My Favorite Eye Makeup Removers

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Eye makeup removers tend to be one of those things that I buy a lot of. I want to test all of them, and I know that the perfect one is out there!

I'm pretty picky about eye makeup removers. My ideal eye makeup remover would make everything melt off my eye and be quickly removed with just a quick rinse. No cotton rounds or follow up cleansers needed. I have to be honest, I have not found a cleaner that does all of that, so mostly I settle for quick acting and removing all of my eye makeup.

Today I'm sharing the ones that I've liked in the last year or so, but you can also check out my post on the favorite eye makeup removers of beauty bloggers if you're looking for more ideas!



1. Coco Loco (at Etsy, my Coco Loco review): You can check out my review for the full details, but this is probably the closest remover to that "ideal" eye makeup remover that I mentioned. It is solid in the jar, but melts with the touch of a finger. I don't even need a cotton round to remove all of my mascara and eye liner, just a little rubbing with a fingertip. I do follow this up with a regular facial cleanser to remove the coconut oil that is left behind.

2. Avène Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover (get it at Drugstore.com or Dermstore): This clear gel removes everything immediately upon contact! It rinses off fully and easily.

3. Lancôme Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover (at Nordstrom or Lancôme): This is still my "gold standard" of eye makeup removers, so I compare all other eye makeup removers to this product. I can remove even the most stubborn of waterproof eye makeup without any problems.

4. Garnier Clean + Nourishing Cleansing Oil (at Drugstore.com or ULTA): A new favorite, I think I'm on my 4th or 5th bottle of this cleanser already. It's meant to be used just as a facial cleanser, but I use it with a cotton round to easily remove all of my eye makeup. Like the Coco Loco, it does leave an oil residue behind, which I clean off with a more traditional facial cleanser.

5. H2O+ Aqualibrium Dual-Action Eye Makeup Remover (from H2O+ or Beauty.com): This eye makeup remover is very, very similar to the Lancôme Bi-Facil at a lower price tag.

6. Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing + Makeup Remover (at Target or Drugstore.com): This is really just a normal face wash, but it does a decent job of removing all but the most stubborn waterproof eye makeup, without using a cotton round! It's great for days that I'm feeling a little lazy since it saves me the eye makeup remover step.


Did I miss your favorite? What do you reach for every night to remove your eye makeup?

Don't forget to check out the favorite eye makeup removers of the other Makeup Wars Bloggers!

An InLinkz Link-up

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8

10 Best Natural Foundations

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With the advances being made in makeup, it is getting easier and easier to get perfect, flawless and natural looking skin, no matter how what your skin issue. I've pulled together some of my favorite foundations, they range from super light to full coverage, they come at almost every price point, but they all blend out to look very natural.

1. Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup (review): This foundation blends very easily, and you can layer it to go from a light/medium coverage up to full.

2. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer (review): This is the lightest coverage of the bunch, it is super light. This is just enough coverage to even out my skin in the summer time, many of my friends use it when they're tan.

3. L'Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup: This foundation comes in a great variety of shades and it seems to work for almost everyone. It is a medium coverage but layers to increase the coverage easily.

4. Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation (review): This foundation is a light medium coverage, there's a bit of shimmer to make it more radiant.

5. Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation: I just started using this, and it is super easy to vary the amount of coverage with this foundation! Just use a smaller or bigger brush.

6. Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation (review): A medium to full coverage foundation, the coverage can be varied with wetting down the sponge you're applying with.

7. Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation (review): Similar to the Urban Decay, but I think a little lighter coverage.

8. Revlon Colorstay Foundation: This is every makeup artist's drugstore pick, at least from the interviews I conduct! It's definitely a great one to try out is you have combination or oily skin.

9. L'Oreal Magic Nude Liquid Powder (review): This is great in the summer, it is super lightweight and when you apply the liquid turns into a very light layer of powder.

10. CoverGirl TruBlend Liquid Makeup (review): This is my favorite drugstore foundation. It blends very easily for medium coverage.


