Nivea Mattifying Day Care Review | Mattifying Moisturizers for Oily Skin

I came across Nivea Mattifying Day Care Moisturizer while I was travelling and working at another location and really contemplated this product. I generally don't use many drug store skincare or moisturizers, but this one caught my attention.  My first choice was La Roche Posay Effaclar Mat, but I wanted to try a few other mattifying moisturizers before.

I really don't know what's worse..oily skin or dry skin. I imagine that both are pretty difficult at dealing with and there is no certain way of dealing with either.  Some products work for some and not others. This, however, is just life. On this blog, in different seasons..you will see products for both as my skin is just like the weather, and is the polar opposite during different seasons. My skin is never just one type. Whose is, really?

Just as I have to find foundations that work WITH my skin and not against it, I have to find skincare that does the same, and that's a pretty difficult feat for me.

Mattifying day care was $9.99 here in Canada and is 50 mL of product. For using a pea sized amount on a daily basis, this moisturizer should last quite a while. It's made specifically for those with combination to oily skin and is suppose to moisturize and control shine.

Anyone with a sensitivity to fragrance, should stay MILES, STATES...EARTHS, away from this product. It has a very strong fragrance when you put it on and sometimes it even makes my eyes water. I am not a big fan of fragrance in my skincare products and 99% of the products I use, have no fragrance at all.

This product is part of Nivea's Aqua Effect line and that's what it feels like going on, water. It's so smooth going on and absorbs quickly into the skin. If I use the correct amount (a pea size, this goes for all moisturizers) then it doesn't leave my skin feeling sticky or greasy, but if too much is used it will leave a greasy feeling.

This product is oil-free, and hasn't seemed to break me out (bonus!). I have been using it for about month now and have had no breaks that I would connect with this product. It has somewhat reduced my oiliness during the day but unfortunately, not by any significant amount. It is very warm here and my oily skin is the worst in the summer, so I may have found a product that works much better in the winter/colder months than in the warmer months. I don't really have dry skin in the warmer months, so I can't attest to how well this moisturizes. When the weather changes and my skin changes, I will review this product again and see how it holds up in the colder months!

Have a beautiful day! :)

Product Rave: Bioderma - Sensibio H2O

I have been wanting to try Bioderma Sensibio H2O for a really long time because I am very, for a lack of better words, anal compulsive about removing makeup. I am very acne-prone and my skin gets the oilies like mad! I find that if I fail to completely remove my cake face (Just kidding! Seriously though, Revlon Colorstay is sometimes hard to remove) the night before, I will almost always wake up with a break out. Who wants that?! Not I!

Just to try it, I bought a sample size at my local drug store (pretty much on a whim!) and boy am I glad I did! This product is one of very few Holy Grail products for me. They don't come around too often, but when they do...it's AH-MAZING!

I purchased the one for Oily/Combination skin and it comes in a blue bottle, similar to the sensitive version. I disliked only 1 thing about this product and I don't consider it to be a deal breaker for me because I loved the performance of the product that much more.

I really did not enjoy the scent of this product, it's not horrible but I certainly don't find it to be pleasant. Still not a deal breaker...who needs their face to have a nice scent anyways?

On to the positive!

I don't solely rely on Bioderma to remove all of my face makeup because realistically, it would probably take too much product. I do, however, use it if I haven't been wearing makeup and just need to quickly clean my face.  I do still use my MAC Cleanse Off Oil to remove the majority of my makeup. If I'm in a rush, lazy or just far too tired, instead of washing my face...I will put a little of the Bioderma on a cotton pad and wipe my skin to make sure I've removed any remaining residue.

This product is soap-free so it's a great substitute when my skin is feeling a little bit dry and using my normal cleanser doesn't feel appropriate. It does not need to be rinsed which is a major bonus when it comes to convenience, especially for an 'always on the go' girl like me!

This product is a little pricey but you use so little of it that it will last such a long time, so it's worth it!

The absolute best thing about this product is that it does NOT break me out. I highly recommend this product! It's absolutely fabulous.

xoxo Rae.

Oil Cleansing/MAC Cleanse Off Oil.

In previous posts, I have made no secret of the fact that I do not have perfect skin..far from it, actually! I do get breakouts, and those breakouts do leave nasty, bright red marks behind (for months!). I use a very long lasting foundation to keep those post-acne marks hidden and the most important thing I have learned in skincare is to properly and completely remove all traces of makeup at the end of  the night. The best way to completely remove all traces is to use an oil cleanser.

