Get Your Glow On: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Custom Glow™ Blush & Bronzer

Alas…my “staycation” is over. It’s back to going to specific places at specific times (and doing specific things). I actually love my job; but I really loved my long break. A friend of mine told me that when you stay home for vacation, every day becomes Saturday. He is wise. He also likes to steal plastic traffic cones – so he knows all about how to have a good time.

Today, I’m easing into the week with a couple of pretty (and fabulously priced) items. From Neutrogena.

Healthy Skin Custom Glow™ Blush & Bronzer

Blurb: Perfectly coordinated blush and bronzer duos that blend effortlessly to deliver a healthy, sun-kissed glow anytime. Patented blend of antioxidants helps enhance skin's healthy look over time Lightweight, velvety texture. Mirror and brush included. Available in 6 shade duos.

Healthy Skin Custom Glow™ Bronzer

Blurb: Get a healthy, sun-kissed glow anytime of the year. The lightweight, velvety bronzer with light reflecting pearls blends effortlessly for a naturally radiant look. Formulated with a patented blend of antioxidants, it helps enhance skin's healthy look over time. Mirror and brush included.

Ever since I reviewed a compact; I’ve had a new respect and curiosity for this line. I love the idea of effective beauty products that are good for my skin, and also reasonably priced. Both of these items have kept the respect going.

The Blush/Bronzer duo is perfect for summer. I tried the “Berry Glow” palette, and loved the sweet, pretty color of the blush. The bronzer is lovely and shimmery, complimented the blush, and worked well as both a bronzer as well as a contour color. Both are highly pigmented and have excellent staying power. The solo Bronzer is also excellent. The color goes from light to darker, so I was able to get exactly the right shade. I also used some from the darker side on my shoulders and collar area for a nice sun-kissed glow.

Check out website, and visit the special offers page. Neutrogena is sold in grocery stores, drugstores, and online at drugstore.com.

(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Doubles Wednesday #2: Neutrogena Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Cleanser/Mask and Daily Scrub (review)

Today’s second “doubles” post is another fabulous pair of products. From Neutrogena.

Neutrogena Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Cleanser/Mask

Blurb: Guaranteed to combat oil and control shine, Neutrogena Deep Clean® Long-Last Shine Control Cleanser/Mask goes deep down to pores to clear out impurities and absorbing built-up oil at the source. Plus, patent-pending rice protein technology acts like a microsponge to continue absorbing excess oil for long-lasting, fresh, breathable skin. Use as a Daily Cleanser to clear away pore-clogging impurities and absorb surface oil. Use as an intensive 3-Minute Mask to thoroughly absorb shine-causing oil. You'll feel the cooling intensity build as it goes deep down. So effective, the multi-action formula instantly absorbs 85% of built-up oil that can clog pores and lead to excess shine – for clear, fresh, breathable skin for hours.

Deep Clean Long-Last Shine Control Daily Scrub

Blurb: Combat oil and control shine with Neutrogena Deep Clean® Long-Last Shine Control Daily Scrub. This scrub gently exfoliates and goes deep down to pores to clear out impurities and built-up oil at the source. It's so effective, it instantly absorbs 85% of built up oil that can lead to excess shine. Plus, patent-pending rice protein technology acts like a microsponge to continue absorbing excess oil for long-lasting, fresh, breathable skin.

I posted both of these today because I loved using both of them. I was going to compare the two and feature my favorite, but I just couldn’t pick a favorite. Both clean thoroughly and gently, are oil free, dermatologist tested and didn’t clog my pores. Both left my skin feeling clean, balanced and soothed without overdrying. And both controlled oiliness.

So why not just use…both? For mornings, I’m using the Cleanser/Mask. It feels lovely and creamy going on, cleans wonderfully, and makes my face look fresh and glowy. I also tried it as a mask for two mornings during the week and loved the extra tingle as it penetrated. For evenings – the Scrub. It’s definitely gentle enough to use every night. It also has a creamy texture, and the beads give a bit of extra oomph that’s great for removing makeup, and getting my skin ready for nighttime creams and treatments.

Both of these are available via the website (and there’s free shipping on orders of $25 or more). While you’re there, see what’s on sale. Neutrogena is also available in grocery stores, drugstores, and online at drugstore.com.

