Toners -Paula's Choice - Clear Targeted Acne Relief Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid for all skin types
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:38:00 PM
Actually I am using a 2% BHA toner from PB, but it has an identical formula and I just like its packaging more than of Clear toner. Well, 2% might be harsh for sensitive skin. I first used it only 2 times a week, then 3 times, then every other day and now use it daily. This will exfoliate! So from time to time you have to use a good peeling. This will not remove all your blackheads if you use wrong, very pore-clogging products, but in combination with a smart routine (by this I mean minimum clogging ingredients in your creams and makeup) it will help your skin look very healthy. And it has zero alcohol, unlike many other BHA products (combination of BHA with alcohol is a killer even for my very oily skin).
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion with SPF 15 and Antioxidants
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:30:00 PM
This is the best product for acne prone oily skin ever! It doesn't contain dimethicone and doesn't clog my big pores at all. There is nothing comparable for oily skin because all these oil-free SPF products out there are loaded with silicones and you pay a high price of totally clogged pores for the matte look. This lotion doesn't provide a totally matte finish, but it is not white or shiny either, very natural healthy skin. I use it under foundation with SPF16, so that I get enough sun protection in summer and if go for outdoor just reapply after each 1-1.5 hour, have never had any sunburns. Tried other SPF lotions for oily skin but always get back to PB. This formula is not very anti-aging, so I use a water based silicone-free vitamin C serum underneath to get more antioxidants on my skin.
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Gels/Soaps -Nubian Heritage - African Black Soap
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:22:00 PM
I have ordered this soap after reading reviews on iherb. I was very skeptical because we are used to think that using soap on your face is a bad idea. I don't know what exactly this black soap formula means, but it is very mild and cares about my acne prone skin. I have no blackheads or pimples left on my face after only few weeks of usage. I have oily skin which is however very irritating when I use harsh mass market cleansers. It is even gentler than a very gentle Avene Cleanance gel. It is cheaper to and has a very relaxing scent.
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Gels/Soaps -Nubian Heritage - Soaps
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:18:00 PM
I have discovered this brand and happy about it! They make excellent body wash (though with quite strong scents, but good natural scents). They are milder than any mass market shower gel, not too liquid, do not dry out your skin as shower gels and are a real pleasure to use. They add natural oils to their body wash and lotions, and I like this combination! They mix best natural moisturizing oils, which are more convenient to use than a pure oil and packaging is simple but convenient. I am buying it on iherb because can't find it another seller shipping to Europe. They are quite affordable and I am going to try all the versions :) I especially like the smell of black seed version.
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Mascara -Christian Dior - Diorshow Iconic High Definition Lash Curler Mascara
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:11:00 PM
This is simply best mascara on the market. I buy a new one each month to get maximum out of it and avoid posible dry clumps, but I use many layers (and it layers really well), this is probably why. It gives you volume, length, and deep black silky finish.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clinique - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:08:00 PM
I am using this balm for couple of years now and can't not find any better substitute. I hope that they won't discontinue this great product. I apply it every evening on my entire face. On my eyes i first apply a bit of water before the balm as it helps to dissolve my mascara faster. I massage it for 20 seconds all ove rmy face and rinse off with water and then remove all residues with a cleansing gel. I don't know how I would remove all the makeup layers without this product. I don't like lotions because you can't apply them with your fingers right to your skin. I love this product!
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Eye Shadow -Christian Dior - 5-Colour Designer All-In-One Artistry Palette - Green Design
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 4:01:00 PM
I have been trying many green eyeshadows over last few years, trying to find some good match for my green eyes. I always looked either too cheap (with chanel) or too boring (with guerlain) or too dramatic (with estee lauder). I have seen a review of this palette on another website and decided to try. The sales person made me a nice make-up and it looked perfect! Natural enough for the day but also bright (colors are cold to neutral I would say, but I ma not an expert). And my eyes looked really nice, while I usually do not wear any eyeshadow during the day because my eyes look too big. I tried with brushes and got a reacher color, and with an applicator a lighter coverage very suitable for the day. I think this is a really smart combination of colors that you will use together (which is not always the case with palettes). For the evening you can add either the eyeliner or deeper green or more shine, very practical. First eyeshadow that I really use, not just store in my bathroom :) Initially I have seen pictures of the girl with blue or grey eyes and it actually also looked nice, I think these are quite neutral colors that might be a good change for boring nude or violet that usually is recommended for green eyes. They are expensive but I think I will use them for a long time.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Pressed Powders -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Mineral Face Powder
Lalatrue 8/30/2012 3:52:00 PM
This product has its strengths and weaknesses like every other. If you are very bothered by lux make-up brands foundations and poweders because the clog your pores, this can be a good product for you! I have a collection of chanel, dior, givenchy, benefit, estee lauder, guerlain and other foundations and they all look great on my skin but they are not for everyday use because they just cement my pores and I am too tired of this battle with blackheads. I am using this powder for a month now and I am very happy with it! My skin became much clearer since I started to use it. I also use their mineral wear blush. Both products do not contain talc and dimethicone, which cause acne in my case. I use translucent because all other tones are too dark for me. Another plus - it doesn't highlight my big pores. I use blot paper during lunch and I do not add any powder on my face, it looks very natural. I like that it has SPF and I can apply some powder on my face before to come out of office. The only dislikes - it has particles of different color, which I think are supposed to be mixed and produce some average color of both. When you use it to the middle layer only one (dark) color is predominantly left, so it is slightly darker tone than when you start using it. It also quite soft powder, not hard pressed, so applying it on the way is almost impossible - you will end up with powder on your clothes. As all other said the brush sold with it is useless, but as I do not need any extra touch-ups, I do not care about it. Btw, my skin is very oily and it stays on my face all day. So I really recommend this product as it is much easier to apply comparing to other loose mineral foundations with similar minimalistic list of ingredients (w/o dimethicone). I was concerned about mica, but it absolutely doesn't clog my pores, so probably I am lucky. It also 16SPF and relatively cheap, though not easy to buy in Europe, but extra shipping cost from US is worth it. I recommend you to try both foundation and blush, but be careful because other blushes contain talc and also the finish powder is not for acne prone skin because contains starch. Though I do not need this finishing veil.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No