#skincarereview – Page 5 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Philosophy Miracle Worker Anti-Wrinkle Line Review

Hey all! I hope you had a great weekend and that it’s not too snowy where you are!

I recently received samples from philosophy’s new Miracle Worker anti-wrinkle line for my honest review. I love trying anti-aging skincare, and philosophy has gorgeous products!

This collection was created to help counteract signs of stress on skin and fight wrinkles
faster! The claim is that these products will help counteract the signs of stress and in just two weeks, reduce the look of wrinkles.

Here are the products I received:

anti-wrinkle miracle worker+ line-correcting moisturizer ($64 USD) — Silky texture melts into skin, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, improving texture instantly and over time. formulated with a powerhouse wrinkle-fighting complex of peptides, hyaluronic acid, indian gentian extract and potent forms of vitamin c plus an innovative complex of saponins and enhanced hyaluronic acid to help counteract stress-induced damage on skin instantly.

This is such a nice product to wear under makeup. It absorbs instantly in my skin, as it is very light. It smooths my skin and I have notices that my skin texture looks better when I use it.

anti-wrinkle miracle worker night+ line-correcting overnight cream ($68 USD) — This overnight cream helps virtually erase the look of fine lines as you sleep, while recharging skin and helping counteract the signs of stress on your skin. a powerhouse wrinkle-fighting complex of peptides, hyaluronic acid, indian gentian extract and potent forms of vitamin c an innovative complex of saponins and enhanced hyaluronic acid to help counteract stress-induced damage on skin silk tree extract to help support skin’s natural antioxidant defenses at night.

This cream is a bit more hydrating than the day cream, perfect for a night treatment. It doesn’t feel greasy at all. I smooth it on at night and in the morning my skin is brighter and looks more even in tone. I don’t have a lot of heavy wrinkles, but the ones I do have look less noticeable.

anti-wrinkle miracle worker eye+ line-correcting eye cream ($60 USD) — Clinically tested eye cream targets lines and wrinkles around the eyes while diminishing the look of dark circles and puffiness, so your eye area can look more ageless. Instantly the eye area feels comforted and deeply hydrated. this makeup-friendly, velvety formula is a powerhouse wrinkle-fighting complex of peptides, sodium hyaluronate, Indian gentian extract and potent forms of vitamin c + a retinol-like complex powered by alfalfa extract and coconut oil.

I use eye cream twice a day, so I love testing out new ones! This helps with puffiness and eye bags in a few days and with longer use it helps with wrinkles and dark circles. And I love that it glides right on without tugging the delicate skin around my eyes!

anti-wrinkle miracle worker primer+ line-correcting primer ($38 USD) — The multi-tasking primer helps blur imperfections, visibly fills in wrinkles and smooths skin for a more even makeup application. featuring a powerhouse wrinkle-fighting complex of sodium hyaluronate, indian gentian extract, tripeptide and a potent form of vitamin c.

I’m always looking for a good primer for my aging skin. This is a blurring primer, which I need for my pores and texture issues. It gives my skin a velvety finish. Plus makeup applies so nicely over it! I love that this helps fight wrinkles, too!

I’m so glad I’ve tried this line. I’ve only been using it for a couple of weeks, but will continue testing it out. But so far, I recommend it for wrinkle fighting and anti-aging.

Have you tried philosophy skincare? What are your favorites?

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review — February 2019

Hi all! I started back up with Ipsy Glam Bag Plus ($25 USD) in February. I subscribed in October and November. It is a box that will always include 5 full-sized items.

I was very happy with my October box, but not so happy with November’s, so I cancelled. but thought I would give it a go again!

Here is what I received:’

IT COSMETICS Your Je Ne Sais Quoi Complexion Perfection Face Palette

TARTE Dream Big Eyeshadow Palette

SON & PARK Beauty Filter Cream Glow

HANALEI Sugar Lip Scrub

FINDING FERDINAND Lip Stick in Nob Hill Red

This is a complete face palette for those with fair to light skin (like me). I have tried this once since I’ve got it and really like the blush and bronzer. I have the Bye Bye Pores powder in a compact and really like it. The highlighter is pretty subtle, but I want to try to make it work.

This tarte palette is very pretty. But, I have all of these shades in other palettes, so I’ve decided to give it away or sell it. It would make a really nice gift. It’s also very compact, so will be great for travel. I’m just not a fan of tarte shadows.

