A Touch of Blusher

Holiday 2009 Focus: Dior Cristal Boréal

2009-11-21T21:30:00.007Z

I always look forward to Dior's seasonal makeup collections, especially the limited-edition Star Products. Sometimes I am excited by the Star Products, and sometimes I am underwhelmed. For me, Dior's holiday 2009 collection is probably one of the best holiday collections that Dior has brought out, and Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel is certainly one of the reasons why I love the collection.

One thing I like about Cristal Boréal is that it is housed in a proper box, which does justice to the Swarovski crystals on the oval-shaped pendant. I am not really a fan of the velvety pouches that Dior's seasonal limited-edition items usually come in, as they get dusty very easily. It is good to see Cristal Boréal much better presented. (As one of my readers, Kiks, so rightly said, this time it is more Dior than Dior Beauty.)

Four of the crystals are Aurore Boréale crystals. They reflect the light in colorful hues and they all have a nice depth to them.

According to the information leaflet (that comes with the pendant), the pendant features 52 Swarovski crystals.There are 52 crystals on the pendant itself already (I have counted them), so I am not entirely sure whether the one on the metal tag is also a Swarovski crystal.

(the back of the pendant)

The pendant contains a lip gloss, which is available in two shades (silver and pink). I went for the pink one (#251 Pink Crystal). Both shades are quite sheer and they mainly show up as subtly multi-colored shimmer.

The pendant flips open on both sides. There is no mirror, but the inside of the lid and the back of the pendant can work as mirrors.

Dior's makeup accessories are usually statement pieces, and Cristal Boréal continues the tradition. While the Princess Ring is still my favorite seasonal Star Product from Dior, Cristal Boréal is among my favorites too.

I also like some of the other items in Dior's holiday 2009 collection. (It is a very purple-toned collection.) The two 5-Color Iridescent Eyeshadow palettes are quite stunning. I prefer the softer Purple Crystal (which looks similar to 129 Pearly Lilac in the Lilas Addiction collection, which has not been available in the UK), even though the orchid purple in Smoky Crystal is my favorite shade in the whole collection.

(Purple Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

(Smoky Crystal)
(image from www.dior.com)

Another item I tested is Cristal Boréal Cristal Eyeshadow in Purple Gem. It is a low-key medium purple with sparse glitters. Personally, I would like it better if it didn't have the glitters.

(image from www. dior.com)

Overall, with purples and greys, this is another trend-sensitive collection from Dior. (It is a good extension from Dior's fall 2009 collection.) The two Cristal Boréal shades might not be very original, but I think they do have a solid collectibility factor.

Related posts:

Lady Dior in French Chic
(spring 2009)

Dior Night Diamond
(holiday 2008)

Golden Dior Luminizing Makeup Jewel
(summer 2008)

DiorLight Jewelled Makeup Necklace
(holiday 2007)

Dior Diorissime Palette
(fall 2007)

Lunasol Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-19T22:30:00.002Z

(images/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Kanebo Lunasol will release its spring 2010 makeup collection in Japan on January 15th. The purification theme continues, and the theme for spring 2010 is Scenic Purification. Each of the five Nature Color Eyes palettes portrays one of the five scenes of nature (sea, greenery, earth, sand, and flowers).

The full lineup includes:

- Nature Color Eyes (5 variations)
- Shining Water Eyes (5 shades, limited editions)

- Full Glamour Lips G (10 new shades)
- Full Glamour Gloss N (5 new shades)
- Contrasting W Lip Liner (3 new shades)
- Coloring Cheeks (3 new shades)

(Shining Water Eyes)

At the moment, I am warming to the two neutral-toned Shining Water Eyes shades. Since they are limited editions, I will have to make a relatively quick decision...

(Please have a look at this post for the link to the five Nature Color Eyes palettes and this post for the link to some swatches.)

