- The pros: The pigment of this lipbalm is wonderfully rich. It covers the lip fully for a luscious nude glow. It has a great hydrating quality and smells absolutely delicious – like the name implies a sweet honey-sugary type of smell. An upside is the taste is fairly pleasant. Lasting power is average for a lip balm – the upside is that it fades evenly and naturally. (See Fresh’s website here for ingredient listing.)
- The cons: Unfortunately the texture of this product is so soft, after the first swipe, the product gets smashed against the side. It’s simply too soft for a tube and after swiping it on the lips, the base broke (and I had only twisted it up a little). This was slightly heartbreaking. I think if it had a stiffer texture to prevent breakage or if this was packaged in a tub or squeeze tube it would have been an excellent purchase well worth the high price. For me, packaging is extremely important and lipstick breakage is a deal breaker for me. Yes, the product is still usable, but each time I twist the tube up, a mess is made on the side. I’m not sure if this is typical of all the Fresh Lip Treatments since I haven’t tried the other shades.
Overall, I will have to give this a thumbs down just because of the packaging/product design flaws. If you’ve tried this – what are your thoughts? Have you tried other colors? What have been your experiences?
Before I review each item in further detail, first a few things:
Sculpting Firming Concentrate – This is the winner for me in this set. After daily use for several months this has substantially improved the clarity of my skin. Most days this is the only thing I’ve been using under my foundation and powder. This has a lightweight gel consistency with a subtle scent. The texture is lightweight but makes the skin feel softly moisturized (even though it’s not a moisturizer). According to Chanel this is supposed to make the skin look “lifted from within.” Does my skin look more lifted? I’m not sure I can say for sure. I personally love and use the Lift Lumiere Foundation even though I don’t see much of a “lift.”
My never-ending quest for the perfect skincare regimen continues …
Have you used Chanel skincare? What have your experiences been like?
This Lancome Cleansing Water currently retails for $35 for 6.8 fl oz (see more details on Lancome.com). It’s a gentle makeup remover for the entire face and comes in a sleek clear bottle with a well-designed pump. The packaging is sturdy and easy to use. The pump dispenses just the right amount so nothing is wasted by over-pouring. Although it’s designed as a makeup remover, I use this more as a purifying toner/cleanser.
Two pumps spritzed onto the cotton square is enough to cover the entire face. At $35 I find it fairly expensive for a makeup remover, but for a toner it seems to be decent priced. It will remove mascara and eyeliner, but not 100% for those long-wear formulas. For makeup removal in the evenings, I typically soak a cotton pad with a dual-formula makeup remover (something inexpensive like Neutrogena) to remove the eyeliner and mascara. I then cleanse the face completely with soap and water and dry. Next I tone. This is the point where I will sometimes use Lancome’s Eau Fraîche Douceur instead of toner just to make sure any remnants of makeup left on the skin are completely removed.
Overall: Highly recommend.
- Cleanse with La Mer Cleansing Gel
- Tone with La Mer The Tonic, Paul & Joe Refreshing Skin Toner or Lancome’s Eau Fraîche Douceur
- Moisturize at day only with Chanel Ultra Correction Lift Sculpting Firming Concentrate or La Mer The Moisturizing Lotion

Product Ingredients:
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Glycerin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methyl Gluceth-10, Delinoleate, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Acrylated/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hydroxide, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Polianthes Tuberosa Polysaccharide, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Angelica Acutiloba Root Extract, Lecithin, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Glucosyl Hesperidin, PinusPinaster Bark Extract, PVP, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Beta-Glucan, Algae Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Algae Extract, Fullerenes
Product Application: Recommended usage is 1-2 times per week, but I see myself using this maybe once a month.
- Fit mask over dry face
- Leave on for about 10 minutes
- Remove mask and blend unabsorbed emollient into the skin
- Apply remaining emollients in packet onto eyelids, neck or décolleté
My Product Thoughts: I am a huge skeptic when it comes to face-sheet masks. I’ve tried a few in the past which I found irritated my skin resulting in red splotches or left my skin overly-moisturized. Most I’ve found did nothing to improve the texture or feeling of my face. Yet, I received so many raves via e-mail about the one from Koh Gen Do I was hopeful for better results.
I applied this after I had cleansed and dried my face with Clinique’s Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser. The mask seemed a bit large for my face but there were cut sections on the side which allowed for adjustment. The upside is your face is covered entirely, no spot is missed. The sheet was soaked with a heavy gel making the mask feel like it would fall off but it stayed put the entire 10 minutes I had it on my face. The scent is hard to describe, but I would call it a very light and clean refreshing scent. It covered my entire face and lids.
