Thursday, July 7, 2011

Review: DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Ultra-lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew™ from Doctor's Dermatologic Formula is a delicate, fluffy, mild moisturizer free of oil, lanolin, fragrance, and color additives. Pure aloe vera and glycerin help bind moisture to the skin while squalene (a derivative of an emollient found in healthy skin), and dimethicone help delay moisture loss. May be used on oily and acne-prone skin. (Sephora.com)

DDF Ultra-lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew is a light moisturizer that can be used on your face when you need a little quench of thirst. The first thing I noticed about the product that I really liked was the fact that it has a pump dispenser. It's a bit designed like a shaving cream pump - you barely have to apply any pressure and you can control how much product will come out. The product itself has a thin, gel-like texture that smooths out into a liquid like moisturizer and absorbs into the skin instantly. Even though it contains dimethicone, it doesn't have that familiar sillicone primer feel. The texture prior to smoothing on the skin reminds me a bit of my old favorite primer, Laura Gellar Spackle. The thinness reminds me a bit of Nars' Primer. After about 30 seconds of the product being smoothed on the skin, it absorbs completely. There is no trace of moisturize left behind on the skin. I can't really say I've ever used a moisturizer that does that. Although, most moisturizers I've used are oil-based and those tend to stick around longer.

Often times I use this before applying my foundation to give my skin a little moisture without making my skin too moist or slippery. I think it works fantastic for that. Also, it hasn't at all irritated my skin, which is a huge plus.
A small amount of product smoothed on my palm
One thing I noticed is that it doesn't have an SPF, so it's not ideal as a daytime moisturizer, unless you're using a separate SPF. Also, because it's so light, I'm not sure if it would be beneficial as a night moisturizer. I prefer something a bit heavier at night.

PROS: Lightweight, Oil-free, Absorbs quickly, No residue, Fragrance free.
CONS: No SPF, The price ($38 for 1.67 fl oz)
PACKAGING: I love the packaging. It's sanitary and you can easily control how much product you want to dispense.
OVERALL: I do think this is a great moisturizer and worth checking out if you're on the hunt for a daily moisturizer. It's not very heavy, so I'm not sure if it would be beneficial enough for those with very dry skin - but it's a great moisturizer for normal to combination skin types. The only setback for me, is the price. Lucky for me, I was able to try this product out for free by using 100 of my Sephora Beauty Insider points!

Have you tried any products from DDF? Any favorites?

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

MAC Dollymix Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

mac dollymix blush review

MAC Dollymix Blush

MAC Dollymix Blush is described on the MAC website as a pure candy pink. It's a bright hot pink in the pan, so it might be intimidating to some, but applied in a sheer layer, it can look very natural. It's a pigmented blush overall, so you have to apply Dollymix with a light hand.

I'm not a huge fan of shimmery blushes, but I don't find the shimmer in MAC's Sheertone Shimmer formula to be overpowering. The Sheertone Shimmer Blushes are very smooth, and apply evenly.

Dollymix is a "cult favorite" from MAC for a very good reason. It instantly livens up the face with a bright girly pink sheen that is flattering on all skin tones. It's especially nice on warm/tan skin tones because the pink itself isn't overly cool-toned. I love wearing it in the summertime when my skin is extra bronzed.

MAC Dollymix Blush Review

MAC Dollymix Blush Swatch

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

What's on my face lately??


I've been pretty much wearing the same products for the past 2-3 weeks, which is pretty rare for me because I get bored of products easily. Especially when it comes to face products, but I've been absolutely loving the combination of products I've been using on my face lately.

It may seem like a million products, but I use everything pretty sparingly.

PRIMER: Reviva Labs Makeup Primer applied all over with my fingers or my Ecotools Foundation Brush.
CONCEALER: Hard Candy Glamoflauge in Light applied under my eyes.
FOUNDATION: Since I'm a bit light right now, I mix foundations and it's the best combo ever! I first dot Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation in #10 on all areas of my face and blend with my Sigma 180 brush. It's too light, but the next foundation is a little too dark, so once I add it, it will match perfectly. I then use one pump of Chanel Vitalumiere in Beige, again dotting it to all areas of my face and then blending with my Sigma 180. It warms up my foundation nicely and gives my skin the perfect amount of coverage and luminosity. I also think it helps my foundation stay on longer. Many people complain that Vitalumiere only lasts 4 hours, but this combo lasts me all day. I've actually gotten a few compliments on my skin when I've been out lately, and that's pretty much a first for me.
HIGHLIGHT: MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder applied to my cheeks with my Sigma Duo Fiber Brush (before powder). I've been using this every day since I bought it!
BRONZER: Chanel Bronze Universel/Soleil Tan de Chanel applied with my Coastal Scents Tapered Duo Fiber Brush to my cheeks and forehead for a bronzed glow.
POWDER: Since I'm not using so much foundation (seems like a lot, but the coverage is a light-medium) I like using a large powder brush and dusting my face with MAC Studio Fix Powder in C3. Sometimes I skip this.
BLUSH: I haven't been wearing blush lately because the Magically Cool Powder gives me a little color, but some days I do want a little extra color and I've been reaching for MAC Pinch O Peach for a very natural flush.
EYE SHADOW: I haven't been wearing much on the eyes, as I've been mostly concentrating on perfecting my skin. A soft wash of MAC Brule all over the lid and MAC Cork in my crease and smudged on my upper and lower lash line is all.
MASCARA: Covergirl Lash Blast in Black.
BROWS: I've mostly been using MAC Espresso throughout June, but I misplaced it and so I've been using MAC Eyebrows in Spiked and MAC Cork. Spiked is a bit harsh and Cork is a bit light, so a light combo of both works great. To finish them off, I've been using ELF Treat & Tame in Dark. 
LIP LINER: Revlon Colorstay Lip Liner in Nude. It's basically the same color as my lips, so it works great when I'm only wearing lip gloss.
LIPSTICK: Believe it or not, I haven't been wearing much lipstick in the past couple of weeks (ever since I've had my new Chanel lip gloss and Essence lip gloss), but I have been wearing MAC Creme Cup when I want to take my lip gloss up a notch.
LIP GLOSS: I've been alternating between Essence Stay with Me Lipgloss and Chanel Mica Glossimer. Both look great over a lipstick or alone!

Any newly discovered products you love and can't get enough of? Let me know in the comments so I can get hooked too! :)

NOTD: China Glaze Custom Kicks!

Two (2) coats of China Glaze Custom Kicks & One (1) coat of Seche Vite Top Coat.
China Glaze Custom Kicks
China Glaze Custom Kicks is a sea foam green/teal with tiny flecks of golden shimmer. This shade was released in the 2009 China Glaze Kick's Collection. Lucky enough for those who want to snag this shade, it's not a Limited Edition shade. (I spotted it at my local ULTA)

The shade appears a little more blue-teal in the bottle, but on my nails it's much more of a green-teal. Strangely, it appeared more green after I applied my top coat.

The formula is exceptional with this shade. It's somewhat thick - but not too thick, applies with no streaks and is opaque with one coat. I always like to at least apply two coats though - but for those who are painting their nails on the go, this shade is pretty low maintenance and you can get away with one.

China Glaze Custom Kicks (Flash)

You may notice my nails are much shorter. I think I prefer them a bit shorter as it's easier to apply moisturizers, concealer, text, etc. The only thing is, it makes my fingers look stubbier. Do you like your nails shorter or longer better?