I was very excited to try this cream. Son & Park is a Korean Beauty brand, and I have been loving Korean skincare lately! I have tried this. It is highly fragranced, like perfume, which I am not a fan of. But, I do like how it feels on my skin. It makes my skin smooth and soft. It’s not really glowy, though. It is really nice under foundation. I am going to continue to use it.

Oops! I forgot to take a close up of the Hanalei Sugar Lip Scrub. I do really like this. It’s gentle and has a sugary-lemon taste. It leaves my lips very hydrated!

As for the lipstick, I don’t wear red lipsticks, so I will be giving this away. It’s a little irritating, because in the beauty survey for Ipsy, I put that I only wear nude lips. This also came in a nude, so I don’t know why I got red!

This was a pretty good box! I will use the IT palette, the cream and the lip scrub. That makes the box worth it to me. I’m looking forward to the March box!

Do you get Ipsy Glam Bag Plus? What did you get this month?

Brand Review — Mamonde

Hi all! I hope you are doing well and are ready for Valentine’s Day tomorrow! I am! It should be a fun day with friends and family.

I have an amazing brand review today. It’s a Korean skincare company called Mamonde. Here’s more about the brand from their website:

The Mamonde journey begins in the idyllic Mamonde Garden near Seoul, South Korea, where we cultivate and study our own flowers. We love flowers! From bud to blossom, our botanists unveil the secrets of flowers to capture their vital energy – at the heart of all our skin loving ingredients. Mamonde leads the way in fair-trade practices with programs designed to nurture, embrace and connect our local communities.

I love this! I love using natural skincare because I know what’s going on my face is good for me. Here are the items I received for my honest review:

Petal Spa Oil to Foam Cleanser ($21 USD) — a transforming cleansing oil with a subtle rose aroma that transitions to a light, airy foam with water for gentle yet effective cleansing. Damask rose is known for its intensive hydrating and soothing properties and exquisite scent.

Hydrating Beauty Water ($23 USD) — This hydrating toner nourishes, soothes and hydrates skin. Infused with extracts from 100% organic damask rose. Multi-purpose beauty water helps prep, tone, soothe and hydrate skin.

Floral Essential Serum ($38 USD) — Formulated with a unique fermented honeysuckle extract, helps skin look firmer, more refined and revitalized. Honeysuckle’s ability to powerfully absorb nutrients keeps its leaves green, even through the winter. Mamonde’s unique honeysuckle flower extract is fermented one year to create an abundant level of antioxidants. Mamonde’s studies show that this special property helps improve uneven skin tone and dullness.

Floral Moisture Cream ($35 USD) — Formulated with hibiscus extract, this innovative, lightweight cream helps retain essential moisture, for a quenched, glowing complexion. Hibiscus trees bloom new flowers every day, some yielding up to 5,000 blossoms every 100 days. Mamonde studied this power of regeneration and hydration to help develop this moisturizing daily cream.

Floral Hydro Eye Gel Cream ($32 USD) — This is formulated with water-cycle technology, which rapidly and intensely replenishes moisture, locking it in to prevent moisture loss. Micro-molecular hyaluronic acid absorbs up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture, to help create smoother, more supple-looking skin around the eye area. The narcissus bulb stores ample moisture inside throughout winter, allowing its flower to flourish in early summer. Once bloomed, narcissus’ flowers are able to powerfully circulate hydration between multiple flower heads.

What I think: I am really enjoying these products. I remove my makeup each night with a balm or oil and I love this oil to foam cleanser. It’s gentle on my sensitive skin, but removes my makeup completely. And I love applying the beauty water after cleaning my face. It hydrates so nicely and leaves my skin soft. It has a soft rose scent, too.

I think my favorite product is the serum. It absorbs into my skin so quickly and softens. It’s also over three ounces, which for a serum, is a lot. It will last a long time!

The floral creams are also really lovely. The moisture cream is so light on my skin, not greasy at all. Which I need! I love using this at night over the serum. The eye cream is so hydrating, too! Hyaluronic acid is such an amazing ingredient to keep skin moisturized.

When I wake up in the morning after using these products, my skin is soft and glowy, but not greasy. I do have combination/aging skin and don’t like heavy products.

I’m so glad I was able to try these products. They are so hydrating and gentle, but they are really transforming my skin! They can be purchased at Ulta or us.mamonde.com.

