You might have already seen ads on TV and in magazines, but in case you didn’t I’d like to introduce you to new products released by L’Oreal Paris this summer. With multimasking being one of the biggest [and actually effective] skincare trends this year it makes sense for beauty companies to release a collection of masks that can be used together. Summer also happens to be the season when many of us want to achieve that perfect bronzed glow. And finally, now that the temperatures outside are so high that you can cook an egg if you leave it in the car, naturally we don’t use as much makeup so our skin needs to be in tip top condition. I want to mention that this is not a traditional review post as I haven’t been using any of these products long enough for that, but if any of these make it into my permanent beauty routine you’ll be the first to know. Pinky promise.
L’OREAL PURE-CLAY MASK:
This trio immediately grabbed my attention as soon as I opened the PR package. Each L’Oreal Pure-Clay Mask [$12.99, available here] comes in a beautiful hefty glass jar that feels substantial and expensive. That’s right, there is a high end feel to these masks: the packaging is classy and beautiful, and the glass jars are so heavy they can be used as paperweights, which is a rare sight for drugstore skincare that is dominated by more budget-friendly plastic. Each mask is made with a base of three pure mineral clays from different areas of the world – kaolinite, montmorrilonite, and ghassoul mud – to provide the best and most complete skin purifying experience. There are three varieties currently available: Purify, Detox, and Exfoliate.
L’Oreal Pure-Clay Detox Mask is the black one. Infused with charcoal it pulls out the oil, and dirt from within the pores, making the skin appear instantly brighter. I would choose this one for dealing with any blackheads and large clusters of clogged pores.
L’Oreal Pure-Clay Purify Mask is the green one. It contains bacteria-fighting and eucalyptus that is best used on areas where you normally see breakouts. Eucalyptus also increases the blood circulation, so after using the mask you may notice a healthier-looking complexion with lovely natural pink flush on the cheeks.
L’Oreal Pure-Clay Exfoliate Mask is the red one. It contains red algae that gently exfoliates dead skin cells, so it’s best suited for areas that are rough, bumpy, and maybe need a little sloughing. It works great for enlarged pores, too!
From my short experience with these masks I can say that all three are exceptional. And no, they are not dupes for Bonvivant trio I wrote about last week, even though they look similar. L’Oreal masks are creamier and more comfortable to wear, and the ingredients are quite different, too. My favorite of the three is the Exfoliate variety, it’s everything my congested skin needs this summer and I look forward to using it more often than the other two.
L’OREAL REVITALIFT BRIGHT REVEAL:
This summer L’Oreal combined time-tested anti-aging Retinol with two of my favorite AHAs – brightening Vitamin C and rejuvenating Glycolic Acid – to create Revitalift Bright Reveal line that addresses dull and uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines to reveal brighter, more youthful complexion. The line includes a daily cleanser, pre-soaked brightening pads, a really cool-looking overnight moisturizer, and a day cream with SPF.
L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Scrub Cleanser [$6.99 available here] is not something I would use every day, but I understand the appeal. Because this cleanser contains AHAs it has skin-friendly pH that will not disrupt the acid mantle. My testing strips registered pH4.5, which is on the acidic side [5.0 to 5.5 is my personal preference], so yes it will definitely provide gentle chemical exfoliation and moderate physical exfoliation if that is what you are after.
L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads [$19.99, available here] are just what you think they are, a stack of cotton pads soaked in brightening solution. I love these, they are convenient, compact, and virtually mess-free. The solution contains 10% Glycolic Acid, which might be too harsh if your skin is not used to this concentration. You can build up your tolerance by starting with smaller percentage of AHAs once or twice a week and slowly get your skin accustomed to stronger formulas. L’Oreal recommends these as a PM treatment, but in my experience they can be easily used in the AM too. Clinical studies have shown that AHAs cause the skin to become photosensitive regardless of the time of day they’re used, so you will need to apply sunscreen anyway. However, if your skin tolerance for AHA is not high enough you might experience redness, so just for that reason alone it’s probably why the company recommended to use them at night.
L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Moisturizer SPF30 [$19.99, available here] contains broad spectrum sunblocks and a combination of Pro-Retinol, Vitamin C, and Glycolic Acid. I don’t know how I feel about using Retinol during the day, but at the very least it shouldn’t cause any issues if it does break down under sunlight thanks to the presence of free radical neutralizing Vitamin C and several sunscreen agents. I do like the general idea of this moisturizer, but I will probably only use it at home where I’m in the shade 90% of the day.
L’Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturizer [$19.99, available here] has some seriously high tech looking packaging. There are two tubes with two dispensers, and the magic happens when two formulas are combined in one luxurious overnight treatment in the palm of your hand. L’Oreal promises brighter, more radiant, younger-looking skin in just one week! Those are some bold claims right there, ladies, so I look forward to testing this curious moisturizer further to see those results for myself. So far I tried it a couple of times, and my skin did in fact look slightly smoother in the morning, which is what you’d expect from an AHA treatment.
L’OREAL SUBLIME BRONZE SUMMER EXPRESS:
In addition to my July PR package featuring the two new lines mentioned above, I also requested some other products that I wanted to sample. I don’t know if you remember, but I finally decided to venture into the world of sunless tanners and bronzing lotions earlier this year, so I asked to try the new L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Summer Express wash-off tints for face and body.
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Summer Express Wash-Off Face Bronzer Cream SPF20 in Medium [$10.99, available here] is a tinted moisturizer that gives the skin the bronzed look without long-term commitment of a self-tanner. It also contains broad spectrum SPF20, which is nice, but not enough for me personally [I burn to a crisp wearing anything under 30]. This bronzer feels like a face primer, so it’s virtually weightless. It’s not a very good match for my complexion because it leans a tad too orange, but if you love that warm glow maybe this one is worth checking out. I swatched both the face and the body tint side by side so you can see that there’s a noticeable difference between the two. Face bronzer is warmer and contains a hint of shimmer that is only visible under direct sunlight.
L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Summer Express Wash-Off Body Makeup Lotion in Medium [$10.99, available here] is a tinted moisturizer for the body that gives the skin the coveted summer glow until your next shower. I actually quite like this one! It dries with a cool-toned matte finish that looks very natural [the product has red tint to it, which disappears on the skin when blended out]. I’ve been using it on my legs and so far nobody noticed that it’s fake 😉
L’OREAL AGE PERFECT:
Finally, the last product I wanted to try was L’Oreal Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition Day Lotion SPF30 [$19.99, available here], in fact I’ve been using it every day during the past week and I really like it. It contains 5 essential oils, so it feels really smooth on the skin, and I never see that dreaded white cast. I wouldn’t be surprised if this lotion made it into my everyday beauty routine.
Have you spotted any of these products at your local drugstores? Which L’Oreal products are your favorite, if any? Let me know in the comments below!
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