L'Oreal Paris Root Rescue

I really needed a quick root fix and didn't feel like dealing with the hassle of coloring all of my hair. I normally get Clairol's Root Touch Up but this was on sale. Even though I had a nagging feeling I'd tried it before and didn't like the smell, my frugality won out. If there was a problem with the scent before, they have fixed it. It smelled like hair color. It comes with a bottle of developer, an applicator tip, and a small bottle of color. You just pour in the color, replace the cap, shake it up and switch the cap with the applicator brush. You then squeeze the bottle and use the brush to apply the color to your roots. I found it very easy to apply the color and it wasn't very messy (one of my biggest problems when coloring my own hair). I had enough product to cover my roots but not much left over. I left it on for probably close to 20 minutes. It rinsed out easily in the shower and, my favorite part, it instructs you to wash and condition your hair. After, when I finished drying my hair, all my greys were gone! After a week there was still no sign. After two weeks, they started to show through a little here and there. By the third week I could tell they were beginning to organize again and try to take over and now, almost after 4 weeks, I need to consider coloring again.

I am very impressed with this product and glad my faulty memory allowed me to give it another try.

http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Hair/Hair-Color/Root-Touch-Ups/Root-Rescue.aspx?shade=4-Dark-Brown

Vidal Sassoon Salonist™ 3/662 Darkest Intense Violet

This is the story of my life:

 It's hard to make any color changes because my hair is coffee brown (looks black except in bright light) and I don't want the damage of bleaching it. My only options are reddish brown or true black. That doesn't stop me from constantly searching for ways to make a more drastic change. In the end, after reading reviews and thinking about the mess I usually make, I don't bother.

Me (in my dreams)

Recently I got on a kick for eggplant colored hair (thanks Pinterest!) like the one at right. Although the color looks dark in most of the pictures, the reviews I read for OTC colors still said it works best on lighter hair. I did a lot of research and came up with a few options I could buy at the drugstore. Armed with my list I hit the CVS. Of course I couldn't find any on my list! But, I did come across one by Vidal Sassoon that said "violet" instead of "burgundy" or "cherry." Being my only option I bought it and brought it home.

First, it was very nice to see it came with a brush and a little mixing dish. If I learned one thing from eSalon, it's that applying with a brush is much better. It's less messy and applies the color better. The directions on this one were a little different. It said to mix two the color and developer and, using 3/4 of the mix, apply to the roots first with the brush. After finishing that there was a third bottle of "Sassoon serum" which you add to the leftover mix. Then you scoop that out and apply it to the rest of your hair. Sounds messy, right? Amazingly enough, it wasn't. I got less hair color on myself and all over my bathroom than any other product I've used. Then I waited 30 minutes. A little side note, the gloves were nice and thick latex but were almost impossible to get off! I tore them up and turned them inside out so I wasn't able to use them for rinsing. I've said it before, if you often color your hair at home, it's worth it to buy a box of latex gloves from the drugstore. It took almost all the mixture for my mid-back length hair.

After 30 minutes I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed (this stuff was DARK!). Then washed with a color-safe shampoo and used their conditioner which was really nice. When I took the towel off I didn't notice much of a difference except a bit of a reddish-purple glow. When I dried it, the color was dark but vibrant. I know that doesn't seem to make sense but I'm not sure how else to explain it. All my greys were completely covered. It's been almost four weeks since I've colored it and I'm just starting to notice a few greys poking through. Some color does come out every time I cowash it (I only shampoo once every few weeks now but that's for another post) but the color is still holding in my hair. It looks a little more on the red side but not like the black cherry colors I've always hated. Keep in mind the pics below are four weeks in. If I use this color again, I will update with fresher pictures. I tried but I wasn't able to get any good ones (I couldn't use any filters that would change the color lol).


