Cleansers -Neutrogena - Visibly Bright Daily Cream Cleanser
Endit 5/20/2013 11:53:00 AM
This is a new cleanser from Neutrogena. I wanted to try it because it glycolic acid as ingredient #4, as well as salicyclic acid (#8). Not sure if they would do anything in a cleanser, and I don't know the pH, but I just really wanted to see what would happen anyways. This cleanser contains a bunch of unnecessary ingredients (fragrance, mica, silica, and menthol) but since it's a rinse off product I was hoping it wouldn't be so bad. Makes a stupid claim on the back that almost seems insulting too: "gives your skin that extra boost it needs, so you won't look as tired as you may feel." PROS: I don't like cream consistencies, since I feel they don't get my skin clean or fully rinse off, but this one is different. And despite the ingredients, it doesn't irritate my skin (I've used this for over 2 weeks before reviewing, so I'm sure of it). CONS: Actual cream cleanser, so it doesn't foam up at all. I don't like this consistency becuase they don't work as well with sonic devices IME. Also, there is a TON of fragrance in this and it smells just like perfume. It doesn't smell like "chemicals" or laundry detergent or anything a cleansing product would normally smell like, it just smells like strong, feminine perfume. Like I opened a magazine and there was one of those perfume testers inside. Almost like citrus if I take a big whiff. I am quite tolerant of fragrance in products, but I prefer little to none. If you are are also used unscented/fragranced things, this will take you by surprise. And then there's the fact that the cleanser leaves a layer of mica behind, even after thoroughly rinsing. It just does not come off! It's probably the reason this line is called "Visibly Bright", as the Visibly Bright cleanser released before this one also left mica behind, but their inclusion is absolutely unnecessary and downright useless. Why would I want a cleanser that leaves traces of itself behind? And the shimmers don't even do anything. They are so fine, I need to be like 1 inch away from the mirror to see them - if I can barely see them, others won't be able to and the end result is there is no brightening going on! There is no reason to include them. There's a warning to avoid the eye area, and I thought it was because of the acids at first, but I think it is due to the mica instead. Don't want shimmers getting in your eye! Both the fragrance and mica linger too, so if you use a brush to cleanse with, it will stay in it for some time. There's also menthol in this, not sure if it gives a cooling sensation or or if I'm just inhaling the perfume and I'm interpreting it as menthol. OTHER: If the acids do anything, I can't tell. My skin seems a little smoother, but it's in the realm of placebo. OVERALL: If wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it's got too much crap in it to recommend or try again. They need to remove the mica, menthol, and fragrance (or at least bump it down to last place). If you have non sensitive skin and want a cream cleanser that isn't too runny or thick, you may like it though.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -L'Oreal - Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Liquid Silk Lotion for Face SPF 30
Endit 5/3/2013 1:18:00 PM
This is a "new" sunscreen that L'Oreal has introduced for the Sublime Sun line. I saw it at Dollar General for $7.50 (cheap!) and tried it because that. I say new in quotes because it's not really new at all - it's nearly identical to the SPF 50 version they released last year. It has the same packaging, but with slightly different design, it contains the same ingredients, though slightly rearranged, and a bit less sun protection. When using the BASF Sunscreen Simulator at the default 2.0 setting, the SPF 50 ones gets a PPD of 10.4, PA+++, Boots UVA 3 Star, and UVA rating for some other tests as well (it actually says FAIL for these areas, but the only reason is the UVA-PF/SPF is 0.33 when it should be 0.34, but that is close enough). This new SPF 30 one gets a PPD of 9.4, and the rest of the ratings stay the same. As I already did a review on the SPF 50 one, this will most be a recap of that. PROS: Lightweight, no color or fragrance, good under makeup. Packaging prevents waste (but no way to see how much is left when placed near a lightbulb). CONS: Definition of liquid - extremely fluid. Sometimes randomly doesn't absorb and leaves me a bit shiny - easily fixed with quick blotting of napkin or waiting longer (this is probably my own skin's doing or fact I use CeraVe PM during the day as well). Need to really shake before use. OTHER 1: I can feel it on my face. It is a lighter, less "heavy"/dense silicone feel, but you can feel it. It looks and feels like primer, and has similar ingredients (like high amount of homosalate). OTHER 