REVIEW: Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream Combination to Oily Skin

 

What is it?

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream is a new multi-faceted solution for a multitude of skin concerns. If you have oily skin, then you probably have a product to treat shine, and to minimize pores, and to cover blemishes. And maybe a few more products, too. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil-Free B.B. Cream can address all those oily-skin needs with just one application. Your skin will have a flawless, lightweight matte finish, and you’ll only need one product to get it.

It also states that it addresses skin concerns such as:

• Shine
• Large Pores
• Uneven skin tone
• Imperfections and marks. 

The aim of BB Creams (Beauty Balm), this one one included, is to minimise the amount of products that you use in your beauty routine by offering an "All in One Solution." This product acts as a moisturizer, sunscreen (it has SPF 20), a face primer (since it mattifies and minimizes pores) and also acts as a skin treatment (evens skin tone). Since it has colour, if you chose to go sans makeup and just work it as a tinted moisturizer, that is fine too as it does provide a good bit of coverage.

I chose the colour medium/deep in this product as that is the shade I usually use for products that offer a basic shade range (light, medium, deep). It was very beige and just a bit too light, so I ended up mixing it with my foundation in order to get a more wearable shade. I was hoping that doing this would not affect how effective the product would be as this is my first experience with a BB Cream. Dark would have been a better choice for me. 

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream Medium/Deep

The consistency of the product was a bit runny, or thin, but this did not affect the product's efficacy at all. It still offered good coverage with just a pea sized amount. I also believe that it did live up to its claim of controlling shine as I have extremely oily skin and usually end up blotting an hour into my day. This gave me a good 4-5 hours without having to deal with excessive oiliness. The times  I tried it at home without mixing it with anything, I think it wore longer than the times I mixed it with my foundation. When used with my pressed powder my face was near flawless for longer since the powder  also acts as a mattifier.

I will definitely give this a try in Deep as i think it will live up to its oil control claims. My pores also did seem less noticeable than usual. As far as evening skin tone goes, I will have to use it a bit more to see those results show. 

Have you tried it? What are your thoughts on BB Creams in general?

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Significant Details: NYX Cosmetics, Sleek MakeUp, Skin Care & fine fashion accessories for men & women. 

Unit #11 - Lee Gore Business Centre, 31 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston 10. Open Mon - Sat; 11 am - 7pm. 876-620-9309

HAIR: All about Silicones in hair products (Part 1)

After the last blog post on hair care featuring the OXX System, many person shave shown an interest in hair care and the products I use. I was sent some "Silicone Mix" products to review but thought it would be best to do it in a two part series, with the first talking a bit about Silicones.

Silicone hair products have become very popular recently, whether because of all the positive accolades, or from the negativity of those that think silicones are akin to the devil. In all actuality, silicones do your hair no more harm that hairspray or other styling product, but here are some quick facts about silicones before we get into the products.


What are silicones in hair products and how do they work?

There are two types of silicones: Water soluble and non-soluble silicones. Water soluble silicones are ones that can be washed away with water and nothing more. Non-soluble silicones are exactly the opposite of its soluble counterparts. Non-soluble silicones require sulfates in order to be washed away. While there are two categories of silicones, neither is better than the other because silicones do not actually benefit the hair in any way. In fact, silicones only give the “appearance” of healthier hair.
Silicones coat the hair to make it appear sleeker, frizz free and healthier. For example, silicones found in conditioners, hair polishers( serums) and frizz taming products coat the strands to make them “appear” sleeker and more polished. They also add a bit of weight to give fine, fragile hair substance. In essence, silicone based products only provide a temporary smoothing effect.

How do silicones work?

Silicones work by covering hair with a thin hydrophobic (waterproof) coating. This coating serves several purposes:

1. Reduces the porosity of the hair, which makes it less likely to absorb humidity (Which is why it’s great for smoothing and straightening!)
2. Reduces moisture loss from the inside of the hair (Great for conditioning.)
3. Lubricates the surface of the hair so it feel smoother and combs easier (Makes your hair feel slippery and less tangled.)  (Example a hair polisher Fantasia High Potency IC Hair Polisher, 6 oz.)

Types of Silicones and their Purpose

1. Cyclomethicone is one of the most commonly used silicones in hair care. It’s a volatile silicone, which means it evaporates and won’t build up on your hair. It gives a silky, smooth feel and leaves the hair with incredible slip when wet and is found in both leave-on and rinse-off products.
2. Dimethicone Copolyol is a water-soluble, lightweight silicone that provides very little buildup. It is often used in conditioning shampoos.
3. Amodimethicone (or silicones that have “amo”, “amine” or “amino” in their name) is a different kind of silicone that is chemically modified to stick to your hair better. That means it conditions well but it can also be more challenging to remove. Amodimethicone is commonly used in leave-in conditioners.
4. Dimethicone is sometimes referred to as a silicone oil. Dimethicone coats hair, providing great shine and conditioning to the hair. However, because it’s so water insoluble, it can be difficult to remove. Additionally, this heavy coating is more likely to attract dirt and pollutants from the air, making the hair feel weighed down. Dimethicone is often found in serums and other leave-on products.

