Fresh Soy Face Cream
Skincare: Fresh Soy Face Cream
Fresh Soy Face Cream
($38.00 for 1.7 oz.) is a lightweight face cream that moisturizes skin without leaving behind any greasy residue. To me, this feels and acts like a no-frills face cream, but it has a surprising amount of ingredients designed to hydrate and freshen the skin.
what it’s supposed to do: It is a paraben-free daily moisturizer for all skin types. It is enriched with moisture-retaining amino acids and protective antioxidants to hydrate and smooth the skin. Provides essential daily moisture while soothing, protecting, and firming the skin. It is scientifically demonstrated to have significant, long-term moisturizing and restorative effects on the skin. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula can be worn alone or under makeup.
It took me about a month and a half to get through an entire tube, and I used it as my AM moisturizer. My skin type is normal-to-dry, and when I was using this, it was early fall, so my skin was closer to normal. I found this kept my skin perfectly hydrated throughout the day, and I loved how thick and rich it felt when I first applied but then how quickly it absorbed.
There are a few ingredients in the cream that work to give skin a better appearance but not in the vein of delivering you newborn baby skin–it includes rosewater and cucumber extract, both of wihch help to balance/restore skin while calming irritation/redness. There is also meadowfoam and jojoba seed oils that amp up hydration. I felt like this came in handy after doing several cheek swatches–always made my skin feel better about itself.
ingredients: Water, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Stearic Acid, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Fragrance (Parfum), Polyglyceryl-10 Distearate, Sucrose Polysoyate, C14-22 Alcohols, Sea Water (Maris Aqua), Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Jojoba Alcohol, Potassium Jojobate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, C12-20 Alkyl Glucoside, Polyisobutene, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, Maltodextrin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Limonene, Linalool, Citronellol, Citral, Geraniol.
It has this fresh scent of cucumbers and rose with a little citrus. It smells natural to me–not synthetic, not flowery–and I liked it personally. It comes in a squeeze-tube, which I liked, because it made it convenient to dispense and hygenic to use.
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- Product: 28/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
final thoughts: I liked this a lot–I would definitely consider purchasing it again in the future. There was enough richness to keep my skin hydrated during the day, but it absorbed into the skin in a minute or less, and so it made for an excellent base under makeup, too.
where to buy: Sephora
Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Night Creme
Quick Review: Burt’s Bees Pomegranate Night Creme
Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless Night Creme
($24.99 for 2 oz.) is a rich, moisturizing cream that doesn’t actually feel rich or heavy or much like a cream at all. It felt more like a gel cream, because of the lighter texture and the cooling sensation (not tingly, just… cool). There is a noticeable but not overwhelming scent of sweet-tart berry and pomegranate that I don’t find heavy or cloying, but it is there.
Ingredients: Water, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Alcohol Denatured, White Birch Bark Extract, Acmellia Oleracea Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Sucrose Distearate, Fragrance (Parfum), Glucose, Sodium Chloride, Lactoperoxidase, Glucose Oxidase
I liked that it absorbed within three to five minutes and didn’t leave behind any greasy residue or feeling on the skin, which some heavier night creams can do. It kept my skin soft, smooth, and moisturized during the six weeks I used it (at this point, I had finished the jar). I think this is a great moisturizer for normal to very dry skin types, and it’s budget-friendly, too! Now, if only we could ditch the jar packaging…
Welcome to Swatch-all-idays! To start 2011 off on the right foot (or post, as it may be!), Temptalia is going through a backlog of products we have photographed, swatched, and often tested but in a slightly different manner. Quick reviews may be partially incomplete, such as a blush may only be swatched on the arm rather than shown on the face. It is our hope that what we are able to provide is still helpful!
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: It’s a nice option for a heavy duty moisturizing cream for night time that won’t feel heavy or greasy.
AVAILABILITY: Drugstore.com
MAC Complete Comfort Cream
MAC Cham-Pale: Skincare
There were two skincare products launched with Cham-Pale: MAC Complete Comfort Cream ($32.00 for 1.7 fl. oz.), which is permanent (except Asian locations), and MAC Fix+ Lavender ($18.00 for 3.4 fl. oz.), which is limited edition. This post is more of a photo post than a review, as I haven’t had the opportunity to trial either of these products as I would normal skincare products. I am not currently planning to review either in-depth, as my skincare review calendar has several other products already in line. (I also do not want to lead you on thinking you may see one in the near future!)
