Lancôme Énergie De Vie

I must admit, ever since Lisa Eldridge was appointed as Lancome’s Creative Director of Makeup in 2015, I have been paying more attention to the brand. It’s on my radar. Of course, I know Lancome. The brand’s vibe for years was catered towards grown women so it was a little hard to connect with the products. Lisa‘s creative touch was only started to be seen in 2016 when Juicy Shakers are introduced. From then on, L’absolu Rouge (and few others) got a facelift among with numerous exciting new products. She made so many changes and improvements in the past couple of years. Her vast knowledge and effortless sense of style were put to really good use. I think Lancome made an absolutely brilliant move for snatching her up!

Though I can’t know for sure whether she has any say in the skincare department, I can almost feel her touch in this area as well. At the very least, I was waiting for the brand’s prospective change. There’s one particular skincare line that was introduced in last year’s summer that became one of my favorites in 2016 and it is the Lancome Energie de Vie*.

Heavily inspired by Korean beauty, the skincare line was developed in Korean labs as well. Lancome Energie de Vie is created for the people on-the-go who always need to look tip-top whenever and wherever they are. The line energizes and aims to combat dullness and dryness. Simple, uncomplicated, innovative/interesting textures with maximum impact. With bright grassy green as its main color for the packaging, this line surely catches the eye.

An except about the line:

Inspired by the power of nature, discover Énergie de Vie at Lancôme. A skincare collection that combines 3 exceptional plant life-forces; leaving your skin brimming with vital energy every day. As if bathed in morning dew, skin regains its natural quality; a refined texture, healthy glow and renewed bounce. Stimulate your skin and your senses for visible results with Énergie de Vie.

The 3 major plant-extracts used are French Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) and Gentian Root (Gentiana lutea). These are all high in antioxidants, work as anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial in some.

In Indonesia, Lancome Energie de Vie line was launched around end of July 2016. I was very lucky to have received three of the products (Pearly Lotion, Liquid Care and Sleeping Mask) right before my departure to Toronto for my brother’s wedding. Oh boy, it couldn’t had been more perfect. I had read about the line briefly previously and I thought it could be such a great set of products to be used in the tropical climate that we have here in Indonesia.

The first image that came through my mind when I saw this line is hydration, hydration and hydration. It was an instant connection. I just, for some unknown reason, knew that I will love this new line. As soon as I received the products, I played with them (swatching and all that) and I love the textures right away! Before you know it, I packed and carried them all to Toronto and they became workhorses during the scorching summer days.

Can you see the tiny pearls?

Energie de Vie Pearly Lotion.

It doesn’t take much to love this product. It’s a great hydrating toner! It’s watery but there’s a slight glutinous quality to it. If you’re wondering what’s with the “Pearly” name, there are tiny, different-sized, translucent pearls in the midst of the toner. I’m assuming, these pearls are made out of oils. Upon application, they will burst and evanesce, adding nutrients and act as a moisture magnet.

Easily enough to be one of my favorite toners. A beautiful to use on its own or after a session of clarifying mask or exfoliating toner. It stands at a pH of 4.5-5. I do notice it has Lactic Acid fairly at the top of the ingredient list (actually the ones I’m reviewing in this post have this ingredient). Don’t know about the percentage but I do find it helps to get rid of dullness on the skin. I wouldn’t call it an acid toner though because I don’t think it’s strong enough to be called one. Instead, I would put this in a league with Shiseido White Lucent Luminizing Infuser, another favorite of mine.

I don’t use a cotton pad with the Pearly Lotion, I feel it doesn’t apply as well. Supposedly we can use the cotton pad for a more natural finish (less shine). But I just pour some on my hand and pat on the face. I can layer it as many as I needed to and there is no the heaviness at sight. Just pure hydration with refreshing sensation. Plus the radiance it brings.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Alcohol Denat., Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Zea Mays Oil / Corn Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylcellulose, Trimethyl Pentaphenyl Trisiloxane, Calcium Chloride, Chlorphenesin, Gellan Gum, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract / Wild Yam Root Extract, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Potassium Sorbate, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil / Apricot Kernel Oil, Hexyldecanol, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil, Fragrance.

Energie de Vie Liquid Care.

This is, shall I say, the star of Lancome Energie de Vie. As quoted, “its unique formula is hydrating like a cream, concentrated like serums, and light like essences”. It’s translucent with a very runny gel-lotion consistency. This liquid moisturizer is one must try. That being said, if you can, do test out the texture first in the counter to see if you’d like it or not. I know it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

Liquid Care is filled with antioxidants. It is said to have at least 30 leaves of Lemon Balm and 250 mg of Goji Berry (extracted, of course). After using it heavily last year during summertime, I can say it definitely has a potency of a serum but the formula also brings enough moisture to stand on its own without an additional moisturizer. It is the perfect thing to use on a sweaty summer. If we’re pressed for time in the morning, just pat the Pearly Lotion, 2-3 pumps of Liquid Care and SPF (always use a separate one). Some light makeup if needed. Done.

One of the key ingredients in this liquid is Bifida Ferment Lysate, a probiotic ingredient that can help to create a better skin barrier function and decrease skin’s sensitivity. It is also the main ingredient used in the popular Estee Lauder Advanced Repar Night; I haven’t tried it myself but if you’re a fan, you might be interested in Liquid Care.

Because of the lightweight texture, it makes a versatile product. I actually love it as a hydrating serum (2 pump is enough) and use a separate face oil/moisturizer. One of my favorites was layering it with TATCHA Water Gel Moisturizer (which share a similar, but more viscous consistency than Liquid Care) for that ultimate summer holiday combo.

