My Current Skincare Routine

I've been in dermatological heaven for the last few months. As previously mentioned, I've been taking prescription antibiotics for my acne, and it has really cleared up my breakouts. I still tend to get the occasional pimple, but its such a rare occasion that it's okay. Here's my topical routine for maintaining clear skin. The principles are simple: remove all traces of makeup and dirt, and follow up with a cleanser and/or exfoliator that encourages cell turnover. Cell turnover not only helps fade acne scarring, but can also prevent and fight fine lines and wrinkles, so this routine should work for a wide variety of skin types.

1. If I am using liquid foundation, I first take every thing off with MAC Cleanse Off oil. I skip this step if I'm using powder foundation because by the end of the day, the poor thing has worn off by itself.

2. I remove all my eye makeup with the wonderful Boots Botanics Soothing Makeup Remover. It has icelandic moss (yay for exotic ingredients!). This is so effective that I simply have to hold a dampened cotton square over my eyes and it melts all my waterproof makeup.

3. To cleanse, I use Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Although this is technically an exfoliator, the rice particles are so fine that you can use it every day and not worry about over-exfoliation. It's pricey ($50) so I'm glad I won it in a giveaway, but I'm so in love with it that I may repurchase...may...**wrings hands**

4. After cleansing, I tone with Olay Refreshing Toner with witch hazel. This drugstore gem lives up to its name--its so refreshing! And it takes off every trace of remaining dirt and makeup. I also love that for a small price, you get a LOT of toner.

 

5. Finally, I spread a small amount of tretinoin gel on my cheeks. Tretinoin is a prescription gel for fading post-acne spots. I love this stuff--it has really diminished some of my most stubborn hyperpigmentation marks. 

And that's it. Although it looks like a lot of products, my skin has always been troublesome, and I find that a regular skincare routine combined with a bit of Western medicine has led to the best skin I've had since my pre-teens. 

What is your current skincare routine? Any product recommendations pour moi?  

PS. I purchased all of these products with my own moolah. The only thing I didn't buy was the Dermalogica exfoliator, which I won in a giveaway.

Haul from SkincareRx Giveaway

I recently won a The SkincareRx giveaway from Sarah Bella's blog. I love Sarah's blog and YT videos, because she's down to earth, reviews products of all price ranges, and she's drop dead gorgeous!

Anyhoo, I was extremely stoked to redeem my $100 gift card from SkincareRx, and here are the things I picked up:

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. This is basically an exfoliating powder that you mix with a bit of water, and it contains rice-based enzymes and salicylic acid that buff away dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover (buh bye acne scars!). Lollipop26 raved about this a while ago, but the $50 tag kept preventing me from purchasing. Upon receiving this, I was happy to see that SkincareRx threw in a travel size cleanser and moisturizer with the exfoliator. It's wierd, but I have not yet used this because I am too happy to own it!

Next, I got the Murad acne complex kit ($36). Although my acne has diminished because of my antibiotic treatment (click here for the related post), my doc told me to continue with my normal topical skincare. That's good advice, because I still do get the occasional few pimples. Rest assured a full review will be coming up of this treatment!

Last but not least, I got a La Roche-Posay hand treatment ($14). Since most people often overlook hands, they can be dead giveaways of a person's age. Besides caring for your face and neck, I always think that hands need a little TLC too!

Overall, I really loved ordering from SkincareRx. The website is set up for novices and skincare addicts alike. There's also a great $29 sample kit that lets you try out a bunch of high-end skincare products without taking a big risk. Also, my package came like 2 days after ordering, which inevitably led to squeals of delight. Thanks Sarah, and thanks SkincareRx. This giveaway was da bomb.

MAC Cleanse Off and Update

Finding the perfect makeup remover is like finding the perfect man. All of a sudden, there is no more gossip. When you finally meet the right one (makeup remover or man), you don't have much to bitch about with your friends. MAC Cleanse Off oil--just as I had predicted--melts away all my face makeup with no residue, no irritation, and no rubbing. I have not broken out because of this product either. 

Although its an oil, once you splash water on your face, the oil becomes milky and washes right off. My face is left feeling soft, but not at all greasy. It also has a pleasing smell that I can only describe as swiss orange-flavored chocolates. Sorry for the horrid yellow picture, but I can only find time to take pictures at night lately.

So in sum, MAC Cleanse Off, at least, is the makeup remover of my dreams. On lazy days, I just use this one product and call it a night. But on most days, I follow this up with an eye makeup remover, and then a salicylic acid, oil-free cleanser. At $22, I'm still wondering if its worth repurchasing. I may experiment with the Boots Cleansing Milk first. But I will never go back to makeup wipes, that is fo sho.

