Monday 14 May 2012

Concealer Review - Lancome, Dior, MAC, Paul & Joe & Maybeline

Concealer is one of the most essential product for a working lady. Why? Because we get stressed, we have bills, we have children and we have to take care of our home. This in turns causes the banes of our lives such as dark circles under the eyes, puffy eyes, acne, pigmentation & wrinkles and lets face it. The majority of women are vain! Even those of us who say they are not, ARE deep deep down. Because lets face it if someone tells you, you're beautiful, gorgeous, pretty and you feel happy/glad/proud/ecstatic. YOU ARE VAIN.

There comes along a product, the concealer. Its meant to cover up and make these ugly makes on our faces disappear. Now the issue comes is how do we find the right concealer? Why should we bother? Especially so for people who have no time for it.


The right concealer…

In the cosmetics market there are a lot of concealers available. The most important step is to find one that actually covers up that mark/scar on your face. Because let’s face it why should we bother getting one that only covers it up halfway or so-so? If you get a really good one you can actually control the extent of the coverage that you want to achieve.

The other really important point in looking for a concealer is to get one that does not cause you to have oil seeds under your eye. (where your dark circles are*). It looks like white dots, and its usually quite fine and obvious if you’re looking for it. However its important to note that certain eye creams can also cause you to have oil seeds under your eye.

You must, must avoid this at all cost. I’ve seen this on many women’s and men’s faces and I don’t think they realize they have it. Its almost impossible to remove it one you have it. I’ve check it out (I have one spot and had consider removing it) and it cost a bomb for the treatment and if you do remove it there will be a GAPING HOLE under your eye where they remove it. Admittedly it would be small, but it would still be obvious to me and I’m not ready to have an hole/indentation under my eye.

As I have really bad dark circles (courtesy of me typing/working late at night), I need a concealer that can completely hide it. I’ve tried many brands such as


Dior Skin Flash




I’ve tried this out and it’s decent to have in your handbag for a touch up when you’re on the go but the coverage is not all that great, especially if you want to hide really dark pigmentation. It has a sheer, creamy texture. It’s pretty good to hide dark circles if they are not that bad (meaning colors that are closer to a bruise). It’s blend easily and well. The only issue I have with this is that it had limited shades and is only suitable for fair skin. As I’m a bit tanned I couldn’t find one that suits my skin tone. My sister however did and she’s in love with it. I’d give this a 4 / 5 rating


Maybelline Cover Stick




I’ve tried this as well. It’s decent and cheap. But still not 5/5 rating. I wouldn’t use it under my eye but I would use it on my face, especially around the nose where it tends to be red and my pimple scars.



Paul & Joe








I’ve tried this too. It’s creamy and it glides on smoothly. But again the coverage is ok but not fantastic. I had some issues with this because it creases easily. Not too shabby but it’s a bit hard to find. All in all I’d give it a 4/5 rating


Lancome




What to say about this? Again to borrow it’s pretty much the same quality as the Dior mentioned above. I have no issues with the oil seed problem with this and its pretty decent if you don’t have really terrible dark circles. Its smooth and it glades on well. 3/5 rating.


Mac






MAC, MAC, MAC what can I say? It’s fabulous! Its covers everything up! From pimples to the worst pigmented scars!

It covers up any scars I want to cover with no fuss. It has thick and smooth texture when you use it. The best way to use this is with a brush or your finger. For the under eye area I’d suggest a concealer brush and you pat it on. If you’re using your finger, run your finger gently in a circular motion to transfer the product onto your finger and transfer it to the back of your hand. Warm the concealer up a bit more(this occurs when you rub your finger on the concealer on your skin, your body temperature warms it up) and with your smallest finger dab it onto the dark circles. Do not drag as this causes wrinkles.

For face scar, you do not need to warm it up as much. You can just dab it onto the affected areas.

So… this is it for the concealer review.

Hope it’s informative and that it helps. I’ve put on a video on how to put on foundation and concealer Click this link if you want to watch it.
Also search me out on youtube. My name is there is 2beautychatter

That’s all for tonight,

Tata, Love Beauty Chatter
PS: Please don’t forget to follow & comment. It means the world to me.

Monday 7 May 2012

Dermalogica Medi Bac Kit: Contains Clearing Skin Wash, Clearing Mattifier, Oil Control Lotion, Overnight Clearing Gel, Concealing Spot Treatment & Sebum Clearing Masque [REVIEW]



I must say, I have an affinity for natural/organic based product. The reason? Because in today’s world we are always, and I do mean always surrounded by pollution both internally in what we consume and externally in what we breathe and feel due to pollution in the air and sun.

For this reason, I chose Dermalogica's Medi Bac kit. This Medi Bac kit is actually the new and improved formula of the original acne kit. It’s reasonably priced, here in Hobart Australia,  it’s available for only $65 AUD (which is about RM 200) for the whole kit and it has essentially everything you need for short term or just to test the product out before buying the normal to jumbo sized bottles.

Now this kit contains a Clearing Skin Wash that is 1.7 Fl Oz/50ml. Now I have to say for those who do not like the herbs smell please think twice. Though its scent is not strong, to those who are terribly particular please give some thought about whether you are able to tolerate the smell before buying the normal sized bottle. As I have a combination skin type, I say that the its both effective at the oily areas of the skin as well as gentle on the dry areas as it does not overdry the skin. This product is known to wash away excess surface oil on the skin and helps clear congested follicles as wells as calm inflammation. All you need is one pump.

The second product in this kit is the Clearing Mattifier that is 0.5 FL Oz/15ml. This product is matte it nature. All you need for the whole face is less than a pea size drop. What is does it helps to control the shine of the face as well as smooths out the skin texture. It also diminishes certain fine lines (it’s not a miracle worker) and clear congestion.

The third product is the Oil Control Lotion (SAMPLE). However it’s only a sample. This lotion is lovely and light oil-free moisturiser. It hydrates the skin, helps reduce shine and provides a certain matte finish. *NOTE: the matte finish of the Clearing Mattifier is the best for the matte effect.

The fourth product is my favourite. It’s the Overnight Clearing Gel that is 0.5 FL Oz/15ml. Put just a little bit on the pimple whether it’s just emerging or have broken out and inflamed. It’s used after cleansing your face but before the moisturiser. Wait for it to dry out first before applying the moisturiser. This product helps to subside or dry the pimple without drying the area around it. This product generally helps to take off pore clogging cells as well as aid skin clearing. However as its name indicates it’s only to be used at night.

The day treatment is the fifth product which is the Concealing Spot Treatment that is 0.1 FL Oz/3ml. This is a naturally tinted product that contains sulphur. I cannot give a personal view on this as I am allergic to sulphur. However to get around this problem I used the Overnight Clearing Gel in the day as well. What is does is dry out the pimple during the day under your make-up.

The last product in this kit is the Sebum Clearing Masque that is 0.75 FL Oz/22ml. This is only used after cleansing. What it is is a cooling type mask that absorbs excess surface oil as well as purifies the skin. It can be used over the entire face and throat or just in the T-zone area. However your must avoid the eye area.

PRO'S:

The entire product except the mask must be used daily. I love this kit and would strongly recommend it to my friends who have similar problems. The price and size of this kit is great for people who would like to travel or tryout a new product. However I would say that the only thing missing from this kit is the toner. I love this all the products in this kit and have nothing bad to say about it.

CON'S:
May not be available in Malaysia. Sorry I never checked it out. If anyone does find please post it in the comment below XD

Overall this product is a 5/5.

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