Friday, August 31, 2012

Review on Mentholatum Acne Foaming Cleanser

Hi Everyone! =)

I'm a little sick now, and I'm also studying for finals, so I'll be MIA for a bit. But, before that, here's an awesome review on a product I am loving this summer! =D

Today I will be reviewing the Mentholatum Acne Foaming Cleanser



This product costs around $17 and can be found at Takashima, and possibly at Sasa online.
It contain 130 grams of product.
It is said to kill bacteria, treat acne, calm inflammation as well as soften the skin and keep it moisturized. It has Vitamin C and Vitamin E extracts to nourish the skin.

What do I think of this product?
Whenever I went to Taiwan, I always bought this brand for my acne. And I love this acne facial cleanser! It has a lemon/lime scent to it, which smells so clean and refreshing! You don't need a lot of it, a dime size amount is good for your entire face. And when you rub it between your palms, it lathers up, producing a soft creamy foam!
This treats my acne pretty well and helps with swelling and redness. My skin does become a lot clearer and cleaner after using this! This product is also great because (unlike cleansers contain salicylic acid) it does not cause your skin to be sensitive to light, so there is no hyperpigmentation of acne or acne scars!
I've used this for more than 3 months as a day cleanser for my acne and my skin loves it! It does not irritate my sensitive skin and helps combat my acne! My skin also does not feel dry, stretched, or itchy after washing my face.
The main problem is probably where I can get it and how much it costs. It is kind of hard to find and maybe because it is such a popular brand name product, it is kind of expensive. =( But I like this product so much and because it works so well, I will continue using it and buying it! XD Also, because I don't need a lot for my face, this will probably last for another 3 months. I also only use this when I have more than usual acne on my face because I don't like to use acne cleanser or treatments on my face everyday. I use it only when I need it, which makes it more effective because my skin won't get used to acne products as easily.

Do I recommend this product?
If you are able to find this cleanser without too much effort and you don't mind the price, I recommend this to all skin types! This is a great acne cleanser product that will make you feel clean and refreshed! It treats acne and won't cause hyperpigmentation, which means you can use it day or night! I think highly of this product and I will continue using it! If you can get it, try it!!!

So, I hope this review was helpful to you =) If you have any comments or questions, feel free to type in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Review on Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner!

Hi guys!

Today I will review the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Moist Conditioner!

This conditioner costs $3-5. It contains 236 mL or 8 fluid oz of product.
You can buy this conditioner at any drugstore or online.
Directions
1) wet hair in shower
2) massage conditioner into hair and leave for 3 minutes
3) rinse out conditioner

What do I think of this product?
So I tried this at a friend's place and I thought it was amazing!!! (She is a water polo player and loves this stuff because it helps her hair out with all that chlorine in the pool!) It smells really good and made my hair shiny and soft! I like this because it is very cheap and easy to find. Also, it like a fast and simple version of a hair mask. But instead of having it leave it in my hair for 15-30 minutes I can leave it for 3 minutes in the shower while I'm doing other thing like washing my face.
I can only do hair masks once a week because they are so time consuming but doing this everyday is a much faster way of deep conditioning my hair! It leaves my hair silky and soft and I don't have to use a lot of it. I usually use a ton of conditioner (about 2 palm fulls) on my long hair but this doesn't need that much. 1 pump is good enough!
I think it is also great for short term traveling. It is small, so you can easily fit it into your checked luggage but since you don't need a lot, it will last for a good amount of time, I'd say at least a week. I'm actually going to Hawaii in a couple weeks and I'm bringing this baby with me! So, I'll get back to you on how long it lasts. =)

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I definitely recommend this product! Especially if you have dry or brittle hair, this is a great product to use and it's a very cheap investment!

I am currently trying other Aussie haircare products such as their stay in conditioner and regular conditioner so I will write a review on those as well!

I hope this post was helpful to you! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write in the comment box below X) Thank you for reading and I will see you soon!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Proper Uses of Makeup Removing Cleansing Towelettes!

Hi Everyone!!

So I have an exam on Tuesday...which I am currently not studying for....XD.

