Review: Estee Lauder So Moist Deep Hydrating Mask

Estee Lauder So Moist Deep Hydrating Mask

From http://www.evecare.com:
Experience the ultimate in deep hydration. A unique, energizing, mineral rich water drenches your skin for instant comfort that lasts and lasts. Dramatically boosts skin’s moisture content for hours. Leaves your skin feeling soft, healthy and revitalized.

My Skin Type:
Ranging from very dry to normal/dry. Generally dehydrated, very sensitive.

Packaging:
Transparent plastic tube with screw cap top. Easy to dispense the product, travel friendly. But it may be more practical if the cap is flip top.

Texture:
Thick! Rather sticky upon application too.

My General Review:
This is an old product, I believe? I read about it in Paula Begoun’s recommendation (I think from the 6th edition of her book Don’t Go To Cosmetics Counter Without Me).

And so I accidentally stumbled across a deluxe sample size of this product….and tried it out. The texture is not really pleasant, it’s rather thick and sticky. But let it melt for a couple of minutes to your skin, and it’ll turn into very slick layer in your skin. I usually let it sit for a long time, and gently wipe it off with soft towel cloth. It moisturizes okay, doesn’t irritates or breaks me out. Decent product.

BTW, it seems that this product is not fragranced. It smells nasty, unlike other EL products Good for my sensitive skin!

Application:
I usually apply this after I’ve cleanse and tone my skin. Apply it thickly (including eye area), do whatever chores, then gently wipe if off because I go to bad. I always top it off with antioxidant serum and moisturizers.

Availability:
Has this product discontinued already? Can’t find it anywhere…Not in the EL’s official website too.

Price:
US$29 for 75ml at evecare.

Ingredients:
Because I only own the deluxe sample tube, it doesn’t have the ingredient list Can’t find the list on the Google too But it comes in recommended by Paula Begoun, so I guess it won’t be bad.

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. Okay moisturizing mask, but there are cheaper, more effective and elegant mask around. I still love my Paula’s Choice moisturizing cream mask the best.

Review: Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme SPF15

The one I’m reviewing is the Cream for Dry Skin.

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Creme SPF15

From http://www.esteelauder.com
Brings your skin a more lifted, firmer look and a fresh, rejuvenated glow—faster than ever.

This highly effective moisturizer starts working right away to deliver the multiple benefits mid-life skin needs:

More Lift.

• Speeds advanced lifting and firming benefits to your skin.
• Minimizes the look of lines and wrinkles.
• Exclusive ExtremeLift³ Complex helps amplify skin’s own natural collagen production.
• Helps firm up the appearance of sagging and emphasize tighter-looking contours.

More Radiance.

• Instantly infuses skin with super-energized nutrients.
• Skin that was dull and lifeless immediately takes on a vivid radiance.

More Moisture.

• Advanced hydrating blend of lipids, proteins and more delivers rich, lasting moisture.
• Instantly feel a welcome surge of relief from that uncomfortable tightness.

See more lift.
Feel firmer.

2 CREMES TO CHOOSE FROM
Choose the Resilience Lift Extreme creme right for your skintype:

• Dry Skin creme is richly nourishing.
• Very Dry Skin creme is even more emollient and intensively nourishing.
• Both include a gentle sunscreen to provide effective SPF 15 protection.

HOW TO USE

• Apply every AM after your Repair Serum.
• At night, we recommend Resilience Lift Extreme OverNight Ultra Firming Creme.

FORMULA FACTS

• Dermatologist-tested
• Non-acnegenic

My Skin Type:
Actually very oily, but surpressed with BHA exfoliator. Results in generally ranging from very dry to normal/combo skin. Generally dehydrated, very sensitive, and acne prone.

Packaging:
Pretty jar packaging with gold colored cap. But jar will render the advanced ingredients inside useless

Texture:
Light cream. It’s not thick, instead, for such a moisturizing cream, the consistency is quite thin.

