Sunscreen -EltaMD - UV Clear SPF 46
mstroche 7/9/2012 12:21:00 AM
I can now say with confidence that this is the first sunscreen that I have used since I started applying sunscreen daily 15 years ago that does not break me out. I am 37 and have always struggled with very oily skin, acne, cysts and dark spots, and while wearing sunscreen always made my acne worse I could not bypass it because of the hyperpigmentation and prescription treatments. So I started using Elta Clear 5 months ago when I started my current prescription treatment for hyperpigmentation and acne, and I was mostly attributing not having acne for the first time in years to the treatment (a combination of tretinoin, vitamin C and hydroquinone). But, I ran out of the Elta Clear last week and I started using other sunscreens, and within days I suddenly have a few breakouts, so definitely this sunscreen had been doing its job of keeping my face clear. I've tried so many brands and have spared no expense (Clinique City Block Spf 25 and 40, Solbar, Purpose, Obagi, Tizo 3, Total Block, Fallene Cotz, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, and most recently Peter Thomas Roth Uber Dry and Philosophy Miracle Worker SPF 55, and I could keep going) but I think I'm done searching. I will say that the finish is not matte, and in the heat it seems to melt off, but having clear skin outweighs anything else.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Vichy - anti-imperfection concentrate
mstroche 10/24/2010 5:03:00 PM
I bought this product while on vacation in France. At that moment I had started using MD Forte III (which made my acne worse than it had been in a very long time) so I had to run to a drugstore to buy something that would help clear up my massive breakout. I saw that this product has a 4% salicylic acid content, while in the US over the counter products usually have a 2% concentration, so I had high hopes of seeing results. I'm sad to say that this did NOTHING for my skin, it was like applying water. It did not clear or dry up my acne in the least bit, and my face felt none of the sensation that you can expect with even the mildest acne creams-no tingling, no redness, nothing. It's been 5 months since then and on occasions I'll apply it to new breakouts and the results are always non-existing.
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Shampoo -Redken - All Soft Shampoo
mstroche 10/3/2010 10:57:00 AM
I've been using this shampoo along with the conditioner for six months now and overall I'm pleased with the condition of my hair, although I do need to wash my hair more frequently because this shampoo is very thick and creamy and does not clean deeply. I have thick, wavy hair, and lots of it, and it does a good job of conditioning and detangling, and my hair is soft and manageable. However I need to shampoo twice for my scalp to feel clean, and need to shampoo more frequently than with other shampoos. This product is best suited for normal to dry hair/scalp and thick hair. I would not recommend for oily scalps unless you shampoo daily, or for those with thin hair as it may weigh it down.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -MD Forte - Facial Cleanser III
mstroche 10/3/2010 10:41:00 AM
From my experience with this product I can't believe it has so many rave reviews. I'm 35, have oily skin, clogged pores and frequent breakouts. As soon as I started using this product I broke out with cystic acne all across my jawline. I have used many products, from prescription medication such as Retin-A to expensive brands as Obagi, so I know that there may be some purging from using a new product, but this reaction was definitely not it. I tried it for over a month and gave up when my sister, who is used to seeing my face look like a war zone, told me my face had never looked worse. Thanks to 10 days in antibiotics my face is now better, but it took over three months since I stopped using it for the cysts to go away. Also, it does not clean well at all-even when using my Clarisonic along with it I would have a lot of makeup left behind that I had to remove with toner. I see this product more suited for dry and breakout-free skin and would not recommend to anyone with oily skin prone to breakouts.
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Treatments -Garnier - Fructis 3 Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment Triple Nutritrion
mstroche 1/2/2010 4:05:00 PM
I'm so glad I came upon these reviews so that I could finally pinpoint the cause of the straw-like hair : ( I was excited to try the Triple Nutrition Conditioner and 3 Minute Undo for my thick, wavy hair that tends to frizz, both for the ingredients and the great price ( I purchased them at an introduction price of 3 for $10 at Walgreens). I usually apply conditioner to my ends only, and on ocassion I would apply to both hair and scalp and would notice that my bangs were weighed down and kind of dull. I thought that maybe the conditioners were too rich, and since I have so much hair I was actually happy to have it weighed down and was willing to sacrifice the shine. However, over time (I think I used it for around 5 months) my hair kept looking duller and felt straw-like, but I just figured that I was way due for a trim. Since I air-dry my hair at home, it was when my stylist blow dried it and I saw and felt how the brush would actually stick to the hair instead of glide, especially at the top/crown, that I realized how bad it was. He mentioned that I had some sort of product buildup, not just dryness. At that moment I stopped using the Triple Nutrition (its been a month) and switched products, but my hair hasn't recovered at all. I'm going to try apple cider vinegar and baking soda to remove the residue, but if it doesn't work I think I might resort to desperate measures and cut it short. Please note that at first I was happy with the product, so if you've been using it only for a short while be aware that build up might be a possibility.
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Mascara -L'Oreal - Voluminous mascara
mstroche 11/5/2009 10:40:00 AM
Great volume and definition with minimum clumps. Definitely recommend.
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Powder -MAC - Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
mstroche 11/5/2009 10:37:00 AM
I have been using Studio Fix for over 5 years now. I have very oily, acne-prone, blemished skin, and this is by far the product that has worked best for me so far. In trying to cover up my blemishes, I have tried many liquid-to-powder and compacts that promise great coverage, only to end up with more breakouts that need more makeup to cover (the cycle never ends...), and greasy skin. MAC Studio Fix provides excellent, matte coverage, without the addtional breakouts. It also does a pretty good job in controlling shine-I can go for almost two hours without having to blot my face, which is longer than if I'm actually not wearing makeup at all. Regarding price, a friend recently recommended L'oreal Airwear (which is now discontinued). I decided to give it a try, plus it wouldn't hurt to save a few dollars (so I thought) since I paid around $14 for the L'oreal (Studio Fix is around $26). I ran out of the Airwear in a couple of months, while the Studio Fix lasts me well over 6 months, so it's definitely a better value, plus the Airwear didn't provide the coverage I needed. Do keep it mind that Studio Fix is probably best for those of us that need extra coverage, so I would probably not recommend if you only need light coverage.
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Mascara -MAC - Zoom lash
mstroche 11/5/2009 9:47:00 AM
I received this mascara as a gift after having my makeup done at a MAC store. As a fan of MAC products, I sad to report that I would not recommend this mascara at all. It does nothing for volume, leaves lashes with clumps, and you have to allow about a minute for it to dry without blinking or you'll end up with Rageddy Ann eyes. I'll definitely stick with L'oreal Voluminous.
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Misc Beauty Tools -Clarisonic - Pro Skincare Brush
mstroche 10/18/2009 4:01:00 PM
With all the hype around it, I wish I could give this product a great review, but it has done nothing for me. I'm 34, and have very oily, acne-prone skin with clogged pores. I had very high hopes that it would help clear my pores so that I could stop picking on my face, but after 8 months of use, I have seen no improvement in my pores or overall skin condition. I still use it because my skin does feel cleaner after use, but there are no visible results. For the price, I do not recommend.
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Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Proclaim - Natural 7 Oil
mstroche 10/18/2009 3:49:00 PM
I tried this thanks to makeupalley reviews, and I'm pretty happy with the results. I have curly shoulder-length hair that tends to get frizzy. I've tried countless leave-in conditioners and serums without great results, and this oil really helps define my curls without leaving my hair greasy or sticky. Do keep in mind that a little goes a long way, so use sparingly and apply it to towel dried hair for best results. I really recommend it, and a cost of $4 (I bought at Sally's), you have nothing to lose.
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