BB Cushion: The New BB

Beauty balms are a beauty staple these days and while so many versions have developed over the past few years (CC creams, DD creams...), the perfect hybrid of makeup and skincare has definitely been perfected.  I love using BB creams simply because they streamline my morning regimen.  Here's the scoop on the latest and greatest - BB cushion.

"The average woman in Asia goes through seven different steps taking care of her skin," says Jessica Wu, MD, a Santa Monica, Calif., dermatologist.  That may sound crazy to you, but it's certainly not out-of-this-world to me.  Personally, after I wash, I like to use a toner, lightening serum, eye cream, day cream with SPF, primer and tinted moisturizer.  That's six steps in skincare alone.

Now, my morning beauty routine is cut down. Thanks to a new innovation in BB, the first of it's kind LANEIGE BB Cushion, $34, is available at Target stores and Target.com.  I like that it's lightweight and does more than just moisturize, protect (with SPF 50) and tint. It's a 5-in-1 that brightens, protects and hydrates skin, while preventing shine and perfecting long-lasting coverage.  The applicator puff it comes with delivers just the right amount of product onto my skin for a very natural look.

We could all use a simple skincare regimen that leaves our skin looking fresh and beautiful. Could you use something like the Laneige BB Cushion, too?  I'm giving one of these away!  Comment on my Facebook telling me the steps in your morning routine for a chance to win.  (Winner must be located in the USA and will be selected at random).

*This is a sponsored post by Laneige, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Post Workout Skincare

Shower.  That was the only thing I could think about as I left Barry's Bootcamp a sweaty mess with a beat red face.  Feel me?  But did you know that there's actually a skincare regimen you should follow after an intense workout?  Neither did I until I spoke with NYC Dermatologist, Dr. Dennis Gross, who gave me the scoop.

"When you exercise you sweat and lose a lot of fluids. Your first reaction after your workout is to wash it all away, but you have to make sure to take care of your skin properly when it's so stressed," he commented.

Step one: Skip harsh cleansers and toners that will strip away your natural oils.

Step two: Add moisture back into your skin.

Application is key though, as when you increase your metabolism, your oil glands naturally secrete, so you need to make sure your skin has time to equilibrate before applying products so they don't end up blocking the pores.  Therefore, you should wait a while after your workout to add moisturizer and makeup.

Spring Break Ready Skin Tips

The weather is finally getting warmer! If you’re following me on Instagram, you’ll see that I just took my spring break trip to Jamaica. Yes, I did the whole Cancun thing in college. Don’t judge! Whether you’re taking a vacation or just in the mood to get ready to lose the tights, here are some tips on how to prep your skin for spring break.

Exfoliate Sure, you know you should exfoliate, but do you? Exfoliating gets rid of any dry, dead skin to reveal a fresh, soft layer. On your face, it helps to rid gunk like makeup and SPF. Think about that build up, people! Try exfoliating your body and face twice a week.

Rid Pimples Obviously, nobody likes to get breakouts on the beach but let’s face it, breakouts happen. Try using NEW AcneFree Drying Lotion (available for $5.99 at drugstores), and apply it directly onto your breakout. This new lotion from AcneFree starts to clear your acne overnight! All you have to do is, before bed (after cleansing, toning, and moisturizing), dip a cotton swab into the pink sediment at the bottom of the bottle. Apply a dab of this lotion directly on the whitehead and do not rub it in. AcneFree Drying Lotion treats a pimple using Salicylic Acid to unclog the pores, Calamine and Niacinamide to soothe the inflamed skin, and zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to dry excess oil in the affected area – all while you sleep. Perfect for travel, this great new product will help you look and feel your best.

Remove Unwanted Hair Of course I need to state the obvious, but here’s a tip. If you shave, wait until the end of your shower, because wet hair is easier to cut, and the warm water and steam soften the hair and open the pores which will makes shaving easier. Shaving down there? Here are more tips.

Self Tan Everyone looks better with a little bit of color. Don’t you agree? Want a flawless, long lasting self tan? Of course you do. If you’re traveling, I recommend bringing self tan towelettes along for the ride.

