Moisturizers -Cerave - Moisturizing Lotion
missannabelle 2/23/2009 3:53:00 AM
Very good moisturizing lotion to repair the barrier for dry, dehydrated and damaged skin; it moisturizes without a hint of the greasy look and feel, even when used on oily skin (just remember to use it sparingly); does not contain known irritants like essential oils, fragrance, alcohol, colorants or any other skin sensitizers; it does contain loads of beneficial emolients that is necessary to maintain the function of healthy looking skin. Drawbacks include the lack of antioxidants (I sometimes add a drop or two of extra virgin olive oil or Paula's Choice antioxidant concentrate serum to make up for this).
*note* this product contains cholesterol, while it is an excellent ingredient for moisturizing skin, those of us with excessive sebum production on the face, easily clogged pores and who are acne prone should take caution when applying this stuff to the face. Cholesterol might be a bit *too* emolient and can clog up your pores pretty good, contributing to what I think is making some of the other reviewers on here break-out after using this product frequently on their face. I've stopped applying this lotion to my face after noticing increasing breakouts, but this is still an excellent choice for a body lotion, especially since I suffer from chronic dry skin that's eczema prone.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Zapzyt - 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Gel
missannabelle 2/13/2009 2:10:00 AM
Great stuff - very effective for most types of breakouts I get, I usually apply this stuff as a spot treatment (and I recommend you do as well, as 10% benzoyl peroxide - no matter which brand - may damage your skin with ongoing use: oxidation damage, dryness, flaking, other kinds of contact dermatitis, etc) during the first day/night when a pimple develops, and 90% of the time this stuff keeps the pimple from getting any bigger, and usually eliminates it completely by the 2nd/3rd day. Works a bit slower on existing inflammation and cystic acne. ZapZyt doesn't exist in Canada, unfortunately, and I either have to get it on EBay or get it on my trips down to Seattle.
With all that said, if you want to apply a benzoyl peroxide product all over your face daily to prevent breakouts, you should consider applying a 2.5% strength product instead of this one, being the maximum strength. I was a little horrified to read some of the posts on here from people who put this stuff all over their face on a nightly basis. Even if you can't see any immediate adverse reaction, there is a possibility that your skin may react to it differently in the long run. As well, I have heard that a 2.5% BP product is just as effective as a 10% one, with the exception of being more skin friendly, I'm in the process of testing this out still, and will update my review later.
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Hair -Klorane - Dry shampoo
missannabelle 2/13/2009 1:52:00 AM
Good for eliminating oily scalp odor, not sufficient enough for me at suppressing oil - left my hair drier than prior to application, but it was still very weighed down, and flat. I applied this stuff every which way possible, even found plenty of youtube instructions for it, but the results were always the same. Pretty expensive for a relatively small container that will run dry within 2 1/2 weeks with frequent use. I'm looking to try Batiste Dry Shampoo next, hopefully I have better luck with it.
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Conditioner -TiGi - Catwalk Honey & Oatmeal conditioner [DISCONTINUED]
missannabelle 2/13/2009 1:44:00 AM
The smell, in my opinion, was downright disgusting. I expected a soft & sweet aroma, not necessarily the almost bitter, a-punch-in-the-face type of stench that came with this stuff. It literally smelled like your breakfast oatmeal with an excessive overload of honey (and chemicals) - so excessive that it smelled bitter, as I mentioned. The texture on the other hand, is extremely heavy and creamy, yet did not moisturizer my fine, straight, but dry and very tangled hair. When paired with the shampoo that it came with (whose smell is similar, albeit a toned down version and not as offensive), my hair became staticky and frizzy throughout the day, and was extremely limp (more so than usual). All in all, the smell is a personal preference, and some may even find it pleasant; however I do hope you get the chance to take a whiff for yourself prior to purchasing. Although this stuff is relatively cheap - $19.99 Cdn for a giant bottle along with the shampoo, it really doesn't matter at all since both ended up being so useless.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Shiseido - Ultimate Cleansing Oil
missannabelle 2/1/2009 6:18:00 AM
I used this product for awhile with good results, until I studied the ingredient list and realized that... this is just a standard *mineral oil*.. that's all there is!! I don't understand how a company can blatantly dress up such a standard product and sell it for what is basically a highway robbery of a price. For those you who liked it, like I did, guess what? Mineral oil *is* the best type of cleansing oil as well as moisturizer, but you can find it at any drug store for a fraction of the price.
Plus.. this contains ALCOHOL... wow is there ever a more irritating ingredient for all skin types.
