I had a conversation over the weekend at a holiday party about beauty gifts (go figure!) and they thought that giving skin care was a strange gift to give someone. And they compared it to giving a set color of foundation. While I thought that was a tad too far, I can see where she was coming from but there are so many great deals out there, how can I resist? One I don’t think you can go wrong with is any of the PREVAGE items from ELIZABETH ARDEN. There are a few gift sets that are a total bargain, like the PREVAGE Day Anti-Aging Gift Set ($120 ($210 value!) @ macys.com).

Gift Set  includes:

PREVAGE Day Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 30, (1.7oz)
PREVAGE Body Total Transforming Anti-aging Moisturizer, (2.4oz)
PREVAGE Eye Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 15, (.17oz)

Quite a few skin care products have come out and here are three I am giving my stamp of approval.

COLORESCIENCE PRO Illuminating Cleanser Mineral Powder Formula ($37.50/1.4oz @ dermstore.com) – this powder looks like diamond dust and is great at not only cleansing and exfoliating the skin with Salicylic Acid but it also removes makeup. No tightness of the skin after using this one. Big recommendation.

BURT’S BEES Sensitive Night Cream ($15/1.8oz @ ulta.com) – part of the new Sensitive line they just put out, which includes a Cleanser, Moisturizing Cream and Eye Cream. These contain Cotton Extract to help minimize the effects of potential irritants, as well as aloe. So your skin is getting what it needs but gently.

PREVAGE Day Intensive Anti-aging Moisturizing Cream SPF 30 ($129/1.7oz) – Liz Arden’s Prevage brand has received rave reviews and they just came out with two new products. This day cream not only guards against UVA/UVB rays, but it also contains the powerful ingredient Idebenone to protect the skin from daily environmental assaults. The other new one is their Night Anti-aging Restorative Cream ($132/1.7oz). Get them both @ macys.com.

Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.

Since I’ve been doing this awesome Spring Scent Picks feature, I feel like I want to start a smell blog for things that smell good - from beauty products and the interior of new cars to old-fashioned magic markers and old-fashioned report cards. Ok, I’m showing my age now. Here are some more that I’m digging right now!

From L to R clockwise:

ELIZABETH ARDEN 'Pretty' Eau de Cologne Splash ($45/6.8oz @ macys.com)
CND SpaManicure Citrus Hydrating Lotion for the hands ($13.95/8oz @ cnd.com)
ORGANIX Conditioner in Cherry Blossom Ginseng ($7.99/13oz @ walgreens.com)
CRATER LAKE COMPANY Sugar Cloud Foaming Sugar Scrub in Honeysuckle Fizz ($15.95/11oz @ craterlakecompany.com)
LA NATURA 100% Vegan Pure Body Butter in Pomegranate ($30/4oz @ lanatura.com)
FLIRT! Rock-n-Roll Rebel Perfume Spray ($35/1.7oz @ kohls.com)
KINGS & QUEENS Sugar Showergel ($9/10.14oz @ target.com)

Disclosure: Some of these items were provided to Cybelesays.com for review purposes. Some I bought.

KENZO L’EauParKenzo Eau de Toilette ($29/.7oz @ kohls.com) – aquatic floral.

CLINIQUE Happy-To-Go ($30/4.8g @ clinique.com) – 3 Solid Perfume Pencils – Happy, Wealth of Flowers and Hint of Citrus.

ELIZABETH ARDEN Pretty Eau de Parfum Spray ($39/1oz @ macys.com) – fruity floral.

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDIJAN Lumiere Noire Pour Femme ($145/2.5oz @ neimanmarcus.com) – spiced rose.

PRADA L’eau Ambree Eau de Parfum refill ($78/2.7oz @ amazon.com) – woody amber.

I’m really digging this container the new ELIZABETH ARDEN Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation SPF 20: Pure Finish ($37.50 @ nordstrom.com) comes in. The compact has a built-in shaver or grinder to give you just the right amount you need each time and it just makes everything so much neater when using it! If you use mineral makeup, you know how sloppy things can get when using them. Smashbox has a container like this one too though I have not tried that one.

The powder itself is considered a loose mineral powder even though it’s packed tight inside the compact. And it’s infused with antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, SPF 20 and a sea water complex. I couldn’t find the exact ingredients for this on their site so I’m not sure if it contains any ingredients that are proven to aggrevate some people’s skin. So as with every product for the face, do a spot test.

Also, I’m not sure if the puff that is included is the best choice for the application tool but you can use your own brush like in the picture if you feel you have more control over that, which I for one, do. Available in 9 shades.