Finish 7 by Spring Finale!

Finish 7 by Spring didn't turn out as well as I had hoped in the makeup department, but I did go through quite a few products.  They are all spread out in front of me, sorted in their categories.  I kept a brown paper shopping bag in my bathroom for empties and it's time for me to get everything into the recycling bin!

Let's start with skincare.  I had talked about the Isomers line in my last update post.  I am really liking this line.  I have been using it every night with noticeable results.  My face is more even toned, smoother, firmer.  Everything has changed about my skin appearance from using this product line.  I've read some reviews, they are not exactly positive but I'm going with the results that I see in my skin.  Big changes.  I expected to finish up these bottles in 3 months but I over estimated how fast I would finish them.  I think that I have 1 month to go.

 

I did finish OleHenricksen visual truth eye cream and I finished up another L'OREAL Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle and Firming Eye Cream.  I really liked the L'OREAL.  I will consider repurchasing in the future.  I have another sample eye cream currently in the works and I was planning on buying the Benefit It's Potent! Eye Cream next after using up some sample foil packets of course!

I finished N7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing water which I love and is no longer sold at Target.  I purchased a cleansing oil for its replacement which I will talk about in my updated skincare routine which will be coming up next.  I really like cleansing waters but cleansing oils really dissolve all of my makeup.  I use cleansing waters and cleansing oils as makeup removers and always follow both up with a cleanser.

Also in the skincare category, I have several other empties.  Korres Pomengranate Grenade Cleansing and makeup wipes were a holy grail for me last year.  I've gotten away from wipes but they are still good in a pinch.  Botanics Hot a Cloth Cleansing balm was next for me used up.  This is very thick stuff.  My water does not get hot enough from the tap to use this most effectively.   When I did have time to use this, I would massage it on to the skin for a minute or two and add some rice flour to exfoliate.  I would gently wipe away with warm face cloth and follow up with a cleanser.  My skin felt very nice after using.  I would need to use a separate eye makeup remover.  I really like using the cleaning oil right now as it is one step, not 2.

Additionally, I finished up a Cetaphil cleanser, Josie Maran Argan oil light and a Korres Greek Yoghurt Advanced Nourishing Sleeping Facial.  I finished up 2 masks.  Boscia Luminizing black mask, which wow, this pulls off everything.  I broke a capillary under my eye, which is my fault, do not apply on any delicate skin.  Luckily, it wasn't permanent and took only a couple days to reabsorb.  Maybe as I am aging, my skin is becoming thinner and more delicate.  I did not notice any crazy changes or benefits from using this product.  This sample size has enough for 3 uses.  I do enjoy peel off masks but I'm not sure if this will be a repurchase for me.  I also finished a sample of Origins Clear Improvement.  This has active charcoal which my deep pores really need.  I enjoy sample sizes so that I can mix them up often.

 

I'm throwing in 2 Body Shop Lip butters in Mango and coconut.  The mango one has dried out and the coconut one leaves an uncomfortable filmy feeling on my lips that I just can't handle.  Currently I am using a lip balm from Kiehl's.  When that is finished, I am going to try the Dior Creme De Rose.  I don't want to feel a film.  I've become quite particular.  Back in the day, plain cherry Chapstick was good enough for years.  Maybe I should try it out again...

On to makeup...  I have come to the conclusion that I will never finish an eye shadow palette or a color tattoo.  I'm okay with that fact.  I will continue to use them until they expire and I feel that is quite good enough for me. I like variety, I cannot do the same eye look every day for months on end.  Maybe I don't pile it on enough.  Summers are tough on eyeshadow in NC humidity.  My smokey eye days are numbered...  However, I did finish a couple of things.  AVON Glimmersticks Chromes in mocha flash, Milani Easybrow in Natural Taupe and Physicians formula Concealer Twins.  The Milani doesn't have a ton of product, the Concealer Twin dried out and I always finish up AVON Glimmersticks.  They stay put on my oily skin and in the heat and humidity of North Carolina Summers.  Glimmersticks are winners.

I'm also pitching 3 foundations this go around.  I've added a couple foundations to my collection in the last couple of months (oops, I'm like a chameleon, so frustrating) and it's time to say bye bye to Revlon Colorstay Whipped.  I believe these are 3-4 years old, Sand Beige is newer actually which I may keep.  I have 150 Buff, 200 Sand Beige and 240 Natural Beige.  I use Buff in the center of my face and Sand Beige around the perimeter and outer cheeks.  Natural Beige was always too pink for me.  It's a good foundation but I could never quite get it right every time I used it.  It liked a certain moisturizer and my skin needed to be freshly exfoliated or this foundation would stick to every dry patch or it would just find them.  I have oily, combination skin and this would also slip off or catch in different areas of the face with certain primers.  Bottom line, I need quick effortless blending for my everyday use.  I liked to use this for special events at night where I knew my photo would be taken.  I've replaced the Colorstay Whipped with a higher end foundation which I will talk about soon!

I tried out 3 different brands of cotton rounds/squares.  Out of this round, I believe the Ulta Premium Round Cotton pads won in terms of quality but Target cotton rounds win in the price category.  I have about 5 squares of the CVS premium cotton squares left.  They work well but just a touch linty.  This is not something I want to spend a lot of money on but I also do not want to be left with cotton bits sticky to my face because ultimately they end up in my eyes.  I'm sure I will be in Target soon to pick up a new package.  I have seen a review on the White Cloud Cotton Squares on Amazon but since I am using the cleansing oil, it dissolves nearly all of my eye makeup so a separate remover is unnecessary.  Maybe I can hold off for a while...  Actually, I need cotton for toner! 

Now on to Bodycare!

This is a huge category for me every time I do empties so I will just stick to the highlights...

 

Nivea In Shower Body Lotion in Shea Butter.  I really love this stuff.  Olay has a similar one thst my husband gave me for Christmas years ago.  I never found it again.  It does make things slippery in the shower when it builds up, meaning if you use this every day and skip a week of cleaning, it's going to be slippery.  However, every other day, cleaning of the shower once a week, I haven't had any problems.  I enjoyed using this during the cold winter months that we have been having down here in NC.

Victoria Secret Pear Glacé is my all time favorite scent.  Takes me way back to my undergraduate years where I think I made one bottle last about a year.  $12 was so expensive back then.  Maybe it was more back then actually.  $17 seems to be the price I remember.  Hmm...  But anywho, I bought this a couple of years ago and was saving it for who knows what.  I will repurchase.

c Booth Nourishing Bath and Body Wash.  I bought a lotion and 2 other body washes on a sale at Ulta and used a coupon and rewards.  Bought all for for under $10.  There is nothing truly remarkable about this body wash that can be doubled as a bath.  It smells nice, feels good.  There are no parabens, sulfates, mineral oil or petrolatum in this product which I can appreciate as some of those do have some conclusive and inconclusive studies pointing out their effectiveness, ineffectiveness, toxicity to the body...  It's all too confusing really and opinions run high.  After looking briefly at the ingredient list, this product from c Booth doesn't seem too natural.  I have 3 more products to go from this line...  

