Tag: acne prone

Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk Review

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Back in the summer, I had quite the splurge-fest. I purchased almost all of the products from Violette_FR’s beauty line – perfume, makeup, and skincare. As I mentioned in my Unboxing and First Impressions video, the brand just spoke to me. I appreciate Violette’s aesthetic and what she emits into the beautysphere.

In this post, I will be reviewing Violette_FR’s Boum-Boum Milk. Violette described it as a 3-in-1 cream spray (toner, serum, moisturizer). It is something that can be used on your face, hair and body. In addition, she wanted to create a reliable product when one has done too much to their skin. Something anti-inflammatory and moisturizing, all the while promoting a minimal skincare routine.

I finished my second bottle, so I have a pretty good idea of what the product is all about and how it works/doesn’t work for me in my skincare routine.

General Information on Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk

“The French tradition of science-backed beauty innovation paired with the desire to streamline the skincare routine (for reasons of sustainability and minimalism), led to the formulation of Boum-Boum Milk. The key ingredients— Fermented Birch Sap, Glacier Water, Olive Leaf Extract— were selected for their results-driven composition by veteran chemists with over 20+ years of experience in the clean beauty world. The 3-in-1 “smart” product efficiently acts as a toner, serum and moisturizer. With one or two sprays (boum, boum!), it acts as a toner (balancing and moisturizing), a serum (highly concentrated, quick absorption) and as a hydrating moisturizer. Suitable for all skin types.” – violettefr.com

Price: $58 USD
Amount: 100ml
Packaging: Clear plastic spray bottle with a frosted gold cap

Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk Ingredients

Up-close photo of the Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk Ingredients list.

WATER (AQUA)(EUA), BETULA PENDULA (BIRCH) SAP, GLYCERIN, PENTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, SQUALANE, AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM (HORSE CHESTNUT) SEED EXTRACT, ARTHROSPIRA PLATENSIS EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) LEAF EXTRACT, CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWER EXTRACT, CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBA (GUAR) GUM, CETETH-20 PHOSPHATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, DICETYL PHOSPHATE, TOCOPHEROL, LEVULINIC ACID, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM LEVULINATE, XANTHAN GUM, BENZYL ALCOHOL, DEHYDROACETIC ACID, CITRIC ACID

INCIDecoder

Glacier water and fermented birch sap make up the base of the Boum-Boum Milk’s formula. I believe the former is sourced from Iceland. so I’m under the assumption it has mineral content as well as the soothing properties similar to classic French Pharmacy spring thermal water mists. The latter makes up 38% of the formula. It was explained by Violette to be what the French drink the day after a lovely night out to “detoxify”. While that’s nice to hear, that’s ingestion, not topical application. Fortunately, Korean skincare has gone down this route of using birch sap in their products! It’s rich in probiotics (when fermented), soothing and contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It’s overall a nice, different kind of humectant to have in a skincare product. Fermentation in general can boost nutritional properties of an ingredient. I would say overall, glacier water and fermented birch sap are a nice vehicle alternatives to the classic distilled water.

As for olive leaf extract, it seems to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. But there are other extracts in the formula that also offer these benefits and are more well-known:

  • Horse chestnut extract – anti-inflammatory and wound healing
  • Calendula extract – antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
  • Camellia sinesis leaf extract – antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial

Some lovely moisturizing ingredients can also be found in the formula:

  • glycerin – a star humectant,
  • emollients capriylic/capric triglyceride, sunflower seed oil, and squalane,
  • antioxidants Arthrosperia platensis extract and tocopherol.

My Experience Using Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk

Up-close photo of the Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk
Swatch of the Violette_FR Boum Boum Milk

Upon first spritz, I noticed right away the moisturizing properties of Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk. The finish is very reminiscent of the Laneige Cream Skin Refiner (reviewed), it has an emollient feel. However I do find the Boum-Boum Milk sinks into the skin more and has a calming effect after application. After a few more uses, I’ve come to realize I’m not a huge fan of the spritzer. It’s a bit assertive, does not have even distribution of the liquid, and I noticed product leaking from the spout.

As seen in my Summer 2021 Nighttime Skincare Routine, I used the Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk in my hydrator step. I applied a few spritz to the palm of my hands and lightly massaged it on my face and neck. I have also used the Boum-Boum Milk over makeup and a refresher throughout the day if my skin felt dry. I’ve decanted a bit in a mini spray bottle; I took it with me to the beach to remoisturize my skin after swimming in the salt water. I found I most enjoyed the Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk when I used it in the last two ways.

My Final Thoughts on Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk

PROS

  • Gentle.
  • Calming and soothing.
  • Can use it in a number of ways to add moisture to my skin – in my skincare routine, throughout the day, at the beach 😀
  • I recall Violette saying in one of her Instagram lives that she wants clinical trials conducted on the Boum-Boum Milk – it would be a biased study mind you, but at least she wants data to show how it helps certain skin conditions.

CONS

  • The packaging – the spritzer does not dispense the product evenly, the mist itself is quite direct and not a gentle veil, and the fluid leaks.
  • Shipping – this is just a general con when ordering from violettefr.com, but it was a bit pricey. After speaking to my friend, the shipping is becoming more expensive :\ If you plan on investing in the Boum-Boum milk, be sure to keep the costly shipping in mind.