2: High amount of alcohol denat. The formula is meant to evaporate, that way it has less of a heavy feeling, and when it evaporates, the layer of product that stays behind shrinks/condenses (reminds me of sucking air out of a space bag). Water, cyclopentasiloxane, and alcohol denat all evaporate, and they are high in the ingredient list. However there are two camps of thought about alcohol denat. Paulas Choice says that alcohol denat is drying, causes free radical damage, and causes the evaporation of beneficial skin ingredients. Basically it's ages the skin faster and shouldn't be used. FutureDerm however, says that although alcohol denat is drying, the drying effect alone is nothing special or cause for concern - dry skin is prone to aging, but dryness alone does not CAUSE aging. Therefore, the drying effect of alcohol denat its solved by simply moisturizing and it's own rapid evaporation (when it evaporates, it's no longer sitting on your skin affecting it). They also say that in a formulation with enough moisturizers, it acts as a degreaser, not drying your skin out, but the product enough so it's more pleasing texture. This adds to it's already extremely versatile uses: penetration enhancer, preservative, anti-bacterial, anti-microbal, and solvent. I agree with both camps. It is drying, however not too much. I'm not sure if it can evaporate other alcohols when it attaches to them, but my skin doesn't look or feel worse after using it for a while. OVERALL: I'd buy it again, the price is pretty good and you get 1.7oz! I can live with SPF 30 since I'm never outdoors or in the sun for long periods of time. Really, it's identical to the SPF 50 one, so if you want to see more reviews, start there!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Earth Sourced Antioxidant-Enriched Natural Moisturizer
Endit 3/9/2013 8:25:00 PM
I got this because I wanted to try something different and this one is reasonably priced and loaded with antioxidants. Being "Earth Friendly" was not my goal. I mean, I like being ecoconscious, but in terms of skincare I don't mind synthetics. PROS: It's not greasy or thick, yet it contains a TON of oil (8 oils total, most in the top 10) and antioxidants. CONS: Everybody has already commented on it - it's not that hydrating. It has a lot of water in it and I think that is why. I don't mean it's watery or runny, I mean that when I spread it, it doesn't have drag or thickness, it's just very "thinnable". This is the first thing I noticed about this product, it just spreads VERY easily. Paula's Choice says it is a "rich, yet surprisingly light lotion" and that's pretty accurate (rich in ingredients though, not feel). I really don't understand how it can have cocoa seed butter (ingredient 2), glycerin (3), 3 different oils (4-6), and shea butter all as the top 7 ingredients but have such a NON-feeling to it. Not heavy, not shiny finish at all, and absorbs really quickly. OTHER: The packaging and description says "All skin types" and along with the amount of oils in it, I thought it would be ok. However, the site also mentions Normal, Oily, Combination as being better in another part, and that is more true. OVERALL: Over time I have noticed my skin being much less hydrated, so this is definitely not for drier skin (I used it for both AM and PM). This would be best for skin that already has enough moisture, those who hate any product feeling, and for use in the warmer months. It's not a horrible product in the end.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Endit 3/3/2013 9:36:00 AM
I bought this because I had store credit and was going to experiment eventually anyways. I can't afford to use a serum every day, but I still wanted to see what it could do. I've never used a serum before. I'm 23 years old and wrinkle free, though I wish my skin had a more even, rested, and less red appearance. My skin looks amazing minutes after I get up, but then it "adjusts" and looks worse. Maybe it has to do with circulation. Also, I have some veins around my eyes that become more prominent during this process. PROS: This serum is bursting with beneficial ingredients (if you're reading this, then you already know too)... and for the price I don't see how it can be beat. Despite being heavy in silicones, it never breaks me out or clogs my skin - and I've used a thick layer of this on my entire face multiple times to see if it would. I like the fact that it has no retinol (I have nothing against retinol though) The packaging is really good too, the opening to dispense the product is REALLY tiny. No waste and no air getting inside! The tube material is opaque enough that, when placed in front of a lightbulb you can see exactly how much is remaining. CONS: Result wise, maybe my skin is a little more even, but it's the kind of result in the realm of placebo. Am I really