Giorgio Armani Beauty Crema Nera Obsidian Mineral High Recovery Elixir

Even the photo has a magical connotation! I see a serum that exists high above the rest, almost other-worldly, emanating light. Giorgio Armani Beauty's newest member of the Crema Nera family of skin-care products is Obsidian Mineral High Recovery Elixir ($150). It is designed to correct the texture of our skin; make it smooth, firm, and radiant; and repair age and ultraviolet-induced imperfections. The elixir is in pre-sale at Saks Fifth Avenue Armani counters. Knowing it would be an instant "must-have," the Saks decided to take advance orders. I've paid for mine, and I expect to have it in my hands and on my face the first week in May. Saks will receive it almost a month before other retailers.

What will the magical elixir do? Based on tests, Armani Beauty says that after six weeks of use, 98% of women will see smoother skin, 83% will see dark spots corrected, 90% will find their skin more radiant, and 93% will report firmer skin. It feels firming. The little dab I was able to try had a few seconds of a firming feel and left my skin smooth.

How does it work?

• Armani's OMC³ restructures the skin matrix and prevents slacking, one of the horrors of aging. It also promises a three-fold increase in collagen production.
• Extrema (Armani's antioxidant blend) helps detoxify (by 80%) and protects the skin's DNA from ultraviolet-induced oxidation. The company says that Extrema is 200% more effective than vitamin E, a widely used antioxidant.
• Crystal Complex is comprised of vitamins C and G and palmaria palmata (a red algae that binds water and doubles as an antioxidant). It inhibits and regulates melanin production, helping to "retrain" damaged skin cells to reproduce as healthy cells.

Obsidian Mineral High Recovery Elixir should be used as your night serum - all over the face and neck - before moisturizer. Our skin regenerates at night, so the serum will be most effective if applied then. I can't wait to get my hands on my very own elixir!

If you want to be one of the first to try the newest member of the Crema Nera family, you can pre-order it from your Saks Armani representative - or from the members of the Armani Beauty Team at Saks in Chevy Chase, Maryland by calling (240) 497-5206. You can also ring through the switchboard by calling (301) 657-9000. They will take good care of you.

Photo courtesy of Armani Beauty