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2

How to Reapply Sunscreen (While Wearing Makeup)

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Since today is "Our Favorite Sunscreen" day for Makeup Wars, I thought this would be a great day to finally publish my post on how to reapply your sunscreen even if you are wearing makeup. I'll be discussing a lot of products in this post, but note that ALL of the sunscreens I'm mentioning here will be in my Favorite Sunscreens post for Makeup Wars, including information on their UV range coverage.

If you've been reading my sunscreen posts, then you know that it is recommended that you use at least SPF 30, broad spectrum UV coverage (harder to find than you think), apply 1 ounce of sunscreen to your body and 1 teaspoon to your face, and reapply every 2 hours while out in the sun. The reapplication is because we all sweat, so the sunscreen leaves the area you applied it (ever sweat sunscreen into your eyes?), or the sun inactivates your sunscreen (with chemical sunscreens this is by design, the inactivation happens when the sunscreen absorbs that UV energy). So, reapply every 2 hours in the sun.

But.... how do you reapply every 2 hours while wearing makeup? That's the big question. It definitely changes how I do my makeup, which products I'll use and overall my makeup strategy for the day. I've been getting a lot of readers wanting to know how I do it.

Depending on what I'm doing in a particular day, I change my sunscreen strategy. Note that everything in this post applies to sunscreen on my face only.

For a typical day, I do not reapply my sunscreen. These are days that I'm in the car, running to work or around town for errands. Otherwise I'm inside, not even near a window (yes, UVA rays can penetrate windows, did you ever see that picture of a truck driver?) so I don't really have much sun exposure and certainly not enough to need reapplication.

I do have enough sun exposure that I think I need to wear sunscreen every day. It needs to be in a product that I apply all over my face and in a high enough quantity to actually get the UV coverage I need. Which means that it can't be in makeup (especially not in powder, I don't want to apply 1.2g to my face), and I don't even apply tinted BB cream all over my face enough so that it counts. I usually take a light SPF lotion (I've been using Kiehl's Ultra Facial Lotion SPF 30 and I haven't tried the new version yet) and I apply that to my neck and face. If I'm using a BB cream with SPF I'll either go light in the center of my face or completely skip that area. I do make sure to hit the outside of my face along my hair line and jaw line, places where I don't usually apply the BB Cream. If I'm going with a more traditional foundation then I definitely apply the lotion every where.

On days that I'm planning to spend more time outside, I take a different strategy with my sunscreen products and makeup. This is something that I plan ahead for, and if there's even just a chance that I'll be spending more than 45 minutes or so outside (especially if that's during peak sun hours of 10 am - 2 pm) then I'll go with this strategy. Note that these days are not meant to be waterproof or sweatproof, so this is great for a few hours playing outside with my daughter, but I wouldn't follow these strategies for a day at the beach or a theme park.

I start with my SPF lotion and/or BB Cream. Much like on a normal day, I make sure my entire neck and face are covered by either the SPF lotion or the BB Cream, so I have a base of SPF. If I'm anticipating that I'll be spending more than a few hours outside, I'll go the extra step of adding a second SPF on top of this, underneath my makeup. I go for something lightweight with a good SPF like Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense or La Roche Anthelios. I then apply makeup over this lotion/SPF base.

Once I'm ready to apply makeup, I go for makeup that can stand up to having more sunscreen slathered on top without looking crazy. This means lightweight, creams or liquids and never powder. Really, no powder.

First, I start with very lightweight coverage where it is needed. I might add a little more BB Cream or use a light foundation like Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Enhancer. You want something that makes things look more even, but definitely shows your skin tone through it. If it smears with sunscreen application it won't be noticeable, but you'll still have light coverage.

I still always have under eye issues, so I need concealer. I like to use a more pigmented concealer, here I've picture the Amazing Cosmetics Concealer, which I just bought a few days ago. Make Up For Ever Full Cover or IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer are also good choices. I then apply the concealer very strategically to ensure that I'm covering up what I want to cover up, but if things migrate a little bit I will be ok and things will look fine. (Note that in order to do this you really need that concealer to match your skin tone, not be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin.)

