Category: Inexpensive

These are inexpensive products that are found at discount stores such as Walmart. This also includes drugstore brands that are sold at stores such as Walgreen’s or CVS.

Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash

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Note: This review was updated on February 17, 2020.

Product:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash.  Good skin begins with clean skin.  This cleanser delivers exactly what a cleanser should with none of the harsh side effects.

Overall Rating  = 5 stars5 Stars – Exceptional, Blew Me Away

Cost: $7.99 for 6 oz. ($1.33 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  NeotericCosmetics (Parent Company); Wal-mart; Ulta

Container:  Plastic bottle with flip cap, outer carton.

Description:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash was formerly known as Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash.  The parent company, Neoteric Cosmetics, changed the name of this line from Alpha Hydrox to Alpha Skin Care a few years ago.  The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Scott’s Liquid Gold.  (Yes, the floor care products.)

Formula:   Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Face Wash contains citric alpha hydroxy acid derived from fruit.  The concentration is not listed.  I suspect the concentration is mild, as this is a gentle cleanser.  Alpha hydroxy acids aid the skin with exfoliation and cell turnover even in limited amounts.  The cleanser is pH balanced to avoid stripping the acid mantle of the skin or causing the irritation and dryness associated with most cleansers.

The cleanser is a slightly milky liquid.  It has a very light clean citrus scent.  This would be a good cleanser to use with a sonic facial brush or similar type of cleansing device.  It foams a little, but not so much as to make a mess with a mechanical cleanser.

Sensitivity:  This is a fragrance-free and dye-free product.  (Yeah!)  It is also free from soap, alcohol and parabens.

Animal Friendly:  The company’s products are cruelty-free and are never tested on animals.

Company Claims:

“What it is –

This gentle soap-free formula uses Citric Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to whisk away make-up, dirt and excess oil from your skin’s surface and pores. It is also free of alcohol and parabens.

What it does –

  • Gently cleanses without over-drying skin
  • Restores ideal pH for effective use with Alpha Skin Care products
  • Gently removes make-up & skin impurities
  • Leaves skin feeling soft, smooth & fresh

Who it’s for – All Skin Types”

“How To Use: With warm water, gently massage onto your face and neck. Rinse thoroughly. Follow with your favorite Alpha® Skin Care products. Use morning and evening.”

Discussion:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Face Wash is intended to be used twice a day, morning and evening.  A good cleanser gently cleanses the skin without stripping the skin of its natural oils or upsetting the naturally acidic pH nature of the skin.  Clean skin is essential prior to the application of other skin care products or makeup.

This cleanser is pH balanced, which is important because drastic changes in pH affect enzyme activity and interfere with the skin’s normal shedding and cell turnover process (desquamation).

Daily Review:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Face Wash is a medium weight liquid cleanser.  It is not clear, nor opaque.  It has a slight milky or even pearly quality.  It has a very light citrus scent from the ingredients, not fragrance.  The scent is pleasant and clean smelling.  The cleanser feels silky and foams very slightly.  A small amount about the size of a dime is enough for an entire face.  After my first use, I thought I was imagining how soft my face felt.  I could not imagine that a cleanser that doesn’t possess any exfoliating or scrubbing ingredients would leave my face feeling like silk.

I then put on a full face of makeup, washed my face with the cleanser, and used a makeup wipe to see how much makeup was left on my skin.  There was almost no residue on the wipe, so it was not my imagination, and the cleanser really is effective.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with cleansers.  I know they are important, but they usually leave my sensitive skin irritated, stripped, or not feeling clean.  This cleanser left my face clean, soft and not irritated at all.

I checked with my other testers to see if their results were as impressive, and to my amazement, they agreed and gave this cleanser our highest rating. (It is almost impossible to get everyone to give a product 5 stars.)

Overall Review:  Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash is an excellent product and is less expensive than comparable high-end cleansers.   This is not just for women and is an excellent product for men, too.

Alpha Skin Care Gentle Cleansing Refreshing Face Wash is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • All skin types.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 5 stars5 Stars;

Value Rating  = 5 stars5 Stars;

Overall Rating  =5 stars 5 Stars – Blew Me Away.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Ingredients:  Water, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PEG-3 Distearate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, Diazolidinyl Urea, Idopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Sodium Chloride.