experiencing this? Granted, I haven't used up a full tube, but I have been using it for almost 2 months, usually twice a day, and I don't skimp. No improvement on redness and nothing for dark circles or veins. Yes, it can be a bit heavy if you use too much (however see below). OTHER: I don't mind the texture. It's really not traditionally thick or oily... it just lacks natural viscosity (ability to flow) due to having no water and 2 silicones in it's place. Yes, when first applied can be really shiny and oily feeling, but it goes away. I do think the silicones evaporate and leave just other ingredients behind. If you give it enough time or spend longer than usual patting it in, it DOES dry down and isn't heavy. It also depends on cleansing. I tried a cleanser recently which was more drying, and putting this on after cleansing with that, I had ZERO greasy look or feeling. It absorbed really quickly. One thing I don't like about the serum though is it doesn't naturally spread around/expand. You'd think with dimethicone as the first ingredient it would, but it doesn't. Not a big deal but it does move more over another product. OVERALL: Maybe it's working, maybe it's not. I can't tell. I'll continue using it, but after I run out, I'm replacing it with Silk Naturals Oatmeal Hydrating Serum. I don't need the extra hydration, but it's way cheaper and as I'm young, I don't need to pay for something like the RESIST line. Plus, I've read good things about oatmeal so I really want to try that.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Conditioner -Joico - Smooth Cure sulfate-free Conditioner
Endit 2/6/2013 8:35:00 PM
This isn't a full review, but I'll mention some thoughts I've had on this. I bought this in the summer, when it was humid, but didn't think much of it and shelved it. Recently I have been trying it again, since Moisture Recovery has not been so great for hair (leaving it too yet, there's not a lot of obvious weight to my hair). PROS: It provides a little weight, not too much. Does smooth out my hair some more too, but on the coming days, some movement comes back at least. I like that it has amodimethicone instead of plain dimethicone. OTHER: If used with the matching shampoo it can be overkill. The shampoo alone is really smoothing... and then this on top of it? I pair it with the Moisture Recovery shampoo.
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Skin Recovery Cleanser
Endit 1/28/2013 2:35:00 AM
I previously tried Paula's Choice Moisture Boost Cleanser and hated it. It was slightly drying and had a texture that resisted foaming. I decided to still give this cleanser a try though to see how it was. I was thinking/hoping it would be way better. PROS: It's drugstore cheap per ounce if you get it on sale. Also, soybean oil is ingredient 5, so you're getting an oil cleansing at the same time. My skin has been looking clearer since I've been using this, but I can't for certain say it was this cleanser, since I have changed many things recently. CONS: Where do I begin? For one, the texture is just horrible! It's the same as the moisture boost, but worse. This is a thin, truly non foaming, MILKY cleanser. (UPDATE: apparently it does foam - if you use too much or use the perfect balance of water to cleanser - does with my scrubblet). "Cream" is as inaccurate as it gets. This texture is totally incompatible with my Skinsonic too. I really don't understand how some people can use this with the Clarisonic or any device. It does not stay in place. The runny texture makes it travel down to the base of the bristles and and stay there, not dispersed thoughout. It's like any cleanser at first, but when spreading it around and adding water to it, it is too thin (even when using hands). I know it isn't supposed to foam or anything (unlike the Moisture Boost cleanser, which merely resists foaming but can be made to anyways, this one truly doesn't), but there is no "density" or substance to this stuff. And this is most important becuase without it, the sonic vibrations can be harsh (like I am using literally no cleanser). I need a cleanser that is dense enough to be "protective/expand", yet stiff enough stay in place. This cleanser is neither of those things. In addition, it feels almost strangely coating. It doesn't rinse off easily or feel like it is rinsing off. And it doesn't even provide any moisture! Since I have started using this cleanser, the skin on my face has been absorbing products like never before. My skin feels dry, yet it's not making tons of oil or anything. I recently wrote a review on a Neutrogena sunscreen and while I liked it, it never dried on my skin. It just felt heavy. Sometimes I put on products and they sit on top of my skin or feel too emollient for a very long time. However, when I use this cleanser, that never happens. It's like the skin on my face