Magic Powder by Prescriptives

Hands down my favorite loose powder. Prescriptives Magic Powder has a number of benefits. First, it doesn't clump anywhere on your skin, leaving you with a smooth finish. Second, it takes all shine off your face. So if you are looking for that powder that will make your face less shiny in all the pictures your friends are taking... this is it.

It is a little odd that when you brush it on your face it feels cold. But that is the chemical reaction which makes it "magic" ... pun intended.

Downsides include that it is a little expensive, and that Prescriptives pretty much never offers a gift with purchase. But it's the best powder I've even owned and has made me come out so much better in all the photos that are taken, so I do buy it regularly. I usually purchase it at my local Macys, but I know it's also available at Sephora and other department stores.

Oral B Pulsar Toothbrush

Now, I have always been a manual toothbrush kind of girl. Mechanical toothbrushes have always creeped me out a little. But, on sale at CVS the other day were Oral B Pulsar toothbrushes, on clearance for $1.75 a piece, with the batteries included, no less. And as we needed new toothbrushes, I picked some up.

Now, I have to say, I'm really in love with this toothbrush. It does not brush too hard, as I thought mechanical toothbrushes might. And it has different length bristles, which I feel get in between my teeth better. And with the vibrations, I feel like my teeth are getting more brush strokes per brush, and they do actually feel cleaner. And I feel as if my teeth are even getting somewhat whiter because of the better cleaning going on.

The only downside to this toothbrush is that it is not rechargeable or replaceable. It is merely supposed to be tossed out after the battery expires. And at $1.75, this isn't too horrible of a thought, but normally these tooth brushes are $7-8. I think next time, I might go for a toothbrush that is rechargeable with a changeable brush. I feel like it's a greener option.

All in all though, for the price, this time around, I would say I am really pleased. I don't know that I'll ever go back to the manual toothbrush.

Clinique All About Eyes Moisturizer

Clinique's All About Eyes Moisturizer is touted as being able to diminish the appearance of eye puffs, darkness and fine lines. It is also marketed that the formula actually helps hold eye makeup in place.

I have been using this moisturizer for a few weeks now. I was initially excited, because I do have dark circles under my eyes, and there is nothing I would like better than to have them disappear.

The moisturizer's texture is nice, it's not greasy, and it applies smooth. And I have noticed that I am less puffy around the eye area than before I started with the moisturizer. However, there has been no affect whatsoever on my dark circles, which are just as dark as they were before I started using this moisturizer.

I'm not sure what to say about the claim that this moisturizer helps keep eye make-up in place. I do not wear eye make-up every day, usually only for special occasions. I wore some the other day for Easter and was wearing this moisturizer as well, and my eye make-up did stay in place all day long. But I'm not sure whether to credit that to the make-up itself or to this product.

This product is a little pricey at $28 for a small bottle/tube. And for what it is supposed to do, I am relatively unhappy with it. Most of my moisturizers prevent puffiness, I was really looking for something to reduce dark circles, and this just didn't cut it.

As per usual though, I did receive a gift with purchase, so it's not a total loss.

Lancome Absolute Replenishing Cream Foundation

Lancome's Absolute Replenishing Cream Foundation is my favourite foundation for when pictures are going to be taken of me. It is a rich, creamy foundation which allows for full coverage without feeling cakey. Of course, one should always apply it with a brush or a sponge, because it may get a little cakey if applied with your fingers.

It will last all night, and comes off easily with soap and water. More importantly, when wearing it, your face does not come out all shiny in photos, which I think is super important.

And if you have somewhere to go during the day, this foundation also boasts SPF 20, so that you won't damage your skin or get skin cancer while out in the sun.

The one downfall of this product is that it is relatively pricey, coming it at $57 a tub. The tub will late you awhile. And again, I usually try to buy mine at Macys or Lord and Taylor or another department store while Lancome is in gift, so that a bunch of additional free make-up and a purse will sweeten the deal and make my wallet feel a little less beaten up.

Nivea Soft Moisturizer

I know the other day I wrote about Lancome's Hydra Zen Moisturizer, but I guess I should have specified that I only use that moisturizer for my face, due to the somewhat outrageous cost. However, for the rest of my body, I use Nivea Soft Moisturizer.

I love this moisturizer, because of its thicker texture than moisturizers, and it feels like it sinks into your skin, instead of sitting on top of it.

I'm also a fan of the tub it comes in, I find it much easier to estimate how much moisturizer you're going to need than squeezing a bottle. Plus, if you take too much, you can put the excess back in! Which you can never do with a tube.

Also, it does not have a strong scent, so I don't find myself smelling like the moisturizer hours after I have applied it.

All in all, in's an inexpensive way to get ALMOST all the features of the Lancome Moisturizer ... and since my arms, feet, etc., are not as sensitive as my face, I feel like I get the same results.

Chanel Exceptionnel Mascara

Hands down, my all time favorite mascara. A bit on the expensive side, (at $30 a tube) but aren't all things that are truly worth it?

This mascara does not smudge or run. You can wear it all day long and never have that unsightly thick line of black on your lower lid or underneath your eyes. It functions better than all waterproof mascaras.

I have tried dozens of mascaras. Literally dozens. Cheap ones, expensive ones, name brand ones, designer ones, unheard of ones, waterproof ones. But this is the only mascara I have ever had where I could wear it all day and not have to wipe below my eyes.

I've worn it to the gym, and not had it smudge. I bought some for my sister for her wedding, she cried her eyes out and it did not smudge.

Another huge plus, is that it comes in four colours. Black, brown, marine and violet. I currently use the black and the violet, because the violet makes my green eyes look greener. I am in love with the Exceptionnel de Chanel in violet. It is my most favourite mascara.

Lancome Hydra Zen Moisturizer for Dry Skin

This is hands down my all time favourite moisturizer. I know that it is a bit on the pricey side, but it's well worth it. Unlike some moisturizers, it does not just sit, tackily, on top of your skin. This moisturizer sinks down deep into your skin, so it almost feels like your skin is wet.

Another selling point for this moisturizer is that you do not need to re-apply it all day long. I put it on once, in the morning, and it works all day long. So one tub of this stuff will last you a lot longer than some less expensive moisturizers that need constant reapplication.

And finally. I usually purchase my moisturizer from the Lancome at Macy's. And if one does this while Lancome is in free gift, you can usually score a bunch of free make-up with your purchase. The last time I purchase this, I received a free bag as well as $110 of free makeup. Of course the price on the free make-up is usually marked up by Lancome, but the free stuff did include some sample moisturizers and skin serums that were useful as well as a mascara and eye color.