You Weren't Born With Pimples
Written: Apr 30 '01 (Updated Apr 30 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great coverage, matched my skin tone perfectly, low cost
Cons: Like any cosmetic, it's not for every skin type
The Bottom Line: Having tried many different concealers, this is one of the better ones that is affordable, beneficial, and works!
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| MoonFey's Full Review: Maybelline Shine Free Blemish Control Concealer |
"Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's Maybelline.."
We all have seen the advertisements, and are all familiar with the Maybelline motto. The makers understand that along with your natural beauty, sometimes we need a little help in concealing the ugly little "surprises" that our pores (pun alert!) "pop" up on us.
Now, I don't believe for an instant that Sarah Michelle Gellar actually wears the drug store variety of make-up that we mere peasants wear, but hey, if it makes you feel as confident as her, so more the better, right?
I originally tried Maybelline's Shine Free Blemish Control Concealer because my best friend bought it on the chance that it might actually deliver what it promises. I am a little hesitant to stray from my loyalty to Cover Girl brand cosmetics, but I have to tell you that it really does work, if you know how to use it correctly! I don't claim to be a beauty expert, but I have three cosmetologists in my family, and a life time history of research.
The concealer makes three claims right on the tube:
#1. - Shine Free
#2. - Camouflant/Anti-Imperfections
#3. - Acne Medication
Let's start with claim #1. - Shine Free
On my skin, it depended on the area of my face the extreme of shine control. I have combination skin, with mild to moderate acne. Since my face is never particularly oily, the places where I do have oil, it controlled very nicely. The dry spots that I have are a little bit of a problem with this product, only because it does contain 0.65% salicylic acid, and anyone who has ever tried any pimple control cream can tell you it is a mighty drying force to reckon with! The only place it truly did not control shine was the tip of my nose, but that is a hard area to prevent shine without an additional brushing of powder with just about any concealer/foundation.
Claim #2.- Camouflant
This is really a love/hate situation part. I hate to have pimples. I hate trying to cover them. I love when I find a product that can cover them. I hate when my pimples wind up looking like warts because of the concealer!
Now here's the problem: It does cover blemishes beautifully. My problem is that it does it too well to the point of making the pimple look like a wart, and dries the skin out on top a bit, if I do not use a light moisturizer first. Not everyone will have that problem, since no one has the same moisture balance in their skin. So, if you have normal, to slightly oily skin, this should not be a problem at all for you.
Claim #3. - Acne Medication
Like I already said, it does contain 0.65% salicylic acid. Like any cosmetic, you should wash it off before going to bed or it will clog your pores, acne medication or no acne medication. I have not found my blemishes to be increased by use of this concealer at all. It does help with healing them faster, but does not "zap" them like a Clearasil or Stridex product will, which usually contain the active ingredient of a maximum of 10% benzoyl peroxide. Salicylic acid is not the most effective treatment of pimples, it is more of a drying agent. So do not use it as a sole treatment of pimples, this is make-up folks, not a remedy.
My over-all opinion on this product is it works well, if you follow some basic steps, and precautions for your skin type, as with any make-up. It is a moderately thick cream, with no unpleasant smells or perfumes. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you might not want to use it without first checking with a dermatologist.
This concealer comes in 5 colors: Ivory, Natural Beige, Soft Cameo, Tan, and Mocha. You either want to match your skin tone or a slightly lighter, depending on the degree of coverage you need.
Here's my basic steps to utilizing the full effectiveness of this concealer:
1. Wash your face with a mild cleanser
2. Pat skin to leave slighly damp with a towel
3. Once a week, use an exfoliant like St. Ives Apricot
Facial Scrub or whatever works well for you.
4. Moisturize with your favorite face lotion (I recommend
St. Ives Protective Nourishing Moisturizer or
100% shea butter for this)
5. Allow lotion to settle in before applying the concealer,
or it will just sit on top of your skin instead of
blending in correctly.
6. Make sure you have the right color for your skin tone, or
it is essentially a moot point to try and conceal
anything. If you have the right one, first dab a very
small amount on the pimple. With the tip of your finger,
make very small "pats" in a circular direction, until it
is blended in with the surrounding skin. If coverage is
not enough, dab a little more on, and repeat the patting.
7. Remember to use small amounts at first. It has a
precision tip, so you can always add a little more at a
time until you reach the desired results. If you use too
much at first, it will look obvious, and you'll have to
wash it off and try again, as it does dry quickly.
8. Follow up with your regular foundation (if you use any).
9. If you have oily skin, or just a patch of shine, a
light dusting of powder in the area you want to control
is perfect.
Now go show the world your beautiful self with care-free joy and abandon!
Recommended:
Yes
Coverage: Light to medium coverage
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Epinions.com ID:
MoonFey
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Member: Kerri K.
Location: Ardmore, PA
Reviews written: 25
Trusted by: 11 members
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