Melissa is the Chatecaille Product Specialist at Neiman Marcus – St. Louis but she can help you with anything throughout the entire store. Irvin’s knowledge base about historic and current trends, fads, and crazes ranging from pop culture to high culture is incomparable and beyond my level of comprehension. Anyhow, when shopping for your beauty needs or grooming products, here is a tip from Irvin:
“I highly suggest people go to their dept store cosmetic counter … find someone knowledgeable and describe their own skin. What works for me, doesn’t necessarily work for you, and every environment is different (what I would use in SF is totally different than what I would use in Minneapolis or in Hawaii).
Describe your skin type and describe what you are looking for to the person and then ask for samples. If you show a genuine interest in the product, and you are at a reputable cosmetic counter, chances are they will give you something to try out. Be sure to ask for their business card too, so if you like the product you can go back and purchase from the person that helps you.”
Body Care
Melissa says:
ReVive Sans Veines Body Repair Cream: “Deeply penetrating body moisturizer that helps skin maintain firm and supple appearance and also helps with spider veins.”
ReVive Neck Renewal Cream: “Smoothes out the décolletage area and the nasty creases we get on our neck.”
Irvin says:
“I use a glycerin based soap – usually Purely Natural,” which is inexpensive and good for sensitive skin types.
My dailies:
Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar
Jergens Ultra Healing
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish: This is a new product that Melissa just introduced to me the other week and I look forward to using it once a week. I'm such a believer in this product that even without having tried the Sugar Face Polish I am ready to order some.
Skin Care
Melissa says:
Chantecaille Nano-Gold Eye Cream: “Can’t live without it! Brightens, firms and smoothes fine lines almost immediately!”
Chantecaille Vital Essence: “Can’t live with out this either. Very, very hydrating and allows your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively into your skin.”
Irvin says:
“I also use Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15. I’m a fan of their Lip Balm SPF15 and I washed my face everyday with their Foaming Non-Detergent Washable Cleanser. It’s tough enough to clean out my pores but gentle enough that I can use it everyday, especially since I’ve got combination skin. I also use their Pineapple Papaya Facial Scrub” for exfoliating.
My dailies:
La Mer The Cleansing Gel
La Mer The Tonic
La Mer The Eye Concentrate: Best ever!
Aquaphor Healing Ointment: For lips. Best ever!
La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion: Spring/summer.
La Mer Crème de la Mer: Fall/winter.
Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask with Rosemary and Honey: Once a week.
Hair Care
Melissa says:
Frédéric Fekkai: “I love the Brilliant Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner. I also use the Salon Technician Color Care Rapid Results Moisture Mask a couple of times a month. My hair feels and looks fabulous!”
Irvin says:
“I actually love using a variety of shampoos, and usually rotate between four to six of them. Which seems extreme, but I use a lot of product in my hair and if you use the same shampoo, your hair can get too use to it. Or so I tell myself. I’m usually way too lazy to use a different conditioner so I try to use a moisturizing shampoo. There is a local shop called Nancy Boy who’s signature shampoo is what I use most often. They also have the best shaving cream, something I am very loyal to.
Other shampoos I’ve used include Bumble and bumble Seaweed Shampoo which is great and I feel strengthens my hair a lot and Aveda Rosemary and Mint Shampoo.
For hairstyling, [my partner] AJ uses a Kiehl’s Leave-In Hair Conditioner when he has short hair, and something stronger when it gets a little longer. Here I just use a cheap product called Surf Hair by Fructis. It’s my little secret …” Not anymore! :-)
My daily:
Bumble and bumble Sumotech
Tools of the Trade
Melissa says:
neuLash: “Helps extend and thicken eye lashes within days! (I have used this and love it!)”
Clarisonic: “Electronic cleansing brush for face and body. Gently cleans pores so effectively that your skincare absorbs better into your skin. Removes 6x more makeup and reduces appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles. (I have not used this yet, but want to buy one. The people that have been using it swear by it!)”
Baby Quasar: “Stimulates the production of collagen diminishing appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. Firms and tones skin. (This is supposed to do what light therapy treatments do at the dermatologist, but A LOT less expensive.)”
Baby Quasar Blue Anti-Acne Light Therapy: “Anti-acne skincare device. Kills acne causing bacteria. It is a light therapy treatment.”
Fragrances
Melissa says:
Chloe: “My favorite right now is Chloe.”
Irvin says:
“… my absolutely favorite fragrance is Odeur 53 by Comme de Garçons. It smells like no other fragrance out there, angular, contemporary and very avant garde (just like their clothes). It’s completely unique and though it’s been on the market for 10 years, I have yet to find another smell that comes close to what they were able to achieve with it. It’s not for everyone, and it’s definitely not a traditional smell, but I love it.”
Irvin adds a tip:
“Just as an FYI, fragrances do break down … If you own a large bottle and don’t go through the scent very fast, I suggest storing the fragrance in the refrigerator. It will help preserve the scent.” Who knew?!
Men’s Grooming
Melissa’s fellow colleague Ryan Britton can sum up his choices in one word: Kiehl’s. Below are his favorites:
Kiehl’s Epidermal Re-Texturizing Micro-Dermabrasion: “Use once a week, good for very oily skin.”
Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Moisturizer with SPF 18
Kiehl’s Razor Bump Relief
Kiehl’s Grapefruit Body Scrub
ReVive Sensitif Oil Free Lotion SPF 15
Irvin says:
“I used Art of Shaving Unscented After-Shave Balm as it is a good balming feel without stickiness or weird smells. It’s expensive, but a little bit goes a long way.”
My daily:
Gilette Shave Gel for Sensitive Skin
On that note, play around, see what works for you. Just remember, it is our responsibility to maintain what our parents (or plastic surgeons) gave us.
Best,
Hadley
* All of Melissa’s and Ryan’s recommended products are available at Neiman Marcus.
* All of Irvin’s recommended products are available at Aveda, Nancy Boy, Neiman Marcus, Target, and Walgreens.
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