Crème -Bobbi Brown - Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation
00R00 7/18/2012 4:12:00 AM
Beautiful, full-coverage, easy to use everyday foundation/concealer. I found my perfect colour match (which is always a mission for me) in 0 Porcelain. It hardly needs it, but I always set with a light dusting of Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. FLAWLESS. Be sure your skin is well exfoliated and hydrated to prevent this product (BBOFEF) highlighting any flakiness. If you love/d Revlon New Complexion Oil-Free One Step Makeup but found all the colours kind of off - you will love this product (although not the price tag - $80 in NZ!).
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Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - RESIST Ultimate Anti-Aging Hand Cream SPF 30 + Antioxidants
00R00 7/18/2012 4:08:00 AM
Excellent face SPF for combination/oily skin. I have been using Elta MD Clear SPF 46 (which has been fantastic) but it does give up a lot of sheen (which I mattify with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder) & it also has a chemical filter component. I bought PC Resist Hand Cream about six months ago & had used on my hands occasionally - never really blown away. I felt it wasn't hydrating enough - however that can be a positive - fast-absorbing is practical for use during the day which is what this product is intended for being an SPF. I came across the idea to try this product as a facial SPF in the reviews at paulaschoice.com - I checked the ingredients - physical sunblock ingredients only - great (physical only is my personal ideal SPF-wise). So I tried it. And loved it. Even though the SPF is lower than my Elta, my skin feels more protected ALL day and even into the evening. I think contributing factors would be: 1. PC is a true block whereas Elta is a block/screen combo & 2. The PC really adheres to my skin, hydrates at a deep level whilst at the same time forming a matte protective barrier whereas the Elta could get so shiny I would sometimes feel when I blotted that some of the SPF was lost. Still loving Elta but I think I will switch permanently to PC if after trialling for one month, I remain blemish-free (Elta has NEVER broken me out & I apply my SPF heavily).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -OPI - Black Cherry Chutney
00R00 7/18/2012 3:48:00 AM
My favourite nail colour for a couple of years now. Looks stunning against pale neutral skin (I'm an NC20). The perfect vampish colour both tone & finish-wise - always chic & glam, never goth stoner. Lol.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Cle de Peau - concealer-ivory
00R00 7/18/2012 3:43:00 AM
Hugely disappointed. This product has been on my radar for years. I finally took the plunge & ordered online, taking a punt on Ivory (I'm an NC20). So it arrives, and the first thing I can't help but notice is the cheap packaging - irrelevant to product performance but at this price something semi-Chanel would be nice, right? Unfortunately, Ivory is too peachy-toned for me. It looked like it would be a perfect match in the tube but once I applied it to my skin, it darkened and looked peachy/orangey. I feel the finish is a little powdery too. I prefer (and wish it weren't discontinued!) Maybelline Age Rewind concealer - in my opinion this product is superior to CLP concealer, not to mention a fraction of the cost. As I'm out of MAR & don't like CLP, I thought I'd try my Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact as a makeshift concealer until I decide what next to try (I like Origins Quick Hide Concealer but it's almost impossible to buy now from NZ - I also like Mac Select Concealer so I may go back to that in the interim as it's more readily available) - and it's actually pretty great. Completely undetectable both colour (I'm Porcelain 0) & texture-wise. Hmmm, maybe I'll just stick with BB!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Paula's Choice - RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner Skin Remodeling Complex
00R00 7/18/2012 3:33:00 AM
I have tried all of PC's toners and with mixed results (Hydralight stung, Skin Balancing was okay, loved Clear Regular Strength). As a toner choice for AM use (& PM too if you have the patience to let it dry before applying your exfoliant treatment), Resist is my first choice. Soothing, full of antioxidants (I prefer just this then sun protection rather than toner, exfoliant, antioxidant serum THEN sunblock - too much for AM) & NEVER breaks me out (I'm on my fifth bottle). Leaves my combination skin surprisingly matte (being that it's a milky consistency toner).
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -MAC - Zoom Fast Black Lash
00R00 7/18/2012 3:23:00 AM
Wow! Best mascara I have tried for years. I used the original Zoom lash back in the day & liked it but this version is even better. Smudge-proof, instant length & volume even sans eyelash curler. Only for those wanting a high drama look.
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Sunscreen -EltaMD - UV Clear SPF 46
00R00 3/17/2012 8:48:00 AM
On my tenth bottle of this. I LOVE it. HG everyday facial sunscreen - just be sure to set it with powder. I use Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder (I alternate between both the loose & pressed). I used to have major skin drama (break-out prone & incredibly sensitive) now my skin is perfectly clear. Being ex-break-out-prone I was very tentative to try a new sunscreen (I had been using Sofina Lucent but the high alcohol content was dehydrating my skin, then Paula's Choice SPF15 - not enough protection & I'm not crazy about chemical-only sunscreens) - so at first, I would apply this product (Elta MD) very sparingly as it is quite creamy but now a year or so on I slather it on - I know it absolutely does NOT break me out, it actually makes my skin look better once on, it's gentle, it's calming & it protects my skin from sun damage. So glad I found this product. For anyone out there who has break-out prone skin, I highly recommend you give this sunscreen a try. Please note my current regime (I now have perfectly clear skin): Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser, Paula's Choice Resist Toner, Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid, Paula's Choice Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator. I also dabble with the Resist Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum & Resist Remarkable Skin Lightening Lotion but if you're trying to get your skin on track from break outs - I can't recommend the aforementioned regimen enough (please note: use the Resist toner in the AM & the 2% BHA Liquid in the PM, Hydrator both AM & PM).
