I remember when toners were straight-up astringents, full of alcohol or witch hazel. I do not miss those days. The category has evolved into something I never expected. Many of the hydrating, micro-exfoliating, purifying, and glow-boosting formulas I come across are truly impressive.
I test each one on damp skin and dry skin, morning and night, before actives and instead of them, and in half a dozen other real-life scenarios.
This is where I review all of it: hydrating toners, acid toners, essences, milky toners, and facial mists.
Not sure you need both? Find out whether a milky essence beats a toner.
Want a toner that does real work? Here is the Darphin formula that won me back.
Affordable and effective is the Pixi trademark. When it comes to drugstore beauty finds, Pixi has always been the toner authority. The Glow Tonic was the gateway to acid toning for most of us. Fast Forward a decade, and the…
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A review but with a 20% off code (BART20). 🙂 Over the past decade, the essence category grew leaps and bounds. I, too, have dramatically changed my outlook on and understanding of the concept. In my twenties (and well into…
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This ReVive review comes with a 20% off code! I first encountered ReVive almost twenty years ago when I convinced myself I needed to try the iconic Moisturizing Renewal Cream. Glycolic Acid had begun to make the rounds and I…
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If you are new to the concept of an essence, think of it as the step between toner and serum. Lighter than a serum, more active than a toner, and genuinely useful for anyone who wants their subsequent products to…
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This luxury brand has yet to steer me wrong. Seems like only yesterday that our choices in acid toners were limited to Pixi Glow Tonic and Biologique Recherche P50. Talk about a narrow window and an astronomical price difference. Luckily,…
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Over the past few years, I’ve tried a staggering number of Korean toners. Many of which came highly recommended by other skincare enthusiasts in the beauty community. Some were spontaneous buys while browsing K-beauty stores or sites. I found a…
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What’s new? A lot, actually. Pandemic and election related anxiety aside (for a moment anyway), I’ve been enjoying quite a few recently launched skincare finds. And since sharing is caring, below is a quick round-up of what truly impressed me…
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This glowing complexion is fruit-derived. Glow Recipe built its reputation on the watermelon line, and the Watermelon Glow BHA + PHA Pore-Tight Toner is the formula that best explains why. It is not just a hydrating toner with a pretty…
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