Beauty Product Reviews | Page 2

Transformative

I've always described my skin as being a bit dry and pretty sensitive but in overall pretty good shape due to diligent care. Historically, I've always been a huge fan of AHAs and BHAs so reading the ingredients I was both excited to try The Refining Lotion and also a little skeptical since the % of the active ingredients were on the higher end. I've been an avid user of Dr Dennis Gross' Alpha Beta Daily Peels for years though, so it seemed like the most logical next step up.

Since I did have the pleasure of training with Mila, she had advised based on my level of skin sensitivity to use The Refining Lotion every other night for 1 week; alternating with an oil on the "off" nights. By week 2, I was using only the Refining Lotion nightly and my skin was truly transforming. My pores were more refined, skin brighter but most of all, it looked HEALTHY. Like, just came out of a spa healthy. I don't think my skin had ever looked this good, even when I was in my early 20s. In 2 weeks my skin went from being in "pretty good shape" to amazing. I actually get compliments on my skin from complete strangers.

That being said, as I've mentioned in my review of Mila's toner, I am personally using her entire ritual. However, if there are two products from her regimen that are going to either be a gateway to a Mila Morusi skincare addiction (hey, there are worse addictions to have) or will totally amp up what you are currently using, it would be her toner and Refining Lotion.

a quintessential step for any skin care regimen

The 90s sort-of ruined toners. I'll admit that I did not use one up until about 2 years ago, actually. For awhile all I could think of was the ads for "toners," which were really astringents my Seventeen Magazines growing up. They were harsh and full of alcohol and made the skin feel just awful - even in those days. Now that I'm a bit older and much more well-informed, I'm so glad that toners have come back around and are even more advanced than their predecessors (Indie Lee's CoQ10 is another fave).

Mila's cleansing toner, however, is the holy grail of toners. It not only pH balances the skin, but it gives an instant firmness. And when I say firmness, I'm not talking about that squeaky clean tight feeling but firm as in the skin feels clean, healthy and strong. When I put on my serums afterwards, I don't have the feeling of them sitting on the top of my skin as the toner really helps to have these products penetrate into the dermis.

While I do recommend using Mila's full regimen for optimal results, I would say if you are using a current skin care routine that is working for you but still want to amp it up a bit, definitely try her cleansing toner and refining lotion - these two alone will make any other products in your regimen hyper-active and effective.

Not your grandma's heavy night cream

I started getting serious about my skin when I was about 19 years old. This is an odd time for most; finding yourself in between products targeted towards oil control and acne which can be quite drying and anti aging products which can be way too heavy, This was the answer.

It's a lightweight gel so you don't feel like you've just put vaseline on your face before going to bed and you can be worry free about it causing any breakouts. So for any in-betweenies when it comes to oily to anti aging, this is the ultimate hybrid product that will transform your skin.

amazing exfoliant if you are far more graceful than myself

The ingredients in this product are fantastic and effective. My skin needs serious exfoliation and I had tried everything from glycolic acid to PTR buffing beads to DIY sugar scrubs...nothing was as effective as my tried and true St Ives Apricot Scrub. Much like Kathleen N., though, I needed to find something to replace it as I was living in denial of it pulling at my pores and causing more harm than good.

I was ecstatic at the results after my first few uses and thought I had definitely found my new HG, however, I will say tragically, I got a bit of water inside of the container, resulting in it clogging and it was over. I bought another in hopes I'd be a little less clumsy with it but again, my hand still wet from washing my face got ever so little bit of water inside when putting the cap back on. This is definitely an amazing product with amazing results, but I am maybe just too clumsy for a long term relationship with it.

great go-to cleanser for all skin types

This cleanser is a great go-to that I usually use when traveling (I hate checking bags). It cleanses and removes all traces of makeup without drying the skin which is super important especially in different climates when your skin is freaking out.

I've also found this to be the perfect cleanser to use with your clarisonic. It is lightweight and foams ever so slightly so you get a deep clean without any irritation.

If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only take one skincare product with you

This better be it. Sure, the price is a bit steep but all the glycolic acids and retinols in the world add up, and will not stop your skin from aging like sunscreen will.

There's a reason the FDA in the United States changed it's labeling laws about SPF. When you use your [insert brand] moisturizer offering sun protection of 30...well, that's like eating potato chips as your daily vegetable intake (a potato is a vegetable, right?) whereas Eve Lom's sunscreen is closer to organic kale. There's just not enough room in most moisturizers to add true sun protection which is your #1 shield against not only your sunburnt nose on summer days but longterm anti-aging.

Using this daily, I've noticed that my skin feels brighter and tone more even. I will occasionally rub a tiny amount into my palms mid-day if I know I am going to be outdoors and apply it over makeup and I've found it does not disrupt anything. Super added bonus for all you makeup artists, this is a chemical sunscreen versus a physical sunblock so I know with my own upcoming wedding, I don't have to worry about flash-back!

the answer to keeping that brush hair soft for life

Great tools are an investment and like any investment you want to take care of it. While I don't recommend putting your brushes in a glass vault, never to be touched; some extra care and thought is needed. You want your brushes to last you a lifetime but you also want to keep them clean and sanitized which is hard when the recommended time in between washing is 1-2 months. That's where BeautySoClean comes in. While a microfiber cloth can work in most cases to remove unwanted color from the brush, you might a) have an oily skin type to where bacteria building on your brushes is a concern b) you use many cream liquid or gel products or c) you are a mua so sanitation is important. In all cases, BeautySoClean can rid your brushes of excess color and keep them sanitary without drying the delicate hairs out since it is a food grade alcohol. Definitely do a baby shampoo bath every 1-2 months but keep this on hand for those in-between needs!

hydration and style without residue

I have wavy hair which I love and it's an impossible task to find something that either won't weigh my hair down nor give it a "crunchy" appearance resembling a bad 90s perm. I've never expected a hair oil to work a styling product but being that this is a dryer oil, it can maintain the natural wave while controlling any frizz all day. The smell is also amazing - reminds me of a more clean, subtle version of Armani Code.

Super luxe yet affordable

When I first got word that Beautylish and Chikuhodo would be doing a collaboration I couldn't be more excited. Each brush was so well thought out and really filled in where I felt there were "gaps" in my growing addiction...i mean...collection. I thought for sure the set would be upwards of $500 but was relieved when Nils wanted to keep it accessible to collectors and those new to Japanese handcrafted brushes alike. My favorite brush is the powder brush - the mix of goat and squirrel makes it great for depositing color while maintaining the softness comparable the grey squirrel brushes of the Z-Series. The ever so slight angle of it also makes it a multi-tasker which is great since I'm always on the go. A close second favorite would have to be the shader brush as it is ultra soft blue squirrel and the first eye brush I've truly *loved* from Chikuhodo, having such small eyes, myself. I can do my entire daily eye look with this , my Wayne Goss 04 brush and the Chikuhodo Z-10 brush and it's seamless. Lastly, while I overlooed the case initially, I realized how roomy it was; it can fit a good 15 extra brushes which was a nice little surprise bonus :)

nars orgasm all grown up

I wouldn't expect anything but the best from BY TERRY having used many of her other products that the texture, pigmentation and finish were no surprise to me, however, I must gush about this shade. It is the perfect peachy pink balance that has attached me to my NARS Orgasm blush for years but without the glitter; rather a silky glow (it's not a dull matte either). Truly perfect for every skin tone.