Skin Care 101: Acne-Prone Skin

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

Acne prone skin isn't just for teenagers. No matter how old you are, acne flare ups can be painful and can make you feel less than beautiful. There are thousands of anti-acne products on the market. Here are some tips in treating your skin.

1. Wash your face morning and night. Look for products that are specific for fighting acne. Cleansers containing 2% salicylic acid will keep your pores clear.
2. Treat your skin. After washing, let your skin dry completely. Then apply a salicylic acid treatment to your entire face once a day.
3. Moisturize...even though you think you shouldn't. Be sure to use a moisturizer that is labeled as "non-comedogenic"--this means it won't clog your pores. And since anti-acne treatments cause sun sensitivity, be sure to use products containing at least SPF 30. Every day.
4. Treat zits at night. Products with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide will reduce acne causing bacterias. Don't do crazy things like dotting toothpaste on your pimples--that won't help. Instead use products designed to zap your zits.
5. Avoid abrasive products. Grainy exfoliators can rupture your pimples which may make them last longer. This can also lead to some scarring. Instead, use a mask with sulfur once a week to soften skin and shrink your pimples or use a more gentle exfoliant.
   
6. Use the right kinds of makeup. Look for foundations and other cosmetics that are non-comedogenic. Mineral makeups are especially good.
7. Don't pick your zits! Again, doing so could lead to scarring and further infection.
8. See a doctor if your acne is very bad or not easily treated. There are plenty of prescription products (like Retin-A) that can help you.
9. Be sun safe. See #3 for why.

Products to try:

• Benefit Boo Boo Zap!, $20 (targeted zip-zapper that is gentle enough to use during the day)
• Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System, $32.50 (starter kit with cleanser, gentle exfoliator, and moisturizer, all designed to fight acne)
• Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin Intensive Skin Correcting Sulfur Mask with Phytosphingosine, $45
• Bare Escentuals Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy, $28 (contains sulfur and helps heal, seal, and prevent blemishes)

Skin Care 101: Sensitive Skin

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

Thankfully, I do not have sensitive skin. If I did, it would cut down the number of products I could try out for you all! But if you have sensitive skin, trying new products--or just finding products that don't irritate your skin--can be frustrating. Here are some tips:

1. Read labels carefully. You'll want to avoid products containing an over abundance of chemicals. Look for products that are "fragrance free" whenever possible.
   
2. Test before you buy (if possible. If not, save your receipts!). If you have sensitive skin, you'll need to learn how to do a skin patch test. Apply a small amount of product on your arm or neck--some place not too noticeable. If a reaction occurs, don't use that product.
   
3. Wash and moisturize with care. Like dry skin sufferers, don't use a bar soap on your face. Instead, try a gentle creamy cleanser. Follow up with a moisturizer designed for sensitive skin.
4. You can still prevent aging. There are anti-aging products on the market for sensitive skin. You'll probably want to avoid retinols and opt for kinetin or Matrixyl (a peptide) which is must more gentle.
5. Combat redness and inflamed skin. If redness and inflammation are a problem. use 1% hydrocortisone cream twice a day. If any product causes redness, stop using it immediately. And if redness and irritation are especially troublesome, see a dermatologist.
6. Use sunscreen and be sun safe--but be sure that your sun blocking products contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide--they're less irritating than other sunscreen ingredients.

Here are some products to consider:

• Philosophy Purity Made Simple, $10-$40. (My favorite creamy cleanser--gentle, soothing, and effective)
• Cetaphil Daily Fragrance-Free Moisturizer, $11.50 (dermatologist recommended)
• Philosophy Makeup Optional Kit for Dry/Sensitive Skin, $78 (everything you need in one box--cleanser, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and peel)

Tomorrow: Acne-Prone Skin

Skin Care 101: Oily Skin

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

Oily skin means shiny slick spots. And to combat it, products are often even more irritating since they strip away all the good oils you need in your skin. When it comes to taking care of oily skin, you need to find a balanced regime and be gentle!

