Showing posts with label skincare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skincare. Show all posts
SAY IT TO MY FACE
My skin is looking pretty good recently, but I'm not really sure why... I started using several different products at once. Anyway my good fortune is your good fortune, so herein lies a review of some products I've been using over the past two months and how I likes 'em:
OH! Before I start I must say - I stopped eating refined sugar (SOB) and started drinking 2 litres of water a day ((yay)) about six weeks ago, so my skin looking good is probably more due to those changes in behavior than anything else. Ugh my sister was right all these years...
So, here goes, in order of how I rate the product, on a possible scale of 5
Naruko Total Defence Repairing Dew:
I heard about the Naruko product line from YouTube beauty guru Fuzkittie. The line comes from Taiwan, and you can find it on sasa.com, imomoko.com and (if you can read Mandarin) naruko.tw. Gives me glowy, dewy, hydrated and clear skin.
Burts Bees Honey Lip Balm
All hail the holy grail of lip balms. I. Love. This. And how! Honey for hydration, beeswax and coconut oil to seal in moisture and protect your skin, and no crap chemicals to get in the way. Can't be without it.
La Roche Posay Effaclar K, La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
I've used these together, so I figure I should rate them together. The only reason I'm taking half a check off is, it took a month for me to see any results. But my skin is clear now so all's well that ends well.
Avene Hydrating Serum:
Not too sure if this made a difference, but I've been using it on my decollete, and it seems to be keeping me hydrated. No adverse reactions. Pretty good.
Aloe Vera Gel with Tea Tree Oil:
I use aloe vera gel on and off under my moisturiser, during winter when I need some extra hydration, and during summer because it gives you a cool tingle. It's all natural, and it's one of the true universal skin products, you can use it everywhere! My favorite incarnation is this gel with tea tree oil. I use it after toning and before any serums. It doesn't make a huge difference, but it doesn't hurt either. My skin definitely feels a little dehydrated if I don't use it. 3 checks.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment:
I should have known better. A quick glance at the ingredients could have told me that this contains mostly devilish chemicals you don't want on your face: mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum... it felt like I'd smeared Vaseline on my eyes or something, because they felt greasy and dry at the same time... how is that even possible?! So disappointing, because I have heard so many good things about this product from Makeupalley, YouTube beauty gurus, etc. I even heard Beyonce used this as a night treatment - but I didn't even like it as a lip balm.
(My friend called me a beauty product junkie the other day but I really have no idea what she's talking about...)
OH! Before I start I must say - I stopped eating refined sugar (SOB) and started drinking 2 litres of water a day ((yay)) about six weeks ago, so my skin looking good is probably more due to those changes in behavior than anything else. Ugh my sister was right all these years...
So, here goes, in order of how I rate the product, on a possible scale of 5
Naruko Total Defence Repairing Dew:
I heard about the Naruko product line from YouTube beauty guru Fuzkittie. The line comes from Taiwan, and you can find it on sasa.com, imomoko.com and (if you can read Mandarin) naruko.tw. Gives me glowy, dewy, hydrated and clear skin.
Burts Bees Honey Lip Balm
All hail the holy grail of lip balms. I. Love. This. And how! Honey for hydration, beeswax and coconut oil to seal in moisture and protect your skin, and no crap chemicals to get in the way. Can't be without it.
La Roche Posay Effaclar K, La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo
I've used these together, so I figure I should rate them together. The only reason I'm taking half a check off is, it took a month for me to see any results. But my skin is clear now so all's well that ends well.
Avene Hydrating Serum:
Not too sure if this made a difference, but I've been using it on my decollete, and it seems to be keeping me hydrated. No adverse reactions. Pretty good.
Aloe Vera Gel with Tea Tree Oil:
I use aloe vera gel on and off under my moisturiser, during winter when I need some extra hydration, and during summer because it gives you a cool tingle. It's all natural, and it's one of the true universal skin products, you can use it everywhere! My favorite incarnation is this gel with tea tree oil. I use it after toning and before any serums. It doesn't make a huge difference, but it doesn't hurt either. My skin definitely feels a little dehydrated if I don't use it. 3 checks.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment:
I should have known better. A quick glance at the ingredients could have told me that this contains mostly devilish chemicals you don't want on your face: mineral oil, paraffinum liquidum... it felt like I'd smeared Vaseline on my eyes or something, because they felt greasy and dry at the same time... how is that even possible?! So disappointing, because I have heard so many good things about this product from Makeupalley, YouTube beauty gurus, etc. I even heard Beyonce used this as a night treatment - but I didn't even like it as a lip balm.
