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.

La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion

La Mer's The Reparative Body Lotion ($150) is an indulgence - a delightful, if somewhat expensive, treat for the skin and senses. During the Neiman Marcus Beauty Event, the totes that were a gift with purchase contained an empty container for a sample of the new The Reparative Body Lotion.

Anyone who left the store with her tote - without realizing she had to examine the contents to see what she had to specifically request - had to have been annoyed. I had the good fortune to have a great sales associate, Loula Ayoub, who wouldn't let me leave the store without my generous sample. I really don't know why Neiman Marcus does that empty-container thing. It's intended, I'm sure, to make you stop by the counter to hear the sales pitch. I don't need the coercion; I just want the sample so that I can try the product at home and decide whether I like it.

Anyhow, I love Reparative Body Lotion. It's a beautifully scented, thick body lotion that makes my skin feel nicely hydrated. It's billed as "a transformative treatment that delivers the anti-aging power of a serum to the body, renewing and smoothing on contact." The Reparative Body Lotion is a Neiman Marcus Group and La Mer exclusive."

La Mer's nutrient-rich Miracle Broth, the heart of its products, as well as the "Reparative Ferment" and a unique Marine Ferment, allow The Reparative Body Lotion to visibly firm and revitalize skin. The "Reparative Ferment" is a powerful healing agent of clarifying algae, marine peptides, and Rock Samphire.  The clarifying algae helps brighten the skin, even tone, and diminish the look of age spots. Marine peptides help repair the look of lines and wrinkles.  Rock Samphire, a seashore plant known for its exfoliating benefits, offers exceptional smoothness. Meanwhile, the Marine Ferment works to create a protective shield for the skin, preventing dehydration and sealing in moisture.

Does it work? I think so. It's pricey - pretty steep for a body lotion, no matter how luxurious and large in size. Since it's related to Crème de la Mer, I moisturizer I will never be without, I think I'll enjoy The Reparative Body Lotion, especially for summer use. I can find it at Neiman Marcus. You can too. Did you get your sample? What did you think?

Now I want to try La Mer's new Blanc del la Mer The Brightening Essence Intense and The Brightening Infusion Intense.

Photo courtesy of La Mer

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

La Mer The Illuminating Powder Limited Edition

Did you see this? This morning, I received an e-mail from La Mer, showing me the limited-edition The Illuminating Powder ($95). It's described as a lightweight, radiant pressed powder infused with precious gemstones and shimmering pearls to highlight the skin with a healthy luminous glow.

I knew I would be stopping by Saks after work, so I decided to try to purchase it during Friends & Family. Loyd and I went straight to the La Mer counter to learn two things.

1. It sold out in a heartbeat.
2. It's very shimmery.

Now, I don't know whether to order it online. Help! Has anyone seen this gorgeous compact? Is it too sparkly?

Update 10/23: I saw a tester today at Saks at Tysons Galleria. Every store told me they had received 5-6 units, all of which sold out instantly. It's not too sparkly, and I want it. I'll be ordering from La Mer online. It does have "micro-sparkle," very much like other shimmering powders. It's not at all over the top. The compact is gorgeous - and yes, pricey.

Photo courtesy of La Mer

The Regenerating Serum from La Mer

I waited to tell you about La Mer's new powerhouse, The Regenerating Serum ($250). I wanted to use it long enough to speak intelligently about it, although I was tempted to rush notice of its availability into print. As a loyal La Mer customer, I was waiting for its introduction. La Mer spent over four years developing it, and I knew that it was developed using a combination of tried-and-true La Mer ingredients and new technology.

The Regenerating Serum is called a "soothing elixer," which conjures up magical powers. Most of La Mer's products are magical, and this one lives up to its subtitle.

Here is an edited version of La Mer's description of The Regenerating Serum.

Borne from La Mer’s heritage of healing, this transformational serum dramatically diminishes the look of lines and wrinkles and infuses skin with youthfulness.

A powerful anti-aging trio, a high concentrate of The Miracle Broth, The Marine Peptide Ferment, and The Regenerating Ferment, infused with marine plant stem cells and colloidal gold (a hot ingredient in skin care), helps skin trigger this natural production of “youth proteins,” collagen, and elastin. It's even got the antioxidant lime tea in it. Together, the ingredients work to help radically diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles, as well as pores, revealing a vibrant, smoother, and firmer complexion.

In a day, skin looks rejuvenated, glowing with youthful radiance. Over time, skin appears "seemingly ageless."

