Coming Attraction: Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask

Have you ever wanted something that you couldn't have really badly? That's how I feel about Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask, which promises instant youth, smoothing, plumping, and brightening. It is expected to arrive at Sisley counters in October. I already have, use, and love three of Sisley's masks, but that won't stop me from purchasing this new one the instant it hits the counters. I want it now!



Black Rose Cream Mask is the first Sisley mask enriched with anti-aging ingredients. A soothing mask rich in trace elements, vitamins, and plant extracts, it works instantly on the signs of aging and fatigue to restore vitality to the skin.



My one test of the mask left me desperate for another! I love masks, and Sisley's are among the very best. I like to apply them and use their time on my face to relax. Imagine enjoying all the benefits listed below while you chill out.



Smoothing and Plumping Actions



Extract of black rose will offer an instant tensor effect, smoothing with antioxidant properties.

Three anti-aging ingredients:

• Extract of alkekengi calyx, anti-collagenase and anti-free radical action
• Extract of padina pavonica to stimulate the synthesis of GAGs¹
• Vitamin E acetate to reinforce the skin's natural defenses

Revitalizing Actions

• Extract of red vine leaf to tone skin and improve radiance
• Extract of chlorella to stimulate superoxide dismutase activity, which protects skin from free radicals
• Essential oil of geranium to stimulate the skin

Soothing and Softening Actions

• Extract of great mullein (new active ingredient) to fight free radicals and soothe the skin
• Shea butter, which protects, moisturizes, and soothes
• Pro-vitamin B5 to soften and moisturize
• Essential oils of rose and magnolia, also for soothing

Nourishing, Moisturizing, and Repairing Actions

• Vegetable glycerine to moisturize
• Phytosqualene, with emollient and moisturizing properties
• Shea butter to nourish and repair

My friends from Sisley gave me a custom-made sample, enough for one application, when I was at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie this week. I used it last night and was instantly smitten - with the fresh fragrance, the lovely feel, and the appearance of my skin after my treatment. You don't wash this mask off your skin after you use it. Just tissue off the excess and allow your skin to luxuriate in the beneficial ingredients.



Be on the lookout for Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask. It's a must-have, one of many new products we can expect to see from Sisley this fall.



¹ GAGs contain special sugars, such as glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetyl glucosamine, and glucosamine sulfate, that have high water-holding properties. These are built into larger water-holding chains of sugars such as hyaluronic acid, keratin sulfate, heparin, heparin sulfate, dermatin sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate. - skinbiology.com



Update 9/4: Sisley’s Black Rose Cream Mask should be applied two to three times a week, in a generous layer over the face and neck. As I mentioned, any excess should be blotted away (not rinsed) after 10-15 minutes.



Photo courtesy of Sisley

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Le Métier de Beauté's New Skin Care - Part 1 of a Series

On Saturday at Neiman Marcus, Lisa Lingis (our regional Le Métier de Beauté representative) gave us an up close and personal look at Le Métier de Beauté's new skin care, billed as "the most scientifically advanced and efficacious technology delivering the most innovative anti-aging moisturizing and hydrating ingredients 24 times deeper into the skin." Using the company's patented Syntoc Actif Delivery System, originally used in the Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Treatment Fluid everyone loves, LMdB set out to create specifically targeted ingredient complexes to address the most visible anti-aging issues, including wrinkles, elasticity, moisture, and hydration.



After years of research, LMdB's chemists developed three uniquely formulated complexes to address the problems that come with aging.

• Syntoc Actif Power 4 Anti-Aging Complexe
• Syntoc Actif Moisture Rich Complexe
• Syntoc Actif Hydration+ Complexe

LMdB's exclusive and patented Syntoc Actif Delivery System, which carries the ingredients through the dermis, is the most effective delivery system available without a prescription today. Because the ingredients are delivered 24 times deeper into the skin through this unique delivery system, the products are safer and more effective than "comparable products on the market today."



There are six uniquely formulated products in the Peau Vierge Treatment Collection. All of them use the Syntoc Actif Delivery System.



Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Night Crème with Syntoc Actif + Power4 Anti-Aging Complexe ($350) is one of the products I've had the privilege to try. I was given a tiny sample jar at Neiman Marcus. The emollient and potent night treatment effectively repairs, rebuilds, and transforms the skin while the body is most receptive - at rest. The Syntoc Actif + Power4 Anti-Aging Complexe has these featured ingredients.

• Retinol (0.5%) is the #1 anti-aging powerhouse, known to smooth and plump wrinkles, stimulate collagen rejuvenation, and restore the skin's elasticity.
• Coenzyme Q10 (0.1%) reduces the depth of wrinkles and protects against photo-aging.
• L-Carnosine (1%) prevents and reverses the signs of aging by preventing keratin degradation, which causes rough, dry skin.
• SNAP 8 (0.0025%) is an anti-aging "power peptide" that reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by expression muscles, especially on the forehead and around the eyes - like a topical Botox.

The Night Crème is potent and should only be used 2-3 times/week, alternating or in conjunction with the Replenishing Daily Solution. I am extremely sensitive to retinol, so I fully expected to burn then peel after trying the Night Crème - the things I do to test beauty products! Many years ago, my dermatologist, who had worked with me as I tried every new retinol product on the market, hoping for one to which I might become tolerant, finally told me to give up. He said my skin couldn't withstand any concentration of retinol. Even years later, I've found that cosmetic products from well-regarded companies will burn my skin if they contain retinol or any vitamin A derivative.



LMdB's new Night Crème was a miracle. I had no adverse side effects - none! I've used it for two weeks, once every three days, and my skin looks great. There really is something to the delivery system, which carries the retinol beneath the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) deep into the dermis to provide the following benefits: repair and reverse the signs of aging, erase fine lines and wrinkles, shrink pore size, reduce redness through anti-inflammatory properties, and encourage natural skin repair. It's clear to me that LMdB's delivery system is carrying the retinol past my own layers of sensitivity.



Revitalizing Anti-Aging Day Crème with Syntoc Actif + Power4 Anti-Aging Complexe ($285) is a potent, proprietary blend of functional anti-aging actives. Harnessing the power of Syntoc Actif, this lightweight emulsion absorbs quickly, dramatically slows the formation of expression lines, and reverses sun damage while replenishing hydration, repairing and improving texture, firming sagging skin, and rejuvenating overall tone and texture. It also contains SNAP 8 (0.005%), retinol (0.05%), coenzyne Q10 (0.05%), and l-carnosine (0.1%) - the same magnificent ingredients in the Night Crème, but at lower concentrations. I had the privilege of trying the Day Crème for a few days. I liked it!



Replenishing Daily Solution with Syntoc Actif + Moisture Rich Complexe ($225) is a lightweight, emollient, SPF 30 formula that conditions and moisturizes while it nourishes, detoxifies the dermis, and helps replenish the lipid barrier, normalizing skin moisture to provide suppleness. It has the same effective delivery system, but offers these natural moisturizing and protective ingredients.

• Vitamin E, Aloe, Sodium PCA, and Sodium Hyaluronate (nature's sponge) for hydration and softening
• Centella Asiatica and Echniacea for firming
• Squalene, Shea Butter, Avocado, Hazlenut and Jojoba Oils, rich in vitamins to add emolliency and lubrication
• Cucumber Oil, a rich source of vitamin C

The Replenishing Daily Solution can be used once or twice a day - ideally before your Day Crème or Night Crème.



