Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk

It's a good thing the GWP tube of Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk I have is reasonably generous in size, because once I get going it's hard to stop. Very hard to stop.

This milky cleanser is of perfect consistency (I have a pet peeve about lotions that are so runny they can't stay on one's face long enough to do the job) and feels heavenly on skin. And it removes and disposes of every last drop and fleck of dirt and makeup- no matter how much I have piled on or what bizarre color experiments I've been conducting- 60 seconds of cleansing and it's all gone. The product makes the makeup removing ritual into an almost spa experience right here in front of my mirror. It has something to do with Guerlain's tendency to make wonderfully scented products- both their skin care and makeup. Of course, not everyone like it, but if you have dry skin and you're not averse to scented products, this is a great one.

Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk ($48, 200ml) is available from most decent department stores.

Photo: Corbis

Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk

It's a good thing the GWP tube of Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk I have is reasonably generous in size, because once I get going it's hard to stop. Very hard to stop.

This milky cleanser is of perfect consistency (I have a pet peeve about lotions that are so runny they can't stay on one's face long enough to do the job) and feels heavenly on skin. And it removes and disposes of every last drop and fleck of dirt and makeup- no matter how much I have piled on or what bizarre color experiments I've been conducting- 60 seconds of cleansing and it's all gone. The product makes the makeup removing ritual into an almost spa experience right here in front of my mirror. It has something to do with Guerlain's tendency to make wonderfully scented products- both their skin care and makeup. Of course, not everyone like it, but if you have dry skin and you're not averse to scented products, this is a great one.

Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk ($48, 200ml) is available from most decent department stores.

Photo: Corbis

Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk

It's a good thing the GWP tube of Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk I have is reasonably generous in size, because once I get going it's hard to stop. Very hard to stop.

This milky cleanser is of perfect consistency (I have a pet peeve about lotions that are so runny they can't stay on one's face long enough to do the job) and feels heavenly on skin. And it removes and disposes of every last drop and fleck of dirt and makeup- no matter how much I have piled on or what bizarre color experiments I've been conducting- 60 seconds of cleansing and it's all gone. The product makes the makeup removing ritual into an almost spa experience right here in front of my mirror. It has something to do with Guerlain's tendency to make wonderfully scented products- both their skin care and makeup. Of course, not everyone like it, but if you have dry skin and you're not averse to scented products, this is a great one.

Guerlain Secret de Purete Cleansing Milk ($48, 200ml) is available from most decent department stores.

Photo: Corbis

Cle de Peau Malachite (201) Eye Color Quad

The problem with the beautiful new eye shadow quad from Cle de Peau is sparkle. And lots of it. Lots and lots and lots of sparkle, which is probably not what one wants from an ultra high-end brand.

I couldn't resist Malachite (#201). The coordinated quad of rich green, taupe and other neutrals is gorgeous, the texture silky smooth and they blend together effortlessly. A couple of strategic brush strokes and I have an elegant look with just a hint of eye popping green. It's lovely, really. Except for the sparkle/micro-glitter/whatever  fallout which takes longer to clean up than it takes to apply three or four colors from the palette. And then there are the particles that are left on the skin, which I'm not sure are entirely office-friendly. I'm pretty sure if I would have kept the quad for after-hours  if I were still teaching fifth grade math.

Which is really a shame. Such a beautiful palette (even if the pattern you see in the photos is just an over-spray and disappears the first time you swipe a brush over it) should get a lot more use. And I shouldn't have to frantically scrub my cheekbones to get rid of glitter before leaving the house.

The funny thing is that when swatching the colors at Saks and at home- both for the photos and when I showed the quad to a young cousin- the glitter barely showed. Yes, it's shimmery but you only get the full effect when applied on your eye lids.

Bottom Line: pretty but cranky is not a good look.

Cle de Peau eye color quad ($55, the refillable case is sold separately for $25) in Malachite and four other colors can be found at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

All photos are mine.

