I always forget about how much I love SkinMedica’s TNS Recovery Complex until I see this rep for SkinMedica and his incredible skin. I only see him about two times a year and every time I do I pony up the dough for the amazing serum. Then I seem to get my skin looking great but start using other less expensive products in hopes that I will maintain the gorgeous peaches and cream skin that I had just reinstated. Problem is other serums just don’t pack quite the same punch and I end up wishing I would have just stayed on the TNS bandwagon.

Well, now that I’ve finally figured all that out the proverbial plot just thickened! Now SkinMedica has paved the way for even a more incredible TNS concoction by offering TNS Essential Serum. Within one container they’ve placed TNS Recovery Complex and APS Corrective Complex which is a potent mixture of antioxidants, peptides and other anti-aging ingredients.
 
Here are the documented benefits of SkinMedica's Products TNS Essential Serum:

• Nouricel-MD helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and the overall tone and texture of the skin.
• Smoothes and tightens skin.
• Strengthens the skin's natural ability to regenerate itself.
• Fights against environmental damage.
• Brightens and lightens age spots.

This is the new and improved dynamic duo of youthful bliss!

Has anyone tried Colorescience PRO Sheer Crème Foundation? I have it in California Girl and I’m so crazy in love with it. And believe me, I never thought I’d actually hear myself say, I’m in love with a foundation! But this make-up is truly amazing. I’ve read beauty professionals other remarks about it and they say things like “I won’t leave home without this!! And “It’s so very light, yet conceals and covers beautifully!”

Colorescience PRO Sheer Crème Foundation was formerly known as Crème de la Crème Foundation Primer and comes in 8 beautiful colors with adorable names to boot.

There’s a cool rosey Second Skin; A fair with neutral base Light As a Feather; A rich neutral Not Too Deep; A rich golden Girl From Ipanema; A medium neutral All Dolled Up; A deep golden Taste of Honey; A deep neutral Eye of The Tiger; and my favorite a medium-tone warm golden California Girl.

Colorescience products offers this incredible formula that is lightweight yet lifts, shapes and smoothes out the skin’s texture. It’s formulated with “good for your skin” ingredients and leaves your skin looking flawless!

Benefits:
 
Covers uneven skin tone and imperfections.
Sun protection with zinc and titanium dioxide.
Enriched with milk lipids and vitamins F, A, C & E to moisturize and hydrate.
Vitamin F, a source of essential Fatty Acids.
3% vitamin C, normalizes the skin after sun exposure and protects against UV radiation.
Vitamins A & E, enhance and moisturize the skin and fight free radicals.
Enriched with Rose Geranium, Sandalwood and Lavender to soothe the skin.
Red Marine Algae nourishes the skin, balances oily skin and lifts sagging skin.

And if you really want a picture perfect model face…use this foundation in combination with Colorescience Pressed Minerals. Unbelievably, gorgeous!!

Every girl likes to feel extra elegant for that evening out. I tend to feel a bit drab in my typical daytime work attire and so when it’s time to go out to dinner or any kind of special event, I like to kick it up a notch and make the evening that much more special.

My eyelashes are pretty fine and during the day I mainly stick to subtle mascara that gives my lashes an edge but not a dramatic look. However, for an evening event, I like to take it to the next level with Too Faced Lash Injection – Pitch Black. This may be a little too daring for daytime but it really gives me that WOW effect in the evening. I also love the fact that the Too Faced formula is waterproof. I can dance all night with no worries of smudging and running.

Of course I don’t stop with the lashes. Lips are another area where you can really stand out in the evening. Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme helps me achieve that famous Hollywood pout. The effects actually stick around with continued use unlike most plumpers that only deliver for a couple of hours. Pucker up!

I’ve written before about the importance of fragrance.  Scent is a very powerful sense and I have found that it can really add to a special occasion, making an impression on the people around you and sealing positive memories. If you haven’t checked out Vera Wang fragrances, you are missing out. The famous name probably makes everyone think of wedding dresses. When Vera introduced her Vera Wang fragrance, she got a great response. Then came Princess. The Vera Wang Princess Gift Set is a real treat when you’re looking at an evening out. I like to pamper myself with the body polish and body lotion. When it’s time for the fragrance, I know that the scents in my other products won’t compete. The set also contains a smaller size fragrance that I can put in my hand bag.

When it’s time for that special evening out, don’t settle for your mundane daytime routine. Go all out and make yourself feel fabulous!

Lately I’ve been getting quite a few questions and remarks about dry, cracked heels and feet. So today I decided to write about a few products that work best for this condition. Considering the fact that I’ve suffered with dry, cracked heels and feet since I was a little girl (along with my experience in skin care) I know a thing or two about great products specifically for this issue….Especially considering I love cute sling back sandals and you need to sport a really clean and beautiful soft bare heel with those little shoes!

