During any season it’s smart to keep sun protection at arms reach. There are now products however to achieve more then just sun protection bringing you closer to perfection.

Why settle for less when you can get more? With recent technology advances, we are able to achieve better knowledge of ingredients and create products that cover many concerns. If you are looking for a primer to use underneath your makeup but want one that will smooth fine lines, soothe/calm the skin, offer SPF and give some tint to your skin tone then check out the Journee Bio-Restorative Day Cream SPF 30 by Neocutis. If you want a firming moisturizer with SPF and the ability to conceal imperfections look towards the BB Cream SPF 27 by Boscia. Lastly if you wanted a SPF product similar to foundation coverage with added hydration properties, you can apply a product such as Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 by Philosophy.

There are many products on the market but finding one best for your concerns is just at arms reach if you look. I know that I love having a cabinet full of products that battle my skin care troubles and replace them with perfection and you can too!

Is your skin oily and blemish prone? Are you looking for a treatment to address the excess oils within your skin, prevent breakouts and help even skin tone? SkinCeuticals has THE serum to calm your skin woes.

Say hello to the Blemish & Age Defense Serum. This special oil-free formulation includes a blend of alpha and beta hydroxy acids along with 2% Dioic Acid. This serum can help to control the over production of oils within the skin, reduce P acnes bacteria, decongest pores, help prevent and treat hyperpigmentation, and reduce fine lines & wrinkles. Wow! You can address multiple skin concerns with only one product!. This serum can be used both day and night for best results after you cleanse/tone your skin. With all of the benefits listed above, who wouldn’t want to use one product for multi-beneficial results? I already have mine and now it’s your turn to take control of your skin.

In recent years men have increasingly become major consumers of skin care products that provide the same anti-aging and personal care features as mainstream women’s skin care and cosmeceuticals. Men know that shaving, aging, and environmental stressed can have a significant effect on their skin, and many are choosing to actively seek skin care solutions.

Made popular in upscale spa’s and salons, Yonka has a full range of men’s skin care from cleansers to self-tanners and everything in-between.

Starting with the basic regimen, cleansing with the Yonka for Men Foam Gel both in the morning and in the evening will leave the skin hydrated and purified. This non-drying botanical based gel cleanser is great for men because most prefer a gel consistency than lathers up and rinses clean for their daily cleansing needs versus a cream based cleanser that can feel heavy on the skin even after rinsing.

After cleansing with the foam gel, shaving with the Yonka for Men Barber Shave is made easy even for the toughest beard on the most sensitive skin. This product is a multi-tasker that provides not only a close and clean shave with reduced irritation, cuts, and nicks but it also acts as a skin care product leaving your skin soft and smooth.

After shaving with the Barber Shave, the Yonka for Men Lotion YK is an alcohol-free skin energizer that prepares your skin for additional product if desired and also improves the effectiveness of the products already used during cleansing and shaving.

For optimal skin care, we suggest an exfoliating product to be used 1-3 times weekly. The Yonka for Men Foam Scrub is a fantastic product that removes dead skin cells which helps improve cell turnover, it tightens pores, rids ingrown hairs and black heads and leaves your skin deeply cleansed. This product is to be used after shaving and before a skin cream and is highly effective in prepping your skin for the Yonka for Men Masque which will further detoxify your skin and brighten your complexion while balancing the epidermis.

For added treatment benefits, the Yonka for Men Nutri Moist provides you with vitamin rich anti-oxidants to help protect your skin from environmental stress while the Age Defense will help combat the signs of aging. You can use one or both as need to give you softer, smoother, healthier skin. Top off your regimen with the Under Eye Gel both morning and evening to complete your skin care routine.

Check out the full Yonka Skin Care for Men product line at SkinStore.com!

For many of our customers masks are an important part of an at home spa experience and ongoing maintenance process that provides the ultimate results in at home skin care. Our staff of beauty junkies and customers a like all have their favorites. Below are some of the top mask picks and the reasons why people love them.

