Review: Estée Lauder Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex

ANR is a cult serum that claims to fight all signs of ageing. It is probably the most talked about prestige brand skincare product. It is supposed to have some 25 and more patents and patents pending. It is supposed to be effective for every skin type, every ethnicity.... the be all and end all of all serums! It is available in various sizes, especially the small sizes frequent gift packs and GWPs. They do really try hard to market this one. I am sure anyone who is interested in skincare would have tried this at least once in their life time.

Ingredients: Water, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Methyl Gluceth-20, PEG-75, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cola Acuminata (Kola) Seed Extract, Hydrolyzed Algin, Pantethine, Caffeine, Lectithin, Tripeptide-32, Ethylhexylglycerin,Sodium RNA, Bisabolol, Glycereth-26, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lactobacillus Ferment, Oleth-3, Oleth-5, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile), Yeast Extract, Choleth-24, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceteth-24, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Hexylene Glycol, Carbonmer, Triethanolamine, Trisodium EDTA, BHT, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Red 4, Yellow 5.

ANR was replaced with a newer formulation, ANR II with added Retinyl Palmate, Lecithin and a few other ingredients (source: Beautypedia). Su has tried the original ANR, whereas Shree has tried the newer ANR II.

Su's thoughts:

It is a really good water based serum. It is gel like liquid in consistency that doesn't feel sticky or heavy on the skin. It feels nice and soothing the skin. I absolutely love the smell. It smells like a mild and pleasant medley of spices that is very soothing. The smell quickly disappears once I apply it. The serum instantly absorbs too. It leaves no sticky residue and makes my skin feel fresh. It feels very hydrating and my skin does look and feel plump. I usually apply it at night and wake up with good skin in the morning. I liked it enough to get two whole bottles and finished both. The reason I didn't repurchase was that effect of hydration was temporary. If I stopped using it for a day or two, my skin was back to how it was: dry, dehydrated with fine lines and no glow. Due to this lack of the sustained effect, I don't think I should fork out that amount of money.  

Sree's thoughts:

   Well, I bought this serum with so much of excitement as it was my first time introducing a serum into my skincare routine. The lady at the counter was full of praises, claimed that it is the best anti ageing serum: it will erase fine lines, reduce pore size, skin will feel smooth, plump and hydrated....  I bought the product immediately and couldn't wait to use it!

Yes this serum does hydrate the skin and skin feels smooth after application this is attributed to the presence of silicones in it ... but sadly apart from that it does nothing else. I used a whole bottle and found not much difference in my skin. Did nothing for my acne scars and I didn't notice any reduction in pore size either. Is this product worth the Hype? Don't think so, but it has made me more cautious and I started reading reviews online before buying any new products.

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50: A Review

What is P50?

P50 is predominantly an Alpha Hydroxy Acid treatment. It is unique in a way that it doesn't have Glycolic acid. It has Lactic acid, Malic acid, Phytic acid, some Salicylic acid (BHA) and some ingredients that help in brightening. All these will gently exfoliate the top layers of the epidermis and increase cell regeneration. It acts as a superficial skin peel. It also great for hydration, sebum control and good to prevent in grown hairs. It is supposed to reduce hyperpigmentation. This treatment is used like an 'acid toner'. For the first few uses, it is supposed to be diluted over a moistened cotton pad. After the skin gets used to the treatment, it can use used straight up over a dry cotton pad.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Gluconolactone, Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, Ethoxydiglycol, Magnesium Chloride, Malic Acid, Vinegar (Acetum), Phytic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Cochlearia Armoracia (Horseradish) Root Extract, Arctium Lappa Root (Burdock Root) Extract, Rumex Acetosa Leaf Extract, Myrtus Communis Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Flower/Leaf Oil, Sulfur, Sorbitol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate.

Availability in Australia: It is not easy to find. Some salons stock it. We bought ours from Lumiere Skin. We paid AUD $87 + $15 shipping. 

Shree's review:
Well to begin with, this is the only skincare product that I had done extensive research - read lots of reviews from different websites and skincare blogs. I also individually tried to find out the function and uses of each ingredient in it because, let's face it, this product has soooo many different acids in it! It's like giving an acid wash for your face.

P50 has been described as Jesus in a bottle by many. There are few others who have reacted very badly. I adore Caroline Hirons and being a regular reader of her blog. I wanted to try this product because Caroline has glowing reviews about this product. Su ordered it for me. I am happy I made a wise decision!

I started to use P50 once a week applied it on a wet cotton and patted it on my face. (I still continue to the same have never put it on a dry cotton). Yes it does sting! I was scared whether I have burned my face! The stinging stopped after about 15 minutes. After applying P50 I allow it to dry then layer on my serum or moisturiser.

In the morning I was surprised to see how my face looked - face looked clean, smooth, refined! The pimple that I had squeezed a day before which was red looked much calmer. It is truly an amazing product! Never in my life I have got a pimple and it disappeared like this! Now I use it 3 nights in a week and I wake up with beautiful skin. My acne scars are getting lighter. I have not got a single breakout since using this!