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Primer/ Corrector -Smashbox - Anti - Shine (tube)
missannabelle 1/31/2009 8:33:00 PM
This supposed *revolutionary* product of Smashbox is really just milk of magnesia with thickeners, preservatives, water binding agents and parabens added to it, no bells and whistles, but essentially an effective oil control product. Those of you who find Philips milk of magnesia a bit too tricky to apply, the Smashbox version will be alot easier due to it's lotion-gel like texture. I don't use this stuff on my whole face, as it just creates a mask-like appearance. But when dabbed and blended *thoroughly* on my very oily areas (folds and tip of nose, between eyebrows, center of forehead, cupid's bow.. etc), it makes a world of difference and renders the need of blotting throughout the day virtually obsolete.
Yes this is rather expensive for a simple oil control product, yet I won't mind shelling out the money due to its convenient packaging and effectiveness; a small tube will also go a long way for me, as you really don't need to and shouldn't pile this product on. When compared with Clinique's Pore Instant Minimizer, Clinique's version is slightly easier to blend, feels silkier and more breathable on skin, and is cheaper by a almost 10 dollars. But while Clinique's version is also a very good oil controller, I do find the Anti Shine just a bit more effective; with Clinique's version you might have to reapply it on top of your makeup to absorb excess oil throughout the day. Though with Anti Shine, it is quite difficult to reapply on top of your makeup, you really won't have the need for it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -DERMAdoctor - Born To Be Mild
missannabelle 1/31/2009 7:35:00 PM
*new review*:
My skin did not agree with this cleanser at all, which is a shame because this seemed like such an easy fix to my many skin problems: redness, chronic irritation, flaky yet oily, tight, peeling, blemishes, etc etc. Though this cleanser boasts to be extremely gentle, it is however..not. It can't possibly be as gentle as Cetaphil's not-so-much-of-a-cleanser-type cream cleanser if it contains 2% pyrithione zinc. It is though, much gentler when compared with a mild dandruff shampoo like Neutrogena T Gel, Head & Shoulders, or Nizoral (if you prefer to use that kind of stuff on your face to treat SD).
My suggestion is that if you must give this cleanser a try (and there's every reason to, if every other solution to treat SD fails), test it on a patch of your skin first. And whatever you do, please don't get this stuff anywhere close to your eyes, the consequences will not be pretty. If you have SD on your t-zone and your eyebrows, cleanse it with a q-tip and this cleanser, then rinse with a washcloth. Don't splash water on your face as the cleanser will just run down your eyes.
Good luck to those who try this cleanser.
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Treatments -Paula's Choice - Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Lotion Exfoliant
missannabelle 1/30/2009 11:57:00 PM
Unfortunately, my skin did not react well to this product. It is a shame because I do believe from analyzing its ingredient list and the numerous positive reviews that this is probably an amazing product, and will do wonders by ways of exfoliation inside the pores lining and dissolving stubborn blackheads (which I am prone to).
I have quite sensitive skin with dry patches and an extremely oily t-zone, prone to breakouts and blackheads just about everywhere on my face (though I do have it under control pretty well). Paula's 2% BHA liquid and Gel, as well as her 8% AHA gel ended up making my face very tight, shiny, and oily (as the products did not absorb well into my skin at all, and pilled up whenever I tried to layer anything on top of it). However, I do believe that this doesn't happen to everyone.
Theoretically, if your skin is a bit on the oily side, a liquid or gel type exfoliator or moisturizer is ideal, yet this was not the case for me. After experiencing the effects I mentioned above, I switched to Paula's 2% BHA lotion, and found it more agreeable with my skin, though I still cannot use BHA on my skin more than twice a week (as it'll just dry out my skin).
If your skin is of the sensitive type, I think you should start out by using Paula's 1% BHA lotion, and only every 2 or 3 days or so before gradually moving up to the 2% strength. Keep in mind that the lotion is a supreme texture when compared to the liquid and gel, as the lotion won't be pilling up on your face when layered under other products, though it might make your face a bit oily when applied.
Personally, I prefer Neutrogena Acne Stress Control 3-in-1. It pretty much is the same thing: a 2% BHA solution in a lotion type. However it does have a more pleasant smell (which was not a problem for my sensitive skin), did not leave my skin as greasy as Paula's BHA products did, yet worked just as effectively, for cheaper the price.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -MAC - Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
missannabelle 1/30/2009 11:40:00 PM
One of the best press powder foundation I've ever used: when applied with a foundation brush and not the sponge applicator it came with, this foundation layers beautifully without looking cakey and can provide nearly full coverage over your trouble spots if needed; it has a velvety smooth and seamless finish that feels breathable on skin; it is not as long wearing as some of the liquid matte foundations I've tried (namely, Clarins Truly Matte), but it will last about 6 - 7 hours without the need to blot. Drawbacks include the lack of sunscreen, so you must layer a sunscreen or a liquid foundation with sunscreen underneathe it, and for those of us with very oily skin, fewer products is better.
