Hydration and More for You and Mom All Year Round

Clarins Total Eye Concentrate

It snowed again this week in Colorado, a not-so-surprising weather occurence that barely disturbed most Coloradans. We need the moisture and here in the Rockies, that typically comes in the form of snow. Even in May.

Hydration. That’s the buzz word out here. Whether we’re talking about what we put into our bodies or what we slather onto our skin, preventing ourselves from being “dried out” is key. Low humidity, bright sun and temperatures that range from frigid cold to blistering heat—often coupled with fierce wind and dust—is how weather in the Rockies may best be described. None of this makes for a particularly hospitable environment for our skin. And to make matters worse (at least for our skin), we love to play outdoors here in the West. I mean really playing hard as in long days of skiing, hiking and for many, even dirt bike riding!

I’m grateful for the many wonderful products that help me affront this often challenging climate year-round. My bathroom boasts glorious creams and oils that allow me to appear radiant throughout the driest of times. Most of these have been sourced through trial and error. Ever put a cream on your skin and then ten minutes later your skin feels taught and barren? Well, those don’t pass muster in my house. No, I need to feel juicy.

I find myself turning to two of my favorite brands:  Farmaesthetics and Clarins. Both may be extolled for their quality products that nurture your skin while enveloping you in a delightful aromatherapy experience. Hmmmm, sometimes I just unscrew a top and take a whiff to help me change my perspective on the day. This is definitely the case with Farmaesthetics Nourishing Herbal Cream, a rich moisturizer I especially like applying at night (to ensure sweet dreams). Just before lights out, I also slather on some Farmaesthetics Lip Softener as well as their Hand to Heel Softening Salve. That’s what you call sheer bliss.

Farmaesthetics Nourishing Herbal Cream

We all need an added boost from time to time, especially for our skin. This is when I reach for Farmaesthetics Herbal Hydration Complex-Remedy Reserve Mask and/or one of their Remedy Oils. Deep, penetrating moisturizing only comes with a proper regimen of cleansing, something that you can feel happening during and after the application of this refreshing mask. (For added effect, visualize the dead skin cells sloughing off as you rinse off this luscious concoction.) I swear, too, that my skin feels plumper after each application. For an ultra therapeutic and hydrating experience, apply one of the Farmaesthetics remedy oils to your skin—face and body. As I become older, I  have increasingly turned to oil to achieve the full-on plushy sensation my skin deserves, especially at night. I can see how these oils heal my skin while I sleep and in the morning I wake up looking better rested.

Farmaesthetics Terrific Travel Set

There are so many lovely Farmaesthetics products that I encourage you to try them all. Purchasing their On-the-Go Travel Set or their Remedy Oil Cabinet are great ways to sample a bunch at a time. I love their primarily glass packaging, too, and the fact that they produce 100% natural skincare products for the face and body in an environmentally-friendly manner. Farmaesthetics founder Brenda Brock began selling her handmade herbal skincare preparations at an organic farmstand in rural Rhode Island in 1999 and today her company remains committed to sustainable beauty by using natural certified organic herbs, flowers, oils and grains from American family farms.

If you’ve checked out my About page, you know that I’m also a ski instructor. I can tell you that day after day on the mountain can be brutal for my face. Here’s a product that one of my students turned me on to:  Kiehl’s Cross-Terrain UV Skin Protector. With an SPF of 50, this water- and sweat-resistant product works great for all kinds of sun, ski and sea adventures. It feels like a thick salve when you put it on, so use it on the days you’re seeking optimal protection. During the super sunny days of March that weren’t so cold and windy, I always reached for Clarins SPF 50+ (also high protection UVB/UVA) Sunscreen Care Milk Lotion Spray. It’s my go-to cream for summer as well. I love its fresh scent and light, silky feel.

Zee Must: Clarins Instant Definition Mascara

Even with all the sun protection, I still tan up in March. (Imagine spending day after day on the ski slopes at an elevation of about 10,000 feet with the bright Colorado sun reflecting off the snow. Here the sun can cast more of an effect than on a Florida beach.) It’s actually considered chic by many to sport a goggle tan, something that I do my best to keep at a minimum. Now, however, my color has faded. I’m back at my desk, so I’ll soon be dipping into one of my favorite beauty confections:  Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream. Leave it to the French to make something so luscious and good.

Now that I’m steaming toward (or god forbid, have reached) what the French politely refer to as “une femme d’un certain age” status, a good eye cream is a must. Clarins Super Restorative Total Eye Concentrate, their #1 selling eye product seems has done wonders for me. Clinical results have indeed proven that over 80% of people (you can bet the men are on to this, too) have experienced a reduction in puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles around their eyes after three weeks of use. Just writing this incentivizes me to hit it hard during the upcoming month. (I actually spread it along my lips throughout much of the winter and noticed reduced cracking as well.) Clearly there’s much to be said for plant-based products.

Now for a little dolling up. For one of the best mascaras I’ve found in years, reach for Clarins Instant Definition Mascara. Their dual tip brush defines lashes from corner to corner, especially the tiniest of them all. And as much as I love to moisturize, I’ve always been a big fan of face powder as long as it’s sparingly applied. (Don’t confuse moist with shine.) The Clarins Odyssey Face Palette is a beautiful addition to your purse and your visage. It’s a lightweight powder that leaves a subtle, sparkly glow on your face, perfect for evenings out.

Thank goodness for Internet shopping. It allows someone like me, who lives in a remote place, to procure these products in a timely manner. It also permits us to send a special gift of beauté to our mamans. No matter the age, no matter where she lives, I can’t imagine a single woman that would not enjoy receiving a luxurious cream at her doorstep. There’s still time for it to arrive by Mother’s Day, so have fun perusing the sites featured in this piece and don’t forget to pick up a little something for yourself.

One more thing:  Be sure to drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to do so!