Monday, February 1, 2016

Review: Pacifica Dreamy Cover Bare-Faced Serum Foundation

I am always in the hunt for a good foundation. After falling in love with Perricone No Foundation Foundation, I was is in search for an alternative that was more affordable. I am familiar with Pacifica Cosmetics because I love their perfumes, lotions and lip balms. I decided to explore their website one day and saw that they came out with a new foundation called Dreamy Cover Bare-Faced Serum Foundation. Fortunately, Ulta was having a buy one get one 50% off sale and so off I went and purchased this foundation along with Pacifica's Jasmine Iris Oil Control Primer.


Claims

  • Feather-light, weightless
  • Incredible coverage
  • Finish that looks and feels make-up free
  • Shade matching minerals that work with your complexion
  • Leaves your skin looking healthy and bright
This foundation is also has broad spectrum SPF 20, is silicone-free, 100% vegan, cruelty free and formulated without petroleum, parabens or phthalates.


Ingredients

The ingredients are very minimal, which I like. It does have a floral scent to it, but the scent does go away after a few minutes.




Price and Packaging

This foundation costs $12.75 at Ulta. It is packaged in a plastic pump bottle and has 1 fluid ounce or 30 ML. So far, I have only seen this at Ulta. Surprisingly, I have not seen it at Target or Sprouts, though they carry other products made by Pacifica.




Consistency and Finish

Since it is a serum foundation the consistency is watery. A very important fact to note is that this product separates so you must shake it well before use. It has a matte finish which my very oily skin loves. I got this in the shade light-medium, and I should have gotten it in medium since it is a little bit too light for me. However, it does adjust to my complexion and after completing my make-up with setting powder, blush and bronzer, the shade difference between my face and neck is very subtle. I have used this alone and with a primer and I must say that it does wear and apply better with a primer. The only primer I've used with this foundation is Pacifica's Jasmine Iris Oil Control Primer and together, it is a winning combination! Also, it is a light to medium coverage and it seems to me that the longer it is on my face, the better it looks. 


Natural light, no flash. Light to medium finish. 


Longevity and Wear

With primer this foundation lasts all day with blotting. I notice shine on my face after about 3-4 hours, but because I have very oily skin, I expect this from any foundation. Although I have oily skin, there are some dry patches around my face because it's dry and cold where I live. I do notice that this foundation clings to dry patches, so I can imagine that this may  not work for people with very dry skin. I do plan on editing this blog entry when summer comes around because often times foundations wear differently depending on weather. 


Compatibility on Acne Prone Skin

I am happy to say that this foundation does not cause breakouts for me. I have been using this consistently, almost on a daily basis for about 1 month.


Final Thoughts

For an all-natural foundation I highly recommend Pacifica's Dreamy Cover Bare-Faced Serum Foundation. It wears well, it looks natural on, it feels light-weight and it is affordable. It's a good every-day foundation. Give it a try!



Friday, February 14, 2014

Review: Andalou Naturals Oil Control Beauty Balm Un-Tinted with SPF 30

Having an outdoor lifestyle, sunscreen is a staple in my skincare regime. Without getting into the scientific stuff and preaching why people should wear sunscreen, from experience I truly believe that wearing sunscreen makes a big difference in improving skin tone. My face is acne-prone and unfortunately, after the acne has gone through its course, it leaves hyperpigmentation on my face. But, for my skin, what makes the most difference on how fast hyperpigmentation fades is the consistent wear of sunscreen. With that said, finding the right sunscreen for my oily and acne prone skin has become an adventure. I've tried many and have only liked a few. Currently, I like sunscreens that have either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient, are non-oily/non-greasy, are easily absorbed, have simple ingredients and as natural/organic as possible.

For the past year I have a tried a few skin care products from Andalou Naturals. The first being the Andalou Naturals Oil Control Beauty Balm Un-Tinted with SPF 30. I used this product for at least 6 months. I am currently out of this product, having only enough to do a review and show the product's consistency. Without further ado, here is the breakdown.

Claims

This product claims to "speed cellular renewal, diminish pores & excess oil, and defend against UVA/UVB photo-aging for a clear and healthy complexion."

