The cult favourite Stratia Liquid Gold will leave you feeling mellow yellow

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I remember that Stratia Liquid Gold was quite popular on Instagram a little while ago. It was easily visible due to its bright yellow colour, and the name tripped off the tongue. Prior to this, my only reference to Liquid Gold was the cult favourite one from Alpha-H that I still use to this day.

stratia liquid gold

When a friend asked if I might want to hop onto her order for a bottle to try, I jumped at it. Shipping is a flat rate direct from the website, so it made sense to share the order and save on shipping.

Stratia is a brand of skincare from the USA focused on science based ingredients. While this isn’t uncommon today, they aren’t as pretentious as many other brands out there *coughTheOrdinarycough* 😛 They also don’t have very many products in their range, which I’m fine with. It isn’t about having 300 products to sell, it is about having some and doing them well. Stratia must be, because I know of many people who hail the Liquid Gold as holy grail!

I was naturally quite curious, and quite excitedly gave this a go when it arrived. I have had this quite many months now, and I think I have formed my view 🙂

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Skincare Tip: When your dehydrated skin is hungry for moisture, make it a moisture sandwich!

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Why do I keep harping on about dry or dehydrated skin, you may wonder. The simple answer is because it is the skin condition that plagues me most, and the one I am trying hard to work with. Dry and dehydrated skin can be a challenge, because it not only feels uncomfortable, it does not look good either. Also, many people are plagued with dehydrated skin – they may just not be as aware of it as I am.

Recently, I went through a bout of such dry and dehydrated skin. I could not quite explain why, but it was uncomfortable – it felt tight, and my skin looked dull. I knew I needed to do something, but what?

skincare moisture sandwich

My first reaction was to pile on the hydration. On went the hydrating serums I had. I even scoured the internet for more, and seemingly better products! But it wasn’t enough. On went as much moisture as I could fit. Yet, it was not enough. Nothing seemed right.

And then I remembered something I used to do when I was a little more hardworking with my skincare. I call it a “Moisture Sandwich” and it is what ultimately helped me. Truly, the moment you slack off and try to be lazy, it shows 😛

I thought I’d share it because this is a tip that works not only for dry or dehydrated skin, but is a tip that will work for everyone, and stand you in good stead for the future. You just have to be a little hardworking 😛

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Reliving the SK-II Experience with the miracle water that is the iconic SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

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Goodness me! The SK-II Facial Treatment Essence certainly brings back some memories! I am often asked about this very iconic product, but it had been years since I first dipped my toes into the brand. I did share a review back in 2010, through a friend. I said then, that my favourite item in the brand is the Facial Treatment Essence (FTE), which was one of my first introductions to using an essence lotion.

Recently, SK-II asked if I might give their Facial Treatment Essence another go, and share my thoughts on it with you. Almost 15 years after my first time trying it, and after turning down numerous offers before this, I decided that this time, I would! Perhaps my 40 year old skin would appreciate this SK-II experience better than my 20 year old skin. One can hope LOL!

sk-ii facial treatment essence review

By now, most of us would be familiar with the concept of an essence. It isn’t exactly a toner. What it does is far more than that of a toner, in that it boosts hydration and along with it, radiance. What is unique in the SK-II Facial Treatment Essence is the use of PITERA, a sake ferment. PITERA is a combination of nutrients that is said to bear a close resemblance to the skin’s natural moisturizing factors, and this helps improve the skin’s natural surface rejuvenation process and thereby promotes what SK-II says is “crystal clear skin”. Don’t we all want that? 😛

If this is something you’re currently using or have used, I’d love to know what you think of this very iconic product!

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Genaissance de La Mer Infused Lotion – a hydrating Treatment Lotion but on steroids

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Some of you may remember that one of my favourite hydration lotions is the luxury branded La Mer The Treatment Lotion. I still enjoy using it, and a few people who have tried it on my recommendation have reported good results with it too. It always makes me happy to know that a product I love is also enjoyed by others, and last year, it was my pick for my MWS10 Anniversary basket.

But if the price tag of that lotion made you balk, best look away now, because the Genaissance de La Mer Infused Lotion is like The Treatment Lotion, but on steroids! And that includes its price tag.

la mer genaissance infused lotion

La Mer first launched its Genaissance de la mer range about 2 years ago. It started out with just the Genaissance Serum Essence. I had a bit of a slow start with it. I didn’t quite think very much of it until very recently, when I found that using the Genaissance Serum with Sunday Riley Luna oil gave me the most amazing skin – soft, smooth, and all-round good skin. People said I was crazy. I thought so too LOL! 😀 The reason is because if you thought La Mer was expensive, Genaissance sees you expensive, and raises you. We are in the realm of super-luxury here. This is not a range of skincare products that you will just pop out to buy on a whim. It must be a calculated purchase.

By way of refresher, the Genaissance de La Mer range uses Crystal Miracle Broth™, an essence obtained from the discovery of pure crystals forming in La Mer’s trademark Miracle Broth formula. It also contains the Genaissance Ferment, which is said to be a pure concentration of the Miracle Broth made by using a fermentation built around the Pom Pom Red Algae and combined with wavelengths of natural light.

In late 2017, they expanded the Genaissance range with The Infused Lotion and the Eye and Expression Cream. I love the packaging of the latter (the magnetic metal eye massaging tool is genius!), but the product itself doesn’t wow me. But much to my surprise, I fell head over heels for the Genaissance de La Mer Infused Lotion.

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