I think the one thing we all can agree on is that Oprah knows her stuff! If you’re like me you love to hear about her “favorite things.” When she added the Clarisonic cleansing device to her favorites list I had to completely concur. Have any of you tried that? I’ve written about it before a few times but it deserves repeating. If you want the cleanest most radiant skin on the planet you need to use this product. And I’m not the only one who feels this way because dermatologists love it, as do many skin care therapists in this competitive beauty industry.

The Clarisonic technology uses two brushes (an inner and outer one that work synergistically) and has been proven to clean the skin two times more effectively than washing your face by hand. Yet it’s gentle enough to use twice daily and by anyone with any type of skin.

Benefits include:

• Softer, smoother, glowing skin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Reduction in oily skin and blemishes
• Reduction in dry patches
• Minimizes pore size
• Removes debris from pores
• Suitable for use with any non-abrasive cleanser
• 6X more effective in makeup removal
• Better absorption of treatment products

The initial cost is a tad pricey but well worth it. Additionally in the long run you will actually save money as you use less product and will have increased benefits from your specialty creams and serums as the skin will accept the products more readily.

Take it from me (or Oprah!); this little baby is a must-have!

Special Note: If you choose the Pink Clarisonic the company will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation. For more products that donate to breast cancer awareness and research click on  "shop pink." Every product on this page works extremely well, donates to the cause, and are really cute to boot!

I just discovered concealer! Seriously, I never really understood why every woman I know always has two or three concealors in their make-up drawer. I spent the night with some friends the other night because it was snowing up by my house and I didn't feel like driving in it. The next day I had no clothes or makeup other than what I had worn to their house earlier the day before. I had to put my contacts back in my eyes with her daughter's saline she bought to take care of a previously pierced belly button! My girlfriend told me I was welcome to take a shower and use any of her skincare, cosmetics, lotions and potions she had in her drawer. Along with rescuing me with the surrogate contact solution, her daughter also brought me some clean clothes to wear, and her favorite shampoo and conditioner to use as well.

After my shower I rummaged through her drawers and found the toiletries and put on the cute little Juicy Couture sweatpants outfit that her daughter had loaned me. Next I thought I'd take Melanie up on her invitation to use her makeup collection. I spied her Colorescience Minerals makeup which I had used many times and loved and knew I could mix a few colors to get the right match. I noticed the late night before brought on some nasty dark circles so when I stumbled across her concealor I thought, hmmm...perfect time to try it. It was called Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer and the name speaks volumes. I had never turned out looking that good before. And that wasn't even my own house much less my own makeup! When I got home my nephew was visiting my sister, and later she told me that he said, "Mom, I've never seen Aunt Karen look so good!" Of course he had no idea it was a simple little fix that made my skin look even toned and so porcelain like. Apparently all he noticed before were my dark circles and age spots! I also had been getting some broken capillaries around my nose and they completely vanished with this incredible product.

From now on, I'm snooping through all my friends makeup cases. It's truly "Amazing" what you might find!

I have finally found the best neck cream! I’ve been trying neck creams over the last decade but usually without much success in terms of significant change. I would say out of ten different products I’ve been happy with maybe two or three. However, now I can say I’m not only happy but ecstatic with my latest find. I have only recently started using StriVectin Neck Cream and already my neck appears firm and smooth. The skin itself is tighter and the skin tone looks much more even. I’ve always been a tad skeptical about neck creams because it just seems as though the creams would have to be so viscous with some sort of non-toxic glue in order for the vertical loose skin to defy gravity. However, I’m pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong.

All StriVectin products are extremely popular but for me the best one by far is StriVectin Neck Cream. Unless I’m sitting outside at a freezing football game you will no longer see a scarf on me!

Have you ever wondered if the products and brands sold by exclusive spas are any better than what we find daily at upscale department stores or online from cosmeceutical websites? I know I have. I have finally found an upscale spa brand that truly is worth the cost.  Up until now I’ve always been a little leery of spa lines until I used one that uses excellence in formulation and quality ingredients rather than spending copious amounts of money in packaging and marketing.  This time I’ve found a dream come true spa line that I absolutely love and feel it’s well worth the cost.

It’s a brand called Elemis. Have any of you heard of it or used it before? I’ve tried a couple of products and have to say I’m impressed to say the least.  It’s a luxurious British spa line that has a huge following. It combines natural ingredients with cutting edge technology that is a match incomparable in this industry.

