Review time: Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser

I almost didn't post anything today, it's been a long day but I owe it to my two loyal readers to try to post at least one thing a day, so here it is.
This is a review on the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser (a makeup remover and cleanser in one for refreshingly clean skin).

Price: $4.99
Where to buy:  Any drugstore.
What is claims: Dermatologist tested cleanser effectively removes makeup and cleanses in one easy step.  Removes dirt and oil, makeup and waterproof eye makeup without stinging or irritating the sensitive eye area.
My opinion:
I don't really know much about Neutrogena, I've heard some good things about their foundations (which I personally have NOT tried yet) but that's about it.   I was looking for a drugstore cleanser that I could afford and came accross this one so I decided to give it a go.
This is a very gentle cleanser, it feels like liquid soap when you wash your face and it doesn't irritate your skin at all.  It is very easy to use. 
Here is what you really need to know:
I don't think that this product takes all of the makeup off of your skin.  When you wear liquid foundation it is very important to cleanse your face really good at the end of the day.  Also, if you wear heavy eye makeup like I do, even if it's not waterproof makeup, this cleanser won't take it off, you will need to use an eye makeup remover to get your eyes completely clean, so overall I don't think this is a very good cleanser.
One good way of checking how good your cleanser works is by cleaning your face with a cotton ball soaked with toner and seeing how clean it is.  I do this every time I cleanse my face and it usually looks dirty, I wouldn't feel like I got my face completely clean if I was to just use this cleanser.  
I wouldn't recommend you use this cleanser as your only step for washing your face.  I highly recommend you use a toner afterwords to get rid of the makeup that you will have left on your face AND have eye makeup remover on hand for when you are using heavy smokey eyes, because this cleanser won't get rid of it either.  I give this a 2 out of 5.

Review time: Murad Active Radiance Serum featuring Resilient-C Complex

Price: $89.00

Where to buy:  Sephora.com

Description: A rich, silky serum that restores a youthful, healthy glow to the skin.  It encourages collagen production to help skin resist environmental stress and damage. Its advanced formula boosts cell proliferation to reverse visible signs of aging. 

I have had this serum for a couple of months and just decided to write a review about it a couple of weeks ago so I had to stop using it for a little while to see what my skin would look like without using it and then again after using it for a few days.
Let me begin by saying this, I have never used a skin product with vitamin c before this and read a ton about it before deciding to get it (I didn't buy it, it was a rewards gift I received from making a purchase somewhere) and in most of the reviews people said that this product was great for overnight acne treatment and even though I don't have acne all the time, I do get it every now and then so I went ahead and chose it.
Ok, now back to the review: After not using it for a few days I noticed  little zits along my jaw line, nothing major, but they became one of those never-ending pimples, you know, the kind that won't go away no matter how many times you clean it or pop it.  My everyday skincare products do take care of most of my facial issues but nothing would get rid of those dang spots on my jaw line, seriously, nothing!  And then I finally started using this serum, I will tell you this much, it only took 2 days of using this product for me to get rid of my acne.  I haven't, however, seen any difference in the size of my pores or blemishes around my nose, but then again I've only used it for a few days.  This product also claims to give you a "glow" after a week of using it and I do see that on my face.  I think that if I've seen this results in a week, if I continue using it I will see even greater results.
You are supposed to apply a thin layer of this serum all over your face and neck right after toning your skin and then wait one minute for it to get absorbed and then apply your moisturizer.  Application is very easy and not messy, it doesn't have a bad smell to it. I read that some people got irritated by it but this didn't happen to me, I didn't have any allergic reactions to it or break outs from it.
Also, this serum comes in a very air tight and covered bottle and the reason for this is so that the vitamin C in it won't oxidize. It has a pump which is really nice so you can get the right amount of product every time and overall I would say it looks really nice... but do I think is worth it?  This serum is very, very expensive and you only get 1oz for your money.  I like it a lot but I don't think I will be buying it over and over again, instead I will use it as a "spot treatment" for when I have hard issues to deal with on my face.  I believe this product would work great as a spot acne treatment for those hard pimples we all need to get rid off.
Do I recomend it?  Yes, I do.  I think this product will do just what it says if you use it often.  I rate this serum a 7 out of 10 because of it's price and the low amount of product you get.

Review time: Clinique Deep Cleansing Emergency Mask

Price: $19.50
Where to buy: Clinique stores and counters.  Sephora and Sephora.com.
Description: Clay-based treatment for oily, pore-clogged, skin-under-stress.

I have used this mask for a month now and I must say I am very impressed by the results I achieved with it.
I have never used any other kind of mask besides this one so I guess I don't have a way of comparing it to anything, I did, however, read a ton about clay based masks before deciding to purchase this one and noticed how one of the main complains is that the clay irritates the skin.  I did not have that problem with this mask.
On sephora.com this product is rated 4.4 out of 5, which is a pretty good score I think.  This product is only to be used once a week.  When I first bought it I was a little worried about it not lasting too long, after all, for $19.50 I expect to have a product that will do what it says it will do and that it will last me a good while as well.  I will say this: my worries were completely unbased.
The instructions tell you to apply a thin layer all over your face and let it sit for 5 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.  When you first squirt the mask on your finger it sort of feels like a thicker cream or a thinner toothpaste, if that makes any sense. It doesn't have a bad smell at all and it's pretty easy to apply.  I always make sure to get my hair out of the way because it can get pretty messy.
I like to apply a little bit extra on the areas that I want more cleansing, like my nose, my chin and around my lips.  I don't really know if that makes a difference or not but I still do it.  When you first put it on your face it feels smooth, like a cream really, but as it sits for a few minutes it starts to harden and pretty soon it feels like you have dry mud on your face.  Washing it off is relatively easy, all you need is warm water. 
What about the results?  Right after you wash the mask off the first thing you notice is how soft and refreshed  your face is.  After my very first time using it I noticed that a good amount of my black heads had dissapeared.  After the second use (a week later) I had less black heads and now (a month later) I have absolutelly none.
Do I recommend it? YES! Absolutely yes.  This mask is amazing.  It doesn't irritate your skin and it does as it promises. Is it pricey? Well, yes it is, but one tube will last you a long time!  I would say I still have about 70% of the mask left.  I don't have anything bad to say about this product so I give it a 5 out of 5.