Anti-Aging

Sothys Hydra3HA Hyaluronic Acid Discovery Kit Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

I received the Hydra3HA Discovery kit from Sothys Canada / PozPub to test out. Our weather has been super cold so my skin needs a little extra hydration so I was excited to try out this hyaluronic acid based kit.

Sothys Hydra3HA Discovery Kit

The Hydra3HA Hyaluronic Acid Discovery Kit contains three products formulated with triple hyaluronic acid: the Hydrating Youth Cream, the Hydrating Comfort Youth Cream and the Hydra-Smoothing Mask. [info in italics taken from their press release and from the Sothys website]

Sothys Hydra3HA Discovery Kit

 

Well-moisturized skin appears visibly younger and stands up better to the test of time. Driven by the latest in advance research discoveries on its exclusive active ingredient, 1055 boletus extract, Sothys is now renewing its hydration programme with a triple hyaluronic acid.

Goal number one: To immediately restore moisture and protect the skin on a daily basis.

The Hydrating Youth Cream comes in two different textures: the Hydrating Youth Cream (light emulsion, for normal to combination skin) and the Hydrating Comfort Youth Cream (creamy balm, for normal to dry skin). Result: +53% hydration after 3 hours.

Sothys Hydra3HA Discovery Kit - Hydrating Youth Cream

My skin ranges from normal to dry, especially in the winter time, but I decided to test both of the Hydrating Youth Creams out, for several weeks now, and they are super hydrating.

Sothys Hydra3HA Discovery Kit - Hydrating Comfort Youth Cream

I especially like using the lighter Youth Cream in the mornings, under foundation and the balmier Comfort Youth Cream at night. Both play nicely with make-up though, for me it all depends on how much hydration my skin needs on any given day based on how cold the weather is.

Hydra-Smoothing Mask: This creamy mask instantly envelops the skin with softness upon application. The skin is hydrated, smoother, rejuvenated. Result: +60% hydration, and +30% smoothing.

Sothys Hydra3HA Discovery Kit - Hydra-smoothing Mask

I love hydrating masks, you can either wash it off after 15 to 20 minutes, or let it soak into the skin for a super hydration boost. Especially great for the winter weather!

Here’s a little info on the actives (triple Hyaluronic Acids):

1055 Boletus Extract: An exclusive, patented active ingredient from Sothys Advanced Research. Hyaluronic acid booster. Action on the barrier function. Action on moisture flow. Pro-youthfulness action. HPM Hyaluronic Acid in Patch Form + “Quenching” Active Ingredients: Surface action to form a protective film and progressively release the essential components of the NMF. HPM Hyaluronic Acid in Free Form: Selected for its surface protecting and water retaining action.

Sothys Hydra3HA Discovery Kit

As with all Sothys products, they are more scented than I prefer. This line is described as having a floral, aquatic, musky scent. I personally don’t smell any musk (thankfully, I’m not a fan of musky scents). The scent isn’t long lasting and it doesn’t trigger a reaction for me.

Thanks for reading

abrashattitude.com have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: In case you missed it at the beginning, this post contains PR samples, however my opinion is my own, based on my experience of using these products.

 

 

 

Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream Review

Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream
| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

The weather here in Montreal has been cold, cold, cold! And my skin is not happy, it is drier than normal. When PozPub reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try out the Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream, I (of course) said yes!  [info in italics taken from Sothys website]

Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream

Night after night, this concentration of technology with a pleasant fragrance acts deep inside the skin to help it erase the visible signs of daytime damage caused by the environment.

Stabilized Vitamin C – To stimulate cellular activity and visibly reduce the signs of ageing

Detoxifying Complex: Shea Polyphenols and Yeast Extract – To boost the body’s detoxification systems

Extract of Nasturtium rich in A-Glucans – To revive cells through the optimal use of oxygen

Benefits: The skin is smoother as you sleep, and in the morning, appears uncreased and luminous. Wrinkles are smoothed, signs of fatigue seem to be reduce. Youthful radiance appears revived.

