Product Review: Ulta Dual Action Cleansing System

So, as luck would have it, I've gotten a little older.

When I was a teenager, I had some acne and it turned into cystic acne in my early 20's.  It wasn't HORRIBLE, but it was bad enough...bad enough that I still have scarring 10-15 years later.  So, I used proactive, got it cleared up, and never really paid much attention to my skin after that.  I would wash it, and occasionally moisturize it, then pack on the make up, and then wonder why my pores looked like canyons, especially around my nose.

As time wore on, my pores bothered me more and more.  Now in my mid-30s, I do get the occasional acne, but nothing too serious.  But my pores...UGH...just awful.

I had seen commercials for the Clarisonic Skin cleansing system and got pretty excited, until I saw the price.  Depending on the model you get, you can spend between $100 and $225 or more on these things.  That's a lot of cash for someone who isn't used to caring for their skin...who is also a mother of 4, whose family depends on a single income.  (Now, to be perfectly fair, I haven't tried the Clarisonic line, so maybe it is worth every penny. But...I like my pennies...alot.)

So, I put my late-to-the-skin-care-party dreams on hold, and simply began washing my face a little more and, thanks to my wonderful subscription boxes, have been using Pur-lisse moisturizers for a couple of months.  (LOVE them!!)

Fast forward to last week, and I had run out of foundation, so I hopped on to Ulta.com to order some. (I really like Urban Decay Naked Skin for my foundation...and no one sells it in my small/in-the-middle-of-nowhere town.)  While there, I somehow came across Ulta's Dual Action Cleansing system.  It's along the same lines as the Clarisonic system, but...only $25!!  THAT I can totally do, I thought to myself, so I ordered one.

 Finally, after waiting for a week, it came in.  I gave it a try last night using L'Oreal Revitalift Cream Cleanser (also purchased from Ulta).

L'Oreal Revitalift Cream Cleanser ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

Girls, LET ME TELL YOU....I am in love with both of these products.  Following the directions on the box, I wet my face (I didn't wear any make up yesterday, so that was all I needed to do), applied some of the L'Oreal Revitalift Cleanser and turned on the Ulta Cleansing system.  

Ulta Dual Action Cleansing System ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Using the Ulta Cleansing system, I scrubbed my face for about 90 seconds.  The bristles don't hurt, but it's a little more rough than just using a wash cloth.  (I am also a redhead with very fair skin, thats also a little on the sensitive side, so maybe it felt rougher to me than it would to any of you?) I have to admit, I might have had a little too much fun, and giggled a little to much as I made a beard with all the foam, but...there is also a part of me that will never grow up.

Turned off the system and rinsed it, then rinsed my face.  INSTANTLY, many of the pores on my nose had disappeared.  No kidding!!  Now, there are still some visible pores, especially on the side of my nose that are visible, but they are also the largest ones, and as it was my first time using this product, I wasn't expecting full miracles.  But to see a noticeable difference after the first try was amazing!  

Patted the skin dry and applied my Pur-Lisse Moisturizer, and my skin felt as soft as baby skin.  I wasn't overly dry, but there was no oil slick either. Clean, smooth soft skin. I was so excited by the results, I rushed into the living room and made my husband stare at my nose and look at my pores.  Even he was impressed.

Again, I have not tried any of the other face scrubbing units, so I can't honestly say if it's comparable to other brands.  The Ulta brand is my first one, but it surely knocked it out of the park!  I can't wait to see what my skin looks like in 30 days!

All in all, I give both the Ulta Dual Cleansing System and the L'Oreal Reviatalift Cleanser two enthusiastic thumbs up!

Until next time,

XOXO

Sam

May Birch Box!!!

Birchbox hasn't disappointed me yet!  Let's see what was given to us in May!

This month, I wasn't blown away.  The box wasn't bad, but...well, it wasn't my favorite.  But hey, no one can knock it out of the park every time, right? Let's get to it.

Nexxus Color Assure shampoo, conditioner and primer★★

Let's rip the band-aid off and get to my least favorite part.  I wanted to like this shampoo, I really did. But I didn't.  The primer is something you are supposed to put on your hair before you shower, I believe to protect it from the heat of your shower.  Um, okay?  Did that.  The shampoo - I needed more.  I have a lot of hair, even as it's shorter, and the sample size was smaller than it appears to be.  And the conditioner...ehhhh?  Wasn't impressed.  My hair didn't feel right afterward. I think I will stick with my Redken.

