I’m catching up on movies starting this weekend so to tide everyone over, I’m reviewing a product I’ve been using for a few weeks and absolutely love!

Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser

How much it costs: $6.99

Where you can buy it: Neutrogena.com, CVS, Target, Walgreens

What I like about it: I wear a lot of make up. I have layers of foundation, SPF, primers, etc. on my face, and I always had a difficult time finding cleansers that actually removed the make up without leaving a tint on my towels. I hate the feeling of my face not being clean and with a lot of expensive facial make up removers (including Clinique), that’s how I felt. I love how light and foamy this feels against my skin. I apply it to my dry face and it immediately removes the makeup while I massage it in the skin. I don’t even need to let it sit for very long on there, and it just washes right off. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic and oil-free so it’s good for sensitive skin types like me. My face really feels clean after using this (thank goodness!)

What I don’t like about it: Honestly, not that much. The only annoying thing was that each retailer adjusts the price on this a little bit, so while it’s $6.99 at Neutrogena.com and Walgreens, some stores sell it for up to $8 because, well, they can. But really, that’s the only downfall I’ve seen.

Final verdict: If you’re looking for a good make up remover that doesn’t break the bank, I recommend this.

Do you have trouble getting all of your make up off at night? What are you using?

And since I’m just back from vacation, I had to write up a product I used during my trip and loved. SPF and sunscreen is a must for me and my super sensitive skin but I hate wearing beach sunscreen when I’m not at the beach because it’s greasy. So I’m bad about wearing it on my non-beach time, which means I tend to get sunburned a little bit more than I should.

Until now!

CVS Ultra Dry Sheer Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

How much it costs: $7.99

Where you can buy it: CVS, CVS.com

What I like about it: It’s very light and spreads generously on the skin. Plus, being so light, it absorbs easily and  really leaves the skin feeling soft. I always felt with regular sunscreen that it didn’t moisturize as well but this does  both and really left my skin feeling nice. I also didn’t feel like I needed to re-apply right away and that even with  sweat, it didn’t run down or off my skin easily. Which is nice. Also, it does really give a nice SPF protection with no  chemical scent. I only got sun where I didn’t apply this and the rest stayed protected, despite long hours in the hot  sun. Plus, it sells in a 3oz tube so you can put it with your quart-size carry on toiletries. Oh and it’s light enough to  apply on your face too.

What I don’t like about it: Because it absorbed so easily, I had to immediately start spreading it once I put it on so be ready to move fast! That’s not a very bad thing but made certain parts of my arms more protected than others :)

Final verdict: Love. I plan to get more from the upcoming Vegas trip for Bloggers in Sin City and carry it with me.

Are you an SPF addict?

No joke, sometimes I pick mascara by the product name and packaging. I’m such a visual person that I respond to that well.

And on that point, I’m giving a little review of my most recent mascara purchase from Sephora: Benefits BADgal lash. Crack that whip!

Benefit BADgal lash mascara

How much it costs: $19.99

Where you can buy it: Benefit.com, Sephora, Macy’s

What I like about it: It doesn’t clump really at all, which is great. It applies evenly, easily and gives my lashes nice length. Plus, it comes in different colors, including blue, which I’m very intrigued by! I normally just wear black mascara but I would like to branch out. Plus, the mascara removes easily without flaking or looking tired after a long day.

What I don’t like about it: As I mentioned in past mascara reviews, I wish this was a little thicker. It gives great length, but not the thickness I hoped for, even though the Sephora girl said it was very comparable to DiorShow. Personally, I don’t totally see it, but I wasn’t unhappy with this purchase. After a few uses, it got easier to get great definition on the lashes. You will need a lash separator after, but fortunately, it won’t clog up the wand.

Final verdict: I’m glad I got it but will likely be going back to Diorshow, which I’ve been the happiest with to date. And the price difference isn’t enough to let my frugal nature take over.

What about you? Are you a Benefit fan? Or do you drawn to or purchase cosmetics based on the packaging and product name?

I’ve mentioned that I love mascara and after treating to Diorshow, I thought I would try another drug store brand. So I’ve learned that I want a lengthening and volumizing mascara. And the CoverGirl commercials for LashBlast totally reeled me in, so I picked some up and got to applying it right away.

