If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right

Lately, my bedtime routine involves removing my contact lenses, washing my face, applying Bioelements Recovery Serum, and curling up with Bitter Is The New Black before drifting off to sleep. But everytime I apply the silky, emollient product, it just feels so wrong...like I've accidentally grabbed a bottle of silicone hair serum and smeared it all over my face. Yes, it feels wrong. But when used consistently, you'll understand why it's so right.

"Super-charged with a skin-repairing blend of lipids, ceramides and aromatherapist oils," Recovery Serum repairs and soothes damaged, over-exfoliated or aging skin and restores its moisture barrier. Apply it in the AM, and marvel at how your makeup goes on smoother and lasts longer, thanks to the smooth-as-glass finish it gives the skin. Or apply in the PM and wake up all glowy and gorgeous.

And that silicone feel? That's just temporary. Mere minutes after application, your face will drink in the Recovery Serum like it's your skin's J-O-B. And all that's left is a healthy, dewy glow. Pretty slick, right?

Bioelements Recovery Serum retails for $62.00 and is only available at select salons and spas. Click here to find a location near you.

Nudists: Get To Sephora For Your Skin Fix

NUDE Skincare is now available at Sephora!

NUDE is an eco-friendly skincare line that utilizes bio-technology to deliver clinically-proven anti-aging results. Created with biocompatible ingredients that can be effectively utilized by the skin and safely metabolized by the body, NUDE's range of skincare works to reduce premature aging, inflammation, and dehydration the same way organic and nutritious foods heal and nourish your body from the inside out. The packaging is made from 100% recyclable materials and the company is committed to sourcing fair trade or community-traded ingredients.

As an exfoliation enthusiast, I'm really excited to try their Facial Scrub...and I'm beyond anxious to test the Facial Cleansing Oil, a world-famous cleansing oil famed for effectively balancing both dry and oily skin.

Purchase products now at sephora.com. Or head on over to your local Sephora store - but call ahead to make sure the skincare line is on shelves.

Everyday Can Be Sun Day With Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 Body Lotion

You all know that by night (and weekend), I am a beauty blogger extraordinaire. But did you know that, by day, I work for the American Cancer Society? Well, since May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, allow me to drop some knowledge on you.

There are more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed each year in the United States. That’s more than cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, colon, uterus, ovaries and pancreas combined! Warmer weather is finally here and many activities move outside, so be sun smart and to follow some easy tips to reduce your risk of skin cancer.

* Limit Direct Sun Exposure during Midday (10 am and 4pm)
* Cover Up* Wear a Hat
* Wear Sunglasses That Block UV Rays
* Avoid Tanning Beds and Sunlamps
* Use a Sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or Higher

My new favorite sun protection product comes courtesy of Palmer’s. Their Cocoa Butter Formula SPF 15 Body Lotion really makes skin care easy to integrate sun care into my beauty routine.

The formula is enriched with cocoa butter and Vitamin E, which helps promote elasticity and suppleness while soothing chapped, parched skin. And with SPF 15, it’s a great everyday way to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Plus, when you smooth it on, it has this delectable chocolate fragrance – which somehow morphs into a fresh, powdery scent once it sinks in. How does Palmer’s do it? I dunno.

Try this lotion for yourself and see if it works its magic on you. At $6.65 for an 8.5 oz. bottle, you have no excuse.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner

When you think of toner, you probably envision a runny product that stings the skin, leaves your face somewhat tight, and smells like rubbing alcohol. That’s what I thought about, anyway, until I tried Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner.

First of all, its non-alcoholic formula is unscented. So no walking around with a face that smells like a medicine cabinet. And the creamy texture doesn’t tingle like traditional toners, but it is just as effective – if not more – thanks to emollients that gently remove residue while moisturizing and comforting skin.

The Ultra Facial Toner works for everyone – not just oily/combination skin types. In fact, after washing with Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser and then toning with this product, my dry skin was so hydrated that I skipped moisturizer!

And for you ladies who have been desperately trying to introduce your man’s skin to a more upscale skincare routine – look no further. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial products are gentle, unscented, and have guy-friendly packaging. Buy yourself some, and sit them by the sink. Sharing is caring.

Available at Kiehl’s counters and at kiehls.com.