Revive Eye Concentrate with with Syntoc Actif + HydrationPlus Complexe ($175) is an innovative eye treatment that repairs and plumps the delicate skin around the eyes. Using the same exclusive Syntoc Actif delivery system, it offers these ingredients.

• Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, which decreases capillary permeability to reduce edema (water retention); used in some effective eye creams I know
  
  
• Dipeptide (not sure which one) to improve lymphatic circulation to further reduce edema
• Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide, not sure if it's 3 or 7, but a regenerating peptide to improve elasticity and strengthen the skin around the eyes; can slow or inhibit glycation and inflammatory damage
  
  

I can't wait to get my hands on it! I have found eye creams with peptides to be enormously effective, and I'm a proponent of anti-glycation products. The Eye Concentrate should be used once or twice a day. I'll be using it twice.



There's a cleanser, Daily Renew Cleanser with VitaC Complexe ($50), that is formulated with rounded (non-damaging) scrub grains to remove deeply set impurities in one step. Daily Renew Cleanser promises to gently cleanse and exfoliate the skin and remove makeup easily, renewing the skin for a radiant glow.



Daily Refresh Toner with Rebalancing Complexe ($50) is designed to restore, rebalance, and recondition the skin, leaving it soft, smoothed, and perfectly prepared for the healing treatments that follow. The hydrating ingredients should give you a youthful look.

• Hemolymph Extract is a conditioning agent that LMdB says pulls oxygen into the skin from the environment.
• Peppermint, Cinnamon, Thyme, and Geranium Oils mildly stimulate with a gentle warming effect.
• Cypress Oil mildly stimulates and cleanses.
• Anise Oil is used for its cleansing and warming effect on the skin.
• Vitamins E, A, and B condition and protect the skin.

I've got to smell this one. I have fragrance aversions to cinnamon and anise, so I'll need to try before I can jump onboard.



There you have the basics. I am extremely excited about this launch. I have much more to tell you, but it will have to wait for another day. Le Métier de Beauté's new skin care will be available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman this month.



Photo at top by Best Things in Beauty, taken at Saturday's event; other photos courtesy of the U.S. government and Wikipedia

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Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++

Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++ ($39) is a protective tinted moisturizer that perfects the appearance of skin while protecting it from the sun and environmental factors. A moisturizer, sunscreen, tint, and treatment serum, this all-in-one product also offers advanced brightening properties with arbutin, one of its advanced ingredients. Arbutin is extracted from the bearberry plant and inhibits tyrosinase, thus preventing the formation of melanin, which darkens the skin.

Ideal under makeup, its natural-looking tinted coverage minimizes the appearance of imperfections and evens skin tone. Antioxidants, biopeptides, and adenosine (effective skin-care ingredients) protect the skin from the sun and free radicals while restoring firmness and elasticity. It's a one-step marvel.

In May, I had featured Dr.Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++, similar in its mission to protect our skin, but with lower UVA and UVB protection levels. Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++ is a little more expensive, but, in addition to the sun protection, offers a little more coverage and offers more expensive skin-care ingredients. It comes in a light tint that should blend into most skin tones (probably not chocolate-colored skin). The tint is slightly darker than the Water Fuse Beauty Balm, making it wearable by more women (or men). Both of them blend into my skin perfectly; they seem to adapt to skin tone.

It's a great tinted moisturizer for summer. The oil-free "balm," which is really a light cream, includes sunscreen ingredients that protect the skin from a broad range of UVA and UVB exposure. After a quick application, my skin is left looking smooth, perfect, and natural. The tint is almost imperceptible, but it does even my skin tone and take out the red in the center of my face. It won't cover stubborn marks, like dark sun spots or active acne, but it does "dull" their appearance.

I love makeup-free days on the weekends, but I'll always make an exception for a tinted moisturizer. I purchased several this summer, and I'm slowly testing them. Dr.Jart+ Premium Beauty Balm SPF 45 PA+++ is the second I put to the test after it was sent to me by the company, and it passed admirably. It did everything I expected. Feels good too - moisture without any oil slick that would be too heavy on a hot day.

The ingredients offer advanced brightening and anti-aging power and firm and hydrate the skin. The peptides, almost de rigueur in skin care today, will help restore the suppleness your skin may be losing. If you wear this product under your foundation, you'll find you need less foundation to achieve a perfect look. The sun protection comes from relatively high concentrations titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which makes it fairly amazing that it feels so light on the skin.

Please remember that even if you are working inside all day, you need a sunscreen. You will be exposed to the sun's rays even through windows. Dr. Jart offers us a way to treat our skin and wear an effective sun screen in one fell swoop, with none of the nasty qualities some associate with sunscreens. This one is perfect for those who can't wear chemical sunscreens.

Dr. Jart, a dermatologist, offers a line of cosmeceuticals. The doctor's approach to product development is based on use of scientifically certified ingredients. Each formula is tried and tested to ensure safety for all skin types - even hypersensitive skin - so everyone can experience the "art of skincare with Dr. Jart." So far, I'm impressed by both products I've tried.

Next time you browse at Sephora, see what you think. Let us know, please!

Photos courtesy of Sephora and factoidz.com

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Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione

Earlier this year, Dr. Nicholas Perricone introduced Acyl-Glutathione, a new treatment moisturizer. I purchased it not long after because I have grown to love my Perricone MD products, and this one appeared to have promise - even with a name that won't roll off the tongue. I always try to tell you about impressive skin care. If your skin doesn't look good, your makeup won't either.

Acyl-Glutathione ($175) quickly earned a place in my skin-care routine. I like everything about it, except its small size, one fluid ounce. I want Dr. Perricone to super-size it.

Acyl-Glutathione (pronounced ay-sil gloo-ta-thigh-on), addresses the accelerated signs of aging, including severe dryness, extreme loss of elasticity, deep lines and wrinkles, and fragile, thin skin. Used as both a preventative and corrective moisturizer, this treatment helps create visibly improved skin in just 30 days. I've been using it for a few months and can report that it's effective.

I learned on Sephora's blog that the name, Acyl-Glutathione, comes from the patent-pending molecule created to replenish glutathione, an antioxidant, in our skin cells. If you experience a decrease in glutathione, your skin could appear fatigued, wrinkled, and/or dehydrated, or change in texture. Acyl-Glutathione works to fix those deficits by bringing your skin back to life and defying aging. After just 30 days of continued use (just a dime-sized amount, twice a day, says Perricone), you’ll notice a decrease in the appearance of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles and a boost in hydration.

In a 30-day consumer research study, after application every morning and evening:

• 85% saw a reduction in the appearance of horizontal forehead creases;
• 90% saw a reduction in the appearance of 11 vertical creases;
• 85% saw a reduction in the appearance of smile creases; and
  
• 88% saw a reduction in the appearance of marionette creases above the chin, but below the mouth.

Those are impressive results. A majority of consumers saw their skin look more supple (less thin) and found it bounced back quickly from sleep creases. I am a long-time side sleeper, and occasionally I awaken in the morning with a deep crease from a pillowcase wrinkle. Note to self: go buy silk pillowcases. I have seen almost no sleep creases since I started using Acyl-Glutathione. Most users also see an increase in firmness and radiance.

