Savvy Thinker » Lancome

Review Lancome Visionnaire

Karin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:06:17 +0000

Once in a while a product comes along that purports to do everything you ever wanted a product to do for you, and then some. Such is Visionnaire by Lancome. If you can believe the hype from the company, women say they no longer want surgery after using the product.

Well, all right then! Whoo hooo! Who wouldn't prefer a product to surgery, given the choice!

I never know if the women who give testimonials are ones who have never taken care of their skin before, or if they are like me and always have. That makes a difference in results too.

So, I went for a sample, since a friend had told me that they had foil samples to give away. I used it up over a few days and it was OK, nothing to write home about. (I probably used more than a pump a day, just guessing, and the foil I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be one day only.)

Then I had a mini makeover by the Lancome rep at a local store. She had been using the product for 4 months, and her skin looked quite a bit better to me.

So I traded a product I had not liked toward the cost of Visionnaire ($84 for 1 oz) (more for 1.7 oz) and decided I would try it at night (and I am generally bad about night -- I will often use a night product in the day.)

After two days, I could see a difference. Then on day 3, maybe not (but I had used less night cream on top of it.) I've been careful to use the 'right' amount for my skin (the rep said ONE pump of Visionnaire -- it covers lightly, but if it were me, I'd likely use 1.5 pumps or even TWO) -- I'm using Lancome's Absolue night cream on top, then Genifique in the day time.

So far, I do see a difference. The fine lines are nearly eradicated at the top of my cheeks, after a few days. Here are some super closeups and no one sees you that close:

Not smiling:

Crinkling to a grin:

And now, the way I'm normally seen:

Have you tried it?
I rate it 4 out of 5 star, so far. But maybe the jury is still out. I figure you can always try a product and if you don't like it, return it. OTOH, it might work just super for you, so it is good to try.

Let me know how you like it and how you think it is working, if you have tried it or decide to try it.

I do find, for my skin, that changing products (and even changing back after a period of time) gives a jump start to my skin, and it will look better than ever. How much is this jump start effect, and how much is the superiority of the product, who knows!

Later today, I will try to write up a post about the skin products I will try NEVER to be without, even if I rotate them and don't use them daily. When I do, I will link to this post also, for you to find it easily.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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FOTD Arbonne + MAC lip liner

Karin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:08:46 +0000

I received my Arbonne order yesterday. I ordered (and received) 1 more eye shadow to complete my shadow box, as well as tinted moisturizer, so I wanted to try them out, even though I had thought to do AL mineral foundation spritzing the brush with water -- will do that tomorrow or lighten the tinted moisturizer in one step.

FYI is Arbonne's line for teens or young adults ("young individuals"), but the products are suitable for all ages. There are tinted moisturizers; glosses; cream shadows (not in a tube); and 4 different fragrances in shower gel, small spray, body cream, and sugar scrub. I tried the fragrances because, as you know, I love fragrance. More on those in another post. Shari told me how much she loves the tinted moisturizer, so I decided to try it. It looks good on her!

Eyes: Arbonne, except where noted, using new eye shape.
Base: Nude Frost (not Arbonne)(cream in a pot)
Lids: First used the soft gray (I think it might be matte). Then used lime green on top of the gray and alone under lower lash line. I wanted to know if the soft gray looked good by itself (it did) and whether it showed up enough (it did.) And I felt it would deepen the impact of the lime. (It did.) In a way it was like using a dark base instead of a skin tone one, but instead of it being cream, it was powder. In RL it looks more lime than it does in the picture.
Crease: Used lighter purple at top edges.
Mascara: Arbonne, 2 step
Brows: Merle Norman powder
Wet lined left lower: Sephora White; right lower: MAC white -- the MAC is much whiter and brighter; for a more natural look, choose the Sephora, for a more highlighted look, choose the MAC.
Lined top and lower: Tidal Wave, gel liner (not Arbonne) -- This is just a beautiful blue and blends nicely with the lime.
Lined again top and lower: Lancome Micro Palettes -- white (but really sheer) with silver -- I like this to drift down and around under my eyes some to extend the optical illusion of my eyes.
Concealer: Guerlain

