Project 10 Pans and Sample Challenge Update #4

It’s been ages from my last update. I can’t believe it took me so long to finally spend all of these products. However, I haven’t been as disciplined when it comes to the new purchases. I’ve got several nailpolishes and a primer. I’m also planning on a foundation purchase (even thought I have half a bottle of Clarins Everlasting and half a bottle of Dior Airflash) if the foundation I’m currently testing proves it is worth it.

Here are the original posts: Project 10 Pans, Sample Challenge

THALGO Moisture Quenching Mask Review

Thalgo Moisture Quenching mask is a moisturizing mask which should be applied in a thicker layer on the dry face, left for 10 minutes and wiped away with a tissue. I adore such masks as they visibly improve the appearance of the skin. Sisley Floral Mask is my favourite for the nights when I barely get 4 hours of sleep (and as the college workload piles up, those nights will be more and more frequent).

The full-size of Thalgo mask (50ml) costs arounud $30, but I have tried only a 5ml sample (which lasted for over 10 uses).

Unlike Sisley Floral Mask, Thalgo Moisture Quenching Mask is a thick white cream. It has a light smell, but it disappears quickly.

The mask is indeed rich – it feels very greasy on the skin, but it hasn’t caused any breakouts (I’ve used it twice per week for almost two months). It won’t sink into the skin immediately – sometimes it took almost half an hour for the mask to be completely soaked into the skin. You have to keep in mind that I never wipe away such masks – I prefer to leave it on overnight as an intensive moisturizing treatment.

Thalgo Moisture Quenching Mask really helps with my dehydrated skin – the skin feels soft and moisturized for days after using the mask.

While it doesn’t transform my skin like Sisley Floral Mask does, it is still very effective and much cheaper that Sisley.

L’OCCITANE Almond Milk Concentrate Review

L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate retails for $40. A jar contains 200 ml.

For the last several days, I’ve been using several samples of Almond Milk Concentrate, which I have managed to accumulate during time. So far, it seems like an amazing product.

Every sample has 8 ml, which was enough to use it two times on the whole body (and I’m pretty big). I don’t have an extremely dry skin, so I’ve been using it sparingly, but it was enough.

The cream is a bit thick (thicker than lotions), but it spreads easily and only small amount is necessary. It sinks in almost immediately, which is a big plus in my book, as I can immediately put the clothes on. Another plus is that it is not sticky at all and it doesn’t leave a residue which then washes of (those who have read Dove Body milk review know what I’m talking about).

Almond Milk Concentrate leaves skin incredibly smooth and moisturized. The cream has very light scent (the same as Almond Shower Oil), but it is milder and disappears after half an hour.

I absolutely love this product. It is light, yet moisturizing. The only issue is the price (while I have no problem shelling out $40 on an eyeshadow or a lipstick, I’m not so willing to pay as much on a body milk).

Overall: 5

L’OCCITANE Ultra-Matte Face Fluid Review

L’Occitane Red Rice Ultra Matte Face Fluid was one of the product on my Project  10 Pans list. I’ve only used 2 samples, each containing 1 ml of the product, but during this short period, this moisturizer really amazed me and so I’ve decided to write a review.

Ultra Matte Face Fluid comes in a 30 ml pump bottle which retails for $26 (22 euros). They claim that zinc rebalances oil production, while red rice vinegar acts as astringent and powdered red rice mattifies.The product is recommended for combination to oily skin-type.

This moisturizer really lived up to its claims. The texture is lightweight and it easy to spread. The only slight problem is that I have to use a lot more of the product, because it sinks immediately in the skin.

It has that silicone feeling that I hate in the moisturizers, but this makes it a great primer. I think that Ultra-Matte Face Fluid is a great alternative to the primers. The foundation spreads easily over the fluid and the fluid definitely prolongs the staying power of the foundation.

The fluid has a light scent – it smells as rice on milk, but the smell disappears upon application.

The product really does what it is supposed to. It is one of the best mattifying product I have found so far. It makes my skin matte for over 7 hours (and I usually get oily after two hours).

What really made me fall in love with this product is that, unlike Almond Apple Concentrate, Ultra Matte Face Fluid doesn’t make the skin dehydrated and I haven’t experienced any flaking. It really surprises me how something so mattifying can at the same time be so moisturizing. This is a great solution for those with oily but dehydrated skin.

Although the product is recommended both for oily and combination skin, I don’t think that the fluid wouldn’t perform as well on those with really oily skin.

Overall:

CARITA Ideal Douceur Masque de Cotton Review

Carita Ideal Douceur Masque de Cotton is a moisturizing mask which you do not have to rinse off. I like such masks very much, as I have found that they are ideal when my skin is particularly dehydrated. Such masks give an extra moisture boost and I usually see a visible difference on my skin. My favourite mask of such type is Sisley Express Flower Gel, but for the last month I’ve been using a 5ml sample Carita Masque de Cotton twice per week.