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -MAC - Paint Pot in Painterly
00R00 3/20/2011 4:36:00 AM
I use this everyday as my eyeshadow base. It is the perfect tone for my NC20 skin and dark hair. It is great value for money - I bought mine back in 2009 and I still have 1/5 left. Will definitely be repurchasing.
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Pressed Powders -Laura Mercier - Pressed Setting Powder - Translucent
00R00 3/20/2011 4:34:00 AM
HG setting powder. Truly translucent unless I pick up too much (I use a cotton pad to apply). Can make my face look a little flat initially, but within 10 mins it sets and looks very natural. I uses this to set my Revlon New Complexion One Step Compact Make-up in Ivory Beige, with wonderful high coverage, natural-looking results. This powder has never caused any break-outs for me. The packaging is sophisticated but I don't like how the puff is in with the powder. However, it is not of much consequence to me as I use a clean cotton pad every time I use it. Once a month I'll use a pad to swipe across the surface of the powder - to 'clean' it - I think this helps retain the integrity of the formualtion. I recently repurchased - my previous compact lasted for over a year.
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Toners -Paula's Choice - Clear Targeted Acne Relief Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid for all skin types
00R00 3/20/2011 4:28:00 AM
HG night-time toner. I alternate this with the stronger (lower pH level) 2% BHA Liquid. Keeps my skin clear, calm and glowy. But the packaging - not loving the conspicuous bright orange. I much prefer the other low-key packaging. For example the liquid 2% BHA doesn't have acne in bright orange all over it and it doesn't leak in transit. I have to put a layer of clingwrap between the bottle and lid of this product as it leaks if it isn't upright. Excellent product - please improve the packaging!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Polishes -Revlon - Revlon Red
00R00 3/20/2011 4:24:00 AM
Revlon Red is the Mac Russian Red of red nail polishes. Perfect cool-toned red. A classic.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
00R00 2/27/2010 4:38:00 AM
HG PM break-out prevention treatment - once a day is more than enough! If I apply in the the AM, I find it impossible for sunscreen and make-up to go on well afterward. It can also be used to exfoliate elbows, heels and around nails. **UPDATE**20 March 2011 . . . Still loving this stuff! Continuing to use as a toner at night. Switch between this and Paula's Choice Clear Targeted Acne Relief Toner. However, as soon as I feel any tingle of a possible spot I'm on this every night followed by a dab of Paula's Choice Clear Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment and 90% of the time that's enough and the spot never appears. When my skin is exceptionally glowy (when I'm eating well and actually exercising) I will use this a couple of nights a week and otherwise use the Clear Targeted Acne Relief Toner (another HG product, a little gentler than this one even though both are 2% BHA - I think this product has a lower pH than Clear making it stronger. Also note, it can leave you a little flaky if you are not hydrating sufficiently. I use Paula's Choice Resist Barrier Repair as my night cream and as long as I apply it liberally, especially around my now, I don't have any flakiness issues).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Lotion
00R00 2/7/2010 7:35:00 AM
HG everyday body lotion. This is super-rich, yet soaks in effortlessly. very hydrating, absolutely non-irritating (for me, anyway) and best of all truly fragrance-free, so it doesn't interfere with my perfume. And it doesn't have that awful 'fragrance-free' smell either, it is odourless.
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Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 and Antioxidants
00R00 1/18/2010 9:19:00 AM
I did enjoy this product for a time and. It never broke me out, however it didn't mattify. Often when I first applied it, my face appeared a little flushed and kind of taut and eventually (a couple of hours later), shiny. I also feel I gained a few freckles wearing this - I am quite fair (NC20) and I guess I need more protection than a chemical SPF15. I have now been using Sofina Lucent SPF50 (Zinc Oxide based sunBLOCK rather than a chemical sunSCREEN) for six months and I'm loving it - as sun protection, mattifier & make-up primer. It has absolutely no scent, seems to almost calm my skin on application (takes out the redness) and it keeps my make-up on for a solid 12 hours. I can also use it around my eyes without any irritation. I buy mine from Bobodave.com - just repurchased a couple of bottles yesterday. One important thing to note with Sofina is that you MUST use an oil-based cleanser to remove it properly (it's waterproof). I've done the rounds with oil-based cleansers (Mac, Clinique, Shu Uemura, Trilogy, Karin Herzog etc.) - and the hands down best one in the universe is Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil. This will never break you out, ever. You apply it with dry hands, let it sit on the skin - it literally vacuums everything out of your pores - I let mine do its business while I brush & floss. Then emulsify the cleanser with water and rinse. You'll feel like you just had a facial. I then follow with a small amount of Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Cleanser & finally a hot cloth. Since on this regime - NEVER have I seen a spot of make-up on the washcloth. I use it more as a compress rather than to rub away at my face, This is the beauty of Fancl - it's formulation does all the work for you - all you need to do is rinse it off.
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Liquid -Paula's Choice - Best Face Forward Foundation SPF 25
00R00 1/5/2010 2:05:00 AM
Terribly limited colour selection! I ordered samples (thank god!) of both Best Bisque and Best Linen. Best Bisque was far too pasty for my NC20 skin and Best Linen far too orangey. And the formula was very 'piecey' - as in mottled, I could actually see the colour separating. To be fair, the samples come in sachets not bottles thus it may just be a formula which needs to be shaken prior to application.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No