• A picture is worth a thousand words. If you're trying out a product that promises visible results, the best thing to do is to take a picture of your skin before you start a regimen. After using the product for a few weeks, take another picture and compare the two. Notice any changes? For the better or worse?
• Trust your feelings. After you use a product, how does your skin feel? Does it feel smoother, softer, move even? Or just the same? Is your skin overly tight? If so, the good oils in your skin might be getting stripped away. Too greasy? Maybe you're not using the right formula for your skin.
• Seek professional help. If you have a serious skin issue, see a dermatologist and follow their advice. Schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your skin's needs over time and to make sure that what you're doing is actually helping.
• Give it time. You should expect to commit to your new product for a few weeks--at least 6 or so--for maximum benefits. When it comes to skin care products, unless you have an instant, negative reaction, you should give the product time to work.

• They're bright and easy to find, so if you stash them in a crammed drawer, and overflowing train case, etc., they're going to be easy to spot
• They're small but not too small. They can be easily folded up to reduce space so you can throw them in your overnight bag or large-ish purse. But they're not so small that you can't see you're entire face.
• You can hold them or place them on a table top. The handles fold back so they can rest easily, giving you hands-free makeup application (perfect for applying fake lashes!). Or, if you prefer holding your mirror, you can do so easily.
• They provide just enough magnification so you can see those stray hairs you need to pluck easily but without all the distortion from a 10x magnifier.
• They're priced right. The round mirror and square mirror cost $9.98 each; the bright green rectangle will set you back $10.98.

Toasting the year and its 15^th anniversary, NARS is celebrating with red-hot holiday-packaged gifting that boast a variety of products. Below are the highlights:

15^th ANNIVERSARY PALETTES- $75.00 each

NARS introduces two palettes to celebrate 15 years of color innovation.

Everlasting Love contains intense eye hues to create the perfect smoky eye and Wild at Heart featuring bold lip shades for a deeply pigmented pout.

PLEIN ETÈ MINI MULTIPLE SET– $45.00

An exclusive set of mini Multiples boasting three best-selling shades.

DROP DEAD GORGEOUS MINI NAIL KIT- $30.00

The perfect gift for any stocking, this miniature collection includes four glamorously festive shades: Arabesque, Chinatown, Candy Darling and Saratoga

D. LOVELY LIP GLOSS DUO SET- $45.00

Four smaller versions of the successful Duo Lip Gloss in a variety of mix and match shades: Misbehave/All Night Long, Pillow Talk/Sandpiper, Orgasm/Chihuahua, and Greek Holiday/Stolen Kisses.

The Holiday 2009 gift sets and palettes are currently available at narscosmetics.com and the Plein Etè Mini Multiple Set is available exclusively at Sephora

• Not only does dry skin cause a lackluster complexion, it also keeps hydrating lotion from keeping your skin moist. Get rid of excess dry skin with a body wash with exfoliant and also a gentle exfoliating face wash.
  
• Because dry skin causes fine lines to be more visible, make sure you’re using a thicker face lotion with firming benefits.
  

• Winter is the time to forget the foundation which tends to settle into dry areas on skin giving your complexion a patchy look. Instead, camouflage dark circles with a light-diffusing concealer.
• The skin around your eyes is delicate and prone to dryness and windburn. Try using a sheer indigo blue or emerald eye shadow to downplay redness, and apply with a damp brush to help it stay put longer.
  

• Because the minerals in tap water and detergents in shampoo can cause your scalp to itch and flake, now is the time to skip the shampoo. Try a dry shampoo on your roots which will absorb the extra oil and you can comb out in the morning.
• Inflate your drab winter hair by adding volumizing mousse to your styling routine.
  

• If you’ve been considering laser hair removal, now is the time to do it. Because your hair and skin will have more contrast as your summer glow is gone, the treatment will be more effective.
  
• During the holiday season, cosmetics counters are crammed full of gift sets that go on sale afterwards. This gives you the perfect excuse to find those fragrances you’ve been meaning to test.
  

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

1. Wash your face morning and night. Look for products that are specific for fighting acne. Cleansers containing 2% salicylic acid will keep your pores clear.
2. Treat your skin. After washing, let your skin dry completely. Then apply a salicylic acid treatment to your entire face once a day.
3. Moisturize...even though you think you shouldn't. Be sure to use a moisturizer that is labeled as "non-comedogenic"--this means it won't clog your pores. And since anti-acne treatments cause sun sensitivity, be sure to use products containing at least SPF 30. Every day.
4. Treat zits at night. Products with 2.5% benzoyl peroxide will reduce acne causing bacterias. Don't do crazy things like dotting toothpaste on your pimples--that won't help. Instead use products designed to zap your zits.
5. Avoid abrasive products. Grainy exfoliators can rupture your pimples which may make them last longer. This can also lead to some scarring. Instead, use a mask with sulfur once a week to soften skin and shrink your pimples or use a more gentle exfoliant.
   
