FOR AN EYE POPPING NATURAL LOOK in 3 simple steps.

I'm always seeking a look that brings out my finest features and yet looks like a happy accident. "Oh these eyes? I was born that way." So this week is the eyes my pretties!

Some people don't believe how old I really am and I have a secret. A secret going back 25 years. Are you ready for it? I very, very rarely use eye liner. A MAC make-up artist told me a quarter of a century ago to imagine spending 25 years of my life PULLING on the skin around my eye. She told me eventually lining my eyes with a pencil would take it's toll and wrinkles would appear. So I stopped immediately (of course I was four years old at the time) and for 25 years I've used eye shadow with a very specific make up brush to line my eyes with powder. No pulling the skin. Just gentle, specific strokes to create the same look of an eye pencil. And whether it be genetics or not, no eye wrinkles people! Now on to making you beautiful!

I'M SO JAZZED to share four of my favorite items to create one eye popping, natural look...

Four simple products. Three

simple steps.

1. Starting with one of my favorite make-up lines Benefit is F.Y....Eye! The ultimate eye shadow base in what I would say is coral color but it doesn't overwhelm and blends precise. It brightens & evens the lid while permitting your powder a long lasting stay. (Personally? I use it just as a brightener, the lasting power is a bonus!). Available at Sephora or any other stores carrying the Benefit Make up brand.

2. a) My take anywhere Double-ended Smokey Eye Brush by Sephora is "equipped with a slanted eyeliner brush and a smudge dome...line the length of your upper and lower lashes with the slant end

and use the smudge end to draw darker shadow to the exterior of the eye..."(I'm just helping you keep your beautiful eyes wrinkle free for a few more years my lassies.)

b) I SWEAR by this color people. It's fantastic for blue, green,

brown eyes making them POP without drawing attention to the fact you have make-up on. A color so coveted it sells out at MAC counters. Counter girls know this is one fantastic color and they express their frustration as they rarely have it in stock and it is a limited edition to boot!? Why hold out on us girls just wanting fantastic eyes!? MAC's Mulled Cider shadow in a mysterious color...is it brown? No. Bronze? No. Pewter? No. Purple? No. Eggplant? Wait, that's a vegetable. But you catch my drift. This fantastic color is great as a liner, lid contour or smokey look. I've found no color that makes my eyes turn blue or green or...(by then I just hope the person deciding is lost in my gaze). I can only tell you to go to a MAC counter near you with the password: HOTTEST EYES EVER and see if they respond. Or, you can also try asking for Mulled Cider. If they don't have it anymore, you may want to drink some.

3. Lashes open Wide!

I am forever seeking the perfect mascara. I have yet to find one that works as well as heading to the salon and getting a blue/black lash tint. But then came along CHANEL's Inimitable Multi-Dimensional Mascara. It's brush provides a fantastically detailed combing of each lash with a dark pigment. It catches each lash long or short and adds a gentle curl. It produces natural looking lashes regardless of how many strokes of the brush you want you use. A wonderful day-time mascara for a perfectly natural..."oh these eyes? I woke up looking this eye-poppingly refreshed, really"- Look. Yes, it's expensive. But I must tell you, CHANEL know's their products and they've figured this one out. For precise volume, length, curl and cover - my new favorite mascara.

For beauty purchases CLICK HERE.

John Masters is the master at all natural skincare

Ladies and gentleman, I introduce to you a line of products I love, love, love! I have never found an entire line of products where there is not a-one I don't adore. John Masters Organics grew out of his desire to create a luxury beauty line that treats the earth with respect. He succeeded in equally treating the skin and hair with respect. And me loves a man who knows how to treat a lady and Mother Earth!

John's products are for hair, skin, body and pets. Look no further for simply simple, clean feeling products, modern packaging with a natural clean scent. My husband introduced me to this line when he visited a dermatologist who only supports organic products. It's a great way to start your man on a skin care regime. I started to borrow his Firming Eye Gel and Rose & Apricot Antioxidant Day Creme. The results were glowing skin, I literally saw my face become rosy before my eyes and I was sold! Not to mention the price point is significantly lower than other luxury skin care lines. It doesn't provide you with the aggressive results I sometimes look for in a face product. But it's a nice alternative and compliments stronger skin solutions. It's a great rotation with your other lines (keep your skin guessing and it will respond much better). Keep in mind with natural products the shelf life is less and therefore you must use it within several months of purchase. Small price to pay for loving mother earth!

