Latest Lancome Gift with Purchase

I've got issues...clearly.  I have to admit I ordered this out of spite more than anything, which actually makes no sense when you hear the story.

I wandered in *made a beeline* to one of beauty bars inside Shoppers Drug Mart, a while back.  I was looking at the Lancome display because I had seen their gift with purchase promo online, and wondered if by chance Shoppers had the gift there to look at.

One of the sales ladies came over & when I asked her she gave me the condescending, 'oh no dear there is no gift with purchase promo on right now' answer, followed by the little dismissive laugh.  I told her well actually I was on the Lancome website the night before and had seen it, so maybe it was just at one of the department stores.  She gives me the 'dear I'm on that site aaaaallll the time and I think you're confused, you're thinking of the Christmas promo which is loooonnnnnggggg over'.  Back goes straight up, b*tch mode gets turned on.

Long story short I leave annoyed, get home, fire up the computer, find the promo on their website and place my order, smug with satisfaction.  Showed her didn't I?  See makes no sense.

Anyway, moving on.  I had to order $35 in order to get the gift, so I purchased this:

Bienfait Multi-Vital Moisturizer with SPF 30

I had read lots of very favourable reviews of this lotion so decided to try it and I love it.  It is a nice and light daily moisturizer that absorbs well into the skin & leaves no tacky residue.  It does have a bit of a scent, kind of like fresh cut grass or the smell when you cut the stems off fresh flowers.  Might sound bizarre but it is very nice and only very lightly scented, which doesn't linger at all.  I only need two very small pumps of this to cover my face and bonus, it has SPF 30 in it.

So what was in my well earned gift?

It came in this cute little bag, which is satin on the outside, with a black patent looking bow...love it.

So here is what was inside.  

Eclat Miracle complexion illuminator; 3X high resolution moisturizer; eyeshadow quad, Definicils mascara in black; Color Design metallic lipstick in Ooh La La. 

Is is just me or does the Definicils mascara stink?  I swear my last one smelled strange too.  I think it's supposed to be a rose scent but it's just too strong or something and I honestly can't stand it.  

The lipstick I'll give to a friend because I just won't use it, it does appear to be a beautiful colour though.  

I actually really like the quad shadows.  The last ones I got from Lancome did not have good colour payoff but these are much better and are very wearable.  

Love the 3x!!  This will be what I use for travel, love this moisturizer.  I haven't played with the Eclat illuminator enough to give you an honest opinion yet but it seems promising.  I'll keep you posted. 

Honestly, for the bag & 3X alone I would have been happy.  I've found a new daily moisturizer that I love, got a cute makeup bag, a travel size of my beloved 3x and proved that...woman...wrong at the drugstore.  Even if she doesn't know it.  

Please tell me I'm not the only one to make a spiteful purchase.  Oh and for you Canadian girls, they have another promo running right now...I'm only one snarky comment away from getting this one too.

Lancome product updates & drugstore dupes - Part 2!

Part two of my Lancome updates, let's start with my last drugstore dupe!


Lancome Eyeshadow Quad

About the product: Mini size smokey quad, white & light silver frost, mid grey frosted shadow and black sparkle shadow; shadows are not in regular line & not available for purchase 

Results: Very poor colour payoff, all feel slightly chalky except for the black shadow, not easily blended, need an eye primer for shadow to last & show up on the eye

Cost: $54 CDN for regular size Ombre Absolue quad, which is their version of a smokey    palette

Compare to this drugstore alternative.... 

NYX Smokey Eye palette 

About the product: 10 shadows ranging from creamy beige to black, mix of shimmer & matte

Results: Good colour payoff for these shadows, creamy to the touch, fairly easy to blend, don't have the colour payoff or last as long as the single NYX shadows but are still very good, primer still recommended

Cost: $15 CDN

My Pick: NYX by a mile! But to be fair I haven't tried any of the Lancome shadows recently, other than this quad.  However I would expect Lancome to put out a quad that reflects what shadows they have to offer in their regular line.  NYX has better payoff, shadows are creamy & less chalky, and they are way more affordable.  

Okay so on to a few other reviews.  I bought the Effacernes waterproof under eye concealer pictured here.  

This concealer retails for $32CDN for a 15ml tube.  You only need the smallest bit of this product so this tube really will last you a very long time.  I really like the applicator because it lets you squeeze out just a little at a time, which means you'll waste less product.

