Neutrogena MoistureSmooth color stick

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MoistureSmooth is the sweet-smelling love child of lip gloss and lip balm. It’s so light that you only feel moisture when you’re wearing it – perfect if you aren’t into a sticky glossy feel. The color is just right, sheer but still enough to pop which is what gloss lovers crave. It’s casual color at its best. I’ve been wearing Juicy Peach almost every day, I’m obsessed with this rich nude because it isn’t brown or orange, just a perfectly balanced peach that goes with everything and gives the right amount of color I need for just running around during the day.

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Milani Cosmetics

milani

I’m not on Facebook that often anymore, when I can’t sleep my obsession turns to all things Instagram. I float from stranger to stranger usually starting with a celebrity makeup artist, then bouncing around to all of their friends to see what products they use so I know how closely my kit matches up to theirs. Typically I’d say we’re all using pretty much the same thing, but when I found one artist who posted a huge table loaded with Milani cosmetics boasting about how it’s the only drugstore brand in his kit I was totally stumped. What’s Milani?

Apparently it’s a family owned business focused on producing high quality cosmetics at drugstore prices (I didn’t see anything over $10 online.) They’re rumored to be pigment-rich and long wearing, it’s an under-the-radar cult fave that I’ve somehow missed.

Noted from the artist in the photo was their shadows, including their long-wearing shadow crayon called Shadow Eyes 12 He Wear and their Liquid Eye Liquid-Like which is an eyeliner that gives the look of a liquid but with the ease of using a pencil.

I hear they’re at Sears and Walgreens, but most people just buy online which is what I’ll probably do, then I’ll report back of course and let you know my thoughts.

milani

milani eyes

Moroccanoil

Moroccan Oil

Years ago I was sent Moroccanoil to review when the brand was new and just staring to catch fire. Since then, I’ve been a loyal customer buying the oil and conditioner whenever I run out. I’m not really picky about hair stuff (I just bought a $6 bottle of Clear Shampoo which is totally mediocre but I’ll still use the whole thing), but there’s something about these two things specifically that are so fantastic that they keep me running back for more.

Moroccanoil Treatment: This is the OG, the one that started it all. A sweet smelling oil that untangles my hair, keeps it soft, and tames static during the winter. A nickel amount is what I use on my long hair and a bottle lasts over a year so you do get your $43 worth.

Moroccan Oil

Moroccanoil

Their Hydrating Conditioner is the most perfect conditioner I’ve ever used- not too heavy, rinses clean, but keeps just the right amount of moisture behind. When I first ran out I just grabbed whatever I had lurking in a cabinet and was so surprised to find that my hair didn’t feel or look as great with just this one simple change. I liked the shampoo as well (and will probably grab it when I get the conditioner too) but it’s the magic of the conditioner that moves me to spend the $22.

Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner

Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner

Now, I totally realize that my love for the brand isn’t going to motivate everyone to spend $60 on two hair products so I should mention that I’ve heard great things (check out the rave reviews HERE at ulta.com) about Organix Moroccan Argan Oil. Find the whole line HERE (along with Ulta’s buy one get one 50% off sale) and let me know how it works if you give it a try.

Organix Moroccan Oil

Organix Moroccan Oil

MyChelle

I was able to try some products from MyChelle a while back after I got my face scanned. After learning that I basically have the face of a 90 year old, I took home a bunch of their products so I could return for an ‘after’ scan which unfortunately didn’t happen before I had some laser treatments so we wouldn’t have an accurate look at the changes their products alone made. Sigh. But what did happen (even pre-laser) is that I finally found a natural skincare line that actually works! I love MyChelle; from the packaging, to the product variety, to the way it makes my skin look and feel. Here’s a rundown of what I used, what I liked, and what unfortunately missed the mark.

Cleanser: Apple Brightening

I really liked this cleanser, light and slightly foamy but not overly so. The apple scent was a nice and I used it faithfully until it was totally gone which is really saying something. It also left my skin feeling soft and looking bright without stripping or drying. Biggest downside would be the size- 2.1oz for $13 which seems a little skimpy to me.

Apple Brightening Cleanser

Apple Brightening Cleanser

Mist: Apple Brightening

Ever since I can remember I’ve used a toner. From Sea Breeze to Clinique, I’ve used them all in the name of squeaky clean skin. Though I’m still addicted to that (not really important) step after cleansing, it’s good to give my skin a break and to stop stripping away the moisture it needs. In the morning after cleansing when I know there isn’t any makeup left behind on my already clean skin, I’ll spritz a few sprays of this mist instead of my usual toner on a cotton pad routine. It feels refreshing and adds an extra dose of brightening power in a way that’s as light as water.