Why have I become a fan of the new serum?

We have to start with my love for La Mer's Crème de la Mer, The Eye Concentrate, and The Concentrate - all of which are part of my regular skin-care routine. I also love my La Mer masks. La Mer products are good for my skin, and I don't think I'll ever give them up. Do I use other products? Sure! I mix up a cocktail morning and night, layering on various state-of-the-art skin care products, all carefully selected for their ingredients. For much-needed moisture and healing? La Mer!

I always wear a serum, applied first after cleansing morning and night. My skin slurps the first product I apply, so serums are instantly absorbed. They "pave the way" for my next products, always including a moisturizer with anti-aging ingredients.

Toward the end of winter, when I was testing some new serums, I started to notice that my skin didn't seem to have the elasticity it had in the fall. I returned to daily treatments with The Concentrate, and within days, my skin had more bounce. I'm supposed to be telling you about the new serum, but I wanted you to know my baseline - the luxury La Mer product against which I evaluated The Regenerating Serum. I substituted The Regenerating Serum for The Concentrate. Did I dry up again? Nope!

The Regenerating Serum is not as thick as The Concentrate. Not many serums are. The Concentrate is designed for fragile, post-trauma skin on the face and body. The Concentrate complements the skin's own natural healing process. It works to reduce the appearance of scarring resulting from surgery or burns and to soothe the irritation and redness caused by chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and life. I use it all the time; my skin loves it. There I go again, talking about The Concentrate!

The Regenerating Serum is a lightweight "milky" lotion. It's a lot like the Armani Beauty Crema Nerum Obsidian Mineral Restoring Serum (which I love) in weight, texture, and absorption. Apply The Regenerating Serum, and it will be your second skin within seconds.

It "primes" my skin for the next step perfectly. The next step for me can be Crème de la Mer or one of the other fabulous moisturizers I have been rotating. Recent favorites include MEG 21 Advanced Formula and Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Cream.

Does it work, adding value for the money? Yes! I have been using it for about a month, and while I can't isolate its effects from the treatments that share space on my face, I'm hydrated, smooth, and as radiant as it gets. It did diminish fine lines. Did it make all of them totally disappear? No. Anyone who expects that from a serum is delusional (which might be kind of fun for a day or two, but not longer).

The Regenerating Serum will take The Concentrate's place on my face over the summer months when a lightweight serum is de rigueur. I'll rotate it with Armani's Crema Nera serum for my daytime "first layer." Yes, I know you are supposed to use it twice a day, but I have a different night cocktail. If you don't have another serum, definitely use it morning and night.

I am very pleased with The Regenerating Serum! The supreme test? I would rather buy it than more jewelry. Now that's saying something!

You can purchase The Regenerating Serum at the La Mer Web site, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and select Nordstrom locations. La Mer is offering free shipping and samples.

Photo courtesy of La Mer

La Mer The Eye Concentrate

I am a huge fan of all things La Mer. As I scanned my posts from the last six months, I realized I hadn't written about La Mer's The Eye Concentrate ($165), one of the best eye creams I use, particularly for the harsh symptoms of winter.

This eye cream is nothing short of fabulous. Its price makes it a luxury eye treatment to remedy the appearance of lines and wrinkles, dark circles, and puffiness. Use it and you will banish the blahs that come with winter air - or the passing of time.

The Eye Concentrate is infused with three forms of La Mer's Miracle Broth, the healing and hydrating ingredient that is the foundation of the La Mer line. After my skin soaks up The Eye Concentrate, I look rested - radiance restored - and hydrated. When your skin is well hydrated, those fine lines will disappear. The Eye Concentrate also contains marine, plant, and antioxidant ingredients selected to improve elasticity and tone and protect skin cells from free-radical damage.

An unusual ingredient is hematite, a naturally magnetic iron oxide. Hematite is believed to restore resiliency and tone to mature skin and slow down the aging process by boosting collagen production. You will find it in a very limited number of skin care products.

The Eye Concentrate works in tandem with a specially-engineered, silver-tipped applicator - a little gizmo that helps cool the skin, immediately improving micro-circulation. I have to admit, I don't use the gizmo. Maybe I'm missing out on something big, but I like The Eye Concentrate just fine without the gizmo. If you want to follow directions and use the gizmo, you should dab a small amount around your eye contour and gently sweep or pat it thoroughly with the gizmo, morning and evening (I pat with my finger). Follow with Crème de la Mer, but not too close to your eyes.

