So-Cal beauty, Rachel Bilson, knows the importance of SPF as well as getting a summery glow, that’s why she’s all for Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer (plus she’s also their spokesperson).  Here are her summer skincare essentials:

• Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer
• Maybelline New York Mascara
• Lipgloss with SPF
• Sunscreen (“The higher the better!”)
• Perfume Oils

Rachel Weisz is gorgeous.  I mean, just look at that skin!  I’m envious.  

The English actress has shared some of her favorite beauty products.  First off, she’s a major fan of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15 Moisturizer.  She puts it on every morning.  And before every red carpet event, Rachel sweeps onDior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen around her eyes.  As for the occasional redness?  Rachel hides it withLaura Mercier Secret Camouflage concealer.  

Oh, and she also said that she doesn’t “set foot in the sun without a big hat,” in order to maintain her coveted porcelain complexion.

It’s heating up outside again.  You know what that means, it’s time to bust out the SPF!  Although, I should mention that you should slathering on SPF everyday regardless of whether the sun is out or not, since UV rays can go through clouds.  Remember UV exposure is the number one cause of skin damage, wrinkles, discolorations, and not to mention skin cancer!  That’s why sun safety is so important.  

And that’s where the Sephora Sun Safety Kit ($22.50) comes into play.  The kit contains 13 trial sized suncare products that comes in a bright, yellow bag made from recycled plastic.  And you’ll feel great knowing that 100% of the net profits of the kit sales will go towards The Skin Cancer Foundation.

Try out this array of products and find your perfect match. Do something good for your skin and feel good knowing that 100% of the net profits from the sales of this set will be donated to The Skin Cancer Foundation. Stay safe this summer!

Here’s what included in the kit:

• 0.14 oz Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15
• 0.23 oz DDF Protect and Correct UV Moisturizer SPF 15
•  0.5 oz Jack Black Double Duty Face Moisturizer SPF 20
• 0.25 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Lotion SPF 30
• 1.0 oz Anthony Logistics Facial Moisturizer SPF 15
• 0.1 oz Clarins UV Plus Day Screen High Protection SPF 40
•  0.34 oz Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30
• 0.33 oz Cosmedicine Medi-matte Oil Control Lotion SPF 20
• 0.08 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 55 PA+++
• 0.25 oz Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Cream SPF 15
• 0.4 oz Philosophy Hope in a Jar SPF 20
• 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15
• 0.01 oz Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Well-Rested for Eyes SPF 30

It’s that time of the year again.  Spa Week!  Spa Week is back during April 13th to 19th, were select spa treatments go for $50.  Offerings vary by spa and location, so be sure to check what’s available in your area.  It’s a great way to pamper yourself during this economic climate.  It also allows you to try out different spas or treatments for a fraction of the price.

I only wish I was back in the States during this time to take advantage of the offerings, but alas I’m not.  Oh, well, you guys be sure to check it out for me.

Salma Hayek recently revealed that she is developing her very own anti-aging skincare line.  The line is inspired by her grandmother, Maria Luisa, who at 96, didn’t have any wrinkles.  ”My grandmother was a cosmetologist and she used to make her own creams…when she died at 96, of course her skin had sagged, but she didn’t have any wrinkles.  She made her own creams using secret ingredients you can only find in Latin America,” explained Salma.  

Sounds intriguing.  But if you’re thinking that Salma’s line will be expensive, then don’t fret cause it will be affordable and will be sold in drugstores.

Kate Winslet got ready for the Oscars by getting a facial – the Resculpting Facial – from Tracie Martyn.  ”It makes you look brighter, healthier…like you got some extra rest.  I’m 33 now and need to treat my skin, otherwise it doesn’t look fresh,” said Kate of the $585 facial.

On Friday and Saturday (Feb. 13 & 14), Aveda is offering a complimentary Valentine’s Day “masque-rade.”  Get a free skin care consultation, mini facial, guided self facial massage, makeup finishing touch, and a mask sample to take home. 

Don’t know about you, but I am so there, it sounds like a killer deal!

Audrina Patridge of The Hills has revealed her skin care ritual.

• cleanser: Dermalogica Special Cleanser Gel
• moisturizer: Keihl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer
• for the occasional breakout: MD Skincare Correct & Perfect Spot Treatment
• after applying makeup, set it with: Karma in a Can

Personally, I love DIY beauty treatments.  They’re always so fun.  Plus, they’re always so economical, which is always good thing in this sour economical climate.  Well, it seems that Catherine Zeta Jones is also a fan of at-home beauty treatments.  The actress revealed some of her favorite beauty tips in the recent issue of Interview Magazine.

