TONER - WHICH ONE IS THE BEST

As hard as I try, I always forget to use toner when cleansing my skin, which is a major flaw in my skin regimen.  In order to remind myself to use toner, I leave it next to my cleanser.  But how do you know which toner is best for your skin type?  If you have skin which is prone to acne, I would try using a toner with salicylic acid to help control breakouts. If you have dry skin, do not choose a toner with alcohol.  And if you have sensitive skin, avoid a toner which has harsh ingredients such as salicylic acid.  Because I have dry skin, I use Caudalie Lotion Tonique.

Caudalie is "....0% parabens, phenoxyethanol...is against animal testing and alcohol-free."  The product is highly concentrated in Vinolevure, finalizes the cleansing process and maximizes the effectiveness of your facial treatments.  Caudalie Lotion Tonique can be used  for any skin type, but mainly used for dry/sensitive skin.

The toner really does help with the removal of your remaining make-up.  You can even use the toner over your eyes to help remove your eye makeup.  After I used this, my skin felt very hydrated and clean.  Because there is no alcohol, the scent of Caudalie is light and refreshing.  It has hints of citrus flower, watermelon and a little bit of mint.

The amount that comes in the bottle will last you for a while.  One bottle lasted me a little over two months.  You get what you pay for with this product.

As I stated, this product can be used by all skin types.  But if you have dry/sensitive skin you will love Caudalie Lotion Tonique.

Caudalie Lotion Tonique retails for $28.00.  It may be purchased at Nordstroms, Sephora, www.amazon.com and www.beauty.com.

HARD CANDY vs. SEPHORA

Sephora Ultra Shine and Hard Candy Mouthing Off are two great lip glosses, both affordable in their own right. But which one has better consistency and pigment, and which one lasts the longest.  I took a look at both to find which is better lip gloss.

Hard Candy (left) and Sephora (right)

Sephora (left) and Hard Candy (right)

The Sephora Ultra Shine lip gloss comes in an array of colors.  No matter what your taste may be, you will find several colors you love.  Unlike some glosses which are tacky or sticky, the Sephora Ultra Shine lip gloss is buttery.  It comes with a doe-foot applicator and a scent which is not overwhelming.  The lip gloss is saturated in color and doesn't taste too bad. Sephora's lip gloss comes in a large container and lasts for a few hours before it needs to be reapplied.  I tried pairing this lip gloss with one of my lipsticks and had a fantastic payoff.  The high shine does dull down after a while, but a nice shine is still maintained.  I really liked this lip gloss and will purchase it again.

Hard Candy's Mouthing Off sheer lip shine comes in a few colors, but not as many when compared to MAC lip gloss or that of Sephora's Ultra Shine lip gloss.  As far as texture is concerned it is a little sticky, but not as sticky as some of its competitors.  The lip glosses are perfect for a sheer and sexy shine on the lips.  One fun thing about the product is its funky, decorative package design.  Something that the Sephora packaging lacks.  Although the texture is sticky, it has a nice sweet smell comparable to cookies or cupcakes.  When I tried putting the lip gloss over my lipstick, I achieved  a soft shine.  It looked good, but definitely not great.  The product only lasts a couple of hours before you have to reapply, which seems to be a very short time when you compare it to its competitor, Sephora Ultra Shine.  All in all, the Hard Candy is good but definitely not great.

Therefore, the Sephora Ultra Shine comes out on top.  With its greater longevity, high pigmented color and soft texture, Sephora is the clear winner. Hard Candy Mouthing Off does put out a decent lip gloss for the price, but it does not measure up to Sephora's Ultra Shine.

The Sephora Ultra Shine retails for $14.00 and may be purchased at Sephora or www.sephora.com.

The Hard Candy Mouthing Off retails for $6.00.  It may be purchased at Wal-Mart.

