b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit

b.right!

Benefit launched its newest products recently and it was a new skincare line called b.right! Radiant Skincare.

"Let there be light...b.right! Radiant Skincare by Benefit gives skin a radiantly refreshed, lit from within look. This limited edition set of introductory size products is all you need for healthy-looking radiance."  via Benefit Cosmetics

I for one go through many skin care products and are so unsure many times if I want to try out new products.  I'm just afraid of spending tons of money on items that do not work or make matters worse for my face.  However, if you are not ready to step and buy some full size skin care products from Benefit, Benefit has an Intro Kit that you can get for just $12.  That's pretty inexpensive in my book, to try out some products before committing whole heartily.

Product Details

b. right! Radiant Skincare Intro Kit = $12
Set includes:
~ refined finish facial polish smoothest surface facial exfoliator 8.9 g Net wt. 0.3 oz.
~ total moisture facial cream hydra-concentrated facial cream 3.0 g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
~ triple performance facial emulsion SPF 15 PA++ sheer oil-free facial lotion SPF 15 PA ++ with tri-radiance complex 8.9 mL / 0.3 US fl. oz

Any Skincare Junkies trying this out yet?

~ Mary

(Not affiliated with said company nor sponsored for post)

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing GEL vs LOTION

Here's a deeper look into both the lotion and the gel- what are the similarities and what are the differences?

Packaging, Price & Product:
They both come available in either a 1.7 oz tube ($13 usd) or 4.2 fl oz bottle ($24.50 usd) with a pump.
Trial and travel sizes are available in many GWP promotions.
I haven't seen these sold in any other sizes.
They have a faint pleasant scent, reminiscent of lemon grass but many Clinique skin care products carry this scent so if you're familiar with this brand, this scent shouldn't be anything new to you.

Lotion (designed for normal/dry skin):
The moisture drink developed by Clinique dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for very dry skins, or skins dry in the cheeks, comfortable to oily in the T-zone. Softens, smooths, improves.



My thoughts:
The lotion moisturizes well but for me, it is too greasy on my skin. It has a nice whipped consistency and is easy to apply but it doesn't sink into my skin.
The lotion is better suited for people who have dry to normal skin.


Gel (designed for oily skin):
The oil-free moisture drink developed by Clinique dermatologists to maintain optimal moisture balance for skins comfortable in the cheeks but oily in the T-zone or oily all over. Oil-free formula softens, smooths, improves.



My thoughts:
The gel also moisturizes well and feels light weight on my skin. It has an almost watery-like consistency and is also easy to apply. It sinks right into my skin and leaves a very smooth feel on my face.
The gel is better suited for people who have oily, combo and even normal skin can benefit from this.

*****

Overall, I like the gel better (as I have combo-oily skin) and I have been using it daily for the past 3-4 months now. This will be great for me in the spring, summer and fall seasons. I do have to say though, that during this cold/dry winter season I tend to use just a tad more around my nose and chin (since those are my dry spots) and that does the trick! I wouldn't necessarily say this product is "dramatically moisturizing" per se, but it definitely smooths out my skin texture and in a way, acts like a face primer.
It's recommended that you use this twice a day, but I just use it in the mornings.
As I've said, I've been using my bottle for 3-4 months now and it's only 1/3 of the way down so this should last me through this new year!
Yes, I plan to repurchase!

Thanks for reading ladies!
Have a nice day!
~Lisa

Credits: Clinique.com, google

FTC: Products were purchased with my own money. Reviews/thoughts remain my own.

Vanicream moisturizing skin cream - an overview

Here's a skin cream I'm trying and have been using this month!
I heard about it through other bloggers.

Vanicream is:

A non-greasy, long-lasting moisturizing cream that is easy-to-spread, quickly absorbed and non-comedogenic (does not cause blackheads). Also available as a lotion.

