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

Jergens Natural Glow Self Tanner

In general, I am not a big fan of sunless tanning products (including many bronzers).  I feel like they just can't quite get the color right.  And I've tried everything from over-the-counter, to professional spray tans, to Mystic tan.  Even if I don't end up looking like John Boehner, it seems to get in my pores causing tiny dark dots.  Like blackheads.  NOT the look I am going for!

While on a beach weekend recently, I noticed that a very pale friend of mine's legs were darker than mine.  Not that that is difficult to do but this chick is even fairer than I.  She told me she'd been using Jergens Natural Glow.  Not one to let past failures stand in my way, I went and bought some right away.  The first thing I noticed was that it didn't have the smell of many self tanners.  I used a Suave version that you could still smell after a shower.  It went on just like a regular moisturizer and didn't take very long to dry.  I woke up the next morning with my legs a shade slightly darker than death.  I used it for three days in a row and, as advertised, the color grew gradually darker.  After the 3rd day I didn't use it that night.  Not too much fading the next day but by the 2nd day, it seemed to be turning an orange-y hue as it faded.  However, using it again took care of this.  There was also no streaking or splotches even around my ankles and toes.  I used the fair to medium option since I don't want to stray too far from my natural skin tone.  I am just looking to make my legs match my arms.  The color does not look 100% like a natural tan but it's the closest I've come.

http://www.jergens.com/products/natural-glow/3-days-to-glow.aspx

Shiseido Perfect Hydrating BB Cream and Shiseido Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector

It's that time of year again when we think about sunscreen protection even though we should think of it all year round!  I've been looking for one product I can put on in the morning to give me a little color, protect me from harmful uv rays and help keep oiliness at bay.  During my search I came across a new BB cream from Shiseido.  I have never used their products although I am aware of their great reputation and they are one of the oldest skincare companies.  As I was buying this, I was telling the sales clerk about my issues and she said she used the Urban Environment Protector because it was water resistant and helped control oil.  Unfortunately I had already made my purchase and decided to do ahead since I had read some good reviews.  It is a decent product and not exorbitantly priced.  It only comes in two colors (but I think a lot of products limit their selection during the "first release" phase).  The color was a little dark for me and it didn't spread very smoothly so I had to be careful to blend it into my neck so I didn't have "kabuki face."  It gave decent coverage and seemed to last but alas, it did not control my oil well enough.

I returned it and was looking at some other products when a saleslady offered me a sample of the Urban Environment Tinted UV Protector.  I bought something else and took both home.  This one comes in three colors and the medium was a nice match.  It spread a little better than the BB Cream but other than that I had the same problem.  I don't feel it had any better oil control than the other.  In the end, if I were to recommend one, I would say try the BB Cream.  Even though it was a little harder to apply I think it gave better coverage and a nicer finish.  And I would recommend trying it if you don't have oily skin.  Keep in mind that it is all about what you are looking for.  If you are using a BB Cream to replace moisturizer and primer, you have a lot more choices.  But, if you're like me and want one product to provide those things plus sunscreen and color that gives a matte finish, you have to look a little harder.  And I will!

http://www.shiseido.com/perfect-hydrating-bb-cream-spf-35/9990000000043,en_US,pd.html&cgid=makeup-face-foundation&&dwvar_9990000000043_color=00043_Medium

http://www.shiseido.com/urban-environment-tinted-uv-protector/9990000000045,en_US,pd.html&q=uv%20protector&&dwvar_9990000000045_color=00045_1

Philosophy Purity Made Simple face wash

Somehow I have managed to not review one of my favorite products ever!  I think I've even mentioned it in other posts and I guess I assumed I had already written about it.  You know what they say about assumptions; they make an ass out of u and, uh, mptions?  That's not right. 

This is my longest-used product and one that would be a contender if I had to pick only one I couldn't live without.  It was so long ago I can't tell you how I discovered it but I'm so glad I did.  The first thing you will notice is that this is a non-foaming cleanser.  Although I can't get past that with hair products, I got past it pretty easily with Purity.  It literally melts the make up off your face leaving you with a clean, but moisturized face.  I even tried the toner test to see if there was any residue or make up left over but there wasn't.  I have one friend who said it was too drying for her.  Of course not everything works for everyone but based on reviews I've seen, she is in the minority.  It even removes eye make-up which is a huge plus in my book.  It also has never made me break out and that is a big problem for me with many face products.  With my adoration for this product, you can imagine how happy I was when they started making a cleansing cloth.  I try to stick to a routine and take good care of my skin but some days that whole, bending over the sink/splashing water thing is just too much.  It is a little pricey but it lasts a LONG time and comes in different sizes so you can decide how much you want to spend (I recommend the 16 oz, which will last 3-4 months, for every day use).

Oh, and for those of you who just can't feel clean without foam, they make a foaming gel version now too but you'll have to let me know how that one is if you try it.

http://www.philosophy.com/facial-clenasers/purity-made-simple,en_US,pd.html

Guerlain Maxi Lash mascara

I have a new love.  Like most loves, it isn't perfect but, the good so outweighs the bad, it can't dampen that "new relationship" feel.  It started with a deluxe sample.  I've only ever tried one Guerlain product, their Terracotta Skin Health Glow Foundation (also a sample), which I loved but when I went to buy it, I was talked into Giorgio Armani Face Fabric.  The Armani is still in my rotation but I've never purchased the full size Terracotta skin.  Anyway, I digress.  I can't believe how much volume and length this mascara gives!  It is marketed as a curling mascara but I don't really see it doing that.  Luckily for me it's not a problem but if it is, I'm sure you are already adept at handling a lash curler so don't let that stop you.  Just a few swipes is all you need.  I feel like it almost looks like false eyelashes only, you know, not false.  Check it out:

I am wearing a bit of black eyeshadow applied with an eyeliner brush on my lash line and the mascara.  And this is before I remembered to comb them out!  I think they look even better (less crunchy) in person.

Now, that tiny flaw I mentioned?  It does smudge a little.  But really, just a little.  Having to wipe my eyelids once during the day and once in the evening seems a small price to pay.  Besides, it gives me an excuse to look in the mirror and admire my lashes :-)