So you have put most of your party years behind you and now you are ready to get serious.  You are doing well in your career, and it is time to take some serious steps to maintain your look.  If you didn't take the best care of yourself in your youth, relax, because its not too late!

EXFOLIATE!
Exfoliation sloughs away dead skin cells that can leave your complexion looking dull and dry.  It also has the added benefit of promoting cell turnover, which ultimately will lead to young-looking skin for longer.  Whether you choose a simple scrub, or something more extravagant, this step will be well worth your investment.

KATE SOMERVILLE ExfoliKate
I've said it before and I'll say it again, hands-down the best at-home exfoliation money can buy!

$85 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com

USE SUNSCREEN!
Chances are you didn't wear a daily sunscreen in your 20's and unfortunately that damage is done.  Lucky for you, you can add a daily sunscreen to your routine and prevent any further sun damage!  The higher the SPF, the better, even on cloudy days.

EPIONCE Ultra Sheild Lotion
SPF 50 for the ULTIMATE in sun protection, with a non-greasy formula that can be mixed with your daily moisturizer or applied on top!

Call for Pricing - Epionce www.epionce.com

ADD AN EYE CREAM!
You are right around the age when fine lines and crows feet start developing around the delicate eye area.  Counteract these lines with an anti-aging eye serum or cream.  For maximum results, apply twice a day, and store your eye cream in the refrigerator!

FREEZE 24/7 Anti-Aging Eye Serum

$115 - Freeze 24/7 www.freeze247.com

TRY BRONZER!
Too focused on your career to get that much needed flush of color in the sun? Try a mixing a bronzing liquid in with your moisturizer.  No, we aren't talking over-bronzed and orange like the cast of Jersey Shore, but a subtle, transparent glow, which may just put that bounce back in your step!

ESTEE LAUDER Bronze Goddess
Luminous Liquid Bronzer

$30 - Estee Lauder Available at Fine Department Stores Nationwide

After the last few weeks of work, parties, and loss of sleep....this is exactly what you need...A weeks worth of anti-aging treatments and procedures!  Todays topic: PEELS. Chemical. Laser. Microdermabrasion.  There are so many options, with both spa and at-home treatments available, so which one is right for you?

SPA TREATMENTS
CHEMICAL PEEL
Uses chemical solution improve and smooth the texture of the skin by removing damaged outer layers.  This process is often helpful for those with facial blemishes, uneven pigmentation, and fine lines or wrinkles.  There are three main chemicals that are used in the application of a chemical peel: Phenol, Alphahydroxy Acids (AHA) and  Trichloracetic Acid (TCA), all which have their own purposes and use.

Alphahydroxy Acids (AHA) including glycolic, lactic, and fruit enzymes are the mildest of all chemical peels, and are often the active ingredients in at-home peels. AHA peels can be used to smooth texture, treat dry spots, and acne, and require a day or less of recovery time and are the ideal choice for someone who can't spare the recovery time.  Side affects of an AHA peel include stinging, redness, and irritation.
Costs around $225

Trichloracetic Acid (TCA) is used in many concentrations, and is often used for medium depth peels.  Often multiple treatments need to be done of this to reach desired results, and results aren't as long-lasting.  Recovery time is usually 2-3 days and may include redness, irritation, and temporary flaking.
Costs around $1000

Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a very deep peel to treat deep wrinkles, severe sun damage, and pre-cancerous growth.  Phenol also lightens the skin so your aesthetician will determine if this is an appropriate treatment for you.  Phenol often causes permanent skin pigmentation changes, and skin will lose its ability to tan, so sun protection is a must, and recovery time can be substantial, up to several months with a minimum of two weeks resting at home.  This type of peel must be performed by a licensed plastic surgeon.
Costs $2000-$6000

For all peels, a pre-treatment of Retin-A may be prescribed for up to a month before the treatment.  During recovery it is CRUCIAL to wear sunblock of at least SPF 45 or permanent uneven skin pigmentation may result.