Anyway, today I would like to talk about makeup removing cleansing towelettes, their purpose, and how I think people should use them.

What are makeup removing cleansing towelettes and what do they do?
Makeup removing cleansing towelettes are these wet wipes soaked with certain cleansing chemicals to help remove makeup from the face and sometimes eyes. (It is usually recommended to get a special eye makeup remover just because the eyes and the skin around the eyes are more sensitive) They mostly remove all makeup such as brow makeup, foundation, powers, blush, lip color, eyeshadow, mascara, etc. Some brands even say that their wipes remove makeup and help cleanse the face. This may not be so and I will describe it in the next question.

How can makeup remover cleansing wipes harm your face?
Generally, makeup wipes contain a lot of chemicals to help take makeup off the face and most of these chemicals are more acidic in order to help dissolve the organic compounds that makeup is made from. Because of this, by using these wipes often, the low pH can damage and/or irritate the skin. While they may be quick and easy, using them everyday can cause irritation, redness, dryness, and pH imbalance in the skin. Also, using them around the eye area can irritated the delicate thin skin around the eyes.
Therefore, when companies say that their makeup cleansing towelettes will help remove makeup and cleanse the face, yes it will do both of those things, you can see dirt and oil come off, but there are side effects of using these wipes often that may affect people. Also, because they are wipes, it takes continuous wiping to make sure all of the makeup has been removed from the face and rubbing causes irritation,while washing can go into pores and remove all of the makeup.

How should makeup remover cleansing towelettes be used properly?
I'm not saying makeup removing cleansing towelettes are bad for the face, they are very handy and I use them too! I personally believe that they should not be used very often and should not be a substitute to clean the face.
I think that makeup removing wipes can be used sometimes, better occasionally, at times when you are traveling and need to remove makeup, or right after a party when you are tired and want to remove makeup quickly. BUT, even after using the makeup removing cleansing towelette you should still wash your face with a cleanser! This is to make sure all of the makeup is removed AND to restore moisture and your natural pH balance to your skin.
IF you wear makeup often, and want to remove it properly every day, I suggest you buy a facial cleanser that has makeup removing properties or a cream-based makeup removing lotion. These things are less harsh on the skin than the wipes and came remove more makeup.

Note: Even if you see a facial cleansing wipe at the store that is said to only to cleanse the skin, I strongly advise you not to use those things to cleanse your skin everyday. Wiping to clean your face is not the same as actually washing and rinsing your face with a facial cleanser. Using a foaming or cream cleanser will help go into pores and clean deeper than just superficially wiping the face. And rinsing your face with water after cleansing is the best way to remove any cleanser left on your skin. If you really want to make sure that all of your makeup and/or cleanser is gone from your face, after washing your face, you can use a toner.

If you are looking for a good foaming cleanser please take a look at my review on the Shiseido Whip and the Shiseido Milk, which also removes makeup at the same time! Or Juju Aquamoist in my 2nd Sasa Haul!
If you are looking for a good toner, I recommend The Body Shop Aloe Toner!

Removing makeup is an important process of skincare in order to keep your skin clean and healthy! Why do you think that so many famous beauty bloggers/youtuberes wear so much makeup but still have beautiful skin? Because their skincare regimen is very good! Therefore, it is important to understand how to remove makeup properly without accidentally harming your skin the in the process =). I hope this post was helpful to you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write in the comment box below. Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Review on Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Nail Polish

Hi Everybody! ^_^

Today I will be reviewing the Sally Hansen Maximum Growth Daily Nail Growth Program:
It costs about $5 and contains 0.45 fluid oz or 13.3 mL of product.
You can buy this at any drugstore, online, or at Ulta.
It is said to help protect, strengthen, and make nails grow longer and faster within 1 week.
Directions:
1) apply 1-2 coats to clean, dry, bare nails
2) apply a new coat daily

