Want a look that lasts? Primers are the solution. Just like an artist who prepares his canvas for his next masterpiece, your face needs proper ‘prepping’ before makeup application for the best results possible.

Caring for your skin is no easy task—especially when the cold winter winds hit. We turned to esthetician Alix Mancuso of the Four Seasons Spa for insight on the tools and tips to get the best skin of your life.

OSEA founder and ‘chief seaweed officer’ Jenefer Palmer comes from a long line of healers. In fact, her grandmother was one of the first female chiropractors in the world, who always told her granddaughter, Always read the label. She took the advice to heart when working as spa director at Murrieta Hot Springs, which at the time was a premier holistic destination spa. But what she found came as a surprise: Many of the most expensive products used inexpensive and sometimes dangerous synthetic ingredients. Palmer now uses 100 percent natural marine-based organic ingredients in her products, which are carried at luxury spas around the world. We caught up with her on a recent visit to Soft Surroundings, St. Louis’ exclusive provider of OSEA products.

Had a little too much fun in the sun this summer? Unfortunately, extended sun exposure helps contribute to all those things we’d rather hide: dull skin, discoloration and wrinkles. So what’s a girl to do? First things first: Un-furrow your forehead and un-pout that pucker; then, read on. We may have just the solution for you.

When it comes to wrinkles, it’s easier to prevent than erase these early signs of aging. Procedures ranging from laser resurfacing to Botox to dermal fillers are available weapons in the war on wrinkles, but no one can ignore the importance of a good skin care regimen and top-notch products to help postpone the need for more invasive tactics.

One of the most treasured gifts a busy mom can receive is the gift of time. Time to relax. Time to indulge. Time to herself. Just having a day— or even a morning—to recharge is a treat, and looking fantastic afterward is icing on the cake.

A nip and a tuck may not be for everyone, but we still want to maintain a youthful glow for as long as possible. Aging gracefully means different things for different people, and slowing the natural process may be ideal for some. That’s why there are so many over-the-counter (OTC) anti-aging products. But are they all they claim to be?

Some of the best gifts are ones that make the recipient feel beautiful. We asked Christina Polychroni, senior director of marketing and brand communication at L’Occitane, about the season’s top gift items, as well as how to take care of your skin throughout the winter months.

The sun is the primary culprit once again. Not only does it cause wrinkles, premature skin aging and skin cancer, but it’s the sun that most often leads to the ugly brown spots that mar faces, hands and other exposed skin as we age.

Spending some time at the spa can be incredibly relaxing—just what we all need going into the holidays! But the occasional facial also is beneficial to the skin’s health. We spoke with Lydia Sarfati, founder of Repêchage, to find out just how important holistic care can be. Her products and signature Four Layer Facial are available at FaceLuxe, which opened recently in the Central West End.

Peruse the shelves of any drugstore and you’ll find a multitude of skin care products that offer ‘hope in a jar.’ Microdermabrasion, which uses minute crystals to exfoliate the skin, has been a popular treatment at spas and salons for many years, but it may not be the most effective choice for everyone.

Gusting winter winds are not your skin’s friend. The cold, dry air can suck all the moisture from your face, leaving skin looking prematurely aged. That’s why we got the inside scoop from Olivia Vigo, training manager in Sisley’s French offices, on how to get a youthful, dewy glow—even in the depths of winter.

Beauty’s only skin deep, but that’s what people see first—and first impressions count. Local salons and spas offer a tantalizing array of treatments to keep our skin and hair in great shape, including procedures that can bronze your skin (safely) and curl your lashes.

In the world of beauty, Sisley is synonymous with luxury. Founded in 1976 by Hubert d’Ornano, the French cosmetics line is known for the quality of its botanical ingredients and the exclusivity of its brand. Today, D’Ornano and his wife, Isabelle, are still heavily involved in leading the company, which manufactures the majority of its products in Blois, France. LN spoke to national training manager (and makeup artist) Michelle Cook for the details.

What do you get when you take a good-looking guy, add some cool fashion and put him in some killer cars? The recipe for style—on wheels! Dr. Zach LaBoube is the owner of InsideOut Wellness in Clayton, and one heck of a fashionable guy—whether he knows it or not. photos by Suzy Gorman — Shot on location at St. Louis Motorsports