As a beauty blogger it’s not uncommon for my skin to get whacked out. After a few weeks of sampling skin care product after skin care product my face thinks Sunday is Thursday, swears John Lennon is still alive, and would likely punch me in the gut if that were physically possible.

When this happens, I have learned to be very patient and slowly nurse my skin back to balance before starting the vicious process of sampling products all over again.

The other day I tested a clay-based cleanser and my skin immediately freaked out. Within minutes my face was stinging and visibly red and irritated. I desperately searched my beauty closet for a soothing remedy and found a sample of Amarté Natural Wonder Cream I had received as part of my BeautyFix kit several months ago.

This cream lists pine extract, argan oil and elemental sulfur as some of the main ingredients and promises to help treat acne, eczema, fine lines & wrinkles.

All I know is that Amarté Natural Wonder Cream is rich & creamy, fragrance-free, and began to soothe my angry skin within minutes of application. Within 24 hours my skin was happy and sane with no redness or irritation.

I guess they call it Wonder Cream for a reason!

Amarté Natural Wonder Cream is available online at DermStore for $90.

How cool are these fabulous spherical containers? I love the futuristic look but I’m not feeling as optimistic about the futuristic price tag.

Inside these ultramodern containers is Lancôme Secret de Vie creams which claim to “stimulate rebirth with Extrait de Vie, richly infused with six powerful ingredients.” I’m curious to see how these compete against other offerings in their price category – in my mind, they’ve already swept the competition in terms of eye-catching packaging!

Each set contains 1.7 ounces each of Secret de Vie Cream and Secret de Vie Night for $345 from Nordstrom.

CHANEL is introducing a new range of skincare products come September: CHANEL Ultra Correction Lift.

“A lifted and toned appearance requires more than a boost of collagen and elastin. It also requires TENSIN, a critical protein, naturally abundant in young skin, that anchors and connects cells to the skin’s dermal network. CHANEL scientists discovered that the key to helping restore tensin to its youthful level is Elemi PFA, an exclusive, powerful ingredient targeted to stimulate the production of this age-defying protein.

With Elemi PFA at the heart of the collection, new ULTRA CORRECTION LIFT naturally firms and lifts skin from within. Collagen and elastin synthesis is intensified, supporting and fortifying skin’s newly reconnected network. Suitable for all skin types, new ULTRA CORRECTION LIFT measurably enhances skin’s appearance as facial contours are redefined and skin achieves a visibly toned and revitalized look. The uncompromising quality of CHANEL turns research into results.”

I have to admit, CHANEL skin care has been a part of my lifestyle since I fell in love with Sublimage back in 2007. As my husband will reluctantly attest, I am not afraid to spend my hard-earned money on skin care products that produce results and CHANEL rarely disappoints me. This might explain why he raised one eyebrow and released a slow and deliberate sigh last month when I excitedly rambled on about this new skin care line from Chanel. (One of the downsides of working from home is that I tend to “talk shop” with whomever happens to be within ear distance. Usually, it’s my dog Jack.)

This new range sounds especially interesting as Elemi PFA is an ingredient extracted from the Manila elemi tree that is indiginous to the Philippine island, Luzon. (My grandfather was from Luzon! Specifically, Ilocos Norte. See? I NEED this. My Grandpa Requilman would have wanted me to have this. Ha!) Chanel used their polyfractioning technique to extract the most active molecules from the elemi tree to create elemi PFA, a powerful ingredient they claim will improve skin firmness.

Ultra Correction Lift comes in a Sculpting Firming Concentrate ($165), Lifting Firming Day Fluid SPF 15 ($150), Lifting Firming Day Cream SPF 15 ($150) and Lifting Firming Night Cream ($165).

CHANEL Ultra Correction Lift is available beginning September 2009 at Chanel counters nationwide and online at Chanel.com.

Several months ago, I received a sample of the new Olay ProX and gave it a try. After only 3 days of use, I could tell that the ingredients were too harsh for my somewhat-sensitive skin. My face was red and flaky and not happy at all.

However, I’ve heard rave reviews about Olay ProX  and just because it’s not right for me doesn’t mean it won’t work wonders on someone else. I passed my sample along to my friend Cindi, a 53-year-old beauty addict that was totally game for giving ProX a spin, and here’s what she says:

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Least Chronically Challenged of Them All? Your mirror will be saying “you, my dear” after using the new Olay ProX  Anti-Aging Starter  Protocol. It is supposed to help with fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, all the things that plague us, ahem,  “mature” women.  The starter kit contains three products—Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, a daytime moisturizer, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream for nighttime use and Eye Restoration Complex for use twice a day. Let me say, it does a pretty fine job.

The Olay ProX Professional line was created by Proctor and Gamble beauty scientists and a group of renowned dermatologists. Olay makes some pretty hefty claims on this new line; “younger looking, younger acting skin in 28 days or your money back.”  The Olay ProX Anti-Aging  Starter Protocol Kit is not cheap for drugstore skincare, around $60-68, but that is a big savings over buying the products individually and is a great way to try out the products. To help ease the pain, you can go online and download a $10 off coupon for the starter kit.

The Age Repair Lotion SPF 30 has a nice lightweight texture, absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy or sticky feeling. I also appreciate the SPF 30 so I can skip the sunscreen layer underneath. I was surprised and delighted that with an SPF of 30, there was no ghostly white cast or “sunscreen sheen”, and  no smell. It is packaged in a pump which is not only more sanitary but also allows you to use much less product. I use 2 half pumps for my face and a full pump for my neck—don’t forget your neck ladies, it’s one of the first places to show age.  I had lunch on the sunny deck of a restaurant while wearing Age Repair Lotion under my foundation and no pink nose!

I am very impressed with the Eye Restoration Complex.  I have tried every eye cream on the planet (well almost) and this has just the right amount of hydration and it too absorbs quickly. Too many eye creams are too rich for daytime use and you end up with black dots from your mascara or those pesky little white milia bumps under your eyes. This cream gives you moisture that lasts all day without being goopy. I don’t have dark circles so I can‘t speak to any improvement in that area, but I do have some puffiness and I did notice a bit of improvement there. The big news is after just two weeks of use twice a day (morning and night) I think my crows feet may be a bit softer. Can I get a Hell Yeah!!

Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is a bit thicker than the Age Repair Lotion and is designed for nighttime use. It is also a bit greasier but still absorbs well. The oiler parts of my face—forehead, nose, chin were a bit slick in the morning after using this cream but that is not abnormal for me. It is packaged in a jar as opposed to the Age Repair Lotion in a pump, perhaps because it is thicker? I have pretty decent skin with no deep lines so I didn’t notice any particular improvement.

Overall I am really pleased with the Olay ProX Starter Kit. I believe my crow’s feet are softer, my skin is smoother and looks refreshed and refined. Perhaps my significant other put it best “you look nice today, like you have a semi-pregnant glow”. Okay, well aside from the pregnancy part (uh, how can you be semi-pregnant?) the key word is GLOW! This from the same man that still hasn’t noticed my new haircut after two weeks. This stuff has got to be good to garner a comment from Mr. Oblivious!!

Bottom Line: Recommended

Additional products available in the line are ProX Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Discoloration Fighting Concentrate, and Hydra Firming Cream.

Olay ProX products are available at drugstores nationwide and online at OlayProfessional.com.

Thanks, Cindy!