(My friend called me a beauty product junkie the other day but I really have no idea what she's talking about...)
I DIDN'T COME HERE TO EAT YOUR SANDWICHES
I think it's time to get back to basics - a good old fashioned makeup review.
I've been searching for a replacement fond de teint since my dearly departed Prescriptives went defunct. How I loved their foundation - the perfect undertone, the perfect shade, a formulation that lasted all day in a convenient pocket-sized tube, medium to full coverage that nixed the need for concealer, and all in a formula gentle enough for sensitive skin. You people don't understand - I was literally devastated when I realised I'd purchased my last tube (even though, knowing me, I didn't realise it was my last tube until I tried to buy some more and couldn't find it anywhere so ... I wasn't that sad).
But life goes on. I ran into the arms of Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (meh), Nars Sheer Glow (too watery), Mac (don't get me started), Iman (... just OK). And then I discovered a few Laura Mercier foundations that were actually worthy of a blog post. So here goes...
1. Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in Toffee Bronze
This really is oil free -- I mean REALLY oil free. It dries down so quickly that you have to work with just a tiny bit of product at a time. Great coverage, good finish, didn't break me out, but my skin just felt really dry after wearing this all day. I will say a little goes a long way, I bought this over a year ago and I still haven't repurchased it (maybe cause I bought a bunch of other stuff). I actually think I would recommend this to someone living in a warmer climate, who has an oilier skin but needs less coverage.
2. Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation in Toffee Bronze £31
Really luxurious. I guess I went for it because I just couldn't take the dry oil free foundation, so I careened in the other direction. But what a nice direction! It literally felt like a face cream to me. The only problem was, it never actually set. It rubbed off on everything and was so whipped and creamy that I'd end up touching it up all the time - and big glass jars of cream don't travel well... I'd recommend it to someone with drier skin who doesn't need as much coverage, and who doesn't really need something long lasting.
3. Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15 in Warm Chestnut £31
This makeup is the TRUTH people. Pretty much all the good things I said about Prescriptives, but with an added SPF. The ONLY tiny thing is, it's a powder, so it dries my skin a tiny bit by the afternoon. I don't care though, I just put on a bunch of moisturiser and it's fine. YAY!
If you're unfamiliar with my skin type, I've got combination skin that's slightly dehydrated. My main concerns are: maintaining an even skin tone, keeping my skin clear and preventing fine lines.
[Today's title is a quote from the film The Dreamers, which stars Michael Pitt (he also starred as Kurt Cobain in Gus Van Sant's Last Days). When his character meets the French twin brother and sister, they go on a walk by the Seine and offer him a sandwich, to which he replies the above. First impressions are everything people.]
I've been searching for a replacement fond de teint since my dearly departed Prescriptives went defunct. How I loved their foundation - the perfect undertone, the perfect shade, a formulation that lasted all day in a convenient pocket-sized tube, medium to full coverage that nixed the need for concealer, and all in a formula gentle enough for sensitive skin. You people don't understand - I was literally devastated when I realised I'd purchased my last tube (even though, knowing me, I didn't realise it was my last tube until I tried to buy some more and couldn't find it anywhere so ... I wasn't that sad).
But life goes on. I ran into the arms of Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick (meh), Nars Sheer Glow (too watery), Mac (don't get me started), Iman (... just OK). And then I discovered a few Laura Mercier foundations that were actually worthy of a blog post. So here goes...
1. Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation in Toffee Bronze
This really is oil free -- I mean REALLY oil free. It dries down so quickly that you have to work with just a tiny bit of product at a time. Great coverage, good finish, didn't break me out, but my skin just felt really dry after wearing this all day. I will say a little goes a long way, I bought this over a year ago and I still haven't repurchased it (maybe cause I bought a bunch of other stuff). I actually think I would recommend this to someone living in a warmer climate, who has an oilier skin but needs less coverage.
2. Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation in Toffee Bronze £31
Really luxurious. I guess I went for it because I just couldn't take the dry oil free foundation, so I careened in the other direction. But what a nice direction! It literally felt like a face cream to me. The only problem was, it never actually set. It rubbed off on everything and was so whipped and creamy that I'd end up touching it up all the time - and big glass jars of cream don't travel well... I'd recommend it to someone with drier skin who doesn't need as much coverage, and who doesn't really need something long lasting.
3. Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder SPF 15 in Warm Chestnut £31
This makeup is the TRUTH people. Pretty much all the good things I said about Prescriptives, but with an added SPF. The ONLY tiny thing is, it's a powder, so it dries my skin a tiny bit by the afternoon. I don't care though, I just put on a bunch of moisturiser and it's fine. YAY!
If you're unfamiliar with my skin type, I've got combination skin that's slightly dehydrated. My main concerns are: maintaining an even skin tone, keeping my skin clear and preventing fine lines.
[Today's title is a quote from the film The Dreamers, which stars Michael Pitt (he also starred as Kurt Cobain in Gus Van Sant's Last Days). When his character meets the French twin brother and sister, they go on a walk by the Seine and offer him a sandwich, to which he replies the above. First impressions are everything people.]
THE MOVIE WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE BOOK IN THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FROM THE BOOK IN THE MOVIE
Today I'm reviewing Lancome's hero serum, which is called Genifique. Basically, it's supposed to give you younger looking skin. How? By supplying your skin with some patented protein formula. Apparently, it makes your skin replicate proteins it made when it was younger, therefore making your skin look younger.
First I'll say that it seems to work. Your skin looks smoother, softer, plumper and younger after using the serum. I'd say I saw results in around 2 weeks.
HOWEVER, it's really expensive and, correct me if I'm wrong but... I don't think the bottle was full. It's hard to say because the packaging is completely opaque, and the bottle is made of glass which is weighted on the bottom to make it seem heavier. Also, the serum is dispensed using a sort of dropper that's attached inside the cap, so you don't really have a good idea of how much product is in there....
But I swear, the bottle was only half to 3/4 full.
WE'RE NOT STUPID LANCOME! I don't think I'll repurchase, even though it works, because I've used other creams/serums that work just as well, where my money is going into my face instead of some spokesmodel's pocket (DHC, take me back I'm sorry). Anyways, 3.5 checks because the serum does get some results.
[Today's title is a quote from Bret Easton Ellis' new novel, Imperial Bedrooms. I'm only on page 17 and already there's been a movie premiere, the brutal murder of a heroin addict, a trip from NYC to LA, and several vacuous entertainment industry parties. It's good to have you back, Bret.
]CHIC ME
My dear Sugar Daddy,
Here are some products I'm going to buy myself. ;-)
Lola Re xoxo
YSL BABY DOLL EAU DE TOILETTE
I've been searching for a citrusy scent for a while to add to my collection and this one is perfect. It smells like sweet grapefruit mixed with gentle floral undercurrents. I'll probably layer it with my Stella McCartney, which is a classic scent I always have in my collection.
KOSE MEDICATED SEKKISEI HERBAL ESTHETIC
This mask/massage cream contains 10 Chinese herbs which help to even out skin tone as well as soften and condition the skin. I've heard a lot of great things about Kose, so I'm excited to try this Japanese skincare brand.
SHISEIDO TSUBAKI CONDITIONER FOR DRY OR DAMAGED HAIR
With Japanese camelia oil, this rich conditioner is perfect for my dry hair. I want to use it for conditioner washes and to smooth the ends of my hair during styling. It smells yummy, too. :o)
What are you going to treat yourself with?
[products and images available on sasa.com]
Here are some products I'm going to buy myself. ;-)
Lola Re xoxo
YSL BABY DOLL EAU DE TOILETTE
I've been searching for a citrusy scent for a while to add to my collection and this one is perfect. It smells like sweet grapefruit mixed with gentle floral undercurrents. I'll probably layer it with my Stella McCartney, which is a classic scent I always have in my collection.