Related posts:

Lunasol Holiday 2009 Collection

Lunasol Fall 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Brands: Lunasol

Swatches: Lunasol Spring 2010 & Addiction Fall 2009

2009-11-18T22:30:00.002Z

(Addiction's Eyeshadows)
(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

- Please have a look at this blog post, which features swatches of three of Lunasol's five eyeshadow palettes for spring 2010. It seems that the purple in 05C Nature Colorful is a little too pale for my liking. (It seems paler than Lavender Coral's purple, which I adore.) At the moment, it is not likely that I will pick up this palette.

- If you are interested in Kosé's Addiction, do check out this blog post for swatches of all of Addiction's current eyeshadows and blushers.

Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 3)

2009-11-18T21:30:00.007Z

(continued from Part 1 & Part 2)

3. Jill Stuart

(image from www.iswii.com)

Jill Stuart's fall 2009 items include the seasonal additions plus the 5th anniversary collection. The 5th anniversary collection items are certainly worth collecting but the packaging of some of the items can look a little fussy. Among the fall additions, I particularly like the new Seductive Eyes palette, which has some nice warm neutrals. There are also two new variations of the popular Mix Blush Compact.

2. Magie Deco

(image from www.cosmedecorte.com/magiedeco)

I didn't pay too much attention to Magie Deco's fall 2009 collection until I saw the full lineup in the September 2009 issue of Biteki and some of the Shadow Brilliance II palettes being featured in the following issue. I actually like almost all the variations, and LC028 Lovable Muse, with lilac and green, is quite an unusual color combination in Japanese cosmetics.

This might surprise you, but the Shadow Brilliance II palette that has really grabbed my attention is DC025 Foxy Lady, not DC026 Real Madonna. The light-to-medium neutrals look very soft, wearable, and sophisticated. If I decide to pick up more neutral shades, I might seriously consider this palette.

1. Lunasol

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lunasol)

For me, it has been quite a good year for Lunasol. Last fall, I didn't really warm to Lunasol's red-toned collection, which wasn't among my seasonal top ten then. This year, I like all of Lunasol's seasonal collections (including the holiday 2009 collection), and, with the fall 2009 collection, the idea of capturing the changes of light from dusk to dawn appeals to me a lot.

Overall, Lunasol's eyeshadow palettes for this year are relatively understated in terms of color and shimmer (especially when they are compared with palettes from previous series such as Geminate Eyes and Sheer Contrast Eyes). In a way, they are similar to palettes from Lunasol's early days, but it seems that shimmer will be back for spring 2010.

My holiday 2009 top ten will be posted next month.

Related posts (on spring 2010 collections):

Coffret D'Or

Aube Couture

Esprique Precious

Makeup Review: Lily Lolo Blush Pots

2009-11-18T19:00:00.002Z

Founded in 2005, Lily Lolo is perhaps one of the most well-known UK-based mineral makeup lines. I think some of you outside the UK might have heard about it as well. Today I am reviewing three of Lily Lolo's Blush Pots.

(Rosebud)

Rosebud is a very pigmented warm rosy red with pink shimmer and iridescence. For people with a light or light-to-medium complexion, the shade can be too dark. (Also, it is not easy to be light-handed with it to create a sheer finish.) But if you have a medium or medium-to-dark complexion, I think this can be a beautifully luscious shade for the cheeks.

(Cupcake)

On the other hand, Cupcake is a suitable shade for people with a light complexion. It is a sheer peachy salmon pink with a softly glowy finish. (There is no visible shimmer or iridescence.) It shows up subtly on my light-to-medium complexion as well. This is my favorite shade of the three, since I tend to prefer sheer blushers with no shimmer. Even though I usually go for medium and cooler pinks, this shade creates a gentle and natural look for the cheeks.

(Rosy Apple)

Rosy Apple has the same pigmentation level as Rosebud, and it has a similar shimmery/iridescent finish. It is a warm brown with a bronze undertone and it works more as a bronzer than as a blusher. Again, like Rosebud, a little goes a long way. As a bronzer, it should suit those with a light-to-medium complexion. (It can be too dramatic for those with a fair complexion.) It can be applied very gently under the cheek bones to contour/shade the face. It can also be used as an eyeshadow if you tend to like warn-toned neutrals.