Formulated Without:  Artificial Fragrance, Alcohol, Parabens, Artificial Colors.

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Product:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax.  Keep your unruly eyebrow hairs tame in any kind of weather with this affordable pencil that is an exact dupe for a much more expensive product.

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars – Excellent.

Cost Best: $3.97 (.09 oz.) ($44.11 per ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  MilaniCosmetics; Walmart; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Chubby wooden pencil with outer plastic cap

Description:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is a clear wax pencil that you use either by itself or with tinted brow powder to control eyebrow hairs and keep them neat and in place.

Formula:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is waterproof, completely clear and is somewhat thick.  It is slightly tacky feeling until it dries.  I usually set this with tinted powder on female clients.  I use it by itself or with translucent powder on male clients.  This is great for taming thick wiry eyebrow hairs on men.

Sensitivity:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is fragrance and paraben free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes or contacts.

Company Claims:

“For naturally beautiful brows, tame and sculpt with one sweep of the easy-to-use Brow Shaping Clear Wax Pencil. The transparent shade works well on all hair colors and the non-sticky medium to strong hold formula blends well with other brow beautifiers. This pencil dries to a weightless, matte finish and when it’s time to sharpen your brow-shaping skills, the Duo Sharpener does the trick.”

Discussion:  I have been a fan of clear brow waxes for decades.  The best one I ever found was a retractable pencil by Femme Couture that was discontinued.  I then had to begin my search for an alternative.  The next best thing I found was Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer at $21 each.

Product Dupe:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer and performs exactly the same.  I’ve even included the ingredients list for the Anastasia Brow Primer below so you can see just how similar they are.  The key difference in the ingredients occurs near the end.  The Milani product does not contain any parabens and the Anastasia product does.  They look, smell, and feel identical when you use them.  The cap stays on better on the more expensive Anastasia pencil.  Since the Milani pencil costs $17 less, I can live with the cap issue.

Colors:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax only comes in one color, 01 Clear.

Morning Review:  Before applying tinted brow powder, I stroke the Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax in the direction of the hair growth of the eyebrow hairs.  The wax glides on easily and has no odor.  The wax not only keeps the brow hairs in place, but it also serves as a primer and gives the powder something to cling to.  If you are using an eyebrow pencil without powder, then I would put the wax on after the pencil.  The wax can be applied prior to or following other products and it is just as effective either way.

Evening Review:  After many hours, my eyebrows are still neat, in place and there has not been any flaking or fading.

Overall Review:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is fast, easy, and helps to keep eyebrows looking their best.

Pros:

  • Applies quickly and easily
  • Stays on for many hours
  • Waterproof
  • Removes easily with eye makeup remover
  • Hypoallergenic formula does not cause any irritation
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • It is not retractable and needs to be sharpened.
  • The pencil does not fit in regular or oversized sharpeners. You need to use the Milani Duo Sharpener.
  • The outer plastic cap keeps falling off.

Suitability:  Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax is suitable for the following users:

  • All users.  (This is a very good product for men to use as well as women.)

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Package

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Package

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Tip

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax Tip

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer Tip

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer Tip

Ingredients Milani Brow Shaping Clear Wax:  Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Polyisubutene, Cetyl Palmitate, Talc, VP/Hexadecene, Copolymer, Myristyl Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla) Wax, Octyldodecanol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

Ingredients Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Primer:  Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina, Polyisobutene, Cetyl Palmitate, Talc, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Myristyl Lactate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax / Candelilla Cera, Octyldodecanol, Myristyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Propylene Carbonate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin

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Product:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin.  Is this drugstore brand really as gentle as it claims to be?

Overall Rating =  4 stars4 Stars – Excellent

Cost:  $8.46 for 4 oz. ($2.12 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Sold By:  Neutrogena; Walgreen’s; Wal-mart; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Plastic bottle with twist-off pump, outer carton.

Description:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is a no-frills water-based moisturizer.  This is a basic fragrance-free moisturizer that is readily available at most retailers.

Formula:  This does not contain any anti-aging antioxidants, cell-communicating ingredients or fancy bells and whistles.  It also doesn’t have any alcohol, stinky perfume or dye.  Sometimes, less is better.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is intended to be used twice a day following cleansing and after the application of lighter products such as serums.

