Saturday, April 30, 2011

Review - Kiss My Face All Natural Peace Castile Soap

I have been interested in trying castile soap for a while so I picked up a Kiss My Face All Natural Peace Soap on my last shopping trip.  Castille soap originated in Spain and has been used for centuries.  It's a simple formula that includes olive oil, coconut, hemp, and jojoba oils to create a mild cleanser that can be used on everything from hair and skin to dishes and clothing.  It is environmentally friendly, vegan, and has no parabens or artificial fragrance.  As an added bonus, 10% of proļ¬ts from each product sold supports Seeds of Peace and their mission to help young people from regions of conflict develop the leadership skills necessary to advance reconciliation and coexistence. What a great mission, and something to feel good about supporting!  The scent I chose was Pomegranate Acai but they also make Lemongrass Clary Sage, Lavender Mandarin, and Grassy Mint.  The Pomegranate Acai is an invigorating fruity smell that reminds me of the farmer's market and warm spring days.  


The first day I bought it I really put it to the test and used it for a lot of things, so here is what I used it for and how it worked:


1. Cleaning the cat box 
I don't want to use harsh chemicals on anything my cats will use so I use all-natural soaps on their box and food/water dishes.  This did the not-so-pleasant job of cleaning the cat box very well and smelled good in the process.  I just dumped some in, rinsed, put some on a rag and went at it.  The box turned out clean and fresh-smelling, and my cats did not mind the smell at all.


2. Hand soap
I filled an empty foaming hand soap dispenser with a mixture of 1/2 soap and 1/2 water.  It works great for cleansing the hands, doesn't dry out skin, and smells great.  There's no need to wet your hands first - the water already in it makes it lather quickly.


3. Cleaning the bathroom/walls
Since I had my pump all sitting pretty on the counter, I realized how easy it would be to pump some onto a rag and clean the counters.  It left them shiny and spotless!  On a cleaning kick, I noticed the walls were looking dingy so I went ahead and used more of the soap foam on a rag and cleaned all the walls - it was so easy to use the product foamy and it really took care of all the dust that had collected on our white walls.  I loved that it didn't dry out my hands or smell bad at all but still had the cleaning power to make the counters and walls shine.


4. Washing myself
I used it in the shower, first by pouring it onto exfoliating gloves. I felt like the gloves were just soaking up the soap, so I took them off and used my bare hands.  Overall the soap did not lather the best and I felt like I was wasting it - the formula is rather thin in consistency to it just kinda slipped through my fingers before I could get a good lather.  I would use this as a body cleanser if I were camping and bathing in a lake or river, but not regularly as I feel it's a bit wasteful.  I might also try using it in the shower with the foaming pump, as that might work out better.  It did leave my skin clean, softly scented, and hydrated.


Overall I am enjoying this soap and want to purchase another scent to have handy.  I camp a lot in the summer, so bringing along a small bottle of this or even a foaming pump full would be great for everything from washing dishes and hands to myself if necessary.  My favorite use for it is in a pump on the bathroom counter, it works great for quick cleaning jobs and for washing hands. I plan to put another pump in the kitchen for the same purposes and to use for washing fruits and vegetables.  


Grade: A
Pros: All natural, '101 uses', works great in a foaming pump for quick cleaning jobs, supports a wonderful cause
Cons: Formula is a bit thin, doesn't lather the best 
Get it: http://peacesoap.kissmyface.com/site/peacesoap/liquid-soaps/
Learn about Seeds of Peace:    http://peacesoap.kissmyface.com/site/organization/
See 101 uses: http://peacesoap.kissmyface.com/site/peacesoap/101-uses/

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Review - Dr. Garth Fisher CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser





For the past 3 weeks I have been using Dr. Garth Fisher's (a well-known plastic surgeon) CellCeuticals Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser.  At $35 for 6.7 oz, this is not a product I would usually splurge on for myself but I was lucky enough to win it through a promotion.  The 
Extremely Gentle Skin Cleanser removes daily impurities and eye makeup without stinging eyes or stripping skin of essential moisture and is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin.  Two of the most important things to me about a cleanser is whether or not it removes makeup and whether it can be used around the eye area.  Honestly, I'm a bit too lazy to use makeup remover and then a cleanser.  I don't wear a lot of eyeliner so usually I don't need a separate eye makeup remover, so it's important my cleanser do both jobs.


