Brown Skin Ladies: Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System

This post is dedicated to all my beautiful brown skin ladies with blotchy complexions. I come bearing great news. There is hope...and it's not in a pill, a peel or a dermatologist's office. I know I have slacked off on posting, but I wanted to share this, so here I am. Maybe this will get me "back in the mood" to post more often.

Backstory: Skip to "The Point" if you don't want to read all of this.
In summer 2010, I was on a quest for the perfect mineral foundation. I did a review on Valana Minerals. In that review, I took pictures of my skin, foundation free.

Fast forward a bit to Spring 2011. I was on the search for a line that would clear up my skin once and for all. I did a little research on the web, then went to my local mall to see if they had Clinique's Even Better Dark Spot Corrector. The sales person talked me into purchasing the Acne Solutions Clear Skin System Starter Kit, which is basically a mini version of their Acne Solutions line.

I walked out a happy camper, ready to start yet another trek towards "Clear Complexion Land."

I was pleased with the results, but wasn't quite ready to buy the full sized version (retails at approximately $140, including the Even Better Dark Spot Corrector), so after I ran out of the sampler, I still used the Dark Spot Corrector with the drug store equivalent of the Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam, Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power-Foam Wash (why is the name so long? Serious question). Anyway, I liked it. I used it with Neutrogena's OFASC Toner and it stopped most of my breakout cycles.

Now, believe it or not, I didn't buy the Dark Spot Corrector for my face. Call me jaded, but I'd already been down the fade gel/cream road several products. I just didn't think it would really work on my face. Silly, I know. I actually purchased it for a dark mark on my chest. It was visible when I wore scoop neck shirts and I didn't want to try to hide it with make up.

Well within about 4-5 weeks, the spot was nearly undetectable. I have no idea why this surprised me. Successful before and after pictures were posted at Clumps of Mascara. At any rate, it was only after my good experience fading the chest mark that I decided it was time to try it on my face.

The point:
So...let's fast forward to about one week ago. I was looking back through this blog, trying to determine the most viewed blog post. The second most viewed was the Valana Minerals review. I couldn't help but notice the pictures I'd posted of my skin. Something was different though. A little off, but in a good way. I got up, went to my bathroom and looked in the mirror. My skin looked NOTHING like that now!

Much of the discoloration seen in those pictures has either disappeared completely, or is MAJORLY faded. What better way to start blogging again than with a product success story?! I have only been using Clinique's line again for about a month or so, this time the full sized products and of course, another bottle of the Dark Spot Corrector (which they only sell in ONE size...big).

Anyway, the pictures are below for your review.

Before (left side)

After (left side)

Before (right side)
















Now (right side)

I'm doing "before" and "now" pictures instead of before and after pictures because I am still using the products.

Other things you should know:

• I did not change my diet by excluding sodas, sweets, fried food, etc.
• I did not increase my water intake, by any noticeable means (although you can feel free to do it)
• I stopped touching my face all the time.
• I became a nearly religious user of Biore Pore Strips. This helped alleviate any desire to bother the white heads and black heads that would show up on my skin. This removed the main reason I'd touch my face in the first place.
• I use sunblock everyday (as the instructions encourage)
• I changed my pillow case at least once week.
• Yes, I still use MAC Studio Fix Fluid everyday.
• I use Wonder Cloth to aid in removing my make up.

I share the above info to give a better idea of outside variables in this accidental experiment. I will check back in about six months from now. Hopefully I'll be all clear. My question is...what are YOU waiting for? Try it out and tell me how it works for you!

Love!

I know...

Blogging is difficult when tackling a touchy subject. I've come here several times within the past few weeks intent on pouring my thoughts out on particular subjects only to close the browser after a few typed sentences.

Here we go again. Perhaps this will make it to the front page.

I'm growing increasingly impatient with "no it alls." Impatient is the opposite of what I should be, but alas,  more grace Lord. Admittedly, I'm burnt right now. Jaded. Disappointed. There are certain things you expect in "the world" that you don't expect among the brethren. I don't expect perfection (how could I?), but I do expect things to be handled biblically. I'm actually disgusted by the disregard and neglect in the situation...eh...I guess it is what it is. Loyalties run deep among the clique...and the band played on...whatever.

Moving on...

Shot a wedding a couple of weeks ago. Amazing. I haven't produced a video in years and I was in heaven. I swear it's what I was made to do...Maybe I'll get to do it full time one day.

Goos started the job at his new school yesterday. He chattered away about the day's events and showed me all his laminated posters he plans on hanging on the walls of his classroom. I haven't seem him this excited about work in over a year. I'm glad he's in a place where his enthusiasm, love for students and love for English will be appreciated. I swear his eyes were twinkling as he spoke. And he has beautiful eyes, by the way---all big and brown, with those long lashes. It's like he got his mojo back...greatness. He's happy. I'm happy.

