These beauty essentials work!

I have spent thousands of dollars on elixirs of every variety, and generally come away unimpressed. Recently a few products have done handstands for me, while making my skin glow, and made a real difference in my particular trouble spots, we all have them! I decided to give a plug to a few new-ish products that really, REALLY do the trick!

Patricia Wexler MD Dermatology
MMPI-20 Intensive 3 in 1 serum
The name says it all here, or almost all. This fab serum has worked miracles on the lines which have cruelly sprung to life below my eyes. Cher may wish she could turn back time, but this product really does.

I bought it 3 weeks ago at The Bath and Body Store in my local mall. I knew Dr. Wexler's reputation as Dermatologist to stars, socialites, and women in the know, so I took a chance.
Just a few days ago I looked in the mirror and was shocked. the grooves I'd gotten used to hating had been smoothed into submission. I felt like I was looking at someone else, I was so surprised. This product is so worth trying, I'm tempted to say I'll pay you back if it does not work, but the store has done that for me, so all you have to do is run in or buy online and get these great results for yourself.

Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energy Mask
This three minute treatment is a fantastic pick me up after one of those long days when you have an appointment, meeting or date planned which you'd love to get out of because you look and feel so beat. Smooth a dime sized dollop of this pink creamy serum onto your face and watch it turn into a foamy mask which stays in place. If you can lie down for three minutes, great. But if like me you are always on the run, turn on your timer, pull your hair back and let this blissful Bliss star product do its work. Rinse off with cool water, pat dry and watch the fatigue melt off your lovely face. You can only use the mask every 3 days, so choose your moments with care. It delivers results you'll look like you just had a luxurious cat nap, and no one will be the wiser.

Bliss Thinny Chin Chin
The instructions on this container call the product "a bra for your V Zone" meaning that troublesome area from chin the chest which shows age and sun exposure earlier than other other parts of you taut physique. This one snuck up on me in a week's time. I was getting ready to go out when I noticed that my chin, neck and decollete appeared remarkably smoother, tighter and well just plain better. I use the lotion tirelessly day after day. This is one neck massage I give myself that truly comes with a happy ending!

Well Dollies, that's all for now, I have to tuck in and get my eight hours of beauty sleep before a big meeting in NYC tomorrow, but couldn't wait to tell you how well these three products have worked for me.

Must Have List Top 10

Here is a well researched list of beauty must-have's for maintaining one's girlish charm. While these products are all extraordinary, you must start with a clean and well hydrated canvas. Drink at least 64 oz. of water daily. By purchasing a 32 oz. bottle you make it easy for yourself to drink up, refill, and drink again. Adding lemon and a thin slice of cucumber makes the beverage extra thirst quenching. Be careful of cofee, even iced, it dehydrates you, so enjoy your one or two cups in the AM and stick to nature's best for the balance of the day. Here we go:

Living Proof Straight Making, No Frizz Spray Spray: This product plain ROCKS. Keeps even humid NYC summer humidity from ruining that carefully mussed do. As a bonus, it actually repels dirt and oil, so you can skip shampooing daily. I have never found a product that makes it possible for me not to wash, dry, straight iron and spray my hair into submission. Only $14 for a travel size bottle. You must check this one out! http://www.sephora.com.

Smash Box Complexion Perfection, Foundation, and Powder/Bronzer combo:

I Bought this on a whim, and what a find it is. The promotional kit was only $29 and contains enough product for at least 6 mos. of natural looking flawless skin. How do I know? At a recent reunion of my sisters and I everyone went over the top about how great my complexion looked. I just smiled and said it was all these years of good clean living!

Crest Advanced Tooth Whitening System, self adhesive strips:

A but pricey, but worth every dime. No need to spend $500 on whitening treatments at your dentist (not to mention the horrible pain of after shocks from that procedure) Invest that $40 in these fab fighters of stains from coffee, cigs, red wine and any other vices you'd rather not show the world when you smile.Evidence it works? Since I started using these sticky sweeties, I get compliments all the time on how bright and beautiful my smile is. Need I say more?

