Moisturizers -Sisley - All Day All Year - Essential Day Care
loarc 10/25/2009 8:54:00 AM
I was introduced to this product during a makeover by a Sisley regional makeup artist at he counter on my birthday weekend. The MA told me this product was a must because it provides and anti-aging barrier between my skin and the environment - it has a special encapsulated sunscreen in it that would protect my skin from 90% of UVA and UVB rays 8 hours (normal sunscreens only work for 2 hrs, then you must reapply) and that it protects it from free radicals and environmental stresses. Because it forms a shield, it should after you've applied moisturizer but before foundation. He told me that I should apply it gently in up and down sweeps and not rub it in because that would break down the properties of this cream. Well... after the makeover I was amazed by my smooth hydrated radiant glowing (not oily or greasy but lit-from-within) skin and bought practically everything he put on my face. I did not by this product because it was waaay expensive and also because I really wasnt interested in buying a sunscreen... I work in a hospital and never see the light of day anyway so who cares. The rest of the evening whenever I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror Id actually stop and stare at my beautiful skin so I was very excited to use my new Sisley products (cleansing milk, restorative cream, and oilfree foundation). The next day I was disappointed. After applying my new loot my skin looked great but it was missing that radiant plumpy glow it had the night before. The only thing missing was ADAY. During the next week I became obsessed with ADAY and had to have it so I went on a no buy and saved up. I have been wearing ADAY for everyday for the last six months and absolutely love it. My skin looks better than it ever has and I will repurchase this again and again. I love the hygenic pump bottle and think it will last me another 4-6 months. HG for me. Here are some of the active ingrediants: Water Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate – widely used sunscreen Squalane – natural organic compound used in cosmetics as a natural moisturizer (mostly comes from shark liver oil) Isopropil Palmitate - a thickening agent and emollient Cetearyl Alcohol – used as emulsion stabilizer, emollient, thickening agent and carrying agent for other ingredients Corylus Americana seed oil –hazel seed oil Butyrospermum Parkii - shea butter Sesamum Indicum - sesame extract Pyrus Malus - apple fruit extract Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane -ingredient used in sunscreen to absorb the full spectrum of UVA Apple skin extract - antioxidant, protects collagen and elastin fibers White Willow extract - stimulates the production of natural anti-stress proteins Sesame and rice extracts - improve the intercellular connection
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Sisley - Restorative Facial Cream - Creme Reparatrice
loarc 6/7/2009 1:31:00 PM
I love this creme! I ended up with this creme by complete chance. I never would have purchased it on my own. I purchased the Sisley Oil-free foundation (amazing) and the SA asked me if I would be interested in a makeover that Saturday buy a regional MUA. Why not, I thought, since I was going to a special event that saturday night. I wasnt planning on buying any sisley skincare at all since I had my heart set on some La Prairie I had been sampling. Well, the MUA recommended this for me when I told him I was using retin-A. He told me this was a great moisturizer, would help calm my skin and reduce redness from retin-a. I was very impressed with how it felt on my face and the appearance of my skin after the makeover. I decided to buy it because it was cheaper than the all day all year which he also used (and I ended up buying anyway a few weeks later haha). At the time I was using Revive MRC, Revive intense creme lustre, and the La prairie anti-aging creme which I was planning on buying. The Revive moisturizers were excellent but I found them to be to exfoiliating to be used concurrently with retin-a. I thought the La Prairie was good but this product is so much better. I am using retin-a micro gel 0.1% six days a week. That is the strongest form available. And I have not peeled once! Every night I use the retin-a, then in the morning I cleanse with Sisley Lyslait and then pat this creme on my face. As long as I use this I do not get any flaking. My skin just looks supple and plump, not dry at all... no flakes... no patches...no redness...Amazing! The best part is it doesn't make my skin greasy either... which I cant say for other moisterizers. Love it! Will repurchase. Im so glad I discovered Sisley skincare!
