Clinique Favorites: November 2014

Continuing in the favorites vein, I thought I'd post a few recommended products from the Clinique line - they have some good holiday gift sets, so it may be worth considering.  Clinique is formulated to be hypo-allergenic and good for people with really sensitive skin.  I admit I don't use many of their products, as they seem to work best for very young skin...i.e. teens to early 20s.  However, I know people of all ages who seem to love it, and the price point is lower than other counter brands.

Three favorites:

1. Fresh Bloom All-over Colour: Love this stuff.  It comes in three flattering shades (pink, nude, plum tones) that go on lightly to give a sheer/subtle flush of color without being too bright.  I love some dramatic blush, but when I need some easy color, this is a go-to. $30

2. Perfectly Real Foundation. Natural finish, medium coverage, oil free, non-acnegenic. Comes in LOTS of shades.  Love the coverage and the fact that it doesn't feel heavy. $26 

3. High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara.  If you like dramatic lashes, this is definitely worth checking out - this is a thickening formula with a rubber bristle brush to separate lashes.  The effect is not quite as natural as some mascaras, but it's definitely dramatic, giving BIG lashes. $16.50

Am I missing anything you love from Clinique, folks?

Estee Lauder Favorites - November 2014

I've spent a significant amount of time helping out at our Estee Lauder counter lately, as they are making some team changes. This has allowed me time to try some current Lauder products and develop a few favorites!  If you haven't tried any, these should be on your list:

1. Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil. 12 Hour Wear, water resistant.  This liner comes in a variety of awesome shades (add a light line of color to your eyes above your normal black/brown for a great new look - rose gold or silver, maybe?), goes on easily and smoothly (you don't have to press down hard), and best of all - it lasts.  $22 each, and I highly recommend the $8 double sharpener Estee makes to keep it in A+ shape.

 

2. Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup Foundation. 15-hour wear, stays on through heat, humidity, activity. Won't smudge onto clothes.  Though it IS long wear, it does not feel heavy. Medium coverage. Looks great on just about every person I've tried it on - and it comes in a lot of shades so you can get a perfect match. $37

3. Revitalizing Supreme Global Anti-Aging Moisturizer. I was a little skeptical of a "smart" creme - something that adjusts to your skin as needed...but after trying it for a week, I am pretty sold. This improves multiple signs of aging - lines, wrinkles, firmness, dullness, dehydration. It's a thick creme and feels very luxurious going on, and my face is clear, firm, and radiant with use.  Recommended!  $50, $75, $90 (three sizes)

4. Sensuous Nude Perfume. It's what it sounds like - sexy. Intimate, feminine, sultry. Notes of woods, musk, bergamot, sandalwood, amber.  My hubby prefers a more fruity scent, but this one is lovely and sensual if that's what you're into! $58, $65, $90 (three sizes)

 Anyone else have favorites from Estee?

Early Summer 2014 - New Products

Through spring and early summer, I've been trying multiple new products.  A quick review of just a few:

Lush Shampoo Bar

My sister bought me one of these for my birthday, and I was really pleasantly surprised!  Lush's Shampoo Bars are preservative-free and environmentally friendly, with no harmful packaging (mine was a travel size so it came in the tin), and are made to last as long as three bottles of liquid shampoo.  They come in different formulas, but this "Squeaky Green" is made to deep cleanse scalp and hair.  It smells like tea tree oil and rosemary - very nice.  I'd definitely try the other versions of this - they make them for softening, oily hair, volume/shine, de-tangling, dandruff, thinning hair, etc.  $12

 Lancome's Rouge in Love Lipsticks

I don't wear many lipsticks - they generally feel too heavy on my lips. However, these new lip colors from Lancome are definitely cool.  They come in the very in-style bold shades, but they are a VERY lightweight matte finish, so they wear a bit more like a lip stain - and they are 6-hour wear! A light sweep of color gives me a good base shade for long wear, and I can pop a little gloss over it if I want more shine. They've been very popular at Macy's so far. $28.50

 Guerlain Lingerie De Peau - Invisible Skin Fusion Foundation

In my search for a light-weight foundation with a lovely finish, I found this on Sephora's website, with extremely high ratings. It has SPF 20, and is a light to medium coverage formula.  Goes on really smoothly.  The color is not a perfect match for me, but since I like the feel, I've been blending it with just a little foundation in another shade to add a bit of pink undertone.  Goes on well with a blending brush or a blending sponge.  At $61, it runs higher in price than some counter brands, but it's a little nicer, too.

