Neutrogena Hydro Boost

Posted on July 28, 2016 by itsapplesandorangesblog

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

Sunny Days

Posted on July 13, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Ahhhh summer, it always feels like a long time coming especially in places where there are such harsh winters. It’s so interesting to see how when the sun is out everyone’s mood instantly lights up, goes to show we all need some vitamin D in our lives. Although sun exposure brings out the bright side in all of us we need to make sure we protect the skin we’re in, after all it is the only one we’ve got.

Sunscreen/Sunblock is an essential tool in blocking out harmful rays that can cause major skin damage, such as discoloration, sun spots and skin cancer. Most people think sunscreen/sunblock should only be applied when going to the beach or on a hot summer day but the suns rays can also penetrate through clouds causing exposed skin to burn. Now the difference between the two is that Sunblock actually blocks out the suns rays due to the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Sunscreen absorbs the UV radiation and reduces the amount that reaches your skin, making it so that you can still tan whilst using sunscreen.

I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite sunscreens. I recently picked up the Dr. Dennis Gross dark spot sun defense. It has an SPF of 50 and has been formulated with vitamins C & E which also help even out skin tone. What I love about this is the consistency of it, it has just the right amount of thickness and my skin soaks it right up. Another selling point for me was the ability to reduce the appearance of dark spots. I am one of those people that is constantly picking at my face, which then leaves me with dark spots. Here’s a closer look at it. I bought mine at sephora, you can find yours Here

These are some other sunscreens I have tried and thoroughly love.

sunscreen by gwendolyn-pena featuring Supergoop!

Happy Summer everyone and don’t forget to protect your skin!

xx, Gwen

Fresca Vox Box Review

Posted on May 17, 2015 by itsapplesandorangesblog

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!

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.
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).
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.
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!
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.
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.

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

XOXO Ari

Makeup Looks

Posted on October 26, 2014 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Happy Sunday Everyone! It’s been a while since I have done a makeup post so I decided to photograph the looks I did on mis mejor amigas before a casual night out. I am also working on my application skills and what a better way to do it right? Lets take a look at these beauties…

L-R Cinthia, Lucy & Emily

First one up is Cinthia: She has really great skin and normally doesn’t wear any foundation. She asked for the “jlo glow”. Here’s a closer look at what I came up with:

Face: Hourglass veil primer, Covergirl Outlast 3 in 1 foundation shade #857 (golden tan) mixed with Gerard Cosmetics BB plus illumination. MAC prep and prime in bright forecast (undereye brightening), Anastasia Contour kit Shade Fawn and Havanna. BH cosmetics blush palette (peach shade) Mary-Lou- Manizer for highlight.
Brows: Anastasia brow wiz in Dark Brown
Eyes: MAC paint pot in layin low, shadows: Amber lights (Entire lid), Texture (crease) and naked lunch (brow highlight). Revlon matte shadow in Rich Sable (outer corner).NYX jumbo eye pencil in white (base), E.L.F false lashes and Sephora Rio nights gel liner
Lips: Limecrime lipstick in Cosmopop and Gerard Cosmetics gloss in the shade nude.

Next up is Lucy: She and I can talk makeup for hours upon hours! She too has great skin and loves defined brows. Here’s what I created on her:

Products used:

Face: Becca Ever matte primer, Tarte Amazonian clay in the shade tan-deep sand mixed with Bare Minerals Bareskin Foundation in the shade Bare Caramel. Mac pro long-wear concealer in the shade W35 & W30 Anastasia contour kit in the shade Havana, MAC prep and prime in the shade Bright Forecast. BH Cosmetics blush palette (berry shades to the top right) Mary- Lou- Manizer for highlight.
Eyes: MAC paint pot in layin low. NYX jumbo pencil in white. Buff (brow highlight) Rose (lid)from Lorac Pro Palette 2, Revlon Matte shadow in Rich sable (crease) and Makeup geek’s Bitten (outer corner). Loreal voluminous mascara, E.L.F Lashes and Sephora Rio nights gel eyeliner.
Brows: Anastasia brow wiz (dark Brown) and dipbrow pomade (medium brown)
Lips: Rimmel Lip Liner in Cherry kiss, Too Faced Melted lipsticks in the shade Berry.

Last but certainly not least Emily: Doesn’t she have great lashes? (no falsies used). Emily loves bold lips which is why I wanted to give her a softer eye look, Here’s what I came up with:

Products used:

Face: Hourglass veil primer, Neutrogena nourishing long wear foundation in the shade warm beige, MAC prep and prime in Bright forecast, Anastasia contour kit in the shade Fawn, MAC blush in peaches, The Balm Mary-Lou-Manizer for highlight.
Brows: Anastasia brow wiz in the shade chocolate
Eyes: MAC paint pot in “layin low” Naked 3 palette in the shades Dust (lid), Nooner (crease), Mugshot (outer corner) and Strange (brow highlight), Sephora Rio nights gel liner, Mascara Loreal Voluminous
Lips: Rimmel in Cherry kiss and MAC Fashion Revival lipstick

There you have it guys. Hopefully these looks can be of inspiration to you.
If anyone has any makeup looks you would want to me try please let me know down below.