LASER RESURFACING
Also know as a laser peel, this type of treatment uses focused light energy to remove the outer layers of skin with the intent of brightening, tightening, and evening tone and texture.  Laser resurfacing uses a carbon dioxide (CO2) Laser to reduce wrinkles, loose skin, scars (including acne scars), vascular lessions, ednlarged pores, rough skin texture, dark spots, and birthmarks.  Ideal candidates for this procedure are light-skinned people free of any active facial infection including acne.  Recovery time is generally mild at 7-10 days and is often paired with a mild pain medication and sterile topical treatment.  It is important not to pick at the face, as this can result in permanent scarring.
Costs around $2000-$4000

(MICRO)DERMABRASION
This is a treatment which uses controlled scraping to remove surface irregularities.  This process is most often used to smooth out fine lines, and remove scarring and can be done on a concentrated  area or the entire face.    Microdermabrasion is a similar process in which ultra-fine crystals are used to remove the skin via a sandblasting type technique.  This treatment can be beneficial to adults of all ages, but it important to understand that not all scars and wrinkles can be removed, and it will not prevent future aging.  This procedure cannot be performed during active infections such as acne.  Healing from this process can take up to several weeks, with redness, swelling, scabbing, and peeling, similar to if you scraped your knee.  As will all peels, it is very important to stay out of the sun and wear sunscreen for several months.  Microdermabrasion can be performed by most licensed aestheticians while dermabrasion is performed by a plastic surgeon.
Microdermabrasion costs around $75-$200, Dermabrasion costs around $1500


AT-HOME TREATMENTS
Most at-home peels are very mild and safe to use on almost all skin types, with little to no recovery time and use AHA as their active ingredients (either glycolic, lactic, or fruit enzymes).

Glycolic Acid
These types of peels are gentle and safe for most skin and can be applied for 2-4 minutes up to twice a week and can help control acne and reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. I absolutely LOVE the Micro Glycolic Polisher from KATE SOMERVILLE because it contains both glycolic and lactic acids along with calming ingredients to soothe the skin.

$90 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com

Lactic Acid
Used in a 50% solution, lactic acid can be a very effective treatment of acne, and continued use of lactic acid peels can reduce the hard to treat cystic acne for a very reasonable amount of money.  SKIN LABORATORY has a 50% solution that can be used as a spot treatment and an all over peel.

$17-$40 Skin Laboratory www.skinlaboratory.com

Fruit Enzyme
Fruit enzymes contain substantial amounts of AHA and can be used for an all-natural or even organic at-home chemical peel such at the Green Apple Peel from JUICE BEAUTY, which contains apple, lemon, and white grape extracts along with vitamins A, C, and E.  This peel works wonders, but is very strong for an at-home treatment, and should never be left on more than the recommended time, and it may take 24 hours to recover.  Vinegar is an effective treatment for redness on the face as a result of an at-home peel.

$45 - Juice Beauty www.juicebeauty.com

Continuing with SPA WEEK, we are discussing at-home facial treatments targeting specific skin concerns. Though you may not have the time in your daily regimen, adding some of these products and techniques to your daily routine may dramatically increase your skin's appearance, texture, clarity, and tone.
5 Steps to Perfect Skin:
1. Cleanser
2. Exfoliate
3. Tone
4. Mask
5. Moisturize

These steps can be applied with small variations for any skin type

NORMAL SKIN:
You already have great skin, so maintaining it is your main concern.
Using good quality products is important as inexpensive fillers and detergents can dry your skin or cause breakouts. For a normal skin treatment, I really like the selection from KATE SOMERVILLE because you can really see instant results, even after just one treatment!

1. CLEANSE with the Gentle Daily Wash which contains soothing herbal ingredients to clean without overdrying.


$32 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com




2. EXFOLIATE with Exfolikate Gentle to remove dead skin cells, prevent cellular turnover, and reveal brighter, more radiant skin.



$65 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com



3. TONE with the Micro Glycolic Polisher, which contains lactic and glycolic acids along with powerful antioxidants to promote cellular health and reveal younger-looking skin.


$90 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com



4. SOOTH with the Quench Hydrating Mask. Exfoliation and toning can cause mild, temporary skin irritation and/or redness, so it important to follow with intense hydration. This mask will sooth with cucumber and hyaluronic acid for ultimate hydration.


$45 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com


5. MOISTURIZE with Deep Tissue Repair for intense moisture with proteins and vitamins to help improves skin overall texture, and reduce fine lines.


$150 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com



Using these 5 steps once a week will keep your skin radiant and healthy for years to come!

SENSITIVE / ROSACEA:
The most important thing to know when your skin is easily irritated is that you must avoid harsh detergents and other ingredients that can cause irritation.  I really like BIOELEMENTS because of their ability to really customize a treatment plan that works for you.  For example, the process I just outlined that works for normal skin would wreak havoc on overly sensitive skin.
1. CLEANSE with the Sensitive Skin Cleanser, which contains essential oils to soften and sooth the skin.



