Aveeno Suncare Products

I'm pretty sure my mom has been using Aveeno lotion since I was a little girl. It's one of those brands that I really haven't tried much from them that I didn't love. So a few ago I contacted them about trying one of their sunscreens for a sunscreen blog post , I was expecting little samples. I ended up with three full size products. So I thought I would make this into it's own post.

So I actually had no idea that they were sending me that many products, let alone full sized ones, so when I got them that afternoon I was of course I was very excited. So as mentioned earlier I received Aveeno Protect and Hydrate lotion SPF 70, as well as SPF 30 and The Hydrosport Wet Skin Spray Sunscreen with Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

Protect and Hydrate Lotion- So I've seen some debate on whether or not this is supposed to be used as a sunscreen or not, however when compared to the Coppertone Water Babies of the same SPF (at least for the SPF 70, they also make an SPF 50) the active sunscreen ingredients are the same concentration, so the difference is listed in the inactive ingredients with their oat protein. I have to say that the difference between the two sunscreens the amount of SPF, and if ANYTHING the SPF 70 smells just a tiny bit more like the typical sunscreen, however, that scent for both of them is very subtle. Another thing to note is that it definitely does not leave any kind of sticky or uncomfortable residue on your skin after application. I would say that they are moderately moisturizing, but if you need the extra moisture I would recommend using a product specifically for that purpose.
UPDATE: After a very fun trip to Disneyland with my lovely Aunt and boyfriend, I was able to get a better opinion on the Protect and Hydrate lotion. Though it is supposed to be water resistant for 80 minutes, it is in no way waterproof. After a couple splashes I could actually feel it melting off my skin. Also, by coincidence my aunt had purchased the same sunscreen and reported it running into her eyes after some water rides and a bit of sweating. So as a whole, if you are not planning to get wet then this is a great sunscreen to use. One last thing to note is that if it is exposed to heat it will separate. Just give it a couple of shakes and it still works fine. :)

Hydrosport Wet Skin Spray Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30- This is Aveeno's spray on sunscreen, its made to be applied to wet skin. This particular kind is only made in SPF 30. This one isn't meant to combine moisture with protection, rather it's meant to be used in a pool or beach setting. I will say that even though this is oil free, it does take a couple minutes to absorb into the skin. However after that it doesn't feel gross or sticky at all. The downfall to this, I  think, is the fact that is does smell a lot more like sunscreen than the other ones.

So I have briefly tried all three and I haven't gotten sunburned yet, but I will update about the Protect and Hydrate lotion SPF 70 as soon as I get back from my vacation. :)

xoxo
Courtney

Mary Kay Party Part 2: Hosting

So Part Two is finally here. Friday evening the girls and I had a little spa party to get ready for our big day. Now, prom isn't a new thing for me but I still love dressing up and looking all special. I was so incredibly excited to do this party. Now this one was a little different since we had a new consultant come out (incredibly sweet and kind lady). To find a Mary Kay consultant, you can use this tool on their website and message one near you. We tried some fun and new products, as well as some of the same ones we tried last time. I will link my last post here so you can check out any of the products I reviewed before. Ready to get started?

So like last time, we started with the Satin Hands $34 for the full set $10 for just the hand cream. I again used the peach and loved it. We also at one point took a break from our faces and put this on our feet to prep for pedicures :). I would have tried their newest scent (Limited Edition Honeydew $35) but she accidentally forgot it, but I did smell it later and it smell SO YUMMY!

Next, we used the same eye makeup remover ($15), and satin lips set ($18) as last time but we tried a different cleanser and moisturizer. This time we used both the TimeWise 3-in-1 cleanser ($20) and the TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer ($24). We also used the Day Solution Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 35 ($32) and I feel the same as last time about the items I had used before.

After that, we used the same foundation primer (Mary Kay Foundation Primer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15 $16). We then used the Time Wise Matte-Wear Liquid foundation ($20). This time we used the dot technique to evenly distribute the product with our fingers. I still prefer to use a brush, but this did apply really well and, unlike the luminous-wear we used last time, all of the grease didn't pile up on my face and make me oily, so I do like this one more. We then used the same bronzer as last time (Mary Kay bronzing Powder -$18).

