Makeup By Kim Porter

The Best of the Beauty Blogazons Roundup 12/6/2013

Review: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula

Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula

What is the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula?

Unlike some other foaming cleansers that can leave skin feeling dry, tight or irritated, Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser provides a superior clean without the damage. Its patented formula is gentle enough for all skin types and clinically proven to protect skin’s natural barrier, while removing 99% of dirt, oil and makeup.

Why its foaming formula is superior:

Hypoallergenic fragrance

Removes 99% of impurities without over-drying

No added parabens, soaps or dyes

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lauryl Glucoside, Potassium Acrylates Copolymer, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Fragrance.

My thoughts:

I’ve used Neutrogena products in the past; I’m talking high school years! Yes, that far back.  The only other drugstore brand of skincare products I’ve used since or most recently was Cerave.  I’ve been using the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula for over one month now.  I must say that I am impressed with the results I’ve experienced since using it, and actually prefer it over the Cerave cleanser I’ve used previously, except for one issue, which I will mention later on in this post.

The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula was gentle enough for me to use both night and day.  It has kept my combination oily skin clean without leaving my skin dry, taught, and feeling stripped.  My pores didn’t clog, and that’s without using it with my Clarisonic. I feel like my skin looked healthier and brighter after using the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula.  My skin felt smooth after rinsing with no residue.  It also removed my makeup well enough for me to use it straight out without using a makeup remover wipe prior to cleansing my face.

I like that the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula is free of sulfates and parabens.  Lately, I’ve been aiming to stay away from products that contain those ingredients.  Also, the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula is free of dyes, therefore, it’s clear.  The formula of the cleanser isn’t watery or thick.  To me, it’s just the right consistency.  It lather’s well enough for me; I love products that lather.

What I didn’t like

The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula is supposed to be a cleanser made for people with sensitive skin.  Usually, sensitive skin formulations do not contain fragrance, which this product contains.  Although I did not experience any reactions to the fragrance, it still took some getting used to.  Yes, it’s a “hypoallergenic fragrance”, but I prefer my skincare products to be fragrance free, as sometimes I do experience an adverse reaction to fragrance in skincare products.  Hopefully, Neutrogena will re-work their formula to exclude fragrance, and make it a true sensitive skin product.

Would I recommend the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula?

Aside from the fragrance in the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula, which would irritate those sensitive to fragrance, I would recommend this as a daily cleanser. It has been effective in keeping my skin clear, and free of breakouts.  Whenever I use the cleanser, my skin looks and feels amazing. Plus, for $8.99-$9.99 for 12 oz of product, it’s super affordable.  Also, if you’re not into suds, there’s also a hydrating creamy formula.

The Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula can be purchased at your local Target, Walgreens, CVS or Ulta.

Check out my YouTube video to see what other products are part of my current skincare regimen.


 

Have you tried the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming Formula?

Disclosure: Product was provided by the company or its PR for review consideration. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and honest.

Review: The Swiss Army Knife of Makeup Application Tools – Becca The One Perfecting Brush #BeccaTheOne

Becca The One Perfecting Brush(4) 
 

What is it?

Becca The One Perfecting Brush is made with non-porous, high-quality goat hair allows product to sit on top of bristles rather than absorbing, ensuring a seamless application with no wasted product.  The bristles are free of dye; they will not lose shape or softness over time.  The shape and finish of the Becca One Perfecting Brush handle aim to provide controlled product application during your makeup application routine.

The bristles are densely packed in a 3.5 inch horizontal design allowing you to effortlessly and evenly cover larger or smaller surface areas. The density of the brush creates a smooth, even, and airbrushed application every time, making it easy to use for novice and professional makeup users.  Flat edges fit the linear contours of your face, while curved corners allow for targeted, more precise application. Long, flexible bristles make a variety of application techniques possible including: targeted application, stippling, blending, contouring, and highlighting.

My Thoughts:   

 

 

Becca The One Perfecting Brush palm

is what I’d say could be the swiss army knife of makeup application tools; it is advertised as ONE brush that can do the job of 10 other brushes, thus simplifying your makeup routine.  Call me crazy for being skeptical of this claim, but, I am not going to lie, I did not believe it.  If you look at the brush and how large it is, how can it possibly replace all of the following brushes: foundation brush, powder brush, contour brush, bronzer brush, stipple brush, blush brush, fan brush, concealer brush, kabuki, or sponge?  Another concern I had prior to using the Becca The One Perfecting Brush was product build-up on the brush after applying my makeup, and the possibility of it destroying my powder blushers, bronzers, and face products.

The Becca The One Perfecting Brush is extremely soft, and even though it looks large – it’s about the size of the palm of my hand – it’s extremely light-weight.  It’s actually lighter than some of my large powder brushes.

