Sunday Riley Overview

​Today we're going to do a brand round up! It's going to be on Sunday Riley. Now I don't have every single products but I have a lot and I have enough to give you some thoughts on what I would get from them and in general if they're products make a difference/warrant the price tag. It's going to be very honest, and in some parts it might sounds harsh. I don't mean it to come off as that but I'm not gonna waste time sugarcoating the way of telling you if a product didn't do it for me.

Lets go.

First let's discuss the oils. That's what everyone knows them for best, I think. I have Luna, Juno, and UFO. The reason I have 3 is because they all serve a differnt function.

Luna is a great gentle start for Retinol, which I think they call it a "cousin to Retinol" so I'm not sure how much strength it has. It is how I got started with Retinols. Which funny enough I started AHA's and Retinol at the same time. Go big or go home. The smell takes some getting used to. I won't lie. It has blue tansy in it which is one of my favorite ingredients as a way to soothe a pissed off face but the reason it's blue in color is because it has dyes to color it. Which I think they say it's "food dye". It doesn't bother me though but if you want to know, there ya go. It's still what I would recommend to ease your way into Retinol simply because it's in oil form it has other ingredients that are going to soothe and nourish the skin as well. So it serves for more than one function for me.  

I tend to think Sunday Riley started the trend (or popularized it rather) of both "essential oils" in skincare and also created some amazing complex oils that put everyone on the "oil train". There will be plenty who tell you that Essential Oils and a more natural approach to skincare actually does worse for the skin but I haven't had any issues and based on clinical trials, tests, and results plus my own experience, leads me to think that EO's might be a problem IF you have an allery or sensitivity to them. Other than that I use them and I like the results I've seen from them.

Next is Juno. This is my favorite. I love how the glass is colored and it's, in my opinion, one of the best options for a ton of antioxidants for the face, if not THE BEST. It uses cold pressed "super food" oils to help protect the skin and also replenish and enhance radiance. If I had to pick one, I would get Juno. Every time. You can't beat this mother of an antioxidant oil. It's easy to layer at night and I prefer to use oils at night. This is the one that I will not be without just because it's nourishing and feeding my skin. It's more of a skin "benefit", and nothing unpleasant about it, the skin doesn't really have to get used to it, it's simply there to "feed" the skin, love the skin, and give the skin a backrub....too far? Ok. 

Finally, UFO. This is great if you have problematic skin, and great to have on hand when you have some breakouts or congested skin meaning clogged pores and so on. This is a bit more of a "dry oil" meaning is absorbs quicker in my opinion. It has 1.5% of Salicylic Acid but it  also has Milk Thistle and Cucumber to combat the drying effect that Salicylic Acid can have on the skin and they soothe the skin. Which I feel is true. It also has some of my favorite ingredients in it like Neem, Turmeric, and Neroli plus a bunch more. I don't find this mattifying but also it's like the best finish or amount of oil to put on the skin out of every oil I have. You don't have to let it sink in, you don't feel greasy, it's just the perfect amount.  I would recommend to those who suffer from breakouts often, to try it. I've seen the results this has had for those who suffer with breakouts and acne. Now, everyone is different obviously, but this has made leaps and bounds of difference in skins that suffer from cystic acne, hormonal acne, etc. Again, everyone is different I think acne needs to be confronted by figuring out first what it is, whether it's caused by something in your diet, if it's hormonal, if it's cystic, or whatever. I think you need to know what exactly you're dealing with before you actually can deal with it. So I will always tell you that a professional in the skincare realm (not me) is the one you need to talk with first.

Moving on to one of their other popular products: Good Genes.

Good Genes is an AHA, I'll link my blog on AHA/BHA's or "Acid Toning" here, it is Lactic Acid. Lactic Acid is the second most used AHA in skincare. Glycolic has the smallest molecule so it can actually reach the dermis but Lactic Acid resurfaces the top layer of the skin (epidermis). I have used this for around 2 years and it's very potent, if you've never used an acid then it might tingle or sting but for me that went away very quickly and it doesn't do that now. As you know acids do very well at helping to balance the skin, smooth the texture of the skin, smooth lines you may have, and clarify the skin. So when they say "All In One Treatment" they mean it. You can actually buy this and Luna in a set on Sephora and I think it's called Power Duo. 

