Neutrogena #PoreNoMore Challenge

I was recently asked to take the Neutrogena #PoreNoMore challenge. I was hesitant to switch up my skin care routine at 38 weeks pregnant, so I enlisted my best friend to help...my husband.

My husband doesn't usually follow a strict skincare routine like I do, so this was definitely a challenge for him. But, since the Neutrogena Pore Refining Collection has so many different products and options, I think it made it easier for him to stick to it. He always complains about his large pores, so I really didn't have to twist his arm to participate.

Here's a rundown of the products:

Pore Refining Daily Cleanser
This cleanser is non-comedogenic (meaning it won't clog pores) and dermatologist tested. It's gentle enough to use as your every day cleanser. It will help to shrink pores, especially when paired with other products in this collection. 

Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser 
This exfoliating cleanser helps to reduce the look of pores just by washing your face. The exfoliating micro beads gently sweep away dead surface skin, than the alpha-hydroxy formula penetrates pores to remove dirt. This cleanser is non-comedogenic, soap free and dermatologist tested. I advised my husband to only use this a few times a week in place of the Daily Cleanser. 

Pore Refining Toner
You may think your skin is clean, until you swipe some of this toner over your skin with a cotton ball. It always amazes me how much oil and dirt can be left behind after a quick face wash. This toner is designed to sweep away dead surface skin, and then penetrate deep into pores to help them appear smaller. It's also non-comedogenic and dermatologist tested.

Pore Refining Moisturizer
End your pore cleansing routine with this moisturizer, to help visibly reduce appearance of pores and for softer, smoother skin. It contains Beta Hydroxy to smooth rough, uneven skin, and Retinol, that reveals the look of brighter skin. It's also oil free (I always look for this in products!), hypoallergenic and it won't clog pores. 

So did my husband follow this exactly? Nope. But he did pretty good. He even kept it up when we were in the hospital for the birth of our son! Sometimes after a late night of working he would be too tired to wash his face, so it was nice to have the Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner on hand for a quick cleanse to remove oil. And he especially liked the Pore Refining Exfoliating Cleanser. He said the little exfoliating beads really made it feel like he was getting his skin super clean.

Want to shrink your pores? Check out this collection of products and take the #PoreNoMore challenge yourself! Please share your results in the comments below! 

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Looking for an effective new skincare line that works wonders? Then TATCHA'S The Ritual Discovery Kit should be on your radar!

Slashed Beauty: Custom mixed, high quality hair color on a budget? It's true, and Miranda is showing us how it all works behind the scenes at eSalon.

TheFabZilla: Gold in skincare? TheFabZilla reviews Allegresse 24-Karat Skincare line + a Giveaway worth $389!

Color Me So Crazy: #RedCoatTuesday Ladies!! PLL fan?? Check these nails out!!

Beauty by Miss L: Check out Leelo´s simple eye-catching pink&yellow manicure.

Lipgloss Break: Enter to win the full line of products from Modere's Hair Care Collection!

Geniabeme: Check out an easy way to add some color to your everyday eye makeup!

Advice Sisters Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle: The sun's rays are out 365 days year. Alison of the Advice Sisters offers

Never Say Die Beauty: Allison swatches & reviews the 37 nail lacquers from the new Milani Color Statement

My Highest Self: A sunscreen with Kona Coffee bronzer?? Yes, please!

BeautyTidbits: Enter to Win a set of 3 Mally Beauty Pro-Tricks Dual Core Hydrating Lipsticks!

Be Happy And Buy Polish: Heading off to college? Know someone who is? Check out Jessica's post about having (and keeping) great nails at college!

Giveaway Break - Modere Hair Collection

Yesterday I posted about Modere's Beauty Box, which you can sign up for, risk free! 

Modere'sBeauty Box has 5 full-size products PLUS 4 travel size products.

•       Try the travel sizes and full-size Dual Action Eye Gel for FREE
•       If you don’t like them, return for FREE

Modere's Beauty Box has a great introductory price of $79.99 for $129.99 of products

•       Exfoliant – Designed to cleanse pores and restore your complexion ($12.99).
•       Anti-Aging Serum - Formulated to help preserve and enhance your natural look ($39.99).
•       Antioxidant Gel – Contain Vitamin C to help preserve the nutrients in this gel ($24.99).
•       Antioxidant Hair Serum - I love this stuff – gives my hair a beautiful healthy shine and keeps it frizz free ($21.99).
•       Dual Action Eye Gel - This gel has been my best friend in helping me to hide and soothe my puffy eyes and darks circles during my pregnancy ($29.99).

KEEP the travel sizes and the Dual Action Eye Gel – $35.00 Value – FREE – as our thank you for trying Modere's Beauty Box.

