Steal his stuff

It used to be you would use a guy’s product only in a pinch—the manly smell was a dead giveaway.  But as subtler scents encourage crossover appeal (women buy about half of Kiehl’s spicy Pour Homme line, for instance), it’s time to give his grooming goods another go.

Scrubs  Men have hardier skin, so their exfoliators have larger particles, making their face products (such as Neutrogena Razor Defense Daily Face Scrub) extra effective on you back, elbows and legs.

Shave soothers  Men’s shaving cream is supper moisturizing—ideal for preventing razor burn on your dry skin.  (Try Fresh Shaving Cream).  Filch his shave oil, too.  Dab it on your bikini line for a smoother shave in a sensitive area.  Silky skin definitely has crossover appeal. –Nina Willdorf

Flawless Skin Fast

A new crop of super foundations nourishes, protects, refines your skin-giving you more that just a pretty face.

Good foundation is the hardest-working makeup you can buy.  It should feel good on your skin—that is, if you feel it at all—as well as make your complexion look perfect yet natural.  Today, foundation is doing even more:  It’s protecting skin from the aging effects of sun and air pollution, balancing combination skin, fighting acne, moisturizing toning and soothing.

The reason:  Cosmetics companies now see foundation as  not just makeup but as a natural extension of skin care.  “For many years, people felt that combination products were not effective.  Now the trend is to combine make up with treatment,” says Patricia Wexler, M.D., a dermatologist affiliated with Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. “There are so many therapeutic action available, it would be impossible to layer all the products on your face one at a time.”

Does this mean you can substitute foundation for skin care?  Yes—if your skin is in good condition and the weather is relatively humd, you can use a foundation with moisturizing benefits alone, instead of a moisturizer and foundation separately, says Daniel Maes, Ph.D., vice president of research and development at Estee Lauder. – Marion Asnes

 

What is Restylane?

A:  Approved by the FDA, Restylane (pronounced rest-a-lin) is an injectable wrinkle-treating get that’s made with nonanimal-derived hyaluronic acid, a natural, biodegradable substance.  While there are other FDA-approved dermal fillers—including CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast (derived from human collagen protein) and Zyderm and Zyplast (derived from bovine collagen protein)—Restylane looks like a better way to smooth wrinkles:  It has a lower risk of allergic reactions, and the results may last up to six months longer.  It’s still cheaper to love those laugh lines, though:  Restylane costs $350 to $1,000 per injection. – Adam Bible

One Shade Firs All

When winter pallor starts to border on pastiness, the quickest fix—surprise, surprise—is a little cheek color.  So why do many of us still refuse to wear blush?  “Finding the right shade is tough,”  say New York City makeup artist Gary Greco.  Well, not anymore:  several beauty companies are introducing universally flattering colors (muted plums, mostly) that can revive any complexion.  Try Maybelline Shell Natural Accents Blush, Lorac plum Blush, Face Stockholm Vision Blush0On and Almay Plummy Amazing lasting Blush.

Do-It-Yourself SPA

Want to experience some of that world-famous Canyon Ranch health Resort pampering—but don’t want to wait (or pay) to get in?  Laura Hittleman, director of beauty services for the Lenox, Massachusetts, facility, reveals her recipe for supersoft skin.

1.   Place two peeled and pitted avocados, two egg yolks, ¼-cup honey and the juice of one lemon in a large bowl.

2.   Stir the mixture thoroughly—until it becomes pasty—then refrigerate it and head for the shower.

3.   Use a netted synthetic sponge and some foaming gel to scrub away dead skin.

4.   While you’re still damp, retrieve the bowl and rub the treatment over your whole body.  If you’d rather not be completely gooped-up, cover just your face, chest, arms and legs.

5.   Wait 10 minutes—an empty tub may be do so—then rinse off.

6.   Repeat weekly throughout the winter.

How to get the best results from a treatment mask

The mask are more than a papering treat for tired skin.  They include serious treatment ingredients—like alpha hydroxyl acids, enzymes and benzoyl peroxide—that make them more effective problem solvers than the standard botanical formulas.  However, these highly potent ingredients required careful use.  Here, a few pointers from the experts.

Q:  How do I know which treatment ingredient will help my skin problem?

A:  “Alpha hydroxyl acids and enzymes dissolve dead cells, which dull your complexion and clog pores,’ says Jane Martin-Wurwand, education director for Dermalogica Skincare.  “Benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid zero in on acne by both drying out pimples and reducing any redness and swelling.”

Which base is best for my skin type?

“Treatment masks come in clay, gel and cream formulations,’ says Brian Jegasothy, M.D., chair of the University of Pittsburgh dermatology department.  “Clay masks are best for oily complexions; creams are best for dry.  Gels are especially good for sensitive skin.”

Do I need to prepare my skin for a mask?

You can enhance the effects of a mask by cleansing and exfoliating first.  “But because treatment masks are fairly aggressive, use a gentle alpha hydroxyl acid wash or a soft washcloth,” says Martin-Wurwand.

Will I get better results if I leave the mask on longer?