I really liked using this product and the way it performed. It was definitely worth the price and the relatively short time it took to do it. It was enough of a difference to quell my restlessness for a bit. I highly recommend trying this if you like to color at home.




 http://vidalsassoon.com/en-us/products/hair-color/vidal-sassoon-salonist-3_662-darkest-intense-violet

The Wet Brush

Forgive me readers, it's been over 5 months since my last post. This brush claims to be the best, de-tangling brush. I usually start with a wide tooth comb but sometimes still get snags. When I first saw it in the store, I felt the bristles and they were so flexible I thought, "this will never work in my thick hair." Ultimately my curiosity (and the low price) won out. And? It works! Glides through my hair like butter. I also like to use it when I first start blow drying my hair before switching to a brush with half boar's hair bristles and it seems to stand up to the heat. (They have an option with boar's hair which I may try.) It also works on dry hair although doesn't quite go completely through my hair but that's not its claim. So, low price and does what it says? A no-brainer in my book.

http://www.thewetbrush.com/index.php/detangle/the-wet-brush/the-wet-brush-purple.html

Clarks Breeze Mila flip flops

Because of foot injuries, I have a hard time wearing flip flops even though I love them. I mostly stick to Okabashis because they have some arch support and the rubbery strap stays on my foot better (although I do have two pairs of their patent ones which have cloth on the inside of the strap and they're great too). But, I was looking for a grey pair and didn't like any of their styles. I came across these Clarks on the JCPenney website. They had really good reviews and were on sale so I decided to give them a try. I'm so glad I did! The footbed is very cushioned but still feels stable. They are lightweight but still feel secure. The best part is that they are adjustable. The two sides overlap and there is a velcro loop so you can tighten or loosen to suit your needs. I think this is absolute genius and am considering buying more pairs (maybe of a different style I saw online while looking for these).

http://www.clarksusa.com/us/womens/womens-collection/Breeze-Mila-Pewter-Synthetic/p/26100570

Cute, comfy, trendy shoes by Christian Siriano for Payless

I've decided to branch out and add things other than beauty products to this blog. I feel like when I find an awesome product, I need to share it. And I've found one at Payless. Payless has certainly evolved over the years and by collaborating with top designers, they have some really respectable shoes at decent prices. I like to think that the shoes are a little better quality because the designer has a reputation and "brand" to protect.

I was looking for something trendy for Spring but also, because of foot problems, need them to be comfy as well. I like the look of cut booties or shooties so that was my goal. I found these Perforated Haven Pumps online and the reviews were great. Luckily my size was available at a store near me. I tried them on and loved how they looked. Took them to work the next day (I try them on carpet the first day in case I need to return them) and was able to wear them all day long without problems. There are only two small cons. First, they snap on the outside and are a little hard to get snapped but once you do, they stay closed which is something I was worried about. Second, when you take them off, you will have what looks like a geometric rash for a little while but it also kind of looks like cool alien skin. You would think the pattern would mean the shoes hurt but they don't. I did a lot of online shopping for similar shoes and was really lucky to find a great pair at a really good price. I sometimes find my Payless shoes last longer and wear better than more expensive ones. I highly recommend these in either, or both, colors.

http://www.payless.com/womens-perforated-haven-pump/75849.html?dwvar_75849_color=cognac#prefn1=brand&prefv1=Christian+Siriano+for+Payless&start=12

Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara

Since I started this blog, I have reviewed 18 different mascaras and I've tried even more (I know, bad Diva!). Although I found some good ones, I have never been able to find the perfect mascara...until now. I can't say enough good things about this mascara. My biggest problem with all mascaras is that they smudge. I already have dark circles under my eyes, I really don't need to add to them. To avoid it I would have to get waterproof or the tubes. The tube mascara doesn't smudge but it doesn't really give much volume and once it sets, you can't add layers. Waterproof formulas seem to make your lashes hard plus, some of them still smudge. I don't know what they did to this formula but the regular mascara DOES NOT smudge! Even when I've fallen asleep with my make up on (one of the greatest sins), it looks great when I get up.

Although being smudge-proof is very important, it doesn't count for much if your lashes look like Tammy Faye Baker. The brush for this mascara is different than anything I've come across and it's not just a gimmick. There are bristles of different lengths and thicknesses around the brush. You can use these in different ways to get different looks. For daytime, I mostly use the longer bristles on the top to give a more natural look. At night, I hold the brush sideways close the the base of my lashes, wiggle it a bit and the roll it up to the ends. This gives a very lush, thick lash. Then I use the longer brushes to separate. (I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when applying mascara is not taking enough time.) Sometimes I use an eyelash comb to finish off and sometimes I don't. It lasts a couple of months before starting to get a little clumpy. I noticed that when I did use an eyelash comb, some small flecks would come off so I knew it was time to buy a new tube. The best part is that is available in drug stores at drug store prices.

