Treatments -Skinceuticals - Phloretin CF
Parpar 4/19/2013 4:48:00 PM
I bought this last year from the derm, and used maybe half of the bottle with no results...I didn't break out but I didn't see any good come from it either. However seeming as my skin had cleared up quite a bit, I decided to give it a whirl recently. A couple of months ago, I used it on my face...maybe 2-3 days in a row. The results were just so weird. It made my skin smoother it appeared but it made it red too and kind of irritated/blotchy. As I mentioned it was quite weird because my skin looked nice, but felt rough! So odd! I stopped using it and my skin went back to normal. Just this week I used it again. I mixed in a couple of drops with my Hydrating B5 Gel (Skinceuticals) and put it on in the morning underneath make-up. My skin looked so glowly and nice...like I was glowing all day (not oily). I was impressed. I decided to put it on a couple of nights ago on this spot I am trying to fade. I didn't bother washing my hands off when I put my eye cream on thinking it was okay as I have done this before...and it had already soaked into my hands. What do you know, I woke up the next morning and both my eyes were swollen and one had a large crease from the puffiness. It's now day two and it's slowly going away...albeit it is still a bit itchy. I called my current derm, and the nurses said that once phloretin is on your hands it is there for 24 hours. Also my last derm said that one could put it on at night because you can still get the benefits in the morning, but my current derm said it is recommended to use in the morning. Alas I can't do anything but wait for the swelling to go down. So I would recommend not getting this around your eye area, and putting the dropper straight to the face or on the outside of your hands, not the palms so it won't go to waste. It smells terrible! I will not be using this again on my face and will search for another vitamin C serum...I still have half a bottle left and don't know what to do with it! :/
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Sunscreen -Skinceuticals - Physical Fusion SPF 50
Parpar 4/13/2013 3:54:00 PM
My first HG product! Now that I have found, I wondered how I lived without it! I am 21 and it was only last year that I decided to start wear sun screen basically everyday (rain or shine). Since I rarely burn, it's not as important as some people may think but since I have olive toned skin when I get a pimple, I pigment easily therefore protecting my skin from UVB and UVA rays is important as sun makes pigment darker! As mentioned this works well on my olive skin. I do think it would work on every skin tone as it melts right into the skin. I don't know how to explain it...it makes your skin look smooth, and one colour but doesn't camouflage anything haha. Like it helps with redness/texture/blotchy-ness but won't cover that pimple up. However it's just a tint! It smells disgusting...like wet socks maybe, but the scent dissipates. Currently it is April and basically all I use in the morning is my Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, this sunscreen and my Jane Iredale SPF 20 powder. Even if I come home early from uni and take my make-up off to shower with the intention of going out at night...I still do the same routine. I love how it helps with my oily skin, no other moisturizer (even the lightest) has been able to do that for my skin. So I don't care if it's dark, as long as it's not breaking me out or causing my skin to be oily I will wear it. Some other notes: - people with drier skin will want to use a moisturizer underneath this...but when my skin was drier than normal I tried to use Skinceuticals Daily Moisture and it didn't look good. Some patches were still dry and my powder looked cakey (I don't think I let everything dry properly). I would recommend applying your moisturizer and letting it sit until it completely dries then add this top. - don't mix it in with your moisturizer...the benefits of the SPF will be lost and the tint won't show much. - It's expensive, but well worth it. - I wouldn't use this on your neck/chest unless you could afford to spend that much. Since it is so expensive and light, I only put it on my face because it's a smaller area then my neck/chest. I just use ELTA MD's sunscreen on my chest because it's thicker therefore less product spreads to more area. - I use about a quarter size for my whole face (sometimes more). Lastly...make sure you get the fusion. Skinceuticals has two different SPF's in the exact same container. The other one is like normal sunscreen and white. The fusion is the one with the tint. So excited I found this...my sunscreen problems have been solved! =)
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Powder -Jane Iredale - Pure Pressed Base
Parpar 4/13/2013 3:34:00 PM
I was using Colorescience pressed powder before this. The colour was great in the summer but it looked too dark when my tan faded. Since the next colour down was too light, I decided to try Jane Iredale's pressed powder. I have olive toned skin, that can tan quite easily in the summer but gets light in the winter. I started off using the colour latte. I used it for a while until I thought it was too dark. Then I went one colour down to rivieria. I like this colour better because it has no yellow or pink undertones. The colour below this which would have matched me perfectly was too yellow. So ask the skin care specialist (you can usually only buy this brand at spas/derms offices) to tell you what colour you need, or to see what colour undertones you may have. As per the actual product, this has fewer ingredients than Colorescience and the ingredients that it does have are far more natural. Also this one has SPF 20. It's a full coverage powder but you can easily apply it for a light finish. I usually go over my face with the handi brush twice. This makes my skin look flawless and I don't use any primer or concealer. All-in-all a good powder with minimal ingredients that will not aggravate acne-prone skin. A good alternative for people who loathe the feeling of foundation but want full coverage.
