Archive for the ‘Beauty’ Category
Tuesday, May 13th, 2008
I’ve been using Somme Institutes 5 step Skincare line since Friday and I’ve seen a dramatic decrease in the oiliness on my face.
It’s finally getting warmer here in Minnesota, and my skin’s been getting a lot oilier than usual.
I was about to go and try to find something else that would help decrease the oiliness, when I was asked to review Somme Institute’s Skincare line.
The line consists of a 5 step program, which includes the Nourishing Cleanser, $40, which is used in the morning and evening. The cleanser is nonfoaming, and slips easily over my skin.
Although I haven’t used many nonfoaming cleansers, I love that the Nourishing Cleanser doesn’t leave my skin feeling dry or tight after using it.
I skipped the rest of the skincare line for one day - morning and evening, and although my skin wasn’t as oily as it was before I started using Somme Institute’s Skincare, it was a little bit oilier than it was after I used the entire line.
Step Two in the program is Transport, $58, which are pads that “are infused with MDT5 and a synergistic blend of alpha hydroxy (AHA) and beta hydroxy (BHA) acids to exfoliate dead cells on the skin’s surface and unclog blocked pores”.
I do have sensitive skin at times, and I found out that I need to wait a little bit before I use the transport, or my skin will start to sting.
Step Three is Serum, $82, which “Boosts collagen production, reverse sun damage, promote healthy, acne-free skin.”
The serum is nice and easy to spread, and has the faintest hint of an orange smell.
Step Four is A-Bomb, $70, which restores “optimal function to skin cells and speeding cell renewal, A-Bomb aggressively repairs sun damage, eliminates fine lines and wrinkles, and targets problem areas on acne-prone skin.”
This cream is truly lightweight, and doesn’t leave my oily skin feeling like I’m adding moisture that I don’t need to my face.
Step 5 is Double Defense Day Moisture, $48. Since this step contains SPF 30+ sun protection, it is only used in the morning, unlike the rest of the products. Of course since you can reapply the Double Defense Day Moisture as needed if you’ll be out in the sun for a while.
“Double Defense goes steps beyond traditional sunscreens by combining free-radical scavengers and anti-inflammatory agents with the most sophisticated sun protection technology, including Phytosorb and Parsol 1789. Double Defense also creates an effective water-resistant barrier to lock in skin’s vital moisture.”
This felt like sunscreen going on - it applied easily, but I had to make sure that it was completely rubbed in. It also felt a little greasy, but that disappeared within minutes, and my skin still doesn’t feel anywhere near as oily as it did before I started using this line.
I love that the sun protection is included as a step in the skincare program.
I have to admit that I’m bad at remembering to put on sunscreen every day, but since I’ve started using this line, and my sunscreen is lined up with the rest of my skincare I haven’t forgotten it once.
Somme Institutes eye cream, aptly named Eye, $72, is not included in the five step program.
However it is to be used after the five step program.
The eye cream is “Infused with Controlled-Release Eye-Specific MDT5, EYE hydrates and brings back skin elasticity to eye contour, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles.”
It’s easy to apply, although it did take me a couple of tries to determine how much to press the pump bottle so that I wouldn’t get too much out.
I’ve only been using the Somme Institute Skincare Regimen for four days, so it’s hard to tell if there are any other improvements in my skin other than the dramatic decrease in oil production, but this skincare line is worth it to me for the oil control alone. The fact that it includes sunscreen, helps to reduce the signs of aging, has a pleasant orange scent, and applies easily are added bonuses.
Somme Institute Skincare comes in color cordinated boxes, which contain the number of each item’s step when you open up the lid. The boxes also contain information about the benefits of the product, usage instructions, and ingredient list, and any cautions about the product.
The containers themselves are sleek, white, and have minimal writing (the name of the product, usage instructions, and contact information) on them. They also have a large colored dot on the product, that corresponds to the color on the boxes and the step in the system.
I’d prefer it if the step number was written on the bottles themselves, so I wouldn’t have to refer to the boxes, or read the fine print on the bottles to make sure I’m using the products in the proper order, but that’s not a big deal.
Stay tuned, and I’ll give you a one month and a three month update on how I’m doing with the Somme Institute Skincare Regimen.
If you’d tried this line please leave me a comment and tell me how it worked for you.
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Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
I’ve been using Covergirl’s Lashblast waterproof mascarain black, which I bought at Target for $6.99, for 2 days so far.
I picked this up because it was the mascara that was mentioned most in the comments, so I figured it must be good.
I’m not sure if everyone else is using the waterproof version, or the regular version, but so far I don’t think that Covergirl’s Lashblast Waterproof Mascara is any better than L’oreal Voluminous mascara, which is what I normally use.
