Sponge Gel Katharistiko Wild Herb Cleanser has been my Holy Grail cleanser since I began using it. It cleans thoroughly- yet it is so unbelievably gentle. It feels as though you have used a nourishing serum rather than a cleanser. It is also decadent paired with a Clarisonic!
Tatcha Pure One-Step Camellia Cleansing Oil (review forthcoming) is an incredibly effective cleansing oil that removes every trace of makeup, and leaves your skin soft and supple. I have yet to meet a Tatcha product that I don't love!
Kate Somerville Exfolikate is a phenomenal exfoliating treatment that is unbelievably effective at removing dead skin and unclogging pores. I use the regular version (shown above), but there is also a Gentle version for people with sensitive skin. It's pricey, but thankfully it is available in multiple sizes to accommodate a variety of budgets.
REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask is astoundingly effective peel mask. Unlike many, this one does not dry down and "peel" off. Instead, you simply wash it off and voilà new skin is revealed!
Clarins UV PLUS HP Ecran Multi-Protection SPF 40 (review forthcoming) is my newfound love, and has quickly become my Holy Grail sunscreen. It may not seem like a sexy gift, but supple smooth protected skin is! Since the day that I bought this I have used it without fail, and I must say this is true love. It is a 100% mineral rather than chemical sunscreen, and it plays well with makeup. I prefer it to anything that I have ever tried at any price point!
Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Lip Balm is a beautiful product that feels divine on the lips, and leaves them remarkably moisturized.
Kai Body Buffer is a lovely uplifting product that will make your shower a delightful experience for the senses! It's a huge plus that it leaves your skin lusciously soft and moisturized!
Oh là là c'est incroyable! Caudalie Divine Oil is simply sublime.
WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner (review forthcoming) required a bit of a paradigm shift, but once I adjusted to the non-foaming cleansing conditioner I was surprised by how happy it made my hair. It is constantly soft and shiny with beautifully formed glossy curls. This is a definite winner in my book!
Mason Pearson Hair Brushes are, in my opinion, the best hair brushes that money can buy. They come in a variety of bristle types and lengths geared toward your specific needs. I bought mine years ago and it still looks new. This is the last hair brush you will ever need to buy.
What are your top picks?
I just purchased the Ladi Avokanto on Sephora! I was shocked to see it there! It says limited edition but maybe they will put the rest of the line up? I have never tried this line before so I am excited after reading all the positive reviews, esp. yours. I used my VIB $20 discount :)
ReplyDeleteI agree w/the Koh Gen Do cloths - they are the only ones so far that don't cause me to breakout and aren't drying. They are nice and thick!
I really want to try the Rodin Oil too!
Hi Nicolle!!! Twice in one day-- I'm so happy! I'm so glad that you got the Ladi Avokanto! I can't wait to hear what you think about it-- you should definitely try their Gel Katharistiko cleanser-- it blows everything else away!! I'm glad that you were able to get it with your VIB $20.00 discount. I need to figure out what to get-- maybe I'mm pick that up as well-- it's a nice smaller size for travel- rather than having to decant from my big bottle and put it in something smaller.
DeleteI KGD cloths are simply best in class. I ran out of those and will replenish them once I finish my bottle of the KGD Cleansing water. I always cut the cloths in half to make them last longer--- I find that a whole cloth is more than I need at a time.
OMG the Rodin Olio Lusso Oil is A M A Z I N G!! Try to get your hands on a sample at Barneys to see what you think of it. I love everything from the line, but the newer perfume that she launched doesn't smell good on me-- which was a huge surprise since the face oil and body oil really mesh with me!
xoxox
Yes, that is what I was thinking of trying next - the gel cleanser from Sponge. I finished off the Sunday Ceramic Slip and I really liked it but I want to try a new product! I wish I could remain faithful..lol :)
DeleteHave you tried the Koh Gen Do face mask? I bought some and really liked how my skin felt and looked afterwards. That is a good idea re: the cloths. I always felt like one was too big to use all over my face. I am going to try that, thank you!
The last time I was at Barneys I put a little on my fingers and it felt really nice - not sticky or greasy. I don't know why I didn't ask for a sample!! I will need to go back. Do you use the Sponge face oil in the am & the Rodin one at night?
I still like Ceramic Slip, but Sponge's Cleanser does so much more-- it leaves your skin so clean, but so hydrated and glowing. It really feels like a high end serum that also happens to clean. It truly is extraordinary!! You know, I used to feel the same way-- like I wanted to remain faithful, but I think that I replace certain products with better products. Since I'm always chasing Holy Grail products- that probably won't change. Plus as the technology used improves, and the ingredients get better (read: fewer silicones, parabens and other chemicals)- products just keep getting better.
DeleteI haven't tried the KGD mask, but I have their Eye Sheets, but I haven't tried them yet. I will have to try the face mask. I highly recommend cutting the cloths in half-- why use more than is needed after all!!
