I hope everyone had a fabulous week.
I had a very eventful week. I don't think there was a day that I didn't have something going on.
Over the course of the last 2-3 weeks, I've purchased several different items that have drastically changed my skincare. Recently, I've been dealing with one of my worst cases of acne ever. It was seriously getting out of control and I ended up doing a makeup no-no (caking on foundation and concealer) to cover up the redness. I usually tend to break out mainly on my t-zone area (forehead, nose, chin) and never really on my cheek area. When I started seeing acne forming on my cheeks, I realized that I need to change something about my skincare because whatever I was doing was NOT working.
Luckily, the acne has calmed down a lot, however, I'm left with so many acne scars. Thank goodness for concealer. In my picture below, I look like I have very little troubles on my skin, but believe me, my forehead is nowhere near clear as my cheeks.
If you are some of my older blog readers, some of you may recall that I've been interested in purchasing the Clarisonic Mia, but came across a supposed dupe, the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System. The Mia is $149 and the Olay Pro-X is $29.99. I was searching high and low for the Olay Pro-X system in my local drugstores, but they were always sold out and I ended up giving up on my search in nearby drugstores. A couple weeks ago, I randomly walked into my Walgreens and saw the last one of these sitting lonely on the shelf. At first, I wasn't sure if I should purchase it since my mind couldn't stop thinking about the Mia. At that moment, another girl seemed to be looking at it with interest. I knew I had to snatch it away before she does. ^o^
Here is the packaging the Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System came in:
Front Back
What's nice is that the Olay Pro-X comes with 2 AA batteries (which were extremely difficult to get in), a brush head, and a sample of the Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser.
To be honest though, I prefer using my HG facial cleanser, my Laneige Multi Cleanser
When I first started using this, a couple weeks back, I had what I most feared.... skin purging.
Olay claims that this device cleans skin 6x better than just normal face cleansing and the technology of it works in a spinning brush head, which is really soft. It gently exfoliates the skin and clears clogged pores.
When I read reviews of products like this and Mia, I read that skin purging is expected since you're drawing out the impurities deeply grounded into the skin.
I developed some of my worst ever cystic acne around my nose area, which are where my biggest pores are. I also some some purging on the side of my face, which I've never had a problem with.
I knew I shouldn't be too surprised, but it really did scare me.
However, I kept using it once every night and to be honest, I've seen amazing differences in my skin. For certain, my blackheads on my nose are gone and my pores appear to be smaller. Every night, my skin feels literally squeaky clean (I feel like I can hear it squeak!) and I really am happy that I am incorporating this product into my skincare routine. I'm curious as to how it compares with the Clarisonic Mia though...
To get rid of the painful acne that formed during the first usages of this product, I was using my Clean & Clear persa-gel 10, which I know Catalina from cl2425 used to clear up her acne.
This product is really strong --- it even says "Maximum Strength" on it, which I totally agree since it contains 10% benzoyl peroxide. It dries out my skin like no other! It does work though, in my experience. I had to use it ever so sparingly because it's so heavy duty.
A new friend of mine, Sharon known as ohbeauty88 on YouTube and her blog: ohsharon.com recommended that I try out the acne.org regimen.
The regimen kit comes with a cleanser, moisturizer, and a benzoyl peroxide treatment with (2% bp). Since I have a cleanser and moisturizers that I enjoy at the moment, I decided to just purchase the Treatment and also the AHA+, which is proven to fade acne scarring and also great for spot treatment.
I actually just received this yesterday and tried it for the first time last night. When I applied the Treatment, it stung my eyes sooooo much that I literally had never-ending tears rolling down my cheeks. I definitely avoided my eye area when I applied this, but my eyes hurt so much. >.<
I also purchased for the first time, My Beauty Diary masks. I purchased them in a limited edition 7-best sellers sampler box.
The 7-best seller box comes with the Black Pearl Mask, Pearl Powder Mask, Q10 Rejuvenating Mask, Aloe Mask, Red Vine Mask, Bird's Nest Mask, and the Natto Mask.
Click on the picture above to see the ingredients list clearly.
Last but not least, I purchased the E.L.F. (eyes lips face) Mineral Blemish Powder Kit and the Zit Zapper.
I had high hopes about these products and my initial reaction is disappointment. I applied both on my pimples and they didn't really do anything to help them. Actually, I think the redness was accentuated! A big No No in my book, but I think I may give them another shot when I feel ready. Not now though. Not ready yet. xD
If any of you have tried out any of the products, please let me know about your opinions and experiences.
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