Somme Institute Eye Cream Review

Here it is, the eye cream that I've fallen in love with! This thing is amazing. Yes, it contains the same MDT5 as the other Somme products, with the blend of vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E that penetrate deeply and help to fight aging and improve your skin. But, this white cream just feels amazing going on. Somehow it feels like my eye area is immediately better. Very hydrated, but not too hydrated, it sinks in immediately and there's no residue left on the skin. It makes concealer go on more perfectly over it. It makes me look less tired. Love it.




Note that the presence of vitamin A in the MDT5 technology means that this entire line should be avoided in pregnancy.

Somme Institute

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Somme Institute A-Bomb Review

When I first started using Somme Institute, I was a bit confused by A-Bomb. Is it the night cream? (Kind of) Is it just super hydrating? (Yes) But it still has the MDT5? (Yes again)

A-Bomb is a super hydrating cream. It has a light ivory color and it does have a smell that I can't really describe. It's a bit... overly sweet and almost like you've left out yogurt for too long? I'm not a fan of the smell, but it isn't very strong and it disappears a few minutes after application. (Thank goodness!)

A-Bomb is another product that I dropped from my morning routine. I found that it is just too hydrating for my combination skin to use every morning, at least when the weather is a bit warm. It's fine for night time use, and the extra hydration makes my skin extra glowy (not shiny) the next morning.




Note that the presence of vitamin A in the MDT5 technology means that this entire line should be avoided in pregnancy.

Somme Institute

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Somme Institute Serum Review

What's a skin care system without a serum? Everyone has to have a serum! The Somme Institute Serum is the step after Transport, and it is pretty light in feeling. It sinks into your skin immediately and I didn't notice any residue left behind from it. The serum is a bit hydrating as well, I found it similar to a light moisturizer in hydration level. I had no problems applying makeup over the serum.

The serum has a very high concentration of the MDT5 technology in it, so if you're going to go for any of the products from Somme, I'd start with this one!




Note that the presence of vitamin A in the MDT5 technology means that this entire line should be avoided in pregnancy.

Somme Institute

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Somme Institute Transport Review

Transport is the second step in the full Somme Institute Skin Care routine, and it is super fast and easy. Inside that jar are little cotton pads (yes, just like Oxy) soaked with a gently exfoliating AHA fluid. Just wipe and move on to the next step! The pads are a bit larger than what I remember Oxy pads being like, so there's more than enough for your face, neck and upper chest. Transport doesn't really have much smell, I didn't have any tingling or irritation with use (though Somme says some people have a little bit of tingling), and there wasn't any irritation afterwards. I used it twice a day, and note that the product only comes with 50 pads. So, if you're going to start using Somme I'd order extra!

Transport is a hydroxy acid product, and it lightly exfoliates the skin. I found that it is definitely gentle enough to use twice a day, which I did at first, though I did drop down to just using it at night after a few weeks. I had no redness or irritation associated with it, just smoother skin. Note that using a hydroxy acid regularly will make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so remember to use a broad spectrum SPF of at least 15 (30 would be better) if you decide to use this product.




Note that the presence of vitamin A in the MDT5 technology means that this entire line should be avoided in pregnancy.

Somme Institute

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Somme Institute Nourishing Cleanser Review

The Somme Institute Skin Care routine starts off with their cleanser, the Nourishing Cleanser. It does seem quite a bit like most other cleansers. It is a light white color, has almost no smell and is very gentle to the skin. It removes makeup, but has issues with some eye makeup. Really, it is not meant to be an eye makeup remover anyways, so I didn't find it distressing to need to remove my mascara (which was the issue) with a regular eye makeup remover. The cleanser removed all regular makeup without an issue and didn't over strip my skin at all! Afterwards my skin had no redness, irritation or after wash tightness.

What's interesting about this cleanser is that Somme actually says that you don't need to rinse it off (they say to "Wipe it off with a tissue or wet towel". I did try it like that, and I couldn't tell that it was on my face, but I just felt... strange doing that? The cleanser does contain the MDT5 technology that is in the other products, so if you've shelled out the cash for the technology I'd go that route to take full advantage of the cleanser!




