Makeup
- volta » See my profile
- Points: 149575
- Reviews: 566
Here are all my reviews:
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With my awful experience growing up and using countless drug store brands that really irritated my skin and didn't do a thing to improve it (I have sensitive skin, eczema, and rosacea), I went to higher price luxury brands to heal my woes. I started noticing a favorable difference using the more expensive brands--until this last month. Winters in Arizona are fantastic, but the air has always been dry regardless of time of year. So it really irritated me that I started experience extreme dryness this past month. After wasting money on products that weren't working (weren't adequately moisturizing) and my face kept feeling tight and undernourished--I decided to go back to the brands I originally started with. I did a lot of research about products and decided to go instead with a product I hadn't researched (Neutrogena Intensified Day Moisture). When I put it on, I like that my face doesn't feel tight like lighter day creams. What I didn't like was the texture. It felt like putting on sunscreen. Don't get me wrong, sun protection is a HUGE must, especially in Arizona, but I hate the feeling of thick sunscreen (which is why I normally opt for a thinner fluid spf lotion). As far as breaking out goes, I experienced very little. I had one or two pimples develop, but nothing I would normally consider "breaking out" (as far as what I've experienced). This also gave me a somewhat ashy appearance for a few minutes, so for those worried about maintaining a bright complexion, I would skip this. So for those who don't mind the texture, and need that heavier day cream for their dry skin, I would give this a try. Unfortunately for me, I had to put this on the list of products that weren't for me.
February 1, 2012
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I work at a Sephora and I often see people returning Cover FX concealers because they complain it's too greasy. It can be more on the liquidy side, but it's one of those products where you have to shake it WELL for several minutes every now and then. It should be a thick liquid, not a puddle of goop. Anyways, there's a trick to applying this if you think this might feel greasy on your skin--use a sponge to blot it on. This absorbs the oily-like substance and leaves a nice rich pigment. I may appear to have medium skin, but I actually use the shade in Light. There's something in the makeup that allows it to automatically adjust to your shade and undertone so it matches. Like with any concealer--dab on with your finger, brush or a sponge over the area you want to conceal--do not swipe. This allows you to build maximum coverage using the least amount of product because the more you dab, the smaller and more pixelated the pigment becomes to blend in and look more flawless. This concealer can be built up to full coverage and can brighten even the darkest of dark circles. I do HIGHLY recommend to always use an eye cream--both in the morning and at night because the pigment in ALL makeup tends to dry the skin faster, and you know there's an absence of oil glands around your eye area to nourish the skin. Plus, using an eye cream makes applying all eye makeup (particularly concealer) much easier and more flawlessly. This concealer is very pricey, although you only need a little bit. Make sure to SHAKE well to prevent wasting product should it not be mixed properly and you see a puddle come out.
January 27, 2012
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Don't get me wrong---I try to watch what I eat, drink plenty of water, and invest heftily in skin care products--yet I still have awful skin. I deal with both eczema and rosacea and my skin type changes quite frequently regardless of how hard I try to find a balance. I tried the Brazilian Peel because I was looking for a cheap alternative to a chemical peel performed at a doctor's office or a spa. The Brazilian Peel contains 30% glycolic acid complex which is the highest you can get in stores. I heard about how this eats away all the dead skin while it smoothes, plumps, firms, and brightens skin while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles if used every week for a month. You can buy them individually if you just want to try one, rather than investing in the four pack. I have sensitive skin, but I was able to use this. If you have ULTRA sensitive skin, I would probably skip on it. Follow the instructions in the package carefully. Make sure you wash your face and remove your makeup well (I like to use a Clarisonic system to get every last trace of makeup out of my pores). Pat your face dry. Then on the tip of the syringe, you want to twist the cap counterclockwise and pull it off. Make sure to have the syringe upside down while you're doing this. Then, push out the contents into the palm of your hand and use two fingers to mix the gels until you the mixture get warm. Quickly slather on the mix onto your face, starting on your forehead and make your way down. Make sure not to get it near your eye area (even if you don't get it in your eyes, it stings REALLY bad if you get too close), nostrils or mouth. It's safe to use over your eyebrows (where I get a lot of patchiness). You can also put this on your neck and upper bust. You want to use all of the product that was mixed in your hand. Some people with smaller faces like to push out half of the syringe only and put the cap on and save it for later. I highly advise against this because a little bit of one syringe can come in contact with a bit of the other syringe and that can cause a chemical reaction which can activate the product. OK. So wait about 10 minutes for the product to dry and wash it off with cool water. You can use this in the morning or night, but make sure you use sunscreen EVERY day as the glycolic acid complex IS an alpha hydroxy acid and can cause increased skin irritability when you go out into the sun. What I was left was very plump, firm, and brightened skin. I was surprised the stinging was minimal to none when it comes to having the peel on. I had a LOT of dry flaky skin all over my skin and this removed about 75% of it. I got a about another 10% off by using a soft buffing sponge. I was surprised with how much firmer my skin felt after using this. Although $23 per treatment (or $78 for a four pack) seems like a lot for most people, trust me--it's NOTHING compared to he hundreds or thousands of dollars that people spend for (quality) chemical peels. Although using the Brazilian Peel won't get you professional results, if you have good, decent or even slightly below decent skin quality (whereas i have poor skin quality), I'm sure you will get decent results with this. I'm young, so I don't really have any fine lines or wrinkles to see whether or not those improve over time, but I did notice an acne scar slightly lighten after just one use. I may consider giving another shot to the Brazilian Peel in a week or two to once again rejuvenate my skin. Since I can't afford a professional peel, I think the Brazilian Peel is as intense as I'm going to go. I know you can just buy glycolic acid and a neutralizer separately to make your own peel, but I'm not very confident when it comes to doing such a thing.