Seeing Double

Yesterday, as I was perusing the CVS website, a new skincare brand caught my eye.

What struck me the most about 24.7 Skincare is its similarity the Freeze 24-7 skin care brand. From the names to the packaging to the product descriptions, they’re nearly identical. Take a look…

24.7 Skincare Instant Plump Volumizing Lip Shine: Triple action lip treatment works with Retinol, Niacin and GABA to immediately plump, hydrate and nourish lips. ($19.99)

Freeze 24-7 PlumpLips Lip Plumper: Revolutionary lip plumper and gloss that delivers full, pouty, buttery lips in minutes. Hydrates, smoothes and soothes…It’s addicting! ($40)

24.7 Skincare Smooth & Go Immediate Skin Perfector: Instantly illuminates and smoothes, bringing a newfound soft, flawless look to your skin. Performs brilliantly under or over makeup and wouldn't think of smudging or smearing. Perfectly portable for whenever or whenever you need a quick skin-perfecting fix - an absolute must have, with mistake-proof application! Treat fine lines and wrinkles, imperfections, dark circles, lip lines, laugh lines, large pores. Perfect for: quick touch-ups: Smooth & Go, use under OR over makeup, absorbs excess oil, instant brightening, instant smoothing. ($29.99)

Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go Instant Smoother & Brightener: Use under or over makeup to fix fine lines, absorb excess oil and brighten skin for a flawless finish. Perfectly portable, this sleek, metallic, pod-like package is designed for optimal convenience and totability, with a removable mirror and metered dosage to ensure a flawless finish on-the-go. ($65)

24.7 Skincare Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: Targets lines and wrinkles with a latest-tech formula including GABA, Lavendox and Hyaluronic Acid Spheres. The results are impressive: 100% of respondents saw a 50-90% reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within 10 minutes, making it an effective, non-surgical cosmetic alternative to Botox and other invasive procedures. ($39.99)

Freeze 24/7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: This dream cream is for real and delivers a powerful punch against wrinkles. Watch them melt away within minutes. Respondents saw a 50-90% reduction in the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within minutes of application. A safe alternative to Botox and other synthetic products which produces results - not side effects. ($65)

After noting the similarities, I instantly smelled a lawsuit. But it seems that the brands are in cahoots. 24.7 Skincare was created in partnership with an initial investor in Freeze 24-7. So maybe there won’t be blood. But there will be youthful skin and plump lips – whether you shop at the department store or the drugstore.

Freeze 24-7 is available at Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Bloomingdale’s, Space NK, and Saks Fifth Avenue. 24.7 Skincare is sold exclusively at CVS.

Cate Blanchett’s Skincare Essentials

Cate Blanchett, SK-II global ambassador, carefully selected her favorite products for the line’s new Spring offering – aptly named Cate's Essentials Collection.

Cate was introduced to SK-II by a friend seven years ago and noticed instantly a profound difference in her skin. She says, "Throughout my career, I have only accepted roles that I am passionate about, and my partnership with SK-II is no different. I truly believe I already played this role as an ambassador long before SK-II caught up with me."

Each product in Cate's Essentials Collection is designed to aid the skin's natural 28-day renewal process, improving and rebalancing the skin's surface and promoting a healthy, radiant glow. It includes:

Facial Treatment Essence - The heart of the SK-II ritual, literally drenches your skin with over 90% pure Pitera, raising skin moisture levels and stimulating the renewal of the skin's outer layer, improving texture and clarity.

Facial Treatment Repair C - This Pitera rich serum is highly effective in moisturizing and enriching the skin - reducing the appearance of fine lines while improving overall skin texture and elasticity.

Facial Treatment Mask - These wonderful rich cotton masks provide the most intense Pitera experience - Giving the entire face a moisturizing boost, leaving the skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Of SK-II, the actress has said, “It’s not part of my skincare ritual. It is my skincare ritual.”

Cate's Essentials Collection retails for $250 and launches this month, exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue - with extended rollout beginning in April.

Clinique Gets Even Better

New from Clinique is a skin care product that promises to create brightness and clarity for all ethnicities.

Even Better Skin Tone Corrector is a lightweight serum that creates a notably more even complexion by helping to undo the visible evidence of sun damage, dark patches, skin stresses, age spots, even the darkening that follows acne scarring. It supposedly even helps to prevent new dark spots from forming.