What do I think of this product?
I bought this product because I wanted a clear protective nail polish that would dry fast and last long. And wow!! This nail polish is amazing! The consistency is smooth and it is easy to apply. It dries to a thin clear shiny smooth layer as if it is part of my nail! This nail polish dries very quickly and lasts for a very long time. It does not become yellow like some clear nail polishes do over time and doesn't make my nails look yellow. I only apply 1 coat and it lasts for more than 2 weeks! Of course you need to take into consideration that my nails grow, so there's no nail polish on new nail growth, but it doesn't start chipping until after 2 weeks and basically stays in the center for a long time. The max time I have had it on is 3 weeks and because of nail growth and chipping, the nail polish is only in the center of the nail, but that doesn't bother me. Because the majority of the nail still has polish, so even if I am just looking at it, from the reflection of light, it looks like my nails are all nicely painted with clear nail polish! XD This is good for me because taking off and putting on nail polish is time consuming and I am a busy person, I don't have time to do my nails ever 1-2 weeks. I will try but I would rather spend time doing other things, like cooking for lunch and dinner or my homework haha. Anyway, I will definitely buy this nail polish again after I finish it!
About making nails grow faster and stronger...actually, I don't follow the directions and I don't apply it everyday. Because I didn't buy it to grow my nails faster or stronger, I just wanted a fast drying, long lasting clear nail polish. But I did read many positive reviews from other people who said that they did see significant improvement in their nails in a week and they really recommend it. So, it seems like it does its job well! =)

Do I recommend this product?
Yes! I recommend this product! =D It dries quickly and the nail polish is affordable and easy to find. The consistency of the polish is smooth and it glides on beautifully. It is great as a base coat or just as nail polish on its own. If you want to grow your nails faster and stronger, I think this is a great product to try. It is a cheap investment and so far, there are no reviews that I have seen that say this doesn't work. So give it a shot!

So I hoped this helped those of you looking for something easy and clear for your nails or to help your nails grow better and faster! Thank you for reading and I will see you later =)

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Review on "The Body Shop" Aloe Eye Defense gel-creme

Hi Everyone!

Today I will be reviewing "The Body Shop" Aloe Eye Defense
The product cost about $18 online or in The Body Shop store.
It contains 15mL or 0.5 fluid oz of product of eye-gel cream.
This product is said to moisturize and sooth the skin around the eyes and made for people with sensitive skin.
It is ophthalmologically tested and is fragrance free, color free, and alcohol free. There are not added preservatives and it is fine for contact-lens wearers.

What do I think about this product?
So I have been using this eye gel-cream for about 4 months and even though I initially loved it (as I said my Aloe Skincare Line Sample Review) there are a couple problems I am having with it.
The pros are that it does not irritate my sensitive skin. It decreases swelling, redness, and irritation. It feels light and smooth and I don't need a lot for my eyes and I use it twice a day after I wash my face. I love the container. It comes in a cute pump form and you can easily pump out whatever amount you want depending on the pressure that you apply to the pump. It is hygienic and this pump will let you use up all of the product! None will be wasted! You can see as the bottom layer rises to the top as you use it and it will really hit the top when there is no cream left.
However, I have noticed that every time I put it on, my eyes actually feel dryer than more moisturized. I first thought I didn't put enough on or maybe most of it was evaporating, so I put on more, but it didn't change. I would feel a cooling effect after application (which is the evaporation part), but then my eyes would feel a bit stretched and dry and I don't know why. It feels dry before I put on eye cream and after I put on eye cream. So it is as if it does nothing when it comes to moisturization. I was really confused and I still feel really confused. I even got a 2nd one just in case it was because my skin had to adjust to it or something, but nope, I still felt dry after using this.
It is possible that it is just not moisturizing enough for me, which is sad, because I really like the product and it is relatively more affordable than other eye brands that are good. Also, because I feel dry after using the eye cream, my fine lines become even more apparent and get more wrinkly during the day because they are not properly moisturized. =_=.....T_T
And initially I felt it was moisturizing too, but maybe I was just too excited or something XP.
Another thing is that, sometimes when I put on more eye cream than usual (to try to compensate the dryness), I will rub my eye and these little rolls/balls of cream will form as I apply friction to my skin. (Just like when you rub your hands together and dirt stuff comes off.) This is annoying because then I have to spend time wiping all the cream residues away and if I wipe too hard, more will form. This is annoying and weird....I don't know what else to say =P. It is possible that the cream settles into my fine lines and when I rub my eyes, it comes out. But if this is true, then this eye cream doesn't do its job of moisturization and getting rid of fine lines....=(
So, I am not saying this is a bad product, I actually think it is a good product, but maybe it doesn't work well with my skin.

