There are luxury brands and then, there are LUXURY brands. La Prairie falls into the latter category. The category talked about in hushed tones of awe, where the brand name is reverently whispered and not shouted in plush surroundings, and where local prices start at 4 digits. Its not something you can run out and say “I think I’ll give this a go” without thinking twice, or multiple times.
Yet, the brand just celebrated its 25th Anniversary last year in 2012 with its caviar standard of skincare. That’s 25 years of people using and supporting the brand, which says something, I’m sure.
In conjunction with its 25th Anniversary, Swiss luxury brand La Prairie introduced the Skin Caviar Liquid Lift Serum. This serum slots in to the already popular caviar range of skincare which is said to derive its skincare benefits from caviar – yes the sturgeon fish eggs so enjoyed by the rich and famous on little hors d’oeuvres that us mere mortals would only savour on the rare and wonderful occasion we choose to splurge on our food.
The serum is supposed to contain the highest quality caviar extract and as the name of the product implies, serves to “lift” the skin, firming and tightening and leaving skin feeling smoother. In the picture above, you will notice that the serum is a milky white emulsion. But it doesn’t come that way. What comes in the bottle is “golden caviar” 😉
Here’s a collage showing you just what this serum looks like and how it transforms into the milky emulsion you see above.
The ingredients are housed in separate compartments, so you get it freshly delivered at the point you want to use it. You depress a tab near the dispenser pump which will allow the ingredients to mix. Then you shake vigorously until the yellow membrane, made of red algae, melts and the final result is the milky serum that you use as you would any other serum – after cleansing and toner (if any) and before moisturiser.
You are supposed to feel an “immediate lifting effect on the skin” which I did, if you ask me. Long term use is supposed to help strengthen the skin and maintain its elasticity so skin looks and feels firmer. However, I do not know how much of the tightening effect is attributed to the product and how much is attributed to the alcohol. Yes, alcohol is listed as an ingredient up there in the list of ingredients which you will see below, and so is parfum and dimethicone (silicone) so be warned if your skin is reactive to any of these.
I don’t know much about ingredients, not being chemically trained so I’d just tell you how I feel about it. As I said above, upon application to my skin, I can feel the slight taut feeling and skin does seem to feel smoother. However, I used it over 2 weeks and I realised it wasn’t working for my skin. My skin felt dry and I experienced slight breakouts on my cheek area, which hardly ever breaks out. I had to stop using it so I can say it doesn’t work for me.
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift serum
So, I handed this over to Mom to see how it would work on her more mature skin. Over a month and a half in, and she’s reporting good results. No breakouts, skin isn’t dry and although she can’t tell me if it feels any much firmer, and as she’s taking and using a lot of other stuff, she thinks its a decent enough product. I notice she wasn’t quite raving about it as she sometimes does, so I think she’s quite ambivalent about it too. I didn’t tell her the price of course. But I’d have to hesitate if she asked me to replenish it once she’s out, and maybe gently steer her in the direction of something else 😛
In a nutshell
The Skin Caviar Liquid Lift is a new serum by Swiss luxury brand La Prairie targeted at helping skin feel and look firmer. It promises an instant firming and lifting effect to the skin and if you use it on the first try, I will say that my skin does feel “tightened” on first application but I can’t tell if its just temporary or if its the alcohol at work. It didn’t work on my skin as my skin felt dry and I had some minor breakouts after about 2 weeks. My Mom however has reported positive results, in that she thinks its a nice product. But she isn’t quite raving about it either. Its my first time trying anything from this brand so its a bit of a pity it didn’t work for me. Still, who’s the say if other products won’t.
Pros: Interesting packaging and delivery system, Product feels satiny on skin
Cons: Pricey, Did not work for me
Who will like this: Someone with deep pockets who is looking for a product that lifts and firms skin and who can handle the ingredients
Here is the ingredient list:
Water/Aqua, Sodium Citrate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isohexadecane, Alcohol, Linseed Oil/Palm Oil Aminopropanediol Esters, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Glycoproteins, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Pentapeptide 31, Centella Asiatica Extract, Caviar Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Palmitoyl TrIpeptide-38, Lactic Acid, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer 6, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Pentylene Glycol, EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Bicarbonate, Algin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Xanthan Gum Crosspolymer, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Propylene Glycol, Tin Oxide, Fragrance/Parfum, Linalool, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Eugenol, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, SD Alcohol 40-B (Alcohol Denat), Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Iron Oxides (CI 77491).
