Review: L'oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur

I recently tried a single-use sample of L'oreal Miracle Blur, so I thought I'd do a little review.

I actually recieved 2 single-use samples of this product.  I requested one from the company, and the other sample came on a card in Siempre Mujer magazine.  

So, first let me tell you what L'oreal's website has to say about this product:  

What Is Miracle Blur?
It’s NOT a moisturizer, NOT a foundation, MORE than a primer; it’s the first of-its-kind Instant Skin Smoother.

What Does It Do?
Miracle Blur instantly erases the look of lines, wrinkles, and pores. Skin instantly looks and feels smooth, leaving a velvet soft matte finish that lasts all day.

When Should I Use It?
Miracle Blur should be applied daily after moisturizing as the final step in every woman’s skincare routine. Wear alone for a matte finish, or wear under makeup for smoother application and wear.

What I have to say about Miracle Blur:
Although I am always eager to try a new sample, I automatically assumed this was a product that was just not too useful for me.  My makeup routine is pretty no-frills.  I don't use primers or other extras, so just by reading the packaging, I didn't have high expectations.  As I was getting ready to go out on Saturday night, I flipped through some of my skincare samples and decided to give the Miracle Blur a go.  

First, the texture of this product coming out of the package was really unusual.  I expected some sort of cream, but the product was thick, had a light beige-yellow color, and it felt sort of dry and fluffy.  I was like hmmm...

When I smoothed it onto my face I expected it to keep the dry consistency, but it actually spread well.  Alone, it did add a sort of soft glow to my skin.  I applied my Holika Holika BB cream on top, but it was pretty hot and humid, and my skin seemed a little too dewy for my liking.  I patted on a little compact powder to make my face less shiny, and afterwards my skin was nice and matte, not at all shiny.  I'm not sure if the matte texture was due to adding the powder, or if the product became more matte after setting.  When I looked at the end result, there was a noticeable diffused effect, a warm glowy softness about my skin.  I was really impressed-this stuff is legit!   

As I said, I didn't expect much from this product.  I am not one for piling on the makeup and wasting time and money on unnecessary steps, so I did not imagine Miracle Blur finding a place in my routine.  However, I liked the results so much that I would definitely consider buying this one! 

This product adds a soft and sweet glow to your skin, I think it could be good for just about anyone.  I have "normal" skin and I did feel as if this was a little greasy when combined with my BB cream.  If you have skin that is on the oilier side, and you use cream face products such as BB's or foundations, this might add unwanted shine. If you are someone who is trying to cover major skin issues, I don't think this would be all that helpful.  But if you just want your skin to look smoother and prettier, as if it is being hit with good lighting, you might like this as much as I did.  One reviewer on L'oreal's website summed it up really well by saying that Miracle Blur was like "photoshopping your face." 
  

I also noticed that a Benefit Pore-fessional sample that I received but haven't tried yet, seems like it is a similar product.  Now I'm even more excited to try that one out! When I do, I will review it and let you know how these two compare.  

 So, have you tried Miracle Blur or Pore-fessional yet? What did you think? Do you use any other products to soften the look of lines or pores?

Review- Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin

Just a quick review...

I requested a free sample of this product from the Garnier Website.  (Garnier seems to give out samples of their products pretty often, so check them out if you are interested.)

This is what Garnier's Website says about the Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream for Dry Skin:

Locks-in moisture for 24 hours. Blocks-out dryness. Oil-free.

Is it right for me?
Over time, an active lifestyle and environmental factors can damage skin’s natural protective barrier, causing it to lose moisture faster than ever. Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream is right for you if you want long-lasting hydration.

How do I use it?
Gently apply Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream every morning and night to face. This lightweight, oil-free formula instantly penetrates.

What I say:

I really liked this moisturizer! 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I did not use much in the way of moisturizers until just recently.  I have never tried a gel moisturizer so I was very interested to see how it would be.

My skin is normal, not too oily, not too dry.  When it comes to skincare, I'm like Goldilocks: products meant to control oil make my skin dry, heavy creams make it greasy.  This moisturizer was just right.  I loved the light, non-greasy feel.  After I applied it, my skin still felt clean, yet perfectly moisturized.  It has a fragrance, but I did not find it unappealing or heavy.  I would definitely recommend this product.  Although I tend to buy higher-end when it comes to skincare, I would certainly consider buying this.

  

Review- Missha Creamy Strawberry Latte Cleansing Foam

Missha Strawberry Latte Cleansing Foam

Just a quick review...

I purchased this at the Missha store while in Korea this summer. 

I wanted a new face wash, and they had this set of 3 on sale for the super-steal price of 7,000 Won!!! That's about $7 US.

It came with Strawberry, Chocolate, and Green Tea, which sounded yummy!

Strawberry is the first one I am trying, I haven't had a chance to sample the others.

This Cleanser is very thick, it is pink and pearly, and creates a luxurious foam.  It does have a unique "strawberries and cream" smell, not exactly the regular strawberry scent of bath products.  I think the scent is pleasant and not overpowering.

It leaves my skin feeling squeaky-clean.  I like that feeling, especially in comparison to the cream cleanser I've been using lately.  However, I'm not 100% sure this cleanser is perfect for dry winter weather.  If I notice that this ends up drying out my skin, I may have to pack it away for the warmer months.  Overall, though, its a great face wash, especially for the the price!  

