Swatches: DHC Skincare and Makeup for 2013

I was recently invited to a DHC event and I had a really great time. There were cocktails, appetizers, music and lots of swatching going on! Also, the staff was amazing and I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful beauty bloggers. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera to the event. =( However, DHC provided a goodie bag for each of us. So, you guys/gals can at least enjoy the swatches. ^_^

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil

• available in three sizes: 6.7oz ($28), 2.3oz ($14), 1oz ($5.50)
• removes dirt, makeup and sunscreen completely and with ease
• contains only 8 ingredients with no added fragrance, colorants, mineral oil, parabens and sulfates
• won't clog pores
• antioxidant-rich olive oil helps protect skin from damaging free radicals
• with daily use, skin becomes softer, pores look smaller and complexion looks more radiant

I have been using and repurchasing DHC's Deep Cleansing Oil since high school because I love that it removes my makeup effectively and gently without tugging my skin. As most of you guys/gals know, eye makeup, especially waterproof mascara, is a b!tch to take off. Tugging around the eye area, which is the most delicate area on the face, causes premature wrinkles. However, the Deep Cleansing Oil, which is an oil-based remover, makes the removal process a breeze. 

I usually wet my face in the shower, then take 2-3 pumps of the Deep Cleansing Oil and rub it all over my face, including the eye area,then rinse with water. After that step, most of my makeup is removed and I'll use my facial cleanser to exfoliate my face and to remove any makeup that is left on my skin. When I don't use the Deep Cleansing Oil, I have to remove my makeup using a 3 step process. First, I have to remove my eye makeup using an oil-based product called the Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover. Then, to remove my face makeup, I have to wash my face twice with my facial cleanser, which can be a little harsh on my skin since it contains 2% salicylic acid. I have to use a good moisturizer afterwards to prevent my skin from drying out. (When your skin is overly dry, your body produces more oil to compensate, which in turn causes breakouts.) Therefore, I prefer to use the DHC Deep Cleansing Oil method.

I did have reservations about this product because I have oily skin and I was afraid that it was going to make my skin oilier and break me out. I'm glad to report that it does neither of those two evils and it actually makes my skin more balanced. 

I highly recommend the Deep Cleansing Oil for any skin types because it removes long wearing and waterproof makeup easily and gently without leaving your skin feeling tight or greasy.

Ingredients: Olea Europaea (olive) Fruit Oil, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary) Leaf Oil

DHC Pore Cleansing Oil

• available in one size, 5oz ($31), on January 1, 2013
• minimizes the appearance of pores while gently and effectively removing makeup
• 9 nutrient-packed botanical oils and an amino acid help unclog & minimize the appearance of pores, hydrate skin and promote a younger-looking complexion

Ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-5 Dioleate, Triethylhexanoin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride,  Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Phenoxyethanol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Butyl Avocadate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Tocopherol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Butylene Glycol, Punica Granatum Extract, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, Sebacic Acid, 1, 10-decanediol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Propyl Gallate

DHC Pore Face Wash

• available in one size, 4.2oz ($25), on January 1, 2013
• age-defying foaming face wash
• creates a lavish foam to cleanse and exfoliate skin and helps minimize the appearance of pores
• refines skin's texture with baking soda and fruit juice AHAs for a smooth finish with smaller-looking pores

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Myristic Acid, Stearic Acid, Glycosyl Trehalose, Glyceryl Glucoside, Sodium Bicarbonate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Laminaria Digitata (Horsetail Kelp) Extract, Plantago Major Seed Extract

The Pore Face Wash leaves a film and a tight feeling on my skin when used alone. So, I have to use 2-3 pumps of the Pore Cleansing Oil afterwards to remove the residue. It also removes makeup well, but I find that the Deep Cleansing Oil does a better job. 

