Kate Somerville Dermal Quench

They say moving is one of the top five most stressful life experiences & I can attest to that. For the past week I have been in full mover mode as I relocate my business. Seven years of stuff that's accumulated- furballs multiplying by the minute. It has been intense. Allergy medication & energy drinks have been helping me get through it, but I know are not helping my skin out. To keep my face as clear as possible (did I mention an average of 100 degree weather?) I've been relying on my beloved Exfolikate to remove grime & Kate Somerville's new Dermal Quench potion at night.  Exfolikate has long been a go to treatment for myself & my clients- it's a professional strength home care product & that's coming from me as an esthetician.  Dermal Quench has been essential in rehydrating my skin. Antihistamines & excess caffeine deplete the skin.  I hadn't had a Monster Energy drink in probably a decade- this week I've had five!

 Just like any plant, all skin types need water to stay healthy. Dermal Quench was created to mimic the ever popular Kate Somerville in clinic treatment into a home version. Dermal Quench's hyaluronic acid feels like a drink of water for my skin. The lavender calms both my skin & my senses before bed. With the frothy consistency due to the oxygenated delivery system, I feel it even has a lymphatic drainage effect of my skin. Near the eyes I swear it has a depuffing action! I even apply it on my neck bands, as ever since Ally McBeal I've been terrified of developing a 'waddle!'

Peace.Love. Lipgloss. M

Kate Somerville's Quench Oil Free

Can you hear the angels singing, Beauties?  Kate Somerville has made millions happy for years with her hydrating Quench Serum, which has evoked a cult like following. This celebrity loved product known for creating luminous, dewy skin was the launching pad for putting the entire brand on the map. However, this serum is really ideal for normal to dry skin types. But finally- Kate has created a product for us oily skin types!

Quench Oil Free Face Serum ($65) is an ultra light serum. It has a whipped gel like consistency that feels delicious on the skin.  Besides having water binding hyaluronic acid, it also boosts skin loving glycerin that is like a tall drink of water for thirsty skin. Rounding out the ingredients that caught my eye? Peptides, which are known for their anti-aging & anti-inflammatory properties. Best of all? No break outs!  Clients often confuse & interchange hydration with moisture.  Every skin type (including acneic!) needs water AKA hydration, but some don't need moisture- which refers to oil.  When nervous about whether a product will agree with your skin or break you out, choose an oil free version & go from there. I would say Kate Somerville's Quench Oil Free Face Serum is a great place to start!

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

I purchased this product

Kate Somerville Clinic To Go Pads

It's ironic that when I have so much access to amazing skin care products at the spa, how long it takes me to get around to actually using all of them! I had been recommending Kate Somerville's Clinic-To-Go Pads to several clients as of late for a few reasons. The main one is that I can actually let my pregnant & nursing clients who are having hormonal breakouts use them (rejoice as much of my AHA arsenal to treat acneic skin is off limits during this magical time.) Plus let's be honest- they are a busy *ahem* lazy person's dream.

So as I mentioned I had sent a couple of clients home with these pads & the other week my adorable hairdresser was in for her monthly facial. While looking at her skin under the loop, I observed a noticeable change in her skin. It was less inflamed, clearer & brighter - she went on & on about her adoration for the Clinic-To-Go Pads expressing shock that I hadn't tried them yet! So of course, that night I did. They could not be easier to use. The pad has a pocket to slip your fingers in a la finger puppet style.

Once on your fingers, you remove the tab & apply on clean, dry skin. You leave the solution on for around 2 minutes. Since I'm a rebel & exfoliate often I left it on for about 5 minutes. I then splashed my face with cool water & immediately felt a difference in my skin texture. Definitely impressive, as I mentioned I am the queen of exfoliation!

I double cleanse my skin every night to remove my make-up thoroughly. So while there might be a smidge of foundation on this used Clinic-To-Go Pad, the majority of discoloration is actually dead skin cells. The little line of black is a bit of remaining mascara, where I took the pad right up under my lower lash line, as I tend to get some clogged pores there. The Lactic acid contained in the pad is super gentle, yet very effective- so I could take this acid that close to the eye area. It's also a hydrating acid, which means it helps your skin retain water- which makes it beneficial for all skin types. I've been using these twice a week & I totally agree they're kind of genius.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Parched!

I can't believe I'm about to say this girleens, but lately my skin has been parched! Never in my life, have I felt the need for some extra hydration for my oily skin except for this winter! Our Diva of Dermatology to the rescue with some great advice! Here are Dr. Noelle Sherber's tips & tricks for keeping your skin healthy in the winter.

Only snowmen look their best in the freezing cold – for the rest of us, winter can wreak havoc on our skin! (At least the groundhog didn’t see his shadow this year, spring can’t come soon enough…)

How do we keep our skin from getting the winter blues while not sacrificing our anti-aging agenda?

