Cattier Touch'Express

RRP: between £5.50 and £5.98 for 5ml (excluding postage costs)
Retails at: a selection of online outlets, including www.mondebio.co.uk and www.apotheke-international.co.uk

--What does the promo say?--
"The Cattier Touch’express purifies and neutralizes imperfections, relieves blemishes, and soothes. Its antiseptic formula dries out spots and cleanses and soothes the epidermis."

--Packaging--
Comes in a slightly cumbersome cardboard contraption, which to its credit does adequately convey the benefits of the product in cartoon form. Throw the cardboard bit away and you are left with a sophisticated, simple, pharmaceutical-style tiny white pump-action canister with blue writing on it.

--Application--
While it is advised to spray this directly onto the individual blemishes, and while this is certainly possible, too much oil is perhaps dispensed per spritz to deal with just one spot, so if you have a particularly severe case of acne, it seems more efficient and effective to spritz once onto each cheek and then rub over the whole face, taking care to avoid the eyes and lips (do this before moisturising, but after cleansing and toning).

--Scent--
The smells of the principal ingredients - rosemary, tea tree, and mint - are staple ingredients of products for acneic skin, and all come across strongly, with the rosemary providing a nice, quite different kick. The overall smell is quite strong so be warned!

--Appearance--
A clear oil. No visible residue is left on the skin after use.

--Texture and consistency--
Rubs into the skin well, especially in tandem with the moisturising stage. Does not transfer too much too hands; not greasy or uncomfortable.

--Effects on the skin--
Immediately after application, skin feels cooled, refreshed and treated. Long-term, I noticed some improvement in my skin, but as with many skincare products for my skin type, I have found that it hits a plateau of effectiveness, although this perhaps says more about the severity of my own skin condition than about the quality of the product itself.

--Value for money--
Unfortunately, one canister of this oil does not last very long (only 4-6 weeks), and bought in France for its RRP there (€8) at the current exchange rate, value for money goes down more. It would need to work miracles for me given that stock needs to be replenished so often, and it hasn't done so, which is a shame. The price is not unreasonable overall, though, and other products from Cattier's range give you a bit more for your buck. For better value for money, Clinique's Anti-Blemish Solutions Clear Blemish Gel (£12) is recommended.

perfect partners
Purifying Lotion, £4.90/200ml
Purifying Mask, £4.95/75ml
Purifying Cleansing Gel, £6.25/200ml
Purifying Gel Cream, £6.25/50ml

Liz Earle Mineral Sun Cream SPF20

RRP: from £6.50

--What does the promo say?--"Perfect for all the family, our light, non-greasy mineral sun cream reflects rather than absorbs harmful UVB and UVA rays which can lead to skin damage and premature ageing."

--Packaging--The purple colour of the plastic tube is attractive and unusual for a suncare product. The flip top lid is secure and the information given on the front and back of the tube is simple and easy to follow.

--Application--Apply liberally to clean, dry skin; rub in until fully absorbed. All very normal - however, application is not always completely easy as the cream is very stiff, and so doesn't rub in as effortlessly as mainstream brands of suncream.

--Scent--There is a very natural scent to this suncare product, which I believe comes chiefly from the green tea and shea butter that it contains. Subtle and unisex, it's not at all invasive and definitely beats the commercial suncream smell.

--Appearance--This, too, is also unlike the usual sunscreens that you see, but not necessarily in a good way; the lotion is an unattractive pale brown/beige colour which, while it is does not result in any visible residue on the skin, could initially put some people off. However, the fact that it is perhaps a more natural colour (rather than the doctored bright white that we are used to seeing dispensed from suncream tubes and bottles) may have the opposite effect for some.

--Texture and consistency--As previously mentioned, this 'cream' is very stiff and not always easy to rub in. Prepare to put some back into it! However, despite this, it does absorb well. Good things come to those who wait...

