Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 40

I'll admit, ever since CC creams came on the market, I've been neglecting BB creams ever so slightly.  That is until Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 40 came into my life!  You see, this BB cream has enough coverage that can easily stand up to some of my CC creams!  The formula is creamy, applies beautifully and is long lasting!  In fact, it's been quite muggy here in Jersey and I can attest that after a long day of sweating (yes, I have a problem), this baby did not come off.  I also love that it's armed with a good amount of sun protection so that I never have to worry about going without!  You all know I love my multi-tasking products and seriously, BB creams are the ultimate when it comes to multi-tasking!  You'll get coverage, hydration, sun protection and anti-aging properties!  What more could you possibly ask for in a beauty product?  If you don't already own this, I highly recommend you add it to your daily beauty routine! 

So lets chat?! What are your thoughts on BB Creams?  Have you tried Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 40?  Check them out on Twitter @hydroxatone.

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! XOXO Carla - FMM

*This product was sent by iFabbo in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are mine based on my experience with this product.

L'Oreal Studio Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

A few months back, while flipping through one of my magazines, i came across a sample of L'Oreal Studio Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream.  I decided to give it a try and felt an immediate connection.  I promptly ran to my local Ulta and used the enclosed coupon to make this purchase!  I'm already on my second tube of this wonderful BB Cream.  I'll be honest, i own a few brands that i love so i tend to alternate but I've recommended this amazing product to many friends who fell just as much in love as i did.  What i really love about this cream is that it's light and doesn't actually feel like makeup.  It goes on sheer and feels just like a moisturizer.  Honestly, for the price, you can't go wrong!  This is especially great news for a girl on a tight budget!  And I'm all about helping my recessionistas out there!

So lets chat, have you tried L'Oreal's Studio Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream?  What was your experience with this product?

Thank you SO MUCH for reading!  Please remember to vote for me in ALLURE'S BEAUTY BLOGGER OF THE YEAR AWARDS!!!!  You're support means the word to me! XOXO Carla FMM

Benefit's POREfessional

Sometimes you come across a product and wonder... how did i ever live without it!  Benefit's POREfessional is that product for me!  This pro balm helps minimize the appearance of visible pores.  It totally feels like satin on your skin and if you are as big a fan of 'instant gratification' as i am (and i know you are!), you will fall instantly in love with it's ability to make your skin look silky and smooth.  I like to apply POREfessional in my T-zone to ensure that my pores are sent away to yucky pore land! If you wear foundation, you probably already know that it alone will not minimize the look of your pores.  Good thing you'll arm yourself with POREfessional to ensure a flawless look!  My only complaint is that i wish Benefit would create a super size bottle of this stuff!  I'd prefer it by the truck load!  It's THAT good!  Do you have POREfessional?  What do you think?

 

Thank you so much for reading!  I want to also take this opportunity to once again that you all so much for your thoughts and prayers during hurricane Sandy.  It's been a rough time, but we are OK.  Many here in Jersey cannot say the same thing.  So today, I'm feeling an incredible sense of gratitude. Your good wishes warmed my heart during this difficult time.  Hugs!  Carla

BB Cream 101

So lately, there’s a ton of buzz about this wonderfully innovative product you may or may not have heard of… introducing the BB cream (aka Beauty Balms)!  I’ve been known to say that I love when my beauty products can multitask!  Well, BB creams are the epitome of the word ‘multitask’.   Ladies, you can chuck all those bottles of moisturizer, primer, oil control creams, sunscreen, and treatment serums in the trash because all you need is a one good BB cream and let IT take care of all that and more!  Think of the money you’ll save!!!  No really, think of the super cute shoes you could be sporting because you no longer need to invest in a thousand separate products!  I mean, who wouldn’t love a little extra money in their ‘shoe fund’ piggy bank right? 

Well, I must admit, I was quite intrigued by all the hype when I received one BB cream in my May Birchbox that I kind of loved!  Not knowing much about BB creams, I decided to take a little trip to Sephora (I know, I know… any excuse to go there right? Well, this one was kinda legit!).  When I inquired about BB creams, I was immediately directed to Cathy Ortuso whom seemed to have a world of knowledge when it came to this stuff!  Her enthusiasm and comfort with the subject, reminded me of how giddy I get when chatting about beauty products!  Loved her!  I explained that I wanted to learn more, and would love to sample some of these creams before investing in one.  She so kindly picked out her favorites and began by sharing some of her wonderful knowledge with me.