$41 - Bioelements www.bioelements.com





2. / 3. EXFOLIATE / MASK.  Sensitive skin can't handle very abrasive exfoliation, so instead try the Measured Micrograins which works as a mask and gentle scrub.  Not only is it a great time saver, combining the steps eliminate irritation caused by excessive wetting and drying the skin!



$31 - Bioelements www.bioelements.com










4. TONE with the Calmitude Hydrating Solution.  The best part about this solution is it comes in a spray bottle for easy application, and includes licorice and white tea to calm and reduce redness.



$26 - Bioelements www.bioelements.com




5. MOISTURIZE with Calmitude Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.  Really massage into the skin for full absorption until the hands no longer slide easily.



$39.50 - Bioelements www.bioelements.com





You can use the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer daily, and save the exfoliating mask for 1-2 times per week, and you will see dramatic improvements in skin tone.

DRY / AGING:
Some problems that affect aging skin are dryness and discoloration along with the obvious fine lines and wrinkles.  Common ways of treating the visible signs of aging are antioxidants, proteins, exfoliation, and moisturizing.  LA MER has spent years building up a cult following for it's iconic anti-aging products, which contain what they call "miracle broth", which is unlike any other anti-aging product I have tried, with results starting to show almost instantly, and full results showing after continued use.
1. CLEANSE with the Cleansing Foam.  Massage into face with warm water and the luxurious foam cleanses and sooths the skin without over drying, revealing soft, pure skin.



$65 - La Mer www.cremedelamer.com




2. EXFOLIATE with the Refining Facial, massaging into skin with circular motions to reveal smooth, radiant skin using diamond powder and polished sea quartz.



$75 - La Mer www.cremedelamer.com




3. TONE with The Radiant Infusion to minimize pores and brighten complexion without over drying and to prepare your skin to receive moisturizer.



$95 - La Mer www.cremedelamer.com





4. MOISTURIZE with Creme de la Mer, which includes the legendary miracle broth.  Warm the formula in your hands and generously massage onto face and under eye area for the ultimate in anti-aging and hydration.



$130 - La Mer www.cremedelamer.com




For dry and aging skin, you don't want to use a mask, as they can often irritate and dry skin further.  There is a reason for the La Mer cult following, as it works so effectively it's like nothing I've ever seen before.  If you are still skeptical, head over to your nearest Neiman Marcus and try it out for yourself.  By the time you are finished shopping, your skin will feel younger and brighter!

OILY / ACNE-PRONE
If you have problems with breakouts, a traditional facial is not usually beneficial, and can cause further irritation. and actually strip the skin, which can actually cause an increase in oil production.  Recently, I discovered SKINTACTIX, which is a skincare line specifically designed to treat acne without the use of harsh chemicals like benzoyl peroxide.  You too can enjoy the facial experience while working to treat your acne prone skin.
1. CLEANSE with the Antibacterial Cleanser, which foams to get deep down into pores and balances pH.



                $10.50 - Skintactix www.skintactix.com

2. EXFOLIATE with the antibacterial Pineapple Scrub, which contains a gentle abrasive to remove dead skin cells while soothing with aloe and seaweed to allow skin to accept further treatments.



$12 - Skintactix www.skintactix.com




3. TONE with the Glycolic Exfoliator.  Witch Hazel and alcohol in toners can cause excess drying and actually lead to more oil production and acne.  Apply to a cotton pad and wipe over face in a thin layer.

            $13 - Skintactix www.skintactix.com

4. MASK.  The Green Tea Poultice is my favorite product from the line, calming irritated skin and soothing acne bumps almost instantly.  Product directions say to rub into skin, but I found that it works very effectively as a mask.  Massage onto face and leave on for approximately 30 minutes and then rinse with cool water.


$16 - Skintactix www.skintactix.com



5. MOISTURIZE with The Treatment Moisturizer with calming Hyaluronic Acid, Avocado, and Green Tea without clogging pores.



$14 - Skintactix www.skintactix.com






REMEMBER That with all of these facial procedures, read all product directions thoroughly, and you can often maximize results by using these products daily or weekly.

Now that we are finishing up fashion week, I am finishing up my Fall it lists... from Dior to Clinique...some we can't live without..and others should remain on the wish list.

