After a long summer, skin is left dry and in need of some real moisture. I know my skin needs a boost.

La Mer just introduced a pre-boost to it’s line up. Made specifically to boost the transformational benefits of Creme de la Mer, The Max Huber Research Labs (the brains and science behind the La Mer line) have created a next-generation infusion, The Hydrating Infusion. A pre-boost is what I am calling it, as this infusion uses nourishing vitamins and essential minerals to pre-wet the skin prior to moisturizer application, thus you can better receive the hydration benefits of Creme de la Mer (or your favorite moisturizer).

When applied, The Hydrating Infusion’s serum-like texture transforms into a watery fluid.  An interactive “gel network”, I know - very fancy, suspends the mostvital ingredients in the formula and releases them on demand.  The infusion is activated by the skin’s pH and temperature giving the skin the hydration and nutrients that it needs.

Once the skin has reached it’s appropriate moisture level, Hydrating Sea Ferments provide additional support to the skin.  Nutrient-filled sea plants from Japan, Indonesia, France and the United States go through an elaborate bio-fermentation process to help these ingredients reach their fullest potential and create this moisturizing “ferment”.  The Hydrating Infusion also incorporates a ferment made from mariponic algae that are grown in a carefully controlled salt-water environment at the Marine Biological Labs in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, on Martha’s Vineyard. 

The Hydrating Infusion is also full of naturally occurring minerals from the sea floor such as iron, manganese and copper to help skin stimulate collagen to keep it looking vibrant.  Vitamins C, B5, B12 and Magnesium fortify the skin’s outer layer, while magnetized tourmaline gives an added boost to all of these powerful ingredients. 

Like I said, this infusion was made primarily to be use with Creme de la Mer, and by using it with it, of course, optimal benefits will be seen as the visible signs of aging are reversed.  I have been using them both for a few weeks now and my skin is definitely softer, firmer, and looks virtually creaseless. But I do think if you have a favorite moisturizer already, The Hydrating Infusion will help to make the ingredients in that work better as well.

The Hydrating Infusion retails for $95 and will be available in September online at lamer.com as well as select Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

image credit: La Mer

 Jurlique recently introduced their Biodynamic Beauty range. This is their FIRST ever anti-aging collection.  The range offers beneficial results comparable to hi-tech, artificial anti-aging products – but with all natural formulations.

The collection includes a Biodynamic Beauty Serum, Eye Cream, Night Lotion and Refining Treatment, all formulated with blends of biodynamic and organic herbs and flowers combined with potent, naturally derived ingredients to soften the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and discolorations while helping to renew and strengthen skin.  With continued use, Biodynamic Beauty creates a smooth, fresh, luminous complexion and invites you to embrace your unique beauty without aggravating, or altering the natural balance found within your skin cells.

Jurlique’s Biodynamic Beauty range features Jurlique’s proprietary Biodynamic Blends, grown on their own Certified Biodynamic and Organic farms in South Australia, and combines them with the most natural, high-efficacy, active ingredients available. 

To celebrate the debut of their new collection, Jurlique is offering an opportunity to win a trip to their certified organic and biodynamic farms in South Australia —where the plants and flowers used to create the products are harvested.

Three winners (each with a guest) will have the chance to tour the farms, partake in authentic harvesting experiences, and be pampered with a Jurlique treatment.  One first prize winner will be chosen from each of the following regions; the US/Canada, Australia, and the UK .  Other prizes include $1,000 product giveaways and online gift certificates. Winners will be selected by a Jurlique panel based on the quality of submissions. 

To enter the contest, participants must:

• Share their story of renewal at www.visitjurlique.com
• Submissions can include (but are not limited to):

• Efforts made to renew nature and the earth
• Ways that participants have renewed their neighborhood or community
• How participants have brought about renewal on a personal level

• The competition closes August 15, 2008

image credit: Jurlique

If you like exclusive’s, Nordstrom is your place to go, and soon. On July 18th, the yearly beauty exclusives event will begin. Good thing is though, that you can pre-order before many of these superb deals sell out.

While my list is long - very long, I just noticed a set that I think many of you will be interested in. It is the PerriconeMD 30-Day Introductory Kit. This $86 value contains 5 of Dr. Perricone’s products, all packaged in a white “Doctor’s Bag”, for only $55.00.

Inside the bag - which is obviously adorable and useable as a little handbag or makeup bag are the following:

Firming Facial Toner
Face Finishing Moisturizer
Ceramic Skin Smoother
Nutritive Cleanser
Advanced Face Firming Activator

I am loving the whole new look of PerriconeMD. It is definitely more high end looking with sleek packaging. It is a nice change from the bland apothecary looking bottles that his products were previously packaged in.

