Tag: drugstore products

Milani Prep+Set+Glow Illuminating Transparent Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Natural, healthy glow
–Blurs imperfections
–Sets makeup
–Adds all over radiance
–Lit-from-within finish

Price
–$9.99 at milanicosmetics.com, Walgreens, Target
–$8.97 at Wal Mart

Pros
–Affordable
–Perfect for dry skin
–Cruelty free
–Vegan
–Sets makeup but doesn’t cake
–Lives up to all of its claims
–Easily accessible

Cons
–None

Final Thoughts
I am OBSESSED with this powder. I have dry skin, but I’m not into the super dewy, glowy look. Most setting powders are mattifying and don’t look the best on dry skin, but they set your makeup well. I was looking for a product that would set, but not necessarily mattify and accentuate my dryness and I finally found it. This one sets, but doesn’t mattify or cake. It just gives a beautiful, subtle glow. I use this product every single day and it is a dry skin dream. I can’t be without it!

P.S. I use it with this brush. I swirl the brush in and then go in and set. I use a light hand and a light amount of product.

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It’s really hard to get a swatch of a transparent powder, but I tried.
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AM & PM :: My makeup was set and was still in place at the end of the day. You can see the subtle glow it gives a little better in the picture on the right.

approved

 

Mascara Monday: L’Oreal Unlimited Length & Lift

On By thehannahhardyIn Mascara Monday, ReviewsLeave a comment

Claims
–Instant lash-lift effect, lengthening mascara
–No clumps, flaking, or smudging
–Two-position wand for customized look
–Flexible, tapered brush

Price
–$12.99 at Walgreens

Shade Range
–2
–Waterproof option available

Pros
–Easily accessible
–Innovative design and packaging
–No flaking or smudging
–Separated
–Lengthened
–Volumized
–Grabbed each lash and lifted it up; could really get to the root and wiggle up
–Bending the wand allows you to get close to the inner corners and coat every lash
–Waterproof option available

Cons
–Expensive for drugstore
–Bulky packaging, not easy to store
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
I LOVE the way this makes my lashes look. I hate that it’s so pricey though! There are definitely other options at the drugstore that are just as good and cost less. However, I don’t think you would be disappointed if you wanted to splurge on this. The bent tip really allows you to get close in the inner corner and get every.single.lash. I don’t know that I’ve tried another mascara that does that.

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approved

I was sent this product free for testing purposes. All opinions are my own.

My friend Owen delivered her sweet, identical twin girls at 24 weeks. She and I have several mutual friends, but got to know each other through blogging. She is so sweet and has the cutest little family. Her sweet girls, Molly & Lucy, are in the NICU and have a long road ahead before they can join their parents and older sister, Vivian, at home.

A PayPal was started to help with expenses and if you have it in your heart to donate, you can use this link. If you aren’t able to donate, prayers are always welcomed and completely free. I know God has a special plan for these girls!

 

Foundation Friday: Wet n Wild Photo Focus Stick

On By thehannahhardyIn Fair Skin Products, Foundation Friday, Reviews1 Comment

Claims
–Long-lasting coverage
–Semi-matte finish
–Infused with Argan and Sunflower Seed oils for intense moisture and seamless blendability

Price
–$5.99 at Target, Walgreens, wetnwildbeauty.com

Shade Range
–21
–My shade: Alabaster

Pros
–Affordable
–Shade match for me
–Gluten free
–Talc free
–Fragrance free
–Buildable coverage
–Cruelty free
–Vegan

Cons
–SUPER tacky so you have to set it
–Cakey
–Clung to dry patches
–Not very creamy, tugged going on

Final Thoughts
You get medium coverage with one layer and full with two. I could not get this to stay on my nose. This happens sometimes, but usually between a brush and a sponge, I can make something work. Not with this one! It looked SO cakey with and without being set with powder. It did have good coverage though, it covered all my redness with 2 layers. The first day I tried it, it made me SO oily. I looked in the mirror and my forehead was shining. I rummaged in my purse and found an oil blotting sheet and was shocked. My skin has not needed an oil blotting sheet or even gotten oily in YEARS. It was just AWFUL on my dry skin. The next time I tried it, I thought extra prep and moisturizing would help. NOPE. I love the original Photo Focus Foundation that is liquid, but this was a major FAIL.

Day 1
—Too Faced Hangover Rx Primer
—elf Blur Stick
—Milani Prep+Set+Glow Powder
*This is my usual primer/powder combo that works well with almost every foundation I use and try*

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Before & After
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No makeup :: Just foundation :: Full face
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AM & PM
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Sorry if this is gross, but look how oily this foundation made me. I was SO shiny. My skin is dry AF and I never get oily.

