Stash It or Trash It? Garnier BB Cream

Welcome to my new series, Stash It or Trash It!  This series will go into a short review-type post but ultimately decide, should we Stash It, and add it to our beauty collection stash, or simply Trash It?!?! 

First Up: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream -- Medium/Deep

The Claims from Garnier:

• Renews
• Brightens
• Evens skin tone
• Protects
• Hydrates for 24 Hours

I bought the original version, but wish I had bought the Oily/Combination Skin version.  This BB cream looks a bit greasy on my after wearing it for a bit or if I use it under makeup (I have oily/combo skin) but if you have normal to dry skin, I think the original formula would be perfect.

For now, I have been using it as my day cream just to get the benefits and blur any large pores, marks, etc.  I love the way it gives the look of makeup without applying makeup since I don't apply makeup during the week if I am just running errands, etc.  It also works well with the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder over it (I use shade Sandstorm).

Final Verdict: STASH IT (for now).  This is the first BB cream I have tried, so for now, I'll be STASHING IT because I love the look of it for every day when I am not putting a full face of makeup on but don't want to look like a schlub.  I definitely will use it all up and wouldn't TRASH IT.  However, I won't be wearing it as a moisturizer under makeup because it makes me greasy but will try the version for oily skin.  I also want to try the Laneige BB Cushion so we'll see how I feel about BB creams overall after trying a few more :)

Duel: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse v. Dream Matte Mousse

I have been hearing about the Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse for a while now and have been meaning to pick one up to give it a try.  When I finally went out to buy it, my brain happened to erase the word Smooth.  For some reason the Dream Matte Mousse seemed to be what I saw everywhere, so that's what I bought.  Then watching a review one day I wondered why my pot looked different.  Oh.  That little word Smooth makes it an entirely different foundation.  So that brings us to today's post...a duel!

The Duel: Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse v. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse.

Dream Matte: Normal to Oily Skin, 12 shades

Dream Matte has double the shade range of Dream Smooth, so it would be easier to find a perfect match.  I bought this one first and in shade Nude (Light 4) at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Dream Matte*

I applied Dream Matte with my fingers and it's a light, fluffy, whipped texture that glides right onto skin.  I actually forgot I was wearing makeup because it was so light, even hours later!  It stayed matte, even without powder, and I wouldn't even use powder with this foundation because it almost has a powder look already to it once it's on.

Dream Smooth: Normal to Dry Skin, Hydrates for 14 Hours, 6 Shades
This one seems not as readily available as the Dream Matte.  I bought shade Nude Beige 180 based off my shade (Nude) in Dream Matte at Target.

Dream Smooth*

 

I can definitely see why they call it Dream SMOOTH because that's exactly how it feels!  It has great medium coverage and feels extremely weightless.  I applied it with the sponge that's housed in it's lid, and it glides right on.  Another day where I felt like I had no makeup on.

WINNER:  TIE!  Both these foundations apply beautifully and are great lightweight foundations, especially for summer.  I love the flawless finishes and easy to travel packaging.  Both give a 'My skin...just better" look and feel.  If I had to pick, I would say the Dream Matte looked slightly better on me, but that may be because I have an oily/combo skin type.  It was really so close though, and I will be keeping both in my foundation cycle.

*For the pictures, all I have on is the foundation and the L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Waterproof Mascara in Blackest Black.  I didn't want to add anything else to distract from how the foundations looked.
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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25
Makeup Forever HD -- 117-118
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation -- Light 48
Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation -- Medium 52
Urban Decay Naked -- 3.0
Bare Minerals -- Medium Beige
Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily -- Medium Beige 240
Revlon Colorstay Whipped -- Medium Beige 250
Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- Nude
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear -- Nude 40
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers -- Nude 40
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180
L'Oreal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oreal True Match -- N3

Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Foundation Makeup Review

Neutrogena as a brand has been a long time love of mine.  When I started wearing makeup I used the Cover Girl Clean Foundation then quickly found the Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation.  I used the Neutrogena foundation from when I started wearing makeup regularly (Sophomore/Junior year in high school) , and through college.  I love that Neutrogena offers great coverage but doesn't feel super heavy or clog your pres.

So with a love for Neutrogena already in place, I knew I had to try the new Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear Foundation Makeup.  I picked it up in the shade Nude 40 at Target since Cartwheel had an extra 10% off (plus if you use your Red Card, another 5% off).

Claims from Neutrogena:
- Lasts 12 Hours (Resists Heat and Humidity)
- Erases Skin Imperfections
- Tone Correcting Complex: nourishing antioxidants, soy, Vitamins A, C, E, and light diffusing powders
- Improve Skin Tone and Texture in 4 Weeks

I would say the downside is that there is only 8 shades (ivory through dark beige range).

Swatch of Nude 40

 

Wear Test for the Foundation!

I did a wear test on this on Saturday and wore it for about 10-11 hours.  I didn't set it with a powder like I normally would because I wanted an honest opinion of what the staying power was going to be like without it.  I have to say, for having combo/oily skin, the only thing shiny on me after the 10-11 hours was my nose and that's pretty impressive!  Nothing came sliding off or looked shiny elsewise.

The coverage is really good!  It covered all my little marks I wanted covered but didn't look cakey or like too much coverage either.  I would call this full coverage, but doesn't feel like it, in a good way!

The closest thing I can compare it to is the Revlon Colorstay (I have the Combination/Oily Skin Foundation in Medium Beige-240).  It's very thick like the Colorstay and stays put for a long time.  I wore this in about low 80 degree heat and in and out of places so I would say it holds up pretty well to it's claim.

