DNA Facial: Cow's Placenta Tightens

Facial enthusiasts, pay attention, you're going to want to get on board.  Last week I paid a visit to the White Tea Med Spa in NYC, well known for contouring the bodies of Victoria Secret models, to test out their latest facial, the DNA Facial. Greeted by the brains behind the facial, Lead Esthetician, Maria Rianna, she was eager to smear cow's placenta all over my face. Anything for the sake of beauty, right?

"These cows are located in the French alps.  They're pesticide and horomone free and listen to Mozart to calm them,"  Rianna explains.  "Just like a pregnant woman, stress would negatively affect the placenta and these stem cells are the best."

Within five days of a cows becoming pregnant, scientists extract stem cells from their placenta with a needle and prepare them for the DNA Facial.  They're then frozen, and delivered to spas on dry ice.

Rianna customized my facial before gently tapping the stem cells, (yes, from a cow's placenta) onto my skin.  "You can't rub them on, because they're so sensitive and delicate, you'll destroy them."  While thinking about what she was doing I felt a bit skeeved, but I began to feel an immediate tightening, which proved their worth.

I was told the tightening effect could last up to a week, but day six will be my prime.  She was right, and just in time for a shoot.  I had smaller pores and my skin looked a bit lifted. Combined with miro-current to work the facial muscles and the total works of the facial, the DNA Facial is the creme de la creme of facials.

So how do they work?  Turns out, the stem cells work cosmetically to help rebuild weaker cells.  This can include anything from skin with hyperpigmentation (me), fine lines and wrinkles (me), acne and the list goes on.  It's a one-size-fits all fix.  In Europe and South America, stem cells from cows placentas are used as medical injectables for healing purposes.

The DNY CyroStem Cell Facial costs $225 at White Tea Med Spa, which is located at 104 W. 14th St., NYC.

Another Reason to Love Philosophy

Over coffee and a fruit parfait I inspected the little polished stones that bared the words “hope” and “grace," which decorated the table at the Philosophy event last week. Actress Glenn Close stood in front of me chatting with media inspiration, Arianna Huffington, both dressed crisply in white awaiting their presentation – a presentation that made an impact on all of the media in attendance.

Typically at these events, we learn about new product launches from a brand and rush back home to put them to the test, but at this one, I learned something different and disturbing.  One in four adults in the U.S. experience mental illness in any given year.

Philosophy teamed up with mental health organization Bring Change 2 Mind to put an end to the stigma that surrounds mental illness through their hope & grace initiative. Philosophy will donate 1% of all products sales from their website to community-based mental health organizations through their hope & grace fund. And starting in 2015, this will be integrated into all retail, online and television product sales. The hope & grace fund will award grants to multiple independent nonprofit community-based mental health organizations.  Like we even needed more of a reason to buy Philosophy products.

During breakfast, Close, Co-Founder of Bring Change 2 Mind, delivered an inspirational speech on how mental illness has affected her life as her sister, Jessie, suffers from bipolar disorder. It’s time to put an end to the stigma that surrounds disorders such as bipolar, depression, post-traumatic stress, and so many more.

It’s no secret that we here at BeautySweetSpot love Philosophy. And during this breakfast, we fell even more in love.  Check out more information on the Philosophy Hope & Grace initiative here.

Philips PureRadiance Facial Cleansing System: Video

When I first received the Philips PureRadiance Facial Cleansing System, I was curious to see what about this cleansing system was different than others I’ve tried. After putting it to the test and doing some investigation, I'm impressed!  Check out my video review on the new system and see for yourself. It's like nothing else on the market.

So like I mentioned, the Philips PureRadiance Facial Cleansing System uses Sonic Technology with Advanced Dual Motion to cleanse while wiping away dirt, makeup and oil at the same time.  The rotation of the brush cleans out your pores, while improving micro-circulation giving you radiant, glowing skin. The exfoliating benefits also allow your skincare products to better absorb and in the end, work more effectively.

The brushes are so gentle you can use them twice a day and it claims to cleanse your face 10x better than using just your hands alone.  From the demo I did in the video, I think we can all vouch for something like that.

Another feature I didn’t mention in the video is that I keep my brush in the charger it came with on my bathroom sink. The charger allows the brush to dry standing upright in between uses while charging it, so I never have to worry about it dying.

You can find it for $149 at Bed Bath & Beyond and Philips.com.

