ArmorSuit MilitaryShield Review

A super quick review about the MilitaryShield by ArmorSuit for a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge phone (apologies for no pictures).

Before the review, I'd like to let everyone know that: 

I've had my phone for less than 2 weeks while waiting for the screen protector to arrive. I kept my phone in this fabric cover I made the whole time except when it was on my desk and in use, and my phone already has a scratch! It's small and you can barely feel it, but it is there. I was super surprised, and with all of the phones getting better and better, I thought this would not happen! I checked online and I'm not alone. So if you get this phone, make sure you order a screen protector in advance.

So this screen protector is plastic and once you spray this liquid solution on it, it is very pliable and able to bend and maintain its shape after some time to dry. There is a video on the ArmorSuit website giving you instructions on how to use everything.

My thoughts:

The screen protector is very easy to use and you can keep reapplying the protector if you mess up as long as you have more liquid solution. You can probably reapply the screen protector 4-7 times before running out. 

If you follow the instructions and do everything right, the screen protector will look great. If you mess up, which is likely, you will risk getting dust onto the screen protector as one side is adhesive and difficult to get dust out.

If dust does get on the protector, just spray some solution and try to rub it off. This does make it possible for even more dust to get stuck, but work quickly and keep the screen protector wet. When you apply it, you will probably be able to move the dust off when scraping the screen protector because there is the solution to move it. 

I've redone this like 5 times now (spent like an hour and a half on this), and I just keep getting finger prints and dust stuck. I finally got it to where I'm satisfied with the middle of the screen, but the edges have lots of dust on them because you need to wait around 10-15 minutes before you can press the edges down and actually stick. 

Update (it has a life of its own!):
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge users that have been getting problems with their screen spazzing out: 
it may be the screen protector.

Whenever I get off of a phone call (have my face maintaining constant pressure on the screen), I see that the screen is moving around pressing buttons all by itself. It stops after I lock the screen. I even was able to catch my phone spazzing out on video. Apparently, Samsung or the phone carriers have no idea what is going on, and their only solution is to either factory reset the phones or just give the customers new phones. One forum did say that it might be because of the screen protector.

This military shield screen protector is pliable, and since it "stretches" out when wet and with constant pressure, it is possible that it will shrink after a long period of time from heat and stuff. Here's a bad analogy, but it's like a sponge shriveling up when it dries. Since this is plastic, the "shriveling" process make take longer than a sponge, but it may eventually happen, especially if the weather is hot and you are using the screen/"moving it".

Theory #1: the heat created after a phone call may cause some parts of the screen protector to heat up and become pliable (aka "move"). That is why the screen moves around by itself.

Theory #1.5: and since only parts of the screen is heated up during a phone call, it is almost as if you are tapping it (it's heat sensitive, right?). That is why you will see that the screen is constantly tapping only one general area, and not just randomly.

These are just conjectures that may be the cause, but I really do not know. My screen only goes crazy after a phone call, so these are the most convincing for me. Then again, other people on the forums say that their screen just does this randomly, so it could be that the S7 Edge does have a mind of its own!

At least it's not exploding. 

Overall:

I would recommend this product, and I give the MilitaryShield for curved phones a rating of 8/10.

It's easy and works, and though it is around $10 or so, it's worth it. Reviews on other screen protectors claim to keep "popping off" or not work with phone cases, so though this protector has its flaws as well, it will stick and work.

And hey, I can't see the scratch under the protector! Woo!

Edit: I think I may have another scratch (I'm sure wasn't there before putting on the protector). It may be from dropping the phone too many times, or...I'm not sure.

I am not sponsored, and I bought this screen protector with my own money on Amazon. I actually wanted to get a cheap one on Aliexpress, but there weren't any reviews yet.

Smile Sciences Teeth Whitening Kit Review

Update 3:
One year later, I want to give my overall opinions of this product. It works, but you really have to continuously use it. Your gums will become sensitive, which is not a good trade in return for white teeth. I have noticed tiny white spots that are now on my teeth forever. For ~$30, I guess it's worth it for the short term, but your teeth will just return back to how it was originally. 

Update 2:

I finished the entire tube of the whitening gel, but I only used the product when I felt like it. My teeth return back to its original color as quickly as it whitened. I still have the whitening brush, but of course, the results wouldn't be huge with just that. 

I've also kind of given up on white teeth. I have other things to worry about. I did buy some toothpaste that (based on reviews) seem to give noticeable results, but also can result in gum damage. You can win some and lose some. 

