Christmas Gifts For The Girls

Christmas is fast approaching, so there isn't much time left to get gifting! Luckily I've been compiling some of the best presents to gift us girls to this year...

Starting with the gorgeous Elie Saab Le Parfum Eau de Parfum 50ml (£58.00 Boots). Featuring top notes of orange blossom, middle notes of jasmine and base notes of white honey, cedar, rose and patchouli, this fragrance is floral, feminine and intoxicating. It also packs a lot of power, so it is not a scent for the subtle girls; it is strong and intense and lasts for hours. Elie Saab Le Parfum is a classic fragrance that deserves a spot on any girl's dressing table.

Faithful Four: Face Creams

Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream

Promise: “Multi-targeted anti-ageing moisturiser that corrects the most visible signs of aging”
Price: £48.00 / $62.00 50ml

Purchase: John Lewis / Nordstrom

The first face cream on the list is Kiehl's Super Multi-Corrective Cream. This wonder cream applies well and absorbs incredibly quickly. It actually absorbs better than any other face cream I've tried and it isn't greasy or remotely sticky after application. It provides an ultra smooth, even finish that makes subsequent makeup application a dream.

This Super Multi-Corrective Cream is fragrance free, safe for sensitive skin and paraben free. What makes this cream particularly special is that it is packed with hyaluronic acid, which deeply moisturises the skin and locks in moisture. This face cream is lacking in a SPF, so you will need to apply a SPF primer and/or foundation over the top of it, to ensure your skin is protected.

Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream

Promise: “Say good-bye to dry skin and hello to "total moisture." This facial cream provides concentrated immediate & long-term hydration for a radiantly refreshed complexion”

Price: £28.50 / $42.00 50ml

Purchase: Boots / Sephora

The Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream is the perfect face cream for just about any skin type. It is formulated with mango-seed butter and caprylic capric triglycerides which work together to deeply moisturise the skin and create a barrier on the skin's surface that locks in moisture. The cream is not too heavy and absorbs quickly, leaving behind a soft, even finish that is perfect for subsequent makeup application. As only a small amount of product is required per application, this 50ml pot will lasts a loonnng time. It doesn't have a SPF, so be sure to protect your skin with a SPF primer or foundation.

The only downside to the Total Moisture Facial Cream is the scent. It has a strong perfumed scent that I find a little off-putting. However the smell goes within a few minutes after application.

Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream

Promise: “A light but intensive hydrating cream that feels beautifully fresh and alive on your face”

Price: £26.99 / $48.00 60ml

Purchase: feelunique.com / antipodesnature.us

The Antipodes Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream is the most moisturising face cream around. It is 100% natural and is packed with avocado oil, manuka honey and rosehip oil. These skin-benefiting ingredients work to deeply moisturise, repair and protect the skin.

Now the Vanilla Pod Hydrating Day Cream is very rich, so it wouldn't be ideal for those with oily skin. It glides on to the skin easily but takes a little while to fully absorb. However, when it does, you are left with soft, plump and deeply hydrated skin. After a couple of weeks of using this face cream daily, you will also see a reduction in pigmentation. This has been my go-to moisturiser for the past few years, I'm beyond loyal! Oh...and it smells amazing.

Unfortunately this face cream is also lacking in SPF, so make sure your skin is protected by applying a SPF primer or foundation over the top of it.

SK-II Essential Power Rich Cream

Promise: “This lavish facial cream addresses signs of ageing and keeps the skin nourished to perfection. It contains a key plant-derived ingredient that protects the skin from harsh environmental conditions, leaving skin moisturised and healthy”

Price: £143.00 / $260.00 50ml

Purchase: Harrods / blissworld.com

I know what you're thinking? F**k, this is an unbelievably expensive face cream! Now, you're right, however it is as amazing as it is expensive...I promise!

The SK-II Essential Power Rich Cream is a ultra nourishing cream that has a gorgeous  silky texture. To apply this cream is nothing short of a dream. It glides on to the skin effortlessly and only a small pea size amount of product is required to cover the entire face. It sinks in relatively quickly, however I always leave a good five minutes before applying anything over the top. It is worth the wait though, as once this is fully absorbed, the skin is left plump and soft, with an even texture - setting the perfect base for makeup. This cream is also the perfect anti-ager, firming the skin and reducing fine lines. Like the other creams here, the Essential Power Rich Cream is also lacking in a SPF, so you will need to apply a SPF primer and/or foundation over the top of it.

The only downside to this product has to be the price, it is one serious splurge!

Ingredients 101: Pitera™

Natural or Synthetic: Natural

Origin: Pitera™ is an ingredient created by skincare brand SK-II and it is naturally derived from a unique yeast strain.

This miracle ingredient was first discovered in a sake brewery in Japan. History has it that, during a tour of the brewery, a monk noticed that the workers faces showed signs of ageing, yet their hands looked youthful. Years of in-depth research later and it was found that the answer to the workers vitality was the miracle extract known as Pitera™.

Location: SK-II’s laboratories in Japan

Beauty Benefits: Pitera™ is hailed as the miracle-working ingredient because it is able to minimise fine lines and wrinkles, control oil production, hydrate skin, brighten complexions and smooth uneven skin.

Found in: The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (£120.00 Harrods / $205.00 Sephora). Containing over 90% Pitera™, this toner gently exfoliates the face and helps moderate the skin surface renewal cycle. It makes skin healthy, hydrated and radiant. It is my go-to product when I need a skin pick-me-up!

