Speaking of scrubs... Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser

award-winning, deep-cleansing, 100% synthetic-
free, alpha hydroxy complexion rejuvenator
brightens & evens tone, smoothes wrinkles &
lines, eliminates blemishes & impurities from
pores while jump starting collagen production.
a suki® essentials product perfect for almost all
skin types, our invigorating essential oil blend
energizes while our uniquely effective natural
sugar crystals, powdered rice & 100% pure
foamers work together to soften & transform
every skin type. a perfect stimulating start to
your skincare regimen.

this product is vegan

All I can say is WOWZERS. This stuff is incredible. Seriously one of the most all around lovely face scrubs I've ever used. I have sensitive skin, but this is gentle enough that I can use it daily without irritating my skin. It starts out as a seemingly basic granulated scrub- nothing special. The you smell it..... Oh how fresh and vibrant and clean is the lemon! So bright and cheerful! Not often does washing my face put me into such a good mood! Then you massage it into your skin and right about when the sugar is dissolving suddenly BOOM! Foam! My skin feels exceptionally clean without feeling dried out AT ALL. As a matter of fact, I washed my face with this stuff about 30 minutes ago and came downstairs and got distracted before I put on moisturizer. I just realized that my skin does not feel tight or dry, but in fact feels quite silky soft. Since I started using this, I've been really pleased with how bright my skin tone is and how much smaller my pores appear. It's PHENOMENAL! Am i gushing? 

suki exfoliate foaming cleanser Purity is only a step away. Cleansers dont have to be harsh and drying to clear out your pores and smooth your skin. suki exfoliate foaming cleanser uses Sugar, Rice Flour, Lemongrass, and Orange to remove all dulling impurities from the skin, leaving it blemish-free and radiant.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foaming Scrub Pink Grapefruit (and a great deal on Amazon)

I am not a label whore, though I do tend to have the best results with higher end products. Sometimes though, there's a commercially accessible brand that impresses me up there with the big boys. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foaming Scrub Pink Grapefruit
is one of those! Every month (you know where this going) I will break out just a tidge. Not a ton, but like, one or two blemishes. Well, the last two months, when I knew it was coming I used this scrub for about the week beforehand, and guess what? NO blemishes at all! I don't know how it works on daily chronic acne, but on my situational acne it works like a charm. It's gentle enough for my sensitive, rosacea prone skin and left my skin feeling thoroughly exfoliated. I don't recommend this for dry skin, simply based on other reviews by people who have dry skin, but mine is combination and it treated me just fine. Obviously you should use a non-comedogenic moisturizer after using it, but it really does clean out your pores and tighten them. A little goes a long way, and the grapefruit smell is fabuloso and muy invigorating! A total bargain.    I found a GREAT deal on it on Amazon- even with shipping it's cheaper than any other retail price I've seen!

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum

If I was allowed to only use brand of skincare ever again, Lancome would win, hands down.

What it is:
A powerful antiaging serum. 

What it is formulated to do:
Inspired by cutting-edge science, Lancôme introduces Advanced Génifique—a serum so powerful it creates more radiant and smoother skin that you can see and feel. This innovative formula featuring Génifique’s powerful complex with added biotechnology-derived ingredient is incredible to the touch, and acts on 10 key signs of youth including texture, resiliency, elasticity, firmness, sagginess, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, clarity, and skintone. Complete with an exclusive self-loading dropper that gives you the perfect dose of serum for each application, skin will feel refreshed, renewed, and healthy. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates 
- Phthalates 

What else you need to know:
This product comes in an advanced self-loading dropper. 

Research results:
Clinical results after 8 weeks of self-assessments on 34 women:
- Texture +57%
- Resiliency +49%
- Elasticity +50%
- Firmness +49%
- Sagginess +46%
- Fine lines +42%
- Wrinkles +46%
- Radiance +52%
- Clarity +47%
- Even skintone +42%

While pricey, this stuff is mega concentrated- a tiny bit will go a really long way. If you have oily or combination skin, this will actually replace a serum/moisturizer combo since it's quite hydrating. It diminishes fine lines, lightens dark spots, calms reactive redness, and in general is a badass mofo of a serum. When I use this at night in the winter, I go ahead and put on a night cream over it (unless I'm being lazy) and in the summer use it alone except for spot treatment. In the daytime, it provides the perfect amount of light hydration, just be sure to use a foundation with SPF! 



Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate 30ml/1oz   Regularly $80, but Beauty Encounter has it on sale through the link right now for $58!

Discounted nail art bundles at Incoco through May 31

Now through Friday, May 31st, Mix & Match Discounted Nail Art Bundles At Incoco! Shop Now! No promo code needed



Now through Friday, May 31st, Mix & Match Discounted Nail Art Bundles At Incoco! Shop Now! No promo code needed

Dealfind discount code and awesome deal on accupressure mat

Go here and use the code 5OFFSTART to get $5 off your first Dealfind order. I've been wanting to try accupressure mats for a while- they have great reviews and even Dr Oz recommends them for stress, insomnia and weight loss. But at $50, I've been putting it off. Well, I kinda had to jump on this deal-
 and with the code I only paid $22 (shipping is free!) They have tons of other cool stuff, but I restrained myself :-)

$27

• Value$48
• Savings$21(44%)

Top 500 Reviewer!

The most prolific produc

Whoo hoo! I was listed as one of Total Beauty's Top 500 Reviewers! I've been a huge fan of Total Beauty for some time, and if you haven't checked them out, then by all means, do so! Excellent articles, tips, and reviews and a great beauty community in general. You may even run across some of my reviews!

You can visit www.totalbeauty.com and my profile is at http://www.totalbeauty.com/community/members/beautypirate

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly- Primer Edition

The Good

I was truly happy with Sephora Brand Perfecting Ultra-Smoothing Primer. It not only rivals Smashbox Photo Finish primer, but the price can't be beat! $15 for a full sized bottle? Now granted, it's a 1/2 oz, and Photo Finish is $36 for 1 oz, so not a HUGE price difference, but still an economical buy since you only need a teeny tiny bit and it lasts forever. FAB! They have it in clear (which is what I have) and Luminous (a luminizing formula that I want to try!) Something else I really like is that it's eye safe, so you can use it as a shadow primer as well, however when using it as a shadow primer, I recommend letting it sit for a few minutes before applying shadow so that it absorbs and doesn't feel greasy. It smooths into the skin like a dream and allows for effortless foundation application. Your foundation has phenomenal staying power and you need less of it for full coverage since the primer smooths your skin. All in all a great product! 



SEPHORA COLLECTION Perfecting Ultra-Smoothing Primer Perfecting 0.5 oz

The Bad- see my previous reviews of Cover FX Matteifying Primer

The Ugly-

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Primer SUX. For THE LIFE OF ME I don't know how this has so many good reviews. Maybe it's just my skin type, but my makeup actually seemed to last LESS time with this than without a primer! It's like my makeup just slid off into my lap within a few hours! My foundation went on looking streaky and blotchy and especially my T-Zone just would not stay matte to save my life. I hatedit so much I tossed it, so if you insist on getting some, try it first. It might work fabulously on you, but considering how expensive it is, definitely get a tester first.