Today’s duo is also from the “way back” machine. Before Penny Marshall was “Penny Marshall” (hotshot movie director), she was “Laverne.”



(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Compact Makeup SPF 55 (rave review)

Really bad surprise: Last Thursday, the police knocked on my door at 3:30am to let me know that someone had crashed into my dear little car (Bettie). No humans were hurt, but Bettie has been declared a total loss.

Really good surprise: This fabulous item from Neutrogena.

Healthy Skin Compact Makeup (SPF 55)


Blurb: Healthy Skin Compact Makeup SPF 55 blends easily to give you a flawless, natural look, while helping to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays. Silky, lightweight formula gives you buildable coverage and provides the most powerful level of UVA-UVB protection available in a foundation without feeling heavy or greasy.

This weekend, I was way behind schedule, and I decided to try this compact because it looked useful, portable, and I thought it would save me the step of applying sunscreen. I was thrilled to discover it was all of those things. The surprise was how gorgeous it made my skin look!

This has so many good things going for it, I don’t know where to begin. First, it has an SPF of 55 (broad spectrum helioplex – the only non zinc-oxide sunscreen my dermatologist recommends). The creamy formula goes on beautifully, and sets to a smooth, weightless finish. The coverage is sheer, buildable, and unbelievably natural. My skin looks flawless.

It also comes with its own applicator sponge, snaps securely shut and is going with me on my trip this weekend.

Check out all 8 shades on the website. Be sure to visit the special offers page and see what’s on sale. Neutrogena is sold in grocery stores, drugstores, and online at drugstore.com (where there’s a nifty BOGO offer right now).

And here’s Bettie…a faithful car until the very end.



(ftc disclosure: sample/product received from manufacturer or representative)

ESS-PEA-EFF Part 2: Tinted Moisturizers

So like a dog with a bone, I'm going to repeat: out of all the beauty treatments available, the most guaranteed, sure-fire path to youthful and gorgeous skin is still SUN PROTECTION.

Today I'm going to mention a few tinted moisturizers with SPF. I use tinted moisturizers when I really don't need the full coverage of a foundation. When my skin is behaving, I love the sheer, natural look that I get. Tinted moisturizers also feel lighter (great for hot weather). These three I'm discussing all have an SPF of 15 or higher. (I still start out the day with sunscreen underneath, though - just to make sure I'm covered.)

#1: Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer - Oil Free (SPF 20)

Blurb: A sheer, lightweight, buildable foundation that can be worn by all skin types but especially those with acne prone, sensitive or oily skin. Hydrating, oil-free formula softens skin offering a healthy glow. Helps to prevent excess oil from setting on the surface of the skin. Controls oil breakthrough while providing hydration to prevent dryness. Buildable coverage for those hard-to-cover places. Ideal for troubled skin.

This is a little pricier, but I really love it. And it certainly does love me back. (I am an owner of the "troubled skin" referred to in the blurb.) This tinted moisturizer does what it says it does. It hydrates without clogging my pores, controls oil and looks darn amazing all day long.

#2: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 20)

Blurb: Healthy Skin Enhancer combines a vitamin-infused Retinol treatment to smooth fine lines, the protection of SPF 20 moisturizer and sheer, lightweight tint in a single application.

This was highly recommended by my friend, Nancy. It's reasonably priced ($11.49!), oil-free, non-comedogenic, and contains Retinol. According to Nancy, it's great for sensitive, oily and break-out prone skin. Even though I haven't tried this, if Nancy gives it a thumbs up, you can be pretty sure it's fabulous.

#3: Benefit You Rebel Tinted Moisturizer (SPF 15)

Blurb: Our defiantly different tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 leaves your complexion healthy & protected with a hint of color. We've tossed in antioxidants, aloe vera & allantoin for soft, supple skin all year long.

I gave this a try because it had a cool name. Then I ended up being impressed the actual product. The tint seems a little dark at first, but once it's on, it changes to a very sheer, dewy finish. Because of the aloe vera and allantoin, I recommend this mainly for those of you who don't have break-out issues. But the pretty, natural look of this tinted moisturizer is outstanding.

What products will be featured tomorrow? Will Maria remember to use spell check? Come back for another riveting installment of "ESS-PEA-EFF…."
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