Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer
kimm 1/29/2012 9:08:00 PM
This moisturizer should almost be labeled more of a treatment than moisturizer by Paula's Choice. I have normal-dry, rosacea-afflicted skin, and find it not rich enough as a moisturizer, as others have noted below. I'm also confused by the "barrier repair" claim, as it contains retinol. If your barrier is truly impaired, retinol would probably just irritate it further, not allowing your skin to repair itself. This is what has happened to me with this product. So, why the 5? It's fragrance-free, reasonably priced, and does indeed soothe the fine lines I'm beginning to see. It also provides slight moisture at night, and gives my skin an overall more glowing, less red, healthier appearance. I've also experienced no irritation from this provided my skin isn't compromised. I layer this over the RESIST toner and after using the RESIST cleanser If you are looking for straight moisture and/or barrier repair (ie very dry skin, skin red & raw from a cold, sunburn, etc) I would NOT recommend this. I've had problems with the pump breaking at the end, not sure if others have. I've had problems with Paula's packaging in general, but this would not stop me from purchasing again.
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Cleansers -Paula's Choice - RESIST- Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
kimm 1/29/2012 9:01:00 PM
I really like this cleanser. I've been using a handful of sample packets for a few weeks. I have normal-dry, rosacea-afflicted skin that is extremely sensitive. This has caused no irritation, and combined with the matching toner, my skin is calmer than it has been for some time. As others have noted, it does tend to sting slightly around the eyes. I do use a separate eye makeup remover. It has thoroughly removed my other makeup (foundation, powder, blush), which surprised me given the medium consistency lotion texture. It does not dry my skin out in the morning, yet thoroughly cleanses at night. It does not leave that heavy, coated, and/or dirty feeling that some cleansers marketed toward dry-ish skin tend to do, nor does it every leave my skin feeling dry, irritated, or rough. I will be buying the full size once my current cleanser runs out. Other cleansers I enjoy are First Aid Beauty Cleanser, Clinique Liquid Facial Soap and Liquid Extra Mild Soap, Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm, Cetaphil.
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Toners -Paula's Choice - RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner Skin Remodeling Complex
kimm 1/29/2012 7:29:00 PM
Excellent product. I respect Paula Begoun for what she does, but at times, her delivery irks. I have normal-dry skin (with some extremely dry patches through the year) that is extremely sensitive and rosacea-afflicted. I use this after cleansing morning and night. It truly does calm my skin both in appearance (less red, less irritated looking) and feel (less itchy and dry/tight feeling). It also removes any remaining makeup, debris, etc. I've been using it for a few weeks and find my skin to be much calmer. Even swiping this product over the eyes has produced no problems. I do not find any smell at all (and I have a sensitive nose); it just has the typical fragrance-free scent (not perfume-y). The texture, as others has described, is not straight watery. It's a bit of a thickened/silky milk texture. To use, I put a generous amount (not so the cotton is drenched, but so it is thoroughly moistened) on a cotton round. I have not tried the Skin Recovery toner (yet), but I did try the Moisture Boost for several days. I prefer this over that one. The Moisture Boost was not as rich (a true watery liquid) and I think it stung ever so slightly. I would recommend the Moisture Boost if you have non-reactive, normal skin that neither has any true tendency toward dry or oily. For true normal-dry skin that is sensitive, my vote is for the Resist. I will update when I try the Skin Recovery. I don't really have any gripes about this product. While some complain Paula is pricy, compared to the ultra high end products out there that do nothing, this is OK price-wise. I try and buy on sale and paid $12-13 (and no tax) and no shipping. It's a bit hard to tell how much you have left with the opaque bottle (I know that's to preserve the contents, but I wish there were a thin strip of a clear window along the side to see what remains), but a customer service rep at Paula's Choice said 2-3 months with twice daily use. As for comparisons to other toners outside Paula's Choice, I have not used another in years. I used to think toning was a useless step (and probably still is for many others), but this product really does soothe not only immediately after cleansing, but also in the long run (less rosacea redness/bumps of late). I've even had compliments on my skin of late and have changed nothing else in the routine. EDIT: I tried the Skin Recovery and surprisingly, not impressed. Since it is the richest of the 3, I thought it'd be even more soothing, more milky, etc. It felt *very* similar to the Moisture Boost (lightweight, not particularly soothing, etc) and it stung every so slightly, just like the Moisture Boost. I'm sticking with the RESIST and even bought a second bottle. talked to a Paula's rep and she said that yes, Skin Recovery is the richest, but many ladies, including herself, find the RESIST even better.
