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Best of the Beauty Board

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2008

When we started the 4you Beauty Board in spring 2007, we had no idea how popular it would be with readers.

Then we began getting calls and e-mails. And hugs. And requests from cosmetics department salespeople who asked that we please let them know what we planned to review so they could stock up on items in advance.

Since then, the Beauty Board has critiqued dozens of products for men and women - from razors and deodorants to hand creams and heel salves. Our panel members have done their beauty duty - polishing their nails, plumping their lips, bronzing their cheeks - to spread the word about what works and what doesn't.

We have learned some things. (Mom always told us, but we didn't believe her ...)

•The most expensive product isn't necessarily the best.

•Nor is the product with the fanciest name or packaging.

•There are no miracles.

With the holidays upon us (all that pressure to look and smell good but no time to check out the products that might help!), we decided it was time for our three permanent panel members to peruse old reviews and pick their faves from the past. Here, with a little updating, is our first Best of the Beauty Board.

Cloe's Top 3

Cloe Cabrera, 42, is the fashion and beauty reporter for the Tribune.

Secret Clinical Strength deodorant

Available at most mass retailers and supermarkets; $8.99

What did I ever do before I discovered this deodorant? Sweat. A lot. I tried everything to control my underarm sweat glands, from home remedies to natural deodorants to pricey high-end concoctions. I couldn't wait to try Secret Clinical for the Beauty Board, and I've been glad ever since. (So has my husband.) This prescription-strength deodorant put the brakes on my underarm wetness the first time I used it. And it still gets the job done - whether I'm fretting over the economy or a killer weight training class. I've tried other clinical strength deodorants on the market, but I always come back to Secret Clinical. With Secret, I'll never again let them see me sweat.

MAC Plush Lash mascara

Available at MAC stores, Sephora and at online retailers; $12

MAC isn't really known for its mascaras; it's usually the brand's eye shadows, foundations and lip glosses women rave about. But this mascara has had a permanent spot in my cosmetics bag since I tried it last year. It makes my lashes thicker, fuller and flirtier. I get just the right amount of mascara on the brush so there's no having to wipe away excess goop. And it doesn't clump or flake. I have sensitive eyes, and this formula never caused tearing or irritation. I liked this mascara so much; I tried MAC's Pro Longlash ($12) and Zoom Lash ($12) and found them to be choice performers as well.

Noodle & Boo Glowology Sugar Mama Honey Scrub

Available at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and noodle&boo.com; $26

I remember when the PR gal e-mailed me that she was sending over a "wonderful" body scrub for the Beauty Board to try. Since most reps describe their clients' products that way, I wasn't sure it would wash. But when I tried it, my first reaction was WOW! This ultra-fine, sugar-based scrub left my skin feeling soft and velvety and smelling incredibly yummy. I've since splurged on a few tubs and bought them for friends as birthday gifts so they can try this "wonderful" body scrub, too.

Michelle's Top 3

Michelle Bearden, 53, covers faith and values for the Tribune.

Institut Arnaud Paris Extreme Anti-Aging Cream

Available at Walgreens; $35

I gave this wrinkle cream an A when I reviewed it, and I'm ready to bump it to A+ now. Ever since I raved about it a year ago, readers have approached me to tell me how much they, too, like the product. Yes, there's a noticeable difference in my tired, sagging skin since I put these creams - one for day, one for night - into my daily routine. I'm not dewy and line-free, since that would require surgery at my age. But I'm happy with the results of this face fixer - and even happier with its $35 price tag. It's available at Walgreens at about half the cost of high-end counterparts sold in department stores.

C.O. Bigelow Mentha Body Vitamin Body Wash

Available at Bath & Body Works, also order at www.bbw.com; $12

I loved this luscious body wash in the spring, when I gave it a B+, and I love it even more now. It makes you feel fresh and tingly all over. And let's not discount its faint Girl Scout Thin Mint scent. Mmmmm. You'll smell good enough to eat. The secret is in the peppermint oil. If you aren't awake when you first get in the shower, you'll get there once you start lathering up. It's like mainlining caffeine. For $12 a tube, you get a great sensory experience to start the day.

mdskincare by Dr. Dennis Gross Intense Hydra Mask

Available at Sephora, Nordstrom and other department stores; also at mdskincare.com; $60

Run, don't walk, to buy this A+ face mask for all your close friends. The two-step process is easy to use and not messy like most facial treatments. When you smooth the "hyaluronic gel" into your skin, it self-heats and gives you a warm and glowing feeling. And after 15 minutes you remove it with a warm cloth, and your face will look like a newborn's soft and supple rear end. If the price tag seems hefty, keep in mind you get six treatments out of it. Long after the holidays are gone, your friends will keep on loving you for taking years off their face.

Kim's Top 3

Kim Franke-Folstad, 50, is senior features editor at the Tribune and editor of 4you.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula With Vitamin E

Available at drug stores, discount department stores and some grocery stores, $6.49

First a confession: I didn't try this product for a Beauty Board review. Cloe did. But she made it sound so great, I bought a bottle for myself, and I've been hooked ever since. It moisturizes much better than the high-end product I tried, and it smells just as good. I like that the 13.5 ounce bottle comes with a pump, so it's easy to apply even when my hands are slippery. And the lotion soaks in quickly, so I don't slide off the couch when I use it.

Nic's Sticks Paint and Go Nail Lacquer by OPI

Available at Target and Wal-Mart, $8 or less

When it comes to painting my fingernails, I'm all thumbs. I've spilled, I've splashed, I've splotched. But these nail pens make it easy. Just pump a little polish onto the brush and you're all set. And you can carry the pen in your purse for easy touch-ups. (You'll need touch-ups, for sure, unless you use several coats.) I like the pens so much, I rarely use regular polish anymore. There are plenty of colors to choose from, and I also use Sally Hansen's pens now, which are available everywhere.

Redpoint Transformative Dual Foundation

Available at www.redpointbeauty.com; $42 for 0.28-ounce compact

This creamy foundation is my favorite of all time. It looks very natural, it comes with two shades that you can blend to make a third, and the mirrored compact is lovely. I used to use L'Oreal's True Match liquid foundation - and loved the $10.99 price tag - but the Redpoint product works much better for me. It goes on smoothly and lasts all day. It's a painful choice for my pocketbook, but (sorry, L'Oreal) I'm worth it.

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