The inside of my shower is a cross between a science experiment and Christmas morning.

There’s so many bottles, tubes and containers that it seriously takes me a full two minutes to figure out which bottle is shampoo and which is body wash. Two weeks ago I finally gave up and was all, I’m just keeping my damn eyes closed and whatever I grab is what’s getting used. (I work from home so if I have a bad hair day it usually doesn’t affect anyone but my 5-year-old Siberian Husky who spends his entire day plotting ways to ruin my life with his shedding fur.)

After I washed my face with deep conditioner, shampooed my hair with body scrub and used body oil as conditioner, I figured enough is enough and carefully edited the contents of my shower.

Because I know you’re dying to find out what products made the cut (ha!), here’s what I ended up with—my most favorite shower products of the moment:

Redken Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner

This Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner protect my at-home hair color from fading while leaving my hair super shiny. (Also, having Redken products in my shower make me feel like I’m really making an effort!)

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash Foaming Scrub

I keep this scrubby cleanser in the shower for that time of month when my skin decides to freak out and pretend like its seventeen again. The scent alone is enough to woo you but also consider the acne-fighting ingredients and super low price.

St. Ives Smoothing In Shower Exfoliating Body Wash

This scrub gently exfoliates while leaving my skin bright and irresistably soft. Perfect for in-between self tanning applications.

NAIR Shower Power

Shaving is not a big deal for me. I truly don’t mind taking a razor to my legs every couple days, but lately it’s been fun to use NAIR Shower Power, a thick cream depilatory that stays on for three minutes and rinses clean with the handy dual-sided sponge.

Olay Body Wash Plus Tone Enriching Ribbons

I’ve yet to find a body wash that is as thick as Olay Body Wash plus Tone Enriching Ribbons. The creamy texture leaves my skin moisturized and glowy with a hint of shimmer.

Herbal Essences Hydralicious Shampoo & Conditioner

Water lily nectar and passion fruit extracts make this Herbal Essences Hydralicios Shampoo & Conditioner beyond yummy. No, seriously, this stuff smells delish. I like the featherweight formula to give my fine hair tons of body.

Several months ago, I received a sample of the new Olay ProX and gave it a try. After only 3 days of use, I could tell that the ingredients were too harsh for my somewhat-sensitive skin. My face was red and flaky and not happy at all.

However, I’ve heard rave reviews about Olay ProX  and just because it’s not right for me doesn’t mean it won’t work wonders on someone else. I passed my sample along to my friend Cindi, a 53-year-old beauty addict that was totally game for giving ProX a spin, and here’s what she says:

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Least Chronically Challenged of Them All? Your mirror will be saying “you, my dear” after using the new Olay ProX  Anti-Aging Starter  Protocol. It is supposed to help with fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, all the things that plague us, ahem,  “mature” women.  The starter kit contains three products—Age Repair Lotion SPF 30, a daytime moisturizer, Wrinkle Smoothing Cream for nighttime use and Eye Restoration Complex for use twice a day. Let me say, it does a pretty fine job.

The Olay ProX Professional line was created by Proctor and Gamble beauty scientists and a group of renowned dermatologists. Olay makes some pretty hefty claims on this new line; “younger looking, younger acting skin in 28 days or your money back.”  The Olay ProX Anti-Aging  Starter Protocol Kit is not cheap for drugstore skincare, around $60-68, but that is a big savings over buying the products individually and is a great way to try out the products. To help ease the pain, you can go online and download a $10 off coupon for the starter kit.

The Age Repair Lotion SPF 30 has a nice lightweight texture, absorbs quickly and leaves no greasy or sticky feeling. I also appreciate the SPF 30 so I can skip the sunscreen layer underneath. I was surprised and delighted that with an SPF of 30, there was no ghostly white cast or “sunscreen sheen”, and  no smell. It is packaged in a pump which is not only more sanitary but also allows you to use much less product. I use 2 half pumps for my face and a full pump for my neck—don’t forget your neck ladies, it’s one of the first places to show age.  I had lunch on the sunny deck of a restaurant while wearing Age Repair Lotion under my foundation and no pink nose!