Here are my thoughts:

CoverGirl Lash Blast mascara

How much it costs: $8.99

Where you can buy it: CVS, Walgreens, Target and other major drug store retailers

What I like about it: The wand. Seriously, that thing could be used as a weapon. The Maybelline mascara I previously reviewed has a similar one and it really does catch every single lash, which is great for me. It separates well (better than my Sephora brush) and adds length to the lashes right away. I can definitely tell a difference after I apply it and it goes on easily on lower lashes too.

What I don’t like about it: I wish it was a little thicker. I like full, long lashes and this definitely delivers the latter, but I wish that it would add more fullness too because to achieve that look, I have to put on a few layers of the mascara. Plus, the little prickly ends of the mascara can also poke you in the eyes a little bit so be careful.

But overall, I like this and would buy it again. I have a feeling though that my next mascara purchase will be a little bit of a splurge, between Bad Girl Lash or Lash Stiletto, both really intrigue me!

Do you usually mix up your mascara brands or do you pretty much buy from the same line?

And one reason I’ve stayed with MAC for so long is the MAC Gives Back program, which it started to reward long-term fans and help the environment. If you bring in six (6) MAC makeup containers to a MAC store or retailer, you get a free lipstick or lipgloss of your choice. Sure, the payback isn’t the same as the investment you put in when buying those six products, but it’s better than just tossing them out and it allows you to try something new and fun. After a LONG time, I finally took in my MAC products to give back and opted to go with a lip gloss (shock!)

Choosing lip glosses from MAC is sort of like finding a needle in a haystack because there are so many but here’s one I liked.

MAC Tinted Lipglass

How much it costs: $14

Where you can buy it: MACcosmetics.com and MAC counters and retailers (Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, etc.)

What I like about it: Again, MAC has a variety of colors to pick from, some more subtle and vibrant than others. I purchased the Pink Poodle color, which looks shockingly pink in the container but it is a lot tamer on the lips. The Pink Poodle color is described as “pink fuchsia with pinky-goldshimmer.” Yeah it’s pretty bright, but I like a bright pink lip over red because of my skin tone. The color spreads really well without looking or feeling greasy. Yes, it does leave a bright color outline behind on cups or mugs so you’ll have to re-apply often but it’s fun and nice to know that you can get the bolder colors without it being too much on the skin. It gives a great shine without being too much and you can wear it on its own or over lipstick which is nice to have it be versatile too.

What I don’t like about it: It does rub off easily and when the lips are dry, it can feel a little cakey on the lips but it’s fun to wear out and is small enough to fit in just about any purse.

So overall, I’ve been happy with it and it goes really well with my MAC Sun Tints too.

What color lipstick or lip gloss do you always buy? For me, it’s pink all the way :)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer

How much it costs: $12 (price varies based on retailer)

Where you can buy it: Neutrogena.com and retailers (Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc.)

What I like about it: It really is a good alternate to foundation. It’s light on the skin and dries really fast so you can see the coverage right away. Plus, spreads really well on the skin and looks pretty natural out in the sun. You can still apply blush and powder over it but on a hot summer day (which we won’t be having for a while) it feels really nice and not heavy at all. Plus it has SPF 20 and is oil-free, two things I like a lot.

What I don’t like about it: So while it is light, the tint isn’t very strong which means if you need a lot of coverage it might not give you the results you want. I use this still over my Clinique Super City Block and it’s fine but it’s moreso for a day of errands around your neighborhood or running downtown for something quick, not red carpet. And, even with a cap, the first little pump of product is usually dry and crusty, which is kind of annoying and a little bit of a waste. Oh also, if you have under eye circles, this won’t be the best coverage either (I found), so feel free to add Smashbox’s Under Eye Brightener as a base or your regular foundation and you’ll be fine.

I used to use Smashbox’s Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer and while I liked it, I found out NARS also had a primer so I gave it a try and I haven’t gone back to Smashbox yet. And here’s why….

NARS Makeup Primer with SPF 20

How much it costs: $33

Where you can buy it: NARS retailers (Nordstrom, Macy’s, etc.)

