Neutrogena Cleansing Balm

The new Neutrogena cleansing balm is here and it’s nice to have an affordable option. You can see from my little scrape that this doesn’t seem as smooth as other cleansing balms, but it still melts in your hands and melts makeup on contact. Great used with a cleansing cloth, and you might find residue on your skin if you don’t use one. As always, I use it as a step when I wash off makeup but it’s not the only thing I use.

I follow up with another gentle cleanser (these days it’s one by Aveeno) and I also use one of those washable makeup erasers to get all my mascara off.

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Fenty Skin Makeup Melt Cleanser

Fenty Skin has a new cleanser that melts away makeup. It actually works, and the texture is smooth with beautiful packaging. You can see it in my picture and that’s about the amount I’d need for my whole face.

It’s creamy dreamy, an oil that melts in your hands and on your face and literally leaves nothing in its wake.  I love it.

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Smashbox Halo and Primers

I know in past years, I’ve complained (and people have joined in) about tinted sunscreen being the wrong shade or being too tinted, but how about a tinted moisturizer that has SPF in it and is available in lots of shades? Would you like that? It’s working for me, but I’m using it on top of my regular sunscreen.

I’ve been testing out a few things from Smashbox, and it’s no surprise that their Halo Healthy Glow All-In-One Tinted Moisturizer is my favourite because it’s a tinted sunscreen but with colour options for everyone, which means that it’s better than your average tinted sunscreen. Honestly, this one makes my skin look so good that I want to carry it around with me and reapply. I have the colour medium, but medium-light would probably work for me too. You can see the real colour in natural light by the swatch on my hand, and yes, those are my glasses on the counter in the background.

The primers – the primers are great, and not too silicone-heavy at all. The hydrating one is your basic super light moisturizer, and the Illuminate one is very glowy with golden shimmer, and honestly, I’d rather use it on my body than on my face. You can read the “studio tip” on the box: “extend the subtle glow to décolletage” and I think that’s a great tip. Shimmer always makes skin look so healthy.

Have you used any of these? Is this a tinted sunscreen moisturizer that you can switch over to?

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Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Mascara Review

Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Mascara is here! Have you tried it? It actually does give you voluminous and thick lashes in one coat which is pretty impressive. If you’re looking for a volumizing mascara, then this is one that you have to try. I always top with a tubing mascara because that’s the only way I can get my mascara to last.

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March Break Travel Empties: Cerave, Aesop, Charlotte Tilbury, Alterna

I went away, didn’t take any perfume with me, missed it the entire time, and finished all these things at once.

A pause to appreciate luxury in the form of this empty Charlotte Tilbury concealer bottle. There’s so much, an overload, of everything in this world but this concealer delivers an experience by twisting shut with a satisfying click. Add to that, there’s a heavy glass bottle, metallic accents that haven’t rubbed off even though this bottle is empty. Even though I’ve finished it, it’s hard to throw it out because it’s got that element of luxury like my favourite perfume bottles.

I did not like this Ombrelle Complete facial sunscreen. Went on clear but set chalky! Too much silica in the formula to make it matte, but ended up pilling all over the place.

I oiled my scalp and hair daily and then washed them. That’s what breaks are for. Highly recommend the oil I used if you love the scent of cedar.

Also finished the PM oil from XO Treatment Room and will forever associate a feeling of zen with this lavender scented oil. And the peptide serum for my lashes is done. It had a high amount of actual peptides proven to work and that’s why Annie is a formulating genius.

The only times I use makeup wipes is when I’m on vacation and these Cerave wipes are compostable so there’s less guilt with using them. Obviously finished a pack over the week. I used them at night and then fell into bed and my skin was just fine with that actually! I just have this one persistent dry patch that’s not going away.

Finally, finished this Bond Repair shampoo by Alterna. I loved the shampoo and conditioner from this line and I need more.

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Marc Jacobs Perfect EDT Perfume Review

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Shampoo in a bottle – maybe for the days that you don’t want to shampoo but you want something clean. Herbal Essences from back in the day, legit the only shampoo that garnered me compliments when I used it and flipped my hair. If you want that feeling back: it’s in Marc Jacobs Perfect EDT.

Perfumer: Domitille Michalon Bertier

Notes: daffodils and clean musks.

Year: 2023.

Here’s my video review of the scent.

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Pretty Pink Packaging from Neutrogena, and Boscia

On Wednesdays we wear pink, so here I am in my favourite pink sweater with some pink products I’ve got around.

The Neutrogena Skin Balancing Milky Cleanser is my new favourite – I don’t know why I put it away, because this cleansing milk has a light watery texture, and actually feels very refreshing on my skin. I’ve been using it at night as my second cleanse, and in the morning too. It’s super light and has polyhydroxy acid in it to help with congested skin (blackheads, breakouts and such) but I find that it helps with skin texture too and makes my skin look a little smoother. It’s not a foaming cleanser, so I find that it doesn’t dry out my skin. Really, this cleanser would be suitable for most skin types, but not sensitive. If you’re prone to redness, then you want to stay away from this type of acid on your skin. Stick to something more gentle.

I couldn’t help but notice that the Boscia Chia Seed Moisture Cream is in a container the same shade of pink. This is a super lightweight moisturizer that will likely suit most skin types but not dry. It looks thick and rich in the tub, but it’s absolutely not greasy and actually sets as more of a satin finish. This would likely make a great moisturizer for someone who doesn’t have skin that needs a lot of help.

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Trinny London Mascara and Brow Gel Review

My new favourite mascara is from @trinnylondon. It’s a brown brow gel on one side and a black mascara on the other. I love that I can build volume with the mascara but it’s smudge-proof. Now that I’ve gotten the hang of using it, I’d say it’s my new favourite mascara. #trinny #trinnylondon #mascara #makeupreel #smudgeproof #mascarareview

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New Skincare from Neutrogena

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Neutrogena is upping its game, following other brands by putting their active ingredients AND the percentage on their packaging. I know experts always say that “regular people” don’t need to worry about the ingredients and should just look for results, but when there’s so much to choose from how are consumers supposed to decide what to get. Personally, I’ve always liked more information. , and I like the labelling on these.

I also like the lux packaging. The Glycolic Acid Overnight Peel is in a heavy glass bottle that rivals anything you’d see at Sephora. The Stubborn Texture Liquid Exfoliating Treatment (in the red labelled bottle) has a nozzle applicator, just like other brands, and I know that the off-label use is that people have been using them on their scalp and under their armpits. There are also acne patches, and I’ll vouch for the fact that they really are invisible from arm’s length and they actually work. I’ve used each of the acid liquids a couple of times and the final textures are better than others I’ve tried. They go on smooth and don’t leave your skin sticky or tacky. As always, use sunscreen during the day because acids can make your skin more sensitive to light. Thoughts?

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Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan Review

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Plaid shirt, bare feet, the chill outside. Take out the biggest pot you have because it’s time to make a batch of pasta sauce. May as well wear Ambre Sultan because it’s got that dry oregano note and a warmth that feels comforting not suffocating. That dryness lasts the entire wear of the fragrance, with the patchouli, vanilla almost woodsy. Calm and collected, you’re making the sauce you’ve made a million times before. It’s a good day.

Have a look at the video review where I talk about Ambre Sultan, but also mention some of my favourite amber perfumes.

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