Skincare
It’s about that time of the year now that my skin goes on protest and boycotts everything and anything I put on it to ease the tight, dry, flakiness caused by the cold Winter. A majority of the time dry skin just takes residence on my face and sits out the long Winter there and when I try to moisture or exfoliate it away I normally just get the rebel yell from it, “Hell No! We Won’t Go!”
Lucky enough I have found a few select products that do the job or at least aid me in ridding myself of flakes of dry skin. Soooo gross! Ew!
Today I realized I was pretty much down to the last of my Philosophy Microdelivery Wash so tonight when I got home I had absolutely nothing to use to exfoliate…ahhhh! Nightmare! But have no fear, Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub to the rescue! Yeah well the Muse does so admit that sometimes she has to remind herself that inexpensive skincare is around, alive, and kicking! I can’t recall the last time I used Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub but that’s a good thing because tonight I got a chance to remind myself how truly good it is.
Grounded almonds, oats, and pecans are blended with rose petals, orange, and grapefruit oils to create a gorgeous facial scrub for all skin types. The product contains no parabens and many natural ingredients. Looks can be deceiving as the scrub isn’t the prettiest around. It’s poop brown (yes I did say poop you may laugh now!) with little scrubby bits and bobs. The good news is it doesn’t smell like poop…hehe…it’s quite a gorgeous scent of oranges with hints of rose and almond…rather relaxing and herbal like almost. Scoop some out…a small amount will do…and combine with water….slowly scrub around your face avoiding your eyes….rinse…and you’re left with super soft skin and a fresh scent that lingers for a bit! It doesn’t dry my skin out which is a plus as it does contain glycerin which moisturizes and softens my skin as I scrub. It says it’s gentle enough for daily use but I personal limit myself to twice a week as I could easily strip my face using it daily.
Sadly, it’s not comparable to Philosophy Microdelivery Wash for me as it’s much more harsher. The ground almonds, oats, and other bits and bobs could prove quite nasty to sensitive skin types in my opinion but personally if you’re suffering from dry, tight skin you’ll be thankful for such a good scrub as it’ll strip off the dry layer and leave behind a softer layer of skin.
Honestly, for $8 USD you simply can’t go wrong especially if you’re currently taking a step back and looking to budget your beauty care at the moment. All of Burt’s Bees products are 99% natural so if you’re seeking organic and inexpensive Burt’s Bees Citrus Facial Scrub and anything else from Burt’s has you covered!
I do recommend trying it out for yourself as you may find it’s exactly what you’re looking for this harsh Winter season! The Muse likey! Check out more from Burt’s at www.burtsbees.com
MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Review
NeoCeuticals Problem Dry Skin Gel Review
Philosophy Microdelivery Wash Review
Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask Review
Pop Pop Fizz Fizz! Oh what a relief it is!
Ok, we are probably all way too young to remember that one but my mum used to randomly sing it to make me laugh when I was little and it came to mind when I whipped out my Lush Tea Tree Toner Tab last night! Hehe!
I’ve been using Lush toner tabs for a while and I realized, “hey I haven’t reviewed any yet on Musings!” so here the Muse be with a review special for you! Love me much? At the moment Lush has three toner tabs available and I’m reviewing for you today the Tea Tree Toner Tab and later on this week or next I’ll review the other two tablets!
The “tabs” are tiny tablets, about the size of a quarter, that you drop in hot water and steam your face with. You can do this in any number of ways such as dropping one into a large bowl of steaming water or, as the Muse prefers, fill your sink with hot water, drop a tablet in, and cover your head with a towel! Poof! Bob’s your Uncle! You’ll be steaming happily away! They fizz happily away while the dissolve like your favorite bath bomb which brings the Pop Pop Fizz Fizz song to mind! If you totally didn’t get that here’s some simple instructions with graphics from those kind people at Lush:
Lush Tea Tree Toner Tab is actually for troubled, traumatized skin. So if your skin is sensitive or acne prone this would be the toner you’ll want. My skin is not sensitive nor do I have acne but I’m curious so that accounts for why I purchased this one!
I’ve heard various complaints about how horrible this tab smells but honestly I didn’t smell much of anything other than the faint scent of salt. Aside from that I really got no smell at all from this but maybe my nose isn’t sensitive enough to pick up exactly what it is that’s so “horrible” smelling. Shrug! Who knows! After steaming my face with this I honestly felt no difference considering I don’t have problem skin however after my steam I dipped a piece of facial muslin in the water and proceeded to wipe my face. Lush recommends using all the lovely water from your steaming to tone your face with so you’re actually getting two products in one! Yay! I loved this idea! One day, in the near future, the Muse will share her beauty secret and tell you all about an amazing product called Rosewater and Glycerin but for now she’ll tell you that Tea Tree Toner Tab actually has about the same consistency as Rosewater and Glycerin. The tab makes the water feel heavenly and full of moisture so while you wipe you’ll notice your skin feeling as if you applied a bit of a light moisturizer to your skin.
The bad news….
As much as I adored the moisturizing feel of the water, I found out later that it seriously created a problem for my skin. I suspect that since this is for problem skin, that would also mean oily skin. Normally Tea Tree Oil, Water, Etc…is used to mattify oily skin which I think caused my problem. Almost as soon as I dried my face off I noticed that my cheeks had dry, itchy patches! Yak! Even after my moisturizer my skin was still feeling somewhat tight and dry so indeed this isn’t the toner tab for me. I’m thinking this would be lovely in the Summer when my skin is feeling slippery but at the moment this definitely isn’t something to reconsider using!
All in all I rather liked the feel of the water after my steam however since my skin isn’t problematic I can’t report on any improvement. It’s worth trying out one for yourself if you have acne or problem areas you’re wanting to address! I trust Lush skincare with my life so I’m sure you’ll see some sort of improvement after a few uses plus the price of $1.50 USD per a tab isn’t too bad at all!
In other news I had heard that one girl took a tab, dropped it in a spray bottle, shook it up, and used it as a toner! That sounds rather interesting and cheaper than purchasing a bottle of Lush Tea Tree Water! I personally won’t try it until Summer though.
All in all this tab doesn’t get my Muse Approval but I do think it’s worth checking out for those with problem skin!
