Lancôme Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl
Deluxe sample of Génifique Yeux Light-Pearl
I got this as part of a winter skin care kit Lancôme put out near the end of 2013 from The Bay. Now that I’ve finished it up, I can write up a full review. Lancôme claims this to be an eye-illuminating serum for use above and below the eyes. A consumer test on their website reports that 78% of women thought their eye contour was improved after 4 weeks of use.
The Packaging
Mini bottle – perfect for traveling with
Being a deluxe sample size, there was 5ml worth of product in here. For my eyes, both day and night, I managed to get 2 weeks worth of use.
Cooling metal tear drop
The idea behind the metal tear drop is that it’s cool temperature helps to soothe puffiness around eyes and to help bring down any swelling. Although it certainly feels nice and cool against the skin, I find that I still need to work the product in with my ring fingers. My only issue with this is that it touches the skin, and then you’re placing it back into the bottle, which could potentially contaminate the rest of the product. I wasn’t too worried as this was a pretty small bottle to begin with, being a deluxe sample size, but if this was the full size bottle, you’d be dipping and redipping this tear drop in for months until you finish.
The Product
Swatch
It comes out almost gel-like, but thinner. It absorbs readily into the skin, although I needed to use my ring fingers to fully work the product in.
The Verdict
While it certainly hydrates the skin around my eyes, I can’t comment on the anti-aging properties as I currently don’t have any fine lines or crows feet. Now I can either take that as I don’t have them yet, or in using this product, I’ve kept them at bay. In any case, it is certainly hydrating. However, for the price tag, I’m likely going to use something else that hydrates just as well but for significantly less.
Where to Buy – $88 CDN
Lancôme Génifique Repair Youth Activating Night Cream
Gradient box with a beautiful glass jar
This jar of Lancôme’s Génifique Repair Youth Activating Night Cream was part of a skincare set I bought from The Bay near the end of 2013. Seeing that I finally finished the jar, I can get around to writing a full review.
Part of Lancôme’s Génifique skincare line, this night cream is supposed to help repair the skin to look like it’s youthful days, as well as reducing signs of fatigue and aging.
The Packaging
Lancôme rose on top of lid
The jar is made of thick glass and the lid is a twist type, made of thick plastic. As you can see, Lancôme’s iconic rose is printed on top.
Inner lid
Once you twist off the lid, there is an inner lid that seals the product in, helping keep it from drying out.
Inner lid removed
Remove the inner lid to reveal the cream. The glass jar is quite thick-walled, and is weighs a bit. There is 50g of product in here, which lasted me approx 2.5 months of night time application.
The Product
Swatch
The cream itself is quite thick, but absorbs very easily and readily into my skin. It’s hydrating, but I can’t say for certain if it’s more hydrating than some of my other night creams. There is a medium strength fragrance to it which may bother those with sensitive noses, but I don’t mind it. The fragrance dissipates pretty quickly so I don’t really smell it after application.
Like with all other Génifique products, I can’t really comment on its anti-aging properties as I currently don’t have any wrinkles or fine lines to reduce. All I can say is that it’s a great cream for the night and hydrates pretty well.
The Verdict
Unfortunately, I can’t say that I would repurchase this, given how expensive it is. Then again, I am basing this wholly on its hydrating properties and not anti-aging properties. If I noticed changes to my skin in bringing back its youthful appearance, then this cream could potentially be worth it. However, since I can’t notice these changes, there’s no point in spending so much in a cream where I can’t see the benefits.
Where to Buy – $112 CND
Lancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate
Still the same black box and beautiful glass bottle as the previous version
I’ve been a long time fan of Lancôme’s Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate for a few years now. I first purchased a bottle at duty free on my honeymoon to Hawaii back in 2011. I was 27 at the time and figured it was time to start looking at seriously taking care of my skin. I didn’t have any wrinkles or fine lines, but it was a good time to start finding products to use as an anti-preventative measure.
In 2013, Lancôme reformulated Génifique to its current version, Advanced Génifique. It contains 40% more ingredients than its previous counterpart.
