Review: Lancome UV Expert GN-Shield SPF 50/PA+++

The Lancome UV Expert GN-Shield SPF 50/PA+++ High Potency Active Protection sunscreen has its fair share of raves online. Some people compare it to L'oreal UV Perfect SPF50/PA+++, which isn't surprising as both are from the same parent company, L'oreal. It has quite a good rating on makeupalley so I thought it would be a good sunscreen to try.

I think Lancome UV Expert GN-Shield SPF 50/PA+++ has a lighter and more watery texture compared to L'oreal UV Perfect, which is more creamy in texture. Both have the same shiny finish, which I don't like. The Lancome UV Expert GN-Shield SPF 50/PA+++ leaves a white cast on my skin and I usually can't use the required 1.25ml because it seemed too shiny, oily and white. After I let the sunscreen settle in, the finish is slightly better.

For the price, around, S$80, I would have expected a better sunscreen. If I were to choose between Lancome UV Expert GN-Shield SPF 50/PA+++ and L'oreal UV Perfect SPF50/PA+++, I would choose L'oreal. It is much cheaper and I find it easier to layer more sunscreen on compared to Lancome.

Review: Lancome Blanc Expert Ultimate Whitening Hydrating Emulsion - Moist

Product Information (credit: lancome.com.sg):

Fill Skin With Deep Whitening Moisture Visible Transparency Perceived in Just 3 Days. This fresh, velvety and hydrating emulsion improves skin transparency and luminosity as it optimizes moisturization. Skin looks matified with a soft and smooth feeling, it recovers fairness and luminosity, leaving no unattractive shine. Brown spots appear diminished.

Review:
I got this in KL and tried it out. I have this in Moist, there is another version called Very Moist for dry skin. Moist suits all skin types. The prices in KL are about $10 cheaper than in Singapore.

In my opinion, to achieve good whitening results, you should use a good high concentration serum. And with moisturisers, one that hydrates well. So I usually don't buy skincare products in an entire range - from cleansers to serum to moisturiser and mask. I like to buy products that are specific to my concern, i.e. cleanser to clean well and not so much to clean and whiten since this just serves to increase the price.

Anyway, since it was cheaper and KL had this shopping vibe which put me in a spending mood. I like that it has a runny/watery consistency and yet moisturising enough. It doesn't absorb fast and leaves a bit of a sticky feel. It takes a while before the stickiness disappears.

I noticed brighter skin tone but in 2 weeks, no lightening of brown/dark red pimple scars. For 2 weeks of use, I definitely wasn't expecting any changes to my skin but good that my skin was brighter.

For the price, I wasn't impressed. I think it cost around S$100. I didn't like that I smelled alcohol in this. And the fact that alcohol is the third ingredient. I don't fancy having alcohol as long as it is among the first 5 ingredients in my moisturisers (and eye creams and sunscreen. Alcohol in toner is fine for me though since it is in contact with my skin for less than 5 sec), which tells me there is a lot of it and increases the chances of alcohol dehydrating my skin in the long run. For the price I am paying, I rather have better ingredients. Granted, the purpose of alcohol might be to create a more runny consistency to make an emulsion and to help the skin absorb the lotion, but I prefer not to have so much of it.

All in all, expensive moisturiser with good brightening properties. It would have been better if it didn't contain so much alcohol.

[Updated] Review: My Lancome Genifique Eye 7-day Trial - Did it work?

Product information:

See visibly younger skin and brighter eyes in just 7 days.

Génifique Eye has a unique gel-cream texture that leaves the eye contour velvety to the touch. Dark circles and signs of fatigue appear to diminish. The eye area appears fresher and luminous, as if infused with life.

The Lancome Genifique Eye Youth Activating Eye Concentrate has recently been launched in Singapore and I see it all over magazines claiming that people who tested this product saw effects in 7 days. Dark eye circles, fine lines and puffiness were significantly reduced after just 7 days!

And so I decided to give this product seven day trial to test its claims.

Some initial thoughts of this product: It has a smooth texture that is easy to spread across the skin around the eye area without any tugging of my skin. It is easily absorbed as well. But it contains quite a fair bit alcohol, as it stings my eyes and I have to close or squint so that it won't sting too badly. Also, I have a bit of sensitive skin, so after applying the Lancome Genifique Eye, my eye area turns a bit red due to the alcohol. The redness goes away after a while.

Sadly, the Lancome Genifique Eye did not work as well for me as I thought it would after all the media hype. There are fine lines that I was constantly monitoring to see if there would be any improvements but they are still there, but with some slight improvement. My dark eye circles did improve a bit but I cannot fully attribute it to this eye cream alone as I did sleep more regularly. I do not think this is a miracle product as some have claimed. I am in my 20s so I do not have much fine lines, only 2 under my left eye and so I might be passing this product to my mom to see if it works better for her.

But more importantly, the alcohol content in the Genifique Eye does bother me and I am afraid of the long term effects of this much alcohol at my eye area. Alcohol on my face skin is acceptable for me (I use Kose Sekkisei and Clinique Clarifying Lotion, both of which contain alcohol) but I do not like alcohol in eye care products. The alcohol content is so high that my eye area turns slightly red after usage, which is a strong indicator that my skin does not like it.