I have a couple of Elemis products I want to share with you. Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules are unsurpassed in repairing aging, sun-damaged skin. Another product that I will never be without is Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream. Lastly the single best product on the universe (in my opinion) has got to be Elemis Frangipani Moisture Melt. It is a must-have for excessively dry skin, hair and nails. Yes…it is used from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. You’ll find all uses will miraculously transform your skin, hair, hands and feet into the most gorgeous soft touchable state you’ve had since you were a baby.

For more information about Elemis check out “About Elemis” at SkinStore.com. Also available at SkinStore is a great gift set in which you can try 5 of their best products at a discounted price. It’s one of the best kits for anti-aging I’ve ever come across. It’s called Elemis Divine Beauty Set.

Natural Skincare

As I’m sure you have noticed industry after industry has become environmentally aware and offer many products that are conscientious to our health, local environment, as well as the protection and preservation of this place we habitat called Earth. The recent boom in being “green” is not only favorable to our well-being but hugely popular as well. It should be no surprise that the multi-billion dollar beauty industry has followed suit.

I’m surprised it took so long for us to take note that what we put on our skin (which we all know is our body’s largest organ) can affect our health as well. When something is applied topically it doesn’t mean that it can never be absorbed systemically. Additionally, when many beauty products are manufactured they may also contaminate the environment during formulation and sometimes may not be animal cruelty free.

The best website I’ve found for offering an array of “natural” brands is SkinStore.com. If you’re interested in taking a look at what products these manufacturers offer visit www.skinstore.com and simply click on “show all brands.” When you get to the brand page you will find that the most natural brands will have a green leaf icon. Another avenue to navigate their website is to look under Departments and click on the word “natural.” The website is easy to use, has competitive pricing and special offers, education and advice, as well as hundreds of the best skincare and cosmetic brands available to date.

We here in the United States love a quick fix. We want the product to somewhat burn (for instance) so we can feel it working. We like products that work quickly by way of deeply peeling our face or using toxic products such as hydroquinone (an ingredient illegal in many countries) to lighten darkened age spot. In other countries, oftentimes you’ll find they use more of a homeopathic or aroma therapeutic effect.  The results are slower acting (in some instances) however you’ll notice their skin is gorgeous and healthy. A testament to having patience in achieving beautiful, luminous skin.

My favorites are brands that incorporate botanicals and herbal ingredients while keeping harsh chemicals to a minimum. I’ve noticed great improvement in my skin when I use certain natural botanicals that are beneficial to my skin type. For instance, Jurlique uses herbal botanicals such as calendula extract, blue algae, ginseng root, rosehip and avocado oils just to name a few. In addition, the Julique products I use are all paraben free.

Another favorite for body products are by a company called Whish. They use organic ingredients in their irresistible line and have a gift set I must have! It’s called Three Whishes Gift Set. It’s a trio of body products that use aloe, raspberry butter, shea butter and pomegranate. All effective and delightful organic ingredients to refresh and revitalize your skin luxuriously.

Lastly for anti-aging in the “natural” genre. I choose Bieux Skin BioNaturals. It’s everything you would expect in a “natural” line but every bit as effective as a “non-natural” brand. In fact, for immediate and on-going lift and firmness my favorite product by far is Bieux Skin BioNaturals Power Lift and Repair Serum. You will have the most youthful and radiant skin you could ever dream of and all with a completely natural line.

If you want to look absolutely gorgeous…Go green!

One of the things that I love about the holiday season is all of the luxurious fragrances out there. I’m not sure if it’s the scents themselves that I like so much or all of the glamorous packaging and advertising that go along with the products. I have to admit that I’m a real sucker when it comes to a beautiful gift box!

This year Calvin Klein has several gift sets that are absolutely gorgeous. These sets have a body lotion with the same scent as the fragrance. In some cases there’s a mini spray that fits nicely in a hand bag. Calvin thinks of everything! What woman would not want to be pampered with a luxurious gift box filled with fragrant goodies?

Then there are the Harajuku Lovers. Sure, the fragrances are wonderful but I have to say, it’s the packaging that will really steal your heart. Each fragrance is represented by a Japanese girl from Harajuku, Tokyo. The characters are inspired by Gwen Stefani’s albums and they are absolutely irresistible.