Two bottles later, I definitely like what the Violette_FR Boum-Boum Milk offered. It is gentle and adds light moisturization, but I am ready to move on. Firstly, I can’t actually repurchase it where I am. Secondly, the cost in CAD plus the increasing shipping prices is just becoming too expensive. I also have the NIOD SDSM waiting to be opened! It seems to also offer a gentle, light hydrating effect plus effective antioxidant protection. If Violette_FR finally ships to the country I’m residing in, I may consider repurchasing.

Where to Buy: Violette_FR Official Website
(affiliate link – if you use this link to make a purchase, I earn a small commission. Thank you so much if you decide to use it!)

As always, I hope you find posts like this helpful and informative!

XO, M

a collage of michelle's face. Left to right: no makeup, just primer, with makeup.

Minimal Makeup Routine – NO Foundation and NO Concealer!

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I have to say, I’m pretty proud of this updated minimal makeup routine. Compared to last year’s video, I cut my products down significantly and it takes me no more than 5 minutes to complete! I also find it a testament to how much more confident I feel about my skin (and face in general). It’s by no means perfect, but I have come to the point where I accept it for what it is without feeling the need to cover and change so much of it. I also like this super simple makeup routine during the colder months, where I feel like I need to reapply moisturizer (as well as SPF).

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRkhU8bcQkg]

Products Used

minimal-makeup-routine-products

Base

Primer, in my opinion, is the most important step of this minimal, no foundation (and no concealer) makeup look. It acts as a bridge between skincare and makeup, but I actually find the primers I use to lean more on the skincare side. They act as a barrier on the skin, apply easily after sunscreen, increase makeup longevity, minimize the look of skin texture, slightly reduces excess shine, and has a bit of colour correcting properties!

Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Has a pink-purple hue so it helps brighten and even out my skin complexion, making it looks a smidge fuller.

Indeed Labs Green Nanoblur (gift)
Green help cancels out redness, and I appreciate the subtlety of the colour so it doesn’t look too obvious when I wear it on its own!

 

Eye Area

Here’s where it gets even more simple. I only brush my brows and apply a coloured brow gel, and curl my lashes. My eyes tend to get especially dry during the colder months, and last year while at the office I found myself applying my hand cream around my eye area throughout the day! Keeping it simple just allows me to apply moisturizer (and SPF) without looking in the mirror and without worrying that I smudged something.

Glossier Boy Brow – Brown
Perfect brush size, dispenses the right amount of product, and a great match to my eyebrow colour.

Muji Eyelash Curler
Just the one I currently have in my vanity, seems to be made more for Asian-shaped eyes.

 

Cheeks

Depending on the occasion, this step is actually optional! I use cream or powder, but I was feeling some fall colours this day.

Glossier Cloud Paint – Dusk
A little goes a long way with this cream blush, and I like using this colour in particular up to my temples like a blush/bronzer kinda of product.

 

Lips

Depsite current events and still needing to wear a mask, I still like wearing gloss to keep my lips comfortable and give it a tint of colour..

Fenty Gloss Bomb – Fenty Glow
Just a nice pinky, sometimes pinky-brown tint and a comfortable gloss.

Glossier Generation G Lipstick – Cake
I’m surprised how much I like this formula – it easily applies as a nice blotted look, which is how I prefer wearing lipsticks. Although it is matte, the formula is not too drying. I find this colour in particular to pair well with the Cloud Paint I’m using.

 

And that’s all, folks! As always, I hope you found this helpful and informative, or at least inspires you to embrace your face!

xo, M

 

Links

Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Primer
https://bit.ly/32qiiSd *

Tatcha Silk Canvas Protective Primer
https://bit.ly/32mMk9n *

Indeed Labs Nanoblur Colour Corrector – Green (gift)
https://indeedlabs.com/shop/nanoblur-colour-corrector-green/

Glossier Boy Brow – Brown
https://bit.ly/32oO16b *

Muji Eyelash Curler
https://www.muji.us/store/eyelash-curler-4547315844388.html

Glossier Cloud Paint – Dusk
https://bit.ly/3n1gBlZ *

Fenty Gloss Bomb – Fenty Glow
https://bit.ly/38nuF5m *

Glossier Generation G Lipstick – Cake
https://bit.ly/3n2V0JN *

* Indicates affiliate links. This means if you use this link to make a purchase, I make a small commission. Thanks for your support if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

My Summer 2020 Nighttime Skincare Routine

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Following my 2020 Morning Skincare Routine (Summer Edition), here is a breakdown of my nighttime skincare routine for the warmer months featuring Retin-A Micro and Dapsone.

Skin type: Acne prone, normal to dry. Becomes easily sensitized from drying products or environment.
Skincare Focus: Acne control, hydration, barrier protection.
What my skincare addresses: Acne prevention and healing, hydration, barrier protection, graceful aging,  fading pigmentation, minimizing pore size, reduce redness, reduce inflammation, improve texture, promote collagen synthesis, skin thickening.

Products marked with * are PR Samples/gifts. This does not change my opinion of the product. My thoughts are honest, always *casts doe patronus*

All links are affiliate links. This means when you use the link to make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thank you if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE

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The products below are my tried and trues out of the rotation of items I receive from PR, gifts, and my own purchases. Each are purposeful and contribute to my skin’s overall health.

