Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set Review

Don't ya just love genetics? They can be nice but it seems like often we inherit some not so nice genetic traits. I inherited "lovely" skin from my Dad's side of the family...one key identifying feature being large pores. Over time, I've learned that the only way to prevent your pores from getting bigger is by cleaning them out REALLY good. If you don't clean your pores really well, the dirt and oil builds up and stretches the pores, causing your pores to continue to get bigger and bigger. I found one product that I LOVE that really helps get my skin super clean and helps refine pores. It's the Mary Kay Microdermabrasion Set. It's a 2-step process that starts with the exfoliator that uses the same professional grade exfoliating crystals used by dermatologists. You have to be careful not to rub it into your skin too vigorously because it is pretty rough and could irritate your skin. After washing off the pore refining exfoliator, you apply the "Replenish" serum. This serum contains vitamins, antioxidants and anti-irritants and sets the smooth, refined skin you achieved after using Refine (the exfoliator).

I have really loved this product, but I do think it is a little pricey. However, as I near the end of my bottle and looking for a bargain (without becoming a Mary Kay Consultant just to get products at a 50% discount) I found that there are consultants on Amazon, selling Mary Kay Products at a discount. I got my microdermabrasion kit because a Mary Kay consultant had a drawing at our Gym and I won it. Normally I wouldn't have spent $55 on something like that, however I have found it to really help soften my skin, clean out my pores and give me overall nicer, brighter more supple looking skin.

Now, if you don't have $30-$55 to spend on a microdermabrasion kit like the one by Mary Kay, I have also learned a number of ways to shrink your pores, including much cheaper alternatives that you can concoct at home with ingredients from the kitchen to help clean and tighten pores.

I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub (can be used daily) to keep my skin (and pores) squeaky clean. After using the face scrub, follow up with a pore minimizing toner like witch hazel or Homemade Skin Toner, followed by your favorite moisturizing cream.

The apricot scrub doesn't do as good a job refining as the Mary Kay Refine exfoliator, but if you want to be frugal, it's a MUCH cheaper alternative.

You could also make your own exfoliating scrub with sugar and olive oil, but when making it for your face, opt for brown sugar over granulated because it is less course and be careful not to scrub vigorously as the sugar can be rather abrasive.

How to Make Sugar Scrub

How to Make Skin Toner

How to Make Rose Water Skin Toner

Hairstyles to Flatter your Face Shape

The Thread, Does Your Hairstyle Flatter Your Face Shape? @ Yahoo! Video

A youthful glow or greasy goop?

Some people use lips gloss on their lips, other's apparently use it on their legs! Check out Gwenyth Paltrow's overly shiney legs. It looks like she oiled them up to go sun bathing. Although it's helpful to look to celeb moms for style and beauty tips, this one is a fashion DON'T.


HOWEVER, it IS okay to dust your body with a shimmery body bronzer to add subtle sheen and definition, giving your legs, arms, shoulders and chest a more youthful glow. My favorite product for this is Bobbie Brown Beach shimmer body powder. I think it comes with a fluffy applicator. I have this myself, however, their Shimmer Brick for Body looks great too.
Visit the Bobbie Brown Website to learn how to create a beautiful, effortless looking Illuminating Bronze Look.

Embrace your Face!

Do your make-up, even if it’s a quick job. Even if you are not big on make-up, you can brighten up and freshen your look with some under eye concealer and a swipe of mascara on top eyelashes to look brighter and more awake. I recently discovered Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-up and I will NEVER go without it again. It goes on so light you don’t even feel like you are wearing make-up plus it is fast and easy to apply.No special beauty skills required. I apply some powder under and around my eyes and use the warm powder to add a natural looking glow to my face and I instantly look and feel 10 times better! I can literally change my complexion from blah to aw in 1 minute. The powders have been lasting me a long time too and I can honestly say I haven't been more impressed with any other kind of coverage make-up, OH and it also has built in SPF coverage too! Seriously, I can't live without this stuff! I don't understand how it can be so light, yet cover up all my blemishes so perfectly at the same time.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-Up starter kit
Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Starter kit (Medium)
Bare Escentuals Sephora Exclusive Get Started Kit - Fair ($174 VALUE for $60)

It's all in the hair!

Even if you can't attain your ideal body, it's nothing to get too depressed about. Seeing pictures of celebrity moms can either make you feel worse about yourself or inspire you to look your personal best. Some people hang pictures around their house and on the fridge of celebrities with nice bodies for inspiration...however, you might want to consider putting up pictures of you in your prime. It's a more realistic goal to look forward too, since you know you are capable of looking like that again.
Aside for physical fitness and body shape, there are other ways to embrace your beauty and femininity as a mom. Do your hair. Part of what contributes to the dreaded "mom" look is not the size of pants you wear, but they way you cut and style your hair....or if you do anything with it at all! Having your hair look nice can transform your entire look and take your from "tired" looking to "WHOA SEXY MAMA!"
Are you now thinking "but I don't have time to do my hair in the morning, it's a mad rush!" well, all it takes is some preparation at night after the kids are in bed. Check out my article on How to Wake Up With Nice Hair.
Invest in a few good hairstyling tools such as the Ted Gibson Professional Flat Iron or the CHI
I tried an imitation CHI ceramic hair flattener at first, but it didn't really do a great job of getting my hair straight, smooth and silky. After spending FOREVER straightening my wavy, crazy hair with not good results with the imitator, I got online and bought a CHI. It was the best investment ever! Even on days when I wake up in a rush and my hair is kind of frizzy and fro-y, I can quickly smooth it out with my CHI. It heats up incredibly fast too. If I straighten my hair at night and go to bed without a pony-tail, It looks great in the morning when I wake up. I would pretty much tell anyone that a high quality Ceramic hair straightener is essential, even if you have shorter hair.

Stubbly Prickly Legs Aren't Smokin'

Do you ever climb into bed at night, snuggle up next to your man and as you graze your leg against him to get his attention, hear him say "Ouch!"? That's not how you wanted to get his attention! Even as we get comfortable with each other and having perfectly smooth legs becomes less of a priority, it's still nice to surprise your love with silky smooth legs that he can caress rather than feel like he's in love with a porcupine. Even though he won't love you less for being a little prickly at times, you might want to check out these tips on How to Shave your Legs Perfectly!
Speaking of hair removal and grooming, one way to put a little spring into your step and really catch your man's attention is to pay some careful attention to grooming and shaping down there. So even if you were home all day, your hair not styled, dressed in scrubs, your house is cluttered with toys, at least you know something is tidy! And at the end of the day, when the kids are fast asleep, you can show it off and strut your stuff. You're husband/partner will totally think you're smokin'. (Just don't tell him you borrowed his beard trimmer! lol)