Winter Skin Care Essentials

Let's face it, winter in LA is not a tough life but even slight drops in temperature and changes in air humidity can affect the skin. For me personally, winter is when my skin needs the most care. Everything is harsher and it doesn't help I usually spend my free time on the slopes in Colorado, visiting family in New York, or going on vacation to snow resorts in Europe. With all of this, it is so easy for skin to become irritated, depleted, and dehydrated. That is why when the seasons change, so too does my regimen. For my sensitive slightly oily skin, I pretty much figured out I can't use creams as they break me out but I have found many things to keep my skin properly moisturized and relieved.

1. Clark's Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask

Francesco Clark developed this line when he had an injury that caused a serious skin ailment where he had chronic breakouts. The entire line is derived from Jasmine Absolute which is gathered from one of my favorite flowers, Jasmine (as you can tell from my review of the Acqua di Parma Jasmine fragrance). Francesco believes the Jasmine is suitable for all skin types and provides a very balancing effect.

My favorite product is the Deep Moisture Mask, which is a must for post-slope skin recovery. Not only does it replenish moisture lost by the chill winds and snow, but it revitalizes appearance so skin is back to looking soft an radiant. It is the ultimate recovery product for ski/board addicts!

Sold by Clarks Botanicals for $72

2. REN Omega 3 Night Repair Serum

This light oil-based gel serum from the minimalist British brand, REN, is essential for nourishing and repairing skin overnight. In the winter, even as we sleep, skin is continually stripped of moisture from heaters and cold temperature, so the lipids and omega 3 really do their part to replenish skin to maintain its plumpness.

Sold by Ren Skincare for $60

3. YULI Liquid Courage

I've talked about it here before as a cleaner alternative to the cult product CE Ferulic Antioxidant Serum from Skinceuticals. Since then, it has become a skin care staple! Lately I've gotten into facial oils, and this brand does it right. Liquid Courage uses a base of botanical oils and then goes into superspeed with antioxidant actives and ferulic acid to give you the benefit of a hybrid of hydrating gorgeous facial oil and legitimate powerhouse skin serum. It is loaded with antioxidants which I believe are really important even in winter even with less sun because you're even ore exposed to the elements. The Vitamin E content is also really important for keeping skin soft against the cold.

Sold by YULI Skincare for $125

4.  kyoku for men Facial Moisturizer SPF 15

In the winter with less sun, I relax on the SPF a little bit, but I religiously apply it because you can still get UV damage from ice-glare. It is a little deceptive since it isn't as sunny or hot, but the UVs are still all around so it is really important to keep protected. This uses microparticle technology and is a moisturizer + sunscreen in one which is important because I hate applying a moisturizer and then a suncreen as it makes even the lightest lotions seem thick.

Sold by kyoku for $31

5. Weleda Skin Food

This is a god send for winter months to get rid of dry, rough patches especially along my elbows. Weleda is a very natural brand sold at Whole Foods who makes affordable all purpose skin care. I have a tube of this in my car and another in my bathroom, they're perfect when you're slightly dehydrated during the day or after showering to lock in moisture.

Sold by Weleda for $18.50

6. YULI Cocoon Elixir

My skin often gets redness during the winter. Especially if I'm going from snow to sitting in front of a fire, my skin kind of has a hard time balancing itself out. And then there are those times when you're working out but the air is so dry and cold that your pores just get confused. For all the irritation I get Cocoon Elixir is the perfect remedy. It is a soothing, calming natural mist that takes care of irritation and redness. Cocoon is such a perfect name for it because you really feel your skin is wrapped up in a healing cocoon of pure moisture. Perfect to heal skin that needs a break.

Sold by YULI for $36

7. Skyn Icelandic Relief Eye Cream

I have used so many brands of eye products! I find a lot of not natural brands to be irritating to my eyes, causing slight burning sensations so I quickly changed that by switching to natural products. After using an array of products that tightened my eyes or super-moisturized them, this was one product that just made my eyes feel 'calm'. For winter I think this could not be more important. What better skin care brand for winter than an Icelandic formulation? It glides on very easily and is not heavy. There is a wonderful tingle when you first apply it and overnight your eyes will feel hydrated and contoured without the feeling of tightness. It truly does make the area under eyes appear rested.

