Musings of a Muse

A Blog of Musings from a Cosmetic Whore

Mar 11, 2008

Kiehl's Skincare Review



I'm very, very wary of trying new skincare items. I'm sort of stuck in my normal routine rut and since it works so well for me it's very rare I try anything else on my face. I'm a Lushie for life as you probably already know from reading my blog. If you're not familiar with my daily skincare routine click over here for the details.

I've been happily testing out two of Kiehl's skincare products last week which were the Ultra Facial Cleaner and the Ultra Facial Toner.

The first thing that shocked me about Kiehl's was that it's affordable skincare. Seriously how often can you find affordable skincare that works? Tis a rare occurrence for me!

I normally take my makeup off with one of three products that I use. Lush Ultra Bland for hardcore makeup that's tough to get off (liquid eyeliner, heavy eyemakeup etc...), Kose Airy Whip (for lighter makeup removal! This is sadly not available in the US.), and Philosophy Purity (I use this daily for all types of makeup).

All of the above products work fantastic for me so there isn't any reason for me to change however I'm vaguely surprised, with being so picky the way I am, that I really enjoyed using Kiehl's Facial Cleaner for the past week. I've been using this from Monday until Sunday evening and I must say it works a treat and I'm considering adding it to my current skincare routine!



For some reason I get a weird feeling of "you missed a spot" when using Philosophy Purity. I normally use this daily, more so then my other cleansers and it always leaves me feeling like maybe I didn't get off everything that was on my face. However, I felt truly, deeply cleansed with Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser. Even looking in the mirror after cleansing, my face looked really refreshed!

A little of this goes a long way as it's a thick gel that foams up for a good deep clean. The cleanser is good for all skin types. At the moment my skin chooses to be dry because of the cold winter weather. It's quite a gentle wash that is not drying to my skin! Believe me I'm already dry enough if I used anything that was drying I'd definately know!

I ended up wandering over to Kiehl's website as using the cleanser had made me curious about the rest of the line and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the cleanser is $17.50USD for 5oz! I thought for sure something that worked this good would be $30-$40!

All in all I was very pleased with the Ultra Facial Cleanser! Well done Kiehl's it's on the Muse's list for repurchase as soon as I get through the sample!

I also got my hands on the Ultra Facial Toner but this sadly wasn't as wonderful as the cleanser. This is a very thick toner in comparison to my normal toner. I normally use Lush's Tea Tree Oil (for oily days) or Breath of Fresh Air (for dryer days). My toner choices are very light and are spray on where as the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Toner is a thicker formula that's meant to be swiped on with a cotton ball! The formula is comparable to Guerlain's Issima Success Model Smoothing Toner, the texture for me is spot on the same as the Guerlain but the Kiehl's has a nice price tag! Happy Days! I really liked the consistency of this toner and it felt wonderfully cool and moisturizing when I swiped it on. Sadly, it dried me out a bit. This is for all skin types but for me it was a bit drying. I felt like my skin was very tight minutes after applying it. I used it for seven days straight just to see if I'd see an improvement but sadly nothing changed. I'd highly recommend this if you're oily because it may very well dry your skin up a bit. My Asian readers that suffer from oily skin and humid weather (my lovely Singaporean readers) may find this an excellent toner for your skin! I think I'll try this again in the Summer when my forehead decides to become a mirror!



Again, the price is very nice on this! $15USD gets you 8.4oz! That's a great price and a great size! Total props for an interesting formula and texture but I can't recommend this for people with dry skin! You might want to avoid it as I experienced further drying when using it.

Overall, the new lineup in the skincare collection is most definately interesting! For further information about the new additions to Kiehl's Skincare click here!

Have you tried any of Kiehl's Skincare?

Love it?

Favorite product?

Speak to the Muse!

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18 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Muse. Help me!! This is Kitty. I have to make a decision in about an hour of "Dior Long Wearing Moisturizing Concealer" and "YSL radiant touch". Which one is more moisturizing choice? Thanks. I will check back in a second.

March 11, 2008 at 1:42 PM  
Blogger Pao said...

Hi Muse!

I'm going to try Kiehl's deodorant, I'll tell you about it as soon as I use it ;) (no Kiehl's in my city, will go to Madrid and take it home)

Hugs!

March 11, 2008 at 3:33 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love Kiehl's - the abyssine cream is amazing and so is their eye cream! I'm also super attached to the ultra facial moisturizer, the sunscreen and the #1 lip balm. I am lucky enough to visit the flagship store in NYC where they give out GIANT samples, so I am able to try it all!

March 11, 2008 at 7:54 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

Hey Kitty!

I think I'm LATE! I'm sorry honey! Work has been hell!

I'd go with the YSL. I hope that's what you got. Either that or the Dior Radiance Booster!

How old are you if you don't mind my asking? I base concealer choices on age of the eye and coverage needed ;)

I hope I'm not too late!

*hugs*

March 11, 2008 at 8:09 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey pao pao! How are you today!?

Ooo! yes yes please do! curious! Ah madrid lucky you! My dad is Portuguese you know :) We'd visit Portugal and Spain alot in the summer when I was a kid!

I haven't been since I was about 18 or so, Spain that is not Portugal! Someday soon maybe ;) You can take me shopping hehe!

Can't wait for the review!

Still owe you an email don't hate me!?

I'm awful with emails!

Hugs!

March 11, 2008 at 8:10 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya Shelley!

Eye cream is good?! Uh oh that means I needs it. I'm currently trying to locate the perfect eye cream.