MAC Cleanse Off Oil is an amazing oil cleanser that contains Jojoba Oil, Wheat Germ Oil,  Rice Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and a few others. Most people are iffy on using oil to clean your skin, but in my opinion...oil cleansers are highly underrated. Oil is amazing at breaking down even the toughest waterproof mascara.

The beauty of MAC Cleanse Off Oil is that it contains Peg-20 Glyceryl Triisostearate, which for anyone who doesn't know is a chemical that's added to the oil so that when water is added..the oil will dissolve into a lotion. This allows the oil to wash off clean leaving no oily residue behind. Awesome, RIGHT?

I have used the OCM as well, but I find that I am almost always in a rush and far too busy to keep up with that method. It's easier and more convenient for the oil to just wash off clean. Personal preference, really.

In Canada, MAC Cleanse Off Oil retails at $34.00 and comes in a 150 ml sized bottle. My first bottle lasted me nearly a year and I used it pretty well everyday. The best thing about cleansing oils, is that you only need to use a small amount for it to do the job!

I take the majority of my makeup up with a makeup wipe and remove the rest with a little cleanse off oil. I absolutely LOVE LOVE this product. It works flawlessly and I highly recommend this product to anyone who uses heavier type foundations or anyone who uses sunscreen.

xox Rae.

Physician's Formula breaks out a skincare line!

New Skincare Line!

A few months ago I was looking for a good moisturizer for my combo/oily skin and while on a trip to the states I stumbled upon a moisturizer by Physician's Formula in a CVS (I think ha). Physician's Formula for anyone who doesn't know is cosmetics especially for sensitive and acne prone skin. I have used their foundations and pressed/loose powders before and was not disappointed! So on with it...

PF has 3 skincare lines targeted toward 3 different skin concerns: Aging, Moisture Balance, and Sensitivity & Redness.

Aging
Wrinkle Corrector & Firming Cleanser - Rich cream cleanser that removes makeup and impurities while visibly smoothing skin. The cost of this product is $12.97 in Canada and available at Walmart.

Wrinkle Corrector & Firming Moisturizer SPF 15 - Potent moisturizer instantly enhances skin's firmness, hydration and radiance. SPF 15 protects against damaging UVA / UVB rays. Luxurious and lightweight formula improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for an overall smoothing effect. This product is listed at $22.97 CND and is available at Walmart.

Ultra Wrinkle Smoother Day & Night Cream - Ultra-rich cream fights the look of wrinkles for younger-looking skin. Wrinkle length and depth appear improved with regular use. Listed at $22.97 CND and available at Walmart.

Wrinkle Eye Smoother Cream - Potent cream targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. Moisturizing formula promotes elasticity and firmness to improve the appearance of crow's feet and puffiness. Illuminating properties improve the appearance of dark circles. Listed at $22.97 CND.

Dark Spot Corrector & Skin Brightener - Potent serum targets visible signs of uneven skin tone. Antioxidant formula can help inhibit the appearance of uneven pigment formation. Specialized ingredients target surface darkening and exfoliate it away. Listed at $24.97.

Firming & Toning Booster - Skin firming serum improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Promotes elasticity, helps plump skin and visibly improves tone and texture. Listed at $24.97 in Canada.

Moisture Balance

Hydrating & Balancing Cleanser - Gentle foaming cleanser removes pore-clogging impurities while infusing skin with hydration for clean, balanced and comfortable skin. Listed at $12.97 in Canada.

Hydrating & Balancing Moisturizing Lotion - Oil-free moisturizing lotion replenishes skin's hydration and eliminates flakiness and tightness. Lightweight formula helps protect skin's natural moisture barrier. Listed at $22.97 in Canada.

Ultra-Hydrating Day & Night Cream - Ultra-hydrating cream replenishes skin's moisture balance day or night. Soothes even the driest skin to improve tone and texture, leaving skin feeling soft and hydrated. Listed at $22.97.

Hydrating Eye Cream - Nutrient rich eye cream provides intense moisture in a lightweight, refreshing gel-cream formula. Diminishes the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and puffiness in the eye area. Listed at $22.97.

Sensitivity & Redness

Sensitivity Relief Cleansing Lotion - Ultra-gentle, lightweight cream formula cleanses gently without stripping skin of its essential moisture. Moisturizes to provide relief to dry, red and irritated skin. The cost of this product is $12.97 in Canada and available at Walmart.

