Coquette

Clarins Double Serum: My Must-Have for Beautiful Skin

I didn't realize how much I loved my Clarins Double Serum ($85 at clarinsusa.com) until I went on vacation for a week and brought a travel-sized serum from another brand so I didn't have to check my luggage in. What a mistake! There's just no comparison and I realized that once my trusty serum was away from me.

Clarins Double Serum makes your skin feel soft and supple. I've got a better "bounce" in my cheeks which means my skin has more firmness to it. The serum contains 20 pure plant extracts and high-tech molecules and it instantly feels amazing when you apply it to your face. The container is a unique one in that it has two separate chambers that come together when you pump the serum. I apply this each morning and night by pumping just 2 drops on my palms to warm it up and press gently on my face. I get so many compliments from makeup & beauty professionals on how great my skin is and it's honestly in no small part to this serum and the Clarins products I use.

Note: Product was provided by Clarins for review.

Intraceuticals + Boosters Collection

Intraceuticals has launched a new Intraceuticals + Boosters Collection which will help you customize your skincare results. About a week and a half ago, I was able to test out the new products and had a wonderful Intraceutical Rejuvenate Oxygen Treatment at the Remede Spa at the St. Regis in San Francisco. I have since been using the skincare system along with some of my other products and have found that my previously dry forehead is now continuously soft.

The oxygen treatment was a great way to prep my face and detoxify my skin. At the press event, I met Gina Brooke, a celebrity makeup artist who is the spokesperson for Intraceuticals. She's been using the oxygen treatment and Intraceuticals products on countless celebrities and models from Jessica Biel to Miranda Kerr. (Just read all the celeb testimonials.) She gave me a great tip for those of you who travel a lot. Get an oxygen treatment the day before you fly to lock moisture in your skin and get another treatment the next day you are back. It's also perfect to do a series of the oxygen treatments before events such as weddings or special parties whenever you want your skin to look it's very, very best.

Now that I am using the Intraceuticals three-step products along with the boosters each day and night, my skin has been locking in the moisture it needs. (Watch the video at the bottom of the post to learn more.) The Intraceuticals products utilize a process of hyaluronic layering. Right now I am using the Vitamin C+3 booster in the day and at night the Vitamin A+ Booster with my step 1: Revive, Rejuvenate Daily Serum.

Here's a list of all the new Intraceuticals + Boosters products:

Each Intraceuticals+ Booster has been developed in two forms; a professional Intraceuticals+ Booster Treatment Serum designed to enhance the results of the Rejuvenate Oxygen Treatment performed by a skin care professional and an accompanying take-home Intraceuticals+ Booster product to be added to the Rejuvenate Daily Serum (the at-home version of the Rejuvenate Oxygen Treatment). Each product in the collection addresses a different issue for a focused and specific skin care solution. Multiple boosters can be combined into one regimen (morning and night) for a truly customized treatment plan.

Antioxidant+ Booster revitalizes and balances dull, stressed skin with exceptionally powerful natural antioxidants sourced from the Australian Rainforest. The Antioxidant Booster defends against free radical damage and also addresses visible puffiness and dark circles around the eye area. Perfect for tired or travel weary skin. $49; 0.51 fl. oz.

Collagen+ Booster provides a potent cocktail of collagen messenger peptides to promote renewal and rejuvenation and helps to restore volume and tightness to skin that has lost its elasticity, tone and density. $49; 0.51 fl. oz.

Vitamin C+3 Booster helps strengthen, protect and support healthy skin with 3 synergistic forms of Vitamin C. Benefits all skin types but especially skin with signs of premature aging, irregular tone and sun damage. $49; 0.51 fl. oz.

Vitamin A+ Booster clarifies and refines the appearance of skin prone to blemishes, visible pores, sun damage, rough texture or deep wrinkles with a new “release on demand” form of Vitamin A for increased potency, enhanced product stability and reduced irritation. $49; 0.51 fl. oz.

The Remede Spa at the St. Regis is one of my favorite spas in San Francisco. (A glass of champagne before a massage or facial is always nice, no?) To book your Intraceuticals treatment please call 415-284-4060.

