KRUIDVAT CLEANSING STRIPS (REINIGENDE NEUSSTRIPS) - REVIEW

Today I'm reviewing the Kruidvat Cleansing Nose Strips. The packaging includes six strips for the nose, and are meant to remove blackheads and to cleanse your pores. I had only used the Nivea cleansing strips before, and they didn't really make a difference so I was a bit sceptical using these... but here we go! 

This is one of the six strips.

On the back of each strip there's a small manual, this is what it says:

First you need to cleanse the skin and wet your nose with your fingertips. Dry your hands and remove the plastic of the strip. Place the strip on your nose with the shiny side onto the skin. 

Leave the strip on for 10 to 15 minutes and let it dry until it gets hard. Once the strip is completely dry remove it carefully. 

This is how the strip looks like with the plastic still on.

The shiny side that goes onto the skin.

Matte side.

Recently I've been having problems with my pores, they are very noticeable even with foundation over it!  I've been trying a lot of things to help my little problem like scrubbing and steaming regularly, but haven't noticed big results. 

The pore strips from Kruidvat were so cheap I couldn't walk passed them. 

This is the result. As you can see my pores were pretty big in the before picture. My nose in the after pic looks a bit red, but I am pretty excited about the result! The redness went away after 10 minutes and my pores had noticeably gotten smaller.

I would definitely recommend this product to people who want to reduce their pores, it might not give you perfect skin but it will bring you closer to smoother skin! I will definitely keep using these strips twice a week and hopefully the results will get even better! 

You can find the Kruidvat Cleansing strips at Kruidvat for €1,99 (so only about 33 cent a strip!).

x x x

DIADERMINE ESSENTIAL CARE HYDRA BALANCE DAY CREAM - REVIEW

Hi everyone, today I'm reviewing a product I've been using daily for the past three months. A good day cream is an essential for any morning routine so find out what I think about the Diadermine Essential Care Hydra Balance Day Cream next! 

This is how the packaging looks like, it contains a lot of information about the ingredients and the working of the product. I translated a bit from Dutch: "De normal to combination skin often shows different components, a shiny nose, chin and forehead, while the cheeks are mostly a bit dryer. The Laboratoires DIADERMINE have developed the HYDRA BALANCE DAY CREAM, specifically for the needs of the normal to combination skin."

"How it works:

Shine Control: The Balance Complex mattifies the shiny areas of the face and brings balance to the skin.

Hydration: The skin absorbs the light and fast absorbing formula with vitamin E and leaves you with highly hydrated skin, from first use already.

Protection: Contains UVA/UVB filters which protect against aging caused by UV light."

"Visible result: The skin is hydrated for a long time and is well protected. Your skin looks fresh and shining with a natural result."

I absolutely love this day cream. As I said before I have been using this cream for three months, I'm currently on my second jar, and it works perfect for my combination skin.  After I get out of the shower my skin feels extremely dry so I need to moisturize immediately. While other day creams have left me with greasy skin that would break out, the Diadermine Hydra Balance gives me exactly the right amount of moisture but also mattifies my shiny areas (mainly nose and forehead).

I would recommend it to women in their twenties with combination to oily skin. It's only €9,99 for 50 ml, which lasts me for about six weeks!

x x x 

GARNIER PURE ACTIVE 3 IN 1 WASH/SCRUB/MASK - REVIEW

Today I have a skin care product review for you. I have been using the Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Cleanser for the past two months and feel like it's long enough to give you an honest review. 

Some time ago I was looking for a new cleanser to remove my makeup at night and to freshen up my face. I had the feeling my previous one was breaking me out, so I wanted to try a new one!

The Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask drew my attention in the drugstore. I liked the packaging and the fact that it was a product that could serve for multiple purposes. 

What the description says: 

"Garnier Pure 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask simplifies your skin care routine by delivering 3 benefits in one product to help deeply purify, eliminate impurities and mattify the surface of your skin. 