Dirty Works Supreme Cream Body Butter

You all know about my love affair with body butters. I grabbed this one on the cheap at TJ Maxx - the brand is sold mostly overseas, but at $7, it seemed like a good buy.  It's more whipped-feeling than other body butters - more like a light cream.  It smells great (shea butter and sweet almond oil) and leaves the skin silky.  It's not a product I can grab at my local store, but I'd buy it again.  Plus...the retro packaging is a bit fun.

Murad T-Zone Pore Refining Serum

I've had this product for a couple of months and have been putting off blogging about it, because I simply can't tell if it's working or not.  I bought it at the recommendation of an aesthetician who gave me a facial.  I rarely break out, but occasionally get some trapped oil in the larger pores on my cheeks, or near my nose.  Even if they don't turn into actual breakouts, they annoy me. This serum is supposed to tighten pores, dissolve oil, and prevent excess oil production.  It doesn't smell bad, but doesn't smell good like some of my other serums.  I don't use it every night - maybe twice a week?  I will say I seem to have less trapped oil in pores, but I'm not sure if it's due to this serum.  It runs $42, and doesn't seem to hurt anything, but I'm just not certain what I can attribute to its use.

What about you, ladies?  Tried any new products this spring/summer?

Sweet Skin: C. Booth Honey & Almond Body Products

I have been a long-time lover of C. Booth's hand cream, so I am not surprised that I really love their body butter!  At $8, it's totally cheap.  Thick, smooth, creamy...but it absorbs beautifully and leaves the skin feeling terrific.  The smell is light, clean, slightly sweet, and not overpowering at all.  I'm definitely looking forward to trying their other scented body butters.  I want them now!

While the body butter is great, I wasn't so impressed with the Honey Almond Nourishing Body Wash.  Price and scent are both attractive, but the lather is weak and I didn't feel incredibly clean or moisturized after using it.

Finally, the Honey Almond Nourishing Dry Oil Mist was decent. Same low price and pleasant scent.  I love a good dry oil, but I felt like I had to use this one on top of a lotion instead of alone.  That's not a terrible thing, but I seem to only use this for an extra bit of shine instead of real nourishment.

Looking forward to trying some other C. Booth products - always a plus to find a budget-friendly brand that still gives a luxurious experience...

CC Cream Fail.

Birchbox discoveries are often great, but last month's box contained a slight failure - the Supergoop! Daily Correct CC Cream is definitely not something I'd purchase.  It's supposed to be lightweight, fragrance free, easy to blend, and skin perfecting. 

On the good side, it's not heavy, has no scent, and has SPF 35 and some natural ingredients.  On the not-so-good side..the finish just isn't nice.  There was no real coverage or skin perfecting to speak of, and when I added another layer to see if it helped, it felt - no pun intended - goopy.  It doesn't wear well, and I've honestly been more impressed with $15 drugstore brands.  This $32 price tag is good, but not for a product that doesn't really work.  Sorry, Supergoop! - you can keep this one.

NARS Eyes & Spa Smoothness

Two totally random product reviews:

This little NARS palette is a duo recommended by the beautiful Emma Watson - she always looks fresh-faced and a little sultry at the same time, so when she said "jump"...I did.  Called Tzarine, this is a pinkish-beige on one side, and a sparkly gray on the other. It's an interesting combination because the colors are so very opposite - i.e. not simply a lighter/darker version of the same shade, like a lot of shadow duos.  Both shades have a TINY bit of shimmer, but don't translate as sparkly. They blend nicely into each other, but I admit the light shade needs to be layered on to show up well.  Overall, I like it.
$35, http://www.amazon.com/NARS-Duo-Eyeshadow-Tzarine/dp/B003VRCEEE

