Skin Care

Prestige skincare brand SK-II, famous for their miracle ingredient Pitera has just gotten even more luxe with the newest additions to their LXP line. LXP which stands for “luxury multipled by Pitera” are the brand’s creme de la creme (no pun intended) products which contain the most amount of Pitera.  What does Pitera do again? A quick refresher- this patented ingredient derived from sake yeast by SK-II scientists after they noticed that Japanese workers’ hands were unusually youthful after working with the yeast, promises long lasting hydration, speeds up the skin’s own natural rejuvenation process, and acts like an antioxidant – all contributing to a more youthful appearance with continual use.  And judging by the legions of SK-II fans who flock to the line, Pitera and the line of products which contain it, really do work. (more…)

Moroccanoil, the miracle hair treatment that launched a million copycats, just introduced its collection of luxurious body products and its lineup of chic orange and turquoise bottles have already made its way front and center in my bathroom. It’s not just that the packaging is so pretty- the stuff inside is just as delicious. (more…)

I’ve always really been into beauty kits- I just love the idea of having a regimen of products all picked out without having to do any work on my part. This season, I’m especially loving the set Veuve Cliquot put together with Fresh Cosmetics: “Clicquot in the Snow“- a curated selection of Fresh products that takes care of your skin during cold weather, regardless of if you’re in the city, on the ski slopes or jet-setting in between the two. (more…)

As an avid hand washer and obsessor of keeping them in pristine condition, I always have a number of hand creams in constant rotation.  Most of them are in the $10-$30 range and do an adequate job of keeping my hands moisturized during the harsh winter months.  But they were all interchangeable; and save for a few unique fragrances, I never noticed much of a difference between one cream and the next.

Enter: the new White Caviar Illuminating Hand Cream from La Prairie with its hefty price tag of $150.  I knew before I even tried it that this cream better stand out (and miles ahead) from the rest of the pack. As it turns out, it certainly does.   La Prairie’s Hand Cream goes beyond simply hydrating and actually treats a number of symptoms that can show up on undernourished hands. For example, it contains caviar as a lightening ingredient to brighten skin and reverse existing age spots and pigmentation. The cream also contains SPF 15 to provide daily UVA and UVB protection to prevent wrinkles and future discoloration. Furthermore, the cream also contains a conditioner that softens cuticles and strengthens nails in addition to providing hours of hydration to the skin. In other words, La Prairie’s White Caviar Illuminating Hand Cream isn’t just a moisturizer, it’s also an anti-aging treatment that delivers a lot of the same benefits as their award winning facial skincare.

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We recently caught up with celebrity brow specialist and makeup artist Kristie Streicher, who has an incredibly keen eye for stylish, often eco-friendly finds. In addition to grooming famous brows in New York City, volunteering with her father’s nonprofit organization (Divine Spark) and amassing what Vogue dubbed a “killer vintage wardrobe,” Kristie recently opened the new Kristie Streicher Beauty Bar inside L.A.’s Warren Tricomi salon. Here are her latest obsessions: (more…)

A good daily skincare routine helps keep your skin well maintained, moisturized and healthy, but it can’t perform miracles on its own.  As your body’s largest organ, your skin’s condition is closely tied to your lifestyle such as how you eat, drink, sleep and exercise. Below we share some tips on how you can keep your skin healthy by making good lifestyle choices.

1. DONT DRINK ALCOHOL EXCESSIVELY

According to some studies, excess alcohol consumption can deplete Vitamin A levels in our bodies. Vitamin A is responsible for promoting cell turnover which keeps our skin fresh, youthful and healthy. In addition, Vitamin A is also important to helping our skin defend against free radicals, molecules that cause aging and damage by breaking down collagen fibers. Thus the result is that when our Vitamin A level goes down, our skin is unable to fight the bad stuff or renew itself, making it dull and damaged. Too much drinking can actually lead to faster aging.

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My good friend Jen, who has the skin of a 2-year-old, just tipped me off about the Josie Maran Argan Care for Beautiful Skin kit at Sephora. At only $56, it’s such a good deal. (I mean, a full-size Josie Maran Argan Oil by itself is $48!) It even comes with a pack of one of our favorites makeup removers, Bare Naked Wipes, as well as a cleanser, lip treatment, and blush/lip color.

If you’re an Argan-oil fan, or just need a great lightweight all-purpose moisturizer, don’t miss out. We’ve professed our love for Josie Maran products many times before, and the line continues to exceed our expectations. I can’t wait to get my hands on this … in fact, I won’t wait. I’m going right now, and I might even snag their brand new Josie Maran Argan Balm while I’m at it.

As in Therapy Systems new 24 Hour Body Lotion. I dare say it’s the best body lotion I used in 2011; and despite the $35 price tag, I apply gobs of it first thing every day just out of the shower. Here’s why:

a. The shea-butter-and-jojoba-oil formula make me feel like I’m living in Anthropologie (what is that delightfully citrusy yet buttery fragrance!?).

b. It actually “nourishes [my] skin with the lightweight feel of a lotion and the intense moisturizing benefits of a cream” — just like the description claims.

c. Its moisture absorbs quickly but actually lasts 24 hours.

d. It doesn’t clog my pores or irritate my skin.

e. I’ve had it for nearly a month and I’m only halfway through the bottle.

Gobs, I tell you.

All summer and now into fall, I’ve been seeing red … spots. On my face and back. Usually, my skin is pretty dry and my acne exhibits self-control, but occasionally I get these nasty flare-ups. Could be stress. Could be hormones. Could be both. Who knows. All I do know is that only one thing has been working consistently to get rid of them–and it’s under $10: Alba Botanica Natural Acnedote Deep Pore Wash.

I don’t think I would have tried this product if I hadn’t gotten a sample in the mail to review, but I’m glad I did. It’s one of the few over-the-counter solutions I’ve seen at drugstore prices to contain maximum strength 2% Salicylic Acid via willow bark extract to deliver results right away, whether it’s a simple lessening of the redness or a soothing effect. And the non-comedogenic (uh, better be), 100% vegetarian, sulfate-, paraben-, phthalate-, petrochemical- and artificial-fragrance/color-formula even smells good, thanks to quite a few other “natural” ingredients such as lemon balm and green tea extract. I’m so impressed I’m actually singing. Seriously.

If you’re having acne problems, get this … and cross your fingers that you’re with the 70 percent of people the bottle claims saw improvement. I haven’t tried the rest of the line yet, but if it’s anything like the cleanser, I’m sold.

Dr. Robin Schaffran is a Beverly Hills-based board certified dermatologist and has been treating patients for over 10 years. Today, she’s a go-to expert on children’s skincare and speaks extensively about skin cancer prevention. Most recently, this do-it-all doctor and mom has launched her own line of moisturizer. Find out more about her current obsessions below! (more…)