I have sensitive, reactive skin. Many eye creams make the skin around my eyes red, and on application they make my eyes burn. Not this one! It's like my second skin.

I'm not sure how La Mer selects the reviews it posts on its site, but there are nothing but raves for The Eye Concentrate at this link. There's a good reason for that. This is the crème de la crème of eye care products. I like it more than La Mer's The Eye Balm ($140).

A little of this product goes a long way. If you make the investment, a jar should last you at least six months - maybe more. You can find The Eye Concentrate at Saks, Neiman Marcus, and La Mer's Web site.

Photo courtesy of La Mer

La Mer's Addictive The Concentrate

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. Read the directions from La Mer.

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

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 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.

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 antioxidants, 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, "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 a few other sources. There is usually a freebie or two with purchase at La Mer online, and Saks often has 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

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.

Creme de la Mer - The Radiant Concealer SPF 25

The new Creme de la Mer Radiant Concealer with SPF 25 ($65) was a must-have. La Mer makes most of my miracle products, and the idea of a new "radiant" concealer was too good to be true. So, I headed over to Saks as soon as I learned that it was in stock.

Advertised to instantly even the skin's appearance while adding radiance, the concealer promised a lot. Not only that, here's what added to its allure.

• Gemstones capture light energy to camouflage dark circles and blemishes, optically erasing imperfections to create a smooth, even finish
• Precious marine and plant extracts help reduce the appearance of undereye puffiness, lines, and wrinkles and minimize pores
• Redness and discoloration are diminished as skin is continuously calmed and soothed
• Fine layers provide buildable coverage
• Skin stays naturally flawless all day

A brush is included with the concealer. It is available in three shades: light, medium, and dark. I selected light with a bit of trepidation, given how dark it looked in the pan. However, it was indeed light and added a light, bright look to my undereye skin.

So, after a few days of use, I like it, but I'm not sure I love it. I found (at least on me) that it didn't apply well with a brush. Even with an eye cream under it, I found it hard to blend and ended up with a few teeny tiny balls of product that I had to brush off and a bit of "sinking" into fine lines. Switched to fingertips. Much better! It blended well and I was able to gently pat it into my skin with the warmth of my fingertips. So, that's the way I will use it going forward. I haven't tried it yet on my nose and surrounding skin, so I may get the hang of the brush application eventually.

Did it brighten my undereye area? Yes. Was the color good? Yes. Does it have buildable coverage? Yes. Does it offer coverage without an artificial look? Yes. Did it last all day? Yes. Did it diminish fine lines? No, and I really didn't expect it to do that. That's a tall order for a color product.

I'll report in again after a few more weeks of use. For now, I'd give it an 8 on a scale of 1-10.

You can purchase the Radiant Concealer at La Mer, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and other department stores.

Photo courtesy of La Mer.

Follow-up on Sisley Supremÿa Cream

A follow up on Sisley Supremya Cream, which I blogged last week...

I did get my hands on a "deluxe" sample at Saks, courtesy of Loyd. The sample has about three face and neck applications, and it lasts about three nights when used as directed. It's very hard to judge a product after only three nights, but I will tell you what I can below.

I wish I had talked to Marilyn Schubert before I used it. Marilyn is a beauty pro at Neiman Marcus at Tysons Corner. She works at the Chanel and Sisley counters, although she's in the know about everything. She's a perfect skin care adviser - has beautiful skin, is honest, and has great information. Marilyn said that the smart customers had used their samples on targeted areas, and they massaged the product into their skin. For example, one woman used it for a week on the areas around her mouth where she had pesky wrinkles. After that one-week test, the woman returned, and the beauty gals were amazed at the difference. Her skin was plumped, and the wrinkles were noticeably absent. Wow! Then a second woman came in with the same targeted results. Marilyn is a no-hype adviser, and if she saw the results, I believe her.

What can I tell you after three nights of wantonly wasting the product on areas of my face that didn't need $750 help? I liked the feel (it's light, so I added a hydrating cream over it, which I now understand I shouldn't have done); it smelled great (a very nice Sisley-type botanical and ever-so-slightly healthy medicinal scent); and my skin tone might have been more "even" by the third day (meaning that my "natural" redness was reduced). That's hard to evaluate because I have been using La Mer's The Radiant Facial, and I am not sure whether the Sisley product made a significant contribution after three nights. You just can't do an objective test when you are mixing products.