CLARISONIC Mia $149 - Clarisonic www.clarisonic.com
A smaller, travel-sized version of the classic Clarisonic Skin Cleansing System, it boasts sonic technology, with vibrations at more than 300 times per second, whisking away makeup, dirt and debris, with gentle exfoliation while helping to tighten and brighten the skin.

VERDICT: WANT!
While users of the Clarisonic system swear by it, and the sonic technology is scientifically proven to help skin, at over $100, this is an item you can probably live without...at least until your holiday bonus!

PHILOSOPHY Purity Cleansing Towlettes $20 - Philosophy Skincare www.philosophy.com
Everything you know and love about the Purity Made Simple cleanser in a mess-free, travel-friendly towelette.  Formulated without parabens, sulfates, fragrance, and dye to remove dirt and makeup, leaving skin clean and refreshed.

VERDICT: NEED!
As a makeup artist, I am a huge fan of cleansing wipes of any kind for their easy use on-the-go, and these wipes really leave skin soft and clean without over drying, and with 45 wipes for $20, they are a good buy at under $.50 each!

BOSCIA Luminizing Black Mask $34 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com
The innovation in this product is the dramatic "peel-off" technique.  After this literally BLACK mask dries, you peel it off, removing dirt and impurities with it.  With powerful antioxidants, your skin is left feeling smooth, and pore appearance minimized, plus the ingredients are all natural!

VERDICT: NEED!
I have tried every mask under the sun, and this one really works.  As you peel off the mask, you can really feel the dirt pulling away with it.  Also great if you have oily or acne prone skin to help keep pores clear!

DIOR New Skincare with Peony Extract $32-$38 Each - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com
While Dior's makeup has a reputation for quality, they are relatively new to the skincare business, with several lines available including cleansing milks, toners, and exfoliation scrubs.

VERDICT: WANT!
Stick with what already works, with Dior not boasting any groundbreaking ingredients or antioxidants, you can find more effective skincare for the price.

CLINIQUE Repairwear Laser Focus Damage Corrector $44.50 - Clinique www.clinique.com
With scientifically proven results showing a 63% reduction in fine lines and sun spots, the results are similar to that of a dermatological laser peel, while boosting collagen and repairing cellular structure after 12 weeks of use.

VERDICT: NEED!
After damaging your skin all summer, this is the perfect fall antidote, which will help to reverse the this (and previous) summers' damage.

KATE SOMERVILLE Neck Tissue Repair Cream $150 - Kate Somerville www.katesomerville.com
The neck is often an area that gets forgotten in many individuals' beauty regimen, but is an area that needs attention just as much as the face.  With Peptide K8, this sup-moisturizing formula smooths wrinkles and increases firmness.

VERDICT: WANT!
While Kate Somerville's legendary brand has one of the highest success rates of any skincare line on the market today, the $150 price tag will prove this to be an investment that you better hold off on unless your neck area is in dire need of help!

Extremely dry skin affects so many people...most often in the dry winter months, but for many people, any weather extreme can cause drying of the skin. Most commonly effected areas are the legs and hands, but I often find that i get dry spots on my arms and face during extreme weather conditions. Dry skin is easily treated, so take care of it or it may lead to DERMATITIS, an inflamation of the skin associated with overly dry skin.

1. Avoid causes of dry skin such as SOAP, very HOT SHOWERS, long showers, and excessive washing of the hands.

2. Use mild cleansers that don;t use soap. Yes, soap gets a nice lather and leaves us clean and fresh, but it is DRYING OUT YOUR SKIN!!! Also try to stay away from antibiotic and fragranced cleansers.

FACE: CETAPHIL Gentle Skin Cleanser is one of the most recommended cleanser by dermatologists and is great for dry, sensitive skin.


$6 - Drugstores Nationwide.

BODY: OLAY Total Effects Body Wash contains 7 moisturizers AND it counteracts signs of aging!


$7 - Drugstores Nationwide

3. MOISTURIZE!!!!!!! Use a moisturizer EVERY TIME you get out of the shower. This is the easiest way to counteract dryness! Your skin is most absorbant after a shower, so this is the time to do it!!!

BODY: BURT'S BEES Radiance Body Lotion contains Royal Jelly (134 NUTRIENTS!!!), coconut, sunflower, orange, sage, rosemary, aloe, and soybean to moisturize and calm irritated skin. I noticed a difference in the overall appearance of my skin in just TWO DAYS! It also contains mica to give the skin a radiant glow!


