Tom Ford Radiant Moisture Soufflé from the Soleil Collection for Summer 2016

I would have passed by Tom Ford's limited-edition Radiant Moisture Soufflé ($98) had Debbie O'Malley not pointed it out to me. It looked just like any other moisturizer. Debbie put in on her arm, and I had an instant wow reaction.

Here is what Tom Ford has to say about it, slightly edited...
Replenish, hydrate, and illuminate skin with a rich, luxurious, whipped cream that instantly re-energizes the skin's appearance apres-soleil. Featuring Tom Ford's exclusive infusing complex, this rich soufflé formula returns radiance and vitality to fatigued skin. Small golden pearls enhance a natural glow, while the skin feels flooded with moisture. Plump and vibrant with youthful energy. The Tom Ford infusing complex infuses the skin with a potent combination of specially selected nutrients that help skin cells replenish their natural energy. It fundamentally rejuvenates the complexion, so it looks and feels brighter, fresher, and less tired. High-performing antioxidants help protect the skin, creating a vital-looking face. The skin is left looking renewed, resilient, and smoother.

That's not why I purchased it. There are plenty of fabulous, luxurious moisturizers out there. I didn't need another. This one leaves a glow - a real, visible glow on the skin as it moisturizes. Look at the gleam on my arm in the photo below.

The shine makes my face look younger. I know some women work really hard to get rid of shine. I have to add it to revitalize my dry skin. Radiant Moisture Soufflé gleams in direct light, but it also adds a glow in indoor or indirect light. I was quite taken in the store, and now that I've used it, I'm pleased with its moisturizing qualities. It has a nice mix of ingredients - nothing particularly earth-shattering, but good ones.

Bobbi Brown has a product that also leaves a gleam: Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm ($65). It's another skin-boosting moisture balm that helps energize tired, dull skin to bring back its natural glow. It's less expensive, so if you'd like to try one of these - and you have dry skin - either should make you happy. They have different textures (Tom Ford's has an edge on lightweight). I like them both.

You can purchase Radiant Moisture Soufflé from the Soleil Collection for Summer 2016 from Neiman Marcus, the Tom Ford Web site, Sephora now (I assume), and other stores that carry Tom Ford Beauty. Debbie said it's a limited edition, so if you want one, buy it before it disappears.

Photo at top courtesy of Tom Ford Beauty; swatch photo by Best Things in Beauty

TATCHA Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream Giveaway Contest - 100 Prizes!

TATCHA is generously offering 100 Best Things in Beauty readers a deluxe sample of Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream. In order to enter, you must have a United States delivery address. Just go to this link and fill out the entry form before August 25.

If more than 100 people sign up, then TATCHA will randomly draw 100 to receive the samples, and everyone who signs up will receive an exclusive promotional offer in their e-mail inbox. TATCHA will handle mailing the samples directly to the select winners.

Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream ($135) is an intensive cream with serious anti-aging properties. Even the name delighted me when it was delivered to my house last year. "Ageless" and "enriching" are words that convey to me a cream that I need. I don't want to appear to be aging, and I know my skin needs help to stay supple.

The skin is beautified by increased nourishment and purification, resulting in a reduction of age spots, renewed appearance, and radiant glow. The effective formula harnesses proven ingredients that work in harmony to promote microcirculation, preventing and reversing the signs of premature aging.

Microcirculation helps to carry vital nutrients and oxygen to the skin cells, replenishing and nourishing the skin, while also carrying away waste from the cells. The result is a radiant and healthy glow and a guard against signs of premature aging, including loss of elasticity, age spots, and dryness.

Some of the active botanical ingredients of Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream are peony (Paoneia Albiflora Root Extract), sanshishi (Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract),  and yomogi (Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract). How could these wonderful plants not help my skin? I'm also very impressed by what's not in this cream: mineral oil, synthetic colors, synthetic fragrances, sulfate detergents, parabens, PEGs, PPGs, urea, DEA, TEA, or phthalates. Halleluha!

The giveaway will continue until 100 readers have entered, so enter now before you forget this amazing offer. Again, the link is here. Many thanks to TATCHA for remembering Best Things in Beauty readers!

Photo courtesy of TATCHA

New: Natura Bissé High Density Lift

Normally, I wouldn't write about brand new skin care before I tested it thoroughly. However, I have a "close personal relationship" with Natura Bissé that's something akin to love. So I'll tell you about the company's latest miracle cream: High Density Lift ($290). Testers and samples have arrived at Neiman Marcus, but the for-sale product isn't expected for about a week.

Inspired by the newest trends and technology in facial lifting procedures and formulated with Natura Bissé's INHIBIT COLLECTION (a cosmetic alternative to micro-injections), High Density Lift is a revolutionary bio-revitalizing treatment. It was created to help us recapture the youthful definition of our facial contours by stimulating increased volume and internal lifting. It's formulated with a new PDGF-Remodeling Complex and the highest quality dual hyaluronic acids (HAs).

A breakthrough in Natura Bissé's quest for perfection led the company to an unprecedented treatment for reshaping and filling wrinkles. A concentrated blend of state-of-the-art ingredients promises to redensify the skin, plump it, and fill expression lines and wrinkles. How?

PDGF-Remodeling Complex is formulated with a proprietary, revolutionary ingredient - used for the first time in a cosmetic formula. It is a highly precise key polypeptide, derived from biotechnology, that helps to improve the quality of collagen, elastin, and natural HA. The PDGF-Remodeling Complex is the ingredient that provides the remodeling effect on the skin.

The dual HAs are unique, providing a perfect synergy of very low molecular weight HA with a cross-linked high molecular weight HA. The two combine to naturally fill fine lines and wrinkles through a tension mesh effect that provides natural lifting actions. HA helps maintain high levels of moisture in the skin (it's nature's sponge), even under demanding conditions, to plump the skin for a more youthful appearance.

In summary, the scoop on High Density Lift is that it:

• Rebuilds youthful volume, lifting the skin day after day;
• Restores density, fullness, and elasticity to the skin;
• Visibly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles;
• Replenishes optimal hydration levels, providing day-long moisture; and
• Minimizes pores.

Given my experience with Natura Bissé products, I suspect High Density Lift works. Nasrin Tanaly applied it to my face today, and I loved the feel and experience of application. She sent me home with a few samples. I won't be able to test it for 3-4 weeks, my preference for testing skin care before I evaluate it. I may have to invest in a jar. Amazingly, High Density Lift is priced at only $290. For high-end skin care these days, that's a bargain.

Definitely stop by your favorite Natura Bissé counter and ask for an introductions and samples. We can try it together.

Photo courtesy of fashionmonitor.com

RéVive Intensité Crème Lustre SPF 30

Many of you have asked me about the products I use every day. I'm always hesitant to describe that - not because I've found the fountain of youth and wish to keep it secret - but because I'm always testing this or that. I seldom have a routine. However, during the last few weeks, RéVive Intensité Crème Lustre SPF 30 ($385) has been part of my daily routine.

