Spring cosmetics hits & misses

I've been trying some new 'face goos' (as my DH calls them) and I thought reviews might be useful for others.

Supergoop sun-defying sunscreen oil spf 50 (Sephora)
Love this stuff! Sunscreen in oil format sounded odd yet intriguing - for me it really works. It's got a light consistency and dissolves into the skin quite quickly. I'll be interested to see if this still works in the heat of summer, but for cooler weather it's been great.

Pur meltaway makeup emulsifier (Ulta)
I don't usually wear a lot of makeup everyday, but for special occasions I wanted a makeup remover better than what I'd been using. I really like this; it's like a cleansing balm but in oil format. You spread it on, add a little water and it emulsifies. It doesn't sting my eyes and does a good job of getting rid of everything (I sometimes use a q-tip to get rid of the last of the eyeliner etc. right around my eyes). I usually wash again afterwards with my regular Cerave cleanser.

L'oreal Paris Colour Riche lipstick (Target)
I've been looking for a new everyday lipstick, something pretty light and moisturizing that I can use instead of a plain balm and put on without a mirror. I really like the consistency of this, although the packaging is a bit old-fashioned. I got the Fairest Nude shade which is OK on me, but I'd prefer something a bit more pink. I plan to try other colors.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid (Paula's Choice)
PC had a try-it deal for the small size of this, so I ordered. So far I haven't been wowed. I think the 2% is a bit strong for me, as my skin always feels a bit tight after using it. It does seem to help with brightness and minor breakouts. I'd prefer a thicker consistency, so maybe I'll try one of their 1% BHA creams in the future.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin CC Cream (drugstore.com)
OK but not stellar - I'll probably use it up but not reorder. The color is a bit yellow for me, which is unfortunately common. It's a little thick for me; I prefer BB/CC cream to be thinner than regular foundation.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day styling treatment (sample, Sephora)
Did not work for me; left my hair gunky-feeling and lank. It's got lots of good reviews, so who knows...

DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel (sample, Sephora)
Love this stuff. I tried the sample with a what-the-heck attitude, never thinking that a gel would really make that much difference to the curliness of my hair, but it really does. Works great for me when I am air-drying.

REN Micro polish cleanser (Sephora)
I got a cosmetics kit of REN samples the last time I flew to London, and always wanted to try the brand again. This face wash was a disappointment, though. I mean, it's OK, but not noticeably better than the St. Ives apricot wash which is five bucks to its thirty.

I've got several things I've received recently but haven't tried yet:
Honest Co body oil
Madison Reed hair color
the return of John Frieda Ocean Waves!! (it's called Sea Waves now and the only place I've found it so far is Target online)

Anyone else want to share what has worked or not worked for them?

10 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I've tried two of those products.

I like Perfect Hair Day.

I bought a few Ren products last year. The micro polish scrub was the worst of them, unimpressive and difficult to get out of the tube. The only Ren item I will definitely buy again is their rose oil; it really made my skin look nice.

rabbit

Thanks for the run down! I'm curious about the hair dye, I often do my roots between appointments and try to use the ~natural/healthy hair dyes, but I can't get consistent lasting color results (outside of black lol).

My new spring beauty buys that are working well are Benefit Roller Lash -- not waterproof, but tends to stay put through the day much better than my waterproof mascaras of the past. Really does appear to lengthen and curl my lashes.

Mac concealer - the pot and the liquid pump. I was using Aveda but it just didn't give as good coverage as I need now. Mac's colors seem to have changed over time? For awhile there I didn't have a good skin match, but now I do. Still use a light dusting of Aveda mineral dual base foundation on top.

Anyone have a rec for a good powder (cream doesn't work for me) blush for very fair mostly cool skin?

Carole

Wow, what a great review...thanks for sharing! I love to hear about what's working well for others and what doesn't! I Notice quite a few of the items listed have oil and I'm wondering if that makes your skin break out...I'm having such an issue with that currently:(

Style Fan

Great reviews. Thanks for sharing. I stick to pretty basic products for my skin because it is so sensitive. My routine has not changed much in the last few decades. Nothing special. Cetaphil to clean and Avene for sensitive skin. Lots of trial and error to come to this place so it works for me.

I am a die hard Mac eye shadow fan. Whenever I try others I go back to Mac. Love the colours and the blending ability.

I have very warm skin but Nars is famous for their blushes. I rarely wear blush but when I do it is Nars. Love the names.

Anonymous

Laura -- I am very interested in the sunscreen. I will look into it today.

dakotacheryl

Rabbit...if you have a Sephora near you, look at the Hourglass Ambient Powder Blushes. I have a three color LE pan from last year that I love, but I know they come in singles. The formulation gives a light wash of natural color.

Traci

I've been shopping around for a foundation to love for a couple of years now and I may have found it in Glominerals. It's a typical liquid foundation, but it doesn't get shiny mid day, but also doesn't start off ridiculously matte. I bought it in winter and now the shade is a bit light on me. I'm trying to just stretch it out by using a very soft hand when I apply it.

I really like those L'oreal glosses you mentioned. I think I have the nude and berry colors.

Thanks dakotacheryl and Style Fan for the blush recommendations. I'll check them out.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Rabbit, I use cream blush when I wear it, although I've heard the usual kudos for Nars Orgasm. I'll let y'all know how the Madison Reed haircolor goes; Missey here on YLF has used it and I got an invite from her. If anybody wants to try it, I believe I can send you an invite and it takes $15 off your first order (and gives me some credit too I think).

Style Fan, I used to buy a lot of MAC but then I got tired of feeling ignored whenever I went into their stores. The ladies at Sephora and Ulta are much more helpful, and not as stuck-up.

Carla

Experimenting with Smashbox photo finish primer with a green tint. I'm not bothering with foundation over. It knocks down the red, and skin feels nice.

Also trying Babyliss Pro Argan Oil Restorative Mask for hair. Has a slight woodsmoke after smell, but gosh(!) it did wonders for my post vacation dry hair.

CereVe is working the best of anything I've ever used on my sensitive rosecea-prone skin, and I learned about it from this forum!

Bought an inexpensive 3 pack of Physician's Formula nail polish. I liked all 3 colours, and the bottles were mini's. At $5.99 it was a good price. I like variety in colours for pedi's over the summer, and never get through a whole bottle of polish. The first colour I tried (a dark orange) went on very nicely and is in it's second week. I use a base coat, two coats polish, and a top coat. The base and top coats are the same product - Sally Hansen Double Duty. (Pic shows pedi at 1 week).

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

rachylou

Great reviews. I want to try the DevaCurl now.

I'm kinda liking L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Multi-Restorative Dry Oil for hair. But the smell, tho nice, is death. It does dissipate pretty quick on the other hand.

I was trying to try Organix coconut milk anti-breakage serum, but the smell is so so strong and lasting I haven't given it a good go.

amiable

Great reviews! I just bought a BB cream (I think) with sun screen in it by Neutrogena, and didn't like it. I'm hoping to return it. It was thick - more like foundation. I liked the BB cream for Oil of Olay that I bought last year, but it was only 15spf. I'm going to check out yours, and the some of the ones recommended in the link love from Thursday, hoping to find one in the 30-50 range that I can wear, probably without any other foundation over it.

Category