This review is way overdue since I finished the cleanser and toner of this BeFine morning sampler a while ago. 

That's the official image of the so called "morning sampler".  It includes the Gentle Cleanser, Firming Toner, and Daily Moisturizer with SPF.  It normally retails (the sampler) for $20, but I got it Ross for about $5.  To be honest, I'm glad I only spent $5 because it wasn't all I thought it would be.  Now don't get me wrong, if it was the only thing around, I would use it because it didn't break me out or make my skin any worse than before, it just wasn't as great as I was hoping.

First off, the cleanser was really the downer for me.  I don't know if it's just the trial size, but the cleanser is incredibly thin and liquid, making the screw top unwieldy to try to close when my hands are wet, but I don't want to spill the product.  I did like the slight minty smell, it's kind of refreshing in the morning.  It felt like there was something thicker in the bottle, but no matter how much i shook it, it always came out liquid and runny.  It's pretty gentle, almost too gentle and I don't think it removes makeup perfectly well. The full 3.4 oz size is normally $15.99.  SKIP.


The Firming Toner is a pretty good product.  I liked that it didn't dry out my skin upon application, since toners are notoriously full of alcohol.  This one contains willow bark extract to close pores and tone the skin; witch hazel to smoothe and firm the skin; aloe barbadenisis leaf juice to boost collagen production.  Yeah, I'm not sure what that last one is exactly, but my skin didn't mind it.  The trial size comes packaged with a spray pump, so close your eyes and squirt away! $15.99 for 3.4 oz again.  I'd buy this before the cleanser if you use a toner.

Daily Moisturizer is a serviceable moisturizer that I think works best for normal to slightly oilier skin.  My skin is slightly dry and didn't feel rich enough for me.  It's also got a pretty heavy sunscreen smell that does disappear quickly; it may be off-putting to some. A little will go a long way with this moisturizer as it does spread very easily. $19.99 fo 3 oz.

So if you're going to purchase any of these three, I'd go with the toner, but stay tuned for more BeFine product reviews.  I think I cleared my local Ross out of their selections.

I apologize for the week delay in getting the skincare portion of the "Best Beauty Buys" out.  If you're serious about good skin and don't currently have a skincare regimen, this is a good place to start.  However, I have found over the years, that even the best skincare recommendations need to be taken with a grain of salt.  Everyone's skin is unique and may respond differently to a particular cleanser or lotion.  It's also limited to basic skin types - "normal", "oily/acne prone", "dry" or "sensitive".  I've found that there are more than just these 4 skin types.  For that reason, I'm not going to go into too much detail about InStyle's picks.  If you are going to spend money on one group of products, I believe that skincare is the best investment.

Some key products that must absolutely be on your list:
Cleanser. Wash 2x a day.  Find one that removes makeup to save a step.  If you're like me though, and you use Cetaphil which doesn't remove makeup, try those makeup remover towlettes.  Boots, Ponds, and Olay are just three drugstore brands that make them.  For those nights that you're too tired to do an entire regimen, rid your face of makeup before you sleep.
Exfoliator:  It doesn't need to be a fancy microdermabrasion kit or anything, but something with exfoliating beads the slough away dead skin cells will help you have a smoother, more radiant complexion. Try to find a scrub with smaller beads, ones that are uniform in feel so that they don't tear the skin.  I know a lot of people love the St. Ives Apricot scrub, but it is one of these harshest scrubs out there.  Personally, I have 2 scrubs, a Biore one that was on sale for $3 and Origins' Modern Friction for $37.
Moisturizer. You may hate me for saying so, but you need 2 moisturizers: one for day and one for evening.  The day one must have SPF.  Even if you're outside for 5 minutes a day, you're exposed to the sun's harmful rays, the biggest cause of aging.

When you go to any department or specialty skincare store, they'll likely enoucrage you to include toner, an eye cream, a serum, or a couple other products.  Will they help?  Yes.  Are they necessities?  No.  Get to know your skin and figure out what are your greatest concerns.  If you're young, take care of your skin now so that you can avoid spending a lot on pricey treatments in 20 years.  If you have 20 years of damage, your skincare regimen will be different than your daughter's.

My personal regimen:
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion (a toner)
Patricia Wexler MMPi.20™ Skin Regenerating Serum

Purpose Redness Reducing Moisturizer SPF 30
BeFine Night Cream


Origins Modern Friction
The Biore scrub is discontinued, probably why I found it for $3.  I think this Detoxiby Daily Scrub is its close cousin.

Skincare
Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (normal skin)
Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45 (normal skin)*
Night Cream: Revaleskiin (normal skin)
Inexpensive Night Cream: Olay Regenerist
Clarins Cleansing Milk (dry skin)
La Roche-Posay Hydraphase UV SPF 30 (dry skin)
2008: Shiseido Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam (sensitive skin)
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 (sensitive skin)
2008: Aveda Outer Peace Foaming Cleanser (oily/acne prone)
2009: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash*
2008:Clinique Superdefense Triple Action Moisturizer for Oily Skin SPF25 (oily/acne prone)
2009: Purpose Dual Treatment SPF 15 (oily/acne prone)
2009: Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub (oily/acne prone)
2009: Skinceuticals Clarifying Clay Mask
2009: Skinceuticals Renew Overnight Moisturizer
2009: Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blkemish
Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub (best scrub)
Clinique Redness Solutions Daily Relief Cream (rosacea treatment)
Clearasil Ultra Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream (acne spot treatment)
Origins A Perfect World (antioxidant cream)
2008: Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit (acne regimen)
2009: Proactiv
Ren Skincare Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask (radiance mask)
Kinerase Pro Therapy Lotion
Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Facial Peel (chemmical exfoliator)
L’Oreal Advanced Revita Lift Double Eye Lift (wrinkle eye cream)
Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel (spot lightener)
Freeze 24*7 & Go (line filler)
Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment (wrinkle treatment)*
Estee Lauder Perfectionist Correcting Concentrate for Deeper Facial Lines/Wrinkles
Prescriptives Vibrant-C Skin Brightening Eye Cream(eye cream for puffiness and dark circles)