I think it’s about time I started reviewing hair care products; from shampoos and conditioners to styling product!

Is there any product you’ve been wondering about in particular?  Looking for a product to do something specific and special?

Ask away!  I want to grab some stuff to review, and review the items in my arsenal — but I want my readers to tell me what they want to know about!

Leave suggestions and requests in the comments!

After a discussion in a LiveJournal community, I’ve noticed people are very confused regarding exfoliation and microdermabrasion.  Especially when it comes to what microdermabrasion does.

a⋅bra⋅sion

Pronunciation [uh-brey-zhuhn]

1. a scraped spot or area; the result of rubbing or abrading: abrasions on his leg caused by falling on the gravel.
2. the act or process of abrading.

a⋅brade

Pronunciation [uh-breyd]

1. to wear off or down by scraping or rubbing.
2. to scrape off.

(Definitions taken from Dictionary.com)

What is microdermabrasion, anyway?

Microdermabrasion is an effective way to remove scars caused by injury or acne, fine wrinkles, sunspots and flaky skin by exfoliating the top layers of skin.  Yes, it removes your uppermost layers of skin.  While microdermabrasion can cause some pain and irritation, it’s great for removing that dead skin cells and can seriously help with scarring.  Think of it, if you have a mole removed somewhere and have a scar, microdermabrasion can help.  It also promotes cell regeneration by stimulating the skin.  After you remove the superficial layers of skin, the new layers of skin are revealed.

What do they use to do microdermabrasion?

Small crystals of aluminum oxide are used to “abrade the stratum corneum” (or remove the uppermost layers of skin).  Don’t worry, they’re safe, non carcinogenic, and haven’t been known to cause any adverse skin reactions.

Does a microdermabrasion procedure hurt?

You shouldn’t really experience pain, but you can definitely feel it.  The delicate areas around the eyes will be the most sensitive to the treatment.  Redness after the procedure is completely normal.  I find it’s not particularly comfortable to have the procedure done, but the results are very welcome!

What can I expect after microdermabrasion?

After a microdermabrasion treatment, you shouldn’t wear make up for the first couple of days.  The newly exposed skin will be very sensitized, and you don’t want to make it worse!  Also avoid sun contact as your skin will be more susceptible to burns and irritation following the procedure.

Who would you recommend receives microdermabrasion?

Anyone.  Many people who are sensitive to chemical peels and chemical exfoliation do not have the same side effects when receiving microdermabrasion, yet the results are the same.

Please keep in mind that:

This procedure can get costly, but it’s worth it.  It is recommended to go in once every 2-3 months for treatments, and sometimes more frequently in the beginning depending on your skin.  Using a gentle daily exfoliant between treatments is fine (I am personally partial to the St Ives, I very gently rub it on my face to remove any flakiness I have.  Dermalogica also has a wonderful daily microfoliant.  Use what works for you or what your esthetician or dermatologist recommends.  Ask for samples!), and welcome to keep your results looking fresh.  Be sure to follow your at home care instructions for the few days following the procedure so as not to injure your skin.  Whoever performs the procedure may even send you home with specific products to use that won’t irritate your skin (cleansers, moisturizers, etc).  If you’re looking for quick and definite results, microdermabrasion is for you!

Don’t be scared of being slightly sore and red.  It’s normal for the first few hours after the procedure, and the redness of course will go down!

Have you ever had microdermabrasion?  Who performed the procedure?  What did you think of the procedure itself, and the results?

Sorry I’ve been so MIA faithful readers!

Last month the fiance and myself just moved into our new home.  Such a pain in the butt!  I knew home buying would be work, but I wasn’t fully prepared for all the work ahead of us — and we’re still working on it.

I hope your holidays have been wonderful, whatever holiday you celebrate.  I got a netbook as a combined birthday and Christmas present (my birthday is on January 2nd), so I’ll hopefully be updating a lot more for everyone now that I have something other than my desktop!

What have you been up to?  How were your holidays?  Any exciting beauty products?

Price: $32-$45 per bottle (20 ml or 30 ml)
Availability: Some salons, many internet websites most specifically the Face Atelier website.
Rating:
Product Details: (Taken from the Face Atelier website) 
The heart and soul of FACE atelier – an innovative approach to foundation that allows you to be in control.   Ultra Foundation is a silicone-based emulsion that floats on top of the skin, doesn’t crease or flake, and lasts all day long.  Hydrating yet oil-free, it masks tiny lines and pores to ensure a smooth finish.