My General Review:
After my tremendous success with the Resilience Lift eye cream, I had high expectations when I saw the face moisturizer in an Estee Lauder bazaar. 4 sample size for IDR60,000 only! What a bargain

And it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest bit. The texture is divine, it sinks in well without being greasy or oily. Yet it’s fairly moisturizing! It’s more hydrating compared to Clinique Superdefense for dry/combination skin. What’s more, it smooths out my skin really well. Really. Texture seems more refined, pores tightened. I don’t know why it’s able to do that, while Paula’s Choice or Clinique moisturizers can’t. Even though both PC and Clinique are well formulated! Is it because EL contain more oil or water binding ingredients? Aside from containing other beneficial ingredients like antioxidants and cell-communicating ingredients, of course. I’m not quite sure. What I know is this EL moisturizer for me is really a step above both PC or Clinique.

Plus, it has SPF15. It’s not major or anything, and I won’t use 1/3 teaspoon of this moisturizer on my face, so I’ll still depend on my sunscreen to protect me. But it’s nice to know the SPF is there. It helps to ensure the protection from my sunscreen to be intact (and not diluted) when moisturizer is applied.

Unfortunately, like most EL products, this is highly fragranced. It’s not troublesome for my nose, but I’m afraid it’ll knock my skin out of its balance (since my skin is very sensitive). But so far, it’s been so good. Skin still looks calm and happy.

Application:
I usually wear this as my day cream, on top of my antioxidant serum. Since if I’m using this cream means I’m dry at the moment, I usually pair it with Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Concentrate (which is pretty moisturizing).

This product contains SPF, so it’s not recommended to use at night.

Availability:
You can grab this at any Estee Lauder counters across the nation. It means at major department stores, of course.

Price:
I can’t remember the IDR price for the full size jar, but it’s pretty expensive. In US, it retails for US$49.50 for 30ml, US$70 for 50ml, and US$85 for 75ml.

I suggest you get the smallest jar. It may not be cost effective, but I prefer to finish up the jar quickly and buy a new one, so at least it contains fresher goodness for my skin.

Ingedients:
Water (Aqua purificata) purified, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Dimethicone, Cetyl Ricinoleate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Butylene Glycol, PPG-51/SMDI Copolymer, Cetyl Esters, Methyl Gluceth-20, Glycereth-26, Titanium Dioxide, Glyceryl Stearate, Pentylene Glycol, Trioctyl-dodecyl Citrate, Behenyl Alcohol, PEG-100 Stearatem Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Extract, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat Bran) Extract, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond Oil) Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Yeast Extract (Faex), Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols, Hydrolyzed Extensin, Algae Extract, Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract, Creatine, Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate, Isomerized Linoleic Acid, Acetyl Glucosamine, Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, Decarboxy Carnosine HCL, Coleusbarbatus Extract, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Linoleic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caffeine, Adenosine Phosphate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Cholesterol/Potassium Sulfate, Trehalose,Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Sorbitol, Simethicone, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloydimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Lecithin, Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Fish (Pisces) Collagen, Maltodextrin, Propylene Glycol Dicapylate, Isohexadecane, Lauryldimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Stearate, Aluminium Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 80, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Fragrance (Parfum), Caprylyl Glycol, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Phenoxyethano, Mica, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. It’s near perfect day cream for dry skin, but please EL, make this in a tube at least. An airtight pump would be generous of you. Pretty please?

*This review will be cross posted in http://www.makeupalley.com under username Crescent_Shadow.

Review: Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Eye Creme

Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Eye Creme

From http://www.esteelauder.com:

BENEFITS:
For a more lifted, firmer look around your eyes.

PRODUCT DETAILS
Brings the skin around your eyes a more lifted, firmer look and a fresh, rejuvenated glow—faster than ever.

This rich, gentle eye creme includes all the visible lifting benefits of Resilience Lift Extreme, plus special benefits just for eyes.

More Lift.

* Speeds advanced lifting and firming benefits to your skin.
* Minimizes the look of lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet.
* Exclusive ExtremeLift³ Complex helps amplify skin’s own natural collagen production.
* Helps firm up the appearance of sagging and emphasize tighter-looking contours.

More Radiance.

* Instantly infuses skin with super-energized nutrients.
* Skin that was dull and lifeless immediately takes on a vivid radiance.

More Moisture.

