So I've had this draft sitting here for a while and I'm finally getting around to finishing it. Whoops. Anyway, I'm sure as much as you wanted to hear that you're much more interested in hearing about what I'm here to actually talk about: my mask line up. As many of you know by now, I'm very into my skincare so of course masks are a staple in my line up. I've actually done an in depth post on two of my masks here, therefore they won't be talked about much here except for a quick shout out for keeping my skin manageable.

Freeman's Anti-Stress Mask Dead Sea Minerals
I've got quite the love for this mask. I typically use it about once a week just because I love it so much, even if my skin isn't really acting up. It's got a wonderful scent - kind of fresh and ocean-y as you would expect from the name. What I didn't expect however was for it to be bright teal. I'm talking color of the packaging teal. But I can get over that for how much I love it. It claims to balance moisture while unclogging pores and help with smoother skin and radiance. I would agree with all but the radiance part, I don't really see a glowing difference in my skin, but it definitely helps clear out my pores without losing moisture. Especially compared to my Avon and Formula 10.0.6 selections.

Freeman's Revealing Peel Off Mask Pomegranate
Obviously, I've got a bit of love for Freeman's here. I think they were on promo at Ulta when I bought this and I was totally a sucker for the scent of this because let's face it, who can resist a wonderful, fruity scent? Certainly not me. This mask doesn't make it into my line up nearly as often as it should. I use it about once a month, if I remember. Remind me to up the ante on using this one, please. This is another purifying mask, but definitely much gentler compared to the others. What really sold me on this was the antioxidant mix to protect against free radicals. I'm all about the anti-aging thing, so of course anything to protect against that is a win in my book.

Avon Clearskin Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask & Formula 10.0.6 Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask
As I mentioned before, I've done an in depth post on both of these masks before, but just to give you a little update I still am using them. I've nearly finished my Avon one, as I tend to favor it a little bit more. I've gone from using it about once a week to once every other week, or more often when I feel like my skin has been acting up. I've definitely fallen off using my Formula 10.0.6 offering though. I'm just not as impressed by it and definitely turned off by the fact that it has mineral oil.

So there you have it, my current mask line up completed. I'm always looking for new recommendations so if you have any in mind please feel free to suggest them below. What masks are in your line up? Any holy grails?

xx
Tessa

So this week's post is a bit of a two-in-one: a first impressions along with a mini review of Clinique's Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm. In my last post I mentioned how I went on a bit of a skincare rampage courtesy of Caroline Hiron's blog, so this is on her recommendation. My normal cleansing balm I have talked about before in my skincare routine post here. I purchased this one, after weeks of debating, for $28.50 at Sephora. Which in my opinion is well worth it.

This balm is oil based, so it feels a little bit greasy when you apply it but it doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy at all. It removed all of my make up with ease, even my eye make up and mascara without much hassel. Which is huge for me, as I am a mascara fiend and tend to pack it on. One thing I noticed when putting it on my eyes was it felt kind of gritty when it was removing my make up, I'm still not sure if this was the texture of my mascara coming off or if it was the cleanser itself. After using this, I still followed up with a second cleanse, solely out of habit and per recommendation of Caroline, though I probably didn't need to because I had no make up residue on my second cleanse like I normally do.

On to packaging and such. I love the fact that this comes in a tub. I do like the pump of my Liz Earle cleansing balm, but it was always hard to tell how much I needed and I somehow always ended up with excess or needing multiple pumps if I used smaller amounts. With the tub however, you are able to easily control how much you get out and you need the smallest amounts. Which brings me to my next point, I know nearly $30 for a cleanser is a steep price tag, but you need so little and it comes in a giant tub that's going to last you a long time, even if you use it everyday (if you would like I can update you on how long this one lasts me!).

Based solely on my first use of this, I think I would definitely repurchase this product. I know the blog name is Five Broke Girls, and here I am telling you that I would spend $30 on a cleansing balm, but in all honesty, anything higher end I buy, I put a lot of thought behind & do my research. And I'm definitely willing to spend the extra dollars on my skin care to have good skin, because if your skin is in balance, then you can sort of cheat your way on make up (less foundation, concealer!).

Well, that's it for me this week. I'll talk to you next week, darlings!

xx
Tessa

So I've had both of these masks for a while now and thought it was about time I shared my opinions with you guys on both, and put them up against each other just for the heck of it.

First up is AVON's Clearskin Pore Penetrating Black Mineral Mask. This caught my attention in an AVON book because I had been looking to try Origins's Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask for a while, but didn't want to drop the $24 for it. Upon first impressions, the packaging design isn't my favorite. I know, I know, it's not about the packaging but rather the product inside, but being an advertising major it's part of my job to critique packaging (or so I like to think). Anyway, on to the mask. The active ingredient in it is salicylic acid, and a very small concentration of it at only 0.5%. I have found that other treatments have worked better for my skin as far as skin clearing so I was a little skeptical of how it would work. After a few uses, I noticed that it was helping the few spots I had — they were getting smaller and looked less red and irritated. It also helped to make my pores shrink which is always a huge plus for me. One tip I have about using this: do not leave it on for longer than it says. The first time I used this I lost track of time and left it on for longer than the recommended 15 minutes and my skin was red and irritated. It was all clear by the next morning but slightly terrifying to remove a mask to find your skin bright red. Eek. My favorite feature of this mask was that it applies as a dark grey color, but dries as a light grey so you can see when all sections of your face are dry, no guess work here. This mask retails for $6.99 on AVON's website.

