Getting Ready Quickly: A CVS MiniHaul

I am a mommy to 2 wonderful boys under 2. As a busy mommy,  I don’t have that much time to get ready. Most days, I don’t wear anything on my face besides my SPF50 moisturizer. I have been looking to add some products to my arsenal that would help me look put together with minimal time.

A couple weeks ago, I used my $10 CVS Extrabucks and $3 off Maybelline coupon. I purchased the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Original scent. I also purchased my current fav, Maybelline MasterGlaze in Warm Nude, and the Maybelline SuperStay 24hr concealer.

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Why I Needed It:

I must admit that I wash my hair everyday – once every night.  It was something I was brought up doing, and I have found it hard to break that habit. I thought that the Batiste Dry Shampoo could help me break my bad habit, but I ended up not liking it very much.

What it does:

I really, really wanted to love this Dry Shampoo. I have read great reviews, and all-in-all it is a great concept. Dry shampoos are beneficial because it helps you remove grease from your hair, and helps keep your hair smelling nice, too.  You are not supposed to wash your hair everyday because doing so can damage your hair, by stripping your hair of its natural and protective oils.

My Thoughts:

Off the cuff, the Batiste did help with the oil and grease in my hair, and so as far as its functionality it does what it is supposed to. However, because it is an aerosol bottle, it left my hair smelling like I had sprayed a bunch of hair spray in my hair, which I did not enjoy. I ended up returning it to CVS. I might just stick to the old method of putting a little bit of baby powder in my roots and massaging it a little bit.

 

Maybelline SuperStay 24hr Concealer in ‘ivory’

 

Why I Needed It:

As a mommy of two young boys, I don’t get much sleep, and as a result I have terrible dark undereye circles.  If I had a choice of 1 makeup item to use, I would pick a concealer over mascara, eyeliner, foundation, any day. Using a great concealer helps brighten my eyes, and instantly makes me look less tired. I wanted to find a quick concealer that I could dab on in seconds, pat, and blend, and be on my way.

What It Does:

Maybelline claims this product:

•       Provides natural-looking coverage that lasts all day


•       Conceals imperfections, flaws, undereye darkness and circles


•       24-hour wear, no transfer


•       Oil-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free

My Thoughts:

I bought this concealer in the lightest shade, ‘Ivory’.  It’s a little peachy. So, it’s great for my yellow undertone, and purpleish dark circles. If my dark circles are more pronounced, I would use a little bit of a yellow concealer underneath, and then put the SuperStay over it. (I am a big fan of layer concealers).

The SuperStay is brightening, but made me look very natural. It perfectly covered my dark circles, acne scars on my chin, and the redness around my nostrils. I found this concealer to be super long lasting. I was incredibly surprised to see that at the end of my day, that concealer was still helping me to look fresh.  It didn’t cause any breakouts to my sensitive skin either! I would recommend you use a good moisturizer with it because it can accentuate dry spots. I apply it by lightly dabbing three little dots under each eye, one dot on each side of nostril, and two dabs on chin. Then, I use my ring finger to gently tap/blend. It does dry fast, so work with a little quickly.  A little goes a long way! I would recommend this concealer for sure! The only draw back is that it contain parabens, as many cosmetics do…

 

 Maybelline MasterGlaze in ‘Warm  Nude’

  

Why I Needed It:

As far as quick make-up, having a no-fuss blush is the way to go. I bought the MasterGlaze in ‘Just Pinched Pink’, and fell in love. I love using it on my cheeks, and so I thought I would buy a bronzy sort of shade. I wanted a quick blush that I could brush on after putting my BB cream on.

What it does:

MasterGlaze is marketed as a blush stick. However, I have heard many people use it on their eyes and lips, too!

My Thoughts:

I lovvvveee the Warm Nude shade (pictured on the right, next to my other fav 'Just Pinched Pink')!  It works great with my yellow undertone. It is pigmented, blend-able, and applies on smoothly.  I highly recommend it, and will repurchase again.

 

Have you tried the Batiste Dry Shampoo? What about the SuperStay Concealer or the MasterGlaze? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Xo,

Ms.HealthyFace

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Indulging in Goa's Detox Facial Cleanser & Mask

Goa is a new luxury skincare label. It is 100% natural and organic (my fav things).  One of the Goa lines, India Gold, features a Green Tea Detox Facial Cleanser and Mask. The formula contains amino acids and Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, and E. It also contains ginseng, cinnamon, and  ginger essential oils, and witch hazel. So, it has antiseptic and toxin-banishing components.

I've been using the cleanser for about a week (you can tell from my picture)and tried the mask on last night. The cleanser is very gentle, but packs a punch of benefits. It does not leave your skin tight or dry. The texture is thick and smells super luxurious. After using the cleanser in my shower, my skin was super soft. I was even able to use this cleaner while using my Adapalene gel.