Cle de Peau Malachite (201) Eye Color Quad

The problem with the beautiful new eye shadow quad from Cle de Peau is sparkle. And lots of it. Lots and lots and lots of sparkle, which is probably not what one wants from an ultra high-end brand.

I couldn't resist Malachite (#201). The coordinated quad of rich green, taupe and other neutrals is gorgeous, the texture silky smooth and they blend together effortlessly. A couple of strategic brush strokes and I have an elegant look with just a hint of eye popping green. It's lovely, really. Except for the sparkle/micro-glitter/whatever  fallout which takes longer to clean up than it takes to apply three or four colors from the palette. And then there are the particles that are left on the skin, which I'm not sure are entirely office-friendly. I'm pretty sure if I would have kept the quad for after-hours  if I were still teaching fifth grade math.

Which is really a shame. Such a beautiful palette (even if the pattern you see in the photos is just an over-spray and disappears the first time you swipe a brush over it) should get a lot more use. And I shouldn't have to frantically scrub my cheekbones to get rid of glitter before leaving the house.

The funny thing is that when swatching the colors at Saks and at home- both for the photos and when I showed the quad to a young cousin- the glitter barely showed. Yes, it's shimmery but you only get the full effect when applied on your eye lids.

Bottom Line: pretty but cranky is not a good look.

Cle de Peau eye color quad ($55, the refillable case is sold separately for $25) in Malachite and four other colors can be found at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

All photos are mine.

Cle de Peau Malachite (201) Eye Color Quad

The problem with the beautiful new eye shadow quad from Cle de Peau is sparkle. And lots of it. Lots and lots and lots of sparkle, which is probably not what one wants from an ultra high-end brand.

I couldn't resist Malachite (#201). The coordinated quad of rich green, taupe and other neutrals is gorgeous, the texture silky smooth and they blend together effortlessly. A couple of strategic brush strokes and I have an elegant look with just a hint of eye popping green. It's lovely, really. Except for the sparkle/micro-glitter/whatever  fallout which takes longer to clean up than it takes to apply three or four colors from the palette. And then there are the particles that are left on the skin, which I'm not sure are entirely office-friendly. I'm pretty sure if I would have kept the quad for after-hours  if I were still teaching fifth grade math.

Which is really a shame. Such a beautiful palette (even if the pattern you see in the photos is just an over-spray and disappears the first time you swipe a brush over it) should get a lot more use. And I shouldn't have to frantically scrub my cheekbones to get rid of glitter before leaving the house.

The funny thing is that when swatching the colors at Saks and at home- both for the photos and when I showed the quad to a young cousin- the glitter barely showed. Yes, it's shimmery but you only get the full effect when applied on your eye lids.

Bottom Line: pretty but cranky is not a good look.

Cle de Peau eye color quad ($55, the refillable case is sold separately for $25) in Malachite and four other colors can be found at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus.

All photos are mine.

Cle de Peau La Creme

When do the big guns become too big?

Do we really need a $500 per oz moisturizer?

For me, it all comes down to visible results. I'm willing to pay for a serum that makes sun damage fade faster, for a moisturizer that heals stressed skin and for anti-aging products that keep my face younger looking. As long as I can see that. I don't care much for the faux-science babble on boxes and inserts, this molecule or that molecule, bio-something or other, magical orbs... whatever. Just make me look pretty.

My expectations are within a normal range. It's not that I hope a cream would make my nose smaller and my chin more pronounced. It's all about having a smooth, supple and even skin, or at least its equivalent for someone pushing 40. And so far so good. Most serious companies that have the research budget offer us a wide array of very effective products.

The problem starts when a product is obviously good- like Cle de Peau's La Creme. It's an excellent moisturizer that also has anti-aging and brightening properties. I can't really comment on the latter because I've been faithfully using Cle de Paeu's Anti Age Spot serum and seeing wonderful results for months now. My skin hasn't been so even since my teens. I'm also using several other excellent products, mostly by Lancome and Kanebo Sensai) that replenish moisture and retain it. When temperatures drop, after flights and/or on skin emergencies I reach for the miraculous Erno Laszlo PHormula 3-9. They all work.