I primarily use this for any spots I might want to conceal or to cover redness around my nose.  For that purpose it works amazingly well.  I find it doesn't crease around my nose, like a lot of concealers do.  It also has great staying power, with or without powder to set it.  Very impressive.  This blends in well, with my fingers or a brush and leaves a 'soft, matte finish' just as Lancome says it will.  

I do find it is a bit too heavy for under my eyes and I still prefer my Maybelline dream mousse concealer, for that purpose.  It creased a little more under my eyes than the Maybelline does, primarily because I think it's just a thicker formula and I may not be using a light enough touch.  

Being waterproof, this will be a great concealer for the summer months.  You could use this to cover any imperfections, top with a light powder and you'd be set.  Overall, I am impressed and would definitely consider re-purchasing it.

Finally the products I loved with a capital love, the High Resolution Refill-3X anti wrinkle cream with SPF 15 and the Genifique Youth Activating concentrate. The cream is $92CDN for 50ml and the serum is $95CDN for 30ml.  Yikes.

Why did I have to love you? You aren't affordable and I am not a believer that you have to spend a lot of money to get good results.  But these are pretty fabulous products.  The Genifique is said to give you a lit from within look and improve your skin's tone & texture in just 7 days.  I would say that it definitely appears like my skin tone has evened out and it does feel very soft & hydrated after I use this.  I apply this before the moisturizer, which helps in that I don't need as much of the cream.  I know there are a bazillion reviews on this so I'll just keep it brief and say, it's lovely, it seems to make a difference in my skin & the raves on this seem to be true.  If you can afford it I would try it.  

The high resolution cream is said to smooth wrinkles, make your skin appear more luminous and feel firmer. The cream has a lovely soft scent, that I happen to love.  It just smells like expensive lotion to me.  It has a a light texture that absorbs easily on my skin, and it really does seem to leave my face looking brighter. I'm not sure about the firmer part however and can't really say there is a difference there.  My sensitive skin has loved these two products & I've had no adverse reactions to either of them.  

So those were my thoughts and reviews, if you want any more information about these products please let me know.  I have read that Youth Code line by L'oreal is very similar to Lancome's Genifique products.  If any of you have tried both I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.  

  

Lancome product updates & drugstore dupes! Part One

Some of you may remember that I took advantage of the Lancome gift with purchase promo in February.  See my post about it here.  Here is a reminder of what I got; 

So now that I've used most of these things for a while I formed some opinions.  My primary impression is that this is a good line with some really nice products.  But the biggest surprise was that some of their products that are very similar to drugstore items I already own.  In fact, a few of them were almost identical...in my mind.  So I thought I'd offer up my impressions, along with what I think are the drugstore dupes for these products.  

First up, 

Bi-Facil Eye Make-Up Remover

About the product: Shake it up to use, non oily eye make-up remover for sensitive eyes, removes even waterproof makeup

Results: Removes eye make-up with minimum effort, not oily, does not irritate my sensitive, contact lens wearing eyes, leaves a slight residue that dissipates quickly on the skin
Cost: $34CDN for 125 ml

Compare to this drugstore alternative.... 

Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Make-up Remover

About the product: Shake it up to use, oil free eye make-up remover, aloe & cucumber extracts  to soothe the skin, removes even waterproof makeup
Results: This feels so similar to Lancome's bi-facial that one night I had to look to see which one I used, not oily, does not irritate my eyes, leaves a slight residue that dissipates quickly on the skin
Cost: Typically less than $13CDN for for 162 ml


My pick: Neutrogena!  These two products are just too similar to me, and did basically the same job in removing my eye makeup. There was just not enough difference to justify the cost of Bi-Facil.  

Next; 

Lancome Hypnose Drama
About the product: Unique S shaped wand that is meant to wrap your entire lash line, creating definition and volume for a fuller more intense look
Results: Definitely gives some drama to your eyes & lashes appeared to have more volume, formula is quite wet and applies quite a bit of product to the lashes, no flaking, non irritating
Cost: $31CDN 

Compare to this drugstore alternative.... 

Maybelline Falsies
About the product: Unique spoon brush that is supposed to create more visible lashes corner to corner, builds volume without clumping to make lashes appear fuller
Results: Also gives some drama to your eyes & lashes appeared to have more volume, formula is quite wet & also applies quite a bit of product to the lashes, no flaking, non irritating
Cost: Varies, usually less than $10CDN

My pick: To be honest I prefer a mascara formula that isn't quite so wet, so neither would actually be my pick but I know these are much loved by many.  These also both had a tendency to clump up on me if I wasn't careful.  If I had to choose I know I'd go with The Falsies, because once again it's just not different enough to justify the cost. 