1. Eye Makeup Removal

Product: Marcelle Gentle Makeup Remover for Sensitive Eyes
How I use it: Apply on a cotton round and rest on eyes to break down waterproof mascara. After a few seconds, I lightly move the cotton round through my lashes to remove as much as possible.
Why I use it: My eyes are quite sensitive – any oil-based cleanser I have used around my eyes for a few seconds burn them. I need to go in with something gentle, especially when I wear eye makeup. The Marcelle one has been repurchased multiple times for the simplicity, price, and how effective it is while still being gentle.
Where to Buy:
Well.ca

2. 1st Cleanse

Product: Hada Labo Gokujyun Oil Cleansing
How I use it: Dispense a full pump and gently massage all over my face and neck. After 30 seconds or so, I wet my hands and massage my face and neck again to emulsify the oil. I do this for another 30 seconds and then rinse.
Why I use it: It’s important for me to remove a day’s face, especially in the summer time. I’m sweating a bit, my sebum production is higher, I tend to reapply sunscreen more, I still like to wear makeup, and I’m outside exposing myself to environmental pollutants more frequently. It all must go! The Hada Labo oil cleanser is cost effective for the amount you get and I enjoy using it to massage my face longer to remove grit as well.
Where to Buy:
Yesstyle
DokoDemo

3. 2nd Cleanse

Product: Bioderma Sebium Purifying Foaming Gel
How I use it: Dispense half a pump and lightly massage all over my face and neck, with a focus on my T-zone.
Why I use it: It is also a cost effective cleanser for the size and amount you get. It is pH balanced around 5.5 (last time I checked), low foaming and surprisingly it softens my skin despite its marketing for oily/combination skin. I also use it on my body as a shower gel and a shaving gel!
Where to Buy:
Dermstore
Well.ca

4. Hydrator

Product: By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence *
How I use it: After patting away excess water with a face towel but skin still damp, I immediately pour a nickel-size amount onto the palm of my hand and massage all over my face and neck. Depending on how skin is feeling, I may apply another layer or 2.
Why I use it: Due to my problematic skin, I do not like completely drying out my face so I only remove the excess water. Layering something as light as a hydrating toner/essence/lotion really helps reduce my skin’s chance of becoming dehydrated without feeling congested. I also find hydrators make my skin just a bit plumper, brighter, more even, softer. I don’t find implementing this step prior to my prescriptions irritate my skin at all.
Blog Post: REVIEW: By Wishtrend Quad Active Boosting Essence
Where to Buy:
Wishtrend
Yesstyle

5. Retin-A Micro

Product: Valeant Retin-A Micro 0.04% Tretinoin
How I use it: Dispense one pump and apply it all over my face and underneath my jaw. Because my skin is acclimated to it, I also bring it underneath my eyes.
Why I use it: It is the star ingredient that controls my acne. It works by normalizing my skin cell turnover so there is no buildup of dead skin, and reduces my skin’s sebum production. Tretinoin in particular is also the only FDA-approved ingredient effective at diminishing the signs of photoaged skin (pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines). Since I’m turning 30 this year, I’m really happy I got an upgrade to my vitamin A prescription! I have also noticed it help refine my skin’s texture and minimize my pores, making my skin look overall clear and healthy.
Blog Post: SKIN UPDATE #4: Switching From Adapalene (Differin) to Tretinoin (Retin-A), Taking Spironolactone, Acne Scar Revision?

6. Aczone

Product: Valeant Aczone Gel 5% Dapsone – (prescription only)
How I use it: Once the Retin-A has settled a bit, I apply a thin layer all over face and under jaw.
Why I use it: It’s very effective at reducing inflammation around any active acne lesions, it also helps to control non-inflamed lesions. It also pairs well with my Retin-A Micro, Vitamin C serum, and chemical exfoliants. After my skin acclimated to it, it always feels mild – never sensitizing my skin, doesn’t add or subtract moisture from my skin.

7. Moisturizer

Product: Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Baume
How I use it: Apply once Aczone has settled. Massage half a pump or more all over face, neck and chest.
Why I use it: Another cost-effective skincare item! Skin always feels comfortably moisturized without feeling congested. Calms my skin, softens it, and leave a non-greasy residue. It is pretty much my HG moisturizer at this point!
Where to Buy:
Dermstore
Well.ca

Video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MBuuOdP7MI&w=560&h=315]

And that’s it for my nighttime skincare routine during the warmer months! As always, I hope you find this type of content helpful and informative!

xo, M

FOUNDATION FRIDAY [#1]: Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation 220 Sand Beige & Antioxidant Concealer 020 Bisque

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The products in this post were received in PR.

I’m typically someone who strays away from drugstore foundation due to one or all of the following reasons:

  • Never finding my shade and/or undertone properly
  • Oxidization madness
  • Looking cakey
  • Not long-lasting
  • Breaks me out

However, times have changed, and there seems to be a way better selection of base products than when I was in highschool! I received Revlon’s new PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Anti-Pollution Foundation and Antioxidant Concealer to try out and I decided to do a wear test and review them for you all!

