Review time with Dr. Brandt

I try to take the best care of my skin--cleansing, toning and moisturizing daily. However, sometimes my skin's texture isn't where I want it. It gets a little bumpy on my cheeks and it's not smooth. This is when I need to do some exfoliation.

Dr. Brandt PoreDermabrasion™ Pore Perfecting Exfoliator

This is a professional-grade physical and chemical exfoliator and pore perfector. It's designed to minimize pores while also making your skin smoother! The exfoliator deep cleanses pores. The product retails for $58.

Research results after 4 weeks using product
- 87% reported that product diminishes significantly the appearance of pores
- 97% reported that product deep cleanses pores
- 97% reported that the product helps reduce shine providing a matte look
- 97% reported that skin looks smoother and more even
- 100% reported that overall appearance of skin improved
- 100% reported that skin texture improved significantly

This exfoliator is a winner. My favorite part is that you will see immediate results the next day. The bumpy skin on my cheeks? Significantly smoother the very next morning.

To use, first cleanse your skin to remove any makeup. Next, apply water to your face and then apply Dr. Brandt's PoreDermabrasion™ Pore Perfecting Exfoliator. Rub the exfoliator on your face in circular motions for 1 - 2 minutes, leave the product on for a couple of minutes and then rinse. The product is a very fine exfoliator even smaller than grains of sand. You will feel this exfoliator, it's not the most soothing skin care step, but it definitely works. I have sensitive skin and after using the product over the course of several weeks--I didn't have any problems.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More® pore refiner primer

This primer mattifies shine and minimizes the look of pores. It is designed to act as an invisible barrier to prevent makeup from clogging pores, absorb oil, blur fine lines and imperfections. It retails for $45.

This is a great primer before you apply foundation. To use, begin with a clean and moisturized face. Next, apply Dr. Brandt's Pore No More pore refiner primer to your face. Focusing on the areas where you get oily like the T-zone. The product is a light beige color providing a little bit of coverage--your face looks instantly better. Love that! It also leaves your face velvety smooth with a great smooth base to apply your foundation. Using a primer before you apply foundation extends the wear of your foundation. So if you're going to have a long day or night, a primer is a great way to make sure you're still looking good hours after you apply your makeup. The only thing I didn't like about this product is the scent. It's a light aromatherapy type scent.

Have you used any Dr. Brandt products? What did you think?

*I received these products complimentary for review.

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Lash Glue Lowdown

I adore a set of false lashes. A pair of long black lashes are the finishing touch for a dramatic makeup look. I don't think you need to wear lashes everyday, but when it's an occasion or you want to look amazing in photos, put on those false lashes! Besides picking out a pair of lashes, you will also need lash glue. This post is specifically about glue options for strip lashes, not individual lashes. You can also buy self-adhesive lashes that are basically pre-glued. So that's an option if you don't want to deal with glue at all. You can often make a pair of lashes last through several wearings. This works better using the regular strip lashes and lash glue. Let's get down to some of my favorite and not so favorite lash glues.

 

Duo Lash Adhesive Dark Tone

I think this type of glue is the most versatile. If I were going to purchase one lash glue this would definitely be it. This lash glue comes in a white squeeze tube. You just put a thin strip of glue along a lash and be sure to wait until the glue gets tacky. About 15 to 30 seconds should do the trick. You can test it with a nail tip to see if the glue is tacky (adheres to your nail and stretches a bit. If it it doesn't adhere at all, wait a few more seconds until it does.) I typically wear a dark liner, usually black when I apply false lashes, and the dark tone of this glue blends in much better than the clear version. The reason? Sometimes the Duo Lash Adhesive in the clear version dries white and that stands out on your black eyeliner with your black lashes. It's really annoying after you've put work into your beautiful eye look. This type of glue is especially great if you are applying a heavy duty lash like Ardell's double up lashes or thicker lashes like Halloween lashes. So if you're looking for a dark heavy duty lash glue with plenty of staying power, Duo Lash Adhesive Dark Tone is the way to go.

Duo Lash Adhesive Clear

Sometimes you are going to want a clear (or lighter colored) lash glue. Maybe you are doing a clean makeup look without any eyeliner, but still want big lashes. Or perhaps you're creating a look with a bold neon liner and dark tone glue just wouldn't work. This is a great time to reach for the Duo Lash Adhesive Clear. Just follow the same instructions above and be sure to wait for the glue to get tacky before applying.

