Treatments -Aura Cacia - Apricot Kernel Oil
gabiinchicago 8/20/2010 5:32:00 PM
Update: it's been seven months, and my skin still loves this oil. Cannot do any wrong with my acne-prone skin. Keeps it clear and moisturized--and removes everything. I've changed my method a bit now that it's warming up: wash with cetaphil, rinse, then apply oil and massage for 1-2 minutes. Rinse out two baby wipes (to get the chemicals out) and wipe off oil. Apply fav moisturizer and go. Update: it's been a month, and my skin just loves this stuff. I stopped using it for a week just because I thought I didn't need the extra moisture since it's been so humid, and after a week of not using it, I had a breakout. I applied the oil and massaged for a few minutes, and the next morning, completely clear again! I never would have guessed that oil would help my skin, and I've tried other oils, but this one has something different. Try it. I've been using this for about a week now, since starting back with my glycolic 35% peels (now that summer is coming to an end) to help with the flakies because my moisturizer is so light that it doesn't have enough staying power. Even though I'm acne-prone, I haven't had any problems yet, and I usually react after 3-4 days. I will update if that changes. I'm using it to massage in after cleansing with Cetaphil. I don't really wipe it off, but if there's excess, I use a blotter.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Ponds - Deep Cleanser Cold Cream
gabiinchicago 8/17/2010 1:53:00 PM
I don't wear MU or SS that requires oil removal very often, but I've found this tolerable when I do, and it doesn't make me break out. I think it would irritate my skin if I used it daily. I don't like the scent, and I hate the tub. I've read that olive oil is just as good, but I haven't tried it.
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Liquid -Boots - Lifting & Firming Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
gabiinchicago 8/17/2010 10:50:00 AM
For someone who doesn't wear foundation, I like this one for occassional and spot use. It's hypo-allergenic, spf 15, has lots of antioxidants, and comes in a pump! I don't think it minimizes wrinkles as it says, but I didn't wear a primer under it since it has soooo many cones in it anyway. Requires oil or MU remover. Haven't worn it on acne-prone areas, so I don't know if it will irritate. Sorry, don't know enough about colors to comment (I've never had mine done, and just buy what seems to match).
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Procyte Ti-Silc Sunblock SPF 45 Sheer
gabiinchicago 8/17/2010 9:52:00 AM
Got this as a sample in an order of CU3 and used it for 4 days, in and out, this summer. Active ingredients combine chemical and physical: Octinoxate (6.5%) and titanium (3.5%). This really reminds me of Sofina's Perfect UV, so I like the texture and powdery feel after it's applied. It has a tint, but not like a MU...more like a tinted moisturizer. I think the buff color is there to hide the white titanium, but it doesn't leave a color on your face. This does have a lot of silicones, so you should remove with oil or a MU remover, or you'll break out if you're acne-prone. I rated cost based on a search I did, which showed 1oz ranging from $14 to $30 here in the US. I think that's reasonable for something versatile and MU ready. I wouldn't buy this because it requires an extra step in my routine (oil remover), but I do like it for occassional use. INGREDIENTS: Water, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Isopropyl Palmitate, Isocetyl Stearate, Sunflower Oil, Squalane, Dimethicone Copolyol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Chloride, Hydrogenated Polybutene, Silica, Melanin, Iron Oxides, DMDM Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.
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Sunscreen -Dermalogica - Super Sensitive Faceblock SPF30
gabiinchicago 8/17/2010 9:20:00 AM
If this were less expensive, I would probably use it, but... -have to use an oil-based cleanser to get it off (that's an extra step for me since I don't use MU), -leaves a white cast -looks a lot like a foundation (I don't like the look on my face) that's too light for my skin -leaves a shiny look, so I also have to powder it -dried out my skin, so it looked flakey by the end of the day -I got two pimples, but my skin reacts to a lot of things, although it's clear unless something irritates Bottom line: for the money, I think I can do better for my skin type
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Moisturizers -Dremu - deception
gabiinchicago 8/14/2010 9:36:00 PM
I think Dermalogica's MAP-15 is better than this for hiding fine lines, but this does work for FEVER BLISTERS!!! I am on my 2nd tub of this, but not for wrinkles (though I originally had a sample for that). I had some friends from out of town, and of course, I got a fever blister! OMG. This does help hide *some* imperfections, so I decided to put it on my fever blister, on top of my Abreva, so it would be a little less noticable, and the fever blister was almost gone by the next morning. It also helped hide it. Every time I feel one coming on now, I immediately apply this on my Abreva, and it never fully forms. I cannot believe this stuff works so great for that. I don't know what's in it that helps, but I had to share this with anyone who gets fever blisters..try it. I've been using it this way for over 4 years now, and I don't know why I waited so long to write this review, although I did leave a post on the Dremu site a long time ago about it.