Ingredients (taken directly from the Andalou Naturals website)

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 20.0%

Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Juice*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) and Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oils*, Sorbitan Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Fruit Stem Cells (Malus Domestsica, Solar Vitis) and BioActive 8 Berry Complex*, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Hyaluronic Acid, Salvia Officinalis (Sage), Serenoa Rapens (Saw Palmetto) and Salix Alba (Willow Bark) Extracts*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Oil*, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Algae Extract, Zinc Gluconate, Magnesium Sulfate, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos), Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis and Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extracts*†, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) and Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oils*

*Organic
† Fair Trade
Made naturally without GMO’s, gluten, paraben preservatives, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic colors, dyes and fragrances. Verified Gluten-Free 100% Eco-friendly, Vegetarian & Cruelty-Free

Price and Packaging

I have to apologize, but having moved recently I have thrown out the box that this product is packaged in. However, if you click here, it will bring you to the Andalou Naturals website and you may then search for the product and review the description. The product is packaged in a plastic, 2 fl. oz. tube. It retails for $19.95 at the Andalou Naturals website, but it can certainly be found cheaper at other on-line retailers. I have also found this product in stores like Sprouts and Whole Foods.

    

Consistency and Finish

The product is pretty thick in consistency and may take a good amount of rubbing to completely blend into your skin. It finishes natural, to a somewhat dewy consistency, but I really don't think it is oily or greasy. If you are planning to put on makeup, then I would suggest leaving this product on your face at least 10 minutes prior to any makeup application.

  


Longevity and Wear

Since the product has a pretty thick consistency, I believe this helps keep the product on my face for a long time. I've worn this product on hot, humid days as well as in the water and it definitely stays on. However, definitely reapply if you're planning to be out in the sun the whole day because constant perspiration coupled with blotting/wiping your face will remove some of the product.

I've also worn this product underneath makeup and it works well with liquid foundation. As far as the claim of being an "oil-control" product, it doesn't make my face any oilier than it already is, however from my experience, I don't think this made my skin stay matte longer than normal.

Left cheek under natural light, no flash, no product.
Left cheek under natural light, no flash, WITH product.

As you can see from the photos above, my cheeks have a lot of hyperpigmentation, freckles and large pores closer to my nose. The picture on the left is my skin without any moisturizer and was taken under natural light and without flash. The photo on the right is my skin after applying the product. My skin is a bit more red because my skin is also sensitive and turns red when I rub it. The finish of the product, as shown from the photo on the right, is not matte, but more of a natural/satin finish. It does not feel oily on the skin. With that said, the product does take a while to completely absorb into the skin, and I suggest waiting at least 10 minutes before applying any make-up.

Compatibility with acne-prone skin

After about 6 months of use, this product is very compatible with my acne-prone skin and I find that it does not contribute to my break-outs. Having used and tried so many products (makeup or skincare) in the past, I know when a product doesn't suite my skin because it leaves me with very tiny pimples all over my forehead and chin. This product certainly did not clog my pores or give me tiny pimples on my forehead and chin.

Did it help clarify my skin? Yes and no. Yes, because it did not contribute to my break-outs. No, because skin clarity has much to do with the balance of your body and not only what you are using on your skin. For example, you can be putting the most natural, organic, and most beautiful things on your face, but if you are prone to break-outs and eat like crap (junk food, processed sugar, fast food, etc.), then evidence of this can certainly show up on your face as pimples. The key words here are, prone to break-outs. I certainly have friends and relatives that eat like crap and have the most beautiful skin, but guess what, they have never been prone to break-outs (lucky souls). So unfortunately, if you are like me and are prone to break-outs, then eating a healthy, clean diet only helps to balance the body and clear up skin. Sadly, I do give-in into the occasional fast food and processed sugar and evidence of this certainly shows up on my face as pimples. So long story short, this product is not a miracle worker, as most products, no matter the hype or promise, are not. Don't expect to wake up with clear skin if you are only depending on this rid of your break-outs.

Hyperpigmentation

Did it help lighten the hyperpigmentation on my skin? Somewhat. It definitely acts as an awesome sunscreen and helps prevent any darkening of existing hyperpigmentation on my face.

Final Thoughts

I definitely love this product and will re-purchase it. But, since I love trying new products I am currently using another sunscreen (Devita Solar Protective Moisturizer SPF 30+), which is okay, but don't like as must as I like this Andalou Naturals sunscreen. I'm just waiting to finish the current sunscreen I'm using because I don't want to waste it. However once I'm close to running out of sunscreen I will definitely re-purchase Andalou Naturals Oil Control BB Un-Tinted with SPF 30. What I love about this product is that it acts as a sunscreen and a moisturizer. I dislike layering products on my face, especially in the mornings when I don't have a lot of time to get ready. I've even mixed this product with a liquid foundation to create a tinted moisturizer and love wearing it this way as well! So, if you're in the hunt for a new sunscreen and have oily, acne-prone skin like me, then I would definitely give this product a go.