For undernourished, dry and flaky skin the Pomegranate Facial Nourishing Oil will help. A few drops warmed up in the palm of your hands and pat on to the face. It can feel greasy so try it immediately after a shower for best results.

NOTE: Some of my readers have been asking how to purchase products. Just click on the name of the product and it should take your directly to a website where you may purchase the product online or search for locations to buy.

Spring is here with blossoms blooming!

Hello my sweet chickadees! Spring is here! How do I know this in New York City? A subway conductor engaged in conversation, a New Yorker told me to have a nice day, a post office employee smiled, my dignity remained in tact squished on the express train.

Ah yes, and the blossoms are blooming a sweet pink color all over the city. Spectacular! And so are you. So let's get started helping us all get that fantastic pink perfection for ourselves, shall we?

Four products to give you a pinky glow this spring.

POWDER ME PRETTY PLEASE!

Two powder products to rid yourself of the ruddy winter dull-skindrums and introduce a fantastic glow are both by BENEFIT. One of my favorite make-up lines for those who love to look refreshed but hate looking like you are wearing make-up. I loves me my HOOLA powder over my foundation. A little or a lot, this bronzing powder eliminates any signs of pale face and will give you that slight touch of color to make your eyes pop and your memories of winter white begone! DANDELION BY BENEFIT is another great pick me up all over face powder in 'ballerina pink'. I use it in tandem with HOOLA. It gives you a radiant look I like to call the "Big O". You get the picture. Wink, wink.

CHEEKY CHEEKS!

Hail Smashbox for their fantastic highlighting powders. I particularly love their SOFT LIGHTS PRISM color I place on the top of my cheekbones with a big fat brush and gives you that "just pinched" cheek. To finish your look there is a secret I have used for years to highlight my features and hide my flaws. It's MAC's CREAM COLORED HUSH. It's a very versatile product with multiple purposes. It can be applied either directly to your skin or on top of powder or foundation. Apply with brush, sponge or fingers it can offer a highlighted look or be quite dramatic for night. For special events where I tend to be photographed I place a line down my nose and on the balls of my cheeks to create the illusion my nose is narrower and my cheeks are higher. It can be used on browbone, eyes, nose, cheeks, lips. It gives a soft dewy glow all the while highlighting and hiding, pending on where you brush it on.

So there you have it my sweet peeps, all the tricks of the trade to match the beauty of the blossoms outside! Happy Spring my loves!

This product is the most highly recommended on my blog for 2010...

I cannot find a single reason NOT to own this product. Not. A. One. SPF is so important to include in your daily routine, and more than once in your daily routine, of course. We all know this, right? RIGHT? RIGHT? I'm waiting. Okay, now that we are all on the same SPF page, this product is one I highly recommend. Particularly if you have any resistance to applying SPF on top of your make-up during the day.

Introducing Eminence Organic SPF 30

I cannot say enough about this incredible smelling, all natural product. Why do I love this product? It's an all in one. It's compact, simple to carry, it's powder, it never cakes on your face, it provides SPF water proof protection all the while reducing on shiny-face, it doesn't interfere with your make-up, it's a bronzer, it's an anti-inflammatory, mineral based, does not clog pores and is loaded with vitamins and bioflavinoids. I know! It DOES sound like I'm lying! It IS too good to be true! But yet, it exists! No more excuses on applying sunblock all day! Offered in translucent or a variety of colors to provide minimal or maximum tawniness (yes, it also can double as a bronzer based on what color you choose). Mineral based products do not effect your skin the more you apply. In fact, mineral based products almost do the opposite, they layer in such a way that enable your skin to breathe, reflect and function to it's full potential.

It's key ingredients are minerals, micronized zinc oxide (sunscreen), fruit extracts and Vitamin A & E. It comes in a compact tube. Pump the product to bring the powder down to the brush for the first time. Once you see this powder concentrating in the middle of the brush you may never have to pump again. Don't tempt yourself if you see the powder puffing off the brush as it can clog (it's a natural product that is not void of a little moisture). When using it have the brush facing down to encourage natural flow of the powder from tube to brush.

The price point is high. No denying. I've found it online for just under $60. But this product (as I have found with all Eminence products) lasts you an incredibly long time and wouldn't you rather ONE product that works miracles, applies dry, works as a powder, waterproof SPF, bronzer and glowing face protector, than three, a compact, bronzer and SPF in your purse? It comes in this incredible wood carved box useful for other items (I use mine to store earrings).

