AFTERNOON WITH NEUTROGENA & NICOLE KIDMAN

It makes perfect sense that Nicole Kidman and Neutrogena have teamed up for their new Rapid Wrinkle Repair Creams. Nicole is the Global Brand Ambassador for Neutrogena and why wouldn't you want Oscar winner, Emmy winner and an all-around fabulous female on your team.

Neutrogena puts on amazing events and their brand Ambassadors are always empowered and caring women. Nicole was beyond lovely, gracious and funny. It was truly a treat and always fun to have a little girl-talk about skincare.  Nicole just turned 50 and we spoke about how freeing it is to understand that aging's a gift.  We also spoke about how you begin to appreciate your time on a whole other level.

See Q & A with Nicole below                                         

Rapid Wrinkle Repair - Neutrogena has developed a super-emollient cream that offers an option for dehydrated skin with the power of retinol. Dermatologist agrees that retinol stimulates the skin cells underneath the epidermis - not only on the top layer. Retinol is highly regarded as one of the best substances in fighting the signs of aging. It gives the healthy skin cells underneath the chance to become the epidermis, that's where dead skin cells are collecting. This is what gives aging skin that dull and tired look. 

SHOP THE POST-

RAPID WRINKLE REPAIR MOISTURIZER DAY with sunscreen SPF 30 - Retinol SA helps with diminishing the look of age spots. the Hyaluronic Acid helps with plumping moisture to your skin for hydration.

RAPID WRINKLE REPAIR NIGHT MOISTURIZER - Retinol SA - Glucose Complex - Hyaluronic Acid - 

WRAPID WRINKLE REPAIR EYE CREAM - Targeting those fine lines & crows feet. I find that dark circles are definitely reduced after one week of using the eye cream.

NEUTROGENA RAPID WRINKLE REPAIR REGENERATING CREAM - Apply twice daily, morning and night to face & neck. Joined together are hydrators with retinol so it's gentle enough for daily use.  Retinol / Hyaluronic Acid / Glucose Complex

Nicole had been a fan of Neutrogena before joining the iconic brand. Her skin is fair and she said she regularly applied their sunscreen. During our interview, Nicole shared with Melissa Meyers and me that sunscreen is a must and she's consistent with making sure the whole family is protected from the rays with 100+ coverage.

Neutrogena sunscreen is SPF 100+ and water resistant up to 80 minutes and the #1 Dermatologist Recommended Suncare. Don't leave out your neck and your hands. I like to keep a tube in the car, living in sunny L.A. and spending much of my time in traffic I have more sun damage on the left side of my face, neck than the right side. Now I apply before I hit the road.

Try their Hydro Boost lip treatment with Hyaluronic Acid. Beautiful shades along with the perfect nude lip

Meet Dhaval G. Bhanusali, MDFAAD - If you live in Miami or NYC, lucky you! Melissa & I did our best to convince him to extend his practice here in L.A.

Beautiful setting by One Nine Design at Eric Buteraugh Gallery.

Thank you to Neutrogena for a special afternoon with Nicole Kidman and introducing us to Rapid Wrinkle Repair. 

If your skin is sensitive to retinol you might want to try Neutrogena's HYDRO-BOOST 

Cleansing Gel - This lightweight gel cleanser transforms into a silky lather that removes makeup and impurities. With hyaluronic acid - soap free, oil free, paraben free.

HYDRO-BOOST hydrating serum - Instantly absorbs to deliver hydration.

HYDRO-BOOST water gel - Hydrating oil-free moisturizer so you can wear alone or under makeup. 

Neutrogena has focused on women's beauty for many years...since the 30's to be exact. There is a reason it's still a favorite of women from across the globe.  We may not all walk the red carpet, but we sure want to feel like we do. Thank you to Neutrogena for an exciting afternoon with gracious Nicole Kidman and introducing us to Rapid Wrinkle Repair. 

*If your skin is sensitive to retinol you will want to check with your doctor to see what works best for your skin type.

Here's to aging gracefully! 

Q & A with Nicole

Q - How have your own personal views about aging changed?

A - When I was a teenager I never thought about it, not even in my thirties, it then becomes more about time. I want to look good, but it's about time. There are so many things I still want to do. It's more about time and being healthy

Q - Do you feel 50? or do you feel like age is just a number?  What age do you feel inside?

A - No, you never feel 50, I know that I have children who are 9 & 6 and I want to be able to be there for them. I have a mother in Australia and I want to be there for her. At this particular age, you have children and you've got parents and you have to take care of everyone including yourself. 

Q - Do you use the sunscreen?