In this post, I’ll be sharing a wear test I did during Fan Expo 2019 with the Foundation and Concealer, and add some thought after wearing them for almost one month daily!

CLAIMS

AirBrush_20190918185304.jpg

PHOTOREADY CANDID NATURAL FINISH ANTI-POLLUTION FOUNDATION

CLAIMS:

  • This skin-enhancing, natural-looking foundation delivers a flawless finish—all day long—as it hydrates
  • You get medium coverage that feels weightless and looks like your best skin!
  • Feels good with: anti-pollution, antioxidant, and anti-blue-light ingredients to protect your skin
  • Feels better without: oils, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, and harsh fragrances
  • Available in 31 makeup shades

PRICE: $10.99 USD / $15.99 CAD
AMOUNT: 0.75 fl oz / 22ml
SHADE: 220 Sand Beige – medium with neutral, subtle olive undertones

PHOTOREADY CANDID ANTIOXIDANT CONCEALER

CLAIMS:

  • This concealer with medium coverage camouflages dark circles and puff, with a jolt of caffeine to help wake up tired skin
  • It’s also excellent at disguising blemishes and other things you’d rather not see
  • Feels good with: a formula that includes a protective antioxidant, along with anti-pollution and anti-blue-light ingredients
  • Feels better without: oils, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, or harsh fragrances—making it ideal for delicate undereye skin and a great concealer for sensitive skin!
  • Flexible doe-foot for precision application
  • Available in 18 shades

PRICE: $9.99 USD/ $10.49 CAD
AMOUNT: 0.34 fl oz / 10ml
SHADE: 020 Bisque

ANTI-POLLUTION, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-BLUE LIGHT?

FOUNDATION INGREDIENTS: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Polysilicone-11, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone/PEG-10/15 Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylene Brassylate, Laureth-7, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, Maris Sal/Sea Salt/Sel Marin, Methicone, Mica, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Carrageenan, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Triethyl Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Iron Oxides (CI 77491,77492, 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

CONCEALER INGREDIENTS: Aqua/Water/Eau,Cyclopentasiloxane, Titanium Dioxide,  Cyclohexasiloxane, Methyl Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Sodium Chloride, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract ,Caffeine, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Glycerin, Lecithin, Mica, Pullulan, Sclerotium Gum, Silica, Tetrasodium EDTA, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan Gum, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: [Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499].

Firstly, both foundation and concealer contain antioxidants; In short, antioxidants help scavenge free radicals that cause oxidation (damaging cells). Camellia Sinesis Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Tocopherol / Tocopheryl Acetate are in both formulas, and the concealer contains Niacinamide down the list as well. There may also be Iron Oxides in the formula, which are used as pigment in makeup. Both antioxidants and Iron Oxides have shown to reduce the effects of visible light and help with pigmentation issues. Lab Muffin does a great job at explaining all of the research behind this in a digestible manner – be sure to check out her blog post and others as well!
https://labmuffin.com/does-visible-light-cause-skin-damage-and-how-to-protect-against-it/

Surprisingly, Revlon is indeed backing up its claims of their foundation and concealer being anti-pollution, antioxidant, and anti-blue light. However I am wary that some of those ingredients may be in too low amounts to do anything – I’m looking at more of SAP and Niacinamide. I’m not sure how much is needed to have an antioxidant benefit, but for the additional benefits those provide such as brightening and helping with acne, I typically aim for minimum 5-10% in my skincare routine. It still doesn’t hurt to have them in the formula though!

WEAR TEST – FIRST IMPRESSIONS

IMG_20190926_172536.jpg

PREP: On top of a moisturizing SPF – my colleague wears both these products on the daily so I thought I’d dry them together.

TOTAL WEAR TIME: 11.5 hours

PACKAGE:
Foundation: Tube with a pump.
Concealer: Tube with a large doe-foot applicator

IMG_20190926_173932.jpg

TEXTURE:
Foundation: Thick cream.
Concealer. Light cream.

Top: foundation, Bottom: concealer
Top: foundation, Bottom: concealer

USAGE:
Foundation: 1.5 pumps on face and neck . Normally I apply a small amount in sections, but I wanted to see what kind of coverage one pump would do.
Concealer: One light swipe to just cover breakouts.

APPLICATION:
Foundation:
Left side used fingers – results were streaky; Right side used brush – more seamless. Had to go in with a sponge to blend out the foundation because I used too much.

Concealer:
Applied on back of hand first, and used a small dense concealer brush to apply and blend around chin and one on my forehead.

FINISH:

IMG_20190825_091925.jpg
Foundation:

  • Glowy / luminous; to some it looks luminous and glowy, others it can look borderline shiny
  • Skin looks like my skin, boyfriend and friend couldn’t tell I was wearing anything
  • Didn’t notice any significant skin-perfecting qualities other than evening out my skin tone and making it look healthy
  • Having said that, doesn’t exaggerate any texture on my skin

Concealer:

  • Matte finish

Did not use primer or setting powder, wore the foundation on its own with cream cheek products.

FLASH-FRIENDLY? Yes. if you don’t powder down the “glow” from the foundation, it can be amplified.

OXIDIZE? Surprisingly, it did not!