Note that the presence of vitamin A in the MDT5 technology means that this entire line should be avoided in pregnancy.

Somme Institute

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Somme Institute Skin Care Review Day!

In an effort to avoid the world's longest blog post (truly), I'm declaring today (unofficially of course) Somme Institute Skin Care Review Day! A day of reviews devoted to this line. In a very short time (aka- the time it mostly takes me to cut and paste but also add a few extra tidbits of information) you'll see reviews of 8 (!!) products from their line popping up.

This line is large, though not really that much bigger than most lines. What is different is that most lines intend for you to use only a few together. Maybe a cleanser, cream and eye cream. There are a lot (lot) more steps here. You can see all of the products I was sent up above. They do work best when all used together. Intimidating much?

Read on to see what those things are and what order to use them in.

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Deep Cleansing Brushes: What's the Difference Between All of Them?

I'm sure you've noticed it in my Beauty Expert Series that Clarisonics have been mentioned many, many times. They're continually mentioned in magazines and on-line by both dermatologists and estheticians as a must have (and use) item. Why? While you might think that using just your hands, cleanser and a few splashes of water is enough to clean your face.... it really isn't. You need a bit more friction than that. Add in a little light exfoliation each time you use the Clarisonic and it is a skin's dream come true. You look more glowy, don't have a light residual layer of makeup when you go to bed, and since you've exfoliated off a little dead skin all of your expensive skin care works better.

But, that Clarisonic is so expensive! I have one, I admit to being too lazy to use it every day (I'm more of an every 2-3 days Clarisonic girl, I go with an old fashioned wash cloth twice a day usually). I've been resolving to improve this to every night over the summer.

But, what if you don't have a Clarisonic? And can't imagine shelling out the big bucks to do it? There are alternatives, and I thought a review and comparison of the 4 deep facial cleansing machines I have here at home would be worthwhile. I do want to state that in the past I've reviewed the Sirius Beauty brush as well, but I've since given it away. So, here are the 4 I have at home!

Read on to see pics and info on each of the devices.

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My Darphin Paris Update

Last week I shared with you a review of 3 new to me Darphin products. It was a sponsored post, so I had only used the products for about 2 1/2 weeks or so before I had to turn my draft in to BlogHer for editing. I promised an update, and since I've now used the products for almost 6 weeks, this seemed like a great time for an update.


Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water
This cleanser still works great, though I have to admit I'm reaching for other cleansers a bit more often than I reach for this one. I'm just thrown off by the use of a cotton round and not having to douse myself with warm water. That water dousing is more important to me than I thought it was. I've been breaking this out to use mostly as an eye makeup remover, and I've yet to find a mascara or liner (even waterproof) that it has an issue removing.

Age-Defying Dermabrasion
This scrub has earned a place in my medicine cabinet. I need to post a picture of my bathroom so everyone knows how rare this is! There are 3 other products in my medicine cabinet, not counting my toothpaste. I just have oodles of storage all over my bathroom, so the medicine cabinet is huge. I really, really love this scrub. It's absolutely perfect for me. The right amount of grit, it doesn't irritate my face and while it definitely exfoliates my face well it is also gentle enough to use a few times a week.

Ideal Resource
If I wasn't at the very bottom of this product it would probably also be in my medicine cabinet. It's now been through 2 difficult hormonal weeks... **cough, cough** and I've gotten through those weeks with surprisingly few hormone related blemishes. This is just the right amount of moisture for my skin each night and I think it makes me kind of glowy.


For more info about each product and to enter to win some Darphin of your own, head over to my Darphin product review.


Products were provided for consideration and this was a followup to a previous sponsored post.

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Algenist Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask Review

Remember back when I shared the Algenist Skincare hitting Sephora info with you? And I promised that I'd be trying it out soon? Well, I did! And now it is time to share.