1. Use the right face wash. Try to find something that contains 2% salicylic acid. When the weather changes and winter comes, focus the salicylic acid cleanser on your oilier spots only (like your forehead, nose, and chin), and use something milder on your cheeks.
2. Keep your T-Zone shine free. Avoid any toners or products containing alcohol, but feel free to use an alcohol-free salicylic acid containing toner on your t-zone only. Apply it with a cotton ball only where you have oil issues.
3. Don't skin the moisturizer. It may seem weird to apply moisturizer to already greasy skin, but just because your skin is oily doesn't mean you can forgo hydration. You'll want to use a very lightweight moisturizer or a matte or oil-control face primer to keep your shininess at bay.
4. Go easy. You may be tempted to exfoliate a lot or use harsh products, but doing so won't make your oily skin any better. If you want to give yourself a face treatment, try for a mask with salicylic acid and use it once a week. For a special treat, try an at-home peel with glycolic acid once a week (not the same day as the salicylic acid mask, of course!).
5. Wear your sun screen! Every day. No matter what.
   

Some products to consider:

• DDF Salicylic Wash, $35 (therapeutic but mild facial cleanser)
• Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel with Pump, $24 (oil-free, light-weight moisturizer)
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner, $7.50

Up tomorrow: Sensitive Skin

Skin Care 101: Dry Skin

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

Dry skin sucks. Even though I would say that I mostly have combination skin, I do get patches of dry skin on my face and body and I hate it. It feels tight, it's all flaky, and it's makes makeup application interesting. Here are some ways to combat dreaded flaky dry skin:

1. Wash your face twice daily, but with care. Avoid bar soaps (they only seem to suck the moisture out of your skin along with the dirt and makeup) and opt instead for a creamy cleanser that contains moisturizing agents like Vitamin E.
   
2. Exfoliate at least once a week. There are plenty of products on the market designed to gently exfoliate your skin while cleansing. Just don't be too aggressive with your exfoliation. You want to slough off some of the dead flaky skin, not rub til you're raw!
3. Try a weekly peel. Using a peel with lactic acid once a week will help keep your dry skin from looking dull. Be careful to avoid glycolic acid and salicylic acid--both of which may only aggravate your dry skin.
   
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! If your skin feels really tight, try a thicker cream. To better lock in moisture, apply your moisturizer when your skin is slightly damp. And be sure to look for products like dimethicone, shea butter, glycerine, or hyaluronic acid. If you want to keep wrinkles at bay while moisturizing, try a product with retinol, but only use it a few times a week (retinol can make drying worse if you use it ever day). If retinols give you a hard time, go for a cream with kinetin or Matrixyl.
5. For all skin types (and yes, I am going to say this each and every day this week): be sure to wear sunscreen and be sun safe.

Here are some products to consider:

• Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, $10.50 (contains lactic acid)
• Kinerase Photofacials Sun Damage Reversal System Introductory Kit, $100 (contains a cleanser, day cream with SPF 50, and night cream with Matrixyl)
• Regenerist Night Recovery Cream by Olay, $20 (contains peptides and other good for you products!)

Tomorrow: Oily Skin

Beauty Product of the Week: Skin Brightening Cleanser

What is it? Boots Botanics Skin Brightening Cleanser is a "cleanser for more radiant skin. Cleansing your face daily is the perfect opportunity to encourage cell renewal for a brighter complexion. This gentle cream not only melts away daily grime and makeup, it also helps reveal soft, radiant and healthy looking skin." Available at Target for about $7 (or less!).

What did you think? I bought this product because I was out of Purity Made Simple (from Philosophy) and needed a face wash. Since I normally really like Boots products and because I was already at Target, I picked up this cleanser.

Big mistake.

First off, I didn't use it correctly. I used it like I would a normal face wash. That is, I wet my face, pumped some product into my hand and rubbed it into my skin. I washed it off and was done. Then I read the back and learned I was supposed to "sweep (the product) over face and neck...using cotton wool. Wipe off gently." What? What the hell does that mean?

I like my skin cleanser to feel good on my skin...to gently remove dirt and makeup in a way that feels good. This did not feel good, not even when I used it correctly. And I don't think the cleanser did that good of a job cleaning. Or brightening. It was just blah all the way around.

