Moisture Quenching Hydra-Balance Lotion ($48.50 for 1.7oz)
For months I've been using Bobbi Brown Extra SPF 25 Moisturizing Balm every day. It's done a great job for my skin, but it's expensive and very emollient. On a warm day, this rich cream does not feel like the best fit, even for my dry skin.

I wish I could say I researched a variety of alternatives and picked this one from Clarins as the best contender, but I didn't. I imagine I bought it the same way many of you would - I went to the counter, I tried it, it seemed nice, I bought it. I glanced at the ingredient list for any red flags (I look for possible cosmetic acne causers) but didn't even ask about the price. I have to admit, it was fun to shop that way.

After using it for a few weeks now, I can say I'm glad I was impulsive and bought it. I like the lightweight fluid and am surprised that it keeps my dry skin hydrated all day, and without the overly dewy shine I've grown accustomed to from most dry skin creams. I can really see this lotion adjusting to fit any skin type; somehow it just seems to "know" how much moisture the skin needs.

Look for Clarins at a department store near you, or shop at home from Gloss.com.

review: 4/02

Multi-Active Day Cream $45 for a 1.7 ounce jar
After my terrific complimentary Clarins mini-facial a few weeks ago, I got to take home a few samples of their Multi-Active Day Cream to try at home. Despite the fact that I can't see myself spending over $40 for a moisturizer, the Multi-Active Day Cream was a nice product that is lightly moisturizing and leaves a semi-matte finish. For someone with slightly oily or combination skin, this cream could be a good choice. It doesn't deliver much sun protection, however - only SPF 5 or 6. For overall texture, moisturizing benefits, and sun protection, I still like Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 13 or Lancome Bienfait Total SPF 15 better.

Body Lift $45 for about 8 ounces
As many of you know, I'm not much of a believer in "miracle" creams that claim to lift, firm, and erase everything we don't like about our bodies. Even so, I am always intrigued by the advertisements for Clarins Body Lift, a cream-gel that is supposed to "diminish the appearance of cellulite". Of course, Clarins tells you right in the product literature that a healthy diet and regular exercise are key to seeing real change, but I was curious about what this gel could do by itself. I have a pretty healthy diet, but I hate to exercise, so I felt like a good candidate to try Body Lift for myself. After two weeks of using the product samples on my "target area", my skin is smoother, like it would be with a good moisturizer, but that's about it. Body Lift does have a refreshing citrus fragrance and a tingling feeling on the skin (to make you think it's working?), but I have yet to see any significant lifting or firming. I do plan to continue using the product for a full month, to see if there are any better results, but at this point I'm not convinced enough to spend $45 on a moisturizer.

Self Tanning Milk with SPF 6 $25
After deciding to actually take the plunge and try a self tanning lotion on my dreadfully pale skin, I figured I might as well start with the one that I heard was the best - Clarins Self Tanning Milk with SPF 6. Every magazine has had it as an "Editor's Choice" product, and every reader's poll I've read on sun products puts Clarins at the top of the heap. Now I know why. Of all the sunless tanning lotions I tried, the Clarins lotion made my skin look like I'd just been on holiday in the Bahamas - a smooth golden brown like I have never seen before! Being as fair as I am, the closest I typically come to a real tan is lobster red! Clarins is also different from other brands in that it comes in only one color, so it tans your skin according to how dark you are naturally, and you can build from there to the color you want. I found it really easy to apply, and it smells terrific! A definite winner!

Self Tanning Face Cream with SPF 15 $25
If I'm going to tan my body with the Tanning Milk, I can't let my face stay pale, right? Again, this is another fabulous tanning product from Clarins. This face cream is practically identical to the tanning milk for the body, just with better SPF protection if you do go outside. It also has a terrific sultry aroma and gorgeous brown color that starts light to allow you to build to the shade you want. If you are as self-tan-shy as I was, this product is a great choice that will make you change your mind!

Beauty Flash Balm $30
Much like Prescriptives' Flight Cream, Beauty Flash Balm is a combination quick intensive hydrator and complexion brightener. For seriously dehydrated or just plain dull looking skin, you can apply Beauty Flash Balm as a 10-15 treatment mask, or a thin layer under your makeup for an instant pick-me-up. It makes your skin feel softer and look more radiant. Use it on your next airplane flight - you'll notice an amazing difference in your skin! I count on it any time my skin is subjected to environmental stress.