Scrub A Dub Or Rub?

By Andrea Arterbery

I have a small confession to make: I’m obsessed with face washes. Anything that’s soapy and can be used to clean my face, I need to try now, stat. Lately, I’ve developed an interest in gentle, cream-based cleansers. There’s just something about the Lierac Lait Demaquillant Douceur that makes me feel super sophisticated when I use it. (It could be because it’s French and we all know how classy French women are! Oui, Oui.) I also have a thing about scrubs. Something about the way the little pieces of texture feel on my hands when I wash my face just rock my world. However, it wasn’t until I became a beauty editor and started to attend millions of skin events that I found out that not all face washes are created equal; and the same can be said about face scrubs. Did you know that the small textured pieces within the actual face wash of the scrub can actually cause little tears on the surface of your skin? It may not sound like a big deal now when you’re fairly young and fabulous (such as moi), but it definitely catches up with you once you get older. (Hello, skin craters? No thanks!) And, since I just know that you’ve been reading my weekly posts on this blog, you should know by now that not all face washes are created equal and that it’s best to figure out your skin type before you start to use. Which leads me to the main question at hand: when do you use a scrub and when do you use a face wash? I can honestly say for myself that I use face wash at least once a day (since I tend to wear makeup daily) and a scrub once a week. (Usually towards the end of the week because I like to start the week with a clean slate of skin; kind of like how you would use a clarifying shampoo for your hair). Tell us: when do you use face scrubs and how many times a day do you wash your face and why?

Quest For Complexion Perfection

BY ANDREA ARTERBERY

I’d like to say that I have perfect skin; that is until I entered my mid-twenties. Who knew that I’d develop blocked pores (hello blackheads!), an oily t-zone (hence the huge zits that sometimes spontaneously develop on my nose overnight) and the beginnings of sagging eyelids (which I didn’t even notice that I had until after attending a beauty editor event a couple of months ago! Ew.) And, of course, the list could go on and on because, after all, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to finding my flaws and imperfections. Now, there are those that are reading this that may be thinking “Mid twenties?! Just wait until you get to (insert way older age here)!” However, I can honestly say that I’m not a psycho crazy person when it comes to caring for my semi-perfect skin. I certainly don’t plan on having multiple plastic surgeries in the hopes of creating a “new” perfect me (like faux celebrity Heidi Klum). With that said, I’d like to know what are some of the craziest, off the wall things that you’ve done in your quest to achieve perfect skin? Mine would definitely have to be the time I used hemorrhoid cream around my eyes to prevent crow’s feet (a tip that I received from a former beauty pageant queen). Let us know! We’d love to read your stories.

How To Prep Your Skin For A Big Event

By Andrea Arterbery

In lieu of the fact that Fashion Week is just around the corner here in New York, I’ve decided to work ahead and prep my body for the impending onslaught. Yes, you would think that it’s doomsday, but the fact remains that the late nights and hurrying around to shows (mixed with this freezing cold weather) does some serious not-so-cute damage to my skin. (We won’t even go into how my feet feel by the end of the week after wearing seven inch heels daily!) Below are some things that I’ve already started doing and I hope that you will keep them in mind when it’s time to get ready for your next big event.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. You know how they all say that you should drink at least 8 glasses of water daily in order to remain hydrated? It’s the truth. I’ve found that the more water I drink, the less problems I have with my skin (this includes dryness, break outs, sagginess, puffy eyes and dark circles). I’m not saying that you have to ditch your caffeine (Lord knows I’d be lost without my daily cup of joe!), but do try to incorporate more water into your life. I usually just fill up my water bottle while I’m sitting at my desk typing away and before I know it, I’ve gotten in my daily fill and then some.

Get the Glow. I pretty much know how to achieve a faux glow due to some stealth makeup application tips (which I shall reveal another time), but sometimes I need to cheat a bit and I’ve found that one of the easiest routes is to use an exfoliator. Try Lierac Exfoliating Radiance Care for face and body for instantly smoother and more radiant looking skin. Also, I like to treat my skin to a weekly mask. My weapon of choice?: Lierac’s Velvet Mask because it leaves my dry skin moisturized and super soft.

In Your Eyes. In order to survive a week of hardly any sleep, a good eye cream is key. I’ve also found that it also helps to start using the good eye cream at least a month prior to any scheduled event just to make sure that it alleviates all sags, bags and dark marks. I love that Lierac has a special line of eye creams specifically targeted for any of your eye ailments. There’s the Dioptigel for under-eye puffiness; Diopticreme for wrinkles and fine lines; and the Diopticerne for diminishing under-eye circles.