Duo Dark Brush on Adhesive

I love the applicator that comes with this lash glue! It's so easy. The container is like a liquid liner: you simply unscrew the lid and use the brush to apply the glue to a lash. Apply two to three coats of glue on the lash to be sure you have enough glue to hold on the lash. For the reasons I mentioned above, I prefer the dark tone. This glue is also a lot less messy than the kind that comes in a tube. It's perfect for lightweight lashes. This glue dries faster than the kind in a tube, so you will not have to wait as long before you apply the lashes or test for tackiness, just give it a few seconds and put on the lashes. In fact, this glue dries so fast you might have to apply more. Another bonus, when you remove your lashes this type of glue leaves very little leftover glue on the lashes so it's very easy to use your lashes a few more times. This also comes in clear if that works better for you. If I were only going to buy two lash glues, Duo Dark Brush on Adhesive would be one of them. Revlon sells a similar version. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work well. The glue is not strong enough to hold your lashes on throughout the day. 

I hope these tips help you the next time you are deciding on which lash glue to purchase. Let me know if you have a favorite that I haven't tried yet! Happy gluing.

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Review time: Clinique foundation + mascara plus new Nexxus hair products, Batiste dry shampoo

It's review time for some new Clinique goodies, Nexxus hair products and Batiste dry shampoo. I'm pretty excited about all of these items! I'll get into specifics below.

Wearing Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer in Neutral

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer - Neutral 

I've been on the hunt for a new full coverage foundation for makeup photos, especially since my summer tan is fading--well and let's be honest the tan is pretty much gone. I was using MAC Studio Fix Fluid, which unfortunately was causing my skin to breakout. And we're not talking about a little zit here and there--they were big pimples. Luckily, Nordstrom has an awesome return policy and I started using mineral based makeup for daily use, which along with my Murad cleansers, etc. cleared my skin back up to my normal amount of typically tiny imperfections. I've been interested in trying Clinique's Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer as a different option for full coverage minus the breakouts and I'm happy to report that I love it! It has amazing coverage. I haven't used concealer with this foundation and it's not because I do it on purpose, but I don't need concealer so I forget to use any. I've used it a few times and so far no issues with any extra breakouts. The Clinique line is great for sensitive skin which is why I was hoping my skin would fare better. Since this foundation really does take any redness, etc. out of your face, you'll want to use some bronzer, blush, contour, and/or highlighter to bring dimension back into your face. It's not really a foundation to wear alone on your face. But what it does do is give you a great flawless base to start with! And isn't that kind of what we all want in life, a little flawless?

Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara - Extreme Black

This is the first new mascara that I've tried in a while and the good news continues! This is a great little mascara. My typical favorite is Benefit's They're Real mascara so I'll be comparing the two. Clinique's High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara does not deliver quite as much volume as They're Real. However, what it does do is deliver jet black lashes with absolutely no clumping. (They're Real can get a little clumpy.) The High Impact Extreme Volume doesn't dry out like They're Real during the day. This was a selling point from the sales lady at the Clinique counter after I told her I use They're Real and she's absolutely correct. I also think the mascara is amazing for length even though it supposed to be designed more for volume. I get occasional irritation (i.e. my eyes kind of bug me) when I'm wearing They're Real and that hasn't happened with the High Impact Extreme Volume. Also, I sometimes have trouble getting all of the They're Real mascara off at night and this is not as much of a problem with the High Impact Extreme Volume. Sometimes it's like a little bit of They're Real mascara is glued to the my eyelashes even after I've used makeup remover. Also, the High Impact Extreme Volume is a better price point at $19.50 than They're Real at $24. I would still use They're Real when I really want my lashes to pop because it is an excellent mascara, but I think Clinique High Impact Extreme Volume mascara is a great option for daily wear. I love the way it defines my lashes! And it's nice to options, right? 

Nexxus PROMEND Split End Repairing System

I used the entire line which includes a rebalancing shampoo, restoring conditioner and split end binding leave in creme. I loved the entire system. I am picky when it comes to smells, but this was a winner. I don't know how to describe it exactly, but it was sweet and yummy! I like fruity scents and sweet scents like vanilla.  I'm not a fan or florals or most colognes. I found that my hair looked shiny and healthy after using this line of hair products. And to be clear, my hair doesn't usually look shiny and healthy. I've been growing out my hair for a while and definitely have an issue (on-going relationship) with split ends. I'm really hoping these products help and maybe even prevent split ends. I can report that the system makes my hair look vibrant and healthy. The split end repairing system also has good things like flax seed oil and proteins in it, which I'm fairly certain my hair is in desperate need of. Please note: I received the Nexxus PROMEND products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo - dark & deep brown

Obsessed! I am a huge fan of dry shampoo in general. I have oily roots so a quick blast of dry shampoo on my roots that allows me to skip a shampoo is a huge help. Anything to sleep in a little extra, right? We need our beauty sleep. I've tried several drugstore brands of dry shampoo: Dove, Suave and TRESemme. The Batiste Hint of Color Dry Shampoo is by far my favorite! The smell is amazing--nothing too strong, a sweet scent. Also for my brunettes, this blends so much better than the typical dry shampoos that are a light white powder. I purchased at Ulta on sale. It's regularly $8.99--definitely worth it. And super cute packaging to boot.

Are there any great new health & beauty products that you have tried recently? Anything you definitely want to check out?