Review + Comparison: Cellnique Skin Purifying Daytime Protection 20

I've been using the products Cellnique sent me for nearly a month now (reviews coming soon!), and I've been using this particular one (sample) for the past few days... and I have to say, I'm in love!

Price: $34 for 30g

What they say: Benefits: A specially designed, non-oily three-in-one formulation providing daytime protection for oily and acne-prone skin. Works as a sun block (UVA and UVB, SPF 20), an acne cream and a natural foundation to blend acne scars for even appearance. Treating Skin Problems: • Blemishes • Acne • Scars / Marks • Congestion • Breakout. Suitable Skin type: Oily

What to do: Apply evenly on the face and neck with upwards and outwards stroking movements (straight lines). Use as a concealed for blemishes or inflamed acne area.

What's in it: Benzoyl Peroxide - An effective anti-bacterial agent for treating blemishes. Benzoyl peroxide penetrates into the follicles in the skin to kill bacteria that cause skin acne problems, with low risk of irritation.

Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA) - Salicylic acid is the only beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Salicylic acid has been prescribed as an exfoliant and functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial for treating breakouts. In addition, salicylic acid has the ability to penetrate into the follicles and skin surface, which helps exfoliate the skin’s surface as well as inside the pore lining where clogged pores (blemishes, blackheads or whiteheads) occur.

Burdock Extract - Burdock is used for its antiseptic properties to regulate oiliness of the skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to control and effectively prevent breakouts.

Full Ingredient List: Purified Water (Aqua purificata), Butylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Ethylhexyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Cyclomethicone, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Lactic Acid, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cetyl Sulphate, Ceteareth-10, Ceteareth-20, Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxides, Witch Hazel Extract (Hamamelis virginiana), Great Burdock (Arctium lappa) Extract, Iron Oxides, Methylparaben, Dimethicone, Tropical Fragrance.

The good stuff:

• A little goes a LONG way
• Texture is similar to BB cream... slightly thick but blendable
• Versatile, buildable coverage
• Blends seamlessly with skin
• Makes my skin look amazingly smooth and radiant
• Nice, natural, dewy finish
• Lasts all day
• Conceals redness & blemishes very well
• UVA & UVB protection, SPF 20
• Did not break me out
• Holds back shine decently

The low-down:

• Expensive
• Dries kind of quickly...
• However, takes awhile to fully absorb

My take: I have found LOVE in this multi-purpose sunblock... ♥ What I really have to RAVE about is how WONDERFUL it makes my skin look.... but I should start from the beginning. First off, I apply it by swiping some on my finger, and then dabbing it on my cheeks, forehead, nose, chin, and below my eyes. Very little goes a long way. Then I use a makeup sponge wedge to blend it in like the directions suggest; with "upward and outward stroking movements." The texture of this sunblock is very similar to BB cream, on the thick side (thicker than Etude House BB Magic cream but thinner than Skinfood Ginko Green BB cream) but still nice and smooth and blendable. However, the thing with this sunblock is that it dries rather quickly... there is still enough time to blend it in, but it dries a lot faster than say, my Skinfood BB cream. Despite this, it does take awhile for the product to completely absorb into my skin (~1 hour +) so it feels slightly tacky for a bit (I don't like this feeling). But once it is absorbed, my skin feels super smooth.

COMPARISON:

Skinfood has pink undertones while Cellnique is more yellow.
While I do like the finish the Skinfood gives my skin, it makes my skin look a bit dull lately because it isn't the best match for my skintone. The Cellnique looks rather light, but blends seamlessly with my skintone. (Please excuse the bad lighting!)

While the Skinfood is thicker than the Cellnique, it allows for more "playtime" before absorbing into my skin. Although the Cellnique is thinner, and easier to smooth on, you can see that it is already drying here. It needs to be blended in more quickly than the Skinfood.

Blended. Not the nicest, but you get the idea. Cellnique melds into my skin a lot better than the Skinfood, which looks a bit ashy on me. I will say that both give a really nice finish to my skin, but I prefer the Cellnique, hands down.