After getting a bit red in the cheeks from a very short exposure to the sun, when I had been wearing an SPF 15 product, I decided I had to increase my protection level. I work inside a glass building, so I get plenty of sun exposure indoors. I had a jar of this marvel product on hand, a gift from RéVive representatives, and I put it into use immediately.

This moisturizer is fabulous, albeit pricey. RéVive has been one of my most favorite skin-care lines in the last three years. I think the quality warrants the price - for the most part. There are products I've used that are beyond pricey, and while I love them, I realize they cost a rent payment for many people.

Powered by "RES" and Firming Enzymes, RéVive Intensité Crème Lustre SPF 30 is a firming moisturizer designed to help increase elasticity while reducing the appearance of sagging skin. While I don't have sagging skin (knock on wood), the antioxidants and SPF 30 help protect against the free radicals and UVB/UVA rays that normally lead to visible signs of aging - like sun spots and wrinkles. This wonderful moisturizer gives the skin a firmer, brighter, younger look, with the appearance of diminished fine lines and wrinkles.

RéVive lists Intensité Crème Lustre's key benefits.

• Helps increase elasticity to firm, lift, and tighten skin [a nice feature for anyone over 40]
• Protects skin against daily environmental aggressors and free radical damage that can lead to premature signs of aging
• Minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Brightens the complexion for the legendary RéVive glow

What amazes me is that the company doesn't prominently feature the SPF 30, which is one of the major benefits from my perspective. The active ingredients that provide the sun protection are Avobenzone (3%), Ensulizole (3%), Octisalate (5%), and Octocrylene (8%).

The crème is thick. I make sure to apply it rather thickly and evenly over my face and neck for adequate sun protection, including my nose. It has not created an oil slick on my face, which might be a concern with such thick application. It absorbs quickly. I apply my foundation effortlessly about an hour after I apply Intensité Crème Lustre (my routine). My makeup does not rub off in ribbons, as it can with the wrong moisturizer or one that's thick.

When I use it, my skin looks good: hydrated and rested. Who can ask for more? You can find RéVive products at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and at RéVive's Web site. If you ever need help with RéVive, please call Anna Befanis at (703) 761-1600, extension 3295. She is a real pro - and a sweetheart too.

I know you are going to ask me what else I used on my daytime face in the last weeks. Here's the list.

• Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum
• Le Métier de Beauté Revive Eye Concentrate
• No serum - I wanted to test the moisturizer alone 
• Natura Bissé Tolerance Enzyme Peel
• I used an assortment of cleansers - whatever was at hand. I used a sample Le Métier de Beauté eye makeup remover.

Update: This product was made in the U.S.A.

Photo courtesy of RéVive

Aroma M Beauty Camellia Face Oil - An Organic Treat for Your Skin

I love camellias. To me, they are among the most elegant shrub-growing flowers. Based on receiving a lovely sample of aroma M Beauty's Camellia Face Oil, I've spent a few months researching camellia oil and its beneficial properties.

What have I learned? Since the 14^th century or before, camellia oil has been widely used for many purposes, including skin care and hair care. Camellia oil is composed primarily of oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, which has a similar composition to natural human sebum and other essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid. Its oleic acid percentage is the highest among the natural oils being used for cosmetic purposes today. Those in the know are aware that oils are one of the latest best things in skin care. You're seeing them everywhere, right?

Studies of oleic and other fatty acids have proven that they are an excellent emollient and a remarkable natural agent for the retention and enhancement of moisture. A lack of lipid or fatty substances impairs our skin’s ability to retain moisture. These substances in human skin decline as we age, and this deficit is a key factor that causes our skin to dry as we age.

Studies have demonstrated that oleic acid has unparalleled penetration power, capable of permeating deeply into the lower layers of the stratum corneum to greatly enhance the beneficial effects of collagen and elastin (which are essential for cell growth and flexibility), helping to repair the damage caused by dryness, sun exposure, and other factors. Using camellia oil on the skin results in restoration of the skin’s elasticity, significant improvement in skin texture, and elimination or remarkable reduction of fine lines and small wrinkles.

American born artist Maria McElroy synthesized her love of blending colors and textures with her passion for scent to create aroma M perfumes in 1995. Maria's seven-year journey, rich in Japanese history, romance, and mystery, became the genesis for aroma M Beauty and the inspiration for the new capsule collection of her renowned Geisha beauty products.

Maria's appreciation for Japanese culture and aesthetics and her extraordinary experiences in the secretive world of the Kyoto Gion Geishas have been the foundation for aroma M’s Beauty products. Steeped in the ways of ancient Eastern traditions, and adhering to the Eastern mandate that beauty is a daily routine, Maria uses unexpected, precious ingredients in her beauty line.

Her gourmand combinations are a direct influence from Maria’s Kyoto-born chef husband. Tuberose and rosemary, jasmine, and frankincense essential oils are designed to smell beautiful and simultaneously enchant the mind, the soul, and the skin. Drawing on her aromatherapy background, Maria has developed elixirs that will satisfy all your beauty needs.

In her beauty products, she uses organic cold pressed oils and organic essential oils - all carefully selected for the ultimate refined beauty experience. Although she is well known for her fragrances, her beauty line is relatively new. Her initial two offerings were the Camellia Hair Oil and Camellia Face Oil. She sent me samples of both. Today, I want to focus on Camellia Face Oil.

Maria's Camellia Face Oil (40 ml, $95) is a luxurious face moisturizer. I know that many of you appreciate the benefits of using oils for hydration. I think you'll love her camellia oil. At a visible/practical level, camellia oil is said to remove impurities from the skin while it moisturizes, freshens, and purifies the skin. I've even read that it offers UVB protection, stretch mark prevention and reduction, treatment of eczema, and even acne and acne scars, and treatment for thinning hair - although I have no proof for any of those benefits. Since it has been used for centuries, there's got to be something to it. TATCHA and Shu Uemura Art of Hair also offer camellia oil-based products, and you know how good their products are.

The ingredients in Maria's Camellia Face Oil are organic camellia seed oil, organic carrot seed oil, organic golden jojoba oil, organic apricot kernel oil, organic evening primrose oil, organic argan oil, vitamin E, organic essential oils of jasmine, neroli, geranium, and frankincense - giving Camellia Face Oil a divine natural fragrance. Because aroma M Beauty oils are made in small batches and contain these natural ingredients, they should be used within six months of purchase - they are that pure.

I have used up the sample Maria sent me. I loved it. If you've never used oil on your face, you might think it would be messy. It's not - hence the popularity of oils today (think argan oil, one you probably know). Camellia Face Oil absorbs quickly, leaving behind a moist, smooth feeling. Oil-based moisturizers can even be used by those with oily or combination skin. They absorb readily and do not create or increase oiliness. They hydrate and leave behind soft skin. Just apply a few precious drops on moist, freshly washed skin - your face, neck, and décolleté. I suggest you pat the oil onto your skin, giving yourself a pressure massage as you do. Use Maria's oil for a few days, morning and night, and you'll start to see a difference in your skin's hydration levels.