The mascara goes on clumpier than Voluminous because the mascara clumps on the mascara wand itself. At the tip of the mascara wand where the bristles are shorter I can’t even see the bristles because there is so much mascara on the end of the wand. This also results in mascara smearing under my eyes, which I really don’t like.
I don’t want to have to waste time cleaning up mascara messes in the morning - I just want to put my mascara on and be done with it!
I tried running a tissue over the end of the wand to get some of the mascara off, but it was a little harder to do than it is with a normal brush. I guess there was more resistance due to the rubber bristles.
That’s not really a big deal, but since I don’t always have to remove excess mascara from the Voluminious, and I get the same length and thickness from both mascaras, that’s enough to make me stick with the Voluminous.
The mascara tip is also thicker than most brushes, so it’s harder to reach the lashes in the corner of my eye, and trying to reach those lashes usually ends up with me getting more mascara on my undereye area than on my lashes.
I’ve never had that problem before, and I have to say that I don’t like it.
What do you think about Lashblast?
Do you have trouble reaching your shorter lashes, or with the mascara clumping on the end of the wand?
If so how do you deal with it?
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Thursday, May 1st, 2008
About Face Cosmetics is sponsoring a fundraiser to benefit a 12 year old boy named Chris with Cystic Fibrosis.
I just purchased both full size pigments, Live In Color, and Happy Birthday Chris that were created for the fundraiser, and 3 samples (Shards Of Glass, Lucky Charm, and Stolen Souls all Powdered Diamond Dusts) for $11.50, and I can’t wait to get them!
The fundraiser lasts until May 7 at midnight.
If you’d like to purchase these limited edition minerals or if you would like to make a donation for the fundraiser please visit Colors For A Cause.
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Thursday, May 1st, 2008
The second fundraiser for Meadow Quinn is up at Mac Cosmetics N Collection, Royal Assets, Antiquities.
The auction ends May 4 at 00:00.
This auction includes the MAC Silversmith Eyeshadow that I like - you can read my review at MAC Silversmith Mineralize Eye Shadow Review.
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Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
I got the Jane Cosmetics Kabuki Brush from Walgreens for $4.99.
The brush is similar to my Cat Cosmetics Kabuki Brush, although it seems that the Jane brush is meant for blush application.
I tried the Jane Cosmetics Kabuki brush with my Bare Escentuals foundation, and I wasn’t impressed.
Although the brush is similar in size to the Cat Cosmetics Brush that I’ve had forever, it isn’t as soft.
I almost didn’t give the Jane Kabuki a chance after I swirled it into the top of my BE lid, and saw powder flying everywhere.
That’s never happened to be before, and I didn’t like the idea of wasting all of those minerals - or of having to clean them up off of the counter and floor.
I went ahead and tried the Kabuki, since it already had the minerals on it, and the brush felt really rough as I applied it to my face like I normally do.
I also noticed that the coverage was no where near as good as the coverage that I get with the Cat Cosmetics Kabuki - probably because all of the powder flew out of the lid, instead of going into the brush. Since Kabuki’s usually give me a light coverage, I pretty much had no coverage with the Jane Kabuki.
I did try the Jane Kabuki with powder blush, and it worked well - it wasn’t as scratchy since I don’t use as much pressure when I apply brush as I do when I apply my foundation.
Of course the brush doesn’t work any better than my other blush brushes, so I wouldn’t suggest purchasing it unless you are looking for a blush brush and you like Kabuki brushes.
If you’ve tried a kabuki brush, I’d love to hear what you think about it.
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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
I recieved the Chillessence be great body lotion and body wash on Saturday, and so far I am very impressed with them.
The body lotion is a light nongreasy lotion that sinks in quickly, without leaving me feeling like I need to blot my hands before I use the computer or try to read a book.
The scent of the lotion also lasts until I wash my hands, without being overwhelming.
The body wash is a nice smelling body wash, with just enough lather, that doesn’t leave a heavy fragrance after you get out of the shower.
The be great body lotion and body wash are both natural, and organic.
For more information aboutChillessence please visit www.chillessence.com.
If you sign up to be a member you’ll get 10% off of your first purchase through July 31.
Happy Earth Day!
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Monday, April 21st, 2008
I’ve been using Calgon Get Juic’d Juicy Berry Lip Shimmer for several months, and I’m very pleased with it.
The tube is rather slender, so I have to do a little extra work to make sure my entire lips are covered with lip shimmer, but other than that Get Juice’d Lip Shimmer is great.
Juicy Berry is a dark purple in the tube, but it goes on sheer, and the color is buildable.
I have to admit that I’ve been using this as a lip balm since I ran out of my other lip balms, and this is just as moisturizing as any lip balm, plus it has a bit of color.
I’ll definitely repurchase this if I can find it, since it is a limited edition item.
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