*This post is sponsored by the makers of AcneFree. Although my thoughts and actions are true, individual results may vary.

Is Your Skin Dehydrated? Take This Test...

Your skin is probably dehydrated... really dehydrated, actually. Your skin needs water, vitamins, and nutrients to retain that healthy, young, and glowing look, but how can you tell if it's dehydrated and if it is dehydrated, how do you fix it? Don't worry, we got you!

The snap, pinch, and pout test, created by Dr. Terry Loong, is a great way to check the hydration levels and elasticity of your skin, which decrease as we age. It's also a great way to tell if the products you're using are working as well as you would like them to.

Snap Test: Using you your thumb and forefinger, gently pinch the skin underneath your eyes.  Depending on how quickly it "snaps" back will indicate how hydrated and how much elasticity your skin has.

Pinch Test: "Pinch" the apples of your cheeks to feel how much collagen your skin has by seeing if there are fine lines on the surface of the skin when you pinch it.  If there are fine lines, your skin may be dehydrated or have reduced elasticity, which needs to be addressed through internal and external care to maintain youthful skin.   

Pout Test: "Pout" to check area around your mouth.  As you release the pout, you'll want to see if fine lines remain.  It is so important to apply an extra layer of skincare around your mouth, as we often wipe it off as we continue our skincare routines, after we brush our teeth or drink and eat food.

So you tested your skin and it's dehydrated. How do you fix it?

According to Dr. Terry Loong, "it is so important to keep skin properly hydrated to regulate oily and dry skin.  I recommend drinking at least 8 glasses per day to quench the thirst of your skin cells from the inside out. Topical hydration is also key to avoid transepidermal water loss from the inside out." She recommends the Body Shop Drops of Youth Concentrate and The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask to help keep skin healthy and flawless!

She also recommends a good amount of beauty sleep every night! "In terms of skin, sleep time is the golden time for skin renewal because the body is at rest and skin has more energy to regenerate itself and repair daytime damage."

Skincare That Works From the Inside Out

We're sure that when you think of treating your skin, slathering on serums, oils and lotions comes to mind. For us, too!  But there's more... complimenting these topicals with nutricosmetics may be the best move you can make for your skin. We talked to New York City Dermatologist, Doris Day, to get the scoop.

Use as a compliment, not a substitution  Supplements don'tt take place of your topical skincare. While topicals address external needs of your skin, supplements and nutricosmetics optimize internal needs like aging and inflammation. This creates what Day refers to as, " a synergistic skin care program."

Nutricosmetics People sometimes describe nutricosmetics as “supplements,” but unlike supplements, they are designed to have highly targeted benefits to the skin. So while there are nutricosmetic products to help treat acne and even out the skin tone, there are others to help hydrate the skin, target fine lines and wrinkles. "They can also be formulated to complement aesthetic treatments," Day explains.

The benefits "By treating the skin from the inside out, you are supporting the structure and function of the skin," Day explains. Therefore, the overall health of your skin (remember: the largest organ of you body) will improve due to supplements. Plus, any underlying skin issues you may not even be able to see yet, are best treated when using oral skincare.

What to look for Of course, like any other skincare, we recommend you speak to your dermatologist to find products that are clinically proven and formulated to target your specific issues.  Day suggests looking for omega-3’s, berry extracts, hyaluronic acid.  Also, as we are big SPF advocates at BeautySweetSpot, ingredients that help protect the skin from UV damage such as Heliocare, Lycopene, CoQ10 are also available in this supplement form.

5 Favorites

Confession: I've been indulging lately in beauty products that cost a pretty penny. Of course, I typically mix up my vanity with highs and lows, but this "5 Favorites" post doesn't include any drugstore buys.  I almost feel guilty, but I couldn't help but rave about these new products.  Yes, even the $29 hand cream.  Hey, if you're going to spend your paycheck at Sephora, you might as well know what works!