The aroma M Beauty line is artfully housed in a modern art nouveau glass bottle. Each bottle is adorned with Aroma M’s signature patterned Yuzen paper designs, handcrafted in Kyoto to complete the Japonesque design. They are luxurious inside and out.

Aroma M Beauty's Camellia Face and Hair Oils are on sale at Maria's online boutique through May 31. We all like discounts, so why not try one of the aroma M Beauty camellia oils and save 10%? I can assure you that the hair oil will make your hair shine like no other. I was skeptical, but now I'm a believer in that too. I was an easy sell on the face oil.

Photos courtesy of aroma M Beauty, wikimedia, and nationalgeographic

Lancôme Absolue L'Extrait Regenerating Ultimate Elixir

Lancôme's Absolue L'Extrait Regenerating Ultimate Elixir ($350) is pricey. That makes it a problem that I love it. Here's how it's marketed.

An exceptional elixir exists. It contains up to two million Lancôme Rose native cells. Experience Lancôme’s revolutionary skincare innovation and our most powerful regenerating ingredient, Lancôme Rose Native Cells. Extracted from the heart of the rare and resilient Lancôme Rose using an exclusive, state-of-the-art biotechnological process, these native cells are proven to extend their own exceptional properties to enhance skin’s regenerative potential. 

Oddly, though perhaps not so oddly after the FDA's recent actions, there is a footnote online on the claim for regenerative potential. I can't find the actual note. Could it be that Lancôme has already removed the copy that claims cellular actions?

Absolue L’Extrait is said to help reveal firmer, more elastic, and more radiant skin. Jocelyn Malinowski, Lancôme representative at Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria, gave me samples that were sufficient to use this lovely serum-like moisturizer for two weeks. I loved it! Then I turned around and purchased the product. Never say that samples don't sell.

According to Lancôme, a Fermogenesis process allows the Lancôme rose native cells captured in each jar to nurture the skin. There are supposed to be two million of these rose cells in each jar (which makes me wonder how many of these roses are required for production!).

Forget the marketing claims and stick with me for a moment. This serum/hydrator feels great and makes my skin look good. It absorbs quickly, with a heavenly rose scent; leaves a soft, velvety feel; and it imparts an even tone and the radiance of healthy skin.

Jocelyn said you can use Absolue L'Extrait as your serum, day cream, and eye cream. All you need to add is a sunscreen for day. I started using it cautiously, then I got daring and used it as an eye cream. Love!

Lancôme recommends elaborate application instructions, basically starting with application of a pea-sized amount and ending with dual use of the gold-tipped wand (warmed by warm water) to first massage the skin in upward, circular strokes, then moving to upward gliding strokes. I don't have that kind of time. I apply this lovely extrait with my fingers and call it a day (or night).

If you have any questions and would like to know more about Lancôme's Absolue L'Extrait Regenerating Ultimate Elixir, give Jocelyn a call. Maybe she can send you a sample. You can reach her at (703) 761-1600, extension 3282. Make sure to ask for her. She is the only Lancôme representative at the store.

Of course, you can read up online. There is a short video at this link.

Photo courtesy of Lancôme

Natura Bissé NB•CEUTICAL Tolerance Recovery Cream

Without a doubt, I must restock my Natura Bissé NB•CEUTICAL Tolerance Recovery Cream ($155) during Beauty Event at Neiman Marcus. My first jar was a gift from Natura Bissé. It became an essential component of my skin-care routine. Now, I'm bereft because I ran out of it last week. I had scraped out the last bit of usable product from the jar, and I'm left longing for another. That's my definition of an essential moisturizer. Just as bad, I ran out of Natura Bissé's Eye Recovery Balm this week. I'll be buying that too. These two products are perfect for sensitive skin - all skin types, really - and they fall into my heavenly category.

Tolerance Recovery Cream is a rich and luxurious emulsion that provides extraordinary hydration; it instantly melts on the skin, deeply infusing it with an unprecedented nourishing and refreshing (slightly cooling) sensation. It's intended to be used day and night, but I love to apply it before bed, knowing it will rev my skin overnight. I have worn it during the day. It's perfect under makeup.

This lavish cream is formulated with Pro-Tolerance Peptide Complex, which includes 30 targeted ingredients. It provides the skin with a youthful appearance and improves the skin’s self-defense mechanism. It contains properties to restore the skin’s hydration levels while soothing, regenerating, and protecting. Do you ever feel like you're drier at the end of a day than you were in the morning? That's one reason I give my skin a big "drink of water" when I go to bed.

Tolerance Recovery Cream is great for all skin-types, but especially for the most sensitive and compromised skins (e.g., after a procedure, sunburned skin, dehydrated skin). The benefits you can expect follow in no particular order.

• Allergen and paraben-free
• Provides intense hydration and enriches the skin's natural lipid barrier
• Calming and nourishing properties to soothe skin
• Inhibits degrading enzymes from destroying collagen and elastin
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 
• Reduces redness and other signs of irritation (great for those of us who have natural redness)
• Increases the skin’s resistance for sensitive skin types and prevents signs of irritation from occurring
• Decongesting (depuffing) and repairing properties
• Little scent - what's there is pleasant, but barely detectable

The NB•CEUTICAL Collection by Natura Bissé offers pro-tolerance and intensive recovery solutions. The line contains protective and recuperative products to help the skin increase its tolerance to internal and external elements and enhance recovery when affected. I love everything I've tried. I desperately want to try the Lip Recovery Balm, so I'll probably buy that too. I've been using the Tolerance Cleanser, but it's a big tube and I'm not close to depleting it. So little of the product is required to thoroughly cleanse my skin. I keep that one in my shower.

There's a Natura Bissé GWP during Beauty Event. With any $300 purchase (and I'm sure I'll get there restocking my bathroom), you will receive:

• Facial Cleansing Gel, 75 ml;
• The Cure Sheer Cream, 20 ml;
• Tensolift Neck Cream, 20 ml; 
• and a Natura Bissé White Frosted Bag, which looks useful even if not exciting.

I want the gift! If you have any questions about Natura Bissé, call Denise Thomas at (703) 761-1600, extension 3279 or 3288. Or you can e-mail Denise at denisethomas744@aol.com (I have permission to post her e-mail). Do not settle for a sales associate who would "love" to help you help her meet her goal for the month. Talk with Denise, the expert.

The Tysons Galleria store plans to host another Pure Air Bubble Diamond White Facial. I can't remember the approximate date, but make sure to mention to Denise that you are interested if you live in the DC area. The "bubble" is an experience you must have - at least once in your life.

