The Price of White Teeth, Why I Deserve a Spa Day and Another "What the Hell Was That?" Product!

In case you aren't aware, I hate the dentist. I don't mean that I don't care for the dentist. I don't mean I don't like the dentist. I don't mean that I prefer not to go to the dentist. I mean I hate the dentist. I have terrible teeth due to the use of Tetracycline as a child (they didn't know how soft it made tooth enamel and the damage it would later do). Plus, I have a stressful job, so I grind my teeth and have fractured at least four doing so. In addition, what other way can you spend enough money to purchase a large Louis Vuitton bag twice over and not a damn person will even know about it??? Anyway, after having my lips chapped for over 7 hours in the dental chair, having my poor skin and jaw stretched beyond it's normal limits such that I can't even speak, taking Valium like they were Tic-Tacs, and receiving 6 shots yesterday and 8 (yes EIGHT) today, I felt I deserved a very important spa evening with some super comfy/super pricey samples. Let's discuss.

I used the new deluxe sample of Amore Treatment Enzyme Peel. (Still available at Sephora using promo code AMORE.) It's a gentle exfoliator that refines and brightens the skin. Yes, indeed ... it did exactly that. It didn't hurt at all like the last peel and would be great for even the most delicate skin. It's a yellow powder (you know how I feel about yellow in my beauty products), and it was hard to judge how much to use. But my skin had a terrific natural glow afterwards. I wouldn't really call it a "peel" so much as just a gentle exfoliator. Since I'm not the most fond of powders, it isn't going on my must have list. However, the deluxe sample is so large, it could easily last you 4 months or so with once a week usage.

I also used the Bath & Body Works Pure Simplicity Pumpkin Mask. Yes, it was simple. Nothing special. It smells like pumpkin pie, which is a good thing, unless you are hungry, but I don't believe it really did anything. It didn't even really make my face soft or smooth. But, pumpkin is supposed to be good for the skin, so maybe my skin was happy and I just didn't even know it!

I also bathed in Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Detox Therapy Bath Salts. I love the lemon essential oils and it smelled just wonderful. It didn't do anything for my skin in the tub, but the scent was very relaxing. It is certainly not as good or as long lasting as bath salts from Molton Brown, but I definitely enjoyed it.

During my bath, where I realized I did not have enough Fekkai Technicolor Care Shampoo, I added a bit of KMS ColorVitality Shampoo for Blondes. I'm forever mixing hair products before a shampoo or hot tool application, so why not in the tub? Well, I was quite impressed with my little shampoo mix-it. The color was good and the feel was soft and flowy. I think I'll try this in the future with a volumizing or thickening shampoo that I am interested in trying too.

Do let me tell you about the most fabulous candle I have received. (Thanks mom!) It's Michel Lavender Soy Wax Candle. You just know from the beautiful box that the candle will be wonderful. But the scent!!!! Oh the lavender!!! It's strong and perfect and burns slowly and beautifully in its creamy white color and glass jar. Seriously, even though it is $40, it's quite the candle and I highly recommend whatever scent makes you feel special. (Plus, you can find some great deals (about half the price) on eBay.)

After my soak, I used Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream that seems to be all the rave. Well ... it is! The scent is just fabulous and it is smooth without being too slick and thick, without being too cakey. The strong ginger was very relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I was surprised that I liked something so creamy, but it was great. What was even better was that, when I mixed it with the Loreal Sublime Self-Tanner, which I am still using, the ginger scent overpowered the terrible self-tanner scent. I might get this product just for that reason alone!

I also tried Origins Organics Pour Le Corps Silkening Body Spritz. Must miss. Doesn't do a thing. Doesn't make you feel silky. Doesn't make you soft. Doesn't make you shine. It does smell good and that's it. The scent goes away as quickly as deoderant though.

I used Chanel Mousse Facial Cleanser, which I previously reported was a dud. It was even crappier tonight in that it took absolutely NO eye makeup (mascara off). I used the Chanel Precision Gommage Eclat Express (which is their maximum radiance delicate exfoliator. Hmmm. I wouldn't say it was delicate. On the other hand, I didn't like the size of the beads at all. This is a must-miss Chanel product. It just didn't do anything positive for my skin and felt irritating.

And then sadly, the rest of the evening's products continued to go downhill from there. I used Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel in its creepy little green vial in an effort to reduce the brown aging spot I've noticed for some time. It's probably a great product for irritated skin, since that is also what it is recommended for and I will try it again. It just felt kind of thick and unnecessary. It really is about correcting the skin. Given it's serious green-ness, it's probably great for super red skin. Don't write it off just yet. I just don't think it will do a thing for the age spots.

I also tried the most ridiculous product. I used Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Skin Revival Night Treatment. I swear that right after I said to myself "What the hell is this?", my husband came into the bathroom and said "What the hell are you doing?" Ha ha! This is a weird powder puff that has minerals in it which you are supposed to use after your nightly regimen. Okay, so I used my Moisture Serum E (yay!) and my super-pricey Lancome night moisturizer (super-yay). Then I opened up this puff and dabbed it all over my face, then rubbed in circles like the directions said. Now, maybe the puff wasn't thick enough or something, but the product says it is an exclusive blend of "untouched virgin soil" and it visibly reduces lines and wrinkles, working with your skin, giving a smoother texture ... blah, blah, blah. It did not such thing. It felt sticky. Even when it got "soft" I could see all my fine lines on my forehead and just felt like I was putting on makeup at night. Weird and yuck are my two words for this product, which is $60 for .15 ounces, by the way. I'll tell you tomorrow if something changes.

And, just to be stupid, I tried Be Smile. Um ... hello??? Didn't your teeth and gums go through enough pain already??? Well, in my brilliance, I thought this would be the perfect time to try a Sephora whitening system. Yeah, sometimes I can be such an idiot. Anyway, it was a fun little tester though. It's in a little tube with an attached brush/spong thing that you crack open. You can't eat or drink for 20 minutes afterwards, but it doesn't really taste bad. You can actually see it work right away (perhaps because I had a deep cleaning today), but you definitely also feel it working. It says there is "no sensitivity" (not true), but it wasn't terrible. Seven days and you are supposed to be whiter and brighter for $89. Maybe so, but I think I only have one more to try and I'm not in the mood to spend ANY more money on my teeth!!!

Lastly, earlier in the day I used ELF Super Glossy Lip Shine in Pink Kiss. Love the color, love the feel (super glossy is NOT the proper description). It is just a basic lipgloss that slips great into your bag because it's so small. It's not sticky and it's definitely not a super gloss. It's available at the drug store and does have SPF.