I apply the concealer in the dark blue area you'll see in the picture above. It goes on the inner corner of my eye, under my eye and down the side of my nose a little to create a triangle. I then blend it outward into the lighter blue area. Note in that area I'm only blending into it, I'm not applying more concealer. It should all be flawless in to your skin. This is basically what I described doing in my undereye conceal and correct post, though it's a bit more of a deliberate triangle. Here I'm applying in the triangle, there I was blending it into one.

I still like to apply a little blush on these days, I'm so fair that going without sometimes prompts those "do you feel ok?" questions that are awkward. I go for a cream blush, it won't become a gloppy mess when sunscreen goes over it later. I like Maybelline Bouncy Blush (in Fresh Pink), Stila Convertible Color (in Lillium) or NARS Multiple (in Orgasm).

Note that I said no powder. I've found that a tiny bit in the t-zone is ok, but not right before you reapply. Only at the time of application to set everything. Typically I'll apply my makeup, let everything on my face sit for a few minutes (aka- do my eyes or my hair), and then blot gently with a kleenex. You're trying to get any liquid off of your face, not smear things around. Then a small amount of powder in the t-zone if really necessary. If you're more than a bit oily, I suggest trying a little milk of magnesia as a primer, apply a small amount of watered down MoM after your sunscreen but before makeup.

When you've been outside for a few hours and it's time to reapply, choose your sunscreen carefully. I tend to go for a chemical sunscreen for reapplication. The physical sunscreens are thicker and more prone to becoming a mess. They especially like to just sit on top of makeup and leave a white mess instead of applying like they should. Go for the highest SPF that you can stand, and something fairly lightweight. I'll use either the Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense or La Roche Anthelios again, or sometimes I'll go for the Aveeno formulation of the summer (yes, it seems to change every summer, but it is better each time. Get the "adult" chemical sunscreen formula).

I put the amount I need for reapplication in my palm. If I don't have it all there, I tend to skimp on reapplication, and then I regret it later. I dot the sunscreen all over my face, neck (don't forget the back!) and my ears, and then rub it in. Obviously you can be more vigorous in areas like your neck, but where you've applied makeup I generally think it's best to rub in little circles, don't move the sunscreen too far, but work fairly quickly. If anything does rub away from its original location, then it hasn't gone far (that concealer...) and usually you still look fine.

I also really like to use stick sunscreens. I've been using the Murad mostly recently, but Coppertone and Neutrogena also make good ones, and this year Coppertone even has a tattoo sunscreen stick! (I don't have any, I find it amusing that tattoos need their own special sunscreen though.) The sticks are great for putting on after reapplying the sunscreen. I do this as a second added layer of protection, mostly to areas that get hit by the sun a lot and are likely to have the sunscreen there rub/sweat off. My nose, the tips of my ears, the front bit of my part, my cheeks... you get the idea. All of those places that I turn pink first.

I should probably have reworded this graphic, it sounds very dirty! In actuality, this is what I do when I'll be outside for long periods of time and will either be getting wet (pool or beach) or it's very hot & humid so I know that there will be a lot of sweating!

The additional water added means that I can't use my previous SPF lotion or BB Cream as a sunscreen "base" and expect it to stay put. I can use that lotion if I want for hydration, but I definitely need to apply a waterproof sunscreen over the top. I like Aveeno's formulas, Coppertone Sport or Neutrogena (I prefer the Ultra Sheer Dry Touch formula). I apply this sunscreen over my lotion, and while I do my eyes or my hair I give it about 4 or 5 minutes to sink in to my skin and "set". I then blot gently with a kleenex to remove any oily residue so that I can apply makeup without dealing with the grossness.

Reapplication is with the same sunscreen (with the addition of a stick sunscreen) in the same manner as above, working in small sections, blot if you need to, don't forget areas like the tips of your ears!

