Step one was the cleanser  – a fresh fruity melange that naturally exfoliates and deep cleans pores. Ideal for problem/oily skin, the cleanser provided a much needed time out for  Beauty Bug’s usually combination (but now problem-prone) skin. The naturally occurring fruit acids are the gentlest of gentle exfoliants, and won’t dry out or strip skin. Other ingredients include tea tree oil, salicylic acid, willow bark extract (been proven to enhance the cell renewal of the epidermis and reduce  formation of acne) and lavender oil.

Step two, the deeply mud purifying mask, was just what the derm ordered. While it doesn’t smell like cranberries, it contains the “super-fruit” extract that’s rich in antioxidants. The mineral-rich clays are like a swift kick in the head to a zit. They absorb oil and purge the skin of impurities, such as dirt and oil, and reduce the occurrence of breakouts. Finally, Totarol (a gentle alternative to Benzoyl Peroxide) inhibits and limits the growth of bacteria.  The mask really is like a small Christmas miracle – it cleans out pores,  calms the skin, treats acne but doesn’t dry out skin in the least.

Post mask and cleanser, The Beauty Bug’s skin was undoubtedly smoother and clearer. Pores appeared smaller and blemishes had lessened both in size, and redness.

And, just like Rudolph, The Beauty Bug hopes that Her red nose will disappear into the night…

The White Cranberry Cleaner ($17.29) and the Cranberry Mud Mask ($24.99) are both available at Whole Foods nation wide.

Disclosure: Press samples were provided to The Beauty Bug.

It’s all strip,  and no tease with this mineral-rich peeling wonder.  The preservative and chemical free skin care brand has brought out the big (black) guns! With exceptional benefits and a unique peel-off  system, this mask is a win. The Beauty Bug tested this mask 3 times (She got a sample made for Her at Sephora) and now She’s prepared to buy it. Each time She’s used it, Her skin was left extremely soft, squeaky clean, and out-of-this-world smooth and refined. But, what was most impressive, was how it unclogged pores and removed dirt. She could actually see the particles and dirt on the mask as She peeled it off.  Instant gratification!

Active ingredients include Vitamin C (brightens and reduces fine lines), Natural Clay (contains 67 minerals, absorbs oil, dirt, toxins and refines pores), Pine Bark Extract (powerful antioxidant),  Witch Hazel (natural antiseptic) and Rosemary Leaf Extract (antioxidant that minimizes pores).

Read on for The Beauty Bug’s tips to maximize your peeling experience:

• Test a patch of the mask out on your hand so you know how thick to apply it on your face. Remember, if you apply it too thin, it will be hard to take off, and you’ll end up with an Abe Lincoln chin-strap (or AJ Mclean from the Backstreet Boys).
• Regardless of what the directions say, apply a medium/thick layer so it’s thick enough to peel off.
• Steer clear of your eye area.
• As with any mask, leave on a bit longer than instructed. It takes considerably longer than 15 minutes to dry.
• After completely dry, look for a peeling starting point under or near your nose (usually those crevices are the easiest to grab.) Or, apply slightly more product around the edge or your face to create a starting point or an edge.
• Be patient with the peel and have fun! Don’t expect to be able to peel it off in one piece!
• Wash any remnants off with warm water and a wash cloth.
• Say what you will – it’s goopy, a bit messy, and may even look like shoe polish – but it comes right off with a little water and it works!

Boscia’s Luminizing Black Mask is the black belt of masks.

Boscia’s Luminizing Black mask is available exclusively at Sephora for $34.

Disclosure: The Beauty Bug received a small 3-use sample at Sephora, but plans to purchase a full-sized product!

The Beauty Bug applied a thick layer of the rich mask to Her face while enjoying the light scent of the rice steam – a soft, comforting, clean smell. Her skin, feeling a bit stripped and parched from the winter winds, absorbed the mask within minutes.

After about 10-15 minutes, She removed the access mask with a damp cotton pad leaving just a thin layer on to act as a moisturizer. Immediately She noticed that Her skin was plump, hydrated and supple. The fast-acting, nourishing treat cured Her winter skin and awakened Her complexion..all within the span of a football game.

KENZOKI Marshmallow Mask is available exclusively on KenzoUsa.com for $45.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

New this month, The La Mer Hydrating Facial is a two-zoned cotton mask saturated with hydrators, anti-agers, and energizers. This trio packs a mean, ultra-moisturizing punch to awaken skin. Without getting too scientific, ingredients include a special blend of  exotic green algae from far away lands that soak skin with a surge of moisture, marine plant algae which helps to diminish discoloration and the visible signs of aging, melon and avocado plant extracts that work to improve skin texture, and tourmaline (yes, the same precious stone that’s ground into a fine powder and infused into the ceramic plates of irons) embedded into the cotton to crank the molecules into high gear.

The morning after The Beauty Bug applied the mask, Her skin was unheard-of-soft.

This mask is nearly perfect – it renews skin and provides a resilient healthy glow, the two pieces make for an easy, quick application (no awkward or clumsy maneuvering to attempt to get it to cover your whole face), it leaves a generous amount of the treatment behind, and it provides the ultimate at home facial experience. The Beauty Bug just wishes that single masks were available for purchase. Six applications will set you back $250.

The Hydrating Facial is currently available at select Saks Fifth Avenue locations, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and www.lamer.com.

Disclosure: A press sample was provided to The Beauty Bug.

