Obagi 'Professional-C Serum 20%'

Now, this is my first product from Obagi. They have been on my radar for a few months now, but because their prices are quite expensive, I have only just plucked up the courage to purchase one of their products.

To me, Obagi seem to be a brand that are quite focused on the science and chemistry behind skincare. I follow a blog ran by a dermatologist, and she has mentioned this serum (along with others - she always offers impartial advice regardless of brand) in a post about taking care of your skin against UV rays and it was something I just had to have.

The science behind this product is that the penetration of anti-oxidants (L-ascorbic acid) into the skin (which is apparently penetrates deeper than any other product they claim) provides "maximum daily antioxidant protection against free radicals, which cause premature signs of aging including fine lines and wrinkles."

This product is to be applied before any skincare or makeup in the morning. It is a serum designed to be used in the morning only, which means you would have to have to use another serum at bedtime specific to a night-time regime.

Even from the first application my skin felt brighter and more radiant. I could honestly see my skin felt better and looked better. In just three days my skin looked amazing and it really seemed to help with my acne, I only had one spot break out. The small red scars seemed to fade. I am not kidding you, it was so refreshing to see a product which actually made a difference. I know the results seem so far fetched in such a short amount of time, but I am telling you it's like magic in a bottle.

I didn't experience the tingling associated with using the product at all. I decided to go straight for the highest concentration (it also comes in 5%, 10% and 15%) because I wanted maximum results straight away. I would have thought I would have experienced some irritation or stinging or even slight redness, but no, absolutely nothing. I even use it around my eyes and have had no side-effects!

One con about this product is that it smells really weird. I have researched this and other people have also mentioned the smell, some like it and some hate it, so I know the product was not delivered to me out of date.
The smell reminds me of old mouldy oranges, you know, the smell you get when you have a tangerine in the bottom of your handbag for a week.
The smell isn't a deal-breaker for me because it works so damn well, but I know some people are really pedantic about the smell of the product they use so I'm just putting it out there!

The bottle comes in a little cardboard box. I think the design of it makes it look very medical, it looks like a box full of medication! But fancy packaging doesn't make a product fantastic, so it's not a deal breaker!
The bottle actually arrives with a screw top lid, and the dropper separately. I'm not sure what benefit this has, maybe it travels better?
One thing I don't like about the dropper, it doesn't hold the serum very well, so be careful! Occasionally my dresser surface has received more a vitamin C boost than me...

You only need about three/four drops of the product to cover the face, and cover it well. The serum does spread well over the skin, which is great considering it is so damn expensive you don't want to be using loads every time you apply it!
The bottle has lasted me ages, and one month in I have barely used any!
Now that brings me onto the worst part about this product - the price. I bought mine from Amazon so I paid £57 (I got free shipping) for the 30ml bottle, which was the cheapest price I saw online.
It is quite steep in price, but my mother has a handy old trick of making skincare . She says if it lasts me, say, 2 months/60 days, that is less than £1 per day. Which puts it into a little bit more perspective. Plus, look at looking after your skin as an investment.

You need to be careful with this product - don't expose it to light or warmth otherwise the vitamin C will destabilise, just like it does when you keep fruit in the light and warmth! And then that's your money wasted. I keep mine in the cardboard box it came in and store it in my bathroom since it's quite cool in there compared to my bedroom.

I will repurchase this product when I run out for definite. Yes, the price is steep, but it lasts ages and I really think it has made my skin so much better.

Pamper sesh/Mini-facial.

Once a week I like to treat myself to a little facial, so to speak. No, I don't go out and get it done professionally, I do it by myself on myself, in the comfort of my own room. Perfectamundo.

It is one of the most pampering things you could do and your skin will love you for it, and you don't really need fancy expensive products or equipment. For example, stage 1 is cleansing. Any cleanser would do, depending on your skin type. Stage 2 is a repeat, so essentially a double cleanse, and you could use the same cleanser as before or go for a different one if you fancy. I find that my oily congested skin appreciates a double cleanse and I find this really effective at leaving skin prepped and primed. If you don't want to double-cleanse or don't feel your skin needs it - don't. I only do it because I definitely need to! Stage 3 is exfoliation. Any exfoliator will do, just make sure that the exfoliating matierial within the product isn't natural - peach kernels or nut shells aren't naturally round and therefore can scratch the skin, which isn't good. Man-made beads or crystals in exfoliating products are better because they can be refined down and rounded so they have a less harsh effect on the skin but are still effective. Step 4 can be carried out over a bowl of water. You don't have to own a steamer! Step 5 can be carried out again with a preferred cleanser. Stage 6 can be carried out with any mask you like - hydrating, chemically exfoliating, cleansing, whatever you want!. For stage 7, use your favourite moisturiser, and hey presto.
Everyone does their own facial differently, but mine is through trial and error, and this method and these products work for me!

