Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST BHA 9
CyndiK 9/27/2012 2:04:00 AM
So here’s another early, enthusiastic and long review for the Resist BHA9. I don't think I've ever been more satisfied with a skincare product so fast. It has improved my skin's texture significantly....in just 9 days. My issues- large pores in the center of my face due to combination skin, sun damage, and mild rosacea; plus, I have mild sebaceous hyperplasia (about 5 under-skin bumps) on my forehead. I spot treated those bumps twice a day with BHA9 and they peeled a couple of times, and they are now nearly flat, barely noticable and much improved! I had been considering when to bite the bullet and have them treated, and now they are not noticeable enough to bother getting them zapped by a doctor. I think they'll be completely flat in the near future anyway. I also spread a thin layer of BHA9 on my nose and on my cheeks near my nose, and after a few days, the pores on and near my nose became clearer so the skin is smoother; a couple of pores that were particularly large (and stood out under makeup), peeled a bit from the BHA9 and are now smaller- they don't stand out from the others; these couple of pores had been enlarged for many months or even a year; Yes, I’m thrilled. If something changes with my results- I will update. If your skin is young and normal (not oily), I don’t know if you’d see noticeable results, but if your skin has similar challenges as mine- hopefully you would experience some of what I have- quick improvements to chronic issues. Besides the BHA9, I do have a good skincare routine that I follow faithfully that revolves around Paula’s Choice products; this keeps my rosacea in check with nearly zero blemishes- maybe since I already regulary used Paula's 2% BHA, my skin was especially ripe to respond to this boost of 9% BHA. Paula’s money back guarantee plus my satisfaction with their other products, gave me the nudge to skeptically give this a try; I was already satisfied with my at home skin care results- and thought that my most stubborn issues were only treatable at my Derm.'s office, treatments that require healing time and possibly hyperpigmentation. I ordered a sample of the BHA9 that I'm taking to my next Derm. appt.; I want him to see my results, try the BHA9- and hopefully spread the word to his patients. I doubt that the .3 ounce vial will last me 6 months, but I don’t care- the price is about the cost of my Derm co-pay....and he’s not been able to give me such a simple solution to these issues. I think my Derm. will be impressed. And lastly, as I wrote above, I did peel some, nothing major; and a couple of areas got a little red- so if a spot was red or peeling, I just backed off and didn’t treat it that morning or evening. Otherwise I'm treating regularly and with small amounts- thin layers.
24 out of 26 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Olay - Regenerist Eye Touch of Concealer
CyndiK 8/27/2012 12:34:00 AM
I wish this had more moisture and slip to use under my eyes, but as a lid primer, I like it pretty well; it does not crease. It's not advertised as having an SPF, but it's bound to since the fourth ingredient is titanium dioxide, a mineral sun-block that is non-irritating to eyes. So as a lid primer that includes spf, antioxidants (a host of good skin care ingredients) and a touch of concealer, it's good but not really brightening. As an under eye moisturizer with tint- it may work if you're young and need little moisture. I like that it’s packaged in a small tube that keeps the beneficial ingredients stable and sanitary.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Physicians Formula - Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation
CyndiK 8/26/2012 9:37:00 PM
Good cosmetic sunscreen with high SPF. I usually apply this with a brush for a more natural look, but if I need more spf coverage, I use the sponge that is stored under the powder in the compact. I like that the SPF mainly comes from minerals, not chemical sunscreen. This is also good for dusting over lotion sunscreens that have a sheen. Though a powder, the consistency is a tad moist, so it sticks to skin well and gives a slight dewy finish. It stays put very well in hot humid weather. There are four shades- two of which are labled "translucent" which provide sheer coverage; the two other shades (light/medium and medium/tan) provide medium coverage that is buildable.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Olay - Quench Body Lotion-normal to dry skin
CyndiK 8/18/2012 6:44:00 PM
Review for Olay Quench daily lotion with vitamins E & B3- This lotion was reformulated in 2012 and is now lighter and without shimmer. Just what I was looking for- a bit of moisture with beneficial ingredients; doesn't leave my skin sticky at all, and the scent is very subtle and even disappears after a couple of hours. The third ingredient is niacinamide (B3), which is especially good for sun-damaged skin. I can use this as a treatment for the benefits of the antioxidant vit. E, niacinamide and a little moisture without feeling sticky heaviness on my skin. After a shower I first spread Paula's Choice Resist Toner (chocked FULL of skin nurturing ingredients) over my skin (just pour some into the palm of my hand and spread over) then add this lotion on top. I use it about every other day all over, with additional pops here and there in-between for hands, elbow, knees and feet. I like that a simple quarter turn of the pump locks it from dispensing, so I can take this medium size 11 oz bottle with me for travel.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Gold Bond - Ultimate Restoring Skin Therapy Lotion with CoQ10