After ten minutes, I took the sheet off and rinsed my face with water to remove the excess and then gently dried with a towel. The results were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I have normal but sensitive skin that has recently started to look tired due to stress and neglect. (Yes, I’m not the best with my skin.) This mask gave me baby soft skin and left me feeling refreshed and moisturized yet perfectly clean. The gel left no heavy residue or sticky feeling. I’ve only had 2 spa facials before. This mask made my skin feel just as good as the Four Seasons facials. I see this as being useful for all skintypes. There was still quite a bit of excess product in the package – Koh Gen Do’s recommendation is to use this for other parts of the face and neck. I discarded the excess both times I’ve used this, but I will have to keep that in mind the next time so I don’t waste any good product.
I highly recommend you explore Kohgendocosmetics.com – there is a wealth of information on the brand history, product lines, how-to’s for skincare, links to reviews and features from various editors and bloggers – all the goodies one would want to see about a brand, right on the brand website. I have not yet ordered online yet, my experience was at Barneys NY in Beverly Hills, but there seem to be quite a few promotions that are tempting me right now.
Have you tried Koh Gen Do’s skincare before? I’d love to hear more thoughts on your experiences with this brand as I am anxious to make another run to Beverly Hills soon, maybe in the next couple months.
- Sculpting Firming Concentrate (0.5 fl. oz. airless pump) “ELEMI PFA* Derived from a pure botanical found in Indonesia, the Elemi tree, for traditional use in healing, and purified to its most potent essence. The unique ingredient helps boost the production of tensin — providing benefits beyond those of elastin and collagen — to help rebuild and strengthen the supportive dermal network. Skin appears lifted from within.
- Lifting Firming Day Cream SPF 15 (0.5 oz. jar) An anti-aging treatment with high-performing star ingredient elemi PFA* stimulates the production of tensin, improving the quality of skin’s collagen and elastin fibers, and helping to improve their bonds within the skin to create a firm supportive network. Lush cream, luxuriously textured and delicately scented, delivers a very soft, matte finish, with ultimate comfort, for a visible lifting effect.
- Ultra Firming Night Cream (0.5 oz. jar) High-performing star ingredient elemi PFA* stimulates the production of tensin, improving the quality of skin’s collagen and elastin fibers, and helping to improve their bonds within the skin to create a firm supportive network. Velvety cream, luxuriously textured and delicately scented, intensely nourishes for a plumping and firming effect, specifically formulated for skin’s night function.
- Comes with two mini black spatulas for the creams

The first two days my skin became a bit red on the cheek areas, but I thought this could have just been to my own personal stress. I kept using it to see if my skin would improve. In addition, I got a sample of the new Express Lifting Firming Mask at the counter and tried that as well. After 11 days of testing my skin I have smoother softer skin. My disaster spots are almost gone. I don’t know that I will see any lift as I don’t really have any sagging areas yet on my face.
The Concentrate is a gel-like texture that applies smooth and non-sticky. My SA recommends patting it into the skin rather than rubbing, but I’m still more of a slathering-type of person when it comes to skincare. There is no detectable scent.
The Day Cream is on the thicker side with a slightly tacky feeling. It does dry down a little to be non-sticky. There is a noticeable scent which I cannot describe. It’s not overpowering and fades within a few seconds. I have a highly sensitive nose and cannot stand strong fragrances in skincare.
The Night Cream is thick but smoother than the day cream with the same scent. I haven’t been using the Concentrate with the Night Cream even though it is recommended. I personally would rather save it for the daytime.
NARS Sertao Blush
NARS Cordura Eyeshadow Duo
Urban Decay YDK Eyeshadow
Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush
Bobbi Brown Shore Cream Eyeshadow
Chanel Nail Polishes
MAC Blonde’s Gold Pigment
MAC Fleur Power
J.Crew Skinny Belts
- Paul & Joe Creamy Facial Foam – I tried this from a sample and finally purchased the full size. It’s thick and creamy and cleanses the skin really well. Leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed.
- NARS Beverly Hills Multiple Tint – See more swatches and the review here, a nice swipe & go type of product, easy to use and blend, gives a pop of color, can’t rave enough about these
- NARS Sertao Blush – A pretty shimmery light golden tan
- NARS Cordura Eyeshadow Duo – Great for a smokey bronzed eye look
- Urban Decay YDK Eyeshadow – This is from the old packaging, a nice nude-taupey-bronze sparkle
- Bobbi Brown Bronzer Brush – This is from the Black Plum set, but is available in the regular brush handle, the most luxurious soft bronzer brush you’ll ever find. Definitely worth the price even though it is pricier.
- Bobbi Brown Shore Cream Eyeshadow – My perfect lids-but-better base, review here
- Chanel Nail Polishes – Especially love Riviera (check out dupes here) and Orange Blossom (see the manicure here)
- MAC Fleur Power – The perfect healthy warm pink blush
- MAC Blonde’s Gold Pigment – The prettiest wash of soft gold-champagne
- J.Crew Skinny Belts – Simple, classic and makes a nice accent to the waist, now I just need to go back and find a black one
What are you loving right now? I always love reading your favorites.
*Update* I wasn’t happy with the swatches for this post – I think they were a bit misleading because the lighting was off so I removed them so I don’t confuse my readers. Sorry for any confusion!