Is That...? Oh, God! *Gasp* NOOO!!! Part III: L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio

Well, it's been three weeks with the L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio, and I have what I think are some interesting results. Let's have a look, shall we?

First off, let me mention that I quit using the cleanser, as it didn't work worth a flip, and I also used a pore clearing mask and an exfoliating mask to try to undo the damage. The cleansers that I have used instead have been the Olay makeup removing wipes and the Olay Regenerist exfoliating cream cleanser (which is what I used prior to the L'Oreal). The end.

So, here are week 2 (right) and week 3 (left):

It's very subtle, but there is some change. The skin's texture is smoother, and pores are less pronounced. The crease is still there, and while it's more noticeable in the week 3 picture, it does appear to be shallower. As with last week, these photos were taken in the same room, with the same camera, and the same settings.

For a more dramatic difference, let's compare week 1 (left) with week 3 (right):

Wow. The skin's texture is significantly smoother and brighter, pores are noticeably minimized, and everything seems firmer and lifted. The area around the nose also appears a lot drier, however.

As I've stated, the cleanser didn't actually clean, but it does look like the serum and moisturizer are doing something for me. My thoughts on those products have not changed, and you can read a full run-down on them here. All in all, I've got to call this a win, and I intend to repurchase the serum and moisturizer when I run out of the travel sizes.

Have you guys tried anything like this? Did it work? Please share in the comments.

Is That...? Oh, God! *Gasp* NOOO!!!: L'Oreal Youth Code Power Trio

Short version: over this weekend I have A) been told outright, by someone who is not related by blood, marriage, or even close friendship, that I am "fat", and B) found a wrinkle that seems to come equipped with an Invisibility Cloak, because it appears I'm the only one who can see it.

Considering the fact that I'm fat in the way that Jennifer Lawrence has been labeled fat (read: not at all. Curvy, yes, but in the right places, thankfully. Don't get me started on that business with the gorgeous J-Law.), and I've actually lost weight recently, I'm trying to let that first part slide. Besides, if their judgement tells them that it's acceptable to tell someone that (as a greeting, no less), then how good can their judgement really be?

The "wrinkle", on the other hand, is a different story. Yesterday morning, I found it, and was...let's call it upset. I showed it to Thomas, who leaned over, squinted hard, then chuckled and told me there was nothing there. He was sweet enough to go with me to Walgreen's, and even helped me search through the rows of pink and green gunk, shining silver labels, and empty promises until I found something that might help me reverse my, most likely, imaginary line.

See it? The little marionette line? Grrrrrrr!

Seeing as this line is in it's infancy, it seemed like a good candidate for the "see results in one week" claim on this set from L'Oreal Paris. The Youth Code Power Trio Kit contains a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer that are all used both morning and evening. According to the box, this is supposed to reduce fine lines and smooth and illuminate the skin. It was on sale, and I had five bucks in rewards, so I figured I'd give it a go.

I've used the three products twice each now, so all I have for you are first impressions, but I thought I'd share them.

Cleanser: This is a clear gel that smells like Rose Petal Place. Personally, I like that smell, but if you have any sensitivity to perfumes, you might want to skip this trio entirely. I feel like the cleanser does a fine job of ridding my face of dirt, but you definitely need a separate makeup remover. My eye makeup didn't budge with this cleanser alone.

Serum: I like serums. No idea why, but I always feel sort of fancy putting on a *serum*--like it's some sort of spiffy, super-scientific potion that will make my skin glow and dance and, I don't know, spin plates. Again, this is a gel, but slightly cloudier than the cleanser. I only need one pump for my face and neck, because it feels almost like it multiplies as you apply it. It's very slimy, but in a good way, if that makes any sense. It's a good slime. Like Slimer in the Ghostbusters cartoon. Not the movie (definitely not the movie). Oddly enough, the finish is dry. It's...it's just very strange. I'm intrigued. There is a fragrance, but it's not the same as the cleanser, and I can't quite pinpoint what it is. It's not unpleasant, but it is perfumed.

Moisturizer: The moisturizer is, again, perfumed, and with the same mystery scent as the serum. Also, like the serum, it has a dry finish, which is odd for a moisturizer. The texture is somewhere between a cream and a mousse, and very light. I'm enjoying it, so far, but I don't feel I'm getting quite as much hydration as I need.

Will this reverse my wrinkle-ette? We'll find out in a week! Let me know in the comments if you've had any luck with stuff like this.   

Younger Than Springtime, Am I? PTR Instant FIRMx, Part the Second



Photo Credit: Sephora

 To recap, I had an audition on Monday. I found a wrinkle the Friday before. Hilarity ensued.

I bought a bottle of Peter Thomas Roth's Instant FIRMx on the recommendation of the Sephora associates. Then, I spent the next several days trying to figure out how in the heck to use the stuff. The audition came and went (for those interested, it went well, and I have no reason to blame myself should I not get the part. I'll know something in a couple of weeks, either way. Moving on), with me still trying to make this gel work. You're all caught up, now. Let's continue.

Tuesday morning, I decided to take no chances. I washed and dried my face. Then, I applied the gel and waited forever for it to dry. I gave it about ten minutes, as opposed to the 3-7 minutes the directions suggested. I waited for white residue, and never saw any. So far, so good.

The next directed step was to splash some water on my face and pat dry with a towel. Supposedly, as my face finished air-drying, I would feel a tightness to let me know the gel was working. Yeah, okay, I'll give it that. I felt a very slight tightening. Honestly, I can't fully say I didn't imagine it. This step took another ten minutes. We're up to twenty, for those of you keeping score, and I haven't put on a single drop of makeup, yet. Goodie.

