Beauty Product Reviews | Page 4

Glowing, healthy complexion

This serum has a beautifully light, watery texture that absorbs into the skin very quickly. Texture-wise, it is a pleasure to use as it never pills nor creates issues with products applied over the top. Immediately, it has a soothing effect on my irritated, combo/dry skin (exacerbated by tretinoin use). It does offer some hydration but doesn't have the plumping effect of a good hyaluronic acid serum. The most notable difference I see is with my complexion, which now has a lit-from-within glow from this serum. After a few weeks of use, I couldn't put my finger on why my skin looked better, but I eventually realized my complexion looked more healthy and radiant. If you didn't know better, you'd think I was well-rested and eating a very healthy diet. I couldn't speak on the effect with firming, elasticity and collagen production after finishing one bottle but I'm tempted to continue using it to see the long-term effects with the peptides and exosomes in the formulation, which are supposed to have more growth factors than stem cells. I apply this morning and night as the first step after toner. In the evening, I apply this before tretinoin and the rest of the serums.

Ultra-hydrating and nourishing

Most sheet masks start to dry out after 15-20 minutes, which is why the directions generally say to leave it on for that suggested length of time. This mask has the same instruction, but I find that it doesn't seem to dry out even after leaving it on for 30+ minutes. I know not everyone would even want to leave a sheet mask on for that long, but it just goes to show how hydrating and moisturizing this mask is. It is a two-step mask with an ampoule that you put on before the mask. Both products contain humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and propanediol, which will drench the skin in hydration. The star ingredient, propolis, extracted from the substance bees use to create their nests, has many benefits to the skin. It is an antioxidant that is both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. This will assist with wound healing from breakouts and protect the skin from oxidative damage. I only use this ampoule and mask when my skin barrier is quite impaired, as in dehydrated, dry, and flakey skin. I like having the option of leaving it on for longer than suggested to soak the skin with hydration and nourishment. This is perfect after a chemical peel to help with the healing process. I follow up with a moisturizer after the mask, which is all the skincare I will need that night. I'm glad I found this recently, as it has come in handy as the temperatures drop and my skin is getting more tight and dry.

Calming and Soothing

This mask is such a treat pretty much all the time, but especially if the skin is sensitive or irritated. It has a jelly/cream texture that glides onto the skin to provide instant relief. If your skin is very reactive or dry, you may feel a very mild sting upon application, but that will dissipate quickly once the mask works its magic. I have a once-weekly masking session, where I start with an acid peel, followed by a clay mask, and then end with this mask to calm and soothe the skin after those two treatment steps. This is also wonderful as an overnight mask. It forms a breathable film over the skin and does not feel sticky after it dries down. This product has no synthetic fragrance, but you get a mild scent from the natural plant extracts in the formulation. The texture is so cosmetically elegant that it is a pleasure to use.

The Perfect Compliment for Retinoid Use

If you use retinoids, either over the counter or prescription, I recommend pairing them with this product. Bakuchiol has calming properties to help the skin tolerate retinoids better. I use prescription tretinoin 0.1% and find that after incorporating this serum, I'm seeing less dryness and flakiness. Dare I say, I wake up with balanced skin that has gotten a great overnight treatment with no irritation. Moreover, bakuchiol also helps stabilize retinoids by helping the ingredient work longer before breaking down in the presence of light and air. The ingredient is supposed to be a natural alternative to retinoids and provide similar results long term. In my greedy little mind, I use them both to supercharge the benefits I get from retinoids. This is a very lightweight watery serum that sinks into the skin very quickly and provides a layer of hydration. I apply this after my toner step and before tretinoin. The results have made this an essential step in my routine that enhances my experience with tretinoin or other retinoids.

Can't live without for getting ready

I've tried quite a few other light-up makeup mirrors in the past, but none of them come remotely close to this. Those mirrors were more affordable, but the size was always too small, and the quality of the light was always lacking. When I first received this, I was overwhelmed by the size and wondered if I needed something this big. Even if you sit close to the mirror, it will reflect your entire head and upper body. My vanity isn't huge, so I honestly thought I made a mistake at first. I soon found that being able to see and style the entire length of my long hair made this so worth it. Not to mention the lighting is just perfect; slightly on the cool side so that it approximates daylight, except you can control the brightness! The added brightness allowed me to see every potential flaw with my makeup so I could fix it. Keep in mind that if you're on the brighter settings, it will show more than the average person can see in real life. The icing on the cake is the magnetized phone holder. I can watch videos as I'm getting ready.

