Josie Maran Bestselling Argan Skincare Ritual Review

The set is 24 USD at Sephora, and it contains the Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil, Argan Oil, and Argan Daily Moisturizer. 

In the set you get a 1.5 fl. oz. (55 ml) bottle of Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil. The packaging says that it is "self-heating" and that it removes makeup without drying out the skin. The user is directed to massage it into dry skin, then massage with warm water, and rinse it off. 

The cleanser itself is pretty thick for a cleansing oil, much more like a gel than any cleansing oil product I have ever used. It has a soft, citrus scent, but the scent does not linger on the skin. Once applied to the skin, there is a warming sensation, but it only lasts for a few seconds. 

The cleanser does remove face makeup well, but I have found that with mascara it makes my lashes stick together, and it does not remove the mascara at all. I have to use a separate eye makeup remover with this one. 

I feel like this cleanser removes my face makeup well, but my skin does not really feel clean after using it. I always feel like I need to use a separate cleanser when I finish with this one. 

I do not think this is anything anyone should rush to try, and I will not be purchasing the full size. It is far too expensive for how poorly it performs. 

The famous Josie Maran Argan Oil! This set comes with  a .5 fl. oz (15 ml) dropper bottle of the pure, organic, argan oil.  The packaging says this is lightweight, and it heals and conditions the skin as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. 

I have to say that I really, really enjoy using this as a facial moisturizer both day and night. I have fairly dry skin, but I never get dry patches or anything. Because this oil is in a dropper bottle, I place a drop on three fingers and pat it into my skin. It is a little time consuming, but the end result is well moisturized skin. It absorbs fairly quickly into the skin, and my face never looks oily. I use this in the mornings under another moisturizer as well, and I have no had any issues with makeup application, looking oily, or makeup breakdown. 

I do not have wrinkles or any noticeable lines on my face, so I cannot speak to the oils performance as pertains to those claims. 

While I do like the oil, I think it is overpriced. It is not difficult to find organic argan oil for much cheaper than what Josie Maran charges, and it all comes from the same place anyway. 

My only complaint about this product is the packaging. The dropper bottle is not the most efficient way to use the product. I would consider purchasing the full size if I could not find another argan oil that feels as nice on the skin as this one. 

The set includes a .5 fl. oz. (15 ml) bottle of the Argan Daily Moisturizer with SPF 40. The moisturizer contains 9.5% titanium dioxide and 6.0% zinc oxide as sunscreen, which I appreciate as I cannot use chemical sunscreens on my face. The claims for this one are the same for all facial moisturizers containing sunscreen: non-greasy, protection from UVA/UVB, and naturally scented. It is in a glass bottle with a pump, which is appreciated. 

As far as the scent goes, it is weird. It reminds me of topical decongestants, like Vicks VapoRub or something. The scent does not linger on the skin, but it is not what I want something I put on my face to smell like. The moisturizer also tingles a bit when applied. I do not like that. 

On its own, this does not moisturize my face well, but I would guess that it would work fine for some with normal to oily skin. As I said, I do have rather dry skin. It works just fine over the argan oil. It does, however, feel like it is peeling off of my face. 

Because of the scent, the lack of moisturization, the tingling, and the weird peeling I would not ever purchase the full size of this moisturizer. It is very expensive for what it is. 

All of the products in this kit are paraben, cruelty, gluten, and synthetic fragrance free, and they are vegan. They are made with organic argan oil and all natural ingredients. Josie Maran is an excellent company, so I do not have a problem paying the higher prices for the products that actually work well. Two out of the three in this set are not for me, and I would not recommend them to others. 

Eucerin DermatoCLEAN Micellar Facial Cleanser

I purchased this product while in Mexico, and I have no idea where it can be purchased anywhere else. I believe I paid about 12 USD for this product. Eucerin DermatoCLEAN is a micellar solution used to remove makeup/cleanse the skin very similar to Bioderma. Truth be told it should be the exact same product, just from a different company. I don't read Spanish well enough to describe all of the claims and such written on the packaging, but I did have someone translate it for me at the same, and he told me it says it removes makeup, even eye makeup, has no fragrance, and shouldn't clog pores. That's all I remember from his translation.

 A micellar solution contains cylindrical molecules that have a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end. These molecules bundle together into spheres (usually) with the hydrophobic ends inside the sphere. When the liquid is pressed to the skin, the spheres separate which leaves the hydrophobic ends of the molecules to grab anything off the skin that isn't water and then pop back into their sphere. The idea is that they pull makeup and gunk off your face, trap it, and leave any harmless water behind. That's why these products should not dry out the skin.

 As to the product's effectiveness I can say it works very well for face makeup and eyeshadows, but it does not remove mascara as well as I'd prefer. It will remove most mascara from the eyelashes, but I find I still have mascara residue at the base of my lashes. I do need to go over my face twice to remove all of my face makeup, but I do use a full coverage foundation. I think it's best to use a different eye makeup remover if you'd like to avoid scrubbing at your eyelashes.

 The product does not irritate my skin in any way.

 I bought this product because I am extremely lazy about washing my face at night, so I wanted to try something that would get all of my makeup off without having to use any water. I have not noticed any sort of breakouts from leftover makeup on my skin since I've been using this. I also use this product to cleanse my face at night even when I haven't worn any makeup. I find that my skin feels clean after using it. I would recommend this product (if you can find it) or any micellar solution for makeup removal or general cleansing. If I were able to purchase the Eucerin product in the United States I would, but I'm not sure I'll be able to find it, so I will probably purchase a different brand when I finish the Eucerin.

 4/5 because it does not remove mascara or waterproof eyeliner well.

