Holiday Gift Sets: Skin Care

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With so many skincare products on the market, it can be tough to nail down the right regimen. Luckily, more companies are offering skin solutions in cost-effective kits that deliver the same refreshing results as their full-sized products – but at a much cheaper price. These carefully curated skin care sets are an easy gift or selfish selection to help you stock up on your favorites.

Here are a few winners:

Soap & Glory ~ Smooth Over Darling: $48.00 (sale)

A fabulous vanity bag filled with a full-size Clean, Girls Body Wash, Scrub ‘Em & Leave ‘Em Body Scrub, The Daily Smooth Butter, and Mist You Madly body spray—plus a super sudsing shower puff. Deploy the contents of this bag on dry skin, flaky legs, and rough elbows and watch them simply smooth over. The all-in-one bath and body set with an addicting scent formulated with blackcurrant, freesia, and musk.

LaLicious ~ Luxe Body Bundle: $50.00

A dynamic duo of nourishing and moisturizing all-natural body products. LaLicious Sugar Soufflé Scrub  and Body Butter is made with Coconut Oil, Almond Oil and Vitamin E Oil. The Body Butter has a Shea Butter base that melts into the skin with no greasy residue. Comes in all kinds of yummy scents from Coconut Cream and Tahitian Flower to Sugar Kiss and Peppermint.

First Aid Beauty ~ Smooth Operator Kit: $45.00

Feel luxuriously lush and supple head to toe with this set of clinically-proven moisturizers from the Ultra Repair collection. A four-piece collection of hydrating favorites for the silkiest, softest skin possible. The Ultra Repair Cream is a super-emollient formula with a spectacular whipped, non-greasy texture that treats severely dry skin, whatever the cause. The Oatmeal Mask is a 10-minute fix that provides deep hydration to calm, nourish, and soothe distressed skin. The Lip Therapy treatment is an intense lip cream with the healing power to repair, nourish, and protect your pout.

skyn Iceland ~ Quench Kit: $45.00

Four products designed to harness the power of cryogenic technology from the Arctic to help moisturize, repair and protect super dry, sensitive skin. Ideal for aging or severely compromised complexions, this set is infused with mineral-rich Icelandic glacial waters, replenishing Arctic berries and soothing hydrators like shea butter, collodial oatmeal and Arctic algae. Together they rejuvenate exhausted and depleted skin, bringing back the glow you left behind.

Boscia ~ Little Black Book: $48.00

A set featuring the very best of Boscia’s black collection that work together to mattify shine and minimize pores. This collection of products work together to mattify shine and minimize pores. The cooling Revitalizing Black Hydration Gel moisturizer provides ultra-light hydration as it brightens skin clarity, minimizes pores, and refines skin texture. The innovative, Luminizing Black Mask boosts skin clarity and radiance by removing dirt and impurities, while the multi-tasking No Pores No Shine T-Zone Treatment instantly reduces the appearance of pores and blackheads. The Detoxifying Black Cleanser is a warming gel cleanser deeply cleans and detoxifies, dissolving pore-clogging impurities, makeup, and oil, leaving skin refreshed and revitalized.

Laura Mercier ~ Body & Bath Trio – Fresh Fig: $65.00

Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Body & Bath Trio features a full-size Crème Body Wash and 6 oz. glass jars of Body Scrub and Soufflé Body Crème in the sweet, fresh, intoxicating scent of fresh Celeste Figs blended with dewy fruit bouquets of Apricot Nectar and sensuous Ylang Ylang. Blended with the finest ingredients, each delectable item contains active ingredients that instantly nourishes the skin. This Holiday Trio comes in three of Laura Mercier’s luxurious scents: Fresh Fig, Almond Coconut Milk and Crème Brûlée. Or stop by your local Laura Mercier counter and mix and match your favorites for a truly personalized gift!

Moisture Surge: Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask

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Fall is here. Along with the crisp mornings and turning leaves, you may have also noticed your skin feeling a little chapped and dry. When the season changes, so does your skin. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of the colder weather and ease your skin into the winter months gracefully.

Now is the time to seal in the hydration. Clarks’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask is designed to hydrate, nourish and comfort dry, aging, environmentally damaged and dehydrated complexions. Natural ingredients work together to deeply moisturize and replenish the complexion, allowing it to regain radiance and suppleness over time. With regular use, fine lines and wrinkles will be diminished and a youthful glow will take their place.