What I like about it: First, it has SPF. I know, I layer SPF on my face from multiple products, but the fact that it has it in case I shake up my makeup routine one day, that is a little piece of mind. The SPF is also effective against UVA/UVB rays and is oil-free, which is super important to me and my sensitive skin. I also love that it is more of a cream too (compared to Smashbox) and it absorbs really well into the skin while reducing redness. Usually I’ll apply this to my cheeks (where I need the most makeup coverage) and then put on my eye makeup while this absorbs before moving to my foundation. Also, I know it’s a little pricey but honestly, this stuff LASTS. I’ve had a tube for more than a year because it spreads really well and you don’t need a lot of it. A thin layer over the skin is more than enough.

What I don’t like about it: The primer color is white (compared to Smashbox’s variety of colors based on skin type) so I really have to be careful not to accidentally put too much on otherwise it looks like I have white cheeks, but again because it absorbs so well, it’s not a huge deal. Also, it can feel a little greasy on the skin when you apply too much so that’s another thing to be aware of.

Overall though, after using Smashbox’s primer and NARS, I’ll stick with NARS. I prefer the moreso creamy base and have had better results with my foundation over this primer. Plus it’s similar in price to the Smashbox product so you break even that way too.

Do you use a primer? If so what one do you like and if not, why? Just curious :)

And this would be one of those cave-in situations. When I bought the Volcanic Ash exfoliator a few weeks ago, I heard the saleslady talking about a matching Thermal Mask that deep cleaned the skin, moisturized and removed oils and impurities from the skin. And it was already sold out of the MAC counter at Michigan Avenue. Deep cleanser + sold out? Sign me up. So I bought this off Nordstrom’s Web site and had it delivered.

And now, here is what I thought about this little add-on baby.

MAC Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask

How much it costs: $19.50

Where you can buy it: Nordstrom.com and other retailers’ MAC counters (while supplies last)

What I liked about it: First, it applies a lot easier than the exfoliator. This spreads very easily and well and feels very light on the face rather than hardening and being uncomfortable. The grainy feeling from the exfoliator also isn’t present so it isn’t too harsh on your skin. You only have to leave it on for five minutes too which is easy to brush your teeth or step away for a few minutes before you wash it off. With my sensitive skin, this felt nice on it and I didn’t see any irritation when I washed it off so that’s a big plus for me. Also, when you do wash it off, the minute water hits the skin, the mask warms up (but not too warm) and feels kind of refreshing.

What I didn’t like about it: Because it is so light on the skin, I’m not one hundred percent sure how effective it is in deep cleansing but I’m not willing to rule it out just yet. Also, when you wash it off, the black color lingers a little bit on your hands and towel but again, that’s not a make or break thing for me either, just be aware so you thoroughly wash your hands before touching other stuff.

So I’ll give this a few more tries before making a final decision and hopefully after a few more uses I’ll see more noticeable results but so far I’m happy.

And if you asked me to pick today between this and the exfoliator (if you could only purchase one), I’d say go with the exfoliator.

Do you use any other masks other than an exfoliator? I had no idea other ones really existed!

Anyhow, last week my friend Meg (who is also my makeup Yoda), told me about this product from MAC that was previously available in stores, discontinued and now being re-released in limited edition, causing loyalists to clamour for samples before it’s sold out. And the product is formulated with volcanic ash to deep cleanse the face.

Volcanic ash as a cleansing product? Limited edition? Sign me up, so I called Nordstrom and went in to pick one up. Apparently Nordstrom on Michigan Avenue is already sold out of one of the Volcanic Ash products and the sales person gushed how much I would love this. So let’s take a closer look.

MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator

How much it costs: $19.50

Where you can get it: MAC counters at department stores (Nordstrom, Macy’s,etc.)