All the three shades have a decent staying power.

On the whole, Rosebud and Rosy Apple seem to be quite typical blushers from mineral makeup lines as they are very pigmented and they carry iridescence and shimmer. They also tend to set on the skin very quickly, so it is crucial to make sure that the brush picks up the powder very evenly. If you are looking for very pigmented blushers, these two shades could work well for you (if you have the complexion that they are suitable for).

(The products featured in this review are provided by Lily Lolo.)

Other reviews of mineral makeup:

Alima

Afterglow

Ferro

Sass, Style & Substance for November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T21:30:00.004Z

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Idol White Teeth Whitening used by the Kardashian sisters for whiter teeth.

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher is three years old!

eye4style
eye4style revels in the beauty of Chanel skincare.

New York Spender
NY Spender previews Tory Burch’s New Sunglasses Collection.

Splendicity Accessories
Kristen Stewart upped her glamor factor for the French premier of the latest Twilight movie, New Moon.

image: Stock.xchg

Weekend Beauty Reads for November 15, 2009

2009-11-15T20:00:00.002Z

Fresco Phyrra compares seven eye shadow primers. See which ones come out on top!

Elke shares ways on how to make MAC's Style Black collection work for you.

Beauty and Fashion Tech has a new website dedicated to Holiday Makeup!

Girl Gloss checks out the MAC Holiday Lip Kits.

Beauty Anonymous is in love with Barefoot in Barcelona from OPI fall 2009 Spain Collection.

The Makeup Blogger is thrilled that holiday gift sets are upon us! Her first favorite is the new NARS Lipgloss set from Sephora!

Update: Sonia Rykiel Holiday 2009 Collection

2009-11-11T22:30:00.003Z

(images/info from www.soniarykiel-cosmetics.com)

Purple is a very popular color for holiday 2009, and Sonia Rykiel is using it in both the makeup items and the packaging for the limited-edition Exquise collection, which will be launched in Japan on December 1st. (See Sonia Rykiel's holiday 2009 releases in November here.)

The Exquise collection includes:

Sweet Cute Set:
- Poudre Visage 2009 (Face Powder)
- Glossy Lip Color 2009 001
- original vanity pouch

Sweet Pure Set:
- Poudre Visage 2009 (Face Powder)
- Glossy Lip Color 2009 002
- original vanity pouch

- Nail Color L (3 shades)

More purples for holiday 2009:

Dior

YSL

Paul & Joe

Chicca Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-11T22:00:00.002Z

(image/info from www.nikkei.co.jp)

Chicca will release its spring 2010 Spring Awakening makeup collection in Japan on February 3rd. The lineup includes:

- Enthralling Powder Eyeshadow duo (4 new variations)
- Enthralling Pencil Eyeliner EX (2 shades)
- Enticing Lipstick (5 new shades)
- Enticing Lip Gloss (2 new shades)

Related posts on Chicca:

Holiday 2009 Collection

Fall 2009 Collection

Summer 2009 Collection

Ayura Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-11T21:30:00.004Z

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Ayura will release its spring 2010 makeup items in Japan on January 23rd. The new items include:

- Aura Feel Rouge (above, 2 new shades, limited editions)

- Aura Feel Blend Gloss (above, 2 shades, limited editions)

- Veil Balance Brush on Skin Pact (6 shades, SPF 20 PA ++)

- Veil Balance Tone Up Color (3 shades, SPF 20 PA +)

The collection may include more items. I will keep you all posted.

Related posts:

Ayura Night Harmonition

Ayura Fall 2009 Collection

Loving Japanese Brands - Ayura

Kosé Esprique Precious Spring 2010 Collection

2009-11-11T21:00:00.005Z

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Esprique Precious will release its spring 2010 makeup collection in Japan on December 1st. The lineup includes:

- Symphonic Fit Eyes (above, 4 variations)

- Dress on Moist Rouge (2 new shades, limited editions)

- Dress on Glossy Rouge (2 new shades, limited editions)

Related posts on Esprique Precious:

Holiday 2009 Collection

Fall 2009 Collection

Dramatical Stay Pact UV EX

A Touch of Blusher is three years old!

