Review - Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner

I love my Biologique Recherche p50 treatment!
It has been a life-changing product for me and I would gladly invest in cases at a time. However with the new European formula change and limited supplies, the original P50 formula is getting harder and harder to find.

I fully appreciate everyone's effort to remove nasty chemicals from beauty products and everything else for that matter but my skin needs a little bit of the "baddies" to be kept in check. I simply haven't been able to find a formulation that works as good as the Biologique Recherche but since I've been conflicted about the whole thing I decided to start pursuing other options in the limited world of exfoliating toners.

As per usual I took Caroline Hiron's (online skincare genius!) advice and invested in one of her other top choices. The Clarins exfoliating toner caught my eye so that was one of my first test products.

I decided on Clarins first because I have always felt that their skincare choices seem to stand out from the rest of the beauty giants (Estée Lauder) in terms of price, functionality and innovation. I had liked some of their skincare products before and I have always felt comfortable browsing their counter choices so it really was an organic first choice. 

Thereby I introduce you to the seriously underrated Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner.

Description;
The Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner is a lotion formulated with fruit acids to sweep away dulling dead skin cells and the day's grime and pollution.
It smooths and softens skin to leave it looking and feeling clean, bright and beautiful.
Apply once or twice a week to a clean face with a cotton pad, avoiding the delicate eye contour. Wait for a minute before continuing your usual skin routine to maximise effectiveness.

This particular exfoliating toner brightens and refines your skin through the means of natural chemical exfoliation; using a combination of tamarind fruit acids and white nettle extract.

The Tamarind fruit acid helps to unclog congested skin, eliminates any settled impurities and dead skin cells and activates natural cell renewal. On the other hand the White nettle extract firms the complexion, tightens your pores and prepares your skin for additional topical treatments.

For those of you concerned with alcohol content I should point out that in this particular formulation, the addition of glycerin counteracts the drying factor successfully so any effects of said alcohol is negligible or even non-existent. 

The concentration of chemical exfoliants in this is a lot lower than that in the P50 or the Pixi Glow Tonic so this is a great choice for Sensitive Skin Club Members and in my experience suitable for daily use. 

However as always I recommend an old- fashion patch test prior to use any products that contain "active" ingredients such as this one.

I have used the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner ( $34.00) for almost a month at this point and I have to say I am very impressed. The results of course are nowhere near as dramatic as that of the P50 but its serving its exfoliating purpose in the gentlest way possible. 

It leaves my skin smooth, soft, supple and radiant upon each use and while I can't say it will totally replace the Biologique Recherche completely, it's definitively got what it takes for the maintenance phase in between the sad skin days. 

You can purchase and get more info on Clarins skincare directly on their website, Sephora or any designated counters in your area.

Have you tried the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner? Do you have a favorite toner? 

Thank you for stopping by :-)

XOXO

ANJA

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The Pixi Glow Tonic Dupe for P50 - The Verdict is In!

At the end of the day, we all just want good skin days! I am not asking for perfect, porcelain skin that makes me look like I live under a glass dome and spend all my days worrying only about what lipstick I should wear tomorrow. I understand that the Skin Gods cater to some more than others and I get that none us won the "Miss Perfect" genetic lottery here but I am and always have been a problem solver, which of course means that I vowed to somehow figure out what my face is trying to tell me, take care of it and put an end to the mirror obsession that plagues me when things get bumpy. I am after "healthy" imperfect skin and Biologique Recherche P50 is one of things that is getting me one step closer to that goal

Seeing how the Biologique Recherche P50 has become one of the key steps of a fairly successful skin care routine for my significantly problematic skin, I am always after two of the following: hoarding more and more of P50 gold or finding an alternative that will either be easier to find or will work "good enough" until I can get my hands on the real thing! 

The whole thing sounds pretty dramatic I know, but the difference between my skin before a weekend without Biologique Recherche P50 is not only visible, its actually palpable and always followed by red angry bumps that sometimes take a very long time to get rid of. 

