Biore Free Your Pores Charcoal Pore Minimizer Cleanser/Exfoliator -- review, pics, swatches

Hello, Beautiful!

Even though I've been sticking with the Dr. Dennis Gross skincare routine to keep my acne under control, I can't help but try other skincare products from time to time... after all, I am a beauty blogger and my curiosity far exceeds my ability to self control. I especially love anything that seems unique and/or seems like an easy add-in to my current routine.

I don't currently use an exfoliator in my routine (I have peels and masks, but not an actual exfoliating cleanser), so when I received the Biore Free Your Pores Charcoal Pore Minimizer in the mail, I knew it would be an easy add-in.

Biore Free Your Pores Charcoal Pore Minimizer Info & Review

Cost: $5.99 to $9.99 depending where you shop (3.11 oz full size)
Availability: Available at Target, Ulta, and everywhere Biore is sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses

PRODUCT DETAILS & CLAIMS...

Infused with natural charcoal and micro-crystals, this innovative polisher cleans pores by drawing out oil and washing dirty away. Activated with water to gently exfoliate. Skin is left smooth and pores are left clean.

Use 2 to 3 times a week.

Biore Free Your Pores
Charcoal Pore Minimizer

 

It's dispensing "pump" (not sure what else to call it) reminds me of a toothpaste dispenser... you remember them, right? Am I crazy for thinking that? Do you see it too?

When you press down the little cover lifts up and the product comes out.

It's black in color and has little micro-crystals to gently exfoliate skin.

FINAL THOUGHTS...

This product is intended to be used 2 to 3 times per week. Seeing as how I can get lazy on skincare, I was aiming for twice a week. I'll be honest, one week I used it once and the following week I forget all together (see what I mean about how I can get lazy with a skincare routine?!).

I did test this out over almost two months prior to writing this review. I didn't notice any skin reactions to using this product, which was a good thing.

The exfoliation was gentle, but it wasn't so gentle that it was weak. It definitely made my skin feel softer and I do think it cleaned out my pores nicely.

I personally found this helpful to use after wearing a lot of heavy makeup... it made my face feel cleaner and like every ounce of makeup was gone (I cleansed prior to using this).

I don't know if the micro-crystals are best for the skin... there's been a lot of talk about certain things being used that could actually do more damage than good. Damage we can't see at eye level, but damage that can be seen under special microscopes. So on that topic, I really can't comment. I can just comment and say that I didn't have any reactions using this.

I think this is a nice drugstore exfoliator... it's a great add-in to any skincare routine, since it's not a daily use product.

I would recommend this to those that have more congested skin.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this product? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. However, these products were sent to me for consideration. I am not being paid to make this post, nor has the company influenced me in any way. I have made this post because I wanted to, not because I had to. These are my honest opinions, thoughts and experiences.

TATCHA The Ritual Discovery Kit for Normal Skin: swatches, reviews!

Hello, Beautiful!

If there is one word I could think of to describe the skincare brand TATCHA, it would have to be glow. I feel like my skin always has a healthy glow whenever I use TATCHA products. I've been a fan of TATCHA for over 2 years now. I published my first review back in August of 2012 of their POLISHED Deep Rice Enzyme Powder - which I actually still have some of, and still love!

They now offer a discovery kit for $59 - which is available in four skin types: Normal, Oily, Sensitive, Dry. I chose the kit for combo skin -- which turned out to be for Normal Skin (so ignore that the photos say Combo Skin... when I told the TATCHA people combo, they sent me this one; they don't have a combo skin option).

The discovery kit is a perfect way to try the TATCHA brand. You may be thinking that $59 is a lot for a 2-week discovery kit, but if you add up the value of each individual item it comes out to about $97.12! Plus, I did get more than 2 weeks of use out of this kit (in fact, I'm still using some of the products - I'll explain in my reviews).

Check out my review for each product and all the product info after the pics!

TATCHA - The Ritual 
Discovery Kit: Normal Skin
(choose this if you are combo skin)
Includes: deluxe sample sizes (enough for a  2 week + supply) of PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil, POLISHED Classic Rice Enzyme Powder (14 single use packets), RADIANT Deep Brightening Serum, and SUPPLE Moisture Rich Silk Cream
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual product.