--Protection factor--At SPF 20, this should suit even children and the fair-skinned. It lasts well on the skin, preventing sun damage, redness and burning. However, the fact that it is not waterproof may be a major downside for some, as it would mean reapplying the product repeatedly before and after contact with water. Nevertheless, I have not tested this aspect of the product yet, so who knows? I could be pleasantly surprised to find that the warning of it not necessarily being waterproof is just the company covering their backs. We'll find out when I hit the swimming pool this weekend.

--Value for money--Some obvious downsides - such as the potential lack of any waterproof quality, and the offputting colour of the cream - may deter some from purchasing this product. However, when you buy a mineral product, you accept that it is likely to be more natural than many normal off-the-shelf products, so some of these disadvantages are just the trappings of choosing to buy a more natural product. Technology may also develop in future so that a naturally nicer-looking and waterproof sunscreen is possible. However, despite these possible pitfalls, you are getting a high quality natural product that does work and that is barely more expensive than high street suncreams (Liz Earle's £18.50 150ml tube compares quite favourably with brands such as Soltan, Clarins and Piz Buin).

perfect partnersSun Shade Botanical After Sun Gel, £13/200ml
Sun Try-Me Kit, £15.50
*I was sent this product as part of Liz Earle's New Suncare Offer, which contains a full size Mineral Sun Cream, a full size After Sun Gel, a 75ml Foot Spritzer, a 15ml Foot Scrub, a 15ml Foot Moisturiser, and a mini tote bag, costing £33.75 in total. More reviews coming soon!

Arbonne Creme Concealer

--What does the promo say?--
"Masks imperfections, fine lines, dark circles and puffiness with a velvety formula that dries to a powdery soft finish."

# of shades available: 3 (light - medium - dark)
£16/2.2g

--Packaging--
While the packaging seems robust, it lacks the wow factor somewhat and a mirror inside it (even though it would of course only be a small mirror - this is a very tiny and portable concealer compact) would perhaps be preferable to the lacklustre plastic window Arbonne has as part of the lid. It's also very 'fingerprinty' - much like Guerlain's compacts - so don't expect this to stay looking clean. These are only superficial problems, however.

--Application--
Once you've done your usual routine (washing your face, and then applying face primer and eye primer if you use them), use your finger or a concealer brush to target blemishes or imperfections. This is easy enough to do; the concealer blends well and doesn't feel greasy on your fingers if this is how you're applying it.

--Scent--
None.

--Texture and consistency--
Silky smooth and dries powder-light, as promised.

--Appearance and Coverage--
I'd normally be sceptical of face cosmetics that only come in three shades, and I stand by that. However, I'm lucky that the 'light' shade is perfect for me: it blends with my skin tone flawlessly. However, this is not to say that it's completely perfect; it doesn't always cover up really bad blemishes 100% and I feel that in this regard I have used better concealers (mainly by the now-defunct Prescriptives and by Clinique). Nevertheless, I'm aware that many people will not have blemishes that are as bad as mine and so for them it's unlikely to be of concern.

--Longevity--
On this score, now, this concealer fares excellently: it compensates for any weaknesses in coverage by lasting all day long. You definitely won't need to retouch during the day with this, and it's wonderful to not have to think about it.

--Value for money--
I won't lie: this is definitely not cheap; BUT a quick sweep of the Boots website reveals that plenty of mainstream brands are more expensive, including Dior, Estée Lauder, Benefit and Lancôme. Even Olay's concealers are at times more expensive, so while this perhaps isn't intended for Maybelline fans, I'd still say that's pretty spanking value for money there. It's a long-lasting concealer that wears beautifully, and people with oily skin (who normally should avoid liquid or creme foundations and concealers - although that's not a rule that I'm very good at adhering to myself) just might have struck gold here. Price-wise, it's easily on a par with Clarins and Fashion Fair, while possibly even exceeding them in quality.

perfect partners
Mineral Foundation, £26
Pressed Powder, £25
Tinted Moisturiser, £24
Liquid Foundation, £29
Makeup Primer, £24

Don't Go To The Aftershave Counter Without Me

SPONSORED CONTENT

In the previous article in my perfume series, I mentioned the dauntingness of the perfume counter for women. However, it's also not always the most comfortable place for men either, and this is perhaps magnified by the fact that they perhaps feel that they shouldn't even being going into perfumeries at all. Boots or Debenhams is one thing; a specialist perfume store is quite another.