I didn't try out the every day serums and creams (I only have one face! There are so many items to try out lately). Instead I tried out the Firming & Lifting Intensive Mask. This product does have the same active ingredients as the rest of the line. So, the Alguronic Acid that the line is known for is present. You'll find peptides and Green Tea acts as an anti-oxidant. Keep in mind that these ingredients fight aging over the long term, so it isn't likely that you'll see big anti-aging benefits with just a few mask treatments. Think of the mask as a little intensive burst of those ingredients on occasion.

What you will notice is that this mask is nicely hydrating and the plumping/glowing effect of that moisture definitely is a nice temporary pick me up!

This mask is light and feels a bit like a thick lotion as it is applied. It dries slightly during the 5-10 minute treatment time, but it never becomes tight and uncomfortable. The mask is easy to wash off. The end result is that nice hydrated feeling and a pretty glow.



Algenist

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Boots Gentle Glycolic Peel: At Home Peeling?

Yes, yes, yes. Many of us are afraid of using a peel. I could show that same old picture of Samantha post-peel and wearing a hat with a veil. Because her face is a mess. But really, it's been done. I mean, I think I've shown that pic at least 2 or 3 times here, who knows how many times other bloggers have done the same thing?

This peel isn't that peel. This peel is the one I recommended to my mother in law over the phone last week. She likes beauty products, but she needs gentle and effective. This is that peel.

It's very easy to use. Put a few pumps of peel into that little clear petri dish thing, and then use the brush to apply a very thin layer on your clean face. Be sure to avoid sensitive/thin skin areas like your eyes, lips and nostrils. The brush bristles can stick together a bit strangely, I found it helps to use your fingers to push them together on the sides, basically making the brush thinner. Wait 5 minutes, then wipe one of the pads on your face to neutralize and wash.

The results are definitely worth it! My skin was smoother and glowing. I've used it a few times a week over the last 2 weeks and my skin is clearer with smaller pores. I have had absolutely no issues with redness, irritation or any reaction to the peel. The kit costs $25 and has enough for 24 treatments. Twice a week for 4 weeks a course, and then 3 courses of treatment. That's about $1.04 a treatment. Not bad at all!

One note, as with any exfoliation, a peel will make your face more sensitive to the sun. Please be sure to wear sunscreen, at least SPF 15 (though 30 would be better) while using this product. As well, if you have a skin condition such as rosacea talk with your doctor before using this kit.

Boots

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Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Review Series: Final Results

Finally, it is coming to an end. The Kiehl's Clearly Corrective review series in which I continually place unaltered, closeup pics of my skin, sans makeup, on the internet. My husband keeps saying "how long are you going to do that? I can't believe you are posting those pictures!" Truthfully, I'm a bit shocked that I started to do it as well (I won't leave the house without my makeup on usually, and I'm sure there are a lot more people reading these posts than in my local tiny town coffee shop!)

Anyways, I've decided to end the series because I'm basically out of product. It has been just 4 days shy of 2 months, which is a pretty good length of time to see results. Read on to see how it has worked for me.

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Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Update

So, I took a week off from my Kiehl's Clearly Corrective review series because I was on vacation last week. I really just didn't want to bring the correct camera lens to take pics all the way across country...

Read on to see what my skin looks like this week.

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Kiehl's Weekly Update: How is my Hyperpigmentation after 4 Weeks?

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Review Series
So, I spent all day yesterday thinking that it was Monday. Hence, my Tuesday Kiehl's update is coming on a Wednesday... oops!

I took these pics at the end of last week, which was the end of 4 weeks of using Clearly Corrective. You can see that on the right side of my face that my main area of hyperpigmentation is really lightened quite a bit, and the left side is improved, though not as much of an over achiever as my right side.

I'm finding that my skin overall has improved tone, meaning I have to use less foundation to even things out. I don't think that this comes across in the pics, but I've definitely been finding it in person.


Check out my Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Review Series
Kiehl's Clearly Corrective

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