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A Duo of Glowy Skin Essentials
Sonia Kashuk's makeup line at Target is something I've been consistently impressed with, so I was excited to get my hands on her skin care line. And it did not disappoint. The creamy formula of the face wash has teeny hard-shell algae particles that gently exfoliate and leave my skin feeling superclean. And the mask -- at the risk of sounding basic, I can't even. It's made from Kaolin clay to absorb oil and suck out gunk in your pores, plus four alpha-hydroxy acids to exfoliate and even skin tone. It leaves my skin feeling and looking so good I have the urge to take a selfie and brag about how fantastic my skin looks.
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#BrowsOnFleek on the Cheap
I'm particularly fond of a certain brow gel (that shall remain nameless) that costs almost twice the price of this product. But the fiber-infused formula of this tinted gel managed to win me over. The tint looks totally natural -- which is saying a lot, considering I have superblonde brows right now -- and helps make my brows look fuller and more Lily Collins-like. Plus, the small brush is easy to maneuver, and the gel has yet to clump on me.
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A Mascara That Gives You Lashes for Days
Along with my expensive tastes, I tend to have a flair for the dramatic. Which is probably why I fell head over heels for this mascara. The brush is spiky -- I feel like I'm wielding a weapon -- and the formula is a rich, glossy black. It gives a ton of volume and makes my lashes so long they can touch my eyebrows. Most mornings, this was the only eye makeup I wore.
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An Eye Cream That's My Defense Against Wrinkles
Ever since I was told that, thanks to my thin and pale skin, my eyes are going to get wrinkled hella fast I have become obsessed with eye creams. But I haven't really been impressed with an anti-aging drugstore eye cream until I tried this one. And, I know, I managed to pick probably one of the most expensive eye creams you can buy at the drugstore (it's just in my nature, I can't help it), let me say that this is worth it.
It's a dream to apply, and sinks into skin effortlessly. It was designed by the Global Derm Alliance to target crow's feet, puffiness, dark circles and wrinkles with a potent blend of caffeine, amino peptides, niacinamide and glycerin. In other words, it's an excellent weapon against the signs of aging. Plus, I appreciate that it comes in a package with a pump, instead of a jar, so the ingredients aren't compromised.
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A Facial Peel That Works Magic
A facial peel is an essential part of my skin care routine (I use one at least once a week to keep my skin smooth and radiant), so I was determined to find one for the purposes of this experiment. And, yes, I get that this is a tad more expensive than typical drugstore products, but you can buy it at CVS, so it counts.
This tube is packed -- and I mean packed -- with amazing ingredients, like Kaolin clay, papaya leaf, hyaluronic acid, manuka honey and, of course, the brand's shining star: purified bee venom. It tingles as it goes on, and dries in about 15 minutes. It left my skin slightly pink and glowy, but it didn't feel tight or irritated. It's helping clear the congestion on my nose and chin -- something I've been trying to do for years.
But maybe the best part: You get to peel it off your face at the end, which is oddly satisfying, if a tad "American Psycho."
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