Blush -NARS - The Multiple in Riviera
ncw1625 1/1/2012 6:53:00 AM
I went to space n.k. With the specific purpose of buying a nars multiple. I like sheer make-up that is fun to apply, and not chalky or powdery or heavy, and is versatile, so this seemed the perfect blusher choice. I chose this colour from the selection because I tend to suit cooler tones, and this is a cool pink, but it does have gold shimmer undertones, which make it really pretty. This is very natural, I love the consistency. I usually apply it to my fingers, then pat onto the skin, so that I don't get foundation onto the stick, or make it all messy. It's creamy enough to apply nicely, and easily, but not so that it is oily or thick on am oily skin like mine. I haven't had any adverse reaction yet to my very sensitive skin with this. I'm now a little wary about the stick drying up from reading other reviews, but at present, mine is just fine, and I keep it in a vanity case, and keep it cool. Really like using this product
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Liquid -Laura Mercier - Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation
ncw1625 12/26/2011 3:26:00 PM
Tried a whole face of this foundation today, after purchasing it, as it is recommended as the best foundation for oily skins by beauty editors. It is very very yellow toned. I dislike rose tinted foundations on my skin. My neck is more yellow than my face, as I flush easily, and have light pinkish acne scars and very very sensitive skin. I like to match to my neck, and am most comfortable with yellow tones. Even so, this foundation is very yellow at the jaw-line. The other immediate observation, as I like to apply with my fingers to really melt the product into my skin seamlessly, is how chalky the consistency is. It is not easy to blend at all. I didn't prep my skin beforehand, as I am only using my purity one step cleanser (see review) when I take off my make-up, and this foundation highlighted every bit of dry skin. The skin would need to be exfoliated and buffed to perfection, and moisturised synthetically prior to using this foundation- a bit of a palarvar for a heavily pregnant woman who wants a job-done approach. These points aside, this foundation does give a very put-together look all round,and I like the packaging a lot. You can see how much is remaining, and it is hygienic and easy to dispense. It took exactly 2 pumps for my whole face. I wore the foundation for about 7 hours, when it started to itch, and I felt I'd be more comfortable with it washed off. It wore very well for those 7 hours in the cold weather, heavily heated stores, and being quite hot. A good foundation, with it's negatives and positives. I'd opt for a good tinted moisturiser in an environment where there aren't so many mirrors or people- it would feel more comfortable and be easier to blend.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Philosophy - Purity Made Simple (Real Purity Cleanser)
ncw1625 12/24/2011 2:58:00 PM
Tried this product for the first time tonight, so this is am initial impression review, from a heavily pregnant lady with acne-prone skin. I wanted a cleanser to take off make-up on those couple of days a week/evenings that I'll make a real effort. I wanted something low- maintenance, inexpensive, and very very gentle to my skin, but thorough. I was surprised at how thick the consistency is; I was expecting more of a milk. I applied to dry skin, but had to splash some water on to pick up my make-up, and enable it to spread across my skin. It did not sting my very dry pregnancy eyes neat, but once mixed with more water when rinsing, it did sting them a little. I splashed most of the product of my face, and removed any residue with damp cotton wool. This product did feel and smell a little bit soapy mixed with water. However, it did not smell at all unpleasant at any point as some reviews have described. I was under the impression that i could be lazy with this cleanser and not rinse it, but water is definitely a necessity with this. I didn't feel confident afterward that all product had been removed properly. My skin feels a little tight, but not at all stripped or that rubbery kind of squeaky clean afterward. I will continue with this product and update after longer trialing. I do like how no toner or moisturiser is needed with this product. It takes the headache out of skincare.