I also talked in my previous article about some of the negative attributes of salespeople in these shops; however, this is not to say that it's all bad. The UK and US' customer service is perhaps second to none, and it's something I've really missed since moving to France (where in the job for life culture, shop assistants do have a tendency to act like they're doing you a favour, and know that almost no matter what they do they'll still keep their job). If you're not sure about what to buy (which is perhaps especially true for men, given that they are often not as predisposed as women to be seduced by prettyful packaging), then you shouldn't be scared to talk to a sales assistant - many are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Nevertheless, as I have discussed in the past, there is nothing wrong with having some idea of what you're looking for before you begin, hence my little tour of the fragrance wheel, started in May.

While women's fragrances are likely to encompass all areas of the fragrance wheel, men's are likely to only fall into two or three categories, perhaps favouring woody and oriental scents over fresh and fruity ones (though that isn't to say that there aren't aftershaves that fall into these latter categories - Hermès in particular is a brand that thrives with its fruity and fresh fragrances, perhaps due to its marketing strategy of publicising them as unisex rather than specifically as male or female perfumes). Yves St Laurent aftershave boasts another wide range of scents, showing even as an example of just one brand that there really is a fragrance out there for every man. Kouros provides a highly 'woody' experience, featuring cedar wood and camphor wood, while still making mild forays into freshness with eucalyptus and into the oriental zone with incense. Woods mixed with spices come to men in the forms of La Nuit de l'Homme and (perhaps YSL's most famous fragrance?) Opium pour Homme. However, even at YSL things can still get floral and fruity for men: Jazz offers notes of rose and carnation alongside the heavier leather, Pour Homme incorporates lemon and lavender with those now-familiar woody elements, and lavender and rosemary meet clove and vetiver in Rive Gauche Homme. There - I bet you're feeling better about this whole aftershave thing already.

And now for an entirely subjective top 5 aftershaves from the man of the house:
Hermès Terre D'Hermès ("A woody, vegetal and mineral eau de toilette")
Dior Fahrenheit ("warm, subtle, and distinguished". Contains: nutmeg, sandalwood, cedar, patchouli...)
Chanel Allure Homme Sport ("Possesses a blend of vetiver, amber, neroli, Atlas cedar...")
Cartier Roadster (bergamot, mint, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver)
Dior Dune ("This masculine scent possesses a blend of leaves, basil, mandarin, moss, sage and cedar")
Hermès Voyage ("a woody fresh musky scent")

Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash

RRP: £4.99

--What does the promo say?--
"The unique formula in the Visibly Clear® Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash helps to effectively reduce blackheads and spots whilst the pleasant burst of grapefruit scent gives a much needed pick-me-up, leaving skin clearer and fresh. It also contains patented MicroClear® Technology, which offers a fast and effective solution for clearer and healthier looking skin. As you may know spot-causing bacteria can lie deep in the pores, but oil on the surface can make it difficult for spot-fighting ingredients to penetrate. MicroClear® Technology uses powerful sebum-dissolving agents to break through the oil, so that the spot fighting ingredient salicylic acid can penetrate further to help clear spots and prevent future breakouts."

--Packaging--
A simple, clear, pump-action plastic bottle that speaks for itself by showing the natural pink of the gel glowing from within.

--Application--
One pump of the gel into wet hands is enough to work up a good lather. Rub over your face and then rinse off with warm water.

--Appearance--
A translucent pink gel that (perhaps sadly) lathers white. No visible residue is left on the face after rinsing.

--Scent--
Definitely very grapefruity :) Very refreshing and stimulating.

--Texture and consistency--
Very smooth and lathers quite well into a fine foam; not at all lumpy or irritating.