Makeup over the heavier sunscreens and when dealing with wet conditions, is well, much less. I stick to waterproof makeup formulations, and there's less that you can do to the sunscreen covered areas of your face. I like to use a waterproof concealer, I've found that the Lancome Effacernes is the most waterproof, though IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye isn't far behind and it is more pigmented. I use the concealer just like up above, though I use a little less of it since the sunscreens make it more likely to move around here. For the same reason I can't use blush, so I'll go for a stain like the Julia's Lip Tint, which come in so many shades that you can find a good shade for a blush pretty easily.


Do you reapply over makeup? Let me know how you do it!

Learn more about all of the SPF products mentioned here in my favorite sunscreen post!

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20

Ask a Beauty Blogger: Favorite Cleanser?

I've recently published 2 posts on my favorite beauty items (here and more items here), but I thought Julie's question was the perfect opportunity to explain my craziness with facial cleansers. I know I'm not the only one with a couple of cleansers sitting around and using them for different things.

So, without further ado, here are the 4 (!!) cleansers that I keep around.


1. Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover: This is the cleanser that I've "officially" dubbed my favorite simply because it is the one I reach for the most often. It sits on my countertop and I use it most nights to wash everything off. On days that I can't quite get all of my eye makeup off (it seems to depend on the mascara, that new Maybelline Rocket is quite the hard one to remove), then I reach for the cotton rounds and #4. This one is a bit too thin to work well with my Clarisonic.

2. Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser: This is a very gentle cleanser that removes pretty much everything (except eye makeup, hence the #1), without irritation or drying out my skin. I mostly use this one with my Clarisonic. It is a bit more viscous than the other cleansers, so it seems to stick around in the bristles a little bit more. It also does have a nice lather, but it doesn't go totally crazy with the Clarisonic. All around it's a winner.

3. Skin Authority Moisturizing Cream Cleanser: Another gentle cleanser, but this one is definitely more hydrating. I haven't totally figured out how they did this with something you rinse off. It feels more like a lotion than a cleanser, removes dirt, oil and makeup, leaves lots of moisture behind... I leave this one in the shower to use in the morning, though I'll also bring it over to the counter for times that I'm feeling dry and in need of a little extra pampering. This one works well with my Clarisonic, but it bubbles up a bit too much with the brush for my taste (I get bubbles up my nose!), so I tend not to use the 2 together.

4. Hard Candy Take It Off Eye Makeup Remover: Finally, this is the makeup remover that I use most of the time. It removes pretty much anything you throw at it, and somehow the fact that it is a thick lotion (instead of an oil like most other removers) works in its favor. I sometimes will wipe some on, and let the lotion sit for about 10-15 seconds before wiping it off. The extra time makes hard to remove liners and mascaras just melt off. Love that.

2

My Current Favorites: 2012 Edition

It has been a looooong time since I updated my list of favorite products. And while everyone else is posting about their favorite products of the year, I fully admit that I can't always remember what year things came out. And let's face it, you don't care that I like some cleanser that came out in June if there's one that came out in 2011 that I like better. Right?

So, here they are, the top 10 products that I find myself reaching for over and over. I have to hide them from myself when I am testing other products (totally true!) but I break them out in between testings and sometimes on days that I just need my favorite eye liner. I'm sure I've received these as samples from the companies, but I've bought them myself. Over and over and over...

1. Neutrogena Naturals Cleanser: This has a permanent spot on my counter. While it doesn't remove the most stubborn of eye makeup, it does remove everything else (such as normal, every day stuff) quickly and easily with just a washcloth or my Clarisonic.

2. CoverGirl Clump Crusher Mascara: Yes, you really can wear 30 coats of this stuff without a clump in site. You don't really need to though. I'm a big fan of layering my mascaras, and this is now my daily go-to mascara. I just grab randomly for the other one (I'm slowing working through my giant mascara drawer to find a killer combo), but this one is always there.

3. Revitalash: Yes, it works. I just reordered mine (I'm buying from Drugstore.com now, it is much cheaper there!) but this is definitely my secret weapon.

4. Milk of Magnesia: I'm not even that oily, but no mattifier has ever come close to the results I get from using Milk of Magnesia as a primer. I don't really use it in the winter, but this is a must for summer!