mimics the skin on my body when I use this. Everything just fully dries down/absorbs, and quickly. A couple times I have moved my face (like my jaw or such) and it feels tight. How is this a cleanser for dry skin? OTHER: Surprisingly it removes makeup. I didn't trust it to, but it did. Still, I would go over with a towel or napkin or something. OVERALL: This is one of the worst cleansers I have ever used. It hasn't caused breakouts and it doesn't irritate my skin, so that's good, but it's just annoying to use. Too much working in and rinsing off required. I have a love-hate relationship with the absorbtion thing too - I love how everything absorbs so quickly, but but is this normal or harmful given how dry I can be when layering things after? I still want to try the Resist cleanser but that's not sold in bulk and is too expensive for cleanser IMO, so I guess I'm done at this point.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment
Endit 1/6/2013 2:54:00 AM
I've only tried this product twice, with samples I've had, yet both times I awoke the next morning with tons of tiny zits. The first time I thought it was a coincidence, but not the second time. I had a similar reaction years ago to an oatmeal scrub that may have been too abrasive (after one use as well). I left it on overnight, but my skin was not magically smooth or anything. I can use my Skinsonic and Paula's 1% BHA lotion without reguarly without problems, and I also tried her 2% lotion for a couple days in a row, so I don't think it has to do with being sensitive to exfoliation in general. Not a fan of liquid products either.
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Pressed Powders -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Powder
Endit 1/1/2013 6:32:00 PM
PROS: More long lasting than other powders I've used and definitely takes away any product feeling. It feels quite smooth, not powdery (probably due to dimethicone being ingredient 3). CONS: Like the foundation, too matte for my tastes. When I swatch this on my finger, there is like no dimension. It is flat and just "there". It is matte - semi matte when first applied. Ok on it's own, but a bit flat looking when applied over foundation. It also has surprising coverage when built up. A lot would probably not consider that a con, but I prefer a lighter, less coverage powder so I still look natural and not like I'm wearing makeup. When I put this over foundation that I've just done it's a bit overkill! I haven't used Studio Fix, but I can definitely see why it was compared. Please remember though, that all of my statements above are with a powder PUFF in mind so I'm getting a heavier layer. I don't use brushes for setting powder as I find they don't do anything. I get a super light finish (which I actually love), but horrible lasting power. And I absolutely hate the sponge it comes with - it is horrible. There's two reasons why it sucks: 1, it doesn't pick up a lot of product, and 2, it lays down too much when applied. If I just press my finger against the powder, a good layer of it comes off, but when using the included sponge, it has no tint and looks like nothing was picked up. Then when I swipe it or try to pick up more, WAY too much comes up. It deposits a crazy amount of product. That sponge is more for applying it like foundation IMO. OTHER: W1 is not as pale as the liquid foundation (bad), but definitely more yellow (this is a good thing though IMO). More like MAC NC15. However, it's not as noticeable when applied in real life. Secondly, I thought this powder had no sparkles. I just looked in it again though and there are tons! I think they may be from my puff going from my face to the power and bringing some back. OVERALL: This is not my first choice for a powder, but it's not horrible. Better for oilier skin types. It looks a lot better once it starts to melt.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -L'Oreal - True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17
Endit 1/1/2013 4:46:00 AM
I tried True Match years ago, the previous formulation, in N1. I remember it being a perfect match, then oxidizing really fast and setting to a dry, powdery look and feel. It also had a TON of sparkles. Useless. I decided to try it again since it was reformulated last year with "Precise Match" technology. More on it here: http://youtu.be/PvqNL4VfxoI (official ad talking about it) PROS: It has more coverage than I thought it would for something calling itself "natural" (this isn't a pro for me, but it's better than too little). I don't really have anything to say about the staying power specifically, just that it lasts longer than most foundations I've used in the past. CONS: This is way more matte than I was expecting (MATTE - semi matte). I know I would prefer the Lumi version if they had plain W1 (not W1-W2). This would definitely not