La Mer's Body Crème the perfect at-home spa treatment

On the lookout for the perfect Valentine's Day gift for the lady? Every Pretty will swoon at the mere mention of La Mer. Inspired by the sea, La Mer has the reputation to deliver the best in skin care and its reputation is highly deserved. Even Hollywood makeup artists rely on La Mer to make sure their clients don't appear dry or cakey under the papparazzis' lens.

I had the good fortune to smother my skin in luxurious La Mer Body Crème which they claim is like a seaweed wrap in a jar, and they weren't lying. Plus since one seaweed wrap at the wonderful Body Bar Urban Day Spa sets me back $100, the price tag for the Crème may be a little easier to swallow. After all, it did win Allure's Best Beauty Award as "Top Splurge" for both 2007 and 2008. This is some serious stuff.

Using seaweed and bio-fermentation, the Crème immediately infuses skin with the healing properties of the sea. Nutrient-rich sea kelp is coupled with La Mer's Micro-Algae Complex. Made up of four types of algae including plankton, rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, Micro-Algae Complex also contains vitamin C and my beloved hyaluronic acid, known for binding up to a thousand times its weight in moisture. Mix all this together and you get a formula that attracts and captures moisture throughout the day. Add to that their Blue Algae Lift Ferment to restore suppleness and bounce, and La Mer's Body Crème is the perfect at-home spa treatment.

In fact they say this Crème is so hydrating that daily use may be unnecessary. Which is good as, well, it's pretty expensive stuff.

Also available at select Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus stores.