Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Review

WHAT IS IT: Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

THE PRODUCT(S):

Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate: Inspired by cutting-edge science, Lancôme introduces Advanced Génifique—a serum so powerful it creates more radiant and smoother skin that you can see and feel. This innovative formula featuring Génifique’s powerful complex with added biotechnology-derived ingredient is incredible to the touch, and acts on 10 key signs of youth including texture, resiliency, elasticity, firmness, sagginess, fine lines, wrinkles, radiance, clarity, and skintone. Complete with an exclusive self-loading dropper that gives you the perfect dose of serum for each application, skin will feel refreshed, renewed, and healthy.

The product itself despite looking thick, turns out to actually be a lightweight serum. Has a clear consistency, spreads easily and quickly absorbed into my skin without too much effort used. Despite the sensation of thickness and stickiness upon application, it slowly dissipates while melting into the skin.

VERDICT: When I first emptied out the samples into a reusable pot, it looked really thick since it didn't spread around the pot itself too fast. However, as soon as I applied it onto my skin, it actually spreads pretty well and decently and was quickly absorbed into my skin without the usual fuss and effort of having to literally massage it into my skin like forever. Although there were feelings of stickiness upon application, I realized that the sticky feeling slowly dissipates and less than a minute after application, that sticky feeling was gone from my skin.

Normally, whenever certain skin products feel sticky upon application, the sticky sensation actually lingers on even after application. But not with this Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate, it only feels that sticky upon application only. However, less than a week after trying this out, my skin slowly started to breakout with acne and pimples. But despite that, I carried on using it. Mainly because when it comes to brand new skin products, our skin practically needed to get used to it before toning down and accepting it. (That's what I like to believe)

And while my acne and pimples started to tone down little by little, I noticed that my skin started becoming better. In terms of smoothness, I can actually and easily see it for myself. Especially my nose which tend to "oil" up faster prior to using any skin care products, I noticed that it wasn't that oily as before. Maybe it really did helped the skin on my nose, due to my skin being hydrated with a skincare product.

Although I can't really say the same for less visible pores, since I can't really tell much of a difference at all. Probably need to get myself under a microscope or something to know if there's any difference. But I did noticed that certain dark spots on my face seemed to have lighten up slightly. This is definitely one of those skincare products that can actually benefit one's skin through prolonged usage.

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: My skin tend to breakout a little when I change, include or exclude any skincare products, so I wasn't surprised when I got a few acne and pimples less than a week after trying this. As I myself is aware how my skin tend to behave sometimes, and I was really glad I carried on using this despite a slight breakout. It was only after my samples ran out that my skin is slowly going back to what it almost was before trying this product.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: The original sample redemption link isn't working, last I check. But you can pop by any Lancome outlet and ask if they still have samples for this product that you can take home and try.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to health, beauty & lifestyle tips at least once a day. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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Samples Received/Redeemed: 11 Feb - 15 Feb 2013

Initially, I thought there would only be 3 items for my weekly show and tell, but luckily, Brooks Cafe's samples that I requested for came in on Friday afternoon. So, this rounds up my show and tell items up to an impressive 4. The number 4 despite rhyming with the word "death" in Chinese tradition also has another meaning. And since it's still "somewhat" CNY period, then it can be interpreted as an auspicious number instead.

The number 4 is symbolic of Earth to Chinese philosophy and the square (with its four points) is the Chinese symbol for earth. It is also connected with the four cardinal points who are represented in China by four spiritually gifted guardians: The Dragon, Unicorn, Kylin, and Phoenix. They guard the cosmic order of things, and insure stability is maintained in the universe. Taking that concept of mitosis (cell division ultimately leading to individuality) we see further division of individuality here, and a settling into the knowledge of how things work. This is an extension of that feeling of security. The number four augurs a concrete sense of things.

But before I go on and on and bore everyone away from this blog post, let's take a look at the samples redeemed and received for the past week, shall we? :D

This L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream (10ml) is available when you tag at least 5 friends in L'Occitane Singapore's Facebook app, called "Share the Love" to be eligible to redeem. The location for redemption is at Plaza Singapura, at the new wing which is near the MRT station and bus stop.

