PRETTY GOOD ADVICE: be good to your skin

It’s that time of year again, when we make promises to ourselves that we will diet, exercise, and become more organized! This year, take your resolutions a step further and make a promise to yourself that you will make more of an effort to become “skin healthy.” After all, the skin on your face is your best accessory, not to mention the skin on your body is what holds you altogether. Here, Marina Peredo, MD, founder of Spatique Medical Spa in Smithtown, NY, offers her tried and true skincare tips.

Skin Rx: Make an appointment to see your dermatologist for a full body skin check, once a year (if there is no history of skin cancer.) If you have melanoma, which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, you should see your dermatologist every 3 months, the first year and following years, every 6 months for life. This isn't something you should put off. It can save your life!

Treat It Right: Make an effort to see your esthetician on a monthly or bi-monthly basis and get a microdermabrasion or chemical peel to rid your face of dead skin cells and bring on a new, fresh, glowing looking face, regularly. If you cannot see your esthetician, try a home-made scrub with Honey and Sugar. The Honey smoothes the skin and has antibacterial properties and the sugar exfoliates. Follow-up with an egg white to tighten your skin.

Stock Up on Skincare Essentials: Invest in good skincare products that contain essential vitamins and anti-oxidants that can help reduce the negative effects of free radicals, stress and other elements that can impede healthy skin. Start off with a gentle cleanser for most days and an exfoliating cleanser for a couple of days in between to help get rid of dead skin cells (this will hold you over until you can make it to the medi-spa for your facial!) Then, try a good anti-aging serum that contains vitamins and antioxidants to help with cellular turnover and of course, a daily moisturizer that contains a sunscreen.

Don't Forget the Sunscreen: Sunscreen is needed every day, not only at the beach or vacations. That is why it is important to find a sunscreen that provides protection as well as hydration.

De-Clutter Your Stock: Throw away outdated skincare products. Make-up that hasn't been used in a while and outdated skincare products may be hosting bacteria and can cause breakouts. Open the medicine cabinet and empty your make-up bag. If you haven't touched that skincare product or piece of make-up in a few months it’s time to say goodbye. Your skin will thank you later.

Come Clean: Sleep without make-up. Not removing your make-up is one of the worst don'ts when it comes to your skincare routine. Make-up clogs pores and can leave your complexion looking dull. Wash, tone, and moisturize your skin every night before bed this year.

Personal Tip: *My newest discovery is Macha Tea, a type of Green Tea that has antioxidants that help fight off free radicals. Not only do the free radicals break down collagen that cause wrinkles and sagging skin, Macha can also help to suppress your appetite and give you more energy…helping achieve your weight-loss resolution!

For more info, amazing skincare products and great skincare tips, go to www.spatiquemedicalspa.com.

happy mother's day: indulge her

We all know, you can tell a lot about a gift from the box it comes in. Take your mom to The Plaza Beauty at New York City's famed Plaza Hotel and she'll get a sense there's something special about to happen the minute you walk through the front doors. Stop by on May 7th and May 8th to let mom choose her own gift or treat her to some luxe beauty treatments from brands like Kimiko, Alchimie, Smashbox, Ky Bae, JUARA, Juliette Has a Gun and Rancé Fragrance. This premier beauty retreat features tips, treatments, trunk sales and more. Find out what’s in store for the season, experience products first-hand, and indulge in beauty essentials from around the world. Go to http://www.theplazabeauty.com/ for more info.

fur real: beauty products for your fluffy friends

Why should humans have all the fun? These luxurious doggie grooming products--designed for the discerning dog--will have Fido glowing in no time. FUR products by J Mikel are ph-balanced, clean rinsing and safe to use on dogs, cats and humans too. Actually, in an ironic twist, they're made for animals and tested on humans.

What's in the formula? Powerful free-radical fighting anti-oxidants, beneficial essential fattyacids, natural sunscreens, and therapeutic essential oils. Sounds like a perfect skin care concoction if you ask me--which is not a surprise, since J Mikel spent years in the beauty industry, working with well-respected brands such as Estee Lauder’s Aveda, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Her extensive experience with aromatherapy and perfumery has played a big role in developing her dog collection.

The line highlights two puppy-pleasing essentials: Morning Seed and Calendula Cleanser and Detangler. The cleanser is soap-free, moisturizing, has a fresh citrus floral scent and is designed to nourish your dog's coat. The detangler is a silky, leave-in conditioner that moisturizes, repels dust, detangles knots and adds shine. Plus, it works on all coat types: silky, ruff or curly.

Fans of the line include groomers, dog-loving celebrities and dog care experts--not to mention celebs like Miley Cyrus and Mariah Carey. But true dog lovers will also adore FUR's accessory collection featuring dog silhouette note cards and the FUR dog ID key ring. Along with the company logo and products, they were inspired by Zachary, J Mikel’s West Highland Terrier. So chic!