POWER SERUM FOR WRINKLES

So I thought that I would attack the subject of wrinkles.  Some may believe that all serums are the same, which is completely untrue.  Strivectin-SD Power Serum for Wrinkles not only diminishes the look of pores, it helps boost luminosity and making skin feel youthful.  There is a "potent complex of actives which is the most technologically advanced formula. The formula contains a patented  wrinkle complex of NIA-114, Plant Stem Cells and Peptide Actives.  NIA-114 (Niacin) powers up skin to help repair damage and fight off all visible signs of aging.  Potent elastin-stimulating peptides help enhance skin structure and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  And Plant Stem Cells detoxify skin to help improve skin's luminosity and clarity."

This product has been amazing for my skin. When I first put the product on my face, it felt rich and smooth.  The Strivectin-SD Power Serum for Wrinkles is very concentrated.  It was non-greasy, and it absorbed quickly.  Over the next few weeks the Strivectin-SD seemed to improve the health of my skin and my problems with dry skin. It also reduced the wrinkles, and evened out my skin tone.

The serum has a light scent and is not offensive like some. The bottle is small, but a little goes a long way.  The product goes on smoothly and doesn't feel sticky.  I am not 100% positive, but I believe my complexion looked brighter after the first few days.

I am a HUGE skeptic when it comes to anti-aging products.  Many products make major claims, but few deliver on them.  So when I tried the Strivectin-SD Power Serum for Wrinkles, I tried to keep an open mind.  I can honestly say after a few weeks of use I am pleasantly surprised.  This is now my go to serum for fighting wrinkles and for luminous skin.

Strivectin-SD Power Serum for Wrinkles retails for $99.00.  It may be purchased at www.skinstore.com; www.drugstore.com and www.strivectin.com.

ELF VS. URBAN DECAY

Is a high-end eyeshadow primer better than a low-end primer, only because it is more expensive?  In today's society the answer is "yes".  Some people believe that if a product is more expensive it is a better product and more appealing.  But how does this thinking apply when it comes to Elf Eyelid Primer vs. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer?

Personally, I have a hard time keeping my eye makeup on all day because my eyes water constantly.  The makeup never stays unless I use eyeshadow primers. And, of course, some primers work better than others on me.  One primer that sort of worked was the Elf Eyelid Primer.  The primer felt much like the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in terms of consistency.  But for some reason this primer does not keep my eye makeup on for a full eight hours.  It did last about four to five hours, a normal evening out for me.  After the four hour mark, I could see where my makeup was starting to crease and wear off.  So while Elf is good for an evening out, I would not use it for an eight hour day at work.

When I used Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, I found that my eye makeup lasted a little more than eight hours.  As watery as my eyes get, this primer kept my makeup looking fresh.  The consistency is a little thicker than Elf's primer, but once it goes on, you don't know it is there.  The package is a bit small, but a little bit goes a long way.  And unlike the Elf primer, the Urban Decay primer made my eyeshadow appear more pigmented.  I have gotten plenty of compliments since using this primer.  Also, the primer dries quickly (you should wait for it to dry completely before putting on your eyeshadow) making your makeup practically bulletproof.  This primer is truly amazing.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion before eyeshadow and Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion with Urban Decay eyeshadow

ELF Eyelid Primer before eyeshadow and ELF Eyelid Primer with Urban Decay eyeshadow

So in the end, at least in this case, you do get what you pay for.  Elf lasts about four hours before it wears off, whereas Urban Decay lasts about eight hours before wearing off.  While Elf Eyelid Primer is not a bad primer, it definitely doesn't measure up to that of Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Elf Eyelid Primer retails for $1.00.  It may be purchased at www.eyeslipsface.com and www.drugstore.com.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion retails for $20.00.  It may be purchased at Sephora, Ulta, Macy's and www.urbandecay.com.

LOCK IT IN

One of my favorite powder foundations as of late is the Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Powder Foundation.  I have tried many powder foundations, and almost all have left me shiny only a few hours after I put it on or made my makeup appear cakey.  With this powder foundation, I have not had that problem.

The Kat Von D's powder foundation is a pressed powder foundation which promises buildable coverage, a flawless matte finish and 24 hour wear.  The product also claims to be smudge-proof, sweat-proof and resistant to caking.  Now when I use powder foundation, I like for it to cover my unevenness and redness and reduce any shine. Kat Von D's powder went on smooth and reduced my unevenness, shine and redness.  With just a swipe of my powder brush, it helped take care of my flaws and set my concealer.  Sure it does not last a full 24 hours, but for me, it lasted at least 12 hours.

The Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Powder Foundation melts onto my skin upon first application like a second skin, unlike the countless others I tried which just sat there looking like powder.  The powder foundation was still going strong without disappearing or oxidizing at the end of the day.  Even during the hot, humid weather during the summer, the powder foundation held on.  I appeared natural without any shine throughout the day.  And the coverage for this product is fantastic.  The coverage is medium to full and soft in texture.  I can achieve coverage in just one swoop, whereas with MAC, for example, I need several sweeps.

The packaging is actually pretty cool.  In addition to the first mirror where the powder is kept, there is a second mirror where the applicator is kept.  Kat Von D's powder foundation does not contain any fragrances, nor does it have any pore-clogging ingredients.  However, if you are allergic to talc, do not use this product as the powder foundation contains talc.

To date, I have not been faithful when it comes to using a particular brand of powder foundation.  I have tried different brands here and there, but never one I wanted to use religiously.    This powder foundation lived up to its promises.  It is budge-proof, sweat-proof and smudge-proof all day long.  It has a buildable formula which hides imperfections easily.  I plan on using Kat Von D's Lock It Tattoo Powder Foundation religiously from now on.

The Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Powder Foundation retails for $34.00.  It may be purchased at Sephora.

THE INVENTION OF THE COLOR CORRECTION WHEEL

Have you ever wondered what a makeup color correction wheel is and what it is used for?  Did you ever wonder what color you can use to hide discoloration or acne.  Well today I have decided to blog about this very subject.

As you already know, makeup concealers hide blemishes, dark circles, scars, etc.  And there has been a time when all of us has needed to hide a facial flaw which was really nasty.  But packing on the concealer will just make that nasty flaw look even worse.  So, if you want to hide your flaw, you are going to have to use a neutralizing makeup corrector such as purple, green, yellow, pink or orange.

To find out which neutralizing color to use, you look to the colors which appear opposite on a traditional color wheel.  For example, green neutralizes red and yellow neutralizes blue.  There are plenty of color correction wheels on the market.  But my all time favorite is the Mehron ProColoRing Neutralizer.  The wheel contains five colors to help eliminate facial flaws:

• Yellow (Tawny Amber) - used to conceal blue discoloration under the eyes;


• Lavender (Lilac Suede) - used to neutralize yellow complexions;


• Green (Mint Buff) - used to conceal red tones on the skin such as rosacea or acne;


• Pink (Fawn Pink) - used to brighten the under eye area;


• Orange (Soft Sky)- used to conceal hyperpigmentation

The ProColoRing Neutralizer shades cover and blend away different kinds of skin redness, blemishes and other discolorations or imperfections.

To apply a color correcting concealer, you choose the color, pat it on the area you wish to neutralize and PAT your makeup base over the color.  If you drag the base across  the color concealer, you take the risk of removing the color.

The ProColoRing Neutralizer was designed with the most effective shades for neutralizing fair to medium skin tones.  The cream colors provide terrific correction capability and delivers the complexity needed for visually correcting all kinds of discoloration and imperfection with great coverage.

The Mehron ProColoRing Neutralizer retails for $12.00 - $16.00 depending on the retailer.  You may purchase the product at www.camerareadycosmetics.com; www.makeup-store.com and www.mehron.com.

BROW ZING

I have always maintained that when you do your makeup you should fill in your brows.  It makes you look younger and makes for a completed look. Benefit's Brow Zing has been around for awhile, but there is a reason for that; it is truly AMAZING.

Benefit's Brow Zing is actually a brow kit.  The kit contains pigmented wax, shaded powder, tweezers, a blending brush and a mirror.  It includes everything that you need to make your brows to look their best. I have tried other brow kits, but I keep coming back to this brand.  In my opinion it is the most natural looking brow kit on the market.

The brow kit is very easy to use. It lasts all day, and I get tons of compliments of how more polished my makeup looks.  The one thing I disliked about the kit was the tweezers.  I found them to be ineffective and too small to use.  But the rest of the kit works perfectly.