There, I just made you all more safe and beautiful for Spring/Summer 2010! Here's to avoiding aging, hyper pigmentation, wrinkles, burning and skin cancer. Always, always, always use SPF ladies. If you don't, I won't talk to you anymore!

Where to buy? Many spas will sell this product but online is easy too. CLICK HERE. Because my blog is North American, I won't recommend specific cities where you can purchase but search online for areas near you!

It's been a while, but worth it!

Thank you to all of you encouraging me to start posting again. I must be honest, I can't tell you about a product unless I'm uber excited! And nothing has excited me for a while. But today, my friends, I bring you three new products I'm supremely jazzed about!

SOAP STILL EXISTS!

With all the cleansers, creams and foams we have these days, who thought soap bars were still around? Particularly one for the face and body? I found one people! The ladies at Dr. Gross' offices were so excited about this product I took a sample home. I wasn't really interested in changing any of my cleansing routine and for a soap to impress me it would have to be pretty special. Well, holy special soap bat man! I found it! The scent is natural and clean. (I can't stop associating it with the smell of my favorite candy, root beer Bottle Caps...don't ask.) The organic aloe and essential oils delicately slide on to your skin and the sensation is different than any soap I have ever used. It feels like the first time my skin has felt CLEAN without the dry and squeaky clean soaps usually give you. There is no filmy feeling but you definitely feel something is protecting your skin. I found this description, "with antioxidants and botanicals to detoxity it also leaves a barrier on your skin to protect you against pollutants." Sounds to me more like a super hero than a soap bar!

I went to the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare website and Dr. Gross says it best, "This product gently and effectively cleanses the face and body, containing soothing Organic Aloe and botanicals to naturally improve skin health. I've included chelators to detoxify and Tea Tree for its natural ability to refresh, heal and soothe." This soap is huge, lasts a long time and is well worth the price of $24.00.

SKIN WILL DRINK THIS PRODUCT UP...

I'm always looking for new ways to hydrate my skin. I found it in this dropper bottle of magic baby! This serum has an almost mucous-like gel enriched with vitamin B5. As stated on their website, SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel will bind moisture to your skin as the gel contains hyaluronic acid, the body's natural hydrator. The B5 is known to help with tissue repair. If you use any vitamin C products or have these treatments at your spa, this gel is recommended to help maximize the treatment. It's not greasy and absorbs in the skin quickly. My skin feels supple and it eliminates any signs of crepeyness.

"REFRESH YOUR COMPLEXION AND STATE OF MIND"

As quoted on the Burt's Bees website this fantastic 100% natural Carrot Seed Oil Complexion Mist will awaken your senses and your skin! I carry this everywhere for a light spritz to moisturize on the fly without effecting my make up. It's my new best friend! Formulated for mature or sun damaged skin but worth getting no matter what type your skin is and worth it as Burt's Bees price point makes it accessible for anyone's budget. The ingredients are believed to help stimulate cell renewal but the scent itself will stimulate you senses and that alone works for me. A terrific way to perk up your skin mid-day!

So there you have it my friends! Three products I highly recommend adding to your skin beautifying arsenal. I'd love your feedback or recommendations for products I should try. I am bored with the products I'm using and I'm ready to give some new ones a try. Send your suggestions my way! Much love and great skin. Until next time!

Facials at the Spa=$$ or NUFACE at home=New Skin

Ladies, this is a tough post for me. I know a lot of my recommendations are at a rather high price point already, and I so love the feedback that you are willing to try these products because you trust me, even if it's a stretch for some....thank you and here's to beautiful skin for all!

This next recommendation costs more than a pretty penny - it's PENNIES plus. But I'm telling you, if you are someone who goes to the spa for their facials, this product will reduce your visits and save you money over time. If you are someone who doesn't get facials, what are you waiting for people? START NOW, dear lord of small pores! It's like taking your car in for it's major tune up, the car ain't working if it doesn't have the proper overhaul every so often, make your appointment...go on, I'll wait! Now, enough of that rant and let's get back to my recommendation...

NUFACE is a battery operated device that is an incredible extension of your daily skin care regime. This product is the first of its kind, over the counter, FDA approved device which uses microcurrent technology and electrical stimulation to build collagen, lift and firm under 5 minutes a day. Shocking! Literally! (Well, if you use it correctly you shouldn't feel the shock, tee hee).

