MLab, though, is on sale today at ideeli.com, and with prices around 50% off, I’d be amiss not to mention it here!

Ideeli.com

This is a line with its roots in science, and while many of you are thinking – “What? Science? I just want to look pretty!” science is a pretty essential part of quality skincare.

Essentially, it’s all about anti-aging, and trust me, ladies, I’m FEELING the aging of late. So, if MLab can make me boost all those factors of youth (i.e. firmness, elasticity, etc), I’ll sell an arm for it. And if it’s half off, well, that’s even better. I like my arms.

Bonus: Every M Lab purchase on ideeli today will come with a free .5oz M LAB Anti-Aging Treatment Cream, a $50 value, which features 68% clinically active ingredients!!! I LOVE free stuff!

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So, there I was, bundled up, clutching my coffee for dear-warmth, when I realized, the time had come. Winter has arrived, and it’s time to get ready – and do our best to stay beautiful.

Image: Dr. Howard Sobel

According to Dr. Howard Sobel, New York City dermatologist and dermatologic cosmetic surgeon, there are indeed really specific ways to care for our skin as the weather gets colder.

During the colder months, everybody’s skin becomes less oily and drier from both indoor and outdoor elements, include the wind, indoor heat, etc.

“I tell all my clients – no matter skin type – to swap their cleanser for a milder and less drying product. Cooler showers do work – so turn the heat down! Take shorter showers too. And be sure to apply a body-specific moisturizer shortly after on damp skin for maximum effect,” Sobel says.

Sunscreen is critical

“Most people stop using sunscreens once the weather turns colder, but the facts are that aging of the skin results from sun damage that occurs during both summer and winter months. Save time in the morning and sleep an extra 15 minutes by using a dual-purpose moisturizer that has SPF in it – at least 30 SPF,” recommends Sobel. This way, you keep your skin hydrated while protecting against cumulative environmental damage that comes from sun exposure.

Many people tend to overlook the hands during the colder months, despite the fact they are the first on our body to get excessively dry.

Remember to moisturize your hands daily, and if you’re worried about dry, worn-out or older looking hands, speak to your dermatologist about skin rejuvenating hand treatments. “I think dermal fillers can work great as well as laser treatments to remove unattractive sun spots,” says Dr. Sobel.

Autumn is a great time to have a purifying facial or a mild peel to remove your dead skin cells that have accumulated over the summer months.

“In my practice, I see an increase during this time of patients requesting mild to medium peels to refresh their skin for the new season. Since many women like to go lighter during the colder months, they want their complexion to be as smooth and refined as possible,” Says Dr. Sobel.

“Many of my patients who come to see me around this time have pigment changes in their skin from summer. I like to use the Aurora Laser, which uses a very gentle light and energy to remove brown spots from sun damage, blotchiness and to improve skin tone and texture. This treatment is also great to get your in skin in glowing shape for the holidays,” he goes on.

So, is your skin ready for winter, and are you already seeing the effects of the chill? I’m going to follow this advice, starting now!

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Sxc.hu

As I grew closer to 30, I realized that was very far from the truth.

Exfoliation is very important. “When you have a layer of thick dead cells, also known as the stratum corneum, what ever you put on in the way of creams and serums has a difficult time penetrating,” says Denise Debois, owner of Complexions Spa For Beauty & Wellness in Albany, NY.

Denise ecommends using a gentle alpha hydroxy acid like lactic acid to gently loosen and bump off that thickened dead layer, clearing a path that allows hydrating ingredients to penetrate easier resulting in a more hydrated, smoother skin texture.

I’m especially grateful for Denise’s advice because, lets face it – skin tends to get very dehydrated during the winter months. We need hydration and skincare more than ever! “I recommend our clients add a hydration boosting serum with humectants and moisture binding ingredients like sodium pca and hyaluronic acid that leave skin soft and provides maximum hydration with a light feel. Use under your moisturizer to give you the extra boost needed during these months.” Denise says.

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We know that, sure, but that doesn’t mean we always take the steps necessary to maintain it.

I spend a lot of time hanging with my friends – who also happen to be beauty writers – and shockingly enough, skin issues come up. We all know we should take care of our skin, but all of us have individual processes for going about it. No one is wrong, it’s just a very personal process.

But once you find your “road”, taking care of the skin is just like taking care of the body – it becomes part of a lifestyle.

We chatted with renowned skincare expert Ling Chan, and she agreed: It is important to dedicate time to your customized plan to help achieve great skin. As for what that plan should be, Ling gave some awesome advice to get us started.

1. Get an expert monthly facial to clean the pores of impurities. Heavy makeup and our bodies natural 28 day cycle leads to clogged pores. In order to maintain a healthy complexion and get the most benefits from your products, it is important to go in for a pore cleaning every month to six weeks.

2. Having discipline when it comes to your at-home regimen and weekly maintenance. If you do not go in for regular facials this is even more important to maintain your skin’s health. (I always fail at this. It’s a bad, bad, beauty editor that every few days forgets she owns toner.)

3. Making healthy lifestyle choices when it comes to:

a. Proper Bedtime (11pm is recommended as this aligns with the body’s natural sleep cycle).

b. Limit Alcohol intake. Alcohol can negatively impact the skin and may contribute to broken capillaries, acne, and interruptions in your skin care regimen (ex: not washing face before bedtime).

c. Do not smoke cigarettes. Smoking negatively impacts the skin by constricting blood flow to the skin, decreasing healing time, tone, and contributes to premature or increased aging of the skin.

