The Skinny: Products to help negate those holiday binges

by Heather Bouzan, 12-12-2007

We love cosmetics line Bliss for its sense of humor - because when it comes to our jiggly parts, we can always use a good laugh. Two of our favorites from the line, which is stocked at Beauty and Main (30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.868.7171), are the dimple-busting fatgirlslim ($30.50) and the love handler ($38), which attacks that hard-to-fight stomach pooch. The former contains encapsulated caffeine molecules that go beneath the surface of skin, while the latter is chock full of extended-release caffeine, which keeps working for eight hours, plus amino acids and circulation-revving mint oil.

We have a friend who lives by the credo "tan fat looks better than pale fat." But on pasty wintry skin, self-tanners have the tendency to smudge and turn orange. Enter Benefit's Jiffy Tan ($24), a tinted body lotion whose subtle color glimmers with just a hint of sheer sparkle; apply it in layers for a deeper glow. The formula goes on streak-free, and it scrubs off with soap and water. Find it locally at Macy's (450 Washington Street, Boston, 617.357.3000).

Since our sweaty bodies hardly crave thick, gloopy creams after a strenuous workout, we're fans of Shiseido's Body Creator Aromatic Energizing Spray ($39), available at Lord & Taylor (760 Boylston Street, Boston, 617.262.6000). Formulated with caffeine, sea-algae extract, and glycerin to firm and tone skin, Body Creator spritzes on in a light, hydrating spray. Even the fragrance is invigorating: we love its blend of grapefruit, tarragon, fennel, and pepper. It's also perfect to stash at the office for a little midday pick-me-up.

Since we're well-aware that spandex can help hide imperfections when it's worn on the body, we had to snag a sample of Borba's Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour ($32), a cosmeceutical body moisturizer that's available at www.borba.com, made with hydrolyzed spandex fiber along with guanábana, a fruit native to the Caribbean and Brazil, and nurturing agents including shea butter and aloe. And because the skin's appearance is always enhanced by a hint of light-reflecting shimmer, it also contains diamond powder
and mica.

True Blue Spa's Bring Up the Rear Anti-Cellulite Firming Lotion ($15) can be massaged onto wobbly skin wherever it's needed. Improving skin tone with blue-green algae extract and energizing with caffeine, the cream reduces the appearance of cellulite within four weeks and increases skin's firmness by 20 percent after only six. Use it twice daily on stomach, thighs, upper arms, or chin until you start to see results, and then as often as you deem necessary to maintain your desired level of firmness. Stock up at CO Bigelow (Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617.236.7257).

Six weeks to a better body? We'll take it. Orlane's Slimming Contouring System ($150), developed to work hand in hand with the body's natural responses to diet and weight loss, contains three formulations designed for daily use for two weeks each. The treatment takes just five minutes per day on top of your normal exercise routine - and let's be honest: slathering yourself with a decadent cream is much more appealing than trying to resist the pint of ice cream that's calling to you from the freezer. Buy it at Neiman Marcus (5 Copley Place, Boston, 617.536.3660). @