Please leave any comments or questions below, and I will answer them as soon as I see them. Thank you!


Saturday, January 26, 2013

Review: Milani Eye Tech Extreme

Black eyeliner is a staple in my make-up collection. Since I have super oily lids, I am very picky with eyeliner. My everyday eyeliner needs to be pigmented, easy to apply and long lasting. Up until I found Milani Eye Tech Extreme, my go-to eyeliner has been MAC's Fluidline in Blacktrack. I still use MAC Fluidline, but gel liners require a brush. Using a brush requires time and unfortunately in the mornings, I don't have that kind of time. So I was super excited when I found Milani Eye Tech Extreme. It's a felt-tipped point liquid eyeliner, waterproof and super convenient to use. The most amazing thing about this eyeliner is that it stays on my lids without smudging and fading throughout the day, with or without primer! I've tested this eyeliner on cold days, hot days, humid days, etc. It stays intact in any weather.

Here is how the packaging looks.

Here is the back of the packaging.








Product ingredients.


Felt-tip applicator.

As I've mentioned, the staying power is absolutely amazing. This product will definitely not budge (unless you rub it, of course), but is easily removed with makeup remover. As far as pigmentation, I would have to say the Blacktrack is much darker than this product, however you can definitely layer this product to intensify the color. It dries to a semi-matte finish.
You can achieve thin or thick lines.

I recommend this product to anyone with oily lids! I also wanted to mention that this product does not irritate my eyes. I've used this product for 1 month. The product started to dry out a little bit after 3 weeks of use so I have already purchased and am currently using my second Milani Eye Tech Extreme.



Sunday, June 10, 2012

Small Review: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Fresh and Hydrating Cream Compact Makeup

This is going to be a very short, and not so thorough review. The reason for this type of review is because this product broke me out =(

I'm pretty sure it's not the foundation at this point. It's definitely just my oily, acne-prone skin being incompatible with the product's ingredients. I was only able to try out this product three times before I returned it to the store. Below you will find a list of pros and cons. Since I did not wear this foundation long enough to give a more thorough review, I thought just listing some pros and cons might help some of you who are interested to try this foundation.

Pros:
1) Medium to full coverage. This foundation was probably the only foundation that I have tried that gave me completely full coverage. The sales lady applied this foundation on with a sponge and went back to areas that needed more coverage. I really had never seen my face so "clear." All my post-acne hyperpigmentation were not visible and the shallow scars left by previous acne seemed less noticeable. I was definitely impressed with the results.
2) Lasting power. This foundation lasts forever on my oily, to sometimes very oily skin. Whenever I touched my face, it didn't feel greasy, it felt smooth and matte. It definitely lasted a good 6 hours before I needed to blot.
3) Photographs well. This foundation looks pretty good in flash photography. It did not give me that ghost-face as I've noticed with other foundations.

Cons:
1) Gave me acne. Within 24 to 48 hours after first wearing this foundation I developed two cystic acne, one on my cheek and one on my chin. In addition, it gave me small little pimples on my chin and forehead (a place where I never get a pimple). I let my acne heal for about a week and because I really wasn't sure if this foundation was the culprit, I tried it again. The very next day I broke out with small pimples on my chin, forehead and cheeks. And because I really wanted to be sure...I tried it again. Same results. So...it went back to the store.
2) Price. This thing is expensive! It costs $58.00 at Macy's.
3) Finish. I prefer a more matte or semi-matte finish just because my skin is already so oily. The foundation was not super dewy but it did give a somewhat natural to perhaps an even slightly dewy finish.

 











Sorry for the short review! I just really couldn't keep wearing this foundation. My skin is still healing from the incident =/

Monday, May 28, 2012

Review: Origins Stay Tuned Balancing Face Makeup

I purchased the full-sized product at Macys after receiving two samples that I was able to test out for 2 weeks. I tried the samples and purchased this product around winter of 2011 (winter in Southern California, that is). I feel that it is important to mention when I purchased this product because I wanted to test the lasting power of this foundation in the winter as well as in the spring/summer in order to give a more accurate review.

I have been using this product on and off since I purchased it (so for about 5 months). As stated on the packaging, the product is marketed for those with combination skin. However, I wanted to try this on my oily skin because I have tried other skincare products from Origins that is marketed for combination skin that actually worked on my oily skin. I figured I may get the same results with this foundation.


