Rhoto Cooling Eye Drops

I get "allergy eyes" seasonally and use allergy eye drops, however, there are times where it's more tiredness and redness you want to get rid of.  I read an article ages ago about a makeup artist who used Rhoto Eye Drops on clients (one of which was either Mary Kate or Ashely Olsen) to reduce redness for photos.  I picked up the Rhoto Ice (blue cap) drops for the first time at an NYC drugstore.  That bottle has since expired so I replaced it with the Rhoto Cooling (red cap) version. 

Warning: These eye drops definitely burn a bit on first contact, so be prepared!

Both the Rhoto Ice and Rhoto Cooling give a nice tingley sensation and make the whites of your eyes amazingly white.  They are perfect for waking up your tired, itchy, red eyes.  Who wants red, runny, bloodshot eyes when you spend all that time perfecting your beautiful eye makeup? 

 

So here are the quick facts from the Rhoto site...

Rhoto Cooling Eye Drops

• Maximum Redness Relief
• Whitens & Protects
• Soothes Up to 8 Hours
• Refreshes & Lubricates
• Relieves Burning & Irritation

Rhoto Ice Eye Drops

• Fast Acting - Soothes Itch & Burn
• Relieves Redness
• Hydrates Dry Eyes
• Refreshes & Soothes up to 8 hours

Price: $6.99

 

Both versions are great, and a great staple to throw into your makeup bag for clearing redness or refreshing  eyes if any eye makeup bothers you.  I promise your eyes will look so rested, without a hint of redness, that you won't even mind about the bit of stinging at the beginning!

Skincare Sunday: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer Review

I always make a renewed effort on my skin care each New Year, so the beginning of 2015 has been no different.  At 32, I want to make sure I am being as proactive as possible about everything I put on my face.  Part of that renewal was giving up my old standby "acne" proudcts that I've been using forever and moving on to protecting and perfecting with retinols and SPF.  Boosting my skin now will hopefully put me ahead of the game later!

The biggest change in my routine has been the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer.  After I wash my face at night with the Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser*, I take a pea-sized amount of this night moisturizer and put it all over my face and down my neck (none of us wants turkey neck when we're older, right?)

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer - Claims from Neutrogena.com

• Accelerated Retinol SA fades wrinkles fast
• Brightens Skin Tone
• Smooth fine lines and texture
• Diminishes age spots
• Moisturizes and renews the look of skin
• Visible results in 1 week

Price: $17.99 at Target

This product is a keeper in my skincare routine.  My skin definitely looks more even, toned, and smooth.  Results are noticeable in the first week, as claimed.  It hasn't completely faded my old acne scarring, but it looks so much better than it did before.  I actually enjoy the scent - it's not super strong, but pleasant.  As a side bonus...the retinol is keeping most breakouts at bay, or at the very least, accelerating their downfall if any do pop up.

Overall, this is an awesome product.  If you have sensitive skin, you may want to start out applying it every over or every third night until your skin gets used to it.  I have elephant-thick (not sensitive) skin, so using it every day isn't an issue for me.  Here's to keeping all the wrinkles away for as long as possible!

*I will review the Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser next week for Skincare Sunday :)

L’Oréal Paris Infallible® Pro-Last Lipcolor

L’Oréal Paris Infallible® Pro-Last Lipcolor is a relatively new product to the drugstore.  I decided to pick one up since I have been loving longwearing liquid lipcolors lately.  The color I decided to get is called Everlasting Caramel (201) and is a neutral pink-nude.

Everlasting Caramel (201)

L’Oréal Paris Infallible® Pro-Last Lipcolor (Claims from the Loreal Paris USA site)

• Long-lasting, transfer-resistant color
• High-intensity color with a moisturizing feel that lasts up to 24 hours

Price: $13.49 [CVS]
Directions: first apply the lip color and wait about a minute for it to dry, then apply the Pro-Seal balm to set it and moisturize.

Overall, I really liked the color of the lip color and thought the color payout was great.  The balm definitely did moisturize and this didn't feel as drying as some long wearing liquid lipsticks.  I did notice some fading along the inner parts of my lips after a few hours and definitely after eating and drinking.  I didn't reapply either the color or balm just to see long it would last - I would give it about 6-8 hours without reapplication and longer if you could reapply at least the balm.

However, for the price and only a small amount of the lip color, I would rather pay a couple bucks more and go for the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick ($20) or Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick ($22).

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

I used Origins products through high school and college infrequently.  I used to get the starter/gift sets which were a great value.  There used to more stand-alone Origins stores than there seem to be now. There was one in the large mall in my area as well as by my college.  My dad and I would always get the gumballs from here - that seems bizarre but they are so refreshing and minty - seriously, try one.

Back to skincare!  Today I am reviewing the Checks and Balances Face Wash.

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash (claims from Origins)

• Balances faces with dry and oily places, without cancelling each other out
• Broad Leaf Kelp Extract discourages excess oil production
• Wheat Protein balances and protects dry prone zones
• Tourmaline actually makes water wetter to more easily disperse dirt and sebum down the drain
• Skin feels comfortably refreshed after cleansing, never tight, pulled or parched.

Price: $21.50 [Origins/Sephora]

This face wash definitely holds up to it's claims.  It leaves your face really refreshingly clean without the tight feeling other washes give you.  It doesn't leave you feeling stripped or dry, just tingly, clean and balanced.

All in all, I love the way this makes my skin feel, however, I don't think it's worth the almost $22 price tag.  I would rather spend my money on a great face cream.  Origins makes great skincare products AND makeup, which is amazing.  I will definitely continue checking them out!  Maybe I will be able to find another starter kit for a great price.

Sometimes they will run a promo for a free mini-facial which are amazing and you get to try out some of their products.  I remember loving the GinZing Eye Cream which is more worthy of a splurge to me.

Other Origins Products I've tried:
- Never A Dull Moment Face Polisher
- Mint Wash
- Out of Trouble 10 Minute Mask
- Oil Refiner Skin Purifying Toner
- A Perfect World White Tea Skin Guardian