Laura Mercier Secret Concealer

I have been searching high and low for months for a new concealer. I don’t typically have permanent dark circles under my eyes, but I’d been noticing lately that by the middle of the day, I started to look really tired. It was happening almost every day. In my endless hunt for the perfect concealer, I tried products from MAC, Smashbox, Clinique, Urban Decay, Benefit, Korres, and Maybelline–all in the past 3 months. Not one of them lasted. Everything slipped and/or faded away away after just a few hours of wear.

And then a Sephora sales rep steered me toward Laura Mercier Secret Concealer ($22). The concealer is just the right consistency: creamy, with a tiny bit of firmness. It’s moisturizing, which is essential for the thin skin of the undereye area.

This little pot saved me from dark circles! There’s little I can say about it, other than it works. Once it’s on my skin, it stays put, and the coverage stays true throughout the workday. Finally, I’ve found something that sticks. No more haggard face! And although the pot looks tiny, a little bit of product goes a long way.

I apply this with a concealer brush (MAC 195) for flawless coverage. It gets the concealer right up to my lower lashline, spreads the product evenly around the area eye for full coverage, and blends beautifully so that it looks like I’m not wearing any makeup.

Prior to finding this gem, my go-to products were MAC Pro Longwear Concealer ($17) and Smashbox High Definition Concealer ($20). Although I liked the way they both felt on my skin, they really didn’t last long on me at all. My dark circles started peeking through after a few hours. I can say with confidence that this formula keeps all my complexion imperfections s secret for the entire day. Maybe that’s where they got the name?…

What’s your favorite concealer? I’m always looking for recommendations, so share in the comments!

Pro Tip: Get Clear, Smooth Skin After Waxing

Waxing is never fun, but it can be especially harsh to areas on the face (not to mention painful). Aside from redness and irritation that waxing causes, it can lead to clogged pores. Removing the hair follicle from the root opens and empties the pore, leaving it susceptible to bacteria, dirt, and makeup, all of which can cause pimples. To keep your skin clear and acne-free after waxing, follow these simple tips, which my aesthetician passed along to me after a recent de-fuzzing.

-If you have sensitive skin, pop 2 ibuprofen an hour before your appointment. It will not only ease the sting of waxing, but also calm skin to help reduce inflammation and redness.

-Tell your aesthetician, who is well-versed in all areas of skincare, that you are concerned about post-waxing break-outs. She’ll most likely apply a tea tree oil, witch hazel, or a spa-specific compound to act as a barrier between your freshly-waxed skin and the elements.

-Cleanse skin thoroughly with a gentle facial cleanser before bed. Dab a spot treatment containing salicylic acid onto the waxed area until it forms a thin layer. Sleep with it on, and it will act as a barrier from bacteria, helping to keep your skin clear and blemish-free.

Breakout Buster: NeoCeuticals Acne Regimen Kit

What girl doesn’t get the occasional zit? Most of us have been dealing with pimples since our teenage years. Although there’s miracle product out there that can guarantee you’ll never see a painful red spot pop up again, there is a great kit that can help you see much less of them.  If unsightly whiteheads and deep, painful underground cystic pimples are skin woes you’re all too familiar with, you may want to give NeoCeuticals Acne Regimen Kit ($22) a shot. It’s got 4 mini skincare products to fight acne and get your skin clear and under control.

My favorite is the Acne Spot Treatment Gel, which has been a lifesaver. Dab this genius gel onto a zit before bedtime, and you’ll wake up with the blemish visibly reduced, thanks to salicylic acid. Keep repeating until the pimple disappears entirely, which will be about 50% faster (based on my non-scientific calculations!).

The Antibacterial Facial Cleanser is a close runner-up; infused with salicylic acid, it gets my skin feeling clean without irritating it, and did improve the texture of my complexion over time. If you have problems with T-zone oiliness or shine throughout the day, the Oil Control Gel is great for tossing into your bag. This tube controls shine while sloughing off dead surface cells and renewing your complexion. Also included are 4 packets of Skin Brightening Gel. To be honest, I haven’t yet tried these, but it promises to fight dark spots and discoloration with 5 exfoliating acids.

At $22, this kit is insanely affordable, and a great way to try out a new line of acne-fighters before buying full-size products. Finally, put your painful pimple past behind you!

Recession Beauty – Drugstore Finds, Pt. 2: Skincare

The Recession Beauty series on drugstore treasures continues! Today we focus on skincare. The drugstore aisles, in some cases, are better than the halls of a dermatologist’s office or cosmetics counters at high-end department stores. No matter what your skin issues are, you can find high-quality, reliable products at the drugstore.

We’ve got you covered from head to toe! Read on for the full round-up of the cream of the crop.

Best Overall Facial Cleanser:
Cetaphil Gentle Daily Facial Cleanser ($10)
I have yet to find a cleanser that works better for my skin, which is normal, with the occasional blemish. This stuff is so gentle, yet  effective; it really keeps my breakouts at bay. I’ve tried medical-grade treatment programs from medispas and prescription creams from dermatologists, but nothing works to keep my skin clear and fresh like Cetaphil. I use it daily.

Best Exfoliator:
Formula 10.0.6 One Smooth Operator Pore Clearing Face Scrub ($6)
Gently exfoliates without irritating skin. A great weekly treatment to slough away dead skin cells. And how cute is the minimalist packaging?

