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!

 

The Body Shop: 3 Masks

After my fabulous experience with The Body Shop's body butters, I decided to try their face masks.  I am a mask person - I use one every week, depending on what my skin seems to need at the time.  That can be moisture, purifying and deep cleaning, exfoliating, or simple stress relief.  While daily cleansing will help remove dirt, makeup, and surface impurities, a mask can treat deeper levels of your skin to correct damage that comes from exposure, pollution, poor diet, perspiration, and stress.

After using each mask a few times, here are my thoughts...

1. Blue Corn 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask (normal to oily skin)

This is intense, y'all.  It's thick, blue, and smells a little odd, but not bad.  As soon as you put it on, you can feel it opening your pores - it's a slightly cooling and slightly warm feeling at the same time.  The feeling fades as you wear it for about 10 minutes, and as you rinse, the gritty texture exfoliates the skin.  It absorbs oil and helps remove some dead skin, but it's not drying.  I use this when I need some extra cleansing.

2. Tea Tree Mask (best for combinaton skin, or anyone who wants to prevent blemishes)

Another fun feeling when you put it on - this one is very cooling.  It's a smooth consistency, and smells exactly like you'd expect it to - like tea tree oil (fair trade, from Kenya).  It helps absorb oil and refresh the skin.  Leaves you a hair drier than the blue corn mask, but not tight.  You can use it a little more often than the blue corn as well.  I generally use this once every couple of weeks to help prevent any blemishes/excess oil.

3. Warming Mineral Mask (all skin types)

This is a more gentle mask, and the most fun thing about it is the magical heating factor - as you rub it onto your face, it immediately gets really warm to open your pores.  I can't say this mask would make a huge difference on its own, but it's a fun product that could help with deep cleansing when paired with another cleanser.  I keep this one in the shower to use any time.


Price points on all of these are amazing - really cheap!  Good value for the money, and any of these make good additions to your skin care regimen.  Now I want to try ALL of The Body Shop masks - including Aloe (protects and restores sensitive skin), Honey & Oat (for moisturizing and smoothing removing dead skin), Nutriganics (does everything!), Seaweed/Ionic Clay (detoxing), and Vitamin E sink-in mask(deep moisture).  More to come on those as I get to try them!

Body Moisturizers on Parade

I readily admit that I am a body lotion/cream/butter/oil fanatic. I simply don't feel remotely OK with tight or slightly dry skin. I must feel SUPPLE, people!

I blogged last year about Tree Hut's Body Butters, which I still really like, especially the Brazilian Nut scent. http://productsforrealgirls.blogspot.com/2012/08/body-butters-yum.html

Since then, I've tried several other products - thoughts here:

1. L'Occitane Ultra Rich Body Cream with Shea Butter

This doesn't feel as thick and moisturizing as other body butters.  Plus, I don't love the scent; it's not bad, but it's not pleasant, either. The moisture quality is fine, and lasts a good while, but I wasn't wowed by this, especially for $42 a tub. http://www.sephora.com/ultra-rich-body-cream-rich-in-shea-butter-P238001


2. First Aid Beauty, Ultra Repair Cream

The price point is more reasonable for this product; Sephora carries two sizes for $28 and $39.  Still, not cheap.  Again, I don't love the smell.  It's a bit menthol-y and fresh. It's also not super thick - it's more whipped and light.  I don't feel like it soaks into my skin much.  It seems to create a soft, moisturized layer on top of my skin instead of really absorbing. The benefit of this one seems to be that it can be used for all types of skin allergies and irritations/disorders, and it can be used on the body AND the face. 

http://www.sephora.com/ultra-repair-cream-P248407

3. The Body Shop, Shea Body Butter

Here, I stumbled on my new favorite body butter! It's made with Fair Trade ingredients, and comes in a myriad of scents. The shea happens to be my favorite, as it's a yummy scent that's not overpowering.  This is much thicker than other body butters, but soaks in beautifully and leaves me feeling moisturized for hours. It even makes freshly-shaven legs feels amazing, which can be tricky.  Best of all?  The price is great.  The JUMBO is on sale for $15, typically $25.  That's a lot more product than other brands.  http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/shop-by-line/shea/jumbo-body-butter-shea.aspx

In some instances, I recommend spending more for beauty products, but this is one instance where higher dollars doesn't seem to always mean a better experience.  After buying this body butter, I decided to grab a few other Body Shop products that are highly rated, and will be blogging about those soon...

Guide to Makeup Brushes

I could write an entire post on brushes, but MakeUpGeek has done it for us! 

Check the list and great video here: http://www.makeupgeek.com/makeup-basics/must-have-makeup-brushes-in-your-kit/

She uses MAC and MakeUpGeek brushes for the most part, but there are certainly other brands that make great brushes.  I'd use this guide more to  know what types of brushes you need and what they're each used for.

Happy brushing!