The DDF Sulfur Therapeutic Mask. With 26 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars this mask is an excellent option for those with acne, hormonal acne, or acne prone skin. Used as directed this product helps to reduce problems associated with oily skin while leaving the skin soft and smooth. Its excellent for reducing blemishes, blackheads, and some have even reported a reduction in the appearance of large pores! This mask gets an overwhelming thumbs up by our beauty community.

The Astara Blue Flame Purification. With 21 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars the Astara Blue Flame Purification Mask purifies and extracts your pores. With its natural anti-bacterial and anti-microbial benefits this mask makes for an excellent night time spot treatment for pesky blemishes and also does an excellent job with blackheads, oil control, and soothing irritated skin when used as directed. It not only helps take the red out, but will reduce the swelling and irritation associated with the occasional pimple. Two key ingredients that make this product so effective are the kaolin and tea tree oil, both excellent ingredients to look for when you have problematic skin.

M.D. Forte Skin Rejuvenation Hydra-Masque. With 13 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars the hydra-masque leaves your skin feeling smooth, hydrated, and brighter. You can leave this mask on overnight for additional hydrating benefits or use as a regular mask twice weekly for maintenance. This masque does contain 10% Glycolic Compound and 1% Salicylic acid so it works two ways in the sense that it will help you maintain clear skin while providing exfoliation of dead skin cell. It also contains beneficial antioxidants vitamins A and E to help repair and protect your skin.

NUXE Masque Frias Hydrant Refreshing and Relaxing Moisture Mask. With 9 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 starts this mask is my “go to” solution for dehydrated skin. Whether you naturally tend to be dry or if you live in a dry climate, this product is a tall glass of water for your skin, is ultra-gentle, and cream based to help sooth stressed skin.

L’Occitance Immortelle Face Cream Mask. With 9 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 this cream based mask provides an intense infusion of moisture for dry skin. This mask is enriched with vitamins A and E and contains rice peptides and shea butter making this an ultra-rich product for even the driest of skin types.

Do you have a favorite mask? Why not give it a review at SkinStore.com!

Remember to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway! See our Facebook page for details!

The winter season brings a host of skin concerns for many of us whether we spend our time outdoors in the cold or inside near the heater. Inside we are exposed to the drying heat of the heater that zaps the hydration out of your skin and outside we are exposed to searing cold which also works to dehydrate our skin very quickly (you’ve heard of freeze-dried?).

Dry cracked feet are a very common concern during the winter season, but what can you do? SkinStore.com Esthetician’s answer this question all winter long. Proper foot care all year round is important to your overall health and we always suggest that you focus on hydration on all parts of your skin including your feet daily through all seasons.

To remove the old surface skin the B. Kamins Elbow, Knee and Foot Treatment is an excellent place to start. This product comes in a two part kit which is a polishing scrub and an exfoliating cream. To start you can use up to twice daily to help gently remove the dead skin on your feet. If you require a little more aggressive approach you can incorporate a Ceramic File, Callus Rasp or a Buffer for additional callus removal by controlled friction. I recommend that you exercise caution when using tools on your feet, never go too aggressive as you could cause additional cracking or bleeding if you get your skin too thin. Be gentle at first and perhaps do just a little each day until you get the desired results.

Another gentle alternative is the Barielle Total Foot Care Cream, this is a top customer rated cream that can be used twice daily. A great suggestion with this product is to apply the cream then place your plain 100% cotton socks in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and put them on and leave overnight.

If your feet simply need hydration, the Archipelago Botanicals Milk Foot Balm is a great selection. With milk solids, oat and soy protein, this product will provide adequate moisture if used morning and evening.

Do you have a winter foot care secret? Share with us here or on facebook!

Remember to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway!!! See our Facebook page for details!

It’s here, it’s here! The SkinStore.com 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. Find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list!

