My $3000 Skincare Routine! La Mer, Givenchy, La Prairie, SkinFood, and Guerlain with reviews!

Yes, I buy and pay for all my products. If anyone wants to send me freebies. I'll be happy to accept ;)

Hey guys!

So the question I get asked the most in person is always "What do you use?” My routine has a few staple products that never change, I do like to play around with new toners or face washes, but as of now, here’s my routine and I've enclosed links that'll take you to my review of the product that I've reviewed.

Clearly, I use a lot more products than most people would need. I do so for a few reasons-- I write a beauty blog and mainly the fact that I work in the luxury industry. Normally you don't need to have a complete day AND night sets of products. So you can probably cut the cost by half.
 

Face Wash: Nude Cleansing Oil ($36) in the morning and La Mer Foam Face Wash ($65) at night
Always try to use a gentle cleanser in the morning. Your face is never too dirty in the morning and you don’t want to strip your skin of its natural oils. I think I might switch to La Mer’s cleansing fluid or another cleanser after I finish the one from Nude. They changed the formula and it’s kind of too rich for me now.

Toner: SkinFood Platinum Grape Cell Toner $60  in the morning and Guerlain abeilleroyale Lotion (which is a toner) $61 at night

You don’t really need to have two different toners. I just like to try different products so I have two. I actually have 4, but these two are my main ones. I think eventually I will go back to SKII’s Facial Treatment Essence, which is holy water for the face!

Serum: Guerlain Orchidee Imperial Serum ($465) in the morning and La Mer Regenerating Serum
($275)
I like to treat my face differently day and night so I use two different serums. I always use one that prevents sun spots and hyperpigmentation during the day and I use a rich anti-aging one at night. La Mer Regenerating Serum is one serum I will always have in my array of products. It is by far the best anti-aging serum I’ve used. I love the Guerlain Orchidee Imperial Serum. It has a light shimmer but you can’t see it on your face. I almost like it more than the La Prairie Illuminating Brightening Serum. It’s more hydrating and soothing. It smells great too.

Eye Cream: La Prarie White Caviar Illuminating Eye Serum ($265) and La Mer Eye Concentrate
($180)
I actually use La Prarie Eye Serum more. I just have some La Mer Eye Concentrate left so once I'm done, I'm just going to switch to the eye serum only.

Moisturizer: La Mer Lotion during the day and Givenchy Le Soin Noir ($380) or La Mer Cream at night ($275)

I will always have La Mer Lotion for use during the day and the Givenchy Le Soin Noir Cream. It’s two of the best products I’ve ever used for my skin. Le Soin Noir is pricey, but it’s totally worth the money.

Mask: I use cheap facial masks from My Beauty Diaries and once a week I use La Mer’s Refining Facial Mask.

I use Retin-A Gel at night as well.

You have one face. Invest well.

Get your wallets out! It's the Best of 2012 from yours truly!

2012 has been an exciting year for beauty. I got to try many different products I love and some I didn't care much for. This is a collection of some of my favorite products of 2012. I couldn't list everything I liked, so this is a solid list of everything I use and will continue to buy! 

Some honorable mentions that I would love to point out that didn't make the list or I didn't have a category for are: Skinfood's Rice Washoff Mask, Fresh's Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask, Natura Bisse's The Cure Serum, and Kate Somerville's ExfoliKate.  If you do a search on my blog, I've written a review on all the honorable mentions in the past. :) 

Happy and goodbye 2012!

May 2013 be even more exciting for beauty! Thank you all for being here with me. It's been great to share my thoughts with you all! 

Noted: Prices might change. The price listed is reflected at the time of the blog post.  

Favorite Toner

SKII Facial Treatment Essence $195

This not only acts as a hydrating toner, it is also a treatment for the overall face. It will brighten your entire complexion and lighten any spots or acne scars. I call it the holy water for the face!