The Complete Comfort Cream is a thicker cream that absorbs quickly (about three to five minutes on the face), and it has MAC’s signature skincare fragrance, which seems to be a blend of subtle citrus and some kind of herbal hint–it’s pleasant and not overwhelming nor “perfume-y.” It is the same Comfort Cream originally part of Prescriptives’ line (and still technically available online at Prescriptives). Given the thickness of the cream, I imagine this is most suited for those with dry to normal-to-dry skin.
Fix+ Lavender is a colorless spray that has a strong scent of sweetened vanilla and lavender when sprayed, but the scent dissipates quickly (we’re talking seconds). I found the scent too strong; too much when spraying on my face, but when I sprayed it in my boyfriend’s face, he thought it was “nice.”
MAC Cham-Pale Collection is a limited edition launch (official information and photos here) that is set to launch in-stores on December 26th in North American, January 2011 for international MAC locations. The approximate launch date for online is December 24th. It features color products as well as a few skincare items.
Chanel Energizing Multi-Protection Cream SPF 15
Chanl Beaute Initiale — Is it love?
Chanel Energizing Multi-Protection Cream SPF 15 ($75.00 for 0.1.7 oz.) is a quick-absorbing moisturizer with a cream consistency but the feeling and behavior of a lotion. It is designed to be used daily to “keep early signs of age and fatigue at bay.”
I wanted to try this particular moisturizer, because I really enjoyed Chanel’s Ultra Correction Lift Day Cream SPF 15 ($150.00 for 1.7 oz.). Chanel has several different product families available in skincare, and Beaute Initiale seems to be their “entry-level” range. It also seemed like it would be a good fit for my skin and aging concerns (more about preventation than reversal at this time). Hydramax + Active seems like another alternative for getting your foot in Chanel’s skincare.
My Skin: I’m 24 years-old with some fine lines around my eyes, slight but noticeable lip lines when I smile. My skin type is normal-to-dry in the fall/winter and mostly normal in the spring/summer. I am acne-prone and suffer from minor breakouts that seem to be more hormone or stress related than anything else.
There were so many things I loved about this cream, but it just doesn’t work with my skin type (normal-to-dry). I need more moisture, and I found my skin felt parched after a couple of hours after using this. I think those with oily skin (but I would still recommend the Fluid for very oily skin types) could definitely consider this as an option for a daytime moisturizer. The cream dries down very quickly, within a few minutes, which is something I always keep an eye on when it comes to creams. Nobody wants to wait thirty minutes for their moisturizer to absorb!
It also spreads very evenly and well without leaving any streaks of white–it feels and looks like a cream, but the way it evens out so quickly makes it seem more like a gel. It dries down to a semi-matte, smooth finish. It is scented, but I found it pleasant–a fresh floral that didn’t feel heavy. I loved using it and wearing it for two to three hours, but for my skin, I need something heavier.
I’m not entirely sure why this isn’t sufficient, because I don’t have particularly dry skin, and there is a Fluid version (which I imagine is lighter and designed for oilier skin types). It is listed as a cream, so it should be heavier and more suitable for drier skin types, but it does not seem to be hydrating enough for my normal-to-dry skin, let alone dry skin.
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
- Product: 25/30
- Value: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend trying a sample of this for normal-to-oily and oily skin types. If you are oily or very oily, you may consider using the Fluid version, which comes in a pump and may be lighter (but I haven’t tried it myself).
AVAILABILITY: Nordtsrom
Shaun, aka The Tech Guy, aka my boyfriend, is here with another must-read “manly” review. He’s twenty-seven with normal-to-dry skin and suffers from no more acne (much to my envy!). This guy is all about GTL. Well, gym. And laundry. On occasion. OK, when he runs out of clothes!
Shaun enjoys long walks on the beach, vegging out on the couch watching chick flicks, and cuddling with Mellan. Or maybe not! He handles all the behind-the-scenes action here at Temptalia, from tech support to server woes to being my shoulder to cry on.
Some products are too over the top with their packaging, but this time we have the complete opposite. Packaging so dull that light can’t escape it. So lackluster that you nearly fall aslee…. What, huh?! Sorry, I was staring at the packaging and dozed off… Where was I?
Every Man Jack, which is one of the most ridiculous names for anything that I’ve ever heard is a serviceable Shave Cream ($5.99 for 6.7 fl. oz.), however, it cost me my marriage.. Intrigued?! I know I am!
I started using this stuff in the late fifties, when times were much simpler than they are now. They had Coke in glass bottles! Psh, plastic! How am I supposed to bludgeon anyone with plastic? I was using this cream, and it was going pretty well, aside from the fact that I’d get tired every time I looked at the bottle. Days passed after usage and I noticed that there was white residue in the sink. I would only see it at random because our sink is white and it kind of blended in with the scenery.
