Nail Polish Collection

I had a pretty small classic nail polish color collection until recently,

but 

suddenly I couldn't resist the urge to add some colors :)

Perfect for Spring!

All my pink polishes

Greens

Blues

Recent Purchases

(Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear and InstaDri, Sinful Colors Professional)

Target purchases

All my Sally Hansen polishes

Ulta 'buy 2 get 1 free' haul

(1st row OPI, 2nd row China Glaze)

plus

China Glaze Clearance Sale nail polish

(2nd row 2nd polish from left)

Shame On You, Dermalogica!

I bought Aveeno Brightening Exfoliater recently,

because I needed something for the skin on and around my nose area.

Although, I love Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, 

it is not strong enough for the dead cells on my nose.

However, I want to return Aveeno and get No.7's exfoliater,

because so far I am amazed with No.7 products,

and I don't want to cheat on No.7 with Aveeno. LOL

Oh by the way I hate to tell you what Dermalogica did!

Few months ago I purchased few products from Dermalogica USA's website.

I chose their website over Ulta,

because you can get samples of other products 

and a relaxing candle from the website for free.

Then, recently they wanted me to review the products I purchased and I said why not!

So, I reviewed it, and at the end I got the message saying that my review might appear on the website if it is approved by the company.

I was fine with that, although I don't like this kind of policy,

because the results can be biased.

Then two days later I got an email for each of the review I made,

saying my review is rejected.

I didn't say anything bad!

It was my honest opinion,

but because I made a comparison and said the exfoliator was not strong enough for stubborn dead skin cells,

they didn't approve my review.

I was really upset and disappointed with the company.

A day after that they approved one of my reviews,

but still grow up Dermalogica!

If you look at their product reviews,

all the products are either four-star or five-star.

This is so disgusting!

It means that they don't allow unhappy customers to talk.

Fleur DeForce mentioned in her video that she had a terrible reaction to Dermalogica products,

so if she wanted to say it in her review on Dermalogica's website, 

I guess they were not going to let other customers know that.

You cannot do that!

People should make their mind on their own!

They make good products and they are quite expensive,

but what they are doing when it comes to customers' freedom of speech is really disgusting!

Although I want to try other Dermalogica moisturizers I don't think I will be ordering it from their website.

I don't want to deal with them any more.

I will be going to Ulta from now on!

(Posted on May 5, 2011)

Lovin' It!

I guess I told you guys I was looking forward to changing my skin care regimen,

and I did it!

I did change my skin care regimen 

and I don't know how I lived before finding this product.

The product I am talking about is No. 7

I believe it's a drug store dupe for Liz Earle the British brand.

If No. 7 is this good I cannot imagine Liz Earle.

In the States, we just have No. 7 at Target I believe.

Which is perfectly fine,

but I am thinking what I am going to do if I go back home.

I guess I will be spending a lot money on shipping.

There is no way I can't live without these products any more.

Although I wasn't totally happy with my Dermalogica facial treatment,

my skin was glowy, literally,

and my skin kept glowing for few days.

Then, came the dull era.

I was so shocked, so unhappy that my skin was looking so dull,

but Mario Badescu was there to save the day!

Mario Badescu's Whitening Mask is a miracle in a jar!

Even after one use my skin was not dull any more,

my pores were not clogged,

and my acne scars were lighter or gone.

After using Whitening Mask for three consecutive nights,

my skin was looking healthy.

Then when I was at Target, I was wandering around the cosmetics section,

which is my all time favorites in all stores,

and remembered No. 7 from a Youtube video and wanted to try it out.

Especially because it is British.

Thanks to Prince William and Kate Middleton, UK's new Princess,

UK is really popular these days; more than before.

So, I wanted to have my good share of UK products.

First, I bought No.7's Beautifully Balanced Purify Toner combination skin.

After spending a lot money on high-end brands

it was good to spend few bucks and get what I needed.

I loved the toner!

It is definitely hydrating.

My skin doesn't feel tight afterwards

and it really has a cooling soothing effect as it claimed to have.

Then I wanted to change my cleanser.

I used half of my Exuviance cleanser,

but I wasn't that impressed.

Although at first, I thought it was a great product,

later I realized what I was in love with was Mario Badescu Whitening Mask's hydrating effect.

Especially I started getting white headed pimples around that time of the month,

I realized Exuviance was not doing what it was claiming;

which was killing bacteria and moisturizing the skin.

In contrast, my skin was feeling slightly tight after washing my face.

After I watched Fleur DeForce's skin care regimen video on Youtube

I liked the idea of using hot cloth to clean the face.

Although I don't like cream cleansers,

and thinking of sweeping off it with a cloth made me think that I am just going to smudge my make up taking from one place to another,

I couldn't resist, but to try hot cleansing cloth trick.

