REVIEW: CLEAN & CLEAR ACNE CONTROL KIT and OLAY TOTAL EFFECTS FOAMING CLEANSER

Hey readerz,


I guess its about time to finally get back to blogging again after this insanely busy holiday season. My family has been and gone from the good old land down under - Australia, to visit us and the rest of the family here for the Christmas season. Oh, it was a good time, although to be honest, you know when a big family gets together you can't escape thoes unecessary fights we all have. But thats life, I wouldn't have it any other way. So I hope you all had a good holiday season.

Anyway back to the actual review of this blog.

So as you all know I was trying out the Clean & Clear Acne Control Kit, hoping it was the answer to all my prayers for all my acne problems lately.

Unfortunately to be honest, This kit did not do me much good at all. I thought after the first few days of use I was seeing my skin clear up. But unfortunately after day and night during 2-3 weeks of use I had no results, my skin was still popping up with annoying acne and it just would not go away.

I was not happy at all, given that I had to attend a few weddings and parties, the last thing I want is acne showing through all my photos.

So here are the pros & cons of my experience for this product.

Pro:

- Affordable

- Available Locally

- Most of clean & clear lines are effective unfortunately for this one it is not for me.

- Easy to apply with a simple step to step program

- Nice packaging

Cons:

- Does not work for me

Overal Rating:

This is a nice product, especially if it works for you, Just unfortunately it did not for me at all. I wont be repurchasing this product again :(

So after I determined that I was not happy with the clean & clear acne control kit, I just tried to make sure I washed it morning and night with facial wipes or soap. Gradually over a few weeks of doing this, my face was getting clearer - YAY. It wasn't removing everything and I still had acne marks left on my forehead, but it was going away. But I decided to go for a chemical peel at my local facial center for PHP 400.00. Usually you get it for PHP 1500.00 at other facial clinics. So I figured why not give it a shot, since I have watched a co-worker's face clear up after having the same treatment.

So, the dermatologist explained that over a week my face will slowly peel and remove my first layer of skin. She advised me to use only sunscreen(am only), the anti-biotic cream (provided by the clinic) and soap every morning and night. Never apply moisturizer, scrub, scratch or pick at the pealing skin.

This treatment only takes 15 minutes to apply, then you must leave it on for an hour until you may wash it off.

15 minutes does not sound like a big ask, but Oh did I wish someone would of told me what I was going to go through during that 15 mintues. My face was itchy and stingy and you cant scratch it at all. And then it'll stay like that for the 1 hour. I assume this is because the chemicals are potent and just absorbing into the skin until the skin dries up and begins to peal.

After the 1 hour the face starts to settle down, and it's not so hard to bear. But I was regretting going for the facial. After 1 day your face goes very red, but the clinic sells a tinted moisturizer so it does not looks so bad, but I didn't know they were selling at the time, so I found out after it was too late, ugh.

Anyway after the 2nd day - 4th day your face should have started pealing and almost finished.

My face was nice clear and smooth again. So I do not regret in the long run doing this treatment, all my acne scars were gone and my exsiting acne dried up and is not bothering me so much any more.

I do recommend having this treatment only if you NEED it, as in you wish to remove scars that you can't remove any other way. This treatment can only be once a month, but again not on a regular basis, is my own oppinion.

Pros:

- Clears up skin

- My clinic provides the service at a affordable price

Cons:

- Skin gets itchy and stingy whiles treatment is ongoing and after 2 days after treatment.

-Treatment takes 1 week to complete

- Expensive at most facial clinics

Overall:

I am happy with the results, just wish it didn't take 1 week to complete. I will have this service done again, but proberly not in the near future.

So, since I went through all of that for one week, I wanted to make sure I kept my skin in the same condition. So I went out looking for a good cleanser that would remove the dirt and keep my face clean.

* TO BE CONTINUED***

Pimple Problems - Clean & Clear Acne Control Kit

Wow, I have really neglected my blog site for a while sorry guys. Anyway I have a few reviews coming up soon. So watch out for them

Lately, I don’t know if it’s because of my diet or stress, or possibly a combination of both. I have been getting so many break outs over the last couple of months. Everything that used to work for me, just isn’t working for me now. So I’ve been searching for a new remedy, so one night while I was looking for my new solution in SM, I came past this little set – Clean & Clear active clear acne control kit by Johnson & Johnson.


The thing that grabbed my attention was that it stated on the box, “100% of people saw clearer skin in 1 day”. Usually you would see products claiming approximately 80%- 95%, but for a brand to claim 100%, must be pretty darn good.

I got this for Php 550.00 in SM Watson’s. It comes with a pack of four pieces. Acne control cleanser, Acne control toner, Acne control moisturizer and a acne control speed gel. So all of these show the best effects when used together.

