PRICEY BUT PERFECT SKIN (Estée Lauder Idealist Skin Refinisher)

Member Name: Fantasybeliever

Product:	Estée Lauder Idealist Skin Refinisher
Date:	02/07/04 (2697 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smooths, Softens, Revitalises

Disadvantages: The price!

I really must be approaching middle age. Gone are the days when I thought the name Estee Lauder conjured up my Mum and my Gran. Since testing, using and buying Estee Lauder products recently, I have to say I?m a confirmed convert and Estee Lauder enthusiast extraordinaire.

When I bought an Estee Lauder moisturiser recently (see previous review), I was given a sample of Estee Lauder Idealist Skin Refinisher. My first comment would have to be about the naming convention for these products. I mean, what exactly does that mean? Does it give you any indication of what the product is about, what you do with it or what it might be used for? Well, in my mind, no it doesn?t actually. A small gripe perhaps, but a gripe nonetheless.

So, what is ?Idealist Skin Refinisher??

As far as I can tell, it really is some kind of exfoliator, but it looks and feels like no other exfoliator I?ve ever used. The objectives behind an exfoliating treatment being to remove dead skin, dry patches etc. All of my previous experience of such products tells me that these usually have ?bits? in to help aid the skin removal. This product is very smooth, silky smooth even and I couldn?t understand how it would possibly work.

However, Estee Lauder claims ?The exclusive sugar-derived refinishers in Idealist smooth by enhancing skin's natural renewal process. The result? Obsolete cells don't cling and clutter skin's surface, but come off the way they should - naturally.? And it really does seem to work.

I?ve had spectacularly good results with this product, so let me tell you a little bit about it.

###Packaging###

Comes in a pump action bottle in standard Estee Lauder corporate colour of soft turquoise. Available in tw
o sizes ? 30 ml and 50 ml. It?s nothing startling, but it?s not too awful to be on display on your dressing table either.

###The Promise###

?Frees your skin of flakiness and roughness, softens fine lines and makes pores seem smaller, less obvious for a smooth seamless feeling - right away. Beneath this instant skin perfection, skin is continuously smoothed for hours after application. With regular use helps eliminate redness that results from wind and temperature change. Helps fade the appearance of dark spots and discolourations over time.?1

Does it live up to its promise. Yes, yes and more yes! I?ve been using this for a couple of months now but from day one I experienced a visible difference in the quality and tone of my skin.

I cannot emphasise enough that I really do have exceptionally dry skin on my face that becomes significantly worse during the cooler seasons. My skin is so dry that despite moisturising 2 or 3 times a day, the skin around my cheeks and jawline would begin to ?flake? where it had dried out during the day. Not a pretty sight I assure you ? it?s not unlike dandruff, but the flakes of dry skin fall from your face instead of your scalp. Eeewww! It can also be itchy, uncomfortable and sometimes sore. So the promise of reducing flakiness was particularly appealing.

###Application###

?Less is More.? The pump applicator bottle really comes into its own here. Very little of this lotion is required to do the job. The consistency is thin and runny like a lotion and the colour is somewhat translucent. This stuff is VERY expensive, so an applicator that helps avoid waste is very welcome.

A few finger dabs along forehead, cheeks and jawline are enough to massage into your skin in a circular motion and gives good coverage. Idealist Skin Refinisher should be use
d after cleansing and before moisturising. Depending on your skin type you may feel that after using this you do not need the added help of moisturiser, but for me personally moisturising is a must.

The lotion is easily absorbed, does not feel heavy at all and left my face feeling ?like new?. The silky smooth skin that I had acquired in an instant overwhelmed me. The first couple of times I used it I couldn?t stop touching my face and just couldn?t believe how smooth it was. It really was silky soft and satin like. It felt ?healthy? and that really is quite a unique feeling for me! Combined with a good moisturiser I really do feel and see the difference in my skin over the past couple of months.

###Ingredients###

Includes a range of natural skin brighteners including mulberry, grape and saxifraga extracts.

The product also includes green tea to soothe, marine extracts to control excess oil and slowly releases certain anti-oxidant vitamins into the skin. These are vitamins Pro B, C and E. Whey protein has also been added to help boost the skin?s collagen production.2

###The Price!###

Here comes the crunch! The 30ml bottle retails at around £30 and the 50ml bottle at around £43, although I have seen it slightly cheaper on some buy direct websites. I am not ashamed to admit that for the time being I have been scrounging as many free samples as possible from friends and family who don?t know what to do with it, as well as visiting a range of department stores over time! However, I will be buying a new soon when I feel that I can justify spending such money on something so indulgent and luxurious.

It?s another one of those beauty products to add to Christmas and birthday present lists well in advance in the hope that my husband may take the hint! (A girl can dream, can?t she
?) A 30ml bottle of this easily lasts six months, so if you spread the cost over that time, then it?s not really expensive at all.

###Conclusion###

I found an immediate vast, visible improvement in the condition of my skin. It has gone from being ?as dry as a bone? to being smooth and silky. The flaking has disappeared, and is no longer painful or itchy. And this could be psychological but I?m sure that my wrinkles are softer and less severe.

It feels luxurious to use, it?s a real treat; and I?m very relieved that my skin is now in much better condition. In fact, it?s in great condition. So good in fact that it reminds me of when I was a young woman; not that I?m an old one now, but 40 years of life takes its? toll, as does City living!

Despite the price, I would have to recommend it to anyone who has similar problems to me.

It?s brilliant, it?s fantastic, and it?s wonderful. It will make your skin feel great and boost your confidence no end. Oh ? and did I say I love this stuff?


1 & 2 Information obtained from www.esteelauder.co.uk


Thanks for reading.

Cheers

Christina ;-)

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