The coverage is quite versatile... you can use less for sheer coverage, but it is buildable to quite heavy coverage, but still leaves skin looking flawless. I cannot speak for improving my acne because thanks to their Skin Action Sebum Gel, my breakouts have disappeared! (Review coming soon). However, it does do very well at hiding my redness and small blemishes! One thing to note though, although it says that it is specifically for oily skin, I find that it only controls my shine decently... no better than ELF High Definition Powder or EDM pressed powder or BB Cream. It holds it back but I can still see/feel the same amount of shine throughout the day as I do when I use any other foundation/powder. No biggie though, it's a small price to pay for the way it makes my skin look (:

These pictures were taken with my cellphone cam.

These pictures were taken with my Cybershot, with flash.

EYES: ELF Brightening Eyeshadow quad (Nymph Dreams)
FACE: ELF Blush & Bronzer Duo
LIPS: NYX Round lip gloss (Whipped)
Lashes courtesy of TAAZ.com (:

Like I mentioned above, it blends in beautifully with my skin. Once absorbed, it gives off a dewy glow. My skin looks super smooth and my complexion is even-toned and radiant. LOVE! The pictures don't do it enough justice... the finish is SO much nicer IRL. And it lasts all day on me! Even after giving Happy a bath and getting water all over my face! XP This has not broken me out and seems to be aiding in the improvement of my skintone and complexion overall.

Would I repurchase/recommend?
I personally am seriously considering purchasing the full size. It has really impressed me that much! As for recommend, if the price tag doesn't deter you, I'd say it's definitely worth a shot! I think if you like BB creams, you might also like this product.

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iQQU Advance Sunscreen review

I realize I have never done a proper review of this. So I figure now is a good time :P I emailed Michelle and she is nice enough to send me a new tube since I ordered mine in an early batch that was 3o ml full, but not completely full due to the product settling~

Sleek, simple packaging

But it's so small! Not to fear, read on for more . . .

Price: $33 + shipping (mine came about $4o) from http://www.iqqubeauty.com/

What they say: No words can describe how smooth, light and amazing this sunscreen is. You can apply this sunscreen over makeup! You just have to try it out for yourself. It's non greasy, non oily, feels like nothing when you apply it on and provides maximum protection. Non-Comedogenic. No Fragrance. Paraben Free

This product is for you if...

• You want an advanced sun protection for your skin.
• You want a non-greasy, non-sticky, smooth velvety sunscreen.
• You want to have a silky complexion.
• You want to fade your brown spots.
• You want a sunscreen that is makeup friendly.
• You want a sunscreen that does not run easily.
• You want SPF 35 UVA/UVB protection without clogging the pores.
• You want your skin to retain moisture.

Key Ingredients:

• Saccharide Isomerate- is a carbohydrate that acts as a highly effective moisture regulator resulting in long-lasting water retention in the skin.
• Lycopene- is an antioxidant derived from tomatoes that helps improve the skin's texture and provides natural SPF.

Active Ingredients: Isononyl Isonanonate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane (and)Dimethicone, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Cyclopentasiloxane (and) C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Talcum,Titanium Dioxide, Saccharide Isomerate, Octyl Methoxycinnamate, Lycopene extract

The good stuff:

• Mattifies skin
• Controls shine
• SPF 35 UVA and UVB protection
• Silky smooth mousse texture
• Easy to apply and blend, absorbs instantly
• Need LESS than a pea size amount to cover entire face
• Improves look of tone & complexion
• Makes skin look smooth -- like you're wearing foundation but natural

The low-down:

• Expensive
• Available only online
• I cannot speak for the "fades brown spots" claim
• Texture may change?
• Comes from Thailand -- should I be wary of this?
• The size may worry people

My take: I love love this product! I have been a fan of Michelle Phan of ricebunny for years now and when she came out with her own skincare line, it was exciting! The only downside, the products are a bit on the pricey side. When I received it, I was shocked by how tiny it was. It also was only about half full. I just assumed that's how it was supposed to be . . but I was reading the reviews on iQQU lately and apparently those who ordered in the beginning batches had 30 ml worth of product, but the tubes weren't filled up. Michelle's response:

