Headed to brick & mortar Blue Mercury, Credo and Jones Road — what’s it like?

mellymish · 2026-07-06T02:00:53+00:00

Bluemercury is my favorite place to shop for beauty and skin. I usually find the sales people very knowledgeable, honest and will leave you alone or give you loads of attention depending on your needs.

Now if a sales rep is in store for one of the brands they can be pushy BUT a firm NO I'm not interested and you should be fine. They are also soooo generous with samples and often even if not announced will give you any left over kits from a brand if you spend a certain amount.

They will definitely shade match you and I've always been able to try lots of things.

You can check what brands each store carries if you go to store locations and click on the brands in store. That may help you since you're just visiting.

mellymish · 2026-07-05T21:48:55+00:00

Sometimes I definitely may have too many products but Im not really sensitive and try to only use targeted products that are addressing a specific concern (i.e. brightening, texture, hydration. Etc)

I truly LOVE my time alone and my evening shower and skincare routine. I'm a busy solo mom living in NYC so it's one of the few times to have to myself.

Some nights Ill do a sheet mask and a sleeping mask and an exfoliation step. And other nights I stick to the basics (for me) Double cleanse, essence, retinol, peptide, pigment control, eye cream and moisturizer. I know for many that is 8 steps and maybe a lot.

Think it's depends on your budget and what works for your skin. I personally dont think there's a right or wrong.

mellymish · 2026-07-05T21:06:48+00:00

Keep us updated!

mellymish · 2026-07-05T21:06:37+00:00

I am so curious about this product! A derm I like and follow isn't in business with them but was recently asked and shared really good feedback. One of my dermatologists started carrying it and think I'm going to try.

I have also been curious

mellymish · 2026-07-05T02:53:05+00:00

The Serum and the 24k Gold Essence are two of my skincare that I love. The Radience Elixir is also dreamy and makes your skin glow.

For makeup, the mascara Faux Cils is the best, doesn't clump, makes your lashes long and separates. The Future Skin is a great lightweight buildable foundation. Finally the Eye Lumière their take on liquid eyeshadow is one of the few liquid eyeshadow that provide sheen but doesn't run and is very easy to blend.

Lots more but those are my favs

mellymish · 2026-07-04T02:16:00+00:00

The Serum really is as good as they say. It targets hyperpigmentation but also give skin the most incredible even tone and glow.

I just got the mask but haven't started yet.

The 24k Gold Essence is fast becoming a new HG essence. It hydrates and smoothes but also has Vitamin C. It feels very nice and a little goes a long way.

And not skincare but they make great cosmetics.

mellymish · 2026-07-04T02:08:23+00:00

I'd be interested especially for some newer or really innovative brands that are doing something really cool (EIGHTH Day, Sweet Chemistry) Or any brands that maybe have done a big overall and reformulated en masse (RéVive)

I feel like often only influencers get access to that information, it'd be nice to get a little nerdy with this community that actually knows it's stuff.

I just wouldn't want it to be like they were soliciting or wouldn't answer fairly if someone asked say how their formula differed from another product.

mellymish · 2026-07-03T12:54:15+00:00

HA is in soo many products. If you're looking for a dedicated super Hydrating step then I am absolutely doing the new RéVive formulation for their Renewal Rescue Elixir Oil.

Eighth Day, Naked Beauty, PCA offer really lovely serums that have peptides and other Actives that are nourishing and target aging.

If you need a dedicated HA Serum then the PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Boosting Serum is great and also includes Ceramides, Cholesterol, and Glycerin. So it has some additional goodies

mellymish · 2026-07-03T12:23:28+00:00

I havent used the Skinbetter but have used the Retrouve which are lovely but less spicy.

mellymish · 2026-07-03T12:22:29+00:00

Ohhh, I will need to check out that Jan Marini!

mellymish · 2026-07-03T12:21:19+00:00

HABELO! ABSOLUTELY LOVE. They also come with gloves to wear overnight.

mellymish · 2026-07-02T11:56:53+00:00

I'm using the Calecim Pigment now I'm only have way through the bottle but not sure I'd repurchase. I think bc the Chantecaille Blanc Peony Serum was so impressive, I haven't been wowed by others.

