Biotherm, Aquasource Deep Serum - Sample Sized

Hello everyone!

I'm back with a mini review from another Biotherm product, this time the Aquasource Deep Serum.

It reads:
- Deep hydration and luminosity
- Try it out!

 If you’ve read my last Sample Sized post, then this name will feel extremely familiar. That’s because this Serum is also from Biotherm’s Aquasource collection and I got this sample when I purchased a couple of things at Sephora (see my Sephora Haul).

It reads:
- 3 times more concentrated
- A new source of light is born...
- *concentration in Thermal Plankton water and Mannose in comparison to Aquasource Gel

So, what does the brand have to say about this product?

“3X more concentrated (than the Aquasource gel) and 24hr hydration”

“For the first time, Biotherm has managed to concentrate Thermal Plankton water 3X more and associate it with mannose in a formula, to create Deep Serum. This elixir helps to improve the appearance of skin quality and leave skin looking more radiant.”

“Visible skin results: skin feels intensely hydrated and looks healthier; skin looks more luminous and complexion looks more even; skin looks more hydrated”

It reads:
- Discovered in the French Pyrenees
- Skin regeneration properties as no other
- Protected by 12 patents

And what are my thoughts on this?

Well, I really liked it. It was a white gel type of product. It felt even lighter on the skin than the High Density Hydrating Jelly and it also got absorbed faster. The smell was pretty similar to that of the Hydrating Jelly deliciously sweet and citrusy – loved it. I used it for about 4 nights (how long the sample lasted) and noticed my skin looking more luminous and hydrated in the morning. I didn’t notice my complexion being evener – but I just used it for such a short amount of time that it’s difficult to tell if it works or not.

Ingredients

Will I purchase it?

Even though I liked this product, I’m not sure I’ll be buying it at least on the near future. I am almost done with my last bottle of my Holy Grail, the Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex (which featured in my August Favorites and a proper review will be coming soon). I used this product as my nighttime serum for more than a year non-stop – that’s how much I adore this product. However, I wanted to try something new in order to share more opinions on products with you and I ended up picking one serum/oil in my last Feelunique shopping spree (as soon as I get the products I’ll post a haul with pictures). Besides that, the new Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II (ANR II) has arrived to Portugal about two weeks ago and as soon as I finish testing the new serum I ordered at Feelunique.com I’ll run to Sephora to buy the new ANR II.

So, all this blabber just to tell you that: I don’t know if I will buy this product because I can’t think that far ahead.

Do I recommend it?

From what I could test I would say yes. It didn’t cause any allergic reaction nor did I notice it clogging my pores. It’s very light but very hydrating at the same time. You can use it mornings and/or nights before your moisturizer (or on its own if you prefer keeping things lighter) and it’s recommended for all skin types so it’s great if you want to share it with a sister, your mum, your friend, basically anyone you might live with (that’s a really great idea if you can’t spend that much money on one product on your own). If you want to buy this product online, you can find it at Feelunique.com for 46,25euros (50ml).

Please let me know your thoughts in case you have tried this product. I’d also love suggestions on how to improve the quality of the blog and products you’d like me to review.

Yours,

M.

Disclaimer – I know that I’m always talking about Feelunique.com but I’m in no way affiliated to them. The reasons behind my mentions of Feelunique are, its offering: free shipping worldwide, a large variety of products at very competitive prices, great service.

Garnier Ambre Solaire, Golden Touch After Sun - Product Review

The end of summer is fast approaching but since I know some of you are yet to go on holidays, I think/hope it’s not too late to do a review on the after-sun lotion I took on holidays with me this year: the Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Touch After Sun.

 For the past couple of years my go-to after-sun lotion/body moisturizer was Sephora’s After Sun Moisturizing Balm. I fell in love the first time I used it. It’s just amazing. And since the price range was so close to that of the drugstore versions, I didn’t even bother to look up for another. This summer I couldn’t find it anywhere – I just hope it hasn’t been discontinued!

 However, this summer when I went to buy my sunscreen (I’ll be reviewing it soon), every single sun-related product was at a major discount (75%!!! What??). There’s no need to tell you, I couldn’t not bring an after-sun with me as well (they were just so super cheap!) Anyway, I looked around and went for this one.

It reads:
- Shimmering hydration lotion enriched with nourishing Monoi oil and a luminous pearl shimmer

-Is the hydrating lotion Golden Touch After Sun for me?

-Yes, if your skin feels tight after sun exposure and you want to moisturize it and enhance your tan at the same time. The Golden Touch Lotion is specifically formulated to nourish and soften skin that has become drier due to sun exposure.

It reads:

- How does it work?

- Its formula is enriched with nourishing Monoi oil and a luminous pearl shimmer.

- Original from Tahiti, Monoi oil results from the combination of Tiaré flower and coconut oil. Monoi oil is recognized worldwide for its nourishing properties as well as ability to restructure the superior layers of the epidermis that were damaged by external aggressions.

- Its texture is subtly enriched with luminous pearl shimmer to illuminate your complexion and enhance your tan, after sun exposure. Its sensual perfume leaves in your skin a sense of being on holidays. Nourished and soothed, your skin stays hydrated for 24 hours and your tan is enhanced.

- How to use it?

- Non-greasy and non-sticky, the Golden Touch lotion is quickly absorbed and leaves your skin with a golden touch and delicately fragranced. Apply to clean skin, after each sun exposure.

 

The description was quite catchy: “Shimmering hydration lotion enriched with nourishing Monoi oil and a luminous pearl shimmer.” Who doesn’t want that?

