Moisturizers -Neova - Therapy Mattifying Serum
dogsinfl 3/19/2010 9:45:00 PM
I had a peel a few months ago, so I bought this serum for daytime use and the Creme De La Copper for nighttime use to 'speed' healing (in theory, copper's usefulness). I didn't notice any difference from that perspective but then I wasn't using it on only half my face either. Surprisingly, I found it to be a fabulous lightweight moisturizer for my oily skin, with no heavy silicone feel. I never use a moisturizer, but I really loved this product. I've never found a mattifying product that worked, and since that's not why I bought it, if it doesn't make me oilier I'm still happy. The one huge disappointment is that you can't use copper with vitamin C (the vitamin C can neutralize the copper)... and I discovered that almost every product I own including one of my sunscreens has some form of vitamin C in it! Since that makes it a one-note product that I have to carefully work into my regular (non-peel-recovery) routine, I knocked a lippie off. $79 ($60 at Skin Etc) for 1.7 oz Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Prezatide Copper Acetate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lauryl Methacrylate/Glycol Dimethacrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Triethanolamine, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben. EDIT: I tested the mattifying serum on one side of my face and the Aox serum on the other, and both sides got oily at the same rate. The only plus to the 'mattifying' serum is that it felt smoother initially (and thus makeup would go on easier) due to the Cyclomethicone (3rd ingredient). Since the copper peptide is #4 or #5 on both ingredient lists, and you get other aox like E, Retinyl Palmitate, and Ubiquinone in the Aox serum, I see no reason to use this product under normal circumstances (although the Aox serum costs $18 more). I will still use it for peel recovery, though.
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Shampoo -Phyto - Phyto Panama shampoo
dogsinfl 12/14/2009 11:45:00 PM
I bought this shampoo based on the stellar reviews from people with oily hair. I don't get it - I have to use 3x the product because it's so watery/doesn't lather, I have to shampoo a second time because it doesn't feel clean, it smells medicinal, and the metal container with screw top lid is the dumbest packaging idea I've ever seen for a shampoo (with wet hands I almost drop it every time.) I don't see any better results than any other shampoo; the first day is great, then it degrades. I can usually go 2 or 3 days between shampoos. I also use the phytobaume and the defrisiant from the phyto line and they seem ok.
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Lipstick -Laura Mercier - pixie
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 6:38:00 AM
Maybe because this was a Mini Lip Colour in a GWP, but it sure looks orange on me. OK a more flattering color than orange, deeper and I can see where there is some pink/rose, but it's in the orange family and is a little off for me. I think this would look great on someone with a tan and yellow-based skin because it looks great on my hand and terrible on my face.
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Lipstick -Laura Mercier - Passion Fruit
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 6:29:00 AM
Pretty champagne (tinged slightly with pink) color, but it’s a bit too light and slightly frosty for my medium coloring. I like it on top of another lipstick to tone it down. Nice and creamy feel, probably doesn't last an hour on me. This was a Mini Lip Colour in the bare color collection where it was described as ‘light-neutral-beige.’
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Lipstick -Laura Mercier - Tea Rose
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 6:20:00 AM
HG color (love natural pinky browns), nice and creamy feel, probably doesn't last an hour on me though. All I wear is long wear lipstick now, but I carry this around 'just in case' because it's so beautiful and elegant feeling. I don't mind the light fragrance (if it stunk or was too strong I couldn't wear it). Same complaint as everyone, why the cheap brown plastic containers when this is such an expensive line?
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 1% BHA Gel Exfoliant
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 6:06:00 AM
The BHA lotion was too heavy for my oily skin and the 2% liquid was lighter but slimy, but the gel was just right! It's cool and greaseless and disappears into my skin (once it dries; it is a bit tacky prior to that). Right now I alternate the 2% liquid (to be replaced by the gel when I run out) and the Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution (5%, skin a little tight right now) at night with the toner and 1% BHA gel in the morning. I initially tried the day and night anitoxidant products too but I just can't get into either one. I did have initial break outs with this routine (agitated by stress and hormones), but my skin is much smoother and slowly clearing. I abandoned these products years ago and have returned yet again after many failed skin routines (proactiv, philosophy, murad, dr. brandt PNM). Prices have definitely gone up, but this line is still a great value. Speaking of cost, I almost always add pumps for whatever bottles I'm ordering; it's a small cost but it's beginning to annoy me that they're not built-in after all these years. But I still appreciate that with PC you know exactly what you're getting, with no hype or ridiculous promises. Industry products have come a long way since Paula started, but they haven't stopped exaggerating (everyone) or flat out lying (lumedia, strivectin, etc.).
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 5:55:00 AM
The BHA lotion was too heavy for my oily skin (that was the only choice ‘back then’). The 2% liquid is lighter than the lotion but sort of slimy. I prefer the BHA gel instead, it's cool and greaseless and disappears into my skin. Right now I alternate the 2% liquid (to be replaced by the gel when I run out) and the Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution (5%, skin a little tight right now) at night with the toner and 1% BHA gel in the morning. I tried the anitoxidant products too but I just can't get into either one. I did have initial break outs with this routine (agitated by stress and hormones), but my skin is much smoother and slowly clearing. I abandoned these products years ago and have returned yet again after many failed skin routines (proactiv, philosophy, murad, dr. brandt PNM).
