New Theme

This blog used to be based on beauty related info. However I have so many other things to talk about. This blog will now be all about what ever I'm thinking at any given moment. I would like to share experiences as candidly as possible about our transition from the Navy into the real world. I also will be talking about homeschool; our new baby; our new house; renovations; community; crafts; fitness; getting back in shape after pregnancy at 30; finishing my undergrad degree, and starting my graduate degree; and getting a job after being a stay-at-home mom for years and years,  and whatever else crosses my mind. Hope you enjoy!

Home Microdermabrasion Machines/Skin Care/Missha Beauty Balm

Howdy! I said on my last cosmetic review post, that I had an exciting new product I was using, and from the title I'm sure you can tell it's a microdermabrasion machine; which it is.  I did a lot of research before I purchased one, and found the NV-60 from Amazon to have the best reviews.


Although despite the fact that I did pretty extensive research, I'm kind of thinking I should have went with the PMD personal microderm machine, only because it's so much smaller.  So I'm going to give a review on the NV-60, which I think works great, I just wonder if the PMD might have been a better option due to size. Please use this post to decide what's best for you! Also I would like to point out that there are many personal microdermabrasion machines on the market, and a handful of them are designed for home use.  The ones that are designed for home use besides the NV-60 and the PMD didn't get very good reviews, especially the most popular one that has infomercials.  So the reason I'm discussing the NV-60 and the PMD only, is due to the high-number of 4-5 star reviews these machine received. 

     The NV-60 microdermabrasion machine arrived in the mail from an Amazon seller two weeks after ordered as promised. It came in clean modern packaging, like I would get in a store.  Sometimes when I order from people and companies from Amazon I'm often unsure of what will arrive.  The company describes the NV-60 as "The HEALTHandMED At Home Microdermabrasion Machine NV60 refines, rejuvenates and softens skin. All of the accessories are included. It will not only work on the face, but also other parts of the body. You will have soft, shiny, and perfect skin! This unit will easily pay for itself within 1 month of use. Consider the treatments cost in many salons! Because there are no crystals propelled onto the skin, the system allows treatment to those fine wrinkle areas close to the eyes and around the lips. It is safe for all skin types. It helps with Enlarged Skin Pores, Blemishes, Fine Wrinkles, & Aging Skin! VERY safe, and CE certified. Great for a budget minded spa as it offers near professional level performance at an unbeatable price point. Does not use crystals, chemicals or lasers! 60cmHg vacuum suction and 2mm friction depth." Taken from Amazon.com

I'm not going to get into the difference between microdermabrasion machines that have diamond tips, and machines that blow-out micro-oxide crystals. What I will say is the diamond tips makes microdermabrasion at home much more possible.  Feel free to research the difference, it's pretty interesting.

I have been using the machine four weeks now, however I was so delicate on my skin during the first use, I would say I have been seriously using it for three weeks now. The first night I used it I was very nervous of how my skin would be the next day, or if I would over-do-it.  My skin was fine the next day, and I actually under-did-it, but I would recommend with this machine to build up usage and start on the lowest settings.  I have used it since then once a week on Monday's, which I call Microdermabrasion Monday's:)  I have really increased the suction and the coarseness of the diamond tips, which is fine for me to do, with my tough, oily skin.  I'm not kidding when I say I was breaking out enough to visit my dermatologist, which I haven't had to do for nearly twelve years.  The dermatologist put me on Retin-A and a few other things. *Important note, do not do microdermabrasion on your skin while you are using any Retinal products, especially Retin-A. The first week my skin felt sun-burned. I discontinued the Retin-A and my skin feels great after microdermabrasion.  I am no longer breaking out. My large pores are not noticeable, my age-spots are no-kidding disappearing!!! My skin looks so healthy. It hasn't really done a lot to my fine-lines, but I'm supposed to use this machine for two months and I still have a month to go.  The typical program for microdermabrasion use is, once a week for two months, then only once a month thereafter.  This program is good for my skin, and may not be good for yours. I think towards the end, I'm going to bump-it up to twice-a-week.

My current facial routine which I said I would update is:

Ponds original Cold Cream ( I realize this has mineral oils, which I know isn't great for your skin,but interestingly enough I don't break out using it, also it's the gentlest way to remove make-up.)

I use a warm wash-cloth to remove the Ponds cream along with my make-up.
I use Ponds Cream on a q-tip to finish cleaning my eyes.
I then wash my face with Dove Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin.  This product has never dried my skin out, nor caused breakouts. ( I would also highly recommend cetaphil classic cleanser as well)

After my skin dries (on Monday's) I use the microdermabrasion machine* See YouTube video's for how-to's.

After the microdermabrasion I use Clinique's #4 Astringent to clean my face of dead skin and to fully clean out my skin. It works like a very gentle peel.

Followed by Clinique's Dramatically Different Gel (not lotion) I would also recommend Dermalogica's Active Moist.

