Darphin

All right! The beloved Darphin skincare line, which has brought us some of our most prized products like the cult favorite Denblan Whitening Toothpaste, the hydrating Hydraskin Serum and the smooth and savory Tangerine Aromatic Care Oil has officially released a line of cosmetics in the United States. The line, already popular in France, is now available online.

The line consists of four powder blushes ($40), three tinted lip balms ($22), a rose de bois lip gloss ($22) and a lengthening black mascara ($22). I simply cannot wait to try these out. So far I've heard the most buzz about the lip gloss. Apparently it's uber-moisturizing and the color is universally flattering—sounds awesome!

The latest creation from French skincare brand Darphin looks like a bottle of citrus-y goodness, but it's so much more than that. Tangerine Aromatic Care ($75) is an anti-aging oil designed to give your skin a dewy, radiant finish and a more supple texture. Not surprisingly, it smells delicious and calming, and it makes my skin feel really soft. This product also has me even more convinced that the thing about oil being bad for your skin is just a myth.

Tangerine Aromatic Care is made with rich and natural ingredients, such as vitamin C to help produce skin cell renewal and collagen, antioxidants to protect skin from free radicals and environmental damage, and essential oils of tangerine, carrot, and orange to help to tone and tighten your delicate facial skin.

To apply, just place four to five drops of oil on your fingertips and gently massage them into your neck and face in small outward circles. Be sure to take deep breaths and relax your facial muscles. The oil absorbs very quickly upon contact and leaves your skin feeling unbelievably soft and smelling fresh.

Welcome to the third and final installment of Serums, Serums Everywhere! Part III will focus on facial serums intended to hydrate your skin. Part I was about Lifting & Energizing serums and Part II showed some Vitamin C based serums.

Many of us suffer from dehydrated skin. Symptoms include: scaly, taut, dry and superfine lines that lead to wrinkles in time. Dehydrated skin is a result of the failure to drink sufficient amounts of water, not using adequate moisturizers, cigarette smoking and overexposure to the sun.

Skin dehydration can cause premature aging if you don't start nurturing it. Start now so you don't lose collagen fibers and the necessary elasticity in your skin to maintain your youthful appearance. Begin by taking this quiz to find out if you are drinking enough fluids to keep yourself hydrated. Then, take a look at my top three picks for pick-me-up hydrating facial serums.

I hope you have found a serum to best suit your skin's needs as well as learned a little something about the overall well being of your precious and delicate face!

Chanel Hydramax + Serum Intense Moisture Boost, $95 for 1.7 oz. and $68.50 for 1 oz., is a highly concentrated, ultra light, grease-less facial treatment. This is a powerful remedy for dry and lifeless skin. It helps control the hydration of your face by attracting and releasing water on the surface of your skin depending on the amount of humidity. It is made with Vitamins B5 and E as well as proteins and enzymes that act as traps to seal in moisture.

Darphin Hydraskin Serum, $90 for 1 oz., is a pale blue serum that is formulated to hydrate your skin. Along with restoring smoothness, softness, and suppleness, it will also leave your skin dewy and glowing! Suitable for all skin types.

To see the final serum, read more

These designer whitening toothpastes are all the rage with product and hygiene junkies. They have actually turned into cult items. These pastes are minty fresh and contain whitening ingredients to help remove nasty stains that cause yellowing and discoloration.

However, consider yourself warned: these little tubes are made with top of the line ingredients which means they cost about two to three times the price of regular drugstore brands. I have tried them all and find them delightful. I can't wait to hear what you think.

Denblan Whitening Formula Anti-cavity Fluoride Toothpaste is made by Darphin and is $20 per tube. It contains: papaya, pineapple, lichen extracts, and essential oils of mint, fennel and parsley. This toothpaste helps fight cavities and strengthens your teeth as it whitens them. It also helps reduce gum sensitivity and will increase the resistance of gum tissues. Lastly, it helps fight tobacco stains without scratching your teeth. It has a very subtle mint flavor and will leave your mouth feeling fresh and invigorated.

Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste is $8.95 and has been brought to the US by an Italian apothecary company. I happen to love the classic mint flavor and texture of this pure white and dense paste, and it also comes in an array of flavors (and colored tubes) for those of you who are more adventurous. All of the flavors include whitening ingredients and have been proven to help your overall oral health. Check out the funky retro packaging!

One more, so read more

For the second year in a row, Parisian skincare line Darphin set up a special Aromatic skin care bar backstage at the Zac Posen show. Models and celebs were invited to take a whiff of Darphin's Aromatic Care oils, while skin-care experts were on site to provide quick consultations about the right blend of products.

The idea is that Darphin's customized regimens are the skin-care equivalent of haute couture, and the products could be your one luxury splurge, much like a piece of Zac Posen clothing. (Posen is also said to be a big fan.) Because Darphin knows that everyone has individual beauty needs, the company offers five different oils, all of which are said to improve elasticity, renew radiance, and moisturize the skin. To read about how the Aromatic Care oils work, read more