There are some spots that are sparse in my eyebrows.  The powder and wax in the Benefit Brow Zing kit leaves me with natural looking brows, and the look lasts all day long.  The powder does not clump, and it comes off easily.

As mentioned, the powder is very pigmented.  For those that have some gray hairs in their eyebrows, Benefit's Brow Zing will cover up your grays and give you a younger yet natural appearance.  The wax will help keep the powder in place and make the brows well groomed.

The kit is small, but has just enough product to last you for at least a year.  You only need a little bit of powder and wax to complete your brows.  Some may find the price to be high for brow powder and wax, but this kit is superior to brow pencils and other brow powders.

Benefit's Brow Zing retails for $30.00.  It may be purchased at Sephora, Ulta, Macy's and www.benefitcosmetics.com.

OH SO FABULOUS

The CoverGirl cosmetics line was founded in 1958 in Baltimore, Maryland by the Noxema Chemical Company.  It was later purchased by Procter & Gamble in 1989.  Over the years, Covergirl has produced many foundations, and this new foundation is truly amazing.

CoverGirl's Outlast Stay Fabulous is a 3 in 1 foundation.  What does this mean?  It means the foundation has a primer, concealer and blendable foundation all in one bottle.  It even offers sun protection with an SPF of 20.  The shades of the foundation are true in my opinion.

This past Sunday I decided to put the foundation on and see if it was as wonderful as the ads claim it to be.  I read somewhere that one person compared the foundation to Kat Von D's Lock-It foundation.  This was not the case.  The Lock-It foundation offers full coverage.  CoverGirl's  Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation offers medium coverage.  This particular foundation is also buildable.  If you need a little more in some areas don't be afraid to add more.

The finish of the foundation was very natural looking and not cakey like some other foundations.  The consistency was thin and light.  I achieved the best results when I used a dampened sponge.  The foundation goes on smoothly when used with a primer.  I was able to achieve a finished look which had a luminous, yet matte finish.  When I tried to work without a primer, the end results were not very natural looking.

 CoverGirl's Outlast Stay Fabulous is not scented.  So those with sensitive skin or allergies have one less thing to worry about.  The product comes in pump form and not in a tube.  I found that this foundation lasted pretty much all day on me, and washed off easily when it came time to take it off.

After doing a little research about this product, I found something that will soothe the minds of those with oily skin and those who have problems with their pores.  Those with oily skin who used the CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous stated the foundation lasted about six hours before a retouch was needed.  Those users with problems with their pores claimed their pores were not noticeable.  Users with normal skin reported they needed to blot one time during the day.  For women with extra dry skin, you may want to use your favorite moisturizer under this foundation to achieve that perfect look.  In my opinion, especially from someone with very dry skin, using the moisturizer under the foundation had an excellent payoff.

Normally I purchase my foundations from Sephora.  I do not usually buy my foundation outside of Sephora, because I am afraid the foundation  may not be up to par with the foundations at Sephora.  This time I was pleasantly surprised.  CoverGirl's Outlast Stay Fabulous was great!  It exceeded my expectations by giving me great coverage without looking too cakey, a natural appearance which at the same time was luminous.  I may just have to purchase it again.

CoverGirl's Outlast Stay Fabulous retails for $9.00 - $13.00 depending on the retailer.  It may be purchased at your local drugstore, Wal-Mart and Target.

PRIME AND DEFINE THOSE EYES

I have blogged on a couple of mascaras. Now I have come across another mascara that is just as great; Lorac Special Effects mascara.  Whenever I do my makeup, I always concentrate on are my eyes.  I love for them to really standout.  With this mascara, I have no problem standing out.

The Lorac Special Effects mascara is luxurious, long-lasting and lengthening.  At one end of the mascara there is a primer.  At the other end there is the mascara.  According to the Lorac website, the primer contains natural oils, plant extracts and DL-Pathenol which helps to prime your lashes making them nourished, protected and conditioned.  The primer does make a difference.  It has a thin consistency, helps to separate the lashes and gives them some length before the makeup application.  The mascara is carbon black in color. The thin, rubber bristle brush grabs all of my lashes giving them a lot of definition.  Lorac's Special Effects mascara does not flake, run or clump.  It is also easy to remove.  I simply use my eye makeup remover, and the mascara comes right off.

