Ms Lynn Beauty: November 2009

Although, I have loved regular pharmacy brand products like L'Oréal, Nivea and Revlon. A time came when I felt the need to venture outside the regular $5.99 jar of moisturizer. Growing up in suburban Canada I cannot say that we lacked product variety. I didn't grow up with Sally Beauty emporiums or these mega huge beauty supply stores where you can find anything from hair extensions to rubbing alcohol. I believe as a French Canadian, I received a far better education in beauty. My local pharmacy was stacked with high end brands like Lancôme and Estée Lauder and a "panoplie" of French super brands like Biotherm, Avène and Renée Garraud.

Initially, my 12 year old self could not affored to purchase a $30 plus tube of cream. I started saving my allowance and any monetary gifts to buy whatever I wanted. I insisted on getting samples and made them last.

By junior high I was saving my lunch money and packing my lunch everyday. Definitely not the cool thing to do. But when you're a crimson lipped 14 year old, such details cannot tarnish ones popularity.

By senior year of high school, I was working for $9.50 per hour and spending nearly every dollar on my beauty obsession. I had a fixation on Clinique lipgloss in Air Kiss, Lancôme mascaras and the just launched Juicy Tubes.

After my initiation there was no turning back. This also reinforced my love for some mass market brands (remember they are often produced by the same company).

What's not to love with a high end brand: the advertising campaigns are absolutely gorge, the scents, the texture and the packaging. I'm a sucker for great packaging. My products are always on display.

If you're still using generic products then it's time that you upgrade.

Upgrade with anything from Yves Saint-Laurent but you can start with:

1. YSL Touche Eclat

2. YSL Mascara Effet Faux Cils

3. YSL Nail Polish

The gold packaging always makes a statement.

4. Crème De La Mer body Cream

Most people would shell ot for the face cream (which you should) but I decided that my face can have the leftovers of my body. The best $200 I've ever spent.

5. Lancôme Mascaras
That's right, they're all great!

6. Guerlain anything.

I mean, the ads speak for themselves.

7. Chanel, Chanel, Chanel !

Summer has officially left us and now that we have settled into fall it's time to clear out your beauty closet.The drop in moisture and temperature can leave your skin drier than the Sahaara dessert. To prevent your skin from feeling like an emery board, throw away that almost empty tube of lightweight moisturizer that kept your skin semi-matte on the beaches of East Hampton. Along with your moisturizer, get rid of all extra oil absorbing products: extra foaming cleansers, foaming scrubs. Stop treating your skin like you would your dishes. All that foaming action is not the best thing for your skin in this climate. Unless you have oily or acne prone skin, you are allowed to keep a product that will control excessive oil production.

You want products that will keep your skin moist and supple through the increasingly dry and cold weather. Also, indoor heat is a major factor in dehydrated skin.

Find a cleanser that thoroughly cleanses without stripping your skin. The more you strip, the more oil skin produces to compensate. Products containing salicilyc acid will help rid the skin of dead skin cells and any bacteria trapped in pores. Next, exfoliate with a scrub to really stimulate and prepare your skin for any treatment that will follow. Do not overscrub and don't apply any pressure. You should be using the tips of your fingers and let the exfoliating beads to their job. I see women do this all the time, just rubbing and rubbing... Ouch! Just don't.

It's very useful to have a mask or two on hand to use once a week. Depending on your skin type, one should be hydrating, purifying or clarifying. This should be performed after the exfoliating step. The last step is very important. Actually, the first and the last steps are crucial. The first sets the tone (literally) to your routine. Before anything else happens, skin has to be squeaky clean. The last, is where anti-aging, anti-oxidizing, anti-glycating can happen. This is when your skin receives all the necessary nourishment and protection it craves and needs. Look for a moisturizer that contains anti-oxidants like vitamins A, C and E. If you can find a moisturizer that contains all three then you're in good shape. Other ingredients to look for are natural oils and humectants like shea butter, olive oil, sunflower oil, honey extract, stearic acid and glycolic acid. Obviously, what you choose will depend on your skin type and it's needs.

Here are a few options for each skin type.

Oily/Acneic skin