Next let's talk about Martian. This is a water gel toner. Melting water gel toner to be exact. I thought I would hate this but I love it. I never hear anyone talk about this either! It's very cooling on the skin. It's supposed to removed oils, tighten pores, clarify, but honestly I use it for how good it feels on the skin. Marshmallow and Green Tea are the reasons it's so soothing they also reduce redness and irritation. Other key ingredients balance oily and problematic skin. This is one of those, buy it if you want it type thing. I love mine but it's not necessary for me and I know that. I could easily use other toners and be satisfied but I like the cooling effect like I said and I will continue to use it, especially if I'm having breakouts or very oily skin for comse reason.

Moving on to C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum with a stable Vitamin C (THD) at 15%. First this is $85 for 1 oz. I like it just fine but I've used better Vitamin C's it's as simple as that. I think it's a really good option for a gentle but high percentage 15%. Usually anything above 10% Vitamin C is recommended to be used at night, which I prefer, this is directed to be used AM and PM. It's supposed to immidiately illuminate the skin upon using it. I don't see that. It's supposed to work very well paired with Luna or any Retinol product really. It does work well with them. It's nice for layering products but I just feel like their are better Vitamin C's out there for a lot less. It is suitable for all skin types though and it is a good product.

Keeping with CEO C+E Antioxidant Protect + Repair Moisturizer. This has a yellow tint to the product and I tend to agree with Stephanie Nicole and Caroline Hirons that believe companies do that to hide the fact that it will turn as air hits it because of the packaging it's housed in. With the turn of the color to yellow it basically shouldn't be used anymore is the common theory. Not saying that Sunday Riley did that for that reason, but lots of companies do that. Because of the Vitamin C in this though, I don't want to use expired Vitamin C and I don't want to take that chance. So I'm going to say "pass" on this. 

Same goes for Tidal moisturizer but just for a different reason a full size of Tidal is $65 and a full size of CEO is $65 as well. They do offer smaller sizes though for $22. I'm just not the biggest fan of spending loads and loads on a moisturizer if there is another moisturizer that could do the same for less. I have plenty of expensive moisturizers. Most of them have been sent to me, some have not and I just wanted them or they have a new function, result, ingredient,formula, etc. Tidal is heavier in Hyaluronic Acid and also Alpha-Arbutin which is a brightening treatment. Where as HA is a burst of hydration without the heaviness or residue let behind. It's big sales pitch is "hydration" and marketed as a Water Cream. Hyaluronic Acid definitely would be the route to go if you wanted tons of hydration but It doesn't have to be at this price tag. There are tons of HA serums out there by The Ordinary (which also has an Alpha Arbutin serum) and by Ebanel which is a HA+Peptide serum. I like to add serums to my moisturizers a lot actually. Neither of these moisturizers are bad they just don't wow me and if they are your favorites then that's awesome! Have at it.

I've not tried the Ceramic Slip Cleanser, Flora Oil (but I will soon enough), or the CEO Cleansing Oil or Tidal Cleansing Balm. 

I don't usually put a lot of money into cleansers or cleansing oils. I have a ton of Cleansing Balms and like I said I will have Flora Oil soon enough. 

I would definitely try one of their face oils, I would definitely try Good Genes if you're looking for an acid, and I really do like Martian but it won't be the right product for everyone. 

As for the brand I trust Sunday Riley immensely. None of the products I've tried suck or are horrible, some just weren't for me. So yea, they're one of my favorite brands out and they always go the extra mile for their products and I truly feel like their vision has stayed true through the years and that they try to create the most beneficial products imaginable. It will be very fun watching them expand as the years go on because they're going anywhere. Trust me.

This is not sponsored in any way. I bought all the products I have from Sunday Riley myself. I've been using their products for years.