• For healthy skin, an at-home beauty scrub: “I rub a mixture of honey and salt all over my body to moisturize and exfoliate. You wash it off and your skin is gorgeous.”
• For shiny, healthy hair, a conditioner: “I do condition my hair with honey and beer. I smell like the bottom of a beer barrel for days afterwards but it’s very good for the hair.”
• For polish teeth, fruit:  “…I love to eat an apple after a meal, just to cleanse my teeth – they always look polished afterwards. The juice or pulp of strawberries contains malic acid which serves as an astringent and can lighten surface stains. Pineapples work the same way.”

I really wanted to like Lierac Aqua D+ Multivitamine Refreshing Cream Gel.  I really, really did.  And it wasn’t because the sales girl told me that it was Brad and Angie’s moisturizer of choice when she was trying to make the sale.  I’ve heard good things about the moisturizer.  It’s full of vitamins and is formulated with Pro-D Actif and Red Orange extract.  Plus at $40 a pop, it’s pretty affordable as far as moisturizers go.

Unfortunately, it didn’t agree with my skin.  At first it worked it fine, but after a couple use I began to breakout.  So that was the end of the relationship between me and my once coveted Lierac moisturizer.

Grade: F

It might not exactly still be New Years per se, but we’re still relatively early into the year.  Here are some beauty resolutions for you to try – plus it’s really never too late to make resolutions.  Try one, a few, or hey, even all of them for a beautiful new you.  You’ll look and feel great, guaranteed.  Start good skin habits today and you’ll be set with beautiful, healthy skin for life.  Start today and tomorrow, you’ll surely thank yourself.

1. Wear SPF Everyday.  Sun exposure is the number one cause of aging.  So wear sunscreen with at least a SPF of 30 or above everyday, all year round, regardless.  Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you could lay off on the sun protection.  Winter sunlight that reflects off of snow is just as harmful and damaging as the sun at the beach.  UV rays can still penetrate clouds on a cloudy day.  So make sure that your sunscreen of choice protects you from both UVA and UVB rays.  You’ll be preventing wrinkles and age spots by simply slathering on the SPF.  Oh and don’t neglect the rest of your body when using sunscreen, you don’t want to have a youthful face and an old body, do you?
2. Wash Your Face Every Night.  Okay, I know that I’m culpable of being so tired, I just want to pass out in bed without properly taking off all my makeup, especially after a night of partying.  But it’s crucial to remove makeup and wash your face at night for your skin’s sake.  Makeup and dirt can clog pores if not removed before bed.  Also, by washing your face, you’re giving your skin a change to renew itself while you slumber.  I found it useful to keep a pack of facial cleansers by my bed for those nights that I’m just too tired to drag myself to the bathroom for a proper cleansing.  And don’t forget to moisturize.
3. Moisturize.  Moisturize.  And Moisturize Some More.  Proper cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting are the crux of any worthy skin care regimen.  Proper moisturization is crucial to your skin’s health.  At night, moisturizing is even more important.  So pick a quality moisturizer that won’t clog your skin.  For the daytime, pick a moisturizer with an SPF.
4. Exfoliate.  Make exfoliating a part of your weekly beauty ritual.  Exfoliating will stimulate cell growth, clear clogged pores, and help fade post-acne marks.
5. Pamper Your Hair.  Your poor hair goes through the wringer everyday with various hair products and styling tools – especially heated ones – you use.  So to help minimize the damage make sure to trim your hair regularly as well as setting aside 20 minutes each week for a deep conditioning hair mask.
6. Get More Sleep.  There truly is a reason why they call it beauty sleep.  Aim to catch seven to eight hours of zzz’s each night.  Sleep will keep those pesky dark circles and puffy eyes at bay.  Moreover, sleep reduces stress, a cause of acne and weight gain.
7. Drink Lots of  H₂O.  So while it’s unproven that drinking water does anything for your skin, it really doesn’t hurt to sip on extra glass of water a day.  It’s still one of the healthiest beverage out there.  So replace a soda with a glass of  H₂O.  However, steer clear of water bottles, since those can cause wrinkles around the mouth, similar to that of a smoker – and plus it’s bad for the environment. 
8. Eat More Fruits & Vegetables.  Turns out your mother was right – darn it!  Fruits and vegetables are good for you.  So load up on antioxidant-rich foods to keep your skin looking great.
9. Throw Old Beauty Products Away.  Keep beauty products expiration in mind.  It’s important to throw away old beauty products as to not encourage bacterial growth.
10. Clean Makeup Brushes Weekly.  It’s important to clean your makeup brushes since they can accumulate bacteria and oil, which leads to clogged pores and breakouts.
11. Get Monthly Facials. Prevent dull looking skin by getting regular facials.  Facials are beneficial since they increase circulation and oxygen leading to healthy, glowing skin.
12. Try Something New.  If you’re stuck in a style rut, try something new to update your look.  And even if you’re not in a rut, try out a new trend this year and rock it.  
13. Go Green.  While you’re beautifying yourself this year, you might as well beautify the planet too.  Go for eco-friendly products and your skin and Mother Earth will thank you.
14. Exercise.  If you’re not exercising regularly already, then it’s time to pick up the pace.  Exercising leads to increased circulation, leading to beautiful, glowing skin.
15. Quit Smoking!  Two words that will do wonders for your health and skin – quit smoking.  Okay, so I know that smoking is a personal choice, but you can reap so may benefits by kicking the stinky habit.  Plus you would have whiter teeth and fewer wrinkles around your mouth

