Beauty Boxes Galore!

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Fab Fit Fun Spring 2015

I have a ton of new things to test out. I hope to have some of it reviewed here eventually. I know I always say that and it rarely seems to happen. But it could happen! I actually designated a little notebook just for jotting thoughts when I try a new product to make it easier to write up reviews later. Now I just need to use it more consistently. 🙂

My most recent boxes (that are all still on the dining room table) have been my Spring 2015 FabFitFun box, Spring 2015 Walmart Beauty box, and my March Birchbox. My April Birchbox is on its way and should be arriving on Tuesday.

The FabFitFun box has some great items in it this time. But I do expect that, as it costs more and comes quarterly. That scarf (left side of the photo) is so pretty and makes me wish that I felt more comfortable wearing scarves (or had more things to wear them with?) I need to get over that. Peep the info card here for details on everything inside.

Walmart beauty box spring 2015

The Walmart Beauty Box was also pretty good this time. It was more focused on skin care than cosmetics this time, but that’s ok with me. I get my makeup fix through ipsy and birchbox. I am really excited to try that body wash. I’m all about smelling good.

And speaking of Birchbox… I had intended to film an unboxing video and so I never unpacked the box. I’m now wondering if I should just give up on that idea. I want to start using the things! Not that I remember anything that was in it aside from a blush that I’m really looking forward to trying. I’m thinking I should set a deadline for videos. If it’s not recorded within the first few days, it’s probably not going to happen and I should just open it already.

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum Review

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No7Serum

In my Influenster Frosty VoxBox, I received a packet sample of the No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum. Due to the size of the sample (and the $29.99 cost of the full size,) This review is a bit limited. I can give my first impressions but cannot speak for its long-term effects.

The first thing I noticed about it was the texture. It has that matte-slippery feel of a primer. It goes on very smoothly and leaves the skin feeling very soft and slightly slippery. But not wet or greasy. Again, like a primer. It did not have a noticeable scent. It changed the feel of the application of my moisturizer. Not in a bad or unpleasant way. It was very smooth.

I have not had any major breakouts but I have noticed more of those tiny little pus bubbles forming. Sorry. I know that sounds so gross. But I don’t know how to better describe them.

I have not noticed any other differences in the look of my skin. With the price and the minimal breaking out that I’ve experienced, I’m not feeling very motivated to purchase the full size of this, even with the $2 coupon that was included with my sample.

***This sample was received free from Influenster for testing purposes.***

Influenster Frosty VoxBox

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***All products received free from Influenster for testing purposes.***

In this box, I received:

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum – 3ml sample packet
Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaffeinated Green Tea – 2 tea bags
Ecotools Sleek + Shine Finisher hair brush
Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover – 125mL
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal pencil eye liner – Black
Red Vines Fruit Vines Bites Strawberry Flavor – 5 oz.
McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme – .62 oz.
NYC Expert Last Lip Color – 418 Sugar Plum

So far, I have had the chance to try the NYC lipstick and the Rimmel eye makeup remover. I’ll review those soon. I feel positive feelings about both so far. I’ve had Candy Cane Lane before and I know that I like that.

I look forward to trying all of the things in this box, with perhaps the exception of the brush. I’m pretty attached to my Mason Pearson. I’ll still give it a try though!

Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System Review

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I received this product (Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System) free from Influenster for testing purposes.

The kit that I received had a cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and spot treatment cream/gel. As I had agreed to, I started out using the whole system (all 4 products) as directed. Wash, tone, moisturize, spot treat. For me, this was very drying, and when following my usual routine with other similar products, this is not usually how I roll. Typically, I use individual products as needed depending on what is going on with my skin at the time. I stuck it out with the whole system as long as I could but eventually, I went back to my own process and the irritation decreased.

These are fine products. They work as well as other similar products that you find at the store using salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. For me, they didn’t work any better, however. And I do not believe that I will be purchasing again after I use them up.

Garnier Clean+ Balancing Daily Exfoliator review

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garnier scrub

I received a sample packet of Garnier Clean+ Balancing Daily Exfoliator scrub in the mail from Garnier. This is perhaps more of a first impression than a real full review. I have tried it once now.

What Garnier says:

It is supposed to target “T-Zone to deeply cleanse away oil and impurities.” It is “infused with antioxidants, Grapefruit and Pomegranate softens dry areas to balance skin.”

According to their results:

“In 1 use: Excess oil is removed and skin is smoothed.

After 1 week: Skin’s texture is refined and complexion balanced.”

My observations and thoughts:

It’s a mostly clear gel with bits of exfoliation material. They’re not very concentrated though so it’s not as scrubby as I expected it to be. It sudses (is that a word? it does not look right to me but in my head it sounds like it’s supposed to be a word) up a little and smells really nice. It immediately brought to mind a scented doll I had when I was little named Rose Petal. I detect a bit of grapefruit to it too but mostly Rose Petal. It’s kind of neat the way that scents can bring back memories like that. This one is a very positive association. So thanks for that, Garnier!

