Moisturizers -La Prairie - Radiance cream
owenpillion 7/18/2006 7:32:00 PM
You have got to get a handle on reality. This is a VERY AVERAGE moisturizer. It promises to change the way your skin handles light---PLEASE! This does nothing but moisturize. Any average sunscreen can "change the way your skin handles light" by making your skin surface appear reflective. This is a night cream for normal/combo skin. It does have the signature La Prairie smell is a nice texture. Is it worth the price? Not in a million years. Be smart.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -La Mer - The Cleansing Foam
owenpillion 7/15/2006 4:57:00 PM
This is a really boring product for the money. Once you get past the tube that says La Mer (let us bow our heads and face Mecca) you are left with a very basic cleanser. Comes out of the tube looking metallic green. You mix it with water--it turns into a face full of foam---you wash---you're done. It has a very very light scent of ocean and a slight hint of whatever scent the regular cleansing gel is (a "green" scent if that makes any sense). The only good thing about this is that a little does go a long way. You need about the size of a pea--which generates more foam than Cujo's mouth. You will have to reconcile the fact that you spent $65 on a very underwhelming product. Aside from the branding--there is nothing about this product that justifies the price. Pearl powder as an ingredient in a cleaser escapes me. Do you intentionally want to look pasty? A cleanser has a function--to clean--leaving behind a residue doesnt mesh with that function. If you want a high end foaming cleanser that performs and actually smells good I recommend La Prairie Foam Cleanswer or Prada Purifying Gel.
4 out of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Scrubs -La Mer - The Refining Facial
owenpillion 7/15/2006 4:45:00 PM
Finally, a gem by La Mer (aside from the original cream and it's lotion cousins). This is an awesome scrub/microdermabrasion product. The tube, which for La Mer, I think is reasonably priced. Plus, one tube doing the facial 1-2x a week will last you at least six months-- if not longer. It is a light green cream that feels very smooth going on. You can barely tell there is any abrasive to it as you polish your face. When you rinse off, you will find that your face is covered in a light white casting. I am not an expert but this I think comes from the sea mud which is a main ingredient. It is easily washed away with any cleanser. Now look at your face in the mirror and witness glowing, perfectly smooth skin. This product is scented with a fresh/sea/spearmint scent. It is very light and very pleasant. I have had so many of my friends--both men and women use this--and each of them has been VERY impressed. This one is a keeper for sure.
PS FOLKS THE GLITTER IS NOT GLITTER--IT'S THE PULVERIZED DIAMOND POWDER
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Moisturizers -Revive - Ré Vive Sensitif Cellular Repair Cream
owenpillion 7/15/2006 4:34:00 PM
Revive is another brand (like La Mer) with a really terrific marketing myth. I love how they connect the Nobel Prize with their product. Brilliant! So what's in the jar? A decent moisturizer whipped to perfection no doubt. It's a fairly thick, but quick absorbing white cream that smells ever so lightly of oranges. You do see smoothness after a week or so of use, but it's impossible to tell if it's the glycolic acid or the Nobel Prize winning Epidermal Growth Factor. I honestly beleive you could save yourself over a hundred dollars by buying any number of other products that contain a decent percentage of glycolic acid. If you're going to blow a wad on designer skin care--this one is fairly mundane.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -La Mer - Cleansing Fluid
owenpillion 7/13/2006 9:30:00 AM
This is a very gimmicky, almost disturbing product. It's sparkley in the bottle---I guess to mezmorize you into buying a $65 cleanser. Now, this works on a different technology (I love using the word "technology" in relation to skin care) than other cleansers. This stuff is the consistency of baby oil. In fact it looks just as though you have rubbed baby oil all over your face. You apply it to your dry face. Then massage it in with water and then it turns into a "lotion-like" substance. Then rinse the entire mess off. You're left with cleaned, buy VERY moisturized skin. For oil, combo, even normal skin types--I would steer clear of this stuff. The product also has virutally no fragrance. I was underwhelmed by this stuff and promptly returned it. If you're dying to spend a lot of money on a cleanser with the words La Mer on the bottle--take your sixty five bucks and treat yourself to a champagne lunch instead. There are so many more effective cleansers out there at much lower price points.
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Treatments -La Mer - the concentrate
owenpillion 7/12/2006 12:33:00 PM
I know you want to try everything that La Mer has to offer, but you have got to get a grip on where fantasy starts and reality ends. This is the worst product I have tried in their line. First of all, it smells like Lavendar. That's great but what the heck does Lavender have to do with the sea? I loved the way their face serums smell and expected something similar. Also, the main ingredient here is slicone or a synthetic version of slicone so get ready to have that weird smooth, makeup primer feeling. That Idealist by Estee Lauder feel. Only this cost about 10 times as much. The packaging is cool no doubt, but come on. After using this for three weeks I returned mine. I saw no differences. You are better off using the money and buying a larger jar of the creme or trying their serums. If you just had a cosmetic procedure get your doctor to write you a script for something that has studies to back it up--not a marketing department. Bottomline: this is a silicone product--there are a bazillion others on the market that would have the same effect. And most of those do not smell of lavender. Or cost over 300 U.S dollars. Let's come in for a landing people.
