Are you ready for some magic?

My very wise (and beautiful) naturopath says that our bodies have two distinctly different states of being:
1.    Flight or fight and
2.    Rest and recovery

My naturopath is all about increasing the amount and quality of our rest and recovery time. I agree. And so does La Prairie. And now Katek1 [one of bh's BlogStar winners 2011] does too!

Cellular Power Charge Night is La Prairie's newest power player in the anti-ageing world. This breakthrough formula combines retinol, a skin-renewal peptide, oxygen and more to recharge skin cells while you sleep — it's during this rest and recovery time that our skin is most responsive to powerful anti-ageing treatments.
So, when bh and La Prairie asked Kate and me to trial this luxurious product, we hesitated for a millisecond. (It was a necessary hesitation: what would happen if we became addicted to this product?) Anyway, we quickly pushed past that concern and decided that Kate would video the results on my skin and I would write about Kate's results. As Kate has so kindly revealed my make-up-free face to thousands of bh viewers on her video, I'm going to let you peek in her diary:

Day 1

This is gorgeous to use. When you dispense the product, you get equal amounts of the white retinol cream and the blue oxygen gel. It's when you mix them together that the magic happens: the oxygen charges the retinol. I apply the mix to my face and neck; it sinks effortlessly into my skin. Mmmm, the smell and texture are divine.

Day 2

My skin feels SO soft this morning, but it's a little tight too — which would be the retinol working away. This is the first time I've used a retinol product, so I think I'll add a moisturiser afterwards tonight.

Day 4

I can't quite believe just how good my skin looks and feels today. Had a make-up session with Shelby Hardie from Stila and she commented on how smooth and even my skin is. There's definitely some magic happening here!

Day 6

Sunday is no make-up day in my house. I felt so fresh-faced and wonderful; I offered to go to the shops to get milk. This has never happened before.  

Day 10

My skin definitely feels lifted around the top of my cheeks and eyes. Customers at work are complimenting me. A stranger remarked on my radiant skin. I'm loving this!

Day 12

My teenage children asked me what's making me glow. Pity they're being so nice — I was thinking about trading them in for La Prairie products!  

Day 14

Our 2-week trial is finished. I met with Andrea today to have our skin analysed at Medical Cosmetic Centre. The results are obvious before we have our analysis done. We can both see that our skin texture is refined: brighter, clearer. The lines around our eyes are softer. And we both look so rested. You know that younger, care-free look you have when you've just come back from holidays and you desperately wish you could bottle it? Well, La Prairie has!

Post script from Andrea: I think our initial concerns about addiction were warranted. With a suggested retail price of $660 for 40 mL this is a serious investment — with equally serious results.
In case you need any more convincing, just take a look at the image above - it's a microscopic digital photo of my wrinkles before and after the treatment

These are 100 per cent genuine, untouched photos. You can see my detailed results here and you can learn more about the skin analysis we used here.
A huge thank you to beautyheaven and La Prairie for the opportunity to trial this breakthrough product, and to Cathryn Kerry for her time and professional skills in scanning our skin.  

Have you ever considered investing in this level of skin renewal?