:: PR Sample ::
With age comes experience, with experience comes wisdom. At my age now, there are things I don’t compromise especially when it comes to skincare. I’ve said it many times, aging is inevitable and the proverbial fountain of youth remains a myth. But with a healthy lifestyle (I don’t smoke or drink, I chug water, I use sunscreen), positive disposition (I stay sway from drama!) and religious use of products that deliver outstanding results (I’m big on serums and moisturizers), you can keep wrinkles at bay for a while (Imma proud 40, girly!).
With a gamut of skincare products out in the market today, from drugstore to luxury, choosing THE ONE seems to be an onerous task. But that’s how it really is. What works for others may not for me and vice versa. Recently, I had the opportunity to try a new anti-aging brand which lists gold in its ingredients. Yes, you read it right. Since I’m a lover of gold (I wear my gold jewelries 24/7, 365d), I thought it was cool to incorporate it in my skincare. After all, gold is used in some luxury spas to moisturize, reduce wrinkles, fill lines and rejuvenate skin.
Allow me to introduce Allegresse, the newest skincare line by high-end beauty boutique company Bibasaque. Allegresse means joy in French; After using the serum and moisturizer day and night for almost a month, I couldn’t agree more! Scroll further for full review, discount code and giveaway to TheFabZilla readers!
Let’s start with Allegresse Refining Facial Serum (30 ml, $189). It claims to nourish all facial zones and reduce visible lines and wrinkles. Ingredients include borage seed oil, evening primrose oil and pomegranate extract to help fight premature aging, pure gold to boost skin’s texture, and natural oils for deeper hydration. It’s free from parabens, mineral oil, SLS, petroleum and synthetic color.
Aqua (Water), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Leaf Extract, Panthenol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Rosmarinus Of cinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Sage (Salvia Of cinalis) Leaf Extract, Triethylene Glycol, Verbena Of cinalis Leaf Extract, Fragrance (Parfum), Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Borago Of icinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Gold (CI 77480)
You know I can be quite nitpicky when it comes to buzzwords and whatnot so while gold is listed last in the ingredients, I will evaluate this serum based on the merits it earned and why I enjoyed this a lot. See I have oily yet maturing skin, this lethal combination makes my big pores even more obvious by way of gravity and shine. Right now, it is my utmost concern, trivial but who cares. What I like about this serum is that instantly, I can feel my face being pulled up (not to Joan Rivers level por favor) but enough to reduce the appearance of my imperfections. If you look at the above photo close enough, you can see minute gold particles suspended in a clear gel formula. But rather than giving a shimmery-shiny appearance, it leaves a nice velvety coat which helps tighten pores, make skin look supple, reduce the appearance of shine, and eliminate the need for a makeup primer. I use this twice a day (1) in the morning under BB cream (2) at night in combination with Allegresse Bio-Anti-Wrinkle Cream (review below). Other things worth-mentioning: it has subtle floral fragrance, the pump-dispenser type bottle makes it sanitary, and the absorption is fast.
Next up is Allegresse Bio Anti Wrinkle Cream (50 ml/1.7 oz, $200). The ingredients are quite identical to the serum but in addition, this moisturizer also lists Songa, a unique organic botanical extract which helps skin appear firmer and supple.
Water (Aqua), Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Dimethicone, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Fragrance (Parfum), Water & Solidago Virgaurea (Goldenrod) Extract, Anthemis Nobilis (Chamomile) Flower Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Borago Of cinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Triethylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Punica Granatum Extract, Gold (CI 77480)
So do you really need the extra step of using a moisturizer (or serum for that matter)? It all boils down to preference and budget consideration. Skincare hardcore junkies like myself advocate the use of both because (1) serums have the ability to penetrate deeper layers of the skin, think of it like force-feeding your dermis with all the good nutrients (b) moisturizers on the other hand provide additional hydration by holding water in the outermost layer of the skin. Got extra bucks? use together. Short on moolah? drop either one. Now that you know my stand, let’s tackle this anti-aging cream.
As you can see, this moisturizer is housed in a glass jar. My only reservation with this type of packaging is the probable contamination that’s why it’s imperative to dip into it with clean fingers every single time. But other than that, I like its creamy texture which applies and dissolves onto skin rather fast. I use this mostly at night (over serum) and in days I skip BB cream and opt for regular foundation. Used with a serum, I am pleased that it hydrated my face pretty well. I can see dewiness as the day progresses but not enough to be bothered by sebum attack.
If you like natural products and you’re willing to pay for quality, this is a good skincare line to consider. I mean it’s a fact: achieving great-looking skin does require serious investment. Got good genes? lucky you! I don’t, which is why I’m more than happy to share that Bibasque is offering 50% discount with any Allegresse product with promo code ALLEGRESSE50 at check out (I don’t earn from this referral).
Not ready to splurge yet? Enter this giveaway! One fabulous reader will win the same products I reviewed and love, it’s $389-worth!
:: Open to USA and Canada only (sorry international readers, it’s Bibasque rules)
:: At least 18 y/o (you can never be too young to start with skincare)
:: Must be TheFabZilla subscriber (I value your loyalty)
:: A happy camper (meaning, if you don’t win, don’t get mad and hound me or the company).