On Day's I don't do microdermabrasion I use Clinique's #4 Astringent and use the lotion as need. I usually need it every other night.  ( Again I have oily problematic skin)

I typically use higher end skin care. I love Dermalogica, but the Dove Soap, and Clinique always work well for me, when my skin starts breaking out.  I also live in an extremely humid environment, where #4 works well for me. For my skin, when I break-out, using products designed for acne prone skin, just makes my skin worse. I have problematic skin, but I have that because my skin is so sensitive.

Right now my skin is not excessively oily and my skin is very clear and on it's way to looking very even toned and healthy.

For makeup I have been using the Korean brand beauty balm called Missha M .  It is one of the beauty balms that had the better reviews and happened to be available in the store I was shopping at. It comes in a few shades but the store offered #21, and #23. I use #21 which is great for fair skin.  I'm now going to talk about beauty balms, which are sometimes referred to as blemish balms.

First I want to give a brief history of beauty balms. Beauty Balms gained popularity in Korea, supposedly by the t.v. stars who had this amazingly flawless skin, very milky white.  The Koreans had popularized it, but it was reportedly created in Germany as a product designed for Dermatologist and Plastic Surgeons to give to their patients to use after skin-laser treatments and other dramatic medical treatments.  After the Korean women soap-opera stars popularized it, the Japanese were the next to pick it up and so it spread quickly through-out the world.  The U.S. brands have even adopted BB creams such as Smashbox, Este Lauder and many more. 

What are BB Creams? It is basically glorified makeup.  It's a product that has a consistency of a luxury facial moisturizer, with a coverage that falls between a tinted moisturizer and a foundation.  The BB Cream that I use has buildable coverage and can become a medium coverage foundation or as light as tinted moisturiser. I can't speak for every BB cream out there, especially the ones made in the U.S. but for the most part BB creams are a combination of moisturizer (light, not heavy) skin care products, and sunscreen all with a pretty great coverage.  Currently I'm using Missha M Perfect Cover #21 (fair skin) with SPF 45.

All BB creams have healing soothing ingredients and sunscreen because they were designed to be used on patients who just had skin care treatments and needed a good product on their face, not pore-clogging foundation.  If  you use a BB Cream you do not need to use,  skin-care products, moisturizer, primer, foundation.  The one container of BB Cream does all of that for you.  This makes my skin-care, make-up routine very simple in the morning.  At night I still follow my same skin care routine.  Here is the interesting thing, it's almost weird actually. I have oily skin, and I live in a very very humid environment yet when I use a BB cream, I do not have oily skin, but when ever I use a tinted moisturizer my skin gets so oily it's gross.  I don't know how the BB cream is able to keep the skin from getting oily, while also giving off a healthy dew like look.  A lot of people have reported improved skin.  I have not been using it enough to be able to tell you yet. What I can tell you is, My skin while using it looks great, and not oily and provides a good coverage. My skin feels light-weight too.  It has not made my skin breakout and probably has been additionally good to use, while I'm in the middle of my two microdermabrasion months.  I would recommend a BB cream to anyone, all ages, even young girls just getting into make-up that usually wear a tinted moisturizer, because I think the BB Cream is better for their skin and will cause less breakouts!  It also has lightening and anti-aging ingredients for aging skin as well, and there are a few who make a BB Cream for problematic skin as well. Although I have problematic skin and I'm only using a standard BB Cream.  I'm going to try other brands and report the difference in them.  I know some have more moisturizing qualities, some have illumination which is good in the summer and at night. 

Well this raps up my new fun machine, skin-care during this next two months and my new awesome better than foundation!  Please Subscribe to this blog and also comment on my blog.  The first three-people that comment on this blog will receive an Every Day Spa Box with samples and one full-sized product in cute packaging (similar to those fun monthly sample subscription companies!) 

~Cheers...Monique

Yurts...

First I'm going to post some pictures.

These Yurts shown are from the Pacific Yurts inc.  These are modern, and updated Yurts.  The cost of a Yurt on average is about $10,000 for the largest Yurt, standard edition.  There are many upgrades, which seems to be more specifically for the Yurt frame than for the inside.  I'm guessing if you want your Yurt to look like a home on the inside, then you must do it yourself?  The Yurts can be used in extreme weather of both cold climates and tropical.  It's a very good price, if your looking for alternative living options.  A Yurt would also make for a fun "club-house" a guest-home or a game room, art-room ect...  The website states that:

"The Pacific Yurt is a modern adaptation of the ancient shelter used by Central Asian nomads for centuries. The compact shape of the yurt and combination of lightweight members in tension and compression mean that the structure is highly efficient in maximizing strength while minimizing the use of materials.
The Pacific Yurt is a lightweight, low-cost, state-of-the-art version that retains the sense of wholeness of the ancient form while delivering the structural integrity, longevity and low maintenance demanded by modern users.
Though generally classified as a tent, the yurt is much stronger and weathertight. The Pacific Yurt is a circular structure that consists of a durable fabric cover, tension band and a wood frame that includes a lattice wall, radial rafters, central compression ring and a framed door."  -Pacific Yurt inc.

