Last year, I was very enamoured by a natural brand of skincare – Leahlani. I tried the famed Leahlani Mermaid Mask which I enjoyed using and will consider repurchasing. I also tried the other famed product, Siren Serum which I found wanting. Along the way, I had also acquired the Leahlani Champagne Serum and Aloha Ambrosia, which I’d been using off and on for a few months.
There was a lot to like about Leahlani. The products are natural, and are handmade in Hawaii. It was a lovely little indie brand with a beautiful aesthetic, intriguing products, and their products smell and feel divine. They were a pleasure to use.
Sometimes, I don’t know if I’m just being terribly picky, or if I’m a little cynical, but I tried so hard to like the Leahlani Champagne Serum and Aloha Ambrosia, but found one them coming up short – which was it? 🙁
Leahlani Champagne Serum – US$38 | £37 for 30ml
I picked up the Leahlani Champagne Serum, because of the name. Yep, I can be shallow that way LOL! Champagne is my poison of choice if it’s on offer, and a serum that promised itself to be happy hour for my skin intrigued me. It is supposed to be a combination of antioxidant ingredients, with chardonnay grapeseed oil, tea, rosehip oil and a plethora of other lovely oils.
What it is supposed to do, is to calm skin, reduce redness and inflammation and just leave you with lovely dewy, supple skin.
Truth to tell, it smells absolutely lovely, with a green, slightly earthy base and a hint of florals. I enjoy it as a treat for my senses.
And it is also a treat for my skin. The Champagne Serum, unlike our conventional view of serums, is a facial oil. The product is clearly oily, which I am comfortable with.
I suggest using it on damp skin, so be sure to mist beforehand, to help it absorb more quickly. 1-2 drops does the trick, and sinks in beautifully to the skin.
But here’s the rub. I wasn’t sure what benefits I was supposed to derive from this product. My skin is not terribly sensitive, so I wasn’t able to tell if it was helping with inflammation or redness as I had none. Because it is a blend of oils, it is better suited to those who have drier skin types, like me.
That said, I did not notice it helping my skin in a significant way. It was a pleasure to use, and I enjoyed using it both in the day and night, and like most facial oils, my skin felt more supple, but I was just left with the feeling of “Erm… what now?” That is quite disconcerting.
So I think it’s a lovely face oil, and all things considered, it is not terribly expensive for what is a lovely blend of oils that help nourish your skin. It also smells absolutely wonderful. But do be prepared to be faced with the “So, what now?” question of whether it “works”. I’m on the fence about that.
I might consider repurchasing this, for a treat, as it is a nice blend of oils, and my skin takes well to it, and it smells lovely. But I could just as easily live without 🙂
INGREDIENTS: *Vitis Vinera (Grapeseed and Chardonnay Grapeseed) Oil, *Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Flower Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Tocopherol, *Citrus Nobilis Peel (Orange Mandarin) Peel Oil, Calendula officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green and White Tea) Leaf Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Oil, **Tanacetum Annum (Tansy) Flower Oil, Aspalathus Linearis (Rooibos Tea) Extract, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Oil
*organic **wildcrafterdWHERE TO BUY: Cult Beauty, Leahlani Skincare website
Leahlani Aloha Ambrosia Elixir – US$56 | £55 for 30ml
You might have guessed that the Leahlani ALoha Ambrosia Elixir is the one that I’m not thrilled about. This is more of a sucker-punch to the gut, considering the price.
The Aloha Ambrosia Elixir is labeled a “morning moisture elixir” and is marketed not as a serum, but as a moisturiser. The recommended use is to emulsify it between your fingers, and the apply it onto your skin.
Well, first off, it doesn’t emulsify. I’m not sure how they understand “emulsify” but there is no emulsification going on, as there is, to the best of my knowledge, no water added to the oil. At best, you just warm it up between your fingers or palms.
The texture is also that of an oil, albeit a very lightweight one. Not as heavy as Champagne Serum. Leahlani recommends this to be used as a moisturiser, in the morning, or under their Bless Balm. The reason I bought this was because I was sold on the moisture bit.
You know that I’m always looking for more and different products to add moisture, and this sounded promising. However, I did not notice it adding any more moisture to my skin than any other product. Because it is an oil, some people might even find it heavy for use in the day, as recommended. I don’t, and I sometimes use it under a light moisturiser for day.
I would have been quite happy to use it up regardless, and despite my misgivings, but I ran smack into a brick wall. The jasmine scent.
I was aware that it has a jasmine scent. They do mention it and state that it is an uplifting scent, but they also call it delicate and to me, it is anything but! My caveat is that I generally dislike the smell of jasmine so I do take pains to avoid it. There are some exceptions, but strong jasmine scents usually put me off and the jasmine scent in Aloha Ambrosia is strong.
And it is for this reason I am quite put off by Aloha Ambrosia Elixir, and struggle to use it. I guess I only have myself to blame for this one 😛
INGREDIENTS: *Olive Squalane, *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, *Garcinia Mangostana (Mangosteen) Seed Oil, Passiflora Edulis (Passionflower) Seed Oil, *Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi ) Seed Oil, Tocopherol, Jasminum Grandiflorum Flower Extract (Jasmine Essential Oil), *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, *Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, *Malpighia Glabra (Acerola Cherry) Fruit Extract
WHERE TO BUY: Cult Beauty, Leahlani Skincare website
Have you tried either of these Leahlani products? Is there one you particularly like?
I enjoyed using the Mermaid Mask, and I do enjoy Bless Balm. I can’t say I won’t try anymore products from Leahlani, but I confess I now struggle to see how much more beneficial their other products are, beside being a treat for the senses. Is there a particular Leahlani product you enjoy using? 🙂
Paris B
Mermaid Mask! I am into my second jar. I like the scent, and the colour. The glass jar is pretty to look at too. (I can be that shallow, lol!). Just finish the Siren Serum, but not going to repurchase. Reason? Too many other serums to try out there!
LOL! I have to agree with you about Mermaid Mask. It is nice to look at and use, which doesn’t always come together in one package! I didn’t think much of Siren Serum – what was your take on it?