This is the 3rd product I am reviewing from this brand. I’ve reviewed the Black Diamond Eye Mask and the Rose Gold brightening facial mask. I loved both products, but not so much their price. My reviews of both products are attached at the end of this blog.
Today, I am reviewing 111 Skin’s Rose Gold Radiance booster (a serum) that costs US$ 135 for 20ml. Yes, you read that correctly: it’s $6.75/ml. It is available for sale at this link.
Instructions for use
These are, “apply 3 drops directly on the skin, mix with favourite 111SKIN serum or apply to high points of the face. Apply directly after cleansing. “
Before
The before photo has gone down the rabbit hole. Sorry.
After
As I will discuss later, this product has bog standard ingredients for a serum. But it also has gold (G), silver(S) and mica(M). I have been perplexed at what role the “GSM” combination play. It took me several days of figuring out what I was missing and just one bright sunny day to answer this question.
The serum is an iridescent, rose gold coloured fluid….
…but not so much on my hand! This is 3 drops worth of serum.
The after photo (for real)
You may think I have worn glitter and you’d be not wrong.
It would appear that these are the flecks of GSM which give a radiant glow. It is a very clever product. And I can assure you that my lips generally have no shine so this is a pleasant surprise.
Also, because my photos are awful, what you’ll just have to take my word on is that this product has an ever so slight plumping effect. This plumping effect is due to the combination of Niacinamide, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Of course, the plumpness does not last, but the effect is very pleasant for the duration it lasts.
What do I think and would I buy this again?
If this was a US$ 50 product, I would have no qualms adding it to my routine.
But its a US$135 product for 20ml, which is not even your standard 30ml. The only noteworthy ingredients are Rose Flower Water, Glycerin, Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate.
These are standard cosmetic ingredients that have been used in cosmetics for yonks. Even Fair & Lovely (which was first sold in India in 1975) has Niacinamide.
(P.S. the benefits of Niacinamide should not be under-estimated and see my blog below for more information).
Niacinamide is the on-trend ingredient at the moment. Huda Beauty’s new Thirst trap serum contains 2% Niacinamide and is US$ 53 for 30ml. This is the Ingredient list, from Wishful’s website:
This serum has many ingredients in common with 111 Skin, including glycerin, dipropylene glycol, Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate.
Honestly, I am not sure why anyone would think that I would be happy to pay an additional US$ 90 for just the GSM. None of these ingredients are actives that somehow enhance my skin: these ingredients only temporarily make my skin look more radiant.
It merely feels like a trick of light…On the other hand, the product may only be intended to be used by red-carpet celebrities. Well, I am not planning a walk down a red carpet anytime soon…
In other words, I would rather chew a rubber slipper then by this product at this ridiculous price point. Huda Beauty (minus the flecks of glitter) gets my money.
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