Here in my area, there are a few discount department stores that sometimes have pretty impressive beauty/haircare/skincare selections. My favorite places to check out are:
-Big Lots -TJ Max -DD's Discount
If I'm lucky, I find great finds on Benefit, Smashbox, Stila, and Urban Decay.
Most times I still find great deals on drugstore brands (like $3 for John Frieda products that are still priced at $12 in WalMart!)
Recently I found something that I have yet to see anywhere else:
Biore Restore Skin Boosting Night Serum
This serum is contains 1.3 oz and cost about a buck.
The product is pretty thin but not runny and had a pleasant smell. Although it is light like a serum should be, I felt that this didn't absorb quickly like a serum should.
I didn't notice any changes in my skin at all when I used this. It didn't brighten my skin, significantly hydrate it, clear my complexion, or anything else serums usually do.
However, it didn't do anything to mess with my skin either. It didn't make me oily, break me out, dry out my skin...
Over all, it felt like I was rubbing semi-set gelatin on my face...
For a buck, I can't complain about losing out or making a bust investment; but I was expecting better quality from Biore.
Has anyone seen this product? I'm surprised that I had never seen this product except at a discount store.
This is an open-box post! I like to do these to inform my viewers and readers of the new products I receive and let them know that there will be a review soon!
This was sent to my by Neostrata.com and it is a tone corrector. I do have hyperpigmentation so I am very excited to use this! I will be testing out for a month and then post my review, stay tuned!
Hello everyone! I am very happy to share with all of you my favorite web store for Korean skincare products!
NaturalRadiance.net
This online web store sells the
greatest Korean facial products for extremely affordable prices. Some
of the products they sell include sheet masks, facial masks, bb creams, eye
creams and masks, nose strips, and other amazing products for face and body; although, they are expanding to include other beauty items such as Korean brand false lashes!
I
have been accepted into the reviewers club for Natural Radiance! As
member of the Reviewers club we receive a box of goodies every few weeks to review. This month I received a few sheet masks and some pore strips.
Clear Derm Sheet Masks ($1-$5)
-Seaweed
Essence sheet mask: This one smells
fresh and clean, it does not smell salty or ocean like. It does hydrate the
skin. This is something I would try
again.
-Red Ginseng
Essence sheet mask: This mask is one that I will not be repurchasing. I
definitely do not like this one because of the scent. I thought this would
smell like a sort of tea but was unpleasantly surprised when I put this on my
face.
It smelled like dirt, weeds, or roots. Just a earth-y dirty smell. It was
so bad that I couldn’t stand wearing the mask for more than a few minutes.
I
tossed it in the trash and left the room. When I came back a half hour later,
my bedroom reeked of roots and dirt! I had to open the windows and turn on the
scents-y. I’m sure that the quality of the mask and the effects it has on the
skin are great, but it smelled so awful I did not get to fully experience it.
-Royal Jelly
sheet mask: This is another favorite of mine because it has royal jelly in it
and that is something I like a lot of my facial products to have.
Just a quick
FYI; Royal Jelly is what worker bees feed their Queen bee and the larvae. This
jelly has a protein that causes queen bees to become fertile, large, healthy,
and live longer. There’s a reason why the queen bee is so much bigger than the
other bees and lives the longest. She only eats royal jelly.
Now imagine
putting this miracle food on your skin; it is the most nutritious thing you can
use on your skin. It provides hundreds of minerals and vitamins to your skin as
well as aid in preventing wrinkles.
This mask is the ultimate treat to your
skin, when I used it, I noticed my skin was the softest I have ever felt it and
very supple. It smells like baby powder or baby lotion. They recommend wearing
this for 15-20 minutes but I left it on for about an hour until it was
completely dry so that my skin could absorb all the nutrients.
Pure Derm Sheet Masks ($1-$3) and Pore Strips($3-$5)
-Mineral
Water Collagen sheet mask: This mask is by far my favorite sheet mask; I do
prefer this one over any of the others that I have tried. It is very hydrating,
it refreshes my skin after eating unhealthy or being around a lot of pollution.
That can make your skin look and feel exhausted. After using this mask I notice
my skin is plumper, has more elasticity, and is over all brighter in
appearance.
Aside from
the sheet masks I also received 2 boxes of pore strips for the nose which is
perfect. These are only a few bucks and work exactly the same as the Biore ones
I used to use but for a better price.
I received
these in "Aloe" and "Charcoal".
-now the
aloe one did not have any scent to it at all which is comforting because if
these stink, you aren’t going to put it
on your nose are you?
Also, pore
strips can sometimes be painful to use, but this pore strip didn’t hurt a bit.
I used this on myself, my sister, and my mother. We all agreed that there was
no discomfort when using these. I think it might be the aloe that soothes.
