Everything You Need to Know About Beauty Oils

I swear when I tell you this – the best thing I've ever done for my skin was slathered oil across my face.  It's been over a year since I discovered Rodin Olio Lusso, a luxurious face oil that I use all the time (see post here) and since, the demand for beauty oils has exploded.  Results drive passion for a product, which drives me to want to tell you about it.  Here's a breakdown on different types of oils and why you need them in your life. Body Oil:

When you get out of the shower, pat yourself dry and use a body oil on your damp skin. Unlike lotions and moisturizers, the oil can penetrate deeper into your skin and really boost hydration.  Of course, you can still apply lotion on top and I recommend you do as it keeps getting colder out.

• Salma Hayek's Jojoba Dual Phase Body Oil, $12.99 at CVS
• Fresh Sugar Body Oil, $45 at Sephora
• Neutrogena Body Oil, $7.99 at drugstore

Face Oil:

Face oils have multiple benefits and each cater to different skincare needs from moisturization to acne and aging.  You will not break out from applying the proper face oil to your skin.  Determine your skin's needs and use a face oil alone or under a moisturizer.  For example, tea tree oil is an antibacterial and helps to prevent acne.  You'll notice skincare benefits as well as that effortless, model-like, dewy sheen.

• The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil (acne), $9.50 at thebodyshop-usa.com
• Rodin Olio Lusso Face Oil (moisturization), $150 at oliolusso.com
• Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil (aging), $50 at clarinsusa.com

Hair Oil:

Not only will it help condition your strands (hello hot tools), but it can also help make them stronger.  There are so many ways to use it depending on the type – ie: massaging your scalp and hair and leaving it on overnight as a real treatment, running it through your strands and leaving it on for 10 minutes before you shampoo or simply as a styling product.

• Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beaute, $66 at leonorgreyl-usa.com
• Matrix Biolage Exquisite Oil Tamanu Oil Blend, $22 at salons
• Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishing Moroccan Argan Oil Leave-In Treatment, $12 at avon.com 

Multitasking Oil:

If you're going to invest in one, this is it.  They're great to use on your skin, hair and nails to say the least.  I bring one along with me when I'm traveling.

• Bio-Oil, 11.99 at drugstores
• Votre Vu Amour D’Ore Les Vitamines Pour Vous, $49 at votrevu.com
• Caudalie Divine Oil, $9 at Caudalie.com

Healing Oil:

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their healing properties and now, research is backing up their claims.  Some provide relief for your body and others for your mind.

• Weleda Arnica Massage Oil (muscles), $22.50, at Whole Foods
• Jurlique Clarity Blend Essential Oil (mind), $23 at jurlique.com
• Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm (mind), $30 at timetospa.com

The Ultimate Face & Hair Oil Cheat Sheet

I'm not sure how you feel about it, but a few years ago I was completely skeptical.  Rubbing oil on your face just sounds like an oxymoron.  Deathly afraid of breaking out I wouldn't do it.  And rubbing oil into my scalp?  Are you kidding?  Sounds like I'm just asking to look like a grease ball.  Well ladies, I guess you can say I learned a thing or two about beauty. Truth is: oils help regulate the sebum production in the skin and on your scalp.  Here's the deal: Hair

• Purpose: Condition, add shine shine & reduce frizz
• Types: Argan & monoi are the most popular types.
• Use: Massage a dime sized amount into your scalp.  If you have fine hair keep it concentrated there, but if you have medium to coarse hair take it down to the mid-shaft and ends.  You can treat your hair with oil weekly.
• Product Recommendation: Leonor Greyl Regenerescence Naturelle Hair Oil (natural), Borghese Salermo Silkening Hair Oil (light weight), Moroccanoil Oil Treatment (medium, but they also have a lightweight version)

Face

• Purpose: Regulate oil production, add moisture & calm the skin
• Types: There's one for all skin types.  Tea tree for acne prone, balancing for oily complexions, hydrating for dry and so on...
• Use: Despite what you think, using oil on your face can only help regulate oil production.  Yes, even if you have oily skin.  If you strip your natural oils, you're only encouraging more production.  Use oil at night in place of your moisturizer if your skin is really dry or add it to your moisturizer.  Use an oil that suits your skin type nightly for best results.
• Product Recommendations: Rodin Olio Lusso (hydration), Darphin Chamomile  Oil (sensitive skin), The Body Shop Tea Tree Collection (acne prone), Josie Maran Argan Oil (mature skin)

Skincare Discovery: Rodin Olio Lusso, Reasons Why I'm Using Oil On My Face and You Should Too

In the beauty industry, word gets around.  If there's a true, must-have product, it's discussed.  Over dinner one night with my friend Amber of BeautyBloggingJunkie I couldn't help but notice how radiant her skin looked so of course I asked her what she was using.  Rodin Olio Lusso was her skin-changing answer.  Of course, she got the tip from our mutual beauty editor friend Andrea who works at People.com.  So it continues, and now I too, am rubbing oil on my face.  I know, it sounds scary at first, but trust me and my colleagues, it works miracles. First of all let me explain exactly what this magical oil is.  Rodin Olio Lusso is a face oil made up of 11 essential oils that brightens your skin and leaves it with a dewy glow.  Created by former Harper's Bazaar Fashion Editor, Linda Rodin, it's now sold in Barneys for $150 a pop.  But don't let the price tag scare you, because it lasts forever and the results prove its worth.  Here's why face oil is beneficial and why I especially love this one:

• It looks, feels and smells luxurious.  Most of my skincare products aren't scented and I prefer them that way, but I apply this at nighttime, the aroma instantly calms me and takes me to a place of ease.  I almost feel like a sophisticated French woman.
• With Rodin Olio Lusso you're supposed to apply the tiniest amount to cleansed skin in the morning and evening for added moisture.  I actually like using the oil as a pre-cleanse at night.  I take a little bit and gently massage it into my face before I wash it with a gentle cleanser.  Some of the oil is left behind and my skin feels super soft.  Plus, it acts as a makeup remover.
• I don't normally wear a ton of makeup, but when doing on camera work, the foundation gets piled on and I also use the oil to break down my makeup quickly incase I need to refresh it without washing my face or simple to take it off.
• Face oils help to calm the skin and regulate oil production.  Yes, even if you have oily skin it will help regulate it.  If you have really dry skin, apply moisturizer on top of it.

Rodin Olio Lusso can be found at Barneys for $150.

VIDEO: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Backstage Beauty Report

Yesterday I went backstage before the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which was held at the 69th Regiment Armory in NYC, and got the scoop on the secrets behind the Angel's glowing skin, bombshell waves and scored an interview with high fashion model, Liu Wen. Check out the video interview I did backstage with Lead Makeup Artist, Tom Pecheux, and find out which products he used on the models after the jump!

Here's a shot of the main products used to create the look.  Before applying foundation, Pecheux massaged each of the model's skin with Rodin Face Oil to moisturize and awaken it by stimulating circulation.

Pecheux wanted to create a believable tan complexion and used Victoria's Secret Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Glitterati across the models' faces in places where the sun would hit (cheekbones, chin, nose and brow bone).  He then blended Victoria's Secret Luminous Mineral Blush Duo in Starlet into the apples of the cheeks and up into the temples to make the tan look natural.

Inspired by Marilyn Monroe, the eye had a thin line of liquid liner and lashes were real!  Tons of mascara.  To finish, he used Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Lipstick in Wisper with a top coat of Very Sexy Lipgloss in Sublime.

Check out the video for the real deal: