save your skin

The must-have accessory this season: astaxanthin. Don't let the name fool you--it's not a new program to help you file your taxes, nor is it a diet supplement. It's a super-antioxidant that protects body tissue from oxidative damage. One thousand times more potent than Vitamin E, it's found in salmon and gives the fish their pinkish hue. Leading dermatologist and skincare surgeon Dr. Kenneth Mark incorporated astaxanthin--along with seven other dominant antioxidants--in his Antioxidant Hydrating Cream (1.7 fl. oz.; $95). It promises to reduce melanin production, prevent collagen breakdown, eliminate free radicals, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, decrease blotchiness, hyperpigmentation and brown spots, soothe irritated skin and add moisture. It's been a week since I've been using it and the first thing I noticed is that my skin feels really soft! Next, the fine lines are finer and my skin's lost that dry, wintery feeling. As an added bonus: The cream works both preventatively AND correctively so you can erase the past and prep your skin for the future at the same time! The only down side--especially in this economy--is really the price. But you know what they say: Dr. Kenneth Mark's Antioxidating Hydrating Cream with Astaxanthin--$95 (available at www.KennethMarkMD.com). Beautiful, youthful-looking skin--priceless!

eye do

Eye scream, you scream, we all scream for eye cream! But not just any eye cream--you have to check out the latest greatest option from skyn ICELAND. It comes in the company's new Fundamentals Kit, which is designed to soothe irritation, restore moisture and re-balance stressed out skin. Icelandic Relief Eye Cream with Biospheric Complex ($45) is a lightweight cream that's supposed to reduce puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles thanks to soothing nutrients. And it really works! You can feel an instant cooling effect as you dab it on. Almost miraculously, all evidence of my two kids under three starts to vanish! My skin feels softer and smoother--and the next morning, I even notice a little less stress (think fewer fine--and not so fine--lines!) Also in the kit: A Glacial Facial Wash ($30)--a creamy, foaming cleanser that purifies and smooths without stripping away skin's natural moisture, and the Antidote Quenching Daily Lotion ($45), a lightweight, hydrating tonic that soothes and adds moisture. But the eye cream is still my favorite--my own personal time machine! You can buy any product on its own, or the whole kit for $70 at Sephora stores or www.sephora.com.

luscious locks

Throughout my years in the beauty biz, I've been introduced to lots of products--some basic, some innovative, some invigorating, some calming, some essential and some luxurious. And while I've rushed to try most of them, there were a handful I saved for "special occasions." Terax is one of those brands. I remember getting my first tube of Terax Crema and wanting to make it last for way more than it was intended to. And now--years later--when I try it again, I have the same reaction. I started with the Miele hydrating shampoo for normal to dry hair (6.7 oz; $20). It has honey and elder for moisture and shine as well as wheat protein and vitamins for strength and vitality. It also lathers up rich and creamy and rinses out thoroughly. I followed up with the one-and-only Terax Crema. The luxurious conditioner is scented with rice flower, shea, bergamot and juniper--definitely soothing to the senses. Designed to moisturize hair and restore split ends, breakage and dryness, it leaves my hair silky, shiny and super-soft (I can't stop running my hands through it!) Thankfully, it comes in a 2 oz. tube ($9), a 6.7 oz. tube ($22) and a very rewarding 16.9 oz. ($48) pump bottle--definitely worth the investment! For more great Terax Hair Care products, check out ULTA, Sephora.com or Beauty.com.

