Dec 1, 2012

L'Oreal Advanced Haircare

L'Oreal recently introduced their new Advanced Haircare line of products. This new product line consist of shampoos, conditioners, and other products for different types of hair. The shampoos are not sulfate free and contain silicone, the conditioners also contain silicone. The fragrances are quite strong and do not smell quite as luxurious as the L'Oreal Vive Pro products.

These products are available at a variety of stores and retail for under $10.

Nov 1, 2012

Lancome Absolue L'Extrait

Lancome Absolue L'Extrait is a new facial cream by L'Oreal owned Lancome. Infused with rose stem cells, Lancome claims this new cream helps facial firmness and radiance.

This cream is extremely thick and has a petroleum jelly consistency. The rose fragrance of this product is quite potent but pleasant. However, the cream did not absorb on my slightly oily skin, it just sort of sat there. It did feel a bit heavy on my skin and it was rather oily and greasy. Using less did not help it absorb any better. This product seems to be meant for those skin types needing much more moisture.

A 1.7 ounce jar is available for $350. from the Lancome website and Lancome counters at department stores.

Ingredients:  Currently Unavailable.

Oct 1, 2012

Lancome Creme Radiance Cream to Foam Cleanser

Lancome, one of the many luxury brands owned by L'Oreal, has some wonderful, luxurious products, many of them at luxury prices. However, one of my favorites is Lancome Creme Radiance Cream to Foam Cleanser.

This dense, rich, creamy cleanser requires one use only a tiny amount to produces a rich, thick, luxurious lather that smells wonderful, and cleans extremely well without stripping. The scent is somewhat aquatic and fresh, the lather feels so rich and soothing on my slightly oily skin. It is one of those products that I enjoy using because it feels like I am doing something special for my skin.

Available in a 4.2 ounce tube for $25 or a 6.7 ounce tube for $35 from the Lancome website or Lancome counters at department stores.

Ingredients:  Currently Unavailable.

Sep 1, 2012

DermOrganic Facial Moisturizer

DermOrganic Anti Aging Facial Moisturizer was developed by DermOrganic, sister company to Mastey de Paris, known for creating the first sulfate-free shampoo. The concept about products from both companies is to use more natural ingredients in their products. DermOrganic use Argan in their hair and skin care products.

DermOrganic Facial Moisturizer is a thick, white lotion. The scent is somewhat citrus but has no added fragrance which is good for those of us who are sensitive to the overly scented facial products.

I like the idea of this moisturizer as it absorbs easily and the scent is very light and pleasant. The ingredients list is also pretty impressive. However, when using this product I get break outs on my face. This product also does not contain any sunscreen. This lotion leaves the skin feeling soft and hydrated without being oily or greasy,

Available in a very nice 3.4 ounce pump bottle this product retails fr approximately $20 and is available form the DermOrganic website and some salons.

Ingredients:  Aqua/Eau/Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tridecyl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, PCA, Methyl Gluceth-20, Hyaluronan, Glucosamine HCL, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo Leaf) Extract, Rice Amino Acids, Phospholipids, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Sterols, Panthenol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Argania, Spinosa (Argan) Seed Extract, Yuzu Extract, Glycereth-2 Cocoate/Benzoic Acid.

Aug 1, 2012

L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser

L'Oreal continues to expand it's Youth Code franchise with cleansers, and new serums and creams. While the original Youth Code Serum Intense Serum Concentrate is my favorite product in this line, it is interesting to give some of their other products a try to see if they too are as good.

The Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser has a watery, gel like consistency, perhaps a bit too watery. The scent is very similar to cleansers by L'Oreal owned Lancome, but at a much less expensive price point. This cleanser is sulfate based, unlike the majority of higher end products. L'Oreal has quit using sulfates in many of their hair care products implying that sulfates are harsh, so it's interesting they use it in this cleanser. The cleanser has a soft lather, great scent, and seems to clean well, but leaves a bit of a film after rinsing.

L'Oreal Youth Code Products are available at a variety of stores and online and retail for $25.00 or less. Target and Walmart retail them for $20.00 or less. A bottle of Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser retails for under $8.00 at most stores.

Jul 1, 2012

Mastey Use Me First Hair Purifier

 
Mastey de Paris has been a hair and skin care innovator creating the first Sulfate-Free Shampoo, making silicone free hair and skin care products, using only gentle, skin friendly ingredients, so it only seems natural that they would offer a product that removes the build up caused by using products that contain silicones and other impurities left in the hair by using products from other manufacturers.

Use Me First is a gentle, protein rich shampoo designed to remove build up from the hair. It helps to remove mineral deposits, chlorine, and product build up. Gentle enough to be used daily, but recommended for one a week use, this shampoo gentle purifies the hair enabling it to accept better coloring and conditioning.