The lightweight cream absorbs very quickly, leaving behind a protective "film" that's barely perceivable (I like to be able to feel my treatment moisturizer to know it's still there). The ingredients that contribute to its effectiveness include DMAE, glycolic acid, peptides, dimethicone, sesame seed oil, glycerin, and, unfortunately, the ubiquitous propylene glycol. I can't seem to shake that ingredient from my beauty products. The treatment is paraben-free.

Dr. Perricone recommends following the application of Acyl-Glutathione with a moisturizer if necessary. Even though my skin is very dry, I have not found any "top coat" to be necessary. It's nicely moisturizing. There is no discernible fragrance (it's light, pleasant, then gone - all good). My only complaint is the small size of the jar. Perhaps I'm applying it too liberally (I apply more than a dime-sized dab), but I expected to get a few more months out of it. I'm almost at the replenishment point. Despite the size, I will purchase it again. I am extremely happy with it.

You can purchase Acyl-Glutathione at Sephora and Nordstrom or directly from Perricone MD, where you can see instruction videos and will often find special offers.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

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Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture

Murad's Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture ($65) is a treatment moisturizer you should definitely consider if you can use products with retinyl palmitate in them. Retinyl palmitate is a fabulous anti-aging ingredient, but most of the time, it irritates my reactive skin. Murad sent me a jar of this lovely moisturizer, so I enlisted a friend to test it. Megan has combination skin, is younger than me (but still concerned about anti-aging - smart gal), and she's thorough. I knew it was in good hands. Before I tell you about her results, let's consider what Murad has to say about this moisturizer that won a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Murad's Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is an uber-rich, all-purpose moisturizer that combines a luxurious recipe of ingredients to quench dry, dehydrated skin and restore youthful resilience and tone. With a formula rooted in the Science of Cellular Water, Murad’s proprietary system for optimizing cell hydration and skin health, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture instantly soothes and renews skin with long-lasting hydration and suppleness.

The most hydrating moisturizer Murad has ever offered, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture offers skin both immediate and long-term benefits by locking in optimal moisture for eight hours. Avocado, sunflower, and olive fruit oils, along with oat kernel, yeast, and algae extract, hyaluronic acid, and a host of great ingredients, enhance the skin’s ability to retain maximum levels of hydration. Retinyl palmitate and shea butter improve texture and tone to restore the skin’s natural smoothness and softness. The company's Collagen Support Complex boosts skin’s resilience and plumps dehydrated skin.

This moisturizer is gentle enough for sensitive skin and effective enough to be used with all of Murad’s anti-aging products for increased hydration. The velvety formula provides moisture, smoothness, and comfort, leaving the skin perfectly polished and radiant.

Is the marketing description true? Yep! Murad's own customer reviews are incredibly favorable, as was Megan's. Here's what she had to say.

• Overall, this is a great product that I would recommend, and I love using it. Thank you!
  
• I have combination skin, and I found the product a little heavy for the day, but it was perfect for use at night. While it is heavier than the moisturizer I was using, is it not at all greasy.
• My skin felt very smooth in the morning - I noticed a big difference after just the first use.
• After two weeks of using the cream nightly, I noticed a more even complexion. After three weeks, the results were even better.
• The cream decreased the oiliness in my T-zone, which seems counterintuitive, but is a delightful result.

Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture got Megan's seal of approval. Her results demonstrated that Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is perfect for gals who need to use an anti-aging and hydrating product, but worry that it will exacerbate their T-zone issues (unfortunately, we all "come of age" and need to step up our skin-care regimen). The price of this treatment moisturizer is attractive. Not as pricey as many of the department store "luxury lines," it's an effective and affordable investment in your skin.

I believe Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture would be perfect for those without T-zone issues - if they can tolerate retinyl palmitate. My sensitivity to the ingredient is unusually severe, and I don't tempt the fates.

Murad also sent a Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex serum. I have tested the serum and plan to feature it soon. It's another "best thing in beauty." For now, hop over to Murad's Web site for more information about Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and the wide range of skin care from this well-regarded company. There are always special offers, so make sure to click on the New Offers tab while you are there.

Photo courtesy of Murad

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RéVive Defensif Renewal Serum

Here's a secret I'm going to spill. I promise I'll share my skin-care treasures as soon as I've determined they work (not like the favorite eye makeup remover I kept a secret for almost a year). RéVive's Defensif Renewal Serum ($195) works, and I love it!

It became available in April of this year, and I purchased one at Neiman Marcus at the recommendation of Kathy Shoreman and Anna Befanis, the RéVive Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. Both were impressed almost immediately after they started using it. When two skin-care mavens tell me something's great, it usually is.

Defensif Renewal Serum is a lightweight, protective serum that shields the skin against environmental aggressors and free-radical damage, while helping improve skin tone and texture. A scientifically advanced Bio-Renewal Protein promotes skin cell renewal to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles and unveil the even-toned, healthy complexion hiding underneath the surface of our skin. This small bioengineered protein has been shown to effectively increase cell renewal.

Two potent antioxidants deliver powerful protection against the visible signs of premature aging. Resveratrol is harnessed from the skins of grapes. A new generation of this potent antioxidant is more capable of fighting dangerous and harmful free radicals than earlier incarnations. This resveratrol was processed through a natural fermentation process to make the already-small molecule even smaller, allowing it to penetrate the skin to fight free radicals.

Superoxide dismutase is one of the most powerful antioxidants for protecting the skin against free-radical damage. It's now encapsulated in an advanced liposomal delivery system to enhance absorption. Defensif Renewal Serum also has a high concentration of glycolic acid, which keeps the dead surface skin cells sloughing off for a smooth, fresh complexion.

The directions say to use it in the morning and follow with your moisturizer. Contrarain that I am, I use it in the evening, when my skin is resting and refreshing. Most of the time, but not always, I follow it with a treatment moisturizer. I can see how it's perfect, though, for protecting the skin during the day, particularly in "unfavorable" conditions (heat, sun, humidity, and smog in the summer in my area).

Dr. Gregory Brown, RéVive founder and noted former surgeon stated, "Living on our planet begets aging...pollutants, diminishing protective ozone layer, UV rays...all of these factors contribute to the formation of free radicals. These free radicals wreak havoc on the skin's collagen and elastin, drastically promoting aging. The new Defensif Renewal Serum arrests those free radicals in their tracks." When Dr. Brown speaks, I listen!

I has stopped using this serum for a few days to test another serum last week. Suddenly, out of nowhere (but probably related to stress), I saw one of those "underground" inflammatory processes starting - the kind the develops into a blemish. I was appalled. I realized that my Zeno Hot Spot was packed away in a box and decided to go back to Defensif Renewal Serum to free my chin of any dead skin cells that might have trapped something irritating that needed to "depart" for the inflammation to clear. It took only two days, and the inevitable blemish was gone - stopped in its tracks by Defensif Renewal System! That just doesn't happen. I was impressed.

Even before this "event," I was impressed with the way my skin was looking. I use many great products, and it's hard to move the bar. I think RéVive's Defensif Renewal Serum did that. It was worth every penny of its price, and I need so little to cover my face and neck, I think I'll be using this serum for a long time. I like that legendary soft, supple, and dewy RéVive glow. If I could wish for anything - anything different - I'd love to have a little window to show me how much I've used. I don't want to run out of this fabulous serum.