5. Kiehl's Ultra Facial SPF 15: I've lost track of how many posts I've featured this moisturizer in at this point. I love it. This is my go-to daily moisturizer.

6. Kiehl's Midnight Recovery: I won't travel without this product. I swear that airplanes actively pull moisture from your body, my skin hates it. I use this about once every 2 weeks or so throughout the winter, though now that my toddler wants to play in the snow I'm sure that my frequency will increase this winter.

7. Elizabeth Arden Smoky Liner: You may have noticed that I include this liner in a lot of my looks, though it doesn't have its own review post. I have it in black, brown and navy, though I'm thinking of picking up a few other colors. This liner is perfect for pushing into my lash line, it is just soft enough and is just smudgy enough and it lasts by far the longest on my water line. I just bought a back up black a few weeks ago, despite the huge number of black liners already in my eye liner drawer (yes, I have a drawer. Ok, it is half of a drawer, the other half is mascara. But, I still have issues.)

8. NYX Eyeshadow Base: This is another product that I break out almost every day, but only feature in looks on the blog. I use the skin tone version of this, it comes in a little pot and I swear that I have over half of it left despite nearly daily use for about 18 months. It has the consistency and coverage of a concealer, which is perfect since I have some visible vessels on my eyelids and covering them before my eye shadow looks a lot better. I do get a little better wear for my shadows when wearing UDPP or TFSI, but the NYX covers the vessels and my shadow is about 95% intact at the end of the day.

9. MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow in Family Silver: I've been wearing this shadow for years, and I would love MAC to re-issue it. While it isn't super pigmented, somehow this is the shadow that pulls everything together and makes it all look more polished. Half is a grey with metallic, the other half is an off white, faintly silver color, again with some coppery-gold highlights. Somehow when my shadow isn't quite right, a little of the light or darker grey and some blending makes it all better.

10. Wet'n'Wild Nutty Shadow: This is my perfect crease color. For under $2.

9

Deep Cleansing Brushes: What's the Difference Between All of Them?

I'm sure you've noticed it in my Beauty Expert Series that Clarisonics have been mentioned many, many times. They're continually mentioned in magazines and on-line by both dermatologists and estheticians as a must have (and use) item. Why? While you might think that using just your hands, cleanser and a few splashes of water is enough to clean your face.... it really isn't. You need a bit more friction than that. Add in a little light exfoliation each time you use the Clarisonic and it is a skin's dream come true. You look more glowy, don't have a light residual layer of makeup when you go to bed, and since you've exfoliated off a little dead skin all of your expensive skin care works better.

But, that Clarisonic is so expensive! I have one, I admit to being too lazy to use it every day (I'm more of an every 2-3 days Clarisonic girl, I go with an old fashioned wash cloth twice a day usually). I've been resolving to improve this to every night over the summer.

But, what if you don't have a Clarisonic? And can't imagine shelling out the big bucks to do it? There are alternatives, and I thought a review and comparison of the 4 deep facial cleansing machines I have here at home would be worthwhile. I do want to state that in the past I've reviewed the Sirius Beauty brush as well, but I've since given it away. So, here are the 4 I have at home!

Read on to see pics and info on each of the devices.

67

Neutrogena Naturals: Eye Makeup Removal With Your Fingertips

I've been on a never ending quest for a great eye makeup remover. While I'm not likely to ever stop looking (it's an addiction, hence I have this blog), I've been remiss in not sharing a great one that I've discovered! I've already repurchased it twice, so you know it's got to be great.

This cleanser is thick and creamy, so I can use it with my fingertips. A light herbal scent, a little bit of foaming, though not too much and easy to rinse. Those are all good points. But, the best part is that it removes my eye makeup without a problem. Only the most stubborn of waterproof eye liners have caused an issue, and with a second application I can removed anything.