Sensitivity Relief Moisturizer - Extra-gentle, oil-free lightweight moisturizer soothes dry, itchy and flaky skin, while helping to protect and condition it. The cost of this product is $22.97 in Canada and available at Walmart.

Sensitivity Correcting Moisturizer - Extra-gentle, oil-free lightweight moisturizer soothes dry, itchy and flaky skin, while helping to protect and condition it. Correcting Green Tint delivers a sheer wash of color to neutralize the visible appearance of redness. The cost of this product is $22.97 in Canada and available at Walmart.

Skin Calming Spray - Lightweight mist provides soothing relief to dehydrated skin. With just one spray, skin is calmed and refreshed. The cost of this product is $22.97 in Canada and available at Walmart.

Personally, I use the Hydrating & Balancing Moisturizing lotion to keep my combination skin hydrated and I love it. I don't feel like it makes my skin greasy or oily. I use this product only at night to put moisture back into my skin and I use a lighter moisturizer for the day!

xo Rae

July Favourites!

It is very quickly nearing the end of July (I can't believe summer is almost over!) so I thought I would do a July favourites blog. I have tried SO many products this month and quite a bit of it was actually skincare products. I am going through a bit of a hard time trying to get my skin to behave the last few months. I have combo/oily skin that does break out due.

Alpha Hydrox Foaming Cleanser is the first product that I'm going to share. I have been using this product for well over a few months now and I have actually just finished a bottle of this the other day. I have used many a cleansers, some of which include: Clinique Acne Solutions Foaming, Clinique Foaming Cleanser, and CeraVe Foaming. Alpha Hydrox has been, by far, the best cleanser for my terribly oily skin. This product is soap-free, alcohol free and is Ph balanced. I have combo skin, so I find that it doesn't dry my skin out like every other cleanser has. It's not drying when I use it with all of my acne treatments. The downside to this product? It is NOT available in Canada and I have to make sure to pick it up every time I cross the border. Still an amazing product though. 

The second product that I absolutely fell in love with is, yes another skincare product, but it has done WONDERS for my hyperpigmentation from my lovely acne scars and has helped my acne as well. Beyond Belief ABH Facial Serum is an oil-control serum with salicylic acid (BHA).  The product comes in a little container with a pump at the top. It's a little liquid-y, so I only use a few drops for my entire face. I find it to be a tad sticky, but after it sits..that does go away. This is definitely a product that I will be repurchasing and it is available only in Sally's Beauty stores.

The third product (writing a review for it) has greatly helped in controlling my oilies and makes me makeup look FABULOUS! Urban Decay De-Slick Makeup Setting Spray has kept my oily skin under control when wearing foundation in our VERY humid (it's like a desert) summer. It's also great because I can wear a powder to set my makeup as well and the UD Spray will keep it from getting the cake face. 

This next product is finally a make up product! It is also my all time favourite foundation, I always end up coming back to it. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place foundation in Ecru is my favourite. I do also have it in Shell which is really the other end of the spectrum.  I let the SA color match me and that was a mistake. It comes in a little frosted glass bottle with a gold lid. I do prefer plastic bottles or tubes because I am not at all graceful and I'm a pretty huge klutz, so I'm liable to drop it. You also run into a problem when there's still product left in the bottom but you can't get it! This foundation is a medium coverage and is a semi-matte finish (for all us oily girls!) It is said to have I think a 15 hour staying power..unfortunately, without all the oil-control products, I can't attest to that. I have been using this foundation all winter and still have half a bottle left. It comes in a 1 oz bottle and the cost in Canada is $42.50. A little pricey but definitely worth it. If you have oily skin, then I definitely recommend this product. It has worked much better on my oil slick then other foundations that I have tried.

Aquaphor is the next product that in my favourites. I originally bought this product for my hands but quickly found that I did not like it as it was quite greasy feeling and sticky. I decided to use this on my crazy dry/chapped lips and I love it. It's not sticky and it works better at hydrating my poor lips then anything else. Generally available in most drug stores and it's inexpensive.

This next product is almost an obsession I have. I am completely addicted to the Revlon Lip Butters. They're about $10 CND depending on where you purchase. I've seen them for $8 in some places. The lip butters are moisturizing (granted, not enough for my lips) but by using Aquaphor after the lip butter, it prevents my lips from drying out more. I am debating buying a few more in other colours.

Those are my favourite products of the month and ones that I have completely grown to love and will continue to repurchase!

If you have any recommendations, send me an e-mail glamouraee@gmail.com.

Rae :) xx