Crème -Laura Geller - Cream to Powder Foundation- Light
redheadjane 12/20/2007 10:34:00 PM
I'm in a search for a new foundation and have tons in my makeup arsenal but I always seem to come back to Laura Geller. I have some acne scars and this does an excellent job covering them without looking cakey. I don't use the sponge with it but instead use a foundation brush and blend with my fingers. It gives excellent coverage for my combo skin. Do use a primer under this and let the primer set for a few minutes. After blending I could not see my scars. It's not the HG but pretty dang close. It has a semi-matte powdery finish so use it sparingly near the eyes. I use the LG brightening powder over this on my t-zone. It gives a flawless finish.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Styling Products -Frederic Fekkai - Glossing Cream with Olive Oil
redheadjane 12/19/2007 1:59:00 PM
OMG! I got a travel size kit of the glossing products at Ulta and this stuff is awesome!!!!! I have slightly wavy, colored (going gray since I was 17) and my hair is very fine but I have flyaways that make it almost impossible to manage. The key to using this product on finer hair is to use it before blow drying. You don't need a lot either. About a dime size amount should do for shorter to medium length hair. I didn't care for the glossing shampoo or conditioner but this stuff rocks. My hair looks shiny, healthy and no flyaways!!!!! Updaye: I am still using this product. Saves my hair from over-dying and heat processes. Absolutely my favorite hair product ever!
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Lotion Exfoliant [REFORMULATED]
redheadjane 12/19/2007 11:37:00 AM
This is one product in my arsenal that I would not be without. Shrunk my pores, made my skin silky soft and helped clear up my blackheads and milia. I like the lotion because it goes on very easily and for once a BHA has not stung my skin. I'm extremely impressed with this product and after trying everything to clear my acne, this one is a winner. I started using it at night then after about 10 days started using it in the morning under my moisturizer. No drying. I suggest that sensitive types go slow with BHA's and get your skin used to them. I also use Skinceuticals retinol with this product and think that both of them have really been the reason that my cystic acne is now under control. I have combo skin that is dry in the winter and semi-oily the rest of the year. This works for me all year round. I did take a lippie off for the packaging. I suggest buying the pump for this. The squeeze bottle can make it tough to get just the right amount out at a time. I also think it's a bit overpriced but it does work and I already am on my 3rd bottle. Paula's choice makes excellent products. I'm most impressed with the fact that her products are recommended by Dr. Baumann (Skin Type Solutions) who I credit for helping me understand more about my complicated skin type.
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Fragrances -Ralph Lauren - Romance
redheadjane 12/19/2007 11:26:00 AM
The more I wear this, the more I like it. It's really great for a date or going out at night. I did find it too overpowering for daytime use. It's definitely romantic and sensual smelling. If you like rose, Patchouli scents, then this is up your alley. My mom hates this stuff but then again she hates my "hippy" patchouli oil and hemp oil. MY boyfriend loves this!