Photos courtesy of Natura Bissé and Neiman Marcus

New from La Mer: Crème Soyeuse de la Mer - The Moisturizing Soft Cream

Its white utilitarian jar gives away nothing. You have to experience La Mer's new Crème Soyeuse de la Mer ($150-275), The Moisturizing Soft Cream (or Silky Cream of the Sea), to understand how special it is. The luxuriously light formula may lead you to think it's not as hydrating as its older sister. Aux contraire!

The formula penetrates deeply to replenish moisture and improve strength and radiance, using a new delivery system that allows The Moisturizing Soft Cream to have a lightweight feel. You don't need to warm it in your hands to make it "spreadable," as La Mer recommends for the original Crème de la Mer. It comes out of the jar ready to apply, and it absorbs in a heartbeat, leaving my dry skin feeling utterly moist and satisfied. Oh, and the light scent is beautiful - very La Mer.

Crème de la Mer has, since its introduction, been the gold standard for moisture. Its unique Miracle Broth, the foundation of the formula, has re-energized the skin of so many women, it's a legendary product. Other moisturizers have come along with newer technology, but I and other La Mer fans will never leave it. We just layer it with newer, more technologically advanced products.

Many women found the original Crème de la Mer too heavy or didn't want to use it in the warm seasons, when their skin naturally has more moisture. So, La Mer developed products for them, such as The Moisturizing Lotion (which I've used and love) and The Moisturizing Gel Cream.

I've yearned for something in between: a product just as hydrating as the original Crème de la Mer, but more lightweight for summer. Now I have it, and I'm enormously pleased. The Moisturizing Soft Cream, as it's called in the United States, is the answer. This cream will make your skin feel soft and supple while it almost disappears on the skin. It's there, though. I applied it liberally last night before bed, and even now, eight hours later, I can feel a soft, protective, very light "film" on my face. During the day, your proof that it's "there" will come from your foundation application and wear. The Moisturizing Soft Cream provides all the slip you need to apply foundation and feel hydrated - all without any heaviness, and the color should look good all day.

I've used Crème Soyeuse de la Mer for about two weeks and give it an unqualified A+. I love it. After using two samples, I purchased the big jar. I'm in this one for the long haul.

I purchased mine at Neiman Marcus. The Moisturizing Soft Cream should be available at all La Mer counters. You can also find it at the La Mer Web site. See what you think.

Perricone MD Acyl-Glutathione

Earlier this year, Dr. Nicholas Perricone introduced Acyl-Glutathione, a new treatment moisturizer. I purchased it not long after because I have grown to love my Perricone MD products, and this one appeared to have promise - even with a name that won't roll off the tongue. I always try to tell you about impressive skin care. If your skin doesn't look good, your makeup won't either.

Acyl-Glutathione ($175) quickly earned a place in my skin-care routine. I like everything about it, except its small size, one fluid ounce. I want Dr. Perricone to super-size it.

Acyl-Glutathione (pronounced ay-sil gloo-ta-thigh-on), addresses the accelerated signs of aging, including severe dryness, extreme loss of elasticity, deep lines and wrinkles, and fragile, thin skin. Used as both a preventative and corrective moisturizer, this treatment helps create visibly improved skin in just 30 days. I've been using it for a few months and can report that it's effective.

I learned on Sephora's blog that the name, Acyl-Glutathione, comes from the patent-pending molecule created to replenish glutathione, an antioxidant, in our skin cells. If you experience a decrease in glutathione, your skin could appear fatigued, wrinkled, and/or dehydrated, or change in texture. Acyl-Glutathione works to fix those deficits by bringing your skin back to life and defying aging. After just 30 days of continued use (just a dime-sized amount, twice a day, says Perricone), you’ll notice a decrease in the appearance of fine lines, creases, and wrinkles and a boost in hydration.

In a 30-day consumer research study, after application every morning and evening:

• 85% saw a reduction in the appearance of horizontal forehead creases;
• 90% saw a reduction in the appearance of 11 vertical creases;
• 85% saw a reduction in the appearance of smile creases; and
  
• 88% saw a reduction in the appearance of marionette creases above the chin, but below the mouth.

Those are impressive results. A majority of consumers saw their skin look more supple (less thin) and found it bounced back quickly from sleep creases. I am a long-time side sleeper, and occasionally I awaken in the morning with a deep crease from a pillowcase wrinkle. Note to self: go buy silk pillowcases. I have seen almost no sleep creases since I started using Acyl-Glutathione. Most users also see an increase in firmness and radiance.

The lightweight cream absorbs very quickly, leaving behind a protective "film" that's barely perceivable (I like to be able to feel my treatment moisturizer to know it's still there). The ingredients that contribute to its effectiveness include DMAE, glycolic acid, peptides, dimethicone, sesame seed oil, glycerin, and, unfortunately, the ubiquitous propylene glycol. I can't seem to shake that ingredient from my beauty products. The treatment is paraben-free.

Dr. Perricone recommends following the application of Acyl-Glutathione with a moisturizer if necessary. Even though my skin is very dry, I have not found any "top coat" to be necessary. It's nicely moisturizing. There is no discernible fragrance (it's light, pleasant, then gone - all good). My only complaint is the small size of the jar. Perhaps I'm applying it too liberally (I apply more than a dime-sized dab), but I expected to get a few more months out of it. I'm almost at the replenishment point. Despite the size, I will purchase it again. I am extremely happy with it.

You can purchase Acyl-Glutathione at Sephora and Nordstrom or directly from Perricone MD, where you can see instruction videos and will often find special offers.

Photo courtesy of Sephora

LIERAC Sensorielle - Sensory Oil with 3 White Flowers

White flower lovers, rejoice! If you happen to love body, face, and hair oils too, head for your closest LIERAC source (CVS for me). LIERAC launched Sensorielle, "Sensory Oil with 3 White Flowers," in Collection Blanche (Huile Sensorielle aux 3 Fleurs, $34) this spring.

In April, I read about this gorgeous oil in WWD's Beauty Inc. It was featured in an "In Stores Now" feature. So, I hopped in my car and drove to the closest CVS. I had to have it - right then and there. It wasn't in stock, but knowing that the closest CVS has lost its beauty expert, I decided to try two other nearby stores. I was obsessed! I didn't find it that day, or the next, or even a few weeks later. One day in June, as I was strolling by the LIERAC display, it caught my eye, and it was finally mine. It was worth the wait!

White flowers (camellia, jasmine, and gardenia) join argan, sweet almond, grape seed, and hazelnut oils in this multitasking elixir for body, hair, and face. The luxurious sensory oil provides 24-hour hydration that nourishes and softens the skin and hair. The fragrance is absolutely intoxicating. It's light, refreshing, and relaxing.

