Review: Skin Perfection Gel

I received a sample of the Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel in Radiant, a medium beige color, with a Sephora.com order a while back. I had seen the product on the Sephora website before but I hadn't heard too much about it. The sample size was quite small, but a little goes a long way so it lasted for 4 complete applications, which I used for 4 consecutive days. It's a mousse like product that glides on skin and makes it look smooth and polished, diminishing pores and imperfections, but the coverage is so light that it doesn't look like you're wearing anything! It's AMAZING. Even better than a tinted moisturizer, in my opinion, since it covers flaws, looks natural, and leaves a silky satin and not greasy finish. On top of that, it's a natural product that doesn't test on animals, is oil free, fragrance free, paraben free, and contains antioxidants and vitamins A and E. It didn't irritate or break me out after 4 days of use, just made my skin look gorgeous!

The full size (1 fluid ounce)

My sample size. The product was in the little clear bubble (sorry about the flash). Yes, it really lasted 4 days! You can see the color range on the right side on this package as well--Translucent, Luminous, Radiant (my color), Rich, and Decadent. Even though this is a sheer product, I like that there are more options than the usual 3 shades of Light-Medium-Dark, as well as a translucent shade that ensures every single person can use this product, regardless of skin tone.

This product almost lives up to its namesake of 'Perfekt' except for one small detail. Are you sitting down for this? The full size, one fluid ounce, costs $57.50. INSANE! I could never pay that much for an ounce of make-up. I know that it would probably last quite a while, and it is a phenomenal product, but that's around 60 dollars for make-up. No thank you.

However, there may be a loop hole. Sephora offers a To Go size that is 0.25 ounces for the much more manageable price of $17.50. Still, very high for 1/4 of an ounce, but if it lasts as long as my sample indicates, it might be worth it. And forking out around 20 dollars is so much easier than 60. I believe I will add the To Go size to my Sephora.com Shopping List, and I will report back on whether it's truly worth the money based on how long it lasts after I purchase it.

The 0.25 To Go size ($17.50)

Thank you so much for reading! Have you tried the Perfekt Skin Perfection Gel? What did you think about it?

Review: Bath & Body Works Triple Moisture Shower Cream

Let me start off by saying that I love Bath & Body Works. They have so many wonderful scents and I have been a big fan of their body washes for as long as I can remember. They recently came out with these new Triple Moisture Shower Cream body washes that come in an 8 ounce tube and claim to be a new formula, enticing you to try it by saying "Feel it to believe it."  Well, I tried it, I felt it, and I am not that impressed. The particular scent I bought was Midnight Pomegranate, a smell I love. The scent lasts for hours on the skin, especially when paired with the coordinating lotion. But the body wash was a very thick white cream that was hard to lather and made my skin feel just as good as their regular formulas.

My biggest issue with this product is the packaging. The tube is hard to squeeze for me, especially when you get down to the bottom. I know there is still product left in my tube but there is no way for me to squeeze it out since it's so thick, which is a waste. And the second or third time I used it, the print on the outside of the tube began flaking off, so there are tiny metallic flakes all over my tub and often on me when I get out of the shower. If I am paying $12 for 8 ounces of body wash, I expect for the labeling to at least hold up! So that was very messy and annoying. Now my next complaint might be downright nit picky, but it really bothers me: the cap lets water get in and the next time you pick it up to use it, a splash of cold water from the last shower gets all over you. I hate that! It's so unpleasant, and it holds quite a bit of water in there.

Feel it to believe it! Bah...

Look how much of my label has flaked away!

Tiny metallic flakes from the label. These get absolutely everywhere! In my shower, on my puff, and all over me!

Look closely at where the cap meets the bottle....see that slight opening? That's what allows water to collect in it and the next time you use it, a splash of cold water comes out and is very unpleasant.

Pros:

• Scent lingers on the skin for hours

Cons:

• Tube is difficult to squeeze & get all of the product out, which wastes the last bit
• Labeling flakes off and makes an ungodly mess
• Water stores in the cap for an unpleasant surprise next time you pick it up for use

Overall, I would skip this formulation and purchase the signature shower gel. It retails for $10.50 in store for a 10 ounce bottle....cheaper and more product, that to me has the same skin benefits in a much friendlier packaging. 

Have you tried out the new formula of Bath and Body works shower cream or lotions? What did you think?

Review: Hope in Jar Moisturizer by Philosophy

As a make-up/skincare junkie, I have heard so much about the Hope in a Jar Moisturizer from YouTube make-up gurus and blogs. Mostly they are rave reviews, and if it didn't cost so much I would have tried it out much earlier. Luckily I received a generous sample size (0.4 ounces, said to be a $12 value) with a recent Sephora purchase and have been putting it to the test. It claims to be suitable for all skin types, 99.99% oil free, and to smooth the complexion by reducing the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration. It also claims it will exfoliate the skin and contains antioxidants.

(This what my cute 0.4 ounce sample tube looks like).

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Hydrates the skin
• Makes skin look smoother
• Sulfate/GMOs/Triclosan free

Cons:

• Smells AWFUL, like plastic (and the smell lingers forever)
• Stings eyes (not getting in them, just getting CLOSE them!)
• Price: $38 for 2 ounces at Sephora; may be cheaper other places

The bottom line for me is that while it does indeed hydrate my skin, it smells so bad and is way too expensive. I'll stick to my old faithful Clinique Dramatically Different gel. 

Thanks so much for reading! Any thoughts on this moisturizer?

As always, found it cheaper on Amazon.com!