Treatments -Mario Badescu - Special Healing Powder
Sandyx 6/23/2010 11:34:00 AM
I ordered this item from www.beautybay.com from reading the reviews on here. I paid £9.75. I mainly wanted it to dry up current spots/help prevent new ones and held reduce shine caused by my very oily skin. I've been using it for a few weeks now. I first tried applying all over after foundation with a brush - i didnt even attempt to use the puff that it came with.. i threw this away as its rather messy and takes up alot of product. I didnt find that it controlled my shine much, i use it in conjunction with Kryolan anti shine powder, which i find it more effective than normal pressed powders. I then decided to dap on individual spots with a cotton bud, i found it to conceal the spot and redness and also dry up the blemish. I feel that my skin has cleared quite a bit as a result and its definately less bumpy (not as many spots noticable under the skin). I feel its worth the money spent as should last quite a while, although the packaging doesnt make it great to carry around in my makeup bag..but i only put it on in the morning when doing my makeup.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
Sandyx 6/1/2010 8:10:00 AM
I've been using this product for quite a while now, but only purchasing the sample size due to very high shipping costs! But i like the samples as i can carry them around when travelling. 1 sample size probably lasts me a week. I have acne prone/oily skin. I have marks from old breakouts, but I love this product as it leaves me skin smoother and help prevents dryness from any acne product (BP cream). I have noticed a reduction in marks and my skin tone is alot more even. I use it every night, after BP cream. It can sting at times, but nothing much. I have noticed a difference when i've not used the gel, my skin starts to become more congested again, so I always try to keep stocked up! I've tried the 2% liquid also, but i find this a bit too drying if used every day and make my skin a tad shiny under make up. But overall i'd def recommend the 8% AHA!
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Self Tanners -Fake Bake - Mousse
Sandyx 9/4/2009 11:17:00 AM
This is the first high end self tan i have purchased, I have tried many high street brands..preferring to go with a dry mist fake tan, but due to it becoming patchy after a few days I opted to try fake bake. I got it online for £17.99 for the 118ml bottle, about £5 cheaper than the RRP. I chose the Mousse as it states that its easier to apply and can be used on the face, as its non comedogenic (i do sometimes suffer with spots). I also found that i'd get a rash on my chest after showering when i've used other self tanners. I followed the instructions, i made sure i exfoiliated and moisturised. I doned on the latex gloves that came with the product and started to apply. The first time did take a good half hour as i was scared of applying it wrong and being streaky. I think the guide colour does freak you out a bit but dont worry! I put it on my face initially but it looked so dirty! i think i put too much on so washed it off and put a light cover on my face..bit better. It did look a tad green/grey under lights, but I left it on and went to bed...it does rub off on sheets but easily washed off. In the morning i showered and the guide colour ran down the drain, it wasnt as dark as i'd imagined but still left a nice natural bronzed colour - no streaks!. I did think my face looked a bit dirty, but on the 2nd day it looked nice n bronzed. I do really like this fake tan. With practice I can now put it on alot quicker as i know it wont streak, i dont even bother to exfoiliate beforehand. One bottle did last me about 10 applications..which was quite good. If i want a darker colour i'd repeat the next day, I tend to use a dry face mist self tanner for my face as prefer to use a makeup bronzer to give me that 'tanned glow'. I've had no problem with it going patchy, it fades well. It doesnt take too long to dry, but may feel tacky for a while. But i still put on my pj's and its fine. I've repurchased a 2nd bottle so sticking with this for now :)
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Skincare - Face -Unlisted Brand - Duac Topical Gel
Sandyx 7/21/2008 9:57:00 AM
I was prescribed this by my doctor on the NHS (free prescriptions in the UK) so cant comment on the cost. I wanted something to help treat/prevent breakouts. I was suprised to read that it contained 5% BP as in my teens i used a gel containing 2.5% and found this irritating. The first night i used DUAC i followed the instructions on how much to aply etc. I used it on most of my face, as it says to do. The following day OMG..i looked as though i had sunburn! I stayed off work it was that bad. I missed the next day's application so that it could calm down. My face became dry, but it seemed it did help my spots. I tried applying again to smaller areas but stil got the redness. Now i use it to spot treat, being really careful of how much i use and not to get it on any normal skin. I find it very good at getting rid of spots fast but disapointed by the side effects. The packet says they are common for a few weeks but there's no way i could put up with them over this period! So 3 lippies for DUAC as an overall acne treatment, but i do recommend it for treating odd spots. EDIT- Well i've been using DUAC for about 2 months or so now and have to say that its been working really well at helping to clear breakouts. My