Developed specifically to address all skin tones, it can be used anywhere on the face, hands, and chest - and results can be seen in 4 to 6 weeks.

Available at Sephora, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Dillard's, and Neiman Marcus.

Clarisonic Giveaway Winner Writes Back

Danette, winner of the Clarisonic Skin Care System (lucky lady!) emailed me the other day, to thank me for her prize. She also asked me to share the following review with you.

"I received my Clarisonic prize and...I love it!!! I love that it has a set timing system so you know that your face is getting evenly cleansed. It does take a little getting used to, since the brush heads can seem a little harsh at first. But your face is left feeling cleaner than ever. It really is like having a facial in under three minutes. The best part is that it is waterproof - so you can use it in the shower with no problems. Thanks, Spoiled Pretty, for this wonderful prize!!! Definitely gets 5 stars!"

Nighttime Is The Right Time

While you sleep, your skin is hard at work repairing and renewing itself. Which is why it is so important to cleanse your face before your head hits the pillow. One more step you might want to consider is a night cream. According to experts, nighttime is the right time to hydrate and pamper your skin – because skin loses more water in the wee hours, and is also more receptive to active ingredients.

One of my new favorites is PCA Skin ReBalance, a nourishing and soothing treatment that helps to repair reddened, irritated or traumatized skin. It’s so gentle that it’s also recommended following chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser resurfacing procedures. ReBalance is ideal for use on the face, neck and chest, and safe for all skin types and conditions, including rosacea.

Used regularly, your face will look fresher and more awake!

I’ll Be Hitting The Bottle in 2008

One of the best things you can do for the health of your skin is to drink more water. Still, I admit to reaching for a glass of Diet Coke before a bottle of H2O.

I’ve promised myself that I’m going to drink more water in ’08 – and I think this will be a resolution I can stick to, because I’ve found a way to be stylish while staying hydrated.

Combining function and fashion, SIGG’s lightweight aluminum bottles come in 144 unique designs. And with 22 different interchangeable lids available, you can find a combination that expresses your personality. SIGG bottles are manufactured in an ecologically-friendly environment and are 100% recyclable after their very long lives.

So throw a lemon slice in there, fill it up, and drink to your (skin’s) health in the new year!

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.

Oprah's Favorite Things 2007

Yesterday, America watched as Oprah unveiled her Favorite Things of 2007 list on an unsuspecting audience in Macon, Georgia. Three hundred golden ticket holders left the convention center pushing shopping carts filled with the (now) most coveted products in the country.

This year, Oprah took her show on the road because Macon consistently has the nation's highest percentage of viewers tuned into her talk show. Filming the "Favorite Things" episode in Macon was a thank-you to the fans, she explained. Audience members left the local convention hall pushing shopping carts toppled with loot – including camcorders, apparel, refrigerators with an LCD TV built into the door – and, of course, beauty products!

When the ‘Queen of All Media’ wants to spoil herself pretty, she reaches for…



Claus Porto Soaps From Lafco New York
These all-natural, bath-sized bars distributed by Lafco New York are a labor of love. They have been created by the Claus Porto's family-run factory in Portugal for the past 117 years. Each bar starts with top quality 100% vegetable soap base and pure, skin softening shea butter. Next, the finest fragrances from the South of France are mixed in so that the scent lasts until the very end of the bar. All of these ingredients are then milled seven times in the traditional European way for a hard, dense soap that has an ultra luxurious and creamy lather.

The jumbo-sized soaps appeal to the senses with beautiful wrappers and 17 magnificent scents, from honeysuckle to grapefruit fig. "They make great hostess gifts," Oprah says.

Cost: $42 (set of 3)
lafcony.com


Kai Body Butter and Body Buffer

"Bathing is an art form and nobody enjoys it more than I do," Oprah says. Kai customized their signature scent into a moisturizing body butter in a tub just for Oprah. Kai body lotion contains safflower seed oil, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, and cucumber a silky whipped soufflé with a moisturizing shea butter base blended with safflower seed oil, vitamins A, C, and E, aloe leaf extract, chamomile flower extract, cucumber fruit extract, apricot kernel oil, and the original kai perfume oil. "It's clean and fresh," she says.