January 25, 2012
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If you're the type of person who likes subtle, work-friendly colors then these shadows are for you. There aren't very many bright or wild colors, and even the few "wild" colors can be worn anywhere at any time. The thing that irks me the most is how much it costs just for two little squares of eyeshadow! I agree with the others--even while wearing a primer, I noticed that the shadow wore off over time. Such a bummer!
January 25, 2012
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I have eczema and rosacea. Finding a moisturizer that can adequately hydrate, plump and soothe, but WON'T break me out has been a pain and terrible on my wallet. I have heard every possible rumor about how Josie Maran's Argan Oil is supposed to be the miracle product that can be used from anti-aging purposes to the hair and everything in between. People I've met who also have eczema swear by this as one drop is adequate to cover nearly both of their hands. This is a super lightweight oil that promises to hydrate, heal, and protect while feeling weightless on the skin. You can use it in your hair to make your hair smooth, silky and frizz-free. However, I've heard some incredible claims about using this product on your face. The first time I tried it on my face (I had used it in my hair several times in the past), I had put a drop OVER my moisturizer at night. I feel that this oil sat on top of my skin because my moisturizer had already penetrated into my skin (my skin often has difficulty absorbing moisturizers). So I was left with a slightly greasy feeling on my skin, but it didn't feel uncomfortable unless I rubbed my hands all over my face. Then the next night, I heard that most people mix a drop of this oil WITH their night moisturizer, and rub the mix over their face. I did that. Although I still had somewhat of a greasy feeling on my skin (again), it was not as bad as the previous night. I tried this again, but put in less than a drop of the oil (more like a slight streak) in the moisturizer, and that was just about right. My skin felt smooth, super plumped and hydrated. I hope that this oil with soothe my skin the more I use it. So far I haven't had a problem with it breaking out (most people claim it doesn't cause breakouts). So I suggest getting a sample of this first (a little goes a VERY long way!) and trying it out for yourself. The hard part is finding the right amount for YOUR SKIN to use that will hydrate but won't leave it feeling greasy. Also, it's a bit pricey considering it's $14 for a small half ounce vile. That little vile will last quite some time though.
January 25, 2012
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I have VERY weird dry-combo skin during the winter (add that on top of having eczema, rosacea and hormonal acne). My skin doesn't absorb well either. Gels are often too light and do not nourish my skin adequately, and creams are often too heavy and make me break out. Gel-creams are either a hit or miss. I was intrigued with this product because it's a gel-cream and it says "Extended Thirst Relief" on the packaging--something I was very interested in because spots on my face can become flakey (especially after a pimple starts to dry up). I needed something that was going to last all day. I like that this absorbs right into my skin. However, after a few minutes, my skin feels a bit too tight and I feel like I have to put on MORE of this stuff (or supplement it with another moisturizer) in order for my skin to feel nourished and comfortable. For $34 a jar, I'm afraid that I'm going to blast my way through this jar too quickly. Also, having an open jar format isn't the most sanitary (and you're more likely to use too much too!) However, with Clinique products, I know it's not going to irritate or break out my skin because it doesn't have all those nasty chemicals that are harsh on sensitive skin. Although this moisturizer isnt my miracle product, it's going to have to be this until I find a better product. I'm not a fan of the Moisture Surge Intense because my skin can't take the silicone-y feeling even though it's supposed to hydrate more. I still prefer the Extended Thirst Relief to the Intense formula.
