Sephora Haul: May 2013

Hi Everyone!

I hope you all are having a great week so far!

I was really excited to get my new Sephora order in the mail because I had run out of day moisturizers and really wanted to get something new for the summer months.

I got the Tarte Maracuja Oils on clearance or something like that.  This was a huge thing during the Christmas shopping season, I think.  I figured I'd give it a try because I love the idea of rolling stuff onto my face then blending it out.  Haha.  I'm so lazy!



I remembered Gummy saying she really really really liked Koh Gen Do.  I figured I'd give this brand a try, especially when I saw that they have gel moisturizers, which will be perfect for summer.

I also got some freebies.  I'm not sure if I will try out the retinol eye cream by Dr. Brandt just yet.  I'm not in the mood to have a complicated skincare routine in terms of moisturizers for the cheeks, and other moisturizers for the eyes, etc. etc.  It's in the summer that I like to go simple too.

I am interested in trying out the Koh Gen Do Spa Gel!  It seems like it's going to be a great exfoliator.  I also think there's enough in there for 3 usages!

The two colognes at the top are for Mr. P.  He's tried the LaCoste before and liked it.  I'm not sure how the Jean Paul Gaultier will turn up on him.  The scents I like best on Mr. P are light and crisp, like Aqua di Gio or Bvlgari Marine.

Then Sephora sent a fragrance sampler.  I haven't opened it yet.

That's it for my short haul.  I'm really proud of myself for not going crazy and buying up other limited edition makeup!  It was in my shopping basket, but at the end of the day, I'm still trying to hit pan on blushes I bought back in 2008!!!

Have a great day!

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum

 

Hi Everyone,

I got this sample of Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum as a sample in a Sephora packaged a while ago.  I just started using it last week.

One of the main ingredients is hydroquinone, which is a skin lightener.  I'm waiting to see the results this product can have on my age spots.  

So far, I really hate the consistency of this serum.  It's like putting glue on my face.  It's thick and slimy, then it gets tacky and sticky... and it never seems to absorb into my skin.  My skin always feels sticky, even hours later.

The good news is that this sample will last quite a long time.  So I hope to report back on whether or not this product really does lighten age spots and pigment scars.

Has anyone else used this?  Let me know what you think and especially how you use this product.

Have a great day!

Finished! April

 

If I finish something on the morning of May 1st, does it still belong to May?  Well, I will have a bunch coming up in May.

For the month of April, I finished this little bottle of Bio-Oil.  I liked to use it after my showers on my body, rather than my face.  It did a good job of moisturizing my skin through the night and into the next morning.  I can't say that it provided 24 hour hydration, but that's to be expected with most things.

I wish I had more, but it's okay.  This gives me plenty of reason to explore other oils too, or go back to my organic and DIY kicks.  :-)

I hope you all had a great week!

New Cleansing Products!

Hi Everyone!

Wow!  I can't believe it's already December!  I can definitely admit that 2012 has been a year filled with surprises, joy, and love.  I hope 2013 is just as great!

I've decided to post this entry as an answer to Linh's question on what my new cleansing products are.  

 

Linh introduced me to Bioderma a few months ago.  At the time, I was using an oil based Maybelline makeup remover so I just poured the Crealine H2O into a mason jar and stuck it in my fridge for a few months.  After a while, I just lost hope that I would ever finish that Maybelline makeup remover and picked up the Bioderma to add some spice to my cleansing routine.  

WOW!  I can honestly say that I am super duper impressed by this one.  I use it to remove eye makeup.  It removes everything very easily except for waterproof mascara, which I'm okay with because mascara that removes too easily usually are raccooners.  One of the neatest things about Bioderma Crealine H2O is that it doesn't sting, irritate my eyes, or leave behind that greasy feeling after use.  Even better, cold Crealine H2O acts as a great and refreshing cold compress when I'm ready to take off my makeup at the end of the day.

 

 

I just pulled out this Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser because it was just sitting around and not getting enough love.  I haven't used this enough to develop much of an opinion.  So far it cleanses all right.  Used with my Clarisonic Mia2, it leaves my skin feeling really soft, smooth, and clean.  

The Clarisonic Mia2 is a love/hate thing.  I love how it works to cleanse my skin.  I hate the automatic 20-20-10-10 second timer.  I always feel rushed because of the timer.  

 

 

I LOVE THIS!  I LOVE THIS!  I LOVE THIS!

I originally wanted to get the cleanser for brightening skin but am happy with this one for aging skin.  It says to use this at night to remove makeup and cleanse skin.  Truthfully, I use this morning and night because

1) it smells SO.  DARNED.  GOOD!

2) it leaves my skin looking and feeling younger, brighter, and luminous like porcelain.

3) I like to remove this cleanser with a hot face towel and my face towel smells like the spa!

4) no adverse reactions like dry skin or rashes or acne.

Not pictured here is my go-to Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash, which I always use whenever I feel like my other cleansers might have missed something.