Have you ever used anything from La Prairie?
I tried a sample of their Platinum serum a while ago. That one wasn’t too bad and I was quite upset to finish my sample. Couldn’t quite bring myself to cough up the 4 digit asking price for the full size unfortunately. Guess I haven’t reached that level of luxury yet 😉
Paris B
La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift Price: RM1,730/50ml Availability: All La Prairie counters
Claire says
January 10, 2013 at 9:22 amyes, LP is very expensive, my favourite luxury brand is sisleya D:. I once got a sample from this range, an eye cream and wasn’t impressed at all. the before and after pictures are adorable though! interesting to read what your mum was thinking about this serum, sometimes I really wonder what’s so good about LP, nothing worked for me so far, maybe I should try this range in 10 years? but tbh, as for now, it is to expensive for me anyway, lol. I like to look after cheaper alternatives, when it comes to skincare.
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:01 pmI’ve actually heard a lot of good things about Sisley but I’m not sure how they measure up to La Prairie in terms of price though I’d been told its good stuff. I have only tried the Platinum serum once and it was quite nice, especially as I have drier skin but I couldn’t up keep it haha!
Monstro says
January 10, 2013 at 9:31 amWhat a hefty price tag! And Dimethicone is so high on the list, that would break me out for sure too! Wish I was not allergic to silicones, seems to be in every beauty product I know.
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:04 pmYep, luxury ma 😉 Sorry to hear you are allergic to silicones. It would seem they are present in all skincare and cosmetics in one form or another 🙁
Rainy Days & Lattes says
January 10, 2013 at 9:32 amWow, that foundation is 500USD! 🙁 That is insanely….expensive. I’m so sorry it didn’t work for you. I would have wanted it to work for you because of the price!
I’m currently using the La Prairie Eye Cream and it’s the most luxurious item I own! The eye cream smells so nice and the texture is so supple yet firm but just enough for the eyes to feel “protected” :p
I hope to someday give it a go with this foundation! lol
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:05 pmOh yes it is! Its a serum though, not a foundation. I was seriously hoping it’d work and that my skin would at least like it and not break out, like you, thanks to the price but nope! Skin hated it. Probably a good thing eh? Oh I was told the eye cream is quite something. Happy that you like it and importantly, that it works for you! 😀
kuri says
January 10, 2013 at 9:42 amWow, 4 digits! Definitely not going to go there.
I always find La Prairie interesting because Georgette Mosbacher (an American businesswoman/Republican fundraiser) bought the firm in 1987 and sold it to Beiersdorf for a nice profit after 3 years. Luxury is a business 🙂
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:10 pmOoh thanks for sharing that titbit, Kuri! Its very interesting that they’re owned by Beiersdorf because so is Nivea. Hmm… 😉
kuri says
January 10, 2013 at 5:50 pmah, indeed! I wonder if they share lab resources 😀
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 6:20 pmI’m sure there’s some sharing of technology somewhere. Maybe not in caviar but in other aspects 😉
Jenn says
January 10, 2013 at 10:46 amThe delivery system is so unique and interesting… makes me wanna play with it a few times just to see it happen! 😀 The price is crazy though… especially for a product that doesn’t work for you!! Let’s hope that mum doesn’t want to repurchase too! Hehehe! 😀
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:13 pmHahaha! It was fun to see the transformation, but once it is transformed, that’s it. You’re stuck with the milky emulsion 😀 Its pricey, but not as pricey as some other creams I’ve had the privilege to try. There is a whole stratosphere of luxury that is so far beyond us mere mortals, that we don’t know about! True fact!
Isabel says
January 10, 2013 at 11:16 amWow that price tag..