Please Note:  Please do not use this product if you have a soy allergy.  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin contains soybean sterols so you will need to stay away from this one.

Company Claims:

“Oil-Free Moisture for Sensitive Skin is a lightweight, water-based moisturizer that provides gentle yet effective moisturization for even the most sensitive skin.

This feather-light, dermatologist-tested formula vanishes into skin—without leaving it greasy or shiny. Extra gentle and irritant-free, it is ideal for sensitive skin. And it contains no alcohol, which can dry skin.”

Morning Review:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive is a medium weight white lotion.  A little goes a long way, and for me, a full pump is too much product.  It is almost as thick as a cream but it does not feel heavy.  I don’t like thick creams on my face.  I also don’t normally use or like products with any amount of petrolatum as they usually feel too heavy on my skin and feel tacky and sticky.  I do not have that reaction with this moisturizer.

It is fragrance-free and has almost no detectable scent.  The lotion feels silky and it absorbs quickly into the skin.  My very dry, hypersensitive skin likes this product.  I do not experience any redness, itching, burning, nose running, eyes watering, or other negative reaction.  This moisturizer leaves my face feeling soft, hydrated and velvety smooth.  Makeup goes on very well on top of this moisturizer.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea, this should be mild enough and should be quite safe for you, but please check with your dermatologist.

Please Also Note:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin does not contain any sunscreen.  Please use a good quality sunscreen with this product.  If using a chemical sunscreen, apply the sunscreen first.  If using a physical sunscreen, apply the sunscreen last.  (I’ll discuss this in detail in a future post.)

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin stayed soft and did not get dry or tight.  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin really kept my skin hydrated without any irritation.  Normally, products with any amount of petrolatum make my T-zone oily and cause breakouts.  For some reason, I do not have that reaction with this product.

Overall Review:  Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is a basic moisturizer that simply does what it claims to do.  This is a good moisturizer for those who use topical products for acne or Retin-A.  If you use too many anti-aging products at once you can create a recipe for disaster.  Sometimes simple is a good thing.  This is the moisturizer that I mix with the AHA products that are too harsh for my skin.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is suitable for men as well as women.  Users with very oily skin may find this too moisturizing for them.  If it makes your skin feel oily, try using less, or mixing it with a little water to dilute it

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Oily (may need to dilute with water);
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating  = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars, Excellent

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena Box Front & Bottle

Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture Sensitive Skin

Neutrogena Box Back

Ingredients:  Water, Glycerin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Dimethicone, Petrolatum, Cyclomethicone, Soybean (Glycine Soja) Sterols , Isopropyl Isostearate, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-10 Soy Sterol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Ethylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Formulated Without:  Alcohol, Artificial Fragrance, Artificial Color, Oil.

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops

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Product:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops.  Don’t want to spend the money for Cover FX Custom Cover Drops?  With this Hard Candy dupe (almost), you don’t have to!

Overall Rating = 4 stars 4 Stars – Excellent

Cost: $7.00 (.5 fl. oz.) ($14.00 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  HardCandy; Walmart.

Container:  Glass bottle, twist-off cap with attached dropper.  As with the Cover FX product, the packaging is not ideal.  A squeeze tube would have been better.

Description:  I previously reviewed Cover FX Custom Cover Drops.  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is almost a duplicate product.  This is a small bottle of pure pigment in liquid form.  The concentrated drops allow you to increase the coverage or alter the color of any liquid or cream foundation.  You can also add color and/or coverage to a colorless sunscreen or moisturizer.

Formula:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is a thin liquid.  This formula is slightly thinner and less pigmented than the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops.  The tinted liquid is not intended to be used by itself.  It must be mixed with another product.  On its own, the formula has a matte finish, but not as matte as the Cover FX drops.  Shockingly, I actually prefer this formula to the more expensive Cover FX drops, as it blends easier.

Vegan Friendly:  Yes.  This product is free from animal ingredients.

Cruelty Free:  Yes.  Hard Candy does not test on animals.  This product is made in the USA.  Despite the fact that the brand is now exclusively sold at Walmart, I have not found any evidence that the brand is sold in China.

Sensitivity:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is free of fragrance, alcohol, gluten, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, sulfates and talc and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.  ALLERGY WARNING:  This does contain a small amount of mushroom extract, so stay away from this if you are allergic to mushrooms.

