July / August beauty reviews - YouLookFab Forum

Not many new things from me but I did get my hair cut for the first time since February at the Ulta Salon so I picked up a couple things while I was there.

Parissa ready to use brow shaper mini wax strips: I haven’t gotten my brows waxed since pre-covid and probably won’t for a while even though salons are open again. I’m enough of a wimp that I can’t do the whole thing myself with tweezers. These remind me of some eyebrow strips I got a few years ago from another brand but they’re smaller and more sticky. They pull hairs off well and don’t hurt that much. The only problem I had was that they’re just rectangles so that makes shaping the bottom of your eyebrow tricky since you’re generally going for a curve. They also include a little bottle of azulene oil to use after to calm redness.

Revlon Colorstay Micro gel eyeliner – this was recommended by Jessica Braun on Youtube. For the last few years I haven’t done much with eye makeup but now that I’m wearing a mask and the rest of my face isn’t visible I’m trying it out again. This is a really thin pencil which I prefer and it’s pretty good at staying put, although I wouldn’t call it waterproof like they say. Or maybe it’s waterproof but not skin/finger oil proof.

Paula’s Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant – I’ve heard amazing things about this for literally years but I’d always had access to cheaper and easier to acquire salicylic acid options. This year it was discounted as part of the NAS and I was making an order anyway, so I decided to try it. Turns out, it *is* really good; it barely has a scent, doesn’t leave noticeable stickiness, and seems to work great. It hasn’t changed my skincare life like some claim, but I already had a pretty steady routine in place.

Repurchases: Revlon Candid foundation (not the glow version) in 110, L’oreal Magic Root cover up spray in light brown, Revlon Antisnap hair treatment, Gold Bond rough and bumpy skin cream (so good for feet at night) and Palmer’s Natural Hold Flaxseed Gel (yahoo, it’s back – slightly different packaging but the ingredients look the same. So relieved this hasn’t been discontinued for good). And Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil from the NAS (I don’t love the smell but gosh it works well).

Anything you’ve been trying and liking this summer?

3 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Glad you're finding some good beauty products. I keep on hearing good things about Paula's Choice. Thanks for the reviews!

This moisturizer is my new fave: Noncomedogenic, hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, gluten-free, and not tested on animals. It’s very light, non-greasy, smooth, and silky. It claims to work as well for an oily and acne-prone skin, as it does for a dry and fussy skin like mine.

Amazon

Theraplex Hydro Lotion - Daily Skin Maintenance and Dry Skin Protection, No Parabens or Preservatives, Noncomedogenic, and Hypoallergenic, Fragarance Free, Dermatologist recommended (8 oz)

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Thank you for the reviews, Laura.

I started using the Essence eyeliner in Brown for tightlining. I heard about it on a YouTube video (I don't remember which one). The eyeliner stays put, is easy to apply and the colour is perfect for me. And it is $2.99. I was using NARS. I find the Essence one gives a more natural look than the NARS one and I prefer that for me.

I am currently using two different mascaras. For a natural everyday look, I use Covergirl LashBlast in Black/Brown. If I want to bump it up, I use Lancome, Mr. Big, in Black.

I am really curious about Wayne Goss's products, especially the lipsticks. His eyeshadow palette is gorgeous. I might have to bite the bullet and purchase something.

Anonymous

Give Paula's Choice a little bit of time to work. I found it took my skin longer to respond than some people claimed. But it really is the best product that I have tried.

Joy

I need to find something like, but not, Chap Stick to put a barrier between my lips and lipstick so the skin on my lips does not peel off. Any ideas?

Gigi

I decided to try Curology for tretinoin (Retin-A), and I am so glad I did! I filled out their little questionnaire and got a custom bottle of cream with tretinoin, azelaic acid, and niacinamide in it. (My concerns were for aging skin; I'm 47.) My skin looks so much better since I started using it. I started with a baby dose of tretinoin and was able to increase it after a couple of months. I get just the cream (no cleanser or moisturizer), and it costs me only $20/month. Over-the-counter creams of this type are so expensive that this seems like a very fair price.

Joy, if you are having a problem with dry lips, I highly recommend the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask from Sephora. Annagybe told me about it a couple of years ago (?). I put it on at night, and it is so moisturizing. I can get nasty eczema around my lips, and this has saved me each winter or whenever my lips get irritated. It comes in both a squeeze tube and a bullet. I think both are really good. I don't know that I would use it as a barrier with lipstick, but it might be good for overnight to help your lips deal with the lipstick the next day.

Runcarla

I lemminged ‘Working Hands’ after some good YLF reviews. Don’t like it for my hands - at all, but gosh, it does a number feet! 3 nights in a row and heels feel like the proverbial baby’s bum!

Seche Vive in the blue bottle. Week three on my regular style manicure and except for grow out, nails look like they did on day one. (Sally Hansen base coat, 2 coats Opi, topped with SV.) Fun hack - to extend the mani and distract from the grow out, I applied 1 coat of gold sparkle polish (Sally Hansen) and another of Seche Vive.

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Thank you, Runcarla and Gigi. I have a problem with my lips all year..

I've been using Glow Facial Oil by California Pure Naturals. It's vegan, organic, and has all sorts of wonderful things in it. And it really does seem to give my skin a nice glow.

CPN California Pure Naturals Glow Facial Oil Brightening Moisturizer Hydrates with Vegan Jojoba, Argan, Borage, Primrose, and Antioxidants for Sensitive Skin, 1 Ounce

Liesbeth

I have added FaceTheory (British brand) vitamin c serum to my routine. Not sure if it really is working wonders yet but it does seem to help smooth my skin and it doesn't irritate...
RunCarla, three weeks with the same nailpolish?!? I use top coats too but one is only quick dry and the other ends up chipping only one or two ginormous parts out of my polish :s.

kellygirl

Thanks for posting! I always love reading these--I rarely have anything to report since I seem to use the same stuff over and over. I can vouch for the agave lip mask. I need to get in the habit of using that at bed time again. I'm going to try the facial oil that Xtabay recommends. My skin has been so dry--probably a result of the poor air quality and aging!

Tried out this Yes to Carrots facial mist on a whim. Thought it would be refreshing after hiking and such It's a little sticky but not too bad.

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@Liesbeth - yup! It might be a super power. I’ve always had good luck with long lasting pedicures (I do my own) and have started manicures this summer as part of stepping up my self care. I’m going to see if I can get this one to last 4 weeks since I like the colour. I do wear gloves when gardening, cleaning bathrooms, or washing dishes and I type on the screen of my iPad. Seche Vite was good, but Seche Vive is stellar!

MsMaven

Thanks to Gigi about the agave mask. You should get a commission! I ordered it today--I've been having a terrible time this year with dry flaking lips and nothing helps. Usually this condition just lasts a few weeks in colder weather, but this year it goes on and on--Covid lips I guess.

I do like these beauty threads. Thanks for all the good suggestions Laura.

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