What I like about it: It definitely cleanses the skin and seems to work on all skin types. I was worried that the product would be too rough on my sensitive skin but my rosacea and skin redness wasn’t affected it at all, although I did apply it lightly on the cheeks just to be safe. The exfoliator spread well on my skin and you don’t need a lot to get good coverage. Plus, you don’t have to sit with it long on your clean face, just a minute and then wash off with warm water. I’ve only used it a few times but I am shocked at how soft my face is after. It’s like a baby’s bottom, no joke. I could not stop caressing my own cheek (in a non-scary way). Oh and the black scrub color is awesome because when you apply it to your face, it’s like applying dirt to your face, but in a fun way!

What I don’t like about it: The product does have a little bit of an odd smell but it’s not gross or gag-worthy. Just caught me by surprise. Plus, the product feels a little rough when you apply it, kind of like dragging….well….ash across your face. But, again, I haven’t used exfoliator in a while so I’m sure the concentration of ash to cleanse just takes an adjustment from me.

So thank you Meg for suggesting this. I definitely plan to ration my supply of it and get back on a regular exfoliation schedule :) I’m really curious to keep using this and see if it continues to give me the results I’ve seen so far! Next up: the Thermal Scrub. Can’t wait.

Do you exfoliate? If so, what do you recommend using too? Would you try something like this?

So here’s the one I love and recommend!

Mario Badescu Kera Moisturizer

How much it costs: $20 (for a 2 oz. container)

Where you can get it: Nordstrom, Mario Badescu.com

What I like about it: Lots! The moisturizer spreads well on your face and you definitely don’t need a lot to do the job. I apply it after I wash my face at night and my skin feels soft and smooth (like a baby’s bottom!) all night. Even if I don’t wash my face right away the next day, it still feels great. And it’s not very heavy so my skin doesn’t feel greasy or leave a greasy film on clothes, pillows, etc. Also, the container is recyclable plastic too.

What I don’t like about it: Sadly, this doesn’t have SPF so I wouldn’t recommend it during the day, unless you have SPF in your foundation, etc. It is a little pricy too, but if you don’t use too much of it when applying, it does last.

Do you use a specific moisturizer for night? And if so, what kind do you like?

So when TC and I went to Nordstrom recently, we both tried a limited edition super moisturizing lip balm that has a slight tint. For me, that’s like the best of both worlds because I hate applying lip balm, waiting for it to partially absorb and then lacquering the gloss on top.

And after trying this for a few days, I really started to like this and wanted to share it with everyone!

MAC Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm

How much it costs: $14.50

Where you can buy it: MAC freestanding stores or MAC cosmetic counters

What I like about it: It is insanely moisturizing without feeling super greasy. The hint of color is there but not a lot to make it too strong and it gives your lips a really nice shine. And it really lasts too, even if you are having a drink or eating. I though it would have rubbed of more but it didn’t. Of course, having SPF is a big thing for me too, I definitely need it, and I never thought about needing to us SPF on my lips, good to know.

What I don’t like about it: When it comes time to re-apply, your lips can feel a little icky (yes, not really a technical term), but fortunately it’s not a make or break thing for this product.

So overall I’ve been really happy with this. And according to the MAC counter girl, it’s a limited edition product so if you’re interested, hurry up and get it!!

Is anyone else addicted to lip glosses or balms? I have SO many in my apartment.

Mario Badescu Azulene Calming Mask

How much it costs: $18 (for a 2 oz. container)

Where you can buy it: MarioBadescu.com, Nordstrom

What I like about it: I love that it has a cooling sensation as soon as it is applied to the skin. Rosacea skin can be a little warmer to the touch than normal because of the irritation, but this feels great and cool when I put it on and it spreads very well. You don’t need a lot to cover your face and it should sit on there for 10-15 minutes. Whenever I take it off, I can see a difference already on my skin, that the redness has relaxed and my skin feels softer too. You can do this daily, every other day or weekly. I do it weekly and find that my skin stays under control for the week without a problem.

What I don’t like about it: Yeah when this is drying, your face feels like it’s pulled tighter than a sheet (think, Joan Rivers). You cannot laugh, cry, blow your nose or talk. Fortunately, it’s not on there for long. And when you wash your face after, the mask can stay on your skin a bit, so wash liberally when it’s time to remove.

Overall though, I really love this product and feel like it does a lot to keep my skin and redness under control. Highly recommend it!

Does anyone else have reddish skin or rosacea? I don’t know many people who do!

