Powder -Neutrogena - Mineral Sheers Compact Foundation ALL
gurululu 7/2/2012 2:31:00 PM
I don't know how they got a titanium based SPF not to separate into pores and a pressed powder texture not to show lines...but they did. Ivory is neutral enough for my pale mixed complexion. It doesn't stay fresh and light all day. There are some midday pores and ruddiness. But it is easy enough to reapply without cakiness. I can't believe I haven't used loose powder in months and I don't really miss it. My skin looks flawless upon application and i can lay it on heavy and it doesn't get gookey or look like heavy makeup at all. I put a little concealer on the tough areas. Very happy with this! I never had oily skin but had the midday t-zone oilies, but no more. Just wished it lasted longer. I need one per month, not so cheap, afterall.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Neutrogena - Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation SPF 20
gurululu 6/7/2011 4:12:00 PM
I hated every mineral powder foundation I have ever tried especially with mica as an ingredient because it causes the shine, which only calls out lines and pores. I winced when I saw this had mica. Don't know how they got it to look matte but not powdery matte. It took a few minutes for it to meld into my skin. Used the pad for a more matte finish with no luminosity that accentuates pores and fine lines. I always return to liquid with a loose powder cover, but not this time. Like : Titanium Dioxide based SPF to put over my chemical block; Smooth matte finish no matter the hot temperature and humidity; Fine lines; pores and wrinkles are not accentuated; stays in place and doesn't transfer; not too powdery or drying; classic ivory looks neutral on my skin, not peachy or pinky; color does not oxidize; handles oil well; minimum t-zone shine after many, many hours; doesn't rise to the surface and separate; no clogged pores; light & breathable on the skin given I use a lighter moisturizer and not my heavy one; evens skin tone; light to medium coverage Dislike: The mirror is on the bottom part of the compact so I have to flip back and forth constantly while applying.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -L'Oreal - Revitalift Complete Day Lotion SPF 30
gurululu 5/17/2011 1:08:00 PM
I am using this in place of my La Roche Posay Anthelios spf 50+,to save money on the days when I am not outside all that long. It is heavy. I could have used this product this past winter while I was pregnant & parched. It has an excellent UVA//UVB chemical sunscreen, from which my skin has amazingly not reacted yet. Pros: No irritating alcohol Legitimate UVA sunscreen Definitely very moisturizing Nice make up base Doesn't sting eyes No reactions or breakouts one week in Cons: Might be too heavy for summer Fragrance
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Blush -Milani - Smooth Finish Blush - Luminous
gurululu 4/7/2011 10:59:00 AM
I saw the ratings and purchased this without looking at the ingredients. I just set my foundation in the car with a nice light matte powder. Ever pore and fine line was airbrushed so to speak. I anxiously applied this blush on my left cheek. I did a double take. A great luminous shine that illuminated every pore and fine line. How could this be with such high reviews? I turned over the container to see mica as one of the main ingredients. Shiny does not mask lines or pores, it showcases them. I have great skin for my age, but mica based products that shine, do not soften fine lines and pores in my opinion. Avoid the mica!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Elizabeth Arden - Ceramide Ultra Lift and Firm SPF 15
gurululu 3/18/2011 10:47:00 PM
I finally like a foundation. It is a step above a tinted moisturizer in coverage, which I need for my pregnancy melasma now. Comes in a jar like a beauty cream, but is lighter than a cream going on the skin. It has UVA/UVB ingredients, not just UVB like most. Although, I wouldn't solely rely on this sunscreen. The package states a luminous finish. Perhaps my skin is drier during pregnancy, but this has a natural finish (to me) with very little to no sheen (thank goodness) depending on your moisturizer and skin type. It doesn't absorb completely in the skin like an alcohol based product, but it doesn't lay on the skin either. It sits well under loose talc powder if you prefer a natural matte finish like me. Doesn't accentuate lines or pores and thankfully doesn't have that fake luminous glow that makes older women like myself try to look shiny and young. I don't know any young people with naturally shiny faces. I wear # 2, vanilla shell, which is quite neutral on the skin, not too pink or yellow. So far it lasts throughout the day without rising or separating with oils or oxidizing, but I wear it under powder and it isn't exactly warm here right now. I'll see if it passes the summer test and repost. This may be the only foundation, not tinted moisturizer, that I've ever given a 5 in my many years on makeupalley.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Clinique - Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF15