Sensorielle provides long-lasting moisture. I've been using it on my body before bed, and I drift off to sleep feeling cleanly moist. It's a dry oil, meaning it doesn't feel greasy, and it absorbs quickly, leaving behind a sublime scent that I can smell many hours later. Last night, I happened to awaken about four hours after I had applied it. Always testing, I smelled my arms to see if the white flowers were still there. They were; it was a light, comforting scent, one that helped me drift off again. Eight hours later? I could still smell it.

It has a spray cap, which I love, except that the spray dispenses as a stream. If it were diffused, I could spray it right onto my target areas. Instead, I spray it into my palm and apply it with my hands. The good news is that my hands are left with a divine smell, since the oil itself absorbs so quickly. I don't bother to wash it off.

I have never used Sensorielle on my hair. I'm not a big fan of oils to de-frizz or hydrate my hair. My hair is too fine and will go limp with only the suggestion of weight (or humidity). I'm sure those who love argan and other oils for their hair will love Sensorielle too. I do plan to use it in my bath water, as soon as I get a second bottle. For now, I don't want to waste any of this precious elixir by mixing it with water.

You can find Sensorielle at your favorite source for LIERAC products or at LIERAC's Web site. It's a must-have for white flower lovers!

Update 7/12: I forgot to mention that Sensorielle is a limited edition. The bottle tag reminded me today.

Photo courtesy of LIERAC

Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture

Murad's Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture ($65) is a treatment moisturizer you should definitely consider if you can use products with retinyl palmitate in them. Retinyl palmitate is a fabulous anti-aging ingredient, but most of the time, it irritates my reactive skin. Murad sent me a jar of this lovely moisturizer, so I enlisted a friend to test it. Megan has combination skin, is younger than me (but still concerned about anti-aging - smart gal), and she's thorough. I knew it was in good hands. Before I tell you about her results, let's consider what Murad has to say about this moisturizer that won a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.

Murad's Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is an uber-rich, all-purpose moisturizer that combines a luxurious recipe of ingredients to quench dry, dehydrated skin and restore youthful resilience and tone. With a formula rooted in the Science of Cellular Water, Murad’s proprietary system for optimizing cell hydration and skin health, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture instantly soothes and renews skin with long-lasting hydration and suppleness.

The most hydrating moisturizer Murad has ever offered, Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture offers skin both immediate and long-term benefits by locking in optimal moisture for eight hours. Avocado, sunflower, and olive fruit oils, along with oat kernel, yeast, and algae extract, hyaluronic acid, and a host of great ingredients, enhance the skin’s ability to retain maximum levels of hydration. Retinyl palmitate and shea butter improve texture and tone to restore the skin’s natural smoothness and softness. The company's Collagen Support Complex boosts skin’s resilience and plumps dehydrated skin.

This moisturizer is gentle enough for sensitive skin and effective enough to be used with all of Murad’s anti-aging products for increased hydration. The velvety formula provides moisture, smoothness, and comfort, leaving the skin perfectly polished and radiant.

Is the marketing description true? Yep! Murad's own customer reviews are incredibly favorable, as was Megan's. Here's what she had to say.

• Overall, this is a great product that I would recommend, and I love using it. Thank you!
  
• I have combination skin, and I found the product a little heavy for the day, but it was perfect for use at night. While it is heavier than the moisturizer I was using, is it not at all greasy.
• My skin felt very smooth in the morning - I noticed a big difference after just the first use.
• After two weeks of using the cream nightly, I noticed a more even complexion. After three weeks, the results were even better.
• The cream decreased the oiliness in my T-zone, which seems counterintuitive, but is a delightful result.

Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture got Megan's seal of approval. Her results demonstrated that Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is perfect for gals who need to use an anti-aging and hydrating product, but worry that it will exacerbate their T-zone issues (unfortunately, we all "come of age" and need to step up our skin-care regimen). The price of this treatment moisturizer is attractive. Not as pricey as many of the department store "luxury lines," it's an effective and affordable investment in your skin.

I believe Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture would be perfect for those without T-zone issues - if they can tolerate retinyl palmitate. My sensitivity to the ingredient is unusually severe, and I don't tempt the fates.

Murad also sent a Complete Reform with Glyco Firming Complex serum. I have tested the serum and plan to feature it soon. It's another "best thing in beauty." For now, hop over to Murad's Web site for more information about Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture and the wide range of skin care from this well-regarded company. There are always special offers, so make sure to click on the New Offers tab while you are there.

Photo courtesy of Murad

Sun Chlorella Cream

Sun Chlorella Cream ($75), a moisturizer and treatment cream, offers a unique blend of natural ingredients in a purified water base that will absorb into your skin's surface to hydrate the cells. Once absorbed, the nucleic acids in the Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) begin stimulating skin cell activity. Cultivated from one of nature's perfect superfoods, chlorella, the CGF in Sun Chlorella Cream will feed your skin the nutrients it needs to restore itself, leaving you with healthy and radiant skin.

I know what you're thinking...What's chlorella? Chlorella is a strain of green algae that grows in fresh water. This superfood emerged over 540 million years ago and was the first form of plant life with a well-defined nucleus (I sure didn't know that!). There are fossils from the pre-Cambrian period that clearly indicate the presence of chlorella. Because chlorella is a microscopic organism, it was not discovered until the late 19^th century, deriving its name from the Greek, chloros meaning green, and ella, meaning small.

Chlorella belongs to the eucaryotic cell category of algae and lives in fresh water as a single-celled plant. Its size is about that of a human erythrocyte (between 2-8 microns in diameter). Of the 25,000 species of algae, only 15 are edible. Sun Chlorella USA sells all kinds of products with chlorella in them, including dietary supplements for you and your pet!

I've had an opportunity, offered by the company, to try some of them. I started with the Sun Chlorella Cream. What beauty addict wouldn't? Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF) is a nucleotide-peptide complex of substances found only in chlorella. These substances: nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, polysaccharides, and beta glucans nourish and replenish your skin. Besides the high concentration of chlorella, the cream has some excellent anti-aging ingredients in it, such as arginine, copper, and botanicals.

Beyond all the good stuff for your skin, the smell, texture, and feel are wonderful. The surprise is that it's green, but so are the supplements. Once applied, though, the green disappears. I couldn't help thinking that green is good, though, for mitigating redness. Chlorella has a very high concentration of chlorophyll.

It has a gentle rose scent that is beyond pleasant. The scent makes application a sensory treat. The cream is medium weight, absorbs quickly, but leaves a protective barrier on my skin. I can feel it when I hop in the shower in the morning, and I like that. I want to know that my treatment cream has been working for me overnight, fortifying my skin's barrier to keep me from losing moisture to the dry air that accompanies the heat or air conditioning in my house. Over the weeks I tested the cream, my skin was hydrated and felt smooth and supple.