Favorite Day Cream

La Mer Moisturizing Lotion $230

It’s hydrating even for the most sensitive skin. My skin tends to react to a lot of products and whenever I get a reaction, I always put this on to calm my skin. I actually have this and also the Oil-Absorbing Lotion (also $230) to switch back and forth depending on the weather. The Oil-Absorbing Lotion is the only lotion that has been able to prevent my nose from being oily. The Moisturizing Lotion is great to use all year long. Stop doing your research on La Mer and just buy it!

Favorite Night Cream

Givenchy Le Soin Noir $380

Why it’s the best? It’s a black facial cream! You will not find another cream like this on the market (actually, it’s kind of hard to find this in the US). It is extremely hydrating and it plumps and firms the skin. Everytime I stay on this for a few days, people start commenting on my skin asking what I use. It’s on the pricey side, so I only use this at night and also although it goes on clear, some people have said it does leave a greyish film on their face. The texture is almost like gelatin or pudding. It’s a great anti-aging product that is worth investing.

Favorite Serum

La Mer Regenerating Serum $260

I’ve noticed a lot of people don’t know what a serum does and often times they skip buying a serum. From my experience, a serum is a very important part of skin care. It is a treatment that targets your skin concerns, such as fine lines, wrinkles, or sun spots. It is not a moisturizer, however, I know some people use a hydrating serum and skip a moisturizer altogether.

A serum goes on before your moisturizer and after your toner.

You can almost see the difference in your skin in one day while on this serum. The overall texture of the face is more even and smooth. It encourages collagen production to fill in wrinkles and lines and gets rid of acne scars and imperfections. I tend to breakout at times and this serum has been great at preventing break outs. This is one product I always ask people to buy and everyone loves it. 

Favorite Eye Treatment

La Prairie Illuminating White Caviar Eye Serum

It is very hard to find an eye cream that works. I've tried many big brands and I am always hesitant to recommend an eye cream to anyone, because everyone's skin is different and often times eye treatments don't always work for everyone. However, I have been dealing with dark circles and this has been the only eye treatment that I saw a noticeable different. I do recommend it for people that have dark circles. It is expensive so get a sample first.   

Most Luxurious

Givenchy Le Soin Noir Lace Mask

Why it’s the most luxurious? Need I say more? Just LOOK AT IT!

Favorite New Product

Yves Saint Laurent Forever Youth Liberator Serum $150 or $200 for the larger size.

I haven’t used this long. I got a sample of it when they launched it and I remember loving how my skin feels and look when I used it. It smells amazing as well. I'm sure they will expand on the line next year! I also really like the unique design of all the bottles. I wasn't sure I like it at first, but they all look very stylish.

Favorite New Line

Guerlain Abeille Royale

The power of royal jelly and honey! I love this new line. It’s a great anti-aging line that is not too harsh or active. I wish they would come out with a body cream that has the scent of this line. My favorite thing from the line is the toner! it's absolutely fantastic! 

Best Brand Design

Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford always goes above and beyond with its branding and marketing. His beauty line is no exception.

Givenchy Le Soin Noir

This has been my favorite line of products on the market, but it has been increasingly hard to find them in the States. Sephora used to carry the face cream, but it's been out of stock for awhile now and it doesn't seem like they will be taking on the serum anytime soon.

I am so tempted to order this from the UK and have it shipped to me, because it is that good! I am currently using the left over jars as candle holders on my coffee table (for display only, would not actually burn the candles) and its been a great conversation piece. The jars are beautifully made.

Anyone has any luck tracking down where to buy this line in the States?

The Bloom of Youth Through Lancôme's Absolue L’Extrait

From their website-- 

An exceptional elixir exists. It contains up to 2 million Lancôme Rose native cells.

Experience Lancôme’s revolutionary skincare innovation and our most powerful regenerating ingredient, Lancôme Rose Native Cells.

Extracted from the heart of the rare and resilient Lancôme Rose using an exclusive, state-of-the-art biotechnological process, these native cells are proven to extend their own exceptional properties to enhance skin’s regenerative potential*.

