Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer Review

As a busy working mom, I am constantly running around during the weekdays and the weekends. It feels like I barely have any time too myself. However, one thing that I have to prioritize is self-care, and especially skincare. That is why today's review is all about a new moisturizer that I have been using. It is the CLINIQUE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT MOISTURIZER.

Hello. Welcome back to the Girlie Blog!

In today's review, you will find the follow talking points:
1. Why I purchased the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer?
2. My likes and dislikes
3. Why or why not I would recommend it to you?

Let's get started!

I purchased this moisturizing lotion because I've heard great things about clinique products. My own experiences with the brand have been positive as well. Second, this lotion is made for dry to very dry skin. Though my skin is on the oily side, during the past winter, it experienced dryness. After seeing small lines here and there, I began to look for a moisturizer that is supercharged with hydration. For those reasons, I purchased this moisturizer.

Likes and Dislikes

The formula really is hydrating; and that's exactly what I was looking for. It's liquidy and if you smooth, and absorbed well. After application, my skin felt smooth and soft. The moisturizer has a faint smell. It's sweet and pleasant and I like it. The quick absorbtion and smooth application works well under makeup.

One dislike is that the lotion is in a plastic bottle. Glass would be better. Another dislike is that it is a pump; and it can become wasteful towards the end. Last dislike is that even though this is a daily moisturizer, it does not have UV protection. It's not a deal-breaker, because I can always apply a foundation with SPF or a separate SPF.

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic moisturizer for daily use. It absorbs well, smells nice and does not cause any irritations.

Thank you again. See you at the next review.

Marc Jacobs Highliner Eyeliner Review

Today's review is not sponsored.

The Marc Jacobs Highliner (affiliate) deserves attention because it's simply exquisite. Suppose you already know my opinion; but in case you've interest in the details, please read on.

After depleting a treasured 24/7 Glide On Pencil (by Urban Decay) to a stub, I wandered into Sephora, intending to repurchase the glide-on pencil when, surrounded by so many girlie things, a shelf full of various try-me's stole my attention. 

Why must Sephora target our Achilles Heels? 

Before coming to senses, I was already acquainted with one, two, three, four different eyeliners by drawing them on the back of my hand--and Marc Jacobs Highliner drew the most pronounced line.

About Marc Jacobs Highliner

Marc Jacobs Highliner is a gel crayon eyeliner by Marc Jacobs Beauty, with features including intense color, waterproof property, and extreme wear, and a "breakthrough formula" adhering exclusivity to the brand. Described as "super-malleable," the liner is said to glide on smoothly, apply precisely, and stay put all day.

It also includes Vitamin E and Rosa Canina Seed Extract as ingredients, both of which soothe, soften and protect your skin.

Application

An eyeliner's application holds the utmost importance; because liners contact the sensitive skin around your eyes. Quality eyeliners mustn't easily crack, irritate or run, and should apply effortlessly.

Formula-wise, Marc Jacobs Highliner gave an outstanding performance! Compared to the Urban Decay Eye Pencil I previously owned, which created intensity but watered my eyes and failed to stay put; the Marc Jacobs liner felt lighter and lasted longer, while providing similar intensity.

Similar, but not the same.

The Urban Decay eyeliner has richer pigmentation, and exuded sensuality. Its deep, powerful color enhanced eyes with darker pupils. 

The Marc Jacobs eyeliner appeared duller. However, if you seek super-charged intensity, simply draw the same line two or three times for a darker shade.

Staying Power

Ah! My favorite feature of this eyeliner! It lasted, and lasted, and then some. The only way to take it off was with an oil of some sort. (I used coconut.) 

And again, it stayed put all day, didn't smudge, and provided the quality it promised.

After Washing With Soap

After Removing With Coconut Oil and Cleansing Towelettes

Packaging

The liner encased in a sheen and simple black-and-white box, reflecting the brand's minimal style. The pencil itself, also dual-colored--instead of white a gleaming silver--delivered a sense of luxury. When you hold the box, you know something special resides inside.

The pencil also has a built-in sharpener (see below). It's concealed at the end tip, and twists off. It's quite an innovative feature: because the pencil is a twist-tube; the tiny, feather-weight sharpener need only to fit the tip of the crayon. It keeps crayon sharpened, save production cost, and adds value to the product.

Price

For $25 (per 0.01 oz), you can acquire the liner at your local Sephora. It's a fair price for a brand-name. You can also find it on Amazon here. (Affiliate)

Re-Purchase?

Believe so.

Before

After Applying Liner Only

After Applying Rest of Eye Makeup

Thank you for reading today's Marc Jacobs Highliner Review!

Have you tried it?

Best eyeliner for waterline? Urban Decay eyeliner review. (Beauty Blog Post)

Three factors determine the best eyeliner for waterline: it doesn't run or smudge, it lasts long, and it doesn't irritate.

When an eager salesperson introduced Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencil as the "best eyeliner for waterline," I knew exactly what to test for.

The eyeliner also cost around $20, which is twice the amount of quality drugstore liners, so expectation for Urban Decay was especially high.

Why so strict, girlie blogger? Because, you see, eyeliners are extremely personal to women.

Weekend Recommend - New Girlie Faves (Fashion and Beauty Blog Post. Mostly.)

Hello again. How was Christmas?

After a 2-months whirlwind of selling and buying a home, our family finally settled down. The holiday was fun and relaxed: presents, movies, and lots of food. Looking forward to the new year now, as well as getting back to blogging.

 

As always, I've discovered new products.

Quite a few of them, actually, in the past two months. Below are the ones you must hear about.

