Noxzema: Is it the Same?

Noxzema Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser vs. Noxzema Ultimate Clear Daily Deep Pore Cleanser
New Name and Formula but is it the Same?

Noxzema recently broke our hearts by repackaging and reformulating all of their products.  Their antibacterial cleanser had been a long time favorite of mine.  I had used it for about thirteen years and recommended it countless times.  It was the only thing that ever really worked for me and I wasn’t sure what I could possibly do without it.

The Noxzema Ultimate Clear Daily Deep Pore Cleanser is the new name of the Noxzema Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser.  Clearly, they couldn’t find a (new) shorter name to go along with their new formula.  I was a little worried to find out that they had changed the old tried and true formula for a new formula.  New and Improved Formula is probably a phrase that strikes fear into consumers everywhere.

I’ve got to say, the formula performs just as beautiful as it always has.  I have not noticed a change since switching from one to the other.  This is still the best face wash on the market.  I still swear by it and recommend it to anyone who wishes to keep their skin clear.  Unfortunately, it isn’t carried in any local stores and I’ve had to order it online.  So, availability could be better.  I’ll order it though because it is simply the best.  I’ll include a link below so that you can buy it.

To be honest, I’m not sure what their instructions are or even if there are any, but I have my own steps to follow.  I lather it up by adding water and apply it to a wet face.  I massage it into my skin as best I can and then let it sit for about five minutes.  I then wash it off.  I always notice a smoother surface on my face and it even helps remove some makeup that’s left behind from normal removal.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Noxzema-Ultimate-Clear-Bacteria-Fighting-Cleanser-6-oz-Pack-of-2/44620896

Note:  This is a pack of 2 for $12.51.  I couldn't find a place to buy only a single bottle.  Even when I was buying it for myself, I had a hard time finding only a single bottle.  I ordered from their website but it sent me to another site and the 2 pack is a better deal if you’re looking to save money.

5 Terrible Makeup Products (Save Your Money)

I searched my collection high and low to find the worst of the worst.  I feel like I often talk about amazing products and recommend what’s good, but today I’m just going to save you some money and heartache.  I’m not going to mention limited edition products.  I’m also not going to mention products that I don’t like because of personal preference.  These are truly bad products that I don’t think would work well for anyone.

1. Burt’s Bees Lipsticks

Colors I Own:  Iced Iris and Fuchsia Flood

Out of all the lipstick I own, I think these are the worst.  I was so happy and excited when I found out Burt’s was releasing some lipsticks.  I drove all over town trying to find these and was so happy when I finally had.  I purchased not one but two of these babies.  They are truly awful.  They take forever to twist up, they aren’t true to color, and they have no color pay-off.  I think these are some of the most expensive drugstore lipsticks I’ve purchased and they are not worth the money.

2. Baby Lips Lipgloss

Colors I Own:  Just a Glimmer

These come in a ‘variety’ of colors.  And by variety, I mean each and every color looks just alike.  They are pretty much sheer so unless you want just a bit of shine, I would skip these.  I bought the one stand out, Just a Glimmer.  A glitter with hints of pink, purple, and blue.  This formula is thick, which I hate in a lipgloss, and the glitter is so sparse that there’s hardly any payoff.  While some people like these, I think most people wouldn’t

3. Lorac Eyeshadows

Palettes I Own:  After-Glo, Multi-Platnum, and Pro 2

I own three Lorac palettes.  Every Lorac wearer knows that they have two types of palettes.  There are the Pro palettes which come with a pretty price tag and a fairly nice formula.  The other none-Pro palettes are seriously bad.  The fact that they charge brand name prices for what’s pretty much junk is just sad and disappointing.

4. Hard Candy Velvet Mousse

Colors I Own:  Sweet Pea, Hibiscus, and Wisteria

I own three of these.  While they aren’t my favorite liquid lipstick, they aren’t completely bad.  The lighter colors are okay but the dark shade I have is in one word, BAD.  Wisteria, a very deep shade of purple, goes on thick and uneven.  You can see your lips through the shade.  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, for the same amount of money you can purchase the ColourPop shades and I have some serious love for those.

