NUXE Paris Anti-Aging Roll-On Mask Nuxuriance Ultra Global Anti-Aging Re-Plumping Roll-on Mask

I absolutely love masks, so when NUXE Paris sent me a few new products to try, you can picture me reaching for the Nuxuriance Ultra Anti-Aging Roll-on Mask ($53) first. I have to admit that I was enthralled with everything in the box, especially the packaging. The dark green product boxes, holding each dark green and gold Nuxuriance product are spectacular. They look rich, luxurious, and classy. Turns out the products are too. (They even sent me a T-shirt that fits! It's cute. I was thrilled. Bloggers aren't often treated this nicely - at last I'm not.)

This NUXE Paris global anti-aging re-plumping roll-on mask with saffron and bougainvillea bi-floral cells helps smooth the skin, reshape facial contours, and enhance radiance - in one night! The first night I used it I awakened to skin that looked plumper, hydrated, rested, firm, and even-toned. I was impressed. Who was that woman in the mirror?

If you check out the ingredients at this link, you will see that the mask if filled with a garden's bounty. There is a lovely place on the NUXE Web site where you can explore the company's botanical ingredients and their beneficial effects. Please stop by to see how nature is integrated into their products. I think that's important.

I had to figure out how to use the mask, so I actually read the directions - unusual for me. You apply the mask using the "fresh effect" roll-on applicator. It feels wonderful; it cools the skin as you massage the mask into the skin. NUXE says to leave it on for 10 minutes and then remove the excess product with a cotton pad, either dry or soaked in lotion. I did that the first night I used it. Then, I figured that since the "cream" had absorbed into my skin, I'd leave it on all night. I love applying it and leaving it on. It has quickly become a habit for me. NUXE recommends you remove any excess product using the Gentle Toning Lotion before going to bed. I know; I'm a rule breaker.

To use the tube, you have to make sure to turn the applicator tip to the right, to the "ON" position (look, it's not obvious). Then use the roll-on to apply the product, working outwards from the center of your face, starting at the bottom of your face, neck, and decolleté. Remember to turn the applicator to the "OFF" position before you stow it for the night.

You can apply the mask during the day (I haven't, basically because I'm always rushing in the morning) for an immediate tensing and radiance effect: leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse off with a cotton pad soaked in toning lotion and apply your usual skin care.

I have also tried the Anti-Aging Eye & Lip Contour Nuxuriance Ultra the company sent me, and I am equally impressed. I'll tell you about it soon. In the meantime, I'd recommend that you check out the wide array of products offered by this luxury line. NUXE strives to promote sustainable development and conducts itself responsibly as a cosmetics brand by taking simple steps that are not detrimental to the environment. My kind of company! I hope it's yours too.

The NUXE Laboratory is committed to prioritizing ingredients with a natural origin and to selecting active ingredients from the plant kingdom. NUXE face products are all non-comedogenic. All NUXE products are formulated without parabens, mineral oil, and ingredients containing animal extracts. To prove the safety and effectiveness of NUXE products, all their formulas are subjected to tests carried out under dermatological supervision by external laboratories approved by the French Ministry of Research. They have collaborated on programs to build bee populations and finance the installation of an environmentally-friendly water production station in the heart of a rural village in the Kandal province of southern Cambodia. This NUXE station will ensure the village's autonomy by providing sustainable drinking water. Much like Chantecaille, one of my favorite brands, NUXE has a conscience and uses its position to improve our Earth.

You can find them at the NUXE Paris Web site and at specialty stores all over the world. Use the store locator function at this link. I do like to buy online when there are special offers. Right now, you can receive five minis with a $50 order. Temptation! Plus there are other benefits and gifts. I appreciate companies that reward my loyalty.

Update: I just saw an ad online for a 20% discount and free shipping with code FIRSTORDER.

Photo courtesy of NUXE Paris

Fresh Peony Brightening Night Treatment Mask

I was pretty excited when I saw the Fresh was offering a new mask. Called Peony Brightening Night Treatment Mask ($65), it was enticing. I love masks; I love masks that can be left on overnight; and I love Fresh (as a rule). The photo at Sephora showed a pump dispenser, the key to my heart. What could go wrong?

A powerful overnight treatment, says Fresh, Peony Brightening Night Treatment Mask is proven to lighten the appearance of dark spots, correct uneven skin tone, and significantly brighten the complexion. The highly concentrated overnight treatment formula is also proven to replenish and preserve hydration for 24 hours, promote suppleness, and smooth skin texture so you awake to youthful-looking, luminous skin. An exclusive brightening complex derived from peony and licorice root extracts and vitamin C glucoside has been proven to reduce and prevent the appearance of dark spots and even skin tone, while amino acids help to visibly firm and smooth wrinkles. The formula is further enriched with cucumber extract, notable for its hydrating and calming properties.

Sounded great! Of course, Lev Glazman, Fresh Co-founder of Fresh, was quoted extolling the well-known properties of peonies, and some test data was presented - unfortunately without any data on sample size. After an independent consumer testing panel used Peony Brightening Night Treatment Mask:

• 94% reported a visibly brightened and lightened complexion, improved texture, and skin that was protected, smoothed, and plump;
• 90% noticed soft and supple skin;
• 87% felt the product clarified their complexion after one night;
• 81% said the product restored youthful contours.

I wish. Unfortunately, I found the mask to be somewhat unpleasant on application because of its scent, and I experienced no treatment benefits. I definitely fall into the 13% of testers who found no complexion improvement after one night's use.

The mask is a cream and dispenses easily into my palm using the pump dispenser. So far, so good. As I start to apply it (I've used it twice), I notice a synthetic fragrance with a slight resemblance to Lemon Pledge. I'm sure that's from the Lemon Peel Oil or possibly the Limonene, which is used for its scent in cosmetic products. Unfortunately, it's also used as a cleaning solvent. Fortunately, it's close to last on the ingredient list.