This is definitely my favorite mascara and I can't see any reason to try another so this may be my last mascara review. So, go, buy it now!

http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/Lash-Sensational-Washable-Mascara.aspx

Pond's Luminous Finish BB Cream and Hourglass Illusion® Hyaluronic Skin Tint

I decided to review these two together because I found them to be very similar. The Hourglass name is a bit deceiving as it is thicker than what I would think of when seeing the words "skin tint." Both products area thicker liquid so you have to make sure to blend them really well when applying. I never use a sponge but I believe it would work well. Both offer medium coverage but trying to build that up will mostly cause caking. The Pond's product only comes in two shades but has tone correcting complex which is supposed to help it match your skin tone. Both products need a few minutes to "melt" into your skin and then look pretty natural (the Hourglass is a bit more visible). They both seem to last pretty well throughout the day especially if you set them with powder. They both also have spf 15 protection.

So what is the difference? About 40-45 dollars. The Hourglass is a bit more natural looking and offers a wider range of colors. However, after several days of use it made me breakout in small bumps. Not super noticeable but not something anyone wants. In my opinion, the Hourglass is not worth the price. The Pond's may be slightly inferior but the cost savings outweigh any deficiencies. In the end I returned the Hourglass and kept the Pond's. I just bought some Armani BB Cream to try but I will still keep the Pond's. It's great for weekend days when you want to run some errands. Aside from giving you a little color correction, you're getting some spf protection which is always good.

Pond's http://www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?N=0&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=All&srchtree=1&Ntt=ponds+bb+cream&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&CSRFToken=NrwT4CDQq%2BZbSMkqzdeN81PU7JBH9tnyNABhE6jCZi0%3D

Hourglass http://www.hourglasscosmetics.com/illusion-hyaluronic-skin-tint

Urban Decay De-Slick Oil-Control Makeup Setting Spray

So it's been a really long time since I've posted.  Just when I think maybe I've given up, I find a product that I just have to let people know about.  If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that I am constantly searching for ways to mattify my oily skin.  Over a year ago, I discovered Urban Decay's De-Slick powder and became a big fan.  However, the quest to find something that would make that product unnecessary continued.  I have yet to find something that will keep me shine free all day but I have found this, which helps keep me shine free when I'm out at night.  Like the trainer in "Legally Blonde" who was willing to go away for murder rather than admit she had liposuction, my dark secret is that I do not wear full makeup every day.  And many times, I only put it on after I get to work so I don't use the setting spray in the daytime.  I use it when I go out on weekends and it has been a lifesaver.  Ever since I started using this, I find I rarely have to refresh my makeup (other than lipstick) throughout the evening.  It keeps my makeup, including mascara, looking freshly applied even when the temperature rises.  I use a little more than directed (if a little is good, a lot is better, right?) and add another dusting of Bare Minerals MATTE Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 and I'm good to go. 

It comes in a 1oz travel size for $14 or  a 4oz size for $30.  I bought the smaller one and, with once or twice weekly use, I think it will last at least 6 months.  This is a great product I believe every woman should have in her arsenal.

Rating:   
                  5 Scoops

http://www.urbandecay.com/de-slick-oil-control-makeup-setting-spray-by-urban-decay/604214851207.html

L'Oreal Mousse Absolue reusable hair color

What?  Reusable hair color?  Yes, it's true.  L'Oreal came up with a little miracle.  Thanks to the new grey-detecting lights in new office, I had to color my hair immediately.  I don't usually like to color all my hair, just the roots.  I honestly don't mind if there are a few greys, it looks more natural to me.  So, I figured I would get some Root Touch Up again.  While browsing, I came across this.  The word "reusable" caught my eye so I shelled out the $14.99 and went home excited to try it.

