By far, the best recreational use of my home computer has been for shopping! Especially shopping for beauty products. With the recent launches of new beauty product websites, I've had the time of my life sampling brands of make-up and skin care I've had little or no access to.

I've been dying to try Ole Henriksen's products for longer than I care to remember. I heard about his Beverly Hills salon and products in all the usual places. Mr. Henriksen has been featured on the Style Channel, and most recently on QVC. I ordered the five product Seven Day Skin Care Transformation Kit from beautyjungle.com. For $110.00, these products proved to be well worth the cost. Here's a rundown:

On The Go Exhilarating Cleanser
I've tried a few new cleansers lately that have made me very happy. This is one of them. It is a gentle, foaming cleanser containing seaweed and grapeseed extracts, vitamins C and E, and other natural ingredients. It produces a wonderful lather that rises off quickly and easily, taking all make-up and dirt with it.

Pick Me Up Face Tonic
This is an impressive alcohol free toner. It contains Witch Hazel, fruit extracts, aloe vera and alpha hydroxy acids among its ingredients. It smells wonderful and is really refreshing. It can also be used throughout the day to freshen an oily complexion. I also like to use it to clean away those wayward mascara smudges that always appear during application.

Truth Serum
A 10% Vitamin C serum that also contains aloe vera and green tea extract. This serum immediately sinks into the skin leaving it soft and smooth, not at all greasy.

Invigorating Night Gel
I found it strange that this product is called "invigorating," since you use it at night. It is a clear gel containing alpha hydroxy acids, algae extract, vitamins A, E and C. This gel really helps control oil and soothe blotchy skin. Surprisingly, it contains no alcohol, so it will not irritate sensitive skin.

Sheer Transformation Creme
A potent antioxidant moisturizer containing Vitamins C and E, Salicylic Acid and botanicals. This product also contains Kojic Esters, which are used to fade discoloration and hyperpigmentation. This product is supposed to be used in tandem with the Invigorating Night Gel for optimum benefits.

I must admit that I saw positive changes in my skin sooner than seven days. After using the products for four days, I noticed that my skin seemed clearer, healthier, and most notably less oily. I was very impressed.

In addition to the kit, I tried a few other items worth mentioning:

Clear and Gentle Primrose Soap ($18 for a 3.5 oz. jar)
This unusual soap is packaged in a jar. Using a wet round sponge (the sponges come with the kit or are available separately from Beautyjungle), you rub the surface of the soap, creating a rich lather. This is a great product that cleanses and gently exfoliates at the same time.

Firming Eye Creme ($45 for a 1 oz. jar)
I like the fact that you get a very generous one ounce jar for the price. The first few ingredients following purified water and aloe vera gel are sunflower seed, grapeseed, avocado and wheat germ oils. This is a very rich cream that will soothe and moisturize the delicate eye area. However, I found this cream way too heavy to use under makeup. I was horrified to look in the mirror midday, to find my mascara glopped under my eyes. Raccoon eyes are not my best look.

Pure Perfection 12% Glycolic Acid Creme ($45 for a 2 oz. jar)
This cream can be used day or night. It also has an SPF of 12. The instructions say to use it sparingly. Take heed because it has a very rich texture. In addition to lactic, glycolic and fruit acids, it contains vitamins A, C and E. I was uncomfortable using this cream under makeup, but I found it to be satisfactory as a night cream.

All in all, Ole Henriksen products are definitely something special. If I ever find myself in Beverly Hills, you can bet the first place I head to is the Ole Henriksen salon for a facial. That is, if I can get an appointment. I hear those are hard to come by.

Happy Shopping!

review: 11/99