Back in December, I shared the news that I would be taking part in a 30-day New Proactiv challenge. I was really excited to try out their new faster and gentler formula and focus on obtaining the clear skin that I always wanted. And I was pretty good for the first two weeks. Then, just before the Christmas holidays, my son fell ill with some type of bug and days later, so did my daughter. This involved a lot of TLC on my part with the occasional midnight bed change. Needless to say, I hardly felt in the mood to follow the 3-step system both in the morning and before bed. I also found it was drying out my skin so I resolved to using it only before bed after the kids had fallen asleep. I probably could have called the Proactiv Skin Care Advisors to discuss the dry skin issue I was experiencing but really, who has the time when one is busy wrapping presents, wiping noses and playing with one's iPad?

The first few weeks showed great results. My skin was smoother and felt clearer. It did a great job with those nasty blackheads, too. But in the midst of all the chaos, I resorted to... dare I say it?... popping pimples. I know what you're thinking: "Eek, gads, woman! Don't pop them!" Believe me, I am just as disgusted by it. It is SO bad because they just end up getting irritated, more infected even. And then I end up picking at them some more. My husband hates that I do it. More than I hate his nasty nail-biting habit. And I really try not to do it. But sometimes, I don't realize that I'm doing it. Or I do, but ignore it anyway. I just want to get rid of them once and for all. You catch my drift?

So, here I am, more than 30 days later, trying to figure out what to write in this post-Proactiv post. Was I being proactive by not using Proactiv as frequently? Not really. But I did enjoy clearer skin for those first few weeks. And then there was always that question in the back of my mind that made me stop and think; Is there any side effect of using a facial product containing benzoyl peroxide? The words themselves sound pretty powerful. Perhaps it's so powerful that it caused my skin to feel drier than normal. I did use the repairing lotion, which helped a bit. Yet, I wonder if I had the Proactiv Green Tea Moisturizer, if that would have helped with the dryness.  Based on the following description, it sounds like a good solution.

What about you? Have you tried the New Proactiv System? How has it worked for you?

Do you ever wake up in the morning and wonder what on earth you're going to wear? If you're like me, then you probably don't give it much thought and end up throwing on whatever is clean and within reach. I am certainly no fashionista and, for fear of making bold statements with my wardrobe, I usually play it safe and stick with the basic colours. But this school year is different. I am wearing brighter colours and coordinating makeup that makes me feel confident and oh, so glamorous. And I have Jill Kirsh Color to thank for it!

Jill Kirsh has been named the "Best Color Consultant" by Los Angeles Magazine Best of L.A. issue and here is what makes her innovative Color Makeover System so unique - your hair determines the hue that is best suited for you. Jill Kirsh Color has been recently featured in last month's InStyle Magazine under 10 Ways to Pick the Perfect Shade, and it is indeed a perfect solution to your colour-matching woes.

There are four categories for hair colour:

• golden brown and redheads
• warm blondes
• deep brunettes
• ash blonde and platinum grey

Once you have selected the colour group, the rest is easy. You can get a customized makeup kit, a swatch book, or a mini makeup kit, all of which come in the right shade or hue to help you put together your complete look. It's like a makeover in a box! Check out some of the beautiful colours we brunettes get to wear:


My makeup kit came with several mineral-based and fragrance-free eye shadow (10 shades), powder blush (6 shades), lipstick (3 colours plus 1 lip shine and 1 lip liner), mascara, eye line, powder highlighter and contour. It comes in a sleek black folding kit with a built-in mirror and brushes so you never have to go fishing through your makeup bag for the right tool. Each side has its own clear plastic cover to keep everything in its place and once folded, the kit can be easily secured with the snap closure. The swatch book is slightly bigger than a credit card and folds up nicely, making it easy to store in your purse for those unplanned trips to the mall, like during your lunch break...

Without Jill Kirsh makeup

With Jill Kirsh makeup

With swatch book in hand, I took to the mall and *forced* myself to try on some new clothes. With all the beautiful colours to I was able to choose from, it was really a lot of fun! You know, like Pretty Woman fun. Only without the wide-brimmed hat. It was so refreshing, actually, to be able to quickly pop into a store, zone in on pieces in the right colour and walk into the change room without asking for any assistance. Each item I picked out looked great on me. And here's what I really like about have the swatch book: by being able to compare directly with the items in store, you don't have to worry about the gawd-awful store lighting which I find often makes the colours look different than in natural daylight. If it matches a colour in the swatch book, then it's sure to be a winner!

Feeling my inner sparkle with Jill Kirsh Color System as we travel to the Barbie Pink Carpet event.

I decided to follow the swatch book when picking out my outfits for work during the month of September. I then coupled that with my morning dose of makeup glory, which was usually applied in the car before leaving the driveway. Seriously, I cannot tell you how many compliments I had! From students and staff to the teachers at my kids' daycare, everyone was pleasantly surprised by new "make-over." I suddenly felt my posture improve and my smile grow wider. And the great thing is, it was so easy to put together my new look. To test it out further, I refrained from using any makeup and/or returning to some blandly coloured pieces that had taken a back seat in my closet and noticed that, during that entire week, I received not a single comment on how I looked. I was also feeling a little rundown from all the work that had been piling up. Needless to say, a little J.K. pick-me-up was all I needed to add a little extra hop in my step.

For more information and videos on the brilliant Jill Kirsh Color system, you can visit jillkirshcolor.com. You can also keep up to date by joining the Jill Kirsch Color Facebook fan page or connecting with Jill on Twitter.

You can visit the Jill Kirsh Color website to order your own mini kit for or swatch book for $49.50 or an ultimate makeup kit like the one I was sent for $145. Better still, if you buy now, you can save by purchasing the Complete Package which includes all three pieces for $219.95. That's a savings of roughly $25. Alternatively, you can select individual colour pieces to complement your existing stash of makeup. Single eye shadows sell for as little as $12 while blush and lipstick can be purchases for $15.

One incredibly lucky Toronto Teacher Mom readers will win a swatch and mini makeup kit to suit your hair colour. That's a value of almost $100!

For your main entry, which is mandatory, visit JillKirshColor.com and tell me what hair colour group you would like. Then come back here and leave a comment on this post along with a way to contact you if you win.

For additional entries, you may choose to do any or all of the following. Please be sure to come back here and leave a separate comment for each bonus entry.

• Become a fan of the Jill Kirsch Color Facebook fan page for one entry. Leave a comment on why you want to win for a second bonus entry.
• Follow Jill Kirsh Color on Twitter.
• Add my blog button to your website for one entry. If it's located on your sidebar, add a second entry. Copy code is located to the right.
• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom using Google Friend Connect.
• Become a fan of the Toronto Teacher Mom Facebook fan page. 
• Become a follower of Toronto Teacher Mom on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway. Tweet daily for additional entries. Feel free to use the following tweet:  

Contest ends October 25 at 10pm EST. Open to US and Canadian residents. Winner will be selected using Random.org and must reply to the notification email within 3 days or a new winner will be drawn.

Disclosure: I was sent a swatch book and an ultimate makeup kit to facilitate this review. The thoughts expressed in this review are my own honest opinions and have not been influenced in any way.