Since my acne has decided to relive its high school years, my quest for an exceptional acne regimen is never ending.  IQ Derma’s Clear Remedy System had me sold within 1 week of use.  Anyone with a major acne problem will tell you 1 week is usually not enough to see results with most acne systems.  The Clear Remedy System not only cleared my acne, it has kept it away over a month later.

The first thing I was happy to notice with this system, was the clean, refreshing scent.  It doesn’t smell medicinal like most acne treatments.  The Purifying Cleanser is a gel formula, but somehow feels creamy when applied to skin.  Just a tiny amount lathers gently and rinses completely clean.  Every product in this acne regimen brightens and clears skin with a combination of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.  My absolute favorite product in this line is the Acne Spot Treatment Lotion.  I normally dislike products with benzoyl peroxide because it leaves my face with a chalky residue.  This spot treatment left no residue at all, easily sinks into the skin and is non-drying.  IQ Derma is generously offering Makeup Masala readers 30% off ANY order PLUS free shipping!  Just use code: GETCLEAR30 at checkout.  Click here to shop!

Makeup Masala is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a full-sized Clear Remedy Acne Treatment Lotion ($65 value)!  Just leave any comment to be entered.  Winner will be chosen Friday, July 3rd at 10:00pm CST.  Readers from all countries are invited to participate!

Q-tips has taken the hum-drum from their normal packaging by introducing new, chic vanity packs.  Instead of hiding the Q-tips away as we normally do, leave the box out and add a touch of glamour to your bathroom’s decor.  Q-tips have been a “hidden gem” since 1923 and its many uses span from beauty care to household cleaning.  To learn more about adding Q-tips to your beauty routine, click over to one of my favorite sites, Clumps of Mascara!

The New Q-tips Vanity Pack can be found for $4 or less at select locations.

Although I’ve worked in the Dermatology field for over 6 years, it shames me to say my sunscreen use is less than stellar.  I have a ton of excuses, my skin is tan naturally (so that must give me some protection), sunscreen will clog my pores and aggravate my acne, not mention that plain old laziness is the biggest factor.

UVSunSense is helping to take the guesswork (and excuses) out of sunscreen use by introducing their UVSunSense wristband.  This thin, easily portable band, monitors the sun’s UV rays and signals the user (by turning dark brown) when they need to reapply sunscreen.  If the user has had too much sun for the day, the band turns a salmon color to alert the user to seek shade or head indoors.  I wore my wristband while doing yard work during the hottest part of the day and the band worked exactly as promised.  Ideal for people of all ages and races, the UVSunSense wristband is a must-have for the battle against skin cancer.  At a bargain price of less than $6 for a pack of 7 bands, this is an affordable way to ensure your family is getting the protection they need.  Please visit the UVSunSense website for more information and life-saving sun safety tips.

I’m so happy to see more and more blogs are dedicating themselves to reviewing beauty bargains.  When I find a good one, I hang on to it for dear life!  Nouveau Cheap is my latest find and I love Recessionista’s style of writing, not to mention all the drugstore and bargain goodies she finds.  Get to know more about Recessionista, one of my favorite beauty bloggers…

MM: Your purse is stolen. What beauty item will you replace first?

Recessionista: Without a doubt, my Prestige MultiFinish Wet/Dry Powder Foundation compact in “Wheat.”  This is the best powder ever for touch-ups throughout the day because it’s never cakey, it looks natural, it provides great coverage and “Wheat” is a perfect match for my NC20 skin.  I’ve tried so many other powders (high and low-end) in my life, and I always come back to this one.
 

MM: What high-end beauty product are you saving your pennies for?

Recessionista: I’m a fragrance junkie, so I am currently saving my money to get my hands on a bottle of “pc01″ by biehl parfumkunstwerke. I probably make one super extravagant beauty purchase per year, and this one’s it. It must be mine one day!

MM: What one hair product can you not live without?

Recessionista: Leave-in conditioner SAVES me every day. I’ve been loyal to Giovanni Direct Leave-in for about five years now though, lately, Sunsilk Captivating Curls De-Frizz Leave-in Creme is giving it a good run for its money (plus it’s more widely available).

 
MM: What color polish is on your toes right now?

Recessionista: OPI Pistol Packin’ Pink.  I must confess, I ran out and bought this after I found out that Mally Roncal, of Mally Beauty, was wearing it on her last QVC appearance. It looked so adorable on her, I had to get it for myself.

MM: What was your inspiration to blog?

Recessionista: Well, I have a B.A. in English and I’ve always loved to write. For years and years, I would email my girlfriends about my latest budget beauty finds. They would email me back with questions and we’d have a great dialogue about beauty products, issues, tips and solutions.  At work I was known as the “Beauty Guru” by the women in the office. But it took a wonderful friend and colleague years of persuading until she finally convinced me that I should start a beauty blog so that I could share my insights about affordable beauty products with a broader audience. It was seriously the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m so lucky to have found such a wonderful, diverse community of women online who are all just as obsessed as I am with beauty products.

Thank you Recessionista!

The beautiful Keli is celebrating 1000 subscribers to her YouTube channel and The Makeup Mix Shop is proud to be one of the sponsors!  Watch the video below for the rules and regs.  Good luck to all!

There couldn’t be a better time to try Beautyfix!  For a limited time you can receive their second kit for $19.99.  This pampering kit is normally $49.99, which is a bargain also, considering it’s filled with the 8 high-end products shown above, all tucked in a roomy Beautyfix makeup bag.  Also included is a $25 gift card to glow.com. 

Makeup Masala is giving one lucky reader a chance to sample a few of the products shown above!  One reader will receive:

• 3Lab “M” Cream (2)
• Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Masque
• Kerstin Florian Aromatherapy Neroli Water (2)
• Lisa Hoffman Beauty Vitamin A & C Serum

Just leave any comment telling us what beauty product you are willing to splurge on.  Winner will be chosen Friday, June 26th at 10:00pm CST.  Readers from all countries are invited to participate!

Freeman Beauty products have been a favorite of mine since high school.  Every item in their line is affordable and pampers you from head to toe.  Their Bare Hands Hydrating Cucumber & Water Lily Hand & Elbow Butter with it’s light summer scent and botanical moisturizers is a must-have.  This thick cream is absolutely non-greasy and soothes rough patches instantly.  Made for hands and elbows, it also works miracles on knees and cracked heels.

 Bare Hands Hydrating Cucumber & Water Lily Hand & Elbow Butter can be found for $4 or less at most retailers.