Reviews: Sunscreen, moisturizer, upcoming

COLORESCIENCE SUNFORGETTABLE SPF30 SUN PROTECTION

my dermatologist recommended that i use a sunscreen daily.. since i wasn't (GASP!). this is in a powder form (obviously) and is also the sample size that i received from the store. the actual full size is $50 per so i had to be sure that i liked it, haha!

the sample size is .08 oz and comes with a sifter, as pictured.

the full size is .23 oz and comes with a brush. BUY HERE.

the shade pictured is "almost clear".. which definitely acts like a bronzer for my bf (unfortunately i don't know his MAC shade, hahaha!). pre-tan, it also acted as a slight bronzer for me (about nc35-37). post-tan.. i don't really notice it as much, but even pre-tan it wasn't that big of a difference. there's 6 different shades.. you can see it on the WEBSITE. it's not their actual website.. i think it got hacked or something? safari keeps warning me before i go to open it :( so who knows.

it's really quite easy to use. i go through my normal face primer/bb cream/concealer/maybelline dream matte powder.. then add on a layer of this, then go to my blush/contour/highlight. i found if i did blush/etc BEFORE i put on the powder, it basically erased my efforts, hahaha.

apparently the full size takes a very long time to go through.. my derm. said she and her 2 girls use it daily and it's been about 6 months or something ridiculous like that. i don't know the ease of application with the full size, but i'll let you know in a week or so when i have money to go get it, hahaha.

i had this sample size and used it basically daily (definitely some days where i didn't go out, so i didn't bother) and it's finally almost done.. and it's been about 6 weeks! so you can see, you don't really need that much powder for a full face application.. and i was putting some on the back of my hands as well.

it goes on nicely and feels just like any other powder. the only time i've really had to test it's durability, i was gardening and was dripping sweat.. sooooo.. i don't know if that's a fair test for it, hahaha. i can say at least that it wasn't dripping off, it was definitely me wiping my forehead for it to come off.. and that may have been some of my other makeup as well.

overall.. i really, really like this product. the bf does too! hahaha. and the shade i got gives him a really nice tan :) i'd say if i were to get a full size (well, when i do) that i'd get CLEAR.. just because i don't always want to look bronzey. but i haven't quite decided yet. might go back and see if they have the other colors in the sample shades.. or if i can get some to have a GIVEAWAY.. oh what? :P we'll see what the store has to say.

SCENT: little to none. none of that typical sun-screen smell.

USAGE: sample size is very easy to use. don't know about the full size, will report back later!

PRICE: 4/5.. lasts a long time but still, a little pricey for me.

i'd give it a (temporary) 5/5! i'll be doing some UV-reflective photography next week thurs so i'll test how efficient it actually is. so be sure to check back for that official review and the imagery!

NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE SUNBLOCK LOTION SPF45

i've had this for a couple YEARS and also bought several bottles. i have 2 currently and probably gone through at least 1 bottle if not 2. got this mostly because i was playing tennis (team tennis for high school) and.. actually, i think my mom got this for me. probably because it says it WON'T CLOG PORES! woohooo :)

it has that strong typical sunscreen smell but it definitely fades.

it's easy to use. of course i had one in my tennis bag so it separated.. but if you shake it enough, it's OK. and in normal room temperatures, it shouldn't separate. i use about a dime to nickel size for my face and neck and the back of my hands. it feels a little greasy when you first apply it but then it sinks in and feels natural.

i've been lazy about applying makeup since it's so hot and i don't want my face to melt off so my daily routine has been primer - sunblock - concealer - powder - contour/blush/highlight. it makes a nice surface for the powder to stick to, sort of like the BB.

all in all.. if i was really responsible with money, i would definitely just keep using this sunscreen instead of spending $50 on the powder one, hahaha. BUT you know, i'll ask my derm if one is "better" and we'll see from there. but as far as i'm concerned, this has a higher SPF rating and works well, and is MUCH cheaper.

you can find it at any drugstore for around $10 i believe :) i don't actually know how long it takes to go through one bottle but i can assure you it takes awhile, and back in my tennis days i was using it on my arms, legs, etc. as well and i wasn't eating up bottles or anything.

