Review: Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser

I talked a little bit about this cleanser in my previous skincare post so I thought I'd do a complete review. First off, the packaging. It has really simple no fuss packaging and a pump. Personally, I do prefer cleansers with a pump because I feel like you end up wasting less product. Another thing I really liked about the packaging was that it doesn't feel like a gimmick. There are tons of brands that are jumping on the natural and eco-friendly bandwagon and at the end of the day they don't really tell which ingredients they're using. The back of this cleanser has a sort of glossary of ingredients which I found very nice. I would say the product itself is great. It removes all of my make up easily and it leaves my skin looking brighter without that feeling of tightness you get from other cleansers. It has a very faint herbal scent which is plus for users with sensitive skin. The cleanser also claims to be suitable for acne prone skin and I must agree with this. I've been using it for almost two months and I've seen an improvement on my break outs and the frequency in which I get them. All in all I would say this is a suitable cleanser for all skin types and I am definitely going to repurchase.

What's your favorite cleanser?

Skincare routine

Skincare routine by momo-san92 featuring Neutrogena face cleansers

 Spending time at my friend's house this weekend, I realized the importance of having a skincare routine and sticking to it. We pampered ourselves with different cleansers, moisturizers, and masks and I definitely saw an improvement on my skin. I decided that I was going to set up a skincare routine and here's my wishlist:

1. Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Facial Cleanser- I've been using this cleanser for almost a month now and I'm very pleased with the results. It removes all of my make up and it leaves my skin brighter and refreshed. I'm definitely restocking.

2. Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner- I've always skipped toner on my skincare routine and what a mistake that was. Toner can really make a difference of the evenness and texture of your skin. I haven't tried this particular toner, but I've heard good things about it and I haven't had any problems with this brand.

3. Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Moisturizer- I was also very impressed with this moisturizer. It has a very light and refreshing scent. I've always been afraid of moisturizers because they tend to leave my skin feeling very oily, but this one absorbs very quickly and doesn't leave traces of oil on my skin.

4. Make Up Forever HD Microperfecting Primer- This is also a step that I've skipped before. I've never tried face primer so I've been looking at drugstore options, but I haven't really been convinced by any of the products. I've reading up on reviews and decided to go with a high end option. I chose this one specifically because it covers up redness and has a light feel to it.

5. Mary Kay Timewise Matte Wear Liquid Foundation- I don't consider foundation to be a daily option in regards to skincare, but I will be trying to use it more often. I've never really tried foundation until now because I always had this idea that it would feel heavy and mask-like on your face. This foundation has calmed all of my fears, it feels very light on my skin and it removes all of my oiliness. I just ordered mine and I can't wait to see how it will work for me in the long run.

6. Facial Clay Mask with Avocado and Oatmeal- I decided that I was going to pamper myself every week with a mask. I tried this one at my friend's house and I fell in love. It's not a peel off mask but I do feel like this does tighten skin when it dries. After I rinsed it off, I felt that my skin was softer and my pores did look a tiny bit smaller.

What's your skincare routine? 

Summer beauty essentials

1. Sunscreen

This is an absolute must. Even though the majority of foundations and moisturizers already contain SPF protection, these won't really offer the right protection from a full day's exposure to the sun. Instead I opt for sheer sunscreens like Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with SPF 70. It feels very light on skin and I don't have to worry about clogged pores because it's non-comedogenic. Also, the formula is very sheer so it doesn't leave my skin looking shiny. For lips and around the eye area I use L'Bel Protege Expert with SPF 30. After spending time in the sun moisturizing is key so I use Nivea's Express Hydration Gel. I absolutely love everything about it. It has a very fresh minty scent, it absorbs very quickly and it leaves my skin feeling tingly and refreshed.

From left to right: L'Bel Protege Expert, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock, and Nivea Express Hydration Gel

2. Hair products:
Don't fuss about which hair products and tools you should bring along, you're on vacation so you only need the essentials. The hard pool chemicals and sun rays can leave your hair dry and brittle so products that replenish its moisture are very important. You can use UV protecting balms before you hit the water or restorative leave-in conditioners after you take a dip. Humidity will be non-stop so for no fuss hair just apply some anti-breakage serum or leave-in conditioner and style it in a messy top bun or a loose side braid. My favorite products are from the Coconut Milk line from Organix. These products make my hair softer, shinier, and more manageable. Also, I can't get enough of the coconut scent.  The anti-breakage serum is more suitable for straight/wavy hair while the split ends mender suits curly hair.

From left to right: Anti-breakage Serum, Split Ends Mender, and Instant Repair Treatment