3.5 stars
About a week ago I looked in the mirror after a hot shower, and realized that my skin was looking dry and lifeless, so I decided to go out and try some new products in hope that they would “stop the clock”. Usually, I go to the dermatologist for this kind of thing, but this time I decided to shop around for myself. This is what I learnt:
What I Wanted.
An amazing miracle cream that would freshen up my tiered skin and make up for my lack of hydration (I have been travelling and not drinking enough water). I pretty much wanted an preventive alternative to botox to mainatin my skin youthful as long as possible. Lets be honest, this is what we all want from anti-aging hydrating beauty products.
I knew it would take some time to see results but I still wanted to give whatever cosmetic I purchased my best shot. I realised that to achieve all this I had to be willing to splurge and be super disciplined to see results.
LESSON 1: KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC AND COMMIT TO USING THE PRODUCTS YOU PURCHASE.
Product Claims.
The lady at the cosmetic shop ensured me it was the best all around cream in the market and it provided proven results for unusually good skin toning and hydration for mixed skins. I asked around in several department shops and with a dermatologist and the comments were quite positive all around. The dermatologist I consulted mentioned it was for more damaged skins (this was not my usual dermatologist, as I was travelling) but I fell for the selling points and my priority was getting the promised results so I decided to go for it.
As I wanted to get the full effect the TRIO package was recommended: Face cream, eye cream and serum.
LESSON 2: DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING.
Price.
Most expensive beauty products I have ever bought – but I got a good deal for them. I got a travel pack for +350. The individual products have a similar size – this one has good value, has a convenient travel size and provides the full treatment. I was happy with my choice, I had paid a fat price for great products – but I still didn´t spent as much as I could have had I bought the individual products.
LESSON 3: DON´T SPLURGE AND GO ALL OUT BEFORE YOU TEST A PRODUCT.
What meets the eye.
The packaging is gorgeous and quite high-end. The eye creaM, face cream and serum come in heavy blue glass bottles and a beautiful blue round box with a gliding lid.
As a designer, I know packaging could improve dramatically for very little cost. I like it but for the price I would have preferred a little travel case or a velvet bag to store my creams in. Also, the spatula falls off from it´s base and its a pain in the butt. Its a good package – I just have very high expectations.
LESSON 4: MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING A PRODUCT FOR WHAT IS INSIDE THE BOTTLE, NOT HOW IT IS PACKAGED.
Consistency and Smell.
The moisturising face cream is not light as it is described in other reviews and for some reason it feels thicker on my skin than when I tried it on the stores.
LESSON 5. ALWAYS TRY FACIAL PRODUCTS ON YOUR FACE.
The cream is thick and rich but very little goes a long way. It spreads beautifully on the skin and it smells incredible! At first I was worried the scent would bother me, but it quickly fades as the skin absorbs it. It feel luxurious and I just love it.
The eye cream is very similar – perhaps a bit thicker even. Very, very little is needed. This could last me for a while.
The serum is heavier than most serums, less scented than the creams and spreads very well. As I layer them I feel my skin absorb the creams immediately. The feel it is a little greasy the first few days but soon I find the perfect dose for me.
LESSON 6: WHEN IT COMES TO BEAUTY PRODUCTS, LESS IS MORE.
Results.
Day 1 -5
I applied the eyecream-serum-and-cream after my daily cleansing routine (I will write a post about my routine soon) and just before my tinted sunblock. It feels very thick and greasy – I feel shiny and a bit uncomfortable. By the third or fourth day I discover half a spatula of the face cream is more than enough.
My skin feels very hydrated and I love the smell.
Week 5 – 15
The product has begun to give results. I am very constant and apply the whole routine every night and the hydrating cream in smaller quantities in the morning. It was originally recommended I use the whole kit twice a day but I found my sking did not need it. I like a clean-feel throughout the day and reapply sunblock constantly so it is just easier not to load up on the morning.
