Tried + Tested: MD Skincare Instant Beautification Lip Area Firming Patch

Call it a symptom of the trade I guess, but I'm a question asker and a prober. And if I can't wrap my head around a concept I keep at it until my getting is good. So when I saw that one of my faves Dr. Gross came out with this fancy-pants lip area firming patch delio and I didn't really get it, I studied the packaging for a while before attempting any sort of application.

The MD Skincare Instant Beautification Lip Area Firming Patch is sort of like a pore strip but instead of degunking, it promises to firm fine lines around the kisser by a whopping 36% in just 20 minutes. (Now, I know that this doesn't seem so complicated to understand. But I guess I just couldn't face up to the fact that I may actually need a mini-wrinkle eraser. And, for the record, I don't but I decided to give this a go anyhow.)

Step 1 calls for the application of this water-based hydrator liquid onto the strip, followed by a swipe of the vanilla scented antioxidant-packed cream onto the same area. (Why the patch doesn't come pre-moistened is one of those tricky Qs that I've yet to answer.) But then slap that patch across the top lip and wait the lengthen of a SATC episode. All that waiting isn't as bad as one might think-I can talk, walk, and sip iced coffee like normal. And the tightening sensation ain't all that uncomfortable (although some may feel a slight tingling sensation).

So one epi of Big refusing to commit and Samantha getting it on with I can't remember who later, I've got smoother skin and a plumper kisser. Since I'm still not convinced that I actually need this little number, I'm going to put it on reserve for big nights on the town only. I will say, however, that all you secret smokers and make out mavens will get a whole lot more
benefit.
SWAK! - Jenna Mahoney

Tried + Tested: Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain

The other night BFF Emilia Diamante called me in a panic. She was on her way to gay Paree for a month of long lunches, fine wine, unpasteurized cheeses and beaucoup days of *travaille* (that's work to all you non Francophiles).

And gasp-at the last minute-she realized her trusty mascara was past its prime. The exchange rate being what it is, she just couldn't bring herself to purchase a new tube while abroad. That's where I come in.

I agreed that she could try my single tube of the new Tarte 4 day stay lash stain ($18), which debuted in May, if she agreed to iPhone me (is that a verb yet?) a review of her road test. And voila, here's an account of the textersation*.

TO: JENNA
Bonjour. The weather is great. Trying to get in as many Pilates classes as
possible, but we're working a ton. You know the sit. lots of mtgs, lunches
and late dinners with the fash. kids. There's lots of champers and vino, but
not so much sleep.

TO: EMILIA
Pilates rules.too bad you are working so much..things here are normy.what's
the word on the mascara?

TO: JENNA
Pardon moi for not saying sooner. This stuff is great! Goes on smooth and
easy, and honestly, no clumping. It's kind of unbelievable.

TO: EMILIA
coolio. any word on the last-ability.according to the co. this polymer-rich
lash extender is packed with mineral pigments that stay put for up to 4
dayz.

TO JENNA:
Oui Oui. Not only does the color stay-put, it also doesn't itch or irritate.
I look like I've had some serious beauty sleep, when unfot. we all know the
sad truth.

TO EMILIA:
Sa-weet to hear.the itch-free factor is thanks to the fact that the formula
is fashioned (lol) from lots of agua and provit.B5. Plus, it's synthetic
dye-, mineral oil-, sulfate- and fragrance-free...totes bonuosity.

TO JENNA:
4 Sure. Je A'dore. I'm going to stock up on it when I'm stateside. See you
soon. Let's hit the flea mark. when I get back. *E

TO EMILIA:
totes. champs on me. xoxoxj

*Busted. The texersation may be fictionalized but the deets and review are
all true-blue. - Jenna Mahoney

The NUDE Review: Week One

Right now, my skin is lacking that certain A-list glow. You know what I mean—that gorgeous lit from within quality that looks like my whole life is one endless string of healthy meals a la personal chef, morning workouts on the beach with a trainer and 8 hours of sleep (nightly!) on 1,500 thread count sheets.

But if you can't make it, fake it.

In my search for a shortcut to clearer, brighter and more hydrated skin, I came across NUDE Skincare, a line of products that’s as good for the environment as it’s reported to be for my skin. The line is paraben-free, formulated with fair-trade ingredients and comes in recycled packaging. No wonder Christy Turlington and Bono are fans. And, hey, if it’s good enough for supermodel Christy and rock star Bono, it’s good enough for me.