I don't smell peony at all, one of the benefits of the many beauty products that are "based on" the peony's recognized beneficial effects. The peony's root is extracted for the product, not the flower. That's too bad because the scent of the peony flower is divine and might have flipped my impression of the product.

It's moisturizing, no doubt due to the sodium hyaluronate (remember, nature's sponge) in the ingredients. Simply being moisturizing doesn't give it an edge over my other hydrating masks.

I'm blown away by the complimentary "reviews" on Sephora. I cannot imagine how small amounts of licorice and vitamin C could even skin tone overnight. I guess there are women who read the claims and believe them so strongly that they transfer hope into evidence.

In general, I love Fresh products. In my opinion, this one misses the mark. I find the scent mildly unpleasant, and masks are supposed to be pleasant and relaxing. Fortunately, the scent dissipates fairly quickly. The cream absorbs quickly. That's good so that users won't leave grease slick on their silk pillows.

Does it offer any advanced properties to improve skin tone, decrease dark spots, or brighten the complexion. I believe the answer is no. Sorry, but it's not worth the $65 price. Spend your money on one of my favorite masks. I have featured all of them.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; peony photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

Favorites: Facial Masks from Chantecaille, Sisley, Natura Bissé, and RéVive

I'm a firm believer in masks. They treat the skin, feel good, and relax me. I will try almost any mask, although my favorites are those that hydrate my skin, even my skin tone, exfoliate, and/or infuse my skin with ingredients that will continue to work after I remove the mask.

I have a few favorite masks - the ones to which I turn regularly. Today, I'll name them. Please remember, I have dry, somewhat sensitive skin. If your skin is oily, the masks I use will not be the best ones for you. Fortunately, there are masks for every skin type - and some masks are suitable for all skin types.

Chantecaille's Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask ($79), shown at the top of this feature, is the one I use most often - simply because I treat it like a night cream, not a mask. I do not remove it. Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask soothes, brightens, and hydrates dry, irritated skin and is especially indicated for over-exposure to the elements. Jasmine is extremely effective in promoting cellular turnover without the potential irritation of acids.

The bulb from a special breed of lily oxygenates and purifies the skin, increasing microcirculation, reducing redness, and noticeably lightening dull complexions. Chamomile helps calms inflammation. Vitamin B5 aids in the repair of damaged tissue. Saccharides work to soften dry skin and contribute long-term moisture. Macadamia oil, rich in nutrients, is highly nourishing and moisturizing. Seaweed helps regulate sebum production for smooth, clear skin. Jasmine aligns the spiritual and physical for a sense of security in the body, a deeply centered and joyous feeling. Rose soothes and uplifts, helping to open the heart and promote a sense of well-being. Geranium has wonderful balancing properties, promotes healing, and stimulates the lymphatic system.

I apply this mask generously, then I leave it on my skin and go to bed. Most of it absorbs quickly. It does its work overnight, and when I awaken, my skin looks moisturized and refreshed. I love it.

Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask ($158) is another favorite. I have to admit that I love every one of Sisley's masks, and I frequently use them all (not at the same time). This one is my favorite. I even love the color of the tube.

Black Rose Cream Mask is the first Sisley mask enriched with anti-aging ingredients. A soothing mask rich in trace elements, vitamins, and plant extracts, it works instantly on the signs of aging and fatigue to restore vitality to the skin.

Smoothing and Plumping Actions
 
Extract of black rose will offer an instant tensor effect, smoothing with antioxidant properties.
Three anti-aging ingredients contribute to smoothing and plumping.

• Extract of alkekengi calyx, which has anti-collagenase and anti-free radical action;
• Extract of padina pavonica to stimulate the synthesis of GAGs;
• Vitamin E acetate to reinforce the skin's natural defenses.

Revitalizing Actions

• Extract of red vine leaf to tone skin and improve radiance
• Extract of chlorella to stimulate superoxide dismutase activity, which protects skin from free radicals
• Essential oil of geranium to stimulate the skin

Soothing and Softening Actions

• Extract of great mullein (new active ingredient) to fight free radicals and soothe the skin
• Shea butter, which protects, moisturizes, and soothes
• Pro-vitamin B5 to soften and moisturize
• Essential oils of rose and magnolia, also for soothing

Nourishing, Moisturizing, and Repairing Actions

• Vegetable glycerine to moisturize
• Phytosqualene, with emollient and moisturizing properties
• Shea butter to nourish and repair

Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask was an instant hit on introduction. Its one I will never be without.

Natura Bissé's Tolerance Enzyme Peel ($150) is a perfect mask for those with sensitive skin. I have used it since its introduction, and I'm totally smitten. This enzymatic peel for delicate skin must have been made for me - and possibly you?

Tolerance Enzyme Peel is an exceptionally effective and gentle exfoliator that was developed "based on cutting-edge cosmetic engineering with a blend of ingredients that emit ultra-soft vibrations and provide a multi-sensory experience."

Tolerance Enzyme Peel gently pampers the skin with a non-aggressive (granule-free) micro-exfoliation of the most damaged layers of the skin, revealing an even, smooth, soft, and luminous appearance. Ideal for all skin types, especially the most sensitive and delicate skins, Tolerance Enzyme Peel is formulated with prickly pear (opuntia ficus) and papaya (carica papaya) extracts that exfoliate and renew the skin from within by stimulating a natural self-exfoliating process. The peel also includes a botanical extract of chamomile that soothes, decongests, and maintains the skin’s natural pH balance and a sugar extract from bio-fermented zea mays, along with other derma-soothing and moisturizing ingredients that will help you maintain a porcelain complexion. It does this without without causing any inflammation, redness, or feelings of discomfort. I can attest, through use, that it's ideal for the most sensitive and delicate skins. It was designed to work for all skin types.

I was afraid to try Tolerance Enzyme Peel at first. It contains salicylic acid, an ingredient that burns my skin on contact more often than not. I chatted for a long time with Natura Bissé's National Director of Sales when she was at Neiman Marcus. She assured me that my skin wouldn't react to Tolerance Enzyme Peel, and she gave me samples to try (and later sent more). She was absolutely, totally, 100% correct. Not only did it not irritate my sensitive skin, it improved it. What's totally amazing is that it "does its thing" in only a few minutes, which will leave anyone who says exfoliation is too much trouble at a loss for words.