Jane Iredale Hand Drink, $29 at janeiredale.com

I'm completely obsessed with applying cream to my hands as I skeeve dry skin.  That being said, whenever a new hand cream comes across my desk, I use it... all of it.  This time, I fell in love with Jane Iredale's new hand cream, not only does it it sink into my skin quickly and have SPF, but also because it and leave a greasy residue.  When I saw that it was $29, I was shocked.  A bit pricey for a hand cream, but if you're searching for the one, this is it.

Armani Eye Tint, $38 at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

When I apply these eye tints, I feel fancy.  Armani Beauty just launched 12 shades of this creamy shadow.  To apply, I use the sponge applicator it comes with and then a shadow brush to blend.  They stay put for hours and the give off the most beautiful luminescent color, (which is what I like the most), that can be layered for a more intense look.

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm, $63 at bobbibrown.com

After doing my makeup, I press this moisture balm onto my cheekbones, the top of my nose, forehead and chin to enhance the appearance of my healthy skin.  When it comes to makeup, you should use it to enhance, not cover up and this illuminating balm brings out the best of your skin.  You can also wear it alone to reap the benefits.

YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil, $32 at sephora.com

Now this... is special.  The first of it's kind, YSL created a tinted lip oil that adapts to your natural lip color, making sure it's the most flattering shade for you.  It works the same way as perfume where the same scent smells differently on different women. Available in eight shades, you can layer the color to increase the intensity of the pigment.

Indie Lee Patchouli Sandalwood Moisturizing Oil, $36 at indielee.com

Do you use oil on your skin?  Sometimes I apply this alone right after I get out of the shower and sometimes I mix it with my moisturizer.  My skin drinks it up!  Made with jojoba and apricot oils and sandalwood, this oil is super moisturizing and great to use throughout the winter.  Indie Lee makes several different types of oil, but the scent of this one is to die.

Exercise: The Skin Impact

When thinking of anti-aging, we know we have to protect our skin from stressors like the sun, free radicals and pollution, but have you ever thought about protecting your skin from exercise?  Seems like an oxymoron as we're encouraged to work out for a healthy lifestyle, but according to Dr. Dennis Gross, that too, can cause premature aging.  So what's a girl to do?

"When our cardiovascular system is functioning optimally we have proper circulation, which ensures the optimum flow of blood and nutrients to the skin," explains Dr. Gross.  Exactly our thinking.  Right?  Exercise is crucial for so many reasons.

"That being said, high impact exercise, especially running, may result in fabulous legs, but it can negatively impact the skin. It has been my observation that most die-hard runners have premature lines, wrinkles, and sagging."

Wait, what? It seems we're always sacrificing somewhere.  While I hate running, the risk of aging isn't going to make me stop as it's something I need to do for my body. You with me?  One recommendation Dr. Gross has is to reduce the amount of high impact exercise or alternate your routines to incorporate both high and low impact exercise like yoga to give your skin a break from being “stressed-out.”

Dying to know what you think about this... comment below!

Hot Ingredient for Sensitive Skin: Goat Milk

Have sensitive skin?  Or maybe your skin's been acting up?  Last week while in LA, I visited the Kate Somerville Clinic for a facial and fell in love with goat milk.  Found in many soaps and moisturizers, the ingredient is great for soothing and calming your skin.  Here's the scoop.

"Goat milk treats redness and inflammation and mildly exfoliates with Lactic Acid. I suffered from Eczema as a child and my parents would add goats milk to the bath to calm my skin," commented Kate Somerville.

It's so gentle that anyone can use it, but people with dry or sensitive skin will reap the most benefits.  Kate Somerville makes Goat Milk Cream that saved my skin and with the harsh winter weather, may just be what you've been looking for, too.

A Recipe for Red Carpet Skin from Dr. Lancer

It's officially red carpet season!  A-listers frequent LA Dermatologist, Dr. Lancer's, office on Rodeo Drive months before red carpet events to make sure their skin is even in tone, texture, and color, and of course, glowing.  I spoke to man behind the famous faces to find out exactly what he does to his patients and how we can get real results on our own.

"Currently, there is a definite trend towards a more natural, bare-faced look than in the past where heavy, powdery foundation was common on the red carpet," comments Dr. Lancer. "Having excellent skin care helps dramatically, as less makeup is needed, and as less makeup is worn the skin becomes much healthier."

