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

Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum Light Wrinkle Plumper Review & Photos

Christine — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum Light Wrinkle Plumper

Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum Light Wrinkle Plumper ($165.00 for 1.6 fl. oz.) is supposed to hydrate skin while minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. According to Guerlain, after 30 hours, 72% hydration and 27% reduction in wrinkles were apparent. It is also supposed to be a lighter version (in terms of texture) of their Super Aqua-Serum, so it is more suitable for normal to combination skin types.

In the late spring and summer, my skin tends to be closer to normal than normal-to-dry (just as in the winter, it is drier rather than normal), so I reached for this when I needed something in the evening. I liked it a lot, and a lot of what I loved came from two things: 1) the fine lines around my eyes (which are, at present, my “major” signs of aging) look softer the next morning after using this on a consistent basis, and 2) the texture is incredibly lightweight and thin but not watery or runny. The texture is thin, like a lotion, and absorbs very quickly (within a minute of applying).

It is actually very hydrating–so hydrating that I really didn’t need to use a moisturizer afterwards, but you may find you can stretch a bottle further by using and applying it as a serum (so less, or only on some areas) and following up with moisturizer. I also tried it as more of as-needed product for near fine lines, around my nose, and the tops of my cheeks (all areas I tend to be a bit drier), and it worked nicely as a spot hydrator. It doesn’t top my go-to for dry spots, but Guerlain’s has a nicer texture and faster absorption (and will work better under makeup). It has a floral fragrance–not the strongest I’ve come across, but it’s not light; it’s on par with Guerlain’s skincare range in general and strong enough that there is a lingering scent even after it has absorbed.

The benefits last about as long as you keep using the product, but it’s not correcting signs of aging, just camouflaging them by “plumping” the lines so they look less visible. It worked well for me, and it did all the things it was supposed to, and it did them with a really lovely, quick-absorbing texture while still delivering great hydration. That being said, a good smoothing primer (usually something with silicones in it) can also work well for smoothing out fine lines–at least for a few hours (as compared with a day or so with this). While I liked it, I’m not sure it’s the one and will continue to see what else is out there before committing to this price point. (I’m also not very bothered by the fine lines I do have, so naturally, I’m less inclined to pay a lot to minimize something I don’t notice often.)

See more photos!

Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum Light Wrinkle Plumper

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster Review

Christine — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 20:00:13 +0000

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster ($48.00 for 1.0 oz.) is described as “a high-potency vitamin C complex that prevents and corrects signs of aging while promoting brightness.” It contains 10% vitamin C. This is supposed to firm, smooth, feel weightless, absorb quickly, and provide “instant and long-term hydration.”

I had enough trouble with the packaging that was enough to make me hesitant to repurchase this in the future, even if it turned out to be a really good product. It’s great that it’s packaged in a glass bottle with a pump dispenser, and it is slim and travel-friendly from a size perspective (but it’s glass, so it’s much more fragile). The problem was with the pump–it pumps out far more product (I’d say almost twice the amount) than you really need. I always ended up having so much excess that I was still looking for places to apply it after my face and neck (and I don’t think my neck needs any brightening serums right now).

UPDATED @ 6/9/2012: The folks at Ole Henriksen sent me a replacement bottle after reading this review, and I absolutely wanted to update this post to update you on my packaging woes. The bottle I have now is infinitely better! A full pump is certainly too much for me, but you can easily control how much you pump out. I was able to go a quarter, halfway, or three-quarters of the way. I’m really glad they fixed the packaging problem, and it was actually a problem and not a feature! (e.g. Benefit Stay Don’t Stray didn’t really acknowledge it as a problem and tried to “teach” us how to tap the pump with a video even) It’s also really awesome to see a brand keeping tabs on what is being said about their product range.

It’s just a product where a little goes a long way, particularly because of how easily spreadable the liquid is. It’s very water-like, so it just slides and covers well without needing gobs of it. I often had the product harden in the pump as well, which meant that when I went to pump it, not only did I get too much, but it flew to parts unknown (OK, the counter top, my eye once, but you get the picture!). I went through a 1 oz. bottle in about three weeks of morning-only usage.

The Truth Serum smells like orange citrus, not overly sweet but definitively orange-like, so it’s pleasant, subtle, and doesn’t linger for long. Like the brand promises, it also absorbs incredibly quickly (that’s probably my favorite characteristic). I saw some brightening and evening out of my skin tone. I know some people have recommended using this alone, as both a serum and a moisturizer, but Ole Henriksen suggests applying face/eye cream after this (per the brand’s website). If you have oilier skin, you could more likely get away with it as a two-in-one product. My more normal-to-dry skin needed this plus a regular moisturizer.

With vitamin C products, you have to watch for whether it includes a stabilized form of vitamin C, which this does in the forms of sodium ascorbyl phosphate and calcium ascorbate. Sodium hylauronate is an excellent hydrator, which is likely one of the reasons that those who need less hydration can get away with using this alone. The product has a lot of excellent, good-for-your-skin ingredients, and the best part is that they’re listed in the beginning of the ingredient’s list–not the end!

For me, I did not have powerful enough results to merit $48 every three weeks, but brightening can be difficult to “see” and gauge, especially when after only three weeks (but I had no more!). It gets a lot of rave reviews (and a friend’s raves is what made me want to try it myself!), though, and with the strength of the ingredient list, I’d still say it’s worth checking out.

Ingredients

Water (Aqua), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Calcium Ascorbate, Sorbitol, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Euphrasia Officinalis Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Oleth-20, Hydroxyethylcellulose, PEG-12 Dimethicone, Benzophenone-4, Sodium Hyaluronate, Thioctic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Fragrance (Parfum), Yellow 6

Renee Rouleau Skin Drink Serum Review, Photos

Christine — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 10:00:10 +0000

Renee Rouleau Skin Drink

Renee Rouleau Skin Drink

There is something to be said about trying a multitude of products from a variety of brands, because it gives you a better appreciation for the qualities that make products great, good, just okay, and skippable. I originally reviewed Renee Rouleau’s Skin Drink ($33.50 for 0.50 oz.) back in 2008, but I’m reviewing it again here today after recently testing it. Skin Drink is a serum with hyaluronic acid, which is supposed to hydrate the skin. This is actually a product I keep in my carry-on for flying, because I find it so lightweight, refreshing, and effective in a short period that it works well for traveling. It also includes allantoin, which is a botanical extract with supposed calming properties.

It feels like a cross between water and a gel; it’s nowhere near as thick as a gel, but it’s not quite like water. I use two pumps for my face, and depending on how dry my skin is, I might use it in the morning or evening. I use it before and after traveling, and I find that my skin reacts much less to changes in climate since adding this to my travel routine. The serum smoothes across the skin easily and absorbs instantly–no greasiness, burning or stinging sensations. It’s gentle and soothing, and it helps my skin get through winter when a moisturizer I’m testing out isn’t cutting it.

Renee Rouleau Skin Drink