How A-Peeling

I got a sample of Brazilian Peel as part of a VIB gift from Sephora. It seemed pretty dramatic, so I saved it to try when I didn’t have any plans for a few days, in case I got red or flaky. Good news! I got nothing going on...

Brazilian Peel is packaged in double-barreled syringe, I guess to give you the impression that this is SERIOUS BUSINESS, as well as to keep the two products separate until it’s time to activate them.

You “activate” the peel by removing the little tiny cap and dispensing the contents of the syringe into your hand, then mixing the two products together with two fingers. (I only used one finger, and it seemed to work fine.) The goo warms up, quite pleasantly, and then you spread it on your face, wash your hands, and go read the internets for ten minutes. I experienced some mild tingling at first, but that went away after about 30 seconds and I kind of forgot I had anything on my face until the timer dinged. The peel doesn’t get as dry as a clay mask or as fun as a rubber mask, it just gets a little tacky and crispy around the edges. I guess because it’s not a mask, it’s a PEEL.

Peels, if you don’t already know, don’t generally peel off. You just rinse them off. What peels off is YOUR FACE. Kind of, sort of! It’s a microscopic layer though, especially with an at-home treatment. However, Brazilian Peel does claim to be 5x stronger than any other at-home treatment, and like I said, the packaging was intense, so... Yeah, still, this is really just a fancy exfoliation. (Professionally done peels can get really cray-zay and have more noticeable results because they are done by pros that are specifically trained not to burn your face off.)

When I washed off the Brazilian Peel, there was no big reveal. (Also worth noting: there was no irritation.) My skin was softer, but that happens with EVERY product I try. I didn’t notice any reduction of red spots, which, btw, are all the rage for fall, according to my face. My skin seemed a little dewy, a little better circulation or something. Pink in the cheeks as opposed to just around my nose. But overall, I wasn’t really impressed.

You are supposed to do a Brazilian Peel once a week for four weeks, for the low low price of $20 a pop. (A four-pack costs $78 +tax at Sephora.) After four treatements and $80, I would hope to be impressed, and the reviewers on Sephora certainly are.

The next day my pores seemed a little smaller and my red spots a little less noticeable, so the peel was definitely worth doing. I didn't notice any firming or anything, though. I don’t know that it works any better than my favorite Dr. Gross pads either.  (And I don’t have any plans to spend $80 and a month to find out. But if you ever have a chance to snag a sample, do it!)

I do find it amusing that the packaging says “Antidote for Aging” because: Really, Brazilian Peel? Really? Hey everyone, they finally found an antidote for aging! And they sell it at Sephora! It's in A SYRINGE.

FYI: I didn’t really do this treatment the same week as the spooky rubber mask. I did the Bliss mask last week and saved it for my Halloween post.