feet first

With summer just around the corner, you might be stocking up with sunscreen, bug spray and a collection of your favorite colored flip flops. But you're probably forgetting about a very important accessory for warmer weather. Relief for your feet! I know, it's not the first thing on your list...but think about it: It gets hot out there, your feet sweat (as gross as it sounds, it's true!) and they might even smell a bit. Not to mention all the calluses and blisters you get from trekking around town in wedges, platforms and your favorite sandals all day long. To the rescue: FootWorks, a collection of footcare products you can't live without, from Avon. Start with the Green Tea & Mint Exfoliating Scrub ($3.99) to retexturize skin and leave it feeling softer and smoother. The tiny granules are gentle on your skin but really get the job done. Then try the Green Tea & Mint Cooling Moisture Lotion ($4.99), a cooling foot lotion with green tea extract that moisturizes skin and dries super-fast! Plus, it really cools as it works and leaves your feet smelling minty fresh (sounds like a toothpaste commercial, but it's better than smelling sweaty!). If you don't have time for this elaborate footcare routine, just spritz feet with the Green Tea & Mint Invigorating Spray ($4.99) for quick, cooling relief! Check out www.avon.com to make your purchase.

raise the bar

When's the last time you showered with a bar of soap? Can't remember? Well, put down your fancy cleanser or shower gel and pick up these individually wrapped Molton Brown soaps. Known for its luxurious soaps when it first opened its doors in 1973, Molton Brown has brought back two of its most popular formulas. I tried the Exfoliating Oatmeal and Milk Cleansebar ($22 per set of four) made with ingredients that have been used for centuries to soften and comfort skin. I really liked the creamy lather, designed to soften, smooth and rebalance as it cleans. I'm not sure about the exfoliating properties, though, as the oatmeal specs in the bar make you feel like you're getting smooth but I didn't really feel them. Maybe that's why it works so well! Also in stores is the Ultrapure Milk Cleansebar ($22 per set of four) which contains natural skin conditioners plus Vitamin A and D to improve texture and give skin a glowing appearance. It definitely felt smooth even while rubbing it all over my skin. Try them both or buy one for a friend; they'll make great houseguest gifts this summer! Available at Molton Brown emporia, select department stores and at www.moltonbrown.com.

give the gift of caring with Curél

I know about dry skin. In fact, I douse myself in ultra-thick moisturizing creams religiously as part of my nighttime beauty regimen. I am constantly trying to soothe and smooth rough elbows, knees, hands and feet. So when Curél came out with limited-edition Continuous Comfort Moisture Lotion for Dry Skin with time-released moisturizers ($8 at drugstores nationwide--it features the iconic Red Cross symbol), I just had to have some. Designed to hydrate and relieve skin for 24 hours, the non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, doesn't clog pores and is dermatologist recommended. Plus, it smells great!

Through its ongoing support of the American Red Cross, Curél goes beyond skin’s surface to nurture the people who need care the most, donating funds to the organization that helps heal communities in times of crisis. Collaborating for the second time, Cynthia Nixon and Curél are proud to launch the “Share the Gift of Caring” campaign in support of the American Red Cross. Log on to www.curel.com to dedicate a portion of Curél’s donation to someone you love, then encourage them to share the gift of caring by doing the same!

The American Red Cross has donated $250,000 and plans to donate $10,000 more. And you can click on the website to donate $1 of that $10,000 in a friend’s name. Your friend will receive a message from Curél letting her know that you care, and she will be invited to share the gift of sharing with someone else—creating a chain of donations from the Curél brand on behalf of real people across the United States.

A great gift and an amazing product for a superb cause--plus you get silky, smooth skin in the process!

a healthy diet for your skin

The next time you head for the salad bar, shake some salt on your dinner or pass on the onions, keep this advice from Kimberly Snyder in mind. Not only has she created an innovative product line called Envision to provide cutting edge skin care but she knows how to treat skin from the inside out. Here, she shares five simple tips to great looking skin through healthy eating. Bon appetit!

1. Max out on raw greens. The living enzymes in uncooked greens and vegetables assist digestion, detoxification and rebuilding, thus free up enzymes that can be used on repairing and rebuilding your skin. But these valuable enzymes, proteins and vitamins can be destroyed when they're heated up so you don't get the same benefits when you cook them. Sp pack as many green salads, veggies, sprouts and herbs into your diet as you can. Try my favorite Green Smoothie recipe on www.kimberlysnyder.net.
2. Switch to Celtic sea salt. Its sun-dried so its 70 minerals, trace elements, enzymes and marine microorganisms stay intact. Other salts are kiln-dried which allows valuable minerals and other nutrients to evaporate. Normal table salt is the worst of all, as it is composed of irradiated and denatured sodium chloride. It has no nutritional benefit and depletes skin of its natural hydration. 3. Eat more onions! It has a considerable amount of sulfur to cleanse skin and liver, and rebuild connective tissues like collagen. Onions are also a good source of usable quercetin which helps eliminate free radicals, protect and regenerate crucial vitamin E and decrease capillary fragility. 4. Add sea vegetables to your diet. They're 12 times richer in minerals than average vegetables and a good source of iodine which helps regulate metabolism, iron, B6, B12, magnesium, which opens up about 300 different pathways of detoxification. Throw dulse, hijiki and arame in salads or make nori wraps stuffed with salad (all available at your local health food store). 5. Snack on figs. They're an excellent blood purifier. Blood transports nutrients to the cells throughout the body and face, so the cleaner the blood, the more beautiful your skin. Pus, the tiny seeds in figs are packed with nutrients and draw out and dissolve waste, mucus and toxins from the intestinal tract.

