Everyday Staple: Origins Clear Improvement Charcoal Mask

A few weeks ago, I got a lot of mask samples on a shopping trip. I was hoping to pick just one, but I've realized there are too many categories of masks to stick to just one kind! (Eeek! This could be painful for my wallet!) In any event, I had heard so much about this mask and found it useful enough to go and purchase it before I even used up my sample. But hey, I was at Sephora making an exchange anyway... (That is the start of all bad spending habits, right??)

I purchased the full size, which is $23 for 3.4 oz. Sephora and other retailers also carry a 1,7 oz travel size for $16, which I should have probably purchased, but my Sephora was out of stock. In the realm of masks that are currently taunting me (hi Koh Gen Doh and Chantecaille!), this one is quite inexpensive in comparison.

This mask is definitely what I expected of a clay mask - it hardens quickly, and does clear out my pores quite well. What I was really surprised to find was that it improved the look of one of my not so cute pimples after I removed the mask! Look at the gray clay-iness of it! (Yes, I just said clay-iness, lol!)

So, once I discovered this, I proceeded to use this as an overnight spot treatment on some recent breakouts. I don't know what it was - perhaps a combination of hormones and bad face washing habits - but I broke out more in mid January than I have in the last few months combined. Ew.

In any event, I am going to keep using this as a spot treatment. For those painful breakouts, this really minimizes their size, and small little bumps nearly disappear with one use. Of course, everyone's skin is different, and perhaps even every breakout reacts differently to products, but I'd say this is definitely worth a try, both as a mask and spot treatment!

I do need to mention that this is a drying mask, at least in comparison to other masks I've tried recently. For me, it is nothing a good moisturizer or hydrating mask can't fix, but I do want to caution those with very dry skin. For reference, my skin is normal but leans dry, particularly in the winter. The first time I used this all over my face, I didn't moisturize well and found myself feeling tight around my mouth/nose the next morning. While it probably didn't help that it was 3 degrees out that day, I did need to add moisturizer to feel my normal level of skin comfort.

Anyway, I am quite enjoying this Origins mask, and urge you to give it a try if you're looking for a typical clay mask or a new spot treatment. Have you tried this or any other mask from Origins? What have been your go to masks lately?? :)

♥ Diptyque Eau Rose ♥

Early on in the month, I stopped by a diptyque counter in a moment of desperation. I had avoided diptyque mostly because of the price, and I hadn't yet sniffed a scent that I felt absolutely desperate to have. But I was VERY curious, as so many blogs have been raving about the brand lately. When I walked up to the counter, I encountered the new Rose Duet candle which I am desperate to purchase. I also sniffed Eau Rose, and fell in love. I got a sample, and wore it every day for nearly 2 weeks, until I finally HAD to purchase this perfume.

I'm terrible at describing scents, so I'll let diptyque's description from their website speak for itself:

Eau Rose, a totally new fragrance that pays tribute to the queen of flowers, the rose. Forever immortalized by Ronsard’s famous poem “Mignonne, allons voir si la rose...”, it was only a matter of time before diptyque decided to showcase the rose. To get off the beaten track and create something different, the Eau Rose has been conceived to stand out as a genuine infusion of roses. Its olfactory composition is designed to celebrate the multiple aromas of the flower in its natural state, as it blossoms over time. It’s like taking an olfactory stroll,which you savor from morning to night, by wearing a rose that changes as the hours go by and melts into the scent of the person wearing it.

And really, I have to agree. This is the closest scent to a rose, without the "green" aspects,  that I've ever experienced. It is delicate, and elegant, and I'm in love! It really is just intoxicating.

For those of you who listen to my endless obsessions over what I'm planning to buy, you may remember when I debated the merits of a perfume spray versus a rollerball. As you can see, I purchased the rollerball purely because I wanted to save money.

I am happy to report that the packaging of the rollerball is just as luxe as the full size. I love that the gorgeous roses are on this generously sized rollerball too. I feared that rollerballs wouldn't impart the scent in the same way, but I love this just as much (perhaps more, as I can carry this with me if needed?) The only thing I found a bit strange was how the rollerball isn't completely full... but it seems that every perfume sample I've gotten from them is like this as well. (Have any of you experienced this before? Is this normal for the brand's fragrances?)

Anyways, now I'm hooked. Today I got a sample of Oyedo, a divine citrus blend that smells like oranges and candy. I'm still anxious to purchase the limited edition Rose Duet candle, and I'm kicking myself for not remembering to sniff the other citrus scents in their collection.

What do you think of Eau Rose? Do you like/dislike rollerballs? What are your favorites from diptyque? I'd love to know! :)

January 2013 Sample Society Box

For Christmas, my best friend sent me a 3 month subscription to Sample Society, a beauty subscription service from Allure Magazine and Beautybar.com. YAY! I was so excited, and here's a look at my first box.

The box itself that arrives is very similar to Birchbox in size, and really is just a different color and logo. I have too many of these boxes around, so I may end up recycling it. However, they are pretty useful for storing goodies to give away to friends! :)

Anyway, each box includes a little Allure Magazine insert. This month's short articles were about skin supplements, spring trends, and winter hair. Not bad, and I'm curious to see what the next few inserts have in store! 

