Beauty, Photos, Reviews

Facial Cleansers: Which One’s Work For Me

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You guys know how much I love my Purity by Philosophy facial cleanser, right? I’ve given it away on my blog, and talk about it more than a few times per month. It comes in an assortment of sizes and you can get it anywhere from The Bay, Sephora and even Shoppers Drug Mart.

I have never strayed from using it the past 12 months and I finally ran out of my large bottle. I ordered a new 24oz of it though, on the Sephora website when they had the VIB sale. Since I’ve ran out of the purity cleanser, I went out and bought my old school trusty Marcelle cleansing milk. It was the very first beauty product cleanser I was ever recommended and it was recommended to me by a pharmacist back home in Newfoundland who just happened to be our neighbour.

I since then have recommended it to others.

Marcelle is my second favourite cleanser, if I can classify it as that. It’s backed up by the Canadian Dermatology Association. Because of CDA’s mission to “offer patients, their families and the public, education on the prevention of skin cancer and other ways to maintain a lifetime of healthy skin, hair and nails”, the CDA has just launched a new initiative: the Skin Health Program.

CDA

There is a common ground here, you see. Marcelle products have always been hypo-allergenic which is why it was recommended to me in the early 2000’s. It’s gentle on your skin, especially the eye areas and of course is perfume free. Their products don’t sting your face. It’s just as gentle as Purity. I hate comparing the two, but they’re both pretty up there in my opinion and the only one’s that I like to use on my face. I dislike using cetaphil, only for the scent— it smells too medically or something.

marcelle cosmetics

Cleansing Cloths*, Soothing Cleansing Water*, Eye Make-Up Remover Cloths, Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion*, Eye Make-Up Remover Pads

* = products I’ve tried out and used and would completely recommend. The stuff that isn’t asterisk’ed are product I have not tried.

Already available at Marcelle.com and in stores      
Marcelle Cleansing Cloths         $12.50   25 cloths  
Marcelle Soothing Cleansing Water $14.50   6.7 FL OZ 200 mL
Marcelle Eye Make-Up Remover Cloths              $12.50 30 cloths  
Marcelle Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover Lotion $13.50   5 FL OZ 150 mL
Marcelle Eye Make-Up Remover Pads $9.95     80 pads  

What cleansers do you use?
I use Purity by Philosophy, or Marcelle cleansing milk. Nothing else (okay sometimes make up wipes if I’m really lazy)

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Beauty, Photos, Reviews

Clarisonic Mia2 review

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I’m a late bloomer. Always have been, probably always will be.

A few years ago I discovered the fine art of self-tanning at home. It took me years to get the guts and try it our for myself. I’ve heard complaints in the past about streaking products or looking orange. Then came along St. Moriz, and St. Tropez — and even then I didn’t buy it right away. Why? When I spend money on something, I want it to work. I don’t want to ever be put into an embarrassing situation of my tan looking splotchy or remotely carrot colored. You think I’m going off topic here, but I’m really not, you see the same goes for the Clarisonic…ClarisonicMia2-in-hand

I’ve heard about it for a few years. Initially I saw it being talked about on YouTube. Was it really for me? I don’t have troubled skin. Would a $100+ over sized toothbrush be good for my delicate skin? I still don’t understand the two speeds for your face. Are we on a race track? It does the same thing, no?

Why spend $100 when you can get similar products at the drug store for a fraction of the cost? There is a difference between the Clarisonic and other exfoliating tools.ClarisonicMia2

The Clarisonic vibrates using a very soft oscillation movement, where as some have a rotary brush head. Meaning that the Clarisonic is so much more gentle and not abrasive at all on the skin.

Opened the box and I wasn’t sure how to set up the charger onto the Mia.Clarisonic-plugin

Oh buddy, how fancy is this? I nodded to myself as soon as I figured it out, as my Boyfriend laughed at my antics. The charger is magnetized and just clicks right onto the top of the Mia. It also blinks (or glows in and out, slowly) when charging. ClarisonicMia2-plugged-in

I didn’t really know what to expect when I tried it out for the first time. There’s always a bit of uncertainty when trying out new products. The instructions stated my skin could go through a purging phase. Would I? All these unanswered questions. So I manned up and charged the Mia 2 for 20 hours and used it for the first time on Sunday, March 3 and I’ve been using it every single day since. EVERY DAY.