-Last thing
I want to talk about is the pore strips in charcoal. I did not like these,
again, because of the scent! I am not joking or exaggerating, these REEK of
“smoking hotel room”. It smelled like someone who frequently smoke cigarettes.
Some may like that smell but I found it very unpleasant and could not stand having
the smell around my nose. Aside from the smell, these do work well and clear
out your blackheads. The charcoal in these also help shrink pores with regular
use.
There were only two or three products that I didn't enjoy from this bunch but mostly because of the smells in them, not because the quality was bad.
Please check out Natural Radiance for some great deals!!
Hello Loveely ladies and gents! I hope everyone is having a wonderful week back at school (if you aren't in school or haven't started yet, lucky you!!)
I just started school again this week and I am not up for it at all! But I will just have to get back into the swing of things (I would rather be taking some Kminar courses with Koren from EnKore!)
Starting school after an awesome Christmas vacation is so sluggish and exhuasting, so I thought I would perk everyone up with another giveaway!! The last giveaway went so well, I think I may do one every few months!
Give your skincare routine a makeover this year and start your beauty/skincare resolutions!
Here are the details:
Prize 1 Exuviance Purifying Cleansing Gel ($28) -An anti-aging facial cleanser with alpha and polyhydroxy acids to soothe and improve the skin's texture. Deep cleans to remove impurities. Non-drying and gentle on skin. Safe to use on all skin types. Soap free, foaming, dermatoligist and allergy tested.
I really wanted to give one of these away becuase it is the only cleanser I have been using for the past couple of months and I love it. This is definitely a product and brand that I highly recommend to all my readers and I would love for one of you lucky subbies to get a chance to win it and try it out!
How to enter Simple! 1. Be a subscriber 2. That's it!
ADDITIONAL ENTRIES: Leave a comment here, on the VL FaceBook, or send a tweet. -Comment anything concerning you're skincare resolutions for this new year!
Rules -Must be a subscriber -Must be 18 or older, or have parents permission (leave that info in your comment) -Comments stating "enter me", "I have subscribed", or "pick/choose me" will be disqualified -You may enter as many times as you want; although, the more you enter, the more likely you are to win
Further Details -Giveaway will end February 13th at midnight -Winner will be announced Valentine's day (my birthday, woop!) -If you have any questions regarding the giveaway, please send me an email! -Open to US residents only -No PO box addresses
Again, thank you to all my subscribers! I love you guys so much and I cannot wait to bring you more giveaways in 2012! GOOD LUCK! ^__~
I am very pleased to bring this review to everyone! This will be on a cleansing gel that was sent to me by Amy from Neostrata, a skincare webstore. This Webstore sells some of the greatest skincare lines! One company they carry is called Exuviance, a skincare line dedicated to fighting acne with anti-aging properties. I am not always pleased with some of the products I reviece from companies (I'll soon have a review up on something I hated!), but this cleanser really was a great find!
Packaging: This cleanser comes in a box, nothing too fancy. I will be honest, when I opened this up I was a little dissapointed. It looked so plain and I thought, "this must not be that great". I was wrong, dont judge a cleanser by its packaging! I dont mind the packaging much if the product itself makes up for it, which is the case in this situation. When it comes to the product packaging, the cleanser comes in a tall plastic bottle with a great pump
My newest addition to my skincare regimine!
Details: An anti-aging facial cleanser with alpha and polyhydroxy acids to soothe and improve the skin's texture. Deep cleans to remove impurities. Non-drying and gentle on skin. Safe to use on all skin types. Soap free, foaming, dermatoligist and allergy tested.
Used for: Entire month of November; once in the morning and once at night.
Pros: -I love that this is a gel cleanser and doesn't have soap; it did not dry out my skin. Gel cleansers (and moisturizers) are great for oily skin, something I have. -Effectively washed away makeup and eye-makeup residue. (I use an eye makeup remover but sometimes I am still left with residue from liner or mascara, this cleaser got rid of that) -Leaves skin extremely soft and smooth. -Doesn't burn or itch -It lasted very long. Both myself and my sister used this morning and evening for the entire month of November and I have a little more than 1/4 left. If you use it for yourself only, it will last much longer. -Very effective in fighting acne:
If I ever fall asleep with makeup on, I am guaranteed breakouts the very next morning because my skin is oily. I cannot fall asleep with makeup on and no matter how late it is or how tired I am, I make it a point to wash off all makeup before bed. I wanted to test the acne fighting of this cleanser, so I fell asleep with my makeup on purpose! The next day I washed up to find no breakouts and I was impressed. I decided to test it out again the next day, same results. I fell asleep for an entire week with my makeup; no breakouts what so ever. This stuff really is amazing!
My cleanser the day I opened it. This humble bottle hides a great skincare inside!