Use Me First is a clear, slight runny shampoo with a very soft citrus scent. It lathers well and leaves the hair feeling clean and soft. With my color treated hair I must always use a daily conditioner in order to comb through my hair without tangles and Mastey de Paris Frehair Daily Conditioner is what I use.

Use Me First is available in an 8 ounce, 32 ounce, or Gallon bottle and is available from the Mastey website or from salons that sell Mastey products.

Ingredients: Aqua/Eau/Water, Rice Amino Acids, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), PCA, Panthenol B5, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Decyl Gluoside, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Disteareth-75 IPDI, Methyl Glueth-20, EDTA, Isododecane, Glycereth-2 Cocoate & Benzoic Acid, Parfume/Fragrance.

- Written by SkinCareJunky -

 

Jun 1, 2012

Estee Lauder Reformulates Time Zone, New Re Nutriv Products

Estee Lauder is continuing to reformulated their moisturizers. Time Zone is being reformulated, as was Resilience Lift, DayWear and Hydrationist. The new formulas seem to absorb faster.

Estee Lauder is also adding new products to their Re Nutriv line, these products include Ultimate Lift Age Correcting Creme in a rich texture, Intensive Age Renewal Creme and Eye Creme, and a new primer with SPF 50.

- Written by SkinCareJunky -

May 1, 2012

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair and L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex is one of the best known serums available. And while the formula has been tweaked since it's introduction it has basically remained the same soothing, smoothing, hydrating formula. The serum is not scented and instead has a slight, unoffensive, herbal scent. This gold colored serum is slightly thick and spreads easily. It absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling dewy and soft. I have found that it makes my moisturizer, Mastey de Paris Moiste Facial Moisturizer, absorb more completely and doesn't make my face look or feel greasy. It seems to make fine lines far less noticeable and my face feels soft. It also does a great job of soothing irritation and reducing redness from breakouts. Although Estee Lauder continues to raise the prices of their products it continues to be popular and highly recommended by its fans. When Estee Lauder reformulated the product a couple of years ago they left the basics and just added to it, thus, the texture, scent, color, are the same but the product now contains peptides and other ingredients thought to help reverse the look of skin damage. The little brown bottle is now plastic, instead of glass, but retains the famous color, shape, and dropper applicator.

L'Oreal introduced their Youth Code Serum Intense about two years ago. I bought a bottle as soon as it was available. My first impression of it was that it is a bit more watery than Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex but I liked that it required very little product to cover my face, absorbs instantly, smells wonderful, and does seem to help moisturize and firm. Alcohol is listed as one of the first ingredients in this serum, however, from what I have been able to find on the subject, the alcohol is used to help the product absorb deeper, faster, and the alcohol evaporates. In addition, L'Oreal appears to use an ingredient meant to buffer the alcohol to keep it from irritating the skin. The scent is pleasant and doesn't knock you over but it does make it feel a bit more luxurious. The packaging is wonderful, the pump bottle protects the serum and helps keep it sanitary. This serum also contains the Matrixyl 3000 peptides which help rebuild collagen in the skin. Something not usually found in drug store products and something that sets this serum apart from many of its competitors. L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense retails for about half of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair. L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense is nearly identical to Lancome Genifique, the difference being Youth Code has peptides, Genifique does not.

So, which to choose? I use both. Because I have found that Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair doesn't make me shiny when I apply Mastey de Paris Moiste Facial Moisturizer, I find that it works better for me during the day. It  smooths any fine lines, plumps the skin, and soothes any irritation. L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense also does all of that, but it tends to make me shiny during the day if I use it under my moisturizer so I use it at night. Both products are great and both seem to do what they market them to do. Different products work differently for each person, so it comes down to which product works for you and which texture you prefer since they are slightly different. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex has a sort of oily feeling texture but it is not oily. L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense has a more watery texture. Price is also a big consideration for the budget savvy shopper. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex retails for $55.00 for a one ounce bottle. L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense retails for $25.00 for a one ounce bottle.


Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Butylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Arabidopsis Thaliana Extract, Tripeptide-32, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Lactobacillus Ferment, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Extract, Retinyl Palmitate, Pantethine, Caffeine, Glycereth-26, Sodium RNA, Squalane, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Bisabolol, Choleth-24, Ceteth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, TEA Carbomer, Trisodium-EDTA, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Benzyl Alcohol, Green 5 (CI 61570), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Red 4 (CI 14600).