I will pick the winner using Rafflecopter but Bibasque will ship your prize. Starts 8/11/14 and ends 8/24/14. One last thing, be sure to read these guidelines before entering the giveaway. Patience is a virtue, wait for Rafflecopter to load. Good luck beauties!
My Mother-in-Law is very sick and I help her alot, so I would say that makes her happy.
Rafflecopter: Rosie Areola
What a great giveaway! I especially like the sound of the serum. I haven't done much yet today (it's early!) but I did help my daughter with her breakfast, which made her very happy lol!
What a great giveaway! 🙂 I tried to make someone happy by bringing in treats for a coworker's birthday!
I couldn't do without moisturizer and serum. I think they've been responsible for keeping my older skin younger looking. This is a new brand to me, but the products sound lovely and luxe. Good luck to the participants! What a wonderful giveaway!
That Refining Facial Serum – I need that! I LOVE how it looks just out of the container but even better is that it worked for you and didn't make you look like Joan Rivers, lol!!!!
PS – thanks for the giveaway, and I hope that you fared OK this weekend with the storms!
I´ve never heard of Bibasque, but these two products do sounds fabulous.
wow! What an awesome giveaway. Sounds so fancy!
What a great giveaway! My mom always impressed upon me the importance of washing your face and using a quality moisturizer – and since she always looked years younger than her actual age, I've always followed her advice!
Hmm how would I make someone happy? A family at my church, struggling with a very sick child, has been in and out of the hospital with that sweet baby for two months. I have helped organize their meals for the days they are home.
I really do not like to say the good deeds I did but I gave a bunch of my clothes away to those less fortunate. I know I made some people happy. 🙂 Instead of selling them I would much rather give them away to those who really need it.
I made my coworker happy by playing a video on YouTube, lol. I have speakers, she doesn't. The skincare line is definitely out of my normal price range but the coupon code is very tempting. Thank you for the review!
This skincare sounds fabulous! And based on your picture you do NOT look 40.
It sounds like it lives up to its name.
Thank you so much for having this giveaway! It's definitely out of my budget for skincare.
This looks like such a decadent line! Very cool giveaway!
I helped my neighbour carry in her groceries today!
i helped my mom cut up the vegetables and wash the dishes she loves when i help out(:
Wow, these look really fancy! Thanks for the giveaway, this is an incredible value!
Sounds interesting, great giveaway!
Ooh la la, such fancy products! I don't mind spending lots of $ on good skin care though, it's worth it!
What an awesome giveaway! Love it!
I listened to people who just wanted to talk and be heard.
Thanks for offering the giveaway, I'd love to try this without the hit on the budget – esp. since I also have oily, aging skin. I'm afraid I wasn't much for making others happy today- it was a rough day for me, and I leaned heavily on my husband for support. I suppose it made him happy to cuddle on the couch and watch some TV with me, though.
Fantastic Giveaway!
Never heard of this brand! All the more reason to enter the giveaway!
Holy wow! Great stuff!
This stuff looks fabulous!
This is such an amazing giveaway !
Sweet giveaway 😀
Wowzers! That's a great giveaway!
I think I have more wrinkles than you and I'm over a decade younger. Send me everything and anything you are using.
These products sound wonderful. I would love to try them. I am going to my daughters soccer game today to watch her play. She's always appreciative for me to be there. Even though I go to all of them it still makes her happy for me to be there.
I got up extra early and made breakfast for my husband before he left(it's a big deal cause I HATE the smell of food cooking early in the morning)
Thanks for this fabulous opportunity!!!
Sharon
awesome giveaway!!
Great Giveaway! This stuff sounds amazing!
Thanks for the amazing giveaway. I was there for a friend going through a hard time
My husband has been very stressed so I made sure to find little ways to let him know that he is loved and supported.
The packaging on these looks s cool in your pictures up by the lid! They sound great!
i sent my hubby something to make him smile when he was stressed out at work
I have a therapy dog for my husband so I riled him up this morning while daddy was sleeping then I had him go shower daddy in kisses and love to wake him up. He was laughing the whole time while the dog was kissing, rolling, and rubbing on him. Always a good thing to wake up with a smile.
Wonderful giveaway! I've been there for a friend with health issues!
Cleaned the bathrooms xD Such a strange way to give back but it works
I bought my daughter a pretty dress for back to school that she wasn't expecting and got hubs a new pillow.
I cooked an awesome brunch for my hubby today
I made my mama a scarf 🙂 (i realize its summer but it is so pretty)
I played ninja turtles with my son and we always have fun doing that
I surprised my boyfriend with breakfast
I have a fabulous dinner simmering for my husband.
I am a nurse. I do my best to try to make people happy every day! Doesn't always work, but I try : )
I bought my mom's favourite cupcake to cheer her up
I tickled my 1 year old daughter–she LOVES it
I paid for the latte of the customer behind me.
We made dinner for my grandparents!
commonsenseandstilettos@yahoo.com
I won a gift certificate for classroom supplies that I gave to my cousin who's a teacher. She was thrilled.