You can purchase RéVive Defensif Renewal Serum and other RéVive products at RéVive's Web site, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barneys.

Photo courtesy of RéVive

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Fresh Kiss & Tell - New York This Weekend - Neiman Marcus Party Last Night

Fresh is having a Kiss & Tell Promotion. With a contest online that you can enter at Facebook, you could win $2,500 in Fresh products - just by sharing your sweetest kiss ever (in 100 words or less - tougher than Twitter). Make sure to enter by July 8.

This weekend in New York City, a Kiss & Tell Pop-Up Truck may be in your neighborhood. Inside the Kiss & Tell Trucks, you will receive a free Sugar Lip Treatment of your choice - and have a chance to experience a Sugar Lip Experience, a beauty ritual that nourishes, protects, and perfects your lips. You can see the schedule for the truck's stops at this link. With four locations, anyone in New York should be able to make it. Jawn Marques will be there this weekend, so you will have a chance to meet him. I guarantee you will be enchanted. More below.

You can also send a Kiss & Tell e-card to one of your friends. Tell a friend why you love the Sugar Lip Treatment Collection, and the lucky recipient will receive a free Sugar Lip Treatment with any $50 purchase on fresh.com. How cool is that? Check out this link to send a card.

I'll bet many of you know Fresh primarily for the iconic Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 ($22.50). Often featured at Sephora, this lip conditioner, along with the rest of the Sugar Collection, put Fresh on the beauty world's map in 1997. Fresh founders Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg were inspired to use sugar as a natural ingredient in their formulas by childhood memories of their grandmothers using it as a natural antiseptic to heal cuts. As they say, the rest is history. Fresh's Sugar Collection remains a pillar of the brand today. To know Sugar is to love it, but a failure to explore the rest of Fresh is an oversight you need to correct!

Last night, a select group of shoppers and friends had an opportunity to get up close and personal with Fresh at a master class and party at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria. With plenty of wine and food, we feasted while Jawn Marques gave us an overview of Fresh, the company's philosophy, and skin care. He touched on fragrance and color, but Jawn stressed skin care. After all, your skin has to look good for your makeup to look good!

The Fresh candle-lit table was set elegantly for our group of beauty lovers - all of whom sampled as Jawn started with Crème Ancienne, Fresh's couture anti-aging formula, handmade in a monastery, and ended with fragrances, covering all the options (serums, moisturizers, eye creams, masks, you name it) to keep our skin looking fresh and healthy. Toward the end of our party, Alyson O'Brien and others helped our partygoers spruce up for the evening. I love visiting with the Fresh team and appreciate the special effort they made (in rush-hour traffic) to pop down to Virginia to spend the evening with us.

Afterwards, we got Jawn and Alyson set up on Twitter, so make sure to follow them today! They are @Jawn_Fresh and @Alyson_Fresh. I took this photo upstairs after the party - the lighting in the Café wasn't great for photos. Let's show them some love on Twitter!

That's the morning report! I'll have a makeup feature for you in a bit.

Photos courtesy of Fresh; Jawn and Alyson's photo by Best Things in Beauty

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Chantecaille Biodynamic Lifting Serum

Chantecaille's Biodynamic Lifting Serum ($210) has arrived! I have been waiting for this new addition to the Biodynamic Lifting line since Alex Chantecaille described this new serum to me early last December. She gave me an advance "snapshot" of the Biodynamic Lifting Neck Cream, which I now love, and the Biodynamic Lifting Serum. Alex told me about the ingredients of the neck cream and how the serum would share its technology, but with greater concentrations. I bought the neck cream, which I use regularly, and now I have the new serum.

It's too early for me to tell you about the serum's effectiveness. I don't look 10 years younger since Tuesday. I can tell you about the ingredients I'm sure the neck cream and serum share.

• Raspberry stem cells for anti-inflammatory properties and DNA repair, using special technology to make sure all the extract is absorbed into the skin.
• Marsh samphire, a succulent salt-tolerant herbaceous plant that grows in salt marshes and on beaches - the plant grows in a harsh environment and provides its unique self-protective capabilities to the skin
• A hexapeptide for anti-aging properties, one that encourages deep muscle relaxation for a lineless look

Here is what Chantecaille says about the new serum and how it works. The ingredient list reads like a who's who of the plant world. The serum is 88% botanical! It's also paraben-free.

Aging is about the degeneration of collagen. Chantecaille’s Biodynamic Lifting Serum is the newest, most potent collagen builder and collagen protector. Collagen is essential. It lifts, builds density, and smoothes wrinkles. Raspberry stem cells are a fierce collagen protector. They are extremely rich in potent antioxidants and GADD 45, the gene of longevity that repairs DNA damage.

There is a long list of additional active ingredients. Using Chantecaille's information, I'll summarize them for you.

A new BioNymph Tripeptide is the first peptide from a living plant to stimulate collagen renewal. This tripeptide is said to activate DNA repair and reduce DNA fragmentation by 57%. Clinical tests have shown a 25% reduction in crow's feet after 30 days of use (on humans).

A new "Age-Controlling Compex," liposomes of carnosine and lemon balm prevent glycation (remember, sugar is bad for skin cells) and enhance the anti-inflammatory properties of the BioNymph Peptide. Clinical tests showed a significant improvement in firmness and smoothness after four weeks of use.

Intense hydration - immediate and long term - come from hyaluronic acid, marsh samphire extract, and imperata cylindrica extract. Hyaluronic acid helps create a moisture reserve in the skin (nature's sponge) and tighten cellular cohesion, reducing moisture loss from the skin's barrier. Clinical tests showed that 91% of test subjects exhibited more hydrated skin, and 66% experienced a reduction/smoothing of fine lines.

Imperata cylindrica extract leads to intense and long-lasting skin hydration - by 60% immediately, 50% after six hours, and 20% after 24 hours. Marsh samphire extract reduces epidermal water loss by 25%. In vivo tests have shown that moisture levels increased by a factor of six.

As if that weren't enough, the serum restores brightness and skin clarity with panax ginseng extract, which removes toxins and puffiness through better oxygenation. White tea extract is also in the mix. The antioxidant clarifies skin. The EGCG compounds found in high concentrations in white tea stimulate the skin to retain moisture and protect against inflammation.

Chantecaille believes this innovative lifting serum is a major wrinkle fighter - and they are normally right in their conservative claims. The company says the rare, powerful, and patented active ingredients in the serum - which harnesses nature and technology - deliver visible results, minimizing the appearance of lines and maximizing skin tightness and density. The serum will boost the effectiveness of the other products in the Biodynamic Lifting line, which is excellent for all skin types, but particularly great for us dry types.

I have applied Biodynamic Lifting Serum morning and night since it arrived. It has a fabulous, light rosewater scent and lightweight feel on the skin. It absorbs quickly and evenly. The container is small at an ounce (give or take a fraction), and I fear I will use too much of this lovely serum too fast. My skin slurps the first product I apply after cleansing. I always have that problem with expensive serums. Not sure how I'm going to feed all my recent habits.

The serum is dispensed through a medicine bottle-like dropper. Just squeeze the bulb at the top to draw the serum into the "syringe." I squirt it into my palm and apply it to my face from there. Chantecaille advises to use it morning and night, which I have been doing.

