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

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.

Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist Review & Photos

Christine — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:00:38 +0000

Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist

Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist

Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist ($31.00 for 3.3 fl. oz.) is described as “a daily replenishing mist with the calming scent of lavender that tones and soothes the complexion. Ideal for dry skin types.” To use, shake the bottle and then gently mist the face (and closing eyes and month) “to fresh and tone.”

The real downside to this product without having even tried it? Alcohol is listed as the second ingredient, and alcohol-based toners often do more harm than good, as alcohol can be drying. I looked through the ingredient lists for some of Jurlique’s other Toning Mists and found alcohol listed in those, too — and it’s unfortunate, because this particular formulation is touted as hydrating.

Admittedly, I didn’t read the ingredient list before initially testing (lesson: don’t assume anything, no matter the brand), and after a week or so of using this before bed, I was wondering why the current skincare regimen I was using suddenly seemed less effective. This was the only product I changed-up, and my skin felt a little drier. It could be weather-related, too — I don’t think this product did all that much for me either way. Since my skin was feeling tighter and less hydrated, I stopped using it after that point.

The spray concept is interesting, but it doesn’t distribute evenly. If you spray from too far away, the air around you gets most of product, while if you spray too close to your face, then you end up with a lot of product in a small area. It feels refreshing when sprayed, particularly after a walk outdoors and the like, but a spray of cool or room temperature water will do the same. The lavender scent is very earthy and herbal, pleasant without being synthetic or sweetened.

See more photos!

Jurlique Lavender Hydrating Mist

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Toner Review, Photos

Christine — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 13:00:27 +0000

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Toner

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Toner

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Toner ($30.50 for 8 oz.) is a calming and hydrating toner that’s alcohol-free. Over the years, one of the musts in toner, for me, is to ensure it is alcohol-free, because toners that contain alcohol are often too drying and leave my skin feeling stripped rather than refreshed.

The Elderberry Toner is effective while being simple and straightforward. It removes any vestiges of makeup I might have missed during cleansing (particularly around the hair line), gives my skin a boost in moisture, and preps skin for my moisturizer. It never leaves my skin feeling dry or stripped, just clean, refreshed, and moistened. I’ve been using this at least once a day for the past couple of months, and I’ve used–at most–15% of the bottle. It’s actually cheaper and stretches further than one of my favorite toners–NARS Hydrating Lotion.

See more photos!

Renee Rouleau Elderberry Toner

MAC Cham-Pale: Complete Comfort Cream & Fix+ Lavender

Christine — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 23:14:31 +0000

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.

See more photos!

MAC Complete Comfort Cream

MAC Fix+ Lavender

NARS Hydrating Freshening Lotion Review, Photos

Christine — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:56:08 +0000

It’s a Toner, Not a Lotion (Part 2): NARS Hydrating Freshening Lotion

NARS Hydrating Freshening Lotion ($36.00 for 6.7 fl. oz.) is a water-based toner with a gel-like consistency designed to hydrate skin as well as gently exfoliate it.

When I was at NARS a few months ago, the artist was telling me about this magical toner that was really great for acne-prone skin. I was a bit skeptical, but every so often, an artist manages to convince me to buy something I had no intentions of getting, so that’s how I wound up with NARS’ Hydrating Freshening Lotion. Like the Clarins’ Super Restorative Wake-Up Lotion, “Lotion” means toner. It’s easy to use: just pump once onto a cotton pad and then use it on your face to remove any dirt and build-up.

One of the reasons I bought this was to help hydrate and exfoliate dry patches prior to applying foundation. It actually does seem to help hydrate and remove some of the flakiness on my dry patches and keeps the skin looking natural and radiant. This also helps to make sure I’ve gotten every last bit of dirt, makeup, and cleanser off of my face before I apply my moisturizer. (Seriously, the amount of gunk this product removes reminds me of the blackhead strips by Biore!)

Though a bit pricey, one bottle should last you a few months, if not more, depending on how often and how much you use per application. I find need about two pumps for face and neck on a cotton pad per application, so I expect to finish my bottle in the next month or so. I do believe Shiseido (which owns NARS) also makes a similar product, so if you’re a Shiseido fan, you may want to look in their line.

Product: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Ease of Use: 8/10
Packaging: 8/10

Recommendation: NARS’ skincare is underrated, in my opinion, because they really do have a solid line of skincare products that have never done me wrong–including the Hydrating Freshening Lotion!