Full-size packaging of Masque de Cotton has 1.69 fl.oz. (50ml) and retails for $62 (37 euros).

Masque de Cotton looks like a really thick moisturizer. It has really mild, barely perceptible scent. The cream spreads easily, but it feels really heavy on the face. The instructions say that you should leave the mask on for 10 minutes and then wipe off the residue with a tissue. I usually don’t do this with Sisley Express Flower Gel because I prefer to leave the mask on during the night. However, I wash off Masque de Cotton, because it seems very rich. Even used that way, Masque de Cotton is really moisturizing and for a couple of days after applying the mask, my skin is considerably less dehydrated.

This is a great (and much cheaper) alternative to Sisley. It is not my HG, but I will certainly consider purchasing a full-size when I finish off Express Flower Gel

Overall impression:

AVENE Hydrance Optimale Legere Review

Hydrance Optimale line consists of 4 moisturizers: Hydrance Optimale Legere (for combination and oily skin), Hydrance Optimale UV Legere (SPF version), Hydrance Optimale Riche (for dry skin) and Hydrance Optimale UV Riche (SPF version). I’ve been using a 5ml sample of Avene Hydrance Optimale Legere for 15 days. Full size product comes in a 40 ml tube and costs around 17 euros.

The first thing that I’ve noticed is that the smell of this moisturizer reminds me of hospital – it is very medicine-like. It took me some time to get used to it and later it didn’t bother me since it disappears upon application.

The moisturizer is thicker (a bit surprising for a product for combination/oily skin) – I’ve been expecting the texture to be more lotion-like. Nevertheless, it spreads easily and sinks in immediately.

It is moisturizing, although since it is winter I could use a bit more moisture. However, it doesn’t make me oily and I could see it as my spring/summer favourite.

Now, the bad news: Hydrance Optimale Legere breaks me out. Very much. And I rarely break out – I mean, I can put a ton of Nivea Creme or Sisleya Global Anti Age (these moisturizers are really rich) and never get a breakout, and yet Hydrance Optimale Legere breaks me out. My skin is far from perfect, but I haven’t had such a breakout ever since my teenage days. Really a shame. I could ignore a minor pimple here and there, because the moisturizer is almost like custom created for my skin, but over 10 acnes appearing at the same time is a bit too much to ignore.

In spite of the breakouts, I won’t lower the grade too much because this moisturizer is indeed amazing. Just be sure to test it before making a purchase.

Overall impression:

L’OCCITANE Almond Apple Sweet Peel

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been testing several product at the same time: Carita Eau Lactee, Carita Masque de Cotton and L’Occitane Almond Apple Sweet peel. So far, I’ve only used up one sample packaging which contains 5ml. I have still two to go. One sample lasted for five uses (I’ve transferred it to a small jar).

This exfoliator has the same smell as the whole Almond Apple line, and I’m not a fan of the smell.

Almond Apple Sweet Peel is a very gentle exfoliator. The exfoliating beads are very tiny. I cannot see them, but I can feel them when I’m exfoliating. I like the size of the exfoliating beads, since I believe that tinier beads offer better exfoliation.

However, there isn’t a lot of exfoliating beads inside. I like the exfoliators which have tons of exfoliating particles. Almond Apple Sweet Peel has even less exfoliating beads than Shiseido Exfoliating Cleanser.

Since Almond Apple Sweet Peel is an exfoliator which should be used twice or thrice per week, I have expected stronger exfoliation. As it is, I think that I could use it daily, as the exfoliating cleanser. Nevertheless, I think this would be a great exfoliator for sensitive skin. It is not very harsh and I do think that it wouldn’t be irritating.

The full size exfoliator comes in a 100 ml (3.5oz) jar, which retails for $34 (25 euros). Price-wise, it is not too expensive, and it would definitely replace Sisley Creme Gommante as my HG exfoliator if it were a bit stronger.

Overall impression:

CARITA Ideal Douceur Eau Lactée Milky Water Review

Carita is not a widely known brand, and sometimes it seem to me that it is very underrated. I often get the impression that if the brand isn’t big in the USA, it doesn’t exist ( a shame really, as many excellent brands are overlooked).

Carita Ideal Douceur Milky Water is a cleanser appropriate for sensitive skin. Full size retails for 35 euros/ $52 for 200 ml (6.7 fl.oz.). I’ve used one 5ml sample, which was enough for five times.

Just like the name suggests, this cleanser looks like a milky water. I massage it into the skin and then remove the make-up with the wet cotton. The instructions say that it doesn’t have to be rinsed, but I rinse it nevertheless. It can be used both on eyes and the face.

I’m always searching for a good, more affordable make-up remover which will take off all my make-up both from the eyes and face. Sisley Cleansing milk with Sage is good, but very expensive. Sisley Lyslait is not as good. L’Occitane Almond Apple Cleansing oil is excellent, but it cannot be used on the eyes. Well, I think I have finally found a HG.

