Some of these are splurges, some are steals, but trust us, you’ll be happy you tried them.
- Lois Joy Johnson, BettyConfidential.com
Money might be tight right now, but sometimes you need to a little indulgence, if only to make it easier to get through the day. We’re not suggesting that you clear out your savings account or skip a mortgage payment to have a flawless complexion, but you owe it to your skin to try each of these coveted cult items once in your life.
1. La Mer Crème de la Mer ($130, bergdorfgoodman.com)
You only need the teeniest bit of this moisturizing cream — it
emulsifies when a dab is blended between your fingertips before
application. The moisturizer was discovered by physicist Dr. Max
Huber to treat and heal severe chemical burns he suffered in a lab
explosion. The so-called miracle “broth” that’s the basis for the
cream is a blend of fermented sea kelp, vitamins and minerals.
Every model or makeup artist I have ever worked with attests to its
power to make dry, dehydrated skin velvety-smooth.
2. Kiehls Lip Balm ($6.50 – 9.50, kiehls.com)
It soothes dry, cracked, peeling lips and restores smooth texture
faster, so you can resume wearing lipstick sooner, even after a
cold sore.
3. Cle de Peau Concealer ($68, paullebrecque.com)
Simply the best, it provides incredible coverage of blemishes and
brown spots and dark circles.
4. Joy by Jean Patou ($65-$110 EDT spray,
nordstrom.com)
It takes more than 10,000 jasmine flowers to make a single ounce of
this potent floral fragrance that was launched back in 1927. From
the top note hit of Bulgarian rose oil and tuberose to its heart of
jasmine and base of musk, it’s still the most seductive scent of
all.
5. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($19, shuuemera-usa.com)
The thick, contoured silicone pad and perfect hinge apply exactly
the right degree of pressure so you never get ridges.
6. Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara ($24,
saksfifthavenue.com)
This is the most pigmented, sultriest black mascara of all.
7. Terax Original Cream Ultra Moisturizing Daily
Conditioner ($48, sephora.com)
This luxe conditioner restores dry, damaged dry hair in just one
wash.
8. Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm
($26, beautyexclusive.com)
A combo gel of ferula, horseradish and garlic extract, this balm
straightens hair without chemicals for a blowout that is as sleek
as glass. Your sleek style will even last during rainy, humid
weather.
9. Laura Mercier Crème Brulee Honey Bath ($40,
lauramercier.com)
This foaming, moisturizing bubble bath is so exquisite that it’ll
ruin you for life; you will never really be happy with lower-priced
versions again. The intense scent of caramel and vanilla keep you
on your diet and bliss you out.
10. La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream
($375, neimanmarcus.com)
It plumps up expression lines, firms and brightens the under-eye
area with protein-rich caviar and sea algae extract. Save on
dermatologist visits and put off that eye job. One jar can last for
two years.
Lois Joy Johnson is the former Beauty & Fashion Director of MORE magazine and Ladies' Home Journal and author of a new beauty book coming out in 2011.
