If you haven't heard of the legendary Avibon, you're probably not that big of a skincare fanatic. If you have heard of, then you probably know it's been taken off the market for "reformulation" (I emailed them, it's never coming back). Fortunately there's a substitute, A313. I ordered this online when I found out about it and immediately fell in love with it as part of my winter brightening routine. It's a Vitamin A cream (retinol), less potent than Avibon, but similar to our prescription retinol creams. I noticed smaller pores, smoother skin, diminishing fine lines, and brighten skin within a few uses. It does cause some initial redness, peeling, dryness, and irritation, as do all retinols with any strength, but those side effects fades after about a week. I suggest applying this over your night cream for less irritation, that's how I use it every or every other night. If you're headed to France, bring a picture, every pharmacy I went into had no clue what I was talking about, and I went into every one I walked past. I recommend this to anyone and everyone, like Botox and sunscreen, retinols are something everyone should use to keep their skin looking younger. 4.5/5 Stars available on Amazon around $30
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Some of my favorite skincare products come from the French brand Caudalie, so when I heard they were joining forces with Harvard to bring new advancements from their already potent resveratrol, I said "put it all over my body". The line contains their signature Vine Resveratrol and combines it with Micro Hyaluronic Acid to boost firmness, elasticity, and help your skin to boost its own Hyaluronic Acid levels. I started using the entire line October 1st and continued through November 1st, here's what I thought.
Let's see how many products I can hold in one hand
The Firming Serum is the key formula in the 4 product line up. It's also the product I finished first. Consumer studies on the serum boast denser skin in 7 days, firmer And lifted skin in 28 days, and smoothed wrinkles in 56 days. Well, after using it twice a day, I only made it to day 28 before I ran out of product. I'm typically not heavy handed with my skincare, but the serum is thicker than most and I spread all my skincare down my neck, I found I needed quiet a bit of it. The dropper style dispenser also leads you to believe you can use a full droppers worth. Last complaint is that the dropper isn't long enough to get out all the product, so I was q-tipping the rest out to get to 28 days. Despite it only lasting 28 days, I love the results from this serum, my skin was so plump and hydrated and definitely looked firmer. Great for all skin types who need a boost in hydration and some help with fine lines. I would recommend it for late 20s and up. 4/5 Stars $82.
I typically hate having sunscreen in my moisturizer because so many irritate my skin. The Face Lifting Moisturizer SPF 20 was a nice exception to this. I do wear 30+ SPF so I would still prefer not to have it added in, but on my days running out the door this is a great option. Its lightweight fluid texture provided a great deal of hydration without being greasy. I switched to a different moisturizer after November 1st, but now I'm thinking to switch back, I miss how soft it made my skin! 3.8/5 Stars $66
My favorite time for skincare in evening, mostly because I can layer on as many products as I want. The Resveratrol Lift Night Infusion was a nice addition. It has a lightweight whipped creamy texture, almost mouse like. In Caudalie's studies they found 93% of users noticed smoother wrinkles and 90% noticed their skin was more relaxed in 28 days. Well this is one of the products I kept using after 11/1. I've been loving how my skin looks in the morning, so refreshed like I actually slept 8 hours (I usually get 4-6). As its been getting really dry in LA I've found myself needing to add some more oil or alternating with heavier creams, but I keep going back to it. It's spreads really far, feels like it will last me a long time. I would recommend this to anyone 30+ with Combo-Dry skin in need of a solid great night cream 4.2/5 Stars $76.
Lastly we have the Eye Balm. Now I'm a bit of an eye cream snob, I've used nearly every one on the market, so I'm quiet particular. Caudalie reports that 80% of users noticed less puffiness in 28 days. I don't get puffy, so I can't really talk to that. It's very lightweight, I felt that it did help my skin stay hydrated, however I like my eye creams a lot thicker. I felt like I needed an eye cream on top, so I used an Amore Pacific one on top. I keep grabbing it every morning and night, so I must not hate it, but I wouldn't say it's one of my favorites. Would be a great starter eye cream for someone, or apparently anyone with puffiness. 3/5 Stars $62
All in all the Resveratrol Lift line has been enjoyable to use, the textures have been different from the rest of their products, and I've enjoyed that. I still prefer the Premier Cru Face Cream and Eye Cream but this is definitely a nice more affordable option.
UPDATE
Just finished using the Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream after 3 months of use. It was what I loved about the SPF Moisturizer, and without the sunscreen that I didn't. This kept my skin hydrated when it was dry, but wasn't so heavy that I ever felt greasy. My skin glowed every morning I wore it, and stayed super soft and plump. It even helped when my red was peeling from too much retinol/peels. I would 100% use this again, the texture was amazing, and I knew my skin was going to always look smooth. 5/5 Stars 😉 $76
Under The Sheets
It's not secret I have an obsession with Korean skincare, they just really know what's up. The biggest Korean skincare trend to make it stateside is sheet masks. I may have gone a bit overboard on ordering sheet masks from Korea and buy them at every store I can find them in, but these quick fixes are such a fun supplement to your skincare routine. It's nice having a variety so you can pick one according to your current skin concern. Here are just a few I've been using recently.