Anyway, if you haven’t used Dr. Perricone’s products and have always wanted to, this is your chance to try out his best goodies. It is a 30-Day Introductory kit, so there is obviously enough product to use for the month, which should be enough time for your skin to like it.

image credit: Nordstrom

The Somme Institute specializes in targeted skin care solutions to help address acne, premature aging, sun damage, and environmental stresses.

One of their toughest repairing products is the A-Bomb.

Using this twice a day will help speed the skin cell renewal process.

Somme Institute A-Bomb is a quick-penetrating, lightweight cream containing high concentrations of advanced forms of vitamins A and E along with other vitamins of the MDT5 complex. Restoring optimal function to skin cells and speeding cell renewal, A-Bomb aggressively repairs sun damage, eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, and targets problem areas on acne-prone skin. For fastest skin recovery, use A-Bomb with Transport and Serum, twice a day.

A-Bomb sells online for $70 a jar.

image: Somme Institute

“The first rule to looking beautiful is beautiful skin”. We know that, right?

Watching a Philosophy show on QVC last week I heard the host say this and I thought it was so true that I needed to point it out. And from Philsoophy, I know there is something there to help us achieve beautiful skin.

Here are a few of my Philosophy skin care picks. I have talked about some of them before and some are new discoveries. Rest assured, if you are looking for a great Philosophy skin care product, you can trust that you will like one that I have listed here.

1. Purity Made Simple 4-in-1 facial cleanser
2. When Hope Is Not Enough  Replenishing Hyaluronic Acid/Peptide Capsules
3. Booster Caps to squeeze into your regular creams, lotions, or potions
4. Help Me Retinol Treatment
5. The Microdelivery Exfoliating Body Wash
6. The Microdelivery Mini Peel Pads
7. Hope in a Tube Eye and Lip Firming Cream
8. Eye Believe Deep Wrinkle Peptide Gel

image: philosophy.com

Winner of the 2007 Professional’s Choice Award “Favorite Anti-Aging Skincare” by American Spa Magazine, BeingTrue has seven collections addressing specific and changing skin care needs. My collection of choice, is the Anti-Aging Collection, of course.

The Anti-Aging Collection is formulated to counter the vicious cycle of time to radically correct and protect with the super ingredient idebenone. Idebenone is a powerful skin rejuevantor ingredient, used in many of the top formulations today.

Here is what is available in the BeingTrue Anti-Aging Collection:

Night Light Trio ($130) - a set of three products with solutions for age spots, uneven skin tone and environmental damage on face, neck, and décolleté. Includes Advanced Treatment Cleanser, Essential Soothing Tonic and
Radiance Revealing Complex.

Radiance Revealing Complex ($95) - a powerful serum to help even skintone with Idebenone and the super lightening agent methyl gentisate.

Youth Revealing Complex ($95) - to smooth skin, this is also packed with ceramides and essential skin lipids to keep skin looking smoother, fresher and younger.

I-Lift Eye Contour Concentrate ($75) - made with AHAs, retinol and algae extracts to tighten eye are skin while helping to promote collagen regeneration.

To locate a BeingTrue Spa near you, go to their online spa locator.

image credit: true cosmetics.

$1375 for three core skin care products. The Radiance Collection from La Prairie Switzerland better make skin appear ten years younger in a month to be worth it.

The Radiance Collection is made to “Lift, firm, resurface, brighten, and de-age the skin”.

Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold - $550

Cellular Radiance Cream - $550

Cellular Radiance Eye Cream - $275

If you had the money to spend, would you splurge on this?

images from NeimanMarcus

I am definitely a Philosophy girl.  I have become addicted to a few of their anti-aging skin care products and I want to share them with you!

I have already written about Help Me! A Retinol Night Treatment and the Booster Caps, and I just tried the Booster Serum. You want to try to win this three piece Philosophy set. Besides the fact that these goodies are worth $155, they are fabulous products full of everything you need to help fight the signs of aging.

To enter this contest, you need to leave a comment on this post sharing one of your anti-aging tip’s. I have enable comment moderation, so it might take a day or two before your comment appears.

Contest Rules: This contest is open to the residents of the US and Canada only, aged 18 or older. Only one comment per e-mail address. Duplicate entries will be void. The contest starts today and will run through Friday, April 18th at 11:59 PM EST. One winner will be selected randomly from qualified entrants and will be notified by e-mail on April 21st. Remember, you must post an anti-aging tip in the comments on this post to be entered to win.

Good Luck!

images from Philosophy

My first Nordstrom Exclusives Beauty Event pick is this Glow Team Glow set from MD Skincare.

Set contains Alpha Beta® Daily Face Peel, 60 applications and Lift & Lighten Eye Cream Advanced Technology. The set is a $183 but is event priced at $125.