A - Yes! I use the 100+ and I use it on my kids too, It doesn't sting their eyes, and it doesn't break you out.  When Neutrogena came to me, I said yes. This retinol really works, if I use a straight retina a cream I break out and get really dry. The combination of the retinol and the moisturizer, I can use every night and feel like it's really helping my skin.  

Q - What do you do with your skin when you're not working?                                                                                                                      

A - I moisturize and I don't wear a lot of makeup, I love hydration.  I tend to be dry, and I love hydrated lips. I love the peachy lip balm.

Q - What are your favorite Neutrogena products?

A - The Rapid Wrinkle Regenerating Cream & the Ultra Sheer Sunscreen. When Neutrogena came to me, I said Yes!. This retinol really works. If I use a straight retina A cream I break out and get really dry. The combination of the retinol and the moisturizer, I can use every night and feel like it's really helping my skin.  

Is she that tall?  Yes!  Is she that beautiful?  Yes!  and she's that Gracious! 

INSTYTUTUM - MY FAVORITE HIGH PERFORMANCE SKINCARE LINE

We all want our skin to look and feel healthy and by now we know how important it is to be consistent with our skin care routine and when we find one that delivers a noticeable difference...that can be exciting, so exciting that you want to share that information with women everywhere. No, It's not about erasing our lines... we've earned those! But, let's face it, it feels great when our skin is radiant.

Lifestyle & beauty blogger Melissa Meyers has been introduced to so many skin care lines over the years and is always attending beauty events along with discovering the latest treatments. I value Melissa’s opinion so I wanted to share her personal blog post about Instytutum with my readers. After using Instytutum consistently for one month Melissa and I both became proud Brand Ambassadors, and honestly, we are loving our results! 

MY FAVORITE HIGH-PERFORMANCE SKINCARE LINE

It can be a challenge to find the BEST skin care product launches with so many options out there! Part of my job as a lifestyle blogger is to road test new products and then recommend the ones with proven results to my glow girl friends. The past month you may have noticed on my Instagram that I have been posting quite a bit about Instytutum, a new high-performance skin care brand from Switzerland dedicated to creating flawless skin. I am proud to be a brand ambassador for them, a relationship that was sparked by my love for the products. Read on for more details on Instytutum, how to get some complimentary samples and a 20% discount on all products.

I first discovered Instytutum at a desk-side product launch meeting that I attended with my blogging partner Janet Gunn of The Grateful Gardenia who is now also a brand ambassador. After listening to a presentation on how this skin care line was different with impressive scientific results, we were given some samples to take home and try. After using them for a few weeks, I saw so many improvements in my skin that I personally reached out to the company to see if we could work together. Instytutum products are formulated with powerful cosmeceutical ingredients like Retinol, Peptides, Patented Stem Cells, Vitamin C, Glycolic Acid and more to improve overall skin texture and to firm the skin. After using the products, I noticed a significant reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, pore size and spots. Plus, they are extremely hydrating and plumping! 

Go to Instytutum.com and use promotion code FLAWLESSGG for a 20% discount on all products. As a special gift to my Glow Girl community, Instytutum will also send you a complimentary sample size kit including the Cleansing Milk, Triple Effect Peel, and Lifting Cream. 

The body cream is the best ever!

Three of my favorite product include the serum, the lifting cream, and the eye cream. 

Since I have been using Instytutum, my skin is more refined and noticeably smoother, firmer, and even toned. All products are formulated without parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and synthetic dyes. Yay! I feel extremely confident that you will see fast results and fall in love with this Swiss skin care line too!

For more information on Instytutum and to order products, visit their site here. Remember to use the promotion code FLAWLESSGG at check out for a 20% discount. 

xxMelissa

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Instytutum. The opinions and text are all mine.

If you want to stay updated in beauty, fashion and overall lifestyle living, check out her website and sign up for Melissa's newsletter right here.

Email Melissa or myself if you have any questions.  Keep Glowing & Be Grateful.

You're one step closer to Flawless Skin. 

KÁT RUDU

Meet Beautiful Celebrity Skin Care Expert - Kát Rudu.  Every day we are introduced to more information about organic skin care lines and the flower power of plants. Kát Rudu's line is pure-biotic, vegan, and cruelty-free. I've been using Kát's products for three months and my skin feels fresh, radiant, and what's not to love about the aroma of the botanical world? Here's a look into Káts love and passion behind her brand and how she creates alongside nature.

I first Met Kát at an event I attended in October. Of course the minute you meet Kát you say....Uhhhhh I'd like my skin to look just like that! I was thrilled to walk away with her incredible products and yes... I do see a difference. Kát's products not only smell delicious but feel amazing on and I've not had one breakout. Kát is passionate about women feeling their best and when you're in her presence the excitment is contagious!  Let's take a look at the passion behind her products and what they deliver.  

