Liquid -Make Up For Ever - Liquid Lift Foundation
purpldy 5/8/2013 2:58:00 PM
I would most likely like this a lot better if I got a good color match, but unfortunately the SA talked me into 11 and it is about a shade too light for me. I don't blame the makeup, I blame the SA and myself in particular, as I am a perfect 115 in the HD and putting 11 and 115 side by side in the store, they were not very close. When the SA put 11 on me, it seemed fine. Well, put a small amount on or blend, blend, of course it will look ok under store lighting. I actually will be returning this to get the HD again, or I might look at color 1, to see if it is a better match... this was the color I went into Sephora to purchase until the SA said to use 11.. For reference I am a very pink NW20. As far as the formula goes, it isn't anything really special as far as "lift" goes, but it does blend well and is nicely emollient for my dry, mature skin. As it is getting harder and harder to find pink based (not PEACH) foundations for dry skin, without any irritating SPF, IF I get a good shade match, this is worth $44. Without a match, I suggest if you are dry skinned, get the HD and put an emollient moist. or SPF underneath, as I have been doing.
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Powder -Shiseido - Perfect Smoothing Compact Foundation SPF 15
purpldy 2/1/2013 12:37:00 PM
I love the smoothness of this powder foundation! The added benefit for my sensitive skin is that the SPF is only titanium dioxide. Only one big problem, the colors are way off to their liquid and cream foundations. I purchased this in my usual shade B20 (I'm a very pink NW20) and it is practically orange on me. Unfortunately, the B20 is the lightest shade in the Beige(cool) family in this formula, the Sheer Matifying comes in B00, but not this one unfortunately. I intend to return it, or might try for an Ivory (neutral) in i00 or i20. I use this as a touch up powder and setting powder, and not my overall foundation color. A bit of neutral or even yellow tones isn't a bad thing for touch up during the day. Too bad Shisiedo does not have the B10 like their Cle de Peau line!
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Crème -Merle Norman - Luxiva Ultra Foundation with HC-12
purpldy 1/31/2013 3:46:00 PM
At first, I was a little iffy on the formula of this one. This is almost as creamy and moist as Clinique's Supermoisture, without the glitter. I was a little worried, as although Supermoisture saved my super dry, sensitive skin last year, I have got my sensitive and dry problems under control to the point I needed a new foundation. I'm actually more combination now, thank the gawds for a good change in my skincare routine! Hence my trip to my local Merle Norman for a new foundation that didn't use chemical sunscreens nor a lot of alcohol in the formula as both make my skin go a bit crazy. I met the lovely owner, she suggested I was a dry combination, not oily combination and that this formula should work nicely for me as it doesn't have any chemical sunscreen, and only titanium dioxide. This one does not have an SPF rating, but it does provide some SPF protection, just do not rely on it for your sole sunscreen. If applied right after your SPF or moisturizer, you will get a dewy foundation, light to medium coverage, good for dry to normal skin. So I liked it, great color match with "Ivory" for my VERY pink NW20 skin, but a little too much like the Clinique Supermoisture I was using - meaning too dewy for my more "normal" skin. Tried it again with a silicone Vit. C based moisturizer (kind of like Smashbox) and it was very very nice! A little dewy and moist, but not shiny at all. My final test was with Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch. Another winner for me! The Clarins was nice and comfortable, not too oily, not too dry, and only blotted my forehead once during the day. In conclusion, I find this a true winner for me as I can wear it on weekends for some nice moisture and even toned skin, use it for work and be polished but not a grease pit, and I can glam it up with a heavier application and heavier primer and have perfect skin for special events. Worse part of this product is the packaging. They should put it in a tube (just like they have for the testers at the stores). Price is mid range, around the price of Clinique or Shiseido, so a lower range Department Store. I always top with a dusting of powder, a loose mineral works well for me, heavier on oily areas, light on dry.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Erno Laszlo - Active Phelityl Cream
purpldy 1/18/2013 4:45:00 PM
This is now called "Active Phelityl Intensive Cream" but it is the same great formulation that I have been using off and on for 20 years. This used to be marketed for "slightly dry" skin, now labeled all skin types, but I could never understand why only slightly dry as it is basically Vaseline, but much better than Vaseline. Dry, very dry, slightly dry, you are either going to love or hate this one. I love it as I like greasy face creams that take awhile to absorb, especially at night. I am urber sensitive to fragrances but this has never bothered me, but it does have a slightly petrolatum with lavender scent. I put my serum on and then smooth this over the top at night, but I also use this during the day slightly lighter handed. The texture isn't for everyone, but those who are dry skinned might want to give this a try if other creams have not worked for you. A little goes a long way and the 1.7oz jar lasts me 4-6 months depending on the climate. Just as a side note, when the new jar came out it is now glass instead of plastic and feels like it weighs about 5 lbs in my arthritic hands. I actually putty'd the jar to my counter to stop me from picking it up least I drop it. There was nothing wrong with the plastic jars of the past ;-)
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Moisturizers -Beauticontrol - BC Spa Facial Defend & Restore Moisture Creme SPF 20
purpldy 12/21/2012 8:43:00 PM
Excellent, excellent moisturizer with SPF. Creamy and hardly any white cast, the best physical sunscreen I've found to date for my dry skin. Does not irritate, even around my eyes. Fairly pricey, but this will be enough moisture for most, you will not need another day cream as this has antioxidants and lots of other goodies included in the formula;-) Check Ebay for some decent prices!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Moisturizers -Paula's Choice - RESIST Cellular Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 25
purpldy 12/7/2012 2:08:00 PM
I loved this face cream because it uses only Titanium Dioxide for the sunscreen element. For me that means no stinging, no extra dryness or rashes (that zinc sunscreens always give me), and not much sunscreen smell. On the other hand, I hated this face cream as it provided no moisture at all to my very dry skin and it sucks up what little moisture I have during the day. I'm debating if I want to spend over $25 for only 2oz of a really nice SPF, or go looking for alternatives. So far, I have not had much luck finding only Titanium Dioxide sunscreens, so I will continue to purchased this one until I do find a good alternative.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Sunscreen -Paula's Choice - Extra Care Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF30+ (new formula)
purpldy 12/7/2012 1:25:00 PM
As far as a chemical sunscreen goes, this is a pretty decent formula with some nice ingredients. Unfortunately, I was hoping for an emollient face cream with SPF and this was not it. All of Paula's moisturizer formulas, although stated for "extra dry skin" , are relatively matte on me, and I need another moisturizer to go with it . That being said, this is a chemical based sunscreen that does sting the sensitive and it does have a white cast. Overall, a fail for me because I wanted a 2 in one product to save a step, this is just a nice SPF that still needs more.