I have written out what I normally do once a week facial-wise. Sometimes I skip out a stage if I'm feeling pushed for time, but normally I don't feel like I'm doing my skin justice unless I do the whole caboodle!

1) If I have a full face of makeup (which is rare), I take it all off with a baby wipe first and then I cleanse my face with the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' face wash to remove all the impurities and oil from my skin, leaving skin already feeling fresh and so clean.
2) I cleanse my face again with my Clarisonic and a foaming face wash (I am loving Neutrogena's 'Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash'), and then follow with Boots' Botanics 'All Bright Cleansing Toner', just to ensure I have cleaned every last trace of grime from my skin.
3) I follow the double-cleanse with micro-dermabraison courtesy of No7's 'Total Renewal Micro-dermabraision Exfoliator'. This is hands down the best exfoliator I have ever used. I haven't yet found one to beat it (yet). It removes all the dead skin cells, revealing new skin, ensuring all my products are ready to be absorbed well!
4) Then I steam my face with my own steamer - I've had it 6 years and it's still going strong! I add Boot's own 'Glycerin and Rosewater' or tea tree to the water. It really depends how my skin is feeling, if it's a wee bit sensitive I opt for the rose water, if I have a massively huge breakout I opt for the tea-tree essence just to clear out my congested pores.
5) Then I cleanse with a foaming cleanser, to make sure I have removed all the micro-dermabraison crystals from my skin.
6) I then apply a mask; this could either be the Neutrogena 'Visibly Clear 2 in 1' used as a mask (I love those multi-purpose products I do) or the Elemis 'Papaya Enzyme Peel'. I normally alternate but if skin is feeling congested, I will plump for the Neutrogena mask above the Elemis one, and if skin is looking dull and lifeless, I'll opt for the latter!
7) I then apply Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair serum, followed by a nice big sticky layer of Eucerin's 'Aquaphor' to ensure my skin is moisturised like hell - and I'm done!

I do think it is important not only for the skin, but also for the mind to completely de-stress and focus on yourself - I don't have much 'me-time' at the moment so this is the one selfish thing I revel in.

Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair'.

I first got a bottle of this back when I was 17 from my boyfriend for my birthday (not that anybody thought I was old or anything, I have always been obsessed with skincare), and I have always had a bottle in my skincare box ever since.
This serum is probably one of my most re-purchased skincare products, I really love it. I love everything about it, the packaging, the way it works, the smell, the name...I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH OKAY? And this is really a blogpost telling you why.




This serum has won so many awards and accolades it is like the celebrity of the skincare world; Cosmopolitan Beauty and Fragrance Awards 2012 - Best Age Defying Serum, Woman & Home: Best Beauty Icon - Turn Back the Clock 2011, InStyle Award Winner 2011, She Magazine 2011: Best Night Cream, Stylist Skincare Awards 2011 Winner.
This product is dermatologist-tested, ophthalmologist-tested, fragrance-free and non-acnegenic, the latter being the most important for me because of my well documented battle with acne.

Basically, the people at Estee Lauder understand that environmental assaults damage skin cells and their DNA, leading to fine lines, wrinkles (a sharp gasp) and age spots. Which is true, I mean think of the sun rays, emotional stresses and pollution our skin faces day to day.
These folks believe that 'Advanced Night Repair' can reduce the appearance of past damage and help prevent future damage.

Now here is the really sciency bit; to which I have copied from the Estee Lauder website because I can't put it into my own words;
Skin cells have clock genes that, when in sync with each other, help skin do what it does naturally—repair at night and protect by day.
Working extensively with a leading, independent research team, Estée Lauder scientists are among the first to understand how important these genes are for your skin.
This pivotal research showed that clock genes regulate a series of precisely timed repair responses within each skin cell to help maximize its DNA repair.
Furthermore, with age and repeated exposure to environmental stresses, skin's clock genes become de-synchronized, causing its repair and protective processes to slow down.
Advanced Night Repair; This silky serum with our exclusive Chronolux™ Technology helps support the natural synchronisation of skin's repair process.