--Effects on the skin--
Skin outwardly appears calmer with less redness. In terms of reducing spots, it does do this to an extent, with some improvement being obvious, but I still found my skin to be a little oilier than I would like it to be. However, I'm aware that I'm a fairly 'extreme' case (having suffered with acne for the past 14 years) and that others may therefore see more dramatic results. It is also worth noting, though, that I have been using this product in conjunction with Lush's Tea Tree Toner and Paradise Regained Moisturiser, neither of which I have ever found to be very effective but am just trying to use up - meaning that perhaps if this cleanser was used in tandem with more effective products (such as Neutrogena's Pink Grapefruit Scrub, which is also coming out in July), the cleanser's full healing potential could be realised.

--Value for money--
I'll be honest - I had never really had a good impression of Neutrogena in the past, lumping it in my mind with other products of its price bracket that I have previously found to be ineffective, such as Oxy and Clearasil, but feel after using this product that I have been proved wrong, having seen some improvement during this trial. Most people (i.e. those with less severe and persistent acne than my own) should see impressive results with this product, so at £4.99, I'd say it's definitely worth a try. With a bit of luck, Neutrogena will also expand the range with toners, creams and masks to provide a fully comprehensive routine.

perfect partners
Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Scrub, £4.99 (out in July)

Cosmetics & Beauty News: May 2010

S-s-s-slither into s-s-s-summer
Makeup and skincare companies are always trying to outdo each other with weirder and more wonderful products to tempt their clientele, and Rodial may just have done it with their newest innovation of Glamoxy Snake Serum. The neuropeptides it contains mimic snake venom to allegedly incite stunning anti-ageing results. At £125 for 25ml, however, it certainly isn't cheap. For those with money to burn only.

Topshop makeup hits the shelves
With fashion outlets H&M and ASOS already offering makeup ranges, it's perhaps surprising that Topshop is so far behind on this trend. It's about time they caught up, so let's hope that their first makeup range is worth the wait. Featuring dazzling and contemporary colours at affordable prices, they're sure to have young afficionados flocking. I'd personally be wary of the skin products, as at present they only offer three or four shades, but the glittering colours and zebra-print style packaging available across the range should still prove attractive to most.

Burt's Bees Goes To Brazil
To celebrate the new launch of its Açai Berry lip balm, Burt's Bees is giving away a trip to Brazil in its competition. Enter from now until the end of 2010 to win such delights as a $250-value Burt's Bees gift basket as well as an all expenses paid luxury trip to Brazil. So, if you're a US reader, go here to enter: http://burtsbees.promo.eprize.com/acai/?affiliate_id=homepage

Celebrity faces
As well as Lancôme signing Penelope Cruz as the face of fragrance Trésor, Pur Minerals has also just signed Jackie Gomez (Beyoncé's favourite makeup artist) as official makeup artist. Welcome one and all :)

And speaking of fragrances...
Stella McCartney has just brought out the latest variant of her classic Stella scent, Sheer Stella. Developed exclusively for this year, the designer has reworked her rose-based perfume by making it organic. The limited-edition bottle is also a work of art in itself, having been designed by renowned British artist Philip Jones.


Here comes the sun
With summer coming, and with National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month just coming to an end, it's more important than ever to make sure you're protected from the sun's harmful rays, whether with clothes (such as sunglasses, T-shirts and hats), accessories (umbrellas) or sunblock. With so many brands out there offering undeniably hip products that are also effective, there's really no excuse. Check out Vichy, Surv-Vival, Liz Earle's mineral sunblock, and Smart Girls Who Surf, for products to suit you.

Touch-ups on the go with Arbonne
Just because summer is on its way it doesn't mean we're any less busy. Travel products are a booming business and companies are catching on to marketing products that are easy to use on the move. One such example is present in Arbonne's 30th Anniversary Lipstick Ring: priced at £22, also has a handy mirror along with the lipstick (shade: Satin) encased in a chunky pearl design. I personally think it looks mighty fine; if having lipstick right at your fingertips doesn't keep you looking fabulous all day long then I don't know what will.

