Temptalia

Speed Skincare Reviews featuring Sol de Jeneiro, Tatcha, Drunk Elephant, Farmacy, Clarins, Kiehl's, Biologique Recherche

Christine — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 20:00:00 +0000

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel ($52.00 for 1.69 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a hydrating serum that uses the following ingredients (as called out by the brand): Pro-Vitamin B5 for “attract[ing] and hold[ing] hydration to skin,” Pineapple Ceramide to “help boost luminosity and improve the appearance of skin texture and tone,” sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer for “intense hydration,” and “watermelon rind/apple/lentil complex” for “up to 24 hours of skin hydration.”

It had a clear, gel-like consistency that spread easily across the skin, and one to two pumps was all I needed to get enough product for my entire face and part of my neck. It dried down quickly, never felt tacky or greasy, but it definitely kept my skin hydrated throughout the day. I noticed the effect of it more when I used a more lightweight moisturizer in my routine (rather than a moderate to intensive hydrating one), but even when I was using a richer moisturizer with it, B-Hydra never felt like overkill or made other products feel greasy or heavy. I often use this one at night and occasionally in the morning if I’ve done a number to my cheeks through swatches. It is also nice under makeup when one needs more hydration but doesn’t want to use a heavier cream. I didn’t notice any scent to it.

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM400 ($66.00 for 5.1 fl. oz.) is a marginally gentler version of the brand’s long-time favorite P50, which I have used (and I really enjoyed but prefer the PIGM400 slightly). One of the big “wins” is that the PIGM400 smells less abrasive (less vinegar-like) compared to P50. The scent hasn’t bothered me (even in the original formulation), and I don’t find it lingers. It’s supposed to “exfoliate, hydrate, and balance the pH of the skin” and is the “prep step before any skincare.” It is an exfoliating toner that uses the following active ingredients: “Alpha-Hydroxy-Acids, Australian Finger Lime Extract, Beta-Hydroxy-Acids, Poly-Hydroxy Acid, Phytic Acid, Levulinic Acid.” I find it works really well for keeping my skin smooth with a better overall tone–less ruddiess, less hyperpigmentation, and just a more even tone. It was one of the few products that I felt made a measurable difference in my routine, which is obvious as I’ve gone through almost two bottles, and this post is reminding me to pick up a new bottle as my current is getting low!

It’s available in three sizes; the one pictured here is the medium (5.1 fl. oz.) size, which lasted for around four months for me.

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream ($45.00 for 8.1 oz.) is a very rich, heavy cream with an equally heavy fragrance (described as “pistachio-caramel,” though I get creamy, sweet and fruity, beach and sand kind of vibe from it). It had the kind of scent that I could smell at any given moment during the day and many hours later. It’s not my favorite scent (personal preference), though my husband likes it and can always tell when I’ve used this cream. I would highly recommend ensuring that the scent is up your alley before splurging!

The cream absorbed within five to ten minutes as long as I was very sure to massage the cream in for a few minutes until I could no longer see the cream on my skin, but just lightly rubbing or massaging (as I do with most other creams!) wasn’t sufficient and just left the cream sitting on top of my skin. It hydrated well and the effect lasted without needing to use it daily, but I did not notice any firming or smoothing of skin.

Sol de Jeneiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel ($25.00 for 13.0 fl. oz.) is a frothy, cream body wash that kept my skin lightly hydrated and never left my skin feeling stripped. I liked it, but my husband loves it; the household has gone through three bottles of it. The body wash has a light-medium, creamy texture that lathers up well without being too frothy nor requiring too much product for total body cleansing. I need a lot more hydration for my body, since I’m terrible at consistently applying body moisturizer, so while it didn’t dry out my skin and may have marginally hydrated it, it was just a nice effect but not a significant one as it was not replacing any step in my routine. For me, it has been an indulgence and not a must-have.

It has a strong scent, which the brand describes as “pistachio-caramel,” and it absolutely lingers throughout the day, though it is subtle and doesn’t seem to interfere with the scent of a perfume if I wore one on top. That is by design, so if scented body washes aren’t for you, I’d skip this one.

Tatcha Violet C Radiance Mask ($68.00 for 1.7 oz.) is supposed to be an “anti-aging” mask that brightens and improves skin texture and tone. It had a light-medium weight texture that was creamy and spreadable on the skin; it was easy to apply a thicker layer but equally easy to go for a very thin layer. There was a subtle, berry-ish scent that I barely noticed–only when I initially opened the jar and started to work the product across the skin was the scent present to my nose. I’ve used this a dozen times now, and I never notice anything significant after using it — at best, slightly more hydrated skin that feels a bit pampered, but I don’t get brighter skin, didn’t see an uptick in evenness or texture (but I would say my skin is fairly smooth normally with only some unevenness in tone). It was a very comfortable mask to wear, easy to wash off (as directed), and definitely didn’t hurt my skin, but I didn’t personally see enough benefits to repurchase it.

Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil ($48.00 for 5.1 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a “two-in-one makeup remover and cleanser” that will break down “even waterproof makeup.” I know I tried this a couple of years ago, but it didn’t register as more than a blip on my radar at the time. My sister raves about it, though, so I figured I’d give it another try and picked it up whenever I last indulged in Tatcha products. I liked it, and I felt it did its job well–it broke down all of my makeup, whether waterproof mascara, full coverage foundation, or red lipstick–without leaving behind any filmy or greasy residue. There was a light, clean, floral scent that I could barely detect personally.

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask ($56.00 for 4.1 oz.) is supposed to hydrate and smooth the skin that has a warming, tingling effect as one massages it into the skin that is noticeable for about ten minutes (in my experience). Per the brand, the mask should be left on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off and can be used two to three times per week. It had a sweet, honey scent and had the consistency of a smoother, less-sticky jelly that turns into a creamy, white consistency after being massaged onto the skin.

It was a strong enough warming, tingling sensation that I think that has to be an effect one enjoys in a mask to consider this product. The first time I used it, the effect was a bit too uncomfortable for me, and I removed it after five minutes, but subsequent uses were more tolerable. It took me a few uses before I was able to figure out the right amount of product to apply as well. One of the neat aspects about the product was actually in the packaging: the included, metal spatula stuck to the jar, which made it easy not to lose it! The mask itself is not one I’d use right prior to an event but a day or two ahead as prep for an event, as it did leave my skin slightly redder initially, but the next day, my skin did seem brighter,slightly glowier and plumper overall.

Clarins Fix’ Make-Up (2017) ($29.00 for 1.7 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a setting spray that “keeps makeup looking freshly applied for hours” while also “moisturi[zing] and sooth[ing]” the skin. The mist is particularly lovely, as it was ultra-fine and never spit onto the skin with big droplets, and the fineness of the mist seemed to cover the skin more evenly than less fine mists do. I felt like it extended the wear of my makeup by a couple of hours–not the most intensive, most effective setting spray–but it also was one of the lightest, least detectable (weightless and natural in feel after it dried down) setting sprays I’ve tried. Like most setting sprays, that mist also helped to tamp down any excess powderiness and breathe a little life back into the skin for anyone who has a tendency toward mattifying products.

Kiehl’s Crème de Corps ($48.00 for 16.9 fl. oz.) has been a long-time favorite for me–almost a decade of love!–and I might have reviewed in the past, but I have newer photos and did intend to review it at some point, so let’s do a speed review of it! Over the last couple of years, I have found that squalane is particularly effective for me for keeping my skin hydrated, so it didn’t surprise me at all when I saw it as the second ingredient (right after water) in this formula, as it has served me well over the years.

It’s a light-medium thick lotion-cream hybrid–it absorbs faster than most creams but is heavier than a true lotion formula–that dries down to a non-sticky feel, starts to smooth and hydrate the skin immediately and keeps going all day long. There’s no lingering greasiness, which makes it comfortable to wear, even if I slip on clothes before it’s fully absorbed into my skin. There doesn’t seem to be any added scent; it smells a bit like almond and cocoa butter to me, so it just smells like an unscented cream might to my nose (a lot like an unscented lipstick smells of its waxy base). It’s a go-to when I don’t want any additional scent on my body or if I plan to wear perfume, so I can get my hydration without altering my scent of the day.

Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream ($22.00 for 6.8 fl. oz.) is a product a picked up on a whim as I’m a big fan of the original Creme de Corps body cream. It’s a more expensive body wash product, and I felt like it was most “worth it” when I felt drier, particularly for legs and when I shaved them, as it did seem to make them a bit smoother and less scaly post-shower (without using anything else). There seemed liike a slight, hydrating film left behind post-shower, which may not be for everyone (it didn’t feel bad or greasy to me, though). To cover the whole body, a fair amount of product was needed, which again, made it a more expensive product that had a marginal, positive change on my skin but simply taking the time to apply body cream or lotion would do a lot more. It seemed unscented to me.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM400

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel

Tatcha Violet C Radiance Mask

Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask

Clarins Fix' Make-Up (2017)