If that went completely over your head, then I will tell you what I thought about it!

I find this serum to sink in beautifully into the skin without leaving any residue, leaving it feeling incredibly moisturised and more plump. This serum contains Hyaluronic Acid, which has long been claimed to be 'the moisture magnet'. It is so moisturising you could probably forgo the moisturiser afterwards, but I never have because I think layering up skincare and using different products is very effective. My skin also feels so much more radiant after application, it's so bright and healthy.

I find that using this product over how many years I've used it has improved my skin texture, has minimised the appearance of my enlarged pores (hurrah!), hydrates my skin extensively, and more importantly, it has reduced the redness and pigmentation that has been left behind on my skin after suffering with acne for 3 years. I do still have areas of slight redness, but I would definitely say that this product has helped reduce the level of scarring and pigmentation I have been left with. I don't particularly have a problem with wrinkles yet, so I can't particularly give an opinion on that side of things.
I can use it on my skin even when it's sensitive due to Retin-A use, since it doesn't sting or cause my skin any irritation, as well as using it on my skin is it's normal oily self.

I use this twice a day, in the morning after I've cleansed and toned and before I apply my sun protection (this Vichy suncream) since I feel I need that little moisture-boost underneath my sun cream, and in the evening after cleansing and toning and before my oils/face creams.
Whenever I use it I always use a drop for my forehead, a drop for each cheek and a drop for my chin. I also love to use it around my eyes, I know it's not for that purpose but it makes my eye area feel hydrated and healthy! I always allow ten minutes after applying the serum before applying other products to let it sink in thoroughly.

The packaging is wonderful too. It comes in a cute little brown bottle (rather like the colour of medicine bottles!), with gold lettering. This instantly makes this product look incredibly luxe, and perfect for placing on your dresser for all to see!
It also comes with a little glass dropper attached to the lid, which is perfect for getting the right amount onto the skin, because you can be so precise!

At £41/£54 for a 30ml/50ml bottle, it is a quite expensive product. However, a bottle of this can last me 4 months, which equates to only around £13/month, which really isn't all that bad. I am very happy to spend money on this serum, because I have tried serums in the past where I just thought the product was a complete waste of money. However, the way this works on my skin, I think this product is worth every single penny, and I don't think I could ever be without it.
I hope that when I'm 70 years old the years of using this product will definitely be for all to see.

I mean, at the end of the day, would rather spend money on expensive face products rather than things like clothes, I mean who cares about that nice top you're wearing when you've got a face which resembles a raisin?
It would be interesting to hear your experiences with Advanced Night Repair if you've used it! Do you rave as much about it as I do?

Skincare Wishlist: July

I haven't done one of these in months. However, since breaking up from university just over a month ago, I have been doing on average 30 hour weeks at my normally part-time job, so when I get paid on Friday I'll feel super-rich! This post should be titled 'What Catt intends to spend her money on', instead of 'Skincare Wishlist'! But then again, the former isn't quite so catchy!
So here is a list of products that after some research, I would very much like to purchase...


L-RLiquid Gold with Glycolic Acid, Alpha H £31 and Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask, Alpha H £46.

This month I'm hoping to get my acne cleared up completely, but I know that this is going to leave some redness, uneven texture, enlarged pores and possibly even scars. In the meantime, I still have to deal with the pesky spots and pimples, and am trying to find products which will help!
I have heard so much about this brand in regards to their dedication to acne-prone skins and the after-effects of acne, and these products in particular really excite me, since the first tackles enlarged pores (tick), and produces a more clearer and a more even skintone, whilst the latter exfoliates, freshens, clarifies, brightens the skin. All wonderful, and I have seen some before and after photographs on a particular blog which definitely shows improvement in skin texture after using a whole array of Alpha-H products. Her skin looks so radiant and glowing. And for that and all the reasons listed, these products must be mine soon!





Masque Crème aux Résines Tropicales, Sisley £60 (from John Lewis, with a 10% off offer).