Company Claims:

“Highly concentrated liquid pigments that  allow you to customize any face product for coverage or shade.

Squeeze the dropper and add drops to any daily moisturizer or primer to create a custom foundation.

The more drops you add, the higher the coverage. You can also add light or dark drops to any liquid makeup to custom match your skin tone.”

Discussion:  If you haven’t tried this brand that is exclusively sold at Walmart, you may be pleasantly surprised by some of their products.  The quality and performance of many of their products rival other brands that cost significantly more.  I’m looking forward to exploring this line further.  I picked up several different items and will be reviewing more of them soon.

The only downside to Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is that Hard Candy developed these to compete with Cover FX.  It is a shame Hard Candy chose to copy the FX bottle because it is the bottle that is the worst characteristic of the product.  Hard Candy could have produced a far superior product had they not copied the inferior bottle and dropper delivery system.

If you have a bit of mad scientist in you, then you will have fun custom mixing these drops into many different products.  For clients, they afford me customization in mixing foundations for superior matching.  For personal use, I can make my own BB and CC creams with these drops.

Colors:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops comes in ten colors: Fair 1, Fair 2, Light 1, Light 2, Light 3, Light 4, Medium 1, Medium 2, Medium 3, and Deep 1.  I have fair skin and usually buy the lightest or second lightest shade in any foundation.  In this product, I bought Light 1.  Fair 1 and Fair 2 were too light for me.  Light 1 corresponds to N25 in the Cover FX drops.  For all of you porcelain girls that can’t ever find anything light enough, Fair 1 may be just what you need to lighten up all of the foundations that are too dark.  For professional makeup artists, buy a Fair 1 and a Deep 1 to customize perfect matches for your clients.

Finishes:  Hard Candy also makes Liquid Radiant Turn Me Bronze, Turn Me Radiant, Turn Me Matte and Look Pro! Illuminate and Strobing drops to compete with the Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops.  With all of these choices, you can completely customize your products to suit your needs.

Daily Review:  The wear that you will achieve from using Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops depends purely upon the medium that the drops are mixed with.  I do have to use more of the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops to achieve the same tint or coverage that I would get with the Cover FX drops.  If I normally use one drop of Cover FX, I will use two drops with Hard Candy.

Application Tips:

  • Shake the bottle well to mix the contents as separation will occur.
  • Load the dropper while the cap is still on the bottle.
  • Begin with two drops and add more as needed.
  • Mix the drops with whatever you are tinting on a small sterilized palette or something similar.
  • Mix the drops with whatever you are tinting before applying to the face.  If you try to blend these on the face, they will streak.
  • To avoid air bubbles, don’t empty the dropper back into the bottle prior to replacing the cap.
  • Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
  • If the product gets too thick, it is time for a new one. It is not a good idea to add water to these.  If you need to dilute them, add a drop of sterile eyedrops.

Overall Review:  I was pleasantly surprised that the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops performed as well as the Cover FX Custom Cover drops.  This is a useful product at a great price.

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops serve many purposes:

  • Correct foundations that are too light or too dark
  • Add color to a ghostly-white sunscreen
  • Allow you to make your own tinted moisturizer
  • Achieve a match for hard-to-match skin tones
  • Add coverage to a foundation that is too sheer

Pros:

  • Mixes well with a variety of products
  • Provides customization for many skin tones

Cons:

  • Not as many colors available as the Cover FX drops
  • The bottle and dropper are messy, expose the contents to air and potential bacteria,  and cause the product to dry out faster.  A squeeze tube would have been a superior delivery system.

Suitability:  Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Daily Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 4 stars4 Stars = Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment DropsHard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment DropsCover FX Custom Cover Drops Hard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment DropsHard Candy Glamoflauge Pigment Drops Swatch

Ingredients:  Dimethicone, Water, Isododecane, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 Methicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polymethyl Methacrylate, HDL/Trimethylol, Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica Silyate, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Propylene Carbonate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fomes Officinalis (Mushroom Extract), Silica.  May contain:  Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

2 Comments

Product:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream.  This product comes out of the tube white and then changes color supposedly to match your skin.  Weird, right?

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars – Very Good to Excellent

Cost: $10.95 (1.0 fl. oz.) ($10.95 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inxepensive

Sold By:  L’Oréal Paris USA; Walgreen’s; Walmart; Ulta; Retailers everywhere.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap. (Nice small, pointed tip.)

