Sparkled Beauty

Life has been very crazy at SB HQ in the last few weeks, but it is for the better. I didn't get to draft posts while I was out of town so the blog went quiet. But I am back :)

Noticed Sephora Skincare Boosters on the "new arrivals" page a few weeks ago, I decided to give 2 of them a go - a luminizing booster with vitamin C and a clarifying booster with zinc.

Said to be able to help compensate the impact of modern life on the skin in as little as 14 days, they remind me a little bit of Obagi Professional-C serum at a more gentle level.

Instructions: Use in 14-day cycles at each change of season. Apply 4-5 drops, morning and evening, before your usual moisturizer or mix it with your cream or makeup. Summer is not here yet, so I tested the boosters a bit early.

I was looking for a junior version of Obagi Professional-C serum in Sephora Skincare Booster in Luminizer.

Featuring a high concentration of vitamin C and citrus extracts of lemon, grapefruit and orange, the formula in this booster helps boost the appearance of radiance and refine skin's texture for a healthy looking glow.

Similar packaging format with a thin bottle and a dropper to dispense the product, but the texture of these boosters is more of a liquid than an oil in the Obagi version, which means they are more runny and require speedy rub-in action. The pro of this is they take a lot less time to absorb compared to the oil, which I enjoy.

Ultimately, this luminizing booster (I'm not sure the potency of vitamin C in the formula) definitely gives a more subtle effect to the skin compared to Obagi serum (15% vitamin C), ideal for younger skin - late 20's and up. I use it to prolong the effect of Obagi serum before I could get a new bottle (or find something as good but more affordable).

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Saccharomyces/ Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Citrate, Urea, Saccharide Hydrolysate, Citric Acid, etc.

Sephora Skincare Booster in Imperfection is supposed to help minimize the appearance of pores and imperfections, which in itself a harder task. I consider it a makeup item while the Luminizer booster above is more of a skin care item.

Featuring a high concentration of zinc, plus copper derivative and pistachio tree bark, the formula claims to tighten the appearance of pores, eliminate excess shine and clear oily zones for a matte complexion.

I notice a subtle effect on all these. The skin does look slightly more matte upon application, but that would not come through after moisturizer, foundation and/ or highlighter. I still have to use a pore minimizing foundation primer in the routine, so this booster does not do much for me in that aspect. It is not a stand-alone product for my skin.

Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, Zinc PCA, Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Fragrance, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Lecithin, Copper Gluconate, Tocopherol.

There is also a Tired Skin booster with high concentration of magnesium to increase skin luminosity and reduce signs of fatigue. Each booster is 0.67oz/ 20ml, $25 each, Limited Edition.