L'Oreal Youth Code Serum Intense
Ingredients: Water , Bifida Ferment Lysate , Glycerin , Alcohol Denat. , Dimethicone , Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acids , PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate , Sodium Hyaluronate , Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine , Palmitoyl Oligopeptide , Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 , Adenosine , Ammonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide , Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate , Disodium EDTA , Caprylyl Glycol , Citric Acid , Xanthan Gum , N-Hydroxysuccinimide , Chrysin , Octyldodecanol , Sodium Benzoate , Phenoxyethanol , Limonene , Fragrance.

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Dimethicone, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Salicyloyl Phytosphingosine, Amonium Polyacryldimethyltauramide/Amonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Limonene, Xathan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium EDTA, Octyldodcanol, Citric Acid, Citronellol, Parfum/Fragrance.

- Written by SkinCareJunky -

Apr 1, 2012

L'Oreal Paris EverCreme Sulfate-Free Conditioning Cleanser

L'Oreal's EverCreme Sulfate-Free Conditioning Cleanser is a shampoo and conditioner. This thick, strongly scented formula lathers well and leaves my easily tangled hair easy to comb. The scent is quite strong and lingers which may not be ideal for anyone sensitive to fragrance, however, the scent is pleasant.

The formula is thick and produces a good lather and seems to do a good job cleaning and moisturizing my hair. This product contains alcohol which seems a bit odd considering that L'Oreal markets the styling products they sell as part of this line as being alcohol free. Because shampoo is a rinse off product the alcohol may not be a factor but I do wonder if it could cause hair to become more dry. It seems that maybe the alcohol is meant to help clean the hair or maybe keep it from feeling greasy after washing or maybe it helps the oils penetrate the hair shaft better.

While many companies are jumping on the no sulfate bandwagon, Mastey de Paris was the first to manufacture sulfate-free, silicone-free products, although L'Oreal is a much more affordable line.

This product comes in an 8.3 ounce pump bottle and is available at most stores and online. It retails for around $7.99.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Cocoamphopropionate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Behentrimonium Chloride, Parfum/Fragrance, Isopropyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Camelina Sativa Oil/Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil/Apricot Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil/Grape Seed Oil, Caramel, CI 19140/Yellow 5.

- Written by SkinCareJunky -

Mar 1, 2012

L'Oreal Paris Youth Code Day and Night Cream

L'Oreal's Youth Code franchise has some really innovative products, Youth Code Serum Intense Concentrate being my favorite (And very similar to serums by YSL, Vichy, and Lancome, all of which are owned by L'Oreal).

The Youth Code Day and Night Cream is a rich, nicely scented moisturizer. It is rather dense and heavy and as it contains wax may not be best suited to those with acne prone skin. However, it does seem to moisturize quite well. Although it does feel rather heavy after first applying it it seems to soak in and leaves the skin feeling smooth and hydrated.

Youth Code Day and Night Cream is available at a variety of stores and online retailers. A 1.7 ounce jar retails for under $25.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Isohexadecane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Wax, PEG 10 Dimethicone, PEG 10/15 crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin 3 Crosspolymer, Caffeine, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Adenosine, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Nylon 12, Limonene, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Carbonate, Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid, Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexl Glycerin, Polysilicone 8, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate.

- Written by SkinCareJunky -

Feb 1, 2012

Favorite New Products

This time of year usually brings a lot of new products from the big cosmetics houses. What are some of your new favorites and why? Leave a comment below.

Jan 1, 2012

Skin Care Ingredients and Advertising

Skin care companies have a lot of room when it comes to making claims about what their products contain and what those ingredients can do. Some of it is true, some of it sort of true, and some of it is not.

Many products will be advertised as being oil-free; however, many non-mineral sunblocks are oil based. The reason for this? Perhaps they mean no mineral oil is added to their product, and sunscreens are usually a small percentage of the overall formula.

All natural products continue to have a lot of consumer interest as people try to find better alternatives to the products they currently use. Keep in mind that although a product says it is natural more than likely it also contains synthetic chemicals. Water is all natural, but then so is alcohol, mineral oil, petrolatum, and many other ingredients consumers tend to shy away from.

Gentle or suitable for sensitive skin types are other popular sayings on a variety of products, this depends on the individual consumer and their skin care sensitivities, just because a product is marketed as gentle doesn't mean it won't cause irritation or breakouts for people with sensitive skin.

No animal testing usually refers to the fact the company doesn't test the finished product on animals. However, it also doesn't mean the the company that manufactures the ingredients used didn't test them on animals.

There are so many things posted online about this ingredient or that and it can be difficult to know what to believe. Using what works for the individual, doing research online to see what others have said about a product, and understanding that not every product is ideal for every person is a good place to start when it comes to hearing the latest advertising buzz.

- Written by SkinCareJunky -