Friday, April 19, 2013

Skin Care Review!

Ive recently been trying a bunch of new skin care products. My skin has been breaking out a lot lately, so Im pretty determined to find something that works for me!
Ive mentioned quite a few times about different skin care products Ive tried, some that worked, some that didnt. You can check out those reviews here!

But there are three products in particular that Ive tried recently that I wanted to talk about.
The first is from Merlot Skincare.
In 2001 Wayne Beckley launched Merlot Skin Care, utilizing the power of the grape seed in each unique formulation. Harnessing natures mote powerful antioxidants, Merlot products work to fight free radicals - molecules caused by smoke, smog, pollution, stress, and UV rays - and protect against the signs of aging. From his first experiments in the garage to today, Beckley has built Merlot into a powerful line. Merlot Skin Care products have been praised for their high quality formulations and tremendous value. But the real secret is in the seed.
Ive mentioned a few products from them before. But the product I want to talk about now is the Merlot Exfoliating Scrub.
What they say: Reveal smooth skin. This formulas micro beads work to battle blemishes and clean pores gently. Cleans pores, smoothes skin with micro beads, helps prevent breakouts, contains grape seed extract.
What I say: I really liked this cleanser. I liked the way it made my skin feel after. (especially using the toner and moisturizer along with the cleanser) I like that the micro beads sloth off dead skin, leaving my skin feeling smoother. I didnt, however, notice major improvement in the complexion of my skin, I didnt notice any more breakouts, but I also didnt notice any less. It kept my skin from getting oily about the same as most products, if I use it in the morning by 1-2 in the afternoon my skin starts feeling pretty oily. (Ive yet to find a product that helps fight oil all day) The price for this product is pretty fair, its about $14 for 6 oz. I might use this product again, as long as I find the right spot treatment and moisturizer to use along with it to help with my skin problems.
Final thoughts: Decently priced, smoothes skin, not drying, but not super effective at clearing my skin. I would consider repurchasing!
You can find out more about Merlot Skin Care products, and buy them here.


The next products I checked out were the Evologie products.
I tried the entire line of products from Evologie, including the stay clear cleanser, intensive blemish serum, and stay clear cream.
YS3 COMPLEX is what makes Evologie Stay Clear pimple treatment products different and makes them more effective and efficient than any skin care products you may have used!
YS3 Complex is a revolutionary delivery system that addresses the multiple causes and complications associated with pimples and blemishes.
To prevent repeated breakouts it is essntial not only to deliver blemish-fighting agents deep within skin layers, but also to hydrate dry skin in order to heal, strengthen, and safeguard its natural protective barrier.
It was the relentless research and collaboration by Dr. Robert Nagel, Dr. Gary Weinberger, and Chemist, Richard A. Brown, that yielded this revolutionary, patent-pending solution.
What they say: Cleanser - Deep cleansing, non-drying formulation containing antibacterial agents that unclog pores, remove oil, and washes away acne causing bacteria and debris. Serum - Doctor developed, patent-pending, formulation deeply penetrated the skin to quickly clear the blemishes at the source. Cream - Intensifies your skins healing power to prevent breakouts and keep your skin clear and looking great. Reduces the appearance of spots and post acne scars.
What I say: Again, I didnt see a major difference in my skin, I do like the cleanser, the spot treatment wasnt amazing, and the cream made my skin feel kind of dry and..I dont know just weird..almost like it didnt get absorbed, and it left a coating on my skin. I still use the cleanser most days, its not over drying, its not too harsh, and it does seem to do something good for my skin, but not as good results as the site says. (as most companies do, im sure they used the best stories to post on their site) I use the cleanser with my clarisonic, and its not too harsh for my skin, I actually prefer to use it with the clarisonic, sometimes I feel like it doesnt get my face as clean without. The major thing about these products is the price! Cleanser - $32 for 5 oz. Serum - $35 for .5 oz. Cream - $62 for 1 oz. That is pretty expensive when buying all three together! (they do offer an introductory kit for $106, but the serum is less than half the size, so youre not saving much money at all!) I probably wouldnt buy all three products again, if anything I would buy the cleanser, but as for the other products, I probably wouldnt buy again.
Fnial thoughts: Over priced for me, not amazingly effective on my skin, but I do like the cleanser. Again, with the right spot treatment and moisturizer, I could consider repurchasing.
You can find out more about Evologie products, and buy them here.