My skin started to feel a little dry/tight very quickly after I toweled dry so I needed to moisturize right after. So far I like this one. I will try to remember to update after I have the chance to use it more. The sample has plenty in it so I should be able to squeeze quite a few days out of it.

MyChelle Dermaceuticals – Incredible Pumpkin Peel – review

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MyChelle Dermaceuticals – Incredible Pumpkin Peel

Looks, smells, and feels like some sort of sweet and spicy pumpkin dessert. Definitely like something I would eat. Well, maybe not me. I’m not into pumpkin desserts. But if you are, you’d want to eat something that smelled like this!

It says on the jar that it will tingle. It does a little. And it felt just a tiny bit stingy at first on a couple breakout spots. My skin is not happy with me lately. I don’t blame it. I’ve been drinking too much, out in the sun too much, not washing it as obsessively as usual, etc. Shame on me!

The box says to leave it on for 5 minutes and then rinse off. I should have noted when I put it on but I didn’t. I’ll go shower in a few and hope I guessed correctly.

After the first minute or so, the tingling goes away. It’s easy to forget I have anything on.

I’d like to say that my face felt different and glowy after I rinsed it off but it, uh, didn’t. It also didn’t make anything go wrong with my skin so far. So that’s good. And I do feel smooth and not terribly greasy.

All good things!

But, I’d have to say that I don’t notice any immediate effects from using this peel.

Where to buy: MyChelle Dermaceuticals

my facial care routine

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It has taken years, but I have finally mostly made peace with my skin. I’ve gotten to know what it likes, what it doesn’t, what it will tolerate and what it really, definitely won’t. I have a pretty strict routine but I modify it as I find things that work better for me. This is my current product list:

Coal Face (Lush) – This is a cleanser that comes in the form of a black bar like a bar of soap. It uses charcoal, licorice, and sandalwood oil and has a fresh almost citrusy scent. My skin really digs it. The charcoal grit sticks in my buf-puf but it doesn’t really bother me. If that’s the kind of thing that would bother you, perhaps it would be best to avoid. Or not, really you’ll like it. Try it anyway.

Buf-Puf – It’s an exfoliating sponge. They make them in varying degrees of scrubby-ness. I use this pretty much every time I wash my face. I like and need a lot of exfoliation or my skin really shows it. Sometimes I skip the buf-puf in the shower but only if I’m following up with my home-made skin scrub.

Scrub recipe: Honey, sugar. Use more sugar if you like more scrub, less if you like less. This is sticky, so I usually only use this in the shower. The sugar helps to exfoliate and clean out your pores and the honey has natural moisturizing and anti-bacterial properties. Yay!

Aveeno SPF 15 Positively Radiant Moisturizer – I first tried this facial moisturizer because I love the Aveeno daily body moisturizer so much. Here at chez product whore we seriously refer to this stuff as “magic lotion” because it’s that good. Usually lotions will claim to moisturize for 24 hours but don’t. This stuff does. So I figured if the body lotion is so great maybe the face lotion will be great too! I do like it but it’s not *as* good. It’s not even that there’s anything bad about it. It’s just not as spectacular as the body lotion. It’s not greasy and has a bit of highlighting shimmer, but not in a bad way. You wouldn’t notice it unless you were looking really closely at your fingertips after applying.

Sometimes I break this up with Ultralight from Lush. I think it’s getting discontinued but they have a few new moisturizers to take its place so I’m sure I’ll still be happy.

I follow my moisturizer with an acne treating cream. You’re supposed to apply them under your moisturizer but I’m a rebel and do it after. It works for me! I’m not brand loyal when it comes to this. Usually I pick up whatever 10% Benzoyl Peroxide cream is cheapest. I think I’m currently using the WalMart brand but in the past I’ve used Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, and AcneFree.

At night I use Imperialis moisturizer (Lush) and sometimes I’ll dab a little tea tree oil on problem spots. This, strangely, makes me irresistible to Biscuit. He has to be physically restrained or he will attack me and start licking my face like mad. It’s toxic though, thus the restraint.

What are your must have products?

Clarisonic

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I recently saw a post on BellaSugar and it has brought to my attention another product that I think I just have to have. I’m kind of a freak about my skin care. When I was younger I didn’t like my skin at all, and even now, we still have days that we don’t get along so well. From what I have read, the Clarisonic might be the answer to a more peaceful relationship with my skin. Sadly, the high price tag on this ($167 on amazon and close to $200 on other sites) means I will be lusting for and drooling over this for a while yet to come.

Anyone else have experience using it? Do you love it? Hate it? Feel eh about it?