Kiehl's Crème de Corps

Kiehl's Crème de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 PIGM400

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel

Tatcha Violet C Radiance Mask

Tatcha Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil

Farmacy Honey Potion Renewing Antioxidant Hydration Mask

Clarins Fix' Make-Up (2017)

Kiehl's Crème de Corps

Kiehl's Crème de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream

Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes Review & Photos

Christine — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes

Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes ($12.00 for 10; $22.00 for 30) are supposed to “remove color, replenish, and mattify.” The moistened wipe says it will “soothe and hydrate while removing your old lip color.” Even if this was an amazing lip color remover, it’s a product that really only makes sense in a more in-case-of-emergencies situation where you just have to remove your lip color on the go, but you’re paying for the convenience. I didn’t like the feel of the product, its efficacy, the size of the wipe, or the way it left my lips feeling after removing the color.

Each wipe is about 4.15″ x 1.65″ — it really is a lip wipe! — but the size is awkward to hold/use, because there’s not a lot of free edge for you to hold while removing the lip color. To remove lip color, I needed a few swipes — I find removal easier and gentler with Neutrogena’s and MAC’s Wipes (both the ones I have at home). I use MAC Wipes for removing lip color when I’m swatching, and it’s the best for removing stubborn lip color with little effort (or wear/tear on the lips), whereas this felt like it required more work and wiping. My lips felt dry (almost puckered–very textured when I looked at them in the mirror), sticky, and a little raw, after using, so it absolutely didn’t soothe or hydrate for me. The wipe itself was well-moistened, but it seems like it has more slip and a smoother surface, so it doesn’t grip the lip color and lift it off as effectively as other remover wipes I’ve tried. I used five of the ten wipes on various lip products ranging from sheer gloss to more opaque, tacky gloss to beige lipstick to deep red lipstick, and I used one on bare lips.

I think there’s room for the convenience of makeup removing wipes, but I’m not sure why these are so much more expensive than even mid-end full-sized, makeup remover wipes (MAC at $0.44/wipe, though if you buy the 100-bulk pack they are $0.29/wipe, Estee Lauder at $0.44/wipe). Bite Beauty’s product pricing is mid to high-end, so it should be priced similarly. Instead, they’re $1.20/wipe or $0.73/wipe if you purchase the larger pack (the larger pack would be more comparable to the $0.44/wipe packs from MAC and Estee Lauder). I think that even considering the individual packaging costs, these still seem overpriced (relative to Bite Beauty’s price point on other products) given that Bite’s wipes are much, much smaller and yet they’re 66% more expensive. Even MAC has a 30-pack demi-sized option for $10 ($0.30/wipe) for travel. The pricing on these reflects a higher-end, luxury price point, e.g. Koh Gen Do’s wipes, which work out to be $1.30/wipe (full-sized, though), which makes the pricing inconsistent with Bite Beauty’s product range. Note, I’m not saying these should be priced like a mass market brand’s wipes, but they should be more in line with brand’s pricing range, and it seems these fall outside of it.

I really enjoy a lot of Bite Beauty’s products, but this was a flop for me as far as the actual product went. It just didn’t remove lip color that easily, and it didn’t make my lips feel better, hydrated, or soothed after using. There was also a weird, sweet but chemical-y taste.

Lush Lip Wipes

PPermanent. $10.00.

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Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes

Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes Review & Photos

Christine — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes

Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes ($6.00 for 30) are designed for gently cleansing skin and “[reviving] skin and [removing] dead cells.” Pacifica says they can be used to remove makeup, but “[they] do not use chemical solvants, [so] they will not remove the most water-proof make-up.” I appreciate the honesty there, though I did use it to remove regular makeup and felt it did an excellent job moving all bits and traces of my foundation, eye makeup (including mascara), and lipstick. None of what I’ve worn is really waterproof (except maybe eyeliner), so whether it has a place in your routine will depend on whether you want it to break down waterproof makeup, too.

Each wipe was extremely saturated with cleanser, even though the package had been sitting face-up so the first wipe was the top wipe, which was still saturated and wet. A lot of times, I store makeup wipes upside down so that the first wipe you remove has been on the bottom staying its most moist, but with these, I didn’t need to do that. I’ve been using these here and there for the past three weeks, and I’ve used a third of the amount in the package. These also had a harder, plastic “seal” over the resealable plastic flap, so they should stay wet. They smell like lightly sweetened coconut, but the scent doesn’t linger.