I will definitely keep this in my foundation rotation!
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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25
Makeup Forever HD -- 117-118
Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation -- Light 48
Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation -- Medium 52
Urban Decay Naked -- 3.0
Bare Minerals -- Medium Beige
Revlon Colorstay Combo/Oily -- Medium Beige 240
Revlon Colorstay Whipped -- Medium Beige 250
Neutrogena Healthy Skin -- Nude
Neutrogena Nourishing Long Wear -- Nude 40
Neutrogena Mineral Sheers -- Nude 40
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180
L'Oreal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oreal True Match -- N3

Review: John Frieda Precision Foam Colour & My Color Story

{This post includes affiliate links.  Affiliate links are where I make a portion of sales from links used, which helps keep Beauty Freckled going.  Thanks for your support!}

 

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour is my absolute favorite drugstore hair color!

My Hair Color Story: I first discovered John Frieda Precision Foam when I couldn't make it to my salon to get my hair colored (I was a level 6 red in Wella at the time) and just needed to touch up my roots between appointments.  So I figured I would try myself, knowing if the results were terrible, my colorist/stylist could fix it..  I picked the John Frieda 4R Dark Red Brown after seeing it on Pinterest, and it didn't turn out too bad considering I had no clue about dyeing my own hair!

After a while, I stopped having time to get to the salon, and the salon dye smell was making me feel crummy so I decided to try doing it myself again.  Back to my trusty John Frieda Precision Foam I went.  For a year or two, I played around between the 4R and the 5R.  I tried the 3VR once and I also tried the Garnier Nutrisse Nourishing Ultra Color Intense Red for Dark Hair in Medium Intense Auburn R2.  The Garnier Ultra Color R2 was great for dark hair, but the smell was more like salon color and it was a bit too bright for what I decided I wanted for myself.

I eventually decided to go back to my natural color, which is black.  First I went to the darkest color John Frieda makes, 2A Blue Black.  This color was a tad darker than my naturally black hair and definitely has a blue sheen when the light hits it.  Not like an electric blue that you'll notice right off the bat, but a black so dark it has an almost blue-ish highlight when the light shines on it.

Then I tried the 2N Natural Black which I would say is closest to my natural color.  I used this color for about four or five months to let my hair grow out a bit.  I could go longer between coloring because no obvious roots showed like with the red (just grays, wha wha whaaaa).

Right now, I am back to the 3VR Deep Cherry Brown because it looks dark like the 2N Natural Black but with almost a red highlight or sheen.  So...my hair...but better!

I love this dye because it doesn't smell as bad as others (definitely not as bad as salon dye), the foam is super easy to use and covers every hair evenly and beautifully, and the conditioner it comes with it is AMAZING (and I never used to like conditioner!).  The conditioner smells awesome and locks in your color.  You get a lot in the conditioner, definitely enough for the weekly use it suggests and more!

What Comes In the Box:
1 Pair Gloves (heavy duty - much thicker than others)
Developer (Bottle #1)
Color (Bottle #2)
Conditioner - 1.69 oz (Bottle #3)
Foamer Pump
Directions for Full Coverage and Root Application

Price: $11.99 [Target] or $9.99 [Amazon]
Shades: 21 Shades [5 Sheer Blonde, 8 Brilliant Brunette, 4 Salon Blends, 2 Radiant Red, 2 Luminous Black]

 

 

Directions:
1.  Empty the Color (Bottle #2) into the Developer (Bottle #1).
2.  Tip bottle 5 times to mix.
3.  Apply foam to head using either Root Application or Full Head Application.
4.  Wait the 15-30 Minutes depending on which application you chose.
5.  Rinse and use Conditioner (Bottle #3) to lock in!

Colors I Have Used:
5R Medium Red Brown
4R Dark Red Brown
3VR Deep Cherry Brown (what I have been using lately)
2A Blue Black
2N Natural Black (closest to my natural color)

Check out the John Frieda Precision Foam Colour if you're interested in an easy at home dye.

Skincare Routine

Welcome to Skincare Sunday!  I will update my skincare routine as I change products.  I will also do some separate reviews and mask routines.

Part of a friend's New Year's Resolution was to take better care of her skin.  I had never thought of making this a resolution but she was totally on to something.  I definitely need to make this a mid-year resolution.

When I was working full-time, it was a lot easier for me to get into a routine with my skincare.  I would shower in the morning, then moisturize my face and body right after I got out.  Now that I am a stay-at-home mommy, it's harder to get into a routine.  It seems making the baby breakfast comes before washing my face, then so do a million other things.  I also shower in the afternoon or evening during the week so I am a bit backwards of what I used to do.

So, back to the resolution board I go - better late than never.  I put a pump bottle of the Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleanser by my toothbrush to remind myself to wash and moisturize my face when I brush my teeth (no excuses!).  The Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser is in the shower for when I shower at night.  Both lotions are in the linen closet so I can use them right after doing my face.

I usually use a mask at least once a week to control the oily parts of my skin.  The Microdermabrasion wand stays in my shower and I will use that once a week as well to exfoliate.

So here's the current rundown of my skincare routine:

Morning:
Aveeno Positively Radiant Brightening Cleanser
Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer - SPF 15

Evening:
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser
Neutrogena Pore Refining Daily Cleanser
Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion - SPF 15
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream

Masks:
Freeman Avocado & Oatmeal Mask
Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask

Other:
Neutrogena Microdermabrasion System
Up & Up Blackhead Facial Scrub (Target brand of Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser)

 

When I run out of the Aveeno, I will probably make the Neutrogena Pore Refining Cleansers my morning routine.  I want to try the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer to get some retinol back into my facial care.  I used to use the Retin-A Micro for acne and it really evened out my skin tone.  Plus retinol helps as an anti-wrinkle treatment, so it's great to get started early!

What skincare products do you guys love?  I want to try a sheet mask so let me know below your favorite kinds!