My Daily Skincare Routine

My Simple Skin Routine

Many people have told me I have nice skin.  My skin is pretty normal.  For most of my life, I've found that my skin was better when left alone. I've always used cleanser specifically designed for faces, and occasionally used lotion, but that's about it!  Using fancy masks, scrubs, or deep cleansers irritated my skin or made it oily, and indulging in moisturizer gave me pimples.  Now that I'm older, I've started to care for my skin more.  So while my routine might seem pretty basic compared to all the skincare enthusiasts out there, its actually much more involved that it used to be!

Up & Up Deep Cleanser Cream

This is actually the Target store brand version of Noxzema.  When I was a preteen, Noxzema used to give out a lot of free samples.  I liked the cool tingly feeling, so I used it on and off into my teens.  The last time I needed face wash, this was cheap and I was feeling nostalgic.

Missha Super Aqua Marine Forest Toner and Emulsion

I got this set while in Korea.  It came with the full size toner and moisturizer, and also a travel size of each one, which is very convenient since I travel as much as possible.  I use this set at night after showering.  The toner makes my face feel fresh without drying out my skin, and the lotion is a light water-based formula that keeps my skin from getting dry yet it isn't too heavy or greasy for my easily annoyed skin.  Its perfect for the cold winter months.  I absolutely love this duo!!! 

SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair

At $95 for .5oz...this is the most indulgent skin care item I have ever owned.  I recently bought it because I was concerned about my under eye area and thought I definitely needed to begin caring for it better.  I had researched eye creams, but there are so many out there that it is hard to know what to get. I saw a report on Good Morning America about the skin products that were rated best by dermatologists.  This cream got rave reviews, so I decided to invest in it.  I have been using it for a few weeks now and I do see a big improvement.  The skin under my eyes feels firmer and less puffy.

CVS Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

This is pretty basic liquid eye makeup remover.  My sister actually bought this on clearance for 66 cents for the 2 oz bottle!  It works just fine! I usually use the Clinique version of this type of remover.  Previously, I was using a gel eye makeup remover from Missha, but I left it behind in a motel while traveling this summer.

Pond's Morning Refresh Wet Cleansing Towelettes

I picked these up one day at Ross and found them to be really useful.  On those nights when I'm feeling too lazy to take off my makeup before bed, I just use one of these instead.  They are textured so they do a good job of cleaning away any dirt or makeup and they leave your face feeling refreshed and smooth.  I liked them so much I picked them up a second time at Conway.

Nivea A Kiss of Moisture

This is my number one most important beauty item.  If I forget my lip balm, it is gonna be a baaaaaad day!  My lips are incredibly dry and crack easily.  I realized that, sadly, lipglosses make it worse, so I stopped using them altogether about two years ago.  All my life, I have obsessively slathered on lip moisturizers like chapstick or lipsmackers, but they didn't help much.  My best friend introduced me to A Kiss of Moisture and whatever is in this product soothes my lips better than anything I have ever tried! I'm so addicted.  Strangely enough, just this particular variety (the dark blue package) is magic for me.  I have tried various other Nivea "kiss of" products and they just do not have the same results.  I highly recommend this!!!

So, that is my fairly low-maintenance skin regimen.  Are you high-maintenance or do you keep it simple? What's the #1 skin product you can't live without?   

   

   

Nature Republic Botanical Fresh BB Cream Review

My Missha BB cream is officially gone! Oh no! Luckily, I have some new ones that I picked up in Korea last summer.  I will review them as I try them...  

One fine summer day, I set out with my boyfriend on a BB Cream mission in the small city of Cheongju.  I examined various bottles as over-attentive sales girls hovered nearby, bemused at the sight of a clueless foreigner in their shop.  My boyfriend's bad translations of the packaging all sounded like some variation of "made with flowers and essences to enhance charming beauty."  Not at all helpful! OMG, how was I going to choose one?  And why hadn't I done my research before going shopping?  With only a few days left until I returned to the US, I wouldn't have time to shop again before leaving.  I pondered a plan of action.  Most of the BB's I priced were somewhere in the $20 range, but I didn't want take my chances on products I knew nothing about.  Finally, I went with quantity over quality and searched for smaller or less expensive BB's. In the end I bought four bottles from three different stores. 

The first I am trying is the Nature Republic Botanical Fresh BB Cream

This BB was a great deal!  At about 7,000 won full price (roughly $7US), it was already less expensive than most of the other BB creams in Nature Republic, which ran in the $15-$20 range.  On top of that, there was a very good sale going on and many items were marked down.  I got it for only 3,500 won! (about $3.50)  What a steal!

I like this BB cream.  I did not see more than one color option, and this is slightly darker than my previous BB cream but still blends well with my skin.  It has very good coverage, possibly better than my last.  It applies nice and creamy, but it has a more matte finish, which I like.  It gives a fresh look.  Like my other, BB cream, it has a scent.  At first, the scent in BB cream bothered me, but now I like it.  Not that the scents are unpleasant, it was just unusual to me to use a skin makeup that was scented.  However, once I got used to the idea, I actually began to enjoy the scent of BB cream.  Overall, I like this product.  I think it is good for anyone who wants a fair amount of coverage and is not looking for an overly dewy finish.  I scored this BB cream for an amazing price, but it can be found online for about $10, which is still inexpensive for online BB cream.       

   

Feel free to comment and tell us about your favorite BB cream.