Skincare Sunday (Jar Products)

One of my biggest pet peeve with skincare is products that come in jars. In the past most of my skincare products have come in tubes. In my birchbox I have been receiving some great samples, but some of the skincare have come in jars. Back when I was taking skincare classes we learned that skincare that comes in jars have a shorter shelf life (approx 3 months) and are at risk for contamination. Upon learning that I tried to stick with skincare that you squeeze, pump, or pour out. I don't mind skincare in jars, but I wish they would provide us with spatulas we don't have put our fingers in it. With Asian skincare or high-end skincare, I've noticed that they provide a littler spatula, but I wish everything that came in a jar had a spatula. I mean the benefit eye cream sample I got I'm not even sure if my pinkie would fit in their since it's so small. Also I find it hard to get out the right amount that I want with my finger. I would recommend going to a beauty supply shop like Sally's to find plastic cosmetic spatulas to use if you have any skincare or makeup that comes in a jar. My mom was able to dig up a old spatula for me to use so now I can go back to trying my birchbox makeup. Now I just have to figure out how to store the spatula and keep it clean. Its probably safer to just wash it before using it.

Skincare Sunday-Sheet Mask

Another of my favorite skincare products is sheet masks. I don't think sheet mask are big in the US yet. It's really big in Asia. Sheet mask are cloth mask with cutouts soaked in liquid. The most popular kinds of mask you see out there are for brightening or hydration. So 1-2 times a week I use a sheet mask. After thoroughly cleansing my face I chill out in front of the TV & let my skin soak up the benefits of a sheet mask for 20-30 minutes. This is where I insert my scary picture of me face masking. Yeah so that's how you look for 30 min. Oh the things we do for beauty. Haha.

After the 30 min you discard the mask and massage in the remaining face mask that's left on the skin. Then you go about the rest of your skincare routine. The great thing about it is that you don't have to wash it off.  Overall I like the whole concept of sheet masks. Its like getting a facial treatment without spending to much or having to drive somewhere to get a facial. I have yet to see drastic changes with using sheet masks, but my skin does feel more hydrated and temporarily brighter after using it. So with using it regularly you do feel the benefits of the masks. If there was a magical sheet mask that would take away everyone's skin problems we probably wouldn't need dermatologist. www.PrettyandCute.com, www.imomoko.com, & www.Sasa.com are great places to buy sheet mask. You can also find some on Amazon.

Skincare Sunday-Exfoliation

So far of all the Birchbox I've gotten I haven't had any major favorites that I've wanted to repurchase. Couple month ago in my Birchbox, I received a sample of the Vasanti exfoliator and now its one of my favorite exfoliant next to Dermalogica's Daily microfoliant. The great thing about this exfoliant is that it does have a small grainy texture since they use micro-dermabrasion crystals, so you feel like its working. There are some exfoliants out there that have big harsh chunks that cause tiny cuts and abrasion, but Vasanti doesn't. You really feel like your getting a mini spa treatment. My skin feels softer & brighter after using it. I typically use this 3-5 times a week depend if my skin I sensitive that week or not. What is similar about Vasanti & Daily Micro is that they use Papaya as their main ingredient for exfoliation. Papaya is a natural exfoliant. It's more commonly used as a meat tenderizer. I think this product is great for any skin type. Though if your skin is super sensitive I'd probably just use this once a week. When I'm finished with the sample size I definitely will be purchasing the full size.

Skincare Sunday-Face Wash

The great thing about couponing is that I can try different skincare products. Even though I'm a big fan of Dermalogica products I do like to try other skincare lines whether its a professional line or drugstore products. I had a coupon for the Neutrogena Naturals line so I decided to try their face wash + makeup remover. It was obvious that this would take off makeup since it has makeup remover, but I was so used to using a face wipe or cleansing oil before using a face wash I was kind of skeptical. I amazed that it cleansed and took off makeup at the same time. I didn't even have to double cleanse like I usually do. If I can skip a step in my skincare routine or find a shortcut I'm all for it even though I am a skincare junkie. Compared to other facial washes I did notice that this one doesn't really foam and is a bit drying. I think since this is a natural skincare line its great for all types of skin, but it doesn't really help with skincare issues like acne, dryness, etc. I think its great for one of those days when your too tired to do your whole skincare routine because you can just wash your face and moisturize.

On another note, I was ready to put a post up of my traditional nontraditional thanksgiving dinner, when last minute a relative invited us over for the traditional American thanksgiving with turkey and the trimmings. I call my thanksgiving traditional nontraditional because what we have is not always what you would see in a traditional American thanksgiving. What I like about our nontraditional thanksgiving is that its not always the same every year. This year our plan was to have Japanese hot pot, but I'm glad I got to eat turkey and the trimmings. FYI the $2.99 pumpkin pie from Ralph's was not good at all according to my brother. I should have gone to Trader Joe's or homemade it.