I met with the experts at NUDE who recommended I try out the following products for a head-to-toe regimen. The payoff: I’ll be red-carpet ready in a month.

One month to a total about-face (and body)? I'll go NUDE for that. Hey, I'll go publicly NUDE for that - check back weekly as I post my progress.
-Stacy Baker

The Skin List:

Cleansing Facial Wash (am)
Cleansing Facial Oil (pm and weekends)
Hydrating Water (am, pm after cleansing, and mist throughout the day)
Advanced Smoothing Serum (am and pm)
Moisture Balance (am)
Age Defence Moisturiser (pm)
Replenishing Night Oil (weekends)
Miracle Mask (twice a week)
Moisturising Body Cream (after showering)
Moisturising Body Polish (twice a week)

The ColorOn Video: Now Watch The Pros

It was amateur hour last week when Jennifer A. and I posted our very own video of us applying ColorOn's new press-on eyeshadow appliques. But still!! Amateur or not, did you see how easy and how professionally applied our results turned out? I could not be prouder. It almost makes you want to go drum up a hot date just so you've got a reason to be swanning around town.

So now that you've seen your average makeup-obsessed girl press on a ColorOn, how about watching the pros do it?


Oh, but we're not done with these yet! Stick around next week as we bring you more Sephora employees trying on ColorOn!

Tried + Tested: The ColorOn Press & Peel Test

Our Product Patroler, Jennifer Appenrodt, recently blogged about the arrival of ColorOn, a press-on mineral cream eyeshadow that, just like the name sez, is applied by pressing on a shadow-filled sticker, then peeling off the back.

Skill level: Think temporary tattoo, only without the sponge & water part. But can eyeshadow really be that easy? More importantly, is the end result something you'd leave the house wearing? I needed answers - so I volunteered Jennifer's lids as the stars of my First Official ColorOn Video.

Watch her press 'em & test 'em!

End result:




















Not bad! For this original test, we picked a soft smoky brown set (the bottom deep brown color).

Because it's cream shadow, the kit also comes with a tiny vial of powder and mini-brush for dusting over lids (the powder helps set the shadow).

ColorOn comes in a ton of shades, ranging from soft to sultry to outright wild. And after seeing it, now I'm a tiny bit obsessed with how easy (and strangely fun) this is to get suddenly-smoky and presto! press-on shadow.

Which means STAY TUNED as I film more of our testers styling it up (and yes, we'll be bringing you footage of the zebra).

Tried + Tested: Benefit bSpot

It looks like the self-imposed ban has been lifted, because I just couldn't help myself.

I just needed to test the soon-to-be released fragrance bSpot by Benefit ($38). Regular readers of this blog will know that this is the part in the movie where the gush-fest begins. So cue the Peter Gabriel because I'm about to get all Lloyd Dobler boom-box.

The company's second fragrance is a gentle mix of florals, including fresh freesia and my fave of the moment peony, with a bit of sweet mango and tangerine. And there's a lingering scent of sandalwood with a hint of amber. The result is a scent that's light and fresh with a just-enough twist of that playful sexy kitten we all wish we could secretly be, but no lady would ever admit to aloud.

The box highlights "bSpots" (or in regular people talk, application tips) across the body. And the That 70s Show style packaging just makes the whole banana a little more fun.

xoxox - Jenna Mahoney

Lash Off 2008: Meet the Contenders

Welcome to the Great Lash Off of 2008.

On the left, we have Laura Kenney, beauty editor. On the right, we have Casey Kelly, production manager.

Both want longer lashes...than the other.

Their rivalry, my friends, is as bitter as it is ancient. They've waged vicious battle with false lashes. They've dualed with mascaras. And now, they've found the ultimate weapon; a near guarantee that this lash war will be decided, once and for all: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For Nighttime Eyelash Conditioning Treatment.

For the next 8 weeks, each will road-test this new nighttime eyelash conditioning treatment, touted to extend lashes with a patent-pending complex that helps enhance the appearance of length, thickness, and fullness.

They will report back weekly on their lash advancement. And it should be good: In independent consumer studies 64% of participants experienced longer lashes, 67% experienced thicker lashes, 67% experienced fuller lashes, 80% experienced softer lashes, 70% experienced healthier looking lashes and 70% said their lashes looked overall enhanced.

