Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer Review + Comparison to NYX Concealer in a jar

Hello loves & new followers!

This is a review & comparison between the concealer I have been using lately, Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer, and the concealer I usually use, NYX Concealer in a jar. After an excellent review by Kalmo of Cambo Soup, I decided that I wanted to try out the Maybelline concealer!

Left: NYX Concealer in a jar (beige)
Right: Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer (medium)

This is the Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer.
The jar is bigger than the NYX, but there is a lot less product.

It's in a chubby little glass jar.

This is what it looks like. Looks really dark!


Compare it to NYX Concealer in a jar (beige)... this looks a bit lighter.
You get more product, but the jar is plastic.

Comparison swatches:
The NYX is considerably lighter. Both are yellow-based but NYX is cooler and lighter.
Maybelline goes on dark and NYX goes on light.

However, both blend in rather well. But you can still tell that NYX is slightly lighter and Maybelline is slightly darker. Both are still a good match for my skin tone though.

And here's some super EWW no concealer pictures... for the sake of being thorough and detailed... :( Gross makeup too. Sorry!

So yep, that's what my eyes look like with no concealer.
Severe discoloration dark circles and bags/puffiness and fine lines.

My dark circles are really bad because since I was a kid, I would always rub my eyes! Allll the time for really long periods of time. All the time spent crying and losing sleep over stupid boys during my inter-HS days did not help either! :P So now my under eye area is permanently like this.


And here is my eye with the Maybelline concealer.

Overall, it covers really well with just one layer (still buildable though) and matches my skin tone. I swear it's not this cakey looking in real life! I think I over-sharpened this picture :P

Here is my eye with the NYX concealer.

It has sheerer coverage, but it is still buildable... needs several layers for the best coverage. It also shows up slightly lighter.


Here is another disgusting eye pic. Sorry!
Comparison:


As you can see, both end up settling into my fine lines after awhile, but that is inevitable for me, as my fine lines are pretty darn bad. Also, you can tell that the NYX is lighter and the Maybelline is a closer match for my skintone.

I did a full-review of the NYX Concealer in a jar here.
And here are my thoughts on the Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer:

Price: $6.97 from Walmart

What they say: Dream Mousse™ Concealer conceals with an amazing air-soft feel. Air-whipped mousse texture feels lightweight on skin and builds opacity for settle-free coverage. Completely covers dark circles, imperfections and redness. Blends and smoothes away imperfections instantly. Oil-Free, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist tested, safe for sensitive skin.

What to do: Dot small amount of coverage onto flaw or imperfection or under eye. Pat with finger to blend.

What's in it: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Isododecane, Trimethylpentanediol/Adipac Acid/Isononanoic Acid Copolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tribehenin, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Methylmethacrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Aluminum Hydroxide, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Methylparaben, BHT, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, May Contain (+/-):, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77491/Iron Oxides (Iron Oxides), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride)

COMPARISON TO NYX CONCEALER IN A JAR:

Maybelline Concealer The good stuff: • Relatively inexpensive • A little goes a long way • Lightweight, very comfy air-whipped texture • Easy to smooth on... I use my fingers • Buildable coverage • Nice and blendable, natural-looking • Relatively long-lasting... 5+ hours • Sturdy glass jar • Does not look cakey if you set with powder • Conceals my dark circles, redness and pimples very well The low-down: • Only 3 grams of product • Only 5 shades to choose from (3 light shades, 1 medium, 1 dark) • Gets cakey if you apply too much • Doesn't last on me by the end of the day • Settles into my fine lines after awhile

NYX Concealer The good stuff: • Relatively inexpensive • A little goes a long way • Creamy texture, not sticky or uncomfortable • Easy to apply... I use my ELF concealer brush • Buildable coverage • Nice and blendable, natural-looking • Relatively long-lasting... 5+ hours • 12 shades to choose from • 7 grams of product • Sturdy plastic jar • Does not look cakey if you set with powder • Conceals my dark circles, redness and pimples very well The low-down: • Contains mineral oil • Doesn't last on me by the end of the day • A little less coverage than the Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer • Somtimes you might need to warm it up before use • Settles into my fine lines after awhile