Seems like common sense, but the main ingredient in this equation is good skin, which Dr. Lancer calls  "a lifestyle."  So how does he ensure that all of his celebrity clients end up on the red carpet with flawless skin?  First, he gives them a skincare regimen and they combine it with weekly office check-ins, facials and microdermabrasion.  Sounds like a full time job, and who has time for that?

For us, you know, non-celebs, he recommends making sure you're on a quality skincare regimen tailored to your skin's needs.  "Just because your best friend is using retinol every night and looks amazing, doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you." Once you're on the right track with your regimen, make sure you're exfoliating regularly. "This will give you that dewy "glow" that everyone is seeking."

4 Ways to Step Up Your Beauty Game This Year

Yea, yea... new year new you.  Right?  Right!  Well of course I posted about fitness goals for 2015, but here are some easy ways to take your beauty regimen up a notch, too – without even really trying.

1. Remove Your Makeup Before Bed, Really

Whether you do this via a Ponds face wipe or actually take the time to properly wash your face at night, you’re already a step ahead of the game. Ready for the challenge?  Take cleansing to the next level and try using a brush like the new Clarisonic Smart Profile.  I'm obsessed with my Clarisonic and use it nightly.  This brush cleans your skin 11 times better than washing just with your hands.

2. Step Out of Your Makeup Comfort Zone

Always wear the same shades? It’s time to take risks! Try a new colored eyeliner or texture of blush. Believe me, you’ll be amazed by the trial and error process.  It's my job to try and test everything, whether it's in my comfort zone or not, and I always end up surprising myself as I apply new finds.  Purple eyeliner is now my new go-to.

3. Work Out Topically, Too

Because the stair master doesn’t help fight cellulite.  We all have it and even though there's no way to rid it for good, we have the power to try to minimize it!  Once a week before showering, stand in your tub and use a body brush like this one from The Body Shop.  Yes, it gets rid of dry skin, but also helps with cellulite.  Then of course, lather on that cream!  I like Nivea Skin Firming Cellulite Gel Cream and Bliss Fat Girl Sleep.

4. Master At-Home Hair Color

This can literally save you hundreds of dollars per year.  Now with modern technology, doing your hair color at home is really easier than ever.  For some fun colors like blue and purple, try Rita Hazan Pop Color, which washes out.  You can even ombre your own hair with this kit from L'Oreal.  But for your everyday, single process, Clairol Nice N' Easy makes it just that – easy.

Follow Dr. Neal Schultz's Advice For Better Skin

Since visiting Dr. Neal Schultz's new Peel Bar last month, I've seen him in office three times.  Seem a little extreme?  Maybe it is, but I'm anal about my skin and apparently, addicted to glycolic peels.  As one of the most intelligent men I know, Dr. Schultz hosts DermTV webisodes where you can get his advice without paying a visit to his NYC office.  Have a question about your skin? You def want to check it out.  Personally, I was battling dark spots from acne.  Gross!  Oh, you too? Here's the advice I got...

Live in NYC?  You can find Dr. Neal Schultz at 1130 Park Ave.

Behind the Look: Joanna Vargas

Welcome to "Behind the Look" – a new feature that showcases the talent behind the looks we love – the real celebrities in my eyes.  

First up, Celebrity Facialist and Founder of the Joanna Vargas Salon in NYC, Joanna Vargas!  Known for perfecting the skin of A-listers like Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rachel Weisz, Naomi Watts and Julianne Moore to name a few, she has more than a few tricks up her sleeve, especially when it comes to getting celebs red carpet ready.  Ready to meet Joanna?  Read on!

What is the most exciting project you’ve worked on lately?

I've been working with three actors recently on their skin for specific movies they were all working on. It was fun to work towards creating the image of the character in the movie.

What’s your beauty philosophy?

I feel strongly that anyone can have great skin with the right tools.  The key is to use organic products based on what the skin needs to perform at its best.  Good nutrition for the skin will always yield the best skin you could ever imagine because the body assimilates natural ingredients so much better than products with chemicals.

