dr. brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

Hello Tuesday all! First day of the workweek... only three more days to go. Tis one short week. And so how is everyone doing?

Today I want to share with ya'll one skincare product I've came to love just recently. I received a sample of this product in my April iPsy bag and have since purchase the full product because I was so fond of it. I'm guessing from the title you can already guess what I am talking about, but it is dr. brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant.

For starters, I would like to state the price as it is preeety expensive. The price listed on the site is $78 but when I ordered mine, I used a coupon code provided for iPsters so I paid about $62 for it. Even with the code, it is still pricey, I know, so this product might not be for anyone on a budget. For me though, after I finish the one I have, I will definitely repurchase, full price or not. Good thing a little goes a long way though.

I have extreme oily skin, my brother has oily/combo while my mom has dry skin that's oily on her T-zone. This works on all three of our skin types fairly well. For me, I noticed that my face doesn't get as oily as it used to, even though the temp is on the rise. Like there's still excess oil, but it's not to the point where I can deep fry with it. My skin has also been glowing after the uses. Like it actually got rid of so much dull, dead skin that my actual baby skin is able to peek through. Applying foundation takes even less effort now and it doesn't seem to be cakey anymore. Not that it was before but I have to blend it out very well. Like... the foundation would just sit on top of my skin, but now it's like infused, becomes one with my skin.

My brother went through a rough puberty stage, his face was full of acne. Fortunately it cleared up but there's still the acne scar left behind. After using this for the last month, those acne scars seemingly lightened up a lot and he told me this skin has become noticeably smoother.

As for my mom, her skin is so dried that it is flaky. After using this for two weeks, those pesky flaky skin seemed to have flaked off. In addition to dry, flaky skin, my mom also has a lot of dark spots and a few liver spots sprouting. She's used soooo many skin care products, high end to drug store, none of which seemed to help. This Microdermabrasion scrub, magically lightened up those spots. It's not completely gone, but it is fading slowly after each uses. She seriously cannot get over how baby soft her skin is, I find it amusing. Haha.

It has a light citrus-y, heavy on the lemon grass scent to it, it's not bothersome to me at all. Although I've read otherwise from the reviews. As for the texture, the "grains" are so fine, nothing like other exfoliating products like St. Ives where it has a grainy-sand texture. Even though the "beads" are so fine, it still does a superb job of getting rid of those dead skin . My skin is noticeably smoother, softer after using it.

It is recommend that the scrub be used twice a week, with three days in between each uses. For me, I only use it once a week, usually on Fridays. I honestly do not think using it twice is necessary, as of right now. When massaging the scrub onto the skin, do not use much pressure because that might cause irritation to the skin and will give your face extreme discomfort and/or burning sensation.

I have successfully referred a few friends and family members in purchasing their own scrub, each one has nothing but great things to say about it. All of them, like me, have added this to our must have skincare products and an additional step to our skincare routine.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant. Yes, I know it is very pricey, but it is sooo worth it. Your skin cannot thank you enough. Use a little bit at a time and this will last you forever.

Thank you for joining me again and thank you for reading guys! :)

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SONG OF THE DAY/MOMENT

PLAYLIST OF THE DAY/MOMENT

Eternity - VIXX

April iPsy Bag: Beauty Rocks Update

Helllllo everyone! Happy Wednesday! This is an update post on the products I received in my April iPsy bag. I received it about three weeks ago and was able to use all of the products, so this post is my input and thoughts regarding them. Alrighty now....

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple PinkI was absolutely ecstatic to try out these tinted lip balms. Like I mentioned before, I've heard of Cailyn but never actually tried any of their products. I'm glad it was a lip product I got to try first; to me, eye shadows and lip products' first impressions determine the fate of the brand, like if I like their eye and/or lip products, the chances of me purchasing more products from the brand is greatly higher than if I had a bad experience or didn't like the products. I think that makes sense.

Fortunately, I liked this lip balm. I don't know about you, but when I hear "tinted lip balm" I don't expect lip stick-like pigmentation. I actually think of sheerness yet buildable like Maybelline Baby Lips. I was....shocked...because this tinted lip balm was crazily pigmented, like a sheer lipstick. The color pay off is pretty on par, what you see (from the pot) is what you get (on your lips). My shade is Apple Pink, while I've heard others describe it was a rosy pink, I see it as a corally-pink with lots of orange undertone. Not a shade I usually wear, but it's definitely wearable. I also enjoy the texture and formula of the balm. The balm feels light and comfortable throughout the duration of it being on my lips. My lips didn't stick together either was it tacky or sticky ever, qualities in lip products I enjoy. For the 8+ hours I wore this alone, the balm feeling was gone maybe half way through, leaving my lips stained and somewhat dried.  It's not completely drying, leaving my lips cracked and chapped, it just no longer has a balm feel to it. So yes, it is long-wearing, color wise, function of a balm  is a negative.