Maybelline 12 hour Superstay Lip Color #780 Spice
I'm pretty sure this is the only Maybelline product I have in my collection. The attempt to find the perfect lipshade is a life long pursuit, but finding the perfect shade in a formula that stays put and looking good all day- sounds too good to be true. The color Sand, is that perfect beigey pink that looks like your own lips, but better. You put the color side on, wait a minute til it dries, and then apply the sealing lip balm which keeps your lips moist, lovely and leaving nary a trace on your wine glass, Coffee cup or fiends! It's a 9 dollar ivestment well worth your money. I sometimes find my special shade to be sold out, so I always purchase 2 or 3 to be sure I have it on on hand at all times, it's that good!

Diorshow Iconic Mascara in Black:

This incredible lash builder is at the top of most beauty editor's lists of must-have products. Having an overflowing and dried out selection of mascaras that didn't quite do the trick was getting bothersome, so I took the chance and bought a 3 pack of these at s duty free airport shop. This is hands down the best mascara ever. Does not flake when you comb through it, and makes even the tiniest thin lashes look lush. I honestly feel like I am wearing a set of perfectly applied faux lashes when I apply 3 coats and comb through them well. Dior's Iconic Mascara is the genuine deal At 24 dollars a tube it's not for the seriouis bargain hunter. Is is though the best, and sometims the best is worth the price, in spades.

Yves Saint Laurent highlighter #2
Had a long flight or sleepless night? Poor Jezebel, you need some TLC in the form of Dior's " Touch eclat. Just a dot on the inner and outer cormers of the eyes blended well will keep your secret late night activities for your journal only.

Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 eye cream.

This is a dream product which combines the best of firming, smoothing and anti wrinkle properties. For those not in the know, Patricia Wexler's full line of indispensble skin perfectors are available at Bath and Body works. Quelle Surprise! I never thought they had anything but teen scented body sprays and candles, but tucked into the back of the stores is the full array of sumptuous creams and serums which work very well. To make an actual appointment with Dr. Wexler would cost you a barrel full of ten dollar bills, and the referral of a person whose name you are used to seeing in lights. The savvy beauty buyer will venture into the back of the Bath and Body Works store and be pleasantly surprised at the price and effectiveness. I began using this product and 4 weeks later I saw real rsults, lines faded skin glowing as if I'd just had the $160 dollar Oxygen Facial Treatment st Bliss Spa.

Tie: Aveda Air Control Hair Spray/ L'Oreal Elnett Satin Hair Spray extra strong hold

Finding the right hair spray which keeps your tresses in check without giving you the dreaded "Helmet Head" look is no small task. I used to use Sebastian's Shaper Hairspray every day and it was fine until my dear hairdresser Chris (from Sally Hershberger's Salon in the West Village)(NYC)used Aveda's Air Control on my short Shaggy do. The results were amazing, it gave me body and lift without looking hard or brittle. L'Oreal's Elnet has been the secret of models for years. For a long time it was not available in the United States, but demand for the product was so strong that even big box giant Target carries it. The $6.99 price tag is a bit steep for a 2.2 oz. bottle, but the good news is that you don't need to use much to smooth and set you hair into the shape of your desire instantly. I use and love both of these products.

Laura Geller Spackle Trio

It took me years to find the perfect primer for eye make up which would keep my eyes looking defined, awake and smudge free. After trying at least 10 brands I finally came upon the winner, Laura Geller Spackle trio.. This product is a 3-in-one workhorse, with separate sections for whisper light cream formulas which are placed on the eyes, under eye area and face. This product is definitely a desert island must have. It keeps the eyes and face fresh, and holds up on those dog day afternoons of fighting the elements, like Wonder Woman. Saving the world while looking fabulous.

Please make comments on this blog and let me know a particular type of product you need a recommendation for. I am going to go forward with categories. My first will be eye makeup, how to achieve a defined and fresh, but never overdone look which can take you from day to evening in a flash.