H2O+ Sea Moss Black Sand Body Scrub - on the subject of deals and steals, I found this fun product at TJMaxx for about $8 - it typically runs $20. When I buy discounted products, I am always a little skeptical, but this stuff is excellent. I find it cool that the micro-fine sand grains are from cooled lava. It also contains sea salt, aloe vera, and provitamin B.  There's enough grit to exfoliate, but enough moisture to make the skin soft vs. dry. Definitely a good find!
http://www.h2oplus.com/product/sea+moss+black+sand+body+scrub.do?sortby=bestSellers&refType=

For all the Dior Divas

I am asked fairly often about my list of Dior "must haves" as compared to other brands. While I use quite a few Dior products, I readily use other brands if they seem to work better for me and my skin.  After a few years of Dior product use, the favorites that I will keep buying well into the future are...

1. One Essential Super Skin Serum

As I've said before, serums pack the most skin treatment "oomph", and of all the serums, this is my favorite! It detoxifies, cleaning out and purifying skin cells, and boosting the effectiveness of all other products significantly.  Revitalizes and makes skin more radiant, and helps correct/prevent signs of aging. "Pollution, stress, fatigue, UV rays…the atmosphere in our biggest cities has proven to be just as intoxicating as it is harmful. The ozone alone increases toxin production by 44%. Every day, 7 billion toxins accumulate in the skin, preventing it from repairing itself and diminishing its glow. As if suffocated, the skin becomes dull and appears tired."  It's not cheap at $95 and $120 (two sizes), but in my opinion, worth every cent. 


2.  Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme

This is my current favorite moisturizer. It's a beautiful, thick, smooth creme, and it melts into the skin.  It improves multiple deeper layers of the skin to plump, smooth, structure, and illuminate the skin. At $155 a jar, it's not cheap, but once you purchase, you can buy re-fills for $140 that pop into this "jewelry box" case.  A little goes a long way, so re-purchasing should not happen often.  Dior also makes a "rich" creme version of this for very dry skin.

3. Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Eye Cream

I am very choosy about eye creams, and have yet to find any sort of miracle cream for firmness, moisture, and dark circles.  So far, this is one of my overall favorites.  It is extremely moisturizing, and helps fill in lines and wrinkles to firm around the eye.  It's wonderfully comfortable and feels a bit like a spa treatment. 

4. DiorSnow White Reveal Gentle Purifying Foam

I recently blogged about this as my newest favorite cleanser - it foams, cleanses, brightens, but does not strip or dry the skin at all.  A great add to your cleansing routine.

5. DiorSkin Nude Natural Glow Radiant Foundation

For a nude/dewy foundation finish, this is still my go-to.  It comes in many shades, applies smoothly with a brush or sponge, and looks fresh through the day.  A nicely balanced foundation. 

6. DiorSkin Nude Compact

For a very even, natural, slightly satiny finish, this is my favorite powder.  It comes with a small brush for light application, and a sponge for more coverage, which is ideal for use throughout the day. I've used it alone and with all sorts of foundation. 

7. DiorSkin Airflash Foundation

This was the first product I ever got hooked on from Dior. Originally developed for professional makeup artists, this spray foundation gives amazing coverage that feels like absolutely nothing on your face.  It goes on easily with a brush or sponge, and is so thin, you forget you're wearing foundation. The finish is flawless and smooth, semi-matte, and long wear, especially with primer.

8. DiorSkin Nude Tan Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder

I've been a bit bronzer-averse since it seemed to be all the rage while I was in high school and early college, and it was so overdone.  As I learned how to use it lightly for an all-over touch of color OR for contouring, I started keeping it in my bag for every day use. This one is my favorite simply because it's so light and finely-milled.  It's hard to apply too much.  They make slightly illuminated shades (like the one above) with varied colors to look more natural.  The same bronzers are made in more matte shades, as well.  The compact comes with a handy kabuki brush for application and blending, but I typically opt to use a larger blush brush for a lighter sweep of color.

9. DiorSnow Lash Maximizer

This is a white formula that sweeps on smoothly, and dries clear.  It plumps, lengthens, and primes lashes for mascara. It's an active serum with soy proteins to promote long-term lash growth and strength. Lashes are hair, and need to be cared for.  This makes my lashes healthier, but also makes my mascara go on better and last longer. 

