Tag: Anti-Aging

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

Product:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer.  Have imperfections you need to cover?  Dark circles disappear with this heavy-duty full-coverage concealer.

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars – Very Good to Excellent.

Cost: $24.00 (.28 oz.) ($85.71 per ounce)  Price Category: Mid-range

Sold By:  IT Cosmetics; QVC; Ulta.

Container:  Plastic squeeze tube, twist-off cap, outer carton.

Description:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is an opaque, heavy waterproof concealer.  IT Cosmetics, of TV infomercial fame, is now part of the L’Oreal family.  L’Oreal acquired IT Cosmetics last year for 1.2 billion dollars.  (I guess they intend to sell a lot of concealer.)

Formula:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is a thick work-horse type of concealer.  If you like light and airy products, this is not the concealer for you.  If you need to conceal scars, blemishes, dark circles or tattoos, this dense cream might just do the trick.  The formula feels a little tacky so you will want to set this with powder if you are not applying foundation over it.  This does not contain light-diffusing agents.  If you prefer that look, IT also makes this concealer with a pearlescent quality from the addition of Mica, called  Bye Bye Undereye Illumination Anti-Aging Concealer.  I like the Illumination one for fair-skinned brides.

Sensitivity:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is fragrance free and is suitable for those with sensitive eyes, skin, or those who wear contacts.

Company Claims:

 “IT’s your 8 hours of sleep in a tube!™ Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer”
“Why You’ll Love IT™…Developed with plastic surgeons, this best-selling, award-winning, cult-favorite waterproof concealer delivers highly pigmented, long-lasting coverage that won’t crease or crack. Infused with high-performance pigments and anti-aging peptides, vitamins, hydrolyzed collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, the game-changing formula improves the appearance of wrinkles and effectively conceals the look of skin imperfections including dark circles, bags, redness, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries, age spots and discoloration. Finally, a multitasking, full-coverage concealer that makes your skin look younger!”

Discussion:  As a makeup artist there is probably no more important item in my kit than concealer.  My clients expect me to make them look better and everyone (except that one Swedish girl) has some sort of issues to conceal.  I have put makeup on thousands of faces and I’ve only seen one that had flawless skin.  I have tried hundreds of concealers, and while I don’t use this one every day, Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is the one I reach for when I need some serious coverage.

Colors:  Bye Bye Undereye Concealer comes in four colors:  Light, Medium, Tan and Deep.  The Deep is probably not dark enough for truly dark-skinned African Americans.  I use the Light on very fair-skinned clients or for brightening.  If necessary, you can mix two colors.  I included some color swatches and a color shade chart below.

Morning Review:  After cleansing, toning and moisturizing and/or priming, apply Bye Bye Undereye Concealer prior to the application of foundation.  A little goes a long way so start with a small drop of product.  If you need more, apply another layer.  It is better to build this up in thin layers than to start with one thick layer.  I apply this with a small concealer brush.  IT Cosmetics make a nice dual-ended brush that works well.  For a beauty bargain, ELF also makes a good inexpensive concealer brush.  A light dusting of a high definition micronized powder will keep this in place until you take it off.

Evening Review:  After many hours, Bye Bye Undereye Concealer does not budge.  It stays on without fading, creasing, or flaking.  As this product is waterproof, you will need a makeup remover to get it off completely.

Overall Review:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer works very well and covers most imperfections.  It is highly pigmented and very buildable for additional coverage.

Pros:

  • Thick cream covers well
  • Squeeze tube keeps product sanitary
  • Takes very little product to cover imperfections
  • Waterproof
  • Fragrance-free formula
  • Skin-friendly ingredients

Cons:

  • Slightly tacky finish must be set with powder
  • Some users may have difficulty finding the right shade.
  • This will not reduce the look of undereye bags as the manufacturer claims.
  • I have not seen any evidence that use of this will make you look younger over time. (Darn!)

Suitability:  IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer is suitable for the following users:

  • All users.  (This is a very good product for men to use as well as women.  I use this on male models, actors and performers.)
  • I have also used this on severely wrinkled and aged skin with good results.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.75 Stars = Very Good to Excellent.

Would Buy Again?  Yes.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye ConcealerIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer BoxIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer TipIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer Color SwatchesIT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer Color Chart

Before IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

Before IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

After IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

After IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealer

Ingredients:  Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetyl Alcohol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ozokerite, Phenoxyethanol, Aqua/Water/Eau, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Cholesteryl Nonanoate, Cholesteryl Oleyl Carbonate, Cholesteryl Chloride, Chrysin, Glycerin, Hydrolyzed Collagen, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Niacinamide, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Steareth-20. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499).