However, if She did have one, She’d tell you that Clean and Clear’s SOFT In-Shower Facial (STEAM) is like a spaaa for your showah. It’s a stellar, inexpensive product that leaves skin extra-soft, purified, and fresh. Just as The Beauty Bug was, you’ll be tempted to apply the product in front of a mirror to make sure you’re covering your face evenly. Resist the urge because the steam from the shower allows the product to get deeper into pores for a more thorough cleansing.

After applying in the shower, leave the product on your face for at least a minute. Tingling may start to ensue (this product is for your skin, what mint shampoo and conditioner are for your hair)  – it’s just the glycolic acid, clay,  white tea (an antioxidant) and natural fruit acids doing their jobs to break down those dead, tired skin cells. After the minute is up, gently massage the product into your skin. Skin feels soft, stimulated and smooth.

At a price point of $6.99, there’s really no excuse to not try this product.

Pair with Clean and Clear’s SOFT Purifying Cleanser (SCRUB), a gentle everyday exfoliating cleanser with microbeads.

Use the In-Shower Facial one to three times a week, and in no time, your skin will feel like buttah…..

Clear & Clear SOFT Purifying Cleanser and In-Shower Facial are available at drugstores for $6.99.

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The Beauty Bug once had a boss from Switzerland. He’d prance around the office calling Her “Sweetie Darling”, and babble on about the latest runway collections from Heatherette, and how he had just got off the phone with Lydia Hearst’s agent. He told Her that Her Miu-Miu bag was just runner up to his (which he hadn’t even purchased yet), and regularly asked The Beauty Bug what size her jeans were as they owned several of the same pairs. Everything that he had, bought, and wanted was top-notch. It was the Swiss in him.

Having had this experience with one very uppity, yet lovable Swiss, from that point on The Beauty Bug has held anything and everything that’s Swiss with a very high regard. Recently, She was given the opportunity to test some of the skin care products from Karin Herzog’s line. The Swiss doctors formulas do not disappoint as the doctor holds the international patent for the stabilization of oxygen in an emulsion or cream. The products evoked memories of one of the most unique people The Beauty Bug has ever encountered, and left Her skin smooth, soft, and radiant.

The Essential Mask is what the Bliss Triple Oxygen Face Instant Energizing Mask should be, but isn’t. It’s a quick 10 minute boost for your skin that revives, softens and smooths. The Beauty Bug used this mask twice this past week, and is loving the results. She recommends that it’s used 2 or 3 times per week, and She promises that you’ll like what you see. The mask combines 2% oxygen with vitamin A, essential oils and trace elements. The Beauty Bug best describes this as a freshener and brightener. The delicious citrus smell, a combination of oranges, tangerines and grapefruits, ‘sweeten’ the experience.

The Karin Herzog Essential Mask is $40.

Today, during a quick trip to one of her most favorite stores, CVS, The Beauty Bug spotted these masks and She was stopped dead in her tracks. The Beauty Bug usually subscribes to idea that one should never judge a mask by its packaging, but this is the exception to the rule. The second these babies caught her eye, The Beauty Bug was petrified, frightened, mortified, baffled, appalled, terrified and even fascinated. The actual product could be amazing, but She’ll never know because She refuses to try it. She wants to meet the marketing exec who approved this branding/packaging, and understand their thought process when they were presented with these designs, and said “yes, that represents our brand accurately.”

Even The Beauty Bug Boyfriend was scared – He never gets scared.

Wow…

The Masque, a combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5 complex, is just what The Beauty Bug’s lackluster skin needed. Having both immediate and long-term benefits, the masque instantly softens and repairs skin, while working to maintain the skin’s natural moisture levels.

For maximum results follow The Beauty Bug’s directions precisely:

• Apply a thin layer of the mask to a cleansed about an hour or so before going to bed.
• Leave it on overnight
• Wake up with supple, refreshed skin

A good cook always tweaks a recipe, and The Beauty Bug does the same with Her beauty regimen. While the directions on the back of the tube instruct to leave the masque on for 10-15 minutes, after using it 3 times, The Beauty Bug has achieved more desirable results after leaving it on overnight. Each time, She has woken up with refreshed, plumped, healthy skin.

Just what the dermatologist ordered…

The Beauty Bug applied the gel-like mask to Her face, and almost instantly the formula started foaming. This confused The Beauty Bug because the directions stated that once the mask began foaming and turning white, it was time to rinse it off. While the application process was easy, the smell was very pleasant and fruity, and the process of the gel turning to foam caused an interesting tingling sensation, the mask did absolutely nothing for The Beauty Bug’s skin. After about 3 minutes, the mask began to dissolve, and The Beauty Bug had no choice but to rinse it off 2 minutes early. The results were extremely disappointing – no glow, no brightening, no improvement whatsoever. Scanning through the reviews on Makeupalley, some say that this “mask” is also a cleanser, while others disagree. The Bliss wesbite says nothing about this being a cleanser, just promises ” a fresher, younger-looking face.” Don’t be fooled.

But, She will be celebrating Halloween, Beauty Bug style of course – with the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel. This mask is one of The Beauty Bug’s favorites – see her review here. It’s as exfoliating as it is festive – the sweet pumpkin scent is delicious. Skin is left soft and hydrated.

Keeping with the fruit theme, The Beauty Bug also recommends June Jacobs Creamy Cranberry Cleanser. Those who are fans of cream cleanser will love this. Packed with antioxidant cranberry extracts, moisturizing aloe vera, carrot seed oil, Jojoba oil, and seaweed extracts – this cleanser is the ultimate nourishment for your skin. One whiff,and you will be sold…

Happy Halloween everyone – don’t forget to enter The Beauty Bug’s MAC Holiday Contest.