When a representative from Lionesse Gem Skin Care recently reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in reviewing some of their products with a handful of selected bloggers, I was flattered and floored. I am always on the prowl for new brands and cosmetics/skin and hair care to try- and after some correspondence and a little bit of research of my own into the brand and their history- I eagerly agreed.
A little blurb from Lionesse about their company and customers:
“Lionesse Beauty Bar is a luxury boutique offering high-end beauty products and professional makeovers. Our stores are located in California, Las Vegas, Canada, and Singapore.
The Lionesse is a sexy vixen that takes control of her life with style. Every man wants her and women want to be her. She is fierce, strong, stunning, and comfortable in her own skin. She glides down the street with unwavering confidence as if it’s her very own runway… She owns it.”
The Lionesse Gem Skin Care line is comprised of five collections, each based off of a precious gemstone (White Pearl, Black Onyx, Amber, Yellow Sapphire, and Diamond, respectively-) and each collection is designed to target different concerns for different skin types using unique combinations of vitamins, brightening and anti-aging ingredients.
Now, I try to keep myself on a bit of a budget when it comes to beauty products. I DO splurge every now and then to treat myself, but if I bought every product I saw and wanted on a whim- so, so many of my bills would go unpaid and I’d probably be siphoning gas to fuel my car. That being said, my jaw hit the floor when I first saw the price points of Lionesse’s collections. Ranging from $1,300 – $6,000, with $400 eye creams and $600 serums- I needed a moment to recover. Would I ever be able to afford this stuff? With weeks of saving and some sacrifice, sure- but would I want to spend that kind of money? Would dropping that kind of cash be worth it? To answer those questions- I turned to the products themselves.
Lionesse was gracious enough to send me two full-sized products for my skin type: the facial peel from the Amber Collection ($300) and the Vitamin C serum from the White Pearl Collection ($400) along with detailed directions on how and when to use each. I’ve been testing them out over the past few days, and am ready to weigh in on the results.
“Banish filth and all its cohorts. This gentle formula works to remove toxins, dirt and oil from your skin. Formulated with Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) and Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate), your skin will feel rejuvenated and fresh.” – From Lionesse’s website.
As directed, I’ve used this peel just a couple of times over the past few days (it’s not for everyday use) to clean out my pores and even out my skin’s tone and texture. I had a product similar to this years ago and had loved it- only to find out it had been discontinued when I went to replenish my bottle, and up until now- I’ve been unable to locate anything like it. Using a small amount, I spread the gel-like substance all over my face, and wait about five minutes before I begin to gently massage it with my fingertips in circular motions to exfoliate my skin. Once the peel begins to flake off, I rinse my face with cool water, pat dry with a clean towel- and then moisturize as usual.
Even after only a couple of uses, my skin looks and feels smoother, appears brighter, and even feels a little tighter- which I didn’t think was possible. This product isn’t abrasive at all, which is also a plus for those with sensitive skin. The only downside to this peel, and it’s nothing major- is that some of the flakes that form when massaging it into the skin pre-rinse don’t come off so easily, and have to be picked off prior to moisturizing- which can be a little uncomfortable. Other than that, though- this product has been working well for me and will more than likely become a part of my weekend deep-cleansing regimen.
“Unveil your greatest potential. This serum replenishes your skin with vital nutrients to maintain the skin’s youthful appearance and luminescence. This potent product will reduce the evidence of time and wear to create smoother, softer looking skin.” – From Lionesse’s website.
Like the Amber Facial Peel, this highly concentrated serum is not designed for everyday use. I’ve been using this every other night before bed after cleansing my skin and without applying moisturizer afterwards (the serum doesn’t sink into the skin super fast, so extra hydration isn’t really necessary.) When I wake up in the morning after each use, my skin is glowing, and feels really, really soft. Also like the Amber Facial Peel, a little goes a LONG way with this serum- so applying a ton of the product isn’t necessary at all. Only a pump, maybe two- is enough to give your face even coverage.
Side, somewhat unrelated note: this serum smells really, really good- like a mixture of different types of fruit. I’m liking it a lot.
THE VERDICT:
With their chic packaging, interesting gemstone-inspired collection concept, and skin care that has a nice, not-too-thick consistency- Lionesse definitely grabbed my attention. Based purely off of the results I’ve achieved so far- I’m a fan of both of the products they sent me to review. My skin continues to look and feel great as I use the peel and the serum, and with how concentrated they are- both full-sized bottles will last me a long time since I don’t have to apply an excessive amount with each use- and only have to use them a couple of times per week at the most.
Again, the only thing that makes me, and would probably make anyone on a budget wince- is the price per product and the price of an entire collection. Would I re-purchase the peel and the serum? Yes- but probably not for a while and probably not both at the same time- since such an investment ($700) would require some serious saving, and probably a little more overtime at the office. If these products and collections were a little more affordable, I wouldn’t be so hesitant- and would probably go on a bit of a shopping spree- because they ARE great quality and they DO give really good results.