2009-11-07T22:10:00.005Z

I hope you will enjoy the cupcakes! (I just had one...)

So far, 2009 has been a hectic year for me. Many of you who have been reading my blog in the last couple of years might have noticed that my posts have been a little less frequent (particularly compared with 2008). What I have been trying to do is to blog slightly less frequently (but still regularly) so that hopefully I don't have to feel that I need to stop blogging all together. This means sometimes I might not be able to reply to comments or e-mails as promptly as I would like to, but I hope you will still enjoy stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me.

Let's take a look back at the last twelve months of A Touch of Blusher:

November 2008
I talked about the upcoming trends in Japanese makeup.

December
I tried out Eyelash Curler, one of SUQQU's best-selling items.

January 2009
From My Treasure Chest series was launched.

February
I shared my thoughts on Dior's Lady Dior (after I finally decided to get it).

March
I loved all your comments and thoughts on my Japanese Base Makeup Week series.

April
Speculation and anticipation can be very exciting.

May
I reviewed items from British new makeup line Illamasqua.

June
Another Foundation Face-Off.

July
I posted an update on my daytime moisturizer.

August
I added another lilac palette to my collection.

September
Lavshuca's new Finish Powder didn't disappoint me.

October
Jill Stuart's Jelly Eye Color N in 08 Crystal Sky is a shade I didn't have before.

Since the end of the three-week downtime of my blog a couple of months ago, I have been thinking about whether I want to move to another blog host and possibly own my .com domain. It would be quite a big move, and I have been gathering information in order to make informed choices. I will keep you guys posted.

Weekend Beauty Reads for November 7, 2009

2009-11-07T21:30:00.002Z

Fresco Phyrra gives you her Holiday Gift Guide - Part 1!

A Touch of Blusher counts down the best fall 2009 makeup collections.

Sass, Style & Substance for November 7, 2009

2009-11-07T21:00:00.000Z

Eat Smart Age Smart
6 Steps to feel sexy in your body!

Beauty Match
Change your mind, change your body, change your life!

eye4style
Cutting Edge or Questionable? You decide. eye4style tells all about a new plastic surgery iPhone application.

STYLEnosh
My readers find the best fashion WHAT WENT WRONG pics!

Splendicity Accessories
Lace accessories are showing up all over the place – although Lady Gaga shows us how to not wear it…

image: Stock.xchg

Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 2)

2009-11-06T22:30:00.001Z

(continued from Part 1)

6. Lavshuca

(Light Mix Eyes palettes)
(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/lavshuca)

As I mentioned before, Lavshuca has been placing its brand emphasis on lip products in the last few seasons. The new Full Balloon Rouge for fall 2009 aims to make lips appear fuller and reduce vertical lip lines. The new Light Mix Eyes palettes look very easy to wear, and I think there might be other color variations to be released next year. (There are two new Dual Prism Eyes variations and one new Grade Color Eyes variation this season.)

5. Helena Rubinstein

(www.helenarubinstein.com)

I am still not pleased with the fact that Helena Rubinstein is no longer available in the UK. (Have a look at my Bring It Back! post on Helena Rubinstein.) Every now and then, there are products in its seasonal collections that I really want to try. In fall 2009, Helena Rubinstein is among the very few brands whose new lip glosses reflect the current purple trend, as two of the four new Wanted Gloss shades are purple-toned.

4. Three

(image from www.threecosmetics.com)

Like Addiction, Three is a new Japanese beauty brand that was launched in fall 2009. (I will present a brand profile on Three later on.) While Addiction is edgy and fashion-forward, Three is polished and demure. The vast launch lineup features all the basic point (color) makeup items, and both the simple and low-key packaging and the sophisticated colors remind me of the early days of Lunasol.

The countdown concludes early next week.