The company, Sun Chlorella USA, has been a world leader of chlorella health products since 1969. Mr. Hideo Nakayama, the founder, had experienced an onslaught of illnesses that left his body battered. After he made a fateful discovery of chlorealla, which put him on the road to recovery, he dedicated the rest of his life to researching its benefits. The small company has come a long way since then. Most of the press about Sun Chlorella has been generated in the health food world. It's time to change that. Their Sun Chlorella Cream is making its mark in the beauty industry. I'm appreciative to be going along for the ride.

You can purchase Sun Chlorella Cream, which is made in Japan, directly from the company, with free shipping in the U.S. There is a small shipping price to Canada. If you aren't in the market for a new moisturizer, you might want to give the supplements a try. Superfoods are the latest "in thing" for healthy skin!

Photo courtesy of Sun Chlorella

KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream

Recently launched, Kate Somerville's KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream ($195) is a Neiman Marcus exclusive. Multi-Active Repair is a potent anti-aging moisturizer, formulated with a proprietary blend of collagen-building peptides to effectively tighten and lift sagging skin.

• The moisture extracts in the formula immediately repair the skin's lipid barrier to enhance moisture content, providing instant dryness relief and a proven long-term increase in skin hydration levels.
• A combination of volumizers helps to plump up the skin from within for a lifted look while dramatically reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• It's fueled by something called Chromocare to visibly even and rejuvenate the complexion, improving skin uniformity.
• A unique brightening complex adds a healthy, natural radiance for an immediately brighter and even-textured skin tone.

I wish I knew a lot more about it because I love it. I tested it before the last moisturizer I featured, and it's fabulous. What else would you expect from Kate Somerville?

I love everything about this treatment moisturizer: the dispenser (press on the lid, and up pops the cream you will use - protects the rest of the product from contamination); the texture; the lack of any strong fragrance (but what's there is pleasing); the moisturizing effects; and, I hope, the coming of younger-looking skin. I'm ever hopeful. For now, I can tell you that it feels exceptionally nice and is definitely protective.

I have very dry skin most of the year. In the middle of summer, it's only dry. This treatment moisturizer seems like it was made for me. Here are some of the ingredients (yes, I realize they may have "foreign" names). I'm listing them so that you can understand the combination of new skin-care technology and proven botanical ingredients in Multi-Active Repair.

• Glyceryl betaine/polyacrylic acid esters, moisturizing ingredient that provides instant dryness relief and efficiently promotes collagen synthesis
• Diisopropyl dimer dilinoleate, a synthetic ester that functions as a skin-conditioning agent and emollient
• Ethylhexyl olivate, a natural olive-based emollient
• Olive fruit
• Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, a tripeptide that stimulates the skin to activate collagen biosynthesis, stimulating and strengthening the dermis to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Soybean seed extract
• Blackberry leaf extract
• Sodium hyaluronate
• Grapefruit, orange, lime, bergamot, and ginger oils.

There's more, but I think you'll appreciate this partial list. Multi-Active Repair is packed with good stuff for your skin.

I'm sold, and I've only had it a short time. I wanted to tell you about it as Neiman Marcus InCircle starts. You should look for KateCeuticals Multi-Active Repair Lifting & Lineless Cream, along with other Kate Somerville products. This is a good time to buy. There is a Kate Somerville cleanser gift with a purchase of $150.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Jo Malone English Pear & Freesia Dry Body Oil

I guess I was asleep at the switch. I didn't realize that Jo Malone had introduced a dry oil in English Pear & Freesia ($65). When I found out, my credit card jumped out of my wallet at lightning speed. I love dry oils, and I love Jo Malone's English Pear & Freesia fragrance. It was a natural for me.

English Pear & Freesia is a fruity floral with a burst of King William Pear in its top notes. White freesia (always one of the most fragrant flowers in a bouquet) is among the scent’s heart notes. Amazingly, its dry-down includes patchouli, white amber, and musk. I don't smell the patchouli, which I normally despise. I do smell the musk.

This luxurious, moisturizing oil scents the skin and is silky to the touch. The innovative, light texture is said to be ideal for warm weather - in my mind any weather. Dry oil hydrates the skin, but is dry to the touch. This one leaves behind nothing slick that would interfere with clothing, just lovely, scented hydration.

Given that "dry oil" is a relatively odd term, you might be wondering, "How can an oil be dry?" A dry oil is an oil that has been rendered almost free of water, contaminants, and impurities. Most dry oils for skin care are absorbed rapidly and don't leave you feeling sticky or greasy. A few do - but not this one. If you like English Pear & Freesia, you might want to look for this dry body oil.

You can find Jo Malone online and at department store counters everywhere.

Photo courtesy of Jo Malone

Clinique CX Neck & Chest De-Aging Cream

Clinique has a winner with its CX Neck & Chest De-Aging Cream ($110). I was recently turned on to the value of neck creams. I had always used whatever moisturizer I was using on my face on my neck too. One neck product I really liked turned me to the idea of using a product targeted to the neck and chest. So, I jumped at the chance to try Clinique's CX Neck & Chest De-Aging Cream when Alexandra Tuluceanu at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria offered me some very generous samples (enough to last for months).

While I'm mentioning Alexandra Tuluceanu, I want you to know that she is a dynamite representative for Clinique. Knowledgeable, but not at all pushy, she can size up your skin-care needs in a heartbeat and recommend some great options for you. Because Clinique's price points are so good, it's pretty hard to resist - even the more expensive CX line. She is so professional.

Clinique says that within four weeks, you will notice measurable results from using this cream. I disagree. The change is much faster! The product works by rebuilding the natural collagen cushion, and it makes sense that a change in collagen would take that long. There's something about this cream that produces visible results in a week - and that's for someone who always uses a moisturizer and treatment product on her neck.

This densely hydrating and luxurious cream delivers a potent de-aging stimulus to the skin.

• Visibly firms and tightens
• Horizontal lines on the neck and vertical lines on the chest are less visible
• Skin looks smoother and brighter

The cream was designed for all skin types, and my skin slurped it up. It absorbs quickly, leaving behind no residue to stain or harm one's clothing during the day, yet leaves the skin feeling moisturized and soft. Neck creams are supposed to be light so that they don't exert a downward pull on the delicate skin on the neck. This one is. It even has a very pleasant cooling effect. That's lovely for anyone suffering from hot flashes!

What's in it? A who's who of skin-care ingredients, including many natural ingredients make this cream a stunner. It has jojoba seed oil, beeswax, glycerin, green tea leaf extract, St. Paul's work extract, birch extract, wheat germ extract, and many more botanical and scientifically proven ingredients (such as hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C). The list is long. It doesn't include retinol (yea!). As with all Clinique products, it was allergy-tested and is fragrance-free.

Clinique advises to apply CX Neck & Chest De-Aging Cream day and night, smoothing over neck and chest in an upward motion. I use circular movements, but I seldom follow those upward movement recommendations. If it glides onto my skin, as this cream does, I use a light hand, and I doubt my application is pulling on the skin of my neck. The company reminds us to make daily sunscreen a habit to help stall visible aging and UV-induced damage to aging skin.