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Makeup Brushes -Jane Iredale - Handi Brush
Parpar 2/3/2013 3:55:00 PM
I love this brush! I use Colorescience pressed mineral powder, and I needed a brush to apply it with (don't ask why I was using a sponge to apply pressed powder LOL). Anyways I believe it was around $40-50 at my local spa, yah pretty steep but it's well worth it. It's soft on the face, applies just enough powder and washes well. It's far superior to Sephora's mineral power brush. The Handi is slightly bigger but not too big. I try to wash it every week but sometimes I get lazy. However when I do wash it I run it under warm water, then I put Dr. Bronners on my hand and swirl away and run under warm water until the residue disappears. I haven't had any bristles falling out except for one, but this was after many times of use. Other than that, a superb brush! I find that if you're using pressed powder, you should tap your brush into the powder, the swirl, then tap the excess off...if you keep tapping the excess off you'll still get powder onto the brush but the coverage will be very light and natural looking!
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Masks -Boscia - Luminizing Black Mask
Parpar 1/25/2013 12:52:00 PM
I remember using the original mask a few years ago and loving it. I decided to give the new one a whirl and got a sample from Sephora. I first tried it on my nose alone, nothing happened. Then the second time I tried it on my face, and nothing happened. The third time I tried it and peeled it off my skin was RED. Like red for a few hours. :/ I guess I don't really enjoy peel off masks as you're pulling at the skin, and this was no exception. For people who say that they can't get the mask off properly, apply a layer and most importantly let it dry for a full 10-15 minutes; the thicker the layer, the more the drying time will be. Then pull off from the sides/bottom/forehead of face. Literally peel inwards around your whole face and the mask will come off in big chucks. The rest of the residue you can take off with a warm washcloth. Suffice to say this mask this time around was not for me, and didn't do anything for my pores either and just made my skin red. Ugh!
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Primer/ Corrector -Stila - One Step Correct
Parpar 1/24/2013 9:19:00 PM
This did not brighten my skin, it made me look darker oddly (I have a olive complexion)...it kind of helped with my pores but it made me break out in little bumps all over my face. It felt weird, and I couldn't wait to take it off at the end of the day. Yay for Sephora's return policy because I returned it!
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Mascara -Maybelline - Great Lash Mascara
Parpar 1/24/2013 8:47:00 PM
No frills mascara. I have long lashes so I don't know how useful my review with be, but this mascara leaves my lashes longer (obviously). There is mild clumping but not enough to notice...but I like how this doesn't flake on me...I hate black specs on my face! Even the higher-end mascaras flake on me! My mother uses this as well. I don't use this everyday however.
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Cleansers -LUSH - Angels on Bare Skin
Parpar 1/24/2013 5:43:00 PM
I was on the Lush train in high school; I am 20 now and recently went back on the train but AOBS did not work out for my skin. I more so have uneven skin texture rather than acne. But I used this for a few nights after I took off my make-up with a gentle cleanser and my skin just looked more congested, pimply and ugly with this! I know this contributed to more pimples because this was the only thing I added to my skincare regimen (along with a couple nights with the Oatfix mask). It seems like it left a film on my skin, therefore causing blemishes. However the actual exfoliating bits are great, and not rough like traditional exfoliators. How do I explain this...like the dead skin is getting off of my face but it doesn't aggravate my skin...nonetheless, it made me break-out and I will not use it. I have Herbalism and I shall try that out and see how it fares.
