I wear foundation just about every day because of my uneven, reddish skin tone. But sometimes I hate the feeling of foundation on my face after a long day and when it’s warm and I’ve been sweating. Plus, foundation is kind of pricey so I would like it to last as long as possible so I dug around and found a great foundation alternate for weekends and blazing hot summer days.

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.

My parents always said I was blessed with naturally pinky-red skin. Which means I always look like I’m blushing. They find it endearing, I don’t. So to cover my rosacea and redness, I rely heavily on my foundation to balance my skin tone. But because I am a little more liberal with the foundation on the cheeks, I discovered makeup primers to help foundation last on key parts of the skin and ever since I tried it, I’m a devout primer lady.

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 :)

I am a sucker for the add-on sale. Usually, I can resist the saleslady’s prowess to sell me one more item but when I’m vulnerable, I will cave in to their tempting ways.

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!

I do not exfoliate as much as I should (bad girl). I’ve gone through several exfoliators over the years, from St. Ives Apricot Scrub to Mario Badescu (my current skin care obsession) and lately, I’m in between brands again.  And with my sensitive skin, the last thing I need is more build up on my face.

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?

Along with sensitive skin and rosacea, my skin is also very dry. I know, I’m a dermatologists’ dream! Anyhow, after I moved on from Clinique’s daily moisturizer, I wanted one specifically to wear at night, that would keep my face moisturized but wouldn’t be too heavy.

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?