Drugstore Finds | Hooked On Beauty

Mustela PhysiObébé Cleansing Fluid for Babies and Sensitive Skin

December 3, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

Mustela’s PhysiObébé is the impossible to pronounce cleansing fluid I’ve been using on little Everly. It’s basically a bath in a bottle for infants when you don’t bathe them every day. I pump some onto a soft cloth and rub it on her hands, face, neck, and head at least once a day. It has kept her flakey cradle cap away as well as those bumps babies sometimes get on their faces. If I notice them coming on I wash her face with this fluid and literally within hours her skin is clear. It’s a natural formula that’s light as water and unscented. Best of all you don’t need to rinse, it’s meant to stay on the skin after cleansing and disappears quickly without leaving a film.

If it works this well on infant skin, it might be a perfect sensitive skin face wash for adults too. At just $14 a bottle it’s a better deal than most cleansers anyway – totally worth checking out.

Filed Under: Baby, Cleansers, Drugstore Finds, Sensitive Skin

Quick Makeup Essentials for Moms

November 25, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

We’re a month into having our second daughter and I think we’re in a pretty good groove. My goal to shower every day (so sad, but moms you get it right?) and look somewhat presentable has been accomplished, which means my 5 minute makeup routine is pretty streamlined at this point. I used to write about quick makeup tips for moms but looking back I didn’t have a clue. I know now that using basics to look rested is what’s key. Here’s what I’ve been grabbing to look less like a zombie and more like my old self.

I always start off using my Matte Moisture Tint from Jouer. It covers my melasma and blends just using my fingers so I can slap it on quickly and have undetectable makeup that wears all day. Next time I’ll get the luminizing instead of the matte version but I’ll definitely grab another Jouer – their tinted moisturizers rival Laura Mercier’s and they use minerals so they’re better for your skin.

NYX has a jar of lavender concealer for just $5 that gives my fair skin the same highlight and glow that a yellow concealer does on medium or deeper skin tones. I put it under my eyes down to the tops of my cheekbones. My eyes and face look brighter and more awake which is exactly what I need. I use it over concealer once my dark circles are neutralized otherwise it would exaggerate them by adding purple on top of skin that already looks blue.

Tarte’s Cheek Stains basically apply themselves with an applicator about the same size as your cheeks. I just smudge a little on the apples of my cheeks and blend. Adding color to the face is essential to looking fresh and rested.

Neutrogena’s Healthy Lengths Mascara is one of the few I’ve tried where one coat will do the trick. The formula clings to lashes and fattens them up just shy of looking clumpy so one quick coat is all I need.

Fragrance. Always.

Smelling great is such a big part of feeling put together. Modern Muse, Estée Lauder’s latest fragrance is both a familiar scent and something the feels totally new at the same time. It’s a warm floral, young and sexy but not sweet or heavy. I like to spritz it on my hair where it lingers all day so I don’t have to use it on my skin- something I avoid during the months when I’m nursing.

So I’m evening out my skin with the foundation, using the concealer to add brightness, giving color to my cheeks, defining my eyes with mascara, and making sure I smell good.
It’s easy and takes about 5 minutes- a reasonable amount of time we can all find in our day.

Filed Under: Concealer, Drugstore Finds, Estee Lauder, Foundation, Fragrance, Jouer, lashes, NYX, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized

The Skincare Line I’ve Used For 15 Years

November 14, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

One of the most miraculous sights in my bathroom is that of an empty jar. I often get bored or jump from one thing to another when what I’m using isn’t working. But, off and on (more on than off especially with their toner) for 15 years I’ve bought Aqua Glycolic. It was even confirmed by my derm to be one of the best lines on the market- high praise for a simple line priced around $12.

Aqua Glycolic is a hidden gem among drugstore skincare. Best prices I’ve found are at Costco which typically has it all in stock behind the counter in their pharmacy (you don’t need a PX it’s just where it’s kept) but every pharmacy either carries it or will order it for you free of charge. A few tips: I don’t like their creamy cleanser because it feels thin and doesn’t remove makeup. Use the body lotion in place of the cream on your face if you want a higher concentration of glycolic (it’s the same formula), and dilute the toner half and half (or more if you’re sensitive) with witch hazel so you get the benefits of the toner without any drying or irritation.

