With everything we do out of our normal routine during the Holiday season, our skin can get out of whack, too. GoodSkin Labs has got just the thing to help it out, no matter what you are doing:

GoodSkin Labs is available exclusively at your local Kohl's or online at kohls.com.

Everyone loves a chance to reinvent/rebrand themselves. Like the shy girl at school who moves to a new school district and gets to suddenly become the outgoing hottie she really was under the braids and glasses at her old school. Or even the serum that realized it could become a multi-tasking powerhouse. Such is the case with Chella's "Skin Firming Serum Daily Primer".

Chella Skin Care has been busy rebranding themselves this year, which includes a new website, logo and packaging. Not only that, they realized that one of their popular serums would do double duty as a great makeup primer. (*You guys know how much I love a good primer.) They say it will:

• Reduces Appearance of Wrinkles: Amino Acids work to both improve skin’s elasticity and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
• Creates a Long Wearing Make-up Foundation: Formulated to create the perfect smooth and taut prepped face perfectly primed for enduring make up application without a tacky feel or residue.
• Helps Soothe and Repair: Grape Seed and Green Tea extract nurture skin.

All of this means that with continued use, it will help to keep the elasticity in your skin and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. I can tell you that I had a chance to try this and I felt a not unpleasant tightening of the skin - like it was straightening everything out, kinda like a sheet on a bed. Now, I don't have a lot of deepset wrinkles that this would affect (*knock wood), but I did feel like my skin was smooth and ready for my makeup - which after application, I could tell that it helped my tinted moisturizer last longer than with out it, so, it does work for that. One downside is that there is not any SPF in this, so be sure to apply some via sunscreen or moisturizer when you use this.

This runs for $90 on Chella's site, which can be tough for a lot of you. But, if you are looking to cut down on the number of products you are using daily, combining those products costs & the fact that you only use a few drops, making this 1oz pump last a long time, this might just be the product for you.

So, what say you? Do you like multi-tasking products or do you like individual products with a specific purpose?

You guys might know that I seemed to be very lucky in my teen years and not have an over abundance of acne issue, and hardly any in my 20s, either. Maybe it was my birth control. or just lucky genetics, but it was even less of problem then. Welp, here I am almost out of my 30's (*Wow, already??) and it's an entirely different thing. It's not so much that I have it all the time, just when I do, it's more centrally located and usually cystic - which is NOTHING i ever dealt with growing up. I still get the random whitehead or so, which is more than I had before, but at least I thought I knew what I was doing with those. But it still seems different. So, I turned to Mario Badescu Skin Care for their thoughts on why my acne now seems so much different than when I was younger.

Why is adult acne different than teen acne?

Acne, regardless of the age at which we are experiencing it, can be frustrating and hard on our self esteem. For those of us suffering with adult acne the frustration is compounded because we feel like the acne that we experience now seems to be different than what we experienced as a teen. For some the methods that helped years ago don’t seem to work or cause irritation now. So is there a difference? Should adults use different products than teens to fight acne?

As it turns out the cause of acne whether in teens or adults is the same. Hormones cause an over secretion of sebum in the skin. This sebum along with dead skin cells and bacteria get caught in a pore to cause a plug which can lead to a deep painful pimple, whitehead, or blackhead.

The difference isn’t what is causing the acne but the skin itself and how it changes as we mature. As we age two things happen. Firstly, pores become larger which can make skin oily. Secondly, the skin becomes less able to retain water. It’s this strange juxtaposition that makes it more difficult to maintain a good moisture balance in adult skin. This is also why using products designed for the very oily skin that acne prone teens are prone to may not be a good solution.

While we may still use some of the same products that a teen would use in your battle against blemishes there are some things to keep in mind when choosing an adult acne regimen:

Even now that we are armed with this information it is still important to understand that everyone’s skin is different and your skin care regimen must be created to work for your individual skin type. Not sure how to get started? Fill out our free online skin care analysis to receive a free personalized sample skin care regimen.

