Category: Skin Care Reviews

Neutrogena Hydro Boost

Neutrogena Hydro Boost
My skin is a pain to deal with the best weather conditions but summer and winter are especially difficult. With extreme combination skin I get dry and flaky in the winter and oily but dehydrated in the summer and I’ve never found a moisturizer that really fixed my summer issues, until now.
Hydro Boost Gel Cream Eye
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye
I don’t use eye cream as regularly as someone in their thirties probably should but the Hydro Boost Gel Cream Eye is so cooling that I’ve been using it a lot. It absorbs instantly and really refreshes my eyes so much that the moisture my skin is getting is really an added bonus.
Hydro Boost Gel Cream
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream
This gel cream moisturizer has literally saved my skin this summer. My skin gets pretty oily but dehydrated at the same time and using a moisturizer meant for dry or oily skin gives me a whole new set of problems. For some reason Hydro Boost fixes the issues I have without adding more. The texture is incredible, it just melts into my skin and the Hyaluronic Acid keeps me moisturized without being greasy. It smells amazing as well. I’m so far deep into my first jar I’m definitely going to end up repurchasing a second.

I don’t know how my skin survived summer without Hydro Boost but luckily it won’t have to anymore and there’s a version for extra dry skin that I’m saving for winter. I’m betting it’ll work just as well.

Karora Express Bronzing Mousse

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Summertime means golden skin and gorgeous tans, but we all know it’s not safe to stay in the sun all day. I’m trying to be better at keeping my skin safe. This year I am trying self-tanners instead of harmful UVs. I pulled out the bottle of Karora Express Bronzing Mousse that I have been saving for this season.

Karora’s bronzing mousse is easy to use. I know that people get scared about tanning at home, but it doesn’t have to be like the pictures you see online of tanning gone wrong.

Get yourself a bronzing mitt first. Pump the Karora mousse on the mitt and then spread it on your skin. The mousse spreads ok, but not great, so make sure that your skin is well moisturized.  Spread it all over your body.  It should only take a few minutes to get it all over.

You will need to wait a few minutes for it to dry before getting dressed. This is where I had a bit of trouble with the Karora Express Bronzing Mousse. Unlike other bronzers this one didn’t dry quickly. It remained tacky. It was sticky for so long that I ended up just getting dressed. You should probably get dressed in something dark and loose. While the Karora bronzer doesn’t spread, you still don’t want to risk it.

Then you wait. I am cautious, so I only waited an hour. The mousse says that you can leave it on for up to three hours for a darker tan. I chose the shorter time because I didn’t know how strong this mousse is. After the time, you just have a normal shower to rinse everything off.

When I first looked at my skin, I wasn’t impressed with the results. You have to give it some time though. It keeps getting darker after rinsing. A few hours later I had a nice glow on my skin. It looked great. I actually wished I had left it on longer. It’s nice that I can just do it again though and keep my skin looking great all summer.

Clarins Sun Protection Collection

clarins sun oil spray moisturizer sunscreen copy

It’s time to start protecting myself from the sun while relaxing on the patio, so I tried three of Clarins’ sun protection products on my skin to stay safe.

I started with the Clarins Sunscreen Care Oil Spray. It’s weird using oil as sunscreen. You usually think of oiling up before you go out into the sun as a bad thing. This has an SPF of 30, so it’s pretty good for being out on the patio during the day. I didn’t really like the way it felt on my skin. All day my skin felt a bit greasy. I couldn’t shake the feeling of it on my skin. I am sure there are people who will love this spray oil sunscreen, but I prefer a cream version.

For your face there is the little Sunscreen Stick for Sensitive Areas. This sunscreen is great! I love how convenient it is. You can apply this stick in seconds on your face, throw it in your purse and go. It’s easy and effective leaving you no reason not to wear sunscreen.

Finally, we get to my favourite product, the After Sun Self-Tanning Moisturizer. A long day in the sun tends to dry out my skin and I am adamant about applying moisturizer afterwards. I like it that there is now a moisturizer made especially for these times. It’s even better that it also helps to enhance any tan or glow I got from all of the sunshine. It really does help any bronzing look richer.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Cleansers

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Boosters Cleansers copy

Neutrogena has released their new Healthy Skin Booster line of cleansers just in time to freshen up for the season. The two new face cleaners have a fresh and bright smell of white tea and lemon. It’s really refreshing for summer.

