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

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.

Fake Tan = Hot Mom

Everyone looks better with a tan. I forgot how much of a difference it can make! I pulled out a bottle of self tanner today that I must have bought 2 or 3 years ago because I really don't remember having ever taken the time and effort to apply self tanner since I became a mom 2 years ago. Well, my husband was on a road trip for work and I wanted to look extra good when he came home so I pulled out the tanning lotion. I had to do it during nap time and it was a big pain to have to stand around in my room in my birthday suit for 30-40 minutes careful to not touch anything for fear of staining anything or messing up the tan. I stood and read a book (The "Hug and a Kiss and a Kick in the Pants" book actually). Anyways, Finally it dried and I was very pleased with the results. It was maybe the best application I'd ever done...minus my right ankle and the white spot in the middle of my back that I couldn't reach.

Anyways, when I looked in the mirror with my new tan, I felt like a younger version of myself again. My hair looked lighter and my teeth looked whiter. When my husband got home, he instant commented on how great I looked and he was like, "what did you do? Something is different! Did you get your hair highlighted while I was gone? It looks lighter".

Later that evening we went out to the pool and my husband and daughter played in the water while I lounged. It was so exciting looking down at tan legs rather than being BLINDED BY THE LIGHT!

It was worth the trouble and the stupid looking spot on my ankle. However, I called my sister and apparently she was applying a fake tan at the exact same time that I was (we're in sync like that), however, it only took her 10 minutes and she didn't miss or mess up any spots. Next time I'm going to use what she uses, it's called Loreal Sublime Bronze Airbrush, a tanning spray. She says it dries almost instantly, has a great color and has no smell.

YAY for fake tans!

As for indoor tanning lotion tips, I came across some solutions after the fact:

*Rub lotion around ankles and tops of feet to blend with legs.

*Use a sponge paintbrush, available at any hardware store, to apply self tanner to your back. Look for one that is from two to three inches in size. Wash before use and let it air dry. The brushes with wooden handles are better, as the plastic handles can scratch skin.

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)