Biore Steam Activated Cleanser Review

Biore Steam Activated Cleanser with SteamActiv beads

I was getting low on cleansers and decided to try something new.  I found this at my local Target and thought I would give it a try.  It was listed with a Allure Winner sticker, so how could I go wrong?

The first time I used it I used about 6 pumps of it and used it outside the shower.  That was a huge mistake because it was goopy and thick and once I finally got it removed, my face was as red as a strawberry.  Then I decided to actually follow the directions and use it in the shower.  I used two pumps and it was just about right.  A little goes a long way!  My face felt so clean and tingly when I got out of the shower and my skin has cleared up a bit in the past few days.  I did notice my pores were not cleared from this product though so it doesn't completely clean you up or work miracles. 

I would recommend this as a simple cleanser for someone with combination/oily skin.  My skin is fairly dry so I probably shouldn't be using it everyday.  It's a little addicting, however.  Step away from the Biore Jean!!

I would give it two thumbs up. 


Works with the steam in your shower for a truly deep clean.



Oil-Free
Non-comedogenic
Sulfate-free
Dermatologist tested
Hypo-allergenic


Open up and say 'Clean'! Mint-infused Biore® Steam Activated Cleanser with SteamActiv™ beads uses the pore-opening power of steam, right in your shower, to penetrate deeply into pores, locking on to dirt, oil & makeup and then washing it away. Leaves skin clean and deeply refreshed all day.
T-minus one week until polls close. Have you voted yet? No? Then get to it
Total Beauty Awards: Vote Now to Help Your Favorite Products Win!
This is a TotalBeauty.com best beauty products article
Vote now and you'll also be entered to win $350 worth of winning products. No joke, so hurry -- voting ends April 1

Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser Review


I love Clarins!  I first tried Clarins in New York City at my friend Cheryl's apartment.  She was so generous when we stayed there and told us to literally use "anything" we wanted to.  I was shocked when I saw all of the Clarins products in her medicine cabinet.  I warned her I might really take her up on that offer and she repeated, " Use it! I don't mind!".  I was so excited to test all these products in a 3 day time period.  My face looked amazing while I was there too.  I woke up without bags under my eyes for the first time in a few years.  It must have been the Clarins!  I went online a few months later and have been testing ever since to figure out which product helped me so much.

Sign up for their website and email updates.  They always have sales, free samples, and gift with purchases.  In my latest order, I received the One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser.  It was great.  I used it in the shower and my skin felt so squeaky clean afterwards.  It has a nice scent too it since it has orange extracts.  It was gentle on my skin but I was careful not to scrub too hard.  I have read too many articles about scrubs damaging your skin and I have tried to be extra gentle ever since!  If you are looking for a new scrub, try this one out.  It did not make me break out. 

*As a side note: Cheryl has amazing skin and the least wrinkles of all our friends.  Sorry K & C!

http://us.clarins.com/

*I purchased this product with my own money.

Mac Cleansing Oil Review


This is what it is: An industry-strength oil-based makeup remover that's gentle on the skin. Botanically formulated with oils of olive fruit, evening primrose and jojoba seed and absolutely 100 percent mineral-oil free. Massages onto the skin to loosen all makeup, including waterproof mascara. Emulsifies into a lotion-type liquid with water: rinses off easily, no tissues required - and no residue! Protects with vitamin E. Skin softening and conditioning. Good for all skin types.

My experience:  The Mac Cleansing Oil feels great, smells great, and works well in cleasing my face.  It didn't remove all of my eye makeup so I ended up having to remove it after the shower.  It literally feels like you are putting oil on your face so it is very smooth and then washes off milky white.  It is similar to other cleansing oils I have used except this one made my face break out.  I discontinued use and then tried it again and my face broke out again.  I was disappointed to say the least.  It was costly and now I have to just use it as a very expensive makeup remover.  I really wished it worked for me because it was so gentle to use and felt great. 

It might work for you but for me it did not.  I do love most MAC products so I will continue to try and find more skincare products I like from them.


*I purchased this item.

Certain Dri "All-Star Antiperspirant" Sweepstakes

Going to the big leagues just got easier! Step up to the plate with Certain Dri Anti-Perspirant and enter the Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant” Sweepstakes for a chance to win our MLB All-Star baseball game prize package!


The Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant” Sweepstakes runs from March 1, 2011- May 23, 2011. One random winner will win a trip for two to the 2011 MLB All-Star game and the Homerun Derby (travel accommodations included) in Phoenix, Arizona along with a supply of Certain Dri.

The official entry form and complete description of the All-Star prize package is available on the Certain Dri Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/certaindri . I promise you’ll “LIKE” what you see.

Nine West Entire Review

Nine West Entire Sandal.  Got mine at DSW.  They must be last year's model because I cannot find them online at a reputable site.  I wore them for 13 hours and they didn't cause blisters or foot pain.  Looove them!  I can't wait to wear them with capris or a skirt this summer.  They also come in tan but they are called "gray" on the box.

