IT IS VERY ESSENTIAL - Murad's Essential - C Cleanser

I have blogged about other facial cleansers, but I have used this before and felt the need to share how great this cleanser is.  It cleanses and purifies environmental damaged skin by washing away environmental impurities, and restoring moisture to dehydrated skin.  I have blogged and blogged about my dry skin.  This cleanser really helps, and I have used it for months with great results!

I had a friend with oily skin who tried this product and had very good results as well.  After and a few weeks, her skin was flat and there were very few pimples and whiteheads.  Around that "time of the month" she may break out, but after using this product the whiteheads had disappeared.

I find that it does not strip my skin and is moisturizing.  It has made my skin clearer and more bright.  There is a nice citrus smell which I find to be refreshing and calming.  It feels as if I am giving myself a facial everyday.  It removes my makeup, impurities, oil and dirt and makes my skin feel so very silky.  There are no dramatic/magical results, but it does not harm my sensitive skin.  My skin has not looked better.  I would definitely recommend this cleanser as a general cleanser for those with sensitive skin.  It is a great, clean, effective product.

You may purchase Murad's Essential - C Cleanser for $36.00 at Sephora (www.sephora.com); Ulta (www.ulta.com) and www.murad.com.

THE IT LASH - Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara

I have always loved the Christian Dior mascaras.  For a very long time I used the Diorshow Blackout mascara.  I really liked the dramatic look it gave my lashes.  After Diorshow Blackou,t I tried Benefit's They're Real.  Benefit's mascara was good.  It did what it promised and made my lashes long and luscious.  Now Dior has it's new mascara and it is to die for!  Dior Addict It-Lash is super fantastic.

 One coat looks great, but wait until you try two coats......absolutely sexy.   

This volumizing mascara comes in four colors; black, purple, pink and blue.  I chose the black color, which is pitch black, vibrant and glossy.  The brush is silicone with a "ball" tip (see photo below) in order to get the inner and lower lashes.  Benefit had the same kind of brush, but for a couple of dollars more you can get a mascara that allows for easy application, volumizes without clumping, and separates and defines every lash.  The formula is easy to layer for high volume.  The formula is also water soluable, which allows for easy removal.  The container is similar to the other Dior Addict lipstick and lipglosses, with the small silver ball decoration at the top.

Sorry Benefit, but you have been replaced.  I will continue to buy Dior Addict It Lash because of the lack of clumping or running and easy removal.  Overall it is a great mascara and one great deal!

You can purchase Dior Addict It Flash for $26.00 at Sephora (www.sephora.com); Nordstrom (www.nordstrom.com) and Macy's (www.macys.com).

OH SO CREAMY - NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

I don't know about you, but finding the right concealer can be very time consuming.  It can't be too light or too dark.  It can't be too thick or too thin.  You want to save money, but don't want a cheaply made product.  I believe I have found the right concealer.  It is NARS' Radiant Creamy Concealer.  I read about it in an article in Allure magazine (I forget which issue), and thought I would give it a shot.  I was very impressed.

The product is very creamy, has excellent coverage, a good range of colors, and is long lasting.  It is a doe-footed applicator, which I personally prefer.  The color I used was Custard, a medium shade.  The shade is close to the color of my skin.  Personally, I rather use a concealer which is closer to my skin tone because I found that I get better coverage. Blending the concealer is a breeze with either your fingers or a brush.  It covered the redness around my nose and even the darkness under my eyes.  I have used it during a break-out and you could not even tell something was there. Just plain, flawless skin.  When using the product under my eyes, I do use a good eye cream mainly as skin care.  It has nothing to do with the product itself, but I found that it does help prevent any creasing.  I then set it with powder.  Afterwards, I go about my day.  I usually don't wear foundation unless I am going out for the evening.

I am always looking for a high quality concealer, and this is spot on.  I would recommend this concealer to anyone in search of something with medium to full coverage.

You may purchase NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer for $29.00 at Sephora (www.sephora.com), Nordstrom's (www.nordstrom.com) and Neiman Marcus (www.neimanmarcus.com).

