Category Archives: Skincare

Neutrogena Hydro Boost 

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Hello Lovelies! It’s been a while since I’ve posted about new products but have no fear I am here to talk about a new face moisturizer and eye cream from Neutrogena! Changing up my skin care according to the season we are in is something I’ve mentioned many times on our platform. I truly stand by this based on my personal observations of my skin. For most of us our skin is usually dryer during winter months and can easily change into normal/oily when it’s warmer out, but some of us fail to understand that we still need hydration and moisture during summer as well.

I discovered the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel around the ending of May. The words “water gel” and “hyaluronic acid” really caught my attention. This formula is said to absorb quickly like a gel, but has the moisturizing power of a cream. It claims to boosts your skins hydration level by locking the moisture in all day (due to the hyaluronic acid). This is also said to be true for the eye cream.

I’ve been using these products for nearly two months now and I love the fact that the moisturizer has the gel like texture and yet your face just drinks it up so quickly not leaving a sticky or thick residue behind. I purchased mine with spf 15 which is great base to start with (of course sunscreen should be re-applied multiple times if you’ll be out in the sun for a long period of time). The eye gel/cream has a very similiar consistency to the moisturizer and also leaves my under eye area feeling hydrated.

 Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel spf 15
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Eye Gel

CVS is currently having a buy one get second item half off on all Neutrogena products. They also offer 20% off coupons if you’ve signed up for their extra care card. Originally I would have paid $40 but with the coupons I only paid $30.

Hope this was helpful to anyone on the fence of buying this product, it surely has my stamp of approval.

Till next time,

xx Gwen

Sale at Sephora 

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If you love Sephora you know that their twice a year sale is very much awaited by many. For about a week or so the store offers 10-15% off products (this percentage depends on your reward status). I purchased my items in store, picking up some replacements and three new products that I am very excited to try. Here’s a closer look… 

 


Top left hand corner: Beauty Blender solid cleanser I really love this for those times my brushes need some inbetween cleansing. Wet your brush, give it a swirl around the soap and boom all clean! (For a deeper cleaning I use Dr. Bronners Pure Castile soap and a little drop of coconut oil)  

Bottom left: Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with rose clay This mask is one of the new products I cannot wait to try. It’s described as a two in one purifying mask and skin refiner. It Gently deep cleans while refining skin’s texture. I’m planning on staying in this Friday night and giving it a go. 

Center: Dr. Jart+ Bright Infusion sheet mask Yet another new product, which claims to moisturize and brighten while improving complexion and skin texture. I’m all about brighter skin! Brighter equals youthful in my opinion. 

 Top right: Drunk Elephant Framboos Glycolic night serum The last new product I purchased, which is the main reason I waited for the sale (this bad boy is pricey!). This serum is a chemical exfoliator which claims to resurface your skin by gently lifting dead cells all while hydrating your skin at the same time. I am on a very clear path to having the smoothest and brightest skin as I possibly can! 

Bottom right: Smiths’s Rosebud minted rose lip balm An oldie but always a goodie. This is a multi purpose balm as you can use it for your lips, elbows, knees basically where ever you notice any dryness. I go through this super quickly as I also use it for my cuticles. 

Did any of you shop during the sale? If so what did you get? Please share down below! 

Till next time, 

xx, Gwen 

2015 Favorites 

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Happy new year everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating, now let’s get ready to tackle 2016! I wanted to quickly mention some of my favorite products of 2015 before we become bombarded with all of the 2016 releases. Here goes…

  

From top left to bottom right

Makeup Forever Ultra HD – Foundation (shade 128) *Disclaimer I’ve only been using this foundation for a month but I already love it! It has an amazing satin/natural finish to it. 

Chloe eau de parfum – This is my third bottle, need I say more? It’s a bit floral with a clean undertone. You must smell it! 

Schwarzkopf Biotin Volume and Texture Powder – This bad boy works miracles on my limp hair, just sprinkle some on my roots and boom instant fullness! 

Charlotte Tilbury Swish and Pop Blusher (shade ecstasy) – I will forever love this blush because one I bought it in London and two because it is such a gorgeous peachy/pink shade which is super easy to blend. 

L.A Girl Pro Concealer (orange correcting shade) *disclaimer I also just purchased this about 2 months ago but it has changed my face routine dramatically! I use this to correct my under eye darkness and any other dark pigmentation around my face before applying foundation. It’s a definite must have in my opinion!  

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution (shade red carpet red)- This lipstick is such a gorgeous shade of red (think Marilyn Monroe). The non drying matte formula is the selling point for this lipstick, oh and we can’t forget about the rose gold packaging! 

Mario Badescu Aloe and Rosewater Facial Spray – This spray is amazing, it instantly refreshes your face during the summer time and helps hydrate your face during the winter time. Also a staple when flying! 

Qtica Nail Growth Stimulator – I am a nail biter (mostly when I’m nervous or stressed) so I go through periods where my nails look that of a 8 year old boy but, this product has helped my nails growth tremendously. 

