Review :: Freeman Facial Charcoal and Black Sugar Scrub Mask

OK, so I was at the supermarket and I was getting some toiletries when I saw that they were having a bogo for this brand, Since I am always on the hunt for a good exfoliator I figured I would take the plunge ($8 for 2 bottles seemed good, I however got this one and their cucumber peeling mask)

I decided to do a first impressions mini review on it. A lot of higher end brands get reviewed, so why not a drugstore brand?

WARNING weird picture of my long face below.

This is the packaging, and it seems like it could be very promising…

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fyi, I am always wary of things that say all skin types, but I decided to still give this a go.

A little dollop in my hand, it had a unique and unexpected consistency.

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I think I was expecting something that had more charcoal, this just looked like a repackaged sugar scrub (which this mask is, but I also was hoping for something more, well maskish)

Here is where I applied it to my face, you are supposed to let it sit on your face for 5-7 minutes, then massage it into your skin for 1-2 then rinse off. It didn’t really like staying in one spot and started sort of sliding on my face, so that was a bother.

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(my face was all puffy that day, UGH)

OK so anyways I managed to let it sit on there, then I massaged it in and rinsed it off.

Overall it left my skin feeling VERY clean, and smooth. Was a hassle to leave on, but I think that the annoyance of that is worth the pay off. Especially when this was very affordable and easy to find. I don’t know if I will rebuy though. So I am still on the hunt for exfoliators!

Grade – B+

Tatcha :: Sensitive Skin Ritual Discovery Kit

Ok, I was running low on my Indigo Recovery Cream but I have a few night creams coming, so I didn’t want to buy a whole container just yet. However I have wanted to try some different Tatcha products so I decided to get their Sensitive Skin Ritual Discovery Kit. They do these kits with travel sized products and it is a great way to test out their line without investing hundreds of dollars! It has the cutest little jar of the cream which will hold me over until I get the other creams in the mail (International shipping, even EMS takes forever)

The Kit!

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They have such beautiful packaging. The shipment comes with your invoice printed on pretty rice paper with a hand written thank you note! Way to step up the game Tatcha!

Comes with-

  • PURE-ONE STEP CAMELLIA CLEANSING OIL
  • SOOTHING RICE ENZYME POWDER – FOR SENSITIVE SKIN
  • LUMINOUS -DEEP HYDRATION FIRMING SERUM
  • INDIGO -SOOTHING TRIPLE RECOVERY CREAM

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I am really REALLY excited to try out these guys. I have used their Rice Powders before and they are so nice at cleaning skin. But I have wanted to try their Cleansing Oils and The serum!!! I will let you know how they all turn out!

They also send samples too ❤

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BONUS!

When I was trying to take these pictures my cats decided they wanted to investigate, and sit on everything!

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Why you sit on the instructions? WHY!!! You have an entire world to sit on!!! Why this!?

My Current Skincare Routine

This is my current Skincare routine (with list of products) I change or try new things every few months, so I will probably be updating this blog with what I have tried and what works and what didn’t.

My Skin

I have a very pale complexion, with combination sensitive skin. I also suffered from enlarged pores. I have lived in South Florida my entire life, and would wear sunscreen everyday on my arms and neck but not my face. As such I had some sun damage, and some issue with a nice texture on my skin. At 30 (I’m going to be 32 in a few months) I decided it was time to put on my big girl pants and start really taking care of myself. Diet, exercise, and SKINCARE!

After almost 2 years my skin looks a bazillion times better. My pores are considerably smaller and cleaner. My complexion is more even, my creases are diminishing and the smoothness of my skin is vast improved. Its very soft now, which is so nice.

I don’t like under-exagerating how bad my skin was, because truly whats the point- I had bad skin. Breakouts, pores, flaking. All because I didn’t take proper care of it. It was MY FAULT. So when I owned up to that (rather then blame genetics) I started to see a VAST improvement.

