Friday, November 13, 2009

The Friday Forum - November 13

I'm not sure Friday the 13th is the best day to start a new Best Things in Beauty feature, but here we go. The Friday Forum will be devoted to what you have to say about anything related to beauty. Are you using a fabulous product and want to sing its praises? Tell us about it! Did you find a beauty product disappointing? Tell us why! Do you have questions others might be able to answer? Ask! Want to talk about a celebrity miscue? Go for it! We will use the comments for what I hope will be a fun and helpful exchange of information.

That means you have to write comments! For the most part, BTiB readers haven't been terribly chatty, but maybe we can change that by opening up a posting to what you have to say. If this works, we will continue to share a weekly forum. If it doesn't? The Friday Forum will disappear.

You know you have something to say...this could be fun! Because this is totally open-ended, I won't even provide a topic or ask you a question to kick off the conversation. I do have some beauty bits to share, but I'll put them in the comments.

The microphone is yours!

Photo courtesy of Cat-pause.com

13 comments:

Unknown said...

The latest beauty product I tried was a sample of Lancome Genifique that actually came with the Armani cream you sent me ( thanks again, btw, i am trying to finish up my old cream so i can finally test it). I have a very problematic skin (very large pores, oily t-zone, dry patches during winter, some tiny wrinkles and dark circles, acne)- and Genifique did a great job of smoothing my skin, esp pore size. Foundation application was marvelous. The only downside was that it made me breakout, which is what many products do in the beginning. I got to use Lancome sample 4 times (yes, i am very good at getting the most out of samples)and so far I give it a 4 out of 5 :)
If anyone had experience with Genefique, I would love to hear about it.

Charlestongirl said...

If you’re going to be in or around NYC or Tampa next week, RSVP today for your chance to meet Leslie Blodgett — and get a bottle of Bare Skin autographed!

Leslie will be making two in-store appearances to celebrate the launch of her exclusive new fragrance collection, Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries! Come talk beauty with the woman behind the Bare Skin scent, sample the fragrance, and if you’re one of the first 100 to buy a bottle on the day of the event, Leslie will sign it!

Sephora Times Square
At 42nd Street and 7th Avenue
Wednesday, November 18
5:30-7:30 PM
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=335470185203&ref=ts!

Sephora International Plaza
2223 N. West Shore Blvd.
Thursday, November 19
6:00-8:00 PM
RSVP at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=178343881485&ref=ts

Charlestongirl said...

Anna,

I have so many samples of Genifique, and I have to admit I haven't tried it yet. So many samples, so little time! There have been some rave reviews online.

I hope a reader can respond.

Thanks for kicking off the Friday Forum!

Miss Brahms said...

I am a fan of the parent company of Lancome - L'Oreal! L'Oreal produces many of my favorite products by LaRoche Posay (Derm AOX, Redermic), Vichy (Gentle Cleansing Water, Eye Makeup Remover), Yves Saint Laurent (Touche Eclat), Maybelline (Define-a-Lash), L'Oreal (Colour Riche Collagen Lip), and Armani Beauty (Luminous Silk Foundation)!!!!!
So - I'd be interested in comments on Genefique as well - so I can try it. The thing I love about blogs is hearing others' input. I value great beauty advice! That is why I read this blog - so elegant yet thorough.

Charlestongirl said...

Timing is good. I am going to a Beauty Trend Show at Nordstrom today. I will find out more about Genifique while I'm there.

Hey, Pro, why do we love the same products? Do you think it's 'cause they work?

Charlestongirl said...

Well, me again! Cut beyond the hype, which is mostly good, and the product has this ingredient in it: Denatured alcohol. This is probably what is causing dryness and acne in some people who use Genifique. Alcohol dries your skin, plain and simple.

The sales people are really hyped on it, but with my dry skin, I think it's not the best alternative. Nevertheless, in the interests of our research, I will use one of the samples I have and report back.

Anna, I slather on the Crema Nera, but you will want a light application.

Julie said...

I agree Charlestongirl...this could be fun. I just went out and bought the new Cover Girl mascara...the one in the yellow tube. So far, I am impressed. Anyone else using it?

Charlestongirl said...

Kari reviewed that mascara at Fabulous Over Forty - with pictures: http://www.faboverforty.com/beauty/covergirl-lashblast-length-review/

Bonnie said...

Julie - I've been wanting to try that mascara too, as I find those new brushes work better for me than the traditional bristles. I'm such a stickler for not having any clumps and I love great definition and length (volume is good too, but a lot of volume formulas tend to clump and smudge on me). I'd love to hear more of your thoughts with this one. :-)

Unknown said...

thank you, Charlestongirl- I figured there must be an ingredient in Genifique that caused me to have pimples. If not for that fact, I would be buying a full size bottle- it did make my face look impeccable.

Charlestongirl said...

Anna, check back here in a day or so. I'm going to put my thinking cap on and recommend something better for you.

I do think you would like Striking's Serum, but I want to do a little more homework regarding the break-outs before I get back to you. I used to suffer from hormonal breakouts (before I went off hormones!), and I know how frustrating they are to treat. One big "undergrounder" - usually on my chin - would appear every few months. I would go to my dermatologist and get a steroid shot into them to make them disappear.

Charlestongirl said...

OK, Anna, here is where I landed. Can you use products with Retinol in them? If you can, your best bet is to try one (or the prescription Renova or equivalent).

I can't use Retinol (Vitamin A) in any form, so I don't recommend it to people with sensitive skin. However, the occasional acne, uneven skin zones, and tiny wrinkles you described cry out for you to try it.

Start slowly, only using every few days until you see if your skin can tolerate it without turning into a peeling red mess.

Neutrogena makes a serum and some creams in their Ageless Intensive Deep Wrinkle line, and my favorite drugstore beauty manager recommended that you try something inexpensive like this first. CVS has this serum on sale this week - $18.99, I think. Drugstore.com has a better price.

Always use a moisturizer over the serum after it has dried.

Let me know if you can't use Retinol or if this doesn't work, and we will go to Plan B!

Unknown said...

Hi Charlestongirl! wow,thanks for all the suggestions. I never tried Retinol, since I was under impression that it is prescription only- but i guess i should check out the drustores for these products. I am pretty sure my skin is not sensitive because I have used some really harsh cleansers before without a problem (at one point I used aspirin mask twice a day without any side effects). I guess my main problem is excess oil in a Tzone which causes large pores and frequent breakouts. I will definitely check out non-prescription Retinol- thanks for your suggestion!