Here are the benefits, according to Natura Bissé.

• Non-aggressive exfoliation
• Upon application to skin, the gel texture adheres to the epidermis and perfectly lifts off the dead cells
• Allows for exfoliation in the more delicate areas of the face (eye contour and lip area)
• Your skin is left smooth and velvety; its texture is visibly refined
• Deep sensation of well-being; your face breathes and glows with a natural radiance
• Ideal treatment to alternate with Natura Bissé's fabulous Glyco Extreme Peel during the resting periods
• Does not cause photosensitivity, but using sunscreen during the treatment (an SPF 30 at a minimum) is recommended

The experience of using Tolerance Enzyme Peel is extremely pleasant. Apply it with average thickness all over your face (and neck if you wish). Massage the product with ascending circular movements until the texture liquefies on the skin. That takes about a minute or less. Once the peel liquifies, you can wash it off, but you really should continue to gently massage your face for a short time, ensuring you dislodge any dead skin cells and dissolve impurities. Natura Bissé recommends that you then perform gentle friction maneuvers using the tips of the fingers, area by area, and always holding the skin. You don't have to perform that step (in my opinion); a gentle massage wherever you applied the product works just fine. Remove the excess product with a sponge moistened with warm water - or just wash it off as I do. It's easy to use, fast, effective - and best of all, gentle.

How does my skin look after I use Tolerance Enzyme Peel? Smooth, even-toned, pore-free, and glowing. It leaves me with a healthy, rosy glow (not red), a glow that I don't have naturally. My skin feels smooth and clean, without any dryness that might be caused by stripping the skin's moisture. How perfect could it be?

RéVive Glycolic Renewal Peel ($295) was inspired by Dr. Gregory Brown's clinical work and the scientific heritage of the  brand. This high-performance, professional peel system for at-home use requires no downtime and produces no lingering redness. This advanced, easy-to-use, two-step, skin-transforming system reveals skin that looks younger, smoother, brighter, more even-toned and overall healthier – immediately and in the future.

The peel set comes with a jar of 30 Professional Cleaning Pads and a bottle of Professional Renewal Gel. There is glycolic acid in both, but at different concentrations. You are supposed to use the complete system one to two times per week at night. I think the instruction to use it at night is aimed at letting your skin rest and renew.

For Step 1, you use the Glycolic Renewal Peel Professional Cleansing Pad by gently sweeping it in circular motions across freshly cleansed skin to prepare the skin for Step 2 of the system. This is a refreshing step.

For Step 2, you squeeze a generous, quarter-sized amount of Professional Renewal Gel into the palm of your hand, and, using your fingertips, gently apply a liberal amount of the gel to your face. Leave it on for up to five minutes and then rinse it off with water. It may tingle a little bit during that five minutes. That tells me the peel is working, but if you feel the tingle is uncomfortable, wash it off at four minutes. It's as easy as that.

Follow with RéVive serum and moisturizer - or your favorite nighttime serum and moisturizer. I would not recommend using a serum or moisturizer with retinol immediately after the peel. RéVive recommends that you use an SPF moisturizer during the day for sun protection and to preserve results from the Glycolic Renewal Peel Professional System. You might also want to consider using the peel on your chest, shoulders, and the backs of your hands to achieve the same smoothing, exfoliating benefits. The glycolic acid in the peel is tempered by moisturizing and treatment ingredients, such as glycerin, pentylene glycol (humectant), arginine, and camellia oleifera leaf extract.

As always, Dr. Brown has created a perfectly crafted product for me - and I suspect his millions of other devotees. Each time I have used the peel, I have been thrilled with the results, which are immediate. My skin feels smooth (you get the imagery) and fresh to the touch, and I can see the results in the mirror. My skin tone is evened, and my skin glows the way healthy skin should. This peel works (unlike other new ones I've tried in the last year). It's pricey, but on a per-use basis, it's much less expensive than going for a peel at a spa, dermatologist's, or clinic.

I could write all night because there are many worthy masks. These are the ones I use most frequently, but they are not the only ones I use. I decide which mask to use based on what I think my skin needs, whether it be hydration, soothing, or exfoliation. I hope you will find one you like. It just takes trial and sometimes error.

 Photos courtesy of the brands mentioned here

Giorgio Armani Skincare Luminessence Bright Infusion Biocellulose Mask

Giorgio Armani Skincare's Luminessence Bright Infusion Biocellulose Mask ($175 for a pack of six) snuck up on me. Rather than writing a coming attraction feature, I find myself writing an "it's here" feature. I'm feeling a bit behind the curve.

This new mask is Armani's first brightening mask, designed to reveal radiant, supple, and smoother skin. Who wouldn't want that?

Luminessence Biocellular Mask is made with natural and renewable materials. The biocellulose mask fits like a "second skin" and adapts perfectly to the contours of the face. I've used plenty of full-face masks similar to this one, and while they look creepy, they provide a relaxing and skin-improving experience.

Each mask if produced one by one and pressed between two rollers to obtain optimal thickness. Armani Skincare says it's the first cosmetic material to accelerate wound healing and scar reduction. Whether it's the first or not is subject to debate, but I know that such claims (e.g, Dr. Brown at RéVive) are actually backed up with science.

Armani's mask material is made up of hundreds of tiny fibers - one thousand times smaller than a strand of hair - and absorbs a high concentration of liquid, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate the skin. The results promised? Immediately, your skin will be softer, smoother, and more radiant. Over four weeks of use, you should see a 10% reduction in the intensity of dark spots.

The ingredients are its key to success.