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Moisturizers -Sisley - Botanical Fluid Compound with Tropical Resins
ncw1625 7/6/2011 4:44:00 AM
My main concerns with a moisturiser are that it doesn't dry my skin out, give me spots, helps any existing spots to go away, and that it sinks into my skin, smells nice and helps makeup application. This does al that, and that's a tall bill! I'm a skin expert, and usually have my skin regime down, but pregnancy hormones have been causing havoc, so I've had to try something completely different to try to revive my skin. I was not so sure of this until I tried it. Scientifically, it shouldn't work. There are many comedogenic ingredients in this complex, but it does work. I applied it, whilst I was in the bath, after cleansing, and as soon as I got out of the bath, it had sunk right in. My skin is looking much healthier with this and the cleansing milk with sage (see review). Yes, it's expensive, but my skin is important to me, and I was starting to panic about how I could stop these hormones ruining it, I was starting to loose confidence about my looks. I can justify spending this sort of money when it matters.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Sisley - Cleansing Milk with Sage
ncw1625 7/6/2011 4:23:00 AM
I am a professional skin care expert. I have had pretty bad acne in the past, and skin that is still prone to acne, but I had perfected my product use to get my skin looking great. That was until I became pregnant. My hormones are causing havoc with my skin, and whereas i would usually avoid this product due to it containing many comedogenic ingredients I've had to step out of the box. I gave this a try last night when I was at a loss with my skin. I loved that the application is so gentle. The milk is not thick or heavy, like those of lancome, and the milk doesn't fly to the other extreme of drying out the skin. The smell is lovely. I just lightly moved the milk around my face to pick up make-up, and removed the milk with a warm facecloth. I like that it isn't a soapy wash. It is much more relaxing to use. I like that it does not contain grains that would spread bacteria of cystic acne. I used this in conjunction with the resin complex last night, and instead of waking up to more hormonal whiteheads, I've woken up with softer, smoother skin, and the spots I had have reduced greatly, and I have no new ones. I know these products are expensive but they feel so gentle, and if my skin loves them for the rest of the time of me using up the sample, money is am okay price to pay for my confidence, how I feel about myself, and not feeling too spotty to be doing my job as a skin care expert! please see my review on the resin complex too for oily, conjested skin.
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Skincare - Body -Palmers - Cocoa Butter Formula with vitamin E-Swivel Stick
ncw1625 4/13/2011 8:54:00 AM
This comes everywhere with me. Best stay-put intense lip balm. If I've dried my lips to smitherines by using products with glycolic acid in on my face, this will undo the damage in a heart-beat. Initially, I also used it on my eyes, as recommended by Christopher Drummond. Mistake. It clogged the pores on my cheek bones massively. As a lip balm this is perfect. Cheap, practical. Love. I was put off after the clogged pores on my upper cheeks, but it was the only thing to soothe my lips when they were really hard up. And it is now my favourite thing for my lips. No problem with using it that way.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Decleor - Aromessence Ylang Ylang
ncw1625 4/13/2011 8:33:00 AM
I had forgotten all about this little gem. It is only the concentrates of Decleor's products that I would recommend for acne-prone skin- they are completely non-comedogenic (in the scientific sense- check cosdna.com). This feels so luxurious. A tiny amount needed. It is rare that my skin feels depleted of oils, which is probably why I forgot about it. But it's been really sunny, hot weather recently, and my forehaed was feeling papery, and dry and dehydrated. I've put this on after my egg-white mask. Such a pleasure to use. I may buy it as the summer months ensue. Parhaps after I've moved house rather than before with it being in such a delicate glass bottle. It does not feel heavy, clogging. Just therapeutic and nourishing. The other end of the spectrum to Dr. Hauschka's balancing oil which is awful (see earlier review). This is how an oil designed to be left on the skin for oily skin should be. Very nice.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Giorgio Armani - Face Fabric Second Skin Nude Makeup
ncw1625 4/9/2011 2:53:00 PM