It comes with two tubes of color and developer held together by plastic wrapping with a protective cap on top, an applicator top, 2 sets of black gloves, and conditioner.  I was not impressed with the gloves and highly suggest that, if you often color at home, you buy a box of latex gloves.  You can use them when applying the color and use the ones in the box for rinsing your hair.  The biggest thing they stress in the directions is to shake it, shake it, shake it like a Polaroid picture.  You shake it with the protective cap on and then, with it pointed away from you, attach the applicator cap, making sure it clicks into place.  I didn't really hear the clicks but made sure it was on.  Then you just apply it to your hair where needed.  You have to shake it often and not tilt it too much or the color won't mix properly.  It came out pretty light and I was worried that I wasn't getting enough color until I spilled some on my new toilet seat.  Trust me, there was plenty of color.  Leave it on for 30 minutes, rinse in the shower (or wherever you care to do that sort of thing), add conditioner, rinse that and voila!  Now, I like to wash my hair before adding the conditioner, making sure I use a color-friendly shampoo.  I don't know if it makes it less effective but they do it in the salon and the instructions from eSalon tell you to wash it.

So, is it worth it?  I believe it is.  It didn't completely cover my grey but, as I said, that's not really my point.  It turned some of it a lighter brown, which is what I guess it's supposed to do.  I know that when I look in the mirror at work I'm not shocked and horrified.  And I have enough left for one or two more applications.  All in all I think this is a huge advancement in hair color and I think L'Oreal stepped up to the plate and hit it out of the park.




http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/brands/hair-color/mousse-absolue.aspx

Bare Minerals MATTE Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

I've been using this for some time (because I've been lazy in posting) but it gives me time to know if I really like the product.  And I do!  I had never tried any Bare Minerals powder until a salesperson recommended Bare Minerals SPF30 Natural Sunscreen two years ago.  I'm not even sure why I stopped using that.  My guess is either because there weren't enough shade options or, I just wanted to try something new (most likely).  I got a sample of this and liked it right away so bought the full size when it ran out.  I still keep the sample container in my make up bag for touch-ups on the go and leave the full size at home.

It is a loose powder but has a plastic cover that only lets out a small amount at a time.  You put it in the lid and then apply with a brush.  It would be great if they put all their foundations in a portable container like the sunscreen (this has spf 15) but then we might not believe there is an actual difference between the products...lol.  The color is nice and blends in and is layerable.  I usually use it over my Philosophy A to Z cream but you can use it alone as well.

http://www.bareescentuals.com/Large-Matte-Spf-15-Foundation---Fairly-Light/US57979,en_US,pd.html

Clinique Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel

I have mentioned before that, while I no longer have many blackheads or whiteheads, I still have problems with acne "bumps," especially on my chin and beside my nose.  This new product had great reviews so I thought I would give it a try.  The first thing I noticed is that it dries very quickly.  And I mean VERY quickly.  You have to dab on spots in quadrants of your face because it dries so fast.  At first I used it in the morning and night but, after a few days, I started only using it in the morning and went back to using my Algenist at night.  (I have this weird thing where I don't like to layer on too many products.)  I think it would be extremely drying to use on your whole face twice a day.  It has now been a couple of weeks and I still can tell any difference.  I still have just as many bumps on my face as I did before and my skin is a bit drier now.  I think this may be a good product for someone who has serious whitehead breakouts and some reviewers said they used it only as a spot treatment.  In the end, the main acne fighting ingredient is 1% salicylic acid which is the same thing that is in my Dr. Brandt moisturizer.  I'm not sure why you would add an extra step.  If there are other ingredients that help, it would serve them well to list them instead of "Clinique’s four-in-one Clearing Complex" which means nothing.

If you have severe acne, I would think anything is worth a try and you can get a half an ounce for $17 which isn't so bad.  Otherwise, I would look for a multi-tasking product that will help with acne. 

http://www.clinique.com/products/spp/index.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT1672&PRODUCT_ID=PROD29793

Philosophy hope in a jar a to z cream - Updated!

