Winter skin care :: Stay snow-bunny soft all season long
If the midwest is buried under dwarfing drifts of snow, it must be winter. Which must be why your skin (or at least mine) is taking on that papery, ashy-ness that earns raised eyebrows and not in that ooh-your-skin-looks-silky-can-I-touch-it kind of way. Never fear, I have selflessly slathered myself with skin-smooters of all kinds to provide you with this list of ideas to keep you feeling snow-bunny soft all season long.
May I see your ID please?
This Christmas season as the winter deepens and another year dies, we look for the footprints of time on our hands and faces. Beat them back with the ultimate of style (because they’re French, darling) with Odile Lecoin. Treat yourself to a pot of OR, je vis, an impressively researched product containing Abyssine 657, a molecule contained in microorganisms capable of surviving the crushing pressure of the environment 8,200 feet under the sea, discovered by researchers at the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea. With 3% of the "biologically active molecule," it promises to "teach your skin to protect itself in the same way." Feels great on - light, smooth, not at all greasy, and smells clean. Also feels deliciously French and expensive. Reach for a bottle of OR, je suis to put the powers of marine elastin and silk protein amino acids to work for you in this anti-age serum. I could feel my face tightening, which was strange and frightening, but in that exciting, mad scientist way. Exclusively at Barney’s New York. $225 and 175, respectively. Www.barneys.com
Premier
My new favorite body butter is brought to us by Premier USA. Part of the Dead Sea Premier line, the body butter smells divine - I tried the milk and honey flavor and have used it every day since I cracked it open. It feels as silky delicious as it smells, and the simple blue glass pot is somehow exquisite and made me feel fabulous and superior. I can also recommend the hand cream, which has a cleaner scent and is in a much more portable plastic. Developed by dermatologists, the entire Dead Sea line is produced from a "secret, ultra-modern purification process" derived from mud, emollients, aromatic oils, and vitamins and minerals from the Dead Sea itself. They also make Muds, Masks and Salt Scrubs to name a few, which you can shop at www.deadsea-premier.com. Of course you’ll be getting the body butter for $40, and possibly the hand cream as well $20.
Oldie but a Goodie
Of course you love Avance, but perhaps you’re not aware of all your lovely options they’ve got to help you keep soft this winter. There’s the Foaming Cleansing Gel which smells yummy and was pleasantly mild and non-drying. The Azulen Day Creme with seaweed (you’ll detect a theme here) to prevent makeup absorption and reduce puffiness and fine lines. Feels nice, is actually blue (fun!) but no sun screen. The Essence of Algae Spray is pretty neat: you spritz your wet skin (remember to be wet when applying, if you spray on after drying you will feel sticky and gross and want to jump right back in the shower) and is a super quick way to lock in some moisture. When you smooth on the Hydrating Body Silk it will take you less time and less lotion. I myself can’t confess to be the biggest fan of the algae smell, but eventually it grew on me, and I began to see myself as a pretty plant. If you can only treat yourself to one Avance product this season, I’d go with the Essence of Algae spray, to prolong the life of whatever lotion you buy, and make you feel all floral. $22, 33, 31, and 24.50 at www.avanceskincare.com
Bet You’ve Never Thought of This...
Botanical Garden
New from Essence of Ahurani, one of our favorite botanicals companies, comes Body Spa Soy Lotion and Botanical Salt Scrub in Lavender. The soy lotion has shea butter, soy, and avocado and jojoba oils, smells perfect if you love lavender, and finishes just a little bit greasy on some skins. The salt scrub also smells just like lavender, and, like all salt scrubs, if it hurts a little, you know it’s working.
$8 and 12 at www.essenceofahurani.com
Pigmentation
Guinot makes a product designed for those of us with age spots, scars or Michael Jackson complexes: a product to ease away hyperpigmentation wherever you may have it. I enlisted my mother to try the New Light Masque (as I’ve grown to appreciate my freckles and no longer wish them gone) and she claimed it didn’t immediately erase her age spots, but it did make her skin feel nicely tight. Apparently she didn’t know I wanted her to keep using it, so you’ll have to verify its bleaching powers for yourself.
$42 at select retailers.
This lotion feature has been quite a treat for me - my boyfriend can’t stop stroking me and saying how good I smell. With these helpful hints for the season, you too can get your boyfriend’s hands all over you - and then moisturize them so they’re as soft as yours. Any excuse to put skin to skin and keep that little bit warmer this long, cold winter.