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So, it's case of "it's def me, not you" in this case. I haven't tried any of the rec's, yet, but I am definitely going to look in to them more. Have you guys tried any of these? Or have you even noticed a difference in your acne, if you get any? Lemme know, I'd like to know that I'm not the only one that notices these things.

Have you guys heard of Renèe Rouleau - celebrity esthetician, award winning product creator, award winning Dallas Spa owner & Harley riding chick? If not, you should go out of your way to make sure you do. She's got magic hands, and smarts, to boot.

I had a chance to get a facial from Renèe herself, after interacting with her on twitter. (*You might remember I rec'd her "Anti-Cyst Treatment" on More.com last October.) Anyway, I made the drive down to Dallas to visit her at her exclusive salon, where the celebrities go, for my facial. Wanna see what it looks like? Because I have a behind the door look for you:

I'm telling ya, my skin felt so good, I didn't even want to put any makeup on it for quite a while - I was glowing on my own. Much thanks to Renèe for taking the time to treat me, explain her background, philosophies and about her 9 different Skin Types. (*I'm a 6, btw). I can't recommend my experience enough. If you get a chance to get down to Dallas, you should def make yourself an appointment to go to either this location, or her larger salon in Plano. You will get great results from either location.

When I am hot and drained, my eyes feel so heavy - like I am sleepwalking in the middle of the day.  When it gets that bad, and I need a pick-me-up, I reach in the fridge for my Tammy Fender Firming Eye Gel, which is a soothing botanical gel that goes right in the skin.

They say "This extraordinary firming gel complex contains a multitude of hydrating botanicals, herbal extracts and omega 3 & 6 nutrients targeted to restore immediate hydration; firming and protecting the delicate eye area. The concentrated blend of Elder, Chamomile, Rose Hip Seed, Borage, Green Myrtle and Nettle, rapidly absorb; nourishing and toning tissue, increasing elasticity and renewing softness." I say that this wonder soothes my eyes, has a light smell, isn't sticky and helps reduce the puffiness of my eyes quickly. (*I like it enough that I even rec'd it to "Nadine Jolie" when she was looking for eye cream rec's.)

In addition, I really like the philosophy behind this line - "Beauty and health begins with intention."  Tammy Fender is an aesthetician who has journeyed throughout the US and abroad; researching and studying in the fields of botany, aromatherapy, holistic chemistry and medical science; specifically, the healing properties of essential oils, plants and vitamins. She says her "energy and meticulous attention to purity will be with you as you nurture yourself", as she creates formulas to address one’s physical, emotional and spiritual well being. I personally appreciate a whole body approach to things over a topical salve, ya know?  It just soothes me, I guess. I'm happy that I had a chance to try it out.

Now, this is a bit on the higher end ($72), but a little goes a long way, so this bottle will last you for a good while. I do think you are paying some for the philosophy behind it, and you have to decide if it is important enough to pay that extra or not.

I know that I have mentioned the Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs And Rosewater before, but back then I wasn't even keeping in the the fridge. When I switched to storing it there this summer, it definitely amped up the love. The cold refreshing spritz to the face startles the hell out of you at first, then it just feel so good and cooling. And with the "good for you" ingredients in it too, its better than just spraying water in your face.  It's a great wake up spray, too, but I tend to just use it when I come in from outside and need a quick pick-me-up to get thru the heat.

Another of the ways to cool down, and clean up, is with the Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion.  This astringent is "Sulfur and soothing Cucumber based, acne fighting formula that is non-drying and non-irritating". You are supposed to use this after you have washed your face to get rid of all the extra dirt still there, but I will use this as soon as I come in from being hot and sweaty and just get all of the nasty dirt off of me quick - then I'll wash properly at some point after that.  Even if I do use it after washing at night, cold or not, it just makes my face feel clean - with out being squeaky.  Now, I am not normally an oily girl, but this really does seem to help keep my skin form breaking out, at least from that.