I have been itching to try Sisley's skincare range, ever since I posted a post similar to this one with the Sisley 'All Day, All Year' face cream. I still haven't bought this product due to it's extortionate price (a poor university student can't really justify £199, sorry). The price of this product is quite high as well, it is only £60, but it's only a 60ml tube. But that doesn't stop every part of my body yearning to get my hands on it!
This facial mask aims to mattify the skin, eliminate excess sebum, minimise the untimely appearance of blemishes and blackheads and tighten skin pores. These are all my problems areas, so that is why this mask is so appealing!
It contains all sorts of fancy ingredients, including: tropical resins (to help balance and purify), plantain (which purifies and softens), zinc (which also purifies and regulates sebum production), and rosemary (which tones and stimulates the skin).
What I like about this mask is that you can use it as a regular mask (put on face, wash off face), but you can also leave it on overnight!
WANTSIE!

Blemish and Age Defense Serum, SkinCeuticals £75.

I hear so many fantastic things about SkinCeuticals all the time, and it's a wonder why I haven't bought anything from them yet! I need to get my backside into gear.
I pulled the following quote from the SkinCeuticals website, since it makes it easier for you to understand why I need this in my life!

'Clinical studies on products from the Blemish + Age range showed significant improvements in inflammatory and non-inflammatory blemishes, fine lines, and uneven skin tone, while displaying exceptional tolerance and lack of side effects. Blemish + Age Defense is a highly tolerable, efficient treatment for aging, blemish-prone skin.'
Need I say more?! Considering I am a blemish-prone person and am super freaked out about ageing whilst sometimes suffering from intolerant skin, I think I definitely need this in my beauty routine!

betaCleanse, Medik8 £22.

I know well of the Medik8, since I have been eyeing up their Dermaroller ever since I posted about it earlier this year (it's still on my wishlist).
I know their a brand that focus on scientific research (much like SkinCeuticals) regarding dermatological treatments, and I have a great deal of respect for something that's founded on research and clinical trials etc.
And since I am struggling with acne, I have been eyeing up this beauty. Containing powerful and well known anti-acne ingredients like salicylic acid, niacinamide and tea-tree, I am expecting great things from this product! Also, the product is paraben-free, SLS-free, and perfume-free.

Clinque's 'Repairwear Laser Focus: Wrinkle & UV Damage Corrector'

I saw this serum advertised and thought I had to get it, no matter what. There was so much 'hype' around it and I was effectively seduced by the advertising and magazine promotions (I know, I fall for anything), so I went and bought it.

So I just had to order it online, and it came with some sweet little samples, which didn't last long!

If I'm honest, I wasn't really enamoured with this product.
I wasn't horrendously wrinkly in the first place and I wear SPF/avoid the sun whenever I can so my skin displays no sign of sun damage, so I don't think I'm the audience this product is targeting.

When I put my tinted moisturiser over the top of this serum, I found it tended to ball up on me. This was extremely annoying and grossed me out. I had used the tinted moisturiser on it's own and with other skincare products and it didn't ball up, so I came to the conclusion that it was the serum that gave this effect.

After applying this serum, my skin felt and looked almost velvety, and gave quite a matte effect.
I thought this was quite interesting, since all the serums I've used have left a shine, not a massive shine, but a little shine.

I also found that I needed a whole lot more than 3-4 drops for my whole face. I think 5-6 is a more reasonable number of drops to comfortably get it everywhere you want it. Perhaps I just have a big face, I dunno. But 3-4 drops definitely wasn't enough for me.

I think that you would see a difference in your skin if you did have more prominent signs of ageing and sun damage, but because I'm only 20 years of age this product was a total miss.
I think I only bought it because of the 'hype' that surrounded it! And judging by other reviews and word-of-mouth, it has made a difference in other people. I mean, it was part of Harpers Bazaar 'Beauty Hot 100' alongside the likes of Creme De La Mer, so obviously the majority of people thought it was good stuff!

The RRP is £36.50 for 30ml, and £52 for 50 ml. It is a good price for such a 'touted' product, and it is certainly a lot cheaper than other products out there.

I guess it just wasn't for me, and I have had better results with other serums I have used (such as the Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair'-review coming soon!).
Shame, because I really love Clinique and I wanted to see something dramatically different!

I guess I'll just stay with products more designed for younger skin...I just hope when I'm old and wrinkly in a few years time they'll still have it!
Watch this space!