Here's to promising that future beauty/skincare review posts won't be this long! I've done quite a bit of shopping recently, much to my bank account's chagrin, and wanted to get this all up at once!
I've wanted to try this cleanser out for so long but could never justify purchasing it when I had shelled out so much cash on my Nude Skincare products. But with this recent newfound interest in caring for my skin, an interest I should've developed a lot earlier, I picked up a small bottle to try out as a morning cleanser. A multiple repeat Allure magazine award winner from 2007 to 2013, it didn't disappoint. It has a creamy texture which I appreciate as I'm not a foamy kinda gal. It washes off easily and has a built in toner, which means I don't have to take that extra step. People have claimed that it removes makeup extremely well, but I can't attest to that as I've been using it in the morning. It's essential that I shorten my skincare routine in the morning because I'm basically a zombie when I wake up.
2) Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub
I don't think it really foams up, but it's still a great scrub (and I'm not sure I'd want my face scrub to foam…Ew). It's another product praised by Allure magazine in 2009 and rightfully so. The scrubbing beads are fine enough so it's not too harsh and can be used everyday, although I only use it about 2-3 per week. I adore both the taste and scent of grapefruit, so I really enjoy rubbing this into my face for the aroma and the skin benefits. It's hard to resist purchasing the other products in the line. Rinse this off well because the beads can stick a bit, but your skin will be silky smooth afterwards. It doesn't brighten much but that's fine because I have Lush's Ocean Salt for that (a product that deserves a review on its own).
3) Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
Holy S#!t, Holy Grail! I'm head over heels about this tiny little oil, and frankly, so is the rest of the beauty community. I use this as a serum and an under eye cream at night, and sometimes, I'll just apply it whenever I feel that my skin is a bit dry. Usually, I place this on the drier areas of my face (undereye,in between brows, tip of nose & jawline) after my toner and let it seep in for a few minutes before adding moisturizer. You can also use it for your hair, but I haven't tried that yet.
4) Freeman's Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask
At only around $4 ($2 for the sample I used), what's not to love about this product? It's purifying and nourishing so it doesn't strip your skin. It does sting a bit around the eyes (the packaging says to avoid the eye area but apparently, I'm a rebel), but it's nothing unbearable. The product spreads onto your face smoothly and hardens after a few minutes. Simply wash it off to reveal soft, glowing skin. I use this 1-2 times a week and I will be purchasing the full size next time I head to Bed, Bath & Beyond.
5) Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment
With sporadic use on pronounced blemishes as well as those I "feel coming on", this product worked pretty well. As I state below, I don't have particularly acne prone skin so I can't say too much about this.
Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer (sample; not pictured)
Oy! I'll begin by saying I do not have acne prone or sensitive skin. I rarely get a blemish except for the monthly little pop-ups and I have never had a bad reaction to anything for my face. With that stated, this is just not the product for me - at all. Not even 2 hours after applying it, my entire face began to itch slightly. I didn't think anything of it only to wake up scratching my face uncontrollably. And unfortunately because I had been integrating a few new products into my skin regime, it took another day to single this moisturizer out as the culprit. The bandit is now in the trash, where it will remain forever. I never breakout, yet this product left my face covered in a rash/acne breakout that took 2 weeks and lots of TLC to get rid off. Eeep!
Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer (sample; not pictured)
Oy! I'll begin by saying I do not have acne prone or sensitive skin. I rarely get a blemish except for the monthly little pop-ups and I have never had a bad reaction to anything for my face. With that stated, this is just not the product for me - at all. Not even 2 hours after applying it, my entire face began to itch slightly. I didn't think anything of it only to wake up scratching my face uncontrollably. And unfortunately because I had been integrating a few new products into my skin regime, it took another day to single this moisturizer out as the culprit. The bandit is now in the trash, where it will remain forever. I never breakout, yet this product left my face covered in a rash/acne breakout that took 2 weeks and lots of TLC to get rid off. Eeep!
Origins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream (sample; not pictured)
So, the jury's out on this one. As stated above, I had a major breakout, which I've attributed to the GinZing moisturizer. However, I did experience dryness and a bit of a rash under my eyes as well. I'm not sure if this eye cream played a part as I tend to get my moisturizer under my eyes when I apply it. Thinking of giving this one more shot because it has Caffeine and Ginseng to wake you up. Umm, yeah, see zombie reference above - I need that.
