Friday, January 24, 2014

Winter Edit: Skincare Routine January 2014


Winter Skin = Dry, flaky, itchy, irritated.  Oh wait, that's my skin all year long!

So when winter comes, it's time for richer textures, oils, and lots of exfoliation (sorry it's not pictured, but I will list and link everything that I use in my routine in the post!)

Being that I work where I do, I have a plethora of skincare in my arsenal, and so I try a lot and rotate a lot.  I wanted to make sure I give you everything that I'm currently using so with that in mind -- here we go!

My cleanser(s) of choice still remain to be oil cleansers.  Do not let them scare you, especially if you're oily...they are fantastic at helping control your oil production and keeping you hydrated!  They also rinse clean which means no greasy feeling!  Currently, I have the Sephora Supreme Cleansing Oil, and a couple samples of the Dior cleansing oil that I'm working through.  My ultimate favorite is the Boscia Makeup Breakup and I've tried the new Tsubaki hybrid cleanser and that's ace as well!

As far as exfoliation goes, I'm still loyal to my Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Pads as well as throwing in some Bliss Steep Clean or Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Peel and Reveal.  Also, I have a Clarisonic Aria that I pretty much keep on the highest speed ;)

So after I've cleansed and exfoliated, I move onto serum.  I've been using my Fresh Black Tea Age Delay Serum for a month now, and it's so cooling and fresh feeling on my skin!

I then layer my moisturizer mixed with 2-3 drops of Fresh Seaberry Face Oil.  For day I'm using the Caudalie Vinexpert Riche (the packaging has changed but it's great for some serious moisture and a gorgeous radiant glow!) and for night I have the Sephora Collection Age Defy night cream.  Both textures are richer than a typical moisturizer (aka my favorite texture! the richer the better!) 

My eye cream right at this moment is the Active 7 Radiant Eye Gel from Ren.  Again, this has gone through a package switch.  Some days I think that I should have saved it for this upcoming spring/summer because I don't think it's giving me as much as I want as far as moisture right now, but it's not leaving me parched in any way.  I love the texture and the cool feeling of a gel around the eyes too -- especially since I have allergies and wake up with super puffy and irritated eyes most mornings ;)


That's my current skincare routine...sometimes I'll throw in an Ole Henriksen Lemon Strip Flash Peel to really get the flakies away...

If you have any questions or want a more in-depth review of any products, please let me know!




Some products shown in this blog post were received as gratis from my job.  This does not influence my thoughts or opinions on any of the products I choose to show on my blog.  I am not sponsored by any of the companies featured in this blog post - nor am I blogging on behalf of my employer.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Dupe Dossier: Benefit "Peek-A-Bright Eyes" vs. WetNWild "Walking on Eggshells"

Makeup Junkies.  I'm one.  If you're reading this, you're probably one.  We always are on a mission.  To find the most amazing products.  To find the perfect foundation.  Sometimes it's to find the better deal on things.  But my favorite thing to do is to be challenged to find a duplicate of something (when I'm at work, that is). 

Nine times out of ten, I'm honest about it and what we find will not be the exact same color/texture/finish/etc but you can usually find things that are pretty darn close.

The other day I decided I wanted to have something super simple that I can just toss into a makeup bag when I know I'm either staying at friends' places/traveling for work and I don't have to think about it -- I can jazz it up with a funky liner or a fun lip color but it will serve me well to look put together.  I remembered that I wanted to try the WetNWild trios (wait, just because one works at Sephora doesn't mean that one is a makeup snob?! Haha! I'm here to debunk THAT rumour - the looks that people give me when I'm told that their Maybelline mascara is amazing and they don't want a high end one and I say "well, my favorite mascara if I'm honest will probably always be the original LashBlast!" is probably the best reaction ever!)

I ran into the local RiteAid and grabbed one for $2.99.  I got "Walking on Eggshells" which is undeniably the most popular and just an easy addition to my travel bag as far as natural and pretty.

The next day I brought home some gratis and found the new Benefit "Peek-a-Bright Eyes" palette.  I was flabbergasted when I opened it and found that it pretty much duplicated what I just purchased the night before!


seriously? after I just spent money? SERIOUSLY? LOL!

 swatched.  can you tell the difference?
Top: Benefit
Bottom: WetNWild

So basically my major differences that I noticed are:
  • Benefit's pink tone is brighter and brown is cooler and slightly deeper
  • WetNWild's pink tone is more champagne pink, brown is warmer
  • Benefit's applicators are superior to WetNWild's craplicators (yep, that's what I call them!)
  • Benefit has a cream eye brightener and instruction booklet included.
The textures are similar across the board...WetNWild has come a LONG way in terms of taking shadows that used to be chalky and frankly, quite painful to put on to having such a buttery smooth texture with fabulous one swipe payoff!  Benefit never disappoints in their eyeshadow department.  Buttery, pigmented, and a dream to work with.

Is one better than the other?  Truthfully, no.  I think that both are quite good for different reasons and I'm sure that both will find homes in travel bags and everyday makeup looks alike!





*Benefit Peek A Bright Eyes was gratis'd to me through my employer.  This does not sway me on my own thoughts or opinions*