The Ordinary Coverage Foundation - is it worth the hype?

My opening post for September was a foundation review (the All Hours from YSL), let me close the month with another from the budget world. There's no denying that launching The Ordinary was a little touch of genius from Deciem. Now they not only offer no-frills, no-nonsense, active ingredient-led skin care for a low price but they have ventured into the world of colour cosmetics with two foundations: the Serum with light coverage, dewy finish and the Coverage with high coverage, satin finish.  This is not a new launch by any means, the reason for my belated review is the insane amount of interest in the foundations. The beauty industry and beauty junkies all over the world collectively went bananas over the launch and created waiting lists with tens of thousands of names.  My shade (1.2N) hasn't been available for months on end, it still isn't actually but I thought it is high time to review it. I was mainly drawn by the sound of the Coverage Foundation so I went with a slightly darker shade, 2N just to see how it works.

The foundations come in 21 shades and in different undertones (P -pink, R-red, Y- yellow, N-neutral and some shades have S-silver or G-gold highlights in them for a more luminous effect). Wayne Goss has done a great video reviewing them and he attached a chart of Mac foundation shades with the corresponding The Ordinary shades. This is a great reference point when you order online but if it's accessible for you can pop into the London store in Covent Garden to find your shade.

Coverage claims to be an affordable foundation with a high-end formulation, this sounds incredibly exciting so let's see how it performs.

Please note that I have normal to combination skin with a typical t-zone oiliness.

The promise: "Coverage Foundations are full-coverage formulations available in a comprehensive shade range across 21 shades. These foundations contain higher pigment levels than our Serum Foundations but still offer a smooth finish that avoids the heavy makeup look that can make skin appear more aged. The texture is that of a lightweight, non-oily cream.The pigments used in these formulations are treated for a rich, highly-saturated effect. These pigments are suspended in our proprietary spreadability system that allows pigments to look natural on the skin, resist collecting within fine lines and stay on for longer. The foundations offer a semi-matte finish and are compatible with most primers and are designed to work exceptionally well with the primers offering from The Ordinary".

The Packaging:  Paired-down, minimalist bottle typical for The Ordinary and it comes with a pump! Hurrah! The reason why I'm glad about this is that I have to admit I am still hurt by the fact that the Double Wear Water Fresh Foundation from Estee Lauder doesn't come with a pump.

Who is it for? I can see this could work on all other skin types, the key is good preparation

Coverage: medium, buildable

Finish: satin, natural

Longevity: up to 6 hours without touching up, longer with a quick blot and a bit of powder, even longer with a primer underneath.

Fragrance: none

Sun protection: SPF15, not a chemical sunscreen but physical, achieved by using Titanium Dioxide.  No nano-particles are used in creating this sun protection which is quite unique when it comes to foundations. If you are outside the EU you will notice that despite getting the same product you won't see the SPF15 claim just because regulations are very different in other countries.

How it worked: On application (I have found a damp sponge or fingers worked best)it felt smooth, creamy, moisturizing, light-weight, it blended in beautifully.   A little goes a long way so you don't have to dab it on the skin for hours to achive a decent finish. During the day it lasted pretty well, wore off a little within 5 hours but this is not claiming to be Double Wear so it's absolutely fine. I tried wearing it with and without a primer and I can say it lasts much better with a primer. During the day I had to touch up at around the 5-hour mark but a quick blot and a swoosh of powder later it was as good as new and was ready for the next few hours of wear. At the end of the day using a cream cleanser was enough to completely remove it.

Before and after:

Before foundation                                                                  After foundation

Suffice to say, if you prep well, this is a pretty impressive foundation for the price point. I will definitely order the lighter shade for the winter, all I have left to do is find a good SPF day cream to use underneath because let's face it, SPF15 is very little sun protection even during winter time. The Ordinary is planning to introduce individual enhancers to the existing foundation shades so you can customize all shades to your own individual needs. I cannot wait to experiment with them!

The Coverage Foundation is alcohol-free, oil-free, nut-free, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, cruelty-free.

