Bye-Bye Blackheads!

If you've ever been plagued by stubborn blackheads on your nose then I am sure you can appreciate the value of a good pore de-clogger. Unfortunately, I have never found any product in the market that could do this effectively and satisfactorily. That is, until I discovered baking soda and Cetaphil.

How To Make:

1. Mix equal parts Cetaphil and baking soda on the palm of your hand. (About 1/4 tsp. each.)

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2. Using your fingers rub the baking soda until you get a grainy, paste like consistency. There should not be any big lumps of baking soda left. If there are, just pick them off.

3. Now apply this mixture to your slightly damp face. Using your middle and ring finger, lightly and gently massage your face. Do not apply pressure. The baking soda will do all the srcubbing for you.

4. Wash face and pat dry. Follow with toner and moisturizer.

Get a mirror and look at the pore on your nose. Amazing isn't it?

In the past, I've used this once a day (usually at night) everyday and have had no adverse reactions. If you plan to try this, please listen to your skin. If your face gets red, burns, or shows other signs of irritation, please stop using it. Listen to your skin. I hope this woks for you, too!

Mario Badescu and Me

I have been using Mario Badescu products for about 2 months now; the Enzyme Cleansing Gel, Special Cucumber Lotion and Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. I am very sad to say that Mario and I just can't work out.

My face has gotten worse; whiteheads on my forehead, jawline and cheeks multiplied. It looks very bad. I'm very surprised at the result becasue I've read many good reviews about MB products and plus they use natural ingredients. I've stopped using it now (except for the Toner which I still use in the morning but I'll eventually stop using it) and started using another product line from another brand which I'm very happy to say is working so far for me (more on this miracle product soon).

MB products are not all bad, though. The cleanser is really good in removing makeup. It will leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised. Same with the toner. It doesn't have a very strong smell like some products do.

If you're thinking of using MB products, I highly recommend that you try the samples first to see if it's compatible with your skin instead of buying the full-sized products like I did.

Emu Oil as my Makeup Primer

I first heard about Emu Oil from this site.

Since I bought this product, I have been using it almost everyday as my moisturizer/primer. It helps my makeup last long, all day in fact. And I never retouch in the afternoon. In the evening when I come home my face still looks good---albeit a little less fresh looking but still presentable. I have an oily skin and EO(emu oil) does make it slightly oilier but, in my opinion, tolerable. You might be wondering how EO could make my makeup last longer when it makes my already oily skin oilier. Doesn't oil wash out your makeup? I have no explanation for this. All I know is that when I use EO I don't have to worry if my makeup stays put.

There are many primers on the market now. I've never tried any of them so I can't really compare them with EO. If you're planning to try this product, make a thorough research on the Internet first. There are a lot of sellers online that offer competitive prices.

P.S.
(I also found that EO is useful for inflammed acne. Just put a small amount on the affected area and it it will help with the pain. Ditto with insect bites and burns. There are many, many uses for EO. If you research Emu Oil on the Internet, you will have no shortage of materials--1.08 million results from Google alone. You may want to sit on a very comfortable chair. There are now Emu Oil shampoos, lip balms, soaps, colognes (!)(Animal fat cologne? People actually buy this? Why would anyone want an animal fat colone?), body lotions, etc. Products galore.)

Save me Mario!

I have been having problems with my face lately. Whiteheads have decided to build a colony on my forehead, jawline and cheeks. I want to evict them.




And so, I have been on the search for cleansers and other products to help me. I've tried "The Regimen" recommended in Acne.org---didn't wok for me. Though, to be fair, I think it would have worked if I had followed it religiously. The Regimen requires you to use lots of Benzoyl Peroxide morning and evening and I was concerned that using so much chemicals on my face might have ugly side effects when I'm older. So, I started looking again. I tried many others but none really worked for me.



I've heard of the famous Mario Badascu Drying Lotion, touted as the "best" product for zapping zits. Then recently I read an article about the best products in the market and Mario Badescu was on the list. Since I already spent so much money on products, I thought, what's one more? So, I went to their website, took the Questionnaire and last Friday I bought the recommended products for me. This is what I got....

Enzyme Cleansing Gel

This non-foaming, gel cleanser thoroughly removes the day’s make-up, dirt and oil without drying the skin. Papaya Extracts are exfoliating Alpha Hydroxy Acids that help break down dulling build-up, leaving skin fresh and healthy.