For some time the rumor mill on a lot of beauty blogs has been buzzing about the Pixi Glow Tonic and how it appears to be achieving similar results to my beloved P50 formula, all without some of the questionable ingredients found in the Biolgique Recherche formula. It wasn't until I saw the nod from Caroline, my online skincare guide (Beautymouth) that I took the information seriously and started to look into testing it for myself. The only issue I have with the P50 is the availability so I was really hoping that if the Pixi Glow Tonic indeed proved to be a successful "dupe" that it would be something I could get relatively easy. Unfortunately right away I realized that the Pixi version is going to be even more difficult to get a hold of. Currently the only place you can purchase the Pixi Glow Tonic is at their London Boutique on Carnaby Street but I was told that a direct order can be placed by calling 0207 287 7211 or sending an email - storemanager@pixibeauty.com

You would think that once I discovered that little fact that I would just give up and move on! The idea of comparing the Biologique Recherche and their new "challenger" Pixi proved to be too irresistible to me and I found a way to make it happen. 

I have always known Pixi Beauty as a cutesy, good quality makeup brand that was sold exclusively in Target stores for some time now. Since Target is not widely available in Canada (yet!) my exposure to what Pixi has to offer was limited to a few birthday gifts, which were definitively impressive but to be honest not enough for me to go out of my way to find more. 

Pixi Beauty was created by a well known makeup artist Petra Strand while her sister Sofia, a degree-level aesthetician, focused on running her own high-end luxury facial salon. The story goes that Pixi's limited skin care line was created by Sofia herself and the products were meant to be used on clients in her exclusive facial spa in Sweden. Everything about these products is meant to be simple, un-complicated, sleek, modern but effective - and that includes the price as well. There are suppose to be no fillers, no alcohol, added colors or unneccessary fragrances, making it an excellent choice for the Sensitive Skin Care Club members. Who doesn't want or like skincare that's un-fussy, useful, does what it's say it will do and is not going to make you nervous at the cash registers? We all need more brands like that!

Key Ingredients;

Glycolic Acid loosens dead skin cells and exfoliates

Aloe Vera soothes and hydrates skin

Which Hazel firms, tones, softens skin surface

Gingseng helps skin cells hold on to oxygen

Horse Chestnut improves circulation

The Pixi Glow Tonic stood out in a lot of ways for me. First of all the 250 ml bottle is much bigger than my standard Biologique Recherche P50 5.1 fl oz and I love the fact that it comes with a well-made, sturdy pump. I love a good design even when it comes to beauty products! 

The Glow Tonic is in the same category as the P50 treatment and the Clarins Brightening version, which are all exfoliating toners or astringents. The formula contains glycolic acid as a chemical exfoliators so slight tingling is to be expected, however someone like me who is now a veteran when it comes to these skincare steps, the sensation was barely noticed. I will admit I liked the fact that my face was not numb after i patted the nice, peachy fruity scented liquid all over my face! It doesnt matter how long I use the Biologique Recherche, the slight numbness right after application is always a little concerning.

Like always the exfoliating toner needs to be followed by a hydrating version and my current choice is the Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist.

I tried to test the Pixi Glow Tonic and I tried to use it exclusively by setting the Biologique Recherche P50 aside completely. My original plan was to use it for at least 30 days to give it enough time to impress me, complete a skin cycle and then make an informed, educated decision. 

I lasted two weeks! But its not all bad news! 

I believe that since my reactive, stubborn difficult skin is just used to a stronger, perhaps even "harsher" formula, meaning once my skin cells got the chance they got together and rebelled pretty badly. I was disappointed but not overly surprised, especially given the fact that the Biologique Recherche P50 was somewhat of a "game-changer" of my skincare. I loved how the Glow Tonic felt on my skin and I really wished that it was enough to keep me looking "normal". 

However its not all bad! Not wanting to waste such an exclusive product like the Pixi Glow Tonic I decided to alternate its use with the P50; use it in the mornings if for nothing else to at least delay the time when I have to open my last Biologique Recherche bottle. 

The combination of these two is now working very well for me! It appears that my skin enjoys taking a bit of a break from the "face-numbing sensation" once a day and even better the P50 toning step in the evenings does not sting "as much". My complexion is calmer and it seems even less irritated with this duo working in unison. 

