Cult-favourite Sunday Riley, a Texas-based skincare brand has been around for over decade. Barneys New York showed interest in the line before it was even an official brand and it is consistently a Sephora bestseller. Once a niche favourite, the company initially grew a quiet but devoted following before skyrocketing in popularity in recent years and is now a major force in the skincare space. Created in 2009, ‘powered by science and balanced by botanicals’, Sunday Riley’s skin care formulations are said to provide a visible, measurable improvement instantly.
“Once a niche favourite, the company initially grew a quiet but devoted following before skyrocketing in popularity in recent years”
Every Sunday Riley product reflects the founder’s personal belief that results should be fast and appreciable. Said to be a ‘game-changing’ streamlined range, I was excited when I was sent a box of products to try by the team. Many reviews claim that Sunday’s products enhance skin’s quality, correct imbalance and combat all signs of ageing, from fine lines to dark spots. The range is a limited collection of products, currently less than 20, all of which use tried-and-tested active ingredients such as glycolic acid and hyaluronic acid along with botanicals.
“Initially a little sceptical of just how good the range must be, I quickly understood why these products are so popular.”
Initially a little sceptical of just how good the range must be, I quickly understood why these products are so popular. Whilst I am late to trying Sunday Riley, I am now a convert to the range - they are incredibly effective formulations! Below I review some of my top favourites from the Sunday Riley range.
Good Genes, Glycolic Acid Treatment
A hero product, I had heard so many wonderful reviews about this products from friends beforehand, I was really excited to try it out. Possibly one of the best chemical exfoliators on the market, if there is one product from the range which you must try, its this one. It gently yet effectively exfoliates skin to even out and smooth your complexion and is coupled with plant based brighteners such as prickly pear extract.
I first started using this product when my skin was feeling particularly dry and sluggish, almost immediately I noticed a big difference - this was the first product I tried from the line and it made me instantly understand the hype around Sunday Riley’s products.
“Possibly one of the best chemical exfoliators on the market, if there is one product from the range which you must try, its this one”
Whilst it is quite expensive (its one of the most expensive products in the line), I do think its worth it. If your skin is sensitive, use it as a mask and rinse off after three minutes otherwise you can keep it on overnight. This product is great on its own, but combined with the retinol, it's the ultimate power couple.
C.E.O. Glow, Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oil
Another bestseller and a close second favourite product for me, C.E.O Glow is one other must-have product from Sunday Riley.
Formulated with a blend of antioxidant-rich botanical ingredients, this oil also features THD ascorbate, a stable form of vitamin C that provides a healthy-looking glow while also protecting the skin from free radical damage. Golden turmeric oil works helps to create a more uniform tone.
I generally am quite concerned about using facial oils as I have relatively oily skin and it can often cause me break-outs. It may be the inclusion of turmeric however, I found this oil to be a really beneficial addition to my daily skincare regime. Used in the morning along with my daily moisturiser and C.E.O 15% Brightening Serum it gave instant hydration to my skin.
Tidal, Brightening Enzyme Water Treatment
This is a perfect cream if you have dehydrated skin, perhaps not so much if you have oily or combination skin. Tidal delivers an intense water ‘drench’ with two forms of hyaluronic acid and is said to increase skin’s hydration by 68% in fifteen minutes. The product also contains papaya enzymes for smoothing texture and alpha arbutin to brighten the appearance of discolouration.
As I have mentioned above, I started using Sunday’s products whilst my skin was a little neglected and this cream was everything I needed. Whether it delivers 68% increase in hydration almost instantly, I can’t say however it did immediately change the texture and look of my skin. A perfect product to take with you when travelling, the luxe, whipped like texture is surprisingly lightweight and provides a surge of hydration.
“A perfect product to take with you when travelling, the luxe, whipped like texture is surprisingly lightweight and provides a surge of hydration.”
Pink Drink, Firming Resurfacing Essence
Whilst many of the products in the line are focused on the texture of the skin, this serum focuses on elasticity instead, thanks to the addition of firming peptides. Fermented honey and botanical extracts balance the skin’s natural microbiome and resurface the skin.
Initially, I wasn’t too excited about this product as I haven’t ever come across anything quite like it. The focus is balancing your skin, reducing redness, breakouts and sensitivity. I found that it added a dose of hydration instantly and was quickly absorbed by the skin.
Clean Rinse, Clarifying Scalp Serum
Another unusual product from the range, Clean Rinse is designed to clarify the scalp of product build-up, excess oil, dead skin and pollution for a cleaner, healthier looking scalp and refreshed hair. It contains glycolic acid, salicylic acid, rose clay, vitamins and jasmine.
I absolutely loved this product and have never tried anything quite like it. Even though I regularly oil my hair, living in a polluted city like London combined with harsh water I felt as though this was a much needed addition to my beauty regime. Leave it on for anywhere from three to 30 minutes before washing hair as usual.
Wake Up With Me, Complete Morning Routine
If the idea of buying full price products seems a little daunting, the Sunday Riley Wake Up With Me, Complete Morning Routine is an easier commitment to make. With 50% savings off, this is a wonderful gift for yourself or a friend and it an easier way to introduce yourself to the range. It also contains some of my top products worth trying from the Sunday Riley range including:
Ceramic Slip Cleanser: Expensive, but one of the best cleansers I have ever used. This strikes the perfect face wash balance, cleansing without ever over-drying your skin. Comprising French green clay and rice oil esters, it effectively pulls out impurities from the skin and gives a radiant complexion. I noticed smaller pores and a very satisfying clean feeling.
“If the idea of buying full price products seems a little daunting, the Sunday Riley Wake Up With Me, Complete Morning Routine is an easier commitment to make.”
C.E.O 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum: This product's brightening and radiance-boosting power is exceptional and it is one of the best vitamin C and brightening serums on the market. This rich serum uses a powerful form of Vitamin C known as THD ascorbate; it’s quickly soaks into the skin so that it can reap the benefits, namely brightening, line-smoothing, and antioxidant protection. It is a perfect base layer to apply under sunscreen daily.
Auto Correct Eye Cream: One of the best eye creams I have recently tried, the caffeine and ginseng root help to relieve puffiness instantly while antioxidants and hydrating ingredients moisturize and smooth out fine lines. I have found that the formula helps diffuse the look of darkness.
You can find out more about Sunday Riley by visiting a retailer or at https://www.sundayriley.com
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Note: All products were gifted