Once you notice lines on your neck, you'll be motivated to use a hydrating and treatment product on your neck. If you start to see lines forming on the upper chest area, you'll be doubly motivated. The lines aren't necessarily there all the time, but frightening when you see them. Why not start to use a product to prevent them? That product must improve elasticity while it builds collagen in the cells of the skin. Use this cream and the horizontal lines on the neck and vertical lines on the chest appear to "fill in." Your skin will look smoother, brighter, and more even-toned. Maybe it will take a month. Maybe you'll see a difference more quickly, as I did (a friend too). I want to hug Alexandra. I will next time I see her.

You can purchase Clinique CX Neck & Chest De-Aging Cream at Clinique counters, including Neiman Marcus, everywhere.

Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

DermaSilk Miracle Cream

DermaSilk sent me a few products to test. It was in the time frame of my surgery, and a friend who has been trying out new skin care volunteered to help me. I knew I had to give her the Miracle Cream ($34.99) because I saw retinyl palmitate in the ingredients. My friend Berry loves the stuff; my skin reacts badly to it.

Of the products she tested, her favorite was Miracle Cream. With a proprietary blend of nine skin-restoring ingredients called Dermal Matrikine Complex, DermaSilk's Miracle Cream is an anti-aging moisturizer/treatment designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firm and brighten the skin, promote the rejuvenation of skin, and optimize the skin's natural barrier function to keep it hydrated.

DermaSilk's research trials showed that Miracle Cream significantly improves elasticity and tone. The chart above shows what they found.

Berry liked Miracle Cream - a lot. She said she would highly recommend it to you. Here are some of her observations.

• Felt a little (pleasant) tingling for a few seconds the first few times I used it.
• Lightweight and absorbs well, but feels really rich and moist.
• Continued to feel well-hydrated for hours after application.
• Fine lines diminished, deeper lines softened. Sometimes I find this with products in artificial light, but not daylight. With this, I saw improvement in sunlight.
• No scent.
• Fun little pump-top bottle - clear so you can see when you're running low.
• I like to carry a moisturizer in my purse, and this bottle traveled perfectly. If I see or feel myself getting dry in the afternoon, I pat a little cream over my makeup to feel dewy again. This worked very well for that.

In short, DermaSilk's Miracle Cream was a huge hit! If you are interested in trying it, you can purchase it, along with other DermaSilk products at DermaSilk's Web site, Walgreens, Safeway, and other stores shown here.

Photos courtesy of DermaSilk

La Mer The Concentrate - My Addiction

I have an expensive addiction. It's one I can't break. Like most addicts, though, I don't really want to break it. I want to savor it, every last drop of it.

La Mer's The Concentrate ($350) is my addiction. It's a part of my life now. I attribute many good things about my appearance to The Concentrate. And whether my younger-than-I-really-am skin is a result of La Mer, my genes, or the other products I use, I won't take the chance to find out.

Billed as "a revolutionary treatment that complements skin's natural healing process," The Concentrate is a serum that envelopes the skin in moisture. From everything I read, it's intended for skin that needs to heal - from something like cosmetic surgery, sunburn, scarring, or other assault.

To complement skin's natural healing process and improve the appearance of scars, thoroughly massage onto affected area at least twice per day.

Even if I stray from The Concentrate during the summer, using a lighter product, I return in the fall, when the air turns crisp and dry. My skin tells me it's time to pull out the heavy-duty treatment, and it works every time.

La Mer reps want me to use The Lifting Face Serum ($315), whether I need "lifting" or not. That's the much-loved La Mer firming serum, targeted at people over 40. I have friends (men and women who aren't sagging) who swear by it. I've tried the silky lifting elixir, and I like it. No complaints! But I don't need two serums each morning, and I'm addicted - so I stick with my first love.

The Concentrate is a thick liquid. It comes with an applicator that stays dipped into the bottle so that users can "withdraw" just the right amount for the face and neck. A little of the liquid goes a long way, spreading comfortably over my skin. Once I have applied The Concentrate, I need less Crème de la Mer ($230) or other moisturizer. My thirsty skin slurps the first product that goes on, so The Concentrate is its first drink of the morning after a light cleansing in the shower.

Many will say that La Mer isn't the most advanced, up-to-date product on the market. I've heard it all - no hyaluronic acid, no peptides, and so on. Perhaps, but I use a multi-layered cocktail twice a day to get all the cosmeceuticals I need, while staying true to The Concentrate most mornings. I've tried to go without it, but after a few weeks, my skin shouts, "Get me some help, I'm dry!"

Right now, I am finishing up a bottle. The applicator no longer reaches the product. That's OK. I'm adept at reaching my finger into the bottle to get the last remaining product out before the bottle is recycled. I have my next full bottle ready to go. I try to purchase The Concentrate when Saks is having Friends & Family or at some other fabulous event with a discount. Every dollar saved allows me to continue my addiction!

You can purchase The Concentrate at La Mer's Web site, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and other sources. There is usually a freebie or two with purchase at La Mer online, and Saks and Neiman Marcus sometimes have gifts with purchase. You can usually talk a friendly La Mer rep out of a sample of something when you buy. They know how addictive their products are.

Photo courtesy of La Mer

The Case of the Melting Face - How ESPA Came to the Rescue

There's nothing like a sense of humor when discussing a troublesome beauty issue. I laughed out loud when I read the promotional headline for ESPA's fabulous products for summer. The Case of the Melting Face! How many of you find your makeup melting in heat and humidity? It has been so hot here that a few minutes outside to walk to a restaurant for lunch can leave me a sticky mess.

For ladies who have to step outside and face the heat at some point during their day - and don't want sweaty skin and drippy or disappearing makeup - there aren't many options. Forget about plastering on face powder and looking like a patchy mess (I can't get that image of Nicole Kidman, mistreated by her makeup artist, out of my mind). You can help combat the heat with products from ESPA!

Before you leave the house, use ESPA 24 Hour Balancing Complex ($58). This special complex is the perfect moisturizer for summer because it has a gel consistency that feels cool and refreshing on application. The complex actually decreases sebum production so you perspire less, and the essential oils of tea tree and lavender kill any bacteria to stop blemishes from forming. Use it and your skin will remain tight and refreshed – for 24 hours! It's suitable for oily, combination, and slightly dehydrated skin.

There are two ESPA Floral Spafresh products you can use throughout the day. ESPA Floral Spafresh ($30-$44) is a gentle freshener that soothes, hydrates, tones, and revitalizes the skin. Use it as a toner or take it with you and dab it on in the car while running errands. The scent is so light and fresh, with rose, elderflower, tangerine, and neroli, it's refreshing and cooling. ESPA sent me a travel size Floral Spafresh, and I love it!