Neutrogena Naturals Makeup Remover and Cleanser

2

Exploring Alternative Methods of Eye Makeup Removal: Neutrogena

For years now I've been a loyal user of Lancome's Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover. While I have tried others in the past, in a vain attempt to find something that worked as well (see Lumene, Clean & Clear, Boots #7, and Almay), I keep coming back to the Lancome. It's the only one that removes 100% of my mascara and eye liner easily the first time, no matter what I'm wearing. But... it's expensive. I try to stock up on it at the outlet mall (love those CCO stores), but I still feel guilty every time I use it.

14

Time for a (Quick) Deep Cleaning... Neutrogena and Your Best Face to the Rescue

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, things are just a little bit... lackluster? Like your styling products are weighing your hair down more than usual, your skin isn't as glowy as it should be after that moisturizer or your pores are about to be filled to capacity? I have definitely been feeling like that lately. I'm sure the fact that I'm now about 6 1/2 weeks away from delivery (and hence, seem to need help even getting up from the sofa), doesn't really help the whole "not feeling quite like myself" situation.

Even though today was a work day, and hence I was a bit pushed for time in the shower, I decided to take matters a step further than usual and spend a whopping 2 extra minutes in the shower today and the difference was well worth the time. Read on to see what I did.

3

Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock Review

While it would be ideal to have your daily sunscreen included in your morning lotion (can't forget, and can't use an excuse to skip a day)... The truth is that it isn't always possible. Most moisturizers don't include sunscreens. Those that do might not work well for you, might not have broad spectrum coverage or may just not have a high enough SPF. That's when it's better to add a second sunscreen product.

I think that I'm likely not alone in the way I view this product. When it was released there was a lot of talk about it on-line. Would it be light enough to wear daily under makeup? It's broad spectrum, high SPF (yes, higher than the SPF 30 many derms recommend for daily use, but that gives you a bit of leeway if you apply it too light one day), and many women just love the Neutrogena brand. (Yes, I'm one of them.)

So, did it live up to the expectations?

11

Bioelectricity and You: Can a Cream "Recharge" Your Skin?

I know by now you've likely seen the commercials, the ads in your magazine or even read famous dermatologists discussing this new breakthrough in skin care in a magazine (I think I've seen it in 3 at last count).

"Bioelectricity", just hearing that term makes me think... well, not that it's amazing. Honestly, that term makes me think of those copper bracelets they sell in the in-flight catalog or on late night television. You know the one, they show some guy wearing it while he's golfing and then they claim that the bracelet cured his diabetes? I thought of that immediately when I heard about these products. Then I did a pubmed search. Nothing. There was some nonsense about everyone knowing the electricity in your skin decreases as you age. I didn't learn that in med school. Obviously this was all nonsense.

Or, was it?

What exactly is electricity? It's a current. A current is movement of charged particles. Which means you just need some charged things moving around. Oh yeah, I did learn that in medical school. And I use it everyday in my ICU. We just don't call it electricity, we call it shifting.

A lot of things in our bodies are charged, and in order for our cells to function properly they need to be kept at certain levels in different compartments. Things like Sodium, Potassium and Calcium. They're all charged ions, kept at different levels in cells, out of cells, in different ares of the body. And they move around. That's current, and therefore electricity. If they can't move cells not only can't function properly, they actually die.

So, there is electricity in our bodies. Now what's this that Johnson & Johnson is doing? And, more importantly, does it actually work?

3

Neutrogena's Rapid Clear Cleanser

During my recent cross country move I was having some skin issues. I'm not sure if it was just sitting in the car for three days on end, washing my face in a different Holiday Inn everynight, but by the end of our drive my skin was a disaster. I was oily, had dry flaky patches and my face had more clogged pores than I've had at any time since high school. I was running out of face wash as well, so I decided that it was time for a shakeup. I decided I would address the clogged pores with my cleanser and concentrate on increasing my exfoliation to help with the flakes.

Anyways, I hightailed it to the Meijer beauty section once I arrived here in the midwest. (Meijer is like a Super Walmart, but owned by a family in Grand Rapids Michigan. They're open 24/7 except Christmas and they sell everything. I missed them in California!) After perusing the options, I settled on this cleanser from Neutrogena. I love the brand and the idea of an oil control cleanser (without the added acne fighters that dry me out) was perfect.

