twenty3skidoo's Full Review: Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel
Every morning when I put on my makeup, I feel like I look fabulous. But if I happen to glance in a mirror at any time after oh, say, lunch, I am shocked and embarrassed at what I see. I shine! I glow! I could guide Santa's team of reindeer with my nose!
Although I find my greasy shiny breakout-prone face to be embarrassing, I always thought there was nothing I could do about it. It seemed no matter which lotion I used, I was doomed to a life of oily misery. Until this one. What a shame it had to go and cost $30 a jar!
A bit about Mary Kay...
Mary Kay stole my friend! Okay, they didn't steal her, but they did cause a once-normal woman (who rarely wore make-up!) to become completely obsessed with talking about, wearing, and selling cosmetics. Mary Kay products cannot be bought in stores, they must be purchased directly from the makeup-obsessed and overly-cheery representatives. (such as my friend)
Shortly after her submersion into the Mary Kay world, she asked me to have a party at my house. I reluctantly agreed, and as my gift for having this party, I received a whole host of free Mary Kay products, including this Mary Kay Oil-Free Hydrating Gel.
What is this stuff?
This product is an oil-free fragrance-free lightweight moisturizer that comes in a 1.8 ounce jar. The lightweight opaque gel is pale lavender in color and the glass jar has a silver lid. It is very durable, having been dropped a thousand times and never broken.
One thing I really do like about this product over less-expensive brands is that the jar is nice and heavy. It has a certain rich, luxurious feel to it that makes you look forward to picking it up in the morning.
What does it promise?
Here's what Mary Kay promises: "This refreshing, oil-free gel transforms your skin by restoring its moisture balance and hydrating for up to 10 hours. The cooling gel absorbs immediately, leaving skin feeling silky smooth and perfectly quenched with a marine extract to help soften, plus vitamin E and green tea extract. Ideal for normal to oily skin."
Does it deliver?
And how! This stuff really is quite refreshing. It has a cooling effect as you put it on and leaves no heavy greasy film behind. My skin was left with the softest finish I had ever imagined without even a hint of feeling oily. I can't really comment on the up to 10 hours promise since I have such oily skin, but I will say that my skin was significantly less greasy with this formula than with any other that I have ever tried. Softer too!
Will it make you break out?
Almost all products, even oil-free ones, if they moisturize my skin even the tinyiest bit seem to cause pimple parties on my cheeks. Not so with this product! In the three months that I used it, I did not break out even once. This is not just rare for me, this is unheard of!
If your skin is particularly oily, like mine, you might still get a little shine in the late afternoon, but this can easily be combatted with another amazing Mary Kay product, Mary Kay Oil Mattifier.
How am I supposed to use it?
I believe that Mary Kay recommends using this product after the "cleansing step." After you wash and dry your face, you just take a tiny amount (maybe half the size of a dime is plenty) and dot it all over your face and neck. When your fingertip is empty, gently rub all the dots together and voila! Flawless satiny skin that will make you the envy of all you meet. :)
Another interesting side effect of this miraculous product is that when you use it before putting on your foundation, your makeup will blend more easily and have a more even finish, without sacrificing coverage. Wow!
Well, if it's so great, why won't you buy it again?
Oh, I'll buy it again. Some day when I'm rich and famous!
While this is absolutely, hands-down, no-holds-barred the best moisturizer I have ever used, I just cannot force myself to fork over 30 bucks for face cream. Can't do it. I got the jar I had as a gift, as I said earlier, and once it ran out, I decided I just had to have some more. But when my friend showed me the catalog and I saw how much it was, I had to pass.
The 1.8-ounce jar that I did have lasted about 3 months, which is only $10 a month, or $.30 a day. But when you think about the fact that every time you hold that tiny dot of miracle gel on your finger you could be holding a quarter and a dime instead... I don't know. Maybe I'm just cheap!
A bit more about Mary Kay...
Not to be overly harsh, but I really don't care for the Mary Kay system of selling products. I just prefer the convenience of being able to pick up my cosmetics at the store, with no pressure, when I decide I need them. I'd rather not have to order my product well in advance of running out. I am also a very tactile person and I like to be able to pick up all the different lotions in the store to examine them.
I'd also rather not pay $30 for a tiny jar of lotion.
My personal recommendation...
Most Mary Kay products really are of very high quality, and are probably quite worth the ordering wait and high price tag. Just not for me. If you have lots of extra money, go ahead and buy this stuff. Your skin will love you for it. But if, like me, you have 2 little kids, 2 cars, 2 cats, and a mortgage, enjoy the free gifts from your Mary Kay friends and then buy your lotion at Wal-Mart!
Mary Kay Oil Free Hydrating Gel Sample NIB I am not a Mary Kay Consultant - yes I can combine shipping and please Check out my other items ! luzsbrain...More at eBay
Mary Kay Oil-Free Hydrating Gel Full Size *FRESH* click picture to enlarge You are bidding on a full size Mary Kay Oil-Free Hydrating Gel, new in box....More at eBay
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.