Hi, friends! I can't believe it's been a week since we last blogged it up! Sure, I've been on social media, but it's just not the same. Real life took over this week, so I haven't been able to write a full post. But I'm back! With an in-depth review of not one, but TWO products, so hopefully that makes up for my short absence. :)
Today I'll be reviewing two products sent to me by Elizabeth Arden: the Superstart Skin Renewal Booster and Flawless Future Ceramide Caplet Serum. There was no stipulation to it, no "You must review these," but I've been using them for a few weeks and I wanted to share what I thought about it. So let's jump into everything!
About Elizabeth Arden
Though she doesn't seem to take the spotlight in the online beauty community, Elizabeth Arden started her business over a century ago (hot damn!). I'm not going to give a history lesson because we'll be here all day, but Elizabeth Arden and her Red Door Salon played a pivotal role in the women's rights movement in the 1900s. You might recognize Red Door as the name of her perfume, but women would march past the red door of her 5th Avenue spa sporting red lipstick as a symbol of strength as they fought for their right to vote. Just thinking about it makes me feel empowered (kind of like my #GirlsCan post)!
Arden and her line were overshadowed once Estee Lauder came on the scene, especially when she passed away in 1966, but they seem to be trying to make a comeback (you might remember Catherine Zeta-Zones being their spokeswoman awhile back). The Elizabeth Arden brand still sells an arsenal of makeup and skincare products, and I'm curious to see how they progress in the coming years.
About Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum ("Flawless Future Serum")
Elizabeth Arden is a pioneer of the original caplet delivery system (the old school method of opening individual gold capsules and applying the serum they contained to the skin). She updated the packaging to insert the capsules into a suspended liquid to make things easier, though I think they're just beads for visual effect. This is supposed to add radiance and antioxidants to the skin.
About Superstart Skin Renewal Booster ("Superstart Booster")
This new product from Elizabeth Arden is designed to be used under your serums and moisturizers to boost their beneficial effects. It claims to strengthen your skin's surface layer and enhance its ability to repair itself.
Ingredients
Ingredients of Superstat Booster:
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Amodimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 Ii, Cholesterol, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kefiran, Lactobacillus, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Parfum/Fragrance, Phytosphingosine, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, PEG-11 Methyl Ether Dimethicone, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Amodimethicone, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Ceramide 1, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 Ii, Cholesterol, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Kefiran, Lactobacillus, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Maltodextrin, Parfum/Fragrance, Phytosphingosine, Polymnia Sonchifolia Root Juice, Saccharide Isomerate, Salicornia Herbacea Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate, Sodium Polyacrylate Starch, Xanthan Gum, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate
Ingredients of Flawless Future Serum:
Price and Availability
Superstart Booster: 1oz - Elizabeth Arden [$65], Macy's [$65], Nordstrom [$65], SkinStore [$65]
Flawless Future Serum: 1oz - Elizabeth Arden [$60], Macy's [$60], Nordstrom [$60], SkinStore [$60]
I have also seen Elizabeth Arden products sold at my local Marshall's and TJ Maxx, but I don't know if they stock these products in particular. Let me know if you see them on the shelves!
My Experience
The Packaging
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| Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum |
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| Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum |
With its sleek glass bottle with gold trim, you can't deny that this is one classy face serum. Of course, the glass means I worry about it jumping out my medicine cabinet and falling onto the floor, the little white beads it holds going everywhere, but that's a risk Elizabeth Arden was willing to take.
Having used a sample of this in the past, I know that the little white beads are really just for show. They take up a lot of space in the bottle, so it looks like you're getting more than you really are. When the watery serum that's keeping them suspended runs out, you just see a bunch of plastic pearls sitting on the bottom. It doesn't hurt or anything, but I think it's good to point out. That being said, it certainly is aesthetically pleasing product.
I'm a big fan of the sanitary pump packaging, and one perfect pump covers my whole face. The pump is way better than an open jar in terms of keeping air out, so that's a thumbs up in my book. I can't tell you with 100% certainty that the ingredients in this won't break down with exposure to light, but since this has clear glass packaging I like to be safe and keep it in a drawer or cabinet, rather than by a window.
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| Superstart Skin Renewal Booster |
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| Superstart Skin Renewal Booster - Back |
Is it possible to be excited about packaging? Because I'm stoked. Sure, the reflective-looking outside on this product made it difficult for photographing, but other than that I think they did a fantastic job. The opaque hard plastic keeps any senstive ingredients safe from light, and the lockable pump is wonderful for keeping air away. Also, one perfect pump covers my whole face, and I have just enough on my hands to bring a little down my neck.
The pump also locks in the back! Why don't more skincare products do this? You don't have to worry about the product going everywhere when you're traveling. It's beautiful! Am I crying?
The pump also locks in the back! Why don't more skincare products do this? You don't have to worry about the product going everywhere when you're traveling. It's beautiful! Am I crying?
The Stuff Inside
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| Left: Superstart Booster | Right: Flawless Future Serum |
These two products are both water-based, so they're not very thick. The Superstart Booster (left) is more of a watery lotion in consistency, while the Flawless Future Serum (right) is extremely watery. I had to make sure to keep my hand upright or else I'd risk it running all the way down my hand. Not cute.