Description:   L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is a white lotion with encapsulated pigments that are released when the lotion is blended into the skin.  This product contains four elements (primer, moisturizer, foundation and a color corrector) in one.  In this case, “BB” stands for “Beautifying Beads” instead of Beauty Balm or Blemish Balm.

Formula:   L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream has more of a lotion consistency than a cream.  The formula provides light-coverage opacity and dries to a slightly powdery finish.  It feels silky to the touch and is hydrating.  This does NOT contain any sunscreen and offers 0 SPF.  I like my BB creams to contain sunscreen, so I regard the lack of SPF as a negative.

Sensitivity:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is fragrance and oil free and is appropriate for those with sensitive skin.

Company Claims:

“4 Beautifying Actions in 1.  Primes, Corrects, Hydrates, Perfects.  Flawless Bare Skin Finish.

Meet the Magic all-in-one skin BB cream, with Beautifying Beads; encapsulated pigments infused in an ultra-light lotion with antioxidants Vitamins C & E. This multi-tasking skin beautifier delivers 4 beautifying actions in 1: primes to smooth skin’s texture, corrects skin for a healthy looking even complexion, hydrates for all day moisture, perfects to hide imperfections.  Instantly transforms to your perfect shade for a flawless, bare skin finish. Over time, more beautiful skin.”

Discussion:  I previously discussed BB Creams in my post reviewing Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35.  If you want to read more about BB, CC or DD creams, please see that post.

Colors:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream comes in four colors: 810-Fair; 812-Light; 814-Medium; and 816-Deep.  Because the coverage is so light and it blends into the skin, the shades are pretty forgiving.  I tried the Medium on my fair skin and it didn’t look overly dark once blended.  The Light color is off and is too peachy.  The Fair color is better than the Light.

Morning Review:  I have used several tubes of this over the years, so I’m not new to this product.  For purposes of this review, after cleansing, I applied the L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream to bare skin.  (If you are going outside in the daylight, you should definitely apply sunscreen first.)  The lotion  has very little odor to it.  I don’t know how to describe the scent other than a slight chemical smell that disappears once applied.  It feels slippery to the touch.  You can definitely feel the silicone primer elements.  It does not feel oily or greasy on the skin at all; it just feels silky.  It blends nicely and offers a light blurring coverage.

Application Tips:  You will need to be careful with the tube.  The tube has a tendency to squirt out product as soon as the cap is removed, so be prepared to catch any drips.

I applied this with fingers, a foundation brush and a blender sponge to see which worked the best.  Due to the thinner consistency, I liked the finish the best with a blending sponge.  If you have oily or combination skin, you will definitely want to set this with powder.  This dries fairly quickly to a semi-matte or satin finish.

Evening Review:  On my dry skin, L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream looked good for about 6-7 hours.  My testers with consistent skin and combination skin got 5-6 hours of wear.  My tester with oily skin needed a touch up in about 4-5 hours.  Of course your results will depend upon many factors and may be different.

Overall Review:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is a quick and easy product for those who don’t want the bother of applying several layers to their skin each day.  Unfortunately, you will need to apply sunscreen underneath this during the daytime, as it contains no sun protection whatsoever.  (But still, two layers are easier than five.)  If you mostly wear makeup at night, you may not always need a sunscreen.

Pros:

  • Four products in one tube
  • Light coverage blurs skin imperfections
  • Skin looks natural and not heavy
  • Quick and easy to use
  • Blends easily
  • Lack of sunscreen means there is no risk of white flashback in photos

Cons:

  • Does not contain sunscreen
  • Some skin tones may not find a compatible match
  • “Light” color is too peachy for most skin tones

Suitability:  L’Oréal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream is suitable for the following users:

  • All users

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars4 Stars – 1 Star for lack of sunscreen = 3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers =4 stars 4 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars = Very Good.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB CreamL’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream ReverseL’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream TipL’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream Swatch Blended