The final verdict? Sometimes, being cheap ends up costing you more. And that's exactly what's happened here. I didn't feel like forking over the big bucks for my favorite face wash, and I went with this clunker instead. Now I have a product I'm not happy with and I still need to go out and get my Purity Made Simple. Grrr!

Trick and Treat!

Halloween is creeping up on us and if you're planning on getting dressed up for the occasion, it's probably time to start planning out your costume. This Halloween is my sixth wedding anniversary (yes, I was a bride on Halloween back in '03...and yes, I did, in fact, wear black!) and I haven't dressed up to celebrate the day in a while.

This year, I am going to help my nephew transform into a zombie hockey player. Zombies seem to be all the rage here in the PacNW. The zombie apocalypse is a-coming!

If you need a little inspiration for your Halloween costume or hints on how to do your Halloween makeup, here are a few sites to check out:

• Any Time Costumes
  
• Halloween Online Magazine
• All Hallow's Eve
  
• Makeup Mania
• Ghoul Skool
• Zombie Makeup, 1
• Zombie Makeup, 2
• Zombie Makeup, 3
  

And for all of you who come to my site in search of how to apply makeup like the members of the rock band, KISS, click over to this site to see the evolution of their Kabuki-style makeup. KISS could be a fun, easy Halloween costume for you and a few friends this year!

Since I'm a Halloween freak, be sure to leave me a comment letting me know what you're going to be this year, or what your favorite costume has been!

elf-ish Beauty

Yes, the economy remains crappy. We're all painfully aware of that fact. Even though "they" are saying the recession is over, consumers are still feeling anxious and have yet to return to the carefree spending days of not-so-long ago. Even if you're like me and you're gainfully employed, I have little doubt that you're always looking for ways to save money. But you still want to be beautiful, and that's where e.l.f products come in hand.

While I'm still a MAC virgin (can you even believe that?!), I've finally tried a few e.l.f. (eyes lip face) products. And I must say, for $1 for their basic products to $3 for the studio and mineral lines, they're not too shabby!

Their blush is nicely packaged (somewhat reminiscent of NARS packaging) and the color is rich and flattering. Their lipgloss made my lips feel refreshed and moisturized while providing just enough color and shine.

Now, I know that super cheap cosmetics sound somewhat scary--almost too good to be true. For me, it brings up memories of Wet & Wild products from the drugstore. Others think that $1 beauty products are probably full of toxic chemicals and test on animals.

So I did a little research.

First off, e.l.f. does not test its products on animals, nor do they use products derived from animals. They're PETA approved!

I went a step further and checked out e.l.f. at the Environmental Working Group's handy-dandy cosmetic safety database, and it looks like the ingredients used by e.l.f. are no better or worse than some of the spendier brands. Here's an overall comparison from the Environmental Working Group (1 = good; 10= bad):

• MAC Cosmetics: products range between 2 and 9
  
• Bare Escentuals: products range between 1 and 6
• Philosophy: products range between 1 and 9
• NARS: products range between 2 and 10
  
• Cover Girl: products range between 2 and 10
  
• Revlon: products range between 1 and 10
  
• e.l.f.: products range between 1 and 7

After doing my homework, I can recommend e.l.f. without too many reservations. They're cheap in price but not in quality, and right now we can all use a little savings here and there. Check it out!

Disclosure: Press samples were provided.

Know How to Fake It!

One of my Twitter friends recently asked me the best way to wear false eyelashes, and I was stumped. See, I wear glasses....all the time. I hate contacts and really do prefer being a 4-eyed kind of girl. I'll admit it: I love my glasses!