GET THAT SHEER TRANSFORMATION | OleHENDRIKSEN Sheer Transformation Oil-Free Perfecting Creme

So everyone knows just how difficult it is to find a good moisturizer.  Lord knows I have tried many products to find "The One."  Well I was speaking to an employee at Sephora, and she introduced me to OleHENDRIKSEN Sheer Transformation Oil-Free Perfecting Creme.  It repairs skin with vitamin C complex, licorice root and pea extract.  There was no tingling sensation, just a smooth and light application.

From first glance this product looks like a typical thick white cream which will clog your pores, but it does not.  The moisturizer is an oil-free, light weight moisturizer as it gently exfoliates and even fades dark spots.  I truly love this stuff.  It feels so silky and amazing going on.  It is my current daytime summer moisturizer.  It has a very light texture and is very hydrating on my dry skin.  It even smoothed out dry, rough patches on my face.  This has a very high concentration of vitamin C, which helps boosts my skin defenses against sun damage.  I wear it under my foundation everyday.  If you have oily skin fear not.  This product will not break you out.  And if you have oily skin that is craving moisturizer, I do recommend this product.  I wish that this product came in a pump, but since it is in a jar, it does allow me to get all of the product out of the container. I also like that it is unscented and not greasy to the touch.

You can purchase this product at Sephora (www.sephora.com) $14.00-$58.00 (0.5oz to 2.5oz) and Skinstore (www.skinstore.com) $40.00 (1.7 oz).

BE A LIPSTICK LEGEND -Smashbox's Be Legendary Lipstick in Honey

Every woman is in search of the perfect lipstick:  one that is not too creamy, not too dry, not too pigmented, but not too sheer.  Well, I believe I have found a good balanced lipstick that you won't mind trying. It is Smashbox's Be Legendary Lipstick.  I chose the color Honey.

The Be Legendary lipstick is long-wearing and feels moisturizing.  The color Honey is a more natural shade.  I have medium toned skin, and it pairs well with my skin tone.  It is a great mix of pink and beige.  It gives enough color so that the lipstick does not disappear into my skin tone or make my skin appear dull. The lipstick has a slight tacky, creamy feeling, which stays on your lips for hours.  Now I am a great fan of MAC's lipstick, but I almost prefer this lipstick than MAC's lipstick since it stays on longer.  There is a very slight vanilla scent, but it is almost undetectable.  That is great for people who have allergies.  I highly recommend this color if you are looking for a nude tone which won't wash you out.  Plus, you will not be reaching for your Chapstick when you wear this lipstick!  If you think the lipstick is too sheer for your taste, do not worry.  Coverage is buildable and will remain natural looking even with the added coverage.

I love this lipstick, and will absolutely be buying more shades.  As an added tip, if you find this lipstick to be too moisturizing, pat you lips with a little powder for an instant matte look.

Smashbox's Be Legendary lipstick may be purchased at Sephora (www.sephora.com) and Ulta (www.ulta.com) for $20.00.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE IS NOT A BAD THING AFTER ALL | Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Color Pencil

During my recent trip to Sephora, I came across the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics display.  I have passed by it many times before, but this time I decided to stop and look.  That is when I came across their eyeliner pencil.

The liner that I chose was the color Tarred, a deep black color.  I absolutely love this eyeliner.  You won't believe how this creamy liner glides across my lid. There was no skipping or tugging. The color is super pigmented and does not feather.  There are some people that state it lasted all day long.  Mine lasted nearly ten hours before needing a touch up. Not too bad for my taste.  The pencils are not only for the eyes, it can be used for the lips and body too!  The colors range from everyday naturals to bright hues.  And if you are an animal rights advocate, you feel good about using this product.  It is 100% vegan and cruelty free, something I feel strongly about. 

There are 12 colors for the eyes, lips and body.  I should state that most of them are safe to use on the eyes, lips and body, but there are some colors that can only be used on the body and lips.
 
The eyeliner reminds me a lot of the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner.  The consistency of the Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is excellent.  It is a fantastic find and I would recommend it to a friend.  This product can be purchased at www.sephora.com or at a Sephora store.