I took a risk purchasing this $325 product. That's a lot of money honey. But there was something appealing about having more control of my facial regime, rather than always depending on the spa for my little miracles. During this recession I am choosing not to visit the spa so often and wanted something more powerful for home. While watching my favorites shows on t.v. I spend 5-10 minutes/day toning and firming my skin with this hand held device. I notice an immediate difference with my crow lines and within a week there was definitely a textural change and plumpness I wasn't familiar with. You must watch the instructional video and make sure you don't use it around the mouth or immediate eye area, but it is a truly dim-wit proof product so I wouldn't worry too much about doing it wrong.

You must use it 5 days/week for 90 days first to notice a difference, if you don't, I believe you won't see the results and over time they disappear. I learned the hard way when I neglected it for a week abroad. (Do you want to take this through security at an airport? Unless you are comfortable with vibrating items in your luggage, I wasn't feeling cool about it!) But follow the routine they recommend, and after, 2-3 times/week will maintain the results.

Here's the downside - It comes with a gooey conductivity gel which I hate. Goop on the skin is not fun. I truly resent it when you buy a permanent product that requires you buy their own special item to make sure the product works properly. Peacock! I apply whatever creams are in my arsenal at the time which have a tad more greasy feel to them and it works great. Here's the upside - This device penetrates serums more deeply, this alone makes it worth the money for me. It's a great benefit we don't usually get when doing home facials. This makes it really worth getting serums you love (see the below recommendation for a great Vitamin C serum). I apply my serum and then apply my conductivity cream which is whatever gooey moisturizer I have to replace their goop gel nightmare. Whatever can carry the current.

The other downside - I have had to change the battery sooner than expected and learned I wasn't turning it off all the way. The dial doesn't turn off with a click and so it's hard to be confident you turned the electric current down to a shut off position. It also discusses an extended warranty online, those always make me nervous - why do I need to extend a warranty? What is wrong with the product that would require me to return it?

It's not a product for those deciding between their rent or a NUFACE! But it's the first product I have purchased that I've seen in a spa setting and now it's my secret at home. I am seeing the results around my jawline and crows feet in particular. The informational video shows what you can do with it for North America and for Europe. In Europe they use the product to lift the underarm area, neckline, thigh and buttock area but we are not encouraged to use it here? Something tells me the FDA in the USA hasn't caught up with the product...but it's good news there are those options.

For those of you out there curious about products such as this and love getting gadgets for home it is most certainly something to satisfy this curiosity and replace frequenting the spa for facials. And the best part? It's WORKS honey! Oh, it works!

Out damn spot! In glowy skin!

Always looking for the miracle elixir, that's me. Something I can put to work underneath my daily moisturizer morning and night. Well this baby works, and it's doing some overtime kids!

A must have daily serum that help lifts discoloration and blotchiness to even out skin tones plus additional preventative components to keep your skin fighting that pesky environmental aging from sun, pollution and what have you...Skinceuticals C E Ferulic serum. A combination antioxidant treatment containing L-ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol and ferulic acid. Yup, whatever that means. Just a few drops dabbed on your skin and you can immediately feel the absorption in to your pores. Slightly sticky but it loses that as soon as you apply your moisturizer.

This baby helps you to build collagen while providing antioxidant protection against photoaging. That all adds up to lightening of any discoloration often encountered the older you get and a more notable plump look...in six weeks I have seen a huge improvement to those areas on my forehead sun damaged from too many rides in boys convertible's!

Coming next week - the most incredible product I have ever encountered. Save your pennies ladies, this one is by far worth it!

Wish you could erase away time around your eyes? Done!

Wrinkle Fillers have been around for a while, but I have found many to be gooey or waxy and haven't really seen the results worth the price. But hallelujah for advancements, they are vastly improving and I have found the Golden Eraser for wrinkles!

I can't pronounce this product, BVLGARI, Touche Precieuse, but do I care? Nope. When something works this amazingly I give it full permission to have more consonants than vowels baby. It's tht dmn gd.

This product is expensive. No bones about it. Running up to $85 for 2 tubes at .17 ounces. Not a lot needs to be applied and it's definitely worth the price for those important days when you want an extra edge on your appearance, particularly if you want to lose the fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area. I recommend purchasing the 2 tubes with a friend. It claims to help stimulate the production of collagen and elastin with a concentrate containing the patented "Gem Essence", a combination of minerals rich in distinctive oligo-elements to nourish the skin. All I know is this very soft, gel-like lotion goes on grease free, lightly filling and eliminating those excessive little wrinkles under your eye and crow's feet area. A photoshopper for Cosmo couldn't do a better job!