work on super dry skin. At first, it seems ok, but once it totally dries, it just looks DRY. In addition, for a foundation claiming to be "super blendable", it sure doesn't want to be blended all that much! When I tried swirling some of this on my hand, it went into all the little lines and made the texture look really bad. And if it's gonna look like that on my hand, imagine how bad it would look on my face! It does the same thing on my forehead, making it look horrible (which is odd as usually that is the place I'm the most flawless). Also, due to the thin formula, and with the matteness, streaking is more noticeable. I think this foundation is best painted or stippled on, in sections. Buffing it around too I think would just cause skin texture to look worse. W1 is very light, but way too pink to be called warm IMO. I can't see any yellow in it at all. Also, this stuff still oxidizes to a shade that is not as pale. I also tried N1 and that was WAY darker and too pink. N1, I have no idea how that is marketed as neutral. OTHER: It still has little sparkles in it, but I don't notice them as much. OVERALL: Similar to the last time I tried it... crap. Way too matte and dry looking. I like satin or dewy finishes because they look more real to me and I'll be putting powder over them anyways so if they go too far, I always tone it down. But TM has has the matiffied look built into it from the start, so putting a powder on it looks dry and flat. And W1... it is NOT a warm shade or "true match". In the bottle, the W1-W2 of Lumi looks the exact shade too, so guess I'm not trying that either.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -L'Oreal - Sublime Sun Advanced Sunscreen Liquid Silk Sunshield For Face SPF 50
Endit 12/24/2012 7:56:00 PM
This is the second high PPD sunscreen I've tried so far. PROS: Fragrance free, light feeling, good under makeup, and I haven't had any breakouts from it I think (my skin goes though periods of super clear like on it's own, I don't think this has contributed). Like any sunscreen or silicone product, you can feel it, but it doesn't feel suffocating or heavy. The packaging is really good too. It has an eyedropper like opening and it doesn't disperse tons at once. You can tip it upside down and a single drop will come out at a time (quickly, but not that fast). Reasonably priced too. CONS: Definitely a liquid. It is super runny. It was odd to get used to and I was using too much when I started. This isn't a con for me, but when I apply this, I can only do it in sections. If I attempt to dot my face and blend them all together, it just doesn't work as well, like most of it has already evaporated and now there's nothing left to spread it around with (see below). OTHER: The reason this feels so light is because a large part of it evaporates and "condenses" what remains. The first 3 ingredients are designed to disappear. Water naturally evaporates, cyclopentasiloxane is a carrier silicone that evaporates, and alcohol denat rapidly evaporates (due to why it's used to clean electronics - it never leaves residue. It also helps the water evaporate faster). The alcohol also helps the product penetrate a little deeper and shrinks the thickness of everything when it evaporates. The problem however is that alcohol denat is drying by nature. For some this may be irritating and I don't really like having it present. Alcohol denat can also attach itself to other alcohols and beneficial ingredients and evaporate those as well. And make sure you really really shake this SS before use. I shake mine with all my energy for like 6 seconds before I use it. If you don't it is greasy and doesn't absorb so well. OVERALL: I can see why this is highly rated. This is a light formula that I can picture working well on most skin. The evaporation combined with the silica help to reduce any greasy/heavy feeling, though it might be too much for some dry skin. I would purchase it again, but of course I will always look for new products regardless (especially alternatives that act similar, just have no alcohol denat).
14 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Biotin (All brands)
Endit 12/8/2012 3:42:00 PM
I looked into this not for hair at all, but to see if it would have any positive benefit on my skin or nails (I pick at them way too much). Every day after I take 1000mg of Biotin, I break out the next day. The first day, nothing happens. But the next day my I have acne. It's not huge ones, but it's enough to realize the two are connected. Lots of tiny ones and/or clogged skin. I can't continue trying it to see if it does anything special due to how fast it brings on acne. And about the fact that drinking lots of water may offset the acne property - I don't really like the taste of water (filtered, bottled, tap, etc) so I don't want to have to drink tons of water either.