CyndiK 8/16/2012 11:06:00 PM
I returned this after one application because of the scent; the first night I used it I had to take a second shower to wash it off because the smell was keeping me awake. So everyone is different, but I suggest unscrewing the top at the store and taking a whiff before you purchase. Then, at Ulta, I unscrewed all the lids of the body lotions that were highly rated on Beautypedia.com, meaning well formulated with antioxidants and cell communicators; the one that had the lightest scent was "Olay Quench daily lotion with vitamins E & B3" (healthy amount of B3/ niacinamide); I've been using it happily for a week with no issues.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lips -NYX - Soft Matte Lip Cream
CyndiK 8/16/2012 2:25:00 PM
Actually, I liked everything about the application for the first 30 minutes, but it did not wear off evenly. After a long conversation with a friend, I checked my lips in the mirror and the color (San Paulo, loved it!) was bright and matte on the outer edges of my lips all the way around, but closer toward my mouth, the color was completely gone, just bare lips. I'd not had anything to eat or drink; I’d rather a product wear off evenly than grab where lips are dry and slip off completely where lips get naturally wet. I've not had a lip product do that before- though I’ve rarely worn matte pruducts. So, a unique product and pretty initially– but funky wearability if you plan to do more than pout. Check your mirrors often with this one. Returned.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25
CyndiK 8/16/2012 2:30:00 AM
UPDATE: Have used this for two months, and my decolletage looks much healthier; it's less red and freckles and sun spots are fading. This is the only product I'm using on this sensitive area besides a gentle toner after I cleanse. Because this product has zinc oxide, I use a silicone based makeup remover (Neutrogena Oil Free) before cleansing to ensure that I remove it all at night. . ORIGINAL REVIEW: I'm using this daily on my sun damaged décolletage with mild subtype II rosacea- but all has been quiet and soothed (and protected) with this multi-tasking cream. After 10 minutes, the mineral-based shine nicely drops off- and the resulting glow finish instantly improves the look of my skin- a nice bonus along with the the thoughtful skincare it provides. I gave this a try for a few days on my face (combination)- but it was too heavy for my oily areas; Paula’s Choice accurately labeled it as being ideal for normal to dry skin- not my combination skin on my face.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator
CyndiK 8/15/2012 3:41:00 PM
UPDATE 9/28/12: Still liking this very light lotion that seems to benefit both my oily and dry areas. I wrote before that it wasn't enough moisture for my skin- but I find that it is enough moisture with my current routine / products. I mix a couple of pumps (or less) with a bit of PC's Resist Super Serum and spread all over except around eyes. This combo is a great primer that doesn't feel heavy whether I top it with BB lotion or foundation which both have mineral sunblock and provide a bit of moisture. INITIAL REVIEW: This product delivers in two big ways; it reduces the minor but previously regular blemishes in the center of my face AND it is reducing the overall redness of my sun-damaged skin considerably. Clear skin indeed!! I like how this basically disappears on my skin; I need more moisture than it provides, so I use it as an a.m. treatment after BHA 2% lotion and before moisturizer. I’ve also been using Paula’s Choice products (the Resist and Clear products); so granted, this Anti-Aging Clear Skin Hydrator has been getting support from other products- but, when I added this to my routine two weeks ago, I noticed pretty quickly that my T-zone calmed down; so I assume that the anti-bacterial in this is effective for me without being too harsh; benzoyl-peroxide is too drying for me to use regularly for my mild acne. I literally took a double take in the mirror first thing this a.m.- my skin tone was just so much more even. So I thought I’d share my good news here; if you have similar skin issues as me (hyper-pigmentation, sensitivity, mild rosacea, blemishes) I suggest you sample this; samples are a wonderful thing with sensitive skin, and this fabulous company makes it easy and inexpensive to test products.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -Trish McEvoy - Instant Eye Lift Concealer
CyndiK 7/31/2012 8:15:00 PM