Do I recommend this product?
The answer is I don't know...I recommend this product as a good product to try for all skin types because I know it won't irritate anyone's skin. However, if you have very very dry skin, then this may not be for you. A good way to know is to try a sample of it at The Body Shop or ask for a sample of it to take home and use. I did that too, and it took a while before I got more negative effects.
I actually have oily eye lids which is weird because then I wouldn't need much moisturization. The fact that my eyelids feel drier after using the cream, means that maybe the cream is taking moisture away from my eyelids....I don't know...
Now, there are tons of reviews on this eye cream and they are like 98% positive with great feedback. Which means that it works for the majority of the population. As a gamble, this is worth it to try and if it works for you then great! I'm jealous haha because now I have to find a replacement. I recently got a sample from The Body Shop for their Vitamin E eyecream and I am liking that so far, so maybe I'll buy that one next!

So I hope this review was helpful to you! If you have any questions or comments (to please tell me that I'm not weird, because I feel like the only person having problems with this eye cream XO), then feel free to write in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! =)

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Review on Neutrogena Makeup Wipe Remover vs Garnier Nutri-Pure for makeup removal

Hi Everyone! =D

Today I will be reviewing the Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes vs the Garnier Nutri-Pure Cleansing Towelettes

Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes
This product costs $6-8. It can be found at Ulta, any drugstore or online. It is said to remove dirt, oil, any kind of makeup, even water proof and waterproof mascara.
It contains 25 towelettes.

What do I think of this product?
So, I was looking for a quick, travel-friendly makeup remover towelettes and I picked this up at CVS and used it for at least 4 months. And...I did not like it. Yes it removes makeup well enough however the side effects were not good. My skin always stung when I used these wipes and would feel very tight and dry afterward. My skin would also get red and irritated after using these wipes. It was annoying and I really didn't like it.

Do I recommend this product?
If you have sensitive and/or dry skin I do not recommend these makeup remover wipes. They will make you sting, burn, and turn red. Try something else. If you feel your skin is tough enough to withstand these acidic wipes, then you are free to try, but in the long run, I do not think it is good for your skin.

Garnier Nutri-Pure detoxifying wet cleansing towelettes
This product costs $4-6 and can be found at any drugstore or online. It contains 25 towelettes and is said to be oil free with Vitamin E. B5, and grape extract as antioxidants and to prevent the skin from over drying. It is also said to contain green leaf extract to sooth and refresh the skin. It is said to remove dirt, oil, makeup and is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. It is said to be non-comedogenic and allergy tested.

What do I think of this product?
So, I got a sample pack from my aunt who asked me to try it out to see if I liked it. And I gave it a shot and was pleasantly surprised! =) This towelette removes all of my makeup well, which is good because I like waterproof makeup. It did not irritate or redden my sensitive skin. It did not feel any stinging or burning. My face did not feel tight but it may have felt a little dry. I'm okay with that because I always wash my face after removing makeup with a towelette anyway. I have been using this for about a month and I like it! I bought a full sized pack and threw away my Neutrogena one.

Do I recommend this product?
I recommend this product to all skin types! I really enjoy how it does not irritate my skin at all and because of that it feels refreshing! And of course, it does what it says, and removes all my makeup. =) If you happen to have very reactive, sensitive skin, talk to your dermatologist or go for more cream based makeup removers, but I think this is a great product to try. It is also cheaper than the Neutrogena one.

Comparison
Well, it's pretty obvious, but I like the Garnier version better because it does not irritate my skin. Perhaps the Neutrogena one is too intense or strong for my skin and may work for a tougher skin type. But if you want to try and buy a makeup remover wipe, I do recommend the Garnier one! And it is cheaper too! haha

Note: I tagged this under makeup and skincare because it is a part of the makeup removing process and more importantly important for the skincare process. When I say skincare process, I do not mean that you should use this for you skin. I don't think wipes are good enough to clean the skin everyday. I am saying it is a part of skincare because it is important to remove as much makeup as possible before you go to bed. =) Otherwise your pores will get clogged and you will get acne, which sucks. =/ So I hope this clarifies why this is under makeup and skincare! Thanks!