The cleanser comes in an almost futuristic-looking white hexagonal shaped bottle that has a classy look and feels good in the hand.  It features the kind of top where you press down one side and the other pops up to dispense the product.  The first time using this product I immediately noticed the smell.  It's a chemical smell, almost plastic-like.  It's not harsh enough to make me not use it, and in a way it's almost welcome compared to some facial products that are overly 'girlie' scented.  To use, I moisten my face, pour some into my palm, and then massage it into my skin and rinse.  It doesn't lather much and has a silky smooth texture, almost like a serum.  The cleanser delivers on its promises - it gently removes every trace of dirt and makeup and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth and moisturized.  It does not irritate my eyes at all and is one of the most gentle cleansers I've ever used.  My skin feels completely balanced after I used it, not stripped or tight like I've experienced with other cleansers.  I have not experienced any clogged pores or breakouts while using this cleanser.


Overall, I would definitely recommend this to people with sensitive skin who have had trouble finding a truly gentle cleanser that removes makeup.  It also works to provide a pH-balanced canvas to apply serums, toners, or moisturizers after cleansing.  I probably will not repurchase because I don't have particularly sensitive skin, at least not enough to warrant the price tag.  If I had some extra dinero and wanted to splurge though I'd definitely pick it up!


Grade: A+
Pros: Very gentle, removes all makeup and dirt, can be used on eye area, leaves skin smooth and balanced
Cons: Chemical smell, price
Get it: https://www.cellceuticalskincare.com/product.php?productid=1

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Review - Pangea Organics



I stumbled upon Pangea Organics about 2 years ago through Allure Magazine.  They quickly became, and still are, one of my favorite green/organic/cruelty free companies. They specialize in skin care products for the face and body that are full of good-for-you ingredients, and they offer different options depending on skin type.  Most of their packaging also includes the seeds of bushes or trees and contain planting instructions, so it's like receiving an extra earth-friendly gift with purchase with every order.  On their website, their motto is:


ALWAYS: Nurturing, Handcrafted, Organic, Fair Trade (whenever possible), and Cruelty-Free
NEVER: Petroleum, Sulfates or Detergents, Synthetic Preservatives, Artificial Colors or Fragrances, or GMOs

Now that is the kind of company I can feel good about supporting! They have a nice selection of skin care, lip balms, body care, and even hand soaps and I have tried quite a few of their products, but this review will focus on their Facial Toner, Lip Balm, and Body Soap.

I am currently using their Italian Green Mandarin with Sweet Lime facial toner, which is made for combination-normal skin.  They also offer toner for dry-mature skin and oily-acne prone skin. First I have to say that I love the smell of this!  To me it smells like lime Kool-Aid and it's very refreshing - this will be great to have on hot summer days and I actually plan on taking it camping this summer.  The toner comes out in a fine mist and it dries very quickly.  Within a minute I'm ready to put on moisturizer or whatever comes next.  On the skin it feels cooling and hydrating and just makes me feel refreshed and balanced.  I think it makes my pores look clearer and a bit smaller, and I actually look forward to this part of my beauty routine now.  When I spray it I close my eyes and inhale and it's almost an aromatherapy experience so it's very relaxing.  I'm already thinking about buying another bottle of this to keep as a backup, which is rare for me to find in a product - especially a toner which is a step I never thought of as a must-do before.  Another plus is that it can be used all over the body and throughout the day for a quick pick-me-up.  I have put it on over makeup before and it left my makeup perfectly in place but still left me feeling refreshed.
Grade: A+
Pros: Refreshes, tones, and hydrates, smells great, can be used anytime and all over the body
Cons: Comes in a glass bottle which might not be good for traveling

Next up is their Lip Balm, which is a favorite of mine.  I have tried both the Italian Red Rose with Mandarin and Pyrenees Lavender with Cardamom and they both smell and feel wonderful and are full of essential oils.  I am a lip balm junkie and have been since around the tender age of 13, so by now I think I've just about tried them all!  This balm quickly became a favorite for a few reasons, including its natural ingredients, super emollient and wonderful smelling essential oils, and light, non-sticky texture.  The texture of the balm is a bit thinner than most due to the oils in it but I like that it doesn't feel waxy or thick like some balms do.  This product also doesn't last quite as long on the lips as ones that contain chemicals, but for the heavenly smell and nourishing oils I think it's a fair trade.  Another plus - it comes in a larger tube than most lip products - at .25 oz my first tube lasted me about 4-5 months of everyday use, so although it seems pricey for a balm it really does last.  I want to try the Egyptian Fennel Grapefruit and Sweet Orange one next, as I have a thing for citrus scents.  
Overall: A
Pros: Nourishing ingredients, great smell, large tube lasts a long time
Cons: Thinner texture, requires more often re-application