I love the look of fake lashes done well. They look dramatic and fun. But to me, it seems silly to spend time and money on fake lashes since I am just going to hide them under my specs. Fake lashes have been all the rage for a few years now, and if you're looking to embrace your flirty inner diva (or if you're just getting your Halloween costume in order), here are some hints that will help you fake it to perfection:

1. Pick your weapon! Do you want a very full eyelash? Or do you just want to add a few falsies in with your natural lashes for a more subtle sense of glam? Do you want your lashes to be black? Neon green? Pink, with feathers? All sorts of options are out there, and all the variations will greatly affect your final look.
2. Prepare your beauties! Before you apply your fake lashes, take a moment to make sure they're not clumped together (you may want to gently separate your store-bought beauties with a lash comb). Now's also a good time to trim your fake lashes with a nice sharp pair of scissors if necessary.
3. Prepare yourself! Curl your real lashes and give them a good go-through with the lash comb. If you want, you can now apply some waterproof mascara to your real lashes to thicken them up a bit. Also: if you haven't done so already, get yourself in front of a really good mirror (magnifying mirrors are best for this) and into some excellent lighting. You're going to need to see all the details around your eyes really well to get your falsies on right.
4. Attach your lashes! Follow the directions that come with your fake lashes, especially since you're going to be working with glue and the such. Apply the glue to the base of the fake lashes and wait a minute or two for it to set. Then carefully apply your fake lash as close to the base of your natural lash line as is humanly possible. TAKE YOUR TIME! And try not to get yourself all worked up if you don't get it right the first time. You may want to have a pair of tweezers or a toothpick on hand to help make final adjustments. And using the blunt end of your tweezers may help you get the fake lashes to conform to your lash line. Just be careful not to apply to much pressure. If you're just adding clumps of fake lashes, apply them to the outer corners of your eyes for a really fun, old-school sexy look. You'll really need a toothpick/tweezers/steady hand to get the clumps in the right spot.
   
5. Assess your work! Now's the time to apply the rest of your eye makeup. You may want/need to apply some more mascara to your real lashes and the fake ones. Just be very careful when you do this. You don't want to snag your falsies with your mascara wand and rip 'em off after all your hard work. While your mascara-coated lashes are wet, you can also sort of squeeze your real and fake lashes together to better unify the two. Make sure your lash glue is not visible. If you can still see a bead or two of glue, you can use eyeliner to hide it.

Applying fake lashes can be tricky, so it's best to practice, practice, practice. If you're a fake lash wearer and have any tips to share, please leave a comment!

Beauty Product of the Week: Double Extend Beauty Tubes

What is it? L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tubes Extension Effect Mascara is "a revolutionary lash extension effect mascara that provides up to 80% longer-looking, nourished lashes. Step 1 - Nourish & Protect Step 2 - Tubes extend lashes Step 3 - Remove with just water Tube Benefits: Clump-free length, Smudge-proof, Flake-proof, Longwearing hold, Ophthalmologist and allergy tested, Suitable on sensitive eyes & for contact lens wearers." Available at drugstores and big box stores for about $11.00

What did you think? I am not a big L'Oreal user. In fact, I only ever use L'Oreal hair products. After seeing one too many ads for L'Oreal's lash extending "tubes," I thought I'd give their mascara a try.

Guess what? I am not impressed. First, for best results, the mascara requires a two-step application process. I hate that. The white base coat of mascara doesn't seem to do much to warrant an extra step in my makeup process. It just goes on and leaves my lashes white. Yippee. Then the coat of mascara goes on top. My lashes did look longer but not any thicker (I hate that you have to pick between length and thickness...I want both--and yes, that was a rather inappropriate but fitting double entendre!).

The real downside to this mascara is in the removal process. Since the mascara uses "tubes" to lengthen lashes, said tubes tend to flake, especially when I'm washing my face. I have to really make sure I take care to remove all my mascara, otherwise I get stuck with weird black mascara flakes on my cheeks, around my eyes, etc. Messy...and not cool.

Final verdict? There are better mascaras on the market, and sadly, this is just another dud. I feel like I've been in a string of blah mascaras lately. And since mascara is, in my opinion, one of the most important beauty products on the market, that's not acceptable. So yeah--if YOU have a killer mascara I have to try out, please, please, please leave me a comment! Thanks.