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Foundations -Almay - TLC Truly Lasting Color
missannabelle 1/30/2009 11:27:00 PM
Pros: Lasting, though not *truly*. I'd say when paired with an ultra-matte foundation primer (I like Smashbox Anti-shine), this liquid foundation has the staying power of up to 7 hours, with only occasional needs to blot); Relatively natural looking finish with medium coverage; Does not dry out the skin or make the skin feel chalky and powdery with long-term use; Cheap; Does not contain known irritants; Is highly recommended by Paula Begoun; Has sufficient built-in SPF
Cons: Peachy undertone for most shades (Sand and Warm are good for medium skin tones, but are just a bit on the pink side); Glass packaging; Not as matte and long wearing as some other ultra-matte liquid foundations; Removing it takes some effort, I like to use a lotion-based makeup remover and a cotton pad first, then rinse thoroughly with a water-soluable cleanser and a washcloth; Can appear cakey and magnify your dry areas when re-touched and layered throughout the day
My skin type: dry, very oily t-zone, large pores and prone to blackheads, some flaky areas
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Liquid -MAC - Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15
missannabelle 1/16/2009 5:37:00 AM
For those of you who think that you don't need a sunscreen with this foundation because it has an SPF 15 rating, you are fooled: it lacks UVA protection ingredients, so you would need to wear an effective sunscreen underneathe this foundation, which really is just a great big "why bother" as there are so many better choices out there with actual SPF. On another note, if you don't mind layering products, this foundation has a pretty smooth finish and good coverage.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Crème -MAC - Select SPF 15 Moistureblend [DISCONTINUED]
missannabelle 1/16/2009 5:21:00 AM
This foundation is very moisturizing indeed, a bit too moisturizing maybe. I found the finish to be a bit too greasy, and even after being set with powder, will run pretty easily and definitely won't wear throughout the day. Full coverage can be achieved through a couple of layers, but it'll only make this foundation run faster and appear greasier. For someone with very dry skin and flaky patches, this foundation might be one to consider but only if you're willing to reapply and constantly blot your face throughout the day, and only if you are not blemish prone, as the opague sunscreen and moist finish might cause some problems for blemish prone skin. I've got fairly oily skin that's blemish prone, with seborrheic dermatitis (flaky patches) in my t-zone and around my mouth, this foundation worked nicely over my dry patches, but I do need to use a matte foundation over other areas of my face.
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Liquid -Clarins - Truly Matte Foundation
missannabelle 1/16/2009 5:09:00 AM
Pros: surprisingly, the name is very accurate ... it remains absolutely matte for up to a whopping 9 hours without blotting or reapplication, which is very rare for most liquid foundations. It dispenses nicely from a conveniently packaged opague tube, and is relatively small in size (though it contains 30 MLs of foundations) and won't jam up your makeup bag like a messy and heavy glass jar that liquid foundations usually come in. The foundation does not contain any known skin irritants (though there is a slight fragrance, which did not cause any problems for my sensitive skin), the full range sunscreen is titanium dioxide, and is a nice SPF 15. This makeup blends beautifully and has a relatively natural looking finish that is silky smooth; medium to full coverage can be achieved through applying 2-3 layers of the foundation. One tube will last about 2 - 2 1/2 months with daily application.
Cons: the price makes me cringe, but if you got the money and don't wanna settle on a drugstore brand (although there are some nice options there that will definitely give the department store brands a run for its money), this foundation is one to consider for those with oily to very oily skin. I've read that another poster found this foundation to dry out your skin with continuous wear, and I unfortunately have to agree. Even if your skin is very oily (like mine), after about a month and half of daily use, there is a possibility that your skin will start to feel tight, chalky and powdery with slight flaking in some areas. I discontinued use for a week or so and switched to M.A.C's Select Moisture Blend (a very creamy compact foundation for dry skin) and felt much more comfortable, though my face became very oily again after awhile. I really want to figure out exactly what it is in the Truly Matte foundation that's drying out my skin, I'm guessing it might be the titanium dioxide (sunscreen), although I can't find any information anywhere that indicates its drying effect on skin.
For someone with very oily skin, using an oil absorbing primer like Smashbox's Anti-Shine under the Truly Matte foundation will keep your face matte for most of the day (8 - 10 hours, depending) without the need to blot. But do becareful and keep an eye on just how dry your face gets with regular use. If you do find your face drying out a bit, I suggest using a moisturizing lotion underneathe the foundation instead of an oil absorbing primer. If your skin has flaky patches, don't use this foundation over your flaky areas at all (but that should be pretty obvious already). This foundation is far too drying for those of you with normal to dry skin types.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No