Primer: Forgot
Foundation: Arbonne FYI Light tinted moisturizer -- this is a neat product that came recommended by Shari. It is a tad too dark on me. Comparing it to the Arbonne foundation that I use, the foundation is a tad lighter and pinker. I think this would be sufficient foundation and moisture for a lot of people. I used the RE9 moisturizer first.
Highlight all over face: Chanel liquid -- this made it a tad lighter -- could accomplish the same thing by mixing with regular moisturizer before applying or by mixing this with the tinted moisturizer and applying as one step.
Powder: My sparkly mix
Blush: Arbonne, light pink
Highlight: Guerlain Butterfly perles -- got it as a gwp -- really great color!
Bronzer: Arbonne -- Shari uses this on top of the tinted moisturizer (she uses light-medium tinted moisturizer, 1 shade darker than me.) I'm not sure if she uses powder or if the bronzer is her powder. Shari? The bronzer comes in a large solid compact, but applies softer than the SCA hyaluronic powder, which is very hard so it is difficult to get much product.

Update: Sherri says:

I always use powder to set my makeup and then I bronze.

Lips: Arbonne Prep and Plump Gleam + MAC lip liner, more at my LOTD post.

I'm happy with the look. It takes me longer to write it up than it does to apply it.

Do you use a tinted moisturizer?
Mary Kay makes a very nice one too. My MK consultant uses tinted moisturizer under her MK mineral foundation. It looks good on her.

If you use tinted moisturizer, do you use it with your regular moisturizer or by itself as the only moisturizer?

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, just ask.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-22 12:02:52.

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FOTD AL + Lashes + MAC lips

Karin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:54:19 +0000

It's kinda fun to wear lashes again and to get out my stash.
Eyes
Base: Nude Frost + BE Queen Phyllis
Inner lid: AL pavane en pointe
Outer lid: AL odile en pointe
Upper lined inner corner: MAC blackgraph pencilto fit into lashes
Lower lined: Clarins Midnight Flashpencil
Lashes: Ardel Sophisticated
Glitter dry lined: Lancome Hologramme Micro-pallettes (white with multi glitter) to match into glitter line of lashes
More lashes

You can't really tell from the picture, but there are tiny bits of glitter through the lashes. Time will tell if it sticks or falls off.

Lips
MAC Love Alert Dazzleglass

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-11-28 09:32:07.

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FOTD Sunday Lancome + Arden + glitter pencil rimmed on lips

Karin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:28:45 +0000

Lined top and lower with Peacock gel liner.

I really liked my lips. I don't know if you can tell from the photo.

Lightest color in Arden Palette rimmed with Hard Candy Pink Glitter Eye pencil; outer corners Tony and Tina Pink Gold glitter eye pencil

I hope you had a good weekend! I was busy beading and etc. And I'm reading a cute book that I need to get back to.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-26 23:28:28.

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FOTD NYX +MAC +Too Faced+

Karin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 15:11:03 +0000

This is the 3rd NYX trio palette in my amazingly cheap NYX haul.

Eyes:
TS 30 Baby Pink, White Pearl, Baby Blue
These are more my colors than yesterday's!
Base: Lancome pink cream
Pink on my lids; Blue in the crease and lined under lower lashes; White on brow bone.
Brows: Prescriptive pencil -- has a super thin lead, easy to use
Lined top: Lancome Blueberry wand
Tightlined Lined lower: Tidal Wave gel liner
Lined top and lower: Prestige Denim pencil
Mascara: Lancome Hypnose on upper; Tarte Bottom up on lower

Primer: Smashbox purple
Foundation: L'oreal N1
Rouge: Chanel stick
Powder: my sparkly mix + BE Mineral Veil as bronzer
Over powder: Benefit Georgia Peach
Blush: MAC Moon River
Concealer: Dior Skinflash

Lips: I liked this really well!
Too Faced Pink Diamond Gloss from their super Vintage sale
Rimmed with: MAC Baby Sparks Dazzler gloss

I was happy with the way this turned out. The color was nice with my denim top. And much more to my taste than yesterday.

What do you think?
Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-23 20:48:30.

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FOTD Chanel eyes

Karin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:48:45 +0000

Catching up on looks
Sunday August 9
Eyes: Chanel Ors Violines Quad, only the purples
Blush: Chanel Cherry, one of my faves
Lips and some eye: Lancome No Moderation Ombre Trio, purple shadows and gloss

I promise not to get so far behind -- if possible!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-08-18 17:15:47.

