the doctah is in

I know, I had just posted my love for the Peter Thomas Roth CC cream, but then Dr. Perricone came out with his No Makeup Makeup line and I'm pretty much obsessed with it.

First of all, there are a ton of anti-aging ingredient's built into each and every product (no surprise there since he is the anti-aging guru) and a physical SPF 15- 30 in almost all the products (not in the mascara though, obviously). My favorite so far is the No Foundation Foundation Serum.

There are four reasons why I'm in love with this product: 

1. The super lightweight texture is almost watery and runny- it's very thin and meant to feel like you have absolutely no makeup on. 

2. Neuropeptides, Vitamin C Ester, Alpha Lipoic Acid and a mineral SPF 30- this ingredient list reads like a powerful resurfacing/anti-aging treatment, not like a makeup. 

3. It's mixable. What I mean by mixable is you could add this to your existing foundation to boost the anti-aging and SPF factor, or you can add it to your moisturizer to create your very own tinted moisturizer (my only issue with the No Foundation Serum is that it comes in one color: medium. Being a fair-skinned girl, I can't wear this on it's own, so I have to mix it with my moisturizer in order for it to match my skin. I don't mind though. It saves me another step!). 

4. The lightweight texture will provide a light coverage, and it's buildable to a medium coverage without sacrificing that nothingness feel. Because that's the whole point of this makeup line: to make your skin look fantastic, while providing amazing anti-aging benefits, protecting it and making it look like your own skin, and not makeup!

A few other products I'm crazy about are the No Blush Blush and the No Lipstick Lipstick:

I'm not normally a liquid/creamy blush kinda girl, but this is (again) a thin, watery texture and the color is a beautiful peachy pink. I've seen it look different on so many skin tones and it's really gorgeous. Just apply a few dots on the apples of the cheeks and blend out with your fingers. You can add more if you want, and even add a few dots to your lips to give them some more color. And there's that physical SPF 30 again, with also some skin firming DMAE as a bonus!

As we age, we lose pigment in our lips and this is evident within my family- my mom and one of my sisters have barely any color in their lips, so they're always looking for a good lip product. The No Lipstick Lipstick looks like your natural lip color, just enhanced one or two shades. And since it contains Sodium Hyaluronate (plumps and hydrates), Vitamin E, Neuropeptides and the physical SPF 30, it's a perfect lip balm to wear everyday, or as your primer before your favorite lipstick is applied. 

Have you tried any of the products from this line yet?

* Dr. Perricone has no idea who I am (wish he did!) so there was no compensation or reimbursement for this post, I'm just a big fan. 

the bulk of the matter: beauty products

As I mentioned in buying bulkie baking products, sometimes it's not always worth buying the larger size if that means it'll go bad before you get a chance to use it up.

In regards to beauty products, I was pleasantly surprised that brands were mostly packaging facial beauty products in a multi-pack (the exception being the jumbo-sized body washes and shampoo's). Growing up in a large family, dominated by females, my mom bought a lot of these products to avoid running out.

If there's a certain shampoo or conditioner that you love and will use, then it's worth buying the huge size. The golden rule for buying any jumbo-sized product is this: Only buy brands that you already use and like- this is not the time to experiment because if you hate it you're stuck with like 66 oz. of it. Also, only purchase jars that are 2 oz. or under. Any time you have a jar that you're dipping your fingers in day-in-and-day-out is inviting a myriad of bacteria to take up residence. So, the less time you have the product, the more effective it will be.

sunscreens in a value-pack mean instant savings and more sun protection- this is a Summer stock-up item!

Sunscreen can be expensive, especially if you follow the rules and reapply often. It's wonderful that you can buy mulit-packs of sunscreen but there's a word of caution: only buy what you know you'll use up. Sunscreen has only a year-long shelf-life before it's not effective and if it's the end of the Summer and you're about to buy 4 more bottles with Fall fast approaching, I'd reconsider. Stock up at the beginning of the Summer, and then when the season is waning, buy individual bottles to avoid throwing away any extra's.

Do you purchase any bulk beauty products? How long has it taken you to finish something?

All that Glitters...

**If you're visiting my blog for the first time, Welcome to Cobbs Hill! I'm still a blogging newbie whose crazy about baking and beauty products, so I write about both! Feel free to snoop around and check out my sidebar of popular posts, or the top tabs of archived recipes and beauty articles. And if the Holiday spirit is making you feel extra generous, I'd love to have you subscribe (also in the sidebar, on the right) to my feed. That way you can stay on top of learning some beauty shortcuts (i.e., Dry Shampoo) so that you have time to make the most perfect chocolate chip cookies.**

During the Holiday's there's glitter everywhere- lights are twinkling, tinsel is sparkling, presents are shining under the tree... it seems like light is bouncing off every surface- and you don't want to be left out. I say go for the gold (or silver, or pink) but do so with care. You don't need to look like a walking disco ball, just maybe a little more festive than you normally would. So for the Holiday season, break out of your normal routine and add a little luster!

From head-to-toe there are products to help you shine all season long. Here are some products that, when used sparingly, will help you look like you're ready to party!

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This gunmetal grey is a sophisticated eyeshadow that, when paired with another matte color, will look grown-up and pretty.

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Glitter mascara and eyeliner in one?!?! I love a good multi-tasker. This is great to throw on when you're getting ready to go out at night- just utilize your existing makeup! If you are already wearing eyeliner and mascara, apply a thin line over your existing eyeliner, and apply the glitter mascara to the tips of your lashes. A dark eyeliner and mascara will help the glitter show up more. Perfectly party ready!

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A little flash on the cheeks helps them standout more. This beautiful blush already has the shimmer mixed-in. With just a few sweeps across the cheekbones your smile will be even more reflective!