Note: Intraceuticals Oxygen Treatment and products listed above were provided by Intraceuticals for review purposes.

Clarins Total Eye Concentrate: Keep Dark Circles and Puffiness Away

Since last summer, I have been looking for a new eye cream. I wanted something that would be good for anti-aging as well as for keeping my dark circles and puffiness away. (Ah the joys of having a toddler.) I have now been using Clarins Total Eye Concentrate ($82) for over a month now and the results have been great. I look more refreshed around my eyes and I can skip concealer to cover up some of my past dark circles.

A huge plus about what I love about the Clarins products is that they feel light and are not stocked with heavy perfumes. Also, Clarins does one of the best jobs to show you how to apply the product (see video below). To me, it's not just important to have a product, you really have to know how to put it on in order to get the results you want. For eye cream, it is very important you only put it on the skin around the bone of your eye. Do not rub it right below your delicate eye skin or on the entire skin of your eye lid (that will make your eyelids droopy when you are old). The pressure point to releive puffiness is right at the bone in the middle below your eye and the pressure point to relieve stress is at your temples. I usually use my third and fourth fingers to gently tap on the eye cream and I press on the pressure points with my fourth finger.

Give yourself 3-4 weeks to see the results and follow the method that Clarins easily outlines. It's all well worth it to maintain the natural beauty and youthfulness of your skin.

A wonderful tip I got from Clarins was to put my eye cream in the fridge. It feels wonderfully cool when I put it on each day!

Note: Total Eye Concentrate Eye Cream was provided by Clarins for review purposes.

Love Your Skin, Love Your Body in the New Year with mybody Products

Happy New Year! I'm well-rested and re-energized for 2013. I spent lots of time resting over the holidays and seeing family and old friends. Oh and I also turned the big 4-0 on Christmas Eve. Ah! The biggest compliment I received from everyone was how great my skin looked and that I looked like I was still in my 20's. This is in no small part to the research I have been doing to hone my skin care routine over the last couple of years. I always love to share my favorite products and skin care techniques with you on Coquette and today I want to showcase a new skin care brand, mybody. I have been using the mybody products daily since late October and have seen a dramatic improvement in my skin. (I will do an updated post on my daily products soon.)

I was so lucky to have a chance to meet one of the founders of mybody, Therese Clark last fall here in SF. She explained to me the background story on why she developed this fantastic skin care line that is for your face and entire body. She created a line of products that are free of chemicals and good for your skin after her thyroid condition created challenging skin changes. The products are perfect for everyone and especially those with sensitive skin and pregnant women who need products that are chemical free.

"The name mybody reminds us that our skin and our body work together as a whole. When the mind and body are in balance, the skin appears more youthful longer regardless of age. Our motto 'love my skin, love mybody™' has become a powerful affirmation. We challenge you to love your skin and love your body everyday for a lifetime of happy, healthy and beautiful skin."

- Therese Clark

Over the last few months, I have found that my skin tone on my face has become much more even than before and no wrinkle has appeared which means I am still keeping them at bay. Yay! I love the beautiful design of the products with the clean type and packaging. It's beautiful and good for your skin!

After my normal cleansing routine, I alternate each day with using A-Team Retinol + Wrinkle Treatment and myHero Anti-Aging Growth Factor Serum. I use the Calm After the Storm Soothing Treatment after which is great to soothe my dry sensitive skin. My technique for applying my creams and serums are as follows: I pump one or two little pumps into the palm of my hand and make it warm by rubbing it with my fingers from my other hand. I don't rub the cream into my face, rather I press it into my skin gently with my hands all over my face without pressing too hard or rubbing into a particular direction.

If you like to use tinted moisturizer, you must try the mybody Protect & Serve Tinted Sun Shield. It is SPF 30 UVA/UVB protection and goes on baby soft on your skin that it feels like lightweight powder. No joke! It feels amazing on your skin. I haven't had any breakouts using this and it's my new go-to tinted moisturizer that I use.

