Skincare review: Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skintones Discovery Kit

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Skincare review: Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skintones Discovery Kit

Full disclosure, before trying the Dr. Barbara Sturm Darker Skintones Discovery Kit ($150 CAD)  my skin was in good shape. This was merely curiosity on my part for trying these products. Here are a couple details that I want to share before beginning my review:

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  • Skin Type: Normal to Combination (Normal in the summer and dry forehead in the winter)

  • Skin Issues: none at the moment but previously had hormonal acne on my chin and jaw

  • Skin Tone: Dark (Makeup shades - Pat McGrath Foundation #31 and Fenty Beauty Foundation 430)  

The Darker Skintones discovery kit comes with a Foam Cleanser (50ml), Enzyme Cleanser (20g), Hyaluronic Serum (10ml), Face Cream (20ml), and Face Cream Rich (20ml). I used this kit for 6 weeks starting on July 5th, 2020. Out of this kit the best products in my opinion are the cleansers. The foam cleanser has a light fragrance of “fresh” and is gentle and soft on my face. The enzyme cleanser is a finely milled powder that you add drops of water to and creates a paste. This is a physical exfoliator which most people have moved away from in favour of chemical exfoliants. Personally I really liked this exfoliator, it didn't feel rough on the skin and my face didn’t feel stripped. For me, the hyaluronic serum was average on my skin. It did what it was supposed to do but my skin didn’t feel more hydrated than usual. I also found the face creams to be good but average.

My overall impression is that this is a solid skincare line if you don't have any specific skin issues, like hyperpigmentation or texture. The real downsides for me is the pricing and the lack of any difference in my skin. The discovery kit cost $150 CAD pre-tax, for the full sized foam cleanser (150ml) you’re paying $90 CAD and for the full sized hyaluronic serum (50ml) you’re $390 CAD, this is to illustrate that this is luxury skincare and unless you have the coins I don’t believe it is worth it. I didn’t experience any change in my skin since using these products. Which is great that I didn’t have a negative reaction but also disappointed, as I assumed that these luxury products would give me more glowing skin etc. 

I hope y’all found this review helpful and leave any comments below. 


Chau!

Beauty Bonus 1: Costco has a skincare section you need to raid!

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Discover & share this Tea GIF with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.

This week I stumbled upon something EXCITING! Costco is selling mid to high-end skincare for 15%-60% less than Sephora, Amazon, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Saks Fifth Ave. You can purchase these items on Costco.ca without a Costco membership.

Any of the items at Sephora that have a savings of 20% or more are a really good deal, as Sephora only has it’s 20% off sale twice a year. The items highlighted in green are an extra good deal and if you like the Sisley products listed they are a highway robbery if you buy them through Costco.

I’m not going elaborate on this to death, rather see the list of the available products and the savings below:

P.S. I think the skincare products that Costco.ca has in-stock change regularly, so a month or two from now some of these items may not be available. I will confirm in a couple of days!

Chau!

***Cover Photo credit: Photo by Audrey M Jackson on Unsplash

My skin is thirsty

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Toronto weather has really thrown us for a loop this year it felt like January for 3 months. Of course the weather change means that my body lotion/crème needs to be changed too. I'm currently using Aesop  Rejuvenate Intensive Body Balm as well as their Breathless Body Oil to keep me hydrated in this in-between weather situation (not hot but not cold enough to bust out the shea butter)...are they any body butters/lotions/crèmes that y’all are using?

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*key tip - when applying body oil or lotion make sure you do it right after the shower with your skin slightly wet, do not completely dry off. This way the product really locks in moisture and doesn't just sit on top of your skin.

DIY Body Oil for winter time

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I am a huge fan of body oils in the summertime as they are lightweight and hydrating without you feeling oily. This summer and fall I used 3 types of body oil, plain Almond Oil , Mint Apothecary Shimmer + Glow Body oil (which gives you an amber shimmer) and Aesop Body Oil.  The idea of using an oil in the winter was a little perplexing. To make it worst I haven’t been able to find a body cream that hydrates me and doesn’t sit on top of my skin. 

While listening to one of my favourite beauty podcasts - The Naked Beauty Podcast the host Brooke Devard suggested using a DIY body oil for the winter as well as a cream if you’re still feeling dry. I decided to give it a try and it has been amazing!

My DIY body oil is:

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●      ¼  Castor oil

●      ¼  Vegetable Glycerin

●      ½  Almond Oil

●      10 drops of grapefruit oil for scent

How I use my DIY Body Oil?

●      After showering do not towel dry!

●      I rub my DIY body oil all over my body and lightly towel off any excess water.

●      Then I use a body cream (I’m currently using the shea butter cream from The Body Shop) on my extra dry spots - elbows and feet.

Once I’m finished I throw on my robe and start on my face routine, makeup, hair, etc.By the time I’m ready to put on my clothes the body oil has been soaked into my skin and my body is ready to brave the winter :)

Winter Skincare Routine

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January is turning out to be the coldest start to 2018 and with that keeping my skin from cracking is the number one priority for the rest of the winter. For me like clothing, layering my face products is what keeps my face hydrated throughout the day. In the morning my face routine start in the shower. I just rinse my face as the prior evening I would have already exfoliated and cleansed.  Once I’m out of the shower (after I’ve moisturized my body) my routine looks like this:

Step 1. I start with The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2%  (hydration support) + B5 serum on my clean face and let it soak into my skin

Step 2. Once dried I use The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% (multifunctional brightening Formula cream all over my face (just enough for a thin layer)

{this is when I brush my teeth}

Step 3. Then, I use The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (surface hydration formula) cream in the areas of my face that tend to dry the most. My driest sports are my forehead, nose, and around my nose/mouth area

Step 4. Once I finish the above I spritz my face with some rose water, let that dry and finally I use an oldie but a goodie Pond’s Dry Skin cream. This formula is thick but not oily and keeps my face moisturized.

Step 5. If I decided to wear makeup I will normally go with my Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (oil free) in the winter time. I use primer even if I’m not using foundation but concealer or tinted moisturizer.

I started this routine back in november and it has kept my skin hydrated and soft. Also most of my dark spots are fading too.

 

Happy Wintering <3

3 Great face lotions for the winter

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So it’s -30 degrees celsius here in Toronto and if you’re panicking about how dry your skin is feeling here are three face creams at different price points that will get you through:

  1. Pond’s Dry Skin Cream - Not only is this face cream affordable it is thick without being oily and keeps you hydrated. Sometimes you can get a double pack for $7. Pond’s has been around since 1846 so you know you’re getting the real deal in this face cream. Cost: $5.97 at 190mL
  2.  Mario Badescu Buttermilk Moisturizer - This face cream is creamy but lightweight. This cream is great for someone who has combination skin. You’ll feel hydrated without feeling like you’re wearing yogurt on your face. Cost: $20 at 59mL
  3. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer - This is a thick ass cream that feels heavenly. I had a sample of this and felt like I just left the spa and it enabled me to use on less layer to my morning skincare routine.  If you’re feeling fancy I would buy this cream. Cost: $28 at 15mL

This was originally posted on January 3, 2018 

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