At this price point ($0.20/each), they’re comparable or cheaper than wipes by brands like Aveeno ($0.28/each), Neutrogena ($0.28/each), and Almay ($0.24). Ponds has a value pack, which brings down the cost to $0.16. I normally use MAC’s Makeup Removing Wipes ($0.29/each), and I seriously have six 100-packs in my house at all times–they’re my go-to for removing swatches, but I can’t use them on my eyes often (on my cheeks and lips are fine), so I really like that I can use these all over.

Ingredients

Purified Water, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin (vegetable), Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Extract, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract , Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Extract , Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance (all natural).

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Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes

shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil Review & Photos

Christine — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil

shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil ($67.00 for 15.2 fl. oz.) is designed for combination to oily skin types as a cleansing oil that “effectively remove[s] make-up and ipurities … while maintaining the skin’s necessary moisture level.” It is “empowered with Sakura Complex” to “[minimize] pores by eliminating excess sebum and visibly [smoothe] the skin’s surface.” According to shu uemura, sakura leaf extract is “known to reduce inflammatory mediators that can cause skin redness” and “improve skin texture.” It also contains salicyclic acid and cherry extract. It is available year-round in a regularly pink-tinted bottle but has been relased in special packaging for the ob collection. It’s sold out (in this packaging) online, but if you are located where shu uemura is still sold in stores, you may find it locally.

I’m a big fan of shu uemura’s Cleansing Oils, and I hadn’t tried the Fresh Pore Clarifying formula yet. The last bottle I used was a limited edition bottle released with last holiday season’s wkw collection, which was the “White Recovery EX+ Brightening Cleansing Oil Advanced Formula” (which doesn’t seem to be available in regular packaging on the U.S. website). One giant bottle lasts me anywhere from four to six months. I didn’t love this one as much as the other formulas I’ve tried, because it is very thin–almost water-like in texture. The others were slightly thicker but not so thick that they felt oily or heavy, but this one is so thin that it took some getting used to. I needed to pump it into my hands over the sink, as it would leak through my fingers or pump beyond my hands and get onto the counter/in the sink. I just never noticed this as an issue with the two or three bottles I’ve used previously (different formulas, all cleansing oils). The formula has a very light floral scent that’s pretty muted.

Aside from the consistency/packaging issue, the formula worked well to break down and remove makeup, dirt, and whatever else happened to be on my face. I take two to three pumps and then massage and work it into my skin, and then I rinse my hands under water and then work the oil into a small lather. After that, I rinse my face with lukewarm water and pat dry. I never experience any oily residue, no squeaky clean/tight feeling, or have issues with my eyes clouding during the rinsing process. shu’s cleansing oils are definitely a go-to for me when I’m wearing a full face of makeup, because it gets it all off and I don’t need to follow-up with another cleanser.

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shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil

NARS Gentle Cream Cleanser Review

Christine — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 19:36:11 +0000

NARS Gentle Cream Cleanser

A Truly Gentle Cleanser

NARS Gentle Cream Cleanser ($29.00 for 4.2 fl. oz.) is supposed to be a “gentle, non-drying cream cleanser with a luxurious lather designed to pamper the skin while washing away makeup and surface impurities.” NARS says it is best for normal, dry, and seasonally dry skin, and it is “synthetic fragrance, paraben, and alcohol” free.

I’ve been using this for the past two and a half months as my morning cleanser (though I have also used in the evenings on occasion). It’s lightweight, incredibly gentle, non-drying, and a little goes a long way. I don’t even think I’m half-way through the tube, even though I consistently use it every morning. It lathers up quickly, but it’s not at all drying. I tend to have normal-to-dry skin, which is more normal than not during the spring/fall, but it gets drier as we head into winter. What I like most about the cleanser is really how genuinely gentle it is; there’s no stinging or burning sensations if this gets into your eyes at all. It doesn’t cloud your eyes or anything like that either.

It cleans well, and for something marketed as “gentle,” it is surprisingly effective at removing makeup. It won’t get long-wearing products off fully, but it did break down my liquid foundation well. I like how it leaves my skin post-cleanse, which is soft and supple–my skin never feels stripped or dried out. Given how long I’ve been using it, and how much is left, the price tag stretches out a bit.

I have one complaint, though, and for me, it’s enough to look for something else: the packaging. It looks sleek, and just looking at it, everything seems in order. Using it, however, is another matter. It leaks cleanser, mostly into the cap, but unscrewing the cap will leave you with half an inch of cleanser just sitting inside the cap. More leaks out as you unscrew the cap, so then the cleanser runs over and down the sides. A little goes a long way, and it’s hard to get just a little out, because it has such a fluid consistency. I feel like a lot of cleanser has gotten washed down the drain as a result, and it keeps the tube perpetually slippery and sudsy. It might be better with a pump or if you could stand it on the opposite side (the tapered end).