Simplicity with the Stars
Sometimes it's nice to know that not all of the stars are going for wallet-busting products that can only serve as the fabric of our dreams for most of us. So it was a relief to hear Kylie Minogue say recently that she has used Botox in the past, but no longer does, turning instead to the classic and affordable Pond's Cold Cream. We can only hope that she wasn't just paid to say that, but knowing how effective this stuff really is, I can only say that even if it isn't true, it darn well should be.

Keep your skin Crystal Clear this festival season
All that mud and all those communal toilets can sometimes get in the way of you looking your best during the festival season. While Marks & Spencer is filling its shelves with festival essentials from tents to suncream, Crystal Clear has also got the skincare side covered, from its Revitalising Tonic to its classic Protect and Repair, which comes packed with a whopping SPF40. Available from www.crystalclear.co.uk.

Don't Go To The Perfume Counter Without Me

SPONSORED CONTENT

When beauty guru Paula Begoun's book, Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, was released in 2007, it was an immediate success. The very fact of the book's existence, along with the fact that it has consistently sold so well, with new editions coming out every year, is testament to the increasing vastness and complexity of the cosmetics market. With Paula having also previously written Don't Go Shopping For Hair Care Products Without Me in 2004, one does wonder if her next project might be a similar book on the subject of perfume, since this too is a market that can be overwhelming.

Step into any cosmetics store worldwide - whether it be a branch of Boots, Marionnaud or Sephora - and while the cosmetics franchises themselves take centre stage, look beyond them and you will see that the store is often lined wall-to-wall with women's perfume and men's aftershave, as well as spin-off products such as perfumed body lotions and shower gels, deodorants and gift boxes. While these stores are rarely short of someone to jump on you the second you walk in, with a sprightly "Can I help you?", quite often the salespeople will have a hidden agenda (i.e., to make commission on whatever they sell, perhaps even with a point of pushing a specific product), which may not always involve helping you find the right product for you or whoever you're buying for (one can quite easily see briefings of department store staff as having a Lionel Hutz-style dialogue: "The right [product] is the one that's for sale. The right buyer is anyone."). So while people perhaps do want specialist help - especially when it is so difficult to know where to begin - it's often important to the consumer to have some control over the situation.

There are, as I see it, a few ways around the intimidation that can be created by the sheer scale of the industry and the number of available products. One way is to head for smaller stores that are still specialists in perfume, such as The Perfume Superstore, The Perfume Shop, L'Artisan Parfumeur, or Penhaligon's. Smaller shops mean smaller displays, so that you can actually see what you're looking at, and more personalised attention from shop staff (as well as just more attention in general), as well as a more specialist service.

Another way to navigate the sea of scented water is to get clued up at home. Go out as an informed shopper, and you'll have more of an idea of what to look for on your own, without necessarily needing to enlist the help of a sales assistant or wander around the shops in a state of bewilderment. In this series of sponsored articles, I'll be going over the fragrance wheel, recommending different brands and types of perfume and aftershave that you and your man may enjoy, among other things.

The fragrance wheel is basically this:
This is the worldwide framework used to categorise scents, making it easier for everyone, from parfumiers to shoppers, to find their way around.

Starting today with oriental fragrances, and moving later in the series to the other categories, we can see both just how complicated perfumery is, and yet how comfortingly it can also be simplified. One such example of an oriental fragrance is Estée Lauder's Youth Dew, which, with its elements of amber and sandalwood, comes into the subgroups of Soft Oriental (the former) and Woody Oriental (the latter). Oriental fragrances such as this one can initially smell very strong when first sprayed on, but it is worth mentioning at this point that perfumes and aftershaves have three 'notes': the top note, the one you initially smell, later settles down into its base and heart notes, which is dependent not only on how the perfume develops with the minutes and hours but is also dependent on how it reacts with your body, to in a way create its own uniqueness on you. After a few hours, then, the Youth Dew settles down to become a softer and subtler blend that can be worn by all ages. Other examples of oriental fragrances (which typically include notes of orange, vanilla, spices, amber, incense, sandalwood and patchouli) can be found in Chance by Chanel, Fendi by Fendi, and Estée Lauder's Intuition.

