For Christmas in 2020, I decided to indulge myself with a luxurious advent calendar, and after much anticipation, I settled on the one from CultBeauty. It featured most of the products I had either planned on purchasing or wanted to test out. After spending six hours refreshing the site, I finally managed to secure one. Just five minutes later, they were completely sold out.
Overall, I’m thrilled with these products! I would definitely consider buying this type of gift again in the future. However, there were a few repetitive items, such as three blushes, one of which I already owned, and two of which were quite similar and not to my taste. Consequently, I ended up selling or giving away about seven products from the calendar that didn’t resonate with me. It’s akin to buying an album (remember those?), where it’s rare to love every song, but at least I could find new homes for these products.
I haven’t had the chance to test out all the products yet. Items like the Jordan Samuels Retinol Oil, Oskia lactic acid peel, and Herbivore Prism glow serum will have to wait. I currently have a few retinoids and chemical exfoliants in rotation that need to be used up before I open a new bottle. Stay tuned for a “part two” series or they’ll be featured individually as I explore them further.
Contents
Because this turned into an incredibly long post, click below to get to the review you’re most interested in:
- Glow Recipe Banana Souffle (DISCONTINUED)
- 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Booster
- Votary Super Seed Oil
- Dr Dennis Gross B3Adaptive Stress Serum
- Dr Barbara Strum Night Serum
>>> Check out Part 2 <<<
Glow Recipe | Banana Souffle
Discontinuation Notice
Update 2022: Unfortunately, this moisturizer has been discontinued. Fortunately, the Glow Recipe Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is strikingly similar in both texture and formula–swapping out the banana for plum instead.
Overview
The Glow Recipe Banana Souffle is touted for its calming and hydrating properties. With a jelly souffle consistency and a sweet banana scent, opinions on the fragrance vary. Personally, I found the scent pleasant and not overpowering. Packed with calming, soothing, and hydrating ingredients, this moisturizer was a delightful surprise.
Glow Recipe is one of those brands that’s been on my radar but didn’t interest me enough to consider. Like, the Banana Souffle wasn’t really the selling point of this advent calendar for me.
Packaging Woes
As a follower of Paula Begun’s skincare teachings, I have reservations about the jar packaging. Its narrow neck makes it difficult to retrieve the product efficiently, leading to potential overuse. Despite this drawback, the 25ml jar lasted me approximately 2 months, though I expected it to endure for at least 3 months. With that said. I probably enjoyed this product the most out of all the contents of the advent calendar. It simply does what it says it does (at least for my skin).
Experience and Recommendation
Despite my initial skepticism, the Glow Recipe Banana Souffle exceeded my expectations! It effectively delivers on its promises, particularly for my skin type. Among the contents of the advent calendar, this moisturizer stood out as a potential repurchase. Its reasonable price point aligns with my preferences, considering my usual skincare choices. I’ve been using expensive stuff like Allies of Skin Peptides Daily Treatment, but only because I found it on 50% off or more. Otherwise, I will usually use boring and simple stuff from the apothecary to moisturize and spend more on serums.
Final Verdict
I highly recommend giving the Glow Recipe Banana Souffle (or the now called Plum Plum Cream) a try, especially if you’re seeking a new moisturizer. While it’s best suited for normal to combination/oily skin types, those with drier skin will benefit by adding a drop of face oil. Overall, this product has piqued my interest in exploring more from the Glow Recipe brand.
111Skin | Rose Gold Radiance Booster
Described as a radiance booster that soothes and hydrates while imparting a radiant, illuminated finish, the 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Booster is an extension of their popular Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask. Key ingredients include niacinamide, rose water, and gold. Despite containing fragrance, its scent is barely perceptible.
Initial Excitement
I was eager to try this serum, as 111Skin is a brand I’ve heard of but hadn’t explored extensively. The promise of gold shimmers to enliven the skin and add radiance seemed ideal for the winter months. The serum can be used alone or mixed with a regular moisturizer.
Experience and Assessment
While I haven’t experimented much with similar products, I found that the 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Booster didn’t deliver the expected glow. Despite my dry winter skin, the serum failed to hydrate or soothe effectively. The glow it provided faded quickly once my moisturizer was absorbed. While it contains some nourishing ingredients, they weren’t sufficient for my skin’s needs.
Final Verdict
Though I’m glad to have tried this expensive and luxurious product, it didn’t offer any standout benefits that would prompt me to repurchase. Additionally, I wouldn’t recommend it, as there are more affordable alternatives that likely perform better. While some other products from 111Skin may seem intriguing, I’m skeptical about their value for money. However, I wouldn’t complain if another 111Skin product were included in a future advent calendar.
The 111Skin Rose Gold Radiance Booster falls short of its promises and fails to deliver significant results. I would not recommend purchasing this product.
Votary | Super Seed Oil
I wasn’t very familiar with the brand Votary prior to the Advent Calendar. However, I noticed a surge in discussions about the brand, particularly regarding this product. The Votary Super Seed Oil is marketed for dry, delicate, and irritated skin types and comes in a full-size bottle without a pipette.
Composition and Usage Experience
While the Super Seed Oil is indeed expensive, the bottle contains a generous amount that lasts a long time. After three months of use, I’ve only used about a quarter of the bottle. The oil comprises various oils, with grape and pumpkin seed oil forming the base. Calendula flower extract adds a soothing element to the blend. While the mix is impressive, I find it slightly excessive to include so many different oils.
The consistency of the oil is somewhat thick, making it suitable for winter use. I prefer to mix 2-3 drops with my moisturizer, though I anticipate being able to use it alone during more humid weather.