OIL-CONTROLLING? Hard to tell because the finish gives a natural sheen. I did blot 5 hours in because to me, a previous oily-skinned gal, it looked too much; My friend on the other hand, said it didn’t look oily unless I was in bad lighting, otherwise my skin looked great most of the day.

END OF DAY:

  • Face still looked fresh and healthy
  • Coverage was still there
  • Bit of cakiness and dryness around my breakout areas
  • Sheen still on my skin but it didn’t look very oily

OVERALL THOUGHTS

IMG_20190919_185649.jpg

PROS:

Foundation:

  • Gives a “my skin but better” look despite no blurring quality
  • Looks great in photos, with or without flash
  • Matched my undertone perfectly
  • Lasts a work day / school day on its own without the help of primers and/or setting products
  • Does not oxidize; I was able to build up the coverage in certain areas of my face, and it did not oxidize in patches either
  • Still look fresh by the end of a long day

Concealer:

  • Matches skin tone
  • Does not oxidize

 

CONS:
Foundation:

  • Not a full ounce provided

Concealer:

  • Doesn’t last on the skin
  • Creates dry patches

IN-BETWEEN FEELS:

Foundation:

  • The finish depends on how you prep your skin. It’s not guaranteed to give you a super dewy or satin finish unless your base has that already going for it (hence why my face was so moisturized in the Wear Test).
  • Buildable coverage, up to medium coverage.
  • As much as I like the MSBB look, I still wish it had SOME skin blurring properties so I wouldn’t have to worry about my pores.

Concealer:

  • Concealer does not look cakey on skin if you just need to hide redness and use a very light amount. I think it caked up around my breakouts because of the active I used in my skincare routine (Paula’s Choice 10% Azelaic Acid).

Normal to Dry-skinned peeps: I think you’ll love it; Didn’t feel like it dried out my skin, and it does not emphasize dry patches I have around breakouts.
Oily-skinned peeps: May be too glowy for you, even if your base prep is rather matte. I’d recommend trying their Colorstay Foundation – it used to be my go-to drugstore foundation when my skin was very oily!

My best face: Pore-filling primer, thin layers, setting powder (get the most compliments when I do my makeup like this). Here’s my face after ~10 hours of wear on a regular work day, no touch-ups:

IMG_20190918_190233.jpg

Overall I am seriously impressed with Revlon Candid Foundation and Antioxidant Concealer! For a drugstore foundation, I really didn’t know what to expect with its performance, and it definitely surpassed my expectations. I get compliments at work whenever I use this foundation, and I’ve been told that I still look bright and fresh by the end of a work day! I also wore the foundation for 14+ hours for boyfriend’s birthday, and blotted before we went out to celebrate!

WHERE TO BUY:

ULTA:
Foundation
Concealer

Hope this review helped you out!

xo, M

My Nighttime (PM) Skincare Routine 2018

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Please read my “skincare announcement” monologue before reading this post!
I’m Finally Sharing my Current Skincare Routines 2018

Breakdown
1. Makeup Removal / Double Cleanse
2. Acne Treatment
3. Hydrators
4. Double Moisturize
5. Main Active

1. MAKEUP REMOVAL / DOUBLE CLEANSE

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Double Cleansing is a MUST in my nighttime routine. I first noticed skin improvements from this step alone, especially since I used to wear a cake-ton of makeup back in my early 20s.

I’m surprised with the Marcelle Gentle Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes. Gentle really is all-encompassing with this. Just a quick shake and a squirt on a cotton round removes the most waterproof Japanese mascara I own with one cotton pad, doesn’t make my eyesight blurry, doesn’t leave a residue, or feel like anything for that matter after I use it.

At the top of the list, the eye makeup remover contains a few solvent-emollient ingredients such as Isododecane, Isohexadecane, Isopropyl Palmitate – ingredients that help dissolve makeup without stripping the eye area’s sensitive skin.

This eye makeup remover has been highly recommended by a few Canadian Bloggers, and I see why they love it and go back to it. It doesn’t add or subtract from my skincare (aside from makeup), so there’s really not much to it. It just works!

After I remove my eye makeup, I start off with my first 1st Cleanse using the Dermalogica PreCleanse Balm *. I only need a pea-sized amount to cover my entire face. Despite it’s thick consistency, it spreads easily and gently emulsifies after wetting your fingers.

The main oils in this product are Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, and Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil – definitely explains it’s thicker consistency and why my face feels so soft after I rinse it off! I can see why Dermalogica advertises it as a makeup remover for drier skin types.

Even with such nourishing oils, my skin doesn’t feel like it has any residue after I wash the rest of the balm off. It also comes with a silicone mitt which is REALLY nice to use with the PreCleanse Balm, but I’ve opted for my fingers to be as gentle as possible because of the actives I use in this routine.

For the 2nd cleanse, I also use a pea-size amount of the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel * .

It contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Disodium Lauroamphodiacetate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, and Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract –  surfactants and foaming agents that effectively clean skin. The foam that is actually creates is so small, and my skin feels like it’s softening as I continuously massage the Special Cleansing gel into my skin.