Sold by Skyn for $45

8. Brad Intensive Algae Concentrate Relief Serum

A concentrated "supreme healing" serum that will restore skin. I think this is perfect for winter in restoring luster to skin and providing it with the healing relief necessary. It uses a lot of herbs, flowers, and sea minerals to energize and restore skin and I found that it typically "recharges" my skin over night. Even when I come back from skiing looking like a burn victim, dabbing this with Liquid Courage works overnight to replenish my skin.

Sold by Brad for $153

Leica M9-P “Edition Hermès”

Recently I had a conversation with my friends over whether or not in this day and age of 8 MP cameras on smartphones, if an investment in a quality digital camera is worth it. It seems that most photos I see are either from peoples iPhones uploaded to Instagram or quick shots at dinner - but I can't help it whenever I look at a really amazing fashion website during fashion season, in noticing the brilliant pictures posted with high end cameras that the iPhone just can't touch yet.

Enter the Leica M9-P Special Edition Hermes Camera, a true fetch hunter find for the technophile who wants the best and the fashion trust funder who must collect the coveted. At $25,000, this doesn't come cheap, but then again, most good things don't. The camera is not only technically superior to most cameras out there, thanks to Leica's flawless track record at producing reliable, high quality cameras, but the craftsmanship is just AMAZING, just check out this video:





Besides the exceptional craftsmanship, the camera is that perfect balance between high-performance and compact making it a perfect fit for vacations - it won't take up a lot of room and you won't look like a pap, but your pictures will look like perfection! If you have $25,000 sitting around or are looking for that perfect holiday gift already, this should be considered! $25,000 from Leica

Lanvin High Top Sneakers

 These Lanvin Suede Textured High Top Sneakers are all I have been thinking about lately for my next big purchase. I saw them in Barneys a few weeks ago and have been in love with them! They're constructed on the outside with suede which is actually not a great material as it shows the tiniest speck of dirt and isn't that durable in rain - but as I live in LA where a rain day is cause for an emergency stay-at-home day, I'm not too worried.

What I love the most about these sneakers is that they're edgy and unique, instantly recognizable without being loud. You can pair them with jeans and wear them into the office on a casual day (which again, in LA is EVERY day), or wear them when you're just out and about, they'd still look good at night if you're going some place nice for dinner. 

I love that there is a zip on the side because lots of high tops like my current Dior Homme Hi-Top, are gorgeous and comfortable but it can be annoying trying to put them on. They're also ventilated so your feet don't feel all overheated in there. I just heard that the Malibu Lanvin received a new shipment, so I'm tempted to go over this weekend - will keep everyone up to date on my weekend buys, if any!

Lanvin Suede High Top Sneakers ($1,075, Mr Porter)

Oliver Peoples X Balmain

Oliver Peoples is one of my favorite labels for sunglasses. When it comes to sunglasses, I find that even people who wouldn't usually shell out to buy luxury will save up for a pair of their favorite designer shades. Even in college, you can see frat guys with their hundred dollar Ray Bans and Dolce & Gabannas, but that may also be because I live in LA.

Similar to perfume, when I buy accessories it becomes even more important that I'm truly searching for a luxury niche item that not everyone has. Oliver Peoples has been around for a while and is known for designing really well made, solid, timeless shades. They're a quite company but what they lack in media noise, they make up for in a cult following amongst true eyewear aficionados.

Oliver Peoples frequently collaborates on 1-off collections with designers, and when they worked with Balmain, it was like a match made in heaven to me. I've long been a fan of Balmain but anyone who has been to one of their boutiques knows it is one of the most expensive. I am fairly certain the prices are even higher than Tom Ford and Givenchy.

The entire collection revolves around 3 pairs of reinterpreted aviator shades with a double bridge nose. When they were first released, they retailed at around $595, but I was able to buy a pair at Barneys over the summer for $150. A definite worthwhile item that will surely be a timeless piece in anyone's collection.

