Caudalie Pulpe Vitaminee 1st Wrinkle Serum $59 Review

This Sephora only exclusive was recommended to me by an SA. Since I was on a mission to stop the fine lines forming on my forehead I decided to give it a try. I like this much better than the Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment.

"The serum is highly concentrated in anti-oxidants to immediately correct the first signs of ageing and tired skin. Wrinkles appear smoothed and skin looks more supple and incredibly luminous. To use apply morning and night on face and neck avoiding the area around the eyes." ~from product packaging.

The Verdict: A

I've worked this into my daily regimen and I apply this under moisturizer. It's non-greasy, lightweight and has a fairly runny consistency which makes fast absorbing. There's a very light smell to it that is pleasant and not at all obtrusive. I mainly use this on my forehead and temples. I've got deeper lines on my neck that I'm still hunting for the right product to use.

The best part is that I am definitely seeing the results of this. I can crinkle my forehead without fear because as soon as I'm done "expressing" my skin bounces right back. I even stopped using this for about 2 weeks and the results didn't disappear from discontinued use.

Product Packaging

I love Caudalie's use of the inside of the outter packaging! They usually place helpful tips and illustrations showing how to apply the product on the inside.

The actual product packaging itself is aiite. I'm thankful for the pump dispenser but the plastic container doesn't let me see how much is left.

Caudalie Vinopure Purifying Concentrate $39 Review

This concentrate comes highly recommended by my local SA. She swore that her boyfriend had been using it and it worked wonders. So I decided to give it a go.


I've been playing around with a lot of Caudalie products lately. Some have been a miss but the ones that are a hit have become some of my most favorite skincare products.

"This quick-penetrating, 100% plant-derived concentrate acts deep down to balance combination skin: excess oil is reduced and complexion is purified and cleansed.

Caudalie concentrates are inspired by professional Vinotherapie Spa treaments. Created to reveal unmatched radiance in one treatment, they are highly concentrated in plant ingredients and grape-seed oil for exceptional effectiveness.

Use in th evening, alone or under your moisturizer. Warm 3-4 drops in the palm of your hand, then massage onto face and neck." ~From the product package.


Product Packaging
I expected to find extra instructions on the inside of the packaging as is typical of Caudalie product boxes. But the inside of this box was suprisingly blank.


The container holding this concentrate is an opaque glass so it's hard to tell how much product in the vial. Boooo. However I do like the dropper applicator for this concentrate. The dropper is made of glass too and I feel like an alchemist when I'm using it - teehee! I think it was a smart to incorporate the dropper since the concentrate is really runny and it gives a lot more control when dispensing the product.

The Verdict: A
I've been using this product for a couple of weeks and my skin has become so radiant. I dunno what's in it, but it definitely reduces discoloration from acne scarring. The concentrate is applied easily over all the face and just a couple of drops is enough for me. It oily but at the same time it doesn't feel like grease is sitting on my skin. At first I thought this would make my face an oil slick in the morning, but when morning did come my skin was normal. I think the concentrate gets absorbed into the skin overnight.

There is a strong smell to this product. I can't really describe it but it basically smells like a lighter version of Asian white flower oil (yeah that's a direct translation).

I'm pretty accustomed to this smell because white flower oil is for Taiwanese people what Windex was to the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Got a headache? Dab some white flower oil on your temples. Stuffy nose? Dab some white flower oil right above your lip. Bug bite? Dab some white flower oil on it. I personally don't mind the smell, but everytime I put this concentrate on my bf always asks "What's that smell?"

I know $39 is pretty steep for this tiny vial but the results really are amazing. And since only a few drops are needed, I can see this lasting a couple of months.

Kinerase Clear Skin Treatment Serum $79 Review

This elegant, lightweight therapeutic serum contains a proprietary blend of plant based extracts to reduce blemishes and control oil while visibly calming and smoothing the skin. A professional-strength dose of kinetin also treats and prevents signs of aging.

Regular use can help prevent blemishes without the redness, irritation and peeling commonly associated with acne treatment regimens. -per Kinerase website

The Verdict: D
I wanted this serum to work - I really did especially since the Kinerase Clear Skin Regulating Mask worked so well. The thing is the serum did work. It has a runny consistency, is fast-absorbing and is non-oily but I did feel some slight stinging on areas of broken skin. Saw a pimple trying to set up camp on my cheek. I dabbed some of this serum right on the spot and the next morning - gone. Not even a trace of a blemish and my skin wasn't dry or peely.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't get over the funky cheesy foot smell. It's just horrible. My nostrils felt violated. If you value fresh oxygen and object to obtrusive malicious odors (cue siren and red light alarm) stay away! For the love of God stay away!

Another issue I had was the how the serum is dispensed. The best way to do it is to pump the product into the palm of your hand. I tried to pump a small drop onto the tip of my index and middle finger - big mistake! Stinky smelling goop squirted in all directions.