Have you tried Mamonde? Do you like using Korean beauty products? Which brands are your favorites? I’m always looking for more to try out.

January 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi All! I’m glad January is almost over. It has been a cold, snowy month and I am looking forward to warmer weather. Of course, we have to get through February, but it’s a short month. Easy peasy, right? LOL!

As I was getting ready to create this post, I realized that the last monthly favorites post I did was for October 2018! I skipped November because I was so busy with work and holiday posts, and I skipped December because I was working on my annual favorites. Excuses, excuses! I am going to try to do one each month in 2019.

My faves for January are:

Laneige Bright Dew Original Essence ($55 USD) — This concentrated essence contains antioxidant rich Vitamin C , to help brighten the skin’s overall complexion. The formula also contains Pro-vitamin B5 and Beta-glucan to hydrate and soothe the skin. It feels so nice on my skin. It sinks into my skin and makes it really soft. And it doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin. I have been using this without a heavy cream at night (I’m too hot at night for heavy products) and my skin is still soft and glowy in the morning.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask ($25 USD) — I’m really enjoying this mask. It’s a very hydrating night treatment. I feel super dry lately, because of the cold air. Sometimes I even wear this in the morning! I use a lot at night and when I wake up, my lips are still a little dry, but they aren’t cracked or flaking. And they do look nice and plump, which I love!

Derma E Firming DMAE Eye Lift ($24.95 USD) — This multi-action eye cream claims too visibly lift, firm and tighten the delicate eye area while smoothing crow’s feet. I really do see a difference in the firmness around my eye. I apply it all around my eyelids and my top lid is so firm and has stopped drooping (I was started to get hooded eyelids)! And I find that it helps my crows feet.

Oxygenetix Acne Control Foundation ($76 USD) — This has a natural to soft matte finish, but doesn’t looking drying on my skin. It actually just looks like skin! Just flawless, healthy skin! I have been breaking out lately and I use this during breakouts. I do find it helps clear them up, but it also applies so smoothly over blemishes and helps conceal them so nicely! This foundation wears all day.

Dermablend Loose Setting Powder ($27 USD) — I won this in a giveaway last fall and have been loving it ever since. It sets my skin with a soft matte finish. It’s almost too matte for me, but I make sure I hydrate under my foundation and powder and I use highlight and spritz on a nice setting spray. Plus I use just enough to set my face, too much and it can look cakey.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter ($28 USD) — Oh no! It’s out of stock again. I purchased this in the beginning of December (I think). I bought it at Ulta with the Dose of Colors Friendcation palette. The palette was half off plus I had a 20% off my entire purchase coupon so I threw in this highlighter to get free shipping! It’s very nice. It’s a little dark on my skin tone, so it’s more glowy than blinding on me. But I like that look for every day. It doesn’t emphasize my texture, which is amazing for ladies of a certain age!

Ulta Full Coverage Liquid Concealer ($9 USD) — This lightweight, creamy and super blend-able formula offers full coverage, flawless matte finish. The ULTA Full Coverage Liquid concealer contains special ingredients known to promote healing, concealing imperfections, and evening skin tone. Our formula wears beautifully, doesn’t cake or crease and offers long lasting wear.

Tarte Maneater Voluptuous Mascara ($23 USD) — Dress your lashes like you style your hair with this lengthening, curling and volumizing mascara. With a soft-flex brush and lightweight triple-black formula, it lifts lashes at the root, styles and fans them out to create amped-up fluttery fullness with no flaking or clumping. The custom molded brush features hundreds of flexible bristles to curl and coat lashes with even, intense pigment for 23x more volume powered by lash-strengthening jojoba and carnauba wax.

It’s funny that I don’t have an eyeshadow palette in here. I have started Shop My Stash in January and I have two palettes I was using. You can read about that here and the conclusion here. I’m about to post my February Shop My Stash, and that will have three palettes! Stay tuned!

What were your favorites in January?

Shop My Stash January 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! Can you believe January is almost over? I’m ready for spring, so I’m okay with it!

I started a monthly Shop My Stash this year. Here is the link to the post from the beginning of the month. I go over each product with photos. I also link if I have reviewed them in the past.

I really enjoyed this and tried to use all of these products at least a few times to see how much I like them. It’s fun to focus on products since I have so many (especially Eye shadows).

