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?

LUSH Oatfix Mask Review

LUSH Oatfix Mask

LUSH says: I can't find this mask on the LUSH website for some reason so unfortunately, I can't give the exact description from there. On the tub of the mask though, it states:

"A delicious blend of bananas, vanilla and oats to cleanse, soften and moisturize dry and sensitive skin. Apply to clean skin avoiding the eye area. Leave 5-10 minutes and rinse away with warm water. Keep refrigerated."

Skin type: Normal, but definitely on the more dry side. Quite clear, but with a few light spots left over from old acne spots. Not too sensitive, but when it doesn't like something, it definitely reacts quite quickly.

Cost: $5 for a 2.1 oz tub

Consistency: The consistency of this was odd. It was thick and quite "lumpy", for lack of better word. It had a lot of oatmeal in it, hence the nam, which caused it to have this odd consistency. It also was quite thick, but not particularly hard to blend.

Effectiveness: I thought this was a great mask, but was definitely not a miracle or a necessary mask. It was a nice treat and definitely moisturized my skin for the rest of the day but did not do anything to even out my complexion or reduce scarring, although the mask doesn't state it would. When I washed it off it left a sort of "film" on my face, but it wasn't a sticky or uncomfortable film, more like a soft film? I feel uncomfortable using the word film because I associate it with sticky, heavy, greasy, etc. and this wasn't any of those things. For what it said it would do (moisturize) it did, and it also left my skin glowy.

Scent: Oh my goodness, YUM! It smells like banana bread, so delicious :)

Application: I applied this all over my face and let it sit for 15 minutes. This was definitely not like the typical mask in terms of the feel when it dries. I am used to knowing when a mask is dry due to it feeling tight on my face, as well as dry. This mask was neither of those. It was neither dry nor wet after the 15 minutes. It was definitely dry compared to when I first applied it, but without comparing it to how it was in the beginning, it felt a bit damp. You need quite a bit when you apply and I did not go with the "less is more" theory. I applied this on liberally and barely made a dent. It was kind of difficult to have it go on smooth, but not hard to apply by any means, just a bit more time consuming. To remove, I wet my hands with warm water and then rubbed my face which helped remove the mask, as well as exfoliate lightly due to the oatmeal pieces. That removed about 40%-50% of the mask and then I use a warm washcloth to wipe of the remainder of the mask.

Shelf Life: This mask is said to last three weeks. I still had some after that amount of time and finally finished it about a month after I purchased it (so about a week after the 'expiration date') and the consistency was the exact same and still smelled delicious, but I wouldn't keep it much longer past that. The lady at lush told me the tub I purchased held about six applications worth. I got about 10 or 11 uses out of it and I applied it quite liberally.

Have you ever tried any Lush skin care? Which? Also, what are your favorite masks?

Valentines Day FOTD using NAKED Palette:)

Hi girls- my boy and I went to a nice dinner last night so I got all dressed up and spent time doing my makeup all nice:) I also used my NAKED Palette which I absolutely adore and will be doing a review on soon.

Face:

-Monistat Anti-Chaffing as primer

-Nars Sheer Glow in Stromboli

-MSFN Medium

-Wet N' Wild Shimmery Bronzer

-NYC Sunny

-MAC Hush CCB

-Wet N' Wild Acapulco

Eyes:

-UDPP

-UD Sidecar

-UD Buck

-UD Sin

-MAC Beauty Marked

- LM Topaz

-Milani Liquif'eye

-L'oreal Collagen Mascara

Lips:

nothing! :( I later put on some MAC 3N

Hope you guys had a great Valentines Day! xxx

Let me know if youd like a tutorial for this look!

new HG exfoliator for less than $5:) s

Hi girls! I have a lot of great upcoming posts for you but I decided I need to write this one right now :)
As you know, I am obsessed with soft touchable skin and have a slew of exfoliators, body lotions, etc and a post on it as well...well lately the one I've been reaching for constantly is Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Brazilian Nut.

COST- $4 at Walmart
SCENT- My favorite part :) This smells like a rich toffee with notes of caramel and coffee as well. It has a pretty strong scent-not overwhelming, but it is definitely rich. The scent lingers on the skin for maybe 15 minutes but that's about it which I like as it doesn't interfere with my perfumes. On the other hand, my shower will smell like it for a few hours which I like.
EFFECTIVENESS- I adore this scrub because of how well it exfoliates! It has a very thick consistency and spreads on evenly and easily. I do recommend using this before you get wet (i.e. right when you step in the shower) because I find it does a deeper exfoliation due to how it is a sugar scrub and sugar dissolves quite quickly in the water. But I do like it either way, it just depends what mood I'm in, the condition of my skin, etc.

STAYING POWER- While the scent did go away, my skin stayed soft and moisturized for the entire day afterwards. Although, I do have to note, I used this a few times and when my legs were shaved, they hold the moisture in although when they had some stubble, the moisture barely held in :(
CONSISTENCY- The consistency (along with the scent) is one of my favorite things about this product. It is kind of goopy and very very thick. A little bit goes a very long way; a small handful was enough for my entire body and I still had a lot left over in my palm.

I would definitely reccomend this :) What are your favorite scrubs?