Right now, Kenney's lashes weigh in at 5 mm. Kelly's at 6 mm.

May the longest lashes win.

Tried + Tested: Tarte Enbrightenmint BriteSmile® Whitener & Tarte Lipgloss

They call me mellow yellow. And unfotch., it ain't cuz I'm a laid-back lady. You see I've got a coffee habit that has quite possibly paid of the mortgage on at least three Starbucks locations in Manhattan. And now my pearly whites aren't so, um, pearly. Not only that, I'm just not one of those girls who looks good saying "prune" before getting a photo snapped a-la some newly 22ized twins. All of this of course makes me feel about as confident as a basement about myself, especially whenever I meet one of those girls with day-glow white teeth. I've tried those strips and the mouthwashes, but for some reason or another I haven't had the patience to wait for the results.

And then it happened—Tarte read my mind and came out with Enbrightenmint ($26) in May—and my mellow days were numbered. The handy-dandy, make-my-mouth better tool is a double-brushed (looove those!) tooth brightener from BriteSmile and a mint-scented gloss with blue under tones from Tarte (trust me that's not as weird as it sounds). First the whitener: Once you figure out the how to click the formula onto the tip, you simply brush-a-brush across the offending hued fangs.

The packaging suggests that you wait about 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything. But I personally found that swishing cold water not only assuaged the on-the-line questionable taste, but also spread the formula to some hard to reach spots. But please, pretty please if you use this tip, do only a simple swish.

Then there's the Tarte gloss. The the minty scent is so fabu, I've actually started an unstoppable cycle of apply, lick, yum-o, lick, yum-o, apply… But I digress, the real reason the radiant red and pearly pink shades are so fantaboluu is because they've got that blue undertone thing I mentioned. You see, the bit of blue plays a little optical illusion and brings the pearly back into the whites. So presto, chang-o I'm all Chesire Cat happy and ready to say "cheese." And the fact that proceeds go to support the rainforest make that smile all the brighter. - Jenna Mahoney

Lash Off 2008: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For, Put To the Test

Last month, a revolutionary new product launched at Sephora: Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For Nighttime Eyelash Conditioning Treatment.

In independent consumer studies, after 4-8 weeks 64% of participants experienced longer lashes, 67% experienced thicker lashes, 67% experienced fuller lashes, 80% experienced softer lashes, 70% experienced healthier looking lashes and 70% said their lashes looked overall enhanced.

Starting this week, 2 Sephora editors will use Lashes to Die For as weapons in their eternal quest to achieve longer lashes than the other.

Stay tuned, my friends, for the Great Lash Off of 2008.

Girl On The Street Goes Dark (With Her Lipstick)

Yesterday I leaked (ahem, previewed) Smashbox's new dark lip shade for fall- High Shine Lipgloss in Sultry, which is coming to Sephora exclusively in late July.

Yes, Dark Lips: It's the new trend for fall. While some of us (moi!) couldn't be happier to bench the pink gloss for a season, others take one look at this deep chocolate red and declare, "No. Way."

Au contraire, cutie pie. Dark lips are universal. And to prove it, I swiped that "previewed" sample (note to Smashbox: I'll give it right back, I swear) and had brave tester and average girl Emily K. doll herself up sans any help from a makeup artist!

Her three looks: The Natural, Retro Fresh, and Sizzling. Actually, let's call the last look, "Honey, You're Staring."
















The Natural
Worn: To the office
This look is just matte cream-colored shadow applied all over the eye, followed with a dark brown pencil liner smudged into the lash line.

Emily then got extra crafty and added a darker beige shadow over the liner for the ultimate no-makeup eye makeup trick.

She added a touch of pale gray/pink shimmer powder on her browbone for extra definition, then finished with The Lips.

Retro Fresh
Worn: Out with the girls
For this, Emily used dark brown liquid liner (no black! It's too harsh!), plus some glittery beige shadow applied from her lashes up to her browbone, then all the way around her eyes. Hint: Use a light-reflecting shadow here for a diamond-dazzle finish).

To give her eye a bit more definition, she used a pale wine color around the crease, then finished with The Lips!

Sizzling
Worn: When 4-inch heels alone won't cut it
After applying a shadow primer, Emily used a deep purple eyeshadow all around her eye, then layered a brighter burgundy color on top. This blends the shadow for a supah smoky eye effect, plus adds a sultry depth that goes fabulously with a lipstick called Sultry.

