Curiously Carmen

Beauty: Mario Badescu Drying Lotion

For Secret Santa this past Christmas, I was gifted the Mario Badescu drying lotion. I have heard many great things about the drying lotion when combating breakouts, so I wanted to try it for myself.

Here’s what I thought of it!

What it says (Taken from website):
This is the original, award-winning spot treatment for pimples. Renowned for its ability to help dry up whiteheads overnight, our iconic Drying Lotion continues to reign as a best-selling favorite amongst beauty editors, celebrities, and professionals worldwide. This fast-acting, effective spot treatment is specially formulated with Salicylic Acid, Sulfur, and Zinc Oxide to help draw impurities from the skin and target pesky pimples while you sleep.

Application: The application process was unique compared to most other beauty products because you are not supposed to shake the bottle. As you can see from the picture below, you are supposed to leave the glass bottle on a flat surface to let it settle. To apply, you use a q-tip and dip it into the pink solution to apply on your pimple.

One thing that turned me off was the scent. The scent is not pleasant, it has a medicated prescription cream smell that I did not like. I would attribute the bad scent to calamine (used to soothe skin when you have chicken pox) and sulphur.

I was feeling a pimple coming in on my chin, one of those bad pimples that hurt as well. It was the perfect time to test it out and prevent it from forming so I applied the drying lotion before I slept. In the morning, the pain around the pimple had decreased and I felt it shrinking. However, it was not enough so I used it the next night too.

Do not shake the bottle – Let the product separate and dip a Q-tip into the pink solution on the bottom.

The pimple did not surface and the pain is gone! So if it is a big pimple, it would probably take 2-3 nights to successfully kill it. If it’s a small one, 1 night would be enough.

The products are simple and I can see why this product works so well – all of these ingredients are known pimple killers! Combine them all into one, and BAM – they don’t stand a chance!

For the past two years, I have been using my trusty Amie Deep Cleaning mask which works amazingly (I find it too harsh to use as a full face mask but works wonders as a spot treatment). Moving forward, I plan to switch between both!

Yay!

Beauty: Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow

By now, you probably know how much I love glitter! I first came across the Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow at the Stila preview event, and I knew I had to try it out. Then for Christmas, I was gifted another one making it a grand total of 3 to my collection!

What it says (taken from Stila):

Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow is a long-wearing, sparkle eyeshadow with the perfect blend of pearl and glitter to leave your eyes with incredible luster and shimmer. With its uniquely lightweight, water-infused texture, it glides on effortlessly, then dries down smoothly, locking in maximum sparkle with minimal fallout for elevated eye looks. 

Application: The glitter is intensely pigmented and has very beautiful shimmer. I use the application brush and gently press over my entire eye lid for more sparkle, rather than one swipe. It applies a bit wet, so I look down for a few seconds to let it dry properly and prevent creasing.

Afterwards, I apply my liquid eyeliner on top. I find that the eyeliner applies best one minute after. When it dries completely, it is harder for the eyeliner to stay on and clumps a bit.

Also, no fall out at all which is amazing! Fall out is probably one of the most common cons about glitter eye shadow.

Wear: The glitter holds up really well and is comfortable to wear. Despite it looking thick, it is lightweight and I don’t feel it at all when I’m blinking, etc.

I really love this product and it is great for fancy occasions. You get the beauty of a luminous glitter without the fall out.

Yay!

Beauty: Top Beauty Products of 2017

Last year, I did a post of the top products I discovered in 2016. I thought it would be fun to share the top products from 2017 this year! As well, I love looking back and reading old posts so I can remember what I loved.

Anastasia Ultimate Glow Kit: I started off the year with the glow kit, and I still really love it although I don’t use it often. The glimmer and golds are so pretty!

Korres Wild Rose Primer/Moisturizer: The smell of this is amazing and always helps to make early mornings and long days a tad better. Not to mention that it moisturizes really well!

Pixi Endlessly Silky Eye Pen: Smudge proof, transfer proof, long lasting, rich pigment… all for under $15!!! I’m quite picky with eyeliners, but this Pixi eyeliner has won be over and left me very impressed.

Hard Candy Metal Eyes palette: For under $10, this kit is truly a bang for your buck. With the setting spray liquid, the colour payoff is rich and intense. It also includes a bonus brush and eyeliner!

