Most of us living in 'winter conditions' are dealing with the same thing: moisture loss, zapping cold, elevated exposure to 'false' heat and outdoor elements. Chaffed cheeks and cracked hands just in time for photos... just great, right? It's hard to smile for  holiday snapshots when you feel like a red, flaky mess.

One of my favorites... celebrating holiday cheer with a couple of my best girls:
A little shiny, yes.. but it's better than blah and blotchy!

My solution is problem-solving products. If you've been following, you know I adore the natural line from Susan Ciminelli. My post on Life Changing Skin Solutions still stands. I totally believe in her approach on treating things from the inside out with nutrients, oils and eating habits. Tips from Carrie Underwood's makeup artist on coconut oil benefits have totally changed my life. Soaking it up like crazy thanks to honest advice from Melissa Schleicher. 

This stuff is the bomb. Use on face, body and on your feet prior to putting on socks.
 Amazing.. and affordable-- in good groceries or health food stores. 

To tackle issues like flaking skin/rough patches, aging and covering imperfections at once, I've discovered another true 'savior'. Revision Skincare is only sold in doctor's offices or sponsored locales, as some of the products are quite aggressive. Their Vitamin C lotions and Revox are beyond effective if used regularly. 

To find out which of the power house 'C' lotions are for you,
ask Gold Skincare for samples or stop into Trace Skincare.

For glowing confidence in photos, I swear by Intellishade tinted moisturizer (suggested in my Girlfriend's Gift Guide) that reduces/eliminates the need for makeup. Combined with the Vitamin C working behind the scenes, it's a noticeable improvement. For those concerned with sagging/firmness at the jawline and dry skin, ask a specialist like Dr. Gold or Dr. Biseman (in Nashville) to see before and after photos of what the line's best-selling Nectifirm can do in record time. I'm starting to use it just for prevention!  

This stuff tightens like nobody's business and hydrates as a bonus!
For sample and purchase locations in your area, check the website.

Watch for celeb insider tips for staying hydrated in crazy conditions on a post soon. Until then, do share your skin secrets for the season.



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I travel so often, I actually have a dedicated section in my dressing room reserved for my 'trip' toiletries and cosmetics. I collect everything from mini toothpaste tubes at Target to samples from the hair salon to keep in my stash. But, until now I've never really found a way to streamline a daily skincare routine with products that are good to my skin without overloading my carry-on.

Reading about frequent traveler, Julie Macklowe via magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar immediately drew me to her concept. Streamlined, sleek packaging that's lightweight with sensational ingredients fueled by science and sized for security ease. I cannot express how elated I was to learn that the super-star founder was not only selecting Nashville as one of her "It' cities, but that she visited in person to share a bit of insight on the product. In addition to selling at select NYC retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, she's chosen Private Edition as one of her key locales. 

Julie's TSA friendly sized 'It Kit' is a travelers dream come true

I love her story of how Vbeaute came about, and how she's taken the line so far in such a short time. The next natural progression was to lip gloss (seriously amazing). Just like her skincare, they are gluten free and vegan. This 'it' girl has it together and knows her stuff, which is why she is getting such kudos from top beauty editors.  She certainly has my vote. I am off to St Barths with her 'It Kit' and a stash of fab lip gloss, and know that having Julie's products in my bag will make a great trip event better!

What's your favorite travel-size beauty essential? Please do share.. and check out my other 'glam' posts on Southern Sophisticate for other inventive products.

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For as long as I can remember, I've been visiting Patchouli's on 30A. Loved their original spot in Seaside... and like their store in Rosemary Beach even more. They have a slew of fantastic products from top cosmetic, candle and skincare lines, but what I can't get enough of is their custom scent bar. Yes, you can create your own lotion, perfume...or my favorite....body oil.

My top choice is always their Sweet Almond Oil ($20). It is the most incredible blend; choose a scent that speaks to you. They are fantastic at mixing it up. I almost always go back to the one I fell in love with, aptly named 'the beach'. It's a blend that reminds me of dunes, sand and great times. I purchase 3-4 bottles each visit. 

For when I cannot get to this beach-lovers haven, I create my own concoction at home. It will never master the same scent as their beach version, but it works for me. I use their bottles to mix in, and to display in my shower to make it feel like I'm indulging a bit.


