A couple weeks ago I was sent Simple Skincare's makeup removing collection. Sleeping in makeup can make skin irritated and sensitive. That’s why Simple Skincare, the sensitive skin experts, is encouraging women to remove makeup every night with products that are kind-to-skin. Simple Skincare products are made with no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh chemicals that can upset skin.

I'm a bit of a slacker when it comes to face care. I don't actually wash my face (apart from using St. Ives Apricot Scrub every other day in the shower.) I know, shocker and probably not very good for my skin.  I normally use Caudalie's Make-Up Remover Cleansing Water to remove my makeup each night. But for the past few weeks I've been using the products Simple Skincare sent (except the facial wash.)

Each night I started by removing my eye makeup with their remover pads. That was followed by the facial wipes to remove the remainder of my makeup. I finished up with their rich moisturizer. Each morning I applied the moisturizer again. My skin has been looking, and feeling, great!

How do you get glowing, healthy-looking skin in the morning?

Eye Makeup Remover Pads: Simple Skincare Eye Makeup Remover Pads are tough on mascara (even the waterproof kind), but gentle on lashes. Treat yourself to a #NoMakeupWakeup by removing your makeup with products free of harsh chemicals, artificial perfumes and dyes!
My Thoughts: These worked great at removing my eye makeup. The only problem I had was the texture on one side was a little rough, but I supposed it's worth the slight annoyance to get your mascara off, right? 

Cleansing Facial Wipes: Need to remove makeup in a pinch? Keep Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes on your nightstand for an easy cleanse before hitting the hay.
My Thoughts: The wipes are so soft and not irritating at all for my skin. And I really like the fresh clean scent, it's not overpowering.

Replenishing Rich Moisturizer: After cleansing, don’t forget to rehydrate skin with a rich moisturizer like Simple Skincare Replenishing Rich Moisturizer, packed with skin-loving ingredients.
My Thoughts: A really great moisturizer that leaves my skin feeling fresh and smooth.  It's not super thick which is great becasue I'm not clogging my pores with a ton of product.

And some information on the product I didn't use, which I am sure is just as great as the rest of the collection.

Moisturizing Facial Wash: Cleansing skin twice a day is the key to naturally healthy-looking skin. Try Simple Skincare Moisturizing Facial Wash for a gentle, yet thorough cleanse to give you a fresh & glowing #NoMakeupWakeup.

---

Make sure to enter Simple's #NoMakeupWakeup selfie contest for the chance to win free products!  (see the rules here) How To Enter The Simple Skincare #NoMakeupWakeup Sweepstakes:

1. Snap a photo of your freshly washed face.
2. Share to Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #NoMakeupWakeup - be sure to tag @SimpleSkincare on Twitter or @SimpleSkincare_US on Instagram
3. Don't forget to tag #Sweeps!

As part of the Vogue Influencer Network I'm often given the chance to try out exciting new (and sometimes tried-and-true) products. This time I got to try out the full Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair line. The line is clinically proven to brighten skin’s tone and reduce wrinkles in just one week, so I have used the product the past 2 weeks to see what would happen!

I was sent the following: Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Serum ($20.99), Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($20.99), Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Night Moisturizer ($20.99), and Rapid Wrinkle Repair® Eye Cream ($20.99)

After these past two weeks I can say I have definitely noticed improvement in my skin. It is a lot smoother and brighter. I'm not saying my face is covered in wrinkles, but this is also a preventative thing. All the magazines tell us to start using anti-aging products in our 20s to help counteract what will happen as we get closer to our 30s. I used the products while I was on a trip, so being on planes and also being overtired may have affected the results a bit, but I'm still very happy with the products. I imagine if I wasn't on vacation my dark circles would be a lot lighter, but a lack of sleep counteracted the results to a degree.

Before using this I had been trying out Chanel's Resynchronizing Skincare line and my previous favorite was L'oreal Paris Youth Code (which I have been using for a few years.) I will definitely continue to use my Neutrogena products until they run out, but I have not decided which of the three product lines I will use when that time comes.