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%

2 Comments

Product:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%.  Will this powerful Alpha Hydroxy Acid lotion leave your skin radiant and youthful?  Perhaps, perhaps…

Overall Rating  = 4.75 Stars – Excellent to Blew Me Away (Rating Revised)

Cost: $16.99 for 4 oz. ($4.25 per fluid ounce)  Price Category: Inexpensive

Sold By:  NeotericCosmetics (Parent Company); Wal-mart; Ulta

Container:  Plastic bottle with flip cap, outer carton.

Description:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% was formerly known as Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion.  The parent company, Neoteric Cosmetics, changed the name of this line from Alpha Hydrox to Alpha Skin Care a couple of years ago.

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% contains 10% alpha hydroxy acid in the form of a glycolic acid derived from fruit.  This is a fragrance-free product.  Alpha hydroxy acids aid the skin with exfoliation and cell turnover.  This is a chemical exfoliant, as opposed to a physical exfoliant such as a scrub or microdermabrasion.  This is a lotion that you put on your skin and leave on.

Company Claims:

“Real Results for Lines and Wrinkles” and

“Formulated with 10% Glycolic Alpha Hydrox Acid (AHA) to gently release dead skin cells revealing fresh, healthy, younger-looking skin.
– For Normal to Dry Skin
– Free of Parabens & Fragrances
– 10% Glycolic AHA/pH 4.0
– Reduces the appearance of lines & wrinkles
– Helps to support collagen production
– Evens skin tone & texture
– Leaves skin feeling soft & smooth”

Discussion:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is a moisturizing exfoliant intended to be used once or twice a day, after cleansing, toning and the application of any other lighter products such as serums.  Always apply your products following cleansing in the order from the most watery consistency to the thickest consistency.  If you have never used an alpha hydroxy acid product before, you may want to start with every other day, and eventually build up to twice a day.  Alpha hydroxy acids can cause irritation to sensitive or delicate skin.

Alpha hydroxy acids exfoliate the skin by working low in the stratum corneum, loosening the bonds that hold dead cells on the skin.  This stimulates new cell growth, allowing fresh cells to surface without breaking down the small capillaries in the skin.

It is normal to experience a slight burning or tingling when applying this product at first.  If the burning does not subside within a few minutes, this is probably too strong for you and you will need to dilute it or discontinue use.

Morning Review:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is a light weight light yellow lotion.  It has a very slight chemical scent from the ingredients, not fragrance.  The scent is not offensive.  The lotion feels silky and absorbs quickly into the skin.  This makes my hypersensitive skin burn and become irritated quite a bit when I use it full strength.  The company recommended that I mix it with a moisturizer and only use it at half strength until my skin got used to it for a few days and that is how I had to use it.  My testers with normal skin and dry skin used it full strength and they did not have any adverse reactions.  They said the burning and tingling went away within a couple of minutes.  Once fully absorbed, makeup goes on very well on top of this lotion.

Please Note:  If you have Rosacea, please check with your dermatologist before using this or any AHA product.  If you have never used a product with alpha hydroxy acids before, it would be advisable to perform a patch test before using this product.  A patch test means that you apply a small amount of product to your inner arm near your elbow and wait 24 hours to see if you have a negative reaction.

Please Also Note:  Alpha hydroxy acids can make your skin more susceptible to burning when you are exposed to the sun.  Please wear a sunscreen with a high SPF on top of this product to avoid burning.

Evening Review:  After several hours my skin felt nice and smooth.  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% really kept my skin hydrated and I did not experience the dryness and tightness that I usually have.  With extended use, the tone and texture of my skin has continued to get smoother and softer.

Overall Review:  Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is an excellent product and it is less expensive than most AHA products.  The benefits of AHA will be seen with long-term use.  It may take a couple to several weeks to see an improvement in the tone and texture of your skin.

Edit:  After using this product for 30 days I came back and edited my rating from 4 Stars to 5 Stars.  The difference in my skin was noticeable to me and to everyone else.   I am blessed with good genes and most people guess my age to be 10-15 years less than I actually am.  With continued use of Alpha Skin Care’s Essential Renewal AHA Lotion, I intend to keep it that way!