Spa? You need no stinkin' spa. A miracle you can do at home...

Straight from the estheticians arsenal comes a fantastic enzyme peeling cream you can use at home.   If you've ever wanted to rub those wrinkles right off your face, here's your chance.  Sonya Dakar's Enzyme Peeling Cream.   

An acid-free cream with pumpkin enzymes, cardamon and beta-carotene extracts, it permits you to gently take those dried and lazy layers of skin out of those ditches you call wrinkles and in doing so starts to refine those lines almost instantly.  I once had an esthetician explain a wrinkle to me - imagine a ditch overgrown with grass, mud and sludge, consistently clogged with debris it inevitably expands and deepens.  The more in the ditch, the larger the ditch becomes...if you extract all those items from the ditch, it refines it, decreases the width and size so the ditch is smaller, narrower, more shallow.  Just like your wrinkles when build up is eliminated on a regular basis.  LET'S WEED WACK YOUR WRINKLES PEOPLE!

A fantastic precursor to adding serums and moisturizers (great time to add my recommended Babor Hydra Plus fluid capsules), it elminates build-up of impurities extracting dead skin and sebum that can clog pores.  Your face will respond with drinking up anything you put on it immediately after.   Anytime I've done this I am asked if I just came back from the spa!  

It can be used 1-3 times per week.  The texture is so non-abrasive it really contradicts the fantastic results.  I always thought the more granular something the better it works.  Not the case here - pumpkin enzyme does not have to be abrasive to work.  Spread a thin layer (we are talking THIN) onto clean, dry skin and let dry for 2 minutes.   You then must rub off in circular motions as you remove the dead skin.  This is when the hard work pays off people! The more attention to detail here, the greater your skin will look.    This product can last a long time if you use it as instructed and well worth the dollar amount because it can replace a day at the spa anytime!

For natural, luscious lips that sink ships

Oh baby,  have I found the secret to accidentally bodacious lips.  If you are a natural girl seeking products for the ultimate goal...looking like you woke up just THAT fantastic...here is the lip color for you.   A sailor's delight, because it lasts all day and night...

Almay's Truly Lasting Color Moisture Rich Lipcolor in 250 Blush. A two step product, the color is subtle and adds to your own lip tone with a hint of a pink.  With no undertone of orange and just a slightly more blue tint it's a great color for all skin tones.  If not, there are several in subtle color tones that should work for you.  The application is a slightly opaque color with a little sheen so it can coat your lips well enough to expand the perimeter of your lips and replace any need for lip liner. I always expand my lower lip over the ridge with this for an extra pouty look AND IT STAYS ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT AND UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING.   With a little lip gloss to help it remain moist this color will keep your lips looking plump and puckered even when you are plumping and puckering someone else.  ;)

I take it everywhere from working out, camping, on the airplane, even under lipstick for special events.  It is my number one make up secret because it's so low maintenance with zero re-application (with the exception of periodic glossing if you like the shiny look).   It has literally last me more than 24 hours.  Perfect for those nights that turn in to mornings, they even last through your 'walk of shame'. ;)

Three Steps to saying "Oh, I just woke up looking this great!"

I think we'd all agree it takes about 10 minutes or more to make us look "natural".    The older I get the longer it takes but I strive for that minimal make-up look where I appear refreshed.   It's hard work ladies but I think I've mastered three products that have helped me start with a fresh faced pallette, and sometimes I only go out with this preparation!  READ ON for 3 steps to a radiant start to your day!

STEP ONE - Get rid of what's blocking you from lookin' kickin'

Oh Dr. Gross you've done it again!  God bless this miracle man, the master of looking refreshed.  His faboosh line mdskincare  has all sorts of fabulous skin care products I will all eventually get to on this site.  But the one that will start your day having your face feel incredible, provide an even skin tone, dissolve those lines, flakes, and any other flaws is his Alpha Beta® Daily Face Peel.

My skin gets that smooth, bouncy, moisty, sticky feeling and if you don't know what that means...you aren't in your late 30's desperately trying to get it back yet honey.  But it's something you crave when skin loses that supple, bounce back feeling.  This product is an exfoliation method in the form of handy wipes that removes cellular debris from the surface of the skin in a two part process.  But it's easy, peasy pumpkin pie, I especially LOVE the individual packettes that don't dry out and are easy to pack overnight.   