gurululu 3/18/2011 1:41:00 PM
I have been an Almost Makeup wearer for about 10 years. I loved everything about it except that it never made it through the long warm days of summer. So I have been wearing Merle Norman to work in the heat and Almost Makeup when I want that porcelain finish under loose powder. The SA told me that this product is replacing Almost Makeup. I was hoping it would be better. It had a natural finish on my hand and seemed to disappear without any alcohol in an instant. Unfortunately when I put it over my moisturizing La Roche Posay block that I need to fight melasma, it was a very dewy finish that didn't seem to absorb much at all. I applied my Clinique loose powder and in a couple of hours in 50 degree weather, it was sliding off my face. It was blotchy and ashy looking on my nose. I went with color # 2 which was a good match in the store, not as neutral as I would like, but the only neutral color for light skin was #3 and that was a tad too dark on me. This might work for someone, who doesn't wear moisturizer or moisturizing block underneath their makeup. The consistency is good because it isn't too sheer for a tinted moisturizer nor is it heavy like a masky foundation that would bring out lines. It does have a UVA option being titanium so that is good. My search is still on!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Caudalie - Instant Foaming Cleanser
gurululu 3/10/2011 4:18:00 PM
This product wasn't aggressive on makeup so I am not sure I would buy it again to remove nightly makeup. But it does foam up with just a little pump and doesn't strip the skin. My skin feels clean when I use it in the morning. One pump does the job. The clever pump converts the liquid into airy foam that does adhere to the skin. If I felt 100% confident that it removed my layers of sunblock and powder makeup, I'd use it at night too. I don't know the price since it was given to me as a promotion at Sephora, so I selected 3 as a guess in the middle.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Dermalogica - Ultra Calming Cleanser
gurululu 3/10/2011 4:07:00 PM
I used a sample of this before I bought it. It felt soothing and creamy. My skin never felt dry after using it. I purchased it and discovered once I was back in my daily work routine, that it doesn't take off makeup. The fact that it doesn't lather or foam made me feel unclean. It took off no water based mascara, not even a bit. I would recommend this for someone who has rosacea or really dry skin that doesn't get any clogged pores and certainly doesn't wear makeup.
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Powder -Pur Minerals - Pressed Powder Foundation
gurululu 2/6/2011 8:45:00 PM
I didn't wear this long enough or through a long humid summer's day to see how well it endures. I also wonder if other reviewers in this age category have fine lines and have ever worn a good loose powder before rating this. I tried various types of applications and got the same result, exacerbated lines, pores, and it left my very well moisturized skin crinkly, crinkly, crinkly. Back to my messy loose powder. I do give it 3 lippies for the color selection, the great titanium SPF and the natural finish without that fake, glowy, radiant, shine that people, who wear powder usually try to mask. I don't know any kid, young girls or babies that have shiny faces. So kudos for being effective in that regard.
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Crème -Neutrogena - Healthy Skin Compact Makeup SPF 55 Helioplex
gurululu 1/26/2011 8:44:00 PM
I like the structure and ease of the compact, the fact that it has good UVA/UVB ingredients, and its natural finish. However, this does tend to exacerbate oilies midday and definitely sits in pores. Even though it is a sheer finish, it doesn't really absorb into skin well enough to sit well under loose powder. I noticed that it laid on skin midday and looked patchy especially in oily places and my pregnant winter skin is fairly dry right now. I could see the it in the pores, but that could also be that the colors are not neutral enough. So this won't be an option for the warmer months when the spf & powder will really be necessary. I am returning it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Maybelline - Dream Smooth Mousse
gurululu 1/1/2011 11:25:00 AM
I like the package for a cheap makeup even though there was no mirror. It is compact and fits in my purse easily. I also got a fair color (can't remember the name) that was fairly neutral and not so pink. It didn't dry my skin or make it oily, which is good. However, when this cracked in the case, it really looked like wax to me. It also sat on my face like wax. The skin did not absorb this at all. I was surprised that PB recommended this product. I used to trust her until I tried this foundation. The pores on my nose looked like they were filled with wax. The finish is satiny. I prefer natural to semi-matte. The coverage is sheer to medium depending on application. I also prefer the option of wearing loose powder over my foundations without looking like I am wearing makeup. Perhaps I should avoid compact creme foundations.