Anyone try these?
Tried this one in particular?
Tell the Muse!
The Muse has been cheating on her Lush Moisturizer with Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Extreme Balm! Gasp! Shock!
I know right? How awful of me! You know how devoted the Muse is to Lush! Hopelessly Devoted!
Hey, what can I say? It’s pink, pretty, and smells amazing…wouldn’t you be tempted? I’m talking bubblegum pink color here….this is serious temptation….I tried to stay strong but all that pink lured me in like a fish on a hook!
Hmmmmm well maybe not that kind of fish!
The fact of the matter is that considering it’s pinkness and it’s fresh scent I seriously couldn’t resist having a go with Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Extreme Balm the past few days and honestly we get on rather famously together! When I received my package from Lierac Paris inside was a note that said all the items inside were ideal for our chilly, New York winters and I couldn’t agree more!
Hydra-Chrono is ideal for skin types that are showing significant signs of dryness and dehydration. We aren’t even into full blow Winter yet and the Muse’s skin is already flaking up and showing extreme signs of dryness! Yak!
Although the product is called a balm I felt like it’s texture was more of a gel. It’s extremely light, airy, and smells fresh and delightful. Explaining it’s scent would be difficult to say the least as it’s a cocktail of freshness, with hints of florals, and a tiny bit of sweetness. It’s quite like no product I’ve smelled before! I know many people aren’t at all interested in a scented face cream however I’m in the minority as I simply adore a fresh scented cream for my face.
The fantastic part of the product would be, of course, it’s ability to offer amazing moisture while not weighting a ton or feeling very heavy on my face. I’m taking into consideration it’s gel like consistency that makes it such a sheer pleasure to wear and apply. It glides effortlessly and easily onto skin while absorbing instantly! While replenishing moisture to my skin it also contains an anti-aging ingredient that works to help restore skin. Although I don’t have any wrinkles or lines as of yet on my face, I’m always happy to add an anti-aging moisturizer in my skincare regime.
Blending….
Blending….
Blended….Dewy and Fresh!
The lightness of the balm leads me to believe it’ll be ideal all year round. While offering lovely moisture to my skin I think it would be a fantastic light daytime moisturizer in the warmer weather as well but that remains to be seen. The balm also seems to get on rather well with my foundation as it creates a smooth, almost dewy canvas for my foundation and I have to work alot less to smooth my foundation on plus no weird flaky action going on after it’s safely in place.
Honestly, I can’t go into great detail about the long term benefits of Lierac Paris Hydra-Chrono Extreme Balm since I’ve only been using it a week at most but I like what I see so far and think it’s well worth checking out for yourself!
Check out more at www.lierac.us
You can locate places to purchase Lierac by clicking here!
Anyone try Lierac before?
Love it?
Tell the Muse!
Lush Paradise Regained Review
Lush Skin Nanny Review
Lush Vanishing Cream Review
Ok so whoa.
I totally had an enlightening experience when I got home from work today. Yes, occasionally these things occur for the Muse. I straightened my halo and skincare enlightenment was mine but only temporarily as I’m sure tomorrow I’ll be doomed again but for now I’m in my special place and experiencing nirvana.
Muse! Muse! How did you become enlightened?
So you know how I’m a total creature of habit when it comes to my skincare? Lush Cosmetics for this Muse all the way! Today I broke that rule when I started playing around with Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Be Weil Collection…dontcha love it? Be Weil? Ha! The corny factor makes me giggle myself silly. The Muse is easily amused to say the least.
First off I completely adore Origins offhanded marketing on Dr. Andrew Weil! It appeals to the Muse’s sense of humor and actually makes me look at the products in a new light.
Here’s a picture of Dr. Andrew Weil and Origins proceeds to ask on it’s website What does a 66 year old man with a white beard know about beauty?
You now have my attention Origins! Aside from looking like Santa I’m thinking Dr. Weil probably knows next to nothing about this Muse’s beauty regime….turns out I’m wrong and he’s right. He does know a thing or two about beauty…skincare in particular.
Dr Weil doesn’t only look like Santa but he’s also giving skincare away like Santa! The new Origins Be Weil Collection is chock full of awesome products all in full sizes and all for $79.50 USD! It’s a New Year soon and you may be looking for a new skincare regime or you might be immune to your old one so here in lays a great excuse to try something new and at a really great price tag.
I normally avoid doing skincare reviews until I tried said items for a few weeks or months but I seriously couldn’t resist blogging this because at first touch, first sniff, and first look I kinda got the vibe this could be a good one.
Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Be Weil Collection includes all of the following products:
- Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser 1.7 oz
- Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Conditioning Lip Balm with Turmeric
- Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Body Cream 4 oz
- Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum 1 oz
- Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream 1 oz
I know the entire Mega-Mushroom thing sounds kinda weird. I was thinking along the lines of this:
But I promise it’s not strange at all! The entire line has a wonderfully pleasant herbal scent and an incredible texture ad formula. One of the main things that really caught and held my interested was how well all of the lotions, creams, and serums in the collection effortlessly glided and absorbed into my skin. The formula is outstanding in that aspect and really felt pleasing and cooling on my skin. I can’t do a more detailed review of each item as of yet but I will once I’ve used them for a spell so today I’ll just give you the bare bones of each product and what it’s used for.
The Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Serum sounds like an absolute dream for all skin types.
Do you have skin sensitivity? Extreme dryness? Redness? Hyperpigmentation? Lines? Wrinkles? Puffiness? Are you a flusher-blusher? All of these diverse skin conditions have something in common, what Dr. Weil calls “the fire within.” Sometimes it’s barely perceptible, but it’s there, proceeding unnoticeably until it sets into motion a cascade of unwanted events.
Of course extreme dryness caught my eye and I can picture this calming my dry skin and creating a nice layer of protection against harsh winter weather! It seems an ideal item for use after my regular nice cream for added moisture. I’m looking forward to testing it out further.
The Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cream also sounds amazing and as I mentioned above it sinks into skin so easily!