And 3 bars of soap.  I guess that means I use about a bar of soap a month. I grabbed the men's care because it was on sale.  I usually stick with Dove.  A huge club pack of the pink bars were on sale last week at the commissary so I have 12 to try out during the next year.

Hair!

I left this one wide open.  I have a ton of samples and fixing my hair in the morning usually consists of brushing and possibly curling.  It just takes so darn long to dry my hair! I did just recently invest a brand spanking new Hot Tools Limited Editions Precious Metals in Titanium as my trusty old Revlon 1.5 spring finally sprung on the clamp.  I've had it for a few years, 2-3.  It never held a curl but smoothed things out so it worked.  The Hot Tools works a little better and the curls lasts for a couple of days.  Not perfect like those YouTube hair wizards, but good enough for my imperfect being.

 

I did finish lots of shampoo and conditioners, so like bar soap, I finish approximately 1 shampoo and 1 conditioner every month.  Mental note... I have 2, maybe 3 pumps of the L'OREAL OleoTherapy Perfecting Oil Essence.  This product is really nice to use on the ends of the hair.  It doesn't weigh down or add any grease.  It really extended my last haircut for at least 5 months.  And that was one of the best haircuts I have had down here in NC.  Finding a hair stylist that I can trust has been such a challenge down here.  I usually ask for the long layers, pointing out exactly where I want them to start, I don't dare ask for fringe, occasionally I want angles in the front starting an inch above my shoulders.  I specifically ask for no triangle point, I want my hair level in the back.  Once have I found someone who listened.  I just went back to her again and boom, all wrong.  Luckily, I'm a huge fan of piling my hair on top of my head in a bun...

I really enjoy using the Bumble and Bumble line and I still have a ton of sample and travel sizes to use.  But I use the Tonic on my scalp and the Prep Spray after every hair washing which is usually every other day.  I also enjoy using Aveda products and have a few more samples as well.  So need for me to buy any hair products for quite a while.

Oh and two boxes of dye.  I am having a really hard time finding this hair dye.  In fact, it's difficult to find any semi-permanent/washout hair dye.  I use the same color 21 every time I color my hair but I like that it rinses out because there will come a day when I am sick of dying my hair and will embrace those greys...  Well not anytime soon but I really want all the length of my permanent hair dying days to eventually grow out and be cut off so I will be left with semi "natural" hair after those "28 washes.".  I've tried some semi-permanent colors at Sally's but this Clairol Natural Instinct just has that perfect color.  It's just dark enough and it gives a little warmth. Is this being discontinued?  I can only find it a Ulta.  These were the last two boxes on the shelf, different packaging to boot.  Eeek! 

So a ton of stuff is headed to the recycling bin!  I think I covered most things exhaustively.  Bottom line, I use a lot of products and have a lot of empties in 3 months.  My bathroom cabinet is still full of products but this was a good jump start.  I will continue using and not purchasing or realistically, continue using and purchasing less...  Which I have been good at.  Currently I have only 1 replacement shampoo and conditioner for the set that is almost empty in the shower.  Still have a ton of lotions and potions...
 

"5 by Cinco de Mayo" is the next tag so I will pick out 5 products in each category.  I might skip makeup.  5 products is not happening for me!  Not a pessimist, but a realist.  Actually I can think of 2 products that are nearing the end so maybe this go around I will get lucky in the makeup empty department.  We shall see!

More on that later!

What's in My Travel Makeup Bag

I previously mentioned in my Week 14 Skincare/Makeup box post that I have been walking past my travel zebra makeup bag on my dresser for months.  I used to travel for work 1-2 times a month and I believe I changed everything out and packed it up after the first of the year.  It's only been moved to dust so far this year and I had forgotten what was in it until now!

The pink & red striped bag (old Target sample bag) is used infrequently and stored in my purse/bag. Over the weekend I realized my NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder and Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Foundation Powder were in there.  I have been looking for them!

I also have a Philosophy eye hope concealer in extra light, Aveda Hand Cream, Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream (also was looking for this), Bath and Body Works hand Sanitizer, Sircuit Skin Cosmceuticals molecular Mist Hydrating Moisture Therapy, Chapstick in Rasperry Cream, Vaseline Lip therapy rosy lips and a Sigma F30 Large Travel Powder brush.

The Zebra makeup bag was a steal from Coldwater Creek a few years ago.  It also fits a ton apparently.  It's a double zip and nice quality.

For skincare I have Olay Regenerist eye lifting serum, Elizabeth Arden 8 hour lip protectant stick SPF 15, Sephora Anti-Shine Foundation Primer, Target up&up oil-absorbing sheets, and Anthony Logistics for Men Instant Fix Oil Control.  I use this when my skin is super oily in the summer.  It works like a charm. I blot first then apply this over my makeup and I have instant matte skin.  It's amazing.  I will always have some of this on hand.

For makeup I have Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation in 120 Classic Ivory, Beauty Base Foundation in Skintone 3 (Birchbox sample?), Philosophy the supernatural lit from within healthy cream blush in 01 bare your soul, Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in 10 Sunbaked Neutrals (never used, seal still intact), Rimmel Match Perfection 2-in-1 Concealer & Highlighter in 125 Fair, Urban Decay Lip Junkie in Naked, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 651 Porcelain Pink and in 205 Champagne on Ice.

I have some hand wipes and Witch Hazel wipes for my face.

For brushes I have an Ecotools travel kabuki which I love, a tiny mark eye trio, Bare Minerals liner brush and a Sigma E-25 blending brush.  Some Q-tips and a sample perfume Ageless by Harvey Prince.

Time to rotate some of these items out.  I also just tried on the 2 Revlon lipsticks and the Champagne on Ice is a frosty light orange on me.  Not a good look.  I'm not sure if this color changed or what?  Also the Porcelain Pink is in the pearl finish and it's just too frosty on my lips for my taste. I'm going to pitch these two. 

The Urban Decay Lip Junkie just feels heavy and sticky on my lips.  It still tastes minty and feels plumping but I can't get over that uncomfortable heavy feeling on my lips.  Time to let it go!  *currently singing Let it Go from the movie Frozen*  :)

So this will be my makeup for Week 14.  Since we will be travelling at the end of the month, I will update my travel makeup essentials and share my new selections with you!

