Murad freebie

I got this awsome freebie at the gym I go to. I haven't tried the eye cream sample, but the Intensive-C Radiance Peel mask is amazing! I was confused at first because it says "peel", but it is just like a moisturizing radiance face mask. I've used it 3 times already and my skin looks more refreshed, and dark spots from pimples are fading a little faster. My skin felt more moisturized as well. This is on my wishlist once I run out of my H20 face mask.

-Fashion & Makeup Junkie

My new winter time skin routine-CeraVe cleanser & moisturinzing cream

My skin tends to get more dry and sensitive during winter, so I was in search of a new face wash and face cream. I read a lot of good reviews on this product and wanted to try it out.

Product Review: So far so good. I really like that these are good on sensitive skin. There is no fragrance to the products. They were a little pricer being at Target/available at other drugstores, I bought the cleanser for $12.99, and the cream for I think $15.00, HOWEVER, the amount of product in each bottle is ALOT. It can probably last me for 1 year.

CeraVe Hydrating cleanser - This cleanser is amazing. It's really hydrating, and at the same time it does wash my face, and remove makeup. At first I thought the texture was wierd because it's almost like a lotion. This is a really good product to use during winter. My regular Estee Lauder Perfectly clean face wash was drying out my face, so I knew it was time for a change.

CeraVe moisturizing cream - I really like this. I tend to get dry skin inbetween my nose, neck, and sides of my face, and the drying has stopped. I like using the cream more at night because the cream is so dense and moisturizing, I don't want to be too greasy in the day when I wear makeup. I wore makeup a couple of times on top of this, and my foundation & powder seemed to not want to stay/settle. My forehead looked more oily.

Overall I think this is a pretty good brand/product. I haven't had any skin irritations or breakouts, and I have been using these 2 every night for a month.

Curiosity: Cleansing oils

I have been seeing things about cleansing oils here and there so I wanted to give this a try. I got this sample via mail through a Facebook offer.

Product Review: Without even researching what a cleansing oil is specifically for, and the benefits, my 1st thought was that it was a different form of face wash. I was half correct actually, and I used the sample wrong........ =(  From what I have read online and seen in a couple people's Youtube channels, it's a 2 in 1 product. It's a makeup remover, and deep cleanser in 1. From my undersand of the multiple video's I watched, is that cleansing oil is better for you skin in terms of removing makeup. It deep cleanses in the pores, and removes excess dirts, oils, makeup even more than regular face wash. At first I assumed "but its an oil..... wouldn't it make my skin even more oily/greasy?" The cleansing oils are meant to also moisturize/soften the skin as it removes all the gunk.  I'm still finding it wierd that oil can be cleansing, but it makes sense on the moisturizing part-this can benefit peopl with dry skin. '
There's actually a method on how to use cleansing oils. This brand, Shu Uemura had a official youtube video on how to use it. Click here to watch the video.

Step 1: Place 4 pumps of oil in dry hands (I thought 4 pumps is ALOT of product to use, mb you can get away wish useing 2 pumps, depends on how much makeup you have on)
Step 2: Smooth cleansing oil all over your DRY face, to remove face makeup, lipstick, and eye makeup. (This part confused me, when I tried the sample, I took my makeup off first with a makeup wipe, I then wet my face, AND used this)
Step 3: Wet face until the oil becomes a milky texture. (Le sigh* the oil did become a milky texture... since my face was wet already)
Step 4: Rinse thourghly with luke warm water, and pat dry.

After probing around Youtube, I found a couple useful video's about cleaning oils which I found pretty helpful. I also found a product review on different brands.

Video #1 - Using cleaning oil during HOT weather/hotter climates
Video #2 - Origins Clean Energy Cleansing Oil Review
Video #3 - DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Review
Video #4 - Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

Overall: I did find my skin feeling soft after I washed my face, BUT I need to re-try this product again for a week next time, instead of just a 1 time use. I'll probably get to really nail the verdict then. Also I am hesitant to try this product again because these brands I have looked up are PRICEY. Everything is in the price range of $25 - $40, and I cannot justify purchasing a single face cleanser alone for that price. Usually if I purchase an expensive name brand, I ALWAYS try to purchase it when they come in sets-which is better bc usually there will be multiple products. If I ever come across an affordable cleansing oil, I will report back asap!

Product Review: Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel

I was recomended this by the Clinique associate at Carson Pirie Scott. Once inawhile I get really big red puffy pimples and I can't quite pop them right away. I tried this product last week and my pimple deflated over night. The puffiness/reddness lessened as well. There's a tingly feeling when you first apply 1 layer. What I like most about this product is you can put it underneath makeup, and concealer/foundation actually stay longer on, since the gel acts as a base/seals the pimple. This was the most expensive pimple cream I've ever purchased, being $16-BUT it works for me, defintely a keeper.