Leaders Lately | Dresser Diaries Volume IV
While most bloggers will tell you blogging isn't all about PR, that doesn't mean we don't get excited about press samples and collaborations and the likes. Getting my 1000th press email will be just as thrilling and humbling as receiving my 1st one was. My two favorite emails are from new, burgeoning brands and brands that I've purchased from time and time again. And Leaders falls into category numero dos! The first time I received a PR email from them I had a mini fan-girl moment because they make my favorite sheet masks of all time (their 7 wonders coconut gel ones-- try it and thank me later.)
Today I'm collaborating with them on this post chatting about some of their new releases I've been testing over the past month!
Leaders Labotica Green Tea Lip & Eye Point Remover
Ingredients: Water, Mineral Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Tripropylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus, Globulus Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus, Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Price & Size: $6.00 USD for 30 wipes; available via Leaders and Ulta
I'm usually not a cleansing wipes kinda gal. In fact, I avoid purchasing them most of the time, because I know I'll reach for them when I'm feeling lazy, and I know I'll end up regretting it in the morning when I wake up with irritated, dry skin.
One of the makeup removing wipes I've ever tried is the Pixi lash nourishing makeup remover pads (reviewed last year here.) I loved the concept but the execution was a total failure. But these Leaders ones are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum!
They actually remove waterproof mascara and eyeshadow and liquid lipstick! Without irritating my skin! As much as I hate how vague the word "sensitive" is, I would classify my eyes as pretty sensitive-- sometimes if I apply a face mask, nowhere near my eyes, they still start tearing. But these wipes didn't irritate them at all. That said, if you do have sensitivities to citrus oils be aware that they are found in these wipes!
After using these wipes, I do find that there's an oily residue leftover. Personally, I don't mind this because I think it helps prevent the wipes from being drying and tugging at the skin. Also, I usually double cleanse my skin afterward anyways.
Also the packaging is really cute and mini and perfect for traveling 😎
Leaders Aquablend Oil Serum
Ingredients: Water, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3-Hexyl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Intergrifolia Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Canaga Odorata Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Myrtus Communis Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Vanilla Planfolia Fruit Extract, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sucrose Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Adenosine, Polyglutamic Acid, Cellulose, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Prize & Size: $35.00 USD for 50 mL; available via Leaders and Ulta
This might be borderline sacrilegious to say as a self-proclaimed skincare addict, but I hate 90% of pure oils. Thankfully we live in an age of innovation and my skin can get all the moisture it craves with water-based serums that are loaded with oils so my skin doesn't have to suffer from said hatred. Lately, my two serums of choice have been the Kypris Antioxidant dew and this Leaders aquablend oil serum.
The first thing that pulled me into this serum is the airless pump packaging because it literally does not get better than that.
The second thing that pulled me in is the fact that squalane is the third ingredient on the ingredient list. Like I professed on my Instagram this weekend, squalane has become quite the star ingredient lately. It's lightweight, it's hydrating, it's non-greasy-- it's basically the perfect oil (and I'll definitely be dedicating an entire post to it later at some point.) And like squalane, this serum is lightweight, hydrating, and non-greasy. I've worn it under sunscreen, over oil, under moisturizer, and I've never had any issues with it pilling.
It also has what I would consider the golden ratio of silicone-- just enough to give it a pleasant texture and hold its structure when first dispensed, but not so much that it feels like I'm applying a primer on my skin. It literally melts into my skin at first touch
Although it does not contain any synthetic fragrances, it does have a delicious spicy, earthy scent which is probably thanks to the long list of floral and fruit oils it contains. Like the makeup wipes I mentioned up above, this does have citrus oils in it so if you are sensitive to those, keep that in mind!
Leaders Labotica Transforming Liquid Foil Mask
Ingredients: Water, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Polysorbate 80, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Pearl Extract, Tin Oxide, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Prize & Size: $32.00 USD for 100 mL; available via Leaders, Ulta, and Urban Outfitters
This mask is pure skintertainment. Like every other peel-off mask I've tried, it's fun to use but at the end of the day, I don't find it really does much for my skin.
What I do like about the mask is that's it's easy to apply thanks to the fact that it's packaged in a squeezey bottle. Texture-wise it's like glue but not as sticky and easy to spread out with my fingers. Once it dries, it's easy to peel off in one uniform layer. I have managed to get this mask in my eyebrows multiple times and it's never ripped out any hairs (thank, God!)
If you're also a skincare addict, you may have noticed it's resemblance to Glamglow's gravitymud mask. I actually got a sample of the gravitymud to compare to this. Result wise they're pretty much exactly the same and ingredient wise, neither are very impressive in my opinion. Buuut the Leaders one is half the price and double the size, plus it has superior packaging. I've moaned about this about 33480 times before, but I hate glamglow's jar packaging. Their masks always dry out before I'm able to use them up!