October's Lust List

I spend too much money on makeup and skin care products. There...I've admitted it. I'm pretty bad about picking up products whenever I want, and now with the end of the year (and the increased spending thanks to the holidays) coming, I am starting to scale back a bit.

So...instead of going out and buying a bunch of new stuff, I'm making a list--a Lust List--of all the products I'm currently interested in.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour 407 Jade ($25)
When I first saw this nail color, I was a bit "meh." It looked pretty, but it seemed to springtime-y. Then I saw it in a magazine and man! The color looked rich and beautiful. Green nails are very much in style, and this shade takes the green trend in a different direction.
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Draped Burgundy 957 ($25.50)
Yes, I am a Dior Addict, thank you very much. I love their lip products. The packaging is perfectly tacky, the colors are great, and they feel amazing on my lips. I am always up for a new shade, and their Draped Burgundy looks perfect!
Smashbox Private Eyes Kit ($24)
I haven't used Smashbox products in ages, but when I did, I loved it. Their cream eyeliners rock! This kit includes eyeshadows and a tube of their Lash DNA mascara. Yes, please!
Lorac Secrets of a Hollywood Starlet Kit ($42)
Lorac makes one of my favorite mascaras (Lotsa Lash), and since it's included in this kit, I sorta kinda want it. Not only does it contain Lotsa Lash, the kit also comes with an eyeshadow trio, a blush, lipstick and brush all in a cute purple bag. Ahhh!

So, there you have it. I'm not buying any of these things as much as I may want to, and in doing so I'm keeping $116.50 in my pocket (about $130 if you add in tax).

What are you lusting after this month?

Philosophy of Beauty?

Take a quick look in your bathroom. I'll bet there is at least one product from Philosophy in there.

You know the brand: they make cult-worthy skin care products like their wildly popular Purity Made Simple. They also have body washes and lip balms in great scents for almost every occasion imaginable.

Well, now Philosophy is launching their own line of makeup, "bringing their best-selling skin care secrets to paraben-free shadows, mineral powders, and sun-proof lip gloss." It looks like they're selling the usual suspects: SPF-containing mineral foundation ($35), mineral blush and bronzer duos ($25), conditioning lipglosses ($15), and even a "coloring book" palette ($37.50).

I do like Philosophy's skin care line, and I often recommend their products to friends. Oddly, though, I am not particularly eager to check out their new makeup line. Maybe I'm just jaded or cheap, but some of their prices seem high ($35 for foundation?). And if I am going to spend a lot on a product I am not familiar with, I tend to want a more high-end "lux" purchase from a brand like Dior or Chanel. That's just my initial knee-jerk reaction, but I am by no means the be-all, end-all. What do YOU think? Would you check out the Philosophy cosmetics line?

NARS for the Holidays

I know, I know: it's not even Halloween yet and already retailers seem to be pushing Christmas. It's obscene and maddening, but it's also terribly practical. With the recession still going and consumer confidence shaky, shoppers need to see what's out there in order to prioritize their spending (and to hone their holiday wish lists!).

If you're starting to think about gifts for the girls or if you're looking to add a little sparkle to your winter look, you must check out the NARS holiday 2009 collection. NARS cosmetics are very high quality--their shadows are well pigmented, their blushes legendary, and their lip products rock (I swear by their All Night Long lipgloss--I keep it at my desk at work and use it almost every day!).

Check out their Holiday 2009 collection...I bet you'll be able to find something you'll want to add to your holiday list:

This Holiday season, NARS wraps up the year and its 15th Anniversary with a color collection offering shades that are deep and bold with festive shimmer – ideal for designing a look that is both sophisticated and sultry.

“For the holidays, I think it’s a great time to feel beautiful and sexy…with a little bit of movie star attitude,” says François Nars, Founder and Creative Director of NARS Cosmetics.

NARS SOFT TOUCH SHADOW PENCIL - $24 Sure to be a favorite for the holidays, the soft touch shadow pencil is a new addition to the NARS product line that offers a convenient delivery system and multi-purpose formula. Available in three playful shades: Goddess – A cool, divinely ethereal, glistening pink champagne that’s worthy of worship. Aigle Noir– A smoky, bold black infused with gold shimmer named for the dark, noble raptor that soars the Himalayas – graceful and rare. Skorpios– An irresistibly iridescent copper named for the alluring Greek isle of the famous and flamboyant.

