Treatments -Paula's Choice - RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment
dpenn 9/26/2011 9:53:00 PM
This a great toner. Great results, as expected with a 10% glycolic product, doesn't sting, doesn't irritate. One word of caution - this is to be used at night. Even if you ignore the fact that you shouldn't use an AHA with the option of being out in the sun, you won't ignore the fact that this leaves a very obvious shiny finish on your face. That aside, love it and will definitely be buying more. Packaging, as with many PC products, sucks.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Paula's Choice - RESIST Skin Revealing 10% AHA Lotion
dpenn 9/26/2011 9:49:00 PM
Agreed...this doesn't smell nice. If you're familiar with glycolic acid products, you know the smell - acidic and sour. Other than that (the smell doesn't linger), it's a great lotion with great ingredients and does what an AHA lotion should. The texture is okay, not fantastic, takes a bit of work to rub in, but otherwise a good product...I still prefer Paula's BHA lotion, but I like the effectiveness of this product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -RoC - Soleil Protexion SPF 30 Velvet Moisture Spray
dpenn 6/29/2010 1:20:00 PM
I think this product may only be available in Canada(?), but don't quote me on that. Pros: -spray (convenience) -perfume/dye free -"non-comedogenic" (according to the label) -nice consistency -good UVA/UBV coverage using Tinosorb M+S Cons: -slightly shiny -tacky for the first few minutes (this diminishes with time) -a tad pricey Price is around $26/200ml, but can frequently be found for around $19.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Masks -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Carbon Mask
dpenn 5/24/2010 1:48:00 PM
This burns like a mother! Ouch...sorry Paula, all the negative reviews here are accurate. I love many PC products, but this stuff is awful. My realistic theory that masks are useless remains true.
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Toners -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Toner
dpenn 5/19/2010 3:30:00 PM
I bought this for the niacinamide content. Not sure how much is in here, or if it's even doing anything beneficial, but it feels nice going on and hasn't caused any problems. It has a bit of a strange colour, but no smell, and leaves no residue at all. Nothing not to love really. Update - I continue to love this product and buy it over and over again. I use it in place of a moisturizer in the summer, underneath a light moisturizer in the winter...it basically has the consistency of water. My ultimate, absolute favorite product.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Paula's Choice - Weightless Body Treatment with 2% BHA
dpenn 5/19/2010 3:25:00 PM
This review is for the new (reformulated?) 2010 version. I've only used this on my face, but so far so good. Yes, there are silicones in this, but for those worried about that, they aren't as obvious as in something like PC Antioxidant Serum. The texture is relatively thick, but spreads nicely and soaks in right away. One note - this smells like melon. I guess it's from the melon extract, but just in case anyone hates the smell of melons, it's worth nothing. I haven't been using this long, but so far it hasn't broken me out or caused any negative reactions. Will report back if things change. I wish this came in a bottle with a pump...that's my only complaint...I don't like tubes. Update - I adore this, so it's been upgraded to a 5. I love the smell, I love the texture, I use it on my face and all over my body. It sinks in quickly, doesn't burn, doesn't make me break out. Love it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Clear Normalizing Cleanser
dpenn 4/23/2010 9:32:00 AM
Great cleanser...no smell, no stinging. I don't wear make-up, so I may have fewer reasons to buy one cleanser over another, but this one feels great to use, leaves your face feeling refreshed an thoroughly cleansed, and didn't leave me feeling dry afterwards. Recommended. Update - I was fine with the triclosan inclusion at the time, but am weary of it now that I keep reading the dangers online. I'm going to hold off on using anything with this ingredient until something more definitive convinces me otherwise.
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Sunscreen -Clinique - Sun SPF 30 Body Cream
dpenn 3/25/2010 4:14:00 PM
I'm quite impressed with this product...even if I can't seem to find the ingredient list anywhere (grrr...isn't it the law to disclose ingredients? Only the actives are listed). Anyway, I assume the non-active ingredients are the same or very similar to the SPF 50 Body Cream (check pville review). Anyway, the texture is very, very thick...which is why it doesn't get a 5 from me, but other than that, I love it. It seems to mattify, sinks in very quickly, doesn't sting, doesn't get greasy late in the day, and leaves no whitecast...everything I wanted in a sunscreen. I have oily-ish skin, but it doesn't seem to make it worse...which surprised me. I guess I should also say that I use this on my face, not my body (still covered until summer). All in all, a good product, you get a lot for you money, and a very elegant formula. Highly recommended. Update - I still highly recommend this product, but the uber-thick texture is a turn off, especially when Neutrogena offers competitive products with nicer textures and lower prices. Great for someone with dry skin I imagine, and great for its intended purpose - the body.