The products this month were Urban Decay Born to Run Palette, Tartiest Pro Glow Palette. Colourpop You Had Me At Hello Palette, Pretty Vulgar Blush in Hush Blush and two BUXOM Cosmetics PillowPout Creamy Plumping Lip Powder in Cuddle Me (Rose) and Cozy Up (Mauve Nude).

I probably used the Born to Run palette the most, confirming why it was my favorite palette last year (see my 2018 faves here). My challenge was to use other shades than the bronzes. And I did! I tried the blues, gray and purple shades. I’m not a fan of bright pink eyeshadow, but I think I used almost all of the shades. The quality is gorgeous!

I also loved the You Had Me At Hello Palette. It’s a plummy, reddish brown sort of palette with a bunch of beautiful metallic shades. I did a few varied looks with this.

The tarte contour palette and the Pretty Vulgar blush weren’t my favorites. I decided to choose them because I got them both in subscription boxes this year and I never really used them. The contour palette is a bit dark for me, both the contour and the highlighters. My skin is so fair right now that they really don’t show up. The blush is very powdery and so pigmented. It’s too bright for me. I think I am going to hold on to them and try them again in the summer. Or I might just give them away to my daughter!

Th Buxom PillowPouts are really nice. They are creamy, but are matte when applied. I like to wear lip glosses over them. I’ll continue using them!

I also am going to include any empties in this post each month:

This month I only had three — The Robin McGraw Revelation Live Life Lifted Neck Cream, Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Leave in Mask, and Philosophy Purity Made Simple Eye Gel. I’ve been using the skincare since early fall and I got the Briogeo in a subscription box a few months ago. I use neck cream morning and night (and eye cream, too). This neck cream really firmed up my neck area, and the eye cream was super hydrating. I definitely recommend them both. I like the hair mask, but I just got the Briogeo Rosarco one and I like that one a bit better. If you over use this one, hair gets greasy.

So I have chosen my Shop My Stash products for February and will be revealing those soon. I’m enjoying this series so far! Stay tuned!

Products To Help Clogged Skin and Breakouts in the Winter

Hi All! My skin is so weird right now. I have combination, aging skin (that can be sensitive) and its both dry and breaking out right now. So frustrating!

I have been making sure to hydrate my skin every night and morning, but I’m also using scrubs and products to keep it clear.

I’ve been sent the following products for my honest review:

Clear & Conceal acne with Oxygenetix Acne Control Foundation ($76 USD) — This revolutionary formula was three years in the making. Oxygenetix founder Barry Knapp is widely respected in the cosmetic industry and has identified the need for a treatment foundation for medical professionals with acne patients, created Oxygenetix Acne Control Foundation. Like the original formula, Oxygenetix Acne Control is Aloe Vera Barbadensis gel based and does not contain added water. It is transfer and water-resistant, so it to stays on for hours even in humid environments. Its oxygen enriched and natural ingredients make it act like a second skin. This Acne Control Foundation at SPF 25 features maximum strength time released with 2% salicylic acid combined with a proprietary patented breathable matrix delivery system. The prime ingredient in all Oxygenetix products is Ceravitae. This super-charged oxygen peptide helps support the skins collagen cell production and connective tissue growth. It attracts oxygen to the skin helping it to breathe keeping it strong and healthy. Ceravitae works synergistically with the time released 2% salicylic acid maintaining effective treatment levels throughout the day.

What I think: I really like this foundation. I have the shade Ivory. There are 14 shades. Ivory is a pretty good match for me. This has a natural to soft matte finish, but doesn’t looking drying on my skin. It actually just looks like skin! Just flawless, healthy skin! I have been breaking out lately and I use this during breakouts. I do find it helps clear them up, but it also applies so smoothly over blemishes and helps conceal them so nicely! This foundation wears all day. I don’t have a lot of oils, so I don’t have to worry about oils coming through. I will test it in the summer, when I do get sweaty and a bit oily. I definitely will continue to use this.

Derma E Purifying Daily Detox Scrub

Derma E Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask

From my Derma E PR Box this month, I received the Purifying Daily Detox Scrub and the Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask.