INGREDIENTS:  AQUA/WATER/EAU; ISODODECANE; CYCLOPENTASILOXANE; GLYCERIN; CYCLOHEXASILOXANE; PEG-10 DIMETHICONE; METHYL METHACRYLATE CROSS POLYMER; BUTYLENE GLYCOL; DIMETHICONE; ISOEICOSANE; DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE; BORON NITRIDE; PHENOXYETHANOL; CETYL PEG/PPG-10/1 DIMETHICONE; SODIUM CHLORIDE; POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE; HEXYL LAURATE; ACRYLATES/AMMONIUM METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER; ISOSTEARYL NEOPENTANOATE; CAPRYLYL GLYCOL; TRIETHYL CITRATE; METHYLPARABEN; C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATES/C9-15 FLUOROALCOHOL PHOSPHATE; TOCOPHEROL; PANTHENOL; [+/- MAY CONTAIN: CI 77891/TITANIUM DIOXIDE; CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499/ IRON OXIDES]; FIL D49725/2.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Wet N Wild Coverall Primer

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Product:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer.  New to the idea of primer?  Want to dip your toes in the water without much of a financial commitment?  Here is an entry-level formula.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.25 Stars – Good.

Cost: $4.68 (.84 fl. oz.) ($5.57 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Sold By:  Walgreen’s; Walmart; Wet N Wild Beauty.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap.

Description:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer helps to properly prepare your skin for foundation.  The company makes some lofty (outrageous) claims for this inexpensive primer.

Formula:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer is a white liquid and is fairly thin when it comes to primers.  It becomes invisible and clear on the skin very quickly.  It only takes about 10 seconds to be fully absorbed into the skin.  It dries to a soft, almost powdery finish.  It does contain silicones even though water is the first ingredient.

Sensitivity:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer is fragrance, talc, paraben and dye free and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.  The very light chemical scent dissipates within seconds upon application.  If you are allergic to silicone, stay away from this one.

Company Claims:  (Here we go…)

“Remember when you were a kid, watching fairy tales, wishing you had a magic potion to transform yourself instantly into a glamorous princess? Well, we’re here to make your dreams come true! This miraculous primer can be used all over your face to minimize the appearance of pores, fill in fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone, prevent your foundation from caking, and brighten your complexion for ultra-vibrant color that lasts all day. Magic! How does it do this? Because we basically put diamonds in a bottle! No, really, we did. The key ingredient in this miracle primer is white sapphire, formulated into a smooth, silky cream that glides on effortlessly, leaving behind a crystal complexion. Just think of us as your fairy godmother!”

“Magic Potion!

  • Refines Pores
  • Fills Fine Lines
  • Brightens Complexion
  • Evens Skin Tone
  • Made with white sapphire!
  • Provides a perfect surface for ultra-vibrant color that lasts all day
  • Prevents Caking, Creasing, and Smudging”

(Those may be the most ridiculously exaggerated claims ever made by a cosmetics manufacturer.)

Discussion:   If I had never used a primer before I would probably think this one is better than it is.  If you have no experience with primer and you try this one, you will probably like it.  If, on the other hand, you have used a lot of high-end primers, this one may be a bit of a let down.

Whenever I test a new primer I always do so on freshly-cleansed bare skin and you should do the same.  Otherwise, you will not know exactly how your skin is reacting to the product.  Wear the primer by itself one day before you put makeup on top of it.

For my dry skin, I would definitely need to use a moisturizer underneath this primer, as this was drying to me.  If you have oily skin, this may work well for you on bare skin.

Colors:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer only comes in one color and they don’t have a name for it.

Morning Review:  I applied Wet N Wild Coverall Primer on clean bare skin all over my face.  I then applied makeup to only one side of my face to test how well it helps with makeup longevity.  It is probably the fastest drying primer I have ever used.  You don’t have to wait to apply makeup on top of this the way you do most primers.

Let’s address the Company Claims:

Magic Potion!  (No, there is no magic in this tube.)

  • Refines Pores (Slightly)
  • Fills Fine Lines (No improvement)
  • Brightens Complexion (No change)
  • Evens Skin Tone (No change)
  • Provides A Perfect Surface… (Slightly)
  • Prevents Caking, Creasing, Smudging  (For a little while)

What it did was make my face feel slightly smoother with a dry powdery finish.  My makeup went on smoothly on top of this primer.

Application Tips:  On myself I applied this with my fingers.  On clients, I usually apply primer with a beauty blender sponge.  This primer is so thin it would be easily absorbed by a sponge so fingers work best for this one.  Since this has a lotion consistency, to avoid squeezing out too much product, simply hold the tube with the nozzle pointing upward, not downward.