Alpha Skin Care also makes this product with a 12% concentration of AHA that you can build up to over time, and they make a gel formula that would be more appropriate for oily skin.  (I haven’t bumped up to the 12% yet, but I’ll write another review once I do.)

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10% is suitable for the following skin types: (Not for oily or hypersensitive)

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive; (May have to build up to it by mixing it with moisturizer.)
  • Consistent.

Please see the Help page to determine your skin type.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Evening Rating = 5 stars5 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 5 stars5 Stars;

Value Rating  = 4 stars4 Stars;

Overall Rating  = 4.75 Stars – Excellent to Blew Me Away.

Editor’s Note:  I originally gave this product 4 Stars.  After using it for over 30 days, I am revising my review to 5 Stars and my Other Testers did the same.

(Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%

Alpha Skin Care Essential Renewal Lotion 10%

Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion

Former Product Alpha Hydrox 10% AHA Enhanced Lotion

Ingredients:  Water, Glycolic Acid, Ammonium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Stearate PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Myristyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Cellulose Gum, Sorbic Acid, BHT, Imidazolidinyl Urea.

Formulated Without:  Artificial Fragrance, Parabens, Artificial Colors.

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Product:  First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser.  Is this the facial wash your skin needs to stay clean and healthy?

Overall Rating =  3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good to Excellent

Cost: $20.00 for 5 oz. ($4.00 per ounce)  Price Category:  Mid-range

Sold By:  FirstAidBeauty; QVC; Sephora; Ulta

Container:  Plastic tube with flip-top cap; cap does screw off

Description:  First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a fragrance-free cream facial wash that you mix with water and then rinse off.  This cleanser is intended to be used night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

I am always on a quest for a gentle cleanser that will work effectively and not wreak havoc with my extremely sensitive skin.  If you don’t do anything but keep your skin clean without stripping it, keep it exfoliated, and wear sunscreen every day, you’ll probably age beautifully and have nice skin.  It sounds simple enough but finding products to accomplish that can prove difficult.

I am new to this brand but I will be trying many of their products to see how well they really perform.  The entire line is fragrance free.  I have read the ingredients labels of every single product and there is not a hint of fragrance anywhere.  Whoo hoo!

The company claims: “FAB Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin, removes surface oils, make up, dirt and grime. Its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It is infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals.”  There are additional claims on their website.

Morning Review:  The First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser is a bright white, thick cream.  This does not contain any exfoliating ingredients.  It has a pretty pearlescent quality and a dollop about the size of a blueberry is enough to clean your entire face.  I wet my face first and then massaged the cleanser onto my face.  It does not lather or produce bubbles but it does have a very slight foaming property.  It has almost no scent and just smells clean.  There is a very slight inoffensive chemical component to the scent.  The scent does not make my nose run, eyes water, or produce any negative side effects whatsoever.  The thick cleanser feels gentle and soothing to my skin.  It rinsed off completely and did not leave any oily residue.  My skin did not feel tight or stripped.  My first impression was, “Wow, very nice!”  Let’s see how my skin actually reacts to this after several hours.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight or oily.  I did not experience any irritation or redness, but something is making my face break out (see note below).  The FAB cleanser effectively removes makeup and my wipes did not find any traces of makeup when using this with just my hands. The cleanser did not make my face feel anything other than clean.  Imagine that!  This would be a very good cleanser to use with a cleansing brush.

Note:  After several hours my skin began to break out and I ended up with six blemishes on my face.  I suspect the blemishes may have been due to a product I used the previous day.  I am going to give my skin a few days to completely clear and then I will re-test this cleanser and revise my review.

Overall Review: First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser seems to be an excellent facial wash for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities.  This is suitable for both women and men.  I think men could also shave with this product and I will report back on that aspect.

This is a preliminary review.  I will re-test this product once my skin clears and also get a report from other testers.

This cleanser is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = ? Stars;

Value Rating = 3 stars3 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.67 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser

Ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Stearyl Alcohol,Sodium PCA, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Allantoin, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Palm Kernel/Coco Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Dyes, Parabens.

Please Note:  There has been some controversy regarding whether Feverfew Extract is good or bad for your skin.  The Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract that First Aid Beauty uses is free of the potentially sensitizing component Parthenolide (technically known as Sesquiterpene Lactone).  Feverfew itself, when Parthenolide-free, has a calming effect on the skin.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects

Product:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects.  Does this serum really produce dramatic results?