This year’s holiday gift guide is the perfect way to shop for you and your loved ones because each department is focused on providing you with a quick and easy way to navigate through our most giftable items storewide!

Find everything you need from hard to find Luxury Gifts, Beauty Tools & Accessories, Gifts for Him and Sets and Kits. So just what will you find? In our Luxury Gifts sections you will find some of our most coveted luxury brands as well as our SkinStore.com e-gift certificates (available in denominations of up to $200USD), these are the perfect gift for the person who has everything. Don’t forget to shop for dads, brothers, uncles, or that special someone in your life! And while you are at it, you just might want to see all of our newest sets and kits.

Get back to basics with Skin Care, Cosmetics, Natural Skin Care & Cosmetics, and Hair Care. If you are looking for the skin care treasures, we got them covered! Nothing hidden here, it’s just pure and simple *twinkle*. Here you will find pages of items that include sets, kits, stocking stuffers, and gifts that even teens love like all of the latest Philosophy.

From Fragrance, to Bath and Body, Gifts Under $35 and eGift Certificates, yes, we have it all right here.  If you are looking for a thoughtful gift, check out our fragrance department for the best of the best including Sean John, Kenneth Cole, Elizabeth Arden, Calvin Klein and many more! In addition, our Bath and Body department has all of your favorite bubbles, scrubbles –  from bath gels to your favorites Aromatherapy oils! On a budget? Don’t miss our gifts under $35, but hurry because they go quick!

Get your Limited Edition Gifts, Everything for the Home, Gifts for Mom and Baby, and last but not least, the Editior’s Favorites. Our Limited Edition Gifts sell out quickly so you will want to check out that section to get the most recent listing of our customer’s favorites. In our Home department you can find everything you need to make your house a home from candles, to wonderfully scented diffusers.  And who can forget about the expecting mother on your list? Ah, she can be so hard to shop for, but not at SkinStore…we have Mustela, Belli, LaVanila and of course Royal Hiney among many of our favorite mom and baby gift ideas.

Check out our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide and get your shop on! Happy Shopping from our SkinStore.com family to yours!

Also, remember to enter into the SkinStore.com Giveaway! See our Facebook.com page for details!

Once again an old nail trend has popped up in renewed discussion and this is one trend that you either “love it” or “hate it”. Flared nails are being spotted in all different colors and in varying degrees of flare. This trend is an acquired taste that many celebs are sporting all over town and even more beauty buffs adore!

As I was reading a popular beauty blog about this trend I got to thinking, how would I be able to work with these nails? What would it be like to use my smart phone is I were sporting that duck bill or duck feet shape nail? Is it for me? Well, the jury is still out for me personally, but one thing is for sure, I will never stop using nail polish as one of my most prized accessories!

For those of you that don’t know, we carry over a hundred nail polish colors at SkinStore! butter LONDON is all the rage with its fun and true colors. And SpaRitual has a cult following for its eco-friendly products and packaging as well as its focus on vegan ingredients.

My top picks? Right now I am loving The Giving Tree and Can You Dig It by SpaRitual because most of my winter clothing tends to be natural colors that are more muted. I also love, love, love Yummy Mummy and Lady Muck by butter LONDON when I am wearing more black or gray colors.

Do you have a favorite nail trend? How about a favorite nail color? Share with us here or on our facebook! We’d love to hear from you.

Remember to enter into our current Giveaway!! See our Facebook page for details!

Do you ever experience red, raised, dry, itchy, or irritated skin? Most adults and many children have probably experienced these conditions a few times in their lives. While some are more serious skin conditions, there are some very common minor culprits known as rashes. Take a look at just a few of the most common rashes to better identify your skin concerns with:

• Drug Rash- The most common type of rash is usually developed from an allergic reaction to medication. It can be from any type of medication including antibiotics, anti-seizure and diuretics. This type of rash usually appears within the 1st week after taking medication. You might initially see individual red spots that can spread throughout large areas of the body and can last for up to a few weeks even after ending the medication. There are cases where it can be serious and a physician should always be contacted in case of a drug rash.

