Algenist is a new skincare line launching this month (Feb 2012) in Sephora. TM has got to try the Algenist Firming & Lifting Eye Gel which is a super light serum. It absorbed into skin easily without feeling greasy or leaving a residue. The Algenist skincare line also includes: Firming & Lifting Cream ($94) and Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask ($52).

Algenist Firming & Lifting Eye Gel ($68)

Algenist Skincare

“Lightweight Eye gel to rebuild density while firming & lifting delicate skin around the eyes. Ingredients: Alguronic Acid and ProPeptide3, Alfalfa Seed Extract, Lupine Protein, Caffeine, and Chamomile.”-via Algenist

Firming & Lifting Skincare Products

“In addition to key ingredient, Alguronic Acid (algae-compound with the ability to protect and regenerate skin), the Firming & Lifting line incorporates proteins and peptides to restore and repair skin.”-via Algenist

Not sure if you knew by now but I love makeup and I like to wear it everyday. I’m one of those gals that doesn’t really have a day-to-night makeup I really love dramatic makeup as soon as I wake up. The smoky eye, the perfectly blushed cheeks, flawless skin, and of course the lip gloss. I do know however that great looking makeup can only look good on great looking skin. And my go-to skincare products are by Simple Skincare.

L to R: Smoothing Facial Scrub, Soothing Facial Toner

Great makeup starts with great skincare

For me the biggest thing that makes my skin radiant is when my skin is exfoliated and very hydrated. But there is a catch 22 here, because exfoliating my skin using the wrong skincare products can also sometimes irritate my skin or the product can be too harsh.

This is why I use Simple Skincare in my facial care routine to get my makeup look just perfect. I don’t want to get dry skin after I wash my face, I don’t want to feel that sort of over tingled tight sensation on my skin to a point that it hurts, I don’t want perfumes in my skincare, I just want clean and smooth skin. If you have sensitive skin and in general are sensitive to what you put on your face, then you can relate to me. I can’t stress enough that Simple Skincare is one of the best British imports after the Beatles.

Here is my skincare routine to keep my skin radiant, soothed, and help my makeup application smooth and at the end of the day what makes me feel beautiful.

Follow Simple Skincare on Twitter: follow @SimpleSkincare

Once a week in the shower I use  Smoothing Facial Scrub to exfoliate my skin. When it comes to cleansers, Simple Skincare is a winner. They are gentle, but not what I call ‘wimpy’ where you feel it is not working, or, it’s too oily trying to be gentle. The Kind to Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub is clean , gentle, not oily yet hydrating, and fragrance-free.

When I get out of the shower I then use  Soothing Facial Toner, which I really can’t live without. It’s so invigorating for my skin and just really wakes me up and gives me that super clean feeling. Needless to say, my skin at this point is smooth like a baby.

Last step is applying the Replenishing Rich Moisturizer or  Vital Vitamin Day Cream w/ SPF 15, depending if I have a busy day with real estate clients outdoors in sunny Scottsdale Arizona or blogging in the shade (i.e. my home office). And I never skip the  Soothing Eye Balm, which is just so soothing and relaxing – like its description. The biggest winning feature of the product is that it’s very sheer – almost a serum texture – that absorbs well into my skin.

L to R, T to B: replenishing rich moisturizer, vital vitamin day cream SPF 15 UVA/UVB sunscreens, soothing eye balm

Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Day Cream w/ SPF…up close

The rest of the week, I like to use either the Moisturizing Facial Wash or the Refreshing Facial Wash Gel. But to still keep up with that gentle exfoliating after shower I can’t live without the Exfoliating Facial Wipes. These facial wipes, in my opinion really one of the best on the market. They are fragrance-free and durable. Perfect for travel and perfect to use to correct makeup, all without irritating or upsetting your sensitive skin. I finish with the same Simple Skincare facial moisturizers I mentioned above. When I’m done with the Simple Skincare routine, I then begin applying my makeup. And done. That simple.

L to R: Moisturizing Facial Wash Refreshing Facial Wash Gel, Exfoliating Facial Wipes

My skin is sensitive, what can I use to help my makeup?