KOSE MEDICATED SEKKISEI HERBAL ESTHETIC
This mask/massage cream contains 10 Chinese herbs which help to even out skin tone as well as soften and condition the skin. I've heard a lot of great things about Kose, so I'm excited to try this Japanese skincare brand.
SHISEIDO TSUBAKI CONDITIONER FOR DRY OR DAMAGED HAIR
With Japanese camelia oil, this rich conditioner is perfect for my dry hair. I want to use it for conditioner washes and to smooth the ends of my hair during styling. It smells yummy, too. :o)
What are you going to treat yourself with?
[products and images available on sasa.com]
YouTube Loves Me
I've found the most incredible channel on YouTube! It's the personal tutorial channel of the Korean makeup artist Jung Saem Mool. She's worked with all the top Korean stars like BoA and Kim Tae Hee. I love Korean makeup because of its emphasis on clear, glowing, flawless skin. It's a very clean, fresh look and I wanted to share it with all of you. :o) Here's just one example of her videos of "macabre" makeup.
I've started my own YouTube channel for the blog. Now, you guys can go and visit my favourite vloggers on hair, makeup, skincare, and fashion. Jung Saem Mool is definitely one of them!
Love,
LolaRe
xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Love,
LolaRe
xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
SPOTLIGHT ON: OLE HENRIKSEN
I don't know if you all have noticed, but I'm very into skincare! :oP
Another of my favorite companies is Ole Henriksen. Originally from Denmark, Ole now resides in the USA and is the skincare guru to many lovely complexioned people.
Let me speak from my own personal experience and show you my three favorite Ole products. They are called the Three Little Wonders, and they are suitable for everyone's skin. Read on, dear crickets!
Truth Serum:
This vitamin C serum brightens, smooths, and corrects/prevents signs of aging. It also has moisture binders which penetrate the skin. I really love this product :o)
Sheer Transformation Creme
This lightweight cream fights discoloration and fine lines. You use it over truth serum in the morning and over the night gel in the evening. Very good product!
Invigorating Night Gel
I saved the best for last! I LOVE this night cream so much! I sometimes wear it during the day :oP I love AHAs, and this gel uses them to smooth fine lines, even skin tone, and smooth your skin texture. When I put this on at night, my skin glows the next day! Definitely a skin staple.
Lola Re xx
Another of my favorite companies is Ole Henriksen. Originally from Denmark, Ole now resides in the USA and is the skincare guru to many lovely complexioned people.
Let me speak from my own personal experience and show you my three favorite Ole products. They are called the Three Little Wonders, and they are suitable for everyone's skin. Read on, dear crickets!
Truth Serum:
This vitamin C serum brightens, smooths, and corrects/prevents signs of aging. It also has moisture binders which penetrate the skin. I really love this product :o)
Sheer Transformation Creme
This lightweight cream fights discoloration and fine lines. You use it over truth serum in the morning and over the night gel in the evening. Very good product!
Invigorating Night Gel
I saved the best for last! I LOVE this night cream so much! I sometimes wear it during the day :oP I love AHAs, and this gel uses them to smooth fine lines, even skin tone, and smooth your skin texture. When I put this on at night, my skin glows the next day! Definitely a skin staple.
Lola Re xx
SPOTLIGHT ON: MARIO BADESCU
I found an interview with Iman in Lucky Magazine one dreary November day, and I friggin hit the roof. Why? She was taking the beauty editors shopping with her!
Iman has always said that her secret to looking polished and youthful lies in taking great care of her skin. So, I was truly excited to see what products she uses.
If you don't remember, Iman looks like this:
Imagine my surprise when she said that for the past 20 years, she's used a simple cleanser from Mario Badescu.
Enzyme Cleansing Gel
At $12.00 for 8 Ounces, this stuff is definitely a better deal that most high end cleansers. I ordered from Mario Badescu online and got several samples along with my purchase.