The mask hydrates and soothes skin quickly, and can be used year-round to nourish the skin and restore the natural glow. The high concentrations of algae extract, coupled with comfrey root, Jasmine Absolute, and Japanese Green Tea, make this mask a potent anti-oxidant treatment. It is thick and rich and instantly quenches the skin. It can be used as a weekly treatment or as a daily moisturizer. If used daily, only the smallest amount is needed. Skin will be noticeably plumper and hydrated.

Make a few tweaks in your seasonal skin care to ensure healthy, glowing skin all-year-round.

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ABOUT CLARK’S BOTANICALS

Some skincare lines come and go. This year’s miracle ingredient is often next year’s outdated science.Then there are those exceptional lines that not only deliver results, but are truly compelling because they are based on real human experience and a brand narrative not created by a corporate marketing team, but by a personal history.

Clark’s Botanicals was born out of tragedy when company founder Francesco Clark, who then worked at Harper’s Bazaar, suffered a crippling spinal cord injury in a swimming pool diving accident on June 1, 2002.

With his central nervous system impaired, Francesco lost the ability not only to walk, but even to sweat. This led to clogged pores and chronic breakouts. When neither over-the-counter nor prescriptive remedies worked, he turned to his father, Dr. Harold Clark, a physician trained in both traditional Western medicine and homeopathy.

Together they developed botanically-based formulas that effectively rebalanced Francesco’s skin, clearing it up entirely. Through word-of-mouth, other people discovered and fell in love with these products, and in 2005, Francesco began selling Clark’s Botanicals on his website: http://www.clarksbotanicals.com

Even as the collection grows into a full-fledged skincare system, rebalancing skin remains its overarching objective. That’s why all Clark’s Botanicals products today feature Jasmine Absolute, a precious essential oil that naturally rebalances skin. Derived from nocturnally-blooming flowers, this extract is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating. It works to calm and heal a broad spectrum of skin types, from young to mature, oily to dry, and normal to sensitive.

With a passionate consumer following, Clark’s Botanicals is pleased to announce its latest move into select, prestige retail distribution with updated packaging and a launch family of thirteen paraben-free treatment products.

“Clark’s Botanicals is an organic part of me and my recovery,” says Francesco. “Everything about this line has a purpose and reason for being, from the ingredients to the packaging. It’s an expression of who I am in its purest form.”

Francesco Clark serves as a National Ambassador for the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.

A percentage of profits from the sale of Clark’s Botanicals go to The Christopher Reeve Foundation.

 

Five Favorites: Lip Treatments

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The product on everybody’s lips… Lip Treatments.

Moisturizing lip conditioners are some of my favorite products. Essential for getting rid of dry, chapped lips, these treatments care and protect all-year-round. Slather them on day/night, in-flight, in-car… anytime. My current five favorites are:

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream: Full Post Review: HERE

Homeoplasmine Cream: One of my French pharmacy favorites, this multi-purpose ointment soothes, protects and moisturizes the lips/skin. The homeopathic cream was originally created to heal the nasal passages from colds, allergies, and treat skin irritations. However, it is amazing on dry lips as it literally heals them before your eyes. I love the non-greasy consistency and the natural matte finish. Great for travel, this cream will quench jet-lagged lips/skin and the aluminum casing ensures the product will last forever. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find in the US. Sorry. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy: Brings the healing power of First Aid Beauty’s best-selling Ultra Repair Cream to moisturize, nourish, and protect your lips. This long-lasting, petroleum-free and paraben-free formula will prevent dryness and heal parched lips. On its own, it has a subtle, semi-matte finish. Use this healthy lip balm under lipstick to keep lips hydrated, smooth and soft.

Eco Lips Renew Rejuvenating Lip Balm: Formulated with argan oil, vitamin E and antioxidants this lip balm aids in cell renewal and anti-aging. The organic lip conditioner improves skin texture almost immediately and the petroleum-free formula locks in moisture. The bold Orange Spice flavor is a treat on the lips and kind of addicting.

NUXE Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm: – Used by many makeup artists as a lip prep, this soothing lip conditioner soaks into lips and dries perfectly matte. The richly concentrated balm contains honey, plant oils, shea butter and grapefruit essence to help nourish, repair, soothe and protect the lips. The incredibly creamy, smooth texture glides on the lips effortlessly and smells of sweet citrus.