If you feel your skin is acting up and your makeup doesn’t look quite right it’s OK to just stop and re-asses and switch to skincare products that help you get rid of oily, red, or irritated skin. It’s so easy for me to talk about Simple Skincare because I really believe in them ever since I discovered them back in my years in England. I can’t tell you enough how I’m excited they are now in the US. Talking about love from first sight.

“This post was created in connection with my appointment as an ambassador in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.”

Gita Bass for Votre Vu created Best Actress in a Comedy Nominee Tina Fey’s classic look for the 2012 SAG Awards tonight, using Votre Vu Skincare and Makeup.

Tina Fey’s makeup

“We were inspired by Tina’s black strapless Versace gown. We wanted her look to be equally classic and sexy,” says Gita.

Gita started by spritzing the face with Votre Vu Amour D’Ore Multi-Vitamin Oil for Face, Body and Hair. “It adds long-lasting hydration, primes for makeup and gives the complexion a gorgeous glow,” she says. Next, she applied Votre Vu Tragic Magic Rescue Creme to soothe and eliminate any redness.

To create the appearance of a smooth and bright eye area, Gita patted on Votre Vu Tout le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelee and layered Votre Vu SpecialEyes Intensive Eye Treatment on top. She then brushed on Votre Vu WonderBrows in Eva to add definition to Tina’s natural arch.

Next, she used Votre Vu Sensational Eyes Eye Primer in Medium on the lids as a budge-proof eye makeup base. To prep her lips for color, Gita dabbed on the moisturizing Votre Vu Champagne Kisses Volume Enhancing Lip Balm.

Since Tina’s look shows a bit of skin, Gita generously applied the nourishing Votre Vu Snapdragon Antioxidant-Rich Citrus Body Drench all over. She followed up by spritizing Votre Vu Amour D’Ore Multi-Vitamin Oil for Face, Body and Hair on her decolletage and shoulders for an added sheen.

Finally, to set the look and create a radiant finish, Gita dusted on Votre Vu Mineral Powder in Light. “I also made Tina put the powder in her clutch so she can do touch-ups throughout the night” said Gita.

Hello Loves:) I’m super excited to announce that 2012 has begun for me with becoming an Ambassador for Simple Skincare, a line of face care products specifically for sensitive skin. Simple Skincare is UK’s No. 1 facial skincare brand for sensitive skin and is making its US debut in February 2012! I can’t wait to tell you all about it and how great it is.

Simple The Sensitive Skin Experts

When Marta Walsh Meets Simple Skincare

I first got to know Simple Skincare when I moved to Cheltenham England. The same evening I landed in England, I took a walk to town center and right into Boots UK’s Pharmacy. Anyone who moves countries knows, and can relate to me here, that when you are new to town you always look for comforting things that make you feel like home.

Back in England, being so far away from the US, I was looking for UK skincare products particularly for sensitive skin that I felt would work for me and make me feel like home. And there it was, Simple Skincare. The fragrance-free, dye-free, harsh-chemical-free description on the bottles just made me gravitate to Simple products right away. I remember actually trying their UK body care line. And about 2 years ago when I went back to England, I stocked up with Simple facial skincare products and used them on my stay and brought the left overs to home, Scottsdale AZ.

Follow Simple Skincare on Twitter: follow @SimpleSkincare

I sometimes feel that I wish I’d discovered Simple in my teens when I had slight acne and was desperate to find gentle skincare products that soothed my skin. In my twenties, I was also desperate for just good gentle skincare and to revive my skin after an adventurous night on the town, i.e late nights (hey we were all young before right?). But glad in my early 30s I found Simple Skincare. I feel I’ve become even more sensitive to perfumes lately, especially once I became pregnant with my two boys, but since then my sensitivity has stayed. That constant quest for a skincare line that is all about the goodness, strip out the harsh ingredients add the good vitamins and give gentle yet effective skin care. I believe Simple Skincare is one of the best kept UK skincare secrets to come to America. In my household it’s a staple. And you know, sometimes I can’t believe it’s so affordable. To me Simple skincare feels expensive because it’s so good. It’s so much more difficult i.e. more genius to make and perfect simple things and that is true in all aspects of life.

Is Your Skin Sensitive?