Availability: Nordstrom

It's a Toner, Not a Lotion: Clarins' Super Restorative Wake-Up Lotion

Christine — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:05:48 +0000

It’s a Toner, Not a Lotion: Clarins’ Super Restorative Wake-Up Lotion

Clarins Super Restorative Wake-Up Lotion ($40.00 for 4.2 oz.) is indeed a toner. I must admit that I had to read the product’s tip sheet before realizing it was a toner and not a moisturizer. (Hey, I associate the term “lotion” with moisturizer, what can I say?) I will even go so far as to admit that I used this a few times as a lotion, but I am happy to report it did not cause any ill effects (e.g. breakouts). Funny enough, my skin didn’t feel like it even missed a moisturizer!

Which leads me to tell you that this is an excellent, non-drying, non-irritating toner that works well to re-energize the skin with the slight cooling nature of the product. The toner is a gel-based toner, rather than a liquid toner. Clarins recommends applying it with a cotton ball with “light, tapping movements,” and I’d say that’s a fair technique. You can substitute cotton balls with cotton pads or sheets as well.

Whenever I’m reviewing a product, I like to see what a company says about their products and what ingredients they tout as amazing, just because it helps keep me aware of what the product is supposed to do. Clarins lists the primary ingredients in the product as well as what they’re designed to do–something I like. Perhaps not always entirely believable, but I appreciate it nonetheless.

Pueraria Lobata – helps boost cell activity and collagen production, while soothing the skin.
Green coffee extract – rich in caffeine, energizes skin, helping it look more vital and radiant.
Ginseng root – reinforces energizing action of caffeine, adds vitality.
Oat Sugars, extracted from the plant’s seeds, work as a natural skin-tightening agent, and help smooth appearance of imperfections on skin’s surface.
Hibiscus extract – remove excess dry skin cells and brightens skin.
Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus) – helps eliminates toxins and reduce puffiness.

When applied, the product does feel a bit sticky, but it absorbs/fades within a few minutes, so it’s not a major concern for me, but it is a mild annoyance. My skin does feel clean and refreshed after using this product, and this toner is more about tapping it on than wiping away anything. I think this product is suitable for those with sensitive skin, but those with extremely sensitive skin may not find this suitable. It’s lightweight, goes on easily, and doesn’t leave skin feeling dry or tight.

Product: 8/10
Value: 7/10
Ease of Use: 8/10
Packaging: 7/10

Recommendation: Easy to use and effective are two great ways to describe Clarin’s Wake-Up Lotion (aka Toner!). It doesn’t strip skin of its natural oils or leave behind tightness (often confused with “clean”), which is something I consider a must-have in any toning or skincare product. The value is so-so, with $40 being a steep investment for a toner, but the bottle is large enough to give you approximately two months’ of use, perhaps more. It’s a good, solid toner, and Clarins’ fans will enjoy it.

Availability: Clarins, Nordstrom.com, Sephora.com

Anyone else try out this Clarins’ toner? Thoughts?

Acne-Prone Skin: Tone with Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion

Christine — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:30:46 +0000

Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion ($15.00)

After I use the Acne Facial Cleanser, I pat my face dry (with a towel used *only* to dry my face). I squeeze a little bit of the Special Cucumber Lotion onto a cotton round, and then I use apply it to my face. You basically apply it the same way you might remove makeup. I wait about 30 seconds or so, and then I splash my face with ice cold water.

The Special Cucumber Lotion is considered an astringent, which means it’s designed to dry up existing acne. It contains sulfur, which has been known to be used to help fight acne. I find this acts like my toner, and I like that it has alcohol in it, because it helps sanitize my skin. I don’t feel like this particular product is drying, either, despite having alcohol in it. It also doesn’t burn or sting on any healing or irritated areas on my face, which lends me to believe the alcohol content has been quite diluted (compared to grabbing your bottle of isopropyl alcohol from your medicine cabinet).

Again, Mario Badescu recommends that this product is best for combination and oily skin. I’ve had no issues with it drying me out whatsoever, and it doesn’t make my skin feel tight either. I don’t necessarily know if this is an essential step in my regimen nor if it’s actually doing the majority of prevention against acne or not. (It’s hard to know since I’m using multiple products as a system vs. just one product.) Like the cleanser, it costs the same and will last you just as long, so I’m willing to hedge my bets and keep using it.

Next to be reviewed is their famous Drying Lotion…