As for my little update, you may or may not have noticed that I'm blogging a little less often lately. You see, my computer has decided  to leave this world, may it rest in peace. So until I buy a new computer, I'm borrowing one from the hubby for short periods of time and bringing you posts once a week. 

Hope you guys are having a wonderful Tuesday!

Flax Oil for Healthy Skin

No matter how many topical treatments we use, great skin starts from the inside. In the last month or so, I have been taking 2 tablespoons of Flaxeed Oil everyday, and it has helped my skin in many ways. 

I have been using Organic Flax Oil by Nature's Bounty (BOGO-Free deal at Walgreens!). When buying flax oil, buy cold-pressed, organic, and a bottle that is opaque, not see-through. 

Even my husband has noticed that I am looking like I have a brighter complexion. Being an Indian, I tend to have an "ashy" undertone, so this has helped me look a little lighter and brighter. 

Besides my vain reasons for looking bright and pretty, flax oil is incredibly good for your health. 

Flax contains omega 3 fatty acids which are important for many things:

1. Flax oil can improve acne, psoriasis, rosacea and eczema. It's moisturizing properties can also improve the look of fine lines. You can also apply it topically to dry patches. It is known to be an anti-inflammatory and aids in wound healing (hence why its great for the acne-prone).

2. Flax oil may protect against UV light damage, which can ultimately help prevent skin cancer.

3. Flax oil also aids in digestion. I've always noticed that I break out big time if I am constipated, so staying regular is my #1 priority for acne-free skin, and overall wellbeing. 

4. Last but not least, flax oil can prevent cardiovascular problems because it can sort of dissolve the sticky fat lining your arteries. It also thins the sebum in your pores, and can prevent blemishes.

All in all, flax oil combats everything from cardiovascular disease, skin cancer, and even acne. I hope you guys think about trying this out. But as always with dietary supplements, please talk to your doctor before doing so!

The Cellnique acne and scar treatment

6 WEEK UPDATE: I've noticed that the zits are making a comeback in a big way. I'm not surprised really. My skin responds very well to any strong acne treatment for a month, but after that, it usually grows a tolerance to the products. My acne scars are still fading away though, so that's good. For now,  I'm gonna have to try a new regimen, and then come back to this one later down the road, just to keep my skin on its toes. 

For the last month, I have been using an acne treatment by Cellnique. Cellnique provides skin solutions for everything from acne to anti-aging. My wishlist is to combat and prevent break outs once and for all, and to fade my acne scars. 

I was sent: 1) the Skin Purifying Cleanser (far left), 2) the Skin Action Gel Plus (middle), and 3) the Advanced Bio Renewal Masque (far right).

 All three products are luxuriously packaged, which encourages me to stick to my routine.

Overall, I must say that this has been an extremely effective skin care treatment. My acne has subsided tremendously; I'm usually completely acne-free, and at the most, I'll get 1 little zit on each cheek. My forehead has been clear for the whole month! As for acne scars, they are noticeably lighter, and the really old ones have faded completely. My entire face is also looking a shade lighter, brighter and more radiant.

Here is my regimen:

Step 1: Every morning and night, I cleanse my face with the Skin Purifying Cleanser. This smells like eucalyptus or tea tree oil, which I think is invigorating. It also has exfoliating particles in it, so that means I'm cleansing and exfoliating at the same time!

Step 2: After drying my face, I apply a bit of the Skin Action Gel Plus on my face. I concentrate the product on my problem zones. The serum stings and makes my skin feel tingly/warm. The stinging harsher on active or open blemishes. Honestly, I don't mind this, because this baby works. It smells quite strongly of camphor.

3. The mask is to be used once a week to deep clean and brighten your skin. I actually use this 2-3x a week. It smells almost like a tropical drink (I think the smell is way too strong, but it goes away after a while). Just like the serum, this mask stings a lot on open breakouts. However, I put up with that because it really brings deep cystic acne up to the surface, where the serum can do its job. This mask has also faded my acne scars, and I love how I instantly look bright when I wash this mask off!

I hope you guys found my skincare regimen helpful. Although these products are pricey ($120 for all three products mentioned here), you can get 3 free samples sent to you. I also like that Cellnique caters to all skin issues, from acne to anti-aging.

FTC Disclaimer:  These products were sent to me for review consideration. I was not paid to review these products. This is my honest opinion. 

Up and Up Eye Makeup Remover

After playing around with my DIY eye makeup removers (coconut oil, or olive oil mixed with water), I was ready to go back to a store-bought one. I don't know if I was doing something wrong, but these oils just didn't remove my waterproof mascara unless I rubbed really hard. Fail. So onto the buy:

Target's Up and Up eye makeup remover:

I think this is a great buy. You get a lot of product for a very low price, and above all, it works very well. I just dab some onto a cotton swab and hold it over my eyes for 10 sec, and without any rubbing, the mascara and everything else comes away. I repeat on the other eye, and then use a the back of the cotton swab to remove any traces.

