Zelens PHA+Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads

I had the pleasure of getting a makeover from Space NK founder Nicky Kinnaird last Saturday at the Tysons Corner store inside Bloomingdales (see my Space NK post here).  Under Ms. Kinnaird's direction, sales assistant Rebecca Rahmani gave me a nice neutral look:  taupe eyes and red lips. simple but very well done.  I bought a few things, including a by Terry lipstick and lipliner, Cate and Austin sunscreen, a bottle of deep purple Jin Soon nail polish, and Zelens PHA+Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads.

While preparing my skin for the makeup application, Ms. Kinnaird noticed hyperpigmentation across my forehead.  I notice it every morning too, but have just ignored it even though it looks grayish under my foundation.  Ms. Kinnaird recommended Zelens PHA+Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads ($95 for 50 pads), a chemical exfoliant.  It worked like a charm - the dark patch was gone within a couple of days as well as the horizon crease across the middle of my forehead!  I look at it a few times a day just to make sure and yes, the dark patch and crease are really gone.  This product is definitely a keeper.

According the Space NK site:

Zelens PHA+ Bio-Peel Resurfacing Facial Pads contains a unique formula combining polyhydroxy acids (PHA) with alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA). Pre-soaked resurfacing facial pads are infused with four different acids: polyhydroxy acids , lactic acid, citric acid and salicylic acid.

Significant advantage of PHA is the fact that their large molecular size allows slower (gentle) topical penetration. Thus, this acid can be used for the exfoliation of sensitive skin without side effects. Furthermore, this acid has strong humectant properties and it binds atmospheric water to form a a natural gel-film that gives hydration, plumpness and smoothness to the skin.

Ingredients:  Water (Aqua), Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Perfum (Fragrance), Disodium EDTA, Linalool.

Usage: daily, morning and/or evening after cleansing. Gently wipe one pad over face and neck avoiding the eye area. Follow with moisturizer. Ms. Kinnaird wiped the back of my hands as well. Good idea.  Each pad is about 2 inches in diameter and contains enough product to cover the entire face and neck.  I can't imagine that I'll need to use this product daily, especially now that the dark patch is gone, but I'll use a couple times a week as I would any exfoliant.  You can order yours from Space NK online or call Rebecca at Space NK Tysons Corner, 703.556.4569.

Updated 10/10/12 to enter Rebecca's correct phone number at Space NK, Tyson's Corner:  703.556.4569.

 

Eve Lom Cleanser

I'm new to Eve Lom products though they've been out for years.  The cleanser has quite a cult following, but I was always put off by the instructions: 

Massage a small amount of the Eve Lom Cleanser into your face and neck then immerse the muslin cloth in hot water. Wring out the excess water and place the cloth over your face for two to three seconds, this helps to open the pores allowing the aromatic oils to better penetrate the skin.  Repeat three times.  Rinse the cloth in warm water and remove all traces of makeup and cleanser making circular movements to exfoliate.  Rinse cloth in cold water and reapply to face for 5 seconds to close the pores.  Gently pat dry with a towel.

Honestly, by the time I get ready for bed, I just want to quickly cleanse my face and be done with it!    And I couldn't see the advantage of using a muslin cloth - wouldn't a regular towel do the trick?

Space NK gave me a generously-sized sample to try and a full-sized muslin cloth, so I gave it a whirl.  The cleanser is an oily, semi-translucent cream shot through with small granules for exfoliation that melts on your skin upon application.  It's an oil cleanser without the drip or spillage.  Like other oil cleansers, it emulsifies upon contact with water, in this case the application of the hot, damp muslin cloth.  Applying the muslin cloth three times was not as time consuming as I thought given that you only leave it on your face for 5 seconds each time.  Though the instructions on the jar indicate that one must do this three times, the instructions on the Eve Lom site indicate that once is enough, though application of the cloth three times allows for a deeper cleanse.

The warmth of my hand has begun to liquify the product during the photo shoot.  You can see the granules suspended throughout.

According to Eve Lom, a powerful blend of Egyptian chamomile, hops, clove and eucalyptus oil, together with cocoa butter cleanses, tones, exfoliates all in one.  Ingredients include:

paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), cetearyl alcohol, peg-30 lanolin, bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, aluminum stearate, theobroma cacao (cocoa butter), peg-75 lanolin, chamomilla recutita (chamomile oil), eugenia caryophyllus (clove oil), eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus oil), humulus lupulus (hops oil), phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, p-chloro-m-cresol, eugenol, isoeugenol.

I love liquid oil cleansers, particularly the nice slip of the product on the skin, and watching my makeup melt.  Eve Lom Cleanser has that same slip and the added advantage of being a creamy product rather than a liquid, which makes it better for travel.  It smells faintly of eucalyptus. The makeup accumulated on the muslin cloth rinses out more easily than would from a regular face cloth and dries quickly overnight.  (Though not instructed to, I washed it out with a little soap after using.) The slightly rough muslin feels nice on my skin as I remove the last vestiges of makeup.  And it's huge:  13"x 20", much larger than a regular face cloth.  The cleanser removed my foundation, and eye make up completely, leaving my face soft and clean, with no filmy residue.  Week-long use did not cause my oily skin to become more oily, and it wasn't drying.  I'm sold!