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Alcohol Denat., Propylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Peg-6 Caprylic/Capric Glycerides, Ci 19140 / Yellow 5, T-Butyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Caffeine, Ppg-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract / Wild Yam Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Disodium Edta, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Hexyldecanol, Glyceryl Isostearate, Fragrance.

Energie de Vie The Overnight Recovery Sleeping Mask.

Oh my goodness. Another favorite of mine for sleeping masks. This one saved my skin after the long-haul flight CGK-HKG-YYZ back and forth. We’re talking about 19 hour-something flight (each), not including taxiing. The glass jar is heavy, so I decided to depot it into a small container. Brought it with me in the flight as well. It is that good that in fact, after just 2 days of use, my skin was back to normal. No dehydration with that super oil slick or tight skin as the aftermath. No dullness or tired face at sight. Ready for my brother’s wedding!

This is a sleeping mask I happily use night, and day if I needed to. That’s what I did after the flight. I replace the face oil with a heaping of Energie de Vie Sleeping Mask (lighter layer during the day). It worked out great at dire times like this. Ever since then, I always have a small jar in my travel pouch accompanying me wherever I go. The perfect item to bounce the skin back from long flights or tiring trips.

The texture is just… peculiar. Not sure how to describe it. It’s like a gel with a whipped cream at stiff peak consistency. On a naked eye, it looks pretty solid but it’s not. It’s soft yet firm when scooped out. The best part, IT MELTS upon touching the skin. Like being drenched in hydration but it doesn’t just evaporate away. It stays. UGH, THE SENSATION! It’s so addictive. The way it envelops the skin with the melting yet cooling temperature.

If there’s an umami in skincare, this Energie de Vie Sleeping Mask would be one of them!

Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Dimethicone/Peg-10/15 Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Peg-10 Dimethicone, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Chlorphenesin, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Limonene, Pentylene Glycol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract / Wild Yam Root Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Disodium Edta, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Hexyldecanol, Fragrance.

Energie de Vie Water-infused Cream.

I received this one sometime early this year. I appreciate how Lancome keeps the Energie de Vie’s fluid theme running in this cream too. As someone who doesn’t use conventional moisturizers very often (as I prefer face oils), I certainly am willing to make that exception for this product.

Consistency-wise, the Water-infused Cream has a thicker density and more emollient formula than the Sleeping Mask. This is where it differs. The cream will serve better when the surface of the skin is drier. It will provide better and longer-lasting moisture. I’d say it’s quite lightweight and I can use as little as half a pea-sized amount for daytime wear. Ration it depending on my needs. It’s noticeably heavier than Liquid Care, but it’s meant to be. FYI, I can mix a drop or two of face oil into the cream too.

If Liquid Care is already a moisturizer, then where does this cream sits then? Well, it can either be a substitute or layer them together! Liquid Care’s versatility allows us to do that.

Will it replace my loyalty for face oils? Yeah, no. I like the texture and all that but it’s hard to shaken my love for oils 😆. But for people who prefer moisturizers, Energie de Vie Water-infused Cream is worth checking out.

Ingredients: Aqua / Water, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Squalane, Bis-PEG-18 Methyl Ether Dimethyl Silane, Sucrose Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, PEG-8 Stearate, Urea, Myristyl Myristate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Tocopherol, Alcohol, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Hydroxypalmitoyl Sphinganine, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Olea Europaea Oil / Olive Fruit Oil, Stearic Acid, Chlorphenesin, Palmitic Acid, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Oil, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Limonene, Xanthan Gum, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Pentylene Glycol, Gentiana Lutea Root Extract, Dioscorea Villosa Root Extract / Wild Yam Root Extract, Persea Gratissima Oil / Avocado Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Carbomer, Myristic Acid, Myristyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Cetyl Alcohol, Methylparaben, BHT, Potassium Sorbate, Citral, Citronellol, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil / Apricot Kernel Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil / Sweet Almond Oil, Hexyldecanol, Glyceryl Stearate, Oryza Sativa Bran Oil / Rice Bran Oil, Parfum / Fragrance.

It’s beyond clear, I truly enjoy using these products from Lancome Energie de Vie. That’s something coming from me who always mix and customize by using different products from different brands in a single routine. This line is planned and executed well. There is the red thread that tied in the collection, making it cohesive. Whether it’s from the ingredients used, the synergistic formulas and textures, and the scent. The presence of Lactic Acid (though not dominant) will play a hand at boosting radiance on the skin.

Speaking of scent, these products share a similar scent which I like but it can be overwhelming at times. If you are sensitive to fragrance (skin and/or nose), please note. Also, there are silicones that contribute to the slippery-silky feeling in these products. I generally have no issues with them. I find them to be an effective protective skin barrier to reduce water loss.

If I may say, Lancome Energie de Vie line suits the Indonesian tropical climate that I live in. The cooling formulas, the fluidity, the surge of hydration. The ease of use. Based on the textures, I feel it’s catering for combination-oily skin, but more over, dehydrated skin the most. The overall finish these products give is not matte, but rather dewy-radiant finish. On some days, it can get a little too shiny, but nothing a piece of tissue or blotting paper can’t fix. However, if you have very dry skin types, they might not be enough but you can always layer with something more occlusive.

Just a little secret, I had been found guilty of using these products on my body 😆. My skin can’t be exposed to the sun for too long, otherwise I’d start to feel itchy. During the relentless (short but) killer summer in Toronto, I walked around the city often and as I expected, skin was crying for help. So what did I do? Lancome Energie de Vie products slathered all over the body.
A literal almost head-to-toe routine 😎

Disclosure: the products were received as PR samples and I’ve repurchased a couple of products on my own. All opinions, bad and good, are 100% mine, as always!

Read also: Dancing in Waters