So what is a youth activating concentrate anyways? According to Lancôme’s website, it claims to repair and activate 10 signs of younger looking skin. These signs are fine lines, coarse wrinkles, radiance, clarity, evenness, texture, resiliency, tonicity, firmness, and sagginess. I remember when Lancôme was so confident that people would love this product that their beauty counters offered a free 7 day sample as you were supposed to see a difference in as little as a week. I don’t think it’s offered anymore, but let’s take a look at the product, shall we?
The Packaging
Beautiful glass bottle with clear gradient at the bottom
Like the old bottle, it has the same gradient colouring of black at the top and clear towards the bottom. This is helpful in seeing how much product is left in the bottle.
Top of plunger/dropper
The top of the plunger/dropper still features Lancôme’s iconic rose.
Plunger down when completely screwed in
The main difference between the old bottle and the new bottle is the function of the plunger/dropper. Instead of having to manually depress the top button, it automatically reloads the dropper every time you twist it back onto the bottle. As you can see in the picture above, when the plunger is fully screwed in, the button is depressed.
Plunger up when not screwed in
When unscrewed, the button lifts, essentially sucking in product into the dropper.
Dropper type
The dropper looks the same as from the old bottle, however the button does not have as much fine control as the old bottle. I found that with the old bottle, I could easily control how many drops of product I wanted. With this new plunger, it’s difficult to get individual drops out and instead would end up with half a dropper or the whole dropper’s worth of product.
The Product
Swatch
Compared to the old version, Advanced Génifique is much thinner in consistency, and runs easily. I’m not sure how I like this, as it feels like the serum is watered down. It still readily absorbs into my skin, but takes a little bit longer to fully dry. I use this after toner and before eye cream and moisturizer.
The Verdict
From the old version to the current version, I am still seeing the same results – my skin is soft, radiant, with no signs of fine lines or wrinkles yet. I don’t know if Advanced is that much better than the old version, but it works for my skin and I am liking what I see. Definitely a continual repurchase from me.
Where to Buy – $96 – $158 CND
I’m ba-ack!
I had been MIA for the past few months with very sparse posts. Blogging took a back seat for a while because there were so many other things going on, both personally and at work. However, those of you who follow me on Twitter and Instagram would have noticed this little post:
That’s right! A little bundle of joy is soon to be joining our household! Oddly enough, time has flown by and I’m already at 30 weeks. I still can’t believe I’m already 3/4 of the way through this pregnancy. So if blogging becomes slow again, this is likely the reason why. But for now, I’ve had a very productive few days off and have quite a few posts lined up. Hopefully I can get back into the groove of regular blogging again. It’s quite therapeutic.
Stay tuned for tomorrow as it starts off my weekend of full reviews for a good chunk of Lancôme’s Génifique line!
December 2014 Empties
I really need to get better at writing these up sooner rather than later. In any case, here are the few empties that I managed to acquire in December.
Laneige Moisture Balancing Emulsion
A mini from a sample kit I received last year, I finally finished off what was left of the bottle. It’s hydrating with a light fragrance (which I love) and is perfect for day time use. Would definitely purchase a full size of it.
Lancôme Crème Douceur
I’ve had this for a couple of years but only use it once in a while when I’m not too lazy and want a deep cleanse. I find it works really well taking off the day’s worth of make up, and nicely soothes and hydrates the skin as well. This was my first cream-to-oil cleanser that I’ve tried, and I really like the lotus smell it has. Massage a small amount into the face, then hop into the shower for a rinse off.
Lancôme Génifique Repair Youth Activating Night Cream
I’ve used the Génifique serum for years (speaking of which, I really need to sit down and write up that review), so when a skincare kit was on sale last year for the Génifique line, I jumped at the chance to try it. The cream is thick, and while I can’t really see any anti-aging properties at work, I’m likely not going to purchase this one on my own. I’ll save more info about it for a more in depth review.
