What beauty product worked well on you that you didn’t think would?

Biologique Recherche PIGM400 – was skeptical, felt like it was an unnecessary step I was adding in the routine, but it is one of the few can’t-live-without skincare products in my routine now.

— Christine

30 Comments

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Abbey Avatar

I would give the same answer. I tried Pixi Glow Tonic, Clinique’s salicylic acid toner, and First Aid Beauty’s facial radiance pads, but none of them did anything significant for my skin. PIGM 400 makes a visible difference in how my skin looks and how my makeup applies, and I love it. Thanks, Caroline Hirons!

Anna Avatar

Hi! May I ask something? Have you tried applying it directly without the use of a cotton pad or is that a horrible idea? I’m trying to figure out if I can get away with smearing it on my hands and dapping it on.

Pearl Avatar

I use the P50 1970 and I don’t use anything other than my hands to apply it. I splash a few drops in my palm and then dab and pat over my face with just my hands and fingertips. I did it that way at the time because I had these crappy little cotton squares that seemed to disintegrate after 2 passes on my face so I just decided to that use it as a splash-on toner and have been doing it that way ever since. Whatever is left over I rub onto the back of my hands.

Abbey Avatar

I buy it from Rescue Spa online (shoprescuespa.com). You have to create an account, but then you can buy any of the products they carry. I’ve ordered from them three times now, and have always had my orders packaged well and shipped quickly, and they’re generous with samples.

SoSuSam Avatar

I purchase mine (I’m a long-time fan of the original 1970 P50, but they carry all of the options) from the Paul Labrecque salon (www.paullabrecque.com). Like Rescue, you must create an account, but beyond that it’s easy and they’re pleasant to deal with. Lots of samples with orders, too. 🙂 (I don’t have any affiliation with Paul Labrecque, fyi.)

Wednesday Avatar

Hi Tammy! I use the smallest amount and nothing like what you see on youtube.. a pea sized amount. I dab it on the back of my hand and then dot little tiny bits where I need it; nose, corners of lips, chin, and under my eyes and then use my fingers to blend it out. I’m ususally finger adverse, but I feel fingers work far better than brush because I find the product spreads and works into the skin with the warmth.

As my prep I use ceramidin cream all over my face (it’s spring, but still bloody cold here) and including under eye and then I use NYX eye primer just under my eyes. Another commentator here turned me onto this and it smooths the area out nicely, lends nice hydration . I use the smashbox spray primer for my face. Obviously these prep steps first, I’m backasswards this a.m. ?

AB Avatar

Cle de Peau concealer. I thought it would probably be fine but one of many ‘just fine’ ones out there. But it’s fantastic — outstanding coverage, not too thick or drying, blends beautifully, great packaging.

Alisha Avatar

A few products marketed or labeled for dry skin have worked on my combo/oily skin, particularly in the winter when it’s not as oily/sweaty and humid out. On a side note, Christine have you tried any of those silicone foundation applicator things? They appeal to me because I hate cleaning foundation brushes cuz they are never clean enough and look like they would help use less product due to reduced absorption of the applicator.

Pearl Avatar

I’ve tried the Silisponge for applyjng foundation. This was last year when it first came out, so there may have been a few iterations since then. I didn’t care for it. I don’t use very much foundation so by the time I would get to it with the patting motions or what not, it had already set a little bit; it didn’t really do much for sheering out or blending. Maybe if I used more foundation, I wouldn’t have had that issue but I gave up after a few uses and have gone back to just using my fingertips. Not sure if this will make a difference but I used a satin finish foundation as opposed to luminous.

Rachel R. Avatar

Most recently, Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze. I picked it up on sale a few days ago, but when I swatched it, I was afraid it was too orangey-gold and shimmery. On the face, though, it totally works for pale skin. I don’t use it all over my face, but just where the sun would hit first.

Eslor Firming Collagen Day Cream is another. Other firming creams did nothing, but I got a small jar of it a few years ago in an Ipsy bag, and it was amazing.

Nancy T Avatar

Sunday Riley UFO. I got talked into it as a Sephora “point perk”. Thought that the very idea of using an oil to control breakouts and reduce pore size sounded like just another bad joke and a $ grabbing scheme. But it *worked*! And like nothing else had ever done so previously. So, of course, when Beautylish had their 25% off sale, I bought the full-sized bottle.

Deborah S. Avatar

I picked up the Drunk Elephant TLC Babyfacial and have been enjoying that. It leaves my skin brighter, smoother and really soft. I feel like I have gotten better results from that than the Hanacure mask I purchased. Of course, I am going to finish using the Hanacure because at that price I will use every drop.

Christine, I am curious about the Biologique Recherché PIGM400. What does the product do for your skin and how have you measured the success of the product? From other responses it sounds like it is an acid exfoliator? I continue to use Good Genes, Pixi Glow Tonic and their Serum also. I am always looking for a new skin product that hopefully works better than what I am using, LOL.

On-line it looks like they make a variety of products for many different skin problems. Has anyone tried more from the line than just the Biologique Recherché? I always mix and match and have seriously never used an entire product line but often wonder if that is a mistake as ostensibly they should work better when paired with other product formulated to work together?

Pearl Avatar

I use the milk facial cleanser and the 2 masks also. My skin is soft and smooth and dewy but not oily or greasy (I used to have quite oily skin, congested with tiny lumps and bumps here and there). My skin tone is even and glowy and (I think) my skin looks ‘balanced’ – not a very clear descriptor I realize, but I don’t have any unevenness or redness now and it just looks like normal face skin. I feel like I could get away with no foundation and no highlighter and just concealer and I’d still look radiant. I use the P50 1970 lotion also, which is probably responsible for much of the change, though.

Linda Avatar

Bad Gal Bang! Got a sample and had low expectations based on the reviews…but it’s my new favorite. Been a Rollerlash fan for years but this is even more natural and doesn’t smudge as much on me.

Genevieve Avatar

Oils – I wasn’t sure how they would work on my skin, as I had major irritation with Rosehip oil, due to its natural fragrance. But argon oil and chia seed oil is a game changer for my face.
Another beauty product that I didn’t think I would use much, and indeed waited a long time to get it, was UD Naked 1. Now I love it and use it nearly every week.

Lea Avatar

I can think of a few things, but the most dramatic would be Neulash. I was definitely skeptical of a product that was trying to compete with Latisse and whether it would work, but it definitely does and I’ve been using it for years now. The other can’t live without items that I initially wasn’t sure if they’d do much have been Good Genes, Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Hydroxy Peel Pads (I started both of these just before the big push towards acids over physical exfoliators) and SK-II Essence. These are all must have staples for me.

Kat Avatar

My Clarisonic. I just didn’t think it’d make $169 worth of difference but I got one as a Christmas gifts years ago and honestly, I cannot go without it! If I skip it for a few days, I start to feel the dead skin just pile up and the whiteheads start popping up like mad.

Z. Avatar

If a mask counts then the Aztec clay mask. I saw people rave about it but also heard that it can be painful and make the skin very red. I have extremely sensitive skin and was skeptical for a long time that this would cause irritation and breakouts. I finally tried it and it is painful and does leave me looking sunburnt afterwards. However, if I do it right before bed, my skin has calmed down by the time I wake up and feels so smooth!

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