My take: Overall, I really like this cocnealer! I have been using it for about 2 weeks now (I still use the NYX concealer too though). I really like the light, whipped texture. It smooths on like silk and has great pigmentation that covers my redness and dark circles. Still, I like to layer it to get the desired coverage. Too many layers makes it look cakey though. I usually do 2, and then set it with powder. It is seemingly a better match for my skintone than the NYX one but I THINK I could still go one shade lighter. I kind of would rather have a lightened effect, but still, it matches my skintone once blended in. The coverage lasts pretty long but as with any concealer, it is pretty much gone by the end of the day. It also settles into my fine lines but like I mentioned, this is inevtiable for me. The little glass jar is very sturdy but deceiving. There is only 3 grams of product in the jar, even though it is bigger than the NYX one, which contains 7 grams of product. Overall though, for the price, this is a great concealer!

Would I repurchase/recommend?
Yes, I would repurchase, and I would recommend this to anyone who wants an inexpensive, effective concealer to try! It probably will be better and more natural for those with minimal dark circles/blemishes, but it also proves that it can do a good job concealing even dark circles like mine! It also has not broken me out or otherwise irritated my skin.

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Tsunami Warning for Hawaii

I was awakened at like 5 something this morning to warning sirens blaring...

from KGMB.com

"A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii. Urgent action should be taken... More>>"

...Due to an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile.
12 foot waves are expected to reach us (Hilo) at 11:05 am

...my thoughts go out to the residents of Chile...

I don't know whether to really worry or not because every time we have a warning, nothing happens. The past 2 hurricane warnings and tsunami warning we had; nothing happened. But this time it seems more... urgent. If we do get hit by a tsunami, that will be bad news because our storefront is in the danger zone. We're moving things but still... it's nerve-wracking.

...I'm glued to the news...

Hawaii blogger babes, please take care!

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MAC Ripe Peach Blush Ombre [lemming]

Most of you will know that I have had practically NO interest in any MAC products EVER... I don't care about their eyeshadow, foundation, lippies... nothing has ever impressed me so much that I felt instantly attracted to it.

That is, until I saw this post on Lulu's blog (the picture is also from her blog -hope that's okay ^^- since the ones I found on google don't do it justice!)

This is the most beautiful blush I have ever seen. And I am not even big on blushes (although I have been using a few lately). But this is just... gorgeous. I guess maybe it's just simple and boring to all you blush aficionados out there... but to me, it's love. And apparently, it's selling out like crazy :( I would venture to our MAC counter to have a look... but most of you know how I completely and utterly LOATHE the MAC counter at our Macy's, and we have no freestanding stores. Boo.

So I suppose this will be put on my lemming list of absolutely beautiful but absolutely unnecesarry makeup products that I'll be lusting after.

Is there any beauty product that has
really caught your eye lately?

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Formspring Q&A + Your Thoughts On... Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery? [edited]

I answered a few more Formspring questions:
http://www.formspring.me/ectini

But one that really stood out to me was:
have you had any cosmetic or plastic surgery?

My answer:
Yes, I got my teets & ass done in Mexico... just kidding. NO, I have not had any cosmetic or plastic surgery. Does it look like I do??

- - - - - - -

Does it, really??? :P Anyways, I was curious to know:
what's your take on cosmetic/plastic surgery?



If you had the chance, would you get anything done?
What would you want to get done?
Do you already have anything done?
Are you totally against cosmetic surgery? For it?

I'm not against cosmetic surgery. If it makes you feel good, do it! I personally don't think I would get anything MAJOR done. If there's one thing I'd really want to change about myself though, it's my teef. Because I hate them. But that's not really surgery... :P Hmmm, I would be interested in a procedure that gets rid of under-eye circles/bags, though XD I thought about eyelid surgery, but no, I will stick with what I was born with =)

Edit!
Okay, I think I should clarify this before people start getting the wrong idea.

I'm NOT trying to say that "NO, I don't need plastic surgery because I think I'm a flawless, beautiful being." Of course, I am far as fuck from that! There's a ton of things about myself I wouldn't mind changing physically (such as my chin - wish it was pointier, lips - wish they were thinner, nose -wish the bridge was wider, hairline - wish it was lower) but those are things that I've grown to accept because they are what makes me... me. So thank you, if you meant this question as a compliment, but I have not changed and most likely will not change any of these things in my lifetime.

