I think it is time to open the Red Door...
Foreword
Do you remember playing "grown-ups" with your friends? I certainly do: we would dip our fingers into expensive skincare, slap on a lipstick, drink ice tea out of a crystal glass (pretending it was a "brown juice" of course) and talk about our [non-existent] love adventures. You guessed it right - we've also watched far too many Brazilian telenovelas and yes, we might have contaminated a jar or two of Elizabeth Arden. Fast forward to 2018, I finally got a chance to play with their products again and today I am going to share my thoughts on some of the most sought-after Elizabeth Arden gems; so without further ado - please keep on scrolling!
Eight Hour Cream
If there is one Elizabeth Arden product, that you will certainly find in every self-respecting makeup artist's kit, it is Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (22 USD for 50g/ 1.7 OZ; Made in USA). I have a fragrance-free version here and it is absolutely amazing.
Naturally, this lanolin-based gem is a true multi-tasker and it can be used on face/body. Whether you want to treat a specific skin condition (peeling, burns, scrapes, abrasions, bites etc.) or nourish cracked/chapped lips - look this way. This formula is packed with emollients [plus salicylic acid and vitamin E] which is exactly why it manages to effectively soothe and calm the skin in a short period of time. You can use it to tame your brows, moisturize cuticles or add glow to high points of the face (especially if you are into your editorial looks). Personally, I have very dry lips and wear Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant pretty much as a lip primer or lip mask after I have exfoliated my lips. This product has a soft honey hue to it, but applies sheer. Although it is quite high-shine in finish, it doesn't not feel heavy or thick.
Final Thoughts: I do see why this product has a "cult" status; my lips thank me every time I use it and for the price, you also get a ton of product, so it will surely last you ages! A+ from moi
Superstart Probiotic Boost Mask
I don't know about you guys, but I am a huge sheet mask aficionado. I don't care whether it is a low- or high-end piece, as long as it works. Naturally, you should treat masks like this as a nice addition to your routine, but they should never replace actual serums, creams or other lotions and potions that are part of your daily skincare rituals. For me, sheet masks are perfect for that instant "pick-me-up" type of a scenario, especially on days when skin doesn't really want to cooperate.
Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask (67 USD x 4 masks; Made in Korea) - hands down, one of the most expensive sheet masks I have tried. These claim to leave your skin looking fresh, smooth and luminous i.e. fabulous news for people with dry, textured and lacklustre skin. The formula here is merely a mix of probiotics, hyaluronic acid and a few natural ingredients like coconut water, caffeine and various plant extracts. So far, so good.
Well, while I found the application process quite user-friendly and nice, sadly I have noticed zero results after 15-20 minutes of having it on my face. If you are a friend to the blog, then you might remember my experience with the infamous SK-II Facial Treatment Mask (one that retails for 135 USD). Just like SK-II, Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask didn't really do anything to my skin. Yes, it looked kind of fresh, but that was it. By the time I had to remove it, the biocellulose material glued to my skin, so I had to carefully peel it off (something that never happened to me before). There was not much serum left on my face either and it didn't feel particularly hydrating, so I popped on my regular night cream and went to bed.
In the morning my skin looked...well, it looked the same. Didn't get any better or worse (thank you Jesus), so I wonder whether this formula is actually worth 67 USD. Frankly speaking, I have tried a ton of mid-range sheet masks that performed much better (and they only cost 6-10 USD per piece).
Final Thoughts: I really hoped this formula would be magical, but it is just ok. C-
Grand Entrance Mascara
Grand Entrance Mascara (25 USD; Made in Italy) claims to give you dramatic volume, length and lift (sounds fabulous, right?). This is also an award-winner, ladies and gentlemen. So essentially, after setting a bar this high, I had great expectations as a result.
This is your modern plastic, curved wand with short little bristles. They are quite spiky too (oh yes, I poked myself in the eye with it and, ouch, it does hurt), so make sure that you are being extra careful when applying it. The formula is a good compromise between"too wet" or "too dry"; basically it is a perfect in-between. I would recommend 1-2 layers, not more.
Now, mascara is very personal and what works for you, might not work for me (vice versa). My lashes are long and lifted, however, they lack in the volume department. That being said, I am typically drawn to volumizing formulas that add oomph, but also look quite wispy at the same time. While Grand Entrance Mascara gave me a lot of length and volume, it did not make my lashes look feathery. It definitely requires a bit of finessing; unless you are into that intentionally thick lash look, you will need to use a comb to separate your lashes/get rid of little lumps.
Final Thoughts: I'm on the fence here. While it is quite user-friendly, I wish this mascara would not leave tiny little flakes under my eyes only after a few hours of wearing it. I also wish my lashes felt less dry and heavy to the touch. Having said all that, I am sure that those of you who love drama, will enjoy it. As for me, I am still looking for my perfect formula. B-
Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick
Is this packaging chic or is this packaging chic? Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick (26.50 USD; Made in USA/Canada) looks absolutely unique and dreamy, especially if you are into your vintage-looking makeup (with a nice "high-end" weight to it), you will absolutely love having a lipstick like this in your collection.
Comes in creamy and matte finishes; there are 28 colours in total, which is a rather moderate yet classy range (sophisticated nudes, reds, corals, pinks and a few deeper browns/plums). I have tried both finishes and personally speaking, I do prefer Elizabeth Arden mattes. They are hydrating and quite satin in feel actually, giving you the best of both worlds: pigmentation, comfort and longevity. Creamy formula here is sheer-buildable, which is best for those of you, who like more of a semi-glossy finish. All in all, it really depends on your style. Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipsticks have a lovely vanilla scent to them and feel quite hydrating, which is something I adore. They are also easy to work with (I use brush/liner with deeper shades) and depending on the finish they will last up to 4-6 hours; you do need to touch-up/re-apply them after meals.
Final Thoughts: if you are into your comfortable, luxury lipsticks - check them out! A
As always, my swatches are 'raw' and unedited (no extra brightness/saturation here, baby) so that you can see what everything looks like in real life.
Please click on images to zoom in.
Did you guys discover any new products today? What are your Elizabeth Arden favourites? Let's chat in the comments!
PR Samples; full disclaimer here