Best foundation I have ever tried, and I have tried alot of them, and have extremely difficult skin. My skin will react to every ingredient within a product if it has even a number 1 on a rating of 0-5 for comedogenity (if it clogs pores), and irritation. I have to check the ingredients of everything before I put it on my skin. This has 0s all the way through, and my skin agrees. A dream, not just in terms of no skin problems, maybe even better skin, but also in terms of ease of application, and wear. I'm a rub in with the fingers kind of girl. Foundation brushes are just hassle to me- I find them difficult to clean properly, I always find there is a build-up, and I would have to clean them so often because I have such oily skin-bacteria would really thrive. So I squeeze this out of the tube, and lightly blend everywhere. It is a fluid, but it feels like a mousse to apply because it is so unbelievably soft. It goes under my eyes, on my eyelids, everywhere, so easily. It's like folding silk over your face. It wears all day long. 12 hours. It would be no problem. I actually get a little bit cocky about my skin when I wear this, which for me is a very big deal. When I'm wearing it, I seem to think that my skin is the bees knees because you can't actually see foundation, and whilst it's clear that my skin is not perfect, it looks pretty good in this. No oil, pretty matte, but without that dulling effect. No make-up feel. Just an absolute dream. The negatives- the price. But frankly, it's so good, I just don't care. And secondly, I had to go to Selfridges to get a colour match whilst I was in London, and whilst that's fine as I was in London anyhow, it is a bit irriatating that it isn't sold in most places. I'll have to order off the internet now I know my shade. I had suspected a number 2. That's exactly what I am, and whilst it looks too dark in the tube, it is perfect for me when wearing, from the start and throughout the whole day. I am light to medium skinned, with yellow undertones. I am british, fully, with some family history in Scotland. Well, Armani, you have done it as far as I am concerned. Excellent. Everything else is just no match for this.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Sudocrem
ncw1625 3/21/2011 2:59:00 PM
The horrible clinique moisturiser from my last review did a number on my skin, so a few days later, I have a couple of days off work to sort myself out and not have to wear make-up to cover up the horrible mess. After a lemon and honey mask I did in the bath today to soothe and exfoliate, I'm sat on my bed wearing a thin mask of trusty sudocrem. The first time I used it on my face was a time of more severe despair, after benzoyl peroxide dried my skin to smitherines. I find anything that dries the heck out my skin, making it painfully dehydrated, stretched, with all the flakiness to follow, gives me unhappy big spots- the really deep kind that for me come with extremely harsh ingredients. Sudocrem just puts back the oils that have been stripped out. Having acne-prone skin, the worst thing I can do after something like this, is put a rich cream on my face, as that would only give me more congestion. I was at a loss at how to treat the extreme dryness form the clinique moisturiser because of this. This evening I remembered sudocrem, and dug out a mini unopened pot I have. So glad I remembered. Good old sudocrem! Of course, it leaves bed linen white, and makes skin crawl a little bit because it sits on the surface of the skin. But by morning, it has sunk in, and the skin is so soft and soothed. A very good cream to have in the house.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Clinique - Super Rescue Antioxidant Night Moisturizer
ncw1625 3/19/2011 3:19:00 PM
I tried the combination to oily skin version in a sample pot, after hearing a very positive review of the cream. Initially, i was impressed that it kept my skin matte during my long hours in a hot busy restaurant. I used the cream for 2 evenings and one morning, until i began to see terrible irritation. I discontinued trialing the sample pot i had, and the irritation took a long time to calm down. It is now 3-4 days afterward. Initially the irritation was extremely tight, red skin on my chin area, the sides of my nose, and my lower forehead, especially the area around between my eyebrows. It progressed to a very dry rash with whitehead very small pimples and lots of them. The next stage was very sore skin from bleeding where the skin had opened. This was at the sides of the nose. These are healing, and i am suffering mostly now from very dry flaky skin especially in the cheek area and just generally very flaky skin. This is all such a shame as i had gotten my skin to a very good texture. I have learnt my lesson. I am pretty sure that it is the cereatyl alcohol in the product that has caused this pretty strong reaction. This ingredient has high irritation and comedogenic levels scientifically. I won't be putting another product containing this any where near my face again. Just glad i hadn't purchased a full size bottle of this. Just awful for my skin.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Treatments -Unlisted Brand - Lemon Juice
ncw1625 3/4/2011 9:43:00 AM