Did you ring in the New Year in style?  Party during the holidays?  Or maybe just partying it up general?  Well then, your skin might just be in need of a little detoxing.  If that’s the case, then follow these simple steps and you’ll be back to your radiant self in no time.

• Exfoliate.  By exfoliating your skin, you’ll be stimulating your lymphatic and circulatory systems.  This will help reduce the toxins in your body.  So scrub away.  
• Moisturize! Moisturize!  MOISTURIZE!  Lather up your skin with your favorite moisturizer to rehydrate your skin.  
• Eliminate caffeine from your diet.  I know it might be hard for most people to completely eliminate caffeine on a daily basis, but you could try it for a couple of days while your skin recovers.  But if you’re really jonesing for a caffeine fix, then give green tea a try – it’s better for your health.
• Drink more water.  Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking water.  This will also help you eliminate toxins.
• Feed your skin.  Try a 24 hour fruit only diet.  This will leave you with glowing skin guaranteed.  Be sure to ingest fruits that are high in antioxidants, such as berries and citrus.
• Exercise.  You should be exercising regularly anyways, but during your skin detox you really should be exercising.  Exercising will not only increase your energy levels, but it will also get your blood pumping so that you’ll have glowing, radiant skin.

Every loves getting pampered, especially before an important date or event.  To look your best and ensure optimal results, you should book your beauty appointment ahead of time of said event.  That said, if you’re unsure of when to schedule your appoints, no worries cause I have the 411 right here:

• Facials: One week before so that your skin looks great.  This also allows for recovery time if any post facial breakouts or redness occur. 
• Professional Glycolic Peel: Five to seven days before.  Redness from peels usually last for only a day, but you’ll want to have some time in between your peel and the event in case complications arise, so that your skin will have time to heel.  It is also important to stay away from the sun after a glycolic peel.
• At-Home Glycolic Peel:  Two days ahead.  Since the concentration of acid is lower in at-home peels you won’t need as much time in between the peel and the event.
• Microdermabrasion: Two days to three months ahead of time.  Why such a huge discrepancy?  It’s because, it depends on how many sessions you’re going to get.  For maximum results, most dermatologist recommend a minimum of four to six treatments spaced two weeks apart.  However, if you’re only looking to get one session, then you should get it one or two days before, since there’s no down time for procedure.
• Waxing: One week before, especially for facial hair.  This allows for any redness or tiny bumps to subside.  
• Threading: The day before or the day of the event.  There’s redness associated with threading, but it quickly subsides.
• Manicure & Pedicure: The day before or the day of the date, so that it’s still fresh.
• Botox:  Two weeks ahead of the big day.  Mild bruising may occur where botox was injected, so it will need time to heal.  Also botox takes time to see real results.
• Body Wrap:  One to five days before.  For optimal results, you should do two wraps (or more).  There should a couple of days in between wraps.  The last of the wraps should be one or two days before the date.

Now I’ll start off, by saying, that I love love LOVE ReVive Cleanser Gentil.  It is absolutely one of my all time favorite facial cleansers.  But if you look in my bathroom right now, you won’t find a trace of it.  Why?  The price.  At $65 a pop, I only use it every now and then, when I feel like splurging.  

The fact is, when it comes down to it, facial cleansers are a save not a splurge.  A cleanser stays on your face for a minute or less, so it makes no sense to use an expensive one.  You are literally washing money down the drain.  The best cleansers are gentle and noncomedogenic.  Most dermatologist recommends Cetaphil, a cleanser that is less than $10.  So there you have it, save your money to invest elsewhere in your skincare routine.