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Liquid -Estee Lauder - Futurist Foundation
purpldy 11/30/2012 11:32:00 AM
Overall, I'd say this is an "okay" foundation. Did not hate it, but didn't love it either. Was a little moisturizing, but not quite enough for my dry skin. A little glow, but then again, not really enough. Wear was not great, about 4-5 hours, and the color turned muddy very quickly. Overall, the color change I think is more a problem with getting a good match than the formula itself. On my very pink NW20 skin, the lightest P shade was way too light, and the next shade was too dark. Very disappointed as I had heard a lot of good things about this one.
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Tinted Moisturizer -Clinique - Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF15
purpldy 11/29/2012 3:23:00 PM
I was really hoping to like this one as I'm on the hunt for a good, moisturizing, TM with sheer coverage that matches my pinky light complexion. Unfortunately, this one is not sheer, isn't moisturizing enough for my dry skin, and I'll have to mix 02 and 03 to get a match in the summer time. Also, it smells like sunscreen ALL day, surprising for an SPF15. I returned it and was lucky enough to find the last Moisture Sheer Tint in Fair at my local CCO. Clinique should have kept the old formula, as the drugstore has better TMs/BBs than this ;-)
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Cleansers -Clinique - Liquid Facial Soap Extra Mild
purpldy 11/13/2012 3:16:00 PM
I really liked this cleanser... for about 5 minutes. Left my skin nice and soft, not dry, but not too greasy either, but then the burning in my eyes started. I thought maybe the eye problem was from my makeup that I removed that evening, but when I tried this cleanser in the morning, sans eye makeup, and not getting it even close to my eyes, the same thing happened. Unfortunately it irritated my eyes, but Take the Day Off Balm also irritated my eyes. I am sensitive but can usually use lotion/cream type cleansers without a problem, I think I'm just sensitive to Clinique cleaners.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Tinted Moisturizer -Josie Maran Cosmetics - Tinted Moisturizer
purpldy 10/29/2012 1:53:00 PM
Unfortunately, because of the high SPF, it has a sunscreen smell. That lasts ALL day. Combine that with a so-so color match (I'm actually between Creme and Butter), I returned it. Too bad as it kept me nice and moist all day and did not break me out. If you can get over the lasting smell, you might want to try this out, as it is almost like a BB cream, with a nicer finish, for dryer skins.
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Moisturizers -Lancome - Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 15 Cream
purpldy 1/28/2012 2:01:00 AM
This review is for the SPF 30. Not actually sure why it happened, but this cream actually burned my skin. I ended up with a nasty rash that took 2 weeks to heal. I was using the lotion formula with good results but wanted a bit heavier formula for my dry skin so I switched to the cream so I would not have to layer 2 products. Bad mistake for my sensitive skin. Although the ingredients are somewhat the same as the lotion, the reactions were not. I'll be going back to the lotion of the Multi-Vital./
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Primer/ Corrector -Lancome - Effet Miracle Primer
purpldy 1/25/2012 3:12:00 PM
I have not had much luck with finding a primer that 1) fills in fine lines and wrinkles 2) doesn't upset my sensitive skin, and 3) doesn't dry me out. Effect Miracle feels nice going on, does stop my (little) shiny forehead, does a so-so job of smoothing out my wrinkles and doesn't make my face feel like it is cracking by noon. But because this is not available in the US, I don't feel the little bit better wear of my foundation is worth the steep price and hunt on Ebay. I think I might try the Clarins Instant Smooth next ;-)
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Lotions/ Creams -Avene - Cicalfate Creme reparatrice
purpldy 1/25/2012 2:59:00 PM
Great cream for those times I get stupid and try out new products that end up not agreeing with my very sensitive skin. Helps calm soreness reactions quickly, within a few hours usually, and heals rashes and bumps usually within a few days. Does not dry me out like the typical zinc oxide "ointments" (diaper creams) do. If you are sensitive this cream should be a staple at your house and I carry a tube in my handbag every day. ;-)
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Brows -Maybelline - Define-A-Brow
purpldy 1/15/2012 11:42:00 AM
I bought this to see if it was a dupe for my beloved MAC eyebrow pencil. Although I did not expect a perfect dupe, I was hoping it would be almost the same. Unfortunately the formula is so HARD that even pressing down on my hand I hardly got any color. I would have to DRAW, pressing hard to get any color on my eyebrows, not the feathered look I am going for. I might put up with the application if the colors were good. Unfortunately Maybelline discontinued their AURBURN pencil I used for many many years and this one does not have a color that even remotely matches my hair color. Total fail for me and I'll stick with my MAC.
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