NARS Duo Eyeshadow - $32 Brousse– Deep, subtly shimmering hues of eggplant and the darkest wood create an earthy, yet sophisticated palette Eurydice– Bordeaux with hints of iridescent blues and coal rich with metallic greens make for a modern holiday pairing Taiga– A surprising contrast of bright, yet intense hues in the sheerest of textures

NARS Mousson Cream Eyeshadow - $21 This shimmering, spicy pine cream eyeshadow is named for the monsoon – natural and unpredictable

NARS Rouge Andalou Nail Polish - $16 Lasting and lustrous, like its namesake region – this classic, incandescent candy apple red nail hue is sultry, sexy and steeped in tradition

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - $24 Pop Life– Coat lips instantly with this bold, bright and modernly matte holly red hue that slips on with a velvety texture Toundra– This richly pigmented Barolo wine shade is creamy, long-lasting and matte for strong, seamless color

NARS Luxor Multiple - $37 An iridescent pink to be used on eyes, cheeks, lips and body for dynamic highlights and a perfect, glowing complexion

Disclosure: Press samples were provided.

Congrats!

Congratulations to Leslie! You are my ANSR skin care winner! I'll be emailing you soon. Have a great weekend everyone!

Don't Forget to Enter!

Hey! Don't forget--I'm giving away a spiffy skincare kit from ANSR! All you need to do is click here and leave a post by noon (PST) on Friday. One winner will be selected at random.

Good luck!

Brush Off

A few weeks back, I was talking with someone on Twitter about hair. She was saying that she was unhappy with her hair and wasn't sure if she should replace her hair dryer or her brush. I suggested that she try a new brush before investing in a new hair dryer. (Hey, @DarthMittens: I know you got a new brush--did that solve your problem or do you plan to get a new dryer?)

I've been trying out new brushes for myself, from a website called BrushLove.com. Here are my thoughts:

Brushlab Ceramic Flow Thermal Round Barrel Hair Brush
Description: Brushlab ceramic flow hair brush helps create and reduce frizz. Its round aerated barrel allows air to flow through the brush instead of bouncing off and blowing hair away from the brush. The entire barrel is ceramic and produces uniform heat quickly. The short, stiff bristles are treated with tourmaline to help break up moisture molecules and help destroy odor-causing bacteria. $11.98

My thoughts: I usually use a smaller barrel round brush, but this one makes my hair really shiny and gives me tons of body. My hair feels bouncy! If it were a little smaller in diameter, it would be easier for me to use, but that's my issue more than a problem with the brush. Here's a really weird thing about this brush: my cat absolutely loves it! Seriously, when he hears me grab it off the bathroom counter he comes a-running. He is insane and oddly obsessed with this brush--it's funny!

Brushlab Pretty Pink Dual Mirror Brush Combo Hair Brush
Description: Ultra-fashionable dual purpose hand mirror plus nylon ball-tipped styling/detangling brush. Great size for travel. Pink is in!!! $9.98

My thoughts: I like that this is bright pink. It makes it easy to find in my often disorganized life! This is the perfect brush for packing in a bag since it does an excellent job, feels good on the scalp, and has the added bonus of the mirror.

***

The brushlove website is giving away a PING Digital Hair Iron ($159.99 retail) to 5 winners who compete their survey. Want to enter? Click here.

P.S. You can find me on Twitter here.

Do You Show Your Age?

Stress, diet, exercise, sun exposure, genetics, and bad habits take their toll on us in many ways. No one wants to look older, but it's not always easy to take care of your skin or to know what effect your current bad habits may have on the overall aging process.

I don't know about you, but I love taking online quizzes. Now, get an idea of how you're aging, Women's Health magazine has put together a quick test that will tell you how old your skin looks. Click here to take the test.

Regardless of your score, the Women's Health editors have put together a book called Age Erasers for Women (available for sale here) that contains tips galore on how to not look (or feel!) your age.