Update: after trying another BB Cream then going back to an old one that were both unsatisfactory, I decided to give this another try, mainly because I find the color to be very natural.  I've been using it for a couple of months and it's been pretty good.  It doesn't do a lot for shine control on its own but works well under my Bare Minerals loose powder.  I think it is great for a daily moisturizer to throw on most days to give you some sun protection.

As much as I love Philosophy's Purity Made Simple, many of their other products fall short.  I love most of their body washes (the Cinnamon Buns smells so real I almost tasted it) but their face and eye creams have been disappointing.  And the other two products I really like, the Supernatural and On a Clear Day primer, have been discontinued.

This BB cream falls somewhere in the middle.  It only comes in 3 colors but the medium blended nicely into my winter-pale skin (sometimes new products only come in limited colors when they are in the "trial phase").  It seemed a little thicker and harder to apply at first but, for some reason, after a week it was easier.  It gives a nice tint of color and has a20 spf sunscreen.  Like many BB creams, it is supposed to replace moisturizer and primer as well.  It does keep my skin hydrated all day and is a nice base for my Bare Minerals powder.  It stays on through the workday and into the evening.  It also hasn't caused any breakouts which is very important.  All in all it is a decent product.  So what is the problem?  The price.  It's $38 for one ounce.  That's a little surprising as I consider Philosophy to generally be reasonable for a non-drugstore brand.  If it was even 10 dollars cheaper, I would consider using it regularly but I believe there is something out there that is either cheaper or works better.

http://www.philosophy.com/multitasking-a-to-z-cream/hope-in-a-jar-a-to-z-cream,en_US,pd.html

earth science Azulene Eye Cream

I've been keeping a secret but only out of laziness.  One of my favorite online shopping methods is to sort by ratings.  I came across this while searching on Drugstore.com for a new eye cream.  As I've mentioned in the past, my biggest problems are dark circles and cross-hatching (which I like to refer to as the nicer sounding "fairy trails").  This product had mostly good reviews and was very wallet-friendly at under $15.  Ignoring the woman who likened it to "a thick, blue paste," I went ahead and ordered it.  This was at the end of July and I've been using it since.  The best part is that I'm only halfway through the jar.  While this is not a miracle worker as far as fairy trails (you'd think fairies wouldn't leave such heavy marks), it is a good eye cream that definitely helps with my dark circles.  It is a little think, and blue, but I have no problem patting it in with my ring finger.  It gives moisture all day long and, while it looks a little greasy when you first apply it, it quickly absorbs. 


I'd never heard of azulene before.  It is a compound that is found in some plants including chamomile.  It has been used for a long time for it's soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.  I came across it again in a wax hair removal kit as an after-application oil.  So it seems chamomile is good for your insides and your outsides.

I really appreciate a decent product that does what it says it will at a reasonable price and I plan to continue using this (at least in between testing others with more radical claims).

http://earthsciencenaturals.com/product/234/Azulene-Eye-Cream-0.7-oz.-.html

Rimmel The Max Volume Flash waterproof mascara

A friend of mine who is familiar with my issues with mascaras that smear sent me this to try since it is waterproof (it doesn't come in a regular formula).  Even though I don't like having mascara rings around my eyes, I usually shy away from waterproof formulas because they tend to make your lashes too stiff and aren't build-able.  Maybe I've stayed away too long because this is flexible, build-able and stays on through sweat and tears (hey, what can I say, the holidays are an emotional time).  Unfortunately there are some downfalls that will keep this from being a new favorite.  Although you can't tell from the picture, the brush is very large and the head barely tapers at all which makes it unwieldy.  It also doesn't give enough volume.  Two coats is not enough for even the daytime.  For e, volume is key. 

If you're looking for a subtle, smear-proof look, this might just me worth a try.

http://us.rimmellondon.com/products/eyes/volume-flash-max-waterproof

Algenist Retinol Firming & Lifting Serum

This was a tough one for me to review partly due to my bad habits.  I'll explain.  I received a 10 day sample of this from Sephora.  It claimed you would see results in that time.  I used it for about 6-7 days but, going against one of my cardinal rules, I used another new product.  One of the two made me breakout so I stopped using both.  I used the last few days once my skin cleared up and it was the other product that was the issue.  I thought my skin looked a little better but I still wasn't sure.  Luckily they were still having the promotion so I ordered another 10 day sample.  I used that for several days and then didn't wash my make-up off one night so didn't use it, then had a trip and skipped several days.  By the time I got back on it, I still had 5 packets.  They say each packet was for one day but you could get almost two days out of each one so I started again and this time used it religiously.  At the end, while the results weren't spectacular, there was definitely a difference.  My skin was smoother and brighter and, well, just nicer in general.  I don't have very deep wrinkles that I could use to judge and it was hard to pinpoint specific things.  I just know that a couple times after washing my face, I would look in the mirror and think, "wow, my skin looks really nice."