That's it for this post on cleansers I use for my skincare.   I will probably post a product review on the Jurlique cleanser later on.

Good luck to my ladies still in school!  Have a safe, healthy, and wonderful holiday season!

:-)

 

Facials at Ann Karen Spa - August (Belated Updates)

Hi All!

Sorry that I've been slacking on my postings.  I've been busy with work and preparing for an upcoming trip to Taiwan.  Part of that preparation is going to the spa to get facials to, as my mom says, "Get rid of your pimples and smooth out your skin for makeup."  Yes....  It's a huge event that Mr. P and I are looking forward to.  :-)

Anyways, my esthetician Tiffany has done all of my facials since I started going there this month.  The first facial I did was the Whitening Facial.  Tiffany did a great job, but she also recommended that my next facial be the Acne Facial because my chin was so bumpy.  She was saying that it would look and feel so much better to get rid of the acne there before continuing with the whitening program because otherwise my skin would get brighter and my acne and spots would look darker.  I imagined "polk-a-dot skin". 

So, the 2nd weekend, we did the Acne Facial, which is the top picture of me.  Let me tell you... it was so painful!  My blackheads on my chin were so difficult to get out and it hurt so much that I couldn't stop my eyes from tearing up.  Tiffany was as gentle as she could be and complimented me on being so brave.  My face was spotty and a little inflamed for the next day or two, but then it started to heal.  She recommended that I purchase an acne cream from the front desk.  At first I thought she was trying to upsell me, which is probably very true, but as this event that's coming up is super important, I didn't want to risk it.  Let me tell you, I think this was one of the best recommendations I've ever followed!  I'll post on the acne cream later.

The 3rd weekend, we did the Whitening Facial, which is the bottom picture.  You can see how my acne scars have lessened and how much brighter my face is.  I know that Tiffany used a Jurlique cleanser on my face at the beginning of the facial.  I don't know what other products were used but I really like that these facials are working to brighten my skin.  Even Mr. P noticed!

Since my last facial appointment, I've been in amazement at how smooth my skin is!  I no longer have all those bumps on my chin from blackheads that lived under the skin in really tight pores.  Additionally, my cystic acne has also lessened.  Tiffany told me how my type of cystic acne was the inflamed type that accompanies improper blackhead extractions.  She said that blackheads have a head and a root.  People usually make the mistake of popping out a blackhead head and neglect to get the root out, which is why they (meaning, I) get reoccurring blackheads (or worse) in the same spots.  She also said that if I pop a whitehead and there's blood (gross, I know, but this is real life), I have to keep squeezing until all the blood runs out because that blood surrounding the whitehead is toxic and will cause hyperpigmentation.  I'm convinced now that I cannot pop another blackhead or pimple without Tiffany.

I have one more facial to go to this weekend.  Mr. P okayed me to go a 5th weekend right before we head out, so I'll update this post with those results as well.  I think I'll put the pictures right [here], cuz I want to get into other stuff about Ann Karen Spa right now.

******************************************************************************
UPDATE: 10/18/2012

Here are the pictures of my skin's improvement after the 3rd and 4th whitening facial sessions.  Currently, I'm changing my program to the Hydra-Serum Facial, which is supposed to reverse aging.  I'll do a separate post on that one!

I had definitely stopped wearing any foundation or powder by this time.  Only makeup on me are brows, eyes and lips.

Post acne marks are significantly faded, skin was a smoother canvas for my Engagement Ceremony.  Any spots left over from acne were easily covered by makeup.  My makeup artist didn't even have to use concealer.  Whoo hoo!!

**************************************************************************

Ann Karen Spa

Ann Karen Spa has over 30 treatment rooms over a 14,000 square foot space.  The women's changing room has a hot tub with mineral infused water, a steam sauna, and a dry sauna.  I don't know what the men's changing room has.  There is a special co-ed hot room that I love!  The room is heated through the floor.  You can have their special tea, watch some TV, or read a couple of magazines there while you wait for your treatment.  They also have a yellow soil hot room, and a Himalayan salt crystal hot room.  They call these the rooms where you can detox your skin.  It's uber-luxurious.  

Ann Karen Spa Services

In addition to the saunas, Ann Karen Spa services also include a variety of facials lasting between 75 to 90 minutes, and body massages.  I haven't tried the massages yet and don't know if I want to skip a facial for a massage.  LOL.  

Ann Karen Spa Cost

Ann Karen is definitely not cheap.  There are other spas nearby that offer facials for $30-$50 for about 60-75 minutes.  However, I believe Ann Karen Spa's service is top notch.  Additionally, you get to use Ann Karen's facilities (hot rooms, saunas, and showers for me!) for as long as you want on the day of your appointment.  The first 4 facial appointment I bought set me back nearly $400, and that's with new client discounts applied.  That does not include gratuity.  You can look up the price menu on the website.

