First of all-- lash update!
Here are my lashes after 2 days of wear:
I was overall very impressed with these! For not being a "professional" application, they really had some staying power! I kept these on for a total In the mornings I would have to apply around 5 more to fill gaps, and it really wasn't that hard or time consuming-- just took the place of mascara application, haha!
I know you must be wondering about removal, hmm? Well it really wasn't so bad, just took a little bit of time. You basically use a Q-tip to put the removal lotion on the base of the lashes to loosen/dissolve the glue and then gently wipe down with a wet washcloth. Didn't pull out any lashes (to my knowledge) and was relatively painless, just some irritation from the removal stuff if you put too much on and it goes in your eye. Duh. The ONLY downside is that now my lashes seem SUPER wimpy, *cry!*. I miss them already..
To cure my heartache? A trip to my local Sephora! Still not hiring, boo.. But I procured some samples of products to rid my nose of those pesky blackheads. Gross, I know. But I bet most of you have them, too. ;)
Here's what I got:
Murad Clarifying Toner~ to keep pores clean and clear
Boscia Luminizing Black Mask~ peel off mask, kind of like a Biore Strip
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner~ blackhead and oil extractor
To make sure I don't have any confounds in this blackhead experiment, I'm going to try each one for a few days on it's own. First up is the Boscia mask~ I am incredibly excited to try this one!! First of all, pores just fascinate me, Secondly, the woman at Sephora was so excited to talk about it, saying that it "really leaves your face just sooo luminous." Whoo! The reviews look great, too, and whoever wrote the description on Sephora.com genuinely deserves an award of some sort. I'm interested.
I shall share what it claims:
"This jet-black, mineral-rich mask creates a unique peel-off effect that delivers powerful detoxifying, purifying, and brightening results. Made with a premier-quality clay, its deep-cleansing properties draw out dirt and oil. Other natural ingredients go to work exfoliating skin and refining pores. Powerful antioxidants shrink pores, firm skin, and reduce inflammation. Once dried, the mask strips away dead skin, impurities and excess oil to reveal immediate and visible results."
Cleanse your face first, and then apply a semi-thick, even layer to the face, avoiding the eye area. I used this on my nose since I only have a sample, and am really just concerned with my t-zone.
Here is a picture of my pores before... Up close and personal... don't judge. ;)
With mask on:
*Listen: Do NOT apply it too close to your eyes. The minerals are fragrant and can be irritating. My eyes watered for a few minutes after application. Just be warned!
On the first application I did not see anything on the mask... I tried a second time with a thicker layer and didn't really see anything on the mask, again. Hmm..
Mask after it is peeled off:
Nose after:
I don't want to say an opinion just yet, because I want to give it a few more days to see some results.
Any tips on getting rid of blackheads? At this point mine are mostly clogged pores, not anything "pop-able" (though you SHOULDN'T pop!). I'm really hoping the vacuum cleaner will come through for me. Otherwise it's on to a Clarisonic-esque contraption! What do you use?? Please share! =)
Until next time--
~Beauty Maven
