Let me first start this post by telling you about my previous Mary Kay experience. It was very limited and not particularly favorable, although my issue was with that particular Mary Kay consultant, not the products themselves. I was first introduced to Mary Kay when I was about 20 years old by an older friend when I attended a party at her cousin's house. At that time, I wore makeup frequently, and I loved to experiment with colours. I really wanted to test out a particular shade of eyeliner, but the Mary Kay rep told me that I could not because it would look terrible on me. Needless to say, I did not take that well. Who did this woman think she was? She became very rude when I decided not to purchase anything from her, and I put the brand out of my head for the next 11 years. I was reintroduced to the brand by chance about a week and a half ago, and I wanted to write about my latest experience.
My Mary Kay consultant arrived out my home at the agreed upon time, and we hit it off right away. I was very comfortable with her, and we started talking like we had known each other for years in no time. I was a little nervous about trying the products since I have sensitive skin, but I decided that I should go for it at least this one time. Thankfully, I did not end up regretting that decision. These are the products I tested:
- TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser
- TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set
Step 1: Refine
Step 2: Replenish
- TimeWise Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25
- TimeWise Night Solution
- TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer
- Firming Eye Cream
Borrowed from marykay.com because I didn't even think to take a picture. Oy vey! This is the "Miracle Set" that is comprised of the 3-in-1- cleanser, day solution, night solution, and moisturizer; this set has been awarded the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval.
TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser
I have combination skin, and I used the combination to oily skin formula for the cleanser. The first thing that I noticed was the complete lack of suds when I rubbed this onto my lightly-dampened skin. Ah hah! I knew someone was out to get me! I have to tell you that I am one of those people that need to see suds in order to believe something is actually cleaning. I promise you, dear readers, that suds are not even remotely necessary for the cleansing process as ingredients that cause sudsing don't actually clean. My face did feel cleaner after using this product, but I have two major issues with it. One problem I have is that the second ingredient in this product is TEA-Lauryl Sulfate, and a cleansing agent that is very drying to the skin. I prefer my skin cleansers to be very mild, and this is a little too harsh. My other complaint is that this cleanser contains a plethora of plant extracts. "Natural ingredients" does not actually mean that they are better; it merely informs you the source of the ingredient. Furthermore, it does not give any sort of indication as to whether or not the ingredient is actually going to be effective or if there are any risks associated with it. The best way to think about plant extracts in skin care products is like this: Would you want poison ivy extract in your skin care routine? I thought not! This does NOT mean that this cleanser contains poison ivy as it does NOT, but I am trying to emphasize the point that natural does not equate with better. The TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser does contain several extracts that are known to be irritating to the skin; grapefruit and witch hazel extracts are my main concern.
TimeWise Microdermabrasion Set
Step 1: Refine
I only have one word for you when it comes to the refining step, and that is lubrication! The refining scrub contains the same alumina crystals that can be found in professionally administered microdermabrasion treatments; however, the application in professional treatments work a little differently. In professional microdermabrasion treatments, a steady jet of alumina crystals are projected onto the skin, while simultaneously, a vacuum pressure is applied to remove the crystals and dead skin cells. Unfortunately, I cannot say if using a scrub will have the same results as a professional treatment. That being said, I've pretty sure some dead skin cells were removed from my face, and the scrub does rinse off very easily with water. I am also happy to report there were to irritants in this product.
Step 2: Replenish
After sloughing off the dead skin, my face definitely felt a little tender, and the replenishing treatment certainly helped to cool it down. This serum moisturizer left my face with a silky feeling that I absolutely loved. I wish I had more thoughts on this product, but Mary Kay did not list the specific "Soothing Agent" or "Toning Agent" for me to determine whether or not the replenish step has any ingredients that would irritate the skin.
TimeWise Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 35
Now this was something I loved! Living in the desert, I get more than my fair share of sunlight, and I cannot stress the importance of wearing sunscreen enough. If the thought of skin cancer doesn't scare you enough (and it really should!), at least think about how using sunscreen daily when you are younger will help keep you younger looking when you are much older. The formula was smooth and applied very easily to my skin, and the finish is very sleek, a quality that I need for under my makeup.
TimeWise Night Solution
Because I had my consultation during the day and had already put the Day Solution on my face, I rubbed this on my elbow to try out. Like the cleanser, this one is a fail for me. The serum is packed full of antioxidants and peptides that should work wonders on aging skin, but I almost immediately noticed a little bit of a tingling sensation on my elbow. I don't care what other people might tell you, but I can assure you that tingling is actually a bad sign, as it means your skin is being irritated. Refreshing, my tookus! I was really eager to get my hands on the ingredient list for this baby, and I was not even remotely surprised when I saw them. Plant extract, plant extract, plant extract, plant extract... I was actually horrified to discover that the night serum contained so many plant irritants, including the highly offensive wild mint extract. Mint goes in a mojito, not on the skin, ok, dear readers? My other beef with this product (come on, did you actually expect me to have only one?) is that the Nutribead capsules (which pop open upon dispensing) are vitamin-packed. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but vitamins applied to the outside of skin are unable to provide the desired nutrition to the skin. The only way these nutrients will be able to get into the skin cells is through the consumption of food.
TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer for Oily/Combo Skin
Unlike the night solution, I don't really have any strong opinions on the moisturizer. If I view it as a moisturizer for oily/combination skin, I say that it serves its intended purpose: the moisturizer is light weight, and my face felt silky smooth. If I critique it based on the claims of fighting the signs of aging, I have to admit that this moisturizer does not deliver. The claim of "accelerating the skin’s natural renewal process" is essentially impossible due to the lack of key antioxidants and ingredients that would make this feasibly possible. I also have issue with the lack of sunscreen in this product; protection against the sun's rays is vital in protecting the skin against aging, and sadly it is missing completely.
Firming Eye Cream
I liked the firming eye cream, and I didn't like the firming eye cream. The formula is superb: it is extremely moisturizing and contains peptides that are beneficial for even the driest of skin. This is one of the better eye creams I have tried for this very reason, and I was quite happy with it. Sadly, I regret to inform you that it did nothing for firming the skin.
Final thoughts
To be honest, dear readers, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this collection. I had only used the products one time, and my skin did feel clean afterwards, but quite frankly, some of the ingredients make me a little nervous. I can guarantee that I want absolutely nothing to do with the TimeWise Night Solution, as I could already notice some irritation. I had no serious issues after one use of the cleanser, but I don't know how my skin will react with repeated use. I was provided with samples last night so I can test them out for a longer period of time and see what I think. Overall, I find this collection to be a mixed bag. Some products are fantastic, and others are a major disappointment. Sometimes I wish my science background wouldn't make me so skeptical of claims made by cosmetic companies, because I really want to support Mary Kay completely. There are so many things that I like about the company as a whole: the products are made in the USA, they're environmentally conscious when it comes to makeup packaging, and they provide women with an extra means of income with no ceiling. Tell me, dear readers, have you tried Mary Kay products before? What did you think of them?
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