Week 14: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Week 14!!!  First week in April!!!  My birthday month!!!  (p.s. Technically this is the 13th week for me but it's really the 14th week of the calendar year so I don't mind skipping that number.)  Go week 14!

Foundation/Makeup:  The other day I walked by my dresser and realized that my zebra travel makeup bag has been sitting there for months.  I move it to dust, but for the most part it has just stayed in the same spot.  I have no idea what is in there at this point so that is what I will be using this week for makeup!

BB Cream:  Still trying to use up the ole Dr. Jart+ Black label.  Still kickin'!

Moisturizer:  I have eclos moisture therapy for night, Origins Plantscription for day.  I'm also still trying to get my glow on with Jergens. 

Primer: Revlon PhotoReady.

SPF: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50.  

Eye Cream: Garnier Ultra-Lift Anti-Wrinkle Eye Roller.

Cleanser:  Garnier Nourishing Cleansing Oil to remove makeup, Konjac sponge and Neutrogena Facial Bar to clean skin.

Exfoliant:  Stridex Maximum.  I have a few pads that I want to use up this week.  I love using these.  I rinse off the Salicylic acid after about 5-10 minutes so my skin doesn't completely dry out.  Good stuff.

Treatment: Beaute Holistique Equitance, Sonoma Naturals Rose Hip Seed Oil, and Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution on some spots on my forehead that just popped up from one day of sun exposure!  I was wearing 50 SPF.

Makeup:  Like I mentioned above, I'm going to use my travel makeup bag and I'm going to include the makeup bag I leave in my purse for touch ups that I barely ever use.   Can't wait to see what is in these 2 bags! 

That's what I have lined up for Week 14!

Next up:  What's in my travel makeup kit!

Week 11 Results/Weekly Favorites

I'm going to change things up this week and instead of talking about the boring details of every single product I used during the week, I will just highlight my favorite products that I used.  Additionally, if there was a product that was a total fail, I will bring that up as well!  What do you think?
 

This is what I started out Week 11 with:

 

And this is what I ended the week with:

My favorites this week:

Revlon Colorstay Whipped in 150 Buff and 200 Sand Beige
Lumene Time Freeze CC Cream
Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector Combination to Oily Skin Light/Medium
marimekko for AVON all-over face palettes in poppy bouquet and poppy bloom
Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian clay finishing powder
Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment
Maybelline Eye Studio in 400 Olive Martini

Still loving the Revlon Colorstay Whipped and Lumene CC Cream.  I wore them together and separately.  I wore Garnier BB cream for Combination to Oily skin by itself over the weekend as it has great coverage.  Still one of my favorite BB creams, though it is really more like a foundation.

I'm on week #3 of  Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid.  I'm not seeing amazing results and started having a small breakout of my congested chin.  I added some La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment and the combination of BHA and LHA effectively dehydrated my skin combined with the sharp 20 degree drop in temp over the past 3 days.  But things are clearing up, which was the goal!

I've had these beautiful marimekko for AVON all over face palettes in poppy bloom for blush and poppy bouquet for highlighter for 4 years now and I think this is the second time I've actually used them.  I'm not sure why but they are beautiful and wonderfully pigmented. 

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian clay finishing powder is my absolute favorite for setting my under eye concealer right now.  It's perfection. 

One of my all time favorite eyeshadow palettes is Maybelline Eye Studio in 400 Olive Martini.  I had to grab this off of eBay last year as my area doesn't seem to get Limited Edition collections.  (* I did eventually find another CVS further out from where I live and it tends to be fully stocked with rare limited edition displays that the other 2 closer CVS' never seem to have.)  At first I thought this palette was too glittery, but when you get through the top layer, the highlight is a beautiful satin and the rest are shimmers.  I'm obsessed with green.

On the fence:

Also for eyes I used Flower Beauty Shadow in Smoke and Mirrors.  I have a difficult time with this palette.  The eyeshadows themselves are pigmented, soft and pretty in the pan.  On the eye after blending the base color is just muddy.  I can't think of any other descriptive word.  Too be honest, I'm not the best at applying matte shadows.  Of course this is probably user error, but I find shimmery/satin shades easier to work with, more forgiving, quicker to apply and look better on my eye shape.

I also layered the shadows over Flower Beauty Color Play Crème Shadow in Orchid-ing Around which is also beautiful in the jar but on the lid the color is a sheer wash.  And the base color is very dark gray/black and it blends out muddy as well.  I still am tempted to pick up more though when I walk in the cosmetic aisle at Walmart.  They seem very luxe and the packaging is really nice.  I've used this palette a few times.  I want to like it...

So there you have it!

What were your favorites this week or so far this month?


 

My Foundations...

One thing I find one part fun, 20 parts agonizing is foundation.  I want a foundation to cover, look skin-like and natural, add some healthy glow, not shine, not oxidize or settle in pores and last without going greasy.  I will forgive the foundation of all these faults only if it is a true color match.  It's a tall order and I've never found that true color match that perfectly blends, matching face, neck and chest.  Partly because my face is pink/peach, my neck is white/yellow, and my chest is the darkest part of my body year round.  So...  I've tried many and I've come close.  My combo/oily skin complicates the matter...  But I've learned to "Keep Calm, Just Blot" several times a day.

These are the keepers, or the ones that I have in my drawer currently.  I will explain.

From left to right in order of being most used...

Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52 Vanilla, CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 in 825 Buff Beige, L'OREAL Magic Nude Liquid Powder in 316 Nude Beige, Revlon Colorstay Whipped in 150 Buff, 200, Sand Beige, 240 Natural Beige, Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup in 20 Nude (Bzz Agent Campaign), Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Spotless in Light, and Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in 100 Ivory.

Here are some swatches in the same order left to right.  I think I am a NC 20-25 in MAC, the inside of my arm is probably NC 15 right now (yellow undertones).

Currently, my favorite and best color match is the CoverGirl Outlast in 825 Buff Beige.  The last time I wore Revlon Colorstay Whipped in 200 Sand Beige matched really well as well.  Revlon Sand Beige is similar in color to Bourjois Healthy Mix in 52 Vanilla.  All 3 of these I can wear right now and are good choices for me.  They last, look natural, cover nicely.  Revlon ColorStay Whipped takes some extra finesse to apply so I don't reach for it as often.

I'm nearing the end of Bourjois and I would feel comfortable repurchasing. I know that the packaging has changed and possibly the formula?  I'm also determined to finish it!  It has a natural finish, not too matte, not too shiny.  CoverGirl Outlast in Buff Beige is just a slightly better color match, wears better throughout the day and looks more natural, lighter coverage.  It keeps my skin oils in check too which is a huge bonus. Also a natural finish, just a touch more matte than Bourjois, but still on the natural semi-matte side.

