Okay, so you all submitted A LOT of questions. It is going to take me a few entries to respond, but here is the first installment.
First things first- this question was asked by several people.
Have you tried Philosophy products? Thoughts on Purity Made Simple?
Oh, people. My thoughts on Philosophy products are complex and multi-faceted.
Okay, not really, but I have some fairly strong opinions on Philosophy. And they can be pretty well summed up thusly- I am about as interested/impressed with Philosophy as I am with Bare Escentuals, which is to say, not very impressed at all. (For the record, I have gotten several emails about mineral makeup- my answer is a big fat NO! to mineral makeup.)
I temporarily used Purity back during my early days of twenty-something acne. Of course, I used a lot of things then. And a lot of things that didn't work. And Purity was one of them. It didn't exacerbate any of my problems, but that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. I think that if you have decent skin to start with, or that you are not really taking care of your skin in the first place, you are going to be impressed with Philosophy. Because it does get your face clean.
However it will not:
1. Clear up real, genuine article acne (i.e. something more than the occasional vanity blemish)
2. Improve excessive oiliness (like that suffered by yours truly)
In addition to Purity, I have also tried On A Clear Day, which is specifically designed for oily skin. It worked. Very temporarily. My skin developed a tolerance to this product in about a week. Which is not true of the Chantecaille face wash I currently prefer. I've been using it for months with much more successful results. Though, honestly, most of the time I just use good old fashioned $8 Cetaphil.
I am fairly impressed with the Microdelivery Peel. But the results are very temporary. I've neglected to mention this product on my blog before due to the cost, but the best damn peel out there?
Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel. Yes, it costs as much as a used car. And yes ,it is worth every damn penny. You will simply not believe the immediate results of this product. Your skin will glow, your pores will be clearer and less visible. The texture will be vastly improved. Your skin will be softer than a baby's bum. It is just amazing.
Anyway, all of this to say- Philosophy? Eh. You will probably like it if you have generally agreeable skin. But if you have problem skin? You need something better, with a more specific focus.
I'm trying to find a good quality moisturizer for my normal/combination skin.
Okay, let me get one thing out of the way. Every magazine editor in the universe wants to throw a damn party for the Clinique yellow moisturizer, i.e Dramatically Different Moisturizer. WHY? You might as well put hand lotion on your face. In fact, I often carry the free samples of it in my purse to use as hand lotion. And it is not particularly well suited for that either, as it is so greasy I immediately regret using it at all. There is nothing dramatically different about it.
I'm going to combine my answer here with a question from Ariele about how make your dull skin appear less uh, dull. Specifically, Ariele asked about exfoliating products.
Okay, so the answer people? Is OXYGEN!
I'm a bit of a whore for Natura Bisse, but that is becaue their products are so effective. A lot of you commented and emailed in response to my blush post asking what I use to make my skin look like that. And the Natura Bisse line is the answer.
In the morning, after I wash my face, I use toner (I use the Sensitive toner by Natura Bisse, but I like this much cheaper one by Avalon Organics as well). I follow immediately with a moisturizer that contains SPF. For summer, I like to use a lighter formula. If you have oily skin, I'd say it is enough to simply use a creamy sunscreen, like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock, or Chanel Rectifiance Intense Line Correcting Serum. For winter or for drier skin, I recommend Perricone Cosmeceuticals Solar Protection for Face or the more budget friendly Olay Total Effects SPF 15.
In the evenings, bring on the oxygen! And the cash because I don't have budget friendly editions of these items. Sorry. After my evening wash, I use Natura Bisse Oxygen Complex Intensive Purifying Serum, which I follow with Oxygen Cream. These products will work for any skin type, except possibly very dry.
Now let me tell you a little tale about Oxygen Cream. I found this product on my favorite beauty blog, Beauty Snob. CLICK ON THIS LINK. You see Tina Craig? She is 40. I want to look like her when I'm 40. You probably do too. Consequently, I will pretty much buy anything she says.