This is probably my favourite step in my entire nighttime routine. It’s gentle to use, my skin feels softer as I use it, and I notice my skin looking slightly brighter. Even when my sister used it, she liked it so much she bought the big bottle of it! The one downside would be that if you take too long to apply your other skincare products, your skin will definitely feel a tad dry. But this is avoided easily by following suit with my skincare products while my skin is slightly damp. I’m actually on the fence of whether or not to continue with Cerave’s Hydrating Cleanser once I’m done with Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel, because I really like this cleanser too!
I tried Dermalogica’s Double Cleanse Routine ft. the PreCleanse Balm

2. ACNE TREATMENT

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Nighttime is the best time to go in with a stronger acne treatment, that way whatever irritation or redness I get will only be at night.

Benzagel 5 Acne Wash is probably the best Benzoyl Peroxide product I have tried. The ingredients are no nonsense and you only need a small amount to effectively treat your face.

As the name suggests, it has 5% Benzoyl Peroxide, a very effective ingredient at killing acne bacteria quickly, and doesn’t pose the problem of bacterial resistance with continued use. I opted for the wash form that Benzagel offers because washes tend to be gentler than treatments, but just as effective if you use it long enough.

I use about a nickely to quarter-size amount and make sure I properly massage it evenly on my entire face, concentrating on my breakout prone areas. I do this for a couple of minutes until I rinse it off. I’m surprised for a small bottle it is still going! If I use it for too long I do notice my face becomes slightly drier, but most definitely nothing as severe as what I experienced in the past.

After doing this step for just over a month, I reintroduced acid toning into my routine, alternating with the wash. Since I am using Differin, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of irritation, so I stopped using my ByWishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water * until I felt confident enough to incorporate it back into my routine. I can’t do without an acid toner because nothing works faster when it comes to smoothing out the texture on my skin.

As the name suggests, it contains 5% Mandelic Acid, the largest molecule and considerably gentler acid in the AHA family. It also helps with breakouts because Mandelic Acid is supposedly slightly lipid-permeable (don’t quote me on this).

Although I haven’t experienced heavy sensitization to my skin, I do notice that my skin is slightly more sensitive to this acid toner than it was prior to Differin. (Note: I stopped using this toner because I have been testing out a hyped up one that I will be reviewing soon. I’ll finish up this one once I’m done the testing period.)
REVIEW | [ByWishtrend] Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water

3. HYDRATORS

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This step is the same as my morning routine! I’ll just be linking my morning routine here so I don’t repeat myself. This step is just as essential at night as it is morning, so I’m happy the products come in decent sizes at fairly affordable prices.

4. MOISTURIZE

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Again, very similar to my morning. While my face is still tacky, I go in with Hada Labo’s Perfect Gel, following with Mad Hippie’s Eye Cream. But to seal everything in, I follow up with a heavier moisturizer like the Cerave Moisturizing Cream.

I would typically finish off my nighttime skincare with an oil, but because I am using a retinoid, I opt for a heavier moisturizer to counteract the dryness from it. So far, it’s been working! Of course, Cerave’s Moisturizing Cream contains Ceramides, helping to moisturize and assist with my skin’s barrier function. It also contains petrolatum making it slightly more occlusive.

Despite how much thicker it is, this has never caused congestion! My boyfriend even uses it as his daily moisturizer. A bonus is you get a big tub of it and you don’t need a lot for it to work.

5. MAIN ACTIVE

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I’m glad I moisturize my skin well beforehand, because I do get quite dry with Differin. So far I have been using it for over a month and I can say I have seen some results. I have stopped using an exfoliating toner to make sure before I brought it back into my routine!

Differin contains 0.1% Adapalene, a retinoid specifically targeted for the treatment and prevention of acne. It is supposed to be more tolerant than its big brother, Tretinoin.

Although I apply this on top of my moisturizer, I find it still has shown results in the month or more that I’ve been using it. I have not gotten a huge cyst from the Crimson Wave (unless I really don’t maintain consistency), my skin looks smoother even without layers of hydrating product, and my hyperpigmentation is lightening up on my cheeks and under my jaw. I tried using it before my hydration step, and I just find my skin looks more red, gets dry really fast, and I don’t feel as satisfied with my skincare. I’m going to continue using Differin as the last step in my routine, and keeping Vitamin A as a constant active in my nighttime routine in general after I run out of Differin.

This nighttime routine has been working great for me, and I am so happy I’ve been seeing results. Paired with my morning routine, I can’t remember the last time or if I EVER felt so content with my skincare routine, enjoyed everything about it, AND saw results.

I really hoped my routines helped you out!

Be sure to check out my AM Routine: My Morning (AM) Skincare Routine 2018

xo, M

If you want to see the texture of the products and in action:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbGD0aBi3I4]

This post contains affiliate links.
DISCLAIMER, PR, AFFILIATES

REVIEW: Cosrx Clear Fit Blemish Cushion #23 Natural Beige

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StyleKorean sent me the Cosrx Clear Fit Blemish Cushion (shade #23 natural beige) to try out back in September. Despite posting a selfie with the product, I didn’t publish a review at the time because I couldn’t get over it not being my skin colour. I ended up wearing other products to match me so I put this cushion on hold until it was the middle of winter (which it is now) when I have a better chance at matching the product. I love Cosrx, they’re a very affordable and effective Korean cosmetics brand that really cater to us needy acne-prone skin peeps. So I was really happy to get a chance to review Cosrx’s first makeup product and share my thoughts with you now!