This remarkable face cream with Hypsizygus ulmarius and Chaga mushrooms immediately helps quiet and calm skin. By mirroring the amazing process that sends Narcissus Lily Bulbs into dormancy as a means of “self-protection”, it signals skin to conserve its energy to optimize its defenses against age accelerators. Skin has the ability to maintain a stronger, healthier, more youthful appearance. This patented technology is further supported by Menyanthus and Heather extracts to keep skin firm; Fucoidan from Okinawan seaweed to discourage moisture loss and Vitamins C and E to defend against destructive oxidation.
I’ve already used the Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser tonight but I do need to test further before giving my full review. Here’s what the site has to say about it:
This extremely gentle, milky lotion cleanser features a proprietary, signature blend – Hypsizygus ulmarius, Cordyceps and Reishi Mushrooms, Ginger, Turmeric and Holy Basil – as well as skin soothing Bisabolol from Chamomile and Licorice Extract. It quickly removes makeup, dirt, debris and impurities without upsetting skin’s naturally protective lipid balance and keeps even highly sensitive or reactive skin calm throughout the cleansing process.
For your body you’ll want to try out the Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Body Cream, again totally love this since it glides on and absorbs so wonderfully! It’s soft, fluffy, and simply sinks in upon contact with the skin! My knees and elbows are thanking me at the moment!
This intensely emollient cream with my signature blend of Hypsizygus ulmarius, Reishi and Cordyceps Mushrooms, Ginger, Turmeric and Holy Basil, along with Larch Tree Extract, wraps skin in deeply satisfying moisture. Natural “skin-identical” lipids including Murumuru, Shea, Cocoa and Cupuacu butters help reseal skin’s vulnerable surface against incoming irritants. Skin is completely comfortable and its vital barrier is well-protected against potential damage.
And lastly the Plantidote Conditioning Lip Balm which looks like a great little stick to have around come the colder weather when the Muse’s lips start cracking and chapping!
This highly emollient lip healer with Turmeric, Cocoa Butter, Jojoba, Sunflower and Sesame Seed Oils, Muru Muru and Candillila seriously helps heal dryness and relieve roughness. Rapidly restores softness and smoothness to overly parched lips.
Overall, I do have to say I’m pretty impressed and that’s saying alot considering how picky I am about skincare. I highly recommend checking out Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Be Weil Collection as it’s quite an interesting selection of good quality items. I’ll be doing a deeper review of each item after I’ve used them for few weeks but if what I seen so far is anything to go on I’d say I should be a happy camper. I’m currently debating and I think I may indulge in two more sets as gifts for friends as you can’t go wrong for the price taking into consideration the size of each item. I’m actually making a good excuse to do an order because the Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum has caught my eye and you know how the Muse is on an epic journey to discover the very best eye cream around!
I’m really feeling this one and although I haven’t done a deep enough review to warrant it I’m sticking a Muse Approval on it just for the value alone and the formula which impressed me on touch!
Do check it out at www.origins.com or at your local Origins counter!
Tried this already?
Love it?
Want to try it?
Love Origins Skincare?
Tell the Muse!
MAC Volcanic Ash Review
Lush Paradise Regained Review
La Mer Gifts of Beauty Holiday 2008
Jill Stuart Cleansing Oil Review
Etude House Aqua Sherbet Skincare Review
Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask Review
Aquafina Facial Spray Review
I’ve already did prior reviews on Lush’s brand new facial moisturizers Skin Nanny and Vanishing Cream and today I’ll be wrapping up my review with Lush Paradise Regained Facial Moisturizer.
The Muse remembers a few years ago when Lush Gorgeous Moisturizer was $69.95 USD. In recent years the price has steadily climbed upwards to $85 USD. The Muse swears by Gorgeous and has been using it for quite a long time but as it reached the $85 USD mark the Muse began to sweat bullets at spending so much on her facial moisturizer. However, she did decide that she must do what she must do because indeed Lush Gorgeous is nirvana for her skin.
Recently, Lush introduced Paradise Regained and of course this Muse rushed right out to purchase it and try it out for herself unknown to her that this would be the day she found a cheaper option to her beloved Gorgeous.
Although Gorgeous is facial cream nirvana for me I actually prefer Paradise Regained over it as it has some options that Gorgeous doesn’t offer. Paradise Regained is advertised as a mature skin moisturizer but I think it’s perfectly fine for any skin type. It’s light, it’s refreshing and pure perfect for combination, dry, or normal skin types in my humblest. The moisturizer contains an array of fresh fruits to brighten and revive skin. If you seen some of my Summer FOTD’s you may have spotted a certain dullness to my skin, after using Paradise Regained I feel like my skin has a new life and it been glowing once again!
The formula is very similiar to Gorgeous in that it’s very light and absorbs quite easily. It has natural ingredients to protect skin from the effects of the sun and plenty of wonderful fresh fruits to whiten and brighten the complextion. Taking into consideration what wonders Paradise Regained has done with my skin I have no question that it can easily replace my pot of Gorgeous and at half the price!
Honestly, it’s well worth trying out as it’s a fabulous day cream that isn’t too oily, keeps skin fresh and dewy, erases signs of fatigue all while brightening your skin!
The Muse absolutely loves it and it’s easily become a staple morning moisturizer for her! She recommends checking it out for yourself and gives it a big mighty Muse Approval for purchase as she blames all her good skin days on it lately! Paradise has truly been regained as my skin was lackluster before and now it simply glows!
Picking Apart My Best Feature…My Skin!
Lush Skin Nanny Review
Lush Vanishing Cream Review
When I first seen Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Collection I was on the fence about whether or not I’d like it or not. I’m normally a foody/fruity type of girl which means I prefer my bath and body products either sweetly scented or scented like some sort of food. I’m a real girlie-girl when it comes to scents and I’m really peculiar and particular about what sort of scents I enjoy using to scent my bath, body, and perfume products.
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Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere looked like something more along the lines that my sister would like. She normally loves comforting blends and I normally prefer a bit more of a sweet factor to mine which is why I was so surprised when I tried out some of the Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Collection! I liked it! Alot!
It’s a rather comforting scent that really appeals to my nesting side. When the colder weather sets in the Muse goes into nesting mode and likes to stay home cuddled up on her couch with good friends or family to watch a movie on TV or catch up on some Tivo. I think we all have that rather strong urge to just veg out when the colder weather sets in and nothing feels more comfortable than laying up in bed under a warm comforter and reading a good book or watching some telly! This is the vibe I get from the Bath and Body Works Shea Cashmere Body Lotion I recently tested out!