Other things I like about Ann Karen Spa:

It's always clean.  The attendants in the women's changing rooms make sure that everything is wiped down after use, that all the robes and towels go in the hamper, and they give you their special tea or water after your treatment.  

I honestly look forward to each of my visits at Ann Karen Spa, but I also can't afford to go every weekend.  I wish I could!  I think I'll have to be okay with going every other weekend or something like that to stretch my money.  

This is my expensive pleasure.  ^_^  What's yours?

Thanks for stopping by and be on the lookout for my weekend 4 and 5 facial updates!

Original Post: 8/24/2012

New China Airlines Collection and New Skincare Routine

Hi All,

Sorry for the long lapse in time between posts.  I have a lot going on in my life right now and I'm trying to work through all that other stuff.

Well, I promised you that I would eventually post on the beauty products I got on my latest trip to Asia.  I like to call these my China Airlines new buys because I buy them during the flight.  I mean, there's nothing to do for 11-13 hours, and you pick up the Sky Boutique Magazine... and then... you're a couple hundred bucks lighter.  But I was good, I only bought 4 items.  Here are the 2 Kate Lorraine products I got.




Kate Lorraine Placenta Serum is supposed to help your skin's suppleness and elasticity through collagen, placenta, and vitamins.

Kate Lorraine Collagen Vitamin Cream is supposed to help your skin maintain its moisture levels through collagen, elastin, vitamins, and placenta.



So far, I like these two products.  They actually do work very well together as an anti aging skincare program.  When I used it (for 3 weeks following our return to the States), I felt as if my skin was becoming younger, brighter, softer, and more bouncy, or as the Taiwanese like to call it, "QQ."  These did not make me break out either.

The reason why I stopped was that I was getting bothered by the "placenta" ingredient in the products.  Placenta is a tissue that is part of the whole baby and birth process.  It's really big in Asia and touted as a miracle ingredient in anti-aging skincare.  Anyways, it got to a point where I felt like I was going to go to hell for using these products so I just stopped.  The placenta ingredient in these products are bovine, but still, that didn't really make me feel better.

Now, I have two really potent skincare products sitting on my shelf.  I don't know what I'm going to do with them.

So that leads me to my current skincare routine.

Yep, I am only and just using these two products.  I use the Sisley Ecological Compound day and night, and the Diorsnow UV Shield in the mornings.  I don't wear foundation or powder anymore, and I feel so liberated!  My skin isn't perfect, but I love how free my skin feels!  It can breathe and I haven't had any breakouts either.

I dunno.  Maybe I'll pick up the ole foundation and powder again and be astonished by the magic it can do for my face, but for right now I'm pretty content.  ^_^

I hope you all are having a great day, week, and month.  I will reply to your comments soon!  And thank you again for reading, and commenting!

August/Sept. Skincare

Created using Pic Collage. http://pic-collage.com

Hi All!  How are you all doing?

I've lately been feeling a lot more comfortable in my skin and have been going to work without any foundation on my face. I think the money I spent at the spa is worth this new confidence in my skin... I can't afford to go every weekend so will be scaling back my appointments with Tiffany to every other week beginning October.  *sadness*  Why is beauty so expensive?

Anyways, this little collage shows my August and part of September's skincare routine. I'll be switching up some items during my travels. 

The first time I blogged about the Clarisonic Mia2 I said that my skin couldn't handle the brush (white brush head) every day. Since then I've replaced the brush with the softest one (baby blue brush head) and am okay to use it every day. 

I'll probably blog about the other products later if I haven't already, so stay tuned. OR... Feel free to request an update or a review of any of these products.

Of course, I forgot the picture of that T&J Acne Cream for spot treatment.  But anyways, you get the gist of the rest of my routine, right?

Take care, everyone, and have a great one!

T & J Pure & Natural Acne Control Cream

Hi All!  I very briefly mentioned this acne cream in my Ann Karen Spa post a couple days ago.  I wanted to share this product with you today.  However, please note that this is not product review post.  I've only been using it for about 2 weeks now but felt like it warranted an introduction.

Behold...  T & J Pure & Natural Acne Control Cream!

I use a cotton swab to dip into the product and apply on problem areas.  Problem areas are defined by active acne that are red, lumpy, and painful.

It smells like herbal, sulfur-ish medicine.  I don't mind the smell cos it disappears after a while.

For the 2 weeks that I've been using this on my acne, I have noticed several things:

1.  Inflamed and cystic acne calmed down and disappeared over the course of a few days.

2.  Hyperpigmentation faded faster, as if I had used Neosporin over the scars.

3.  It seemed to reduce redness wherever it was applied, even over my natural blush, resulting in a very oddly shaped natural blush on my face.  LOL.

Anyways, I'll update this post again later for a proper product review.  Right now, I'm just really excited about the fact that I can use this on my skin without my skin turning dry and flaky.

Thanks for stopping by!

July Skincare Routine

Hi Everyone!

Sorry that I haven't been really active on my postings as of late.  Things are picking up and I'm getting really busy with work.  It's also been really hot and humid in So. Cal., so much that I don't want to wear a lot of products on my face. 