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Masks -Queen Helene - Mint Julep Masque
redheadjane 12/19/2007 11:11:00 AM
This has always been my standby product for zip zapping. It's cheap, doesn't over dry and after you wash it off you can see a difference. I've tried other masks over the years but good ol' Queen Helene always comes to the rescue. I spend tons on beauty products but my cabinet would not be without Mint Julep mask.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Bare Escentuals - Bare Minerals ALL
redheadjane 12/19/2007 11:05:00 AM
BE is the worst when it comes to mineral makeup. If you have cystic acne or sensitive skin this will make it worse. It's expensive, the colors are too yellow based and too shiny. It also makes me itch so badly that after 3 hours, I have to wash my face and use Eucercin redness relief to calm my skin. They use Bismuth Oxychloride which is well known to make skin itch and break out in red bumps. Because of the shiny particles this stuff settles into every line and pore on your face. I tried 3 different primers and still the same look. My boyfriend told me it made me look 5 years older. Not what you want to hear. BE has good marketing but nothing else. Colorscience, EM and even Pur minerals are much better than BE. The only good thing that BE makes is their Skin rever upper. I threw all my BE's out. Update: I found out that the Bismuth Oxychloride found in a lot of makeups (Not just in BE) is toxic and acneic. If you are using BE and have a problem with clogged pores, rosacea and acne, I advise you to stop using this and switch to a Bismuth free mineral makeup. a lot of mineral makeup companies are now not putting Bismuth in their formulas. They recognize how bad it is for you. Read your labels MUA sisters! Here is a little blurb about Bismuth Oxychloride. "It's a very heavy element, which makes it difficult for many people to wear. It has to be forced into the pores (hence the buffing technique) otherwise it is capable of sliding off the wearer's face. The heaviness can result in clogged pores or irritated skin. Bismuth oxychloride often feels silky and not rough when rubbed between the fingers. Mineral makeup companies that do not use it have a lighter feeling makeup that usually blends into the skin better and with less effort. Its molecular makeup is a crystalline shape, which may be a cause of the itchiness some women get when they wear it. Many women experience noticeable itching when they sweat. Don't forget it is also kin to arsenic, chemically. Your body will reject things it does not like, and if you'll get sick from ingesting arsenic, it would make sense that your skin would get irritated from having arsenic forced into it."
11 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Elizabeth Arden - Flawless Finish Bare Perfection Makeup SPF 8
redheadjane 12/17/2007 7:29:00 AM
I'm surprised at the bad reviews for this foundation. But then gain we all have very different skin and ideas about what we want in a foundation. I really like this one. No, it doesn't have HG status but for daytime wear it's close. If you have more of a red/orange undertone to your skin this foundation will work for you. In prescriptives I'm a R/O. As much as I like their colors for my skin, I do not like their foundations. EA has my match in Vanilla Shell. It's slightly lighter than my skin tone but dries a bit darker. You have to use a foundation brush with this foundation. Fingers will not do the job. But a brush will give you a blended and flawless finish. EA foundations are really meant for aging skin that has lost it's luster. It's not for very young people and it's not for very oily skin either. I have combo skin that is dry in the winter. I use this with a good primer and get excellent results, a natural finish and it's not heavy at all. It's sheer to medium with buildable coverage. The pump bottle is very ice. I'd like to see this with all liquid foundations. It's much more sanitary and there's no waste. If you are going to shell out money for a good foundation, this is a plus. Downsides- You have to set this makeup. A light dusting of moisture rich powder will make this look really good and last a long time. The SPf is almost non-existant. But that's ok because my moisturizer has spf 25 and I wear a 40 Sunblock. I have not had the rolling or pilling. I think it's possible that folks who have this happen are using too many products underneath this foundation. Cleanse, serum, moisturize. Let your moisturizer sink in. Apply primer, let that sit for about 1 minute and then apply foundation with a brush. It makes my skin look flawless and believe me, I do not have flawless skin. Acne scars, wrinkle under the eyes and some discoloration. It really evens out my skin tone.
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Liquid -Prescriptives - Virtual Skin
redheadjane 12/13/2007 4:57:00 PM
I got colored matched and found out I'm more orange/red. Surprise to me since I have always had yellow based foundations placed on me by almost all the SA t the makeup counters. I explained to the SA that I have trouble with foundations turning orange on me and streaky ( despite my slightly dry skin) or they look caked and like a mask. She suggested virtual skin and color matched as "real Peach". It does exactly match my skin tone. Now, I'm on the 3 rd day of my five day sample and can say that this is great for everyday wear. It's a sheer to light medium coverage. So far no skin reactions even though I'm super sensitive. I can honestly say that it's not my HG foundation. Still looking. But it looks nice, natural and so far I like the light feeling of it. It doesn't cover everything and I have to spot conceal, but that's ok.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Avon - Glazewear - ALL SHADES
redheadjane 12/12/2007 10:46:00 PM
I buy expensive makeup but the glazewear lip glosses are my favorite glosses period. They wear well. Pretty colors. Not too sticky and they are inexpensive. I would give them a 5 but my only complaint is that they discontinued my favorite shade.
