The At-Home Peel

At one time, peels required a doctor’s visit, inspired fear and often disappointed on results. Not to mention the healing time required afterward. Today, peels have transformed into a satisfying step in skin care that you can do at home with next day results! I’ve heard so much banter on the twitter waves lately about these products, that I had to share my favorites.

  1. Glamglow isn’t a peel in the name, but accomplishes many of the same goals. And it is no longer an underground cult favorite – Glamglow was a Neiman Marcus Beauty Award Winner in2012! It is popular in Hollywood, but the mud base hails from Southern France, home to glamorous Cannes, St. Tropez and Monaco. Glamglow was a proprietary technology that allows ‘Super-Squalene’, a moisturizer, and ‘EGCG Super-Antioxidants’ direct into the mud from the pieces of tea leaves. This can be quite granular, so be gentle, but you will not believe your glow afterwards.
  2. Sulwhasoo Skin Clarifying Mask (also technically not a peel, but I had to include it since you peel it off) is a very gentle and very gratifying way to lift out impurities and dead skin cells to detoxify and clarify dull, devitalized, and problem skin. Korean medicinal herbs on in this honey like formula that you allow to dry on your face and then literally peel off. This is better for those who lean to the oilier side of skin.
  3. Dr. Dennis Gross Skinare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel is a peel designed for daily use because it is so gentle. I love the simple two step proccess: simply wipe the face with a pad from Step 1, wait two minutes, then repeat with Step 2. This stuff can stand up to any problem: fights wrinkles, balances oil, tones skin, increases clarity and radiance, and calms redness.
  4. For those with sensitive skin try Natura Bisse NB Ceutical Tolerance Enzyme Peel reviewed here. Instead of glycolic or lactic acid, this Peel uses enzymes. It has a great texture that is rubbed in until it liquifies. My skin looked brighter and more even immediately after I used it. There was absolutely no tingling at all.
  5. La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing 3-Minute Peel is a little more active. I could feel tingling, but wasn’t left with any redness. They recommend using this once a week, which I would adhear to. La Prairie is serious about the inclusion of “professional level” exfoliants, including AHAs, BHA, Salicylic Acid and Mixed Fruit Acids. The skin is retexturized by the removal of surface debris. My skin was incredibly smooth and evened after using.
  6. Kate Somerville Micro Glycolic Polisher uses both glycolic AND lactic acid work together to promote surface cell turnover, gently and effectively. At the same time, she added anti-aging to leave us with a youthful glow. Can it get any better? Blue Lotus extract delivers anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant benefits to calm skin and fight against free-radical damage. This doesn’t cause my skin to tingle at all and I can see immediate results.And I’m already hooked on Felicia’s, Bergdorf’s Social Media Beauty Editor, trick: “Add one pump of Micro Glycolic Polisher to your regular night time moisturizer for a little overnight mild exfoliation. Wake up glowy.
  7. Kate Somerville also makes Clinic-To-Go™ Resurfacing Peel Pads which are genius for travelling. When I first started using them, I did get a little tingle. No more. I love having these around for the evening after a long airplane ride or the night before an early morning important meeting.

Do you use a peel?

Stages of Beauty Skincare

There is an overwhelming amount of skincare lines out there. Within a single skin care line are collections and products to treat different issues. So putting together something that is really catered to your skin can be sometimes challenging. Enter Stages of Beauty. Their products are not tested on animals and made with natural ingredients – one less thing to think about when considering a skin care purchase.

They have four lines that a specifically designed for woman based on their age:

  • The RADIANCE line (for women in their 20s) focuses on preventative care, repairing and protecting skin against environmental damage and free radicals.
  • The HARMONY line (for women in their 30s) focuses on promoting the skin’s natural ability to exfoliate and regenerate new skin cells while supporting collagen and elastin.
  • The ELEGANCE line (for women in their 40s) focuses on regaining the skin’s elasticity, firmness, and tone and calming sensitivity.
  • The GRACE line (for women in their 50s) focuses on hydration, moisture barrier repair, restoring the skin’s surface immunity, and balancing the effect of hormones on the skin

Each product line includes:

  • Cleanser
  • Scrub
  • Serum
  • Toner
  • Treatment Cream
  • Anti-Aging Supplement

I was able to try the cleanser, the scrub and the treatment cream. While I appreciate the effort to leave products fragrance-free, the cleanser and scrub could have used a little help in the smell department. If you aren’t sensitive to a “hospital-like” scent, the cleanser is creamy and does a great job removing makeup. The scrub is great for periodic exfoliation – I would just caution those with sensitive skin to go easy with the granules. The real winner what the treatment cream. I loved that it pumped out of the dispenser like a lotion, but behaved like a cream. My dry skin got plenty of hydration. It stimulates the production of collegan and elastin. Algee, peptides, monk’s berry, prickly pear are all part of the package.