Enriched with clay and mineral zinc, Garnier Pure 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask's anti-bacterial formula works as a daily cleanser, scrub and mattifying mask to visibly reduce impurities and help prevent their reappearance. 

As a wash: enriched with Zinc known for its purifying properties, it purifies the skin and eliminates impurities, helping to protect against imperfections even before they appears.

As a scrub: it contains Pumice, a natural exfoliating agent, to eliminate dead skin cells and unclog pores. 

As a mask: enriched with White Clay known for its smoothing and absorbing properties, it reduces shine. 

A triple mineral power for anti-imperfection action."

The creme is white of color and has lots of little blue sandy dots in it. It's very thick of consistency and has a nice fresh smell to it. 

Here is how I applied it as a wash. You first need to wet your face and then rub it in circular motions. It's important to rinse with plenty of lukewarm water. The product it pretty opaque so it will leave white marks when you don't use enough water. I usually use the wash under the shower, so I don't get my bathroom completely wet! After using the cleanser I use a moisturizer to nurture my skin.

What I like about the Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask:

The smell is fresh and minty. 

The texture is very pleasant. As I said before it's a thick cream, so you get the feeling it really cleanses your skin and removes leftover makeup and dirt. It's also easy to apply doesn't give you the feeling you're scrubbing your face open. 

My face feels soft as a baby's bottom after using it. The creme contains salicylic acid which works wonders for oily skin with imperfections and acne. And the minerals really mattifiy the shine on my forehead and nose. 

What I don't like about the Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask:

I don't like to use this product as a mask. When I leave it on for too long, it starts to sting and my face feels like I've rubbed Vapo Rub on it. I've tried it once, but I've decided to only use this product as a wash and scrub. 

Would I buy it again? 

Yes, I definitely would. This creme has really cleared up my skin of imperfections and leaves me with a soft mattified result every day. I have been using it every evening in the shower for the past two months and I will keep on using it! One tube of 150 ml lasts me for about five weeks. 

You can buy the Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1 Wash/Scrub/Mask at the drugstore or online for €6,95.

x x x

MAKEUP WHILE WORKING OUT - DO OR DON'T

When you go to the gym, you can spot two types of girls. The ones with clean natural faces and the ones with a full on makeup glam face. Usually the full makeup ones are also focused more on texting on their phones and talking to boys than on working out.. 

I ALWAYS go to the gym to work my ass off but I can be seen with or without my makeup. It depends upon the day. When I'm at home all day I won't put on makeup for my workout, but if I worked all day or went shopping I won't take off my makeup either. 

Besides dripping foundation and smudged out mascara, I wondered if there were any other unfavorable effects on working out with makeup on. 

Skin specialist Debbie Thomas says: 

"When we get hot, several things happen to the skin. The first is sweating and the second is a slight relaxing and enlarging of the pores. When you add a layer of even the best makeup on this, you will end up with streaky makeup, but you're also increasing the likelihood of a breakout. Your skin needs to breathe, during a good workout even more so. Mix in sweat, heat and open pores and over time the skin will become blocked. Not everyone will get spots, but most will get blackheads coupled with dulling and possible uneven skin texture." 

So how should we go work out? How can we prepare our skin in the best way possible?

"Ideally you should cleanse your skin first, then apply a light serum which is suitable for your skin type and penetrates quickly. A heavier product will probably sweat off anyway. We create free radicals when we exercise, that's why it is important to make sure there are enough antioxidants in the skin to counteract them.  

After your workout it is recommended to use a light cleanse and apply your normal day or night creams. 

But what if you have a spot, or are too insecure to exercise makeup free?

For example when you're trying to impress a guy.. Afterall, it is easier said than done to go barefaced... Then you should try to reduce your makeup to a minimum. Some examples:

Curl your lashes, but leave out the mascara (even if it's waterproof!). 

Ditch the foundation, and opt for a tinted moisturizer. 

Groom your eyebrows instead of filling them in. 

Opt for chapstick or tinted gloss instead of lipstick. 

And run harder, so you will get a rosy blush.