All in all, I would give the product a 3/10. It worked, it lasted (a bit), and faded away (quickly). My teeth did feel sensitive the few times I used the product (after long breaks), but I think it's just not worth it. Not worth the money or pain (in the long run for your gums) just for white teeth. Getting it professionally done might be a lot better and require fewer treatments (compared to daily whitening treatments at home). 

The product was fun while it was hyped up though. I can say that I tried it. 

Update:

So I would like to say that my teeth are definitely quite a few shades lighter! Since the back of my teeth are sensitive, so I do not put any whitening gel on those parts of my teeth. After a good looking, my front teeth are vastly different from the back teeth! They're so much whiter!

But! some of my teeth are getting "white spots" and they're not going away. Also, these results can quickly fade if you drink lots of coffee, tea, wine, soda, etc. 

If you just want to know about the results: it really works!

Pomada de la Campana Review

A little review based on my experiences with this!

• it is said to moisturize dry skin and heal small itches and bug bites
• made with vitamins A and E
• price ranges from $2-3 for 2.6oz/75g
• has an easy to use, twist/pop off lid that takes little effort to open and close, but still seals tightly
• it is white and has a very thick, cream texture that feels a lot like lip balm
• it leaves a thick, greasy feeling after you apply it on your face/skin
• has a earthy smell that you get used to

My friend told me about this; she said it's a Mexican product that helps with clearing out skin from blemishes and acne scars. She even said my pitted scars would go away. I wasn't convinced, but it is better than doing nothing for them. 

After maybe a few weeks of applying this product on my skin nightly and washing it off in the morning, I really do not see much of a difference with my skin. It has definitely made my skin feel smoother though! 

Now that winter has hit, I have been getting lots of dryness, especially around my mouth. It is so dry to the point that it hurts, and lip balm does no good. With nothing else, I use this pomada, and a few hours later, my lips and the area around it are completely moisturized! 

Overall:

So I agree: this product is AMAZING for dry skin, especially for those that get cracking/dry skin during the winter/whenever! In terms of brightening/making acne scars go away, I don't see that much going on, nor for my pitted scars. So now I just use this when I need intense moisture for my skin, which is not restricted to your face!

Also, even when I try to use lots of product, there is still tons left in the container! So one would be more than enough for 1 year+!

innisfree Capsule Packs Review!

innisfree Capsule Packs!

The ones I've purchased and tried: 

strawberry yogurt (pink)

apricot stone yogurt (peach)

jeju volcano (brown)

canola honey (golden yellow)

I have not tried the apple yogurt one yet (pale green), but I shall soon!

I love all of the packs I have tried so far; you just apply it all over your face, wait 20 minutes, and wash it off to get super smooth skin! The package lets you tuck the lid into the slot on container and refrigerate it so you can use the rest of it for next time! I get about 3-4 uses from each pack!

Strawberry yogurt:

=Good for moisturizing and brightening

• smells delicious! if you have tried some Asian strawberry yogurt drink, this is what it smells like! it's a nice, sweet/fruity smell!
• has a pale pink color, similar to the lid, and a smooth, yogurt like consistency
• really easy to spread; once you start spreading it, you find that it's actually quite thin!
• easy to wash off; leaves your skin super smooth!

Apricot stone yogurt:

=Good for exfoliating

• has a subtle, fruity smell--it's nice, I think it's apricot?
• a similar color to the lid--pale peach and a yogurt like consistency, but spreads out thin
• has little specks of apricot kernels to exfoliate your skin
• also easy to wash off and leaves your skin nice and smooth!

Jeju volcano:

=A clay mask that absorbs sebum and cleans your pores

• smells like a clay mask--strong, sort of dirt-like smell
• a gray color, and it is very thick, but it is quite easy to spread
• dries on your face and cracks a little bit
• if you've used a clay mask before, you know that it is actually really annoying to wash off
• leaves your skin feeling nice and clean!

Canola honey:

=Moisturizes and hydrates your skin

• has a very herbal scent, sort of like the Asian herbs smell, but it's very subtle
• very thin! a lot like super thin syrup
• has little to no color; when you spread it on your face, it has a pale, yellow color similar to the lid
• it feels very oily too
• I immediately feel a heating sensation on my face after applying
• I felt a stinging sensation on some parts of my face
• it was super easy to wash off; didn't leave any residue
• made my skin look and feel super smooth!
• though I do think I am allergic to something in the product, which might be why I felt a sting

Apple yogurt:

To be continued!