L'OREAL Magic Nude Liquid Powder in Nude Beige is slightly warmer (more pink) and matches me better in the summer months.  I could wear this right now but would have to take it down the neck to blend it.  I love this foundation for touch ups.  If I don't have time to wash my face and start over, I can slap this foundation on quickly and it blends out to a nice powder finish.  Awesome for the humid summers down here in NC.   And I prefer this in the summer over Bourjois as it is much lighter and more comfortable to wear.

The Revlon Colorstay Whipped tower...  I first purchased this foundation from Ulta, full price when it first came out in 220 Nude.  I loved it.  But the color was just too pink.  I sat there with 220 Nude and 150 Buff for like 20 minutes trying to decide which one to purchase.  I used to wear Buff in the regular Colorstay line.  But ultimately, I went with 220 Nude mostly because I usually fall in the "Beige" or "Nude" color now that I live in the South and a little darker than my white Northern days.

Well 220 Nude was too pink.  I went back for 240 Natural Beige.  Also a bit pink/dark but workable.  Then I purchased 150 Buff to mix with 240 Natural Beige and got along with the 2 for a little while.  And finally, 200 Sand Beige came into my life during for free during a CVS haul.  I don't remember 200 Sand Beige as a choice during that first encounter at Ulta but I found it last summer at CVS.  It matches the best out of all the colors and I use 150 Buff in certain areas of my face to brighten.

Colorstay is a bit heavier in the coverage department so I usually save it for special occasions and events like Marine Corps Balls and weddings namely.  :)

These last 3 are relatively new and I'm unsure about them at the moment.  As you can see from the swatches again below, Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear in 40 Nude and Physicians Formula Youthful Wear Spotless in Light are stand out dark on my arm (far right).  These 2 will hopefully be perfect in the summer for me.  I have Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in 100 Ivory pictured last because I have only tried it 1-2 times on a very dry skin week.  I just rescued it from the Rite Aid return bag just before taking the photo above.  I will give it another shot.  It's thicker than Revlon Colorstay whipped and much drier.  It is a true matte finish.

I have a lot of foundations to get through before I will pick up another that is for sure.

However, lately I have been wanting to pick up a higher end foundation. As soon as I finish Bourjois and another of course... :)

Here's my list!

1. Urban Decay Naked (Tried a sample and loved it!)
2. Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (Color Matched and loved it!)
3. Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super-Charged
4. Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder (Tried the Immaculate TM and loved it!)
5. Make Up Forever Mat Velvet +

So I will be good, use up my drugstore foundations and pounce on the next Sephora VIB sale.  :)

Next up I will be sharing my BB and CC Cream "Collection."

Week 10 Results!

The products that I started out with:

The products that I ended out the week with:

Foundation:  I love the finish on the Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup.  It's very smoothing, flawless looking but very natural.  The coverage is nice too.  It is a very thick foundation but does not feel heavy on the skin.  The formula is better suited for a pump as it is a bit difficult to shake out of the bottle.  A q-tip is definitely a necessity when dispensing this product.  The color is just a bit too dark right now.  I picked it out when I started the Bzz Agent Campaign because I need to find a color with some yellow in it.  But I'm positive that this will be perfect in the summer.  As far as long wearing, right now while I have my normal skin going on, this does last.  Time will tell in the summer humidity!

I also mixed Revlon PhotoReady SkinLights with Bourjois Healthy mix a couple of days this week. Loved the combo!  Because my eyes looked just a smidge more tired than usual, Skin79 BB cream under the eyes was a necessity this week.  It just brightens everything up for me. 

Moisturizer:  I tried to get my glow on this week with Jergens Natural Glow Face in Fair to Medium.  I use this mostly on my neck to even the color difference between my face and chest.  I also used Beaute Holistique Equitance on my face and chest.  I think that this is doing a good job evening out my complexion.  I used the Sonoma Naturals Rose Hip Seed Oil Serum at night.  I also used some Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate.  I have been savoring this one.  It's light, smells lux and I want a full size as soon as I use up everything else!

Primer:  When I remembered, I slapped on some Rimmel Stay Matte Primer but I don't think I used it very often.  This step will be more important when the humidity kicks in.  I made a conscience effort to use Guerlain L'Or.  One day.

Eye Cream: I'm really liking Nuance by Salma Hayek Smoothing Anti-Aging Eye Cream.  It absorbs nicely and feels great. 

Makeup:  I can't tell if I like Revlon PhotoReady Bronzed and Chic.  NYC Smooth Skin in Sunny is effortless for me.  I can't really see the Bronzed and Chic on the cheeks. I wonder if I have to scrape off the top layer and really dig into it.  Hmm... Wet n Wild Walking the Red Carpet is not the best WnW palette I have tried.  I mostly used the left side and used the right side definer as a crease color and sometimes a liner.  It was a bit chalky.  Not the same formula as the usual WnW palettes unfortunately.  I thought it needed a Maybelline Color Tattoo for layering so I grabbed Nude Pink.  It did help somewhat.

I ordered some samples of Sobe Botanicals Mineral Foundation a while ago and finally got around to trying out.  I grabbed Fairly Light in warm and neutral and Light in Warm.  Fairly Light in Warm is really nice.  This might be my go to summer powder... Still loving Tarte Smooth Operator under the eyes to set my concealer which I had to use a ton of this week.  Tarte EmphasEYES Inner rim brightener was needed this week as well.  It's almost too bright but it helps significantly.

Okay, finally caught up.  My husband was giving me the side eye with all the pink Glossyboxes over flowing with products on my dresser.  Neatly lined up of course.  ;)  I can finally put everything away and pull products for week 12!    As you can see with my recent sample post here, I really don't have much left (for me).  The next few weeks I will be concentrating on using up some full-size products that have been neglected. 

Wow this week is going by extremely fast!  How did your week go?

Week 11: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Week 11!!! 

 

And Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

 

 

 

This is what I have picked out for this week's weekly skincare/makeup box.  I couldn't decide on an eye palette so we will see what I come up with at the end of the week!

Foundation: Decided to use Revlon ColorStay Whipped which I haven't used in forever.  I love this foundation.  I have it in 3 shades.  150 Buff and 200 Sand Beige work the best for me.  This foundation is very skin-like but can build up fast if you don't sheer it out.  I prefer the beauty blender with this foundation, well with mostly every foundation and BB cream for that matter!

CC Cream:  I have been saving this Smashbox Camera Ready CC Cream sample for a while now because I think I'm going to love this CC cream and will want to buy it.  But since I already have 2 other CC creams in rotation, I need to wait!

