No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum Review

Posted on by

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.***

Mary Kay Clear Proof Acne System Review

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.

my facial care routine

Posted on by

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?