Here’s a new spot on Never Say Die Beauty to post questions that you may have on beauty or personal care. While I certainly don’t know everything, I’ll do my best to answer your questions. Also, I invite other subscribers and visitors to weigh in with answers or opinions as well. Use the comment section below to post your questions and answers.
Can you recommend a good facial cleanser? I use Dove for sensitive skin, but it’s too drying, especially in the winter.
Gee, Laura, I’m surprised that you found Dove for Sensitive Skin to be too drying, as it’s not a soap but a colloidal suspension and it has some moisturizing cream in it. Do you put on moisturizer after using the Dove? Unfortunately, no cleanser, not matter how gentle, has enough moisturizer in it to not need a separate moisturizer afterwards. After cleansing, one should always apply moisturizer while the skin is still damp to seal in the moisture.
That said, I have been happy with Purpose by Johnson & Johnson. I’ve been using it for 2 years, and it’s very gentle, doesn’t sting my eyes, is dermatologist-recommended, and affordable. Find it at CVS, Walgreen’s, Wal-Mart, Target etc.
Any recommendations for (sigh) removing the hair above the upper lip?
Laura, though I haven’t tried Olay Smooth Finish Hair Removal Duo, I’ve had my eye on it. I have never been disappointed with any of Olay’s Regenerist line product, so I will give this one a try. Some of the reviewers claimed to have sensitive skin and they had no problems. And from what I read in the reviews in the link below, Olay stands behind the product. Many were delighted with the results, and a few were disappointed. The folks at Olay responded to those who had problems, and P&G will always send coupons or refund $ if not happy with one of their products.
http://reviews.olay.com/9989/75609043222/olay-smooth-finish-facial-hair-removal-duo-fine-to-medium-hair-reviews/reviews.htm
The reviewers mentioned that the product cost $22 at Wal-Mart, and that’s not cheap. However, if you go on the Olay website, you can often get a coupon. Also, I saw the product at Costco where they were selling 2 of the product for slightly more than the cost of one in a regular drug or discount store. I buy all my Olay stuff at Costco ‘coz it’s an incredible deal.
Let me know if you do try it, and I will do the same!
Great questions, Laura! Thanks!
Laura, I just noticed another good cleanser that’s on sale at CVS for 2/$12: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser for Sensitive Skin. I haven’t tried it yet, but it has gotten good reviews and has won some awards, I believe.
Allison recently posted…Skin Benefits of Avocado, or Justification for Eating Guacamole (recipe included)
Thanks, Allison! I’ll try Purpose!
Hi Allison
I was chatting with my husband this morning about how all really great working products always disappear from the shelves. That got me thinking about how it always seems that beauty samples I’ve received are a lot better than the actual product I end up buying after loving the sample. Am I crazy or do you, or anyone else, experience the same issue? i.e. a Clinique Mascara sample was the best thing ever, no clumps, etc. I bought the full size and after using it for 2 weeks it’s coming off the brush in huge globs and clumps (the sample still works!). Shiseido has a powder foundation, the sample was smooth as silk and I loved it. Well, I got the real size one and voila, drier, not as silky, seems more yellowish even though it’s the same shade….I could go on and on. Am I cynical or could cosmetic companies be so devious as to make fabulous samples to sell the not-as-great full size product?
You are too funny, Sybille! From working with clients in the cosmetics industry, I do not believe that they put a better quality product in the sample than the do in the products that they sell. However, it is possible that the product that you buy breaks down over time and is less effective, breaks etc., whereas the sample would be used up more quickly. That said, if you have a problem with a beauty product, you can and should return it. Sephora takes everything back, no questions asked. And if you don’t have your receipt and you purchased it with your Beauty Insiders card, they will have a record of the purchase. At department stores, my guess is they will require a receipt or if you buy it on a store credit card and have your bill, that should work. I haven’t tried returning stuff I purchased at a drugstore, but with Clinique and Shiseido, you shouldn’t have a problem returning it. Finally, I would email the manufacturer and tell them about your problem. Chances are they will send you a replacement product or a coupon for a replacement. Also, they are interested in problems with their products. Hope this answer helps!!