Value for money: Excellent! You get a decent 30ml for £5.90.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG first impressions

We are conditioned by the beauty industry to believe that caffeine is good for our skin but is it really? 
Caffeine is supposed to be this magical stimulating ingredient that has remarkable benefits for the skin. It is a soothing antioxidant that apparently gets rid of dark circles, puffiness even cellulite.  I have dark circles (lifestyle related and a bit hereditary too), I suffer from morning puffiness and I am dehydrated around the eyes so I need all the help I can get to get my face look tolerable every morning. The good beauty junkie that I am could not resist getting my hands on  The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG thinking higher the percentage of the caffeine the better. I have used eye creams before that contained small amounts of caffeine but never that high a percentage. The question is: is it any good?

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG is a light, soft gel-like serum that was designed to improve the look of dark circles and puffiness under the eyes. Along with the high percentage of caffeine it contains highly purified Epigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside  (EGCG) gained from green tea which acts as a powerful antioxidant and inflammatory agent.

There aren't many studies available out there on the benefits of caffeine so all I can do is rely on well-respected experts' opinion and trust my instincts when testing the formula. The reviews I've seen are mixed when it comes to the Caffeine Solution. Some say it's amazing, some say they don't see improvement by using it, it's not proven how beneficial caffeine is and what percentage is the ideal to use. Paula Begoun (the founder of the highly respected brand Paula's Choice) and Beautypedia goes as far as saying that such high percentage of caffeine can even be irritating for the skin. Goodness! What have I got myself into?

Trying to forget about potential irritation and focusing on the positive reviews I added the caffeine formula to my morning routine. After cleansing I put the tiniest amount around the eyes with a patting motion, wait for it to dry and then I go in with my eye cream. I have only been using it for two weeks but I have to say, it has been a pleasant experience so far and I haven't had any irritation. The effects as you put it on the skin remind me of the Hyaluronic Acid serums I have used before. It feels cooling, slightly hydrating and firming straight away.  It definitely takes down puffiness which means it takes less time to get my face into shape in the morning. That alone is a great result to me.  After the initial positive experience I am incredibly curious to see any long-term effects especially on my dark circles. It might be a good idea to do before and after pictures as I am finishing the bottle. I can't wait to report back to you on this one because along with my healthy skepticism there is my persistent desire for wanting to know.

I am fascinated how little information there is available on the effects of caffeine and the studies that are available are not conclusive about the benefits of it (especially regarding dark circles and cellulite). Treatments for the eye area seems the least researched in the cosmetics industry but I have the feeling we will see a change soon enough.

Before I finish this 'first impressions' post, let me remind you that 'dark circles under the eyes' is a complex subject, there can be different causes of it, so  if caffeine is some sort of a remedy in some cases, not all types of dark circles might be improved by the use of it. Same goes for puffiness. If it is due to water retention it is easier to treat. However, if it is due to fat deposits, that will require a different type of intervention.

The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG 30ml  is alcohol-free, oil-free, silicone-free, nut-free,vegan and cruelty-free. It is available in UV-protective packaging (as EGCG is sensitive to light) for £5.80 on the Deciem website or at Victoria's Health.

The Ordinary Marula oil

I love good facial oils and I firmly believe there is a few for each skin type, you just have to know which one is best for you. Up until now, my all time favourites have been Rosehip oil and Darphin's 8-Flower-Nectar oil, but recently I discovered Marula oil and it is quickly becoming my new go to treatment.  My growing collection of The Ordinary products is bordering on ridiculous but they have so many exciting formulations to try, I can't help myself! There are a good few high quality marula oil products on the market (Like the Drunk Elephant one for over £60.00), but I went for this budget version (£8.10) because I just like to save wherever I can.

Here are the facts: 

What is it? Marula oil is a multitasking, soft textured luxury oil for the face, body and hair that is extracted from the Marula tree indigenous in  South and West Africa. It is is a powerhouse of antioxidants (60% more than Argan oil!), rich in vitamins and Omega 6,9. This oil is perfect for holding onto moisture, protecting the skin from photo-ageing, improving skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines, it won't clog pores and due to is the small molecular size it absorbs quickly.  It is one of the more stable ones too so expect longer shelf life which is always good news especially if you're using it seasonally. They don't call Marula oil a 'miracle oil' for nothing.