skin doesnt get so sensitive now, atltho it does get dry/flaky at times and a bit red, but covers ok with makeup. I think the effects are wearing off now, so have just put in another prescription as understanding that you need to dispose of it after 2 months due to the antibiotic loosing its effectiveness. EDIT 2 (26/1//08) Okay well i've had a few tubes of Duac over a few months and i love it!! I think with this you have to stick with it, as for a while i was getting red/dry skin but now its fine. I put it on in the morn..dab it over any spot prone areas and moisturise and then put it on again before bed..i find this is most effective. I dont see any redness now, and i only get dryness if i use alot and dont moisturise much. I've also been taking dianette BCP which i think is also helping greatly, but i'd def recommend Duac for mild-moderate acne pobs x
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Finacea Gel
Sandyx 7/21/2008 9:47:00 AM
As i live in the UK i got this on the NHS (Free prescriptions) so i cant comment on the value/cost. A bit of background on me- I'm 27 and have suffered with problem skin (mild acne/oily skin/large pores) since my teens. Some months its manageable and some months not. Since hitting my 20's my skin has never been really bad but dealing with breakouts/blemishes does hit my confidence. I've tried many different things but from reading up on finacea gel over the internet i thought i'd ask my doctor if i could try it, mainly to help reduce the appearance of red marks. I used it 2x daily for about 2 weeks, it did help even out my complexion and the red marks seems to reduce. I found that it did make my skin a bit dry but moisturiser helped. I didnt find that it helped with preventing spots though and due to a big breakout around the time (think it was a mix of starting a new birth control pill & stress) i decided to stop using it. Recently i have incorporated it back into my regime. I was prescribed DUAC get (5% BP & 1% clylimden (sp?) ) but find this makes my face really red & dry so i just use it to spot treat. I then use finacea 2x a day on my cheeks where i have red marks or over any healing spots. Over the past 2 weeks or so i've noticed a good improvement and the marks are really starting to fade. To prevent bad stinging/burning/itching i cleanse with organic/natural cleansers as i think if you use harsher products the chemicals will mix. Best to wait 10 mins or so after cleansing to apply. I hardly experienced any discomfort when i first used it but i do get itching more so now, probably due to using DUAC & sacylic (sp?) acid treatment now & then. I give it 4 lippies for fading red marks but i wouldnt use it soley as an acne treatment as i dont find it works on preventing blemishes/spots. I'll report back if i get any other changes.
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Liquid -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex SPF 6 for Combination/Oily Skin
Sandyx 7/10/2008 10:48:00 AM
I'm currently using Colorstay with soflex for combo/oily skin in the Buff shade. It cost me £11.99, but sometimes they have it on offer in boots. I have very oily skin and am prone to acne breakouts. I was looking for a foundation that wouldnt change colour in the day or slip off my face..something that would give coverage as my skin tone is a bit uneven and i wanted to cover up those blemishes (all from one foundation-surely not?!) Anyway, i'm impressed with this products staying power, doesnt seem to slip off my face or change colour. Id say its medium to full coverage so does hide my imperfections, and with a bit of concealer they seem to vanish. I use a foundation brush to apply it and it does take a while to blend in, i then set it with some powder. The bottle is a pain as most have said, id prefer a pump, less messy. I use my fingers to get the liquid out but i've heard this can cause bacteria to get into the product? I also find that it does sometimes dry on my skin if i've used an anti acne product, but i have got around this by mixing it with moisturiser which has been fine. I still have to blot throughout the day and use powder, but i cant ever see that changing! I do love this foundation for its great coverage, however, i dont think its doing any favours for my breakouts. I cant tell if it adds to the problem or not - currenly experiencing breakout problems. I used to use clinique stay true foundation, which does contain less ingredients and didnt break me out. I just couldnt get the right shade unless i had a tan and the coverage wasnt as good, but fine if my skin was clear. I've just started the dianette pill for my skin so if it improves then i will look for a lighter foundation, possibly clinique again. So i wouldnt say my search for my HG foundation is over yet but the coverage still holds me to this! EDIT: Its been a long while since i wrote this review. I still use revlon colour stay! Having got my breakouts under control, i count this foundation as a main part in my makeup routine. I used to use a foundation brush, then changed to a damp sponge but not just put a bit on the back of my hand & use a finger - seems quicker. I dont seem to have breakouts from the foundation, i sometimes mix it up with and SPF or other foundations depending on what look im going for. I used sand beige now, which seems right for my skin tone, or colour swatch with that and the buff colour. Havent come across anything better as yet!
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