• Mint extract - limits induced melanogenesis by decreasing the number of most pigmented cells. Melanogenesis is a fancy term for the process by which skin cells produce melanin, a pigment found in the skin, eyes, and hair. This process leads to a long-lasting pigmentation (think skin darkening and sun spots). The action spectra of sunburns and melanogenesis are virtually identical. In a quick search, I found one patent relating mint extract to melanogenesis reduction and one medical-grade skin-care product with similar claims for its effectiveness. Armani must be onto something fairly new.
• Brown algae extract - limits the production of brown melanin
• Vitamin C - anti-pigmentation effects linked to its acknowledged free-radical fighting properties
• Licorice extract - known to help lighten the skin
• Salicylic acid - a well-known exfoliating agent
• Beech buds extract - another exfoliating agent

Armani says to apply the mask to clean skin and experience the cool, soothing effect for 10 minutes. Massage the excess formula into the skin and follow with serum and/or moisturizer - your favorite or Armani's. Use the mask twice/week for optimal results.

Naturally, being an Armani devotee, I want to try this new Luminessence Bright Infusion Biocellulose Mask. I am concerned about its salicylic acid ingredient because, unlike most people, I find it extremely - not mildly - exfoliating. I'm not enthusiastic about a skin burn (my normal reaction to SA). However, I'd love to sign up for a test drive. If it's Armani, it enchants me.

I have not seen the new Luminessence Bright Infusion Biocellulose Mask at counters, but it's available at the Armani Web site.

Photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Skincare

Le Métier de Beauté CHEM60 Pro-Peel & Glow10ai Mask Set

Le Métier de Beauté is introducing new skin care exclusive to Neiman Marcus, the CHEM60 Pro-Peel & Glow10ai Mask Set ($265). I can't wait to try it! Here's the scoop.

Ready, Set, Glow! There's no better accessory than healthy, beautiful, glowing skin, and now you can achieve professional, spa-like results in the privacy of your own home with Le Métier de Beauté's CHEM60 Pro-Peel & Glow10ai Mask Set.

CHEM60 Pro-Peel, with a proprietary blend of salicylic acid and glycolic acids, gently penetrates the skin's surface and exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal younger-looking skin in as little as 60 seconds.

• Dimishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles
• Increases hydration and reveals younger-looking skin

Le Métier de Beauté says it's appropriate for all skin types. I really hope I can use it. My skin is extremely reactive to salicylic acid, but with Le Métier de Beauté's proprietary delivery system, which has allowed me to use retinol without a burn, I may be able to use this new peel too.

You can use CHEM60 Pro-Peel up to three times/week. Apply the peel using the brush applicator, squeezing gently to apply a thin layer over the entire face. Avoid the delicate eye area and hairline. Wait 60 seconds and remove the peel by gently splashing the face with tepid water or a damp washcloth. For a deeper peel, leave it on for five minutes. How easy is that?

The GLOW10ai Mask infuses the skin with an unprecedented concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, and hydrators to help the skin renew and rebuild, while strengthening the skin's overall appearance. It's the product that makes my heart flutter. Each time I've had an opportunity to request a new skin-care product from Le Métier de Beauté. I've asked for a mask.

• A sophisticated blend of moisturizers helps renew the appearance of damaged, dull skin.
• The appearance of hyperpigmentation is noticeably lessened/improved.
• Irritation and redness caused by chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laster treatments are visibly diminished.
• Suppleness and smoothness are greatly restored, resulting in a fresh, hydrated surface.

Follow the CHEM60 Pro-Peel with the GLOW10ai Mask, using the applicator that comes with it. Apply a thick layer all over the face, avoiding the delicate eye area and hairline. The mask may be applied 2-3 times/week with the peel, or it may be used alone. I suspect I'll use the peel only once/week, but I may use the mask three times.

These two products are available as a set and will be available at Neiman Marcus in September. I know the counter reps are hoping to have the set for Beauty Week. They know it's going to be a hot seller.

Photo courtesy of Le Métier de Beauté

Coming Attraction: Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask

Have you ever wanted something that you couldn't have really badly? That's how I feel about Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask, which promises instant youth, smoothing, plumping, and brightening. It is expected to arrive at Sisley counters in October. I already have, use, and love three of Sisley's masks, but that won't stop me from purchasing this new one the instant it hits the counters. I want it now!

Black Rose Cream Mask is the first Sisley mask enriched with anti-aging ingredients. A soothing mask rich in trace elements, vitamins, and plant extracts, it works instantly on the signs of aging and fatigue to restore vitality to the skin.

My one test of the mask left me desperate for another! I love masks, and Sisley's are among the very best. I like to apply them and use their time on my face to relax. Imagine enjoying all the benefits listed below while you chill out.

Smoothing and Plumping Actions

Extract of black rose will offer an instant tensor effect, smoothing with antioxidant properties.
Three anti-aging ingredients:

• Extract of alkekengi calyx, anti-collagenase and anti-free radical action
• Extract of padina pavonica to stimulate the synthesis of GAGs¹
• Vitamin E acetate to reinforce the skin's natural defenses

Revitalizing Actions

• Extract of red vine leaf to tone skin and improve radiance
• Extract of chlorella to stimulate superoxide dismutase activity, which protects skin from free radicals
• Essential oil of geranium to stimulate the skin

Soothing and Softening Actions

• Extract of great mullein (new active ingredient) to fight free radicals and soothe the skin
• Shea butter, which protects, moisturizes, and soothes
• Pro-vitamin B5 to soften and moisturize
• Essential oils of rose and magnolia, also for soothing

Nourishing, Moisturizing, and Repairing Actions

• Vegetable glycerine to moisturize
• Phytosqualene, with emollient and moisturizing properties
• Shea butter to nourish and repair

My friends from Sisley gave me a custom-made sample, enough for one application, when I was at Neiman Marcus Mazza Gallerie this week. I used it last night and was instantly smitten - with the fresh fragrance, the lovely feel, and the appearance of my skin after my treatment. You don't wash this mask off your skin after you use it. Just tissue off the excess and allow your skin to luxuriate in the beneficial ingredients.

Be on the lookout for Sisley's Black Rose Cream Mask. It's a must-have, one of many new products we can expect to see from Sisley this fall.