Now I need another sample so that I can use it Marilyn's way (targeted and without another product over top). It's going to take results to get me to pony up $750. Any Sisley reps out there?

Photo courtesy of Sisley.

La Mer - The Radiant Facial

There I was last week, wondering why I looked dull and seriously drab. The onset of the drabs was sudden, and I didn't think it was simply fatigue.

I knew I needed to exfoliate because my skin seemed dry, so I did that. I still looked drab. That called for desperate measures. I figured my miracle cream company, La Mer, had to have a product for my issue, so I headed over to the department store to see how I might energize my skin.

Years ago (when I was rich), I used the miracle "invitation-only" one-month treatment. Does anyone remember that? It cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2100.00 - I can't remember exactly (it's the kind of expense best forgotten). What I do remember is that the effect was incredible. My complexion was remade.

This time, I decided to go with something radically less expensive, but, I'll warn, not inexpensive. The Radiant Facial ($320) seemed to fit the bill, since I felt I looked anything but radiant. One would probably pay that or more for seven weeks of facials, and I liked the do-it-yourself approach.

What do you get in the box? Eight treatments, each consisting of a primer and 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 what I understood to be The Radiant Infusion, or something like it, a product meant to deliver extreme radiance, clarity, and tone, while minimizing pores. It is infused with antioxidants, specially harvested marine extracts (the basis for Creme de la Mer), and tourmaline, which is said to help the ingredients penetrate the skin.

The scientists at the Max Huber Research Labs (Max Huber created Creme de la Mer) recommend using this express mask system as an evening treatment followed by Creme de la Mer. That's exactly what I did. When I started, the directions seemed awkward, but it was easy to apply. The mask was cooling and actually relaxing. I left it on for eight minutes because the directions say eight minutes for dry skin. After I removed the pieces, I used the excess product (and there was a lot left) to drench my neck, chest, and arms, as the reps had suggested. The directions say to use the mask twice the first week and once a week for the remaining six weeks.

Did it work? A resounding YES! I awakened the next morning to find my skin back to its regular decent-looking state, and that was after one treatment! My skin was less dry, and the blahs were gone. Am I nuts? Don't think so - a good friend with whom I spent the last drab day and the first not-drab day noticed the overnight change. Will I be finishing this routine? Absolutely! Another time this week and once a week until I have used up every last drop of this wonder-stuff.

Update on August 20: I did my second mask last night. It was just as cooling and relaxing as the first. This morning? Wonderful results! Not only that, the product is taking the red out of my face and chest.

Photo courtesy of La Mer.

Why I Can't Live without Creme de la Mer

La Mer, as it's known to its legion of devotees, is my miracle moisturizer. I have never found a better moisturizing product.

That's not to say that it's my one and only skin treatment product. In fact, it's the whipped cream on top of my chocolate and raspberry napoleon. Call me crazy, but here's the routine.

We have to describe morning and night separately, so today we will start with morning. After cleansing with Kinerase or Lireac cleanser and applying an eye cream, I apply Radiance, a terrific product that contains 15% Argireline® (Acetyl Hexapeptide-3) and 10% Matrixyl® 3000 (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 & Tetrapeptide-7) to help reduce the depth of lines and wrinkles. Argireline® and Matrixyl® 3000 are combined with 10% hyaluronic acid to help the skin hold moisture to create an intensive skin rejuvenation treatment. I have tried multiple products with Matrixyl 3000, and this is my favorite. I follow this with La Mer Concentrate, a serum that builds the "foundation" for Creme de la Mer. My dry skin slurps anything I put on it, so the use of these two treatment products actually allows me to use less cream.

The final application is Creme de la Mer. I put a drollop in my palm, blend it down with my finger, and pat it all over my face and neck. Any left over gets wiped onto my chest - I don't want to waste a precious drop! Once I finish, my skin is dewy and young, not dry and tired, a miracle in my book. Even without a stingy application, my foundation applies beautifully and stays put. My base products have changed over time, but the finish with Creme de la Mer never does - it's a keeper.

For those of you whose skin isn't as dry as mine, La Mer makes a lotion and assorted other products tailored to various skin types--great alternatives for summer. Head over the the La Mer Web site or visit your favorite department store and see if you can talk your way into a sample. It's the gold standard of creams! Extra added benefit? It heals burns, bug bites, skin irritation, and even blemishes. I know it seems counterintuitive to put a moisturizer on top of a blemish, but it works.

Photo courtesy of La Mer.