• Dermatologist recommended
• Non-irritating, non-staining
• Soothes red, irritated, cracking or itchy skin
• Soothes and retards the blistering of sunburn
• Use as a night cream and for massage
• Apply as needed to face, hands, feet and body
• Apply after bathing, showering, swimming or sun exposure
• Apply before exposure to wind or cold
• Beneficial in skin problems such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), psoriasis, and ichthyosis which may be aggravated by lack of moisture
• Used as a compounding base by physicians and pharmacists
• Formulated without common chemical irritants

So far, so good!
It's moisturizing enough for my dry skin, especially during this cold/dry winter!
I wish it had a little scent to it though, even a simple "baby powder" scent would be nice since plain lotion smells chalky to me.

Where to Buy: any drugstore should have this in stock.
It retails anywhere from $12-$15 depending on the size and where you buy.
Mine is a hefty 1 lb tub so it cost me $14.50 but it should last me at least 1 year.
The good thing about this is that my 3 year old son can also use this, since he has dry/sensitive skin.

Sephora 500 point perk - Philosophy skin care set

So I recently redeemed my 500 Sephora Beauty Insider points.
I was super excited to receive it!!
Firstoff, because I've been wanting to try Philosophy skin care for quite some time now.
And secondly, these were good sized trials and it cost me $0. =)

Here's what came in the PHILOSOPHY Resolution GREAT SKIN Set:

Purity Made Simple-one step facial cleanser 2 fl oz./59.2 ml
Hope in a Jar-original formula mpisturizer for all skin types  12 ml/.4 fl oz
When Hope is not Enough firming facial serum  .375 fl oz./11.1 ml
Sample eye hope  advanced anti-aging eye serum

So far, I've tried all but the eye serum!
I like the facial cleanser best! The facial serum is nice, it sinks right into my skin and makes it feel supple. Not sure if the moisturizer fits my skin type, it's thick and a tad on the heavy side.
So, have you reached any of the Sephora Beauty Insider points perks yet?
What are you getting? or What did you get?
Share =)


Thanks for reading!
~Lisa

Murad Clarifying Cleanser - an overview

So a few weeks ago I walked into Sephora in search of a new cleanser.
I spotted this cleanser and took a look at it. I'd heard people talk about it before and the reviews were promising. This line is owned/created by a reknowned dermatologist, so it's considered to be a prestigious line of skin care.
I was set to purchase it but then the SA started talking to me and she insisted that I try it before I buy it. She offered me a sample, so I thought "what the heck, why not?!"
I used it later that night, and kept using it for the next 3-4 days.

I noticed a difference in my skin.
It felt clean and clear  (not only after washing my face, but even hours afterward).

A little info about my skin- I am quite acne prone, have combo-oily skin and I blemish up really easy. One scab will affect my overall complexion and can stay visible for months! (ahhh!)

Therefore, I love products that work. Products that make a visual difference!

A little info about the product-

Retails- $26 for a 6.75 oz bottle (Sephora, Ulta, etc.)
but there are websites where you can get it for a few dollars cheaper than retail value.

Texture- It's a somewhat runny yellowish/clear gel consistency. It lathers up in a rich foam, not too bubbly. It has a pine-sol like scent (reminiscent of lemons) but it's very faint.
A generous dime size amount is enough to cover and rinse your entire face.

Packaging- flip top plastic bottle that is stored upright. Nothing special, convenient. No issues.


Straight from Sephora's site:
Clarifying Cleanser
What it is:
A maximum strength acne gel cleanser.

What it is formulated to do:
Effectively treats and prevents acne and skin breakouts by reducing 99.9 percent of irritating surface bacteria in less than one minute. Penetrates deep to keep skin clean and clear.

Active Ingredients:
-Powerful Antibacterial Ingredients: Fights bacteria on contact.
-Salicylic Acid: Clears skin and prevents future breakouts.
-Chamomile and Green Tea Extracts: Comforts irritated skin.

Overall Rating:
I give this a 5/5 because it does what it claims to do (as I've been using this for 2+ weeks now).
Price might be a little steep for some but if you think about it- a bottle should last 3-4 months so it's like paying $6-8 per month for clear/clean skin? So worth it imo.

Credits: Sephora.com, google