My experience with Tretinoin and Isotretinoin treatments

I've been MIA from this blog for a while, as I finally decided to drastically address my hormonal acne with tretinoin (generic form of Retin-A) since October 2011.

Five months later, I can tell you I've gotten to know my skin better, and also the products I use, in terms of sensitivity.

Before I start with my experience, if you have concerns, its best to discuss this with your dermatologist. I am by no means a professional, but I'm hoping my 'journey' will help those of you in doubt on the effectiveness of the treatment and also share a few tips and tricks that helped me.

I started off my treatment 5 months ago, with 0.05 tretinoin cream, which also contained Hydroquinone that kinda helped calm down the redness.

I was using it every night as prescribed, 15-20 minutes after washing my face, and NOT followed by any other product.

Initial reaction:

First 4 days I experienced no side effects whatsoever, I could even use my regular skincare products without feeling any sense of discomfort.

HOWEVER... On the 5th day into the treatment, my skin started acting up really bad, flaking, burning and all that 'pleasant' stuff that comes with it. I must admit that at that point, I felt so tempted to just give up and go back to using my drugstore acne treatments every now and then, but since I was determined to go all the way, I didn't stop and I'm glad I didn't...

So for a while I had to live with my "Retin-A" face, as I like to call it... orange tint and tons of small flakes, which was pretty embarassing esp. when I was out, regardless of how much moisturizer I packed on! lol

Products I used:

Now here's another point I need to address.

I had to change all the products I was using prior to my treatment, as the level of "burning" I experienced, gave off warning signs on the quality of my skincare!

What you will definitely need is a good non pore-clogging moisturizer paired with a full spectrum sunscreen for the day. Trust me your skin will thank you! ^^

A product range I can recommend, and that is every single product in that range, as it is paraben-free, yes even their moisturizers for oilier skin types is La Roche Posay (especially their Redermic [+] cream which I initially used and Cleanance K which I am currently using).

And the second one, which is also paraben free and relatively skin-friendly, is Vichy (I used their products from the Aqualia line).

To cover up any redness and possibly flaking, the only make-up product I can recommend is BB cream. I used the "Magic" BB cream by Etude House, for oily skin, since it had the best coverage out of the ones I had.  

Also use a PH balanced soap to clean your face, since your face will probably not tolerate anything harsh until it gets used to the tretinoin.  

Oh and if you have a clarisonic... take it from me and let it rest for a while! My skin HATED it! :(

Duration of side-effects:

I think I was one of the "unlucky" ones, as my skin took forever to get used to the treatment. I was flaking every-single day for almost three months. PLUS, I experienced a ton of purging, but that's a good thing cause it really helped unclog my pores and everything.

My eyes and sides of my nose were also burning and itching big time, but I found a good way to prevent that half-way through the treatment, using Bepanthol ointment around the eye and nose area. 

It was a scary experience because I had no idea how my skin would end up... but also my last hope since I had literally tried every single topical treatment available.

But in the end, I can assure you that it paid off and I'm not going to stop using it every now and then, as it has a "regenerating" effect on your skin. 

Results:

Currently my face is clear enough to be able to get away with not wearing any make up or even BB cream on some days. I had the type of face that required a decent amount of coverage to get through the day, due to scarring. 

Current status is by no means flawless, but clearly improved with less discoloration AND sunspots.

I do get occasional breakouts but only when my hormones are off balance (i.e. testosterone levels are sky high), which happens occasionally, regardless of how religiously I take my prescribed medication.

Maintenance:

Now that my skin is somewhat more tolerant to retinoids, I am regularly using topical isotretinoin gel, which is milder, almost on a daily basis, on evenings. This helps keep vicious breakouts at bay and seems to work fine for my skin, as long as I don't overdo it. (once a day is enough xD)

Paired with my sunscreen and a good moisturizing, anti-aging cream for the day, I'm good to go.

Make-up wise, let me tell you... once your skin clears up, you'll be able to realize what has been clogging your pores all the way. One of the products that broke me out the most was in fact, my too-faced bronzer, followed by my highlighter (strobe liquid ;____;), some of my bb-creams (esp. Skin 79 in pink packaging) and blushes.