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Sunscreen -Neutrogena - Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30
Endit 11/22/2012 7:38:00 PM
This is my first entry into "real" sunscreen (as in high PPD). Mine is not exactly the same as the formula listed about. Mine is the US one with 3% Avobenzone, 8% Homosalate, 5% octisalate, 4% octrocrylene, and 4% oxybenzone. It also doesn't say broad spectrum on the front of the package. PROS: It really does look ultra sheer (can't tell it's on) and feels quite matte and dry. Also comes in a 3oz bottle. CONS: This requires way too much work/time to absorb and dry! It starts off super shiny and greasy feeling and I have to vigorously rub it in or spend a really long time patting it in. It doesn't absorb on it's own, it just sits on my skin and never dries. My skin isn't really that sensitive but it looks best when I avoid touching it in general, so I don't want to be roughing it up every day. OTHER: Dimethicone is the 3rd ingredient and beeswax is not far behind it and I can feel them. Feels coated and unnatural. Don't really mind but something to note. Definitely needs to be thoroughly washed off. OVERALL: This is a really good product when it fully asborbs and dries down, but for me, it just sits on top of my skin unless I really work at it. Stuff usually has a tendency to do that on my skin after I wash and moisturize it, but this one is more than usual. I would have given it another star or 2 if that wasn't the case. I can still use it on my body though - it dries down almost immediately there. If I were to just get up and do nothing to my face, it would act the same there.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Joico - Smooth Cure
Endit 9/14/2012 2:27:00 AM
I usually use Joico's Moisture Recovery shampoo but wanted to try Smooth Cure since it's the summer (hot and humid) and I've never used a sulfate free shampoo, wondering about the difference it could make. Plus this was their newest line, and replaces Silk Result. PROS: Really gentle. Going through the ingredient list, it looks like it, and in my hair I can feel it too. My hair never feels rough or dry after using this. It does later and foam up nicely for a sulfate free shampoo as well. CONS: Requires more than other shampoos I've used. The bottle says "Later. Rinse. Repeat if necessary." If necessary!? It's necessary every time, even when I have nothing in my hair! It doesn't lather up or make my hair clean at all using this 1 time. And although it does clean my hair after 2 uses, it doesn't make it feel that way (it feels like I haven't washed my hair at all). One example of this I can give is there's always weight after using this, it never has that bouncy/fresh clean feeling. OTHER: Smooth Cure, as a line, needs to have more consistent marketing. The official website says "tames all hair types" and "ideal for all hair types, from thick and coarse, to fine and frizzy. It's lightweight enough for the finer textures, yet effective on thicker and curlier textures". However the physical product says "curly/fizzy/coarse hair" and the conditioner says "ultra moisturizing" to boot. So I can see how people can get confused. OVERALL: Not a bad product, but I won't return to it. If you want a really gentle shampoo it would be an option. Not sure if it adds weight to the hair or simply does nothing to counteract weight, but it's definitely smoothing as a result. I've used it with the matching conditioner and the Moisture Recovery conditioner, and nothing out of the ordinary to report. The SC conditioner leaves my hair smoother and the MR leaves it with more texture. I think total smoothing is overkill for my virgin hair so it's good to mix it with something else.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Moisture Boost One Step Face Cleanser
Endit 8/28/2012 12:59:00 AM
Pros: To be honest, I can't think of any. CONS: I hate the consistency. It's just... inconsistent? It is described as a "water-soluble cleanser with the texture of a milky cleansing lotion". When I use this with my hands, that's about right. It's a lotiony, non foaming cleanser. The problem is when I attempt to use it with my Skinsonic. I discovered that it's really a foaming cleanser that was designed to resists foaming and is VERY easily rinsed away. Sometimes it foams up a lot, but most of the time it feels like it gets "stuck" in the brush, not transferring so off easily. This is made worse the by the fact that when attempting to add some water, it rinses away so quickly. Yet, using very little water, it doesn't have enough substance or glide over my skin, unless I use a lot more than I want to. Another thing is the name is misleading. I haven't experienced any moisture boosting. In fact, I've experienced the opposite. My skin isn't exactly drier, but