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Lotions/ Creams -Eucerin - Dry Skin Therapy Plus Intensive Repair Body Creme
gurululu 1/1/2011 10:57:00 AM
I bought the large pump size of this to save money. I relied solely on the reputation of the name. This does moisturize my dry winter skin, but it doesn't sink in at all. I feel like I am ruining my clothes. My arms and legs are shining as I write this with what looks like crisco all over my body. I give it three lippies for effective moisturization, no allergic reaction and the potential of exfoliation being that it has lactic acid in it.
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Treatments -Christian Dior - Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum
gurululu 12/21/2010 12:41:00 PM
I don't know if I have enough experience with this product to give it a rating. I needed a fast absorbing serum to wear under my rich LR Posay sunblock to give my skin some much needed moisture this winter while I am pregnant. The reviews are oustanding and I loved the texture & absorbency when I tested it at the counter. However, I was not happy that it had fragrance. I convinced myself that it is a European trend. What I failed to notice until I read the box at a red light, was that the third or fourth ingredient in a long list is "alcohol." I have tormented my skin with alcohol time and time again. If this was a $12 serum at the local drugstore, I would put it down immediately. The fact that I trust these expensive European brands so much, that I didn't even read the label, scares me. Despite the high amount of alcohol, I still wore it for three days day and night. It was pretty obvious that I was developing rosacea on my cheeks. I swore to myself it was red from cold and pimples from clogged pores. I turned to a sample of Dermalogica ultra calming serum this morning when I realized that my little Christmas treat was irritating me. Yes, my skin was definitely softer, smoother and looked a bit more hydrated, but there is no surprise being that there is lactic acid in there. I am sure the vitamin c will brighten and the formulation is packed with great things, such as anti-pollutants. I just can't get past the pure alcohol in there and don't want to damage my skin. It gets returned today.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -Estee Lauder - Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Cream Compact Makeup
gurululu 12/15/2010 12:43:00 PM
I am glad that this makeup didn't have a radiant finish on me. Nothing says Old Lady more than a luminous face that showcases wrinkles in my opinion. This had a more natural finish, which I loved. I didn't even need a loose powder over this. It had nice sheer to medium coverage based on application and wasn't at all streaky if applied with care. Unfortunately, it laid on top of my skin no matter how little or great the amount of moisturizer or serum I used. I tried two colors and it looked like I was wearing makeup with both. I was surprised that PB had it on her top list of foundations for dry skin not just because it didn't really hydrate, but also because it looked too obvious as it didn't melt into the skin.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Christian Dior - Diorsnow White Reveal UV Shield SPF 50 PA +++
gurululu 12/15/2010 8:56:00 AM
I felt like I hit the lottery when I saw 19% zinc in a product without alcohol, which really causes my normal/combination skin to be red and irritated. This has a nice natural finish with a little bit of stickiness to grab hold of a foundation. There is no slip or shine. It's a real matte base. I wore this over the dior capture totale R60/80 serum with a tinted moisturizer and my skin was dry and crinkly. However, it is winter. I persisted and wore with serum and moisturizer the next day and my skin wasn't as dry, but my foundation and loose powder laid on top of my skin all day, which was unusual. So I returned it and went back to my La Roche Anthelios. This would probably be good for someone, who doesn't wear powders or powdery foundations.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No