¹ GAGs contain special sugars, such as glucosamine hydrochloride, N-acetyl glucosamine, and glucosamine sulfate, that have high water-holding properties. These are built into larger water-holding chains of sugars such as hyaluronic acid, keratin sulfate, heparin, heparin sulfate, dermatin sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate. - skinbiology.com

Update 9/4: Sisley’s Black Rose Cream Mask should be applied two to three times a week, in a generous layer over the face and neck. As I mentioned, any excess should be blotted away (not rinsed) after 10-15 minutes.

Photo courtesy of Sisley

Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Masque

I'm a mask lover. The whole experience, from application through relaxation, to removal and the results, delights me. So I jumped at the chance, offered by NeoStrata, to try Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Masque ($30). An InStyle Best Beauty Buy, this mask includes an alpha and polyhydroxy acid blend that stimulates cell renewal and gently exfoliates to reveal fresher, healthier, and brighter skin.

Here's what NeoStrata has to say about Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Masque.

Revitalize stressed skin while fighting the signs of aging... This powerful deep-cleansing masque combines a clinically proven blend of concentrated Alpha and Polyhydroxy acids (AHA/PHA) that offer full-strength anti-aging benefits without irritation. Gluconolactone, a potent Polyhydroxy Acid, decreases lines and wrinkles by strengthening the skin and building the dermal matrix so skin appears fuller and plumper. This gentle exfoliant and natural antioxidant also improves the skin's clarity and luminosity and refines pore size, leaving skin truly refreshed and rejuvenated. The addition of Mandelic Acid (AHA) helps to visibly reduce wrinkled areas, while Vitamins A, C, E and a Pro Vitamin B Complex provide superior moisturization. Dermatologist developed.

Here is a little more about the ingredients. Gluconolactone provides anti-aging benefits without irritating your skin. It works well for people with sensitive skin or rosacea - or anyone who has had a cosmetic procedure. As an antioxidant, it inhibits elastase. It also strengthens the skin's barrier function, reducing sensitivity and redness over time. It does not increase sensitivity to the sun.

Mandelic acid, found naturally in almonds, is a lipophilic AHA that is readily absorbed and reduces oiliness over time without drying the skin. There's also aloe barbadensis leaf extract in the formula to soothe the skin. NeoStrata does not test on animals. That's important to me.

The mask was formulated to visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and pore size, while increasing clarity and firmness. The mask has many good-for-your-skin ingredients. NeoStrata says this mask is ideal for normal and combination skin, but also good for dry and sensitive skin. I had no issues using it, even though my skin is very dry and somewhat sensitive.

The whole experience of using this Exuviance mask (I can't get used to the French spelling) is pleasant. It has a light apple-citrus-grapefruit scent that's pleasing. It looks like a green gel and applies easily with your fingertips. It's very cooling. Immediately, it says, "Go lie down and take it easy for the 15-20 minutes you will leave me on. Enjoy the rest!" So, I do. Gradually, over the 15-20 minutes, I feel the firming effects. You can peel it off or rinse it off with warm water. I prefer to rinse it off - a bit of an exercise because it takes at least 30 double palm-fulls of water to rinse it off completely with my hands.

The first time I used it, I was amazed at the results. My pores literally disappeared. They aren't terribly large, but still, they were visibly diminished. My face felt ultra-soft and stayed that way for awhile. I haven't used it for long enough to look younger (if that's possible - I am already a skin-care fanatic), but it wouldn't surprise me, with the fabulous ingredients, if it has those effects with long-term use.

I would recommend this mask to anyone. I would pester my friends with normal to combination skin (and even oily skin) to go buy it. It's seriously effective - and using it is a pleasant experience.

You can purchase this reasonably priced mask at NeoStrata's Web site, where there is currently a free gift with purchase with any $100 order. It would be a good time to also try their Foaming Glycolic Wash, which I'm enjoying. You can also find NeoStrata at SkinStore (one of my favorite sites, where there is always a great deal to be found), Dermstore, and other online sites. Ulta carries NeoStrata's products too. Check it out!

Photo courtesy of Dermstore

Clé de Peau Intensive Brightening Mask

Last night, I was in the mood for a mask. I had been given a sample of Clé de Peau's Intensive Brightening Mask ($120 for six applications), and it was time to try it!

I had no idea how much the mask sample was worth when my Clé de Peau representative gave it to me. Turns out those two packets had a combined price of $20! When I learned that, I was expecting a miracle mask.

Intensive Brightening Mask is a weekly high-performance treatment mask designed to help diminish the appearance of sun and age spots. Like most brightening products, it's designed to even your skin tone by effectively delivering powerful brightening ingredients, along with moisture, to the entire face.

The mask has different ingredients in its two pieces (one for the upper half of the face, one for the lower). Both pieces have these two ingredients.

• Tranexamic acid, which is said to inhibit overactive melanin activity, which causes tanning and the formation of dark spots (not sure about these effects on the skin; it does have proven value in the field of surgery for reducing pre- and postoperative blood loss)
• Vitamin C deoxidizes visible spots and prevents melanin precursors from activating

The upper mask contains what's called an illuminating vital complex, formulated to improve the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and dullness around the eyes.

The lower mask has Clé de Peau's restorative smoothing complex, said to normalize cell turnover and enhance natural exfoliation, which should minimize the appearance of pores.

To use the mask, position the lower mask piece around your mouth and align both ends in front of the ears. Press lightly to fit the mask over the contours of the face. Position the upper mask piece around the eyes and forehead. Smooth gently to fit mask over the contours of the face. Leave the mask on for only 10 minutes, then remove it and gently massage the remaining essence into your skin. Follow with moisturizer.

For "unprecedented brilliance," Clé de Peau advises its clients to use Anti-Age Spot Serum with the Intensive Brightening Mask as a brightening ritual. In a combined Anti-Age Spot Serum and Intensive Brightening Mask usage test, after four weeks:

• 92% felt the combined usage provided natural radiance, luminosity, and clarity to skin;
• 84% felt their skin texture appeared polished, firm, and lustrous;
• 82% felt the combined usage effectively reduces spots and dullness.