1. One of the biggest causes of rough dull winter skin is that the air tends to be very dry outside – pair this with the indoor heat that we have blazing, & it’s the perfect storm for dehydrated skin. Using a hydrator {hyaluronic acid & glycerine are best} is essential at this time of year, as they pull water into the skin. One great hyaluronic acid product is Kate Somerville’s Quench {this has the added benefit of time-released retinol, more on that to come!}. A common mistake: don’t just dab these on & run out the door, since they just pull water from a moist environment into the less moist environment – this means that in dry air they can actually pull water out of your skin, which is the opposite of what we’re trying to achieve! I recommend that you apply a hydrator in a steamy bathroom after you shower, let it sink in for a minute, and then top with a moisturizer to lock in all that delicious hydration. Oily skin? You still need hydration in the winter, and SkinCeuticals’ Hydrating B5 Gel is an oil-free formulation that’s perfect for your skin.

2. Peptide products are ideal for wintertime, because they deliver powerful collagen boosting ingredients while also being anti-inflammatory – this means that you won’t dry out or redden your skin by using these, which is rare for an anti-aging product! With all the outside-cold to inside-warmth running around we all do at this time of year, blood vessels in the skin are constantly constricting & dilating, which can leave skin blotchy, particularly if you’re prone to redness. If you add irritating skin treatments to this, you can easily wind up on the wrong side of a rosy glow. Peptide creams can help to limit redness & are a perfect choice to layer over potentially inflaming treatments like retinol {more on that in a moment!}. The best-studied peptides are Matrixyl & Dermaxyl, which have been shown to promote new collagen, but many companies now have their own peptide ingredients. While these may be shown to be effective after more study, I recommend that you choose the most proven products possible – after all, peptides are simply the building blocks of proteins, so a company could grind up some grilled chicken, put it in a jar, & sell you a ‘peptide cream,’ but that doesn’t mean that it will improve your skin. Kate Somerville’s Deep Tissue Repair has both Matrixyl & Dermaxyl, & the Hydropeptide line {a great new addition to the La Papillon beauty arsenal} has a Matrixyl derivative & Dermaxyl.

3. Since retinoids like retinol or prescription-strength tretinoin make skin sun-sensitive, the less sunny winter months are the best for getting this super star ingredient into your skin. Retinoids are the most proven ingredient out there to improve the condition of your skin – they smooth texture, even tone, clear out pores, & stimulate collagen. The most powerful over-the-counter product available currently is likely SkinCeuticals’ Retinol 1.0 {of course, La Papillon has stocked up!}. If you’re ready for more, prescription-only Atralin combines tretinoin with hydrating hyaluronic acid to minimize irritation – this helps to avoid the chapped look that’s given retinoids a bad rap. Retinoids are best applied at bedtime & topped with a soothing moisturizer – you can multitask with a peptide cream to combine soothing with added collagen boosting!

With these tips, you’ll definitely have a glow in the snow!

xo,
your Diva of Dermatology

Noëlle Sherber, M.D., F.A.A.D.

The Grand Finale of Giveaway Week!

Da Dun Dah Dahhhhh! The grand finale is here girleens! This week has flown by, just like the past two years! Thank the Lord I'm not aging one bit - ha ha! I will do my best to get winners picked & posted early next week. Then the sooner I can get everyone's information, the sooner I will get their treats packed up & sent on their merry way! I want to thank all of my girls out there for reading this little blog of mine on a regular basis. New features will continue to be added as it grows, including Ask The Derm Day- where reader's questions will be answered by the newest addition to La Papillon's Beauty Team, Dermatologist Dr. Noelle Sherber. As always fan faves like Files from the Brow Whisperer will remain! So in true grand finale fashion- I saved the best for last! I picked products from our best selling lines at the boutique so there's something for everyone! Hopefully you feel that my blog is a little gem, so I had to give away something with a little sparkle! These delicate floral studs(above) are simple, beautiful & timeless.

To help you stretch your summer glow for as long as possible, I'm giving away our best selling sunless tanner towelette. Kate Somerville's Somer 360 towelettes are so easy to use- they dry in under 2 minutes(so you can get dressed in a snap!), give amazing color in just one use, can be used on the face & even have antioxidants in the formula!

You gals ask me all the time what I do with my lashes & besides some great mascara tricks, I've been using Marini Lash for years now as an eyelash conditioner! Now a two month supply is up for grabs! Be consistent with using it & you'll see results.

I know it's hard to believe as we're melting in this heat, but Fall is only a month away! This trio allows you to create beautiful bronzed looks for summer, but will take you right in to autumn with the deepest rust shade. The collection is limited edition & the artwork on the compact itself is exquisite, as well!

So by now you should know the drill, but here are all the ways you can be entered in the drawing- contests from earlier in the week are still open, too! The contest will close Sunday at 5PM) Please be a doll & tally your totals for moi!

