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.

Get the Look: Cate Blanchett at the Academy Awards.

Cate Blanchett looked absolutely stunning last night at the 88th annual Academy Awards. From her gown and jewelry, to her hair, skin and makeup — everything was exquisite. I have the details on her skin and hair. If I get the details on her makeup, I will update with that.

Cate credits her radiant skin to her longtime use of SK-II products, for which she is Global Ambassador. Here are the products she used with help of Makeup Artist Jeanine Lobell.

Cate’s first step in the road to beautiful, ageless skin is the SK-II signature product she cannot live without, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

“For many years I have spoken about the profound effect that this ‘miracle water’ has had on my skin,” said Cate. “Having used SK-II Facial Treatment Essence for 15 years I can confidently say it has not only transformed my complexion, but quite possibly changed the destiny of my skin as well”

Next, makeup artist, Jeanine Lobell used NEW R.N.A. Power Essence and R.N.A. Power Cream, SK-II’s most revolutionary anti-aging series to date for youthful, firm skin to ensure Cate’s skin was best prepared for makeup. NEW SK-II R.N.A. Power Essence helps to minimize pores and plump skin, while NEW R.N.A. Power Cream provides intense moisturization to firm, smooth and tighten skin.

“The new R.N.A. Power line instantly refreshed and hydrated Cate’s skin, creating a beautiful, dewy glow,” said Jeanine. “Having a good base for makeup application is the key to a beautiful final makeup look.”

Check what Cate brought along with her to stay looking radiant all night long.

Cate's hair was styled by Wella Professionals Stylist Robert Vetica, who cut Cate's hair into a freshly cut bob for the big night. Her simple, elegant waves combined with a beautiful textured style completed the look which was inspired by the iconic photographer Lillian Bassman whose photographs exude innovation and elegance with cutting edge fashion. This was refreshing and stood out during the time of the 40's and 50's when total femininity and elegance lived in full splendor.

Wella Professionals stylist Robert Vetica and Cate discussed the bold decision of cutting her hair the day of the Oscars for quite some time. “This is one of the reasons I love this woman so much! I mean who cuts their hair the day of? She is bold and makes her regal presence known,” says Robert.

Step-by-Step Styling:

1. Start with freshly washed and conditioned hair using Wella Professionals Elements Renewing Shampoo and Daily Renewing Conditioner which helps hydrate, nourish and strengthen hair.

2. Next, apply Wella Professionals EIMI Perfect Setting Blowdry Lotion to add strength and hold.

3. Next, section the hair into two parts and apply Wella Professionals EIMI Thermal Image to create volume and natural movement.

4. Next, curl each section with a 1 inch curling iron, just to give the hair bend.

5. Quickly, set each section with a velcro roller at a diagonal angle away from the face and spray with Wella Professionals EIMI Stay Essential Finishing Spray.

6. Allow the rollers to stay in 45 minutes then remove and gently brush through the curls and use the blow dryer to help loosen the set.

7. Finish the look with Wella Professionals EIMI Stay Essential Finishing Spray to ensure the final results last.

Get the Look: Jennifer Lawrence at the Academy Awards.

I've been going through all of the looks from last night's 88th annual Academy Awards and there are a few that I am overly obsessed with. I do not have one of the looks and I am *hoping* that I can get that information. Until then, I am going to post the few that I really thought were standouts. Instead of posting them in the Celeb Looks section, I wanted to make sure you see them so I am posting them on the main page. First up is Jennifer Lawrence.

Jennifer Lawrence stunned in Dior, both her dress and makeup. Her super blonde hair set off the entire look, which I loved on her. I'm a super fan of JLaw and I can't wait to see what her next project is . See below for the Dior makeup that was used on Jennifer at last nights Academy Awards.

A photo posted by Dior Official (@dior) on Feb 29, 2016 at 2:39am PST

COMPLEXION:
NEW Dior Prestige Le Nectar (Launched February 2016)
NEW Diorskin Forever & Ever Wear Primer (Launched January 2016)
NEW Diorskin Forever Foundation #022 Cameo (Jan 2016)
NEW Diorskin Forever & Ever Control Loose Powder (Jan 2016)
Dior Cheek & Lip Glow
NEW Diorblush Sculpt Professional Contouring Powder Blush #003 Beige Contour (Jan 2016)
 
EYES:
NEW Diorshow Mono Eyeshadow #573 Mineral, #756 Front Row (Launching April 2016)
Diorshow Pro Liner #092 Pro Black
Diorshow Art Pen Intense Professional Felt-Tip Eyeliner #095 Catwalk Black
NEW Diorshow Maximizer 3-D Lash Primer (April 2016)
Diorshow Mascara #090 Pro Black
Diorshow Brow Styler #001 Universal Brown

LIPS:
Rouge Dior Lipstick #359 Miss
NEWDior Addict Ultra Gloss #343 Spring Ball (Launching March 2016)

All products are available on Dior.com, Sephora and fine department stores such as Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.