While I've already written about a plethora of products that I enjoyed this past year, I've been lucky enough to try quite a few others that haven't made it to the blog just yet. Some I loved, some...not so much. Quick thoughts on those below...here are 15 products for 2015!
1. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation
In a word...nope. Not for me, anyway. This foundation was watery, looked yellow on me (either the tones are very yellow or it oxidizes weirdly), and didn't do anything for my skin.
2. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation
In another word...still, nope. Still yellowy. This one is thicker and more long-wear, and I did like the finish better than the first, but it was still not flattering.
3. Chanel Perfection Lumiere Long-Wear Foundation
My girl at our Chanel counter (Meray) was sweet enough to do my makeup for our holiday photos, and she used this foundation. I've tried it a couple of times now and it's pretty spot on. My only (small) issue is that I seem to be between two colors, but that's my problem. The foundation itself is great. Good coverage, long wear. Highly recommend. $57
4. Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner & Les 4 Ombres Eyeshadow Quad
I love Chanel's eye makeup overall. This liner goes on smoothly and stays on, and comes in great shades. The eye shadows come in gorgeous in-style shades with lots of pigment - they also stay on, especially with a good eye primer. I had some people ask how to get the eyes I had on in my holiday photos..well, these are how. Liner $32, shadow quads $61
5. Chanel Lotion Douceur Toner - Balance + Anti Pollution
Everyone knows I adore a good toner, and this one is pretty excellent. I can wash my face at night really well, wake up in the morning and use this, and it still brings off dead skin and other buildup from products. It doesn't feel astringent at all; it's very gentle. Definitely recommend...and the bottle is really big. $45
6. Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer
When I ran out of primer, I decided to give this one a whirl. It fills in fine lines and pores for a very smooth, perfected look, and it does help my foundation last longer. Some other primers offer a bit more benefit, like anti-aging, sun protection, or color correction, so I can't say this is the BEST primer, but at $35, it's really affordable and worth the cost.
7. Clarisonic Brush Head Collection
I am already obsessed with the Clarisonic (refer to earlier blog post), and was excited to learn that changing the brush head type actually makes a pretty big difference. I decided to go with the deep pore cleansing brush, and was a little skeptical about it feeling very different - and I was happily proven wrong. Brushes are $27 to $30; they recommend changing every 3 months, but they really last at least 6 months for me. Brushes are available for sensitive skin, delicate cleansing, radiance, deep pore, and acne.
8. Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup
Mixed feelings on this - great if you want a little coverage/evening, but prefer the "no makeup" look and feel. Very sheer and fairly invisible. I personally like a hair more coverage, but if you're into this look/feel, it's a good product. $37
9. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Powder
I have to buy powder once every 2 years (maybe), and this time around, I went with Double Wear. Goes on smooth, doesn't dry out, stays on. That's what most of us need from a powder compact, right? DW is enough coverage to be worn alone if you prefer, as well...but I use only a tad for touch ups. $40
10. Origins Checks & Balances Frothy Face Wash
While I am not super picky about cleansers, I prefer not to use drugstore brands (too harsh or drying), and I like something that smells fresh, works well in hands or with the Clarisonic, and cleans everything off my face! This cleanser fits the bill, and since Origins is all natural, I feel good about using it. It helps balance combination skin. It's also great for men, dissolving dirt and oil without a feminine scent. $21.50
11. Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
I knew this mask had a bit of a cult following, and now I know why. The Origins description really says it best:
When
environmental toxins, dirt and debris get under your skin, its
waste-filtering system gets jammed, pores get clogged, skin looks
cloudy. Nature’s complexion clean-up crew gets to the bottom of skins
overcast condition and clears the way for it to act its best. Activated
Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers,
White China Clay absorbs environmental toxins, Lecithin dissolves
impurities. Without all that “stuff” down there, skin “breathes a sigh
of relief.” And...it works. I use it once a week and have noticed a marked difference. In fact, I think I'll use it today. $25
12. Origins Modern Friction Nature's Microdermabrasion
Another product with a big following...and I'm a fan. Again, I love the Origins info:
Here’s age-smoothing exfoliation without irritation. Skin-refining Rice
Starch, cushioned in cream, shows real affinity for rapidly removing
sluggish cells, uneven patches and signs of skin damage and
discolorations. Lemon Oil kick starts the process of illumination.
Another age-sweeping action: skin-menacing molecules are mopped up. All
while Aloe keeps skin calm and comfy. There’s no ouch, extra steps or
other complications. No redness or flaking follows. Signs of fine lines and size of pores
appear to shrink in size. Skin looks polished, smooth and
luminous. And the perk-me-up aromas of Bergamot and Peppermint help you
look on the bright side. Best for all skin types. Couldn't have said it better. It lives in my shower now. $39.50
13. Origins High Potency Night-a-Mins
While this night cream isn't quite as moisturizing as some heavier options, it does moisturize - but it really brightens, I notice a difference in the morning. It's most definitely like a vitamin dose for your face. Put
dullness to rest. Wake up radiant & refreshed. Now nature's famed
night cream is fortified with a system of time-released
resurfacers plus Vitamins C, E & H, minerals & moisture-rich
replenishers. While relaxing aromas lull you to sleep, skin sloughs away
dry, dead layers. Deletes dullness. 98% of those who tested it
agreed-skin was renewed and refreshed in the AM. Helps the slumber
deprived wake up on the bright side of the bed. $41
14. Origins Blade Runner Energizing Shave Cream
For the men out there, Origins makes a cream shave that my husband has decided is pretty fantastic. It creates a friction-free shave so the razor isn't pulling the hairs and smells nice. Also has some skin boosting ingredients...good for those men who refuse to use moisturizer, right? (And yes, I use my husband as a test subject for men's products) $16
15. Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion
Last, but certainly not least, eye primer has become a must-have for anyone who wears eye makeup. I gave my sister some for Christmas, and these are her words to me: "You weren't kidding about that Urban Decay eye primer. I used it last night for my NYE eye makeup, and it looked like I had just put it on when I woke up this morning! Sparkly eyes first thing in the morning. And yes, I went to bed with my makeup on. It was NYE. Sue me." That says is all, right? $20, and the small tube will last a long time.
There we have it. 2015. Fifteen product reviews. Any favorites here, ladies (and gents)?
J.
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!
