Thank You!

I can’t figure out why, but I’ve always had a really hard time keeping the skin around my cuticles looking well-cared-for. And it seems that every year they get even dryer and more difficult to maintain. A couple of days ago, I noticed that I hadn’t broken open the package of Eight Hour Cream that Elizabeth Arden sent me a while ago, and decided to give it a try. I’ve been using it nightly as a hand and cuticle softener and it really has helped heal my dry skin better than anything I’ve tried lately. It soothes the irritation, and the Elizabeth Arden website claims that it even has anti-inflamitory properties, which became evident when it was applied to the chafing caused by the sequined hot-pants I wore on the 4th (ouch!). The medicinal smell might put some people off, but for me that’s only part of it’s old-school appeal. It works on lips too. Every product, including this one should be spot tested for sensitivities. Widely available. $17.

A few days ago the people at Leonor Greyl sent over some products for me to try. I’m still working through them, but I instantly fell in love with this rich, decadently scented, multi-purpose oil. According to the “directions for use” on the back of the bottle, the product can be used on face and body for after-sun, to soothe after hair removal, or as a makeup remover and facial oil. When I first inhaled it’s delicious scent, I immediately pictured myself walking the beach at dusk on an exotic equatorial island, skin tanned and glowing, a white flower in my slicked back hair. Yes, its that amazing. A tiny bit leaves your skin silky-smooth, and the scent lasts for hours. All products, including this one, should be spot tested for sensitivities. $47. Click here and scroll down to the bottom for Leonor Greyl Salons and where to buy online.

I’m still going through the Elizabeth Arden products I received last week, and one of the things they sent me is their Ceramide Plump Perfect Lipstick. Two of the colors I tried were just so-so, so I reluctantly tried the third, Perfect Scarlett, which didn’t look too exciting in the tube. Boy, was it FABULOUS when I applied it to my lips. Super-light, silky texture, and rich beautiful color that miraculously never feathered beyond the lip line throughout all of yesterday evening’s party (and I drank two glasses of Prosecco and ate many yummy hors d’oeuvres). It might even drag me away from my beloved YSL Rouge Volupte #17. Now, I know a pure red lipstick is more of a “Fall/Winter” color, but I love my reds. I could write an entire blog just about red lipstick because I love it so much. Let’s face it, its a classic. A weapon of mass destruction. It also happened to work beautifully with the white silk trousers and black boy-beater that I wore with some vintage nineteen-seventies carved cinnabar bracelets I stole borrowed from my mom. I’ll save this summer’s citrus colored lips for another occasion. All products, including this one, should be spot tested for sensitivities. $21.50.

Elizabeth Arden sent me over a few things to try last week, and I’ve been pretty impressed with these Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules. I particularly like them when I’m getting ready to go out in the morning. I’m usually skeptical about serums that make a lot of claims about lifting and firming, but all I can say is that I love the way my skin looks when I use this. It leaves a lovely gleam on the skin, and besides a little concealer and maybe a touch of bronzer, its a great base for a natural day look. The Elizabeth Arden website says that its for use under moisturizer, which I would recommend at night, but in the morning, on my skin, it seems to be all I need in the hot humid summer weather. Very dry skins might want to apply a day cream on top. Also, for a high-performing serum, the price is reasonable. All products, including this one, should be spot tested for sensitivities. Widely available. $68.

I’m also absolutely crazy about their Pure Finish Mineral Tinted Moisturizer. Its a little lighter and has less coverage than the Cosmedicine Honest Face that I love so much, but the color and texture are truly exceptional, and perfect for someone who favors sheer coverage. There are four shades: Fair, Light, Medium and Deep. All products, including this one, should be spot tested for sensitivities. SPF 15. Widely available. $30.

The people at Kanebo Cosmetics sent me over some of their Sensai Bronzing Powder today. I’ve found most bronzers to be a little artificial looking, but this one was a pleasant surprise. In fact, it far outshines (no pun intended) any bronzer I’ve used before. The texture is silky and super-fine, and has just the right amount of subtle shimmer, imparting a truly sun-kissed glow. I used it today over my bare skin and a little concealer, and it was all I needed to feel gorgeous all day. A little pricey, but worth every penny. It comes in two beautiful shades: Natural Tan, suitable for light to medium skin tones and Deep Tan for medium to deeper tones. All products, including this one, should be spot tested for sensitivities. Available at Bergdorf Goodman. $45.

I learned about Weleda’s Skin Food from a fourteen-year-old French-canadian model during a photo shoot last year. Its fairly rich in texture and leaves a beautiful gleam on the skin. It also smells intensely of, to my nose, what must be bergamot and maybe a few other essential oils. All I know is that when I use it on a client, everyone else in the room is drawn toward the heavenly smell. Buy it if you can find it.  I’ve seen it at The Cure Shop, but call beforehand. Also available online at Weleda’s website. All products, including this one, should be spot tested for sensitivities. $17.50.