Idealist range seems ideal for me (Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher)

Member Name: NikkiH

Product:	Estée Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
Date:	02/02/08 (2274 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smaller pores, it really does work

Disadvantages: The price

I am pretty lucky as I inherited good genes from my mum where my skin is concerned. I don't tend to suffer from spots too often, but I do have a problem with quite large pores on my nose and a slight oiliness which means make up never sits right whilst my skin can often look dull and lifeless. I am probably my own worst enemy where my skin is concerned though as I just cannot comfortably justify spending a lot of money on skincare products, so tend to stick to budget ranges, and I don't always have the time or the inclination to apply a full face or slap before work each day. I have tried Decleor in the past but in all honesty did not notice any difference from my Boots products, other than my bank balance looked less healthy. However, I have recently tried Estee Lauder Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher for the first time, and I have finally found a scarily priced product which does actually do what it promises.

You might be wondering if I am so price phobic how I even came to try out this product, so I will explain. Just before Christmas, I won a competition at work where I won a facial and £50 voucher to spend at the Estee Lauder counter in my local department store. As a busy working mum, this kind of treat is something I love, but never something I would get for myself as there is always something better to spend money on. The treatment was lovely, and the girl explained why I have the skin problems that I do, and advised me the kind of products to try. Obviously she recommended Estee Lauder products but I would have been surprised if she hadn't. It wasn't a hard sell though, which is more preferred technique with me. The Pore Minimzing Treatment was the one that she said I should get if I was only going to get 1 product. The 50ml bottle was priced at £47, so my voucher covered the cost. I could have tried the smaller 30ml for £34 but would have then been faced with the quandry of what to do with the remaining £16.

The treatment comes in a glass bottle with a gold twist lid covering the pump dispenser, and the Estee Lauder logo on the front of the turquoise bottle, along with the word Idealist, which is the product range that Estee Lauder claims can get you similar effect to those gained after laser treatment, although the emphasis is on the word similar and not same. It includes Glucosamine, which has been present in the Idealist range for a while, but Estee Lauder have now increased the amount to have it work alongside the enzymes in the Chestnut extract which prevent the treatment drying out your skin too much. The treatment also contains NDGA, which is the technology in the treatment which helps to shrink unsightly pores by treating the underneath of the skin not just the surface. I was advised to use the product for 4 weeks to guage the results fully. I excitedly tried the treatment the following morning. I thought it might be blue like the bottle, but it is a creamy white lotion, which had little scent. I cleansed my face, then applied this underneath my normal moisturiser, making sure that I paid attention to the area around my nose. I used about a 1p sized amount in my palm, which was slightly too much, and I currently use a pea sized amount, as in this case a little goes a very long way. At first I thought it would be overkill and my skin would just look greasy, however the treatment was light and did not sit on the top my skin, and dried quite quickly. In fact, when I applied my moisturiser it seemed to sink into my skin too which generally it does not. I felt a slight tightening sensation which was subtle but I hoped a sign that the product was working. I did not use it in the evening, as the recommendation is to use it once daily, and it does not add that much time to my routine.

5 weeks later my skin overall feels smoother and the grey dull tone has definitely improved. There are still open pores on my nose but they are barely noticeable which is a major improvement compared to before I used this product. My make up sits on my skin better, and actually enhances my skin. I have used about 1/4 of the bottle, so if this carries on it will cost me just under £150 per year, oh I wish I hadn't worked that out! It was easier to say £47 every 4 months!! If you aren't sure this is for you, I would go to your local Estee Lauder counter and ask if they have any free samples for you to try. Highly recommended from me.

Summary: Smoother more attractive skin