The Ordinary Marula oil is cold pressed which means it keeps its nutritional value since they don't apply heat during the extraction process. It has a pale yellow colour, almost clear without a scent. The texture is light and soft, easy to apply.  It is vegan and cruelty-free too.

Who is it for? Normal, Combination, Dry, dehydrated, dull, ageing skin types, tread carefully if you are acne-prone.

Packaging: dark glass dropper bottle, practical, easy to use, no frills which is part of the premise the company was built on, great if you want to minimize plastic in your household.

How did it work for me? I have only been using it for two weeks, but I already noticed a bit of a transformation: it made my skin incredibly soft and radiant. I'm using it as part of my evening routine only, right after cleansing and my serums. Mixing it with the HA + B5 serum after my acid treatments seemed working particularly well since it is very soothing. The other thing I noticed is how easy it is to massage it in and how quickly it absorbs. I am looking forward to using this during the winter because it seems just the perfect deep nourishing treatment for weather-worn skin.

Value for money: it is an excellent dupe for some luxury oils, it is well worth it. You get a 30ml product for £8.10, but it lasts a long time since a little bit goes a long way.

The Ordinary - Glycolic Acid 7% Solution, AHA 30% BHA 2% Acid Peel, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc

I know The Ordinary is not for everyone, I know, but my fascination with the brand continues as finally, they've launched Glycolic Acid products. I have never ordered something as fast as their 7% Glycolic Solution and just for good measure, I added the Acid Peel and Niacinamide to try.
Glycolic Acid is one of the most anti-ageing acids and it works really well on my skin. I am a huge advocate of Alpha-H's Liquid Gold (one of the best resurfacing treatments with 5% Glycolic Acid) and I am always on a lookout for other alternatives. I also use Pixi's Glow Tonic sometimes (a gentle toner that contains 5% Glycolic Acid).I think The Ordinary toner with 7% Glycolic Acid is right in the middle in strength. A fair word of warning: If you are not experienced in using acids, take it slow, start with lower concentrations and always, always use SPF during the day.

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution

Glycolic Acid is an AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) that exfoliates the skin. This has been my preferred way of exfoliation for years with amazing visible results. This mild peach coloured solution lifts off dead skin, brightens and for improves the appearance of skin texture. It contains Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to help reducing irritation,  Ginseng Root and Aloe Vera for radiance and soothing.

At first use, it felt quite strong, effective but not irritating. Let me stress one more time, I have a lot of experience with using acids and I don't have sensitive skin, so tread carefully if you are a newbie. I've just started to use this (after cleansing, before other treatments and a moisturiser) but I really like it so far and what a fantastic budget solution for anti-ageing this is! For £6.80? It is a steal! Another thumbs up for The Ordinary from me.

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution

Now here is what I was really interested in trying: a high concentration of AHA and BHA peel. Boys and girls, this is for the advanced skincare junkies, it packs a punch!

This strong exfoliating facial masque containing AHA and BHA is great option to revive dull, tired looking skin, exfoliate, unclog pores and improve skin texture. It contains 30% Alpha Hydroxyl Acids (Glycolic, Lactic, Tartaric, Citric) and 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid (Salicylic Acid).

This formula has a distinctive purple colour that made using the product really fun for me (it might scare some people though). It contains a Tasmanian Pepperberry derivative to help reducing irritation,  Hyaluronic Acid to sooth the skin, Vitamin B5 for healing and Black Carrot as an added antioxidant.  I used this twice and I know this will be a keeper. My skin felt super smooth, bright and refreshed after just one use. Acids work like nothing else for me and if I can get it at this low a price (£6.30), then bring it on!

Don't use this more than twice a week, use it only in the evening and you should use SPF during the day all the time to preserve the results.
When using it please follow the directions on the website closely and don't leave it on for longer than the designated 10 minutes. 

