I was a little wary when Kosmea sent me these two to look at - primarily because I've tried Rosehip Oil before, and, um, it didn't go well. I broke out, permanently stained some pillows and every time I applied it, five minutes later my vision would start swimming. Resigned to the fact it wasn't for me, I sent it to another blogger (who was already very happy with that brands rosehip oil, I wasn't offloading crap).
But ever the optimist, I hoped maybe a different brand might yield some different results. It's packaged with an eyedropper with a bent tip - it's s nice touch, but I'm not sure what difference it makes? Beyond impressing me. It's got that distinctively strong "tea" smell, which makes me crave a cooked breakfast. Mm. Sausages.
It's got a hell of a colour on it - it doesn't stay on the skin when you apply it in small amounts, but it does need to be massaged in a little. I definitely noticed my odd Katie-Price face when I over-applied and went orange.
Because I'd had my previous rosehip experience, I went in cautiously and applied very sparingly - and when you're as oily as I am, it's probably a good idea. I used this product as an occasional supplementary nighttime treatment - it went on about half an hour before I applied my usual oil free night cream. I do go to bed feeling very dewy, but when I get up in the morning and wash my face, I'm really happy with the results. It's like I spent a whole night with an oily facemask on. I'm a bit plumped up in the right places, and my overall colour is more even and there's less discolouration. I know some people who are able to wear this all day as a moisturiser or treatment, but I certainly wouldn't be able to. But as a sometimes night thing (and this bottle will last me forever. I can't even see the level (its still up in the lid) and I've used it at least seven times) this is a really nice treatment. And because it's oily it spreads very far. I've been applying this to my neck as well (it's dryer than my face) and it's pretty much perfect for that skin.
The serum also has rosehip oil in it! Happily for me it's not oily at all. Interestingly this serum specifies that it's to be applied in the morning, but it has no SPF to speak of - I mean, I agree with this assessment, but I wonder why they specified that.
I've been applying this after cleansing and before moisturiser. The moisturiser, I've discovered, is a vital step after the serum because if you apply makeup onto the serum - it will all kind of ball up and roll off. The serum is like a slick layer (theres no silicone! just an example) and it's not friends with foundation.
That said, this is a really great companion to day moisturiser. it makes both perform far better, and the result is ultra hydrated and very comfortable. I've been concentrating my application a bit closer to my cheekbones/eyes, and I do feel like my smile lines have softened up a bit.
It has a smell that I don't think I like - a bit hibiscus, a bit vegetable/plant-ish - but that's all I can really say in criticism.
So interestingly, both of these products work amazingly in tandem with another product (day and night moisturisers) but not each other. In my case, anyhow. I suspect dry ladies could do some wonderful things with these during the day.
DISCLAIMER: Provided for review! (Thanks guys!)
Great review Suzanne! It certainly looks like a rich Rosehip Oil, and great as a treatment oil (or as a moisturiser for people like me).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I've used both of these and it's really interesting reading how skin types different from mine find them.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that this rose hip oil doesn't break you out, and that it gives you nice results in the morning.
TBH, I tried that Eighth Natural Wonder serum and it did nothing for me.