BODY OIL BLEND

2 cups grape seed oil (from the grocery)
3-4 drops of lavender essential oil
3-4 drops of vanilla essential oil

Mix together and keep in your shower. Put on before you dry off for silky smooth skin. Also play with the essential oils and fragrances to come up with something you love. There is an incredible selection at Whole Foods Body, so you can change it up to suit your taste. If you love fig, basil or anything else, chances are there is an essential oil on the shelf. Cost per bottle... about $4, which makes it even sweeter!


I'm headed to 30A in less than 12 hours and will definitely pick up the latest concoctions from Patchouli's, but would love to hear about your favorite products.. and where you get them? Please do share it all on the Southern Sophisticate? read more

There's something about artificial heat (both gas and electric) that sends my skin into a state of panic. Every year, it's the same thing. I start peeling like I have a sunburn. With the milder weather we've been having during the day, bare legs with skirts should be fine...but not so much if they're in a state of massacre. So, over time I've found trusted ways to solve the problem. Lotions and topical oils help, but it really does start with exfoliation. Not just any old scrub will do. I've tried dozens, and the one that I totally swear by is Brown Sugar Body Polish from Fresh that I pick up at Private Edition. The key to getting the full benefit is to really work it into DRY skin before you turn on that shower head. I also like to let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. The effect usually lasts a couple of days, even with gym visits and multiple bathings. It's a miracle product that I turn all of my friends onto. The indulgent oils, the citrus-sugar scent, the rich feel... it's salvation in a plastic tub.

The only problem is that I like to use quite a bit, and go through it too quickly. With a retail price of $65, it can get pretty pricey if you don't use it sparingly. And what's the fun in that? So, after multiple tubs each winter, I've finally learned how to create my own at home. I am SO not a do-it-yourself type, but this is super easy and actually enjoyable to create. I simply take one of the empty tubs from my Fresh stash and fill it with my own concoction.

SUGAR SCRUB

2/3 cup grapeseed oil (from the grocery isle)
The juice of two lemons
3 TBSP packed brown sugar
1.5 cups Sugar in the Raw

Simply loosely mix all together and voila.. you have a week's worth of daily skin saving scrub at a fraction of the cost of the luxe brand. Smells and feels just as fab... and more importantly, delivers the same skin-saving results!

Things I do still buy from the line are their individual packets of the Brown Sugar Body Polish for travel (if I can find them), and the line's Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment.  In bulk, of course! 

What's your trusted go-to product for fighting the impact of winter? I would love to know your secrets? Share with me and do follow the Southern Sophisticate. I'm going to be sharing a couple more homemade concoctions based on the ingredients of my favorite product lines. Stay tuned!  read more

When hearing about the newest, latest skin saver... I'm always a bit skeptical. With my job, I've tried dozens over the years and honestly, have never found anything that totally blew me away. Until now. Today I popped into Private Edition to meet the founder of Real Chemistry and left with a purchase after hearing the founder's story and experiencing a brief demonstration on my hands.  The results were immediate and totally fantastic.

We had an event to attend shortly after I got home with the product, but once I was able to get out of my dress clothes and wash my face, I was ready to try it out. I also made my husband join me in the test. Within less than two minutes, we both saw tons of skin peeling off from our faces and felt an instant boost. Our trial was late at night, but there is no denying that this stuff WORKS! No burning, redness or anything that I've associated with peels in the past. Instead, the 3 Minute Precision Peel is soothing and removes dead cells that even most expensive microdermabrasion treatments miss. I had better results from this than any facial I've ever invested in-- and in record time. The packaging isn't luxury and the logo looks more drugstore than high-end, but the compilation inside the tube is beyond any expensive brand on the market.

Right now, this product is exclusive to Cosmetic Market and Private Edition in Nashville, but those of you outside the city can easily order it online. For the fast, superior results it delivers, it is surprisingly affordable (as in $40). I'm thinking that this discovery of the protein peel is going to create an instant boom in the marketplace. If you want great skin, my suggestion is to get yours now while it's readily available. 

What's your favorite skin care savior on the shelves? Would love to hear all about it here. But, you've got to try this one, and keep following the Southern Sophisticate!

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