4. Hydration is the root of anti-aging.

a. When dealing with skin conditions, the first and most important step is to take care of your dehydration. Many skin conditions are a result of surface dehydration, which in turn disrupts the body’s natural production and release of oil. When your skin becomes dehydrated, it immediately affects and promotes all skin conditions such as acne, large pores and blackheads, redness, sensitivity, oily skin, premature aging and fine lines. Preventing dehydration is an important step in slowing the process of aging.

5. Exfoliation is important to remove dead skin cells, dirt and debris to promote a healthy looking complexion. Ling recommends to gently exfoliate nightly to ‘remove the day’. In a facial it is necessary to exfoliate to perform extractions and enhance results.

a. Overuse of cleansers that contain Glycolic Acids, Alpha Hydroxy Acids and irritating ingredients, along with exfoliating too frequently with very abrasive scrubs can eventually damage the skin and contribute to redness, sensitivity and inflammation. When the surface of the skin becomes dehydrated, the oil glands will overproduce oil to compensate for the lack of moisture which in turn can lead to large pores, blackheads and breakouts. That seems rather counter-productive, now, doesn’t it?

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Estee Lauder

I just began trying out Estee Lauder’s new Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, and I’m going to keep all of you updated on how it goes while I’m at it.

I’m really excited about this product. Advanced Night Repair has been on Estee Lauder’s roster for years – it pretty much started the world’s fascination with antioxidants in beauty products – but this is a new power-charged formula that promises to repair skin OVERNIGHT.

I just started to use it a few days ago, but I can tell you already that it’s super lightweight, and isn’t greasy, even under moisturizer.

The new souped up Night Repair has something called Chronolux Technology in it. This works to target amino acid sequences, which can help slow down the aging process – as my skin is about to work the tents of Fashion Week (too an aging process!), it’s a great time to put this to the test!

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Clarins

The brand just officially launched on Facebook and Twitter, and are currently doing a special giveaway to celebrate: The first 5,000 fans of the page who sign up on the ‘sampling tab’ receive a complimentary 3-week supply of the NEW Multi-Active Day skin care cream!

Clarins on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clarins/98029424570

So make sure you get yours!

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For the past month, every morning and evening, I’ve been following the Neutrogena SkinID skincare regime.

The truth is, I was graced with fairly good genes, and hardly ever break out normally. But the last few months, stress + poor habits (i.e. leaving on small bites and cocktails at events) was making a small but scary eruption take part on my face. Pretty soon, I even began to wonder if this was perhaps adult acne. Whatever it was, I wanted it GONE.

See the skin above? Minor in the way of breakouts, but major in the way of dull, sallow skin. I am young! I am cute! I am a beauty editor. This should NOT be.

I decided my very career depended on fixing what was broke before it was rendered unfixable, and went to the Neutrogena SkinID site, where I went through the process of filling out the personalized acne regimen. Then, based on the answers to the questions they asked, they sent me the treatment routine that would work with my skin, which I was to then use religiously.

The next day, my highly anticipated package from Skin ID arrived.

My 3-piece system was composed of Cream Cleanser #14, Anti Acne Treatment #32, and Moisturizer #53. There was also an included Spot Treatment that I used both AM and PM whenever I had actual breakouts (which tend to happen around the week of my period.)

Four weeks have gone by, and I have to say, I notice a difference. Check out the more recent picture above, with my hair pulled back so you can ONLY see my skin.

Can you see the difference? My skin has a healthy glow now – and there’s nary a breakout (even though I’m currently in that pre-hormonal stage!)

I’m happy – and now a card carrying believer.

This post was sponsored by Neutrogena skinID™ – The only Personalized Acne Solution made just for you.  Take your complimentary skinID™ Evaluation today!

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The occasion? Cetaphil is running a stylish promotion, where entrants can share what makes them feel most comfortable “in their skin“, what tropical locale they’d love to visit and which Cetaphil products they’d take with them on their travels.

People who advance to round 2 have a chance to win a trip to a paradise location, to stay at Marriott and Renaissance Caribbean and Mexico Resorts, plus  Cetaphil products, a Kate Spade getaway bag and a $500 American Express gift card to purchase favorite getaway essentials.

While I love any excuse to enjoy bellinis and waffles with my beauty gals, I think this is a great idea! Such a great idea that I plan to enter myself (lord knows I need a vacay…and a new bag!)

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Every now and then, though, I learn about a really cool beauty-related one, and I jump right on it. As all of you know, beauty items can get expensive – especially the good ones! When I find a good price on my favorite items, it’s the best time ever to stock up.

Hautelook

Right now at HauteLook, Mario Badescu Skin Care is being marked down around 20% on tons of key items. This is a line that has been around for decades, and is known for personalized skin care treatments. I’ve gone to their NYC spa for facials a few times and they are FAB, and a lot of their products still line my medicine chest.

Tons of their lotions and potions are on sale, but one of my faves, their Buttermilk Moisturizer – is among them, at around $14! Take a browse, if you are a fan of the line, this is a great time to buy!

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Image: April Rain

Nightly drinking (and not of the water kind) got my skin super dehydrated, and I had to find a way of quenching that thirst.

April Rain’s Night Rainew is an ultra-hydrating night repair crème that promises to provide long-lasting moisture.

I’ve been using it every night after cleansing, and as I feel my face right now, it feels supple and smooth – exactly how I want it to feel – and it feels that way until I wake up in the morning.

Skin that is dried out looks aged – and as I am just hitting 30, I don’t want to look any older than I already am! As it’s become healthier, I am looking younger (if not young, sigh. Night Rainew has HydroPeptides in it, which are 100% organic and said to help get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. It also includes antioxidants Buddleja and Echinacea, also age-defying.

Let’s face it, I can use all the help I can get.

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