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This dazzling red Lancôme lip gloss is beautiful and celebratory any time of the year. Gloss always makes the lips look plumper, but with the added shimmer your lips will take on a 3-D effect. And that's never a bad thing.

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This nail polish is called Happy Birthday (which really does remind me of a sprinkles on a birthday cake) but you could wear it year-round with all those colors. Deborah Lippmann uses various shapes and sizes of glitter in her polishes, that's why they're the best. If you have a ten finger commitment-phobia (well you're right on trend) then just paint your ring fingers with the glitter and leave the rest a solid lacquer. Or you could apply it to just the tips.

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This body lotion is definitely a sophisticated luster- no big chunks of glitter, just a refined glow to the skin when the light hits it. And because it's winter you need a body lotion for that dry skin, so why not use something that will make your skin shine too? Don't forget to put a little on the collarbones for some added flash.

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Now I know you don't want to look like a twelve year old gymnast with this stuff, so use only gold or silver glitter hair spray. If you are blonde, use silver and everyone else uses gold- it'll bring out a really nice highlight to the hair. Just use it sparingly otherwise you will shed glitter all over your clothes. all. day. long.



*I think a tasteful amount of glitter is appropriate and fun. I know many people are scared of glitter but perhaps you only incorporate one of these products into your routine, and then it won't feel shocking or childish. Do you think you'll try any of these glittery products? Do you own any already?

Thankfully Flawless at the Thanksgiving table

Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, Lea Michelle

Usually it's about you and not the turkey, but Thanksgiving might be the only exception. Nothing is more unattractive than lipstick on your turkey. Ew. Let’s keep it real and let’s keep it simple at the Thanksgiving table (take note from the lovely ladies above).

Thanksgiving is not the time to wear a bold lip. Do you really want to worry about your whole look wearing off after the appetizer and the eating marathon has only just begun? No, you don't. This is a great time to play off your eyes and wear a little more eyeshadow and liner than you normally do. Grab one of these bronze-y brown palettes and do a slightly more dramatic eye with a smudgy brown liner and lots of mascara.

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Pair this eye look with a softer lip that, when faded, won't wash you out. This kind of advanced preparation should help you avoid saying,"where did all my makeup go?" when you pass a mirror. A pale pink lip stain from Tarte or one of these gorgeous nudes from Hourglass should do the trick.

Tarte/ Hourglass

Add some peachy blush and you’ll feel polished and pretty even while you’re stuffing your face.

Halloween looks, part deux

I couldn't help myself, there are so many creative Halloween costumes that I had to do another post!

This kitty-cat is just a lot of black liner- so easy and yet so dramatic! Pair this with an all-black outfit, black tail, kitty ears and no one will want to cross your path!

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These wiggly eyes allover the face make me laugh and creep me out at the same time. I like the use of various sizes to create a pattern. Eyelash glue would keep these stuck, but I'd be careful about expressions- you don't want a wiggly eye popping off into your own eye!

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Ok if you're seriously makeup challenged, how creepy/cool are these temporary zipper tattoos? No worrying about your makeup smudging or smearing. Just slap these babies on and your ready!

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The Roaring '20's are so popular right now and this headpiece is AH-MAY-ZING! It could even be considered bridal it's so pretty. A dark wine/berry lip lacquer with a delicate winged out black eyeliner would keep this look fresh and modern.

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This Scarecrow look is less dopey and more beauty. A peachy, shimmer-free lipstick for the lips, cheeks and nose and then a black waterproof liner for the rest should be all you need to pull this together.

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So after all that, have you now decided what you'll be for Halloween?

BB vs. CC... what's with all the letter creams? How to figure out which one is for you.

Tinted Moisturizers are a thing of the past, or so it seems. They’ve pretty much been replaced with either a BB or CC cream (I say pretty much because you can still find some tinted moisturizers, but they’re harder to find!).

For lack of a better term, I’m going to refer to them as “letter creams”. These letter creams are amped-up tinted moisturizers. The letter creams still contain the tint + moisture but now they add a sunscreen and some extra skincare benefits. Depending on the cream, it could consist of anti-aging peptides or antioxidants or blemish reducing formulations.

BB creams (aka Beauty Balms or even Blemish Balms) originated in Asia where they were meant to be one product that does-it-all; treats, moisturizes, protects and covers. America caught on to this and companies ran with the idea. It’s become a free-for-all between brands re-defining what they think a letter cream is or does. Then CC cream was invented and is becoming just as popular as the BB. CC creams, aka Color Correcting Cream, are supposed to have more treatment benefits to correct pigmentation issues (think dark spots due to sun damage or acne staining) and they typically have more coverage than a BB cream- in some cases feeling more like a foundation.

This is where it gets tricky: every brand has their own interpretation of what a BB or CC cream is so they can often be dramatically different. For example, the Urban Decay Naked Skin BB is more of a treatment primer- so it goes on over a moisturizer and under a foundation. Basically this is the new marketing ploy and every company is getting in on the letter trend (even hair brands are getting in on it).

For the most part, you would apply these letter creams as you would your tinted moisturizer, maybe with your fingers or a foundation brush, and then continue with the rest of your routine. Ideally these are supposed to eliminate you from too many steps and make your life easier. But here are the cold, hard facts: There is no such thing as a miracle in a bottle. If you're not happy with your skin, chances are, you're going to need more than 1 product to fix that. So, if you've got acne, you still need an acne spot treatment, acne-fighting cleanser, oil-free moisturizer, gentle exfoliator, deep cleansing mask and an oil-free BB cream. And that doesn't even include makeup! Same goes for dry skin- you will still need to apply a moisturizer underneath the letter cream because it may not be hydrating enough on its own, especially in the winter months.
(more after the jump)