The scents is a comforting blend of beautiful vanilla with a really fresh, comforting base. It reminds the Muse of fluffy towels, soft cotton sheets, and plump down comforters! It’s not your typical Bath and Body Works vanilla blend it’s more of a cocktail of really warm vanilla with faint traces of cake or vanilla frosting. It’s just a super comforting smell that’s too complex to really explain. I’ve only tried the lotion so far and I must say it’s quite a luxe moisturizer and keeps my rough elbows and knees happily moist and soft! The formula is quite thick but it manages to absorb easily into the skin leaving behind soft skin and a beautiful, lingering scent.
The Shea Cashmere Collection also includes hand cream, foot cream, shower cream, and more! It’s worth heading into Bath and Body Works to have a peek and a sniff plus right now they have a slew of gift sets that are too tempting to resist.
The Muse liked this one alot and thinks it’s especially lovely for the Winter! Do check it out for yourself at www.bathandbodyworks.com or at your local Bath and Body Works.
Oh by the way L@@K:
Lambie Socks! Ahhhh! The Muse’s feet are so happy!
The Muse’s Wishy List: Bath and Body Works Lambie
Bath and Body Works Liplicious Lip Color and Lip Sugar Scrub Review
Bath and Body Works Holiday Collection 2008
Bath and Body Works Sleep Collection Review
Ok, you know all that hype about how La Mer is food from the Gods above (only Blue Bunny Bunny Tracks Ice Cream is comparable as far as the Muse is concerned) ….
The Muse says it’s true.
Yes, it’s expensive but honestly well worth your money. I’ve tried various samples of La Mer and honestly it’s no wonder J-Lo fills her bathtub with it and bathes in it. If the Muse had her money she’d do the same thing!
If you’re looking for a super luxurious gift this Holiday Season or wanting to finally take the plunge and find out if the hype that surrounds La Mer is all true you can indulge in some of the super luxe gifts that La Mer has on offer!
I honestly can’t begin to afford some of these amazing gift sets but it doesn’t hurt my lemmings none the less! A girl can dream and drool! However, I do have my eye on two of the gift sets and considering that I’ve been thinking about taking the plunge into skincare nirvana recently I might as well go with a gift set which includes a few items instead of a single one item!
The Signature Collection $240 USD
Includes:
Creme de La Mer 1oz
La Mer The Lifting Face Serum 15ml
La Mer The Eye Concentrate 5ml
I do have my eye on this one as it includes almost everything I want. Taking into consideration that La Mer Eye Concentrate is $165 USD and Cream de La Mer is $130 USD you can see how this actually works out to a value in the long run! This little guy is exclusive to Bloomingdale’s for a very exclusive time so if you wants it better head on out and grab it before it’s gone!
The Luxury Essentials $630 USD
Includes:
Cream de la Mer
La Mer The Lifting Face Serum
La Mer The Eye Concentrate
Eep! I personally can’t afford it but I’d be all over this like white on rice if I won the lotto! The items are housed in a pearlized hat box.
Dear Santa,
Please grace the Muse’s Christmas with a La Mer Luxury Essential Gift Set! I’ve been good all year! Honest!
xoxo
the Muse
The La Mer Luxury Essentials Gift Set is available at Bergdorf and Neimans.
The Creme de La Creme $1,390 USD
I’ll take my jar of Creme de la Mer super size please!
Phew, that’s 16.5oz of cream! How many of these do you think I’d need to fill up my bath tub?
If you have some spare change hanging around you can get the La Mer Creme de La Creme Gift Set at Bergdorf, Neimans, and Saks! Tell ‘em the Muse sent you!
The Luxe Keepsake Box $1,200 USD
If you’re dishing out for La Mer you might as well have a super posh box to stash it away in! The Luxe Keepsake Box was designed by David Linley a British furniture designer. Each set is numbered and limited edition. If I ever got my hands on one I’d ruin it by drooling all over it! This is obviously one for the beauty vault! I better go buy more lotto tickets!
This one is available exclusively from Bergdorf and www.lamer.com
The Connoisseur Collection $395 USD
Here’s another one I seriously have my eye on!
Includes:
Creme de La Mer
La Mer The Eye Concentrate
The Connoisseur Collection comes housed in a pearlized leather box! I think I may indulge in this one, the temptation is to great to resist!
If you’re wanting this collection it’s available exclusively at Saks.
Well, I guess we better start getting our jumbo pencils and paper out and start our lists to Santa…I know mine has increased by a few items after seeing these gift sets!
I’ve forsaken Shu!
Bad Muse, Bad!
Although I simply adore Shu Uemura Cleansing Oils I recently cheated on them with Jill Stuart Cleansing Oil….what….Jill Stuart is way more girly and kawaii looking! Can’t help a girl for wanting to indulge!
After careful weighting in of my obscene collection of cleansing oils, both cheap and inexpensive, I deem Jill Stuart the best cleansing oil I ever did try!
I’ve been using this for a few months now and I see myself quickly replacing it with a new bottle as soon as I’m done. At around 2,800 yen per 200ML it’s actually not badly priced when compared to other costly brands I’ve tried such as Shu and RMK. Granted it’s not budget priced but it does exactly what it says it does, while having beautiful packaging, and smelling nice!’
What more could a girl want?
The cleansing oil works in a similiar fashion as all good cleansing oils. Simply pump two or three squirts into your dry hands and apply to dry skin by slowly massaging in to break up makeup, rinse with warm or cool water, and Bob’s your Uncle! Your face is left beautifully moist and makeup free!
Now any good cleansing can do this for you however it’s rare I’ve come across such a sweet smelling cleanser or one that washes away so well without leaving bit of a residue behind. Almost all cleansing oils I’ve tried always have a teeny tiny bit of a residue that I have to use toner to get off afterwards however Jill Stuart Cleansing Oil washes clean the first time! Aside from RMK which carries a cool, minty fragrance, Jill Stuart Cleansing Oil also happens to be the first of it’s kind that carries a delightfully fruity, sweet smell. I know many of you dislike scented skincare but I personally love it especially when it carries such a flattering scent as this.
