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Review: Skin Wonderland Favorites (Perfect Holiday Gift?)

When I discovered Sephora’s Skin Wonderlands Favorite for half the retail value (retail value of nearly $250), suffice to say this did seem like a wonderland. Or wonderful, very positive, either way.

If you’re seeking a holiday gift for a recipient who enjoys skincare items, or a gift for the self as a self proclaimed skincare junkie, you may have met your match this year with the perfect gift set, an assortment of skincare items formulated for all skin types, even sensitive types and acne-prone skin.

The collection features everything from liquid collagen product to eye gel, to serums, cleansers, masks, toners, and facial radiance pads. Some of these products I had tried prior to investing in the set, but the vast majority I was still largely unfamiliar with prior to testing out all of the products for review.

Even if you are not seeking a gift for the holiday season for a good value, the season often proves to be a great time to shop for collections and sets at a large discount to typical retail, so if you’re someone who simply enjoys skincare and cosmetics products and is looking to purchase a large piece set at a very low cost in comparison to value, this may make an excellent purchasing option for you as well.

This review will cover Skin Wonderland’s Holiday Favorites main features, more concise reviews on the included products in the set, some positives and negatives to bear in mind prior to purchase, and a final verdict, to help you make a more informed purchasing choice prior to any point of sale.

Review: Skin Wonderland Favorites (Perfect Holiday Gift?) 1

The Main Features

The Limited Edition Sephora Favorite’s Skin Wonderland Collection is a 14-piece kit that includes one 3.7 mL Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen, one 15.71 mL Boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer, one 10 mL Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, one 3 mL Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream, one 12 mL Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy, one 13 g First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads, one 50 mL IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Skin-Transforming Hydrating Cleansing Serum, one 4 mL Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate, one 4 mL KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil, one 7 mL OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum, one 5 mL Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream, one 30 mL SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, one 25 mL Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, one 8 mL Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Rapid Flash Brightening Serum, and one 10 mL Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer.

Out of all of the gift sets, trial kits, and collection sets I have tried and experimented with, this one has proved to be the most valuable compared to retail cost, and offers incredible benefits to the skin with daily topical use.

All of the products included in the set work in tandem to produce benefits including hydration, restored radiance, brightening, evening out the skin tone, anti-aging benefits, and restoring a healthy glow in those suffering from sallow or dull skin.

Additionally, all of the included products are suitable for all skin types, and with the exception of one item, I was able to safely use all of the items even with very sensitive and acne-prone skin, so I would definitely recommend this irrespective of skin type.

This item makes a great gift for a recipient who enjoys cosmetics or skincare, comes at a great value, and is a great way to treat yourself to a variety of skincare products at a much lower cost (as some are quite expensive purchased individually), if you opt to buy it as a gift for the self.

Which I recommend as a worthy, and for lack of a better term, very fun indulgence!

The Included Products

0.13 oz/ 3.7 mL Algenist Genius Liquid Collagen

The liquid collagen product is a cult-favorite and one of my favorite products included in this set, and has grown quite a following for it’s proprietary formulation and anti-aging skincare serum very quickly.

This treatment has advanced anti-aging benefits, both preventative and retroactive, so users can expect to see reductions in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pore size, sun spots, and with continual daily topical use over time, signs of pigmentation. I was quite surprised to find that I experienced results even with the size of the product provided, and it lasted for much longer than I initially anticipated. There was also no product reaction, redness, irritation, or signs of breakouts even with sensitive and acne-prone skin.

If you’re seeking an advanced anti-aging benefits without the use of any harsh lactic acid product or a glycolic, this is an excellent option, and formulated to treat all skin types, so it’s suitable for those who are dry, as well as those with combination complexions (and sensitive, barring any specific allergy to an ingredient contained in the formulation).

Algenist Liquid Collagen Product
Image Credit: Algenist

0.53 oz/ 15.71 mL Boscia Cactus Water Moisturizer

This product was quite lightweight and definitely made my skin feel soft and smooth without any greasy, heavy or sticky feeling following use. There was no residue left behind and the ingredients used in the formulation are all very high quality and suitable for very sensitive or breakout prone skin.

However, I do feel like this would be more ideal for someone with an oiler or more combination skin type, as my skin was just barely hydrated enough (with a very dry type). If you’re looking for a great go-to daily cream and are sensitive, prone to breakouts, or have oily or combination skin, I would highly recommend this product as a great go to item.

It’s also important to bear in mind that while this is designed to treat signs of dullness and loss of elasticity, this product is more suitable for hydration and balance, and is not designed to be an anti-aging skincare treatment.

Boscia Cactus Water
Image Credit: Boscia

0.33 oz/ 10 mL Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

This cult-favorite serum employs grapevine sap to improve radiance and brightness, which is said to be over 60 times more effective than Vitamin C Treatments.