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed the cleanser itself, but the packaging made it hard to use and wasted product.

NARS Makeup Removing Water Review

Christine — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:00:51 +0000

NARS Makeup Removing Water

NARS Makeup Removing Water

NARS Makeup Removing Water ($28.00 for 6.7 fl. oz.) is touted as a “soap-free, oil-free, and alcohol-free water that removes face makeup and tones the skin.” It’s designed as a gentle formula that will remove makeup without requiring rubbing while hydrating skin.

This is a makeup remover that is best described as gentle, because that’s exactly what it is, but it’s gentle in every way–it’s not at all stinging, burning, or irritating against the skin, even around the eyes, but it doesn’t effectively remove all your makeup, though it specifically says “face makeup” and not “eye makeup.” Just so we’re clear: if you wear eye makeup, don’t expect this to do much in the way of removal. All it ever seems to accomplish is smudging everything around so I end up looking like a mutant. I absolutely would not use this for anything that says “long-wearing” on the label, including face products.

If you want it to remove light eye makeup, I recommend gently pressing the soaked cotton pad against the eye for 15-20 seconds before gently swiping the product away. You’ll get some, perhaps not all, of it removed this way. Since NARS only mentions face makeup, it seems like you would use something else for your eye makeup. It’s packaged in a clear plastic bottle with a flip-top that has a small hole so only a little comes out as you need it.

I’d like to think of this as a remover for gentle makeup; lightweight, natural, soft makeup. However you want to term it, it’s good for lighter makeup days. For me, it seems to remove face makeup as well as most facial cleansers are able to. It is very lightweight, doesn’t feel greasy or oily against the skin, and it leaves no trace of residue once it’s wiped away with a cotton pad. It really does have the consistency and feel of water. There’s no stickiness, dried, or tightened skin after use either. I need at least two cotton rounds in order to remove about 90% of face makeup.

It doesn’t remove makeup completely, so I feel like I need to use a cleanser afterward or yet another cotton pad. Instead, the way I found this product to be most useful was after using a facial cleanser, so it was only responsible for removing the last bits of makeup the cleanser missed. You can definitely use it before your cleanser of choice as well–I just like the visual of seeing the cotton pad just picking up stray makeup and knowing that my face is clean. It also means that I can better control how much product or how many cotton pads I use since this doesn’t eliminate a cleanser.

It’s a superfluous product in my night time regimen; it seems to be an extra step rather than a time-saver. It’s more like a toner in my routine–I don’t trust it to remove all my makeup, but I do trust it to remove the last vestiges of makeup my cleanser may have left behind (especially around my hairline and the edges, which I don’t push the cleanser around as much so it doesn’t get into my hair!). And if I’m going to use NARS as my toner, I’d rather use their Hydrating Freshening Toner, which is one of my favorites, and for me, hydrates a little better than the remover does. You can use this like you would a toner, however, so if you do include one in your regular routine, this could take its place.

If you’re a fan of micellar water removers, then you may enjoy this recently launched remover by NARS, which has all the earmarks of one (though I didn’t see NARS officially billing it as such). There are quite a few on the market internationally and a couple in the U.S., but this year has shown major progress with more U.S. brands launching their own versions. Bottom line: this will remove some but not every type of makeup, particularly longer-wearing products and heavier textured products, but it’s not designed to do much more than it does do, so it’s pretty good from that standpoint.

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Peg/Ppg-35/40 Dimethyl Ether, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium Edta, Cucumis Sativus [Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract], Chamomilla Recutita [Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract], Sodium Hyaluronate.

Temptalia

Speed Skincare Reviews featuring Sol de Jeneiro, Tatcha, Drunk Elephant, Farmacy, Clarins, Kiehl's, Biologique Recherche

Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes Review & Photos

Lush Lip Wipes

PPermanent. $10.00.

Quick Shop: Sephora, Bite Beauty, Sephora (CA)Sephora (CA), Sephora (AU)

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Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes Review & Photos

Ingredients

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shu uemura Fresh Pore Clarifying Gentle Cleansing Oil Review & Photos

See more photos!

NARS Gentle Cream Cleanser Review

A Truly Gentle Cleanser

NARS Makeup Removing Water Review

NARS Makeup Removing Water

Ingredients