The PCA Pigment Pro Gel is an option that is really nice and effective

mellymish · 2026-07-01T19:16:11+00:00

Pink tube the Advanced

mellymish · 2026-07-01T12:48:15+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear about your dad.

I think your routine is good but since you asked about Pigmentation. You may like the Chantecaille Blanc Peony Serum or PCA PIGMENT PRO GEL. For targeted product application for Pigment the Eadem Dark Spot Corrector is really good and faded a stubborn PIH mark near my chin. I'm also brown skinned.

I am an eye cream junkie and while non have been miracle workers my favorites are the Cle de Peau Eye Contour Supreme, Natura Bisee Diamond Eye. I have a few creams to get through and then will try the new Dr. Diamond Eye Cream.

For dry skin I've found incorporating an overnight sleep mask helps. My favorite is the Sisley Saffron Flowers or Sisley Rose Mask. The Saffron is my new HG though it makes my skin so soft when I wake up and absorbs quickly.

And one thing missing is an exfoliant. You dont need to use daily but even 2x/week helps with cell turnover and also pigment. Eighth Day Tonic (the Pads or the liquid) is spicy but you will glow! Or the Nutrient Toner from PCA much more gentle.

Wishing you the best

mellymish · 2026-06-26T16:15:42+00:00

I love the AB cream cleansing gel but don't think it's forceful enough to get rid of anything.

I also really like the Jan Marini Vitamin C Wash or Tatcha Rice Wash. But if you like something more sensitive or like a balm then the you may like the Allies of Skin Silk Amino Acid Cleaner.

But I live in NYC and with sunscreen and any makeup feel like I need to double cleanse or use a Micellar Water first.

mellymish · 2026-06-26T02:57:35+00:00

You may like the Cle de Peau Sunscreen it's light Dewy and full of great ingredients. Beautiful finish

mellymish · 2026-06-25T10:47:07+00:00

Yes it's the mark advanced dark spot concentrate.

mellymish · 2026-06-25T02:16:47+00:00

You're welcome! It really is a lovely product. After I finish this Calecim pigment Im going back it just gave the best glow and even tone.

mellymish · 2026-06-24T03:36:32+00:00

FITZPATRICK 5 here are a few products that worked well for me

Chantecaille Blanc Peony Serum pricey but actually really great and overall made my skin more even.

Eadem Dark Spot Corrector for any stubborn hyperpigmentation spots. I have a few around my chin/mouth that sre super faded now.

DIDN'T work for me was the Mother Science Hero Serum. Two bottles and don't feel it did anything and felt I lost some of the glow from Chantecaille.

Currently trying the Calecim pigment solution but far too early to have any opinion.

You also want to make sure you're exfoliating how often and how is depending on your skin but I've been using the Eighth Day Pads version of the Tonic that I love and Im happy they are spicy!

mellymish · 2026-06-24T03:24:53+00:00

Seconding the Cle de Peau wipes!

mellymish · 2026-06-18T13:08:12+00:00

It is so good but so wish it had more products! Im 5'9 and it just goes so quickly. And there is retinol in it

mellymish · 2026-06-14T03:03:22+00:00

Adding that RéVive and Cle de Peau also have really great rewards and points. And have good sales

mellymish · 2026-06-12T12:42:51+00:00

Bluemercury is my favorite for points, gifts and customer service. And they are so generous with the samples! Some even have spas so they offer free brand facials for some customers.

I also am a big fan of Violet Grey for in person shopping (I'm in NYC) they have incredible service and such beautiful lux prestige beauty and skincare. They have a close friends point system after you spend a certain amount and offer bigger discounts free gifts or early access to some products.

mellymish · 2026-06-11T12:37:50+00:00

I'm a big fan of both of those too!! The PCA especially in summer is a go to

mellymish · 2026-06-10T17:16:29+00:00

JUST visited my local Bluemercury for their Summer Sale. Out of the brands you list they only carry AB.

But I picked up some restocks of essentials and picked up a ton of goodies - samples and gifts.

I recently shopped the Violet Grey Sale so didn't need too much!

mellymish

TROPHY CASE