What are your top five must-haves and why? 

Well, sunscreen is key for all women, all skin types, all skin tones. I love Eminence Organics mineral powder sunscreen SPF 30 in translucent. It is great because you can wear it with or without makeup, and it really helps protect the skin against sun damage and hyper pigmentation.

I always carry a packet of Dr. Frank Lipmans Recharge Shake because it contains a ton of amazing greens for the skin. If I don't have time to order a juice or if I'm just running around all day it's a great pick me up and a great way to keep on my program.

Bite Beauty makes an awesome lip primer. They are an organic company (of course) and the primer is great at erasing the dry lip line before you put on your lip color.

My own Rejuvenating Serum is something I keep in tow because if I'm feeling tired or like my skin is starting to reflect low energy I put a little on my cheeks and eyes- instant glow again from the neroli oil, which stimulates the circulation in the skin.

A hat! It's a non-negotiable for anyone who cares about their skin. Goorin Bros is my favorite of late- I have a beautiful collection!

Have you discovered any new products lately that you find impressive? 

I love African Botanicals Marula Oil for body- it smells incredible and it feels so good on the skin. I love it as a cure for dry winter skin!

Spill your best beauty advice.

Beauty is about what makes us unique and we should be trying to achieve uniformity. The reason I use non-invasive treatments in my salon is that I truly believe it's the right path to real beauty. And every woman I know will tell you that real beauty comes from how we feel about ourselves, not from what people tell us. My focus has been and will always remain on restoring confidence! But I preach to people every day: there is no magic solution- anyone can achieve the skin they want by doing the steps every day.

What’s the one tip or trick that you think all women should know?

Chamomile and green teas are not only great for you internally, but they are awesome for bathing or rinsing the skin in. If the skin feels stressed, dry and dull, putting them in your bath water or simply washing your face in the tea water will immediately calm the skin and brighten it. It's a great tip before you go to sleep!

Want to keep up with Joanna?  Follow her on Twitter.  You can also make an appointment with  Joanna Vargas at her 5th Ave. salon in NYC or try her skincare.

The Progressive Peel That's Changing My Skin

The strangest thing has been happening lately.  I've actually been waking up and eagerly running to my bathroom vanity to check out my skin in the mirror.  No lie.  I've put my skin through what seems like hell – IPL lasers, Fraxel and have used an abundance of lotions and potions that claim to be the best around.  However, I was introduced to a product about a month ago that has made the most drastic changes in the least invasive way.

Don't worry I'm obviously not keeping this all to myself!  It's the BeautyRX Progressive Peel by Dr. Neal Schultz, who I recently wrote about.  Don't let the "peel" part make you nervous.  Consisting of three products (that you use one at a time) – a serum, pads and a cream – it's a six week glycolic peel that builds in strength as your weeks of use go on.

So why am I raving?  My main concerns are fine lines, large pores and hyperpigmentation. (Lucky me.)  Almost immediately my skin began to look brighter and my pores,  minimized.  Now that I'm four weeks in, I'm alternating the serum with the pads nightly. As of now, my skin is brighter and I've even noticed that my hyperpigmentation looks lighter.  If you suffer from dark spots, you'll understand how excited I am.  I've been following the instructions and using it nightly, which is essential.  The results speak for themselves and using the peel at night actually makes me excited about washing my face before bed.

You can find the BeautyRX peel  for $69.95 at BeautyRX.com.

Vaseline® Intensive Care, A Multipurpose Moisturizer

If there's one beauty product I could bring with me on a desert island, it's moisturizer. How about you?  If you're in the same boat as me, we better bring a good one!  Did you know that all moisturizers aren't created equal?  That's right, many just sit on top of the skin and act as temporary relief, but you and I both expect more than that.  This winter, make sure you're using a moisturizer that'll get the job done on multiple levels. Enter: Vaseline_® Intensive Care TM.