This gel smells like cucumbers and contains Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts to provide gentle AHA exfoliation of the skin. This means that the cleanser helps to rejuvenate your skin and keep your pores clean. If you are like me and you have combination/oily skin, this is a great choice. If you have dry skin, I would probably recommend a more moisturizing formula. It's an adjustment to get used to using a gel that doesn't foam, but it's one of Mario Badescu's best-selling cleansers for a reason. It's my staple, especially in the summer.
Mario Badescu is another company (along with Japanese brand DHC) that uses very simple packaging, and does not use large marketing campaigns for publicity. The products can be of a higher quality because of these cost-saving measures.
Another staple I've found is the A.H.A Botanical Body Soap
It's got my favorite Papaya and Grapefruit extracts, as well as Ginseng and Oat protein to condition your skin. I love it!
As you can see, I love AHA acids, and the gentle chemical exfoliation they provide. They break down dead skin, and leave you smooth and glowing. If you prefer more emollient, moisturizing formulas or you have very dry skin, I would probably try different products than the ones I've listed here. Check out www.mariobadescu.com to find products suitable for your skintype as recommended by their lovely consultants!
Thanks Iman! Thanks, Lucky Magazine!
Lola Re
Iman has always said that her secret to looking polished and youthful lies in taking great care of her skin. So, I was truly excited to see what products she uses.
If you don't remember, Iman looks like this:
Imagine my surprise when she said that for the past 20 years, she's used a simple cleanser from Mario Badescu.
Enzyme Cleansing Gel
At $12.00 for 8 Ounces, this stuff is definitely a better deal that most high end cleansers. I ordered from Mario Badescu online and got several samples along with my purchase.This gel smells like cucumbers and contains Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts to provide gentle AHA exfoliation of the skin. This means that the cleanser helps to rejuvenate your skin and keep your pores clean. If you are like me and you have combination/oily skin, this is a great choice. If you have dry skin, I would probably recommend a more moisturizing formula. It's an adjustment to get used to using a gel that doesn't foam, but it's one of Mario Badescu's best-selling cleansers for a reason. It's my staple, especially in the summer.
Mario Badescu is another company (along with Japanese brand DHC) that uses very simple packaging, and does not use large marketing campaigns for publicity. The products can be of a higher quality because of these cost-saving measures.
Another staple I've found is the A.H.A Botanical Body Soap
It's got my favorite Papaya and Grapefruit extracts, as well as Ginseng and Oat protein to condition your skin. I love it!
As you can see, I love AHA acids, and the gentle chemical exfoliation they provide. They break down dead skin, and leave you smooth and glowing. If you prefer more emollient, moisturizing formulas or you have very dry skin, I would probably try different products than the ones I've listed here. Check out www.mariobadescu.com to find products suitable for your skintype as recommended by their lovely consultants!
Thanks Iman! Thanks, Lucky Magazine!
Lola Re
ARE WESTERNERS LAZY WITH THEIR SKIN??
All we have to do is cleanse, tone and moisturize, right?!?!
I've been researching skincare routines for different cultures. I read that Japanese women typically spend more time on their skincare, and place more importance on it than us in the West. An example of a Japanese beauty routine is:
1. cleansing oil,
2. cleansing water for eye make-up
3. gel or soap
4. instead of toners, a mineral rich waters to rebalance the skin
5. hydrating lotion
5. a moisturizing lotion
6. an eye cream
7. an SPF
**additional alternate steps include: face massage, whitening serums hydrating mists or waters between each step.
That was listed as the minimum! And they weren't even kidding... :S
I also read that Korean skin regimens include:
1. cleansing oil
2. cleanser
3. astrigent
4. toner
5. eye cream
6. serum
7. moisturizer
8. night cream
As the very bare minimum, in addition to whitening and hydrating products.
It's a lot! But, after you finish, your skin looks like this:
[Song Hye Kyo, Korean actress]
Song (I've tried to find candid-y pictures) is the face of Laniege, a Korean cosmetics company. They recommend after cleansing to use:
Refiner ---> Emulsion ---> Essence ---> Cream
I'm still not sure what they all do... but I will find out for you !! :P
Lola Re <3
**For beauty product information, check out makeupalley.com! It's a great customer review website featuring reviews on skin care, makeup, hair care, etc. You can also check out the reviewer's profile to find people with skin concerns and types similar to yours!
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