"We're fixing this issue. Because the sunscreen is a mousse like texture, we realized we should have overfilled the tubes. It's exactly 30mL, weight I mean, but it doesnt fill it all the way because the texture is not so dense. We've already fixed it on the new sunscreens. "

So I am hoping to get my new tube soon =) Anyways, I have never used this product consistently (like for months at a time) but I have used it for a few weeks out of a month. Which is why I don't know if it would fade brown spots . . also because I don't really have any :P I have freckles . . but I don't think that counts. However, from my experience, it quickly improved the look of my complexion and skin tone once applied. It really made my skin look as if I was wearing foundation, but it was BETTER than foundation, yet still very natural looking. My skin looked super smooth and matte and stayed that way pretty much all day.

The texture is a light, whipped mousse consistency that is as claimed; not sticky or greasy. It is very easy to smooth on and blend. You have to blend it really well though since it's white. I use my fingers. Also, I only need MUCH LESS than a pea sized amount to cover my whole face. Which is why the tube is so little. Even though my tube was only half full, it is still only half full. It's been about 3 months! But also, the texture of this first tube changed after time. It is now a more liquidy texture. I have not exposed it to excessive heat or sunlight, so I'm not sure why that happened . . maybe another fluke with the first batch? That's another reason why I am excitedly awaiting my second tube. Overall, I consider this one of my HG beauty products; one of the few things I would spend upwards of $40 on because it works really well for me.

Would I repurchase: Yes. If the price doesn't deter you, this is an extremely worthy buy.

These are old pictures I used in a FOTD awhile ago (you can tell by the hair haha, I miss it ;_;) but this is ONLY using iQQU Advance Sunscreen. No foundation! (Sorry for the bad quality, taken on my cellphone.. you can click to view larger)























Here's a more recent one

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Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream review

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS STUFF.
Enough said. Review time nao plz!

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-wrinkle cream

Product description: Neutrogena Healthy Skin® Anti-Wrinkle Cream is a daily moisturizing cream clinically proven to start to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in one week. It also helps prevent premature signs of aging from the sun for healthier, younger-looking skin. Oil-free, Hypo-allergenic, Fragrance-free, Alcohol-free (contains no drying alcohol).

Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Ensulizole (1%), Octinoxate (6%)Inactive Ingredients: Water, C12 15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Triethanolamine, Retinol, Camellia Sinensis Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Cetearyl Glucoside, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Methylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Isopropylparaben, Butylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, BHT, Carbomer

Pros: after just one use, skin is noticably smoother and softer, formula is light, absorbs quickly, no bad smell, a little goes a long way, has spf 15 and retinol, with continuous use, skin tone and complexion becomes VERY even, smooth, and glowy.

Cons: the tube is kind of small for the price ($13), may POSSIBLY cause temporary irritation (if this happens, use every other day until your skin can tolerate it, then use every day).

What I thought about it: This is by far the BEST moisturizer I have ever used. It's lightweight, easy to apply, non-greasy/sticky, absorbs quickly, and gives lasting moisture and protection without feeling heavy or oily. At first, I thought that it will run out quickly, but just a pearl sized amount of this is enough to cover your whole face, so it should last quite awhile. The sun protection is definitely a plus.

After only one day of using this cream, my skin became smooth and soft. I did notice however that the second day I used this cream, I got two small itchy spots on my cheek and the next day, one of them became a small pimple. However, I cannot totally attribute this to the cream because I wasn't eating too healthy at the time :P Despite this, over the course of my 1 week testing period, the improvement in my skin from day 1 to day 7 was unmistakable. By about the fourth day, my skin looked better WITHOUT foundation imo. My complexion was THAT much clearer; totally smoothed, toned, and softened with a healthy glow. I used the cream occasionally over night, which helped totally eliminate the dry spots I had been suffering from around my nose, forehead, and chin.

I have not had any really adverse effects with this cream, and I will continue using it off and on from now on, since my skin has really toned and smoothed out; I don't think I need to use it everyday. Overall, this cream is GREAT! The best I have ever used.