 

 

Becca The One Perfecting Brush (3) Becca The One Perfecting Brush

 

 

The Becca The One Perfecting Brush easily worked well for the following:

Foundation:

I’ve tried the brush with both cream and liquid foundation (I don’t use powder foundation).  I think the brush works best, and uses less product when dotting the foundation on the areas you need coverage, and then blending with the broad side of the brush

Applying Highlighter:

I used my MAC Iridescent Loose Powder in Golden Bronze to highlight my cheek bones by using the narrow surface of the brush.

Contouring/Bronzer:

Using the narrow surface of the brush, sweep brush under cheekbones, down sides of nose, and around temples. This is probably one of the best uses for this brush.  The brush can get under your cheekbones with no problem.  It actually makes contouring easy for a beginner.

Blusher:

Using the corner of the brush, buff into apples of cheeks using a circular motion and blend out.

 

Becca The One Perfecting Brush 2

What I didn’t like

What I didn’t like about the Becca The One Perfecting brush was the size.  It wasn’t’t easy for me to get into areas such as the corners of my nose and under my eyes without a lot of manipulating of the brush.

The brush is supposed to decrease your makeup application time by decreasing the number of brushes used during makeup application, but, having to clean the brush in between makeup application makes it just as tasking as using different brushes.

After removing the Becca The One Perfecting Brush from the packaging and just playing around with it, I lost some hairs.  I thought I could remedy the problem by cleansing the brush since I know that has worked for me in the past.  Therefore, I washed it with my Clean Brush Shampoo, and the brush still shed. That’s the kind of stuff I do not like! Uggh! I don’t like feeling shed brush hairs on my face while I’m doing my makeup, and plucking them off after.

FYI: Becca recommends cleaning the brush every two weeks.  I deep cleaned my brush weekly. I’m just anal about having clean brushes. The brush takes a while to dry, so keep that in mind.

Would I recommend the Becca The One Perfecting Brush?

When it comes down to affordability, either way you slice it, the Becca The One Perfecting Brush at $49 is a great buy.  If for you it replaces 10 brushes, that breaks down to $4.90 per brush. Most brushes are $9.00+ each.  Even if it only replaces 4-5 brushes, it’s still less than purchasing five different brushes.  The fact that it even replaces 4-5 brushes makes it good to tote around in your makeup bag, and for traveling.   My only concern is the shedding.  It sheds way too much for me.

Recommendations:  I think the brush should be a little bit smaller to accommodate people with smaller hands and smaller faces.  Also, since the brush sheds a lot, at least for me, that’s an issue that needs to be worked on.

 

Becca The One Perfecting Brush ($49) is sold exclusively at Sephora/Sephora.com

 

Is the Becca The One Perfecting Brush something you’d purchase? Why or why not?

Disclosure:  Product was provided for review consideration by iFABBO.  I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and are honest.

Holiday Gifting with L’Occitane

L’Occitane is one of my favorite brands when it comes to taking care of the skin on my body.  L’Occitane body products are luxurious, they smell good, and leaves the skin feeling soft, moisturized and healthy.  I love that L’Occitane products use natural products like essential oils, and through this, L’OCCITANE shares the colors, scents and traditions of the south of France with the world.  Now that the holiday’s are here, you now have the chance to give the gift of L’Occitane to a loved one.

One of my favorite products from L’Occitane is the Almond Shower Oil. I’ve purchased this over and over again.

Almond Enchantment – $95.50

Give the gift of deliciously soft skin with the mouth-watering scents and luxurious textures of our Almond Collection. This customer favorite set exfoliates, cleanses and smoothes.This Star Gift includes:Almond Shower Oil 16.9 fl.ozAlmond Milk Concentrate 3.5 .ozAlmond Shower Oil (Travel Size) 1.18 fl.ozAlmond Soap 1.7 .ozAlmond Hand Cream 1 .oz

 

Holiday Hands – $25

It’s no secret that L’Occitane has hands down, some of the best hand creams. They’re the perfect size to tote around in your bag, and you get three in the set to leave one in your desk drawer at work, one in your purse, and one in your nightstand drawer or even give to a friend.

Magnolia & Mure Collector’s Set – $113

I fell in-love with the Magnolia Mure fragrance when it was released this past spring with the La Collection De Grasse.

Shea Embrace

Get pampered head-to-toe with our #1 best-selling Shea Butter from Burkina Faso, West Africa – a must have that will deeply nourish, protect and soothe your skin this holiday season.This Star Gift includes:Shea Butter Hand Cream 2.6 .ozShea Butter Foot Cream 2.6 .ozShea Butter Body Cream 7 .oz Shea Butter Soap Milk 3.5 .oz Shea Butter Ultra Rich Shower Cream 2.5 fl.oz

Sign up now for early Black Friday access TODAY at L’Occitane!