The Intensive Brightening Mask is less expensive than my La Mer The Hydrating Facial, another saturated fabric mask that I love, and the experience of using it was just as pleasant. I had a few restful, cooling minutes. I used the excess product within the envelopes to apply some to my neck, so I was ready for $20 results.

Did I get $20 results? I don't think so. This morning, I saw no dramatic difference in my skin - actually no difference at all. I know it's unreasonable to expect to see significant brightening after one 10-minute treatment. The question is: Would I spend $120 in order to experience six treatments to see if weekly use for six weeks will give me supremely even skin tone. My answer is no because I don't have dramatically uneven skin. Anyone plagued by uneven skin tone and many sun spots might feel differently.

I suspect Clé de Peau's Intensive Brightening Mask is targeted toward the Asian market, where brightening skin products are all the rage. In the U.S., there are less expensive options to which I would turn if brightening were one of my major skin-care concerns, and I would find a daily use product.

If you want to try the mask, have a look at Nordstrom or select Saks and Neiman Marcus stores. Ask the Clé de Peau representative for a consultation and find out if the $120 might benefit you.

Photo courtesy of Clé de Peau

Caviahue Thermal Mud Mask

I love facial masks, so when I received a single-use sample of Caviahue's Thermal Mud Mask ($74.90) from AcquaEssentials, an online skin care specialty site, I was delighted to try it.

Designed to diminish the signs of aging, Caviahue Thermal Mud is a unique deep-cleansing facial mask. One of its main ingredients is the thermal water that flows from the inside of a volcano, which is charged with minerals and oxygenated properties to purify the skin, leaving it smoother and softer.

I find the Caviahue story interesting, so I'm going to share it. To the south of South America, there is a land like no other – it is often described as a magical place. Practically uninhabited and pristine, Patagonia has rolling hills, volcanoes, thick woods, lakes, and springs. The heart of this region became a sanctuary long ago for ancient inhabitants: the Mapuches. They walked many miles every year to gather there during the summer. Once in Caviahue, they enjoyed bathing in the many lagoons of the area and benefited from the healing and soothing properties of the hot thermal waters. Some oral chronicles depict how the Mapuche women would soak themselves with the mud from the bed of the lagoons as part of a ritual of beauty.

Five hundred years later, the soothing qualities of Caviahue mud and water were rediscovered by a group of visionaries who created the Caviahue Spa. Located northwest of Patagonia, the Caviahue Spa is one of South America´s thermal gems. The unique thermal water emerging from the inside of the earth is the reason why hundreds of visitors gather there every year.

The whole ecosystem works like a natural thermal laboratory. The process begins many miles above Caviahue, on top of the Copahue volcano. During the winter, snow accumulates on the crater surrounding the volcano. Although the volcano is considered inactive, there has been some activity since the eighteenth century. It acts as a boiler that is constantly melting snow.

Water accumulates in the crater forming a lagoon, which then drains to the inside of the volcano. The Copahue volcano acts as a natural water filter. This gradual process charges water with trace elements and keeps it warm due to the thermal activity. When the water’s long voyage ends several miles away from the foot of the volcano, it accumulates again to create a group of lagoons. This natural filtration process brings the charged water in contact with minerals and other elements that eventually get mixed with the volcanic and sulfurous clay from the soil. The resulting mud and water from some of those lagoons are used in Caviahue skin care products.

The water and mud are gathered and taken to the city of Neuquén, 300 miles away from the thermal site, where the Copahue Laboratory is located. It is at these labs where Caviahue skin care products are manufactured. Modern formulating procedures and processes are combined with the best from nature to produce Caviahue beauty skin care products. Pretty interesting (romantic, exotic, and intriguing too)!

Back to the Mud Mask. It is said to offer these benefits.

• Helps diminish the signs of aging
• Deeply cleans and purifies
• Unclogs pores and allows your skin to breathe
• Provides a balanced blend of minerals from Caviahue thermal water and Caviahue volcanic clay
• Leaves the skin smoother, softer, and looking good

I actually read the directions (something I don't always do) and learned that I was supposed to go relax after I applied the mask. Pretty funny at the time because I had planned to do e-mail while I reaped its benefits to my skin. I was a good customer, though, so I actually went and relaxed for 15 minutes while I left the mask on my face and neck. I'm sure that resting on the bed, thinking about nothing in particular, was good for my psyche and my skin!

The first thing I noticed on application was how cooling the mask is - quite conducive to relaxation. I applied the whole packet on my face and neck. I looked like I was wearing seawater paint, a deep blue-green, on my face. I actually loved the color; something about it screamed "natural." As the mask dried, I felt tightening, like a firming mask feels. When I washed it off, 15 minutes later, my face looked good - smooth, firm, and even-toned, as promised. I followed my mask with a sample of Caviahue Anti Wrinkle Cream ($56.90), a moisturizer rich in aminoacids, vitamins, minerals, squalane, and, of course, thermal water. The next morning, my skin looked good and felt good.

AcquaEssentials sells exclusive spa products. Check them out online. Caviahue is one of their most popular brands. I can see why! The Mud Mask has gone on my to-buy list. I don't have a mud mask right now, and I liked the way it treated me. It's such a nice mask, and I have to admit I had never heard about it. Anyone looking for a deep cleansing, firming, and relaxing mask is going to love it too.

Photos courtesy of AcquaEssentials

Lisa Hoffman's Spa Facial Wonder-Products

Snow takes lot out of you! My energy has been sapped by shoveling (made harder when there's nowhere left to put it), and my skin has threatened to turn raw from the hours of exposure to the cold and wind. So, I shifted into high gear on skin care - a step up from my usual rigorous routines.

Last weekend, after our first blizzard, I broke out the Lisa Hoffman Spa Facial products the company had generously sent me to try. What better time to use them than during a snow emergency?

A mask, made with a combination of Lisa Hoffman's Spa Facial Hydrating Mask and Hydration Booster ($45 for the duo) was just the thing to boost my skin and my spirits. They were a one-two punch against winter's ravages!