After doing my usual skin patch tests on my wrist, and then on my neck or chest, I began using the nOctuelle Detox Cream at night.

I feel that Sothys really shines in their anti-ageing formulations. Your skin will look and feel different when you wake up after using this overnight detox cream. It hydrates and brightens while you sleep.

Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream

The packaging is heavy plastic, and comes with a little spatula for application.

Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream

As with all Sothys skincare that I’ve tried thus far, I find that it is a little more scented than I prefer, but it doesn’t trigger a reaction, and then scent fades quickly as the cream sinks into my skin.

Sothys nOctuelle Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream

Thanks for reading

abrashattitude.com have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: In case you missed it at the beginning, this is a PR sample. However my love of skincare and my opinions are entirely my own.

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets Gift Set Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello! I recently received a beautiful gift set from Sothys Canada / PozPub of the new Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets which contains La Crème (Cream) as well as La Creme Yeux-Lèvres (Eye and Lip Cream) from the Prestige / Premium line. I have reviewed the Crème Jeunesse from their regular line and used it all last winter. [info in italics taken from Sothys website and from the booklet included in the gift set]

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets - La Crème and La Crème Yeux-Lèvres

Les Secrets de Sothys line is made with “latest-generation active ingredients for a complete resolution that protects and visibly reveals the skin’s youthfulness”. Let’s take a look at the science behind the products:

  1. To visibly preserve youthfulness via Telomere Innovation (DNA sequences) with Red Algae, rich in Linear Galactanes to preserve cellular longevity, and via Vitagene Innovation with Peach Leaf Glucans to strengthen the skin’s natural defences.
  2. To visibly reveal youthful skin via Double Action Innovation on Lox Protein  and Intracellular Glycation and Cytoskeleton Innovation with Extract of Retinol-Like Chicory and Hypnea Algae Rich in Galactanes for skin structure (epidermis and dermis) and elasticity.

Packaging: 

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets - La Crème and La Crème Yeux-Lèvres

The packaging of the gift set is beautiful, with a double door opening and a black velvet flocked interior. The plastic jars are heavy and look beautiful.

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets - La Crème and La Crème Yeux-Lèvres

La Creme / The Cream:

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets - La Crème

This exceptional youth skincare reveals some of its secrets as soon as it is applied: its wonderful active texture forms a biomimetic satin film with a lifting effect on the skin’s surface and its delicate fragrance is an invitation to a feeling of well-being.

Day after day, this universal cream treats the skin to a complete action on youth to combat the visible signs of ageing. Record efficiency, day after day: – Smoothing: +37% (experimental scoring*) – Improved firmness: +30% (clinical measurements using a cutometer*) * on 20 people after 30 days of twice daily application

SothysSecrets7

This cream is super rich, but fast absorbing, great for normal to dry skin. I think that it might be too a little  heavy if you have oily skin. It leaves the skin with a very satiny feeling and seems to plump out / blur fine lines and wrinkles as it smooths the skin. It can be used as both a day cream and a night cream.

The Cream, however, is a little more scented than I prefer, but the scent does fade to nothing very quickly. It is a peachy, slightly floral scent. Thankfully it does not trigger a reaction in my sensitive skin.

La Crème Yeux-Lèvres / Eye and Lip Cream:

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets - La Crème Yeux-Lèvres / Eye and Lip Cream

This balm with a melting texture creates a smoothing film on the skin’s surface, bringing about a feeling of comfort and an immediate lift effect in the eye and lip contour.

Day after day, this 2-in-1 formula targets the specific problems of these two areas of the face which are extremely sensitive to ageing. Results that are visible: Number of wrinkles: -30% after 15 days and -38% after 30 days* Dark circles: -25% after 30 days** Puffiness: -17% after 30 days** * Instrumental measurements. Average results on the eye contour from 21 people after twice-daily use. ** Expert scoring. Average results on the eye contour from 21 people after twice-daily use.