Apple Brightening Mist

Apple Brightening Mist

Serums:

Apple Brightening

Hydroquinone is not for me. Too harsh and too many risks involved so it isn’t worth it to use even though uneven skintone drives me crazy. I’ve used this serum on and off for years and I’ve found that it does work. It’s so easy on the skin without the use of harsh chemicals to fade dark spots in a natural way. Compared to hydroquinone, it will take more time so be patient and stick with it, you will see a difference.

Apply Brightening Serum

Apply Brightening Serum

Perfect C Serum 17%:

If you’re using a Vitamin C (and everyone should be in my opinion) look for it in the form of L-Ascorbic, the most effective with the best absorption. Anything else might just be orange scented liquid that smells great but does nothing for the skin. This L-Ascorbic serum doesn’t aggravate or leave skin red so sensitive skin can enjoy using it too.

Perfect C Serum 17%

Perfect C Serum 17%

Moisturizers:

Daily Defense Cream SPF 17

I love a zinc-based sunscreen, but this was my least favorite product of the bunch. It was hydrating and the texture was good, but it left a bit of a sticky after feel that I couldn’t get used to. Nothing too terrible, and the feeling did go away eventually but it just wasn’t for me.

Daily Defense Cream SPF 17

Daily Defense Cream SPF 17

Supreme Polypeptide Cream with Matrixyl® Synthe’6

A friend with similar skin to mine raves about this cream, she said not to let the rich feel steer me from trying it. It’s by far the thickest cream I’ve ever used but also one of the best. It dissolves into the skin and leaves it really soft. Long term its benefits are great; wrinkle relaxing, tightening, and clarifying so that skin looks brighter and younger. At $54 it’s pricier than most of their line, but it’s a price I’d happily pay.

Supreme Polypeptide Cream with Matrixyl® Synthe’6

Supreme Polypeptide Cream with Matrixyl® Synthe’6

Because MyChelle isn’t 100% organic, they can balance some more advanced ingredients with natural ones which makes the line more effective in making changes in the skin. Fewer essential oils also mean fewer irritations for sensitive and acne-prone skin so trust in their speciality lines and give them a shot. You can Skype a skin specialist of theirs, or better yet see if they have a Visia scanner at a store near you so you can get a (free!) before and after of your skin and some product recommendations made just for your specific needs.

Makeup Before and After: Coverage and Color From tarte

Before...

Of all the BB Creams I’ve tried so far, tarte’s is the only one I’d be able to actually use in my kit. Most BB’s are skin-enhancing, so they give some coverage but not nearly enough to get skin looking great for a long day and tons of photographs. Kelly, is the bride below whose trial run for her upcoming wedding I photographed for a before and after. I used tarte’s latest foundation on her and we were both thrilled with the results. Her skin looked so great that very little concealer was needed and it looked invisible both in person and on camera.

On her cheeks I used tarte’s airblush maracuja blush, which is my new go-to for an easy flush, and then their LipSurgence lip luster on her lips for a finished look that isn’t thick or heavy.

Before...

Before…

... And After

… And After! There was a slight change in the natural lighting, but the photo isn’t re-touched at all.

tarte bb cream

tarte bb cream

tarte airblush maracuja blush

tarte airblush maracuja blush

tarte lip luster in achiote

tarte LipSurgence lip luster in achiote

Neutrogena Cleansers

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned over the years it’s that you don’t have to pay a lot for a great cleanser. I always grab one from the drugstore and spend around $10 because it’s something you wash right off since it’s only on your skin for a few minutes max. I have some preferences of course (can’t burn my eyes, needs to remove makeup, should foam) but other than that, something basic is fine by me. I’ve found that my Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser is good to use daily because the exfoliating beads are tiny and encompassed by tons of thick cleanser so it doesn’t scratch your face and leave it red. I can even use it with my Clarisonic for an extra skin-smoothing boost. You can’t use it around your eyes of course, so morning use is probably best.

Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser

Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser

Their Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser is in my shower and has been getting some good play time lately too. The pump makes it so easy to use and I like how it foams up and doesn’t leave my skin dry or tight. It’s dense without being heavy which also makes it good for shaving. It’s a huge 12oz bottle for just $7 so I’m not worried about blowing through it too quickly.

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser

Don’t overspend on cleanser when you don’t have to. Just find the one that works with your skin and save your pennies for a bigger splurge like a serum or a foundation. It’s all about balance.