Evening Review:  There was not much change throughout the day.  My skin did not become drier or oilier because of the Wet N Wild Coverall Primer.  It made a slight difference in helping makeup to go on smoother and last longer.  The second time I tried the primer I put it on top of moisturizer and it worked much better for me that way.  This is not hydrating at all on its own.  I also tried this with different foundations and it did help them all to last about 25% longer than foundations on their own without primer.

Overall Review:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer imparts a nice silky feeling to the skin, helps makeup go on easier, and adds a little longevity to the wear of foundation.

Pros:

  • Dries almost instantly
  • Applies easily
  • Improves skin texture
  • Adds a little staying power to foundation
  • Removes easily with regular facial cleanser
  • Fragrance, paraben, talc, dye-free formula
  • Feels light on the skin, not heavy

Cons:

  • Is NOT a “Magic Potion”
  • Does not live up to the claims by the manufacturer
  • Does not fill fine lines or wrinkles
  • Is not hydrating
  • Does not do much to smooth the skin like thicker primers do

Suitability:  Wet N Wild Coverall Primer is suitable for the following users:

  • All users.  (Those with dry skin should apply a moisturizer first.)
  • Best for users with oily skin or those who like very light weight products on their skin

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.25 Stars = Good.

Would Buy Again?  No.  (For a drugstore primer and a few dollars more Revlon is better.)

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Wet N Wild Coverall PrimerWet N Wild Coverall Primer ReverseWet N Wild Coverall Primer Tip

Wet N Wild Coverall Primer Product Swatch

Wet N Wild Coverall Primer Product Swatch

Ingredients:  Water/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Decyl Glucoside, Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Alumina, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

Product:  St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.875 Stars – Terrible to Just Okay

Cost:   $4.79 for 6 oz. (.80 per ounce)  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Sold By:  Walgreen’s and major retailers everywhere

Container:  Flip-top plastic tube

Description:  This is an Allure magazine Best of Beauty Award Winner.  (I have no idea why.)  This is described as “THE multi award winning apricot scrub that deeply exfoliates for clean, smooth and glowing skin, from America’s No. 1 scrub brand*.  (*Based on 52 week unit sales ending 7.30.16)”

Morning Review:  The first thing that hit me when I opened the cap was the scent.  The St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub has a strong fruity, sweet and flowery smell.  My nose immediately started running.  I wet my face and massaged the grainy cream onto my skin.  The crushed walnuts were very abrasive feeling and were much too harsh for my sensitive skin.  My face felt irritated.  This will definitely provide deep exfoliation if you have clogged pores.  Even after rinsing I could still smell the strong perfume.

Warning:  Please do not use this or any abrasive cleanser if you have Rosacea.  Please consult with your dermatologist before using any exfoliating product.

Morning Rating =  1 star1 Star

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin still felt slightly irritated.   I used very little product the second time with more water to try and achieve a gentler cleansing experience.  This cleanser effectively removes all face makeup.   My makeup wipes did not find any traces of makeup except for eye makeup.   You cannot get this product near your eyes.  (Crushed walnuts in your eyes would not be a good thing.)  You will need to use a separate cleanser to remove your eye makeup.  This is definitely not a good cleanser to use with a cleansing brush.  That would be too harsh and irritating for any kind of skin.

My tester with normal skin who likes perfumes said it was okay and it didn’t seem too rough for her.  My male tester said, “It stunk so much I didn’t want that on my face” and he didn’t want to try it.

Overall Review:  I would not put this on my face again, nor would I recommend it to clients.  I feel that harsh abrasive products are unnecessary and can cause damage to your skin.  I would only use this on the heels of my feet or areas with thicker skin that are not easily damaged.  It is effective to exfoliate rough, dead, calloused or dry skin on areas such as feet, elbows or knees.  Also, I would not mind the heavy scent so much on my feet, but I do not want that near my nose or eyes.  This may appeal to you if you like smelling like a bowl of fruit salad.