Finally, let's get to their body soap. As well as being a lip balm junkie, I am also a soap junkie.  I have a drawer that is just for soaps and whenever I see one I want to try I toss it in, then I get excited when I'm almost out of the one I'm using and it's time to pick a new one (sometimes you just have to enjoy the little things in life!)  I have tried 3 different kinds of Pangea soaps, each of which focuses on one aspect of the body and mind.  The most recent I tried was Indian Green Tea with Mint and Rose Petals, which is mind: inspiring and body: restorative.  I  enjoy the smell and feel of the soap and it, like the lip balm, has lots of essential oils in it.  It lathers well, smells delicious, and has gentle exfoliating properties due to the bits of rose petals in it.  It leaves skin feeling soothed, refreshed, and soft and leaves no residue.  They recommend storing the soap in a dry well-drained place when not in use to preserve it.  I did this, and my soap still didn't last long at all.  For being 3.75 oz I expected it to last at least a month or two with daily use but unfortunately within 2-3 weeks the entire bar was gone.  For the price, I expected it to last longer like other natural soaps I have tried that were much less expensive.  I am assuming it might be due to the oils in the product, but it seemed to just melt away.
Overall: B
Pros: Soothing natural ingredients, great smell, gently exfoliating, no residue
Cons: Doesn't last long compared to other soaps

Just for a bit more information on the company, here is their practices pledge on their website: 

PRACTICES
Buying Pangea Organics products does more than make your body feel good. It means you’re supporting sustainable agriculture and culture – everything from fair trade sourcing and organic farming to living wages and the use of renewable, recycled and recyclable resources. In other words, good for you, good for every body.
Pangea products are (and always will be):
• Crafted by artisans in small batches, using pure, organic ingredients that replenish the skin
• Hand-blended to soothe or stimulate your senses
• Preserved using the gentlest of methods to retain the nurturing properties of the botanicals in each customized blend
• Intentionally sourced from organic farmers through fair trade practices whenever possible
• Honest above all else: if it’s in our products, it’s on our labels
I love that this company is totally green and supporting the environment and fair trade - in the age we live in, this has become increasing important to me as I think about the products I use, who/what made them, and how they affect the environment and future generations.  Do you have any favorite green companies that I should check out?

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Review - Tarte 8th Wonder of the World set from QVC



I got this about a month ago and have been meaning to review it but got sidetracked - so here it is!


I first read about the Tarte 8th Wonder of the World when I got an email from them stating that it was going to be on special on QVC, and after reading about it I was salivating!  I adore Tarte products and especially their new Amazonian Clay products - they really are amazing. For the fantastically low pre-order price of $57 with shipping the kit included:

  • 1.7 fl oz Amazonian clay balancing foundation SPF 15 with brush in choice of Fair, Light, Medium, Tan or Deep--Worldwide Launch! Exclusive to QVC until 7/31/11
  • 0.008 oz. Amazonian clay automatic waterproof eyeliner in Golden Plum--Worldwide Launch! Exclusive to QVC until 7/31/11
  • 0.14 fl oz Pure Optic moisturizing lip gloss in Golden Pink--Worldwide Launch! Exclusive to QVC until 7/31/11
  • 0.24 fl oz Lights, Camera, Lashes! volumizing mascara in Black
  • 0.20 oz Amazonian clay 12-hour wear powder blush in Glisten (a peachy-pink shade)--Exclusive to QVC until 7/31/11
  • Amazonian clay long-wear eyeshadow palette with four 0.06 oz shades: Dark Brown; Shimmering Bronze; light Sand; and Shimmering Plum--Exclusive to QVC until 7/31/11
  • Deluxe Airbrush Finish Foundation Brush
  • Cosmetic bag
I debated ordering as I had just purchased the UD Naked palette but decided I had to have it. Finally (after I actually had a dream about getting it - that's how excited I was!) it arrived on my doorstep, including everything listed above and a sample of Tarte's Maracuja Oil which I have reviewed in a previous post.  So let's get down to how this get worked for me!

