PRELUDE BEAUTY APRIL 2006

The latest gadgets, news, hot happenings and hip hotels.

Words by Christina Kallery

Here comes the sun

Follow these steps for naturally glowing skin this spring.

With spring finally in the air, it’s time to shrug off dull, protective layers in favor of someth ing softer and sunnier—and that goes for skin, too. this season’s prettiest silhouettes work best when offset by naturally glowing (read: not baked to an unsightly orange) skin. If the travails of winter have left you with a case of the complexion doldrums, these fast cures from

Kerrin O’Neill, Head Esthetician at New York’s Just Calm Down Spa, will take you from blah to beautiful in no time.

Off with the old

To make a fresh beauty start, O’Neill prescribes the following weekly regimen. “First, exfoliate using a home microdermabrasion scrub to rid the skin of dirt and debris.” She prefers a scrub infused with aluminum oxide crystals, like the one found in Lancôme’s Resurface-C Microdermabrasion Skin Polishing and Radiance Renewing System (www.lancomeusa.com). A body exfoliator can afford to be more aggressive for tackling rough skin on the knees and elbows. Try: Crabtree & Evelyn’s La Source Exfoliating Body Scrub with Pumice (www.crabtree-evelyn.com).

Next, be sure to moisturize properly. For the face, O’Neill advises: “Follow with a hydrating water-based moisturizer or a serum infused with hyaluronic acid to plump the skin.” Great choices include MD Formulations Advanced Hydrating Complex in the gel formula (www.mdformulations.com), Cellex-C Hydra 5 B-Complex (www.cellex-c.com) and Dr. Brandt Laser in a Bottle Laser Tight (www.drbrandtskincare.com). For added skin brightening, she recommends a product featuring kojic acid like Peter th omas Roth Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex (www.peterth omasroth .com).

Maintain your newfound radiance during the rest of the week by using a nighttime moisturizer or serum with Retinol. “It helps promote faster cell turnover and health ier, younger skin,” claims O’Neill. A good one to try: Philosophy Hope and a Prayer PM Capsules (www.philosophy.com).

Fake it till you make it

With spring finally in the air, it’s time to shrug off dull, protective layers in favor of someth ing softer and sunnier—and that goes for skin, too. this season’s prettiest silhouettes work best when offset by naturally glowing (read: not baked to an unsightly orange) skin. If the travails of winter have left you with a case of the complexion doldrums, these fast cures from

Kerrin O’Neill, Head Esthetician at New York’s Just Calm Down Spa, will take you from blah to beautiful in no time.

Liven up post-winter pallor the health y way—with an expertly applied faux glow. One caveat: “It’s important to exfoliate really well before using self-tanners,” O’Neill cautions. Once you’ve banished flaky skin, don vinyl gloves so that the product doesn’t stain hands and blends evenly. Alth ough results vary, most fake tans last about five days. Among the best are: Comodynes Self-Tanning Towelettes (www.comodynes.net) and Bella Bronze Golden Chamomile & Goats Milk Self-Tanner (www.bellabronzesun.com), or for more gradual “tanning,” try Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer (www.jergens.com).

To up the sun-kissed ante, apply bronzing powder instead of blush. Two natural-looking options: Cargo Bronzer (www.cargocosmetics.com), available in a range of skin-perfecting shades, or Too Faced Caribbean in a Compact in Sunny Bunny (www.toofaced.com)—featuring two gorgeous, satiny hues. Just don’t be surprised if everyone asks where you vacationed. Your secret’s safe with us.