Smashbox Photofinish Pore Minimizing Primer – I discovered this primer in the beginning of the year and it has replaced my Benefit Porefessional. I feel that it really smooths out my pores around my nose and cheeks and doesn’t leave a residue. 

Maybelline FIT Me Concealer – I was actually surprised at how much I loved this concealer. It’s a bit more fluid than what I would normally go for so for that I like it on lighter makeup days. The coverage is great and the price is even better! ($8.99). 

CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion – I was in need of a new moisturizer and my roommate recommended this one to me. I really love the consistency (not too thick not too watery). It also has SPF 30, a great two in one! 

Those were all of my favorites during 2015! What were some of yours? 

We are looking forward to sharing more content, giveaways and interacting with you all this year. Here’s to a great 2016!

xx, Gwen 

Melt Proof 

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Hot and sticky days are the worst, especially when wearing makeup on the train with no air conditioning! Not a good way to start your morning let me tell you. In comes my melt proof combination which has been working really well for me.

Supergoop defense refresh setting mist with rosemary spf 50 is a three in one product which sets makeup, helps control oil/shine and protects your skin from harmful UV Rays. I love the idea behind this product because there are times when I forget to apply sunscreen underneath my makeup (check out my previous sun care post HERE) or better yet just need some extra protection throughout the day. A quick spritz of this setting mist refreshes your look while giving you protection from the sun, all without disrupting your makeup. Totally amazing in my opinion. The scent is a bit minty in addition to the Rosemary and I don’t mind it one bit!

Murad invisiblur perfecting shield spf 30. This too is another three in one product which is said to treat, blur and protect the skin. The anti aging corrective treatment is infused with mushroom peptides which diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It primes the skin with its soft focus complex which smooths and blurs, improving tone and texture of skin. Lastly it provides sun protection with invisible technology. This product has such a smooth texture and does not feel sticky once applied onto the face. Air brushed skin here I come!

I first apply the Murad shield as a primer underneath my CC cream or foundation,  I then continue to apply my makeup (concealer, bronzer etc) and lastly I set everything with the Supergoop setting mist.

The Supergoop setting mist costs $12 for the 1 oz (the one pictured above) and $28 for the 3.4 oz. Now the Murad is a tad on the pricier side, it retails at Sephora for $65 1 oz. I got my deluxe sample one as a 100 point perk a few months ago.

Hope this serves as some help for anyone needing some sweat proof tips.

Stay cool lovelies!

xx, Gwen

Weekend with L’Occitane 

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L’Occitane en Provence is a French brand created by Oliver Baussan. His main goal was to create products that celebrate and preserve the traditions of his native town Provence. At only 23 years of age Oliver began making his own natural oils to sell at markets and the rest as they say is history. There are now over 2,000 L’Occitane shops all around the world! 

I made an online Sephora purchase and had Ari mail me the items I bought (can we say obsession?). This “Weekend in Provence” set was one of the first items I opened because I couldn’t wait to get a whiff of the sweet almond, ah pure bliss! Prior to purchasing this kit the only other product from L’Occitane I had tried was the cult favorite Shea butter hand cream and to no surprise I loved it! So when I saw this on Sephora’s website I figured I would give it a try. Here’s what the set contains…

Almond shower oil 2.5 oz – moisturizing body cleanser, leaves a satin finish
Almond supple skin oil 0.5 oz- created with almond proteins leaving skin very supple
Almond milk concentrate 1.7 oz- nourishes smooths and tones skin
Almond delicious hands cream 0.3 oz- the almond milk and oil softens hands
Almond delicious soap 1.7 oz- almond shells gently exfoliate dead skin cells for extra smooth hands

All of these products are also paraben, sulfate and phthalates free.

  

This is a limited edition set and can be found on Sephoras website. (Not sure about the actual store). Overall I feel this is a pretty fabulous deal for $36. You are able to try a decent sized amount of product therefore, being able to make an informed decision on whether you would repurchase a full sized item. I’ve been using the hand cream, body lotion and shower oil for about 3 weeks now and can say that the scent is truly divine! The shower oil creates a milky texture once applied on wet skin, I then rinse and my skin is left feeling silky smooth! I seal the moisture in with the body lotion, the best part is the almond scent lasts quite a while. I am still thinking about purchasing the full sized shower oil as it comes with a hefty price tag. Otherwise money well spent in my opinion! 

As the name suggests it is also perfect for a weekend getaway in Provence! Or anywhere else your heart desires! 

Have a lovely weekend everyone! 

xx, Gwen 

Time for another Giveaway!!! 

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Here we are with yet again another milestone! We now have 300 followers and counting! Super exciting! To those who are new to our blog we host mini giveaways every so often to show our appreciation to you all who support us. 

On with the fun part (the actual prize). One lucky winner will receive some of Gwen’s current favorites at the moment. A deluxe sample of Liz Earlie’s cleanse and polish hot cloth face cleanser along with a mini sized Soap and Glory hand lotion and body scrub. I have been absolutely loving these three items  and I am hoping you will too! 