Say wha? Orgasm? Heck yes!

After fashion magazines raved about it and Sephora named it “best of” for the last five years, I had to go in and try it. According to Sephora, it has pink and gold undertones and was deemed as “universally flattering” for all skin tones, which made me more curious to check it out. And trust me, once you try Orgasm, you don’t go back :) Pun intended.

Nars Blush: Orgasm

How much it costs: $25

Where you can buy it: NARS counters, Sephora stores and online

What I like about it: The color really is flattering. Trust me, I didn’t want to believe it but it is. You can make it as sun kissed soft or pinched pink as you want and it lasts all day. It spreads evenly and works well with or without foundation on your skin. A Sephora makeup artist also told me you could use this as an eyeshadow if you wanted but I haven’t tried that….yet. It also lasts a really long time. Mine has lasted for over a year and while it’s wearing in parts, I don’t plan to replace it until I’m down to the VERY bottom

What I don’t like about it: It can be very tough to judge when too much is enough. In the beginning, I went out several times looking like a “woman of the night.” Because the color is so soft, it definitely requires some trial and error, but it’s worth it

There are tons of other blush shades to choose from too but I’ll be keeping Orgasm close to my chest…or pants pocket ;) The other colors I recommend checking out if you’re fair skinned like me is Deep Throat and Super Orgasm. Yes, lots of sexual words in this post :)

Then a friend who worked at the Laura Mercier counter introduced me to its brow powder duo and OMG I will NEVER go back to life without it. So let’s take a closer look.

Laura Mercier Brow Powder Duo

How much it costs: $24

Where you can buy it: All Laura Mercier counters (Nordstrom, Macys, Bloomingdales) and online

What I like about it: The duo compact allows you to really mix and find your perfect shade. I use the Auburn duo and I just need a swipe of both colors to get the shade that works for me. And trust me it’s easy to overdue it if you get too aggressive with mixing the colors. But the right amount help it look really natural. And because you don’t use a lot of product each day, it lasts FOREVER. Okay well not forever but for a pretty long time. I’m still using the original duo compact I bought at least six months ago. Color still looks fresh and the compact doesn’t get mushy or look “old.”

What I don’t like about it: Honestly, I’ve been pretty happy with this overall. The only thing is to really practice and get to know what color looks best on you and how much to use each day. In the beginning, I had a few SCARY eyebrow color days. Just ask my friends :)

To help get “styled’ eyebrow look all day, I’ve also used Laura Mercier’s Eye Brown Gel ($19) to keep the eyebrow hair shaped all day and I use a Sephora Professional brush (similar to this one) to apply it. I was happy with the Gel but it’s not really necessary. I’ve had the same results without using it too.

Do you shade in your eyebrows or know anyone else who does? I thought it was crazy at first but I’m a firm believer now!

So I started looking into dry shampoos (thanks fashion magazines!) to see if that could get me over the hump.

I tried Bumble & Bumble but found the aerosal sprays just didn’t work for me. It went everywhere but my hair and I didn’t feel like I got any real results.

Then, the gods at Sephora introduced me to Oscar Blandi and now, I’m a happy girl. So let’s take a closer look.

Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo

How much it costs: $19 (for 2.5 oz.)

Where you can buy it: Sephora in stores and online

What I like about it: The powder makes it easy to apply and doesn’t take a lot to work evenly through the hair. Just a quarter-size amount (depending on your hair length) is enough to work through. The powder also doesn’t leave a residue on the hair and lasts a long time because you don’t need a lot to get results. It makes the hair feel smooth and soft but without a scent.

What I don’t like about it: It might just be my finicky hair but sometimes I’m still not totally thrilled with the results, but again, my oily, color-treated thick hair has a mind of it’s own so nothing may fully get me the results I want unless I do wash and dry it.

And even though we all know Sephora has the best return policy ever, if you still want to try it without the full commitment, Sephora does have a “travel size” of the dry shampoo, which is only $11. Yes, the full size is a better bargain but in case you’re not ready to commit, or have to travel, it’s a good alternative.

Does anyone else use dry shampoo or how long can you go without washing your hair and keep a great look? I wish my hair would cooperate so I could go longer between washings!

