.:: CybeleSays ::.

Facial Euphoria With Bliss

We loved The Youth As We Know It Moisturizing Cream when it came out last year and yeah, they’ve expanded the collection! I don’t think much will get by when you have this 5some on hand from BLiSS.

First up, we got the creamy The Youth As We Know It Cleanser ($30/6.7oz) and the The Youth As We Know It Toner ($28/6.7oz). There’s been much debate on whether or not the skin even needs a toner. I vote yes as I’ve read a few places that it resets the pH of the skin. I really like this next product in the collection called The Youth As We Know It Concentrate: Age Control ($70/1oz). This serum claims to release moisturizers two different times in the day. Wow! I guess I have to believe them since I couldn’t see it on my skin but I know my face did not seem dried out when I went to wash it at bedtime.
Then there’s the The Youth As We Know It Eye Cream ($75/.5oz), if you need it, and rounding it all out, slather on that Moisturizing Cream ($79/1.7oz). They say that products in a collection are usually made to work with one another, so I would give a few of these a shot. All @ sephora.com

Facesome Foursome

I love when a line keeps it very basic. Like the one from DiANA B. Their moto is CLEANSE. HYDRATE. NOURISH. TRANSFORM. And yes, all in caps.

CLEASE = Foaming Facial Sugar Scrub

HYDRATE = Hydrating Toner

NOURISH = Face Cream

TRANSFORM = Eye Cream

Now I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine washing my face with a sugar scrub everyday. I didn’t try it so I can’t comment on it. The ones I did try were the Face Cream ($90/3oz) and Eye Cream ($85/.9oz). I like using them both at night. Neither contains filler ingredients and are non-comedogenic.

Benefits of the Face Cream – ingredients include algae extracts, nourishing oils of sweet almond, jojoba, Evening Primrose, and Shea Butter to name a few. Seems to work beautifully for this time of year.
Benefits of the Eye Cream – same as above but also contains ones to help tone down dark circles. And it has a slight cooling effect when applied. So de-puff away! All available @ luckyscent.com

Holiday Pick - Treat Her Like A Lady

Here’s one to print out and leave on the kitchen table so your significant other can stumble upon it. LA MER The Essentials ($615 only @ neimanmarcus.com) is all the yup, essentials, from the line: Lifting Face Serum (1oz), Eye Concentrate (.5oz), Crème de La Mer (1oz), all on a metal and white enamel vanity tray. Very royal.

A Jewel For The Eye

It comes in a silver box, wrapped just like a precious jewel. From the Sensai Cellular Performance line of KANEBO, comes the holistic anti-aging Eye Contour Balm. This silky rich eye cream is not only a luxurious treat for the eye area, but more than that, the anti-aging ingredients help tremendously with dark circles, dullness, puffiness, sagging and fine lines and wrinkles. You feel an immediate tightening effect as soon as the cream sinks in! Treat yourself to lustrous skin that retains the sensation of silk. $95/.52oz @ bergdorfgoodman.com ~Lisa

Lisa's Lucky List

Everyone else does a Top Ten List, but since seven is my lucky number, I'm going to give you the 4-1-1 on seven great skin care products. These are the highlight products from several lines I have tried and wanted to share. They are in alpha order because I can’t choose one over the other and they’re all good! Here it goes:

1. BEYOND COASTAL SUN CARE – Must not forget sunscreen, even when the sun has gone behind the clouds. Daily Care SPF15 is chock full of green tea, yerba mate and lipoic acid ($14.50/4oz). And they don't forget about lips with their All Natural Lip Balm ($5/.25oz). The extra large tube provides an SPF of 15 with antioxidants galore and Shea butter. Both @ beyondcoastal.com
2. INSTiTUT ARNAUD's Youthful Radiance Serum gives a certain “glow” to your complexion, even without foundation! Skin appears to be firmer and lifted and the texture of the cream is like velvet. $30/1.02oz @ walgreens.com
3. Libertage Advance Jour Expression Line Corrector from L'BEL creates an intense patch-type effect to keep the skin in its relaxed state and to help control the appearance of wrinkles caused by constant facial muscular contraction. This is an intense gel with a double smoothing effect. Use this one in the AM. $37.50/1oz @ lbel.com
4. LUMEDiA Facial Brightener is 100% Hydroquinone-Free and brightens the skin helps you look younger and really enhances skin’s overall tone. Use twice a day to achieve optimum results. $90/3oz @ cosmeticmall.com
5. NiLAA SILK Eye Creme is just that, so silky! This one combines Indian Ayurvedic herbs and Turmeric spice for the creamiest treat for your eye area. It’s great alone or to wear over a specific eye treatment serum. This ancient Ayurvedic secret is comforting and immensely moisturizing to the eye area. $36/.85oz @ nilaasilk.com
6. PH ADVANTAGE – Rhydex-2 Wrinkle Relief Cream. Wrinkles don’t stand a chance with this one that is one Peptide packed cream. For fast acting and long term treatment of facial wrinkles, this one claims to increase elasticity, help rebuild collagen and creates an ultra hydrating moisture barrier. $75/oz @ phadvantage.com
7. SKiNDiNAViA Shine Reducing Cleanser has a remarkable time released system built in the formula to help regulate shine throughout the day and it kicks into overdrive in extreme humidity. This is a sulfate-free blend that oxygenates in about 20 seconds to lift dirt and keep your skin matte. This is a major find for oily skin types! $19/4oz @ skindinavia.com ~Lisa

