Skin care products give us hope – hope that with the next night cream purchase our fine lines will disappear; that with the perfect eye cream our dark circles will vanish; and again, we will have the "Fresh Glow of Youth!"
The real question – Does the Price = Performance?
“In my experience, it depends,” says Dr. Brian Zelickson, MD, dermatologist and Founder of MD Complete Skincare. “I see great products that are both reasonably priced and extremely high-priced, just as I see poor products in both price categories.” The bottom line: “Read the ingredient list, look at product reviews, and check the website to see if there are clinical studies to back up their claims,” he says.
Here is what we found from the Research Pros.
JUNE BEAUTY
Based on the ingredients list, this StriVectin treatment contains a marginally higher dose of retinol than the RoC.
However, the RoC product offers extra glow-inducing properties, including glycolic acid.
On the front end, you can see results from both (used consistently for eight weeks, that is) – namely, a more radiant complexion and smoother skin. Even though the RoC is a fifth of the price, it isn’t five times less effective.
The key ingredient is Royal Jelly which we find in both Guerlain and Burt’s Bees moisturizers. Both feel hydrating and nourishing. The formulas are lightweight, non-greasy and fast-absorbing. Of course, you can’t compare the elegance of packaging. The Guerlain Jar definitely wins, but is it worth ten times more?
SPLURGE VS SAVE
by The FUSE
Beauty Team
BEAUTY What's Trending?
$122. VS $22.
Argan oil promises to treat and moisturize irritated, dry and aging skin. In its purest form, it’s an ancient cure-all. It’s pretty easy to evaluate whether or not your argan oil is authentic, because pure argan oil should list just one ingredient: argan oil (aka, Argania Spinoza Kernel oil).
Both of these Josie Maran and Physician’s Formula products fit that bill – and each feels nourishing, smells lovely and makes skin look utterly dewy.
$18. VS $180.
$15. VS $48.
NON-TOURING!
Our complexions might have felt oppressed by heavy contouring makeup in years past, but not this Season. We're skipping that step entirely in favor of the new low-maintenance beauty trend: non-touring.
Not only will your face feel like it can breathe when you try non-touring, you'll also be delighted by how simple the technique is. It consists of only three steps that even a makeup amateur can grasp:
1. Start with a Primer. We like Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer, $36, Sephora. Using a primer with a major shimmer quality will only help you achieve the perfect dewy glow.
2. Follow with Lightweight Coverage. Try Perfecting Skin Tint, $26, Glossier. This moisturizing skin tint is lightweight, and gives just a hint of color.
3. Add a Highlighter. Becca X Jaclyn Hill Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, $38, Sephora. We recommend highlighting on the planes of the face where light would hit naturally—above the cheekbones, under the brow bone, down the bridge of the nose, and on the cupid's bow.
DONE, DONE, and DONE! Told you. 3 Simple Steps!
Are you using too much product? This one seems like a no-brainer; but it’s easy to get carried away with product.
There’s a correct amount for everything. You may be using way more of that volumizing mousse or smoothing cream than you need to, resulting in sad, weighed down hair that accumulates grease and grime much faster than it should.
It’s always a good rule to apply less than you think you’ll need—you can always add more if necessary. But once you’ve slathered on far too much of that serum, there’s no going back.
Also, make sure you are not applying the wrong products to the wrong places. Some styling products are meant for your roots, while others are meant to be applied to your lengths and ends. The general rule is that anything meant for volumizing goes closer to the scalp, while oils, serums, and smoothing creams should only be applied to the ends of the hair.
BEAUTY TIP