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Concealers -Dermablend - Cover Creme - Cream
redheadjane 12/12/2007 10:44:00 PM
Oxidized on my skin within three hours. I was as orange as a pumpkin. It didn'y go on smoothly either. I had to fight to make it look right. Very blotchy and caked up. I was hoping to cover my acnes scars but it just looked terrible. Tried it three times using three methods. It's just a bad product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Skinceuticals - C E Ferulic
redheadjane 12/12/2007 10:41:00 PM
Been using this for six weeks. I was only using it in the morning to boost my sunscreen but Then I started using it at night too. What difference it made. This stuff works cumulatively. It's not instant results but rather you will see the changes in your skin over a 4-6 week time period. It' expensive but very much worth the price. You don't need much at all. My pores are smaller, my fine lines under my eyes on my upper cheeks are less noticeable and mostly I like the moisturizing properties. Makes my makeup look better. I think this and the Skinceuticals retinol and phyto are just fantastic products. Combine them together, you can have great skin. I'm a combo to dry with an occasional oily t-zone and hormonal breakouts. Since using this I've had one little pimple. That's it!!!
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - One Step Face Cleanser-Normal to Dry Skin
redheadjane 12/12/2007 10:35:00 PM
I have combination to dry skin with hormonal acne. I've been using this cleanser along with the 1% bha lotion and the skin lightener and it's made a huge difference in my skin. It has no scent, no dyes and is non foaming which is a good thing. I do feel a little tight afterward but I feel clean. I know that not everything works for everyone but Paula's choice skin care is excellent for those who have acne breakouts and dry skin. I'm also sensitive to some ingredients found in some cleansers but did fine with this one.
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Powder -Merle Norman - Luxiva Ultra Powder Foundation
redheadjane 12/12/2007 9:41:00 AM
This is a good foundation for those who need medium to fuller coverage. It's moisturizing and dewy, not matte. I like this foundation for days that I'm dry. It keeps the flakes at bay and does not accentuate my fine lines. I do not however like the packaging. It's not sanitary. So I suggest using a clean foundation brush to apply this. I tried a sponge but you can't really get it in the jar when you get halfway down. their lightest shade matches my skin perfectly. Slight yellow undertone to balance out any ruddiness I have. If you want a matte finish or have oily skin, this is not for you. Go with Merle Norman's Long Lasting foundation instead. It's for more oilier skin types or combo skin. I use it in the summer when my t-zone is more oily. This is my wintertime foundation. It's not perfect but I'm happy so far with it. Still looking for my HG.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Laura Geller - Balance-n-Brighten
redheadjane 12/12/2007 9:35:00 AM
This really helps set my makeup without making me look shiny and caked up. I have dry cheeks and lines around my eyes and it does not accentuate my flaws. It's a great powder for drier and sensitive skin types. I find that most powders accentuate my pores, but not Laura Geller's. I really like the light coverage. Downside is the packaging. Geller's packaging needs improvement. All the compacts seem to break eventually. I would definitely buy this again and it's a good powder for a good price.
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Treatments -Dr. Brandt - Pores No More
redheadjane 12/12/2007 9:31:00 AM
I'm so impressed with this product. I have enlarged pores from years of acne medicine use. I hate wearing makeup because all it does is accentuate my huge pores. I got two product samples of this at Sephora and immediately fell in love with this product. I have slightly oily t-zone and dry everywhere else in the winter. I moisturize first. Put this on, let it sit for about 5 minutes and then out on a light foundation. Heck, you can put this over your foundation during the day to combat shininess. It's the one thing I love about it. It makes my pores dissappear. Smoothes out and makes my makeup go on better. This is now a "must-have" for me. It is expensive, but you don't need a ton of it. Just love it!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No