N.V. Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother

Once again a time, I had flawless skin. No really, it's true. For a brief period in my 20s I was free to do pretty much anything to my face - sleep in makeup, wash with harsh cleansers, etc. But as I neared 30 my skin began to flip out. The old regimen would no longer do. I set off in search of products that would fix everything and ended up with a face that was red and peeling and reacting to just about anything I put on it. I've come to accept that even the most "natural" and "gentle" of products can cause a reaction from me, so I'm pretty wary when it comes to trying something new.

My beauty fascination has always been skincare more than color. It often feels like a waste to go in to Sephora and come out with only a jar or moisturizer and not some pretty eyeshadow, but 80% of the time it's what pulls me in. I love that I can go in and get samples of everything, then try it out at home before I commit. I recommend it to everyone, yet please note that this is incredibly dumb. Because if I start using a new moisturizer the same day as a new cleanser or new primer or new spot treatment, how am I going to know exactly which one is doing the magic? Or wrecking the havoc?

I, of course, do it anyway.

In my last shopping trip, I picked up several things - some great, some good, some bad - and I'll review them all for you. For starters, there is the one that I love the most, though admittedly for reasons inexact.

At $75 an ounce, I'm reluctant to jump without testing the waters first. I received a sample of the N.V. Perricone Ceramic Skin Smoother Finishing Serum from Sephora and quickly fell in love. My skin felt great, my foundation went on smoother and looked flawless (well, as flawless as it could) and I just knew - knew - that it was all because of this little wonder potion. When my little sample ran out I was so sad, and a few days later, still unable to commit, picked up another sample at Nordstrom. It just ran out yesterday, and I miss it already. The product materials swear that it "locks in moisture and gives your complexion an instantly flawless, smooth, and velvety finish." With continued use, you're supposed to be able to skip foundation altogether and brave the world with bare skin. I'm not sure I'm there yet (not sure I ever will be) but I know what I like, and I love this little bottle.

I tend to consider moisturizer and serum purchases as acts of faith. The results are not immediate and it's going to be a good 20 years before I really know if they've all worked or not. It makes me really reluctant to spend big bucks on little potion bottles, and this is no exception. But this is also the first skincare product I've used and actually missed when it was gone. Like forlornly gazing into the medicine cabinet missed. Like shut up and pull the trigger and just order the stuff missed...

Ships for free at Sephora, use promo code ITBAG for a free sample bag while supplies last.