InstaNatural Eye Gel and More - A Review

Each time I try a new InstaNatural product, I wonder why I've only recently discovered this fantastic company and their products. This time I got the opportunity to InstaNatural's Youth Express Eye Gel. In addition, I was also able to try their Youth Express Eye Serum and Advance Action Retinol Moisturizer.

I have been using Youth Express Eye Gel each morning and I've been very happy with the product and results. The cooling feeling is great to depuff my eyes and it has helped to diminish the fine lines around my eyes. I've noticed a slight diminishing of my dark circles. To be fair, my dark circles are chronic, I have yet to find an eye product that lessens them drastically.

I've been using the Retinol Moisturizer every night after washing my face, along with the Youth Express Eye Serum.

All of these products have been fantastic and would be great additions to anyone's beauty regime. Both products can be used morning and evening. I've been using the Youth Express Eye Gel in the morning and the Youth Express Serum in the evening. This has worked really well for me. I used the Retinol Moisturizer both morning and night. I've noticed a evening effect in my skin tone and my skin feels smoother, overall.

I love that InstaNatural's products are made in the USA and are not tested on animals. Their products are also free of alcohols, sulfates or parabens. Being the product junkie that I am, it's wonderful to find a company and products that I feel good about using and they actually work well, if not better than some of the more expensive products I've tried over the years. Their products are available exclusively online either via their website, or on Amazon.com.


Note: I received these products in exchange for my review. The thoughts I've expressed here are my own. In fact, you'll remember that a few weeks ago I published this post about their Argan Oil hair mask and Pure Argan Oil and Vitamin C Serum. I loved the Vitamin C Serum so much (and so did {msL}) that it's empty and I ordered a new bottle.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Good To the Last Drop

Today's Frugal Fashion Friday is really Frugal Beauty Friday. Isn't your beauty routine part of your overall fashion look? I've told you many times about my obsession with trying new beauty products. I decided this weekend that I need to do a clean out soon. My bathroom is full of partially used products. A purge is in order. There are however, products that I use to the very end. They are my tried and true products that if I run out of them, panic may set in. I have been known to cut a bottle open or scrape out the last bit from a tube.

clockwise from top left - 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

John Frieda Full Repair Shampoo - My fine hair is dry but because it's so fine, I have to be careful with conditioner. This shampoo has been a lifesaver, it moisturizes my hair without weighing it down, before I even condition.

Wet n' Wild Brow & Eye Liner - I have thin brows. I've tried lots of options but this pencil is my best tool. I lightly run it across my brows so that the hairs pick up the pigment and then smudge it with a small brush. It helps to keep my brows from looking drawn on or cakey. Bonus it comes in four different shades of brown and black and it only costs, 99 cents!

L'Oreal Elnet Satin Hairspray - This is the first hairspray I've ever used that doesn't make my hair feel like a helmet. It brushes out easily for restyling but miraculously it has a strong hold. It rarely goes on sale but you can find $3 off coupons in the paper every few months.

Drugstore Mascara - Right now I'm loving Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara. You may have seen my post on instagram. Frankly, I'm not loyal to one mascara but there is one sure thing, I always grab it at the drugstore. I've tried expensive mascaras but have never found any that are worth the price. My favorites have always come from the drugstore. Plus if you don't like it, take it back! CVS, Duane Reed/Walgreens, and Ulta all have great return policies.

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser - This cleanser is gentle and thorough. It will take off stubborn make up but isn't harsh on my sensitive skin. It's also great for your body if you have an irritations or dry patches.

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick - This lipstick has been called the universal shade and praised by makeup artists for looking great on everyone. I just know it looks good on me, no matter my skin tone (winter or summer). It's been a never fail beauty bag staple since I bought my first tube in the mid 90's.

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer - If I was only allowed to keep one items in my makeup arsenal, this would be it. I have chronic dark circles and this concealer is my holy grail. Everyone I know says it's way too expensive. For me, it's worth every penny. One tube lasts me almost a year. I only use a tiny bit each day. The coverage is amazing.

Curel Daily Moisture Lotion - My favorite lotion. The scent isn't heavy. It's a great inexpensive moisturizer and it's never greasy. I always have a back up bottle ready.

Clio Kill Black Waterproof Eyeliner - This liner is a new favorite. As you know, a nude eye and black liner are my every day eye staples. It's a classic look that I love. I've tried tons of eyeliners, pencils, gel, and brushes. I like pen liners the most because of their precision. I read about Clio Kill Black a month or so ago. A beauty editor said she can't live without it for her signature cat eye. I tracked it down on Amazon and have used it every day since. My first pen is going strong but I already ordered a second one, to ensure I don't run out.

