Black Magic Woman

Okay. So it costs the earth ($360), but Givenchy's newest irridescent black skin care creme, Le Soin Noir, feels divine on skin.

It contains Vital Black Algae Sap Conentrate, found in the depths of the ocean. When I use it, my skin feels smoother, utterly hydratred and even firmer. It does all this AND doesn't show up black on skin. It melts in with ease and does yeoman's duty to protect my face from this disgusting skin-chapping winter weather we've had in NYC of late. But most of all, I like rock it at night and be a Black Magic Woman. Lest you worry, it will "make a devil" out of you only in a GOOD way.

You can purchase it at Givenchy counters, Sephora.com and at Sephora on 5th Avenue in NYC, exclusively.

December 16 Only: 50% Off at Freeze 24-7

Procrastinators rejoice! Here's another gift for being lazy. Enter code 50OFF1 at checkout at freeze24-7.com. Enjoy!

'90s Ladies Week: My So-called Skin Care System

Hi dolls, and welcome to '90s Ladies Week!

All week long, Daneen and I will be taking you on a little tour of nostalgia, much like how we did for '80s Ladies Week. We're kicking it off with a beauty product inspired by a '90s TV show. My choice? One of my favorite shows of all time (it's definitely in my top 5 to this day), My So-called Life.

In a time of horrendous fashion and beauty (the '90s was, in my opinion, the FUGGEST decade), Angela Chase (played by then breakout star, Claire Danes) was an oasis of gorgeosity with her shiny, shiny crayola 8-pack red locks and pale, perfect china-doll skin.

To get Angela Chase's perfectly smooth, creamy skin, I recommend Dermalogica's ChromaWhite TRx System. As we are in a recession, I'm not going to recommend the entire set to you (but just an FYI: I've tried each product and they all work well.) The line was created to brighten and even out skin tone, while reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Also, it's important to note that the usage of these products does not cancel out the effects of your facial self-tanner. I was initially worried about that, but I've found that applying both the Chroma White system and self-tanner only yields warmer-hued, brighter, more even skin tone. Not a washed-out pallor. You know? The two most important components of the system are Tri Active Cleanse and Pure Light.

Tri Active Cleanse ($38)
Created without the use of hydroquinone, this creamy, non-foaming cleanser evens and brightens the skin's tone without damaging or irritating the skin. It helps to remove discolored cells while purifying your skin of debris, excess oil and impurities. After using it for six weeks, I've noticed my skin looks brighter and clearer. Best of all, it FEELS much softer.

Pure Light SPF 30 ($60) A dollup of this stuff applied daily to face and neck makes my skin feel smooth to the point that I plum can't stop feeling up my mug. Seriously. I love that it's packed with an SPF of 30, hydrates exactly enough without overdoing it on my combination skin. It emulsifies on your face with utter ease.

Your peau will glow in such a manner that people will throw themselves at you. And as Rayanne Graff said, "people throwing themselves at people? Is, like, the basis of civilization."

Can't get enough of the '90s? Don your flannel, rock your new piercing, put some Techno on your Walkman, and head over to Spoiled Pretty and read about what '90s TV show has inspired Daneen's product choice.

I'll Just Be Over Here Minding My Own (With My Kenzo Cleansing Ice Jelly).

LeVon: Barry baby, Barry baby, you see what I got here
Barry: what have you got there?
LeVon: This is a box of puddin’,
Barry Barry: what does it say?
LeVon: It says “cook, and chill”
Barry: Aw yeah.
LeVon: and baby, that’s what I do every night. I cook, and then I chill.
Barry: (bump and grinding) Aw yeah.
LeVon: (bump and grinding) Aw yeah. Barry: And chill!

