Highlighters -Giorgio Armani - Fluid Sheer #7
krystinabp 12/15/2012 2:32:00 PM
GOOD HEAVENS! I had a sample of this in the #7 pink shade, I mixed about 1 part this product with 2 parts of my Guerlain LDP (HG). After using it for 4 days I broke out in the WORST cysts I have ever had in my life. They were extremely painful and in the oddest places- like near my orbital bone. Honestly I have no idea what's in this but it's the devil lol. Considering I wasn't even using this straight scares me. I know this is the culprit because a) I only try one new product at a time and b) I never breakout, especially in painful cysts. On the plus side I love how it gave my foundation a glowy finish w/o being shimmery. On the plus plus side I have saved myself 60$ lol. It also helped the staying power as well. If I didn't react so badly I would have definitely bought the full size. I loved the gel-like texture. I'd recommend patch testing first if you tend to breakout at all!
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BB Cream -Dr. Jart+ - whitening water drop
krystinabp 3/12/2012 7:06:00 PM
I am so glad I decided to order this product online. I was hesitant to order this at first because I had a hard time tracking down the ingredient list, and was worried about breaking out due to the sodium chloride content. This is a really interesting texture for a moisturizer and I cannot compare it to anything else I have used before. I have had absolutely no breakouts with this product. I apply it every morning after my Dormer 211 moisturizer but before my sunscreen. I find the main benefit of this product is it prevents my skin from becoming dehydrated throughout the day. My makeup separates less, and looks less dry at the end of the day. I do not have dry skin, it is definitely more oily. I highly recommend this product!
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Sunscreen -Bioderma - Photoderm Laser Creme SPF 100
krystinabp 2/26/2012 7:38:00 PM
I LOVE THIS STUFF! just to clarify this is a review for the Laser spf 50+ UVA 35. This is my HG sunscreen, I put it under my makeup and use it every single day. I read some of the other reviews and they are from quite a while ago and I am almost 100% positive that this sunscreen has been reformulated a few times, so take that into account when making a decision. I used to use only all physical sunscreens but eventually figured out that zinc oxide in high amounts give me terrible acne and triggers my perioral/orbital dermatitis. The plus with this all chemical sunscreen is it isn't drying like the ones with zinc and it has AMAZING UVA protection- which is the kind that I worry about. Another plus about this s/s is it helps with spots whether it be from post acne or sun with a combo of licorice root extracts. I highly recommend this stuff! Since it is only available in europe and I live in Canada I order it from French Cosmetic for Less, or sometimes ebay if there is a reputable seller.
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Moisturizers -MD Formulations - Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel
krystinabp 12/4/2011 11:31:00 PM
Unfortunately something in this product gave me a chemical-like burn, which resulted in tightness, itching and peeling. I figured out it was the Imidazolidinyl Urea which I reacted to in SpectroGel as well. Don't pass this product by though, (unless you're allergic to Imidazolidinyl Urea lol). It's a nice light hydrating gel and great to use under moisturizer. This caused absolutely no breakouts or flare-ups of my perioral dermatitis which is quite miraculous. I'd still recommend this product as a light hydrating serum. If you live in a dry climate though, you will need to put something on top of this due to the hylauronic acid content or else it will suck all the moisture from your skin.
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Toners -Neostrata - Toning Solution Level 2 (10% Glycolic Acid, 2% Salicylic Acid)
krystinabp 5/3/2010 1:20:00 AM
I have been using this product for just over a month and I have seen definite improvements in my skin since starting. BACKGROUND: I bought it because I was getting clogged pores from long days of wearing a full face of MMU, sunscreen, primer etc. I had a bad breakout from a product that didn't agree with my skin. I also was having a problem with one side of my face as I have a lot of peach fuzz and had breakouts there that would not go away. This is an amazing formulation because the glycolic acid sweeps away the dead skin cells and the salicylic acid keeps the pores clear. So it's a great choice for anti-aging and acne concerns :) I started using it nightly, sweeping a saturated cotton pad over my face- stings a bit but wasn't unbearable. After about a week my skin started peeling and getting flaky (expected) Then the dreaded purge! I got a bunch of painful pimples which is unusual for me, but they were only in the spots were I had clogged pores so I knew it was working. Three weeks into it, the purge was over with minimal red spots left, and my skin is GLOWING. I have not had any new pimples or clogged pores since the initial purge so I am very pleased with this product and highly recommend for those with stubborn clogged pores! The only thing that bothers me about this formulation is the darn alcohol content, it is too high, a littlle is OK for antiseptic purposes but jeez add some witch hazel or something! It is somewhat drying so you need to make sure to hydrate/moisturize properly afterwards. Also I find it helps in the morning to do a gentle enzyme mask ( I use Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Peel) or exfoliant, or else you will end up with a flaky makeup application.
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Primer/ Corrector -Urban Decay - Complexion Primer Potion-Brightening
krystinabp 1/11/2010 9:52:00 PM
I have never been compelled to write a review for a product until now. I have been wearing mineral makeup for years and have always had a hard time keeping it fresh looking/not sliding off my very oily skin. As a natural product junkie I won't even go near silicones of any kind, so finding a decent (natural-ish) primer has taken a looooong time! The problem is 99% of primers out there contain silicones which are occlusive to the skin and leave your it feeling heavy which I hate. It also cuases secondary acne in a lot of people in that it does not clog pores per say but it cements down dead skin/dirt/oil etc. which in turn causes acne. (Even the so-called natural primers contain silicones a lot of the time, which really peeves me off, I'm talking to you BE and Tarte!!) I tried the Korres primer - pimples everywhere! It also was very greasy and did nothing for staying power. Lorac's Aquaprime is OK (not natural), but it is more of a light gel moisturizer that actually goes great underneath this UD product. I spent hours on Spehora's website looking at ingredient lists for primers and stumbled upon this one and couldn't believe my eyes, NO SILICONES!!!! wooohooo. The ingredients in this primer are also relatively safe and non-toxic so I ran to the store and picked it up right away. It cost me 39$ CDN- not bad. Apparently this primer is for more mature skins, but I'm 22 with ridiculously sensitive and oily skin, I do not have acne but whenever I use products that do not agree with me I get pimples and inflammation. This product had caused no breakouts whatsoever. In fact my complexion seems a bit clearer and smoother since I have started using this. I apply this after using my 100% pure aqua boost serum. I apply a thin coat of this primer all over (even on my eyelids!) apply my Lucy minerals foundation and finish off with a very light dusting of MUFE HD powder, and I'm good to go for at least 8hrs! Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Litchi Chinensis Pericarp Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Polyacrylamide, Algae Extract, Thermus Thermophillus Ferment, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Pullulan, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Laureth-7, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. The only ingredients I wish weren't in this are Laureth-7 and c13-14 Isoparaffin, but they are near the end of the list so at least I know the amount is miniscule. Overall a great product that is relatively natural and safe at a decent price, if UD ever stops making this I will be lost :P UPDATE: Had to stop using this after about 3 months use. It made my face feel hot and itchy mid-day and gave me weird bumps on my face that were not pimples. I think it may have been the algae extract as I have reacted to products with algae in them before. Still recommend, I am just abnormally sensitive. I also got over my hate-on with silicones and have learned to love them - I now use Hourglass veil mineral primer and Amazing Cosmetics primer as well- both formulations have minimal ingredients and would highly recommend for sensitive skins.
12 out of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No