Archive | October 16, 2016

The POREfessional Face Primer by Benefit

Oct16

I’ve never really had a problem with big pores.  I take good care of my skin, so large pores were never an issue for me. Until menopause came knocking at my door.  Now I seem to have them on my nose. I’ve tried several different products, but nothing seemed to work.

I got a sample of The Pore Professional when I bought some Benefit products a few years ago.  I never really used it, and basically forgot I even had it. For whatever reason I looked on the Ulta website and watched a video on how to use this primer.  Turns out I was using it all wrong. Now that I learned the correct way to apply it, I love it.  It also works well for lines under your eyes, and other wrinkles you might have.  A little goes a long way.  It retails for $31 for .75 ounces. The trick is to dab a little of the product on your pores, you don’t need very much, and rubbing it in doesn’t work.

Here’s what Ulta has to say about it:

“Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals.

The POREfessional is the #1 best-selling Prestige Face Primer in the US*

*Source: The NPD Group, Inc. / BeautyTrends, US Prestige Makeup Item Dollar Sales, January 2015 – December 2015”

I’ve purchased various Benefit gift sets over the years, so I have enough to last me for a long time.  I will definitely fork over the $31 when all my little tubes run out.

Thanks for stopping by.benefit-the-pore-professional-10-16-16

 

 

Clinique Chubby Stick Lip Balm

Oct16

Happy Sunday!  Can I just say I carry way too many colors of lipstick with me. Like at least five tubes of either gloss, balm, lip stick, you name it, I carry it. Now I’m not sure why I carry so many, but I guess I’m an oddball that way.  I’ve been wearing lipstick since I was 14.

Planning a recent vacation for 10 days involved only bringing essentials, as we were staying at four hotels in two countries. I thought a colored lip balm would do the trick.  I already have several, but none of them were doing anything for me. I was at a fashion show recently and tried a Clinique Chubby Stick in Bountiful Blush  Turns out it was a great color on me, so I bought one at Ulta for $17.  Normally I wouldn’t spend that much on a lip balm, but the color looks very nice, and I was running out of time. Once this runs out I’ll find a cheaper dupe.

It’s a pretty rosy color that I think would work well on any skin tone. It’s easy to use, and you don’t need a mirror.  It’s very moisturizing and it stays on for a long time.

Here’s me in Costa Rica with a bit of a tan (very tan for me, as I don’t tan). I think it makes your teeth look whiter also.  My selfies skills suck, as my nose really isn’t that big. Oh well.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana & Dupe

Oct16

Happy Sunday!  I love perfume, especially florals. I have my go to fragrances, and seldom buy anything new.  Getting ready for a recent vacation to the tropics, I was at my favorite store, Ulta and spied a fragrance ad that caught my eye.  It was Light Blue by Dolce & Gabanna.  The models were in swimsuits and appeared to be somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. I tried it and immediately fell in love.  Not wanting to fork out $98 for a 3.3 ounce bottle, I went to Dolce & Gabana Light Blue for Women 3.3 ounces on Amazon and purchased it for $36.90, free shipping with Amazon Prime.

Next stop, I bought a travel perfume bottle to take my new favorite scent on vacation. I was at Wal-Mart buying travel size stuff and came across  Capri Breeze  I bought a small can of body spray that is .5 ounces for a $1. It smells exactly like the real thing. I even went back the next day and bought the rest of their stock, which was five cans of spray.

I took two cans on vacation, and used one up completely.  This stuff smells so good. It’s great to throw in your purse or gym bag. You can spray it all over your body.  I’ve never used a body spray before, and enjoyed how easy it is to use.  No dripping or getting too much on.

These travel size body sprays would make great gifts, along with being a good stocking stuffer.  When my 3.3 ounce bottles runs out, I’ll definitely be buying the bigger size Capri Breeze which is only $2.98 for 2.5 ounces.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Powder Foundation

Oct16

Happy Sunday!  I’m finally getting back into the  swing of things after being on vacation for 10 days.

Being an avid beauty junkie, I’m always on the lookout for the next best thing. About two months ago, I started using Maybelline Superstay Better Skin skin transforming powder in Classic Ivory.  I purchased it at Ulta for $10.99.  I try to use a foundation with an SPF of at least 30, along with a moisturizer with at least a SPF of 30 every day as well. This foundation does not contain any SPF. It has Salicylic Acid  and promises to transform your skin in three weeks.

Here is the description from Ulta’s website:

What if a powder could cover like a foundation and control shine all-day?

“Superstay Better Skin Powder covers like a foundation. It uses a unique blend of soft, finely-milled powders to deliver all-day complete coverage that feels lightweight and breathable on skin.

In addition the powder’s creamy texture blends seamlessly and gives all-day oil control for a shine-free finish.
Finally, the formula contains skin-clarifying salicylic acid, which is proven to reduce the appearance of imperfections, pores and unevenness while flawlessly covering.”

You can adjust the coverage easily by how you apply it.  If I want more coverage, I use the sponge applicator that came with it.  I prefer using a kabuki brush, as it’s a much lighter coverage.

I was leary of the Salicylic Acid being too harsh for my mature skin.  I’ve never had a problem with acne, and I know this ingredient works well for that.

I have to say  I’ve been very pleasantly surprised with this product.  Not only does it give me all day coverage, but I do feel my skin has improved.  I have very nice skin for my age, and don’t need too much coverage. The picture below was just taken last week, we were on vacation in Central America, so I have a bit of a tan. It lasts all day, and I never need to touch it up.

I have some color (IE spots), as I just returned from vacation.
Easy to carry, includes mirror

If you are looking for a nice drugstore brand powder foundation, this is a real winner.

Thanks for stopping by.