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Treatments -AMBI - Fade Cream
gabiinchicago 8/14/2010 9:31:00 PM
This works! I use it on my hands because ss just isn't keeping the brown spots away as I'm getting closer to 50. I bought it in May and have used it daily for just over 3 months now. I apply a pea-size dab to each hand (top) in the morning and evening, and I've noticed a real difference since I started it. I also dab it on a freckle I have on my neck, which is mostly invisible now. It smells like garlic to me, which I like to some degree, but it may not be favorable for everyone. The consistency is a thick cream, and it is white, but it spreads colorlessly, somewhat tacky to the touch. I don't think I'd like it on my face, but others may. Haven't tried it on any acne-prone areas, so I can't review that, but it's a thick cream, so it may aggrevate those areas??
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Sunscreen -Mary Kay - Sun Essentials Sensible Protection Sunblock SPF 15
gabiinchicago 8/14/2010 6:23:00 PM
I bought this based on the reviews here...really need a daily ss that won't block my pore, but this wasn't it. If feels moisturizing, but don't be fooled: if you don't use something under it, you could flake later in the day (I'm not oily, but I'm not dry). I wore this for two days and had a mild break out. My skin is clear unless I use something that doesn't agree with it. Says fragrance-free, but I detected something similar to what my grandmother used years ago...not much, but something is there. It did seem to protect my skin, but I wasn't in the sun much...just in and out running errands. Not a winner for me. I have two tubes if anyone wants them!
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Treatments -Dermalogica - MAP-15 regenerator
gabiinchicago 8/10/2010 9:22:00 PM
Wow, if you want to smooth out wrinkles (temporarily), this will do it! I was amazed: I'm using a sample, but just put a tiny bit of the powder on your finger tip and rub it gently onto the area in a circular motion, and watch the wrinkles disappear. Seriously. The effect lasts for a while, but from reading about it, it has serious antioxidants, so it's also good for your skin. Since it's a light colored powder (ivory color), it does leave a slightly lighter color on the skin, so I'm not sure how well this will work for women of color. I actually like the brightening effect, but some darker skin tones may not. Since I'm using a sample, I don't know what the packaging of the regular product is, but I will find out soon because I am definitely buying this...but I'll probably only use it when I'm going out since it's soooo expensive. UPDATE: have been using this now for over a week, and no pimples HOORAY!!! I usually react within 2-3 days. I'm really loving this product! UPDATE: I've been using this for a year (I think). I absolutely love this product. Will never be without it. Really makes fine lines disappear (temporarily)!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Perricone - Vitamin C Ester Concentrated Restorative Cream with NTP Complex and DMAE
gabiinchicago 8/9/2010 10:37:00 AM
OVERALL: I'm just not sure this is any better than the Reviva Alpha Lipoic Acid Vitamin C Ester & DMAE cream at GNC for $23. I used them both, one on one side of my face and one on the other, and while they both seem to moisturize and plump a tiny bit, I just didn't notice a difference on the Perricone side. ACNE-PRONE users: I also noticed a bit of reaction on both sides: not really pimples but they were forming, so I had to use about every 2-3 nights to keep those at bay. SCENT: The scent everyone reported on Perricone's product was not there for me; mine has a very faint coconut scent. PACKAGING: The packaging is aweful - who wants to pay $85 for a tub? I have to use a spatula, which requires more work. Please put all products in a pump. This product isn't too thick for a pump. BOTTOM LINE: I returned Perricone's to ULTA and will keep using the GNC version, which I'll continue, sparingly.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Unlisted Brand - Latisse Lash Growth Drops
gabiinchicago 8/9/2010 10:29:00 AM
OVERALL: I'm on week 5, and there is definitely a difference. I got these from my derm because my eyebrows don't grow at all on the temple side...genetic. Anyway, he thought this would help. Oddly enough, it has worked on ONE of my brows but not the other, which is disappointing; on the other hand, it's worked wonders on my lashes... DIFFERENT Application: I use my small eye shadow/concealer brush instead of the ones that come with the drops because my brush holds the solution better and it seems to go further (and it's softer). I just wash the brush after every use. I tossed those aweful brushes that came with it I also used the brush on my lashes after I apply to my brows. I wish I'd taken a picture of my lashes before I started. They have grown considerably, but I understand I have to continue using it to keep them this long. ' If you have small lashes or brows, I'd definitely give it a try. I have a 3-month supply, and I still have hopes that my other brow will react.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Neutrogena - Dermatologics Retinol Nx SPF35
gabiinchicago 7/23/2010 8:20:00 PM
This is an ALL-in-one product they're calling a moisturizer, but it's really a MU+treatment+sunscreen. It's a treatment of "stabilized retinol, stabilized vitamin C, and Helioplex sunscreen technology" within a MU. The tint is available in only a light beige, and it provides a lot more coverage than a tinted moisturizer--more like a light foundation. The retinol is strong--too strong for my sensitive skin. The scent is reminds me of something metalic, could be the VitC, but it was NOT perfumey. The good thing is that it didn't break me out, but it was too strong and I started getting flakies within three days. There really didn't seem to be any moisturizing quality to this at all; I had to wear my regular moisturizer under it, and by late afternoon, I felt and looked dry, but oddly, it was a bit too shiny without powder. I did like the pump packaging, which stated that the pump should be turned closed at all times when not in use to preserve stability. It was pricey at $65 for 1oz, but if you like an all-in-one product, this may be for you. QVC sends a return, postage-paid label in the box, so you can return it minus postage.