Cons: -I wasn't too crazy about the smell of this cleanser. It didn't stink, but it didnt smell that good either. Im not sure how to explain the smell, and if I try, I know it will only sound weird (In my opinion, it smells like cardboard and school supplies....see, weird). However, I read 3 other reviews on this and the women agreed that it smelled really good, so it might be possible that I recieved an older batch?
How to use: Use one pump on; with fingertips, gently massage over face and neck.
Worth it?: YES. I am so glad that I was sent this cleanser. I will be repurchasing this before I run out becuase this is now part of my beauty regimine. I would absolutely recommend this to a friend. It is worth every penny! The results are amazing.
What are your opinions? Do you have a tough time picking out a great cleanser? Would you like to try this? I am thinking about including this in a future giveaway so please let me know if you would enjoy this or not! Thanks again!
I LOVE using all natural products so I was so happy when I got this in the mail! This is a beauty bar sent to me by Sibu.
Here's a little more on the company: Sibu is an all natural, all organic, cruelty free premium skin care company.
They pride themselves on their most valuable ingredient; found in all of their products, the Himalayan Sea Buckthorn Berry. The berry is better known as the Beauty Berry in Europe and Asia. It contains Omega 3, 6, 7, and 9 (great for hair, skin, and nails!).
The berry is also rumored to help in weight loss-- but don't eat your soap. :) If using sea buckthorn for weightloss is something you're interested in, they do carry dietary supplements on their website...
Price: This was sent to me; its available for $6.95 (for 3.5 ounces)
Packaging: Shrink wrapped and sealed; comes in a box.
Details: Designed to rid skin of impurities and pollutants from everyday exposure. Creates a barrier to protect skin from UV rays and cell damaging free-radicals. Also promotes tissue recovery and healing.
Beauty bar packaging
Packed with more than 190 bioactive compounds to inhinit bacterial growth. Contains no parabens. Free of dairy, wheat, gluten, yeast, sodium and preservatives.
Pros: -Smells clean and fresh!
-Lathers to a rich, thick, and creamy soap
-Protects from sun damage! I loved this-- even though its winter, you still need to protect yourself from the sun. Now you can just wash up with this before leaving your house everymorning and top it off with a moisturizing SPF!
-Cleans and conditions the skin
-For ALL skin types.
-Didn't dry out my skin -Becuase its a bar soap, it will last you a long time
Cons: -Its a bar of soap, it looks like a plain bar of soap. Am I the only one who loves pretty detailing and packaging.. -Its a bar of soap, it sits on a soap dish-- ew!
My beauty bar right before its first use!
Further thoughts: I really liked this soap. I not only used it on my face, but as a body bar in general. I noticed my skin felt smoother and looked brighter. Its not very cute, but it doesn't take away from the results this gave my skin. The only thing I recommend is to buy a soap container that seals up. I hate leaving bar soap to sit out; it gets full of bacteria and just grosses me out!
Would I recommend this: Yes. I liked the results. I would buy this again, most likely for travel. I think this would also look really cute in a gift basket! :)
Let me know your thoughts! What is your favorite natural/organic skincare product? (Mine is Enfuselle!) Do you like the idea of a beauty bar? Or does that gross you out too? Let me know how you would keep your precious soap from getting ruined!
I had an earlier post on Enfuselle and I got Emails asking for more reviews on this brand because its not commonly heard of. For those who have never heard of or tried Shaklee products, I can tell you it is a company that asks for investment. This stuff gets pricey but it is extremely worth the money. Of everything I have ever tried, this is the stuff I swear by and recommend to everyone. So with that said, I'll have more reviews on all their products that I use in the upcoming weeks. This is my all time favorite moisturizer, as you can see I have used it almost all up! and When I order this, I use every last drop. Call me cheap but I will wipe every bit of lotion out with my fingers or I'll use a Qtip if I cant reach it lol, which I have been doing as of late. But I just ordered a new one so I'm hoping it comes in before I run out completelyI love this stuff to death, I have been using it for about five years now and I plan to use it until (God forbid) they stop making it. This can be found on Shaklee's website for $25 (w/o shipping and tax) and the bottle contains about 2 oz of product. What I love is how light this is. This feels like I'm not even putting on moisturizer but my skin feels so soft and quenched. There is no dryness, tightness, stretching, etc of my skin at all after I have put this on. This gives skin at matte finish which scores big points for me; I hate when a lotion feel good on your skin but leaves it shiney. This also firms the skin by repairing the skins collagen and protecting it from the suns future damage! After using this for years, I have no premature wrinkles and my skin holds its youthfulness; this product, overtime, has left my skin glowing and naturally beautiful. The photo of me and my main squeeze in the about me section shows me using just this moisturizer and some mascara and eyeliner. Everyone asks what foundation/concealer I'm wearing in that picture and are shocked when I say I'm not wearing any! This lotion is just amazing over all. It has all natural ingredients, no additives, no oils, no parabens, hypo allergenic, no perfumes, no animal testing, no soaps, no artificial ingredients. It is the purest thing you can find for your skin. The clinical results over the period of 28 days are as follows: 146% increase in skins resiliance 268% decrease in appearance of fine lines 173% decrease in appearance of wrinkles Restorative of skins natural lipid levels Basically dolls, this stuff is a miracle worker :) I love it, and if I could provide this for every lady out there, I would. Hope you all get a chance to try it, Happy Blogging! And as always, god bless :)
