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.

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Summer Skin Protection: Skin Authority Sunscreen Moisturizer Review

It's summer time, which means that it is time to take your existing sun protection routine (you have one, right??) and amp it up a bit! In previous summers I've featured a boat load of sunscreen reviews. Last summer I tested about 40 products and narrowed it down to about 4 or 5 that I actually wrote about, those were the cream of the crop. This summer I've decided to do things a bit differently. I'm only testing products that look amazing or are things that I think you (my readers) will be interested in.

So, today I bring you an every day facial moisturizer with broad spectrum SPF 30 protection. You can wear makeup over it and it doesn't even feel like you have a thick layer of goo on your face!

This moisturizer looks like a typical sunscreen when you squeeze it out of the tube. White, a bit thick... it doesn't look very promising as you apply. It looks kind of thick and white. But, it actually rubs in pretty easily, and feels hydrating. A little bit of the faint sunscreen smell does stick around, but not enough to notice if it is on your face (I only notice it on my arm, and then I can only smell it if I basically stick my arm in my nose. I can't smell it on my face.) What is most interesting is that the sunscreen feels incredibly light weight, and rather than leaving behind a tacky residue, my skin feels matte and a tad powdery. I can apply makeup right over this sunscreen without primer. Love that. Throughout the day I don't have any increase in shine, and nothing melts off a few hours later.

I'll be leaving this one on my vanity as a go-to product for increasing my sun protection.









Skin Authority

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The Favorite Products of Beauty Experts: Celeste Hilling from Skin Authority

Being a CEO of a globally growing company, mom of an active teen and a community volunteer means that my product routines need to be highly effective in a small number of steps.

There are some products I can't travel without! I always carry my bag on, so travel sizes are a must. I love my Go! Gorgeous Mini Kit (1) because it has a complete a.m./p.m skin care routine in 4 easy travel size tubes. I also always have a travel size of Moroccan Oil (2) to keep my hair smooth and shining.

When at home, I can’t start my day without my two “must have” skin care products, Skin Authority Super C Serum (3) and Wrinkle Reversing Serum (4). Each product is a 2 in 1 so i get a collagen boost for firming, growth factors repair photoaging, and even out my skin tone for an amazing glow!

I am already in full swing for spring! I like tortoise hair accessories (5) to allow for side swept braids or french pony tails. I lean more toward coral lips (6) for spring. For face, I always change my foundation each season. For spring, I like to go light by using a tinted moisturizer (instead of foundation) and rely on bronzing powder (7) to give me a natural sun-kissed look. Finally, I start applying Skin Authority Sunless Tanner (8) 2 times weekly for a natural body glow.

Celeste Hilling is the CEO of Skin Authority, a skin care company that has been receiving a lot of hype recently in the media. (And from what I've heard, it's for a good reason!) Celeste helps to formulate the Skin Authority products (if you could do that with a great company you'd definitely be customizing them to be your faves too!) and she also hosts YouTube’s Beauty Workout Channel.


Skin Authority

Note: I picked the bronzer and the lippie to be featured here. That is MAC's Bronzing Powder and the lippie is Bobbie Brown's Sweet Nectar, and amazing pinky coral that works for many skin tones.

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