This post is a little bit late, seeing as how July has come and gone, but I wanted to update my skincare routine and show you all what I've been using.






Since then, I have finished the Clinique Moisture Surge Refreshing Eye Gel.  I liked it a lot.
 

I'm almost out of these 3 products.  Maybe they'll finally make it into my August Finished! post.

I use the Garnier Nutritioniste all over my face, not just under my eyes.  I picked up the Proactiv Repairing Treatment again to spot treat some new acne, which I've since learned is due to bad digestion.

Mr. P and I are going to Taiwan to visit family in September.  While there, we'll be attending a family photo shoot and I really want to have decent skin.  So I've been getting facials done at Ann Karen Spa, which is really really nice and super luxurious.  My aesthetician is the one who told me about chin acne being indicative of bad digestion.

But anyways, this was the July routine, and I clearly will need to update with an August routine!

I hope you all are staying cool and hydrated this hot and muggy summer!

Jya ne!



 

DIY Moisturizing Antioxidant Smoothie Mask

Hi Everyone!

Summer is here along with some really hot weather.  I've found that Fage Greek Yogurt has really helped me stay cool.  In order to make this yogurt taste even better, I've been making smoothies at home for Mr. P and myself.

Ingredients: frozen berries, Fage Greek yogurt, water, honey.

I usually make this smoothie after working out.  Lately, I've been making this after work as I wait for Mr. P to come home.  This is also the time I get to use the smoothie as a mask.

Yogurt 

Good for your digestive track.

Natural moisturizer.

Berries 

High in vitamins and antioxidants.

Seeds provide natural and healthy oils.

Seeds can also be used as an exfoliant.

Honey 

Nature's sweet treat.

Antibacterial properties.

Some benefits I've seen are that my skin look brighter and the pores look a little tighter.  My skin has a refreshed, supple feel to it after I rinse off.

What do I do with the rest of the smoothie? 

          *Gulp*
                             *Gulp*
                                                 *Gulp*


                                                                   Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!



Thanks for stopping by, y'all!

Product Review: TonyMoly Eggpore Blackhead Out Gel

 

back of the box

side of the box

the product!

June 21, 2012

I've started using this TonyMoly Eggpore Blackhead Out Gel in the last 2 weeks.  I figure I should use it to keep my blackheads from forming so quickly and having to go through my pore strips equally as quickly.

It smells like an orange to me.  :)

So far, I don't notice any improvements or reductions in blackheads.  I've been using this every other day or every 2 days, but never in consecutive days, and never going longer than 3 days without using it.

Product review forthcoming!

**************************************************************

UPDATE & PRODUCT REVIEW

Here is my review on the TonyMoly Eggpore Blackhead Out Gel.

Product claims to clear out blackheads by dissolving them.

There are many reviews out there that claim this product works as it should, more reviews that claim this product works half as well as it should, and a few more reviews that claim the product doesn't work at all.  This might depend on how deeply your blackheads are rooted in your pores.

My personal opinion:

I don't think this product works at all if you follow the instructions to massage it with your fingers.  First of all, the claim that this product will turn milky white as a result of dissolving the sebum in your pores is bogus.  The product turns milky white because it comes in contact with water.  I keep this in the shower with me and have to dip my fingers into the product.  My little stash of Blackhead Out Gel has developed this milky whiteness wherever excess water has dripped off my finger tips.  This is exactly the same concept with the Shu Uemura cleansing oils.

Results after using my fingers to massage the gel into my skin are less than impressive.  Yes, when you're massaging the oily gel into your skin, your skin feels soft and smooth because there's no friction!  But when you rinse and get out of the shower and look at what's left, 99.9999999% of the blackheads are still there.  And, no, I don't see that the blackhead size has changed.

I expected this product to work like the Biore pore strips and really clean out my pores.  ~Disappointed~

However!

I have found a way to yield better results.  I use the Blackhead Out Gel in conjunction with the silicone face scrubber.

Using both together, you will see some reduction in blackheads.  The reduction in blackheads is maybe about 25-35% less than what you started with.  Of course, we could always attribute the reduction to the silicone face scrubber instead of the gel, right? 

Final Verdict:

I wouldn't get this again.  Don't get too caught up in the packaging even though it's as cute as a button.  If you really wanted effective removal of nearly 100% of your blackheads, stick with any of the pore strips that are out there.  They are much more effective than the TonyMoly Eggpore Blackhead Out Gel.  I hate to give a bad review of any cute product, but there it is. 

I hope this product review was helpful!  Thanks for stopping by!

~Jya!

This Week's FOTD

Kate brown gold shadow on lid.  Tarte shadow on brown bone.  Wet 'n Wild shadow on lash line.

 Hi All!

I did this look sometime this week and liked it enough to take a picture.  I like neutral and mostly natural eyeshadow looks that just enhance what I have, not necessarily alter what I look like.