DSW is having a sale starting on 3/27.  See you there!

Curly Hair

Stock up on these reader-approved curly hair products to have a good hair day every day
13 Fabulous Products for Curly Hair
This is a TotalBeauty.com curly hair article
We took it upon ourselves to sift through legions of reviews on conditioners and styling aids to find out which ones Total Beauty readers deem worthy of their precious curls.
TotalBeauty.com rating: 8.0
No. 13: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Creme, $11.99
"The effect is moisture and subtle shine. After too many days of heat styling, I rely on this infusion of avocado oil to rehab some damage."
TotalBeauty.com rating: 8.0
No. 12: Goldwell Dynamic Loop Curl Spray, $13.99
"The bamboo proteins in this spray work some sort of voodoo magic to make curls into perfectly shaped … spirals."
TotalBeauty.com rating: 8.0
No. 11: Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious Curl Creme, $26.63
This "is excellent at coaxing curls out of slightly wavy hair while leaving strands soft, not crunchy…"

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I hope everyone wore green, set out leprechaun traps, ate corned beef and cabbage, and got to enjoy being Irish for the day!  We had a great day at our house and started some new traditions.  We had a leprechaun visit us and cause some messes such as spilled milk, toilet paper down the hall, and crackers left all over the counter with a note in cheese that said, " Ha ha!".  Lucky the Leprechaun left us a note with golden coins as a treasure hunt and left the kids a hefty treasure.  What fun we had! Green cupcakes and homemade Irish soda bread for desert (Mom made it from my Grandma Vani's recipe). 

Looking forward to next year!

Red Lipstick is It!

Do you ever feel like the red lipstick is wearing you instead of the other way around? Check out these tips on how you, too, can look fabulous with red lips
How to Look Fabulous in Red Lipstick
This is a TotalBeauty.com lip makeup article
Do you just love red lips (a la Anne Hathaway at the Oscars) but worry you can't pull them off? You totally can. You just have to follow these tips to get it right.

Great Facebook Contests


One of my favorite things about Facebook is all the contests and supporting my favorite brands.  Here are some contests that might interest you! 

Conair “Sneak Peek” Sweepstakes

Want fabulous hair? During the month of March, Conair is offering a “Sneak Peek” giveaway for a chance to win a choice of three new Conair hair styling tools. One winner each Friday! Give your hair some love with Conair and “LIKE” the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/conairhair) for more details!

scünci "Bendini Blitz" Daily Giveaway
Just “Bend and Snap!” Starting March 7 - March 25, 2011, each day, one lucky Facebook fan will have the chance to win scünci’s newest hair accessory -- the Bendini Clip! Add a touch of sparkle to any hairstyle with a Bendini clip! Show your hair some love and “LIKE” the scünci Facebook page (www.facebook.com/scuncihair) for more details!

Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant" Sweepstakes
Certain Dri wants to send you to the big leagues! From March 1, 2011- May 23, 2011, enter the Certain Dri “All-Star Antiperspirant” Sweepstakes for a chance to win our MLB All-Star baseball game prize package! One random winner will win a trip for two to the 2011 MLB All-Star game and the Homerun Derby (travel accommodations included) in Phoenix, Arizona along with a supply of Certain Dri connect with Certain Dri on Facebook (www.facebook.com/certaindri), for more details!

At Last Naturals "Get Lucky" Sweepstakes
Test your luck this month and enter for chance to win the At Last Naturals, “Get Lucky” Sweepstakes! Each week during the month of March one lucky winner will be randomly selected to win the At Last Naturals gift set including a $50 Soft Surroundings gift card, the entire line of At Last Naturals and more! Connect with At Last Naturals on Facebook (www.facebook.com/atlastnaturals) for more details....we’re sure you’ll “LIKE” what you see!

Plus, from March 4 - March 31, 2011 At Last Naturals is offering a 20% discount. Visit http://www.atlastnaturals.com and enter the code: LUCKY20.

Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies "Moving & Grooving" Facebook Sweepstakes
Now through March 25, 2011, each week one Facebook fan (oops, we mean "liker") will be randomly picked to win 8 bottles of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies. And that’s not all! At the end of each month (February and March) one lucky winner gets the "Moving and Grooving" gift set, including 4-months worth of Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies and fun games for the kids!So get movin’ and connect with Pedia-Lax Fiber Gummies on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fibergummies) for more details!

"Catch the Wave" OCEAN Giveaway
Cold and flu season is upon us, and one of the best ways to fight back is with regular nasal irrigation! So, to help you in the fight, we’re giving away one random entrant per week a free OCEAN nasal care prize pack! Whether you’re suffering from sinus issues, or just looking to prevent illness with regular nasal irrigation, OCEAN nasal care products can help (available at Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart and drugstore.com). So, "LIKE" OCEAN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/oceannasalcare) to “Catch The Wave” and get more details!