Simple Skincare is a line of face care created specifically for sensitive skin. So if you have sensitive skin you might want to hear me out We all go through phases when we feel a bit frustrated with our skin because it’s ‘acting up.’ When we travel, are under stress, the weather becomes too cold or too dry (like Scottsdale AZ for me it’s dry). When that happens for me, I slow down with product experiments and resort back to the basics and to products like Simple Skincare to help my skin get under control and to calm it down.

Simple Skincare products are currently available on drugstore.com and are arriving on beauty shelves in the US on February 1, 2012.

Simple Skincare Facebook Page: facebook.com/simpleskincare

Make sure to visit Simple Skincare Website: www.simpleskincare.com

“This post was created in connection with my appointment as an Influencer in the Simple® Skincare Program. Visit www.facebook.com/SimpleSkincare to share your story on sensitive skin.”

Makeup Artist Kelsey Deenihan for Votre Vu created the look of Kate Bosworth for her press events at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Kate Bosworth at the premiere of “Black Rock” 2012 Sundance

For the premiere of “Black Rock” at the Sundance Film Festival I prepped Kate’s face by using a combination of different Votre Vu products to create the perfect canvas ready for the makeup application.

I started off by massaging “ATTENTIVE Creme de Jour for Sensitive Skin” all over the face and neck. This cream is great because it calms the skin and replenishes moisture – especially in these weather conditions.

To keep the under-eyes moisturized, I lightly smoothed into the skin “Tout le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelee.”

Next I applied Votre Vu Sensational Eyes Eye Primer in Medium on lids for a perfect way to keep eye shadow on all day – the perfect base.

To finish prepping the face for makeup I dabbed a drop of the “Attentive Serum Delicat Pour Le Visage” into the skin and massaged starting at the center of the face and moving outward.

Kate has amazing skin so she really doesn’t need a heavy foundation. To set the foundation I dusted on Votre Vu Mineral Powder in Light all over the face.

For the premiere I wanted Kate’s makeup to be fresh and natural but with a bold classic red lip. The perfect base for the lipstick is the Votre Vu Champagne Kisses Lip Treatment. I didn’t line Kate’s lips so the Champagne Kisses pulled double duty by moisturizing and preventing the lipstick from bleeding out.

Kate Bosworth skincare & makeup

Today with Kate we started off by prepping the face similar as I did last evening. Kate was doing a full day of press for her movie “Black Rock” here at Sundance so we needed the skin to be extremely hydrated to prevent the makeup from looking heavy…especially in this freezing dry air.

“I started off by massaging “ATTENTIVE Creme de Jour for Sensitive Skin” all over the face and neck. This cream is great because it calms the skin and replenishes moisture – especially in these weather conditions.

To keep the under-eyes moisturized, I lightly smoothed into the skin “Tout Le Monde Antioxidant Eye Gelee.”

Next I applied Votre Vu Sensational Eyes Eye Primer in Medium on lids for a perfect way to keep eye shadow on all day – the perfect base.

To finish prepping the face for makeup I dabbed a drop of the “Attentive Serum Delicat Pour Le Visage” into the skin and massaged starting at the center of the face and moving outward.”

To make sure Kate’s lips were moisturized and smooth I applied the Champagne Kisses lip treatment. This prevented the elements from really chapping the lips.

Nick Barose for Patyka prepped screen icon Sigourney Weaver for her film premiere “Red Lights” for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Sigourney Weaver at the “Red Lights” premiere Sundance 2012

“For Sigourney Weaver’s Sundance premiere I prepped her skin with Patyka Huile Absolue Face & Body Serum to add hydration to the skin before applying liquid foundation.” In the cold weather skin can get more dry, especially after makeup.

“For under eyes, prep with Patyka’s Biokaliftin Radiant Eye Contour which add hydrations so your concealer won’t crease.”

To keep the rest of the body glowing in cold Sundance weather, I gently massaged Patyka’s Precious Wood Body Oil. Which will add hydration and leave skin glowing.

One of the things I love most is when my two worlds, or businesses, Beauty & Fashion Publishing and Real Estate collide in a a beauty event locally here in gorgeous Scottsdale, Arizona. On Thursday, January 12th, 2012, I was at an event held at the stunning W Hotel on Camelback Rd meeting the founders of rising French skincare brand Caudalie. Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas founded the brand based on a bi product of her parents Bordeaux vineyard, the humble grape seed.