Emily finished with a bronze-colored shimmer powder on her browbone and, of course, The Lips.

Note from the wear-tester: Despite being dark and being a gloss, Emily said first coloring in lips with Smashbox's companion-colored Lip Pencil in Tempt made the color last longer.

Did these pictures turn you into a believer? Are you going to do up a dark lip this fall? We wanna know!

Tried + Tested: Tarte Glam Gams Leg Bronzing Stick

If greenness is close to godliness then Maureen Kelly's new paraben-, phthalate- and sulfate-free Tarte Glam Gams Leg Bronzing Stick ($30) is downright heavenly.

Sure, the golden tinted body shimmer imparts a glam glow, but it's also packed with ultra moisturizing passionflower, restorative Barbados cherry and that anti-aging powerhouse from Brazil, acai.

It may sound like a whole lot of over-extra stuffo to add to a simple leg shimmer, and I won't disagree, but all these additives give a little zingazing. The color goes on smoothly and sparkly, the staying power is top-notch (not to mention water-proof!) and there's even a sweet subtle scent of gardenia.
Application hint: To get the ultimate evened bronze apply your fave moisturizer over the shimmered hue. You'll feel like you've been kissed by Midas.

Oh and a portion of the proceeds of this little piece a heaven go to promote fair trade, sustainability and the Amazon rainforest. Indeed, green is good.
-Jenna Mahoney

Tried + Tested Benefit Posietint

My BFF Emilia Diamante is the most happen-est style setter in all of the land. Not only does she sit at the right hand of arguably the most important fashion designer of our time (not to name drop or anything, but all the girls love him), but she was also voted best dressed in the 7th grade, an honor that I've not so secretly coveted ever since.

Being such a stylie isn't limited to being the owner of the most a-maz-ing booties evs, it's also about having a tried and arsenal of beauty products.

In addition to the overworked eyelash curler, whipped-out all the time Dr. Pepper-flavored lip smackers (a throw-back to the glory days of being best dressed, I suppose) and the spiffy and SPFed tinted moisturizer du jour, Emilia is a die-hard Benefit fan. She loves the bite of cherry it imparts on lips and is the ultimate master at getting the just-so flush across her cheeks before the super-saturated stain dries unevenly.

So when the genius twins at Benefit decided that after 30 years to finally release a kinder, gentler hue of the already popular (and darker) cheek and lip tint, I knew that Emilia was the girl to try the pinky Posietint ($28).

Being a younger sister herself, Emilia was pretty much sold on the faving right from the get-go. But she really raved about the easy-to-blend pretty in pink poppy hue. "It's great for spring and may even look a bit more natural than the original," she said.

And the fancy-pants chrome packaging? Well, that's just an extra bonus as far as my personal style idol is concerned.
-Jenna Mahoney

Tried + Tested: theBalm Balms Away

Paint me Miss Piggy, but oftentimes I channel a certain sexy celebrity cover star and sleep without removing my eye makeup. Please no lectures; I know I shouldn't do it. But it's just that I've yet to find a remover that isn't all dry and alcohol-y. Well that, and I have some sort of inability to use a formula (including soap and water) that doesn't irritate my eyes.

So my hopes for theBalm Balms Away ($19) were about as high as a Lollipop Kid. And believe it or not, I actually avoided wearing eye makeup so I wouldn't have to employ the powers of the lipid-packed salve.

But all good things come to an end and when a double-duper important event called for Laura Geller Eye Stay Duo in champagne and bronze, NARS Luminizer The Multiple aaand an upper and lower lash application of the new Benefit BADGal Blue, I knew the stalling was over.

You know how they say good things come to those who wait? Well, that's me! This is the answer to all of my removal probs. This salve is smooth, hydrating and vitamin-packed. Honest to the heavens on high I actually said "Oh my God!" aloud after I swiped a tissue across my eyes as instructed. No one was around to hear/see me, but the removal was so easy breezy, so complete and so sans tugging, pulling and drying that I was just in a bit of shock and awe. And ta-dah (!) it all went down with z-ero irritation.

Given the fact that the formula is based on co. founder Marissa's g-ma's tins of salve, I should have immediately known I was going be singing this lipid-rich stuff's praises. I mean it's no secret I'm a salve-y gal. And I'm a total sucker for vintage-inspired packaging.