However, If there's one kind of surgery I'd want to get, it's laser eye surgery!! My vision is terrible! I think I would still wear non-perscrip. glasses though, even if I got laser eye surgery... because I love the glasses look!

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NOTD: OPI - Gone Platinum in 60 Seconds + Formspring Q&A

I found this laying around my house last week, so I decided to do my nails with it. It's a pretty, blue-toned, light silvery-gray shade with very fine shimmers.

I don't really want to say "platinum"
because when I think of platinum, I think of something totally different :P

Unfortuneately, it's so sheer! This is 4 thick coats and it still looked streaky. And it takes FOREVER to dry. I guess since I did so many coats, it just stayed tacky. Let the pictures do the talking.... I'd been waiting for it to dry and I figured after several hours it would be all G, but I knocked my right hand on something and fudged up the tips on 3 of my nails :(

Oh well. If application didn't suck so much, I'd wear this more often. It's really pretty.

Also, Formspring questions answered here:
http://www.formspring.me/ectini

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Philosophy Purity Made Simple One-step Facial cleanser Review

Image from google.
Yeah, it's not even worth taking a picture of.

Price: $10 for 3 0z.

What it is:
A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.

What it is formulated to do:
Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a ph-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores. The best-selling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.

What else you need to know:
Purity Made Simple is part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin. Best of Sephora Winner 2008

Ingredients:
Water, Sodium Lauroamphoacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Coco-Glucoside, Coconut Alcohol, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Aniba Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Geranium Maculatum Oil, Guaiac (Guaiacum Officinale) Extract, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Rosa Damascena Extract, Amyris Balsamifera Bark Oil, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Oil, Cinnamomum Cassia Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Piper Nigrum (Pepper) Seed Extract, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Yellow 5 (Ci 19140).

The good stuff:

• Various sizes, if you just want to try it out I suggest you get this one!
• SUPER gentle, milky texture
• Leaves skin feeling somewhat clean & soft (only when NOT wearing makeup)
• Did not irritate MY skin

The low-down:

• DID NOT REMOVE MY MAKEUP!
• Skin does not feel clean after repeated use (when wearing makeup)
• Strong scent... I didn't care for the smell
• Expensive for a mediocre cleanser
• Doesn't lather
• Contains parabens & imidazolidinyl urea

My take: I finally caved and bought this, after listening to all the hype. It's really starting to seem to me like Philosophy is ONLY hype. This cleanser sucks. While it boasts being "all natural," there's like 83415426 ingredients! So many fucking oils. I feel like all those oils only contribute to fragrance, really. It also contains parabens & imidazolidinyl urea, which probably accounts for the allergic reactions mentioned in reviews on MUA.

The biggest reason I bought this was because I'd read that it removes makeup really well. Well, it DID NOT remove my makeup at all!! Highly effective, my ass! While the texture is milky and gentle, this cleanser does not lather at all and I was left with greasy-feeling skin, and the WORST raccoon eyes. I even tried just taking some on a tissue and wiping it over my eyes. This worked a little better but I still needed to use m/u remover to get it all off, and then cleanse my face with my regular cleanser to get the greasy feeling off. Dude, it is supposed to be a ONE-STEP cleanser, not a 10-Step program, damnit!

The scent was also a turnoff for me... smells like... pumpkin pie spice? Idunno. I don't like it. The good thing is that it did not break me out or otherwise irritate my skin (lots of bad reviews about this on MUA... beware!), but it feels like it's TOO gentle for me! Feels like it basically does nothing! I used it a few times in the morning (when I have no makeup on) and it does a decent job at making my skin feel clean and soft... but nothing mind-blowing. There's plenty of other cleansers out there that are a lot cheaper and give you a lot more product, AND better results.

Would I repurchase/recommend?
NO, I would not buy this product again. As for recommend, I would say it's up to you! I've heard it works but then again my personal experience was negative. This cleanser was crap IMHO but some people who don't wear much makeup or have sensitive skin and want an uber gentle cleanser might like it and have a better experience with it. Still, I suggest reading the reviews on MUA to get more insight, especially about the allergic reactions.

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LUSH Love from Sheila! ♥

I got a package in the mail yesterday from the lovely Sheila of Mademoiselle Loves Beauty! (I worked on making her layout! :D)

We're doing a swap-- I mailed your package today Sheila! I hope it gets there safely!

