It’s nearly December, and the dry air is upon us. As we move into winter it’s almost inevitable that this lower environmental moisture level will take a toll on our skin. In fact, there’s seemingly nothing worse than the feeling of cracked elbows, hands, knees and feet – you know, the kind that snags on the covers at night… Ew. Drastic times call for drastic measures. That’s why each summer and winter, as the extreme temperatures hit, I switch up my skincare routine to compensate. For the past decade there is one product I’ve relied upon to keep the dry skin at bay: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E.

Let me start by discussing the fragrance: heavenly. For gourmand lovers, you won’t find another cream with a richer chocolate frosting fragrance. A few whiffs with your nose over the jar is as good as Prozac, and my guess is that your significant other will love it too. (Seriously, what’s better than a sexy, smooth body that smells like chocolate cream?)

Palmer’s butter cream consistency melts into skin and penetrates deeply enough to help prevent stretch marks (hello, pregnancy). The formula itself is rather simple – a blend of cocoa seed butter, cocoa extract, mineral oil, wax and vitamin E, and does not contain parabens. If you’re looking for oil-free, you’d better run and hide, because this product is as thick as it gets. However, if applied directly after the shower, it soaks into skin nicely and dries down to a soft finish. It has a mild skin “toning” effect that is either from the cocoa butter itself, or the massage used to apply it. What is more, Palmer’s has a multitude of uses: massage cream, under eye cream, lip balm, cuticle cream, after-pedicure cream, hand cream, stretch mark prevention, scar fading, after-sun butter, tan preserver, flyaway tamer… need I say more?

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E retails at approximately $4 for a 3.5 oz. jar.

~~ By Katherine Reel

No beauty insider worth her weight in, um, lipstick can deny the resurrection of red lips that has taken place over the last several years. They’ve become a staple on fall and spring runways, red carpets, and sidewalks alike. Once reserved for ladies of the night, Halloween Marilyn Monroe costumes and, well, my little Italian grandmother, red lips have since regained their dignified place in the spotlight. With a nod to classic pin-up looks and Old Hollywood glamour, a rouge pout indelibly incites feelings of nostalgia for decades past. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter if your look isn’t retro or vintage; fortunately, today’s red lips aren’t about looking costume-y (sorry Katy Perry), but rather, modern and sophisticated. So without further ado here are nine timeless red lipsticks to try, and a brief synopsis on each.

1. MAC Russian Red - This is one of my favorite lipsticks of all time; it’s a warm, rich red that looks great on everyone. The lipstick made its debut in the 1980s and rose to stardom after it was popularized by Madonna during her infamous Blonde Ambition tour in 1990. Russian Red is a showstopper, and if it’s good enough for Madonna, it’s good enough for me ($15 – BUY IT). 
2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Fire & Ice - An affordable orangey red. For you Mad Men enthusiasts, this is a throwback to the 1950’s house wife that’s remarkably very wearable, with a creamy finish. ( $6 – BUY IT). 

3. MAC Ruby Woo – This uber-flattering, high impact blue-based red has been around since. Its retro matte finish (read: dry yet superbly pigmented) is beloved by modern-day burlesque bombshell Dita Von Teese. You don’t have to be schooled in the “art of the tease” to wear it, although its vibrant hue might inspire you to pick up some black liquid liner, thigh highs and stilettos. Moisturize lips sufficiently prior to its application. ($14.50 – BUY IT). 

4. YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in #17 Red Muse - A wet, luxurious formula enhanced with mango extract for a luscious supermodel pout that protects with SPF 15. Line lips prior to applying this slippery formula. This red first appeared on the fall 2009 Yves Saint Laurent runway in Paris. ($34 at Sephora – BUY IT). 

5. La Prairie Cellular Luxe Lip Colour in Rouge Claire – With what might be better known as haute couture for your lips, La Prairie steps up its lip wear game with this superb scarlet lipstick, complete with caviar extract and a Cellular Complex that yields line-filling effects. ($55 – BUY IT). 

6. NARS Semi-Matte Lipstick in Jungle Red - What separates this brilliant red from the rest of the pack is its hydrating formula. While some semi-mattes wear down to a dry finish on your lips, this one blends conditioners and antioxidants for healthy, long-lasting color. ($24 – BUY IT). 

7. Christian Dior Addict Lipstick in Numerical Red – This has been a longtime personal favorite of mine. It’s a super-flattering, fire engine WOW! red lipstick with a shiny, emollient finish. Looks beautiful on olive skin. Très chic! ($28 – BUY IT). 

8. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Passion – The quilted gold chained handbag, the boucle suit, the perfect beige flat… Chanel has so many classics, and this tomato red lipstick fortified with vitamin E and shea butter is another to add to the list. ($32 – BUY IT). 

9. Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Color in Red Revival 645 - This bold ruby hue derives its “crisp” color from pure pigments, while honey nectar lends a creamy finish. Not to mention it’s easy on the wallet. ($8 – BUY IT).

~~ By Katherine Reel

The bottle reads “Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup.” To believe, or not to believe… I’m always a skeptic when it comes to cosmetic claims, but I must say this foundation impressed me. This is a super-fine, water-based makeup that feels like liquid satin between your fingertips. Its medium coverage, light-reflecting formula creates a naturally believable, velvety eggshell finish.  The texture is unlike other foundations I’ve tried, and is perfect for creating that no-makeup look.

SPF 15 yields light sun protection and the formula is versatile enough for normal, oily and even dry skin. After applying with a brush or fingertips using a light touch and blending well, your face will appear pore-less and luminous. The fragrance is not the most modern but tolerable nonetheless. Peter Phillips, Global Creative Director for Chanel Makeup, used VITALUMIÈRE AQUA to create the impeccable complexions seen at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2012 RTW collection shown in Paris.

CHANEL VITALUMIÈRE AQUA retails for $45 at Macy’s.

~~ By Katherine Reel