What I said last time, regarding the bulky packaging still stands today. Don't get me wrong, the packaging is super cute. I can see where they're going with it, with the built in brush and everything. I think it's very handy to travel with if I throw it in my make up bag, saves bringing a lip brush; but for everyday uses, it is very impractical. I don't use lip brushes, like 300 days out of 365. I'm more of a low maintenance girl, you know, a lip balm in a tube, small enough I can throw into any bag, and ones I do not need a mirror to apply with. Grab it from my bag, take the cap off, twist, apply, twist, cap on, throw in bag; BAM, like what, 20 seconds? This lip balm is something I'll put on at home and will not take it with me on the go. Which isn't ideal because if I'll be out all day, considering the formula, I'll definitely need to retouch.

I like this, but not enough for me to purchase another shade. I do not think $19 is worth it, there are plenty of tinted lip balms out there half the price and formulated better.

The bottom line is, this lip balm is opaque as a lip stick, stains and long-wearing like a lip stain and moisturizes some what of a lip balm.

They're doing a giveaway of the whole collection, so if you're interested, sign up here.

Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil
"A must for smoky-eye fanatics: an ultra-plush version of UD’s creamy, waterproof 24/7 formula. Create perfectly blended-out or rich, precise lines that are blacker-than-black." - Urban Decay

Let's see, must have, check; ultra-plush, check; blendable, check, creates rich precise line, check; blacker-than black, semi-check.

I'm not sure if anything can be blacker-than-black, but yes, this is a pretty rich black shade. It's not a charcoal black, gray black, brownish black, no, it is straight up black, with more black and black undertones. It's pretty much the blackest liner you can get. I don't think I own anything like this or similar to it other than my other Urban Decay 24/7 liners.

This Velvet liner has about 95% similarities in formula as their sisters the 24/7 Glide-On liners. The only differences is that this liner glides on even smoother, creamier and therefore easier to blend. But once it sets, it will not budge. I never use the 24/7 Glide-On liners on my upper lash line because they're kinda dry and when I do, it doesn't smoothly glide across but rather dragging it so it skips and it's awful. With this Velvet liner though, I can apply it on my upper lash line with no dragging problem. Upper lash line, tightlining, lower lash line, lower waterline, this liner will not budge or smudge anywhere.

I will definitely repurchase once I run out. But it's not like I have to run out immediately and grab one once I run out, if it's convenient or there's  a good deal going on, I'll grab 'em.

Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in ChampagneLooooooooove. Beautiful shade, perfect formula, creamy texture, easy to apply, long wearing...it's just a great shadow. Elizabeth Mott has got it going on. Her mascara It's So Big I received in my bag a couple months ago was uhh-mazing. Had really high hopes for this shadow and relieved that it delivered. This shade is so versatile, which is exactly how I like my shadows, especially singles. It can be worn by its self, as a highlight, together with other shadows. My brushes are able to easily pick up the shadows, applies effortlessly, and blends like a dream. I don't know what more I can say to convince you I really like this shadow. Haha. :P

There is one down side to it, the price. It is $12.99 on the site. Although I am aware that $12.99 is still affordable, I personally think it is for a single eyeshadow. For $19.99 I can get a whole palette from Sonia Kashuk; for $3.99 I can get a single eyeshadow from NYX, both of which are very similar in formula and texture to Pop! Goes the Shadow.

dr. brandt Microdermabrasion
I enjoyed this so much I placed an order to purchase the full size...it was $78 but with iPsy's code, it came out to $62, still pretty expensive but more manageable. I think it is worth every single penny though. This scrub is so amazing I don't even know how or where to start.

I received this in a 7.5 oz sample, but man, a little sure does go a long way. Not only did I use it, I also asked my brother and mom to try it with me. Between the three of us using this one to two times a week for the last two weeks, there are still some products left in the sample. It is suggested that this be used one to two times per week leaving three days between application and only leave it on the skin for one to two minutes.

I've read reviews that some felt a burning sensation or it was stinging badly. Neither my mom, brother nor I have felt anything like that. All I can really say is test this out on a small area on the arm or hand first before applying it to the face for those with sensitive skin. Also, don't use too much of the cream, a lot does not always mean better; a pea size amount is more than enough. Don't use too much pressure while scrubbing, that can also cause the burning and stinging sensation.

I have extreme oily skin, my brother has oily/combo while my mom has dry skin that's oily on her T-zone. This works on all three of our skin types fairly well. For me, I noticed that my face doesn't get as oily as it used to, even though the temp is on the rise. Like there's still excess oil, but it's not to the point where I can deep fry with it. My skin has also been glowing after the uses. Like it actually got rid of so much dull, dead skin that my actual baby skin is able to peak through now. My brother went through a rough puberty stage, his face was full of acne. Fortunately it cleared up but there's still the acne scar left behind. After using this for two weeks, those acne scars seemingly lightened up a lot and he told me this skin has become noticeably smoother. As for my mom, her skin is so dried that it is flaky. After using this for two weeks, those pesky flaky skin seemed to have flaked off. In addition to dry, flaky skin, my mom also has a lot of dark spots and a few liver spots sprouting. She's used soooo many skin care products, high end to drug store, none of which seemed to help. This Microdermabrasion scrub, in just two weeks, magically lightened up those spots. It's not completely gone, but it is fading. She was astonished, I was astonished. After how much this scrub did for us, $62 does not seem too much. Honestly, when we finish up the full size purchased one, I'll probably repurchase it for the full $78 as well.