10. DiorShow Mascara

Dior has been famous for their mascaras for years, and they have several great options. My favorite is still the classic DiorShow. It's a buildable volume, slightly false-lash effect. The brush is very plush, and the formula is smooth.  It sweeps on easily, and - my favorite thing - wears SO well.  It doesn't get crunchy or flaky, and stays soft, almost like natural lashes.  I can brush them side to side and not rub off the mascara. My fave.

11. Dior Addict Gloss

I seriously probably have 40 lip glosses in my cosmetics trunks, but they're going into the recycle bin, because I only use this one, in different shades.  The formula is beautiful on - shiny, sparkly (if it's a shade with shimmer), and yet (here's the kicker) - NOT STICKY.  It infuriates me when my hair sticks in my lip gloss.  Addict Gloss comes in shades sheer enough to wear over other lip colors (stain, lipstick, whatever), and shades that are beautiful colors alone or with liner. 

Notable Mentions:

Dior Lip Polish - a pink gloss that exfoliates lips and keeps them smooth

Dior Lip Maximizer - a collagen-active gloss that goes on clear and plumps lips

Creme de Rose - a rosy lip balm that is incredibly moisturizing and smoothing, and easy to wear alone.

DiorShow Liner Waterproof - roll-up liner (comes with a sharpener on one end) that glides on smoothly, and stays put - comes in several great shades to avoid being boring with black each day.

 

Cleaning My Act Up - Cleansers, Spring 2014 Edition

Since my winter cleansing write-up, I've continued trying new cleansers to find a product with the right balance of cleansing power and benefits for the skin. 

(1) My sister gave me a bottle of DDF's Brightening Cleaner, which I used both with and without my Clarisonic for several weeks. 

Without the Clarisonic, it didn't seem super effective, but with the Clarisonic, I was much more pleased. It's a clear gel that doesn't foam much at all. After using, my skin was clean, and, yes, actually a bit brighter. I don't know if it's powerful enough to lighten dark spots or correct any discoloration (as it claims to do), but it definitely left my skin looking bright and awake. At $39, it's not a bad price, but Sephora doesn't carry the brand anymore, so you have to buy from BirchBox or Amazon, or DDF directly. 

(2) When Dior came out with the new DiorSnow White Reveal Melt-Away cleansing balm, I was excited to try it, since cleansing balms seem to be all the rage. 

It is super creamy, and you massage it into skin to break down makeup, then wipe off the excess. I was admittedly a little disappointed. It may be great for just a makeup remover, but not as a full cleanser. Can't use it with the Clarisonic, and at $50 I'd rather have an actual cleanser. 

(3) I moved on to Dior's (also fairly new) Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil. 

Cleansing oil? Seems counterproductive, right? Nope! This stuff is lovely. It's a silky mid-weight oil, and you rub it into your face to let it melt away makeup and dirt. After massaging it in, you rinse your face, and it becomes a tiny bit foamy/lathery. Not really for use with the Clarisonic either, but I didn't really need it - this took off all my makeup and left me really clean, without feeling dry or tight at all. For winter or people with drier skin, definitely a win at $36! 

(4) My last Dior cleanser test was the DiorSnow White Reveal Gentle Purifying Foam. 

The DiorSnow line is formulated for brightening skin, and so far I mega-love this cleanser. It's perfection with the Clarisonic! Texture is super creamy, and with whatever, foams up beautifully. Unlike the case with some foaming cleansers, my skin doesn't feel the least bit dry or tight after rinsing. Lovely balance of clean and comfy! The tube is $45, but it's pretty large and lasts quite a while. Possible new favorite? 

(5) Birchbox sent me a couple of samples of the NUXE Reve de Miel cleanser, which I've been trying this week. 

I am torn on this product - it seems to do the job of cleansing my skin, but it doesn't remove eye makeup well, and I do not enjoy the smell.  It's made with honey and sunflower extract to leave skin soft after cleansing, but the smell is SO sweet - it's a bit cloying. Then again, the bottle is only $19, so it's on the cheaper end of French products. Overall, not BAD, but not great, either.  

(6) Last, but not least, I picked up a deluxe sample of Murad's Essential-C Cleanser after a recent facial.