Below is my review of using lemon juice prior to becoming pregnant. I am re-reviewing this product with a message of high caution. I have not a tiny single stretch-mark on my enormous baby belly. However, in the areas I have applied lemon juice, my skin is completely full of them. From using it on my decolatage, my growing boobs are full of stretchmarks. So are my thighs from using it there. So is my bum from using it there. Why? because lemon juice completely strips the skin's natural oils, and the surface layer of skin, depleting it's elasticity. I haven't used this for some time now. Instead I am increasing protein and fats in my diet to avoid spots from insulin surges, and being very gentle with my skin. I have re -visited using lemon juice a good few times in the last couple of years. It is the one thing that i go back to time and time again. Cheap, more effective than anything I've tried and assists me extremely well when i decide to do a skin detox from products, which always have their negatives. The lemon juice makes my skin taut, smoothes it, immediately makes blemishes look less obvious, making it easier to leave my skin free of foundation. And it's cheap. A no-brainer really. I use it on my decolatage and upper back and even my bum, as there areas of skin are very similar to my facial skin for me, and are prone to congestion with the use of a lot of cosmetic products out there areas. I use a body brush after I've applied the lemon juice to my body to really get it to penetrate. I use a whole lemon for my face and body standing up in the bath before i lie in the bath and relax.this avoids the mess of the juice and pips going on the floor. I find the worse the state of my skin, the more it stings. After regular use it doesn't hurt much. It feels like tiny insects biting. The results are more than worth it. Lemon juice. My saviour really.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Caudalie - Cleansing Water
ncw1625 2/28/2011 12:40:00 PM
Now, I do have some very deep cysts right now, one on the side of my neck is especially deep, and one under the side of my lip. I'm not sure if this product was an added cause to this. I doubt it. I love the packaging of this product. This product lives in my make-up bag inside my hand-bag, and I use it to freshen my skin in the morning on the bus, before I apply my make-up. I don't have to worry about it splilling because it is a screw lid, and it doesn't require water; just a swipe with a cotton wool pad, and I do use it on my neck too, for that really fresh feeling. This feels like almost nothing. Not as hard as water. Softer. I think that my cysts are from an oil I was using previously, as I have the same on my shoulder(body oil I was using) right now, so I don't want to put you off this product, just thought I should mention it. Using this, along with other products has improved the general texture of my skin; it is smoother overall, and more dewy. The only ingredient of slight concern to me is the hydrogenated castor oil, simply for the fact that some oils have really been terrible to my skin, BUT this specific oil has a comedogenic rating that is very low. I want to try Bioderma Crealine H2O, which is a similar cleansing water, used backstage in French catwalk shows as it does not cause reactions in any body's skin, or at least this is its reputation. I would always like to have a bottle of Caudalie Cleansing water on hand because it is so simple. Just a no-fuss, cleanse the skin, take all make-up off, non-irritaing water. Easy. P.S. I am a contact lense wearer. No problems with this. I use it on my eyes. It's fine.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Foundations -Vichy - Dermablend Corrective Foundation
ncw1625 2/28/2011 12:16:00 PM
My main priority with a foundation is that it does not cause break-outs. If it does not deliver, that is one thing, but to make my skin worse is another. I doubt that this prouduct has had a detrimental effect on my skin, so it has this in it's favour. To begin with, being unaccustomed to wearing foundation at the moment, I was very impressed with this foundation; from afar it gave me a more polished, put-together look. I felt more presentable to the world, and like I had made an obvious effort. As the couple of weeks have gone by, I'm no longer happy with it. First of all, it comes off if I simple lightly scratch my face, and yes, it does make skin crawl over the course of the day becuase it makes it very oily. It's like there's this layer that is not set on the skin, and it makes me feel very self-concious when somebody is talking to me right up close, because it is very obvious to see on the surface of the skin. The other point to make is that up close it also does not cover blemishes. The tiny tiny ones, it does, but not whitehead spots that have done their thing, and are healing. It also doesn't cover scars. If you do not need much coverage, this foundation is okay. But that misses the point completely, because this foundation has double pigment with the purpose of covering. I won't be throwing it out, but I wouldn't re-purchase- I'd like to think that there is a better foundation out there. I research the ingredients of products before I put them on my skin these days. The only ingredeint in this prooduct that causes even the teeniest bit of concern for acne-prone skin, is Dimethicone; it has a comedogenic rating of 1, on a scale of 1-5, so it doesn't make alarm bells ring. I am now going to be trying Double Wear by Estee-Lauder. It is a re-visit for me with this foundation. It gives a matte movie-star finish from my experience so far, and I prefer it to the Vicky Dermablend so far. Watch this space....
