Face Moisturizer

Due out this July is the first SPF product from Wei East: Golden Root Renewal Cream SPF 15 ($37.50). Golden root is a vibrant red Chinese herb that has been used for ages to prevent visible signs of aging. Small quantities of golden root have been added to this cream to help promote the re-growth of dead skin cells, resulting in a new and smooth surface to your skin. This 'multitasking day cream' claims to firm, hydrate and make your skin look and feel more resilient.

The moisturizer also contains white tea (a strong antioxidant), reishi mushroom (an anti-inflammatory) and Licorice (to revitalize the skin). I've tried it once and am impressed with the way the SPF scent is masked with a cinnamony-herbal essence. Also, it has a thin, spreadable texture that goes on smooth and absorbs quickly.

I was thinking that it was definitely more of a moisturizer, but the impression I get from the packaging is that it's actually more like a sunscreen. Either way, I am really excited about being able to use such a great smelling product this summer that will protect my skin, improve its appearance and above all, it won't clog my pores.

I hadn't heard about Thalgo until a friend of came to town and brought the Delicious Comfort Cream ($56) along with her. She bought the lotion based on a recommendation from her facialist and swears that after just three weeks of daily use, it has transformed her skin from dull and flat into a creamy, enviable, smooth, even and supple texture.

I've been hoarding it for just under a week now and at first, I found the yellowish color to be off-putting (it looks like a jar of sebum), but the rose oil and clean spa smell instantly allayed my fears. It is intended for dry skin, so it's a powerful way to nourish, hydrate and plump up your face. It's fantastically rich because it contains shea butter, and to ensure that the ingredients are properly released, you're supposed to warm a dime-sized amount between your fingertips before patting it onto your face and neck — much like how you would apply Crème de La Mer.

The result is comfortable, cool, soothed and slightly dewy skin. The plastic jar is lightweight and since all you need is a little bit, the 50 milliliters should last you six months. I've asked my friend to leave me with a sample because even though it's only been a few days, I'm undeniably hooked. All of the icky gray flakes on my face are already gone — it's unbelievable.

Since organic food and beauty is so popular these days, I thought I'd tell you more about the most recent product launch from Stella McCartney, Nourishing Night & Day Cream ($80).

This face moisturizer has been developed to help revive all types of dry and dehydrated skin. Made with organic vegetable extracts, cupuacu butter, black-currant buds and brazil nut oil, it creates a mineral- and vitamin-enriched protective layer over your skin. I haven't tried the cream yet, but I'm a sucker for all things vegan, organic, and luxurious—so it's only a matter of time.

Brightening creams are great for getting rid of small sun spots and for evening out blotchiness and skin tone. They shouldn't be mistaken for bleaching creams, which are harsher to your skin and can be harmful to your body. (Did you know that you shouldn't use bleaching creams that contain hydroquinone, or you can do damage to your liver?) Here are three safe brightening creams that will give your skin an even, radiant glow.

Made with Chinese herbs, Nefeli Skin-Brightening Cream ($70) comes in two variations: night and day cream. The day cream contains ingredients to counter irritations caused from environmental damages. If used daily, the cream prevents any redness and keeps your skin calm and even-toned.

For two more brightening creams, read more

This is quite the heavy hitter—and with that, I'm talking about the hit this will take on your wallet. Chantecaille has a new luxury face cream called Nano Gold Energizing Cream. Formulated from silk microfibers coated in 24-karat gold, this cream promises to reduce inflammation, promotes cell stimulation and collagen production, all while increasing circulation and the level of cell regeneration.

In addition, it claims to repair damage cause by the sun and other environmental factors—all for the price of $420. Skin will supposedly look younger, feel softer and look brighter. Would you ever consider coughing up this kind of hard-earned cash for face cream made from gold?

If Jane Jetson were a real person, I bet she'd use Icy Beauty Re:Set ($65). It's a innovative concept in beauty, so much so that it's patented. As you'll see, it's very "the future is now."