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

3 Elements to A Good Facial

When Jeannine sent me for my first facial with celebrity facialist Cecilia Wong, my skin was so soft I had to restrain myself from continuously petting it. Yes, petting it.  I controlled myself of course, but my fresh skin was proof she would be the perfect expert to guide us through the key elements that every facial should contain. 

3 Key Elements of a Facial

When going for a facial, the first thing your facialist should do is look closely at your skin and create a facial customized to your skin type. Wong explains that your facialist should ask you certain questions to customize products accordingly. “Having a facial tailored to you and your skin needs will help you achieve the very best results,” explains Wong.

Another key step to every facial – extractions— the removing and softening of clogged pores and blackheads. “This benefits all skin types, especially those with oily or acne prone skin,” Wong explains. “Extractions will help to refine pores and prevent enlarging, while also allowing the products you use to be absorbed quicker and more effectively into the skin.”

Exfoliation is another crucial step. Why is this key for all skin type? “Those with dry skin will see a decrease in dead skin cells and flakiness,” explains Wong, “And those with oily or acne prone skin will benefit from the balance in oil production and prevention of future breakouts.”

Cecilia Wong can be found at Cecilia Wong Skincare in NYC and offers many different types of facials.

Spring Skincare Adjustments to Make Now

It's finally starting to feel like spring in NYC!  How's everyone doing out there?  Let me guess, you've been singing Pharrell's Happy in your head on repeat.  Just like the weather effects your mood it also effects your skin for better or worse, so to help steer you in the right direction I spoke with Dr. Marmur, a NYC based dermatologist, to give you guidance skincare adjustments you need to make for spring.  Yes, added moisturization is one of them.

What skincare adjustments should we be making for spring as the weather begins to warm up?

Skin goes through a little shock with every season change, so be ready to listen to it. The winter to spring transition brings out extra sensitive skin due to allergies and colds. Definitely amp up the moisturization with calming products with humectants.

Moisturizing is easy, but is it important to start in the shower?

The shower is critical to happy skin. I can tell immediately when someone's rash is simply from too much harsh soap and too many long hot showers. I recommend using Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash with NutriumMoisture, because it offers both mild cleansing and skin natural moisturizers to nourish skin’s protective layer and my patients can really feel the difference.

DermaCeutic Peel, The Real Reason I've Been Glowing

Nine weeks until our wedding and I'm glowing in love. Last Saturday was my surprise bridal shower, and the Wednesday before I visited my derm's office to get a DermaCeutic Peel. Sure enough, three days into my peel, my skin was flaking off of my face much like a shedding lizard.  "Look at you, you're glowing," my aunt said. Yes, my fresh skin was glowing indeed. Maybe it was love?  Maybe it was my peel? Just like my derm promised, I have glow for a bride-to-be.  My skin was never whipped into shape so quickly before and I've tried it all. About the peel: The brand is DermaCeutic.  There are different types of professional peels depending on the types of results you're seeking.  I did a DermaCeutic Spot Peel Treatment (to help reduce my hyperpigmentation) and then a Milk Peel Treatment (to further help even out my skin tone).

About the products: Afterwards, I began using the aftercare products recommended by my derm from DermaCeutic, which include a glycolic face wash, moisturizer, recovery cream and spot treatment.  I'll be on the strict regimen for about a month and then I'll almost be ready to walk down the aisle.

So is it love or is it my DermaCeutic peel?  I think it's a combination of both.  :)

After trying intense pulse laser (IPL) to get rid of certain brown spots, Fraxel (see post), regular glycolic peels when I get facials and now this, I can honestly say that after a week of peeling, my skin has never looked better.  Yes, I'm a little obsessive and harsh on my skin (too harsh) but we're all a little OCD about something, right?

My derm, Dr. Lefkowicz is located at 875 Fifth Ave. in NYC.

Breaking: Lupita Nyong'o Lands Lancome

"I am truly honored to join the Maison Lancôme, a brand with such a prestigious history that I have always loved. I am particularly proud to represent its unique vision for women and the idea that beauty should not be dictated, but should instead be an expression of a woman's freedom to be herself,” confided Lupita Nyong’o.

Earlier this week I received an email from Lancome's PR representatives about "big news" coming on Friday. In order to receive, but not spread the news early, I had to sign a non-disclousure agreement. At about 2pm yesterday, I read the press release and wrote this post.

