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

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.

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!

Sally Hansen Brush-On Hair Remover for Face

• 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!

Cleaning Makeup Brushes

Today I did some brush washing so I thought I would go through my cleaning process for brushes.

On an average day, I will normally use my Sephora travel kit (similar to this Slim Set) that has a blush, large shadow, crease, smudger, and liner brush, as well as a few random other (Elf, Neutrogena, etc.).  For nicer occasions, I will pull out my Sigma face and eye sets.

I try to clean either my "daily" brushes or the Sigma set all at once so I don't have to think which are clean and which I didn't clean yet.  I use Johnson's Baby Shampoo as my brush cleanser because it's mild and doesn't have a strong scent.

1.  Wet brush, angling brush down towards the sink, as not to saturate the handle (especially for wood handles).
2.  Wipe brush back and forth in small amount of baby shampoo in your palm, until any product seems clear of the bristles.
3.  Run brush under water until water runs clear (again angling down), using fingers if necessary.
4.  Press all excess water out of brush bristles.
5.  Let rest, angled down, or off the side of a table until dry.

The important things are not to get too much water into the base or handle of the brush so they don't loose contact with the bristles and to use a mild cleanser.  You can buy a special brush cleaner, or use an antibacterial hand soap or baby shampoo (my choice).  Some people even use a mild dish soap like Dawn mixed with olive oil, which conditions the brushes at the same time.

I use the vase shown in my picture filled with beads you would use in a flower arrangement to keep certain brushes I use often handy.

I hope this helps!

What are your favorite brushes and cleaning methods for them?

Aveeno Positively Smooth vs Up & Up Smoothing Shave Gel

I have tried many...many...many leg shaving products my friends.

And let me tell you, the Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel takes the CAKE!  I know, I know, you're probably wondering how I could be raving about a shave gel, but when I use this shave gel, it makes my shave last so much longer due to it's super smooth, close shave.

Now, after this rave, let me tell you a secret...I tried the Aveeno comparable Up & Up (Target) brand Smoothing Shave Gel with Soy.  It was on sale...they sucked me in.  I figured I should at least give the store brand of my fave shave gel a chance.  Let me tell you - I am super, super impressed!  If not for the very slight fragrance difference I could hardly tell the difference! 

Up & Up Shave Gel: on sale $2.31 (reg $2.44)
Aveeno Shave Gel: $3.49

I love that neither of these leave much of a scent behind, because sometimes I don't want that messing with my fragrance or lotion.

Both shave gels are amazing so give them a try!

While we're on the subject, let's talk razors quick...I use the Venus Embrace just because I am sometimes lazy and if I miss certain areas, this has the gel bar around it so glides smoothly over those darn areas I tend to miss (darn kneecaps!)

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