November 2014 Empties
A cozy background for this snowy weather we’re having
Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner Moisture
This was part of a trial set I received when purchasing Laneige products. It has a pleasant scent and softens my skin as prep for the next step. Would definitely repurchase this again.
Laneige Water Bank Essence
This was part of a trial set I received when purchasing Laneige products. See the full review here.
Laneige Water Bank Moisture Cream
This was part of a trial set I received when purchasing Laneige products. This is great as a night cream as it is thicker than the lotion and really gives my skin a hydrating boost. It feels like there’s a slight greasy residue, but if you continue massaging it into your skin, that goes away. I love how soft it makes my skin feel.
Laneige Water Bank Eye Gel
Full review here.
Shisheido Ultimune
See my full review of it here.
Nivea Express Hydration Body Lotion
Pretty good body lotion for summer time. It soaks right into the skin and doesn’t leave an greasy residue. I just finished it but am finding it not quite hydrating enough for the winter months. Will definitely repurchase in warmer months.
Crabtree & Evelyn Hand Therapy Collection Citron honey & coriander
This was part of a trio one of my girlfriends gave me. It has a strong lemon scent but not too overbearing. I like applying it just before I go to bed, but for the days when my hands are so beaten up from a day’s worth of hand sanitizer use, it’s not enough to hydrate my skin. Otherwise, using it during the day has been really nice.
Lancôme Génifique Yeux Light Pearl
Bigger review coming soon as it’s still being written. This was hydrating for my lids and under eye area for sure, but because this was a small sample size, I can’t comment on how illuminating it was or how it’s anti-aging property was. Pricey when you look at the website, so I’m not sure if I will repurchase this.
Lancome Teint Idole Fresh Wear
This is no longer made, but I had picked it up at a previous L’Oreal Warehouse sale. I loved how sheer the coverage was and how light and airy it was for every day. I’m not sure if it’s been replaced with another product, but this one is discontinued. What a shame because I really liked this!
Aveeno Eczema Care Moisturizing Cream
A skin saver for the times that I’m itching like crazy. It’s so hard once you make the first scratch, to not continue scratching. This coupled with willpower has saved my skin from becoming raw, inflamed and bleeding. I’m not sure how much different this is compared to regular Aveeno, but they both work for me.
Electric Mud BBQ
One evening, Mr Pixelbunny and I decided to make the trek out to Grand Electric for their damn good tacos (Mr has been there, I have not), but the line up, sadly, was quite long. Instead, we wandered around the corner to their other restaurant, Electric Mud BBQ.
The Atmosphere
Don’t come here expecting a fine dining establishment, let alone a sit down restaurant, nor a fast food joint. Inside, there’s a few picnic tables for large groups, as well as smaller groups of people to mingle (might as well say hi!), some smaller tables, and bar seating. Bar seating is where it’s at, especially the left most seats as you have prime view of the kitchen, as well as the person who is prepping all your plates. It’s pretty awesome watching your food get plated and presented right in front of you.
The atmosphere is very laid back, with a vinyl record player in view, as well as a very ample bourbon bar.
One caveat: they only take cash, so make sure you have some on you!
The Food
Pork Rinds – $3.75
We started off with pork rinds. They were big, crispy pieces, and the tabasco spiced pimento cheese it was served with gave it a nice little kick. This one is a must try.
Fried Chicken – $9.50
The fried chicken was easily my most favourite thing to eat that night. It’s fried thigh meat, so it was juicy, tender, and absolutely delicious. The chicken is drizzled with gravy, but what really makes this dish is the sauce it’s served on – cider syrup and hot sauce. I have no idea how they make it, but it makes the chicken taste amazing. You must try this for sure.
Potato Salad – $3.50
We realized that we ordered only meat from the menu, so it was best to order some kind of veg. That was our side of potato salad. Not too creamy, good chunks of potato, with some paprika sprinkled on top. It was the perfect starch to balance out all the meat.
Pork Side Ribs – $14.50
The pork ribs were also really good, although I wish that I got more than four ribs. To be fair, they were really juicy and tender, with a good amount of spice rub and caramelization on them. Try it at least once, if you can splurge for them.