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Gels/Soaps -Olay - Olay Total Effects Deep Penetrating Moisture Body Wash
dpenn 3/23/2010 3:46:00 PM
Let me first say that I've not actually tried this product (I know...I hate reviews like this too...I did smell, etc. in store, but didn't purchase), but I'm just so surprised to see Olay use Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in a *new* product!?!?! I don't know if the concentration is high enough, but it's now common knowledge that SLS (not to be confused with Sodium Laureth Sulfate) is a skin irritant and to be avoided. It's listed 5th on the ingredient list, which is enough for me to avoid this product completely.
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Sunscreen -Unlisted Brand - Cliniderm Gentle Protective Lotion SPF 45
dpenn 2/16/2010 2:32:00 PM
EDIT: Since writing this review, I've gone off using Retin-A, and for some reason, this sunscreen has proved wonderful. No burning anymore...and I've somewhat mastered application to reduce the whitecast. I have to say I love the finish of this...perfect for oily skin. It has a very powdery texture once it dries, and keeps my face looking matte all day. Still not a perfect 5, but I'll definitely repurchase. --- I had high hopes for this. I've been looking for a physical ss to prevent the usual burn I get from chemical. Not only did this burn, it left a ridiculous whitecast on my face...I would never leave the house wearing this in a million years. I honestly looked like someone from the cast of True Blood. It passed the "back of my hand" test with flying colours...but skin on your face isn't as smooth and resilient as your hand (or at least not in my case). Shame...looked so promising. Maybe I'm just not as willing to have such a whitecast because I don't wear makeup over it.
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Toners -Paula's Choice - Clear Targeted Acne Relief Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid for all skin types
dpenn 1/8/2010 10:38:00 AM
I was a big fan of PC's other liquid BHA, but this one blows it out of the water. It literally leaves no residue whatsoever...great for those of us with oilier skintypes. My only gripe is the bottle...I haven't tested this, but I don't think a sprayer can be attached, and I end up wasting a lot of product that squirts out due to the watery consistency. I think I'm only supposed to be using a dime (nickel maybe?) sized amount, but I can't seem to get any less than a giant splash. Hopefully I'll perfect that...or I guess I could just transfer it to another bottle. Big thumbs up. Update - I could never be without this. I've purchased at least 5 bottles now, and have no plans of ever stopping. Best in class.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer
dpenn 1/8/2010 10:35:00 AM
I'm a big Paula fan, so I guess it's no surprise that I love this moisturizer. I will admit that it's probably not for those looking for a heavy, thick cream...it's very liquid in consistency, almost a gel (similar to Complex15 if you've tried it). I like the pump bottle, but it needed to be shaken before the first use...a squirt of watery liquid came out on the first few pumps. Overall, excellent way to get a good dose of antioxidants without the heavy feeling of a silicone-based serum. Update - I still love this, but I HATE the bottle. It works as needed, but it stops working when the lotion gets low, and you're forced to unscrew it and scoop out the remainder with your finger. Not the end of the world, but unnecessary. Also, it's a bit pricey...even though there are much more expensive options, I'm cheap. Rating dropped from 5 to 4.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Misc Beauty Tools -Paula's Choice - Makeup Mirror
dpenn 5/27/2009 9:30:00 AM
I realize reviewing a little travel mirror is a bit ridiculous, but prior to purchasing it, I looked for a review and didn't find one, so it might be helpful to someone else. For a travel mirror, this thing has good & bad points. Good - very sturdy, metal casing, compact, comes with a little "velvet" pouch (which I threw out). Bad - very heavy, one side is a standard mirror, the other is 2x magnification...I would have preferred something a bit stronger (more magnifying that is). It also has a large "Paula's Select" logo on it which is kinda tacky. Still, for $5, you can't go wrong. I probably wouldn't cart this around in my bad due to the weight, but it's good for your desk at work, etc.
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser
dpenn 5/27/2009 9:25:00 AM
Nothing at all wrong with this product, but I find many of the cleansers in Paula's line a bit redundant. Granted, you always have more than one option for your skin type, but I personally prefer the One Step Cleanser for normal/oily. This one has an unpleasant smell (although still better than being perfumed), and I don't love the texture either. Other than that (which seems like a lot), it is a great product, doesn't dry my skin out or leave it feeling tight, and rinses cleanly. I'd definitely recommend getting samples of all her cleansers before purchasing.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant
dpenn 5/26/2009 10:45:00 AM
I can't say I love the slightly sticky finish of this product, but it seems to absorb very quickly, so I guess I can live with it. Other than that, it's one of the only AHA's I can find that isn't alcohol-laden or in a heavy cream, so I'm grateful for it. Update: Still hate the stickiness, but this stuff really does wonders when used regularly. I hope Paula releases an AHA toner at some point. Another Update - now that PC has a 10% AHA toner (and a great one at that), I see no need to recommend this to anyone.
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