So without further ado…

Glytone Ultra Heel and Elbow Cream
Smoothes and softens with glycolic acid. 5 Star Rated and considered one of the most efficient foot creams on the market.

Bliss Diamancel #11 Tough Buffer
Benefits:
Nickel-coated flexible fiberglass files.
Electroplated with industrial grade diamond chips.
Easily buffs away corns, calluses and other rough spots
Easy and safe to use. Bliss also offers similar pedicure paddles in different levels of buffing and sanding strengths.

Barielle Rejuvenating Foot Cream
Exfoliates and Renews Cell Growth
“A luxurious, light and refreshing massage cream that contains a special blend of botanical extracts, vitamins and essential oils to restore and re-hydrate your feet to its natural softness.”

From Z.Bigatti products you have just got to try Re-Storation Footlights Foot Treatment. It’s on the pricey side but so ridiculously worth it!! I can’t say enough about this product.

Benefits:
Exfoliates to diminish rough, thick skin.
Soothes dry, cracked skin.
Works to shrink and eliminate calluses.
Helps relieve dry, chapped heels.
Helps soften hardened soles.
Stimulates and invigorates tired feet.
Provides intensive moisture with its ultra conditioning formulation.

Z.Bigatti boasts “Soft, sensuous, sexy feet can be yours,” and it is soooo true!

Recently I’ve been getting dozens of questions regarding acai berry. Remember when it was new and was so raved about and was considered one of nature’s super foods and one of the best ingredients in topical skincare as well? Then all of a sudden you didn’t hear as much about it anymore? Well it’s back in a big way…And as well it should be! I never felt as good as I did when I was faithfully taking acai berry supplements and I loved it in my beauty products as well. For that matter there are a few super berries that are so incredible for the health of your skin.

So today I thought I’d list for you some of my favorite articles on the precious little berries! Let’s get it started again. We’ll look and feel great!

http://www.beautyresearch.com/blogs/beauty-research/archive/2008/04/30/anti-aging-latest-must-have.aspx

http://www.beautyresearch.com/blogs/beauty-research/archive/2009/04/08/and-then-along-comes-borba.aspx

http://www.beautyresearch.com/blogs/beauty-research/archive/2009/04/09/three-cheers-for-pomegranate.aspx

http://www.beautyresearch.com/blogs/beauty-research/archive/2009/01/29/coffeeberry.aspx

http://www.beautyresearch.com/blogs/default.aspx?PageIndex=18

• UnWrinkle, 0.5oz
  An exclusive, patent-pending blend of six powerful, highly concentrated, 100% active wrinkle relaxing and anti-aging peptides are combined with vitamins and skin moisturizers to create this wrinkle fighting solution with the highest degree of effective ingredients found in clinical studies.

• UnWrinkle Peel Pads, 20 pads
  These pads are designed to exfoliate the skin for the superior glow of a professional facial peel, while also preparing the skin to allow treatment products to better absorb into the skin. The result is beautiful, clear, radiant, glowing skin.

• UnWrinkle Night, 0.25oz
  This state-of-the-art moisturizer is designed to assist in cellular renewal, repair daily environmental damage, restore moisture and revitalize the skin while you sleep. Retinol helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to normalize sebum production. Leaves skin looking and feeling hydrated, soft, smooth and years younger.

I am amazed year after year about the breakthroughs in skin care technology. It really goes to show just how much demand there is out there for anti-aging results! I realize that some of you out there are interested in more of a gentle, natural approach. However, for those of you who want to be as aggressive as you can be, technology is definitely on your side!

One of my all-time favorite skin care brands is DDF which is really focused on innovative technological advances. My favorite DDF product to come out in the last couple of years is DDF Wrinkle Resist Plus Pore Minimizer. This is a fabulous addition that tackles quite a list of common concerns in one step. It hydrates, exfoliates, minimizes the look of fine lines and reduces the appearance of large pores. That’s a pretty impressive accomplishment. Of course you can’t use this product around the eye area so for that there’s the DDF Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate to help with the problem of wrinkles and puffiness. This is a moisturizing product but it’s quite light and absorbs quickly. Nothing’s worse than a greasy eye cream you can’t use under makeup.

If you really want to step up your anti-aging routine, take advantage of the latest advances and be aggressive. Remember that the earlier you start working to improve your skin condition, the better the results will be.

Imagine a makeup foundation that is weightless, works as a concealor and gives you a flawless complexion. That’s what Cover FX can do for you. Cover FX products offers kits formulated to match any skin tone, conceal most any flaw and it can be used on the most sensitive of skin!