Re:Set is perfect for jet-setters and those of us who work long hours. It promises to "eliminate evidence of fatigue by re-synchronizing the skin's circadian rhythm." In other words, it aims to trick your skin into thinking you've had a good night's sleep. It uses a peptide to mimic the effect that sunlight has on skin. But the really cool part is the delivery device. To find out about it, read more

FabSugar received a pricey vial of Amatokin in one of her fashion week goodie bags, and I was immediately intrigued. It's a $173 wrinkle cream that talks about its ability to harness stem cells and create younger-looking skin. It doesn't actually contain stem cells; instead, according to the manufacturer, Amatokin "uses polypeptides and enzymes to 'awaken' the body's own reservoir of stem cells."

This sounds rather scientific, but the website looks unconvincing. So I did a little digging, and I found out that Amatokin is produced by the same people behind Strivectin, another "miracle" product. And the beauty editor who talks up the cream? Her website is owned by Amatokin's parent company. The research that allegedly proves Amatokin's effectiveness is confidential. The doctor who gives good quotes on Amatokin's website? She's a dietician, and guess who's signing her paychecks. And it goes on from there.

It all feels gimmicky, doesn't it? While I think the marketing of this cream is shady, I'm curious to see what Fab has to say about it. If it is indeed a miracle cream, you'll certainly hear about it—but my expectations aren't too high.

I am stoked for the launch of Giorgio Armani Beauty's new cream called Crema Nera. Either it's all hype, or this is actually going to turn out to be the mother or all creams! Housed in a shiny black case, this stark white cream looks almost intimidating. It feels like a balm, but after you warm just a teensy amount between your fingertips, it becomes a silky, indulgent cream indeed. Here's the scoop on this luxurious, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging, anti-saving-any-money-by-buying-this cream.

Giorgio Armani has a home in Pentelleria, Italy, where the land is rich and fertile in volcanic sources. This area has black earth, yet tons of thriving life. Those who live there relish in mud baths and thermal waters because they have remarkable effects on healing the skin.

Giorgio Armani and L'Oreal Research partnered together to source Obsidian Petellerite, which they believe to be the key ingredient. This natural, complex mineral compound has been captured and enhanced to create Crema Nera, a fountain-of-youth cream for women of all ages.

Studies show that Crema Nera stimulates cell regeneration, plumps, firms and evens out the complexion. With extended use (four weeks or more) 81% of subjects experienced increased elasticity, 68% saw less wrinkles on their face and 78% reported that their skin looked more radiant. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out for ourselves. Crema Nera hits stores next week and will cost $225 for a 1.76 oz jar and $275 for a same-sized jar that also includes an obsidian facial massage stone. Gosh, remember when La Mer seemed like the ultimate luxury cream?

Welcome back to the second installment of my series on vitamin C-enhanced beauty products. To read about a small sampling of serums on the market, click here. Today we take a closer look at a few facial moisturizing lotions that contain vitamin C to help smooth, brighten and tighten your skin!

Say goodbye to dull and blotchy skin with this new Px Prescriptives Vibrant-C Skin Brightening Cream Moisturizer ($46 ). It's a face cream that subtly lightens the skin, boosts clarity and evens out the skin tone. It also helps to diminish visible age spots (any dark spots, really). To use, just gently massage a little bit onto your face and neck.

For two more vitamin C-enhanced facial moisturizers, read more

Decléor Rose d'Orient Night Balm ($65.50) is a fantastic, rich and soothing product best suited for sensitive skin, irritated and rosacea-afflicted skin. It helps cells regenerate faster while strengthening and calming the skin—all without the use of chemical ingredients and/or preservatives.

The balms are made from essential oils and plant waxes, and Decléor prefers them for the wee hours of the night because their molecular structure is similar to the skin’s. This formulation allows skin to breathe like it would naturally and when you awaken, your face feels more supple, less red and it better balanced.

In my opinion, the texture is unbelievable too. It is creamy and it smells faintly of roses (mmm). This small-ish one-ounce jar will last about a year if you are careful—so it's definitely worth the investment if you are on the market for a calming facial night balm.