Melds makeup into a flawless finish

The spray on this puts out a super fine mist and never spits out globs of setting spray that ruins your look. It helps to meld all the makeup on the skin into a flawless finish. If I apply too much powder, a few spritzes of this will immediately take down the powdery look. It keeps the makeup looking fresher for longer and prevents the foundation from breaking up on my combination skin. I find that it does help extend the longevity of makeup, although not as well as the Skindinavia Setting Spray. I spray this after I've buffed out the entire complexion with a finishing powder and the entire look is perfected, radiant yet skin-like. It does give a slight dewy finish, but nowhere near as much as I've seen with other setting sprays like the beautyblender Re-Dew Set & Refresh Mist. If I have time (and remember to), I will use this as the first setting spray for the flawless finish and then set again with the Skindinavia for longevity. It sounds a bit extra, but this technique gives the most airbrushed yet long-lasting finish. The spray does have a fragrance, but it is pleasant and not bothersome. I could only purchase the small size at the time as the 100ml size had been sold out for some time. Now that it is back, I will definitely be snagging a large bottle!

Soft, sophisticated shimmers

This palette is full of beautiful one-and-done shimmer shades that aren't the most pigmented, but this isn't necessarily a drawback. The shimmers in the palette are very refined and catch the light beautifully in a natural way. You won't get those blinding shades you can see from space, but that is not the aesthetic here. Now that I'm in my 30's, I've grown an appreciation for softer, natural makeup looks. To be honest, I was not impressed initially, but I found myself using it more and more. The texture of the shadows is quite interesting. They're packed firmly, but you can easily pick up the colors with a brush or finger. There is very little if any fallout with these shadows. They blend effortlessly, and the subtle pigmentation allows you to build up the color, so you are never at risk of overdoing it. Glad to have this in my collection; it is truly lovely.

Silky smooth, glass-like finish

I’m not sure how Sisley made this magic happen, but this is the thinnest, lightest, and most slippery/smooth oil I’ve ever used. I have been loyal to the Oribe Gold Lust Hair Oil, which has an elegantly light and non-greasy finish. This oil is somehow even lighter and thinner. It honestly feels like each strand is lightly coated with the most reflective and silky smooth oil I have ever come across. Because it is so light, the hair is never weighed down even when I reapply the next day. There is a light herbal scent to the oil that is very pleasant but not quite as strong as the Oribe Gold Lust Hair Oil scent. One pump dispenses less than a dime size amount of product, which is enough even on my long hair. I was hesitant to purchase due to the price, but I find myself using half the amount of oil as I would with the Oribe. After styling my hair and applying this, I couldn’t believe how polished my hair looks. My hair also tangled way less than it usually does give how long it is. This helps prevent breakage from mechanical friction as the hair strands are basically gliding against each other. The product is a dream, and I would definitely repurchase it.

My go to tool for de-puffing!

I've used facial rollers in the past but never felt like they made much of a difference. After trying this facial roller, I figured out a way for the tool to work for me. The other facial rollers I've used in the past were all too fragile for me to apply pressure to the skin with the rolling motion. This one is way sturdier, so I was able to press it into the skin while rolling. What a difference a bit more pressure makes! I can feel all the areas on the face holding tension, especially the jaw and cheek. If you're familiar with using a foam roller on sore muscles, this is the same concept for the muscles in your face! I was able to release so much of the tension I was holding, and it is a very relaxing experience. I do this along with my nighttime skincare routine and when I wake up in the morning, my face is noticeably less puffy, and my jaw area is more defined. I recommend rolling from the center of your face and outwards towards the lower part of the ear to help with lymphatic drainage. You can use the smaller roller around the more delicate eye area. Another benefit of the rolling motion as opposed to scaping gently with gua sha is that you can use this after applying all your skincare, and it will not disturb or make any of the product pill. I always keep the tool in a zip lock bag in the fridge, so it provides a nice cooling effect.

So easy to use

This beautiful blush palette has many shade options that can be easily mixed to create custom shades. It applies effortlessly with the Sonia G Mini Base or the slightly larger Classic Base. The product can be stippled onto the checks in a stamping or patting motion, and it diffuses very quickly. The best part is the finish makes the cheeks look supple and healthy. Some of the lighter shades create this lit-from-within blush effect that is very youthful. The staying power is excellent as it does have a good grip on the skin without being tacky. It sits well over any foundation and even works over powdered skin. The only complaint is the lid is not super secure, but I haven't found any of the shades to dry out after over 6 months of having the product opened.