Physicians Formula and Shoppers Drug Mart

I was going to do this post earlier but got a little lazy. For those people that haven't heard of Physicians Formula, it's a cosmetics brand created by an allergist for his wife who had sensitive skin. They promise to not use any of the 132 known skin irritants in their products. They are considered drug store makeup but some people consider them to priced on the higher end of drug store makeup.

For a while now, Physicians Formula has been providing rebates on some of their products. I believe there are differences in rebates depending on the country. Here is the link for Canadians http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-ca/rebates/mail-in-rebate.html . There are currently 6 rebates available for Canadians including 2 full rebates, so it’s a good opportunity for people who want to try Physicians Formula. You can also follow that link to their website to look for products they have and places that sell them. 

The reason I put Shoppers Drug Mart on the title is because they currently have 40% off Physicians formula products. In addition, if you spend at least $75 at Shoppers on makeup and beauty products, you get 20X the points. I bought a couple Physicians Formula products that I will eventually do a review on. 

Vichy Bi-white Advanced Whitening Deep Cleansing Gel

I haven't posted anything for a while but school is finally done so I have more time now. 

This cleanser is supposed to "improve complexion fairness and reduce brown spots." I've used it a while back  but stopped after I started getting bumps on my face. I recently tried it again but I got bumps again so I don't think I'll use it again. I can't really comment on whether it actually whitens but it's not bad as a gel cleanser. My face does feel clean without being too over drying.

Free Sample: Diorsnow Face Cream

Receive a free 7 day sample of The Best of Dior Brigthening at the Bay with this coupon. Offer available until April 17.

Unfortunately the Bay is only in Canada. I posted a link for a free sample of a Chanel cream also from the Bay last week but there were no views from Canada. I hope some Canadians will be able to get their hands on these free samples.

Reviews coming soon...

Vichy Bi-white Advanced Whitening Deep Cleansing Gel
Kiehl's White Brightening Botanical Moisture Fluid
Laneige Pore Trouble Skin Refiner
Vaseline body lotion

Free Sample: Chanel's Sublimage Cream

Get a free sample of the Chanel's Sublimage Cream at The Bay until March 31 with this coupon.

Save 30% at the Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic

Although this isn't related to skin care, I wanted to share this with all Canadians. You have until tomorrow to get 30% Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic with this coupon. 5% will also be donated to the Canadians AIDS Society.

The Body Shop Blueberry Body Butter

This is one of body butters from the Body Shop. I got this as a gift a while back and I don't see it on their website so I'm thinking they no longer sell this one. It's unfortunate because it's very moisturizing and has a very nice and light berry scent. There is a thick consistency like the other body butters. I've also tried the coconut and the pink grapefruit one. Those 2 have a much stronger scent. The Body Shop offers a variety of different body butters so it's really up to you which one you want to choose.

American Beauty Softly Shaping Mascara

This is American Beauty's mascara in 03 midnight velvet. They also have black velvet and brown velvet. This is the perfect mascara for someone who is looking for a natural look and I mean really natural. It barely seems like I'm wearing mascara at all but it may be because this one is not the black velvet and I naturally have black lashes so the colour doesn't show well. I like how this mascara helps to separate my lashes and curls it without any clumps.

Here is the link to their website. American Beauty

Lancome Aqua Fusion Glossy Lip Balm SPF 8

I'm very disappointed in this product. I usually like Lancome products but this lip balm is pretty bad. Firstly, the name is aqua fusion and it says moisture. This lip balm is not very moisturizing at all. I sometimes even feel more dry after putting it on. Also, the glossiness is minimal. There's only a few little glitters. The only thing I like about it is the SPF, but you can find a more moisturizing lip balm with a SPF and then add a better gloss on top or try another lip gloss with SPF.

Neutrogena Clinical

A few ago I talked about Neutrogena having a try it free mail-in rebate for their new clinical line. I finally remembered to post the pictures but it's still unopened because I'm trying to get my mom to try it. From the Neutrogena post last month, I said it cost $45.99 before tax, that's almost $52 here in Ontario (tax is 13%). I hope this product works because it's quite expensive for a 14mL serum and a 14mL activating cream but I will do a post on the results once my mom has tried it.