From left to right -

1-Hydra-Cell Bright Moisturizer; A natural brightening and oxygenating formula that fades sunspots lightens hyperpigmentation and restores brilliance with Kojic Acid and Licorice Root. Vegan Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Plant Stem Cells deliver protein to the skin at the cellular level. 2- Liquid Lift Silk Amino Acid Serum; A potent concentrated supplement, the Silk Protein Amino Acid blend improves suppleness, radiance and overall condition resulting in skin that is instantly lifted, plumped and tightened 3- CoCo Honey Papaya Enzymes Cleanser; Blended from regenerative Wild Geranium, pure Aloe Vera and antibacterial Honey, this silky gel purifies, tones and deeply hydrates the skin to reveal a super clean complexion that is not stripped or irritated. 4- Hydra-Cell Vitamin C Serum; A high concentration of botanical Vitamin C and vegan Hyaluronic Acid brightens hyperpigmentation, while it feeds and plumps the skin. 5- Cooling Cucumber Eye Bright Gel; This cooling revitalizing treatment delivers Silk Protein Amino Acids to the delicate eye area, with vegan protein to make it elastic and impervious to fine lines. 

Dewy Botanical Flower Mist - Jewel Oil Serum - Jet Secret Cream (Jet Cream available on website)

This Valentine's Day, we can look forward to two new products from Kát. Her Botanical Flower Mist  (love) and her Jewel Oil Serum.(truly a jewel). The Jet Secret Cream is Fantastic!!  My skin is on the dry side and the Jet Secret Cream leaves you looking refreshed and moisturized. I was lucky enough to try the Botanical Mist and the Jewel Oil Serum before Valentine's Day! The Jewel Oil Serum is made with Tamanu Oil, a remarkable healing agent used in South Asia, Avocado Oil and botanical retinol, Jewel Oil Serum gives a natural, brightening luminous glow.  You can use both day and night, and a few drops go a long way.

You can also find K by Kát Rudu - her sister line for under $30.00 - products at Erewhon Natural Markets - Amazon - Knockout.Beauty  - Is located in New Yor & the Hamptons Ron Robinson - Fred Segal Boutiques. Kát has worked at Vera's in Bel Air, Ole Henriksen & for Dr. Lancer before opening her own studio in Venice, California

  Treatments: JET SET FACIAL - RED LIGHT PHOTO REJUVENATION - BLUE LIGHT TREATMENT CLEAR SKIN TREATMENT - REJUVENATION PEELS - PORE RENOVATION - DERMAROLLER TREATMENT WITH HYALURONIC ACID AND VITAMIN C

If you want to "Light up the room" when you walk in...Book an appointment with Kát. info@katrudu.com. Thank you so much Kát for your gift of beauty! My skin is happy, glowing and grateful. 

Here's a peek into Kát's world for my Fearless Female Segment with Focus TV. You can hear about the power of silk amino acids, and other ingredients on our video. Plants are the most amazing chemists and engineers, It’s really exciting to understand how powerful plants are and from the beginning of time, women have uncovered beauty secrets from around the world with their discoveries from nature.

                  When you grow up doing what you love, what you love grows you....me

                       "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

My father and mother owned a beauty salon in Bucharest, Romania. My mom was a hairstylist and also a skin specialist. My father was a barber. They worked together, side by side, for many years. As a little girl, I would sometimes go to the salon with them. At six years old I was already talking to clients as I watched my parents perform their art. Remember, in Europe, to become a cosmetologist is like becoming a nurse here. The years of schooling to become a skin expert or a hair stylist in Europe is equivalent to going to a four or five-year college.

The beauty of my mother and her salon is she always had handpicked flowers. She loved sunflowers! They were so fresh from the country fields I would try to sneak and eat some of the seeds. My mom would also have parsley and herbs around that she would preserve in jars filled with water. What I remember most about them working is; clients loved them. It was more like a family than a client relationship, and that is what I strive to bring to my work. So many of clients have become my dearest friends, as one became my made of honor. My mom always said, "Treat every face like it’s your last face." My husband told me one face at a time you will succeed. My right hand Stacey told me to always act with grace. I believe with this combination I can’t lose. 

 I came to the US on my own.  As I became an adult, I considered and even pursued various professions to make my own mark – something different than my background.  I became a SAG actress and a certified Pilates instructor.  But even while I was attempting to make these other dreams come true, my true passion always came back to the skin.

  Kát's motto - Your beauty is my life...

Thank you Kát for your generosity and your friendship...xoxo