Thank you SOOOO much girl (: Everyone knows how I'm always complaining about how we don't have a Lush here and shipping to Hawaii is ridonkulous... so she was so sweet to gift me with loads of Lush to try and other goodies!!!

I cannot thank you enough Sheila ♥

I will be reviewing these soon, as well as catching up on a few other Lush reviews.

• Lush Sexy Peel Soap
• Lush Coalface Cleanser
• Lush Mint Julips Lip Scrub
• Lush Angels on Bare Skin Cleanser
• Lush Honey Trap Lip balm

She even gave me a Paul & Joe eyeshadow palette, J'Adore sample, Cellnique samples, hot choco mix, and a MBD mask! Thank you so much for your generosity ♥

This is my first P&J product!!! I love it! ♥

Sexy Peel smells SOOO good....


Coalface doesn't smell so good imo XD But I'm liking the results!

Sorry I didn't take proper pictures of everything.. I was so excited I just starting using everything one after another and forgot to snap some shots! XD

Reviews coming soon!

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Are YOU qualified to beauty blog? (Warning: LONG)

I heard about this issue from ~tHiAmErE~. You can read her post here.

It is in regards to this article:
http://makeupadviceforum.com/2010/02/is-blogging-the-new-media/

To summarize, the author basically is saying that beauty bloggers should not be taken as seriously as MUAs or other professionals because they don't have the same credentials. Excuse me?

The author herself says:

"I will hasten to add that I’ve never been to journalism school and don’t have qualifications in writing, however, I write with a journalistic approach. When I review a product, I talk about it from both a professional point of view, and from a personal point of view. I talk about the good and bad points of a product and my articles have a start, a discussion, and a conclusion."

So she does not have real credentials either, yet she's saying that she's better qualified than the rest of us just because she writes with a "journalistic approach?"

Do beauty bloggers not write from a professional and personal point of view? Do they not look at all aspects of a product, good and bad? Do they not have thorough and detailed discussions in their reviews? Okay, I will digress that not ALL beauty bloggers might plan out their posts so meticulously, but it's certainly unfair to lump ALL of us into the category that isn't qualified to be blogging. I know I sure as hell try to make my reviews as thorough as possible, without being completely wordy but also not so brief that you wonder if I've even used the product at all.

Also something to note; not EVERYONE wants to read a fucking novel of a review, nor only an extremely short bulleted list. Different people review differently... and it's YOUR choice to decide what kind of reviews you like... she shouldn't imply that all beauty bloggers should be doing their reviews the same way as hers in order to be "qualified."

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She bases her judgement upon a few bloggers she has met, a few blogs she has read, and her view of bloggers in general. I understand and agree with her on the point that there are many bloggers out there who just blab about the latest trend products, give half-assed reviews, or only gush about freebies they got, etc. But does she realize that WE'RE NOT A SINGLE ENTITY? Yes, the beauty blogging world is rather close-knit (although I DO feel like there are some "cliques" or those who feel like they're "higher" than others) but everyone is different. Everyone has a different blogging style. Everyone has different opinions. WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. Some are professionals, yes, but some just want to share what they learned/know. What difference does it make? We all have our own opinions and are entitled to share them.

She says:

"I struggled to find blogs about core products that brands offer. Very few talk about foundations and powders and base makeup, and even less talk about staple eye products, like neutral eye colours and shades. What they all talk about is the ‘latest thing’ that’s on the market, new ‘cult’ lip products or wacky eye colours."

Well, you must not be looking hard enough. I got to where I am now by reading blogs all about the basics. You just have to go through their archives. While I do agree that there are many blogs out there who just want to be the first to review the new "IN" thing, WE ARE NOT ALL LIKE THAT. There are many blogs out there that cover the basics and staples of beauty, from drugstore to high-end. Maybe she isn't thinking of looking at their blogs because they don't have 8504917564 followers?

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Also, beauty bloggers are very important for up and coming as well as established brands/companies. I don't know about you, but I would much rather read 10 reviews written by beauty bloggers than 1 review written by an MUA. Regardless of if they're totally trashing or loving the product, I'd feel it would be more honest than a review done by a professional who probably just wants to endorse the product even if it sucks.

