Winterize Your Skin Event at Norstrom Tysons Corner

Yesterday was an eventful day. We had an unanticipated amount of snow, there was a farewell party for Tai Shan (our beloved "baby" panda), and there was an 8:30 am Winterize Your Skin event at Nordstrom.

I think the snow dampened attendance at Nordstrom. I toyed with staying home, but figured I could get in and out before much snow accumulated. The drive home was a bit "interesting." Even with less than an inch of snow (at that point) on the untreated roads, it was really slick (packed to ice). With fishtailing cars and a four-car accident close to my house, I was very happy to get home.

That said, I enjoyed the show. It was participatory, and because the group was small, there were plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Jennifer Drake introduced our mistress of ceremonies, Nordstrom's beauty guru Julianne De’Chaump - a bundle of energy as always. She asked more questions than we did, making sure that the presenters told us what women want to know.

Julianne started the program with some advice. If you want to make one change in your skin, brighten! She was careful to say that she didn't mean bleach, she meant brighten, and she followed that with a three-step recommendation: Repair, Serum, Moisturize!

Regional representatives from skin care and cosmetics companies, as well as Nordstrom experts, were there to make short presentations on a featured product (or two) from each line and take questions. I liked this format so much more than the loud, flashy beauty trends show!

Jason Frasher from Kinerase started us off. Jason introduced us to the new C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment, a powerful treatment that's gentle enough for sensitive skin. The ingredients offer a cocktail for you skin!

• Snap-8, the newest neuropeptide, reduces the depth and appearance of wrinkles caused by repetitive facial expressions up to 34.9%
• Stabilized vitamin C, a natural brightener and collagen booster, evens skin tone as it fills in the look of fine lines and wrinkles
• Kinetin (0.1% N6 Furfuryladenine), a powerful plant growth factor, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and increases the skin’s ability to retain moisture
• Beta-Glucan stimulates skin’s natural immune response while promoting skin regeneration, and helps protect skin from losing moisture by improving the skin's barrier function
• Green tea and vitamin E, powerful antioxidants that ward off free radicals

Jason recommended that we wear the C8 serum during the day and said we would immediately notice a brighter, more clear complexion. Because Beta-Glucan has antibacterial properties, he said it's even good for those with acne or oily skin.

Found out that I've been mispronouncing one of my favorite product lines for years. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter if I called the line "Kin-er-ase" or "Kine-rase" or "Darling." The products are still great!

What followed for show and tell? We learned about Freeze 24/7, a line that promises instant gratification. Maxine, who introduced us to the products, started as an impressed customer and became a representative for the GABA-laden line in no time. GABA is a muscle relaxant that produces immediate results. There's a value box, the Daily Essentials Skincare System, available with a cleanser, exfoliator, and moisturizer. The company has reported that 100% of its study participants reported a 50%-90% reduction in the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within 10 minutes of product application.

An old friend of mine, skin care expert Rene Marshall, introduced us to Perricone MD. We talked about the new Deep Wrinkle Serum (the five-minute miracle with neuropeptides) and Dr. Perricone's supplements. The supplements promise to work from the inside to nourish your skin and make you feel good. I heard about flatter abs, stronger nails, great skin, and energy. I'm there! I wish it hadn't been snowing. Had I been able to stay Saturday, I would have taken advantage of a 25% discount on the supplements.

Naturally, we learned that everyone on earth needs a Clarisonic cleansing device. This is a common message in the beauty industry. There were unsolicited audience testimonials on the difference the Clarisonic made for them, and I am sure it's worth the investment to try one.

I can't tell you about everything we learned - this post is already long - but I will mention a few highlights. We heard about some great products from Phyto, a hair care line with legions of famous fans. Want volume without weighing down your hair? Try the Phytovolume products!

We heard about Bobbi Brown's Intensive Skin Supplement, a serum that will make your skin look firmer, smoother, more even-toned, and radiant (brighter!) no matter what your age. Jules shared a tip that I have tried on occasion. After you finish your makeup application, if you feel you look a bit drab, put a very small amount of serum on your fingertips, warm it, and pat it over your face. You will look lively in no time!

One last note about beauty! Timber Gooding introduced some Smashbox cosmetics designed to treat your skin while making you look great. His one-liner about the Perfect Complexion Kits, "Spanx for the face," was the laugh of the day! The Smashbox product I want to try as soon as possible is Photo Finish Lid Primer. I always use a primer. This vitamin-packed formula glides on and instantly smoothes and perfects lids. Wear it alone for a flawless natural eye or under any shadow to give it staying power. The formula contains a plant-based hyaluronic acid for ultimate moisture plus skin-perfecting amino acids. Soft-focus pearls help diminish the appearance of fine lines and discoloration on the lids, while a patented delivery system ensures effective results. Yikes - I need this! I'd also like to give the High Definition Liquid Concealer a test drive. These products are affordable, so look out Nordstrom - here I come!

As for Tai Shan, our hearts are breaking. We knew he might eventually leave us, but we were in denial. It's real now. Our baby will be headed for China this week in a FedEx plane with a panda logo. They better take good care of him and introduce him to a girl panda he loves! Tai Shan's own babies would give us new joy. No more earthquakes in panda land! Too many tears have already been shed.

Photos courtesy of Amazon, AP, Sephora, and Perricone MD