Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sponge- Ladi Avokanto Review

Sponge Skincare products are made in Greece by a family who has been making natural skincare products for a period of more than thirty years. Among the key ingredients used by Sponge is olive oil, vitamins D & E,  and organic and wild crafted herbs. Ladi Avokanto is a unique oil based serum that is loaded with antioxidants, and this natural serum "enhances collagen production to visibly firm, rejeuvenate and help diminish lines and wrinkles to promote a more youthful appearance with every use." Sponge claims that Ladi Avokanto is the "'must have' product for healthy, radiant skin. Combining the intense firming and restorative benefits of avocado with smoothing vitamin D and antioxidant vitamin E, this product helps to nourish and rejeuvenate skin regardless of age or skin type. The purity of Lado Avokanto promotes immediate and cumulative results, helping your complexion look fresh, energized and more youthful with every use."
I long ago stopped fearing the effects of putting nutritious oils on my combination skin- they have never caused me to break out, and the benefits are astounding. Ladi Avokanto wasn't even on my radar-- though Sponge has been for quite a while. However, on a recent visit to Barneys I took a closer look at many of the Sponge products, and determined that this one had to come home with me! It smells and feels divine, and having a weakness for face oils made it virtually impossible for me to leave the store without this! 
Truthfully, the moment I tried the tester at Barneys I fell hard for this gorgeous nourishing oil. It is a sumptuous and decadent oil that melts into the skin faster than any oil that I have tried before. I simply warm a small amount in my hands by rubbing them together rather rigorously and then massage it into my face and neck. This is a power-packed anti-oxidant anti-aging serum that is remarkably lightweight and comfortable to use. It is a dark green hue, and it smells very rich and warm. I was told that I can use this serum both day and night, but I have been using primarily at night for the last week or so. The following morning my skin has an irresistible glow, and is soft, smooth, supple and amazingly hydrated. The real test was whether this oil was going to pass muster for daytime use, and it actually exceeded my expectations- and then some! That it sinks in so quickly, especially when I employ my warming method, cuts down on the wait time allowing you to get your makeup on faster so that you can get on with your day. I experienced the same lovely glowing effect during the day time that lasted into the evening. My skin remains hydrated all day, and it keeps my  combination skin perfectly balanced to the extent that I do not need blotting papers for my t-zone throughout the day. This is a lovely and effective product, and I think that it's safe to say that this will by no means be my last bottle. I am equally enthusiastic Sponge's Gel Katharistiko Cleanser, and I will be reviewing it shortly as well.
It is free of parabens, sulfates, dyes, petrochemicals, propylene glycols, synthetic fragrances, or any GMOs. It is a Cruelty-Free line as well!

Overall assessment: A M A Z I N G!! A new Holy Grail oil for me!
30ml $60.00 & 50ml $100 available from Sephora (Affiliate link).

22 comments:

  1. Really amazing it keeps your t-zone shine free all day! I haven't had much luck with straight up oils in the past few years, and I'm not gonna lie - olive oil seems so heavy that I'm a little apprehensive. But that's what samples are made for, right?!! My forehead and cheeks are really dry...do you think this would be moisturizing enough alone or under moisturizer?

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    1. It does keep my t-zone and sebum in check! This really doesn't feel heavy to me, but it may seem so to you. I would DEFINITELY recommend getting your hands on a sample because of your past experience with face oils. I find it quite moisturizing alone, but I prefer to use a VERY small amount, and treat it as a serum layered under my moisturizer. I have tried it both ways though, and my combination skin was very happy in both scenarios. I think your dry forehead and cheeks would be very happy with this products, but again given your history with oils you should get a sample and maybe to a test patch on part of your face to see how your skin responds! ;-)

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    2. Ok Beautyhabit is having 20% off so I took the Sponge plunge and ordered the cleanser, ladi avokanto and day cream. I'm taking a leap of faith without having acquired samples first *gulp* because I just couldn't resist the sale. Wish me luck and fabulous skin! Ha ha ha :-)

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    3. Good for you, Gummy!! I sure hope that you love them the way that I do!! I have been wanting to try one of their moisturizers too-- I haven't figured out which one to get. Which one did you get? I really think that Sponge is a phenomenal line!! I'm totally smitten with it!