Filed Under: Acne, Anti-Aging, Drugstore Finds, Dry Skin, Tips and Tricks, Toner

Stuff I Buy: Botanique by Himalaya Cleanser

August 28, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

These Botanique by Himalaya cleansers are what I buy when I’m out of a cleanser or not loving anything else I have on hand. Last time I bought the Neem and Turmeric one for comboo skin, this time I’m glad I got the Invigorating wash for all skin types. It has honey, lemon, and cinnamon in it along with a bunch of other natural ingredients that look to be mostly edible. I love it because of the refreshing feeling it gives my face, almost minty (must be the cinnamon) like after brushing your teeth- only for your face. It’s a thick gel that foams up and cuts through makeup just as well as any other cleanser I’ve used and the formulas are all gluten free if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s awesome and only $8.

I found it at Vitamin Cottage, but I’ve also noticed it at Sprouts and some Whole Foods. Grab one if you’re needing a straightforward, natural cleanser at a really great price.

Filed Under: 'Green' Beauty, Best Of, Cleansers, Drugstore Finds

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 Hour Miracle Cream

July 16, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre 24 Hour Miracle Cream is nothing short of a cult favorite among Makeup Artists and celebs alike. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out.

I first saw it in action backstage at Fashion Week at every show – see the squished up tube behind the Rosewater spray (which I also went out and bought shortly after.)

And here again, next to Eve Pearl, one of my favorite foundations at a different show. Every artist it seemed was carrying it.

Even Gwyneth Paltrow gave it some Goop love a few years back touting its big time Makeup Artist following. But why is it a staple in most pro’s kits? Because I’ve yet to find a skin type it doesn’t work on. Oily, acne-prone, dry, and even clients with skin so sensitive they bring their own moisturizer because they’re afraid that whatever I’m using might trigger a reaction. But it never has. On the contrary- it calms, softens, and evens out the skin in a subtle but complete way. I’ve been using fewer silicone-based primers these days because this primes the skin so well that I don’t need the added step. At Fashion Week, I also saw it used as a makeup remover for the girls who came in full makeup from other shows. Without sinks and water, the artists were able to get the girl’s faces totally clean using this cream and tissues alone.

A 1oz tube is just $16, but I get the larger 2.6oz since it’s only $28. Yup, it’s a French drugstore line so not only is it free of nasty chemicals (Europe bans most of the ones we still use here), but it’s also cheap!

Filed Under: Acne, Anti-Aging, Best Of, Drugstore Finds, Dry Skin, Fashion Week, Found Online, In My Kit, Moisturizers, Multi Use, Oily Skin, Primer, Sensitive Skin

Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Creme Lotion Self Tanner

June 20, 2013 by carissa Leave a Comment

I was getting my brows done by Denver’s best brow guru Carla Gray yesterday when we starting talking about self tanners. My last bottle of Jergens gradual was a disaster, totally streaky with a stronger odor. Carla agreed that it wasn’t a formula that worked for her either- too orange. She was loving a self tanner recommended to her from our hair stylist friend Kim who, like us, is a total product junkie. They love it so much that they stock up when it’s on sale at Ulta (as it is now.) 4 hours later I was at Ulta. I’m impressionable, what can I say?

The girls were right, Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Creme Lotion Self Tanner is where it’s at.

I grabbed the Medium/Dark without even looking to see if there were other options (there is a medium but I’m glad I chose this one which I’ll need to use less frequently), and then promptly used it yesterday after my shower then again today. The color is amazing, completely realistic and rich. The scent is very faint, virtually undetectable and nothing that I could see being a real problem for anyone. It’s a thick cream that comes out of a mousse-type spout quickly so beware. Unless you’re really dry, don’t apply too much because the heaviness of the cream makes it hard to rub in completely leaving some dry time until it sinks in. I wasn’t as careful rubbing it in as I could’ve been yesterday so I have a place on my wrist and ankle where it isn’t perfect, but nothing over the top terrible that I even notice. Today’s application should even things out.

I wouldn’t recommend using it on your face because of the weight of the cream, but if you carry it up your neck a good face bronzer should take care of the discrepancy.

I’ve had such a hard time with self tanners lately that I’ve just avoided them altogether, so I’m happy to have found one that works so well- I finally have some color! I’m still researching using a self tanner while pregnant, (I haven’t found any cons so far) so I think I’ll be on board for a once a week application throughout the summer.