If you've been wanting to try out gravitymud because you think it looks cool/ you have a secret fantasy to look like the tin man, try out this Leaders one instead because it's a much better value and is much easier to use.
Leaders Labotica Aqua Tree Mild Peeling Gel
Ingredients: Water, Cellulose, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Butylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Sprout Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
Prize & Size: $28.00 USD for 100 mL; available via Leaders
When I first read the description for this peel I was afraid it would be too abrasive for my skin because I assumed it was 2 in 1 chemical + physical exfoliator, and I haven't had the best of luck with those. But after my first use, all my worries went away because as the name suggests, the peel really is mild! And that's probably because it's a gommage type of peel.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't 100% understand how gommage peels work. After reading this article on Byrdie and a few other posts on the AB subreddit, I think I've got a bit of a better understanding of them. Basically, gommage peels work by gently chemically exfoliating the surface of the skin and then the dead skin cells get caught up in the gommage bits (which are usually cotton or cellulose.)
When I first apply it there are no abrasive chunks or bits and it spreads quite easily. After about a minute of rubbing it all over my face, it looks like my face is pilling. Not gonna lie, this part is super satisfying to me. Even though I know it's mostly the gommage itself that's pilling, physically seeing and feeling the peel makes me feel like I'm getting ready to reveal a luminous layer of fresh skin (like a snake or sumthin'.)
My skin is perfectly normal at the moment and I didn't find this drying at all (even though there is alcohol high up on the ingredients list.) Afterwards, my skin is soft to the touch and absorbs the rest of my nightly skincare routine much better.
Fin
I was initially going to review the Labotica sheet masks too in this post, but I'm going to save that for a different post for my newly minted weekly mask review series!
If you’re interested in purchasing anything from the Leaders website, they were kind enough to share a promo code with me! The first 50 people who use the code “SHARMTOASTER15” will get 15% off their orders; they also offer free shipping on all orders over $50. The promo code is not an affiliate code so I don’t get any sort of commission if you use it :)
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Leaders USA. As always, all opinions are my own!
Today I'm collaborating with them on this post chatting about some of their new releases I've been testing over the past month!
Leaders Labotica Green Tea Lip & Eye Point Remover
Ingredients: Water, Mineral Oil, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Polysorbate 80, Glycerin, Tripropylene Glycol, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus, Globulus Leaf Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus, Aurantifolia (Lime) Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Price & Size: $6.00 USD for 30 wipes; available via Leaders and Ulta
I'm usually not a cleansing wipes kinda gal. In fact, I avoid purchasing them most of the time, because I know I'll reach for them when I'm feeling lazy, and I know I'll end up regretting it in the morning when I wake up with irritated, dry skin.
One of the makeup removing wipes I've ever tried is the Pixi lash nourishing makeup remover pads (reviewed last year here.) I loved the concept but the execution was a total failure. But these Leaders ones are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum!
They actually remove waterproof mascara and eyeshadow and liquid lipstick! Without irritating my skin! As much as I hate how vague the word "sensitive" is, I would classify my eyes as pretty sensitive-- sometimes if I apply a face mask, nowhere near my eyes, they still start tearing. But these wipes didn't irritate them at all. That said, if you do have sensitivities to citrus oils be aware that they are found in these wipes!
After using these wipes, I do find that there's an oily residue leftover. Personally, I don't mind this because I think it helps prevent the wipes from being drying and tugging at the skin. Also, I usually double cleanse my skin afterward anyways.
Also the packaging is really cute and mini and perfect for traveling 😎
Leaders Aquablend Oil Serum
Ingredients: Water, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-3-Hexyl Stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Macadamia Intergrifolia Seed Oil, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Bark Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Canaga Odorata Flower Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Jasminum Officinale (Jasmine) Oil, Artemisia Absinthium Extract, Myrtus Communis Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Vanilla Planfolia Fruit Extract, Ferula Galbaniflua (Galbanum) Resin Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Tuber Magnatum Extract, Copaifera Officinalis (Balsam Copaiba) Resin, Cyclohexasiloxane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Sucrose Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Adenosine, Polyglutamic Acid, Cellulose, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol
Prize & Size: $35.00 USD for 50 mL; available via Leaders and Ulta
This might be borderline sacrilegious to say as a self-proclaimed skincare addict, but I hate 90% of pure oils. Thankfully we live in an age of innovation and my skin can get all the moisture it craves with water-based serums that are loaded with oils so my skin doesn't have to suffer from said hatred. Lately, my two serums of choice have been the Kypris Antioxidant dew and this Leaders aquablend oil serum.
