Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock SPF 70

Hi Everyone,

I'm off to beautiful Italy tomorrow where I will be traveling on the Amalifi coast.  It will be very hot there and of course I am taking plenty of sunscreen with me.  I've just found this Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblock and am loving it. Best of all it is a dupe for some of my more expensive brands and is only $11.00 for 1.4 ounces.  It is very similar to my Prescriptives All Weather Friend which retails for $26.60 and comes in a one ounce size and my Laura Mercier Daily Face Shield which is also a one ounce size and retails for $45.00.  WOW, talk about hitting the jackpot. Great protection and a great price! This has a very light application, dries to a matte finish and works beautifully under makeup as a primer. Just remember that the SPF 70 doesn't mean you are getting double the protection of a SPF 35, the potency increases only slightly as the number goes up.  What is most important is to remember to re-apply often when you will be out in the sun all day.
Bye for now, or as they say in Italy, ARRIVEDERCI! 

Shiseido Hydro-Powder Cream Eyeshadow ~ Languid Lagoon

I wish I didn't like this so much. It's creamy, glides on my eyes, the color is dreamy and it is so expensive. $25.00 for a single eyeshadow? I know, it's Shiseido and it's fabulous, but that is 15 eyeshadows for me from my beloved NYX trios. Or, 5 shadows from my new favorite Mark (Avon) eyeshadows. (Check out the Mark shadow in Pool, it's a pretty close dupe to this color. 

Having said my peace about the price I have to admit I'd buy another color in this line. The colors are so lush, so Vincent Van Gogh like ( my favorite artist).  Shiseido hooked me in the minute they put this display up at my local department store and I walked by. 

If you are going to splurge on one makeup item, this is it. 

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow

Hi Everyone,

This is an eyeshadow you simply have to try. I bought it in Mocha Motion and really love the consistency and wear of these shadows. I was determined to find an drugstore eyeshadow to review and recommend on my youtube channel. Yes, I still love all my other shadows but this really is amazing for under $5.00. If you are new to eyeshadow, this quad is a must. They've imprinted where to put each shadow (Lid/Crease/Brow Bone/Outer Corner) right into the shadow itself. Genius!

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear spf 50 Tinted Moisturizer

Hooray!

I found my summer foundation, Physicians Formula Healthy Wear spf50 Tinted Moisturizer. Phew! Trying saying that three times fast :)
I love that is has spf 50 and still manages not to smell like sunscreen. The finish is a bit dewey, which I personally don't mind in the summer, and can be finished off with your favorite powder if you like a more matte look. The only downside I've heard is the color selection. Truthfully though, this is a problem with tinted moisturizers in general. The Korres tinted moisturizer, which I didn't like at all, is also limited in colors and sells for more than twice the price.

I bought this in the lightest shade, Light to Fair, and have  read that some people are saying that this is a pretty good dupe for the Laura Mercier's tinted moisturizer spf 20 oil free in nude. Works for me, the Laura Mercier is $42.00 for 1.7 ounces and the Physicians Formula is around $13.00 for 1 ounce, depending on where you buy it. Oh, and did I mention this is a drugstore item so I bet you can find it at an even better price, check your weekly flyers.

I've been wearing this the past few days with my Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder, another tongue twister, and love the look. Did I say summer foundation? I think this may become my year round, HG, foundation.

Korres Monoi Oil Bronzer

Hi Everyone,

I was shopping in Sephora and checking out the Korres Tinted Moisturizer when the sales associate recommended I buy their Bronze and Protect Trio, a $66.00 value on special for $29.50. The package consisted of a 1.01 ounce Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer, a .34 ounce Mini Face Primer and .39 ounce Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder. I bought it in Sunglow Light. I'm trying out the tinted moisturizer (spf 30) and I want to wear it for awhile before I share my feelings. The Bronzer, however, I can't wait to tell you about. I love it! I love the consistency, I love the packaging, I love the feel of it on my skin and I love the color. No parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, Gmo's, petrochemicals, phthalates & triclosan.

The bronzing powder contains Monoi Oil, a non-comedogenic Tahitian oil that hydrates and nourishes the skin. I love the look of it on my skin. As advertised, my skin looks "sun kissed" with a natural bronzed look that lasts the whole day. I think I found my HG bronzer for the summer!

Dry Skin Saver- Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly

Hi Everyone,

I absolutely love this product. Never a fan of Vaseline, I was so happy to find this alternative. Did you know that the raw material for petroleum jelly was discovered in 1859 in Pennsylvania on one of the country's first oil rigs? Yech!  I always wondered why the product couldn't be made without the oil and "Voila" I found Alba Un-Petroleum Jelly. This does everything Vaseline does, and in my opinion, does it better. It is made from only pure oils and natural waxes. Best of all it's CHEAP! It does everything too. It moisturizes your skin, prevents chafing and windburn, will remove eye make-up and, of course, is great for dry skin. (Okay, it's good for babies bottoms too, but this is a beauty blog). Oh, and throw it over your favorite lipstick instead of lipgloss for a beautiful look and soft conditioned lips.Have I convinced you yet to give it a try? I hope so. :D

Clarisonic Mia

Hi Everyone,

After I posted my "Never Have I Ever" video, which included never trying a Clarisonic, I got several "Why Not?" responses. Why not indeed? I had heard so many raving reviews and clearly needed to check it out for myself. I spent some time reading about the different choices, looked up other reviews and settled on the Clarisonic Mia. The Mia is the baby sister of the popular Clarisonic Face brush. It comes with only one cleaning head and is designed for sensitive skin. While advertised to be used with their own cleansing products, I decided that one new product on my face at a time was enough and opted to use my own daily wash. Okay, I'm hooked. I love how it leaves my face feeling so smooth and soft. I also love how my other skin care products seem to be absorbed into my skin faster and more evenly. I did read several negative reviews and have concluded that those reviewers may have been making the following mistakes. First, don't initially use their cleanser, you are introducing two new products to your skin at once and your skin needs time to adapt to the machine first. Second, don't press the Clarisonic into your face, it is designed to do the work for you and you just have to hold it to your face and let it do it's magic. Next, don't use it longer than recommended. The Mia is set to run for one minute and that is definately enough time. Lastly, don't use it every day or twice a day to start. Always give your skin a chance to adapt to any new products, electric or liquid. I'm glad I put it on my "Never Have I Ever" video and I'm glad everyone asked "Why?" Now on to check out what else should come off of that list!