Beauty ed Tracey Strange thinks she's found the perfect serum. Photo / Getty Images
Beauty ed Tracey Strange thinks she's found the perfect serum. Photo / Getty Images
By Tracey Strange
I believe the connection between how we look and our approach to life is undeniable. Who hasn't suffered through a bad hair day, felt a little gloomy about blemishes or pigmentation spots? With maturity we're more likely to admire ourselves for our competence and far less forour attractiveness to others, but no one is immune to the buzz of a compliment. Regardless of how old we are, being noticed reminds us we matter.
And, after more than 20 years on writing about beauty, I am still surprised at how much. A product recently crossed my desk that I might ordinarily have put aside. For a start, it cost $720. There are great skincare products at both ends of the price spectrum but $720 is a huge investment. Made by La Prairie, probably one of the most expensive brands in the world, it offered luxury and prestige. It also offered to remedy pigmentation.
For years I have had a noticeable band of pigmentation wrapped, brown-stain-like, around my neck. Despite proper proof, I blame years of spraying on perfume and going without sunblock. I've tried many things to fix it, including an IPL course, which was expensive, uncomfortable and although it did make an initial difference, the results weren't permanent. While I am convinced of the efficacy of over-the-counter pigmentation products, they require patience and consistency, neither of which I'm particularly good at. But that pretty, precious-looking bottle looked tempting.
A couple of weeks or so into using La Prairie's White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion I noticed a difference. The wide band of pigmentation looked lighter, the dirty brown colour less intense. I started using it morning and night; the results got better... and better. By the time the bottle was empty, the pigmentation was barely noticeable. So was a lot of the redness that went with it.
La Prairie's White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Infusion, $720.
The product contains a stable form of vitamin C, golden caviar extract and a newish ingredient called diglucosyl gallic acid, or DGA. Together, the ingredients target melanin production and lighten and brighten and firm the skin, reducing brown spots and redness. According to La Prairie, once you've achieved the desired results, it's best to continue use to maintain them. (I'll continue using it as a booster rather than regularly.)
"Your pigmentation is always lurking beneath the surface, waiting for the opportunity to make an appearance again, says international trainer Belinda Besant. "While any pigmentation that returns will do so gradually, don't give it the chance."
Advertising is designed to persuade. But as a long-time beauty editor I've learnt that miracles don't come in bottles, no matter how prettily those bottles are packaged, and a little scepticism, especially when it comes to premium prices, is healthy. This, however, is one of the best serums I've tried. Yes, it costs a fortune, but the results made me feel different - in a spirit-lifting way that I would have denied possible.
Three serums to love
You certainly don't need take out a new mortgage to spend it on a serum. Try these for starters.
Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum ($120). This is called a "smart" serum because it claims to know the particular needs of your skin, even if you don't. How it does this is a little unclear but it's a great product.
Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II (from $136). Full of anti-ageing ingredients like ultra-hydrating hyaluronic acid and a special active complex that helps cells function more efficiently, this leaves your skin plump and rested-looking.
Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil ($47). A non-greasy highly moisturising serum, it treats a bit of everything and leaves your skin with a dewy glow.