Summer Savior: Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Mask & Healing Oil Treatment

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The summer months call for plenty of fun in the sun and outdoor activities. Sun, salt, chlorine and wind exposure can take quite a toll on your hair. Keep your locks looking lush with Macadamia Natural Oil’s Deep Repair Masque & Healing Oil Treatment.

Macadamia Natural Oil is a professional hair care line that creates products to heal problematic hair using both macadamia oil and argan oil. Together, these oils replenish the hair’s natural emollients with the high content of essential fatty acids found naturally in both. The combined benefits help to nourish and protect the hair from harmful UV rays while repairing hair follicles for improved elasticity and shine.

The Deep Repair Masque is a revitalizing hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair. Thick in consistency this masque feels extremely pampering and moisturizing. It smells amazing, like vacation and creates super soft, shiny, manageable hair.

The Healing Oil Treatment is a therapeutic oil that provides intense nourishment and frizz-free finish. It is lightweight, non-greasy and reduces drying time by 40-50%. It naturally provides UV protection which will extend the life of color treatments and reduce fading. This oil instantly and miraculously creates healthier-looking hair.

For an ultra-intense hydrating experience – mix both of these products together and leave-in hair overnight or during a day at the beach or pool.

Holy Grail: Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Anti-Aging Lipstick Stain

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An all-in-one phenomenon. Combine your favorite lip balm, lipstick, lip gloss and lip stain and you will have IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Anti-Aging Lipstick Stain. 

IT Cosmetics by Jackie Kern stands for Innovative Technology Cosmetics. It is created with the help of leading plastic surgeons to infuse medical grade makeup with healing skin loving ingredients with cutting edge technology.

Unlike anything I have tried before, this lip product creates the most perfect stained lip.  The uber moisturizing formula glides on the lips seamlessly and resembles the feeling of a glossy lip balm. After application, lips are stained with a gorgeous “your lips but better” flush. This product comes in 3 different stains: Je Ne Sais Quoi (crystal pink), Love Story (mid-range pink) and Pretty Woman (berry).

This truly innovative lip product contains IT Cosmetics Hydra-Luxe™ Technology which features plum oil, cherry oil, shea butter, aloe, and jojoba that all work together to treat, hydrate, condition, and nourish your lips. It is also packed with anti-oxidants including acai, green tea, white tea, and vitamins A, C, and E to fight free-radicals and  minimize the appearance of lip lines and wrinkles.

IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush 4-in-1 Anti-Aging Lipstick Stain is added to the Holy Grail list for two reasons: texture and color. It is the lip product I have always been looking but did not know existed. Until now.

Bronzing Oil: Terracotta Huile De Voyageur

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Terracotta Huile De Voyageur

Summer is all about healthy-looking skin. The quickest way to fake this is with Terracotta Hulle De Voyageur Nourishing Dry Oil. This luxurious bronzing oil hydrates the skin and imparts a short-term glow.

The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula is made primarily of Argan oil to hydrate the skin. Tiny specks of gold and mother-of-pearl provide subtle color and shimmer. Skin is left nourished, smooth and luminous.

The scent is a hypnotic blend of Tiare flower that perfumes the skin of jasmine. It smells rich and exotic, coating the skin for hours.

Guerlain’s Terracotta line uses a Tan Booster technology that prolongs a tan. It also uses Roucou, a reddish-brown vegetable pigment that has been used throughout the ages to intensify color day after day.

This is a great quick-fix bronzing oil, as it washes off with simple soap and water. Tip: Let the product dry completely, as some color will transfer.

Supple Skin: L’OCCITANE Almond Milk Concentrate

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L'OCCITANE Almond Milk Concentrate

L’OCCITANE Almond Milk Concentrate is a whipped body moisturizer that smells divine and banishes dry skin. Rich in almond oil this creamy butter melts into the skin leaving it soft and supple.

The Almond Milk Concentrate uses almond proteins, enriched with vitamin E, to firm and nourish the skin. It also contains silicium, similar to collagen, to restore skin’s support tissue.

The sweet smell of almonds, brown sugar and whipped marshmallows lingers on the skin all day. If applied before bed, the delicious aroma clings to the sheets faintly.

The retro packaging of this body cream, heavy glass jar with silver-tin lid, is just one more reason to continue purchasing the Almond Milk Concentrate.