Although the bottle is plastic it still manages to keep a nice elegant feel to it and it looks rather lovely on my bathroom vanity sitting with my other pretty bits and bobs!
Maybe I’m bias because it’s pink or maybe because it smells so pretty! Whatever the reason I’m currently loving Jill Stuart Cleansing Oil and making it my holy grail cleansing oil from now on!
The Muse likey and suggests picking one up online if you can find it at a decent price! Do see my Japanese Cosmetic Buying Guide to see if you can locate Jill Stuart Cleansing Online for a good price!
Jill Stuart Illuminance Palettes Review
Jill Stuart Perfume Review
Jill Stuart Holiday 2007 Review
MuseTV Presents: Spotlight on Jill Stuart and the Muse’s Jill Stuart Collection
An Introduction to Japanese Cosmetics Part Deux
Shu Uemura White Recovery Ex Cleansing Oil Review
Mandom Cleansing Express Moist Cleansing Lotion Review
I’ve had Lush Skin Nanny for a while now but since I got it in the Summer, I was unable to use it as it’s really thick and isn’t great for warmer, humid weather wear.
The weather is still pretty warm here but I decided to bust out and begin using Skin Nanny. I really hate doing skin care reviews after only a few days of use but I’m so excited about Skin Nanny I really wanted to share my experiences with you so far.
I’ve said it before but it’s important that I re-mention what sort of skin I have. I have a combination skin type that’s oily in the Summer and pretty dry in the Winter. At the moment I’m experiencing oily skin on my forehead, dry skin between my eye brows, and pretty normal skin on the rest of my face.
It deserves to be mentioned that I really don’t think you can get away with using Skin Nanny for a day time moisturizer. It’s very heavy and very thick which makes it ideal for replenishing moisture during the night however for day use I think it might be a bit too much. Unless you have severely dry skin on your face I’m doubtful this will work for anything else but a night cream. Personally I’ll be using Skin Nanny as a night cream because even come Winter when my skin is drier this is still very thick for day time use.
Here’s the description from Lush UK:
Anti-ageing Skin-Protection The natural way to protect your skin from wrinkliness Lots of hype and humbug gets written about skincare. We can`t be bothered with all that; we stick to the facts. If you are going out in the sun and want to look after your skin, you`ve got to choose a moisturiser with some protection. In Skin Nanny we`ve made a rich, effective cream which you`ve got to have if you`re the latter side of 30. It`s got the AHAs that exist naturally in fruit. We use freshly squeezed apple juice, not synthetics. It`s all part of our tradition is herbalists, the holistic approach to keeping your skin bright by using the whole fruit. Starflower oil moisturises and hydrates your skin; it has omega 6 oils and nutritious fatty acids (a lot nicer than they sound). Skin Nanny`s vitamins C and E come naturally with almond and hibiscus oils to penetrate your skin and smoothe wrinkles (for a while). We give it an emollient jojoba, camellia and candalilia wax complex to revive your skin immediately. All in all, we are delighted to have Skin Nanny taking care of our faces. The older you are the more you will appreciate it and the sooner you start, the happier you`ll be in future.
Now I’m really excited to add this to my night time skin regime. I’ve been trying to find a good anti-aging moisturizer so Skin Nanny couldn’t come out at a better time considering that Lush pretty much makes up 95% of my skincare already. My normal night cream is Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough and I’ll be happily replacing that with Skin Nanny!
As I mentioned about the moisturizer is extremely thick and creamy which means it doesn’t absorb fully on contact with the skin. It does take a fair bit of work on your part to get this nice and smoothed onto the skin however after it’s on it feels rather wonderful and you can feel it working to create a good layer of moisture. Come morning my skin feels amazing! The formula contains SPF as well which is always an added bonus if you decide to wear this out and about.
Lush has ALWAYS been very good to my skin and I give it 100% credit for how great my skin looks today so I have no doubts in my mind that this will protect my skin and keep it younger looking for years to come.
Strangely enough, one of the greater things about this moisturizer was the fact that it helped improve the dryness under my eyes considerably. Although I haven’t stopped using my normal eye cream I do like the results of smoothing this over my face and under my eyes and come morning I’m left with smoother, softer skin under my eyes which in turn makes applying concealer easier minus creasing or caking due to dryness!
It’s honestly a very, very heavy moisturizer so please prior to purchasing do ask for a small sample to take home and try or you can purchase a sample pot for $5 USD which you can later bring back to receive $5 off the larger size moisturizer of your choice!
Who I recommend try it:
- Anyone, old or young, who has dry skin and seeks heavy duty moisture!
- Women 25 and up who are looking for an anti-aging cream.
- Those who are seeking a good night cream that will replenish and renew moisture to the skin over night.
Honestly, I loved adding this to my skincare line up and I think it pure perfection for night wear. I’m happy Lush has finally broken into creating a moisturizer with anti-aging ingredients! Lush has kept my skin clear, blemish-free, and beautiful for a few years now and I look forward to it keeping my skin from aging as well now!
If you fit into any of the categories above I highly recommend and approve this one for purchase!
The Muse loves it!
Lush Skin Nanny Moisturizer is available now from Lush NA and Lush UK for $46.95 USD or £25.
Check your local country Lush website for further details if these moisturizers are available in your country!
Picking Apart my Best Feature: A Guide to what the Muse uses on her face from Lush
Lush Vanishing Cream Review
Lush Perfume
Simplifying your Haircare with Lush
Cracking Apart a Super-Size Lush Pud
If you’re wanting a little bit of divine intervention to be added into your moisturizer you may not have to look too far!
Philosophy Divine Illumination Moisturizer is the newest moisturizer from Philosophy that promises to improve skin tone, texture, smoothness, firmness, and adding anti-aging ingredients while adding a healthy glow to skin!
You can pre-order Philosophy Divine Illumination Moisturizer from QVC by using item number A84989.
Count the Muse curious…I foresee some illumination in my life soon…review to follow? Possibly!
Want it?
Need it?
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I’ve been using Lush Vanishing Cream Moisturizer for about a month now, maybe a little longer. I originally ordered all three of Lush’s moisturizers from Lush UK over a month or so ago and the one that I was the least interested in and wasn’t going to purchase at all was Vanishing Cream. I’m actually quite relieved I indulged in Vanishing Cream because it turns out it’s rather wonderful and I’m in love with it.