OVERALL 4.5/5

i'm not too fond of the scent but it fades away pretty quickly. i haven't seen an increase in whiteheads/blackheads so i assume it's keeping up with its promise that it won't clog your pores. this also doesn't make me break out OR cause my rosacea to flare up.

i'll be doing some UV-reflective photography next week thurs so i'll test how efficient it actually is. so be sure to check back for that official review and the imagery!

COSMEDICINE HEALTHY CLEANSE FOR OILY SKIN

i believe i received this from WHIT (correct me if i'm wrong) in a swap :D i used it once then forgot about it (counter is so small, i can't find some items if i'm in a hurry!! so lame).. so i went back to trying to use it after my recent realization that i have horribly oily skin in the summer.

you apply it onto a damp hand and it comes out as a foam (i only used one pump).. then you apply it on to your dry face. it's kind of weird at first.. but.. you get used to it. after you rub it in (focusing on your trouble areas), then you rinse it off with water and continue the rest of your facial care routine.

i'm not quite sure what it smells like.. something medicinal.. i'm not in love with it but i wouldn't stop using it because of the scent.

maybe i'm really picky but i didn't see an improvement in my oilies when i was using this product.. then again i only used it for 4-5 days then stopped because it just wasn't doing anything for me. it worked fine as a cleanser though :)

OVERALL RATING 2.5/5.. so far! i'll keep trying!! and will report back in a month (or whenever i run out, haha).

WUZZY also did a review and it seemed to work for her though! so do give it a try :)

HIYORI.. blotting sheets (bought in japan)

these are really, really awesome blotting sheets. and man, i don't know why i uploaded this since i haven't done a comparison (btwn this and my nuskin blotting sheets.. which i can't find at the moment) or pics or anything.

consider this a REVIEW IN PROCESS! :P

*EDIT.. just kidding. i started writing this entry last night but got caught up talking to HOLLYANNAEREE (girl, you distracting!!) and decided to take a pic.. tonight.

here's my nose/cheek area.. just ONE sheet. you can KIND OF see just how bad my oilies are at the moment :( the entire sheet is aallllll oil. OIL SLICK! i just applied moisturizer/etc i would say.. about.. 1 to 1.5 hours ago. i wouldn't say my eating habits are more or less healthy, i think it's mostly the heat, if not entirely the heat's fault. i HAVE been eating much less rice though.. hahaha! i don't think that would change anything :P

i'll come back to this review (and probably post a new entry about it) comparing it to my nuskin blotting sheets.. when i can find them :(

they work super well though! as you can see. and i'm down to 2 sheets! just enough for a review, eeeekkk :( I WANT MORE!! sucks that i bought it in japan though :( blegh.

YES TO TOMATOES FACIAL HYDRATING LOTION

as the bottle says, it's meant for oily/combo skin.. PERFECT for me, right? i purchased this after making friends with the girl at the cosmetics counter at walgreens (yess! drugstore items!).

i'd have to say one of the best features is the SCENT. it may be a little strong for some but it's fine for me, since i actually like the scent. it's.. hmm.. something between floral and fruity (haha! i'm so bad with classifying things).. pretty sweet in general, but not quite so "candy" sweet.

i purchased this in mid-may and was using it daily and was trying to get the boyfriend to use it daily, since he has pretty dry skin too. i'd say i have about 3/5 of the bottle left. that's not too bad. you can purchase the bottle at walgreens (i haven't seen this at longs drugs/CVS but then again i haven't looked) for $14.99.. so it's not the cheapest item but it's definitely a good price, IMO. BUY HERE!

it was working really well for me when it wasn't quite so hot. my skin felt pretty soft and hydrated and i wasn't getting very oily. but when the summer months rolled around.. either my skin changed, or something. i had a huge dry patch on my chin that i couldn't get rid of, though the rest of my face was fine. i noticed after i stopped using this daily, i became more oily, EEP! may start using this again and see if my oiliness goes back down again.

the one thing i didn't like about it was it didn't sink into my skin 100%.. it still left my skin feeling slightly tacky, even after rubbing it into my face for several minutes.

