Tuesday, December 30, 2008

HD woes.. possible solution??

I decided to hop on the MUFE HD bandwagon. Unfortunately, I'm debating on whether or not I want to hop off. I was ready to return it yesterday, but an MA suggested that I use Cover Fx Skin Prep Primer.

Here's my problem with MUFE HD Foundation:

It settles into every imperfection on my skin. It makes my chin and upper lip and the surrounding area flaky and dry, no matter how much I moisturize before (I exfoliate, put on the Lumene Vitamin C cocktail serum, AND La Mer cream, there should really be no excuse to dry, patchy skin..)

On top of that, I feel the color is still a bit too light. Although they have lots of color selection, I still can't seem to find one that suits me! I feel like its a bit ashy. I bought it in 125.

SIGH.

I tried different techniques. I used extra EXTRA moisturizer. I applied it with fingers. I applied it with a foundation brush. Nothing has worked.

I explained all of this to the MA at Sephora and thats when she suggested Cover Fx Skin Prep Primer.

The description taken from Sephora:

What it is:
A nourishing treatment and priming serum for the face.


What it is formulated to do:
Skinprep FX perfects the skin's texture for optimal foundati

on coverage. The formula helps to facilitate foundation, blending, coverage and wear.

What else you need to know:

Skinprep FX will reduce skin inflammation and is tolera

ted by the most sensitive skin. It is oil-free, fragrance free, and will not clog pores.


I decided to give this a try and took a sample of it home. I used it today and saw a slight improvement. Less flaky, less dry. But only slightly. I do feel that it might be the best solution though. I barely put any of it on, for fear that it might brea k me out. Tomorrow I will put more on, and hopefully will see an even better improvement.

I took a few snapshots (with my shitty ca mera) just to see how my skin looks in pictures and I have to say that it doesn't look tooooo bad. (As you can see, it doesn't quite cover up all of my acne scars, but I didn't use any concealer either)

Again, I'm wearing the HD Foundation in 125 and a few sweeps of Cargo's Suedeblush in Barbury Coast.

Well, that is it for now. I will update tomorrow!!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

i want i want i want.

METALLIC PANELED STRAPLESS DRESS
Even at 100 dollar discount, it is still too much... and theres only size L on the website.

i can't i can't i can't.

:(

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Some New Products; Updates

I've been on a quest to find a good topical gel to get rid of acne scars. The acne flare ups have calmed, skin is basically clear but you wouldn't think it because I have these god awful red scars on my cheeks (thanks to picking.. -__-). Foundation doesn't quite cover them up as well as I would like and I am wearing virtually no make up these days due to laziness, so I am putting energy into finding ways to make it so that I really don't need make up (and trust me..I need the make up. I feel hideous!). Blah.

My research tells me that Mederma Gel is probably my best bet to get rid of the scars. I think this ranges from $18 to about $30, depending on the amount. I haven't purchased this yet. I am still holding out to see if I can find something better, maybe cheaper.

Vita K for Acne Scars is cheaper, but the reviews were pretty mixed. I was set on buying this before I discovered all of the great reviews on Mederma.

For now I am holding off on buying any scar fade/removal creams because I discovered and purchased a new product that I am excited about trying!

Lumene Vitamin C+ Energy Coctail Intensive Care (Age Defying)
Sorry I can't find a bigger/better/clearer picture, but this will give you an idea of what it looks like. This product isn't really for scars and I wasn't looking to buy anything like this, but I discovered it while blog surfing and reviews on this product are great. I bought this for $14, orig. 19.99.

It's a serum, good for really dry and flaky skin, helps prevent signs of early aging, and apparently makes your skin extremely soft, supple and glowy. You put it on night and day before your moisturizer. I was weary about the fact that it looks oily and would go on greasy, causing me to break out. Although I haven't tested to see if it will break me out, I tried the tester at the store on the back of my hand and it goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and doesn't feel greasy at all. It smells pretty good too. I am hoping that the vitamin c and vitamin a ingredients will indirectly help with my acne scars. It's suppose to help even out your skin tone, too.

Lumene seems like a luxury brand to me, but is surprisingly a drugstore brand. Good for my bank account. After I try out the Energy Cocktail, I think I will give their night cream a try (as an alternative to La Mer. I go through that stuff too quickly because I'm using it day and night, and I can only steal so much from my mom...)

Go to makeupalley or google and check Lumene out for yourself. :)


UPDATES

A couple entries back I did a "haul" post of new products I haven't tried before. I am happy to say that I love 90% of the haul.

I have found my new "HG" cleanser/scrub (the cheapest I've ever spent on a facial cleanser too!) St. Ives Apricot Scrub Blemish and Blackhead Control
I don't know if it was just the natural timing, but previous to using this, I was having bad acne flare ups (as mentioned before). After I started using this, I noticed improvements in my skin. Its great! Most people say the scrubs are too harsh, but I love it. It makes me feel really clean. I use it day and night and it really has helped keep my acne under control. Way better than the Neutrogena Scrub that I was always buying before this (although the neutrogena scrub is still a great product, probably my #2)

After buying the DDF Acne Tackle Box, I only ended up using the Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Gel With Tea Tree Oil spot treatment. The other products weren't bad, but I didn't find it to help much with the acne. The mask was O.K. I think it made me break out though by bringing out all the impurities in my skin to the surface. And I hate that shit (i.e. Differin. I ABSOLUTELY HATED THAT STUFF) Anyway, the sample size version of the BP Gel + TTO is running dry so I went and purchased the full size bottle. I absolutely can not live without this stuff now. Along with the Apricot Scrub, this stuff is really keeping my skin clear. It helps me control oil, and doesn't dry out my skin like other BP products. There's not alcohol in it and I swear the tea tree oil helps a lot too.

I don't think I included this in my last "haul" post but I am loving the Eucerin Plus Intensive Smoothing Body Lotion. I had what Amy calls "Chicken Skin" on my legs... Pretty self explanatory.. My legs felt like chicken skin, goose bumpy, no matter how much I exfoliated or moisturized. I've been putting this lotion on after the shower religiously for about 2-3 weeks now, and I've noticed my legs are smoother than ever before. It has "alpha hydroxy" in it. Which is what I think is reI have to be careful not to put too much on because although it says its "quick drying" or "fast absorbing" or "whatever", it tends to feel a little sticky if I put too much on or don't rub in it well enough. Sometimes I'll use this every other day, putting on a regular lotion on "off" days. Anyway, its gotten rid of the chickeny skin and I am loving it yay.

My last update is the Neutrogena T GEL Shampoo for itchy scalp. Not for me, but for the boy and according to him, it is working well. Itchiness is down to a minimum to none at all, and significantly less flakes/dandruff (due to dry skin). The smell is gross to me, but if it works, it works. Yay.

Thats it.

Sorry there aren't any pictures. I am still trying to get a new camera. Bare with me?