Oliver Peoples X Balmain ($150, Barneys)

Giles S/S 13

Last week was London Fashion Week, and rising designer Giles Deacon presented an unbelievably chic, interesting, and edgy collection for his label Giles. Not since Alexander McQueen, have I been more inspired by any British designer - the shattered glass, insane headpieces, and animal motifs were all so beautiful, haunting, and moving.

 

 

Collection available for retail this winter.

The Scent: ACQUA DI PARMA Gelsomino Nobile

Acqua di Parma is known as a niche Italian line of handmade fragrances who have a cult following. They are known for their light scents, and deep Italian roots - in fact most of the scents contain botanical oils native to Italy. Acqua di Parma is one of those companies that is small enough that not everyone knows who they are yet large enough to be sold at major department stores such as Neiman Marcus. Their brand image has been in a rut in modern times, struggling to find a voice, a niche - but their timeless bottles, effortless scents, and quality hand manufacturing earn them a place on my fetch list.

The perfect summer fragrance is their Gelsomino Nobile scent. It's a wonderful scent, translated to be "Nobel Jasmine". Jasmine is a very fragrant, fresh, white flower, known amongst fragrance enthusiasts as the king of flowers. Gelsomino Nobile is made for women, but I find that despite the floral, there is subtle musk and spices which make it suitable for men as well. The fragrance is part of the Nobile series which aims to explore and focus on a single flower for each product.

Sometimes Jasmine can get a bit too overwhelming and heady, but this light scent is perfect - sweet, floral, giving just the right amount to green quality. Now that we're going into fall, this fragrance is perfect as it illicits the feeling of white flowers in a gentle breeze in Southern Italy (where the Jasmine flowers are cultivated).

Definite recommend.

Available at Neiman Marcus ($174, 3.4oz)

Miracle Product: The Antioxidant Serum

Usually my posts feature the most awesome things that I've 'fetched' for you. This post is about my serum addiction. Serums are really concentrated treatments for skin, they're costly but a good serum is easily a magical product that can transform your skin. This post, I'm going to talk about the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Ferulic Acid) - a super antioxidant serum. Antioxidants are the latest craze from health nuts prescribing high-antioxidant diets to nearly every beauty product advertising its antioxidant benefits. But few products match Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum in antioxidant concentration.

This serum uses active forms of Vitamin C and Vitamin E which promote skin brightening and suppleness. Vitamin C serums are a must have for skin to prevent hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and collagen loss. This product acts as a preventative treatment to combat free radical damage and provide UV shields.

The Ferulic Acid gives this serum kind of a 'sticky' texture which isn't too bad but I know some people don't like the feel. Nonetheless, after a month of use, my skin just glows from within. I highly recommend this to everyone who wants to just prevent their skin from the signs of aging. I put this one after cleansing but before moisturizer/sunscreen so it really penetrates into my skin. So far my skin just feels like I'm indulging it!


Alternate Universe - Natural Version

A clean antioxidant serum I recommend for those of you into products without harsh chemicals is YULI's Liquid Courage Antioxidant Serum. They use an antioxidant seed complex, which is derived from organic botanical seeds which are believed to be the most concentrated in nutrients. They also use something interesting called Biofermented Black Garlic, which is a type of garlic they cultivate in a special process called biofermenting which intensifies the garlics natural antioxidant properties! There is also a chirally correct form of Vitamin C + Vitamin E which means it is really stable and will not deteriorate in effectiveness over time.

I would also recommend this to people who might not like the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Acid's sticky texture as this is a very light serum that melts into your skin. I've been using this under my sunscreen after cleansing for a week and I can see my skin just GLOW and look really healthy. I think it really does prevent a lot of the UV damage that LA people are so frequently exposed to. I also applied some under my eye where I frequently get dark circles, and it really tightened the area and faded the darkness. Despite being a very natural product, this serum really utilizes a lot of advanced techniques to deliver very effective results. I think for the Skinceuticals CE Ferulic serum lover who wants to try a natural version, you won't be disappointed in this product either.

These two products have somewhat become miracle products that always give my skin an extra kick when I need it. Skinceuticals is my current daily driver, but YULI is what I use when I really need that healthy, organic dose.

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($146, 1 oz, online)
YULI Liquid Courage ($125, 1oz, online)