Celebrate the New Year with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

As we close out 2017, it's the perfect time to shift the focus back on you and prepare for the year ahead. What changes will you make to your skincare routine in 2018? One product I will be ringing in the new year with is the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, packaged in the limited edition Change Destiny bottle. 

This product will always be a staple within my skincare regimen, yet I also love the positive messaging within the Change Destiny campaign. The limited-edition bottles have three types of messaging: "DESTINY is a Matter of Choice", "CHANGE is in All of Us", and "Be the Person You DECIDE to be". As I think about my resolutions for next year, all three of these messages are a daily inspiration. Both change and choice is important to evolve and grow. I firmly believe we are in charge of our own future, and it is our decision how we want to act or react. 

As for the Facial Treatment Essence itself, it is always the first step in my AM and PM skincare routine. I haven;t been using a toner, but this would be used after a toner and before applying a serum. The Facial Treatment Essence contains 90% Pitera, and I have noticed a difference from when I use this product and when I don't use it. As I get older, I'm more concerned with making sure I keep any wrinkles or spots to a minimum, so prevention is key! My skin definitely feels more refreshed and looks more radiant when I use it regularly.

I usually just pat it on my skin with my hands, but for an updated skincare change and to make sure I get maximum coverage, I may try using a cotton pad to apply my Facial Treatment Essence and start using a toner before applying it.

I am constantly trying new skincare products but the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the one product I am loyal to. Everyone always asks me what my skincare secret is and I really believe that this is a part of it! You can find the SK-II Limited Edition Change Destiny Facial Treatment Essence at sephora.com for $229 for 230 mL.

Launch of SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream

In February, I had attended an SK-II Pitera™ Lab media event, which included an informative session on Pitera™, product demonstrations and a first look at the newly launched SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream.

Pitera™ is the key ingredient throughout SK-II's skincare line. During the event, we learned that Pitera™ infuses the skin with nutrients and moisture and protects skin from environmental stress. Pitera™ is made of five main properties: vitamins, amino acids, minerals organic acids and saccharides. Turns out only three people in the whole world know how to make Pitera™! 

We participated in several product demonstrations, which involved testing for Pitera™ penetration power, water attraction power and anti-oxidant properties. 

The SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream firms skin around the eye area, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and moisturizes the skin. The R.N.A. Power Eye Cream combines the power of Radical New Age Complex and concentrated Pitera™ with the strength of Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 and Chlolleragen. It has a light, creamy texture that absorbs easily into the skin. 

I've been using SK-II products for the past three years, including SK-II Facial Treatment Essence daily, which is 90% Pitera™. I've been using the R.N.A. Power Eye Cream for the past two months, and my eye area feels more firm and hydrated. 

The SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream is available at sk-ii.com in a 14.5 ml size for $135.00.

- Kim Weling

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Holiday Edition

On November 17th I attended the launch of the SK-II Holiday Collection, featuring the limited-edition Facial Treatment Essence. The launch celebrated and honored inspirational women who have changed their destiny, hosted by Priyanka Chopra and Olivia Palermo. 

The design of the limited-edition Facial Treatment Essence bottles are inspired by Suminagashi, which translates to "floating ink", a Japanese marbling technique in which marbling plain paper with water and ink to transform it into a vibrant and colorful work of art. 

The limited-edition bottles are available in red, blue and green designs symbolize the essence of courage, purity and awakening. 

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is a daily party of my skincare regimen, and my favorite SK-II product, containing 90% Pitera. With continued use skin texture is more refined, firmness is improved and spots are less visible. It keeps my skin looking and feeling refreshed and radiant.

The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence Holiday Edition retails for $229 for 230 ml (7.7 0z) at sk-ii.com and sephora.com.

- Kim Weling

SK-II Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence for the Holidays

This holiday season, SK-II has launched a Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence as the ultimate gift of transformational beauty, giving women beautiful, ageless, skin and the confidence to fly. The Festive 2015 Collection includes three artistic bottle designs: 

BOLDNESS: Red Butterflies

For the woman who embodies boldness, courage and bravery. Fashioned in invigorating red, this captivating design and color express the heartfelt passion and bravery necessary to undertake the journey that leads to transformation,

ENCOURAGEMENT: Pink Butterflies

For the woman who has offered tender support and encouragement. The alternate design of the butterflies in tender pink symbolize affection, love and trust. 

PERSEVERANCE: Blue Hummingbird

For the woman who exudes dedication, endurance and perseverance. The design in enchanting shades of blue represent eternity, and is the perfect gift for someone in relentless pursuit of their dreams, acting as a powerful reminder to never give up on the journey of transformation. 

Each bottle in SK-II's Festive 2015 Collection represents various stages in the journey of personal transformation and the will to #ChangeDestiny. As we celebrate the holidays and self-reflect on both the past year and future, the limited edition designs of Facial Treatment Essence act as a meaningful gift and encouragement to all women who wish to make a positive transformation. 

The best-selling Facial Treatment Essence has become my favorite skincare product, ever since I started using it in April of last year. It contains over 90% Pitera, which is the signature ingredient present in all SK-II products. Pitera is made up of nourishing vitamins, amino acids minerals, and organic acids to promote a healthy, natural skin cell renewal process. The Facial Treatment Essence is always the first step of my daily skincare regimen in the morning and at night. It makes my skin feel hydrated, moisturized, refreshed and youthful. Everyone always asks me what my skincare secret is and I really do believe it is due using skincare products formulated with Pitera. 

The beautiful bottle designs make this a very special gift that you'll be sure to cherish, whether the Facial Treatment Essence is one of your favorites or is completely new to you.

SK-II's Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence (230 ml $229) is available at SK-II.com and Sephora.com. 

