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I hope that all is well in your world and you are staying warm. We are going on Day 5 of hunkering down. I am happy to report that we are surviving our forced homebound status. I only had to call the divorce lawyer twice.
If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love beauty products. After I got out of college, I had a part-time job behind the Estée Lauder counter at Lord & Taylor at Northbrook Court. I had the time of my life! I had the opportunity to attend training classes and received free products.
I am an optimistic beauty product consumer. Just because a beauty influencer is barely of drinking age, I still harbor the possibility that I could look as good. It's a dark day when my miracle product arrives, and my skin doesn't look quite as glass-like or glowing.
When I was young, my skin was very oily. There wasn't a light in the room, too small or too dim that couldn't reflect off my forehead. It was my superpower.
Over the years, my skin hit a lifelong dry spell. And as an extra treat, rosacea and milia showed up for the party.
Today is the first segment of my beauty series. The focus is on exfoliators and primers. I will give you honest reviews on the products that I own. I linked to Amazon because Prime has no shipping costs, and in many cases, you can order a small size for sampling.
After I wash my face and before I apply moisturizer, I exfoliate. For years, I have had a problem with pilling. If you are unfamiliar with the term, pilling occurs when skincare products or makeup aren't properly (or fully) absorbed into the skin. Instead, they sit on the surface and ball up into little "pills."
No need to start a GoFundMe page...
There is a remedy!
My girls introduced me to Dr Dennis Gross Daily Peel years ago. I only use them on makeup days. They did the trick, but they are quite pricey.
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!
Just recently, I found these pore pads from one of the many beauty influencers I stalk follow, which do a stellar job and are at a reasonable price point.
Primers
The Cast of Characters
I have used this primer/moisturizer ever since I received a complimentary sample a few years ago. It does a good job, and I am glad that it does double duty - moisturizing and priming. It's pricey, though, but I'm worth it.
Another influencer introduced me to this moisturizing primer. This one is very rich, and I use it during the cold, dry months. It takes a few minutes to absorb and never feels greasy.
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I used this years ago, and when GMA Steals and Deals had a deal on it, I gave it another whirl. This has a silky texture and is tinted. I found this one was slower to absorb and has a slight smell that may bother some people. But I give it an 8 out of 10.
This didn't work for me.
Too tacky.
Dominque Sasche told me to buy this product.
I used it once and then trashed it.
It was way too sticky for me.
I used to love this primer, and then Lancome decided to shake things up and change the formula. It isn't as good.
Because it has a watery consistency, it takes a while to dry. Once it's dry, it is a great primer for keeping makeup in place all day.
I have tried so hard to like Charlotte Tilbury products, and it was a hard no across the board. I tested different methods for applying this primer. All of them made my makeup look cakey.
I use the other primers mentioned above on my entire face. This is my plus one - after applying the primer, I double up and use this on my nose and cheeks, where my pores are at their largest.
Another plus one that does a stellar job camouflaging my pores. Also, the lotion is a good primer.
Very hydrating and does a good job at blurring.
It doesn't seem to have much product in the container, though.
Next up are foundations and tinted moisturizers.
I would love to hear what products you like. Leave a comment or shoot me an email.
Stay warm and safe!
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I’ve been using Smashbox’s Photo Finish Primer for years, and I love it. It doesn’t take much, and it glides on. I’m 75, and I look much better when I use it. I tried Laura Geller Spackle, and it didn’t do anything.
ReplyDeleteThank you for influencing me, Sharon! I will definitely try it. Have a great week!
DeleteI agree with the Bobbi Brown primer. I too look for the fountain of youth in any new product I try.. I have decided to stop trying new products and stick with what I know works for my aging skin.
ReplyDeleteWhy, oh why, do cosmetic companies change the formula? Worse yet, why do they discontinue my favourite lipstick shade or eye shadow stick color? This drives me crazy!!
Me too, Marty. It drives me crazy! Have a great week and thanks for the comment.
DeleteI use Saie Starburst primer. It makes a glowy base for skin tint. I am trying to get that glass skin.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely look into Saie. I can use all the glow I can get!
DeleteYou have the most beautiful skin! I get confused about what to use when especially because I use a prescription tretinoin compound nightly which can make my skin red. I have the Dr. Gross peel pads and agree that they do a really good job. Enjoy beauty posts!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love doing the beauty posts. Have a great week!
DeleteYour analysis is very helpful. Can’t wait to hear about foundation. What about sunscreens.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of foundations! Sunscreens are great idea for a post. Thanks for the comment! Enjoy your day!
DeleteThanks for the recommendations. I'm a beauty junkie too, and even thought about being a cosmetologist before I got practical and went to college. I love the Medicube products. I have used the Dr. Brandt pads, but decided they were just too pricey. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of the Medicube products, as well. Stopping over to your blog in a few!
DeleteKatie, you DO crack me up! You were such a beautiful bride. Tell me why I really need a primer. Seems to be just another step, another product. Shouldn't I expect the make up to do the job? I so enjoy your blog! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteYou may not need one! If you are happy with your make up application stick with it! Have a wonderful week!
