Does your skin act differently when the weather changes? Mine sure does.  My face gets much more needy this time of year. The cold air definitely takes a toll on my skin, and I need to switch my moisturizer.  I recently had the opportunity of trying two new face lotions – by two of my favorite brands, and I thought I’d share the results with you here!

Murad’s Sheer Lustre Day Moisture SPF 15

I think this is my favorite of the two lotions, so I’ll put this one first. I love this lotion! It takes such a small amount, this small bottle will last a while! It has a really subtle shimmer, so your skin looks like it’s glowing all day long!

Restores elasticity, smoothes fine line and reveals a healthy-looking glow. Shea Butter delivers essential hydration while a special blend of luminescent minerals leave complexion naturally radiant even without makeup.

Additional features and ingredients:

• Essential fatty acids help maintain skin’s barrier
• An antioxidant complex, featuring Vitamins C and E, boosts protection
  against free radical damage
• Soybean and Wild Yam Extracts increase elasticity

Elle Beauty

“Murad Resurgence Sheer Lustre Day Moisture works on a hormonal level, enhancing moisture by mimicking natural skin lipids.”
—Elle Canada

$68.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Caudalie’s VINOPERFECT Day Perfecting Cream SPF15

This SPF15 cream absorbs rapidly and helps to visibly improve the appearance of dark spots and enhance the brightness of your complexion. Protected from the sun and environment and moisturized* all day long, your skin is luminous and your complexion is radiant. Leaves no white residue.

Discovered in grapevine stalks, the 500 ppm titration of pure Viniferine was stabilized and patented by Caudalie in collaboration with the University of Pharmacy. This exclusive ingredient has exceptional radiance, complexion enhancing and anti-oxidant* actions.

*upper layers of the epidermis.

Who is it for?
Ideal for all skin types. Formulated for those who wish to correct and prevent dark spots while enhancing their skin’s radiance, tone and clarity.

Ingredients
- Viniferine – 500 ppm titration >
Radiance, complexion enhancing and anti-oxidant* actions
- Olive squalane, Shea butter, Pea & Sodium Hyaluronate > Nourishing & moisturizing
- Pro-vitamin B5 & Camomile extract > Soothing
- Sweet orange, Tangerine, Cypress, Galbanum, & Mint … > Energizing

When? How?
In the morning, apply to face and neck after VINOPERFECT Serum. Use the three VINOPERFECT skincare products in synergy for increased, clinically-proven effectiveness.

$68.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Planet Beauty is a retail chain of beauty boutiques throughout California providing a unique selection of skincare and hair care products as well as salon services to meet every beauty need, while ensuring excellent customer service through product knowledge and hands on training for all its dedicated employees. Since the first store opened in 1992, Planet Beauty boutiques have drawn a cult following of gorgeously groomed shoppers as well as numerous celebrities including Hilary Duff, Megan Fox, Mena Suvari, Miley Cyrus, Steve Carell and more.” Make Her Up LOVES Planet Beauty, and loves shopping on their website. If you haven’t checked them out yet, now’s the time!

Popularity: 4% [?]

I’m 32 years old now, and I am definitely seeing the toll years of sun has taken on my skin. I have sun spots – and age spots on my cheeks, and they drive me NUTS. I looked online for an over-the counter product that I could use, without the need of a prescription.

I came across this product, and my interest was immediately piqued, because I LOVE Murad. I’ve come to really enjoy their products. They actually work! Go here to read our other reviews on Murad products!

This product is amazing. I put it on my face after cleansing at night before bed. (I pair it with Bliss’s Spiff Upper Lip) After a couple weeks, I have really noticed a difference in the tone of my skin.  My sun/age spots are much lighter – and I am confident that if I keep this up – these spots will disappear altogether.

Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel
Quickly diminish freckles, age spots and other unwanted pigmentation with Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel’s dual action formula. Hydroquinone, the strongest skin lightening agent available without a prescription, fades discoloration. AHAs exfoliate to improve the penetration of Hydroquinone and encourage cell turnover to accelerate the migration of dark spots to the skin’s surface where they can be lifted away.

Additional features and ingredients:

• Improves skin clarity and tone
• Anti-inflammatories Licorice and Allantoin ease irritation

How to Use:

Every day after cleansing and toning, massage a thin layer over face, neck, chest and hands. For optimal results, follow with recommended Murad moisturizer and sunblock during the day.

Won’t take my word for it? Check out the press this product has received!