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    4. I ordered the Day Cream - Krema Imeras. Had a hard time deciding between that and the Rose and Sage Cream, so I more or less did an eenie-meenie-miney-moe...lol :-) I hope I love it too!!! Thank you so much for the reviews!

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    5. I was torn between the those same two creams as well. I have a sample of the Rose & Sage Cream, and really like it-- but i really like the idea that the Krema Imeras has lots of anti-aging ingredients-- so I think that you probably made the best choice. I AM SO EXCITED for you that you are trying out Sponge with me!! I'm pretty much beside myself in love with the two products that I've been using. You are going to lose your mind when you try out the cleanser and the oil. I have NEVER loved a cleanser as much as this one, and I have PILES of different cleansers-- but this is definitely my very favorite of all of them. There is just something so magical about the way that it cleans the skin, and leaves it so soft and supple!! You are so welcome for the reviews, Gummy! I can't wait to read yours!!!!!!!!!

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    6. Oh, Miss Lola....I'm LOVING the Ladi Avokanto right now!!! Honestly I was a little nervous given my unlucky streak with oils in the last year, but this stuff is amazing so far!! I've been using it day and night. It smells so good...so soothing. I have noticed an improvement in my skin, and it has really helped with the deeper hydration issues I've had on my dry areas. I know it hasn't been that long but I'm really hoping I continue to love it!!! Going to give it another week or so before adding on the Sponge Krema Imeras & at some point will try out the Sponge Cleanser too (should be receiving my replacement one in a couple of days). I'm so excited - had to share!!!

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    7. Oh, Gummy-- I had hoped that you would have that kind of reaction!! I would use a very very small amount and warm it in your hands and it will penetrate faster, and less product will lessen the chances of over-doing it and causing your skin to react. I am going to get the Krema Imeras, but still haven't tried it. Can you tell me what it smells like? I'm so curious about it!! I think that it is very wise to wait before adding in the other two products, let your skin adjust to this first! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!! I'm definitely trying their day cream and night cream-- which is nuts because I have so many other lovely skincare products in rotations. I'm just smitten with this line-- I'm such a skincare junkie-- that I think that I am basically a skincare polygamist!LOL! Keep me posted!! :-)

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    8. That's what I've been doing...using less and REALLY warming it up in my hands until they feel almost hot and then pressing into my skin. Then I keep rubbing my hands together and pressing...and repeating until it has all sunk in. Seems to work really well for me that way! The Krema Imeras smells exactly like a slightly lighter version of the Ladi Avokanto, but with a hint of something I can't quite put my finger on (maybe the rosemary and sage?). I've never shopped at Barney's before...how are they with beauty returns? Wondering because I can't decide what I would like to get for the goody bag and it might help make up my mind to try a few new things if they are good with returns!

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    9. Good-- that sounds like the perfect way to do it to me. I like to do the same thing! Plus there is so much less wasted product-- which when you consider our proclivity for über expensive skincare--it makes the whole undertaking far more economical (do you like my twisted justification for spending ungodly amounts of money on skincare products??). Ooooh Krema Imeras sounds yummy!! I have only ever returned a few things there, and had no issues. What I would suggest, however-- is when you are talking to the SA- tell them that you have super sensitive skin and that sometimes things make your skin go bonkers, and ask them if you will have trouble exchanging or returning it- if you have an allergic reaction. I don't think that you will have a problem. That said-- it might be better to get samples of new things given all of the skincare reactions that you have had recently. That way you can find out if you have a problem with it/them-- before committing to buying the full size, and then having to go through the hassle of returning them. Then you could buy things that you are confident in using to get the gift bag. I'm assuming that you are pretty well stocked with Sponge, Sunday Riley and Tatcha at this point-- it might not be practical to just get backups of things you already have. I have done that in the past with Bag Event-- and as a result I have several backup SR items that are going to take me quite a while to get through. These shopping excursions can get pretty expensive!! xx

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  2. You always find the best things! Is Barney's your home away from home?