I will definitely come back to the serum in a month and let you know how it performed. For now, I'm excited to be one of Chantecaille's early adapters. I love the combination of botanical and technology-driven ingredients, and I believe I'll adore this serum as much as I adore the rest of the Biodynamic Lifting products.

I bought mine online at Chantecaille's Web site. As of early yesterday, it had not yet arrived at Neiman Marcus, but was expected soon.

Photo courtesy of Chantecaille

More about → Chantecaille Biodynamic Lifting Serum

Chantecaille Event at Neiman Marcus with Eddie Hernandez

It's no secret that I'm a Chantecaille groupie. I purchase - and love - everything Chantecaille introduces. I have multiples of many items because so many of them have been placed in my makeup museum. They are such masterpieces, I want to preserve them. I use my Tiger in the Wild Palette ($78) every week, sometimes days in a row. I dream they made it just for me.

I wouldn't miss a Chantecaille event, and yesterday I had the double pleasure of meeting Eddie Hernandez, National Makeup Artist from Chantecaille, and two Best Things in Beauty readers at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria. The day left me over the moon. Now that I'm coming down from my Chantecaille high, I want to share some of the highlights with you.

I made my appointment with Alicia Cortes, the Chantecaille product specialist and a gal you need to know - even if it's over the phone. Alicia is the perfect ambassador for the brand. Alicia and Kathy Shoreman let me know as soon as the event was scheduled, and I made sure my local DC readers knew about it. I heard from one local reader, who e-mailed as Bunny Masseuse. Isn't that adorable? I knew I would like anyone with a "Bunny" screen name. My surprise was that her friend Nancy joined us. What delightful women! They share my passion for the finer things in life - and beauty products. We had a blast (at least I did).

I gave Nancy my appointment with Eddie because she had a time crunch, and Alicia slotted me in a bit later. Fortunately, they had a cancellation from someone who has no idea what she missed. I loved Eddie from the moment I met him. I hear he charmed the whole beauty department staff before the store opened. I'm not surprised. Behind that extraordinary talent for skin care and makeup, there's a warm, effusive, and artistic man - and I hope a new friend.

Eddie is one of those rare makeup artists who wants you to look like yourself, but better. He doesn't set out to paint by numbers, with the latest look or the most recent collection. He has a keen eye for how you look when you sit down and how to make you look better. I watched him work with Nancy and was astounded when he quickly took her casual look from pretty to pretty fabulous. He used the Sea Turtle Palette ($79) for the basics of her look. He did the same with Bunny. I'm not sure they want their real names used, so I'm sticking with first names/nicknames. I have a photo of Bunny I'll show you later in the week. She actually had three makeup sessions that day! There's a woman on my page.

When I sat in Eddie's chair, he asked me what I wanted to do with my own look. I gave him free rein to do whatever he wanted. After watching him work his magic with others, I thought it would be fun to give such a talented artist the opportunity to work with no constraints (well, there are all my flaws, but you know what I mean). Eddie knew by that point that I already own and love all the palettes, so he started playing with color. The results were amazing. All my friends in the department told me I looked "hot." That's not an adjective that's normally applied to me, so I was tickled.

Before Eddie worked his magic, Liliana Niewinski, an aesthetician who works with Chantecaille, prepared my skin with Chantecaille's soothing and effective skin care. It was a pleasure to sit and smell. Eddie was so cute, he started applying Vital Essence ($98), an anti-aging face and eye serum before Liliana had finished. Then, he started with makeup, selecting Future Skin ($68) in Alabaster for my foundation and Bio Lift Concealer ($66) in Ivory. I thought I looked really great before he started with color!

Eddie spent the most time on my eyes. Here are the colors/products he used on me.

• Perle Shine Eye Shade ($28) under my brow
• Rose Gold Iridescent Eye Shade ($28) all over the lid
• Jasper Shine Eye Shade ($28) for definition
• Aqua Iridescent Eye Shade ($28) to line my eyes, over the lashes and on my lower waterline
• Faux Cils Mascara ($38) in black - perhaps the only Chantecaille item I don't have! That must be remedied.
  

You can find all the Chantecaille eye colors at this link. It was the Aqua he used as an eyeliner that added unbelievable pizazz. All of the other shades were drop-dead gorgeous, but he enlivened my eyes with a shade I might not have selected for myself (I'm too conservative). I hate close-up photos of myself, but I included an eye photo; I hope you can see the perfection of his application.

Eddie used the new Poudre de Perle ($55) in Biwa to give my cheeks some color. It's a shade that works for everyone. He lightly dusted Protection Naturalle SPF 46 PA +++ ($70) over my face, and I felt great. I loved the look. He even added a little bronzer to top off the look and soften my square jaw - at my request. I'm not a big fan of my square jawline.

Here we are, posing for the cameras after my session. The first photo was taken with my camera by Bunny. The second taken with Kathy Shoreman's iPhone camera. Perfect photos - I hate close-ups. You'll have to trust that he did an amazing look for my eyes and face.

Eddie travels all the time, so you could have an opportunity to sit in his chair. Take it! You don't want to miss Eddie when he comes to your Chantecaille counter.

Update 6/13: I couldn't resist showing you how Eddie made Kathy Shoreman party-ready Saturday afternoon. Just got her photo. Don't you think she was the envy of the other women at the party that evening?


Photos at top courtesy of Chantecaille; other photos by Best Things in Beauty, except for Kathy's photo, which was probably taken with her iPhone

More about → Chantecaille Event at Neiman Marcus with Eddie Hernandez

RéVive Skin Care - and a Delightful Day at Neiman Marcus

I had a re-introduction to RéVive skin care about a week ago. I planned my Saturday around the treat. It was an enjoyable encounter in every way. Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria invited me to meet and consult with John Wesley Gates, the company's regional sales manager and skin-care guru, and, if that weren't enough, have a complimentary facial.

I call the afternoon with RéVive a re-introduction for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is the company's well-known, dedicated following - one I've recognized for years. I have friends who say RéVive changed their lives - all because the products changed their skin so remarkably. One friend, Carol, started using RéVive many years ago. There are a couple of things you need to know about Carol to put this story in perspective. She's extremely smart, but she's also wisely frugal. She manages her money a lot better than I do! When Carol started using samples provided by RéVive, she noticed an instant improvement in her skin. She started buying and using select RéVive products, and she has never looked back.

More recently, my friend Kathy Shoreman, an aesthetician, went to work at Neiman Marcus. She started using RéVive - and raving about it. Kathy is a skin-care expert, so I took notice - for the second time. I could see the difference in her beautiful skin. I purchased a few products to try and became intensely curious about the whole line. I did a little research - available to everyone online - to find out more about the miracle potions that earn such loyalty.

Who is the genius behind RéVive? Skin care pioneer and noted plastic surgeon Dr. Gregory Bays Brown established a research laboratory to conduct a $2 million study on wound healing. In his research, he discovered a bioengineered molecule called Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) that dramatically accelerated burn and wound healing in test subjects. The defining moment came when Dr. Brown discovered that the EGF molecule was the same molecule that regenerated aging skin. He was convinced that the only way women could get what they really wanted (the healthy skin of their youth) was at the molecular level with EGF. Dr. Brown was immediately inspired to set up a clinical laboratory within the research unit to validate his findings and to pioneer a face cream with this "youth molecule," EGF. Dr. Brown was the first doctor to apply the bioengineered version of EGF into skin care. He wanted to give women an alternative to the knife, today's overused face lift. He launched RéVive to the public in 1997.