If I were to go for a full jar of La Creme (I've been going through several samples and travel size GWP jars for the last six weeks) would I be able to forsake all other skin care products? Would I use cheaper cleansers, only one drugstore serum and nothing else? No brightening serum? No masks? It's highly unlikely. And does La Creme gives me better results than my trusty Secret de Vie? Not at this point.

Decision made.

Cle de Peau La Creme ($500, 1oz or $750 1.7oz) is available at select department stores.

Cle de Peau La Creme

When do the big guns become too big?

Do we really need a $500 per oz moisturizer?

For me, it all comes down to visible results. I'm willing to pay for a serum that makes sun damage fade faster, for a moisturizer that heals stressed skin and for anti-aging products that keep my face younger looking. As long as I can see that. I don't care much for the faux-science babble on boxes and inserts, this molecule or that molecule, bio-something or other, magical orbs... whatever. Just make me look pretty.

My expectations are within a normal range. It's not that I hope a cream would make my nose smaller and my chin more pronounced. It's all about having a smooth, supple and even skin, or at least its equivalent for someone pushing 40. And so far so good. Most serious companies that have the research budget offer us a wide array of very effective products.

The problem starts when a product is obviously good- like Cle de Peau's La Creme. It's an excellent moisturizer that also has anti-aging and brightening properties. I can't really comment on the latter because I've been faithfully using Cle de Paeu's Anti Age Spot serum and seeing wonderful results for months now. My skin hasn't been so even since my teens. I'm also using several other excellent products, mostly by Lancome and Kanebo Sensai) that replenish moisture and retain it. When temperatures drop, after flights and/or on skin emergencies I reach for the miraculous Erno Laszlo PHormula 3-9. They all work.

If I were to go for a full jar of La Creme (I've been going through several samples and travel size GWP jars for the last six weeks) would I be able to forsake all other skin care products? Would I use cheaper cleansers, only one drugstore serum and nothing else? No brightening serum? No masks? It's highly unlikely. And does La Creme gives me better results than my trusty Secret de Vie? Not at this point.

Decision made.

Cle de Peau La Creme ($500, 1oz or $750 1.7oz) is available at select department stores.

Cle de Peau La Creme

When do the big guns become too big?

Do we really need a $500 per oz moisturizer?

For me, it all comes down to visible results. I'm willing to pay for a serum that makes sun damage fade faster, for a moisturizer that heals stressed skin and for anti-aging products that keep my face younger looking. As long as I can see that. I don't care much for the faux-science babble on boxes and inserts, this molecule or that molecule, bio-something or other, magical orbs... whatever. Just make me look pretty.

My expectations are within a normal range. It's not that I hope a cream would make my nose smaller and my chin more pronounced. It's all about having a smooth, supple and even skin, or at least its equivalent for someone pushing 40. And so far so good. Most serious companies that have the research budget offer us a wide array of very effective products.

The problem starts when a product is obviously good- like Cle de Peau's La Creme. It's an excellent moisturizer that also has anti-aging and brightening properties. I can't really comment on the latter because I've been faithfully using Cle de Paeu's Anti Age Spot serum and seeing wonderful results for months now. My skin hasn't been so even since my teens. I'm also using several other excellent products, mostly by Lancome and Kanebo Sensai) that replenish moisture and retain it. When temperatures drop, after flights and/or on skin emergencies I reach for the miraculous Erno Laszlo PHormula 3-9. They all work.

If I were to go for a full jar of La Creme (I've been going through several samples and travel size GWP jars for the last six weeks) would I be able to forsake all other skin care products? Would I use cheaper cleansers, only one drugstore serum and nothing else? No brightening serum? No masks? It's highly unlikely. And does La Creme gives me better results than my trusty Secret de Vie? Not at this point.

Decision made.

Cle de Peau La Creme ($500, 1oz or $750 1.7oz) is available at select department stores.

Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick (R3 Leonardis)

Cle de Peau lipsticks are as good as it gets. The coverage, texture and finish look like a million dollar, which is a very good thing considering the price. Their regular lipstick has been my secret weapon for nearly a year now, and its performance still amazes me. I didn't think it could be topped, but the new(ish. I've had it for two or three months now) Extra Rich Lipstick has proven me wrong.

Cle de Peau has taken the smoothness, weightlessness and tenacity of The Lipstick and combined it with Vitamin A Acetate which delivers moisturize and serious smoothing without gooping up or looking balmy. It almost erases the lines on the lips and I've watched in awe how it makes the tiny scar on lip nearly invisible. The Extra Rich lipstick has its predecessor's amazing staying power- it stays on throughout lunch or dinner and even retains most of the finish. The color barely transfers to a glass or a cat (my white cats often sport kiss marks on their foreheads) and there's no need to reapply for about 6 hours.

The Extra Rich Lipstick only comes in eight shades. I tried all of them at the counter but the only one that looked good and came home with me was R3, Leonardis (the full name only appears on the Cle de Peau website, it's not on the box or tube). Sometimes having a funky skin color saves me money, but I would have loved to have more options in this range. R3 is a medium berry red. It has quite a presence but isn't too out there and I can easily wear it during the day with minimal other makeup. It perks up the face and looks juicy and alive, but also very elegant and grown up.

Bottom Line: Love doesn't even begin to describe it.

Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick ($60) is available at top department stores from Bergdorf to Saks, including their websites.

All photos are mine.

Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick (R3 Leonardis)

Cle de Peau lipsticks are as good as it gets. The coverage, texture and finish look like a million dollar, which is a very good thing considering the price. Their regular lipstick has been my secret weapon for nearly a year now, and its performance still amazes me. I didn't think it could be topped, but the new(ish. I've had it for two or three months now) Extra Rich Lipstick has proven me wrong.

Cle de Peau has taken the smoothness, weightlessness and tenacity of The Lipstick and combined it with Vitamin A Acetate which delivers moisturize and serious smoothing without gooping up or looking balmy. It almost erases the lines on the lips and I've watched in awe how it makes the tiny scar on lip nearly invisible. The Extra Rich lipstick has its predecessor's amazing staying power- it stays on throughout lunch or dinner and even retains most of the finish. The color barely transfers to a glass or a cat (my white cats often sport kiss marks on their foreheads) and there's no need to reapply for about 6 hours.

The Extra Rich Lipstick only comes in eight shades. I tried all of them at the counter but the only one that looked good and came home with me was R3, Leonardis (the full name only appears on the Cle de Peau website, it's not on the box or tube). Sometimes having a funky skin color saves me money, but I would have loved to have more options in this range. R3 is a medium berry red. It has quite a presence but isn't too out there and I can easily wear it during the day with minimal other makeup. It perks up the face and looks juicy and alive, but also very elegant and grown up.

Bottom Line: Love doesn't even begin to describe it.

Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick ($60) is available at top department stores from Bergdorf to Saks, including their websites.

All photos are mine.

Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick (R3 Leonardis)

Cle de Peau lipsticks are as good as it gets. The coverage, texture and finish look like a million dollar, which is a very good thing considering the price. Their regular lipstick has been my secret weapon for nearly a year now, and its performance still amazes me. I didn't think it could be topped, but the new(ish. I've had it for two or three months now) Extra Rich Lipstick has proven me wrong.

Cle de Peau has taken the smoothness, weightlessness and tenacity of The Lipstick and combined it with Vitamin A Acetate which delivers moisturize and serious smoothing without gooping up or looking balmy. It almost erases the lines on the lips and I've watched in awe how it makes the tiny scar on lip nearly invisible. The Extra Rich lipstick has its predecessor's amazing staying power- it stays on throughout lunch or dinner and even retains most of the finish. The color barely transfers to a glass or a cat (my white cats often sport kiss marks on their foreheads) and there's no need to reapply for about 6 hours.