So, the jury's out on this one. As stated above, I had a major breakout, which I've attributed to the GinZing moisturizer. However, I did experience dryness and a bit of a rash under my eyes as well. I'm not sure if this eye cream played a part as I tend to get my moisturizer under my eyes when I apply it. Thinking of giving this one more shot because it has Caffeine and Ginseng to wake you up. Umm, yeah, see zombie reference above - I need that.
6) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Amande
After hearing Elle from AllThatGlitters21 rave about this concealer on her YouTube channel, I was intrigued. When I went to Sephora, I was further intrigued by the vast color selection, especially on the deeper end of the spectrum. For the past few weeks I've been giving my skin a break due to the above mentioned horrid breakout, but on the few occasions I've worn makeup, I've been reaching for this. It highlights under my eyes wonderfully and with a bit of setting powder, doesn't crease or budge all day. I have very dark circles and this concealer covered them up quite nicely. I'm not so sure about using this as a spot concealer as it is "radiant," but I'm not ruling it out.
7) Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick in Fuchsia Frolic
On my weekend trip to Maryland, I wandered into a Sephora store to browse and a make-up artist there told me about the new Josie Maran Lipstick, which is actually more of a highly-pigmented lipgloss. I tried on a few in the store and liked them, but I wasn't quite sold. Well, on the ride back into the city, it was all I could talk about and so I bought it first chance I got. The product is basically a lip color encased in an argan oil capsule, if that makes any sense. You can use it as a lip tint by applying it as you would any other lipstick. Alternatively, you can use it as a gloss by tilting it sideways. I love the color Fuchsia Frolic as it gives my lips a subtle rosy hue. I also really like the Honey colored one. The only surprise is that it isn't all that hydrating as one might expect something with argan oil in the title to be. It goes on smooth but be sure your lips are moisturized beforehand or else it won't wear as well, and quite frankly, it won't look as nice.
8) elf Small Stipple Brush
I found this for $3 at Harmon's. Need I say more? Probably not, but I shall anyway. It's the best size and density for applying concealer beneath the eyes and is flexible enough to get right under your eyelashes (even when you already have mascara on).
Any skincare or beauty products out there that I simply must try? I'm on the hunt for a moisturizer to accompany my Purity cleanser for my morning routine. Any suggestions?
After hearing Elle from AllThatGlitters21 rave about this concealer on her YouTube channel, I was intrigued. When I went to Sephora, I was further intrigued by the vast color selection, especially on the deeper end of the spectrum. For the past few weeks I've been giving my skin a break due to the above mentioned horrid breakout, but on the few occasions I've worn makeup, I've been reaching for this. It highlights under my eyes wonderfully and with a bit of setting powder, doesn't crease or budge all day. I have very dark circles and this concealer covered them up quite nicely. I'm not so sure about using this as a spot concealer as it is "radiant," but I'm not ruling it out.
7) Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick in Fuchsia Frolic
On my weekend trip to Maryland, I wandered into a Sephora store to browse and a make-up artist there told me about the new Josie Maran Lipstick, which is actually more of a highly-pigmented lipgloss. I tried on a few in the store and liked them, but I wasn't quite sold. Well, on the ride back into the city, it was all I could talk about and so I bought it first chance I got. The product is basically a lip color encased in an argan oil capsule, if that makes any sense. You can use it as a lip tint by applying it as you would any other lipstick. Alternatively, you can use it as a gloss by tilting it sideways. I love the color Fuchsia Frolic as it gives my lips a subtle rosy hue. I also really like the Honey colored one. The only surprise is that it isn't all that hydrating as one might expect something with argan oil in the title to be. It goes on smooth but be sure your lips are moisturized beforehand or else it won't wear as well, and quite frankly, it won't look as nice.
8) elf Small Stipple Brush
I found this for $3 at Harmon's. Need I say more? Probably not, but I shall anyway. It's the best size and density for applying concealer beneath the eyes and is flexible enough to get right under your eyelashes (even when you already have mascara on).
Any skincare or beauty products out there that I simply must try? I'm on the hunt for a moisturizer to accompany my Purity cleanser for my morning routine. Any suggestions?
#2 is my facewash - love it! I use clean & clear's benzoyl peroxide cream for breakouts
ReplyDelete