Each jar of Absolue L’Extrait contains up to 2 million of these precious native cells. Absolue L’Extrait helps reveal firmer, more elastic, more radiant skin for fascinating beauty.

Absolue L’Extrait. A master piece of regeneration.

The last time rose made the press rounds as an skincare ingredient was through Skin Deli's Creme de la Rose. Sadly, it never got far. Korres also has a line of rose products, but their line is more focused on brightening of the skin. Lancome with its big marketing budget and expensive research team is sure to make this flower popular again on a different level.

Lancome's Absolue L'Extrait has Rose Stem Cells and Body Deli's Creme de la Rose has Bulgarian Rose Oil. It's like comparing a burger patty to a steak in terms of the research and technology. Lancome takes the cake in the rose battle.

Priced at $350. It's definitely one of the more expensive creams on the market. 

I am going to get this cream after I'm done with my La Mer Cream, so stay tuned!

Freeze 24/7 Ice Cream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer

From their site-

A smoothing, moisturizing complex that provides intense hydration while nourishing, firming and toning skin- provides immediate and long term benefits. This high-tech, super-charged skincare cocktail takes the moisturizing experience to the next level. Luxurious and exceptionally hydrating, IceCream Double Scoop™ is a powerful moisturizing complex of ingredients that hydrates the skin while providing serious anti-aging benefits.

• Diminishes expression line formations while shielding the skin from oxidative stress and UVA/UVB rays

• Skin looks supple, vibrant and healthy - noticeably radiant and smooth

• Reduces the appearance of facial expression lines and other common signs of aging

• Fights free radical damage and oxidative stress with L-Carnosine & Green Tea Extract 

Freeze 24/7 is famous for their anti-wrinkle treatment, where you put it on your skin and you can see the wrinkles diminish in front of your eyes. Wrinkles creams with GABA are now very common. As their website stated, GABA is produced in the body as a natural muscle relaxant, just as melatonin is produced as the body’s natural sleep inducing agent. When used in conjunction with other key ingredients found within our proprietary complex, GABA works to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and winkles on the facial area quickly, safely, and effectively with no side effects – just results.

I believe Freeze 24/7 was the brand that made the miracle wrinkle ingredient wildly popular (at least for me). Dr. Brandt also has a product called Crease Release that uses the same ingredient. This review is not so about their anti-wrinkle treatment, but i just want to point out their brand defining product, which is their Instant Wrinkle Treatment.

The Ice Cream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer is one of my favorite moisturizers I've ever used. It is extremely hydrating and yet it creates a matte look on your face making your face look plump and dewy all day without shine.

The texture is, as expected with the name, creamy and thick like soft serve ice cream. It glides on smooth like silk creating a matte canvas. The only thing I've had problem with while using this cream is whatever I put on top of it flakes off like eraser shedding. I tried using sunblock on top of it, but it sheds everything off,  I would think it'll have the same problem with makeup as well. However, I found that if you put sunscreen on right away after this cream, it'll be fine, it's only when you let the cream set in the skin and you try to put something on top that it sheds. Again, everyone's skin is different, so it might not happen to you.
 
Overall, I really enjoy this cream. It can be used on even the most sensitive skin. I wish it was paraben free, but it's not. Sometimes they have a 50% off Sale on their website and that's when I try to stock up on everything. Definitely sign up for their newsletter if you're interested in their products!

Verdict: Buy it!

The Ice Cream Double Scoop Intensive Anti-Aging Moisturizer is $105
Read more on their website- http://www.freeze247.com/proddetail.cfm?sku=9913900062&prd=

Chanel SUBLIMAGE LA CRÈME TEXTURE SUPREME $390

With a single key ingredient, Vanilla Planifolia—a rare botanical found in the farthest reaches of Madagascar—LA CRÈME unlocks the key to beauty and self-confidence. The ultimate skincare indulgence, LA CRÈME creates a glowing, luminous and even-toned complexion. Facial contours become visibly firmer and signs of aging seem to disappear. Enhancing the experience: a delicate, refined fragrance and sumptuously rich feel.