This cleanser is made with a lot of antioxidants to cleanse and re-hydrate skin.  It has a fresh citrus scent.  It doesn't foam much, but it does the job.  Another mid-price ($36) cleanser that works, but didn't amaze me.

After all of the recent weeks of testing, my FAVORITES are:

DiorSnow White Reveal Gentle Purifying Foam

-and-

Philosophy's Purity Made Simple

Jazz up your Spring & Summer Manicure!

I am 100% stealing this from Lucky Magazine, and linking to their site here:
http://www.luckymag.com/beauty/2014/03/dainty-spring-nail-art-stickers

I am not averse to nail art, but I can't seem to make it last, or I get bored with it quickly, so all of these are great ways to "jazz up" the digits.

My favorites...of course, I adore the summery nautically-inspired Dior polishes and stickers that come along with them, especially the gorgeous Sailor blue.

Incoco's multi-colored bloom appliques are so ladylike and pretty!

Finally, Sephora's temporary cuticle tattoos? Adorbs!  Buying ASAP!

Squeaky Clean! Cleansers: March 2014 Edition

In my search for all things ideal for my face, I've tried a lot of cleansers. Most seem to be usable, but aren't very exciting. Quick thoughts on just a few:

1. For the drugstore-brand price point, Biore's Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser does the trick. It doesn't leave my face feeling transformed, but it gets the dirt out for between $5 and $9.

2. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: Got a deluxe trial of this from Sephora, and read the solid reviews - but I wasn't blown away. The smell is a bit odd, and it doesn't foam very much. It left my skin feeling fairly clean and not tight, but it's SO gentle, I wondered if it was effective enough. Not my pick, at $40.

3. Lancome Creme Radiance: One of the few Lancome products I would buy again! This milky/creamy cleanser turns into a great foam, cleans well, and leaves my skin bright and clear. At $25, it's affordable and worked well with my Clarisonic. A little seems to go a long way, making the tube last longer.

4. SK-II Facial Treatment Cleanser: while I WILL fork out the dollars for SK-II's balancing essence/toner, I am not sure the cleanser is worth $70 unless you're REALLY sensitive, irritable, dry, delicate. It's a very gentle, natural, but effective cleanser - just a tad price prohibitive unless you really need this specific type of product.

5. Philosophy's Purity Made Simple: so far, this may still be my favorite cleanser. It's gentle, very lightly/pleasantly scented, and very effective - it removes every trace of makeup (even eye makeup).  It comes in 5 sizes, ranging in price from $10 to $52, but is around $23 for a standard-sized bottle, so it's affordable.  Little goes a long way with this one, as well...I would definitely recommend it.

Overall, I have a lot of cleansers to try, but so far, the Philosophy and Lancome options have been my best experiences. Anyone else tried/liked/hated them?

Stay clean!

Clarisonic: Can't Live Without It.

Occasionally, a product comes along that changes your life.  Is that dramatic?  Maybe. Oh, well. I had seen the Clarisonic brush used in spas, and knew it was highly recommended, but I didn't see the point in spending $150 on a skincare tool. When I started working with Dior/Macy's, I met woman after woman with great skin, but they all used different skin treatments and products. Except one - they all seemed to use the Clarisonic. 

So when Macy's brought out the Mia First at $99, I went for it. And...I. Love. It.

From the Clarisonic site: "Day and night, skin is subject to oil, perspiration, debris, makeup, and environmental pollutants. These combine to make a sticky, stubborn pore-clogging film that can make the skin look unhealthy, feel rough, and become irritated, while acting as a barrier to skincare products. Unlike spinning devices, our patented sonic cleansing technology works with skin's natural elasticity, oscillating at a sonic frequency that produces over 300 movements per second. The resulting flexing action created between the inner and outer brushes works to loosen dirt and oil, removing deep-seated impurities from pores and priming skin to better absorb topical treatments."

This means improvements in:
Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Loss of firmness and elasticity
Enlarged pores& excess oil
Rough surface & uneven texture
Dullness/Lack of Radiance
Acne/blemishes

I have to say, it comes through. When I wash without the brush now, I don't feel half as clean, and my skin looks much better when I'm using it. My products work better, meaning I spend less money on them (and on cosmetics) overall. Granted, I did get my Macy's discount, so it was a great deal - but I think it's worth the investment. 