OVERALL.. the scent may be strong for some but i like it. i'd say you might go through one bottle (if you use it once or twice daily) in about 2-3 months? but don't quote me on that. i give it a 4.5/5.. i'll keep using it and will get back to you on the oil control :)

MOISTURIZERS!

the reason why i have so many is because my skintype is oily/combo.. but a month or so ago i developed a huuuuuge dry patch on my skin, and i had no idea why. the first moisturizer worked fine for me but since it wasn't doing anything for the dry patch, i figured i should try other moisturizers. as a note, it's almost gone but that's mostly because i scratched at it and it scabbed over.. etc.. neosporin is awesome :) haha.

ONTO THE REVIEWS!

YES TO CUCUMBERS FACIAL HYDRATING LOTION

i bought this initially for the boyfriend, since he has dry/normal skin. i believe he actually preferred the "yes to tomatoes"! since it has different ingredients, it smells different.. reminds me somewhat of the bath and body works "cucumber melon" scent, except less strong. i started using it because i thought maybe my skin had changed somehow (WRONG!), and i prefer the "yes to tomatoes" scent as well. i'd say.. it smells.. cooler. does that make sense? haha.

at first, my boyfriend thought the yes to cucumbers felt more oily when he applied it but after a few minutes, he changed his mind. i agree. i just swatched it onto my arm to see if there was any difference between how the two sank into my skin/felt while applying.. but it's the same. it still has the slightly tacky feeling.

i can't really do a very thorough review on this since i mostly use the YES TO TOMATOES since it fits my skintype better. from what i remember, it didn't do quite as good of a job holding back the oilies, but you know.. that's not what it's really for. since i don't use this, i'm debating on putting it up on my blogsale.. or maybe sending it off with the boyfriend when he goes on his 2-3wk long trip. we'll see :)

OVERALL RATING.. pending. i'll have the bf give me some thoughts (if he'll cooperate) after he comes back from his trip (july 30th to august 16th). based on scent and oil controlling abilities, i'd give it a 3.5/5 but this is NOT accurate since i didn't use it for very long.

NEUTROGENA OIL-FREE MOISTURE FOR COMBINATION SKIN

this is my current moisturizer.. i started using it after not using moisturizer for a few days. i do like how it sinks into my skin after being massaged in.. and feels smooth/natural again. i however do NOT like the scent.. it smells sort of.. plastic-y.

as i've only been using it for a few days, i'll make a more official review later :P

just wanted to show you guys what i've been using, and see if any of you have suggestions/etc for me T__T; or tips on reviewing or if you'd like any other information to be included, etc..

hope this helps!! :)

NAOMI'S CONTEST LOOK!

weeeoooooo :) finally did a contest! hahahaa. 

NAOMI'S CONTEST PAGE IS HERE! CHECK IT OUT!

contest ends on the 25th so get your entries in! :D

don't forget to subscribe to her--she has an awesome blog :)

my steps. click to enlarge :D

BASE FACE

kevin beautymaker aqua eyes concealer

kevin beautymaker aqua color controller (green)

revlon colorstay foundation

neutrogena concealer

skinfood mushroom bb cream

CHEEKS

milani blush in luminous -- VERY pretty!

mac blush in harmony (contour)

EYES

benefit creaseless cream shadow/liner in stiletto (thanks diana!)

benefit creaseless cream shadow/liner in "flying down to..." (thanks diana!)

mac single e/s in phloof! (thanks steph!)

nyx single e/s in eggplant

mm palette in br799

maybelline full n' soft mascara

sephora liner

LIPS

sally hansen lip inflation (i actually really like this.. smells good, pleasant tingle, works)

dior lipstick in orange spotlight/sensation coral (thanks fuz!)

dior lipgloss in clutch pink (thanks kristine!)

TOOLS

maquillage eyelash curler

sephora heated lash curler (thanks fuz!)

ecotools full face brush

posh angle blush (yes blush, not brush)

elf blending eye brush

ecotools (nameless)

thanks to the BF for all my pics today (except for what i used).. used my DSLR 'cause i'm missing my point and shoot :( boo! and he decided to go all out with lighting, hehee. and thanks to the roomie for holding the light (on my face). 

