Review: Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15 claims that it will even out skin tone, and reflect light to bring out your skin’s natural radiance.

I am always looking for a good day-time moisturizer that won’t cause break-outs, and will make my skin glow.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer is a nice, light-weight moisturizer with a pleasant smell. I haven’t really noticed it improving my skin’s tone or texture, but I’m not sure how long that takes, and I’ve only been using it for about a month. This moisturizer is somewhat expensive for a drug-store moisturizer, around $15 for a 4 ounce bottle, but it lasts and lasts, and so far I haven’t had any bad reactions to it.

Aveeno Positively Radiant leaves my skin feeling hydrated, and offers the added benefit of sun protection. One of the things I like most about good product’s at the drug store is that they’re readily available, you can probably find them within 5 minutes of your house.

If you’re looking for a moisturizer that won’t break the bank, then pick up Aveeno Positively Radiant.

Review: Clean and Clear Morning Glow Moisturizer

This is the product information from Clean and Clears' Website:

MORNING GLOW® Moisturizer with SPF 15 is uniquely formulated with oil-free moisturizing ingredients, tiny light reflectors, and an invigorating citrus fragrance. The moisturizing ingredients hydrate dry, tired skin without clogging pores. The tiny light reflectors give your skin a naturally brighter look. The invigorating citrus fragrance awakens the senses and energizes your morning.

Okay, I was trying to be open-minded about Clean and Clear products, so after the not-so-great review I did on Clean and Clear Morning Burst Face Scrub, I thought I'd try another product, below is my honest opinion.

I will say that the Clean and Clear Morning Glow moisturizer doesn't feel oily, or leave a nasty residue on my skin. Morning Glow doesn't have an odd smell, and in general seems like it moisturizes. It didn't break me out, or affect the way my mineral foundation applied. Morning Glow has a few good traits, but nothing that sets it apart from any of the other $5 drug-store moisturizer's with spf in them.

Now, on to the down-side, the enormous down-side. Clean and Clear Morning Glow moisturizer has these teeny-tiny little flecks of glitter in it, that I am assuming are supposed to be what makes you "glow". You can feel them when your trying to rub the moisturizer in, it feels like your exfoliating instead of moisturizing. The tiny flecks of glitter in this moisturizer feel like grains of sand or something, I dunno. This trait alone make Morning Glow unusable, your moisturizer shouldn't have anything in it that you can feel.

Bottom line: I will not be trying any more Clean and Clear products, nor will I ever recommend this moisturizer, EVER.

Who is Soap & Glory Cosmetics?

Soap & Glory, if you haven't already heard is the brain-child of Marcia Kilgore, the founder of the infamous Bliss Spa in NYC. In hopes of taking her amazing products to the masses she founded Soap & Glory.

If you subscribe to the Bliss catalog, like myself, and can't afford $70 wrinkle cream, like myself, then Soap & Glory is for you. Every product in the line, that I've tried is awesome and works great.

As far as I know Soap & Glory products are only available at Target, in the U.S., Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada, and Harvey Nichols and Boots in the U.K.

Every Soap & Glory product has a catchy name, and 50's pin-up style labeling.

A few of my favorite Soap & Glory product's are; The Righteous Butter, a moisturizer; Flakes Away, a body scrub; and Clean on Me, a body wash. The smell in all of Soap & Glory's product's is super girly and delicious. I highly recommend trying out this unique and awesome brand!

I get my Soap & Glory fix at my local Target or Target.com, but on Soap & Glory's website it says you should be able to buy direct from them soon.

Review: Philosophy Makeup Optional Set

Sephora Says: From cleansing, to exfoliating, to hydrating, this complete kit contains everything you need to get 'makeup-optional' skin at-home.

According to Philosophy: clinical results show that after just one microdelivery peel, 82% of respondents agreed their skin appeared to be resurfaced. after twenty-one days of using the microdelivery peel two times per week, 98% of all respondents agreed their skin appeared resurfaced; 89% agreed their skin felt and looked younger, and 86% agreed their skin felt new and baby soft. additionally, after just one day of use of the makeup optional skincare system with the peel, 54% of users felt they could leave their home wearing less makeup, and after three weeks almost half of our respondents felt they could leave their homes without wearing makeup at all. after twenty-one days on the 4-piece makeup optional skincare system with the peel, 86% of respondents agreed they had a more healthy, radiant glow; 86% also agreed their skin felt and looked younger; 77% agreed fine lines and wrinkles appeared less prominent, and 77% agreed their skin tone was more even.

Mrs. Blacksten Says: Buy this kit! Philosophy's Makeup Optional Kit is awesome; you get all the skincare you need in one place. Almost every Philosophy product that I've tried, I've loved. In the kit you get: Purity Made Simple, Hope In a Jar, Hope In a Tube, and When Hope is not Enough, and 3 single use MicroDelivery Peels. Since I started using these products my skin has never looked better. Philosophy products are amazing, and I can't believe I ever lived without them. My skin is radiant, smooth, moisturized, and better than ever. This kit can be picked up at Sephora or Philosophy for $78.

Review: Hope In a Jar Moisturizer by Philosophy

Sephora says: Philosophy Hope in a Jar is a 99.9% oil-free, deeply hydrating, lightweight wonder designed to smooth the complexion while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. Originally created for the medical market, this expert essential delivers soft, healthy, glowing results.


Mrs. Blacksten says: Philosophy's Hope in a Jar Moisturizer is often referred to as a "cult-favorite" and I believe it. This moisturizer is insane, I've never used a moisturizer that had this consistency, or these results. Hope in a Jar moisturizes, exfoliates, and leaves skin glowing, literally. Hope in a Jar contains; Lauryl Lactate (Ester of Lactic Acid) which exfoliates and hydrates, Beta Glucan, which boosts your skins' own defense system and repair capabilities,Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) to help prevent environmental damage, and Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) which improves elasticity and minimizes the appearance of wrinkles. I love to go to bed with this stuff on because my skin looks great in the morning. Hope in a Jar can be a bit pricey at $38 for 2oz., but you hardly use any because a little goes a long way, and for the results, it's money well spent. I am a huge fan of Philosophy products, and what's even better; they don't test on animals!