Dr. Gross has patented a two step technology that provides micro exfoliation without recovery time and I can definitely tell you it has given me back a more even radiance.   $80.00 for 30 individual packettes - a month worth of youth packed in handy wipes?  I say yes to that!   The first is an alpha beta refining wipe you can feel working with a very light tingle, I always have enough to run it over the tops of my hands too...BIG TIP!  NEVER NEGLECT YOUR HANDS PEOPLE!  They are the barometer of age to strangers.....so I treat them with my upscale products for my face, why not?   Step 2 is the neutralizing system and it just feels like a refreshing moisty over your face and provides a nice cooling effect.   Use this every morning and after about a week you'll definitely notice a difference - or better yet, you'll just get used to your skin being consistently radiant.

STEP TWO - See the Glow in you!

Now to add a natural glow about you with this kicking bronzer by Shiseido.   If you know me, then you know there's been times in my life my friends have had to pull a SELF TANNER INTERVENTION!  Or at least stay away from the "hello hugs" when they wore white.  I was a lighter shade of orange and proud! But I began to tire of smelling like a bad apple, feeling sticky in all the wrong places and washing my sheets every day of poopy looking stains and realized it wasn't worth maintaining.  Maybe there's a better way in self tanners for this whiter than white chick?  One which makes me look naturally bronzed, rather than Oompa Loompa? I began my quest and I searched far and wide for a bronzer that would do none of the above.   Then one day, in a far away land where Casey Novak lives as a District Attorney in a place where Law meets Order and there's somehow an SUV involed (oops, SVU, wink, wink).....my friend Diane Neal swore by this product.  So much so she was willing to buy it for me if I refused.  So I believed her and....

Helllooooooo Shiseido Daily Bronze Moisturizing Emulsion.   I swear by this ladies!  The make-up people put this on her before shoots and that says a lot because on set make-up is so heavy it would be painful to apply something that wasn't silky smooth and forgiving on the face.   

This very light, pleasant smelling lotion is perfect for face applications.  You need VERY LITTLE to go a long way or else you can feel sticky.   It can also be applied on the body, a bonus if you ask me.   Most tanners are body first, face second and it can feel like a mask has cut off your pores breathing.   This one is definitely a face first product with consideration of the need for a face to BREATHE while BRONZING! The lotion is NOT tinted, rather it gives you a very light and gradual sunkissed look that evens out your skin tone while moisturizing your face over the course of a day and builds from there.  BRILLIANT!

STEP THREE Yup, this is ME, looking damn PRETTY! 

The final step has to be credited to good ole' Dr. Gross again.  His All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen SPF 15  promises a lot and it delivers!                                                

You don't need a lot and this bottle seems to last forever, as do most of his products and the $44 is definitely worth the money.   This will help you even your skin tone with a natural looking, sheer color and has this incredible knack for delivering moisture only where your skin needs it most so it's great for all skin types.  It even boasts that it tightens skin to give a firmer, smoother look.    On top of the bronzer may seem like too much but if you wait for the bronzer to dry and then apply very little, you'll get a great even coverage AND the SPF protection you need.   It's light weight and absorbs quickly with little fuss.   The perfect finish for that natural look!

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT KIDS!

Apply these three steps and your skin will look like a happy accident of radiance with the dewy glow we all crave in the 30's and up.   Be glowy and prosper! 

Oh baby! I found my miracle eye pads! Chanel's Ultra Correction Total Eye Revitalizer

Yes kids, my search has ended.   Thank you ladies at Neiman Marcus for their commitment to my pestering.  Evidently it's not common to have these in stock?!?  They are made in France but come from Japan?  They are only given out when the moon is full and you've have unveiled your first born to Coco? Regardless, I found 'em, my search is over and once again this little miracle worker for youthful eyes is in my hot little hands.   

Chanel Ultra Correction Total Eye Revitalizer.   A two step intensive program that utilizes the synergy of a highly concentrated roll-on serum and efficacy-boosting eye patch for firmer eye area.  Does it work?  HELL YA.  Oh baby IT WORKS.   Tried it this morning for the first time in six years and I SWEAR TO YOU it plumped up my eye area, I have a moist look around the eyes, no puffiness, NO WRINKLES.  Really.  Yes, I am serious.  It was like botox in a bottle plus collagen injections (not saying I know what that is...well, maybe...).   

At a whopping $125 for 10 patches and one roll on serum of magic elixir it is expensive.   They also suggest you do it for 10 days in a row making the claim that with continued use those dark circles and wrinkles will diminish.  I noticed it in just one application so I don't think I'll do it for 10 days in a row.  I'm filming soon and may consider a 3 day bout of the stuff prior to my close ups!

