Hi all!  Well, things are winding down to normal here at Chateau Bonaparte!  Our latest trip to France is all but a fun memory and I’ve happily traded in my retail position for an administrative assistant position.

And since I’m back in the “9 to 5”, I need to hone in on my time management skills because this blog is really my baby and I need and want to focus on my baby.

Anyway, back in May, the folks at Vivant Skincare sent me a few products to use and review.  I have been using the products regularly both before we left for France, and upon our return.

Products that I received are from left to right:  Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash; 3% Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Toner; Day Treatment Lotion with SPF; Derm-A-Renew; Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream; Spin Tap Serum

My review is honest and I hope helpful. I also want to point out that within all lines of skincare some products will work better on an individual basis than others. That’s the beauty of mixing and matching.  In addition, I am NOT being paid to write this.

And without further ado, here is my review!I received this line which included the Vivant Skincare Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash; 3-in-one Toner; Day Treatment Lotion with SPF 15; Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream; Derm-A-Renew; and Spin Trap Antioxidant Serum.

I took this photo of me either May 31st or June 1st.  Don’t judge the eye makeup I didn’t remove or my roots that needed to be done.  This is how my skin looked before starting my regimen.  

This was taken this morning after I woke up.  My skin actually looks brighter and you can clearly see these photos have not been retouched in any way. With me, what you see is what you get! In all my 61 years, I only lie to Bonaparte about shopping!

First off— moving forward, the one product that has turned into an absolute Holy Grail for me is the Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Wash.  I love this. Vivant says this is a shaving gel, you can use it on your scalp, and it is a great daily cleanser.  The instructions also state to start using every other day and increasing to once or twice a day.

This product is absolute greatness. I cannot say enough about what a great cleanser it is!

I’m not wasting this. I don’t use it as a gel to shave my legs because this stuff is gold. I use it to wash my face and use it once a day.  My daily ritual is taking a bath every evening.  I keep this at the tub and after I remove my makeup with my Albolene,  Mandelic Acid 3-in1 Wash is now the only cleanser that I will put to my face!  I also love this because as we age, I do strongly believe that good cleansing is the base of achieving great skin.  Right???

Here’s the ingredients.  I am not familiar with many of them but whatever they are, they work well to cleanse the skin!

A drop about the size of a dime is needed to work up a great lather and get your face absolutely spanking clean without feeling taut or dry.  Due to the price point of $40.00, I’m being incredibly stingy with this, but such a small bit goes a very long way. I do believe that this will last me another three- to-four months—so that’s about ten bucks a month. Is it worth the money?  You bet your assets it is!

Next is the 3% Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Toner. OK. Let’s get this straight. I’m not a “toner” girl.  I’ve used toners in the past and they just dry out my skin—it’s like applying alcohol directly to my face.  Two items that I have used as makeshift toners have been Orange Blossom Water as well as Witch Hazel. But I haven’t used them on a regular basis.

3% Mandelic Acid Toner. Only a bit is needed and I swear on my parent’s graves, this does NOT dry your face out!

This Vivant toner—I’ve been using it regularly after cleansing my face in the AM and PM. (Note—in the AM, I wash my face with water only.)  I am pleased to say that this toner does not dry my face out.  It is refreshing and “wakes” up my morning face.

The weird thing is that it does contain alcohol, but it is alcohol denat, a denatured form of the ingredient.  Who knew?  I tried to research alcohol denat but didn’t have much luck.  Anyway, this toner is also a keeper.  It also grabs overnight dirt.  Again, I’m pleased as punch with this.

I may not know much about Alcohol Denat, but seeing my friend Witch Hazel makes me realize this is a good toner!

At $52.00 for four ounces, this is pricey. But again, a very small amount is needed.  Vivant’s website states that this is also good for neck and décolleté, but I would just stick to using this on my face because I’m way too frugal!

Vivant Day Treatment Lotion with Sunscreen SPF 15.  I have to say, sadly, this moisturizer didn’t quite work for me. The reason?  The sunscreen bothers my eyes.  I’m in a weird position here. While I need to use sunscreen on a daily basis, 99.9 percent of moisturizers containing sunscreen are a miss for me due to the fact that my sensitive eyes just become way too irritated. I do realize that you are not supposed to put sunscreen near your eyes; however, in the heat when I sweat, there is no way it isn’t going to drip near or in my eyes.  If just a tiny bit gets anywhere near my eyes, I’m rushing to the bathroom to rinse my face off. It’s daunting.

Sadly, mine eyes have not seen the glory because they are way too sensitive!  

I will  pass this moisturizer onto my daughter, Oona. Her eyes aren’t sensitive to sunscreen and I think she will love this product.

Quite honestly—I wish that skincare companies would do more research on how to put SPF into products without causing irritation. I don’t think I’m alone in this either. …anyone else out there sensitive to SPF on the face?

Wink Eye Rejuvenation Cream is next.  I like this. A lot!  Despite the claims to soften fine lines, brighten dark circles and reduce puffiness, my lines are still there and I still have to use concealer to get rid of the “blue” between my tear duct and nose.

