When it comes to your skincare routine, how often do you think of your neck? Sometimes? Never? I wouldn’t blame you if you fell in the latter camp—people don’t often consider their necks as carefully as they do their foreheads, yet the skin is just as delicate and deserving of TLC. London esthetician Sarah Chapman (exclusive facialist to none other than perpetually-glowy Meghan Markle) once told me that moisturizing the back of your neck is a key anti-aging tip, because it lifts skin at the front and prevents slackening over time. Thankfully, neck skincare has been on the rise lately and La Mer has lent its luxury expertise to the cause.
Today, August 1, the skincare company launches its Neck and Décolleté Concentrate ($295). The decadent silky, balm/gel-like formula is meant to fight “tech neck,” aka the phenomenon of accelerated aging caused by constantly looking down at our phones and other mobile devices (we know, we know, another thing to worry about). The brand claims the average person looks down 150+ times a day, and it can result in horizontal wrinkles across the neck. The new concentrate counteracts and prevents that by moisturizing, lifting, and firming the neck area thanks to its blend of lime tea concentrate (which is chock full of antioxidants) and Miracle Broth (the brand’s own blend of marine ingredients featuring giant sea kelp).
“You can think of your neck and décolleté as an extension of the face—it is usually quite visible and it’s something that should contribute to feeling confident when it’s well cared for,” says Clyde Johnson, La Mer Executive Director and Head of Skincare Artistry. “Ideally, when you think of treating the neck, you should include the décolleté as well. Use gentle sweeping motions and work your way up from the décolleté to the jaw line.” Like Chapman, Johnson emphasizes taking care of the back of your neck as well because it “gets so little care and attention.”
His other application tip is to use the brush that comes with the concentrate and do four strokes across the décolleté and a stroke on either side of the neck. “The brush is a good indicator of how much product you should apply, picking up just enough product for the full neck and décolleté in one swoop,” he adds. You can also use your fingers and the palm of your hand, gliding it upwards or you can move them in a circular motion up the sides of the neck.
In addition to the concentrate, La Mer is also debuting a Hydrating Illuminator. It’s basically “glass skin” in a bottle—a pearly liquid that looks like highlighter and leaves a sheer, luminescent veil wherever you apply it and flatters all skin tones. It’s hydrating and best used at the end of your skincare routine after cleansing and moisturizing. “Look for areas of dryness, areas that may need extra soothing, areas that need more energizing,” Johnson suggests.”The Hydrating Illuminator can be used to add a beautiful, light-diffusing veil all over moisturized skin. This can be part of an easy two-step routine just to get you out of the house.”
The illuminator is also pretty brilliant for mixing with makeup products. Johnson suggests mixing it with your favorite lipstick to create a DIY cream blush with a pearly finish. I’ve personally been using it as a glowy yet subtle highlighter on my brow bone and at the tops of my cheeks to offset my matte foundation. Plus, at $75 it is one of the more affordable products in La Mer’s lineup (we’re talking about a brand that sells a $1,1,30 moisturizer here), so it’s a great entry point for those who’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on fancy investment skincare.