moisturizer

Brand: Olay
Product: Definity Color Recapture

I love the idea of paring down my makeup routine in the summer. Moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation; it all seems a bit much at any time of the year. In the heat and humidity of the summer, such a routine seems unbearable. A tinted moisturizer with SPF seemed like it would be the answer to my prayers.

For years I have coveted Laura Mercier’s tinted moisturizer. Reviews for the product are extremely favorable. Users rave that it is lightweight, provides excellent coverage, and moisturizes very well. It’s SPF formula protects skin from the harmful summer rays. It is the perfect product, except for the $42 price tag.

Olay seemed to have the answer for my woes in their Definity Color Recapture line. Here was a moisturizer with a touch of foundation wrapped in SPF 15 goodness. Sadly, it was not to be. The color selection was poor. The lightest shade is way to dark for anyone with very fair skin. My own skin is middling fair, and the moisturizer turned up a strange shade of orange on me. DCR is moisturizing, and the sunscreen surely works, but it is not at all weightless. The product seems to sink into the pores. I happened to glance in the mirror about an hour after application and was taken aback by what I can only describe as the “beading” of the product on my face. Not attractive. Not even a little. At $25 a bottle, Definity Color Recapture is certainly less expensive than Laura Mercier’s offering. However, at $25 a bottle, DCR is not at all cheap. I expected quite a bit more. I’ve noticed Olay price points are escalating, while the quality of their products are declining. This disappoints me as I’ve always respected Olay for creating quality skin care for babes on a budget. Olay may be a household name, but if the company believes that their name alone is enough to sell their product, they are mistaken. I seem to remember an ill-fated cosmetics line that once bore the Olay name.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

aquaphorBrand: Eucerin
Product: Aquaphor

What do Lucy Lui and Beyonce have in common? Both are reportedly huge fans of Aquaphor! I’m always intrigued when celebrities claim to be fans of drugstore scores. Sure, they all seem to LOVE, LOVE , LOVE Great Lash. I throw up a little in my mouth every time Jessica (pick one) or Jennifer (pick one) gush about it in Glamour. How utterly original! Sweeties, you’re not telling any of us nobodies anything we haven’t read a thousand times. Stop acting like you know something we don’t. Oh yeah, and Great Lash blows. Then there’s the celebrity spokesmodel who feels the need to product-drop every time they give an interview in In Style. Watch me clutch my heart in mock surprise when Drew Barrymore reveals that her clutch bag contains Outlast lip stain and little else. I’m sure your multi-milion dollar contract has NOTHING to do with that Drew (but I love you anyway).

As far as I know, neither Beyonce or Lucy Lui are on the Eucerin payroll. Kudos ladies. I once read Ms. Lui refer to the product as “Aquaforeverything”. That pretty much sums it up. The soothing gel is fragrance free and a rich moisturizer suitable for chapped lips, hands, elbows, feet, you name it. It’s also a great for diaper rashes. Forget expensive brow grooming products. Dab a little on brow brush and transform yourself into Marlene Deitrich. You just can’t beat the stuff. A 14 ounce tub retails at Target for about $14.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma
5 lips

CetaphilBrand: Cetaphil
Product: Moisturizing Cream

It should come as no surprise to my readers that I love Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. As a woman with dry skin, I rely on it to keep my skin smooth, supple and fresh looking all winter. Sure, I’ve strayed from time to time, but I always return to my true love, Cetaphil. No other high or low-end brand has impressed me as much.

The thick, comforting cream, absorbs quickly and is virtually scentless. It wears beautifully under makeup. However, what I love best about Cetaphil is its versatility. I use it on both my body and my face. It is a phenomenal night cream. You won’t believe how good you look in the morning after just one use! As a day cream, it is nearly perfect. If it only contained an SPF, I’d give it five lips. Without an SPF, I must wear either a foundation with SPF, or a sunscreen over the cream. With all the noise about skin cancer these days, you’d think Cetaphil would have rolled out a version of their cream with an SPF in it by now. Cetaphil, are you reading this? Probably not. Oh well. I just can’t quit you Cetaphil!

A 16 ounce tub of Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream retails at Amazon.com for about $13.

Cut Costs Cuties!
Gemma

4 lips