Peach Cobbler and Banana Cream – $6 each
To round out the meal, we got peach cobbler and banana cream desserts. I love that they’re made and served in cute mini mason jars. The peach cobbler had an alcohol taste to it, but the crumbly part on top was so sweet and crunchy. The banana cream was awesome! Sky high whipped cream over luscious banana cream and a really good graham cracker base. Get all three together on your spoon and your mouth will be in heaven.
The Verdict
It’s so yummy! I would definitely come back here and eat again! I would recommend going in the warmer months so as not to catch a chill when the door opens and closes. It’s a very friendly atmosphere and the food is great!
The Place
Electric Mud BBQ
5 Brock Ave,
Toronto, ON
416-516-8286
Shiseido Ultimune
Beautiful bottle for a beautiful product
Back in May, I was invited to a VIP Beauty Editor Breakfast courtesy of Dave Lackie, Shiseido, and Cityline for their upcoming new product. Now that I’ve finally gone through the whole bottle, I can share my thoughts with you!
So what is Ultimune? Simply put, it is Shiseido’s answer to being the world’s first skin immunity booster. We spend all this time and effort into retaining our skin’s youthful appearance, erasing fine lines, brightening up dull skin, that no one’s given a thought to something that precedes all that, immunity. Shiseido spent more than 20 years of research into skin immunity and produced Ultimune. They developed the ultimate complex that works on boosting Langerhans cells’ function. Therefore, with consistent use, you’ll find your skin to become stronger and with a heightened immunity in 4 weeks time.
The Packaging
Box and bottle
The box is made of sturdy cardboard with a beautiful red-pink sheen. The bottle itself is so pretty, it deserves some pictures on its own.
Top of lid
The top of the lid has an engraving of Shiseido’s trademark camellia logo.
Side of bottle
The side of the bottle has this curve like feature, which actually makes the bottle fit more comfortably in your hand when you hold it.
Pump mechanism
Pop off the lid and voila, a pump mechanism. I love pumps because it’s more sanitary than dipping your fingers into a product. The only annoying thing is getting every last drop. Luckily, the pump straw reaches all the way down to the very bottom of the bottle, so with a slight tilt of the bottle, I can pump out practically every last drop that’s in there. The other way to do it is to completely unscrew the pump and then turn the bottle upside down. Either way, you can definitely get to every last drop.
The Product
Slightly opaque formula
The first thing you notice is the smell. It is heavenly. It’s a mix of florals, gingko and ginger. While it comes out as slightly opaque, when you massage it into your skin, it definitely is clear. It soaks into my skin almost immediately and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. I use it twice a day, morning and night just after toner but before other serums and moisturizers. Yes, it is an extra step but I think it’s worth it. My skin has looked and felt so soft and clear that I didn’t see a single pimple in the 2 months it took me to get through this bottle. I will interpret this as that the immunity booster is working.
The Verdict
I quite love this stuff and what it’s done for my skin. I would definitely recommend it to those who are 25 and older. Anyone younger and the product is wasted. Young people have a quicker turnover of skin cells, so there’s no real time for the product to absorb and work its magic. On older skin, cell regeneration is much much slower, so the product has time to work. Another bottle is definitely in my backup stash.
Where to Buy
Farmhouse Tavern
Over the summer, Mr Pixelbunny and I met up with some friends for brunch and they suggested Farmhouse Tavern. Reservations were made à la OpenTable, and we were all set to eat!
The Atmosphere
When we arrived at 12:00pm, the place was packed! It was a good thing we had reservations! The inside decor reminds you of being out of the city, with country-style settings, and things you would expect to find in a farmhouse. We spotted an old school wood stove leaning against one wall. Chairs were all mismatched but in this place, it fits!
The Food
Hey Buttercup – $?? (can’t remember)
I ordered Hey Buttercup!, which consisted of half a baked butternut squash, mixed greens (I could identify green beans, shoots, and asparagus amongst other greens), corn, smoked bacon, and two poached eggs. It was pretty tasty, although it didn’t quite satisfy my brunch hunger. It’s good as a salad, and you definitely get your serving of vegetables here. The smoked bacon was small and only a few bits were here. I was hoping for heartier pieces to give the salad some more meat.