This duo does more than just moisturize; it works to kick-start your collagen production, essential to your skin's health and appearance. The combination of the Hydrating Mask with the Hydration Booster penetrates deep into the skin's surface. Vitamin C and marine collagen maximize collagen production while inhibiting its loss (there's that one-two punch again). The combination strengthens the plumpness, fullness, and elasticity of the skin. Vitamin A, soybean extract, and ceramides help to maintain the optimal moisture content of skin.

How do you use the products together? Combine the Hydrating Mask with Hydrating Booster in the palm of your hand, mix, and apply the mask. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water. Follow with Lisa Hoffman's Spa Facial Anti-Aging Serum ($55) and a moisturizer. I'd suggest Lisa's Spa Facial Moisture Seal Cream ($75), the ultimate salve for dry skin, containing shea butter and maple sugar extract. Lisa Hoffman's Spa Facial products are designed to work together, and when you've got such effective synergy, why not make the most of it?

I was a little concerned about the vitamin A in the products, given my sensitivity to vitamin A in all of its forms. Lisa cracked the code on making it gentle - quite a feat. My face was happy.

I will caution you not to get the mask too close to your eyes. That's true of almost all products that are not designed to be used in the eye area. At the Nordstrom Winterize Your Skin event, many women asked, "Can I use it around my eyes?" as products for the face were presented. In each case, the answer was no. You must use a product designed to be used near your eyes if you want to give that tender skin a boost.

That's where Lisa Hoffman Spa Facial Eye Treatment ($45) comes in! The super-charged eye cream is designed to be used only once a week. The formula moisturizes, brightens, and smoothes the contour of the eye area, reducing dark circles, puffiness, and lines for a lovely, refreshed look. The eye treatment contains Haloxyl, Dermaxyl, and Matrixyl 3000, three potent peptides. If you have been reading Best Things in Beauty, you should have already concluded that your skin care regimen must include peptides. Spa Facial Eye Treatment is a treat for your eyes - a weekly boost with peptides. I loved what it did to mine!

Want to try all of these products without making a serious investment? Lisa Hoffman offers the Spa Facial Packette ($17.95), a complete set of single-use ampules that are perfect for a test drive or travel. The packette includes the products I used and more! I can't think of a better way to pamper yourself, snow birds!

You can purchase Lisa Hoffman's products from her Web site, DermStore, and a few other online sources. Just Google Lisa Hoffman! You'll be happy you did.

Photos courtesy of Lisa Hoffman

Apivita Express Calming Face Mask with Dittany of Crete

After the day I've had, I needed a "calming" product. I did my mother's grocery shopping (the store was crazy-crowded at 9:30 am), then got to her house for the first time since the blizzard. Found sheets of ice on the hill I had to navigate to get the groceries into the house. Fell on the fourth trip from the car, and I was being very careful. That left me sore and out of sorts - made worse by the fact that Mom had no heat. Oh yeah, the oil delivery company seems to have forgotten her since they last came in October. Urge to fire someone. Then...traffic...lines...you name it...everywhere I went today. I needed to relax.

Fortunately, I had a sample of the Apivita Express Calming Face Mask with Dittany of Crete ($28), and masks make me happy. This mask promises to gently banish redness and irritation (either from cold weather or frustration?) and leave you with flawless, smooth, and clear skin. The key ingredients are Dittany of Crete (an herb that grows wild only on the remote Aegean island of Crete) to soothe and heal, olive oil to hydrate and nourish, and aloe vera to calm and cool. It's also formulated with other natural ingredients known to have beneficial effects on the skin. The mask is ideal for those with hypersensitive skin who want to soothe and soften their skin. Or for frustrated people who just want to calm body and spirit!

The mask has a fresh and natural fragrance - not at all perfumey. It's very cooling when you apply it. Then, as it starts to dry, it has a slight firming feeling. I rinsed it very well - it seemed to want to stay with me!

I love the packaging. The mask comes in packets so that it stays fresh. You get two treatments from each packet. Very travel-friendly!

So, how do I feel now that I've used the mask? Better, but it may have been the drink I had. My skin? Looks great! Refreshed and relaxed, smooth and clear. I'll use this one again. It's very nice.

Apivita, a Greek natural products company founded in 1979, makes a mask for every skin condition. There's bound to be one that catches your eye. I first wrote about Apivita's products in July when I reviewed their Propoline Lip Aids. The masks belong to the company's Express line, a complete range of creams and masks that use fruit and vegetable extracts to provide a unique "nutritional menu" for the face, body, and hair. You can see the mask lineup at Apivita, SkinCareRx, b~glowing, Amazon, and other online sources.

Photo courtesy of SkinCareRx.com

Another Great Sisley Mask

This morning, I treated my body well - or badly, depending on your perspective. I started with the Washington Post, followed by a decadent breakfast of cherry-filled turnovers with mimosas. Then, I took a nap. It was heavenly, except for my appearance when I finally got out of bed for the second time. I looked wrinkly and puffy!

Sisley came to my rescue. Radiant Glow Express Mask ($108) is called the emergency mask. It's actually intended to clean you up and bring back your glow. That's not half of what it does! It also tones your skin, absorbs surface fluid, and makes you look rested and ready to go.

Here are the active botanical ingredients that provide gentle cleansing and radiating benefits.

• White and red clay: absorb excess sebum
• Rose hip: tones
• Chamomile oil: calms
• Rosemary oil: purifies
• Matricaria: softens, calms
• Licorice: softens

Within five minutes:

• my skin was fresh, clean, and smooth;
• my complexion was radiant and more even;
• my puffiness and wrinkling were gone; and
  
• my face appeared rested, its radiance is fully restored.

Radiant Glow Express Mask is a quick beauty boost. It works for all skins, but especially those that are dull, tired, sallow, or mistreated. While pricey, it works!