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FOTD Weekend look Lancome AL BE Beauté

Karin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 11:42:16 +0000

Wow, this sure photographed well! This is my new gauze top. I love the style with cut away sleeves.

Eyes:
Base: Beauticontrol Pink, then my sparkly shadow mix
Crease: AL Grape pure eyes matte -- I forgot about this one and how much I liked it until I spotted it again -- I didn't think it went on as easily as the first time, but I was happy when I finished
Lids: AL Dandelion Satin Petals Frost -- a very soft yellow
Lined top and lower: Clinique Blacker Violet pencil
Mascara upper: Lancome Fatale; Lower: Tarte

Primer:
Foundation: Lancome Minerals and Powder; my sparkly facial mix
Blush: BE Beauty
Highlight: M*A*D Alter Ego -- looks beige but pulls iridescent pink on the skin

Lips: all Beauté
Paramour/Heroine 1/2 and 1/2, rimmed with Allure

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-26 22:50:46.

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Serums that work — or not

Karin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:19:35 +0000

Here are some thoughts on various types of serums and the links to posts where I have written more specifically. Some of the serums are pricing their way out of my price point. There are actually some that are over $1000 being marketed in Japan. I suspect some are worth it; others are not.

Whenever possible, let a beauty advisor put some on your skin. See if it is possible to get a small amount to try at home before you commit to a big purchase.

This is only a partial list, as I have thought of them. I will continue to update, as I think of it.

Body Serum
Arbonne has a wonderful body serum and body lotion. You can find my review at the above link.

Facial Serums
There are also serums targeted for eyes.
Anti-Wrinkle
La Prairie CELLULAR Retexturizing Booster
This just might be a miracle product. Whenever I apply it, I see immediate results. I generally use it for several days at a time, then I give it a rest and use it again when I see the need. It is expensive, but it really works. I think it works better than Renova. Price: $185.00 | 30 ml / 1.0 oz. (Unfortunately, it's possible this is no longer available. I have not tried any of the comparible LP serums to see if a newer one is as good.)

Serums with Vitamin C
Many companies have C-serums because they work. I have used C products for years. Mary Kay is one of the companies that has just added a C formula. If you can't beat them, join them. The important thing is to find a C serum that works for you, then use it.

Here's a partial list of companies that have C-serums: Awake, MK, Aromaleigh (generic), Lancome, Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Avon, Lumene. Choose the link above to see my thoughts on each.

Arbonne has a number of excellent serums, including lifting, RE9 (with C), and Revelage (whitening) I won't be without the lifting or the whitening.

Avon has been a leader in skin care, very innovative. They were the first line to come out with an alpha-hydroxy -- and it made a big difference in my skin. Their anew products are excellent. I do not care for either of their pump serums that they had a couple of years ago, because they smelled so bad. I recommend smelling them before buying to see if they still smell. I didn't notice a huge difference like I did with their alpha-hydroxy products. Some of their products are targeted by age.

Beauticontrol
Beauticontrol makes several serums that I like. Some are targeted for 30's, 40's, and 50's skin. I've liked Regeneration Gold for years. It's a two step process that mixes when you pump it. It used to be that one was red, the other white. Now one is green, the other white. I do not know if it is the same product. Regeneration Platinum Plus is supposed to be the next step up, but it rolls on my skin, so I use it only on my neck and chest and bought more of the Regeneration Gold. They make C products, but I've not tried them as I have others that I am using at the moment.

Chanel Serums
Chanel makes a number of serums, and they are all excellent. It depends on your price point and your skin concerns. Sublimage products kept me moist even in the dryness of Las Vegas, using no other moisturizers layered in. The Radiance line has an excellent hydrating serum. As an aside, I did not care for Sublimage eye cream.

Clarins
I have used Super Restorative Serum. I likely might buy it again. I like what it says it does; I'm not sure I saw it doing it. I tended to use it more for hydrating than anything else. When I opened the container, when it seemed empty, there were still several days worth of product left. I put it in a small jar and used it to the last drop.