The first thing that pulled me into this serum is the airless pump packaging because it literally does not get better than that.
The second thing that pulled me in is the fact that squalane is the third ingredient on the ingredient list. Like I professed on my Instagram this weekend, squalane has become quite the star ingredient lately. It's lightweight, it's hydrating, it's non-greasy-- it's basically the perfect oil (and I'll definitely be dedicating an entire post to it later at some point.) And like squalane, this serum is lightweight, hydrating, and non-greasy. I've worn it under sunscreen, over oil, under moisturizer, and I've never had any issues with it pilling.
It also has what I would consider the golden ratio of silicone-- just enough to give it a pleasant texture and hold its structure when first dispensed, but not so much that it feels like I'm applying a primer on my skin. It literally melts into my skin at first touch
Although it does not contain any synthetic fragrances, it does have a delicious spicy, earthy scent which is probably thanks to the long list of floral and fruit oils it contains. Like the makeup wipes I mentioned up above, this does have citrus oils in it so if you are sensitive to those, keep that in mind!
Leaders Labotica Transforming Liquid Foil Mask
Ingredients: Water, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Dipropylene Glycol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Polysorbate 80, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pulsatilla Koreana Extract, Usnea Barbata (Lichen) Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Xanthan Gum, Pearl Extract, Tin Oxide, Fragrance, Disodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
Prize & Size: $32.00 USD for 100 mL; available via Leaders, Ulta, and Urban Outfitters
This mask is pure skintertainment. Like every other peel-off mask I've tried, it's fun to use but at the end of the day, I don't find it really does much for my skin.
What I do like about the mask is that's it's easy to apply thanks to the fact that it's packaged in a squeezey bottle. Texture-wise it's like glue but not as sticky and easy to spread out with my fingers. Once it dries, it's easy to peel off in one uniform layer. I have managed to get this mask in my eyebrows multiple times and it's never ripped out any hairs (thank, God!)
If you're also a skincare addict, you may have noticed it's resemblance to Glamglow's gravitymud mask. I actually got a sample of the gravitymud to compare to this. Result wise they're pretty much exactly the same and ingredient wise, neither are very impressive in my opinion. Buuut the Leaders one is half the price and double the size, plus it has superior packaging. I've moaned about this about 33480 times before, but I hate glamglow's jar packaging. Their masks always dry out before I'm able to use them up!
If you've been wanting to try out gravitymud because you think it looks cool/ you have a secret fantasy to look like the tin man, try out this Leaders one instead because it's a much better value and is much easier to use.
Leaders Labotica Aqua Tree Mild Peeling Gel
Ingredients: Water, Cellulose, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Alcohol, Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Bambusa Vulgaris Water, Butylene Glycol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Sprout Extract, Luffa Cylindrica Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Salicylic Acid, Citric Acid, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance
Prize & Size: $28.00 USD for 100 mL; available via Leaders
When I first read the description for this peel I was afraid it would be too abrasive for my skin because I assumed it was 2 in 1 chemical + physical exfoliator, and I haven't had the best of luck with those. But after my first use, all my worries went away because as the name suggests, the peel really is mild! And that's probably because it's a gommage type of peel.
I'll be the first to admit that I don't 100% understand how gommage peels work. After reading this article on Byrdie and a few other posts on the AB subreddit, I think I've got a bit of a better understanding of them. Basically, gommage peels work by gently chemically exfoliating the surface of the skin and then the dead skin cells get caught up in the gommage bits (which are usually cotton or cellulose.)
When I first apply it there are no abrasive chunks or bits and it spreads quite easily. After about a minute of rubbing it all over my face, it looks like my face is pilling. Not gonna lie, this part is super satisfying to me. Even though I know it's mostly the gommage itself that's pilling, physically seeing and feeling the peel makes me feel like I'm getting ready to reveal a luminous layer of fresh skin (like a snake or sumthin'.)
My skin is perfectly normal at the moment and I didn't find this drying at all (even though there is alcohol high up on the ingredients list.) Afterwards, my skin is soft to the touch and absorbs the rest of my nightly skincare routine much better.
Fin
I was initially going to review the Labotica sheet masks too in this post, but I'm going to save that for a different post for my newly minted weekly mask review series!
If you’re interested in purchasing anything from the Leaders website, they were kind enough to share a promo code with me! The first 50 people who use the code “SHARMTOASTER15” will get 15% off their orders; they also offer free shipping on all orders over $50. The promo code is not an affiliate code so I don’t get any sort of commission if you use it :)
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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Leaders USA. As always, all opinions are my own!