So for the time being I'm using Physician's Formula products for bronzing and blushing (non comedogenic ones) and loving them! :)

Bottom line:

Is it worth the trouble?? My answer would be yes... especially if you've tried every single acne treatment on the book. If you haven't tried tretinoin, I recommend giving it a go.

If you find the side-effects unbearable, you could try using it gradually, like once every three days, and eventually you'll be able to tolerate it.

Anyway, I hope my experience was helpful for some of you and don't give up! :)

Review: Koji DollyWink Eyeliner Pen

Super Cute Polka Dot Packaging! ^^

This review is on one of the most talked about eyeliners, the Koji Dolly Wink Pen liner.

Now, before I get into more detail for this review, I have to say I was tempted to buy this, after reading and watching all the raving reviews on it.

Having used the liner enough to review it personally, I admit I wasn't particularly impressed. Probably cause my expectations were a liiiiiittle too high! xD





Product Pros and Cons


Pros:

• The super fine and stable precision tip of this liner makes it perfect for beginners or drawing a nice crisp, clean line when in a hurry. ;)
• Very pigmented for a pen liner. I have tried TONS in this range and this is by far the best
• Perfect for tightlining, if used with caution.
• An ideal liner to carry in your make-up bag for touch ups when you're on the go, thanks to its cute and handy packaging.

Super fine and stable precision tip!

Cons:

• Not as lasting as I expected, in fact this eyeliner fades on me throughout the day, as I have pretty oily eyelids, so you'll definitely need touch ups if you apply this product only. On a positive sidenote, there was no transfer whatsoever to the top, which is something I have always experienced with liquid pen liners.
• Didn't do well in regard to water resistance either. Winter makes my eyes quite teary and sadly my wing was gone by the time I was home and checked it in the mirror. So if you're looking for a fool-proof waterproof eyeliner, then definitely look for something else (the ETUDE HOUSE Proof 10, that I already reviewed, is a great and affordable waterproof liquid liner). 
• Quite pricey for what it is. I purchased mine for ebay for 18USD incl. shipping costs. 

Swatch:

Keep in mind that my skin is on the oilier side, so I always have trouble finding a liner that actually stays put!

One swipe was enough to get this much pigmentation!!

Smudge test: Failed! D=

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I don't think this liner is bad at all, it's the best of all liquid pen liners I've used, but it's not an all purpose eyeliner, especially if you have oily eyelids. :(

If you're someone who likes to wear intense or smokey eye shadow looks and wants a little definition, then look no further, the Koji Dolly wink will not dissapoint you.

If on the other hand you want this for a bold winged liner look, which is what I personally go for on a daily basis, then I would not recommend this product.


7/10

Review: L'Oreal Professionnel Fiberceutic treatment

Botox for your hair? Indeed! ;)

Being a dedicated fan of L'Oreal Professionnel hair products, I HAD to give this a go.

Overall, this two-step process visibly improved my fine, damaged hair. After the very first application, my hair felt instantly thicker and stronger. Feels like I have a built-in heat protectant, resulting in reduced breakage and damage, despite my "harsh" hair styling habits.

FIY: I purchased this treatment online and applied it on my own, using a standard tiny plastic syringe I purchased from the drugstore, since no hair-salon in my area offers it. I'm quite experienced in using at-home treatments, but if you've never done something like this, and your local stylists offer it, then I'd definitely recommend getting this treatment done by a professional.

Pros:

• Easy to apply, although the syringe application requires a bit of patience, since you have to apply the serum gradually strand by strand (on squeaky clean towel-dried hair) concentrating from the middle to the end of your hair. This took about 10 minutes for my shoulder-length hair.
• Timewise, it only takes five minutes for the product to work, once you've applied the mask to seal this in.
• Lives up to its promise, my fine hair felt immediately thicker and much stronger, meaning I could use my flat iron without worrying too much about heat damage.
• Lasts a few washes, in my case I had to re-apply after one month.
• Available for all hair types, i.e. fine and thick.

