Two Mini-Reviews

Well hello there - I know I've been gone for a while, except for some quick check-ins.  October was pretty busy, plus I caught a cold that messed with me for about 10 days (7 of those days were particularly miserable).  But fortunately it's left, except for a few sniffles, so I can get back to my routine.

I realized that there were two products I meant to write about here, and just completely forgot about it.  So here you go.

I'd read a few reviews of this product, Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, and decided to give it a try.  I was really disappointed.  The thing that bothered me most was the consistency - it didn't feel like a gel to me at all.  It was really thick and goopy, and felt very sticky on your finger, as well as when you were applying it to the eye area.  It also stung a bit once applied, which surprised me, since the ingredients and the reviews made it sound incredibly gentle.

I used it for two weeks and gave up.  I just did not like it, and decided that it was stupid to keep using it just because I had it in my possession.

Next up, Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Radiance Lotion.  I really wanted to like this product, since Fresh products are usually so nice.  Unfortunately, this was another fail for me.  For one thing, the bottle is not that big, and you need a lot of pumps to get enough product to cover your face (or at least I did).  As a result, it doesn't last that long, so it is not cost-effective.  And this is another one that just had a weird consistency to me - not quite a lotion feel.  There was a slight, though not completely unpleasant, scent to it that dissipated almost immediately.
I will not be buying this one again.

So there you go - I realize I gave you two negative reviews here, but it's only fair when I tell you things I like to also tell you things I do not.

Of course, I do not in any way speak for anyone but myself.  Clearly, other people have had success with both of these products, and I'm sure they each have devotees.  For my money, though, I'll try something else.

So There's Good News and There's Bad News

Such is life, no?  I will admit that, even when I am suspicious of something being "improved," I am disappointed when I feel that it is not.  Such is the case with a moisturizer that I loved in the old formulation, but not so much in the new one.

A couple of years ago, I tried Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer with sunscreen.  I was slightly skeptical, since it had argan oil in it, and even now, I'm hesitant to try things on my face that have oil.  But I'd read a lot of good things about it, so I decided to give it a shot.  And I *loved* the stuff!  I used it religiously, even deciding that it did my skin some good.   But, as these things often go, the one time I went to get a new bottle, and was told by the salesperson that it was discontinued, because they were working on making an "improved" formula.

Recently, that new, improved formula was available.

So I ordered it from sephora.com, since I didn't see it in the store.  I was pretty excited to receive it.  But not so excited now that I've actually used it.

The old formula was really lotion-y.  It was easy to put onto your face, and felt very smooth. This formula is a lot thicker, and feels more oily.  You really have to work to smooth it onto your face, and it's really hard to wash off your hands.  I guess it still works the same, because my face is not oily, and seems to be doing well, but I have to say that I will probably not buy it again once this bottle is gone.

(Side note: a sales person recently told me that the cosmetics companies were going to stop making moisturizers with sunscreen, since it has a negative effect on the anti-aging products.  Has anyone else heard this?)

But now - on to the good news!

This product, which I ordered on a whim along with the moisturizer above, is fabulous:

I was a little hesitant, because again, I didn't want my face to look shiny, and also because these things can also be pretty dark and/or orange-y, and I didn't want to look like I was attempting to channel John Boehner.  But I knew I could return it if I didn't like it, so I figured I'd give it a try.

I love this!  One squirt from the bottle seems like it's way too much, but when you mix it with your foundation or tinted  moisturizer, or whatever else you use, it blends in nicely.  Once it's on your face, there is no shininess, and really not even any noticeable color/shade difference.  Instead, your skin looks very healthy, like you have been taking a brisk walk, and a natural kind of brightness is there.

I recommend this product if you like to look a little bit extra healthy, but not bronzed or noticeably different.

Bad news and good news.  I'm happy with this 50% success story.  :-)