Furthermore, just because a product has bad reviews doesn't mean that NOBODY will ever want to buy it. If I read multiple reviews trashing a product, but I'm still interested in it, I will go ahead and try the product anyway. If it sucks, it sucks. If it works, it works -- and NOT just because I'm trying to force myself to agree with the reviews I read. Everyone is different, and will get different results. Anyways, if a large company has a product that is being badly reviewed by bloggers, it is NOT going to kill the ENTIRE business. A brand isn't made popular solely by reviews... history of the company, price, quality, customer service, availability, etc. all factor in as well.

Her example:

"OCC (obsessive compulsive cosmetics) have had great success with their Lip Tar based on blog reviews, but their other mineral products have had less than favourable blog reviews, and as a result aren’t selling anywhere near as much."

Who fucking cares? If they're having success with Lip Tars and not mineral products, then they should listen to what the consumers are telling them and quit it with the minerals and go on with the Lip Tars. Maybe the quality of the minerals SUCKS anyway. The opinions of everyday consumers are just as (if not MORE) important as professionals... I would say we're the buying majority anyway.

I guess she feels the opposite, but I know I want to hear reviews from REAL, everyday people, who aren't getting paid to do reviews and just want to offer their honest opinion. I believe I have enough sense in me to know which beauty bloggers are just blindly agreeing with what everyone else is saying about a product, and which bloggers are actually testing the product over a period of time, looking at all aspects of it, noting the pros/cons, AND THEN giving their unbiased review..... btw I don't think I've ever read a review in a magazine that really trashed a product....

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Lastly, if I don't like what I'm reading, I STOP READING IT. I can look elsewhere for the information I need. I think the author should consider trying this before summing up ALL beauty bloggers as "unqualified" or "unprofessional."

She concludes with:

"So is blogging the new media? Well it would appear that we’re going that way, but perhaps its time to take more seriously, the blogger who has a professional background to what she’s saying, rather than the one that talks the most and the loudest, often with not a lot of content."
.
.
.

I guess I won't be taking her seriously then.

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Shiseido Water in Lip (Unscented & Raspberry) Review

Price: I think it was around $8 when I got it from Don Quijote... but you can find it online for various prices.

What they say: UNSCENTED - Nurture your lips with this moisturizing lip balm. Innovative moisturizing pack formula instantly penetrates moisture into lips and keep it for a long time. Prevent peeling and flaking, restoring softness to lips. No taste, no fragrance, and no coloring. (description from here). RASPBERRY - Shiseido Water In Lip contains Gritilretin Acid and Vitamin E. Blended with Italian mineral water and beauty lotion, it moistens lips and prevent dryness. Pleasant fruit scent makes your day more sweet. (description from here)

Ingredients: stearyl glycyrrhetinate, ppg-41-dimethyl ether-36, citrus medica limonum (lemon) extract, glycerin, mineral oil, hydrogenated polyisobutene, diphenyl dimethicone, pentaerythrityl tetraethylhexanoate, triethylhexanoin, polyethylene, paraffin, synthetic sodium silicate, magnesium, microcrystalline wax, water, dimethylsiloxane/methyl/dimethicone copolyol, dipropylene glycol, microcrystalline wax, ascorbyl dipalmitate, dimethicone emulsion (from here)

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive for a Shiseido product
• Cute packaging
• Smooth texture
• Unscented has absolutely NO scent or flavor
• Raspberry smells tastes/sweet but not overpowering
• Initially moisturizing

The low-down

• Not intensely hydrating, moisture doesn't last long
• A bit on the waxy side
• Expensive for a lip balm in general
• Dried out my lips after awhile

My take: I decided to try these lip balms on a whim... I've seen Shiseido Water in Lip products on Sasa but never bought from there. So I picked these up when I was on Oahu. Now that I've tried these, I wish I'd tried the 3D lip glosses instead. While the packaging is cute and the balm is decent (I've tried worse), it just doesn't live up to it's claims, nor my expectations. Although it is on the drugstore end of Shiseido's products, I still would have wanted it to be much better quality for the price.

The texture is smooth but slightly on the waxy side... comparable to my EOS lip balms. When I first applied it, my lips felt nice and moisturized. But that feeling quickly wears off and within 1-2 hours, my lips would become rather dry. So you'd have to keep reapplying, and I don't like doing that all day.