Thanks to these silly girls for letting me experiment with them

Hasta Pronto!
-Gwen

Blemish Woes & Solutions Part 2

Posted on May 28, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

Hey guys! So I am back with part two of the blemish & woes series. I don’t know about everyone else but I seriously freak out when I notice my face isn’t cooperating as I would like it too, or … Continue reading →

Daily face routine….hidden product fiend!

Posted on March 27, 2013 by itsapplesandorangesblog

The way I see it, if your not combatting acne, aging and stress signs then they are winning (and Im not going down like that). This review is my un biased opinion on these products and how they have benefitted my skin and or face throughout the usage of them within the past months to a year. Feel free to check out my sisters nightly routine as she gives a general run down of some products she uses to maintain her skin as well.

I have combination skin with certain areas that tend to over dry (surrounding my mouth and my cheeks) and areas that get oily (usually around my nose and chin). I get the occasional acne flair up usually when I go to the gym or once a month right around that “precious” time in a females life. My main concerns for myself are acne prevention and treatment, retaining moisture without being oily and last but certainly not least sun care and protection at all cost! This is the major key to preventing sun spots, aging skin and obviously the many types of skin cancer. It is the ultimate secret that Ive learned from working in the past with aestheticians …use sunblock every singe day and your 50 year old self will thank you later for it.

Cleanser- Amazing smooth feel, it only dries me out a little but the smell is amazing!
Toner- I can feel it tightening those pores especially with a heavy amount on a cotton ball on my problem areas like my nose.
Moisturizer- Its a little thick so it works great as night cream. Rub it in with only your fingertips working in an “upward” motion
These products are 100% Vegetarian and not tested on animals.

Alba Botanica Pore Purifying Pineapple Cleanser, Complexion Balancing Hibiscus Toner and Smoothing Jasmine & Vitamin E Moisturizer

Good old noxema- You cannot go wrong with this stuff! Ive been using it since middle school and it cleanses my face while giving me an invigorating fresh clean scent and feeling. I live by this. Point blank.
Face Brush- I purchased this at sephora but it can be bought anywhere. It does feel sort of scratchy on my skin so I dont advise it if your skin is very sensitive.

Noxema Original Cleansing Cream
& Sephora Face Brush

Neutrogena Face Scrub- I use this when I feel as though my skin is breaking out a lot or if Ive been overdoing it with my makeup and need to scrub off the dead cells on the surface that make me look “cakey” The beads are awesome, but I only recommend doing this once a week as its drying to my face.

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash -in Pink Grapefruit

Argan Oil & Tea Tree Oil- This could be another post all in itself. The benefits of these two combined (tea tree for acne and argan for overall amazingness) are indescribable. Do yourself a favor and pick these up. The tea tree oil is very potent and strong so use sparingly as well as the argan due to its priceyness.

Josie Maran- Argan oil
All natural Tea Tree oil

Camomile Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover- My sister put me on to this and it does a great job at removing all my makeup not to mention the creamy texture is cooling and soothing to the eye.

Camomile Waterproof Eye- Makeup remover by The Body Shop

This product by shea moisture is a little difficult to work with (meaning the consistency) but I feel as thought it is worth it for all the uses you can get from it. Just like the argan oil, it can be used on your skin, hair, cuticles, face etc. I like to mix it with one of my essential oils in order to make it an easier medium to work with.

Shea Butter infused with Coconut & Hibiscus- Brightening and Toning

I am currently out of the following products but I am running to the store (or amazon) to buy them immediately as they are also integral parts of my routine.

Cetaphil Derma Control Line- I just recently discovered these and only bought travel sizes to try them out. Boy was I in love! The cleanser is extremely gentle and dosent dry my skin out and of course the spf lotion is essential in fl. Both are items I will be purchasing again to use when my face needs a gentler approach.

Cetaphil Derma Control Foam Wash and SPF Moisturizer

This is the holy grail of face sun protectant! I discovered this at my old job and have been hooked ever since. It can be purchased online or at specific retailers like spas and medical grade offices that offer aesthetic services. This product glides on smoothly, dosent break me out, smells amazing, and best of all contains all the main ingredients needed when looking for a good SPF (like zinc and protection against UVA, UVB and UVC rays). It is a little pricey but a little goes a very long way and this product (when only used on face) can last a while. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend this to anyone (even senstive skin).

Clear Choice- Sport Shield SPF 45

Most of the products with the exception of the oils, sunscreen, and makeup remover can be purchased at any drug store near you.

Clear Choice- Sport Shield SPF 45

Josie Maran- Argan Oil

The Body Shop- Camomile Eye- Makeup remover

Toodles,
Ari