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

Maybelline Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Foundation and Powder Review

{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!}

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!