Each Cover FX The Big Cover Up kit comes with a Skin Prep FX Nourishing Foundation Primer and Anti-Aging Serum, a shade appropriate Total Coverage Cream Foundation, a Setting FX Translucent Setting Powder, a #130 Foundation Brush and a comprehensive How To Instructional DVD.

What’s achieved?

• Achieves total coverage of minor to major complexion imperfections.
• Covers complexion concerns such as blemishes, redness, and sun damage.
• Provides products to prime, apply and set your Cover FX cream foundation.
• Provides color trios to enable custom blending of your exact shade.

Specific Kits:

Cover FX The Big Cover Up M (suited for skin tones with yellow or olive under tones)
Cover FX The Big Cover Up E (suited for skin tones with a balance of pink and yellow)
Cover FX The Big Cover Up C (suited for complexions with primary pink undertones)
Cover FX The Big Cover Up B (suited for those with golden brown to ebony skin tones)

These phenomenal kits are $75 yet are a $134 value. You are going to love your face!!!

Daylight saving’s time along with it getting sunny here in southern California has been making me long for the soothing and great smelling benefits of body lotions and creams formulated with coconut. I get so excited for summertime that I’m already indulging in the many uses of the precious fruit (or is it a nut?) of the palm!

Coconut has long been used in beauty products for its amazing repairing and moisturizing properties for the hair and skin. And the scent is delish!

Today I’d like to share with you a few of the coconut products I think are the very best!

Sundari Neem and Coconut Hair Treatment Oil is absolutely amazing for rejuvenating and calming the scalp and for repairing and nourishing the hair. It even encourages hair growth!

Molton Brown offers Molton Brown CoCo de Mer Bath and Shower gel. This amazingly refreshing concoction gently cleanses and leaves you with softer, smoother and a more supple skin.

Last but not least, L’Occitane brings you L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion. The precious coconut oil along with shea butter, natural honey and apricot oil creates the best lotion to nourish, moisturize and protect the skin!

Oh wait…that wasn’t the last statement regarding coconut. The last would be…Don’t forget the pina colada!

There’s nothing more exciting than a new baby on the way. Whether you’re the mommy to be or grandma to be or your best friend is the one expecting the little bundle of joy it’s always so much fun to buy new baby clothes and products.
 
When you buy any skincare or bath products for the fragile skin of baby and mommy make sure you purchase the top of the line quality products. There’s no skin more precious!

One of the best baby skincare brands on the market is Mustela. For over 50 years Mustela of France has been researching and formulating the best skin care products for the delicate skin of babies and children and have developed effective products for the needs of the new mother.
 
Check out Mustela Newborn Set. It is the perfect gift for the new baby in your life!

Kit Includes:
• Foam Shampoo For Newborns, 5.07oz
Prevents and helps cradle cap disappear.

• PhysiObebe, 10oz
A one-step, soap-free gentle cleanser for the face and diaper area. Rinsing not necessary.

• Hydra Bebe Body, 10.1oz
Leaves newborn and baby skin silky-soft and protected.

• Vitamin Barrier Cream, 1.9oz
Prevents early signs of diaper rash and helps reduce irritation.

• Product sample

• Complementary gift

Buying a new beauty tool for me is the equivalent of taking a child to buy a new toy! I get so excited! And particularly so when the tool is the ticket to gorgeous good looks!

I’ve been wanting to share with all of you four of the most amazing and effective beauty tools on the planet.

First from ANSR is the incredible skin rejuvenating ANSR Beam. The Beam’s red light emits wavelengths that stimulate collagen cellular growth while the blue light safely kills bacteria resulting in a dramatic improvement in preventing and controlling blemishes.

This small device can be yours for only $148 and it treats anti-aging and/or acne.

Next you’ve just got to pick up a couple of packs of Ole Henriksen Complexion Sponges. You get a two-pack for only 6 bucks and they work amazingly well. Wait till you use them with your favorite scrub! Oh so clean, clarified and fresh-faced!

Lastly, I give you GlowFusions fantastic Glowfusion Air Glow Gun. Achieve an amazing, flawless gorgeous tan right in your own home. No more going to the parlor to get those spray on tans. This works just as well. And it’s only $175! You will sport a sexy, gorgeous new glow with just a “ready, aim…glow!”

For as long as I can remember precious cocoa butter and cocoa extracts have been a mainstay in soothing skincare. Often found in body lotions and creams because of its soothing and moisturizing properties it can also be found in many products you may not even think of. Today I thought I’d share with you a few of my favorites!

From Nuxe products I’m extremely impressed with Nuxe Aroma Vaillance Moisturizing Deep Wrinkle Emulsion Normal and Combination. It’s nice because it is formulated so that even those with combination skin can use this highly effective wrinkle treatment.