Some people have complained that this mascara gives them "spider" eyes and appears "wet".  I have not had this experience.  I am not used to using Lorac cosmetics.  I am usually not impressed with it.  However, this is quite a different story.  The primer was fantastic as it picked up every lash.  The mascara itself is very pigmented.  There was no flaking, smearing or clumping.  I do have one tip, let your primer dry prior to applying the mascara.  Your real lashes will look like you put on falsies.

Lorac's Special Effects mascara retails for $23.00.  It may be purchased at Sephora, Ulta, www.beauty.com or www.loraccosmetics.com.

WATERPROOF EYE SPACKLE

I know this product has been out for a while, but I wanted to mention it because of how fantastic it is.  Basically, it is a primer in pen form which  also happens to be waterproof.  The product comes in various color choices and may be used to cover any lid discoloration.

Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle is one of my favorite primers on the market.  Because my eyelids are oily, I had a difficult time wearing eyeshadow and eyeliner.  Within one hour of application it came off.  Also, living in New Orleans I experience a lot of heat and humidity.  The Laura Geller Waterproof Eye Spackle helped my makeup stay on and look fresh. This formula absolutely does not budge.  I was able to wear my eye makeup all day.  And a little goes long way.  Just a few dabs around the eye is all you need.  Then apply your makeup as usual.  One of the great things about Laura Geller Eye Spackle is that it makes my eye area look smoother.  Since I turned middle aged, I am beginning to get fine lines.  Because of this product, my makeup went on smoother.

The special pen makes your baked eyeshadows completely waterproof.  Your eye color stays put and true.  The pigmentation conceals imperfections and helps to brighten your eye area, chasing away any darkness and hiding any discoloration.  And yes, it keeps your eyeliner waterproof.

There are a couple of downfalls with the product.  Compared to some drugstore cosmetics, this product can be expensive at the cost of $25.00.  Second, if you do not use the eye spackle fast enough, the product dries out.  Maybe the top should be a screw top rather than a pop top.

To purchase Laura Geller's Waterproof Eye Spackle please visit Ulta, www.qvc.com, www.laurageller.com or www.drugstore.com.

NATURALLY GORGEOUS

Most recently I blogged about Hard Candy's concealer.  I am now back writing about Hard Candy's Naturally Gorgeous top ten eyeshadow collection.

The top ten eyeshadow collection consists of ten eyeshadows in various neutral/brown shades. It is organized from the lightest shade to darkest shade.  Most importantly it is a cruelty-free product.  Unfortunately that is where the praise for this palette ends.

It is my opinion that this product was trying to be an inexpensive dupe for the NAKED palette.  Please let me tell you that I wanted to like this palette, but you do get what you pay for.  To start, I did not find a single matte shadow; all shimmery shades.  When I applied the colors to my lids. I found the shadows to be very powdery and there was a lot of fall out.  Not to mention the fact that the eyeshadows were grainy.  Even when I used the Urban Decay primer with MAC brushes, this eyeshadow palette gave me nothing but fall out.

The Hard Candy Naturally Gorgeous eyeshadow palette has very little pigment.  I understand that this is not supposed to be a high-end palette, but I do expect more color than what was given.  I had a difficult time blending the colors too.  The only time the color payoff was good, was when I wet my brush first then applied the shadow.  Another way I got good color payoff was by going over and over my eyelids with more product.

The Hard Candy Naturally Gorgeous eyeshadow palette retails for $6.00 at your local Wal-Mart.  My best advice is to save your money for something of better quality.

THE ULTIMATE CLEAN

The latest craze is cleansing oils, and Shiseido has jumped on the bandwagon with its Ultimate Cleansing Oil.  This product is a rinse off oil-based cleanser which has been formulated for easy removal of makeup.  It applies very easily and rinses off, leaving no sensation of stickiness.

Over the past year, I have used a number of cleansing oils.  Unlike some oils, it does not leave any residue.  It takes off a full face of makeup and any sunscreen.  Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil is perfect for dry skin.  Unlike harsh soaps, the oil based cleanser does not leave a dry tight feeling.