Here is another moisturizer I tried and its Biore's Nourish with SPF 15. I found this at Walmart for around $9. I got this because I absolutely love Biore's cleansers, so I trusted that the lotion would be good too. (I'll have cleanser reviews up soon!) This lotion is supposed to deliver nutrients, balance and fortify the skin. I usually only use this at night because its quite heavy but I like the way my skin looks in the morning. I wake up with a softer and more glowing complexion; maybe from the "balancing and fortifying"? Whatever it is, I really like it! The only reason I don't use it for day is because the heavy consistency leaves my skin oily :p Darn oil! Lol, but for night time use it is perfect. It hydrates my skin over night so in the morning I don't have puffy dark eyes (dry skin under the eyes causes all of that!) and in the morning I just wash off excess oil and use my lighter day lotion. If you dont have oily skin, this is a great product for all day wear. Happy Blogging!
Another moisturizer I tried was Olay's Complete moisturizer for Combination/oily skin. This was around $10 at Walmart and I had heard great things about it so I bought it on a whim. I came home and tried it for a few days. The box promised a light and non greasy formula with UV protection and Vitamins E & B3. After trying it for about a week, I could not stand it anymore :/ It actually burned when I put it on my face. Again I didnt like the smell on this one either and it still left my face oily. I decided to look on Olays website and the reviews their from other (dis)satisfyed customers said that the company developed a new formula recently (the one I bought) and that it was just horrible. Others agreed with me that it was not oil free and made their faces more oily. These ladies were very upset and all were demanding the old formula back which was truelly Oil-free. I should have read the reviews before purchasing lol. But I didnt completely waste ten dolars; this moisturizer turned out great for my mom :) I'll keep looking!
I have been obsessed with moisturizers lately. Its close to summer and my skin needs a light moisturizer that won't give me any oil and but add some SPF. I am still on that struggle to find that perfect moisturizer! But I have tried a number of some recently and I thought I would share what I thought about them. The first is Proactive's Oil Free Moisture with SPF 15. It comes in their package for $30. This was supposed to keep from adding oil to my skin, which I really need because I have oily skin. I had high hopes for this but they came crashing down after I tried this. I was hoping for something light that can go on under makeup. It is light, but thats the only thing I liked about it. This is not oil free, it actually made my skin more oily! Especially on my forehead. This also smelled yucky. So I don't recommend this for those of you with oily skin. I'll keep looking for that perfect moisturizer, wish me luck!
I have two products that I use for fighting serious breakouts when I need fast results. We've all been there, its the day before prom or picture day, or some other big event and we wake up with a pimple staring us in the mirror. Before you bring out the heavy concealers, try these treatments first. My favorites are actually not blemish spot treatments, but rather masks for the enitre face. Masks are used to dry the skin of excess sebum and oils, close up pores, and deep clean the face. They can be really harsh if used too often and thats why these are only to be used about once a week. But, for blemish fixes, instead of using once a week I use these almost every night... as spot treatments! Using the masks this way protect my face from drying out but still gives those stubborn pimples the deep cleaning they need. After washing and moisturizing, I take clean fingers and dab some on any pimples or future breakouts. It dries on like a mud and I can sleep with it on knowing that my blemishes are being purged over night.By morning, my pimples are less red and swollen if not completely gone! The first mask I use is from Shaklee and its their Enfuselle Infusing Mineral Mask. It contains minerals to condition the skin, and purified mud and clay to purge impurities. This can be found online but it only comes in their skin care package for $220 or the membership price of $187 (YIKES!) . Yes it can be pricey, but its well worth it. The package contains other skin care products catered to your specific skin type and needs. Its all natural ingredients and is garuanteed. I would most likely never spend that much money on a product; this was actually a gift from my parents. The next mask I like is from Proactive and its the Refining Mask. It comes in the Combination Therapy package along with other great items. The entire package overall is $30. This mask contains 6% sulfur, which I have never seen used in any other products, to deep clean the skin and fight blemishes. This actually works better than the Enfuselle one! You don't have to buy costly packages from companies online, I bet this would work with any mask. Give it a try! Happy Blogging and God bless!