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc is a vitamin and mineral formula with high concentration of Niacinamide and Zinc, a skin treatment serum for blemishes, congestion and balancing sebum.
Why did I order this exactly? I'm not so sure anymore since I'm not prone to blemishes that much. It sounded intriguing I guess. Okay, I might try this on my visible pores around my lips and nose, see how it is performing when it comes to balancing the skin. Niacinamide, which Vitamin B3, is a powerful antioxidant that is great for improving skin health in general, it boosts the skin's moisture retention ability by strengthening the epidermal barrier and was proved to reduce the appearance of lines. Well, that's sounds good to me! The added Zinc helps to heal damaged skin and encourages collagen and elastin production. That sounds great too!

The see-through liquid is easy to apply and feels light on the skin.  I introduced this to my morning routine after cleansing and before The Buffet (also from The Ordinary) and my moisturiser. I've heard various reports and mixed opinions on this one, I will see how it performs and I will report back on it later on. Even if it doesn't do anything for me, those £5.00 I spent on it will not be a great loss.
 

Beauty Empties March 2017

My blog is old enough now to have an 'empties' post, yay! I can't believe it's the end of March already, summer will be here again before we know it!

I wanted to get back to you on certain products that I only had my first impressions of. Now that these are all used, let's see how they performed and will they be worth re-purchasing.

Let's start with Pixi's Double Cleanse by Caroline Hirons. My first impressions were great on this and I still love it. This is a brillant high performance cleanser. I was a bit skeptical first about the packaging and the size of the compartments. I thought I would use one side quicker than the other, but no, I pretty much finished them at the same time and it lasted 1 month and 3 weeks with everyday use which sounds pretty good to me.

What it is: High performance, heavy duty cleanser; a balm and a cream in one pot.

Is it worth the money? Cleansing is incredibly important to me, so I think this is great value for money.

Will I re-purchase? Absolutely yes!

Pixi's Double Cleanse is availabe for £24.00 at Pixi Online and Cult Beauty.

The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspention 23%

As the beauty world is going bananas over Vitamin C and new products containing the wondrous antiageing ingredient is popping up every day (lately Clinique, No7 on the highstreet)I will stick to The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspention 23%. It's a high dose anything over 20% is good for me), which is very effective in brightening the skin and getting rid of pigmentation, old sun damage, etc. I need that strength. A good word of warning: it stings when you apply it, which I personally don't mind, at least I can feel the product working but if you have sensitive skin, opt for a lower dose and a more diluted formulation.

What it is: an antiageing, high dosage Vitamin C serum to be used in the evenings.

Is it worth the money? Effective antiageing for under a fiver? That's a no-brainer to me!

Will I re-puchase? Absolutely yes!

The Ordinary Vitamin C 23% Suspention is available for £4.90 at Victoria's Health.

Hylamide Low-Molecular HA Multi-Depth Rehydration Booster

 
I bought this back in July. It lasted so long because I've been using so many things in rotation.  I reviewed this back then (read it here) and I still stick to my word, this is a great hydrator in combination with a good moisturizer. Note that if you live in a dry climate HA boosters, serums could dry your skin since they draw moist from the environment and if the climate is too dry, it will do the opposite of hydration.

What it is: The Hylamide Low Molecular HA Booster that  uses five different forms of HA molecules that penetrate different layers of the skin, and mixing it in with your usual moisturizer, it will make sure that every last bit of moisture is captured and delivered deeper into the skin.

Is it worth the money? Here's the thing: The Ordinary appeared on the market and started to get a real buzz after I bought this.  While £18 is well worth paying for such a good product I will definitely will go for The Ordinary's Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum next time for £5.90. At the end of the day, both companies are owned by Deciem, so my money will go to the same place ;)

Will I re-purchase? Probably not for now for all the above reasons.

Hylamide Low-Molecular HA Multi-Depth Rehydration Booster is available for £18.00 at Boots.
 