She also loves the Body Buffer by Kai, a hypo-allergenic loofah infused with a light blend of exotic perfumes and natural essences to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize the skin. Just wet and squeeze to release foaming bubbles that smell like an exotic garden.

Cost: Body Buffer $28; Body Butter $55
kaifragrance.com
Also available at embraceyourstyle.com and eluxury.com


Clarisonic Skin Care System

Developed by the people who created the Sonicare Toothbrush, the Clarisonic Skin Care System helps remove six times more makeup than soap and water alone. The bristles vibrate 300 times per second and massage your face to squeaky clean perfection. The Clarisonic system cleanses so well that products absorb better; reduces oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes; visibly shrinks pores; minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; and leaves skin feeling and looking younger and smoother. "It's a miracle massage for your face," Oprah says.

Cost: $195 (includes Cordless Clarisonic, charging cradle, two brush heads, and 2 oz. trial size Gentle Hydro Cleanser)
clarisonic.com

Can I Get A…Fragrance?

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an exclusive global licensing agreement with Elizabeth Arden for the development, marketing and distribution of men's and women's fragrance, cosmetics, and skincare products for its leading lifestyle apparel brand Rocawear. The debut fragrance is due in stores in the fall of 2008.

"We are excited to partner with an industry giant such as Elizabeth Arden," Jay-Z said. "The combination of their expertise in fragrance and our ability to affect popular culture will produce some incredible products and breathe excitement into the category."

"Elizabeth Arden and Iconix have a successful history together, and we are thrilled to grow our relationship with this dynamic collaboration," said E. Scott Beattie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden. "The Rocawear name connects with the customer we want to attract. Adding Rocawear to our lineup of lifestyle fragrance brands allows us to further diversify our multi-dimensional brand portfolio and expand our reach to a young, modern consumer. Elizabeth Arden's leadership in fragrance, coupled with the creative involvement of Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and the team at Rocawear and Iconix, will provide us with a strong platform for success," added Beattie.

First Class

Fern Mallis is the SVP of IMG Fashion and the brains behind New York fashion week. She launched Mercedes-Benz fashion weeks in Los Angeles and Miami, and oversees runway shows from Milan to Mumbai. I still hold a bit of a grudge against Ms. Mallis for her part in voting Jeffrey Sebelia the winner of Project Runway’s third season, but have to admit…the woman does have impeccable taste.

The November issue of Marie Claire gives us a glimpse into this world-traveler’s carry-on bag.

Lash Lust: Kevyn Aucoin The Mascara in Black
“The Japanese volumizing technology in the formula is genius.”

Unzipped: Sephora Makeup Bag
“I love all of the zippered compartments that fit my hundreds of beauty samples.”

Skin So Soft: Wexler MMPI Skin Regenerating Serum
“I use it before takeoff, and my skin feels smooth and dewy.”

Air Kiss: Flirt! Squeeze Me Super Shiny Lipgloss
“It’s moisturizing without being sticky, and its natural color doesn’t scream.”

Winter Glow: Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder
“Bobbi knows a good natural tan.”

Lip Locked: MAC Frost Lipstick in Gilty Kiss
“This light-catching lipstick is my staple for photo shoots.”

Golden Eye: Smashbox Eye Shadow Quad in Ambient
“These metallic shades best compliment my coloring.”

Fresh Faced: Dr. Jessica Wu Gentle Foaming Cleanser
“This cleans my face after all that stale plane air but doesn’t strip natural oils.”

Mix and Match Skincare?

The “Ask Allure” column in October 2007’s issue poses a very common beauty query. Patricia Wexler, an expert in the field of dermatology and creator of the Wexler MD line of products, provides some answers…

Q: Should I use an entire skin-care line, or is it okay to mix and match? –Mary, Stanford, CA

Wexler’s Response: "Skin-care systems prevent overlap and over use of beneficial but potentially irritating ingredients. For example, if you are using a cleanser with salicylic acid, a toner with glycolic acid and a cream with a retinoid, you run the risk of overdoing it and irritating or drying out your skin. This doesn’t mean that you can’t mix and match; you just have to make sure the products you’re using are compatible. It’s a good idea to ask your dermatologist to evaluate your morning and evening regimes to see if the products work well in combination."

Got a question for Allure’s panel of experts? Submit your question here.