As an advanced anti-aging treatment, it’s designed to treat signs of dark spots, pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. It also restores glow and skin health if you’re experiencing sallow or dull skin.

While using this serum, I found my skin felt very soft, appeared more radiant, and was great for use in the evening, as I woke up with a more even and glowing complexion. While I cannot speak to results with respect to reversing signs of sun damage and age spots, other reviewers swear by the cream and claim that over time with continual daily topical use they have noticed visible improvements.

I would highly recommend this if you’re seeking a serum to brighten the skin, restore radiance and soften the complexion, and treat more advanced signs of aging (although it works as a preventative treatment as well).

Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum
Image Credit: Caudalie

0.1 oz/ 3 mL Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream

This eye cream is lightweight and feels great to apply and extremely refreshing on the skin.

It’s suitable for tired looking eyes and immediately provides a more refreshed and awake aesthetic, irrespective of how much sleep you have actually gotten. It’s more suitable for treating puffiness and signs of dark circles than it is for more advanced signs of aging or fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area, but does act as a preventative treatment for the latter.

I would definitely recommend this product for anyone looking for a quick fix and pick me up if you have tired looking eyes or after a long week or day, it’s also great to use in the morning if you wake up with any puffiness and want to apply it prior to makeup application.

Clinique Pep-Start Eye Cream
Image Credit: Clinique

0.4 oz/ 12 mL Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy

Farmacy’s Cleansing balm has a lovely fresh scent devoid of any harsh chemical odors, and features sunflower oil and ginger root oil to gently cleanse and balance the skin for a glowing complexion, with restored radiance.

It works to detoxify, revitalize and refresh the skin by removing impurities caused by environmental pollution and daily damage. Papaya extract included in the formulation acts as a natural exfoliator to help renew the look of the skin’s surface, without leaving the surface of the skin dry at all.

The cleanser does a great job of removing all makeup, dirt, and oil, without drying out or stripping the skin, and skin appears refreshed and renewed following use. If you’re drying to treat dullness or sallow skin, you can also expect to see improvements immediately. I actually prefer the texture, in comparison to gel formulations or bar soap, as well.

It’s very safe for sensitive skin, and did not cause any redness, irritation, or breakouts. I would highly recommend this product if you’re seeking restored radiance and a fresh glow, or a balm texture in a cleanser, and one that leaves the face hydrated rather than dry, and it’s definitely suitable for all types of skin.

Farmacy Green Envy Cleaning Balm
Image Credit: Green Clear

10 x 0.4 oz/ 13 g First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

First Aid Beauty is definitely one of my favorite collections, and their offering is perfect for those with very sensitive skin types (particularly their signature cleanser and moisturizer), so I was quite excited to try out these radiance pads for the first time.

The pads contain glycolic and lactic acid, however they are still safe to use with sensitive skin, and can be used daily. They are perfect to use prior to makeup application for a more radiant finish, and help other products used following absorb into the skin better.

They help brighten the skin, even out tone, and restore radiance for dull or sallow skin. Out of all of the included items, the pads were definitely one of my favorite in the set, and I would highly recommend this product for those who are sensitive and looking to try out gentle formulations of lactic or glycolic containing products.

Skin is left feeling incredibly soft and smooth, and I even noticed a decrease in breakouts when using them.

First Aid Beauty facial radiance pads
Image Credit: First Aid Beauty

1.7 oz/ 50 mL IT Cosmetics Confidence in a Cleanser Skin-Transforming Hydrating Cleansing Serum

This multi-use product is designed to be a cleanser and moisturizer in one, eliminating the need for a cream following use.

It’s also designed (by cosmetic physicians) to treat dullness, dryness, and signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. The product is wrinkles around the eye area

While I would not say this product would eliminate the need for a cream completely (though it may for some, especially oily or combination complexions), it’s absolutely one of the strongest cleansing products I have tried to date. It removes all traces of makeup, dirt, oils, eye makeup, and mascara, and leaves the skin feeling extremely soft and hydrated.

If you experience dryness or stripping of the skin following cleansing, I would highly recommend this product, as I feel like it could be used as many times per day as desired without ever leaving the skin feeling dry or dehydrated at all.

IT Cosmetics Confidence In a Cleanser
Image Credit: Sephora

0.14 oz/ 4 mL Kiehl’s Since 1851 Midnight Recovery Concentrate

This dry oil is a great nighttime treatment product for any skin type, including sensitive skin. If you are dry, you can expect hydrating benefits, and conversely it’s also a perfect formulation for combination or oily skin, as it helps balance natural oil production.

It does not feel sticky, greasy, or heavy on the skin, and benefits include brightened skin, anti-aging benefits, and a glowing complexion. It’s lovely to use in the evening (and so hydrating it often does not require the use of any moisturizer or serum in conjunction with the product), as you wake up to rejuvenated and refreshed skin. It’s also a great solution for dull or sallow skin, as it very quickly restores vibrance.