So as a little feature I wanted to put on here, I’ll occasionally feature products you can splurge on along with more affordable versions of the same products. And because mascara is one of my must-have make up products, I thought this would be a perfect item to start with.

“Splurge” mascara: Diorshow BlackOut

• How much it costs: $24
• Where you can buy it: Sephora, Nordstrom
• What I like about it: It definitely thickens and elongates your lashes. My lashes are short so I love that this makes the lashes look lengthy and attention-getting. Plus, the “kohl black” color is really rich so you may only need one coat. As a note, have a lash separator on hand because the thickness of the mascara can clump, but after I gave the wand a little wipe to get some of the excess mascara off, it was no problem
• What I don’t like about it: Well, it is thick and it took several days to really get comfortable with it and how to best apply it to my lashes. So if you get it, don’t return it right away, give it a week to figure out how to work with you

“Save” mascara: Maybelline Define-A-Lash Washable Lengthening

• How much it costs: $8 (prices vary based on retailer)
• Where you can buy it: Target, Walgreens, CVS, etc.
• What I like about it: This slightly scary wand really hits every lash. I was really happy with the way it applies the mascara to every lash, big or small. I could really see that this lengthened the lashes too. I actually really loved applying it :) I know, that sounds silly! It also was very light on the lashes too and didn’t feel heavy. And in my cluttered make up case, the green packaging was always easy to find. I’ve used Maybelline products before and I’ve always been happy with the results
• What I don’t like about it: The wand is great at applying mascara to the lashes, the little spiky edges can be a little painful to apply, especially if your eyes are sensitive. Or maybe I’m just applying it too hard :) That could be too. I also noticed I had to replace this product earlier than other mascaras too. I had to apply this just about every month as opposed to every few months, which I’ve read is the case for other products.

So that’s the first splurge/save post! What mascara do you currently use?

What is it?: A light, tinted facial sunscreen appropriate for sensitive skin and even around the eye area. Protects against UVA/UVB rays.

What I love about it: It’s oil-free, which is great for me because it works well on my sensitive skin without causing me to break out. It also provides a link tint on my uneven skin so if I don’t want to, I don’t have to put foundation on over it. Now it won’t give you a full foundation coverage but it’s enough to help you run to the store or out for brunch without doing the full makeup routine. It also goes on really light and spreads evenly. Sometimes I’ll even just wear this on Sunday mornings when I go for my walk so I get UV ray protection without compromising my vanity :)

What I don’t love about it: It can take a few minutes to really soak into the skin. I know all SPF does but maybe I apply too liberally because I often have to wait several minutes before continuing my routine. It’s not a big issue and it doesn’t keep me from replacing this product but just an FYI.

Cost: $17.50

Again, I really like this product and think it does well on my skin and in my makeup routine. Plus, you can also get this in SPF 40 as well, which I would love to take with me to the beach.

Any other Clinique fans out there? Have you tried this before?

Or as I like to say, “how you can look like you slept eight hours even though you’re still hungover.” Kidding!

My friend Meg introduce this to me after  complained that I could never get enough coverage on my dark under eye circles. Imagine looking tired…all the time. So after a little prodding from her, I got went to get this and now it’s one of my makeup “must haves.” Like, it’s almost as important to me as mascara and SPF.

What I like about it: It has a nice cooling affect on the skin so it feels refreshing when you put it on. It also is light so it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and blends really well. It also goes well with just about any kind of foundation because the tint it provides isn’t heavy either. And you don’t need to put on a lot of it to get the desired affects, which is to make your eye look brighter. Personally, I wear this stuff especially on business trips when I don’t sleep a lot but don’t want to look like I’ve been out all night the next day

What I didn’t like about it: Honestly, nothing. Except maybe that I can’t apply it to other parts of my body :)

Cost: $18

So that’s my inaugural review! This page is still a work in progress so the scope of the reviews may change per product but when I decided to start this, I KNEW this would be my first one.

Again, this is definitely one of my favorite products. I wish I could just run around and hand it out to everyone so they could try it too :)

Have you all tried this before? If so what did you think?