First, the foundation and brush were what I was most excited to try from this set.  I have worn powder mineral makeup for years so this was my first experience with liquid foundation in a long time!  After reading reviews I opted for light vs fair, even though in most other foundations I am the lightest shade.  I read that the fair foundation is this kit was almost white.  I was worried that light might be too dark for me, but luckily it is perfect!  The foundation is misleading because coming out of the tube it's a darker beige-yellow shade - I thought there was no way it would work for me.  I dotted it on my cheeks, forehead, and chin and blended it with soft swirling motions using the brush and it blended right into my skin and gave it a very air-brushed quality.  The brush is fantastic - I would pay $50 for that alone!  It's large, extremely soft, high quality, and has a nice weight in the hand.  I've been using it for about a month and haven't had any bristle fallout, and it works equally well for applying liquid or powder foundation.  Apparently the longer you use the brush the better it works as the foundation works itself into the bristles. I have been wearing the foundation every day since I got it to give it a real test, and I do wear a primer underneath and it lasts all day for me.  My only gripe with this is that compared to powder mineral foundation it does make me feel (but not necessarily look) greasy towards the end of the day.  Also, considering that this is described as a 'full coverage' foundation I was disappointed - I had a few blemishes when I first got it and I had to really layer on foundation and concealer to hide them.  Usually with my MMU I can apply the foundation and then concealer and I'm done. This definitely seems like a foundation for those that are not acne-prone or who have red/sun spots to hide, and if you do plan on still using a concealer.  Overall I do like it though and would buy it again.  I think it gives a very natural, dewey, airbrushed look to the face and I like that about it.  The clay does seem to balance my skin as Tarte claims it does - my oily/dry spots have evened out since I started using this.

The Amazonian Clay blush in Glisten was another product I was excited about as I already have 2 of the blushes in other colors and love them.  In fact since I got the new Tarte blushes, my old ones have sat around untouched!  Glisten is a peachy-pink with gold shimmer to it - I've heard it's Tarte's version of a Nars Orgasm dupe.  These blushes are highly pigmented so you really need a light hand or you just might wind up looking like Bozo the Clown's little sister.  To get a nice glow, I use a BE featherlight brush and swipe once across the blush, then dab lightly on my cheeks going up towards my temples.  I then use the foundation brush to go over it and blend it in, then I use what's left on the BE brush to go over my cheeks again.  This way I get a nice natural looking finish that is not too overdone.  The blush really does last all day and I like the natural glow it gives me. I take off a few points on this shade due to the gold shimmer- it's a bit over the top to have shimmery cheeks which is another reason I blend it out to get rid of some of the shimmer.  I much prefer their matte clay blush shades to this shimmer one and would not purchase another of their shimmer blushes unless it's part of a set.

The eyeshadow quad is cutely packaged and the shades are nice and complimentary.  I especially like the Light Sand shade for highlighting and the Shimmering Plum really brings out my blue eyes.  These are on the warm side so they aren't the best for my cool complexion but I can still make them work.  They are highly pigmented and glide on like silk.  I have a bit of a problem blending them, which I also did with Tarte's Royal Collection eyeshadows, so maybe the formula just doesn't like my eyelids.  I like the shades and with primer they last all day, without primer probably 4-6 hours. This quad makes it easy to go for a more natural daytime look but deepen it up later for a sexy nighttime look.

 The eyeliner is a bronzey-plum and although I'm not much of an eyeliner girl, I do like how it emphasizes my eyes without being too obvious and it looks great with the quad.  The only thing I do not like about it is that it is very hard to smudge.  I like my eyeliner smudgey and it must be the clay in it, but this thing does not smudge!  It just looks kinda streaky when I try to smudge it.  I've read that it's great for the waterline though, so if you like straight up waterproof eyeliner that will stay on your waterline this would be for you!  

The mascara is a cult favorite and now I know why - before I had a sample of this and I really loved it.  I'm happy to have a full sized tube and I think this will become my HG mascara after trying lots of brands.  It makes my lashes longer, thicker, and more dramatic without clumping or flaking off, and it lasts on me about 8 hours before I need to touch up.  I love that it's easy to apply more than one coat without clumping or giving 'spider lashes'.  It's definitely a more dramatic look so if you want natural looking lashes try something else, but you like drama and definition then I'd highly suggest trying this mascara.