I am all about brightening. I want all that sun damage I caused in the tanning bed to fade faster than its popping up. The Innisfree intensive Ampoules Mask [vita C] is one of my new favorites. I ordered it a quiet a few month ago but just recently used it. It contains a Vitamin C Ampoule (fancy name for serum) that you apply first, then lay the sheet mask over top. My skin was glowing the next day, exactly what I needed after my recent travels and lack of sleep. 4/5 Stars available at innisfreeworld.com for $4
If you're a skincare junkie, Facebooks creepy algorithms have taken notice and you've seen the ads for the Orgaid Organic Sheet Mask. If I see an offer for free beauty products you know I'll be the first one on board. They apparently knew how obsessed I am and sent me 2 sheet masks (on different days) so I mean, I had to write a review. Upon opening the mask I though it was going to rip the mask apart accident Because they don't put the clear divider in there, probably more eco friendly, but it was sturdy and highly saturated in formula. I left it on about 20 minutes, it still hadn't dried at all, but I was hungry and wanted a snack. It definitely left my skin feeling super hydrated, but I didn't really notice any other benefits. 4/5 stars, great for anyone looking for a boost in hydration and like clean and organic products. $7.99 for 1 and $38.50 for a pack of 6 at Orgaid.com or on Amazon.com
When I think of donkeys, the first thing I think about is most definitely not their milk. Thankfully the Koreans have other opinions on the matter. When a super nice girl I met on New Years (thank Eunice!) messaged me that she wanted to send me some Donkey Milk sheet masks, I obviously was over the top excited. Now I can't read Korean for the details on these, but I'll tell you they feel like happiness and dreams. The serum has a very milky texture and stay moist on the sheet for longer than my attention span will allow Otto stay on. It left my skin feeling super soft and hydrated. 5/5 Stars $WhoKnows, available from your super cool Korean friend.
Now if you don't want to play games and want some serious results, then you need to turn to the gold standard in sheet masks, Knesko Skin. First let me tell you about the founder Lejla Cas, if you ever meet her while she is in a spa selling, you'll buy everything she tells you too. She's stunning, has flawless skin, a soothing accent, and the most calming demeanor, she could tell me eating gravel off the 405 would get rid of dark circles and I'd believe her, but I doubt she would. Her masks are free of junk ingredients and packed full of actives. There Diamond Radiance and Nanogold Repair masks for both eyes and face. These masks are amazing after a chemical peel or for an intense boost to your routine. They soothe, repair, firm, lift, hydrate, help with puffiness and dark circles, you name it. At $150 for a 4 pack of masks and $60 for 6ct eye, these masks aren't exactly your impulse purchase, but maybe the fact that I give them a 6/5 stars and that they're amazing will make you run out and grab them. Available at high end spas such as Canyon Ranch and Four Seasons, Nigels Beauty Emporium In North Hollywood, and KneskoSkin.com
Flashback
100 years ago, I worked for Lancôme. I was obsessed, the skincare smelled and felt amazing, the textures were unreal, the global "innovations" and "1st time" ingredients had me sold. Then I learned what a marketing ingredient was, and moved on to other products, until recently. I was given the Advanced Génifique (fake French word) Youth Activating Serum and threw it towards the back of my product queue, until a slot opened up and I decided to give it a try. The second ingredient is "Bifida Ferment Lysate", as fermented ingredients are typically high on the list of Korean Essence products I decided to do a little research. There are no real studies on the effects of this particular bacteria on the skin, but I will tell you this, I'm on my second bottle. This concentrate absorbs super quick and feels like an instant boost of moisture. Lancôme bosts some moderate results across all major skin concerns, targeting it to all skin types and ages, so it truly is an "All Skin Type" product. It features a dropped that premeasures the perfect amount every time you open it; I used this morning and night and it lasted me over 4 months
I finished my first bottle, moved to another product for the past few months and am happy to say I'm glad there was a second bottle in my queue to use. At $105 for a 1.69oz bottle it may not be the most affordable extra step in your routine, I give it 4/5 Stars and recommend it to anyone wanting a boost of hydration, radiance, and improvement in texture. Use after essence and before or as your serum.
I'm Burning Up Baby
Some like the leafs changing colours, some like the cold weather accessories, some like the Pumpkin Spice everything, but my favorite part of the fall, other than not having to deal with Hollywood Bowl traffic, is all the peels I can use! I'm fortunate enough to have friends that give me professional strength peels that I'm able to do at home, but then I find an at home peel that I'm completely obsessed with!
Being the hippie that I am, I love an effective natural brand, Korres is one of those brands that every time I try a product from them I'm so surprised at how much I love it, mostly because it's so affordable. The Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Petal Peel is one of my new favorites, I started with just a sample and had to get the full size. It's a 2 Step system starting with an Aloe based gel, it contains 10% fruit, Glycolic, and lactic AHAs, so that sits for 30 seconds, then Step 2 is a rich cream with another 10% AHA and pomegranate enzymes. It also contains stabilizing Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid.