I received this cozy package (pictured) of Vaseline_® Intensive Care TM Advanced Repair Fragrance Free, a personalized mug and GODIVA hot chocolate mix from Vaseline last week and have been hooked ever since. Of course like other moisturizers, it immediately relieves dry skin, but the Vaseline_® Intensive Care TM range is also clinically proven to heal dry skin in just five days, and lock moisture into your skin.  How?  It addresses the root of the problem  – the skin's protective barrier by using humectants (which draw water to your dry skin) and Vaseline_® Jelly to help seal the moisture in.

Even if you're not feeling dry yet, I recommend you start moisturizing from head to toe daily as soon as you step out of the shower to help prevent itchy, dry skin.

How to Be a Dove 'Real Woman'

Ever wonder what goes into a "real women" casting?  I had the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the new Dove Beauty Bar Beauty Chain Campaign shoot, which is a video thanking the women who use Dove, to talk to some of the ladies involved. Not only did I find out about the casting process, but also how you can be a part of it. 

Through word of mouth, 75 women attended a casting and 22 of them were shot for the Dove Beauty Bar Beauty Chain campaign.  As a Dove girl myself, I knew exactly what they were looking for and wasn't surprised when I arrived on set and met Sheri Adams of San Francisco, a mother of four and Renata Zeiguer of the Bronx, a 26 year old yogi. While the Dove woman has a range of ethnicities, ages and body types, one thing's always for sure – she's not a model or actress, radiants confidence, has good skin and has a passion for the brand.

Sound like you?  Then you may want to make a Dove Beauty Chain like the one shot that day.  The face morphing technology is unreal!  I made one called "Three Generations" with a photo of myself, mom and grandma.  Check it out, create your own and spread the Dove love.

Guerlain Spa: Effectively Pampering

Last week, instead of facing the usual mid-week 4pm crash, I had the luxury of slipping into a heated bed at the Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf Astoria to test out their Abeille Royale Youth Facial instead.  Not a bad way to rejuvenate.  While my afternoon of work seemed fancy, I left finding the spa impressive, the facial extremely satisfying (you know, not the kind where they just rub creams all over your face), and with lots to write about.  

The Guerlain Spa's Abeille Royale Youth Facial started with a foot massage.  Dead serious.  I'm always skeptical when I go to new places for facials, because while being pampered is nice, I like results.  Not that I don't believe that they can't go hand in hand, but I know facials.  Microdermabrasion, peels, extractions... bring it on.

This was a deep cleansing facial, which is exactly what I needed (extractions and such), but while masks sat on my face to dry, my hands were massaged and they placed in paraffin gloves.  A nice touch in deed.  Now that I told you about some of the pampering touches, here's what I really found most impressive about it.

As a 'youth facial' the whole Guerlain Abeille Royal skincare line was used, which is known for firming and toning the skin.  The main ingredient: honey.  Besides being moisturizing, honey is also anti-inflammatory, brightening and soothing.  My esthetician, Alina Cimpoeru, said it also repairs collagen overtime, which I didn't know.

The spa was gorgeous, as it should have been being that it was at the Waldorf.  While waiting you're offered champagne or tea (I chose the latter) and you nestle into a private pod until your therapist calls.  Each treatment room had it's own bathroom with a shower, locker and phone charger.  I will definitely definitely be going back.

The Guerlain Spa is located at the Waldorf Astoria Towers at 100 East 50th St. New York, NY 10022.  You can book an appointment by calling 212.872.7200.

Solution: TruAge Skin AGE Therapy Gel

One of the best pieces of advice I could give you about aging is that it's better to prevent it than to correct it so always be smart about your lifestyle decisions as they all affect your skin.  There are so many ways in which our skin ages and with every beauty event I go to, I learn more and more about it.  Did you hear about glycation (sugar!) yet?  Well, let me fill you in.

Glycation (or advanced glycation end-products, AGEs) occurs when excess sugars in the body bind with proteins in the skin, causing stiffness and inelasticity, which causes the skin to age.  The solution?  Products that reverse the aging affect when sugars enter the body.

