Revlon Photoready BB Cream

                                                                         1 fl oz

I picked this up on Saturday, while I was at Rite Aid.  I was actually looking to pick up the Garnier BB cream (original formula), but this caught my eye.  I'm a huge fan of Revlon products.  I really love their Photoready Airbrush Foundation.  I've repurchased that numerous times.  (That's a go-to foundation for me!)  I've also tried the Colorstay foundation in the past, and I really liked it as well.  I was debating between trying this and the Maybelline, but based off of the research that I'd done and reviews,  I thought that the Revlon would suit me better.  The Maybelline one was said to be very sheer.  Even though the Revlon cost more than the Maybelline, I've had bad luck with Maybelline face products in the past, and I didn't want to try the chance.  (Also, I didn't want to get anything with next to nothing coverage.  I like some coverage.)  This was $10.99 at Rite Aid, and $8.99 at Walmart.  However, with my Revlon coupon and 20% off that I received by using my Wellness cared, I got this for $6.54! (Huge Steal!)  (I like to purchase face products at Rite Aid because of the awesome return policy.)

I've been using this since Saturday (it's now Tuesday night), and I'm really pleased with this product.  It has good coverage.  It doesn't just even out skintone, but it covers flaw and imperfections as well.  I don't really need to conceal when I use this.  I've used this with and without a setting powder (MAC Studio Careblend & Mark Matte-nificent).  When I wore this without a powder, I didn't have to blot at all.  When I used the powders over top, I did have to blot my t-zone halfway throughout the day.  I like to set it with a powder for more coverage when I go to work.  

I love how this makes my skin feel so soft.  It's very hydrating, without feeling greasy.  This doesn't feel heavy on the skin or make it feel greasy or oily.  It doesn't give so much of a dewy finish.  It's more of demi/matte-natural finish.  I love how natural this looks- like my skin only better (more awake/polished).  My skin is very sensitive & this didn't irritate it.  My skin feels softer, smoother, and healthier in just the 4 days that I've used it. 

I'm not sure if this really has all of the skincare benefits and anti-aging properties that a true BB cream is supposed to, but sure is an amazing tinted moisturizer.  I've been looking for a more affordable dupe for my NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer, and I think I found it! 

Shades: Light, Light/Medium, Medium
The Shades run dark! I'm NC40 in MAC Studio Fix Fluid & NW40 in Studio Sculpt.  I wear Medium/Deep in Garnier tinted moisturizers.  The medium in this suits me, but it's still a tad bit dark (but it works!).  I could prob get away with a light/medium in this.  Something to consider before you purchase.  

Olay Shine,Shine Go Away Cleanser & Long Live Moisture Satin Finish Lotion Review

 

I saw these new Olay Fresh Effects products at Target, and the cute packaging caught my eye.  It's fun and youthful.  I've been loving the sample of the Clinique Foaming Rinse Off Cleanser that my aunt gave me (free gift with her Clinique purchase), but I'm almost out of the sample and didn't want to shell out $20 for a full sized tube of it.  I'm thrifty when it comes to skincare products.  I usually go with Clean & Clear, Purpose, Cetaphil, Noxema, etc (drugstore products).  The most expensive skincare products that I've tried were Benefit (which were sent to me for free) and a Boscia moisturizer (which was amazing and a gift).  I like to look for good deal when it comes to cleansers, and honestly, I don't usually moisturize.  

My skin has been combo/oily lately.  It's also sensitive (always has been).  My forehead and cheeks are dry and my t-zone has been oily.  I've had to blot sometimes several times a day in my t-zone (hate doing that).  The Shine, Shine Go Away really caught my eye because it's suppose to minimize shine.  Sometimes, the Purpose cleanser, that I often use, can dry out my skin.  This stuff is a creamy formula, as opposed to the liquid formula of Purpose, so I figured that this wouldn't be so drying.  The Shine, Shine Go Away cleanser can be used as a mask or regular cleanser.  It's foaming.  My skin feels very clean and soft when I use this, and not drying at all.  Doesn't feel greasy at all or leave a residue like some cleansers can.  I used this last night, and I only had to blot one time today.  So far I really like this cleanser.

