Beauty Product Reviews | Page 5

Visibly Firming and Slight Lifting

I finished a whole bottle of this over a month ago, and the results were so incredible that I really miss it. The formula was the perfect texture/consistency as it was creamy and moisturizing to the eye area but not so thick that it causes breakouts or milia around my eye area. Because milia and breakouts around the eye area are very difficult to get rid of, and I'm prone to both, I usually stick with lighter-weight eye gels or gel creams just to be safe. This is definitely denser and more moisturizing than a gel formula, but it still absorbed into my skin quickly and sat well under makeup. The highlight of this cream is that after a few weeks of use, I can see and feel an increase in firmness in the eye area, presumably due to the peptides in the formulation. You may ask, how can I tell? As it happens, one of my eyes has a more droopy/sagy lid than the other, but with the firming effect, I can tell the affected eyelid is slightly lifted, and my eyes are more symmetrical than they've ever been. This product is really a rarity; as you probably experienced, most eye creams don't do much other than hydrate the eye area. I'm still trying out more eye creams just to see if I'm maybe missing out on something even better, but I still haven't found anything remotely this good.

Glam but natural

I can definitely relate to the reviewer above on the struggle to find false lashes for anyone with incredibly short lashes naturally. The issue with wearing a longer upper lash when you have nonexistent lashes is that there is such a length discrepancy with your lower lashes that it never looks believable. This only matters if you're looking for something more natural but still miles better than the sparse, stubby lashes you've got. In my 20s, I had no problem wearing longer, more dramatic lashes, but maybe with age, I find myself enjoying more natural makeup that enhances my features. All of a sudden, I noticed how long my beloved Lily Lashes looked on me. I was even using the styles Luxe and Paris, which were already the less dramatic of the bunch. I still love those for a night out, but for family gatherings or more formal occasions, I felt self-conscious with the way my top lashes just stuck out so much more than the bottom ones, and this is even more obvious in my 3/4 or profile view. I have worn Ardells in the past and still have some on hand, but really looking for something that has tapered tips and a more fluffy, wispy look. The Ardells just weren't doing it for me when I wanted something more glam but still natural. This lash is fluffy and full, yet much shorter than most styles out there. The band is thicker than Ardells, which usually has a thin clear band. But I almost prefer the thicker black band as it helps to blend into my black liner and make it even bolder. With this type of lash, I would recommend pulling off the excess glue with your fingernail, taking care not to rip the band itself. Velour does make the Lash Clean, which is a makeup remover that is safe on false lashes and extensions. Even though these last quite a few wears, I'm gonna buy a few more as backups and will be trying the Plant Fibre Lash from this same brand in the style Second Nature next. Hopefully, they'll be as perfect as these!

High coverage perfection!

For the most perfected finish and great coverage, look no further! I can always count on this foundation to cover up acne scars and redness but make my skin look perfect at the same time. I have combination/dry skin at the moment, and this works best for me over a hydrating primer. With the Smashbox Primerizer under this, you've literally got porcelain doll skin that glows and doesn't look flat or cakey. On its own, I get a more satin, skin-link finish that is also very pretty. It wears very well with minimal powdering (or you can powder more heavily for a matte finish). I've paired this with their liquid concealer, which is slightly thicker and more pigmented. On its own, the foundation doesn't blank out every flaw, especially deeper acne scars. This allows the skin to show through just enough to make the finish look believable like maybe your skin is really that perfect. The formula goes on thin like the Color Process Foundation (also from RCMA) but sets/grips on the skin a bit better for me. It also doesn't grab onto or accentuate dry patches. I love using this with a beautyblender as I can sheer out the coverage a bit. Really awesome formula that is flexible with the finish depending on how you prime/powder. Like so many others, I was also inspired/influenced to try this from Tati's video and am pretty glad I did!

Healed my dry and flakey skin even better than slugging

The dry winter and constant indoor heating have not been kind to my skin. I have tried double moisturizing, barrier creams and slugging and somehow still wake up with dry patches. I've also been using tretinoin for years, and the drying side effect has never gone away. I was looking for the thickest, most occlusive cream I could get my hands on. Since I've even tried slugging, I don't mind that this contains petrolatum since it is the gold standard of occlusive ingredients to seal hydration/moisture into the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss. I was looking for something that was as occlusive as petrolatum but more healing and cosmetically elegant. This was really the perfect solution, except for the price, of course. The product initially has a waxy/creamy consistency, but when you warm it up between your fingers, it transforms into a creamy, slightly oily texture that just melts onto the skin and spreads easily. The magical part is I can feel it sink into the skin but not evaporate/disappear, leaving behind a thin veil of protection that doesn't feel suffocating. I have tried many barrier balms that are half as effective that feel way more uncomfortable on the skin. Most importantly, I wake up with skin that still feels hydrated and moisturized. Amazingly, La Mer has been able to create such an occlusive formula that can still penetrate the skin but remain protective. I don't love the price, but after trying it out for myself, I get it.