Also remember all the positive effects exercise will lead to. Exercise will get the blood flowing, more oxygen will be carried by the skin which leads to improved skin health. Your skin will begin to produce more of its' natural oils and will be left with a beautiful natural glow. 

So even if you're a bit sceptic to go natural in the beginning, think of all the positive effects in the long run! 

x x x

Sources: 

Debbie Thomas, Vogue.co.uk

Huffingtonpost.com

EverydayHealth.com

ITCHY LEGS AFTER SHAVING

Every girl who chooses shaving as hair removal method has dealt with this problem at least once in her life. Itchy, bumpy and red legs are often a nasty side effect from removing hair with a razor. This common condition amongst shaving women (and men) is often referred to as Razor Burn or Razor Rash, it's very simply said a sign of irritation of the skin. So why do some people suffer more from Razor Burn then others? And why doesn't it occur all the time? Let's solve this bumpy mystery once and for all!

CAUSES OF IRRITATION

Pressing down the razor too hard. People often think the harder they push down their razor, the shorter the hairs, and thereby more invisible, will be. This is however a misconception. When you're using a sharp blade you won't need to push down the razor harder. Just sliding over your leg will be enough. This is why changing blades or disposable razors is very important when you're a shaver.
Besides razor burn, old or used blades can also lead to ingrown hairs. The hairs are cut and left very sharp, the hairs starts growing again and are pressed against the skin, causing them to go back into the hole, or area around, it came out of. The skin doesn't recognize the hair and tries to push the hair back out. This will lead to a red bump with the hair underneath.

Shaving in the wrong direction. Shaving against the grain of the hair can lead to irritation of the hair follicle, redness and inflamed skin.

Besides shaving in the wrong direction, shaving over the same area many times can cause irritation too. Try to shave each area only one time. When you did shave over an area a couple of times and it lead to bumps or redness, avoid this area a couple of days to let the sensitive skin heal completely.

TIPS TO AVOID IRRITATION AFTER SHAVING

1. Avoid using any type of product on your legs before shaving. For example body lotions, which can contain a lot of alcohol and dry out the skin. Also avoid shaving when your skin is sweaty. The best results will be attained by first using a mild scrub (for example a sugar scrub), washing your legs with a mild shower gel or soap and after applying your shaving creme.

2. Open your pores with hot water. The skin will be softened by the heat and steam, which will make shaving easier and results better. Take a hot shower of at least 5 minutes to open up those pores! 

3. To avoid ingrown hairs you will need to rinse off your razor frequently while shaving and avoid pressing down the razor too hard. Another tip is to avoid tight clothes around the areas you shaved.

4. Wash off leftover hair and shower creme with cold water. This will close up the pores on your legs and will constrict the skin and help close small cuts and ingrown hairs that are forming. 

5. After you get out of the shower it is recommended to apply some sort of aloe vera gel  or creme on your legs. Why aloe vera? It helps to soothe irritated skin and prevent razor bumps. Let it set for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water.

6. The last step is to apply a moisturizing body lotion/ creme without any alcohol, this would dry out your legs. 

Definitely try out these tips if you have razor burn after shaving! You'll be rocking some JLO Venus legs in no time!

x x x

If you're interested in more information on Razor Burn:
http://voices.yahoo.com/main-causes-razor-burn-ingrown-hair-607688.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Razor-Burn
http://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/body-care/_/perfect-shave-art

FACE ANTI-STRESS MASK - DEAD MINERALS

Today I have another review of a Freeman Mask for you. Because I liked the Avocado & Oatmeal Mask so much, I decided to try the Dead Sea Minerals one out! 

It's supposed to deep cleanse the skin and make the pores look smaller. It's meant for all skin types, but should work especially well for oily and combination skin. 

The mask is blue and very thick. It's easy to spread out and it doesn't start leaking because of the thick texture. 

I apply about 3 times this amount  and spread it out all over my face. 

