Nix9to5

DIY Pore “Strips”

// September 18th, 2011 // Life in General, Money Matters

I think if I were filthy rich, I would spend a fortune on high-end beauty products.  I have a bad habit of thinking the next big thing will cure all of my beauty ills, and even though I know better, I feel like the more expensive it is, the more likely it is to work.  Since I’m not filthy rich, I rely on drugstore brands, with Aveeno being my big splurge.

Included in my love of beauty products is a love of homemade beauty products–not of the “mayonnaise makes your hair shiny” variety, but more crafty, gifty products, like handmade sugar scrub and whatnot. (Note:  I thought I posted my sugar scrub recipe on here before, but I’m not finding it in the archives.  Maybe that will be an upcoming post.)  I feel like homemade bath and beauty products are probably better for your skin than store-bought products, but who knows?  I do know they are less expensive, yet seem artisinal and luxurious, appealing to my indulgent, crafty, and thrifty sides all in one.

When I found this recipe for homemade “pore strips,” I knew I had to try it.  I found the recipe from Petit Elefant via Pinterest.  However, on her site, various comments were critical of her lack of acknowledgement of the source, and pointed to a YouTube video by Michelle Phan as the original recipe.  Whichever is true, here’s the recipe I used with credit to both of those ladies.

1 T. unflavored gelatin
1 1/2 – 2 T. milk

That’s it.  Two ingredients.  I used skim milk, because it’s what I have, but I don’t think it matters what kind you use.  Also, one packet of Knox Gelatine is just a little under 1 T., but I just went with it rather than measuring out a packet and a half or whatever to make a tablespoon.

Mix the gelatin and milk together in a disposable cup.  I don’t know if it’s necessary that the cup is disposable, but that’s what my directions said, so that’s what I did.  Once it’s mixed well, microwave it for about 10 seconds.  Stir it up really good, make sure it’s not too hot, and quickly spread it wherever you need it.

I spread it all over my face like a mask, because I was SO EXCITED about a PORE STRIP FOR MY WHOLE FACE.  This may or may not be the best idea, as I’ll explain later.

Let it dry for about 15 minutes.  Your face will be frozen solid, and if you dare to laugh or smile, it will crack.  When you are afraid your face will shatter, peel off the mask.  Though some parts will peel off in neat little strips, others will take more scraping.

Verdict?  It did make my pores look smaller, my skin feel softer, and my face look tighter and smoother.  As far as that goes, it’s a success.  However, I do have some warnings for anyone wanting to try this.

1. This stuff STINKS.  Oh, merciful heavens, it smells like a rendering plant.  I don’t know exactly what a rendering plant actually smells like, but I assume it is closely akin to the nastiness that this stuff distributes into the air.  The smell goes away as it dries, but I tell you this–I could NEVER use this pregnant, or I’d throw up clear until delivery.  *shudder*
2. Perhaps the reason that my skin feels so smooth is that it might just be completely hairless.  Not only does the pore mask grip the gross stuff in your pores, it rips every teeny tiny fuzzy hair clear out of your face.  And that, my friends, HURTS.  It’s like a bikini wax for your face.  Not pleasant.  This is why I say spreading it over my entire face may not have been a great idea.  Maybe next time, I’ll just use it on my nose.  Torture.
3. I like to use face products, scrubs, etc. just before applying makeup when I am going out for a date night.  I just think a really clean, smooth face makes you look prettier and makes your makeup go on more smoothly.  However, because of the agony described in #2, my face was red and blotchy for a little while after removing the mask.  It went away fairly quickly–I’d just wait an hour or so before making any kind of public appearance.  If you have extremely sensitive skin, you may need to wait longer than that.