Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum Review

WHAT IS IT: Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum

THE PRODUCT(S):

Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Optimizing Skin Serum: This serum uses Elizabeth Arden's retinyl complex to gently retexturize skin while preparing skin to receive the benefits of your unique skin type regimen. Reveals healthy, glowing skin tone. Retinyl linoleate, a vitamin A derivative, re-texturizes skin and improves skin tone for a noticeably smoother, firmer complexion. Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection and brightens your skin for an all-day healthy glow. It’s non-comedogenic so it won’t clog your pores, and is great for all skin types (even sensitive skin!).

The color and texture is similar to the previously tested and reviewed Skin Balancing Lotion Sunscreen SPF15. looks thick and creamy but is lightweight through and through.

It doesn't take much effort to apply it on although it does leave a sticky sensation that dissipates after a short while.

VERDICT: The texture and consistency is actually similar to the previously reviewed-and-tested Skin Balancing Lotion Sunscreen SPF15 I just did. It looks thick and creamy, but surprisingly, it is a lightweight serum. All the while, most of us were thinking that skin serums are supposed to be a little opaque with shades of milkiness. So, it does come as a surprise that this Optimizing Skin Serum is not the usual color of typical skin serums. The scent is also light and mild that doesn't linger on unnecessarily too.

The difference is that, despite this product not needing too much "manhandling" to apply onto the skin, it actually does take a while to be fully absorbed into the skin. It's like, it feels pretty much the same way you would apply on skin serum(s). But the absorption rate is similar to a thick and creamy moisturizer instead, which in turn kind of make you massage your skin even more to get the product into your skin. And immediately after application, there's this sticky sensation that thankfully dissipates after a short while.

However, what I am personally thankful for is that this product actually doesn't cause my skin to breakout or react badly to it which I felt is actually a pleasant surprise. Normally, whenever I use new products on my skin especially my face, I would most definitely get a breakout in as short as a week. But I've been diligently and sparingly using my Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference samples daily and it's been close to 1.5 weeks and still no sight of a breakout. The only pimple I have now is due to lack of sleep and the occasional late night that I kept.

And as usual, I apply this before I went out for work and half a day passed and my skin doesn't look too oily at all. Just a little bit on the forehead and my nose. But if I were to compare, I would say the Skin Balancing Lotion Sunscreen SPF15 actually does a better job in keeping my skin moisturized as compared to this Optimizing Skin Serum.

VERDICT: ✓✓

WHAT I THINK: The Skin Balancing Lotion Sunscreen SPF15 only had me apply the most minimal touch-up half way through work, while the Optimizing Skin Serum had me ensure that I don't missed a spot when I had to re-touch my make-up. The lotion surprisingly is more better than the serum, in terms of moisturization, hydration, absorption and shiny sebum spots on my face.

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: I can't recall how exactly I got this sample. But I'm definitely happy and glad I got this sample as out of the 3 samples, I've already tried and tested 2 of them and I am quite happy with the results. If you are curious, just pop by any Elizabeth Arden counters and ask for the Visible Difference line/range samples 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? 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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Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum Review

WHAT IS IT: Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum

THE PRODUCT(S):

Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum: The most advanced care for a clearer, more even skin with the pink glow of good health and total luminescence.

The product has a really light yellowish-tone to it, and absorbs quite decently into the skin.

VERDICT: I personally find that the scent for this serum is scented, but thankfully, it's not overly scented to cause nauseousness. Although on another side note, I'm also glad that my skin isn't that overly sensitive that I cannot apply mildly and lightly scented products. Even after some time, I didn't catch a whiff of the product despite hours after application. Although I really cannot figure out what the scent exactly is, despite reading the ingredient list.

As I have redeemed 3 sample sachets of this product, I found that it can last me for up to a month if I only used it on specific areas on my skin. Therefore, I've started using this serum diligently for close to 2 weeks already and I am sad to say that I didn't see much of a difference before and after usage. My skin pretty much look like nothing has changed, and despite the product claiming that "even skin with the pink glow of good health and luminescence", I just didn't see any pink glow of good health showing up anywhere on my skin at all.

The only pink thing I did noticed is that my existing and almost fading pimples, acne and blemishes suddenly seemed a little more "alive" if the product meant "pink glow" by any chance. Existing and fading pimples seemed to looked a little more reddish than usual and my blemishes and scars just seemed a tad darker than usual. And I was definitely having a hard time trying to cover all these up with my usual concealer. It was an almost fanatical attempt, I dare say.

But stili, I have to give credit to the product itself. It actually sinks into the skin without much effort needed, and all I had to do was just gently massaged the product into my skin gently. And voila! It gets absorbed so fast without me having to keep having to massage it in repeatedly, unlike other products that look so lightweight, only to give me so much grief trying to get my skin to absorb it by constant and repeated patting and massaging.

And hours after application, I also noticed that my skin didn't look too oily at all. Let's just say, I've tried and tested serums and moisturizers before, and majority of them typically always without fail, make my face look like an oil-field. But not with this Clarins White Plus Total Luminescent Intensive Brightening Serum at all. It actually behaves like a serum and gets absorbed really fast, doesn't make my skin looks oily. Just a shame that it didn't do as promised for my skin though.

VERDICT: ✓✓

WHAT I THINK: I can definitely say this product works, but the opposite on my skin. Instead of giving my skin the overall pink glow it claimed, it gave my acne, pimples and blemishes the "pink glow" of health treatment. That was just plain weird and awkward..

WHERE TO REDEEM SAMPLE: I redeemed this sample sometime in March 2013 and this sample giveaway wasn't like the usual "share on Facebook" types like brand such as Estée Lauder are known for. Instead, Clarins promoted their sampling activity through the Sponsored Ad section, so it's actually worthwhile to keep your eyes on the Sponsored Ad section on Facebook for future Clarins sampling activity.

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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