love your skin

In the dead of winter, it's hard to find products that soothe your skin. For me, it was always a challenge to find a gentle cleanser that still gets the job done. That's why I was ecstatic when I came across an innovative collection of products from Ole (pronounced ooh-la) Henriksen. Owner and founder of Ole Henriksen Face/Body day spas in Los Angeles, London and other major cities, Henriksen used his degree in cosmetic chemistry to create a skincare line designed to nurture, soothe, comfort, smooth and transform (Renee Zellweger, Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba and Julia Stiles are all fans). I have to admit, he did have to win me over though. The first product I tried was the On The Go Cleanser (7 oz; $21) for normal/combination skin. While I loved the fresh, citrusy scent (thanks to a healthy dose of vitamin C), I thought it left my skin feeling dry. But I didn't give up. Next I tried the Apricot Cleansing Lotion (7 oz; $21), a rich, creamy, comforting cleanser for dry/sensitive skin--and I was hooked. The lightweight lotion felt super-soft and emollients like avocado, sesame and apricot oil left my skin feeling smooth and clean. I followed it with the Nurture Me ($40) soothing cream for sensitive skin or rosacea. The scent conjured up memories of St. Joseph's Baby Aspirin, probably because it's packed with vitamins, so it's obviously good for you. By now an avid OH fan, I have also fallen for the New Beginning Scrub ($24), a smoothing and oxygenating exfoliant with tea tree oil as well as the Sheer Transformation ($45) silky restorative cream which also targets uneven skin tone. I haven't tried the new African Red Tea products (www.olehenriksen.com) yet but they're next on my list. Stay tuned...

brows that wow

Personally, I've always relied on my local salon to get my brows into shape, but I decided it was time to look into some do-it-yourself options. So I asked New York City-based brow expert Ramy Gafni about the secrets to getting brows that wow... "Start with a precisely balanced, angled tweezer with a rounded tip," says Gafni. "It will grab the tiniest hairs without breaking them and will be gentle on the delicate skin around the eyes." Try the Ramy Tweezer by Tweezerman (www.tweezerman.com). Then start shaping. "The biggest mistakes women make are tweezing their brows too thin or putting the arch in the wrong place," says Gafni, who suggests having brows shaped professionally and following the line for as long as you can. Next, invest in a curved safety scissors to trim excess length and a small double-ended brush to set hairs in place and apply brow filler. Brush on Eye LIFT Brows ($38) before applying moisturizer or makeup for instant firming and a brow 'lift.' Fill in your brows with Miracle Brow ($24) or the Perfect Brow Wand. "To use Miracle Brow, dip the angled end of the brush into each shade and apply where needed. Then use the blending brush to remove excess. The Perfect Brow wand is a double-ended pen--brush on the neutral brow filler that works on every hair color, then blend in the universally flattering highlighter along the underside of your brows using your finger to emphasize your arch and give brows a visual lift." Want more info? Check out the complete line of Ramy Beauty Therapy products at www.ramy.com.

plump it up

In an age when most of us are searching for a way to slim down, some of us are still hoping to plump up--our lips, that is. Since I'm not exactly considering a trip to the plastic surgeon's office, Angelina Jolie's perfect pout is pretty much beyond my reach. I found I can come close, however, with a little help from glominerals (www.gloskincare.com). The company's gloLip plumper ($16), a unique plumping formula infused with spheres of Marine Collagen Atelocolalgen which trap water and swell to provide volume, is designed to do the trick. Capsicum Extract, which comes from peppers, stimulates lips (not sure how I feel about the tingling sensation but it's pretty mild) and safflower oil softens and conditions (just in time for Valentine's Day). Choose your hue--copper shimmer, sheer berry or natural, or soon-to-be-released plum and cherry--and get ready to pucker up!

under cover

So your life has been pretty stressful lately--too many important meetings to prepare for, late nights to recover from and emotional antics that really take their toll. The worst part is that more often than not, it all shows up on your face. If only there was a magic wand that could erase the damage. Introducing The Eraser ($19), a great new tool from Tarte Cosmetics. It's a 4-in-1 natural concealer that comes in ten shades to suit any skin color. Just swipe it under eyes day or night to send dark circles, blemishes and puffy eyes packing. The silicone and water based formula keeps skin hydrated and prevents creasing and caking. And a handful of hydrating, antioxidant-based ingredients like safflower seed oil, cucumber extract, vitamins C and E, and olive oil keep skin looking soft, smooth and brightened. I'm always wary of concealers that leave skin looking worse than it does naturally...but this one sounded so appealing, I couldn't wait to try it. Now I know why Mary Louise-Parker looked so great at the Golden Globes! Just twist the product up into the wand then brush it on. It absorbed easily and blended well with my skin tone. My skin felt soft and smooth--leaving me with nothing to hide! Check out www.tartecosmetics.com.