This post is unsponsored.
Product was sent for review purposes.
This post contains affiliate links. This means if you use this link to make a purchase, I make a small commission. Thanks for your support if you decide to use them! If you feel uncomfortable, feel free to google a new link.

All thoughts are my own, always. *casts doe patronus*

Description

“The cushion that not only covers acne prone skin but also calms and soothes

1. Contains trouble care and soothing essences to treat sensitive skin all the while providing excellent coverage

2. Provides perfect coverage to leave your skin looking flawless

3. Trouble & Acne Scarring Coverage + Calming + Care

4. Specialized for sensitive, acne-prone skin

Suggested Use:
Pat lightly over your skin using the enclosed puff
Active Ingredients:
Centella Asiatica Extract, Tea Tree Oil”
 Ingredients List:IMG_20180117_142339.jpg
Centella Asiatica Leaf Water: 2nd ingredient (21%)
Niacinamide: 9th ingredient (2%)
Tea Tree Oil: 22nd ingredient
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract: 25th ingredient (50ppm)
$24 USD (~$30 CAD) 15g/0.52oz

Packaging and Amount

I really like the packaging. Soft square outline, sleek, and with a nice big mirror! If anything, the packaging does show off your finger prints rather quickly, but that’s only a concern for those that need to take photos of the product (like myself).
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The puff is pretty standard. The website says the part for the fingers is a little bigger than a usual puff. I personally like puffs, for they’re so effective at applying any complexion product evenly and doesn’t soak any of it up. Using a puff is also how you should ALWAYS apply cushion foundation by the way.
Now onto the 15g/0.52oz of product. This is a very standard amount in cushion foundations, but it does automatically give an “aww” feeling to those of us that know that a regular foundation is just over double that! Higher brands like Laneige offer a refill, so it’s a bit disappointing purchasing this wont. However I’ll touch on the amount in a bit as we continue on.

Testing the Product

Application

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For the love of Lee Min-Ho, do not press too hard into the compact. I did this the first time I used it and not only ended up with a full af coverage and cake face, I had a ton of product leftover on the puff that I could not put back into the compact! Light, minimal presses is key to making this cushion look REALLY good.

Coverage

(Lighting is altering colour of product. It doesn’t make my skin look darker by any means, it actually makes me look paler. This is one light layer applied)
Coverage is surprisingly and pleasantly natural. By that I mean, you can definitely get medium to full coverage, and it won’t look like you’re wearing product. Every time I used this cushion and asked my boyfriend or friends how my makeup looks, they could never tell I was wearing foundation.

FinishIMG_3057

The website again says matte, but I can’t agree. It’s satin finish at best. And I find saying matte will mislead the oily ones to think that this will be matte for a while. No no. You will get to dewville very fast while wearing this product! Although the product covers well even as it becomes dewy, this doesn’t help out my pores. At first it looks like it blurs them nicely but as the day goes on that look doesn’t last. It’s not like they look that awful, but it doesn’t look any better than what they originally look like. This also emphasizes dry patches off the bat. It’s particularly noticeable between my eyes!

Colour

23# natural beige is a very close match to the palest I can get, and this winter got me looking quite pale! When I originally tried this product I was definitely a medium skin tone, so the contrast of my face and everything else was too great. Hence, why it took so long for me to review this product! I wasn’t happy with the colour and I felt it unfair to judge that part of it because it was clear that it couldn’t blend into my skin properly. Now that I fall in the range of light in foundation shades, this colour matches my face spot on! I’m happy to see no funky kinda undertone *cough GREY* and it doesn’t make my skin look too white that there’s still significant contrast to my body.

Wear

Without powder or setting spray, and not doing many daily things, this will last a solid 8 hours on your face. That’s like a school/work day so it is a pass for me in longevity. Once it decides to actually fade, you can’t really tell on places where there is one layer of product. I put an extra layer on my chin (most problematic area), and I could tell by the end of the wear test that I had extra product in that area. I felt like I had a foundation goatee!

Extra Notes

Application for dry skin slightly problematic:
  • will cling to dry patches
  • reapplication will emphasize it more
  • using a setting powder will REALLY emphasize dryness
Oily skin problems / dewy problems:
  • This cushion becomes super dewy, you will be doing check-ups quite frequently.
  • It may fade faster, since it faded on my dry skin in time.
  • It doesn’t emphasize texture. It may emphasize the big bumps on your skin if you have, in which case, I would really precisely set certain areas to make sure that isn’t the case.

Between humid to dry weather, it’ll last longer in drier weather. It doesn’t look like you’re melting in humid weather, but if you’ll be outside all day, expect to touch-frequently.