Carita Eau Lactee is an excellent make-up remover. It takes all the foundation and it dissolves the mascara without irritating eyes or making my vision blurry (like Sisley Lyslait does). It doesn’t irritate my skin, it doesn’t break me out and it is not drying.

Overall:

 

L’OCCITANE Almond Apple Cleansing Oil Review

While I’ve disliked a moisturizer from the same line, I love cleansing oil. The oil has the same smell as the moisturizer. The scent is not very strong, but I don’t like it.

The oil is not cheap, but I think it is affordable. Full size (200ml) retails for $22.

The sample I’ve received was tiny – I believe it contained 2 or 3ml of cleansing oil, which have lasted for five uses.

It cleanses really well, but I still use another cleanser after this if I wear make-up. Upon the application, it feels greasy, but it becomes a milky fluid once you add water.

Although they do not recommend to use it on the eyes, I’ve tried it an it didn’t irritate my eyes. It dissolves mascara better than some eye-make-up removers. Nevertheless, I do not recommend to use it in the eye area if you have sensitive or dry skin there.

While I was using this cleansing oil, I’ve noticed that I have less blackheads, especially on the nose. I wonder what would happen if i use it for a longer period?

I’m very happy with this cleanser and I’ definitely going to purchase it once I use up all of my Sisley cleansing milks.

Overall impression:

L’OCCITANE Almond Apple Velvet Concentrate Review

„The Velvet Concentrate is a face moisturizer that visibly beautifies skin and helps to effectively protect itself against the 1st signs of aging. „ (from loccitane.com)

Full-size product comes in a beautiful jar which contains 50ml (1.7oz) and retails for $45. I’ve used three samples(each has 1 ml) which have lasted for 9 days (and there is still something left). During that period I’ve stopped with my usual routine, so I have just used my cleanser and this moisturizer.

The cream has an apple puree scent. I’m not a fan of it, but it doesn’t bother me. Cream is thicker in texture and you need a lot of product. When applied the cream doesn’t sink in. I think that the correct way to describe is that it feels like I’ve put a make-up primer on. Also, the skin on my face feels unnaturally smooth (just like you’ve put a primer on).

Another thing I hate is that this moisturizer doesn’t moisturize. My oily and dehydrated skin started to flake after only two days of using this cream. This is definitely unacceptable for a moisturizer which advertises itself as an anti-ageing moisturizer

Good side is that the cream didn’t cause me any other troubles with the skin – there was no irritation, clogged pores or breakouts.

This cream is a total failure as a moisturizer, but it is decent if you put it before make-up as a primer. It smooths the skin and the foundation applies very evenly over it. Over the cream, the foundation lasts a bit longer, bt you’ll get better results with a real primer.

Grade: as a moisturizer 1; as a primer 3,5

Overall impression

INGREDIENTS:

aqua, isononyl isononanoate, cetearyl alcohol, prunus dulcis, cyclomethicone, pyrus malus, biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin, trioctanoin, methylsilanol mannuronate, glyceryl polymethacrylate, prunus dulcis, squalene, cetearyl glucoside, corn starch modified, phenoxyethanol, carbomer, tocopherol, parfum, vinegar, coriandrum sativum, stearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, benzoic acid, cyclohexasiloxane, ceteareth-6, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, dehydroacetic acid, propylene glycol, rosmarinus officinalis, helianthus annuus, cyclopentasiloxane, linalool, limonene

LANCOME Primordiale Cell Defense and Skin Perfecting Serum Review

I’ve been using a 15 ml sample (full size product has 30 ml and costs around 70 euros) for a whole month twice per day on face and neck.

The serum has a peachy colour and it has a scent of an overripe fruit.

It has a lightweight texture and it spreads easily. A little goes a long way and the sample could have lasted me for at least two more weeks, bt I’ve been using a huge amounts. It sinks immediately, and even though is silicone based, it doesn’t feel like a primer on the skin. Of course, you can use it under make-up and make-up sits evenly over the serum.

Even though the serum wasn’t a miracle-worker, I’ve noticed an improvement in the appearance of my skin. The pores seemed tighter and there was less redness and irritation. It is moisturizing, but keep in mind that I have oily dehydrated skin.

The serum doesn’t mattify, but it won’t leave you looking like an oil-slick.

Overall, I’m very happy with this product. While it isn’t HG, it is certainly one of the best serums I’ve tried so far.

Grade:

 

Announcement: SKINCARE SAMPLES SERIES

———-

————

I’ve decided to start a series in which I’ll review face and body skincare products. These reviews will be based on samples of the product I have (and there is a lot of them).

Since November, instead of my usual routine, I’ve been using a samples of various skincare product, so a lot of reviews is already finished and ready for publishing.

One review will be published once per week. In every review I’ll announce for how long I’ve been using a certain product.

To qualify for a review, every moisturizer or cleanser sample will have to be used for at least week or two, while the samples of masks and exfoliator samples will have to be used for at least 8 times.

This little project is a result of me wanting to spend most of my skincare samples, before they go bad.