Save or Spend? YSL Forever Youth Liberator vs. Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10

Vichy Lift Activ Serum 10 (30 ml), £29.50 vs. YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum (30 ml), £60

L’Oreal is the parent company of both YSL and Vichy and has launched the new YSL skincare line to repeat the commercial success of  their make-up and fragrance products, eg. Touche Eclat.

Claims Comparison:

YSL – anti-wrinkle lift/plump/radiance vs.

Vichy – velvety texture/advance anti-wrinkle efficacy/long-lasting lifting effect.

FaceWorkshops Recommendation: SAVE £30!

• Similar products in terms of the main ingredients, rhamnose and glycerol that benefit the skin by increased hydration.  Both products contain a small amount of hyaluronic acid (long-term hydration).
• The Vichy serum contains a ceramide derivative, salicyloyl phytosphingosine, with a potential anti-wrinkle benefit.
• The Vichy serum also contains less alcohol that can be detrimental to the healthy barrier function of facial skin.

I would expect the efficacy of the Vichy serum to be slightly superior – given the higher content of rhamnose, the additional ceramide derivative and less alcohol in the formulation. We are awaiting the clinical studies.

FaceWorkshops Club Forum: Green Skincare (March 2012)

Prior to reviewing the benefits of Forest Secrets, let’s look at the Green Skincare Market in general. 

THE ORGANIC SKINCARE MARKET

The organic market has grown exponentially over the past decade. Global industry growth estimates are between 25 to 35 % and attributed to concerns over synthetic skincare. The eco-conscious consumers are more concerned about their own health, recycling, animal protection and also aware of the environmental impact of the industry. Skincare brands seek product certification and use sustainable practices with fair trade ethos.

SKINCARE INITIATIVES

Women’s Environmental Network runs Careful Beauty project highlighting the chemicals to avoid. Although I agree with promoting natural ingredients, I am yet to see whether their concerns are legitimate or myths.

INTERESTING BRANDS

• Live Nature uses only certified organic, vegan and wild harvested ingredients that are not exposed to temperatures above 47 C when formulating the products.
• Evolve

Other interesting brands include NUDE, Lavera, Organic Pharmacy, Dr Hauschka and REN. Most suppliers of organic skincare ingredients a part of Fair Trade cooperative.

Forest Secrets

• Unique liquid formulas of active ingredients that allow to be personalised, please read the comments of our FaceWorkshop Club Members below. 
• Mixing a serum (water-based) and elixir (oil-based). Serum contains. 
• ELIXIR. These are the key ingredients the Elixir contains: anti-ageing oils (milk thistle seed oil, argan oil, rose hip fruit oil), honeysuckle flower extract (antibacterial properties), lupin seed extract (promotes elasticity). Clinical data tba. 
• SERUM. These are the key ingredients the Serum contains: Aloe leaf juice, glycerin, mimosa bark extract, kinetin (improvement of hyper pigmentation, lines and wrinkles), agnus castus extract, sodium hyaluronate, ascorbic tetraisopalmitate, lactate. Clinical data tba.

FaceWorkshops Club Forum: YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum Review (February 2012)

The FWC Members have tested the YSL serum on 13th February 2012 to have luminous and plump skin for Valentine’s Day. Please read their comments below.

FaceWorkshops Trial Review:
Silky, fine textured serum leaves skin feeling more soft, smooth, tight.  Next day – luminous, bright and “more alive”. Perfume and alcohol in the formulation not great for sensitive and dry skin! Best for normal and combination skin types.

FaceWorkshops Expert Rating **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Claims – Luminosity > Wrinkle Reduction > Plumping.

- A great pre-party serum with an instant illuminating WOW effect and a potentially promising anti-ageing ingredient – but we are still waiting for the scientific evidence.  L’Oreal have launched a rhamnose-based serum previously (Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 Youth Enhancing (£29.50/30 ml), but this is the first skincare launch of the prestige YSL brand (known previously for make-up only) – and hence can the serum can command a higher price tag (£60/30 ml).

• AESTHETICS: As always with prestige skincare, the texture of the YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum is luxurious and refined. However, I would prefer less fragrance – that is to say that this is the least fragranced product from the skincare line.
• INGREDIENTS/EFFICACY:  The serum contains Rhamnose (hydrating and potentially anti-ageing through cell signaling – to be proven in a clinical study) and Glycerin (short and medium-term hydration) and Hyaluronic Acid (long-term hydration). I am not happy with the high content of alcohol and would not recommend the product for dehydrated/stressed or sensitive skin types.