Class reunion is in October. Have I really been out of high school for 10 years? Hard to believe. I refuse to play "one up" with anyone. I refuse to play the "what are you doing now?" game. I plan to get on the dinner boat on Saturday, ast some overcooked chicken, drink a couple of glasses of Pino and do the Cupid Shuffle until my feet hurt. No one...and I do mean, NO ONE, is going to make me feel like some kid sitting at the "uncool" table at lunch. I say shame on anyone who is avoiding participating for that reason.

Man...so...this "Double Rainbow" guy is killing me. I laugh everytime I see it. On the otherhand, I think it's awesome that he's so excited about something most regard as so simple. We're overbooked and under stimulated, caught up in the day to day stuff that frankly, won't mean much of anything in 100 years or sometimes 100 seconds. Maranatha.

Working out is my new thing. Walking and weight lifting are totally cool. Thanks BWDW! It's more about getting fit than losing weight now. I still want to slim down, but I also want to be healthy.

*yawn*

Review: Valana Minerals (Update/Edit at the end)

My Valana Minerals (VM) order arrived today.

This is the first post I'm doing that will have lots of pictures....You've been warned.

So, a little about VM:

• Mineral foundations, shadows, lipsticks, etc.
• Made specifically for women of color
• 20+ foundation colors

Erin of MakeUp Fiend suggested I try it out. I want to move away from liquid foundation, MAC SFF specifically, because I know it's contributing to my breakouts. My addiction stems from the outstanding coverage MAC provides. I tried Bare Escentuals (or Bare Minerals) in the past. I didn't appreciate (yes, I was kind of offended) by the ONE "black girl" color option provided by the company (at the time...don't know if they've stepped their game up or not). It was ashy looking and provided very light coverage of my dark spots and problem areas. In other words, it was a "no-go."

I've been wary of mineral make-up since then but was a little impressed by how well VM was demonstrated to cover spots (see the left side of the photo gallery under "concealor"). Honestly, the color selection and this picture sold me on trying it out.

So...let's get to the review. I purchased 3 samples--Gentle Amber, Amber Blaze and Mahogany Fire. I chose my colors by looking at pictures from the photo gallery and by using the foundation descriptions. I suggest doing a combination of both to choose probable matches.

I received the following in the mail:

<-------packaging

<------color chart with other information

<--------actual size of the three samples. 5 grams of foundation in 3 stackable jars

Skepticism set in when I swatched my hand...see why below:

I thought I'd missed the mark on the foundation colors by a mile. I picked three different shades to avoid this! *side note* The foundation looks very shimmery in the container but looks less shimmery on the skin.

***Tangent/FYI***

I love make-up vlogs and blogs. I'm subbed to several. Something I've noticed is that none...and I do mean, NONE of the girls really have "problem" skin and most of the "oily" girls aren't "oily". Most of the women I sub to on Youtube have near perfect skin. I'm not sure why any of them bother with foundation at all.

With that being said, I'm going to go out on a limb and post a picture of myself on the www of my face with no make-up. I'm doing it for all the women like me, who appreciate these women, but just can't relate. Shouts out to the sistas with jacked up complexions! Everyone else proceed at your own risk and #dontjudgeme (Yes, I'm talking to you!!!!).

Below are two before pictures.

As you can see, I have extreme problems with hyperpigmention due to my never ending battle with acne. These pictures are of both sides of my face with absolutely no make-up on. I would put these pictures side by side but Blogger won't let me! GRRRR....moving on.

I washed my face with the Mary Kay face wash I purchased about a month ago. Not because it's so wonderful, but because I spent good money on it. I followed the directions on the sheet to apply moisturizer and allow it to fully absorb into the skin. I then chose the color I thought best matched my face (Gentle Amber) and went to work. I covered my problem areas by using my Posh brush because the "bristles" are soft and compact. It seemed perfect for applying the minerals as a concealor.

Here are the afters:

I'm not going to lie. I am impressed by the coverage. It's better than the Make Up Forever HD Foundation coverage and honestly the same as the MAC SFF coverage I get on a lazy application day. Not bad for mineral make-up. Not bad for make-up at all when you have as much to hide as me. I was a bit nervous about potential shine problems (every oily girls enemy) so I applied a little MAC Blot in Dark over it with the MAC 150 brush.

And the front.

Review wouldn't be complete without outside pictures...

Below is a picture of me outside on a completely different day wearing MAC SFF NC50 so you can see the difference.