It has a light citrus-y scent to it, it's not bothersome to me at all. Although I've read otherwise from the reviews. As for the texture, the "grains" are so fine, nothing like other exfoliating products like St. Ives where it has a grainy-sand texture. Even though the "beads" are so fine, it still does a superb job of getting rid of those dead skin .

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS. If anyone is interested, I have a code that can give you 20% off for just this specific product. Just enter MICRO20 at checkout and you're good to go.

Demeter Perfume Oil Roll On in JasmineI have nothing but good things to say about this product. I've used and own products from Demeter before, I know what to expect and they delivered again and again. I really love the scent of jasmine and gardenia, so this perfume is perfect. For those who dislike the floral scent, this might come off as a little strong, maybe even headache-inducing, but it's fine to me. A sparing roll on the wrist, rub and dab behind the ears lasted me all day, up until I showered. It's pretty amazing. You should really check out Demeter if you haven't already, they have a huge selection range with a billion scents to choose from.

Thank you for visiting and thanks for reading guys. :)

P.S. For any Criminal Minds' fan out there, today's episode is NEW!

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SONG OF THE DAY

One Day - 2AM + 2PM = One Day

April iPsy Bag: Beauty Rocks

Hey, hey, hey! I hope you're having a wonderful Saturday. How's your weekend going?

I'm glad you can join me for another iPsy Bag post, this will be my fifth iPsy post. Dang...has been five months since I started blogging already? Time sure flies. This post was supposed to be up a while ago, my bag came in on Monday, but I never got the time to talk about it until today so I do apologize for the delay.

This month's bag is called Beauty Rocks...really love that play on words. Music related and beauty sure does rock. There are five items that are selected to fit with my profile in this month's bag. I may have received these five specific products does not mean you or the next person got the same exact five products also. Although I really wanted the Rainbow Honey nail polish...didn't get it in my bag. Phewwwy. :(

These are the five products I did receive,

Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm in Apple Pink (full size)
Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil (travel size)
Demeter Perfume Oil Roll On in Jasmine (full size)
dr. brandt Microdermabrasion (sample)
Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow in Champagne (full size)

I didn't even know Urban Decay came out with a new eye pencil until I saw this Velvet Glide-On. Love Urban Decay, love their 24/7 Glide-Ons, love everything Urban Decay has to offer. I do not think I will be disappointed at all with this liner. Imma have to opt for a darker look just to incorporate this liner in. I can't imagine how much smoother this can apply, I mean, the other Glide-Ons were pretty amazing already.

I first learned of Demeter from iPsy. It was included in one of their first bags I believe, it was the same roll on perfume type, only it was in the scent Dragon Fruit. I really liked Dragon Fruit, the scent was light, it wasn't too much but it did last all day. I expect the same from this also. and I already like this Jasmine, so lovely! Peeeeerfect for Spring.

Hmmm, I didn't even know Elizabeth Mott had eyeshadows, last time I checked, they only had a mascara (which I was fortunate to try thanks to iPsy) and eyeshadow sticks. Let me tell ya, the color is GORGEOUS. I loooove a nice champagne, beige shade; they're so versatile. I actually used this a couple days ago, in my inner corner and lower lash line...fell in love with it, texture, pigmentation, color. But more on that later. ;)

I am actually glad I got a sample of dr. brandt in my bag. Have always heard good things about it but never had the chance to try it out because this brand is in the higher price range. I'm always on the lookout for new, good skincare products. Who knows, if I end up loving this, I might even purchase the full size.

Being into makeup for years, I've heard of the brand Cailyn floating about, but I was never that appealed to the products or thought that I should quickly run out to purchase a product to use. I know it sounds bad, but that's just how it was. So I am especially happy I got a full size product to try out this month. Fortunately, I received a lip product in a form of a tinted lip balm. If you don't remember that I am a HUGE lip junkie, I'm all crazy about lip tints and tinted balms lately. The packaging is also so darn cute!...cute but not at all practical. It's so bulky and not at all one I'll take on-the-go. Initially, I had wanted the hot pink-fuchsia shade, but I'm starting to like this shade a lot now. Apple Pink seems to be an light orangey-coral-pinkish shade. I actually used this yesterday but I'll continue to use it and update ya'll about it in my Update post...coming soon.

Overall, I am pretty satisfied with my bag this month. This is exactly why I am still subscribed to iPsy, I'm able to try lots of new things I never knew existed, didn't bother to try, overlooked, whatever the case may be.

Please check back in a couple of weeks for the update review of these products. In the mean time, you can check out the iPsy bags from the past months.

December bag, January bag, February bag, February's update, March bag, and March update

Thank you for visiting and thanks for reading. :)

P.S. I hope ya'll don't mind that today's post went up a little earlier than normal; I'm heading off to a family BBQ right now and I might forget to post. Sorry about that. I hope you're all having a great weekend also. Time to get my grub on. ;) Bye!

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SONG OF THE DAY

Not Spring, Love or Cherry Blossoms - High4 Ft. IU