Tag: skin care

All, Beauty

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask

by Literary and LovelyLeave a Comment on Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask 1

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask 2

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask opened

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask opened 2

Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask opened up close

Being in the thick of dreary, rainy winter days really takes its toll on me and my skin. Don’t get me wrong, I love jumping in rain puddles, seeing my breath in the mornings, and praying for snow, but my skin doesn’t appreciate the cold weather. That’s where this mask comes in as the ultimate winter pick-me-up. 

Features

  1. Comprised of orange, lemon, and clementine extracts
  2. Contains a proprietary complex of vitamins C, E, and B5, along with revitalizing minerals
  3. Contains AHA fruit acids that exfoliate and smooth skin
  4. Suitable for sensitive skin
  5. Citrus jam texture
  6. Smells incredible

I use this product twice per week, on Sundays and Wednesdays after my morning skin cleansing regime. As directed, I apply a generous amount with gentle circular motions, then leave it on my face for around 10 minutes while I catch up on some blog reading. I typically remove it with some warm water and a face towel, but I have heard a cotton pad works just as well. 

The best way I can describe how lovely this product is is to say that it leaves my skin clear, bright, and glowing, all the things I want my skin to be in winter. My complexion has also become much smoother and even, and my skin feels so healthy and soft after use and for the next few days until I use it again.  An added bonus is how amazing this product smells. The dominant smell is freshly cut oranges and clementines, but the hints of lemon give it a slightly tart scent. The combination wakes me right up in the mornings, energizing me and my skin. 

One thing that surprised me about this product the first time I used it was the thick pieces of citrus in the jam-like mask. I had initially expected a smoother texture, but the pieces actually help in exfoliating and speak to just how natural this product is. 

 This is definitely a splurge purchase at CAN $80 for the 100mL jar, but it is so worth it. 
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All, Beauty, Product Reviews

Clean & Clear Invisible Blemish Treatment

by Literary and LovelyLeave a Comment on Clean & Clear Invisible Blemish Treatment

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With the end of spring term only 2 weeks away, stress abounds as midterms come around again and term-long projects and assignments come due. For me, this means that my skin is often more oily, and this can result in pesky little blemishes popping up on my skin. But I have a “Holy Grail” product that I reach for each and every time, and it works like none other: Clean & Clear’s Invisible Blemish Treatment. 

Features:

  1. Goes on clear
  2. Oil-free
  3. Works on normal, oily, combination, and sensitive skin
  4. Doesn’t dry out skin
  5. Treats pimples at the pore level
  6. Stays on all day or night
  7. Noticeable results just hours after application
  8. Can be worn under makeup or moisturizer
  9. Convenient travel size (22mL)
  10. Drugstore price tag

The first thing I love about this product is that it goes on clear, compared to most other blemish treatments that have a white or yellow tinge to them upon application or later in the day.

A close second is that I can wear this under makeup during the day or under moisturizer at night so I don’t have to compromise either my morning or evening skin routines because of a blemish.

But here’s the best part: there is noticeable shrinkage in blemish size and decrease in redness within hours of applying it. This is perfect if you see a blemish coming up at night, because one small dab of this and by morning it is drastically reduced or even completely gone. 

I have been using this product for a number of years now and it consistently makes it back on my re-purchase list every time I make a trip to a drugstore. I take this little gem with me everywhere I go, and its convenient travel size makes it easy to stash in a purse or backpack. Compared to other blemish treatments, this one is so affordable, and works so fast that I essentially swear by it as my go-to blemish solution. 

If you have tried this product before, let me know what you thought of it in the comments below. If you haven’t, I seriously urge you to give it a try and see the results for yourself. It really is amazing!!! Picture 19

All, Beauty, Product Reviews

Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush

by Literary and LovelyLeave a Comment on Clinique Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush

IMG_6146For the past 6 months or so, this little cleansing brush has been my skin care go-to. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase it in a Mother’s Day box set that included the cleansing brush, and sample sizes of the cleanser, toner, and moisturizer, so I could try out the skin care line. I am a huge fan of Clinique’s Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser and this cleansing brush works so well with it, because it helps generate a good, foamy lather on your skin and deep cleans pores. I tend to skip the toner step, but I always finish off my skin care routine with Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. Since this is an investment at $99, I thought I would write an honest review for those of you out there who are considering giving it a try, or those of you on the hunt for a quick and easy way to deep clean your skin.

Features:

  1. Deep cleansing
  2. Anti-microbial
  3. Battery lasts 3 hours on one charge, perfect for traveling
  4. Effective for all skin types
  5. Two specialized brush bristle types: green for T-zone, and white for cheeks
  6. Angled brush tip to get in hard to reach places
  7. Purifies skin of oil, makeup, and dirt that may be missed when cleansing by hand
  8. Automatic shut-off
  9. Variety of brush heads for different skin care concerns
  10. Two-year warranty
  11. Charging base

How to use: 

  1. Apply cleanser to wet brush head or moistened skin.
  2. Massage brush in circular motion over cheeks for 15 seconds each using the white brush head bristles. Important: you do not need to apply pressure to your skin; the brush will deeply cleanse with a light touch.
  3. Massage brush in up and down motion in and around the T-zone for 15 seconds using the green brush head bristles.
  4. Thoroughly rinse skin and lightly pat dry with towel.
  5. Rinse the brush head after every use, and lightly pat dry.
  6. Exfoliate and moisturize skin as desired.

What I love about this product is that it is waterproof, so it can be safely used in the shower. One of my biggest struggles with cleansing is rinsing because I always end up with some cleanser residue in my hair. This way, I can cleanse first so no cleanser gets in my nice, clean hair. Plus, the entire cleansing brush is anti-microbial so no little organisms will be building a town in your brush in between uses. Also, the brush does not need to be used with Clinique cleansers, so you can use any cleanser you like. I would seriously discourage using it with any scrubs or even with cleansers with those bursting beads, because it would be too harsh on your skin.

To start, the brush should only be used once daily, either in the morning or at night to allow your skin to adjust. After a week or so of using it, you can switch over to using it twice daily, both morning and night. Do not exceed two daily uses though; it will strip your skin of essential oils and it’s a waste of cleanser.

For those of you with sensitive skin, there is a specialized brush head for you, with softer bristles for the cheeks and T-zone areas. And if acne is your primary concern, there is also a specialized brush head to combat that.

The automatic shut-off is another feature that I love about this cleansing brush. It turns off every 30 seconds so you know when to move on from your cheeks to your T-zone. It’s also really handy if, like me, you sometimes zone off while cleansing and realize the brush hasn’t even been on your face half the time . . .

I took this cleansing brush with me when I went to Paris back in August, and one charge before I packed it lasted the entire trip. The battery has such good life in it, and the charging base is a nice place to rest it on your bathroom counter.

Finally, what I love about this brush is that it removes oil, dirt, and makeup that could easily be missed when cleansing your skin by hand. This one is huge for me, because I have found that, even after using some cleansers, my skin still feels waxy and dry. While this brush and the Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser do a beautiful job with removing makeup, make sure that you rinse your brush head so you aren’t spreading the removed makeup everywhere.

All in all, I think this cleansing brush is an incredible skin care investment. It leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed, is super easy to use, and is great for traveling. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a quick way to deep clean skin, at home or on-the-go.

Have you tried this cleansing brush before??? What did you think of it???

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