So I hope you liked my comparison post! If you have an comments or questions feel free to write in the comment box below =) Thank you for reading and I will see you later!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Review on "The Body Shop" Tea Tree Blemish Gel~!

Hi Everyone!! Sorry I haven't posted much! I just finished a midterm today! So now I am free to post! I do have another one on Monday next week though haha, so I'll be studying most of the weekend =P.

Today I will be reviewing on "The Body Shop" Tea Tree Blemish Gel


This blemish gel cost $6-9 and contains 2.5 mL or 0.08 fluid oz of product.
It can be found in "The Body Shop" store, possibly at Ulta, and online.

What do I think of this product?
I think this is a pretty good product. I like it because I apply it 1-2 times during the day (when I'm on the computer or studying in the library) and my skin will absorb it quickly. It does not irritate or redden my skin. It does not leave any residue or look oily on my skin. When I apply it onto acne, it has a cooling effect which feels nice. It is good at reducing redness and swelling of acne but it is not as strong and harsh and the tea tree oil or other spot treating products. This may be good if you have more sensitive skin and don't mind having a bit of patience and time.
For how fast it treats acne, it really depends on how effect tea tree oil is on your skin and how your skin reacts to the tea tree oil. For some people it is very effective, for others not so much. I am more of in the middle so using this takes about 1-2 weeks for a blemish to go away. But I think constantly treating the acne really helps treatment go a long way, because after a week, the pimple might be there but is is very unnoticeable and small, compared to the redness and swelling earlier.
(On a side note, I bought my friend the tea tree oil from The Body Shop and she has oily and tough skin, and that made her skin dry, peeling, and stinging, so....I'm staying away from that haha)
It is more of a gradual spot treatment of acne so you won't see immediate results, but it is definitely more gentle and easy on the skin. I generally see results in a few days to a week, depending on the severity of my acne. I also like it because (unlike salicylic acid) it does not cause hyperpigmentation so you don't need to worry about applying onto acne during the day. Your acne, when it heals, won't get tanned or form a wrinkly scar, etc.
The only that kind of bothers me a little is the applicator, which looks like so:


It is one of those applicators that look like a lipgloss applicator. I don't like it that much because it means applying onto the skin and putting it back into the bottle, repeatedly which is not that hygienic. But I have not seen the gel get dirty, change color, or get dust and other stuff on it, so I guess it is okay.
Another thing about the packaging/container is that because of the applicator I will probably not get the most of what I paid for. There will still be product left on the sides and maybe bottom of the container even if I can't get it out with the applicator. And I also don't think it is worth to cut open, too much trouble and on a small container like this, it is easy to get hurt.

Do I recommend this product?
If you have random acne on your face that is not cysts or nodules, I recommend this product. Though it is not a fast acting acne treatment, it is a lot more gradual and less harsh and intense. So if you have a party or something to attend in a week, I don't think this is fast enough to treat the random pimple on your face, you are better off trying the Clean & Clear Advantage Mark Treatment. But this is a great daily spot treatment for acne that won't cause hyperpigmentation so you can use it anytime during the day!

Sunday, August 12, 2012

How to get rid of nodules

Hey guys!

So, a couple weeks ago, I was messing with a pimple and I irritated/damaged the deeper skin tissues creating a cyst (cystic acne) which later became a nodule.
Great, so I had an annoying hard pimple on my forehead and now I needed to get rid of it. =/

So I did a bit of research and thought about my personal experience with acne and other injuries related to pus and clotting problems in the body and I came up with this method. My nodule cleared up in about 2 weeks or so after doing this.

This is a pretty cheap, quick and easy method. Very much a do-it-yourself thing.

This treatment, will work, but it will still take some time. I personally find this a more natural way of dealing with acne nodules.

List of what you need:
-hot water
-a coupon of cotton sheets (cotton balls will suffice)
-patience!