Korres boats some impressive user results (Check out their website) and I noticed how great my skin looked instantly. My skin was super soft, not dry or irritated as it often is after a professional strength peel, but still had the same smoothness. Pore looked smaller, fine lines softened, brighter more radiant skin, it fantastic. I've only been using it a few months, but I think with continued use it will definitely brighten some dark spots. Did I mention that is smells like happiness and dreams?The whole Wild Rose line does (the exfoliating cleanser was the first product I tried in the line and it's great).
I recommend this for anyone who wants an effective at home peel. I used it in the summer, when I normally do not do peels because of so much sun exposure, and had no adverse reactions or irritation (just wear sunscreen)
5/5 Stars $64 at your local Sephora
Oh Canada
From the moment I first saw May Coop's Raw Sauce I just had to have it. I saw it online first, then again at a conference I was attending, it was stalking me, it's gorgeous glass packaging and unique brand story of nutrient maple tree sap. I mean, I load up the maple syrup on my gluten free waffles, and I attempted the Master Cleanser which tasted pretty good (but unsuccessfully lasted 2 days). After it finally became in stock online, I finally ordered the Raw Sauce. I was sold on its presentation, the Korean facial essence even came in its own beautiful pouch like a pair of Prada loafers. Then I used it... I thought "okay, that felt lightweight, let's see what this does". Then day 2, looked at my skin, "okay maybe this takes a few days", nope, it did a whole lot of nothing. The Raw Sauce boasts 93% Maple Tree Sap plus a slew of Asian herbal and fruit extracts, but I all I seemed to feel was the alcohol (ingredient #2). I tried to stick to it, but switched to another essence mid way, which I finished, then, since I spent the $43, I decided to give it another shot and finish it. I have a few more days left of it and can't wait to ditch it.
I don't recommend it, and I give it 2/5 Stars, only because the packaging is amazing. This just became available at Sephora for their K Beauty animation, if you've tried it and loved it, I would love to know why.
From Budapest With Love
If you didn't know, I'm 1/4 Hungarian (hence my very Hungarian name), so when I saw Korean skincare brand Belif's Hungarian Water Essence, I had to support the motherland. I purchased this while using the May Coop Raw Saw (which I was so over), and quickly switched to solely using. A little back story, for centuries the Hungarian springs have been used for their healing purposes and even by Queen Elizabeth of Hungary. There's another skincare brand, Omorovicza, that has based its entire brand on the healing waters, but that's another post. Now due to the low price point and minimal ingredients, I wasn't expecting a whole lot, but I was very surprised. When I first felt the texture, I thought it was very lightweight, but again didn't expect much. Let me tell you, this essence provides so much hydration!! I have combo skin, but tend to get dehydrated in the dry LA weather, this gave my skin such a comfortable and lost lasting boost of hydration that I never wanted it to end, and it didn't. The bottle lasted 4 months using it morning and night, after toner. This is a definite must have.
I recommend this to anyone who needs a little more moisture in their skin, be it oily, dry, or combo, this won't make you greasy, it will just add hydration. At $42 it's an easy addition to any skincare routine. 5/5 Stars, available at Sephora and Sephora.com
Tang
Natura Bissē has been a favorite skincare brand of mine since I worked at Barneys New York in 2008. I remember the compliments I received on my glowing skin the first time I used the C+C cream and how I sold Donatella Versace the Diamond Extreme Eye Cream after becoming obsessed from using it for 3 months. So when I saw they were launching a C+C Oil-Free MacroAntioxidant Sun Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 30 (longest name ever), it went to the top of my must have list. Being someone who had a tanning membership as a teenager and refused to wear sunscreen until a few years ago, my fight to reverse sun damage has been a new obsession.
I'm very sensitive to sunscreens, most mineral sunscreens make my skin itch and most chemical sunscreens give me blemishes. This magical little number does neither. Up until I lost it in Ibiza, I was using it every day over top of my day moisturizer. It has a beautiful creamy texture that doesn't have a heavy weight to it. My skin was protected and glowing every time I use it. The Tang-like smell it very reminiscent of my childhood, and since I won't touch that sugary poison every again, this will subdue the cravings.
I would recommend this to any combo-dry skin needing some extra radiance and a fantastic SPF 30.
5/5 Stars $60 Available Here
#RIP Review
So I just finished the Dr Perricone Acyl-Glutathione Eye Lid Serum. This I've been using for 4 months, twice a day on my upper lid and under eye. You use so little of this light weight liquid, as the tiniest drop can cover both eyes. Let me just tell you, tight and bright. I can see how this would be amazing for someone 50s+, it really helps to lift the eye lids! After my normal 5 hours of sleep, it really woke up my eyes. An upside to me, that may be a down side for others, is that its so light that I can layer another cream over top of it, which I suggest as this one isn't very hydrating. I think it also helped a bit with my dark circles. I would recommend this to anyone 30s+ (with 40s+ seeing the most improvement from it), who need a bit of tightening around the eyes, be it from sagging lids, or tired under eyes. 4/5 Stars $115 a bottle at Sephora and 100% worth it for as long as this product last me.