FOTD with Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream

*some products in this post provided for review*

Please excuse me if I'm all over the place with this one.  It's been a while since I've done a make-up post, but today I'm here to tell y'all what I think about the Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream(sent for review) that I've been trying out for the past few weeks.  I've heard about this brand a LOT on the radio, but just recently discovered that they're also available HERE at Ulta.  

From the box:

Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 40 Sunscreen is your all-in-one multi-tasking perfecting cream that hydrates, conceals, protects, reduces the look of aging, and brightens the skin in just one step.  Hides uneven skin tone and minimizes the appearance of imperfections.  Works perfectly under foundation, or all on its own.  Skin looks naturally flawless.  Effortlessly perfect.  Overall more youthful.

The shade I received is Medium, which is described as light-medium.  I "think" I am around a NC25, and this matches very well.  Plus, BONUS, it has SPF40.  It's light and creamy, & smells like an orange creamsicle(the smell does go away).  I haven't tested this alone, yet...but have been using it as I would a tinted moisturizer or foundation.  I have noticed no irritation and it has a light coverage.  I'm sure you could apply a 2nd layer to build it up to medium.  I've also only applied it with my beauty blender instead of my fingers.  I'll be sure to make an edit to this post once I have tested it alone and applied with my fingers.  

please excuse my brows

This is my face after one application/layer, no powder.  It dries to a semi-matte finish with a beauty blender application.  I did have a few shiny spots, but nothing horrible.  I didn't use a primer, as I've had issues with it sliding off my face when I do.  I have extremely oily skin and have noticed those areas getting shiny about 4-5 hours after applying this BB Cream.  Blotting my face with a tissue(I'm sure oil blotting sheets would work too, I've never used them) seemed to take away the shine without removing any product.  I have a few facial scars, some of which would need a dozen layers of foundation to cover, and this does make most of the areas less noticeable.  

As far as concealing, there were a few imperfections that stuck out which still needed concealer, but I'm sure just dabbing a little bit more Hydroxatone on them would've covered just fine.  It looks very natural to me.  It covered redness without covering my freckles and making me look like I actually had anything on my face.  That is very rare for me to find.  Even with adding powder on top it's my skin but better.  I can't wait to use it at the pool this summer.  SPF plus weightless feel = AMAZING.  

Now I'll show y'all my face once I finished putting the rest of my make-up on and all that jazz.

Products used:

• Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream - medium (product provided for review)
• Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer - 125 Fair
• Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder - 020 Light
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder - Milk Chocolate(product for review - will do a full separate post on this later)
• LA Colors - Pink Blush
• ELF Studio Blush - Peachy Keen(as highlight on my cheeks)
• Urban Decay Primer Potion - original
• Urban Decay Naked Basics palette - used every shade on my eyes with Crave over top of my liner
• Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner - Zero
• Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara - Very Black - lower lashes(this also works great on my top lashes)
• Josie Maran GoGo Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara - Pitch Black - top lashes
• Maybelline Define-A-Brow - Light Brown
• MAC RiRi Woo

Overall, I really like this.  I think it would work beautifully on every skin type. I can definitely see myself getting more when I run out since it's a one step product.  If you're heading to the beach this summer, you definitely need this, but be advised shades run kinda light.

Key Benefits:

Reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles and overall skin aging as it visibly firms and lifts; make skin instantly look flawless and more youthful

Contains a potent antioxidant to reduce free radical damage in the skin

Evens out skin tone and visibly brightens dullness and discoloration with active Vitamin C and an advanced encapsulated peptide

Contains a special blend of plant extracts to help calm and sooth irritated skin

Shields the skin with powerful broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 40

Hides uneven skin tone and minimizes the appearance of imperfections

A perfecting cream designed to visibly firm and lift the skin, brighten, moisturize and protect

Works perfectly under foundation, or all on its own

Contains a highly effective level of Vitamin C

Vitamin C help stimulate collagen used during the skin's own regenerative process

For a complete 3-step beauty regimen, partner with Hydroxatone Milky Cleanser and Hydroxatone Age-Defying Toner.

For best results combine with Hydroxatone Microdermabrasion one to two times per week.

Why is Hydroxatone Anti-Aging BB Cream so effective?

Vitamin C: Support optimal skin health by promoting the skin's own regenerative properties help stimulate collagen used during the skin's own regenerative process

PhytoCellTec: Formulated with an ingredient that help skin stem cells maintain their natural renewal capacity

PhytoCellTec & EMortal: Formulated with ingredients that increase the vitality of the skins' stem cells.

Contains ingredients that support the natural renewal process of the skin

SPF 40: SPF 40 Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB protects the skin from the elements including harmful UV rays and oxidative stress

Directions

Apply once in the morning and once at night to face and neck, away from eyes by using a gentle, upward motion with fingertips.

This retails on the Ulta website for $39.00 for 1.5Fl Oz

I think I remembered to cover everything.  If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  :D

*some products provided for review (noted in post)*

Amazing hair with Mixed Chicks & Agadir

*samples provided for review*

Recently I received some products from Mixed Chicks and Agadir to try out.  And let me tell y'all, my hair needed it.  I was a bit shy to try these out, but once I did I fell in love.  I need EVERYTHING from both of these lines, like NOW!  

My hair has a mind of it's own.  Naturally, it's curly(and color treated) and depending on what products I use depends on how curly it actually is.  Lately, it's been more straight, simply because I brush it that way and put no product in.  If I actually attempt to make it curl, it most definitely will but not as much as it does when I use products designed to help with curl.  That's where these come in to play.  And, let me apologize for being a total fail and forgetting to take pictures of my hair while using this.  I was so excited that I forgot before I used it all up.  

Lets start out with the Mixed Chicks trial & travel trio.  