 It also promised to:

·         Illuminate tan

·         Soothe the skin

·         Provide 24 hour hydration

·         Have a cooling sensation

·         Be dermatologically tested

All good things, right?

Ingredients

 So, what’s my final verdict?

It’s really nice (BUT in all honestly, it doesn’t even come close to the Sephora one, just saying!):

-          My skin didn’t react to it – in a bad way (which is known to happen – I have atopic skin and had my share of allergic reactions)

-          I love the scent, it’s really lovely – quite fresh and summery – but not strong enough to interfere with your everyday fragrance.

-          The lotion is super light and absorbs quickly onto to skin, which is great.

-          It did feel cooling (a little bit – if you are on the look for a cooling product I wouldn’t recommend this).

-          It was hydrating but I guess I’d prefer it if it were a bit more moisturizing – I have normal to dry skin (I’m talking about my body, obviously). In a day-to-day basis this would probably be enough for me but the sun, sand, salt and chlorine always leave my skin feeling much drier.

-          It didn’t hydrate my skin for 24 hours but maybe 6 to 8 hours.

-          I don’t think it prolonged my tan – but can’t be sure. Anyway, it doesn’t promise to do it either, I guess.

-          It soothes dry skin but it isn’t particularly good with soothing your skin if you have been sun burnt, it cools the area a bit but nothing special.

-          All in all, quite an average product but for one thing: the shimmering part. This moisturizer has tiny little glowing golden particles on it. They are only visible on the skin if you are under direct sun light or bright lighting. They give a nice subtle slightly shimmery look to your skin. I liked it but didn’t adore it. Some of you might love it, or hate it though. It’s certainly not for everyone’s taste – if you apply it just to the legs and/or arms maybe – but for an all over body lotion it might be a bit too much if you go clubbing after applying – the lighting effects might make it less subtle (but I haven’t tested it so they may not).

 

The shimmery particles
- Keep in mind that in the picture they are a bit more concentrated than usual - it was just for me to be able to show you more or less the look of them

Do I recommend this product?

-          Maybe. It’s not the best product I’ve ever tried but it’s good enough, just not as good as my beloved Sephora’s one. I’d say, quality wise, it’s quite similar to ones from other drugstore brands such as Nivea. The only difference is that this one has shimmery particles and the Nivea one doesn’t – so if it were me undecided between Garnier’s and Nivea’s after sun I would use the shimmering detail as my decisive factor. If you want subtle shimmer just go for this one, if you don’t the other one might be better for you. If you are interested in buying it, I’m sure you can find it in any supermarket or drugstore that sells sunscreens or you can buy at Feelunique.com for 12,49euros (now, on sale, for only 8,74 euros!)

 Will I repurchase it? 

-        Once again, had I not “met” my darling Sephora’s After Sun Moisturizing Balm I’d probably would but as I have, I don’t think so. Unless Sephora has discontinued it (please, please no!) which would break my hard and put me back on the market for a new “Holy Grail” to replace it.

  

Yours,

 M.

Beauty Haul Part 1 - Sephora

Recently I did some shopping and thought it might be interesting to show you what I bought. Firstly I went to Sephora and then to The Body Shop. This post will be exclusively about my purchases at Sephora and tomorrow I will show you the goodies I got at The Body Shop.

I will review each of the products  individually on a later post, after I have properly tested them. In the meantime you can tell me if there is a specific product you are particularly interest in and I will post its review as soon as possible.

But now let's talk about the two products I bought at Sephora. I didn't really need more stuff but when I received a text message offering a 25% off discount if I bought 2 products, I couldn´t resist. Anyway it wasn't too bad for my bank account since the two things I chose, which I had been wanting for a really long time, were not pricey at all.

The first thing I new I wanted was the Sleek Oh So Special eyeshadow palette. I already own the Au naturel and the Snapshots palettes and love them to death. They are not at all expensive: they retail for 10 euros in Portugal, and if you take into consideration the amazing quality of the eyeshadows (their only downsize is that some of them can be a bit powdery) I think there are pretty cheap even. So when faced with the possibility of buying one more of these palettes for just 7,5euros (isn't it a bargain?) I couldn't resist.

I had been eying this palette specifically for quite some time. It seems to be the perfect match for the Au naturel one, having seven matte eyeshadows and 5 more glittery ones all in neutral, mostly rosy, tones whilst the Au naturel palette has more neutral browns and beiges. So I think they will be a fantastic combination for achieving a variety of natural everyday looks. 

The second thing I had to bring with me was the Sephora Collection Classic Foundation Brush (nº47). I own quite a few of Sephora's brushes and adore them. I don't think they are talked about enough. They are not cheap but they are extremely high quality (at least I haven't had any problems with mine) and I think they are worth the money even more if you have a 25% off discount over the original price (13 euros).

After having picked this to products my eyes were drawn to the Estée Lauder (my favourite cosmetics brand) and saw their new Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum Infusion. I have to admit I was this close to buying it but since my experience with the Advanced Night Repair eye cream wasn't the best I didn't want to risk it and just asked for a sample. I have to tell you, I don't think I will be able to restrain myself much longer before I cave in and buy it. I used it twice and have already noticed a difference.

At the checkout counter the lady there was kind enough to give a couple more samples that I am very curious about since I haven't tried anything from this brand yet. They're both from Biotherm: one from their Aquasource Nuit high density hydrating jelly and the other from the Aquasource Deep Serum. 

And that's it for today. 

I appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Yours,

M.