Kate Somerville Restor8

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $165 for 1 ounce

THE SKINNY: Wow. Products such as Kate Somerville's Restor8 serum are the real reason samples were invented. We get to play around with a product most of us could never afford.

Restor8 is a thick and creamy serum that made my face feel nice and soft and gave it a bit of extra glow. This is a little thicker than I normally like for a daytime moisturizer, but it's perfect for night.

The serum targets eight signs of aging, evens out skin tone and plumps up dull skin.

I was impressed, and then I choked when I saw the price.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: If you have the money for this, Kate Somerville offers an auto-replenish option.

-- Tested by Shay

LeeAnni Eco 3-in-1 Revolution Light

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $29.98 for 4 ounces

THE SKINNY: Formulated for normal to oily skin (and warmer weather), 3-in-1 Revolution Light is a combination of a toner, serum and moisturizer that's billed as a product to save you time.

I found the lotion to be rather thick. It left my skin soft, but I'm not sold on it or its result.

Do I really need all this stuff in my moisturizer to help save me time? And why doesn't it include the most important of the face care regime: SPF?


KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: 3-in-1 Revolution Light is supposed to "help tighten Skin, reduce breakouts, relieve dark circles under eyes, moisturize, fight aging, treat sun damages, and calm irritated skin." That's a lot of promises.

-- Tested by Shay

Lancome Advanced Genifique

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $84

THE SKINNY: I really thought I would love this. Lancome makes some pretty awesome stuff.

But there was just not enough of the product to sample. Lancome Advanced Genifique is supposed to create "radiant and smoother skin that you can see and feel."

But it takes 7 days to see results. There was only one application in the sample pack. (Frustrating!)

The serum did apply with ease and did not make my skin feel "off" in any way. But I can't vouch for the effectiveness of this product either. Maybe I should have tried to round up seven of the little packets.

KEEP OR TOSS: There was not even enough left to keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Lancome Advanced Genifique at department stores and online.

-- Tested by Carrie

Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $23.99

THE SKINNY: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum works just fine. Let's be clear about that from the get-go.

After about three weeks of nightly use, my skin is soft and I haven't woken up with puffy or dark circles under my eyes.

Was there a big change in the appearance wrinkles and fine lines? Not really. But post-40, I never really do.

But I do have issues.

For starters, this is a pretty thick serum that goes on waxy, like a primer does. I worried that it was just filling in lines instead of doing anything to soften them and would lead to breakouts. (That didn't happen.)

The bigger issue is that I've become a makeup snob. I don't want to pay $23.99 for Olay. I'd rather pay another $10 and get Ole Henriksen or Philosophy or something else that sounds fancy.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum just about anywhere.

-- Tested by Shay

Nourish Organic Argan Face Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $23.99 for .7 ounces

THE SKINNY: Argan oil seems to be everywhere these days. But somehow I had yet to actually try a serum with the stuff.

Nourish Organic Argan Face Serum is a nice option. Made with argan oil plus a few others, this oil serum goes on smooth and does not leave your face looking shiny. The formula is virtually fragrance-free and can be used alone (most likely at night) or under moisturizer or makeup.

I like the idea of using a more natural product without so many unpronounceable ingredients. As a matter of fact, I can easy name each of the seven ingredients in this vegan product. 

And it make my skin look pretty good too. It added nice moisture. I am beginning to really be sold on oils in general.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find this product and others from Nourish Organic.

-- Tested by Carrie

Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $80 for 30ml

THE SKINNY: This smooth and silky cream left my skin feeling smooth and silky. But it's not really a serum. It's a thick lotion that I found too much for daytime use. I used it only at night and was pleased with the results from my little sample package.

My skin looked healthy and glowing.

Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum is designed to fight wrinkles, sagging and dullness, according to Shiseido.

KEEP OR TOSS: I used all the sample. It's too expensive for me to buy a full-size product.

CHECK IT OUT: Shiseido offers free shipping with a $50 purchase.

-- Tested by Shay

Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $42

THE SKINNY: After only one use, I am totally enamored by Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation.

I'd seen ads in magazines for the liquid foundation but never really thought twice about buying it. The serum uses argan oil -- which is pretty amazing stuff -- and I was worried that my combination skin might get a little too shiny.

Not at all.

This stuff went on smooth and matched by skin color perfectly (light/medium). The foundation did go one a light light (almost making me panic) but then "adjusted" nicely.

The finish was flawless ALL DAY LONG. Never a speck of shine or hint of dryness.

If you are planning a wedding or special event, this is your all-day solution! The foundation leave you looking flawless and almost like you are not wearing makeup at all -- seriously. (Maybe Josie Maran should hire me to sell this stuff.)

In addition to looking great this serum foundation also claims to help fight signs of aging. I can't vouch for that after only using a sample. It is also made without parabens, sulfates and synthetic fragrances.

There are only two (small) hangups: This is an expensive product and it is exclusive to Sephora.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Josie Maran Argan Matchmaker Serum Foundation is available in three shades that adjust to your natural skin tone. Find it at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie 

Tarte Maracuja C-brighter Eye Treatment

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $38

THE SKINNY: My eyes have been tired for a while. And that's OK as long as they don't look tired.

Thanks to Tarte's Maracuja C-brighter Eye Treatment, my eyes are looking better than ever. After a couple of weeks of using this light cream, my eyes are less puffy and the circles have faded dramatically.

I really had no idea an eye cream could do this much work. And I am only using it half as much as the label suggests.

Tatre's treatment is infused with Vitamin C and maracuja fruit to hydrate. While you can use it twice a day, I have found that a super light layer around bed time is enough. The cream is super smooth and light and while it does costs $38, this little pot will last forever.

It is a solid investment.

As an added bonus, the cream is non-irritating. Even after getting a little in my eye (oops!), it did not burn or sting.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. The cream felt great and gave my eyes a pick-me-up.

CHECK IT OUT: You can get this item right from Tarte (look for specials) or retailers such as Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

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fresh Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 star

COST: $35

THE SKINNY: This is the first time I've been less than impressed with a product from fresh. This light serum went on cool and refreshing and felt good on my skin.

But it didn't do anything close to creating a matte finish, and within a few hours, my T-zone was oily.

According to fresh, umbrian clay "works to neutralize acidity, purifying and clarifying the complexion." That wasn't quite the experience I had with it. A product that claims to help create a matte finish shouldn't leave my face feeling oily.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Want a second opinion? Umbrian Clay Mattifying Serum does get good reviews on its website.

-- Tested by Shay

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $47.50 for 30 ml

THE SKINNY: I finally found a Clinique product that I don't like -- Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus Wrinkle and UV Damage Corrector.

The freebie was offered to me at the Clinique counter and I was pretty excited, a $45+ product should deliver, right?

Wrong! My skin and this product did not get along at all. It was super-drying - we're talking crusty and giant flakes dry. Then the breakouts started. Giant under-the-skin pore-exploding breakouts.

Clinique promises results after 4 weeks and reduced wrinkles at 12 weeks. I made it 5 days and gave up. Not worth it.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Reviewers on the Clinique site seem much happier with this product. You can see what they have to say.

-- Tested by Carrie