Image from mixedchicks.net

Mixed Chicks Gentle Clarifying Shampoo - This definitely did clean my hair, and did so without making it brittle and straw-like.  I can't even begin to pin down the scent, but OMG I absolutely love it.  

image from mixedchicks.net

Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner - The smell on this is amazing as well.  This moisturized perfectly and didn't leave any residue behind to weigh the hair down or make it greasy.  Definitely a plus in my book, as not many conditioners completely rinse out so easily.

image from mixedchicks.net

Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner - This little product right here multi-tasks like a boss.  I've used very few products that moisturized, controlled frizz, AND defined my curls all at the same time.  Usually I have to use multiple products to do all of that.  It looks and feels like a lotion & is applied to wet hair, but it doesn't get goopy or greasy at all.  This right here, is worth the price and then some.  

Mixed Chicks products can be found at Target stores and some salons, you can find a location near you HERE on their website.  I will definitely be getting these products in full sizes and want to try the sulfate free shampoo for my color treated hair.

Now, to the Agadir products that I've been using as well.  Before this, I thought I had a moisture treatment that I loved and was kinda leery about trying any oil on my hair.  These have completely broken that way of thinking.  

image from agadirint.com

Agadir Argan Oil Moisture Masque - This does everything it says it does.  It is sulfate free, made with argan oil, and keratin protein.  It gave me smooth & shiny hair.  It says to apply this on wet(clean) hair, leave on 3-5 minutes, and rinse.  When I do treatments like this, I generally wash my hair & apply it, then sleep with it in my hair and rinse out in the morning.  I've used this a few times, overnight & a few hours, and found using this overnight to be more beneficial to my hair.  The smell may be a little off putting to some, but I actually loved it.  The product itself looks kinda like glue, but I swear it doesn't act like it.  It is perfectly fine and I LOVE it.

image from agadirint.com

Agadir Argan Oil Hair Treatment - Usually I run the other direction from anything with "oil" in it for my hair.  Mostly because it makes my hair look horrible.  Now that it's shorter, my roots get oily so quick, and adding oil is not helpful.  When my hair is longer, everything is dry and adding oil just makes me look like a greaseball.  NOT with this.  It really only takes a few drops & voila.  This works without making me look like I dumped a bottle of oil on my head.  

I will definitely be looking into getting more of the masque as I think this is my new holy grail product......the hair treatment too.  I might even try a few other products since I'm so much in love with these.

You don't have to have curly or coarse textured hair for any of these to work.  Take a chance and try them out.  You might be surprised like I was.

*samples provided for review*

Butter London Knackered

Hey y'all!  Sorry this one is kinda late today.  I have had some serious insomnia & other issues(both of which I'm used to) show their ugly heads lately.

Today I have Butter London Knackered to show y'all.

This is 5, yes you read that correctly, coats of Knackered with a topcoat.  This is an extremely sheer polish that is probably better when layered over a cream.  The purple & murky green duochrome look so pretty with the tiny holographic glitters.

Overall, I liked this, but will definitely not wear it alone again.  5 coats, granted they were thin, is just too much for me to still see a little visible nail line.

Do any of y'all own this?  If so, what have you layered it over?

Essence Alice Had A Vision - Again

Another beauty brought to y'all today from my untrieds stash.  Back around November...or earlier maybe...Essence put out a set of polishes for Twilight Breaking Dawn Pt. 2.  While out Black Friday shopping, my sister & I picked up a few.  I think she got this one, and another one.

These are 2 coats with a topcoat.

Alice Had A Vision-Again is a gorgeous polish.  It has a dark purple, almost black base with pinky purple, green, & blue fleck glitters.

I'm completely in love with it and am kicking myself for not having worn it sooner.

MABB Bi-Weekly Beauty Question....beauty bad habits

Every other Wednesday, the Metro Atlanta Beauty Bloggers will answer a beauty-related question just for fun! This week's question is...

What are your beauty "bad habits"?
 
I have several....unfortunately.

•  Not washing my brushes often.  Honestly, I rarely wear make-up so I only wash them every other month or so.  I really need more brushes though.
• Not always cleaning my face before I go to bed when I DO where make-up.  I'm horrible about it, but I'm much better than I used to be.
• Not always moisturizing....Another thing that I'm getting better at though.  Forcing myself to use products up and do empties posts each month is pushing me to remember.
• Rarely do I ever carry powder with me for touchups.  So, when my make-up starts melting, that's it.  I need to get some oil blotting papers and powder for my purse.

I had a total brain fart and can't think of any more than that....but trust me, there's plenty more.

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Be sure to check out the other Metro Atlanta Beauty Bloggers' answers!
Ashley Elizabeth from Ashley Elizabeth's Beauty Blog
Dionne from Glittery Fingers & Sparkling Toes
Emma from Manicurity
Harri from TrailerHood Chic
Mandy from MandysSecrets
Pam from Pammy Blogs Beauty
Quinn from Mama Fashionista
 
If you would like to see previous questions and answers, you can do so by viewing the Question Archive here.

If you're a beauty blogger in the Metro Atlanta area and would like to join us, please visit our website! We would love to connect with you!

Color Club Cold Metal & Jordana Magenta Magic glitter

Now I've got another untried to show y'all.  A gorgeous glitter.  And what better way than to layer it over Cold Metal which I posted HERE earlier.

I don't have a KMart around me, so luckily I found this while shopping on Black Friday and got it for my stocking. :D

This is a clear based polish with tiny & medium hex magenta glitters.  On my pinky and index finger, that's just one coat.  On the middle & ring fingers, I kinda brushed 1 coat about halfway up the nail.

I love the contrast between these shades.  I wish I was able to easily get Jordana polishes.