Ramblings of a College Girl

As I was scrolling through Facebook another Buzzfeed article popped up, '35 Skincare Products That Actually Do What They Say', and as I'm still struggling my way through getting rid of my acne I couldn't help but take a look. I've had pretty bad acne ever since I changed my birth control (don't worry I have spoken to my doctor about it!). I've been trying everything: masks, new cleansers, moisturizers, toners and scrubs/defoliators. Which sounds a little excessive, but I have cystic acne so it tends to hurt a lot and stay for weeks, which is why I have been trying so many things to help clear it up. Pore cleansing face masks and a good moisturizer seem to be doing the most good for my skin, especially my chin, which is where most of the acne is concentrated. So these are some of the products that I found on amazon that have been added to my basket, I haven't caved yet though so we'll see how long that takes!

Aztec Secret - Indian Healing Clay - 1 lb. | Deep Pore Cleansing Facial & Healing Body Mask | The Original 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay

Another cool product is this moisturizer! It has a couple really great reviews! One I read said that even though she was just 22 (my age!), she really enjoyed using this for cold winter months! Which is something that I desperately need here in Boston, with all those Nor'easters hitting us. I don't mind the collagen much, but I mean I guess it is never too early to start?
Price: $5:44 (This price also fluctuates a lot!)

Thanks for reading guys! Will you get any of these products? Or maybe you've even tried them!

If you've been blessed with beautiful, flawless skin this isn't a product you're going to need but if, like me, you've suffered through all the different phases of acne this might be something you're interested in buying. I recently have started to really try get rid of my acne, I mean I'm 21 and I feel like my time of suffering should be done! I am no longer a teenager, my body should be nicer to me than this!
So I started Curology, you can read my blog post about what Curology is here, and it had been working relatively well. I stopped using it for a few months but my acne came back so I recently started using it again. I felt like Curology was working but I was getting a little restless and wanted to try something else. So when I found this at my local TJ Maxx I thought why not just give it a chance!
I have to admit that this product does not prevent breakouts completely,  however it does help significantly diminish the appearance of them. This lotion also helps keep the swelling that often comes with acne down which then helps keep the pain from swollen pimples away! Which in my opinion is the best part because that, to me, is the worst part of having acne. It also helps me keep from picking at pimples, so for me it will probably help keep from scarring my face. Which is a great long term solution if that is something you're worried about.
So if you're on the fence on getting this product, in my opinion I think you should go for it. Because in the skin care realm, this really isn't an extremely expensive option but could be a very useful and beneficial one! So give it a try if you can! i got mine at TJ Maxx for like $18, but it's actually cheaper at Ulta for $17! So if you're interested check it out and get some Ulta points while you're at it!
- Celine xx

Hourglass is an expensive and generally a quite reliable brand! I absolutely love their foundation, concealer and powder but it is actually really expensive. Especially considering the makeup brand as a whole, which essentially lends itself to a natural, effortless and easy look. There aren't any surprising shades, or over the top lip colors; for the most part they put out neutral colors that can be worn (and loved) by anyone who enjoys makeup. I have loved Hourglass products in the past, but this eye-liner just doesn't work well for me.
Hourglass claims that this eyeliner, which retails for $34 on their website, is both waterproof and long-wearing, ultra black and offers ultimate control of application with the felt tip with even application of product with every stroke. When I swatched this eyeliner I was completely blown away with the pigment it offered, Hourglass's claim of an 'Ultra Black' liner definetely upheld with this product! However, although the swatch lasted for days on my arm it is only able to stay put on my eyelid for 4-6 hours at a time before smudging. That being said, I do have oily eyelids, but this is a product that claims to be waterproof so oily eyelids should have such an effect on the smudging of this product. I think my biggest problem with this product is that it won't apply over eyeshadow, it just won't apply and then dries up as you're using it even though there's plenty of product left in the tube.
Overall I've decided to use it up, since i paid $34 for it, but I will not be repurchasing it. In fact, I already bought the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner because i was so unhappy with this hourglass one.

- Celine x

So I've been seeing adverts on all my social media recently for a skin saviour going by the name of Curology. After a literal 5 minutes on their website I realized that this was a product I was interested in and a product I could maybe benefit from. I have quite sensitive, acne prone skin and I would give anything (possibly even give up my coffee addiction) to clear up my skin. It's an online distributor of prescribed skin care. It seems to be very similar to the whole concept behind the 'make your own shampoo and conditioner' thing I've been seeing all over my facebook ads (also something I want to try at some point!). So every bottle is tailored to an individual, this is done by a Dermatologist Physician prescribing different ingredients based on your individual skin care concerns and pictures you've sent in. I got a 'free trial' sample, I put that in quotations because I did pay for shipping which was almost $5.
The reason I am writing this is actually not to review it because I think a lot of people have already done that, but mostly to describe what it actually is and how to use it, because how to use it wasn't described very well on their site. That being said if you want a review I would be more than willing to write one in 5-6 weeks after I've really tried it! I use it after a cleanse, which is what they instructed me to do, wait about 15  minutes for it to sink in and then moisturize. Although moisturizing isn't a recommended step however is necessary because otherwise my skin would dry up!
So. The way they describe it as a product that will 'shorten your skincare routine', and that a more simple routine is beneficial to your skin. Although this isn't something I disagree with, it's also not something I believe is completely true because people use multiple different products for an array of reasons that they've found works for their skin! I mean I truly am a cleanser, toner moisturizer kind of girl but I know people who have 2-3 serums to keep their skin from drying in the cold-n-dry Boston Winter air. Have any of you tried Curology and has it worked for you?

- Celine xx

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas if you celebrate! 

- Celine x