Target Haul: Pond's Clarant B3, Nail Polish, Kit Kat

Hi everyone! I'm actually proud of myself that I'm getting to blog more. I have lots to catch up on. I want to do a review on a couple of products that caught my eye while I was shopping at Target. These items were what caught my eye and thought it was interesting to give it a try!

I always like to try sample sized creams or items before I buy the original size and ended up wasting a chunk of money down the drain. Sephora is my favorite shop, but when it comes to drug store products, I guess I just have to be the lab rat! ^_^

I am doing a review on both the Pond's creams that I recently purchased. Pond's Clarant B3 (Dry-Normal Skin) creme is known as an anti-dark spot moisturizer for people who have normal to dry skin. I have a combination skin, which is normal and oily around the T-zone, but lately I've been having dark under-eye bags from lack of sleep.

So this product is known to even the skin tone in 2 weeks and reduce the appearance of dark spots in 4weeks. It has both Vitamin B3 and C complexes that help aid the skin to reduce discoloration and improve elasticity.

"It has also been shown to diminish the appearance of age spots and blotchiness as well as improve skin's texture."

Vitamin B3 - (NIACINIMIDE)
Topical application of Vitamin B3 has been shown to prevent skin from losing water content as well as show improvement in the appearance of wrinkles, skin discolorations, redness, sallowness, and improved elasticity.

Vitamin C Known for its antioxidant properties.

 

I started using the cream for a week and half. The cream is very thick and moisturizing and a little goes a long way! It may be a bit too creamy around my T-zone area so I try to apply a very thin layer on my face and focus on the underbags and corners of the face where the nose and lips crease.

So far it is a good investment and Pond's cremes are good for dry skin people, but for oily combination skin that may be a different case.

My skin does feel a bit smoother than before, but I have to reduce the use of it so my pores do not clog up in the night when I sleep.

Pond's Rejuveness Review:

I've used anti-aging creams before and found them really helpful in restoring elasticity to my face an making it smoother and richer. Many people would say I don't need any anti-aging creams, since I don't have wrinkles yet. But I disagree since our beauty sleep diminishes as age increases and that causes our eyes *the first things* to begin to look tired and have eye bags. O___O something that I definitely want to avoid and take top priority to increase my skin's vitality. 

Pond's rejuveness creme for anti-wrinkle contains AHA, Collagen, and Vitamin E. Though I was a bit disappointed when most anti-wrinkle creams contain Retinol, a Vitamin A that isknown to rejuvenate the skin and boost resilence, and Pond's version does not have it.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids Work primarily as an exfoliant but may also
help to stimulate the production of collagen.

Collagen Responsible for skin strength and elasticity,
and its degradation is what leads to wrinkles.

 

Vitamin E An anti-oxidant that fights free radicals to help with overall skin health; also has skin-soothing properties.

• WHAT IT DOES

• Applied day and night to the face and neck after cleansing, this anti-wrinkle
  moisturizing cream visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in
  two weeks for more beautiful, younger-looking skin.
• 

• HOW IT WORKS

• It fights the appearance of aging with its combination of a lacto-nutrient complex
  including AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) to help with skin's surface cell renewal;
  occlusives to increase skin water content; humectants to attract and hold
  moisture in the skin; and vitamins known to be anti-oxidants that are skin
  conditioning. It also contains collagen, which helps keep skin firm.

 I also got some nail polishes since my lack of calcium, iron, or my bad diet has been causing my nail to chip more than usual. I purchased Sally Hansen Advanced: Hard As Nails that contain Nylon+Retinol as added ingredients.

If you have soft nails that break or peel easily and want hard nails that does not break/peel this is a good investment. The extra strength nylon fortifies nails and help prevent them from chipping, splitting, and peeling. As I know nylon is a synthetic polymer or coating for your nails as I remember from Organic Chemistry. Retinol & copper peptides deliver intense "hydration to dry, thirsty nails. Omega 3 & Soy reduce the apperance of ridges and imperfections."

So we know Retinol is a form of vitamin that helps skin and nails, but when compounded with Omega 3 it does both the benefits to help your nail restore its strength.

So you apply 2-3 coats and when you are done with your french manicure you can apply another layer for stronger and glossy looking nails that resists cracking and breaking. So far so good, my nails haven't chipped nor the nail polish begin to crack after 2 weeks.

Besides beauty products, I just can't resists to get some candy as well. I hit up the Easter Candy aisle and snagged some Kit-Kats. These are my favorite candies. I love the crispy waffers coated with the chocolate. I want to try the matcha (green tea), strawberry, etc. all the japanese flavors. But they are so hard to get them in TN. =(

 I got some Asian pastries and enjoyed my day just relaxing and drinking this new tea I got.
This is so fattening, but yummy. I love the whipped cream in the coconut pastry bun.

 This was amazingly huge...It looked like a big yield sign because it was a massive triangle pinnapple bun.

The Pomegranate Raspberry Tea contains Matcha so I thought to give it a taste since I love the Passion fruit tea from Starbucks, but I can't find it anywhere.

Well see you next time. Thanks for reading =)
yumi

Lush: Ocean Salt Scrub Review + Giveaway

Hey everyone! I'm doing a follow up on the small trial sample of Lush's: Ocean Salt Scrub.