Les Secrets de Sothys / Sothys Secrets - La Crème Yeux-Lèvres / Eye and Lip Cream

Now this targeted eye and lip cream is super rich. I’ve mostly only been using it as an eye cream, and it does help with fine lines and puffiness. It does help to brighten the undereye area somewhat, but I until I use it for a longer time, I won’t comment on dark circle effectiveness.

The Eye and Lip Cream plays nicely with my Becca Brightening Undereye Concealer, and  it does not have any added fragrance – which I like a lot – which means that it does not irritate my sensitive eyes.

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: PR samples, however my opinion is based on my personal experience of using the products.

 

Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello hello!

Today I have a review of the Viper Venom Eye Fix from Nip + Fab. I purchased this a few weeks ago and after doing my usual 24 hour skin patch test, I’ve since been testing it out [info in italics taken from the Nip + Fab website].

Nip+ Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix

A refreshing eye gel in a cooling roll-on applicator with wrinkle minimising LIFTONIN® + SYN®-AKE to smooth the appearance of fine lines + wrinkles around the eye area. Red Algae Extract reduces the look of dark circles for a radiance boosting effect. With Syn-ake, a revolutionary ingredient that works to smooth skin and liftonin for instant tightening.

Contains: syn®-ake: tenses + smoothes liftonin xpress: provides tightening effect [and] red algae: decreases the appearance of dark circles

Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix

I picked this one to purchase because it was an eye gel with properties of smoothing, radiance and reduction in dark circles. Some of the trade-marked ingredients sound like they were made up – like liftonin – that just makes me giggle.

Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix

I will say that the eye gel is cooling and hydrating when applied. The hydration helps to minimize fine lines. The Viper Venom Eye Fix adds radiance to the under-eye, which can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles, and it plays nicely with my Becca undereye corrector to help hide my allergy induced circles.

Nip + Fab Viper Venom Eye Fix

As well, it helps to de-puff my under-eye area – my allergies have been so much worse than usual this year! Normally my allergies are from the beginning of spring to late June / early July, but this year, they slacked off a bit in mid-to-late July, but came back in August and are still going strong. So I need all the help I can get to MINIMIZE the allergy effect.

I paid less than $20 CAD for this (I don’t recall the exact amount), but I think that is reasonable for an undereye product that doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes, and that both hydrates and helps to deal with my allergy puffiness and dark circles.

What is your favourite eye cream, serum or gel?

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: I purchased this!

Sothys Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I have a review of one of the new products from the Sothys nO2ctuelle Range that was sent to me from Sothys Canada and Poz Pub Inc. The newnO2ctuelle  range is targeted for nighttime usage. [info in italics taken from the Sothys Canada press release]

Sothys nO2ctuelle Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask

Lack of sleep, hectic lifestyle and daily aggression, put a strain on skin every day. Sothys tackles this problem with its night range, which takes visible action to counter environmental factors of ageing.

Because there is twice as much cellular renewal activity at night than during the day, Sothys developed a trio of winning products, to help the skin erase the visible signs of daytime damage caused by the environment, and visible work against premature skin ageing.

Sothys nO2ctuelle Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask

The line includes the Detox Resurfacing Overnight Cream ($109.50 CAD), the Relaxing Pillow Mist ($34.50 CAD) and the Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask ($62.50 CAD for eight 4ml masks).

Sothys nO2ctuelle Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask

A little bit about the Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask:

A formula packed with stabilized anti-ageing vitamin C plant extracts from oxygen-like nasturtium and active ingredients to capture light and promote skin wellness.

Ideally, apply 1 to 2 times per week instead of your usual cream and leave on the face and neck for 10 minutes. A new beauty routine and a first step toward letting go with a subtle fragrance that beckons sleep. A trifecta of citrus fruits are layered over a base of cedar and musk.

With vitamin C, nasturtium, chaste tree and lindera extracts, the Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask reduces the signs of ageing with a smoothing effect you can see from the first application. It requires a specific massage to improve its benefits: apply it with flattened palms to relaxing pressure points form the forehead to the base of the neck. Skin is visibly replenished and relieved from fatigue when you awaken.