My conclusion for this comparison is very unique to say the least. I am happy and annoyed at the same time. Happy because I am now one step closer to a radiant healthy complexion and annoyed because now there is one more thing I have to track down...and hoard. 

You can read my Biologique Recherche P50 here 

I hope you found this review helpful!

Have you tried The Pixi  Glow Tonic or Biologique Recherche P50?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Skin Care Jack Pot - The Biologique Recherche - Lotion P50

Updated Review

How can something so foul be so freaking good? I am not kidding about the "foul" - this stuff smells like something died, then was splashed with gasoline, burned and finally liquefied just in time to be bottled and passed on the eager consumers lining up at a uber fancy French pharmacy counter...YUCK!!!

I remember when i got my first bottle, I was so surprised by the stench that i was convinced that i must have gotten a bad batch or something! I was quickly assured that the smell was normal and that the performance and results will make the "questionable"  scent worthwhile! I was skeptical to say the least and almost afraid to put it on my face, fearing some kind of horrible acid burn.

This is the official description of the P50 Lotions;

The P50, P50V and P50W balancing exfoliators are the unique fruit of 30 years of reflection and experience. P50 balancing exfoliators speed up the epidermis' natural exfoliating process and the reconstruction of the epidermal shield. The fortified epidermis can then fulfill its protective functions completely, enhancing skin's self-regeneration potential. Lotion P50, our most famous and coveted product, is the keystone to Biologique Recherche skin care treatment. All Biologique Recherche skin care treatments, whether administered at home or in a beauty institute, start with the P50 ritual"". It is applied in the morning and in the evening. It gently exfoliates the skin, regulates excessive sebum secretion, moisturizes and helps maintain the epidermis' acid pH. It prevents and treats in-growing hairs, and is therefore ideal for pre and post shaving skin care."

Key Active Ingredients;
Usnic acid, lactic acid, witch hazel, myrrh extract, onion extract and sage extract.  

The description initially confused me and the scientist in me tried to understand how the ingredient combination was functioning. The scent had obviously disturbed me and I wanted to at least convince myself that it wasn't causing some irreparable damage to the epidermis. I had good intentions, I was trying to at least be a little careful & informed. Lets just say that once I saw the results for the very first time in my skin care career I didnt care what was going on - the results were more than impressive so at that point I decided not to question a good thing and ruin everything by "facts" and conflicting research studies about this or that. This bottle was here to stay no matter what! It's the one thing in my bathroom that never gets shared! Ever!

Since this is stuff can be hard to find and the price isn't exactly cheap i don't use a cotton pad to apply it - instead i pour a few drops in the palm of my hand and just gently pat it on my face, concentrating on areas I feel need the most attention. Surprisingly the burning/tingling sensation is not that as strong as I expected but the skin does go a little numb for the first few minutes (scary!).
The solution doesn't get absorbed completely on the skin surface, which concerned me at first because I despise any kind of residue on my face but this felt very different and didn't give me an urge to go wash my face again just to be sure. My face felt plumped up, slightly tacky to the touch and strangely hydrated. I want to stress that this "residue" its nothing like a film or greasy layer usually left behind by certain products, which causes everything to "pill" later on. The best way i can describe it is that it causes a sensation indicating that  moisture is "trapped" under the surface, hence the skin plumping benefits. Your complexion simply feels smooth as silk, allowing everything else you put on top to just glide on. To some of you this might be reminiscent of how silicone products feel on the skin.  The offending fragrance really doesn't last too long - its completely undetectable after a few minutes and i am happy to say that I am not just used to it, in fact at this point I find the fragrance almost comforting. I know - I am a weirdo!

This toning exfoliator has definitively transformed my skin more than anything else i have ever used before. For me introducing this to my skincare regiment was "game-changing" and I credit Biologique Recherche for the dramatic improvement of the look, texture, feel and health of my skin. My face is glowy, plumped, clear and calm - breakouts are almost non-existent and i always notice a difference if i stop using it. If I don't use it for a few days, its definitely noticeable not just to me but also to those that are forced to look at my face all day long. The only issue I have with this is the availability factor! Its hard to locate and order, but Canada isn't the only country that has issues with this - it seems to be a worldwide phenomenon! In the last year or so more retailers have popped up so I am hoping that means things will only get better. Regardless of the outcome I already know that I have and always will be willing to pay whatever ridiculous shipping charge they ask for. This is completely worth it to me!