here comes the sun

We've all heard the warnings about protecting your skin from the sun. And women who protect their skin daily with SPF reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. According to Dr. Zein Obagi, it's never too late to incorporate SPF in your daily routine. To protect your hands from wrinkles, dry skin and sun spots: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 20 or higher. Keep one in your bag and one in your car since UVA rays are transmitted through glass. Try ZO Skin Health Oraser Daily Hand Repair SPF 20 ($65) to protect from UV damage, lock in moisture, even skin tone. To protect your face without clogging your pores or leaving a greasy residue: Choose ZO Skin Health’s Oclipse Sunscreen + Primer SPF 30 ($65). It's also a great makeup primer. ZO Skin Health products are available at select Nordstrom retailers and STUDIO at Fred Segal as well as online. To help encourage women to protect their skin this summer, Dr. Obagi is offering a special online deal until May 31st. Go to www.zoskinhealth.com, buy a full size of either product and get a travel size gift with purchase.

expert advice: lancome's tarek abbas

Yet another reason to get to the Windy City...or a great way to spend a day if you're already there. Stop by Nordstrom Chicago this Friday (5/29) or Saturday (5/30) for some hot new makeup tips from Lancôme National Makeup Artist Tarek Abbas. For advice that will truly highlight your individual features and skin type, book a one-on-one appointment to get an inside look at the season’s hottest beauty tips and learn how to create a flawless finish for summer. Tarek has been creating glamorous looks throughout the years and has touched the faces of the most beautiful celebrities and models including Elettra Wiedemann, Juliette Binoche, Selena Breed, Eva Longoria, Goldie Hawn and many more. He is one of Lancôme’s go-to makeup artists and has become Lancôme spokesmodel Arlenis Sosa’s favorite artist. Tarek created Arlenis’ fabulous look for the Met Ball this May. Check out the schedule below or go to www.lancome-usa.com for more specifics.

Nordstrom Michigan Avenue on 5/29

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

55 East Grand Avenue, Chicago IL 60611

Number to book appointment: 312-464-1515 ext. 1427

• 10:00 am – 11:30 am – General appointments. There is a $50.00 reservation fee fully redeemable towards Lancôme products.

• 11:30 am – 1:30 pm – One-on-one appointments. There is a $100.00 reservation fee fully redeemable towards Lancôme products.

• 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm – General appointments. There is a $50.00 reservation fee fully redeemable towards Lancôme products.

Nordstrom in Oakbrook on 5/30

10:00 am – 6:00 pm

10 Oakbrook Mall, Oakbrook, IL 60521

Number to book appointment: 630-571-2121 ext. 1064

• 10:00 am – 12:00 pm – One-on-one appointments. There is a $100.00 reservation fee fully redeemable towards Lancôme products.

• 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm – General appointments. There is a $50.00 reservation fee fully redeemable towards Lancôme products.

start multitasking

Sometimes I look in the mirror and can't decide which skincare issues to focus on. Try to find a skincare regimen that targets them all and you'll drive yourself nuts! That's why I was excited to try the M2 Skin Technologies system which features Mandelic and Malic Acid. Madelic is antibacterial and lipid-soluble, which means it can cut through oil and really clean and balance skin deep down. Malic Acid is a natural humectant and antioxidant to keep skin hydrated throughout the day while protecting it from free radical damage. The collection consists of an exfoliating cleanser, treatment serum and skin recovery moisturizer that promise to do everything from even skin tone and reduce acne breakouts to tighten pores and erase fine lines and wrinkles. First, I try the Exfoliating Cleanser ($19.50): The gel-based formula has subtle exfoliating properties so it's definitely not harsh on your skin but still feels like it's working. Though it smells slightly like anti-bacterial soap, it feels good when you add water and work it into your skin. Next, I apply Skin Refinish ($44.50), a pearly-looking multi-purpose serum with a high concentration of Mandelic and Malic Acid. As I leave it on for the required 10-15 minutes, I actually feel it tightening my skin and pores--almost like a lightweight, transparent mask. I don't want to wash it off, thinking I can use all the tightening I can get! I finish up with the Skin Recovery Moisturizer ($30.50), with potent anti-inflammatory ingredients. Designed to reduce redness and irritation while keeping skin hydrated, it also contains vitamins A, C, E and D to protect from free radicals. It's a bit strong for my sometimes sensitive skin. Nevertheless, I use it for a few days and find my skin adapts. In the end, Skin Refinish is my favorite and I can't wait to see the results after long-term use. Thanks to renowned laser surgeon Dr. Mark Taylor for figuring it all out for us! To order, go to www.skincarerx.com or visit www.m2skintech.com for more info.