Lastly, here is a picture of me at the end of the day with approximately 6 hours of wear. ***sidenote*** I'm sick, so I look tired and...yeah...just look at the make up.

Final thoughts:

Overall, I'd say give it a try. I give it a B-. I like it and plan to use it at least 3 times a week to give my skin a break from MAC SFF. I hope I see some changes in my breakout cycle. Unlike MUFE, my face didn't look like I'd painted it with orange, oily clay after wearing it for 30 minutes. We visited a friend and I expected my face to look like an oil slick by the end of the visit (as it does with MUFE and MAC) and it didn't. I was really impressed by this. I'm not saying it cut down on all the oil, but my skin definitely wasn't as oily.

I need play with the other colors to see if i can get a better match, but the Gentle Amber was pretty close, reiterating the fact that the photos and foundation color descriptions can give you a pretty accurate read of which samples to order. I also need to play around with application because I think I can get slightly better coverage. The thing I loved best about it was it washes off very easily. I had no film or extra make up packed in my pores. Great! Great! Great!

I only had two real issues with my Valana Minerals make up:

• 
  
  The slight shimmer of the foundation. It's most noticeable in the sunlight.
• 
  
  My face also itched a bit for the first 30 minutes of wear.

Have you used Valana Minerals? What was your take?

Hope this review was helpful.

Love!

EDIT (6/15/10)

Okay, I realized the itchiing was coming from one of my brushes, not from Valana...didn't use a brush (made liquid foundation) yesterday and there was no itching.

I might be noticing some skin changes but it's really too early to tell. I can say I haven't had as many new pimples, blackheads or whiteheads (which usually develop daily wearing MAC) since Saturday night. The only difference is that I've worn Valana for the past three days. I can also say that Valana didn't seem to exascerbate the two "issues" I was already dealing with (see the pictures).

Lastly, I woke up with no oiliness this morning, again....I think there is a connection between the fact that VM washes off CLEAN. We'll see....I'll update in about a month. Three days without a breakout is kinda ground breaking though. Hmmmmmm.

UPDATE (11/24/10)

Hey mineral makeup enthusiasts!

Just want to make good on the update I was supposed to do in July. *haha* I've been using Valana for 5 months now. I eventually ordered went with Mahogany Fire instead of Gentle Amber. I've purchased two full sized jars/containers since then. 

Final synopsis:

I was originally very satisfied with the coverage but am growing to dislike the look of it on my face. It could be my switch from Gentle Amber to Mahogany Fire. Additionally, I have to admit that the foundation has the best coverage for my severe hyperpigmentation when mixed with moisturizer (a suggested method of application given in the directions, "tinted moisturizer"). Only problem is that most moisturizers, even Neutrogena's Oil Free with SPF 35, exacerbate my skin issues. Also, the oiliness is back! I wake in the morning to sheets of oil on my face...so much for that change. 

In short, I'm stopping by the MAC counter this weekend. LOL...The purpose is to NOT break out. That was my original quest. I might as well go back to MAC if I'm going to have breakouts. I'll use Valana from time to time to give my skin a rest...

In all fairness, Valerie provides GREAT customer service and there are many who have had lasting results with this product. I say TRY it out...just my own experiences.

Love.

Searching

I'm on a search for the perfect foundation. I've only used Revlon, L'oreal, MAC and MUFE foundations for any period of time. MAC Liquid Studio Fix Foundation has been my staple for 3 years now.It's hard for an oily girl like me to find anything that covers, stays matte and doesn't oxidize after about 3 hours of wear. I've gotten used to carrying blot sheets and blot powder to keep things under control.

I know liquid foundation is my enemy. I was at MUA reading all the horrible reviews for MAC SFF and nearly lost it. *sigh*....All pretty much the same. Even great reviews included a mention about great coverage and horrible breakouts. I know I need to use a mineral foundation instead of liquid or cream to powders. I'll find something one day. Until then, still searching...

In the meantime, I purchased some Mary Kay skin care products #dontjudgeme. First thoughts: Formula 3 is kinda harsh on my sensitive skin. The cleanser irritates a bit. Also, it doesn't really "cleanse." It claims it removes make up...NOT. Even when I wash the make up off before using the cleanser....How do I know this? My toner saturated cotton balls turn from white to brown, after several swipes, AFTER washing my face. Speaking of toner, I told the consultant about my sensitive skin and she gave me toner with alcohol in it. The mask over dries my skin and makes it itchy. I think I even saw what looked like swelling and hives earlier today (yikes!!). All in all....fail. I will continue to use the toner and mask once a week. I'll use the cleanser 2-3 times per week. I mean..I spent enough on it...

I have no idea why I'm blogging about this at nearly 1 a.m. I should go to bed...