Anyone besides me <3 the Clarisonic?

February Birchbox Goodies

This month's Birchbox arrived during Winter Storm PAX and is a welcome distraction from all the ice!

 This month, we have...

Beauty Protector, Protect & Oil
"Hair oil that defends against UV rays, heat, and breakage."  I have a feeling I'll love this, since this brand's leave-in conditioner and detangler is my FAVORITE.

Dr. Brandt, Pores No More Pore Refiner
"This celeb favorite minimizes pores and absorbs oil for a photo-ready matte finish." This is supposed to work as a primer too, but I am not sure I need quite this much oil control. I'll try it and see how it works.

Juicy Couture, Couture La La Malibu scent
"Breezy So-Cal inspired scent that mingles sparkling mandarin with pink sugar." May be a bit summery, and not the same quality as a good designer scent, but Juicy does usually smell pretty good.

Ruby Wing, color-changing nail polish in Kitten Heels
"Color-changing polish morphs from a hot fuchsia to a deep magenta in the sun." I've already been experimenting with color change polishes and totally love them. They make your manicure a bit magical!

32 Oral Care, effervescent breath crystals
"Breath-freshening crystals that attack unpleasant odors for a cool, clean feeling." Seriously? They're like pop rocks for fresh breath. You swish them around until they pop. Weirdness.

What did you ladies receive in your BirchBox/Ipsy/etc. this month?

Newest Craze: Body Oils

In 2013, I noticed a lot of new body oils on the market.  I was hesitant to use an oil, but during the summer, I wanted that nice bronze-y sheen, so I tried a few. Results were mixed, and as follows...

1. Neutrogena Body Oil (~$10)

This was the first oil I tried, and I wasn't a huge fan.  The sesame oil formula is very slippery and..well, oily. It does moisturize the skin, bet it didn't smell good, and even after letting it sink into my skin, the smell and oil seemed to stay on any clothes I wore that day. I still have most of the bottle, and I don't foresee myself using it.

2. Nuance Dual-Phase Body Oil ($13)

I moved on to this oil in Salma Hayek's Nuance line, and had a better experience.  This is made with jojoba, coconut, and passion fruit oils.  It's a more "dry" oil - it takes more to sink into the skin, but I did not feel greasy, and the smell is lovely. The only drawback seemed to be that the moisture doesn't last as long as a lotion.

3. Carol's Daughter Lavendar & Vanilla Dry Oil Mist (~$16)

My latest body oil trial has been better than expected - the lavendar and vanilla is a soothing, spa-like scent.  Oils are some shea, sweet almond, and soy.  Moisture is medium-level, I'd say - not oily or greasy, but gives you a nice supple sheen. Most likely to keep using this one, and I'll check out the other scents, as well.  Carol's Daughter is a very natural brand, which is nice.

Overall, I think body oils are a nice addition to my body skin care routine - but they can't replace a good lotion or body butter.  Now, if I can only find a body butter and an oil in the same excellent scent, I'll be set.

Facial Moisturizers: 2014 Winter Edition

I've been on a mission to evaluate moisturizers lately - since it's something we should all be wearing every day AND there are thousands of options on the market.  It's taken me a couple of months to try all of these.

So, let's get right to it...

1. Boscia, Self Defense Vital Antioxidant Moisture, with broad spectrum SPF 30 (for combination skin types)

Two words that describe my reaction to this: not moved.  Or, one word: meh.  If you're looking for a basic protective moisturizer with UVA/UVB protection, this isn't bad.  It's lower to mid-priced, at $36. Other than that, there's not a lot that's special about it.  It doesn't feel particularly great, i.e. it feels like any drugstore-brand moisturizer.  The SPF is nice, and Boscia's products are more on the natural side, but I am not driven to buy this again.