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Cleansers -First Aid Beauty - Face Cleanser
kimm 11/8/2010 2:22:00 PM
Excellent cleanser. Bought based on reviews. Love that it's fragrance-free. I usually don't see a need to buy a "high end" cleanser (fine with Cetaphil), but with this, you need an amount smaller than even a pea. I use a smidgen, just about less than half a pea. I wet my hands, create a light lather, then start to wash my face (another review suggested this below). The tube should last a long time, putting it at the high end of the "drugstore" price range. I have n/d, extremely sensitive skin that hasn't been irritated. It's gentle in the AM, and thorough at night to remove MU, sunblock, etc. I don't use it to remove eye MU, so not sure how it fares there. A definite staple. (For reference, I also like Cetaphil, Clinique Liquid Mild and Extra Mild Soap, Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm. Cleansers like Purpose/Clean & Clear Sensitive, Neutrogena Fresh Foaming, Olay Sensitive Foaming were too drying for me)
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Liquid -Revlon - PhotoReady Makeup
kimm 12/18/2009 8:37:00 AM
Bad. Way too much glitter (I have dry skin, but still don't to look like I applied shimmer powder all over), and highlights every single flake, even ones you didn't know you had. I can't imagine those with oily skin would like the shimmer, and those with drier skin would like the flake-highlighting propertites. Two stars for its lightweight feel (decent amount of coverage in relation to its lightness), good color section, great packaging.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Physicians Formula - Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder
kimm 4/23/2006 11:14:00 AM
Almost returned this! Looked super dry and accentuated every flake on my dry skin. (Why use a powder on dry skin? I have super sensitive, rosacea-afflicted skin, and mineral MU is recommended). I was in a rush to hit work, so I left without removing the mess. By the time I returned home, the makeup looked absolutely perfect and flawless. I'll just try a richer moisturizer from now on. Like others, I tried BE, but it caked on me (only mu that ever has), and it also began to itch. I thought it was my sunblock (a likely culprit, no?), but the same sunblock with the PF does *not* itch, so I bet it's the bismuth oxychloride that everyone has problems with. I use Translucent Light, and I used Fair 1.0 in the BE. I don't mind the packaging. *Very* little comes out, as compared to the BE, where it was all over. It is cheap (just snagged it for $3.93 with coupon/sale), and the brush (Kabuki? I'm not an expert) is not my fave, simply because I think its dense bristles deliver heavy coverage. I use a soft brush for very sheer coverage. Like another poster, I did wash it twice just to see what would happen, and it softened up tremendously, and doesn't have the itchy/scratchy feeling anymore. Me -- dry skin with rosacea...no bumps/pores/etc. though -- just (sometimes intense) redness in cheeks. Forehead/nose/chin are clear. This powder does not irritate and feels weightless -- I can't even tell it's on. With a very thick/rich eye cream, it also doubles as my undereye concealer. I use a small amount and dust to tone down the redness on my cheeks.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Clinique - Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
kimm 4/13/2006 9:48:00 PM
LOVE this. Very gentle & non-stripping. Other cleansing oils may feel "greasy" at first, but definitely leave my skin dried out and taut. I have N/D skin and use this when I wear makeup. Removes all MU and grime, without leaving a film or dry, cracked skin. Doesn't irritate my rosacea.