A HUGE thumbs up for this product and a high recommendation to consider this for a special occasion, weddings? red carpet? the giving away of your child in exchange for more? 

If Goldilocks had a shampoo & conditioner it's this duo. Sunshine in a bottle!

I was asked by a friend if I had any recommendations for a low priced, great shampoo.  I don't know if the two are synonymous.  In fact I never thought my hair felt terrific from a shampoo unless some diva named Jean-Luc was fawning all over it at an overpriced Manhattan salon. Once that $250 hair cut and style was on my credit card I somehow always convinced myself my hair would never feel that way if I shampooed and styled it at home.   And then......drum roll please....

I came upon NOUNOU.   Woohoo for the NOUNOU!    This nourishing illuminating shampoo and conditioner is from the the Davines line created by a family in Italy (www.davines.com) who believe in sustainability.  And I'm not just talking a hairstyle that lasts all day.  Nope.  They are big on the environment and corporate responsibility.   So much of their products are natural and sweetie pie...au natural makes a big difference when it comes to how you should treat your hair!

Let me explain one thing first - my hair is my crowning glory.  I am THE hair person in my group of friends.  If you asked them what I'm most obsessed over?  It would be my hair.  All my defining moments are based around good hair days.  I don't give a shiz how superficial that seems, a bouncy set of locks on Inauguration Day probably made Michelle happy too .  My first experience with the shampoo had me flabbergasted my hair not only could feel so light and clean but could actually REFLECT LIGHT.  It was shiny and bouncy and light, I had no idea my hair had it in it!   I was walking around with this bouncy light inducing hair.  It was a significant moment to know I had spent decades trying to find the right hairstyle for me and I learned all I needed was a great shampoo and conditioner.

NOUNOU Nourishing Illuminating Shampoo with Chestnut Milk for Colour treated hair travels in high places and is in all the nice salons and you know what that means kids - a hit to your wallet.   I've spent upwards of $25 for one bottle - but no fear!  I have found it online for $10 cheaper at trustworthy sites like beauty.com.      I try with great willpower to only use it for auditions or film days to conserve but it's hard going back to another shampoo after using this one, there is just no comparison.   The quality of the product permits me to wash my hair less frequently, so you do the math!

NOUNOU Nourishing Illuminating Cream with Tomato Extract is just as amazing.  If you have long hair this conditioner is a fantastic detangler too.  It lasts forever as you don't need much to produce the shine and brilliance it creates.   Sweet Almond Butter and Vitamin F are key ingredients and assist in restructuring the hair shaft and replenishing nourishment.  The Hydrocreatine internally strengthens the hair and increases elasticity (what did I say long haired ladies!).  The Tomato Extract apparently protects hair from free radicals as it works synergistically with Rhizobian Gum to maintain hair color's vibrancy by selectively releasing moisturizers according to your hair's needs.   It comes in a tub that seems to last forever. NOTE:  It takes a few try's to figure out how much is too much and you really want to rinse well but the results of patiently rinsing ARE WORTH IT!  I keep it on overnight with saran wrap over it to give my hair a real conditioning.

Goldilocks WATCH OUT!   The bear is out of the cabin!  (Um, my way of saying the cat is out of the bag, funny huh?)

Battle of the spot remover. Pimples begone...overnight. I swear.

Yes, I swear.  I do.  I can't afford to have a pimple ruin an audition or a day on set.  Nor can you.  So I pull out my sure proof arsenals.  Oh, and arsenals they are my sweets.   These are the big guns.  Warning: they work.  

I have two for you.  Why?  Because my husband found my second pick and kept it for himself.  So it's his go-to when his spots are too hot to handle.   Kiehl's Blue Herbal Spot Treatment.  Under $20, lasts a long time.   Just a wee bit on your spot, stings a little and overnight spot be-gone!  I am not recommending this for acne kids.  That should be an H-Bomb, not a bazooka like this baby.  But it's fantastic for the little red annoying dot.  It's clear too so you can hide it under make-up if necessary.  With Salicylic acid and extracts of cinnamon bark and ginger root and we're convinced an itty bitty witch doctor inside who wishes away the dot...whatever works babes.