DeleteLove the beauty blog post. I've only tried 2 exfoliating products and my face felt dryer afterwards? I'm skeptical about exfoliaters making skin dryer? In my young years I had that glass smooth skin also. But over the last 10yrs my skin has been dry. I'm looking for miracle products...lol. Your skin looks great! Just like wedding picture!
ReplyDeleteWell, the first thing you need is glasses! After I exfoliate my skin feels dry so I put on a hydrating moisturizer. I have several - today I used one by LaRoche-Posay. I could almost hear my skin slurp it up! Thanks for your kind words.
DeleteWhich moisturizer by La-Roche-Posay do you use after exfoliating?
DeleteLooking forward to this beauty series…lord knows I have tried so many products and still don’t feel like my skin looks great..it’s ok but I want the glowy not oily look….hoping you can find the magic formula…I don’t use a primer…pretty much consider my super goop tinted sunscreen my primer…I’ve recently ordered and received Frøya skincare and I do like it but it feels a little sticky…have to let it absorb especially the night cream…the jury is still out…I will be very interested in foundations…I’m currently using Il makiage and I do like it but am interested in perhaps switching ….will anxiously await your research🙂
ReplyDeleteHow do you like super Goop sunscreen? I will definitely look into Froya. I haven't heard of it. Keep me posted on what you think. Thanks for your input.
DeleteLoved loved Northbrook Court (just down Lake Cook Road from my corporate office) with great stores like Lord & Taylor, I Magnin, Neiman Marcus, Marshall Fields, and Mrs. Fields cookies - shopping paradise in the 80s and 90s. I remember being fresh out of college in my suit and walking by the Clinique makeup counter in Lord & Taylor on my lunch break. The older sales woman said to me, "May I offer you some advice in the business world? You need to ditch the Black Honey lip gloss and wear one of our lipsticks." I felt too intimidated not to buy a tube, and I never wore lip gloss to work after that tip.
ReplyDeleteI have extremely dry, mature skin, and every morning I like to use Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic (vit C) serum, Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Face Sunscreen, and (Bobbi Brown's) Jones Road "What the Foundation" (a light, whipped very moisturizing foundation). Both are quite sheer, so together they give me a little coverage and sun protection on a normal weekday - and a swipe of Jane Iredale Glow Time cream blush stick finishes it off..... and best of all the combo does not cause the dreaded pilling when I quickly put them on back-to-back.
When I was in my late 30's, a "helpful" cosmetic adviser told me that I was too old to wear eye shadow. I never wore it again. Now I look back and I think whaaaaat?? I have used the Skin Ceuticals CE Ferulic serum. My Derm discounted it. And then we moved. Do you know that there is a dupe for it? I haven't tried it. You gave me some inspo on a blogpost - dupes! Thank you. Btw... I have been using Jane Iredale foundation for years. Have a great week!
DeleteSkin Ceuticals C E serum is expensive, it stinks like hot dog water (seriously) and it leaves my face shiny if I don't put some sort of foundation over it. However, it had a patented method of preserving the Vit C, which is very unstable. I just heard a derm say that their patent expired and now other beauty companies have Vit C serums that are stable for longer periods of time, so next time I will look for another good brand that stays potent for a year in the bottle. I buy a lot of my skin care products and Jane Iredale items from LovelySkin.com, where everything is discounted and there are special sales frequently.
DeleteI'm always looking for the next magic product for taking a few years off my 76 year old face. Haha. I love trying new products, especially when someone else tries them first. 😉 I look forward to the next chapter in your series. Thank you for always having helpful information for us.
ReplyDeleteKaren B.
P.S. I always sign my name to your posts but they always come up as Anonymous?
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading, Karen. I am not tech savvy so I don't know the answer to the Anonymous question. I could ask the Mister but he would give me the standard answer to every question in the universe... "turn it off and then turn it back on."
DeleteClick on the tiny downward triangle to the right of "Anonymous", click "Name/URL", type your name, and click on "Continue"
DeleteThanks Pam!!!!
DeleteThis should be a fun series for both you and your readers. I began using Mary Kay products in the early 1990s after experiencing skin issues caused by mixing various skincare brands. Once I switched to using only Mary Kay products—designed to work together—those problems disappeared.
ReplyDeleteNow, at 81, I have no wrinkles and enjoy very healthy skin. I use a microabrasion process twice a week, which eliminates any “pilling” issues. The TimeWise Repair System, designed specifically for women over 50, has been excellent for me, and I also incorporate other Mary Kay products that complement it well.
I couldn’t be more pleased with the long-term results of using this consistent, well-designed skincare system.
I along with everyone else love these posts! Have you ever tried Dermologica Daily Microfoliant? I really like this one, and have used it for a long time. I find that the older I get, better skin skin care and less foundation look way better! I stuck my toe in the water with LaMer, and some of it I really like, although I could probably afford a villa on the French Riviera if I stopped buying it. Colleen Rothschild products are working well, so I use some of those, too. I am really put out with Clarisonic for going out of business because that little oscillating brush was the best exfoliator ever made. Fun to know that you worked for Estée Lauder too!
ReplyDeleteJust had my dermatologist tell me that what I thought was a pimple is Malia, how do you avoid getting them? Also enjoy your blogs.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Bobbi Brown moisturizer/primer. What do you do for milia.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know what is good for that milia or Malia. No clue. I believe I have it too. Thanks
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