Chanel's Sublimage collection is their most high-end skincare line. I am a big fan of Chanel's skincare products and I love the smell of all their products. I have used Sublimage Eye Cream, which wasn't memorable so I didn't bother trying other products until they launched the La Creme Texture Supreme . La Creme Texture Supreme is the richest and the most concentrated version of their moisturizer in the collection.

When I was on this product, I used it as a night cream and it kept my skin hydrated overnight, which is very rare. The only other cream that kept my skin hydrated overnight is Givenchy's Le Soin Noir.  I was actually surprised by how much I liked this cream. However, I didn't really see any major changes in my skin other than it feeling very hydrated and smooth.

I do think it's a great cream, but the price tag is a little bit too high for the minimal results I experienced. I like it, but I don't love it. With La Mer and Le Soin Noir, or even Natura Bisse, I was able to see a difference in my skin within days, which justified my spending. Chanel La Creme would be something that I would love to receive as a present, but I probably wouldn't spend my own money on it since you can buy something better with the same price.

The packaging is beautiful and fancy as you would expect from Chanel. It makes a great presence, especially if you buy the Sublimage gift set. I do think you're spending more for the brand than the actual result you'll get from the product.

Verdict: Try it

Chanel SUBLIMAGE LA CRÈME  TEXTURE SUPREME is $390
Read more on their website- http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Skincare-Complete-Anti-aging-SUBLIMAGE-LA-CR%C3%88ME-125545

La Mer "The Essence" Facial at Hotel Bel-Air

This was at the entrance of the room

So I had the luxury of being invited by La Mer to try "The Essence" facial at Hotel Bel-Air yesterday and I absolutely LOVED it.


The Essence by La Mer is one of the world’s most expensive beauty products, priced at $2100. Its extraordinary packaging was designed by La Mer’s team, including Jesse Chertoff, design director, and Shane Butler, package designer.

The Essence contains magnetized tourmaline, which keeps its active ferments suspended. Magnets hidden inside the package keep the tourmaline’s ingredients magnetically charged.

The Essence is a milky texture, very much like the Regenerating Serum, and it feels like a mixture of The Concentrate and Regenerating Serum on the skin. It absorbs very quickly into the skin like most of La Mer Serums.

I literally had a halo glow effect to my face after the facial. The facialist applied the Cream on my face after the facial and normally it would've been too heavy during the day, but for some reason the combination of the Essence and the Cream provided the perfect balance for my skin.

Obviously for $2100, most people would just pay a visit to the dermatologist for injections, but for those that are looking for an alternative, you might want to give this a try.

"The Essence Facial" included-

• Cleansing of the face with The La Mer Cleansing Foam and Tonic
• Exfoliation by La Mer Refining Facial (which is basically a fine scrub, I will review it in the future) 
• Massage with La Mer Cleansing Gel
• La Mer Mist 
• The Mask-- which is basically a heavy thick layer of Creme de La Mer for 10 mins
• The Hydrating Infusion (Will Review in the future)
• The Essence (LOVE!) as the serum 
• Creme de La Mer as the finishing touch!

Then you leave feeling like a million bucks and glowing for the next few days!

Givenchy Le Soin Noir $380

Givenchy Le Soin Noir contains an extremely precious, natural age-defying ingredient that will secure its status in your antiaging routine. Used for the first time in cosmetics, Vital Black Algae Sap Concentrate restores communication between the skin's cells. Givenchy's researchers have developed a method to infuse this potion with a rare black algae extract to help maintain and prolong cellular longevity. Parched skin drinks in the hydration it needs—leaving your complexion firm, glowing, and even-toned.

I call this face lift in a jar. My absolute favorite product on the market. It is very pricey, yes, but it's worth every penny. The cream itself is black, but it becomes translucent once it touches your skin. The texture is more like cream gelatin, not so much of a gel, because I'm allergic to gels and I've had no problem with this.

