.:: CybeleSays ::.

Meet M Lab. It Just Might Change Your Life

Here’s one making its US debut – Milbar Laboratories or M LAB. Hailing from the UK, this cosmeceutical line touts 45% to 70% clinically active ingredients in all of their anti-aging products. What does that mean? Well, the average luxury product line has anywhere from 10% to 20% active ingredients. Active ingredients are also called “performance” ingredients and these are the ones that do the work in a product (think worker-bees) to conquer whatever your concern is – increase firmness, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, improve texture, etc. Do the math and it almost sounds too good to be true. It reads quality but are the products really better than the ones you are probably using? I’ve been on the regime of the following for the past three weeks:

Anti-Aging Cleanser ($60/6oz)

Anti-Aging Toner ($60/6oz)

Anti-Aging Eye Cream ($170/.5oz)

Anti-Aging Treatment Cream ($260/2.4oz)

One thing I know for sure is the overall texture of my skin is fantastic. I didn’t know it was looking so sullen until now! As far as wrinkles, I thankfully don’t have many noticable ones but those I do have around my eyes definitely seemed smoothed out. So if you need a boost for your overall appearance, I can recommend these ones. On M Lab's website, they tell you what % of active ingredients each contain and I felt somewhat more educated about this cosmeceutical line after reading their material.

There are a few other face products in the line, a body cream and even a Travel Collection ($130/6-piece), which is a great way to try all the products without the huge $ commitment. I think we’ll be hearing more about this line in the coming months. All @ mlabonline.com

Surfin' You-Know-Where With Philosophy

Today is the first official day of summer and for me that means, my birthday. Growing up, it wasn't good to have it during this season because everyone seemed to be away on vacation. So get to thinking about who in your life has a birthday this summer. How about picking up this PHiLOSOPHY Surfer Girl Set ($35 only @ sephora.com) for her? Inside are three products with tropical scents to surely delight her and each are a nice size (no small samples here) so the wallet is happy too.

• Exfoliating Shower Gel (4oz), Shimmer Lotion (4oz), Lip Shine (.5oz)

Somebody Get Me A Doctor!

Your skin is peeking out from behind the cold. PHiLOSPHY Winter Skincare Rescue Pack ($40 @ sephora.com) will wake sleeping skin and give it max hydration. This kit has some of my favorites from their line including the Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser (4oz) – this one is great for travel! When Hope Is Not Enough Replenishing Cream (1oz), Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub, Kiss Me Red Very Emollient Lip Balm.

We have a kit to giveaway! Simply email us the band that has a song with the same name as the title of this feature. Be sure to include your full name and mailing address or you won't be entered into this random drawing. Hurry, entries close one week from today at 12 noon PST! cybelesayscontest (at) gmail.com

Max Meds With Cosmedicine

I’ve been curious about this next line for quite some time and finally got the chance to try it out. We all know what great brands Sephora carries and this COSMEDiCiNE was created especially for the outlet. They claim to have the highest grade of ingredients just short of a prescription. The products also have what they call Instant Recognition Technology, which is a way for the ingredients to deeply penetrate the surface so they can do their thing.
One of the most interesting traits is one that the Medi-morphosis Self-Adjusting Exfoliator ($42/4.2oz). This face scrub is made with stop-action crystals that won't let you overdue it. That's a first!
And as with any line you want to try, if they have some kind of sample kit, I say go for it. This Spa-It-Yourself At Home Facial Kit ($95) contains nice sizes of all the essentials – The Facialist Deep Exfoliator (2oz), 1.35 oz Medi-Mask Intensive Clay Treatment (3.35oz), Hydra Stat Intensive Moisture Mask (2oz), Mega Dose Skin Fortifying Serum Ampoules (6 x 0.5 oz - these are my favorite items in the line), an adjustable white terry cloth head band, all packed in a white terry cloth travel pouch. All @ @ sephora.com

Valentine’s Day Picks

I’m pretty easy. Give me a gift of beauty and I’ll love you forever! Here’s a few I’ll be wearing tonight…

NARS new Dolce Vita Set ($50 @ sephora.com) – Blush Duo contains Albatross and Lovejoy for defining and sculpting. Round out a sexy pout with the mauvy Dolce Vita gloss.

LUSH new Play Your Cards Right ($8.95/2.8oz @ lush.com) – it’s no secret that I an obsessed with their massage bars and this one in the Sex Bomb scent is the latest addition.
SHU UEMURA False Eyelashes ($18-$50 @ shuuemura.com) – I still need a lot of practice at applying but once they’re on, wow, sexy!

 

Holiday Pick - Scent Him Up

Like us women who choose a scent by mood, now he can too.  And I say you can’t lose with giving a man a new fragrance for a holiday gift. The Well-Stocked Bar from JACK BLACK ($55/1oz each @ getjackblack.com) is three Signature scents in one ‘travel bar’ box – Signature Blue Mark (fresh - Japanese Juniper, ginger essence, and Watermint), Signautre Black Mark (warm – Kashmir Saffron, Cedar and Leather), and Signature Silver Mark (modern – Sri Lankan Cardamom, Wild Cypress and clear, clean woods).

Holiday Pick - Gimme Minerals

Got someone in your life that hasn’t experienced mineral makeup just yet? Use this Holiday as an excuse to get them the BARE ESCENTUALS Classic Rock Diamond Collection Kit ($59 only @ sephora.com). This one is packed with 9 luxury products. I can’t express what a value this kit is! I just might have to stock up on more sets since this is limited-edition. 

Here’s what you get: Diamond Gossamer (luminous powder for face and body), bareMinerals Classic Rock Eyeshadow (white/silver), bareMinerals Nice Rock Glimmer (chocolate), Double-Ended Mascara (black on one side and silver on the other). Diamond Laughter Blush (peach), Diamond Buxom Lip Polish (clear), Full Flawless Brush (new tool perfect for Diamond Gossamer and Diamond Blush), Full Tapered Shadow Brush (eyeshadow brush), Diamond Bag (pearl white to carry all your bareMineral items.

Holiday Pick - Beauty On A Budget

UK line, BOOTS, knows what a woman likes and wants, lush body products! They have put out several sets and all are reasonably priced. Our pick is the Boots Fresh! Selection Box. It contains full sizes of their Sweet As Honey Bath Milk (9.4oz), Strawberry Surprise Body Cream (4.7oz), Chocolate Fix Body Wash (4.7oz), Banana Bonanza Bath Crystals (1.7oz), Pink Grapefruit Swirl Soap (2.6oz) and a cute apple looking body polisher sponge. $14.99 @ CVS stores

Holiday Pick - Little Pink Case

I love getting a beauty products that have a reusable case and in this case, haha, it’s in my favorite color, baby pink! The Holidays are the perfect time to check out makeup kits because a lot of companies put them out now. This DuWOP Discovery Kit ($36 @ sephora.com) is one for your sister who needs to update her makeup collection or your babysitter who just loves to try out new products. And it contains quite a bit inside - full size Lip Venom, minis of Trio Eye Shadow, Blush Therapy, Venom Gloss and Lashlacquer.

Holiday Pick - Bath Luxury

ELiZABETH W San Francisco Luxuries Set ($40 @ elizabethw.com) is the perfect gift for anyone on your list who loves to pamper themselves. There are three blue boxes: Bath Pouch (6oz), Travel Eau de Parfum (.5oz) and Perfumed Soap (3.5oz). And each set is available in eight difference scents like Lilac, Rose and Sweet Tea.