**UPDATE / reduced rating: no longer using this simply because of the frangrance; it's a nice scent, but around my eye area especially I only want calming ingrediants- so good-bye. I still like Trish's unscented Correct & Brighten for undereyes for a slim easy to pack light under-eye concealer.** Nice concealer (it brightens too) for light to medium coverage under eyes. I sometimes use a bit on the eyelids too. I brush it on using the "triangle of light" method that Trish demos on her site- and it does what it says. Many concealers will cover my eye circles (due to fat loss in this area from aging), but then my skin texture will look worse, more wrinkles. This product softens the circles, brightens the area and improves the look of my skin texture....for an easy natural look.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Self Tanners -Neutrogena - Build A Tan
CyndiK 7/31/2012 8:05:00 PM
I like it. It's inexpensive, low to no smell, the color builds pretty fast, and it's a good consistency for easy blending, so you can put it on quickly and still evenly. Very natural looking, yet can get suprisingly dark too; it's nice to have that option, but everyday application would be far too much for me. I apply all over quickly and lightly about every third day. The bottle lasted a couple of months.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Concealers -L'Oreal - Visible Lift Serum Age-Reversing Concealer
CyndiK 7/31/2012 7:47:00 PM
This concealers provides quite good coverage, a natural finish and full-spectrum sun block. I read about it on Beautipedia.com and agree with the positive review written there. It sets up to a natural skin-like texture that works well for softening the look of small melasma areas, sun spots, and it covers blemishes extremely well; I definitley don't want the sun to hit such area, so the titanium dioxide is just another layer of spf for these areas- BIG bonus. I've not had hygiene or dispensing issues with most click-pen/brush packages, including this one; in fact, they are good for travel due to their size and non-messy ways. I've had this a month, and I'm increasingly relying on it; sometimes I use it without foundation- just on dark areas, let it set up for about 10 seconds, then blend it in with a synthetic small brush, then set entire face lightly with powder and soft brush. The "medium" shade is a good match during the summer with my warm yellow undertones. Since it sets up pretty matte, it's best under well-hydrated eyes without a primer or other product underneath; it's really not one to slide around or shine, so priming under the eyes will only accentuate wrinkles. Under eyes is not my favorate place to use it- but I do in a travel pinch; it's REALLY good on other areas of the face.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Neutrogena - Advanced Solutions At Home MicroDermabrasion System [DISCONTINUED]
CyndiK 3/3/2008 9:25:00 AM
It's okay for my body and particularly for my feet with the rough attachement for feet that was included....but when the pad rough pad(only came with one) wears out...I'll probably chunk the device as I wouldn't pay for refills. Ditto for the scrub that came with it....I'd only use in on bum, legs and feet. I bought this on clearance at CVS for $5.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Bronzers -New York Color - Sun 2 Sun Bronzing Powder
CyndiK 3/3/2008 9:15:00 AM
I bought the "Bronze Gold" shade which I believe is the lightest. I have combo mediem-light skin, blonde hair and green eyes - my skin has yellow under-tones and I tan (when I used to tan) to a golden color. These colors are very wearable in that it's easy to get a subtle effect for casual day wear. This shade truly mimics my skin color with a tan (plus a light shimmer), so it looks very natural, sun kissed and not brown. The two shades allow you to play with that. I've learned that which brush I use for applying bronzer is key -- a soft less-dense brush works best. I like the Jane Iredale Handi brush for bronzer. A kabuki brush is too thick / dense for bronzer. I think this product for the price makes it a 5 lippy.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments (Eye) -Neutrogena - Healthy Defense SPF 30 Eye Cream in Light
CyndiK 3/2/2008 9:19:00 AM
I use this for sun protection. For me it is not moisturizing, but not drying either. I like the price, the slight tint, the fact that it's a physical (mineral) sun block (spf 30) thus works well with mmu - and it has never burned my eyes - not upon liberal application nor from perspiring during exercise or outdoor activities. As a sunscreen for the delicate eye area it is a great choice.
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Makeup Brushes -Alima - Foundation Brush 25
CyndiK 3/2/2008 8:27:00 AM
I've used this for about a year almost daily for applying mmu from a compact. It is superior for it's softness, it's density and because it applies product evenly across face contours (the nose and eye area). I don't think I've lost a bristle the entire time I've owned it. The Alima 25 is an essential tool for me. Other essentials are the "Smashbox 19" for applying blush and finisthing powder from a compacts, and the Jane Iredale "Handi" for bronzer. I've found all of three of these to be good investments as they are durable and perform well for the above stated used.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No