Pimples are nothing more than mini-infections of the skin. In order to clear up pimples, one should try following a few simple steps.
1. Wash your face twice per day with a non-stripping cleanser (this is something that should be as closely PH balanced to your skin as possible).

Suggestion: Revive, Cleanser Gentil Gelee - $65.00

Available at neimanmarcus.com and bergdorfgoodman.com

2. Use your hands to wash your face (instead of a wash cloth, sponge or anything else for that matter. Your hands will cause less abrasion to the surface of the skin, having less chance of spreading the infection.
3. Either fill your sink with water or let your water run while your washing your face. Splash as many times as you like to clear your skin of the cleanser (the splashing provides improved blood circulation to the face).
4. If you need to exfoliate, do it with an Enzyme, Alpha-Hydroxy or Glycolic based product instead of a manual exfoliator. This is one of the most common mistakes that people make, as it might seem as though your getting a deeper cleansing, but (as I stated above), you’re only moving around the infection.

Suggestions: La Prairie, Cellular Retexturizing Booster- $160.00

Amore Pacific, Treatment Enzyme Peel - $60.00

both available at neimanmarcus.com and bergdorfgoodman.com

5. Once or twice per week use a cleansing mask (after cleansing). This will also clear up any blackheads you may have. Leave the mask on your whole face (staying clear of the eye area) for about ten minutes, then rinse) (you can also spot treat specific areas).

Suggestions: Natura Bisse Stabalizing Cleansing Mask, $47.00

available at neimanmarcus.com, barneys.com and bergdorfgoodman.com.

6. Follow either your cleanser or mask with a non-alcohol toner. Toning is part of the cleansing process and (especially for someone with acne, should not be ignored

Suggestion: Elemis, Soothing Apricot Toner - $33.00

Available at Nordstrom.com and bergdorfgoodman.com

7. If you’re oily, but still dehydrated, complete your twice-daily regiment, using a light-weight moisturizer after your toner.

Suggestion: Amore Pacific, Moisture Bound, Refreshing Hydra Gel - $100.00

Available at neimanmarcus.com and berddorfgoodman.com

If you have persistent or systic acne, consult a dermatologist as your regiment may include either topical or internal, prescribed medicine.

Popularity: 7%

This post is a response to something that I read the other day on BELLASUGAR. As the idea of letting your face air dry, vs drying it with a towel sounds like a good idea you may want to consider this.

Water from your tap is not just H20. It contains many minerals (such as iron, lead, etc.), chemicals (chlorine at the least) and pollutants.

When you go to the ocean or pool and get out of the water, what do you do? You rinse off because you can actually feel the remnants of the salt or chlorine. Well, you may not be able to feel these from your tap, but unless you have an advanced purification system on your water system in your home they’re there.

I do have a suggestion. I do something that creates a similar effect, but with product. Wash your face, use your favorite toner to remove the chemical/mineral/pollutant residue and then spray your face with one of these two products:

Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System

This product actually contains NO water and uses nano-technology as a carrier system to deliver the product into your skin (and is my favorite).

Neimanmarcus.com

Chantecaille Rose Water

The water in the product is (of course) purified and the rose oil within the water is a very small molecule that can easily be accepted into the skin.

Eluxury.com

Both are excellent choices depending on your preferences and give the humectants in your moisturizer more water to try and carry into your skin.

Try it!

Popularity: 1%

No matter the trends, not everyone can wear every shaped glasses. (Dame Edna Everage, left)

There are, of course exceptions. Some people choose to use their glasses as their distinguishing feature, in which case it’s more about being obscenely extravagant and anything goes.

I, personally cannot wear glasses that don’t have a nose guard. I have a very wide nose bridge and when I push glasses without the guard against my face, it looks as if I’m all nose. On the other hand, when I wear glasses with the guard, my nose actually looks smaller.

The way that I was taught to show people how to choose glasses was to see whether the glasses followed the natural line of the persons brow. In addition, the glasses should not be so small (especially in sunglasses) as to not cover the persons actual eyes or likewise, not so large to extend past the sides of the face. (Mary Kate Olsen, right)

For the most part, if you go to someone reputable, they will tell you (if you ask) which type of frame is best for your face.

In my opinion, the best place to go for the best designer frames (at least in NY) is the Morganthal Frederics salon in Bergdorf Goodman. Ask for Stephanie (you won’t be disappointed).

Morganthal Frederics

Popularity: 2%

We can cover anything with the right make-up, but great skin shines through. Beautiful skin (for most people) takes a lot of work! Because of the environment that we live in (a depleted ozone layer, pollution, stress), our skin takes a beating every day.

Here is a list of the items that I believe everyone should be using on a regular basis:

1. The first thing everyone needs is a good Sunscreen (remember SPF= your normal sun burn time x the SPF number (15,25,30, etc.).
2. The second thing you need (believe it or not) is a good foundation. Foundation sits on the surface of your skin and blocks the pollution and any dirt from getting into your pores. When you wash your face, off comes the foundation and the pollution with it.
3. Cleanser: most people don’t break out from anything other than not cleansing properly. If you’re prone to breaking out, when you wash your face, use your hands, not a washcloth. Most people spread the bacteria around when they use a washcloth, a sponge or a brush causing more break out.
4. Toner: toner is part of the cleansing process. Use an alcohol free toner and sweep it over your skin with a cotton pad after you’ve finished cleansing. You’ll be amazed at the amount of “stuff” that comes off on the pad. It should also PH balance the surface of your skin and prepare it for moisture.
5. Moisturizer: don’t bother buying a good moisturizer if your not going to exfoliate! You’re just moisturizing the dead skin on top. You want to be able to at least try to get to some of the cells under that dead skin. Find a moisturizer with hyluronic acid. This is an ingredient that attracts water and binds it to your skin. It’s in most good moisturizers. Also remember that you can still be oily but dehydrated. Use an oil-free moisturizer if this is the case and you don’t like to feel oily.
6. Eye Cream: eye creams are formulated for the thin skin around our eyes. Most facial moisturizers cannot penetrate this skin and just lay on the surface and cause puffiness. Eye creams (unless otherwise specified) should NOT go on the eyelid. They are meant to go on the orbital bone surrounding the eye.
7. Neck Cream: the skin on the neck is actually very similar to the skin under the eyes. The big difference is that you don’t want excessive moisture on the neck due to the fact that water is heavy and will weigh down this delicate tissue (over time causing the dreaded turkey neck).
8. Exfoliant: I mentioned exfoliation under cleansers. Also see my extensive post on the differences between them and which one is best for you.

Serums and masks are generally used to supplement your daily routine with a boost of something that you feel is not being addressed with your daily product regimen. If you have a specific concern (such as spots, wrinkles, clogged pores, hydration, exfoliation, puffiness, firming or any number of other issues) search for the serum that best suits your needs.

Your daily routine should consist of a morning and evening ritual. I’m constantly surprised by the number of people believe that since they washed their face before they went to bed, they don’t need to wash it again in the morning. WRONG!!! Your skin is active when you sleep. It secretes waste that needs to be washed off. It seems like a lot, but your skin and the mirror will thank you.

Popularity: 6%