I’ve always been a huge fan of clay based masks, because my skin is naturally oily and they usually do a great job of absorbing some of that excess. Plus, it gives me an excuse to relax for 20 minutes or so, which is probably the most beneficial aspect of any facial treatment.

This Montagne Jeunesse Fruit Smoothie mask is nice because it has a pleasant pomegranate/berry smell without being overwhelming, and it’s simple and straightforward to use. The single serving packets are nice too, although those who are concerned about unnecessary packaging may not like it all that much. I think they are great for travel, and love the packaging just for that reason.

These little treats for your face are cruelty-free, vegetarian, and paraben free, so you can use them as often as you like with no guilt issues at all. The best part is that each single serving is about $1.99, and you can find them at drugstores such as CVS and Walgreens as well as Ulta Beauty.com.

I was able to sample this mask through the Influenster.com’s VoxBox program.

© 2012, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

Plus, the formula is so nice and thick – not that it matters at all, but it’s pretty too – very pearlescent. Eight ounces is $12, and 16 ounces is $20, and you can find it at MarioBadescu or Nordstrom.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

So when I had a chance to try the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, I jumped at it. I’ve heard wonderful things about this mask, and wanted to give it a chance on my difficult skin. It’s very easy to apply, but it’s a little startling at first because it’s BLACK. I mean, tar black. And a bit sticky. You’ll need to be generous with the mask, as the thicker the coverage the more likely you will get a good peel off afterwards. Do avoid the eye area – I got a little too close and had a watery eye. Avoid any kind of hair, it will either get stuck and not peel with the rest or pull your hair out. Mostly it will just be a mess. Let it dry completely – you don’t want any moisture left in this mask at all. When you’re ready, start at the bottom and peel up. Bonus points if you can get the entire mask in one peel – I haven’t accomplished that yet.

Ahhhhh! It's ALIVE!

As far as the effects of the mask on the skin, I’m very pleased. I don’t know how much of it is that any mask would improve my skin, or if it is specifically this mask. Either way, my skin did look noticeably brighter, and is well worth a spot in my face mask rotation.

Most skin types will be able to handle this mask without a problem. The Boscia Black Luminizing Mask can be hard to find, but it is online at Amazon and Sephora. Ready to put on your scary face?

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

I’m new to the B.B. phenomenon, and I was fortunate enough to get a chance to try the new Boscia B.B. Cream. It’s a new texture for me, and took some getting used to, but within a few tries, I was absolutely and utterly hooked.

During the summer, I normally don’t wear foundation at all (unless I’m going out), instead preferring to wear tinted moisturizer, thinking that not only did it give some color to even out my skin tone, but it had some skin benefits as well. Now I’m thinking that I wish I had the Boscia B.B. Cream, because it’s that and then some.

If you’re wondering what the PA means, it’s the Japanese level of UV protection. They have PA+, PA++, and PA+++, three pluses being the most protection available. For reference, it can be translated as having an SPF (the American version of this scale) of 27, and you shouldn’t really be leaving the house with much less than that. Remember, you do have to be generous with this cream (just like any facial sunscreen) to make sure you are getting enough product to equal that protection. The sunscreen in the product is a physical one, versus a chemical one which is much better for those with sensitive skin.

Where did the whole B.B. Cream thing come from? Well, that’s an interesting story. The term originated in Asia, where they were called “Blemish Balms” or “Beauty Balms”. Boscia is a Japanese skin care company, and this is one of the first mainstream BB Cream releases in the United States. Not only is it oil free, it is also free of preservatives, paraben, color, and artificial fragrance. It’s meant to be a treatment for skin, helping to brighten skin with anti-aging properties as well as give the skin a beautiful finish. It is hydrating and buildable, so you can use it in place of foundation or as a foundation base. It helps to smooth the skin’s texture and minimize pores and over time, help firm skin. Talk about a multi-tasker! Just what I want in my beauty closet. Also, I would be neglectful if I didn’t mention my favorite thing about this product: the touch of mica it has. Those light-reflecting particles make the skin look so much better and just about completely banishes dullness and adds luminosity.

For now, Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++ is exclusive to Sephora, and costs $38. Check out a few swatches in the slideshow below:

Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA ++

Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA ++

Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA ++

Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA ++

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

I had the opportunity to try the ActiLift Face Mask by Actifirm, and as usual, I thought it was fab. It’s a mostly aloe-vera based mask that helps tighten skin and is also excellent for hydrating and increasing circulation. I’ve been trying to get in the habit of occasionally using a mask with hydrating properties, since I normally use masks that control oil, help with breakouts, and that sort of thing. As I age, I’m finding that my skin can use a little help in the firming/hydrating area as well, and this mask certainly helps with those.

The trick with using this mask is to apply it to damp skin and let it firm up until it is completely dry – 10 minutes, 15 minutes, whatever it takes. Be patient. It will start feeling tight, and when it’s all dry, simply wash it off, apply your toner (if you use it), and your night cream.

