After two sample vials, six months of waffling, and countless Youtube reviews and blog posts, I purchased Vintner's Daughter for a whopping $185.
I just had to know if the hype was real. An active, completely pure and natural oil-serum? What does that even mean? Will it balance my oily skin, heal pimples, and fade my dark spots? Will it cook my dinner and do my laundry too? (For that price, expectations were high).
WHAT IS IT?
A facial oil treatment/serum that can be used day or night as a treatment. Unlike most facial oils which moisturize and do little else, Vintner's Daughter claims to provide visible results beyond just moisture.
[Taken from text on the box] "Vintner's Daughter is a luxurious multi-correctional infusion of 22 of the world's most active organic and wildcrafted botanicals. This powerful concentration of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, balancing minerals, collagen building phytoceramides, nourishing fatty acids and wrinkle fighting antioxidants helps to...
Claims:
Reduce signs of aging
Stimulate cellular turnover
Inhibit melanin production
Strengthen collagen and skin elasticity
Deliver oxygen to cells and protect against free radical damage
Small particle size of formula deeply penetrates skin"
MY EXPERIENCE:
I've been testing this product for two and a half months. I purchased my bottle from one of my favorite green beauty retailers, EcoDiva Beauty (affiliate link).
There's something about this oil that is intoxicating, and dare I say addicting? After finishing my first sample vile, I missed being enveloped in the deep, yummy, floral scent day and night. One day after being out, I went to International Orange (a spa in San Francisco) and procured another sample. That panic I felt without it a second time made me order the full size. Even though I wasn't seeing any extreme changes in my skin, I loved the stuff.
In terms of results? It's hard to say definitively. If the results are too subtle and nondescript to put into words, it probably isn't worth $185. That being said, my skin looks better when I use it. There is a certain radiance and clarity it gives my skin that other facial oils have not. Unlike many oils that turn me into a grease ball, this balances my oily skin, while nourishing the outermost dehydrated layers. I notice these things because I know and watch my skin extremely closely, as I'm constantly testing out new products. The average person might not see any changes in their skin at all.
Scent: Floral, addicting, earthy in a bright way. Reminds me of jasmine or gardenia. There is a definite sweetness, but in a grounded, sexy way. The complexity of a Diptyque candle that you don't like the smell of at first, but slowly becomes your favorite scent. On me, the scent lingers subtly for about 30 minutes.
Feel: Comparable viscosity to olive oil, and soaks in at about the same rate. Thicker and heavier than I expected, as a serum with a grape seed oil base. Once rubbed into the skin, it stays oily for about 10 minutes before seeping in. For dryer skin, this could be the perfect step before makeup to make foundation glide on.
Packaging: Thick, dark glass vial to protect the product from harmful sunlight which will degrade the effectiveness of the active ingredients. Dropper is fine, allows you to get the exact amount of product you need, but can end up wasting some precious oil around the screw cap from opening/closing.
Use: I use it morning and evening after cleansing and toning. In the morning, I put 1-2 drops on my finger tips and massage into my skin. This small amount doesn't make me oily before makeup, but gives me a bit of extra glow. *Due to the Bergamot Peel Oil and Lemon Peel, use sunscreen on top in the day time. In the evening, I apply 4 drops to my skin, after the rest of my skincare/serums to 'lock it in'.
IN SUMMATION:
This is without a doubt, a beautiful facial oil and an experiential part of a luxury skincare routine. Is it a necessity? No, but if you have the money for it, I can almost guarantee you'll love it. Unlike a pure argon oil, or marula oil, this blend will give you the benefits of 22 organic and wildcrafted oils in one. If you're a green-skincare-junkie like I am, that sounds pretty irresistible.
Pros:
- Luxurious, and aromatherapeutic to use- a real treat
- Feels good on the skin, even for an oily girl like me
- Antibacterial ingredients keep my skin happy and spot-free
- Provides unique radiance and moisture that I cannot replicate without it
- Packaging is sleek, looks gorgeous on your vanity
Cons:
- It's expensive. I still almost choke when I think about how many hours I worked to buy one face oil
- Packaging isn't perfect. Droppers are not my favorite, though they are standard for face oils
- You can get similar results at a much lower price point
If you've tried Vintner's Daughter or have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below!