5. City Color Creamy Lip Stain

Colors I Own:  Flirtini

For this coveted last place spot, I had to pull out the worst product in my collection.  This was a gift and I think I’ve worn it maybe once.  I had to dig it out from under some great products.  This junky lip product had an awful feel on the lips and I was constantly having to clean it off my teeth.  I wore it to work and it was horrible having to talk to people and feeling so self-conscious about what was going on with my lips.  Never again will I wear this product.

Mac Liptensity

Mac Liptensity

Mac has just released a line of new lipsticks.  At least, I assume they’re lipsticks.  They have a bit of a lip balm feel to them.  Their shape is reminiscent of several lip balms, including the Revlon Lip Butters.  I, however, have no idea if they have a lip balm formula as they haven’t hit stores yet.  The colors seem to be bright and eye catching with none of them going on overly sheer.  I think the idea was to have some nice intense colors.

Mac Liptensity All Colors

I’m so excited to get to try these even though I don’t usually like the shape of these lip products.  There are five shades that have caught my eye.

Driftwood is a Lilac Beige.  This color is a bit unique.  I think I’ve seen colors like this before but I don’t own a color like this.

Medium Rare is a Light Pink.  This isn’t a totally unique color, but I’m in love with all light pink lip shades.  This would probably be my go too if I didn’t just own way too many colors like this already.

Galaxy Grey is a Lavender Gray.  I believe this is the most unique color in the whole collection.  It’s a little out there and I think it definitely stands out but it’s beautiful.

Gumball is a Pink.  I really like this shade but I’m worried it’s going to end up being a little too dark for my skin tone.  I’m just going to have to try it in person to know for sure.

Ambrosial is a Plum Pink.  I like this shade but I feel like it’s not going to be something I don’t already own.  I love purples and I love pinks.  This is a great kind of fall and early winter shade.

Mac Liptensity

Mac Liptensity
Top Row:  Drift Wood, Medium Rare, and Galaxy Gray
Second Row:  Dow,  Habanero, and Ambrosial
Third Row:  Lobster, Life's Blood, and Hellebore

Maybelline Fit Me VS Dream Velvet

For years I used the Maybelline mousse and powder as a foundation.  Lately, I’ve been feeling like I’ve needed more coverage.  I picked up two different Maybelline foundations and decided to compare them.

Maybelline Dream Velvet in 10 and 05
Fit Me Matte and Poreless in 110

I’ve long been interested in the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless foundation.  I bought the lightest shade in 110 Porcelain.  I don’t find this foundation to be matte or give you a poreless look.  I think this has a rather dewy finish (which is odd because I’ve only ever done matte).  The Maybelline Baby Skin works so much better than this if you really want to be poreless.  I don’t think this makes you look poreless at all.

Maybelline Dream Velvet is something that only recently came out.  I’ve been super excited to try this product.  I bought the two lightest shades 05 Warm Porcelain and 10 Porcelain Ivory.  I couldn’t decide which shade would work better, so I bought both.  There’s no way to see the product, you have to judge the color based on the packaging.  I thought Porcelain Ivory looked incredibly pink and was worried that (with a name like Warm Porcelain) the other shade would be too yellow.  I mix the two shades together and it works just fine.

I think the Dream Velvet are better at making you look both more matte and poreless.  I really like this foundation.  The Velvet reminds me a lot of the mousse which has been a love of mine for years.  The Velvet is the same amount but twice the price as the Fit Me.  That extra money is well worth it though.

Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush and Beauty Blender Blotterazzi

At the same time, I picked up the Real Techniques retractable kabuki brush.  I was about to go on a trip and thought this would work wonderfully for applying the foundation on the go.  I really like this brush and highly recommend the Real Techniques brushes.  The only problem I have, is that this rattles terribly when you try to use it.  I think over time that the retractable part might go up and down as you use the brush, that just seems like something this type of product would do.

Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush (retracted)

I received a Blotterazzi from Beauty Blender as a promotional thing.  It’s been sitting in my room, collecting dust, since it came out.  The Blotterazzi is supposed to be used to remove oil from your face without messing up your makeup.  It is, however, the same as a regular Beauty Blender.  So, if you’re like me and would rather use a flat sponge to do your makeup then here’s your hack.  I really liked the way the Blotterazzi performed.  It’s so nice and soft and works perfectly with the Dream Velvet.  You’re definitely going to need a sponge to apply that foundation.

Maybelline Wicked White (Such Love)

Maybelline Wicked White

I recently purchased Maybelline Wicked White from their new Bolds Collection.  Yesterday, I talked about the whole collection.  Today I just played around with the Wickedly White, mixing it in with some of my favorite lipsticks.

Mac Saint Germain, Maybelline Lilac Flush, Blushing Pout, Pink Sugar, and Vibrant Violet

I think the lip swatches all ended up looking the same on camera and I could have mixed the colors together better.  However, I hope you get a picture of how wonderful this lipstick is (and how much you need it in your life).

Maybelline Wicked White Before and After
Top:  Saint Germain, Lilac Flush, and Blushing Pout
Bottom:  Pink Sugar, and Vibrant Violet

As mentioned yesterday, Wicked White is wonderfully creamy.  I put the white on first and then layer a shade on top.  That way, the white stays clean however the white will transfer onto whatever shade you put on top.

The Maybelline formula seems to work better than any other brand that I tried with it.  I wore it with Nyx Rose today and it wore away around the lines of the lips.  But, that’s just how Nyx Rose always wears for me.

I really liked how it mixed with Maybelline Blushing Pout, it gives a nice light dusty pink shade, and Maybelline Vibrant Violet, which gave a nice light purple that seemed to have a touch of pink.  I also mixed the white with Maybelline Lilac Flush but it was a bit too pastel.  I think it looked more white than purple.

I just absolutely love that I have the ability to make any lipstick I own pastel.  I can’t get over my excitement.

Maybelline Wicked White with Orange Danger

Maybelline Bold Lipstick Collection

Maybelline has been releasing stuff left and right.  I picked up five new lipsticks from their Bold Collection.  The tops are dark blue and almost look purple in certain lights which I think is perfect since the collection includes both blue and purple lipsticks.

Maybelline Bold Lipstick Collection

A lot of these lipsticks, I feel, are too dark for me.  There’s only one pink but it’s fairly dark so I didn’t pick it up.  I like all of the swatches I’ve seen of the fuchsia one but judging by the sticker on the bottom, I again felt it was too dark for me.  I had a hard time choosing which ones I actually wanted to pick up.  But eventually I settled for five shades.

(Indoor Lighting)  Maybelline Wickedly White, Orange Danger, Gone Griege, Berry Bossy, and Midnight Merlot

(Outdoor Lighting)  Maybelline Wickedly White, Orange Danger, Gone Griege, Berry Bossy, and Midnight Merlot

Wickedly White is a wonderful creamy white shade.  I did feel like I had to build it up a bit.  I’ve worn this with two shades so far.  I mixed it with Orange Danger and got a nice salmon color.  I’ve also worn it with long time favorite Saint Germain and got a beautiful light baby pink.  White lipstick isn’t a new thing but I kind of hate that I’ve never gotten one before.  I’ve been needing this.

Maybelline Orange Danger and Wickedly White mixed together.

Orange Danger is a true orange shade.  I bought this because I’ve heard people describe this as the pastel of the collection.  It’s really not that pastel (until you mix it with the white).  It’s very different from anything I have.  I do love all the orange shades I have, though I don’t find that I’m able to wear them often enough.  I feel that orange lipstick doesn’t always go with the eyeshadow or clothes that I wear.

