The anti-aging battle is never ending, so let's get to it. New from SOTHYS is Cosmetceutique Rx, a clinical skincare line designed to provide intensive results immediately via active hydroxyl acid complexes and potent antioxidants in each treatment bottle. This four-piece dynamo is a perfect complement to a SOTHYS in-spa Glysalac Professional Peel or as an effective at-home regimen. Glysalac Skin Preparer is a deep acting (but gentle) treatment cleanser with glycolic and salicylic acid, effectively clearing your canvas for the penetration of the remaining three leave-on serums: Glysalac Dermobooster increases micro-exfoliation and cell renewal for smooth, radiant skin; Retinol Dermobooster is a skin regenerator that nurses aging or sun damaged skin back to a vibrant tone; while Ultra-C Dermobooster repairs hyper-pigmentation (age spots or scars created by breaks in the skin exposed to light). As an added exfoliator three times a week (an annual volcano blemish left a mark), I used from another SOTHYS protocol Micro Gel Peeling that is very unique in its refining action, transforming itself from crystal-gel to oil, then a milk. The Cosmetceutique Rx pack is a really great way to laser-focus a skin recovery.
Let's take clear and smooth to the next level. Tria Beauty's FDA-cleared at home Laser Precision and Laser 4X Hair Removal provide permanent hair removal for most hair/skin types after several repeat sessions. "Tria Hair Removal Lasers are the only at-home hair removal devices featuring diode lasers, which disables the hair follicle by targeting the melanin at the root without damaging the surrounding skin." Offering a 90-day guarantee, it's worth finding out if waxing, plucking and shaving may be a time consuming task you no longer have to endure.
Clarins has always been a favorite for many and provides luxury with value. So I ran out of Extra-Firming Tightening Lift Botanical Serum which can lift your belly-button to your bust if pushed up long enough! Then I was introduced to a whole new super-strength lineup and a stellar option for aging skin, Shaping Facial Lift Total V Contouring Serum which refines facial contours, defines cheekbones and visibly "lifts" the jawline--focusing on puffy, excess skin. Perfect for all of us! Clarins Shaping Facial Lit Wrap is a really terrific weekly or event-night treatment. Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate, although not brand new, has been refortified and is now offered as a 1.6 ounce "luxury size." This dual-chamber all-in-one powerhouse serum packs more than 20 pure plant extracts and potent molecules that reactivate skin's vital functions that minimize pores, even tone, unwrinkle and lift. I used the Vital Light Serum at night under Extra Firming Night cream from their "Rejuvenating" line. One of my all-time favorite skincare "medicines" is Anti Eau Body Treatment Oil that can be added to a bath, but best applied on a damp body. This fast absorbing, non-staining, energizing wellness oil feels amazing on my throbbing feet and legs with its Hazelnut Oil, Broom, Geranium and Marjoram extracts. Clarins really makes one being pro-gorgeous feel, yes, pampered.
How do you spell decadent effectiveness? Sisley-Paris. I've met my share of beauty fanatic diehards, so when a 30-year-old woman with flawless skin told me at a recent party she finally resolved herself to "just sucking it up" and using Sisley for across the board results, I knew I had to revisit the brand. I saw her point. Selected for its strength, resistance and durability, their Black Rose Precious Face Oil is anti-age skin nutrition, cultivated directly from the Bulgarian Black Rose and contains avocado, plus large doses of Omega 3 and 6--and more. And why the complementary Black Rose Cream Mask is a fan favorite for "instant youth" for dense hydration and plumping. Yes, please. Rye and rare dill extracts counteract mature sagging and restoration of facial features via Global Firming Serum. As a double-duty botanical cure, watercress and lemongrass form a silky, pearlized gel for an even illumination (brightening), plus one heck of a super lift with Radiant Immediate Lift. And for a serious cult fave (and now mine), Ecological Compound is a terrific daily emulsion comprised of five naturally-occurring vitamins and heavy doses of plant compounds that soothe, brighten and protect from air, smoke and pollution while providing a botanically-matte finish--all in a 4.2 ounce pump! When there's no time to think, this is "the one."
I've always been impressed with Clinique for its effective simplicity. Clinique was also one of the first to tout "non-comedogenic" (non-clogging). I've always told eye-sensitive people that their eye gel-creams (especially for daytime contact lens wearers) are rich, yet won't cloud or tear the eyes. Celebrating its "Happy Nude Year," Clinique's makeup for 2015 has beautifully modernized "nude" as no longer boring or disappearing. Clinique has reshaped the industry nudes with low-level skin tones that emit high-impact pearlization while remaining matte. For instance: The slightly deeper nude shades of Quickliner For Lips makes the Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick pop (really nice) with its slightly suede texture--then you can match or enhance with Long Last Glosswear. Touching Clinique's Wear Everywhere Neutrals "All About Shadow" eye collection, which houses an eight-pan color tray in five shade groups made me want to paint eyes! Really subdued luxury, with enough "pop" in each. Also brand new is the hot button re-sculpting Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream. Clinique's Repairwear technology is a winner of nearly 100 global beauty awards and this enhanced nighttime lifting formula promises neck, cheekbone and jawline contouring and sculpting with continued use via collagen recharging while you sleep. Firming I could see and feel.
This winter I'm loving Matrix's ExquisiteOil collection of shampoos, conditioners and, most importantly, hair oils. I have really wavy, dry-ish hair and have been applying creams and emollients most my life in order to make my hair silkier and more elastic. Aside from the media buzz, I've never been able to use Argan oil as a stand alone, having to apply a cream-serum over that (I got the "shine" and the "conditioning," but never "the look" with Argan). Enter ExquisiteOil with three leave-in hair styling healers that really deliver with Tahitian Monoi and Moringa oil blends--Protective Treatment, Softening Treatment and Strengthening Treatment. The latter being a real remedy, infused with Polynesian Tamanu Oil that can be applied right before your conditioner, without rinsing, for a more luxurious and noticeable conditioning. TIP: Wide-tooth comb-through after applying both and don't over-rinse. Exquisite. Oil.
I've excitedly got a jumpstart on the above. So believe me when I say that each new year ushers in hope. But in 2015, technology has super-charged our pro-gorgeous regimen into something we can actually see transform before us. That's very exciting. And isn't what feeling beautiful all about actually feeling beautiful?
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