* Advanced hydrating blend of lipids, proteins and more delivers rich, lasting moisture.
* Instantly feel a welcome surge of relief from that uncomfortable tightness.

Specially for Eyes.

* Extra gentle formula was created especially for the delicate eye area—often the first place to show signs of aging.
* Luminizing optics and more instantly give eyes a younger, brighter look.

See more lift.
Feel firmer.
Look younger around your eyes…
starting today.

HOW TO USE

* Apply every AM and PM.
* Dab a small amount onto your undereye area. Gently pat into skin—never rub—using your ring finger.

FORMULA FACTS

* Dermatologist-tested
* Ophthalmologist-tested

My Skin Type:
Actually very oily, but surpressed with BHA exfoliator. Results in generally ranging from very dry to normal/combo skin. Generally dehydrated, very sensitive, and acne prone.

Packaging:
Pretty tiny jar that is  not helpful for any light/air sensitive ingredients that may exist in the cream. Not the most hygienic too.

Texture:
Light cream, but it’s very rich.

My General Review:
Hear me out, ladies. You don’t need an eye cream. Eye area doesn’t need separate moisturizer, as researches has revealed. But, as long as a moisturizer goes, this cream is awesome!

My under eyes are dry, very much so. Sometimes when things get worse, the skin flakes. Yikes! Tons of fine lines too. Seriously, nightmare. When I was 16 I went to see a derm to consult about my acne, and her first comment was ‘Your under eyes are already aged’.

Then accidentally I stumbled upon this product. I bought it on a whim, and even though I generally respects Estee Lauder group as the maker of the most advanced/edgy moisturizers in the industry, due to my bad condition I didn’t dare to expect a lot. But this cream really delivers! In the matter of days, it removes my flakes and moisturizes the area. It plumps my fine lines by a great deal too! Now, I know that technically you can’t diminish wrinkles, but a moist, plump skin can minimize the creepiness, and that’s exactly what happens to me!

The only thing it can’t accomplish is erasing my dark circles. And I truly don’t expect it to do so. Mine is hereditary, I doubt any cream can lighten it anyway.

And lifting. For me, it’s obvious that this cream won’t lift anything. Not because my eye area is already the firmest in the world, but just because according research, up until now, topically applied ingredient that have the ability to lift your skin permanently is void. They don’t exist just yet.

My last note would be….be considerate. This cream is not for everyone. It got bad reviews in MakeupAlley because it seems that a lot of girls find it too rich for them (causing milia, even). For me, that’s ridiculous. This cream is marketed towards 50+ ladies. Of course a lot of them are already experiencing dry skin problem. Why would someone with combination/oily skin meddling with a rich moisturizer?

If you’re not in the market for extra rich eye cream, stay away. If you have dry skin, like me; even though you may not hit 50s yet, like me; I can say that this cream is definitely worth the try.

What Else You Need To Know:
Yes, skincare is not about age. It’s about skin type. Partitioning skincare based on age is only a marketing tool.

Yes, for the most part, it’s probable that you don’t need an eye cream. Any well formulated moisturizers can be applied on the eye area. For me, this cream is just a great moisturizer marketed for eye area. Don’t believe me? Just check the ingredient list of an eye cream, then compare it to ingredient list of a face cream. Then please tell me the difference.

That’s the technical facts, but if you feel that your eye area is different from the rest of your face, you can try to find a better formulated face cream (one that adjusts well to your eyes), or if you persists, there’s nothing wrong with a great moisturizers marketed as eye creams. It’s just that you’ll need to shell out more bucks compared to if you buy an ordinary face moisturizer though.

Availability:
Easily available at Estee Lauder counters nationwide.

Price:
US$50. It lasts a long time though, you only need tiny bit at a time.

Ingredients:
Unfortunately, I’ve thrown my box away

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. Best eye cream that I’ve stumbled upon. Only wish EL makes it in a better packaging; a tube maybe? And the fragrance….it can be irritating you know. At this price, I feel that I deserve perfection

*This review will be cross posted in http://www.makeupalley.com under username Crescent_Shadow.

Review: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair & Eye Recovery Complex

This is the review for the EL ANR Protective Recovery Complex (the one in the left).