Gone Griege is a more beige than a gray color.  I wore it once and might not ever wear it again.  I feel like it’s similar to Colourpop’s Trap.  I don’t really like the way that it looks on me but I do know that there are people in the world who can perfectly pull off this color.

Berry Bossy is a maroon type berry shade.  I don’t have a lot of shades like this but it’s not a shade I imagine myself grabbing much this time of year.

Midnight Merlot is a dark reddish plum shade.  It seems a bit multidimensional, changing color depending on the light.  Again, this is probably not going to be something I’m using much this time of year.  I’m all about the pastels this time a year.  Especially with that awesome new white I can use to mix with other shades.

These shades are all fairly matte and (of the three that I’ve worn so far) are incredibly creamy.  There was also a couple of lip glosses released with these.  As I don’t like lip gloss, I didn’t buy any of those.

My Eye Crayon Collection

My Eye Crayon Collection
Nyx, Maybelline, and Rimmel

So today I wanted to talk about my eye crayon collection.  I’ve fallen in love with some of these and have begun to use them on a regular basis.  The first one I got was Nyx Milk, but I’m gonna start off talking about the ones that I actually like.

Maybelline:  Pink Parfait, Barely Beige, Lilac Lust, and Grey Crystal

I got three from Maybelline and decided to try those and if I liked them I would get more.  I tried getting colors that are different from all the other things I have.  I bought Barely Beige, Pink Parfait, and Lilac Lust.  I love using these as a base to put my eyeshadow on.  (Maybelline actually came out with an eye primer.  I’ve never used it but I’ve heard nothing but good things.)  I don’t think Barely Beige has the same staying power as some of the other shades but I still like it.  Pink Parfait is a beautiful base and also works as a great brow bone highlight, it also has a bit of a gold shine too it.  I feel like it has a rose gold look to it.

I loved these so much that I bought two more from Maybelline.  Grey Crystal and Audacious Asphalt.  Grey Crystal is a beautiful and intense sparkly silver color.  It is an excellent medium tone.  It is more intensely colored than the first three that I bought.

Maybelline Audacious Asphalt, Nyx Milk, and Rimmel Blamed Blue all have the same problems in my opinion.  They just aren’t as good as the other’s.  They can be patchy and hard to work with.

Maybelline Audacious Asphalt and Nyx Milk

Audacious Asphalt is a dark shade.  The other Maybelline one’s go on so easily and are easy to apply, but not this one.  I always end up having to use my finger to apply this and smooth it out.  You lose some of the intensity of the color when you smooth it out.  It can be built up but it can also end up looking patchy.  You also end up with dark pigment all over your fingers.

Nyx Milk is a white shade and can be patchy and hard to apply.  The formula is a lot thicker than the Maybelline formula.  The top gets scratches in it easily when you recap it.  I was trying to be careful but it doesn’t matter, the cap is going to get those broken splits.

Rimmel Blamed Blue

Rimmel Blamed Blue is something I like better ‘on the hanger’ than on the body.  It called to me in the store but isn’t my favorite actually worn.  I think it’s too intense for my skin tone and might work out better on people who aren’t as incredibly fair as I am.  I feel like this looks like a black or dark shade with glitter over it.  That’s never been a look that I love.  The Rimmel ones are cheaper than the Maybelline but I would go for the Maybelline ones if I were you.  I also recommend Maybelline over Nyx. I also think it's worth mentioning that this product has pretty good staying power. I find this a bit annoying as it can kind of stain my fingers and can be a bit of a pain to take off.

I also have one of the Sephora Contour Eye Pencils.  (And I know that I’ve talked about this before on my blog but I feel like it’s worth mentioning again.)  I think with that name that I expected an eye pencil, but it’s just eye liner.  I think it’s a good eye liner, though not the world’s best.