Honestly, I was worried about purchasing Vanishing Cream considering it’s absolutely all wrong for my skin type, the moisturizer is meant for acne prone/oily skin. I wasn’t going to purchase this at all but the description did peek my interest.
Here’s the description taken from the Lush UK website:
The Low Fat Moisturiser If you have acne, oily skin, spots on your T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) you could use a pot of our new Vanishing Cream. It makes your skin troubles vanish. It`s not magic though, it`s beautifully traditional natural science. We make it with a new low-fat base so it`s light as a feather and sinks in, in a trice. There`s no cocoa butter; although we love it, we know it`s not for everyone. Instead, we use shea butter and deeply softening linseed gel, with low-fat camellia, grapeseed and jojoba oils. Of course, you don`t have to have problem skins use it; if you`d like a comforting, balancing moisturiser that keeps your skin clear with lavender, neroli and uranium essential oils then walk this way. But if your skin torments you every day, making you over-oily, spotty, red or sore then you definitely need this. Use it with Herbalism, Angels on Bare Skin, Fresh Farmacy, Tea Tree Water for a new Tea Tree Tone Tabs to take really good care of your face, naturally and safely.
As per Lush’s recommendation of “of course, you don’t have to have problem skins use it; if you like a comforting, balancing moisturizer that keeps skin clear…” this was one thing that caught my interest and of course the other item that sold me on this was the fact that it was marketed as being such a light moisturizer. I liked the idea of a moisturizer that was light, that would help battle oily skin, and balanced my skin so I decided what the heck might as well try it.
Considering this arrived sometime in July or August (I can’t recall which) I was happy to have it for part of the Summer to try out since my combination skin is sometimes oily in the Summer here it may have laid a solution.
As promised by Lush, Vanishing Cream is beautifully, wonderfully, heavenly light. I love how smooth and effortlessly this glides onto my skin and absorbs simply and easily. This is absolute perfect wear for Summer considering how light and airy the formula is. The texture is watery and runny and has a fresh, herbal smell of lavender and rose.
The moisturizer leaves my skin matte yet dewy and fresh and keeps my forehead nice and oil free all day long. I absolutely loved using this during the hot, humid weather as it offered just the right moisture for my skin while balancing it out and preventing it from becoming shiny. One of the ingredients in this is Witch Hazel which could account for how it mattifies skin and keeps oil at bay.
I recommend this for those with the following skin types:
- Oily Skin
- Acne or Blemish ridden skin
- Redness or Sensitive Skin
- Those who want a light moisturizer for everyday use or during warmer weather
The only sole rant I have about the moisturizer is it’s lack of SPF aside from that it’s positively perfect and I love it. Although I was using this as a light, Summer time moisturizer I feel like it may carry it’s way into my Fall skincare regime as well as I’m enjoying it’s lightness and how I do not have to prep with a base or primer after use.
I highly recommending purchasing this for yourself or at the least trying it out. Currently Lush has small pots available for $5 USD which you can use to test this out. If you love it you can bring back the empty sample pot you purchased for $5 USD and have it deducted from the total cost of a large container of the moisturizer!
Nifty right?
The price is $35.95 USD or £15 for a 1.7oz pot (45g).
The Muse Approves it for purchase!
Love it!
Tried it?
Like it?
Tried any of the new Lush Moisturizers?
Tell the Muse!
Retro Lush
Lush Skin Nanny Review
Lush Godmother Soap Review
Fabulous New Items from Lush!
Lush Emotibombs Review
Lush Solid Perfume Review
Phew it sure has been a while since I did a MuseTV video hasn’t it? Hope you enjoyed that rather quick break down of Biore’s New Skincare Collection.
Some of the items, as I mentioned in my video, are brand new where as others are older products with new clothing. Whatever the case may be, old or new, Biore always has a special place in my heart when it comes to inexpensive, quality skincare.
Enliven
One of my two favorite items is the Biore Enliven Cooling Eye Gel which is a moisturizing, slightly cooling gel for offering moisture to the delicate eye are while reducing puffiness. I’ve used it for a few weeks now and it does a considerably good job of diminishing the puff that seems the plague my eyes upon waking up the morning. It does promise to erase dark circles as well but as of yet I haven’t seen any change in those. I actually really like this and it’s one of the first products that has actually worked and shown considerable change in my eye area in regards to puff. The box claims it’s made with a “moisture matrix” that holds up to three times it’s weight in water in which case you should see immediate results. I didn’t see immediate results however after about 10 minutes I noticed that my puffiness goes down drastically and my eye does appear well rested. This is a nice little prep prior to concealer as it moistens the eye area nicely plus the inexpensive price tag doesn’t hurt buying and trying it for yourself!
Revitalize
Sadly, after I reviewed Philosophy Purity Foaming Cleanser I was particularly thrilled. I simply adore foaming cleaners so I was quite happy to try out Biore 4-in-1 Self Foaming Cleanser which cleanses, tones, and detoxes skin all in one go! Nice! It’s a typical foaming cleanser that does a great job of removing all my makeup in one go (not waterproof mascara though!) while remaining gentle enough not to dry my face out. It foams..need I say more? That’s enough for me to love it. I have a foaming cleanser fetish!
Refresh
Biore Daily Cleansing Clothes are one of those lazy day makeup removal items I reach for when I’m not feeling like going through the big chore and project of removing makeup. One cloth pretty much does the job of removing it all in one go. Each cloth is pre-moistened with a gentle cleansing solution that whisks away dirt, grime, even waterproof mascara! Sweet!
Detoixfy
Biore Daily Scrub is an inexpensive way to exfoliate and detox skin to reveal fresh, more vibrant looking skin. The scrub contains tiny exfoliating grains that remove dead skin cells and resurface your skin. This is pretty gentle for everyday use and it doesn’t dry my skin out like other exfoliating products I’ve used. I believe this is a new scrub from Biore as I’ve tried and liked the blackhead version prior to this.
Purify
Another of my very favorite items from Biore would be the Biore Self Heating Mask. These are oil free masks that are gentle enough for everyday use although I use them about 2-3 times weekly. They are self heating upon contact with your skin and after use my skin is always left glowing! Loves these!