Joining Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Penélope Cruz and Lily Collins, Lupita Nyong’o will be seen this summer in campaigns shot by star photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

“Lupita’s authentic inner and outer beauty, her exquisite grace, and true confidence represent today’s modern woman.  Having Lupita as a Lancôme ambassadress will help support our mission in the U.S. market which is to speak to all women.  Her rising star status is like a blooming rose; she is elegant and has an undeniable brilliance," said Xavier Vey, President of Lancôme USA.

After watching Lupita in awe throughout awards season this year, it was only a matter of time before a mega beauty brand picked her up.  I can only imagine what the battle was like for this breath of fresh air.  Well done, Lancome.

5 favorites

Probably one of the best parts of my job as Jeannine’s intern is that I get to play with makeup pretty much every single day. If there’s a new launch of lipsticks, blushes, or cheek tints, I’m the lucky lady who gets to try them out to see what’s awesome (like finding the perfect shade of orange lipstick to wear this spring). This 5 Favorites features the best of what I’ve gotten to try over the past few months, like a cream blush from Make Up For Ever, that you all need to run out and buy immediately.

Jurlique Calendula Redness Rescue Soothing Moisturising Cream, $46 at jurlique.com

As a skincare-obsessed intern, I’m always on the lookout for the next best thing in creams and lotions in hopes that I might finally find the one product that will banish dry or flaky skin in a single use… and finally, I’ve found it.  The Jurlique Redness Rescue Moisturising cream doesn’t just hydrate your skin but it actually forms a barrier to protect you from irritating environmental changes that cause discomfort (like redness, itchiness, and general misery).  If my word isn’t enough, it turns out that Jeannine is just as obsessed with the stuff as I am when she heard me raving about the “best cream ever."

mark. Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain, $11 at meetmark.com

I’m definitely conservative when it comes to trying new trends, particularly when it involves a bold new lip color. Jeannine recently shot a segment for NBC’s New York Live on the latest spring lipstick trend, orange lips, and somehow this sleek brush-tipped lip gloss made it’s way shyly into my purse. Fast-forward a month later and I cannot stop reaching for this totally awesome and super flattering gloss! It’s moisturizing without being too sticky and leaves behind a completely wearable wash of color…perfect for people like me who balk at the sight of any lip product that isn’t pink or nude.

Make Up For Ever HD Blush, $26 at Make Up For Ever

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with blush. I love how they all look in their packaging and stuff but let’s be real, I don’t actually know how to apply the right amount without going overboard. Thankfully MUFE recently launched a line of cream blushes that are foolproof to apply and last literally all day long without requiring touchups. My go-to color is number 410, a punchy coral that looks terrifying in the pan but sheers out to be flattering on pretty much every skin tone out there (even a ghost like myself!).

Sonia Kashuk “Make a Face” Brush Set, $25 at Target

While it is no secret that Sonia Kashuk is a brush expert, this latest limited edition collection has a brush that is literally life-changing. If you’re like me and spend 95% of your time online shopping for beauty stuff you could never afford but pretend you can by adding it to your “cart," then you would have discovered the NARS 'Ita' brush a long time ago. That brush is supposed to be the key to creating the perfect contour as it’s angular shape is perfect for getting into the hollows of your cheeks. I have never been able to find an affordable alternative…until now! The Flat Top Sculpting Brush alone makes purchasing this brush set completely worthwhile, not only because the brush quality is phenomenal, but because that brush will totally change how you contour your cheeks. I’m in love.

Pixi Beauty Cheek Sheen, $16 at Target

Much like blush, highlighting is another beauty concept that I’m still learning how to master. The new Pixi Beauty Cheek Sheen in Gold Glow is literally idiot-proof in creating the perfect cheek highlight without going overboard. It blends out easily if you add a bit too much and accentuates the high points of your face with just a swipe of the stick. This could be the product that completely revamps your beauty routine for spring, giving you the perfect golden glow.

Top Beauty Innovations

Of course if you're reading BeautySweetSpot, you want the insider scoop. Thanks to Cosmetic Executive Women, I have the 411 on the top beauty innovations of the year. From your beloved CC Creams to pigmented pouts and a demand for more sophisticated skincare, check out what's hot.

