Foundations -Revlon - ColorStay Makeup with SoftFlex SPF 6 for Combination/Oily Skin
jaychou101 12/10/2011 1:05:00 PM
I have oily skin. So oily that any foundation I wear starts breaking up from the oil I'm producing and leaves me with lovely clumps of foundation. Gross I know. This is the --only-- foundation that has withheld my oily face, and I have tried many, including Estee Lauder Double Wear. Yesterday I wore this foundation for 14 hours and, upon close inspection, my eyeliner and smeared, mascara started to flake, but foundation application appeared just as flawless as it did early in the morning. HG, for sure. A note on breakouts -- I notice that my skin tends to breakout from any new product I try, be it moisturizer, foundation, sunscreen, etc. Within a few days it seems to "adjust" and stops breaking out. This is what happened when I first started using this foundation, so if you notice any minor breakouts, try waiting it out and see if it gets any better. This is just my experience though, take it with a grain of salt, and definitely stop using if you start getting cysts.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Unlisted Brand - PanOxyl 10% Foaming Face Wash
jaychou101 9/17/2011 3:22:00 PM
WHAT IS IN THIS PRODUCT THAT ISN'T IN OTHER BENOZYL PEROXIDE WASHES/CREAMS??!!! I have no idea--but whatever it is, it *works*. I bought this based on the glowing reviews with a healthy dose of skepticism, especially since the last benozyl peroxide treatment I used left a series of small bumps on my skin. I have some of the worst breakouts known to man, and within using this for two weeks my skin is much smoother, and my acne scars are finally given a chance to lighten. Even though the directions say to leave this on for 1-2 minutes, I only use it once a day and leave it on for 30 seconds since I have sensitive skin, and follow up with Aveeno moisturizing lotion (AMAZING stuff - see my review). My advice would be to start slow and watch your skin for reactions, and to use a really good moisturizer afterwards. It dried out my skin for the first few days, but within a week could see and feel a visible difference. Try this! You own't regret it :)
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lotions/ Creams -Aveeno - Daily Moisturizing Lotion
jaychou101 7/20/2011 7:23:00 PM
This product is such a staple that I've never even thought about reviewing it. I'm never without it--it moisturizes dry, dull skin exposed to harsh Arizona weather like a dream, and I buy it by the Costco pack. However, what warrants this ranting rave is the miracle it performs on my face. I have literally the worst skin you can imagine: cystic acne, huge pores, blackheads, uneven skin color, etc, for 10+ years. And you can imagine the products I've gone through to treat my skin: over-the-counter stuff like benozyl peroxide by the bucket, in every conceivable concentration, and salicylic acid, prescription medicines like Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, chemicals like glycolic acid peels, lactic acid peels, gly-luronic acid, obscure Asian creams, and "natural" remedies like lemon juice, yogurt, Aztec Secrets Healing clay, aloe, and even some blatant no-nos like hydrogen peroxide *shudder*, etc. I've tried just about every remedy you can think of, and nothing --NOTHING-- worked. In fact, my skin was getting noticeably worse as the years progressed. Then one day, in the middle of my Acne.org regimen and completely sick of my irritated, peeling, dry skin, I decided to quit all treatment cold turkey and just slather on my trusty Aveeno. I woke up the next morning to soft, soft skin, and --what's this? No further breakouts? Unfortunately for me, I didn't make the connection between the lotion and my skin, and subjected my skin to more terrifying treatments for months afterwards. It was not until about a month ago that I realized that my skin is absolutely traumatized by all the "treatments" I've put it through. I don't think I was born with naturally sensitive skin, but after all the chemicals my skin's been exposed to and scrubbed raw by various products, it has no choice but to be sensitive. Smoothing on Aveeno--and nothing else--every night is the best thing I've done for my skin, and it never looks better than when I just moisturize it and leave it alone. After a month of slathering on Aveeno at night, my skin is significantly calmer, with the odd acne disappearing several days after appearing, and hyperpigmentation marks are finally given the chance to lighten. I'm writing such a long review because 1) I'm trying to procrastinate doing homework (LOL) and 2) I hope I help some people struggling with the same issues as me. Believe me, I know how frustrating it is to need to pile on foundation before leaving the house, to be surrounded by beautiful, clear-skinned friends, to feel like foundation would be the first thing you'd grab if the house was on fire, and to be absolutely tormented not knowing if you'll wake up tomorrow to a new pimple. If your skin is irritated, dry, and looks like it needs some good old-fashioned TLC, maybe that's all it needs. Give the chemicals a rest, and try just moisturizing it for a week. Good luck!