5 Top Rules Improve Your Appearance

5 Top Rules Improve Your Appearance according to Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Francis Palmer

Dr Palmer identified a distinct pattern, the Palmer Code, to what is deemed youthful and attractive. His theory defines beauty’s components through a scientific formula based on shapes, proportions and angles of the face.

Although we recognise that his theory is valid, we recommend natural strategies – facial massage, facial exercise and good quality skincare – instead of Botox and fillers.

THE RULES

1. Shape the cheeks.

The cheeks account for 75% of facial aesthetics and as such, have the power to make the entire face appear youthful and attractive. Because the tissues of the face literally “hang by the cheek bones”, the cheek shape can dictate whether the face is perceived as young, old, attractive or less so. This should always be the first place you look to improve when seeking to become more attractive in a natural and youthful manner.

The aim is to create a fuller, rounder cheeks for women and lift the apple of the cheek up and facial massage and exercise are instrumental in achieving that./em>

2. Fill and plump up the lips.

The lips, to be aesthetically beautiful and balanced, should follow a very specific proportion of upper to lower lip. The upper lip should be no more than 75% of the lower lips size to achieve the perfectly proportioned lips.

Instead of fillers, facial massage, mainly Japanese Facelift, helps to define the upper lip line and enhance the lip volume.

3. Create a flared jaw line.

The proper size and shaped chin can balance the entire face when viewed on profile and sagging jawline is one of the most common concerns of my clients.

Facial massage and exercise are of benefit, particularly Chinese Booster.

4. Reduce lines and wrinkles.

All three types of facial massage can soften unwanted lines and wrinkles of the face, forehead and neck.

5. Even and bright skin with a peel.

Mild peels (glycolic, lactic or azelaic acid based) are a great way to refresh the skin along with a continued routine of sunscreens (UVA and UVB) and quality skin care products.

To find more about the theory of facial aesthetics, please go to

http://thepalmercode.com/blog/

Different Schools of Facial Exercise: The Expert View

My Facial Yoga Parties are introductory, light and fun. But if the participants want to progress, I usually recommend specific books or DVDs to exercise a distinct part of their face.

To give you more of an insight into the best schools of Facial Yoga, I have invited my first guest blogger whose expertise I regard highly, Lynn Rae, a facial posture & jaw realignment specialist. Lynn is based in London and here are her comments on the distinct ways of approaching Facial Yoga..

Lynn says:

Marja Putkisto Training – http://www.methodputkisto.com/uk

Marja Putkisto

• I have trained with Marja Putkisto and worked alongside her for many years so I know and understand the Method Putkisto Face first hand.
• It is a whole body experience – the posture of the body and the position of the head upon the body are crucial to the work.
• It involves being aware of the face as a 3-dimensional structure and thinking from the inside- out – breathing, massage, stretching/releasing tight muscles in facial exercises, as well as a small amount of posture awareness and upper body releasing exercises.
• No mirrors are used for the exercises so changes are felt rather than seen, although a mirror is available to assess changes.
• The overall experience leaves you feeling energized, relaxed and the feeling that you have a new relationship with your face and a better understanding of its structure.
• The results are instant, you can see and feel that the face is more open and uplifted than before, with a great sense of mobility. Of course for the results to become permanent a course of classes is necessary. The programme is carried out one to one or in a group/ workshop format.

Eva Fraser Method – http://www.evafraser.com/

I have a colleague who has participated in the Eva Fraser method.

• From what I can gather, it is very precise and prescriptive with very specific exercises and repetitions. I think the main difference between the two methods is that this is carried out in front of a mirror and you watch rather than feel what is happening, the work is from the outside.
• Also the work is very much focused on the face and neck, rather than connecting it to the whole body.
• This is a beautifully organized and tried and tested programme with highly specific diagrams and an absolute knowledge of what is expected.
• The focus seems to be more on strengthening the lifting muscles of the face; although it plumps up the face, it doesn’t encourage mobility. The results happen over time as the muscles gain tone.

Yoga Face Method

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Face-Eliminate-Wrinkles-Anti-aging/dp/1583332774

• The exercises again are generally done in groups, which adds a lovely dynamic and energy. With breathing and meditation it can sometimes also be a full body experience.
• It is more about creating shapes with the face than precise exercises, which helps to release and strengthen the structure as well as encouraging mobility and fun.

In Summary:
You should choose a programme depending on what are the most important aspects to you.

• Knowledge of the face and its structure
• Release of muscular tension
• Relaxation
• Improved postural awareness
• Exercises and massage to do at home
• A feeling of the face being opened, uplifted and mobilized
• Fun approach so you will want to do it regularly

For more information about Lynn’s work and classes in London, please go to her LinkedIn profile

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lynn-rae/28/636/60b