The lipgloss is a pale pink with gold sparkle in it.  I have a pale lip color naturally and I like how this adds just a bit of shine and shimmer to my lips and still looks natural.  It smells and tastes minty and isn't too sticky or too thin feeling - I am a bit of a gloss junkie and I'd rate this high as far as texture/smell goes.  It's not highly pigmented so it goes well with the more dramatic eye makeup that comes with this set.  It lasts on lips about 1-3 hours if you don't eat or drink anything.   

Finally, the bag it comes with is really cute and it's what I carry all my makeup in when I travel now.  It also doubles as an adorable evening clutch.  It's high quality and I love the deep purple color - it matches the 'theme' of the set perfectly.

Overall, I actually thought about returning this set when I first got it.  Although I immediately loved the brush, foundation, mascara, and gloss the eyeshadow colors, eyeliner, and shimmery blush were a bit lacking for me.  The eyeshadows are fun shades but I don't find myself reaching for them too often, maybe because I've been on a UD Naked palette kick lately.  I love the shade of the blush but the gold shimmer irks me a bit because it's not 'natural' looking to have shimmery gold/pink cheeks!  I rarely use the eyeliner since it doesn't smudge and I don't have a steady hand :)  However, I do love the airbrushed look of the foundation and paired with the blush it really does create a very pretty healthy glow.  I am on auto-delivery right now since they have two more sets coming out in June and October but I might cancel because those shades look very warm and dark and I'm not sure they'll work out for me being the pale blond that I am.  They look great for those with darker skin tones or girls who like a more dramatic look though, and they include a blush brush and a double-ended shadow brush which makes me want it since I love the foundation brush so much!  I may just re-order the foundation if I decide I want to keep using it.  You can check out the future shipment colors here, on Musings of a Muses' awesome blog: http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2011/03/tarte-8th-world-of-wonder-best-of-the-amazon-7-piece-clay-collection-shades-and-colors-for-june-october-installmentsshipments.html

Grade: B+
Pros: Foundation and brush provide an airbrushed look, mascara works great for length/volume, gloss is pretty for a hint of shine, foundation/blush/eyeshadow last all day
Cons: Too much gold shimmer in the blush, eyeshadow quad has has warm shades vs more neutral ones and don't blend the best (on me anyway!), eyeliner does not smudge well


Get it: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.A212775.desc.tarte-8th-World-Wonder-Best-of-The-Amazon-7pc-Clay-Collection#BVRRWidgetID






Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Review - Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm

I received the new Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Pinot as part of a promotion that Cover Girl had (thanks for the sample CG!).  I was excited to try this product as it's part of a new launch of CG products that contain natural ingredients and packaging that biodegrades faster than normal plastics. Also, I'm a gloss/balm junkie (is there a Lip Products Anonymous that I can join?) so I love trying out new ones.

The line exchanges certain heavier synthetics for carefully-chosen natural ingredients.  It isn't completely natural or organic but it does have more natural ingredients than their normal products, including mango and shea butter and it also contains SPF 15.  When I first saw the shade (a mauvey-red with shimmer) I thought it would be way too dark for me but I gave it a shot anyway and I was pleasantly surprised.  The balm glides on smoothly and for a gloss/balm it has good color payoff and the texture is very light - not sticky or heavy at all.   I have read other reviews of this product on the Cover Girl website and the biggest gripe people seem to have is that some of the shades have too much shimmer and some also feel waxy.  Happily, I experienced neither of these issues with the product.  I also like the design of the tube - it's slim and lightweight, easy to keep in a purse or pocket for quick application.  The green color of the tube is charming and I didn't mind leaving it on my desk at work for all to see.

I wore this all day today and although it's moisturizing upon application it did seem to dry out my lips a bit more than the normal balm I usually use, which is Mayron's Goods Chapstuff.  I re-applied probably once per hour and I would say that if you're not eating or drinking the color lasts about 1-2 hours.  I think that at $6-7 it's a bit overpriced for what it is, but I assume the price is a bit higher because of the more natural ingredients and the packaging.  

Overall, I would purchase a few more of these in different shades (there is a very nice shade selection) but probably with a coupon.  These would be nice to keep in various places like purses, desk drawers, ect. to have an easy balm with a hint of color when needed.  The SPF in it and the light texture will be great for summertime.  Compared to other balms I've used it wasn't the most moisturizing but considering that it has many shades, natural ingredients, a pleasing texture, and earth-friendly packaging I still think it's a nice product and worth checking out.  A few points off were for the fact that I can't find an ingredient list anywhere on the packaging or website, and also the tube I received was not sealed which would not be good when buying from a retail store.