This kit comes really cutely packaged! Would make a great gift - to someone special or to yourself!

TATCHA - PURE
One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

 

 TATCHA - POLISHED
Classic Rice Enzyme Powder

TATCHA - RADIANT
Deep Brightening Serum

 

TATCHA - SUPPLE

Moisture Rich Silk Cream

TATCHA The Ritual Discovery Kit Info & Review:

Cost/Availability: $59.00 (for the discovery kit). Available on the TATCHA website.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

Product Info...

A two-week introduction to your essential four-step ritual. The Cleansing Oil removes makeup and melts away the day, while the Enzyme Powder exfoliates to reveal polished skin. The Brightening Serum evens out complexion. Nourish Skin with the anti-aging moisturizer tailored to your skin type.

The Ritual Discover Kit is available in four skin types:

• Normal (also choose this if you are combo and not too dry or too oily)
• Oily
• Sensitive
• Dry

Each Ritual Discovery Kit includes:

• 25ml PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil
• (14) 1g packets of POLISHED Rice Enyme Powder (you will receive "Classic" if you selected Normal skin, "Deep" if you selected Oily skin, "Gentle" if you selected Sensitive or Dry skin)
• 10ml RADIANT Deep Brightening Serum
• 10ml SUPPLE Moisture Rich Silk Cream

Value Breakdown:

• PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil - Full Size is 150ml/5.1 fl oz @ $48 -- deluxe size is worth $8
• POLISHED Rice Enzyme Powder - Full Size is 60g/2.1 oz @ $65 - all sample packets together are worth $15.12
• RADIANT Deep Brightening Serum - Full Size is 50ml/1.7 oz @ $185 - deluxe size is worth $37
• SUPPLE Moisture Rich Silk Cream - Full Size is 50ml/1.7 oz @ $185 - deluxe size is worth $37

My Review...

I love TATCHA! It is one of my favorite skincare lines, and although it can be pricey, it's worth every penny! Yes TATCHA did send me this discovery kit to test drive, but that in no way effects my opinion, especially when I have been a long time fan of their products.

If you're new to TATCHA or maybe just haven't tried more than one of their products, then their Ritual Discovery Kit is a great way for you to get started on an amazing skincare regime. It is $59 for a 2-week kick start, but I found I got way more use out of mine than 2 weeks - but then again I did slack on using this routine twice daily just due to my crazy schedule.

First, let's start with the PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil. This stuff is great! Doesn't contain mineral oil and no double cleansing required! It melts away all your makeup, even waterproof makeup, leaving skin fresh and pure. Great for all skin types.

I love it because it's such an easy, quick and effective product. You apply it onto dry fingers and onto a dry face, massaging it all over your face. Be warned it will feel like a greasy oil slick all over your face - so if you're not used to cleansing oils that may freak you out a bit. But don't worry - after you've massaged it into your dry skin you'll add water and it will lightly froth up a bit, turning into a gentle cleanser that takes away all your makeup, dirt and excess oils - leaving your skin soft and clean. You don't need to follow up with a cleanser or any other double cleanse; it just won't be necessary. You certainly could, but you'd just be wasting product.

I have tried several cleansing oils, and this one from TATCHA ranks up there as one of my favorites. I still have product left in this bottle - so this lasted me far longer than the 2-weeks of use. I find I use this once a day on average. I love it to remove my makeup, but if I don't have any makeup on I usually use another facial cleanser just so I can make this product stretch even further. Once I'm out I definitely want to purchase the full size - which is $48, I have fallen in love with it as my makeup remover cleanser!! Just very, very effective!


Next, let's talk about the  POLISHED Rice Enzyme Powder.

I did a review on this powder over 2 years ago; at the time I had the one for oily skin but my skin is more combo now so I have the one for normal skin in this post. I do love this product!  It's a just-add-water type of powder exfoliator. You don't feel anything harsh on your skin, yet it magically works to remove dead skin and leave you soft and smooth.

The single use packets that come in this discovery kit make it really simple to use, especially if you are traveling. I travel from time to time for my job, and these were especially handy in the more recent months to just throw in my bag and go. For those that don't know, aside from being a beauty blogger I also work for a hard cider company and I'm often working outdoor events - which leaves my face feeling really icky and gross at the end of the day. After I use the PURE One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil I'll just use one of the little packets and they make my skin feel amazing - almost like the entire hot, sweaty day of melting makeup never happened!