This adorable pet line can be found at top apothecaries, department stores, beauty websites and upscale dog emporiums. To view the collection, go to www.furdogsnyc.com or buy via the online shopping cart, www.shop.furdogsnyc.com. After all, nothing's too good for your pooch!

expert advice: moisturizing tips from Rhea Grous, La Suite Skin Care

Rhea Grous is a certified esthetician and well-rounded beauty expert. Sure, she has degrees from the prestigious Catherine Hinds Institute in Boston and trained at The Decleor Institute in Paris, but her real skill is evident in the personal experience she offers her customers. Formerly the number one requested and booked esthetician at Manhattan’s Bliss Spa, she now works her magic at the La Suite Skin Care studio in Greenwich, CT. Here, she shares her expertise with us and helps us combat dry, winter skin...

Prettyisprettydoes: Does everyone need moisturizer?

Rhea Grous: Yes! You need moisturizer to hydrate the skin. Lack of hydration can lead to sensitivity, outbreaks, and other skin issues. Any condition from oily to dry skin can be magnified when lacking water, moisture or hydration.

PIPD: What's the most important factor to consider when buying a moisturizer? Are there any key ingredients they should definitely have for them to be effective?

RG: It's important to read the ingredients and avoid color, fragrance and too many preservatives because they increase the chance of irritation and allergic reaction. Moisturizers these days are PRIMARILY focused on anti aging; we each have to choose what's right for our skin. Humectants, which increase water levels in the skin, are a huge benefit for moisturizers. Vitamins fight environmental damage which can be caused by free radicals. Peptides signal your skin to make more collagen, and might act like Botox. AHAs and BHAs offer antiaging and exfoliating properties and help retexturize skin. It's a good idea to look for these in your night moisturizer. Retinols are antiaging, accelerate exfoliation, improve appearance of fine lines and helps reduce sun damage. These are also great in a

night moisturizer that can work while you're sleeping.

PIPD: Does your moisturizing routine need to change based on the season (ie: hot weather vs. cold weather)?

RG: Absolutely, weather changes our skin's needs. In general, warm weather gives the skin more of everything and skin tends to prefer a lighter version of its usual moisturizer. Additionally, this is NOT the season to forget sunscreen -- it should be a must!! Many moisturizers include sunscreen these days (sunscreen in a moisturizer is automatically a day cream). VS night cream which usually has a retinol or alpha hydroxy. In winter, the harsh elements tend to rob the skin of water. Look for a moisturizer to spike the humectants and increase water levels.

PIPD: Any product recommendations?

RG: La Mer products, which are oil-based, are an incredible way to moisturize dry skin. The moisturizer is the best in the business. La Mer also has an incredible oil-absorbing moisturizer for those that are super oily. Both are expensive but worth it. Skinceuticals' Face Cream is water-based, hydrating and has antioxidants to protect and shield the skin of free radicals that promote aging. SkinMedica products range from inexpensive (under $50) to expensive ($112). They are water-based and, therefore, compatible with most people's skin. They have antioxidants and epidermal growth factors which are great for healing and promoting new cells (available from a doctor or the internet). G.M. Collins products are in the same range as above. There are creams with peptides as well as antiaging options. Peptides are very popular these days as they aid in minimizing wrinkles. This is a great option for those who don't want to Botox, and a great choice for those who use Botox since it helps to extend the lifespan of the treatment. One of my favorite lines is a drugstore brand called La Roche Posay. Redermic (about $44) has all the bells and whistles, but no peptides. A water-based cream containing vitamins, humectants (like sodium hyaluronate and glycerin) and a silicone ingredient that makes the product soooo silky and helps fill in wrinkles. It reads beautifully on the skin at a low price point and is easily accessible. Plus, it comes in normal to combination skin as well as normal to dry. The company's Effaclar moisturizer is great for oily skin and runs about $25. It's a great way to mattify the skin in the morning while still treating it.

For more info on Rhea and La Suite Skin Care, go to www.lasuiteskincare.com.

expert advice: makeup artist sandy linter for lancome, part 2

Lancome's Sandy Linter shares her beauty advice, personal regimen and favorite products of the season.

Her advice for beauty phobics: Look at the magazines. Try to identify with a model or actress, someone whose looks speak to you. Go to a professional makeup artist with a picture and tell them you like the feeling of the makeup that you see in the picture. Even if the photo is very natural, a good professional can look at you and suggest products to achieve this look. A good professional can also tell you to find another person to identify with.

Her personal beauty routine: I put my hair back with a headband and apply the Absolue Premium Bx Cleanser on my entire face, cotton ball it off, go over it with Absolue Toner, then apply Platineum Night on my face and neck and rub some on my hands. In the morning, I go over my face with the Absolue Toner, and use Absolue Premium Bx Lotion as my moisturizer (great for any age). When time permits, I use Hydra Intense Masque, and Resurface Microdermabrasion on my body. I also use Absolue Body which has a wonderfully light texture.

Her favorite products for spring: Lancôme has a complete line of products. Skin care is among the best in the world and the makeup is always client friendly. The colors are not aggressive. The color palette is meant to make a woman look approachable, beautiful and fashionable. Even an "edgy” style is made easy to do. All women can use Lancôme. There is a lipstick shade and consistency for everyone. Same with foundation and powder. One of my favorite products for spring is the High Definicils mascara. I fell in love with the new brush and the formula keeps my lashes separated. Also, get every shade of La Laque Fever gloss! I have not tried a color I don't like.

Check out www.lancome-usa.com to find more great spring/summer products.