I know I mentioned that I don't usually moisturize my face, but I know that I should.  I moisturize my body after a bath or shower, so why not moisturize my face after I wash it?! I'm not getting any younger, and I know I look younger than what I am and want to keep my skin looking soft and youthful.  I don't like heavy moisturizers.  Sometimes they can be too moisturizing or feel greasy.  This Fresh Effects moisturizer is definitely not your mother and grandmother's Olay!  I have used the original Olay Complete moisturizer and also the sensitive skin formulas.  The original Olay moisturizer (that's been around for YEARS) is a lot more moisturizing and a lot thicker than the Fresh Effects.  The Olay Complete is definitely more of a night moisturizer, and I recommend that one for dry skin.  However, since I have combo skin, I want something more lightweight.  I don't want a heavy moisturizer or something that feels greasy.  (Although, the Olay Complete never felt greasy on me; it was a lot more moisturizing than the Fresh Effects.) I really love how lightweight the Fresh Effects moisturizer is.  It reminds me of the Benefit Triple Moisture Emulsion (which I really loved when I sampled it, but didn't love the price!).  A lightweight moisturizer is just what I need for my skin type. I used this before bed after cleansing with the Shine, Shine Go Away.  This made my skin feel refreshed and moisturized, without feeling greasy.  I love it! This would be a great daytime moisturizer as well!  

I feel like this line is great for younger skin or for combo/oily skin types! It is pricer than the regular Olay products.  The Olay Complete lotion is around $7.99-$8.99.  The Fresh Effects Long Live Moisture is $12.99 at Target & $14.99 at drugstore.com (worth the splurge!), and the Shine,Shine Go Away cleanser is $5.99 at Target & $7.99 at drugstore.com.  This line also has an exfoliating cleanser and a BB Cream as well.  Definitely worth checking out! 

*My 25th Bday Out of the Day!*

My 25th birthday was on Sunday, Feb 10th, and this was my outfit of the day!

Sweater Slub Knit Side Ruched Dolman Sweater *fresh mint*- Express

Stella Brushed Sateen Legging *mint green*- Express

Boots- American Eagle 

Ring- Rue 21

Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream Oil Free Medium/Deep

MAC Giggly Blush

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Aquarius, Benefit They're Real Mascara (LOVE!)

Earrings: Charlotte Russe

1st Impressions & Comparison: Garnier Skin Review BB Cream *Oil Free*

                   (me wearing the oil free version on Sunday *my 25th bday!*)

I tried out a sample of the original version in medium/deep first and wore it all day and all night on Saturday.  I really liked the lasting powder (lasted all day and night), finish (natural finish-"my skin only better look"), and the fact that it had great oil control (didn't have to blot at all all day or night).  My skin is sensitive, and the original didn't break me out. 

I had purchase this in the oil free formula in the same shade and tried it out Sunday and Monday.  The oil free version is said to help control oil and is for combination/oily skin.  Believe it or not, the original version controlled oil better for me than the oil free version made for oily skin! I had to blot my t-zone about once when I wore this on Sunday (did not use a powder to set this that day).  On Monday, when I wore this to work, I set it with MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder, and I had to blot my face 3 times! (Not happy about that!)  I feel like the original version had better oil control for me personally.  (Everyone's skin is different.)  Also, I feel like the oil free version may have broken me out (would have though that the oil free would have been better for my skin!).  My skin is still acting up after I stopped using it (used the NARS Pure Radiant tinted moisturizer yesterday and today).  My skin is a little better today though.  I can not say for sure if it was the oil free version that was breaking me out.  I have sensitive skin and was also breaking out in small hives (which I think is from eating too much grapefruit for the past week).  I did cut the grapefruit out and didn't have any today, which I think may have helped.  I will try the oil free again in the future to see if it was really breaking me out. However, I think that I'm going to purchase the original version because I liked the finish and how it performed better than the oil free. 

1st Impressions: Garnier Skin Renewal Miracle BB Cream

Garnier Skin Renewal Miracle BB Cream

*original version*

~*medium/deep*~

(wearing Garnier BB Cream, Covergirl & Olay Concealer Balm, Stila Illuminating Powder Bronze (cheeks), Benefit Bella Bamba Blush, NYC Lippin Large Lip Plumper Pink Champagne, Urban Decay Aquarius Eyeshadow (over top of L'Oreal Linear Intense Felt Tip Liner, Benefit They're Real Mascara)

I tried a sample of this in medium/deep on a card that was in a magazine, just out of curiosity. I've seen the American BB creams in drugstores for months now but never had the desire to try one. I never saw the point in them because they seen like glorified tinted moisturizers. I'm glad I tried this one though. I love how it looks like my natural skin, only better. This evens out skintone and gives my skin a more polished, glowing looking. Has nice coverage too!