This is not a very good cleanser unless you are just looking for something that will deep clean, exfoliate and scrub your skin; your skin is not easily irritated; and you like heavy perfumes.  Definitely stay away from this one if you have fragrance allergies and/or sensitive, delicate skin.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub is suitable for the following skin types:

  • Consistent, Combination or Oily skin with no sensitivities to fragrance  or harsh ingredients
  • NOT for Sensitive skin or anyone with Rosacea
  • NOT for those with fragrance allergies

RATINGS REPORT: 

Morning Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Evening Rating = 1 star1 Star;

Average from Other Testers = 1+ stars1.5 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 1+ stars1.875 Stars – Terrible to Just Okay.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Please note that the Walgreen’s website has a photograph of the old formula from 2013 and shows the ingredients from the old formula.  I have posted photos of the old formula and the new formula.  I have also included both lists of ingredients.  This review is for the new formula.  I have noted when reading reviews from other sites that many people that used the old and new formulas are not happy with the new formula.

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub 2016

St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub New Formula 2016

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub 2013

St Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Scrub Old Formula 2013

 Ingredients New 2016 Formula (from St. Ives’ website):  Water (Aqua, Eau), Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Cetyl Acetate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth-20, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Fragrance (Parfum), PPG-2 Methyl Ether, Phenethyl Alcohol, Limonene, Linalool, Methylisothiazolinone, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract.

Ingredients Old 2013 Formula (from Walgreen’s website):  Water, Juglans Regia (Walnut) Shell Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate, Zea Mays (Corn) Kernel Meal, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Peg-100 Stearate, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Fruit Extract, Cetyl Acetate, Polysorbate 60, Ceteareth-20, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Carbomer, PPG-2 Methyl Ether, Phenethyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Methylisothiazolinone, Fragrance, Titanium dioxide.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Oil of Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Regenerating Cream Cleanser

2 Comments

Product:  Today’s product is another facial wash, Oil of Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Regenerating Cream Cleanser.  This one is readily available everywhere and is very affordable.  This is intended for use on dry, aging, or wrinkled skin.

Overall Rating= 3+ stars3.25 Stars = Good+

Cost:  Olay’s suggested retail cost is $9.99, but the cost at Wal-mart was $5.97 ($1.19 per ounce).  Price Category:  Inexpensive

Container:  Plastic flip-top tube

I used this facial wash for several days prior to this review.  I tried it by itself, with a cleansing brush, and with an exfoliating cloth.  I also used it on several clients to get their feedback.  To receive completely unbiased reviews, I gave it to my testers in unmarked containers so they did not know what brand they were testing; they only knew that it was a skin cleanser intended to be used with water.

Morning Review:  This is a light weight cleanser with a creamy consistency.  It does have tiny exfoliating beads (hydrated silica, not harmful polyethylene microbeads) which are not abrasive.  It takes very little product to cover your entire face.  It is non-drying and non-irritating.  I could not find a fragrance-free version.  This is lightly fragranced but it did not make me sneeze, nor did it make my nose run.  I do not think men would like this scent.  I have very sensitive combination skin and it cleaned the oily areas and did not leave the dry areas feeling tight.

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars

Evening Review:  My skin stayed soft throughout the day and did not get oily. The cleanser does an okay job of removing makeup. My makeup wipes did find small traces of makeup on my skin after using the cleanser.   My tester with normal skin said it felt good but they did not care for the fragrance.  My tester with dry skin really liked it and said she would buy it.

Overall Review:  I would say this is a good cleanser for all skin types, particularly dry or aging skin.  You will want to stay away from this one if you are allergic to even a small amount of fragrance.  This will not do much to exfoliate your skin, despite the fact that Olay claims this product “gently” exfoliates.  I agree with that assertion.  This is an okay product to use with a cleansing brush, but there are others that will perform better.

Oil of Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Regenerating Cream Cleanser is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes (men may not like this fragrance);
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive (not if you are sensitive to fragrance);
  • Oily;
  • Consistent;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT: 

Morning Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Evening Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 3 stars3 Stars;

Value Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.25 Stars – Good +.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Oil of Olay Regenerist Advanced Anti-Aging Regenerating Cream Cleanser

Ingredients:  Water, Ppg-15 Stearyl Ether, Glycerin, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Betaine, Hydrated Silica, Salicylic Acid, Distearyldimonium Chloride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Carnosine, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Ppg-30, Cetyl Alcohol, Steareth-21, Behenyl Alcohol, Fragrance, Steareth-2, Disodium Edta.

Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.