 

Some of these items may seem on the pricey side. For me, it's worth it to pay a bit more for some items because for me there is no substitute. I know I will use every last drop. It won't be another half used tube in my drawer or a product that I'm tired of using. I believe using a product to the last drop is a frugal trait and economical. I'm sure I've spent thousands over the years on products that I never finished using. In my efforts to streamline my life a little, these tried and true items are rising to the top. I will still look for the latest and greatest but these staples will always be by my side. 

What are your good to the last drop beauty items? 

Happy Friday Real Girls!

Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum - Review

Over the past year I've become a big fan of serums. They have become a regular part of my beauty routine. They are perfect for my combination skin. They are moisturizing but not sticky and I can wear them under make-up with no oil build up (even in summer).  When I was offered the chance to try out Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty Crème de Serum, I said yes. Having seen the commercials on late night TV, I was curious to see if the product lived up to it's claim. We all know that skin care is a big part of great aging but genetics is also a big factor. If you've ever seen a photo of Cindy and her mom, you'd know what I mean about genetics.

I decided to give this serum a thorough test. I used it morning and night until the full tube was gone. In fact, after I started using it, I knew I would want to use it until it was gone. It is all of the things I love about serums. At first my skin was a bit temperamental but that always happens to men when I switch treatments. After a day or two of adjustment, it was great. It's light and moisturizing. It worked well under my makeup and didn't feel greasy.

After about a month and a half of use, I am pleased with the results. There were no drastic changes in my skin but I do think my forehead creases look less deep. They are the wrinkles on my face that I dislike the most. If I believe there is some improvement, then the product works. This photo was taken shortly after my forty-sixth birthday. Not bad, huh?

 

I definitely like Meaninigful Beauty Crème de Serum. If you like serums, I'd highly recommend it.


Note: Meaningful Beauty Creme de Serum was provided to me via a program through Influenster. The opinions expressed here are my own honest review of this product.

Laudun Cosmetiques - Mitsy Day/Night Moisturizer

A little while ago I was introduced to Cosmetiques Laudun at the NoVA Fashion Week Luxe Lifestyle Event.  It was great to try out a high end organic skin care line.  My skin can be very sensitive. It was great to see that there is a luxury skin car line that isn't loaded with perfumes and unnecessary ingredients. The folks at Cosmetiques Laudun offered to send me a product sample to try.  They surprised me by sending a jar of their Misty Day/Night Moisturizer Cream.

The packaging was beautiful but I've seen lots of beautiful packaging and the proof would be in the creme.  I decided to try the product for a few days and nights to see how I liked it before giving you all my thoughts. The first thing I noticed when I opened the jar was the natural smell of the creme.  It had a light scent that reminded me of herbs instead of perfume.  The creme was extremely rich.  This first night I used it, I made the mistake of using way too much.  The tiniest bit goes a very long way.  When I woke up the next morning my face felt smooth and soft but a bit tacky.  I tried it under my make-up but my skin tends to be very oily in the summer. For me, it was a bit too rich for day during the hot summer.

On the second night I scaled back the amount I used, based on advice from the ladies at Cosmetiques Laudun.  I was thrilled with how soft and silky my skin felt in the morning.  I moisturize my neck and decollete every night and loved how little I needed to use.  We have a backyard pool  I spend lots of time swimming and the chlorine wreaks havoc on my skin and dries it out.  I've started using the creme after sun and pool time.  My skin is feeling less dry than it has in the past and not at all greasy. I've been using the creme once or twice a day. You can see in the photo above, how little I've used (a tiny bit goes so far). The price is a bit higher than I've ever paid for skin creme.  You all know I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity (as you've seen in the concealer I use).  The Mitsy creme as well as the other Cosmetiques Laudun product I tried at the NoVA Fashion Week Event, are definitely quality and would be worth the money.

As I mentioned my skin tends to be very sensitive.  I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any irritation or breakouts. That usually happens when I start using something new.  I believe this is due to the organic ingredients and lack of perfumes.  If your skin is on the oily side this might not be the right moisturizer for you but you could contact Cosmetiques Laudun for recommendations.  I'm sure they'd be happy to help you.  If you're looking for a rich skin creme that is organic and high quality, I recommend Cosmetiques Laudun's Mitsy Day/Night Moisturizer. I'm a new fan.



Note: Cosmetiques Laudun provided me a jar of Mitsy Day/Night Moisturizer as a gift.  There was no expectation of a review.  The decision to share my experience and the opinions expressed here are truly my own.