The additional bonus from L'Occitane's app is that, if you can tag at least 30 friends in the app, you are eligible to redeem an additional FREE Spring Cherry Iridescent Shower Gel or Moisturizing Gel (75ml) with minimum purchase of $40. And the more you tag, the higher chance of you winning a Spring Cherry EDT (50ml) each week.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Go over to L'Occitane en Provence Singapore Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/loccitane.sg and Like their page. Next, look for this link that says Share the Love, follow the prompts and start tagging your friends within the app.

For this b.liv Sample Kit, despite the wall post on SaSa SG's page not stating that you have to print out the poster for redemption, I did print it out in case SaSa staffs are unclear. There will always be sales staffs who aren't clear of giveaways or free sampling exercise, so it's better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, when I went to redeemed it at Causeway Point (Woodlands), the staff who did the exchange for me took my printout as well (o.o). And while redeeming, I had to fill in my particulars as well. So, if you are intending to grab a few sample kits, you might want to drag a few friends or acquaintances who have no interests in freebies. But other than that, I think just 1 sample kit is more than enough.

Here's the front of the b.liv sample kit, in it contains:

• Off With Those Heads - Blackhead Sebum Gel x 1 @ 3ml
• Sheer Off Crease mask - Fine Line Stoppage x 1 @ 28ml

And here's the back of the b.liv sample kit, which contains 2 cutout coupons:

• SGD10 off for a Off With Those Heads, 30ml OR 45ml only
• SGD1 off for any of b.liv Japan Silk Mask range (1 piece only)

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Head over to this link at http://on.fb.me/12SZTJB, print out the "poster" (in black and white) in the event a SaSa staff decided to ask for a printout. Redemption period is valid from 01 Feb until 28 Feb or While Stocks Last. So hurry and don't wait!!

For this Lancôme sampling exercise, I just happened to saw it out of the blue while trolling through my wall (as usual) and as soon as I saw it, I kinda spammed everyone I know who will be interested in getting it. And as such, I didn't realize there will be 2 types of samples in 1 sampling exercise, until I redeemed the samples at Causeway Point as well.

As you can see from the cover of the sample brochure, there's 2 different serums by Lancôme, so it was a little easy to guess. But I kinda overlook this part when requesting for the sample.

Once the brochure is opened up, on the left is Lancôme's Génifique and on the right is Lancôme's Visionnaire.

And behind these 2 visible samples are actually "pouches" where an additional 6 more of each sample type is concealed. So essentially, we are all getting:

• Génifique Youth Activator x 7 sachets
• Visionnaire [LR 2412 4%] x 7 sachets

But, I'm thinking that if you are using these 2 on specific spots or target spots, you can probably use it for up to 2 weeks maximum, if you transferred everything into a reusable pot instead. Or not, it's up to you :)

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Go over to this link at http://on.fb.me/12PcRDR and look for the link that lets you redeem for your complimentary 1-week trial registration. You will receive a SMS on your phone shortly, after filling in the online registration form. And you need to go to the outlet choice you have chosen and show it to the SA for redemption.

Previously, Brooks Cafe had a somewhat ongoing sampling exercise, provided you pay for the postage fee. And I don't see why I need to pay for samples in the first place. The reason samples existed is because it is supposed to be free, and free for would-be consumers to try before deciding whether they should spend money to buy anything. So, when Brooks Cafe had a somewhat new sampling exercise where postage charges are free, I requested for mine without hesitation.

Basically a black-and-white brochure, detailing about their fan page and to join a lucky draw to win "Special Value Sets" comprising of different flavors of their available menu. For a moment, I thought an actual meal was included xD

A color brochure with slightly more information on their products, this is the front page, I presume.

Same brochure, again with slightly more information on their products, this should be the back page then.

So, for my samples, I received:

• European Blend x 1 @ 10g
• Matcha Cappuccino x 1 @ 140ml

I actually love Coffee AND Tea, yes, both of them!!