Sample Society costs $15 a month, and every subscription also includes a year's subscription to Allure Magazine. I love Allure Magazine, and had just forgotten to renew, so this was perfect timing! Additionally, each box comes with a promo code for $15 off of $50 on your next purchase with any of the brands included. If you often buy products you sample from these boxes, then this is for sure a great value!

Nicole Richie Eau de Parfum Sample: (Sample, $20-69 for rollerball & sprays) I am tough to please when it comes to perfume, and I find this scent to be a bit generic but not necessarily unpleasant. It is a feminine floral for sure, but I just don't think it is for me. Here are the notes listed by Beautybar.com: SUCCULANT BLACKBERRY, SEVILLE ORANGE, MOROCCAN ROSE, LILY OF THE VALLEY, GOLDEN AMBER, PAPYRUS, CASHMERE WOODS, AUSTRALIAN SANDALWOOD, SUGARED PATCHOULI, VANILLA ABSOLUTE.

Lollia Wish Petite Treat Shea Butter Handcreme: (Travel Size, .33 oz for $7.50) I think the packaging of Lollia handcremes are very cute, and their moisturizing qualities are decent. This handcreme is definitely not greasy, and it is light and comfortable to wear - perhaps it is the shea butter and macadamia oil! I would totally wear this in the spring and summer, but it isn't quite what I'm looking for in terms of moisture and repair for our rough Chicago winters. This particular floral scent containing Italian bergamot, rice flower, jasmine and ylang ylang, amber woods and vanilla bean is actually quite nice, but again just not for me.

Lord & Berry Silk Kajal Eye Pencil in Black: (Full Size, $15) I was probably most excited to try this eyeliner. It is a deep black, but not as deep and dark as gel liner or the amazingly impressive Armani Smooth Silk Waterproof Eye Pencil that I'm desperate to purchase. This pencil does have some undertones of charcoal gray, and it is great for those who like pencils with a harder texture. It is quite comfortable to use, but because of the texture, I found it difficult to tightline with it. On me, this pencil also experienced some minor smudging at about the 6 hour mark.

Delaney Wellness Rejuvenating Eye Cream:  (Deluxe Sample, .33oz; Full Size $135 for 1.3 oz) This eye cream has a really nice light texture, and subtle fruity scent. Packed with a "proprietary extract utilizing grape seeds, skins and stems," this cream is meant to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while firming and brightening the skin. Obviously, with limited usage, I can't tell if these claims are true. All I know is, I like using it, and I like the feel of it around my eyes at night!

Strivectin Instant Retexturizing Scrub: (Deluxe Sample, 1 oz; Full Size $49 for 5 oz) At first, I wasn't particularly interested in this scrub. I don't know why, but Strivectin as a brand just doesn't appeal to me, but as I started reading more, I got excited. Formulated with jojoba beads,  this exfoliator is not filled with harsh chemical exfoliants as I originally expected. (Something about the brand's marketing and packaging, I suppose!) I enjoy the fine grains of this scrub and the fact that it is nearly scent free. This scrub leaves my skin smooth and clear, and I am happy to have it! Along with the Lush Let the Good Times Roll exfoliant, this is probably the gentlest one I've tried!

Pantene AgeDefy Advanced Thickening Treatment: (Deluxe Sample, 1.7 oz; Full Size about $20 for 4.2 oz) This Pantene product was included as an extra for winter hair. Designed with experts from Olay, this product is meant to treat aging, thinning hair with a blend of vitamin B3 and caffeine. While I don't have aging hair, I do enjoy trying thickening products, so this was a fun one to try too! While I can't tell yet if there are any long term age defying effects, I do enjoy the volumizing effect and the light, pleasant scent. (For those who have used Living Proof products, it is a similar, though not as enticing, scent that is much lighter and doesn't linger.)

All in all, I do think this was a great value box. I don't know that I would purchase anything from this box, though I would consider the scrub or hair thickener if I continue to enjoy them. While I'm starting to feel like it is generally more worthwhile to save money towards products I know I want, this box definitely exposed me to some products I would've otherwise not tried myself, and I like that! I definitely look forward to seeing what comes next!

What do you think of my January Sample Society box? Do you have a favorite beauty subscription service, or are you over the whole thing? Have you tried any of these products? I'd love to know! :)

This Week's Makeup Bag, #4

I switched bags for this week's makeup picks. :) The other day, while I was making a return at Sephora, I spotted this cute Hello Kitty quilted bag on sale for $9 and just had to get it.

I love the size, the quilted pattern, and the handle on the side of this bag. I think it would be perfect for travel! I only wish it could fit a Naked Palette or the Balm Nude 'Tude, but it is definitely roomy enough to fit numerous smaller palettes.

Here's a look at what I picked for this week. Many of the items have stayed in the rotation from last week - actually, pretty much the whole month so far!

This week, I plan to experiemnt with mixing shades of my much loved Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. I'm also trying to give this sample of Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch a good test.I'm also having a Chanel moment, with Notorious and the Tentation Cuivree eyeshadow quad.My lashes will be excited to see Diorshow Maximizer & Fairydrops Scandal Queen, and I'll attempt to fill in my brows with Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows in Soft Brown. I'm also loving the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Eyeliner in Black Plum, and Armani Maestro Eraser. I seem to have forgotten to select a blush and lip product, but really, I don't have high hopes that I'll even get to all of these products! (Argh, I'm so lame!)

What do you think of this week's picks?? Have you selected a rotation of makeup for the week? Do share! :)