Best Acne Treatment:
Neutrogena Rapid Clear Oil Control Foaming Cleanser ($8)
This cleanser foams like a traditional wash, giving you a deep-clean feeling. It penetrates to bust up breakout-causing oil, leaving behind clearer, fresher skin.

Best Moisturizer:
Olay Complete Moisturizer with SPF15 ($11)
Olay makes it easy to get sunscreen on your face daily. This super-hydrating moisturizer is gentle and effective. The lotion just sinks into your skin, with no greasy feeling. And you’ll be protected from damaging UV rays all day long, which is super important. You know how dermatologists are always saying that driving is when we incur a lot of sun damage? I smooth this lotion on my neck, chest, and arms, too, to get my daily dose of sun protection.

Best Anti-Aging Product:
Olay Regenerist Eye-Lifting Serum ($22)
If you’re seeking anti-aging support, the studies are true: Olay has been proven to be more effective at wrinkle-fighting than creams that cost hundreds. It outperforms other drugstore brands at fighting fine lines and reducing the appearance of deep-set wrinkles. Glamour awarded this serum a 2009 Glammie for being the best drugstore eye cream.

Best Spot Treatment:
ByeBye Blemish Drying Lotion ($10)
You’ve heard celebs rave about Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. This is a lower-priced alternative that clears up pimples just as fast. It soaks up oil from a blemish to make it shrink quicker and heal faster. Dab this on zits before bed, and wake up with them noticeably smaller.

Best Mask:
Yes to Carrots C the Difference Exfoliating and Soothing Mud Mask ($15)
This crazy-good mask refines pores with Dead Sea mud, avocado, and natural carrot juice. When you rinse off, you’ll notice more radiant skin. Use weekly to improve skin’s texture and help keep breakouts in check.

Best Overall Lotion:
Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Lotion ($11)
This ultra-rich lotion heals like a cream, without the thickness and absolutely no greasiness. It works to smooth, soften, heal cracks, and generally give you the skin you’ve always wanted. A lifesaver during winter.

Best Firming Lotion:
Nivea Q-10 Plus Skin Firming Moisturizer ($10)
Slather this on and watch your jiggle gradually subside.

Best Bubble Bath:
Johnson & Johnson Baby Bedtime Bubble Bath & Wash ($5)
Yes, it’s for babies. No, I don’t care — and neither should you! It’s so comforting, and faintly scented with lavender to help you sleep. It’s gentle enough for baby’s skin, so you know it’ll be easy on you, too.

Best Soak:
J.R. Watkins Calming Bath Soak ($11)
The apothecary-style bottle and vintage packaging are enough to persuade anyone to buy this. Sink into a warm bath with a dash of this, and feel tension escape from your muscles as relaxation washes over you.

Best Body Cleanser:
Ivory Fresh Snow Body Wash ($5)
Creamy, moisturizing, ultra-comforting. A SugarSocial fave.

Best-Smelling Body Cleanser:
Tree Hut Coconut Lime Body Wash ($6)
Escape to a tropical island getaway without leaving your shower. This sudsy, coconutty cleanser will make you think you’ve taken a jaunt to the islands. Pour a capful under running water to scent your warm bath.

Best Self-Tanner:
Loreal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Gelee ($9)
I’m pale as a ghost, and have a hard time getting any self-tanners to show up on me. This gel works. It gives me a nice bronzy glow without harmful sun rays damaging my skin. Application can be tricky at times, because the gel is clear, but wearing latex gloves helps even everything out.

Best Hand Cream:
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream ($5)
The company’s original product, still a classic. If it could save the hands of Norwegian fisherman in arctic waters, it can do wonders for yours.

Best Skin Saver:
Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($6)
A skin miracle in a tube. This ointment does everything; speeds healing of cuts, scrapes, and burns; protects lips against windburn and chapping; and helps heal cracked soles. I even use it as a barrier cream before airbrush tanning! (Smooth in rough spots like cracked heels to prevent the tanner from concentrating in areas of dry skin.)

Other noteworthy skin products found at the drugstore:

eos lip balm ($6)
This little sphere is seriously hydrating.

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Lavender Pure-Castille Soap ($9.50)
Beauty editors rave about this effective, cheap, all-in-one cleanser that seems to have a bottomless pit inside the bottle (it lasts forever!). Available in 3 fragrances, plus an unscented version.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser ($7)
I love the thickness of the cream. Your face will feel refreshed after washing, kind of like the skincare equivalent of eating a mint.

In light of the economic downturn, Recession Beauty is a SugarSocial series that features low-cost, budget-friendly products as an alternative to luxury or designer brands.

Fall in LOVE with Kheil’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment

Zits. We all get them, and we all hate them. If Sugar Social makes but one promise to you, it is that you definitely cannot live without Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Spot Treatment.

Feel a zit coming on? Have one that you need to eliminate, stat? Simply dab a small amount of Blue Herbal onto the affected area with fingertips before bedtime. Feel the slight, cool tingle. Wake up with blemish visibly reduced, or better yet, gone! It’s just that simple. Love your skin with this zit-blasting gel.

[Works best on whiteheads…not recommended for blackheads.]