Other -Unlisted Brand - Spironolactone
janemarieo 2/1/2013 12:53:00 AM
Usage - 6+ months So I had a hate - hate - LOVE relationship with this med. Like so many people who have commented below me, I did not have acne as a teenager (just your regular pimple here and there during my cycle) Halfway through my 25th year, mother nature decided to get revenge on me for escaping my teens clear skinned. I began getting large cysts along my jaw line around my cycle. These would take weeks to go away. From there it only got worse, every pore in my face began to clog and eventually become cysts. I did everything possible to fix this new problem, and went to a derm for much needed help. After several topicals and anti-biotics failed me she prescribed me spironolactone. Here is where my "hate" with this med comes in. She started me out on a pretty high dose of 100mg. Since this is a blood pressure medication designed to lower bp.. it did just that! Every time I stood up I would get so dizzy that I actually would fall to the ground. I was extremely tired, and I dropped about 4Lbs in just a few days (which may seem nice, but I am already quite thin and the starving model look is not for me) I went to my general practitioner who took my bp and informed me that it was extremely low. I didnt want to stop taking the med because it was my last resort before accutane. So I lowered the dose myself. Started at 25mg, then increased back up to 100mg where I am at now with no prob. My hate continues just a few weeks later after I had solved problem 1. As a lot of people below me mentioned, there is the possibility of a major purge period. Some people seem to have one some don't. I did...... big time at about a month and half in. I was horrified at my face when I looked in the mirror. I did not recognize who I was. I cried almost every single night. My entire right cheek was covered in painful terrible cysts. I thought about stopping, but I read literally hundreds of reviews and many people said you need to wait it out for a few months before it works. My love began about 4 months in. The 3rd month did not give me any new pimples, but I was still battling the ones from month 2. At month 4 all the pimples had gone (with some help from my derm and corizone shots) I had no new pimples coming in and my pores were beginning to clear. I also had an "acne surgery" done at the derm where they use a scalpel to cut open your closed comedones to remove the ick from your pores, which helped tremendously. Today I am at about month 6 and I went in to my hair salon for a cut. My hair stylist had not seen me since month 3 when my face was monstrous, and she said "OMG your skin is glowing you look amazing! What are you using?!" It was such an amazing feeling to have that compliment after 2 years of struggling and battling my own skin. It is so so so hard to stick with this when you have a purge period, or experience some of the other issues others have mentioned like hair loss, weight loss, dizzies etc. But if you can just stick it out until month 4 at least because it will change the way you look, but more importantly how you feel about yourself. GOOD LUCK! My Pros & Cons with this: Pros: Will clear your acne Super cheap if you have insurance (mine is $15 a month) Cons: Dizziness if not adjusted to the meds Weight loss (see pro) PURGE PERIOD Must be super careful with birth control method because MAJOR BIRTH DEFECTS CAN HAPPEN!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Mascara -ModelCo - Fiberlash
janemarieo 12/21/2012 12:29:00 PM
Got this mascara in a Birchbox, a full tube which is really nice. This mascara is so awesome! It really does look like you put on some classy falsies! The price on this is really high for an everyday use kind of purchase, but if I had a big event like a wedding or something I'd definitely buy this. The mascara tube itself has a mirror on the side so if you need to do applications on the go I suppose this would be helpful, but I dont really reapply on the go. Very cool product give it a try!
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Concealers -Everyday Minerals - Multi-tasking Concealer
janemarieo 12/21/2012 12:15:00 PM
I never thought that a powder concealer would work, but I was pleasantly surprised. I use the concealer before and after foundation. I feel like 2 applications covers my blemishes and dark circles better and makes the coverage last longer. Acne scars and blemishes cover surprisingly well and even after all the powder applications my skin doesn't look overly powdered or fakely made up. At such a cheap price this product delivers! Will buy again for sure.
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Bronzers -Everyday Minerals - Soft Bronzer
janemarieo 12/21/2012 12:21:00 AM
This bronzer is amazing for contouring on light skin! This is the first time I have ever used a bronzer that did not make me orange or look like I had dirt on my face. If you have medium skin tone this bronzer probably wont do anything for you. For reference I use the fairly light semi-matte foundation. Will absolutely purchase again.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Everyday Minerals - Foundation Matte Formula
janemarieo 12/3/2012 10:38:00 PM
I've just recently gone paraben free with my makeup products as the most recent line of defense against my sudden onset adult acne (been battling for 2 yrs now with no prior acne history .. siiggghh) I discovered Everyday Minerals on MUA and decided to try them out since it was dirt cheap compared to what I had been paying for foundation. I'm new to using mineral makeup and I was skeptical that it would actually do anything, but I was given a pleasant surprise. I ordered the Matte foundation in Fairly Light which turns out to be a great match for my skin. The coverage isn't 100% but It is pretty good, and when paired with the concealer is just fine in covering my red skin and multiple deep red acne scars. Best thing about thing about this foundation is that is lasts a whole day. I haven't even been using any primer just moisturizer with 30 SPF. I really like this company and its really awesome that everything is so cheap. The packaging is not horrible but it is all thin plastic which probably helps keep the costs low. Another plus about EDM is that you get 7 free samples with every order so I can try out the different foundation bases (semi-matte, jojoba base) and find the best possible fit. Very satisfied and will purchase again.