Smoother! Fresher! Brighter!
“Recover your healthy glow with Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel. Diminish freckels, age spots and toher unwanted pigmentation with this dual-action formula.”
—O Magazine

Best Beauty Buys
“For spot treatment, Murad’s Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel is suggested as an anti-aging product. The gel fades sun spots and age spots and improves clarity by lifting away dark, damaged cells.”
—InStyle

Fade Brown Spots at Home
“A product with 2 percent hydroquinone applied all over the face can fade brown spots caused by sun or by hormones. Try Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel.”
—Redbook

Instead of a laser treatment, try hydroquinone
“Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel is effective in reducing brown spots, so no M.D. visit needed.”
—Self

$60.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Planet Beauty is a retail chain of beauty boutiques throughout California providing a unique selection of skincare and hair care products as well as salon services to meet every beauty need, while ensuring excellent customer service through product knowledge and hands on training for all its dedicated employees. Since the first store opened in 1992, Planet Beauty boutiques have drawn a cult following of gorgeously groomed shoppers as well as numerous celebrities including Hilary Duff, Megan Fox, Mena Suvari, Miley Cyrus, Steve Carell and more.” Make Her Up LOVES Planet Beauty, and loves shopping on their website. If you haven’t checked them out yet, now’s the time!

Popularity: 3% [?]

On this same trip to Sephora, I also needed to pick up a new face lotion.  I hate trying to find a good face lotion.  I think my face is a snob, because the only ones that seem to work for me, cost $30 or more.  When I ran out of my absolute favorite face lotion, N.V. Perricone’s Firming Moisturizer ($280!) I had to turn to other options.  I would never spend $280 on face lotion, by the way. It was sent to me back in April, and I’ve been slowly using it…trying to save every last drop.  But alas – I got to the bottom, and it’s gone.  May it rest in peace.

Moment of silence.

Anyway, so the only other face lotion I had at home was Aveda’s Hydrating Lotion.  It’s supposed to be quick-absorbing…but it’s not.  (At least not on my skin).  Within a week, I had a mini break-out, and that hasn’t happened to me in ages.  I had to quit using it – and I banished it back to under the sink (until I run out of my next face lotion).

While trying to find the perfect face lotion – I found myself standing in front of Murad’s products.   I was trying to hurry – because I brought my boys with me, and they were running around Sephora screaming “Ew! You can see her boob!” (Don’t know if you’ve ever noticed, but they have pictures of half-naked women all over the place.  I had never noticed before, but leave it to my 8 and 6 year old boys to point it out to me.)  Anyway, back to my point.  I’m quickly trying to pick a face lotion (by now the boys are running around sticking their fingers into all the samples), and I grab Murad’s Skin Perfecting Lotion.  I ask the Sephora saleswoman if it’s a good lotion, she says yes, and I immediately pay for it – and head home.

I love this lotion for two reasons.  First – because you only need a teeeeenie tiny amount to cover your face.  Should last me quite some time.  Second of all – and most important, it dries completely – leaving my skin feeling hydrated and not the slightest bit greasy.  It absorbs completely leaving my skin soft as a baby’s butt.

Every type of skin needs hydration, even blemish-prone and oily skin. This ultra light, oil-free moisturizer leaves skin perfectly hydrated every day without any residue. Skin is soothed, softened, renewed, and protected with algae extract, panthenol, retinol, and our exclusive AHA/BHA complex with powerful antioxidants.

$33.00 – and worth every penny!  BUY IT HERE!

Popularity: 8% [?]

Sienna Miller loves this eco-friendly berry shampoo.

Desert Essence Organics: Red Raspberry Shampoo.

Desert Essence Organics Red Raspberry Shampoo is a gentle but effective cleansing system based on sugar and coconut oil. Organic Red Raspberry Leaf Extract works to clarify the hair and imparts a natural shine. 

Sugar and coconut oil cleansers: Gently lift and remove everyday environmental pollutants without removing hair’s natural oils.

Organic Red Raspberry Leaf Extract: Rich in vitamins A and C, calcium and magnesium, Organic Red Raspberry Leaf Extract strengthens hair and imparts a natural shine.

$5.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Here’s another great Fruity Find in time for summer!

Try Murad’s Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask!

Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask To Go is an at-home version of Murad’s popular professional enzyme treatment for all skin types.

Reveals softer, smoother skin in ten minutes by dissolving away dead surface cells and restoring the skin’s natural hydration.  

$10.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Popularity: 13% [?]

A concealer and treatment in one?  What could be better!

A concealer from Murad that clears and prevents blemishes and skin breakouts.

Murad Acne Treatment Concealer has the dual benefit of treating blemishes with acne-fighting medication and concealing them with an oil-free tinted formula. It provides long-lasting coverage and leaves skin with a flawless finish.

$20.00 – BUY IT HERE!

Popularity: 14% [?]

Thanks to Dawn S. for the question.

Along with gravity taking it’s toll on our body our skin is also kind enough to start showing spots to remind us of the years ticking by. I did a little research and found some products that will help lighten these spots and fight the signs of aging.

NEW! Doctor’s Dermatology Formula Discoloration Reversal-Pod

What it is:
Targeted treatment for discoloration and age spots.