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Go over to Brooks Cafe Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/brookscafe and Like their page. Next, for a link that says Free Sample!! and click on it. Free postage included for the first 30,000 requests, so don't wait!!

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? Also includes updates to contests that I've sourced out for you to join. It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt them down :)

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Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Review

WHAT IS IT: Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate

THE PRODUCT(S):

Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate: Lancôme introduces Génifique - our serum that intensely hydrates and promotes skin's natural exfoliation, a characteristic of young skin.

Visibly younger skin in just 7 days. Skin looks as if lit from within – breathtaking radiant. Its youthful quality returns: cushiony soft and velvety to the touch. Drop by drop, skin is vibrant with youth, its tone becomes astonishingly even, its texture dramatically refined.

I like how it made my eye bags look less significant. Normally, my eye bags are the first thing I see in the mirror whenever I wake up in the morning. Now, I don't even need to be bothered as it's much less obvious now.

VERDICT: The scent of this Lancome Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate is rather faint, which I personally think is good. Since I use youth concentrates like this mainly more for my eye bags and eye area than the whole face. Whether a product is meant for the eye bags or for the entire area, it's best not to have any scent to it, in the event our skin around the eyes might be allergic. Just because one is immune to scented facial moisturizers doesn't mean the skin around our eyes may be the same, always remember that.

The youth activating concentrate is actually gel-based with a watery consistency, which actually allows better absorption into the skin area around my eyes. For that, I am really grateful. Despite the little known fact that the skin around our eyes are probably the thinnest as compared to the skin on our face, we still need serums that can actually penetrate and gets absorbed fast and easily too. Fortunately, I didn't had any so-called "sticky" after-feel, maybe it's because of my oily skin? And I personally is a sucker for non-sticky feelings and sensations when it comes to facial and eye products.

I like how this concentrate actually helps smooth out the skin area on my eye bags, and after using it as a eye serum, I'm happy that skin around my eyes doesn't look so much like a panda now. Before that, it's just that little step from panda-wannabe to full panda. All without the use of facial cosmetics to get that panda look. And I haven't even mentioned the days when I was still in primary school, those were the worst as I look back on old photographs and got a shock at what I saw. I was only under 12 years old, but damn, those eye bags were even more prominent than any celebrities you've seen. Not lying, it's just plain scary whenever I look back at those old photographs. Gahh!

Although thankfully, those troublesome puffy eyes and eye bags seemed to look less puffy, but nonetheless, it's still there. And it's not like sleeping up to 10 hours per day may actually help at all. Once it shows up, it takes great efforts to get rid of it. Puffy eyes and eye bags can almost be compared to blemish scars. It takes way too long for it to turn faint before going away. Only to suddenly resurface back without warning, despite you yourself knowing that you've done whatever you can to ensure it stays away.

Nonetheless, the overall result was exactly what I was looking for in eye serums, to be honest. Generally, I prefer using facial moisturizers and serums at night, preferably after showering or before going to bed. And it has been a couple of nights since I started using this as an eye serum. I wouldn't dare to say my eye area glow after using this, as I think it's a little creepy to have the skin around my eyes glow healthily. However, what I do like is that the puffiness is actually almost gone. Skin does look firmer and more supple than before, and that is what I am looking for in an eye serum. I have tried my mother's eye serums when I was younger, but most of them don't work. Maybe it's not suitable for a teenager's skin, that I cannot be sure. But now, it does work some benefits for me which I am glad and happy about.

And luckily for me, no breakouts on the skin area around my eyes. Yippe!

VERDICT: ✓✓✓

WHAT I THINK: Panda no more!!

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: Sadly, I redeemed this in early July this year when this blog was still new. So, I am not so sure if they still have anymore samples for this Lancome Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate. However, if there's any Lancome near your neighborhood, you can try asking if they still have samples for you to try.

Why not like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PuNiaosProductReviews to be informed of latest samples I found, which is duly updated? It will definitely save you the trouble of having to hunt down samples :)

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