I personally couldn't feel a difference between the one for oily skin and the one for normal skin, but I'm sure it's all in the ingredients and how it benefits your face. I don't have any more of the packets left but I certainly loved them while I had them!


Now let's talk about the RADIANT Brightening Serum. This is brightening serum of time-tested Asian botanicals +HADASEI-S Bioactive Complex for radiant looking skin. Hydrates while making the skin appear more luminous. For all skin types. Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing.

This serum sinks into skin quickly and gives you that signature TATCHA glow! It has a noticeable effect, and my skin just seems to love this serum; no negative effects at all! I'll be honest and say that I'm a slacker when it comes to keeping up with skincare, especially serums - since I mostly use them at night, so I actually still have some of this serum left. But I love to use it. It really does give you a glow.


And finally, the SUPPPLE Moisture Rich Silk Cream! Luminous yet weightless feeling gel-cream of liquid silk, squalane, royal jelly and HADASEI-3 Bioactive Complex. A long lasting anti-aging moisturizer without heavy oils. Ideal for oily and normal/combination skin. Non-irritating. Non-sensitizing.

This moisturizer is so lightweight yet packs some heavy duty moisturization! I love the texture - very silky smooth, gel-cream. Sinks right into my skin and leaves it perfectly hydrated all day!

I did find that one super hot days when I had to work outside and wanted my makeup to last the an extreme length of time, this moisturizer was a bit too heavy to wear - but normal day to day was just fine, and I especially love to use it at night! I don't have anymore of the moisturizer because I did use it up completely, but it was great while it lasted. I don't have any plans to purchase the full size at the moment, only because I have several other moisturizers I'm trying to work through, but it's one that I'd consider re-purchasing in the future -- although it does have a steep $150 price tag, so that is something to consider as well.



Overall, I think this discovery kit is a great value and an amazing way to try the TATCHA line of products. You just may find some favorites just from this 2-week kit! I know I found a new favorite cleansing oil!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this skincare discovery kit from TATCHA? Have you tried this or is this on your beauty wish list? Have you tried any of the individual products within this kit? Discuss in the comments below.

Ipsy Bag - April 2014! Pics, Swatches, Mini Reviews & Value Breakdown

Hello, Beautiful!

This is my April 2014 Ipsy bag! Check out below to see what I received, a little about each product and my thoughts, as well as a break-down of the value of this month's bag!

Ipsy is just $10 a month! Each month you'll receive 4 to 6 deluxe or even full-sized products. If you want to sign-up for your own Ipsy bag, CLICK HERE (it's my referral link - you don't have to use my referral link; it only gives me points that I can save up to redeem for prizes in the future).

April 2014 Ipsy Bag

Shipment Quick Stats:

• Value of this month's Ipsy Bag: $52.78 (value is approximate & does not include value of actual bag)
• Total # of Items Received: 5
• # of FULL SIZED items: 2
• # of makeup items: 3
• # of nail items: 0
• # of hair care items: 1
• # of skin care items: 1
• # of body care items: 0
• # of fragrance items: 0

Now I'll talk about each product...

Cailyn Cosmetics - Tinted Lip Balm
Shade: Apple Pink

• MY THOUGHTS: I've tried Cailyn Cosmetics in the past and have enjoyed their products, and I've seen their Tinted Lip Balm popping up in other Ipsy bags over the past few months (maybe even seen them in Birchbox) so I thought it was only a matter of time before it showed up in one of mine. I definitely love lip balms, especially tinted lip balms, but I'll be honest and say I hate the packaging on this. Sure, you could remove the brush that's in the top but it's still a bulky lip balm to throw in your purse or to store in my makeup drawers. Well maybe bulky isn't the right word -- more like odd shaped. The shade I received, Apple Pink, looked like it would be a great nudey pink shade - but on my lips it just looked terrible. It looked very dry and matte, nothing that I look for in a lip balm. I wouldn't even call this tinted - this is a very pigmented lip balm and I'd even call it a lipstick. I also didn't find it to be all that moisturizing. Maybe this shade is bad or maybe I got a bad one, but I wasn't a fan of the formula or shade on me. It's not a product I would go out and buy more shades of, nor would I recommend.
• FULL SIZE: 0.14 oz @ $19.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: Full Size
• VALUE: $19.00

