Beauty Protector Beauty Wash, Beauty Cream, and Protect and Treat Mask - initial impressions

Recently I was contacted by Purple PR and asked if I would like to receive some of the Beauty Protector products. I've already received a few of their products from Birchbox, and their protect spray is one of my HG products at this point, so I emailed back and said, absolutely! 

Over the next few weeks, I'll be trying out their Beauty Wash and their Beauty Cream, and even though I've already tried and reviewed their Treatment Mask, I'm going to try it again, and see if my impressions change since this is a full size and I can better formulate a lasting opinion.
I will say, initially, all the products have that great Beauty Protector smell (I can't explain it, but it's definitely sweet). The Beauty Wash seems like it will lather well but not strip my skin, and the beauty cream isn't greasy at all. I'm really excited to give these new products a try!


FTC: This product was received from the PR company with no obligation to review, and no compensation has been exchanged. No affiliate links have been used in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask Review

(This product was received in my May 2014 New Beauty Test Tube.)

How To Use: After shampooing, massage into hair, ensuring the conditioner is evenly applied. Leave in for three to five minutes before rinsing. For even deeper conditioning, cover hair in a plastic cap to retain moisture while sitting under the dryer for 10 minutes, then rinse. 

Initial Impressions: This sample is teeny, and so I didn't use much of the product the first time I used this, and was just okay with it. It didn't strike me as anything special- just another deep conditioner. 

Final Impressions:  The next two times I used this, I had better results. It didn't leave my hair feeling greasy, but did leave it tangle free. However, it didn't really leave my hair feeling moisturized, and actually felt a little drier than it had before using this product. I'm not sure why that is, since this says it's a repairing mask for dry, damaged hair. So it pretty much just seemed like a regular, nothing-special conditioner, and not a mask.
I won't be repurchasing this product, ever. There are a lot better deep conditioners out there for my hair type, and this just didn't really do anything for me.

You can purchase this product here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box service that was purchased by me with my own money. No affiliate links have been used, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lush D'Fluff Shaving Soap Review

 

How To Use: Wet your skin and apply a generous amount of shaving soap. For best results, let it sink into your skin for 3-5 minutes before you begin to shave. Shave the desired area, rinsing your razor frequently under hot water to eliminate excess soap and stubble. Finish off with a moisturizer for smooth, soothed skin.

How It Works: When you’ve had enough of the rough stuff, there’s D’Fluff! This fluffy, sweet shaving soap will have you dreaming of Strawberry Fluff sandwiches while you shave. It’s packed full of effective ingredients: fresh strawberries, egg whites and golden syrup, all whisked together with rosehip oil, coconut oil and maple sugar to create a light, marshmallowy texture that will leave your skin silky smooth. Plus, Fair Trade cocoa butter leaves skin moisturized and helps keep post-shave redness to a minimum.

Initial Impressions: I think I used too much of this the first time I used this- it got my razor kind of gunked up, and it seemed like I needed so much. But it did give me a super close shave, and left my skin feeling so unbelievably soft. Everywhere I shaved, it was the same.

Final Impressions: I LOVE this product! Once I finally got down how much I really needed to use, and how long to kind of wait for it to sink in (about 30 seconds to a minute), I wanted to shave every single day, but I didn't need to. I found myself able to go longer between shaves, but my skin was still smooth. It never made my skin feel irritated, at all. Overall, this is a huge win of a product, and I highly recommend it!

You can purchase this product here, or purchase it from your local Lush store.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. No affiliate links have been used.

Agave Smoothing Haircare Trio Review

How To Use: Warm a dime-sized dab of oil between your palms and distribute it throughout damp hair evenly, from roots to ends. Air dry for a natural look, or blow dry for a sleeker style. And don't stop there- this also doubles as a hydrating body oil!

How It Works: The amino sugars in agave soothe damaged hair and infuse it with moisture. This fragrant healing oil treatment is also packed with plenty of other natural conditioning ingredients to keep hair soft and sleek: vanilla, coconut, and baobab seed oil, to name a few. And it’s free of the stuff that’s not so good for your locks: parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

Initial Impressions: I'm not super impressed with this shampoo and conditioner. I absolutely loved the hair oil by itself when I first received it in my March 2014 Birchbox, but combined with the system, I'm not really as into it. The shampoo really doesn't feel like it's getting my hair clean, and the conditioner doesn't feel like it's conditioning- my hair feels so dry after using this. I'm going to keep trying it, but so far, I'm just glad I only wasted my Birchbox Points and not actual money.