Skin Care Favorite: SK-II Facial Treatment Essence-Eye

During New York Fashion Week, the SK-II Essential Power Eye Cream was my favorite beauty item featured at the Bloomingdale's Vanity Bar. It's great to have the sample size for my upcoming out-of-town travel.

Now I'm a big fan of SK-II's Facial Treatment Essence and Facial Treatment Mask - they are two of my all-time favorite skincare products. I truly believe Pitera is a miracle ingredient, so it's no wonder that I'd also be using the new Facial Treatment Essence-Eye, which combines the power of Pitera with Albus Eye Complex to target dark eye circles and fine lines around the eyes. I often end up getting as little as 3-4 hours sleep a night so I am constantly worried about dark circles under my eyes. The Facial Treatment Essence-Eye helps lighten any circles that may form around my eye area and definitely helps my eyes look brighter when I use it with the Facial Treatment Essence.

- Kim Weling

Review: MLA Skincare

To switch up my skincare regimen this summer, I've been using MLA Skincare. This line is perfect me, as it focuses on ant-aging skin care. MLA Skincare also offers antioxidant protection, treatment of fine lines and wrinkles, brown spots, redness, and under-eye puffiness and circles. The line consists of the Power Cream, Multivitamin Serum, Brightening Serum, Soothing Serum and Eye Serum. I love the fact that you can layer the serums together and it still manages to all feel lightweight. This skin care line works for all skin types, even the most sensitive skin. 

The Multivitamin Serum ($85) hydrates and renews, revealing new skin cells without AHAs and provides a fresher more even look. The Brightening Serum ($85) works without potential irritants Hydroquinone or AHAs to even skin tone, color, texture and reduce the appearance of blotchy skin. The Soothing Serum ($85) has been specifically formulated to prevent and reduce the appearance of redness and to immediately relive mild skin irritation. 

The Power Cream ($125) is the signature product in the line. It is the most potent defense against the signs of aging skin and delivers the greatest concentration of active ingredients to hydrate, protect, and prevent further damage from sun and exposure. My moisturizer is the most important part of my skincare regimen that I never do without, and this one has done an amazing job of getting me through the summer without feeling too thick or creamy. 

I definitely prefer this light and gentle Eye Serum ($75) over some of the eye creams I've been using which feel too heavy, especially in warm weather. The advanced formula combines Perfect 9 Complex with light diffusing microspheres and moisture rich hyaluronic acid to improve crow's feet lines and skin texture. 

The main ingredient in every MLA Skincare product is Perfect 9 Complex, a proprietary formulation of 9 highly effective ingredients, including anti-aging peptides and antioxidants, plus botanicals and conditioners.  

So far I am extremely happy with the entire MLA Skincare line and using the products together. The product feels like it really gets absorbed into my skin and my skin has managed to feel balanced and hydrated throughout the summer. I don't have sensitive skin or usually get any irritations but when I'm at work I either get one or two hives on my face or neck. Whether I'm allergic to something in the office or just plain stressed out, I've noticed that ever since I've started using the MLA Skincare line I haven't been dealing with any skin irritations, so I'd like to think it's really been helping me. 

Thank you to Dr. Mary Lee Amerian for developing such an effective product line and having me try it out for myself! 

- Kim Weling

7 Years Younger: The Revolutionary 7-Week Anti-Aging Plan

Back in November, I got a first look at 7 Years Younger, the revolutionary 7-week anti-aging plan by the editors of Good Housekeeping, which kicks off with a 7-day Jumpstart plan. The event at Hearst Tower's Good Housekeeping Research Institute (GHRI) was hosted by Rosemary Ellis (Editor-in-Chief), Miriam Arond (Director, GHRI), Nina Judar (Beauty Director) and Samantha Cassetty (Nutrition Director, GHRI). 

I was able to participate in breakout sessions pertaining to nutrition and diet, fitness, brain health and beauty, skin care and hair care. What's great about the book is that you can pick and choose what sections of the book you want to focus on - it's all about customizing your own plan. This book is full of tips, tricks and tools for including anti-aging meal plans, better before-bed habits and at-home exercises you can do on your own time. 

The beginning of the year is a good time as any to make some healthier choices and 7 Years Younger can act as a useful blueprint to fighting aging and looking younger. 7 Years Younger just launched earlier this month. To learn more and where you can get your copy of the book, click here. 

Samantha Cassetty introduced us to recipes and dishes straight from the book, with foods that boost calcium and protein levels, from chicken and lean beef to Greek yogurt.

Roast Beef Sammy

Veggie Wrap

Pita Pizza

Makeovers with the Laura Gellar team

Always great to see Laura Geller!

A look at Good Housekeeping anti-aging 2010 award winner picks

- Kim Weling

VENeffect Anti-­Aging Skin Care

One of my major care concerns has been anti-aging, which is why I had started using VENeffect's luxurious line of products, including an anti-aging eye treatment ($125), anti-aging moisturizer SPF 15 ($145), anti-aging intensive moisturizer ($185) and anti-aging lip treatment ($85).  

Estrogen is what keeps your skin youthful, glowing and wrinkle free. After age 27, estrogen levels start to decrease, resulting in a loss of elasticity. So VENeffect uses phytoestrogens, plant-based "mimics" of human estrogen to preserve and restore collagen, increase elasticity, reverse the signs of aging and make the skin glow again.  

My favorite product of the line is the anti-aging moisturizer, which I apply in the morning and at night, leaving my skin feeling hydrated and revitalized. It also promotes hyaluronic acid production and brightens and evens out skin tone. 

The VENeffect line is available at Neiman Marcus stores and online at neimanmarcus.com. Check out the entire product line here.

- Kim Weling