Have you ever noticed that when you run out of a product, it’s like you run out of everything at the same time?
Like they’re all in cahoots, Toy Story-style.
“Hey, Benetint! It’s a go for tomorrow! We’re all running out at the same time!”
For me it seems to happen a lot with skin care. A few weeks ago everything I’d been using pretty consistently ran out at the same time, so I took it as a sign to get some new things. 🙂
These are three I took with me on my trip to Redding last weekend.
Redding… That place is dry and hot! It’s like a little slice of Death Valley, and it always does a number on my combo skin.
1. Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Instant Infusion Treatment Toner
The hefty glass bottle isn’t travel friendly, but I had to bring this toner with me to Redding.
Stuff is great! It’s supposed to even out your skin tone and texture, and it’s hella moisturizing.
Plant extracts are all up near the top of the ingredient list, which is usually a good sign, and there are some interesting ingredients, too, like tea, blackberry leaf and lychee seed extracts, and hyaluronic acid to seal in moisture, along with the ubiquitous Vitamins C and E.
Morning and night, after I wash my face, I put a few drops on a cotton pad, and gently sweep it all over my mug.
I’ve been using it for about three weeks now, and I’m a fan. No breakouts so far (knock on wood!), and my skin just laps up the moisture.
I don’t have a ton of experience with the Fresh brand, but I really like the few things I’ve tried. Unfortunately they are pretty expensive.
A 4-ounce bottle of the Black Tea Toner is $48 and available now at Fresh boutiques and online.
2. Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask
Seriously, whenever I visit a Neiman Marcus or Saks, one of the top things on my list is to stock up on samples of this.
This mask is REAL DEAL. I always bring a sample packet with me whenever I take a trip.
OK, now, get ready for some major sticker shock because it’s freakishly expensive. $158 for a tube (OMG!).
Yeah. I only use it when my skin is absolutely, positively parched and in dire need of moisturizing TLC.
When the skin on my face gets really dry and tight (it’s almost painful sometimes), I put this on before bed and let it sit overnight. The next morning my skin looks and feels softer, plumper and smoother, and just plain better.
Hydrates like a MO-FO! I’ve been using it for two or three years now (mostly the samples), and I think it’s one of the best high-end hydrating masks around.
If I ever moved to the Southwest or the surface of the Sun or the Atacama Desert, I would keep backups upon backups of this.
Yes, it costs a small fortune, but I have to say, IT WORKS!
At least for me.
You can find it at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus stores, and neimanmarcus.com.
3. Osmia Organics Honey Myrrh Lip Repair
So, Redding. Have I mentioned that it’s dry? How about hot? It’s also hot.
The place does a number on my skin — both on my body and my face — but, oh, my lips!
My poor lips… They take the most damage.
But this last trip I brought this Lip Repair product from Osmia Organics to try and immediately fell in love. It’s a dry-lipped girl’s dream.
It contains organic honey and myrrh extracts (neat!) to heal dry, chapped lips, and lanolin, which is supposed to give it staying power to last overnight.
From the first second I put it on my flaky, dry lips, they started feeling better — not as tight and better overall. I’m tempted to pick up another pot to keep one on my nightstand and one in my purse.
A 0.28-ounce pot goes for $22, and it’s available now at osmiaorganics.com.
What’s been on your nightstand and bathroom shelf? Any good skin care you’ve been madly in love with lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. I hope you sailed smoothly over the hump. 🙂
Not much planned for me tonight, other than finishing a cute Netflix movie I started the other day called An Invisible Sign, starring Jessica Alba.
I needed something light after marathoning three seasons of Game of Thrones!
That Black tea toner is tempting me, my dry skin loves toner!!
and woo.. Jaw dropped.. that Sisley Mask is so freaking expensive.. glad it works but $158.. gosshh!! 😛
Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask sounds lovely! But the price, ouch!!
I’ve heard great stuff about Fresh skincare. I have their Seaberry oil which is really nice as a treatment serum at night. In the midst of Winter my skin was so dry so I started using Pai’s Biogenerating Rosehip oil. A few drops and my face felt so nice. A similarly moisturizing product is REN’s Omega serum. Very soothing on my skin. I’m also in love with Skinceutucals Blemish+Age Defencw. It’s healing my skin like magic: reducing the appearance if scars and reducing clogged pores.
Fresh has to be up there among my top favourites! their soy cleanser is my staple when nothing else works! Sisley is beyond me unfortunately 😛
Hehe, the price of the Sisley mask just rolls off this Kiwi’s back – I mean, it’s still expensive, but you get kind of hardened here in the land of $56 MAC lipsticks.
As a cheaper (but still luxurious and effective) alternative, have you tried the Lancome Hydra Intense Mask? I love it – it really saves my already dry skin!
Karen,
I love the black tea line from Fresh. I’m about to do a write up on it for my blog as I’ve been testing the whole line. I’d suggest treating the toner more like an essence from a Korean brand and skipping the cloth or cotton altogether and just pressing it in.
i use a sisley fragrance and have gotten skincare samples in the past. they all smell wonderful. somehow both rich and herbal. i just can’t bring myself to spend that kind of money.
Love that mask also – have you tried the Kiehls Overnite Hydrating Mask – its new and its only $35 – Love
Hi Gail,
I haven’t! Thank you for the rec. 🙂
I LOVE Fresh products. You have to try their Black Tea Perfecting Mask. It’s more affordable than the Sisley one and leaves your skin feeling super soft and supple. I also like to use it as an under eye mask to plump up my eye area. Great post!
🙂
http://www.skincare-girl.com
Love reading about skincare. I’m a junkie! (Which is hard because errything breaks me out!)
I’ve been using First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery – it feels just like water, but it makes my skin hydrated, and less irritated.
Oh that sounds really great! Is it more like a toner or a serum?
I apply it like a serum! It’s a really tiny little bottle.
I’ll give it a look when I go to Sephora. I’ve tried a couple things from their and really liked them. Have you ever used their Ultra Repair Cream? It’s really lovely.
I have! It’s quite nice!
I keep it on my nightstand to apply to dry bits on my face and hands before bed. Grrr…dry skin!
Hope you’re having a nice Friday so far. What are your plans for the weekend?