Artistry Intensive Skincare - Advanced Skin Refinisher

I don't usually get too excited over skincare with fancy names, to me it is all about what it does as opposed to what it is meant to do... Sometimes those notions are few and far between.  When Artisty came into my life, I will admit, I wasn't all that enthused about it, but them I opened the box and my fascination was pricked.  You see the bottle within which the Advanced Skin Refinisher sits, is just stunning, it is something to coo over and ooh and aah it every time you see it.  So it is true, first impressions do count and that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover!

Artistry is a new brand for me, this is the first product I have used from the range and have no previous experience of using it or anything else, so actually it is a little bit more exciting than I have it credit for because this product, titled the Advanced Skin Refinisher is described as being an intensive “Smart Pore Eraser” for instantly softer, more even-textured skin and a progressively more refined look and feel, wow some claim!  

It uses a series of patented non-acid exfoliating ingredients which gently resurface skin’s texture, instantly transforming rough, dull skin into smooth, shine-free perfection. Intensely concentrated botanical extracts penetrate deep within the surface layers of skin, strengthening its natural support, making pores appear significantly diminished. Over 4 weeks of daily usage is said to reduce the size of pores by as much as 62%. Those ingredients are:

• Patented* Oat Extract and NMF Sugars exfoliate the skin’s surface area to unclog pores and smooth away roughness. 
• Anti-oxidant rich Lentil Seed Extract counters the hollowing effect in the wall lining of the pore for a reduced appearance of pores. 
• Java Tea Extract suppresses excess sebum production, down to the core of the pore. 
• Star Fruit Extract reinforces the outside area of the pore’s structure to help reduce slackening, visibly tightening pores for an even texture.

I have used this product for almost 6 weeks now and whilst I haven't as yet seen any dramatic reduction in the size of my pores, because they aren't that visible to begin with, what I have noticed is that my skin feels velvety smooth as soon as it is moisturised into the skin and that effect lasts for an entire day, whether I am wearing make-up or not and let's face it, I've been having a lot of duvet days and make up has not been required, so my skin has really been treated and cared for. As the cream touches the face, it feels every bit as luxurious as you would expect it too, quickly absorbing itself and leaving no trace that it was ever there behind.

The downside however is that a product as that is this good comes with a fairly hefty price tag of £53 which you can find here but it has definitely made a difference and it is something I am going to continue to use.

This product has been both allergy and dermatologist tested. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

NARS Sin Blusher

I only own one product from NARS, yes I know, but it is this amazing blush called Sin* and it is one I mentioned very briefly on my blog once.  I know NARS is an extremely popular brand with many bloggers and it is one I really have a long list of 'want to try' items.

When given the chance by Cosme-de to choose some items from their website, I chose Sin because it isn't the kind of product I would usually opt for, I would usually want to try light pinks and neutrals and Sin is not one of those at all.

As you can see, the packaging is very much what you expect it to be from NARS, with the sleek and luxurious black casing to keep the blush securely in is place and with the added inclusion of a mirror, one which is a decent size, it is a handy little compact to have. 

I know that NARS blushes are known for being very pigmented and that some are very OTT with the glitter which has always put me off wanting to pick one up, the thought I might end up looking like Edward Cullen as he shows Bella what he looks like in the daylight, is alittle too much for me.  Sin, on the otherhand whilst being very pigmented, is a stunning berry shade which has a slight gold shimmer to it.  When it arrived, I thoought I had made a huge mistake, especially as I have such pale skin, but it actually works really well, because the golden shimmer adds a bit of warmth to the colour to leave it looking less plum and quite similar to Orgasm, just a tad darker. As for the glitter, well thankfully it isn't over the top and it is an absolute delight to apply using my Real Techniques Blush Brush. Once it has been applied, what really does it for me is the lastability, it lasts all day, doesn't need a touch up or re-applying, it is a good solid 8-9 hours.

 

As a first NARS product, I am a big fan of this and it has definitely made me more determind to get my hands on more products from the range. The blushers are a lot more expensive than your Highstreet versions at around £20, though if you shop around, you can often find them much better priced, especially on sites like  Cosme-de.com who have amazing offers on all the time and are really quick to deliver to you.

Have you tried this blush? What did you think of it?