SPF:  I have about 2 drops of Clarins SPF 40.  Need to finish this off.  It literally (I love using this word!) has rained every day for the last week it seems.  Actually, I think it was sunny on Saturday.  I save this for the days I know I will be outside in the sun.  It's currently rainy and 37 degrees.  Brr!!!

Primers:  Lancôme La Base Pro, Algenist with Alguronic Acid, Smashbox Photo Finish and L'OREAL Magic Lumi for mixing with ColorStay.

Treatments:  I have L'OREAL Youth Code Texture Perfector Serum Concentrate, Kiehl's Cleary Collective Dark Spot Treatment, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid (Bzz Agent Campaign), Hydroatone Instant Effect 90 Second Anti-Wrinkle Results.  Also Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster which I have a couple drops left.  I dropped this liquid gold in my sink last week, losing most of it.  Bummer.

Eyes: Benefit Stay Don't Stray for eyeshadow/concealer primer, Shea Terra Argan & Green Coffee Around-Eye Beauty Serum for night and Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye gel for day.  I'm trying a new Lash Conditioner and Primer by AVON and I also included LashEm which I always forget to use.  :)  I think this will be the last week for Buxom.  It's really drying out.  Still like it for my bottom lashes though!

Moisturizer:  Palmer's Skin Therapy Oil, Peter Thomas Roth Oilless Oil Squalane Oil and Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil.

Makeup:  Ahh!!!  I didn't pick anything out yet.  We will see what I come up with!  I'm thinking a little something from Flower by Drew Barrymore is in order this week to bring out the sun...  :)

Hope you have a great week!

Week 10: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

Foundation:  This week, I am using Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear makeup in Nude from my Bzz Agent kit.  So far I have really liked it.  Nude is a bit pink, but it works.

BBCream:  Pond's Luminous BB+.  This stuff is fab.  I love the natural color and even the smell.  It does have a fragrance.  It also has nice coverage.  I can wear this on its own, slap,it on quickly and run out the door without worrying what it looks like.  It only lasts a couple of hours on me max though when the humidity is in full effect.  Right now it lasts 5-6 hours.

Moisturizer:  I need to start working on some summer color...  It was nearly 80 today!  I've been using Jergans Natural Glow face daily moisturizer for my neck and chest currently so everything is the same color.  My neck tends to be sheer white with yellow undertones and my face a darker pink.  This helps to even everything out.

I also included Equitance which I got as a free Facebook sample.  I have been using this as a light moisturizer.  It is a brightening serum and my skin really seems to like it.  It has a familiar scent.  So technically it's a treatment, but I like it as a light moisturizer.

Sonoma Naturals Rose Hip Seed Oil Serum I included as a back up for extra moisture if I need it this week.  This smells amazing.

SPF: Clarins Day Screen SPF 40.  There isn't much more left in this so I will finish it up this week!

Primer: Rimmel Stay Matte for my face and Benefit Stay Don't Stray for my eyes.  I also included a sample Guerlain l'or Radiance Concentrate.

Eye Cream:  Estée finally kicked it so I picked up Nuance by Salma Hayek Smoothing Anti-aging Eye Cream.  It absorbs very nicely.  I really like it so far.

Treatment:  Another Bzz Agent kit item I just received, Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid with Salicylic Acid.  This could not have come at a better time as I have been dealing with unfaltering congestion issues on my chin area.  I'm really excited to try this out.

Cleanser: The Garnier cleansing oil and Neutrogena Facial Bar seem to be working combination for me for the last couple of weeks so I will continue.

Exfoliator: Garnier Clean+ Balancing Daily Exfoliator doesn't have a ton of grit but works well with a Clarisonic.

Makeup: I haven't used my Revlon Matte in Rose Rapture in a while or my Revlon PhotoReady Bronzer for that matter!  Continuing on with Revlon, I've only used the PhotoReady SkinLights in 100 Bare Light a couple of times.  I expected more of a heavy shimmer, but pleasantly surprised it is pretty subtle.  I also grabbed a Tarte Provocateur pressed mineral powder in light 04 for my powder and Tarte Smooth Operator finishing powder for setting my under eye concealer.  I recently found Wet N Wild Walking the Red Carpet palette at Walgreens.  I had been looking for this and the new Maybelline Color Tattoos before my self-imposed no spend March.  No color tattoos in sight!  :(

Other items I included this week are Rapid Lash and for body moisturizer Suave Advanced Therapy.  This has a nice clean scent.  This was a PINCHMe sample.

Current Bzz Agent campaigns... Paula's Choice and Neutrogena!!!

Week 8 Results!

Week 8's result box is packed...

Here is what I started with:

Foundation: I had a tough week in the foundation department.  One thing that I learned, I can no longer apply with my fingers.  My skin only likes a beauty blender or equivalent and this week it was the Real Techniques one and it works excellent.  It's just more forgiving, blurring, helps disquise flakiness...  Especially with CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous. What a perfect foundation for me.  I have 825 Buff Beige.  There is a slight pinkiness to it but overall it is the best match for my skin tone other than Dr Jartt and Garnier BB Cream.  Stay Fabulous just gives me that perfect finish and passes the car mirror check!  All week long I checked and my face was orange.  Mortifying!  And there was nothing I could do about it since I had already left the house. 
 

The ones that didn't work out, L'OREAL True Match LUMI and regular. W1-2 and W3 are just too pink. They look artificial on me.  I know that they work well for a lot of others though.  I just wish I could find the right shade.  And since I have CoverGirl Stay Fabulous that I know looks perfect, it's time to let this foundation baggage go.  I'm going to send LUMI to my sister.  Her complexion is more fair and more pink.

I also used my faithful Skin 79 BB cream and Lumene CC Cream in Light either alone or as bases.  I finished up the eclos HydraPriner this week.  I really like this product.  It controls oil and fills in pores without settling in them. 

Moisturizer: I'm still have congestion issues. I broke out the big guns...  My Olay Professional Pro-X Clear. Which I think is losing potency because my go to system did nothing for my skin this week. Usually 2-3 days is all I need.  Ahh and I just looked at the expiration on the tube 04/2013.  OOPS!!! Bye Bye Olay, you have been good to me.

I also had oily, dry and normal skin this week... yay...  So when trying to find that perfect moisturizer for everything I was dealing with, I grabbed Nuance AM/PM anti-Aging Super Lotion. It is very moisturizing for me so I learned to use this at night.  It smells nice, slight citrus/botanical.  I love that Nuance is a CVS exclusive product and it qualifies for the spend $30 get $5 ECB!

Primer: I started off with Revlon and ended with Rimmel Stay Matte which was thicker than I expected but worked really well.  The true test will be during a hot and humid day.  