Purifying Daily Detox Scrub ($15.50 USD) — Gentle enough for daily use, this detox scrub lifts away micro-pollutants and impurities while promoting oxygenation for a fresh, healthy radiance. Doctor developed and clinically tested, this revitalizing formula contains some of the most powerful minerals and natural toxin fighters from the earth and from the sea. Kimarine® Wakame is a potassium-rich, magnesium-rich seaweed that is clinically proven to protect skin against environmental pollutants (exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, heavy metals). Bladderwrack is an antioxidant-rich, mineral-rich seaweed known for its water-binding properties, supporting healthy skin hydration and nourishment. Activated Charcoal, known for absorbing 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities, helps remove toxins from the skin’s surface. Apricot Seed Powder gently exfoliates away micro-pollutants, and Green Tea delivers potent antioxidant defense. Ideal for oily, active or urban skin types, even safe for reactive skin (minimal ingredients and allergy-tested), this formula boosts skin purity for a refreshed, glowing complexion. 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten free, GMO-free.

Purifying 2-in-1 Charcoal Mask ($19.50 USD) deeply detoxifies skin of harmful micropollutants in two ways: (1) Natural clays infused with Kimarine® Wakame, Bladerwrack and Activated Charcoal lift out dirt, oil and bacteria to decongest pores as the mask dries; (2) Apricot Seed Powder exfoliates away dead skin cells and captured debris upon removal. Kaolin and Bentonite Clays absorb excess oils and impurities, relieving skin congestion. Kimarine® Wakame is a potassium-rich, magnesium-rich seaweed that is clinically proven to protect skin against environmental pollutants (exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, heavy metals). Bladderwrack is an antioxidant-rich, mineral-rich seaweed known for its water-binding properties, supporting healthy skin hydration and nourishment. Activated Charcoal, known for absorbing 100 to 200 times its weight in impurities, purges pores of deeply rooted toxins, then Apricot Seed Powder gently exfoliates away micropollutants. Ideal for oily, active or urban skin types, even safe for reactive skin (minimal ingredients and allergy-tested), used this formula once or twice a week for skin that looks dramatically fresher, healthier and purely glowing.

What I think: I already had the scrub and I really enjoy using it. It’s a pearly dark gray and is not harsh at all. It actually feels hydrating and scrubbing at the same time. It leaves my skin very soft. I use it every day and it doesn’t irritate my skin.

The mask gives a deeper clean and is nice to use when I feel that my pores are clogged and my skin looks dull. It really deep cleans, but also hydrates the skin. My skin glows afterwards! And, luckily, it doesn’t irritate my skin.

How’s your skin been this winter? What do you like to use?

IT Cosmetics’ New Year, Your Most Beautiful Skin! 4-Piece Skincare & Complexion Collection on QVC!

new year, your most beautiful skin! 4-piece skincare & complexion collection

It’s time for a new IT Cosmetics and QVC Today’s Special Value! The New Year, Your Most Beautiful Skin! 4-Piece Skincare & Complexion Collection gives you the power to reveal your most beautiful skin! This Today’s Special Value will only be offered for one day only! As a reminder, each day, QVC picks one special item they believe shoppers will love, and offers it at an exceptionally low price from midnight (ET) until 11:59 p.m. (PT) that day.

This one actually is on presale now and will be over January 12 that at 11:59 p.m (PT). It is $69.96 +Free Standard S&H. The value is $174, which is amazing!

This exclusive four-piece collection features the worldwide launch of two new confidence-boosting skincare essentials and one new complexion must-have—plus a perfectly paired brush! Prep your skin for makeup application with new Confidence in a Gel Lotion to hydrate and smooth the look of fine lines. Then, apply new Confidence in a Neck Cream to your neck, décolleté and chest for an instantly younger-looking appearance. Use your included Heavenly Luxe Plush Paddle Foundation Brush to apply Bye Bye Lines Foundation for your most skin-perfecting finish!

Includes:

2.6-oz Confidence in a Neck Cream
2.5-oz Confidence in a Gel Lotion
1-fl oz Bye Bye Lines Foundation
Heavenly Luxe Plush Paddle Foundation Brush

Here’s a photo of my products:

I am loving these products! My favorite is the Gel Lotion because it is so light and is amazing under makeup! My makeup applies so smoothly over it. The neck cream is so hydrating. It is orange, which is fun, but the color doesn’t show on the neck, it actually helps the tone of my skin look more even.