She used Liz Earle,

and I recalled that No.7 cleanser which is also a hot cloth cleanser.

(Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanse).

It is exactly the same thing!

Instead of spending $40,

I spent $10

and my face was NEVER EVER This clean.

Even after one use I realized my face was looking brighter than ever.

I also loved putting a warm cloth on my face.

It's so soothing, and relaxing as if you are in the spa for few minutes.

Now...

I don't have clogged pores and my face looks like I just had a facial.

In the past...

I used to use make up removing wipes

then

clean with make up remover

then

clean with toner

then

wash my face

then

clean with toner again

then 

my skin would be ready to moisturize.

I know it makes a lot of steps,

but every time I swept my face with a cotton ball soaked in toner,

I was still removing make up residue off my face.

Now?

I massage one pump of No.7 Cleanser on my face,

clean it with the hot cleansing cloth,

then I use the No.7 Toner,

and there is no make up residue on the cotton ball  anymore!

It's amazing!

I also got Witch Hazel from Walgreens for the pores on my cheeks.

They already shrunk after starting to use Tarte Smooth Operator

but now,

No.7 deep cleanse it,

and

Witch Hazel shrinks the pores.

Couldn't be more happier.

I love to clean my face in the morning and after I come home.

However, I couldn't find my perfect moisturizer for the warm weathers.

I know I said I am happy with Philisophy The Supernatural primer as a moisturizer,

but it doesn't go well with the Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation.

My skin looked chalky white!

I don't want to give up on Laura,

so I guess Supernatural is going back to Sephora.

I tried Aveeno Ultra Calming Moisturizer,

Mario Badescu Oil-free Moisturizer and Gel Moisturizer,

No. 7 Oily/Combination Skin Moisturizer,

but they were not quite good.

So, I am thinking of trying Dermalogica Active Moist,

or

Dermalogica Barrier Repair Ultra Calming.

Although the girl at Ulta told me it's not a moisturizer,

but a step to ready skin to moisturize,

I think this will be enough for me in the summer.

Or,

I can use MediBac Clearing Mattifier Moisturizer.

It was not hydrating enough in winter,

but it should be enough for warm weathers,

and it has silica in it,

which gives the moisturizer

this silky smooth texture that I love!

plus 

it is for adult acne,

and it should be good for my acne-prone skin,

but I shouldn't forget that I got terrible blemishes afterwards.

My blemishes was looking as if I used my blush for contouring my cheekbones.

Dermalogica Barrier Repair Ultra Calming also has the same silky silica texture.

Or,

I might go with the No.7 Rebalancing Night Fluid.

It is so tempting.

Since, I started using No.7 products, why not but chose my moisturizer from that brand as well.

(Actually, I tried No.7 Rebalancing Day Fluid with SPF in it and I got oilyness on my T-zone, maybe I should use it for a while for my skin to get used to it.)

Or, I can use that just for night

and find something for the day time,

but then I have my Philisophy Supernatural for day time,

but it's tinted which grosses me out a little bit.

I don't know why?

I use foundation, blush and bronzer. 

So, if I were to say I don't like putting on anything colored on my face,

then I wasn't supposed to be doing make up, right?

I guess when I do make up I am aware of what I am doing,

but when I moisture my face,

it is skin care time and I don't want anything related to make up.

That's why fake tanning creams and tinted moisturizers grosses me out.

I also plan to use sun screen daily from now on,

because I saw few sunny days and I already had my old and few new freckles on my face,

which I hate.

You might find it cute,

but the freckles you get after you are born,

are damaged skin cells,

so it's not healthy!

Therefore, I don't want to get any more freckles.

I want to and I need to use sun screen daily,

but I either forget, or think it will too much;

moisturizer+sun screen+foundation+blush

or I think it will be difficult to apply my make up on.

I guess I have to try and see.

Maybe I don't use moisturizer in the morning

and I just put on my sunscreen and do my make up.

I have Neutrogena Dry Block Oil Free Sun Screen.

I think using oil free sun screen shouldn't be that bad on top of my moisturizer,

and I guess it is not moisturizing enough to use it on its on only.

When I am going for a walk I just use my sunscreen,

and I don't get shine on my T-zone,

but feel like my skin is not moisturized enough.

We'll see..

(Posted on May 5, 2011)

April Favorites...

April Favorites so far are;
No.7 Hot Cloth Cleanser,
No. 7 Toner,
Hello Kitty Apple Balm from Sephora.

When I first tried Hello Kitty Balm I wasn't impressed, 

and I was upset with myself for spending $9+tax on it just because it's Hello Kitty,

but it needed few applications to show its magic.

It's extremely moisturizing, 

the balm itself is soo soft and smooth and has a light flavor.

A little goes a long way and it's really tinted.

As far as foundation....

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation is my new favorite.