Sothys nO2ctuelle Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask

I was able to get several uses from each of the mask packs that I received. Each time I used the Chrono-Destressing Sleeping Mask I woke up with glowing and smooth skin! I do wish that I had more packages of the sleeping mask, so I could test it out for a longer period of time!

Scent-wise it is very spa-like with its citrus, and cedar blend. I really cannot smell the musk (thankfully, as I don’t enjoy musk scents). The scent is very mild and disappears as the mask soaks into the skin. The fragrance did not trigger any sensitive skin reactions for me.

Sothys is available at institutes and spas across Canada (and worldwide).

I’ve previously reviewed some makeup from Sothys Fall Winter 2017 Collection (here) and their Crème Jeunesse / Youth Cream (here) if you want to check it out.

Disclosure: PR Samples from Sothys Canada / Poz Pub Inc, however my opinion (and sensitive skin) is very much my own.

Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I have a review of the Firming DMAE Moisturizer from Derma E. I purchased this moisturizer after using up one of the moisturizers in my stash and have been testing it out for several weeks. [info in italics taken from the Derma E website]

Derma E DMAE Firming Moisturizer

Visibly firm, lift and smooth skin with this skin-firming formula. Rich in moisture and nutrients, this nourishing cream contains ingredients shown to help addressing loss of elasticity. Our formula contains DMAE, known as nature’s firming agent, Alpha Lipoic Acid, known as the universal antioxidant and C-Ester plus moisturizing Jojoba Oil and nourishing Vitamins A and E. This replenishing formula leaves skin thoroughly hydrated, nourished and firmer-looking. Ideal for those who are looking to visibly firm and lift the face or neck. 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten-free, GMO-free.

This moisturizer suggests that you do a patch test before using due to Alpha Lipoic Acid can cause a reaction in some people’s skin. Because I have sensitive skin, I always do a patch test for new skincare, first on my arm, then on my neck before putting anything on my face these days.

It has a very faint tingle when applied. Not a “Danger! Face melting off!” tingle. The feeling is hard to describe. The closest feeling would be to that of a really gentle lip plumper.

Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer

It is very rich, and hydrating, but doesn’t feel heavy or greasy. And it makes my skin look super smooth! As an added plus, it works like a primer with my Deciem Serum Foundation, and various concealers in my stash. I haven’t tested it with any other foundations in my stash yet.

Derma E Firming DMAE Moisturizer

Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Plant Derived), Stearic Acid (Vegetable Derived), Glyceryl Stearate SE, Thioctic (Alpha Lipoic) Acid, Cetyl Alcohol (Plant Derived), Glyceryl Stearate Citrate (Vegetable Derived), Dimethyl MEA (DMAE), Polysorbate 20, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Ester), Panthenol (Provitamin B5), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Dimethicone, Allantoin, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance.

Overall I’m really happy with the Firming DMAE Moisturizer. I have my eye on a few cleansers that I would like to try once I finish up one more from my skincare stash.

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: I purchased this!

Sothys Crème Jeunesse / Youth Cream Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I have a review of the Crème Jeunesse  (Youth Cream) from Sothys Paris. Their Canadian PR team had me fill out a skin questionnaire and sent me one of the Youth Creams (Crème Jeunesse) to try out based on my answers.

Sothys Youth Cream

There are five different Youth Cream formulations –Vitality (fix for fine lines, loss of radiance), Wrinkle-Targeting (extend for wrinkles and tone), Firming (revive, loss of firmness, wrinkles),Restructuring (restore for slackening, dark spots, wrinkles), and Redensifying (regenerate for loss of vitality). I received a full sized jar of the Wrinkle-Targeting Youth Cream (Crème Jeunesse Rides Confort), as well as two sample sized tubes of the Redensifying and Restructuring Youth Creams. [Info in italics taken from the Sothys Paris website and Youth Cream Press Release]

 

The Wrinkle-Targeting Youth Cream is supposed to visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles, maintain the skin tone and preserve an even complexion.

