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!

As a frequent traveler, my biggest worry is not about packing the wrong outfits for business meetings or a new climate, forgetting my wallet or missing my flight to due my propensity for being late (all of which happen to me regularly).

My biggest worry is leaving my beloved stash of beauty products behind while fitting everything I need into 3 oz containers and a teeny ziplock bag. Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare has answered my prayers with their Overnight Travel Kit, a travel-friendly kit with everything I need while on the road in airline-size containers.

The mini-traveler cosmetic case zips open flat and the mesh interior makes it easy to clean. There is even a tiny loop to hang it over a hook in the bathroom.
Inside you’ll find: Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml (Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth cleanser has been a Makeup Bag favorite for years leaving my skin squeaky clean and moisturized), Instant Boost Skin Tonic 50ml, Skin Repair Moisturiser 15ml, Daily Eye Repair 5ml, Brightening Treatment Mask 15ml, Orange Flower Botanical Body Wash 30ml, Nourishing Botanical Body Cream 30ml and 1 pure muslin cloth.

Now I can board my flight knowing I have everything I need for my skin tucked safely in my carry-on.

The Liz Earle Overnight Travel Kit is available online at LizEarle.com.

Happy New Year! It’s 2009 and I’m not looking back.

While 2008 was mostly wonderful for Makeup Bag (the WWD feature, the Elle mention, PARIS!), it was also a very difficult year for me personally. I lost my dad in January which has crippled me in ways that I can not explain. I’ve also spend most of the year away from my husband who is working on a business project in Hawaii that requires him to spend most of his time on the island of Kauai. For these reasons, most of 2008 was rather foggy and I haven’t really felt quite like myself.

This year, I’m taking my mom’s advice and moving forward. I have so many fun ideas for Makeup Bag but just haven’t had the mental energy to execute them.

This is the year I’m going to make it happen. Makeup Bag will be bigger and better than ever and I hope you’ll stick around for the beauty-adventure.

Here are some of my favorite products from 2008:

1. Bobbi Brown Mauve Palette Everything I need for makeup on-the-go is in this palette. Kudos to Bobbi Brown for creating yet another perfect palette.

2. CHANEL Haute Chocolat Nail Colour It was love at first sight with this deep brown, shimmery polish—and the honeymoon’s not over yet. I love this polish.

3. CLINIQUE Comfort on Call moisturizer This has been my go-to moisturizer for weeks. There is no scent to irritate my dry, sensitive skin.

4. CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara I like the waterproof formula—it does amazing things to my lashes.

5. CLINIQUE Blushwear Cream Stick in Shy Blush This color is so perfect for my skin and I love the convenience of the cream stick.

6. Jurlique Citrus Hand Cream The incredibly creamy texture and amazing scent of this hand cream make up for the price.

7. Zoya Nail Polish in Erika How could I NOT include my namesake polish on this list?

I’ve seen a few lists from other beauty bloggers around the web this week. Check them out:

• The Makeup Girl

• 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

• Rocketqueen

• Blogdorf Goodman

• Makeup Minute

• Jolie Nadine
  

What were your favorite products of 2008? Leave a comment with your answer and be entered to win a selection of products from the Makeup Bag Beauty Closet.

Winner will be selected at random on Monday, January 5. Feel free to enter as many times as you’d like. Good luck!

I haven’t been shy about professing my love for Chanel Sublimage here on this website (see my reviews here, here and here), so you can imagine how delighted I am that a baby sister has been born.

A lighter version of the original Sublimage Essential Regeneraging Cream (now called Texture Supreme Essential Regenerating Cream) is debuting next month and it’s every bit as good as the original. Sublimage Texture Universelle Essential Regenerating Cream has a silky texture and lightweight formula that is a nice balance to the richer, creamier Texture Supreme.

I got my hands on a sample and have been using it for the last two weeks and love how it absorbs quickly yet leaves my skin feeling hydrated all day. If only it had SPF, this would be perfect in every way.

Chanel Sublimage Texture Universelle Essential Regenerating Cream is available beginning January 2009 at department and specialty stores and online at chanel.com.