I want to thank Lionesse for being so generous in letting me try these products. The opportunity is greatly appreciated. You can find and connect with Lionesse Gem on Facebook and Twitter!
*Note: All opinions in this post are entirely my own. I do not work for, nor was I paid by Lionesse Gem Skin Care to write these reviews.*
Legally Redhead 
Always interested in trying new facial products! The packaging is very cute and I would hope that with how expensive the products are you would see results
These products sound lovely! What a thrill it would be to be able to use them!
I have never heard of this product before but boy do i wanna give it a try! sounds absolutely wonderful !
would make a great xmas gift
This looks and sounds amazing! Would love to try. Great Review.
I have never heard of Lionesse Skin Care before… and now I know why! My splurging facial care & makeup is M.A.C. & Lancome & at $35-$70 a pop for some items, that pushes my budget if I don’t plan it out right. Your review was great & by the way you described the condition of your skin in the morning after using the White Pearl, I would just love to try this! The only way I foresee that happening is to be the lucky gal who gets to win it! Thanks for the great write-up. 🙂
I love the packaging! This would be a nice splurge present to myself.
Sounds amazing, and interesting. I’m for anything that helps my skin. Would love to try…💮
Sounds very nice. Great review. I would love to try!
This sounds like a great product but, at that price, I would want to try before I buy .
I would love to try it.
Great review. I often read reviews for the more expensive skin care lines and they talk about the effectiveness but not about the fact it is very expensive. I appreciate that you address that it is very expensive, and with that I feel we are on the same page. So not only do you know what a budget is about, I love that you still will buy this product. I think this sounds amazing. I love that you were able to see results very quickly. When putting out this type of investment I would want to see the difference. Thanks again, I have my wheels spinning.
It’s big on price but but looks big on value!
thanks
Thanks for this. You always wonder whether high-priced products deliver on value, but it sounds like these do. I am especially interested in that serum.
These sound wonderful!!!
love this it would make a great Christmas gift for any woman mother, daughter, niece or wife
This product sounds too good to be true. Would love to win this. We have gas heat and my skin is so dry I know this would help. I had never heard of using gemstones in facial products until lately.
Looks awesome, I would love to try it!
If I could afford it, I would gladly buy it to try it, but alas such is not the case so I can only dream and hope I win these products.
The amber facial peel sounds like a dream! I would love for my skin to be rejuvenated and fresh!
These products sound amazing, I can’t wait to give them a try. I would really love to try the Amber Facial Peel. Thank you for sharing this review.
i want to try it. 🙂
I would love to try it
I want to try
I haven’t heard of Lionesse before but it sounds like a great product just not in my price range but I would love to win it and give it a try
coool I like it
Sounds almost too good to be true, but let me at this!
I would so love to have this! Sounds amazing!
Amazoning prize. thx
Great prize . Thanks for the chance
Very nice review. Best of luck to all that enter
Awsome stuff What a win that would be!!
Would make for the ultimate gift
Would love to get this for my mum. love you mum.
I would love to try the products but I agree the price is prohibitive. Mostly for the upper case to upper middle class.
I love the standout packaging, and I love the benefits of this skin care line. Worth the price!
Thank you for your post about Lioness. I am searching the web today to justify an extremely large purchase I just made! I was happy to find your blog and I would like to share my experience as explained below.
While recently in Las Vegas, I was lured into the Lioness Beauty Bar in the Venetian Grand Canal Shoppes with the offering of a free sample. This in turn led to two products being applied to my eyes as a test and the results were seriously amazing – the Facelift Filler (in a scary plastic syringe) and something from the Amber collection. Together, they took away all of the wrinkles and the weirdness under my eye sockets (sunken in skin immediately below my eyes and the baggy pouches under that).* Of course I was hooked and with the offer of both products at $700 plus the addition of a milk cleanser and a toner, I said yes without hesitation. This led to a “free VIP treatment” for my entire face. This too had immediate and amazing results to include filling in the deep diagonal grooves between my lips and my cheeks. I couldn’t stop staring in the mirror.
What followed was a little uncomfortable… young handsome international men putting a very hard sell on me to purchase the entire White Pearl collection (for my face) and the entire Black Onxy collection (for my neck) for $4,500 with other promotions (by one get two free sort of stuff). This was an astronomical amount and at each insistence that I just couldn’t afford it, the price was dropped to $3,500… $2,500…. $1,700… and finally $1,200. When he added in the complimentary addition of two more of the same products I had already purchased, I reluctantly said yes because I had a little money set aside for something special and hadn’t decided how I wanted to spend it yet. Plus, investing in my face seemed like a good idea (at the time).
