May 30, 2009

Product Launch: Estee Lauder Advance Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex

Fresh from the Estee Lauder laboratories is their new product Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex.

"This serum provides optimized night-time repair to skin’s appearance using revolutionary Chronolux Technology to support the natural synchronization of skin’s repair processes. A new patented technology encapsulating Alkyl Guanine Transferase (AGT) helps repair the appearance of damage from smoke and pollution, in particular toxins and chemicals, putting this new serum at the forefront of repairing the look of damage from all known major environmental assaults."

This product is just now available at select Estee Lauder counters with a major ad campaign to begin in June. The question is whether this product will replace the original Advanced Night Repair or continue to be offered in conjunction with it for the traditionalist who resist new or updated products. I am all for improving a product if it means better, faster results.

I have a small sample that I will be using for the next few days. Being such a fan on the original, and iconic, Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex, I am eager to see what this product offers.

The 1 ounce dropper bottles sells for $46.50 while the larger 1.7 ounce bottle sells for $74.50. Estee Lauder products are available at most better department stores as well as the Estee Lauder website.

Ingredients: Unavailable.

May 25, 2009

Open Forum: Favorite Hair Care Product

What is your absolute favorite hair care product and why? How long have you used it? What does it costs?

May 18, 2009

American Beauty Moisture-Wise Continuos Hydrating Lotion

American Beauty, distributed by Beauty Bank, a division of Estee Lauder, is available in the US exclusively at Kohl's Along with the Flirt, Goodskin and Grassroots brands. American Beauty seems to be the higher end of the brands sold at Kohl's and aimed at the more mature.

According to the packaging Moisture-Wise Continuous Hydrating Lotion hydrates for up to 12 hours; time released micro spheres feed your skin a continuous supply of mineral rich spring water. While antioxidants help protect against environmental damage. For all skins. Apply AM and PM.

The first thing I noticed upon application is how the consistency is much more like that of a serum. To me it was extremely similar to, the excellent and luxurious, Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Intensive Lifting Serum and shares many of the same ingredients. It is also similar to various other Estee Lauder moisturizers from their various brands.

The scent is sort of a mix of roses and cucumbers but it is light and delicate so as not overpower. While this has a serum sort of texture it does take a few moments to absorb. It made my skin feel extremely soft and well hydrated for the entire day. The only drawback for me is the high silicone content as well as it containing petrolatum, although in a much lower concentration, both of which tend to break me out. This is a delightful product and a great way to experience Estee Lauder skin care.

A bonus for me is the fact it is Mica free. A lot of skin care companies are putting Mica in their serums, creams, lotions, toners and even cleansers because it can help to disguise imperfections on the skin and adds a bit of shimmer to a product. For me who tends toward the combo, acne prone, extremely sensitive skin type, Mica can clog pores and create some nasty, deep painful, pimples.

American Beauty Moisture-Wise Continuous Hydrating Lotion comes in a very attractive teal box and elegant Estee Lauder-esque 1.7 ounce teal pump bottle and retails for $23.50. Available at Kohl's stores and online. It is also available as a cream and comes packaged in a jar.

Ingredients: Spring Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Distearate, Glyceryl Dilaurate, Steareth-10, Cholesterol, Ethylhexylpalmitate, Ethylhexyhydroxystearate, Rosa (American Beauty) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seedcake, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Ceramide-2, Linoleic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Fish (Pisces) Collagen, Magnesium Phosphate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Propylene Glycol, Dicaprate, Petrolatum, Cetylesters, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Distearyldimonium Chloride, BHT, Fragrance (Parfume), Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Green 5 (CI 61570), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Blue 1 (CI 42090).

May 11, 2009

Update: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex

I am a huge fan of this serum, the more I use it the more I love it. I have been using it twice daily for two weeks solid, sometimes even three times a day, and it actually seems to be fading my freckles.

I do, however, have to be careful not to get too much near my eyes or it tends to irritate them. While I have found that it takes more than a few drops to cover my entire face, I have been applying it to damp skin and find it does spread easier while helping to reduce any greasiness. I have been using it under my Mastey de Paris Moiste Facial Moisturizer and find that they seem to work well together.

As I mentioned in my original post about Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex, this is a product I tend to go back to. Yes, it is rather expensive, but it seems to work for me and when you consider how many years it has been available and how popular it is, it appears to work for a lot of people.

May 4, 2009

Yves Rocher France Radiant Complexion Treatment Duo

Always eager to try new products I settled on the Yves Rocher France Radiant Complexion Treatment Duo available in the recent catalog.

This treatment duo consist of a botanical scrub to be used first followed by a intensive moisturizing mask that is allowed to absorb with the excess being tissued off.

The products I received came in two attached packets. These are lightly scented products that are easy to use. The scrub is gentle and can be used without causing too much skin discomfort. A gentle hand is best with this scrub as the granuales are a bit on the rough side. The moisturizing mask is a lightweight lotion that absorbs surprising fast. Both leave the skin feeling soft, smooth and supple.

My only real complaint is these products contain so many perservatives compared to similar products from other botantical/natural skin care lines.

While the packets are one time use and sell for $1.50, these products are available seperately in full size tubes that retail for $16.00 each. Available at Yves Rocher stores in Canada and Europe or from the Yves Rocher website in the US.

Ingredients:

Botanical Scrub: Water/Eau, Mineral Oil/Huile Minerale, Ethylhexyl Cocoate, Zea Mays (Corn) Cob Powder, Trilaurin, Polyethylene, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Pentaerythrityl Distearate, Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceride, Diatomaceous Earth/Terre De Diatomees, Glyceryl Stearate, Ceteareth-20, Steareth-100, PEG-8, Stearic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Butylene Glycol, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylparaben, BHT, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Methylchloroisothiazounone, Methylisothiazounoe.

Intense Moisture Mask: Water/Eau, Propylene Glycol, Urea, Isononyl Isononanoate, Alcohol Denat., Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Carbomer, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Methylparaben, Parfum/Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Tetrasodium EDTA, Blue 1.