Final Impressions: My final impressions are the same as my first impressions- I didn't like the trio of products at all. I started using the shampoo and conditioner with different things after, or nothing at all, and it was the same thing. This did absolutely nothing for my hair, didn't make it feel softer or shinier, and I never felt like my hair was "sleek". Maybe this would be better for someone with a different texture of hair than mine, but for my fine, thin hair, this is worthless.
I will say, though, that I am still in love with the hair oil. I used it with a different shampoo/conditioner combo, and it does all the things it used to do for my hair that made me love it. So, clearly, the only loser here is the shampoo and conditioner.

You can purchase this product here.

FTC: This product was purchased with Birchbox points received by providing reviews for products received in my Birchbox subsciption box, which is purchased by me with my own money.

There have been no affiliate links used in this post.

Whish Shave Crave Shaving Cream - Acai Grapefruit Review

How To Use: Apply to legs, armpits, or bikini line before you shave.

How It Works: A moisturizing base of omega-rich squalene, organic shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut oil protects against the redness and irritation associated with shaving, while organic green tea extracts infuse skin with antioxidants.

Initial Impressions: I felt like I had to use so much of this to shave one leg. I wasn't a fan of the texture (it's pretty much just a lotion), and I didn't feel like it moisturized any different than any other shave lotion.

Final Impressions: This is definitely not worth the price. ($20.00 for 150ml? No Thanks!) In reading the reviews on the Birchbox website, it seems like I'm alone, but I didn't feel like this was anything special. I have sensitive skin and get a little redness with shaving, but there was no difference between this and my skintimate shaving cream. It also clogged my razor up quite a bit, so I didn't feel like I got a really smooth shave (and I was rinsing after every single pass with the razor). So, basically, I didn't like this, and will never purchase it.

But I guess if you want to, after reading your own reviews on the Birchbox website, you can purchase this product here.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post.

Lush Dragon's Egg Bath Bomb Review

How To Use: Fill your bathtub with warm water, drop in the Bath Bomb and lay back to enjoy its lovely color and gorgeous fragrance. Some LUSH Bath Bombs contain flower petals and others have secret surprises (if you prefer not to have these pieces floating in your tub, wrap the Bath Bomb in a recycled nylon before use). To make your experience even more memorable, combine your fragrant Bath Bomb with a Luxury Bath Melt

How It Works: Unleash fire and bathe in a whirlpool of magnificently vibrant, sizzling color and a spectacular explosion of sights, sounds, and scents. Inhale the refreshing sherbet-y citrus scent of lemon and bergamot; you'll feel like you're up and away on the back of your own dragon. This mystical Bath Bomb fizzles, crackles, curls, and ends with a glitter explosion. Citrus oils are known for their invigorating effect on the mind, and Dragon's Egg is no exception! Drop one of these into the bath for a serious wake-up call on groggy mornings, or before an evening out.

My Review: I absolutely love this bath bomb. I dropped into into my bath as I was climbing in, and let the fizz surround me with the most wonderful citrus and bergamot smells. I also really like the glittery ball in the middle- it makes the water shimmer so beautifully, but doesn't transfer to much on the skin. It has a really refreshing scent, and if I took baths in the morning, it probably would wake me up, but I usually take a bath after a long day.

The only thing is that this will make it look like you peed in your bathtub. And it does leave a little bit of film along the bottom, but if you rinse out the tub after use, it won't stain. At least, I didn't notice any staining.

I've purchased this before, and I will purchase this again and again. I absolutely love it!

You can purchase this product here, or at your local Lush store.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post.

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash Review

How To Use: Wet face with warm water. Squeeze a small amount into hands and work into a lather. Massage gently in a circular motion onto wet skin. Rinse with warm water and pat dry. Avoid delicate eye area.

How It Works: Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash thoroughly cleanses your skin, removing oil, dirt, and other impurities. Perfect even for sensitive skin, this gentle, soap-free face wash contains no dyes, artificial perfumes, or harsh chemicals that can upset skin. Enriched with vitamins B5 and E and natural bisabolol, the wash will leave your face feeling clean and refreshed.