 I then let it dry for about 20 minutes and rinse it off with warm water. I remove leftover product with a cotton pad and some tonic. 

After this I apply my day cream as usual. 

What I like about the Freeman Dead Sea Minerals Mask: 

The smell, it's a nice fresh smell. Not too sweet, you don't get nauseous after 5 minutes like I've experienced with other masks. 

The price, it's only € 3,99. You get about 12 masks out of the tube. 

Softness, after using the mask my skin feels super soft. 

What I don't like about the Freeman Dead Sea Minerals Mask: 

It doesn't really do anything for my pores. They don't get smaller and my skin doesn't look better then before, it only feels smoother and softer. 

Would I buy the mask again? 

Probably not, I prefer the Avocado & Oatmeal Freeman Mask much more. Unlike the Dead Sea Minerals mask, it does remove shine and makes my pores look smaller. 

Hope you found this useful! 

x x x

FACE CLAY MASK - AVOCADO & OATMEAL

Today I'm showing you one of my favorite face masks. It's the magic combination of avocado and oatmeal. I bought one of the brand Freeman at the Dutch drugstore chain Kruidvat, but you can also order it online (link below). I use this mask once a week.

But why are avocado and oatmeal good for the skin? 

Avocado

• Lots of vitamins & unsaturated fats that are good for both dry and oily skin. 
• The healthy oils slow down the aging process. The oils get easily absorbed into the layers of the skin, stimulating the growth of new skin cells and improve blood circulation. 
• Moistures dry skin, making you skin feel super soft.  

Oatmeal

• When cooked it's great to reduce acne, inflammation & redness of the skin.
• When used raw it exfoliates dead skin cells.
• Absorbs and removes excess oils and shimmer.

How to use the mask

Remove any makeup as usual. Put a thick coat of the mask on your skin using your fingers, making sure you cover your whole face (or choose to just cover problem zones, for example your chin, cheeks or T-zone). Avoid the sensitive skin around the eyes & mouth and your hairline. 

Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. You will notice the mask will dry up, making your skin feel tight. 

Wash your face with warm water and remove leftovers with a cotton pad and some refreshing tonic. 

Moisturize your face as usual.
You will be left with soft and healthy looking skin!

Some great homemade masks with avocado and oatmeal are: 

• Avocado & honey, for all skin types (cleansing and rejuvenation of the skin) 
• Avocado & yogurt, for dry skin (moistures the skin)
• Avocado & egg, for oily skin (reduces oil and shimmer)
• Oatmeal & yogurt, for all skin types (cleansing and rejuvenation of the skin)
• Oatmeal, honey & lemon, for all skin types (lemon exfoliates and the honey moistures)
• Oatmeal & banana, for all skin types (the banana brightens up your skin tone)

Good luck (not eating your mask)!

Link to buy the Freeman mask:

http://www.freemanbeauty.com/product/avocado-oatmeal-facial-clay-mask

x x x

LEMON SUGAR SCRUB

It is recommended to scrub your face once to twice a week. But what is it actually good for? First of all it removes dead skin cells, which will make your face look younger. It also keeps your skin looking smooth and healthy because it exposes new skin. You can also use a scrub when you feel like there is makeup on your face you don't seem to get off, a scrub is a little bit more rough then tonics or gels, so it will get all of those leftovers off.

What you will need

1. Lemon juice (fresh/organic preferably) 

2. Cotton pads

3. Sugar (coarse preferably OR brown sugar)

How to use it

4 - 5. Squeeze some lemon juice on your cotton pad 

6. Put some of the sugar on the cotton pad

Wet your face with some warm (not hot) water. Start scrubbing your face in upwards circles. 

Rinse your face with warm water and dab dry with a towel. Moisturize like usual. 

I also use this scrub on my cleavage area to make the skin look more glowing. Another tip is to do this scrub before you apply self tanner, it will give you more even and longer lasting results! 

I hope you will try it out, it's definitely a cheap and healthy alternative for the drugstore scrubs! 

Enjoy your soft and smooth skin. 

x x x