The downfall of this product is the $98 price tag.  I will not be buying the full-size anytime soon but if I had the money, I would give it a shot.  The active ingredient, in addition to Retinol, is called Alguronic Acid and is said to have anti-aging properties.  Maybe it does or maybe it is the Retinol but this is one of the few products where I could see a visible difference.  As with any Retinol product, there was some minor redness especially the first few days but it was nothing bothersome or overly noticeable and it went away with continued use.  Also, as I mentioned, a little goes a long way.  I would bet it would last you quite some time which may help reduce the sticker shock.  If anyone does try it, I would love if you would post a comment about your experience.

http://www.algenist.com/products/retinol-firming-lifting-serum

SEPHORA COLLECTION Illuminating Bronzing Oil

I have a small problem with Sephora having its own brand because I think it takes space away from other products which, I thought, was the point of the store.  However, they do have some decent products at more reasonable prices.  This is one of them.

I bought it as an "add-on" to get free shipping and it was half-price, $7.00.  I was a little skeptical because I don't want to look like an Oscar statue.  It doesn't give a lot of color but it gives your skin a nice glow like it's lit from within.  Although it has some shimmer, it's not too much.  Definitely more subtle than the Charlotte Ronson!  I have two complaints about this but neither will stop me from using it.  First, the smell is a little musty.  Not the scent a single, forty-something woman wants anywhere below the waist.  Luckily it fades after an hour or so.  Second, it doesn't really give any moisture to your legs which is surprising since it has several oils in it.  Maybe the ingredients for the shimmer cancel it out.  However, I think this could be easily solved by keeping your legs moisturized or applying a small amount of moisturizer first.  It is easy to apply (although check any nearby surfaces after applying for overspray) and dries quickly.  The best part is that the shimmer/sparkle/glitter doesn't rub off much on hands or clothing. 

I plan to use this product any time I show my legs in the spring, summer and fall.

http://www.sephora.com/illuminating-bronzing-oil-P286028?skuId=1303791

Tarte Brazilliance™ skin rejuvenating maracuja face and body self tanner with mitt

Earlier this summer I posted about Jergen's Natural Glow self tanning lotion.  While I liked the product, I am essentially lazy and did not want to have to apply it every day.  I wanted something that would give faster results (I want it all and I want it now!).  I chose Tarte's Brazilliance based on other reviews and the fact that it came with an application mitt which I've never used before.  It's expensive at $37 a bottle but I think it is fairly large (5.5 oz) and a little goes a long way.

This is a tinted self tanner so it makes it easy to see where you are applying it and helps to keep you streak and splotch free.  Although I read some complaints that the mitt soaks up too much of the product, I did not find that to be the case and I think the little bit it does soak up is outweighed by the ease and thoroughness of application.  It has a lovely scent that only smells slightly like self tanner hours after using it and washes away completely with one shower.  It only takes a few minutes to dry and doesn't rub off on fabrics.  I like to apply it in the evening and let the color develop while I sleep so I can wash off any lingering scent in the morning.  I wake up with nicely tan-colored legs about 2-3 shades darker than I had when I went to bed. Maracuja oil is from the Amazonian (where all the good stuff grows) passion flower and is said to have essential fatty acids and vitamins.  I'm not sure it rejuvenates my skin exactly but it doesn't dry it out.