Treatment:  Seventh Generation Clearing with Tea Tree oil.  Not sure if this is doing anything but things are not getting worse either.  Rapid Lash...  I used this a few times. Lashes are looking great!

Cleanser:  I finished up the eclos and used Biore and a new Neutrogena Facial Bar that I opened up at the end of the week.

Mask: I finished my 40 carrots, sadly.  I will be looking for another at Marshall's. But not this month, I will explain later!  I have one more use of my Julep Mask Noir. 

Eye Cream:  I tried and finished Benefit eye potent.  Nice eye cream. No major improvements in a week's time but my concealer looked better this week than last week. I was about to throw them all away.  What a difference an eye cream makes!  

Concealers:  Bobbi Brown Corrector Light Bisque, Maybelline Fit Me in Light and Fair, Physicians Formula Conceal RX.  And yes, some mornings this week, I used a combination of them all!  lol

Makeup:  This week I used my MAC Gold-Go-Lightly which I have used a ton and it still barely has a dip. My favorite mascara is still L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly.  It makes your lashes look amazing.  Julep Kajal Eye Glider is one of my go to eyeliners.  This does run on me slightly, I just have to make sure I set it if I want to wear it long term.  But I like the tone of the brown is perfect for me.  Not to red, not to green...  Kind of addicted to the Baby Lips Dr. Rescue.  I'm not sure if it does anything for my lips as far as moisturizing, but I like the subtle color and it is quick and easy to apply.  I also used Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Standout and to tone it down a bit, I topped it off with AVON Glazewear Shine Lip Gloss in Iced Pink.  This is my second Iced Pink.  It's one of my favorites.

Urban Decay Naked 3 and Naked Basics was used this week on my eyes.  You know my love for Urban Decay and it continues...

Also pictured is my mark Blush Palette in a MAC palette.  I also have all my mark single eyeshadows in a MAC palette as well.  I like how they are all in one place. 

Oh and a Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze.  My favorite Tattoo!

Lots of empties this week so look out for that next!

Weekly Beauty Box 5+6 Results!

The pink Glossy Boxes are getting a bit small for my weekly wrap ups.  I might have to find something a little more suitable! 

Foundation/BB Cream:  Dr. Jart Black Label Detox is still going strong! I thought I would have finished this but of course a few other bits landed in the box.  I'm testing out Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Makeup.  Other than the fact that it's almost impossible to get out of the bottle, it's a pretty good color for me and lasts pretty well.  Liking it so far.  I received this foundation through Bzz Agent!  I also used the Super BB from Skin 79.  I love this for brightening under the eyes, upper cheeks, the triangle so to speak. It glides over the pores and smooths everything out.

Primer: Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer.  Forgot to use this.  Maybe once did I this week, but I was using BB creams and they are technically primers.  :).  The Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm was surprisingly super dark.  I will save this for the summer months.  I had to wash it off.  

Eye Cream:  The Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion bottle is currently inverted and still going strong.  I didn't rip open the Benefit just yet!  But I also used Tarte Pure Maracuja oil for my eyes at night as well.   
 

Serum/Moisturizer:  I finished up the Jose Maran Argan Oil which I told you that I loved.  I tried Origins plant scripting and even mixed this with the Bzz Agent Neutrogena with pretty good results. My face got a bit shiny but I can tolerate it right now as the weather and my face have been cooperating with each other.  I also used Eclos moisture therapy regenerative cream.  Good stuff and smells nice and botanical.

Cleanser:  I finished the Billy Jealousy sample and my Julep cleansing oil.  I've been switching off with biore deep pore charcoal cleanser and Eclos skin prep cleanser.

Exfoliant: Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel was not touched but I did use Garnier clean Balancing Daily Exfoliator which has been in the shower for the last 3-4 weeks.

Mask:  GlamGlow sample!  It was amazing and just what my skin needed.  Cleared it right up.  Not sure why a sample packet worked 100 times better than a full size jar...  Hmm...  It was a couple of years ago from Hautelook.  Maybe I got a bad batch? It literally did nothing and made my skin so oily the next day.  Well so it did do something then I guess...   I understand the hype now.  If I can get the same formulation again.

Makeup:  Confession time.  I've had the Lorac Pro since December and finally used it for 2 weeks straight.  I do this with new things sometimes, well pretty much always.  Like bags for example, I don't want to scuff the leather. I like things looking new and pristine.  Review:  I do like the Lorac pro, but not over any Urban Decay palette.  I like the variety of colors.  You can do a lot of looks with this palette. No fuss packaging, full size mirror.  However, after every use, glitter and shimmer all over my cheeks.  




At first I thought that I just didn't notice the fall out upon application.  So the next morning I cleaned up a bit just in case.  However, I still had the same problem later on that afternoon.  Glitter pieces all over my face.  Not a good look for me.  Fun fact:  One day I was in CVS and the lady at the register literally had glitter all over her face to the point where it looked like it was on purpose.  Similar to how I look after wearing the Lorac palette.  So the next time I use this palette, I should probably try another eyeshadow primer.  

Now that I am looking at the palette, I have a nice dip in the color champagne.  It looks a little glittery.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not afraid of a little shimmer/glitter... Just be careful with the Champagne.  :)  For bronzer I primarily used AVON Ideal Luminous blush in Earthen rose.  This is a really nice product.  Reminds me of NYC Sunny.  I fact I use them interchangeably.  

Treatment:  I had to break out the Sibu sea buckthorn seed oil to help clear some facial freak out.  It's unusual for my skin to be reactive.  I blame it on lack of sleep, a bit of insomnia affliction.  Lots to do, little time, we all know the drill.  I'm going to re-work my diet in the next couple of weeks.  I've been quite unusually indulgent in the food department as of late.  Time to reel it in, beach time is only a few weeks away!  Currently I'm trying out the "Cabbage Soup Diet."  I will do a post on it.  So far I've lost 5 pounds.  But I fluctuate 5 pounds all of the time.  It's for 7 days and I'm on Day 4.

Vaseline lip therapy rosy lips:  The petroleum jelly doesn't really sink in as much as I would like and feels a bit waxy on the lips.  It does moisturize over night though.  I had been using this every night.  I started to notice some congestion under my bottom lip/lip line.  Very unusual and I'm pretty sure this product is the cause.  This is the only thing new that I have been slathering on my lips.  I have been bad about not wearing any of my new 20+ lip sticks and glosses that acquired at the end of 2013...  So I'm going to put the rosy lips away for a little while or not use it so often.  I'm still trying to use up what's left of the Philosophy lipgloss.  It's nearing the end and I just don't reach for it anymore.  Maybe I will throw this in my bag.  

