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.

The Beauty Bug received a sample of this, but knew She needed a hands-on lesson. She headed to the Shu Uemura boutique on Newbury Street to visit Boston’s Best, and Shu Atelier Artist, Dani Wagener.

The math is really quite simple – one foundation stick = 2 ways to apply, 2 coverage options.

For sheer-medium buildable coverage with a hint of dewy-ness that’s great for everyday, Dani instructs:

• Using a sponge, prep skin with a moisturizer and primer.
• Apply the Nobara stick directly to the same sponge, and then repeatedly pat on face and blend, adding more foundation as needed.

Prepping the skin properly and using the slightly moist sponge to apply the foundation allows it to slip on to skin. The damp sponge also better holds on to the pigment in the foundation.

For full coverage, Dani instructs:

• Prep skin with moisturizer and primer.
• Using Shu brush #18, apply the Nobara stick to the brush and then tap/slightly swirl on skin.
• Set with Depsea Water Facial Mist

The brush application method reveals a smooth, matte finish that’s not cakey. Opt for this method if you’re going to an event, or will be taking photos.

The Shu Uemura Nobara Cream Foundation Stick is available at ShuUemura.com, and at Shu Uemura boutiques for $42.

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

Looking for a quick fix, The Beauty Bug reached for her Darphin Aromatic Renewing Balm. She knew little about the product; only that it contained six essential oils, and vitamin E. She opened the jar and was pleasantly surprised at the citrus scent; the smell was very subtle, yet very calming and soothing. The balm is light and silky in texture, and absorbs into the skin very quickly. She applied the balm prior to applying Her makeup, and in a day and half Her little nose was no longer flaking and peeling.

A very versatile product, Darphin’s Aromatic Renewing balm can be used at in the morning under makeup, in the evening, or as The Beauty Bug used it – as a spot treatment on especially dry areas. On those bitter cold days The Beauty Bug carries the renewing balm around with Her to make sure Her skin doesn’t get chapped. It’s compact, and easy to apply – even without a mirror.

So, while the snow may still be here (and more is on its way), the Beauty Bug’s nose is cured, and She’s prepared for the extremely low temperatures that are here to stay.

This encounter was quite disappointing – another example why it’s better to go to Sephora or shop online. It seems that more and more if it’s not the pushy sales women at the counter who just wants a sale, it’s the uninformed ‘body’ who knows nothing about the products. The Beauty Bug expects more from Lancome.

The mascara is sadly nothing special. The curved brush doesn’t allow for as much control as a straight brush, and the length or curve is nothing that can’t be achieved from Max Factor’s Lash Couture Mascara. Even with several coats it doesn’t provide dramatic results. Disappointed and put-off with the product and the experience at the counter, The Beauty Bug regrets her purchase.

With that being said, the Beauty Bug was excited to receive this mask in Her new Test Tube. She broke it out this morning, excited to try it out. First let her say, be warned if try this when it’s a little chilly out because when first applied, the mask is very cold. After she got used to the coldness, she attempted to fit the mask on her face, but it was very awkward. She couldn’t get it to lay flat and cover her entire face – no matter how hard She tried, there was always a tiny portion of her face not covered by the mask because of its shape/size. Throughout the entire 10 minutes, She found Herself fidgeting with it trying to get it right but she never seemed to get it to lay flat. In addition to this, it dripped at bit on Her shirt and it was a bit bothersome.

Overall, the experience wasn’t a very pleasant one and The Beauty Bug was a bit disappointed because She wanted to like it. She was most surprised at the fit of the mask. While The Beauty Bug wasn’t particularly impressed with a similar Skyn Iceland mask, at least it fit her face and wasn’t awkward. Yes, he skin was left soft, but nothing remarkable.

Sadly, The Beauty Bug will cross this mask off Her list.

The mask is a clear, sticky gel that smells like raspberries. The directions state to apply a thin layer, and let it dry for 15 minutes. After using it twice, the Beauty Bug found that a little goes a long way with this mask; the key is applying it thinly and evenly and not real close to the hair-line or brow-line. The application can be a bit messy and sticky, but that shouldn’t deter you from using this product.

As She applied the mask, The Beauty Bug felt a slight tingling and her eyes began to fill up with water just a bit – that’s how She knew this mask meant business. After letting it dry for about 15 minutes, The Beauty Bug tried to find a good starting point under Her chin to begin to remove the mask. This part of the process tool her back to her elementary school days when She used pick off the access Elemer’s glue on her hand. In a weird way, she enjoyed it.

