I go with Mario Badescu years ago in New York City. I remember ‘it’ was the it spot to get pampered and get great facials for my co-workers on the trading floor in midtown Manhattan. I even once got a special treat to get a facial done at the Mario Badescu spa in New York City and it was quite a pleasant experience. This is almost 9 years ago my friends!

More recently, I’ve been using the Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Lotion in the evening after I cleanse my face to get my face nicely toned, or sometimes in the mourning before my shower in those days when I think I didn’t get a good face cleansing the night before. This cleansing lotion is gentle even if you keep reapplying with a cotton pad. Formulated with Aloe Vera, Algea Extract, and Witch Hazel which seem like just simple and classic ingredients for your skin. BTW, after a quick trip to the local Scottsdale ULTA here in Arizona I’ve discovered that they carry the Mario Badescu skin care line. Perfect!

Kiehl’s introduces Rare Earth Pore Minimizing Collection which is available from August 2009.

Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser: This daily cleanser is formulated specifically for normal to oily skin types to purify and thoroughly cleanse facial skin. This non-stripping, mildly foaming formula contains Amazonian White Clay and finely crushed Diatomaceous Earth particles to gently remove surface debris, toxins, and oils which can enlarge the appearance of pores. SRP: $22.50 for 5.0 fl. Oz. / 150ml.

Kiehl’s Pore Minimizing Toner: This dual-phase pore minimizing toner is formulated with ingredients sourced from the Marajo Island at the mouth of the Amazon River to help eliminate surface toxins from the skin. The absorbent powders of the Amazonian White Clay help to refine pores and control excess oil as it maintains the skin’s PH level. After application, skin appears matte, with re-balanced moisture levels.  I use it everyday now! I love this toner. It refreshed my skin after shower and when my skin needs that extra cleaning. SRP: $20.50 for 8.4 fl. Oz. / 250ml.

I’ve been trying to interview Lisa Price the fabulous founder of Carol’s Daughter for quite some time now. And, finally, here it is!

I’m so excited to share with you Lisa’s story of  an incredible journey creating a sought after skincare and fragrance line: Carol’s Daughter.

In this interview Lisa Price talks to me about her fascination with fragrance. The Carol’s Daughter Philosophy. Why did she choose Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J. Blige as the faces for her brand, and what’s new with Carol’s Daughter.

Marta Walsh: When did your fascination with skincare begin?
Lisa Price: It wasn’t so much a love for skincare as it was a love for fragrance which began when I was a little girl. I started creating my own scents and creams because I loved to experiment—it’s always been a hobby and passion of mine.

MW: At what point did your love for making your own skincare products in the kitchen turn into a promising business?
LP: After some time of working as a writing assistant for The Cosby Show, and creating personalized scents and products for the cast, my mom encouraged me to make a small batch to sell at a local church flea market. I nearly sold out on the first day!

MW: What is Carol’s Daughter philosophy?
LP: Every Carol’s Daughter product I create is made with love, and inspired by my own life. Each product is truly unique and created especially for my customers, who are part of the Carol’s Daughter family. The idea is not just about looking good, but feeling good inside and out, comforting your body and spirit. Carol’s Daughter is also about having a strong sense of family as well as love and respect for yourself and others.

New This month (August 2009): Rene Furterer introduces VOLUMEA, a 3-sku volumizing range. The product range consists of the VOLUMEA volumizing shampoo and two leave-in treatments VOLUMEA no rise volumizing conditioning spray and VOLUMEA leave-in volumizing foam. The products are formulated with their patent pending natural Carob extract. This proprietary ingredient coats the entire hair shaft from root to end, enhancing the diameter of each strand to perceptibly thicken and plump without weighing hair down and providing long-lasting airy volume.

KLORANE introduces to their range for color-treated hair, the NEW no rinse care with pomegranate and NEW formulations of shampoo with pomegranate and conditioner with pomegranate, all proven to help color last twice as long.

Prevention magazine put the leading anti-aging beauty products to the test again this year and found seven products deserving of the “Defy Your Age” seal, including Olay ProX Age Repair Lotion, Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Age Shield Hand Cream and Estée Lauder Idealist Dual-Action Refinishing Treatment.

To determine the winners, Prevention enlisted seven leading dermatologists to test the claims of the 35 most promising products of the year on a group of 175 women, ages 40-plus, for a period of up to eight weeks. The doctors then employed state-of-the-art equipment to measure which products best delivered on their claims using before and after skin analysis. The teams investigated seven categories of products including hand, eye and night creams; lip, adult acne and microdermabrasion treatments; and day lotions with . This year’s winners are all available for less than $50.