Overall:

I bought all of these out of my own pocket; I took advantage of the 5 + 5 sale (buy 5 get 5 free), so I didn't pay that much for them! Each pack was $1.90, so after the sale, I only got them for $0.95 each! Considering how you can get 3-4 uses out of them, this price is amazing compared to a sheet mask! You can also keep these on your face as long as you want!

Of all of the packs I have tried so far, I would give them a rating of 9/10! I just wish they had some sort of lid, so I could reuse these containers for other products; they're super cute! At least for the honey mask, the lid where you tuck under the slip is not that convenient; the mask is too thin and will probably spill everywhere if you're not careful. Also, you are forced to use these within a few days because the lid does not completely close unless you wrap it in some plastic wrap. They are all super easy to use though, and super cheap!

I'm not sponsored; I'm just a huge fan of innisfree! I suggest getting email updates, so you know when they have sales going on!

My Scheming Blackhead Removal Mask Review

I finally bought this product! It was around $15 on Amazon.com, and the shipping takes less than 5 days if you are from the United States.

I've tried this thing multiple times now (maybe around 3-4 times?) and I've tried to switch up some things.

A certain YouTuber from the UK has a couple of videos online on this product, and her first try was a fail because she followed the instructions on the box (based on what I can read, the English instructions are a direct translation from the Chinese version, so everyone that thinks that they're doing it wrong, they're not because those are the exact instructions in Chinese). Her second try, after listening to some comments, produced much better results.

Because I wanted to make sure I get the best results too, I followed her successful attempt. I don't know if it's because my blackheads are stubborn or something, but I didn't get as many blackheads pulled out as this YouTuber had. It still got out a decent amount though.

Even after my second and third attempt, my nose still looked the way it was before, just the pores were less darker. The mask definitely does pull out some stuff, but probably just the surface of the blackheads, that's why mine are all so short.

The things that I try to change after each attempt is whether or not I leave my nose wet before applying the mask. I also have tried applying the mask after a shower, without using the pore softener, and still got okay results.

My blackheads are probably just stubborn.

Pictures will be available at the end of this post.

I have noticed that you want to apply a super thick layer of this mask, especially around the edges of wherever you stop applying it. This way it is easy to remove, leaving little to no residue. The mask takes forever to dry, by the way, so give yourself a good hour or two to do all of the steps. Also, this mask is super annoying to wash off; you'll need to really rub against your skin to get it all off (if you have any leftovers on your skin though).

Overall:

Price: $15, which isn't bad since you can get probably 10 (edit: maybe 20-30) uses out of it
Appearance: the packaging is great, but I wish the mask was in a better container so you could get every last drop of it
Smell: has a slight scent, but it's not that noticeable
Repurchase?: not sure yet

I would give this blackhead removal mask a score of : 8/10. I have never used pore strips before, so I have nothing to compare this to. I use a blackhead remover tool (the metal thing with a loop at the end) to remove the noticeable blackheads, but I'm not always getting the smaller ones. This masks makes it easy to remove all/almost all of my blackheads, it just takes lots of time to dry and is annoying to wash off. I do feel like I need to go back and redo the mask after each time because I am not getting all of the blackheads out.

Anyways, here's a warning for a picture of my results. 

Turn away if you do not want to look.

Here it is. Sorry I only have one, but all three attempts have pretty much looked the same.

Click on it to make it larger.

This is after my 2nd attempt, the 1st attempt looked pretty much the same

Update: Here are more pictures!

I think I got better at this, but either way, I still end up with some super stubborn blackheads on my nose. I have noticed fewer and fewer of them the more I do this!

ALSO: I got super lazy. I would just shower and splash my nose with hot water (that is bearable) and basically force my pores to open. I don't know if it works that way, but that's what I did. So, basically, I skipped steps 1 and never did step 3. 

Ew, look at the blackheads.

You can't really see them well here, since some "blackheads" are just air bubbles.

I could never get the "peeling" timing right; I could SEE my blackheads just breaking halfway and going back into my pores!

I would say step 2 was worth the $15.

Pro tip (not really pro): when you think you've run low on a product, cut open the container. I found soo many more uses (like 5) out of this when I did that! But the product gets more tackier as it is exposed to air, so make sure you use it quick!

I was not sponsored; I bought the product myself! And I say it worked nicely! :D