Next I’m crazy about Janson Beckett Beautifull Lips Lip Plumper. It’s an incredible lip plumper that also soothes and nourishes your lips. You’re left with big, healthy and soft lips!

For mom’s to be you’ve just got to check out all the incredible products from Belli! Along with precious cocoa, Belli Elasticity Belly Oil also incorporates lavender, sweet almond oil, vitamin E and Gotu Kola extract. The oil soothes and calms the senses, nourishes and moisturizes and helps protect against stretch marks!

Lastly, my all time favorite cocoa product is from Melvita! Melvita Apicosma Fondant Body Balm! It’s rich and creamy and adds amazing shea butter to repair and hydrate the skin. After use, my skin feels unbelievably soft, nourished and invigorated.

It’s probably pretty obvious that Gina and I are crazy about Bare Minerals considering how often we write about it. But there’s good reason to be crazy about it.

It’s easy to use.
It imparts a flawless complexion.
The colors are amazing.
It’s good for your skin.

And it makes you look gorgeous!

I just stumbled upon a new kit on that is so fresh and perfect for spring. Bare Minerals products offers BareMinerals Face Fashion The Look of Now Fab Fresh. The kit includes Lilac Vibe Eyecolor, Blushing Bronze Eyecolor, Wild Jungle Liner Shadow, Azalea Blush, and a Mini 100% Natural Lipgloss in Strawberry Shortcake. The whole kit is only 34 dollars and is a $53.50 value! I’d pay a hundred bucks for this new great color Bare Mineral’s kit for spring…but I’m very happy it’s only 34 bucks!

Very cheeky!!

Hey guys…yesterday I wrote to the girls about the perks of purchasing gift sets when buying perfumes and other fragrant beauty products and listed three incredible gift packages for them to check out.

So today I thought I’d do the same for you. You’ll find that when purchased as a gift set you’ll get an incredible value and oftentimes a few freebies to boot. I chose three designer fragrances that we women love to smell on our men.

From Kenneth Cole check out the distinguished Kenneth Cole Black Gift Set. At only 72 bucks ($136 value) see what’s included:
• Kenneth Cole Black Eau de Toilette, 3.4 oz
• Kenneth Cole Black, travel size
• Kenneth Cole After Black Shave Gel
• Kenneth Cole Black deodorant

Next see what Calvin Klein has in store for the free spirited man with the incredible smelling CK Free for Men Gift Set. At only 65 dollars ($100 value) you get the following:
• CK Free Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 oz
• CK Free After Shave Balm, 3.4 oz
• Ck Free Body Wash, 3.4 oz

And lastly, Marc Jacobs fragrance hooks you up with the amazing warm and sensual scent of Marc Jacobs Men’s Gift Set. It’s an incredible value at $78 (a whopping $152 value) and it includes these luxorious products:
• Marc Jacobs Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 oz
• Marc Jacobs Men After Shave Gel, 3.4 oz
• Marc Jacobs Men Deodorant, 2.7 oz

You really ought to treat yourself (and us!) because you deserve it!

When purchasing a fragrance one of the best ways to go is to buy a gift set. You get a better value and you usually get a lotion or other item that matches the fragrance in the parfum. This not only gives you the option to wear the fragrance alone (while using just the lotion) for a lighter desired scent or layer the two for an amazing all over scent without the clashing of two different fragrances. One being the perfume itself while the other being whatever the lotion was scented with.

Also, in addition to the better bargain and wearability factors I mentioned, oftentimes you get a free gift such as a purse size cologne or a great bag! So all in all…fragrance gift sets are the only way to fly!

Check out the values of these incredible, delectable fragrance sets below!

Sarah Jessica Parker’s amazing Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely Gift Set.

Priced right at 74 dollars ($109 value) it comes with a 3.4 oz Lovely Eau de Parfum Spray and a 6.7 oz Lovely Soft Body Lotion. And for your purse…they’ve thrown in a Lovely Eau de Parfum Rollerball!

Next at just 68 dollars ($92 value) you’ve got to try Vera Wang’s incredible Vera Wang Princess deluxe value set. There are four great Vera Wang scented items in this set.
• Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette Spray, 1.7oz
• Vera Wang Princess Satiny Body Lotion, 2.5oz
• Vera Wang Princess Foamy Body Polish, 2.5oz
• Vera Wang Princess Deluxe Mini Eau de Parfum

Lastly I had to share with you the incredible set from Marc Jacobs. At only 95 dollars you’re getting a $165 value! And besides the fact that the scent is absolutely gorgeous…the free signature tote bag is so cute!
Marc Jacobs Gift Set Includes:
• Marc Jacobs Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz
• Marc Jacobs Body Lotion, 5 oz
• Marc Jacobs Rollerball Parfum
• Marc Jacobs Signature Tote Bag