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Skincare - Face -Revive - Moisturizing Renewal Cream
loarc 6/7/2009 1:08:00 PM
All and all this is a very good product. When I was using this I loved how soft my face felt and the glowyness I experienced from it. It made my face very smooth but almost in a raw kind of way, however I didnt experience any sensitivity from this product which is good. I also have the intense creme lustre which I find is more moisturizing. I am not using either anymore because I've started using retin-a micro which Ive found gives me better results and has clinically proven anti-aging benefits. I would use both thats too much exfoiliation for my skin... Good product though! Would recommend if your skin cannot tolerate retin-a. edit 10/25/2009: I cut down on the retin-a to 3-4 times a week and Im back to using this on off days. This is an excellent product. I find myself having to stop myself from touching my face when I use this because it makes my skin so incredibly soft and smooth. I really should make this 5* (I reserve all 5* rating for HG). I'll update the rating in a couple of months of I still think its worthy of HG status.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Retin A Micro
loarc 6/7/2009 12:55:00 PM
I first had retina prescribed to me for acne 10 years ago when I was 18. I used the cream version, dont remember the concentration, in fact all I remember was that my face was always flaky. I only used one tube worth because my insurance stopped covering it and at the time it wasnt financially worth it for me to repurchase. Fast forward 10 years to six weeks ago. With my 29th birthday approaching I decided to try retina again. My skin is oily with large pores, blackheads in t-zone area, and prone to hormonal breakouts. I was unhappy with my skin texture (red spots from fading breakouts and a deep pited pore on my cheek). All in all not bad skin but not great either. I had recently purchased a clarisonic and was amazed at the results that this produced (less breakouts and more even and healthy looking skin). I figured that adding retina to my skin care routine would not only further improve the appearance of my skin but would also provide me with the anti-aging benefits of vitamin A. I purchased retin-a micro 0.1% (strongest form). I should add that I had previously tried avene diacneal and green cream and they had done absolutely nothing for me... no flaking, nothing so I know my skin is pretty tough and could tolerate the retin-a. I have been using retin-a micro now 6 times a week for 6 weeks now and have been very impressed. My skin is clear (no breakouts, no little bumps). The texture is much smoother and is very even. The one pore on my cheek is much less noticable. My skin looks plumper, is way less oily, and looks glowy and younger. I can safely say this is the best skin Ive had since I hit puberty. I have also been getting compliments on my skin recently (never, ever happened before.) Someone remarked that they hated me because I had that perfect skin that had never gone through puberty before. Haha. Yeah right. I had two makeovers done recently by regional makeup artists for Sisley and Chanel. Both remarked that I did not need to be on retin-a because I had perfect skin and that I needed to pay more attention to other peoples skin because I was being overly critical of mine. Well, yes, my skin is quite nice now... because of retin-a. They wouldnt have said the same thing if they saw me two months ago. Haha. My husband has also said that I have the best skin now since he has known me. He also said I look five years younger. Yes, this works, but I have had to make some changes to my skincare routine to accomodate this. This is a very strong treatment so products I used before do not work with this. I did not experience any purging with this, and have only had minimal flaking (which only occurs when I am lazy and do not moisterize). When I started this treatment I bought a new cleanser. Previously I was using a foaming one for sensitive skin from Shiseido. I would strongly recommend against using a foaming cleanser because they are very drying and will worsen the drying effect of retin-a... better to get a oil-based cleanser. I am currently using the Lyslait cleansing milk from Sisley which is wonderful but also $$. It is also important to find a good moisterizer. I am using creme reparatrice (restorative facial creme) also from Sisley as day-time creme and this does an amazing job (and helps with redness). I credit these two products with allowing me to use the retin-a 0.1% 6 days a week and experience no flaking. I found that I can use the retin-a in my eye area but my normal eye cream (Chanel rectifiance) stings like crazy so I temporarily using my Sisley creme reparatrice in that area until I can find a better eye cream. I use sisley oil-free foundation and chanel tient Innocent and find that both these foundations work very well with retin-a micro. If you previously used foundations or powders that were drying before you started retin-a do not expect for them to still work for you when you are taking this... most likely they will dry out your skin worse and emphasize dryness. Retin-a changes how your skin behaves so what worked before will not necassarily still work for you. So in summary awesome product if your skin can tolerate it, just remember that you need a supurb moisturizer (good will not cut it) and an excellent sunscreen. If you find your skin stinging take a day (or more) off. Wash your hands and face before you apply and make sure your skin is DRY. Do not apply to wet skin!
