Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub

This pore scrub targets pore-clogging dirt and blackheads while exfoliating to reveal a soft and smooth complexion. More effective than a leading scrub, it uses unique spherical beads to clean without damaging your skin. 

Okay, I have tried A LOT of pore/blackhead scrubs. I've tried clean and clear, st. ives, family dollar generic, target generic and more. Honestly, they are ALL the same. This has been the most expensive one I have tried so far and the Target generic at less the half it's price works just as well.


That is what it looks like and is usually around 3 dollars and sometimes as low as 2. If you purchase it online sometimes purchase them in bulk for cheaper.

I have not tried a high end black head scrub because I have never found the need to so I can't compare this to anything fancy but it has always worked for me.
The only plus is I believe the Biore is oil free while the generic is not. So that always is something to keep in mind when purchasing a scrub. The generic is compared to the clean and clear scrub which I also believe has oil in it.

You can purchase the Biore scrub for around 6 dollars and can find it at a number of drugstores as well as online.

The up and up scrub is the target generic scrub that can be found instore or online.

Botanics Age Defense Microdermabrasion Polish

Botanics Age Defense Microdermabrasion Polish

Get younger-looking skin with Boots Botanics microdermabrasion polish. Part of the Age Defense collection, it is formulated with ginkgo extract to protect skin from external damage. Microparticles help to refine pores and improve skin texture, while plant stem technology enhances your skin's radiance.

Okay since I'm only 22 I really don't need a age defense scrub. That being said I've been on a microdermabrasion kick, I've been wanting to get a microdermabrasion tool but since I'm broke I opted to try this instead. Let me tell you, I am not disappointed  This contains very fine pumice so as soon as I felt it the scrub reminded me of a foot scrub. It's a very fine, sand papery like scrub which left my skin feeling very soft and my pores practically disappeared! This scrub has worked better for my pores then any other scrub or nose strip, it's awesome!

First I scrubbed it in with my fingers and followed with my facial brush and my skin felt soft an refreshed. I used this as a once a week scrub as directed on the back.

This is the first product in while that left such a good impression that I'm excited to use other products by this company.

I purchased mine at Target, originally 12.99 but is currently 10% off.

Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream

Noxzema Deep Cleaning Cream

Alright as of late due to stress my skin has been freaking out. Because of this and my recent move I figured I should mess with my skin routine. This is one of the products I picked up on my drug-store skincare haul.

Feel fresh and rejuvenated with the Noxzema original deep-cleansing cream. This deep-cleansing face cream removes makeup, oil and dirt and effectively cleans pores without dehydrating and drying your skin.

Okay, I think they're fibbing just a bit. I find if I don't use a make-up remover prior it will not take all of it off unless I'm using a facial brush with it. Regardless I always remove my make-up with a wipe before using this. It also claims it will not dehydrate my skin, they also make a hydrating version of this. I have normalish skin, only semi-oily in my t-zone like most people. This left my cheeks very very dry. I had to slather a lot of moisturizer on my cheeks after I use this.

Simply massage the cream onto wet skin and wash it off after a minute. This skin cleanser helps make your skin smooth and soft and leaves a long-lasting glow. It has essential oils such as eucalyptus. 

I will say that my skin did feel nice and soft in the spots that weren't left overly dry. I used this during a light breakout and by the next day most of my bumps were gone. So I will say this an effective acne products but personally I would not use this as a daily cleanser because I found it very drying.

Also please smell this, usually they don't have a cover and you can just open it and take a whiff. It smells like acne medicine. I hate the smell. The smell almost made me return it. I have a very sensitive nose and it did not agree with this AT all.

Also this product does not foam up which is typical of my normal cleansers so if you look for that in a cleanser then this isn't for you.

Over view: The price is about 3-5 dollars at 12 oz is a great steal. I wouldn't use it as a daily cleanser because I find it very strong on my skin but if you have oilyer skin it might help control that. It has helped me with light break out but I'm unsure how it will help with very heavy acne.

Would I recommend it? Yes, at the price you might as well try it because it won't break the bank.

I purchased mine at Target for $3.99 but it should be available at your local drugstore.

Deals!

 

12 oz on sale at Sephora.com!

Only $10!($26 value)

Free shipping at $50 and go to Retailmenot for codes for some freebies! Also as always 3 free samples with a online order!

Friends and Family sale is going on at urban decay. 20% off your order with code ffholiday2013!

DIY spa time!

 I always try to keep away from chemically products. As most people I enjoy more natural and cruelty free products. This is a natural and organic(doesn't have to be) facial mask good for acne and brightening the skin. The best thing is it's affordable and you can usually find the products right in your fridge!

Mask ingredients:
1 egg(White only, I have a use for yolk too! never waste!)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt

You'll also need a pot of water and a small facial towel.

Get a medium sized pot and fill it half way, I always pour some sea salt in the water. I have heard from others it does make a difference and some people think it is a useless step, I do it anyways.I let it steam up but don't let it boil!


In a small dish/bowl or whatever you would like to use put in your sale, lemon juice and egg white. Put the yolk in a dish to the side, the proteins are great for your hair!

Beat the mixture in the bowl until it's nice and frothy. Once your pot of water begins to steam, rest your face over it. The steam will open your pores and allow the mask to settle in nice and deep! You can always transfer the water to a bowl in case you're worried about putting your face over a pot of water, I've never had any mishaps but I am also very cautious!

After a 2-3 minutes of steaming I dip my rag into the pot of water and set it to the side. I steam my face over the pot for another minute or so while the rag cools. Make sure the rag is hot but won't burn you! The minute is more then enough for me but I can handle heat very well! Please touch it and make sure it isn't too hot for you. If it's too hot for your hands it's too hot for your face!

I like to cut holes in my rag, this is exclusively used for my face. The reason I like the holes is because with the rag on my face I find it hard to breathe and that's never a good thing! I sit back and rest the rag on my face for another minute or so. Also with the eye holes in the rag you and put cucumbers or teabags on your eyes for a extra treatment!

Imminently after this steam treatment rub the mask all over your face. It should still have some gains of sea salt in there so make sure to rub it in like a exfoliator. It's likely you will have a lot left over. If you have other people in your household use it on them too! I never keep the extra because I like to have it nice and fresh.

Leave it on your face until it dries(your face will feel stiff and sometimes turn white and crackily because of the mixture) then wash off with warm water then pat dry!

Remember that yolk I mentioned? After I rub the mask in my face I use the yolk as a hair treatment. Often I will just rub it into my hair plain but sometimes I add a little bit of olive oil or mix it with conditioner depending on what I have in the house. I leave it in my hair with the mask on my face, usually I like to do this in the morning or before bed so I can take a shower and wash everything out at once!

Also lemon juice is a natural hair lightener! Over time it will lighten hair, often I will also mix that in with the yolk. It works best in direct sunlight though so if you do it inside it may not work as well. You can also keep a small spray bottle of lemon juice to spray in your hair before going out if you'd like to try this natural hair lightening method!

Skincare junkie

So recently due to all my stress my skin has been FREAKING out. I'm trying a lot of new skincare products since I lost most of my old ones in my move.

I'll be posting my first thoughts and then updating a week or two later with the longer term results. Just letting you guys know ahead of time! Also got some products for my husband so I'll be making him give me notes and thoughts and I'll be posting those as well.

Dermatouch: Natural skincare

Today my mail man handed me my mail and it finally came in. I was super excited because I've always wanted a Clarisonic but I am not made of money, I can't afford one! At the price of $19.99 and free shipping how could I go wrong with trying this product? Also if I am displeased with it in any way I can just return it to a Target store, score!
Now it is pretty obvious I have never hair a Clarisonic, maybe one day I'll get it to try and get a better compairison but my broke butt would have to return it or hear the wrath of my husband!

• A professional home use technology helping your skin to breath, rejuvenate, revive to reveal greater, younger looking skin. Includes two brush heads. The white brush is for normal to sensitive skin. The black and white brush is for combination to oily skin. Add Dermatouch cleanser or exfoliation to brush.

 First comes first, what you get is the two brush heads and the brush thing itself. What it made me feel like is I had to order the clenser seperately, I was suprised and pleased to find it had been included!

White(Normal/Sensitive) Brush head: A bit scratchy but I figure how will it exfoliate otherwise. My skin is tough as nails so I thought I wouldn't use this brush. I was wrong. 

Black/White(Combination/Oily) Brush head: So when I was using this I thought it was fore blackheads and tougher areas, also I my tough ol skin doesn't need a wimpy sensitive brush head. WRONG WRONG WRONG. This one is super gritty, like it cut my face gritty. Next time I pick this up I'm going to be much more careful and I warn you to as well. If you have tough skin try the white one first anyways because I went for this bad boy first and OUCH.

Oxygen Cleanser: Very gentle, brightened my skin on first use. Have not used it long enough to see how it does over all but so far so good! I always have to be careful with what cleansers I use because I have scent sensitivity, something too strong can make me sneeze for hours. Weird, right? Luckily this is unscented!

Note to all of you, on the back of the box it has the instructions. Don't...DON'T...DOOOO NOOOT put your cleanser on the brush like it says to. I did and my product is on my walls and not my face. Rub some product gently on your face(I put a dab on each of my cheeks, chin, forhead and nose). After turn on the brush and work it in that way because if you're not careful you'll redecorate your bathroom walls(I have a strawberry morning clenser and than god that wasn't the one I learned this with or else my bathroom would have looked like a murder scene).

I am liking it so far, after two using my skin is noticeably softer(especially my nose!).

Before trying this on a whim I have never tried or heard of Dermatouch, it seems they have a decent sized line that can be found on target. So far, so good! I think I'll try some more facial products by them.

PROS:

•  So far so good! I have no complaints so far. At $19.99 it is cheaper then buying one Clarisonic brush head replacement.

CONS:

•  I can't find ANYWHERE to buy brush head replacements. Perhaps I'll check if the Clarisonic ones will work with this, if they do then I may just cry of happiness! I will post when I have to find a replacement brush because it is bound to happen, I'd hate to need to buy the whole system to get new brushes! 
• Limited brush heads, I wish I could get a deep pore, acne or body type brush head.
• Paraben Free clenser+Enviromentally conscientious+Cruelty free etc

Can be purchased at Target for $19.99

I'd like to thank a reader for letting me know that the replacement heads can be purchased on OpenSky! 2 for $12!