Sunday Riley Clarifying Scalp Serum ($48)
With AHA/BHA prewash clarifying scalp treatment. I appreciate the nozzle -- it truly makes it easy to get to the scalp. However, why include mica into the formula even? What purpose does it serve? My scalp doesn't care for a temporary "let's shine" moment, you know. While I do like it and it clearly works, for some reason, every time I used it, I get scalp blemishes after. Like, every single time. Maybe it's a coincidence, but an unlikely one.
Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Rich Hydration cream (full size 50ml for $65)
The moisturiser is of a thicker consistency and is infused with 5% Vitamin C, which quite frankly won't do much for your skin when applied so late in the process. The company claims that it will fight the first signs of aging... Yeah, doubt that. Well, it might "fight" but it will probably also "lose". However, the cream is pleasant and I was not repulsed by it.
Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil (15ml for $40, bigger size available)
With a funky name and a big price tag, this deep green oil will intrigue many. Worry not, this is not a paid review, unlike what you might think for a Sunday Riley product (google "Sunday Riley scandal" for more information). You might think, "heck, this girl has perfect skin, why would she even be trying an anti-acne oil?" Truth is, I don't have perfect skin. Far from it. Right now, I am having the worst hormonal acne breakout all over my left and right sides of the forehead. But I am glad for it. Why? Because this gives me the testing grounds to try products like these. I will be honest, I was very sceptical of this face oil. However, two months ago, when I was still in the States, I got breakouts on my face, and what helped me? Yes, exactly, this oil. No, this oil will not magically remove all signs of acne/breakouts overnight. But it will minimise and soothe the existing ones. It's a helping hand, in a way, and not a solution to all problems. Cleansing your face and putting right serums (or medication) is important too in the fight against breakouts. I love the piney-mediciney smell of the oil. It absorbs fast. And I know that even though the price is ridiculously high, my 15ml bottle will last me for at least a full year.
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser (Full size 150ml for £26)
Apparently, this product has been reformulated and repackaged-- and yet, this is the result? My opinion: this product didn't have to exist on the market. It doesn't add anything. In fact, I would say that it is below average, and it seems like a lot of people think that too. It is of a liquid-y cream consistency (quite runny)-- it doesn't foam, it doesn't leave the skin feeling clean. Furthermore, it failed my "brush test"-- where I take a dirty foundation brush and try to clean it. Didn't remove almost any foundation of the brush. So, there you have it!
Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment (30ml for £85)
This product is available in a 50ml version as well, while I bought mine in a set together with the cleanser (mine is only 8ml). Honestly, I just realised how expensive this serum is-- I thought it was cheaper than Drunk Elephant Framboos, but no, this one is actually slightly more expensive. According to Cult Beauty, this is "a multi-purpose treatment, [which] works hard to un-do the damage caused by sunlight, acne, pollution and less-than-healthy lifestyle choices!". Don't know about the last few words, but it definitely helps with breakouts. I first exfoliate my face before using this-- this way, the serum really penetrates better and gives full effect. It will tingle for 20 seconds after application (if you exfoliate beforehand, if not, it might not tingle at all). Alongside Glycolic acid, lactic acid exfoliates further, prickly pear extract reduces irritation and lemongrass extract brightens and clarifies skin. Overall, a very strong serum treatment. Personally, I would not use it more than twice per week for that reason. So, the price. Crazy! How do they even come up with such numbers? Like, honestly, did they fall asleep on the keyboard? I will soon share a similar product, which I believe works well too, but doesn't cost as much. Until then, I did buy the full size of Framboos, but I will finish this product too.