Eggs Gravlax – $14
Mr Pixelbunny ordered eggs gravlax. This was definitely my favourite and I wish I had ordered it instead. The eggs were poached perfectly and the hollandaise sauce was amazing as well. There’s something about the biscuit that also makes it amazing as it’s not plain, but maybe has veggie bits in it? The trio of egg, gravlax and biscuit is mind-numbingly good, plus the side of salad ensures that you get some veggies in with your meal. You can also spot some ribbons of carrot on the plate.
The Verdict
Brunch, although very busy, was fantastic! Definitely try the eggs gravlax. I wasn’t too impressed with Hey Buttercup! and will likely order something else next time. Hmmm the mother and child reunion sound rather interesting…
The Place
Farmhouse Tavern
1627 Dupont St,
Toronto, ON
416-561-9114
July, August, September, and October 2014 Empties
Oops! I was on a bit of a hiatus for the last few months and hadn’t blogged in a while. I did keep track of what I used up, so this should be one big pile of empties!
4 months worth!
Bare Minerals Mineral Veil
I’ve had this for quite a while and loved using it as a finishing powder over foundation. A little bit goes a long way and it’s so silky smooth. It took me over a year to get through this so it’s well worth the money!
Make Up For Ever HD High Definition Primer
I had heard really good reviews for this but it’s not my favourite. Personally, I didn’t like how liquid-like it felt and I wasn’t sure if it really held my foundation any longer than without. Perhaps I’m used to the feel of silicone based ones but I didn’t really like this one.
Biotherm Aquasource Superserum
Full review here.
Lancôme Advanced Génifique
This is the new improved formulation of their award winning Génifique. I have a review cooking up for both formulations so look forward to it!
Laneige Water Bank Eye Gel Cream
I honestly love this line and will continue to use it for as long as it works on my skin! The Water Bank line is perfect for those with dry skin and does absolute wonders for me during the winter. Read my full review for it here.
St. Ives Deep Restoring 24 Hour Moisture
I used to use this in university and then forgot about it for a while. I had picked this up again when it was on sale at my local Shoppers Drugs Mart, plus cash back on my Checkout51 account making this bottle costing me only $0.50! How could I not? It soaks into my skin pretty quickly and leaves it feeling nice and smooth. I liked that 12 hours later, my skin still felt really smooth. Definitely repurchasing this one again.
Lancôme Tonique Radiance
One of my favourite toners, as well as Mr. Pixelbunny’s. Read my full review for it here.
Maybelline Baby Lips in Quenched and Peppermint
This lip balm remains my favourite one to keep in my pocket while at work. It definitely keeps my lips moisturized and replenishes moisture when they’re dry and flaky. I’ve already bought 3 more backups too.
Kate Somerville Oil Free Moisturizer
A sample I received in a Sephora order last year that I finally got around to using now. It’s definitely light and luxurious feeling, but there definitely wasn’t enough for me to see any skin changes. For the price tag of an actual jar, I likely won’t be purchasing one.
L’oread Youth Code Pore Vanisher
This was a sample I received in my Loulou magazine subscription. I actually liked this and contemplated purchasing one but decided to finish what I had first. It doesn’t come out clear, but more of a peachy tone instead. It has a slight tint to it that worked for my skin tone. Pores were “vanished” and made for a nice canvas for my foundation. I also like wearing it on its own just to cover some of the larger pores around my nose. Definitely one to consider.
Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
I absolutely adore these wipes, especially when traveling. Costco used to sell big boxes of 6 + 2 travel packs but I’m not sure if they still do. I need to hunt around and see if they still exist. They get off every bit of makeup on my face, even most of my eyeliner and mascara. I need to use another eye makeup remover for the lasting bits (Lancôme Bi Facil to the rescue!) but it gets off most of what’s there. Definitely a repurchase.