On lashes: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights & Fairydrops Scandal Queen masacaras

 So, in all my Battle Mascaras, I've found two mascaras that work really well for me.  They are the CoverGirl Exact Eyelights mascara, and the Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus mascara.  In order to make the Fairydrops Scandal Queen mascara work, I've been using CoverGirl mascara to hold the curl and then layering over it with Fairydrops.  Covergirl provides the curl holding power and volume, while Fairydrops provides length and additional volume.  All in all, I have to say that this is working out okay. 

 

Here's the final look.  Mr. P bought me the Clarisonic Mia2 a couple weeks ago and I've been using it about every other day.  The skin around the center of my face is so much more translucent, brighter, and smoother than before.  The acne scars and hyperpigmentation on my cheeks seem to be lessening.  However, my chin is very acne-active right now.  I've had a lot of cystic acne that develop into whiteheads there.  It seems to have lessened now, so my chin isn't so bumpy and painful anymore.  But this acne-active phase is not yet over!

Was this the purging phase I've seen other bloggers reference?  If you've used the Clarisonic Mia2, or any of it's predecessors, can you let me know if you've gone through a purging phase and how long did it last for you?

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend!  Ready for the work week again?  :-P

Milk and Rose Soap

 

 Hi Everyone!  

Here's another soap I recently made for Mr. P and myself.  I made this soap with minimal ingredients: rose oil, jojoba oil, milk, and crushed rose petals.

Mr. P and I have sensitive skin (different issues, but sensitive nonetheless).

Milk is a naturally moisturizing ingredient that is beneficial for skin.

Jojoba oil is most similar to our natural oils.

Rose oil for fragrance.  I didn't put too much because strong fragrance aggravates our skin.

Crushed rose petals for very very soft exfoliation.

 This is a glycerin-based soap, so it gets soft very easily if left in a humid bathroom.  

Thanks for reading!  Have a great day!

Skincare Routine (April 2012)

Hi Everyone!

I finally did this video on my super simple skincare routine.

In this video I just talk about my daily routine.  It doesn't include the extras.  Also, this skincare routine covers February, March, and April.

I think I've found something that works for me, this KIS method skincare routine.  I used to use more products in my daily skincare routine when I was younger, but since I've been having a lot of reactions to certain products, I've really had to cut back on what I use.  The other benefit to KIS skincare is that it doesn't take a lot of time in the mornings or night.

Cleansers:
A mish-mash of all the cleansers I use at night and in the morning

Toner:
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Moisturizer:
Mizuno Tenshi Flower Moisture Gel
Liole Waterdrop BB cream (tinted moisturizer)

SPF:
Chanel Precision UV Essentiel

Thanks for stopping by!

Product Review: Mizuno Tenshi Flower Moisture Gel

 

I bought this Mizuno Tenshi Flower Moisture Gel from Sasa last August but only got around to using it now.

 

 

Likes

Gel-based and very light

Moisturizes without feeling greasy, oily, or generally overbearing.

Absorbs completely into my skin.

         Thus, wonderful under my Chanel sun block and makeup.

Dislikes

I don't think this is very moisturizing around the eyes.

         I guess you can't win them all.

So, according to Sasa, here is the product info:

Let the product review begin!!

Being a toner, milk lotion, and essence
It feels light enough to be all three of them.  

Claims to be a whitening essence
I always take this with a grain of salt.  To date, I've only come across 2 products that visibly whitens / brightens.  One of them is the Paul & Joe Whitening Serum, and the other is the TonyMoly Tomatox Magic White Massage Pack.  I haven't noticed any difference to the color of my skin while using the Mizuno Tenshi Flower Moisture Gel.  My age and acne spots are still there and the same dark/light -ness.  But I can't say for sure that this product isn't doing something in this department.  I'm not willing to say it does or it doesn't whiten...it's just too hard and miniscule to really tell.

Can be used as a makeup base

It absorbs so completely and dries matte.  I've used it under makeup and haven't had any issues with it.

Relieves dry, dull and rough skin  

This statement is true if your skin was dry, dull, and rough before you applied this Flower Moisture Gel.  However, you will still need an exfoliation regimen.  This product will not cure everything.

Restores skin's luminosity and moisture
Only as far as initial application goes.  I haven't noticed my skin becoming more luminous from using this alone.  I've acquired the luminous effect only after exfoliation.  As far as moisture goes, for my face, this is moisturizing enough for the warmer months.  However, no matter what time of year it is, I don't think it will be moisturizing enough around the eyes.  You will need a heaver product for the eye area.

Suitable for all skin types, and dry and delicate skin
I honestly can't see how this will be moisturizing enough for dry and delicate skin.  For my oily skin, this is perfect.  But I think for people with naturally drier skin, I think they will want something heavier.

What are my thoughts?
I think if you wanted to use this as a summer-time light moisturizer, by all means go ahead!  But I don't think you should expect too much out of it.  Thank goodness I got this 40% off!  If I repurchase this at all, the purpose would only be to moisturize in the summer.  Other than that, I probably won't repurchase.