For days after the purchase, I was completely racked with buyers remorse and guilt – it actually affected my entire vacation. I don’t think I have every dropped that kind of cash so spontaneously. Also, since I arranged to have the products shipped, I have nothing to show for it until they are delivered. However, when I look at it as getting 16 products from Lioness for ~$120 each, I do think I got a very good deal especially when I have supposedly purchased enough product to last 2-3 years (some of the products were use once a week and some of the products were use once a month) which averages out to $400/year. They also said to retain my receipt; it comes with a serial number and I can reorder in the future and get the same price.
From a marketing perspective, I believe the Lioness Gem Skin Care collection is undoubtedly targeting a high-end consumer. Given locations in exclusive destination and products actually containing fine gems and minerals (it’s all organic, they said, plus caviar extract?), I suspect there are many people who would pay the full price without batting an eyelash. For the more budget-minded consumer, try to visit one of their beauty bars in person. It’s a treat to be pampered and it appears there are options if you don’t flat out say “no”. I still can’t believe I spent that much money and I hope it’s worth it!
For context, I am 45 years old and have great genetics. I have historically used Lancome but haven’t bought any face products for the last few years (another point of rationalization that pushed me over the edge to spend this kind of money). I’ll report back. In the meantime, the cat (ahem, Lioness) is out of the bag. So much for “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, right?
* the Facelift Filler was only applied for a fraction of the suggested time and the next day, the improvements were all gone. I think with regular 1Xweek use as recommended, I would be able to see lasting effects.
Can you update your treatment one and a half months later? I went through exactly the same sales pitch in Maui store that just opened only we didn’t get the deal you did!!!! I too am ridden with guilt as there is very little on the internet about this company or product results. Please let me know how it’s going….
The same thing happened to me. I didn’t have to purchase the product, but the “free” sample gave me a headache. Several hours later, the “effects” were gone – very minimal to start with – and what was puffiness that I don’t like had collapsed into a fold. So, I’m worse off than before. I was given some of the product to keep trying, but am afraid to use it. I think I’ll just look even worse with each application.
since you last blogged in 2014 I wondered if you continued with these products. I too had a hard sell yesterday and buyers remorse today. Have you heard ant more about the products? Thanks for any info you can impart.
Hi Esther!
I’ve gotten quite a few e-mails since I initially wrote this post and many of them echo similar sentiments: aggressive salespeople, inflated prices, buyer’s remorse. I’m sorry you’re regretting your purchase.
I ran out of one of my Lionesse Gems products- and the other, nearly empty- I tossed while doing a mass cleanup/clean-out of expired products. They still worked well enough for me- but I don’t believe I’d ever re-purchase them simply because of how overpriced they are.
As far as the company, I have not heard from them since I posted my reviews.
I have never heard of these products before, but would love to try them.
Hi everyone! Just a quick note from the author of this post:
Obviously, I’m thrilled to see the response I’ve been getting since posting this review back in August. With 143 comments (not including this one) and counting- this might be my most buzzed about post to date! I love the feedback and the interest in these products.
I’ve noticed that a lot of comments have mentioned “winning” some of Lionesse’s products- or thanking me for the opportunity to win some of their products, and recently I’ve started to receive e-mails inquiring about winning products- so I am admittedly a little concerned/confused. It seems that Lionesse is running some sort of promotion to win free samples/full-sized products- and I’m just making a guess here, but I have a feeling part of their entry process includes commenting on this post? Can anyone confirm/deny?
Long story short- I would never ask for any of you to stop with the feedback, because it’s wonderful and your enthusiasm is admired and appreciated- but I just want to make sure you’re all aware that I, personally, was left in the dark about any promotions that were linked to Legally Redhead. Lionesse had sent me products to review, and I did with this initial post- but no one from the company has contacted me to notify me about any promotions/contests since they initially asked me to review the serum and peel. Any questions or concerns to Lionesse should be sent to them directly at the contact information provided on their website.
I wish you all the best of luck in whichever contest they’ve seemed to link me to!
I would love to try the products!
I never heard of these products before, I would love to try them.
Wow, these skin care products Ive never heard of.
looks like a good product!
Well, after reading the review, I am now very interested in this product. I’m not sure if I will ever be able to afford to do so, but I can always dream and hope.
Great review. There is a contest that involves replying to your review. I found your review and it while trying to find out more about this product that I purchased after being lured in to the shop at the Venetian Grand Canal shoppes in Vegas last week. I purchased the same products you were sent for $180, which was less than half of the initial quote the guy gave me. He was a little shady, and I think he could see the skepticism on my face. I have felt very guilty about spending the $180 for skincare, but it seems like it will last a very long time and I have been extremely pleased with their effects on my skin so far.
Wow…..I can say I have never spent this kind of money on product but I would live to try these out. Thank you so much. Happy holidays!!!!!!
I would love to try this!
I would love to try this. I want something that works. I keep trying different brands. The containers are lovely too. Thanks for the chance!!
Nice prize package. I would love to be able to try out these products. I’m sure they would have to be of great quality.