Anyway, so Tina wrote about the Glyco Peel. At that time there happened to be a rather generous Natura Bisse beauty offer, so I bit the bullet and bought it. And in the free gift, there were large samples of the entire oxygen line. I was told that the Oxygen Cream would actually draw out the things that were clogging my pores. I looked at the jar and said "BULLSHIT, OXYGEN CREAM." And then I watched over the next few days as the insanely persistent whiteheads that peppered my chin for years literally fell out of my face.
From that moment forward, I was a believer.
My initial experience with oxygen treatments was at the Bliss Spa. Back pre-wedding, I spent approximately $11,000,000 on facials trying to get my skin in order. The only thing that really seemed to have a positive effect was the oxygen spray treatment. I've also tried a sample of Bliss Triple Oxygen Face Mask and really liked it. I don't know how or why it really works, but oxygen definitely has a positive effect on my skin.
Ariele also asked about exfoliating treatments to deal with dullness. First, however, it must be said that drinking more water and having generally more well hydrated skin is the first step in having a less dull complexion. Obviously, a surface free of dead skin cells is going to help, but if your skin is dried out, it is not going to glow.
In terms of exfoliants, I am a fan of the old stand-by St. Ive's Apricot Scrub, though it can feel a bit abrasive. When I'm at my parents house, I always borrow my mom's L'Oreal Microdermabrasion Kit. The granules are small, and don't feel like they are scratching the surface. It definitely helps with pore issues. I also recently received a sample of Kate Somerville Exfoli-Kate in my NM Beauty Event tote and really liked it.
Ultimately, I would recommend exfoliating just a few times a week. You don't want to dry out or over exfoliate. It can make even the oiliest skin raw. I would also recommend using a glycolic acid peel for exfoliation. Nothing is going to do a better job at ridding you of those dead layers than glycolic acid in my opinion. The first product that really and truly worked for my acne riddled skin was a glycolic acid based cleanser by M.D. Forte.
Jess asks: How do you find a foundation to match your skin tone?
Ah, isn't this a pickle? I own a lot of makeup, and I still have trouble with foundation matching. I would say your best bet is to go with department store products because you can try before you buy. I must say, however, that in my experience,the sales associates at makeup counters ALWAYS try to get you to buy a shade that is too dark. So I usually push for a shade lighter than what they recommend. And have them put it on your face. YOUR WHOLE FACE. And walk around with it. Check it out in natural light. Do not feel forced into buying something just because you availed yourself of their services. It is their job to help you find a product you want to buy.
Additionally, bear in mind that if you have an oilier complexion, within minutes, your makeup is going to darken because of that oil. For that reason, I tend to purchase shades of makeup that look too light when initially applied.
The other best option is get thee to Sephora. They will prepare you samples in little pots that you can take home and try on for size for a couple of days. This will allow you to see how the foundation reacts with your skin and if you need to adjust the color lighter or darker.
I only buy my foundations at Neiman Marcus or Sephora because they have generous return policies. And trust me, if you are returning a product you don't like and are not an asshole about it, you are a heck of a lot nicer than 99% of their customers. People are SO RUDE to store employees. As long you are polite, they aren't going to get angry about a return. I say this because I know many of you are uncomfortable returning used products. It is okay, and they are used to it. It is their store policy and they should honor it.
With regards to drugstore products, it is just trickier. Things never look anything like those sample cards and it is near impossible to tell what something will look like on your face by how it looks in the bottle. It is something you kind of have to pick up over time. Personally, I'd rather shell out the extra dough for a department store product than have to buy the same item 10 times because the color I bought the first time didn't work. I know that Target generally accepts returns of used items, but I don't know about other stores. Targets also often have samples that you can test ON YOUR NECK OR WRIST (for the love of Christ, do not test them on your face) for a match.
And thus concludes round one. Feel free to submit follow up or new questions in the comments.
