I feel like it’s been a hot minute since I’ve talked about skin care – and now that winter in New England is in full force, you guys know (if you’ve been following me for awhile) that my normally combo/oily skin has been super duper dried out. Like flaky, peeling, crepey dry.
For a short time, my best friend Sandra was selling Mary Kay products. Since she’s decided to stop, she has been discounting her remaining stock, and I was able to scoop up the Mary Kay Timewise Microdermabrasion Kit from her for $10. TEN DOLLARS!! It is a trial size set, which I believe she was originally selling at $20, but still….that’s a great deal!
The full size set normally retails for $55, and this mini-kit included a bonus ‘Mini Replenishing Serum + C’, and that itself retails for about $56!
I won’t get any sort of long term use from this kit, but for someone who’s never done microdermabrasion (unless you count the weekly exfoliating face mask) it was a good place to start!
Let’s get into the review!
PACKAGING
This comes in a small light pink box with black trim, and the Mary Kay name printed vertically down the front right side. The box is small, maybe 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches, and opens to reveal three products inside:
Step 1 Refine scrub – .5 fl oz
Step 2 Replenish lotion – .17 fl oz
BONUS Replenishing Serum + C – .17 fl oz
Step 1 comes in a flip-top squeezey tube, and the other two products come in small vial like bottles with a pump (which I always appreciate!). Again, light pink and black packaging, signature to Mary Kay products.
FORMULA
Step 1 is the actual microdermabrasion scrub. It comes out of the tube in a medium thick, lotion consistency, with no fragrance to it.
Step 2 is a replenishing lotion, with a milky like consistency, and an almost pink/lavender/iridescent kind of color to it. There is no scent.
The bonus Replenishing Serum + C is a pale yellow color, fluid lotion, and it smells vaguely citrus-like, but not strong enough that it would be overpowering to someone who is sensitive to fragrance.
APPLICATION & WEAR
Now for the fun part! Prior to applying step one, you should have freshly cleansed skin, but you should use a very gentle cleanser – it specifically warns against using something harsh, or with acne medication in it, as it can irritate the skin. Try something like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($8).
So after cleansing, I applied a nickel sized amount of product onto my finger tips, and began gently massaging into dampened skin. Immediately I could feel the exfoliation, and the granules are so fine that it feels almost like sand (in a good way). I gently massaged in small circles all around my face for about 1-2 minutes, really focusing on the areas that have been extra flaky lately; the sides of my nose, my forehead, chin, and across the tops of my cheeks. Then I rinsed with warm water.
Next I applied Step 2, and one pump is enough for the entire face. It glides onto the skin very easily, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave behind any sort of shiny, greasy residue. It felt incredibly hydrating, too, which my skin just drank right up!
And finally, for the Replenishing Serum + C – the instructions say to apply 3 pumps (although I think 2 is plenty) after Step 2 has absorbed, and instructs to apply it in the morning and at night as well. I don’t know if it’s the ‘C’ in this product, but I felt like my skin just glowed when I put this on! It felt great!
When I woke up the next morning, my skin looked brand new! A few minor breakouts were gone, it looked so much smoother and baby’s-butt soft – I couldn’t believe I was looking at my own skin!
Now it’s not exactly a miracle product – don’t expect that you use it once and all your skin woes disappear forever – but I didn’t realize just how much dry skin was built up on my face until I used this!
Have you guys tried microdermabrasion? What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment below and let me know!
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LOTS OF LOVE & SMOOTH SKIN!
Affordable Gorgeous 