DRY SHAMPOO | Orlando Pita Revive

If anyone likes shopping at Costco, you probably have seen this.

I purchased this several months ago for $15 for the 5 oz /142 g and a 1.8 oz / 51 g

I actually quite like this. Although it looks gray at first, it brushes out quite nicely on my dark roots. The scent is pretty refreshing, not particularly pleasant but not weird.

My hair looks really fresh and not gross when I use a decent amount

I noticed the trick to using dry shampoo is really using enough to absorb all the oils, esp if you have an oily scalp like me.

If you're in the market for a dry shampoo, I do recommend this one, but I think Bastiste is just as good (maybe better according to my roommate, who claims this one is a bit sticky - which I don't notice) and slightly cheaper. I always love a travel size dry shampoo though 

The brand Orlando Pita is also available at Ulta, but obviously Costco is slightly cheaper.

I also tried their volume shampoo and heat protectant treatment, and a leave in conditioner (see photos below), all of which are pretty decent. I am not blown away by this brand but I will probably use it all up.

SKIN | GlamGlow Products - Is it worth the money?

I heard about GlamGlow from my cousin in China, who said the combination of SuperMud (white mask) and ThirstyMud (blue mask) helps flatten a pimple overnight. I've tried it several times and it doesn't heal the pimple overnight, just helps a little.

I figure if a product has passed international borders, it must be decent, so I gave it a try.

Listed from left to right

FlashMud Brightening Treatment orange ($69 for 1.7 oz / 50g)

20 minute exfoliating mask

My most recent purchase - it has fine exfoliating beads, has very pleasant fruity fragrance, makes my skin feel very smooth after washing. Whether or not it brightens a lot is not a change I see immediately on my skin, but it seems to help with acne scars. I like it a lot so far.

ThirstyMud Hydrating Treatment blue ($69 for 1.7 oz / 50g) review here

Overnight treatment - can be used during the day if you wipe the excess off with tissue.

Smells like coconuts, I don't find it particularly amazing but it's good for parched skin.

SuperMud Clearing Treatment white ($69 for 1.2 oz / 34 g) review here

10-17 minute clay mask

Great to clear your pores, feels cooling on the skin, seems to help absorb oil from pores, helps with blackheads. It doesn't make my pores look especially clean sometimes, but I assume some of the black is from the mud.

SuperCleanse Daily Purifying Cleanser white ($39 for 5 oz / 150 ml)

Apply to a dry face, lather with water. The Sephora salesperson told me to leave it on for 30 seconds before adding water.

I tried a sample from Sephora before purchasing this. It has a cooling sensation, has a slight learning curve to lathering effectively, and seems to help with my acne. You're supposed to apply it on a "dry face" then lather, similar to a cleansing oil, but it doesn't seem to lather as well (or feel as clean) when my face is already oily (if I use it in the morning). 

I enjoy using it the most when I remove my makeup first, dry my face, then apply.

In conclusion

I think these products are worth sampling, but I would not have bought the full size had I not purchased them at a discount. I purchased ThirstyMud and SuperMud at Costco for about $40 each (no longer available in my area as of December 2015) as opposed to the $69 price tag at Sephora. The SuperCleanse and FlashMud were purchased because I received giftcards and Nordstrom notes. 

I enjoy using this line of products, but it's not holy grail for me. Once I finish the jars I probably won't repurchase.

If you had oily, combination or acne prone skin and don't mind spending money on these, I recommend the SuperMud (white mask) and FlashMud (orange). Definitely try a sample at Sephora before purchasing, considering the hefty price.

Skincare tip:

I went to the dermatologist (finally) a few weeks ago and have been taking antibiotics to kill acne causing bacteria. If I am successful I will definitely post before and after photos.

One thing to remember if you use these masks is to moisturize after. After over a decade of dealing with acne (teenage and adult cystic/hormonal acne), I've realized that simple is best. I've been using CeraVe cream (review here) as a moisturizer with a benzoyl peroxide treatment for acne spots, and Neosporin/healing balm for open acne spots I accidentally popped/broke. 

Your skin heals itself a lot overnight, so get your beauty sleep in.

REVIEW | Cerave Moisturizing Cream

Pros

Semi matte finish

Absorbs quickly

Moisturizing

Doesn't break me out

Cons

Bulky packaging

Price

$13 for 19 oz at Costco (with pump)

$11 for 16 oz at Target

Verdict

Rating: A-

I finally went to the dermatologist recently and was prescribed antibiotics to combat my acne that's becoming increasingly problematic now at age 23. She didn't really recommend any skincare products to me other than sunscreen, but I noticed she had Cerave products, which she said were tested to not cause acne, as opposed to Cetaphil which is oil-based.

To my surprise, this cream absorbs pretty quickly on my face, I could even use it as a day moisturizer without it feeling heavy. I bought the Costco version with the pump, so it's a little more sanitary. I know the jar usually comes with just a lid, but they do have squeeze tubes if you can find it. All in all, a good simple moisturizer. It does contain parabens, but I did some research and they say the little amounts they use in cosmetics isn't effective enough to cause damages on the body.

If my skin ever gets sensitive from another product, I go back to Cerave. It is truly a staple moisturizer, great for your body too.

Repurchase?

If I ever run out of it

Would I recommend it?

Yes.