This iconic 'holy water' has just been revamped into a beautiful, limited edition collection for the festive season. The new collection boasts three distinctive floral designs - Red Tulips, Purple Hydrangea and Yellow Freesia - that have transformed the 215ml bottles into works of art.

Interview: Dr Noëlle Sherber, M.D., F.A.A.D.

Contrary to popular belief, beauty and brains can go together and there is no greater example of this than Dr Noëlle Sherber.

Dr. Sherber is certified by the American Board of Dermatology, the highest mark of clinical excellence bestowed upon a dermatologist. She is considered a world authority in the skin manifestations and treatment of scleroderma and, if that wasn't enough, she is an expert consultant to leading magazines such as InStyle, Women’s Health and Marie Claire.

So I am sure you can appreciate how lucky I felt when I was given the opportunity to talk dermatology, beauty crimes and skin saviours with Dr. Sherber...

What inspired you to become a dermatologist? And how did your career journey begin?

My father and grandfather are physicians and I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps early: I asked for a doctor's bag for my 2nd birthday! Growing up, I always loved art and, from grade school through to high school, I would spend weekends taking drawing and painting lessons from renowned artist Rob Evans. Rob Evans has the most exquisite way of using light and shadow and colour temperature in his work. This sensitivity to the nuances of light reflection, as well as the first-impression impact that warmer or cooler colours can have, has stayed with me to this day. In medical school I found that it sparked not only my interest in aesthetic medicine (where small changes in symmetry, colour tone, and light reflection can make a big impact), but it also helped me to develop a keen eye for detecting subtle clues to diagnose skin conditions for my patients.

What is your career highlight?

A highlight of my career thus far is that I've been able to collaborate with wonderful physicians from different specialities to advance our fields. I am currently co-editing a book on the state of the art of facial rejuvenation with a fantastic ENT colleague, Dr. Lisa Grunebaum of the University of Miami. I also authored the dermatology chapter in Rheumatologist Dr. Fred Wigley's definitive textbook on scleroderma.

The collaboration of which I'm most proud is that my husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Ariel Rad, and I are realising our dream of opening a practice together in Washington, DC. We are building out a beautiful street-level space in the heart of downtown Washington at this very moment. I am drawing on my clinical research background to select the best-in-class skin care products from around the world for our retail boutique. The practice space itself, designed by architect David Jameson, is going to be very innovative - I can't tell all of our secrets yet, however as a start, discretion is paramount for us and there will be no waiting room!

Who is the ultimate beauty icon?

I love the saying "an original is worth more than a copy" as, while the intent may have been in reference to art, I think that it's particularly applicable to beauty. I always discourage my patients from thinking along the lines of wanting a certain beauty icon's nose/lips/cheekbones and rather encourage that we look at their faces with the eye towards highlighting the feature that makes them exceptional. Whether it's beautiful eyes or high cheekbones or charming freckles, there is something about every face that is exceptional. Sometimes I will enhance a person's face by evening out the skin tone, smoothing the texture or improving symmetry through laser or injectable treatments. However my focus with my patients is always that they are natural beauties!

What are your bathroom cabinet essentials?

I get sent a lot of new skin care products to try and review and, while this is very fun for me, this isn't always fun for my sensitive skin. The one product which I can always turn to, to soothe, moisturise and reset my skin without provoking a reaction, is Creme de la Mer. My mom started using this when Max Huber began selling it at Henri Bendel in Manhattan 40 years ago and it has become a classic for good reason. The algae-based complex used in Creme de la Mer acts as a natural preservative, therefore, since synthetic preservatives are a major cause of irritation, this rich cream is a winner for not provoking irritation in sensitive skin.

What is the biggest beauty crime a person can commit?

In my experience, the biggest beauty crime is not to focus on the fundamental health of your skin. I see many patients for scar treatment and a lot of them wish that they could have avoided these scars (whether from skin cancer or from acne) in the first place.

It is critical to monitor your skin for new or changing spots. Melanoma is now the most common cancer in people aged 25-29 and early detection remains the best hope in fighting this potentially lethal disease. Other forms of skin cancer, like basal cell and squamous cell cancers, can be treated with creams if caught early. However they must be surgically removed if more advanced.

Our best weapon against all forms of skin cancer is early detection, so it is crucial to keep a close watch on your skin. It is also important to see a dermatologist to evaluate any 'ugly duckling' spots that do not look like your others. Similarly, if you have acne, it is so beneficial to see a dermatologist early and be proactive about preventing scarring. There is no perfect fix for acne scarring, so the best approach is to see a dermatologist early and prevent it through effective acne treatment. Healthy skin really is the most beautiful skin.

What is your top skincare tip?

As skin ages, its ability to hold on to water decreases because we produce less glycosaminoglycans, such as hyaluronic acid, that hold water in the skin. While moisturising is important, using thicker and thicker creams as you get older may not help replenish the skin's water content, so I often talk with my patients about the difference between dry skin (in need of oil) and dehydrated skin (in need of water).

My top tip is to hydrate your skin more and more as you get older with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. This will help to keep skin smooth and firm. The best intensively hydrating mask I've found is the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask. This sheet mask is drenched in hydrating ingredients and traps them next to the face to ensure maximal absorption. These masks are particularly amazing when used after long haul flights or when you haven't been getting enough sleep - they are a celebrity favourite for good reason!

www.sherberandrad.com