Even then, the scents listed above still smell different, so perhaps obviously, the most important thing is still to get out there and smell them. Spray them onto yourself (but no more than 1 perfume on each arm) and walk around with them on for a few hours to see how they turn out. Many perfumeries also leave out little strips of cardboard so that you can spray onto them by way of a sample and write the perfume name on. Perfume can be expensive, and one bottle can last such a long time that it really is like an investment - so take your time before you buy.

Coming soon: finding your way around the rest of the fragrance wheel

Apicare Cleanse Me 4 in 1 Manuka Honey Wash

RRP: £8.50/70ml

--What does the promo say?--
"This gentle, soap free wash is so effective it is suitable for use on hair, face, hands and body. The mild, soap free wash contains naturally soothing Aloe Vera, Green Tea Extract and New Zealand 16+ Active Manuka Honey to gently cleanse hair and skin without drying. Combined with a fragrant blend of balancing essential oils, this foaming wash is designed to be used morning and night to cleanse and refresh the skin."

--Packaging--
Simple and cheerful in yellow and white, the honey bee bullet points serve as a playful way to highlight the product's uses. However, I'm not quite sure what the 16+ in front of "Manuka Honey" on the first bullet point is supposed to signify as this is never fully explained. The packaging is very usable, anyway, and suitably dinky for travel purposes.

--Application--
For hands: rub onto wet hands and then rinse off. For face: rub onto wet face and then rinse off. For body: rub onto wet body and then rinse off. For hair: rub into wet hair and then rinse out. Simples :)

--Appearance--
A slightly yellow, runny translucent gel that leaves no visible residue on the skin or hair after use.

--Scent--
Smells very lemony; delish. Sadly it doesn't really linger on the body after use, though.

--Effects on the skin and hair--
Face, hands and body are all washed adequately, leaving skin smooth, calm and clean.
The hair, however, is a different story. As a shampoo, the product is extremely difficult to wash out and hair is left almost greasier than when you started. A shame.

--Value for money--
This is really more of a 3-in-1 product than a 4-in-1 due to the epic hair failure detailed above. However, multi-use products get a big thumbs up, especially since it can actually be quite difficult to get a product to do more than one thing well (even more so given that some companies even seem to struggle with getting the original thing right to begin with), so for it to get three things right is still very good. The travel size is a big plus and the price tag is affordable too. For a sweet-smelling product that takes us all one step further towards being able to travel on hand baggage only by doing 3 things at once, I'd definitely recommend this. Just pack a Lush solid shampoo to cover the rest.

perfect partners
Saving Face Skin Balancing Face Moisturiser, £8.50
Protect Me Manuka Honey Lip Balm (SPF 15), £5.00
Rescue Me First Aid Manuka Honey Gel, £12.50

Ellis Faas Blush

RRP: €28 for 2.8ml
# of shades available: 4

--What does the promo say?--
"Made with essential oils,rose water and vitamins C and E, ELLIS FAAS blush gives cheeks a touch of colour while cooling and toning the skin for an instant fresh look. Apply a dot of colour directly to the middle of the cheek with the signature ELLIS FAAS pen and fade out with your fingertips or with the sponge that comes with the powder. ELLIS FAAS blush ensures a dewy finish and long-lasting glow."

--Packaging--
The signature Ellis Faas pen is eyecatching and unusual, though the click-wheel on this can be a little annoying and time-consuming to operate. However, it is easy to control, so you shouldn't end up wasting any product.

--Application--
After applying your usual base (if any), dot three dots of the blush onto each cheek and blend in. Add further layers, if desired, for extra impact and intensity; set with powder if liked.