So I will be taking a few days pictures of my progress using this product. Oh please let this be the one. I want my annoying lil’ bumps on my face to fade into nothing, and, I have my nice smooth face one again.

Have any of you got to try this products? If yes, what do you think of it? If no, What do you suggest I try, if this fails?



Much Love,

Till next time,



Allie

Review: Face Cleansing Exfoliator

Just the other day I picked up this unqiue little piece at a P85.00 store at Robinsons Galleria, while waiting for a meeting.

I can't remember the name of this shop was, It started with a S, and eveything inside the store was Php 85.00, some pieces worth it and some seemed a little over priced for Php 85.00. But I just came across this facial cleansing exfoliator silicone type brush and I though for Php 85.00 whats the loss.

Im sure we are all aware of the importance of exfoliating your face on a regular basis, is important part of making sure your face is clear of excess dirt and dead skin cells, and allowing the skin to become smooth and glowing.

And because recently im having a problem with random zits appearing, Im trying to do everything to make my face clear and smooth once again.

So, when you first take out the little scrubber, its got these several silicone bristles (if you can call them that), and there is a little part at the back where you slide your index finger and your middle finger on each side so you can hold it into place to scrub all over your face. The inital smell of the brush is not at all pleasant, but give it a quick wash under water, and its all gone.

How to use
1. First apply your face cleanser of choice
2. Get hold of your brush
3. Then start to scrub your cleanser into your face, in a circular motion

4. Once finished wash your face and scrubber
5. Dry your face - and the result your face should be all smooth.

nice and smooth

I have used this brush for the last 3 days every morning and night, It has been sucessful in making my face smooth, but as for assisting in reducing acne, not so well. But will let you know after a few weeks.

Anyway once again that will be all for now, and
until next time - :)

What do you use to exfoliate your face? Does it work well? And does it help with reducing acne?

Ellana Haul

Ellana has come out with a few new products, and I just had to give these babies a whirl.

These are the few items I have just got,


Ellana Lip Tint  - Lovestruck & Infatuation
Ellana Stick Concealer - Alive & Refresh
Ellana Bronzer - Light Roast

nude lips - nothing applied

lovestruck on top lip & infatuation on lower lip

These lip tints used to be refered to the lip color that came in little tubs. However, now they come in the little tubes for the same price. However, I think these tints give off much more color compared to the lip colors.

When first applied - they go on so smooth and creamy, you don't need to apply alot at all. And for about the first 5-10 minutes you feel a fresh tingly feeling that I like to refer to as "sensation".

Unfortunately, the tints don't stay on for very long, they are very nice, and I am looking forward to trying some more shades. And wondering how long 1 tube will last me.

So we will see how well it goes.

left is refresh - a salmon toned concealer right is alive - a yellow toned concealer

top is alive;  bottom is refresh

So here is a very new product, where Ellana has annonced their first stick concealer formular, with tea tree oil.

They are very creamy when I swatched them. I think the refresh shade is proberly better for me as you can see in the swatch. But for most asian people, you will more than likely find that alive would work much better on your skin tone, but everyone is different.

So anyway I am very excited to see how well these concealers work under my eyes and on my belmishes. These go for Php 250.00 each.

And last but not least ellana has come out with two new shades of matte blushes, I got the light roast, the lighter of the two. Will let you know how I go with this shade.

Review: Bent Liner Brush

I finally got my little hands on this well raved bent liner brush.



I just always having trouble lining my upper lids, let alone winging it out. My brush was always sitting in the view of my eyes. Super frustrating, So I just knew I needed to get my hands on one of these brushes, without costing me a arm and a leg.


Unfortunately, not many sellers have a bent liner brush here in Philippines. So I started to research for places here in Philippines and hesitantly internationally.Then I stumbled across a website – saying Beauty & Minerals have a bent liner brush. Im not sure how much it is by itself but I got mine 2 for Php 500.00 so it worked out to be P250.00 each.

hehe yay I got the brush - but its got thoes weird lumps on the side - hope it just doesnt get worse.

I was super excited to finally have a bent liner in my hands, and, get the liner the way I finally want it to look, because my hand isn’t in my view.


I wasn’t quite sure what to expect because they haven’t posted any pictures of it, on their website, But Ms Sophie, described it to be just like the Smashbox Bent Liner Brush. So, I guess why not.


I was so happy to finally have this brush in my possession. I have used it twice, once with a cream and once with liquid liner. Both work well, and I find it so much easier to apply my liner on my upper lids, compared with my straight liner or angled liner brush.


Although, admittedly I must work on my technique on my winged out liner. But with practice I will get better.