As much as we talk about our face, we can't forget about our body. Therese reminded me how important the skin on your body is and that it's important to take care of the skin on our whole body as well. I have been using the Bergamot Lime Probiotic Bath + Shower Gel. It cleanses without stripping the skin of its natural, protective oils and also maintains the pH of the skin’s acid mantle to help inhibit bacterial growth. It is free of parabens, sulfates, and FD&C dyes. After I shower, I use the Bergamot Lime Probiotic Body Lotion which not only moisturizes my dry skin, it also contains the powerful anti-aging benefits of Probiotic Derived Bioactives. You can also get it these other scents: Rose Chamomile and Citrus Coconut.

Here I am with the founder Therese Clark. You can read her story on how why she created this fantastic skin care line. I found her to be such a smart, beautiful business woman – a true inspiration.

The mybody product line is available from physicians in your area. Check the listings here. For Bay Area folks, the mybody products are available at Spa Radiance in San Francisco.

Note: Review products were provided by mybody.

Winter Beauty Finds with Glam Beauty Board

I'm so excited to be a part of the exclusive Glam Beauty Board. I received a special box filled with skincare, hair and cosmetics that will keep my skin looking great and have me party perfect for the holidays. Speaking of party perfect, I can't get over how much I love this little Too Faced Glamour to Go Palette ($22). I have never seen such a small palette filled with such an array of colors. There are eight eye shadows with muted colors perfect for day as well as sparkly ones for nights out. You can also slide out the bottom of the palette to reveal a blush, bronzer and lip gloss. You can't tell from the photo but the palette is really compact and can fit in the palm of your hand. It's the perfect size to keep in your makeup bag as well as take on your travels.

I love these China Glaze Holiday Nail Polishes ($7 each). Pizzazz is like a clear nail polish with colorful glitter. It's perfect to layer over a solid base color (such as the red hued "With Love" also pictured here) or to just wear on your own. I love the extra sparkle it gives my hands. One tip: When removing the glitter polish, make sure you do it over the sink or a paper towel so the glitter pieces don't fall all over your floor.

Almay has some really great makeup. I love the Almay Intense I-Color Liquid Shadow Color Primer ($7). It's the perfect shadow you can easily apply with it's own applicator. For a quick makeup application, the liquid shadow is great to wear alone. You can also wear it as a primer too. I like to wear it with the Almay Intense I-Color Bold Nude Shadow ($5) that are just great for daily wear. I love that the eye shadow compact is in the shape of an eye so you know just how to layer on your color. For makeup, the light mouse texture to the Almay Smart Shade Mousse Makeup ($9.99) is divine. It is so light that it blends into your skin in an almost powder-like fashion. I am not a foundation person but this is something I can definitely use. I like how it evens out my skin tone.

If you think you have seen it all in mascara, you haven't tried Buxom Lash Mascara ($19). The "S" curved brush makes your lashes thicker and longer. I had never seen a brush like it but it allows you to sculpt and shape your lashes for a fanned-out beautiful look. I also appreciate that the mascara doesn't clump after a long day of wear and that it is easy to remove with your cleanser at night.

Blush get more personal with Physician's Formula: pH Matchmaker Powered Makeup Blush ($13, rose). The special formula adjusts to the pH level of your skin and give you your own perfect shade of blush. I didn't want to believe it but it works! It gives me just the right natural-looking color in my cheeks so I'm not so pale this winter. Plus who can resist the little light up mirrored compact? I love a little technology with my makeup.

A gal can never have too many lipsticks and the Susan Posnick Color Essential Moisturizing Lipsticks ($19) have been a welcome addition to my makeup bag. I received these two shades a wine colored London and warm gold nude Santa Fe. I have worn London on nights out looking perfectly on trend and Santa Fe is perhaps the best nude shade for my Asian skin because of it's light gold tone that gives lips more of a sheen. The lipsticks are moisturizing and also last a long time on your lips that you aren't always having to constantly re-apply.

To smell extra sweet, I love the soft scent of Philosophy's Living Grace Perfume ($42). It's clean and soft smelling containing notes of fresh neroli, lily of the valley and warm musk. It's the great daily perfume to wear.