You might notice in swatch of the Flawless Future that it includes little sparkles. This is the added "radiance" that Elizabeth Arden advertised in the form of mica, the stuff often used in mineral makeup and eyeshadow. Not that it's incredibly noticeable or that it turns you into a discoball, but it's still like...why? If I wanted shimmery skin, I'd put highlighter on (and only on certain parts of my face, not all over). I'm sure oily-skinned folk will love having shimmer all over their face. But it's honestly not that terribly noticeable unless you're looking for it. Maybe I'm justa snob being picky.
You might notice in swatch of the Flawless Future that it includes little sparkles. This is the added "radiance" that Elizabeth Arden advertised in the form of mica, the stuff often used in mineral makeup and eyeshadow. Not that it's incredibly noticeable or that it turns you into a discoball, but it's still like...why? If I wanted shimmery skin, I'd put highlighter on (and only on certain parts of my face, not all over). I'm sure oily-skinned folk will love having shimmer all over their face. But it's honestly not that terribly noticeable unless you're looking for it. Maybe I'm just
My Experience
I have been using these products every evening for the past 3-4 weeks.
I have combination skin, in which my cheeks feel dry all day every day, and although I don't feel "hydrated" in my t-zone (forehead/nose/chin area), I do have to powder those areas if I'm wearing dewy or moisturizing foundation. I'm always looking for products that will make my skin feel soft and smooth and get rid of that feeling of tightness.
This product is designed to go on before any serums or moisturizer to boost other products' effects. I don't know how to prove if my products are working better than if I skipped this step, but I do like the way my skin feels after I apply it. This light, water-based lotion soaks in quickly, makes my skin feel soft, and contains a ton of great ingredients. Ceramides and cholesterol are great at building up the skin's defenses, while kerafin (think: kefir, the yogurt drink) is a probiotic that delivers good bacteria. I'm not a fan of the fragrance in this, both because I have sensitive skin and I just don't like my skincare products to be scented, but it's not terribly strong and I can't smell it on my face once I apply it. Some people enjoy skincare products with a pleasant fragrance, so if you like it then all the better.
I have combination skin, in which my cheeks feel dry all day every day, and although I don't feel "hydrated" in my t-zone (forehead/nose/chin area), I do have to powder those areas if I'm wearing dewy or moisturizing foundation. I'm always looking for products that will make my skin feel soft and smooth and get rid of that feeling of tightness.
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| Superstart Skin Renewal Booster |
This product is designed to go on before any serums or moisturizer to boost other products' effects. I don't know how to prove if my products are working better than if I skipped this step, but I do like the way my skin feels after I apply it. This light, water-based lotion soaks in quickly, makes my skin feel soft, and contains a ton of great ingredients. Ceramides and cholesterol are great at building up the skin's defenses, while kerafin (think: kefir, the yogurt drink) is a probiotic that delivers good bacteria. I'm not a fan of the fragrance in this, both because I have sensitive skin and I just don't like my skincare products to be scented, but it's not terribly strong and I can't smell it on my face once I apply it. Some people enjoy skincare products with a pleasant fragrance, so if you like it then all the better.
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| Flawless Future Powered by Ceramide Caplet Serum |
I originally used a sample of this product a few months ago and wasn't a huge fan. I didn't look into the ingredients at the time, but using it on its own, I didn't like how my skin felt. Having an almost water-like consistency, it absorbed very quickly, and afterwards my skin felt unpleasantly dry. However, once I partnered it with the Booster above, I found that symptom went away. It contains good ingredients that help repair the skin, like ceramides (as the name suggests).
I still find the inclusion of mica unnecessary (especially when using it at night--again, why?), but other than that I've been pleased with it so far. Oily-skinned folk might like how weightless it is, but not the shimmer once it dries.
The Verdict
Superstart Booster
Pros:
- Absorbs quickly
- Makes skin feel soft
- Plethora of great barrier-repairing ingredients
- Well thought-out packaging
Cons:
- Contains fragrance
- Pricey
Flawless Future Serum
Pros:
- Provides antioxidants and ceramides
- Pump packaging
- Fragrance-free
Cons:
- Glass packaging allows light to enter (and is very breakable, but that's a personal thing)
- Pricey
Overall, I've been enjoying this duo. I don't know if I would purchase the Flawless Future serum, just because it hasn't completely wow'd me, which it should considering the price. As someone with dry skin, I prefer serums that provide more hydration. Although it contains some good ingredients, I'm not a fan of the mica (or the thought of picking up all those little pearls if it jumps off my sink and onto the floor, but that's besides the point). I haven't seen a difference in my skin since including this, and there are just other serums I like more (that cost less!).
I think the Booster is very cool, with the innovative packaging and great blend of ingredients. They're both very pricey, but out of the two, I see myself springing for the Booster rather than the Serum. Not to say either is in my budget, but if you have the cash for one of these, you might like the Booster. I like the way it makes my skin feel soft and smooth. The fragrance isn't extreme, but you can smell it while applying it, and depending on your skin type, it might not make your skin very happy.
I'm curious to see if other brands make a similar product to the Booster, whether it be in the packaging or the purpose of boosting other products applied on top of it. I like the idea of trying products that soften the skin and allow the other products applied on top of it to work better. Now I'm curious!
Thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful to you. Let me know if there's a particular product you're interested in seeing reviewed next!
What serum(s) are you using right now?
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