• Get Masked!:  Masks and peels saw a 66% sales jump in prestige outlets in 2013 and helped meet consumers’ need for immediate results.
• Size Matters: The mass market was inundated with volume-driven mascaras in 2013, showing that thicker lashes are this years’ must-have.
• Anti-Aging Hair Care: Fighting the signs of aging moved from skin into hair care with creams, serums and even a color made with anti-aging formulas.
• Buzz Words: Gentle, Oil-Based, etc. This year exfoliation is taking a back seat to facial cleansers that treat skin gently. Oils, gentle gels and hydrating cleansers were the stars in 2013.
• Art Inspired Eyes: Beauty companies took an artistic cue by using tints, washes and pigments in their eye formulas in 2013. 
• All About CC: CC Creams upped the ante in the alphabet soup of skin care with new tints, sticks and sprays.
• Color Returns to Lipcolor: Glosses and shines were overpowered by deep lip hues with rich, buildable staying power.
• Professional Lines: Products from industry experts are on an upswing, fueled by consumers seeking credibility from their beauty formulas. “Professionals” range from brands by doctors to items by beauty veterans. 

It Ingredient: Charcoal for Your Blackheads

If you happened to catch my posts last night on Instagram or Twitteryou'll notice there really weren't any.  The last thing I mentioned was early in the night, because I blacked out.  Of course, not the way you're thinking!  I was challenged to a social media black out by Bioré, in which I detoxed myself the Internet and my pores from, well, you know.  Here's how it went down.

Confession: On any given night in I must check Instagram and Facebook about ten times. When I have down time I read, from my computer screen and I don't know how to relax.  If I have a second, I write a blog post.  So this wasn't easy.

With a mental detox in mind, I lit some candles, tested out the new beauty products including Bioré's One Minute Self Heating Mask with Natural Charcoal and Bioré Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser and caught up on March issues of my favorite magazines.  Once I started trying out new products and looking into ingredients, I was fine.

The charcoal in the Bioré products helps to open up your pores and clean them out.  The One Minute Mask really heats up pretty much immediately as soon as you massage it onto your skin.  After just a minute, really just a minute, you rinse it off and look and feel more refreshed.

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

DIY Skincare: Turmeric & Chickpea Recipe

Are you a big DIYer?  Truth is, I'm completely incapable of being crafty unless it comes to mixing up my own skincare.  It's true what they say – that you can use ingredients right in your own kitchen cabinets to create effective scrubs, cleansers and masks.  My esthetician, Megan McGee from the Bliss Spa gave me the scoop about the benefits of using turmeric and chic peas to create new skincare recipes.  Read on and you may be inspired to whip something up tonight.

"Turmeric is an excellent exfoliating agent and can help you defeat the signs of aging," MgGee explains.  "Chickpeas have manganese, which causes skin cells to produce energy and fight wrinkle-causing free radicals. They also have molybdenum, which detoxifies the skin by removing sulphites and are laced with other nutrients like folate and Vitamin B that work as fuel for the skin cells to repair damage from the sun."

Cleanser Recipe

Mix chickpea flour with turmeric to cleanse and exfoliate your face. This will improve your skin texture, remove dead cells, moisturize and improve your complexion too.

Mask Recipe

• Mix chickpea flour with turmeric powder and milk or yogurt
• Make a fine paste apply it evenly on the face
• Wash off thoroughly after 10-15 minutes with warm water

Sponsored: You're Invited, Macy's Beauty Scene

Even though it feels like spring in NYC one day and then snows the next, it's still time to start embracing the season’s makeup trends and switch up your skincare regimen. Join Cosmopolitan at Macy’s for Beauty Scene events on March 22 at Roosevelt Field and on March 29 at Herald Square to learn about new product launches and spring trends.  Oh yea, they’re also giving out free samples.  Read on for more info.

If you spend $65 or over on cosmetics or fragrances, you'll receive a free cosmetic case (while supplies last).  Plus, they're having a contest where if you upload a selfie of your favorite spring makeup look using #MacysBeautyScene, you can win a $500 beauty shopping spree.

Can’t make it to Roosevelt Field or Herald Square? Macy’s is hosting Beauty Scene events nationwide from March 19 – 29. So check out the Beauty Scene at your nearest Macy’s.

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

Skincare with Immediate Benefits from Garnier

Looking for instant gratification?  Who isn't?  One of the best pieces of advice ever given to me was to, "Be patient and act classy."  It applies to everything in life and I find patience to be the killer, which is why I once opted for a Fraxel treatment instead of gently ridding dark spots overtime.  Never again.  Because of people like us, skincare brands have gotten smarter by providing instant and long term results.  The latest...