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:15 pmWow indeed 🙂 But still not as pricey as some other creams out there! Scary eh?
Firn says
January 10, 2013 at 11:54 amBetter to spend that money at the derm, where you get results! And I think the temporary tightening feeling is due to the alcohol. Only RF or a traditional facelift can give you a true lift.
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:15 pmGotta agree with you there! I thought it was mostly alcohol too that gave that feeling which is a bit sneaky because few if anything goes to work that quickly!
Tuti says
January 10, 2013 at 1:57 pmMy eyes like wat….am I reading it correctly? How about Lamer, PB? Have you come across it? I am thinking should I give it a go? But I need to read several reviews till convince me, but till now, I am still hesitant. The product name is Creme de Lamer which is popular. What do you think of Lamer?
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:21 pmI have actually used La Mer before many many years ago when I was more adventurous and more lavish with my spending LOL! I tried the lotion not the cream, because I was told it was better for oily skin then. I thought it was ok. I do recall that by the time I finished the bottle, I didn’t repurchase because my skin didn’t look like it had improved. Years later, I had a little sample pot of the La Mer Creme and I took it with me on a winter holiday. It seemed to help my skin, keeping it from drying out and going nuts in the drier colder air. So I don’t know what to think of it, to be honest! Some day if I ever give it another go, I’ll be sure to share 🙂
Makeup Morsels says
January 10, 2013 at 2:03 pmOh yes, there are definitely LUXURY brands that make regular luxury brands look…regular lol. Too bad this didn’t work out for you because the delivery system is SO COOL (I’m like the easiest person in the world to sell things to, le sigh), but I’m glad your mom is enjoying it 🙂
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:24 pmHaha yes, the delivery totally amazed me. I wanted another bottle just so I could see it transform again. Not necessarily use it, you understand, just to play 😛 I’m glad it didn’t go to waste too and you’re right. Some luxury brands are so high up there, us mere mortals can just gawk with our mouths open 😀
Tine says
January 10, 2013 at 2:34 pmOh yeah, this belongs to the La Mer group. As in the crazy-ass-prices-how-do-people-afford-it group 😛 Haven’t tried any La Prairie products yet. One day lah. Hopefully *fingers crossed*
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:26 pmActually this one beats La Mer hands down! :O If you try it some day, I hope it works for you – or maybe you don’t want it to… hmm…
Tine says
January 10, 2013 at 6:22 pmErr it’s a matter of ‘kao-san-pai-fat’ it doesn’t work for me because if it does, pokai liao 😛
Sze Ling says
January 10, 2013 at 2:48 pmAhhh…the LUXURY skincare brand. La Prairie. I’ve always hurried by their counters, not daring a second glance in fear that I might pick up a tester and try. 😛
I’ve never bought any skincare/beauty product that has a 4-figure price tag, and hope that it stays that way for the next 30 years. LOL.
Paris B says
January 10, 2013 at 5:27 pmHAHAHA! I’ve never bought one with a 4 figure price tag either. I think the highest I’ve gone is probably close to RM400 but that’s probably my limit >.<
Catherine says
January 10, 2013 at 8:09 pmOh wow, thats a shame. For this kind of money and from such luxurious brand you would expect something which works!
Im def sticking to Guerlain 😀 Once I almost got something from La Mer but Im glad that I didn’t.
Paris B says
January 11, 2013 at 12:20 pmI’ve tried some Guerlain skincare once and quite liked it. The super aqua one I think. Which ones are you using Catherine?
Catherine says
January 11, 2013 at 7:05 pmSuper aqua, night and this gel like day cream, serum I used too but Ive been cheating on Kiehls thanks to your blog 😀
Paris B says
January 20, 2013 at 8:58 amHaha I hope you’re liking whatever you’ve been trying from Kiehl’s! I plan to pick up the Super Aqua serum soon. I tried it once and liked it and I was told they reformulated.
Tammy says
January 10, 2013 at 10:24 pmTwo good things come out from this Paris!