Glowing, healthy complexion

This serum has a beautifully light, watery texture that absorbs into the skin very quickly. Texture-wise, it is a pleasure to use as it never pills nor creates issues with products applied over the top. Immediately, it has a soothing effect on my irritated, combo/dry skin (exacerbated by tretinoin use). It does offer some hydration but doesn't have the plumping effect of a good hyaluronic acid serum. The most notable difference I see is with my complexion, which now has a lit-from-within glow from this serum. After a few weeks of use, I couldn't put my finger on why my skin looked better, but I eventually realized my complexion looked more healthy and radiant. If you didn't know better, you'd think I was well-rested and eating a very healthy diet. I couldn't speak on the effect with firming, elasticity and collagen production after finishing one bottle but I'm tempted to continue using it to see the long-term effects with the peptides and exosomes in the formulation, which are supposed to have more growth factors than stem cells. I apply this morning and night as the first step after toner. In the evening, I apply this before tretinoin and the rest of the serums.

Ultra-hydrating and nourishing

Most sheet masks start to dry out after 15-20 minutes, which is why the directions generally say to leave it on for that suggested length of time. This mask has the same instruction, but I find that it doesn't seem to dry out even after leaving it on for 30+ minutes. I know not everyone would even want to leave a sheet mask on for that long, but it just goes to show how hydrating and moisturizing this mask is. It is a two-step mask with an ampoule that you put on before the mask. Both products contain humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and propanediol, which will drench the skin in hydration. The star ingredient, propolis, extracted from the substance bees use to create their nests, has many benefits to the skin. It is an antioxidant that is both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. This will assist with wound healing from breakouts and protect the skin from oxidative damage. I only use this ampoule and mask when my skin barrier is quite impaired, as in dehydrated, dry, and flakey skin. I like having the option of leaving it on for longer than suggested to soak the skin with hydration and nourishment. This is perfect after a chemical peel to help with the healing process. I follow up with a moisturizer after the mask, which is all the skincare I will need that night. I'm glad I found this recently, as it has come in handy as the temperatures drop and my skin is getting more tight and dry.

Calming and Soothing

This mask is such a treat pretty much all the time, but especially if the skin is sensitive or irritated. It has a jelly/cream texture that glides onto the skin to provide instant relief. If your skin is very reactive or dry, you may feel a very mild sting upon application, but that will dissipate quickly once the mask works its magic. I have a once-weekly masking session, where I start with an acid peel, followed by a clay mask, and then end with this mask to calm and soothe the skin after those two treatment steps. This is also wonderful as an overnight mask. It forms a breathable film over the skin and does not feel sticky after it dries down. This product has no synthetic fragrance, but you get a mild scent from the natural plant extracts in the formulation. The texture is so cosmetically elegant that it is a pleasure to use.

The Perfect Compliment for Retinoid Use

If you use retinoids, either over the counter or prescription, I recommend pairing them with this product. Bakuchiol has calming properties to help the skin tolerate retinoids better. I use prescription tretinoin 0.1% and find that after incorporating this serum, I'm seeing less dryness and flakiness. Dare I say, I wake up with balanced skin that has gotten a great overnight treatment with no irritation. Moreover, bakuchiol also helps stabilize retinoids by helping the ingredient work longer before breaking down in the presence of light and air. The ingredient is supposed to be a natural alternative to retinoids and provide similar results long term. In my greedy little mind, I use them both to supercharge the benefits I get from retinoids. This is a very lightweight watery serum that sinks into the skin very quickly and provides a layer of hydration. I apply this after my toner step and before tretinoin. The results have made this an essential step in my routine that enhances my experience with tretinoin or other retinoids.

Can't live without for getting ready

I've tried quite a few other light-up makeup mirrors in the past, but none of them come remotely close to this. Those mirrors were more affordable, but the size was always too small, and the quality of the light was always lacking. When I first received this, I was overwhelmed by the size and wondered if I needed something this big. Even if you sit close to the mirror, it will reflect your entire head and upper body. My vanity isn't huge, so I honestly thought I made a mistake at first. I soon found that being able to see and style the entire length of my long hair made this so worth it. Not to mention the lighting is just perfect; slightly on the cool side so that it approximates daylight, except you can control the brightness! The added brightness allowed me to see every potential flaw with my makeup so I could fix it. Keep in mind that if you're on the brighter settings, it will show more than the average person can see in real life. The icing on the cake is the magnetized phone holder. I can watch videos as I'm getting ready.

Melds makeup into a flawless finish

The spray on this puts out a super fine mist and never spits out globs of setting spray that ruins your look. It helps to meld all the makeup on the skin into a flawless finish. If I apply too much powder, a few spritzes of this will immediately take down the powdery look. It keeps the makeup looking fresher for longer and prevents the foundation from breaking up on my combination skin. I find that it does help extend the longevity of makeup, although not as well as the Skindinavia Setting Spray. I spray this after I've buffed out the entire complexion with a finishing powder and the entire look is perfected, radiant yet skin-like. It does give a slight dewy finish, but nowhere near as much as I've seen with other setting sprays like the beautyblender Re-Dew Set & Refresh Mist. If I have time (and remember to), I will use this as the first setting spray for the flawless finish and then set again with the Skindinavia for longevity. It sounds a bit extra, but this technique gives the most airbrushed yet long-lasting finish. The spray does have a fragrance, but it is pleasant and not bothersome. I could only purchase the small size at the time as the 100ml size had been sold out for some time. Now that it is back, I will definitely be snagging a large bottle!