I wore this last week to go out to dinner with my best friends. I went for a pretty casual look since we were just going to be stuffing our faces.  But I did put on the awesome new House of Harlow necklace I picked up at the trunk show South Moon Under had last week! Isn't it cool?!  I also wore a super cool bag I won from Tiffany last month, it's a crossbody but you can take off each of the sections and use them as a clutch.

Tee: Everlane, Jeans: American Eagle, Wedges: Simply Vera Wang (Kohl's), Crossbody bag: Wink and Winn (giveaway), Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 "Multi Arrowhead Necklace" (South Moon Under Trunk Show), Rings: vintage, Brilliant Imports & Mom's


Since I had time to kill before going out, I tried out the Jane Iredale Starter Kit that Vogue sent me. It was really simple to use, especially with the cute instruction illustrations on the box.  I used Smooth Affair Facial Primer and Brightener first; it went on very smooth and not at all greasy. I followed that up with Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder since I wanted it to be light (I don't normally wear foundation). It went on super easy and isn't heavy at all. Then I completed my regular makeup (eyeshadow, blush, mascara and lipstick) and finished up with the POMMISST Hydration Spray.  It gave a nice freshness to the end of my routine and I applied it a couple times during the night when I needed some hydration.

You might notice something else different about my makeup in the photos above - I did a red lip!!! I was brave and used Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil (in 69) and Revolution Lipstick (in F-Bomb); also from Vogue. It was surprisingly easy to apply and looked great, I may try it again soon if I feel brave enough.

As some of you may know, I am a member of the VOGUE Influencer Network. Recently I received the tokidoki Sodashop Palette from Sephora to test out and review. So here we go.

First off, the packaging is ADORABLE! The makeup comes in a little din and when you open that up there are some magnets and then the makeup.  There are 12 eyeshadow colors, an eyeliner and a nail file.  The top of the container also includes a mirror.  I would buy this just for the packaging because I'm a geek like that (it's the graphic designer in me). Here are some photos; click to see them larger:
The makeup is very easy to apply and you only nee the tiniest bit. I used a small brush and lightly dabbed in the squares to get some of the eyeshadow and that was enough to cover my whole eye, so this stuff is very pigmented. For this look I used the Perfetto Eyeliner, then some Romeo and on top of that above my eyelid I used Riposino with a light layer of Skull Donut on top. I also used some mascara (my Chanel Inimitable sample)...and that's it! Excuse my eyebrows in the photos, they're gross.
I would definitely recommend this product if you like the colors because it seems to me like they will last a long time since you don't need to use a lot of the product for one application.  It is also a great gift idea as well for your makeup loving friends!

As per the FTC's "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising", I must inform you all that I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing or advertising the products. I was not, however, paid to write a positive review.

I was recently invited by Vogue to join their Influencer Network, as a Vogue Network Influencer I will be the first to know and share just-launched fashion and beauty collections, industry events and exclusive product samples!  My first product to review has arrived and it is the L'Oréal Paris Youth Code which will be released in January of 2011.  I have very bad under eye circles so I was really looking forward to the eye cream part.  I've tried it out for 5 days now and here is what I think:
As many of you may know I don't really have a beauty routine (I'm way too lazy, so this was a great way to make me start one.  Each morning and night I would cleanse my face, then apply the 'Serum Intense' followed by the Eye Cream and the Day/Night Moisturizer.  Without even going into whether the product worked or not it made my skin feel great, it wasn't oily at all and I felt refreshed after putting it on.  The eye cream has a unique applicator, it has a metal tip so when you squeeze the tube a bit of the product comes onto the tip and you massage it gently around your eyes.

After using it my skin feels nice and smooth and it is starting to look better.  My under eye circles are a bit lighter than usual which is very good!  Its a bit too early to tell if it is really working, but so far my skin is feeling wonderful! I will definitely continue using this product and look forward to seeing more results, so you may see an update post on here soon, after 1 month it is supposed to really make an effect on the skin.

Before and After photos, ignore my nastiness :p  There isn't much of a difference in the photos but my dark circles are definitely lighter now, you just can't tell below because my camera wouldn't cooperate...haha. (I am also in my pjs so :P)

Here is a video promo for the product if you're interested in watching:


Don't forget to join Shop It To Me for the latest markdowns, secret promotion codes & VIP sale events for your favorite brands and stores!