Got those “I can never find my shade” foundation blues?  Only FACE atelier allows you to infinitely adjust your foundation shade.  Add a drop of Zero Plus to go a shade darker, or a splash of Zero Minus to lighten.

TRADE SECRET!
The silicone molecule is bigger than the human pore, allowing Ultra Foundation to form a lightweight, breathable second skin that is both moisture and oil resistant.  It is truly non-comedogenic and is ideal for troubled or mature skin.  Ultra Foundation’s sophisticated formulation creates an optical blurring effect that diminishes fine lines and wrinkles and gives the illusion of a smoother, more uniform and naturally dewy finish.

Product Pros:

• Wonderful finish.  While I wouldn’t say it’s dewy such as in the description, I’d say it’s more of a natural or natural matte finish.
• It’s long wearing!  While it wears off some when you blow your nose (as in pretty much any other foundation), it will stay put everywhere else.
• It looks natural.  My biggest pet peeve is when a foundation looks or feels mask-like.  This is neither.  It feels very lightweight and looks like your skin — but better!
• Zero minus and zero plus allow you to lighten or darken your foundation shade.  Being pale like me, this is essential — I can’t find my color any other way!
• Doesn’t migrate or oxidize.  It doesn’t turn orange on my skin, or migrate into any fine lines.
• All foundations have a yellow base to them.  I’ll delve more into this in a moment.
• Website offers samples!

Product Cons:

• May be too pricey for some individuals.
• Hard to find in some areas, and purchasing on the internet can be a pain if you don’t know what shade you would wear already.

It’s taken me far too long to write this review.  This is the only foundation I’ve been sporting since August.

This is the foundation that Lady Gaga swears by.  I tried it after hearing so many wonderful things, and having issues (as usual) having a foundation to match my extremely pale skin.  The zero minus allows me to do just that by being white to lighten their #1 foundation so I can receive the perfect color.  Well, to put it directly I have to do a half to half ratio — yes, I’m that fair skinned!  I also like that it has a warm, yellow base.  For fair skinned ladies like myself, many foundations have a cool undertone to them.  This cool undertone only makes us look more pink, and foundations with a yellow undertone will help to neutralize it.  This is exactly what the Face Atelier Ultra Foundation does.  Quite frankly, I think warm foundations look considerably better on all skin tones.

It wears well, and doesn’t accentuate any flakiness — something that I tend to have.  I get compliments on my wonderful skin all the time, but really, it’s just this foundation.

I recommend if you have the money to spend on it to definitely try this product.  It’s excellent and I really can’t rave about it enough!

We’ve all had it happen, that product you just love to hate.  What are your top 5 most regrettable cosmetic purchases?

Here’s my list of loathes:

1. Revlon Colorstay lip stain.  Smells like paint, and comes off in chunks.  ‘Nuff said.
2. Any Clinique foundation I’ve ever tried.  For various reasons.  One being they don’t make any light enough for my porcelain complexion, plus they all broke me out.  The only brand that has ever made a foundation that has broken me out…. Even MAC foundations don’t have this effect on me!
3. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation.  I don’t care what anyone says.  This offers way too much coverage, doesn’t look like skin no matter how it’s applied (maybe a damp brush or sponge would work), and seems to be darker than comparable MUFE shades.  Didn’t work for me, and I’m far from a fan.
4. Cover Girl liquid eyeliner.  The black looked blue, didn’t apply evenly, and wasn’t worth the $4 I spent on it.  If I would have bothered to keep it on, I doubt it would have worn well.  I’ve never seen a so off color in my life!
5. Illamasqua eyeshadows.  With all the hype, I expected them to live up to the pigmentation and the hype — I wasn’t impressed at all by the pigmentation, and even with a base had a hard time getting them to apply evenly.  While the colors are wonderful, they don’t go on as brightly as they appear for me, and aren’t worth the price.  Maybe if the price were lower, I’d feel a little differently.

Related posts: Reader Poll: Top 5 Cosmetic LOVES!