I give a wink to Wink!  This is also very good!!

But—the good news is—this does reduce puffiness!  Another added fact is that even though this is a cream, it soaks into the skin rather quickly. That means you can apply mascara to your bottom lashes and this cream will not cause the mascara to smudge causing raccoon eyes.  I can’t tell you how many eye creams I’ve used in the past that I had to stop using because my eye makeup would smudge.  No smudging makes me a very happy camper—or shall I say “glamper”!!

I tried to get a good shot to show you that Wink does reduce puffiness.  But I am noticing that it does calm down the lines–it’s because of the hydration! I mean the wrinkles are still there for sure..but they are just a bit less–well, deep looking!

AT $72.00 for 0.5 fl. oz, this is not inexpensive. However, you only need but the smallest amount for both eyes.  This small tube will last for a good 6 months. I’m not kidding either—only a touch is needed so a little goes a long, long way!

I will say that the claim on the back of the Wink packaging is on the truthful side!

Derm-A-Renew.  I’m in a state of confusion about the packaging of this.  It comes in a little glass bottle with a dropper.  It is way too thick and creamy to be packaged like this.  I think a pump bottle or tube would have been so much more pragmatic.

Sorry for the focus issue. Chippy was in the way!

As you can see from the dropper, a ton of product sticks to the outside of the dropper. I have to swipe it across my face!  As stated on the website, mild irritation will be experienced at first—which is true. But I still experience slight “tingling” after applying.  I’m pretty sure that I’m getting the tingles because I’m using way too much of it.

See all the product that is ON the dropper? I’m in a total state of confusion over this!!  I know that I’m wasting product and I don’t like waste at all! Packaging needs to be changed!

I think this product would work much, much better if the packaging is changed up because my skin is definitely looking better—and at a price point of $104.00 for a one-ounce bottle, none of the product should be wasted at all.

Lastly, the Spin Trap Antioxidant Serum.  I used to be a huge Lancôme Genefique serum fan.  But over the years, I find that serums in general have gotten better and there is a serum for everyone. It depends on what you like and what works for you. Spin Trap Antioxidant Serum is comparable in price to most other brands of serums and at $78.00 for one ounce—the price point is average.

Again, this is a good serum, but there is a serum for everyone. Trial and error will help you in your choice!

For me, I have a favorite serum. (But this is about Vivant and it would be rude of me to mention it here.)

This serum, although liquid, is somewhere between a thin and thick one. The feel is nice and smooth and I swear to you, one drop is enough for your face!  In addition, after using this serum, I don’t need a primer if I’m wearing foundation. (Note-It’s summer so I haven’t been wearing foundation much, but when I do, I use this serum as a primer).

How does this measure up to my favorite?  It is my second favorite  serum and there are times when I use both of them together!

So—how do I feel about the Vivant Skincare products that I’ve received and use?

I feel positive. The Mandelic  Acid Wash is definitely a keeper and I will be using this for a long, long time!  The toner—it’s a keeper as well!

Overall, the products are good to great. The exception for me being the Day Treatment Lotion—I cannot use a product that irritates my eyes.  The other exception is the “Derm-A-Renew” because the packaging just doesn’t lend itself well to my use. I feel that I’m wasting too much product.

As we age, we really need to start taking better care of our skin and, although it may seem like a ton of effort, we need to use more products to protect our aging skin.

Will these products turn back the clock and make us look thirty years younger? No. They won’t.  But they will improve upon what Mother Nature has given us and what we abused through too much sun, and other vices.  I do notice that my skin is looking pretty good these days. I also don’t stick to one brand. I’ve been using Vivant and another brand and the mix of both is making me incredibly happy.

Yes. VivantSkincare is on the pricier side. And in all honesty, I can’t afford the entire line at this time. But I can afford to purchase a few of the items in rotation.  The Mandelic Acid 3-in1 Wash is a definite as well as the toner and the serum.

If you are thinking more and more about the way you approach your “mature” skincare these days, take a look at Vivant’s line and perhaps you can find a product that’ll work for your skin!   My  highest recommendations are the Mandelic Acid 3-in-1 Cleanser and the 3% Mandelic Toner.  Next up would be either the Wink eye cream or the serum.  All would last a long, long time and would definitely be worth the price!

Also click for the “Before and After” shots.  The “Rejuvenation” photos show results of mature skin.  The fact that they showed older women makes me happy; kudos for that!  But what would make me even happier is if they used a mature woman on the header for their site!  (Hey—we can’t have everything, but I try!)

Here’s a photo of me that I took this morning after making myself look human.  I am wearing NO foundation whatsoever.  (sorry for the crappy lighting but it was morning light filtering through the window).   My skin still has the little lines–but I’m 61 years old. Let’s be real.  I do think my skin looks better….

Wait. Here’s a photo of me in the car on Friday on the way to work.  It’s outside lighting and I think my skin looks very good here too.  Again, I am NOT wearing foundation.

So that’s it my friends!  I hope you enjoyed this review.  I’m off to treat myself to a mani pedi, and lip wax!

Here’s the Temptations. Beauty’s Only Skin Deep. But products help that!!