I started to harbor resentment: “I would never leave this muck in the sink! How dare she?!” I cleaned out the sink and gave the stink eye to Christine, but I didn’t tell her why. Weeks passed and the mysterious white residue kept reappearing. My rage was hitting its peak. There was only one thing left to do…. Murder!!! DUNT, DUNT, DAHHHHHHHHH.
I figured I would shave before the deed was done, one must always look presentable no matter how dirty the work is. I polished off a few Cokes and lined up the bottles ready for a good bludgeoning. While shaving, I noticed that it wasn’t Christine who had left the residue behind in the sink, IT WAS ME!!! PLOT TWIST! There was only one thing left to do. I took a Coke bottle and bludgened myself with it. An unfortunate ending to a tragic tale!
I’ve never really seen this type of thing before, but the stuff leaves quite a bit of white residue in the sink that requires a good cleaning, and hopefully doesn’t cause the downfall to your marriage like it did for me. I do, however, like this product. It works well, and there are no frills or anything that will slow you down, aside from trying to read the ingredient list. How does something so simple have such a long list in such a tiny font?!? BAH!
Recommendation: If you are buying your man shaving cream and he’s adverse to anything shiny, then this is the product for you. The bottle is so dull that instead of counting sheep you could count this bottle instead and never make it passed one. ZING!
Follow me on Twitter (@shauntechguy) and be amazed at my usage of words such as: bludgeon, bludgeoned, and bludgeoning. Also, we have a sweet Dog Blog at: Paws and Kisses.
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash
Quick & Clean with Kate Somerville
Kate Somerville Gentle Daily Wash
($32.00 for 4 oz.) is a no-frills cleanser for me. I really like it, because it just gets the job done quickly and effectively. I purchased mine several weeks ago via Gilt, when they had a Kate Somerville sale, so I bought the economy-sized 16 oz. bottle for $47 (regularly $95, from what I see on QVC).
Ingredients: Purified Water, Sodium Alpha Olefin (C14-16) Sulfonate, Cocomidopropyl Betaine, PEG/PPG-8/3 Diisostearate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Silicone Quaternium-8, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Salvia Offincinalis (Sage) Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Zinc PCA, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Chlorphenesin.
It’s a lightweight gel cleanser that has a light lather that smells a little like lavender and tropical fruit. I have no idea why I always get tropics out of it. Nobody else does, so I think my nose is engaging in some wishful thinking! It cleans effectively and quickly; directions state to work into moistened skin for thirty seconds and then rinse. There is no tight feeling left behind, and my skin doesn’t feel parched either. I just feel clean and refreshed!
For me, it does all the cleansing that I need. It gets rid of dirt and grime and any foundation/tinted moisturizer I’ve worn that day. This won’t breakdown heavy eye/lip makeup, but in my experience, gentle cleansers rarely do as that is not what they’re designed for. (I personally use something targeted for makeup to do a preliminary/makeup cleanse, and then follow-up with a gentler cleanser.) I was surprised it removed my foundation so well, though, but the toner-test (take a cotton pad with toner and see if your cleanser missed any makeup) showed nothing was left behind.
At its regular retail price, it’s a rather pricey no-frills cleanser. A little goes a long way, certainly, so I imagine this super size would get one through at least six months’, if not a year’s, worth of cleansing. The jumbo size also features a pump system, while the normal, regularly available sized cleanser comes in a squeeze-tube. I think I’d actually like the squeeze-tube better, even if it is easier to manage a pump with damp hands.
I don’t need a full pump’s worth, so I usually do about a half pump, but this has resulted in excess cleanser getting stuck in the dispenser and hardening a bit from exposure to the air. It’s easy to remove, but it’s a little annoying, too. (It’s kind of like if you squeeze too much toothpaste out of the tube–it lingers until you remove, and it’s not difficult, but it’s a bit frustrating.)
I do really like this cleanser in conjunction with the Clarisonic, though. It has just the right gel consistency and light lather that works well with the device! I will probably switch to another cleanser soon so I can test-drive something else, but I definitely see myself keeping and returning to this one at some point. If the boy doesn’t steal it and use it all up!
If you want to know more about how products are evaluated, read out Rating System FAQ!
- Product: 28/30
- Value: 7/10
- Ease of Use: 4/5
- Packaging: 4/5
RECOMMENDATION: If you have the dough, it’s a nice cleanser that feels gentle and does the job. But it’s not exactly revolutionary, and as much as I like it, it’s quite costly, even relative to other high-end brands of skincare.
AVAILABILITY: Sephora