I would LOVE for you to experience Olio Lusso-- I suspect you would love it! You are right-- it's not sticky or greasy- it pure magic! Rodin doesn't make samples (or at least they don't premade packets-- so they made me a sample at Barneys. After one try, I knew. Sometimes I do Sponge in the am and Rodin at night, but I switch it up all of the time. Lately, since it's colder, I have been adding whichever one I'm using into my face cream as well. This morning I used Sponge, and tonight I will use Rodin. :-)
Hi! I was just wondering if you've fallen out of love with Sunday Riley products? And if so, perhaps you could share how these new products compare/made you change your mind. I'd thought they would make your list. Just curious as I'm using Good Genes and have had promising results, but am not sure if I should splurge on the rest of her line! Thank you very much for all your detailed reviews! xx
ReplyDeleteHi randomgirlrants! Thanks so much for stopping by!!! I am a COMPLETE skincare junkie, and try out lots of products and lines. For years Juno Oil was my favorite face oil, but I bought Sponge Ladi Avokanto and Rodin Olio Lusso, and I fell madly madly in love. Juno is lovely, but I find that the Sponge and Rodin oils sink in faster, unlike Juno which takes much more time to sink in. I also had two little dry patches that neither Juno nor Ladi Avokanto did much to treat (though Sponge did work better than Juno- which didn't do anything to treat them), but it was Rodin's Olio Lusso that made them go away completely- that's when I knew that I found something truly exceptional. I also have never seen my skin more hydrated and glowing as I have with Olio Lusso-- it really is a big game changer for me. I always look for Holy Grail products, and I honestly had no idea what I was missing until I bought Olio Lusso. As far as cleansers go, I didn't expect to fall head over heals in love with Sponge's Gel Katharistiko-- I was perfectly happy with my SR cleansers, but the Sponge cleanser is unlike ANYTHING that I have ever used-- it is PURE magic! It deeply cleans, smells intoxicatingly good, and hydrates the skin like a serum. Plus it leaves my combination skin balanced and glowing. It really is an unbelievable product. Lines like Sponge, Rodin, and Tatcha are game changers in my view! The Clarins sunscreen is unbelievable because the texture is thin, it plays beautifully with makeup, it has an SPF 40, and it is reasonably priced, and has a glorious texture (plus it's a mineral sunscreen which is all that I have used for a long time). I think Good Genes is a lovely product, and have used it for years. I have been using vbeaute skincare (which I will be reviewing before too long) it has Lactic Acid in most of the products- so if I stick with the line for any length of time I may just put away my bottle of Good Genes for a while since it would be a bit redundant to use both. I am also investigating the new oil from själ as well. There's no telling what combination of products that I will be using a year from now, but right now what you see above has me over the moon! Let me know if you have any specific questions that you want me to answer. Thanks again for taking the time to stop by! :D xx
DeleteNice choices for sure!!! I loove Tacha, as you said didn't find anything that I don't like. Did you tried the KGD sunscreen? I was wondering how you compare it with the Clarins one?
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Mona!! Tatcha is a really amazing game-changer line as far as I'm concerned! I haven't tried the KGD sunscreen yet- I will probably buy a bottle after I use up this Clarins bottle and see which one I prefer. Have you tried the KGD?
DeleteNo, I didn't... I'm still looking for the perfect mineral sunscreen and I heard many good things about KGD. It's next on my list :)
DeleteYou should check out the Clarins next time you are near a counter as well. It is probably one of my greatest finds this year! If you get the KGD let me know what you think of it. :-)
DeleteI look forward to your review for the Clarins sunscreen. I like my sunscreens to be SPF30 or higher.
ReplyDeleteHi Iris,
DeleteI will definitely post it after I have used it for a while longer. I totally agree with you-- I definitely keep my SPF at 30 or higher. In fact, my doctor said never leave the house with anything less than an SPF30 on all exposed areas!! Thanks for stopping by! <3
You always have the most awesome skincare picks, Helen--I love it! I am really big on skincare too, so I really like seeing your picks. Is the Sponge Wild Herb Cleanser good for oily skins too, do you think? Also, LOVE that Clarins sunscreen too! I strayed for a while and started experimenting with other ones, but I am definitely going back to the Clarins--it's by far the best, most perfectly comfortable and fluid physical sunscreen I've tried!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Becca!! I would choose skincare products over makeup any day of the week, and I LOVE my makeup! Well, my skin is combination-- with an active T-zone, and it works beautifully on my skin. It is formulated for all skin types- so my bet is that it won't trigger a break out. It is AMAZING with a Clarisonic, too. Here are the ingredients-- are there any triggers here?
Deleteingredients: aqua, cocamidopropyl betain, glycerin, cocamide dea, polysorbate-20, acrylates/c 10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, arginine, thymus vulgaris extract (thyme extract), calendula officinalis extract (calendula extract), salvia officinalis extract (sage extract), lavandula angustifolia extract (lavender extract), olea europaea leaf extract (olive leaf extract), allantoin, panthenol, glycyrrhetinic acid, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, essential oil parfume, hexyl cinnamal, limonene, linalool, lilial
OMG isn't the Clarins sunscreen divine?! It is BY FAR BETTER THAN ANYTHING I'VE EVER TRIED!! I wish that I had discovered it years ago! I should have figured that my makeup dopplegänger would have loved it and considered it worthy of HG status!!
BTW- I went a little crazy with more Burberry purchases- I need a freaking intervention! What's worse is the fact that I'm not at home and my husband told me that it arrived!! :-( He was going to open it and send me a picture, but I told hime that i wouldn't be able to focus at work if I saw it!!!!! LOL
I really like the Kate Somerville Exfolikate. My skin feels so nice after using it.
ReplyDeleteHi THe Unprofessional Beauty Blog! Thanks for stopping by! I agree, it really is an AMAZING product. It is simply amazing how little time it takes to do more than most of the products on the market!!
DeleteThat Clarins sunscreen is also my HG, I'm on my second bottle! I'd love to try several things on your list too... every single blogger I've read so far is crazy about Huile Divine!
ReplyDeleteHi Patuxxa!! YAY-- I'm so glad to hear that the Clarins sunscreen is your HG as well!!!! I wish that I had discovered it years ago, because it is so much better than anything that I have ever tried. The texture is spectacular and feels so great on the skin. I never thought that I would be this in love with a sunscreen!!!!!! I love Huile Divine!! It smells edible and really does feel divine. Thanks for stopping by!!! :-)
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