But there are a few products I've found that, when coupled with a good facial routine, do instantly improve your overall appearance. It Cosmetics' Bye Bye Lines Serum Advanced Anti-Aging Wrinkle-Smoothing Miracle Concentrate (try saying that fast!) does a wonderful job of instantly smoothing wrinkles, masking discoloration, and overall brightening your face. It's also a great primer for foundation or a coverage product.
I tried this product out a month ago at Sephora and bought it despite its not insignificant price tag because when I put it on in the store, I was like, "oh, where's my eye wrinkles??!?" Not a bad reaction for a first time use.
What it is
This product is a hybrid primer / treatment / moisturizer. A primer is a product you put on after moisturizing and before foundation. It fills pores and wrinkles and helps foundation to set better. A treatment is a product that treats particular skincare concerns, like wrinkles, pores, acne, or dullness. A moisturizer is a product that keeps your face from drying out. This product does all three. Although it lists a hefty number of vitamins in its ingredients (A, B, and C), I think it's primary benefit is as a primer. I am not typically a fan of primers because they're heavy on silicons, which temporarily fills and mask pores, but on me, dry out my skin throughout the day. This product has enough moisturizers in it that instead of making my skin feel powdery, it feels smooth and soft. The product is white, the consistency of heavy whipping cream, and doesn't have much of a smell.
How to use
According to the Sephora website, you use it before or in place of your moisturizer, morning and evening. I use it only in the mornings, and I put it on after my moisturizer because it makes a great primer and makes my BB cream go on more smoothly. I use a small amount, about the size of your smallest finger nail, pat it between both hands, and smooth it over my face, focusing on my eyes (because that's where my wrinkles are the most obvious).
What it does
As I said, there are no magical products that make you look 16 again, but this one does an instant job of softening wrinkles, moisturizing skin, and overall smoothing your face. While it claims to have long term benefits, I've mostly found that it makes your face look nicer for the day, not forever.
Cons
It's $58.00 for 1 oz., which isn't cheap. I suspect it will last me 3 or 4 months based on how little I need to use. Would I buy it again? Unless I find another primer-y product that I like better and is cheaper, I probably would. This doesn't break me out or clog pores, and I do love the results. However, another downside is that the ingredients are not remotely natural and contain several silicon-type fillers (hence the instant smoothing). I normally try not to use things like this, but since this one does a lot for me and hasn't caused any bad reactions, I don't mind.
Take-away
If you have reasonably good skin already and just want to make it look a little better, especially if your main concern is wrinkles, this is a great item to try! Or if you want to improve your coverage application, especially in the dry winter months, this is a great moisturizer to wear underneath a bb cream or foundation that never feels greasy. You can ask for a free sample at Sephora, or you can buy it and take it back used for a full refund (with a receipt) or for store credit (without a receipt) up to a year at Sephora.
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| image taken from sephora |