First things first- this question was asked by several people.
Have you tried Philosophy products? Thoughts on Purity Made Simple?
Oh, people. My thoughts on Philosophy products are complex and multi-faceted.
Okay, not really, but I have some fairly strong opinions on Philosophy. And they can be pretty well summed up thusly- I am about as interested/impressed with Philosophy as I am with Bare Escentuals, which is to say, not very impressed at all. (For the record, I have gotten several emails about mineral makeup- my answer is a big fat NO! to mineral makeup.)
I temporarily used Purity back during my early days of twenty-something acne. Of course, I used a lot of things then. And a lot of things that didn't work. And Purity was one of them. It didn't exacerbate any of my problems, but that isn't exactly a ringing endorsement. I think that if you have decent skin to start with, or that you are not really taking care of your skin in the first place, you are going to be impressed with Philosophy. Because it does get your face clean.
However it will not:
1. Clear up real, genuine article acne (i.e. something more than the occasional vanity blemish)
2. Improve excessive oiliness (like that suffered by yours truly)
In addition to Purity, I have also tried On A Clear Day, which is specifically designed for oily skin. It worked. Very temporarily. My skin developed a tolerance to this product in about a week. Which is not true of the Chantecaille face wash I currently prefer. I've been using it for months with much more successful results. Though, honestly, most of the time I just use good old fashioned $8 Cetaphil.
I am fairly impressed with the Microdelivery Peel. But the results are very temporary. I've neglected to mention this product on my blog before due to the cost, but the best damn peel out there?
Natura Bisse Glyco Extreme Peel. Yes, it costs as much as a used car. And yes ,it is worth every damn penny. You will simply not believe the immediate results of this product. Your skin will glow, your pores will be clearer and less visible. The texture will be vastly improved. Your skin will be softer than a baby's bum. It is just amazing.
Anyway, all of this to say- Philosophy? Eh. You will probably like it if you have generally agreeable skin. But if you have problem skin? You need something better, with a more specific focus.
I'm trying to find a good quality moisturizer for my normal/combination skin.
Okay, let me get one thing out of the way. Every magazine editor in the universe wants to throw a damn party for the Clinique yellow moisturizer, i.e Dramatically Different Moisturizer. WHY? You might as well put hand lotion on your face. In fact, I often carry the free samples of it in my purse to use as hand lotion. And it is not particularly well suited for that either, as it is so greasy I immediately regret using it at all. There is nothing dramatically different about it.
I'm going to combine my answer here with a question from Ariele about how make your dull skin appear less uh, dull. Specifically, Ariele asked about exfoliating products.
Okay, so the answer people? Is OXYGEN!
I'm a bit of a whore for Natura Bisse, but that is becaue their products are so effective. A lot of you commented and emailed in response to my blush post asking what I use to make my skin look like that. And the Natura Bisse line is the answer.
In the morning, after I wash my face, I use toner (I use the Sensitive toner by Natura Bisse, but I like this much cheaper one by Avalon Organics as well). I follow immediately with a moisturizer that contains SPF. For summer, I like to use a lighter formula. If you have oily skin, I'd say it is enough to simply use a creamy sunscreen, like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock, or Chanel Rectifiance Intense Line Correcting Serum. For winter or for drier skin, I recommend Perricone Cosmeceuticals Solar Protection for Face or the more budget friendly Olay Total Effects SPF 15.
In the evenings, bring on the oxygen! And the cash because I don't have budget friendly editions of these items. Sorry. After my evening wash, I use Natura Bisse Oxygen Complex Intensive Purifying Serum, which I follow with Oxygen Cream. These products will work for any skin type, except possibly very dry.
Now let me tell you a little tale about Oxygen Cream. I found this product on my favorite beauty blog, Beauty Snob. CLICK ON THIS LINK. You see Tina Craig? She is 40. I want to look like her when I'm 40. You probably do too. Consequently, I will pretty much buy anything she says.
