Splurge of The Week

While on vacation, I took a little, uh, vacation from my normal skincare routine. Unfortunately, this decision resulted in a mess of a complexion upon my return. I had blackheads galore, and the long flight had left my skin dry and flaky. Nice.

Oh, but when I returned to Sugar HQ, there was a package from Estée Lauder waiting. Inside: a sample of Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment ($49.50). It's a "skin refinisher," which sounds scary and harsh, but it's surprisingly gentle. When the paste meets damp skin, it warms up. While this heating action doesn't do anything amazing for the skin, it feels good as you rub it on. Five minutes later, the glucosamine and salicylic acid have painlessly nibbled away all of the complexion-dulling dead skin cells. The result: incredibly soft, smoother skin, with smaller-looking pores. One use and my vacation sins were washed away. A little goes a long way, so this is one skincare investment that should last for quite a while.

This week's splurge is not only a good deal, it's for a good cause. The Wei East WE Help Bring the Hope Collection ($70) loads $300 worth of herbal skin care into a neat little box. You get full-sized cleanser, serum, eye cream, hand cream, a face mask, and a couple of other treats.

But here's the do-gooder part: 100% of sales is donated to Autism Speaks and the Autism Treatment Center of America. Founder Wei Yang Brian has an autistic son, and she's hoping to raise funds for autism research, treatment, and outreach. The entire purchase price — not just the profits — goes to these endeavors, making the collection a win-win situation for all.

As much as I love testing beauty products, there are times when I wonder if I'll even remember to put on one more thing! However, that's not the case with Hollybeth's Wildflower Dry Oil. The elixir of botanical infusions and plant extracts (95 percent organic!) provides unparalleled moisture for my dryness. Normally, even my favorite face cream seems to vanish by morning, yet this leaves my skin feeling smooth after a night of shuteye. Simply use the included eyedropper (which can double as a cap) to drip onto fingers before applying to the flowery-scented oil to your face and neck twice daily.

It's said to diminish fine lines and counteract the formation of free radicals. Now, I've only been using it for a week so I can't report any visible changes, but I do know that I don't want to stop touching my soft face. Even with a big price tag of $40 (for 0.5 fl. oz.), I'd not only recommend it for wintry dry skin, but also because the company participates in UNICEF's Inspired Gifts program. With proceeds from sales in 2009, they've committed to purchase five water pumps, each one will providing clean, safe drinking water for an entire community. It's a nice way to feel like you're helping others while also helping yourself.

When it comes to lip balm, I tend to spend less than $10. I'm just too scatterbrained and forgetful to drop more than that on balm, because inevitably I lose it and feel like a chump for doing so. But now that I've tried Payot Hydratation 24 Protection Levres, I can understand why some people pay a little more. Payot, a decades-old luxury skincare brand, sent me a sample of this lip balm. And from the first application, I was hooked. The balm has a hefty dose of shea butter to protect lips from chapping, and macadamia and jojoba oils help soften while making the balm smell amazing. This balm doesn't smear, it doesn't feel tacky, and it absorbs quickly while leaving my lips feeling protected. When I put it on, I feel like I have large and beautiful Angelina lips, and chapped lips don't stand a chance. Unfortunately, it would help to have Angelina's bank account, too — this balm is $29, but if you have the means, it's worth trying.

In Russia, Chanel polish nails you! Earlier this month, Karl Lagerfeld presented his pre-fall Paris-Moscow collection, with models sporting a new twist on dark polish. The clothing won't be available for another six months or so, but the three moodily alluring lacquer shades ($30 each) are available now.

The base of each polish is black, but they have a hint of color thanks to red, gold, and blue sparkles that reflect light. So nebulous, so chic, and so on my wish list. Are you listening, Santa?

If you've been a very, very good girl, you might want to ask Santa to send you Prescriptives' Custom Blend Essentials kit ($115, a $165 value). Inside a metallic train case, you'll find two full-size brushes, a travel-sized bottle of Super Line Preventor Xtreme, and empty bottles of foundation and concealer. The gift recipient can go to one of Prescriptives' Custom Blend counters (find a location here), and she'll watch as the foundation and concealer are whipped up to her specifications right before her eyes.

I loved my Custom Blend experience because, well, custom anything makes me feel like a VIP. But it's a worthwhile splurge if you have a hard time finding the right shade of foundation; mine disappears perfectly into my skin, and it lasts forever. At $115, this kit is indeed a splurge —  but it would also be a great gift to find under the tree, no?