Overall I really loved this cleanser. Honestly, it does smell just a bit medicinal. It's pretty thick and creates a nice lather. It is perfect for pairing with my Clarisonic since the cleanser stays put on the bristles and doesn't wash away too easily. The cleanser overall does a great job, cleaning away makeup quickly and easily (though keep it away from your eyes, it will sting and it doesn't really remove mascara). The cleanser didn't overly dry my skin and I had no irritation. Within just a day or two my skin was looking better and my pores were clearer.

This is definitely a cleanser I would buy again!

Neutrogena's Rapid Clear Cleanser

3

Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

I have a long, well known love affair with all things Neutrogena. The company has great technology, great products that are very easily available and at a very affordable price. When on vacation I frequently rely on a Neutrogena sunscreen to protect my skin from the sun.

So, I was particularly excited to try out the new UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock. It's already won an Editor's Choice Award from Allure, so it has a lot to live up to!

Ingredients
A quick review of the active ingredients below will show you that this sunscreen has great broad spectrum coverage. (Refer to Sunscreen Ingredients Post)

As well, Neutrogena makes a big deal about Helioplex™ in the formula. That is the combination of Avobenzone and Oxybenzone together, decreasing the breakdown of Avobenzone and therefore improving AVA protection.

Overall, you would be very hard pressed to find better protection. The sunscreen is available in both SPF 55 and SPF 70 (my choice).

Active Ingredients:
• Avobenzone (3.0%)- AKA- Parsol 1789, Long Wave UVA
• Homosalate (15.0%)- UVB
• Octisalate (5.0%)- AKA Octyl Salicylate, UVB
• Octocrylene (2.8%)- UVB
• Oxybenzone (6.0%)-Short Wave UVA

Inactive Ingredients:
Water, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Diethylhexyl 2, 6 - Napthalate, Beeswax, Caprylyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, BHT, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG - 100 Stearate, Sodium Polyacrylate, Acrylates/C12 - 22 Alkylmethacrylate Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Trideceth - 6, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Disodium EDTA, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance.

The Promises
Neutrogena states that this formula is:
• Fast Absorbing
• Leaves skin soft and smooth
• Waterproof, Sweatproof
• Non-Comedogenic
• Oil free and PABA free

The Sunscreen Experience
I have to say that I don't agree with the name "UltraSheer Dry-Touch" for this sunscreen. It is a thick white lotion, that can at times be difficult to rub in. Once on your skin, it has an odd powdery feeling, like you added baby powder to it. It's somehow powdery and greasy at once. This coating does feel rather thick on the skin, and this problem is really only compounded when you reapply.

In addition, I find the smell to be a strange chemical, light sunscreen and powder smell. It's not horrible, but is a bit bothersome anyways.

Availability
Neutrogena is easily found at nearly every mass market store, from Target to CVS and even the mini-mart in my Shell Gas Station. I love that you can buy a Multi-Pack from Amazon.com, making you more likely to actually apply that 1 ounce!

The Verdict
These factors make me feel strongly that this in not a good choice for everyday sunscreen. I'd gladly wear it by the pool in Hawaii, but I can not imagine wearing this sunscreen for a more active activity like tennis or golf. The hunt for a high SPF everyday sunscreen continues!

Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

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Neutrogena's Wave Power-Cleanser & Deep Clean Foaming Pads

I recently posted about this product when it came out, and I have since had a chance to try it out. If you see it in your store, you will need to buy yourself one! I love this little machine!

The small machine comes with 14 pads similar to a smooth Buff-Puff, with cleanser infused into them. The entire machine fits perfectly in to the palm of your hand, it is small and ergonomically correct. Simply place one of the little pads onto the round flat spot (it's held in place by velcro), and press the switch! Using this machine to me is like using a Sonic Care Toothbrush- there are little vibrations that you can feel, but you aren't sure it's doing anything. I had to really fight the urge to scrub my face and let the machine do the work. I move it over my face slowly for about 3-5 minutes, and the cleanser in the pad creates a very light foam. It rinses off quickly and easily, and then you realize that your face is incredibly smooth!