Price and Packaging
This product retails for $22.00 and comes in a 1 ounce glass bottle. It does not have a pump. It must be shaken before it is poured out. I have this in the color "Honey." As a reference, I am an NC35 in MAC.

Consistency
The product is pretty thin in consistency. If you choose to pour this product on the back of your hand it's not so thin that it spills out like water, however it will run once you hold your hand up. I usually apply this on my face with a flat foundation brush. I have also tried applying this product with a flat top foundation brush as well as a large, dense kabuki brush. Since the product is easy to blend I feel that any kind of foundation brush will be able to give you a nice finish. I haven't tried it with a stippling brush but I can imagine it will also give you the same results.

Finish and Coverage
On my very oily skin type, the finish is semi-matte to natural. It does not have any shimmer at all.

 
With flash on no foundation skin.


This photo was taken without any makeup. As you can see, I don't really have a lot of active acne, just a lot of really small post-acne hyperpigmentation all over my cheek as well as enlarged pores.









Without flash.
This photo was taken without flash after applying the foundation on. On my skin you can definitely build the coverage up to medium. This is definitely not a full-coverage foundation. As you can see it does a really good job of evening out the skin, however, it does not really cover any of the darker acne marks and also does not minimize pore size.







With flash.
This photo was taken with flash. The product does not have claim to have SPF, however, it does give off a little bit of a white cast. I'm not really sure why that is but I can only assume that the white cast is caused by the "titanium dioxide" that is listed as one of the ingredients.








Ingredients


Lasting Power
Since I live in Southern California, during a winter's day it only gets as cold as 55F (at least from what I can remember). So, during cooler weather this foundation will last throughout the day. I remember only having to blot every few hours or so. However, trying on this foundation on a warmer day (like above 75F or if I find myself sweating), is a different story. On a warmer day this foundation really does not last me more than 4 hours. After four hours, my skin is super oily and the foundation disappears. I will never wear this foundation on a work day where I have to count on my foundation lasting from 6 am to 6 pm. Perhaps if you're just running errands then it's a great foundation, but for any oily-skinned women like me, please don't count on it lasting on a hot, humid, I'm all sweaty, type of day. 

Final Thoughts
This foundation is not a type of foundation that you can wear year-round. It will definitely work on cooler months but will not work for me during the spring/summer months. With that said, will I repurchase this product? Probably not. Mainly because I don't want to worry about my foundation disappearing in the middle of a hot and humid work day. If you work in a nice, air-conditioned building and you don't need to step outside for any part of the day, then this foundation may work better for you. I have also tried this foundation on with primer and the results seem to be the same. I would suggest getting a sample of it first. Also, I would not recommend wearing this foundation during a night out where you expect flash photography due to the slight white cast it gives.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Skincare for Oily, Acne-Prone Skin

I have suffered from acne since I was 12 years old. It was a horrendous experience for me because it was at that age that I probably felt most insecure about myself. Since then I have tried numerous treatments for my acne that never really worked. It was only in the past year where I finally found the right skincare regimen for my oily, acne-prone skin.

I don't want you guys to think that my skin is like porcelain and I'm acne free. I'm not. One thing that I have learned to accept about my skin is that I will never have amazing looking skin. I will never have a pore-less looking complexion no matter what I use. It's just how my body was made. People are different from each other and what may work for my best friend may not work for me. For example, my cousin has amazing skin. No matter what she uses on her face, nothing breaks her out. Yet, for me, I have to be much more careful with what I use on my face. My goal from the very beginning, was to find a regimen that suits my skin and keeps my break outs at bay. I want to share some skincare advice that has truly helped me in my battle to get rid of this acne once and for all.

1. Cleanse
Find a good cleanser. You want to make sure that the cleanser you use really cleans your skin and gets rid of make-up, oil, dirt, etc. If your cleanser leaves your skin feeling tight and dry, it is probably not suited for your skin. In my experience, this probably means the cleanser is too drying--even for my oily skin. If my skin feels dry, it will try to combat this dryness by producing more oil--hence, having oilier skin.

My favorite cleansers are from Origins. One is called Checks and Balances. It removes all the make-up from my face, but I find that I have to use it twice in order for it to do so. It does not really remove waterproof eye makeup, so I would have to use an oil based make-up remover (jojoba oil) after or before cleansing.


The cleanser I am currently using is also made by Origins and it is called Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser. It removes all dirt, oil, and makeup from my skin. I do not find myself needing to cleanse twice to get rid of all the makeup. It does not, however, remove waterproof eye make up so I would also have to use a separate eye makeup remover.