From The Box:
For all skintypes.

Helps repair the appearance of past damage while protecting your skin from the aging effects of our environment.

By night: works with the body’s natural renewal mechanism to help your skin recover from the day’s environmental aggressions.

By day: helps neutralize up to 90% of environmentally-generated free radicals before they can damage your skin’s appearance.

My Skin Type:
Actually very oily, but surpressed with BHA exfoliator. Results in generally ranging from very dry to normal/combo skin. Generally dehydrated, very sensitive, and acne prone.

Packaging:
Brown bottle made of glass with plastic droppers. While the brown bottle helps shields this antioxidant-enriched serum, the dropper is a bad idea. Every time you open the bottle to use it, the precious product will be exposed to light and air, rendering the antioxidant useless. Yes ladies, to maintain its efficacy, antioxidants shouldn’t be exposed to light and air!

Texture:
Watery. Hence the dropper.

My General Review:
This is the review for the old version of EL ANR. Estee Lauder (EL) has launched a new version called Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, but I’ll still write the review for the old version anyway for an archive; maybe it’ll help if someone find this floating around eBay or something

Anyway, this serum is pretty popular. It’s been around for a long time. 20years or something?

As for me, I started using this product since I saw a tremendous  complexion improvement of a colleague of mine since she switched to EL. And she gives this serum a *very* high regard! So I jumped into the bandwagon and despite the high price tag, I didn’t regret it ever since! Especially when my skin is on the dry side. Because it’s moisturizing! Love the way it feels under my moisturizer. It absorbs quickly and gives me proper hydration, not oil production. I’m dry most of the time though, so oil is less of a concern.

I love the hydration so much because it makes my skin appear more plump. Like, healthier, smoother plump. Furthermore, it makes the gigantic pores on the sides of my nose appear smaller, smoother too! Few products can do this, so I really appreciate it

The downside, other than the not-so-optimal packaging, is the amount of antioxidants in this serum. This is supposed to be a moisturizing and antioxidant serum, but how come only a bit of antioxidants is placed here? It’s just my personal preference though. Maybe because I’m used to compare everything else to Paula’s Choice products. In this case, I compare this to Paula’s Choice Super Antioxidant Concentrate series, and EL really pale in comparison.

Solution? Well, for me on the morning I’ll only use PC AOC. For my night time regime, I use PC AOC first, then layer on several drops of EL ANR. So I get both benefits: antioxidant protection and smoothing action.

The good news is, EL ANR also put some calming action into this serum; like bisabolol and chamomile. I believe soothing your skin will make it stronger and healthier, so again, I really appreciate the addition

What Else You Need To Know:
Unlike other EL products, this serum is fragrance free! A big YAY from a sensitive-skinned girls for that!

EL offers a ‘Concentrated’ version of this serum, but that one is fragranced and is even MORE expensive! And from the ingredient list, I think they didn’t double the important ingredients. Le sigh for marketing hype! FutureDerm offers an analysis/comparison for these 2 products.

Availability:
Widely available. Just visit your nearest Estee Lauder counters in department stores like SOGO or Metro.

Price:
I forgot the exact price, but if I remember correctly, Indonesia carry the 50ml bottle one, and it’s sold at above IDR1m. Freakin’ expensive.

Ingredients:
water, bifida ferment lysate, methyl gluceth-20, peg-75, butylene glycol, bis-peg-18 methyl ether dimethyl silane, glycereth-26, cola acuminata (kola) extract, squalane, sodium RNA, sodium hyaluronate, retinyl palmitate, tocopheryl acetate, bisabolol, pantethine, hydrogenated lecithin, oleth-3 phosphate, oleth-3, oleth-5, anthemis nobilis (chamomile), caffeine, choleth-24, ceteth-24, xanthan gum, tea, carbomer, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, bht, trisodium edt, benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, yellow 5, green 5, red 4

Overall Rating:
4 out of 5. Antioxidants level may not be as high as I want it to be, but it’s still a great supplement that really works to hydrate and smooth out my skin. But at this price, the packaging should be better-thought.

*This review will be cross posted in http://www.makeupalley.com under username Crescent_Shadow.