Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Extra Strength Alpha Beta Face Peel

Ok, so it’s been a little too long since I’ve taken the time to do some beauty product reviews.  (I’m not really sure why it’s taken me so long either because I certainly haven’t stopped using beauty products….at all!)  Regardless, here comes one and hopefully more to follow in the near future.

I have always wanted to have a chemical peel done but can never actually bring myself to have one done because I don’t want to deal with the downtime of having a red, flaky, peeling face for a couple of days afterwards and the thought of them kind of freaks me out…just a little.  My skin can be very temperamental…I have periods where it’s great and periods where it’s anything but great.  I also tend to have acne spots that last long after the pimple is gone (I guess it’s an annoying and pesky way of reminding me of what used to be there.)  So, when I stumbled upon these little facial wipes I was definitely tempted to try them being that they aren’t as invasive as an actual chemical peel and have no downtime.

These wipes are available in two different strengths, regular and extra strength.  I dove right into the extra strength wipes and didn’t even try the regular strength ones because I was dead-set on getting results and thought that the extra strength ones stood a better chance at giving me my desired results.  If you have sensitive skin, I would highly suggest starting out with the regular strength wipes first.

Another great thing about these wipes is that they are available in different quantities which is great for someone who is just looking to try them out.  These treatment wipes are available in the following quantities: 5, 30 or 60.  Packs of 5 retail for $15.00, packs of 30 retail for $82.00 and packs of 60 retail for $145.00.  (For my first time using them, I obviously went for the 5 pack.) They also have them available in a package deal called the “14 Day Challenge with Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution” which retails for $45.00. (This is also a great deal, which I’ve also purchased….more than once.)

We’ll start with the 5 pack, which is what I tried first.  Each treatment consists of two conjoined pouches which each contain a wipe (so two wipes per treatment).  Wipe 1 is to be used first (but I’m sure that is obvious to everyone) on a clean face.  You simply rub your skin in circular motions until the wipe is no longer moist.  Then you wait two minutes before using wipe 2.  After the two minutes are up, use wipe 2 the same way that you used wipe 1.   That’s it.  It’s quick and easy but I will say that I did (and still do) notice a burning sensation when using wipe 1 so be aware of that and don’t be surprised if you notice it too.

I noticed a subtle glow to my skin immediately after using these but really noticed it after using them for a couple of days consecutively.  I noticed an even better glow after trying the 14 day challenge treatment with the brightening solution.  The 14 day challenge works the exact same way as the 5 pack of pads does except there are enough treatment packs for 14 days and there is the brightening serum.  The brightening serum is applied after you use both wipes and I think that this serum is really beneficial and just gives your skin that much more of a healthy glow.

I will say though that I would not do this treatment after doing a face mask of any kind prior (speaking from experience.)  It could have been something in the face mask I did prior to using this treatment or my face could have just been feeling sensitive but it was not a pleasant experience!  The burning sensation was a lot worse than ever before and my face was left looking patchy and red….so don’t follow in my footsteps there!

Overall, I like this product and like the results.  My skin always looks like it has a nice natural glow after doing these treatments and it also helps reduce my acne spots in a significant way.  (I notice the most dramatic results and lighter/faded acne spots after using these for multiple consecutive days.)

What I like:

• Gives skin a natural glow
• Reduces and fades acne spots
• Evens out skin tone
• Noticeable results….quickly

What I don’t like:

• Burning sensation
• Results seem to fade if this isn’t used on a regular basis

Victoria’s Secret Perfect Body Perfectly Polished Cucumber Extract Warming Foot Scrub

This was another item I purchased from Victoria’s Secret Semi-Annual sale.  I normally like their beauty products and always like a good foot scrub so I decided to give this one a try.  (The warming part of the name was appealing too!)

I gave it a try in the shower and enjoyed it.

It’s a pink color with small scrubbing and polishing beads in it. It’s more a thick gel-like consistency than a creamy lathery one.  The scrubbing and polishing beads in it are noticeable but are not abrasive.  I usually like a “rougher” exfoliating scrub because I feel like they normally do a better exfoliating job for me.  I would say this is more of a gentle exfoliator yet it gets the job done.

The warming part of the title was alluring to me but I was skeptical of if it would really warm when I used it.  It actually did warm up though as I scrubbed my feet with it.  It’s not a very warm feeling but a mild and gentle pleasant one.

After rinsing off the scrub and drying off my feet felt nice and smooth.  I like it!

 

 

Pros:

• Gently exfoliates
• Nice warming feeling
• A little goes a long way
• Left feet feeling smooth and soft

Cons:

• Not a deep exfoliating scrub

How to Remove Sunless Tanner

At some point or another when using sunless tanner, you’re going to have an ut-oh moment and need to get the stuff off…pronto.  (Hey, it happens to the best of us!)  Whether you want to remove your sunless tanner because it looks orange, or it looks like someone attacked you with a paint roller brush and you have streaks from here to there, or just because it’s started to fade unevenly….fret not, it can be removed!

Here are your options (and in some cases they don’t work miracles the first time around so give them another go if that’s the case):

Baking Soda and Lemon

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup lemon juice

Combine the two ingredients and mix well until a creamy paste forms.  Apply it to your skin and let it sit for a few minutes and then gently scrub and wipe it off using a cleansing cloth/wash cloth.

Lemon and Sugar

• 1 cup raw/coarse sugar
• 3/4 cup lemon juice

Combine the two ingredients and mix well until a paste forms.  Apply to skin and let it sit a few minutes.  Massage into skin and scrub away that sunless tanner.  Rinse with water.

Baby Oil

Cover your body in baby oil and let it sit for 10 minutes.  Rinse.  (This won’t remove your tan but it will lighten it).

Exfoliating Mitt and Lemon

Pour some lemon juice onto an exfoliating mitt and start buffing your skin with it

Take a Long Bath

Soak in the bathtub and take a bubble bath for 20 minutes.  This will “loosen” the tan.  Scrub after soaking and your tan should wash right off.

Hair Removal Cream

Apply hair removal cream to the area(s) and wipe it off.  (Hair removal cream…not hair bleach)

Sandy Foot Polishing Scrub

Give your feet a beauty treatment….while relaxing on the beach!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. suntan oil
• 2 tbsp. dry sand

Directions:

• Combine ingredients; mix well
• Massage the mixture onto feet for a few minutes
• Let sit for 10 minutes
• Rinse with water

Honey and Avocado Nail Scrub

Nourish and cleanse nails with this easy to make nail scrub!

 

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 tbsp. avocado oil
• 1 egg yolk
• 3 drops apple cider vinegar
• Pinch of salt

 

Directions:

• Combine all ingredients; mix well
• Massage into nails and cuticles
• Let sit for 10-15 minutes
• Rinse with warm water