Lancome

Nighttime Creams

So you’ve cleansed your face, your wearing your favorite pajamas, and hear your bed calling your name. Well, before you sprint over to the bedroom to begin dreaming about your next makeup haul, be sure to slather some nighttime cream to help moisturize your face and keep the wrinkles at bay. Some creams I find exceptionally great to incorporate in your nighttime beauty routine include the following.

  1. CeraVe: This is my go-to cream not only because of the price (YES its only $13.99!!), but because it works wonders, is noncomedogenic and also fragrance free!  Now for those of you who have suffered from acne most of your life, like myself, finding a cream that is noncomedogenic is absolutely crucial. That’s because nighttime creams have a thicker consistency, which may aggravate sensitive skin and lead to breakouts. I’ve tried plenty of moisturizing lotions in my 35+ years, but the the CeraVe has been the best for my skin type.
  2. Chanel Le Lift Creme: If your pocketbook doesn’t mind taking a beating, then the line of Chanel’s Le Lift Creme might be perfect for you. Now I’ve never “bitten the bullet” to buy this cream because at a whopping $165 its certainly not cheap. Alright…maybe its not as expensive as the highly coveted Creme de la Mer ($310 for 2 oz….ouch!), the Chanel Le Lift certainly gives it a run for its money. Lucky for me I always get plenty of samples with a Chanel beauty purchase, but I know the day will come when my endless supply of samples will run-out. And when that days comes, I won’t think twice about purchasing it because it really does diminish fine lines. NOTE: I only use this cream to spot treat areas such as laugh lines and deep wrinkles.
  3. Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream ($58): I love this cream because it is light, hydrating, and highly effective. While it won’t eradicate all under eye wrinkles, it will smooth and reduce their appearance.

 

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Daily Facial Cleansers

In previous posts, I’ve written about the importance of incorporating masks and peels into your beauty regime. However, before you can even indulge in these products, you must begin with a clean makeup-free face. Deciding on a daily cleaner and makeup remover can be a daunting task given the sheer volume of products in the market. So we’ve broken down our top cleaners based on affordability, ease of use and effectiveness.

Best Budget Cleanser and Makeup Remover:

Best “I Have No Budget” Cleanser and Makeup Remover:

Best Makeup Removing Wipes:

 Best Makeup Remover “After-Feel”

  • Jart+ Dermaclear Micro Water ($32): I want to express how amazing this product is. If you hate the feel of your face after using a makeup remover, then look no further because Dr. Jart’s Dermaclear Micro Water is it. This product feels and looks like water, just as it claims, and you only needs a few drops to remove makeup. The best part is that you don’t have to wash your face afterwards because the product is so light and also works like a toner. What confirmed the greatness of this remover? When I went to my local Sephora and asked for some makeup remover, guess what they handed me…yep Dr. Jart+ Dermaclear.

 

 

 

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Mascara Mania

Long, full, and lashes for days…all this and more are guaranteed by all mascaras on the market today. Which leads to the ultimate question: what is the best mascara out there? With so many to choose from, how does one go about selecting? Well, I certainly don’t recommend breaking the bank in order to buy the most expensive mascara because there are too many options at every price point. Not only should your budget be a consideration, but also your intended daily usage. Here are questions all mascara buyers should ask themselves before deciding:

  1. Do you wear mascara everyday, 2 to 3 times a week, or a handful of times a month?
  2. Do you like mascara in just the color black or do you use a variety of colors?
  3. Do you like to have both waterproof and regular mascara on hand?
  4. What is your budget?
  5. Is there a specific job your looking for in your mascara (i.e. lengthen, thickening, natural looking, curling, bottom lashes etc.)?

With those questions in mind, I’ve compiled some of my mascara favorites in the hopes of deconstructing mascara mania. 🙂

  1. Maybelline The Falsies Big Eyes ($7.99): Talk about more bang for your buck. The Maybelline Falsies Big Eyes is the best value of any mascaras I have ever purchased. First and foremost, what draws me is the price. I mean $7.99, and with sales always being introduced (Buy 2, get I free currently on Ulta), makes this a budget winner. The other big plus is that it has brushes for upper and lower lashes. Now of the two, the lower lash brush is my favorite because it really does get the job done. However, you have to keep a steady hand because the brush is very small and not forgiving if you apply it too quickly.
  2. Maybelline Great Lash Washable Mascara ($5.99): This mascara takes the title for best color options; six to be exact (Black, Browish Black, Dark Brown, Royal Blue, Soft Black, Blackest Black). Not to mention its an American classic for a reason because it simply works! If you want natural looking lashes with a some oomph, then Maybelline Great Lash is for you.
  3. Dior Diorshow Mascara ($27.50): This is a mascara that gives volume and shape with just two coats. The Dior Diorshow Mascara also comes in four shades guaranteeing a color for every taste (blue, brown, black and purple) in addition to having a waterproof version. The biggest advantage is that this mascara is formulated without parabens, sulfates and phthalates (per Sephora website).
  4. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara ($23): I normally gravitate to this mascara when I want to bring the drama without having to resort to false eyelashes. The brush is super thick and can provide full and defined lashes with just one coat. Some disadvantages I find with the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara is that it only comes in one shade (black), and if your not careful with the application, it can quickly get lumpy and smudges easily. So if you don’t have a steady hand or patience, I suggest you move onto other options like those below.

Honorable Mentions:

  1. Benefit They’re Real! Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara ($24)
  2. Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes ($21)
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