Caudalie Eau de Beaute Beauty Elixir $15/$49 Review

This product is a 2-in-1 toner and serum combo. It claims to hydrate and smooth skin using essential oils and plant extracts. It also tightens pores and makes skin radiant. There are 2 sizes available: 1 oz for $15 or 3.8 oz for $49. The 1 oz bottle is meant to be travel friendly (also the size shown in the pics).

It can be misted on clean skin or over makeup and used as a toner or to hydrate the skin at any time of the day. The product has to be shakened up before use because the oils in it separate from the water and it forms little yellow gobs that float towards the top.


Close encounter with the yellow gobs!!!

The Verdict: A+
This is currently my favorite Caudalie product! If you are considering the Caudalie Grape Water - skip it and go straight to this! I thought the Grape Water smelled like old bottled water and was grossed out when it was misted on my face. The Beauty Elixir's got it's own smell too but it smells more medicinal than dirty. I should warn that the medicinal smell does linger for some time before it dissipates - about 1-2 minutes. Also, my final complaint - this stuff seems to go quickly. Even after a few spritzes I actually notice the level of product has gone down. This leads me to think the bottle must be made of really thick glass so that it only appears to contain a lot of product.

When I mist this on, it gives skin a cool refreshing feeling. There is alcohol in it to give it that astringent effect, but it's not at all drying. It hydrates without overly wetting skin and the smell combined with the coolness literally "wakes up" my skin! Once it dries, it's either absorbed by the skin or evaporated so there's not a trace of film left behind. I really love this product but I have a feeling it's a love it/hate it kind of thing. Definitely try it out before taking the plunge!

Sephora Power Perk Haul

Here's my final Sephora haul after buying and exchanging a couple of items. I'm just too indecisive. I will review the Dior Addict Lip Maximer, Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment and Korres Love Your Lips Collection in separate posts because I'm waiting to see the results for two of these and the other would have been too long to include in this post.

WARNING: I'm really lazy today so I plagarized all the product descriptions from the Sephora website. Muahahaha!

Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum $65

This is a dermatologist-developed, age-fighting, exfoliating serum. It gently sloughs away dead skin cells and debris, lightens dark spots, and minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines - providing myriad benefits without drying or irritating. This oil-free formula is infused with amino acid antioxidants and is safe to use on sensitive skin. Formerly known as sleeping peel serum, this "liquid version of a microdermabrasion kit" provides the same results as a multi-step regimen - in one simple application.

It is not recommended for dark skin tones because it has an ingredient that lightens pigmentation and unwanted discoloration may occur.

The Verdict: Bliss Peeling Groovy Facial Serum
I was convinced to purchase this after receiving some samples. The sample packets (3 total) each lasted me for about 2 weeks. I had noticed the fine lines on my forehead did not smooth themselves as fast as they used to and when this popped up as a Beauty Insider sample, I thought "why not?"

I am really amazed by this product! I use it 2x a day (morning/night) under my moisturizer and it's been giving me amazing results! It really does deliver on everything it claims to do. When it's first applied, there is a slight tingling feeling but it goes away after about 5-10 seconds. The serum is very runny and watery in consistency. There is no smell to it and it's easily absorbed. I noticed that my skin was more radiant day after day and that's what convinced me to keep using it.

At first I did not notice it lightening my dark acne scars, but after about 3 weeks of use I noticed that my scars were fading a lot quicker than usual. I've been using this for a month (I still have 1 sample pack left!) and my skintone is super even and my pores are really super clear so they do indeed appear smaller. As far as claims of the microderm effect - I'm a believer! After the first 2 weeks, my skin became thinner and it has developed a healthy glow. I dunno if it makes sense when I say "thinner" maybe a better word would be "youthful".

I still have the fine lines on my forehead so I'm hoping the Kinerase C8 Peptide Intensive Treatment will take care of that but this serum as helped with minimizing those and with all the other great results, this has become a staple in my skincare regimen!

Too Faced Retractable Kabuki Brush $28.50

A perfectly portable retractable Kabuki brush. This one-stop shop of a brush is a serious multi-tasker! It's the ideal tool to apply bronzers, blushers, powders and shimmers flawlessy. Created with Too Faced world-famous "Teddy Bear Hair" bristles that grad and blend coloer without any of the cruelty or hygiene problems associated with animal-hair bristles.

The Verdict: Too Faced Retractable Kabuki Brush
I was looking for sorta an all-purpose brush that I could carry with me and after searching around this one was the winner. The bristles are really soft and they are just the right density. I was worried that the second I put this against my skin, it would just fan out. But no worries! the bristles are soft and deliver blush/powder right where I want it to go. I thought the "retractable" function of this was neat because it's not actually the brush that retracts. You don't rotate the base to cover the brush, instead you pull up on the pink cylinder and shield the bristles. I'm happy with this purchase as it's a light and compact brush and exactly what I need.