Note: I should have taken before and after pictures of my nodule but at the time I was freaking out about treating in and was more worried about that. XP So I'm sorry that I don't have pictorial evidence of nodule healing. But please believe me, it did work quite well!

Explanation of treatment:
The purpose of this treatment is to help the body's lymph system and immune system heal and get rid of the nodule faster. In order to do that, one needs to gently help break down the hardened pus and soften the tissue to allow the body to wash out all of the pus, toxins, and clean inflamed tissue.
"Massaging", poking, pressing, rubbing, scrubbing the cyst or nodule is far too harsh and can irritate it even further.
To help break down the nodule, one needs to gently do it with heat. And not with scalding heat okay. You don't want to damage the top layer of skin, because if you do, that just lets the chance of a of bacteria to get under the skin, and make the nodule possibly worse.
If you do this every other day for at least 1-2 weeks there will be positive healing signs. The raised bump will slowly become flatter. You may think that it is getting larger and expanding, but NO, it is not. The dimensions of the bump is still the same, it just changed its form to something flatter and wider. This is the process of breaking the nodule down and allowing the body to wash out the toxins.
If you keep on using this method soon, the flattened bump will become flatter and flatter, until (like with me) one day it is just gone! =)
Also, very important, during treatment and any other time, do not touch the pimple. Do not squeeze or scratch it even though it is very tempting. Because most likely you will damage and inflame the tissue again and have a larger acne cyst! So, don't mess with it!

Directions:

1) After cleansing your skin, fill a small bowl with hot water. This water should be hot enough to handle but not too hot to burn your skin.

2) Take 2 cotton pads (or 1 cotton ball) and soak it in the hot water.

3) Squeeze excess hot water out of the cotton pads (or ball).

4) Fold the cotton pad in half and press it onto the nodule. Do not use a lot of pressure. Be gentle and almost just let it sit on the bump.

5) Leave the cotton pad on for about 5 seconds and switch to the other side when you feel it is starting to cool down.

6) You can repeat these steps 1 to 2 more time if you wish, but don't over do this. Doing this more often in one day isn't going to produce dramatic results. The key is to help your body, not push it.

Other things to note:
I also advise you to use a cream or foaming facial cleanser which are gentler on the skin. Stay off of exfoliating scrubs until the nodule is healed. Exfoliation can irritate it, even when it is deeper under the skin! You also probably shouldn't wear makeup, even though it may be embarrassing, not wearing makeup will help the healing process much more quickly. Remember you are the only person that will be with yourself and there for yourself 24/7! And you are the only person who can change how you think and feel. With or without makeup, you are still you and nothing is going to change that!

So I hoped this was a helpful post to the many of you who deal with acne issues.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to write in the comment box below! =)
Thank you for reading and I will see you soon!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Review on Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color

Hi guys! =) This week has been super hot in SD...i'm melting....XP haha

Today I am reviewing the Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Clear
This product cost $2.50-$5 and contains
You can find this product at almost any drugstore and at Ulta.

What do I think of this product?
This nail polish goes on smoothly without clumping or streaks but it can be a little thick. I do like the brush design which is more of a flatter brush, which makes it easier to spread nail polish out onto the nails. The color is clear just like it says and it is long lasting. It doesn't chip much and I've had it on for about 2 weeks before taking them off because my nails were growing and the new nail growth was unpainted. It's fine in the shower, or washing dishes, etc. It's pretty durable, good at protecting nails and I've scratched my nails with this on and the nail polish got a sliver of a scratch it in.
Like all clear nail polishes due to exposure to the sun and air, it will start to yellow. It is expected and people should take off clear nail polish after 2 weeks, otherwise the yellowing of the clear nail polish will start staining and damaging the nails themselves.
I've used this nail polish for over 3 months. I like this as a good standard clear nail polish and it is very affordable and easy to find. However, it takes a while to dry. Which is kind of a pain, I don't really have the leisure to sit around for 15 minutes, waiting for the polish to dry. This would be the only problem I have with it. I have actually stopped using this nail polish because I have found a clear nail polish also by Sally Hansen that lasts even longer and dries much faster. Don't worry, I will definitely write a post on that one!