Maybelline Baby Lips Repairing Lip Balm SPF 20 Photos + Review

I received five tubes of the new Maybelline Baby Lips Repairing Lip Balm, but while I was waiting to receive the products, I bought one in "Peach Kiss" as well. I received Pink Punch, Peppermint, Cherry Me, Quenched, and Peach Kiss. I gave Cherry Me and Peach Kiss to friends, and they both love them!I have provided a photo of "Peppermint" on my lips above.

First things first! What's in it?
Shea Butter - repairs and leaves lips feeling soft
Vitamin Complex - Aids in the prevention of oxidation of lip molecules and the restoration of damaged cells
Centella - this small, herbaceous Asian plant delivers plumpness and hydration while replenishing elasticity and stimulating natural production for a line-free look

What Maybelline Claims:
- renews lips to their natural condition in four weeks
- combines eight hours of hydration with an optional color tint
- available in two clear varieties and four tinted varieties
- clinically proven to provide comfort and relief to stressed, dry skin
- protects against UVA/UVB damage
- available at mass retailers for 3.99 USD

My experience:
I used Peach Kiss first because I bought it before I even got my BzzKit*, and I like the color and moisturization, but I dislike the scent/taste. The balm itself looks really good on my skin, and it seems to just add a little bit of shimmer to my lips more than color, and I found my lips felt really smooth and moisturized throughout the day. It smells peachy, but once it is on the lips it smells different and has an odd taste. Soft peach/nude type color with subtle shimmer

Peppermint: Perfect peppermint scent. It doesn't burn like other minty balms I've tried, and to be honest I normally hate peppermint anything, but this one is subtle and nice. It is one of the clear ones, so it only adds a glossy shine to the lips. I find this one to be the most moisturizing out of all the ones I have tried, and I would definitely call it a favorite. It applies more smoothly than the others, and it feels lighter while still moisturizing exceptionally well.

Quenched: This one feels heavy and has a weird taste. It's not supposed to have any tint or scent to it, and tint it lacks, but on the lips it has an odd taste. It moisturizes well, but I suppose I just don't like the lack of scent/flavor to the balm. It feels like it's missing something.

Pink Punch: SUPER pigmented. It's supposed to be a tinted balm, but I find it applies more like a gloss in color. It's a very bright, cool-toned pink, and while it does go onto the lips very sheer, I can see it being a disastrous color for some people. I like bright lip colors, and I don't find this one a problem on myself, so I like it. It simply should be known, however, that this one seems a little more than tinted. The scent is nice. It's very true to its name: fruity and punch-like. This one moisturizes very well.

Overall:
I found little difference in moisturization levels for each balm that I tried, but I definitely favor the Peppermint both for scent and moisturization. I do not understand what Maybelline means by claiming the balm "renews lips to their natural condition", and that's the only comment I have on that aspect of these balms. My lips haven't been sun burned since I've been using them, but I have never had an issue with my lips being sun burned or anything, and that's not something I'm going to test, so I'll trust that the SPF is there. As for eight hours of hydration, no. I would say Peppermint keeps my lips moisturized for the longest period of time, and that's about four and a half to five hours but certainly no more than that. Also, it must be noted that when I say it keeps my lips moisturized, I don't mean they feel glossy and like I just applied a balm. They feel hydrated, like I don't need to apply a balm. That's something I have difficulty finding in all lip balms regardless of price, but considering that these are really inexpensive, that's a huge, huge plus. My lips look and feel better with this balm, so I would recommend these to others.

*I did receive these products as part of a BzzCampaign from BzzAgent.

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Photos + Review

The above photo of the mascara on my lashes was taken after I had taken a nap which accounts for the mascara flakes underneath my eye.

What You Should Know:
- America's most iconic mascara brand introduces a new innovative applicator brush -- The Great Little Grabber
- Easily reaches the inner and outer corners of the eye
- Builds your lash look with no clumps
- Available in three washable shades
- Available at mass retailers for 6.40 USD

What Maybelline Claims:
Lots of Lashes features the new Great Little Grabber brush, a heart-shaped applicator that lets you easily reach all of your lashes -- even those pesky ones in the corners -- for a multiplied lash look with no clumps.
No need to let mascara dry between coats
Mascara removes easily with soap and water or makeup remover

My Findings:
Lots of Lashes does provide really nice separation while also giving lots of volume to my lashes, which I find unusual in a mascara. The brush shape really helps to get every lash coated with mascara. The mascara is nicely buildable, and while I do see some clumping, it's not the kind that looks like all of my lashes have stuck together to create what I shall call a uni-lash. The result is long and voluminous looking lashes, and as I have this in the color Very Black, it makes my lashes look very black, true to its name. It removes fairly easily, but I have found that it flakes off during removal, and I end up with little mascara flakes all over my face. I tried removing it with a simple cleanser with water, and that caused the most flaky removal. The best way for me to remove this mascara and minimize my risk of panda eyes or mascara flakes galore is to use a makeup removing wipe and then wash my face. The problem with this method, however, is that I find with a makeup removing wipe I still have to work a bit to remove all of the mascara and all of the flakes of mascara that gather on my lower lash line which causes me to experience irritation in my undereye area. I plan to try using plain olive oil to remove in the future because that is a fail-safe method for removing any eye makeup without irritation. Overall, though, I love this mascara, and I would certainly purchase it of my own accord. I must be honest, however. I would not have tried this mascara if it had not been sent to me free of charge to try. * I recommend it to those who use good eye makeup removers who want good length, separation, and volume in one mascara coupled with a very black color.



*I received this product as a BzzAgent.