Stay tuned for part two, where I offer one more drugstore dupe, give you my thoughts on the concealer, and tell you which product I loved best!

Lancome update!

As you might remember I was off to the Lancome counter last weekend.  I had to spend $34 to qualify for the gift with purchase, which had a few products I really wanted to try.  So what did I end up with?

I went with the Effacernes Waterproof concealer!  Exciting right?  I know it isn't some beautifully colored flashy product, but I am still happy with my choice.  I have only worn it twice now, so not long enough to give a full review, but I'll keep you posted.  Of course the concealer was $31, just shy of the required amount for the gift.  I told the salesgirl that I was on a strict budget so she suggested a sharpener for $5, to take me past the $34.  I was impressed by that, because typically the salespeople won't offer those kinds of suggestions & instead try and sell you another full price product.  

Here is what was in my gift bag

Shadow quad - tiny shadows, can you see the dime for comparison!; High resolution cream; Bi-facial eye makeup remover; Lipstick in Love it! - there is a darker one you can chose if you like; Genifique serum - tiny at .25 fl oz; Hypnose drama mascara; 
Eye Kohl in black ebony; plus the two bags

All in all, I think that you get a fair number & amount of products to try.  I'm hoping not to fall in love with the Genifique because it is quite an expensive line, even though the salesgirl told me I would.  We'll see.  This promo is on until Feb 14th at Sears while supplies last. 

I'll post an update down the road & let you know my thoughts.  

Calling all Lancome users!

So here's what I know.  I have too much make-up & other beauty products, but I can't help but want more.  Every time I read a review or see a new product release, I'm convinced I have to have it.  I also know that I rarely finish anything.  How can you when you're always buying newer, shinier stuff?  

You may remember this kit I bought at Sephora, when I was in Florida.

What drew me in to this particular one, was the Lorac Perfectly Lit powder in Spotlight that I was dying to try.  (So dramatic)  The bonus was I also got to try a few products that I had been wanting, like the NARS illuminator and found some new loves as well.  

What is perfect about kits like this, is the size of the products.  I have been using a number of things from this and I'm not anywhere near finishing any of them.  

So here's what I was thinking.  I have quite a few items on my wish list or want to try list. But instead of buying them in full size, where I can I'm going to try and find these items in a kit like this.  So that not only do I get to try what I want, but I get to try other items along with it.  That way if I don't like it, or it doesn't work for me, it isn't such a hit.  

The first thing that caught my eye was this Lancome set, that comes free with any $34 purchase.  For the Canadians out there, this promo is on at Sears from Jan 21-Feb 14th, as supplies last, and the free gift is said to be valued at about $142.  

What I've wanted to try is some of the Genifique skin care & the Hypnose Drama mascara, which are both in this kit. 

What I need, is some suggestions on what to spend my $34 on.  Kim, over at Kim's Vanity just got this kit and bought the Effacernes Waterproof concealer and the Artliner eyeliner.  I don't need an eyeliner right now but I was looking at getting a concealer & wondered if any of you had also tried Maquicomplet or Flash Retouche?  

I was hoping to head over to Sears tomorrow so please forward any and all your Lancome product suggestions my way as soon as you can.  I'll do a blog post about what I end up purchasing!

Pick up a 10 piece Lancome gift set valued at $260 for just $62!

Right now at Lancome.ca, you can pick up a 10-piece gift set (valued at $260) for just $62 when you purchase any other Lancome item. 

To redeem this offer, just enter the promo code WINTER11 at checkout and it will be added to your shopping cart at the discounted rate of $62. Here's what you'll get:

• Absolue Premium Replenishing Cream - 30ml
• Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate - 15ml
• Creme Mousse Confort Creamy Foaming Cleanser - 60ml

• Tonique Confort Rehydrating Skincare Lotion
• Color Design Levres Sensational Effects Lip Colour - Visionary
• Color Ferver Lasting Radiance Sensual Lip Colour - Tempt Me
• Medium Compact of Colour: Color Design Eye Sensational Effects Eyeshadow in Daylight, Couture, Floralesque, and Imagination
• Blush Subtil Powder Blush - Aplum
• Virtuose Black Carat Divine Lasting Curves, Length & Volume Mascara - Black
• Lancome Signature Tote

There is a limit of one $62 gift set with purchase per customer, available for a limited time, while quantities last.