1. Comment on your best make-up tip or trick

2. Follow the blog {2 entries}

3. Subscribe to my blog {2 entries}

4. Follow me on Facebook {1 entry}

5. Follow the spa on Facebook {1 entry}

6. Follow me on Twitter {1 entry}

7. Follow the spa on Twitter {1 entry}

8.Tweet about our giveaway {4 entries}

9. Blog about my giveaway {3 entries}

10. Grab the giveaway button {6 entries}

I wish I could give something to each & everyone of you gorgeous gals, at least with so much up for grabs- everyone will have a good chance! xo.

Peace. Love. Lipgloss. M

Eye of the Beholder

Though we have an amazing medical director, Plastic Surgeon Dr. Michael Cohen- who yes is a genius with a scalpel, my initial approach has always been a little bit more conservative. By no means does that mean I am not aggressive & results oriented, but I always stress prevention is easier than correction. This my beauties brings us to eye creams & yes you must! I've been using eye creams since I was 18 & it's made a huge difference. The eye area is the first place we show aging. Why? The tissue around the eye is very thin, think single ply toilet paper. There are also no oil glands in that area, so the skin needs supplemental moisture. Twice a day you need to be applying your eye product gently with your ring or pinky finger(they're the weakest). Yes eye creams are pricey, but no you cannot use your face cream on your eye area (as the eye is easily irritated). The good news? You need very little product, so your potion can last easily six months.

Second step? Yes, I am here to fully justify your expensive sunglasses. You will rarely find me outside without a honkin' set on (seriously, next step up would be full on ski goggles!) Besides protecting the eye area from sun damage, they also prevent you from squinting & frowning in the light, thus less muscle memory wrinkles. Woo hoo! Trust me, start early on your peepers & you'll be happy you did! Wink. Wink.

Peace. Love Lipgloss. M
Purchase Eye Cream here. Purchase sunglasses here.

Peel & Reveal

If you've ever been to my spa for a skin analysis, it's very likely you've heard my analogy of the onion as pertaining to the skin. The Good Lord knows that my spa manager has heard it so many times she wants to punch me! I can get technical though in my zeal for the skin, and when I notice client's eyes glazing over & getting overwhelmed I use this visual aid. This breaks it down. Think of your skin like an onion, we have several layers including the epidermis & the dermis. Over time and as we get older dead skin cells accumulate. Think of an onion in the grocery store- uneven, battered rough...that's how our skin gets.

Exfoliation I feel is the key to good skin. Period. Yes we must hydrate & protect, but if you want great looking skin, exfoliation is a must. It helps with acneic skin & unblocking clogged pores, while it's pivotal in the anti-aging process as it gently peels or sloughs dead skin cells resulting in smoother skin that is brighter with fewer lines & wrinkles. After the age of 25, you should move past a scrub(never use one with almonds or apricots- promise me beauties!). Scrubs just work on the very outer layer of the onion. Using something like Kate Somerville's Exfolikate, which has both papaya enzymes & lactic acid, once or twice a week to start can make a huge difference in your skin with only a 2 minute time commitment!

But let's face it(pun intended) some of us aren't diligent when it comes to masks or scrubs, and the only way you will see results is if you're consistent in your home care. That's why I suggest a cream or serum with Alpha Hydroxy Acids that do the work for you while you sleep- yes please! If only there was a cream to make my thighs smaller while I slept...but I digress. This Bioclear serum by Jan Marini with azaleic, glycolic, and salicylic acids helps with my anti-aging goals all while helping me be breakout free! No one understands more than moi what an investment skin care is. Incorporate this step into your system & all of your other products will work better, too. Promise!

Peace. Love. Exfoliation. M
Products available here

Sun Kissed Skin

Pretty, right? I know we all feel a little sexier, feel a little skinnier when we have a tan. But, it's a deal breaker when it comes to aging. Look at the these identical 61 year old twins. Which one do you think was the sun worshipper?

I use this pic every year in my SPF rants. It's funny, I know. But, the sad fact of the matter is that one burn caused inflammation of Kim's skin tissues & did some serious damage in terms of aging. No matter what time of year it is wear an SPF of at least 30 for me girleens. Pretty please?

I know, I know. They're heavy, they break me out- blah, blah. Today's technology has launched amazing breakthroughs from what we used to use 10 years ago. This Kate Somerville serum sunscreen has an SPF55, is chock full of antioxidants and is noncomedogenic.

Our #1 selling product at the spa is this, Jan Marini's Antioxidant Face Protectant SPF30. To know it is to love it. It's texture is so light weight, it's oil free, yup chock full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients. Whatever you use, make a habit of it every day- don't stop at the face, take it down on to your decollete and your hands! I promise my beauties, down the road you'll thank me!
Peace. Love. Protection. (SPF, that is!) M