Every other night I apply the creams and then use my NU-SKIN electric roller. The results are brilliant. I feel my cheeks have toned up a bit and my eyes don´t look so tiered. Also, I tend to get slight dents under my eyes and they are beginning to disappear! . . . although to be honest, the cream stings a bit when I put it around the eyes.
Towards the end of the week I have developed a little rash around the eyes. Just a bit of redness and little bumps around the lid and under the eyes. I discontinue the eye cream, after contacting my usual dermatologist, but I did so reluctantly because I LIKE the results. I continue to use the other products twice a day with no side effects.
LESSON 7: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. IF IT DOESNT LIKE A PRODUCT, DISCONTINUE USE IMMEDIATELY AND GO SEE A DOCTOR. HEALTH OVER BEAUTY ANYDAY.
Days 15 -20
Towards the end of the week I begin to PMS – I ALWAYS break out a bit before that time of the month but this time the breakout is stronger than other times. It happens on my cheeks and on my forehead – which means it is not entirely hormonal. . . Admittedly I cannot blame this on the cream because since I have been travelling my diet has not exactly ben fat free, I have not drank enough water or exercised/sweated toxins as much as I usually do (It is harder to do cardio, so I stick to yoga) – but I am still considering that La prairie kit had something to do with this.
LESSON 8: WHEN YOU INCORPORATE A NEW PRODUCT TO YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE, MAKE SURE YOU MONITOR ANY CHANGES.
Conclusions.
I usually give a product 3-4 weeks before I decide if I like it.
The serum-cream routine I have continued to use has definitely hydrated and toned up my skin quite a bit. It works brilliantly with the nu-skin. I have found the perfect quantities to apply and have found that giving a few minutes before applying the sunblock really helps – but I rarely have time for that, so it is a bit inconvenient.
Whereas I love the results and really like the cream I have to admit I feel it is a bit too thick for me and have begun to understand why the dermatologist said it was for older skin. I don´t think I need so much.
LESSON 9: ALWAYS LISTEN TO THE PROS.
PROS
I LOVE the results of the cream. It definitely does what it says on the box,
CONS
I think its simply too thick for me and although they sell it for all type of skin and as preventive I really do believe it is better suited for older skins. (see lesson no.2).
It is very expensive.
I am allergic to the eye cream I cannot use it, I am not sure what triggered this – I have never had this reaction before. All other products and routine have remained the same, it is a very specific area, and the rash went away as soon as I discontinued the eye-cream.
I am very upset about the investment and have decided to not buy any product my usual dermatologist does not recommend.
OVERALL
If you are 40+ and are looking for a pick-me-up for your skin and have about $400 usd to spare or want to invest in a luxurious, rich caviar cream for your skin – I highly recommend getting the TRIO. I really do think they work better together. It works FABULOUSLY with a bit of electric therapy like NU-SKIN. I would also try dermarollers before applying if your skin is very dry. It is a great hydrating cream and definetly tonnes up – long term I believe it could be a good anti-aging preventive cream.
I would be cautious with skins prone to acne and not recommend it for people who are oversensitive to scented products. Overall a great product but it is not for everybody.
LESSON 10: STICK TO PRODUCTS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR YOUR SKIN AND WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK THE EXPERTS.
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Water, Cyclomethicone, Octyldodecyl Octyldodecanoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Trifluoromethyl C1-4 Alkyl Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylamide, Dimethicone, Behenyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Algae Extract, Malt Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Lactobacillus Ferment, Polyglucuronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Hydrolyzed Ulva Lactuca Extract, Glycine, Arginine, Methionine, Caviar Extract, Polysilicone-11, Glyceryl Stearate, Petrolatum, Steareth-2, Butylene Glycol, Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Morus Nigra (Mulberry) Root Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethoxydiglycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ascophyllum Nodosum (Algae) Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Lactic Acid, Laureth-7, Citric Acid, Malic Acid, BHT, Triethanolamine, Phospholipids, Mica, Fragrance, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Farnesol, Citral, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Potassium Sorbate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Yellow 5
10 Lessons I learnt on how to pick a new a beauty product. Review of La prairie caviar.
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