The Returner Strikes Again

It's been a while since I've given you guys the low down on the products I've returned and why and that's probably because I haven't really purchased a ton of face products lately.

Well, that stops now because I have two face products to discuss today.

As you may be aware if you're a consistent reader of le blog, I've started a retinol product. I've been using it for about a month now, following the directions and starting slowly 3 times a week, then every other day and then now everyday, so my dry, sensitive skin can build up a tolerance to the retinol.

Well guys. I'm returning it. It's not just because my lips are CONSTANTLY dry and flaky, it's that I've seen my skin go through a straight up downward spiral. I have never been more broken out in my life. Some are actual zits, others are just bumps and really bad texture on my skin. So, uh huh, what the fuck Retinol, you're supposed to make my skin better, not make it look like I smoke meth. AND I even did a shit ton of research to find a retinol product that was made specifically for sensitive skin.

So here's what I'm GLADLY returning:

And I'll be putting that $58 bucks towards the Sunday Riley Lactic Acid Treatment:

I recently shattered (and it was totally unsaveable because I dropped it in my sink. And it landed face down. And my sink was wet) my setting powder. I used this one 👇🏼 :

and wanted to try something new because I realized it has a tendency to make my face look white in flash photography. And I remembered that a bunch of beauty bloggers I follow have used a powder foundation the color of their skin to set their makeup.

So again, did a bunch of research on a hydrating powder and came across this $49 Smashbox Hydrating Halo Powder:

When I first opened it, my initial thought was FUCK that is dark. And I should have known because I've noticed that Smashbox foundations don't have a ton of shades to begin with so they're all at least 1-2 shades darker than what other brands normally are.

So ok, I wasn't that mad about it because my face is actually quite lighter than my chest and neck. So I wore it and I REALLY liked the finish. It was in fact, the most hydrating, dewy powder I've ever used. I didn't think powder could GET that dewy. But it did and it does. However, the reason I'm returning it is because when used to set my tinted moisturizer, you can really tell I have makeup on. I am a big fan having my makeup look like actual skin. And this looked like I had makeup *on* my skin. And I don't want to use it as a powder foundation (the way it's supposed to be used) because my skin is so dry that I need way more moisture than it can provide.

So, I'm going to purchase this Laura Mercier Translucent powder that every beauty blogger uses and raves about but I have yet to try, instead:

But guys, I'm telling you. If I don't love the Sunday Riley serum or this powder, I'm returning those too. I'm pride-less like that.

Returning is basically like getting a gift card with money you HAVE to spend, right?