If you've used this before, what are your thoughts?

Simplified Daily Skincare Routine as of Feb. 2012

Hi All!  I wanted to share my simplified skincare routine that I started using in January and will probably use going into March.  As you know, skincare is something that I enjoy and I find that half the fun of skincare is trying new products.  But as I get older, I'm finding new things to which I've developed sensitivities or allergies.  So the inconvenience of getting older is that I am becoming more conscious and afraid to try new things because I don't want to spend money on products that will make me break out or develop eczema-like symptoms.  Thus, I have had to cut back on what I put on my face in order to keep my skin in balance.

This is all that I'm using for my daily skincare, minus my cleansers.

I am really proud of the fact that what I'm using for my daily skincare fits into this St. Ives apricot scrub jar.  It cuts down on counter space, which in California is a precious commodity and makes Mr. P happy that he doesn't have to look at all my clutter.

I think I will make it my 2012 goal to keep my skincare items contained to this St. Ives jar.  I believe doing this would make it easier for me to use up my skincare products and to keep our vanity clean.

Above:  I filled up this Clinique spray bottle with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.  This is much more convenient for me as I can get a light mist all over my face, then pat the rest in.  Also, it keeps the product in the main bottle from being too exposed to air.  I use this day and night.
 

Above:  I put this Merle Normal Day Creme with HC-12 in this SK-II pump bottle.  I will have a review on this product later.  I use this day and night.

Above:  This is the Chanel Precision UV Essentiel I use in the mornings for sun protection.  I will also have a review on this product coming up.
 

Above:  This Skin Food bb cream is a product that I love to use for winter because it matches my winter skin tone.  As much as I love it, I'm also glad that I'm almost done with this product because I have a lot of bb creams, foundations, and tinted moisturizers behind this that I've got to use up.

Above:  This Garnier roller ball stick is filled with tinted undereye cream.  I originally bought it for Mr. P because there was a time he had really dark under eye circles.  He only used it once at home and then never again.  It's okay because I started using it.  *haha*  Anyways, when I get really lazy or am really strapped for time, I sneakily use this product as an all-over tinted moisturizer.  If I really timed blending this or the Skin Food bb cream, they probably take about the same time, but it just seems easier to roll this over my face like a marker.  ^_-

So, other than following up this with makeup, what you see here is my skincare routine!  Really, really simple!

Elizabeth Arden White Glove Skincare Fortifying Capsules

Hi All!  I hope you're having a good day!

Today's post is going to be a little bit different because I trying to sell this product.  This is the Elizabeth Arden White Glove Skincare Fortifying Capsule.

I'm selling the bottle and capsules in this box. 

 It comes in capsule form that you can twist off and use all or half (depends on you).  I personally like this type of product because the small capsules help keep most of the product fresh, as opposed to opening a large jar and exposing the entire thing to air.

It's feels silicone-y like all the face primers I've ever used, including the Monistat anti-chafing gel.  It's supposed to help brighten and even out your skin tone and, over time, it's supposed to help diminish age spots.

I can't say anything about how this works because I couldn't commit to using this product.  The reason is that I'm allergic to something in this product that causes me to break out.  In fact, one of the last times I broke out was during my Proactiv skincare experiment.  I only just figured out that I was allergic to something because of this timeline:

1.  I stopped using EA White Glove capsules when I went to Taiwan (Jan. 1-18 this year)
2.  Noticed cystic acne slowly disappearing and no new ones.
3.  Came back to the States and started reusing (Jan. 20-31 this year)
4.  Noticed new acne.
5.  Stopped using EA White Glove capsules on Feb. 1.
6.  Noticed acne healing and disappearing and no new ones.
7.  Got my woman's monthly and NO ACNE to go with it!!

THEREFORE, I must be allergic to something in this product.

This product has already been sold.

Thanks for reading and participating!

Product Review: Mentholatum Acnes White

Mentholatum Acnes White: Medicated Clear & Whitening Wash

 I'm back with another product review on a brand and product that I've only found in Asia.  Being so, I should warn you that I cannot read Chinese or Japanese, so I'm a little out of luck in telling you what the product claims are.  The only thing I can tell you is that this tube of face cleanser deals with acne and whitening.

I discovered Mentholatum's Acnes product line a couple years ago (2009 or 2010) and have been hooked since!  Their acne washes are really gentle yet thorough.  So, let me get on with my thoughts on this.

For the record, my skin does react to a lot of different products in ways that it never reacted when I was younger.  I battle with adult acne on a seasonal basis.  I do want to keep my skin lighter so those pesky age spots won't show up so badly!  Okay, and now, the review!

Texture

Thick like toothpaste.  Smells a little lemony.  Goes on like paste, but foams up with water and the longer you massage it into your skin.