Quick tip: don't throw away the cotton swab right away. Sometimes after cleansing the rest of your face, additional eye makeup may come off and settle around your lower lids. A quick swipe with the original cotton swab removes this residue.

The only con I've noticed is that this dries out my eye area if I don't apply a night eye cream to my eye area immediately after. Not a big deal because I use a night cream anyway, but make sure you do this too! If the drying factor sounds like its a big minus for you, I recommend the Mary Kay eye makeup remover. It worked quite brilliantly for me a while ago, but Up and Up  is easier to find and cheaper.

Overall, this gets a solid 4.5/5. Three cheers for drugstore finds!

Mario Badescu Healing and Soothing Mask

Ever go on a mad witch hunt to exterminate every pimple on your face, only to win the battle and realize you're now looking at dry, battle-worn skin? Yeah. That would be me. When I break out, I launch crusades against my zits by throwing at them every harsh chemical in my bathroom cabinet. I pick, prod, mask, and scrub until they're all gone. Enter Mario Badescu's Healing and Soothing Mask. This was sent to me as free sample back in December. Here's the sample and a swatch of the mask:

The description on MB's website reads: Speeds healing of acne-erupted skin, Soothes redness and irritation, and Balances out drying acne products. 

Honestly, I am not sure about how to review this product. I've had it since early December and have only used it 2 times. On the plus side, the mask has a smooth texture, and it doesn't dry on your skin and give you that "I can't move my face" feeling. However, the smell is disgusting to me because its like vanilla and cardamom mixed together. I can imagine other girls liking this because I know Lush's fruity/feminine soaps are a big hit but I personally think they are overpoweringly girly. I'm more drawn to herbal, citrusy, clean scents.

The weird scent aside, I do want to use this mask more because it does make my skin feel balanced (i.e., no more oily and dry patches). Overall, I have to say its a nice mask because it's quite a unique product in my collection. Not sure if I'd purchase the full size though, because man, that scent is pissing me off. However, if you like vanilla and girly scents, feel free to get the sample from MB!

Do you guys have any balancing masks that you really like? If I found a nice one in the drugstore (or Lush hehehe), I'd be so joyous. Most of my masks are super drying (ie aspirin, clay, etc.)

Review and Giveaway (!!!) of Skin MD Natural's Shielding Lotion

Be sure to read through the entire post to know how to enter a giveaway to win a full-size bottle of Skin MD's Shielding Lotion! Now for the review:

I'll get right to it: I've found an amazing moisturizer in Skin MD Natural's Shielding Lotion:

I have been looking for a moisturizer for a long time that is deeply moisturizing and yet doesn't make me feel like I have Vaseline smeared all over my face. I've tried Burt's Bees day cream before, and although it worked well for me at first, it soon landed on my regrets list after breaking me out and the formula getting shady. On the other end of the spectrum was Biore's Dual Fusion moisturizer, whose light formula was nice to put on, but too light to really moisturize my skin.

Enter Skin MD's Shielding Lotion. This moisturizer works by forming "a protective barrier on the skin [that] keeps out irritants and chemicals. It also allows the natural oils and moisture to remain in the skin so it can heal better. It is a big advantage that shielding lotions are light and go on without a greasy mess," Dr. Brian Zogg, dermatologist (quote from Skin MD's website).

What I love about it

1. Formula: ohh man, this stuff is so lightweight that it goes on like silk and absorbs quickly. As I put it on, it feels cool and refreshing. The first time I used it, I was so happy with the sensation that I ran out of the bathroom and put it on the hubby's face too!

2. No Scent: Nose snobs, take note. I cannot pick up on any scent on this lotion, which tells me it doesn't contain anything it doesn't really need to moisturize your skin. Props for parsimony!

3. It works! I wouldn't be raving about this lotion if it didn't work so beautifully. My favorite time to put this on is at night after I've done my skincare routine. The shielding lotion allows my acne treatment to be much more effective because it's acting like a bodyguard against new toxins entering my skin. The SkinMD brochure also recommends that if you use anti-wrinkle treatments at night, try putting on this lotion at the end to help the treatment work better.

Not just for the face: This lotion can be applied anywhere on the body as well. I tend to dab it on my hands, which are perpetually dry due to the weather. My hands literally look younger when I put this on. (BTW, a lotta women take really great care of their face so you can't tell their age, but they totally neglect their hands! Hands are a total giveaway of your age! Take care of them!!!)

The But: The one drawback of this lotion is that it doesn't contain SPF. Happily, Skin MD does carry an SPF formula on their website. I plan to get the Shielding Lotion for night use, and the SPF formula for day use.