Related posts:

Lavshuca Holiday 2009 Collection

Lavshuca Finish Powder in Lucent & High Cover

Bring It Back! Shiseido's Inoui ID

News in Brief: Coffret D'Or & Lunasol Spring 2010 Collections

2009-11-05T22:30:00.002Z

(image from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

- Please check out this blog post for swatches of Coffret D'Or's Jewelcious Eyes palettes for spring 2010. 02 Pink Topaz, 04 Amber Beige, and 05 Purple Amethyst have caught my attention.

- Rouge Deluxe has posted a link to this blog post, which has photos of Lunasol's spring 2010 eyeshadow palettes. The yellow/pink/lilac palette is my favorite at the moment, and it looks quite similar to Sheer Contrast Eyes in Lavender Coral from spring 2008.

Stash Update: Dior Holiday 2009

2009-11-03T22:00:00.003Z

(image from www.dior.com)

I stopped by my local Boots to see Dior's Holiday 2009 collection yesterday, and I was very pleased that the Cristal Boréal Crystal Gloss Jewel did look lovely in person. I didn't have enough Boots points to use on Lady Dior back in spring, but I did this time with Cristal Boréal. (I got the one in 251 Pink Crystal.)

I haven't opened it yet (I am trying to savor the anticipation), but I will be bringing you my thoughts on it and some of the other items in the collection within the next couple of weeks.

Fall 2009 Makeup Top 10 (Part 1)

2009-11-03T21:00:00.003Z

A couple of weeks ago, I presented the Fall 2009 Makeup Trend Round-Up. Today, I start the countdown of my favorite fall 2009 makeup collections. I hope you will enjoy these posts.

10. Addiction

(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

I think Kosé's Addiction is one of the most exciting launches in Japanese cosmetics this year. As many of the mainstream Japanese makeup lines aim to be as wearable as possible, Addiction is a lot edgier, with items like various black eyeshadows that help create intense smoky eyes.

(image from www.addiction-beauty.com)

The launch lineup is very coherent and looks quite warm-toned to me, and I look forward to seeing their spring 2010 collection.

9. YSL

(image from www.ysl.com)

(image from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Among the items in YSL's fall 2009 makeup collection, I like the Ombres 5 Lumières in 18 (above, Japanese release) and the limited-edition Cream Blush. The Cream Blush has more of a mousse texture, which is a pleasant surprise. It appeals to me more than blushers with a cream texture, as I think mousse blushers are easier to apply and blend. They also tend to look velvety/semi-matte (which I like) rather than shiny.

8. Dior

(image from www.iswii.net)

Dior's seasonal makeup collections are usually great trend indicators, and the fall 2009 collection is no exception. The collection features purples, plums, pinks, and greys for the eyes and warm-toned shades for the lips. The 5-Color Eyeshadow in 173 Night Butterfly (above) has virtually all the seasonal trends in one compact.

The Dior Jazzclub palettes look very chic but they don't wow me as much as many of Dior's past seasonal limited-edition items. Otherwise, Dior would place higher on my list.

7. Paul & Joe

(image from www.iswii.com)

I think Paul & Joe's seasonal makeup collections are always worth looking forward to, particularly the items with the original prints by the designer behind the brand, Sophie Albou. While I am not as crazy about the prints from this collection as I was about some of the previous ones, I like the new design of the eyeshadow cases, which have an oval shape instead of the usual round shape. Paul & Joe doesn't do loud colors, and the eyeshadows for this season are soft, elegant, and wearable as usual.

(image from www.iswii.com)

The countdown continues in Part 2.

Related posts:

Summer 2009 Makeup Top 10: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Sass, Style & Substance for November 1, 2009

2009-11-01T22:30:00.001Z

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge kicks off three days featuring the best lipstick and lip gloss shades of fall 2009!

Eat Smart Age Smart
Does drinking alcohol make you exercise more?

Beauty Match
Free Trial Offer: Reprint Plant Steam Cell Skincare Wrinkle Cream.

Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty and Fashion Tech loves the shu uemura holiday compact mirror!

A Touch of Blusher
A Touch of Blusher compares three of Dove’s body lotions.