No beauty box would be complete with skin and hair essentials for the winter. I get dry in the winter so I am loving these products pictured above.

Umberto Beverly Hills Repair Treatment Masque ($10)
My poor color treated hair gets even drier in the winter which is why I love this hair repair cream. After you wash your hair leave it in your wet locks for 10-20 minutes and then rinse for soft and beautiful hair. This product is amazing because it's helped repair my dry and damaged hair. My hair now feels so soft and looks silky.

Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream ($13)
This hand cream hasn't left my side since I received the box. I have it near me or in my handbag because my hands get extremely dry in the winter. It's been so soothing to my hands that my daughter even asks for it when she sees me using it. The hand cream contains baobab oil which is a rich source of essential fatty acids and antioxidants. There's absolutely no greasy residue and it absorbs quickly into the skin, making it so soft.

Goldfaden MD Pure Start Gentle Detoxifying Facial Cleanser ($43)
This clear and light cleanser is perfect for sensitive skin like mine. It's gentle and cleans off all my makeup from the day without leaving my skin dry. The key ingredients are wheat protein that improves firmness and moisture retention and grapefruit extract and lycopene which are rich sources of antioxidants.

Philosophy Full of Promise Dual-Action Restoring Cream ($65)
This Philosophy cream is perfect because it has been working it's magic keeping my skin hydrated and so soft when I use it at night before bed. Full of Promise is of a medium thickness and a little goes a long way when you apply it to your face. I have only been using it a week but the cream claims that after four weeks of use, Full of Promise can show defined facial contours and help lift your skin.

Vichey Laboratories ProEVEN Daily Dark Spot Corrector ($43.50)
I've been peppering the Vichey dark spot corrector on some of the dark sun spots I have on my cheeks. The light cream is enriched with Ceramide Bright, exfoliating LHA and Vitamin C which acts on all surface layers of the skin to significantly reduce the look of skin discolorations. I am looking forward to the results I will see with daily use as the reviews I have read have been really positive.

Note: All products for review were provided by Glam for the Glam Beauty Board.

Protect Your Delicate Hands with Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Hand Cream

I've been using Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Hand Cream ($14.69 at Target) each day for the last two weeks. It's my morning and before bed ritual. I love that it makes my hands feel soft and light. With broad spectrum sunscreen SPF 15, I also feel assured that my hands are protected from sun exposure.

I remember watching recently on the Today show where a doctor mentioned that the skin on your hands are just as delicate as the skin on your face. Most women don't realize this and aren't protecting them. I started to get really dry skin on my hands earlier this year which has made me pay better attention to them. I also saw a photo of Sarah Jessica Parker's hands and realized I don't want my own hands to age me. I have even made an effort to wear plastic gloves when I'm rinsing dishes for the dishwasher. Anything helps!

I love the UK brand Boots ever since I first went to London back in the early 2000's. I love that their products are now available in the US at your local Target stores and online at Target.com or Shopbootsusa.com.

Note: Review product provided by Boots No7.

NYFW: Clarins Beauty Flash Lounge

 

I got the chance to stop by the Clarins Beauty Flash Lounge, a welcome respite from the frenzy of New York Fashion Week.

The lounge was at The Empire Hotel (yes, Chuck's hotel in Gossip Girl) and offered massages, make-up retouches, refreshments and a chance to charge up my iPhone. While I was I was at the lounge I talked to a consultant about the right Clarins products for my skin and best colors for me. I learned about the Clarins technique (see video above) and tried out the NEW Beauty Flash balm.

 

Clarins has just launched a Beauty Blog with daily updates and great videos/features/reports from fashion week from the Clarins gals (Virginie, Claire, Prisca and Jenna). Given their four different personalities, it is a really fun way to learn about Clarins, their products and all that the women are up to.

Tres chic!

~Leigh

Coquette in the WSJ

Today's Wall Street Journal has a skin care article, "When Skin Cream Gets Bossy" by Elizabeth Holmes that features my experience with Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum which I posted last month on Coquette.