The mask peeled off in one piece and The Beauty Bug felt as though she was a reptile shedding a layer of skin – it felt really satisfying and cleansing. Once removed, she looked at the mask and saw dead dry skin, and makeup and dirt that wasn’t removed from Her face wash and Her skin felt soft and smooth.

As for the name, Joey New York says that this peel yields the same results as a lunchtime visit to your dermatologist would. Is that the case? The Beauty Bug can’t say, but this mask is a great quick exfoliator with results you can actually see.

There’s a lot to be said for a pretty face; the world opens up to you more easily. Men open doors and people listen in rapture when you speak. Well, in the case of beauty products, having pretty packaging is the equivalent. The shiny object catches your eye, you flirt with the idea of picking it up in your hot little hand, and the seduction begins. But just like a pretty face with little substance under the surface, the hot fires of seduction can reduce to a smoldering ember if there is nothing behind the slick packaging of a beauty products. I”m happy to report that in the case of the Eyefly mascara, customers get beauty and brains (efficacy). The product comes in a slick but rectangular tube that is at once minimal and elegant. It mirrors the elegance of a Chanel product, but is slightly less pricey. And it works — although I have to admit the first time I used this I wasn’t all that impressed. But after several rendezvous with eyefly, I’m hooked. The consistency is creamy and easy on the lashes. It separates and defines and my goodness, does it lengthen. Simply put, it does it all. And does it all in style.

The Beauty Bug is a great friend. She was nice enough to send me a sample of the most AMAZING lip goodness ever – CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint (No. 1136). I am thoroughly obsessed with this stuff. It is super moisturizing and the color she sent is GREAT on me. It has a nice tingle and the mint flavor is not too minty, just minty enough. As promised, it really makes me feel like I have fresh breath when gum, mints or a toothbrush are not available options. To conclude: DELICIOUS – in so many ways.

The Beauty Bug must agree, these lip tints are a great buy and provide the perfect combination or color, moisture and mint. The first time She tried hers, (She tried #1137) it instantly reminded her of her MAC LipGelee in Sapilicious – same color, same texture, same shine with a hint of mint!

The Beauty Bug tried the Whipped Kiwi Sugar Scrub in Isla Dolce, The Cocobee Balm in Sugarcane Lemon, and Casa de Coco Cayman Coconut Cream. The website says that the Whipped Sugar Scrub is a house favorite and She can certainly see why. It’s very light and airy, and goes on smooth and leaves a light layer of moisture and softness on the skin after use. The Beauty Bug has a similar Mario Badescu scrub in her shower (it’s specific for the face, but serves the same purpose) and prefers the Scuba Bath Prodcut. The Sugar Scrub smells more natural (Badescu’s smells somewhat artificial), and the Sugar Scrub has a better exfoliating agent yet it just as gentle as theirs. The fragrance is addictive, and every time The Beauty Bug smells is, she smells something different – something sweet and delicious.

The Sugarcane Balm and the Cayman Coconut cream are delish. Both are nourishing, moisturizing, packed with Vitamin E, and perfect for winter skin. The Cayman Cream smells like a Pina Collada infused with vanilla. If The Beauty Bug has any extra cream on her hands, She takes it and runs her hands through her hair and it tames the ends.

All products are available on The Scuba Shop website, and range from $6-$16.

Wow, that’s a long product name. The official name of the is Frederic Fakkai’s Winter Hair Anti Static Weightless Mist.

The Beauty Bug bought it on Thursday and has been using this for 2 days now, and to date, it’s the easiest product review that She’s written because She’s seen instant, lasting results. This product is a beauty blogger’s dream because there’s no speculation, no buts, no “for visible results use this continuously for 4 weeks”, it just does what it says it’s going to, immediately. And let The Beauty Bug tell you, She’s really put this product to the test. She was out all day Friday and all Saturday in the freezing cold. This past week here in Boston the temperatures have barely reached 20, but with the wind chill factored in, the temperature has felt like it’s been in the single digits.

The Beauty Bug must admit, she was a bit skeptical each day before venturing out in the arctic weather, but She’s happy to say that She was proven wrong. Not even one static hair over the course of the 2 days. And there’s a bonus. Oh yes, a bonus. This miracle product smells amazing! It can work double time and serve as a perfume if you are a vanilla girl. It reminds me Hanae Mori’s Butterfly.

It’s limited edition and only available at Sephora, so get it now – it’s only $15.