/ Reviews

I’m not #BeautyBella so you know I am not one to recommend any beauty products I myself haven’t tried and love. I’ve raved about Benefit’s Big Beautiful Eyes and that is still the most constant in my routine. Since that post, I’ve changed cleansing and make-up.My face really started to react to the Neutrogena Bar so I had to stop using it. Then it started to react to the moisturizer I was using so I had to switch as well. I’m currently using CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Eucerin Moisturizer but the CeraVe doesn’t remove all my make-up and the Eucerin, though it has an SPF, does not hydrate my skin very well. It tends to dry out during the day so I have to re-apply.

Enter L’Occitane. I’ve been using the hand cream here and there, especially in Winter for a few years now. Though there is a store here, I had no idea what else they sold. One day last week, I ventured in, since I needed to buy a larger tube of the hand cream and was hoping to find a hand soap for the guest bathroom. I found way more than I needed and unexpectedly found some new cleansing products.

I’m all for samples and was given several different ones with my purchase. I did see the Shea Cleansing Oil and the SA raved about it, and advised me on how to use it. Rub a single pump onto a dry face, including over your closed eyes to get to the eye make-up and mascara. Let it sit for a minute and then wet your hands and rub your face again to form a small lather. Rinse and you’re done. Not only did it gently remove all my make-up it, my face felt amazing after I used it. It wasn’t dried out and I almost went without moisturizer. That’s how great it felt.

 

The SA then gave me some samples of the Divine Cream. Wow! Seriously amazing stuff. After washing my face with the Cleansing Oil I put on the Divine Cream and my face felt even more amazing…very clean and moisturized. I should have been more stingy with my samples as I had no idea how much it was. As far as I’m concerned it’s worth the price and have already bought the full-sized jar, along with getting a few more samples for travelling.

Lastly, I bought the Foot Cream. It’s just as amazing as the hand cream. I failed to keep up with my foot care and have some rough heels right now. After 4 nights of using the foot cream, my rough heels are softening up. I’ll be sandal ready in no time.

I wore full make-up every day for 4 days and the Cleansing Oil and Divine Cream (until I ran out) were the only cleanser and moisturizer I used. My skin will react within a day, even when I do take my medication for Rosacea, if it doesn’t like what I’m using so I know these are keepers. I seriously wouldn’t recommend any of these products if I didn’t feel they were worth it. Especially with my very sensitive, Rosacea-inflamed skin.

I received several various samples and so I put them in the guest room and guest bathroom for that use. Sample and travel sizes are always fun to have and they have quite a few different packs to choose from as well.

I’ll stick with the skincare for now but may venture on to body cleansing and hair care. Did you know they have that stuff too?

Have a Great Day! Stay warm!

 

Follow me on…
 
/ Uncategorized

I am not, by any means, venturing into Beauty Blogging. There are way too many talented people out there who do a great job. But I do like to see what people use, especially on a regular basis so I’m going to show you mine.

I developed Rosacea a few years ago and my doctor recommended using a mineral foundation instead of liquid. He also put me on Oracea and a metro gel. The metro gel dries out my face so I use it sparingly instead of twice daily. One tried-and-true item that works for me is the Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar. It keeps my flare-ups to a minimum, especially when I miss taking the Oracea.

I’m still trying to find all my favorites to use but this is what I use right now. I start with Smashbox Photo Finish Color Corrector and then add my Philosophy Hope in a Jar A to Z Cream in Medium. Next is my Benefit Boi-ing Concealer. I am so happy Benefit added more shades as the Medium is perfect. Some days I’ll add the concealer under the A to Z Cream and that will be it for the day. My absolute favorite eye shadow is in the Benefit Big Beautiful Eyes. The pink alabaster shade is my FAVORITE EVER. I’ve tried to find something similar in other brands but it’s just not the right shade of pink. I use every single bit of this shadow until the container is empty. I use the second shade on my crease most of the time and rarely use the third dark brown shade. I really with Benefit would just make the pink alabaster shade and sell it separately. I’d buy it in bulk!

I curl my lashes with a heated curler and only add mascara when I’m going out. I use one of three lip items with my favorite being the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel-Ami. It is the perfect neutral lip color for me. I also use Fresh Sugar Rose’ and Benetint.

When I need a little more coverage I will use a pressed foundation that I apply with a mineral brush. Currently I’m trying out Cover FX and Studio Fix by MAC. I prefer the MAC but I still think both colors are a little light for my skin. When I take pics I can see a difference in my face color and my arms or legs or even neck. I’ve noticed that Benefit’s PoreFessional gives additional coverage to my Rosacea Flare-ups so I’ll add that on top of the Smashbox Primer when needed.

The Urban Decay Naked3 Pallette is great to keep your eyes neutral but still add a bit of fun. I don’t really venture too much from neutrals on the eyes. My go-to mascara is They’re Real by Benefit. If I’m in a hurry I can use this without curling my lashes.

See my brand new Big Beautiful Eyes! That pink alabaster will be gone in a few months. 

Right now I keep everything on the counter in a Cosmetic Organizer I found on Amazon. (similar here, here and here) I didn’t mention blush but right now I’m using Sephora MicroSmooth Baked Blush Duo in Rose Emotion. It’s coming out very pink so I have to tone it down with a little more MAC or Cover FX. I think I need to switch to Guava Glow. I had a MAC Blush I loved from year’s ago but frustratingly can’t remember it. 
Benefit’s Erase Paste does wonders to my dark circles and I’ll use that as needed too. 

So that’s my make-up routine. I would love to hear what you use. I am actually hearing great things about IT Cosmetics and their Redness Correcting Creme and Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer, my two biggest problem areas.