Dr. Brown's first cosmeceutical product, the one that started the RéVive revolution and roped in my friend Carol, was RéVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream (shown above). This powerful perfecting cream, which contains EGF, gives all faces the legendary RéVive Glow - quickly. It's a remarkable moisturizer. In addition to his powerful EGF, Dr. Brown has started to incorporate peptides into his products, as they also gain a reputation as effective skin renewal ingredients.

Back to my afternoon at Neiman Marcus... I arrived to a consultation with John Gates, who was welcoming, charming, and impressively knowledgeable. He asked me what I thought about my skin's condition. I told him I was concerned about the "expression lines" around my eyes and my nasolabial folds (those so-called smile lines). After I had my knee replacement, I lost weight (and I was thin before the surgery!). When I lost weight, I lost volume in my face, exacerbating or magnifying to my eye any signs of age I had before the new knee was installed. After I told John what I thought, I turned the tables and asked him to tell me what he saw. He saw the nasolabial folds around my mouth and told me that RéVive had a miracle product for me, Intensité Volumizing Serum. John told me it has a loyal following - it's one of RéVive's cult products. I was ready to try it! First, though, I had to have my fabulous facial.

Nahid Ellini took me to a private room with soothing music, where I was treated to champagne (as if I needed an excuse to relax) before and during my facial. Give me champagne, and I'm putty. Nahid was an expert, telling me about the products she was using - at my prompting. I think she may have used half the line on me, but she knew I was curious about everything. When our time was up, I looked in a mirror and saw a younger, fresher, happier me.

I went back upstairs to chat with John again and work with Anna Befanis, the RéVive Product Specialist, to decide what I would purchase that day. I selected a couple of things. I had already purchased the new Moisturizing Renewal Eye Cream ($130), so I decided to try the Eye Renewal Cream ($110) too. Anna will tell you that you can use the Eye Renewal Cream over, under, and around the eyes, while you should limit the Moisturizing Renewal Eye Cream to your under-eye area. That's what I've been doing.

I also decided to try a few other products that day - all of which I will feature over the next few weeks. I like to use a skin-care product for at least three weeks before I write about it. While our skin cells take longer to completely refresh, I can usually tell if a product is working after three weeks. Stay tuned for many more RéVive features.

I left with samples of Intensité Volumizing Serum ($315) to use as a spot treatment on my nasolabial folds. I've used it morning and night for 10 days. I saw an improvement - my lines are not as deep and noticeable - in only one week! This product is a keeper. It's worth every cent of the $315.

How does it work? According to RéVive, it offers two major types of treatment.

• KGF (Keratinocyte Growth Factor): A potent molecule that improves the skin's appearance after loss of facial volume. Its dynamic activity allows for a "dialogue with the skin" that contributes to the appearance of increased volume after several weeks.
• Antioxidants: A powerful anti-radical defense system that shields against pollution and skin stressors. An added Brightening Complex helps even out skin tone.

Would I recommend Intensité Volumizing Serum? Absolutely! If you want to learn more about the ingredients in RéVive skin care, check out their cleverly titled page Meet the Molecules.

I came home with terrycloth RéVive slippers to continue my pampering, a gift with purchase, and a few extra goodies Anna wanted me to try. Meanwhile, I'm looking younger and younger.

If you want to try RéVive's products, the company is generous with samples. Samples sell the products. You can purchase RéVive skin care at the company's Web site, Neiman Marcus, and Saks. You can find all retail locations at this link. Do your homework. After all, RéVive's motto is Research, Renewal, and Results!

Photos courtesy of RéVive

More about → RéVive Skin Care - and a Delightful Day at Neiman Marcus

AVEENO and Best Things in Beauty Giveaway Contest

Congratulations to Kathy T! She won these wonderful AVEENO sets!

To celebrate Mother's Day, AVEENO and its partner, Recyclebank, are sponsoring an incredible giveaway contest. As I mentioned in a Friday Forum, I joined the AVEENO Ambassadors program for bloggers who care about beauty and the environment. You reap the benefits.

Whether you're a new mom, a seasoned mom, or excited to shower your lovely mom this holiday with appreciation (possibly a bit late since our contest ends Saturday), we know you are ready to celebrate this Mother's Day. AVEENO wants to help with a Mother's Day giveaway!

AVEENO believes that the ingredients found in nature, and proven by science, have the power to help every woman discover the full potential of her own natural beauty. The contest prize is a 2011 Mother's Day Kit starring the AVEENO Positively Ageless Complete Starter Regimen and the AVEENO Baby Eczema Therapy line, perfect for mother and baby!

Each product in the POSITIVELY AGELESS Complete Starter Regimen is specially formulated with the ACTIVE NATURALS Natural Shiitake Complex. A natural antioxidant, Natural Shiitake Complex works with the skin's own natural renewal process and has been shown in scientific studies to provide a broad range of benefits to the skin.

With its unique blend of shiitake and mannentake mushrooms, Natural Shiitake Complex has been shown to provide antioxidant activity to help defend against free radicals that can damage the skin. In a clinical study, when women used the kit as directed, 100% of them showed improvement in their skin in as little as one week.

Eczema is among the top five skin conditions for babies 0 to 36 months of age, with 10% to 20% of all infants experiencing some kind of eczema. I developed it as an adult - and started using baby eczema products! The AVEENO BABY Brand, one of the most preferred brands of infant skin care by pediatricians, has harnessed the naturally soothing power of ACTIVE NATURALS oatmeal to help care for baby's skin with eczema.

Aveeno Baby Care was developed in partnership with leading dermatologists. AVEENO's BABY Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream and BABY Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash have been shown to improve the quality of life for babies with eczema and have been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. In a clinical study, over 90% of babies showed improvement in multiple symptoms of eczema (roughness, dryness, itchiness, or scaling) when used daily.

How would you like to win these sets of products? Pretty cool contest, I think.

How can you enter to win? Easy! Just leave a comment here once. After you comment, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can "earn" a second entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" (without the quotes) and "AVEENO" in your tweet. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point, but you can save me time by telling me you're a follower in your comment). I can't track followers through a third-party service, so you need to be on Google's list for me to verify the entry.

We'd love it if you would sign up on Facebook to be an Active Natural. Check out this link. You'll get valuable coupons when you pledge to take smell steps for big changes in our environment.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, May 7, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends. The winner's prize will be shipped by Recyclebank and AVEENO.

The contest is open to residents of the United States. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of AVEENO and Recyclebank

More about → AVEENO and Best Things in Beauty Giveaway Contest

Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy Specifics Ultimate Eye Cream

Specifics Ultimate Eye Cream ($200) from Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy is formulated to repair damaged skin that no longer has the ability to repair itself due to the aging process or the three most common factors destructive factors: emotional, biological, and physical stress. Specifics Ultimate Eye Cream is said to "work on deep wrinkles to deliver intense hydration and restore the loss of radiance, firmness, and elasticity. Skin around the eye area regains its youthful appearance."

Intended for all skin types, Specifics Ultimate Eye Cream targets the eight major universal eye area concerns: sagging, deep wrinkles, loss of firmness, loss of elasticity, puffiness, dark circles, dryness, and stressed skin around the delicate eye area.