Do I recommend this product?
If you like clear, non-chipping, long lasting nail polish and you don't mind the wait. I recommend this product. It is easy to find and affordable. If you want something that doesn't take as long to dry, then I suggest you try something else!

So, a rather short post, but this was my experience with this Sally Hansen brand. I usually only like clear nail polishes for a more natural and flexible look. It's true I don't use this one anymore even though I still have it, but this was what I thought about it. I hope this review helped you, thank you for reading! X)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Third Sasa Haul and Review!!! =)

Hi Everybody! Today I will talk about and review on my 3rd Sasa Haul! XD

I bought 3 products:
-Mentholatum Acne Point Clear
-Mentholatum Oil Control Film
-Smart Cute Bobby Pins

I have used all of these products for over 2 months and here are my reviews!

Mentholatum Acne Point Clear
This product cost $5.70 US and contains 9mL of product. It is meant to spot treat acne and reduce swelling, redness, and reduce pore sizes.
Ingredients: peach leaf extract, bio Antiage B, witch hazel extract (I asked a Chinese friend of mine to translate it and yep, that's the ingredients)

What do I think of this product?
The product is a liquid that dispenses in by a metal ball roller to be rolled onto acne spots. I chose to try this out not because my Clear and Clear Mark Advantage is not working well. It works great! I wanted to see if I could find something that either works better, or something I can use during the day. Because the Clean and Clear spot acne treatment contains salicylic acid with can cause hyperpigmentation of acne and acne scars. So I only use it at night before I go to bed. If I found an acne spot treatment that would work during the day, then it would be great!
This product has no fragrance and comes out as a clear water-like liquid. It does not feel sticky on my skin and does not irritate my sensitive skin. I think it is great for treating redness and swelling. However, I'm not sure about treating acne. I did not see immediate results after the first few times I used it, unlike my Clean and Clear Mark Advantage. But it is really good for redness and swollen skin. One time, I was pinching a lot of small acne on my face and my face became really red and swollen, kind of like a tomato. =P And I put this on my face, and the swelling and redness disappeared within half an hour! It was great!
Today I use it almost everyday in my skincare regimen! After cleansing my face, I roll the product over the red areas on my face and allow my skin to absorb the product. As it absorbs into my skin it has a nice cooling effect which feels great after the shower. Then I apply my moisturizer. It makes my redness disappear very quickly, it easy to use, and very portable. The roller allows a thin film of product onto my skin without using too much product.



Do I recommend this product?
If your skin is prone to redness, then I really recommend this product! It does not irritate sensitive skin and the roller allows the least amount of product to be used with good effect, so it will last for a good amount of time. This is great to use as part of your daily skincare routine, or if you are attending an event or going out and you don't really want to wear makeup to cover the redness, this really helps calm down redness and some swelling! It also great to use during the day if you tend to get red like me from all of the sun and heat outside. Just roll onto the red parts of your face and leave it alone. The skin absorbs it quickly and the redness disappears in about 30 minutes. If you are looking for an acne spot treatment product, I would not recommend this because it doesn't really treat the acne itself. It helps with redness and swelling but it won't shrink acne dramatically or help prevent acne.

Mentholatum Oil Control Film

This product cost $2.20 US and contains 50 sheets. It is said to be for combination skin/oily and acne prone skin. It has a sticky spot on the inside of the lid so everytime you open it, it pulls a sheet out for you.

What do I think of this product?
The paper is green in color. The material of this oil-blotting paper is so interesting! It is almost cloth-like and very soft and flexible.


It absorbs oil very well, and when it absorbs the max amount, the paper becomes clear! It absorbs alot of oil without making my skin feel or become dry.


Do I recommend this product?
Well, I had a post talking about oil-blotting sheets. And I said, the majority of them are pretty similar and it's not worth it buying one more than $5. And yes, I still think that. I think if this product is available near you then I recommend it to try. It is pretty cheap. Though it can probably be only found in Asian countries and cosmetic stores so don't go out of your way to buy it if it costs too much trouble.