One of the best benefits of using this oil product (along with the lack of grease and residue), was that even with sensitive and acne-prone skin I experienced no breakouts, redness, reactivity, or product reaction. So I would highly recommend this if you’re seeking an oil product and generally experience sensitivities or breakouts while using most formulations.

Kiehls midnight recovery serum
Image Credit: Kiehl’s

0.14 oz/ 4 mL KORRES Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil

From the manufacturer, ” this ultra-concentrated brightening oil is boosted with Super Vitamin C—which is ten times more stable than pure ascorbic acid—for powerful skin brightening, tone improvement, and nourishment. The oil is also rich in omega 3, 6, 9, fatty acids, and vitamins A and C, and helps to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles while improving the skin’s overall tone and texture.”

This product has great multi-use benefits, and I enjoy applying a couple of drops to makeup products and foundation for a more radiant aesthetic. I felt the smell was lovely, it was extremely hydrating, and brightened up a dull complexion very quickly.

I also found it to be a great alternative to Sunday Riley products that are similar but tend to be more irritating to my sensitive skin. I would definitely recommend this oil if you’re seeking softer skin and an instant boost of radiance, and a very small amount of product goes a long way. The multi-use benefits also add value, as I find you can even add a few drops over makeup for a radiant and dewy finish.

Korres Wild Rose Vitamin C Active Brightening Oil
Image Credit: KORRES

0.25 oz/ 7 mL OLEHENRIKSEN Truth Serum

Designed to treat signs of dullness, aging and loss of elasticity, this Vitamin C serum acts as a multivitamin for the complexion and dramatically boosts radiance. It helps to hydrate, firm, and smoothen out the entire aesthetic, resulting in a more radiant complexion.

While review can be divergent and are highly open to interpretation (as this seems to be a love it or hate it product), I found it to be a great serum, that provided suitable benefits. It definitely made my skin look smoother, softer, and more radiant. I also noticed skin appeared firmer, glowing, and a visible reduction in pore size.

My only qualm with this product is in terms of its inclusion in the set, the overload of Vitamin C products and serums can begin to feel a bit redundant. However, that’s probably a “good” complaint to have, as you can use the products over time interchangeable and at your own discretion.

This is definitely a great go-to if you’re looking for anti-aging benefits and a potent Vitamin C formulation.

Olehenrisksen Truth Serum
Image Credit: OleHenriksen

0.17 oz/ 5 mL Shiseido Benefiance WrinkleResist24 Intensive Eye Contour Cream

While this product is designed to treat signs of fine lines, wrinkles, circles, and puffiness around the eyes, I did not notice it did much for me personally.

Fans of the cream claim they have definitely experienced benefits, and it certainly feels quite hydrating upon application, but ultimately it was not my favorite product included, as I did not notice much of a change with respect to anything and prefer other products in the category on the market for the eye.

With that said, the cream version for the face (Shiseido Benefiance) is one of my favorite products, has excellent longevity, and definitely has great results and visible benefits with use, and a lot of their sun protection products are also quite nice. I suppose this eye product slightly works for morning puffiness, but ultimately I would pass on purchasing this item individually and not be likely to recommend it.

Sheishedo eye cream
Image Credit: Sephora

1 oz/ 30 mL SK-II Facial Treatment Essence

Prior to trying out this product, I had only used the SK-II eye mask pads, which I recommend as they provide wonderful benefits with use. The essence has a cult-following, so it was certainly a product I was excited to try out of the collection.

The product is an anti-aging formulation, designed to treat signs of dullness, fine lines, loss of elasticity, and wrinkles (over time and with continual daily use, the product also treats signs of sun spots and pigmentation).

I absolutely loved benefits with use of this product, which included a decreased pore size, visibly brighter skin, firmer and softer looking skin, and a decrease in breakouts even with acne-prone skin. It’s designed to be used following a cleanser and toner, and prior to any serum or moisturizer.

I would highly recommend this product if you’re looking for an anti-aging essence, and while I typically gravitate away from complicated regimens, this product certainly makes an excellent addition to a daily skincare routine.

SK 11 Treatment Essence
Image Credit: Sephora

0.84 oz/ 25 mL Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

This body lotion is designed to treat loss of elasticity on the skin, moisturize, and tighten and firm skin on the body.

It is not greasy or sticky and feels quite lightweight, with a lovely almond-type scent, and make the skin feel soft and supple following use. It absorbs rapidly and never feels too heavy on the skin. I was extremely skeptical about the claims of “tightening” benefits, however following use my skin actually did feel firmer and smoother.

I would highly recommend this if you’re seeking a body lotion that firms and tightens the skin (it’s designed to treat the appearance of cellulite as well), as most products in this category simply do not work, and this one actually lives up to initial claims of benefits following application.

