New Ioma Counter

 Beauty Blogger, Event Coverage, Face, facial cleanser, HoustonFashionBloggers, Ioma, Saks, skin care  No Responses »
Mar 112013
 

I had the opportunity to visit the brand new Ioma counter inside Saks in the Houston Galleria Mall a few days ago. I’d never heard of the brand, however they’re really big overseas. The company started in 2000 and was soley geared towards dermatology. In 2009, they branched out into cosmetics. This counter is actually the 4th to open in the U.S. Ioma is exclusive to Saks.

20130311-233022.jpg

20130311-233251.jpg

20130311-233339.jpgThe name Ioma is A moi backwards or if you looked at it through a mirror which means it’s mine. We should be able to look at our reflection in the mirror and feel proud to say that’s my beautiful skin. :-)

When I got to the counter, I was expecting a rep to show me a couple of products and maybe a quick demo, give me some general info about the company, and that was all. Boy was I wrong. I received a thorough skin assessment, background information on the company, and a wonderful facial! Ioma is unlike any other cosmetic company I know.

2013-03-07 17.23.59Above is the Ioma Beauty Diag machine
BeautyByLeRenda sitting at IOMA

I had the chance to meet with Ioma’s global trainer manager, Audrey, who came from Paris to train the staff here in Saks at the Galleria. She gave me historical info on the brand and explained to me how Ioma identifies 7 different skin concerns that have products assigned to address them.

  1. Dry Skin
  2. Fine Lines
  3. Wrinkles and Lack of Firmness
  4. Diffuse Redness
  5. Bacterial Infections
  6. Oily Skin
  7. Dark Spots

According to Iomaparisusa.com, there are 8748 possible combinations that can be made to the specific skin concerns of their clients. Wow!!!

Kathy, the regional coordinator, described Ioma as “High Technology meets dermatology and cosmetics”. I would absolutely agree with this description.

For my demo, we began with a summary of the company. Then she used the Beauty Diag to accurately determine my skin type. She also asked me about my skin and the concerns I have. Now, if you know me or have followed my blog for a length of time, you already know that my major concern is oiliness. We went through the assessment anyway.

2013-03-07 17.20.17Here is Jessica, Saks Ioma worker, using the Beauty Diag for my “before” assessment.

2013-03-07 17.22.57

2013-03-07 17.31.54

2013-03-07 17.33.25

2013-03-07 17.34.22

2013-03-07 17.34.49

2013-03-07 17.34.55 2013-03-07 17.37.23

2013-03-07 17.38.54

2013-03-07 17.44.37

Very surprisingly, it turns out that my skin is dehydrated and actually a lot more dry than oily. Under the oily section, the Beauty Diag showed my skin to be normal. Who Knew???

After finding out my skin concerns, I received a list of recommended products to address those concerns. Instead of the workers just giving me the list and sending me home, I got to go to the very posh spa area of Saks and received a facial with Ioma products to help my problem areas.

2013-03-07 17.48.14

2013-03-07 18.42.382013-03-07 18.42.42 2013-03-07 17.48.26

While Audrey performed my facial, the ladies working at the counter sat in to observe. Afterwards, we all returned to the counter to see the progress.

2013-03-07 18.48.18

 

2013-03-07 18.50.05

2013-03-07 18.51.47

2013-03-07 19.08.17

Here we are together. The fact that I’m standing tall and proud without any makeup in the Galleria says a lot!! There was definitely an immediate change in my skin. As a result of the facial, my skin was smoother and a bit brighter due to getting rid of the excess dead skin cells. For the record, I wear makeup everyday and I especially try to look nice when I’m in the Galleria because you never know who you might run into. I was very comfortable in my skin ( I know that’s such a cliche’ but it was true).

Since Audrey and Jessica used the Beauty Diag to assess my skin, I didn’t experience the Iomasphere. It’s really not necessary to do both. The Beauty Diag provides a microscopic view of your skin and is more detailed. The Iomasphere provides a macroscopic view by using a camera. I was still curious how it worked, so the trainer and Jessica showed me how it’s used.

2013-03-07 19.17.15

2013-03-07 19.17.19

2013-03-07 19.18.36

2013-03-07 19.20.20

2013-03-07 19.20.32

2013-03-07 19.25.46

This is the scanner that is connected to both machines. It prints out your results as well as product recommendations. You can also pick up a product and scan it to find out what it’s used for. Pretty cool. :-) Ioma uses cloud technology to store the database for clients’ info. This is nice because if I go to New York and can’t remember what products were recommended to me, they will have all of my info. :-)
2013-03-07 19.13.18

Okay, so if you read this entire post, you should have gathered by now that I’m very impressed with this company and I’d definitely recommend it. I love the fact that you have so many options to address multiple needs of your skin. Prices range from $60-200 which is very reasonable considering the advanced technology used to individualize your skin concerns to the products.

 

 

Loreal Magic Perfecting Base Review

 Face, Inexpensive Products, Kroger's, Kroger's Grocery Store, Loreal, make up remover, Makeup Application, Oily Skin, primers, product review  No Responses »
Feb 272013
 

Loreal perfecting base I purchased the Loreal Magic Perfecting Base last month when I saw it on sale at Kroger’s grocery store.  I’ve had my eye on this primer since 2011 when I saw my friend and fellow Makeup Artist Jennifer use it for a photoshoot.  The reason I hadn’t purchased it sooner is because it was a bit pricey.  Before last month, I hadn’t seen it cheaper than about $13.  That’s a lot to me, for a drugstore primer that I haven’t used before.

Loreal Primer on Krogers shelfHere’s a picture of it on sale at Kroger’s.  I started to get 2 of them, but since I hadn’t used it before, I decided to wait and try it out first.  I ended up waiting too long to try it and by the time I went back, the sale was over. :-(  I’m not sure why it was a close out sale because the product hasn’t been discontinued.  I even checked the packaging and it was the same as the ones that were regular priced.

Loreal Primer openedHere it is opened.  I like that it’s a pale pink color.  So cute and feminine. ;-p

Loreal Primer on handHere it is on my hand.  The consisitency is similiar to a thick gel.  When rubbed into the skin, it just melts and provides a barrier between your skin and the product. It feels similar to MAC Matte gel, but a bit thicker.

Overall, it’s not a bad product, especially for less than $7.  I wouldn’t say it’s the best primer I’ve ever used in my life, but I can tell the difference between wearing it versus when I don’t wear a primer at all.  My makeup blends better and my skin is definitely smoother.  I didn’t notice that much of a difference as far as controlling oil, but I don’t think this product is even geared towards absorbing oil so I can’t hold that against it.  Again, I’ll say I can notice a difference when I wear it versus nothing, but I do have to blot a few times throughout the day. I’m proud to report it didn’t leave a white film so it’s safe for women of color to wear without appearing ashy. *whew*

Even though I do like the color ( my favorite colors are pink and purple.)  I don’t like the jar.  I’d rather squeeze or pump out my primer.  Yes, I know with jars, you’re able to get all of your money’s worth by scraping everything out, but I prefer tubes and pumps because they’re more sanitary.  Unless I find it on sale, I probably wouldn’t buy it again.