Biotherm Skin-ergetic

Last month I had a post on receiving free samples of Biotherm's Skin-ergetic. Here are the samples I received a few days ago. It's a 1.5mL sample of non-stop anti-fatigue moisturizer (day cream gel) and a 1.5mL sample high-recovery moisturizer (night). I haven't had time to try them yet but I will post a review after I've used it.

Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask

Inside

This is a hair mask from Pantene that I use when my hair is feeling dry and dead. It won the Allure 2008 Best of Beauty Award for hair mask.

Positives
It makes my hair more soft and smooth.
The smell is awesome.

Negatives
The soft and smooth effect only lasts for the day and I don't see any long lasting effects.

It costs under $10 for 225mL which isn't too bad. Amazon.com sells it for about $5. I would probably choose a moisture hair treatment mask next time.

Product Details:
"dramtically quenches parched hair, leaving hair supple and restored while shielding it from damage"
Squeeze excess water from hair after shampooing. Apply liberally to hair. For deep conditioning, leave on hair for 5 minutes. Use once a week or more often if needed for deep conditioning.

Missha M Signature Real Complete BB Cream SPF 25 PA++

Last month I reviewed Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream. When I bought the Perfect Cover BB Cream from rubyruby76 on ebay a few months ago I received these Missha Signature BB Creams samples (above) as a gift. I believe that this BB Cream is Missha's #1 seller in Korea. When I first used the Signature BB Cream, I felt that it looked a lot better than when I used the Perfect Cover. The Perfect Cover BB Cream looks a little darker than the Signature BB Cream and carries a greyish tone while the colour of the Signature BB Cream is more pinkish, thereby giving a brighter complexion. Coverage and the amount of time it lasts is the same as the Perfect Cover. A downside to the Signature BB Cream is that it's more expensive than the Perfect cover and provides less SPF protection.

I've been busy studying for midterms lately so this review was held for quite some time. The next review probably won't be until at least next week when I finish my last midterm.

Biotherm Skin-ergetic Serum

Attention to Canadians!
My friend recently sent me a link from red flags (http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/alldeals/comments/freebie_free_sample_of_biotherm_skinergetic_serum_day_night/) to get a free sample of Biotherm's Skin-ergetic serum day and night. For those who are interested if you press on the free sample link you are directed to their facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/BiothermCanada?v=app_4949752878). When you "like" this page you can click on get my postcard sample and type in your address. I hope to get my sample in about 4-6 weeks.

Thanks V.L.

hopeinablog giveaway

http://hopeinablog.wordpress.com
http://hopeinablog.wordpress.com/category/blog-giveaway/

I was searching for information on Naruko or was it Etude House....anyways I came across this blog (above). While going through a number of different posts about BB creams, Nature Republic, Holika Holika etc. I found that they were having a giveaway! I'm hoping I can win this giveaway and give a review on the Estee Lauder Cyber White EX Extra Intensive BB Cream Multi Action Formula SPF 35 PA +++ (that was a really long name).

Reviews coming soon...

Missha M Signature Real Complete BB Cream SPF 25 PA++
American Beauty Softly Shaping Mascara
The Body Shop Blueberry Body Butter
Lancome Aqua Fusion Glossy Lip Balm SPF 8
Pantene Time Renewal Replenishing Mask

Victoria Secret's Garden Love Spell Ultra-Softening Body Butter

This is part of Victoria Secret's love spell collection. I got this a while back as a Christmas present from my cousin and they've already change the packaging to the one below. Victoria Secret offers about 12 different scents. It has a really strong smell, kind of sweet in my opinion. I think I liked the smell at first but it became too strong. Also, this body butter isn't moisturizing enough for me so I don't think I will purchase this.


