Hi, I'm Madeleine, and I'm addicted to Hautelook.
Now, if you don't know what Hautelook is, good for you. You have hope. However, I got hooked on Hautelook a while ago, and have spent a bit too much money since... and justify it because I'm saving money on stuff I "would have bought anyway..." Right.
For those of you who don't know what Hautelook is, it's a site that you have to sign up to join (no fee, though). Once you're signed up, you have access to flash sales from certain brands that can range from drugstore (think ELF and NYX) to high end (like Diptyque - yes, I went crazy on that one, too...). These brands are on HL for a few days, and products are usually discounted heavily. Like 50-70% off. They kind of trick you though, because you only have fifteen minutes to keep things in your cart and pay for them. And I don't know about you, but the impulsive side of me can go a bit crazy and buy things that I don't probably need just yet... I can't handle the pressure, ok??
Although Hautelook sells everything (kids', men's, women's, and home fashions), they have an amazing beauty section. Guess where I get into trouble. Just guess.
So the first time I went on Hautelook, they were having a flash sale for Mario Badescu, a brand that I had been dying to try. It's actually a pretty decently priced brand considering the quality of the products, and on sale, things were cheap. It adds up though, so careful. Just breathe.
Now this was my first time trying MB skincare, so I went in blind. I ended up picking nine *slaps myself in the face* things that looked good to me. Oops...
Since Mario is making another appearance on Hautelook at 11 am (or 8 am for y'all on the West Coast) Tuesday, I thought I'd share with you my picks of the bunch so you don't have to go in blindly like I did. And just a tip for Hautelook, make sure you see their upcoming events in case there might be a brand you're interested in. The events you want may overlap, and you won't have to make a bunch of separate orders just because you couldn't wait. Also, shipping takes FOREVER, so be prepared to wait up to five weeks to get your things. Be warned, too, that you usually can NOT return beauty products to HL.
FINALLY... Here are my picks of what I tried from Mario Badescu. (Order from favorites to least favorite). *Keep in mind that my skin is oily with the occasional spot around that time and hyperpigmentation from said spots. What may work for me/not work for me may be horrible or amazing for you. Listen to your skin. Know what it likes.
1. Vitamin C Serum - LOVE
If I were to only get one thing from MB, it would be this. The ingredients list is amazing. It has propylene glycol which kills the specific bacteria that causes acne, it's super hydrating, and it's the best thing I have used for lightening dark spots (and I have tried EVERYTHING). This serum will last you forever, and it's cheap (on HL) and amazing. Just do it.
I think I've raved about this stuff a couple times in videos, but I love this stuff. It's hydrating, soothing, and just overall very pleasant to use. I use it as my second toner step to add moisture into my skin, and if my makeup's looking heavy or if I feel dry throughout the day, this sets it all straight. I lurve it.
3. Buffering Lotion - LOVE
If you get cystic acne, this stuff is a godsend. Just shake it up, dab it on those painful pimples, and let it do its thing. I don't know how it does it, but it stops the pimple from coming up altogether (if you catch it early) or it makes it come up as a whitehead that's easy to get rid of in a few days. It's magic. Only downside is the packaging. It kind of just lets the product run out everywhere. But this stuff will last you forever. A little goes a long way.
4. Ceramide Eye Gel - REALLY LIKE
I just tried this stuff recently, and I already really like it. It's a very thick gel (not heavy/greasy/oily, just a stiffer gel, if that makes sense)that gives great hydration back to the eye area. It doesn't feel oily on the skin. Just really soothing and good. Also, a little goes a long way. Great bang for your buck.
5. Glycolic Acid Toner - LIKE MOST OF THE TIME
I am a bit undecided about this product. When I first started using it, I thought it was irritating and drying, but now that I've stopped over-exfoliating my skin, this has been really nice, and I really like it. Why I maybe wouldn't buy it again in the near future? I find it's really great for two things: getting rid of flaky skin and dark spots. That's it. If you have active breakouts, the only thing that will help is something with BHA (salicylic acid). BHAs are the only acids that can actually get into the actual pores to clear out sebum and other nastiness. AHAs (acids that come from fruits, sugar, milk) only exfoliate the surface of your skin. So next time I get a toner (which will be a while, because this bottle is HUGE (16oz)), I'll maybe go for one with BHA as opposed to this one. Or one with both acids.
6. Drying Lotion - LIKE, but wouldn't repurchase
This is probably one of Mario's most famous products, and it's definitely what I was looking out for when I saw that this brand was going on Hautelook. Sorry to break your hearts, but this will NOT clean up your pimples in one day like they say. Sorry, hun. It helps, definitely, but it only works on whiteheads, and I'd give it two or three days still to take care of the problem. As you probably know, you don't shake the product, but rather dip a cotton bud into the bottle and pick up the clay at the bottom. Then you dab it on your face and look like the little kid with chicken pox whose mom went crazy on him with the calamine lotion. You will look like a pink spotted freak for the night. I prefer a clear acne gel for those little pimples, thanks. This also has sulfur in it, so it's going to smell a bit rotten-eggy. It's not like this is a bad product, by the way, but I just prefer my Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask as a spot treatment. It works fast, it's clear, it's more multi-use, and it smells divine.
7. Drying Cream - MEH
It's supposed to treat under the skin zits, but really, all you need is the Buffering Lotion and the THRM. The end. This isn't that special. And it's sulfur-y.
8. Silver Powder - MEH
Another raved about product, and I know what it should do (clear up blackheads), but it doesn't really work for me. Everyone's different! I, again, just love my salicylic acid instead. And this is messy. Powder will get everywhere. I promise you.
9. Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 - HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE
This is the only MB product I tried that I actively hate. It's greasy, slippery, goes horribly under makeup, and after all that? It doesn't even hydrate. And it smells like flowery sunscreen. I cannot express how much I hate this. Even if you have dry skin, this won't do anything for you. It's so bad. Like really. Trust me. If you like this Peter Thomas Roth moisturizer though, this is the same thing but cheaper and flowery smelling. But I hated that one, too. Just DON'T.
So in general, Mario Badescu products are really good for the money. They're simple and mostly very effective products. I will definitely try more in the future (and get them cheaply from Hautelook). I hoped this cleared up things for those of you who are interested.
Subscribe to my youtube channel for more beauty tips (and lots of skincare talk)
Subscribe to my youtube channel for more beauty tips (and lots of skincare talk)
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