At this point, I get out my handy dandy brush and, very lightly, sweep on some liquid foundation, taking extra care on the forehead and around my eyes. I followed that up by applying moisturizer in the same way (with the same brush, actually). After all that care, time, and attention, guess what: I still had lines on my forehead and around my eyes! Granted, they're not horrible, but they weren't bad to begin with, so, effectively, there's no change! I applied the rest of my makeup as usual and called it a day. The product does work as a fairly decent primer, but my skin feels like it's suffocating. I'm not exactly a happy camper.

So, here's what I'm taking away from this: I'm not wrinkly enough for this stuff to work. I'm not saying it doesn't work. In fact, there are loads of Golden Girls on the Sephora website who rave over this product. What I am saying is that I think you have to be in much worse shape than I am currently to experience dramatic results. I'm hanging onto this bottle, though, for a little extra insurance on special occasions, or to perk me up after a late night.

Final Verdict: If you don't qualify for cheap coffee at McDonald's or discount movie tickets, you can probably skip this. 3 out of 10.

UPDATE!!

Today's blog is going to be ridiculously short, and I do apologize.  I'll make it up to you somehow later on down the line.  Things are just a little crazy today.  It's the holidays, I guess.  I just didn't want to leave you hanging without a couple of updates.

#1:  One Hundred Pushups

I started today.  First off, I took my hips, waist, and bust measurements, so I could measure my progress not by pounds, but by inches.  Let's just hope they come off the hips and waist and leave the bust alone.  I can't stand to lose anything there. 

As for the pushups themselves, it took all of ten minutes to get through today's set.  Seriously.  I didn't even break a sweat.  My arms aren't sore, either.  If anyone wants to jump on board with me, now's the time to do it. 

#2:  Wrinkle Cream

I've been using Lumene ($22, CVS.  Don't have time to link, I'm sorry) for a solid week, and I can already tell a difference.  My forehead wrinkles are still there, but I don't have to use the spackle on them anymore.  My skin's texture is also vastly improved.  Honestly, one morning I almost forgot to put on foundation--my skin looked that good.  I'm not recommending it, yet, because I want to give it a little bit longer to truly wow me, but it's well on its way.  Added bonus:  Thomas says it smells really good.  That's always nice.

Alrighty.  That's all I can do today.  Life calls!
 

Where's the Simplicity Pattern For That?!

I tip my hat to anyone who can use a sewing machine.  Period.  The last time I even looked at a machine, the presser foot fell off.  That's right, folks.  I didn't even have to touch the machine, and still managed to break it.  If you can use one of the gosh-darned things, you have my respect.

If you use it to make something like this, you have my undying love and devotion, and I am insanely jealous of you:


Photo credit:  ringmastergoldie.tumblr.com

It's a TARDress!!!!  Those of you who have been keeping up know that Thomas and I are both HUGE Doctor Who fans.  Actually, Thomas was the one who found this and insisted that I blog about it.  So, here you go, hon.

Seriously, though, I love this dress.  It was made to be a Halloween costume, but really, I don't see why it couldn't be worn more often?  It's just a sweet little blue dress...that just happens to be made entirely of awesome.  (I think the itty bitty hat is my favorite part.)

So, Sunday before last, I woke up and screamed.  I've always had wrinkles on my forehead, but, seemingly overnight, they'd gone from "oh, everyone has those," to "oh, my God, I could keep my keys in there!"  Powder settled into the crevices.  Oh, Lord, this was not good.  Ah, thirty...the gift that keeps on giving.

As soon as I got out of church, I grabbed Thomas (who rolled his eyes when I told him what was up, thank you) and ran to Target to get something, anything that might help.  I landed on L'Oreal Wrinkle Decrease Collagen Filler.  $17.89, Target.

According to the L'Oreal website:

"Inspired by the latest dermatological techniques, L'Oreal Paris created new and improved Collagen Filler.  Now, with Double Filler Action, this breakthrough formula includes both Collagen Biospheres and Hyaluronic Acid for instant filling action and continuous wrinkle reduction.

In consumer testing, crow's feet, forehead lines, and lines around the mouth were immediately reduced by 20%.  Skin was softer and smoother.  With continued use, lines decreased by up to 33% after four weeks."     

I've only been into this little experiment for a week and a half, but let me tell you about my non-clinical, non-professional, non-expert findings, thus far (covering my butt, folks).

It's spackle.  It's spackle for your face.  It does fill in wrinkles, which makes them appear much lighter and less noticeable.  I'm just not sure how well it's doing at making them go away permanently. 

The product is a thick cream that comes in a pen-like applicator.  You squeeze a line over each wrinkle, smooth it out, then dab at it until it soaks into your skin.  It pretty much covers my entire forehead like a coat of, well, spackle.  You can use it in conjunction with your usual moisturizer.  I put my moisturizer on first and let it sink in before I apply the spack--I mean, wrinkle cream.  After the cream, you can apply makeup as usual.  I'm just a little more careful applying primer and foundation in the cream-covered areas.

It does appear that a couple of the lighter wrinkles have gotten even less obvious, but I'm not sure if that's due to this or wishful thinking.  I'm also using the cream on my neck wrinkles (had those since birth, so not holding out too much hope) and on my chest as a preventative measure.  As I said, I've only been in this a week and a half, so it's a little early to expect much.

As of right now, I can recommend it as a filler only.  If you're heading to a class reunion, being photographed, or just want to temporarily look a little younger, this is a really good, inexpensive way to acheive that.  Just don't expect an overnight miracle. 

If this doesn't work after four weeks (or the end of the tube), next on the list is Lumene Time Freeze Instant Lift Serum.  $19.99, Target.  It has some stellar reviews on Total Beauty, and might be just what I'm looking for.  If not, at least I now know of a decent "quick fix".