Orofluido Beauty Elixir

October's Birchbox featured a sample of Orofluido's Beauty Elixir, and that was the first time I'd tried it. I usually use Yves Rocher Monoi De Tahiti Gardenia Oil for my occasionally crunchy hair. I like this more. The fragrance is very soft and warm, it smells very patchouli-ish, but it isn't overwhelming. It absorbs quickly, even though it is very thick (you only need a couple drops). I usually use it at bedtime so it has plenty of time to soften my hair before my morning shower.

From the Orofluido website:

Argan oil: liquid gold for your hair
Extracted from the seeds of the Argania spinosa fruit, Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty oils, similar in composition to our own skin. It strengthens hair and makes it extremely light and incredibly silky.

Linseed oil: instant shine
The seeds of the linen plant are the source of a precious oil which seals and smoothes the hair cuticle, providing uniformity and control. The result is hair that captures and reflects the light, giving it a spectacular shine.

Cyperus oil: pure silk to the touch
Cyperus is a plant that has been cultivated in Egypt for more than 4,000 years. It is the source of an oil with a high content of fatty acids and tocopherol, which give natural protection against free radicals. It provides softness and volume, leaving hair manageable, smooth and flexible.

It retails for $29.99 on the Birchbox site, that is for a 3.4 oz bottle, which probably lasts forever. I would buy the full-size.

Laura Mercier Creme Brulee Hand Creme

I had high hopes for this...but it isn't as foodie as I would have liked. I buy lotions to preview perfumes (I live in a small town & have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest department store to try things). This hand cream was $15, which is quite expensive (it is about 2 oz), so I probably wouldn't re-purchase anyway. The fragrance isn't alluring enough to make me order the perfume, but I will try it if I get to the LM counter someday. The smell is like cake batter, which I do like, but it doesn't thrill me. My all-time favorite perfume was Comptoir Sud Pacifique Vanille. I bought a bottle religiously every year, then they changed the formula. I've tried to find dupes, and have come close, but they never have the magic of the original Vanille. I thought Creme Brulee would be the magic, but, alas, no.

SKIN SO SOFT Mineral Gems Diamond Blush Gelled Body Oil

I order from Avon, on occasion. Their Nailwear Pro polishes are superb, and I like trying their body lotions. The SSS Mineral Gems Diamond Blush Body oil is on sale for $2.99, so I gave it a shot. I'm a bit disappointed though, it isn't as moisturizing as I'd expected and the shimmer isn't all that shimmery. It absorbs quickly, except for my palms, so I always have the urge to wash my hands. The fragrance is nice, it is soft and a little flowery, nothing too bad. Probably won't repurchase, even @ $2.99...oh well

CLARINS Gentle Foaming Cleanser

This cleanser was another deluxe sample from Sephora. I've changed my opinion of it in the past few weeks--I went from meh to really liking it. I haven't used a cleanser since about 2007. I battled breakouts with an assortment of anti-acne themed products, then discovered I stopped breaking out when I stopped using them. Clarins GFC has not caused a break-out, and it doesn't leave a film. It would probably be too drying for dry skin, or even for daily use for me. It does not remove eye makeup very well, because it isn't thick or oily. It has a light fragrance, which is actually quite nice. The retail price is $20 for 4.4oz. Would I buy the full size? Yes.

Brazilian Peel

A week or two ago, Sephora gave away bags of deluxe samples with a $25 purchase. For one order, I chose the Beautiful Skin collection. It included a sample of Brazilian Peel, which is a 30% glycolic peel/mask. The sample syringe held enough for four peels, because I used it only on my nose. The only thing that has ever de-funked the pores on my nose was 6 months of Minocycline (which I loved, btw). I have some success with benzoyl peroxide, but I have to use it a lot, and it is so rough on my skin (it makes me look sunburned). The Brazilian Peel does a pretty good job of clearing and tightening, not a miracle, but still pretty good. The peel isn't as aggressive as I'd expected, I get no redness or peeling skin. It goes on hot (you mix it in your palm), and it does get a little itchy. It retails for $78 for four syringes, so I probably won't purchase the full-size kit, since I'd only use it for my nose and maybe the t-zone.

Where have you been all my life??

Huh, Shiseido's Ultimate Sun Protection Cream For Face SPF 55 PA+++? Where were you all those years I battled shine with paper towel masks and extra layers of loose powder (neither of which really helped)? But, that is all behind me. You know, until they change the formula, or discontinue this line. In the meantime, I'm totally loving this sunblock! It is not shiny at all, I can wear it without any powder, which is a first in my long history of using sunscreens. They have rarely suited me 100%, so I'd pretty much given up on finding anything that would make my skin look good. This does--it is more like a primer than a sunscreen, which is what I've longed for--a good SPF rating, but served as a makeup base. It is whitish, but I'm Morticia pale, so that is a good thing. No breakouts, no pilling, no yucky fragrance, no itchy skin, no teary eyes. It is a lot more expensive than my drugstore sunblocks, but so worth it.