Day 2
—Origins GinZing Moisturizer & eye cream
—Physicians Formula Rose All day Serum Primer
–Becca Hydra Mist Powder

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Before & After
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No makeup :: Just foundation :: Full face
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AM & PM
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You can see how it’s not clinging to my nose and how it just looks cakey and bad. My skin just looked like it was begging for moisture.

notapproved

L’Oreal Hydra Perfecte Perfecting Loose Powder

On By thehannahhardyIn ReviewsLeave a comment

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Claims
–Light-diffusing
–Minimizes pores
–Special moisturizers to nourish and protect your skin

Price
–$9.99 at Wal Mart
–$11.95 at lorealparis.com

Shade Range
–3
–My shade: Translucent

Pros
–Affordable
–Not overly mattifying like most powders are
–Finely milled
–Looks good on my dry skin
–Soft focus effect

Cons
–Scent, very strong fragrance
–Hard to find :: I only find it in store at Wal Mart
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
All powders will slightly mattify, some more than others, and that can look bad on dry skin. This powder is perfect for us dry skinned gals. It has a very airbrushed, soft focus effect and doesn’t look cakey or accentuate dryness. The scent is strong, like it is in most L’Oreal products, but it doesn’t linger and I can deal with it. I hate that it’s hard to find in stores. I only find it at Wal Mart which sucks. I don’t know how well this would work for keeping oils at bay so keep that in mind if you have oily skin. It’s my new favorite, go to loose setting powder.

IMG_7212approved

Mask Monday: LOreal Pure-Clay Clear & Comfort

On By thehannahhardyIn Mask MondayLeave a comment

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Claims
–Non-drying formula
–Cleanses and captures impurities
–Evens skintone
–Leave skin feeling clean, soft, and comforted

Price
–$6.50 at Ulta
–$6.59 at Target
–$12.99 at Walgreens
–$8.67 at Wal Mart
–1.7 oz

Pros
–Affordable
–Easily accessible
–Good ingredients i.e. titanium dioxide
–Didn’t leave skin feeling dry or stripped
–Skin felt soft and supple after use
–Quality packaging
–Lots of product for the price

Cons
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
I’ve tried the other masks from this line and really liked them so I figured this one would be good too and it is! I found this at TJ Maxx for $4.50 so I figured I had nothing to lose by buying and trying. Clay masks are good for drawing out impurities and unclogging pores, but they can be drying. This mask wasn’t, but if you have dry skin like me, I would only use one or two times a week. I will definitely be incorporating this to my skincare routine weekly.

img_4315img_4302approved

Aveeno MaxGlow Infusion Drops

On By thehannahhardyIn Reviews, SkincareLeave a comment

Claims
–Lit-from-within glow
–Even skin tone & texture
–Moisturizes for a full 48 hours

Price
–$19.99 at Ulta
–$17.99 at Target
–$23.99 at Walgreens
–$17.95 at Wal Mart
–$3.99 trial size available at Ulta

Pros
–Mini option available to try
–Non-comedogenic
–Paraben free
–Phthalate free
–Pretty packaging
–Multi-use product (can use alone or mixed with other products)
–Smells good
–Made my skin glow
–Easily accessible
–Affordable

Cons
–Not cruelty free

Final Thoughts
This is my new skincare must have. I loved mixing this with my moisturizer for added hydration and glow. I dot my moisturizer on my face and then drop a few drops of this and rub it all in. It makes my skin SO soft and hydrated. I got the trial size initially, but have since purchased the full size. I don’t like to mix oils into my foundation or apply foundation on top of an oil so this is a good product to have on hand. It basically does the same thing, just in a different formula.

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I tried mixing this with the Jouer Essential High Coverage Creme Foundation. I love the coverage of this foundation, but it looks awful on my dry skin. Adding in the glow drops helped it look better, but it still didn’t look great. Improvement is good, but unfortunately this foundation is just a no go for me. The other foundations I use are more hydrating so I haven’t tried mixing it in with those as I don’t really need the added hydration.

approved

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Mascara Recap 2018

On By thehannahhardyIn Mascara Monday, ReviewsLeave a comment

If you’ve been following along for a little while, you know that Mascara Monday is a regular thing around here. I reviewed 18 mascaras last year, wow!

You can always see if I’ve reviewed a mascara by typing it in the search bar, but like the foundation post I did, I wanted one, concise place to have as a reference point. Also, I’m going to save them as a highlight on my Instagram, so you can check it out there as well.

mr1

It Cosmetics Superhero
–Length
–Volume
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–LOVE
–Full review here

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes
–Length
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–LOVE
–Full review here

Lancome Monsieur Big
–Length
–Volume
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–LOVE
–Full review here 

Maybelline Total Temptation
–Length
–Volume
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–LOVE
–Full review here

LOreal Lash Paradise
–Length
–Volume
–No flaking or smudging
–Dries out quickly
–Clumpy
–NOPE
–Full review here

CoverGirl Total Tease
–Length
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–LOVE
–Full review here

Revlon Volumazing
–Length
–Volume
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–LOVE
–Full review here

CoverGirl Flourish
–Length
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–MEH
–Full review here

CoverGirl Peacock Flare
–Length
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–MEH
–Full review here

snipimage

Catrice Glam & Doll
–Length
–Separation
–No flaking or smudging
–MEH
–Full review here

Benefit BADgal Bang
–Length
–Separation
–MAJOR FLAKING
–NOPE
–Full review here

Neutrogena Hydro Boost
–Length
–Volume
–Little clumpy
–No flaking or smudging
–MEH
–Full review here