~cheers...Monique



Reviews of many different products!

I have not posted for quite some time.  That's the bad news, the good news is, I've still been using different products and have lots of reviews.  The reviews of this post are not sponsored. Use all of the below products at your own discretion. 

First up...

Revlon ColorStay Makeup Foundation for normal/oily skin.  The color was a good match, and I felt that the color was natural and there are lots of choices. Overall the foundation gave good coverage, but not great.  There was something about the foundation that felt heavy and just off. Since the coverage wasn't that great and the feel of it was heavy I'm not giving it a good review.  I typically don't wear liquid foundation, but when I do, I do it because I want full-coverage for special occasions.  I also felt that it made me break out a little bit.  I don't know what ingredients were involved, so I can't verify there is any comedogenic ingredients in it?  I wasn't in love with it, but overall it's probably one of the better drug-store foundations. So this is a kind of mixed review.  My last thought is, if your looking for a medium coverage drug-store foundation, this is a good choice. If you are looking for a full coverage foundation than this isn't.
But while we are discussing the drug-store, I wanted to mention a product that I love. Loreal Studio Secret Primer.

This product is very good, not only compared to other drug-store products, but in comparison to all primers of any company,  First this primer comes in an eye-cream sized container. Although it doesn't look like a lot of product, a little goes a long way.  It's very rich, but as their add describes, velvety and smooth.  It has a texture that really fills in lines and wrinkles and large pores.  I do not use it all over my face, daily. I break out easily and have to watch what I put on my skin.  I do use it under my eyes daily which fills in lines and makes a great eyeshadow primer and eyebrow tamer as well.  When I want my makeup to be more intense I'll use it as an all over primer! The main thing that impresses me is the ability to allow my loose powder mineral make-up to not look dry and wrinkly under my eyes.  This product sells for around $10 on Amazon which is a good price. I don't know if this would work for acne prone skin or oily skin as an all over face primer, but for all skin types, it's a wonder under the eyes. 

If you are an oily skinned or an acne prone person looking for a good primer, I recommend Clinique's Pore Minimizer Instant Perfecter.  This product comes in a small tube, and so it's not designed for a person's whole face, but can be used all over the face in specific spots that have large pores or even wrinkles. I use it on one part of my cheek, and my t-zone and a fine line on my forehead.  It fills in the lines or pores while also absorbing oil. 

And while we are on the subject of Department Stores, I want to give my opinion of Lancomes loose mineral make-up and translucent powder. Ageless Minerale with White Sapphire Complex, retails at $42.00 on Lancome-usa.com I also use the translucent version as a setting powder.  This foundation is very similar to other mineral makeup's on the market with mica to add a radiance.  It is a very good foundation but in my opinion not as good as the Bare Mineral brand  especially for the price, for my skin tone which is oily.  The reason is because the mica in the products gives off a luminous look, which is great for most skin tones and at night, but on oily skin it makes the skin look very oily, even if the skin isn't.  I also thought that the foundation didn't work nearly as well as a concealer as Bare Minerals does.  Mineral makeup  being a great and natural looking concealer is my main reason for buying it, and Lancome not covering blemishes or the under-eye area well, is a deal breaker for me. I still have two full containers and find that overall it's one of the better mineral makeups out there, just not the best. I will use the Ageless Mineral as my foundation and Bare Mineral as my concealer until it's gone.  1 would say that if you want medium coverage and have normal/dry skin this would be a great product!

Next up for me to try (in the future), is Lancome's Ageless Minerale corrector. The web sites states

"Rid your complexion of any redness and create the perfect canvas for foundation application with this amazing mineral primer that smooths away fine lines, pores and imperfections instantly. The complexion perfecting formula contains a blend of yellow-based powder for flawless skin tone, and nourishing Aloe and Vitamin E for visibly softer, velvety-smooth skin. This powder can be worn alone or under foundation for lasting wear." Sounds good to me. I'll review that product soon.  And please if you decide to buy Lancomes mineral foundation please be advised that the "oscillating mineral foundation concept, is silly and doesn't work." Don't buy into it, just get the normal one, and a brush. The padding that comes in the oscillating one gives a weird coverage, and doesn't reach small spaces, like the eye area.  The foundation it's self is good, but the container is goofy. The good news, is my daughter enjoys playing with it as play makeup:)

 Well that's it for today's reviews. I have more products to review, and I want to reveal my favorite new product that has been a game changer for me! I can't wait I'm super excited.  Also I will be back to posting on random but related relaxing lifestyle posts and some home beauty recipes coming up as well.  Lastly I'll be posting an update of my new facial routine.  Which changes constantly depending on my nutrition, stress, hormones, finances, etc.  My last post on my face routine is not obsolete, and still a good suggestion for those with acne prone or oily skin.  As an esthitician if you have skin different from mine and would like suggestions, please let me know:)

~cheers...Monique