Initial Impressions: This reminds me a lot of the Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser, which makes sense, because the first few ingredients are the same thing, only in a bit of a different order. It made my skin feel clean, and ready for the day!

Final Impressions: I still really like this product! It still makes my skin feel clean and refreshed, and it's extremely gentle. I feel really good about using this product, because it doesn't have a lot of junk in it. Maybe it's me getting older, maybe it's the fact that my husband and I are thinking about starting our family, but I've been really seeking out products that are a little kinder to my skin. I also notice my skin reacts better when I don't use chemicals and use more naturally based products. I am definitely going to be repurchasing this soon!

You can purchase this product here.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money.

Amazon affiliate links are used in this post. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Hair Mask Review

I received this in my July 2014 Birchbox.

How To Use: Work through wet hair, focusing on ends. Leave on for up to 20 minutes before rinsing away.

How It Works: The formula is loaded with antioxidants to neutralize damaging free radicals. Argan oil, honey, amber, and crushed pearls (if the mask’s creamy texture wasn’t proof enough of its luxuriousness) revive strands and preserve their youthful texture and shine. What’s more, the mask works with all hair types, and is cruelty-free.

Initial Impressions: I had to use about half of one of the containers above for my hair, since it is so long. It didn't feel great when I was putting it on my hair (not smooth like I'm used to for a deep conditioner), and when I was rinsing out my hair, it didn't feel smooth or silky. Brushing out took as much time as if I had just used a regular conditioner, and I didn't use any other products as it air-dried and I finished off with a blow dry. However, after the drying process was done, my hair did look shiny, it didn't get overly greasy throughout the day, and also remained virtually tangle free. It also felt smooth, which was weird to me because it was the opposite while rinsing out the product from my hair. So my initial impressions were a little mixed, but the end results were still good. 

Final Impressions: I was able to get four uses out of the samples provided to me, but my impression stayed the same- it didn't wow me pre-rinse, but post-rinse, it did leave my hair in pretty good condition. It also smells so great- exactly like the Beauty Protector Protect and Oil. One of my coworkers was standing away from me, and asked what the smell was, and then came and smelled my hair. (We are friendly, so I wasn't creeped out or anything.)
With that said, it's not anything special. Yeah, it deep conditions my hair and feels and smells good, but there are other deep conditioners that do the same thing. So I probably won't be repurchasing this, but I enjoyed trying it!


You can purchase your own Beauty Protector Protect and Treat Hair Mask here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription service which was purchased with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Evologie Stay Clear Cleanser Review

(photo credit to birchbox.com)

How to Use: Massage a dime-sized amount into skin until it forms a gentle lather..Rinse off and pat skin dry. Follow with moisturizer.

How It Works: Lycopene, a bright red carotene found in tomatoes, works its anti-oxidizing magic to neutralize damaging free radicals. Meanwhile, Evologie’s patent-pending YS3 COMPLEX™ seals in moisture and banishes blemishes. Willow bark extract is an anti-inflammatory agent that reduces redness, while chamomile and honey extracts soothe and moisturize.

Initial Impressions: I received this in my second June 2014 birchbox (read all about that here). I wasn't super impressed with this on my first use- it didn't lather, it doesn't smell like anything, and, in general, it just felt pretty basic. 

Final Impressions: My final impressions are actually quite different than my initial impressions! As I kept using it, I loved the way it didn't irritate my skin, which was surprising to me because, usually, anything with willow bark tends to make my skin a little fussy, but maybe the chamomile and honey balanced that out. I liked that it didn't dry out my skin, and left it still feeling moisturized. And I never once broke out while using this product, at all. Not even my usual hormonal breakouts. I stuck to using this product in the morning, only, because I liked the way it made my skin look after rinsing- it made it look soft, and not at all greasy or oily, which some cleansers can do.
Overall, I really loved this and might look into a full-sized purchase when I get through the rest of my cleansers.

You can purchase this product from amazon here.
You can sign up for your own birchbox here.

FTC: This product was received in a subscription box that was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link and a birchbox affiiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Paula's Choice RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol Review

(photo credit to birchbox.com)

I received this in my second June 2014 Birchbox. 