Splendicity Accessories
There’s no reason why you can’t be warm and fashionable this fall – especially if you check out what the indie designers have been up to.

image: Stock.xchg

Weekend Beauty Reads for November 1, 2009

2009-11-01T22:00:00.002Z

Raging Rouge kicks off three days featuring the best lipstick and lip gloss shades of Fall 2009.

Love to win beauty products? Then head on over to The Makeup Divas and enter to win a Walmart Beauty Basket.

Enter for chance to win LashMantra Eyelash Growth Serum, Malibu Secret Anti-Aging Body cream, Peridot Earrings and Organic Eye-care recipes E-book at Beauty and Personal Grooming .

Bodycare Review: Dove

2009-10-29T22:30:00.005Z

(images from www.dove.co.uk)

Two years ago, I wrote about Dove's Body Silk (in my Can't Live Without series), which is one of my favorite body moisturizers. (I am still using it.) Today I am reviewing three of Dove's other body moisturizers.

The Supreme Silk Beauty Body Lotion (pictured above) is from the same range as the Body Silk, and it feels lighter than the Body Silk. It has a light lotion consistency and it spreads very easily. It is nicely absorbed and hydrates the skin well.

It contains mica, which gives a bit of shimmer to the skin. I don't usually like body moisturizers that have a "makeup" element, but the shimmer from this product is quite faint and subtle.

The Intensive Lotion for Extra Dry Skin has a light-cream consistency. It is more or less as easily spreadable as the Supreme Silk Beauty Body Lotion. But, after it is absorbed, it feels a lot more emollient on the skin. (It doesn't feel too heavy or sticky.)

When the Pro.Age Body Cream Oil is dispensed onto the hands, it has a creamy lotion consistency that is not too different from that of many other body moisturizers. But when I spread it onto the skin, I can really feel how richly emollient it is. It may look somewhat runny, but it spreads almost like a thick body butter. It is by far the most emollient of the three.

Paraffinum Liquidum (mineral oil) is third on the ingredient list, which might be one of the reasons why this feels so emollient on the skin.

Among the three, the Supreme Silk Beauty Body Lotion appeals to me the most (although I would prefer a version without mica). It feels the lightest on the skin but it is still very hydrating. (On a related note, it is the only one among these three that doesn't contain mineral oil.) I think it should suit most people with normal or normal-to-dry skin on the body.

The Intensive Lotion for Extra Dry Skin, I think, is indeed for people with very dry skin. Most people might find it more suitable when the weather is particularly cold and dry. As for the Pro.Age Body Cream Oil, which works more like a body butter, I think it is more ideal for the very dry patches of the body, as it can be too oily to be used all over the body (unless your skin is exceptionally dry).

Next month, I will review Dove's Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin and Pro.Age Rich Body Butter and I will compare them with the three products reviewed above.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Dove.)

Related posts:

Kanebo Sensai Premier The Body Cream

Jergens Extra Softening Body Moisturzer

Nivea My Silhouette Gel-Cream

Coffret D'Or Holiday 2009 & Spring 2010 Website Update

2009-10-27T23:30:00.004Z

(images/info from www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor)

Coffret D'Or's official website has been updated with information on the line's holiday 2009 and spring 2010 collections.

What I am really looking forward to is the new Jewelcious Eyes series. The color combinations are what we would expect from Coffret D'Or, but the quality of Coffret D'Or's eye palettes has been generally very good and it is very likely that I will try one palette from this series.

The five variations are:

- Citrian Green
- Pink Topaz
- Crystalish Blue
- Amber Beige
- Purple Amethyst

I also adore the 2010 design of the eye palette compacts. I like the fact that the concept and the motif have remained the same since the launch of the line but there is a new design each year. (You can see the 2008 design here and the 2009 design here.)

Related posts on Coffret D'Or:

Fall 2009 Point Makeup Collection

Color Mixing Eyes in Lavender Purple Mix
(summer 2009)

Shine Accent Eyes in Pink Variation
(spring 2009)

Weekend Beauty Reads for October 25, 2009

2009-10-25T22:00:00.000Z

Raging Rouge dedicates the week to exploring the Style Black collection by MAC, starting with these mineralize eye shadows.