Marta Walsh Meets The Founders of Caudalie Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas In Scottsdale

Packed with polyphenols and anti-oxidants grape seeds can help the skin with anti-aging. Caudalie in addition to having the skincare products has some o the worlds finest spa’s. With a spa in the Plaza hotel in NYC. I told the owners they should definitely bring one to Scottsdale, which is a spa town without rival. Read Full Story In: www.martawalsh.com

Marta Walsh Paradise Valley & Scottsdale REALTOR

Loving the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free skincare collection which includes a cleanser, toner, and lotion. It so moisturizing in fact that “I can’t believe it’s oil-free”. They are also fragrance-free. The cleanser is a cream but feels fresh on the skin not oily of course. It is formulated with a sugar-derived glycoside foaming agent to thoroughly cleanse skin and remove make-up, without stripping skin of its natural oils.

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free

The toner is heaven and super invigorating after shower. The lotion is fast absorbing, light, yet hydrating. It’s a star. Any true New Yorker knows Kiehl’s is so popular. I remember back in the days when I used to live in New York City getting in a long line just to enter the Kiehl’s store.

And if you can’t live without oil based skincare look out for the regular version simply called: Ultra Facial…

“In response to customer feedback, Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care is introducing two new Ultra Facial Kits. Inspired by Kiehl’s classic Ultra Facial Moisturizer, a favorite since the early 1970s that provides superior moisture, these kits consist of two hydrating formulations—one regular Ultra Facial; the other Ultra Facial Oil-Free–enriched with restoring Squalane to deliver restored and healthier skin – ideal for the harsh winter weather.”-via Kiehl’s

Kiehl’s was founded as an old-world apothecary in New York’s East Village neighborhood. Its unique and extensive background represents a blend of cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal, and medicinal knowledge developed and passed on through the generations. In addition to Kiehl’s freestanding stores nationwide, Kiehl’s products are available at

www.Kiehls.com, by mail order at 1-800-KIEHLS-1 as well as through select specialty retailers.

Hello loves:) The fabulous Caudalie team is going to be out in Scottsdale AZ, Marta Walsh’s hometown yours truly, next week on Thursday January 12th, 2012, 12:00 PM-1:30 PM, at the W Hotel Scottsdale located at 7277 at E Camelback RD, and you are invited!  To RSVP email mmartinet@caudalie-usa.com.

GIVEAWAY

Caudalie Founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas will also be hosting an exclusive wine & beauty event, featuring a tasting of wines from the Caudalie vineyard in Bordeaux and French Beauty Secrets from Mathilde. GIVEAWAY: To celebrate this event in Scottsdale I’m giving away to 1 lucky winner two of Caudlie’s most-popular products: Caudalie Beauty Elixir 100 ml bottle and Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Fluid with SPF 15 both suitable for all skin types. WATCH my vlog here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

How to enter to win Caudalie giveaway

Simply watch my video and comment below what was my Caudalie giveaway code is..and why you are excited to try these products. GOOD LUCK!

Mathilde Thomas Founder of Caudalie Interviews With Marta Walsh

Read HERE…

Naya Rivera, star of the hit TV show “Glee,” has signed on to share her unique experience as a Proactiv user with America.

Naya Rivera Proactiv Celeb Ambassador

“I am excited to be a part of a show that encourages teens and young adults to embrace their differences and be proud of who they are as an individual, which is exactly why I am honored to represent Proactiv. Working with Proactiv will allow me to take that self confidence message a step further by helping individuals tackle their acne and literally put their best face forward.”-Naya Rivera

A Proactiv consumer in high school, Naya loved the way it made her skin glow – and she has once again turned to Proactiv products to effectively clear her skin of recent blemishes and breakouts while on set, on tour and at home.

Naya will appear in several new Proactiv TV spots, debuting in spring 2012. She joins a star-studded lineup of current Proactiv celebrity customers-turned-spokespeople, including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne and Julianne Hough.

Naya’s Proactiv Favorites – 3-Step System, Makeup Cleansing Wipes, Green Tea Moisturizer, Oil Blotter Sheets.

Available at www.proactiv.com