Monday 23 March 2015

Lancer Microcurrent Power Boost - A Review.

I love my technology, so when it's combined into a beauty device I'm all on board. I think I own about five beauty gadgets and have had varied success with them. Some I have had for years with no trouble at all with the device itself. Here starts my review of the Lancer Microcurrent Power Boost. You will rarely see a blatantly negative review on my blog as I prefer to focus on products I enjoy using. At best a review will be lukewarm and ending in the hope that I will learn to like the products. So yes this review is headed in the wrong direction, but it did start in a happy way.



When I bought my Lancer The Method at Bergdorf Goodman, the Microcurrent was demonstrated to me and I was impressed.So with my $250 device in my pocket I merrily skipped home (you get the picture). I bought the device end on July and arrived home beginning August. I probably used it for 3 weeks 3 times a week. I had also bought the Tria Age-Defying Laser, so when I started the Tria which is a 12 week course I stopped using the Microcurrent as the Tria is a 5 day a week treatment. I might have used it once or twice on the weekends. So fast forward to December when we go on summer holiday, my stay in hospital, I now find myself beginning February ready to start with my Microcurrent again. The time line is important as the device was merely 6 months old with about 20 uses on it- so really almost new.
So when I took it out to use, I ran it along the prescribed area, the geranium head plopped off onto the floor.


I emailed customer service (where a response I have found, takes days) and relayed my story about my broken device. They said I should return it to BG. I then explained, that I live in South Africa. Days later the the response was that I would be sent a replacement device and would I please send my address. I rejoiced in such good customer service and a brand that stands by their product.
Think again- I then received an email stating I must send back device. Mmmm, did I not mention I live in South Africa. The shipping cost would be the same price as a new device?!
Again a response that a shipping label would be sent to me. Impressed. Yes I was.
That is when the wheels fell off. The following email stating there policy is I must send device back before they would send me the replacement device. I sent through a picture of the broken device (above).
I then explained that before this policy had been known to me I had been promised a new device and they should stand by the first email.
So here is how it stands - I was told that I was 'misinformed' and that a return label could not be sent outside the U.S. I have in the past has a bag that perished from Alexander Wang , where yes they did indeed send me a return label via email and my broken bag returned to them on their cost and a new beautiful bag shipped to me?!
So in my mind Lancer is happy to sell products with inferior quality as I would expect an expensive device to last longer than 6 months. I think that discretion on their part , by organising me a new device without having me to send back the old one, would have been the better thing to do, if they indeed could not find out how to get my old device back to them- fedex ring a bell!? I do understand that I live in South Africa, but it literally fell apart too soon after purchase. This is where I think somebody should have used there head and decided to stand by the quality of the product and made a plan for me.
I was not even told whether could use it in this state or if I could repair it. At this point it makes quite an unattractive paperweight. No further communication.

I will say that while used it for those 20 odd times my skin felt invigorated and toned and was really looking forward to continued results. I was genuinely disappointed when it just fell apart.
I really have had a bad customer experience with Lancer. I have actually just invested in one of their serums 'Younger' - but honestly if I could return it and support a brand that supports its customer better I would. This is just my personal experience.

I did hesitate again in decided whether to post this review and what I hoped to gain. I tend to be really brand loyal and buy into the ethos of a brand and when I feel let down I almost feel a trust has been broken. So I will be moving on.......


Sunday 8 March 2015

Currently Loving : February 2015

I was hellbent on doing a favourites 2014 post and had even gone as far as writing and photographing them .  But 2015 seems to be on a strong thrust forward and we are suddenly in March. So I decided to present you will my February favourites . These products I have thoroughly enjoyed.



Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser - I have been dancing around the Tata Harper range since my visit to New York last year July. The Boosted Contouring  serum is on my wishlist, but I'm undecided. I would not use Tata Harper products for an undying need to use 100% natural products on my face. However, I like the idea that TH is not outsourced to labs that make up a number of other brands formula's, but are manufactured on her farm in Vermont. I actually love the strong floral scents of her products. This is a pure botanical range that is meant to deliver results. I decided to purchase the Purifying cleanser when Net-a-porter had free shipping!. If I could order this in vats I would! It has a gel type formula with a slight oily texture, which does not foam. I massage it onto dry skin and sometimes throw in a little facial massage. It has an invigorating and refreshing sensation. I rinse with water and my skin is left soft an clean. It does suggest to apply on damp skin ,but I find I use too much and it does not feel as clean.

Koh Gen Do - Cleansing Spa Water - This is a really effective but 'gentle on the eyes' cleansing water. This is meant to have more skincare benefits than Bioderma. I love them both and they work equally well in removing makeup. So use whichever is stocked in your area. Unfortunately I bought 4 of these minis when traveling, so I am trying to use them up slowly - I'm on bottle # 3.

Perricone MD Formula 15 -a long time love of mine! -I recently started using this again in an effort to use up my open products. I had not used it for some time as I do try lots of new products. But, am once again seriously impressed with the results I get when I use this amazing serum . I have reviewed this previously here. Perricone does have two new concentrated serums being launched on QVC and hopefully everywhere else soon. I have my eye on these as my skin just seems to love Alpha Lipoic Acid and DMAE.

Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser - My skin has finally settled after the upheaval my illness caused. Nars tinted moisturiser (in Groenland) just looks amazing on my skin. My skin is hydrated and looks fresh. I cannot wait for my order of the new Luminous weightless All-Day foundation arrives!

By Terry Terrybly Densiless Concealer - I got this in the beginning of the year sight unseen. I had a tiny sample of shade 4 which matched my skin perfectly. But, I wanted it to be slightly brightening so I chose shade 1. When it arrived I thought I would have to wait to buy shade 4 and mix it as it looked ghostly pale. With a sigh of relief it actually works perfectly. It brightens the under eye without looking like and owl. This is a creamy formula that never creases on me. I also has enough coverage to hide my lack of sleep. It's also packed with skincare ingredients. I reach for this concealer most days. I can highly recommend this to all those 35+ as the skincare benefits can only add to whatever eye cream you are using.

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Lash Stretching Mascara- I got this Armani formula by default as my makeup mule in Hong Kong said the mascara I asked for was out of stock (obsidian -love) and my second choice ETK Extreme was also out of stock. Said mule also said Sales Associate looked so bored and was yawning. I screamed down the phone " take whatever mascara she has in stock and in black." I can safely say I have never met an Armani mascara I did not enjoy. Even thought this is meant to be lengthening I find it a good all rounder!

Lipstick Queen - this was my second LQ acquisition. Lipstick Queen hit out shores the end of last year and I am working on building my collection. Medieval is the red meant to suit everyone. While I cannot attest to that selling point I can say it's a wearable everyday natural juicy red. My lips are hydrated and feel comfortable wearing this. I will do a post soon on the LQ shades and formula's I have. Definitely worth a look for lipstick lovers.

Nars Pro Prime - everyones favourite primers. Great to keep my shadow fresh on my oily lids. Only gripe is that I never know when it going to finish!

That ends my list of products that I have been in heavy rotation . What have your's been, we must compare notes!
Till next time.
MR
xx