Immediate Aftereffects

Skin is squeeeeeaaaaky clean but does not feel overly dry.  Skin looks a tad brighter and a smidgen whiter, but comes back to normal after a few minutes.

Long-term Aftereffects

Less new acne.  Shrinking and calming of current acne.  Some hyperpigmentation spots seem to be less noticeable. 


Okay, I think this is it for my product review.  I've been using it since the beginning of January when I was in Taiwan.  I have 2 more tubes as backup.  Considering that I did not want to spend any more money on skincare, and given how much I love Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash, you can tell that I really really like this cleanser.  LOL.

Would I recommend it?  HECK, YEAH!!!!

When I go back to Taiwan, I will make it a point of restocking enough of these to last me a year or more!

Proactiv Skincare Routine

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Last update and post: January 23, 2012

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October 29, 2011

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So I've heard people say it takes a lot of courage to post pictures of blemishes and anything that seems imperfect. Well, it sure is scary! But I wanted to put this out there because I've been having a bad run of breakouts and I'm not sure why. I don't know if my pets are causing this, or my diet, or my now former skincare routine, but I've gotten a little desperate about it.
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I broke down and went to the Proactiv vending machine (yeah, vending machine, not kiosk) and bought the 30-day starter kit, which includes the 3-step system and 6% sulfur mask.
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I've used Proactiv before (5 years ago) and don't really remember the results. I mean, it totally skipped my mind to get Proactiv again when I had that nasty breakout 2 years ago. So I thought I'd document the progress of this acne control system.
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The thing I'm not clear about is if the vending machine at the mall has the hydroquinone spot corrector. On the Proactiv website, it says the spot corrector is for members and I'm not a member, nor do I want to be. We will have to see how I get my hands on that hydroquinone spot corrector.
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Well, I'll keep updates here with my progress with the Proactiv skincare routine. I hope there will be some progress!
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Oh! One more thing. I really like the texture of the Proactiv benzoyl peroxide (step 3) treatment. It blends so well and absorbs into my skin without leaving any grainy residue behind. Definitely worth it in my book. The cleanser has microgranules for exfoliation as well as 2.5% benzoyl peroxide for chemical exfoliation. I hope this works. I hate having breakouts!
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Updates to come. Thanks for reading!

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October 31, 2011                     Happy Halloween!

I'm not doing anything special for Halloween this year (except giving out candy to cute monsters, pirates, and angry birds) because it's a Monday night and I have a lot of chores to do around the house before Mr. P gets back from his business trip.

But, I wanted to update that it's been 3 days since I started using the Proactiv 3-step system (I haven't opened the 6% sulfur mask yet) and I am seeing a lot of differences so far.

Noticeable differences at the half-week mark:

1.  Inflamed cystic acne have calmed down.  They are not as red, not as inflamed, and my skin is less bumpy.

2.  I only have 2 new pimples since first using Proactiv and they are not cystic.

3.  The skin on my face dried out in as many days as I've used Proactiv.  I don't have to worry about pimples so much, but now I do have to worry about anti-aging a lot more!

4.  The 3-step system stings my face.....so.......much!!!!!  It was ok at first but the more I use it the more it stings.

I will keep using this until my skin clears or I absolutely cannot stand the stinging, whichever comes first.  More updates and hopefully an improved picture to come.

Thanks for reading!

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November 14, 2011

The key to avoiding a very painful and dry fate is to use Proactiv in moderation.  Don't slather the stuff on your face.  Even when you think you're using your normal amounts, less is better.

Update:
1.  No new acne
2.  Less redness
3.  Smaller hyperpigmentation
4.  Skin is still dry where I apply the treatment, but I now use a lot less!  I use about 3 drops of toner on a cotton pad, and a very small pearl sized repairing treatment.

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December 16, 2011

Things were going okay for a while, then it became that time of the month and I fell asleep twice without removing my makeup (I know, so bad!).  So I expected and can justify the 3 new pimples that appeared.  But I don't know if this is working anymore!  Since the 3 pimples, I've been getting about 1 new one every day or every other day!

Well, this is part of the picture I took this morning while getting ready for work, and yes, I do have makeup on (Skinfood Peachsake bb cream, Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation in Fairly Light, and some blush).  You can see the bumps through the makeup, which is not unexpected.  Only the redness and the true extent of the hyperpigmentation has been covered up to the best of my abilities and allowance of time.

The awful thing is that these are forming like cystic acne (really inflamed, painful, and red), and in one or two days they turn into white heads.  What's worse, no matter what I do, they leave awful scars behind that take a very very long time to heal.  My problem areas are my left cheek and my chin.  For some reason, my right cheek is okay (and let's hope that remains so!).