Anyway, so Tina wrote about the Glyco Peel. At that time there happened to be a rather generous Natura Bisse beauty offer, so I bit the bullet and bought it. And in the free gift, there were large samples of the entire oxygen line. I was told that the Oxygen Cream would actually draw out the things that were clogging my pores. I looked at the jar and said "BULLSHIT, OXYGEN CREAM." And then I watched over the next few days as the insanely persistent whiteheads that peppered my chin for years literally fell out of my face.
From that moment forward, I was a believer.
My initial experience with oxygen treatments was at the Bliss Spa. Back pre-wedding, I spent approximately $11,000,000 on facials trying to get my skin in order. The only thing that really seemed to have a positive effect was the oxygen spray treatment. I've also tried a sample of Bliss Triple Oxygen Face Mask and really liked it. I don't know how or why it really works, but oxygen definitely has a positive effect on my skin.
Ariele also asked about exfoliating treatments to deal with dullness. First, however, it must be said that drinking more water and having generally more well hydrated skin is the first step in having a less dull complexion. Obviously, a surface free of dead skin cells is going to help, but if your skin is dried out, it is not going to glow.
In terms of exfoliants, I am a fan of the old stand-by St. Ive's Apricot Scrub, though it can feel a bit abrasive. When I'm at my parents house, I always borrow my mom's L'Oreal Microdermabrasion Kit. The granules are small, and don't feel like they are scratching the surface. It definitely helps with pore issues. I also recently received a sample of Kate Somerville Exfoli-Kate in my NM Beauty Event tote and really liked it.
Ultimately, I would recommend exfoliating just a few times a week. You don't want to dry out or over exfoliate. It can make even the oiliest skin raw. I would also recommend using a glycolic acid peel for exfoliation. Nothing is going to do a better job at ridding you of those dead layers than glycolic acid in my opinion. The first product that really and truly worked for my acne riddled skin was a glycolic acid based cleanser by M.D. Forte.
Jess asks: How do you find a foundation to match your skin tone?
Ah, isn't this a pickle? I own a lot of makeup, and I still have trouble with foundation matching. I would say your best bet is to go with department store products because you can try before you buy. I must say, however, that in my experience,the sales associates at makeup counters ALWAYS try to get you to buy a shade that is too dark. So I usually push for a shade lighter than what they recommend. And have them put it on your face. YOUR WHOLE FACE. And walk around with it. Check it out in natural light. Do not feel forced into buying something just because you availed yourself of their services. It is their job to help you find a product you want to buy.
Additionally, bear in mind that if you have an oilier complexion, within minutes, your makeup is going to darken because of that oil. For that reason, I tend to purchase shades of makeup that look too light when initially applied.
The other best option is get thee to Sephora. They will prepare you samples in little pots that you can take home and try on for size for a couple of days. This will allow you to see how the foundation reacts with your skin and if you need to adjust the color lighter or darker.
I only buy my foundations at Neiman Marcus or Sephora because they have generous return policies. And trust me, if you are returning a product you don't like and are not an asshole about it, you are a heck of a lot nicer than 99% of their customers. People are SO RUDE to store employees. As long you are polite, they aren't going to get angry about a return. I say this because I know many of you are uncomfortable returning used products. It is okay, and they are used to it. It is their store policy and they should honor it.
With regards to drugstore products, it is just trickier. Things never look anything like those sample cards and it is near impossible to tell what something will look like on your face by how it looks in the bottle. It is something you kind of have to pick up over time. Personally, I'd rather shell out the extra dough for a department store product than have to buy the same item 10 times because the color I bought the first time didn't work. I know that Target generally accepts returns of used items, but I don't know about other stores. Targets also often have samples that you can test ON YOUR NECK OR WRIST (for the love of Christ, do not test them on your face) for a match.
And thus concludes round one. Feel free to submit follow up or new questions in the comments.
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