For everyday use there is the daily cleanser. It leaves you face feeling clean without ever drying it out. Your face feels dewy, clean and moisturized after using.

For a tougher clean there is the exfoliating scrub. I have pretty tough skin, but cleansers are the one thing that makes my face dry. This new
 Scrub never makes my face feel tight and uncomfortable.

If you are in need of a new cleanser for the summer, try Neutrogena’s for something strong and gentle at the same time.

Lise Watier Lift & Firm 3D Ultra Firming Rejuvenating Eye Cream

lise watier eye cream review

I am going to be honest and admit that I always thought eye creams were a money grab. I always assumed that you could use your regular moisturizer. I figured as I got older bags and dark circles were inevitable. I would still go through phases of using them just to entertain the idea that there was life without dark circles. For the first time ever, I am seeing real results thanks to Lise Watier.

I had this little eye cream for a long time before I started using it. Like I said, I didn’t have any faith in it, so why rush. I used it once or twice before I started to give it a real commitment. After I started using it regularly I started thinking, ‘Gee, I look good today’ or ‘Hmm, I look younger.’ I didn’t think much of it. That wasn’t until I started noticing that the dark circles I have had around my eyes for my entire life were getting lighter.

This wasn’t just age it was erasing, but darkness I can always remember having. The skin under my eyes looks and feels tighter as well. I wish I had a before and after picture, but I didn’t take a picture because I didn’t expect it to work.

I wouldn’t consider myself old just yet, but this Lise Watier eye cream is already making me look younger. As a part of the Lift & Firm 3D collection, I wish I had the other products in the line to see what else it could do for me!  I am ready for old age now! Nothing can stop these eyes!

Micellar Face Cleaners Most Wanted

Regular soap sometimes feels like it’s a thing of the past. Micellar cleansers are the latest and hottest way to clean your face. Micelles are molecules in the cleansers that eat up fatty acids like makeup, dust and anything else on the skin. We tried four top micellar products all with different pros to see who should use which one.

marcelle micellar

Quick & Easy – Marcelle 3 In 1 Micellar Solution

The best part about cleaning your face with a micellar solution is how easy it is. Marcelle has made it as easy as you can get with their pump system. Just apply it onto your cotton pad with a couple of pumps and wipe your face clean. It removes your makeup and gets your face clean in seconds.

loreal-Sublime-Cleansers-Micellar-Gelee-Eye-Makeup-Remover

Specialized – L’Oreal Paris Sublime Soft Micellar Gelee Eye Makeup Remover

While other micellar cleaners remove all of your makeup, this one is specialized to only remove eye makeup. This is a gel based remover that is thicker than other micellar products. It’s just as easy though. Less is more with this cleaner as you want to use a little to remove any mascara you have. It’s tougher to remove waterproof makeup, but it still does the trick.

Simple-Micellar-Cleansing-Water

Au Naturale – Simple Cleansing Micellar Water

If you want something simple and gentle, but still effective this is the cleaner for you. This version of micellar water is easy to use. It’s water based, so you should be careful when you are putting it on the cotton pad, but otherwise it’s so easy to use! You just wipe away your makeup, no rinsing required. This version is great because it has no dyes or perfumes and nothing that can irritate your skin.

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Most Moisturizing  – Vichy Purete Thermale Beautifying Cleansing Micellar Oil

This micellar cleaner is the most different from the rest. Unlike the others this oil based cleaner requires you to rinse your face afterwards. It feels silly, but after all of these other no rinse cleanser, this one actually felt like hard work. Unlike the rest, this one leaves your skin feeling much more moisturized than the rest. It leaves your face feeling soft and smooth.

Summer Beauty Products For A Fresh Face

Summer is here and I have been stocking up on face products just waiting for those hotter days. Summer face wash, wipes, moisturizer and makeup all have different requirements than your winter products. See what I’ve been using to prep for summer 2015:

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Gentle Makeup Removing Wipes
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I don’t have sensitive skin, but you don’t need that to love using these Aveeno makeup wipes. They remove your makeup, without ever drying your face. I feel like my face is even more moisturized after using them than before. If you are prone to acne or oily skin, I might avoid using them. They are better for drier skin because of how moisturizing they are.