--Scent--
None.

--Texture/consistency--
Smooth yet rich and luxurious; easy to blend.

--Appearance--
The beauty of this is that it's difficult to get wrong; no clownalikes here. It's one of the most natural-looking blushers I've tried, giving just the right amount of colour. Of the four shades, I own S302 (the second palest) and it's perfect for English roses like us. The fact that it's easily buildable to achieve different effects means that nobody should be disappointed by the fact that there are only four shades available.

--Longevity--
Falls somewhere between the lip products (which fare worse in this regard) and the eye products (which fare better) from this brand: you may need to reapply once a day. However, the professional quality of this product is obvious.

--Value for money--
As with all Ellis Faas products, while it is expensive you do get what you pay for. A professional matte finish is provided, which is easily adjustable to take you from subtle day to more intense nighttime looks. Easy to see why this is popular on the catwalk, the makeup is durable not only in practical terms but also in terms of the look it provides. This will never date.

perfect partners
Foundation Skin Veil S101
Concealer S201
Compact Powder S401
Mascara E401
Milky Lips L207
Creamy Eyes E108

Elizabeth Grant The Socializer

RRP: $40
--What does the promo say?--
"Last night you owned the bar - today, own the boardroom. Two eye treatments with all the hydrating, cooling, soothing, de-puffing, dark-circle-erasing, and illuminating action we could fit in each tube. Bright Lights uses mica, a mineral light diffuser. Instantly brightening, it's the key to looking like it never happened. Late Nights blends peptides & Ulva Lactuta to repair, awaken, de-puff & rejuvenate. Exceptionally lightweight eye treatments dispensed in 2 click pens packed in a shiny, re-useable tube. Twist your troubles away with this carefree tube that’s in every true fashionista’s bag."

--Packaging--
Certainly very shiny and eye-catching, with the reusable external tube twisting around to reveal different images beneath of a girl in various outfits, reinforcing the idea that this stuff will take you from day to night with minimal effort. I'm not convinced that the click pen is the most usable option, though, although it is fashionable. I'd personally plump for a rollerball version instead.

--Application--
Select the cream that you require (day or night) and click the end of the tube until enough product appears at the pen end. Less is definitely more and you really don't need much. Smear the amount that appears underneath your eyes and onto the brow bones and then blend.

--Appearance--
A slightly translucent white cream which fades to invisibility once rubbed in.

--Scent--
Nothing detectable; clean without being clinical.

--Texture and consistency--
Quite watery, but still easy to blend in.

--Effects on the skin--
I don't normally review anti-ageing products as I'm so sceptical about their performance (or lack thereof). I was therefore amazed to find, after a week or two, that I really thought that The Socializer had made a difference. I have a few fine lines under my eyes, and I don't know if it was my imagination, but the lines seemed less deep than before after sustained and consistent use of this product. I'm not so sure about any depuffing, dark circle-busting or illuminating action, since I didn't really require this to begin with, but the feel of the creams when rubbed in certainly err on the cooling and soothing side. So even if the lotion fails to illuminate or depuff, I'm still happy if it lessens the look of lines. (However, I've also passed this to my mum for a second opinion, so watch this space.)

--Value for money--
At the moment this is tricky: the price of the product ($40, at today's exchange rate, is £27, or €32) seems reasonable in relation to its efficacy and presentation. However, while shipping is available worldwide from www.elizabethgrant.com, to Europe this comes at the extortionate rate of $33, so if you really wanted to do it this way, you've either got more money than sense or you've got lots of generous friends to buy from the website with and thus split the shipping cost with. However, don't despair too much, as my sources tell me that this product will soon be available in UK boutiques before long. I'd therefore say to UK buyers to keep your eyes open and be patient, and buy this only when it hits UK shelves.

perfect partners
Dark Circle Treatment, $30
Eye Contour Smoothing Mask, $30
Line Erase, $40
Vitamin C Eye Cream, $25
Vitamin C Illuminating Eye Pads, $28