I've gotten desperate and started re-slathering the Proactiv treatment all over the affected areas, which is resulting in extremely dry skin.  I just don't know what to do.  This is affecting my self image in negative ways.  *weeping, weeping, weeping*

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 January 23, 2012

It's been a while since I last updated my skincare routine because of the acne, but I am just now in the process of changing things up.  How has Proactiv worked for me?  In the beginning, it worked to reduce acne breakouts at the cost of dry skin.  However, after that phase was over, I began getting regular acne breakouts even though I was still using Proactiv.  Towards the end of December and the first half of January, it was pretty obvious that Proactiv was not working for my skin problems, so I have stopped using the system and switched to other products.

Some things I learned through experience:
1.  Acne can be a symptom of bad nutrition
2.  Acne can be a reaction to allergies to certain ingredients
3.  Acne can be hormonal
4.  Acne can flare up due to lack of sleep

However, through it all, I want to encourage all acne sufferers to not give up hope!  If one treatment doesn't work, there are other treatments out there.  Some may be prepackaged, others might be DIY.  Either way, keep a positive attitude and don't give up hope!

Like comfort food, these are my Comfort Skincare Products

If you've been following my recent posts, you'll know that I'm going through a rough time in my skincare.  I've been getting plenty of skin problems and while I could gripe about them all, I want to make this as positive as I can.  When my skin is in distress, I always fall back on simple and natural products to help get me through the dark times.  I personally believe that the less this-and-thats in a product I use, the faster my skin will calm down so I can go back to using the fancy-shmancy stuff.  :-P  The following are my Comfort Skincare Products that I fall back on, just like comfort foods (mac 'n cheese, cheesy mashed potatoes, alfredo fetuccini, and broccoli 'n cheddar soup).

And now, my Comfort Skincare Products!

1.  Jojoba Oil
This is one of the most economic products I've ever used that covers what I need for skincare.  It moisturizes and removes makeup.  It doesn't leave a greasy film on my skin and makes my skin feel soft, soothed, and smooth.  And, it has only one ingredient: jojoba oil!  At the changing of the seasons, I get rashes on my body that are so dry and bumpy.  Using jojoba oil after every shower is saving my skin from months of itchiness, dryness, and skin discolorations.  I have used this on my face.... NO ZITS!  *thumbs up!*

2.  Egyptian Magic
I can't believe I haven't done a post on Egyptian Magic yet.  Never fear, I will get it done!  I come back to this product again and again to help reinforce the jojoba oil when I'm out and about, doing things, or at work.  It absorbs into my skin a little more easily than Vaseline.  This stuff softens and moisturizes my skin so wonderfully, I can't go without it.  I like to think of Egyptian Magic as the supplement to Jojoba oil.  On the grand scale of moisturizing staying power, this is how I see it:
      (most easily absorbed) Jojoba oil ------> Egyptian Magic ---------> Vaseline (sits on my skin)

3.  Vaseline
Vaseline represents the "big guns" in my collection of heavy duty moisturizers.  I don't know about most women, but I wash dishes without gloves (anti-slip and anti-breakage) and that means my hands get so uncomfortably dry.  I don't think regular lotion does much for my hands.  I use Vaseline daily for my lips, and I use it at night on my hands.  Sometimes I use it on my heels.  Usually, if I'm faithful to using this at night, whatever skin problems I'm having with dryness and itchiness gets solved in a week.  During the coldest days and nights of the year, I use Vaseline because it doesn't absorb into my skin and therefore provides the much needed barrier between my skin and cold, dry air.

4.  Witchhazel extract
Move aside expensive toners!  Step aside Proactiv toner!  Witchhazel is one of the best toner-type products I've used when my skin is acting up.  It has one ingredient: witchhazel!  It can grab onto a lot more residual makeup than some of my upper-end cleansing waters and it doesn't contain anything that aggravates my skin.  The natural alcohol in it cools as it cleans so I always feel better and refreshed after.  It's pretty affordable so I don't mind using as much as I want or as little as I want, and I certainly don't mind mixing it with other ingredients like aspirin or essential oils.

5.  Johnson's baby wash
I really love this one.  This must be the 5th or 6th time I've linked the Johnson's Head-to-Toe Baby Wash.  This is super gentle.  Mr. P, who suffers a little from eczema around his mouth, uses this with no additional aggravation to his condition.  I use it because it takes off all my makeup without prior wiping and makeup removal.  

6.  Wash cloth and hot water
When I was a little girl, my mom would take a clean wash cloth and run it under warm/hot water.  She'd wring it out and wipe my face with it.  And that was the extent of my skincare when I was little.  I turn to this when I'm having a breakout and want to avoid having my skin soak up ingredients.  A hot towel on my face feels soooooooo comforting (spa-like) on my face before I start wiping, which provides very gentle yet effective exfoliation.  And besides, this costs $0.00.  How's that for fellow recessionists?

Sorry if my praising these products is repetitious.  These products have got me through good and bad times without costing me a fortune.  I'm not saying that these are low-cost alternatives to expensive items.  I'm just saying that these are solutions for my skincare needs that just happen to be low-cost.  If I find a high-end product that meets any specific need or that I reach for time and time again, I will definitely update here.

Thanks for reading and hope you have a great day!