--Michael Ian Black (Barry) and Thomas Lennon (LeVon) on MTV's The State

Though it's been 13 years since one of my fave shows of all time, The State, has aired, I felt there was no better cultural reference than their $240 worth of pudding sketch with regard to my new fave skin care item, Kenzo Cleansing Ice Jelly. No need to spend $240 to chill with this dreamy cleanser; it costs a fiscally moderate $28. This icy cleanser contains natural ingredients like ginger plant water and ginseng extracts for a luxe cleansing experience. Its formula eradicates traces of makeup and oil whilst soothing skin with its cooling consistency and invigorates with the spicy scent of ginger. I will be packing this on ALL summer weekend jaunts to non-air conditioned Fire Island/Hamptons houses, lest you worry.

Kenzo is swiftly becoming one of my favorite skin care brands. I love their natural ingredients, fantastic performance, and uber-luxurious GORGE packaging. Check my article for Lucky Style Spotter, in which I mention Kenzoki Belle de Jour.

The best part? In the words of G Love, you stick it in the fridge before use to enhance its toning properties. In fact, along with bottles of wine for my guests, it's all I HAVE in my fridge at the mo'.

Simply bust it out, "cook" and then... chill.

Available in April 2009 at kenzousa.com.


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The Best "Every Day" Sunblocks for Layering Over Moisturizer

Girls, in a perfect world, all of your fave moisturizers would come packed with their own SPF a million. I find that the best ones are often lacking sunscreen, so I've looked far and wide to find some that are light enough to layer well with my moisturizer so I don't FEEL like I'm wearing two lotions on top of one another. Which is, in essence, what I'm doing. But I don't want a gloppy mess of creams on my FACIAL, you know? You do. Here are my recs:

Elemis Liquid Layer Sunblock SPF 30 ($39) The fantastic Larissa at the Elemis counter at Bergdorf Goodman recommended this little gem for me to try and I'm so glad she did. It's extremely light and gentle on my skin. It contains antioxidants AND is waterproof. Make it part of your daily routine.


La Mer The SPF 30 UV Protecting Fluid ($65) This one's a little pricier, but the formula is so to die, I couldn't not bring it up. It includes Hollow Photonic Spheres to scatter light, creating an aura of luminosity. This lotion is also designed with The Smart Seaweed Ferment which attracts moisture to the skin to create a protective, emollient barrier. Use it and send dehydration the way of our former thriving economy.





CHANEL UV Essentiel SPF 30+ ($48) This one combines plant- and mineral-based extracts to effectively shield your grill from aggro UVA/UVB rays. The formula boasts Licorice Extract, which fades current dark spots. Best of all? CHANEL has thought of everything: mattifying agents abound, making it perf as a summer makeup partner.

Last Empty Tossed: CHANEL Rinse-Off Foaming Mousse Cleanser

Hey, dolls! My posts may be a bit fewer and farther between of late. I just got confirmation that my roommate is moving out so I've been spending my blogging time looking for and at studio apartments for a really cool (read: really SOON) April 1 move-in. I've decided the roommate portion of my life is officially over. I've lived with eleven other people throughout my lifestyle (that doesn't include my family members), and I've decided to say "when." Craigslist surfing offers much in the way of comic relief, but little when it comes to actually finding a place to live. I.e., a posting today referred to Roosevelt Island as MIDTOWN. Okay?

I'm most looking forward to hanging my own GD art and not having to confine my non-bathroom essential products to my bedroom. I can't even imagine a world where I can apply MAKEUP in a BATHROOM. Or wherever. Naturally, I'm not looking forward to packing up everything I own including my massive beauty collection for the second time in a year. But I am congratulating myself on finishing an entire container of CHANEL Rinse-Off Foaming Mousse Cleanser ($45). It's been a long time since I've finished a skin care item (it seems my product promiscuity is at its peak when it comes to skin care), but this cleanser is SUCH a gem. It leaves no residue, no dry tightness, rinses clean and lathers like a dream. At my recent facial at the Elemis Spa Pod at Bergdorf Goodman, aesthetician Larissa even pointed out that my facial cleanser (CHANEL, natch) is perfect for my skin during my Facial Mapping Analysis (aka a Visia Skin Analysis). It maps out various elements of your skin through a special camera/computer combo.