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Masks -LUSH - Oatfix
Parpar 1/24/2013 5:13:00 PM
I went to get my free face mask and told the associate I wanted my skin be glowly in this dull winter weather, but that I didn't want my skin to break out. I think she thought my skin was highly sensitive or dry...when it's oily all year round. Anyways I used this a couple times on my face and my skin didn't look any clearer after, but it didn't make it red (bananas and oatmeal)...however I got tiny little whiteheads all over my face in places where I don't breakout...sides of face (jaw area) and forehead. The only thing I added to my regimen was this and Angels on Bare Skin. I believe it would be good for older, dry skin but not young, hormonal skin. But it smells divine and I wanted to lick it off myself when I was bathing. ;)
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Original Moisturizing Creme
Parpar 1/5/2013 2:31:00 PM
Before you open the jar, brace yourself this is a thick cream...probably the thickest I have seen. It's thicker than Vaseline, but it's amazing. I have been using this on and off for probably 2 years now, and I always go back to it in the winter months or when my skin is feeling stressed. I'll break it down in note form: - I would not recommend putting this on your body right after the shower, it will take years to rub in, and if you already have aggravated patches or sensitive skin, it will further agitate it as its that thick. I would say to take another basic lotion (I like Curel or CeraVe) and apply it, then apply this on top only where you need it. If you coat your whole body in it, not only will it feel icky but you will be wasting the product. - I have tried putting it on my face when my skin was winter-stressed, and it did help but I absolutely loathed the sticky, greasy feeling of it and I wouldn't do it again. You can try it but I would put very little on. - On my feet it does the job, but I prefer something cheaper: Vaseline. But my favourite way to use this is literally as a barrier cream. I have superrrrr sensitive nipples/aerolas, to the point that they will be so sensitive when my shirt touches them bare, therefore hot water touching them is even worse. What I do is I dab a little bit of this onto my nipples before I head into the shower when they're feeling extra annoyed lol, and it literally acts like a barrier between the hot water and my skin. And the cream is that thick that it doesn't rub off even when the stream of the shower touches the area. I only do this when I need to but it has helped a lot. After the shower I just rub the lotion in. I also tried this on a red patch I had on my neck and it helped enormously. So if one has eczema patches, they could coat the skin with the cream before they head into the shower. Because we all like hot showers, and they're not that easy to avoid on cold days. :P Only note with this is that make sure it doesn't get in your hair because it's a pain to get off. In Canada, it can sometimes be found on the shelves but if it's not there ask the pharmacist because they usually keep it otc (I don't know why). Also don't get this confused with Eucerin's Aquaphor...the consistency of that is basically just like Vaseline and it doesn't do anything!!
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Masks -Unlisted Brand - Clear Skin Probiotic Masque
Parpar 1/5/2013 2:04:00 PM
I've been using this mask for about 8 months now--albeit not regularly. I started in the summer when my skin was horribly congested and I noticed an improvement in the redness of my pimples and overall skin texture automatically. I use this whenever I need to freshen up my skin and I have a few pimples. However it's expensive, but a little goes a long way as you dilute it with water. I might just try a yogurt mask, as the base for this mask is yogurt. Give it a shot, or get a sample. Oh also the Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer is super good; I would say it's even better than the mask. I will probably go back to the moisturizer when winter/spring ends. My skin definitely cleared up with these two products! Oh the brand is Eminence...MUA didn't have it in the database so I had to put it as a unlisted brand!
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Treatments (Eye) -Skinceuticals - Eye balm
Parpar 1/4/2013 5:58:00 PM
I bought this after my derm introduced to Skinceuticals. Now I am 20, yes you may think I'm a bit young for eye creams but I'd rather take care of my skin now rather than try to rewind it when I am older. Anyways for the longest time, it didn't do anything. I didn't notice anything changing with my eye texture, mind you I didn't need it to do a whole lot but I have slight darkness which I thought it would help with. The texture of the balm is easy to apply and very creamy. My sister and I used it for about 6 months, and the jar is almost finished. But in the past month or 2 it recently has been stinging my eyes. I do not put it on the day time anymore (I did), but rather the night time. The balm travels into my eyes and stings for a while. I have noticed that even when I put a little bit on, and ensuring it doesn't get near the mucous, it somehow still does and it stings. It didn't make my eyes red though, or itchy, it just stung. My sister felt the same way about it. I know it's not the weather causing my eyes to be a bit more sensitive, nor is it because I have sensitive eyes in general. I have been using different eye creams and none of them have stung. What I have learned is, I'm sure most of you know, is that to prevent the wrinkles that you can (not caused by genetics, lifestyle, et cetera) all you need to is moisturize. And for the eye area, make sure you don't rub. Moisturization = healed skin = not cracked skin = no wrinkles. So instead of spending a LOT of money on this balm, if I remember correctly it probably was $90, or $60 (still high) just try to find one with caffeine in it because that will indeed help with the eye texture. Please ladies, there is no need to waste your money on this!
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Concealers -Tarte - Maracuja creaseless concealer
Parpar 1/4/2013 2:01:00 PM
I typically don't wear concealer for day-to-day school/life, but when I go out I like my eyes to pop. Now I actually saw this in my sisters drawer and she raves about how it doesn't crease. I thought her shade was going to be to light for me as she is probably 3 shades lighter than me, but it wasn't. I can't stress this enough that a little goes a long way. I'm trying to think of something that small, but basically half of a pea would be too much! A quarter is enough for 2 eyes. It's simple to put on...no brushes are needed, just put it on your ring finger as it's the softest on your skin and dab away! My sister who has mild wrinkling underneath the eye finds that it doesn't sink into them either. However I only use this for my eyes...I tried putting a little around my nose, on the corners of my lips to brighten them up and on my pimple and it horribly dried it out to the point of flaking! I think this is because it's super thick, but not creamy is that makes sense so it doesn't blend well. Also you can cut this tube right open for additional use!