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Concealers -Bobbi Brown - Corrector
loarc 6/1/2009 5:23:00 PM
Click continue for pic. Ok. To start with I have DARK circles under my eyes. They are hereditary and my main problem (I think) is that the skin under my eyes is just way too thin. The closest I've come to a cure was having restylane injections to plump up that area but I still did need some corrector. Restylane lasts about 1-2 months on me so forget that... too expensive. This is a very good corrector. Very creamy and blends well without being too opaque but at the same time not cakey either... it just blends into my skin. I prefer this over YSL Touch Eclat. I also like Laura Merciers secret concealer/corrector combo but that is just because the bobbi brown corrector is not enough on its own... I need a concealer too. Laura Merciers formula is thinner than this and it also enhances dry areas which this does not. So far this is the best Ive found in camoflauging dark circles (tried Clinique concealer , Estee Lauder concealer, and Lancome concealer as well). But if your circles are really dark like mine than you will also need a concealer. My skin tone is NC45/Chanel Natural 4.5 and I wear Bobbi Brown Bisque. I am currently on my second pot of this and plan to rebuy when Im finished. You can see from the pic how creamy it is. I dip my concealer brush in, dab it along my under eye area and then pat in with my ring finger. I dont know if its still on the Bobbi Brown website but I saw a tutorial on how to apply it and thats what they did.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Ombre D'Eau Fluid Iridescent Eyeshadow - #40 - Source
loarc 5/31/2009 9:25:00 PM
Click continue for pic. I have had my eye on this for awhile now but never got around to purchasing it. At a recent makeover the regional MUA for Chanel reached for this to put on my and I got really excited... finally... anyways he told me to use it as a base to help my shadow adhere better and last longer... so I bought it and have used it this way. I apply it directly to my lids up to my brow bone using the does foot applicator and then gently pat it in with by finger tips to dry. I find if I dont do this (pat it) and put too much liquid on than it creases. This leaves my lids a beautiful pinky pearlescent sheen that holds my shadow all day long and gives it that extra oomph. Love it, wish I didnt have to mix it everytime I apply it though but oh well. Will repurchase.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Lumieres Facettes Iridescent Effects Eyes 517 Oasis
loarc 5/31/2009 8:35:00 PM
Click continue for pic. A regional makeup artist for Chanel picked this quad out for me during a recent makeover. I told him I wanted something I could wear to work and he showed me how use different color combinations for different looks and then how to dress it up for evening. The colors are a goldeny peachy-pink, a golden brown with orange undertone, a subtle pink, and a khaki olive green. All the shades have a warm goldeny shimmer so if you cant do warm colors than this might not be for you. All the colors in this quad are super soft and blend beautifully. I find I have to really pack on the pink shade to get good color payoff... but packed on I love this color and find myself using it alot. The green is also very beautiful. My favorite combinations are the pink as a wash over the lid and the green in the outer v blended inwards with a brown liner on the upper lash line and chanel waterproof liner in violene on the lower lash line. Or the peach over the lid with bronze in the crease, brown liner on the top lashes and chanel waterproof liner in jade on the lower lash line. I use Chanel fluid iridescent in source as a base under this and the shadows last all day. Works well on my NC25/Chanel Soft bisque skin.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Reflets D'Ombre Quad
loarc 5/31/2009 7:37:00 PM
Click on continue for pic. I work in the operating room so I wear scrubs, a mask, and a scrub hat 5 days a week. Since I cannot express myself through outfits, hair, or jewelry, or perfume I find myself spending alot of time on my makeup in the morning. Particularily my eyemake up since the rest of my face is behind a mask all day. So instead of spending my money on work outfits it goes to eyeshadow lol. Walking past the Chanel counter the other day I saw this quad and it caught my attention. Firstly I had recently seen a couple of very hot tutorials using similar colors and secondly the colors in this quad are very different than in others. I really like this quad. The first time I put it on it was way too sexy for work so I had to tone it down alot but let me tell you... this quad is super hot! As with all of my shadows I use Chanel fluid iridescent in source as a base and the shadow stays put all day. I found that all the colors have good pigmentation (the white color makes a very pretty shimmery nonchalky highlight). I use the gold as a wash, the brown in the crease and the green in the outer V with black liner on the top lash line and chanel jade on the lower lash lane with black liner over it. super hot on my NC25/Chanel Soft Bisque skin. Highly recommend.
