Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Mia
AmCam28 5/10/2012 7:48:00 PM
I bought this after almost a year of wondering if it was worth it. It was. This is the only product that has made a dramatic difference in my skin. Despite Rx treatments, I still had stubborn clogged pores on my nose. For the first month I had minor, but consistent, breakouts. After using this for two months, the breakouts have subsided and my skin is much clearer than before. The pores on my nose are smooth, smaller, and my skin has a much better texture. My skin hasn't been this smooth, even, clear and predictable in the past 15 years. Personal preferences: I use the acne brush head, the sensitive brush was too abrasive. I lather with Cerave or Olay face wash, wet the brush head, and then apply. I disassemble and dry the brush head and body separately after each use. I use this in the shower, but do not recommend storing this in the shower. I use this once a day in the summer (it minimizes oiliness) and twice a week in the winter. Pros: Noticeable difference in skin's texture, slightly smaller pores, less oily. Cons: Very expensive, must be kept in a clean, dry area
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid- Lotion Sunblock SPF 30
AmCam28 3/10/2012 7:13:00 PM
I have tan, oily, acne-prone skin that is sensitive due to Rx treatments. My skin usually breaks out from SPF, so this looked like an good choice. I've used this every day for two months and it's pretty good. It doesn't leave a white cast and doesn't break me out. This doesn't provide any moisture, so I wear this over Clinique's DDMG. Pros: Light- wearing, oil-free, fragrance-free, natural matte finish, doesn't break skin out, inexpensive Cons: Slight stinging sensation, makes skin oily in warm weather
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Sunscreen -Coppertone - Oil Free Faces SPF 30
AmCam28 3/6/2012 8:53:00 PM
I was running out of my Banana Boat Ultra Defense Faces SPF and haven't been able to find it in any stores. This was the only other option for faces, so I bought it. I only used it twice, and will be passing it onto a friend. Pros: Oil-free, fragrance free, slightly moisturizes Cons: Feels heavier than the Banana Boat SPF, clogs my pores & causes breakouts quickly.
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Lips -Philosophy - Melon Daiquiri
AmCam28 2/27/2012 9:35:00 PM
I was looking for a gloss that actually moisturized lips. This adds a tiny bit of pink color and leaves lips smooth. On my pigmented lips, the sparkles aren't too obvious- it just looks shiny. So far, this is my favorite lip gloss out of many. Pros: Adds a little color, adds shine, leaves lips moisturized, stays on for a couple of hours before needing to reapply, doesn't buildup in the corners of my mouth, not very sticky or thick. Cons: A little pricey, $10 for a gloss.
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Liquid -Clinique - Superbalanced Foundation
AmCam28 2/9/2012 8:48:00 PM
I've been using this for over a year & really like it. I have extremely finicky skin, so I gravitate towards Clinique's non-allergenic, fragrance-free, oil-free products. If my skin is breaking out, I use this foundation. It doesn't aggravate my skin at all. This is my go-to foundation and it's very easy to use. Although I have my complaints about this product, I've almost emptied a bottle, which rarely happens. Pros: oil-free, non-comedogenic, fragrance free, color matches & blends well, light/medium coverage, doesn't cake up, can be applied with fingers Cons: will transfer onto clothes, large-mouthed glass bottle- I'd prefer a tube or pump, isn't long lasting- needs touching up throughout the day, wear off oily skin very quickly in summer.
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Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer SPF 30
AmCam28 11/23/2011 1:23:00 AM
I have combination/oily, acne-prone skin and must use SPF 30+ due to Rx treatments. I have hit-or-miss luck with Neutrogena products, but this was one of the few DS moisturizers with SPF 30. I was a little hesitant to purchase since it's not oil-free, but it says it's non-comedogenic (though a lot of products make this claim). I haven't been using it long enough to see any change in my skin tone. Pros: Inexpensive compared with other SPF 30 moisturizers, tube packaging, SPF 30, hasn't broken me out, moisturizes. Cons: If I apply too much my skin feel greasy, conversely sometimes this causes flaking/peeling in some areas. It's almost like the moisturizer is peeling off rather than my skin. I've started to mix a drop of Clinique's DDMG and it changes the texture enough to prevent that. Edit: After using for a month, I can tell this contributes to breakouts. I returned to my former Banana Boat Ultra Defense, and my skin calmed down within a day.
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
AmCam28 11/23/2011 1:05:00 AM
I use this if my skin needs a little help or if I've kept makeup on too long and am worried about breakouts. Pros: Inexpensive, clears pores, helps reduce oil, more convenient that other bentonite clay masks since it's already mixed in a tube. Cons: Not a huge fan of the smell, and the lingering smell on my skin after it's rinsed off.
