10 Ways to Brighten Skin for Spring.

I'm so excited that we are finally in the month of March! That means that spring is right around the corner - just 20 days away! Is your skin ready for the new season? It's time to uncover your skin and get rid of some of those layers and reveal brighter skin. It's easy to do with the right products. Here are ten products to get your skin ready — and brighter, just in time for spring.

1.  Kate Somerville ExfoliKate® Cleanser & Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
I've been a big fan of ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment for many years to polish and exfoliate the skin. I use it regularly. Now Kate has added ExfoliKate Cleanser to her line up and it comes packed in the duo exclusively at Sephora. The cleanser is a gentle foaming cleanser to gently aid in daily exfoliating while cleansing the skin.
Buy it for $50 at Sephora.

2. Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
This concentrate contains pure Vitamin C which is a skin brightener. When applied topically, the formula helps skin recover from some of the more visible signs of skin aging. Vitamin C works to improve skins radiance and there is an added bonus of diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Start using now for brighter skin by spring.
Buy it for $60 at Kiehls, Nordstrom or Bloomingdales

3. Exuviance Daily Antioxidant Peel CA10
This one-step, leave-on daily peel helps to dissolve dead skin cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin. The working ingredient is 10% citric acid. It's so easy to use! After one month of use, my skin was noticeably brighter.
Buy it for $65 at Dermstore or beauty.com

4. Shiseido White Lucent
If you are looking for a total overhaul of your skincare routine and brightening is on your list of things that need addressing, look at the Shiseido White Lucent line of products. Each product in the line works with the other and addresses uneven skin tone and texture and targets dark spots. I've been using the following to brighten my skin for spring. 

• White Lucent Luminizing Infuser
• White Lucent Luminizing Surge Emulsion
• White Luminizing MicroTargeting Spot Corrector
• White Lucent MultiBright Night Cream

My skin has become really radiant when using and the dark spot corrector is lightening spots all over my face.

Buy it from fine department stores like Barney's New York, Macy's, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Sephora.

5. pixi Skintreats Glow Mud Cleanser
How fun that pixi Beauty now has skin care products. My first try with their new skin treats is this cleanser and this deep pore cleansing mud did a terrific job at not only cleaning out pores, but it left my skin looking overall more tones and radiant.
Buy it for $18 at pixibeauty.com or Target.

6. IT Cosmetics Confidence In A Cream
This brand new transforming moisturizing super cream not only immediately plumps and hydrates the skin, this cream makes skin instantly look radiant. I don't know what it is; pores are minimized as fine lines seem to plump up and fill in. This cream if formulated with a proprietary concentrate that adds the perfect balance of hyaluronic acid to plump up those lines while niacin and peptides brighten the skin.
Buy it for $48 at itcosmetics.com, QVC and Ulta.

7. Lancôme Absolue White Aura
This is the ultimate luxury cream for rejuvenating and brightening. Formulated with a combination of rare white rose extract and Pro-Xylane, this cream richly penetrates the skin and reveals a more luminous complexion. It feels so soft as it melts into the skin. It's a true treat.
Buy it for $250 at Lancome counters at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.

8. Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Energizing Radiance Masque
This 10 minute mask is like an instant facial that brightens the look of dull skin. By using this once a week, overall skin tone is greatly improved. It's super invigorating too! Instead of using this one at night, I love using this masque in the morning as a quick pick-me-up.
Buy it for $32 at Kiehl's, Saks Fifth Avenue or Neiman Marcus.

9. Exuviance OptiLight Tone Corrector
If you have spots or need allover brightening, this tone corrector is for you. Multiple correctors in this patented formula work to even skins tone. NeoGlucosamine gently exfoliates the skin to break up pigment clusters, while Retinol and Vitamin C reduce the spots and even out tone. You can use the creamy formula all over wherever needed or simply spot treat.
Buy it for $52 at Dermstore or Ulta.

10. Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum
I love this serum that uses 2% Hydroquinone to help fade spots, freckles and overall brighten the tone of the skin. Used daily, at night, it rapidly does its job. I can attest at how fast and how well this serum works — probably better than any other age spot serum that I have used.
Buy it for $60 at Murad.com, Nordstrom or Sephora.