Ingredients: Deionized Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Papaya (Carica Papaya Fruit) Extract, Grapefruit (Citrus Grandis Fruit) Extract, Monomide, Triethanolamine, Methylparaben.

Good for these Skin Types:All Types

Special Cucumber Lotion

Refreshing, disinfecting and deep cleaning astringent that is effective in drying up existing acne blemishes while preventing new eruptions. Sulfur and soothing Cucumber based, acne fighting formula that is non-drying and non-irritating.

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sodium Sulfate, Cucumber Extract, Nonoxynol-9, Boric Acid.

Good for these Skin Types:Combination, Oily

I bought them in Rustan's and boy, they had better be worth every dime! I spent P1,690.00 on these two. The Enzyme Cleansing Gel was P745.00 and the Special cucumber Lotion was P945.00. I've been using them for 3 days now and, well, my skin still looks pretty much the same. At the end of a month, I'll be writing a review on these products to either warn you or convince you to buy these, too.

P.S.

By the way, when I bought these at Rustan's, the salesman gave me a lot of free samples. So I didn't feel so bad about spending so much money. He gave me 3 samples of the Glycolic Foaming Cleanser, 3 Caviar Day Cream and 2 Ceramide Eye Gel.

Applying Blush According to Your Face Shape

Where you apply your blush depends on the shape of your face. Blush does more than just puts color on your cheeks, it can also contour your face.

To determine your face shape go to this website.
( http://www.hairfinder.com/tips/faceshape.htm )


It is equally important to have a good Blush Brush and a blush color that matches your skin well. It is said that the color of your blush should be more or less the same as the color of your cheeks after you exercise. That's your natural color. Personally, I think you can experiment and try other colors just as long as you do not stray too far from your natural cheek color. I use Vanora from Ocean Mist Cosmetics and a medium pink blush.


Vanora



Blush Brush




Flawless Face Brush



Now that you know what your face shape is, you are ready to apply your blush. in this interactive webpage it will show you where to put your blush and highlighter.

Go tot his website
( http://www.laurenscarlet.tv/makeup/5-03_faceshape.html )



I hope this helps!

Olive Oil Scrub

If you've read my other blog posts then you know that I don't have the most flawless skin in the world. I have been doing research for about 6 months now looking for THE regimen that will finally bring an end to all my skin woes. This Olive Oil Scrub is part of the regimen I have been using now for about 2 weeks. So far, so good. I don't have any new pimples anymore, but I still have some white/blackheads but they are diminishing. Yey!! Anyways, about the scrub.....

I highly recommend this scrub. I was a bit apprehensive at first because I have oily skin and I thought this can only make my skin oilier. Wrong. You just need to get the right consistency of the scrub and you won't end up with an oily face.

I was also concerned about using sugar for my face. Sugar granules are a little rough. The last thing I want to do is irritate my face and get more acne. Well, I was wrong too. You can put the sugar in a blender to make it less coarse if you like. Beware that it does not become like powdered sugar, though. You don't want that. Just grin it a little so that it the granules are more fine but NOT powdered.

This scrub will leave your skin smooth, hydrated (not oily) and wonderful to the touch. You may want to give it a try. Here's the recipe:

Olive Oil Scrub

3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
(NO SUBSTITUTIONS, please. Don't use plain olive oil or, heaven forbid, vegetable oil.)

1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
(I don't know if brown sugar will work. Please just stick to the recipe.)

2 tablespoons Honey
(Any will do. Just make sure it's real honey. I found fake or watered-down honey in local supermarket in the area where I live. I think it's some honey plus sugar syrup. Don't buy that stuff.)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
It's ready to use.

I only use this at night. I wash my face first with Cetaphil then pat dry. I then take a small amount of the Olive Oil Scrub about 1 tsp and spread it on my face. I use my fingers to gently scrub my skin. Then wash it off with warm water first then cold water. Pat dry. My skin is super-smooth and well moisturized but not oily. I've been using this for about 2 weeks now. I can tell just by touching the scrub if there's too much oil in it. I dab it with tissue paper and that gets the excess off. It is important to get the right consistency. It should be mushy but not very oily. give it a try and you'll know what I mean.

You will find that this recipe makes a lot if you will only use it for your face. You can also use this as a body scrub, I have not tried it myself though. Save the rest of the scrub in a container with a lid. Don't refrigerate. It will harden the oil.

I hope the Olive Oil Scrub works for you!

XoXo plamea