Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Clay Mask vs Hydro Boost Sheet Mask

2019 has been the year of skincare for me. I use facial masks 3 to 4 times a week; from sheet masks to Clay/Mud to gel. I have really stepped up my skincare/mask game compared to over the years. It was only last year that my skincare regimen was moisturizer in the morning and at night with an occasional clay or mud mask a few times a year. But since my growing beauty box subscription addiction, my world has opened up to other sorts of masks. When I was at Walgreens a couple months ago I discovered that Neutrogena had their own facial masks. Surprise! I chose from two sides of the spectrum. It wasn’t the only Neutrogena offered or Walgreens sold but it was a good start. I’m a fan of the Neutrogena pink grapefruit line and after doing some research about the facemask line they have, I’m looking forward to the pink grapefruit hydrogel mask.

Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Clay Mask - when I picked this up it was a quick add on purchase when I went to get my prescriptions that I didn’t even notice that this wasn’t a sheet mask. As much as I prefer sheet mask over clay/mud masks, the fact that this is pink grapefruit won in the end. When applied it dries pretty fast and still keeps its light pink shade. It stayed true to its description - clearing out the impurities in my pores and de-shining my face. Now while it’s advertised as a mask for acne issues using this one time I can’t tell any difference. I feel like it needs to be used on a weekly basis. Also, you can get to uses out of this package if you need to be frugal. Retails for $3

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mask- I spent the first few minutes after opening this mask trying to figure out which side goes against your skin. And the only negative thing I have to say about the Hydro Boost mask is they don’t come out and tell you or make it obvious which side it is. Otherwise, this Sheet mask is one of the best, especially for the value. I’ve used their Hydro Boost products before and they’re quite effective. It’s made from hydrogel material and this moisturizing face mask sheet holds up to 50 percent more essence than a paper face mask. My skin gulped up this mask! Retails for $3.50

Out of these two masks, the Hydro boost is by far the more effective and my skin’s favorite. However, they are on very different sides of the spectrum. I did like both but I would buy the Hydro Boost more often than the pink clay mask. Neutrogena price range is a steal ranging from 3 to 4 dollars for one mask.

BoxyCharm May 2019

I've been having major problem with my packages arriving lately. When UPS and FedEx use USPS's SurePost, it has an issue of not arrive and being lost in the mail. It's a fact I cannot stand Sure Post. I understand it's a way for UPS and FedEx to save money on lighter weighting products, but it's only causing the buying issues. Oh, did I mention it also takes 3x as long in shipment...awesome right? Not to get on a rant but my point was in the last couple months I've had 3-4 packages get lost by USPS. Thats a high percentage. When my BoxyCharm for May appeared to be lost and the tracking was not showing any movement I contacted customer service. Since, UPS and USPS couldn't locate the package BoxyCharm sent a "one time replacement." 10 days later both boxes showed up 1 day apart. What are the odds! Check out all the goodies below...

GlamGlow Gentlebubble Cleanser - The first thing I notice when I open May's box was this cleanser. The oil slick rainbow packaging is the same as the tube. The cleaner is a white pearl shade with no fragrance. It's not as effective as it's bubble sheet mask, but a good cleanser non the less. Retails for $28

Milk Makeup Blur Stick - I first saw Milk Makeup at Sephora over the holidays. I added that to the listed of companies to try out (after Fenty Beauty). As bloggers who dish out there own money on these products y'all know it can be hard to drop a few notes on collections. I was excixted to try out the Blur stick, ehich creates a shine free bases for your fondation to help with fine lines and mininmizing pores. I found it to give my skin a gorgeous luminous glow, which you can't tell in  the photo below. 😒 I love that you can blend it in easily and wear it on your bare face ---- and go out. Retails for $36

Alamar Blush Trio in Meduim Tan - It's rare I'm happy when my box contains a blush, but a palette of blushes? UGH. I looked through Alamar's website and checked out thier products; they do not have a vast selection at all but had some charming colors. I didn't swatch the palette since I'm gifting this to my cousin. (sorry!) Retails for $22

Ciate London Eye Lustre Creme Eye Shadow in Ice and Cupid - I've never used liquid eye shadow mainly due to the fact it's terribly difficult to blend and creases. But color me impressed! Oh and the color, the beautiful glittery and irradcent shades. Ciate's Lustre is the sure fire winner. Ice is a white, frosted with diamond sparkles. Cupid is a rose gold that I can't even with the shade. When I moved my hand with the swatch it changes color, truly a stunning tint. They are able to blend well or use them as liners - which I prefer. Retail for $22 each

Pur Pro Eyelash Curler - This curler has the rainbow oil slick coloring making it uber attractive. Most I've seen in various stores are black or just kind of...basic bitches. I never use eyelash curler due to the fact my flat lashes won't curl with or without mascara. But Pur's curler actually did the trick, as the picture shows. Looks like I'll be incorporating this puppy in my routine. Retails for $18

Luna by Luna in Alien - I'm surious why they choose the name 'alien' for this partly pigmented shimmery taupe lip gloss. I needed to use a few coats. Retails for $18

Vintage by Jessica Lip Pencil in Cashmere - When I checked out Vintage's website this product is not listed, whether it's sold out or absolete. The other lip pencil is a more upgrade version in different shades for $26.