Are we on to eyes already? Instead of using primer, we put the foundation on our lids for a base, I'm not going to lie, I still love my Urban Decay Primer Potion. But our shadows did stay on pretty well. For the eyes this time we got to choose between coastal blue, violet storm, and (I believe) glacier gray Cream Eye Color ($14) Though I don't think anyone actually chose the gray color. I used Coastal Blue. For the most part, these are pretty pigmented colors and buildable to a point, at one point I felt like I was taking off more than I was putting on though. I did buy Beach Blonde last time and I still wear it almost every day, they remind me a bit of the Benefit cream shadows which I love.

Next for our eyes, we took a black eyeshadow called Brilliant Black from the Mineral Eye Color Line ($7) and blended it up into our crease and outer corner so create a smokey eye. That particular eyeshadow has a lot of fallout, but I haven't noticed that with any other shadows from the line.We then took another goldish-cream colored shadow, from the same shadow line and used it as a highlight for out inner corner and our brow bone.

Next some of us used eyeliner, (Gel Eyeliner with Expandable Brush applicator $18). Pretty basic, it went on nicely and stayed in place pretty well, I didn't notice too much fading throughout the rest of the night either.

Lastly, we used the Lash Love Mascara ($15) in I ❤ Black. I didn't really notice any clumping or it adding too much volume or length, but I have naturally long lashes. It's also water resistant AND comes in I ❤ Brown. So the brown one is on my wishlist, since it's so hard to find a brown that is water resistant; seriously go check the drugstores, chances are you won't find one. 

So after that, we talked a bit and asked questions for tickets for a drawing of a Mini Mary Kay Satin Hands set, and then another person was drawn (me) for a chocolate candle, that I'm pretty sure I got John for Valentine's Day this year. Keep in mind that all consultants have different things they do, some give credits you can use to buy things, some do more games than others, some won't work on you unless you are 18. It really just depends on who you chose. So all in all I think the party is a success and I definitely think that it went better the last one and I am so glad I met this consultant, she is an incredible woman and she made the party so much fun. That's it for the Mary Kay Parties for now but I will be reviewing some of their products later!!

xoxo

Courtney

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Vs. Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer

So as you may know, a few months ago in my March ipsy bag I received Pixi Beauty Flawless beauty primer in their mini size. After using this, I mentioned it reminds me a lot of Benefit's Girl Meets Pearl. So I have decided that I think the Pixi is a suitable dupe. Here is what I came up with:

Photo Credit: pixibeauty.com

Photo Credit: benefitcosmetics.com

Packaging: To me, this may be the only difference that really is the most obvious about the two products. It's also the one that matters the least.

Benefit- As all of the other benefit products, Girl meets Pearl has some crazy adorable packaging, even the deluxe sample size which is what I own. I happen to really enjoy looking at this product, but it's not what I would call sleek.

Pixi- The mini flawless beauty primer had the typical pixi packaging, green and brown. The full size however, is just the neutral iridescent brown color.

Product initial look: Before being sheered out, the products do look a bit different.

Pixi- More peach-toned.

Benefit- More pink in color.

However once it's sheered out it's really impossible to tell.

Product on face: Benefit and Pixi I would have to say have the same appearance on the face. I have yet to notice either lasting longer, and I think they both look their best over my foundation.

Amount in package: Here is the thing; at one point, Pixi Beauty used to make a mini size of their Flawless Beauty Primer. That mini size was actually the same size as the full size of the Benefit Girl Meets Pearl.

Pixi- 30 mL in a full size or 1.01 fl oz

Benefit- 12 mL in a full size or 0.4 fl oz

Price: 

Benefit- $30 for a full size

Pixi- $22 for a full size

So that seems to be it. As a whole, I think that the Pixi is a better deal. I do love both brands and Benefit remains my favorite makeup brand of all time, but sometimes there are just better prices out there. That's all for today!

xoxo

Courtney

Disclaimer-Both photos in this post are directly from the websites! I did not take either picture. :)