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Eye Shadow -Chanel - Quadra - 14 Mystic Eyes
loarc 5/31/2009 6:20:00 PM
Click continued for accurate pic of palette (colors are true to IRL). Gorgeous Chanel quad with excellent pigmentation and lasting ability. I saw this at the counter and fell in love and instantly bought. Wore it later that week, thought it washed me out and forgot about it. About a month ago I gave it another shot and was amazed... beautiful. Since then Ive worn it 1-2 times per week and every time the results are fabulous. The color combinations are endless... Not sure what I did the first time but oh well. Can be used for either sophiticated daytime look or worn more heavy for a sultry evening smoky eye. I wear this over chanel fluid iridescent in source as a base and it stays put all day.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Eye Shadow -Chanel - Soft Touch Eyeshadow - Safari
loarc 5/31/2009 6:09:00 PM
Click continue for pic. I love me some taupe eyeshadow and I had been wanting this for quite a bit. This didnt disappoint me... beautiful taupe color with silvery sheen. Soft shadow with good pigmentation and lasting ability. I wear this as a wash over the lid with Source as a base, cinnamon in the crease and chanel waterproof vert bronze liner for a daytime look or my HG Tigi Bigfatfun Black liner for a super sulty night look. Gorgeous. NC25 to NC45. Chanel Soft Bisque to Natural skin tone.
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Concealers -Yves Saint Laurent - TOUCHE ECLAT #3
loarc 5/31/2009 5:56:00 PM
It ticks me off how YSL markets this as a highlighter but then they try to sell it as a concealer touting their instyle award for best concealer even touting that it "banishes shadows and signs of fatigue from the eye area". Dont expect any banishing of shadows from this product... the coverage is way to thin and does not blend in that well. Good highlighter... maybe, concealer... no way. My review: To start with I have hereditary dark circles under my eyes. By dark I mean punched in the eye dark. My main problem is the thinness of the skin under my eyes. The best I've gotten to correct this problem is restylene injections... but I digress. This product is simply ok for me... the match is good for my skin (Chanel Natural/NC45) but I find this to be way too thin. I prefer Bobbi Browns Corrector in Bisque which I find to be creamier. I also like Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in 4 but that is also very thin but I find the concealer/corrector duo to cover dark circles better. This product is good at covering redness around the nostrils and any red spots and the packaging is awesome. I carry it in my purse for on the go touchups. I wont repurchase because the only thing that makes this worthwhile is the packaging. Ive heard La Prairie makes a better pen a bit thicker then this. I might try that one.