How to Use: Gently massage moisturizer onto clean skin. If you apply in the morning, be sure to follow up with sunblock of SPF 15 or higher, since retinol can make your skin extra sensitive to the sun.

How It Works: This potent cream is loaded with antioxidants (which support collagen production) and retinol (a tried-and-true wrinkle reducer), plus shea butter and other moisturizers—leaving smoother, firmer, and more youthful-looking . The lightweight formula soaks in quickly for a silky (never greasy) finish, and works well with dry, normal, or combination skin.

Initial Impression: A little of this goes a long way! It didn't have much of a smell, and I liked that it sank in quickly (but not too quickly.My skin felt moisturized, but not overly so. 

Final Impression: This was okay. I felt like it was a really good for night. It sunk in really quickly. I did notice a couple break outs, but I can't be 100% sure they were caused by this and not by hormones. I can't speak to wrinkles or firming, but my skin felt good and moisturized, and that helps skin appear smoother.
I won't be repurchasing this because it didn't WOW me, but I liked it enough to use the entire sample provided to me. Maybe if my skin was more mature, this would be a must have.



You can purchase this product from amazon here.


FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box that was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Macadamia Natural Oil Flawless Cleansing Conditioner Review

I received this in my May 2014 New Beauty Test Tube.

How To Use: Use in place of your shampoo and conditioner. Lightly emulsify one to two pumps between hands. Apply to the scalp area and gently massage through to the ends, spreading throughout hair. Leave in wet hair for up to five minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

How It Works: Experience Perfection: This cleansing conditioner reinvents the art of shampooing and creates the perfect salon blow-dry at home; and Versatile Formula: In one product, this conditioner cleanses, conditions, reduces blow-drying time, detangles, enhances volume, and eliminates frizz. 

Initial Impressions: Using this product was an interesting experience. It's very similar to mousse, in the way it comes out, and in texture. And it doesn't lather, so that was a little odd for me, because I'm a lather-loving girl. But I massaged it in, spread it through my hair, shaved my legs, and then rinsed it out. My hair felt very easy to brush through after my shower- not as bad as after a normal shampoo/conditioner routine. I decided to let my hair air-dry the first time I used it because I figured this would give the best indication as to how my hair behaves normally with this product. And it dried beautifully! My hair was left looking and feeling soft. And it was so full- I have very fine hair, and this definitely gave me a boost in volume!
The next time I used it, I blow-dried my hair. My hair was super voluminous! However, my hair did tangle up a lot throughout the day, and fell flat by the afternoon.

Final Impressions: I'm almost done with this, and I really enjoyed it. It gave my hair good volume, and it didn't get as greasy as I thought it would. I think this is a great once a week treat for my hair, because it makes my hair soft for a couple of days after- very similar to what a deep conditioner might do. I can't see myself become a full-fledge convert to this stuff, but I can definitely see myself picking up the small sized bottle and keep it handy for when I'm in the mood to have a good hair day- especially air-dried. I really feel like that's where it shined for me- when I didn't touch my hair and just let it do its own thing. 


You can purchase this product here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription service which was purchased with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Lite Review

Another day, a new hair product to try!
I received this one in my March 2014 New Beauty Test Tube.


How To Use: Spritz generously into damp, towel-dried hair. To help the product fully sink into strands, run a wide-toothed comb through hair until it’s totally detangled. Style as usual.

How It Works: A bevy of natural extracts works to moisturize, pump up the volume, rebuild, and protect hair from heat and environmental damage. Some star players to highlight: marshmallow root extract, which adds major lift and body while hydrating the hair shaft and scalp; acai berry, which battles breakage and cranks up shine, and hydrolyzed silk and rice proteins, which work to fortify strands and repair existing damage.

Initial Impressions: I definitely went overboard the first time I used this, because my hair was so greasy. But it smelled good, and I didn't feel like I was coating my hair. The second time I used just enough, and my hair felt really good, at least initially. Throughout the day, it didn't do much for my hair at all- it still got tangled.