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 5:49:00 AM
The BHA lotion was too heavy for my oily skin (that’s all there was ‘back then’), and I can’t wait to use this liquid up (much better than the lotion but sort of slimy) and purchase the 2% BHA Gel instead. Right now I alternate the 2% liquid and the Extra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution (5%, skin a little tight right now) at night with the toner and 1% BHA gel in the morning. (I tried the anitoxidant products too but I just can't get into either one.) I did have initial break outs with this routine (agitated by stress and hormones), but my skin is much smoother and slowly clearing. I too abandoned these products years ago and have returned yet again after so many failed skin products.
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Toners -Paula's Choice - Final Touch Toner for Oily/Combo Skin [DISCONTINUED]
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 5:30:00 AM
Got this to distract myself from purchasing LM Perfecting Water Light, which I loved my travel size but couldn’t justify $38 for 6.7 oz (plus it has alcohol & castor oil). SBT is $15 + $3 pump for 6 oz. (I pulled out the plastic seal with the little hole in it because I had bought the pump darn it!). I like it because it really cleans my face without stripping it, but it does leave a tiny bit of a film. I think the film might be because it ‘eliminates mild dryness or flaking,’ which sounded like a good idea at the time (I’m also using 2% BHA gel + 5-10% BP). SBT is also supposed to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients, with no alcohol or fragrance. PC “Final Touch” is not available anymore so perhaps I’ll try the Refreshing Toner next time.
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Concealers -Laura Mercier - Flawless Fix Pencil
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 5:09:00 AM
Covers initially with good color but it’s really thick and waxy, rubs off easily, and I doubt it’s helpful to put greasy wax on pimples. It’s a little light for outlining my lips, but it does go into crevices such as the sides of my nose wonderfully. MUFE’s pencil appears to be the same waxy consistency, although at least you get two shades. Will continue to look for a good concealer, but I love the pencil convenience and suspect that's the dooming criteria.
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Eye Shadow -Laura Mercier - Eye Basics
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 4:53:00 AM
I usually just use foundation over my eye lids because I'd get too lazy to apply Clinique touch base in canvas or MAC paint in bare canvas. Both of those products were great primers and came in great colors, but inevitably they'd fall by the wayside in the morning routine. So far though EB in wheat is a new habit, probably because it covers easily (it's a thin liquid that dries matte), the color is a perfect match, and even though I still have to use my fingers I start by dabbing the wand once on each lid (too much product otherwise). Maybe this too shall pass, but I like the matte results and not having to do anything else to my eyes (although I do set with secret brightening powder). My lids do crease by late afternoon so I can't give it a 5. It's also expensive to use this plus a concealer, so I will keep looking for a non-greasy concealer that can do it all.
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Treatments -Dr. Brandt - Pores No More
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 4:37:00 AM
Almost HG. I keep trying others, all to no avail. I love how PNM feels going on (cool and matte, silky but not heavy or greasy), I like the little bit of tint in it, and my liquid foundation does go on more smoothly. However, I don't think PNM makes my makeup last any longer or that it provides any mattifying benefits past the initial application. Also, and the price is ridiculous and I use 1 oz up very fast so I keep looking. I agree with the reviewer about the awkward packaging - next time I'll cut it open too. The only other primer that felt as nice as PNM was perfekt, and it was even more expensive (I only had a Sephora sample). I hate Smashbox, can't stand something that slippery on my oily face, but that's my #2 primer. The lotions I've tried feel so much better than greasy silicone (i.e. Lorac or Laura Mercier), but they don't seem to mattify or prolong foundation wear either and I really don't need a moisturizer with oily skin in the South.
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Other -Archipelago Botanicals - OAT SALT MILK/SOY BATH MILK PRODUCTS
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 4:25:00 AM
HG. I LOVE Oat Milk Soap No. 4, it smells so fresh and clean. I hoard the bar soap and am glad I found it at Ulta so I can quit mail ordering it in bulk. I only like the oat fragrance, and I didn't care for the feel of the shower cream. The powder is nice but still sitting on my shelf (so the baby powder & gold bond keeps disappearing). $8 IS ridiculous for a bar of soap, but I will order it forever. Except... I also found the Clean fragrance line at Ulta so the end to my Oat milk obsession may be near. But I still have a large stockpile of bars to work through ;)
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Pressed Powders -Laura Mercier - Pressed Setting Powder - Translucent
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 3:57:00 AM
HG. With my oily skin I always have pressed powder in my purse, but this feels so light and silky and I can pat away without adding any color. I agree with the reviewer who said the plastic packaging feels cheap. This is the most money I've spent for a compact of pressed powder ($30) but it might as well be from the drugstore.
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Loose Powders -Laura Mercier - translucent loose powder
dogsinfl 7/6/2008 3:50:00 AM
HG. I apply this every morning with the powder puff, and it makes whatever foundation I'm wearing look better. I always used loose powder before (Clinique & Prescriptives for years and years), but this feels so light and smooth and I love not adding color.
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