La Roche Pose Anthelios AC Matte Fluid SPF30

I bought this back in the summer and as you can see I haven't used it as much as I thougt I would. I've found myself reaching for  my Bobby Brown Tinted Moisturizer SPF35 or the Bare Minerals Complexion Enhancer  SPF30. Using an SPF cream under makeup that contains SPF doesn't make sense, so my boyfriend used it up in the end. I think I will stick to the routine of getting my facial sun protection from my makeup and use one of those Garnier SPF sprays to re-apply if needed. That doesn't mean this is not a great product' It's not for my present routine, that's all.

What it is: a lightweight sun protection lotion with a matte finish for oily skin.

Is it worth the money? Yes, a good sun lotion from a French Pharmacy brand is always worth the price.

Will I re-puchase? No, purely because it doesn't fit my beauty regime.

La Roche Pose Anthelios AC Matte Fluid SPF30 is available for £16.00 at  Boots.

Oh, K! Cucumber Sheet Mask

It is nice, it's soft, it does what is says on the packaging:  a cooling and hydrating mask on a budget price and most of all, it's pure skin care fun! 

What it is: a hydration boosting cooling mask.

Is it worth the money? Absolutely yes!

Will I re-purchase? Absolutely and I will try their avocado moisturizing mask too. 

Oh, K! Sheet Masks are available for £3.00 from Boots.

Anastasia Bevery Hills Brow Wiz

Everyone is raving about it and quite rightly so, Anastasia Bevery Hills still is one of the best companies to go to for brow products. I was looking for a replacement for my very old (now discontinued) Taupe pencil form Mac and this one is a perfect colour match. I had only one reservation: I somehow can't warm up to these retractaple, super thin crayons. I still prefer the old-fashioned pencil format, so when I discovered Kiko's brow pencils for third of the price? I swiched to using them instead.

What it is: a retractable eye brow pencil.

Is it worth the money? It's a high qualit, great product, but now I prefer another one for third of the price. So to me it doesn't worth it anymore.

Will I re-purchase? Not for now because the Kiko ones are more suitable for me.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is available for £15.50 at Cult Beauty.

The Ordinary - Advanced Retinoid 2%

Continuing with my series about The Ordinary, next up is the Advanced Retinoid 2%. I really wanted to give this a good test run to be sure about the effect.

First things first a little trivia. This will get a bit science-y, but bare with me:

Retinoid is not to be mixed up with retinol. Retinoid is a chemical compound that is related to Vitamin A, it helps cell turnover, stimulates collagen, strengthens the deeper layers of the skin and reduces pigmentation.  Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, when applied, the skin converts it into retinoic acid that helps with reducing lines, reduces photoageing. These two basically do the same thing,but it may take longer to get results with retinols to because they are essentially weaker and retinol might cause more irritation too.

Which one to get? Retinoids and retinols come in all different shapes and sizes built into serums, moisturisers, peel pads,concentrates, oils in  different concentrations.  It's all about trial and error, I'm afraid, because everyone's tolerance is different. Once you find what works for you, you get brilliant results.

I've been using the Advanced Retinoid 2%  since October as part of my evening routine two-three times a week inserted between my cleansing and my serum step and I have to say, this is a brilliant addition to any anti-aging routine BUT mostly because I know what the effects will be. This is a product where the results are visually less spectacular as you start using it(there's no irritation, no peeling, so you won't see the product physically working straight away), you have to be patient with this and wait for months to see the difference.  Retinoid is much more subtle than retinol, the key is consistensy, persistance and months along the line you will see great results. My skin is definitely clearer and less pore-y (I have a tendency to make up words like that, sorry) since I've been using it.

The Advanced Retionid 2% his is really clever skincare and I think all Retin based products are really worth understanding so you can get the best out of them. If you are over 35?  Go for it. This one is only £8.00 for 30 ml so even if it turns out to be not your cuppa, you won't lose much money. Just make sure you do a little research before you start using it and read the instructions on the website. (You can find it here)

Don't forget to be very particular about using SPF during the day while on retinoids, just to make sure all the good work you're doing to your skin with retinoid is not ruined. Another thing to remember is, don't overdo it. More is not more, just use a little bit and spread it all over the face, neck and chest. This is not a product for everyday use.


You will find all The Ordinary products on the Victoria's Health wesbite here.