2. Tone
Toning has been a necessary part of my skincare regimen. For the longest time I thought it didn't make a difference if I toned my skin or not, BUT toning really does help. In order to treat the acne I have and to prevent any future breakouts, I use a mixture of 1 part tea tree oil and 9 parts witch hazel. It's amazing at removing any debris left by my cleanser as well as removing dead skin cells. I used to tone my face twice a day, however I found that doing so is too drying. So I currently tone at night. There are several toners in the market, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with making your own to suite the needs of your skin. For example, if you want to combat dryness, you might want to make a toner with green tea or chamomile. There are so many websites with do-it-yourself recipes for toners. You not only save money, but you also will help your skin by staying away from those extra ingredients your skin does not really need (for example, dyes, fragrances, alcohols). It just takes a little bit of research to find the right ingredients for you.

3. Moisturize
Pick a moisturizer that is compatible with your skin type. Keep in mind that what works for others may not work for you. Research the product BEFORE you try it. Pay attention to ingredients that are known to clog pores. I always use Zero Zits (click here) and makeupalley.com as part of my research.

I currently use Origins Make a Difference Skin Rejuvenating Treatment. It is the only moisturizer that provides the right amount of moisture for my skin. It also does not break me out. If you want a more in depth review click here. Also, don't be afraid to ask for samples! That way, you can try out the product for at least a week.

4. Treatments

**Masks
A couple of times a week (sometimes 3 when time permits), I use the Mario Badescu Drying Mask. It is amazing at healing pimples without drying the skin. Masks remove the impurities cleansers and toners do not remove on a daily basis.

**AHA
I am currently using Dan Kern's AHA+ to help reduce the appearance of post acne hyperpigmentation and to help improve the overall surface texture of my skin. I find that this product really helps to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation when the pimple is still healing. It still takes much longer for hyperpigmentation to go away if the pimple has already healed. I love this product because it really makes my skin feel soft and it helped get rid of these tiny bumps on my chin. I will review this product in the near future.

5. Ingredients
Unfortunately, the FDA does not approve a product's ingredients. Click here for more information. The FDA pulls cosmetics off the market if they are found to be unsafe. So, this means that we have to pay attention to a product's ingredients. Ingredients are listed in descending order of predominance. Let's take, for example, Dan Kern's AHA+. The ingredients are listed on his website and is as follows:

Water, Glycolic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cetyl Palmitate, Sorbitan Stearate, Glycerin, Cyclomethicone, Glyceryl Stearate, Butylene Glycol, Licochalcone (Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract), Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, PEG-12 Glyceryl Distearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol

Here you can see that water is the first ingredient. This means that this product is predominantly water. The next ingredient is glycolic acid. This means that the next predominant ingredient is glycolic acid and so forth. When it comes to skincare ingredients I have a new motto, the less ingredients, the better. Honestly, if I look at a product and the ingredient list is lengthy, it discourages me from using it on my face. It makes me ask myself, do I really need ALL of that on my skin? Probably not.

6. Do not try more than one product at the same time.
I know how hard this could be!!! Sometimes I come home from Sephora with 3 different samples that I want to try at the same time! Don't do this! Do not try more than one new skincare product on your face. This is important because it pinpoints what product could possibly be breaking you out. For example, if you bought a moisturizer and a sunscreen, don't try them together. Instead, try the moisturizer first and use it for at least 1 week before you try something else. If after a week you don't notice a breakout, then continue and try on the sunscreen (or vice versa).

7. Sunscreen
Sunscreen is important in preventing wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation. I notice that post acne hyperpigmentation takes longer to go away if I don't wear sunscreen. It can be really hard to find sunscreen that is right for you. So, don't be afraid to ask for samples (if possible). Drugstores also have a good return policy so if a particular sunscreen breaks you out or if you just don't like it, it's always possible to return it and try something different.

8. Makeup Remover
If you wear makeup it's important to make sure to remove all of it before going to bed. I currently am using my own concoction of 2 parts jojoba oil and 8 parts witch hazel. It's amazing at removing all waterproof makeup without drying my skin.

I hope this helps anyone who has oily, acne prone skin. It really helped me. Keep in mind that it takes awhile to see improvements on your face. So, stick with a product for at least 2 weeks before you move on to the next (unless of course, you have a bad reaction to the product or it breaks you out). Please leave any comments below and I will try my best to answer your questions.