Smart Cute Bobby Pins

This product cost $2.60 US and contains 10 pins. Each pin is about 7cm long. It is said to keep any hair in place.

What do I think about this product?
Wow, this bobby pin really hold my hair very well. I have very long fine hair, but I have a lot of hair, which makes it hard to put into a bun. However, the bobby pin is great! I only need 1 bobby pin to hold up all of my hair! I also really like the curved shape because it fits well with the shape of the head. The bun is very snug and secure and lasts all day for me. This is great when I need to put up my hair quickly and I'm walking around all day.
Just like any bobby pin, if you put too much hair in it, it will pull the metal bars apart and loosen the pin, making it unusable. If you are putting hair in the bobby pin that causes it to spread apart 5mm or more, then that is too much. You don't need to put in a lot of hair to make this bobby pin fit well.
How I use it: I twist my hair into a bun and while holding the bun in one hand, I open up the bobby pin. Then I will turn the pin upside down so that the shorter bumpy part is leaning against my head, grab some hair, and push it in foward and down. What I get is the longer smooth curved part resting against my head. Sorry if this seems confusing. I will probably do a very quick tutorial on how to use this bobby pin.

Do I recommend this product?
If you have difficulty securing your hair into a bun then I definitely recommend these bobby pins. They are very affordable and you can find them online at Sasa or at Marukai Lifestyle. They work very well and come in two colors: black and brown. The bun lasts all day, is secure and firm! =D

So I hope you enjoyed my Sasa haul post! If you have any questions or comments feel free to write in the comment box below! Thank you for reading and I will see you later! ^_^

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Review on "The Body Shop" Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

Hi Everyone! =D
Omg I haven't written in a week! I was so sad that I didn't get to =(. But I had to study for finals and finals are finally done!
Summer session 2 actually starts tomorrow haha, but here's a quick review that I've been wanting to do for a while! Please enjoy. =)

Today I am reviewing "The Body Shop" Camomile Gentle Eye Makeup Remover

This product can be bought online or in stores. The regular size is 8.4 fluid oz or 250mL and costs $15. The mini size is 2.0 fluid oz and costs $4.
It is said to gently clean eye makeup off of eyelids and lashes as well as conditions eyelashes.

What do I think of this product?
I bought the mini size for travel purposes and it works very well! It does not irritate my eyelids or my eyes. Maybe if too much gets into my eyes, it will sting a little bit, but as long as I can prevent that, there is no problem! I like the mini size for travel because it is very convenient. It takes off makeup well without pulling lashes off. I really like the container/dispenser, It does not leak!! Yay! Because I have bought drugstore travel sized makeup removers such as CVS's brand which will always leak when I travel and I need 2 plastic bags to prevent it from leaking into my luggage!
I am happy with the mini one, it is great for short trips and I don't use a lot of it. I go and visit my bf and bring this with me and I have been using this eye makeup remover for about 3 months and I still have the same one! I would not buy the regular sized one, because it is too expensive for me. My CVS oil-free eye makeup remover is fine for at home use.

Do I recommend this product?
If you want a good quality eye makeup remover than can remove both water-based and water-resilient eye makeup for travel, then I recommend the mini of this eye makeup remover. The mini is great for traveling and I will probably only buy it for that purpose. It's also great because it does not leak! I don't really recommend the regular size because you can find cheaper drugstore ones to use at home that work just as well for 1/3 of the cost. If you want to buy the regular size and you like it better than drugstore brands, then that's cool too. XP Overall, great eye makeup remover, works well and doesn't do any harm!

So quick post, but pretty straight forward. Thank you for reading and I will see you soon! X)

UPDATE (4/25/13): So I recently decided to buy the regular size of the camomile makeup remover. And I don't know why but this product makes the skin around my eyes sting, turns the skin red, and if it gets into my eyes, it stings too. T_T The formula seems to be more soapy than before, maybe they changed it, but I don't know. Also, this eye makeup remover sucks at removing Urban Decay pencil eyeliner and mascara from my eyes.....I am still using this because I don't want to waste my money, and so far there are no long term ill side effects...but yeah, I will not buy this again. And I do not recommend this to those who have sensitive skin around their eyes.