If this piques your interest, click here for a free sample offer at the bottom of the page.

Chantecaille The Coral Reefs Palette

I’ve always thought the Chantecaille palettes were beautiful. But couldn’t justify the high price tag ($79). I can’t wait to tell you why I think this one is different. First, these shades are utterly wearable. But we will get to the beautiful colors in a bit. Second, the palette is refillable (I never knew this). Third, the mirror is HUGE and great to have on hand. Fourth, five percent of the proceeds benefit the Marine Conservation Institute in an effort to protect 10% of the world’s oceans by 2020. This seems like a small percentage, but it helps with the sticker shock. And last, this is a well-built, inclusive palette that would be so perfect for travelling.

So, now for the actual product. These shadows are blendable, soft and nicely pigmented. The gold shade on the corals is just a thin layer and comes off in the first use. Pity because it is so pretty, but you’ll be so excited about using the palette, it won’t matter.

The Pink Pearl (top left) mades a great eyeshadow base, all the way up to the brow. I also use it for highlighting. The Reef (top right) is a perfect crease color. You can also use Driftwood (bottom left) for a dramatic eye, but I like it for liner, smudged along the lashes. And what makes this palette different is that it includes a cheek color. Coral (bottom right) is a slighly peachy, sheer pink. Overall, these shades would love fab on a variety of skin tones. And when you break it down, the cost is slightly more palatable.

Beauty News – Guerlain, Butter London and Sales!

I love when fashion meets beauty. Lé Métier de Beauté’s paired with Marchesa back in 2010 and created the most lovely credit card sized palettes. Good things tend to come when these two words collide. So be on the look out next month for “Guerlain by Emilio Pucci”. The collaboration draws its inspiration from summertime in the Italian Riviera. The collection utilizes a signature print, revived from the archives: “Winter Capri”, a blue flower interlaced with swirls and flames. Included are the Terra Azzurra Bronzing Powder and Blush. The hybrid offers four shades of powder embossed with the Pucci motif. The are also making a Pucci version of the Météorites with a corrective blue pearl to create a flawless complexion.

Butter London (maker of some seriously fabulous polishes) just launched LIPPY by butter LONDON. This collection of lip glosses matches butter London’s most famous nail lacquers. This is a thicker formula with highly pigmented gloss. LIPPY does not contain parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sulphates, or bismuth. You can find them at Ulta for $17.

And don’t forget to stop by Sephora for 15% discount this week. Click here and use code CHICWEEK.

Favorite Serums

Serums are such an underrated skin care step. I can see why. With a cleanser, you get instant gratification of washing off the grim. Moisturizer’s hydration feels so good. And applying SPF is like giving yourself a pat on the back. But a recent experience reminded my how important these guys are.

I was testing a skin care system that didn’t incorporate a serum. I followed it to a “T”. After just 10 days, my skin looked dull and my hyperpigmentation was worse. My skin just didn’t feel as soft. So, I bagged the system I was testing and returned to my serum-inclusive routine.

In just three days, I was back to my old self. Definitely reminded me how important a serum can be. So today, I am sharing my three favorites. I rotate these and often use two together. They  go on after cleansing a before moisturizer.

1. La Mer The Concentrate – I don’t know about this “Miracle Broth” and I have been concerned about some of the ingredients La Mer uses, but I just can’t deny that this stuff eliminates redness like a champ. It was initially designed to improve the appearance of scarring resulting from surgery and burns. I have used this after surgery and it works wonders on minimizing scars. But the premise also works on dry, irritated and sensitive skin. The main ingredient accelerates skin’s natural repair process. And it leaves skin insanely soft.

2. Kanebo Sensai Collection Prime Solution – This stuff is new and I’ve been lucky enough to test it out over the past couple of months. Kanebo is known for using Koishimaru Silk which reawakens skin cells. It boosts the efficacy of other treatments I use – so make sure to apply it first before any other treatments or serums. I love the beautiful glass bottle too!

3. Sunday Riley Juno Transformative Lipid Serum – Actually a dry oil, this has cult-level status. Sunday Riley’s skin care is inspired by Native American botanicals and she is best known for her NV-5 Ageless Complex, a proprietary blend of 5 Native American botanicals to detoxify, heal, and recharge the skin. Juno also includes oils extremely high in natural retinol, Vitamin C, Essential Amino Acids, Omega-3, 6, & 9, UV shields, and natural Anti-Inflammatory agents for luminous skin. This stuff leaves skin super glow-y.