New Go-To Foundation: Neutrogena Healthy Skin

I have some big news!! I have a new go-to foundation. This is big. Seriously big. I have been a die-hard Revlon Color Stay Foundation user since 1995. I have used other foundations along the way (CoverGirl, Maybelline and others) but Revlon has always been my go-to. Until a couple of weeks ago.

I've been kind of looking for a new foundation for awhile, I'm not unhappy with the Revlon Color Stay, but just wanted something different. I tried E.L.F., Maybelline, L'Oreal, a couple of Rimmel and CoverGirl ones, but nothing really blew my mind and I returned all of them (except for the CoverGirl Stay Fabulous/Outlast one, that's some awesome stuff too!). Side Note: L'Oreal True Match Lumi broke me out like no other. Seriously not impressed and I know everyone and their mamma loves that one, but not me (and not my mamma either).

I had always over-looked Neutrogena as I feel like they are expensive and just not really something I considered. BUT I had a coupon and a Cartwheel for Target and had seen several commercials, ads and reviews on the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation (all part of the 14 touches, lol if we work together, you will get that). So I decided to take the plunge and try the foundation. It's $11.99 at the store (Target, Walmart, drug store) and with the coupons I had, I was able to score it for $8.99. FYI the Cartwheel is still out there if you want to take advantage of 10% off.

The color I chose is Classic Ivory, which I believe is the lightest shade. The formula has SPF and antioxidants in it which is supposed to actually make your skin better in four weeks. I can say that my skin does look better but it hasn't been 4 weeks and it doesn't look that drastically different, just better. The foundation itself is easy to blend (I use a Sigma foundation brush) and doesn't smell. It's a natural to sort-of-dewy-but-not-really finish. I don't set it with powder but that's because I have dry skin and don't want to enhance that. It lasts all day (my day starts at 4AM and ends at around 4PM, give or take) but if you had oiler skin, you might want a primer. I just like the fresh look I get with this and the coverage is medium, but you could build it up to full.

The only bummer for me on this particular line is the color selection is minimal. So if you are super fair or super dark you may not find a match. Also, the lighter shades seem to be very "pink" but once blended in that goes away, but just an FYI.

Overall, I love this and have used it daily since I bought it. I will still use my Revlon ColorStay (especially in summer or on extra long days, special events) but this is an awesome day-to-day foundation and I highly recommend it. I will definitely re-purchase when this runs out.

Have you tried this? What about any other Neutrogena cosmetics? Anything you think I should try or avoid? Tell me in the comments below.

What I'm loving right now - skin care and beauty

Sorry it's been awhile guys! Life has been busy and this winter has really gotten to me. BUT I think I (finally) see the sunlight at the end of the tunnel and hope to be back on my regular posting schedule :-)

I wanted to share a few things with you that I have been loving lately. None of them are extremely new to the market, and not really new to me (except one product) so let me share with you what they are and why I love them!

First up is the Neutrogena Naturals Fresh Cleansing and Makeup Remover Cleanser. I used this once about 3-ish years ago, and really liked it. Since my holy grail cleanser is being phased out by Olay, I thought I would try working this back into my routine to see if I still like it. And I am happy to report that it's so far so good! I love that it really cleanses and removes makeup without being too drying. There is a slight smell to this cleanser BUT it's not terrible and once you rinse your face the smell is gone. This is $8 at Target and you can get coupons online and if you have a smartphone you N-E-E-D the Cartwheel app for Target. The app itself is free and you can add coupons to use on the things you are already buying. I downloaded the app about 6 months ago and have saved over $100 so far.

Second in the line up is the Aveeno (okay technically it's third) Positively Radiant Moisturizer. Now I am perfectly happy with my moisturizer currently, but wanted to try something new and I had a coupon. And I really am enjoying this as well. It's $13 at Target not sure if this will replace my current fave, but time will tell. And if I'm being honest, I love Jennifer Aniston and she is the spokesperson for Aveeno so I kind of wanted to try it because of her. Judge me, I don't care.

Last up for skin care related items is the Vaseline Lip Therapy Rosy Lips. This is about $1.50 at Target and it's awesome. There is a slight rose scent to this product but it goes away and does not transfer to your food and beverages. What I like about this is that it seems to really form a moisture barrier over my lips and keep them moisturized for a long time. I prefer to wear this at night while I sleep but have found myself reaching for this during the day as well.

Finally, let's talk about make-up. The first product is the E.L.F. blush/bronzer duo. It's $3 at Target. And you need it in your life. The bronzer is great for contouring as well as bronzing your face, and it's extremely pigmented so you only need a little. And the blush is ultra flattering.

The second make-up product is the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation. It has SPF 20 and I wear it in the shade Classic Ivory. This was $11 at Target and right now there is a Cartwheel for 10% Neutrogena cosmetics. I love this. I was totally shocked by how pretty and natural this is. I've only been using it for about 4 days, but I'm feeling like this might be edging out my Cover Girl and Revlon foundations. Like for seriously. It's so pretty and really gives what I think of as a fresh face. The only crappy part is the color selection sucks. There's not a lot to offer the super pale and the super dark skin tones. And so many of the shades seem to be pink based. That aside I do really like it.

What are you loving right now?