There's one caveat, however: Chicielas with oilier skin, may want to avoid. This salve is extra emollient and a bit heavy. And it's so richly hydrating that after one swipe, you won't need your usual night cream.
-Jenna Mahoney

Tried + Tested: Benefit Eye Bright

I should be banned from posting about Benefit. I'm so obsessed with every.single.product that I try that I am seriously considering leaving my husband-to-be, flying across country to S.F., camping out on the lawns of the Ford sisters and reciting hand-made poetry until they agree that we are meant to be together 4-eva, eva.

OK Maybe that's a little severe, but I honest to goodness had that thought when I tried the Benefit Eye Bright ($18) this morning. I was feeling all totes-uggs-five-thousand-g when I figured a-what the heck, I'll give this pencil a whirl. (Truth be told, I was too lazy to track down the Ooh La Lift and the Eye Bright was sitting next to my new Tarte tooth whitening gloss [more on that later] Geez that's a lot of parens. But I digress…)

So, I dotted the pinky-white pencil in the corners and helloooo, bright eyes. I'm telling you, what an eye opener. And the formula is so ultra creamy that I just had to line the color across my lash line. A swipe my latest go-to BADGal Blue and it was to the office like the proverbial prom dress. Oh and I'm not the only one who thought—in spite of my Mt. Vesuvius-size zit—that I was looking like a Sassy cover girl. I ran into my neighbor on the subway platform and he said there was a pizzazz in my pretty…Watch out Ford sisters, here I come. - Jenna Mahoney

Damaged, Controlled: The Finale

It's been four weeks since I first started slathering my skin with Philosophy's retinol-stuffed Help Me cream.

So now the big question is: has Help Me helped me?

In a word: BrotherDidItEver!

I'm minus a few icky brown spots I'm frankly better off without. My skin is a bit smoother and my complexion got a clear-up. Best of all, once I stopped being such an, "I don't need no moisturizer!" maverick, the peeling stopped.

Think it would work the same wonders for you?
Hey, give it a shot: BellaSugar is giving away a few tubs of what may just prove to be your own little miracle-worker, too!

Damage, Controlled III: The Skin Strikes Back

Didja know this? The process of creating new cells and pushing old ones to the surface of your skin takes about 28 days.

And that's for relatively young skin - for more mature skin, the regeneration cycle is more like two full months.

First off, no wonder docs and derms always recommend trying a product for at least a month before throwing in the towel.

And secondly....ain't it the truth! I'm Week 3 into my test-drive of Philosophy's Help Me retinol cream and I'm starting to feel like my face is molting. But..uh, in a good way.

As I confes- er, mentioned last week, I didn't do such a hot job following package directions, instead mentally modifying the, "Follow application with your favorite moisturizer" to "...but only if you really feel like it, Jenny. Maybe you'd just rather go watch reruns of 'The Nanny.'"

Yes, I'm lazy, and because I'm lazy, I've got a light bit of peeling going on around my nose. But in a way, it's almost better I'm a flop at directions because hey, my momma didn't raise no peeler....and yet here I am with flaky little confirmation tickets from my skin telling me, "28 days? Pshaw! We can beat that."

Waking Up When You Have No Go-Go

I came across the world's oldest existing copy of Women's Day magazine (2002 - positively ancient!). In it was a recipe for a homemade face mask good for reviving pooped and puffy skin. I call this “Morning After Face”- the kind of pug-mug that won’t fool anyone into thinking you went straight home after work last night.

The recipe called for instant coffee mixed with enough witch hazel to make a paste. Apply the paste to your puss, rinse, and glow on about your day.

Great, but…hello, instant coffee?

I don’t know about you gals, but instant coffee is a mais non! in my house. But it’s true that caffeine temporarily firms and tightens faces.

Lucky us, it’s not 2002 anymore. Rather than keeping instant coffee around, I’d go the pre-mixed route with one of these:



Murad Essential-C Eye Cream
Pow! Caffeine shrivels up puff! Bam! Antioxidant vitamin C KOs free radicals!









Clinique Repairwear Deep Wrinkle Concentrate For Face and Eye
Short term de-puff lust with caffeine leads to long-term wrinkle-zapping love with collagen boosters. Might be your best relationship ever.







Lancome Renergie Eye Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Eye Crème
The puff stops here: Skin-firming proteins mingle with vitamin E and caffeine.

