For the Love of Kryolan

 Kryolan is a 66 year old German company that focuses on providing makeup for film, theater, etc.  They opened a store in Chicago last year, but it took a while for me to go check it out, since I'm not in film, theater, etc.  Also, I was afraid the makeup would break me out, since most of it has oil in it.  

Eventually, my search for a light enough foundation made me go on a mad hunt for Illamasqua, since they have some of the lightest foundations around. (FYI, some Sephoras have some Illamasqua goodies, but not their full product range.)  So, I made the pilgrimage to Chicago to see this stuff for myself.

Oh, the joy and excitation--just look at all that stuff! Surely this place would have something that matches my skin tone.

This picture was taken from the Kryolan site.  Go check it out!

Oh my goodness.  These hallowed halls have not one product that matches my skin, but five! Can you believe it?  Five options for this significantly lighter than NC15 girl!  Somewhere in my inner consciousness I can hear Count von Count counting each one and laughing delightedly.  

I only bought three, but I'll be heading there again soon, since my face tanned a bit from sailing so much recently.  No worries, though--I'll return to my pale complexion in the coming months.

From left to right:
1. UltraFoundation Cream in Fair Olive
2. HD Micro Foundation Cream in #205
3. DermaColor Setting Powder in Light*
4. Bobbi Brown Face Powder in Pale Yellow*
5. DermaColor Camouflage Creme in D1W

*Note: Numbers 3 and 4 are reviewed here.

1.

UltraFoundation Cream in Fair Olive

I can't say enough good things about this product.  UltraFoundation and I were meant to be, and I can't imagine wanting to wear anything else.  Finally, I have a foundation that has buildable but natural coverage, that doesn't dry my skin out, and actually matches my skin tone perfectly!  As an additional bonus, this stuff doesn't irritate my acne issues, and it isn't scented.  This is the holy grail of foundation.  

Like the UltraFoundation, I use a foundation brush dampened with water to apply this to my face.  I don't know why it works better than a dry brush, but it does.

The one caveat about this stuff is that while it stays on better than the Micro Foundation, it still needs to be refreshed mid-day.  Really, though, what makeup doesn't need some tlc during your lunch break?

The packaging isn't as attractive as the Micro Foundation, but its increased functionality makes the aesthetic sacrifices worth it.  The top screws on and off, so getting into the makeup takes almost no effort.  I rarely leave the house without this in my purse.

2.

HD Micro Foundation Cream in # 205

This stuff is nice. It has a very fine texture, and is meant to be worn for high definition TV work. I find that bright lighting can make this stuff look pretty luminous, so don't overdo it. I put it on with a foundation brush dampened with water, and am amazed at the coverage every time. I like that the product isn't scented. This shade is a bit pinker than I normally would like, and it requires relatively frequent reapplication, so it isn't my favorite.

As for the packaging, it is very pretty. The cream comes in a silver metal container that has the Kryolan face on the top--very chic. However, I find it quite difficult to open.

5.

DermaColor Camouflage Creme in D1W

I have never used a more highly pigmented makeup product.  I got this to use as a concealer under my eyes, but it does a good job other places too.  This stuff can cover anything up--even black tattoos. Like the other cream products I've reviewed, it has a creamy consistency that works best if you warm it up a bit on the back of your hand before you apply it.   Like the previous two products, it isn't scented.  I'll definitely purchase this again.

Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System

Choices, choices...

Clarisonic Mia           vs.            Olay Pro-X

      I had been thinking about getting myself a Clarisonic Mia for a while, but was on the fence. I hadn't been convinced it was as great as people said it was, especially for the price.  I had decided to get one after trying my sister's over the holiday break, when I got this little gadget as a stocking-stuffer.  I was not impressed.  I didn't believe something so cheap and low-tech could compete with the sonic powered Mia.  I spend some of my free time shadowing in a dental office, and when we want to get our instruments clean we use a sonic cleaner.  I've seen it work wonders.  If you were to try to convince me you could do the same job as well in the same amount of time using a scrub brush, I'd politely say something with absolutely no meaning while secretely thinking you were hopeless.

      Since using the Pro-X for the last two months, I've come to a satisfying conclusion.

      The Mia is like this nice, new Lotus Elise.  It has a shiny, sleek exterior, and tons of research and work has gone into making it the best it can be. The price reflects that, and driving it will make you feel like hot stuff. However, it isn't going to do a much better job of getting you to your destination than something less flashy, say, this  Subaru Impreza.  The reason?  Limits.  In this case, speed limits.  You can break the rules and go faster, but there could be painful consequences.  And truthfully--the only reason you like the Elise is prettier and  you had to give up more to own it.  This is similar to the Mia vs. the Pro-X.

      Mia is great, and I feel that my time with her was too short.  Honestly, though, you can only exfoliate your face so much before things begin to go downhill.  I'm not trying to remove contagious disease transmitting crap from my face.  I just want to slough off the dead cells whose time has passed without getting carried away.  The Pro-X allows me to do that, while still feeling proud of myself for reigning in my compulsive spending.  I recommend you try it.  I use it in the shower every day, and that, combined with my Missha BB Cream, has kept the desert from overtaking my face for about a month.