Vichy Thermal Spa Water

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I feel like I have found this face mist at the perfect time. It’s meant to soothe redness and irritation on your skin with a little daily spray. It is a little cool and the perfect way to start your day in the morning.

Biotherm Aquasource

Biotherm-Aquasource-Replenishing-Gel

Until Biotherm, I was pretty against gel face moisturizers. Biotherm has completely changed my mind on gel. Since I tend to have oily skin, I always thought that gel moisturizers were bad for my skin. I found out that it’s exactly the opposite. Aquasource actually helps my skin stay a bit drier and less oily. I wish the smell didn’t remind me of a Christmas tree, but otherwise I am in love.

Soap & Glory Peaches And Cream Deep Cleansing Milk 

Soap-and-Glory-Cleansing-Milk

This face wash is great because it’s at the same time soft and strong. You will first fall in love with the smell. Nothing beats the creaminess of Peaches & Cream. Next you will love the texture. It’s so rich and cream it’s hard to believe it will clean your face. Then you will love how it works. You face will feel fresh and clean without feeling too dry.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Tinted Moisturizer

Caudalie_Vinoperfect_Radiance_Tinted_Moisturizer copy

Summer is the time for sometimes skipping your foundation for something a bit lighter. This is going to be my new light product for the season. It wears somewhere between a moisturizer and a foundation. It leaves my face feeling soft, while giving great coverage. i am usually the first person to say that tinted moisturizer just isn’t enough, but this one is! My face looks great and the colour makes me look bright and healthy. I love it.

Lancome Miracle Cushion Foundation

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I didn’t get the right colour of this foundation, so I can’t give a full review, but that doesn’t make me any less excited about it. This compact foundation is one of the coolest and most innovative foundations that has been released in a long time. The package has a little cushion that your press to release a creamy liquid foundation. From the little I could try, it’s clear this foundation is easy to work and moisturizing. I can’t wait to get my hands on the right shade!

Vichy Idéalia Collection

Vichy Idealia Collection
Vichy recently announced a new Campaign, Vichy Works For Me, that lets you go through a skin diagnostic to help you choose which products will work best for you. Vichy has plenty of products to choose from, but at a recent event I was told that the Idéalia was best for my combination skin. I don’t have a lot of skin issues and the Idéalia line was made so that all women can get their ideal skin regardless of skin type or ethnicity.
Idéalia Eyes
Vichy Idealia Eyes Eye Contour Idealizer
I consider myself extremely lucky that I don’t get dark circles or bags under my eyes but I’m starting to notice a few fine lines pop up here and there and Idéalia Eyes definitely works to minimize those. It’s also extremely refreshing in the morning and brightens up my eyes so I look like I’ve gotten way more sleep than I actually have.
Idéalia Life Serum
Vichy Idealia Life Serum
This serum is unlike any other I’ve tried. There’s a pearlescent quality to it that you can see right out of the pump. I love using it under the BB Cream for added brightness but I also use it under the Skin Sleep at night.
Idéalia BB Cream in Light
Vichy Idealia BB Cream in Light
This BB Cream comes in two shades, light and medium and at first glance I thought light would be too dark for me. It’s not, it actually doesn’t leave much colour at all but completely evens out my skin tone and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and looking extremely healthy all day.
Idéalia Skin Sleep Recovery Night Gel-Balm
Vichy Idealia Skin Sleep
The newest addition to the lineup, I honestly don’t know how I lived without this gel-balm before. I noticed a difference in my skin the first time I used it. Like all the other sleep creams that have recently hit stores, Skin Sleep is made to repair your skin while you sleep and does it ever. I wake up in the morning looking like I’ve slept for ten hours instead of four. It’s extremely light and works well for my combination skin. It doesn’t dry me out or make me greasy. And it smells amazing, kind of like raspberries. This is the one product in my skin care routine that I’ll be hoarding. I’m almost through my first tub, which is saying something considering how much skin care we review, and I’ll definitely be using a second one.

From the difference I’ve noticed in my skin, the Vichy Works For Me diagnostic is clearly doing something right. If you want to try it for yourself, you can go to the Vichy Works For Me website to get your recommendations and get $20 off while you’re at it.