The other mask I've been rotating in my routine is Formula 10.0.6's Pores Be Pure Skin-Clarifying Mud Mask with Strawberry and Yarrow. This mask claims on it's front packaging: "Berry boosters go straight to work on clogged pores, strawberry and rosemary eliminate impurities, while yarrow clarifies skin for instant complexion perfection." I'll admit I adored this mask at first. Then during a late night skin care evaluation inspired by Caroline Herrons from BeautyMouth.com, I discovered that this little gem contains mineral oil (cue cries and a screech of horror). Now, I haven't always been super strict about my skin care and the ingredients, but I have started caring a bit more. That being said, I do still use this, just not nearly as often as I did when I first purchased it. The packaging of this mask is A+, I don't know if it's just because it's pink or I really enjoy the font choice or both. In either case, it's great. As far as the actual mask goes, I didn't notice huge differences in my skin on weeks when I did or didn't use it, though it does smell really nice. This mask retails for $5.99 at Ulta.

Now for the showdown. If I had to choose one mask to repurchase, it would be the AVON mask without a doubt, even though it's more expensive for less product, not using mineral oil on my skin is a huge thing to me. That was a big factor for me, as well as I felt that my skin reacted better to the AVON formulation over Formula 10.0.6's.

xx
Tessa

As you know from a post or so ago, I wasn't too psyched to get this in my last Birchbox. That being said, I've had a chance to use it and I've had my ideas changed. I was worried that it would dry my sensitive skin out like everything else does. It seriously does not matter if it's for sensitive skin or not, it always will dry my skin out. Anywho, I left this stuff on for roughly ten minutes and the number one thing I noticed was smaller pores. I am like a pore junky, anything to help minimize pores, I want it. So having this product actually make me notice a difference was huge.

Pros:
Obvi minimized pores!
Cons:
I still hated the smell, it really doesn't smell like green apples and that's a big disappointment.
It did dry my skin out a bit. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be though, so it was alright.

Verdict: I am actually undecided as to whether I will purchase the full size of this product. While I did love that it minimized my pores, I'm not sure it did enough in other areas to make me want it too badly.

Until next week!
xxTori

Products Mentioned:
The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil Cleanser, Toner, and Skin Clearing Lotion
Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel
Olay Fresh Effects Shine Shine Go Away
Alba Good and Clean Toxin Release
Bremenn Clinic Zit Stick
Simple Foaming Cleanser

xo Kayson
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Hello lovelies! I definitely had this post ready to go this morning but I guess it never posted. So I know I'm a bit late on this, lo siento!

Anyway! I was so excited to get my first Birchbox on Monday so I thought I would share with you the goodies I got.


Tan Towel Classic Formula Self-Tan Towelettes (Full-size $24)
I'm a bit nervous to use this just because it says it's for fair to medium tones, so will it look fine or make me look like an oompa loompa? I'll try this out this weekend just so I don't look crazy for work if this turns out to be too dark. I've really been wanting to try something like this that washes off at the end of the day, similar to the This Works Perfect Legs Skin Miracle.

LAQA & Co Lil' Lip Duo (Full-size, $16 for 2)
Okay, so I really love the formula of this. It's a really buttery sort of lip balm. I also really like the fact that you can build up the color intensity with how much you apply. I will say that I don't like how it gets everywhere. Lipsticks and stains, for the most part, stay on your lips. I noticed that this had a tendency to smear all over if you're not careful with it. Like...seriously...just don't let anyone near your face, don't touch your face, it will be everywhere.

Coola SPF 45 Sport- Mango (Full-size $32)
I may have to spend $32 on sunscreen. This stuff is amazing. First off, it smells like mango and coconut. I just put this on my hands and neck when I go out (my moisturizer has SPF 30) and it leaves my skins so soft. It's really light and not greasy, which I know some sunscreens have a tendency to be. I wish they had a travel size bottle so I could just leave it in my bag (get on that Coola). It's paraben free, no nano particles, not tested on animals, hypoallergenic, and even gluten free. What even. They even have scents like citrus mimosa. So yep. Great. Spending $32 on sunscreen.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive (Full-size $39)
I love the idea of a peel, I love clay masks and anything of the sort. I haven't used this quite yet just because it is supposed to sit on the skin for 10 or so minutes and just who has time for that? I just really haven't been home much so I'll give this a go this weekend as well. I will have to say that I'm a bit disappointed that it doesn't actually smell like green apples. It did a bit in the box but smelled not so lovely in the actual sample.

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Shampoo (Full-size $25) [not pictured]
I gave this sample to my mother because dry shampoo is a tad pointless for me right now with short hair. Lo siento, I have nothing to say about this because my mom took it and I can't find it.

Who knows, maybe some of these will make it to my September favorites, we shall see.
xx Tori

     Hi Guys! So I realize I've really been bad lately about posting on Monday, but things have been hectic, but from now on I am here and I'm ready to get back on track. So, today I am going to tell you all about a little "miracle" product I believe I've found. It's none other than Bremenn Labs "Zit Stick".
     I was at ULTA this past weekend searching more for skin related products rather than make up; as I was chatting with one of the consultants in the corner of my eye I saw a acne related product for only 10 dollars. I seriously couldn't believe my eyes, and much to my relief it is a great product. I used it on an oncoming zit in the car as I left and later that night it had stopped emerging. I have used it on three different spots since Saturday and it has worked! I think the main factor is that it has a good amount of Salicylic Acid in it, so if your skin is very sensitive to that, unfortunately this isn't the product for you.

If you have problem spots weekly like I do, I really think this is something you must try.

See you all next time!

xo Kayson