Foral Spafresh Spritzer ($35) is a non-drying toner can be spritzed right on top of your makeup throughout the day, refreshing skin instantly without messing up your carefully applied skin, eye, and lip makeup. The uplifting floral scent also keeps you smelling shower fresh – a lovely bonus!

The Floral Spafresh line is suitable for all skin types, but particularly nice for us dry and sensitive types. Not a floral gal? There's an Herbal Spafresh with essential oils of lavender, tea tree, rosemary, and English peppermint for antiseptic and calming properties.

No matter what products you select from ESPA, you can be assured that you are purchasing quality. The ESPA product range has been carefully formulated to deliver outstanding results for the face, body, and mind. They offer a complete range of over 85 products harnessing the best of aromatherapy, phytotherapy, and thalassotherapy (medical use of sea water as a form of therapy). They consider purity, potency, and proven therapeutic qualities as essential when creating exceptionally effective products that naturally deliver long-term benefits. And, they will help you keep your sanity this summer!

You can feed good about helping our environment when you purchase ESPA products.

ESPA believes that purity counts. In the development of their products, they strive to use ingredients that are as natural, pure, potent, and effective as possible. All their precious plant extracts, restorative essential oils, and deeply nourishing marine elements are ethically sourced, and all the raw ingredients they use are from sustainable supplies.

Additionally - important to me - ESPA is against animal testing. They do not test their products on animals and have never done so. The raw materials they use in their products and packaging do not contribute to habitat devastation of endangered animals, and their product range is suitable for vegetarians.

Check out the ESPA Web site (US link) or call 1-877 ESPA USA. There are many spa products to tempt you. The Floral Spafresh I've been using is a keeper. Lucky enough to have a beautiful ESPA spa near you? Go! Pamper yourself now and then.

Clinique Sun SPF 50 Face Cream - Kind to Kitties

There I was, reading the new Vogue, when a little blurb caught my eye. Charlie was sitting next to me, and he and I were both shocked when I read that Clinique's Sun SPF 50 Face Cream ($17.50) "encourages the skin's own repair process with cat's claw extract and RNA fragments."

I had several immediate thoughts. There had to be some mistake. Clinique couldn't possibly harm cats to make a face cream. They are a supremely reputable company! While Charlie gets the tips of his claws clipped regularly to ensure that my own skin stays puncture-free, the donations (should I provide them) wouldn't be a reliable production source. Nor would the donations from thousands of cat owners nationwide. I just couldn't believe it.

Of course I called Clinique, and I followed up with an e-mail with my questions.

1. Where are the cat's claws coming from? Are any animals harmed in the process?
2. How does one "harvest" cat's claws?
3. What is the benefit of this ingredient?

I got my answer quickly, and much to my embarrassment and relief, I learned that cat's claw (C1-8 Alkyl Tetrahydroxycyclohexanoate) is a tropical vine that grows in rain forest and jungle areas in South America and Asia. Some cultures refer to the plant as the "Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest." The vine gets its name from the small thorns at the base of the leaves, which look like a cat's claw. These enable the vine to attach itself around trees and climb.

The plant is considered a valuable medicinal resource and is protected in Peru. Although scientific research has just recently begun to explore its benefits, many cultures native to the South American rain forests have used cat's claw for hundreds of years. The extract is believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties. Clinique says that cat's claw encourages the skin's natural repair process to help "clean up" skin damage before it can replicate.

Now that I know Charlie (Savannah too) and millions of other cats are safe, I'll be purchasing Sun SPF 50 Face Cream this weekend. It sounds like a fabulous, protective cream. Here's what Clinique says about it online.

Innovative SolarSmart technology stabilizes high-level protection against the aging and burning effects of UVA and UVB rays. Triggers a repair that helps prevent signs of aging. With solar-activated antioxidants that help prevent visible damage. Gentle enough for sensitive skins. Dermatologist tested. Oil-free.

Clinique's sparkling reputation is safe at my house!

Photo courtesy of Clinique

Special Armani Beauty Giveaway Contest for DC-Area Beauty Lovers

Update 5/14: We are canceling this contest. Not enough entries. We will do something special for the one entrant. Stay tuned for the next Armani Beauty giveaway contest! Do make an appointment to go see Tim on May 21-22 if you can - he's fabulous!

Giorgio Armani Beauty's Crema Nera OMC³ is a blockbuster hit - with me, my friends, and world-wide. OMC³ has an SPF of 15 (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays), so it's basically a day cream - lightweight in feel, but with heavy-duty effectiveness. It's priced at $185. See the information below for more about OMC³.

Best Things in Beauty has one OMC³ to give away, courtesy of the generous Armani Beauty team at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Here's the deal. Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland has a super-cool two-day event coming up. Tim Quinn, Giorgio Armani Beauty's Celebrity Face Designer, will be there on May 21 and 22 (Friday and Saturday) to help women with appointments select the right colors to look their best. He may not be the one who actually applies your makeup - it will depend on how busy it is when you go - but he will definitely select some shades for you.

To be eligible to win this contest, you have to do three simple things.

1. Simply leave a comment here saying you are going to the event.
2. Call the Armani counter at Saks at (240) 497-5206 and make an appointment to meet with Tim. When you call, make sure to tell them you are a Best Things in Beauty reader and what name you used to leave the comment.
3. Keep your appointment with one of the world's best makeup artists.

It's that easy! After the event, Loyd Cassler, leader of the Saks Armani Beauty Team, and I will compare notes for eligibility, and then I will use a random number generator to select a winner. I'd say your odds of winning are going to be high since I don't think I have that many DC-area readers.

Now, back to OMC³ for a minute. The targeted anti-aging OMC³ treatment is designed to restructure, replenish, and re-plump the skin for women (and men) concerned with wrinkles, firmness, and sagging. Its active ingredients are the OMC³ complex, a combination of perlite solute, iron, and silicium - the latter two being anti-aging, cell-regenerating minerals; pro-xylane, which stimulates the production of glycosaminoglycans, important to the function of connective tissue; and hyaluronic acid (a must-use topical hydrator). This is "good stuff" for the skin!

Crema Nera OMC³ is said to add density, firmness, and structure to the skin by working at three levels: the epidermis, dermo-epidermal junction, and the dermis. Basically, the three essential ingredients in OMC³ are believed to repair the skin by acting on different types of collagen, increasing collagen production. The results? In a four-week test, 81% of the participants experienced increased firmness, 73% experienced a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles (imagine pushing them out from the inside), and 73% had improved density.

The contest deadline for leaving a comment here is midnight on May 20. I wouldn't recommend that you wait to book your appointment with Tim. Appointments with him are always a hot ticket, and they book fast. Check out my recent interview with him!

My thanks, once again, to the uber-generous Armani Beauty team at Saks for this contest! It's intended to be a thank you to my local readers and their customers - and a nice way to introduce you to Armani's superstar, Tim Quinn.

I'll be posting this giveaway contest at Free!Grechen, my favorite giveaway contest site. Good luck!

Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty