REVIEW: New Clearasil Ultra Acne+Marks Wash and Mask vs. Clearasil Ultra Face Wash

Hi hunnies! I have a ton of great posts coming up, but thought I would start with this review.




I was running low on my Clearasil Ultra Face Wash last week, so I ran to Target. Me, being in a rush as always, didn't realize I grabbed the wrong one until I got home! Instead of the usual face wash, I grabbed the Acne+Marks Wash and Mask. I was very intrigued as I love multi tasking products and am OBSESSED with the original face wash so I thought I'd try it out :)
*Review for that one here*


I searched for reviews on this new product, but could only find one on makeupalley and only a couple on other blogs so I thought I'd let you girls know my thoughts on this. This is supposed to be use once a night as a wash (you could use 2x/day as well, but I found that too drying) and twice a week as a mask. To "active" it in mask form, you're supposed to leave it on for one minute longer. That's it. I was a bit skeptical because I already leave my face wash on for about 30 seconds, but decided to leave this on for about two or three minutes.


WARNING: The face wash will not dry like a normal mask-it will feel slightly tacky. I thought it would be kind of hard or even dried up and crumbly in some areas, but that was not the case.


After using this for the past week (and using it as a mask every other day), I can gladly say this has replaced my usual HG Clearasil Ultra Face Wash. After comparing the two though, I found they are the exact same product! Same ingredients, word for word, and in the exact same order. I am not sure if this one will replace the other because they are the same thing.


Leaving it on as a mask has made it even more HG worthy than normal...I have some acne scarring on my cheeks but this seems to have made them fade almost 80% in the last WEEK! I love this product and would definitely reccomend. If you have the other face wash, don't bother picking this up, just use your current one as a mask; but if youre running low on the other or haven't tried either, I would definitely reccomend this.



What skin care have you guys loved lately?

makeup products to achieve a flawless face :) PART 3 HIGHLIGHTS! tips and tricks:)

Hi beautifuls! This is part 3 out of the total of 3 posts in regards to what i wear to get an absolutely flawless face. Like I stated before, this is NOT the makeup routine I wear every day as this is a lot of makeup (although it doesnt feel like it!). Instead, I reserve this makeup routine for night out or when I want my skin and face makeup to look its best. Hope you like it :)


I split this post into three parts: Base (Primer, Foundation and Powder), Color (Contour, Bronzer and Blush) and Glow (Highlight).


Everything all together:



Highlighters:




I've included two different highlights because i use them for two different looks. I use the MAC MSF when I want a super noticeable glow. I only apply it to my cheekbones as it can give off a slightly pink cast and it is very glowy. It is finely milled so it doesn't come off as glittery, chunky, oily or anything else. It also doesn't look gaudy, but it is more of a statement or nighttime look than the Sin eyeshadow. I use sin as a more subtle look and apply this to all of my highest points (i.e. my cheekbones, my brow bone, my cupid bow, above my eyebrow bone...I will do a tutorial soon showing the placement). This gives a very subtle glow, but if applied more heavily on the brush,it can look more dramatic.


Highlighter: MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Light Flush







I bought this highlighter, which is light pink with bronze and raspberry veining, about three years ago when it came out with the N collection in 2008. This is a limited edition product, but I found a dupe for it so look forward to that in upcoming posts! Applied subtly, this is a beautiful strong glowy highlight. It gives off a pink-ish highlight. With that being said, it does work on cooler skintones as well, but I always wear this highlight with a wam colored or no blush (as opposed to a cooler shade of blush). Applied with a different brush which would provide heavier application, Light Flush turns becomes more pigmented and a sort of light-pink bronzey color that I use as a blush. I like using this mostly for more dramatic looks because the sheen, shimmer, and color make it a bit more statement-making than another highlighter.


Highlighter #2: Urban Decay Sin



(2nd shade)



(2nd shade)


I never had any interest in Sin before I picked it up in the Naked Palette. Even then, it looked pretty but just seemed like another average highlighter. Boy, how wrong I was! After seeing Natty use this color as a highlight, I had to try it out for myself and it was love. Sin is described as a shimmery golden peach toned color, but I find this color to be much more multidimensional. It sometimes gives off peachy tones, sometimes pinky, sometimes champagne, etc etc. I find this color morphs to whatever color I pair it with. It gives off a beautiful glimmer that truly looks like your skin is radiant, healthy, and awake. Regardless of the fact that this isn't a bright blush which would offer a pop of color, I still feel like it really brightens my face up.


That's it for my flawless face series :) Hope you girls enjoyed! Please let me know your star products that are key for you achieving a flawless face.


xxx

makeup products to achieve a flawless face :) PART 2

Hi hunnnies! This is part 2 out of the total of 3 posts in regards to what i wear to get an absolutely flawless face. Like I stated before, this is NOT the makeup routine I wear every day as this is a lot of makeup (although it doesnt feel like it!). Instead, I reserve this makeup routine for night out or when I want my skin and face makeup to look its best. Hope you like it :)

I split this post into three parts: Base (Primer, Foundation and Powder), Color (Contour, Bronzer and Blush) and Glow (Highlight).

Everything all together:


Contour/Bronzer/Blush:


Bronzer: NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer Face Color in Sunny



I am in love with this bronzer. I got this for about $3 at Target around 2 years ago and have gone through maybe four or five. Before I used this bronzer, I used a Sephora one which ran around $15 or so. That one gave me such beautiful color but I would run out of it every few months and it would get quite pricey. After hearing so many raves about the NYC one, I ran out and got it and have loved it ever since. It is an exact dupe of the Sephora one, minus the price and the packaging. The NYC packaging is quite floppy but I care more about the product than the actual packaging. This bronzer gives such healthy color to my skin and can definitely be built up (I can use this bronzer in the summer vs. in the winter). It never looks orange either, just gives off a gorgeous brown color :)


Contour: ELF Blush/Bronzer Duo in Blushed/Bronze



I first picked this up to use as a blush and bronzer duo, which is exactly what it's marketed as. I am NC30 so not pale, but for some reason, the bronze side of this is much too dark for me as a bronzer. Instead, I use it to contour which I absolutely love it for. The color looks quite sparkly and shimmery in the pan, but with a few taps on the side of the compact, the shimmer falls off and you are just left with a gorgeous rich bronze color. I use this to contour and find it does an absolutely perfect job. It was $3 at Target and is said to be a dupe of NARS Laguna/Orgasm duo in terms of packaging, as well as coloring. The packaging is dead on, as are the colors :) I love this, although don't use the blush that often for some reason! Would definitely definitely recommend this, I love ELF products!


Blush: Sephora blush me! in peche tendre n4

Gorgeous blush!! I am not great at applying blush for some reason. I always feel as if I blend it too much and it then just looks muddy :( Because of this, I stayed away from blush for about a year and a half and neglected all of the ones in my stash and stayed clear from purchasing any new ones. I went to Sephora around two months ago and fell in love with this blush! It is an absolutely gorgeous baby peach-pink color and retailed for $9. The quality is unbelievable and it applies beautifully. I am going to do an in-depth post on this blush as it really is stunning. It also lasts forever on the skin :) I have used this almost every day for the past two months and have not made even the smallest dent. Sephora has a bunch of absolutely gorgeous blushes so I will definitely need to check out the other colors.

What do you guys like to use to achieve a flawless face?

makeup products to achieve a flawless face :) PART 1

Hi girls! Hope you're all doing well :) This is NOT the makeup routine I wear every day as this is a lot of makeup (although it doesnt feel like it!). Instead, I reserve this makeup routine for night out or when I want my skin and face makeup to look its best. Hope you like it :)

I split this post into three parts: Base (Primer, Foundation and Powder), Color (Contour, Bronzer and Blush) and Glow (Highlight).

Everything all together:

Primer/Foundation/Powder:

• Primer: Monistat Chafing Relief Powder-Gel

I was shocked when I first heard that people were using THIS as a primer. A few years ago, when I first started getting into makeup, I was interested in getting a face primer but couldn't bother spending $28 or so. After hearing on makeupalley how this one was a dupe for the Smashbox as they both have the same active ingredient (Dimethicone...a well known silicone). I have used this every time I do my face makeup even on a daily basis. I love it and an amazing dupe for the Smashbox Photo Finish primer :) Only about $7. After I moisturize my face and let it dry, I apply a pea size amount and apply it all over my face. I then let that sit and continue on to the rest of my routine. It helps my makeup last much longer (which used to be a big issue for me) and leaves my skin very smooth so my foundation applies perfectly.