Damage, Controlled II: Help Me Is Helping Me

To all the Cadillac-sized pores and root vegetable-colored brown spots currently squatting on my face:

Your days are numbered.

Exactly one week ago I started buttering a thin layer of Philosophy's Help Me cream onto my face every night before going to bed. My 7-day review so far? Hallelujah! It works it works!

Normally when I read about products that promise to minimize little lines and smooth out the rough stuff, all I can think about are the bridges in Brooklyn and oceanfront properties in Arizona I could be buying instead.

But there's just enough more face-rejuvenating retinol in here (.010%, exactly) than in other products I've tried, and that's just enough more to make the difference. Turns out there really is something to be said for that extra half an inch. And! There are also face-loving vitamins in here, too.

I'm not an all-new girl - yet. But I'm already seeing a visible difference in the tone, clarity, and texture of my skin. Pretty!

Word of warning: There's a note on the package that says, "Follow application with your favorite moisturizer." Yeah, you'll wanna. I skipped this part for the first few days and was rewarded with "Tight Face" until complying with the rules.

She Who Sleeps With Makeup On

People magazine just published their 100 Most Beautiful list. I'm not going to spoil the surprise, but I will tell you that the cover girl confesses to what is known as The Worst Cosmetic Crime Ever Committed: She sleeps (gasp!) in her makeup.

You left-brainers can probably hear her pores screaming all the way from Hollywood. To all the right-brainers who are too busy popping your pimples, flatironing your hair and lining the insides of your eyes to wipe down your faces at night, I hear ya.

In fact, I have a list of favorite things to sleep in:

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish Therapy
I know I mentioned this before, but try going to bed sans washing and still waking up with fewer blemishes. Ding! Instant fan!





Stila Smudge Pots
Jenny's Best Tip Ever Alert! Master smoky eyes by grabbing a Smudge Pot and sleeping in it. The formula is creamy enough to self-smudge just a little, but still rich enough to outlast the effects of your pillow.




Bliss The Youth As We Know It
This luxe moisturizing cream is chock o'block with hydrators, ceramides, wrinkle relaxers, peptides...I mean, who in their right mind would ever wipe it off?





Urban Decay Liquid Liner
Put this on, go to work, come home, go to bed, and wake up the next morning with your liner STILL INTACT. It's black magic beauty.





Benefit You Rebel Lite SPF 15
I put this on during the day, and if I fudge and sleep with it on, who cares? It's full of antioxidants, aloe vera, and allantoin for soft and pretty morning-after skin.







Party girl photo courtesy of spoiledpretty.blogspot.com

Damage, Controlled: Philosophy’s Anti-Aging Secret Weapon

“When it comes to anti-aging, our money’s on retinoids.”
- Linda Wells, Allure editor in chief and author of Confessions Of A Beauty Editor

I’m not what I’d call "actively wrinkled" [insert the harsh-sounding caw! caw! from the crow’s feet around my eyes], but I’m paying more attention to anti-aging products now than, say, 10 years ago when I ruled my face with a tightly coiled tube of benzoyl peroxide.

Apart from beauty booboos like using rubbing alcohol to dry up zits (hey, we all make mistakes!), at the peak of my brainless beautifications I even had standing weekly appointments at Tan A Rama. Note to my skin: I am sooo sorry, but honestly, shouldn’t you have said something?

So! I’m hitting the Edit/Undo button on my face with Philosophy’s Help Me treatment.

Billed as a retinol treatment for fine lines (I have ‘em), discoloration (yup), and large pores (check again), Help Me also has the highest percentage of retinol of any product at Sephora - .010%, which is the magic number at which results appear but irritation does not.

Help Me’s packaging has an encouraging little note explaining how regular use leads to clean pores, smoother skin, and an all over glow. How do I know they aren’t fibbing? Retinoids, in addition to zapping wrinkles, speed cell turnover and spur the production of new collagen.

(This is enough to make me write, “I love retinoids” and “Jenny + Philosophy = TLA” all over my Pee-Chee).

Anyway, if it’s good enough to win the Editor’s Choice award from Allure, I figure I’ll give it a shot myself.

Starting tonight, I’m changing my face by cracking open Help Me and applying my first layer. I raise my 1.05 oz tube as a toast to my future face!

Will it work? You’ll know when I do – I’ll be posting my results regularly.