What's great about this product is that it is a 2-in-1, you get a cleanser AND a mask. When I used the formula as a mask, I drew myself a bath, and left the solution on for 10 minutes. I got a little aromatherapy session with the ginger and cinnamon essential oils -- super relaxing. After the mask, my face looks glowy and energized.

Checkout the India Gold and all of Goa's products at www.goacosmetics.com. You can request a sample, too! I hope you have a chance to try the facial cleanser and mask. I'd love to hear what you think!

 

Differin Gel: What I Wish My Dermatologist Would Have Told Me...

When my dermatologist prescribed Differin gel aka Adapalene, I thought, “Awesome! I’ll just put this on my face, and ‘Voila’  -- I would be acne free.” I was incredibly wrong!

After two nights of applying Adapalene on my face, I began to break-out with cystic acne, my skin became super sensitive,  burned when I splashed my face with water, and the skin on my face began to peel. After experiencing these negative side effects, I did some research on the manufacturer’s website, WebMD, Google, Instagram, Youtube, etc. So, I want to share with you what I learned…

How does Differin Gel/Adapalene work?

Differin gel/adapalene is a type of synthetic retinoid. It is one of the mildest forms available. Retinoids help your skin slough off (or desquamate) dead skin cells at a more normal rate. Sloughing aka exfoliating your dead skin cells is beneficial in that the dead skin cells don't bind together and clog your pores. When your pores aka oil ducts are clogged, you get acne! In general, retinoids, due to the sloughing off of your dead skin cells, have anti-acne and anti-aging benefits.



HELPFUL TIPS:

1. USE AT NIGHTTIME. Only use the gel in the evening as part of your night time regimen.


2. PEA-SIZE IS ALL YOU NEED. Use only a PEA-SIZE amount for your ENTIRE face. I like to squeeze out a pea-size onto my index finger, and then, lightly dab a little on both cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. Then, I spread it out evenly onto my face.


3. START SLOWLY. Begin by using the gel every other night or every two nights for at least a week. Then, after a couple weeks, or when you skin starts to adapt, begin to slowly use it every night.


4. AFTER APPLYING THE GEL, WAIT. Wait an hour after applying the gel to apply your serum and moisturizer. Generally, you are supposed to put on the gel as the first layer, before your serum or moisturizer. You are supposed to wait an hour so that the gel can be absorbed into the skin uninterrupted. However, if you have SENSITIVE skin, see number 5.


5. BUFFER. Buffering allows the gel to work less aggressively. If your skin is extremely sensitive, you can put other layers of products to lessen the effects of the gel. For example, in my early weeks of using the gel, I liked to put on my evening facial serum, then my evening moisturizer, then  gel. Note: Serums and moisturizers should be put on at least 20 minutes after washing your face. Washing your face disrupts the protective barriers on your skin, and so it is best to allow your face to return to status quo. Other ways to buffer: A) Mix the gel with your moisturizer or serum, and then, apply. B) If you put the gel on as your first layer, put the serum or moisturizer on right away instead of waiting an hour.


6. PURGING IS A NORMAL SIDE-EFFECT. Worsening of your acne aka purging is normal, but if you want to minimize purging, start off using the gel slowly. If you do purge, don’t pick at your pimples!! Let nature do its course, even if it looks terrible!


7. AVOID THE SUN AND SUNLAMPS.  If you are going to be in the sun, use a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen. I like to use Neutrogena Healthy Defense SPF 50+.


8. NO WAXING. Avoid waxing in areas you use the gel, e.g. your entire face. Try threading instead :)


9. AVOID HARSH TOPICALS. Avoid potentially irritating topical products, like medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers and products with high concentrations of astringents or alcohol. For example, cleansers with tea tree oil should not be used in combination with Differin gel. Be careful when using other products containing sulfur, resorcinol, or salicylic acid. Unless your face has adapted to a particular retinoid, in this case, Differin gel, it is best to not use the gel in conjunction with salicylic acid, AHA, BHA, etc.


10. DIFFERNIN GEL MAKES YOUR FACE SENSITIVE. Avoid extreme weather conditions, like high winds or extreme cold to minimize irritation.


11. DON'T STOP USING! Once you see results, you must continue to use Differin gel in order to continue seeing results and avoid future breakout.


12. BE PATIENT! It takes at least a couple months to start notice results.

I hope you enjoyed this article. Please let me know how Differin gel or adapalene worked for you!

xo,

Ms. Healthy Face

Sources:

http://www.differin.com/

http://www.skinacea.com/retinoids/natural-vs-synthetic-retinoids.html#.Ux5Z9uddUWU

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6445-Differin+Top.aspx?drugid=6445&drugname=Differin+Top

http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=87806/Differin-Gel/Unlisted-Brand/Treatments