A Touch of Blusher recaps fall/winter 2009 makeup trends.

Fresco Phyrra gives you the details on the new LE Victorian Couture Collection from Spell Cosmetics!

Beauty Junkie in SF loves Desert Essence's Pumpkin Hand Cream for a fun way to get you excited for fall weather.

Beauty Anonymous reviews Shiseido Smoothing Lip Pencil.

The Makeup Divas reviews MAC Style Black Collection and shares pics of recreated promo images.

Sass, Style & Substance for October 25, 2009

2009-10-25T21:30:00.001Z

Raging Rouge
Raging Rouge explores the world of MAC Style Black, including these not-to-be-missed Glimmerglass glosses!

STYLEnosh
Need a wardrobe boost? Try mixing prints and patterns.

eye4style
eye4style experiences the most fashionable afternoon tea in London.

Holiday Makeup
Holiday Makeup has the full MAC Holiday Collection!

Beauty and Fashion Tech
Beauty and Fashion Tech looks at part of the Luna Twilight Collection.

Splendicity Accessories
You could win your very own chunky brass “Phatty” necklace from Twisted Silver!

image: Stock.xchg

Skincare Review: RoC Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion

2009-10-25T19:00:00.004Z

(images from RoC)

Many of you who read my blog probably already know my view on moisturizers which carry anti-aging (or anti-wrinkle) claims. (You can see some of my related posts here.) In almost all cases, I review them simply as moisturizers just like any other moisturizer (because this is simply what they are). Today, I am reviewing two of the latest products from RoC.

Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Intensive Anti-Wrinkle Serum (pictured above)

This is quite a heavily silicone-based serum that has a slightly thick consistency. On the ingredient list, after water, the next five ingredients are all silicones.

Some of the emollients it contains are stearyl heptanoate, strearyl caprylate, caprylyl glycol, squalane, and hyaluronic acid. It also contains retinol, which, according to Paula Begoun, is a cell-communicating agent (which is able to work at the cellular level) and an antioxidant. It is not easy to say whether there is enough retinol in this product to really bring significant benefits to the skin, but, at least, for the amount that this product does have, RoC tries to keep its efficacy by packaging the product in a opaque container with a pump dispenser. (Retinol can lose its efficacy when it is in contact with air or sunlight.)

The product is alcohol-free and paraben-free.

As with most other silicone-based serums, it leaves a silky finish on the skin. The silicones that it contains can temporarily make the skin look smoother and more even. Personally, I think it feels a little too filmy on the skin.

Retin-Ox Wrinkle Correxion Regenerating Anti-Wrinkle Cream

This is a relatively light-weight nighttime moisturizer that has a lighter consistency than that of the serum reviewed above. Also, it contains less silicone, and the finish is less filmy.

Some of its moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, butylene glycol, and hyaluronic acid. Like the serum, this product contains retinol, and the description of the product above regarding retinol applies here. Again, the opaque tube with a pump dispenser is an ideal packaging in terms of the attempt to preserve the efficacy of retinol and other skin-benefiting ingredients.

I feel that the texture and emolliency of this product do suit my Type-4 skin (oily but dry underneath). It moisturizes my skin effectively and the skin feels smooth and supple (not filmy or greasy). I think one of the reasons for this ideal level of emolliency for my particular skin type is that the product doesn't contain many occlusive moisturizing ingredients, such as mineral oil, shea butter and other plant oils (like jojoba oil, sesame oil, and avocado oil). Even though these non-fragrant occlusive emollients are generally good for the skin and are unlikely to cause skin irritation, skin that tends to get oily doesn't really need too much of occlusive emolliency.

The product is alcohol-free.

Overall, these two products are well-formulated and well-packaged. The serum should particularly suit those with normal or normal-to-dry skin, while the night cream should suit those with normal, normal-to-dry or normal-to-oily skin.

(The products featured in this review are provided by RoC.)

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