Garnier Ultra-lift eye roller:  I woke up with some puffy eyes and hoped that this would work fast on the mornings I needed to get out of the house early.  It has a nice cooling effect with the metal ball roller applicator.  I think it helped.  Now if I could watch my salt intake and diligently drink more water, I would have less puffy problems.  This week on Cabbage Soup no puffy eyes!  :)

Concealers:  I used my light and fair Maybelline Fit Me Concealers.  They seem to be separating in the tubes but they are still creamy, blendable and do the trick.

 

I will be sure to keep you updated on the Cabbage Soup diet.  I almost bailed on Day 2 towards the end of the day.   I was feeling a bit weak.  I also cut out coffee and have been drinking tea exclusively.  No headaches!  And of course I should be drinking more water.  I don't know what it is with me and water lately.  I used to drink a minimum of 2 liters a day!

Week 7 results are coming up next!

Week 5+6: Weekly Skincare/Makeup Box

The second month of the year is upon us and here is what I'm proposing to use for the 5th week installment of my weekly Beauty Box.

Week 5!

I just threw in the samples I did not use last week into this week.  I used mask in the purple tub last night and it was lovely!  I will go into it in more detail during my results post at the end of the week.

Foundation/BB Cream:  I'm going with Dr. Jart Black Label Detox.  I hardly have any left.  :(  I really enjoyed savoring this one.  It is a good match after it warms up.  It goes on a bit gray which is normal for "real" BB creams.  This is the smaller 20mL size I picked up from Birchbox.com with some points.  Because it's almost empty, I grabbed the Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm and I will give that a whirl!

Primer: Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer.  This isn't a pore filler, but it's light and smooths out the skin sufficiently.  I always forget to use primer.  It's tricky with a BB cream because the BB cream is supposed to be your primer, but some just sit in your pores so you need the primer but then some you can't use with moisturizer because they are supposed to be your moisturizer...  Ahhh!!!

Eye Cream:  I have a few more uses of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion and I've been wanting to try the Benefit It's Potent eye cream.  If this Xeala pack is full, this sample could last me a while.   But I also grabbed tarte Pure Maracuja oil for my eyes at night as well.   So I'm covered in the eye hydration department this week!

Serum/Moisturizer:  I'm going to take it easy this week and just go with the Jose Maran Argan Oil which I love.  I have a few more drops.  If I finish it, I have a sample of the Argan Oil Light ready to go. I also still have the eraclear from last week.  I also grabbed the Korres for night as well.

Cleanser:  Same as last week, Billy Jealousy sample and my Julep cleansing oil is still going strong!  I'm pretty sure this will be the last week though.

Exfoliant: Amore Pacific Treatment Enzyme Peel.  Love this stuff.  I was tempted to grab another one for a 100 points at Sephora but this one is lasting a long time and is still practically full.   Hopefully by the time I have 500 points at Sephora, there will be a nice perk!  lol

Mask:  I already used Racine Doree Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask last night and it was really nice.  Generously sized too. I wish I only used half.  I thought about it but then figured with the exposure of air, it just wouldn't last.  I also included the GlamGlow Mask from last week and a epielle Deep cleansing nose strip.  I learned last week that my skin does not like me skipping out on the treatments.

And Rapid Lash...  It's difficult to tell if these eyelash serums work.  But I use them anyway, infrequently.

Palette: Lorac PRO! 

Alright, Week #5 is in full swing!  What are you trying out this week?

Most repurchased...

My most repurchased beauty items!!!

I started this post a long time ago and I'm happy to say, these items are still repurchased, time and time again!

I am constantly trying new things in the beauty realm but there are a few items that I continue to purchase consistently.  They are my tried and true...  If you had been keeping up with my empties posts last year, you will know a few off the bat.  I have a lot of skincare items for sure...

1.  Rimmel Gentle Makeup Remover:  I have lost count how many bottles that I have gone though. 4.2 fl oz may only last 5-6 weeks of every day use, but at $4 a bottle, you can't go wrong.  I liken it to the other cleansing waters on the market, though I know I really shouldn't compare.  But in my mind it looks and feels like water removing my eye makeup ever so gently, it does not irritate my eyes nor does not leave a residue.  I can hold off on Bioderma...  I think...

2.  AVON makeup remover wipes with mineral complex:  My most recent order was for 7 packs.  I'm not sure why I picked 7 but they were on sale for $3.99 so I scooped up a bunch to last me.  I typically use one wipe a night to remove my makeup.  There are 24 in a pack.  So for $3.99, it's a bargain.  They remove a good majority of my daily war paint and can remove eye shadow.  Your skin actually feels clean after using a single wipe.  It's incredible.  I do need a separate remover for my liner and mascare as I don't want to be tugging that delicate skin around.  They are a nice thick cloth and the perfect amount of moisture.  Bravo AVON!

3.  Green Cream High Potency Retinol Level 6:  (Not pictured) I finished my 3rd bottle last fall and haven't repurchased yet but wanted to mention it anyway.  I believe I started out with Level 3.  Level 3 is a mint green, level 6 is brighter with a touch of yellow.  I don't use it every night, maybe 2-3 times a week so I have never experienced red, peeling skin as some reviews warn.  I want to work up to Level 9 which is supposed to be an alternative to prescription retinoid.  It definitely smoothes out my complexion with consistent use.  I'm looking forward to trying Level 9.  Each level costs a bit more, which is to be expected as it increases the good stuff.

4. Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub: Love this stuff.  I do purchase/try out other scrubs but I always go back to this one.  I could never find this in local stores for the longest time so I always need to order on-line hence the occasional stray.  I recently found that my Target carries it so thankfully I can pick it up on the regular again.  I love the smell of it.  When my skin absolutely freaks out on me, I know I can get it under control after a couple of days of using this scrub. The ingredient list is simple and full of good stuff.

5.  Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer:  Remember years ago or maybe last weekend one of those sales people at a kiosk in the mall started out with, "Can I ask you something..." and you came home with a huge bottle of cuticle oil, hand cream and a buffer for $40?  Well this one works just as well, it's only 2 steps and it's around $3!  I'm looking at my shiny nails right now contemplating not painting them.  I only get maybe 4 uses out of these, the tear drop shape looks nice but it's not really functional.  The edges wear down quicker than the center.  But as far as an affordable nail buffer that I use once a month or so, I will continue to repurchase.

