Review: Exuviance Introductory Collection - Sensitive / Dry Skin

I was recently (ok, not so recently, but it was slightly recent) sent the Exuviance Introductory Collection for Sensitive/Dry Skin. I've been a fan of the Exuviance line for quite awhile. I was first introduced to them when I worked at ULTA. We almost always used the Cleansing Gel to remove makeup on clients. It removed everything and didn't sting the skin or eyes. And of course, I love their foundation as well. Since my skin tends to be on the drier side, I was sent the above collection for review.

You might also remember, that I was breaking out more. Now, I have absolutely no problem giving negative reviews but knowing that their products in general have never broken me out I wanted to give it more time.

Well, after testing that new makeup removing gel (which I still love), I discovered the problem. This sensitive skin formula does not remove makeup. It is super super gentle. Actually, yesterday when I was randomly offered a job at one of my local beauty stores, I told the sales associate about this stuff because if you do have extremely sensitive skin this is the cleanser/toner for you. I'll get into the lotions in a minute.

First of all, sometimes cleansers can cause my skin to get a bit of a prickling sensation, not completely uncomfortable but on others it could burn or sting. Not with this. And not even with the toner. I accidentally got some of both of these products in my eyes and they didn't sting! My house has really hard water and sometimes in the mornings the water itself will make my eyes sting. Not this stuff.

So, I'm a huge fan of the cleanser and toner but they absolutely need a separate item to remove your makeup. Personally, I'd rebuy the toner but not the cleanser. I'd prefer to use their gel cleanser which removes makeup but isn't irritating to cut down a step as I am super lazy.

The lotions weren't my favorite. They are heavily fragranced and while they didn't break me out, the night one seemed slightly too thick and the day slightly too thin. I'd rather use a separate moisturizer and sunscreen just so I can overdo the moisture and not have issues with piling on my face or a white case. And I honestly couldn't tell a difference using the eye creams but it is possible they just didn't have enough product to use it for an extended time to tell the difference.

Even though I wasn't crazy about this kit, I love love love the Exuviance line. I'd recommend not getting the kits and instead mixing and matching different products in all of the lines they carry to find the right combo that works for you. For me, the best combination is the Cleansing Gel and the Soothing Toning Lotion and lately for a moisturizer I've been loving my SkinMDNatural (on my 2nd bottle!).

Disclosure: These products were sent by the brand's PR for review purposes.

Empties

Yes, I am back with more used up products and this time I even have some makeup items other than mascara and lip balm that I've finished (this is a momentous occasion)!

24.7 Skincare Daily Purifying Facial Scrub - I bought this at CVS (I believe this is a CVS only brand) on sale quite awhile ago - maybe a year (?) - and it has lasted forever. I haven't used this everyday, more like 2x a week or so and it does a really good job of getting rid of flaky skin on my face. I use in infrequently because it tends to be a little drying since it has something in it that makes your skin tingle after application. However, it doesn't break me out and as long as I moisturize after showering, it works really well. I won't repurchase right away because I have a few other scrubs to use (I didn't expect this to last so long!) but I imagine this would be good for oily to combination skin. People with totally dry skin might want to stay away or use more infrequently.

The Body Shop Seaweed Night Treatment - I've already sang the praises for this product here. I really like this night treatment and I used it religiously for nearly 2 months - maybe closer to 3 - before it was finished (so that's a decent deal for the price tag). I'm currently testing some other skincare items so unless I fall in love with them, I'll definitely be repurchasing this in the future.

Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation in Ivory - I already talked about this here. I can't believe I've finished a foundation! This one still has some product in it but I've even opened it even to get every last bit I could out so I've deemed it finished. I really like this foundation and I'll rebuy when I've used up a few others. Not thrilled that Exuviance has increased the price on this sucker since the last time I've bought it but it's a good foundation, lasts on the face in the summer, doesn't break me out and has added sun protection. For me though I consider this more a summer foundation because it tends to get sucked up around dry patches in the winter. 

MAC Powerpoint in Forever Green - It dawned on me that I don't mention MAC a lot on this blog. I just feel that MAC is really saturated out there but it doesn't stop me from loving and using the products. The powerpoints are by far my favorite eye liner formulation from MAC. They go on easy, they last all day and the colors are great too. I have a swatch of Forever Green here. And yes, I have a back up at the ready for this shade.

Bioinfusion Tea Tree Shampoo - This was in a previous Empties post. Yes, I finished another bottle of shampoo. Truly ground breaking. =)

Have you used up anything recently? Would you repurchase?

My Foundation Shades

Aside from jokes about my likeliness to white sheets, I haven't done a proper post regarding my foundation shades. My biggest issues when looking for foundations is finding something pale and pink enough and also finding something that doesn't break me out or irritate my skin. I'm not including all of the foundation that I own because I am so keen on finishing one or two of these bottles before cracking open another.

These are the 3 liquid foundations that I currently have in rotation:

• Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + #15 $34/1oz
  
• Prescriptives Custom Mixed Foundation $65 (this is both lighter and less yellow than their lightest pre-mixed shade) - this is the mini that I usually decant from the big bottle to keep it out of humidity/sunlight
• Exuviance Skin Caring Foundation SPF 15 in Ivory $32/1oz

There is actually a pretty funny story with the Exuviance. When I started working at ULTA I told my boss that I couldn't find a foundation in the store that matched me. So we basically went on a wild goose chase around the 'prestige' area trying to find one. Most were either too dark or too yellow. Finally, we found the Exuviance area that is hidden in the skincare section. He had never heard of the brand before himself but it was the only color in the store that matched me (that's not completely true, I can also wear Bare Escentuals Fair and Studio Gear Tinted Moisturizer in Fair).

l-r: MUFE, Px, Exuviance

My favorite is definitely the custom mixed Prescriptives one (I am so sad the line is shutting down). During the winter, this is definitely preferred since there is extra moisturizer in the formula and of course it is a perfect match. The MUFE and the Exuviance are both significantly more matte and I need to moisturize a great deal before application or else they are dry and cakey looking. They are definitely better Summer foundations since they do not budge either once set. Just a note: the Exuviance looks a lot pinker swatched then it does on my skin. I don't know if it self adjusts or what, because it's very similar to the other two shades once sheered out.

I'd like to thank Pink Sith for turning me on to the MUFE. She actually RAOK-ed me my first bottle!