6. Use the right kinds of makeup. Look for foundations and other cosmetics that are non-comedogenic. Mineral makeups are especially good.
7. Don't pick your zits! Again, doing so could lead to scarring and further infection.
8. See a doctor if your acne is very bad or not easily treated. There are plenty of prescription products (like Retin-A) that can help you.
9. Be sun safe. See #3 for why.

• Benefit Boo Boo Zap!, $20 (targeted zip-zapper that is gentle enough to use during the day)
• Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System, $32.50 (starter kit with cleanser, gentle exfoliator, and moisturizer, all designed to fight acne)
• Dermadoctor Ain't Misbehavin Intensive Skin Correcting Sulfur Mask with Phytosphingosine, $45
• Bare Escentuals Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy, $28 (contains sulfur and helps heal, seal, and prevent blemishes)

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

1. Read labels carefully. You'll want to avoid products containing an over abundance of chemicals. Look for products that are "fragrance free" whenever possible.
   
2. Test before you buy (if possible. If not, save your receipts!). If you have sensitive skin, you'll need to learn how to do a skin patch test. Apply a small amount of product on your arm or neck--some place not too noticeable. If a reaction occurs, don't use that product.
   
3. Wash and moisturize with care. Like dry skin sufferers, don't use a bar soap on your face. Instead, try a gentle creamy cleanser. Follow up with a moisturizer designed for sensitive skin.
4. You can still prevent aging. There are anti-aging products on the market for sensitive skin. You'll probably want to avoid retinols and opt for kinetin or Matrixyl (a peptide) which is must more gentle.
5. Combat redness and inflamed skin. If redness and inflammation are a problem. use 1% hydrocortisone cream twice a day. If any product causes redness, stop using it immediately. And if redness and irritation are especially troublesome, see a dermatologist.
6. Use sunscreen and be sun safe--but be sure that your sun blocking products contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide--they're less irritating than other sunscreen ingredients.

• Philosophy Purity Made Simple, $10-$40. (My favorite creamy cleanser--gentle, soothing, and effective)
• Cetaphil Daily Fragrance-Free Moisturizer, $11.50 (dermatologist recommended)
• Philosophy Makeup Optional Kit for Dry/Sensitive Skin, $78 (everything you need in one box--cleanser, serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and peel)

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

1. Use the right face wash. Try to find something that contains 2% salicylic acid. When the weather changes and winter comes, focus the salicylic acid cleanser on your oilier spots only (like your forehead, nose, and chin), and use something milder on your cheeks.
2. Keep your T-Zone shine free. Avoid any toners or products containing alcohol, but feel free to use an alcohol-free salicylic acid containing toner on your t-zone only. Apply it with a cotton ball only where you have oil issues.
3. Don't skin the moisturizer. It may seem weird to apply moisturizer to already greasy skin, but just because your skin is oily doesn't mean you can forgo hydration. You'll want to use a very lightweight moisturizer or a matte or oil-control face primer to keep your shininess at bay.
4. Go easy. You may be tempted to exfoliate a lot or use harsh products, but doing so won't make your oily skin any better. If you want to give yourself a face treatment, try for a mask with salicylic acid and use it once a week. For a special treat, try an at-home peel with glycolic acid once a week (not the same day as the salicylic acid mask, of course!).
5. Wear your sun screen! Every day. No matter what.
   

• DDF Salicylic Wash, $35 (therapeutic but mild facial cleanser)
• Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel with Pump, $24 (oil-free, light-weight moisturizer)
• Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Triple-Action Toner, $7.50

Note: All week this week I'll be featuring tips on how to deal with different skin types. Info from Allure and many other sources. If you have anything to add--a favorite product or great hint--please be sure to leave a comment!

1. Wash your face twice daily, but with care. Avoid bar soaps (they only seem to suck the moisture out of your skin along with the dirt and makeup) and opt instead for a creamy cleanser that contains moisturizing agents like Vitamin E.
   
2. Exfoliate at least once a week. There are plenty of products on the market designed to gently exfoliate your skin while cleansing. Just don't be too aggressive with your exfoliation. You want to slough off some of the dead flaky skin, not rub til you're raw!
3. Try a weekly peel. Using a peel with lactic acid once a week will help keep your dry skin from looking dull. Be careful to avoid glycolic acid and salicylic acid--both of which may only aggravate your dry skin.
   
4. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! If your skin feels really tight, try a thicker cream. To better lock in moisture, apply your moisturizer when your skin is slightly damp. And be sure to look for products like dimethicone, shea butter, glycerine, or hyaluronic acid. If you want to keep wrinkles at bay while moisturizing, try a product with retinol, but only use it a few times a week (retinol can make drying worse if you use it ever day). If retinols give you a hard time, go for a cream with kinetin or Matrixyl.
5. For all skin types (and yes, I am going to say this each and every day this week): be sure to wear sunscreen and be sun safe.

• Yes to Carrots Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, $10.50 (contains lactic acid)
• Kinerase Photofacials Sun Damage Reversal System Introductory Kit, $100 (contains a cleanser, day cream with SPF 50, and night cream with Matrixyl)
• Regenerist Night Recovery Cream by Olay, $20 (contains peptides and other good for you products!)