Final Impressions: I've had the original used on my hair in hair salons before, and I always thought about purchasing it but didn't. The lite seems to do the same things for my hair that the original does. And it makes brushing my hair right after a shower really easy (and in combination with my Wet Brush, it's like cutting through butter), but once my hair is dry, it's like I didn't do anything at all. Yeah, my hair is a little shinier, and the damage to the ends is a little less noticeable, but my hair tangles just as easily as if I hadn't done anything at all. So I'd still need to use something on my hair to combat that, in addition to using this product. And because my hair is so fine and long, it gets too weighed down if I do that. I won't be purchasing this product, but I can see why so many people like it and call it a miracle product, and if my hair could handle a bunch of different products, this would be one I'd buy a thousand times over.

You can purchase this product from amazon here.


FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box that was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

COOLA Tinted Matte SPF 30 for Face

I received this in two different Birchboxes (March and June!), so I figured it was time to just use them!

How To Use: Smooth a thin layer onto clean skin.

How It Works: This is no ordinary SPF. COOLA suspended two skin-safe mineral sunblocks—titanium and zinc dioxide—in a moisturizing base to ensure a smooth, even application. Shea butter naturally softens skin. Age-reversing antioxidants like evening primrose extract and borage seed oil deflect free radicals, while naturally water-resistant plankton makes the formula extra-durable.

Initial Impressions: The first thing I noticed is this has almost a mousse-like texture. The second thing is that this smooths on really nicely, and evenly- sometimes with tinted products, I get streakiness, but I didn't with this. I was a little nervous because the color of this product is so yellow-based, but it completely blended in with my skintone. This also felt great under makeup. Overall, my initial impressions were pretty positive!

Final Impressions: I really ended up liking this product, a lot. I liked the texture, I liked how it just glides onto my skin, and I like the way it matches my skin tone. My only complaint is that I used a little too much one day, and got that annoying "makeup in your pores" look. But it was completely my fault for going overboard. I did notice that if I wore this when it was really hot outside, it didn't stay matte- but my oily skin definitely didn't show through as early as with other products- as a matter of fact, when I spent most of a day indoors (pretty much only going outside when I was to and from work), my skin didn't appear oily at ALL. So I wonder if I lived in a better climate if this is how it would be all the time? And I didn't notice any breakouts!
I've put this on my favorites for Birchbox- it's really that great of a product that I could see myself eventually purchasing a full size. It's just a really great sunscreen that also provides a little bit of coverage and acts like a great primer for my bareMinerals. I highly recommend if you see a sample of it somewhere, try it!



You can purchase this from amazon here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription box service that was purchased with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Simple Kind To Skin Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes Review

How To Use: For Best Results: Lift resealable sticker and remove one wipe. Gently wipe over face and neck to cleanse the skin. Ensure the pack is properly resealed to prevent the wipes from drying out. After use, dispose of wipes in bin, do not flush. Avoid direct contact with eyes.

How It Works: Kind To Skin Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes 25 Ct are a perfect blend of gentle cleansers and Zinc PCA to refresh your skin and help control shine. Perfect even for sensitive skin.

Initial Impressions: I feel like these are really similar to the regular Cleansing Face Wipes, but they do make my skin look less greasy. However, that doesn't appear to be a lasting effect by any means, at least not in my first weeks of use.

Final Impressions: I've used up almost this whole package now, and it's nothing to write home about. I have no clue what they mean by "oil balancing", but other than making my skin slightly less oily-looking right after the initial use, it does nothing lasting. My oil is the same as it ever was, and I definitely notice because it is HOT here! It does get my skin clean, gets all my makeup off, and doesn't irritate my skin at all or make me break out, but it if claims to help control shine, it should do that. And it doesn't.
I think, for now, I'll be sticking with the Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes, unless I see something else I want to try out! 


You can purchase this product at your local Target (like I did), or purchase it from amazon here.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Lorac Pro Palette 2 Review and Swatches

I just had to! I absolutely love my Lorac Pro palette, and my Lorac Pro to Go palette, so I had to get this one the minute I found out it was available!





This palette has 15 completely different shades than the original Lorac palette (the only dupe is the matte black, which is an okay dupe in my eyes!), and the shades are cooler than the original. The shades are as follows: 

• Top Row: Buff (Matte), Lt. Brown (Matte), Cool Gray (Matte), Nectar (Matte), Plum (Matte), Navy (Matte), Charcoal (Matte), Black (Matte)
• Bottom Row: Snow (Shimmer), Beige (Shimmer), Rosé (Shimmer), Mocha (Shimmer), Chrome (Shimmer), Silver (Shimmer), Jade (Shimmer), Cocoa (Shimmer)
• 
  
• A Mini Behind the Scenes Eye Primer is included.