It appears that Amazon has one left at $81.78. You can always purchase this mask at Sisley counters at Neiman Marcus and Saks, where you will find wonderful Sisley advisors who can help you select the products that are just right for you. If you are near Tysons Corner, Virginia, stop by the Sisley counter at Neiman Marcus. They will take good care of you. If you are in DC or Maryland, a trip to Saks in Chevy Chase should be on your to-do list. Look for Gail Sezer at Sisley. I wrote about customer loyalty this morning - I have been buying beauty products from Gail since she worked at Garfinckel's in Spring Valley in the 1980s. Take a look at her skin, and you will want everything she uses!

Photo courtesy of Amazon

Sisley's Facial Mask with Linden Blossom

I love masks, and Sisley has one that's perfect for my sensitive skin. Facial Mask with Linden Blossom ($115) is an exceptionally gentle, creamy mask that will soothe, relax, and cleanse even the most sensitive skins. The mask, left on for 20 minutes, leaves my skin smooth, radiant, toned, and squeaky clean without the squeak! Even though you apply it to clean skin, it seems to lift out any stubborn "impurities" that occasionally make your face look dull.

The ingredients in the mask include a non-drying clay and a complex of essential botanical oils. Linden Blossom, the active ingredient, is an old-time holistic remedy for insomnia, heart disease, stress, headaches, and other ailments. For the skin, Linden Blossom is known for its soothing and draining effect on the skin. It has been used as a facial tonic or added to aqueous creams for hypersensitive skin. It relaxes and refreshes the skin, and I'm sure that's why Sisley made it the prime ingredient in this mask.

Once you rinse off the mask with lukewarm water, you should follow with Floral Toning Lotion if your skin is dry and/or sensitive or Grapefruit Toning Lotion if your skin is combo or oily. Then, if you have used the mask before bed, it's time for your skin care routine. When I follow with Supremya La Nuit, Sisley's newest anti-aging night cream, my skin thanks me. (See the September Best Things in Beauty posting on Supremya.) It's 4:44 am, I did the mask and applied Supremya last night, and my skin looks pretty darn good.

You can purchase Sisley products, including all of their fabulous masks, at Neiman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom.com, and online. While this mask is pricey, it will last a year when used once or twice a week.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

La Mer's New Hydrating Facial

La Mer has a new mask, and it's a luxurious treat! The Hydrating Facial ($250 for six treatments) is everything you would expect from a La Mer mask.

Each treatment consists of a two-piece cotton mask. The top mask has eye slits and covers from the hair line down to the cheekbones. The bottom mask has nose and mouth slits, overlaps the top, and covers the rest of the face. Each of the mask pieces is saturated - almost dripping - with hydrating ingredients based on La Mer's signature marine algae extracts, tourmaline, lipids, and plant extracts (avocado oil and melon).

The directions do seem awkward, but it's easy to apply. I got the hang of it with The Radiant Facial. The mask, left on to do its work for eight minutes, is relaxing. After I removed the face pieces, I used the excess product (and there was a lot left) to massage the remaining lotion into my face, neck, and chest. Naturally, you follow with Crème de la Mer. Each treatment yields at least one blissful week of smooth, supple, and hydrated skin. It's a great boost for this time of year, as the air starts to dry out, taking your skin with it.

My feelings about the price of the La Mer masks haven't changed since my mid-August posting. Anyone who gets facials would pay $250 - probably much more - for six weeks of facials, and I like the do-it-yourself approach. I can have a facial on my own schedule, at home, and when I am ready to relax. No appointments, no waiting, and no post-treatment redness.

I got lucky this time - I had a gift certificate. The Hydrating Facial was indeed a gift to to this dry-skinned La Mer addict. It perked me right up - and my skin looked great too [wink]!

The Hydrating Facial is available in stores now! You can find it at La Mer's Web site, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and wherever La Mer products are sold.

Photo courtesy of La Mer.

Sisley Express Eye Contour Mask

I love masks of all types, and when I got a deluxe sample of Sisley's Eye Contour Mask ($140) from my friends at Neiman Marcus, I was thrilled. Who doesn't want reduced fine lines and vaporized puffiness in their eye area?

Over the long weekend, I put the gel-like mask to the test. I took a very long late-day nap, and I suspect I slept on my head. I'm sure my Bengal cat took over my pillow while I was asleep, and my head ended up flat on the mattress instead of high on a pillow. That always leads to puffiness under my eyes - that or too much salt or alcohol. While red wine has those wonderful properties that will protect our hearts, it doesn't save us from under-eye puffiness.

Sisley to the rescue! I used the mask before bed and after cleansing, when I was still puffy and looking fairly awful. After the treatment, the puffiness was gone. Amazing.

You leave a thick layer of the mask on for only 10 minutes and then wipe off the excess. That's all there is to it. What's left conditions your eye area overnight (in my case), and the next morning, you look fabulous. The mask smoothes, hydrates, makes fine lines less visible, and definitely reduces puffiness. It has a clean, natural fragrance that makes the 10-minute experience a treat.

As with all Sisley products, the eye contour mask is filled with botanical ingredients, including rose flower water, sunflower seed oil, ginkgo biloba leaf extract, horse chestnut extract, linden extract, arnica montana flower extract, vitamins B5 and E, and algae extract. Also included are arginine, an amino acid that has become a very popular skin treatment ingredient, the trace element malachite, and chlorella extract (shown through research to be good for your skin).

There are very few products that I can recommend to reduce puffiness around the eyes. The best remedy ever is a good 20-minute rest with your head raised on multiple pillows and frozen baby peas in a baggie over your gauze-protected eyes. Although effective, that's a bit of a hassle. Sisley's Eye Contour Mask is much easier and definitely more pleasant! It's good for sensitive eyes like mine, and you can even use it around your lips.

You can find this mask, which will last you a long time, at Neiman Marcus (gift with $300 purchase for Beauty Week), Saks, some Nordstrom stores, and other department stores that carry Sisley products. You can even purchase it on Amazon for a little less money. It's the perfect remedy for those tell-tale signs of fatigue around your eyes.

Photo courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.