Philosophy’s Microdelivery Exfoliating Fash Wash – There’s an upside down bottle sitting on The Beauty Bug’s bathroom sink right now. She refuses to throw it away until She uses every last bit. She’s determined to use every last exfoliating grain. This cleaner is that good. It’s mild enough that you’re able to use it everyday, but it’s exfoliating properties gently resurface the skin. Trust The Beauty Bug when She says it’s as addictive as their Purity cleanser.

Murad’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser – This one makes this list because of its key ingredients – salicylic, lactcic, and glycolic acid – all of which are all great anti-aging agents. The formula also contains retexturizing jojoba beads. The Beauty Bug likes it because Her face feels squeaky clean after she uses it. The scent is very light, and it leaves skin soft and renewed. Use it everyday, or 2-3 times per week.

DDF Glycolic Exfoliating Wash – A combination of ultra pure glycolic acid blended with aloe vera gel and glycerin, this cleanser earned a place in The Beauty Bug’s crowded medicine cabinet because of it’s minty fresh scent, and its ability to cool and refresh your skin. It tingles upon application – that’s the glycolic acid going to work to exfoliate and minimize fine lines. The best part? How smooth your skin feels after using it continuously.

Somme Institute Transport Pads – Quick science lesson. The Somme Institute developed and patented a new technology called MDT5 (Molecular Dispersion Technology), a non-prescription blend of 5 vitamins -A, C, E, D, B3 and B5 that penetrate the inner skin layers in their active forms at high concentrations. Did The Beauty Bug lose you yet? Bottom line is, these little pads are powerful. Not only are they chock full of the aforementioned vitamins, but they also contain alpha hydroxy (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate dead cells on the skin’s surface and unclog pores. The pads may may sting or itch after the first few uses, but stick with them because you’ll be happy with the results. Don’t shy away from this product because of the price – to make the jar last longer try cutting the pads in half – each is so saturated with liquid that one half is enough.

I was looking for a moisturizer without SPF because I do that separately (Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55). I am a fanatic about wrinkle and cancer prevention. I browsed for a few minutes and decided on the Juice Organics Daily Nourishing Moisturizer. Disclaimer – this was BEFORE my Test Tube arrived. Now I have enough moisturizer stocked up to last for at least a year!

Here’s what they say: Nourish your skin with safe, healthy, organic ingredients. This nutrient-rich moisturizer blends certified organic, vitamin-rich grape and carrot juices with vitamin antioxidants and essential fatty acids to renew and revitalize for smooth, radiant skin.

Here’s what I say: Wow! A light, creamy, easily absorbed moisturizer for under $15? I was expecting it to smell “juicy” or “citrusy,” instead I was pleasantly suprised by my one of my favorite fragrances, yling ylang. It makes my skin feel great, not too greasy – just moisturized. It is also light enough to put on my sunblock and foundation right away. I also bought the Revitalizing Eye Cream. I have a hard time remembering to do eye creams, but this one is really nice as well. It is light and smells a little “juicy.”

With the New Year comes lots of new products to be used and reviewed and The Beauty Bug doesn’t want to waste any time at all. This year, among many other things, The Beauty Bug resolves to not fall asleep early without night cream on this year! Now, on to the review….

Feeling a little bit guilty for somewhat neglecting her skin these past 2 weeks, the Beauty Bug felt the need to compensate today.With the Holiday busyness, combined with stress and travel, the Beauty Bug wasn’t able to maintain her normal skin care routine – so now it’s back on track! Today she tried The Murad Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask. Made with papaya fruit and pineapple juice enzymes, the mask promises to “gently dissolve away dead surface cells and reveal newer, more radiant skin.” Immediately after putting it on, the Beauty Bug felt a very tingly, refreshing feeling of the mask breaking down into her skin, which made me feel like it was actually working. It was the sort of feeling you get when you use a glycolic cleanser, except it lasted for a good 10 minutes – extremely invigorating.

After about 10-15 minutes, I removed the mask and my skin is very soft and smooth. It’s recommended that you use this mask 2 times per week – I’m looking forward to doing that and making my skin even more smooth, with a more even texture. Next time, The Beauty Bug will add a crushed up aspirin tablet to the mask to make it more of a paste, and to add some BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acids) to further exfoliate and clarify. For those of you looking for an aspirin mask recipe, here are 2 that are quite easy. Just remember to buy the dissolvable tablets!

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2007/01/01/first-new-product-of-the-new-year/feed/ 2 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/19/new-january-products-to-look-forward-to/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/19/new-january-products-to-look-forward-to/#comments Sun, 19 Nov 2006 16:11:55 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=163 Other than theNew Years, the Beauty Bug is looking forward to a few other things this coming January. These 2 new products are on my list to check out:

Max Factor Volume Couture Mascara – Max Factor does mascara like nobody’s business so it’s only natural that I’m excited to get my hands on one of these. I don’t have much info yet – only know that the brush is covered in narrow bristles packed closely together, so they can put more mascara on each lash. I have a feeling this is going to be a must-have for the New Year.

Murad Intense Wrinkle Reducer – All you need to hear is this – it contains collagen-boosting marine extracts and glycolic acid with clarifying cinnamon extract. Just say glycolic acid and the Beauty Bug is all over it – yes, please!

January can’t come soon enough.

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/19/new-january-products-to-look-forward-to/feed/ 0 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/16/the-power-of-pomegranate/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/16/the-power-of-pomegranate/#comments Thu, 16 Nov 2006 19:56:52 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=157

The Pomegranate is experiencing it’s 15 minutes of fame, but there’s not doubt in my mind has staying power. First it was the Pom Wonderful and now everywhere you look, there are new products popping up containing pomegranate – from juice drinks to bath and skin care and sun care. Major brands are attracted to fruit because of it’s antioxidant levels, which help to protenct DNA cells from free radical damage including envorinmental damage and sun damage. These brands include Korres, Borba, Back to Basics, and of course, the ring leader, Murad. Not to mention the zillions of different supplements and drinks. Which leads me to the question, is it better to straight up take the supplments? I’ve been eyeing that Murad cleanser for quite some time now until I read this from the Cosmetic Cop:

“Energizing Pomegranate Cleanser ($22.00 for 5.1 ounces) is a standard, detergent-based cleanser that contains a tiny amount of pomegranate, a good antioxidant, but whose benefit would be rinsed down the drain before it could work. The witch hazel distillate in here, which contains a large amount of alcohol, may be drying and irritating for skin.”

Buzz Kill – I was looking forward to buying that with the Sephora Friends and Family discount….

]]> http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/16/the-power-of-pomegranate/feed/ 0 http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/03/afternoon-links-11306/ http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/2006/11/03/afternoon-links-11306/#comments Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:57:19 +0000 The Beauty Bug http://www.bitbythebeautybug.com/?p=102 Posh’s Beauty Must-Haves - Just to name a few: Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, and The Body Shop’s Cocoa Butter.

Murad Limited Edition Anti-Aging Night Regimen – I want this! Why does everything have to be limited edition?

Laura Geller Show Stoppers – I’m hovering over the “purchase” button right now as I type this! It’s pictured up above!

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