It's a somewhat controversial topic, but I love a little growth factor in my skin care. In case you're not familiar, many growth factors come from neonatal cells, and then they're treated in a lab before being added to serums and creams. The problem (even if you're not bothered by the idea of putting human cells on your face) is that they can be a little stinky -- like "my husband asks me to wash my face before bed" level stinky. Fortunately, the new Regenica Rejuvenating Dual Serum, $250, contains powerful growth factors --at a 95-percent concentration, which is huge -- and smells light and lovely thanks to a special in-lab technique. It's also loaded with peptides, amino acids and antioxidants. Together, these ingredients do some serious work making your skin look and act younger -- like baby skin. (Sorry; not sorry.)
Confession: Givenchy Prisme Libre Loose Powder, $57, is not new. It's a cult favorite that's been around for ages because it makes skin look instantly flawless. What is new is this leather(!) magnolia-adorned packaging -- a recreation of a print that's gone down the Givenchy runway. Given that my favorite color is a floral print, you can imagine how loudly I squealed with joy when I first saw this powder. It's currently dressing up my bathroom counter, and it makes me extremely happy every morning. I used to skip powder -- dabbing from a compact on the train when necessary -- but now it's my favorite part of my makeup routine.
Christie Brinkley is 62-years-old and looks like she's 35. And I'm not talking about retouched photos -- I've had the pleasure of meeting her, and this is my personal assessment. So, in the "I'll have what she's having" philosophy of beauty, I'm now using her new Christie Brinkley Inlighten Spot Correcting & Brightening Serum, $69. It's an extremely gentle milky serum that contains a special copper complex that isn't available anywhere else. And it goes beyond brightening to rebuild collagen and elastin. I look more like Christie already.
I'm more than slightly obsessed with efficiency, which might be why I dream of a makeup palette that has everything I need -- and no colors I don't. Enter, Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look in a Palette, $75, which was designed to be an entire look that only takes five minutes. The steps are clearly labeled (each powder is embossed with numbers one through seven), which makes me use three eye shadow colors -- something I would never do otherwise, but looks fantastic. You can dust it on lightly for a minimalist look or layer it on for more impact. Oh, and it was inspired by Kate Moss's wedding day makeup (which Charlotte Tilbury created). Enough said.
NYC dermatologist Patricia Wexler, MD, was recently on my friends' beauty podcast Fat Mascara raving about the anti-aging benefits of the NIA-114 molecule found in Strivectin Products. After listening, I immediately brought home a jar of the new Strivectin Multi-Action Restorative Cream, $95, and slathered it on before bed. It's designed to simultaneously address 12 signs of aging -- everything from wrinkles to discoloration to enlarged pores -- thanks to the aforementioned NIA-114, peptides and hyaluronic acid. The cream itself is rich without being heavy, and it sinks in instantly. And after only a week, I'm starting to notice a difference -- proving, yet again, that Dr. Wexler knows her stuff.
May can be a slow month for new beauty products -- lots of exciting products will arrive at drugstores next month. However, I'm impressed by the new beauty products launching this May. There's fascinating new technology, cool ingredients I haven't seen before and makeup that will change your everyday routine and get you out the door five minutes faster.
From Christie Brinkley's new serum to the first dry shampoo for your makeup brushes, there's so much to get excited about this month. I apologize in advance for your credit card bill because you'll want to buy all eight.