I am very impressed with the Eye Restoration Complex.  I have tried every eye cream on the planet (well almost) and this has just the right amount of hydration and it too absorbs quickly. Too many eye creams are too rich for daytime use and you end up with black dots from your mascara or those pesky little white milia bumps under your eyes. This cream gives you moisture that lasts all day without being goopy. I don’t have dark circles so I can‘t speak to any improvement in that area, but I do have some puffiness and I did notice a bit of improvement there. The big news is after just two weeks of use twice a day (morning and night) I think my crows feet may be a bit softer. Can I get a Hell Yeah!!

Wrinkle Smoothing Cream is a bit thicker than the Age Repair Lotion and is designed for nighttime use. It is also a bit greasier but still absorbs well. The oiler parts of my face—forehead, nose, chin were a bit slick in the morning after using this cream but that is not abnormal for me. It is packaged in a jar as opposed to the Age Repair Lotion in a pump, perhaps because it is thicker? I have pretty decent skin with no deep lines so I didn’t notice any particular improvement.

Overall I am really pleased with the Olay ProX Starter Kit. I believe my crow’s feet are softer, my skin is smoother and looks refreshed and refined. Perhaps my significant other put it best “you look nice today, like you have a semi-pregnant glow”. Okay, well aside from the pregnancy part (uh, how can you be semi-pregnant?) the key word is GLOW! This from the same man that still hasn’t noticed my new haircut after two weeks. This stuff has got to be good to garner a comment from Mr. Oblivious!!

Bottom Line: Recommended

Additional products available in the line are ProX Deep Wrinkle Treatment, Discoloration Fighting Concentrate, and Hydra Firming Cream.

Olay ProX products are available at drugstores nationwide and online at OlayProfessional.com.

Thanks, Cindy!

We’re having a VERY SPECIAL giveaway here at Makeup Bag this week and Janey is not happy about it.

Thanks to our friends at P&G, we’re giving away a gift bag of the whole line of Hannah Montana products, ranging from Olay Rockin’ Blossom Body Wash to Secret Rock Star Deodorant.  Here’s what is included in the giveaway:

• Herbal Essences “Drama Clean” Berry Tea and Orange Flower Shampoo/Conditioner
• Olay Foaming Face Wash
• Olay “Rockin’ Blossom” Body Wash
• Oral-B/Crest Toothbrush and Toothpaste Combo Pack
• Secret “Bella Bloom” Scent Expressions Deodorant
• Covergirl Wetslicks Lipgloss in four shades –  Crush, Tutu, Patently Pink, and Shimmershell
• Covergirl Nailpolish in four colors: Pink Taffy, Pink Twinkle, Fuchsia Girl, and Disco Dazzle

Watch this video of Janey as she attempts to show you her favorite Hannah Montana nail polishes and lip glosses (BEWARE: she’s apparently hopped up on Lays Stax Chips and a bit out of control) but the best part is right around the 1:40 mark when she realizes there’s a giveaway involved and she’s not in on it. Hilarious!

Leave a comment here and a winner will be randomly selected on Thursday, May 21st. Contest is open to citizens of the US and Canada only (sorry international friends!). Feel free to enter as many times as you’d like.

Good luck!

Don’t let words like amino-peptide complex or intracellular fortifier scare you. These words are your friends, people.

Over the last several weeks, we’ve become close pals with amino-peptide complex and intracellular fortifier as they’re key ingredients in Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream, our new favorite. Along with marine protein, these ingredients manage to hydrate and regenerate skin’s surface cells giving the appearance of younger, firmer skin.

The creamy texture and faint green apple scent of Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream have us counting the hours until we can apply again. (Olay recommends morning and night, lightly massaging a small amount in an upward circular motion.)

Make friends with amino-peptide complex and intracellular fortifier; you won’t regret it.

Buy Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream at your local drugstore or at cvs.com.