This product's link http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265391873143&c=Page&cid=1292979623477&pagename=vsdWrapper

Suki UV Cut Oil Clear Film

This is basically blotting paper.Suki is made in Japan, as you can tell by all the Japanese font and it says it retails for 450 yen. The price is not bad for 50 sheets of blotting paper but the price on sasa.com is only $1.60 USD. This is by far the cheapest blotting paper I've seen so I was a little worried about the quality of it. But after reading some of the reviews on sasa, I decided to try it myself. The quality is amazing for the price. I will definitely repurchase this when I run out.

Note: I know it says SPF18 on the cover but I don't really understand what they meant. Is it possible that when you blot your face with this it adds sun protection?? I don't read Japanese so I don't know how it provides sun protection. But I guess sun protection is always an added bonus.

My Beauty Diary Intensive Rice-Peptides Mask

My beauty diary are affordable sheet masks that I like to use when my skin looks dead and needs a little boost. The brand currently carries 17 different sheets masks from their natural key line and 4 different sheet masks from their luxury line. My mom picked the intensive rice-peptide mask when she was in Hong Kong because the salesperson said this one is particularly good for the winter. On http://www.beautydiary.com.tw/en/products.htm it says that this mask is supposed to have a firming effect, softens and moisturizes the skin. I've tried a few of the my beauty diary masks and this is one of my favourites. When I took off the mask my skin looked brighter (or maybe it was just my imagination) and was moisturized.

MAC Lustreglass

Pinkarat (left) Wonderstruck (right)

MAC's lustreglass series comes in 16 different colours. The colours I have are fairly light so they don't show well on my pigmented lips, but I do like the colours. It gives my lips a nice shine. The smell is like sweet lipgloss and the texture is sticky. They're not moisturizing enough for my lips so I apply something moisturizing like vasaline or chapstick before the gloss.

Here is a link to the lustreglass on the MAC website http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/166/707/Lustreglass/index.tmpl

Olay Complete SPF 30 All Day Moisturizer

I love this product because it's inexpensive and has SPF30. I bought this on sale for $13.99 CAD. It comes out as a white cream, similar in looks and smell to sunscreen. It absorbs well into the skin and doesn't leave a white residue.

Positives:
Inexpensive
Has SPF30
It states that it is good for sensitive skin.

Negatives:
It doesn't feel light. The feeling is similar to having sunscreen on.
Sometimes in the winter, it's not moisturizing enough for me.

Reviews coming soon...

Olay Complete All Day Moisturizer SPF30
MAC Lustreglass
My Beauty Diary Rice-Peptides Mask
Victoria Secret's Garden Love Spell Ultra-Softening Body Butter
Suki UV Cut Clear Film

Lancome Blanc Expert Neuro White

This is a sample size set including a cleanser, toner and cream.

1. Advanced Whitening Purifying Foam
It comes out as a white foam and I massage it onto a slightly wet face. When I wash it off my face feels clean without over drying.

2. Ultimate Whitening Beauty Lotion
I'm not sure if this a toner or a lotion but it seems more of a toner to me. It comes out like a clear liquid and it's supposed to be used day and night after cleansing. It does hydrates the skin after the cleanser as the name implies.

3. Advanced Whitening Night Renovator
The cream is somewhat thick, so it's good for the night and blends easily into the skin.

What this set is missing is a day cream with SPF.

This set is supposed to make your skin clearer and even-toned but I don't really notice a difference. It maybe because I don't use all 3 items everyday or I need to use them for a longer period consistently. But I do like how the products. especially the cleanser and toner, feel on my face.

Skin Food Rice Mask

This is mask where you gently massage the product onto a cleansed and slightly wet face and then leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing it off.  On the third picture you see its' creamy texture with some granules that will help exfoliate your skin when you massage the product on. However, massaging is not recommended for people with sensitive skin. I like this product because it leaves my skin more hydrated and soft.

Skin Food is another korean brand I use and you can find some of their products on ebay or sasa.com. The rice mask is one of their best sellers. My cousin purchased the rice mask from a store in Hong Kong and I think it only cost $7-8 CAD, which is a few dollars cheaper than the price on sasa. I also bought the papaya yogurt mask for my aunt to try and she absolutely loved it. She said it left her face very smooth.