I have tried the foundation before and really like it. The shade I have is Light. It think it’s a bit dark for me in the winter, but it will be nice in the summer. The brush is so nice! So soft. I love a paddle brush for applying foundation.

You can purchase this on qvc.com or you can watch and call in!

Do you love IT Cosmetics, too? Are you picking this up?

Hydrating Skincare For The Dry, Winter Months

I love testing new skincare! It’s so wonderful when I find something I like and continue to use. My skin is aging, sensitive and combination, but it gets dryer in the winter. So hydration is so important!

Below are some products I was sent for my honest review:

IMAGE Skincare ILUMA intense brightening exfoliating powder ($32 at IMAGESkincare.com): This gently exfoliating powder polishes and buffs away radiance-impairing dead skin cells to brighten and illuminate the skin, leaving it smooth and prepped to absorb creams.

What I think: Don’t forget to exfoliate a few times a week (whatever your skin can handle) during the winter. This is such a nice, gentle exfoliator. I like to use it in the morning before skincare to help my makeup apply better. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin, which is great.

derma e hydrating night cream — Derma E Hydrating Night Cream

Hydrating Night Cream ($29.99 dermae.com) — This ultra-hydrating, formula delivers unmatched hydrating properties of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), nature’s “moisture magnet”. Infused with antioxidant-rich Green Tea, nourishing Vitamins C-Ester and Vitamins A and E help to soften and smooth the appearance of skin for a younger-looking complexion.

What I think: This is such a great night time moisturizer for the winter months, when my skin is dry. I love that it has such amazing ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid to keep my skin soft and smooth. My skin is very hydrated in the morning when I use this at night.

korres wild rose vitamin c brightening sleeping facial — KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial

KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial ($48; Sephora.com): Finish your nighttime routine with an overnight facial to be the ultimate sleeping beauty. This Wild Rose and Vitamin C formula melts instantly into the skin, and continues to work throughout the night. Wake up with soft, smooth skin, and a recharged complexion.

What I think: I usually apply this over serum, but on nights my skin really needs some extra love, I apply it over a night cream. It’s fairly light and absorbs quickly. I feel that it brightens as well as hydrates and my skin glows in the morning!

Derma E Hydrating Eye Cream ($21.50 USD) — Deeply hydrate, firm and tone the delicate skin around your eyes while reducing the look of fine lines and crow’s feet with this fragrance-free eye cream. Hyaluronic Acid (HA), also known as nature’s moisture magnet, has the ability to hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, binding moisture to help soften, smooth, tone and rehydrate skin. Only DERMA E has blended the unmatched hydrating properties of HA with antioxidants Pycnogenol® and Green Tea, moisturizing Jojoba Oil and nourishing Vitamins A, C and E into a rich, replenishing eye cream to keep eyes young and radiant looking.

What I think: This is as hydrating for the eyes and the night cream is for the face! This is wonderful for anti-aging and we all need moisture in the eye area as we get older. Dryness makes me look older, and I don’t need that! I love the ingredients and how smooth my eye area looks in the morning.

iluma intense brightening eye crème

IMAGE Skincare ILUMA intense brightening eye crème ($66; IMAGESkincare.com): A super-hydrating and brightening eye crème that works aggressively to break up discoloration under the eyes. A blend of phytonutrients, peptides and botanical brightening agents help to reduce visible signs of aging like dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness and lax skin to restore a firmer, vibrant and more youthful appearance to the eyes.

What I think: This lovely eye cream is so nice to use in the morning to help with dark eye circles. It really does make dark circles appear lighter and smooths and firms the eye area.

MISS BUD’S HEMP Eye Oil ($19.99 on Amazon): This under-eye oil transforms the delicate under-eye area to reduce fine lines, tone, smooth and deeply moisturize skin for beautiful, youthful looking eyes. Restore, replenish and hydrate skin via a blend of vitamin-rich Pure Hemp Seed, Wheat Germ, Coconut and Sunflower oils.

What I think: I like using this under an eye cream at night. Especially in the cold weather. It’s a really nice treatment when the eye area needs a little help. And I love the natural ingredients!

Do you have dry or seasonally dry skin? What have you been using?

Brand Review — Higher Education Skincare

Hi all! We have made it through the first week of 2019. Yay us!

I was recently sent products from Higher Education Skincare for my honest review. This brand was developed specifically for the Gen Z and Millennial audiences as a clean, cruelty free, education-centric line with high quality, dermatologist-approved products.