THOUGHTS
for the first time wearing eyeshadow/real makeup in a WHILE.. i think i did a pretty good job! ;) of course i didn't add on falsies like i was planning.. mostly because it was late and i'm tired (thus the eye bags). hope you like! :) 

on KEVINBEAUTYMAKER products: i didn't think the green did much but helped. the concealer is VERY nice, very creamy (i adore the texture). unfortunately, with this horrible lighting and me being tired, you can't see past my eye bags LOL! -__- fail.

on BENEFIT CREASELESS: they are suuuuper creamy! i thought the pinker color was going to be too pink and that i wouldn't like it.. but that wasn't the case at all. i of course haven't worn it for a long period of time, nor do i plan to (gonna wash my face asap after i finish this post!).. but as for my initial thoughts, they're very pretty and very easy to use!  

NAOMI'S CONTEST PAGE IS HERE! CHECK IT OUT!

contest ends on the 25th so get your entries in! :D

don't forget to subscribe to her--she has an awesome blog :)

l'egere waterdrop (pink) review

first of four reviews!

i did a quick review of my initial thoughts (color/scent) in THIS POST. 

TODAY:

i applied around 2:30PM.. went out to the farmer's market, nice cool weather outside. packed a few boxes, moved stuff into the new place, went to the carwash (my car was COVERED in ASHES!), vons for groceries, then home. 

a non-strenuous day, weather wasn't hot or humid so no sweating.

bareface. my breakout has calmed down already! :) yay. i guess i'm doing something right! hahaha. also my undereye doesn't look very happy o.o even though i got a good night's rest. do they look yellow/green? i can't tell the color T__T; really to me, they just look.. like a tanned version of me. ahha.

with l'egere waterdrop. i actually ended up using quite a bit more than i usually do w/ bb's because it got all over the cap and onto the sides (where it screws) and it annoyed me (yeeeea.. shutup hahah).. so i used a q-tip to clean it, then i used the excess that i cleaned off. 

with maybelline dream matte powder, contour and blush. i used concealer on my undereye (maybelline dual wand) but i didn't do a very good job, as you can see. i really like the texture of the maybelline wand but i don't think it works as well as my neutrogena concealer (which is thicker, more of a paste), which makes me sad. want me to do a concealer comparison? drop me a comment :D

face about 6.5hrs later (ignore the dark circles!). i didn't feel the need to blot at all but i tried a blotting sheet anyways and NOTHING! and i'd say my blotting sheets are pretty good (nuskin brand). my nose may look shiny but that's just.. my retarded nose. hahahah. i didn't reapply powder or anything, just took a pic. pretty good eh? 

so far, so good! i've added double stars next to it on my wishlist (lots of face items w/ double stars! eek). coverage isn't amazing but i'd say it's about MEDIUM coverage. i would say it helped tone down the redness on my face, felt really, really natural (almost like water). TWO THUMBS UP!

as far as the two l'egere bb's.. i heard the one in the white/silver tube has less coverage than the one in the pink tube (the one i reviewed).. but don't take my word for it :P

also been trying

- thayer's rose petal witch hazel

- korres wild rose moisturizer/cream 

(i'm on a rose kick, can you tell? hehehe). 

i really like the moisturizer.. sinks right in and i didn't have ANY dry patches at all when i woke up this morning. i haven't been using a proper moisturizer (figured my serums would be OK) in awhile so it was a nice change. plus it has a really, really nice scent to it :) it may or may not have been in my sephora order, HEHEHE. aren't you curious??

i also like the witch hazel though i've only used it a few times so i don't really know if it's helping with oil control, lightening scars, etc.. though i hear it's supposed to do both. the smell is rose.. but a different sort of rose. it smells EXACTLY like something i had back in middle school (not makeup or skincare related) so that was a fun trip down memory lane.

also debating on doing a contest look tonight.. we shall see! ;) 

hope you ladies are having fantastic days, where ever you are! <3

reviews & gifting

some brief reviews, since i'm not very good at these anyways. 

and a NOTD! french manicure! looveee.. 

SALLY HANSEN HARD AS NAILS "HARD AS WRAPS"

i have fairly fragile nails as of late (probably all the dishwashing i've been doing.. hot water and no gloves! aiyayaa..) and needed something to help me out.. my nails were chipping, flaking and breaking left and right.