Be All That You Can BE

I’ve been testing some great skin care lines from Australia and BECOME Age Resistant Skincare is another new favorite from the region. I tried three skin basics and one treatment and they all performed as promised. The Eye Cream is super hydrating and has a nice creamy texture, which I like for that dry area around my eyes ($39/.53oz). The Day Cream also has a creamy texture and is not heavy or greasy. I definitely feel my face is getting the protection it needs. It has a patented peptide blend that smoothes and firms. ($49/1.4oz). The Reveal Enzyme Peel ($49/1.8oz) is great for the face, but also works well as a nice treat for your hands. They need TLC too! A gentle peel exfoliates and aloe leaf juice soothes. This is not a harsh peel! Call 1-877-BECOME2 to get set up as a customer after you check them out @ becomebeauty.com ~Lisa

Bright Eyed Beauty

The Queen of (Sun) Screen? *drum roll please * that would be ME. And if you are going to put sunscreen on your face, don't forget the important eye region. The area can be sensitive with some sunscreens so that’s why I was thrilled to find H2O PLUS Aqualibrium Self Defense Eye Protector with SPF 15 ($28/.5oz @ h2oplus.com). While providing non-irritating sun protection, this cream also targets the needs of the delicate eye contour area, including puffiness and dark circles, with their signature sea derived ingredients. And the hydration you get is outstanding (another very important requirement for me). So this is a fabulous, all in one eye cream you should definitely try. ~Lisa

Bright Eyed & Bushy Tailed with Hylexin

For those of us cursed with dark circles, ones that keep us concealer-crazed because we couldn’t fathom leaving the house without hiding them, there’s finally hope on the horizon with HYLEXiN. If you were about to give up because nothing has ever worked, you must try this one. This formula seems to cure the problem, not mask it. I’ve been applying Hylexin twice daily for the last 7 weeks now and my circles have absolutely started to fade. I’m guessing the difference is dramatic because many have remarked how well rested I look lately, ha, they should only know. Miracles do occur and it’s inside this .78oz tube. How does it work? Well, we don't claim to be chemists at Cybelesays. We just know when something does the job right. Yes, it’s a little pricey but very little is needed per application and how can you put a price tag on ridding yourself of raccoon eyes? $95 @ hylexin.com ~Randi

All About Eyes

Here are some special products to address eye concerns and helps us with lines, wrinkles and dark circles. JOEY NEW YORK Firm and Tone Eye Cream ($30/.5oz @ joeynewyork.com) should be patted on and pressed in and around the eye area for hydrating and helping diminish appearance of fine lines and shadows. It’s very rich, but definitely not greasy! Great to use before makeup application.

PUR MiNERALS Mineral Eye Prep ($17 @ purminerals.com) in fast becoming a morning staple. After you moisturize and before you apply your eye shadow, give this wand a try. The Eye Prep will serve as a primer, neutralize eyelid color and provide antioxidant protection.

BOBBI BROWN brings our eyes into the lightness of being, with the aptly named Eye Brightener ($32/.24 oz @ bobbibrown.com). A very small amount of this light pink cream will not only hide dark circles but also lighten the entire eye area, which makes you look more refreshed.

SKiN MEDiCA Uplifting Eye Serum ($45.60/.5oz) has vitamins and botanical antioxidants to hydrate and lift the sensitive skin around the eyes while reducing appearance of puffiness, circles and fine lines. A great companion to this is their TNS Illuminating Eye Cream ($66.50/.5oz) which smoothes and brightens the sensitive tissue around the eyes. I use this on top of the serum and it helps your makeup go on flawlessly. Both @ amazon.com ~Feature by Lisa