I haven't tried the ultra facial moisturizer but I was very curious!

I live in New York so I should head over ;) w00t samples I likey!

Thanks for the comment and for visiting!

March 11, 2008 at 8:12 PM  
Blogger Ann the Queen said...

wow.. i've got a store just near my place. (say 5 minutes drive!) and this will be my incentive for going in to try!

for paopao..
my mum's been using the much "raved" deodorant and she says its nothing great. and worse it comes in a squeeze tube. its quite hassle to put on.

March 11, 2008 at 9:02 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hey Ann!!!!!

It's quite a good cleaner! I ended up purchasing a full size as I am liking it.

Ew squeeze tube? No way ;) not for me!

Ann...might I be a pain in the arse and ask for your blog addy again?

I keep bookmarking it home but not at work!

Grr!

March 12, 2008 at 10:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

*Hugs*

Thanks, honey. no, you are not late, as she pushed off the deadline. I am asking my friend to buy it for me with a 20% off event. She is getting it later today, so you are just on time. I am 25, too old?? I have used one YSL before and liked it, but since you said dior is good, I was thinking of getting a try. Now I decided to stay with YSL. Thanks a lot.(K)

March 12, 2008 at 10:17 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya kitty!

Oh lord no! 25 is a baby ;) Hell I'm 30 that's old hehe!

If you found the YSL works best I'd definately go with that as you know it's good! Don't wanna waste money on something you haven't tried before you know?!

I like the dior click pen alot actually but I find the YSL and the Guerlain are a bit better coverage wise.

The dior is cheaper though I believe..

March 12, 2008 at 10:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Muse, I love your site! Seeing all your reviews on Japanese makeup makes me drool..too bad I can only get a few brands in SG. Canmake, Lunasol, Shiseido, Shu Uemura, ZA, Beaute De Kose.

Kiehl's #1 lipbalm is my HG balm. My lips are forever dry and cracking. This lip balm soothes my chapped lips instantly! I prefer the tub version though, the tube one is a hassle to apply with the sharp edges.

I bought the ultra facial moisturiser. Found that it's too oily on my combination-dry skin. It seems to be sitting on the top..like an oils slick..could be due to the humid weather in SG..

March 12, 2008 at 5:03 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya gracie.

Aw thanks so much! I'm flattered you love it so much!

Aw I know :-( sigh! Singaporeans are as deprived as us Americans sadly :( Although you do get some stuff! MJ, Kose, Some Kanebo, Etc..

Believe me I feel your pain! Have you tried www.adambeauty.com? he's sorta ok price wise!

Haven't tried their lipbalm but everyone keeps raving about it and creating a lemming for me ;)

I get super chapped lips so this might be for me!

I didn't try the facial moisturizer but I was curious about it. I'm a combo as well. Dry/Oily depending on weather.

It could be the humidity. I'd melt if I was in that much humidity daily! You need a light moisturizer that won't goop off in the heat for sure!

I know so many girls in SG who complain about skin, hair, etc..due to the humidity ;( Must be tough day to day!

Thanks for the compliment and comment :)

Do drop by more often to chat with me!

March 12, 2008 at 11:27 PM  
Blogger 4 said...

I hadn't told you yet, but you (yes you!), turned me into a Lushy! I had never heard of Lush before I came across your blog, so I gave it a shot and ordered some of their products: Baby Face, Snowcake, and Breath of Fresh Air Toner. Now I'm a total junky and I'm attending a Lush party this coming Monday. Look what you've done to me!!! Gah!

March 13, 2008 at 12:38 AM  
Blogger the Muse said...

ha! YAY heather ;) wahoo! Another one over to the dark side ;)

lol!

Baby Face is a fav of mine and Breath of Fresh Air!

Snowcake.......;) LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

So pleased to hear you're loving Lush :)

Enjoy the Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for the comment ;)

March 13, 2008 at 1:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Muse, thanks for ya reply:) Yup for sure in our sweltering heat we need to use a lighter moisturiser. Though it's been raining cats and dog s this week!
I usually use Clinique moisturise surge extra in the gel-creme formula; day and night. ZA new future defense eye cream and Garnier UV perfect SPF 50 PA+++. You should try the clinique moisturiser in the summer. It absorbs easily, feels refreshing and doesn't clog pores.

Once weekly, I'll use my HG deep cleansing mask, Kose mask white. It really helps with getting rid of all those pesky blackheads and dead skin! I've used these for 2 years and it never fails me!

March 13, 2008 at 12:06 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya grace no problem at a;)

I bet! I don't mind the heat and sun but humidity is a deal breaker for me phew! Has the rain cooled things off? Strange to think how warm you are and I'm freezing my butt off in ny!

I haven't used clinique moisturizers in years and now i'm curious about this on you mentioned! does the clinique have an spf? I'll definately consider it for summer if it does!!!

I use Kose Mask White too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it!!!!!!!!!!!! it's my favorite mask!!!!!!

Sadly it's not available locally but I've found a nice price on ebay for it ;-)

*hugs*

Happy almost weekend!

March 13, 2008 at 10:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Muse, the Clinique moisturise surge extra in the gel-creme formula does not have an spf. But it does absorbs easily! You should try it!

March 20, 2008 at 12:13 PM  
Blogger the Muse said...

hiya grace!

hmmm! It might make a good summer moisturizer if it's light and I can use SPF underneath!

Thanks hun!
If I try it I'll review it and let ya know what I think!

March 20, 2008 at 4:05 PM  

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