My Favorites: Face Products!

Over the weekend I posted a blog about products that I like to use for my hair!  Today I wanted to put one up about things I use on my face, from make up to face wash! Like with all things please keep in mind that everyone's skin is different and will react differently. My skin is oily and prone to black heads.  I don't experience acne like I did in high school but I do still get the occasional break out!

 

In high school a friend of mine had a subscription to the Proactiv line, but she never used all of it in a month before her next box would come.  So I started using this because my acne was average for a teenager but I thought it was just the worst.  This product not only cleared up my skin but it also made it smooth and even, removed black heads, and evened out the tone.  If you have severe acne, even just moderate acne, and have the money to spend on a monthly subscription this would be my top recommendation. 

 

I love just about every product by Clean & Clear.  Their blackhead eraser is my favorite!  I use it every time I shower and it does wonders at getting rid of those pesky black heads that get in the crease of my nose and on my chin.  With it being a scrub it also helps get rid of dead skin and keeps my face smooth!  I use this after wearing make up too, its great for getting the makeup out of my pores!

 

This is actually something I've started using recently because I noticed that in pictures my pores looked really big.  It makes my make up look like its caked on even when it doesn't.  I'm not sure if I see a difference in my skin, I probably should have paid better attention!  But this does help keep the skin from feeling dry when I get out of the shower.  

Being the victim of oily skin this means that I use face washes that sometimes leave my skin feeling really dry.  This moisturizer from Clean & Clear is amazing.  Its oil free and perfume free so it doesn't cause me to break out.  Its also light weight and doesn't clog pores!

Now this is another one of those things that I'm not sure what its supposed to do exactly, but from what it says its supposed to help with wrinkles.  Its a primer you use before putting on your makeup with a soft tint to it.  I like using it because a primer fills in fine lines and what not BEFORE you put on your foundation.  It helps make your skin appear smoother and your make up have that "touched up" look like the models.  I also like the light tint this have because it makes your skin look brighter, or like you have a soft glow. Who doesn't want that!?

 

This is the "Fit" stick foundation by Maybelline.  Its supposed to be "shine free" and I maybe it would be...I don't know because I hate this stuff.  I don't know how to properly use a stick foundation so I just kind of smear it on then do my best to spread it out.  The foundation isn't thin enough or light enough to just run all over your face then blend and but its thick enough that spreading it is difficult once its on your face.  Once its on it looks heavy and my skin feels like it can't breathe.  It feels like i have layers upon layers of make up caked onto my face.  If anyone knows the proper way to use this do tell because the idea of having "shine free" make up is awesome...just not at the cost of caking the make up on! 

If you are into the cream/liquid foundations - the Dream Fresh BB from Maybelline is my favorite! It gives a GREAT coverage, doesn't feel thick and globbed on and it doesn't look like you're wearing a lot of makeup.  I tend to be a bit heavy handed when it comes to liquid foundations so I always end up with too much on.  I found with this that no matter how much I put on, I always had a smooth finish and it didn't look heavy on my skin.  I also found that this product didn't cause me to break out, even after falling victim to being too tired to take my make up off before bed time! I also love it because it has an SPF in it and being from Florida, I can't tell you how important it is to wear something with an SPF in it.  While I love my sun kissed skin as much as the next girl, I love not having skin cancer and sun spots even more!

 My runner up for liquid foundations would be the smart shade by Almay.  If you're anything like me you constantly find yourself standing in the foundation isle saying "Oh my goodness. What shade am I!?"  and of course your old foundation has been through hell and back so the number has worn off the bottom so you have no idea what you even got before.  The smart shade line comes in only 3 (maybe 4) shades - light, medium, and dark.  There might be a shade between but I can't remember.  The foundation goes on white, with what looks like little color beads in it.  When you rub it in it changes color to match your skin tone.  The only way I can explain this is magic!  I like the foundation well enough, it does feel a little heavy but it spreads really easy so you don't have to use a lot of it.  However, I did find that if you don't blend it properly it will streak and if you aren't careful you can see where the foundation is around your jaw/neck area.  As you can see this also has an SPF in it!

Now this is "Physicians Formula" mineral make up and it is my FAVORITE! I have always loved mineral make up but I can't afford the Bare Minerals (yet!) so I thought I'd give this a try.  I got it around Christmas time on sale in a box set.  The big one is your powder foundation, the top right one is your bronzer, and the pink one is your blush.  It goes on really well, not needing a lot to get coverage of your entire face, and after all is said in done you are left with a really even look.  If you've ever had your make up airbrushed the finish of this powder is almost just like the same look!! It is so light on your skin that I don't even realize I'm wearing it!! There are a couple down sides for me and I'm sure these are personal - I have found it hard to use this make up with a primer and I have found that If I sleep in this make up, then apply a touch up the next morning (admit it, we've all done it!) I do get small pimples.  They pop and go away but still I get them. It also makes my black heads act up if I don't wash it off.  I found that getting some make up remover wipes solved this problem because it took out the hassle of washing my face!

 One of the most important features next to your skin is your teeth!! Not all of us (sadly!) can have a perfectly white smile like the stars do!! When I was in high school I was obsessed with having white teeth but couldn't very well go to the dentist to have them whitened! Then my junior year I chipped my front teeth and have to have them fixed.  The material used was matched to the color of my teeth and I was told that if I whitened I might end up with front teeth that are two different colors.  Naturally I have always been EXTREMELY careful while whitening to make sure this doesn't happen.  I have tried just about every product under $20 and this tooth paste is the best to date!! I've tried strips but those made my teeth feel really sensitive, so much that they would just ache when I wasn't doing anything. Trays are messy and make you drool...not a cute look!  But the "Glamorous White" from the "Crest 3D White Luxe" removes up to 90% of stains in 5 days then continues to keep your teeth from staining further.  Being a smoker and drinking a lot of sweet tea during the day...I am amazed at how white my teeth stay.

Please feel free to ask questions if you have any!!