(Two of my loves: great skincare and great books)
When it comes to skincare, I am definitely equal opportunities. I think it’s important to keep an open mind as to what can work for you – I’ve never assumed that big brands know best. Some of the most significant finds in my skincare journey have been mid-priced buys; some could even be safely classed as budget.
That being said, I’ve always kept an eye on the developments at the top end of the beauty industry. Brands such as Sunday Riley and Tata Harper are combining lab technology with plant extracts to produce products that are outselling the more traditional luxury beauty names.
I have dipped my toe in the luxe market once before – my love for the Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser is true and pure – if you can get your hands on it (cough…Space NK website…), its no-holds-barred excellence will knock you for six. But I haven’t gone for a big-name big brand (eg: Chanel, YSL, Estee Lauder) for quite a while. I’ve bought a blusher here, a Touche Eclat there, but nothing skincare-related. My needs were met by smaller brands, so I didn’t really bother with that end of the beauty hall.
But as my birthday rolled round, I got the opportunity to dive back in that very exclusive pool. My product of choice this time was a very easy decision. New on the market, and with a wealth of goodwill behind it, I opted for Sisley’s Black Rose Precious Face Oil.
I did my groundwork first, researching it online, reading consumer reviews and beauty press beforehand. This new launch for Sisley has put this luxury brand front and centre – this product has wowed bloggers and editors across the board. This was the product of the moment – and I wasn’t going to miss an opportunity to try it.
At £136, this is the most expensive beauty product I’ve ever purchased. My normal budget usually has a ceiling of around £50 for an individual item, and that item has to be pretty darn fabulous to warrant that amount of spend. But, armed with birthday money and a sense of the intrepid, I approached the Sisley counter and made my purchase.
Getting the Black Rose oil home, I was struck by the size of the bottle. At 25ml, it was a more generous amount than I’d imagined; this product has a shelf-life (opened) of 12 months – and at a few drops per use, it would take you a year to use it all up. The idea that luxury brands are flash over substance, offering poor value for money simply isn’t true: the concentration of ingredients used by quality brands means that less is needed to make an impact.
In terms of ingredients, Black Rose comes armed to the teeth. Rich in Omega 3 and 6 extracts, this oil also includes Padina Pavonica (the key active ingredient in Elemis’ Pro Collagen Marine Cream – another beauty notable). Also featuring essential oils of Bulgarian Rose and Magnolia, Black Rose intends to be a luxury experience from start to finish.
The main reason I selected Black Rose Precious Face Oil over other cult products in the Sisley range, is that I have combination skin, but with patches of dry / dehydrated skin that are difficult to treat. It’s an issue that gets worse during the winter, and striking a balance between hydrating and not causing breakouts is not always easy. For me, it’s often a fine line between nourished and overwhelmed.
My first surprise on using Black Rose was how lightly textured the oil was. Not greasy in any way, the lightness made application very easy and comfortable even on a skin that veers towards combination. Even with just the few drops per use that are recommended by Sisley, the oil is brilliantly mobile – a little really does go a long way. Don’t be tempted to use more in order to speed up the results – you will end up wasting product. A couple of drops are the perfect dose.
The effects of Black Rose were immediate: smooth, even hydration that lasted for hours after application. This was the most impressive aspect of the product for me – I’m used to accumulative results from using products regularly, but Black Rose worked from the very first use.
The softening, hydrating effect lasted in-between uses, with my skin feeling comfortable, soothed and under control even on days I hadn’t used the oil. To get the most out of this product, applying it once a day is more than enough – even if you have exceptionally dry skin.
I’ve only used this oil for a few weeks, but what is becoming very clear is that this product has outperformed every oil, serum and moisturiser I’ve tried before. It makes a material, measurable difference to the hydration levels in your skin, meaning that the rest of your skincare products work more efficiently because they’re not battling against a skin that’s starved of moisture.
If you’ve skin that’s perfectly balanced – put that purse away. Sisley’s Black Rose isn’t for you. But if you have skin that’s dry, irritated or prone to be reactive, the balancing, soothing properties of this oil could be a brilliant investment that could transform the way your skin looks and feels.
At £136, Black Rose Precious Oil is a considered purchase at pretty much every budget level. But if my experience is anything to go by, Sisley has made me revise my view of luxury skincare – this is a hard-working product that earns its stripes – nothing is wasted, nothing is there for show.
Having said that, the packaging is gorgeous (who wouldn’t love that little bottle on their dresser?), but the amount of research and development that’s gone into this product is what’s so impressive. Sisley have taken their time with this launch and it shows: Black Rose really does deliver on what it promises, right from the very first application. With a product that’s been lauded with such hype and praise, there’s always a chance your expectations won’t be met – but Sisley have re-set the bar for skincare excellence, and Black Rose has all the makings of a true beauty classic.
HELEN TOPE
designergirl77 