• Heat Rash- Another common rash that’s usually not very serious, and can be resolved with proper self treatment. Heat rash occurs due to hot, humid weather, tight fitting or synthetic fabric clothing which interferes with the flow of sweat. Heat rash is sometimes called Prickly Heat, as it has a pins and needles sensation when inflamed. To avoid heat rash you should keep skin cool and dry, wear loose fitting cotton clothing.

• Diaper Rash- A form of inflamed skin which appears as a bright red pattern usually on a baby’s bottom. It usually occurs due to frequently wet or infrequently changed diapers. Other causes include diarrhea, improper ventilation, use of antibiotics, and even with change of diet. This type of rash can easily be treated at home usually with common over the counter diaper rash ointment.
• Swimmers Itch- This rash is usually from an allergic reaction to a waterborne parasite which burrows into the top layer of the skin. It appears as tiny bumps or blisters that can burn and itch. This rash can worsen with increased exposure to infected water and may even increase skin sensitivity. At home remedies such as calming lotions or baths may relieve symptoms and this condition usually resolves within a week.

With a better understanding of skin conditions you can be prepared to prevent skin ailments and combat the most common skin irritants! If you have a rash consult with your physician immediately for best treatment recommendations.

Remember to enter into our SkinStore.com Giveaway! See our Facebook page for details!

With all the fuss about different chemicals and their detriments, it’s no surprise that people want a natural alternative. You don’t have to look very far, because at SkinStore we offer a huge selection of organic skincare and products that meet high natural standards.

Say hello to Juice Beauty! The product line is authentically organic skincare at it best and is packed with antioxidants that total in organic content up to 95%. They are free of parabens, propylene or butylene glycols, petroleum, sulphates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, Phthalates, GMO, silicones, pesticides, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances*. Under their own brand commandments they also meet the California Organic Products Act requiring 70% minimum organic content (excluding water). The line is backed by extensive clinical research to offer the best for your skin. They have a great selection of organic skincare products to choose from, so at SkinStore you can create a full regimen specific to your concerns.

Another great organic skincare line available at SkinStore is the Baborganic by BABOR. The products contain natural extracts of certified organic ingredients produced in compliance with strict organic standards. They contain plant-based emulsifiers, Ecocert-compliant raw materials.

These are both stellar brands who strive to go beyond expectations to bring you the very best options in organic skincare.

*See JuiceBeauty.com for their core truths.

Remember to enter into our latest GIVEAWAY! Visit our Facebook page for more details!

Do you ever have days that you’re just feeling dull or down? We all do but there is a quick fix to solve your beauty blues… bright and peachy makeup! A little dab of this here and a dab of that there. Here are some saviors to any down days and ways to feel radiant.

They say the windows of the soul are the eyes. Why not give attention to those beauties and make them stand out. We want bright and glowing! Color that screams we feel alive and are full of sunshine. Peach Sherbet for lighter skin tones or Supernova for darker skin tones from the Jane Iredale eye shadow collection are great choices. For a more universal shade, I suggest Stila Eye Shadow in Kitten. Depending on how vibrant you want the color you can blend out until you reach your desired color.

The next step is to make those apples on the tops of the cheeks pop. A natural blushing is best created by peachy pink shades. To achieve that perfect color, I suggest colors such as Laughter from bareMinerals or Too Faced Full Bloom Cheek Ultra Flush Blush Who’s Your Poppy.

Lastly, all you need is a little bit of lush on the lips and you’ll look re-vamped in no time! You don’t really need much color but just a bit of a goldish-peach shimmer to make those lips come alive. You can try shades like Soft Peach PureGloss by Jane Iredale, Stila Lip Glaze in Apricot or even bareMinerals Bianca Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish.

Got tips for looking just peachy?! Share with us! Also, remember to enter into our latest GIVEAWAY! Visit our Facebook page for more details!