Clinique Dramatically different or the same?

A few months ago, November 2011 to be exact, I purchased the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel. Usually this would be over $40BDS for the small (50mL) tube, but on Duty-free Day, it was about $24BDS for this size. So I decided to pick it up to try out instead of going back to my Garnier moisturiser which had a similar price.

First off I know I have dry to combination skin, yet I choose the gel because it was lightweight yet moisturising enough for my skin. This product definitely delivered with its light formula. The yellow gel did not have a strong scent, which I loved because some fragrances can get very overbearing for me. In terms of absorption, it did not take very long and did not leave the skin feeling dry or looking too oily. At the time I was using this product I was using a scrub daily to fade my acne scars and keep away new break outs, and this product worked well for rehydrating my skin.

I would just use a pea sized dot of this gel for my entire face, and the moisture would last all day. This small tube has actually last me 5 months, just applying it in the morning. I usually do not use moisturiser at night as I either forget or do not feel like it. (Just let my skin breathe hahah.)

The only 2 problems I have with this product is there is no SPF in it, as well as the cost in Barbados. Considering this is the tropics, I need some sun protection in my moisturisers, and for that I have been using the tiniest amount of  Banana Boat sunscreen for babies (SPF50), over the moisturiser.

For the price, I would expect this product to be a bit better than the Garnier, but it’s not. I haven’t experienced any breakouts or excessive clogged pores with this product, just as with the Moisturising gel cream from Garnier. Basically they’re the same, though if I remember correctly, the Garnier lasts a month longer than this one.  I actually Think I like the Garnier more, it smells nice and feels cool on the skin, which is very refreshing especially during summer.

The VERDICT:

Pros:

• Little to no scent
• Lightweight formula
• Moisturising properties lasts all day
• Little goes a long way

Cons:

• Expensive considering what you get
• Similar products for less
• No SPF
• Tube is not the most convenient for getting out all of the product.

The Raw Sugar :

The Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Gel is a good product, however I do not think I would repurchase unless it was on sale. The biggest issue is the price. It makes more sense to buy the large size (125mL) as it would probably last forever, but the price here in Barbados does not make it  profitable. I would rather purchase a more affordable moisturiser, especially since they have similar outcomes.

Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream Review

Hey everyone! So I was recently trying out the Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream over this past month, and I can honestly say that I like it and it is well worth the money. I think (not completely sure) that my skin type is dry to combination, and the cream moisturiser I was using previously, Olay Complete Daily Moisture Lotion although for sensitive skin, was proving to be too heavy for my face and giving me white and blackheads, but was very moisturising. I had watched one of Fuzkittie’s YouTube videos where she had mentioned a gel moisturiser being good retainer of moisture yet light-weight. I luckily passed a newly set up display of Garnier face products some time that week and decided to research then try out one.

Firstly this is a really light-weight moisturiser which as the name suggests is VERY refreshing to tired skin after a cleanse. I use the St.Ives  Naturally Clear Apricot scrub most of the week, and L’Oreal Go 360 Clean in the green bottle. After using either of these products my face usually feels dry, which might be good considering they are supposed to take care of acne and excess oils, but you still need to have some moisture on your face. If you live in a fairly humid climate like I do in Barbados after washing your face this gel is a breath of fresh air as it is nice and cool to the touch. Especially nice in the summer where the heat can get pretty unbelievable.

The smell is definitely delicious if you like apples and grapes, at first I thought it was apple haha, but the more I smell it, and compare it to a grape, the more it does smell like one. Yes it is green and funny enough reminds me of those old movies where the ladies would go to sleep in those green face masks, mind you it does go on clear.
The consistency allows it to blend and absorb very quickly into the skin and within a matter of seconds it is completely absorbed.

Does it lock in the moisture for 24 hours as it says on the box? I can’t say 24 hours exactly because by hour 16 or so I have probably washed my face and reapplied it. BUT it does  retain moisture very long without the need for reapplying and because it is so lightweight, I think it could be used during both the day and night.

At first I was worried about the jar size and had expected something bigger, considering the size of my old moisturiser bottle, however, this size has actually surprised me. I usually tap my finger in once or twice and put 4 dots on the corners of my face, then just rub it in, and that a bit does my entire face. It’s been one month and I can see this lasting until July or August maybe at this rate. It all depends on how much you use.

So far, I haven’t recognised too many more whiteheads than they were before and particular areas of my face, such as my nose, still have blocked pores which this cream of course will not unclog, because that is not it’s job. However, I do not believe it has cause my pores to become more blocked and in fact, it makes my skin feel very smooth.

The sun protection property is non-existant as there is no SPF in it, however there is another version of this protduct in a bottle with said UVA protection.

The VERDICT:
Pros:

• Retains moisture very long
• Smells GREAT
• Cooling to the skin
• Blends in well

Cons:

• No SPF
• Small container

The Raw Sugar (bottom line):
It is worth the money and works very well in hot humid climates on dry to combination skin.I am not sure how well it will work for oily or sensitive, but it works very well for me, and I am pleased with the outcome. Every time I open the bottle is a spa experience for me.

Disclaimer: I was sponsored to do this review, this is my HONEST opinion. Photos are not my own.