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With the summer heat it’s no wonder that cooling and freezing products are all the rage.  This article from Women’s Wear Daily outlines the cosmetic freeze trend, and points out that by cooling the products temperature by 36 degrees it shrinks the molecules which then enables them to penetrate deeper into the skin.  I have used the Laura Mercier Hydrating Gel Mask, and I kept it in the fridge.  On those puffy mornings it is an amazingly relaxing and effective remedy.

"Freezing and cooling skin care creams, gels, masks and mists are a decidedly hot trend in the beauty world, thanks to their numerous benefits to the skin.  While self-heating masks are the perfect remedy for unclogging pores in acne-prone complexions, icicle-inducing items help keep puffiness, redness and sensitivity at bay—not to mention the added bonus of a cool burst, a definite pick-meup in soupy summer heat.  According to New York dermatologist Karyn Grossman, temperature does affect the skin. ‘Warm temperatures dilate blood vessels and cause increased blood flow,’ she says, ‘while cool temperatures constrict blood vessels and help to decrease pain, itch and inflammation.’

Cooling products are particularly effective when used on the eye area because they help to bring down puffiness and under-eye circles.  And while many products on the market use natural coolers like menthol, cucumber and eucalyptus to refresh and revive tired, dull skin, some brands take the freezing concept literally…Play & Rewind, a two-part, single-dose system aimed at the hard-partying set, is said to feature an even more potent version of its patented instant freezing technology that can be deployed with just one click.  Play is designed to be applied before a night out to luminize and soften skin, while Rewind is for the not-so-great morning after, when skin is dehydrated and in need of detox."  Read More

Dior puts focus on the eyes with their new addition to the range of HydrAction moisturizing products.  The technology of HydrAction Visible Defense Eye Creme is designed to flood dehydrated skin cells with moisture, and improve the circulation of water in the skin.

This new eye cream is a highly absorbent, soufflé-light formula that will instantly plump the skin, diminish the appearance of fine lines, and prevent the appearance of future wrinkles.

Erica Davis, Dior specialist at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco, says that feedback on the product has been very positive and that her clients have been “amazed at the results” and “love how it feels”.  What are the extra bonus points?  It’s fortified with an SPF 20 and has a great price point.

Getting a facial every two may be just what you need, but your pocket book may not agree.  In order to save your skin and stay within your budget try an at-home facial.  It’an easy and cheap way to stay beautiful, just follow these simple steps!

Step 1: First, wash your face with your usual cleanser to remove dirt and makeup, rinse skin well.  Gently pat your face dry.

Step 2: Boil four chamomile tea bags in a large sauce pan, apply an exfoliating scrub with fruit enzymes (try Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask To Go) and do not rinse!

Step 3: Once the water begins to boil, remove pan from heat.  Create a tent with a towel and hold your head about a foot above the pan and let steam penetrate your skin for three or five minutes.

Step 4: After you have steamed yourself, rinse the exfoliant off with warm water, and pat yourself dry.  Next, apply a mask that’s suitable for your skin:

    Dry skin:  Clarins Thirst Quenching Hydra-Care Mask, $34
    Oily skin: Dr. Brandt Poreless Purifying Mask, $40
    Acne:  DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, $34
    Normal/Combo:  Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Carbon Mask, $12

Step 5: RELAX!  That’s the whole point.  Check the label for suggested time limits and rise mask once it’s ready to be removed.  Be sure to rinse thoroughly and once again pat the skin dry and while your skin is still damp, apply a small amount of your daily moisturizer.

For best results you should wait 6 to 8 hours before you apply any makeup and remember to drink plenty of water!

C’Watre, an oceanic-based skin care collection, is the result of tightening funds for an environmental research group out of Ashburn, VA.  In order to keep their research afloat, the group developed a skin care line that will beautify you and Mother Earth!  "Our company is still very much involved in working to protect the oceans from environmental and biological pollution," Emily Durham the company’s co-founder told WWD.

Durham, whose background is in environmental research and development (focus on bio-pollution), worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to find the best source of sea water to be used in the collection.  She has also implemented a patient-pending process to “purify, micronize and ionize the water” used to develop the new line.

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Laura Mercier has recently introduced her first anti-aging product, Flawless Skin Crème Anti-Aging Treatment.  Laura, known for her flawless face technique, aims to create flawless skin before makeup is ever even applied.  Her skincare is very simple.  This crème targets wrinkles and helps to prevent future lines.  Argan Oil [vitamin E] is rich with antioxidants and used to provide very well hydrated skin, the kind that gives you a youthful glow.

I have not had a chance to review this crème, however, I did test it on the back of my hand and the texture was divine.  The crème is very emollient; a very small amount can be spread over your entire face.  It did not leave a sticky or greasy residue, it simply absorbed into the skin leaving it very soft and smooth.

Today, L’Oreal owned Biotherm sponsored Duckie Brown’s Fall Men’s Collection at this years Fall Fashion Week in New York City. The company is taking this opportunity to showcase for the first time what’s known as an “instant skin enhancement for men”.

Power Bronze Moisturizing Tinted Gel ($18) and Instant Dark Circle Concealer ($16.50) will launch this April in 150 doors and will also be available for purchase online.

Biotherm Homme is not the first of men’s makeup lines; Jean Paul Gaultier launched “Tout Beau Tout” color cosmetics for men in 2003 and Jane Iredale also offers some men’s cosmetic products. Although we are all used to calling our tinted moisturizers makeup, Biotherm Homme is not to be labeled makeup but rather “enhanced” skin care, it’s skin care with a tint to provide a “healthy, fit glow” for men.

[ Via WWD.com ]

L’Oreal run Giorgio Armani Parfums and Cosmetics will be launching its first treatment product.  Crème Nera (black cream) will launch this September in 150 doors globally.

The name “Crème Nera” comes from an island known as the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean”, where the landscape is a beautiful terrain of black volcanic rock.  Armani told journalists Wednesday that “L’Oreal has captured the energy and life within this black stone.  Lots of creams look like each other but some are worth more than others.”  The main ingredient of “Crème Nera” is obsidian, a natural compound which has been extracted from purified lava, it’s composed of silicium, sodium, iron and potassium.  Through a process known as biomineralization, when applied to the face, the skin cells basically pick and choose certain elements from the obsidian compound that would be especially beneficial to the skins needs.

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