Friday, October 29, 2010

Report Card - Antioxidant Serum

Well I have a new report card to hand out and I am sad to report that I find this product to be a hard to grade item.


Kate Somerville Total Vitamin Antioxidant Serum - $65 for 1 oz.
(Sephora and online at Sephora.com)



I was turned on to this product by a lovely Sephora associate. She took notice of my large shopping bag and my fair freckled skin and just knew that I was ripe for the picking.

Now all of you BGNDers know that I love the high end as well as the cheap - and while I was in the market for a new antioxidant serum to add to my morning routine- I was not just gonna plop down a cool $70 for 1 oz of product. (Even if it did come from the lovely Kate Somerville - a skin genius.)

So while I did not buy this product when first introduced to me many many months ago - I finagled a rather large sample. After using the sample everyday for about a month (I told you she gave me a good amount) - I was convinced this was worth an actual purchase so off I went to help that one gal's commission for the day.

So now here I am, a few months of use under my belt, the entire bottle completely dry and my thoughts on the matter - ehhh.

That's right - I give this product an "ehhh".

For those of you that don't know what that is - think of your lovely husband saying "Hey honey, aren't you excited to see my boss and his wife tonight? You guys are great friends!" To which you think...."ehhhh...she's okay but it is Saturday and I was hoping for a hot date."

Yup - this product is ehhh.

Now to be fair - the main reason I think this product is just blah is because I think it is not for my skin type (although it claims to be for normal to dry skin).
I think on the right face - this would be a good product. (Not great - just good.) For me - it really didn't do anything.

The Positives
- Chock full of the good antioxidants you need and want to fight those evil free radicals
- Nice opaque bottle so the lovely vitamin C inside doesn't lose its mojo
- Lovely smell (not so of all antioxidants) and texture
- Quickly absorbed and leaves nice finish on skin - no grease, no sheen, no weird pastiness

The Not so Positives
- Not a great product for those that have anything less than combo to oily skin
- For a product that touts major sun damage reversal - after 3 months of daily use - I saw nothing - and I am a majorly freckled woman!!
- Price

So now you may look at these positives and negatives and wonder what I am thinking? Well for me - the negatives definitely out way the positives. What good is a product if it doesn't work? Even if food is made with the best ingredients - sometimes it doesn't taste that great...Hello - Top Chef?!

So my grade is this...

If you are older, have dry skin or serious skin damage - skip this.
I give it a C+ for your skin care needs.

If you have oily skin or are just starting to see the signs of damage - try it but don't expect a miracle.
B/B+ at most.

Like I said - even if I had the right kind of skin for this product - I am not sure it would do what it promises...and at $65 a bottle - that is not worth it.

Keep looking fabulous!

BGND

P.S. One disclaimer - when I was using the sample it was summer - perhaps my skin was a bit more oily and reacting better to the product....so if you are set on this item- perhaps use this in summer and switch to something with more moisture for the winter...just a thought....

Friday, October 22, 2010

Decisions Decisions

Doesn't it sometimes feel like we are all always looking for that one perfect product? I have one friend who is always buying new blush- striving for the perfect glow. I have another friend who has a trash can filled to the brim with discarded mascara in search of the best lash. And of course- the ideal concealer is something that eludes many.

Well lately I have a new product I am constantly hunting. For the first time in my life - I need foundation. Now truth be told, I have dabbled with foundation in the past. But I have always been lucky enough to use it only on special occasions or for when I really wanted to look polished. However with my twenties further and further in the rear view mirror - the reality is that my skin needs a little help.

Now mind you, I know that I am lucky. For the most part, I am not dealing with super deep lines or sun spots or acne scars or any of the other myriad of skin issues that women face. My biggest issue is splotchy skin. I crossed 30 and all of a sudden I was a little more red around the nose and a little uneven overall. Suddenly, my usual powder and concealer combo was not working. It was time for something a bit more serious. I have used mineral foundation in the past and had great success but I am feeling liquid is my future.

So here I am - in search of something that will allow my skin to show through but will still even me out.

The first thing I purchased was this...


Stila One Step Correct - $36 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)

I have been using it for a couple of weeks. I like that it is a primer that addresses many skin issues. However, I am not totally impressed. I think that there are better primers out there for less money. I don't feel it evens me out all that much and while I do like the moisturizing feel - I am not loving its work on lines or pores. Regardless, I am willing to stick with this primer for a bit longer. At least until I can see what this primer mixed with the right foundation accomplishes.


Now for the real issue....

The reason I am in a deep quest at the moment is because I cannot get my hands on this....


My long time favorite. But Prescriptives, alas is no more and my shade of Traceless is sold out on line and everywhere else I have checked.



So in a quest to find a new fave for natural coverage - these are the two new foundations I am going to try:


1 - Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15 - $45 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)


This little bottle promises exactly what I am looking for - "invisible, lightweight coverage that looks like skin, not makeup." If that statement is true - I have found my new best friend.
My second option if good ol' Bobbi Brown fails?

2 - Smashbox High Definition Healthy FX Foundation SPF 15 - $38 (Sephora and online at multiple sites)



I love Smashbox and am currently a huge fan of this...so I have high hopes for this foundation as well - even though I am going to give Bobbi Brown the first draft slot.



So wish my luck BGNDers....and tell me what products are you constantly hunting for?

And of course - check back in with me to see how these foundations held up....

Keep looking fabulous,
BGND