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Foundations -Perfekt - Skin Perfection Gel
janemarieo 12/3/2012 10:21:00 PM
I received this foundation(?) in a sample pack from Sephora and I was very unimpressed. I was really excited to try this out since I have recently just went paraben free and dumped most of my makeup and have been using mineral powder. I like the minerals but I crave that moist dewy look you can get from a great liquid foundation. This was not a liquid but more of a cream which needed to be patted on to the face not spread with fingers or used with a sponge which I found made it difficult to get the products everywhere evenly. There was absolutely no coverage with this. I ended up needing to put my mineral foundation on top of this. I did have a slight glow on my natural highlight points (top of brows and cheek bones), but it felt really greasy not dewy. I suppose this product could work for someone with perfect skin who has no imperfections to cover just pores to even out. I unfortunately am not one of those women :(
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Skincare - Face -Murad - Clarifying Mask
janemarieo 6/17/2012 2:53:00 PM
My asthetician uses this mask on me during my facials and it is pretty nice. I wasn't ready to commit to it at home due to the price tag and small amount of product. I did however go to Sephora and ask for a sample of Murad's sulfur mask and DDF's sulfur mask to compare. I have not used either as a full mask, but have used as spot treatment. The reason I am writing this review is becuase last night I woke up and felt a big whopper of a zit coming on and sure enough went to the bathroom and a big cyst was beginning on my chin. I covered in 3% salycilic acid (Rx from the derm) and then put on the Murad over the pimple. Woke up this morning and the pimple was gone! YAY I have used this to spot treat in the past with no big results like this time, just some general reduction in redness but pimple still existing. It could be that the combo of the sulfer and the salycilic worked this time, or that I caught it early before it came out. Either way I probably wouldnt purchase, but would maybe ask for a sample at Sephora again (is this cheating?) as I've had both samples for over a month and not even close to done with them. DDF has not done anything for me either and I do not like the thick chalky consistency. For an all over clay mask I love the Queen Helene Mint Julep and its $3 .. can't beat that!
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BB Cream -Boscia - BB Cream SPF 27 PA++
janemarieo 6/17/2012 1:09:00 PM
I am so glad I found this BB Cream. I have realllly red undertones in my skin and I need some kind of coverage to walk out of the house and not look scary, but I dont always want to use a full coverage foundation since I am also acne prone. I would describe this as a highly tinted moisturizer that evens skin tone hides large pores and gives the face a nice suble glow. I dont see any sparkle that others have complained about. And I also have not had any problems with oxidation (and I am fairly pale.. yes pale and red such a lovely combo :/ ) as I just make sure this is completly rubbed in. It is not very moisturizing however, but I just add 3 drops of jojoba oil to it and voila its smooth and moisturizing too. Best part is it has 27 SPF which means I am protected without an extra step or the suncreen smell. I got this as a sample and I am so thankful to have it, I went out and bought the full size. This is my first BB cream and was thinking of trying others like Clinique, but I figure if it aint broke dont fix it.
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Liquid -Givenchy - Photo'Perfexion 100% Natural Complexion 0 Flaw
janemarieo 6/17/2012 1:00:00 PM
This is a wonderful foundation, it is very full coverage. I recieved a sample of this from Sephora in Perfect Praline and it was blended so beautifully with my skin. My skin tone was so even with this foundation which can be hard to achieve with my weird combo skin and red/blackhead filled chin and acne along the jaw. Especially looked beautiful on my clear cheeks. Anyone with clear skin will look like a movie star with this foundation I swear! Oh and it is lightly scented with a very pleasing perfume which I like. I purchased in Perfect Vanilla because it matched my skin a bit better but in reality I wish I could mix Vanilla and Praline that would be the ultimate, and possible since I think I will buy the Praline for the summer. I try not to use everyday since this is a full coverage and I dont want to clog my pores, although I did not have a problem with it. I mostly use for a night out to look fabulous and when I have to make a presentation for work and everyone will be looking at me. I use BB cream for everyday wear. Will most likely purchase this again.