Each product aligns with one of the core essential skincare categories: cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, treat or protect and when used daily help correct a variety of skin conditions such as acne, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, sun damage, dryness and sensitivity.

Although I am more Gen X, I enjoyed trying these out and think it’s so important for younger people to start their skin routine early!

PRE-REQ Invigorating Foaming Cleanser ($19 USD) — Delivers an invigorating gentle foaming cleanser for normal to oily and combination skin that cleans impurities and removes excess oil while removing all traces of makeup. Exfoliates without stripping the skin of essential moisture. Tea Tree Oil provides benefits for skin that is prone to breakouts. Skin feels clean and refreshed.

What I think: I have combination skin that’s a bit sensitive, and this is very gentle on my skin. It foams up nicely and has a fresh scent. I notice after I wash my skin, it’s clean, but not dry or tight. That’s really important for all skin types (and ages).

EASY A Gentle Resurfacing Pads ($24 USD) — Exfoliating pads help remove dead skin cells, replenish moisture, and visibly minimize pore size. Skin looks vibrant, smooth, and refreshed. Skin never feels dehydrated.

What I think: I am a huge fan of exfoliating pads. And I do really love these! You can use them day and night, but since I have sensitive skin I use them once a day or every other day and they don’t irritate my skin. I use these after cleansing and I notice my skin is so smooth and soft.

SPRING BREAK Oil-Free Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($25 USD) — This oil-free sunscreen with sheer solar protection defends against prolonged skin damage from UV light and environmental assaults that cause skin to age faster. Microfine zinc offers broad spectrum physical sunscreen protection from both UVA (the aging rays) and UVB (the burning rays) and leaves the skin feeling silky soft. Contains aloe vera and super antioxidants to help soothe and balance the skin. Non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin.

Make sure to apply a generous amount of sunscreen to your face, and other exposed area. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, wait at least 15 minutes for your sunscreen to properly absorb into your skin. After that, you can go ahead and put on makeup.

What I think: When I first squeezed this out of the tube, I noticed how thick it is. It does absorb pretty well and makeup goes over it nicely. I think a thicker primer would be too heavy with it, but maybe a light or glowy primer would work. I use this almost as a primer and it works well. My skin is very hydrated with it on.

DOUBLE MAJOR Moisture Relief Gel ($28 USD) — This double duty lightweight, oil free hydra gel, for all skin types, helps strengthen skin’s own natural moisture balance using lush humectants and super moisture binding skin replenishers for all-day comfort, radiance, and hydration. Skin soothing ginger extract, sea kelp and vitamins help to visibly improve the appearance of dryness, dullness, and uneven texture, leaving skin feeling silky soft and smooth.

What I think: This is a very light moisturizer. It sinks right into the skin, but hydrates really well. It has a light, fresh scent. This is nice in the morning before SPF and makeup. It hydrates without adding weight to the skin.

You can purchase all of these and more at http://www.highereducationskincare.com.

Have you tried any Higher Education Skincare? What do you think?

Project Pan October-December 2018 Final

Hey all! Happy New Year’s Eve! This is my last Project Pan of the year! And it was successful! I used up all of the products above.

You can check my other posts on this pan. The first one is here and my update is here. I only did one update on this one.

If you look at the photos on the other posts, you can see that they are a little different. I couldn’t find the bottle of my Pixi Retinol Tonic. I did use it all up! And I added the Maybelline Fit Me powder. I had it in my second Project Pan of the year and finally used it up. I’m so proud, so I thought I would show it!

I’ve currently moved on to other makeup and skincare. If I did need more products, I would repurchase the Flower Beauty concealer, the Fit Me powder, both Pixi products and the amazing Derma E cleanser!

This year was my first time doing a Project Pan in my many years of blogging. I have learned that it takes a loooong time to use up makeup! I used the three LORAC glosses every day, multiple times a day and it took me three months to use them up. The powder took forever, and the concealers also took a fairly long time.

So, I have decided not to continue with Project Pan’s next year, at least not for a few months. I think since I have so much makeup (and it will take forever to use up), I’m going to post a monthly Shop My Stash. I think I’ll choose 5 makeup items each month that I am going to incorporate into my makeup routine and see how much use I get out of them.

Did you do a Project Pan in 2018? How did it go?