• Foundation: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Enhancer

This is marketed as a tinted moisturizer, but it is definitely buildable. It was about $10 at Target. I love this tinted moisturizer because it covers redness in a light layer and for other skin problems, with a dab of concealer and another layer (or two), skin looks absolutely flawless. Be warned- this doesn't look good applied with fingers (which is how I usually apply my foundations), I need to use a brush. I use my Sonia Kashuk Highlighting Brush, which is similar to the MAC 187. This finish is satin and quite glowy, but can easily be powdered down to a satin matte finish.

• Powder: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium

I am absolutely obsessed with this and definitely deserves its own post within the next few weeks. This gives off just the most glowy perfect super model finish. It isn't too glowy and definitely doesn't make one look greasy, but it imparts a glow in all the right places. With a more dense brush (i.e. a kabuki) it gives off enough coverage to work as a foundation. I am in love with this, definitely HG. I am NC25 and wear Medium, but during summer, I will switch to Medium Plus.

What do you guys like to use to achieve a flawless face?

Clear skin fast and cheap!/One skin care product I can't live without

Now i'm not claiming that my skin is perfect or even completely clear. i have never had incredibly bad skin, but the combination of being in college (not enough sleep, drinking every so often, etc) as well as using Maybelline 24hr foundation (which unfortunately did not work for me) made me break out terribly all over my cheeks. these products helped me get my face clearer than it's been in years and at an incredibly low cost :)

Here is a picture I just took of my skin right now..it looks a bit oily because I went on a walk for a bit before and just got back and hadn't washed my face before that picture. So please ignore that, as well as my brows and messy hair.

My Skin Type: My skin is quite normal, but can be on the dry side especially in the Winter. It's not particularly sensitive, but it can break out easily when I'm stressed.

• Cleanser-Clearasil Ultra Daily Face Wash

I have used this cleanser for about two years now and I adore it. It really helps prevent breakouts and clears up any current breakouts I might have. It is about $6 or so at CVS. It lasts me about four or five months and does wonders to my skin. I know that Clearasil also has another daily face wash but I'm not sure how that differs to mine. The other one is in a similar shaped tube/bottle, but is not metallic and has light blue and red.

Another cleanser I use occasionally is Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. I love this cleanser and used it for awhile when I was about fourteen or so (so four years ago). It smells minty but the smell isn't strong which I love. Before I ever used this, I assumed it would tingle when I was washing my face with it, but once I wash it off, thats when it starts to tingle! The sensation is not strong at all and by no means painful or uncomfortable. I find this cleanser to be a bit more drying than the Clearasil so that's why I don't use it as often.

• Skin Care Tool- Sephora Collection Precision Pore Cleansing Pad

I absolutely adore this product and contribute a lot of my current state of my face to this. I picked this up from Sephora for about $5 and I am in love with it. This pad seems similar to the one L'Oreal has in their 360 Face WAsh, but I have never tried that one so I can't compare. I use this every night before I go to bed, but have heard some people use it twice a day. I get my face wet, get this wet and pour a pea sized amount of my face wash onto this. I then rub it around my face for about 45 seconds or so and then wash my face and wash the pad. It honestly feels a bit like a mini massage when I use it on my face lol I love it!! It really helps deep clean my skin, yet is gentle enough to use every day. While I reccomend all of the products in this post, this is the one I urge you to get. I use a face scrub a few times a week, but after using this one time, my skin was softer than it's been ever. It has helped greatly reduce a lot of redness in my face as well in as little as a few days! After a week of using this religiously, my skin tone is barely even ruddy anymore and a lot more even. Love this.

