Daily Face Routine for Oily Skin

 

When it comes to my face routine, I have to find exactly what's right for my skin type. I have used numerous products from both low and high end, and although I do have my set of high end products to keep face matte for those special occasions, I find that these products save me from looking like a disco ball when it comes to my daily face routine. Most of these products you might have already heard of but there may be some of you that question the different products I use. Because believe it or not, they're not at all face products!

These items are simple to get your hands on and for the most part inexpensive!

1. TN Dickinson's Witch Hazel. The name sounds a bit odd but the product itself works amazing as a toner. It works great for oily, irritated, damaged, blemished, red, or inflamed skin. It absorbs all the excess oils on my face, helps soothe any irritation, all while making my face smooth and supple.
   
2. Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 30. This non-greasy formulated moisturizer works great for my oily skin. It provides me with a nice balance of moisture without feeling heavy. This moisturizer absorbs into my skin really fast so you're not stuck with that sticky feeling. It has a high SPF and you honestly cannot go wrong with that!
   
3. Milk of Magnesia. Yes! This wonderful bottle of magnesium hydroxide is a laxative! But holy moly does this product work amazing for oily skin! Although this product is used to alleviate the you-know-what, it can be used as a face primer. Applying this after your moisturizer helps to retain the oils on your face from seeping through your foundation. Besides a primer and a laxative, M.O.M. has so many other uses to it. Wikipedia that thing girl!
   
4. Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel. You're probably thinking, "what the heck is this girl putting on her face?!" But girl let me tell you! This product has the same consistency and the active ingredient of all the major primers we know and love, Dimethicone! This not only keeps me matte all day but it fills in my pores without clogging them.
   
5. Revlon Colorstay Foundation for Oily/Combination Skin. This is my go-to foundation for both daily and long-wear use. This truly keeps me matte all day, gives me amazing coverage and doesn't feel heavy on my face.
   
6. Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer. This waterproof concealer works amazing at concealing dark circles and blemishes. It stays put all day without fading no matter how oily or sweaty you get!

Biotin Review

I wanted to talk about biotin and my experience with it. This is just my honest review and my experience with biotin so not all results will be the same for everyone. However, I've heard really great things about biotin minus the side effects that can easily be overcome if you just stick with it! I know some of you may have questions about it so please feel free to ask them in the comments!

FACTS ABOUT BIOTIN (also referred to as Vitamin H and B7):
□ Though rare, brittle hair and nails could be a symptom of Biotin deficiency.
□ Health and beauty products contain biotin such as shampoo, makeup removers, even prenatal vitamins.
□ Other symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss, weak nails, and dry skin.
□ A recommended dosage of biotin is 5000 mcg.

ADVANTAGES:
□ With consistent use, biotin helps to stimulate faster hair and nail growth.

DISADVANTAGES:
□ High dosage of biotin can lead to acne breakouts. (results may vary)
□ May take several weeks to months for any visible changes.

TIPS FOR ENSURING BETTER RESULTS:
□ Because biotin is water soluble, it's important to increase you water intake for it to go through your system. Not enough water with the extra dosage of biotin may be the cause of breakouts.

MY THOUGHTS:

□ HAIR. I've been taking biotin for several months now (on and off). I believe I started in the Summer of 2011. My reason for wanting to take biotin was to boost my hair growth. Now I know my hair was already long to begin with but I noticed it was at a halt. It just stopped growing a little past my mid back. I would see my roots growing when I dyed my hair but the length always stayed the same. Partial to my hair not growing, it was also very brittle. I would get a lot of breakage which was probably the cause of my lack of hair growth.

□ I would try to about 5 tablets periodically throughout the day. For the first couple of weeks I didn't notice any changes in my hair. It wasn't until after a month of daily use that I noticed my hair getting longer (at least 1 or 2 inches). My hair was also falling out and I had a pinky nail size bald spot on the side of my head that completely grew out. I also noticed less breakage and healthier hair. I've heard of other hair supplements that made women grow facial hair but I had no issues with taking biotin. I definitely noticed a difference in hair growth but it took time to notice results. Since then my hair has grown over 4 inches.

□ NAILS.  My nails grew extremely fast after taking biotin. It happened almost right away! This was definitely a side effect of biotin because in addition to my slow hair growth, my nails also grew at a very slow pace, not to mention they were weak and prone to rips and tears no matter how much I kept myself hydrated. So seeing them grow and looking strong was definitely a sign that biotin was working. I was really excited because my nails have never grown so long before.

 □ SKIN. I didn't notice any significant improvement on my skin. It actually made it worse when I initially started taking biotin. However, after taking it several times a day for a few weeks, my body adjusted to the intake and I no longer get pimples because of it. As long as you stay hydrated and increase your water intake as you're taking biotin, then it should be no problem passing through your system.

AVAILABILITY:  Drugstores (Walmart)
PRICE: $3 USD

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

Product Review: Petal Fresh Whitening Facial Clay Masque, Before & After

I went to this local cosmetics beauty store in San Diego (Chula Vista to be exact) called Cosmetics Palace. They sell a lot of inexpensive cosmetics in bulk such as nail products, false eyelashes, makeup brushes, etc. You won't find your high-end luxury makeup brands there that's for sure. To be honest, I even saw fake MAC products on their counter but of course I had no intentions of purchasing it.

The only time I stop by this place is to restock on false eyelashes because they sell one of my favorite brand of lashes, Elegant Lashes. They also sell a lot of NYX and Jordana cosmetics as well. My first time ever coming to this place I saw my favorite facial mask which is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque and at the time I was already stocked on that product. I recently ran out and decided to make a quick stop to purchase it but unfortunately they didn't have it. I did manage to find that masque at Bed Bath & Beyond but that's another story!

Anyway, I was looking at this section where they had other facial masks and I came across this one by Petal Fresh. Now to be honest, I have never heard of this brand but I was tempted to buy it because it was a WHITENING clay masque which I needed terribly because of my post acne scars that wouldn't go away. I was on the fence about purchasing it because it looked pretty generic to me and I was afraid to put any unfamiliar products on my face. But I went with my gut feeling and I bought it and I have to say that this product does work for the most part. Just look at the before and after picture! You can see exactly where I had the most problematic areas in the before picture. Although in the packaging it states that results may be visible within 8 weeks of continuous use, this is the result of just 4 weeks! Amazing right?! I could only imagine how much better my skin will be after 8 weeks of use considering the visible results I got in just half the time.

This is the result of just 4 weeks of continuous use

I try to use this product about twice a week.

Once on the weekdays and once on the weekend.

AVAILABILITY:  As far as I know I have only seen this at my local cosmetics store. I'm not sure about the availability of it online.
PRICE: $3-$5 USD

SIZE: 150 ml (6 fl oz)

VALUE FOR PRICE: 5/5

EASE OF USE: 5/5

PACKAGING: 5/5

MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 5/5

OVERALL USE: 5/5

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT? For people who can't get rid of post acne scars and redness then yes, I highly recommend it!

WOULD I PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT AGAIN? Yes!

PROS:

→ Fast results although it may vary between others using it.

→ Inexpensive.

→ No tingly feeling which is a love/hate factor for me. Sometimes I like it sometimes I don't.

→ Applies smoothly. It almost feels like you're just applying lotion on your face.

→ Consistency is great. It's not too thick.

→ No harsh odors.

→ Has a slight scent of green tea which to smells a lot better than perfume smells.

→ Dries fast.

CONS:

→ It does not say anything about preventing or diminishing the appearance of pimples.

→ May be difficult to find.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

→ When using products that whiten your face, it's important that you don't expose your skin directly in the sunlight especially after using a product like this. It may cause redness and irritation and could also defeat the purpose of the product. So I highly suggest using this product only at night.

OVERALL:
→ At first I didn't see any obvious differences when I would see myself in the mirror. But the pictures have made me believe otherwise. So I am very happy with this product! Even if my face isn't close to flawless yet, I'm extremely satisfied with the results. I have had a lot of problems with post acne scars and hyperpigmentation on my face and this whitening masque has helped a lot at diminishing them.

→ Although it says that it helps cleanse pores, I wasn't looking so much into that so I haven't really noticed any dramatic differences in my pores. I mainly bought this for the purpose of whitening my complexion.

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

What's Inside Your Medicine Cabinet?

What's inside your medicine cabinet? I just randomly decided to take a picture of what's inside my medicine cabinet to share with everyone. It is somewhat beauty related so why the heck not! I have my own bathroom at home (I still live with my parents -__-) so it's nice to have a bathroom all to myself. This particular medicine cabinet is frameless with recessed mirrors and adjustable shelves. So basically, it's covered with mirrors! I usually keep my skincare products inside of mine since I'm at the sink washing my face anyway. That way I can reach for my facial cleanser and moisturizer when I need it. Keep in mind this is not where everything is kept. I have other shelves in my bathroom that contain other facial necessities and such but this post is only dedicated to my medicine cabinet. :)

Top row: I have a travel size baby powder for when I would travel. I don't use it that much but I have used it as an alternative to my dry shampoo even though it doesn't work nearly as well. It sucks actually, lol. I keep an empty spray bottle that had makeup remover in it but it's empty now. I keep Anbesol in the very back put you can't see it and my deodorant as well as this mud mask for your body from Bath & Body Works. I don't use it but I have no other place to keep it so it stays there! I also have a few hair styling products that have been collecting dust for quite some time now.

