Darphin

Due in stores this fall are two new sebum-controlling skin-care products from Darphin called Purifying Targeted Gel ($50) and Overnight Refining Lotion ($50).

The clear, fast-drying gel can be applied to the affected area as often as necessary. The lotion acts as an astringent to kill bacteria and reduce oil production and shine, especially to your t-zone —all without drying out your face like so many other spot treatments are prone to do.

The products contain essential oils, which are blended together with salicylic acid, lemon, Vitamin C, and isolutrol (a balancing agent) to help purify the skin, control sebum production, stimulate skin renewal, soothe, irritated skin and reduce the look of large pores. The treatments are gentle enough not to irritate the skin, yet are strong enough to fight off persistent pimples. And did I mention how great the smell is?

I've been using this combo for three days and so far I haven't experienced any flaking or unusual dryness — yippee!

French skin care company Darphin has just released a four-product collection called Intral. The gentle items are made from plant extracts, (namely grape, centella, hawthorn, chamomile and peony) and they're meant to soothe, comfort and calm, red, irritable, sensitive skin.

I've tried a sample of the Redness Relief Soothing Serum ($110) and I really loved the texture, the clean scent and the results.

It has a watery consistency, but absorbs quickly to a matte finish. It smells like peonies and botanicals mixed together giving it a heavenly and relaxing aroma. I've only used it twice so I can't attest to it changing my skin completely, but I like the cool feeling on my face and that the redness was reduced considerably in just a few hours. I would happily recommend this product, but it's expensive. Do you think you'd buy a facial serum for $110?

My skin had been looking extra bleak and blah these past few weeks. I'm not sure if its leftover dryness from the winter or what, but I've got all kinds of dry spots mixed in with oily areas and blemishes. I received a complimentary jar of Darphin Aromatic Purifying Balm ($70) a couple of months ago, and since the packaging says that it's suitable for all skin types and will help to rejuvenate, brighten and purify a dull complexion, I decided it was the right time to put it to the test.

I've used it three times now and while I haven't noticed that my pimples have vanished, the redness has dissipated a little bit and my face looks more even. My conclusion is that it contains a blend of essential oils that calm irritation, which is especially great for those with sensitive skin. I'll keep using it for a while longer in the hopes that a little bit more life and radiance will make its way back into my skin too.

Another plus of this product is the texture. It has a true balm consistency, which can be best described as a hardened oil. I've been using the scooper to take out a little bit and then I rub it in between my hands until it's completely broken down. Then, I apply it to my face and neck using large circular, sweeping motions. The smell is incredible and it reminds me a lot of Liz Earle Superbalm since they both have that strong aromatic, healing, spa essence to them. If you are interested in a calming treatment, I recommend this one — however I do think it's kind of expensive for just slightly above average results.

Welcome back to my series on pretty pastel beauty products. I hope that checking out these flirty finds is getting you excited for Spring. Below are three different pastel blushes that are best worn on the apples of your cheeks and then blended outwards (to your hairline) and upwards (towards the top of your ear). Remember to start off with a gentle touch and layer until you reach your desired shade. Tip: these blushes look especially hot with a little bit of highlighter on top.

Darphin Blush in Raisin Delicieux ($40) is a finely-milled powder blush that will create a healthy and vibrant flush on your face. This color in particular is especially warming if paired with a bronzer. A little bit goes a long way, so apply with caution.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Blends Sheer Highlighting Blush in Fresh ($12.49) imparts a fresh, outdoorsy-looking and slightly shimmery flush to your skin. I like to sweep an angled contour brush over all of the shades and apply it to the lower part of my cheekbones for a more dramatic effect. Also, I appreciate that you don't have to be quite as careful with this powder because the formula is much more sheer than the others.

To check out a cheery cheek stamp, read more

Darphin Rose Aromatic Care ($75) is a nighttime facial serum that hydrates, soothes, softens and smooths unbalanced, dry, and tight skin. It is made from rose oil, hazelnut, primrose, sweet almond oil, Vitamins A, E, C and horsetail extract which also helps protect skin from free radical damage.

15% of the proceeds from all October sales will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization that provides funding for clinical and genetic research as well as outreach and public awareness of breast cancer.

By creating this special and limited-edition pretty pink bottle and donating a portion of its profits, Darphin joins the fight against Breast Cancer. To use, simply apply five drops of the serum to your face and neck in the evening and rub it in with gentle circular motions. Follow with a moisturizer.

Last week I was treated to a lovely, luxurious facial in a private room off of the main beauty floor at Bergdorf Goodman. Sponsored by Darphin, the "Front Row Facial" was an attempt to help get members of the press beautiful for the upcoming New York Fashion Week.

I swear, the facialist's hands were magical. Her touch was soft and calming—providing the perfect break from blogging! Since I have sensitive skin (which she diagnosed under her huge, lighted magnifying mirror as combination skin), she focused on hydrating the dry, patchy areas to help to even out the overall tone of my face.

The facial began with a Refreshing Cleansing Milk ($50) to clean my skin. Next, she used a Refreshing Toner ($50) to help balance the pH of my face and a Mild Aroma Peeling Mask ($55) as a means of exfoliation. Then, using one of my favorite products, Tangerine Aromatic Care ($75), I received a full face, neck and shoulder massage.

After the massage, she cleaned my skin again with the cleansing milk and moved on to the Predermine Mask ($85) and the Soothing Eye Contour Mask ($75). I relaxed quietly for fifteen minutes while the anti-aging masks worked their magic!

Then she washed off the masks and applied some Arovita C Serum ($125) and Stimulskin Plus Eye Cream ($130).

Overall, the facial was fantastic. The process took about an hour and they did a thorough job of showing off plenty of products. I certainly couldn't afford to buy everything in one pop, so I was extremely grateful for my parting gift: an entire set of samples from their “First Signs of Aging” program. I plan to use them until I scrape the bottom, but i was so impressed with Darphin's eye creams, I have a feeling Bergdorf will beckon again soon!

Orange you glad your mom made you drink your OJ as a kid? Welcome to the first part of my five-part series on vitamin C and beauty. Lately, there has been a lot of hype about vitamin C in skin care, so l decided to find out about the benefits.

Apparently, it takes 24 hours for any vitamin C that your body digests to reach your skin and not nearly enough of it makes its way there. Hence, the popularity of topical treatments. Studies show that "C" helps with firmness and overall health of your skin, plus it's a great antioxidant that helps fight environmental damages! Looks like for a great complexion, orange is all the rage.

Darphin Arovita C Line Response Lifting Serum ($125) is a deliciously scented vitamin C face serum that stimulates the skin and helps it stop the signs of aging. It improves resilience, combats lost elasticity, gives your skin a nice glowy look and it helps reduce fine line and wrinkles. Use in the evening for a more intense treatment.

For two more vitamin C-enriched facial serums, read more

Once thought to be wiped out from the market entirely, this tried-and-true skin care trio has been resurrected from the dead. A few years ago Darphin believed that it would be best to discontinue this old line and make room for the launch of new and improved bath and body products. However, they soon learned the error of their ways.

The masses (French women in particular) became increasingly disgruntled as their favorite products were less and less readily available. After the women resorted shopping on the gray market, and made incessant phone calls to corporate offices, Darphin realized that a re-introduction of their Aromatic Bath & Body Trio was imperative.

Since Darphin wouldn't dream of stopping production again, go for it and try 'em out. You'll be sure to fall in love with what French women have been depending on for years!

To read more about each of the products, read more