I have visible pores around my nose area and I've been using the Pore Face Wash and Pore Cleansing Oil together for 4 weeks and I've noticed that the size of my pores are slightly smaller. However, they are still visible and I still need to hide them by wearing a silicone-based primer. I will continue using the Pore Face Wash and Pore Cleansing Oil together to see if they'll minimize the appearance of my pores even more!

DHC Kakonjuka Cream

• available in one size, 1.4oz ($32), on March 1, 2013
• intensive moisturizer that fights fine lines & wrinkles
• contains 6 Japanese & Korean botanicals (Maitake Mushroom, Platycara Strobilacea, Licorice Leaf, Great Burnet, Purslane, Reishi Mushroom), which soothe, hydrate and fight fine lines
• free of added colorants and fragrance

I absolutely love this moisturizer! The texture is thick, but it doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It does look a little bit greasy at first, but within a few minutes of application, the product fully absorbs into the skin and leaves a velvety grease-less finish. I love using this as a night moisturizer and as a primer for my undereye concealer because it's so hydrating and it prevents my undereye concealer from creasing or looking cakey. Also, it does not have a scent to it, which is a major plus for me.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Dimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Behenyl Alcohol, Beeswax, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil,, Glycerin, Cylcopentasiloxane, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Octyldodecyl Myristate, PEG-75 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Butylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Glycosyl Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Maltodextrin, Hydrolyzed Platycarya Strobilacea Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Tocopherol, Polyquaternium-51, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Leaf Extract, Ziyu Glycoside, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract, Ganoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Stem Extract

DHC Velvet Skin Coat

• available in one size, .52oz ($22.50)
• makeup primer with a sheer, non-greasy powdery gel texture
• mattifying, smoothes skin, fills pores and fine lines
• contains antioxidant-rich olive oil to help fight free radicals
• leaves a silky feeling

As I mentioned earlier, I have visible pores around my nose area, but those ugly holes magically disappear when I apply the Velvet Skin Coat primer over them. It's a silicone-based primer; therefore, it leaves a very velvety and silky feeling to the skin. Also, it's colorless and it doesn't have a scent to it. I highly recommend this because it allows foundation to glide onto the skin effortlessly and it leaves a poreless finish to the skin.

Ingredients: Dimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Silica

DHC Designing Pencil Eyebrow

• available in 4 shades, Noir, Cocoa, Teal, and Plum ($9.50 each), on February 1, 2013
• highly pigmented eyeliner pencil 
• contains olive oil and squalane to nourish skin and for smooth error-free application

I've never had much luck with eyeliner pencils, which I suspect is due to my oily lids. I've tried many different brands, including those from the drugstore and department stores, but they all faded or smudged throughout the day even when I wore a primer underneath and set it with a powder. The DHC one was no exception. However, I do like that the Noir shade is highly pigmented and that it glides onto the skin effortlessly without tugging the skin. As for the Plum shade, I think I got a defect because when I was testing the one at the beauty event, it was so creamy and it applied smoothly onto my skin; however, the one that I got in my beauty bag applies blotchy. I do love the color, though. 

DHC Designing Pencil Eyebrow

• available in 5 shades, Black, Black Brown, Brown, Soft Brown and Gray ($9.50 each), on February 1, 2013
• eyebrow pencil that fills in brows for a polished appearance
• contains olive oil and squalane to nourish skin

The eyebrow pencil is not as pigmented as the eyeliner, which is a good thing because it does not leave a harsh line on the brows. Instead, it creates a more natural effect. I have the shade in Black Brown and it's a good match for my dark brown hair. I usually fill in my brows with MAC's Copperplate eyeshadow and I find that Black Brown is more brown and less grey. It still looks natural in natural sunlight and it lasts all day without fading even though it contains olive oil.

What DHC products have you tried and would recommend?

*This post contains an affiliate link and the products mentioned were provided by DHC for attending the beauty event. This does not affect my opinion about the products. I don't do paid or guaranteed reviews. My reviews are based on my own honest opinion.