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Cleansers -Clinique - Liquid Facial Soap Extra Mild
kimm 3/5/2006 10:00:00 AM
Excellent cleanser. I used to use Herbal Essences Fresh Foam Facial Cleanser, until they discontinued it. I've used countless bottles of Cetaphil, but always found it a tad harsh/drying, even in the summer. I have tried numerous other cleansers (high end/low end) and have found those to be even worse, even if they're labeled for dry skin. I tried this when my last Cetaphil ran out, and it's a dream. EXTREMELY gentle and doesn't leave my skin flaky/dry like the Cetaphil did. I also like the locking pump bottle.
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Liquid -Revlon - Age Defying Makeup with Botafirm SPF 20 for Normal/Combination Skin
kimm 2/24/2006 5:59:00 PM
Very impressed with this foundation. I have *very* dry skin, and this does not emphasize my flakes like most foundations do. I bought the Normal/Combination instead of the Dry Skin version, because talc was at the top of that ingredient list. I have pronounced rosacea on my cheeks, and this glides over the redness without looking "heavy." The ingredients don't irritate the condition, and the physical block is great, too. I also use it as an undereye concealer, for which it works perfectly. I don't think the price is high at all. With department store foundations leaving the $30 mark, and most ranging from $35-$55, this $10 foundation is still a bargain. I wouldn't call the finish dewy or matte, just in between. I'd consider the coverage "light" (more than sheer or sheer-to-light). I suppose you could layer for medium, but I prefer to just apply one coat of foundation. I do agree with other reviewers who said it gets a "drier" look as the day goes on, probably do to the high zinc oxide/titanium dioxide content. But, for a foundation this cheap and with other admirable qualities, I can't complain.
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Cleansers -Good Skin - All Calm Cleanser - green bottle 
kimm 12/7/2005 1:20:00 PM
I have sensitive skin, and this cleanser did nothing but leave my skin raw, red, and irritated. I don't wear any makeup, so I know it wasn't reacting with anything else. I had high hopes for the All Calm line, but I think any other gentle, fragrance-free products may perform even better.
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Lip Liners -The Body Shop - Beech lipliner
kimm 11/30/2004 2:53:00 AM
Great nude lipliner. Can't tell any difference between this and MAC Spice (color or texture-wise), except price and I actually think TBS packaging is better. MAC's Spice pencil "dents" too easily (outside wood must be very soft, or at least the silver cover is).
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Concealers -MAC - Studio Finish Concealer
kimm 8/25/2004 2:42:00 AM
Love this concealer for undereye circles. Works even better when mixed with water and heated up with a blow dryer. Like the SPF and the fact that it is physical-based. Only disagreement with packaging is that I don't find it to be non-comedogenic (and I'm not acne-prone) simply because thick, solid, pot concealers are more prone to clogging pores. I know this is labeled as an "all purpose concealer," but I only use it to cover scars, circles, etc. -- I wouldn't use it on zits or acne-prone areas.
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Mascara -Urban Decay - Skyscraper Mascara
kimm 8/24/2004 11:10:00 PM
The "concept" brush is horrible -- produces clumpy lashes (no mascara I've ever tried has given me clumps as long as I keep it to two/three coats). HOWEVER, this is a repurchase in my book, because it's the first mascara that I have tried that doesn't smudge/budge/flake, and it's really hot & humid now. Also, the color is a nice glossy black instead of the usual dull, matte, shoe polish black.
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Mascara -Shiseido - The Makeup Advanced Volume Mascara
kimm 8/17/2004 12:25:00 PM
Ehhh...nice mascara -- no heavy clumping or flaking or smuding, but I find it does a little of both anyway. Nice packaging and color, but I probably wouldn't repurchase at that price. An average mascara. I wouldn't be able to tell that it were department store if it weren't for the label.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Christian Dior - Hydra Move Creme
kimm 8/16/2004 2:49:00 AM
This cream is a nice, medium weight cream that works pretty well on my normal-dry sensitive skin. However, I think it is a little too highly fragranced and can be irritating at times. It'd be great for a drugstore cream, but I don't think it's worth the $45 + tax. I would definitely not rebuy, and am using my GWP as eye cream. The packaging is very luxurious, though, IMHO.
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