Do give it P50 a try! I am sure oily /combination skin with a bit of dehydration like mine will surely notice huge improvement! But start introducing it slowly. Well it is a concentrated skincare product.

Su's review: 

I came across P50 through a discussion in Beauty Heaven forums (thanks for the rec, RJ!). I am very impressed by P50. It is one the most dramatic products I have used that has given me clear skin. I graduated to using it in the concentrated way after my skin got used to it. I experienced a lot of stinging initially but my skin has gotten used to it. Actually I find that it stings less when used over a dry cotton pad than over a moistened pad. It smells strongly of vinegar (one of the ingredients). It is a bit unpleasant but it disappears after a while and doesn't bother me that much. I use it straight up and actually don't follow up with any moisturiser or serum (just like you are supposed to use Alpha H Liquid Gold). I don't feel the need for using any additional moisturiser, even though my skin is dry. I wake up with really beautiful clear skin. My skin looks plump and fresh. My pore size looks reduced. Any odd redness I had the previous night, would have calmed in the morning. I use it week-nightly and I am amazed by how my skin looks every morning after!

I haven't broken out ever since I have started using this (not even hormonal). My pigmentation is fading. My face has brightened a lot. General look and feel of my skin is clear and smooth. I have a few in grown hair on the bottom of my chin. P50, being the exfoliant that it is, it is taking away the upper layers of my skin and I am able easily pull out the in grown hair without them causing any folliculitis.

Our Verdict:

We both love this! It is our staple in our routine one and we wouldn't know what to do without it. Definitely the one for repurchase!

So Many Products, So Little Time!

Well, well, well! Where do we start? These are the things that at least one of us has tried, used, have made up our minds and formed our opinions. You can expect these reviews on the blog very soon!

Cleansers
1. Clinique Anti Blemish Clearing Gel
2. Simple Facial  Cleansing gel
3. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm
4. Ren Evercalm Cleansing Gel
5. Clinique gentle cleansing Foam
6. Nude Cleansing Jelly
7 La Roche Posay  Effacalar Purifying Foaming gel.
8. Drunk Elephant Juju Bar
9. Drunk Elephant Peekee Bar

Serums
1. Estée Lauder Night Recovery Serum
2. Indeed Labs Hydraluron
3. Emergin C Vitamin c serum 12%
4. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair  serum
5. Dr. Dennis Gross clinical concentrate hydration booster
6. Clinique custom repair serum

Moisturisers
1. Clinique Dramatically Different Moiaturising gel
2. Cetaphil Dermacontol oil control moisturizer    acne prone skin with SPF 30
3. Kate Somerville Goat milk moisturiser
4. Chanel lasolution 10 for sensitive skin
5. Alpha h daily essential moisturiser SPF 30

Exfoliants
1. Biologique Recherche P50
2. Alpha H Liquid Gold
3. Sunday Riley
4. Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads

SPF
1. La Roche Posay Anthelios xl ultra light fluid SPF 50
2. Clinique City Block SPF 25
3. Estée Lauder CC cream SPF 10
4. Estée Lauder EE cream SPF 30
5. Chantecaille Just skin tinted moisturiser with SPF 15

Who are The Skincare Gurus?

Welcome to our blog! This blog is long overdue for reasons many. So let's get started.

I am Shree. I am a home maker in my mid thirties who enjoys dancing, singing, painting. Recently, I have started enjoying reading a lot of skincare blogs! I love skincare products - basically I am obsessed with all things SKIN. Reading about skincare is one of my way to relieve my everyday stress.

My journey with skincare had humble beginnings in the aisles of Priceline, buying Dermaveen. I like to think that I have come a long way from that and now I can confidently walk into Mecca Cosmetica and talk about ingredients with the skincare staff!

I have combination skin with oily T-zone that is prone to dehydration and breakouts. I will focus my reviews on products that worked for me (and that didn't) and believe me, I have tried a lot!

I am Su. I am also in my mid thirties and I love photography, entomology (I take Insect photos) and of course, I love all things pretty! Up until I met Shree, I used to think skincare was boring and just another chore. Now a days, I can't wait to wash my face at the end of the day and I take immense pleasure in carefully layering my acids, serums and what nots!

I have dry dehydrated skin. I have noticed fine lines around my forehead and have some spots of discolouration. I am constantly looking for things that hydrate my skin and give a boost of brightness.


We met 3 years ago, although it feels like we have known each other for ages! Our friendship has grown stronger through skincare. We have lengthy and detailed discussions about new products, what we used, what we liked, etc.! We always consult each other before we buy products. We enable each other to buy new products and think of each other as one another's Guru. Hence the name The Skincare Gurus!

We are amazed, shocked and confused when we look at the shelves in the supermarkets and pharmacies to see so many brands of skincare. Which one do we pick? Which would work for us? We are curious about all the ingredients. In our quest to find out what skincare products -cleansers, serums, moisturisers, SPF, we have experimented with many products! Along our skincare journey, we have accumulated good amount of knowledge (and lots of products) and we feel ready to share out experience with the world!

Our differing skin types will hopefully help the readers get two perspectives about the skincare products. We really hope that our experience is going to be useful and help others just like us to find the perfect products!

Welcome and enjoy the ride!