Nourish and Restore
Finish up your Biore skincare regime with Biore Moisture Lotion and Boire Skin-Boosting Serum. Biore Moisture Lotion is an inexpensive way to have a light Summer (or humid weather) moisturize that contains SPF 15. Although Winter is almost here I know some of you live in warmer climates and this is an ideal light moisturizer for warmer weather! Biore Skin-Boosting Night Serum is new to the line up and offers extra night time moisture to skin while soothing and nourishing it while you sleep. I’ve convinced myself that my skin looks amazing in the AM after using this…is it me or the product? That remains to be seen!
All in all Biore offers some inexpensive, quality skincare selections that are well worth checking out for yourself! A few years ago it was one of my staple skincare products and to this day I use some of it still. I recommend checking out the Biore Cooling Eye Gel and the Biore 4-in-1 Self Foaming Cleanser both are a win for the Muse!
And of course the best part of Biore is that all my lovely readers can definately indulge as it’s pretty International from the US, to Japan, and even Indonesia!
Check out more from Biore by visiting there website. While you’re there check out the Biore Mandarin Blossom Pore Strips, I heart these!
Love Biore?
Favorite Biore products?
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Biore Pajama Party!
Hey pretty girls (and guys)!
I know you’ve been eagerly awaiting my review on Etude House’s Summer skincare collection but skincare is a tricky thing to review and it needs a ton of testing before I can sit down and give you guys the lowdown!
I’ve had the complete collection of Etude House Aqua Sherbet for over a month now and I’ve been using it daily for that entire time as part of my AM skincare regime. The collection consists of all of the following products:
Etude House Aqua Sherbet Facial Lotion
Etude House Aqua Sherbet Toner
Etude House Aqua Sherbet Serum
Etude House Aqua Sherbet Gel Cream
Etude House Aqua Sherbet Ice Toner
Please note that a brand new mist has been recently added to the collection. Sadly, when I had my friend purchase this lot of items for me the mist was not yet out and available however I did ask for it now so hopefully soon I can bring you a review for that!
As you can see the entire regime is a bit of an overkill as that’s a whole LOT of stuff to be putting on your face daily. Although, as per Etude House’s recommendation, the products should be used in a certain order as a daily skincare technique, I personally ended up breaking some of it up and using it for different purposes although I’m not stranger to using a ton of different items on my skin daily so this was not a big deal!
I think I’ll start my review with my favorite product out of the entire line which was the Aqua Sherbet Ice Toner. I. Love. This. Stuff.
It’s seriously awesome and I wish I could find something of similiar quality here in the US for such an inexpensive price. It’s literally does what it says, an icy cool, refreshing toner. It’s not a spray but a foam so you can’t spray this directly on your face unfortunately. Basically you spray a bit on a cotton pad, it’s a foam so it’s not really saturating the pad completely, you proceed to wipe it all over your face for a rather nice blast of coolness. It’s icy cool and fresh feeling and my skin seems to love it! Although I can’t read the ingredients I think it’s safe to say this contains a healthy dose of alcohol but I experienced no dryness after using it. It’s such a great little item to have around on a hot Summer morning! It makes my face feel cool, refreshed, and ready for my makeup! I love it! Etude House did a seriously good job with this one and I’ve enjoyed using this daily and will definately be purchasing some more to stock up on! The toner is 18,000 won which is pricey for Etude House as they normally range in the 9,000-12,000 won price category however it’s well worth it and if you so choose, and have access, you can actually purchase the toner and gel cream together for 21,000 won which is like getting the gel cream free!
The toner and the lotion are very good however I did sadly experience a bit of drying with both. As I mentioned earlier Etude House skincare does have a considerable amount of alcohol in it. It’s hard not to notice as they do faintly have the scent of it however with the Etude House Moistfull Skincare Collection I experience absolutely no dryness after use but with the Aqua Sherbet toner and lotion I did have a bit of a drying, sticky feeling after use. I don’t mind this so much since it’s so hot and humid and my skin can actually take advantage of the mattifying these two products provide however I probably will have to avoid use in the Winter when my skin will become much drier. Aside from that I liked both. Each is 9,500 won or both for 20,000 and the bottles are very large so this is definately a lovely price tag. The toner nor lotion does not produce the same cooling experience that the Ice Toner has. The Ice Toner definately has a cooling sensation when applied however the regular toner and lotion didn’t have the same effect. I was slightly disappointed that I failed to notice any citrusy scent with any of the products as well since I THINK they are meant to have a faint fruity smell. Turns out they actually smell quite similiar to the Moistfull Collection which is a fresh, aqua like smell for lack of a better description. The toner is a typical liquid toner that you use with a cotton pad and the lotion has a nice light consistency for Summer wear. All the bottles in Etude House’s skincare and fragrance line are extremely vanity worthy however I do have a problem with getting the lotion out of such a heavy glass bottle. Each bottle is a beautifully frosted heavy glass but a tiny bit unconventional for a clumsy person like me who might drop it. It’s also rather irritating to shake it around to get the lotion flowing as well! It kinda has that annoying Ketchup method where you sit for a while trying to shake the product out of the bottle. Aside from my minor rants I did like the toner and lotion.
One of my lovely readers, jkim, kindly translated the use of each product and they should be used in the following order:
Aqua Sherbet Ice Toner or Aqua Sherbet Toner
Aqua Sherbet Serum
Aqua Sherbet Facial Lotion
Aqua Sherbet Gel Cream
I’ve been basically using them in these stages as well but sometimes skipping the gel cream and serum and using those as night treatments.
For me both the Serum and the Gel Cream had about the same consistency which was a bit of a thicker formula than the lotion but only a tad bit more so. Neither the Serum nor the Gel Cream were drying thankfully although I did feel like the Serum was much better than the Gel Cream simply because the Gel Cream left a tiny bit of a sticky residue behind after use.
I personally don’t understand the idea of using a serum, facial lotion, plus a gel cream. Maybe if I could read Korean I’d understand the mentality behind it all. Since this seemed like a rather weird way to use the products I decided I’d use the both toners in the AM plus the regular facial lotion. I follow up by using the gel cream as a primer and I use the serum in the evening. The gel and serum can be purchased together or separately. Together they retail for 23,000 won where as seperate the gel costs 12,000 won and the serum costs 11,000 won.