19 out of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Cleansers -Prada - Purifying Gel
owenpillion 7/12/2006 12:22:00 PM
This is a great cleanser. The tube is so much better than the gimmicky monodoses. This is a mild, foaming cleanser. It smells lightly of freshness mixed with Fruiti Pebbles. It looks great on the counter in your bathroom. Definitely buy from Ebay or if at the counter demand a plethora of other samples. Otherwise you just spent fifty bucks on a cleanser. Come on now....you know that's one for the cosmetics industry anytime you do that. Be smart!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Skincare - Face -Natura Bisse - Glyco peeling plus
owenpillion 7/12/2006 12:16:00 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen--this review is for the 50% concentration. This is hands down the best glycolic acid treatment available on the market for at home use. Although the concentration is very strong, it is ph balanced in such a way to still be gentle. The directions say to rinse it off--which I never do--and my skin has never actually peeled. Nevertheless, the exfoilating benefits of this product are remarkable. Clearer more even toned skin after a week of use. Smoother, radiant skin instantly. Glycolic acid is one ingredient that delivers results. Now my review is referring to the glass ampules which I bought from Ebay. One ampule lasts me for three-four treatments. If you were to buy this from Neimans or Saks or the like, I believe you must now purchase a one ounce bottle. That would last you a good two-three months worth of three times a week treatments. I like to do it, wait a day, and do it again. So about every other day. You will DEFINITELY see results. The liquid is translucent and smells like the signature Natura Bisse smell--very clean, very distinctive, very european. LOVE IT!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -Dr. Hauschka - Clarifying Toner
owenpillion 7/11/2006 11:29:00 PM
I bought this because back when Rosie O'Donnel had her magazine there was an article called "Ten Beauty Products Madonna Can't Live Without" and this was one of them. Bottom line: this is a high quality herbally smelling toner. You spray it on so it tightens, tones, and refreshes. And that is it. If you want a product that smells virtually identical get Aveda Toning Mist and save yourself half the money. The Aveda product also comes in a glass jar.
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Skincare - Face -La Prairie - Cellular Purifying Systeme Hydro Repair
owenpillion 7/11/2006 10:02:00 PM
Do you want to see results? Do you have skin that tends to be combo or oily or live in a humid and hot climate? Do you tend to break out? Starting to see fine and/or expression lines? This cream is top notch. I cannot tell you how effective this stuff is. It is a light creamy texture--a little goes a long way. It does have the La Prairie Signature smell-- a smell that I adore that some object to. I describe it as "herbally medicine" smell. After one night you will see results--glow, clearer skin. After a week the results just get better. That is because this product contains glycolic acid and in a fairly high concentration (I think 8 %), but that means this is a super effective exfoiiant. But also an excellent moisturizer for the above mentioned skin types. I have tried many high end creams--but this stuff works in terms of clarifying the skin.
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Fragrances -Bond No.9 - Hamptons
owenpillion 7/11/2006 9:14:00 PM
As a man, I love this scent. It's Bond No. 9's version of Creed Silver Mountain Water--with a little more water and a little less mountain. It's masculine, clean, a hint of ocean--and very striking. Unlike the usual 31 flavors at Sephora and the like. Try a sample first. Also, this one has staying power. Two sprays and your clothes will hold the scent until they are washed.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Fragrances -Bond No.9 - Wall Street
owenpillion 7/11/2006 9:07:00 PM
This one is such a crowd pleaser. Everyone likes it. It's oceany and clean smelling. It's Bond No. 9's version of Creed's Erolfa. This one does have staying power which I like--my dirty clothes from the week still smell of Wall Street even when I only use two sprays! My personal favorite is Chez Bond but no one ever says anything unless I have on Wall Street--then I get the--"what are you wearing--you smell like a million bucks" comments. Guys---this one is a sure fire hit!! Of course this entire line--especially the bottles--is gimmicky---but hey--they look great on the bathroom cabinet.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
Toners -La Mer - The Tonic
owenpillion 7/11/2006 9:01:00 PM
This is a great toner at an outrageous price. It smells like "metallic cotton candy" and is extremely gentle yet effective in removing residual stuff after washing. If you're going to splurge on the La Mer line, why not pick this up as well? Aside from the Creme and Lotion formulations this is by far one of their better products. It does go quickly so dont think the 6.7 oz bottle is going to last a long time. Maybe two months if you're lucky. Also, beware La Mer's "Deconstructed Water" and realize that that is a marketing term--not a scientific term. Basically, it's meaning is defined by Estee Lauder Corporation. Excuse me, Max Huber laboratories. WHAT-EV-R. And "Deconstructed Water" is the main ingredient in this product. I guess it's part of the "miricle" or whatever you call what it takes to get someone to spend $65 on toner. A great strategy is to tell the sales rep that unless they hook you up with several deluxe samples of The Tonic you will take your business to (insert name of the high end dept store on the other side of the mall) so if you're in Saks say Neimans or vice versea. Get it?
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Cleansers -Bliss Labs - Steep Clean cleansing milk
owenpillion 7/11/2006 8:52:00 PM
This is a decent cream/lotion style cleanser. So if you're one of those people who has to have foaming bubbles to believe the cleanser is cleaning than you'll want to skip past this one. The reason I bought this was because I hated the steep clean facial mask, but I loved the way it smelled. So, I tried this cleanser which smells remarkably similar. I would describe it as a "clean" mixed with "bubblegum" smell. I would say it is quite strong too, so if fragrance isnt your thing, steer clear. I like that you apply this product directly to the skin and then add water. It does melt away oil, clogs, and dirt. And leaves skin feeling soft--not dried out. It's 30 bucks for a huge container--which I kind of like--except I hate that Bliss Labs adds to some of their labels "From New York's hottest Spa." Like I give a flying #$@#.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No