a99kitten's Musings

So, I was at Sephora a few weeks ago and bought a trial size of the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate. You know how Sephora has those minis all set up as you wait in line – they always get me.  They are just so cutely packaged and right there as you wait! I’ve heard good things about the Kate Somerville line so figured I’d try it.

I used it every other night for a week and LOVED it!!! So I thought “OK, maybe I will try some of her other products.” So I trolled around Sephora, read the reviews there and elsewhere – all positive things. The only negative seemed to be the cost which was on par or less than I already paid so what the heck. #idiot

I tried ordering the full-sized ExfoliKate and Gentle Facial Wash from Sephora. Both sold out. Damn it. So I ordered the gift set at Sephora which had small sizes of both plus some of her face and eye creams. It arrived a day before I left for Tahoe for Christmas. But I was so busy between work, Christmas and packing for Tahoe that I waited to open and try it. Hysterically a friend of mine sent me a Christmas gift that I picked up from the Post Office on way to Tahoe. Same kit!! I had told her how I loved the ExfoliKate so she read my mind! I thought great – one to use at home and 1 for Tahoe.

I tried it the first night in Tahoe. Seemed very cleansing even though a bit of a medicinal smell. But maybe that’s just me. The next day my face felt fine. Then the next morning, I felt  little dry. But husband said there was something wrong with the humidifying unit in our heater plus it was butt-freezing cold and extra dry up here. So I didn’t worry. Then the next AM my face hurt. The area under my eyes (not my “under eye area” but the area on top of your cheeks was all puffy like someone hit me! And my skin hurt! OK. This was not weather related.

Since the only thing different was the Gentle Wash, I immediately stopped and went back to my La Mer wash. And started globbing on the La Mer Concentrate (not cheap to be globbing) all over my face. When I would drive in the car and the sun would hit my face – it would hurt. And even using the La Mer eye cream hurt. O.M.G. I basically gave myself a chemical burn at home. Wonderful. And right before New Year’s Eve – FANTASTIC! By the 3rd day of globbing La Mer Concentrate on my face, it was better. And it is much better now – basically all fine. I went to Neiman Marcus and bought more so I didn’t run out mid-repair. I told the ladies there what happened and 1 of the girls said a woman had left not 5 minutes before I got there who said the exact same thing! She had a tester of a Kate Somerville wash and it burned her face. What the hell???  The manager of the department (I think, not sure) gave me some free samples of the Creme La Mer to put on top of the concentrate – she said it will help tons (which it did). Normally, I don’t use the Creme La Mer normally as it’s a bit too rich for daily use for me. But Tahoe in the winter is dry. And then I did just basically burn all of the moisture out of skin all layers deep!

I get that skin is different. Reacts differently to different things. Clearly mine does not want the newfangled, thousand different activators type of product. It wants nice and calming and moisturizing and glorious. Kate Somerville’s wash is clearly not that. And there is no chance in hell I am trying her creams. I do still like the ExfoliKate and will use it again once I know my skin is totally back to normal. And I bought her Goat’s Milk body cream as that just sounds luxurious. But that’s it for new products…

I’ve tried La Prairie before and not liked it (not as good as La Mer.) I’ve recently tried NaturaBisse (even more pricey than La Mer) and didn’t love it. When I took it back to Neiman Marcus, I think the lady was offended that I liked La Mer better. #really?

I wrote a review on the Kate Somerville website for the Gentle Wash saying that it burned my skin so it didn’t seem to be for sensitive skin at all. Oddly (not really), the review is no longer there.  Which only strengthens my opinion that reviews on websites are basically crap (except Amazon who lets some funny ones stay up there!!)

So, in short(ish), my skin has told me “stop trying other stuff stupid. La Mer is great. La Mer works. Stick with what works.” Got it.

Illumin8 with Youthful Synergy Complex Eye Shadow Palette by Anastasia

While I am going to most likely purchase this eye shadow because I love all of the colors, I have to snicker at the anti-aging declarations. It’s eye-shadow people…

What it does:
These mineral-based eyeshadows provide a sheer wash of gorgeous, natural color. The long-wearing formula is free of fragrances and artificial dyes and contains both a Youthful Synergy Complex and a Balkan Botanical Infusion. The Youthful Synergy Complex has Brown Algae, Diamond Core Powder, and powerful antioxidants that lift, hydrate, and revitalize the appearance of skin. The Balkan Botanical Infusion soothes, softens, and hydrates the skin.
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?categoryId=A17&id=P254224

I think every single facial product sold nowadays has to promise to reduce spots, or wrinkles, or just a general reversal of aging. And while I can see people falling for those claims and promises with night/day creams and potions (and my people I mean me, myself and I), I can’t imagine anyone actually believing make-up (especially eyeshadow!?) will deliver this. It might cover up aging to a limited degree but otherwise I think it’s rather silly to make or believe this claim (unless you can walk around photoshopped – now THAT would be the invention!!)

But any make-up you spend money on and wear should make you feel pretty. And I think that when you feel that you look good, you emanate that so then you do look good. So maybe  if you believe you look a little younger, you walk around with a smile and then you do look younger. So it IS magic-fairy dust!

But hey – they are great colors so I will still buy no matter what… :)