1. It proves that your skin is still young and not that ‘mature’ yet!
2. Your mum was just okay about it so you don’t need to ‘steer’ her to something else! 😉 ha ha
Paris B says
January 18, 2013 at 2:33 pmI love the way you think, Tammy! 😀
Jennifer says
January 10, 2013 at 11:50 pmWow, creme de la creme. Super atas product lol. For that price, I think I can eat a lot of caviar and other good stuffs. Sorry face, mouth comes first 😉 Anyhow, it sounds so exquisite but I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Maybe it’s a silver lining considering the price makes it a really expensive affair.
Paris B says
January 18, 2013 at 2:36 pmLike you I was thinking of just how much food I could stuff into my face for the price haha! 😀 And yes, I was secretly pleased that it didn’t work out too. Whew!
Jerine says
January 11, 2013 at 1:36 amMy boyfriend has this. And he is using the whole range of skincare from La Prairie. I must say I don’t see any improvement despite him using it religiously every night after a year. For that price, I would rather go for La Mer. La Mer really does deliver good results.
Paris B says
January 18, 2013 at 2:41 pmOh how interesting that its your boyfriend who’s using this skincare range! 😀 Maybe he’s too young for it? 😛 I used La Mer many years ago but wasn’t all that impressed. Might appreciate it more now, maybe 😛
Kay says
January 11, 2013 at 3:07 amHi Paris, wow, I checked the price and it is $500? Better to spend the money going to a dermatologist and getting prescription products or procedures that have been proven to work. I spent that much on Oz Skincare at a department store event because Dr. Oz was so convincing telling me his products would complement what my derm prescribed and showed me how to alternate them. Well, it caused the peeling he said would reveal new skin but it was really horrible and I stopped for fear that it would cause permanent redness and damage. After that terrible experience, I stick to what my doctor prescribes!
Paris B says
January 18, 2013 at 2:43 pmYes, its $500 and I think that sort of price is scary in any currency! I think I know the skincare brand you mentioned. I tried ZO Skin Health sunscreen once (It was the only thing I’d tried from the brand) and I thought it was really good. The only reason I couldn’t repurchase was because it was so freaking expensive for a product I run through like water! I’ve tried a product from Obagi but my skin hated it so much and it made my skin look horrible. When I stopped, it recovered so I don’t have much faith in that brand, unfortunately!
Kay says
January 11, 2013 at 3:18 amOops, correction! The products were Zo Skin Health and the Dr.’s name was Obagi.
Kay says
January 18, 2013 at 3:43 pmI agree, the ZO sunscreen/base is really good, has lots of silicone in it so your skin looks smooth. A much cheaper but very similar feeling product is Solar Protection Formula TIZO2, SPF 40 that I got from my derm. It’s a physical sunscreen as I react to chemical sunscreens but a fantastic side effect is that the high silicone content serves as a great makeup base and keeps my T zone from looking oily longer than other sunscreens. I love it!
Paris B says
January 20, 2013 at 5:42 pmYes, the ZO one is full of silicone but it works really well I find. I don’t think we get the brand you mention but I”ll keep an eye out for it. Sounds good to have both Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide in there!
Swati says
January 11, 2013 at 10:09 pmthe collage was looking tempting!! but, since it fell flat, it didn’t really interest me!! I know how it feels especially when one shells out soooooooo damn much on a product and it doesn’t work 🙁
Paris B says
January 20, 2013 at 9:09 amFortunately it worked for my Mom so at least its not wasted 😀 It was fun to mix it up though. I think I enjoyed that most of all!
Francesca Ramires says
January 11, 2013 at 11:16 pmI do agree it is amazing, I cannot afford it though. I once had a sample and I absolutely loved it.
Gina says
January 12, 2013 at 4:09 amI have tried their foundation. The one with the cap of concealer. I absolutely love how glowing it makes my skin look… So pretty. But it’s hard to find a good color match and it is just too crazy expensive. $200.00 us. Blah!
Paris B says
January 20, 2013 at 9:21 amHi Gina, I haven’t tried their foundation – couldn’t get past the prices to even look at it! >.< Sorry to hear its so hard to find a colour match but maybe that's a good thing too eh? 😉