What it is formulated to do:
Each single-use pod provides a unique system which gently exfoliates the top layer of skin and allows deep surface penetration of DDF Micro-Radiance Complex™. This formula includes three key ingredients which reduce the appearance of existing skin pigmentation. At the same time, they hydrate skin to reduce the appearance of discoloration and dullness on areas where hyperpigmentation occurs. The result is immediately improved radiance and gives maximum results in six weeks.

$70.00 DDF-Doctor’s Dermatologic Formula Discoloration Reversal-Pod 28 x 0.016 oz applicators

Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel

What it is:
A patented, scientifically-proven formula that lightens unwanted discoloration.

What it is formulated to do:
Fades unwanted discoloration and improves skin’s clarity by infusing powerful skin lightening agents and exfoliating damaged cells.

$58.00 Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel 1 oz

dr. brandt Laser Lightening Serum

What it is:
A unique serum with whitening properties and powerful antiaging ingredients combined with a unique Melablock system.

What it is formulated to do:
This refreshing formula helps fade freckles, evens out skin tone, and minimizes dark spots and post blemish discoloration as it effectively inhibits melanin production, while promoting luminosity.

What else you need to know:
The Melablock system has safe skin lightening properties and effective antiaging ingredients. Hydroquinone-free.

$110.00 Dr. Brandt Skincare Laser Lightening Serum 1 oz

Popularity: 12% [?]

 KRISTIN CAVALLARI

 What type of bag are you carrying right now?
Coach.

What type of bag are you coveting?
Chloé.

Which items do you always take with you?
Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy, a Sony digital camera, my Sidekick, and gum.

Which beauty items do you always carry?
Michael by Michael Kors fragrances, “Underage” gloss by MAC, black MAC mascara, tweezers, and Bobbi Brown cover-up.

What should a woman always take with her?
A makeup bag filled with all of your beauty essentials for easy touch-ups.

Want to try Kristin’s favorite products?

Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Therapy SPF 15-
Revitalize and protect dry, dehydrated lips by improving texture to restore suppleness and by infusing antioxidants to fight free radicals.

Additional features and benefits:
Pomegranate Extract and UVA/UVB sunscreens provide powerful antioxidant protection
Salicylic Acid gently exfoliates to reveal supple lips
Shea Butter and Jojoba Esters condition and intensely hydrate

$16.00 BUY IT HERE.

Michael by Michael Kors fragrances

From designer Michael Kors, a chic, luxurious, sexy fragrance for women. Creamy florals explode into exotic spices, tamed by Moroccan incense. A fragrant creation with a wealth of personality that will capture the heart of every woman.

Notes: Dewy Freesia, Tamarind, Chinese Osmanthus, Incense, Fresh Tuberose, White Wings Peony, Blue Orris, Arum Lilies, Cashmere Woods, Musk, Vetiver Haiti.

Style: Sophisticated and sensual, warm and wearable.

$65.00 BUY IT HERE.

“Underage” gloss by MAC

MAC Lipglass
A unique lip gloss available in a wide variety of colours that can create a high gloss, glass-like finish or a subtle sheen. Designed to be worn on its own, over Lip Pencil or Lipstick, Tinted Lipglass is the perfect product for creating shine that lasts. It’s pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic colour. It contains Jojoba Oil to help soften and condition the lips. Tinted Lipglass is packaged in a convenient bottle with a sponge tip applicator that provides a quick, smooth, even application.

$14.00 BUY IT HERE.

black MAC mascara

Lengthening, thickening, non-flaking, non-smudging… totally hard-wearing. Sassy and lush. Works on the catwalk, soups up the sidewalk. Tested and approved by Artists. Industrially packed; commodity-priced. Gives you attitude. A real hardworking mascara that is lush and luxe in its finish. Good to layer. Apply one coat of Pro Lash for enhanced, defined lashes. For more drama, build up the layers. To layer – apply, allow to dry, then apply again. Pro Lash works the hardest when applied right from the roots of the lashes to the tips. For volume, apply Pro Lash to the top side of the lashes first, and then to the under side. For a perfect groomed finish, comb the lashes through with the No. 204 Lash Brush.

$11.00 BUY IT HERE.

Bobbi Brown cover-up

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

AWARD WINNER! Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer awarded “Brides” magazine ‘Beauty Makeup Award’ (May/ June 2007 issue).

Bobbi shares her favorite makeup artist tip — a yellow-based Creamy Concealer that instantly camouflages dark circles. The creamy consistency of this concealer ensures that it goes on smoothly, providing full, but natural looking coverage. The formula is filled with skin conditioning ingredients like Vitamin A, which helps minimize the appearance of fine dry lines and wrinkles and Vitamin E, which moisturizes and provides antioxidant protection.

$22.00 BUY IT HERE.

Popularity: 23% [?]