Overall, I give this lotion an A+. I will definitely be repurchasing it and am so happy I was introduced to it!

The GIVEAWAY!

Hey, everyone's skin is different, so don't just take my word for it. The folks at Skin MD are letting me hold a giveaway contest where one lucky winner will get a full size bottle of their Shielding Lotion! Here's what you need to do to enter:

1. Comment below saying "enter me"
2. Be a follower
3. For an extra entry, spread the word by providing a link to this post on your blog. That's all!

The contest will close on Sunday, January 17th. Hope you all enter and best of luck!!

FTC Disclaimer: The Shielding Lotion was sent to me courtesy of Skin MD. I was not paid to review this product, and this post reflects my honest opinion.

My Updated Skincare Routine

I've been using this skincare routine for a few months now and it has been working pretty well for me. This routine is gentle enough for normal acne-free skin, and yet strong enough to treat acne:

1. Remove makeup: I use Clean & Clear's Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser. It gets off all of my face makeup, and most of my eye-makeup. See my full review of this product here.

2. Cleanse: On most days, I use Biore's Ice Fighting Blemish Cleanser, which contains 2% salicylic acid (I reviewed it in my 2009's best skincare products post.

2.5. Exfoliate: About 3x a week, I substitute the Biore for my LUSH Dark Angels. Exfoliating with a charcoal-based product has revolutionized my skin by making it softer, brighter, and almost entirely acne-free. I've posted about it here.

3. Tone (when I'm not being lazy): I like to use Olay's Refreshing Toner with witch hazel (which is not only great smelling, but also a total bargain for around $4!)

4. Treat/Prevet acne: I apply LUSH Grease Lightning to my cheeks, where I tend to break out the most. See my review on it here.

5. Moisturize: Skin MD's Shielding Lotion is the perfect night-time moisturizer in my opinion. It goes on light, gets absorbed immediately into the skin, has no scent, and I wake up with a supple, smooth face every morning. I'll be posting a full review on that very soon.

I do all these steps at night, but in the morning, I use just the Biore cleanser, and then jump to moisturizing. Overall, I think this routine has been very effective for me. I think the only product I'm not completely satisfied with is the C&C makeup remover, so I will be trying something else once this runs out. All of the other products are amazing and staples in my collection! 

FTC Disclaimer: Skin MD's Shielding Lotion was sent to me to review. I was not paid to review it and this is my honest opinion. All of the other products mentioned were bought with my own moolah.

Removing the Day: St. Ives vs. Clean and Clear

When it comes to removing makeup, I'm looking for four simple things: 1) make it fast, 2) don't break me out, 3) make it thorough and 4) make it affordable. So in the last 6 months, I went through 2 drugstore makeup removers: Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser and St. Ives Fresh Skin Olive Cleanser. Here's how they compare:

Make it fast: Both Clean & Clear and St. Ives effectively remove powder foundations and mineral makeup in a jiffy. For liquid foundations (even Revlon Colorstay), Clean & Clear is much more effective. St. Ives makes it messy and requires a couple of rounds.

Don't break me out: Neither product has caused breakouts on my skin. So if you have problem skin, either one should be fine.

Make it thorough: Clean & Clear claims to remove ALL makeup, EVEN WATER-PROOF MASCARA. Not exactly true in my opinion. Afer several pumps of this product, you can at the most remove 100% of face makeup, and about 90% of mascara. But you will end up with little flakes of mascara clinging to your lashes and below your lids. St. Ives doesn't claim to remove mascara, and I appreciate the honesty. St. Ives can only tackle face makeup, not eye makeup (forget mascara, it can't even take on gel liners and eye bases). You absolutely need a separate eye makeup remover for it.

Make it affordable: Clean & Clear is around $11.99 at Target (6 oz). St. Ives is around $4.99 at CVS (6.5 oz). St. Ives wins this round.

Final thoughts: St. Ives can easily remove daily makeup like minerals and powder foundations. It's a bigger pain to tackle liquid foundations and it's impossible for eye makeup. Clean and Clear is a bit more effective because it does remove most of your eye makeup and liquid foundation is not a problem. However, I do resent that it states on the bottle that it can remove water-proof mascara, but that's just not the case.

Once I run out of Clean and Clear, I will either 1) repurchase it and also get a dedicated eye makeup remover, or 2) invest in something like MAC wipes, or MAC Cleanse Off Oil.

Thanks for reading, and if you have any holy grail products for removing makeup, please put them in the comments below!