Sothys Youth Creams / Crèmes Jeunesse contain BP3 Tri-Complex which combines two botanical active ingredients with new generation peptides […]taking a double action on the signs of aging: 1. Fight against oxidative stress. 2. Fight the signs of chronological aging. The polyphenols come from Saffron flowers.

Sothys Youth Cream

I started using the Youth Cream in the mornings for a few days on its own, before combining it with my usual morning serums. I then started using it at night on its own for a few days, before combining it with my evening serums.

The Youth Cream has a very mild scent – it reminds me of a cream that my grandmother had when I was a child – although I cannot recall what cream it was. It is mild enough that it doesn’t bother me.

Sothys Youth Cream

It is a rich facial cream, the comfort texture is geared more for drier skins and the light texture for normal to oily skin. I have the comfort texture and it is perfect for the colder weather as my skin tends to be dry at this time of year. I think that it would be too heavy for my skin in the summer months.

I think that the Youth Cream works well for smoothing out fine lines, and it works very well for hydration and combatting dry skin. My only complaint is that when I wear it with certain foundations, I find that I cannot skip setting my foundation with powder, or else my skin will look shiny in the t-zone (especially my nose).

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: PR samples, however my opinion is very much my own.

 

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I’m reviewing the final item from my October haul from The Ordinary – the Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA serum. [info in italics is taken from The Ordinary]

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Alpha Arbutin reduces the looks of spots and hyper-pigmentation. It’s used at a high 2% concentration versus a standard concentration of 1% and supported with a next-generation form of Hyaluronic Acid for enhanced delivery. Alpha Arbutin is much stronger in effect than Arbutin or Beta Arbutin.

Usage: Apply a few drops to face in the AM and PM as part of your skincare regimen. Use sun protection in the AM.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

I have a few spots of minor hyper-pigmentation on my face, so I thought that I would try this serum out.It doesn’t sting or irritate my sensitive skin.

I use this serum once a day in the morning, instead of the recommended twice a day (and admittedly, I do sometimes forget to use it). That being said, I am noticing that my hyper-pigmentation spots are slowly fading away. The results would probably be more pronounced if I used it both day and night, but I’m happy to be seeing some results.

 

TheOrdinary AA2 3

I apply this only to the hyper-pigmentation spots on bare skin before applying any of the other layers of serums, moisturizers, facial oils etc. It plays well with the other components in my skincare routine.

This the first serum that I’ve tried out for hyper-pigmentation, so I can’t really speak of its effectiveness compared to other treatments.

Have you tried anything for hyper-pigmentation? What do you use?

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: I purchased this!

The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% Review

| jodi - a brash attitude

Hello, hello!

Today I have a review of an antioxidant serum from The Ordinary – the Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%. [info in italics taken from The Ordinary] This is one of the products from my haul in late October.

 

This formula combines very high concentrations of two of the most powerful and important antioxidants in skincare: Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid. Resveratrol is a natural phenol found in several plants and our pure source is 100% derived from Japanese Knotweed. Ferulic Acid is a high-potency phytochemical antioxidant found naturally in walls of plant cells. 

Skincare formulations generally incorporate Resveratrol at 1% or less and Ferulic Acid at 0.5% or less. This formula contains each at 3%, an exceptionally high concentration. 

The Ordinary Reversatrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

Application:

Apply alone or after water-based serums, before oils or heavier creams. Alternatively, mix with other treatments to enhance their antioxidant capacity significantly. 

The Ordinary Reversatrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

I’ve tested this out on its own, with my Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% (review is here), and with various moisturizers. This is one of those products where a little goes a long way. The first time I used it, I applied way too much and it just never seemed to fully absorb into my skin!

The Ordinary Reversatrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%

I mainly use the R3F3 serum with my Vitamin C serum – it seems to help boost the brightening effect and helps deal with fine lines. If you layer your skincare, keep in mind the application order or else it won’t absorb well.

As an added plus, it doesn’t have a scent!

The Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% sells for $7.90 CAD (for 30ml).

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!

Disclosure: I purchased this, and my opinion is very much my own.