How can I deal with buildup if I use silicone products?

Wash your hair! Any decent shampoo will wash away silicone. However, if you are a heavy user or products containing silicone (particularly those with dimethicone), you may have to lather, rinse and repeat. I personally shampoo twice with a clarifying shampoo (no more than 2 times as this will strip essential moisture from your hair). You can also try a vinegar rinse every few weeks if buildup is bad and I recently discovered that baking soda is even a better clarifying agent than vinegar. If you want the benefits of silicone without the weight, look for lightweight silicones, as mentioned above, like cyclomethicone and dimethicone copolyol. These ingredients won’t build up but still give you some conditioning and shine benefits.

Bottom Line

I personally find the benefits of silicones to far outweigh any negatives. Silicones are very effective conditioners, provide great shine and can help smooth and straighten hair. If you are concerned about buildup and weigh down, be sure to look at the label to make sure you are using lightweight silicones.

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Significant Details: Jamaican distributors of NYX Cosmetics, Sleek MakeUp, Real Techniques, Skin Care & fine fashion accessories for men & women.

Unit #11 - Lee Gore Business Centre, 31 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston 10. Open Mon - Sat; 11 am - 7pm. 876-620-9309

REVIEW: Irie Rock Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Facial Cleanser

As a lover and promoter of all things natural, especially when it comes to skin and hair,  I was very pleased to come across the Irie Rock line of products.  Irie Rock is made in Jamaica with all natural ingredients. They carry cleansers, anti aging products and body scrubs, lotions and splashes. I picked up two products from their line to test at Expo Jamaica 2014.

Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Deep Pore Cleanser

With Salicylic Acid

The facial cleansing products contain Tea Tree & Witch Hazel. Tea tree oil can kill bacteria and fungi. It comes from the evergreen leaves of the Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree¹.  Studies have proven it to work effectively at reducing acne. Though most scientific data points to benzoyl peroxide as a more successful acne treatment, Tea Tree Oil has been shown to produce fewer side effects. In a 1990 study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, 79% of people who used benzoyl peroxide experienced adverse reactions (e.g. itching, burning, stinging, and dryness), compared to only 44% of those using Tea Tree Oil. Acne sufferers, this product is calling your name!

Witch Hazel extract is derived from a plant of the same name. The bark, leaves, and twigs of witch hazel are all high in tannins, giving this plant astringent properties. Astringents are substances that can dry, tighten, and harden tissues. In other words, you may use an astringent on your skin to tighten pores and remove excess oil. 

Sounds like a winning combination no? Irie Rock boasts that this product contains no parabens, no colourants,  no alcohol and no artificial fragrance. The result is a clear, fragrance free liquid of medium thick consistency. 

Deep pore cleanser

The bottle states: Gently and effectively wash away makeup and impurities with this deep pore facial cleanser that softens skin while leaving it looking healthy and revitalized and feeling clean and refreshed. Great for all skin types, regular use helps keep skin blemish free, refreshed and calm.

Tea Tree & Witch Hazel are general disinfectants that fight bacteria and help skin heal by encouraging the formation of new scar tissue. Their antioxidant and astringent properties make them effective against fighting acne. 

I have been using this product for the past two weeks (in conjunction with the Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Scrub (which I will review shortly) and I can undoubtedly say that I have seen a difference in the overall appearance of my skin.  I was never prone to acne, but I do have the occasional pimple.  I will watch for those and update as necessary.  My pores are noticeably smaller, and I am watching to see if my eczema (which flares up depending on the weather) will clear up with this. (So far there is a noticeable difference as my dry areas are less flaky.) Overall, my skin looks noticeably brighter. 

My one gripe is that OH LORD it burned the first time I used it.  But I have sensitive skin and there was no irritation as a result so I overlooked it. The second use was more tolerable, and now it doesn't bother me at all. I would suggest if you have very sensitive skin to try starting out using it once a day and gradually increase your usage.

So if you have problematic skin, acne, eczema or dermatitis. You should definitely give this product a try. You may just be pleasantly surprised at the results. 

Buy Irie Rock Tea Tree & Witch Hazel Skin Care Products Online HERE. 

Also Available in store at Unit #11 - Lee Gore Business Cetre, 31 Upper Waterloo Road, Kingston 8. 876-620-9309

Ingredients:  water, glycerin, sodium laureth sulfate, coco betaine, sodium choride, salicylic acid ,witch hazel , citric acid, tea tree essential oil, glydant 

1. WebMD