I was eyeing it for a while and when I received a %15 off card from Sephora,

I couldn't miss this opportunity.

However, my moisturizer is causing a problem.

Although it's full coverage and oil free,

my moisturizer or because I keep changing moisturizers

my skin can't decide what to do and how to react,

I get oil and shine on my T-zone,

which I wasn't having it before when I used my winter moisturizer, Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream,

and I realized I looked chalky when I applied it on Philosophy Supernatural.

I guess you need to apply a small amount of Supernatural to prevent that.

After I apply the foundation,

I just need a little concealer coverage on here and there.

Of course my skin improved a lot since February,

but full coverage also decreases your usage of concealer.

I apply on my foundation with a damp sponge,

so I don't need to use too much product.

I realized I use more when I use my hands to blend it in on my face and neck.

As far eye shadows....

I believe this is also a British brand; Pixi.

I am not sure what is the connection between the Youtube Make up Artist Pixiwoo sisters Sam and Nic

and this brand, but these are the best eye shadows I have ever touched.

It is so moisturizing, so velvety soft, so pigmented,

and it's quite expensive for a drug store product.

It's $14+tax.

You can find this at Target as well,

but even if you are not going to buy it,

just go to the store and touch the sample product at the Pixi counter.

Ahh can't complement this eye shadow enough.

I used drug store products, and high-end products like Dior, and Mac,

but none of these were so velvety soft like Pixi eye shadows.

Unfortunately, they don't have a wide range of color selection,

and all of the eye shadows are shimmery.

Another favorite of April is Vitamin E.

I had the liquid Vitamin E tubes for dark spots,

my mom got me these for the scar on my leg.

(Hot tea can be more painful than you can imagine!)

Personally I don't care about my scar,

so I only used half of a Vit E tube once,

and found it greasy,

and never used it before.

While chatting with my neighbor Mary she told me to use those also on my face,

for acne scars.

At first I was skeptical about it, because basically it's like oil.

Then one day I put it on my acne scars,

then I used it on my whole face,

even on my eyelids.

When I woke up in the morning,

my face was not shiny at all,

but it was sooooo soft.

After that I started using my liquid Vitamin E tubes on my face once a week.

It's quite hydrating as well,

and if my sensitive acne prone combination skin didn't react bad to liquid Vitamin E,

then I don't think it will affect any one.

I am even thinking to add one or two drops of Vitamin E in my Body Shop Strawberry Cream.

I could pick Coconut Body Butter for dry skin,

but I like the Strawberry Scent better, but it's for normal skin,

so it's not moisturizing enough for my legs.

It goes for three weeks maximum and I wait until they have another sale,

to stock on Strawberry Body Butter,

but it totally worth it.

I also got Sensual Amber and Twilight woods body butter, perfume and shower gel from Bath and Body Works.

They had buy 3 get 3 free.

So, I couldn't resist it,

and Twilight Woods is good for days when I don't want sugary or floray scents.

It's light and good for a day out doing errands.

However, it's my Victoria's Secret Tease Noir that gets compliments from every one.

It's so sugary, but elegant at the same time.

Another April purchase is the nail polishes I got from Ulta,

They had ''buy two get one free'' promotion,

and I was eyeing for few nail polishes for a while,

but I was not willing to spend $8 per nail polish.

With this promotion I got 7 nail polishes from Ulta,

one was at clearance,

and got 3 from Target,

they were also at the discount rack.

I must say Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polishes are really thick and the brush is chubby and big.

Overall, it makes the application difficult, and you use too much nail polish which makes you nails look like you have paste on it.

However, I combined my Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Blue Away polish with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Blizzard Blue which is a shimmery sheer blue color.

Result?

Shimmery teal color,

which is gorgeous!

Insta-Dri is too thick and Xtreme Wear is too runny. 

I think Sally Hansen has a long way too find the perfect texture for its nail polishes.

Before that,

I tried OPI Princess Rule,

it's a shimmery sheer light buble gum pink,

and it is gorgeous!

The pix will be coming soon,

but I can say that in terms of nail polishes,

I am ready for spring! :)

I got beautiful shades of pinks, blues, purples, and yellows.

Mission Possible...

So, my new mission is to find my perfect toner! 

I already used Kate Somerville Clarifying Treatment Toner 

but haven't seen any of the promised effects other than smelling that disgusting stuff. 

...and used two toners from Body Shop; Seaweed Clarifying Toner, and Aloe Calming Toner.

Seaweed was just too harsh for my face. 

I got blemishes after using it!

Aloe Calming toner is better that Seaweed. 

At least my skin doesnt turn red after using it.

By the way I realized Sephora started selling Body Shop products. 

I found it odd.

I would understand if people in certain areas can't access Sephora but not Body Shop, 

but in where I live Sephora is right across the Body Shop in the mall. 