The Kanye West Workout Plan. Just as the song alludes, I have started skipping all of the sweets and eating plenty of salads. I have also rededicated myself to the gym and have started attending major sweat sessions of Bikram Yoga. Working out not only releases good- for- you endorphins (they help keep me from freaking out over everything!) but it also keeps your waistline slim and trim. This plan will continue on after Fashion Week mostly because it will soon be warm again and I plan to look fab in my white Michael Kors bikini by the time the Fourth of July arrives.

Know The Skin You're In

By Andrea Arterbery

When it comes to my skin, I’d like to think that I know everything about it; including the type. It was while hanging with several of my girlfriends during one lazy Sunday afternoon brunch session that I found that most women don’t know their skin type at all! (One was complaining about breakouts and, after asking her what her skin type was, she replied that she didn’t know which was followed by the rest of the group nodding in agreement that they didn’t know their skintype, either. Gasp!) Not knowing your skin type defeats the purpose of using any skincare products. It’s kind of like talking to your husband or significant other while the Super Bowl game is on; he’s just not listening to anything you say. In other words, you’ll get the most love from your skincare regime if you know what you’re targeting. If you don’t know, speak to your local Lierac beauty advisor – stat! Located at one of 800 stores nationwide, these lovely ladies are trained and willing to answer all of your skincare questions and lead you to the right products for your skin concerns. Or, you can take the “skin test” (as outlined in Rona Berg’s book, Beauty, the New Basics): After washing and drying your face, take a few pieces of rice paper of lens-cleaning tissue paper and press onto different spots on your face. If your skin is oily, the paper will stick or pick up the oily spots on your face. If it doesn’t, then your skin is dry. If it sticks in your t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) then you have combination (or normal) skin. After diagnosing yourself, remember that Lierac’s skincare products have you covered no matter what your type! You can thank us later after you notice a more radiant glow.

Lierac Secret Ingredient- PUMPKIN! Found in Lierac Déridium Creams

Both formulas of the Déridium Anti-Wrinkle Cream (for normal/combination and dry skin) contain Pumpkin Seed Oil, an oil rich in skin-nourishing and emollient properties. Pumpkin Seed Oil has be shown to be effective at fighting superficial dryness and fine lines, and it works tirelessly to help prevent moisture loss. Contained within the oil are a number of essential fatty acids - palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, alpha linolenic, arachidic, eicos-11-enoic and erucic. It is also rich in other omegas, protein, and zinc.

Click here for more information.

Help support a good cause!

WHO: 100,000 consumers will have the opportunity to visit Lierac Paris European Skincare Centers at 700 participating CVS/pharmacy and Long’s Drugs.

WHAT: On October 23, 2009, customers will be able to contribute to Gilda’s Club of NYC with every Lierac purchase. For each product bought, Lierac will donate $1 from its sale to the foundation. Gilda’s Club NYC provides free support to individuals living with cancer and their families. The organization has a unique philosophy that emphasizes interaction among its members, namely “community-building, collective wisdom, and shared experience.” Gilda’s Club also avoids discussing cancer using terms that carry a negative connotation. Instead, they seek to empower individuals through the use of their own “Gilda’s Club language.”

WHEN: Friday, October 23rd, 2009

WHERE: 700 participating CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores. For locations, contact 1.877.55LIERAC or visit www.lierac-usa.com.

Love,

Lierac Paris

A Lierac Wintervention!

Lilia Tourmaine, the aesthetician on hand at Phyto Universe in NYC, offered up some tips on how to care for your skin during the cold Winter months:

1. Cleanse with a gentle cleansing milk and toner - Lierac's formula contains poppy and calendula extracts to soften and soothe dry/sensitive skin.

2. Apply Diopticrème anti-wrinkle eye cream - This cream acts to aid cell renewal while promoting the skin's elasticity and firmness. The formula contains Alchemilla, Ivy, and Horsetail as its main ingredients.

3. Apply Déridium Sérum or Cohérence Sérum (depending on age) - The Déridium Sérum (for those 30 +) works to smooth the skin and correct any visible signs of aging. The Cohérence Sérum (for 40 +) contains ASC III Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid, and Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids to tone and smooth the skin and promote the production of collagen.

4. Apply Hydra Chrono Extreme Balm - This formula contains the Aqua Pump Complex and other hydrating ingredients to help maintain the skin's irrigation system from within.

Lilia also recommends treating the skin 1x-2x a week with the Masque Velours Moisturizing Mask which includes Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, and Musk Rose Oil to renew the skin's texture.

If you really want to be kind to your skin and pamper yourself, try going for a facial once to twice month. If you are in or around NYC, come by Phyto Universe and get Lierac’s signature facial!

Check out http://www.phytouniverse.com/ for details.