brightening skincare

Estée Lauder Even Skintone Illuminator

- Vicki 1 Comment
Estee Lauder even skintone illuminator

Recently there has been a new serum in my routine & I’ve been quietly declaring my love for it. I thought it was about time I shared it with you. I have been using the Estée Lauder Even Skintone Illuminator* from the Idealist range, this range targets dull, uneven skintones and focuses on giving the skin a fresh illuminating glow whilst evening out pigmentation, redness and smoothing pores. Just what my skin needs, especially with Spring just around the corner.

Estée Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator

In a nutshell – This serum features exclusive CorrecTone Technology, a comprehensive triple-action complex compromised of highly effective, anti-spot ingredients, powerful antioxidants and soothing anti-irritants to address the signs of an uneven skintone.

This is an oil free serum and has an illuminating pearlescent colour which gives the skin a lovely fresh glow, and it does have a slight citrus scent too but noting overpowering and once the serum has been absorbed the scent fades. The serum feels very lightweight and is quickly absorbed without leaving the skin feeling tacky or greasy. You apply this on to clean skin and then follow with the rest of your skincare regime (SPF, moisturiser). I don’t find this serum to be particularly hydrating, but it leaves my skin feeling smooth, soft and noticeably brighter.

Estée Lauder Idealist Range

I have quite a few old dark acne scars, redness around my nose and quite a few areas where the pigmentation in uneven. This serum not only helps cover them and has an instant brightening effect but also over a period of time help reduce them. I’ve been using this serum for a little over 5 weeks now & have noticed these areas looking brighter, more even and my complexion looks a lot more fresh and bright. I am excited to see if these areas continue to improve over the coming months.

I like how this sits well under my moisturiser, it’s a non-greasy, oil free serum and once applied has a smooth velvety finish. It adds luminosity to the skin but is in no way sparkly or glittery, so don’t worry you won’t look like a disco ball (no one needs that).

This Even Skintone Illuminator comes in a distinctive light blue and gold bottle which has a handy pump, it’s very pretty and the pump dispenses just enough product without wasting any. Unlike the ANR this is a hard robust plastic which I like a lot more. Glass packaging tends to make me nervous & it is near impossible to travel with. This packaging is much more travel-friendly.

Estee Lauder Illuminating Serum Swatch

So far I’m impressed with this & would recommend it, if like me you want to brighten your complexion and address any dark spots or redness. As with most Estée Lauder skincare it is quite pricey but one pump of this gives you enough product to use on your face & I like to use it once a day in the morning & 5 weeks on I still have a lot of products left. So a little goes a long way. What I am trying to say is it is worth the price tag!

You can purchase Estee Lauder makeup from Harrods, they have quite an extensive selection. Oh, & the best part is it comes beautifully packaged. Let me know if you have any Estee Lauder product suggestions, I am already a fan of the ANR range but would love to try some makeup from them too. So send your suggestions this way.

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.

Origins Dr Weil Mega Bright Eye Cream

- Vicki 10 Comments
Darkcircleminimiser

Origins Dark Circle Minimizer

Harvard-trained medical doctor and botanist Andrew Weil has again teamed up with Origins to develop this new Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer*. Origins say this eye cream will  ‘keep your eye area looking bright and also helps strengthen fragile, dry eye skin to help the appearance of darkness from circling back’. I have to say I agree 100%.

Origins Eye Cream

This Origins eye cream has a thick creamy feel to it, the consistency reminds me of the Kiehl’s creamy eye treatment with avocado. I’ve been using this mostly in the morning, as I said it’s quite thick and is nice to apply, it gives you an instant feeling of hydration. As soon as you put this on your under eye area feels smooth and looks luminous and fresh. Perfect if you have dehydrated under eyes.

It works as a really good base for concealer as its so rich and my concealer sits really well on top of it. It stops any creasing and keeps the area hydrated all day. This cream is packed full of skin benefits such as,

  • White Peony for its anti-oxidant properties
  • Ume, from the fruit of the Japanese Plum Blossom tree, to help minimise the dark circles
  • Grapefruit to help reduce puffiness
  • Magnolia Extract works to tighten and strengthen the delicate under eye skin
  • Molasses for brightening & evening skin tone

You only need a small amount of this cream and it is easily absorbed and keeps the skin feeling soft throughout the day. I would say my under eye looks brighter (which makes me happy), but I think I also have my cleaner diet to thank for that. I have been eating more fresh fruit and vegetables this year so I’d say a good diet, combined with this Origins cream are making a good team. I’m hoping that as I continue to use the Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer for a second month I see even more results and a reduction in discolouration.

It is a lovely addition to my skincare regime and I think this pot is going to last me quite a while. So if you’re someone that needs help keeping the dark circles at bay, puffiness to a minimum and longs for brighter under eyes then this Origins Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer is a must for you.

Origins Mega-Bright Dark Circle Minimizer 15ml £32

Products that are marked with an * have either been sent to me for my consideration or I’ve received at events. I’m under no obligation to review them on my blog. However, if I do, the reviews are 100% my own.