Look Beauty Feet Treat Foot Mask

look-beauty-foot-mask

I have never had a pedicure. I know it’s shocking! I just can’t imagine someone touching and inspecting my feet for that long. That is how I ended up with these Look beauty Feet Treat Pedi Foot Masks. It’s my own version of pampering my feet without going to the spa, because hey, my feet want some love too!

I first tried the Exfoliating Foot Mask. Despite what it says right on the front of the box, this foot mask takes longer than 30 minutes, so be ready with some time to sit and relax. This foot mask promises to help remove callouses from your feet.

I open the masks carefully, and it’s a good thing. The solution in these funny little plastic booties is a bit runny. It also smells a bit like rubbing alcohol. You might have to struggle a bit to get your feet comfortably in the boots, but once they are in, they aren’t going anywhere. I wish the solution wasn’t runny, because they I could have put my feet up. Instead I sat for an hour with my feet in these funny plastic socks filled with cold water.

When I took them off I had to rinse off my feet and then go on my way. My feet felt pretty smooth from being in the water for so long, but otherwise they felt normal.

My boyfriend was jealous of all of the pampering my feet were getting, so he opted to help out my testing by trying the Intensive Moisturizing Foot Mask. This one does take 30 minutes! These booties are filled with a thick moisturizer. I was worried that the plastic boots wouldn’t fit him, but they did. They were a bit tight on his toes, but they fit. We sat together with our funny boots on and waited. When he took his boots off, he was amazed. He works construction on his feet all day. All he could say was, wow. He said his feet had never ever been so soft. His treatment was over, but mine was just beginning.

The next morning my feet felt really tight. There was this weird sensation in the soles of my feet that was hard to describe. This soreness lasted for a few days and nothing would help it. Then about four days later, just as the package said, the bottom of my feet started peeling. Boy, oh boy, did they ever starting peeling. The entire soles of my feet were peeling off in big chunks and small flakes. Honestly, it was gross. For a few days I really did want anyone to see my feet. But after it was all done, the results were amazing. My feet felt like they had a whole new, soft skin. That’s probably because they did have a new skin.

While I might not want to do the exfoliating treatment often, they are great when your feet need serious help. I’m definitely considering stocking up!

Spring Face Masks Most Wanted – Alyssa Tries

Stephanie posted her spring face mask picks yesterday and now it’s my turn. Apparently I like my masks with tea in them.
boscia Green Tea Mattifying Hydrogel Mask
boscia Green Tea Mattifying Hydrogel Mask
This mask took a little bit of work to get used to. It’s a sheet mask but it’s got quite a slimy feel to it. Once you get it on properly and let it do it’s thing, it’s amazing. It left my skin feeling amazingly refreshed, and it was definitely mattifying. They’re only $10 CDN at Sephora so I’ve already grabbed another one. This mask comes in two other varieties as well.
StriVectin Instant Revitalizing Mask
StriVectin Instant Revitalizing Mask
This mask is probably the most classic of my picks. It applies really creamy and you only need a thin layer so a little goes a long way. It gets drier as it sets and once it’s comes off your skin feels really soft. I almost didn’t want to use moisturizer after. If you have super dry skin, I’d skip this one but for everyone else that wants really soft and glowy skin, you should take a look at this one.
Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask
Royal Apothic Cuppa Cuppa Firming Tea Treatment Mask
I adore Royal Apothic’s packaging and I love that you can buy this mask in a tub with six tubes or you can buy one individually. This mask isn’t just for your face. You can use it on your mask, neck, hands or anywhere you want a little tightening up. It has a little bit of a grain to it, so you get a good scrub when you’re removing it, which I love.
fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask
Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask
There are literally no words for how much I love this mask. The texture is so unique, almost like a whipped balm and it’s so refreshing to apply. This mask doesn’t get dry while it sets and even though it says to leave it on for 5-10 minutes, after five my skin just looks seriously fabulous. I don’t know how it works but it does. If you want hydrated, glowing skin you need to try this mask.
Lotus Aroma Pink Clay Soothing Mask
Lotus Aroma Pink Clay Soothing Mask
When my skin gets really sensitive, this is the mask I reach for. The pink clay doesn’t get overly dry but I can feel it really pulling stuff out of my skin, in a good way. the result leaves me with super smooth skin that has way less redness than before.