The color is fun too – my kids get extra joy in seeing me with a green face.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

The spa is located in the same space is always has been, but they have been taking over more space in the building as it becomes available, so it’s a bit spread out, but there is always someone to show you the way. Each aesthetician moves between two private rooms during your visit – as you are steaming, she is applying a facial mask across the hall, that sort of thing. Trust me, you never wait longer than your treatment for your aesthetician to come back in and finish your facial.

I had the European facial, which features a thorough cleansing, a steam, extractions, and at least two masks typed for your individual skin. It was comfortable, relaxing, and I left feeling like my face had never felt better – and the extractions didn’t hurt a bit. Nor was my face red and puffy when I left (which has happened many, many times at other spas).

A standard facial will only cost you $65 (how is that possible in NYC? They are more expensive here in Virginia Beach, and not nearly as good), and you can add on treatments such as a seaweed treatment ($35), a ginko-collagen treatment ($30), or an alpha peeling treatment ($20), among many others. You can find the entire list of add-on treatments on their facial page.

My aesthetician recommended the Vitamin C treatment, which is full of anti-oxidants and excellent for preventing the signs of aging. While I don’t have many visible signs of aging, I’m most interested in keeping it that way. My skin looked noticeably brighter, and I took home the Vitamin C Serum and the Rose Hips Mask to keep the goodness coming. Reviews of those will be posted soon.

If you’re in the city, and are interested in fantastic skin care, call the Mario Badescu Spa at (212) 758.1065 to schedule an appointment. I promise you that you simply will not regret it.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

Garnier has managed to make some incredible skin products that are accessible and affordable, and this might be at the top of the list. It contains 5% Vitamin C in a light glycerin moisturizing base, making it perfect for those of us who need moisturizers that won’t cause further breakouts. The Vitamin C is the active ingredient that helps lighten dark spots, and the 5% concentration has been clinically shown to be effective when used consistently (key word there – one or two applications isn’t going to do much of anything at all.

Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Correction Moisturizer retails for $16.99 and is available at Ulta as well as other drugstores and mass merchants.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

I had the opportunity to try Le Soin Regard, a lightweight cream for the eyes, and I found that it quickly claimed a spot on my “most-used” shelf. Le Soin Regard helps to improve elasticity, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, renew radiance, and help banish those pesky under eye circles we are always trying to get rid of.

Some of the potent and active natural ingredients include Blue Lotus stem cells, for restructuring and smoothing; caffeine and green coffee extract reduce puffiness by adding a draining effect, Helcrysium flower water and tourmaline together helps with microcirculation which helps brighten; Chlorella Vulgaris is a river microalgae that helps with collagen restructuring, helping to improve the eye contour; mica particles which reflect light and minimizes the depth of wrinkles; and aloe vera, a repairing, hydrating, firming and soothing ingredient.

• 99.73% of ingredients are of natural origin
• 99% of plant ingredients are from organic farms
• 65.14% of all ingredients are from organic farms

Le Soin Regard is available at SpaceNK, and retails at about $43 for 10 mL.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

What makes Immunocologie’s products so unique is that they are fermented. Yes, fermented like wine, beer, or even miso. Fermenting is simply a process of taking natural ingredients and passing them through several stages until the final formula works in cooperation with the Reticulate of Langerhans Cells, which forms the immune system in human skin.

It sounds complicated, but the essence of it is the formulations are more easily absorbed by the skin and like raw food, are better absorbed by the skin and help to work at the cellular level to prevent and treat skin damage.

The formula feels a bit strange at first – it’s a cream that is almost dry feeling. I prefer applying it when my face is still slightly damp from my water cleansing step. I then apply eye creams afterward.

It’s a nice rich and thick formula that doesn’t cause any breakouts on my difficult skin at all, so I can even recommend it to those of us with oily skin.

Immunocologie Treatment Creme is available at Shop.Immunocologie.com for $150.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.

The battery-operated cleanser kit comes with 10 pads, which attach themselves, velcro-like, to the face of the unit. The simple on/off button is easy to operate, and there are a couple of options for speed.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to use a two-inch diameter cleanser to get into the areas that need attention on my face, such as the area around my nose or in between my eyebrows. But after a few uses, I managed to sort it out and make it work.

I was also a bit concerned that it wouldn’t help prevent breakouts, as the pad ingredients didn’t have salicylic acid, something I have come to depend on. But miraculously, after using it for a week, I didn’t have any breakouts or trouble spots at all.

The Clean & Clear Surge Power Cleanser Set will cost you about $15.99, and the Clean & Clear Morning Burst Energizing Cleansing Pads (28 to a box) are about $6. Not exactly expensive in the world of skincare, but not the cheapest option either. However, I think it’s a worthwhile investment, especially if you’re new to the world of mechanical cleansing. So, to my surprise, I would actually recommend this product, even though I thought I wouldn’t like it at all. Consider me a convert.

© 2011, Retrodivas Beauty: make up, tips, cosmetic tutorials, hairstyles, and everything you need to be beautiful. Some rights reserved. Retrodiva’s Beauty Blog by Meredith Edwards-Cornwall is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Based on a work at www.retrodivasbeauty.com.