This says it can be used for face and body so I tried it once all over with the help of this "handy" little tool.  I liked the color it gave on my body and face (although my torso was still lighter since it never sees the sun anymore) but I think it made me breakout and I haven't been willing to take the chance again.  However, my skin is very sensitive to breakouts, so, if you're isn't, I wouldn't hesitate to try it.  It did not get into my pores like others have in the past.  All in all I would say this is one of the best self tanners I have used.  The only con is the price but I think it's worth it for a quality product that performs as advertised.

http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-brazilliance-maracuja-face-and-body-self-tanner

Dr. Brandt Blemishes No More Oil-free Hydrator

Even at my age (which we'll just say is "out of my 20s") I still get occasional breakouts.  Usually it's when I am out partying like I'm still in my 20s and don't remove my make up before bed.  I was looking for something that would help and wouldn't give me shine, an on-going battle in my life. 

Dr. Brandt is another dermatologist to the stars who released his own skincare line.  I like the idea because I feel like they are more involved in actually creating the product unlike a model, actress, or fashion designer.

This is an oil-free product with Dr. Brandt's Active Impurity Shield.  The main acne fighting ingredient is salicylic acid.  There's really only one other that I know of, benzoyl peroxide.  On my skin (ok my back!) benzoyl seems to work better but, on my face, I like salicylic acid.  There is no rhyme or reason, it's just what I've found.  So, if you use products with one and they don't seem to work, try the other.

It's a light moisturizer and it doesn't have any serious anti-aging properties.  I don't use it every day but when I have a flare up, I find a couple days of using this calms everything down.  And lately, since it's been so humid, I find myself using it more and more.  I like it enough that I just ordered a second tube.

http://www.drbrandtskincare.com/product/-blemishes+no+more+oil+free+hydrator.do?sortby=ourPicks

Eye shadows by Clinque (chubby stick), Bobbi Brown and Sephora

Every now and then I decide I need to start wearing eye shadow again and start searching for the perfect one.  This time I ended up with three. 

First was the Chubby Stick for Eyes by Clinique.  It comes in 12 lovely shades and I went with the Portly Plum.  The color is beautiful and I like that you just turn it to get more (instead of using a sharpener) but otherwise it didn't live up to my expectations.  It is a sheer color that is supposed to be buildable but I found it did not go on smoothly or evenly.  Even when I tried to rub it in, it didn't really work.

My second try was Bobbi Brown's eye shadow in Cement.  BB has a great reputation but I've never really gotten around to trying her products.  This color in particular got very good reviews as a great neutral color.  It is described as a grey-beige and I would say it leans toward the beige side.  It's a nice color although maybe a little too dark for me if that's all I'm wearing (my dark circles are on my eyelids as well so sometimes colors are hard to see).  It goes on nicely and has pretty good staying power.  I haven't tried it with a primer but I'm sure it would only help.  It definitely did not have the problem of the Sephora brand below.

Last was the Colorful Eye Shadow from Sephora in Coffee Shimmer.  The color was nice but when I was applying it, it crumble and ended up under my eyes and on my face.  It got returned right away.

So, for now I've mostly given up on eye shadow.  Out of these three, the Bobbi Brown is the only one I'd try again, I'd just get a different color.

http://www.clinique.com/product/1598/22855/Makeup/Eyeshadows/NEW-Chubby-Stick-Shadow-Tint-for-Eyes/index.tmpl

http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/product/2330/8197/Makeup/Eyes/Eye-Shadow/Eye-Shadow/index.tmpl

http://www.sephora.com/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1425206&productId=P377296

Urban Decay Vintage De-Slick mattifying powder

Since I often refer to my face as an oil slick, trying this product was a no-brainer.  It is a lavender tinted powder that comes in a groovy purple case.  The puff that comes with it sticks to the mirror when you open the case which is kind of cool for no apparent reason.  The puff is a little on the thin side and, because I use it over my BB Cream, it gets color on it pretty quickly.  I've switched mine out for a sponge puff and it works just as well.  I equate this product to powder blotting papers without the size limitations.  It really takes away the shine.  Even though it is a little tinted, I think this could be used on most skin shades.  You just have to be careful to rub it in well so it doesn't show.  There really are no cons to this product in my opinion and it has become a new staple.

 

http://www.urbandecay.com/vintage-de-slick-mattifying-powder/173,default,pd.html?start=3&cgid=4