I haven't used it in awhile (not because I'm hesitant to use it again, but because a have a 143075461 other glosses/balms I'd rather use). The good part about these lip balms is that the Unscented one is truly, well, unscented. No flavor either. So if you hate products with scent/taste, I'd give it a try. The raspberry one is just cute and pink and smells good.

Would I repurchase: No, there's plenty of other lip balms out there that can do a better job for a fraction of the price.

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SKIN MD GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

Thank you everyone who entered my Skin MD Natural Giveaway!
There was a total of 71 entries (including all extra entries).
And the winner was #39,
Wehaf!

I have sent you an email, so please get back to me within 72 hours!
If I don't receive a reply, I will be choosing another winner.

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Surprise from Lisa! ♥ + Microgestin updates

I got a surprise package from Lisa of He Qi Crystal designs a few days ago!


She made a batch of homemade caramels... nom nom nom, and was so nice to share! Thank you so much Lisa, they are delicious! I have been eating them with apples... =)

She also sent me a pair of lovely earrings! Gorgeous!
Be sure to check out He Qi Crystal Designs!

~~~

Thank you also to all who gave tips in my last post about my breakouts =[ The sad thing is that I have not changed my routine! I eat the same, no oily food, lots of water, etc. but it's still happening. So anyways, I made a post to update on my Microgestin journey here:

http://tinisidestories.blogspot.com/2010/02/microgestin-updates.html

At this point, I hate this pill. I know that everyone reacts differently, but I would NOT reccommend it to anyone!!!

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My experience with Youthful Wonder Acne & spots eliminating mask

I got one of these sheet masks from a swap with Angela of SparkleMidori! So I finally decided to try it out last night.

Sorry I didn't take any before/after pictures :( But these were truly my results!

Sadly, I'm breaking out like CRAZY atm. It's driving me nuts because I'm unsure what's causing it. There's a bunch of breakouts on my forehead and a few on my right cheek. And there's a huuuge one on the side of my nose UGH! -__-; So that's why I wanted to try out this mask, to help with my acne.

Product description
The Acne and Spots Eliminating Mask contains Korean Herbal and dermatologist formulas. The active ingredients fights against acne instantly while reducing irritation. It removes acne-causing bacteria and reduced redness visibly. The pimples and spots diminish significantly. Skin is supple, replenished and moisturized. It also awakes skin's natural radiance and promotes a more luminous complexion. Continuously apply for the first 7 days and then twice a week for best results. (you can click the picture above to read all the information on the back)

Ingredients
Licorice, Bisabolol, Tea Tree extract, Corn mint, and Green tea.

My thoughts

So first off, this mask is DRIPPING with loads of gooey essence...hahaha. I actually squeezed some off before applying it because I felt like it would be too much. It has an herbal-ish scent. Not too bothersome for me, but might be too much for some people.

You are suppose to use this mask after cleansing, then leave it on for 15 minutes. If you have oily skin, it says to cleanse your face afterwards with warm water & wipe the remaining essense off.

In the beginning, the mask gives this nice, cooling, refreshing, relaxing sensation. But after about 5-10 minutes, OH MY FUCKING GOD MY FACE IS ON FIRE. ICY MINTY FIRE. This scared me since I usually have bad reactions with "cooling" products that usually contain menthol. But apparently, this contains "Corn mint," so I stuck it out. After 15 minutes, I removed the mask. To say the least, I was speechless.

Speechless because my pimples were RED!!! Inflamed and red!!!!!! I was horrified! My skin was INCREDIBLY soft and smooth, but my acne was so aggravated! I wanted to cry T_T So I washed off the remaining essence. And after about 1o minutes, lo and behold, my pimples seemed to disappear!

The redness WAS significantly diminished, pimples dried out and flatted, and the best part was that MY SKIN WAS WHITENED. This is probably the first product that I have used that has actually whitened my skin. Even with one use! I could NOT stop looking at my skin. It looked great. I was so thrilled with the results! But it was late, so I went to sleep.

Sadly, the next morning, the luminous whitening effect was back to normal, and my pimples were beginning to get red again. This must be why the directions state that you need to use this continuously to see results. Boo. If I knew where to get this mask, I would certainly want to try it out for the reccommended 7 days... I say it works!

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