Since trying this product my skin appears more toned and even.  I have noticed that with the oil cleanser my skin feels firmer.  It has not made my pores bigger, nor has it lead to any breakouts.  When I wash my face, I make sure to wash along my hairline so I do not break out in that area. With the Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil, the area rinses clean, which is evident by the clean cotton ball that I use when I tone.  Prior to using Shiseido, I suffered from some redness on my face.  Since using the product, I am not as red.

The smell of the Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil is light and fresh.  It has a fluid texture and seems to get deeper into my skin than previous cleansing oils.  My face feels fresh and clean after using it.

There are a couple of cons with this product.  First, when traveling the container has a tendency to leak.  Therefore, I would pack it in a plastic storage bag.  Second, the price of Shiseido is higher compared to products you would find in a drugstore.

The Shiseido Ultimate Cleansing Oil retails for $25.00.  It may be purchased at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Sephora.

ROCKIN' THAT GLOW

I have recently come across Benefit's Rockateur blush.  It is a nice rose gold in color and absolutely gorgeous.  You will go wild for the luxurious glow that it gives off.  I have only been using it for a little while, but I have received a ton of compliments.  The blush comes with an angled brush which is very well made.  It is not one of those brushes you get with some cosmetics where the bristles fall out.

This blush has incredible staying power.  It should last you for a full work day.  You may then need a touch up before going out for the evening. Rockateur is also very natural looking, and should go with most skin tones.  The product is that perfect shade of pink with a mix of gold. The color is very pigmented.  It does not have much of a shimmer, but more of a glow. The blush's color can go with any eye look or lipstick.   It could be described as a cross between Benefit's Coralista and Dandelion.  Rockateur's color looks frosty in the box, but once you try it on it gives off that glow I was speaking of earlier.
 

Unfortunately, the container is small for the price.  This has not been a problem for me.  I have been using the product for a while now, and I have not hit the pan yet.   Even though it is small, the payoff you receive is fantastic.  It look very pretty on the skin.   I am a big fan of NARS' blush, Orgasm, like the rest of America, but I must say that Rockateur is a pretty good contender for NARS.

Benefit's Rockateur retails for $28.00.  It may be purchased at Sephora, Ulta and www.benefitcosmetics.com.

OUT WITH THE WRINKLES

I am in my early forties, and like most people my age, I have fine lines under my eyes.  But I have finally found something to rid some of these wrinkles and that is Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Night.  I tried many brands, most being ones you can buy at your local drugstore.  Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Night beats all of these.

Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Night is cruelty-free.  It has aloe vera, vitamins A,C and E, pro vitamin B5 retinol and glycolic acid.  It contains and exclusive blend of eight powerful anti-aging peptides and three neuropeptides which are combined with Syn-Tacks (new, cutting edge peptide) and skin moisturizers.  The product helps minimize pores, cellular renewal, restores moisture and revitalizes the skin.  It also assists in the repair of environmental damage.

When I used it, my deep set wrinkles were reduced along with my fine lines.  My skin looked plump and smooth which helped me look younger.  I apply the product every night, and when I wake up my skin tone is bright and clear.  I noticed a huge difference in my skin and texture on my face since using it, and I have not had any breakouts.  It exfoliates the surface of dead skin cells and stimulates skin turnover.  Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Night Cream is not heavy like other creams are.  It is light and airy.

I have fallen into the peptide craze because of what it can do for your skin.  This product is packed with peptides.  It absorbs well, is unscented and has lived up to its claims. A little bit of product goes a long way, so one jar should last you for a while. The hydration benefits are wonderful and well suited for my extremely dry skin, which poses a problem during the winter months.  The cream is meant for the 35 and older crowd.

The Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Night cream retails for $110.00.  It may be purchased at Ulta, Macys, Sephora, www.skinstore.com and www.peterthomasroth.com.

SHATTERED FACE CASE

Urban Decay has recently come out with another palette; the Shattered Face Case.  While not as large as its most popular Vice Palette, the Shattered Case Face has something to offer.