I recently got my hands on a new launch by Garnier, their  Ultra-Lift Transformer Anti-Age Skin Corrector, an anti-aging moisturizer that immediately illuminates your skin and makes the tone appear more even and then works on the firmness and reducing fine lines and wrinkles over time.  Using pro-retinol as it's main anti-aging ingredient, it helps the skin cells turn over quicker, which results in a brighter, more youthful complexion.  The formula adjusts to boost your skin tone and of course, I also like that it has SPF 20.

Garnier skincare is impressive.  I know most of you are familiar with the brand for their haircare, but if you're into the above, check out their latest, Garnier Clean +, which caters to different skin types.

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

How to Properly Wash Your Face

No one said your skincare regimen had to be complicated or abrasive to be effective. Now while you may believe me, would your man?  I swear guys love scrubs (my fiancé says grit) and need to feel like something's working in order to believe it is. Have a man in your life who can benefit from knowing the basics?  Share this with him – my new piece for AskMen.com – How to Properly Wash Your Face (hint: it includes moisturizer).  The more you know...

5 Favorites

Have you recently fell in love with a new beauty product you tested out?  I have.  It's so hard to choose favorites, but all winter long I keep turning to some of the same items over and over again because they've proved themselves worthy.  And that says a lot for a girl who tests everything!  Here are my top five of the moment.  

Bejeweled Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips - Have you seen this yet?  It's the mini Vaseline lip therapy that comes in rose.  It's been giving my lips the protection they need throughout this horrific winter we've been having in NYC and adds a hint of natural color.  Of course, it comes without the bejeweled case too, but the way I look at it is "Be Jeweled" or go home.

Redken Full Frame 07 Volumizing Mousse - I like different mousses for different reasons, but this one gives my fine, limp hair volume and control.  The added control is what I really appreciate about it.  It sets my style and makes me feel more confident.

Yasou Body Cream - I first discovered this Greek inspired body moisturizer at Haven Spa in Soho when waiting to get a manicure and knew it was something worth writing about.  Laced with essential oils, it smells of rosemary and is thick, but not greasy.  The 99.5% natural moisturizer melts into my skin and has been keeping me hydrated all winter long.

Crest 3D White Brilliance Boost - Talk about a boost.  I'm addicted.  I guess it's easy to become addicted to teeth whitening, but this is like a toothpaste that you use as a supplement to brushing your teeth.  I brush it on nightly after brushing my teeth with toothpaste and it makes a world of a difference.  My smile is whiter and brighter instantly.  I get so excited about it that I constantly smile in my fiancé's face to show him the results. (Available in March.)

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Styling Treatment - Pre-blow dry, I use about a dime sized amount of this styler from mid-shaft to my ends.  It leaves me with a polished look of smooth, shiny strands.  Since I've been using it people have been asking if I've gotten a blow out on the regular.

Emmy Rossum, As Real As It Gets

Out of all of the celebs I get to meet and interview for BeautySweetSpot, Emmy Rossum was one of my favorite.  She called last Friday for a scheduled interview and I don't know about her, but I could have talked to her for hours (and I'm not a phone person).  She's hysterical and so real.  I'm intrigued by the way she uses fragrance, believe we should be BFF because we like the same beauty products and know you'll love her Jake Gyllenhaal story. Enjoy the interview!

What was your favorite part of the Elle Women in TV event?

It was sponsored by Hearts on Fire jewelry and the flower arrangements in the middle of the table had jewelry draped from them.  Being the diamond obsessed girl that I am, I started draping myself in it.  I sat with Joe Zee and Emma Roberts, who  also found it fun so we wondered if anyone notice if we left with draped in diamonds.  Turns out, some of the jewelry did go missing!  Imagine? Party favors for all sponsored by Hearts on Fire!

What are your absolute favorite beauty products and why?  

I love the whole Restorsea line, because the technology is really good.  It eats away at the dead skin on top with out harming other layers of my skin.  Their eye cream is always in carry on when I travel since I'm always dehydrated.  I also use the Clarisonic after I remove my makeup to clean out my pores and right now for my hair I'm loving the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray.  It can turn any hair day into a va-va-voom hair day. I wear a vanilla perfume from Italy that's sold at Barneys regularly.  (This is it - Profumi Di Firenze Vaniglia Del Madagascar.)

