taste So Good?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that lipstick is back in a big way. So, for those of you who intend to embrace this trend, please note that you can’t just jump in head-first.

Before you even think about twisting up that new tube of lipstick, you need to think about those flaky lips that have been hiding beneath your gloss for the last couple of months. Oh, the horror!

If you’re in dire need of a pucker-perfecting product, look no further than The Lip Scrub. Created by a fellow beauty addict, Sara Happ (left), this sugar-based exfoliant acts like a lip loofah and leaves your pout kissably soft.

In 2005, frustrated by the lack of lip smoothers on the market, Happ transformed her kitchen into a laboratory and got to work.

“I kept reading ‘exfoliate lips with a wet washcloth or a baby toothbrush’ in all of my magazines, and I thought there had to be a better way. So I made it myself,” she explains.

Today, Ashlee Simpson, Charlize Theron, Kate Moss, and Reese Witherspoon are reported fans.

The Lip Scrub comes in six lip-smacking flavors: Almond Crème, Brown Sugar (my fav), Cinnamon Sugar, Cocoa, Peppermint, and Vanilla Bean.

Happ’s clever concoction is now available in over 200 luxury boutiques throughout the United States and Canada, and is distributed in more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. You can purchase yours online at thelipscrub.com.

Sara - you’ve come a long way, baby!

Beauty Begins With A Solid Foundation

...or a liquid one (or a tinted moisturizer). Whatever floats your proverbial boat!

Today, I payed a visit to my neighborhood MAC store – and left with a bag chock full of goodies. But my favorite purchase of the day (and of the summer, as a matter of fact) is the 187 Duo Fibre Brush. It is, in a word, fantabulous.

The 187 Brush contains a combination of short, goat hairs and longer, synthetic fibers. This combination of bristles creates a unique shape that allows for a light, airy dusting of powder products to the face and body. It also works beautifully with emollient-based products and liquid foundations.

Jillian, a helpful (and wonderfully talented) makeup artist at the Philadelphia MAC store, shared some tips for using this brush. She explained that brush 187 is can be used to apply foundation, powder, blush and bronzer in 3 ways.

Use the brush in strokes (like painting) to distribute product onto the skin. The next application technique is called stippling, which means that you tap the brush onto the skin. Stippling results in more coverage, so tap the white part of the bristles onto the face to mask dark circles, acne scars, and hyper-pigmentation. Finally, swirl the brush on the skin to erase seams, which creates an airbrushed finish.

So if you weren’t blessed with a flawless complexion, there’s good news. Now, you can buy one. I did...check out my "after" picture (you don't even want to see the "before" pic)...and it only cost $42.

Run, don’t walk, to your nearest MAC store or counter and buy this brush. And if you can't get to a MAC location, let your fingers do the walking (er, running) and type maccosmetics.com into your web browser.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Depending on the season, I’ve got a different skincare regimen – clarifying products during the summer months and hydrating products in the winter. But a recent visit to Nordstrom yielded a must-have moisturizer that I can use year-round.

N.V. Perricone M.D. Face Finishing Moisturizer is effective in restoring the appearance of health and beauty to the skin. Enriched with advanced antioxidants, Vitamin C Ester, and Alpha Lipoic Acid, this rose-scented formula increases radiance and ensures maximum daily protection against moisture loss. And

Perricone’s Face Finishing Moisturizer is one of the most popular hydrating products used by newscasters and models, and was a Best of Sephora 2007 Nominee.

After 12 hours, my combination skin showed no signs of dry patches or shine. I'm sold. You?

Bottom line: Buy. This. Now.

Perricone products are available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Sephora, and the N.V. Perricone M.D. website.

Made For A Man, But Strong Enough For A Woman

Never one to pass up a sample, I said “Why not?” when a generous C.O. Bigelow salesman recently offered me Glycolic Facial Cleanser from Anthony Logistics For Men. I figured I would just give it to my husband to try. But after reading that it makes your face “squeak with cleanliness”, I decided that his Nivea Energizing Face Scrub works just fine, and that I should use the sample myself. This might sound selfish (don’t judge me), but you don’t know my husband. He balks at anything he can’t get at the drugstore – plus, he would never pay $18 for face wash.

After using the cleanser, my face was not just squeaky clean - it was also smooth and soft. And it left me wondering, “Why don’t they market this stuff to women?” So I’m doing Anthony a favor and letting you all in on the secret.

The Glycolic Facial Cleanser has aloe vera to soothe skin, glycolic acid to ease away fine lines, and Vitamins A, C, and E to nourish. But, unlike many products made specifically for men, this cleanser has a citrusy, unisex fragrance. Anthony Logistics is available at Bath & Body Works, Blue Mercury, C.O. Bigelow, Douglas Cosmetics, Nordstrom, and Sephora stores.