6.  Seche Vite: (Not pictured)  Before "discovering" this gem, painting my nails happened a couple of times a year.  After purchasing, nearly every day...  I'm the type of person that if I see a slight dent in my polish, I need to start all over again.  I can't deal!  So Seche gave me back my sanity and allowed me to paint my nails whenever I wanted.  I still dabble in other top coats here and there but Seche is the best for my nails that I have found so far so I will always have a bottle on hand. Except for at this very moment...  I have 10 top coats that I am determined to finish or toss.  :)

7. Jojoba, castor, tea tree and coconut oils:  I need these oils in my life.  I have used a mixture of jojoba, castor and tea tree oil as a cleanser.  It takes some extra time and uses a lot of hot water so I can't cleanse my face with my oil mix every night but it is by far the best cleanser for my skin if I have 30 minutes to myself.  I smooth the mix on my face in circular motions and then steam out my pores with a hot wet face cloth.  Castor oil on it's own is very drying so I add jojoba for some moisture and tea tree oil as a treatment.  Good stuff!  I follow up with Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub.  I use coconut oil on everything.  As a body moisturizer, hair mask, scalp treatment...  I have used it on my face but it can be congesting so I prefer my other lighter oils.  And of course organic is the only way to go.  Pricey, but definitely worth it.

8.  Witch Hazel: I've tried many brands, there really isn't one brand that I always buy.  My current bottle is from Target.  Probably $2 for 16 fl. oz. and it lasts me a year.  After cleansing, no matter my method, I always run a cotton wool soaked in Witch Hazel across my face.  If I skip this step for a couple of days, my skin lets me know it.  I always try new toners.  In fact I have one by Korres that I really like. But ultimately, witch hazel works the best at balancing my skin.

9. Epson salt:  I use this in the bath and for my salt scrubs.  A huge container like this is $3-4 and it can make a lot of salt scrub on the cheap and you can add your own oils so you know what is in them.  I was paying $4 a container for the cheap-o Big Lots scrub, which I loved for the price but noticed it would sting.  Well that can't be good!  A few questionable, irritating ingredients, you are better off making your own and it takes all of 90 seconds.

10: Trader Joe's Coconut Body Butter:  $5.  Best.Stuff.Ever  You can pay $20-30 for a good body butter.  Though this is really like a thick cream.  Body Butters to me have a bit of a greasy feel and leave a sheen.  This does not feel or do that.  However, it is very moisturizing, feels and smells great on the skin. I always have 1-2 containers backup.

11.  Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant/Anti-perspirant:  Hands down, this works better than any "clinical strength" deodorants on the market.  It has aluminum which isn't my favorite but if I'm in a situation where smelling really isn't an option, this is my go to.  There is no research that suggest aluminum really isn't the bad cancer causing agent after all.  But I still use it sparingly and never after recently shaving.  I really do not need an anti-perspirant but this is the only deodorant that works for me.  I've recommended it to everyone and those that buy it are very happy with their purchase.  At first, the smell kind of put me off but I got used to it and now I don't really smell it anymore

So there you have it, my most repurchased!

What are your must have beauty products?

A "little" CVS trip...

Dropping by the far CVS with 3 kids in tow, could have been disastrous, but I was feeling very brave with $15 in ECBs, a $4 off $20 purchase and a $5 off $15 cosmetic purchase coupon at the magic coupon machine...  What could go wrong, right?

My intentions were to grab some Physician's Formula at 40% off and some L'OREAL Youth Code to take advantage of $10 ECB with $30 skincare purchase using $8 in coupons and submitting a $10 rebate.  And that's how it mostly went.

The magic coupon machine was jammed up so I lost a scan, slightly annoying as you can usually scan twice.  No biggie.  I was worried that the $5 off $15 cosmetic purchase coupon wasn't going to print but it did!  Yay!  But since I didn't get a second scan, I missed out on (possibly) the $3 off $10 Milani purchase.  I used to be able to scan my card several times a week and get coupons, now it's just one or 2 times.  :(

So here is what I got (minus filler candy items):

In order to qualify for both the $10 ECB and the $10 rebate, I had to purchase $30 worth of L'OREAL skincare products.  I had a $3 off Youth Code and a $5 off $20 L'OREAL product purchase.  The L'OREAL Youth Code Skin Perfector serum was $24.99 and the L'OREAL Revitalift cleansing wipes were $7.99.

Physician's Formula Youthful Wear Cosmeceutical Youth Boosting Spotless Foundation in SPF 20 was $16.99.  Yowsers!  Glad I got it for 40% off and there was a $3 peelie coupon on the product.  Yeah $6 and change is more my speed...  I got it in shade light and put it on as soon as I got home.  One observation, they need a shade in fair.  Light, the lightest shade in the range, in terms of MAC, is about NC 25-30 so it is slightly darker than my skintone right now.  It has a beautiful semi-matte finish though.  It feels less silicone-y than the L'OREAL Magic Powder foundation if you are familiar with that product.  I will have a review soon!

I also grabbed with Revlon Skinlights in 100 Bare Light to take advantage of the $5 off $15 CVS coupon and $4 ECB with $12 Revlon purchase.  I never tried the original Revlon Skinlights and apparently people went a bit cray cray when they were discontinued 5 years ago.  I saw these in the permanent display at Ulta so looks like they are staying for the time being!  This product was $13.99.

When I scanned my card at the magic coupon machine my ECBs were on there and also a 20% off coupon that I had sent to my card sometime last week.  I thought it had already expired!

So my coupons were:

$4 off $20 CVS coupon
20% off total purchase CVS coupon
$5/$20 L'OREAL product MC
$3 L'OREAL Youth Code MC
25 cent Palmolive CVS coupon
$3 Physicians Formula peelie coupon
$15 ECB

Now the $15 in ECB rang up as separate CVS coupons (in today's trip, 3)...  Which may cause a slight problem in your transaction.  You need to have enough products per coupons being used.  I grabbed some candy thinking that I had enough but I needed to grab another filler item.  I had 9 items and the register will only take 9 coupons.  When the $3 Youth Code coupon beeped, coupon #10, I was going to go back for 2 Cadbury eggs, but then I saw a line of not 1, not 2, but 6 people behind me and 2 of my kids decided to fight over the gum we just bought so... it was time to get out of there fast.  :) 

Which is okay because I didn't know I still had the 20% off CVS coupon and that saved me an unexpected $6.53.

See receipt below!

Hefty amount out of pocket but I got back $4 in ECB for the Revlon purchase and $10 ECB for the L'OREAL purchase.  I will be submitting for the $10 L'OREAL rebate and I will be getting another $5 ECB for the $50 Beauty Club purchase.  So all in all, it was a money maker.

I could have broken up the transaction and dumped the $10 L'OREAL ECB on the Revlon and Physician's Formula, which I highly recommend so you are spending less out of pocket, but when people start lining up behind me, I don't like to hold things up and annoy the person at the register.

So let me get that rebate stuff together before I forget...  Here's the link to the rebate info!