2009's Best Face Forward

As you all know I believe that beauty starts with clear skin (hence my blog's name, Clearly Beautiful. Get it get it? ok moving on...). Ever since my first pimple at the age of 13, I've been devoted to trying out everything the skincare industry can throw at me with the promise of acne-free skin. Now that I'm in my mid-20s, I'm not only concerned with combating adult acne, but also preventing visible signs of aging. So for 2009, these were the products that delivered on their promises. Although I still suffer from breakouts, several problem zones of my face have been completely acne-free for a while (like my forehead and temples). So although the battle is only half-won, here are the VIPs of the year:

Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser: the active ingredient here is salicylic acid. This face wash is to be used after you've removed your makeup. I love how it has a non-foamy consistency, a refreshing cucumber smell, and a cool tingling sensation as you massage it in.

Olay Regenerist daily thermal mini-peel: the powerful combination of glycolic acid, thermal action, and microscrubbers combats both acne and dull skin (which contributes to an aged appearance). I adore anything containing glycolic acid, because I really see results overnight. Love this peel.

Lush Dark Angels: Honestly, please go buy this. Yes, charcoal-based products are a pain in the a** because they make a huge mess in your sink, but your skin will thank you for the effort. I love using this on particularly oily, icky skin days. The charcoal, rhassoul mud and black sugar make for a super duper exfoliator. I feel like I've had a microderm abrasion Lush-style.

Lush Grease Lightning: I gave my benzoyl peroxide the pink slip once I started using this serum every night. It prevents new break outs and quickly dries out blemishes. Best of all, it does not dry out my face like benzoyl peroxide did. And the tea tree scent is wonderful.

Aspirin: If you have nothing else in your arsenal for acne, keep a bottle of uncoated aspirin tablets around. Whenever I get a breakout, I mix 2 dissolved aspirin tablets with a cream cleanser and spread it on my face. After 30 min, I wash off, and presto, my blemish is zapped in no time. I call this my bazooka because it definitely works, but dries me out.

Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub: Ok ok, I know I have used only a sample of this stuff, and only for 1 month. But I'm so impressed with it that it's made it on this list. This scrub not only exfoliates away dead skin cells, but brightens my complexion so I look a couple shades lighter. I absolutely love the texture and luxurious experience it delivers.

So there you have it, my favorite skincare goodies for 2009. These items will definitely be permanent pieces in my vanity. However, you may notice that I haven't raved about any moisturizers or makeup removers here, because nothing I've tried has blown me away enough to give it this recognition. Hopefully I will soon hit upon some gems.

If you have any suggestions for great moisturizers and makeup removers, please let me know!

Super Mario Badescu Strawberry Face Scrub

I know this has been all over the blogosphere already, but for those who don't know, if you go to Mario Badescu's website and fill out a questionnaire about your skin, they will suggest products for you and ship you free samples. This review is about my FAVORITE sample out of the lot, the Strawberry Face Scrub:

Here's what it looks like:

The claim: Made with real Strawberry seeds that gently buff away flaky skin while natural AHA’s break down dulling build-up to unclog pores and prevent blackheads. It improves skin's overall texture by revealing healthy, glowing skin. ($15.00 for 4 oz.) 

With no hesitation, I can say that this has landed on my wish-list and I will not rest until I buy a full size. Before I run away with my feelings, here's the rational breakdown:

1. Price: I wouldn't mind paying $15 for a product I will use 2-3 times a week, and one that instantly makes me feel better.

2. Texture: I adore the texture of this scrub. It's quite creamy and has a pearlescent sheen to it. The real strawberry seeds make for the perfect exfoliants--they're not as harsh as sugar or apricot scrubs, and yet you can feel them getting the job done. 

3. The wow effect: Strawberry has a natural bleaching effect on the skin. In fact, I've read that mashing up fresh strawberries and brushing your teeth with them can lead to a whiter smile! So when I use this, I scrub my face for at least a minute. The texture is so luxurious that I just keep scrubbing away! When I wash it off, my complexion is instantly brighter and more radiant. AND, it doesn't dry out my skin one bit. This scrub doesn't rip the oil outta your pores. It just polishes your complexion so its perfectly bright and clean.

4. The one but: The one thing I'd change about this product is the scent. It's that fake strawberry scent you smell on candy. It's nothing like a real strawberry. I am getting used to it though, and frankly, I totally forgive Mario Badescu for this one problem because I love the texture and brightening effect of this scrub so very much. But yea, if you're super picky about scents, then be duly warned. 

Of all the samples I got from MB, this is by far my very favorite product. I really really want the full size and think its worth it. I've been using this scrub whenever I need a pick me up. It just works wonders. The exfoliation feels so luxurious, and then when I see my brighter complexion in the mirror, it just reinforces to me that I want this on my shelf permanently. :)

November Favorites +1 Regret

Part of why I'm so late on posting my November favorites was because I felt like I'd be harping on and on about products I'd already raved about. But honestly, I do love these products, and they have stood the test of time and have been favorites month after month:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation. I don't think I'll bother paying for MUFE HD or Nars. Why should I when I have this drugstore gem? Although it does break me out if I use it daily, so I save it for weekends.