TRESemmé Heat Tamer Spray

This product is supposed to "guard against heat and friction to keep your hair shiny and incredibly soft." So it basically minimizes the heat damage from when you blow dry, curl or straighten your hair.  I'm not sure how effective the protection is because I don't often curl or straighten my hair and I like to naturally dry my hair to avoid the heat damage. But heat will cause your hair to be very dry and more vulnerable to breakage so I like to know I'm minimizing the damage.

Neutrogena Clinical and Shoppers Drug Mart

1 .Neutrogena has a Try It Free Mail-In Rebate for their new Clinical line (including day, night, eye or starter kit). This is supposed to be their new line of anti-aging products. They will rebate the actual purchase price plus tax and postage up to $70. The rebate coupon is valid from Jan 21 to Feb 11. (Offer is only valid in Canada, excluding Quebec and to Canadian residents only)

2. Shoppers had an event Jan 22-24 where they gave 18500 bonus points (equivalent to $25) if you spend at least $75 before tax.

So yesterday, I went to Shoppers after class and got there about 11pm to buy the new Neutrogena product and make it in time to get the bonus points from Shoppers. The product cost me $45.99 before tax, meaning I only needed to spend another $29.01 to get $25 worth of points. I ended up spending about $80 total and about $90 with tax but if i take into account the rebate the bonus points, I only spent about $15 for $90 worth of goods.

Thanks D.L. for the tip.

Clindoxyl Gel

I started going to the dermatologist a few months ago and this is one of the samples he gave me. It contains 1% clindamycin and 5% benzoyl peroxide. I'm supposed to apply a thin layer after I wash my face on acne prone areas every night. It's suppose to help prevent acne from forming.

Positives:
It works well. I've seen it stop acne from further developing and it slowly gets rid of the acne without the need to pop it. (Note: my dermatologist told me never to pop my own pimple)

Negatives:
I believe you can only get the product if it's prescribed.
It bleaches fabrics.
It dries up the face but it's fine on oily skin.

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream

BB Creams have been gaining popularity over the past few years and after Bubzbeauty's review I decided to try for myself. This BB Cream is supposed to have whitening and anti wrinkle properties. I already have pale skin and no wrinkles (so far) so I don't really see a difference but it's nice to know that those properties exist. My favourite part of the product is the fact that it has SPF 42 PA+++. Sun protection is really important to me because of my pale skin. My dermatologist recommends a minimum of SPF 30 for daily use.

Product Details:
It comes in 4 colours (milky beige, light beige, natural beige and golden beige) and 3 sizes (20ml, 30ml, and 50ml). Their no.21 (light beige) matches me quite well. The coverage is only about medium. This is a korean brand, so I don't think you can find stores in North America but you can buy it from ebay or the American Missha website below (http://www.misshaus.com/pageControl.php?page=mainProductDetail&p_code=MSMS1052&ctg=AAA).
The ebay seller I got mine from is rubyruby76 (http://myworld.ebay.ca/rubyruby76/)

Positives:
Anti Aging
Whitening
SPF 42 PA+++

Negatives:
It doesn't last the whole day for me.

Reviews coming soon...

Missha M Perfect Cover BB Cream
Lancome Blanc Expert (purifying foam, beauty lotion and night renovator)
Tresemme Heat Tamer Spray
Clindoxyl Gel
Skin Food Rice Mask
...

Vichy Thermal Fix Essence

Full name (on the bottle):

Vichy Laboratoires

Thermal Fix Essence (aka Serum)

Intensive Rehydration Concentrate

With Filladyn Hydro-Captor Synthesiser (no idea what that meant)

Positives:

- I enjoyed using this product. It hydrates my skin and has a faint and pleasant smell.

- The product is labelled hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so it would be good for even sensitive and acne prone skin.

- The essence comes out with a pump so your fingers won’t contaminate the contents.  

Negatives:

- It doesn’t hydrate my skin for 24 hours as stated on the bottle but nothing I've tried has hydrated my face for more than half the day.

Introduction

My name is Kay and I started this blog to share opinions I have for products I've used.