For two weeks, I have been using samples generously provided by Neiman Marcus. The first thing I did was go looking for more information about Ivo Pitanguy. It wasn't hard to find. Here's what I learned from his Web site.

Ivo Helcio Jardim De Campos Pitanguy was born in Brazil. The son of a surgeon, he decided to follow in his father's footsteps, opting to study medicine himself at Rio de Janeiro University. He then began work as a surgeon in the United States before spending some time in Europe, working in France and England. He has set up clinics for burn victims, hand surgery, and plastic surgery.

His products have been developed in accordance with the best cosmetic practices to meet his high standards. Ingredients must have two essential criteria: scientifically proven efficacy and safety. The plants that provide the ingredients must be harvested in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. The formulas contain no coloring and are scented with natural plant essences to minimize risks to sensitive skin and noses. Efficacy and safety studies are carried out under dermatological and ophthalmological control. In short, he takes steps to ensure that his products are effective and in harmony with our skin and the environment.

Specifics Ultimate Eye Cream is the newest addition to his Specifics line. It features a combination of biopeptides and pure gold that wraps the strengthens collagen fibers to "redensify" the skin and fill in deep wrinkles. While I may not have been familiar with his products, the media has been onto them. You can read many magazine reviews at this link.

Wondering how this eye cream works? Here's some information from the Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman Web sites.

Main Actions

• Action 1: Immediately calms, soothes, and relaxes delicate skin around the eye area with a unique trio of plants: candeia, cotton oil, and aloe vera extract
• Action 2: Targets dark circles and puffiness with white lupin extract, a powerful decongestant, anti-water retention agent, and skin firmer
• Action 3: Deep repair on a cellular level, optimizing cellular function and restoring ceramide barrier with duo hyper specialized peptides and ceramide

Secondary Actions

• Pomegranate and vitamin E - powerful antioxidants - fight free radicals and UV rays
• Rose butter nourishes, revitalizes, and moisturizes
• Essential oils: Tolu balsam, neroli, rosewood, and benzion regenerate, soothe, and balance

When I read this description, I was impressed. The cream has many great ingredients, and it's paraben-free. The company recommends that you use it morning and evening.

What do I think after using it for two weeks? I'm still impressed! I can see that it definitely has positive effects on the eye area - above and below the eyes. I think it's firming, which means it does diminish fine lines. In only two weeks, I experienced smoother skin. I can't tell you that it reduces puffiness for me. When I get puffiness around my eyes, it's from sleeping on my head by accident. Normally I sleep with my head raised on multiple pillows, but I can get restless at night and "fall off." A bag of frozen baby peas for 20 minutes will get rid of puffiness faster than any cosmetic remedy. Does it banish dark circles? Pronounced dark circles are often a result of blood vessels close to the skin's surface. They are hard to treat with cosmetics, although brightening creams can help. Correctors and concealers are the best cosmetic remedy. I'm glad I don't normally have dark circles.

Reader Ava also got a sample of this eye cream. Here's what she said in a Friday Forum comment. "The bags and puffiness disappeared overnight. I can't vouch for its ability to banish dark circles; they are only an occasional concern for which I think sufficient sleep and allergy meds are the only solution." Ah yes, allergy medications - aren't we all on them in the DC area, with the pollen count at a season high?

Would I purchase this eye cream? Yes. I'll gulp when I do it, but I'm impressed. I'll gulp only because I have purchased a lot of expensive skin care recently. Why do I keep getting hooked on expensive skin care? Sometimes it works!

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

More about → Beauty by Clinica Ivo Pitanguy Specifics Ultimate Eye Cream

STAGES of BEAUTY Anti-Aging Skin Care Giveaway Contest

STAGES of BEAUTY is committed to keeping our skin looking as young and beautiful as possible. An anti-aging skin-care line, STAGES of BEAUTY is focused on fulfilling all the changing needs of a woman's skin throughout her life, starting in her 20s and moving through the decades into the 50s and beyond. Each line has a treatment cream, cleanser, and scrub.

In our 20s, our skin is besieged by free radical damage (from our hectic lifestyles, sun worshipping, and so much more). Twenty-something women need skincare ingredients like antioxidants to repair the skin and protect it against future damage and premature wrinkles.

In our 30s, the first fine lines and wrinkles begin to emerge, collagen and elastin decrease, and skin tone starts to become dull and more uneven. Skin-care ingredients must address the fact that skin regeneration now takes twice as long.

In our 40s, we face a new foe: thinning skin. Skin in its 40s demands ingredients to improve elasticity, tone, and firmness, as well as ingredients to target signs of photo-aging and sun sensitivity. Those fine lines turn to wrinkles.

In our 50s and beyond, our skin experiences a rapid decline in surface immunity, while the natural moisture barrier degrades, leading to thinner and drier skin. Skin-care ingredients must be hydrating, firming, and reinforcing to battle the effects of our bodies’ changing hormones. Those pesky wrinkles? They seem to become more prominent with each passing year.

To help every age group with targeted skin care, STAGES of BEAUTY offers different products for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50+. I tried the Grace Treatment Cream, a product designed for women who are 50+. I loved it. You can see my feature at this link. This treatment contains effective ingredients in a formula that is kind to sensitive skin and fragrance-free.

STAGES of BEAUTY has generously sponsored this week's giveaway contest. They will provide a complete line of anti-aging skin care products to care for the winner's skin. The lucky winner divulges her age after the contest (or selects the line she wants), and STAGES of BEAUTY will send all three products! I think this is a fabulous offer.

If you want to learn more about STAGES of BEAUTY, head over to the Web site. We've made it super-easy to enter the contest.

Just leave a comment here once. After you comment, feel free to send me an e-mail at bestthingsinbeautycontests@gmail.com and identify your comment. You can never be too careful about sharing an e-mail address you care about on a blog, so feel free to follow this step (an alternative is to code your e-mail, e.g., myname at gmail dot com, in your comment).

You can "earn" a second entry by tweeting this contest. Just make sure to include "@BTiBeauty" and "@StagesofBeauty"(without the quotes) in your tweet. I will tweet the contest this evening, and you can simply retweet it to earn that second entry. You can earn a third entry by following the blog - either here or on Twitter (any entrant who is already a follower will automatically earn the follower point, but you can save me time by telling me you're a follower in your comment). I can't track followers through a third-party service, so you need to be on Google's list for me to verify the entry.

The deadline for entries will be Saturday, April 23, at midnight. The next morning, I will use a random number generator (random.org) to select the winner. I will e-mail the winner at that time. The winner will have 48 hours to reply to my message and provide a shipping address. After 48 hours, the prize will be forfeited, and another winner will be selected. Make sure to check your e-mail - and look in your spam folder - when the contest ends.

The contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Good luck!

Photos courtesy of STAGES of BEAUTY

More about → STAGES of BEAUTY Anti-Aging Skin Care Giveaway Contest

KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream

Recently launched, Kate Somerville's KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream ($195) is a Neiman Marcus exclusive. Multi-Active Repair is a potent anti-aging moisturizer, formulated with a proprietary blend of collagen-building peptides to effectively tighten and lift sagging skin.

• The moisture extracts in the formula immediately repair the skin's lipid barrier to enhance moisture content, providing instant dryness relief and a proven long-term increase in skin hydration levels.
• A combination of volumizers helps to plump up the skin from within for a lifted look while dramatically reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• It's fueled by something called Chromocare to visibly even and rejuvenate the complexion, improving skin uniformity.
• A unique brightening complex adds a healthy, natural radiance for an immediately brighter and even-textured skin tone.

