Your Basic Daily Sample

While it hasn't hit the "big time" yet (which is what I call all products that are still available on QVC and not yet in Sephora), Bare Escentuals has a product called Liquid Loofah. However, I don't know the situation is, since it is technically no longer available on QVC. In fact, I can't find it anywhere but eBay. So, the product is either coming or going. An article on July 10, 2007 alleged Halle Berry uses this. Hmmmm. Well, regardless, it is a fbulous body brightener and scrub. It smells absolutely spectacular and is made of granules of crushed black walnut shell, among other things like sea kelp and chamomile. Just for the smell alone, I recommend it if you can get your hands on some.

I also tried Kiehl's Aloe Massage Cream. It went on smoothly for a cream (and not a lotion). It's a bit excessive for a main moisturizer during the day. However, it works well after an exfoliant like the liquid loofah above.

I also tried Boscia Willow Bark Treatment for acne breakouts. Nope. Nothing. No help. not even to the actual spots that had broken out. It just made my skin feel icky and my moisturizer all thick.

Now, on a more positive sampling note, I thoroughly enjoyed Chanel's Precision Hydra Serum Vitamin Boost. I have been using that under my moisturizer and it just makes things feel smoother - lines less visible. Interestingly, I only learned after using it that it's goal and purpose is to enhance whatever moisturizer you are using.

Also, yet another fabulous eye cream that I hope is working as good as it feels is Dior Soin Regard Multi-Perfection. This feels better than the Natura Bisse and the softest of all of them. However, I haven't had instant results. I was speaking with the expert at the Chanel counter the other day, while I was hustling her for a major sample, and it got me to thinking ... some of these products really do need extended use to determine whether they are going to work. Theoretically, I knew that, but it really hit me with this one. Maybe I just really like the way it feels and I therefore want it to work. However, it is also supposed to help with puffiness and dark circles. That sounds like an instant gratification thing that isn't working. I'm buying the product hype though: that the formula is based on a rare longoza plant extract which prolonges the youthful appearance of the skin.

Also, a great daytime moisturizer, inspired by Indonesian botanicals, is Juara Sweet Black Tea & Rice Facial Moisturizer. Okay, I'll admit, I just love the name. But it also smells fantastic and goes on super smooth. The only problem is that, to me, I think it is more for younger skin and a basic daily moisturizer, since I don't feel it really does anything for my fine lines. To me, this one is really just about the scent and feeling good. I think for that, I prefer Fresh's Soy Cream.

One of the more fascinating products I tried is Bioderma Hydrabio Light Cream for dehydrated and sensitive skin. After a hot, sweaty day of golfing, I used it the following day because I felt I might have over-scrubbed the night before. It felt soft and smooth. It had absolutely no scent. It was fascinating though because I would have thought it would have been a much heavier product AND because I couldn't find it, again, except on eBay and some international pharmacy. Grrrr.

After some rest and a bit more focus in my life, I will have a few more things to report on and probably be in a better, more contented, more interesting mood. I do have some new products coming from Ulta and I bought one of those flat irons which also have a curved bottom underneath that heats up as well. I also have more mascara testing to report (just not so much on the weekends!) Have a great week!