Middle row: This is where I keep my toners, pore masks, teeth whiteners and a few of my perfumes. I think my perfume looks really random there but again, I was just filling up space at the time so I decided to put a few in there.

Bottom row: This is where I keep some of my facial cleansers and face masks. I'm currently using St. Ives as my facial cleanser and exfoliator. Next to it I keep my contact lens solution. I don't usually wear contact lenses. The only time I ever wear them is to do a look or if I feel like being a little more festive. I have this Estee Lauder Night Repair serum and this prescription face cream when I used to have a lot of breakouts. Next to that I have this whitening mask which I'm currently testing out. I just bought it 2 weeks ago so I'm still on the fence about it. I'm hoping to do a review on it soon! The pink bottle is my moisturizer and next to it is my Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask which I recently restocked on. I couldn't find it at this place where I usually saw them but I finally found them at Bed Bath & Beyond. I also keep my Perricone eye cream, Cetaphil for when my skin gets oily, and mouth wash!

What's in your medicine cabinet?

Perricone High Potency Eye Lift (GIVEAWAY TIME!) CLOSED!

If you're like me and you suffer from fine lines under your eyes, or even if you want to diminish the look of bags and wrinkles, then this product could be for you! I'm one of those people who naturally have fine lines under my eyes and in order for me to prevent from having any more lines and wrinkles, a really good eye treatment is in called for. If you're on the same boat as me or if you just want prevent any signs of aging before they even start then I am very pleased to say that N V Perricone is offering one lucky reader one bottle of their High Potency Eye Lift treatment. This fast absorbing eye treatment from Perricone MD cosmeceuticals will give you the instant eye lift that you need to help lift, brighten, tighten, and tone your delicate eye area.

How to Enter:

→ Leave a comment on this blog post telling me why the High Potency Eye Lift is the product for you.

Rules:
→ Entries must be submitted by August 1st, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.
→ One submission per person.
→ Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only.
→ The winner will be chosen randomly. If you don't have a blog please leave an e-mail address where you can be notified. 
→ The winner's information will be given to the sponsor of Perricone MD and they will ship the prize to you.

Review: Need A Margarita?

I'm currently using this body scrub from Bath and Body Works from their True Blue Spa line. And let me tell you how much I LOVE this scrub!! Not only does it smell like a MARGARITA but it leaves your skin feeling so smooth and moisturized.

I think the citrus smell of this body scrub is perfect for the Spring and Summer season just because it really smells like you're on a vacation! In a way, you don't even need to put on lotion after you take a shower (even though I still do) because it's so moisturizing.

I only use a nickel size amount for my arms, legs and decollete area. Once all the sugar has dissolved I leave it on my body for a minute or two to allow the oils to seep into my skin. Once you rinse it off, you'll be amazed how soft and supple your skin feels.

DESCRIPTION: This tropical citrus scrub is the vacation your skin needs from locking and feeling landlocked. Sugar exfoliates to sweeten your spa experience balanced with just a little salt (the way you like it), while exotic oils moisturize and transport you to the tropical island of your choice every time you shower or bathe.

AVAILABLE AT: Bath & Body Works in store. I can't seem to find this product on their website.

PRICE: $13 USD

SIZE: 6 oz/170g

VALUE FOR PRICE: 5/5

EASE OF USE: 5/5

PACKAGING: 5/5

MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 4.5/5

OVERALL USE: 5/5

PROS:

→ Skin feels smooth and moisturized in the shower and long after you rinse it off

→ Scent is amazing if you love citrusy/lemony/margarita smells lol

→ Thick sugar crystals doesn't make it harsh on your skin

→ Safe for people with sensitive skin

→ Can last you a long time since a little goes a long way

CONS:

→ Sugar dissolves too fast in my opinion which is why I gave 4.5/5 as far as meeting my expectations. But in a way it helps prevent you from over exfoliating

→ May not be easily available for people who may consider purchasing

→ If you're looking for a sweet smelling body scrub, this product is not for you

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT? Yes

WOULD I PURCHASE AGAIN? Yes

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

Clarisonic Haul

I went to Sephora and I finally bought myself a Clarisonic skin cleansing system. I purchased the Mia which is a travel friendly version of the original Clarisonic except the Mia has an international charger that works worldwide. I think the Mia is perfect for me since I'm going to the Philippines next month. I also chose the limited edition Mia which comes with a travel bag and an additional brush head.