Is Purpose a bar soap or a liquid cleanser?
Kim, Purpose comes in both a bar and liquid in a pump bottle. It’s the liquid that I use, and I just love. It’s so gentle but does such a good job cleansing. It doesn’t sting my eyes at all. I still use makeup remover to remove my eye makeup first, but I use the Purpose to get rid of the residue.
Sybille, I have had the same experience, so it’s not just you!
Maybe the samples tend to be from newer batches of product?
Thank you, Allison, great advice
I am way too hesitant to return anything, I need to get over that, so your answer inspired me!
Absolutely! Both the manufacturer and the retailer would rather have a satisfied customer, so don’t hesitate
Hi Kima, yes, good thought, our beauty expert Allison mentioned that also. I bet it has something to do with these strange sample experiences
Thank you for replying to me, that was nice!
Has anyone ever heard of or tried an anti-aging cream called Duplicell P199? I am a “guru” on the website, FabOver50, and one of the members asked for info on that product. It’s a cream formulated by a New York surgeon based on his research on stem cells. I watched the brand’s video & visited the website, and it makes big claims but provides no clinical data, just Before & After photos. Wondered if anyone has any info on Duplicell P199?
Allison, I really enjoy reading your blog! Which 2 or 3 face products are the most important to use, in your opinion? My goals are to minimize fine lines & wrinkles and hide the dark circles under my eyes and my red nose. My oily skin discourages me from using a lot of products on my face. I currently use Nuance's Smooth and Firm Protector (new product for me but so far I like it), Smashbox photo finish (which I like) and Smashbox camera-ready concealer (which I also like). Your thoughts? Thanks!
Eileen, you’re the best! It sounds to me like you’ve got a good plan for your skin. As you know, I love Nuance’s product line, but I haven’t tried Smooth & Firm Protector yet. I’ll look for it next time I’m at CVS. I use Nuance Daytime Moisturizer SPF30 & I also use the Nuance Anti-aging Super Eye Treatment, an eye cream that comes in a little container with a pump. You might consider adding an eye cream to your regimen since the skin around the eyes doesn’t benefit from the oil you may have on your face. Smashbox products are great. I am a devoted fan of their full coverage stick concealer for my hard to hid sun damage, and Photo Finish is great. Next time you go to Sephora or Ulta, you may want to try a CC cream, a color corrector for your “red nose”. I have red eyelids, and I just bought a color correcting eye primer from Too Faced that I will review soon. Color correctors are becoming quite popular, though relatively new. You can use them either all over, or just where you need the color correction. It may be worth trying on a day when you’re not using the Photofinish as I assume that it covers the redness. A CC cream might be something you put on when you don’t want to put on a full coverage foundation.
Eileen, you're the best! It sounds to me like you've got a good plan for your skin. As you know, I love Nuance's product line, but I haven't tried Smooth & Firm Protector yet. I'll look for it next time I'm at CVS. I use Nuance Daytime Moisturizer SPF30 & I also use the Nuance Anti-aging Super Eye Treatment, an eye cream that comes in a little container with a pump. You might consider adding an eye cream to your regimen since the skin around the eyes doesn't benefit from the oil you may have on your face. Smashbox products are great. I am a devoted fan of their full coverage stick concealer for my hard to hid sun damage, and Photo Finish is great. Next time you go to Sephora or Ulta, you may want to try a CC cream, a color corrector for your "red nose". I have red eyelids, and I just bought a color correcting eye primer from Too Faced that I will review soon. Color correctors are becoming quite popular, though relatively new. You can use them either all over, or just where you need the color correction. It may be worth trying on a day when you're not using the Photofinish as I assume that it covers the redness. A CC cream might be something you put on when you don't want to put on a full coverage foundation.