• Face Scrub- Up & Up Scrub for Blemishes and Blackheads

I love love love this scrub! Although I do think the pad I mentioned from Sephora is sufficient enough alone to use to exfoliate the face, I love using this one as well. I used to exfoliate my face maybe 4 times a week or so, but have cut down to only once a week since using the pad. This is supposed to be the Target brand/generic version of St. Ive's Apricot Scrub, but I find them to be incredibly different. This one smells a bit like medicine, while I find the St. Ives to smell a lot more like apricots. I also find this scrub to be more grainy and it feels a bit cooling on my face as well. I love this scrub a lot more than the St. Ives regardless of its smell because I feel like it does a great job exfoliating the skin. I wash my face and then use this. I leave it on for about a minute and then wash it off with warm water. It was only $2 at my Target. I'm not sure whatsoever, but I think this face wash has more medicine in it than the St Ive's blemish/blackhead scrub.

• Mask- Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque

I adore this face mask. It is very cheap (~$2) and smells great. It is very minty and invigorating and truly clears up any issues on my skin I might have.

WARNING: This product will most likely break people out the first time they use it. It is not causing acne, but instead is bringing up all of the exisiting pimples under the skin and bringing them to the surface so they can be treated. With a few nights of consisted use, it will clear everything up and the skin will look incredibly radiant and clear. I use this face mask twice a week and leave it on for about twenty minutes. I love it :)

• Treatment- Clearasil Rapid Action Treatment Vanishing Cream

I use this product whenever I feel a pimple about to come on, but is under the skin. I will usually do the mask and then rinse it off, and apply this. The trick to applying this is to remember that less is more. I used to put quite a bit of this on a particular spot, but after reading reviews on makeupalley, I learned that your supposed to apply a light layer over the spot or affected area. I found this to be a lot more effective. It was about $6 or so and lasts me about four months. I put it on overnight and wake up with substantially smaller and less red spots, if they aren't cleared up completely by this product.

Another product I've been loving is Trader Joe's Spa Tea Tree Oil. I bought this a few weeks ago to use on an infected piercing (my poor tragus :( haha) but had a pimple that just wouldn't go away no matter what. I absolutely despise the smell of this and find it really strong, but I've heard that some people (like my mom for example) love it and find it to be invigorating. I take a q-tip and soak it in water and then dip it into this jar and apply to my pimple. I use both sides of the q-tip (you do not want to double dip with this) and repeat the process on each side of the q-tip. I then let it dry and the next morning, anything that was there the night before will have completely vanished! I adore this product and truly think that I can put up with all the negatives because of how fantastic the outcome is, but be warned that this smells and is VERY drying. I apply moisturizer constantly when I use this product. When my skin was particularly bad a few weeks back, I took a cotton ball soaked it in water and then poured a bit of this on there. I rubbed it all over my face and used it as a toner. This STUNG a ridiculous amount regardless of how much more water I used (water:tea tree oil ratio). After about a minute, the stinging subdued immensely and I patted my face with a tissue and slathered on loads of lotion. I went to bed and woke up that morning with the softest smoothest skin! I don't recommend doing this often because of how drying it is, but whenever I have, my skin looks great.

• Makeup Remover- Ponds Cold Cream

I adore this makeup remover! I slather it all over my face and wipe it off with a tissue. I know a lot of people rinse their face after that because they don't like the film. I will sometimes rinse afterwards, but when my skin is extra dry, I won't rinse and just go to bed. My skin will be very supple, soft and moisturized when I wake up :)

• Moisturizer- Up & Up Dual Treatment Moisturizer Oil Free

I love this because of how moisturizing it is and how cheap it is! I also love the fact that it's oil free and has treatment in it as well. I really slather this in and it does a great job of keeping me moisturized without making me oily or shiny.

• Sunscreen- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock Spf 30

I've been trying to use sunscreen daily as I know how important it is. This one is quite good and was around $8-10 I believe. It does what a sunscreen should and makes my face soft and smooth, but my favorite is a Philosophy one which moisturizes amazingly. I have it in my bathroom somewhere, but it is just too expensive for me to justify using so often. I do use it on holiday or when it's very sunny. Otherwise, I just use this one.

I hoped this helped you! What face products do you love? Which do you hate?

Take care lovelys xxxx