The Extra Rich Lipstick only comes in eight shades. I tried all of them at the counter but the only one that looked good and came home with me was R3, Leonardis (the full name only appears on the Cle de Peau website, it's not on the box or tube). Sometimes having a funky skin color saves me money, but I would have loved to have more options in this range. R3 is a medium berry red. It has quite a presence but isn't too out there and I can easily wear it during the day with minimal other makeup. It perks up the face and looks juicy and alive, but also very elegant and grown up.

Bottom Line: Love doesn't even begin to describe it.

Cle de Peau Extra Rich Lipstick ($60) is available at top department stores from Bergdorf to Saks, including their websites.

All photos are mine.

Cle de Peau Beaute Anti Age Spot Serum

I have quite a few new skin care secrets and discoveries to share over the next couple of weeks. I'm seriously giddy about the effectiveness and overall fabulousness of the new products top companies have been releasing. Skin care has come a long way since the days of cold cream, and we're the ones who benefit from it.

Many of you have been following my quest to get rid of some unfortunate sun damage that took up residence on my face in the form of freckles, dark spots or whatever you want to call them. Cle de Peau labels it "Age Spot", and I don't really mind as long as their serum actually works. And it does. I've mentioned before that I saw some change about 10 days after I first started using the serum. I wasn't entirely sure, but certain areas like the top of my cheekbones seemed a little lighter, more clear maybe, and a recent light scar (roughhousing with a cat is dangerous) has faded and disappeared almost overnight. But you shouldn't draw any conclusions until a minimum of 6 weeks using this kind of products.

So here I am, more than eight weeks later and I was right about what I saw in early May. But the biggest change doesn't even require spending hours gazing at myself. I have two annoying spots on my left cheeks. They've took up residence there about five years ago and I've been going after them with lotions and potions for several years now. The spots used to be a lot darker and more obscene, and in the beginning almost touched each other. Both faded quite a bit since then, the lower one has shrunk somewhat and the distance between them gradually grew. That has always been one of my indicators that the creams and serums were doing at least something. Now, the lower one is nothing but a dot and the bigger one while certainly present and noticeable, is much lighter and can be mostly covered by heavy duty concealers and foundations.

The overall feel of my skin is supple, soft and moisturizers seem to be absorbed very effectively. It's not that I've become Snow White or anything, but my skin is brighter and happier. So am I.

Bottom Line 1: Worth each and every one of the pretty pennies it costs.
Bottom Line 2: Wear your sunblock. Seriously.

Cle de Peau Beaute Anti Age Spot Serum ($155, 1.3 oz) is available from top department stores and select Shiseido standalone boutiques.

Images-
Snow White: teenangster.net
Bonne Bell ad with Cheryl Tiegs- Glamour magazine, July 1968: myvintagevogue.com

Cle de Peau Beaute Anti Age Spot Serum

I have quite a few new skin care secrets and discoveries to share over the next couple of weeks. I'm seriously giddy about the effectiveness and overall fabulousness of the new products top companies have been releasing. Skin care has come a long way since the days of cold cream, and we're the ones who benefit from it.

Many of you have been following my quest to get rid of some unfortunate sun damage that took up residence on my face in the form of freckles, dark spots or whatever you want to call them. Cle de Peau labels it "Age Spot", and I don't really mind as long as their serum actually works. And it does. I've mentioned before that I saw some change about 10 days after I first started using the serum. I wasn't entirely sure, but certain areas like the top of my cheekbones seemed a little lighter, more clear maybe, and a recent light scar (roughhousing with a cat is dangerous) has faded and disappeared almost overnight. But you shouldn't draw any conclusions until a minimum of 6 weeks using this kind of products.

So here I am, more than eight weeks later and I was right about what I saw in early May. But the biggest change doesn't even require spending hours gazing at myself. I have two annoying spots on my left cheeks. They've took up residence there about five years ago and I've been going after them with lotions and potions for several years now. The spots used to be a lot darker and more obscene, and in the beginning almost touched each other. Both faded quite a bit since then, the lower one has shrunk somewhat and the distance between them gradually grew. That has always been one of my indicators that the creams and serums were doing at least something. Now, the lower one is nothing but a dot and the bigger one while certainly present and noticeable, is much lighter and can be mostly covered by heavy duty concealers and foundations.