Steve Laurant Lip Gloss in Posh - a thick, creamy lip gloss in taupe/deep pink color. Claims to be lightweight but I found it be a little sticky and heavy. Not something I would go for - I gave it to my mom, who actually enjoys it (she says it stays on all day). Retails for $22

BoxyCharm Limited: Skincare Box 2019

I found out about BoxyCharm's Limited Edition Skincare Box from this Facebook group I'm on for makeup junkies (we buy and sell). I really do have a problem! hehe. In April for or $50 you received 8 FULL SIZED skincare products. Besides makeup, skincare is my second love. I jumped on the offer for this box. YAAASSSSS SKINCASE. I loved everything except for 1 product, which is pretty damn impressive. 

Glow Recipe's Watermelon Glow Sheet Mask Duo Set - This mask set is truly one of a kind! Made of hydro gel and watermelon rind. It comes in 2 pieces to apply to your face. They won Blink Beauty's Indie Award for Best Sheet Face Mask and I must say it's well deserved. Retail for $8 each

Farsali's Jelly Beam in Glow Up - JELLY BEAM! I didn't expect a illuminator to be in my skincare box, but I'm thrilled. It truly jiggles like jelly; so much that it almost plopped out of the container when I opened it. Glow Up is a gel like highlighter that dries on like powder. This can be mixed in with your foundation or applied before. I've even thrown it on after my moisturizer - then gone to work. Jelly Beam comes in 3 shades, Retails for $40

Caudalie Grape Water - When I first saw this in my box I thought it was similar to the Evian hydrate spray, that you use to cool you face down. But this is pretty neat. It works the same way; spray on your face then it'll evaporate into your skin. It truly did hydrate my face, but I didn't notice a difference for uneven skin. Retails for $10

Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel - First time I used this in the shower, I didn't think it was working. But reading instructions is helpful - it's important to wash your face, then pat dry and you can then apply the gel. My face was still  tad wet in the shower, so I couldn't see all the impurities peeling away on my skin like it claims. But examining my face afterward...boy could I tell the difference. My pores were 90% cleaned out! My skin was pretty red since I had come from LA Tan. I probably shouldn't have applied a scrub. OH WELL! Retails for $28

Kopari's Coconut Cleansing Oil - I was a little disappointed receiving this product. Wasn't it the equivalent to using coconut oil? Only more expensive? Being the last item to test out I found it QUITE effective. I had swatched a few lip and eye products on my hand, then sprayed Kopari over it. Taking a tissue I wiped it over my hand and it ALL came off. For reals? For reals! When I was low on funds over the years I would turn to coconut oil as a makeup remover, but the problem is that is makes my face greasy and it clogs your pores. I prefer makeup remover wipes, but I will be keeping this as a backup for sure. Retails for $32

Cosmedix Jade Roller - My second facial roller after the Professional Ice Roller (although I wanted this one and heard of it first) I was mega stoked to get this in my skincare box. It helps your skin boost circulation, minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and reduce the appearance of puffiness while providing some what like massage. Now, I need to be better at using both my rollers on a daily basis to get the results they claim. Even if it doesn't work like it says, I do enjoy the feeling it offers. Retails for $32

GlamGlow SuperSerum - I've really hopped on the GlamGlow train. I was worried I would get the  cleanser but I received the serum instead - YAS. I'll be honest; I've never heard of this Super 6 Acid Blend. To break it down, they use activated charcoal and the Super Six Acid Blend to help cell renewal, plump your skin and give you a glowing complexion. Retails for $65

Elemis' Superfood Night Cream - This night cream is a prebiotic, omega rich cream with super grain complex. It basically feeds into your dry skin. It doesn't take much to apply and doesn't feel thick or heavy, which is odd for a night cream. It has a unique scent of a plant based product. When I wake in the mornings I can tell the difference in my face; my skin is hydrated and plump. Retails for $55

BoxyCharm April FOMO 2019 - My First Month!

 

I heard of BoxyCharm in passing over the past year, but it wasn't until my coworker raved about it. $21 a month for 4-5 full size products of quality brands. The box is also worth over $100! Every since I joined FabFitFun last year, I'm losing interest in my subscription boxes with mini products. #sorrynotsorry

April's box sold out and what they offered was a FOMO box (Fear of Missing Out). I appreciate that they have a backup plan when they sell out though. I was really impressed with my 1st box. I loved everything and only 1 item I was like "meh." Overall, I'm thrilled. However, I will say whoever handles they're social media...needs a lesson. They don't respond to customers. To me - it seems the pages are only there to promote the business. And in this day and age? Pointless. Customer service is everythang!

Luxie's Luminous Brush Eye Set - A set of 4 gold and glittery brushes for your eyes. Luxie seems to be the brand of choice of subscription boxes, but these are absolutely gorgeous. Retails for $30

Tatcha Dewy Face Mask - This set of 2 face masks are extreme high quality in skin care. Opening the package, it oozed out serum and I could feel the difference on my face. They are a more expensive product but your skin will know and thank you. Retails for $24

Suva's Protege Palette - Suva is a brand I'm not familiar with but I enjoyed the warm and cool toned pallet for work. The color payout is there with matte and shimmers. I'll be keeping an eye out for this company in the future. They also include 2 beautiful highlighters: 1 classic and 1 springy.  Retails for $34

Tarte's Tarteist Shimmering Lip Paint in Strike Gold - This gloss didn't photograph well, but you can still tell its a sheer gloss with high shine, gold tint and iridescent glitters. This shade pairs amazing with my Lime Crime gold Velvetine. Retails for $20

English Laundry No. 7 - This scent originally for men was changed into perfume for women. This item is the only one I'm not a fan of. Perfumes are a product I'm very picky with...well if you know me then you know I'm have standards with pretty much everything. I won't apologize! 😋 It has a mix of fruit and sandalwood for a aroma that gives me a headache. Full bottle retails for $90