On the whole I like Clarins products, so I suspect their other serums would be good too. Their beauty advisers are generally knowledgeable and happy to help you. They are good about giving small samples to try.

Cle de Peau serums
Cle de Peau is the high end Shiseido line. CdP makes a number of serums, and they all feel good. I'm not sure how to choose one over the other. I have one. I'm not convinced it does anything particularly, but that might be because I tend to use others that I have.

Dior Serums
Dior makes some excellent serums. Capture Totale and HydrAction are two that I have tried. Capture Totale came highly recommended by a woman in NYC who swears by it.

Guerlain serums
Orchidee Imperiale is their highest, newest line. It is excellent. Super Aqua-Serum came highly recommended on the strength of one older woman who works for Guerlain whose skin is exceptionally beautiful. It's a toss up which is better. Take your pick. They also have Success Future and Substantific serums. I get my Guerlain from Claire at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. Call 702) 732-7008 or email GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com

Hydrating serums
La Prairie CELLULAR HYDRATING SERUM is an excellent hydrator, one of the very best. It is lightweight. It works by binding moisture to the skin and restoring the skin's natural moisture barrier. A little goes a long ways and it stays fresh in the bottle. I use it generally on very cold days or whenever my face feels like it needs more moisture from the inside out. Price: $185.00

La Prairie Serums
Like Chanel, these are excellent, and it depends on your price point. I have not tried the latest lines.

Shiseido serums
Shiseido has a number of serums that are all excellent. Again, it depends on your price point and what you are hoping to accomplish.

Signature Club A
Super Strength High Potent-C Anti-Wrinkle Capsules $29.50
I like this a lot. It's in my rotation of C products.

Retinol Wrinkle Penetrating Capsules 12 Hour Release $32.50
This is in my rotation. I like it a lot.

Viviane Woodard
I've used these products since I was 18. They have a number of serums, including specialized ones to use at night. Their day time serums are very good and moderately priced. The evening ones really give your skin a boost. They are used only periodically. Unlike ones by La Prairie that are also used only occasionally, these will not break the bank. Likely they perform different functions, but they help the skin.

Whitening serums
Many companies offer whitening serums. They started first in Asian countries. It's not surprising that Shiseido has one. If you want to break up an age spot the fastest possible way, then your best bet is laser. Be sure to use SPF every day along with these.
Arbonne Revelage is an excellent whitener, which works by breaking up dark spots from below and keeping them from forming from the top.

Mary Kay TimeWise® Even Complexion Essence
I consider this more of a preventative, than a curative. I want to see faster results. I have no patience.

What serums do you know, use and love?
As I think of more, I will update.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-28 20:49:42.

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Comparing the two Lancome looks

Karin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:21:39 +0000

Yesterday's done by the SA, using the mineral foundation:
Lancome concealer used here. Groupie is the lippie.

Today, done by me (Fyrinnae eyes):
No concealer here. Lippie just done less strongly.

My take:
I was happy with the way it went on for me. I prefer the coverage more sheer than yesterday's. Today, it looks less made up and more like my own skin. But these two pictures do show how different looks can be achieved with the same foundation.

What do you think?
Which do you prefer? How do you like the color and coverage on me?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-15 17:02:42.

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FOTD Lancome mostly

Karin — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:01:40 +0000

Today I thought I'd use some of the colors that came in the Lancome GWP at Belks. I chose the cool color gift.

Cheeks: MAC Dollymix
Highlight the center of the face: Mary Kay blend of Pink Sparkle and Porcelain Pink (love this!)
Lips: Lancome Rock Icon Fuchsia with Electric Pink La Laque Fever lipgloss
Liner: MAC graphblack on bottom water line; MAC earthline brown just outside it
Mascara: Black Spinlash (see other post about this mascara)

Using the shadows in the gwp:
Crease: Volcano shimmer
Outer corners: Makeover Metallic (lovely shade of pink)
Dry lining top: The New Black Metallic

Later today I might try the gwp lipsticks and add them to this post -- or I will show them in the next few days. Lancome GWPs always include full size lippies. I try never to buy without a gwp. If it isn't something I can use, I enjoy passing them on.

Karin

Rose Defile, one of the free gwp lippies:

Originally posted 2009-03-04 09:52:08.

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