HouseParty/Chatterbox: Mary Kay Acne System, Clear Proof Kit #Review

I’m at that stage where I pick my battles with my skin. I am not surrendering but realize that some days I fight acne and blemishes, while other days it’s the aging battle. If I fight my battle too hard, I end up with dry and flaky skin, and so far I have not read that flaky lizard skin is the 2014 Fall look. I have tried several OTC brands to even “Spa” and boutique lines. Some work great at the start and then fail, or some just congest my skin from the beginning that I give-up after enduring the “break-out period” while my skin is suppose to adjust to the failed product.

Mary Kay came out with a simple system that surprised me. First, they state that you will see clearer skin in about 7 days. This was based on a 12-week independent clinical trial. Secondly, it does not break the bank. The total kit retails for $45.00. Yes! The entire set and you are ready to go. Want to test the products out, try “The Go Set” that gives deluxe (smaller) sizes for just $20.00. Seems so doable but does it work?

This review will also include my Husband’s results because he is also part guinea-pig like me and I tend to talk (and talk) him into trying stuff with me. He won’t allow a full spa treatment but he is all for annihilating blemishes with me. Maybe the couple that kills pimples together, stays together 🙂

 

Clear Proof Clarifying Gel (4.5 oz.) Face Wash:

• Retails for: $16.00

First off the bat, the wash is a clear colored gel that is rated medium when it comes to thickness/texture. The lather is not so much at first “wetness” but once I add a little more by dabbing my fingers in the water, it does start to build a light foam. I find it dries out quick, so keep distributing and adding water as you go. The scent was a little surprising at first……okay, it does not smell great but I also don’t want fragrances adding to my clogged skin. It smells organic and by this I mean sort of like greenery (plants). Not great but it does deliver 2% Salicylic acid and my face feels clean, not stripped after I wash. My Husband was surprised by the scent and his remark was somewhat of a groan and then continued to go forward and use it. Hey, it smells better than some of my “at home” concoctions!

 

Clear Proof Blemish Control Toner (5 oz.):

• Retails for: $15.00

I have used toners before and then stop after being tired of the burn and redness that amounts to zero benefits most times. I used the toner and yes it stings slightly if you have a pimple you popped even though you know better but it does feel re-freshening and leaves you with a nice clean surface. Not over drying that you feel someone stretched your skin tight. Once you look at the cotton ball then you will realize the need for it. I also do feel it balances my pH nicely and leaves a nice matte but natural finish. The product also Contains 2% salicylic acid to fight oil or whatever tries to haunt me with more pimples. My Husband’s take was, “ewwww”, to what was left behind on the cotton ball and I am happy to report he finally learned how to fill the cotton ball dispenser all on his own, versus leaving it empty and asking if we are out of them 🙂

 

Clear Proof Acne Treatment Gel (1 oz.):

• Retails for: $10.00

The one that fight’s the best fight. A light gel that just fades but not just when it comes to color like with other gels/creams, it fades into the skin like Houdini! I can apply make-up and you can’t notice or feel where the gel was applied. I am fighting pimples incognito and you will be happy with this treatment’s ninja skills. It works, prevents, and also I find it lightens up any previous marks you have from acne. Almost accelerated the “cure time” so much, that my thin scab (from picking) was gone in 6 days. This was a scab I got before from a pimple that had it’s own ninja skills and decided to poke but never show it’s face! I tried popping and it just would not participate but now it’s just a memory in my head and not on my face. My Husband likes it because being a guy, you don’t exactly depend on make-up, so he likes that it prevents any blemishes from even taking place. At 5% Benzoyl Peroxide the product is not so low it does not perform well or so high that it peels and dries your face out.

 

Clear Proof Oil-Free Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin (3 oz.):

• Retails for: $18.00

I have more moisturizers than I wish to count but the dilemma is always there, do I lather up and break-out or just skip (mostly light pats) and then go to make-up? Solution for me, I mixed this moisturizer with my foundation and got the best application and when I washed my face, no pimples! I was left with a light finish that lasted all day and I love how my skin looks. The surface is smooth and not too matte that I look like I’m getting an early start on Halloween or not too greasy, that I shine brighter than the sun! Perfection. My Husband’s take on the moisturizer……well, he would have to had to stick around because he heard anything lotion-y and he bails. What is it with guys thinking every moisturizer means greasy? On day three I was able to hunt and capture him to convince him to just dab his forehead. He claimed his skin was going to suffocate but I can report the man still sports a forehead, so no skin was lost.

Key Ingredients (as listed from the site):

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are both recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. dermatologists as effective acne-fighting ingredients. So what makes them different?

• Salicylic acid acts like an exfoliant to promote the easy removal of dead skin cells. As such, it helps keep pores unclogged and reduce the buildup of P. acnes bacteria.
• Benzoyl peroxide (BPO), on the other hand, is an oxygen-releasing ingredient that kills bacteria. P. acnes bacteria flourish when there’s a lack of oxygen, like in a clogged pore. By creating an oxygen-rich environment, BPO can help reduce the number of P. acnes bacteria that can cause lesions to form. It also can help in dissolving the buildup of dead skin cells.

 

I (we) was very happy and have continued to use the kit.  The “must-haves” would be the toner and the treatment gel for me.  Those two really make the difference but because they all work in unison towards fighting those nasty blemishes that appear at the worst time (like anytime they are welcomed but you know what I mean), I would purchase all 4 as a kit for the best value.  I did see Mary Kay has a “Pore-Purifying Serum” that is part of the Clear Proof line.  I hope to try that in the future too!

