little white truths

I received this sample booster from Marie Claire's The Parcel (reviewed here). While 5ml isn't a lot of product, I rationed this by using it on my face only (and not my neck and dec) so I could see what it was doing over time.

It lasted me almost a month because you only need to use a little to get an effect, so I feel able to write a full review on the product (spoiler: I love it!).

Elizabeth Arden is one of those brands you see everywhere but I've never used much from the range because for some reason it doesn't seem hip or interesting to me, and I don't associate the brand with quality products. Must be something to do with how it's marketed.

I've used a few of Elizabeth Arden's fragrances because you can pick those up for a song in pharmacies and its fragrances are often soft and inoffensive, so I occasionally buy one when I want a new perfume but don't have the cash for it.

This product has however put the brand on the radar for me, so I'll be looking into its skincare range in future: if it has produced one great product, chances are that it's produced others.

Elizabeth Arden claims/product details: 

• Helps restore the healthy look of the skin's surface layer, fortifying its natural ability to repair and renew itself 
• Ideal to use before a serum or a moisturiser, it boosts the results of your skincare products 
• Powerful botanical grasswort extract supports the skin's natural moisturisation levels, while sea fennel and flaxseed extract reinforce the integrity of your skin's natural barrier 
• Boosts your skin's natural defences and helps repair the look and feel of damaged or irritated skin 
• Comforts, hydrates and boosts radiance 
• For all skin types 
• RRP $85AUD for 30ml

Verdict

I love this product and I would be giving it an HG tag if I'd been through a full-sized bottle, but since it was a sample I'll wait until I buy and use a full one before putting it on the HG list.

It's one of those precious few products that makes an immediate difference to my skin, and I really believe it's working wonders because I can see and feel the benefits whenever I use it.

It a light gel that's quite fluid so it spreads well and you only need to use a little each time. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it's doing, but it makes my skin look refreshed, brighter and younger - as though I've just had a good facial or used a decent chemical exfoliant.

On the claims, I'm prepared to believe that it helps your serum and moisturiser work better because it doesn't coat the skin and I feel that anything I put on top of it is being absorbed, plus my skin looks and feels better when I use it. I'm not sure whether it has any impact on damage over time because it's hard to tell with a 5ml sample, but I reckon it's possible because my skin felt smoother and looked more even over the month that I tested the product.

I also think it comforts the skin, hydrates and boosts radiance, so those claims are true. Also, my skin is on the dry and sensitive side and I had no adverse reaction when using this product, so it may well be suitable for all skin types because it's gentle while still being effective.

I've used like products from Lancome and Estée Lauder recently that claimed to do similar things, and while I noticed no difference from using those products, I did with this one so it stands out for this reason.

In sum, this is a fantastic product and I can't wait to buy the full size. It may well have earned a permanent place in my skincare armoury, and I can't say that about many products.

Huge ticks from me.