I've only used my Clarisonic once and I must say that after I was finished using this, I felt really refreshed and it felt like I was just given a facial. To be honest, I almost felt like I wanted to go to sleep after I used this because it felt really relaxing.

I'm not sure if I'll be doing a product review for this. I think there are more than enough reviews on this product online but we'll see. All I really have to say that's bad about this product is its price. The Clarisonic Mia runs for about $145 and the regular for about $200. It's really pricey most especially for me but I've been wanting this product for quite some time now so it was a must-have on my list.

Questions for my readers:

1. Clarisonic users, how do you like this system so far? Any pros? cons?

2. For those who don't have one, would you consider purchasing one?

Product Review: Ly-Na Pearl Cream

For starters, I've grown some major balls to post these pictures of myself without any make-up on. So what you are about to see may not be at all appealing. So if you just had a big dinner or if you're the type to get queezy fast, keep in mind that viewer discretion is advised. LOL. Haha just kidding. It ain't THAT bad! I hope...

PRODUCT DISCRIPTION:
→ Removes blackheads, pimples, ephelis and wrinkles.
→ If your acne becomes worse, it is because you haven't properly cleaned your skin prior to application.
→ When using this cream, protect your skin from sunlight.


ACTIVE INGREDIENTS:
- Stearic Acid, Centanol, Lanolin, Glyceryl Monostearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Sulfur, Perfume, Ion Exchange Water, Glycerine, Potassium Hydroxide, Pearl Powder.

CAN BE PURCHASED AT: Seafood City, other asian markets. veryasia.com, etc.
PRICE: $2.79
SIZE: 10 g
VALUE FOR PRICE: 5 out of 5
MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 3 out of 5
OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 5







HOW I USE THIS PRODUCT:
→ Cleanse face thoroughly
→ Spray face with water using spray bottle
→ Apply a lot of cream and massage onto face [applied heavily to certain areas]
→ Cleanse face the next morning

PROS:
→ Inexpensive
→ Leaves your face feeling soft & smooth
→ Brightens your face
→ Makes pimples less visible & removes redness from pimples


CONS:
→ Smells like an old lady [you get used to it so after a while it's not so bad]
→ Not easy to find, depends where you live
→ Packaging sucks & it's too shallow


OVERALL:
→ When I first bought this cream I was excited to try it since a lot of you ladies swear by it that it's the "holy grail". When I first tried it the first time, I didn't see much of a difference. Then Anne told me not to apply too much. So the next time I tried it, I made sure I applied only a thin layer. The next morning, still... no difference. So for about a week I stopped using it.

Then I saw that Iyah did a product review on this cream and the results were so crazy! Her face looked so good I was jealous. She told me she applies A LOT of this stuff to her face. So I thought that if it didn't work using a little bit of this product the first time, then maybe if I apply a lot of it, it'll work better. In the end it did clear up for the most part but just not completely. Which is why I give this product an overall 3 out of 5.

I still plan on using this product and I'm still hoping to see a difference. I also don't use it every night. I use it about 3 nights straight and I skip about another 3 nights and I continue using it again. Not only do I not want to make my face too white but it's also a pain to make sure you don't get it on your pillows when you're sleeping at night. Hehehe.

BEFORE

AFTER

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

Ly-Na Pearl Face Cream

I finally bought the Ly-Na Pearl Face Cream because I've heard so many good reviews on it. I bought it at Seafood City for $2.79. When I bought it, I imagined it being a little bit bigger but for the price it gives, I firgured it was well worth the cost. The packaging is also pretty cheap and it's pretty funny because when you open the box you see a picture of a man. Haha, big shocker!


Anyway, the smell isn't too bad but it reminds me a lot of my grandma. I don't know if that ever happens to you, but you know when you're so used to smelling that familiar smell, and you smell something just like it, it brings you back. Haha, I don't know if that makes sense but right when I smelt it, I automatically thought of my grandma. Haha. Maybe she uses this stuff. :P


I'll most def do a review on it soon with before & after pictures. I have a few pimple scars on my forehead and around my chin area so hopefully this stuff will work its magic on me. :)