Merle Norman Super Lube: I've had this one jar of lip balm for nearly 10 years. I've hit pan recently, but there's still plenty left on the sides, which I take out with a lip brush. It's like vaseline, but a little richer. My next purchase will probably be the MAC Honey lip balm tin (I'm hoping Ebay will come to the rescue!).

Kat von D Ludwig Pallete--middle two highlight colors (Clay and Tequila). I use the more nude color all over my browbone, and then dot the really bright white right under my brow's arch.

Maybelline Define-a-Lash: This mascara is perfect if you already have nice lashes, but need a little more length and definition. You get that sun-ray effect where each lash is separated. It also holds a mean curl all day long.


Coastal Scents Blending Fluff: perfect for an all over color on the lid.

MAC 252 (from a holiday set from CCO): perfect for crease work and putting a dot of highlighter under the arch of my brow.

1 Regret: Burt's Bees Day Cream: although raved about this earlier, as I hit pan on the sample, the moisturizer separated into oil and lotion. When I put it on, my skin looked so oily that I couldn't wait to get home and scrape the greasy feeling off my skin. What the heck? Overall, I regret buying the Burt's Bees Radiance Face Sample Kit. It has so not been worth it. Yes, I did like some of the products, but none of them won me over to the point that I'd purchase a full size, and that was the whole point of buying the samples. Do you guys have any BB products you really really love? I don't want to turn my back on it just yet...

 What are your favorites and regrets for this month?

Lush Grease Lightning Review

I recently purchased Lush's Grease Lightning as part of my Thanksgiving haul.

This product is a spot treatment for acne and its main ingredients are tea tree, witch hazel and aloe vera.

• Tea tree is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and is routinely used as an alternative to benzoyl peroxide. 
• Witch hazel promotes blood circulation and thus acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. 
• Aloe vera (which can also be taken orally for acne) helps accelerate healing because it provides skin with the "scaffolding" needed to repair itself quickly.

I use this after a nightly cleansing routine which consists removing my makeup, cleansing with a salicylic acid-based product, and then applying this to my problem areas.

The product comes out as a clear gel and has the pleasant smell of tea tree oil. It goes on clear and has a slight tightning effect on the skin. I love that the next morning, my skin isn't flaky dry. Big plus over BP!

So far I've loved using this product for moderate and recovering acne. I can't judge how effective it is for really severe acne since I haven't had terrible skin issues lately. Its a great preventative as well as treatment product and can be used daily because it isn't overly drying.

To my surprise, there are a few other superstar ingredients in this bad boy, including sea water, rosemary, thyme, lavender, and grape juice. All of these things are great for the skin, especially sea water. I once heard a model say that her secret to flawless skin was swimming in the ocean!

I think this product is lovely to use, and the shelf life is 1 year! I just can't comment on whether it would work on severe acne, but for the occasional spot, this is a great all-natural alternative to benzoyl peroxide.

Have you tried Grease Lightning? If not, what is your go-to product for zapping spots?

Lush Dark Angels Review

Based on high demand, the first product I'm reviewing from my haul is Lush Dark Angels. Lush has got me hooked already. Although its pricey and not available near me, I think it's well worth it because it's like buying ready-made DIY products. With DIY, sometimes by the time you've bought all the ingredients, the price is already high, and you run the risk of hating the final product. With Lush, its like you're getting the best of both worlds: the ingredients are few and fresh, and you're still getting a well-vetted product.

So onto my thoughts on Dark Angels.

The ingredients: 

• Charcoal is a very powerful substance that chemically attracts toxins towards it. In fact it is routinely used to save poison victims! When applied topically, charcoal literally draws impurities out of your pores. 
• Rhassoul mud is a natural anti-bacterial agent. 
  
• Sandalwood is used widely in India for treating dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, and acne scars. Its fragrance also relieves anxiety and increases concenration. Little wonder then that it is used for nervous brides-to-be!
• Black Sugar is an excellent exfoliant, with fairly large, coarse bits.
  

Highly impressive but a bit messy
I used this stuff on a particularly oily-skin day. After taking off my makeup, I took a penny-size amount of what looked like pitch black, sandy Play-doh. I put it in my palm and mixed it with water to make a paste. I put it all over my face, and the earthy smell really refreshed me and make me feel all woodsy. The scrub is intense, so avoid if you have sensitive skin or open blemishes.

After rinsing, I FREAKED OUT because there were tiny black spots around my nose and cheeks. I'd heard of getting a "tattooing effect" from charcoal, so I quickly grabbed my Coastal Scents cleanser brush and scrubbed for dear life, followed by a bit of Biore Cleanser.

