5 Favorites

I don't know where to start.  My whole regimen has taken a turn for the better lately and with each new launch and product mailing I'm falling in love all over again with the latest lotions and potions.  Allow me to present my five favorites of the moment.  You can thank me later!

Rodial Glam Balm Multi, $59, has been a staple in my bag.  I've been traveling a ton lately and this non-greasy balm is loaded with stem cells so it has plumping benefits and is super moisturizing.  You can use it as a day or night cream on your face for extra hydration, on your hands, cuticles, lips, elbows.  The options are endless.

StriVectin-AR Advanced Retinol Eye Treatment, $75, has my favorite anti-aging key word, retinol, as it's main ingredient.  My biggest paranoia lately has been fine lines on the sides of and underneath my eyes.  They make me look old and tired!  I trust StriVectin and the combination of Retinol and Niacin is a perfect blend to help diminish them quickly.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder, $45, offers lightweight coverage in a variety of shades.  I'm not one to wear foundation daily, but when I go on TV, it becomes my best friend.  Hello HD!  This powder blends seamlessly into my skin without feeling caky.  Plus, it's easy to carry around for last minute touch ups.

Toni & Guy Volume Plumping Mousse, $14.99, puts an end to the search.  The search for volume that is.  The famed UK brand just landed state side and after trying a variety of their products, I couldn't be happier.  Since my strands live for mousse, this is by far my favorite product in the line.  It's lightweight and not only offers volume, but it also gives bounce.  That's the difference.  Who doesn't want bounce?

 Gelish Mini Soak Off Gel Polish, $10 ea., come in a variety of fashion forward shades for fall.  My favorite being 'A Touch of Sass' and soak off easily without ruining your own nails.  Hey, a girl needs a gel mani every once in a while!

Everything You Need to Know About Dark Circles & How to Get Rid of Them

One of my best friends suffers from dark circles and ever since I started my career in  beauty I've been giving her new products to test out that promise to help reduce, rid and conceal the pesky under eye nuisances.  When you see pics of celebs without makeup on, most of them have dark circles, too.  I spoke with Dr. Ellen Marmur, to find out the causes, best treatments and products to help put them at bay.  Did you know that all dark circles aren't created equal?

1. What are the main causes of dark under eye circles?  

Some of the main causes of dark under eye circles are due to extra blood vessels that make the skin appear maroon,  hemosiderin which is a pigment residue from red blood cells when they break down, melanin hyperpigmentation from sun damage, dry skin, and thinning skin. My patients always think they are from lack of sleep, allergies, or dehydration. All of those can all exacerbate dark under eye circles but are usually not the actual cause.  There are many factors that contribute to the overall problem of dark circles. Check with your dermatologist to help define the main causes for you.

2. Are all dark circles created equal? 

No, they definitely are not.  Some are more difficult to get rid of.  It really depends on the cause.  For instance, dark circles that are brown in color are normally caused by melanin formation and these are the most difficult to get rid of as they are likely genetic or related to sensitive skin.  Dark circles with a blue hue are usually caused by poor micro-circulation where the blue venous blood is more obvious underneath the eye, and if they are yellowish, then thinning skin is likely the cause. Whatever the cause of your dark circles, they can be improved or at the very least camouflaged with topical products. In the office, one of my favorite treatments is the Marmur Medical Total Eye Makeover , a combination of lasers and fillers to improve the skin texture, improves collagen, and reduce the shadow effect that darkens the under eye area.

3. Can they be improved?  If so, how?

Yes! Depending on the cause of the dark circles there are a variety of complimentary treatments ranging from lower eyelid surgery to the Marmur Medical Total Eye Makeover to topical eye creams. Excessive sun exposure can intensify dark circles, so I always tell my patients to wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 every day as well as sunglasses to protect the delicate eyes area. Another tip: never rub the skin beneath your eye because rubbing, a habit many people have or from over scrubbing the area,  leads to hyperpigmentation and wrinkles from thicker skin!

4. What ingredients should one look for to help brighten them? 

Vitamin C is a great ingredient in skin care.  It helps to diminish melanin production and is a great antioxidant.  Caffeine is another popular ingredient in eye treatments.  It helps to constrict or shrink the vessels under the eye lid to reduce dark circles and puffiness.  Niacin has strong science showing it diminished melanin formation. Look for an eye product with light diffusing micas which help mask dark circles by instantly reflecting light for improved luminosity.

5. What products do you recommend? 

I tell my patients to try the StriVectin-EV Get Even Dark Circle Corrector. It not only brightens the eye area, it contains a patented niacin molecule that has a positive cumulative effect that clears away the melanin so dark circles are diminished and stay that way.

Behind the Scenes of My Elizabeth Arden Shoot... So SJP

This past week has been super fun!  I shot a campaign for Elizabeth Arden that's going to be on BetterTV, online and in print similar to the Strivectin campaign I shot last fall.  Acting as a Spokesperson and being in front of a camera is my true passion so I was completely in my element. Thursday we shot in an office setting and in a gorgeous house in New Jersey and Friday we shot at the Elizabeth Arden store on 5th Ave and out and about in NYC.  My Friday scenes were my favorite because they truly portrayed 'a day in the life.'  Only for this day, I had a stylist and glam squad on hand.

I was the "girl on the go" and we filmed in and out of taxi cabs, subways and walking around the Plaza Hotel by the fountain.  I felt very Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City!  I can't wait to show you the video when it's out!

Now, they're taking a day and a half of footage and creating a three minute piece.  It's expected to be launched late April/early May.

StriVectin Wrinkle Report is Out!

A few months ago I reported that I was filming "The Wrinkle Report" as a Beauty Expert for StriVectin with Jordan Reid of RamShackleGlam.  The segment is out and it's so cute!  They got our 10 hours of footage into about 3 minutes.  Check it out.

Strivectin Wrinkle Report / Beauty Expert from Jordan Reid on Vimeo.

My Campaign with BetterTV for StriVectin

Last Monday I took a break out of NYFW to film a campaign for StiVectin and BetterTV.  I have to admit, so far it was one of the highlights of my career as a Spokesperson. The ten hour shoot started at 7am at the office of Felix Mercado of Say It With Style where I was in hair and make up and met my host, Jordan Reid of RamShackleGlam.  After Felix (our stylist for the day) sought through  my wardrobe we headed to Yoga Works to film my first tip for feeling younger: mind and body rejuvenation.

Even thought there were tons of people in the room including producers, camera men, our makeup artist and hair stylist Deb, Felix and the StriVectin client, I felt at ease immediately and was able to put myself into the Spokesperson role because I instantly clicked with Jordan.

Next, it was time to hit the streets of Soho.  (Imagine walking the streets of NYC with a camera crew following you and hairstylist touching you up every couple of minutes.)  We wrapped in the BetterTV studios ten hours later.  I couldn't be more grateful for landing the gig and working with the BetterTV crew!  The campaign will be on BetterTV nation wide and online in November.  I'll be sure to post it when it's live.