Calming My Sensitive Skin with Paula's Choice.

SPONSORED

My skin is sensitive enough and the outdoor cold and indoor heat during the winter seems to make it even more sensitive. You see, I have rosacea. It's not something I talk about too much as I've just dealt with it. Ever since I have been in high school I've just covered up the redness on my cheeks with makeup and didn't give it much thought. As I have gotten older, my rosacea has become more of an issue and I am having to deal with it, especially this winter. I was recently given the opportunity to try the Paula's Choice Redness Relief Kit from her Calm line and I was thrilled because I am at the point where I need to face my sensitive skin head on once and for all.

Paula's Choice Redness Relief Kit contains six products that make up a complete five-step skin care routine (there are two moisturizers in the kit; one for day and one for night). There are two different kits to choose from — one for Normal to Dry skin and one for Normal to Oily skin. I'm very dry, so I obviously chose the Normal to Dry kit.

The kit comes elegantly packaged in a nice silver box with the products and ingredients listed on the back in plain sight. I love how Paula's Choice is very clear about all of the ingredients in her products in a pretty no-nonsense way. 

Inside the box were the products, which are all in silver and quite elegant and upscale in look and feel which, of course, I love. The products include:

Calm Redness Relief Cleanser, Normal to Dry
Calm Redness Relief Toner, Normal to Dry
Calm Redness Relief Relief 1% Exfoliant BHA Lotion Exfoliant
Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum
Calm Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer (Day Moisturizer)
Calm Redness Relief Moisturizer (Night Moisturizer)

Starting my routine with the Redness Relief Cleanser, my skin feels immediately soothed. The cleanser is creamy so it feels nourishing and foams up lightly. I like that it doesn't feel stripped after using. Skin is left thoroughly cleansed, with all makeup (even tougher mascara) removed without much effort.

The second step in the routine is the Redness Relief Toner. This is one of the parts in my routine where I was probably going wrong before; I normally use a toner that contains witch hazel and alcohol and I just learned that is not so good for sensitive skin. This toner has glide to it that seems to add moisture to my skin and again, feels soothing as it swipe it over my cleansed skin with a cotton pad. I only need a little bit to get that extra fresh and clean feel that a toner gives.

Next up is the exfoliating step in the routine, which is my favorite step. When you are big on anti-aging like I am, you know what a vital part of the routine this is. I am use to using 8% and 10% exfoliants — another problem. I was probably using too strong of an exfoliant and the wrong type of an exfoliant for my sensitive skin. This is a 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant and I'm happy to say that this lightweight lotion is exactly the exfoliant that my skin has been needing. It is strong enough to get rid of the roughness that my skin has without aggravating it one bit. It is super gentle, yet still exfoliating away dead skin cells which is so vital to keeping skin fresh and glowing.

I think that the Redness Relief Repairing Serum , which I use next, has been the key to calming the redness in my skin. Since I have been using all of the products, particularly immediately after applying the serum, I notice that the redness on my cheeks are diminished. With a blend of targeted ingredients, it reduces inflammation and starts to repair skin. I love how it feels on my skin; it is so creamy smooth and hydrating as I apply it to my face and neck. One pump covers my face and one pump covers my neck. I use this serum twice a day and I feel like my skin is just drinking this in and putting it to work.

Finishing off the routine is a day or night moisturizer. For day it is the Redness Relief SPF 30 Mineral Moisturizer and night it is the Redness Relief Moisturizer . I am SO picky about my day moisturizer and this one passes the test. It is lightweight and almost milky out of the tube, but it blends into my skin and absorbs quick while leaving my skin feeling super hydrated. It does not interfere with makeup application or aggravate my skin at all. It is made with plant extracts, antioxidants and peptides to help calm the skin. It has SPF 30 which is a must. At night, when my skin usually feels its most sensitive, I use the Redness Relief Moisturizer which is definitely a night cream and is dreamy. It is much thicker than the day moisturizer and really calming and soothing on the skin. This one is made with plant oils, antioxidants and emollients to repair the skin. It is the perfect amount of hydration for night and leaves my skin feeling like silk.