Start off by wetting your face with some luke warm water, and then wet the brush head. Put a little squirt of your cleanser — any cleanser works, and I’ve researched! So that’s good news bears, right? I am using up the sample sized cleanser that came with the kit, but my go-to cleanser is Purity by Philosophy. I try to never stray from that amazing one.

Here’s the set up you’re supposed to follow:

  • 20 seconds on forehead
  • 20 seconds on nose and chin area
  • 10 seconds per cheek

I started on my right cheek. First mistake was that I forgot to count how many seconds it was rubbing my cheek for. I was waiting for the beep but remembered that it was only supposed to be on each cheek for 10 seconds at a time. Whoops.

My face wasn’t even red after the first use (as it always does, when I touch it, or wash it — I have sensitive skin). I washed the access facial cleansing gel off my face and I didn’t feel like my skin was tight. Perhaps it’s because I moisturized right away? Perhaps the Clarisonic is a miracle?

Scrubbing the face with the little Mia2.Clarisonic-on-my-face

But get this. Before I applied my Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, I couldn’t stop touching my face. Coincidence? I think not. It was like a miniature spa retreat and you get a minute of pure bliss.

After I’ve been using it for a few weeks I can finally give a review on it. My skin did not go through a purging phase. I didn’t break out (thank the baby you-know-what) and I’m even considering using it twice a day. But let’s not go too over board here now. I still have sensitive skin. I may introduce this though, soon. Clarisonic-before-and-afterBefore and after using the Clarisonic Mia2.

I can now see why it has become some people’s staple in their beauty routine. The first time I used the Clarisonic, I didn’t wear make up for two days as it was the weekend. I was disturbed but pleasantly surprised at the Clarisonic’s actions that there were traces of dirt on the brush head after the 1 minute of use. Guess it really does clean 6x better than your hands alone. On the box it says your skin is receptive to treatments, lotions and serums. Meaning, the products you use will absorb into your skin better.

The best analogy as how your skin will feel after the first use, not one word of a lie? Touch the inside of your forearm. That is exactly how smooth and soft the skin on your face will feel after using the Clarisonic. It’s just one of those things where you’re going to have to test it out for yourself to believe me. I didn’t believe the hype either, until I flippin tried it and now I can’t stop using it. It feels like my skin is 10 years younger. Madness. I can’t get over it. Sephora Clarisonic BrushesA few different brush heads are available at Sephora for $29, so you can swap them out for your skin type.

  • Normal
  • Sensitive
  • Delicate
  • Deep Pore (for oily or large pores)
  • Acne
  • Body (it’s a little larger but you can only use this with the Clarisonic Plus model)

Make sure to replace those brush heads every 3-4 months! The Clarisonic Mia 2 comes with a sensitive skin brush and a refreshing gel cleanser, so we’re set. I was a bit hesitant about bringing it into the shower with me, but I’ve certainly got over that fear. It’ll slough off your days make up (always remove your mascara first. Then again, you’re not really going over the eye area with it), or gently exfoliates off your dead skin cells, ready to grow and emerge some new baby soft skin. Hoo yeah.

All in all? BUY IT. That’s right, I just yelled that at you. I’d wait for a sale at Sephora though, if you’re a VIB or have a friend that is — until you can get it at 20% off.

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Beauty, Health, Photos, Reviews

Favorite moisturizers and cleansers

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I have a handful of spa gift certificates to this local place, just sitting around my apartment waiting to be used. I’m just so scared and undecided what I should get done at the spa. Sometimes I think I want a facial, other times I want to get my hair dyed there. I’d get something simple like a mani/pedi but their prices are far too exuberant for my liking. Plus I love the lady I go to.