Of course Gwen didn’t stop with Japanese characters. She has also launched L.A.M.B., her signature fragrance. The colorful packaging is as cool as the fragrance.

For those of you who are all about glamour and luxury around the holidays, check out the fragrances out there. Let me know about what else is out there. Some of you may have visions of sugar plums but I’m dreaming about fragrant gift boxes!

All my daughter's friends are always asking about spot treatments for blemishes. I decided once and for all to make a list. I took the following criteria into account on choosing my top five.

• Effectiveness
• Customer Ratings
• Price
• Look when applied
• Speed in which it works

1. SensiClear Blemish Free Acne Spot Treatment
2. Ole Henriksen Roll On Blemish Attack
3. Clean and Clear Acne Spot Treatment
4. pH Advantage Acne Treatment AM/PM Spot Treatment
5. MD Skincare Correct and Perfect Spot Treatment

Bye bye blemishes!

Well I found it. The present of my dreams. Now, the question is “who is going to buy it for me?” And would I really want somebody to spend over four hundred bucks on me? I realized quickly that of course I wouldn’t. So that meant only one thing. I had to buy it for myself.

If you’re looking for the best gift ever for someone special (who loves gorgeous skin and skincare), this is one gift I think he or she will love. I know there are people out there who will spend that kind of money on a present because my best friend’s husband always drops at least five bills on his wife (it‘s butt kissing for golfing all year). And as luck would have it (well for her anyway!) he asked me what he should give her this year. I being the great friend I am decided to share this incredible secret weapon with my BFF by telling him to get her exactly what I bought for myself. It’s called Baby Quasar Red. My friend owes me big time! I practically deserve her first born child. She hasn’t opened it yet but I can’t wait for her to try it. Then when she gets a gander of mine, she’ll keep her paws off it cause she‘ll have her own! So much for my unselfishness.

Check this little tool out. It uses SequePulse technology with four wavelengths of red and infrared light. Until recently Quasar only sold their light therapy devices to doctor’s offices and day spas. However, this little appliance may be purchased and used at home with the same strength and technology as the devices you normally would only be able to benefit from when you visited your skin care professional.

Since I’ve been using it I’ve noticed a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and it has minimized the size of my enlarged pores. It accomplishes this by stimulating the production of collagen.  I’ve also noticed improvement in tone and color as well as elasticity. It doesn’t hurt, it may be used on all skin types and skin tones, and is dermatologist recommended.

Do I know a good gift or do I know a good gift?!?

Has anyone tried DDF Mesojection Healthy Cell Serum? I was attracted to it because of the name (I'm a marketing department's dream customer!) so I checked into it. Then I read dozens of fabulous customer ratings about it and was very impressed. I decided to give it a try and I was even more impressed. This product by DDF Doctors Dermatologic Formula does exactly what it says it does. My skin has never been so soft and smooth. And the way it refines lines is absolutely amazing. One of the customer ratings I read said "I had to take a double take in the mirror…my lines were almost barely visible!"

I noticed in the product description on the website I was looking at it said something I had never seen before. It read, "ideal for all skin concerns," and I thought wow what a huge claim. That's just crazy. But you know what…it really did cover my concerns. Sun damage, lines and wrinkles, poor texture, and sagging neck and skin are some of the issues I deal with and it really worked on those problems.

The customer ratings were 5 stars and I have to say I concur!

Want an anti-aging skincare line that is paraben-free, silicone-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free? Have I ever found one for you! Not only does it boast the fore-mentioned attributes it is also great for all skin types including sun damaged skin, acne-prone, rosacea-prone and highly sensitive skin. I suppose it makes sense that it's a great line for sensitive skin considering its fragrance, silicone and paraben free.

But the best part? It works and works well! I'm in love with the Bieux Skin BioNaturals Power Lift and Repair Serum. I get an immediate lift as well as cumulative results. My other favorite Bieux Skin BioNaturals product is their eye cream. At about sixty bucks Bieux Skin BioNaturals Advanced Eye Treatment Cream is a natural eye cream that reduces under eye circles, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles while moisturizes luxuriously. My eyes look incredible when I apply the eye cream after the Power Lift and Repair Serum. The two products together give me the same gorgeous eye popping and lifting results I feel when my Botox kicks in! Sayonara painful needles and expensive medical spas!