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Lip Gloss -Chanel - Magnifique Glossimer 83
loarc 5/31/2009 5:29:00 PM
Click continued for swatches. This was the second Glossimer I purchased. I bought it after seeing it on FOTD by a beautiful MUAer and was not disappointed. I typically go for the more of a nude lip but pink color of this attracted me. Its a perfect pigmented pink color thats not too bubblegummy color. Sexy but also sophisticated. My skin tone ranges from Chanel Soft Bisque 2.5 to Natural 4.5 (I think that MAC NC25 to NC45). Anyways I find this looks better on me when I am tan vs. when I am pale. Like all glossimers, nice pigmentation, moisture, and not very sticky compared to others (MAC). Worth the $.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Lip Gloss -Chanel - Twinkle Glossimer
loarc 5/31/2009 5:20:00 PM
Click continue for swatches. This is the newest edition to small collection of glossimers. A regional makeup artist for Chanel picked out this color for me during a recent makeover at the Chanel counter (paired with the Oasis Eye Quad). This reminds me of a deeper pigmented version of pin-up. It looks great on my currently NC25/Chanel Soft bisque skin. As with all glossimers this is relatively nonsticky (for a gloss), last about 2 hours, and is moisturizing. Worth the money. I have yet to find a glossimer I dont like.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Primer/ Corrector -Yves Saint Laurent - Top Secrets Flash Radiance
loarc 5/31/2009 12:12:00 PM
I am constantly in search of the perfect primer. I have normal to oily skin that is clear with large pores so my idea of a perfect primer would be one that smooths in pores and minimizes oil. This does neither hence the one lippie rating. I wore this for 2 weeks thinking that it didn't really do anything. During those weeks my face was super greasy but I attributed it to a new SIsley moisturizer that I purchased when I purchased top secret. Haha. Imagine my surprise when I stopped wearing the moisturizer and I the greasyness continued. Well the last two weeks I havent been wearing the top secret... in fact I havent been wearing any primer at all because I misplaced my failsafe Philosophy the present but I have been wearing the Sisley moisturizer and guess what... no greasy face. Its sad but I look way better without this product on. This product to me is similar to Clarins in that they both seem to turn into a slippery greasy slick on me within 2 hours... but atleast Clarins initially makes my skin look flawless. This didnt do anything... pores looked the same. I have tried Smashbox, Clarins, Armani, Philosophy, and Clinique primers. This is by far the worst (and it's the most expensive! ha!). It's going in the garbage! CDP is on the way so hopefully that wont disappoint. Edit 10/25/2009: So far Cle de Peau smoothing base for pores works the best for me (matifies and smooths in pores giving an nice soft-focus effect) followed by Clinique and Philosophy. I would not recommend CDP to dry skinned ladies though. Anyhow... currently Im waiting for LP gold illusion in the mail so we'll see how that one goes.
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Primer/ Corrector -Philosophy - The Present Clear Makeup
loarc 5/31/2009 11:21:00 AM
Im always on the search for the perfect primer. I have slightly oily clear skin. My main concerns with a primer are that it controls oil and minimizes pores. I found this to a good job at both and therefor consider this to be one of the better primers I've tried. I think I still prefer Cliniques over this though (for pore minimizing). This beats out YSL Top secret (greasy mess), Armani, smashbox, and Clarins (greasy mess). Ive worn this under Chanel TI fluid foundation, Shiseido Sun Protection Foundation, SKII airtouche, and Sisley Oil-free foundation and have never had a problem with balling up like some other reviewers (except once when I applied a quarter size amount to my face haha). I apply a pea size amount and wait 2 minutes before applying. My foundation goes on smoothly, oil is controlled, and pores are smoothed. I wont repurchase this simply because I am looking for something that make my pores disappear haha. I ordered the CdP primer so we'll see how that does. If it sucks like many of the others than back to my bottle of this as Im currently out of the clinique. All and all this is a very good primer, just not HG. edit 10/25/2009: I prefer CDP smoothing base for pores. Its great at mattifying and minimizing pores almost giving the perfect soft focus look. But I would not reccommend CDP it to those with dry skin-it will be too drying. Im waiting on LP gold illusion primer in the mail so we'll see how that goes...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No