Overall Rating = 3+ stars 3.5 Stars – Very Good

Cost: $49.50 for 1 oz. ($49.50 per fluid ounce)  Price Category:  Expensive

Sold By:  Clinique; Dillard’s; Macys; Sephora; Major Department Stores

Container:  Glass bottle with glass or plastic dropper

Description:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum is a fragrance-free serum intended to address fine lines and wrinkles.  This serum is designed to be used immediately following cleansing, night and day, prior to the application of any other product.

I have been familiar with this brand for decades.  Once upon a time, they were the only company with an entire fragrance-free line that was readily available at retail.

The company claims: “Delivers 63% of the visible wrinkle improvement of a dermatological laser procedure at 12 weeks. Not a laser, of course. But impressive results. New ingredients deliver twice the smoothing as before, remarkably refining skin’s texture.”  These are some pretty lofty claims, right?  I don’t necessarily agree with these statements, but I always take marketing claims with a grain of salt.

Please note, nothing that comes out of a bottle or jar is going to give you results that can in any way compare to the dramatic changes your skin will see if you undergo laser treatments from a physician.  Lasers can penetrate the epidermis down into deeper layers and will stimulate collagen production greater than any serum.  Lasers can tighten and tone skin.  Lasers can eliminate skin issues that no topical product can achieve.

 As we age, our skin gets thinner, collagen production slows, and skin regeneration and sloughing decreases.  Thinner skin also becomes less flexible which leads to the formation of lines and wrinkles.  Light skinned individuals typically first show aging as lines around their eyes and dark skinned individuals typically experience discoloration as they age followed by lines and wrinkles.  Because serums are so light and thin, they are readily absorbed into the skin to deliver anti-aging antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients.

Morning Review:  This Clinique fragrance-free serum is clear and has almost no scent other than those from the botanical ingredients.  The consistency is light and the texture is silky.  Due to the high concentration of silicone derivatives, it glides on smoothly onto my skin.  This serum feels very gentle and I don’t experience any irritation.  Due to the lightness, it is quickly absorbed.  Although not specifically designed for it, this serum can be applied to your décolletage.  My makeup goes on top of this product beautifully without any stickiness or tackiness.  As this product does not contain any sunscreen, please apply sunscreen before your makeup or use a makeup with a high SPF.

Morning Rating =  4 stars4 Stars

Evening Review:  At the end of the day my skin does not feel tight.  This serum helps my makeup to wear well, my face stays soft and smooth, and I do not experience any sensitivity or irritation issues.  This serum helps to improve the tone and texture of my skin.  I have not seen any evidence of elimination or improvement of fine lines or wrinkles.

Overall Review:  Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus serum is an excellent serum for all skin types, especially those with fragrance allergies and/or other sensitivities. This is suitable for both women and men.

Please note:  This serum contains ingredients that are air and light sensitive.  Do not store this near a sunny window sill and keep the container tightly sealed when not in use.  This product comes in larger sizes, but the ingredients begin to lose effectiveness once exposed to air and light.  Unless you are going to use the contents within 90 days, it doesn’t make a great deal of sense to buy the large bottle just because it costs less.  If you still have a lot of product left after 90 days you’ll essentially just have a nice light weight primer without any anti-aging benefits.  If you like to use a lot of serum twice a day and also apply it to your décolletage, then the larger bottle may be a good choice for you.

This serum is suitable for the following skin types:

  • All ethnicities;
  • All ages;
  • All sexes;
  • Dry;
  • Sensitive;
  • Consistent;
  • Oily;
  • Combination.

RATINGS REPORT:

Morning Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Evening Rating = 4 stars4 Stars;

Average from Other Testers = 4 stars4 Stars;

Value Rating = 2 stars2 Stars;

Overall Rating = 3+ stars3.5 Stars – Very Good.  (Please review the About 365 Cosmetic Reviews page for the rating info.)

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Smooths, Restores, Corrects Serum

Ingredients: Water, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Methyl Trimethicone, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Lauryl PEG-9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polysilicone-11, Sigesbeckia Orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) Extract, Salvia Sclarea (Clary) Extract, Acetyl Glucosamine, Plankton Extract, Whey Protein, Sea Whip Extract, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Caffeine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Sodium Hyaluronate, Micrococcus Lysate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Ergothioneine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cholesterol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lecithin, Carbomer, PEG-8, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol.

Formulated Without:  Artificial fragrance, Dyes, Parabens.

Important:  Please read our full Disclaimer before using this or any product.