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    1. I always find amazing things at Barneys. Yes, Barneys is pretty much my home away from home- LOL!! It doesn't help that it's only about a 5 minute drive from home. TOO MANY temptations!!

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  3. I like the smell of this oil too, smells better than the Juno one (which smells like food to me).

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    1. I LOVE THIS!! I find that it is every bit as good as Juno, and I find that it sinks into the skin much faster with all of the same benefits. So I am pretty much OBSESSED with Ladi Avocanto!! Your trip to Paris looked amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4. I do not know if it's just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your blog. It appears as if some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them too? This could be a issue with my internet browser because I've had this happen before. Cheers

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    1. Thanks for telling me. I'm not seeing this problem on Firefox or Safari. What browser are you using?

      Is anybody else experiencing this problem? If so, where?

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    2. No problems on my mobile device but when I use Safari on my laptop the first 2-3 letters are obscured by the recent sidebar addition that has the tweet, google +1, like on Facebook, etc. I can only completely read the text when it's on the upper 1/3 of the screen, so I end up having to scroll everything toward the top to see it. Slightly annoying because I can't view the picture along with the text.

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    3. Thanks, Gummy!!! Yeah, the side bar column is bugging me too-- if i shrink it sothat it doesn't obscure my text then you can only see part of the symbols. I think that I will pull it down and find a better place for it.

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  5. Hi from Hello Cotton!!! Yes!! I want that body glow!! Looks wonderful

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    1. Hi Tami! Thanks for stopping by! The Kai Body Glow is really lovely!! I just can't seek to get enough of that scent!!!!

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  6. Hi lola!

    i've finished up my bottle of Sunday Riley's Juno and i'm looking for my second bottle of face oil... i was wondering what your thoughts were in regards to the Sponge Ladi Avokanto and Tatcha's Camellia Beauty Oil? It's winter here in Sydney Australia, and only one side of my face is red, and sensitive compared to the rest of my face.. i think its from the cold or the office heaters... i was also thinking about Aesops face oil... any thoughts considering my face is quite sensitive and patchy during the winter?

    thanks!

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    1. Hi Vatty! I love Sponge Ladi Avokanto- it is so lovely and nourishing! I haven't tried Tatcha's Camellia Beauty Oil-- though I am very curious to try it as well. For a nourishing oil that will get you through a winter in Sydney, I think that you would be happy with Ladi Avokanto. In terms of dealing with dry skin, I have had great luck with Rodin Olio Lusso. While I have combination skin, it is the oil that healed my two dry patches-- so in that regard it has been a miraculous product for me, and it is unbelievably moisturizing.

      http://www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com/2012/10/rodin-olio-lusso-luxury-face-oil-golden.html

      I have some samples of the Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum, but I haven't tried it yet. Since Aesop is an Australian company, I imagine that it might be pretty easy to get some samples to try first.

      I really love Ladi Avokanto and Olio Lusso- if there is a way for you to feel and smell them that might help you make your decision. For me, if I had to choose just one of these it would probably be Olio Lusso because of how it has eliminated my dry patches. I love the Jasmine scent that is soothing and delightful! Thankfully, I don't have to choose between them- because I love both. If at all possible, I would try to get samples of all of them to see which one you prefer- especially since your skin is sensitive. I can't wait to hear which face oil will get next!

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I love reading all of your comments and interacting with you- so please do not hesitate to share your thoughts, and to ask questions. Remember that what you have to say is of interest to all of us! Always feel free to email me directly as well. SPAM and advertising links will not be published.

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