Here are the matte shades in the palette, from left to right just as they appear. As you can tell, the buff shade basically disappears on me, which makes it a perfect brow bone shade.




And here are the shimmer shades, also from left to right just as they appear in the palette. I think the beige and rose are my favorite, though I do have a soft spot in my heart for jade!


I'm really happy that I decided to purchase this palette. It is definitely nothing like the original Lorac Palette, and all of the shades are extremely pigmented. If you love cool tone shadows, or are just a girl that loves Lorac, like me, I would highly recommend picking this up!


You can purchase this palette at Ulta.com.



FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. No affiliate links were used in this post.

Almay Longwear & Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Pads Review

How to Use: Smooth pad over closed lid and lashes

How It Works: ALMAY oil-free gentle eye makeup remover pads are part of Almay, the number 1 eye makeup remover brand in America, which offers a full line of makeup removers to meet the needs of your skin and eyes. Gentler than soap and water, Almay Makeup Removers condition skin while removing makeup without irritation.

Initial Impressions: Wow, these are greasy.  I had read they were but I don't think I was fully prepared. They are definitely not oil-free, as the description above says! However, this did seem to get off all my eyemakeup, especially if I hold it over my eye for about 10 seconds, and then pull away. I have to go over a couple of times, but overall, other than the greasy-ness, I like them!

Final Impressions: These are really, really good at getting off all my eyemakeup, even the waterproof kind. You do have to hold them over your eyes for a few seconds, but it does come off! However, these leave my eyes feeling like a grease factory, and sometimes make my vision a little blurry. Also, it leaves a greasy residue. So that's no bueno if I have extra eye makeup on in the morning, or want to do a fall-out cleanup before putting on my foundation. 
I probably won't be buying these again, based on that fact. There are other eye makeup remover pads out there that probably work just as well, but don't leave behind that greasy residue. Next time I'll check to make sure they're oil free!



You can purchase this product at your local Ulta (like I did), or purchase it from amazon here.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes Review

When my Yes To Cucumbers Makeup Removing Wipes started failing me, I started reading reviews for a makeup wipe geared toward sensitive skin. And a lot of people were talking about the Simple wipes, so I picked these ones up while shopping at Target.

How To Use: Lift seal and remove wipe. Gently wipe over eyelids, face and neck to cleanse the skin. After use, dispose of wipe in trash (do not flush). Reseal pack to keep wipes moist. Avoid direct contact with eyes.

How It Works: Clean and refresh your skin with Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes. These face wipes truly are simple they contain no perfumes, dyes or harsh irritants so they are great for sensitive skin. The unscented facial cleanser in these wipes even removes waterproof mascara. Carry these wipes with you on your next travel adventure in place of your daily cream cleanser. Available in 25-count.

Initial Impressions: These feel good, and they don't really smell like anything (so the unscented claim is absolutely true). On the first use, I felt like they really got my makeup off, and I didn't notice any irritation.

Final Impressions: After using the whole package, I can tell these are a contender for my new favorite makeup removing wipes. They never once irritated my skin, and I always felt like it got all of my facial makeup off. I never noticed breakouts occurring after use of these. They do what they promise- they're unscented, they remove all makeup, and they're great for sensitive skin. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with this product and will definitely look into repurchasing in the future.



You can purchase this product at your local Target (like I did), or purchase it from amazon here.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

Beauty Protector Protect and Oil Review

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Beauty Protector Protect and Oil I received in my February 2014 Birchbox.

How To Use: Apply a quarter-sized amount to wet hair, concentrating on the scalp. Rinse thoroughly. 

How It Works: In addition to honey pearl powder, Protect & Shampoo is packed with rich vitamins and a gentle mix of sulfate-free cleaning agents. This powerhouse lineup cleanses and nourishes your strands.