No.  “Treatment masks are intensive, and overdoing them—leaving them on too long or using them more frequently than directed—can lead to irritation,”  says Dr. Jegosothy.  “In fact, sensitive skin types should first patch-test the product behind the ear.” – Joanne Chen

Miracle makeup

Falls’ fastest problem solvers

Sometimes, even an overnight treatment product isn’t fast enough.  To the rescue:  a new group of ingenious makeup items that promise the illusion of perfection—instantly.  Here’s what worked in a road test done:

● Undereye-circle camouflagers contain gentle astringents that tone and light-reflecting pigments  that brighten—so the effect isn’t as heavy as traditional concealers.  “It definitely makes you look less tired,” said one road tester(To try:  BeneFit Lip La Lip).

● Lip plumpers smooth lines and add translucence to any lipstick, creating a pouty look.  The verdict:  They work but “feel heavy.”  (Try:  BeneFit Lip Plump, Valerie Beverly Hills Pout).

● Lip evener is a flesh-tone lip base that covers hyperpigmentation and prevents lipstick from cracking.  “Wearing an extra lip product didn’t feel heavy,”  said one woman.  “And my lips looked and feel smoother.”  (Tried Iman Lip-Even).

● Line reducers firm up surface wrinkles by infusing moisture into skin and holding it there with light polymers.  “The results are subtle but real,”  said one woman who compared the fine lines around one eye with the untreated lines around the other.  To avoid irritation, don’t’ use after exfoliating or getting a sunburn.  (To try: Gale Hayman Line-Lift; Trish McEvoy Refiner).

● Superconcealers cover dark marks like scars, burns and veings.  (To try:  Shu Uemura mark Cealer.). – J.C.

Miracle makeup

Falls’ fastest problem solvers

Sometimes, even an overnight treatment product isn’t fast enough.  To the rescue:  a new group of ingenious makeup items that promise the illusion of perfection—instantly.  Here’s what worked in a road test done:

● Undereye-circle camouflagers contain gentle astringents that tone and light-reflecting pigments  that brighten—so the effect isn’t as heavy as traditional concealers.  “It definitely makes you look less tired,” said one road tester(To try:  BeneFit Lip La Lip).

● Lip plumpers smooth lines and add translucence to any lipstick, creating a pouty look.  The verdict:  They work but “feel heavy.”  (Try:  BeneFit Lip Plump, Valerie Beverly Hills Pout).

● Lip evener is a flesh-tone lip base that covers hyperpigmentation and prevents lipstick from cracking.  “Wearing an extra lip product didn’t feel heavy,”  said one woman.  “And my lips looked and feel smoother.”  (Tried Iman Lip-Even).

● Line reducers firm up surface wrinkles by infusing moisture into skin and holding it there with light polymers.  “The results are subtle but real,”  said one woman who compared the fine lines around one eye with the untreated lines around the other.  To avoid irritation, don’t’ use after exfoliating or getting a sunburn.  (To try: Gale Hayman Line-Lift; Trish McEvoy Refiner).

● Superconcealers cover dark marks like scars, burns and veings.  (To try:  Shu Uemura mark Cealer.). – J.C.

Smooth skin all over

How to choose the best body buffers

If you want head-to-toe smoothness during cold months, exfoliating is the key.  But you grab a loofah and scrub vigorously.  Some exfoliators scrape delicate skin—leaving it susceptible to scarring and ace eruptions, says Gary Grove, Ph.D., skin physiologist at the Skin Study Center in Broomall, Pennsylvania.  Others are so gentle that they won’t make a difference.  Below guidelines from the expert:

The Scrubbers

1.  Mesh scrubbers can be used daily all over the body.  Just avoid your face.

2.  Natural scrubs contains ground apricot pits, dried orange peels or crushed nut shells.  They’re ideal for removing dead, thick skin on elbows, knees, feet—but are too rough for the breasts, neck and face.

3.  Synthetic sponges provide mild exfoliation for body and face.  Wash regularly in hot water and wring out excess water after each use.

4.  Synthetic scrubs contain rounded micro-beads that gently exfoliate dead skin without scarping, so they’re perfect for delicate areas like face, neck breasts.

5.  Loofahs are good choice for any part of the body below the neck.  However, they are susceptible to bacteria growth and should be replaced frequently.

6.  Pumice stones remove stubborn calluses from feet but are too abrasive for any other goody part.  (Use no more than once a week.).  – Kimberly Reilly

{ BEAUTY } From the Inside Out

Your Skin, Only Better

If you want a foundation that can even out your skin tone but won’t give you that Madame Tussaud look and feel, you’re in luck.  Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup’s Micro-Mirrored Pigment, Technology makes skin discolorations disappear without masking your perfect parts.  Other proprietary (and scientific-sounding) ingredients include Micro Pigment Technology, Light Adjusting Technology, and Capillary Shell Technology, but all you really need to know is that the formula is seer and nice-smelling, and it feels great.

Spring Showers

Travel the world without leaving the luxury of your bathroom.  Each one of Red Flower’s 12 new body washes and lotions—from Thai Honeysuckle to Egyptian Chamomile to Himalayan Larrch—is filled with skin-nourishing botanicals straight from its namesake country or region.  They all smell so heavenly, we couldn’t choose just one.  Too bad the company doesn’t give our frequent-flower miles!

Shaving Grace

We fell in love with the Venus razor and thought it was forever.  But another razor has come along to turn our heads…and shave our legs.  Venus Divine—Gillette’s new improved Venus—gives a closer shave; moisture strips enriched with aloe and botanical oils leave skin soft.