La Mer Creme de la Mer The Moisturizing Lotion

While trying some new foundations in Nordstrom's, I got into a conversation with the sales lady about Le Mer.  She talked about how great the products are and how she never uses anything else and she really had beautiful skin.  I already knew they were expensive so I asked for a sample.  The La Mer liaison came out and introduced herself and gave me a .17 ounce sample (street value = $50).  I took it home and tried it.  You are supposed to "warm a small amount between your fingertips" and pat it on your face.  The smell was interesting (kind of marine-y).  I think some people wouldn't like it but I thought it was ok.  And you weren't able to smell it once it was on.  When I got to work, I looked up the site and saw the price for a full 2 ounces.  $210...what?!?!  I read a little more about the company.  I mean, for that price I expected it to be manufactured in an enchanted forest with ingredients like unicorn tears (which everyone knows have magical healing powers).  Well, it was quite that but they do have an interesting back story.  The Miracle Broth was developed by aerospace physicist Max Huber, to help heal scars he had suffered in a lab accident.  He experimented with sea kelp and bio-fermentation.  It worked and he (and then his daughter) marketed and sold the product until Estee Lauder bought the rights to manufacture and exploit, oops, I mean, sell it.

So, does it work?  Sadly, I think it does.  I say sadly because now I am in the predicament of deciding whether or not to spend that much money on a face lotion.  I will say that the sample lasted me almost 2 months so you would probably have to buy it twice a year.  (I sometimes don't wash my face again in the morning - just rinse it with water - and I really felt like I didn't have to with this.)  It doesn't have spf so they also sell a separate spf 30 lotion for the bargain price $70 for 1.4 ounces.  I feel like it made my face smoother and got rid of the bumps on my chin.  My budget will probably not allow me to remain bump-free but if you can afford it, I think it's worth a try.

Clairol Nice and Easy Color Blend Foam

This experience was neither nice nor easy.  First, the smell.  The only way I can think to describe it is "dragon farts."  It does have the added benefit of burning away those pesky nostril hairs while coloring.  This formula is described as, "Delightful, drip-free foam hair color."  The lack of drips was my main reason for purchasing.  It comes with the color bottle, the developer bottle (with foam lid to put on after mixing), gloves, 2 packets of conditioner and instructions.  You still have to mix the developer and color so no saving steps there.  You don't pump the cap to get the foam out, you squeeze the bottle.  The foam seemed very runny to me and spilled as much as regular hair color.  Once I got it all on, I put my hair up and tried cleaning off the spots I inevitably get on my skin.  This stuff has staying power!  Most hair colors wipe easily off my sink but not this stuff.  I'm hoping the stain isn't permanent.  Then, I went into another room for some fresh air so I didn't pass out.  I left the color on for 30 minutes.  I then rinsed it out and applied both packets of conditioner since my hair is long and thick.  Once I rinsed that out, I let it air dry.  Luckily, the smell pretty much disappeared once it was dry.  The overall color, dark brown, is very nice and doesn't look black as they sometimes do the first few days.  I wouldn't say it did a fantastic job covering my greys but it did turn them a sort of light, reddish color.

Personally, I would not use this again.  Other companies are also making foam hair color.  One of them has to not smell like Death is standing behind you breathing down your neck after having a garlic and rotten fish sandwich.

http://www.clairol.com/en-US/hair-color-foam/science-ingredients

Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Correcting Serum

"Pores ‘snap back’ into shape."  Say what??  Sign me up!  That was my first thought when I read Clinique's ad.  I ordered a deluxe sample through Sephora.  Now, I have to be completely honest, I used this more like a primer (only putting it on in the morning).  I find that the ingredients are similar in both.  It goes on smoothly and it really does give your face a velvety texture.  It also helps absorb oil throughout the day.  I can't say it made my pores "snap back into shape" but it did give my skin a more even look without any color.  The price is a little hefty at $39.50 but I would imagine a 1oz. bottle would last 6 months or more.

Clinique is owned by Estee Lauder and are known to be "Allergy Tested, 100% Fragrance Free."  And they aren't joking.  They test each product 12 times on 600 people.  If only one person has a reaction, they reformulate the product.  So, if you have sensitive skin, you might want to try Clinique.

http://www.clinique.com/product/CATEGORY4919/PROD16751/Skin_Care/Pores/index.tmpl