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Moisturizers -Philosophy - Hope in a Jar - for all skin types
janemarieo 6/17/2012 12:48:00 PM
I know this product has been reviewed to death , but it is for a reason. I love this moisturizer. I love the texture the smell the fact that it is moisturizing but does not make me greasy. Make up goes on just fine with it and doesnt slough off. Only complain I have is this is not a travel friendly package the product always gets stuck to the top and I feel like it gets wasted. Also its super expensive for how much you get, but a little does go a long way. Overall I would buy again (already on my 2nd jar) because I think your face deserves some love (and hope)!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Alpha Hydrox - AHA Souffle 12 percent Glycolic AHA
janemarieo 6/17/2012 12:44:00 PM
This is my first AHA product, so I have a bit of learning to do with this and will definately update when I figure out the perfect regimine. I am writting a review for first time users of this product or AHAs in general to learn from my mistakes. To start, I had semi-dry combination acne prone skin. Acne began when I was just about 26 (27 now).. always had clear normal skin before this, so this acne battle is new to me and I am trying to learn (while spening hundreds) what will work to combat this evil plague :( I began using this daily 2x a day morning and night. I never had any adverse reactions like drying or stining or anything like that. I would follow up with Hope in a Jar moisturizer to avoid drying out. At first this was working wonders for me.. acne was clearing up nothing new was popping up.... so I did this for about 2 weeks After 2 weeks or so I noticed that I was having a lot of clogged pores. Those little flesh colored acne bumps that you dont really mind so much if you have been dealing with cycts and inflamed pimples. But they started to multipy and my skin had a bumpy uneven icky texture to it. Then I made the ULTIMATE MISTAKE .... I had a facial.... rashes, large scale break out on my cheek in a cluster which had never happened before. THIS WAS MY FAULT I didn't know that you should abstain from use a week before a facial and did not inform my asthetician of my use. So I stopped using the AHA and I began to follow the Acne.org regimen...... :'( I really damaged my skin with all that Benzoyl Peroxide.. I was dry, flaking, swollen, red, painful rashes from cheeks to chin this misery lasted almost 2 weeks. I was cleansing with cold cream only to maintain moisture. Now I am back to normal cleaning with Purity Made Simple using my Clarisonic at night again (but switched to the delicate brush and dont use for the whole min) I plan to alternate nights with the Clarisonic and the Alpha Hydrox. All in all I think this product can do wonders if I use it properly. So I will update when I complete this new regimen... hopefully something will work for me soon.
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Shampoo -Redken - Hair Cleansing Cream
janemarieo 3/2/2012 12:43:00 AM
After moving from NY to CA my hair dried out so much from the hard water. I got this shampoo as well a water softer (an attachment for the shower head that filters out impurities). I have been using the shampoo every 2 weeks so I don't damage my highlights with overuse. I definitely see a very noticeable difference in my hair. It is softer, easier to brush when I get out of the shower, and overall less dry and brittle. I'm sure the water softener is doing a bulk of this work, I think It helps strip put anything the filter is missing. Even so, the days I use the shampoo my hair actually feels lighter and cleaner. Right after rinsing it will feel a bit thick and dry but a little extra conditioner cures that. A clarifying shampoo is something I would recommend adding to your routine.
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Foundations -Make Up For Ever - HD High Definition Foundation
janemarieo 3/2/2012 12:29:00 AM
Been using the HD foundation #115 and the redness reducing primer for a couple of months and I really like them both. The foundation goes on smooth, I usually just use my fingers (if I use a foundation brush it can look streaky), and it has an almost matte finish but in a flattering way that covers pores. This foundation feels good on my skin almost powdery and has never broken me out. It def needs powder to set and I don't feel like it really lasts a full 8hr day. That's my only complaint. I would buy again, but for the $40+ price I am going to try out MAC studio finish before I come right back to this one.
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Concealers -Make Up For Ever - HD Concealer
janemarieo 3/2/2012 12:11:00 AM
I have the HD primer and foundation which I like so I figured getting the concealor would be a no brainer. I had a Sephora SA apply on my face to find the right shade .. Which is a 315.. Since she applied I didn't really see the applicator because if I did no way would I have bought this. I absolutely hate this applicator. No amount of clicks will give u the correct amount of concealor needed. 1 click u get nothing 2 clicks u get way more than needed. I have been using a concealor brush to wipe the product off the applicator tip and applying it. The concealor itself is nice and covers my dark circles as well as blemishes without getting cakey. Sometimes the color can get a little yellow especially if there is dry product on the tip from last applications too many clicks problem. Pros: the concealor works nicely Cons: the applicator is just so annoying it makes use undesirable. Expensive for the .05oz or product u get. *UPDATE* 3/19/12 I have found a way to not waste the product with unnecessary clicks.. Click once and product will come up the silicone tube but won't come out.. Squeeze lightly and a small amount will come out and I just use a concealer brush to wipe it of the tip. Still the the applicator and won't buy again once this is gone its just top inconvenient. Hope that helps! I won't purchase again unless MUFE changes their applicator.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Moroccanoil - Intense Hydrating Mask
janemarieo 2/21/2012 6:53:00 PM
I've been trying with this mask once a week for 3 weeks now and I can't say I love it, but I can't say I hate it either. Like all the other MoroccanOil products I'm addicted to the smell. yumm. However unlike the great love I have for everything else in this line ... this seems to fall short. I don't find it to be hydrating at all or to soften smooth or detangle my hair any better than a regular condition. In fact the MoroccanOil Condition actually works 10x better and makes my hair feel so much softer than the mask. Perhaps I haven't been using enough product, and I will keep working at it to see if I can get it right. Will update if I make a breakthrough, but as of now I'll use till the jar is gone but wont repurchase.
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