 Cons:

• Just like botox, results are not permanent, so this works best if you have the treatments done on a regular basis.
• Didn't do much with regard to frizziness, meaning I still have to use my frizz-taming products. 
• I have to clarify that this is not a product with miraculous hair-transforming effects, just think of it as a "shield" for your hair. ;)

Final Thoughts:
 
If your hair is processed, dyed or damaged from heat styling, then I'm sure you'll love this treatment, especially since it doesn't come with the risks of the notorious Brazillian Keratin treatments (which I never even dared to try out tbh), making this a great alternative.

Although this treatment is available for thicker hair, if you have fine hair you'll definitely get more benefits out of it.

Having done six treatments within a five month period, I can confidently say that the process definitely lives up to its promises and worth having it done... after all who doesn't want strong hair?

9/10

Review: Nubar Porcelain Base Coat

I purchased this base to try out, since I was running low on my essie first base coat (best ever btw), with high expectations. My first impression of the product and packaging were positive, but its performance as a "base coat" was quite dissapointing. I'd recommend purchasing this, as a treatment, i.e. if you plan to use it on its own, considering it has a sheer, glossy, milky white finish and nourishes your nails.

Now on to a more detailed review of this product's characteristics.

Pros:

• Sheer white color is enough to cover up nail discolorations.
• Makes an amazing treatment, perfect for "resting" your nails in between using extreme colors and glitters. Matched with a glossy top coat, this polish will give you the best natural finish, and durable nails.
• A perfect shade for french manis; one coat would be enough to give your nail a credible natural shade.

Cons:

• Given the fact that this product is marketed as a base, I'd say it definitely failed in this aspect. It took forever to dry and made color application streaky (even with opaque cream finish polishes, and believe me I tried using many on top of this base coat). This meant I had to apply more than one coat of polish, despite their opacity, adding up even more drying time to this process.
• Nail polish easily chipped on the second day. I blame this on the base coat, given the fact that I used trusted and tested long-lasting nail polishes and top coat.
• Like I said, it took a long time to dry, and even when I let it dry on its own for about an hour, when I applied my nail polish on top (which would normally take 15-20 mins to dry), an hour later my nails were still "sticky".

Final thoughts:

If you're looking for a base coat, then I wouldn't recommend this product at all. Could have been a bad batch... who knows? But given its price, I definitely would not risk purchasing this again.

Nevertheless, I now have a decent nail treatment for the days I like to leave my nails alone! ^^

5/10 (bad as a base coat, works as a "natural" nail treatment)

Review: KERASTASE Oleo Relax Serum

Compared with L'oreal Professionnel, Kerastase products have always been a "hit or miss" case, especially when taking the price factor into account.

The Oleo Relax serum was a bit of a miss in this case, because when I purchase a "high end" hair treatment, I expect relatively good results, if not the best.

Although I loved how smoothly and quickly I blowdried my hair, I can't say I was excited about this product's finish, as it left my super fine hair, feeling "feathery" soft, in a bad sense, which led me to believe that this serum would probably work best on thick hair.

But I'll get into more details in the following part;

Pros:

• Economical despite the price tag; seems like I made a lifetime investment purchasing this, you only need two tiny drops of this for shoulder length hair, and trust me its more than enough!! ;)
• Dramatically reduces blowdrying time. I was surprised at how easily and quickly my ceramic brush glided through my hair, so I highly recommend this product if you style your hair on a daily basis.
• One of the best detanglers I've used. This would make a great all-in-one inclusive product if you're planning to go on holidays, considering its multiple functions as a detangler, leave-in conditioner and frizz treatment.

Cons:

•  Left my fine hair way too soft after blowdrying, probably due to silincone being one of its key ingredients. This works much better on thicker locks. I tried it when I styled my friend's dry and thick hair, and the results were amazing .
• My hair started to get oily on the second day... and I mean really oily, which comes as a surprise because my hair is definitely on the drier side. If you style your hair on a daily basis this may not be a problem, but if you style your hair twice a week like me, then I'd skip this serum.

Final Thoughts:

If you have fine hair, I'd recommend the Mythic Oil serum, much less buildup and weight, even if I use the product AFTER styling my hair. =)

If you have thick, dry and coarse hair, then this may be an HG product for you. 

I don't regret buying this serum, but I'm sure I won't be repurchasing it; the results were not good enough for a high end product, at least in my case.