Would you say vanilla is your signature scent?

It is now.  I used to wear Viktor and Wolf Flowerbomb until I realized that every guy’s mom and sister wore it too.  You never want to smell like someone's mom.  I’m a very smell conscious person and change the scent that I wear with every character that I play, because it affects my mood and how people respond to me.  

What scent do you wear when you play Fiona on Shameless and why?

When I play Fiona on Scandal I wear patchouli oil, because it makes me feel like her, more earthy, like a girl who showers every other day.  She doesn't smell bad, but she certainly doesn't smell glamorous.   If I were playing a chic character, I'd wear Miss Dior Cherie.

You recently Instagramed a pic of yourself getting a facial and compared it to "a Hannibal Lector costume."  What kind of facial was that?  

I get it all the time at Face Place in LA.  I love it there, because they don’t have a huge spa menu where you can’t figure out what the treatment does and they're all a bizzilion dollars.  They only offer one facial and really specialize in keep you skin clean with extractions, but they do this mask before the extractions that makes them come out painlessly.  In that pic there are also red wires, which give off an electrical pulse to stimulate blood flow.

How do your LA beauty must haves differ from your NYC must haves?

In NY, I go for a red lip and strong brow with lots of nudes.  I feel more encouraged to do fun nail art.  It feels chicer.  In LA, I'm much more casual with softer, beachier hair and a more apricot color palette.

Which look do you prefer?

NY always feels more natural to me, because I’m from here, but I can def embrace the more relaxed “be yourself” attitude LA has to offer.  However, I wont go anywhere wearing a track suit!

What was your most embarrassing beauty moment?

The day before I began filming my first big movie, The Day After Tomorrow, I got a huge pimple right between eyebrows and didn’t practice what I preach, which is don't pick.  Of course I took a needle out of sewing kit and was left with a huge scab on my face.   Jake Gyllenhaal called me third eye.  It was red, puffy, bruised and scabbed!  Ironically, that scene in the movie was cut, but I don't think it's because of my pimple.  Now, I never ever pick pimples.

The Trick to Instant Red Carpet Skin

I just got off of the phone with the makeup artist who's been responsible for Kate Mara's looks throughout the past nine years,  Coleen Campbell-Olwell.  Believe it or not, after 13 years of creating red carpet looks, this awards season is still giving her the jitters.  The House of Cards actress has Coleen booked today through Sunday for Golden Globes festivities.  Of course she'll be wearing different looks, but the key to perfect makeup all boils down to one thing – perfect skin.  Here, Coleen dishes how she gives her clients red carpet skin – instantly.

"Everybody's skin is different, but dehydration is one of the biggest and most common challenges when doing red carpet makeup," Coleen explains.  "Because my clients are flying a lot and constantly wearing makeup, I need to find products that'll hydrate their skin immediately."

During awards season, about an hour and a half is allotted to hair and makeup.  Yes, that's it. So there's no time for fancy tricks.  When I asked her about facials she said, "I recommend my clients get a facial a week before a big event, but no closer, because you never know if they're going to breakout or peel afterwards."

All of the real magic happens in her chair.   "I didn’t have great skin when I was younger, so I'm very careful about the skincare products I use on my clients and test them out on myself first," she explains.  Leaving no room for reactions, her two go-go's are Orlane Super Moitsturizing Light Cream and Absolute Skin Recovery Care Eye Contour.  "The creme hydrates instantly without being greasy and I find that most eye creams are too rich, but this eye contour is the perfect consistency and gets rid of puffiness."

Of course, the right products create a great base for makeup application and help make the look last all night, but it's the way Coleen applies them, that takes the whole look up a notch. "I use the slip in the moisturizer to massage the skin working outwards, which helps to pull out any excess fluid in the face and reduce puffiness," she explains.  Her regimen is to do three strokes on each side of the forehead, from the side of the nose out to the ear, down the neck and on each side of the chin.

Experience the First Lush Spa in the US

Lush is opened their first spa in the US this week on the Upper East Side of NYC and I got a sneak peek of what's in store.  Let me tell you, it's much more than I expected. Since Lush is know to be a vegetarian/vegan brand, I thought it would be a typical spa that uses their own products to please those who are anti-chemical.  Well, I was proved wrong.  Each treatment involves a choreographed experience that merges your senses taking you from one mental state to another.  It's unbelievable.