So, it's just weird to me. 

Anyways...

So, far I haven't found an impressive toner, yet. 

However, when I was at home last summer I used Garnier's toner. 

I don't know why I couldn't find it in the state I live, but anyways...

I really liked that toner. 

I think my skin was looking refreshed. 

If I go home, I hope I can find that product again!

My other mission will be finding a darker shade of foundation/powder for summer when I get tanned. 

I don't like doing make up in the summer, 

but I haven't made peace with my discolorations, yet. 

Who knows if my skin looks better by summer I might just use some sunscreen and blush on my face. 

We'll see...

(Posted on April 20, 2011)

Freckles...Like it or Hate it...

I bought Neutrogena sunscreen recently. 
...because I realized my forehead was burnt when I went for a walk in the nearby town park and all my freckles came back with all their powers.

This is not acceptable for me. 

Although people find it cute, 

if you are not born with it, freckles are not healthy! 

You get freckles when sun damages your skin cells. 

Besides, I don't like having brown spots on my face as if I am a British hunter dog. 

So, this summer my new task is to tan while protecting my skin, 

because I know that I can get burned no matter what. 

At least I should be able to keep the brown spots away. 

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock Dry Touch SPF 30 (oil-free) smells really amazing, 

but I didn't like the texture of the cream; 

it's really thick (but you don't feel it on your face). 

So, I use just a little bit and I don't know if it's enough?

Would You be My Moisturizer?

I was using Dermalogica Skin Smoothing cream as my moisturizer and every one was telling me that it's too heavy for my age. 

Well I just look 20, Honey, I am not 20!

Besides, nobody understands what I had been through because of this harsh weather during winter. 

My skin looks its best in California, so figure it out.

I survived this winter quite well, but the previous two winters...oh boy it was just a night mare! 

My eyelids were bleeding and my face was literally peeling off because my skin was dry as a piece of paper and my moisturizer DDF nor Neutrogena was not helping me at all.

I finally got used to the weather a little bit and I used more intense moisturizers this time.

However, last winter I was also using an intense moisturizer; combination of two creams that my beautician at home suggested, but I forgot to switch it to something light in the spring and my skin just gave an 404 error message; I broke out like a 13 year-old!

Dermalogica MediBac products helped me to cure my skin in two months or so, 

but this time I ended up having terrible blemishes as if I used my blush for contouring my face. 

This time my mission was to get rid of blemishes and acne scars, and 

I found about Mario Badescu Whitening Mask just in time! 

It's basically a white extremely nice smelling  miracle in a jar! 

...and Dermalogica Skin Smoothing made its magic after using it for a month and it really improved the texture of my skin, which was damaged because of acne.

However, I still need to use a light moisturizer! The weather is still really cold these days. So, I can still use my Skin Smoothing Cream, and in mean time I am testing different products.

I found out that I am also allergic to glycolic which was something I was really excited about, because glycolic exfoliates your skin on its own without you needing to do anything, but it was a harsh exfoliating for me. 

Although, my skin was soft afterwards and I could tell it was well moistured, 

it stung my face after I put on the cream. 

So, I tried it for two different times and had to return Thomas Peter Roth Glycolic Acid 10% Moisturizer . 

Sorry Tom, it's not you it's me! LOL

So, I also also had to return my Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream to Ulta. 

After I stopped using that cream, the extreme sensitivity on my eyes and discoloration just disappeared. 

Can't believe I tortured my eyes for more than a month with something I am allergic to.

Then I used Fresh Umbrian Clay Face Lotion. 

I had oilyness on my T-zone that I didn't have with Skin Smoothing Cream and I started to break out. 

So, it was time to break up with Fresh as well!

Then I got Philosophy the Supernatural. 

Actually, this is not a moisturizer. 

This is a tinted face primer with moisturizing effect, it works quite well I think! 

I loved the texture of it; it's like a mousse, but smells horrible as all other products on the market.

I think Supernatural is enough for me, because after I wash and tone my face in the morning, I used to moisture my face and do my make up and I like to use a primer to apply my make up easily.

Now, I don't need to wait for my skin to absorb my moisturizer before doing my make up.

The coverage is not enough of course, but because it's tinted it makes my job easier I think. 

I use less product for coverage.

So, I guess finally I found my Spring+Summer moisturizer. 

I can use this at night as well, 

it shouldn't clog my pores 

and it's always good to look a little polished 

even when you are staying at home, 

but I might try finding a night time moisturizer for Spring+Summer.

Sometimes I miss my skin before using Bare Esentuals Mineral Loose Powder. 

After using it I broke out at the age of 21 like a teenager, 

because of a bad reaction to Bismuth Oxychloride, an ingredient in the product.

Anyways never cry over spilled milk! 

(Posted on April 20, 2011)