21 out of 21 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Liquid -Boots - Lifting & Firming Foundation SPF 15 [DISCONTINUED]
jaychou101 8/24/2010 2:51:00 PM
Two words: NO BREAKOUTS!!!!!!!!!!! Oh Boots Lifting & Firming Foundation, where have you been all my life? I have spent countless $$$ and wasted time and dashed hopes and tears shed looking for the foundation that wouldn't break out my poor poor skin -- and I found it, at Target, no less. APPLICATION: I use my fingers to apply this. I'm always paranoid that my brush isn't clean, and brushes always seem to irritate my skin anyway. COVERAGE AND FINISH: I would say that this gives a medium-ish coverage. It certainly doesn't cover all my blemishes and scars, but I prefer it that way. It doesn't make me look like I've got a mask on my face, and I've learned that full coverage heavy foundations make me breakout anyway. It makes my skin look really dewy and soft. For those who don't like that, setting powder can easily fix it. I actually use a shade darker than my skin tone, which doesn't make me look like I'm wearing foundation but somehow covers better than one that matches my skin. For those interested, I've been experimenting with layering Lucy Minerals, which supposedly is good for your skin with tons of antioxidants, on top of this for extra coverage. So far, no breakouts. I can't comment on its lifting and firming abilities, since I haven't got much to lift or firm, and anyway, I didn't buy this for lifting or firming. I just wanted something that wouldn't make me break out, and this definitely delivered. PRICE: I found this at Target and believe I paid ~$15 for it. PACKAGING: As others have commented, the packaging is super super luxurious. 5 lippies for that. And a pump! HOORAY!! :D BOTTOM LINE: I've been struggling with the foundation, breakout, more foundation, more breakout, different foundation, more breakout, cycle for years and years. (I'm sure some of you can relate to what I'm talking about) I've been wearing this foundation daily for about a month, and I swear this is the ONLY foundation -- and I've tried SO many, Revlon Colorstay, Bare Minerals, Estee Lauder Maximum Cover, Clinique Acne Solutions, Clinique Superfit, Everyday Minerals, Revlon Photoready, to name a few. This, in conjunction with glycolic acid in the PM, is finally clearing up my skin. PLEASE DON'T EVER DISCONTINUE IT!!!!
13 out of 14 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Shampoo -Mane 'n Tail - Shampoo
jaychou101 8/11/2010 12:57:00 PM
This stuff saved my life after a horrible stint with Pantene Pro-V which made my hair fall out like mad. The shampoo and conditioner is the only one that thickens my hair, my hair feels so much healthier after more than 6 months of use. Plus it smells so good!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Hair -Mane 'n Tail - Conditioner
jaychou101 8/11/2010 12:57:00 PM
This stuff saved my life after a horrible stint with Pantene Pro-V which made my hair fall out like mad. The shampoo and conditioner is the only one that thickens my hair, my hair feels so much healthier after more than 6 months of use. Plus it smells so good!
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Eyeliner -Wet 'n' Wild - Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner
jaychou101 1/21/2010 12:36:00 AM
This one's a winner. Wore this today for 12+ hours through rain and then a 2-hour workout--no smearing, and did not budge. This was my first time using liquid eyeliner, and I actually quite like the applicator. It's easy for me to make a precise line on my eyelid. I bought this in brown, which applies as almost black. Will most DEFINITELY purchase again, along with the other color selections.
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Liquid -Clinique - Superfit Foundation [DISCONTINUED]
jaychou101 12/13/2009 12:33:00 AM
This one's a winner. I initially bought it because my roommate was using it. This is the first HE foundation I've used. There's not much I can say about it that hasn't been said already. For reference, I have severe acne scars, and usually an active blemish or two. When applied with fingers, it gives off a natural, dewy look. Medium coverage--won't cover everything,but it doesn't look like I'm wearing makeup, either. Perfect for everyday wear. When applied with a brush--I use my Everyday Minerals flat top brush--it looks absolutely flawless. Not too expensive for a HE foundation--it's only a few bucks more than an expensive drugstore foundation (i.e. Revolon Colorstay). Feels amazingly light on the skin, doesn't cause breakouts. Tip for oily girls: Mix jojoba oil with moisturizer before applying this. Trust me, I have been battling the oilies for a decade, jojoba oil really will keep oily skin at bay. If you haven't tried it yet, read some of the reviews here on MUA. I also set the foundation with some cheap Cover Girl powder, and I don't have any problem with oily skin through a 12+ hour day.
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Shampoo -Pantene - Shampoo and Conditioner
jaychou101 11/14/2009 7:11:00 PM
PLEASE DO NOT USE PANTENE!!!! I've been a silent reader until now, I've never felt the need to write a review. I've been using this shampoo for the last 2-3 months, and it's made my hair fall out and it is so much thinner. So much hair would fall out when I washed it, and literally every time I touched my hair, it would fall out. The sad thing is, I have fine hair to begin with. I used to be able to get my hair really fluffy and big after blow-drying, but I couldn't get those results anymore because Pantene made my hair so much thinner, and there was so much loss around my roots. I switched to the Mane n Tail set and have noticed significantly less hair loss, and my hair feels so much healthier, although I imagine you could switch to any brand and notice the same results. Those with thick hair may not notice the amount of shedding Pantene causes, but switch to any another brand, and you'll definitely notice a decrease in hair loss.
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Shampoo -Pantene - Nature Fusion Moisture Balance
jaychou101 11/14/2009 7:11:00 PM
PLEASE DO NOT USE PANTENE!!!! I've been a silent reader until now, I've never felt the need to write a review. I've been using this shampoo for the last 2-3 months, and it's made my hair fall out and it is so much thinner. So much hair would fall out when I washed it, and literally every time I touched my hair, it would fall out. The sad thing is, I have fine hair to begin with. I used to be able to get my hair really fluffy and big after blow-drying, but I couldn't get those results anymore because Pantene made my hair so much thinner, and there was so much loss around my roots. I switched to the Mane n Tail set and have noticed significantly less hair loss, and my hair feels so much healthier, although I imagine you could switch to any brand and notice the same results. Those with thick hair may not notice the amount of shedding Pantene causes, but switch to any another brand, and you'll definitely notice a decrease in hair loss.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No