The Eve Lom cleanser is available at Space NK.  $50 for 1.69 oz.; $80 for 3.38 oz.; and $135 for 6.76 oz.  It's a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way.  I applied too much the first time, so apply in dime-sized portions at first. 

Don't forget that beginning this Sunday, Space NK's new site inside Bloomingdales Tysons Corner, is offering my readers a free Nuxe Beauty Kit with any $50 purchase May 6-13th, plus free shipping. Just mention my blog, "When a Door Closes," when you shop at the store or purchase by phone (703-556-4569).  The Nuxe kit includes travel sizes of Micellar Cleansing Water; Creme Fraiche Moisture Emulsion; Refreshing and Relaxing Cream Mask; and Huile Prodigieuse, a multi-use oil for face, body, or hair.

Be sure join Space NK's N.dulge Rewards program. With N.dulge, you'll receive 1 point for every $1 spent. When you reach 100 points, you'll receive a $5 N.centive (reward). You'll also enjoy special privileges such as exclusive invitation, new product previews, and birthday treats.

You read my other Space NK reviews here.

Space NK provided the Eve Lom Cleanser without charge for review.

 

Life NK Picture Perfect Facial Moisturizer

It's been a while since I've used a mattifying product. When I first tried them years ago, none of them were effective on my super oily skin, so I've just used blotting papers and powders. Enter Life NK Picture Perfect Facial Moisturizer.*

Life NK products are exclusive to Space NK. The range includes skin care, body products, and candles. Life NK products are described as "ultra-clean," i.e. free from many synthetic ingredients. The Picture Perfect Facial Moisturizer is lightweight and contains sunscreen, conditioning and regenerating Bisabalol and Vitamins A, C and E, as well as Oat Bran to absorb excess oil. It is free of parabens, sulfates, silicones, parabens, sulfates, glycols, mineral oil, petrolatum, PEG, DEA, TEA, synthetic colours, silicones, and phthalates.

It does contain the ingredients below:

Though it is lightweight, it is not thin in consistency. It absorbed quickly, and didn't leave an oily finish. My skin just felt well-moisturized. It isn't cheap at $30 for 3.3 fl. oz., but a nickle-sized drop covered my entire face, so 3.3 fl. oz. will last a while. I wore the moisturizer for several days under the new NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. Life NK claims that the moisturizer is ideal for sensitive skin, but I can't attest to that as my skin is not sensitive. It is an excellent mattifyer, however. I didn't need to blot at lunch time as I usually do. Only by the end of the day did small oily areas appear on either side of my nose, a vast improvement. This product is a keeper.

The Life NK Picture Perfect Facial Moisturizer ($30) for is sold online and Space NK stores nationally.

*Space NK provided Life NK Picture Perfect Facial Moisturizer without charge for review.

Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe and Foundation Brush

I took many of my new cosmetic items with me to San Francisco, including Le Metier Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe and the foundation brush.

Photo from Neiman Marcus

I got lots of complements on my complexion, including one from a Nordstrom beauty sales associate who stopped me as I walked by to ask what I used on my skin because it was so beautifully luminescent!  That's a first.  I love the way Peau Vierge makes my skin look too.   It banishes the shadows that my office lighting casts on my face, and reduces the need to use under eye concealer (sleep would help too, but in the meantime...). It is expensive, but a little goes a very long way.  I took about a teaspoon in this tiny little container, and barely made a dint in it over four days of daily use.

I did not use foundation, just Peau Vierge, blush, eye makeup and finished with loose powder and lip color.  Here's Le Metier's description of its product:
 
Peau Vierge "Contains anti-aging powerhouse retinol, known for its ability to smooth and plump wrinkles from deep below the skin's surface, stimulating collagen cell rejuvenation and bringing elasticity back to skin. Retinol is delivered through a patented and proprietary delivery technology called Syntoc Actif, which encapsulates the retinol and allows it to safely and effectively penetrate the skin. Syntoc Actif provides 20 times more retinoic acid than traditional over-the-counter products and is absorbed into the deeper skin layers, making it the most effective cosmetic retinoid treatment on the market."

It is also talc-, fragrance-, and dye-free. 

Peau Vierge is tinted, coming in two shades: Light to Medium, and Medium to Dark.  I use the latter.  Though I thought it might be too light to me at first, it is not, going on very sheer.  Lisa Lingis, the Mazza Gallery Neiman Marcus Le Metier representative, told me that many of her customers with daker complexions use it too. 

It's possible to apply foundation atop Peau Vierge and maintain that fabulous glow. It has as SPF 20 factor, so there was no need to apply a separate SPF product, a bonus since I've read that retinol products renders one's skin sun sensitive.   I haven't been using it long enough to attest to its claims to even out skin tone, but my complexion looks more even while I'm wearing the product. I've joined the cult.

I love the way the nylon foundation brush applies product.  I've never seen another angled, flat one. 

Perhaps this shape is why it doesn't seem to hold on to as much product as the oval-shaped foumndation brush I already owned, but releases it on my skin instead.  It also leaves a superior application of concealer, better than my finger or concealer brush.  I dot a bit of concealer on first, tap it out with the end of the bristles, then smooth it as necessary with a sweep of the brush.

I'm not associated with Le Metier de Beaute;  I won the products reviewed above in a Neiman Marcus drawing.