Review - Luna Sleeping Night Oil – Sunday Riley

From Sephora:

"Luna Sleeping Night Oil contains high potency, purified grade lactic acid to instantly correct dullness, plump the look of lines, and exfoliate the skin. With continued use, the appearance of stubborn hyperpigmentation, imperfections, and the visible signs of aging are reduced for a healthy-looking complexion. Enhanced with licorice for brightening, it helps to clarify and correct the appearance of imperfections for immediate, smooth radiance."

I believe this is a great ‘starter retinol’ and a nice luxurious treat for the skin, but I’m not convinced Luna is deserving of all the hype it receives.  This product did not have me shouting from the rooftops (unlike Sunday Riley’s Good Genes… which for me has been a game changer!)

Full disclosure:  I am turning 44 this year.  I am not looking for products that show subtle improvements.  I want workhorse skincare… the kind of product that makes me say ‘Wow!” when I look in the mirror the next morning. Twenty year old me might have loved Luna. Forty something me doesn’t impress that easily.

Pros:  It does last a very long time.  I purchased the Power Couple kit from Sephora last fall and just ran out of the tiny sized Luna this week.  (I’m on my second Good Genes).  It’s a lovely smelling product with a nice consistency, although may irritate those with sensitivity due to the essential oil irritants it contains.  The bottle and dropper are lovely; great for dispensing just enough without waste.

Cons:  It’s pricy… and I’m not 100% certain it’s worth it.  When I look at the ingredient list, I don’t understand the pricepoint.  The artificial dye is this product is worrysome. 

I might consider purchasing Luna again, and giving it one more try… but there are so many other ‘shiny things’ out there on the market that I ‘need’ right now, Luna will have to take a backseat.  To be honest, I’d be more inclined to look into a prescription retinol rather than repurchase.

I really wasn’t terribly impressed by the results I’ve seen from Luna.  I see rave reviews all over the intrawebs for Luna… many from people I trust and respect.  With skincare, not everything is going to work for everyone.  Luna.  I’m just not that into you.

2 out of 5 cups - not the greatest
* Product purchased with my own moolah

Review - Sunday Riley Good Genes

Good Genes Treatment from Sunday Riley

HERE'S WHAT THEY SAY:
Good Genes is an all-in-one lactic acid brightening, multitasking, radiance treatment and mask. 

What it is formulated to do:
Everyone wants the unmistakable look of having good genes. This hydrating treatment is formulated with key ingredients that plump the look of fine lines to reveal brighter, renewed skin, and support natural circulation to create a smooth, vibrant complexion. Long term use will help restore damaged skin, reduce hyperpigmentation and scars, reduce the depth and number of lines and wrinkles, even out skintone, and increase skin firmness. 

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates 
- Phthalates 

What else you need to know:
The flash facial: two products, one dramatic result. Lactic acid plus green clay DIY mask to reveal flawless, glowing, radiant skin—in a flash. Mix three pumps of Good Genes with two pumps of Ceramic Slip, leave on for five to 10 minutes, and rinse off. For sensitive skin, begin use as a mask two to three times a week, building tolerance to lactic acid exposure. Layer under all other Sunday Riley treatments, except for Luna Sleeping Night Oil, for most amplified results. When used together with Luna Sleeping Night Oil, apply after the oil has been absorbed into skin. 

This cruelty-free product is vegan, gluten-free, and hypoallergenic. It is formulated without synthetic fragrances.

PROS:
I have never seen my skin look this good.  If you can score a sample, try it.  You will not be disappointed.

CONS:
You may have to sell a kidney to afford this stuff over the long term.... but I think it may be worth it.  I'm sure Good Genes would make an amazing mask, but it hurts my heart to think of putting 5 pumps of this expensive serum on your face and washing all your hard earned money down the drain.

THE STRAIGHT DOPE:
I wanted to hate Good Genes, simply because it is so damned expensive, but it has quickly achieved holy grail status.
This product is one of the few things I have tried, that really and truly lives up to the hype.  I have never tried another product that made my skin look so amazing right off the bat, and I can only imagine what the cumulative effects of using Good Genes will be.

Review - Estee lauder - Shape + Fill Expert Serum

Estee lauder - Shape + Fill Expert Serum

HERE’S WHAT THEY SAY
Now, look more beautiful from every angle. With this innovative serum, in just 2 weeks you’ll see more defined looking facial contours. Cheeks and jawline appear more lifted. It’s that effective.

Shaping Technology and our pro-collagen complex help improve both visible volume and structure.

Tested and proven: Instantly, skin is more radiant.

In just 3 days, 85% said their skin felt more plumped and refined.*

At 4 weeks, 87% saw a positive transformation in the look of their skin.*

See the transformation.
Look in the mirror. You’ll love what you see with New Dimension—skin that looks radiant and more defined.
*Consumer testing on 308 women.

PROS
The texture of this serum is really nice.  It’s has a moisturizing gel consistency and absorbs well.  It’s chock full of antioxidants, peptides and beneficial fatty acids; all great for skin.

CONS
Are we marketing to Kardasians here? There are some lofty ‘pie in the sky’ claims like "you'll see more defined looking facial contours," and, "cheeks and jawline are visibly more lifted."  MMM-K!  That’s not really possible without surgical invention, Estee Lauder.  This product is quite scented, and may pose problems for those with sensitivities.

THE STRAIGHT DOPE
The marketing claims are rather hilarious, but the product itself is quite nice.  As someone with oilier skin, I love the texture.  Moisturizing but not greasy, and absorbs very well.  I personally like the scent, but know that some would prefer unscented to prevent irritation.  Overall, it’s a nice anti-aging serum that would work well on combination to oily skin.