Gilchrist & Soames Body Lotion★★★

This body lotion was okay.  I didn't feel it was any more special than any other lotion.  The scent was so-so.  I will use it, but I won't go out of my way to purchase it.  

Pix! Shea Butter Lip Balm★★★★

Great lip balm!!  Definitely going to use this one all up.  Lips feel soft and silky and with that yummy shea butter smell/taste.  Awesome

32 Effervescent Breath Treatment★★★

One I haven't tried yet...and I can't guarantee that I will.  You are supposed to drop this in to your mouth and let it fizz up, and it is supposed to kill bad breath.  I just can't seem to bring myself to do it.  If I do, I will update this review later.

Whish Shave Cream★★★★

This is a thick, creamy shave cream as it comes out.  I used it sparingly, in a thin, almost invisible layer, and it was still great!  Smelled great, too...and while I can't quite pick out exactly why that's important, because no one but the dogs walk around smelling my legs.  BUT a great smell just makes it better. Right?  Loved this over my whatever-brand-i-grab-at-Walmart usual pick.  Will hunt this down and buy!

And that's it!!  The lip balm and shaving cream saved this box for me...wasn't overly impressed with everything else.  Oh well. BirchBox June should be here in a few days, and I look forward to reviewing that one...ON TIME...

Until next time,

XOXO

Sam

May BeautyBox5!!

Okay, so I know I sort of poo-pahed BeautyBox5 last month, but they really outdid themselves this month!!  Much more impressed this go round!  Read more to find out why!!

Okay, I admit it.  I was pretty quick to be judge of BB5 last month, and this month, they totally redeemed themselves!  They are on the lower end of the boxes, and as the 5 in "BeautyBox5" suggests, the box holds 5 items.  Here's the run down:

Ban Total Refresh Cooling Body Cloths ★★★★

When I first saw these, I have to say, my initial reaction was "Really??  What am I going to do with these??"  I literally live in the desert, and summer was making a late entrance.  Last year, we had hit 100 degrees by March, but this year, we didn't hit 100 degrees until June.  So when these came in, there wasn't much need for them.  But I have to tell you, when you have spent hours in a car in even 90 degree heat, on leather seats, you can start to feel a bit funky.  Then you have to run in somewhere or meet someone.  These babies help you freshen up on the go!!  Love them.  A definite purchase in the future for me!!

Harvy Prince Hello -★★★★★

I have never been much of one to experiment with scent before.  I usually find something I like, occasionally two, and I stick with them.  My husband got my a large bottle of Beauty by Calvin Klein for my birthday last year, and it's pretty much all I wear.  Don't get me wrong, I love CK Beauty, which is why I have stuck with it for so long, but...wearing the same scent everyday can get pretty monotonous.  BB5 sent this gem in May, and I have a new favorite!  Girly, yet woodsy and sexy!  My husband LOVES it, and I feel a little younger yet a little more sophisticated while wearing it, and would LOVE a full size bottle of it!

Cattiva Waterproof Eyeliner ★★★

Admittedly, I haven't tried this eyeliner yet.  Out of the 4 subscription boxes I receive, in the last 2 months, I have gotten 4 or 5 eyeliners, and with it being so hot, I haven't bothered with eyeliner the last few days.  (Eyeliner sweating into your eyeballs is not a pleasant experience.)  So, my review for this one will have to be updated later.

Mask-er Aid Pre Party Prep★★★

Another little item I haven't had a chance to try yet.  To be fair, it's been end of school activities heading straight into a weekend family reunion at the lake, and now we are packing up to take the kids to camp and then visit my in-laws for a day or two.  Another item I will have to update at another time.

Aqualibrium Marine Cleansing Gel ★★★★

This is one that I did try.  And I have to say, not bad  One the plus side, my face was left feeling refreshed and hydrated...not dry like some cleansers can leave your face feeling.  Got the job done without drying out my skin.

And that's it!  Like I said, I was quite pleasantly surprised with BB5 this month, and can't wait to see what comes in the next few days!

Until next time,
XOXO
Sam