Whew, it was all good after that. The second time I used it, I used a bit less, and there was substantially lesser spotting. I just had to follow with cleanser, but no brushing.

Effects: my skin is smoother than a baby's butt. This thing really scrubs the dead cells off your face, and the oil doesn't return for days. It's BY FAR the best exfoliant I have ever used. Although it requires a bit of effort and substantial sink cleanup, its my baby and I love it for who it is!

Another downer, is that it has a short 2 month shelf life. With the recommended usage being 2x a week, I'm afraid I'll not use it all up. I guess that's the downside of buying fresh preservative-free products.


4 stars for performance: It. works. wonders.
1 star removed for the short shelf life, messyness, and ability to spot your skin if you use too much.

Grease Lightning review is up next! Thanks for reading!

Lush, MAC, OPI, & NYX Haul!

After months of holding myself back, I finally let loose and got a large haul thanks to wonderful Black Friday deals that extended all weekend. The wait was seriously worth it as I saved quite a bit of moolah. I'll review of all these items once I've tried them out but for now, enjoy the haulage:

MAC Strobe Lotion
MAC sharpener (for Engraved
MAC Select Cover-Up in NC45
MAC Moisturelush Cream sample (which I may add the stingy makeup counter lady was unwilling to part with because "people take advantage of it"...as I am checking out...with a boatload of makeup...WTF)

NYX Jumbo eye pencil in French Fries

NYX Lipgloss in Ice Princess (which I've been using this relentlessly and may hit pan at a record speed)

Lush Grease Lightning

Lush Sea vegetable soap

Lush Dark Angels

Lush Whoosh Shower Jelly

A Grape Fit; You Don't Know Jacques!; Barefoot in Barcelona

This is love. Go buy it now.

Can't wait to review these products for you guys! Which ones would you like me to review first?

Also, a HUGE thank you to Beautygirl24, The Beautifier, xcharleym0ox and Krystle for the blog awards they've recently given me. I'm so grateful for every single one, and I promise to post it up ASAP. Just want to say thanks here. You guys are so awesome. :)

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme

It's been a few weeks since I bought the Burt's Bees Radiance Face Sample Pack. Out of all the samples in this kit, I was most impressed by the Radiance Day Cream with royal jelly.

What it claims: "This quick-absorbing formula is light to the touch, but heavy in nutrients. Royal Jelly, one of nature’s most nourishing substances, is packed with 134 nutrients, including 17 amino acids, and vitamins A, C, D and K, as well as multiple B-vitamins, helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and renew your skin. Bee pollen in the formula helps skin maintain its essential moisture and restore its natural radiance."

What I love about it:

Consistency: The total opposite of light formulas like Clinique Dramatically Different or Biore Dual Fusion, this stuff is thick and means business. Although I am acne prone and have combination skin, this impressed the hell out of me. This fall, I've been getting chapped, dry patches around my mouth. A few weeks ago, I applied the Biore Dual Fusion in the morning, and about a minute later, the white patches re-appeared. So I put the Burt's Bees on top the Biore, and instantly, my skin was DEEPLY moisturized. Throughout the day, whenever I touched my face, it felt baby soft and moisturized. Ever since, I've used this creme on a daily basis, and it has kept my skin soft and hydrated all day long.

Amazing under makeup:  Forget Strobe, forget Luster Drops. You have to try this moisturizer under your makeup. It made both my ColorStay foundation and Studio Fix Powder look more like NARS Sheer Glow. No joke. The moisturizer literally makes the foundation cling to my skin. This makes my makeup stay on all day, and even eliminates the need for setting powder! Just as the product claims, my skin REALLY did have a radiance. The light always catches the planes of my face without making me look oily. I think this aspect is my absolute number one reason for loving this moisturizer so much.

Non-Greasy: Although I've gone on and on about how thick and moisturizing this stuff is, it's not greasy. Sure, you can feel it on your skin all day, but its not greasy. Also, a little goes a long way. I only need 3-4 swipes on my cheeks, forehead, and mouth area. In fact, be careful you don't overapply. That will make you feel suffocated all day.

But there's always a but:

Not non-comedogenic: After using this stuff for several days, I did notice a couple of breakouts. I can't say for sure whether or not it was the moisturizer that broke me out, but I'm gonna mention it here for the sake of honesty. I've stopped using it for a few days now and my skin is recovering. Maybe for the acne prone or those with combination skin, this moisturizer be used sparingly. What I'm now doing is use this moisturizer for only half the week, and a lighter one for the other half. I've found this works well because this moisturizer really heals my skin, so I can go for a couple of days with a lighter formula and the chappyness hasn't returned.