I wish I knew a lot more about it because I love it. I tested it before the last moisturizer I featured, and it's fabulous. What else would you expect from Kate Somerville?

I love everything about this treatment moisturizer: the dispenser (press on the lid, and up pops the cream you will use - protects the rest of the product from contamination); the texture; the lack of any strong fragrance (but what's there is pleasing); the moisturizing effects; and, I hope, the coming of younger-looking skin. I'm ever hopeful. For now, I can tell you that it feels exceptionally nice and is definitely protective.

I have very dry skin most of the year. In the middle of summer, it's only dry. This treatment moisturizer seems like it was made for me. Here are some of the ingredients (yes, I realize they may have "foreign" names). I'm listing them so that you can understand the combination of new skin-care technology and proven botanical ingredients in Multi-Active Repair.

• Glyceryl betaine/polyacrylic acid esters, moisturizing ingredient that provides instant dryness relief and efficiently promotes collagen synthesis
• Diisopropyl dimer dilinoleate, a synthetic ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient
• Ethylhexyl olivate, a natural olive-based emollient
• Olive fruit
• Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, a tripeptide that stimulates the skin to activate collagen biosynthesis, stimulating and strengthening the dermis to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Soybean seed extract
• Blackberry leaf extract
• Sodium hyaluronate
• Grapefruit, orange, lime, bergamot, and ginger oils.

There's more, but I think you'll appreciate this partial list. Multi-Active Repair is packed with good stuff for your skin.

I'm sold, and I've only had it a short time. I wanted to tell you about it as Neiman Marcus InCircle starts. You should look for KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream, along with other Kate Somerville products. This is a good time to buy. There is a Kate Somerville cleanser gift with a purchase of $150.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

More about → KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream

STAGES of BEAUTY Grace Treatment Cream

STAGES of BEAUTY is committed to keeping our skin looking as young and beautiful as possible. An anti-aging skin-care line, STAGES of BEAUTY is focused on fulfilling all the changing needs of a woman's skin throughout her life, starting in her 20s and moving through the decades into the 50s and beyond.

Biological changes happen like clockwork. Many skin-care brands fail to consider age in their formulations. They want you to believe that one size fits all. STAGES of BEAUTY understands that some of us are fighting against more than acne or more than wrinkles. Many other changes are occurring, like increased sun sensitivity (triggering sun spots and spider veins), dulling complexions, and thinning and thirsty skin, just to name a few of the symptoms women experience.

To please every age group, STAGES of BEAUTY offers different products for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50+. Here's why. Isn't a photo worth a thousand words? You can click on the graph to see an enlarged view.

Unfortunately, my age group has the lowest levels of everything - moisture, thickness, collagen, immunity, and the ability to repair itself. Sigh! That's why I jumped at the chance to test the company's products for women who are 50+.

Grace Treatment Cream ($74.99) from STAGES OF BEAUTY is targeted to women in their 50s or beyond. In a word, it's love. It is packed with key ingredients to help give you a beautiful, youthful glow and the best moisturizing and treatment results. As an extra-added benefit, the cream is fragrance-free and formulated for the most sensitive skin. That means no harsh chemicals or irritation, just results that you will love.

What's in it? From the company's Web site, I know it has these ingredients.

Sorghum Extract
Derived from a vegetable extract, it provides immediate skin tightening and helps form a stretching film on the surface of the skin to provide an immediate and durable tightening effect

Amino Acid Complex
A bioactive complex that helps counteract environmental skin damage. Helps stimulate, protect, and repair our skin's DNA. Comprised of:

• Acetyl Tyrosine, which helps speed and promote the repair of free radical damage to the skin's DNA; and
• Adenosine Triphosphate, an energy booster that helps speed up DNA repair reactions and helps stimulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Chinese Botanical Blend
A synergistic blend that has been shown to effectively reinforce the skin's self-protection system against dehydration, oxidative stress, irritation, and degradation of the extra-cellular matrix. It consists of Japanese honeysuckle flowers, Siberian cocklebur fruits, and the purple nuts edge rhizome.

Monk's Pepper Berry Extract
An antioxidant complex shown to help dramatically improve the vitality and appearance of the skin. Specifically, it helps:

• Fight the appearance of all signs of aging;
• Promote a radiant, healthy glow;
• Increase hydratio; and
• Protect the skin from free radical damage.

Resveratrol
A botanical compound and powerful antioxidant found in the skins of red grapes. Many studies on this polyphenol have indicated its potential as an anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and UVB protection. It protects collagen by:

• Inhibiting enzymes that degrade collagen; and
• Supporting existing collagen structures.

Sodium Hyaluronate
A form of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a major component of the extra-cellular matrix of the skin that helps with the retention of moisture. In fact, HA is a sponge, holding many times its weight in water. It is one of the most sought-after hydration ingredients in the industry. With age, naturally-occurring HA decreases, leading to dryer skin. Applying topically, it:

• Reinforces the skin's natural short- and long-term hydration;
• Improves the barrier function of the skin;
• Significantly improves elasticity; and
• Reduces skin roughness and the appearance of wrinkles.

Tetrapeptide-17
Anti-aging peptide that helps stimulate collagen and elastin production. A unique peptide sequence based on the skin's own structure that has shown potential in its ability to counterbalance the degradation of the extra-cellular matrix of the skin as well as its ability to stimulate collagen synthesis.

There's more in the product line: apple stem cell extract (stems cells are the rage in skin care), prickly pear extract, seaweed extract. If you have been paying attention to ingredients, these are being used by a few luxury (read very highly priced) brands in their newest products. It's an all-star line-up.

I am a serial tester, meaning I only test one skin-care product in its category at a time. I have tested Grace Treatment Cream for three weeks - the only moisturizer I've used in that time. That way, I know that any improvement in my skin has been due to Grace. My verdict? I love it! It competes nicely with other moisturizers I have used in the last year, some of which cost many times what Grace costs. During my test period, I have never felt or looked dry, and my skin has been very happy. The medium-weight cream with a glorious texture absorbs quickly. Makeup applies extremely well over it. When I take my morning shower, I can feel the protective application on my skin from the night before; I like that proof that the treatment cream is still working for me. I am seriously happy with the company's refusal to do animal testing. That's the right thing to do.

When you go to the STAGES of BEAUTY Web site, you are going to see that the 50+ products are available, along with the treatment creams for all age groups. The rest of the products are labeled "coming soon." I am pleased to report that the rest of the products will be available next week. I assume the company started with those of us who need the most help!

If you are looking for new skin care, you really should check out STAGES of BEAUTY. The company is devoted to "doing the right thing" for our skin (and the animals), they use state-of-the-art ingredients, and their price points are so competitive, you would be missing a bet by not trying the products for your skin's age. The brand was created by a woman with a degree in chemical and biological engineering from MIT. Passionate about skin care, she saw that few brands actually catered to all of our skin's anti-aging needs throughout life. As they say, it's skin care as dynamic as we are! You have nothing to lose because the company offers a 14-day free trial. Don't take my word for it. Head over to the Web site to learn more. Some of you have told me recently that your skin is in transition. This may be the right line for you.

Photos courtesy of STAGES of BEAUTY

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