Focus on serums: Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illunimator, Clarins Double Serum, Shiseido Ultimune

Hey guys,

Long time no see! As far as I am concerned I just turned a year older today L but hey, our favorite brands are here to sell us tons of miracles, right?!

I thought I would take the opportunity to post some reviews on skincare I have been using in the past few weeks. In this post I will be focusing on serums.

Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illunimator; Clarins Double Serum; Shiseido Ultimune

1.     Estee Lauder Idealist Even Skintone Illunimator

See full description here http://www.esteelauder.com/product/681/14025/Product-Catalog/Skincare/Idealist/Even-Skintone-Illuminator

“Over time: skin looks noticeably clearer and brighter, vibrant and more even-toned. Powerful breakthroughs including CorrectTone Technology address the look of every key sign of uneven skintone.”

My thoughts:

Well I will be really quick on that one as I don’t think it works as a serum (in my opinion) I started using it as a serum and could not see any difference at all, it really felt completely useless, which is a shame given its price and promises. So as it is a bit sheer and quite light (it is not an oily/greasy formula at all) I started using it with my foundation (I would add a pump to my daily foundation application) and for this purpose (illuminator / brightener) it works wonders!

So again, it is a disappointment for me as I don’t use it as a serum but it is a really good illuminator with a great texture for make-up purposes. Just a bit expensive to be used as an illuminating primer, I agree…

Retails at £69 (50ml) looks discontinued though :S

2.     Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate

See full description here http://www.clarins.co.uk/double-serum/C010408020.html

“More than just a serum, this is the only intensive anti-ageing treatment rich in 20 plant extracts that boosts the skin's vital functions. An innovative, two-phase system that targets all aspects of skin ageing in one complete concentrate. A complete serum:

- skin looks firmer, wrinkles appear smoother

- the complexion looks more even and regains its glow

- pores appear less visible”

Alright, I have heard a lot about this serum but thought I did not need it because it was an “anti-ageing” serum. Even though I know that most of the time when you read “anti-age” it might just as well mean that you are buying a moisturizing serum or cream and not much else. So one day at London Heathrow Airport I saw an amazing deal: 2 serums for £69 (one retails at £55 in the UK). I got one for my mum (she is by the way really happy with this serum) and I took the other for me J

This serum is not a newborn. Clarins has had a product named Double Serum in their line for years. They reformulate the previous version every couple of years and re-launch.

My thoughts:

I think this serum does its job. It has two separate containers. Each time you depress the pump the serums combine dispensing one fluid. It is just a bit too rich for my type of skin (combination). It does penetrate really quickly though and does not leave any greasy film but I feel like my skin does need that much. So I don’t use it every day but every other or I just skip 2 days and use it again. It is part of my bedtime routine. I cannot tell if it has any effect on the ageing of the skin. It is really rich though so it can definitely help the skin look firmer and smoother.

Now there are a lot of different ingredients in there. 20 plant extracts!! Check the review done by Paula’s choice http://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/clarins/_/Double-Serum-Complete-Age-Control-Concentrate. She explains how one of this serum's natural ingredients is actually a problem for all skin types. But again, we all react differently to one same product. Best way to know? Trying out! 

Retails at £55 (30ml)

3.     Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

See full description here http://www.shiseido.co.uk/ultimune/

“ This immune system is complex, involving various cells. Among them, skin’s Langerhans Cells play a vital role. Ultimune is the first and only product ever created to directly approach Langerhans cells to enhance the power source behind your skin’s immunity.”

This concentrate is supposed to be unique on the market right now as it is supposed to help boost defensive functions that have declined in the deep Langerhans Cells. It also apparently acts better as a pre-serum treatment/care that activates any serum or cream applied right after. Indeed in order to enhance the impact of any skincare regimen, it is advised to use your daily serum and/or cream (targeting your needs i.e. dehydration, anti-age, oiliness…) in addition to Ultimune.

My thoughts:

On pump can be enough but I think that two work best. It spreads very evenly and penetrates quickly into your skin’s surface. The smell is lovely and helps you feel relaxed. It is a very fluid formula non sticky nor greasy at all.

To be honest I think that after a week of using it (on its own) every morning and night I saw and felt a difference on my skin. My skin just looked brighter and smoother.

Now after more that a month I don’t see any particular change. It seems that the effect was quite immediate and that after two weeks it wouldn’t do anything anymore. That is maybe because it did its job within a timeframe needed for my skin. I might just stop using it for maybe two or three weeks and go back to it.

But again, I really saw a difference almost straight away so I really believe that it does what it says. And that it can be used as a real temporary treatment and not a routine. Definitely recommend.

Retails at £60 (30ml)

I hope you guys found this post and reviews useful. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts as well :)

Have a lovely week 

Kristina x