Review! Neutrogena's New Moisturesmooth Color Stick in Sweet Watermelon

Hello all! Quick review of Neutrogena's new Moisturesmooth Color Stick in Watermelon.

What Neutrogena says:"NEUTROGENA® MoistureSmooth Color Sticks instantly moisturize lips, while continuously conditioning them so they are softer and smoother in just 3 days with nothing on them. Made with fruit extracts along with mango and shea butter, the balm-like formula glides on easily, providing a sheer wash of moisturizing color that lasts for hours. In addition, the twist up package allows for perfect application each time – with no sharpener needed. "(source)

(blurry-but taken to try to show the glitter)

(lip swatch!)

This wasnt a win for me, however it's not a bad product. 

The Moisturesmooth Colorstick is a chubby stick along the lines of Cliniques, Covergirl's and Revlon's.  I've tried Revlon's and Covergirl's and when compared to those two, the Neutrogena one is definitely the most moisturizing of the 3.  For me, there were two turn offs.  One was the glitter.  I was surprised when I noticed it, however I could have dealt with it if it wasn't for the weird waxy taste.  I'm not sure if I just got a bad batch, or not, but to me the waxy taste was too much.  It lingers and while it kept my lips shiny and smooth, I didn't enjoy the taste of it.  

The color to me doesnt remind me of watermelon, however, I do like the color (its a "my lips but better").  I may exchange it for the same shade (maybe I got an older one?).  It lasted about 2/3 hours on me before fading to a very faint stain.

Overall: I would have enjoyed it more without the waxy taste.  If it didnt have that, then I'd love this and use it all summer. Good for those who want a sheer wash of color, with lots of shine (and some reapplying).

Has anyone else tried this? Is the waxy taste just me?

8.49@ Walgreens

.11oz

Review & Swatch! Neutrogena's New Shine Control Pressed Powder in Translucent

Hello all! Today's review will be something to pair with the Neutrogena Shine Control Makeup.

With Neutrogena's new Shine Control foundation, they also came out with 2 primers and a pressed powder. I decided to skip on the primer (although I really should use one..) and get the pressed powder.

Pressed powder can be used alone, or over foundation to set it.  I usually use pressed powder nights that I work, just to mattify my face and help tone down the redness. I had been in the market for a new pressed powder, and now that I've been using this for about 3 weeks I'm happy to share my results with you!

What Neutrogena has to say:

"Neutrogena® Shine Control Powder helps skin stay shine-free and fresh-looking all day. The lightweight powder with patent-pending rice protein technology acts like a sponge to absorb excess oil and instantly eliminates shine for a fresh look that lasts for 8 hours. Layers invisibly over makeup with a matte finish."  (from Neutrogena site)

(Neutrogena Shine Control Powder)

(heavy finger swatch)

Packaging:  I actually love the packaging!  Its a lot slimmer then any other pressed powder I own.  It feels a lot sturdier as well, and feels super secure when its shut.

Consistency/Coverage:  The powder itself is not as powdery soft as a few other pressed powders I've owned (CG Clean pressed powder, and Maybelline Age Rewind PP).  With the others you could see my face quite obviously had powder.  The sponge on this takes a very thin layer , and deposits it nicely.  No powdery feeling with this.  The coverage on this is sheer, since the color is translucent.

Color: There's only one color-Translucent.  I'm not sure how well translucent will work on everyone (see finger swatch above).  On me, you can very slightly see the powder.  I'm not sure this will work for anyone past a medium skin tone.  

Performance:  As I said earlier, I dont use this to set my foundation, but rather in place of it, and to help keep my oil at bay. If I use it instead of foundation, I find it works pretty well on its own for about 3 hours before I  have to touch up.  The coverage is sheer, so it doesnt cover any flaws or hide my freckles.  But it does even out my skin, and makes it look much nicer then my skin alone. When I use it for touch ups, its great.  It lasts about 3 hours on me.  When used over the Shine Control foundation, it works just as well.  My face as a whole looks brighter, and much more put together (oily foreheads arent very professional looking..).  

This contains a "rice protein complex" rice powder  as I've just learned on Beautylish (go to the site! Its amazing!) helps to soothe imflammed skin* (Credit for this info goes to beautylish..click here to see article), which is why I love using this powder on my cheeks!  Who knew rice could be so awesome?

Overall:  While this wont work for people with darker skintones (silly cosmetic companies translucent doesnt equal universal...) , it does work well for what its been designed to do. It keeps the oil at bay, and works well when paired with the Shine Free foundation.

Retails around $12.99

I bought this myself. All opinions are my own.

Review & Swatches! Neutrogena's New Shine Control Liquid Makeup

Hello all my little sirens!  Today's review is on an item  that is a match made in oily girl heaven.  But before I get to that ..let me take u back to a young Mrs . Siren....

  Back in the day (like 10ish years ago!)  I had great skin.  I was that girl you would have hated back in HS.  I never had a pimple, breakout, or shiny forehead moment.  My skin was blissfully normal, and wasnt affected by any of the junk I ate.  I was a hippy/punk back then, and I never ever wore makeup (for prom my friends were shocked I wore lipstick..)  Fast forward to now.  Once I had my daughter, my whole chemistry changed.  I started getting breakouts like crazy, rosacea popped up, and my face became an oil slick.  I wish I could go back to the younger me and say "You lucky chick! Quick! Wear makeup and foundation before its too late!!". Now that I'm older (and actually care how my face looks), my face is a mess. I've managed to curb the breakouts (I miss you salty snacks..), but my oily skin is quite the problem.

Enter Neutrogena's new Shine Control Foundation & Pressed Powder.  Here's what Neutrogena has to say about the foundation:

"Neutrogena® Shine Control Makeup helps provide 8 hour shine control in a lightweight, breathable formula. Shine Control Makeup blends perfectly for natural-looking coverage with a soft, matte finish. Broad-spectrum SPF 20 helps protect against sun damage. Works perfectly with Neutrogena® Shine Control Primer & Shine Control Powder.8 hour shine control*Lightweight, breathable formula*Won't over dry skin*Broad spectrum SPF 20"

(Neutrogena Shine Control Makeup in Classic Ivory)

(I'd say that's a pretty good shade match)

The Shine Control foundation follows the same color range as the Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup range.  So whatever you were in that, you are in this-the colors are the same.  The foundation itself is lightweight and easy to blend.  I of course was the lightest shade.  When applying ( I used a buffing brush, stippling brush and a moist cosmetics sponge) , it blended really easily.  It felt super lightweight.  When I wore it  I had very little breakthrough shine, and I didn't need to touch up until 5 or so hours later (I touched up with the pressed powder, which is up next for review).  I still had to set with powder, but it held up 100x better then almost any other liquid foundation in my arsenal.  The finish is definitely matte.

The only issue I have with this is how insanely limited the shade range is!  Come on cosmetic companies! People of all colors and shapes and sizes have oily skin!  Also, there's no pump.  What a pain in the arse it is to get the foundation out of the bottle.  I hate sticking my fingers into the bottle (how unsanitary!)

Overall:  This is a great option for people with oily skin, and I'm in love!  It holds up well against sweat and oil.  Its lightweight, and doesn't feel heavy on the skin.  Also, the fact its spf 20 and broad spectrum doesn't hurt either.  The only gripe I have is that I wish it had a wider shade range, and a pump.

Retails:$13.99

*Update* This formula is extremely thick.  Getting the foundation to come out of the bottle is a huge pain in the bum.


I bought this myself-all opinions are my own.