Overall, I am more than happy that I got to test the Redness Relief products and will continue to use them. I know that I will be re-purchasing a few of them for sure. The Serum, Exfoliant and Moisturizers are must-haves for me. My skin is not only more smooth, it is not nearly as sensitive as it was a few weeks ago before I started testing. As I said, I think the Redness Relief Repairing Serum is the key to reducing redness in my skin. I feel as I don't have to use as much makeup to cover up since I have been using the products in the Paula's Choice Redness Relief Kit as well.

Is your skin super sensitive? Do you think you might have rosacea? Here are the signs to look for: Rosacea signs .

I think you'd benefit from the products in the Paula's Choice Calm line if you have sensitive skin or rosacea. Through my partnership with Pretty In My Pocket (PRIMP) I’m able to offer you 20% off + free shipping on your first purchase at Paula's Choice ! Just be sure to shop through this link . While you are at it, download the PRIMP app for more great beauty product reviews, tips and savings.

Enter for a chance to win your very own Paula's Choice Skin Care Regime below.

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This post is brought to you by Paula's Choice and PRIMP. Opinions are 100% my own. #KeepCalmAndSoothOn #PaulasChoiceSkinCare #PaulasChoice

Introducing Skin Laundry.

There are some really unique skin clinics called Skin Laundry that have recently made their way from the west coast (mostly in California and Hong Kong) to the east coast. With two new clinics in New York City and two more planned to open soon, this is a skin care clinic that offers a revolutionary Signature Light & Laser Treatment that is changing the skin of women. To further enhance the treatment, Skin Laundry has launched some skin care products and I had a chance to give some of them a try.

When trying a new line, I always look for a starter set or kit, and Skin Laundry offers one, which I think it a great way to enhance any service or try a new line of products. The Skin Laundry Rejuvenation Essentials Kit ($160) contains everything you need for a nighttime beauty regimen and it's a great introduction to the brand.

The kit contains:

• 5 Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Facial Masks
• Night Renew Treatment (with .2% Retinol)
• Restoring Night Serum
• Renewing Eye Cream

While the products were minimally packaged to match the light and airy feel of the skin clinics, the products themselves feel very luxe. The ingredients are definitely effective. With everything designed to greatly improve the look of the skin from the texture and tone to reducing the appearance of fine lines, everything works in sync together.

Starting with a weekly mask, the Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Facial Mask is a really nice treat. This mask is infused with 19 skin conditioning extracts so skin is smoothed, refreshed and restored — it's like a facial in a mask. It takes just 15 minutes or so.

The rest of the products are to be used nightly, starting with the Restoring Night Serum after your cleansing. This serum is chock full of ingredients that smooth and brighten the skin. It contains glycolic acid to get rid of dull skin that builds up.

Next up is the Night Renew Treatment. This is definitely effective with the addition of Retinol, but it is gentle feeling because it is enriched with Shea Butter and other humectants so the skin is nourished and hydrated while using. This is so different than most retinols and I think that is why I really like it. While most retinols leave skin feeling dry, this one really helps skin retain moisture as it helps to improve fine lines and wrinkles and gives skin a more firm look and feel.

The final step is the Renewing Eye Cream. This eye cream feels so luxe as it smoothes my undereye area. It seems to help reduce puffiness almost immediately. A rich combination of peptides and antioxidants work within the formula to help reduce fine lines over time too.

One other products that I got to try which is not really a skin care product, but something I have been hearing about and one I was excited to try is a specially infused pillowcase. It's called the SleepCycle Clean Skin Pillowcase ($30). I mean, we spend so much time with our faces on our pillow, we might as well do it with special technology to help us look better, right? Well, this pillowcase is treated with charged silver ion technology to provide a natural anti-micobial effect that keeps our pillowcase cleaner so our faces are cleaner while we sleep. It actually reduces bacteria by 99.9%. WE know that bacteria does so much harm to the skin, so it's a very smart solution to a common problem.

All of these products are available at Skin Laundry clinics nationwide as well as skinlaundry.com.

The next time I am in NYC, I will be checking out the Signature Light & Laser Treatment for sure. I'll definitely report back on that.