Friday, January 30, 2015

Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation and Powder Review

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One of my problem areas is around my nose (and it's pores) so I picked up the new Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless foundation and powder at CVS.  The Matte + Poreless line is supposed to be good for normal to oily skin, where as the regular Fit Me line is better for normal to dry skin, similar to how Revlon Colorstay works.  I haven't tried the regular Fit Me line yet, but I hear the concealer is great.  As I have combo to oily skin (my cheeks are dryer and my t-zone is more oily), the Matte + Poreless line is better for me.

I bought the powder and foundation in Buff Beige [130], but ended up exchanging the foundation for Nude Beige [125] (the powder doesn't seem to come in this color).  The Nude Beige foundation was a better fit, but the powder in Buff Beige worked out really well, even with other foundation I tried it with (Neutrogena Long Wear Foundation, see post here).  My shade comparisons are below, as usual.

Here are the claims from Maybelline's site:
Maybelline FIT ME!® Matte + Poreless Foundation
  • Tone + texture-fitting foundation for the ultimate natural fit
  • Mattifies, erases pores and matches natural tone
  • Micro-powders erase pores and absorb oil
  • For Normal to Oily Skin
Maybelline FIT ME!® Matte + Poreless Powder
  • Tone + texture-fitting powder for the ultimate natural fit
  • Mattifies and matches natural tone for a natural poreless-looking finish
  • Shine Control, up to 12hour wear
  • Buildable coverage
Price: Foundation: $8.59 CVS [$6.99 at Target]
          Powder: $7.99 CVS [$6.99 at Target]


I really liked the look that the foundation and powder gave.  It didn't get cakey, and coverage is buildable to medium or full.  I did get a little oily around my nose area by the end of the day, but nothing a little bit more powder or a blotting paper couldn't fix.  The foundation overall looked pretty flawless and I will keep it around.

If you're combo/oily like me, check out the Maybelline Matte + Poreless line - both the foundation and powder are super affordable and work really well for combo to oily skin.

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My Foundation Shade Comparisons:
MAC -- NC 20-25

MAC Studio Fix Powder -- NC30
Makeup Forever HD -- 130
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 Powder Foundation -- Nude 40

Maybelline Fit Me! Matte - Nude Beige 125 (found.) / Buff Beige 130 (powder)
Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse -- Nude (Light 4)
Maybelline Dream Smooth -- Nude Beige 180

Maybelline Dream Wonder -- Nude 40
L'Oreal Magic Nude -- Natural Buff 318
L'Oreal True Match -- N3

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Skincare Sunday: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream

Eye cream might be one of the most overlooked beauty and skincare items.  If you are moisturizing your face, why moisturize your eye area with a completely different product, right?  Why not save some time and skip the extra step?  Trust me, take the extra step and 30 seconds...try it for a week and tell me it doesn't feel different to you!  Read on for some my favorite eye cream, the claims, how I apply it...

I have been using eye cream for a few years now more as a preventative measure, plus as a treatment.  Let's be honest, I am 32...seeing the first sign of those little laugh lines is a bit scary the first time you realize they're there!  I tried a few different products (Mary Kay, Mark from Avon) and settled on the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream.


I am no stranger to Neutrogena and they're my go-to for drugstore skin care and cosmetics (hello, Neutrogena supahfan here) so trying this little guy seemed natural.  You only need a tiny dot - I am talking less than a dime-sized drop here (more a small pea) - for both eyes, and the tube lasts a super long time (0.5 oz / 15 g).  It makes my under eye area feel tightened up, less puffy, and look filled out and plumped - like I have less wrinkles!  I already have a back-up and will definitely keep using it.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream {claims from their site}
  • Muti-Vitamin Treatment
  • Alpha-Hydroxy (to treat lines) & Melibiose (maintains firmness)
  • Proven to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eye area
  • Hypoallergenic & Fragrance Free
Price: $11.59 [Target]* Target also gives a $5 gift card if you buy 3 Neutro iteams thru 2/21

How I Apply:  I squeeze out a tiny dot onto my middle or ring finger,** tap the opposite ring finger into that (essentially halving it), and tap that bit onto that undereye and repeat on opposite eye.  I will also take what's left or a bit more and tap onto my outer corners, brow bone, and drag what's left onto my eyebrows to banish those little dry flakes that sometimes pop up during the winter months.

*Target also has the Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle System for $15.99 where you get this particular eye cream, the Fresh Foaming Cleanser and the Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Face Cream.  Considering just the eye cream alone is $11.59 this is a super deal!  I just ordered it so I can try the whole line together and will review that when I try it!
**Why the middle/ring finger?  Your undereye area is one of the most fragile areas of the skin so you want to tap using a less dominant finger so you don't drag the skin and make more wrinkles.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Sally Hansen Brush-On Hair Remover for Face

Sorry for the extreme Holiday break, everyone!  Beauty Freckled is back, and I can't wait to share some new items, and new favorites with you in 2015!  Skincare Sunday is back this week and many new items will be visiting the Freckled One this year :)

First off, we have a necessary evil.  Having darker hair, sometimes hair shows up more where we would rather it...not.  I used to have it waxed, and then sugared (a gentler form of waxing) but hated having to schedule it and pay $8-20 each time, so I tried a few at-home products to take care of this pesky issue.

A college friend introduced me to the Sally Hansen line of hair removal products.  After trying her brush-on kind, I purchased a similar version that comes in a tube (Crème Hair Removal Duo Kit) and has a smoothing lotion that's really calming afterwards.  It was very similar to the brush on version.  I have also tried the pump version, and the pump was constantly getting clogged, so I went back to the brush and have stayed with it ever since!


  • New and improved clean, fresh scent
  • Contains Willow Herb and Pumpkin Seed Extracts, known to help reduce the appearance of hair regrowth
  • Formulated with Vitamin E, known to soften and smooth skin
  • Moisturizing formula gently removes hair
Price: $7.48 CVS [I usually buy it at Harmon inside Bed Bath & Beyond - might be a bit cheaper there.]
Using this product is super easy.  Brush some over that 'stash area, wait ~5 minutes, then wipe off against the hair growth.  It's that easy!

I think it removes the unwanted hair very easily and I only have to use it about once a month or once every month and a half.  The smell isn't the most pleasant, but I don't think any depilatories smell like roses.


Caution!  Leaving this product on for too long CAN leave burn-like red marks, so please be careful!  I have coarse, dark hair, so the 5 minutes is needed for me.  If you have fine, light hair, a shorter time period may be better for you.  Please read all directions enclosed and do a test patch beforehand.  If you feel it starting to burn, remove it immediately.

I want to try the Sally Hansen Extra Strength All-Over Body Wax Hair Removal Kit next for my underarms and bikini area in the warmer months.  Heard great things!