That Old Black(head) Magic...Or Not...

Photo Credit: Geek Chick Daily

Tonight at Midnight, some of you lucky readers will head off to the Harry Potter premiere. Alas, I will not be among you, but am planning to make it to a theatre next weekend. However, to celebrate the, well, beginning of the end, as it were, I have a link to a pretty cool, easy to enter giveaway!

Geek Chic Daily is giving away one unbelievably detailed, screen-quality Invisibility Cloak replica. The retail value on this bad boy is a whopping $395! All you have to do is click the above link (the one on the word "giveaway") and enter your email address. There are also bonus chances on Facebook and Twitter, with info available when you enter. The only catch is you have to subscribe to GCD, but that's not a bad deal. It's a great little once-a-day email newsletter about nifty, nerdy gizmos. Entry deadline is July 27th. Good luck!

Photo Credit: Sephora

Speaking of making things disappear, I dipped into the old magic bag o' samples the other day, in search of something to expelliarmus my blackheads. Sephora sent me two Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips to try out, so I used one and gave the other to Thomas. Here's what Sephora has to say about the strips:

Each adhesive strip attracts pore-clogging dirt and oil. Its full-contact delivery system instantly applies charcoal powder, an ingredient that draws out impurities and detoxifies the skin. Silica, a natural mineral, controls excess oil while witch hazel extract, a natural astringent, tightens pores. Effective yet gentle, additional botanical ingredients provide a soothing and cooling sensation upon adhesion. Skin is left exceptionally clarified.

Pros: Some blackheads were extracted; Thomas looked a little like a cartoon puppy while wearing the strip.
Cons: I didn't notice much of a difference in pore size or clarity; I looked like a freaking Ewok.

Basically, it's an expensive, slightly larger Biore strip, and worked about as well. I had better luck cleaning out my pores by washing my face more effectively and using the occasional Queen Helene Mint Julip Masque (that gunk works wonders). It did what it said it would, but not to an extent that would justify the price. Unless you are in dire straits where blackheads are concerned, skip this. $15 for six strips, Sephora.
Final Verdict: 4 out of 10. Meh. Just...meh.