First she showed me two Dr. Jart’s Water Fuse w/ SPF 25 and Dr. Jart’s Premium Beauty Balm.  She suggested that Dr Jart’s Water fuse is best for the warmer months and the Premium is better for the cooler months.  Now here’s an interesting tidbit, the ingredients make the color of this beauty balm!!! What??  Here I thought there was actual foundation in here!   According to Cathy, bb creams essentially prime, moisturize, protect from the sun, fight against aging and lastly they hydrate the skin.  Can you imagine a product that does all of those things?   Are you sold yet?  Clearly you are!!!  So I tried both and loved them.  In fact, it wasn’t until I got home that I realized that the Dr. Jart’s water fuse was actually the bb cream that I received in my Birchbox and loved! 

The next product was the Smashbox bb cream.  Now I’d heard a ton of positive reviews about this particular product.  Cathy assured me that these bb creams were perfect for enhancing and evening out the skin rather than change the skin color.  These are not foundation and certainly don’t feel heavy like most foundations do.  I’m certainly not a fan of the way foundation feels on my skin and can assure you, that all of the products that I sampled felt very light. 

The next product was the ‘No Foundation Foundation’ by Perricone MD.    No I didn’t type that twice, that’s the actual name!  This product contains antioxidants, it lifts and firms (wonder if this would work on my rear section if you know what I mean!!!)  These products are meant to enhance the skin so they’re great worn alone or under foundation. 

Lastly, she introduced me to Sarah McNamara Skin Transformerwith SPF 20.  Ok, they only had a sample in the shade ‘deep dark’ so when she put a dab on my skin was like “oh heck no’!  But once she massaged it in, it blended to my skin tone and really did enhance it.   I found this particular bb cream to be so perfect for my summer sun kissed skin!   In fact, I’ve already returned to Sephora to purchase the full size which I’m now religiously wearing every single day!  I plan on purchasing Dr. Jart’s bb cream at the end of the summer when my color starts to fade.

Well, I’d like to give a major shout out to Cathy Ortuso at the Sephora at Menlo Park Mall in Edison, NJ for willingly sharing her wonderful knowledge on BB creams with me.  I learned so much!  Which goes to show, don’t be afraid to ask your local Sephora sales associate about any product you may have questions about.  If you’re lucky like me, you’ll walk away feeling much more confident with your beauty investment!   Cheers to Sephora and Cathy!

Ok if you have yet to enter my giveaway, please be sure to do so by scrolling to the previous post!  GOOD LUCK!

BTW don't forget to become an official follower of FMM!  Also follow me on Twitter @fashionmavenmom and 'like' my FB page! xoxo

May Birch Box - My very first one!!

I was on the waiting list for Birch Box for over two weeks which probably doesn't sound like a lot, but to me... it felt like YEARS!  Finally i got the much awaited email inviting me to receive my monthly goodies and i couldn't be happier!  I quickly signed up and anxiously waited!  I received my very first Birch Box last week.   When it arrived, i could not open it fast enough!  I mean, this particular box was a Gossip Girl themed box and even though i no longer watch the show, i certainly love the characters' incredible sense of style so i was anxious to see what kinds of goodies were in store for meee! The outside of the box came with a Gossip Girl sleeve with a picture of the NY skyline.  I admired it briefly, then proceeded to slide the sleeve off and open the box.  My first impression was one of disappointment to be really honest.  I was kind of like, "where's the rest??"  In fact, i was thinking the samples would be a bit bigger.  However, after examining it further, i realized it was actually quite nice. I received the 'Chic Sunday Brunch' box.   I absolutely love the headband.  The color could not be more perfect!  The BB cream was also a nice addition, especially since I've been dying to try one!  This one is pretty good though I still want to try a few more brands before deciding which full size product to purchase.  The beauty blender/brush cleaner will certainly come in handy, that's for sure!  I love the 'xoxo' note card, it's so chic!  In addition, there was a Gossip Girl trivia card containing product information in the back.  I got a fun, gold nail polish as well.  I'll admit i have yet to use it, but will do so soon!  After all, you know i love me some nail polish!  Lastly, the perfume sample... hm where do i begin... it kinda smells like men's cologne.  It's a pleasant scent indeed but certainly not for a woman!  Let's not mention the ridiculous cost for a full size bottle at a whopping $165!  What???  So that was my first Birch Box!  Although it wasn't the best, it was still super cute and certainly fun to receive and open!  I look forward to next month's, and the month after that and so forth!  Have you checked out Birch Box?  If you currently subscribe, don't forget to leave feedback for each of the items you receive.  For each review, you'll get 10 points.  This means 50 points per box.  For every 100 points, you get $10 to use towards a Birch Box purchase!  Hullo???  Major score right?  So go ahead, write your reviews and enjoy the rewards!  XOXO

 

 

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