                 
Biologique Recherché p50 ($89.00 for 8.5oz) and other products from the brand can be purchased here

***There is some controversy regarding the phenol in the original formula p50 and it appears that the company released a phenol-free version however its still not clear whether they are retiring the original product itself. Sigh...off to buy a case just in case you know...it disappears completely!




Have you tried p50? Is phenol something you would be concerned about?

I hope this review was helpful!

XOXO

Anja

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Skin Care Jack Pot - Paula's Choice Resist Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% AHA

In my previous post I talked about Alpha-H Liquid Gold Glycolic Treatment that had very little or no effect on my skin! Today I bring you an exfoliator that I can get behind, with results I can see almost overnight and whose price tag doesn't make me cringe when i realize its time to replenish.

It works on the same principle as Liquid Gold however the main active ingredient is 10% AHA which acts as a chemical exfoliant, breaking down and loosening dead skin cell from the surface of your face. The combination of glycolic acid and antioxidants in one formula suggests that it will both repair the skin and stimulate collagen production almost simultaneously .Meaning that this treatment would benefit those concerned with anti-aging, firmness and brown spots just as much as it will help with acne-breakouts and enlarged-clogged pores. In the morning skin looks brighter, smoother, calm, radiant and almost refined - all of this without any irritation or redness.

The instructions advise to use the resurfacing treatment only once a week but the formula is gentle enough that I can cheat and apply it twice a week with no adverse effects. Instead of pouring the solution on a cotton pad I prefer to get a few a drops in the palm of my hand and then just tap it on the surface of my skin until its all absorbed. The stickiness doesn't last very long, sometimes there is a bit of stinging but within seconds the skin feels calm and comfortable.

I am sure that those of you with very sensitive skin could experience irritation and flaking in the first few weeks (as reported on Makeup alley) so i would definitively recommend caution when introducing this to your regiment. However as far as glycolic treatments are concerned i believe that this one is not only one of the most effective but also one of the gentlest as well.
I have been lucky so far - my skin reacted most favorably and wasn't even mildly irritated (for a change!). All I got was renewed, brighter, firmer, more even and maybe even younger looking complexion so this is a clear winner for me.

The Weekly Resurfacing Treatment ($23.16) can be purchased here

Key Ingredients
Vitis vinifera, green tea, Ulmus fulva bark extract, slippery elm bark, glycerin, antioxidant, vitamin C, licorice extract, borage seed extract, chamomile, Boerhavia diffusa root extract, glycolic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, Borago officinalis extract, Avena sativa, grape seed extract, Lamium album flower extract, anti-irritant, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, white nettle, AHA, allantoin, Camellia sinensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Salix nigra (willow) bark extract, burdock root, willow bark

Do you have a favourite exfoliator?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

The Beauty Fence - Alpha-H Liquid Gold with Glycolic Acid

The Alpha-H Liquid Gold has been making the rounds on the beauty blogosphere for some time now. It seems like everyone has been trying it, loving it, hoarding it and hyping it up so much that I had myself convinced that it was going to be a miracle product for my finicky complexion. I mean it never even occurred to me that it could be a failure and i am no rookie when it comes to the skincare game. I almost feel like i got duped!

Liquid Gold is a chemical exfoliator featuring Glycolic acid as the main active ingredient and per specific instructions it is to be used every 2 days overnight only. In order to get maximum benefits its recommended to not follow the Liquid Gold with a moisturizer or anything else, allowing it do its "magic" while you sleep. I discovered it first on Caroline's Blog (beautymouth) and seeing how everything else she recommended worked great for me I decided to track it down and order it right away. So many great reviews cant be wrong right? Well...

Don't get me wrong - I am not saying its a bad product and I would recommend it to almost anyone but the results for me were completely underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe my skin didn't need it, maybe I got a bad batch...who knows! Bottom line is I used it just as described for over a month and never noticed any significant change on my skin. What frustrated me even more was that I had no positive nor negative results - it was as if my complexion was undecided on the issue. Obviously I don't want to have a bad reaction but if I even got the inkling that it was doing something negative then I could discontinue using it and pass it on to someone else. No effects just meant that I continuously hoped for some kind of change for weeks on end before I ultimately gave up and accepted defeat.