My pick?  Sonya Dakar's Drying Potion as my number one big gun.  If the other has a witch doctor, this one has a whole coven in a little blue jar.  Allure magazine named it best zit cream two years in a row.   It's a pretty penny kids and it's white so no hiding it, but it hides your bumps and I'm telling you, you'll wake up the next morning and before you can say "bump be-gone" it is, oh yes, it is.  But so is your green in your wallet.  It can run you up to $45. It lasts a long time but can also dry out.  To make it last longer, shake it to mix up the ingredients, wipe the screw top so it seals properly and keep it upright.

Recognized by many as 'Hollywood's secret weapon', this emergency solution helps treat and eliminate breakouts both above and below the skin's surface. Formulated with Dead Sea sulfur to reduce redness and puffiness; pure lavender and chamomile to calm breakouts, sage to disinfect and peppermint to stimulate blood circulation to promote speedy healing.    I have given it to my actor friends with a solemn swear it's their solution and cutely enough caught one in the act when I've encountered them the next day with the residue still on their face.   Just for fun, I didn't tell them until half way through our bike ride (insert evil laugh here). I'll admit, you have to really wash it off, but it's your answer for reducing dots for special events.

Poor as a Pauper? Recession Proof Cleanser!

Nothing new here gals. My dad made me use this as a little girl to save money and I kept buying it throughout my teens, in to my 20's, 30's and 40's...oops, I mean 30's. 40's? Not me...yet. Or rather maybe I AM but because I use CETAPHIL my skin looks supple.

Of course it became popular in all the magazines and went from four bucks to eleven dollars in a jif. But good products deserve attention and they've expanded their line to accommodate. I don't use any other of their products but I have been curious. I find it keeps my skin's PH balance and I'm never dry or oily with this. I can over use and it doesn't seem to matter. It's great after a long day on set with pounds of make-up on being under hot lights. I'll even put it on my dry skin to take my make-up off.

This will always be my go-to cleanser regardless of recession or a boom in the markets I will stay with my cheap tried and true Cetaphil.

Desperately seeking Chanel gel eye pads...

Many years ago I went to a special event in Beverly Hills and just prior I had a fantastic facial at a great Beverly Hills hotel spa.   This hotel has a separate wing which hosts stars who have just had "work" done.   I was staying at the other side of the hotel but used the spa services because I figured they must know what they are doing!

They gave me complimentary Gel eye pads by Chanel.   I put them on my eyes for about 20 minutes before the event.    The package claimed it would plump you up with collagen.   I remember being completely surprised by the results and how my wrinkles disappeared!  I'd give anything to find those puppies again.  I tried an internet search but it was so many years ago and no one seems to know what I'm talking about.  If anyone out there's knows or has a great eye pad recommendation to use prior to a special event I'd be grateful and happily discuss it on this forum if it works!

The best smelling, softest feeling indulgent body lotion ever

I can't stop buying Archipelago's Sugar Lotion for body.   It's the scent of brown sugar and vanilla and lasts forever (another never ending bottle if you ask me).   My husband LOVES IT and I love the non-greasy easy spreading lotion for my legs and arms.   Sometimes I just put it in the guest room so people can feel spoiled.   I don't know a single guest who hasn't bought a product from this company after staying at my home and having the Sugar Lotion experience.  The description boasts that it provides alpha hydroxy acids and natural antioxidants.  This is an indulgent product (averages about $25 for 15 fl oz) but you'll never regret the scent that comes from your soft and supple hands.  Sweet sugar baby!

An SPF for every day with UVA/UVB protection that's an amazing moisturizer!

Sonya Dakar's 365 SPF 30 Sunscreen.  I keep this in my purse at all times.  In fact, I have many tubes and keep them in my car, purse, travel bag and at home.  It's a fantastic light weight SPF moisturizer that has an amazing light scent of lavender and orange.  I can still add my make-up on top without it feeling thick.  It's SPF 30 with UVA/UVB protection and my dermatologist approves it for sun protection.   I have a tendency to get discoloration on my face and hyper pigmentation and I am always confident leaving the house with this protecting me against the effects of the sun. I have tried other face SPF's and there is nothing I like more than this product.     www.sonyadakar.com

For that Refreshed look! Makes your eyes oh so bright!

I love Benefit make up.   I love products that can enhance your appearance but it doesn't look like you're wearing any make up.   Eye Bright is something I've had make up artists use on the ridge of my eye or inside my eye lid to have me look awake.   I've definitely noticed a difference on film when they do it.  They call it a nap in a stick.  I certainly agree with that.  I use it in the corner of my eye, or down the middle of my nose (blended) as a highlighter and just under my brow bone.  I use it day or night and keep it in my cosmetic bag for touch ups.    www.sephora.com