It was great telling Elizabeth my story and experience with the Clarins serum. Make sure you click to watch her video talking about the process as well as the differences in American and European/Asian women's beauty routines. After being in France, I learned so much more about skin care. I realized that the key to having good skin lies in the application techniques. This is why I applaud Clarins for introducing this French style of skin care to the U.S.

The Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum is by far one of the best products I've tried. I've been using it for almost three months now and it's well worth the minimal effort to do the facial techniques outlined in the little booklet. I had no "double chin" photos from our vacation at all. No joke. Last week, my mom's best friend, a Chinese "auntie" saw me for the first time in year. She was convinced I lost weight and kept repeating it. I told her that was impossible since I actually gained 5 pounds from my trip to France. She finally said stubbornly, "No, I can tell you lost weight. Your face looks skinner!" And that's when I knew it was from using this serum!

Read my recent review for the Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum on Coquette.

Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum - Give Your Face a Sculpted Contour

When I was approached by Clarins to test out the Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum ($70), this chubby-cheeked Chinese gal couldn't resist. It's the #1 serum in Asia to help create the perfect V angle for your face in just four weeks. I knew I had to give it a try. It's been over four weeks now and I am happy to report that I can actually feel the definition in my jaw line, that I didn't have before. My skin also feels more elastic especially in my cheek to chin area. It is crazy how I can feel the difference. This serum has helped reduce the puffiness I've been having under my eye area too. I actually had to do a double take the other day in front of the mirror because I had no little puffy bags.

The key to unlocking the serum is the series of little exercises (see video below) that will massage it into your skin and get the serum working for you by releasing the toxins. Trust me, I didn't do this until two weeks ago and I am kicking myself for that. It is so relaxing to do before bed and takes me only a little over a minute to do each night. I actually do some deep breaths in conjunction with the hand strokes to get myself completely relaxed before bedtime.

Another thing to note is that a little bit of serum goes a long way. (This can also be said for most skin care creams. Don't pile it on!) They recommend an amount the size of a hazelnut and also to warm it up in your hands before application. I do this for all my creams now and I've noticed a huge difference because my face isn't all greased up. Having the right products for your skin as well as the right application techniques are so important I have learned this past month. I hope to share more with you soon on that.

I absolutely do use this product every night and I plan to buy a new supply of it when I finish my review product. It's truly amazing! I use this serum right after I cleanse my skin with Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser with Cottonseed.

This unique serum will be available in the US starting in August 2012 at select Clarins counters and also at Clarins.com.

Watch this video for directions on how to apply the Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Serum.

Note: Review product provided by Clarins.

Father's Day Gifts - ClarinsMen Skincare & Shave

For the last three Father's Day, I usually buy my husband something new to try in the skincare and shave department. Men don't usually experiment with different brands so it's always a fun challenge to see what he will like. I find that men don't really have a dedicated skincare routine like women do. If they aren't provided the products by us, they probably wouldn't even think about it.

I'm getting my husband the ClarinsMen Smooth Shave ($17.50 at Clarins) because I've learned now he likes something that foams for shaving. This alcohol-free foaming gel helps soften stubble, ensuring razor optimum performance and also soothes skin from irritation. It features plant extracts such as: aloe, wintergreen, bison grass, pursiane, galanga, and grindella. In reading the reviews, I like that the product is a gel so a little amount can be used and that it's fragrance is minimal so my husband can still wear his cologne.

I also love the ClarinsMen Active Face Wash ($18.50) which is great for all skin types and perfect to use before shaving in the morning and also at night to clean skin of the day's pollutants.

For men who may need a bit of anti-aging help, there's a whole line at Clarins.

I like the ClarinsMen Revitalizing Gel ($37) for early lines and wrinkles and the ClarinsMen Anti-Fatique Eye Serum ($29.50) that will reduce dark circles, puffiness, and keep the eye area protected from future wrinkles.

You can make your own little Father's Day gift baskets with Clarins Men's products to best suit what you think your man needs.

Note: Products were provided by Clarins for review.