I’ve always been awfully proud of my little sister. Yes, because she took over and rocked as Editor in Chief of the fashion magazine I launched back in college. Yes, because she’s an incredibly skilled fashion designer and I prefer wearing the clothes she makes to most others. And yes, because at around the age of 5 she learned how to artfully kick open my fervently locked bedroom door with not the least bit of shame.

But today, I am especially swollen with pride because she did a seriously awesome SPA blog post this afternoon, regaling a full at-home facial masquerade at FashionIndie.com, where she’s newly a resident blogger. She and co-blogger Lester test-drove the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, which “brought glowing life back into our faces” on this ” bone dry moisture sucking frigid cold day”. (I’m also proud of what a good writer she is. Okay, I’ll stop.)

CLICK HERE for the storybook blog post, and meet my beautiful, now-glowing, not-so-little-anymore sister Jessica Lapidos!

So, Halloween is back again and in a few days you’ll either be sporting a leathery face mask or painting one on in hopes of frightening your neighbors. While deciding if you want to go as Dracula or Freddy Krueger, the idea of donning a face mask riles up the memories of Spa Week all over again.  At-home face masks can serve as a mini pick me up, brightening, deep cleansing, and smoothing the skin. A good face mask can free your skin of dirt and toxins which cause acne flare ups and breakouts. While you can still get your facial fix at a few spas that have extended their Spa Week services, in the interim there are a few great at-home products we’d love for you to try.

Get ready to masque your avatars too for our Twitter #SpaWeekGossip Masquerade Ball on Wednesday!

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask, $34- This mask is fun because it smooths on jet black so it could actually double as a Halloween mask. The unique peel off formula delivers powerful brighterning and detoxifying results. It also has deep cleansing agents to shrink pores and firm skin.

Korres Wild Rose Mask, $29 – If you’re an organic product buff then you should give this product a try. The Vitamin C mask contains no parabens, sulfates, synethetic dyes or petro chemicals plus the hypnotizing rose scent is enought to make you fall in love, minus the werewolf imprints.

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme, $40 – This anti-aging ultra firming mask helps skin fights back with its firming and lifting technology. Using this product can bring your skin more contour, radiance, and a youthful glow.

Origins Clear Improvement, $21 – Use this mask once a week to dissolve impurities and allow your skin to breathe a sigh of relief. The mask’s waste filtering system clears the dirt and debris under the skin.

The Face Shop Vita-K Mask Sheet – This purifying mask is perfect for all skin types. The deep penetrating Vitamin K formula helps to reduce dark circles under the eyes. Also, the product contains detoxifying seaweed extracts and we’re sure you know all about the benefits of seaweed. We discovered The Face Shop Sheet Masks in our October Birchbox – you apply toner and then put the face mask on for 15 minutes. It leaves skin supple and dewy fresh.

Photo credit

The holidays are a time to be joyful and celebrate. They are also a time when we find ourselves overindulging in food and beverages while burning the candle at both ends hopping from party to party in the midst of rushing to finish deadline after deadline prior to holiday travel. Sleep becomes a luxury while looking fresh faced is a necessity.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting prestigious skin care and lifestyle expert Lydia Sarfati, founder of  Repêchage Skin Care. She’s truly a gem in the industry and a wonderful source of skinspiration for me– and for millions. Here, I share with you Lydia’s tips on how to successfully manage the holiday hustle while looking exceptionally fresh, along with the best Repêchage products to do the trick every step of the way.

1. If you need to get your day off to a detoxifying start after a big night out, jog or walk at least 30 minutes – The movement will give you energy and it will set your body in motion for detoxification. A little sweat is just what your body needs if you had a late night or over indulged on the holiday punch. When you are done, do some light stretching and drink at least 24 ounces of water.

2. Take a warm bath at 105 degrees for 30 minutes – The water should not be too hot. In fact as the water gets cooler the longer you soak this will allow for some lymphatic drainage, which will remove any superficial bloating. Lydia recommends adding a Repêchage Vita Cura Seaweed bath sachet to the water which will add to the relaxation, skin softening and detoxification

Repêchage Honey and Almond Scrub

a. While in the tub apply a relaxing facial mask or an exfoliating treatment. Lydia recommends applying Honey and Almond scrub to the face and letting it sit for 10 minutes before gently massaging the face in circular motions and rinsing off with water. If you have less time use the Hydra Refine One Minute Clarifying Mask which works wonders and tightens pores.
b. If you don’t have a fresh cucumber handy to slice for use on the eyes, Lydia recommends applying cold Eye Rescue Pads to the eyes while the mask sets. These will allow you to regain the look of having achieved a well rested 8 hour sleep (even if you didn’t get it).
c. Relax and breathe deeply. Really enjoy your “me” time.

4. To really feel better, Lydia’s secret is to mix one Seaweed and Magnesium supplement into chilled water or fruit juice. The Seaweed and Magnesium will give you energy and enhance clarity. This is a must!

5. After the bath make sure to really take care of your skin on face and body. Use products that will instantly hydrate your skin or provide a lifting effect, especially around the eye area. Lydia loves products that provide an instant lift like Repechage’s Vita Cura Opti-Lift Serum. This can be applied around the eye area 2 times per day and can even be patted on over make-up.

Repêchage Algo Mist

6. The Vita Cura Triple Firming Cream is great to use all over your face for moisture, tightening and an instant lifting effect. It provides a glow that will carry you through the day.

7. If your holiday looks include short skirts or backless dresses Lydia suggests that you amply hydrate your whole body. For great moisture that will treat your skin, Lydia uses Seaweed Crème Active Body Cream in the morning, every morning.

8. When you are on the go, don’t forget to freshen up between parties. Carry Repêchage Algo Mist in your bag to mist on your face for an instant dewy appearance between parties.

Lydia assures that if you do the above 8 steps, you will be successful in having it all!

Ms. Lydia Sarfati, President and Founder of Repêchage, an internationally recognized skin care expert quoted in Vogue, In Style, Glamour, and New York Times as well as featured on CNN, CBS, and FOX. Ms. Sarfati is the creator of the world-renowned Four Layer Facial® and has over thirty years of experience as an esthetician, spa owner, manufacturer, consultant and is author of Success at Your Fingertips: How to Succeed in the Skin Care Business. She has contributed to the elevation of the esthetics field in the US and abroad and has recently been appointed honorary chair of EstheticsAmerica, CIDESCO USA.

bath photo courtesy of getty images