Initial Impressions: My first impression is that this sample packaging is not great, and it is really hard to control how much product comes out. But it smells amazing- like sugary sweet goodness. My first time using this product, I used way too much, and my hair was oily, but it seemed to protect my hair and it didn't tangle. My second time using this product, I didn't use enough and my hair was a mess. 

Final Impressions: After completely using my sample, I feel kind of the way I did on my initial impressions- it smells really good, but it's too hard to use either too much or too little. That could be a problem with the sample given rather than the product, but there was enough in the sample that I used this for a total of about three weeks (a little goes a long way!), and it was very hit and miss. Because there are other hair oils that I've enjoyed more, I don't see myself purchasing this again.



You can purchase your own Beauty Protector Protect and Oil here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription service which was purchased with my own money. No affiliate links have been used in this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser Review

Today I'm going to be reviewing the Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser.

I initially received this as one of those magazine samples on a card in the mail, and really liked the way it made my skin feel, so when I noticed they had a $3.00 off coupon (!) attached to the sample, I jumped on this when I saw it at Target for $5.99.

How To Use: For optimal results, use daily. Wet face. Pump cleanser into hands, gently work into a foam. Massage over entire face. Rinse thoroughly.

How It Works: Skin acting up? Meet Charcoal. The new secret weapon from the Bioré® Skincare Experts. Draw out and trap 2x more dirt and impurities than a basic cleanser with this innovative black cleanser that foams white and rinses clean. Infused with Japanese Skin Purifying Technology, this facial cleanser gives you results after just one use!

Initial Impressions: My initial impressions were pretty great- I bought it based on a tiny sample in a magazine (I was able to get two uses out of it). I liked the cooling sensation from the menthol, and I thought it really appeared to clean out my pores. I figured for $2.99, it was worth the shot! After purchasing it, I decided based on some reviews I had read to only use it at night- it says it's okay to use daily, but not twice daily, so I figured that would be the best time.

Final Impressions: After using this nightly for a month (other than my once weekly face mask), I still love the way my skin is responding to it. I really do feel like it's getting my skin clean and I love the cooling feeling (especially since it's starting to become very, very hot where I live). I feel like my pores are cleaner than they were previously, but this doesn't irritate my skin like some other cleaners that promise to remove dirt and impurities but instead just leave my sensitive skin irritated. I can honestly say that I haven't noticed anything wrong with this cleanser- it does exactly what it promises to do, I did see results very quickly, and I feel like my skin is very clean. This product is a winner, and at the price, it would be hard to pass up!  I will definitely be repurchasing this product.



You can purchase this product at your local Target (like I did), or purchase it from amazon here.

FTC: This product was purchased by me with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an amazon affiliate link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.

GLAMGLOW Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment Review

I had heard a lot of hype about these GLAMGLOW masks, so I was excited when I saw this in my March 2014 New Beauty Test Tube.

How To Use: Apply a layer to clean skin. The mask will tingle as it tightens and brightens skin. Leave on for five to 10 minutes and rinse off with water, using circular motions to deepen exfoliation. Use once or twice a week.

Benefits Include: Natural Smoother: This unique formula works to activate the skin's collagen synthesis to naturally moisturize your skin; and Protective Formula: This restorative mask absorbs impurities without removing the natural oils essential to the skin.

Initial Impressions: My first impressions are that this makes a HUGE mess! As I was putting it on my face, it was getting everywhere! There are little leaves in this, and I feel like they did nothing but get everywhere. 
I do like the way this dries- quickly. And after rinsing, it didn't leave my skin feeling too tight, but as it was drying my skin got so tight I couldn't even close my eyes- intense!  My skin did look nice for a couple days afterward, and kept that same softness, which was impressive!

Final Impressions: I have now completely used this sample, and I still really like it. I love the way it dries, and the fact that it tingles just enough but not too much to be irritating. I really do feel liked this help clear up a couple really disgusting hormonal blemishes, because within a couple days after using this (and not altering anything else), they were going down more than they would have without it. And this really got my skin clean, but I didn't feel like it was stripping it or causing it to become more dry. 
The only downsides are the mess, and the price. This is an expensive mask. But for a splurge purchase, I can definitely see myself going after this in the future. 


You can purchase your own GLAMGLOW Youthmud mask here.

FTC: This product was received as part of a subscription service which was purchased with my own money. All thoughts and opinions are my own.