On the bright side, as I said, this makes a great product for my holiday kit. It works great as a leave-in conditioner and leaves my hair in a decent condition when let it air-dry.


6.5/10

Review: L'oreal Professionnel Intense Repair Mask

In this post I will be reviewing one of my all time favorite HG products, which I've been using for years and years... and will continue to do so; the L'Oreal Professional Series Expert Absolut Repair Masque.


If you are regularly dying your hair, or using heat tools (flat iron, blowdryer etc.), and experiencing breakage, then this product is for you.

At times I try to replace this mask with other treatments, as I like to rotate products I use on my hair, but I have to say this is the ONE that always yields the best results; manageable, strong hair, without feeling too "heavy", despite the product's thick creamy consistency.

The company claims this product intensively nourishes dry to very dry hair, and it lives up to it.

Pros:

- Moisturizing without adding weight
- "A little goes a long way", as with all L'oreal Professionnel hair products. I only have to use a tiny amount on towel-dried hair, concentrating on my "fried" ends and the tube lasts me for at least 3 months (I apply it twice a week).
- Lives up to its claims, and results are visible on first application
- Minimizes breakage as it helps keep hair moisturized and shiny

Cons:

- A little on the pricier side
- Takes a while to wash off. I have to rinse my hair for at least five minutes full blast to take any product residue off. Careful not to leave any on, as it will result in making your hair dull looking.

Directions:

Product packaging states to leave it on towel-dried clean hair for 5-10 mins, enough time for the mask to do its work.

Also keep in mind to use a small amount each time, as it's easy to get carried away when using such products. I used to be the kind of person who would go through a tube in 3 weeks, until I was recommended by a stylist to use the smallest possible amount, because overconditioning can actually damage the hair, and that the product would work best when used this way, which I have found to be true.

I also discovered that using this after a clarifying shampoo (any drugstore brand is fine really) is even better, as it leaves the hair squeaky clean and the product is absorbed more efficiently.

An entire line of "intense repair" products is available, but I definitely wouldn't recommend splurging on them, unless your hair is severely damaged; all you really need is this mask. 

Final thoughts:

As I said, its no coincidence I have gone through numerous tubes of this product for years.

Defo a repurchase for me~!


10/10

ETUDE HOUSE Proof 10 liquid liner review

One reason I 'm a fan of Korean "drugstore" cosmetic brands, Missha and ETUDE HOUSE being my top choices in make-up, is the fact that you get decent quality for what you pay for.

I'm always on the lookout for a good waterproof liquid liner, that is non-irritating with good lasting power, as my eyes can get extremely watery from time to time.

The proof 10 liquid liner did its job perfectly and I like how it doesn't give me that extremely "glossy" finish, which I often get with drugstore brand liners.

Pros:

- Long lasting (no flaking)
- Waterproof (I just had to point this out, as I have previously purchased so-called "waterproof" liquid liners that ended up straight in my crease...)
- Easy to remove with my regular facial soap (no need for make up remover)
- Non irritating


Cons:

- The brush; loved it the first week, but with consistent every-day use the bristles no longer worked for me so I had to give it a trim (to half the size). My guess is that it probably "loosened" with use, resulting in flimsy thick lines, which I hate. After the "trim" it works fine though... ;)

Final words:

Don't know if I will be repurchasing this, as I would like to give other brands a chance (like the Clio pen liner), once I'm done using it.

Excluding the packging, I would recommend this eyeliner for the formula.

7/10

Three easy steps to achieve long lasting vibrant red lips...

Vibrant red lips are THE trend for Fall 2011, and an absolute classic, when matched with a bold, clean cut, cat-eyeliner look.

So I thought it was the perfect time to share a fool-proof method, which will ensure your red lips stay put and vibrant for the entire day...

Before applying any kind of lip product its always a good idea to prime/moisturize your lips. I prefer MAC's lip primer for this job, as it keeps my lips moisturized, yet not overly greasy and slippery. 

On to the method...

Step 1: Stain your lips...

The first and most important step is to stain your lips, using a red/deep pink lip stain product.

Make sure you use a liquid consistency stain, any brand will do the job.

