Peter Thomas Roth

As the title suggests, this is a mini-review about Peter Thomas Roth's "Blemish Buster Kit".

In 2010, I was under a lot of stress from... stress-related things, and my cheeks started breaking out worse than when I was in high school (I'm 29, now)!! I've been trying so many skin routines, but my skin has merely plateaued, and not completely cleared up, which is aggravating. Recently, I was recommended to buy this Peter Thomas Roth kit from Sephora, with promises of near-instant results. At $35, I figured I would try it, since it didn't burn a huge hole in my wallet... After only four days, my blemishes were starting to recede, but the rest of my skin was taking a Beta Hydroxy beating! The skin around my mouth was SO DRY... (how dry was it?) thank you. It was so dry, that I was making it crack and peel from talking! No matter what moisturizers I put in that area, to calm it down, it stung like I had poured straight Isopropyl Alcohol on it. For the first time, since I discovered Sephora's existence, I had to return a product.

Evidently, the Beta Hydroxy formula is for extremely oily and acne-prone skin. Of course, on the front package, it says: MAXIMUM STRENGTH in all caps... You'd think that would have been my first clue, but no. The mixture of glycolic acid, beta hydroxy Acid, sulfur, and salicylic acid was really too much for my skin. I guess it's not as acne-prone as I had previously assumed. SO... what's the point of this review, then? Lesson learned: If you have really, REALLY oily and/or acne-prone skin, this kit is definitely for you. If you have combination skin, or you just have a few sporadic blemishes on your face, like me, this is way too strong and you will end up returning it. Let's put it this way: I'm using Aquaphor on my face, to bring it back to normal. I hope this helped any of you. Leave questions and/or comments below!

Stay Nerdy and Beautiful

ST:TNG Captain's Shirt Look

Ok, guys. Bare with me, as I attempt a tutorial of a makeup look inspired by Picard's and Riker's shirts in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Here we go:

First prime your eyelids, to prevent your eyeshadow from creasing. I used Soft Ochre Paint Pot by MAC.

Next, with my Sephora Double-Ended Smudge/Shadow brush, I pat on Addicted (a red mineral shadow w/ shimmer) by Beauty From The Earth, covering 3/4 of the eyelid.

With my Sephora #13 rounded crease brush (a fluffy brush with a dome shape), I take Tijuana from the Kat Von D Memento Mori palette and put that in the crease, and cover the remaining 1/4 of my lid. Make sure you blend it out really well.

With the Smudge end of the Sephora Smudge/Shadow brush, I take a little more Tijuana and lightly smudge it under the lower lashline.

Next, as your highlight, under your browbone, take Agatha Pink (a light peach with shimmer, or you can use something close to your skin tone), from the Memento Mori palette on your shadow brush and lightly sweep it on, blending out the crease color.

Now, for mascara! Curl your lashes. I'm using the Tarte Eyelash Curler.

Apply your favorite mascara. I'm using the Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-benefit Mascara.

You can stop here, if you like, but I wanted to intensify the look, to look dark, mysterious and... Star.. Trekky... so I used the Rimmel Eye Kohl in 061 Jet Black on my waterline.

That's it! Here's the finished look!

I hope you Trekkies, Trekkers, and makeup geeks liked this look. This was just something quick that I thought of, with nothing else done to the face. Foundation, powder and lips can really be anything, depending on your preference. Please leave comments below if you liked this look!