What NOT to buy for your skin

Readers say these anti-aging products did nothing that they claimed to do
23 Horrible Anti-Aging Skin Care Products
This is a TotalBeauty.com anti-aging skin care article
To help save you from getting hurt by these products that don't deliver, we're here to share a list of the anti-aging goods our readers have tried, tested and rejected.
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6
No. 23: Cosmedicine MegaDose Skin Fortifying Serum, $60
"I was completely disgusted by the smell. I don't know what this is 'supposed' to do for your skin, but the smell makes me not care."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6
No. 22: L'Oreal Paris RevitaLift Complete Lotion SPF 15, $16.59
"I tried using this once and had to stop, [because it made my] face start to itch and feel dry."
TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6
No. 21: Benefit Eyecon, $28
"After applying it twice a day for over a month" one reader didn't see "changes under my eyes" or "any lightening at all."

Bruce Grayson's Red Carpet Trend Report

Oscars Makeup Department Head and Olay Celebrity Makeup Artist Bruce Grayson spent Sunday evening making sure all the stars looked their best before hitting the stage at the event of the year. As promised, he's now raising the curtain on the backstage trends, some of his favorite looks and do-it-yourself tips.

Q&As from Bruce Grayson


What's the one product (or type of product) you think women should never leave home without?
One area you really want to take care of is underneath the eyes and I love products with multiple benefits for this. One product that I love is Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush - it packs a really great 1, 2 punch. It firms skin underneath the eyes as well as reduces fine lines; it has tinted coverage which conceals dark circles really, really well-a major concern when you're walking the red carpet. I also love it because it's not greasy so you can wear it underneath makeup.

How were the makeup trends different from past Oscars?
We saw a really great dichotomy of different makeup looks. We saw some great smoky eyes which I thought were brilliant. Mila Kunis looked absolutely gorgeous with her smoky eyes. Then we saw some hard lines with dramatic shimmery shadows. Anne Hathaway did this very well against a bold lip. The common thread running through the night was that all of the makeup was on great, great skin, which means taking care of dark circles underneath the eyes and concealing them.

What was your favorite Oscars look and why?
My favorite look was Gwyneth Paltrow. She just had really beautiful polished bronze eyes against a nude pink lip. It was really simplistic, but it looked great. She was very natural with the hair parted down the middle - it was gorgeous.

What are the steps to get Anne Hathaway's eye makeup look?
Anne Hathaway had a great dark liner and then she used a shimmer glitter right across it which was really dynamic. She also had beautiful, gorgeous lashes and a red bold lip. It's everything we talk about - refined eyebrows against gorgeous, perfect skin. How to achieve this look:

Step 1: You want to start with a great skincare. Use Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing to cover under eye bags with a tinted concealer that's not going to be too heavy.

Step 2: Next is to use a beautiful lipstick that's moisturizing and helps to conditions the lips. COVERGIRL Lip Perfection has enough moisture in it to change the texture of your lips in just 7 days. It also has a fantastic color palette and it guides on smooth with no flaking or feathering.

What are the steps to get Scarlett Johanson's berry lips?
First apply a little lip balm and then go over it with the COVERGIRL Lip Perfection. To achieve the best color, you just want to press it on rather than use a brush. Press it on with the actual bullet because the payout on the product is so good.

What are the steps to get Michelle Williams' dewy skin?
Dewy skin is all about hydration. I recommend Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Serum. Add a layer before applying makeup and you can even mix in a little with your foundation. This product creates a guaranteed dewy look. Also make sure you strategically use powder - too much powder can destroy a foundation quicker than you can say makeup.

Any favorites from the night?
Sandra Bullock had gorgeous skin with a dewy finish. She used a beautiful sheer champagne with just enough shimmer that when she closed her eyes you saw that glimmer of light. However, it was that bold red lipstick that really sold the makeup. To achieve this look try COVERGIRL Lip Perfection. It is not only has great color, but it's also very as a lot of moisturizing and with red lipstick you really want to make sure that it doesn't flake or feather.

Cate Blanchett looked amazing with that gorgeous lavender chiffon dress. She blew me away. Her makeup also looked gorgeous with a shimmery and slightly smoky lilac shadow with a soft pink lips. But it was all against this gorgeous skin - no bags underneath her eyes, no dark circles. Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush is a great product because it's so subtle and it conditions the skin so well that it might be the only thing you need.

Here is a video of Bruce Grayson:

Neosporin Lip Health Giveaway Winners

The winners of the Neosporin Lip Health giveaway are Jennifer Grieco, Carol DeLillo, Jessica, Cnetproducer, Leslie Waters, and Charlotte Di Maria. Email me at moodymaria@live.com with your mailing address. The first three to write me have their choice of the day or night formula.  The last three responses will get which one remains.  

Congratulations!

Thank you to Neosporin for sponsoring this awesome contest!  http://www.neolips.com/

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