 

Get your Clear Proof fix with Mary Kay at:

• On-line
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Google+
• #ClearProofPack

 

 

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Mary Kay via ChatterBox, a HouseParty division.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

 

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SheSpeaks: Lancome DreamTone Customized Skin Tone Correcting Serum

I received the DreamTone by Lancome from SheSpeaks and with the hefty price tag of $98.00, this was a product that had to wow me with results to make it worthwhile.

What it Does:
DreamTone is a customized skin-tone correcting serum. I like serums because they are usually light in texture and quickly absorbed by my skin. My pigmentation selection was no. 1 for Fair complexions, however the line also comes in no. 2 for Medium skin-tones and no. 3 for Darker complexions. DreamTone is formulated as a dark spot and blemish diminisher, meaning it will lighten the pigmentation associated with these marks. It reduces redness and also targets imperfections and you are left with a overall smooth skin appearance that improves with use. Changes and improvements should be seen and felt at the one week period with a higher satisfaction rate at the 4 week point. Maximum overall changes should be present in 8 weeks.

Ingredients: Water, Cyclohexasiloxane, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Hydroxypropyl Tetrahydropyrantriol, Squalane, Isopropyl Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Polysilicone-11, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Hydroxyphenoxy Propionic Acid, Grifola Frondosa Fruiting Body Extract, Carbomer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hydroxide, Inulin Lauryl Carbamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, Mannitol, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide / Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Disodium Edta, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Acrylates Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Ci 19140 / Yellow 5, Ci 75470 / Carmine, Ci 77163 / Bismuth Oxychloride, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Geraniol, Eugenol, Limonene, Citronellol, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance.

I was able to test DreamTone a little shy of 4 weeks and was able to get an idea if DreamTone is a buy or pass.

Results:

1. At the 1 week point, I did notice that my skin remained smooth and I very much like how the product distributed throughout my skin. Cosmetics tended to flow better, as in foundations went on smoother and I did not have any negative effects like make-up caking up hours later or any adverse skin issues. The product did not increase any acne breakouts but it also did not decrease them. I did not notice any pigmentation changes in the first 7 days.
2. At the 2 week period, I still benefited from the aforementioned results and did notice a “glow” improvement in my skin. I had a nice healthy shine that was not greasy or oily in nature, more like a brightness. My skin did remain healthy looking but again no improvement in any of the pigmentation issues or skin tone improvements.
3. I reached the 3 week mark and with continual use, I did feel my skin improve by retaining a healthy glow and my skin’s dullness had improved. My imperfections, like the small darker tone marks that I had from my last break-out (3 weeks ago), were lighter. Going by the history of how my skin rejuvenates on it’s own with exfoliation, this is my regular cycle so I did not reward those benefits to Lancome’s DreamTone. I thankfully have fair skin that tends to fight to remain pale no matter how much I wish to tan and thankfully this goes for any marks I may get for popping a blemish I should have left alone. Hard to detour from such behavior when my punishment only last about 3 to 4 weeks on my face!
4. Reaching the 4 week time span, I found that I like to use DreamTone as a base/primer for my make-up. The product really does help achieve the greatest results in a smooth make-up application even though this was not an advertised claim. I did not breakout from the product as DreamTone tends to protect my skin nicely. I even experimented with several new cosmetic lines and did not get the punishment I usually get by getting new blemishes or skin reactions like clogged pores or even redness. I did feel that the serum provides a almost preventative effect. Mattifying  or evening of the skin-tone was achieved but my freckles and the appearance of dark spots did not reflect a noticeable difference, but technically I am still in the middle of what is considered optimum results in 8 weeks.

Would I buy it?
This is where some of us take for granted results already obtained, we make them ours and forget what got us there in the first place. DreamTone did smooth out and even my skin’s tone, plus it made my make-up perform better. In other words, it improved how my cosmetics work and also protected me when I used a new product. That alone has a value but I’m unsure on the $98 price point for what I really used as a base (primer?) and still had to take into consideration the cost of a moisturizer and an anti-aging product. With continual use, DreamTone should give me skin that needs less coverage from make-up and give me the courage to go bare……but I’m not there yet! Have I lightened on my foundation use? Yes, because Lancome’s DreamTone does allow my foundation to glide on meaning I can work more magic while I blend and use less at the same time. I use a corrector on a light basis anyways and I did not feel that fluctuated in use with DreamTone.

In Conclusion:
Yes, I would buy it but unsure at the $98 price point. I have been convinced to spend between $50 and $75 for what I have achieved and if I get more added benefits by week 8, then that would be the deciding factor in if I will pony up the addition $50 to $25 dollars. I will be updating this review if I reach week 8 and have more to jazz about. The product does come in a generous amount of 1.3 fluid ounces and because it is a serum, a small amount is needed. It may be that I’m the consumer that needs a “deluxe sized” bottle for how I have used and seen DreamTone perform. I suggest visiting Sephora, Macy’s or even Ulta and ask for a sample size before making a full purchase. I do hope they make a smaller size because that also means a smaller price point 🙂

For more Information, please visit:

• Lancome http://www.lancome-usa.com/DreamTone/1000402,default,pd.html

I received the above product free of charge from SheSpeaks and Lancome.  I am not obligated to provide a favorable or positive review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and brand, which may differ from yours.