Put your best face forward with these luxury beauty products and treatments. (Photo by Tony Solis. See footnote for credits.)
Editor’s note: Contributing style editor and renowned Dallas fashion blogger Bradley Agather Means makes room for six powerhouse skincare picks.
1. Do-it-all serum
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum is proof that good things come in tiny (and not-so-inexpensive) bottles. The 22 active ingredients are all recognizable — a refreshing and rare quality, considering most skincare products read like a chemistry experiment. The non-comedogenic serum does it all: inhibits discoloration, evens out complexion, and diminishes wrinkles. It’s liquid gold for the skin.
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum $185, at Joanna Czech, 2410 Victory Park Lane, Dallas, 214.812.9488; Kuhl-Linscomb, 2424 W. Alabama St., Houston, 713.526.6000
2. Makeup eraser
As someone who’s always equated soapy suds with a cleanser’s worth, I was reluctant to switch to an oil-based product. It seemed counter intuitive. Would it really remove all my makeup?
In fact, yes. Two pumps of Tatcha’s Camellia Cleansing Oil, followed by a warm rinse, is all it takes to erase all traces of the day’s makeup. It even works on stubborn waterproof mascara. Added bonus: It’s paraben-free and organic.
Tatcha Camellia Cleansing Oil $48, at TTH Forty Five Ten, 60 Highland Park Village, Dallas, 214.252.0510; Sephora, The Galleria, 5015 Westheimer Road, Houston, 713.961.3580.
3. Goop is good
I’ve read that Gwyneth Paltrow uses this mask every day so this little nugget of wisdom from the fountain of youth herself was all I needed to give Goop’s Exfoliating Instant Facial a go.
The result? This three-minute mask left my skin smoother, brighter, and with a subtle (but noticeable!) lit-from-within glow. It’s hard to believe anything could make my skin look so good so quickly. Add this one to your pre-party skincare routine.
Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial $125, at Forty Five Ten on Main, 1615 Main St., Dallas, 214.559.4510; Forty Five Ten River Oaks, River Oaks District, 4444 Westheimer Road, 281.560.4510.
4. 90-minute miracle
Just a few minutes into my first facial at Joanna Czech’s Victory Park office, I was already rearranging my calendar to schedule another. Using skin-plumping LED and ultrasound therapy, this treatment is one of the most productive 90 minutes in your day. Each facial is customized to the individual and delivers immediate results: smaller pores and a dewy complexion. Book one during your lunch hour.
From $225, at Joanna Czech, 2410 Victory Park Lane, 214.812.9488.
5. Game changer
Don’t let the name fool you: Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 is not a lotion. It’s an exfoliating toner that, thanks to a combination of lactic and salicylic acid, gives you the best skin of your life. Applying a toner post-cleanse is an extra step, yes, but if you’re using the P50, it’s a necessary one.
Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 $98, at The Spa at The Joule, 1530 Main St., 214.748.1300; L’atelier de Beaute, 1950 Hughes Landing, The Woodlands, 281.771.5569.
6. Best-kept secret
With a key birthday just two months away, anti-aging is starting to have a whole new ring. I’m relying on Dallas dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Cather to guide me down the right path. Along with standard dermatology services, her Park Lane practice offers a host of cosmetic treatments such as photofacials, chemical peels, and, of course, Botox.
Appointments are hard to come by — perhaps even more so now that I’ve let this little cat out of the bag. My advice: Take a number. It’s worth it.
Modern Dermatology, 9101 N. Central Expressway, Suite 160, 214.265.1818.
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