I've now had this on for 10 1/2 hours, and it still looks as fresh as it did when I first applied! I didn't even have to set this with my MAC Studio Careblend pressed powder, which I use everyday to set my makeup with. I usually use the Careblend pressed powder to add more coverage. I'm surprised at how well this covers, while still looking so natural! Also, I didn't have to blot my face at all! Huge plus! I absolutely love not having to blot my t-zone. (that gets so annoying!). i liked this so much upon application (loved the way that it looked) that I ran out to Walmart (only 5 min away) and purchased this in the oil free version.  (I chose to try the oil free version because I like to stick with oil free products & my t-zone tends to get oily about halfway through the day.)It was $11.97 for 2 oz, which is a steal. Compared to other foundations/tinted moisturizers/bb creams, where you only get 1 oz. (NARS Sheer Glow is $42 for 1 oz!) Love the tube as well. I think I may have found a more 
affordable dupe to my NARS Pure Radiant TM. 

Favorite Eyeliner Ever! *Covergirl LiquiLine Blast*

These liners are absolutely amazing.  I've tried the violet, green, black, and silver shades so far, and these liners have awesome staying power.  The black one is always sold out every time that I go to Rite Aid or Walmart.  I recently picked up the Green Glow & Silver Spark.  This is my second time purchased the green shade.  It's a gorgeous, vibrant lime green color (reminds me of Urban Decay).  The pigmentation is great, and the best part is, these last all day long.  I line both my top and bottom lashline with this liner, and it does not budge at all! I have had issues with eyeliners in the past (*Maybelline*cough cough!) that smudge or fade like crazy on the inner part on the bottom and on the waterline.  I don't have to worry about these smudging or fading off throughout the day.  I usually apply my makeup around 8am on a workday and remove it around 11:30pm (something's even midnight).  15 hours with no budging or fading= pretty darn AMAZING!!!
This is my first time trying the silver shade.  It's more of a grey color with silver sparkles throughout- gorgeous!! The silver is perfect for a smokey eye look and suitable for day as well as night.  (I've worn both colors to work.)  The silver is also a nice alternative for when you don't want to use black liner.  

Here are swatches of both the Silver Spark & The Green Glow:

FOTD Friday: 2/8/13 Ft. NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

(wearing NARS Pure Radiant in St Moritz, MAC Supercontinental Blush, Covergirl LiquiLine Blast (green glow), Maybelline eyeshadow (blue), Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara, NYC lip plumper Pink Champagne) 

 I decided to pull out my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (a staple this past Summer) and use it today, because I haven't used it in a while.  It was my go-to tinted moisturizer this Summer.  I love how it's not super sheer, like many tinted moisturizers out there, and it's not greasy/oily.  It does not make me oily, and actually keeps my face from getting oily throughout the day.  The main reason why I haven't been using this a lot is the price.  It's $42 a pop, and I noticed that there's not much left in the tube.  If I used this daily, it would get expensive to keep repurchasing.  (I purchased it during a beauty.com friends & family sale with 20% off. I wouldn't pay full price.)

I've been looking for something with a more natural, lighter coverage than what I've been using throughout the Winter.  I love the glow that this gave my skin! Usually, I have to blot my t zone by midday.  I only had to blot today 1 x around 6 pm (i put this one at 8am & usually have to blot by 3pm with other products).  There was barely any oil on my blotting paper, which was a huge plus!

I wore this from 8am to 12:50am.  I touched up my face with the MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder (which I set this with) around 6pm, when I was out and wanted some more coverage.

This very lightweight and blends nicely.  It makes my skin feels soft.  My favorite part about this foundation is the natural glow this gifts my skin.  This also has amazing coverage for a tinted moisturizer.  This is great for the "my skin only better" natural look.  Makes a great base for bronzer/blush as well!! I'm definitely going to start using this again and repurchase during another Friends & Family sale.

Benefit They're Real Mascara Review

I received the travel size of this, along with an itty bitty sample size of the Watt's Up Highlighter as my Sephora birthday gift.  I've been curious about this and wanting to try this since it first came out, so I was happy that this was my free gift.  I'm always on the search for something that gives me super long lashes (the false lash look).  My lashes are naturally short, and I hate fussing with false lashes.  I've been  so many drugstore mascaras and even the famous (& expensive) Diorshow (which didn't impress me).  None of those mascaras gave me the false lash look I was looking for (not even the L'oreal False Lash mascara).  I wanted to know if this really did live up to the hype of giving the false lash look.

Verdict:

This really gives me the false lash dramatic look that I've been on the search for for YEARS!!!

I was so impressed! I love the flexible wand too! It's sized perfectly for getting the bottom lashes, as well.  This gives my lashes crazy length! This really does live up to the hype!

The only downside I can find to this mascara is the price.  It's $23 for the full size and $10 for the deluxe travel size. 

I will be purchasing this in the future because I love the look that it gives to my lashes. 

A+ for Benefit!