January 24, 2012
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Let me say it bluntly---I have TERRIBLE skin (mostly due to hereditary and the fact that I live in a desert). I have acne, uneven texture, rosacea AND eczema. Ole Henriksen's Nurture me is formulated to soothe ultra dry skin and comfort sensitive skin, particularly for rosacea sufferers. Just by looking at the label I was determined to buy it. Here's another thing about my skin. It doesn't absorb very well (even using a Clarisonic). I cannot tell you how many moisturizers I've been through that either wasn't adequate enough and my skin felt tight and under-nourished, or TOO rich that it made me break out. I've tried EVERYTHING so I was hoping that this was going to be the 'one' for me. The moisturizer to end the search for moisturizers. Unfortunately, this wasn't the one! The scent alone makes me want to lick my fingers (it smells like orange creamsicle!!!!) It's thick and creamy, but that has become my woe because creams can be too thick where it will sit on top of my skin (and gels penetrate too quickly for me). For those searching for a thick and creamy moisturizer for ultra dry skin, try this and see. For me it was too thick where I started breaking out (again) and my face was oily in the morning--probably because this cream has wheat germ, rose mosquette, and primrose oils which are suppose to soothe and hydrate and repair the skin. This also has Vitamins A, C, and E which nourish the skin. However, I noticed there was dimethicone---something my skin does not like very much! So in a nutshell, buyer beware. Although I had high hopes for this, it's unfortunate that it's just another product that is going on my list of "did not work for me" moisturizers. The hunt continues! Unless you have super awful skin like me, then you're likely going to have a much better experience than I had!
January 24, 2012
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I've been on the search for a great exfoliating cleanser that's just right for my skin. I've tried Philosophy's Microdelivery Exfoliating wash which didn't exfoliate enough, to Ole Henriksen's Walnut Scrub which make my skin SO flakey and torn--and EVERYTHING in between. I couldn't find the perfect exfoliating cleanser and it was frustrating! Then I found this--the Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Buffing Beads cleanser which can be used on the face or the body. It has a lovely citrus smell, and it actually exfoliates quite well! It uses glycolic and salicylic acid to exfoliate all the dead skin away from your skin, botanical ingredients to brighten and also jojoba beads which smooth over the skin. This also foams into a nice lather. My recommendation is to scrub your face for about 30 seconds, and then let it sit on your face for about 1-2 minutes so the glycolic acid can do its job and eat away at the dead skin. After you rinse, you're left with beautiful, smooth, bright, and great-smelling skin. Remember you can use this over other parts of your body for smoother, brighter skin. For the price, it is a FANTASTIC deal because as everyone else mentions, a little go a long way. I see it as the perfect investment. For ME this is the perfect exfoliating cleanser. I encourage you to try it out to see if it's right for you as well.
January 23, 2012
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I bought the Plum because wine colored lips were in for the season. This gives sheer, but visible color for those interested in that. It feels wonderful on my lips too! This makes my lips feel very pampered, nourished and soft--not to mention it's not sticky and one little tube does last significantly longer than buying a tube of chapstick at the drug store. For what you get it's worth the price, but if you're on a budget I would consider just buying a little can of rose salve.
January 23, 2012
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I've been on the hunt for a good tinted moisturizer that didn't feel heavy or uncomfortable on my face. Will all due respect and no offense meant to everyone, but I normally HATE Stila products. This is possibly the only product under the entire Stila brand that I like. It looks very natural, it didn't feel greasy on my skin and it gave me an even complexion. Naturally it's only sheer coverage and I definitely do not have perfect skin, so I save this for days when I'm reeeeally feeling lazy and don't want to conduct my normal make up routine. I honestly never had a problem with it feeling greasy on my skin, and unlike other tinted "moisturizers" that made my skin feel even drier, this actually felt comfortable on my skin and didn't make it feel dry. By no means does it hydrate like my normal moisturizer, but I don't have to worry about my skin suddenly feeling tight or looking flakey. The thing that irks me is obviously the price--$34 is too much for small tube that probably won't last for two months (if you use it every day). I've tried many tinted moisturizers and this is one of my favorites, but unfortunately due to the price, it is definitely NOT my favorite. Another tip, if you think your face looks too shiny (like most tinted moisturizers with SPF tend to do), just finish it with some translucent powder for a shine-free finish.
January 20, 2012