Normally I can tell if a cream is moisturizing or not by using it at night, and often times I wake up with my skin feeling dry. This is the only cream I've ever used that have managed to keep my skin plumped and hydrated throughout the entire night without feeling dry the next morning. I also sleep with a humidifier next to my bed stand, which I highly recommend (Yes, beauty takes a lot of work).

I call this face lift in a jar, because it lifts and diminishes your lines and wrinkles. I've received many compliments on my skin when I use this. I stopped using it for awhile, because it is so expensive and within a few days, I lost that "glow" to my face.

The only down side to this (besides the hefty price tag) is that it is very hard to find. Sephora seem to be the only place that carries it. You can find it in their store in NY or their online store. However, it is always out of stock on their website.

Also, I suggest only using this at night for two reason- 1. It's expensive. 2. Sometimes I do see a little bit of the gray coloring on my face, but if I'm just lounging around in the house, I don't really care what my face looks like. Also, I don't think sunblock goes on well on top of this cream because the texture is so unique.  So you might have some problem with makeup, not sure, since I don't wear makeup.

It's one of my favorite products on the market and it is worth every penny. I kept all the jars after I've used up the cream and they make great coffee table display or tea-light candle holders. (A very expensive conversation starter!)

I'll write a review on Le Soin Noir Serum and Eye Cream soon!

Verdict: RUN OUT AND BUY IT!

Givenchy Le Soin Noir is $380
Read more on their website- http://www.givenchybeauty.com/item/Le-Soin-Noir

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream $55

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream calms and rejuvenates sensitive, dry, and combination skin, absorbing quickly with no oily residue left behind. It offers optimum moisture, balance, and overall well-being for a naturally healthy complexion.

For years, Ancient Egyptians used goat milk to heal and nurture skin; their skincare wisdom bears following. This natural wonder continues the great tradition, lavishing skin with infusions of milk proteins, vitamins, and amino acids.

This is a good cream for everyday use. It hydrates and calms your skin without being greasy. Goat Milk is very healing to the skin and is loaded with great vitamins. I think it's good for all skin types. I have sensitive combination skin and I've never had any bad reaction to this cream. I've also recommended it to my younger sister who is prone to breakouts and she liked it as well.

It's a great cream to balance your skin if that is what you're looking for, or if you have very sensitive skin. I used to use this during the day and something more anti-aging at night.

Verdict: Try it! 

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream is $55
Read more on their site-  http://www.katesomerville.com/skincare/concerns/sensitive/

BLACK TEA AGE-DELAY CREAM $95

Fresh Black Tea Age-Delay Face Cream combines natural ingredients with cutting-edge technology to visibly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It's formulated with collagen-boosting lychee, proven to strengthen the skin's structure and firm the complexion to restore youthful contours and promote cell regeneration, resulting in softer, smoother skin. It also protects the skin against pollution with black tea and provides intense hydration and moisture.

Fresh always put out quality products and this one is no exception. It is a light but moisturizing cream that goes on very smooth. I think it smells like cucumbers and black tea. It's very refreshing. It's a pretty decent antiaging cream. I have noticed some differences with the overall complexion of my face. It gave me a little glow to the face and made my face looked dewy.

The only negative I can think of is how small the jar is. I feel like you can go through the jar pretty quickly and of course when you express that to the store employee they will always tell you "Oh a little bit goes a long way!"  Well, if you're like my mom that likes to put on a lot of cream, you'll prob go through the entire jar in 2 months especially if you're using it day and night.

It's a solid anti-aging moisturizer under $100. You don't see that many good ones under $100, and for my friends that don't want to spend over $100, I always recommend this one.

Verdict: Get it! 
BLACK TEA AGE-DELAY CREAM is $95

You can read more on their website- http://www.fresh.com/skincare/moisturizer-face/black-tea-age-delay-cream