Beauty Review - Freeman Facial Clay Mask Avocado and Oatmeal

I like this mask because it made my skin feel refreshed and clean. It was also very inexpensive at Walmart - only about $1.34. Applying it with the Elf foundation brush made the entire messy process a lot less messy and faster. The Queen Helene Mint Julep mask (I reviewed this here) does a more thorough deep cleansing.

The avocado and oatmeal are my favorite ingredients in this mask because they made my skin feel very moisturized. The .5oz package was probably for one full application but I used this for two masks. I just used the amount I wanted and wrapped the opened package in an airtight plastic bag.

I would recommend this mask and will definitely repurchase this product again. This mask was in fact one of the first masks I ever used on my face years ago.

Have you ever used a clay facial mask before in your skin routine?

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Beauty Review - Queen Helene The Original Mint Julep Masque

This clay mask is another cult favorite skin treatment. I love using this mask a couple of times a week as part of my skin routine. It smells slightly of mint chewing gum so it does contain added fragrance. There is a pleasant cooling sensation on the skin as the product is drying.

After watching a Vivanna Does Makeup video on her youtube channel, I have been following her suggestion of applying the mask with a foundation brush. I use an Elf foundation brush with synthetic bristles. I really don’t recommend using a thick fluffy soft brush. I apply to the face and the neck being very careful to not apply it to the delicate skin around the eyes.

The elf foundation brush is a great solution for not getting my hands covered with clay  this definitely helps me to want to use this mask more often during the week. Less cleanup is very nice because clay masks can be very messy.

I have combination skin that has dry areas and my skin felt very moisturized and clean after I removed the mask. You can apply a thick layer of the clay to have a deeper cleaning of the skin or a thin layer when you want to just quickly add a good cleansing treatment step to a daily skin routine.

The mask takes about ten to fifteen minutes to dry. I use a washcloth with warm water to gentle dab the mask off my face and neck. Then I follow up with a cleanser either Cetaphil or Olay Foaming Face Wash.

 The claims on the label: Does it “rinse away blackheads”? I didn’t notice this at all. “Helps relax tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck.” If you do a very thorough facial massage while applying the mask with your fingers, I guess this could happen.

I love this mask because my skin loves it and it is very inexpensive. I purchased it at Walmart for about  $4.00.

Have you ever used Queen Helene Mint Julep as part of your skin routine?

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Beauty Review - Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel

Oil free Dickinson's All Natural Witchhazel

Dickinson's is my very first toner I've ever used. Over and over, I was hearing from the beauty gurus: cleanse, tone and then moisturize as the standard beauty routine.

Well...it says it locks in moisturizes but I found it to be just a little drying but now enough to not be able to use the product.  I use this toner after my cleanser then I make sure I rinse my face and neck thoroughly with water to prevent drying.

Dickinson's ingredients are natural grain alcohol - 14% and witch hazel extract. It has a faint antiseptic smell but that to be expected. I have decided to try the non alcohol toners next to see if they will not make the dry areas of my skin feel drier.

After using it for about a month,I do like how it cleans all the dirt left after I use my cleanser. Every time I see the dirt on the cotton ball, I am always surprised.When I use my cleanser, my face seems so clean but the extra step of a toner proves otherwise.

This toner would probably be better for people with oily skin, I have combination skin but it gets oily in the warm months. Maybe Dickinson's would be better for me during the spring and summer but not for the fall and winter.

Have you used this toner? What non alcohol toners would you recommend?

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Beauty Review - Olay Foaming Face Wash

Olay Foaming Facial Wash for Sensitive Skin

This is a good cleanser if you do not use too much of it at one time. I have combination skin. When I used this product it had a slight drying effect on the drier areas of my face. I suggest using less than a pea sized amount. Also take the time to rinse off all the foam after cleansing. This may add to the drying effect I experienced.

The product itself is like a pearly soap. It is really gentle and cleans very well. It does not win over my favorite Cetaphil but it comes close. I use just a little(smaller than a pea size) with a warm washcloth or facial brush on my face and neck. Be gentle with your skin, there is no need to scrub.

When I apply any cleanser, I will take a few moments to do a light facial massage. This has many benefits for the skin and the muscles underneath.

I bought the product to try something different from Cetaphil that is good for sensitive skin but I don't think I will be repurchasing it. It was fine it just wasn't amazing and it wasn't very moisturizing. My blog review on Cetaphil is here.

Olay website

Have you used this product before? Did you find it drying?

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Beauty Review - Cetaphil

This has been a skin care favorite for years. I have repurchased it many times.

This is of course a cult favorite. Cetaphil

We have all heard how gentle it is for the skin. This has been my holy grail face wash cleanser for years and years. Easy to use and inexpensive. Definitely a win win. 

 I can use my Earth Therapeutics facial brush from Ulta (the “ghetto Clarisonic” as Brittney Gray from the youtube channel Brittney Wins eloquently put it. LOL! ) or a cotton washcloth.I use only a pea sized amount and warm water.

I use can use this in the morning or at night without it drying my skin. It’s easy to find at your local drugstore or Walmart.

It is a decent no frills cleanser. As far as a makeup remover, I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup but it you build up a decent foam the majority of your makeup will dissolved to be rinsed off.

Speaking of rinsing, a very important step when using any facial cleanser is to make sure you rinse off any residue left by the product. This can prevent that dry tight feeling experienced afterwards. 

It’s not natural product with natural ingredients but it is definitely gentle to the skin. The slight soapy scent is not unpleasant. I usually only the smallest amount if I’m not removing a full face of  makeup. Since I don’t have to use a lot of product, it lasts a long time and this is definitely a money saver.

Do you use this Cetaphil?