Grade: B
Pros: Lightweight, nice shade selection, more natural ingredients, biodegradable packaging
Cons: Doesn't last long, not as moisturizing as other balms, no ingredients listed, product not sealed
Get it: http://www.covergirl.com/beauty-products/lip-makeup/lipgloss/natureluxe-gloss-balm

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Review - Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

I have always coveted the clear, glowing, beautiful skin that some women seem to posses so naturally and effortlessly.  Unfortunately my skin isn't perfect and the biggest problem I've been battling for years is clogged pores in the form of whiteheads.  I have tried everything to get rid of them, from exfoliating to serums, acne treatments, and even extracting (not good, I know!).  Extracting would get them to go away but leave red spots on my fair skin and they would eventually return.  Not long ago a great review was posted on MegsMakeup.com about Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, and after reading more good reviews online I decided to give it a try.  Clay masks are about the only product I haven't tried to clear my clogged pores, so at this point I can say I've tried just about everything!  


This product is bentonite clay from Death Valley, California, where it is sun- dried for up to six months in temperatures that sometimes reach 134 degrees.  I purchased the clay on VitaminShoppe.com, which sells 1 pound for a mere $7.16.  One of the perks of this clay is that you mix it yourself and can mix it with different things depending on what type of skin you have.  Oily skin can use apple cider vinegar and egg whites to help dry skin out, acne prone can add honey to their mixture, and normal or combination skin can use apple cider vinegar or water.  There are websites online that have recipes for making different masks using this clay, I will link to one at the bottom of this post. I have used it with vinegar and water, but just water has a tendency to make the clay harder to mix.  Mixing it with vinegar makes it foam up and you can get a nice even consistency.  These are the directions from the manufacturer: Mix aztec secret indian healing clay with equal parts of apple cider vinegar or water.its best to use a glass, pottery or wooden bowl. Stir the mixture until is a smooth paste-add more clay or liquid as needed. Apply a 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick layer of clay to the face or other areas and let it dry. Drying times vary, but times are generally 5 minutes of delicate skin and 15-20 minutes for normal skin. You will feel a pulling and tightening sensation, deep pore cleansing! Remove clay by washing with warm water. A slight redness may appear after removing the clay. This is normal and will disappear in approximately 30 minutes.

The first time I tried it I put it on thick and after 20 minutes it still wasn't dry.  I have since adjusted my recipe and don't put it on quite as thick.  It does give a pulsating sensation as it dries and you can almost feel it pulling all the bad stuff out of your pores.  After the first time I used it I did have a break out the next day, but I think this was just the clay's effect of pulling the bad stuff to the surface where it could get out.  The only thing I don't like about this clay is getting it off!  I don't want to wash it down the sink because I have heard it can clog the drain, so I stand over the garbage can and rub/peel what I can off.  Then I use a washcloth and warm water to gently scrub the rest away.  It leaves skin slightly red but looking glowing and refreshed, and it definitely makes pores appear smaller.  This does have a tendency to dry out my skin a bit, so I follow the mask with an application of Passion Fruit Oil and then Kiehls moisturizer over that.  In the morning my skin is soft, bright, and healthy looking.  Since I started using it about 2 months ago, my whiteheads are for the most part gone!  For the first time in a very long time, I am feeling very good about my skin.  I have only had a few blemishes since I started using it, which I think are the rest of my clogged pores clearing out.  It seems to help the few blemishes I have gotten clear up and heal faster than before I used it and I have used it as a spot treatment as needed.  

I use it once a week and look forward to it - I just love how refreshed my skin looks after using it!  My skin is still not 'perfect', but I think with continued use this is going to help me keep it clear and healthy looking.  I am very happy I heard about this product, and happy I can share my experience with it with others now too.  If you're on the fence about it, I'd say give it a shot - you can't beat how much product you get for the price, and even after 2 months of use my jar hardly has a dent in it!  It seems to work on all types of skin with all types of problems.  It claims that it is the most powerful facial in the world, and having tried it I have to agree that it probably is!

Overall: A+
Pros: Price, clears clogged pores, keeps skin healthy and fresh looking
Cons: Getting it off, may clog the drain, slightly messy

Get it: http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/browse/sku_detail.jsp?id=SW-1001


http://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Clay/dp/B0014P8L9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301895221&sr=8-1 

Recipes: http://www.aztec-secret.com/Face%20Pulsate.htm