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Powder -Unlisted Brand - Christopher Drummond Beauty - Veludo Velvet Foundation
ncw1625 12/21/2010 5:39:00 PM
I simply lost all faith in cosmetics form the cystic acne, flaking skin, horrible textured skin that they gad given me over the years. Christopher Drummond has renewed by faith in beauty products. I would highly reccomend his products. I would reccomend reading his online blog, which can easily be found from google, and ordering a starter gift kit from his website in order to trial the products at a smaller size and cost than the fuller sizes. I have fair skin that has yellowish undertines, tans nicely in the sun, but can burn when I get too much all at once. I thought I would be a shade 'light' from his description, and I was right. I have been making a mix of all 3 of the lighter trial kit powder foundations, and this has worked fine, though obviously I have been left with more of the 'fair' shade, which will be useful for when (if) I am looky enough to go on holiday during next year. These products can be used in a very natural radiant way, or built up with the bronzer that comes in the pack for a real glamour-puss glitzy evening look that's still on the sophistacated side. The serum that also come in the pack has faded my acne scars on the sides of my cheeks, right the way down either side underneath my cheekbones from all the cystic acne a cleanser I was using had given me previously (containing mineral oil). I am very excited to try Christopher Drummond's eyeshaddows and liners. I am trying to wait until the January Sales, to be sensible on the financial side. These products are not cheap, but they are also not ridiculously priced for the quality. Just looking at the ingredients of the serum again this evening on the internet helped me to understand why these products are doing so great with my skin. What a relief that these products are there! I can no longer go and buy things that bedazzle me when I am out shopping, i.e. pretty eyeshadows of another make because I know that they will not look as good on the skin, and will be very superficial in terms of what they mean to my skin. That is, a mask of chemicals that looks good for one evening, but has long-term detrimental effects to my skin health. Christopher Drummond is a world appart from this. The powders do spill a little form their screw-on lidded pots, but does this really matter? It would be nice if the packaging was better, but what is of utmost importance is my skin. I am no longer looking when it comes to make-up and that is a big statement for somebody who is always on the lookout for things to make my skin look better; it is now skincare that I want to perfect, before I turn my complete attention to haircare.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Dr. Hauschka - Normalizing Day Oil
ncw1625 12/15/2010 7:55:00 AM
Now, I have tried with this product twice. Properly. It sent my skin into a downward spiral both times. I now know the reason why; Wheat germ oil has a comedogenic rating of 5, on a scale of 1-5. That is terrible. Think cystic acne weeks later. That is what you buy with this product. The buyer has oily skin because that is who the product is aimed at. This product is not good for oily skin. As the previous manager of a shop that sold this product, the buyer would never have good skin. This is an understatement. Of course, I could not advise them against the product if the customer came in ranting to their friend about how good it was- that would just cause an arguement; I think often when somebody wants to believe they will, if they so badly want to believe, they will, even if their skin shows proof that opposes what they are believing. Dr. Hauschka seems to cash in on the all-natural philosophy. Natural isn't always best. Chemicals aren't always best. It's about looking at ALL the ingredients of products scientifically, and there are reports and websites out there that help. Also, trust your skin- it knows best. Don't be afraid to leave it be if you are feeling lost with the complexities of cosmetics. I dislike this product.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No