Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion

Purchase: Aprox $35 @ Sephora

I received this as a sample so I honestly can't give an 'educated' review but I'll tell you what I know.  My skin did not break out from using this in the evening and the next morning. I used it as a moisturizer and it absorbed nicely in to my skin; I would definitely try it again. However, I'm not sure if I would pay full price for this as I didn't see any miracles happen! 

Vichy Normaderm Triple Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion

So I took the 7-Day Challenge with Vichy's Triple Action Anti-Acne Hydrating Lotion and I was not impressed. The first thing I noticed about this product, is that it gobbs up as soon as I try to put on my face primer. Also, it made it difficult to apply my foundation smoothly as it sits on top of the skin and doesn't completely absorb.
I didn't notice any difference in my skin either. It didn't help clear up any of my existing acne and I blemishes still appeared while and after using his product.nTherefore, I have nothing really positive to say. I still prefer their mattifying moisturizer to any other though!

Clinique Acne Solutions clearing moisturizer (oil-free)

Purchase: $21.50 @ Sephora

So, I would love to tell you all about this product but I tried it twice and I had a terrible allergic reaction to it! The first time I put it on I felt like I had a few bumps on my chin (irritation), so, I decided to try it again but at night time so that I could tell in the morning. Bad idea! When I woke up in the morning my face was all red and puffy! Especially the side that had the most air; it had a scratchy red rash all over it and was a lot more puffed up then the other side. I was so disappointed as I was really hoping this stuff would work for me. So be warned! Make sure you try a sample of something before you purchase it!

Also, I wanted to say sorry to everyone for not posting more often. I am currently completing my 5 week practicum and have three weeks left then should have some more time! <3

La Roche-Posay Effaclar K Review

Purchase: $30 @ London Drugs
Acne Fighting Power: 9 out of 10
Consistency: 10 out of 10

I love this stuff! It is fantastic! The liquid goes on smoothly and absorbs quickly in to the skin. I usually use a Retinoid treatment at night called Defferin but I tried this for almost two months to see if it had the same effects and it did! I stopped using it and went back to Defferin and I had my first blemish in 2 months! What a shame. I definitely recommend this as a nigh time treatment, especially if you use it about a week before that special time of the month when your acne might pop up again. Give it a try and ask your local LD cosmetician for a sample!

Don't say I didn't warn yah!

CAUTION: ATTENTION ALL READERS WHO USE ACNE CARE PRODUCTS:

Every wonder why some of your towels have bleach spots on them? Or why some of your clothes do as well? Well if you didn't know already, Benzoyl Peroxide is the problem. Just like the name, the Peroxide in the creme is what bleaches your clothes so make sure you have a special face drying towel that you don't mind getting bleached. I often use my white towels or the ones I have already stained. You may also notice stains on your pillow case because of this, so again, I would suggest using a white pillow case when you put the creme on at night. Benzoyl Peroxide is still one of my favourite topical cremes for acne spots as it usually takes only about three days to get rid of the blemish. Also, make sure to wash your hands directly after application as not to accidentally white your hands on your clothing and stain them. 

I hope this was a helpful tip for you all! 

The sun is shining where I am and I can't wait to get a bunch of things done today and start on my new diet! I plan on losing 10-20 pounds with this book:

I'll be sure to try to keep you all updated on my progress! Also, if you are interested in any other tips about losing weight, one of my favourite blogstresses Marlena at Makeup Geek has posted her story!

The best budget product ever....

Introducing my favourite product:


St.Ives Medicated Apricot Scrub

Medicated Ingredients: 2% Salicylic Acid

I love this stuff! I use it all over my body for acne, exfoliation and it even helps stop ingrown hairs! It's amazing! It is made for the face but feel free to use it everywhere in the shower. This stuff usually goes on for $3.99 @ London Drugs (and you can prob find it for even cheaper) so I say this is a MUST have product!

"Bunk" Acne products...

I am usually a big fan of the Neutrogena line but the following two products completely irritated my skin:


Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser

This cleanser made my forehead break out in to tiny little pimple-like bumps (they were not red though) and it took about a week for them to go away. I tried this stuff again a few years later and the exact same thing happened. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, I would steer clear of this stuff! YUCK!


Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Eliminating Gel

Now the packaging is different from when I tried it out about 2 years ago so I'm not sure if it is the same formula but this stuff sucked! It burned my skin AND the blemish did not go away. I have had way better/faster results with the Spectro Acne Gel Benzoyl Paroxide 5% or the Clean and Clear Benzoyl Paroxide. So if anyone has tried this and likes it please comment below and let me know how it went for you! But so far- No thanx!

I hope this helps some of you save on some cash!!

Blotting Powder....

Oily skin! YUCK! The following are two of my favorite blotting products:


M.A.C. Blot powder in medium

Purchase: maccosmetics.ca for $27
Mattifying effect: 8.5 out of 10
Pigmentation: 5 out of 10
Its claims: A unique pressed powder designed primarily to provide shine control without adding any noticeable colour or texture. Sets foundation, finishes faces. For use in professional situations and for frequent touch-ups.
Active Ingredients: Blot Powder contains Mica and Silica to adsorb excess oils and reduce shine on the skin's surface.

I love this powder because it is a pressed powder that I can carry around with me in my purse. It soaks up oil and doesn't over dry my skin. It is also a translucent powder so choosing a colour that matches your skin tone is not an issue.

Blotting sheets from London Drugs

I love these sheets. They are around $5 for 100 sheets and they don't add any product to your face. Instead, they just blot off the oil like the clean & clear blotting sheets which are around $8-10. I would definitely suggest this for everyone who carries a purse! You can find them in the cosmetics department at any London Drugs store!

Avene.... not so awesome products for the price

A little while back I dabbled in the Eau Thermale Avene product line and was not very satisfied with the results.


Cleanance K 40mL

Purchase: $28 at London Drugs
Claims: Skin care to help eliminate spots blackheads and blemishes
Active Ingredients: AHA + BHA
Moisturizing Effect: 7 out of 10
Skin Clearing Effect: 5 out of 10

I honestly didn't notice much of a difference in my skin when using this product. I also found the product went on very slick and I felt like I had sunscreen on my face. I also didn't love the smell of the product. This product is also pretty expensive so I do not think the results are worth the money at all.

Avene Clenance Emulsion 40mL
Oil-Free

Purchase: London Drugs
Claims: Anti-shine regulating lotion for oily, blemish-prone sensitive skin
Moisturizing effect: 7 out of 10
Mattifying effect: 4 out of 10

This product sounded like the perfect thing for my skin! However, I was sadly dissapointed. It did not leave my skin looking mattified at all and went on very thick as if it were a heavy creme. I also believe the product was around $30 and does not, even slightly, compare to Vichy's matifying moisturizer. I would not buy this product again.

My Favorite Acne Solution!

So as you all know acne has been a big problem of mine in my adult years. I have tried a lot of products so I thought I'd share some of my findings with you! So here we go:


Spectro Deep Pore Vanishing Lotion 25mL

Purchase Price: $6.99 at London Drugs
Active Ingredient: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%- 5%
Effectiveness: 9 out of 10

I have been using this stuff for years! You can also purchase Clearasil BP Plus which is the exact same product, so choose whatever is cheapest at the time of purchase. The active ingredient in this is Benzoyl Peroxide, the higher the percentage the 'harsher' it is. I usually use 5% except that sometimes it dries out the surrounding skin too much, and therefore I would suggest 2.5% for sensitive skin types. This stuff takes 1-3 days to work but after that the zit is magically gone! Poof! AMAZING! I usually put it on before bed but you can put it on both morning and night.