All in all, this is not a one-product-fits-all kind of eye cream. I have read raves from some people but the alcohol just didn't sit well with my skin. I would advise those with sensitive skin to get a sample of this product before buying a full retail size (I have found some Lancome counter assistants to be quite snobbish and impolite, especially at Isetan Scotts. The ones at Tangs are better though most will give a look when you ask for a sample. Just ask since your skin is more important!)

[Updates]: I have found a way to reduce the irritation caused by the high alcohol content. What I do is to halve the amount of the genifique eye cream that I usually use and pat it into my skin gently then follow up with another eye cream (I use Clinique Moisture Surge eye gel) over the genifique. This way, my skin doesn't get irritated and red because of the alcohol.

After using it for a month, I find that it is works well for my dark eye circles but not for my fine lines. I like that it absorbs nicely into my skin.

Price: Around S$93

Review: My Lancome Genifique Eye 7-day Trial - Did it work?

Product information:

See visibly younger skin and brighter eyes in just 7 days.

Génifique Eye has a unique gel-cream texture that leaves the eye contour velvety to the touch. Dark circles and signs of fatigue appear to diminish. The eye area appears fresher and luminous, as if infused with life.

The Lancome Genifique Eye Youth Activating Eye Concentrate has recently been launched in Singapore and I see it all over magazines claiming that people who tested this product saw effects in 7 days. Dark eye circles, fine lines and puffiness were significantly reduced after just 7 days!

And so I decided to give this product seven day trial to test its claims.

Some initial thoughts of this product: It has a smooth texture that is easy to spread across the skin around the eye area without any tugging of my skin. It is easily absorbed as well. But it contains quite a fair bit alcohol, as it stings my eyes and I have to close or squint so that it won't sting too badly. Also, I have a bit of sensitive skin, so after applying the Lancome Genifique Eye, my eye area turns a bit red due to the alcohol. The redness goes away after a while.

Sadly, the Lancome Genifique Eye did not work as well for me as I thought it would after all the media hype. There are fine lines that I was constantly monitoring to see if there would be any improvements but they are still there, but with some slight improvement. My dark eye circles did improve a bit but I cannot fully attribute it to this eye cream alone as I did sleep more regularly. I do not think this is a miracle product as some have claimed. I am in my 20s so I do not have much fine lines, only 2 under my left eye and so I might be passing this product to my mom to see if it works better for her.

But more importantly, the alcohol content in the Genifique Eye does bother me and I am afraid of the long term effects of this much alcohol at my eye area. Alcohol on my face skin is acceptable for me (I use Kose Sekkisei and Clinique Clarifying Lotion, both of which contain alcohol) but I do not like alcohol in eye care products. The alcohol content is so high that my eye area turns slightly red after usage, which is a strong indicator that my skin does not like it.

All in all, this is not a one-product-fits-all kind of eye cream. I have read raves from some people but the alcohol just didn't sit well with my skin. I would advise those with sensitive skin to get a sample of this product before buying a full retail size (I have found some Lancome counter assistants to be quite snobbish and impolite, especially at Isetan Scotts. The ones at Tangs are better though most will give a look when you ask for a sample. Just ask since your skin is more important!)

Price: Around S$93

Updates on Lancome Genifique review here: http://skincare-holic.blogspot.com/2010/01/updated-review-my-lancome-genifique-eye.html

Skincare Brands' Facial Services Overview

Some skincare brands have facial services available and these are usually not heavily advertised as they serve a dedicated clientele.

La Mer facial : located at Tangs Orchard on the third floor. First go to the La Mer counter at the cosmetics section at Level 1 and purchase a facial voucher then proceed to Level 3 for the facial at a cabin that they have there. Call the Tangs Orchard branch for an appointment. Quite a luxurious facial.
Price of La Mer Facial is around $150-180 for basic facial, $280 for whitening facial, depending on products used.

Jurlique Day Spa : located at wheelock place. They use massage techniques as a main part of the facial complimented with essential oils and the use of Jurlique products. It's a relaxing experience.
Prices are $70 for 30min anti stress facial; $125 and above for 60mins

Lancome Beauty Institute: located at Goodwood Park Hotel. A bit out of the way for those who don't drive. Prices are $125 for 60min extreme purity facial.

Fancl: located at Isetan Orchard and Tampines. Prices start from $60. This is where I usually go for facial as it is the easiest on the wallet.

Skin Inc: located at ION orchard ad 2 other locations, their facials make use of machines such as microdermabrasion and oxy-infusion therapy. There is no extraction as Skin Inc therapist said that it is damaging to the skin, it is available upon request though. Prices are $168 for microdermabrasion, which I think is more expensive compared to going to an Aesthetic doctor. First trial is at a 50% discount.

SK-II Boutique Spa - located at Raffles City shopping centre (new branch) and along Scotts Road, this luxurious spa offers $50 off for first time customers. It's a good way to experience SK-II's miracle products. Prices start from $98 for Aqua Physics facial, and $135 for Crystal clear facial.