😘 Thank You Team BIC/Sephora, Sol de Janeiro, Drunk Elephant, Replica, & Living Proof 😘

[ElleElleG]

Last week I came home to a BIC Christmas on my front doorstep 😯.

Wow, thank you so much @TeamBIC for sending these amazing gifts! I love trying new things, particularly from new-to-me brands. I'll be sure keep you all updated on how these products work for me..  In the meantime I'll just say at least two items smell delicious 😋. 

💜💜💜

*Forgive me for possibly starting a repeat thread. I searched high and low to see if someone had started one already and I came up short 🙃*

[quspork]

Congrats, @ElleElleG! This looks like such a great set of products to try out! 

[ElleElleG]

Thanks @quspork !!  Yes, my first retinol and product from Livingproof!

[sprocketta]

Congrats @ElleElleG   I look forward to hearing your opinions and review of these products.

[ElleElleG]

Thanks @sprocketta  !!!

[eshoe]

Congratulations @ElleElleG! I’m so excited for you to receive this gratis (and the amazing Galentine’s 💝)! I can’t wait to hear what you think of everything. I just started on the DE last week and it’s a sloooooow intro so I’m very curious what everyone else’s experiences are with it😊 I’m loving the MM, have worn it nearly every day! Congrats again!!!

[ElleElleG]

Thanks @eshoe  !  @skcfan mentioned you received this gratis as well so congratulations are also in order (I'll chime in on your thread as well!).

OMG yes, I've heard so many cautionary tales about use of retinols so I wanted to learn as much as I could before just slapping it on my face.  First spritz of the fragrance was delicious, I need to wear it a few more times to really evaluate how I feel about it; glad you're enjoying!!

[eshoe]

So far so good @ElleElleG, though it’s only been one use. Did a very gentle AMOREPACIFIC - Treatment Enzyme Peelyesterday to give my skin a little sloughing but that’s the extent of any exfoliation I’m going to do until I’ve tried it a few more times.

[ElleElleG]

Outside of picking up some free set with an order I don't know a thing about amorepacific @eshoe .  Glad the DE seems to be working well for you thus far....I had a bit of a break out following the first use but the second use (a week later) seemed to go over well.

[eshoe]

The AP is perfect for my skin I haven’t had an issue with it (yet) @ElleElleG. The Passioni has been going well it’s just been a slow-go and it’s so hard to be patient lol! Sorry to hear to had some breakouts hope it continues to be smooth sailing for you though. I have noticed a difference in my pores, don’t know if that’s normal and would like to hear feedback @naturalooks15 @missjeanie 🤔

[naturalooks15]

@eshoe  @ElleElleG  @missjeanie  I am on 11th week of A-Passioni. Now my skin is not freaking out anymore and is pretty radiant and glowy. 

First 2-3 weeks, my skin was taught (feeling and also to touch), peeled, looked like severely sun-burnt. But at the same time was making my skin looking bright so with those results and my faith in Drunk Elephant, I continued. 

Key to my success was realizing that my regular hydration was not enough. I added a hydration serum (Consonant Hydra Extreme) which made a world of difference. Note that I was already using all other DE moisturizers and my skin was pretty good before starting Retinol. I am probably going to research an equivalent product to Consonant serum but for now, it is working to make my skin plump and moist and COSTCO has it at awesome price ! 

Benefits I see - 

I had some white bumps (close comedons?)  that were not budging with even Babyfacial got cleared with A Passioni in about 5-6 weeks. 

Skin texture is so much better

Skin is radiant

= Happy Me 🙂

I am still just up to 2x week of A-Passioni and 1x TLC, Baby facial 1x in 2-3 weeks will up it very slowly. 

I have routine and lessons learnt in another thread named Detailed Review. 

[eshoe]

Thank you @naturalooks15, such valuable feedback for me since I am pretty new to retinols!

I am into week 4 now and really haven’t noticed any peeling/dryness but like @missjeanie I mask frequently so I think that is helping with the hydration. I may bump it up next week to 3x a week as I haven’t noticed any adverse effects at all. 

[naturalooks15]

@eshoe  I got a sample of YTTP superberry mask so will see if that helps with hydration and ultimately help me either add back the acid or increase retinol frequency. 

I am thinking for retinol day, use the mask before Retinol but for using on TLC/acid day use the mask after. Is this how you do it?

[eshoe]

The only exfoliating products I’ve been sticking to are gentle enzyme cleansers @naturalooks15 @since starting this. I did do a physical exfoliating mask unintentionally but wiped it off after a few minutes. I don’t feel ready to add anything in like that just yet. @missjeanie has been using it though.

[missjeanie]

@eshoe @naturalooks15 I think because I was already using a retinol product in my routine it's been a bit easier for me to work the AP into my routine.  On night one I'd use my AP, then night 2, I'd use my Farmacy Honeymoon Glow, and night 3, the DE TLC.  The AP for me, just slid into the spot that my prescription retinol was in previously.  When I first started using the retinol I worked it into my routine only using the retinol for the first month, then I started adding in the other two acids over probably another month until I was up to my current routine.  Take it slow for sure though.  I'd work up to using the retinol every other day for at least a week then start to add in other acids on the alternating nights in small amounts. I'm giving every night a shot just to see what happens.

[naturalooks15]

@missjeanie  That makes perfect sense. How are you liking the Farmacy Honemoon glow compared to TLC?

[missjeanie]

@naturalooks15I like the Farmacy Honeymoon, but I prefer the DE TLC.  I can't say exactly why though.  They both do work for me, but the DE is just a touch better for my skin.  I think after I'm done with my current full size Farmacy I'll just rotate the DE TLC and a retinol.

[missjeanie]

@eshoe @naturalooks15 I just did my third night in a row with APassioni and no adverse effects!  I'm going away this weekend for a week and I think I'll just take this with me and keep up with the nightly to see how I'm looking after two weeks of straight use!

[naturalooks15]

Awesome @missjeanie 

[ElleElleG]

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the AP @naturalooks15 @missjeanie @eshoe 

I had a small reaction after the first use which left a pleasant mark near where I apply my highlight.  Somehow it managed to not get excessively dry and it peeled pretty quickly.  The texture of my skin is smoother, but I can't say I've noticed too much else.  I know I need to up my frequency of use but I'm nervous LOL.

[eshoe]

I can’t Heart your post for some reason @ElleElleG , but I have noticed in increased sensitivity with the masking I do; tingling/burning/redness from a mask that contains salicyclic/glycolic acid, and hives from a mask that had adzuki beans (I’ve never had a negative reaction to masks like this in the past). @naturalooks15 @missjeanie 

[ElleElleG]

Possible glitch @eshoe ?  

Woah, thanks for sharing that.  Sorry to hear your skin is reacting differently.  I've hear retinols can increase sensitivity but I wonder if that is part of the introductory period of using them or if that is a long term thing.