February 2010

 Avon Mark Powder Brush  ($8). What a find! This large, beautifully made natural hair brush rivals some of the best prestige brand powder brushes on the market. It’s extremely soft, cut in a versatile dome shape, and has enough density to hold a powder without any shedding—even the brush’s handle feels sturdy and is easy to grip. Consider this a bona-fide beauty bargain and an excellent option for full-size powder or bronzer brush.

WORST
 La Roche-Posay Mela-D Serum Anti-Dark Spot Concentrate ($55 for 1 ounce). The second ingredient tin this serum is alcohol, which makes it too drying and irritating for all skin types, not to mention the free-radical damage alcohol causes. The amount of glycolic acid could potentially exfoliate, but because this product contains the alkaline ingredient potassium hydroxide, the pH isn’t anywhere near where it should be for efficacy. As for the kojic acid as a lightening agent, it is an option to consider but there are others (such as hydroquinone, niacinamide, and vitamin C) that have better track records. If you want to give kojic acid a try, this isn’t the product to consider; instead, try Jan Marini Skin Research Bioglycolic Lightening Gel or La Roche-Posay’s Mela-D Bright product.