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Foundations -Colorescience - Pressed Mineral Pigment
Parpar 12/31/2012 8:57:00 PM
My derm said that the liquid foundation I was trying to cover up my zits with, was causing me more zits; what an annoying cycle! She told me her first choice for cover-up was Colourescience, the second was Pur Minerals and the third was BareMinerals. As I have tried the second and third options, and because I didn't like the consistency, coverage or colour, I decided to give Colourescience a try. When I bought it, the woman said a little goes a long way, and for the longest time I didn't like how it looked. I tried it with the circle sponge it came with (heavy coverage), the brush it came with (lighter coverage), and another sponge. I also tried Sephora's mineral powder brush, which was my favourite for a while. As winter came, I was using a sponge, and my sister commented how dark my skin looked. I was using a sponge so it was super heavy coverage, and it looked cakey. Anyways I thought I could get away with not using a brush, but I guess I couldn't. So now I use Jane Iredale's Handy brush I think it is and it's perfect. Also my skin looks way lighter, and more my skin-tone as it's not being covered with much powder. I don't buff it in as weird as that sounds, nor do I apply it in circles/threes. I find that if I just dip my brush in the pigment, shake the excess off and apply it in downward strokes on my face it looks just fine! I have found that less is more indeed. I literally had a few "crumbs" left because I scraped the last bits from the sides and I was surprised how little actually covered my face...I was using so much all along! Oh and the colour seems to work on my skin tone all year long. I started using this about 7 months ago and in the summer it was perfect with my tan, and in the winter it looks great as well. I am olive complexioned and I use warm tan/girl from ipanema! As mentioned before take something and scrap the pigment left on the sides of the compact; I probably got 3 more uses with just that. Also I find no need for the compact as it stays on my face all day, and I don't reapply so if you are like this don't buy the compact just the refill, or you can buy one compact, just in case and keep buying the refills...that is what I do! Coloreescience recently changed their packaging so it's way better than it was before! The cheapest I found in Vancouver, BC to buy the refill was $36 and the compact was $50ish. Also it's highly pigmented so it will cover pigmentation, but of course you can apply it lighter as well. A side note: Colourescience' primers are amazing as well! The chocolate mattiying one, the line tamer...the bronzer is not my favourite but still good! =D
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Treatments -Skinceuticals - Hydrating B5 Gel
Parpar 12/23/2012 4:06:00 PM
As I'm not really a big fan of Skinceuticals products (pore-minimizing moisturizer, phloretin, cleansers, phyto) I thought this was going to be like all of the others: very expensive with no benefits...well I was wrong! I got a sample of this and I fell in love, so I purchased the full bottle. Yes, it's $78 (in Canada), but it's absolutely worth it. I have young skin (20 year old), with some milia type acne and enlarged pores. The retin-a that I am on for my acne would leave me with flakes that no moisturizer (not even the thickest would fix) and if they did, my skin would break out because they were so heavy. When I put this on, the flakes disappear, and it just soaks into my skin which I love. Also it doesn't make my very sensitive skin turn red, or break out. Other hyaluronic acid serums don't even come close to this, and it has very few ingredients which I love! This is my routine. AM: wash face with water, unscented dove soap or Fresh soy face cleanser. Spray on rosewater (pat onto skin)...I do this occasionally. Apply 2-3 drops of the B5 Gel, rub gently and then pat. Follow with patting on Jurlique's Moisture Replenishing Day Cream or CeraVe's cream. PM: wash face with Fresh cleanser, apply retin-a and CeraVe cream. If I am not applying the retin-a I just apply Jurlique's cream. I find that it's best if you apply the B5 Gel when your skin is moist, it works much better as your skin really soaks it up. Lastly don't apply this over retin-a or any treatment that is supposed to slough off your skin, otherwise you won't get the benefits of either product, and you'll just be wasting money! In the summer, I have really oily skin so this alone might be enough moisture for my skin. Currently it's winter and my skin is calm and glowly. Yay! I am so glad I found this. *Edit* - April 13th 2012 I am still in love with this; I don't know how many bottles I have gone through, either. However I was using too much before, or my skin has changed. As now I can go with a couple of drops on my whole face (not on neck or chest) because I apply it when my skin is moist so it spreads. AM: Cetaphil cleanser, B5 gel, Skinceuticals Fusion SPF. PM: Cetaphil cleanser, either Skinceuticals Retexturizing Activator or Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense. Sometimes B5, but usually not. Moisturizer. I know other brands make a gel/serum with hyaluronic acid so I will explore and update if those are better or on par with this. Until then I use this! =)
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