PROS;

- applies clear and glossy (high gloss).. so i can't see my mistakes! haha.

- very easy to apply

- dries fairly fast

CONS;

- none that i can see.

RECOMMEND? yes :)

SALLY HANSEN "FRENCH MANICURE PEN"

i find the tip to be a little weird initially. it's a very, very hard.. felt tip. sort of? you have to first shake the pen really hard (sounds like a white-out pen), then push the nib back into the body of the pen for 30 seconds (for the first time you use it). and well.. this pen works :) see the results for yourself. i'm not 100% satisfied but it's definitely cheaper than going to a salon.. plus i'm a total perfectionist. D:

CONS;

- it's hard to control the amount of polish you want to come out. at first it's good.. then it runs a little dry.. so i pushed it back into the body for a bit, no idea if i'm SUPPOSED to do that. then after, it was fine.. but.. then it had TOO MUCH and resulted in some squiggly lines. poop. 

PROS;

- fairly cheap. i can't find an exact price but there's a kit with pen+2 polishes for $10.99 at CVS. so just the pen must be cheaper, yes? 

- fairly easy to do :) i haven't tried my right hand yet.. so.. who knows. you might need more of a steady hand to do this though.. as with (i assume) all other nailpolish pens. 

- easy to do touch-ups! which is great for me, since i get tipwear even after the first day (i'm a scratcher).

- it says to apply to the bare nail.. but i had already applied on my hard-as-wraps.. so i put it on top anyways, and didn't see too many adverse effects. maybe that's why it got squiggly on me? who knows. i doubt it though. 

RECOMMEND? yes :) 

SALLY HANSEN INSTA-DRI SPEED DRY DROPS

PROS;

- IT WORKS! yay.. then again i didn't test the full capabilities (instructions say to wait 1min after applying final coat of polish.. then add 1-2 drops per nail.. and dries within 30 seconds of application). 

- very easy to do. with my fat nails, it took 2-3 drops on some nails and it doesn't look like i used much of the bottle at all. so i'm assuming this will last me awhile :) 

- bottle is see through, so you can see how much is left.

- the bottle is red! which is good for me.. it's one that will stand out from my other polishes so i won't mistake it for another. don't worry though, the drops are clear.

CONS; 

- feels oily after you put it on! seems like it creates a thin gel-like force.. well.. at least that's what it felt like to me when i touched it before it was totally dry (haha). but yes.. the oily thing bothers me. i left it on for longer than 30 seconds.. then rinsed my hand.. and it went away. 

RECOMMEND? yes :) of course i haven't FULLY tested my nails but i assume it stays. stay tuned for any "ARGH!" posts in the near future.. haha :)

on another note.. i've been wrapping my packages~ yay! 3 birthday ones and 4 love-packs DONE! have a 5th one that isn't quite finished... i assume i'll send it out in the next 2-3 weeks or so. so sad.. i was in the midst of wrapping.. and i ran out of tissue paper! so i started using notebook paper and tape HAHAH. so, if you receive a heavy-duty (aka ghetto) packaged one.. i'm sorry! 

i found a walgreens! well, more like i forgot it was there, haha! anyways i bought some DUO eyelash adhesive.. hope to get a FOTD done today with some falsies~ but we'll see. i also have to pack and head back home tonight! 

my mystery ebay item shipped yday! but it's coming from ____ so it'll take awhile :( poo.. 

but my ULTA package and my external hard drive are arriving tomorrow! too bad i won't be here! poop. but i can try some FOTD with my maybelline lash stiletto mascara :) 

ho hum, time to wrap the last present. definitely ghetto wrapping this one! LOL. and this will test if my nails are really dry and "hard as wraps". update later~

*EDIT: all finished wrapping! just gotta stick a few things into the last present.. which are at home.. hmm.. go figure. anyway.. i stuck a silver line between the white tip and my regular nail.. SO EASY TO DO. i love these SALLY HANSEN pens! i think i want to collect them all (you know.. at least in the colors i would use reasonably often). i can't remember what other colors.. but the blue and the GOLD look very tempting~ hmmmm.. must wait! :(