$8 - Drugstores Nationwide

FACE: KATE SOMERVILLE's Goat Milk Cream is designed with vitamins and amino acids to calm and repair severely damaged skin gently. Possibly one of the best moistuizers on the market for dry skin, and WELL WORTH the high price tag.


$55 - Henri Bendel 5th Avenue www.henribendel.com

HANDS: BATH AND BODY WORKS Look Ma New Hands lotion is my personal favorite hand cream, though there are many many good ones out there. I like it because of the fresh grapefruit scent and the fact that it seals in moisture with parafin wax. When I was in college, I worked at Starbucks and this was the only lotion that worked to keep my hands from cracking due to overwashing!


$7-$22 Bath & Body Works Stores www.bathandbodyworks.com

TIP: Don't use a liquid foundation if your face is very dry, it will look cracked and blotchy. Instead, use a heavy duty moisturizer and a powder foundation to achieve a smoother finish until your skin heals.

TIP: If topical treatments aren't working, try taking an Omega-3 supplement. These fatty acids will aid in cellular regeneration and help heal dry skin.

In honor of Father's Day, this coming weekend, all week I will be featuring tips, tricks, and products especially for men! Whether you ladies are looking for special gifts, or men want to try something new, these are the things you need to know. Men's skin ages just the same as women's do, and smoking, drinking, sun, and stress affect it in much the same way. However, many men look at skincare as an aferthought, which is a huge mistake. The following is a basic skincare regimine that will work for most men:

1. Use a good-quality cleanser. Apply to a moist face and work in an circular motion, and rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. I like the JACK BLACK Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser, which contains antioxidants to decrease free radicals, and sage extract which works as an antibiotic on the skin.

$18-$32 Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

2. Apply a moisturizer with at least SPF 15. Only a small amount is needed each morning after washing and will protect the skin against the suns harmful rays. My favorite is ZIRH Defend Lotion. It works well with all skin types (even dry and sensitive) and contains avocado oil and vitamin a along with the SPF 15 protection, leaving skin soft, but not greasy.

$32.50 Major Department Stores Nationwide.

3. Shaving: Cream or Gel / Electric or Classic depends on your personal preference, but there are a few things you need to know about shaving properly. First, using a scrub twice a week will remove dead skin cells and make your shave smoother and more comfortable. There are MANY many scrubs out there, but for this specific segment, I am going out on a limb and reccommending a women's skincare product. KATE SOMERVILLE'S Exfolikate is the best scrub on the market today (for men or women!). It contains a laundry list of ingredients to enhance the skin, clear blackheads, and leave the skin bright and clear!

$175 Luxury Stores Nationwide and www.sephora.com

Next, when applying your cream or gel, make sure it is applied over a face that has been wet with warm water. Allow the cream to soften the hairs for a minute before beginning to shave. Take your time, and remember that shaving with the grain is FAR LESS irritating than shaving against the grain. The brand and style of cream or gel, and no one is better or worse than the other really. I have even gone so far to use conditioner for the hair. Save some money here and use a drugstore product like Gillete or Edge.

4. Last, use an aftershave lotion to sooth the skin. Look for one with aloe vera to sooth razor burn and irritation. I like CLINIQUE Post-Shave Healer, with high aloe content.

$17 - Sephora Stores www.sephora.com

Upon watching a segment on sunless tanning products on the Today Show this morning, I decided to put together my own list of must-haves for a healthy glow all summer without the damaging effects of the sun.

1. ST TROPEZ SELF TAN BRONZING SPRAY
This revolutionary self tanner uses DHA, a product derived from sugarcane to naturally darken the skin. The 360 degree sprayer nozzle allows for complete body coverage without help from a friend.


2. KATE SOMERVILLE 360
These tanning wipes also use DHA to naturally darken the skin, and are great for touching up areas missed by a spray tan, or darkening specific areas of the body such as arms and legs. Color appears in 3-4 hours, so make sure to allow plenty of time for color to develop before a special event.


3. NARS BODYGLOW
This blend of natural tropical oils is great for post-tanning or as a temporary bronzing solution. The oils combined with a shimmer powder give the skin a great healthy summer glow while moisturizing and protecting the skin.


There are so many products out there, and only you can decide the right ones for you, but these are my personal favorites!