when I apply products after using this, it feels like they are absorbed faster. It's actually a great thing since a lot of times it feels like products just sit on my skin. Also, I'm pretty sure this is not a coincidence, but I had some breakouts that didn't seem to go away along my chin while using this. I was using Paula's Choice 1% BHA lotion which helped in the past, but saw no real improvement. It was only until I went back to CeraVe foaming cleanser and they started disappearing. So I'm thinking this doesn't clean as well as it could either, despite having SLS as the second ingredient. OTHER: This smells just like Phisoderm's cream cleanser. OVERALL: Performance wise, it's a 2. The reason why I am giving this a 1 though is because I feel pretty let down. I hate the texture, it's more expensive than what I usually purchase, and it's only available online. However, Paulas Choice has excellent customer service though so I will continue to more things from the brand anyways. I also noticed that Paula's other dry skin cleanser got a packaging update first. I think that's probaby because it was better than this one. In addition, the moisture boost line looks to be the last line to get a packaging update and the cleanser is still marked down at the moment, even after the cleanser promotion ended. That tells me something. UPDATE: I've figured out how to get it to foam more consistently. I'm letting my original verdict stand though since it is not moisture boosting and I expected a lot more.
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Pressed Powders -Maybelline - Fit Me
Endit 8/14/2012 5:20:00 PM
I bought this in 110 with the matching foundation. I was more interested in the foundation, I just got this powder since it was on sale and wanted to see what else it could do or if it would compliment the matching foundation. I also like the Fit Me philosophy. PROS: This stuff is seriously smooth. It is noticeably smoother than MAC Careblend powder. It's also ridiculously finely milled... rub a puff across it for a second and watch as it practically becomes LOOSE POWDER (complete with the mess). Color 110 does match the foundation. I decided to NOT listen to some reviewers who said that 110 is much darker than the 110 foundation and instead try 115, because 115 looked so pink to me it might as well been blush! 110 appears darker in the package, but when actually applied isn't as dark (maybe not as light, but ok). When heavily swatching it on my fingers, it appears very light and white-ish. CONS: Lightweight. And with the matching Fit Me powder, this powder does nothing when applied lightly - no oil/shine control, almost no coverage, it doesn't set it at all, and you can feel the foundation as if you just applied it seconds ago. If you plan on using this powder lightly, forget it altogether! I think it needs medium-heavy application to do it's job. I don't find it that shocking though. With other foundations, it seems to do better but I would advise against pairing this foundations that can't remotely hold up on their own. Like the foundation, it's a lighter formula with no longwearing claims. Disappointing though since when you pack on any powder it can enter powdery terroritory regardless of formula. Also, this powder is loaded with shimmer. LOADED. I find it pretty obvious in the package, but not on the face. Finally, it has the potential to leave one of my eyes REALLY red. For a while I thought I actually had an eye condition or something! It wasn't until I laid off the makeup that it disappeared completely. Careful around the eye area. Not sure that it oxidizes, but another reviewer said something like it's so reflective that when it takes on oil it appears darker. That's true. OTHER: The finish on top of foundation is more matte than natural IMO, but it's not OVERLY matte at least. If it is applied lightly, it appears neutral. And I really don't understand the negativity about the packaging. So it's a bit chunkier and unconventional - by not having the mirror on top, it lets you see the color before you buy, which you can't do with all drugstore products. Most are sealed and you can't open those freely. The additional compartment is nice too because you could probably store an extra puff in it (haven't tried but looks large enough). You don't even need to use it for a puff, you could store a flash drive, some change, or whatever. I can see the flip side though - screams "I am in your pocket" and it doesn't fully snap close, so it can make noise. OVERALL: I think this is an underrated powder. Yeah, it's lightweight and doesn't work when skimping, which means it will run out fast, but the color match and fact it's not super matte are good. I won't return since it's not longwearing however.
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