"It's a blend of lime, coconut, and sea salt for a complexion that glows."--

1. Lime: brightens up the skin and washes away impurities with it's acidic/citrus juices.
2. Coconut: Contains lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc. So it heals the skin providing moisture as well.
3. Sea Salt: exfoliates and removes the dead subcutaneous layer of the skin. I find it acting like a natural organic micro-dermal brassion opening up the pores of the skin. So the skin can absorb the nutrients from the sea that keeps our skin in balance, younger, and smoother.
   Interesting facts: Benefits of the Dead Sea Salt

"Why are these types of salts beneficial? Magnesium is important for both combatting stress and fluid retention, slowing skin aging and calming the nervous system. Calcium is effective at preventing water retention, increasing circulation and strengthening bones and nails. Potassium energizes the body, helps to balance skin moisture and is a crucial mineral to replenish following intense exercise. Bromides act to ease muscle stiffness and relax muscles. Sodium is important for the lymphatic fluid balance (this in turn is important for immune system function). So we can see that bathing in high quality sea salt could replenish the minerals which are critical to our skin metabolism."--Benefits of the Dead Sea Salt by Amy K. McNulty, Ph.D.

I like the salt scrub. I guess it would have to take time for it to work. But basically it cleanses away all my dead skin on my face and soothes out my complexion. It smells very organic, like you can smell the coconut and lime in it. I feel like my face whitens up after using this product because of the lime and salt reaction to my face.

I came back home on Wednesday and found a package on my desk for me! Aww...I was very excited to open it and found a little panda bear that was a gift from a friend after visiting a Zoo. It's so cute and thoughtful at the same time! Thanks

  <3 Yumiko

Thanks for stopping by everyone. I would be posting some new creations on my site and a list of things that I would blog on that I have mentioned before!

PS. Lovely Nikki is having a giveaway for her 150 blogger followers. So definitely check her out! She's a sweet gal and her blog is very interesting!

Lush Facial Mask for Friend's Bday

 

My friend's birthday was today. She's finally 21!!! So I decided to give her some facial products for her skin from Lush. They have awesome products in the store, but I wanted to get her something special.

I got her these products: BB Seaweed Mask, Cupcake Mask, Herbalism: Facial Cleanser, and one small Ocean Salt Scrub.

The Cupcake  and the BB Seawead facial masks are made fresh and needs to be refridgerated when not used. I thought these two would benefit her skin problem with acne. I loved the smell of the Cupcake since it was very creamy and frosty like a moose. It claims that it suits oily and teenage skin with the since it has Rhassoul mud that removes impurities and the cocoa butter is known to smooth the skin out providing moisture.

 

I tried the Herbalism cleanser in the store. The lady was very nice and helpful. The texture is like a chalky paste and you have to apply just a little pit on your palm and lather it up with water to create a paste. It makes  my skin very soft and fresh since it uses a lot of plant/natural products. I might purchase this product. =)

BB Seaweed. I chose this product since I know that seaweed extract and sea water are both beneficial to the skin. The smell is very organic and natural since it contains honey and aloe vera, which both moisturzies and provides vitamins and minerals to the face.

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope these products help her out! I'm a big fan of facial masks made out of organic products, but the lady says you can't order them online since they make it so fresh and it has to be refridgerated. I wish we had a Lush store nearby =(.

I also requested a sample trial of the Ocean Salt Scrub when I was shopping there. So I would be doing a review soon on my To-Do list!

Keep you updated and thanks for stopping by

xoxo

yumiko

YSL Instant Pur Line & Giveaway

hey!~ I know I haven't been keeping up with my blog. I've been reading other people's blog or inspiration since I am still new to the blog world. I love the creativeness and originality of the various information that is posted. And I thank you for being my readers and take time to come to my page. I will do the same for you all, because I really thank you and you are very important to me. I also am trying to take time to create some arts/craft projects for fun. So stay tuned, I'll post them up soon. Being a biology major is kind of hard especially when the midterms are coming up. I just took time to do a review on my daily skin care regime. =) I hope it is helpful. Also, I read your comments and they help me out really much as to what I should add, or what more information I should post up. So here's one of my reviews! enjoy! <3 yumiko

This is my favorite foam cleanser, YSL Instant Pur: Mousse Clarte Express: Self-Foaming Cleanser. However they don't have this line anymore by YSL. =(

I used this product for a while, and now that I have run out I think I would purchase another YSL line that does the same function. This is a soap-free liquid that transforms into an exquisite creamy foam. It cleans away makeup, dead cells, and impurities, while stimulating vitailty. I llove the smell of it and the afterward effects of this product. It is made with Himalayan Blue Poppy Water, rich in vitamin, and trace elements that gives my skin radiance. Also it makes my skin firmer. The product also has a very calm fragrant smell to it that makes it one of my favorite.

I only did one full pump here to show how much foam you get. I usually just do half a pump because it really lathers us and it's really creamy and soft.

 

I use only rub around my cheek to show you guys. Usually it covers up my whole face and to thin it out, I usually use warm water.

The after effects is a softer smoother skin complex. You would think that the foam and soap acutally makes your skin drier and oiler, that's not the case with the YSL product. I feel like my skin was moisturized, tighter/firmer, and smoother complexion as if I had put some bare mineral powder on my face compared to my other check that's oiler and not as firm.

I also use their toner as part of my skin regime.  YSL Instant Pur: Energising Beauty Toner. Their toner "promote vitality and the natural radiance of the complexion. Perfects make-up removal and eliminates dead cells that dull the complexion." I love this toner! It smells so good and it's does not leave your skin itch or dry. It actually does what it says, which is to give your skin more natural radiance and firm toward your skin as it removes dead skin. I usually apply this on with a cotton swab after my skin has dried from washing it with the cleansing foam. It reminds me of Dior's cleansing water.

 My blogger gal, Beyond Me is having her 1st give away, so go check her out! Give her some support! She's a really cool girl and she just got 50+ followers.  Hopefully, I'll get to that number soon with your support. ^_^