Now, on the good stuff…

A Beauty Bug reader asks “I have a burning question, and I wonder if you can help before I spend like $17 on another trial/error. I have normal skin, but it gets pretty (really) dry, and I’m 38, so I want to start using something anti-aging. The moisturizers I have typically used are effective, but are heavy enough that they bug me, feeling heavy and slickish – enough so that I can’t apply face makeup afterward without feeling certifiably gooey. I also do not have all the money in the world. Do you know of anything you think would be a relatively sure bet for me?”

While The Beauty Bug is not a skin care professional, Her vanity is overflowing with products, so She’s had Her fair share of experience. Additionally, before perfecting her morning skin care routine The Beauty occasionally had the same problem; it’s the worst feeling when you use a thick moisturizer that doesn’t absorb well in the morning – your makeup doesn’t apply well appears shiny.

Here’s what she recommends: For your anti-aging morning product, try Mario Badescu’s Cellufirm Drops. While Mario’s formulas has been questioned and given mediocre reviews by some beauty bloggers, this is his stand out product. Even the skin care guru, The Cosmetic Cop agrees. She says that it “contains some very good water-binding agents and antioxidants in a lightweight lotion form. It is an option for skin that is slightly dry to normal to oily.” Lightweight is the key-word here – as soon as I apply it, it begins to absorb. Also, while this may be a little but more then you wanted to spend, the Cellufirm Drops can also act as a morning eye cream.

That takes care of the anti-aging part; now for the moisture.

The Beauty Bug recommends any Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer that contains SPF. This is a highly touted affordable drug store brand, and just last year one of their moisturizers was named one of InStyle’s Best Beauty Buys. In fact, two of their products landed the list, the other being their Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser. The Beauty Bug currently uses a moisturizer from the Positively Smooth Collection, which she loves, and it absorbs just as well as the Cellufirm Drops. However, because it does not contain SPF, she will be switching to A Positively Radiant formula.

So, The Beauty Bug hopes that She helped to solve this readers morning skin care dilemma – she provided a $39 solution which will last you 6+ months.

MD Skincare Alpha Beta Peel – This product has a cult following and it seems to be getting more and more attention these days. Before I was a regular on the beauty blog circuit, this product was recommended to me by a plastic surgeon’s daughter, so I knew there had to be some truth behind all the claims. It’s bascially like a mini face lift everyday. Step 1 provides your face with all the beneficial acids that work to exfoliate and step has all the necessary vitamins that condition and moisturize. The Beauty Bug has been using it for over a month now and she’s definitely seeing the results – she now understands why it’s a best seller.

Aveeno Postively Smooth Facial Moisturizer – I first read about this product in InStyle’s Besy Beauty Buys of 2006, I bought it, and have been using it for months now. It’s a great day time moisturizer because when I’m running late in the morning and don’t have any time to spare, it absorbs extremely quickly and I can apply my makeup right after I apply the moisturizer. Moreover, it’s clinically proven to improve skin tone and texture, and it smells great! Just another example that proves your skin care doesn’t need to be expensive to be effective.

MAC Couture – I first read about this on MakeupBag. Not sure if it’s 2 words (just did a Google search for MACouture and nothing came up), or one, but whatever it is, it’s going to be unbelievable. I’m already overwhelmed by their holiday palettes, and want them all, and now, with the Couture being released in November, I’m in MAC overload and I love it.

Aveeno Anti-Aging Product Line – I’m excited about this because I think all of the Aveeno products are solid. I use my Postively Smooth moisturizer everyday, I love the way it smells!

Tarte All that Glitters Sampler – Of course it’s limited edition, but I want it because I’ve heard so much about their cheek stain and ths whole set isn’t even that much more than that 1 product.

$200 worth of Max Factor Makeup & $1000 to Glam.com sell on Limbo. com for $3.06 and $5.36. Have you heard about Limbo? The auction goes to the lowest unqiue bidder. Lucky ladies, that’s for sure.

“Many Beauty Products Claims are only Skin Deep” – Interesting USA Today article

“Doing the RED Thing” – I’m sure everyone has seen the geniuous DesiRED campaign that the GAP just launched, well, this article talks about the significance behind that as well as Bobbi Brown’s Sparkles & Rubies line.