2. Dior, Capture Total Multi-Perfection Emulsion

If you're willing to pay bigger bucks for your moisturizer and your skin isn't dry, this is a great one.  It's pricey at $145, but the bottle is enormous.  I've been using it for months and am not even halfway through the bottle.  It's VERY lightweight, almost a liquid, but the moisture quality is lovely.  The best thing about this product is that it's a total anti-aging product as well - helps with wrinkles, firmness, uneven skin tone, pore size, etc.  Even if I didn't work with Dior, I'd use this.  The only drawback is that it doesn't have SPF in it, you need to use another sunscreen.


3. Dior, Capture Totale Multi-Perfection Creme

 

This is the creme version of #2, for all the same benefits, plus some extra plumping and moisture for drier skin. Also, fabulous.  Absorbs and makes your skin silky smooth and very much improved after a couple of weeks of use.  


4. Murad Illuminating Day Moisture, SPF 30

 

I was very pleasantly surprised by this one. I have tried Murad products over the years and never loved any, but this one I actually might purchase during summer when I am in the sun more.  It's an "illuminating" moisturizer, so it's made to brighten the skin while moisturizing and protecting it.  The SPF is UVA and UVB protection.  Sometimes products with sunscreen tend to make me oily, but this one goes on smooth and creamy, and almost has a matte finish. It lasted throughout the day.  No major scent to speak of. Overall, good experience.


5. Chanel Le Lift, Creme Fine

I was pretty excited to try Chanel's new line of skin treatment, the Le Lift cremes.  They are made to be used night and day (no need for two separate products), and they have a version for oily skin, normal skin, and dry skin.  I used it for about a week and have mixed feelings.  It is made to tone and firm the skin, and I think it probably delivers on those.  It smells and feels lovely. It runs $165, which is only $15 more than the Dior equivalent, but the Dior felt better on my face.


6. Josie Maran, Pure Argan Oil Light

Another pleasant surprise. I love Argan oil - it's amazing on the body.  Jose Maran came out with this lighter version of the oil for the face, and it's a great addition to the line.  It's (duh) lighter in texture and has a more matte finish on the face.  It hydrates and makes the skin calmer, more even-toned, and generally better textured.  At $48, it's super affordable, and something I'd consider using in the future.  The only small drawback is that it doesn't contain specific anti-aging ingredients, but it still improves the skin.


7. Algenist Regenerative Anti-Aging Moisturizer, SPF 20

Despite this product looking perfect on paper (moisture, SPF, anti-again, good ratings), I was completely underwhelmed when I tried it.  I didn't love the texture, or the way it wore - my skin did not keep looking nice throughout the day. I can't say it's a bad product, but it wasn't effective for me, especially at the $90 price point.


8. NUDE Skincare, Cellular Renewal Moisturizer

Basically, see the notes on #7 above. I wasn't wowed, which was disappointing, because I love NUDE's Pro-Genius oil! Boooooooo.


9.  Ole Henriksen, Pure Truth Vitamin C Youth-Activating Oil

Bit of a long name on this one, and at first I wasn't sure if it was a moisturizing oil or a treatment oil. After using it, I think it falls into both categories, but definitely takes the place of another moisturizer, so I've included it here. This is made with pure rose hips seed oil, making it a bit more natural than some options. It smells citrusy, is a very thin oil, and when I first put it on, looked a tad orange-tinted.  But as it absorbed into the skin, the color and texture became normal and quite nice.  It's brightening, hydrating, and high in vitamins A and C. Also affordable at $45.  Pretty good product.


10. SK-II Essential Power Moisturizing Cream

I have to be honest - the SK-II is really great, but at $205, I am not likely to buy in the future.  I received a gift of this that lasted me about 3 weeks. It's solid product, but not different enough from the Dior line to convince me to spend $50 more.  Sure, I want to look like Cate Blanchett and Kate Bosworth, but $205...it's not cheap. (Although SK-II's toner is the best and worth every penny. But that's another post.)


11.  SHISEIDO IBUKI Refining Moisturizer

This is made to make the skin more even in tone and texture, but it was a bit too sticky for me. It's possible that I just don't need the evening as much as other benefits, but I wasn't sold.  Decent price, but not my favorite.


After all the trials, I am more likely to use the Dior and Murad options going forward...they are, for me, the best mix of benefits and price. 

Stay moisturized, ladies!