Overall Opinion

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Despite the 15g of product, a little goes a long way with application to get good coverage. I’m also this shade for a certain period of time until I fall into the light-medium/medium range again, so it’ll last me the time I need it. Also, I personally pay $40-$60 CAD for foundation in general, so the price isn’t too awful for me.
I feel like the skincare ingredients actually worked. Any redness I have before applying the cushion is gone by the time I do my skincare routine. It doesn’t make a huge difference on my pimples, but it’s always a plus when a complexion product doesn’t contribute to clogged pores or exacerbating the problems of your current acne!
It still looks natural despite the medium to full coverage. I’m always aiming to look as natural as possible when applying makeup, so I feel like for anyone who has more acne than I do will be really happy with that!
Overall, the Cosrx Clear Fit Blemish Cushion is like a Monet: from far away it looks okay, but up close, it’s just a huge mess (please get my Clueless reference).
By this description I mean, it looks really good at a distance; makeup doesn’t look melted, I have a nice natural dew going on, and my skin still looks like my skin despite the medium to full coverage.
However, up close is where all the issues I have with this cushion. It really emphasizes my dry patches. As the day progresses, and my T-zone naturally gets oily, the product just remained in my pore area and everywhere else it disappeared. Also, when I layered the product on my chin, my most red and problematic area, it looked like I had a foundation beard at the end of the day and you could tell that you’re using something to cover up.
Despite the natural medium to full coverage, good colour match and undertone, and not aggravating my pimples, I can’t bring myself to want to buy this. The knitty gritty of how the cushion foundation looks bothers me too much. Part of me thinks it’s just not good for my age, because my skin seems to show more problems if I wear something with heavier coverage. If you’re younger than me (I’m 27 as I write this), this most likely will look better on you.
It’s quite a bit of a summary, but I do hope this review helps you decide whether or not the Cosrx Clear Fit Blemish cushion is something you’d want to buy!

Where you can buy the Cosrx Clear Fit Blemish Cushion:

StyleKorean

VIDEO VERSION:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aNFMDKhqmM]

 I hope this review helped you out! Let me know in the comments below if you recommend any other cushions for us acne-prone peeps!
xo, M

I tried Dermalogica’s Double Cleanse Routine ft. the PreCleanse Balm

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IMO, double cleansing is probably one of the biggest reasons my skin started to clear up. Before I used to just run a basic cleanser (*cough* Cetaphil) on my face for a few seconds, rinse it off and rub my face with a towel. This routine obviously exacerbated my skin problems; I wore a cake-face amount of makeup to cover all the imperfections, and barely any of it would properly wash off. I basically just maintained a vicious cycle of skin problems because makeup would always be left on my face. It wasn’t until I discovered the magic of using facial oils as the first step of my skincare routine that I realized how important and beneficial a good cleansing routine is.

In short, Double Cleansing is – well – washing your face twice. But instead of using your regular cleanser two times, you want your first step to be an oil-based cleanser. This is beneficial as the first step of makeup removal because oil easily breaks down makeup and removes excess sebum your skin may have produced throughout the day.

Dermalogica released their newest product, the PreCleanse Balm. It is claimed to be a deep-cleansing balm-to-oil emulsifier that melts away impurities from the skin.
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By using this with their Cleansing Mitt (included when purchasing the PreCleanse Balm), it’ll thoroughly cleanse the debris from the skin’s surface, and allow your cleanser to deliver more effective results.

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REVIEW: Province Apothecary Products

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I’m sure you’ve seen products from Province Apothecary float around my Instagram at some point, and I thought it’s about damn time I write up a post! If you haven’t noticed already, I’ve been reviewing more Canadian products lately, so be sure to check them out and click the category here –> “Canadian” to get a list of select blog posts! I’ll also link down below a few posts I have written up as of recent.

ABOUT THE BRAND

“Province Apothecary began with the mission to produce the best skincare products using only high quality, certified organic ingredients sourced from each Canadian provinces. Julie expertly formulates, blends, and packages all products by hand in small batches, ensuring the highest quality skincare for you. She is blending the wilds of Canada into nourishing and balancing skincare.”

+Hand-blended in small batches to ensure highest quality
+Products for even the most sensitive complexion
+Ingredients sourced from small local farms in different Canadian provinces:
+Organic seaweed – Nova Scotia
+Maple syrup – Quebec
+Organic sunflower oil – Ontario
+Organic beeswax – Alberta
+Organic lentil flour – Manitoba
+Organic raspberry oil + glacial clay – British Columbia

Within good time, since this line is a bit esspenssive (as KathleenLights would put it), I invested in:
The Invigorating + Balancing Toner ($42 CAD/120ml)
Protecting + Restoring Face Balm ($76 CAD/30ml)
Full Brow Serum ($36 CAD/30ml)

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REVIEW: Consonant “One For All” Kit

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In light of Canada’s 150th birthday, I decided to browse Sephora with a 10% discount at hand for any limited edition products roaming about the website. Consonant is a brand that has been occasionally recommended to me by friends as a great Canadian, natural skincare brand. I love supporting Canadian products, and I love natural, so I decided to pick up Consonant’s limited edition One For All Kit.

Before reading up on this kit, I must point out that my skin has been around the block. And I mean, I went from oily af to chapped skin in a matter of a couple of years. If you are any skin type, my skin has probably been in your category at one point. Hopefully I provide enough info to cover concerns for all skin concerns, but for right now, mine are acne-prone and dry.

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Summer Essentials 2017 : Skincare, Makeup, Misc., and Many Mists!

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I feel like this summer I have some amazing products that will be in constant rotation in my skincare, makeup, and even hair routine! They just perform so well and I enjoy using them. And obviously, the bonus is they don’t do anything to aggravate my current skin concerns! They either just let my skin be, or contribute to its overall health. Below I listed my absolute musts for summer, including some alternatives.

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