One product I found that tackles this issue is the new TruAge Skin AGE Therapy Gel. It helps reverse the external effects of damage caused by these advanced glycation end-products.  Containing natural ingredients like noni, Cornelian cherry, olive leaf, blueberry and cranberry extracts, and is super light and moisturizing. With daily use, with or without moisturizers, it will improve your skin's appearance.

TruAge Skin AGE Therapy Gel is available for $42 at Morinda.com.

*This is a sponsored post by TruAGE, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Dermatological Acne System

If you typically get pimples or suffer from adult acne, this one's for you.  According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting 40 to 50 million people.  Recently, I was sent the La Roche Posay Efaclar Dermatological Acne System and am incredibly impressed.  Check out my video review below.  If you suffer from adult acne, this is something that's affordable, readily available and efficient.  Plus, I'm giving away 10 kits worth $42 each.

The three step system includes the Effaclar Gel Cleanser, Effaclar Clarifying Solution and Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment, which used together help to reduce acne within three days. Check out my video below to learn about my giveaway!  You can win 1 of 10 kits.  Winners will be chosen on October 29th at random.  Good luck!

The La Roche Posay Effaclar Dermatological System costs $29.99 (a $42 value) for a two-month supply and is available on GetEffaclar.com

*This post is sponsored by La Roche Posay, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

Fall Skincare: Pond's Dry Skin Cream

Ready for fall?  I'm more excited about wearing fall clothes than I am about saying goodbye to the summer weather.  Here's where the NY vs. LA debate comes in, again. You're probably just starting to notice that your skin may be a bit dry post summer, and with the change in seasons, it's time to start thinking about switching your skincare regimen to formulas with thicker consistencies.  Unless of course, you live in LA. Everyone else, check this out.

In the summer we all tend to use lighter consistencies when it comes to our moisturizers thanks to the heat and humidity.  Now, keep up with the changes your skin is experiencing or is about to experience and try a heavier cream like POND’S Dry Skin Cream, which moisturizes deeply and even primes your skin for your makeup.

I recommend keeping your skincare regimen simple with a few products that are effective. The POND'S Dry Skin Cream is rich, but absorbs quickly and is good for all skin types – dry to normal and even sensitive skin.  I like to wear it at nighttime.  As the weather gets colder, I become a moisture addict!  You can find it  at drugstores or drugstore.com for under $10.

*This is a sponsored post by POND'S, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

At-Home Peel: Kinara Spa Red Carpet Facial Kit

The VMA's and Emmys are coming up, which means we'll have tons to talk about in the world of celebrity beauty very shortly.  I can hardly believe that in just one week, I'll be on the Emmys red carpet with E! on behalf of Dove and you better believe I've been prepping.  I got word that celebs like Lizzy Capalan from "Masters of Sex" have been visiting Kinara Spa's coveted facialist, Olga Lorencin, for her Red Carpet Facial. Me?  They hooked me up with their latest, the Red Carpet Facial Kit and to put it simply, it works.

Since I've been traveling and working so much lately with no down time, I didn't have time to get into the spa itself for what my skin really needed to get that red carpet glow, but I promise you, this three-step peel is result driven.  I've been using a few times a week for about two weeks now and it's safe to say I'm somewhat addicted.  Thankfully, it's safe to use daily.

The Red Carpet Facial Kit comes with three solutions, each being a step, along with a small bowl and brush.  From the website:

1. Peel: Turn over skin cells to reveal refined, brighter and hydrated skin with Lactic and Malic Acids.
2. Neutralize: Revitalize dull, tired skin with a deep cleansing effervescent sensation via Argeninge and Sodium Bicarbonate.
3. Mask: Hydrate, sooth, plump and oxygenate with Lysate extract, Pikea Robusta and Mineral Complex.

On my skin, the first step, the peel, doesn't even tingle, but when I brush on the neutralizer, it begins to just a bit.  Depending on your skin type and how dry it is, the first two steps may be a bit irritating, but only until you rinse it off.  It's worth every second.  The mask is nothing but soothing.  My pores appear tighter and smaller immediately and skin is left plump and glowing.

The Kinara Spa Red Carpet Facial Kit can be found at shop.kinaraspa.com for $145.