Total Beauty: What Comes First?

What Comes First, Eye Cream or Moisturizer?

Amp up products' effectiveness by applying serums, creams and treatments in the right order

Do antioxidant serums go before acne treatments? Eye cream before moisturizer? Does it matter? Read up to see what experts had to say about your morning and evening regimens. View order

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Product Review: Narsskin EFA Night Infusion

Did you even know that NARS had skincare? I'll admit to being in the dark about that one, although I've always had a love/hate relationship with NARS. Love Orgasm, can't stand most of the eyeshadow duos. Not a fan of the foundation, but love the body oil.

I recently had the chance to try NARSskin EFA Night Infusion. I'm always a bit leery of any kind of oils on my face, since I'm so prone to breakouts, but I had great luck with this. It didn't feel greasy at all, and left my face feeling smooth to the touch.

Here are the benefits, according to NARS:

The exclusive NARSskin Omega-3 Lipid Support System™, an essential fatty acid complex, nourishes and repairs the skin cells deep within the lipid layer. The skin’s absorption ratio is optimized as the complex simulates the skin’s lipid content, ultimately allowing the skin to increase its intake of hydration.

Essential fatty acids have long been recommended as part of a nutritious diet, and have multiple benefits for the body, so it makes sense that they would have benefits for the skin as well.

While the price is high, Narsskin EFA Night Infusion makes an excellent moisturizer, especially if you are concerned about dry skin.

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Favorite Things: Bliss Steep Clean Moisture Lotion

I've talked at great length about my breakout prone skin, so I won't belabor the point any longer. Suffice it to say, it's hard to find moisturizers that actually moisturize without causing breakouts.

Enter Steep Clean Moisture Lotion. This product is an absolute necessity for those of us with aging skin that is still prone to breakouts. Formulated with retinol, vitamins, and something called "SmartSponge" technology, this light and effective moisturizer has a hidden side effect: it actually helps absorb oil produced throughout the day!

Using this has eliminated my need for a mattifier, combining two products into one. I can get awfully shiny just a few hours after my makeup is applied, and I've noticed that I get an additional few hours of a shine-free face.

This is my holy grail moisturizer, and I use it every morning, combined with a few other Bliss products that you will hear about soon.

Like most Bliss products, expect to spend a pretty penny for it. However, it really works, one bottle will last you at least six months, if not more, and I love it. Love it.


Steep Clean Moisture Lotion, $48, available at Bliss.com.

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Product Review: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate

I'm turning 36 this September. September 11, as a matter of fact. I'm fortunate to not have many fine lines or wrinkles, but that is probably due to genetics, not my faithful use of anti-aging products. Truthfully, I only started using a basic moisturizer about three years ago. My skin has always been very oily, blemish-prone, and altogether difficult. I've spent more of my time trying to prevent breakouts and treat the problems that I have instead of looking to the future and using sunscreen, using anti-aging products, and moisturizing well.

It has only been recently that I have become aware of the importance of anti-aging. I don't want to see any fine lines or wrinkles, who does? So I have developed a newfound interest in what is out there for that type of skin care. Ladies, there is a LOT out there. I had no idea! Of course we all want to have beautiful skin, but the number of choices is simply overwhelming!

I'm sure many of you know my fondness for drugstore products. I have long since held the opinion that you can find almost anything you need at a more than reasonable price. So I was excited to try out L'Oreal's upcoming Skin Genesis line.

But first, a bit of background. Skin Genesis is a technology-advanced, cell-strengthing system for stronger, tighter, more even skin, according to L'Oreal. Formulated with patented Pro-Xylane™, an exclusive L’Oréal molecule that strengthens skin and reignites cell activity layer by layer, and hyaluronic acid, skin’s natural hydrator. The creation of patented Pro-Xylane was the result of seven years of focused research on the function of skin’s glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), chains of sugar molecules found in the skin’s layers that hold together skin structures and create the ideal environment for skin’s natural functions. Realizing that GAGS get damaged and decrease in number with age and UV exposure, L’Oréal Research and Development worked to find a molecule that could stimulate GAG synthesis. The solution came in the form of xylose – derived from the beech wood plant, xylose is small enough to penetrate the skin’s layers and is also found naturally in skin. With that discovery, the Pro-Xylane molecule was born.

How do you like all that PR speak? I know. It's awesome.

Basically, here is what you need to know: it effectively penetrates the surface layers of the skin to optimize skin hydration. The dehydrated spheres of hyaluronic acid (naturally found in both the skin’s epidermis and dermis - it provides moisture to the skin, making it soft, smooth and elastic) inflate when in contact with water. This essentially means that when these bad boys plump up, it plumps up your skin, filling in fine lines and wrinkles. Make sense?

But how does it work? I know, you want the good stuff. I've been using Loreal Skin Genesis Multi Layer Cell Strengthening Daily Treatment Serum for over a week now, and I am very impressed with the product. I use it after cleansing and toning, but before moisturizing, and I use it twice a day, in the morning and the evening. I've noticed that my skin seems much smoother and softer, and while I don't really have anything other than "smile lines" around my eyes (which will never go away, I'm sure), I haven't noticed anything new crop up, and that is all I am looking for in a product like this: superior moisturizing and no new lines. So in my mind, it's well worth the expenditure. Besides, it could be an investment towards the future, as long as I keep wearing that sunscreen!

Look for a review of the accompanying moisturizing lotion coming soon.

L'Oreal's entire Skin Genesis line is available at most mass retailers, and the Loreal Skin Genesis Multi Layer Cell Strengthening Daily Treatment Serum Concentrate retails for approximately $19.99.

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Review: Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer

Since I've been using a gradual tanner for my body, I figured it was high time to find one for my face. The problem? I have "problem" skin. It's feisty and prone to breakouts should it find anything distasteful in any of my products. This isn't normally a problem, but when it comes to self-tanners, my face simply revolts. It's not having any of them.

Enter my drugstore find, Neutrogena Summer Glow Face Daily Moisturizer, SPF 15 . I've had excellent luck with Neutrogena in the past, in fact, it is my preferred facial cleanser on a daily basis. I completely credit their Oil-Free Acne Wash for taming my problem skin.

This is a nice, gradual tanner - you won't see anything right away, and the results are very subtle. I find that it is excellent to use in conjunction with a gradual tanner (like my complete favorite,LOreal Sunless Sublime Glow Daily Moisturizer Medium Skin Tones, another drugstore find), not so much with a tanning product. Either way, you will find that this moisturizer won't irritate your skin, cause breakouts, or otherwise encourage problems. The scent is lovely, almost floral, with no lingering yuckiness that you often get with sunless tanning products. Dries well with no greasiness, and the best part is that it offers sunblock protection. I usually rely on my moisturizers to do this for me, rather than my makeup, which can change day to day.

Overall, I found this product to be well worth the price, and something that I will be reaching for well after summer's end.

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