The first time I spent over $100 at Sephora (yes, I said "first" because, admittedly, I tend to go overboard, like a kid sifting through his Halloween candy stash, whenever I enter the beauty emporium), I was accompanied by my dear friend Min, a fellow beauty junkie and hair model. After roaming through the entire store and picking up item after item, we finally ventured to the checkout line. When the cashier informed me of my total, the whole world kind of slowed down for a minute — I felt like her lips were moving in slow motion, and my hands started to sweat as badly as if I had been in the hot seat on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? with no life lines left. Do I really NEED all this stuff? I asked myself. Can I even afford it? Wait, how much will be left in my bank account after this? At the time, I was fresh out of college, working as an editorial assistant at a fashion magazine — a job that, to most outsiders, seemed extremely glamorous but, in reality, paid close to nothing (Ugly Betty is a damn lie — there's no way an Editorial Assistant could ever have afforded an apartment in Manhattan with that salary!). In my panic, I turned to Min, waiting for her to say something, anything, that would make me feel more at peace with this purchase. And she did. Sensing my uneasiness, she shrugged nonchalantly and declared, "Hey, you only get one face, so you have to take care of it." Min had spoken. I plopped down my credit card and exhaled. Sure, I brown bagged my lunch for the next week, but it felt like it was worth it. I only get one face, I kept reminding myself, whenever I was seethed with buyer's remorse. And my little mantra would work: I'd feel way better.
Of course, once you hit 30+, the whole "you only get one face" bit acquires a whole other meaning. See, you start to realize that those wrinkles and spots creeping up on you aren't going anywhere because, well, you only get one face. Sure, plastic surgery buffs would argue that you can get as many faces as you want, but we all know of too many women who look worse post-surgery (from Meg Ryan to Melanie Griffith and on and on like a rolling stone) to believe that foolishness. Now, I'm not against some nipping and tucking by any means (I say do whatever floats your boats), but I'd rather hold off on even considering face lifts, Botox, etc., for as long as possible — and the best way to do so is through a rigorous skincare regimen.
Nowadays, there are plenty of anti-aging products on the market (in fact, it's the fastest-growing segment of the beauty industry) with various approaches to the same goal — some are packed with antioxidants that promote cell renewal and protect against free radicals, some stimulate collagen production and restore elasticity, and some actually seek to repair existing damage by employing groundbreaking molecular technologies. Estée Lauder's Time Zone fits the final criteria, as does Avon's ANEW Reversalist products.
Here's the main technology employed in the groundbreaking ANEW Reversalist line: using a new technology dubbed "Activinol," Avon scientists found a means through which to stimulate the production of Activin, a skin repair molecule that plays a key part in healing wounds and which, according to recent studies, can also minimize the appearance of wrinkles at a molecular level. Avon's patent-pending Acitivinol Technology features two key Phytochemical ingredients: Amorphophallus to stimulate activin production and Sesbania to boost the skin's immunity so as to minimize any potential stressors that could lead to wrinkling.
The products both work wonders. I was initially thrown by the ANEW Reversalist Renewal Serum's packaging — aside from its phallic shape (hey, I'm just putting it out there… It looks like one of those products women claim to be "massagers"), which was a bit off putting, I was confused by the button you have to press in order to dispense the product (which is located in the back and center of the long, tubular bottle). The button is a bit stiff (no double entendre intended) and you do have to apply some pressure in order to dispense the necessary amount. Packaging snafus aside, I was quite pleased with the serum, which features five time the amount of Activiniol Technology than the night cream in order to yield results up to 20% faster (perfect fr us impatient types). In terms of my own experience, I began seeing results in about 2 weeks — not only were the lines around my eyes less visible, but my skin tone appeared more even. Sure, I'm not gonna have some Benjamin Button-esque rejuvenation, but every bit counts!
The ANEW Reversalist Night Cream, meanwhile, feels rather emollient and leaves skin significantly softer (at least once it's absorbed by the skin, which can take a bit of time given how thick it is). I would, however, suggest waiting 10-15 minutes in between applying the serum and the lotion — if not, you may experience quite a bit of tingling, so it's better to pace yourself with these potent products.
Hey, you might only get one face — but that doesn't mean it can't get a makeover every so often or that you can't renew your love for it!
ANEW Revesalist Renewal Serum, $44, and ANEW Reversalist Night Cream, $32. Visit Avon.com
I’m an AVON Rep and got this product 3 weeks ago. I LOVE Reversalist. I am so glad I got it. Let me know if you’d like to buy some. My Avon store is always open!!! Pat