In a over month’s use I didn’t experience anything wow aspiring about the collection however I am impressed with the price, the wonderful packaging, and the rather great concept of a lighter form of skincare for the Summer.
We all change and rearrange how we care for our skin during different times of the year and Etude House’s Aqua Sherbert line was a rather fun item to use as my Summer skincare. It’s light, refreshing, plus since it contains a fair bit of alcohol it successfully mattified my skin without over drying too much!
Although I had minor complaints here and there and I do prefer Etude House’s Moistfull Skincare Collection over this I still liked this little collection and felt like it was money well spent!
Cheers to Etude House for always putting a smile on my face!
Love Etude House?
Tried this collection?
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Etude House Summer Collection 2008: Sherbert Cool Party Release Information
The Muse’s Appearance in Etude House’s Newsletter!
Etude House’s Spring Collection 2008 Reviewed
Ok, I normally avoid reviewing skincare until I’ve tested it out a few weeks but might I gush about the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask I got in the mail today?
I just finished trying it out and I’m in love!
Has anyone tried this!?
I’ve wanted to try this stuff for a long time but never really got around to indulging in any of the Bliss skincare line. I adore Bliss’s Bath and Body products, what prevented me from grabbing some of the face line I’ll never know so I’m more than pleased to finally have gotten the chance to test some of it out!
So what’s the Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask anyway?
It’s a super quick oxygen mask that mimics Bliss Spa’s own world famous triple oxygen facial treatment! Cool, a oxygen mask I can do at home in the comfort of my own washroom!
What it promises to do:
Wake up dull, tired, and swallow skin.
What it does:
Wakes up my dull, tired skin and gives me a radiant, refreshed glow!
Fantastic!
After one use I could immediately see the sigh of relief my skin was breathing. My complexion looked glowing and rosy once again! Fantastic!
This is product is particularly recommended for those with problem skin, it also happens to be recommend for refreshing skin if you’re a smoker. I have neither problem but my skin definately can use a wake me up lately and this surely delivered what it promised.
My first go with the product wasn’t successful as I didn’t use nearly enough to create any big change so I quickly washed up and tried again. The directions state use a generous amount and this was my biggest problem with the first use. I obviously hadn’t used enough the first time to notice anything happen however in this case more is better.
You simply dampen your face, pump out three squirts, and begin rubbing around your face in a gentle massage. The formula has a citrus like smell that’s very pleasing. It begins as a gel but it quickly turns into a foam as you massage it in. After you’ve covered your face, sit back and relax. Leave this on for five minutes and rinse.
As you sit and wait you’ll notice a small tingle as the mask begins to foam. It sizzles, cracks, and makes small little noises as it’s penetrates and you can literally feel it working. It kinda feels like a million tiny little fingers rotating around your face as it foams up. After five minutes I rinsed with lukewarm water and noticed that the water slid off my face in a rather interesting manner. My face didn’t feel greasy or oily but it did have a moisturized feeling as I rinsed.
After I dried my face I noticed my face was slightly warm and blushing…thus the glow the product gives to your cheeks!
Loves it!
After all this my face felt extremely smooth and the tiny dry flakes I get between my brows had disappeared. My face was glowing, smooth, soft, and looked healthier!
The mask detoxifies your skin in five minutes leaving behind younger, healthier, more refreshed skin….I think the Muse loves this one!
If you’re 30 or older this will be an absolute god sent for creating a smoother, healthier skin. If you’re younger the novelty of detoxing and clearing your skin of acne woes will most definately appeal.
This one I can’t recommend enough! So far, after one use, I’m feeling the love. Next on my list to try: Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask
The Muse likey for sure.
Tried this?
Love it?
What are your favorite Bliss products?
Tell the Muse!
Bliss Shock Therapy and Bliss Minty Scrub Soap Review
Feeling lazy?
Here’s your solution:
Meet Cleansing Express Moist Cleansing Lotion.
I’ve never heard of it before, I’ve never seen it before, and probably would have never gotten a chance to even try it if my beautiful mate Aya didn’t mention it to me. During one of our e-mails she said that she noticed I was looking for a good mascara remover and proceeded to recommend this stuff!
Well, Aya’s rave is spot on!
It’s freaking good stuff!
This removes virtually everything from your face without drying it. It does a particularly killer job removing waterproof mascara and eye makeup. The formula is very strange as it’s not oily but just like pure water! I simply took a large cotton square, pumped a few squirts on and went to work on my eyes. After I took another cotton square and did my face. Aya had suggested rinsing afterward although you don’t have to as per the instructions I took her advice and had a quick rinse. Presto done! Just as the bottle advertises, “Ready for bed as soon as possible!”
I was so excited about Cleansing Express Moist Cleansing Lotion I had to go on my merry googling way and find out more about it!
I came across the mandom Beauty website at first visit and later I came across Lady L’s youTube video of this!
How I missed this video is beyond me as I closely follow Lady L’s going ons. Call me a stalker but she fascinates me and I adore her blog!
Hopefully she doesn’t mind too much that I’m totally snatching her youTube video and showing it here! Check it, Lady L working her magic with Cleansing Express Moist Cleansing Lotion:
As you can see it removes virtually all traces of eye makeup! It works all over the face so it multitasks as both an eye makeup remover and face cleanser plus did I mention it’s cheap as chips?
I paid retail at around 800 yen I believe. Can’t beat the price as the bottle is huge but I imagine it’ll go fast as you do need a few squirts for both eyes and face but hey it’s cheap..just buy more!
I can see this easily become a cult favorite for me right up there with Kose Airy Whip which means I’m seeing my future and it consists of me buying cases of Cleansing Express Moist!
Although you can’t purchase it for retail if you’re not in Japan you can get it from Weichi for $13.99 USD which is still a steal in my opinion! Click!
Did I mention the cleanser is water based and contains no alcohol? Gotta love it! Keeps getting better and better doesn’t it?
Do I love it?
But of course!
Am I stashing it? Yes….the Muse needs cases of this stuff!
Muse Approval for this one! I love it! I believe I found my holy grail eye makeup remover!
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