And the final product I want to talk about is Bare Body Soaps Organics.
At Bare Body Soaps Organics "we care for whats bare." In a quest for a more natural and healthy way of life, the companies founfer, Roseanne Muncy, became conscious of minimizing the toxins her family was exposed to. Inspired by the clean air, the blue skies, and the wide open spaces surrounding her home in rural Wyoming, she began making organiz soap to provide high-quality, non-toxic skin care. Roseanne handcrafts affordable and luxurious soaps with certified organic oils, essential oils, and botanicals to produce vegan and cruelty-free soaps using the cold-process method of soap making. Bare Body Soaps Organics is committed to the envitonment, using sustainable and fair-trade ingredients and eco-friendly packaging made from recycled paper. Nourish your skin with organic soaps and feel the difference.
The soap I tried from them is the Organic French Green Clay Soap.
First of  all, I LOVE handmade, organic products. Ive mentioned a few times recently Ive been trying a lot of new organic products. And I love supporting small businesses! Especially people who make and sell handmade things!
What they say: Luxurious clay draws toxins out of your skin, tightens pores, tones the skin, gently exfoliates, and reduces inflamation from acne. It helps to promote blood flow and increase circulation. This soap is best used on oily skin as it is great at absorbing excess oil.
What I say: I love this soap! Since I only use this on my face, this bar will last me a pretty long time. Ive used it alone, and Ive also tried using my clarisonic with it. I like it both ways! (I rub it on my skin and get a thin layer over my face then run the clarisonic over it, i dont apply it to the clarisonic itself.) I can definitely see a difference in my skin, my blemishes I had cleared up pretty quickly after starting use of this soap. It does leave my skin a little dry after, when using it every day, but thats nothing a little moisturizer cant fix! Its super affordable! Only $6 for a 4 oz. bar. (there is a $6 flat rate shipping fee, but thats not a big deal it you buy a few at once, or try out a few other products they offer) I definitely plan on buying this soap again in the future! and probably get something for my dad too! (he has a skin condition called psoriasis, and there are a lot of natural soaps that are good for that!) BTW they only ship to the US! & to keep soaps longer lasting, let dry after each use! (if you leave it in the wet shower, or in a soap dish, the water will soften the soap, which will make it disappear pretty fast!)
Final thoughts: Great soap, my new favorite! Works really well for my skin, as long as accompanied by a good moisturizer to keep my skin from over-drying. Really affordable, and long lasting. I will definitely be repurchasing this soap!
You can find more about Bare Body Soaps Organics products, and buy them from here.

So to recap them all, I chose the Bare Basics Clay Soap as my new favorite, and best deal! And I would say as for effectiveness, the Merlot and Evologie cleansers are about the same, but the Merlot is a little cheaper! Feel free to check out these products and let me know how they worked for you and if you like them or now!

Remember guys, this is just my experiences and what has and has not worked for my skin! You may have different results! Feel free to share your experiences with me!

The products in this review were provided to me for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own opinions. All reviews provided here are the work of myself and remain completely unbiased. Product photos from product websites. I own copyright to all content on this page, unless otherwise stated. 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Ulta Super Blender Sponge Review

Im sure by now you all have heard about the Beauty Blender. And Im sure you know that they are pretty expensive.
For those who dont know what the beauty blender is..
Basically, its an egg shaped sponge designed by a top Hollywood makeup artist. It is made from latex-free and non-allergenic material. It has a pointed end to get around nose and eyes, and a rounder end for the rest of the face. Its a sponge with super tiny holes, you can use it wet or dry, and it applies makeup a million times better than fingers, brushes, or those disposable sponges. Everyone has been ranting and raving about them for a while now. They cost about $20 for one, without cleanser.
I personally have never used one. Ive been wanting to check them out for a while now, but have been skeptical to spend $20+ for the sponge and cleanser. I almost caved, but decided to check out some other products first. So I cant really give you a review on them, but you can find reviews for them all over the internet!

While browsing Ulta, however, I came across a product extremely similar! This is the Super Blender Sponge.
It looks a lot like the Beauty blender, but its got a more ergonomic design, instead of being egg-shaped, it has a little indent that fits perfectly in your hand. Its made from what looks like the same material. Some of the reviews on the site said it was rough on their skin and that it was a disposable sponge. But I find it to be very soft and spongey, and not rough at all! not even for sensitive skin. And I see nowhere written that its disposable, actually the site says to reuse wash with mild soap. So its actually reusable! And the amazing thing is you can get it at Ulta for only $5! Thats 1/4 of the price of the beauty blender!

While I still want to check out the beauty blender (and when I do I will definitely update this and let you know if its any more similar or not!) Im sure I will be using the cheaper alternative!

Also, I wanted to add that you can find similar products for even cheaper on Amazon and such sites, but I wouldnt fall for that, because on Amazon you never know what youre ordering! You could be buying something made from a material that is harmful to your skin. It may only cost $1 but you could be doing a lot of harm to yourself and your skin! So I would definitely stick to a product like the Ulta Super Blender Sponge, because you know you can trust a store like ulta to make products safe for your skin!

So for those wanting to check out the Beauty Blender, but not wanting to fork out a whole lot of money, I definitely suggest trying out the Ulta Super Blender Sponge first!

The products in this review were not provided to me for the purpose of writing a review, I purchased this product myself. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for the writing of the review. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own opinions. All reviews provided here are the work of myself and remain completely unbiased. I own copyright to all content on this page, unless otherwise stated.