No SPF: The day creme does not contain any SPF. I figure its not a big deal for me because I walk for 2 minutes to my office, and when I leave the office, its dark. But if you're someone who spends a lot of time outside, be warned that there's no SPF in this. I sincerely hope Burt's Bees comes out with a Radiance Day Creme with SPF someday.

Conclusion: I think Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme is worth a purchase for me. It makes my makeup look flawless and keeps my skin hydrated all day long. My sensitive skin can't tolerate this much moisture for too long though, so I'm going to lay off of it for the weekends, and just use common sense in general. The non-SPF and tendency to break me out is a bit of a downer, but with a bit of caution, I think I have a powerful winner on my hands!

Gray: Color Tag

Uinisan recently tagged me to do a color tag on GRAY. I took the liberty to interpret gray as inclusive of silver (isn't that just gray with a sparkle? sorta? kinda?) Here are some lovely grays around the house:

My favorite super dangly earrings. They amplify any outfit!

Italian glass necklace from my sister-in-law.

My favorite eyeshadow from the Coastal Scents 88 piece palette (3rd column, 2nd from top)

A great smoky e/s from the Coastal Scents 26 piece palette (1st column, 2nd from top).

Silvery-gray clutch for going out. I mainly use this at fancy Indian parties. I love Indian parties. Talk about getting your color on.

Burt's Bees Radiance Day Creme (complete review to follow!)

I tag these 7 lovely ladies, and the color is GREEN!

http://beaumakeup.blogspot.com/

http://beautyandtheblog23.blogspot.com/

http://www.beautyparler.ca/

http://blovet.blogspot.com/

http://eliza-mclellan.blogspot.com/

http://www.hairsmystory.com/

http://legseleven7.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by! Do leave me a comment as they are always lovely to come home to! xoxo.

Affordable October Favorites

Coastal Scents 26 shadow blush combo palette ($19.95): this is a mix of shimmer, matte and pearl finish e/s and blushes. CS always delivers in terms of pigmentation, and this palette is no exception. For day time, a single swipe of e/s will give you a lovely sheer wash of colors all over the lids. Also, the multitude of purples and grays are so fall-appropriate. Finally, the 2nd blush from the left is an absolute staple. Having a pre-assembled palette really helps me explore colors I would't have naturally picked up by themselves.


Conair 2" ceramic hair straightener ($19.99): I've been happily using this baby for years now. It heats up in 60 seconds, has extra-wide ceramic plates, and a very handy removable comb is attached to it so you don't have to comb your hair sections anymore. LOVE it.


Elf Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Warm Tan ($1): Do not, I repeat, do not use this as a bronzer. It's just bits of coppery gold shimmer. So why is it a fave? I love applying this with my finger over a pink lipstick for the fall. It turns a matte pink into a coral-bronzey pink. I've also created a custom lip balm by mixing bits of this stuff with my Merle Norman Superlube (you can use Vaseline) and a bit of powder blush. Superb multi-tasker.

Elf Shine Eraser Blotting Sheets ($1): You all know what blotting sheets do, so I'll spare ya. This is a fave because its a shame to blow a lotta money on blotting sheets, so for $1, stock up!

Sorry it took me so long to post this! October just flew by!

Review: Biore Skin Preservation Moisturizer

Good for summer, bad for winter. That should be Biore's disclaimer for the Skin Preservation Moisturizer ($12.99 @ Target), which is for "transitional skin", that is to say skin that is past teenage acne but not yet dealing with wrinkles. The bottle has a dual pump that dispenses moisturizer and SPF 30 separately. According to Biore, keeping the two fluids in separate chambers preserves each one's potency, but I'm thinking that might just be a marketing gimmick.


I must say, I adore this product's consistency and scent. It's kind of thicker than Clinique's Dramatically Different moisturizer, which allows the product to sink into the skin in like 5 seconds. The scent is a mild cucumber/soapy smell, which fades quite fast, so the experience of putting it on is nice, but you're not in danger of smelling like a cuke all day. Also, the SPF 30 does not make my skin look super white and goes on smoothly, not greasy at all. For the summer, this is drugstore perfection.

The first negative is is the tricky packaging. The dual pump does not initially dispense equal amounts of the two fluids. You have to 1) tap the bottle hard on a surface, and 2) pump 7-9 times before both fluids come out! Hello, that's a lot of wasted moisturizer! I put the excess into a an empty sample jar from MAC.

The second negative is that this does nothing for dry, flaky skin. Its already quite cold where I live, and my skin has gone from needing blotting sheets to being flaky dry (lucky me right?). I found that just a few minutes after putting on the moisturizer, I had dry patches around my mouth. Even two pumps right after a warm shower wasn't doing the trick. So its pretty simple, this is a wonderful drugstore moisturizer in the summer, but in the winter, go with something thicker.

Final grade: A-