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Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
AmCam28 11/6/2011 12:09:00 PM
I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said, but this product is wonderful. I use Rx treatments and this cleanser works well with my now sensitive, oily, acne-prone skin. Pros: Creamy, smells pleasant, doesn't break out my skin, doesn't dry out skin or leave it oily, no residue, use only a dime-sized amount, cleans skin well, removes makeup. Cons: Wish it had squeeze packaging, have to turn it upside-down to get all of it out, expensive. Edit: After using this for 6 months, I returned to Olay Foaming Cleanser. I'd been having small breakouts and the Olay cleared them. It's better than Olay at makeup removal, but Olay is much more affordable.
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Primer/ Corrector -L'Oreal - Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base
AmCam28 11/6/2011 12:00:00 PM
I bought this to help minimize a few larger pores and help concealer stay on longer. I use this occasionally, maybe 3 times a week during warmer weather. I use this after moisturizer and before concealer and powder. I've noticed that it works better if a use the tiniest amount, barely touching my finger to the product. If I use more, it seems to clog pores. My skin looks matte and smoother with this product, but hasn't helped my concealer last much longer.
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
AmCam28 10/16/2011 9:43:00 PM
I needed a moisturizer for my skin during cooler weather. I was lured in because I like Philosophy's Purity cleanser, but this moisturizer didn't adequately hydrate and broke my skin out after only one use. I tried it two more times and the same thing happened. If it worked well I could've tolerated the scent, but I definitely would've preferred no fragrance. Fortunately, I could return it. Pros: absorbs quickly, doesn't feel heavy. Cons: broke out my skin, the smell didn't help.
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Loose Powders -Clinique - Blended Face Powder and Brush
AmCam28 8/27/2011 1:11:00 PM
I have this in Invisible Blend, which blends into my Indian skin well, but can look ashy and gray if applied heavily. I use this with concealer for an easy, shine-free look. Although it's expensive, the package contains a lot, and lasts a long time. Pros: Large amount, blends easily, doesn't break me out. Cons: I don't use the brush with this powder, but the brush works in a travel bag. *Edit: I didn't even make it through one container, I gave it to a friend. It set my makeup, but since it didn't have color, I didn't use it often. Stay Matte powder is much more convenient for my purposes.
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Cleansers -Neutrogena - Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser Cream
AmCam28 8/22/2011 10:13:00 PM
This was a total impulse buy while waiting at the pharmacy. I have oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin. However, I'm on Rx treatments, so breakouts are very rare. I typically use gentle, fragrance-free, unmedicated cleansers like Dove. I guess I got bored and wanted to try something new. The menthol seemed overpowering (quite tingly), the cleanser seemed hard to rinse off, didn't remove the light face powder I was wearing. All of these should have been signs that this wasn't going to work for me. But the cleanser did help control oil, so I kept using it. My skin looked good for 4 days and then completely broke out. To be fair, I had no business buying this cleanser, it doesn't suit my skin type at all. If you have less sensitive or acne-prone skin, this might work better for you. Pros: Inexpensive, controls oil Cons: Hard to rinse off, doesn't remove light makeup, powerful menthol, broke me out
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Skincare - Face -Biore - detoxify daily scrub
AmCam28 7/23/2011 1:27:00 AM
I bought this because it wasn't medicated, advertised to be non comedogenic, and appeared to be gentle. I liked that it's creamy and has smooth exfoliating beads. Unfortunately, every time I use this I break out. So, I can't even use this occasionally.
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Highlighters -Clinique - Fresh Bloom Allover Colour Almond Blossom
AmCam28 7/22/2011 12:57:00 PM
I bought this to use like a blush/bronzer, not an all over color. I went looking for the True Bronzer, but it was too glittery for me. The SA recommended this, and it looked great on my tan Indian skin. I bought it and headed home. When I got to the car, I opened up the product and it had shattered. I went to exchange it and all of the other Almond Blossoms at the Clinique counter were shattered, too. I was disappointed and concerned that this product was so fragile. The SA directed me to Sephora where I found three intact products. So far, mine hasn't broken, but I'm being careful with it. I travel frequently and this has survived trips. Pros: great shimmery color, a lot of product, mirrored compact, wears all day on my oily skin, versatile product: highlighter, blush, bronzer. Cons: fragile product/insufficient packaging, expensive Edit: I've been using it daily for 5 months & it started cracking & breaking off in large pieces. I'm sad because this probably won't last much longer.
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Lip Gloss -Revlon - Super Lustrous in Coral Reef
AmCam28 7/20/2011 12:50:00 PM
I have tan Indian skin and pigmented lips. I don't wear lipstick, but I like some color to soften my look. This color is beautiful and versatile. I only need a thin layer to make my lips look polished. I never buy Revlon lip products, but I'm willing to try other colors in this line. Pros: Not sticky, as long lasting as most glosses, pigmented but not opaque, great packaging, inexpensive Cons: None
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