1. NARS Creamy Concealer

When it comes to coverage, I'm a MAC girl. But after seeing rave reviews about NARS, I fell under temptation's spell -- and NARS didn't disappoint!

My new NARS Creamy Concealer is both smooth in texture and light to feel. Most of all, though, is that it provided excellent coverage -- a gorgeous veil of smoothness that covered spotty parts and lasted all day. If you're in your mid-30's like I am, you'll appreciate NARS's quality coverage.

What I'm Loving Right Now

1. A good night's sleep

With two little ones waking up in the middle of the night, quality sleep is hard to come by. But sleeping on soft, smooth, satin-y pillows help. Not only have I been getting better, sounder sleep, my hair and skin wake up fresher and softer.

I'm loving Savvy Sleeper's luxurious pillowcases, made with 100% satin, and I hope you get to try it yourself.

Find it at savvysleepers.com. 

 

Makeup Recommendation - Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio (Beauty Blog Post)

 

What's special about Shimmer Strips?

Shimmer Strips, by Physicians Formula, is a new line of eye makeup that contains eye-enhancing shimmering agents.

Everyone has light in their eyes, but sometimes, and especially when you're tired, that light doesn't shine through. Using shimmer-induced eye makeup enhances your eyes' natural luminosity, resulting in a bright-eyed appeal.

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Makeup offers so many products to choose from, but eventually I purchased the Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio in "warm nudes."  

As an older beauty blogger, my skin doesn't look good in shimmery shadows anymore, but liners are fine, because they cover less area.

M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid Foundation (NC30) Review (Beauty Blog Post)

I have spots on my face :O(

Blame it on too much sun, hormone imbalance (from two pregnancies), or whatever excuse that comes to mind at the moment, I have spots on my face. 

I do make the perfect beauty blog owner though -- lots of problems to fix, and lots of products to review.

To conceal spots, I sought a full-coverage foundation, and eventually settled for an old love, M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid Foundation. (Color NC30.) 

Why M.A.C again?

The reason why I picked M.A.C Studio Fix again is because I've had positive experience with this before, and it offers excellent coverage without feeling heavy. I decided to conduct a thorough review here for those of you who also seek a full-coverage product.

By the way, regarding female hormone imbalance...

Before the review, I want to make a point:  

hormone imbalance comes from various reasons, not just pregnancy.  

Also, hormone imbalance causes many side effects, not just skin discoloration. Some sides effects are dangerous. 

To learn more about hormone imbalance in women, please read about it here. The website offers important information around the subject, as well as products like women's vitamins. 

 

M.A.C Mineralize Concealer Review (Beauty Blog Post)

Mineral products are famous for their light feel. While they give you breathable skin, they DO NOT provide the best coverage. 

I just happen to be a full-coverage kinda gal. 

In the past, I always counted on M.A.C for flawless skin. M.A.C Studio Fix and Studio Sculpt foundation are both wonderful, and are both VERY THICK. Now that M.A.C came out with a mineral line, I'm interested to see if it works.

First, I tried M.A.C Mineralize Concealer. Nowadays, I wear concealer instead of foundation anyway.

M.A.C Mineralize Concealer Review

(Price: $20 for 5 ml.)

Quality and Performance

• Texture of concealer is creamy. But it's not thick.
• Formula is silky and smooth. 
• Application was extremely easy.
• Concealer just kind of glided onto skin.
• Though concealer felt light and thin, it still provided sufficient coverage.
• My skin saw immediate difference after use.
• Product also lasted a long time. At least through a couple hours of running around.
• Overall, I think M.A.C Mineralize Concealer has excellent quality and performance.     

Color

• I used NW25. 
• The color is gorgeous. 
• It really suits my medium-toned Asian skin.
• I barely saw a difference between concealer and my own skin color.

  

As you can see, color looks great on my skin. Formula is also nice and smooth.

 

Blend-a-bility

• Formula was smooth and consistent.
• It blended remarkably. 

Feel

• Light weight and breathable.
• Absolutely comfortable. Couldn't tell I was wearing anything. 

Packaging

• Honestly, I wish I got more product for $20.
• The bottle was tiny.
• I like the twist top.
• I do not like the brush. It was flimsy and hard to use. 

 

So tiny! Why is it $20?

Packaging is cute though.

But I disliked the brush head.

Overall Likes

• Gorgeous color. Really suited skin tone. (I have always appreciated M.A.C's range of colors.)
• Blends well.
• Creamy formula. 
• Excellent quality.
• Great coverage.
• Long lasting.   

Overall Dislikes

• Too small and too expensive.
• Bad brush. It's hard to use.

Rating

8/10

Re-Purchase?

Yes, but only as a go-to.  

I'd like to try others, but will use this as a backup if I run out of choices.

Before

My A.M. no makeup face.

Where I applied the concealer.

After

After concealer, skin appeared smoother and not as shiny.

 

 Have you tried M.A.C Mineralize Concealer?

 

If so, how did you like it?

  

      

How to Slim Your Face with a Bronzer

Want to slim down a full face? Go to the gym. 

Also, you can create the illusion of a slimmer face with makeup. Using a bronzer and a brush, you can shave five pounds off in a few easy steps.

Step 1

Make a fish face.

Step 2

Apply bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, in upward direction, with small circular movements.

Step 3

Apply downward on the back of your jawline towards your chin.

 

Step 4

Start at the hollow of your cheek again, and drive upward, staying on the back, toward your hairline.

Done!

   Now you are bronzer and slimmer.

Exercising works best for weight loss.

 

But you can use makeup to help out.

 

Any other suggestions for making your face look slimmer?