If that doesn't warrant a rebuy, I don't know what does.

Moshida Man on Skin Care

Moshida Man comes back to us with a piece concerning the mistakes of skin care. He says, "I'm not asking you, ladies, to take notes, but you can sure as hell bet your man is sleeping on the job when it comes to considering that he could actually drop the ball on his skin care." In the name of those taking advice from television doctors, I present to you his thoughts on the subject.

I'm a Net cruiser, and no, not in that way. At work you can be damn sure that I'm not always on that memo I should be writing. It's the kind of job with derivative benefits. I came across this post on Yahoo! Health by Dr. Leslie Baumann, chief of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology and a professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine. I dig doctors who write in layman's terms. I'd like to offer my impressions of her piece, for it definitely opened my eyes to some skin care details that I was unaware of.

Suds are Out!

Doc says that if your cleanser is foamy then it's probably toting some harsh business. Stick with non-foaming cleansers, and gentlemen, if you're mashing that bar soap on your face, stand accused. Much like bad toothpaste, according to Esquire's doc, Mehmet Oz, foam is a sign that you're on the wrong bus. Heads up.

Retinol

Not Rohyphonol, you dolts. Retinol is a form of vitamin A which is essential to battle your wrinkles - yes I'm looking at you Mr. Forehead. Gentlemen, all that time in the sun at the tailgate or the golf course is wreaking havoc on your skin. My dad was a lifeguard when he was a kid, and always rocks the nose cone these days, but that's old school. Check out the doc's recs with Retinol and get on your future wrinkles.

Splurging on Products

We know you're not doing this for your body, but you are for your XBox, Bose System, and F150. The message is simple, think more, spend less, look better. Again she wants you focusing on the retinoids if you're going to spend the money. And remember, the people in the stores are there for you to ask questions. Drop that hardware store attitude.

Facials

Go ahead, frat boy, make the joke. I beat you there already, like 10 years ago. Bottom line: don't put your money down on a facial for your special lady friend's b-day. Instead, like I said above, invest in some proven products with science behind them. Don't forget, if buying anti-wrinkle products for your lady, please be prepared to say something to the effect of "I bought this because I understand how important good skin care is," not, "Honey, you're not fat."

Sequence

Doc says wash your face, after washing out your shampoo and conditioner. Smart move, and something I hadn't thought of. Remember, washing your hair uses different compounds, and has a different purpose than washing your face. Hair first, face after. Do it.

Mary Schmich (and it was also rumored that Vonnegut) says: You better know that speech. I'm not even giving you the link. Google it. The message is, always wear sunscreen. We are the skin cancer generation. The information is out there. If you're going to be exposed to sun for 15 minutes or more, there is damage potential in those rays. SPF 15 is a good start. Doc says do it every day. Hygiene is a much bigger baby than you think, bub.

Sublimage for the Non-Sahara Skinned

A lighter version of the original CHANEL Sublimage Essential Regeneraging Cream (now called Texture Supreme Essential Regenerating Cream) has debuted! Sublimage Texture Universelle Essential Regenerating Cream has a silky texture and lightweight formula that is a nice balance to the richer, creamier Texture Supreme.

I've been using it the past few weeks and am loving how it sinks into my skin immediately and doesn't feel too overpowering. And the smoothness that ensues is unparalleled. Seriously. Both iterations of Sublimage are at the TOP of my skin care faves list. I've been using the original for super-dry/cold days and the Texture Universelle for days when I feel I need a tad less hydration. The original formula is fantastic, but a bit heavy for my occasionally acne-prone skin. I'd been using it in tiny amounts, emulsified first between my palms, but this new formula eliminates the need for all that as it's lighter to begin with. It'll be ab fab for summer, n'est-ce pas? Yes, it costs the earth ($375). Yes, I realize it's kind of cra for me to recommend it in This Financial Climate. But I love it, and that's all there is to it.

CHANEL Sublimage Texture Universelle Essential Regenerating Cream is available at department and specialty stores and online at chanel.com.