This step will help you achieve a bright red tinted base, which literally won't budge, even if your lipstick wears off and you forget to re-apply throughout the day.

Step 2: Line your lips...

Using a red lip liner, define the outline of your lips to prevent your lipstick from bleeding.

Filling in your lips with a red lip liner, can also serve as an additional base, prior to applying lipstick.

Step 3: Apply a matte textured lipstick... 

I find that matte textures are the best, especially for this look, since it doesn't detract from color, and lasts way longer than glossy lipstick finishes. 


From personal experience, for this step, I highly recommend MAC matte finish lipsticks, my favorite, along with satin finish. If you have a favorite drugstore brand, that works for you, it will do. :)

In case you have trouble finding the right tone for you, I suggest matching your lipstick to your skin tone.

• If you are cool-toned, go for cool-toned lipstick shades, like MAC's Russian Red; THE perfect red shade, with blue undertones (also recommended if you want your teeth to look whiter). 

Russian Red (Matte Finish)

• If you are warm-toned, a warmer, orange-based red, will look very flattering. "So Chaud" by MAC is a perfect example.

So Chaud (Matte Finish)

• A universal fiery orange red tone that could work for both warm and cool skin tones is MAC's lady danger, thanks to its coral undertones.

Lady Danger (Matte Finish)

Hope this was helpful!  ^___^



Swatches taken from: http://www.maccosmetics.com

L'Oreal Professionnel MYTHIC OIL review

Hair products are definitely a weak spot for me, I'm always up for trying something new, especially when it claims to be as good as the product I will be reviewing in this post.

L'Oreal Professionnel hair care products rarely fail to meet my expectations. The price may be a downside to this range, but always works out much cheaper than drugstore hair treatments, as I find a little goes a long way.

L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil is no exception to the rule. It visibly improves how my hair looks and reduces hair breakage, every time I style it. :)

Pros:

- Perfect for all hair types. I was initially sceptical about this claim, since I have super fine color-treated hair, and usually oil-based products are a major no-no for me, but to my surprise it didn't weigh my hair down at all.

- Lightweight consistency; as stated, no weigh down, dullness or excessive oiliness (when applied carefully towards the ends) and of course less buildup than "heavier" products I've tried (like John Frieda's Frizz Eaze serum for example)

- Pleasant fruity smell.

- Reduces frizz and helps tame my thin unruly hair.

- Multi-purpose; I use it as a heat protectant and its perfect for finishing touches

- Prevents hair breakage from dryness and styling tools. I use hot tools (flat iron and blowdryer) every time I wash my hair. Ever since I started using the "Mythic Oil" I have much less hair breakage (if any), and less trimming to be done! ^^

- Conditions the hair, making it soft and shiny, without the added stickiness.

- Economical: two drops are more than enough to cover dry/damaged ends, I've had mine for months and the 125ml bottle is still practically full.

- Reduces styling time and frustration. I just love how easily my brush goes through my hair when I use this.

Cons:

- Steep price (but like I said you'll practically get bored of seeing this on your cabinet, it lasts forever xD)

- Needs to be applied every time you style/ wash your hair, meaning that results are not permanent, which is the case with most treatments anyway (low or high end).


Directions:


Prior to styling


The only major secret in using anti frizz products, prior to styling, drying, is to apply them when your hair is really wet. (well not dripping wet ^^!!)

To apply, flip your hair down and run your fingers through from the middle the ends, to gently and evenly deposit the oil (don't massage the product into your hair). I found this method works for me since it helps stay away from the roots.

Two pumps are enough at this stage.


After you've styled your hair

If you feel your ends need more moisture, especially if you're prone to get the frizzies, I recommend applying one pump to your dry ends.

This will help smooth your hair and prevent possible frizz.

If don't have to go through this stage, don't, as it would probably end up making your hair oily faster.


10/10

Full list of L'Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil ingredients, as listed on the bottle, for those interested:


CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONOL, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, PERSEA GRATISSIMA OIL. AVOCADO OIL, VITIS VINIFERA SEED OIL, LIMONENE, HEXYL CINNAMAL, COURMARIN, LINALOOL, BUTYLPHENIL METHYLPROPIONAL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL, AMYL CINNAMAL, GERANIOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, ISOEUGENOL, BENZYL BENZOATE, CINAMMYL ALCOHOL, CITRONELLOL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE

Battle of the top coats.

