Review: CellCeuticals PhotoDefense Anti-PhotoAging Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+

On the first day of vacation, I sat on the beach for 2 hours with SPF 10 sunscreen on and was toasted to a red crisp. I guess I had it somewhere in my head that I would only be out for a few minutes and why take the time? Some of the places I missed were even brighter red, like the tops of my thighs and butt, upper and lower back and ears. Pretty painful. The last few days I've worn SPF 50 on my body. Just bite the bullet and put it on. Head to toe. You'll thank yourself later. I'm super paranoid about my face prematurely aging from sun exposure, so lately I've been using CellCeuticals Photo Defense Anti-PhotoAging Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+/PA+++ ($45) on my face and neck. Thanks to it my face is not burned in any way. This hydrating formula containing Photoplex, which protects against UVA and UVB sun exposure, oxidative stress and glycation. It's clinically and efficacy tested, fragrance- and paraben-free, non-comedogenic and not tested on animals. I love it. I used to use Bobbi Brown's Oil-free Moisturizer w/ SPF 15, then switched to Cetaphil SPF 50 Facial Moisturizer and this has replaced that. One reader commented, it doesn't run into your eyes and burn. It absorbs quickly, doesn't leave any white residue and blends into skin nicely for makeup application. $45 is a lot but when it comes to protecting your face, I'm willing to spend more. Good for all ages and skin types. Looking at the website, I want to try the other products.

face candy grade: A+

*Samples were provided by PR Company or Manufacturer. It did not change my opinion of this product.
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Tarte Friends & Family Sale 40% OFF

At Tartecosmetics.com receive 40% OFF sitewide PLUS get a free gift with any purchase. Enter code FFAUG at checkout. Valid until August 9th, 11:59 EST. I just took advantage and the gwp is either a purple quilted makeup bag, a clear makeup bag or a crease eyeshadow brush. I chose the brush. Happy hauling!

Review: Urban Decay NAKED Palette

Once I saw the Twitter posts from... the Urban Decay chick... (I can't figure out her twitter name right now because surprise, surprise, Twitter's over capacity!) and her swatches of the Urban Decay NAKED Palette ($44), I knew I had to get my greedy little mitts on it ASAP. When it was available, I did not have the slightest hesitation pushing that CONFIRM ORDER button. It looks glorious- and it truly is. Whoever said neutrals were boring is eating their words when they see this baby. Inside the dark chocolate velvet case are 12 eye shadows that range from tan to sooty black and a double-ended 24/7 Eye Pencil in Zero (black) and Whiskey (dark brown). You also get a mini Eye Shadow Primer Potion. Shades include:
-Virgin- Shimmery nude (new)
-Sin- Frosty champagne *favorite
-Naked- Matte medium brown
-Sidecar- Shimmery medium bronze with a touch of purple *favorite
-Buck- Matte deep brown (new)
-Half Baked- Shimmery yellow gold
-Smog- Shimmery medium bronze
-Darkhorse- Shimmery dark chocolate *favorite (new)
-Toasted- Shimmery pinky brown *favorite
-Hustle- Shimmery dark brown with plum *favorite (new)
-Creep- Shimmery blue/black (new)
-Gunmetal- Shimmery pewter

Here's where value comes in. This palette is $44. There are 12 eye shadows that are .05 oz each. A full size UD eye shadow is the same exact size, .05 oz. and costs $17. So right there that's a $204 value! Plus you get the primer potion and double ended eye liner, which are perfect for the purse.

My only gripe here is that there's no brush included so I'd have to carry a separate brush with me. Otherwise I simply ADORE this palette. It's 100% worth the $44 price tag. It's functional, each shadow is soft as butter and heavily pigmented and I use them all the time. For a neutrals person, it's the bomb.com, to be completely lame. I just don't do brights or blues or pinks or greens. I'm a brown, black and seldom purple girl. I highly recommend it.

On the UD website it's sold out. Bummer. But try Ulta or Sephora, maybe they have it. Otherwise, I guess you'll just have to suffer until it's in stock.

face candy grade: A+++++