The only negative thing as mentioned in the review is that it doesn’t last long by itself, which can easily be solved with primer or setting spray. I still would recommend this palette though!

Pixi Glow Tonic: A cult favourite, I finally started to use it and I noticed really great results. My pores tightened and I have had less breakouts! Definitely can see why this product is so popular – it’s worth the hype.

Mizon Snail Cream: Last but not least, my beloved snail cream! I haven’t gone a day without using it this winter. It makes my dry winter skin feel so much more comfortable. The cream instantly hydrates and absorbs quickly which gives me happy and bright skin. Using this and the Pixi Glow Tonic, I have noticed a great difference in my skin this winter.

Next month will mark my four year blogiversary. I still remember the day I wrote my first post reviewing a restaurant, and haven’t looked back since. Thank you for supporting this lil blog of mine!!! And Happy New Year!!!

 

Beauty: Pixi Glow Tonic

Merry late Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a great time celebrating. I received some beauty presents, so stay tuned for reviews on those!!!

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It’s about time I join the Pixi Glow Tonic craze! I first heard about the Pixi Glow Tonic earlier in the year but I started to regularly incorporate it into my skin routine in October. After two months of use, I think a review is needed!

What it says (Taken from website)

Exfoliating facial glow tonic™. It helps tone, firm and tighten the skin. It removes dead skin cells for healthier looking skin. For all skin types. Alcohol free.

Application: I use a bit every morning and night, before my lotion. I focus especially on my nose and cheeks area, as that is where my pores are the biggest. But I will also use it around my entire face and neck.

Over the past two months, I have noticed a difference in my skin which I think the Glow Tonic definitely plays a part in. In particular, my pores have shrunk and gotten tighter. I have had less breakouts too.

The only negative thing I would say about this is that it can be quite drying. That’s why I always follow up with a moisturizer, or else my skin would feel very tight. My Mizon snail cream is a great follow up because it absorbs quickly and leaves my skin feeling plump and hydrated!

Yay!

Press product featured. Opinions are own.

 

Beauty: Mizon Snail Repair Cream

Snail cream may sound weird to you, but it shouldn’t! In recent years, many beauty companies have switched to natural ingredients in their products. So why should we stick our noses up at the thought of snail cream when consumers are increasingly wanting to purchase natural, non-chemical products?!

I get that it may sound gross because of the term ‘mucous’ is associated with nasty stuff, but Koreans have been using snail cream for many years with good results. I mean, honey is also bee spit, or bee vomit yet no one bats an eye at it!
Anyways, I decided to purchase my first snail cream product from Amazon last month after hearing great things about it from Maki. I chose the Mizon one because it had really good reviews.

What it says (taken from Amazon):

  • With 92 percent snail mucus extract, it provides outstanding skin regeneration and recovery, solves multiple skin concerns and trouble all-in-one
  • Anti-aging, fine wrinkle, blemish, acne scar, and pore care that creates elastic, bouncy, bright, and healthy skin
  • Contains snail mucus filtrate, adenosine, peptides, and vitamin 5 certified for anti-aging effect
  • Free from fragrance, artificial color, and parabens, ideal for sensitive skin types-step 1 in the snail repair line

Application: The snail repair cream has a gel consistency. It has a nice cooling effect. The product absorbed instantly into my skin and left it feeling very plump and hydrated. During the winter, my skin gets dry and has a tight feeling, but I was able to prevent that with this cream and other products in my night time skin routine.

Results: Since I used this in conjunction with other products, it’s hard to say whether or not this solely improved my skin. However, I noticed that my pores have gotten smaller and my skin isn’t dry as it normally is in the winter time.

I brought this along to Mexico, where it was hot and a bit humid. Since my skin type is normally oily, the snail repair cream was a bit too much in that sort of weather. The boyfriend got a sunburn because he didn’t listen to me, so I put this on his skin which gave it a cooling sensation like aloe would. Snail cream is known to provide really fast skin regeneration so it helped speed up the healing process.

Overall, I really like the Mizon snail cream! It is richly moisturizing yet light weight. I’m glad that I tried it and would love to try other snail products.

-Richly moisturizing
-Light weight
-Quick absorbing

-Can’t really think of any…!!!
Yay!