The machine is very gentle, and you could probably even use this every day. I do think that the recommended twice a day might be too much. So far I've been using it every other morning in the shower (it is water resistant), and I've had great results! I have had no redness or irritation, and I have had quite a few comments on how great my skin looks! I used it recently before I went to meet Max Factor's Celebrity Makeup Artist Jake Bailey (more about that in many posts soon) and even he commented to me on how smooth my skin felt! This is a man who does the makeup of a huge number of celebrities (Kyra Sedgwick, Paris Hilton, etc) and he was impressed!

I know that I'll be stocking up on more little pads to continue using this machine. I highly recommend you try this, the results I got were just fantastic!

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Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask

I have found a new stand-by deep moisture treatment for my hair, the days of the Garnier Sleek and Shine are over, because honestly the Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask just blew it away!

This product is incredibly easy to use, and even better it is easy to multi-task into your morning, saving time. Simply wash your hair as usual, apply this to your wet hair (in the shower), and leave in for 3-5 minutes (just enough time for a quick shave of the legs...) and rinse to reveal healthier looking, silky hair! It smells very tropical (Have you noticed that nearly all hair products are tropical? It must be a rule or something...), is thick and silky and easily rinsed from the hair.

The best part of this conditioner is definitely what your hair is like during styling. My hair was much silkier, shine was off the charts and I spent a few less minutes drying my hair. It really surpassed my Garnier in terms of ease of styling, and I can tell you that I'll likely be stocking up on this one!

Ingredients (refer to the Shampoo & Conditioner Post):
• Water
• Cetyl Alcohol (thickening agent)
• Behentrimonium Chloride (anti-static agent)
• Cyclopentasiloxane (silicone)
• Dimethicone (silicone)
• Cetearyl Alcohol (emollient and thickening agent)
• Ethylhexyl Isonanoate, Behenyl Alcohol, Meadowfoam Seed Oil (limnanthes alba), Cyclohexasiloxane, Olive Fruit Oil (olea europaea), Sweet Almond Oil (prunus amygdalus dulcis), Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Amodimethicone, Panthenol, Glycol Stearate, Ceteth 2, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Citric Acid, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Fragrance

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Neutrogena Moisture Shine Soothing Lip Sheers

This is a product that I've looked at so many times in the store, that I can no longer count them all! I pick it up and carry it around for a while, then realize the sheer number of lip products that I already own, and it goes back into the display. Finally, I've tried this out!

This is an ok lipstick, but really it's nothing special. It applies easily, it's skinny shape makes it very easily to apply to lips while on the go, directly from the tube. It feels silky, but not very hydrating. It stayed on for several hours, surviving a cup of coffee but not my lunch.

The real problem though was the color. It was quite a bit different on the lip than it was in the tube. The color was much too opaque and looked almost chalky. I would love to think that this was a problem just with the shade I had (shimmering blush).

Really, for the price I believe that there are better drugstore lipsticks. I hate to say it (because I love Neutrogena), but pass on this one.
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Soothing Lip Sheers

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Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheer Foundation Review

Neutrogena's new Healthy Skin Glow is a foundation that is meant to provide sheer coverage while at the same time providing SPF 30 and even antioxidants!

This is a pretty decent foundation if you are looking for a sheer foundation. There are only 5 shades, but the coverage is so sheer that I think you shouldn't have any problems finding a shade that works for you.

It blends very easily, looks very natural, and does improve skin imperfections despite being so sheer. I think of this as a step below Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous in terms of the coverage provided. The wear was great, I still noticed a difference in my skintone at the end of the day, something that I can't say about my SKG that seems to wear off by 5 pm.

I will say that I don't think I applied anywhere near enough product to allow the sunscreen included to really work, so I wouldn't rely on this as my primary sunscreen.

The best thing about this product may just be the price, it's a steal at $10-13 a pop, so try it out!
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheer Foundation

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