City Color - Shadow & Highlight Mousse
Shade: White Gold

• MY THOUGHTS: I wanted to love this, because City Color Cosmetics are affordable and this shade - which looks more gold than white - is pretty. However, the formula wasn't great. Although it does feels creamy, once you try to use it it doesn't blend out well and applies a bit uneven/patchy. It almost becomes a bit stiff. Once it sets, however, it is hard to remove so that is a plus. It's something you could definitely work with but I don't know how much it would be worth the hassle. I also feel like this is going to dry out really quickly, so I'm going to keep the inner lid/stopper to help prolong its life.
• FULL SIZE: 0.092 oz/2.6 g @ $2.99
• SIZE I RECEIVED: Full Size
• VALUE: $2.99

Urban Decay - 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil
Shade: Black Velvet

 

• MY THOUGHTS: I love Urban Decay's original 24/7 Glide-On Pencils, but I have yet to try one of their "velvet" versions - which I believe only come in this one Black Velvet shade (at least at this time). Even though this is not a full sized pencil, it practically is and I'll get a lot of use from it. It certainly isn't the most intense black - instead it's more of a smoky, sultry black shade. I like it a lot!
• FULL SIZE: 0.04 oz @ $20.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.03 oz/0.8 g
• VALUE: $15.04

Dr. Brandt - Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant

• MY THOUGHTS: I actually already received this same sample (same size) in a different subscription service in the past. I can't remember if I ever got around to using it, but I know I will use this. I love exfoliators, and Dr. Brandt is a good brand for my skin.
• FULL SIZE: 2 oz @ $78.00
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 0.25 oz/7.5 g
• VALUE: $9.75

Big Sexy Hair - Root Pump Volumizing Spray Mousse

• MY THOUGHTS: I already own this product (same size too) and I enjoy it. I don't use it often because it can sometimes make my hair feel sticky, yet the Big Sexy Hair line is one of the only lines that actually works to volumize my hair. This will get used, as soon as I'm out of my other one.
• FULL SIZE: 1.6 oz @ $6.00 --- this isn't a "full size" but you can buy this size at Ulta
• SIZE I RECEIVED: 1.6 oz/50 ml
• VALUE: $6.00

The actual bag everything comes in...
my thoughts:

• This month's bag was a purple/navy blue with a gray design on it, saying "Beauty Rocks!" and Ipsy. A take on a record player... the bag is even more square, as if the bag is the record player. I think it's a just an okay bag; I like it better than last month's bag but it's certainly not my favorite bag to date. 

My Thoughts On Entire Bag...

• FULL SIZE/DELUXE SIZE: This bag contained 2 full sized items and three deluxe sized items.
• VALUE: The value was approximately $52.78
• USAGE: The item I'll use the most is probably the Urban Decay eyeliner. I can always use a black eyeliner and I like that it's a bit more sultry look on the eyes; it's also a great size sample (as it is almost full size). I'll also use the Big Sexy Hair Root Pump as soon as I'm finished with my other can that I currently have. The Dr. Bradnt Microdermabrasion will be used for sure, as I always can use an exfoliator. I highly doubt I'll use the Cailyn Tinted Lip Balm; the packaging isn't my favorite but I could get over that if I had liked the formula or the color but I unfortantely did not. The City Color White Gold mousse isn't something I will likely use, as I have other products (similar in color too) that are easier to use. But I do think it's pretty and I wish it had worked out a bit better for me.
• FINAL THOUGHTS: I don't think I will ever be able to complain about an Ipsy bag because they always give you a really great value for just $10 a month, and you almost always get at least one full sized product - usually more (there were 2, almost 3, full sized products in this months bag for me). Although this hasn't been my favorite Ipsy bag, I still got three products I will absolutely get great use out of!

Let me know what you think...

What are your thoughts on this month's Ipsy bag? Did you receive an Ipsy bag this month? If so, what did you get in your bag? Discuss in the comments below.