Pros:


- Got a decent sized handle to ensure your hand does not get in the way


- The brush is narrow


- Affordable


- Available locally


- Easy to use


Cons:


- Not the biggest fan of pink ( but that’s nothing to be fussy about when you got this brush.


Overall:


I am happy I got this brush, How it will serve in the future will yet have to be seen. So I will update you on how I go with my winged liner technique goes, and, hopefully this brush will help me do it.

Review: Jumbo Fan Brush

I've been looking for a jumbo fan brush for some time now, and, I just couldn't find anyone who sold it, without coming in a whole set.

Then yesterday, I was in Landmark, whilst looking for a small comb before I went to go see NEW MOON!- (make sure you reserve your seats before going it pays off not waiting in that huge line). I just happend to walk past a misplaced jumbo fan brush, out of its section.

I had to grab it! It was Php 180.00 and plus it looked so lonely out of place hehe.

Anyway, this morning I got to try it out, after cleaning it and what not.

I used it to apply my bronzer and blush. It looks really natural and easy to apply, for me anyway its much easier for me to apply, because it doesn't pick up too much product, just enough so I don't look like a clown.

The brush 18.5 cm long, from the tallest hair of the brush to the tip of the handle. The actual brush is approximately 10cm wide, so It has alot of coverage and is perfect to quicky apply your blush, bronzer or illuminizer.

The hairs are very soft, not itchy or scratchy which is always a good plus.

Pros:
- Available locally
- Makes it easy to apply blush, bronzer & illuminizer
-  Hairs are very soft
- Affordable

Cons:
- Not easy to come by this brush


Overall :

I really love this brush, and I hope this brush will last me a long time, because I think I will be using this on a more regular basis from now on. This is not an essential brush for any kikays on a budget, but nonetheless, it is a really nice addition to the collection.

Review: Nivea Deodorant Vs Dove Go- Fresh Anti-perspirant

All us girls just don't like to admit it, but all of us at some time we all use some form of deodorizer to keep us from sweating it out and smelling up the office on thoes stinkin' hot days.

So I wanted to share with you the few ones that I like to use.

I use both Nivea Fresh Natural Ocean Extracts & Dove Go Fresh cucumber & green tea scent.

Both keep me from perspiring and feeling fresh all day - which is the main reason why we use them right. So for me these both work very well.

So for Nivea Fresh Natural - " with ocean extracts offers the confidence of 24 h effective deodorant protection, providing a fresh feeling, all day long. It's the optimal combination of reliable deodorant proection and NIVEA's mild care."

Pros:
- Available locally for about Php140.00
- Can be used for both females & males
- Hygenic to share with others because its only sprayed on
- Really lasts 24 hours without perspiring
- Doesn't irriate senstive skin
- Lasts for about 1 1/2 shared between two people - haha hubby and I share this one.
- Has a fresh, not overwhelming scent
- Available in roll on forms ( I don't like to use this especially when shared with others)

Cons:
- Irriates skin if the skin has been freshly shaved or plucked/epilated
- Spray Can is not good for the environment
- Can't take this on air travel - for fire hazards.


Overall:

I really enjoy the fresh scent and the protection this deodorant provides me throughout the day. Im just happy it doesn't leave that yucky white dusty look on my shirts that some anti-persperants give.

I give this baby 9/10 just because it isn't good for the environment.

On to the Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Scent

"The beautifyl thing about this deodorant besides the 24 hour protection? Well, with the fresh Green Tea & Cucumber scent it goes on clean & light. Feels fresh? Absolutely. Dove is also the only deodorant with 1/4 moisturising cream, after shaving, leaving underarms soft and smooth. So, what are you waiting for? Go Fresh! "

Just that little paragraph there just sells it all for me.  I want all of that!

You can smell that fresh scent they are talking about, not saying that it's much better than Nivea, its just as fresh scented as each other. I think the only difference between the two is the moisturizing factor. Because as I said above - When I shave my underarms, and I spary the Nivea - My underarms go red and irritated, as for the Dove Go Fresh, It feels moisturized and it isn't at all irriated.

Pros:
- Moisturizes underarms
- Lasts all day long - 24 hours
- Fresh and beautifully scented
- Lasts up to 2-3 months used on its own
- Can be used for females & males
- Hygenic to share with others (spray can)
- Available in roll on forms

Cons:
- Spray can isnt good for the environment
- Spray Can cant be taken on air flights due to fire hazards.


Overall:

I like this one also just as much as the nivea, but the one thing this one has over the nivea is the moisturizing quality.

This baby also gets a 9/10 for the same reason above- the spary can is just not good for the environment.

You can find both these in your local supermarkets or department stores for P140.00-P180.00. Good thing is these arn't sealed so you can test them for the scent prior to buying - always a plus.


Well thats it for now. Until Next time :)