Here are a couple of short reviews on cosmetics I’ve been using recently:
LUSH HANDMADE SOAP: OUTBACK MATE
Last week, I reviewed a couple of products I bought at LUSH Cosmetics when I was at the Apple Store (here). Today, I will tell you about my experiences using the bar soap that I bought, Outback Mate.
The colors are what drew me in to choose Outback Mate, gorgeous deep and light blue and teal. I knew the colors would suit my light blue bathroom.
But what I didn’t consider is that deep colors like these often run down and drip underneath the bar soap onto my white bath surround. Although they so far come off the plastic, I have to continue cleaning up after I use the soap. Bummer. Worth considering unless you’re good at remembering to clean up your bath/shower after every use. Deep reds are the same, e.g. the heart-shaped red soap I bought before Valentine’s Day.
LUSH says the subtle fragrance is mint and eucalyptus. OK, I had no idea what it was. It isn’t a true ocean scent, but it has a light and gender neutral scent.
The soap lathers very easily and cleans very well. It doesn’t strip my skin, but I would say it’s not oily or hydrating either.
On the LUSH website, Outback Mate is sold in 3.5 oz. slices and it’s priced at $8.75. I could swear that I paid over $10 for it at the store, but maybe it was a thicker slice? Nevertheless, the bar was large so I cut it in half. It will last me quite a while.
The (pH)ix Vita C Primer Serum
A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed two skincare products from The (pH)ix, Peptide Serum and Caffeine Eye Cream, that I absolutely love (reviewed here). I had misplaced the third product when I cleaned up my bathroom for the cleaning people, but I recently found it.
Truth be told, I was all set to complain about a couple of “cosmetic” issues about the Vita C Primer Serum, the bottle, the wrapper, the spray,
but when I went to the website, it looks like at least two of those issues have been corrected! Yay!
- The glass bottle I received was clear, and now it’s brown to protect the efficacy of the Vitamin C.
- My bottle was wrapped in impossible to remove plastic. I understand that they need to protect it from leaking during transport since it did not have an outer box, but I spent a half hour trying to cut it off. If they still use the plastic wrapper, maybe they could add perforations that would make removal easier?
- My bottle has a spray top. I dislike spraying my face, so I would first spray my hand and then apply. Now it has a dosing dropper top. So much better.
Here’s The (pH)ix’s description:
“The Vita C Primer serum is your first step towards a flawless and radiant complexion. This water-based primer serum is a potent shield against environmental stressors, packed with Vitamin C serum and other antioxidants to protect and enhance your skin’s radiance.”
The Vitamin C serum that I’ve been using doesn’t specify “primer”, but I have used it as a serum along with my Cover FX Cream Foundation without a separate primer, and it seems to work. I use it primarily for the antioxidants and the additional hydration. Plus according to The (pH)ix, the serum contains light-reflecting particles that help blur lines and wrinkles.
The core ingredients in the Vita C Primer Serum include:
- a derivative of Vitamin C that is stable and effective without losing potency to air and light; it also has a pH that won’t adversely affect sensitive skin
- Vitamins B3, B5 and B6: antioxidants that protect and repair UV-damaged skin, attract hydration and reduce redness and the pores
- hyaluronic acid: attracts hydration to skin
- Vitamin E: also protects skin from free-radicals/U-V damage.
The (pH)ix website lists the following benefits resulting from the above core ingredients as well as other ingredients listed below:
- Brightens and evens skin tone
- Creates a smooth, flawless base for makeup
- Enhances the longevity of your makeup
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores
- Provides antioxidant protection
- Hydrates and nourishes the skin.
What I have personally noticed after using this serum is that my skin looks brighter, feels softer and smoother. It’s a very nice serum.
So far, this is another winning skincare product from The (pH)ix. The only question I have is what percentage Vitamin C is in this formula? These days when other skincare brands are touting their specific percentage Vitamin C at 15%-25%, it just makes me wonder where this C serum falls. I will try to contact the PR folks and see if I can get an answer.
In the meantime, the one ounce Vita C Primer Serum is sold on The (pH)ix website for $28.
Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Carrageenan, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Maltodextrin, Pyridoxine HCl (Vitamin B6), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Mica, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Potassium Sorbate, Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Sodium Polyacrylate, Cellulose Gum, Silica, Titanium Dioxide
BTW, I just realized that I am a member of ShareASale, and sometimes their links are connected to sale prices. I’m not sure if this Products On Sale link is still working, but it’s worth a try! Here’s another link for the Vita C Primer Serum.
I bought the (ph)ix eye cream and can’t tolerate the fragrance. I know you said it had fragrance but I never expected it to smell that bad. When I’ve used it I’ve been sure to put my moisturizer over it to tone down that aroma.
I am so sorry, Marcia. That’s why I made a point of the cucumber fragrance. Although for me, it’s a mild scent that disappears shortly after application. I was afraid that it would be too much for you. I should have been more forceful in my warning. Unfortunately, the eye cream was the more expensive of the two products, boo!
Hi, Allison – The puddling soap doesn’t sound like something I’d want; I’m already battling the Dove moisture soap my husband likes. But the serum sounds really good, especially since it also acts as a primer. I don’t end up using my primers much because I always feel short on time. Reading your blog not only alerts me to great products, but also reminds me to add things to my routine! Thanks for your thorough reviews so we know what works – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Yes, the dripping blue and teal is sort of a drag even though it’s so pretty 😉😕
That is an excellent point about pigmented soaps, and it really is such a bummer! I really need to try these (pH)ix products, and that mist sounds especially refreshing in this high heat! Thanks for this insightful review, Allison!
The (pH)ix Vita C Primer Serum can be used as you said as a cooling mist. But the new bottle has a dropper pump. But it’s great as an every day primer as well as a C setum!