Located on the second floor right above a Lush store, there are only four treatment rooms in a very cozy environment.  The decor was brought over from antique shops in England to create a traditional English feel and of course, Lush products are used.

Music was composed by Simon Emmerson specifically for the treatments to  enhance the mood and a behavioral therapist helped create the treatments to "pick you up in one place and drop you off in another," explained Susan Rotante, Lush's PR rep.

I scheduled an appointment for their signature massage, the Synesthesia. Inspired by a neurological condition in which the senses merge (yes, people can see music and hear color), I watched a therapist preform it on a client.  It was as if I was watching a ballet and the client was part of the performance.  She was being played as if she was a grand piano.  Picture a transformative, graceful experience through a full body massage with medium pressure.  The therapist was actually flowing to a choreographed movement across the body.  

You tailor your treatment with your massage therapist using 11 emotional states like energize, relax, confidence and motivation to name a few.  Using a combination of oils for scent, the right lighting, flow of a massage and music your senses merge throughout the treatment and in minutes, you find yourself in a different state of mind that, unlike in other spas, doesn't always need to be relaxed.

The Lush Spa will be located at 783 Lexington Ave. NYC and the Synesthesia treatment costs $230.

Dear Jeannine: How Should I Test My New Skincare?

So many people ask me this!  It's a great question.  How often do you eagerly purchase the latest skincare product that promises to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, rid discoloration and dare I say... make you look younger?  Or maybe you heard about an acne product that even takes care of the scarring.  When it comes to our skin, we jump at technology.  And often times, I find, our eager minds are often disappointed with the results.  What if I told you that most of the time, it's your fault.  Not the products.

How many products you’ve sent to your own skincare graveyard?  You know, the ones you bought, tried and put aside or tossed this year?  Ask yourself – did you really give them a chance?  When brands make claims such as "reduces crow’s feet" or "fades acne scars," those claims are able to be made after a series of clinical trials.  Trials are typically held for a minimum of eight weeks.  Some are even longer.

Truth is, in order to ensure that your skin is actually using ingredients properly, which is why you’re not seeing the results you’re looking for fast enough, it needs to be energized and you need to use the product for a minimum of eight weeks before you can expect to see real results.   As you may remember, I’ve been testing the newly reformulated Regenerist line, (see post here), which has been upgraded with technology that boosts my skins responsiveness to anti-aging ingredients.  So yes, I did notice results a bit sooner.

When I test new skincare products to review on BeautySweetSpot, I tend to test throughout the length of a clinical trial.  Sometimes I cheat and will post a review a week or two earlier, but results do show earlier, just not to their maximum potential.  For example, I've been talking about the Olay Regenerist Multi-Sculpting Cream for some time now, proving its benefits of energizing the skin, while hydrating it and decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  Personally, my skin is more hydrated overall making it look much healthier and the fine lines around my eyes are less noticeable. I'll always tell you what's out there, but it’s impossible for me to test every new skincare launch.

Next time you find a product that you believe is good for your skin.  Be patient!  Give it a shot for about two months and believe me, you'll start noticing some differences in your skin.  If by then you don't, it's time to toss it into your skincare graveyard!

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

How to Plump & Firm Your Face Sans Injections

Yesterday on The Couch I joined Carolina Bermudez and Jill Nicolini to discuss plumping and firming must haves.  Since the FDA approved Juvederm's Voluma, plumper, more youthful cheeks are attainable through the injection, but with the right anti-aging skincare regimen you can have plumper and firmer skin sans the needles.  Check out the segment above and all product info is listed below. Serums:

Environ Ionzyme Focus Hydrating Serum, $98 at Dermaconcepts.com

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum, $25.99 at drugstores

Moisturizers:

Peter Thomas Roth Neuroliquid™ Volufill Youth Hydra-Gel, $110, at PeterThomasRoth.com

Aveeno Positively Ageless Restructuring Treatment Cream, $19.99 at drugstore.com

Eye Creams:

Perricone MD Firming Eye Cream, $65 at dermstore.com

La Roche-Posay Redermic R Eyes, $47, drugstores

Neck Creams:

Dr. Brandt. Do Not Age Firming Neck Cream, $65, drbrandtskincare.com

Bare Minerals Extra Firming Neck Cream, $38 at ulta.com

Men's Eye Creams:

Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer, $20 at kiehls.com   

Nivea for Men Q10 Energy Eye Roll On, $8.99 at drugstore.com