There are so many "raved about" top coats in the market, and I've tried most, having spent hours of reading reviews on makeupalley... still I thought it would be helpful to share my opinion and experiences in using them.

Let the showdown begin! xD


Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat:

Pros:

-Accelerated drying time

-Made my nails super shiny indeed

Cons:

-Extended Wear? Don't think so... my nails started chipping, way faster than usual (after the first day), even used over long-lasting, high-end, nail polishes. Often my nail polish would just "flip off" along with the top coat! :O

-If not used with care, you'll end up with a transparent film around your cuticles.

Final Thoughts: Only recommended if you're in a hurry, definitely not worth the hype for me.


5/10


EZFLOW Fast Finish top coat:

Pros:

- Practically none for me, although it comes in efficient packaging, loved the brush.

- Price; very affordable.

Cons:

- Bubbles... bubbles.... bubbles.... This top coat practically ruined my nail polish on first application, having painstakingly applying my manicure I ended up with mini bubbles all over my nails. Tried it multiple times, under different conditions, environments, I even tried to put it in the fridge, as it supposedly helps keep bubbles to a minimum... didn't work either.

Final thoughts: Definitely not recommended. I may have ended up buying a bad batch but this experience has really put me off giving it another chance.

If anyone else had luck in using this top coat, I'd love to hear your views.

2/10


China Glaze Fast Forward Top Coat:



Pros:

- Dries faster than any other top coat I've tried

- Amazing thin consistency, doesn't look like an "invisible film" over your nail polish

- Easy to use brush

Cons:

- Chips fast, can't say I didn't expect that though.

Final Thoughts: If you change your nail color often, then this top coat is for you. Thanks to its fast-drying, thin formula it works perfectly worn over opaque creamy colors... No good for applying over glitter though, as it does nothing in smoothing rough surfaces.

7/10


Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat:

Pros:


- Fast drying time

- Extreme gloss (best if you like a glossy finish really)

- Long lasting

Cons:

- Thick formula that tends to get goopy once you reach the middle of your bottle, sometimes sooner, which means that if you like this top coat, be prepared to have a backup handy. Frustrating and non-economical in this aspect.

- Intense chemical smell; can't handle this top coat without adequate ventillation!!

- Once the formula thickens, through repeated use, you'll find it often "drags" your nail polish from the edges. My guess is that it probably shrinks the formula of colored nail polish, at least seems so...

- Tends to darken nail polish if you've had it on for many days.

Final thoughts: I recommend this for use over glitter polishes, thanks to its thick formula, it works best in smoothing rough textures. Not the best I tried, but it does the work better than other overhyped top coats. I purchased many bottles, and I wouldn't mind repurchasing it.

7/10


Poshe Super-Fast Drying Top Coat:

Pros:

- Amazing formula (not too thin, yet not too thick), makes application easy. Like an improved version of the Seche Vite top coat.

- Dries fast, can be applied over wet and dry nail polish.

- Bearable smell.

- Lasts longer than any other top coat I've tried... to the extent that I change my polish when I actually get bored of it and not because I have to.

-Transforms the look and texture of low-end nail polishes, even the ones that bubble up.

Cons:

- Darkens nail polish color/vibrancy, after a few days. Not a major issue for me, since chipping is my prime concern.

- Price; most expensive top coat I've purchased, but totally worth it.

Final thoughts: This is my go-to and favorite top coat, which is why I saved it for the end. I would recommend this to anyone, if you don't mind the color darkening effect, but then again, I have yet to find a fast drying top coat that lasts and doesn't alter my nail polish color after a few days.

9/10

Clarisonic: Is it really worth the hype?

Deep Pore Cleansing Brush

In a nutshell, the answer to this question is a definite yes.

However,  it would be best to analyse briefly, what the clarisonic can, and can't do.

FIY I own the travel-sized version, which is the Clarisonic Mia. The mia version, only has one speed and doesn't beep like the regular version when you need to switch areas.