Oh, and speaking of breaking out, Mario Badescu just launched a new "Acne Resource Center" on their site. It's their central location for acne information, including its causes, how to get rid of it and even get introduced to their "tried and true acne treatment regimens". It's really got a ton of info with even videos of how to use some of the products.

(*I really wish I could remember on who's site I originally saw this moisturizer on, because I would give them a huge "Thank You!".)

Now, we all know I am not one to get out in the sun, but I still get dry arms and legs that I need some moisturizer on them - even coming in from the heat. When I read about Avon's Skin So Soft Summer Soft Cooling Gel Moisturizer (*gawd, that's a hell of a long name), I knew I had to try it.

I can't stand a heavy moisturizer during the heat of the summer - it just makes me feel like I am smothering in it. That is what makes this so good - it is a gel and goes on so light. Since I keep it in the fridge, it goes on so cool that it can make my body temp feel like it goes down at least 5 degrees or so. Now, I don't know if that is the case (*i'm betting it's not), but it still feels so good.

It contains Aloe and Cucumber and had a light scent which goes away pretty quickly, after it's absorbed. Now, we know I love me some Cucumber smell, but this isn't really as detectable as that, just mostly a light, fresh scent.

I picked mine up earlier this summer on sale, but I see that they are running a 50% off "While Supplies Last" special for $3.99/6.7oz tube. If you are live anywhere like I do, even tho the calendar says summer is almost over, we still have some heated days ahead of us, so I would try to pick this up while you can, just to cool off and get rid of the heat dryness for now.

Ahh, Summer. The time for socializing.  I mean, yeah, it's hot, but the nights can be comfy to hang out on the deck, crack open some vino and laughing till really late. Sometimes too late, and too much vino. And you know....you just KNOW, that it's gonna show up the next morning, with the puffy eyes and dark circles. Well, I know of something that can help that.

It's a product from France, called the Talika Eye Therapy Patch.  You put this patch on and in 30min you look like a rested, functioning human being. They say, "This reusable patch, spectacularly reduces all trace of fatigue appearing under the eyes. It is a pleasant, effective, natural and comfortable solution for combating wrinkles, circles and under-eye puffiness. The results are visible and have been clinically proven by Dermatologists at the "Hôpitaux de Paris de la Salpétrière".

I say, "You can keep these in the fridge for an added burst of coolness. Put these on and lay down - either to go to bed, or when you wake up in the morning feeling 'under the weather' - and in a little while, your eyes really do feel better." Now, I don't really have eye wrinkles - *knock on wood* - so I can't really speak to the effectiveness on those, but it truly did reduce puffiness and lessen the darkness under my eyes when I had a chance to try them. (*You are not required to keep these in the fridge - in fact the carrying case makes it easy to take these with you.)

You can get these patches online for $62, which includes a jewel case with 6 pairs of patches, that can each be reused 3 times or so. There are also refills available for $56.

I am so pale that I will sunburn if someone just mentions going out in the sun. It doesn't matter how much sunscreen I slather on, there are still those days when I get as pink as Barbie's Dream House. Yes, Aloe Vera is the best thing for soothing the burn, but I sincerely hate the stickiness that comes from Aloe Vera gel.

So, I was so happy when I found Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Skincare Lotion. This lotion has Aloe Vera as the number one, first, ingredient, so you are getting as much relief as with the gel, only with lotiony goodness. It absorbs quickly, and helps keep peeling to a minimum, in my experience. Seriously, even as pale as I am, if I put this on several times a day, after burning, I have found that I don't peel like when I used the sunburn relief sprays or sticky gels. And, by leaving it in the fridge, it feels so good going on the burn - so cold and refreshing, it takes the heat right out of the burn.

The only downside I know of right now, is the fact that I used to be able to buy the large, regular sized bottles at my local Wal-mart, but I can't find it there at all any more. Now, I have been lucky enough to find a travel sized bottle at CVS, so I grab a couple of those, just to have around.