Expectations versus Reality
Despite the product’s popularity, I was underwhelmed after incorporating it into my routine. While it’s a decent oil, I fail to see why it’s fallen on many people’s wishlists. For me, it was just another oil that would replace The Ordinary’s B Oil when I was done with it. Other oils like jojoba and rosehip offer similar benefits. I appreciate that it lacks fragrant essential oils, a common feature in many expensive face oils. Additionally, the inclusion of calming calendula extract is a positive aspect. However, I struggle to justify its £70 price tag.
Perhaps some added fragrance would enhance the luxurious feel of the product. Or at least pimp it up with an oil-soluble vitamin C or some intriguing extract–as experienced with the Korres Black Pine Oil (review here).
Final Thoughts and Verdict
As an experienced face oil user, I remain unimpressed. It seems the founder aimed to create an expensive product by blending numerous oils, which, in my opinion, is unnecessary. While I don’t dislike the Super Seed Oil, I don’t believe it offers substantial value for its price. Instead, I’d consider exploring Votary’s Broccoli Seed and Peptides serum, which boasts more active ingredients.
While I have mixed feelings, I still find the Super Seed Oil likable and would recommend it. However, considering its price, I don’t consider it particularly exceptional.
Dr Dennis Gross | B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Rescue Super Serum
The Dr. Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive SuperFoods Stress Rescue Super Serum was a product I eagerly anticipated trying to address my acne flare-ups. Its intriguing formulation includes niacinamide, although the exact percentage remains unclear. Additionally, it boasts a blend of superfoods and adaptogenic herbs purported to combat stress-related aging.
Application and Experience
Upon application, the serum emits a strong scent of turmeric, which, fortunately, dissipates quickly. As someone not particularly fond of turmeric’s aroma, this detracted from my enjoyment of the product. It is best applied to slightly damp skin, as it absorbs rapidly and surprisingly lacks hydrating properties. While I hoped for a serum that would both hydrate and calm, its focus seems primarily on soothing and providing antioxidants.
Suitability and Effects
Marketed as suitable for all skin types, the serum does succeed in reducing redness, albeit with varying results depending on the severity of the condition. While it effectively lessened redness and improved overall complexion, its impact on inflamed acne spots was disappointingly minimal. Despite its inability to address breakouts directly, it did enhance my tolerance to high-strength retinol, mitigating potential irritation.
Comparison and Recommendation
In texture and function, the B3 Adaptive Stress Super Serum bears resemblance to NIOD Modulating Glucosides. However, I found the latter to be more effective at calming acne, making it a viable alternative for those deterred by the former’s price point. Conversely, if NIOD’s serum caused irritation, the B3 Adaptive Rescue Serum may be worth exploring.
Final Verdict
For individuals intrigued by adaptogenic herbs in skincare and grappling with significant redness, the Dr. Dennis Gross B3 Adaptive Rescue Serum warrants consideration, as it may offer relief. Alternatively, the NIOD Modulating Glucosides presents a compelling alternative, delivering comparable results at a lower cost. Ultimately, the decision hinges on personal preferences and skincare needs.
Dr. Barbara Strum | Night Serum
The Dr. Barbara Strum Night Serum stands out as one of the most expensive products included in the Advent Calendar, with a full-size bottle costing approximately €270 (about my monthly rent!). Given its hefty price tag, one naturally expects miraculous results.
Ingredients and Claims
This regenerative serum focuses on barrier repair, boasting a lineup of active ingredients such as Cotton Thistle extract, Cassia Alata extract, Beta-glucan, Poria Cocos, and plankton extract. These ingredients are purported to improve skin quality, aid in skin recovery post-invasive treatments, reverse sun damage, and reduce signs of aging.
Dr. Barbara Strum | Night Serum
Introduction and Pricing
The Dr. Barbara Strum Night Serum stands out as one of the most expensive products included in the Advent Calendar, with a full-size bottle costing approximately €270. Given its hefty price tag, one naturally expects miraculous results.
Of course, the price point always makes me more skeptical about a product as my expectations get much higher. So naturally, my tone will be slightly more passive-aggressive here. Especially when I feel like the product’s claims and ingredients seem much overvalued.
Ingredients and Claims
This regenerative serum focuses on barrier repair, boasting a lineup of active ingredients such as Cotton Thistle extract, Cassia Alata extract, Beta-glucan, Poria Cocos, and plankton extract. These ingredients are purported to improve skin quality, aid in skin recovery post-invasive treatments, reverse sun damage, and reduce signs of aging.
Application and Experience
One notable issue arises with the recommended usage of the serum, as Dr. Strum advises applying “a pipette length,” which seems extravagant for such a pricey product. There’s a video showing how much to take. Despite its emollient nature, only a couple of drops suffice for the entire face and neck. Following the prescribed amount, a sample would last a mere week, while the full-size bottle might stretch to a month, significantly less than the usual two to three months expected from similar products.
Despite these concerns, the serum does deliver on its promises of hydration and barrier function. It leaves the skin feeling soft and calm by morning, and a more liberal application likely results in enhanced hydration and plumpness. However, its exceptional performance doesn’t necessarily justify its exorbitant price tag.
Evaluation and Conclusion
While the serum offers unique benefits, there are comparable products on the market that yield similar results at a fraction of the cost. For those with deep pockets, investing in this serum might be feasible, but for many, there are more cost-effective options available. As for myself, while I acknowledge its efficacy, I find it difficult to justify incorporating it into my daily routine given its price point.
Final Verdict
If you have the means to splurge on skincare, the Dr. Barbara Strum Night Serum might be worth considering. As there is no other product like it at the moment, However, there are other products in the same price range that I personally find more appealing, such as the Medik8 r-Retinoate Intense. Again, from an objective point of view, there’s nothing essential about the effect this serum gives that you can’t get from other sources.
