Ole Henriksen Seven Skincare Sensations – Part II

I’m sorry about the lapse since I began to critique Ole Henriksen’s “Seven Skincare Sensations.”  I’m sure you’ve been anxiously awaiting the rest.  Perhaps you’ve found yourself thinking about the next part of the review during social situations and noted embarrassing dribbles of saliva down the front of your clothing.  Maybe you had to switch antiperspirants because of the anticipation.  Or perhaps you’ve overheard your colleagues whispering about you at the water cooler, discussing your new nervous “tic,” due to your anxiety about what the remainder of the products are like.  Relax.  I’m here to explain.  And I’m also a tad deranged, if you haven’t already noticed.  My parents would blame it on too much shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, gels, mousses, soaps, facial cleansers, lotions, cosmetics and odiferous nail polishes, penetrating my skull and brain, beginning at a very young age.

Recap of the Ole Henriksen Philosophy

You may love one of the products from this set in particular, but they are best used in tandem.  I am deviating from the instructions on the box to tell you what works best for me.  Adjust as needed, please.  We left off with cleansing.  Follow with a toner, day and night, and then apply the “Truth Serum™ Collagen Booster” over face and throat.  You sexy thing, you–you’re looking better already!

Your Day Routine and Sheer Transformation™

Henriksen suggests applying “Truth Revealed™ Super Crème SPF 15” as the next daytime step.  It is a rich cream.  I reach instead for “Sheer Transformation™.”  This is an ultra-light cream with a soufflé-like texture which is absorbed instantly, but don’t let that deceive you.  It can handle skin as arid as the Sahara without ever clogging pores or causing breakouts.  This is a moisturizer for every woman, even those of you still in your teens to those with grandchildren.  You see, it’s always better to prevent damage than to try to reverse it later.  Use generously over face and neck (note to the very young–your neck won’t always be the long, lineless, seductive body part it is now; preventative care here is also necessary).  “Sheer Transformation™” has botanicals and fruit acids to retexturize, balance, and purify.  Vitamin C, licorice, and an Actiwhite™ complex work on discoloration and even skin’s tone.  Any type of foundation slips on seamlessly over this, even powder foundation.

Your daytime routine–“Sheer Transformation™” Moisturizer applied over “Truth Serum™ Collagen Booster“

Your Night Routine

Cleanse skin thoroughly with the “African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser™.”  Use the toner which bests suits you.  Now prepare to experience one of the most robust, powerful skin-changing products available over the counter, according to several beauty sources.  Apply “Invigorating Night Gel™” to face and neck, avoiding the eye area.   This completely oil-free, light green gel is replete with fruit extracts which hydrate the deepest layers of the skin while refining and visibly transforming the top layers.  Dead skin patches are removed, pores are minimized, and blemishes are healed and actually prevented.  Fine lines and creases begin to disappear with early  use.  You may experience a slight stinging sensation, but this should disappear within a minute or two.  Some women complain of a mild tacky feel, but allow this to penetrate thoroughly before using the night cream.  My skin has a refinement and clarity from this product which is unrivaled by any product from another collection.  It is potent enought that I find I need to take a “break” from it every three nights (just for twenty-four hours) and then return.  Now that’s a product which lives up to its claims . . .

Ultimate Lift Eye Gel

I love eye shadow (recall here that I am a “palettoholic” who was recently released from a cosmetic rehab center and drove directly to Sephora, Ulta, and then Walgreens).  Recently I’ve been noticing the slightest furrows on my lids when applying color and a few under my eyes (okay, so nobody else probably sees them because I’m using a five-times magnifying mirror).  These lines are enough to make me crazed.  What stops them immediately?  Henriksen’s “Ultimate Lift Eye Gel.”  This light blue powerhouse cools and comforts on contact.  Instantly skin around the eyes feels more taut.  Most women don’t realize that many eye creams are not meant to be used both on lids and under eyes, but this works for the entire eye area, from below lashes to the brow bone.  Apply gently but liberally.  While your eye are softened, peptides, copper, and many other ingredients work hard to depuff, decongest, and give the fragile tissue here a new elasticity.  There is a somewhat sticky feel to this gel.  I have to say that the results justify the slight annoyance a hundred times over.  My eyes are now flawless.

Truth Revealed™ Super Crème SPF 15

I’m laughing aloud as I type this.  This is my husband’s favorite Henriksen product, along with the cleanser (please understand that he used to claim that he needed nothing for his skin and that nothing could change it; now we wrestle on the bathroom floor over who uses the products first).  Allow me to lure you–it smells exactly like a creamy orange Dreamsicle Pop.  While it is just a bit creamier and heavier than “Sheer Transformation™,” your skin will drink it in eagerly.  Work it into face and throat lavishly (I never waste the excess of these products but treat my hands as well).  The ingredients read like a botanist’s Christmas list, but sodium hyaluronate and other emollients work to make your skin hard to distinguish from velvet.  Other components eliminate lines and wrinkles and boost collagen synethsis.

Your nighttime routine–“Invigorating Night Gel™” under “Truth Revealed™ Super Crème SPF 15;” “Ultimate Lift Eye Gel” over entire eye area

Walnut Complexion Scrub

Exfoliation is more important than you probably realize (please read my article here called “Skincare 101”).  It not only rids your complexion of dead, dulling skin and blackheads but makes it more receptive to the products you use to treat it.  Henriksen has created a wonderful exfoliant to be used twice weekly after cleansing–“Walnut Complexion Scrub.”  Because ground nuts can have uneven, sharp edges which may cause micro-tears in delicate tissue, use just a little and do not overscrub your skin.  Less is more, both in terms of product and pressure used.  Cells will be renewed, pores deep-cleaned, and dry skin, blemishes, and lines actually buffed away with time.  Yes, I realize the scent is a delectable mixture of nuts and fruit–but please don’t eat it, use it!

Twice weekly–“Walnut Complexion Scrub“

The “New” You

Okay, lovely, follow this routine religiously for at least two weeks and then look at yourself in the mirror.  FEEL your skin.  And then smile!  You were always beautiful.  You simply didn’t realize just HOW BEAUTIFUL you were!