LANCOME Visionnaire Skin Corrector | Review

Skincare product review disclaimer: Skincare products will work differently for each individual since skin type/sensitivity will vary from person to person. The degree of efficacy & adverse reactions caused by one product can be very different from one individual to another. I post these reviews to share my personal experience in hopes it will provide more information for those trying to determine if the product is right/wrong for them before they spend money to purchase it for themselves.
My skin type: combination (oily T-zone) during the summer, and dry during the colder months.  acne-prone. sensitive.

The Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector is an anti-aging skin corrector that claims to reduce the appearance of pores and wrinkles. I bought the 0.67oz size (retails at $69) during a Sephora F&F sale and stacked it with my Discover card cashback. The small bottle (0.67oz) lasted me a little over 4 months when applied routinely every morning and evening to my under eye area and areas of hyper-pigmentation due to old acne scarring. The formula is off-white in color and contains very fine iridescent pink particles. 

PROs:

- smooths & softens skin after application

- lightweight 

- absorbs quickly

- shrinks pores slightly

CONs:

- pricey ($89 for 1 oz)

- pump dispenser is unable to dispense entire contents once you get to the bottom (at least a few days worth is stuck in the bottle)

- barely lightens hyper pigmentation/blemishes from acne scarring

- lacks long-lasting benefits

More Photos:

Overall, this product didn't dramatically improve my skin/skin tone enough for me to feel it is worth the hefty price tag. The pump dispenser's failure to dispense the last bit of the product really disappointed me; for something this pricey, you really don't want even a little bit to go to waste. Although it does make my skin appear more smooth by minimizing pores, the effects seem only temporary (a few hours). It almost acts more as a primer than a skincare serum. But who in their right mind would be willing to pay $90 for a 1 oz size primer. Not me.

I probably wouldn't repurchase this unless I get it for way less than it's retail price. For example, during a friends and family sale or promotion where I can combine it with some really good cashback bonus offers; I find my Discover credit card or Ebates usually offer the best cashback (usually between 5-15%) for online purchases. 

This product seems to have a lot of great reviews online, so it may work for your skin type. Have you tried this product before? Share your experience/opinion in the comments!

Shiseido Benefiance Eye Cream | Review

Skincare product review disclaimer: Skincare products will work differently for each individual since skin type/sensitivity will vary from person to person. The degree of efficacy & adverse reactions caused by one product can be very different from one individual to another. I post these reviews to share my personal experience in hopes it will provide more information for those trying to determine if the product is right/wrong for them before they spend money to purchase it for themselves.

My skin type: combination (oily T-zone) during the summer, and dry during the colder months.  acne-prone. sensitive.

In the past few years, I have tried numerous eye creams/gels/serums to help reduce & prevent fine lines; the Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream is one of the only few I find to be effective and worth the price tag. This is a rich, hydrating eye cream that has improved the look of fine lines/wrinkles around my eye area.  

I first started using this product about 2 years ago (at age 24) and loved it. Since I was younger and had barely-noticeable fine lines, I felt I didn't need to be paying so much for such a rich cream, so set out to try a few other eye creams. Most other eye creams made little to no difference and I noticed my eye area often looked dry and the skin looked a bit thin. I eventually decided that instead of wasting time/money on trying to find other alternatives, I should just stick with what I know works. I buy this for 20% off during Sephora's friends & family sale.

For reference:

I have tried Dior Hydra Life Pro Youth Sorbet Eye Cream, Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, Garnier Ultra Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream, Bliss The Youth As We Know It Anti-Aging Eye Cream, and Clinique All About Eyes.

The only ones I have repurchased are the Shiseido Eye Cream (I use this every night) and the Garnier Ultra Lift Anti-Wrinkle Firming Eye Cream (I use this most mornings).

PROs:

- effective for reducing fine lines

- long-lasting hydration

- a little goes a long way

- absorbs well

- very mild scent 

- does not irritate the eyes

- beautiful packaging (rose gold cap)

CONs:

- can feel a bit "heavy" if you have oily skin

- a bit pricey (retail price $55 for 0.51 oz)

- not the best to wear underneath makeup (unless you give it plenty of time to set/absorb)

- shape/weight of jar not functional (It looks nice & pretty, but is a bit heavy and the unique shape causes me to drop the cap often)

*I don't have issues with dark circles or bags underneath my eyes, so I can't say much about how this cream works for those concerns.

More Photos:

close-up of the rich, creamy, hydrating formula

beautiful rose gold color packaging

a photo of the first jar that I finished up completely

yup, I made sure not to let a single drop go to waste

Overall, I would recommend this eye cream to those with normal-to-dry skin who are looking to reduce fine lines around the eye area. I use it every evening before bedtime and it keeps my under eye area hydrated all night. I will only use this in the morning if my skin feels extra dry (rarely). If you plan on wearing this underneath makeup, make sure you allow enough time for the cream to really set and absorb into your skin or else your makeup may slide around. This product has been an integral part of my nighttime routine for a while now and I plan to continue to use it for years to come!

What's your skin type & which eye cream have you tried that you would recommend to others?

Motivational Quotes (free iPhone wallpapers)

Keeping a running list of inspirational quotes has really helped me stay motivated to continue working toward my personal goals and setting new ones.  I display these encouraging quotes as my phone background and switch them up every few days/weeks.  I love sharing my favorite life quotes with others -- so here I am again with some iPhone backgrounds. Enjoy!

See my other motivational quote posts here: part 1, part 2,  part 3, & part 4.

"Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can do what others can't."

This is by far one of my favorite motivational quotations! It is a concise statement that conveys the benefits of working hard today will surely pay off in the future. I always tell myself that as long as I'm able to work hard today, I will; and the future me will be thankful. 

"Tough times don't last; tough people do."

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of this beautiful summer weekend and has a great 4-day work week! I can't believe Friday is July 4th already; the days and months of 2014 are truly flying by. Have a safe and happy July 4th!