  

Now here’s how to enter: 

Comment on the photo posted on our Instagram (@itsapplesandorangesblog) stating where you live, your must have skin/body care item and why you would like to win this prize. This will ensure entry in the giveaway, which will be open for 5 days. We will then choose the winner through a raffle generator which will be announced on Instagram Monday June 1st!

Our giveaways have normally been held in the U.S, but since I (Gwen)  am in the U.K we figured we would open it up to anyone living in Europe this time. (Sorry to my American babes we need to give other countries a turn) 

What are you waiting for? Get to commenting! 

xx Gwen 

Fresca Vox Box Review

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All I can say is WOW! I received this influentster fresca vox box complimentary in the mail and was amazed at the amount and quality of the products. Each item was sent for testing purposes and I couldn’t be more excited to share with you guys my honest opinion on the products. Lets get started!

influenster, nyc, neutrogenea, skincare, not your mothers, sally hansen,

  1. First things first lets talk about the fact that I was actually in need of shaving cream, bonus! This shaving cream from the brand Pure Silk has a cool spray nozzle and luxurious feel and smell. It lathers well and leaves my skin feeling super smooth. The coolest feature is that the can itself is rust proof aluminum which leaves no room for that unsightly gross brown residue anywhere near your shower.
  2. The neutrogena healthy skin boosters facial cleanser is compared to other neutrogena products. It smells great, minimal lather and not too over drying (although I always use a moisturizer after regardless).
  3. I am obviously already tanned skin but my legs are always a shade lighter then some other parts of my body since they don’t see the light as much. This Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs product goes on smooth, its easy to blend in and a little goes a long way. It just provides a slight wash of color to even out your skin tone (it will not cover any bruises or imperfections as I was hoping). It works well If I was ever in a bind and needed to even out tan lines or my pale legs.
  4. The NYC expert last lip lacquer is definitely top 2 items received in this box. The color pigmentation is outstanding and its not sticky at all. With a pleasant candy smell, high shine and only priced at 3.99 you really can’t lose. I would have never purchased this product and now am obsessed and want to buy all of the colors!
  5. Lastly one of the most surprising and cool items were the Jafra Blends of various mix and match scents. These remind of of essential oils and last a lot longer than some traditional perfumes. The scents vary from Blackberry Juniper Magnolia, Sea Salt Rose Petals and Violet Pomegranate. All of the scents smell spectacular (my favorite being Sea Salt Rose Petals). They are fresh, clean and I love the fact that you can mix and match. Everyones phermones are different and the combinations are endless on different people! You can basically customize your scent and tailor it depending on your mood. Such a cool concept and product and I definitely would purchase the larger bottle in Sea Salt Rose Petals.
  6. I did not try the Not Your Mothers Shampoo and Conditioner seeing as I prefer using curly hair friendlier products (all natural) but Im sure they would go great with my sister Gwen’s hair type and I will be saving them for her to test out.

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Thank you once again to Influenster for sending this vox box over for review!

XOXO Ari

Winter Skin Banished!

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Hi there lovelies! So as you all know I (Gwen) have been in London for the past two and a half months and although it has been slightly warmer these days (It is a gorgeous sunny day as we speak) I still wanted to share the products that have helped calm and hydrate my skin over the winter months.

Here’s a little history on Kiehl’s : they were founded as an old world apothecary in New York City over 150 years ago! They began offering homeopathic and herbal remedies, essential oils, over-the-counter drugs, and the first Kiehl’s brand name products. Today, Kiehl’s is known for their quality skin care and hair care products and are known for mainly selecting naturally derived ingredients as well as using minimal preservatives. 

The Centella Skin Calming Facial Cleanser was recommended to me due to the concerns I expressed to one of the women at the store. The issues I was having were: dry and rough patches of skin and some redness due to some problematic areas (pimples/bumps). It’s key ingredients are Aloe Vera, Chamomile and Tiger Herb which together work to soothe, comfort and heal the skin. This cleanser can be applied on wet or dry skin, using circular motions over the entire face. It is then suggested you remove product with a warm damp cloth. The Ultra Facial Cream is one of Kiehl’s iconic products loved by many and I now know why! This cream is such a light-textured moisturizer that helps to retain moisture within the skin for up to 24 hours! The key ingredients are: Antarcticine (Glycoprotein extract) and Imperata Cylindrica (Desert plant Extract) which together work to prevent dryness and create a lasting hydrating effect on skin. A little goes a long way, I apply a few pea sized dots all over my face (and neck) and again work it in circular and upward motions.



I have been using both of these products over the last two and a half months and have noticed such a difference in my skin! I no longer have dry patches and my skin feels insanely soft and hydrated. I would love to try out a few of their other products as well. Have you ever tried anything from Kiehl’s range? If so let me know which ones down below!  

Till next time,

Gwen xx