Today, Modere and I are giving you a chance to WIN another collection of great products – The Hair Care Collection – premium quality, affordable price, never tested on animals! $80 Value

This collection includes the following:

• Antioxidant Hair Serum - This is actually included in the Beauty Box, and I LOVE it. I use it after I'm done styling to help nourish my hair and tame frizz, but it can also be used before styling as well. It smooths hair with moluccana seed oil and improves color longevity. 
• Repairing Hair Mask - Improves hydration and shine while nourishing severely damaged hair
• Shampoo All Hair Types - Leaves hair feeling soft, natural and clean to increase manageability and sheen
• Conditioner Dry/Color Treated Hair - Creamy formula enriched with panthenol for moisturizing repair that leaves hair feeling rejuvenated and looking silky and healthy

Visit Modere.com to check out all their products – use promo code 881393 and get up to $25 OFF your first order!

What are you waiting for? Enter below! 

 ***Giveaway***

Enter to win a full Modere Hair Collection set! There are 3 ways you can enter to win...

For 1 entry - Check out my Modere Beauty Box review post and comment below to let me know which product sounds most interesting to you. Pick one or pick all of them, let me know what you think! This counts as 1 entry once you add it to the rafflecopter widget. 

For 1 more entry - Share this Giveaway with your friends on Facebook! 

For 10 entries (WOW) - Try a Modere Beauty Box for FREE - try risk free - keep $35 of product just for trying. All you have to do is enter your order # in the rafflecopter below, and it will count as 10 entries!  

  
This giveaway is open to US residents only. The contest will end on Friday, September 12th. I will randomly select a winner and announce them on Lipgloss Break (if you don't contact me within 7 days I will pick a new winner, so keep checking back!). 

If you can't see the Rafflecopter widget, please click here to enter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Modere Beauty Box Review

I love trying and discovering new products, and one great way to do this is to subscribe to a monthly beauty box subscription or sampler program. Modere just launched their new Beauty Box, which allows you to try their top beauty products for 7 days, risk-free.

Each box comes with 5 full size items, and 4 sample sizes, for $79. If you don't like the products, you can send back the full sizes and you will not get charged. The sample sized products and eye gel are yours to keep. If you want to keep everything, your card will be charged, or, if you want just one or two items, you'll be charged the MSRP listed for that product plus S&H.

A little bit of background on Modere....
Modere believes that "the future of beauty starts with a natural you." Modere bases their products on naturally derived ingredients, to make them gentle and intuitive. They are all about enhancing unique and authentic beauty.

Exfoliant
The Modere Exfoliant is designed to cleanse pores and restore your complexion. The tiny hint of prickly pear exfoliates gently, while Jojoba wax beads massage your face, leaving behind moisture. There's no need to scrub this on your face and neck, a gentle massage will do. It's also not advised to use this every day. 2-3 times a week will work!

The Modere Exfoliant retails for $12.99.

Anti-Aging Serum
The Modere Anti-Aging Serum is a quick absorbing serum that is formulated to help preserve and enhance your natural look. After cleansing or exfoliating, you should use a dime size amount of this on your face, massaging in upward, circular motions. I also like to add a little bit to the back of my hands. This is a fairly large tube (1.5 oz) so only using a dime size amount will definitely make this product last awhile.

This product comes out as a light, milky white serum, and absorbs extremely quickly. The light scent is really pleasant, but I can't quite put my finger on what it smells like.

The Modere Anti-Aging Serum comes in a 1.5 fl. oz tube and retails at $39.99.

Antioxidant Gel
Modere's Antioxidant Gel contains Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, which is a type of Vitamin C, to help preserves the nutrients in this gel until they are being applied to your skin. After cleansing you can apply a pea-sized amount to your face, neck and decolletage. If you're using the anti-aging serum as well, you can apply the gel after the serum. It's suggested to use this 2x a day, and follow up with a Modere Day Lotion or cream.

I LOVE the way this gel feels when applied. It comes out of the tube in clear form, and once rubbed in it almost takes on a powdery finish feel. It absorbs really quickly, and doesn't have a smell to it.

The Antioxidant Gel retails for $24.99.

Antioxidant Hair Serum
Modere's Antioxidant Hair Serum has me obsessed! I love this stuff. I've putting a pea-sized amount on my hair after styling, and it gives a beautiful, healthy shine, and keeps it frizz free in this humid weather we've been having in Michigan. You can also apply this to wet hair before styling. A little bit of this serum goes a long way.

Key ingredients include...Kukui Seed, Argan Oil (love!) and Jojoba seed oil (love this too!).

The Hair Serum retails for $21.99.

Dual Action Eye Gel
I've used this eye gel non stop since I received my box, and I'm loving it. I'm 37 weeks pregnant and haven't been sleeping well, so this gel has been my best friend in helping me to hide and soothe my puffy eyes and darks circles. I've been using this morning and night after washing my face, underneath my eye and over my eyes. A little amount goes a long way.

This Eye Gel retails for $29.99, but is yours to keep even if you return the box!

Stay tuned for a Modere sponsored giveaway - coming up soon on Lipgloss Break! In the meantime, check out the Modere Beauty Box for yourself and let me know what you think. If you're interested, sign up to receive the box for yourself. If you don't like it, you can send it back, you don't pay anything, and get to keep the samples and eye gel. It's risk free!

This post was sponsored by Modere. This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 Review

I'm all about sunscreen in the spring and summer, and I usually use a higher SPF on my face when in the sun. I'm currently loving Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50. It's a daily moisturizer that provides great protection from the sun, while helping to minimize aging. It's a medium-weight moisturizer, and so far hasn't caused me any breakouts or rosacea (I've used it about 10x). 

Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery has no artificial fragrances, colors or parabens. Since it's a little bit thicker, I feel like I need to use a little more than my lighter moisturizer to get full coverage on my face. Plus, if I'm going to be in the sun, I like to make sure I'm evenly covered. This moisturizer blends in really well.

Some of the additional benefits listed on the Dermalogica site include:
 - long lasting hydration
 - controls triggers that lead to aging skin

This is the second Dermalogica product I have tried and have really enjoyed. Check out my review of Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster. Have you tried out Dermalogica products before? If so, which ones are your favorite? Please share in the comments below! 

A tip from Dermalogica: always protect your skin with SPF on a daily basis to protect against skin-aging environmental assault. 

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.

LORAC VIP Sale

Stock up on your LORAC favorites during their VIP Sale, going on now. Check out the sale items here. Some sets are up to 50% off! I'm totally eyeing up the Back to Bronze Collection (pic below). 

Beauty Blogger Coalition Weekly Roundup - August 3

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Rodial makes so many truly amazing products, and their Facials at Space NK are divine and luxurious! Find out why!

TheFabZilla: Once again, TheFabZilla dishes out her fondness for Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon. Check out her review, swatch and FOTD feat. (Plum)age & (O)vert

Beauty by Miss L: Why is Lancome Hypnose Waterproof mascara perfect for summer?

beautyXposé: Control your hair with the Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Touch Control Digital Hair Dryer.

Never Say Die Beauty: Allison reviews & swatches new Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Shadows and they're a wow!

daydreaming beauty: Have you tried FingerPaints gel polish? Amber swatches Spring Fever & Cool Blue Harmony this week.

My Highest Self: Tina shares her thoughts on the H2O Plus Oasis line, check it out!

BeautyTidbits: Looking for a new summer foundation? Check out this new gem from It Cosmetics with an ultra-lightweight, breathable formula that won't make your skin cringe!

NARS Cosmetics' Fall 2014 Color Collection

Oh la la. This collection looks fierce. This is NARS Cosmetics 'Night Caller' Fall 2014 Color Collection. In addition to new autumnal products, the dramatic new palette also features new Night Series Eyeliners. These new eyeliners are suppose to glide on smooth and 'light up the night.' 

This collection will be available starting July 15th on www.narscosmetics.com, and in NARS boutiques.

Will you be buying anything from this collection??

Clean Eating Oatmeal Cookie Pancake recipe

I love cooking breakfast on Sunday mornings. I usually try to get creative and try new clean eating breakfast recipes. Last week I came across Rachel Ray's Oatmeal Cookie Pancake recipe and my mouth started watering. I immediately scanned the ingredient list and figured out how to clean it up. My adapted recipe below...

Ingredients:
2 cups of oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup plain greek yogurt
3/4 cup of water
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 really ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup of raisins
2.5 teaspoons of agave nectar
Sugar free or light Maple Syrup for topping

1 - Combine all ingredients (except for syrup) in a large bowl. 

2 - Mix as good as you can with a wooden spoon and then pour into blender. I used my NutriBullet to blend the batter. I had to do it in about 3 different batches, which is why it's important to mix it up as good as you can before adding to the blender.

3 - Heat skillet and spray with extra virgin olive oil. Heat pancakes until bubbles form on top, then flip. Since there are walnuts and raisins in these, they aren't going to look smooth like normal pancakes, but more like a oatmeal cookie. 

This recipe made about 10, very filling pancakes. Definitely enough to feed 4 people. Since it's just me and my husband, I froze the leftovers and pop them in the toaster for a quick breakfast when I'm in a hurry. They are so good toasted!

Do you like to cook breakfast on the weekends? If so, what's your favorite dish? Please share below! And if you're interested in more recipes, check out my other clean eating recipes.

Get Ready for Back to School with MinuteClinic

I know my teacher friends don't want to hear this, but Back to School season is in full effect. Backpacks are out, school supplies are on sale, and it's time for parents to start thinking about vaccinations. Not only are they important for your child's health, but in many states, they are mandatory!

When you're ready to start planning out vaccinations, check out the CVS MinuteClinic site, which offers a variety of back-to-school vaccinations so your kids don't have to miss their first day. Before heading over to CVS, check out your state's requirements for vaccinations here.

CVS also offers the following services:

• Pre-participation sports physicals for just $39 - that's $20 off! This isn't just for sports, camps count too! Check out details here. 
• Kids off to college? CVS also offers college physicals. Details here. 
• MinuteClinic also offers a free $22 coupon book when you visit, with no purchase necessary. Available while supplies last through 12/1/14.

You can find a plethora of back to school info on the CVS MinuteClinic page, plus find the MinuteClinic closest to you. 

Also, on Monday, July 28, join the @MinuteClinic #GoBackHealthy chat to learn more Back to School tips and to ask questions. See you there!

Note: This review includes products that I received as samples, provided by the brand company or a PR rep. Please click here for more information regarding my disclaimer.