The overall feel of my skin is supple, soft and moisturizers seem to be absorbed very effectively. It's not that I've become Snow White or anything, but my skin is brighter and happier. So am I.

Bottom Line 1: Worth each and every one of the pretty pennies it costs.
Bottom Line 2: Wear your sunblock. Seriously.

Cle de Peau Beaute Anti Age Spot Serum ($155, 1.3 oz) is available from top department stores and select Shiseido standalone boutiques.

Images-
Snow White: teenangster.net
Bonne Bell ad with Cheryl Tiegs- Glamour magazine, July 1968: myvintagevogue.com

Cle de Peau Beaute Anti Age Spot Serum

I have quite a few new skin care secrets and discoveries to share over the next couple of weeks. I'm seriously giddy about the effectiveness and overall fabulousness of the new products top companies have been releasing. Skin care has come a long way since the days of cold cream, and we're the ones who benefit from it.

Many of you have been following my quest to get rid of some unfortunate sun damage that took up residence on my face in the form of freckles, dark spots or whatever you want to call them. Cle de Peau labels it "Age Spot", and I don't really mind as long as their serum actually works. And it does. I've mentioned before that I saw some change about 10 days after I first started using the serum. I wasn't entirely sure, but certain areas like the top of my cheekbones seemed a little lighter, more clear maybe, and a recent light scar (roughhousing with a cat is dangerous) has faded and disappeared almost overnight. But you shouldn't draw any conclusions until a minimum of 6 weeks using this kind of products.

So here I am, more than eight weeks later and I was right about what I saw in early May. But the biggest change doesn't even require spending hours gazing at myself. I have two annoying spots on my left cheeks. They've took up residence there about five years ago and I've been going after them with lotions and potions for several years now. The spots used to be a lot darker and more obscene, and in the beginning almost touched each other. Both faded quite a bit since then, the lower one has shrunk somewhat and the distance between them gradually grew. That has always been one of my indicators that the creams and serums were doing at least something. Now, the lower one is nothing but a dot and the bigger one while certainly present and noticeable, is much lighter and can be mostly covered by heavy duty concealers and foundations.

The overall feel of my skin is supple, soft and moisturizers seem to be absorbed very effectively. It's not that I've become Snow White or anything, but my skin is brighter and happier. So am I.

Bottom Line 1: Worth each and every one of the pretty pennies it costs.
Bottom Line 2: Wear your sunblock. Seriously.

Cle de Peau Beaute Anti Age Spot Serum ($155, 1.3 oz) is available from top department stores and select Shiseido standalone boutiques.

Images-
Snow White: teenangster.net
Bonne Bell ad with Cheryl Tiegs- Glamour magazine, July 1968: myvintagevogue.com

Cle de Peau- The Mascara

My local Cle de Peau SA was very excited about their newest mascara, the one called "The Mascara". Her enthusiasm was contagious and the promises in the marketing materials even more so: it lengthens! it curls! it creates drama and volume! Who can ignore all that, especially since Cle de Peau is one of my favorite brands?

Let's start with the good: The mascara has a nice glossy black finish. It dries quickly, stays on all day and doesn't flake or smudge even when I accidentally touch my eyes. But that's about it. Performance, both volume and length-wise is nothing more than decent. There's absolutely no drama there and the result is less than impressive. The curved brush emphasizes the lashes in the outer corners but application is not even. This mascara is so atrociously expensive- compare Cle de Peau's $50 price tag to Kanebo Sensai Mascaras ($25 for the 38 Degree mascara and $32 for the Volumizing one) or Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill, which is one of the very best mascaras on the market today ($32). I'm all for luxury and finding the best products money can buy, but this is not the one.

Bottom Line: Avoid.

Cle de Peau The Mascara ($50) is available from top department stores. I bought it at my local Saks.

Photos by me.