Due to my experience I would recommend this to people with problem skin or acne issues however since it doesn't seem to preform consistently for everyone (like me!) I would stress that sampling the product first may be a smart idea. It can be difficult to track down and the price tag is too high to just take the plunge and hope for the best. I wish i had tried it before i splurged on the full size bottle with international shipping to boot.

I know the majority of you love Alpha-H Liquid Gold but I wanted to write an honest review based on my own experience. Hopefully it can help someone else make a more balanced decision in purchasing this "magic potion".

Alpha-H Liquid Gold ($52.00 for 100ml) can be purchased here

Ingredients;
Aqua, Alcohol Denat., Glycerin, Hydrolysed Silk, Glycolic Acid, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract.

Did anyone else have a similar experience?

XOXO

ANJA

P.S. If you enjoyed this post and want some more Princeza Beauty Musings, please consider following me through GFC, Bloglovin, Pinterest or Twitter! Insert "happy dance" here :-)

Skin Care Jack Pot - Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes

Doesn't it feel great when a product really DOES and PREFORMS exactly as the description indicates in the first place? Beauty mavens work hard for their money and most of us take great pains in researching and choosing our cosmetics. There is nothing more disappointing then spending a fortune on a coveted product only to face mediocre results, subpar quality or worse..irritation...usually accompanied by redness...burning! Not a good look that's for sure! Unfortunately for us the cosmetic industry is filled with hype, false promises, splashy celebrities and so called "miracle potions" that deliver very little or more often than not show nothing! As much as i try my best to be selective and well informed when it comes to products i buy, sadly i have come across some very expensive duds :(

This however is not one of them! The little yellow tube promised a lot and ultimately did deliver exactly what it said - I couldn't be happier with the performance or the price for that matter :)

What it is (from the company);

A peel concentrate for the under eye area that offers a natural, gentle antidote to dark circles and fine lines.

What it does (from the company);

Created by Ole Henriksen (skin guru to the stars) to address the specific needs of the eye region—specifically signs of fatigue and age—this exfoliating formula will revolutionize skincare for the under eye region. Because the tissue around the eye is so fragile, it is often recommended NOT to exfoliate that area. This groundbreaking blend represents a new realm of possibility for more youthful skin around the eyes.


My Experience;

I'll be honest with you - I was scared to use/try this! Its a PEEL...and its close to the EYES...to me that just sounded like a bad idea - something was bound to go wrong!

After having the tube for about 2-3 months i decided to at least try it once and based on the results or consequences then decide what to do - toss or swap? I sucked it up and bravely applied a thin layer under the eye and braced myself - at the very least i was expecting a slight tingle. The gel-like texture felt cool on the skin, almost soothing and it was absorbed very quickly without any discomfort. As directed i applied a rich eye cream soon after and tried not to get excited! The next morning in the mirror i noticed that my under eye circles were a bit brighter and the texture/tone was definitively smoother. I continued to use it for about a week and had absolutely no irritation even though i used it 2x a day. The results were undeniable - it worked! I didn't want to jump for joy, just in case it was all in my head....BUT others noticed and the compliments poured in! During the second week i even noticed that some of my milia was starting to disappear and my concealer almost glided, lasted longer and i was i didn't need as much coverage under the eyes as before. The mirror made me a believer and i couldn't believe i didn't peel my eyes before...


To the girls with sensitive skin like mine i recommend trying it at least once - don't be put off by the peel concept and your eyes will thank you!

Ingredients;
Water (Aqua/ Eau), Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Potassium, Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Saccharide Isomerate , Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein, Oxido Reductases, Algae Extract, Pullulan, Allantoin, Calcium Ascorbate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sorbitol, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 20, Oleth-20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hexylene Glycol, Citric Acid

Ole Henriksen Truth is in the Eyes ($52.00 for 0.5oz) and his other products are available for purchase at Sephora here


Are you guys brave enough to put acid around your eyes?

XOXO

ANJA