Here are some highlights on how to care for your eyes that we can all benefit from:

Dark Circles

• To Repair: Scientists are targeting raccoon eyes with high-tech toning and tightening ingredients which prevent stray blood cells from leaking out of under-eye vessels. Try SkinMedica TNS Illuminating Eye Cream, with NouriCel-MD.
  
• To Prevent: Retinol, a vitamin A derivative, can mask circles by thickening the thin skin under eyes making it less transparent. For prevention of dark circles, we recommend Jan Marini Factor-A Eyes for Dark Circles.
  

Puffiness

• To Repair: Researchers have found that peptides stimulate collagen production, boosting in skin firmness forces fluids out from under eyes. We recommend Kinerase Under Eye Rescue to repair puffiness.
  
• To Prevent: Skin-care brand Vichy conducted a study of 41 women who used their Vichy Oligo 25 Eyes Anti-Fatigue Cooling Effect Stick and found that it reduced the appearance of under eye bags by 25 percent. Try it!
  

Crow’s Feet

• To Repair: Scientists have found that amino acids can block the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract working similarly to Botox. Try Freeze 24-1 Anti-Aging Eye Serum or Dermadoctor Immobile Lines for your crow’s feet troubles.
  
• To Prevent: A powerful antioxidant called idebenone gobbles up cell-damaging free radicals to keep wrinkles from forming. We recommend BeingTrue Anti-Aging I-Lift Eye Countour Concentrate or Prevage Eye Anti-Aging Moisturizing Treatment

If you take the test and are brave enough to share your results, leave me a comment! I took it and I'm happy to report that my skin apparently only looks 23...awesome considering I'm 33! Nice.

These BOOTS are Made for Shopping!

Welcome to Monday, everyone! I am optimistic that this is going to be a good week, but we'll have to see how things go. Today is going to be a bit stressful for me since I am just getting back to work after missing Thursday and Friday unexpectedly (and I have to work late). I feel like I have been completely out of the loop lately!

Last week, while I was in the midst of a raging stomach flu, January Jones from Mad Men was featured on Extra. On the show, she mentioned that Boots No 7 Protect & Perfect Day Cream is one of her favorite beauty secrets.

Now, to help get flawless skin and save cash, Boots is offering a $2 coupon on January's favorite. Click here to get your coupon, and get shopping! Picking up a great new beauty product is a perfect way to start a week!

Beauty Product of the Week: Hand and Foot Cream

What is it? Lisa Hoffman's Spa Shower Hand and Foot Cream is available online and costs $17.95. "You'll feel a whole new kind of softness with this Shea Butter-rich formula. It's so luxurious, your skin will drink it up instantly. Stay soothed and comforted all day long. Exclusive ingredients and fragrances are gathered in a sustainable manner from rainforests around the globe. A portion of worldwide sales are donated to The Rainforest Foundation to lend support to the people living in these regions."

What did you think? Lisa Hoffman is Dustin Hoffman's wife, and she has a whole line of bath and body products. I've been trying out some of her products, and this hand and foot cream has emerged as my favorite of the bunch. But before I get to it, let me just say that all the products from the Lisa Hoffman line are a little slice of luxury without an insane price tag. Allure magazine has given major props to Hoffman's Bath Soak in both 2008 and 2009.

Ok, now on to the Hand and Foot Cream. It's so nice! The packaging is interesting--you basically pump down the center of the tube and just the right amount of product comes out. The cream absorbs quickly into the skin, so you don't get stuck with greasy hands or feet. No...instead your skin feels perfectly hydrated.

When I put this on, my husband looked over at me and said "hey-you smell really good!" And he's absolutely right. All of the Lisa Hoffman products, including the Hand and Foot Cream, smell fabulous.

The final verdict? For less than $20, this product will make both your hands and feet exceptionally soft without any yucky greasiness. And you'll smell great to boot. What's not to like? This product--and the entire Lisa Hoffman line--would make for a perfect gift...to yourself or anyone else! Try it...you'll like it!