My Routine

 

  1. Oil Cleanser – Clean It Zero From Banila Co. After removing makeup from my face if there is any there I put a small amount on my face and massage for 20-30 seconds then gently rinse off.
  2. Foaming Cleanser –Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam from Innisfree. I lather this on and then very gently use a pore brush to lather the last bit.
  3. Toner –Aloe BHA Skin Toner by Benton. I use a cotton swab and gently swipe across my face, I like this one because it is very soothing.
  4. Exfoliate –  Cure Natural Aqua Gel (twice a week, I love this) or Freeman’s Charcoal Sugar Scrub (this one is ok, just using it up right now since I don’t like to waste product)
  5. Essence – SK-II Facial Treatment Essence- Put a small amount in my hands and gently pat into my face. I let it absorb completely before moving on
  6. Essence –BHA Blackhead Power Liquid by Cosrx – I put a fair amount on a cotton pad and dab in on my entire nose and chin.
  7. Mask -(I only do this twice a week. Either a sheet mask, Lindsay makes an AMAZING Pull away charcoal mask, or the Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask by Elizavecca)
  8. Brightening Oil – Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil by Korres – Alittle goes a long way. I just take the dropper and put 3 drops in my hands and gently apply to face and neck
  9. Serums –ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentratefrom Shiseido (I use this first) Then Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster by Ole Henrikson, For the Ole Henriksen serum I do like the results of it, however it makes my face EXTREMELY red right after application and it stays red for 15 minutes, so I don’t think I will be rebuying. I am looking for another serum that has vitamin C thats a bit gentler. I think Etude House or Innisfree has one.
  10. Eye Cream –Moistfull Collagen Eye Cream by Etude house – I gently pat this under my eye and gently apply it to my lids
  11. Moisturizer –Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ from Clinique. Gently put a small amount on my face and neck
  12. OK if it is the morning I will use a BB cream + primer and do make up and skip this last step
  13. Night Cream – Indigo Soothing Triple Recovery Cream by Tatcha. Its a Japanese brand, and they have amazing products, however they get a bit pricey. I might look for something else to see if it compares, if not I will get this again. I do adore this.
  14. I also apply Nature Republics Aloe Vera Gel all over my body and chest and neck area.

It took me several months to really get into this routine. I used to just wash-tone-moisturize at night so going from that to this twice a day  was something I had to do slowly. I recommend adding in 1-2 steps every 2-3 weeks. First I would add essence and eye cream, then night creams, and then serums. This will let you get used to the routine, and will let you see how each product improves your skin. I realized that a good essence and night cream are what really worked for me. Rather then get some super expensive serums. But for other people may be the other way around.

I CAN SAY THIS. I used to dread cleaning my face a few years ago and now its one of the favorite parts of my day. And I get to do it twice!! I really look forward to it.

My absolute FAVORITES from this list are Jeju Volcanic Pore Cleansing Foam,Aloe BHA Skin Toner,Indigo Soothing Triple Recovery Cream and Nature Republics Aloe Vera Gel, and the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence.

As for products I hated my old moisturizer I just changed. I used to use Oil of Olay anti Aging, but I switched to the one with an additional spf 30. Sounds good right? WRONG. It broke out my entire face after only one application UGH so I switched to another moisturizer and stopped using that one for now. The Clinique Moisturizer isn;t the best as far as moisturizers (for my skin) go. But it is much better then the Oil of Olay stuff I was using. I NEVER throw away products. I usually suck it up and use them unless I get a super bad reaction. So thats what I had to do with the Oil of Olay One. Also Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster give me great results but right after application it makes my face EXTREMELY RED, and little tender. So I still use it for the results but I will not be rebuying it. So sad 😦

Also although I have nothing bad to say about BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, I don’t see much of a change or results. my pores are alittle better. I may or may not rebuy this! WE will see what happens after I use the entire bottle.

Thank you all for reading, comment below if you have any questions!