The palette has two tiers.  The first tier consists five colored eyeshadows, two blushes, one highlighter, one eyeliner and one lip color.  The colors are as follows:

Nameless eyeshadow - medium gray brown color;

Remix eyeshadow - rich, purple, shimmery color

Shakedown eyeshadow - rich brown gunmetal color

Minor Sin eyeshadow - champagne pink color

Bleach eyeshadow - yellow beige color

Zero eyeliner - matte black eyeliner

Overexposed blush - dusty rose color

Temper blush - baby pink color

Glint Highlighter - champagne pink color

Lovechild lip color - cool pink color

From Left to Right: Nameless; Remix; Shakedown; Minor Sin and Bleach

From Left to Right: Overexposed, Temper and Glint

From Left to Right: Zero Eyeliner; Naked lip color (The palette is supposed to contain Lovechild, but my palette had Naked in it)

The case makes for a perfect combinations for day and night looks.  It contains everything you would need for a touch-up or a full face of makeup.  Plus, it travels and stores easily.  Its colors are both vibrant and pigmented.  The eyeshadows go on smoothly and not chalky.  It also has little fallout.

Because of its dainty design, the Shattered Face Case is perfect for quick getaways, after-work functions and last minute invites.  When you wish to change your look, simply switch out one of the pencils for a different Urban Decay shade.  However, you will have to provide your own powder, mascara and brushes as this palette does not contain these items.

You may purchase the Urban Decay Shattered Face Case at Macy's, www.macys.com and www.urbandecay.com.

BIODERMA CREALINE - MUST OR BUST

If you have not heard of it before, Bioderma Crealine is a micellarre (mineral) used for makeup removal.  It is best known to be used by people with sensitive skin and eyes.  To use, soak a cotton ball or two with the solution and remove your makeup.  No need for cleansing afterwards, as Bioderma removes all of your makeup, without irritation.

Bioderma Crealine was originally developed in France and is now available in over 70 countries.  It is soothing and emollient thanks to the soap free, cucumber extract in its solution.  The micelles contained in the solution's formula effectively micro-emulsify impurities all the while maintaining the skin's balance.  The soothing and decongestive active ingredients help to prevent the feeling of irritation sometimes caused by cleansers.

Because I have a busy, active lifestyle, Bioderma is perfect for me.  At the end of the day all I need is a couple of swipes of the solution and I am off to bed.  The product is not oily and actually feels more like water.  My favorite thing about Bioderma is that it removes my eye makeup without rubbing or tugging.

Bioderma was originated in France and, therefore, the bottle is in French.  However if you follow the instructions listed above you will be good to go.

The Bioderma Crealine, now called Bioderma Sensibo, is available at www.amazon.com and www.ebay.com.

SKIN DAMAGE NO MORE

Hi everyone!  We are back to roll out some new product reviews.  We hope you like what we have chosen.  Our first is of La Roche-Posay's Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen.

For a very long time we have been told we need to wear sunscreen on our face to keep sun damage away.  But applying sunscreen then moisturizer can lead to a heavy, sticky feeling on your face.  The La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX provides both moisturizer and sunscreen in one tube and lets you avoid that sticky feeling.  It also contains Mexoryl SX (ecamsule) which filters out UVA rays.  It is a benzlidone camphor derivative which is known for its great photostability.  Mexoryl has been available in Europe for a while, but has only recently become available in the United States.

I spent the past two weeks in Greece's sun.  The sun in Crete and Santorini was out everyday without a cloud in the sky.  And everyday I wore this product.  The La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX claims to provide 24 hour hydration.  It does indeed do this.  The texture of the product was great. It went on creamy and was absorbed quickly.  It even wore well under my makeup without getting all gummy.  The La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen is paraben free, non-comediogenic, water resistent, and unscented.  With the La Roche-Posay cream you only need a small amount to cover your face, neck and chest, so a small tube should last you a while.

Controlled sun exposure is the key to making your skin tone even and to achieving a healthy glow.  Try the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX Daily Mositurizing Cream with Sunscreen to help keep that youthful look in the sun.

To purchase La Roche Posay Anthelios SX Daily Moisturizing Cream with Sunscreen go to www.amazon.com, www.skinstore.com or your local Ulta.