Skincare Saturday: Sunday Riley Cashmere SPF 30 Sun Defense Review

Yet another Sunday Riley product that I got from the generous SA at Bergdorf! Out of all the products from the line that I've tried, this is the one I like the best.

image via Sephora

Many sunscreens leave my skin feeling oily and slick with a heavy feeling that takes forever to soak in. Not so for this! It's pleasantly creamy, but not thick, so it spreads and absorbs really easily. I've taken to wearing it under my Cover FX primer, and I find it is plenty moisturizing for my oily skin, and as far as I can tell it hasn't made my skin worse, as if that's possible...It has a faint chemical smell, but it's really mild and fades quickly, and a little product goes a long way (though I do make sure to apply more than I think I need to try and ensure adequate sun protection!). It doesn't seem to increase my oiliness, and it does definitely work as a sunscreen––I know this because, after a bit of time in the sun, compared to my non-sunscreened chest my face looks very pale (as contrasted to the red that is my neck, whoops; I envy those people who can be in the sun for longer than 5 minutes without getting red, seriously). Unfortunately, like all Sunday Riley products, such loveliness comes at a price––$125 for 1.7 oz. I will gladly use up my samples, but I shan't be purchasing the full size. If you have the collateral, though, it's definitely worth checking out, especially if you find that sunscreen usually leaves you looking ashen or is overly heavy and oily.
$125 for 1.7 oz, available from Sephora, Barneys, and Sunday Riley

Skincare Saturday: Sunday Riley Skin Adrenaline Review

Another Sunday Riley moisturizer, what the what! This one was recommended by the SA as a good daytime moisturizer for my (very oily) skin.

image via Barneys

Compared to Bionic, Skin Adrenaline is slightly creamier (as contrasted with liquidier, totally a word) and white, rather than yellow. It also smells nasty; where Bionic smelled like the pink fruit Mentos, Skin Adrenaline smells like rancid plastic Mentos (my mother thinks it may have spoiled, but that seems so unlikely from a high-end brand that's relatively new...but I have another sample packet that I will open and test later, once my skin is under control [fingers crossed that it gets there, UGH], and update this post). Fortunately, the smell doesn't last long. Other observations: it absorbs really quickly, which is great for those of us who don't want to sit around waiting for our moisturizer to sink in when we hit the snooze alarm too many times (me, every morning), and a little goes a long way. It doesn't make me oilier during the day––it may even help control my oilies, but I haven't tested it rigorously enough to say for sure. I fear it may have irritated my skin, though I'm also testing a new Clarisonic brush so I can't be sure about that. As far as its anti-aging claims go, I have no idea. But for $185 for 50 ml, I assume it must be the moisturizer equivalent of the fountain of youth (though compared to Bionic, it's a steal!). Honestly, it works about the same as my Amber Cream as far as moisturization and interaction with makeup, but it's almost 30x more expensive (yes, I did the math). If you have some (lots of) money to burn, don't mind plasticky scents and possible rancidity, live near a Sunday Riley counter, and are worried about signs of aging, you may want to check out Skin Adrenaline. Otherwise, I think you can safely skip it. $185 for 50 ml, available from Barneys, Sunday Riley, and Bergdorf Goodman in New York

Skincare Saturday: Sunday Riley Bionic Anti-Aging Cream Review and Pictures

I mentioned before that I'd gotten a bunch of skincare samples from the Sunday Riley counter in Bergdorf from a very helpful and generous SA. I decided to use them one at a time to try them out and started with the Bionic Anti-Aging Cream, which the SA had recommended for me as a night moisturizer since I have super oily skin and don't need much hydration during the day.

image via Barneys

The Sunday Riley website describes Bionic as:
"Built on Hydration + Anti-Aging fusion technology. Highest concentration [compared to what?] of key ingredients to Rebuild Collagen, Stimulate Elastin Production, Densify [sure guys, that's a word] the Skin, Reverse Photodamage, and Increase Skin Energy. All emerging anti-aging technologies and causes of aging covered in the creation of this stimulating, cutting-edge product."

I have no idea what's up with the random capitalization, either.

So, seeing as I'm 22 and have oily skin, aging isn't really a concern of mine, and since I've only been using the moisturizer for a week or so, I wouldn't expect to see any effects regardless. While I can't speak to its effectiveness at combating age, I can say that it works fine as a nighttime moisturizer.

looks like vanilla custard! I poured one of the samples into a spare contact lens case––very handy!

It's yellowy in color and smells like the pink fruit Mentos (I was so proud of myself when I figured that out!), which has always been my favorite flavor so I don't mind it. It's less dense than a cream but not as liquidy as a serum, and it absorbs quickly, though the smell lingers for a few minutes. It's fine, I'm certainly not sad to have gotten to try it and I'll use up the samples I have, but it's not like a wildly life-changing product. Of course, I am so not the intended market for it, so take everything I say with that in mind. Also: wicked expensive. Definitely worth getting a sample before you buy!
$225 for 1.7 oz, available from Sunday Riley, Barneys, Bergdorf (in-store in New York only, so it seems)