It all boils down to me being chicken but really wanting to get some sort of facial thing done. So, I’m slowly stepping into the realm of doing things myself before I waltz into a fancy spa and ask for a hydrating or peel-like facial. Is that backwards? I don’t know. To be honest, I don’t know much about skin care, other than moisturizing. I love to cleanse and moisturize the heck out of my skin. Perhaps that’s why people tell me I look like I’m 10 years younger than I actually am. That, or it’s the genes.

There’s just two must-have’s in my skin care regime. It’s my cleanser, and eye moisturizer believe it or not. Unfortunately they’re both pretty high end products but I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s just what works.

Purity by Philosophy is the cleanser that I use. I bought the ginormasized bottle at Sephora, because it’s works out to be cheaper to get the larger sized, of course. It’s a very gentle cleanser, I can get it straight in my eyeball and it doesn’t sting. Nor does it make my skin feel tight, or dry afterwards. Bonus.

My face moisturizers vary from each time I go out and purchase one. I haven’t found anything that I love yet. But what I do really enjoy, is my Bobbi Brown Extra Eye Repair cream. It’s definitely a splurge for me and I can only find it at Holt Renfrew in Toronto. Sephora does carry Bobbi Brown products, just not that certain eye cream. It’s a very thick, luxurious eye cream and lasts about 6 months if you buy the full sized version.

I am mourning over my empty jar of Bobbi Brown extra eye repair cream that I just finished the last week of September. I remember buying it in February — see what I mean? Lasts a long time, all you need is just a dab. Applying too much moisturizer is a waste, only so much cream can soak into your face.

Not to worry, I went to Holt Renfrew last weekend and picked up a new extra eye repair cream :)

I’m always testing out and trying new products to add to my must-have collection. The next product I decided to try out was Philosophy’s micro exfoliating triple acid brightening peel pad. Wow, that’s a mouthful.

I exfoliate my skin pretty often because I self-tan a few times a month. Slothing off all that dead skin is a must, especially since I’m prone to spots of mild eczema and of course self-tanner coming off — you don’t want to have splotchy skin.

You’ll notice that each pad is individually wrapped which is great since it’s very sanitary. If it was just in one package, the pads stay much more fresh since they’re not getting exposed to the air.

The price point of these makes me want to cry, and I’m glad I ended up getting them to review here on my blog for you guys — otherwise I most definitely would’ve walked right past it at Sephora!

Don’t get caught off guard. The name of these are much scarier than the actual product. You think “peel” as in red, blotchy skin and your dead skin flakes off and you need to take a day off from work. No. These are so much more gentler than that, and it honestly just felt like a cold toner on your face.

The directions mentioned that you could use this pad, not only over your face but on the back of your hands, elbows and knees if desired. I didn’t do that, so instead just focused on my face. The first few things I immediately noticed about using the micro exfoliating triple-acid brightening peel

  • It was chilly and refreshing on my face.
  • My face wasn’t irritated! Yay!
  • My sensitive skin didn’t feel tight after applying it.

I didn’t notice any brightening the first time I used it, but are you really going to see a dramatic change the first time you use something? No. I did use 5 of the pads throughout the course of five weeks. So I’m following directions appropriately at once a week use. It claims that after two uses, skin is smoother and brighter. After 4 uses, fine lines and sun damage are visibly diminished. Thankfully I’m not at the age where I have sun spots or damage. My fine lines around my eyes are noticeable when I smile, and I’m pretty sure they’re non-reversable. But that’s besides the point. I did enjoy using them since it does help remove dead surface skin cells and promotes a faster rate of cell turnover. Which ultimately helps enhance your skins brightness. This is why you should exfoliate folks! You need to sloth off those dead cells in order for your skin to glow.

To be honest? Are they worth the hefty price tag at Sephora? Right now, I’m unsure due to the fact that I don’t have any other exfoliator to compare to.

Have you ever used an at-home facial treatment?

What is your favorite cleansers and  moisturizers?

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