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Treatments -Ice Elements - 2-Minute Miracle Exfoliating Gel
gabiinchicago 7/13/2010 9:34:00 PM
CONS: -The biggest concern I had while using this product was that one of the main ingredients is LYE (Sodium Hydroxide), which is a very strong alkaline product. -Uses a couple of different preservatives that aren't good for our skin -I really hate tubs; surely this gel could be put into a pump! -I wasn't impressed at all, but that may be because I'm used to enzyme peels -This product reminded me of Pretty Feet N Hands stuff that made us think we were rubbing off skin, but it was really wax...remember that stuff? PROS: -Didn't sting or make me break out -Smell didn't bother me
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Treatments -Avon - Anew Clinical Expression Line Filler
gabiinchicago 7/6/2010 7:46:00 AM
I've been using this for almost a month, so I'm planning to update in as much time. Here's what I've seen: Pros: may actually be helping very mildly with lines, has NOT caused any breakouts, but I'm not using on my most problematic break-out areas; scent is pleasant; has lots of extracts Cons: I hate the dispenser: it always pumps out more than I need, but at least it's hygienic; so many ingredients that it's hard to know what's what Ingredients: WATER/EAU BUTYLENE GLYCOL GLYCERIN SEA SALT/SEL MARIN GELIDIUM PULCHRUM PROTEIN PORTULACA OLERACEA EXTRACT PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) SEED EXTRACT COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT JUICE PUNICA GRANATUM FRUIT JUICE HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN MANNITOL ZEA MAYS (CORN) KERNEL EXTRACT HYALURONIC ACID OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF EXTRACT HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED EXTRACT DAUCUS CAROTA SATIVA (CARROT) ROOT EXTRACT YEAST EXTRACT/EXTRAIT DE LEVURE PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT PADINA PAVONICA EXTRACT TILIA CORDATA WOOD EXTRACT CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM (HORSE CHESTNUT) SEED EXTRACT BIOTIN FOENICULUM VULGARE (FENNEL) FRUIT EXTRACT MEDICAGO SATIVA (ALFALFA) EXTRACT PALMITOYL TETRAPEPTIDE-7 ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8 GLYCOGEN SQUALANE HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER STEARETH-20 PARAFFIN SILICA PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL PPG-26-BUTETH-26 ACRYLATES/C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER CARBOMER POLYSORBATE 60 SODIUM POLYACRYLATE SODIUM HYDROXIDE PROPYLPARABEN METHYLPARABEN PHENOXYETHANOL DISODIUM EDTA PARFUM/FRAGRANCE TITANIUM DIOXIDE/CI 77891 RED 4/CI 14700
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Walgreens - Alpha Hydroxy Lotion 8%
gabiinchicago 6/30/2010 8:54:00 PM
I hate the tub, I was reluctant to try this on my face because everything breaks me out! I decided to jump in, and I'm so glad I did. I have not had a single spot since starting this about three weeks ago, so I didn't experience the purging some wrote about. I apply it morning and night on my face, neck, arms, legs, and feet (it's so cheap, why not). I felt no sting at all, and I got past the smell pretty quickly. I apply just about a pea-size to my face because I really don't think I need much, using a mu spatula. I have noticed flakies on my arms and legs, but not on my face. UPDATE: had to stop using this on my face; started breaking out.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No