The clarisonic is essentially an excellent cleansing tool, nothing more, nothing less and definitely not a "miracle" product as some may claim.

Once I got over the initial "WOW my skin looks so awesome" effect, I admit I wasn't really impressed with the "sensitive skin" brush it came with, but I definitely LOVED the Deep Pore Cleansing Brush Head I bought afterwards. Much more effective and surprisingly smoother.

I personally don't use it to remove make up straight on, but after I wash my make up off with regular face soap (I use clean & clear mainly), to prep my skin before any product application. I somehow feel that if I use the brush on my "dirty" face, it would further push make-up residue into my pores. I could be wrong, but that's how it works for me.



Pros:

- Visible pore size reduction, simply because it helps maintain your pores squeaky clean. No more nose strips for me!

- Overall makes a worthwhile investment on yourself. Saves money in the long-run; I find products work more effectively now, as I apply much less than I previously had to. Needless to say I no longer have to get any facials done.

- Less whiteheads and millia... paired with my retinol treatment, the clarisonic mia has considerably contributed in smoothing my skin's texture, which was a major issue for me.


- No irritation whatsoever, if used with caution. After all nobody knows your skin better than you do, so I recommend you experiment a little on how often your skin can handle it best. I use it on a daily basis, but not always "twice a day" as directed... sometimes I prefer to let my skin rest in the mornings.

- If you like applying masks, packs, etc, then this will be your perfect accomplice. Using the clarisonic prior to the application of any mask, with lukewarm water helps open up my pores, increasing the effectiveness of the treatment. (I recommend the Jan Marini Skin Zyme Green Papaya Mask, which I will be reviewing soon)

- Waterproof; you can use it safely in the shower! 

- Even though I dreaded the "purging" effect, something that often happens with harsh exfoliants (esp. scrubs) surprisingly this didn't break me out at all.

- Visibly improved skin texture, helps loosen up and remove dead skin cells with regular use.

Cons:

- Battery life; nothing more frustrating than my clarisonic "betraying" me in the shower... happened numerous times! (murphy's law? lol) Wish it came with an indicator, cause I'm not fond of guessing when it MAY go off.

- Charging takes forever and a century, well over 15 hours to be precise, but I can live with it (better than having to get new batteries).

- Removing the brush lid is frustrating, as I often end up removing the brush along with it.

- Having to replace the brush every 2-3 months is a bit of a hassle, but I guess its like owning a toothbrush! Can't use the same one forever... lol

Final thoughts:


One can be overwhelmed by the abundance of clarisonic dupe products in the market, but I can only recommend saving for the real deal, since we're talking about a brush you'll be using directly on your skin, on a daily basis.

Is it worth the hype? As a skincare routine staple... yes, it lives up to it.

Excluding minor practical issues mentioned above, I've only experienced positive things, after months of regular use.

If my sensitive, acne-prone skin loves it, yours probably will too.


9/10

Philosophy 'Help Me' Retinol Night Treatment

I started using this treatment six months ago, halfway through my second tube now and very pleased, to the extent I can confidently state that this product, actually WORKS! ^^

 Pros:

- A little goes a long way, one tube lasted me over three months, applying the product practically every evening
- Quick results, I got many compliments on my skin's texture and "glow". 
- No irritation whatsoever for my acne-prone skin. Although I would recommend getting a sample or smaller tube first, in case you experience a negative reaction to retinol.
- Overall skin appearance improved, acne scars and fine lines significantly faded.
- Like I said... compared to other "miraculous" products, this one actually worked. If your skin can handle retinol, you'll love it!

Cons:
- Waxy texture, may cause irritation to some skin types. Didn't experience any pore-clogging, but I don't know if this is related to using the clarisonic on a daily basis.
- Didn't do much for my sunspots, although one considerably faded, I can still see it.

Directions:
- Like the product says, its best to use this at night, unless you want to fry your skin.
- Also, since retinol causes sensitivity to sunlight, I would highly recommend getting a moisturizer with sunblock for daytime use.
- Avoid using toners with salycilic acid prior to this, or any other acids whatsoever... too much exfoliation would have adverse effects and prevent the product from working.


Final thoughts:

Definitely a holy grail product for me.

10/10