Rules to Live By

Anyone who really knows me knows that I am a makeup, beauty and treatment fanatic. It started when I was about 14 and has kept on going. When my salary is high I tend to go high end, and in times like these I look for the best values and bargains, there's only one rule; the products I talk about all have to deliver results which I personally have experienced and received benefit from. I will never speak about any product, line or provider who I have not tested the waters and determined them to be worthy of this blog!

Let's start with the basics, a very wise woman once said "at thirty you have the face God gave you, at fifty you have the face you deserve". Luckily dear readers,that does not include what ex boyfriends, employers husbands or frenemies think, this means the way you treat your face and body from thirty on will determine how you look and feel at 50 and well beyond.
Let's dig right on in!

The Basics: These are the foundation upon which your looks and health depend on. I am not going to
advocate any of the extreme wacky, or plain useless tactics I have tried to age with dignity, grace, and style. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, which I surely had going all lemonade water and cayenne pepper, Atkins, Graperfruit, raw food, bloodtype and ridiculous food combining weight maintenance tactics. Find what works for you and stick with it. Yo yo dieting, gaining and losing 20 or 30 lbs a year will age you as quickly as a piece of bacon frying in grease. Here are my very simple rules

1. Drink 8 glasses of water a day. get a giant sippee cup or a gallon container or eight simple 8 Oz glasses, but do it stating now. For your first glass of wate of the day, it should be consumed before breakfast and cofee, warmed up and with a tablespoon of lemon in it. Lemon water has been utilized by every great looking woman with radiant skin I've ever met. Since I started truly making tis part of my routine, I glow, my skin is at its best, I lost weight and most importantly, I feel better. You will too. No matter where you are at now, there are a few simple rules which will take years off your face and give you the confidence to go afer the truly meaningful and important parts of your life. Here , I am mainly dealing with some simple sugestions to help your outer self be its best.
   
2. Eat a small snack with protein every four hours. It can be a teaspoon of peanut butter on an apple, a balance bar, a piece of cheese and a pear. Just keep your body fueled and you will perk up that slugish metabolism. You'll also never feel overwhelming cravings or hunger you can;t stave off. Those come from denying food roups and not eating often enough.
3. Move for at least 30-45 minutes every day. The options are limitless, make love with passion, (changing positions at least 3 times) dance, play the bongos naked and dance, run, walk, ride a bicycle or clean the house with vigor. Work up a sweat, it makes your cheeks rosy, revs up that metabolism and keeps you healthy.
4. Alcohol is not your friend. I'm not an anti-alcohol kind of girl, I say Live and Let live to how ever other people choose to conduct themselves. If you want to stay looking somewhere between 36 and eternity take this advice seriously. An occasional glass of wine, beer or spirits are fine,but keep at at one and don't be in the habit of imbibing every day. It makes you retain water, look puffy and adds bloat to your lovely frame. Who wants or needs that?
5. Do what you love and love what you do. We spend more time at work than we do with loved ones and friends. Pick what you love, do it with passion and mindful intent, the financial rewards will come
6. HaircutA great haircut can get you through the worst rainstorm or winter hat, and still enhance your best features. This is one area I suggest you make a wise and informed investment in. The right haircut makes the most of your best features and take attention away from other physical attributes the Universe has bestowed upon you. To find the magician otherwise known as a great hair dresser you'll have to do some research. It is fun research. Every time you see a woman with a haircut you'd like to have, TELL HER. Ask her who cuts her hair, and if she is willing to share the information with you. The woman you ask will be flattered, and she will probably give you the card of her hairdresser or write this person's name and phone number on a piece of paper.Then look through magazines, keeping in mind of course your own hair texture,and current style. What does modern elegance mean to you? Whatever it means, this is the look you're going for. A look that builds upon your rich history and wisdom. A look which says you are confident, comfortable in your own skin, and not trying to be anything other than who ans what you are. The beauty in being over 35, is that once you hit certain age milestones you become comfortable in who you are. You stop hating birthdays and instead begin to rejoice is being a woman who has a well developed sense of self that no one can take away. This is the time in your life when you might decide to make a career change or further your education. Women see for the first time, that beyond the life they currently lead lies an infinite array of,options, all available if one is willing to do the footwork.