Sol de Janeiro Bum bum Cream
Image Credit: Sol De Janeiro

0.27 oz/ 8 mL Sunday Riley C.E.O Vitamin C Rapid Flash Brightening Serum

To be incredibly transparent, I was not at all excited to see the inclusion of a Sunday Riley product in this set given a history of reactivity and skin reaction.

As anticipated, this product made my skin turn red, created a lot of irritation, and did not provide any benefits. It was the only included product I found irritating, so it was not at all enough for a full return or disappointment, but I would encourage those with very sensitive skin to approach this brand with trepidation. Ingredients used in formulations can be extremely potent, highly irritating, and very reactive for the skin.

For those with more resilient skin, they claim they love the brightening benefits and anti-aging benefits experienced when using this serum, and claim the product really revives dull and sallow skin. It is supposed to treat fine lines, wrinkles, signs of sun damage, and brighten the skin with a potent Vitamin C formulation.

For those who are particularly sensitive, I would recommend other brightening products and Vitamin C formulations that can provide the same brightening benefits free of reactivity and irritation.

Sunday Riley CEO
Image Credit: Sunday Riley

0.33 oz/ 10 mL Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drink of H2O Hydrating Boost Moisturizer

This vegan gel moisturizer absorbs quickly without feeling greasy or sticky on the skin, and is rich in electrolyte-balancing sea salts to help hydrate the skin.

While it is certainly not too heavy, it moisturizes the skin quite well and leaves the skin looking and feeling much smoother and softer. A small amount of product goes a very long way, and this is ideal for very sensitive skin. While it is not an advanced anti-aging formulation, it does help restore radiance and glow, and provides benefits like brightening, while evening out the skins texture.

If you’re seeking a great go-to gel cream that can be used daily and hydrates without feeling greasy, or if you’re a fan of vegan cosmetics and skincare, I would definitely recommend trying out this product.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Drink of H2O
Image Credit: Tarte

Positives and Negatives

The vast majority of features with this product are overwhelmingly positive and if you are a fan of skincare products or know someone who enjoys skincare I would highly recommend this set as a holiday gift, or a gift to self (aren’t those the best kinds sometimes?) The only real downsides I found were one of the eye products did not provide many benefits, and the Sunday Riley product was rather irritating topically, but only due to having very sensitive skin. Ultimately the kit offers amazing value in comparison to retail, and I would strongly recommend it free of reservations. Here are some key pros and cons to bear in mind prior to purchase:

Pros

  • Excellent value in comparison to retail cost: the total of the set individually retails for $225, making this one of the best value sets and gift options on the market
  • Great gifting option to break down into smaller “stocking stuffer” type gifts
  • Excellent gifting option for a recipient who enjoys skincare and cosmetics
  • Great option if you’re looking for a gift for the self, and are invested in skincare at a discount, as this is an incredible value with excellent products
  • All included products are suitable for all skin types, including acne-prone skin and sensitive skin (other than the included Sunday Riley product, which I would recommend spot testing with sensitive skin)
  • Cruelty-free: all included products have not been tested on any animals, and do not use any animal product in their formulations or manufacturing processes
  • With 14 different included products and formulations, there is excellent variety and new products to try out daily, there are definitely products suitable for all different types of skin, and ones that all different age groups and demographics would likely enjoy
  • Longevity: products last quite a long time and should all last for several weeks to months, dependent on item, adding value to an already discounted set
  • Excellent way to try out products that can be extremely expensive sold individually at a lower cost
  • The included products provided great skincare benefits, including restored radiance, brightening benefits, anti-aging benefits, and increased glow and luminosity (if you’re experiencing any sallow or dull skin)

Cons

  • Because of the nature of how many products are included in the set, one must bear in mind that allergy or dislike to one or two items is a higher probability in this case, and in reference to the return policy, individual items within the set are not eligible for return or exchange, so they may be wasted, however the value in comparison to retail and number of items seems to outweigh this risk by far
  • The Sunday Riley serum provided in the set is definitely very potent and can be highly irritating for those with sensitive skin, this is a brand that I have experienced issues with in the past, and can hardly use any of the products included in the offering (other than the acne treating sulfur mask), so it’s important to spot-treat prior to topical use if you are sensitive and looking to try this serum
  • Some reviewers have concerns about the expiration date found on the SK II product, however this is a misconception: many K-skincare and Japanese cosmetics brands have labels based on manufacturing dates, not based on how long the product is safe for use (so this is still fine to use on the skin)

Money-Back Guarantee

The manufacturer has a strong return and exchange policy that honors full refunds upon dissatisfaction or allergy, this policy generally favors the consumer, new and returning included.

If you are dissatisfied with the use of the products, or if they do not work for your skin to provide suitable benefits, or you experience any product allergy or reaction to the formulations, you may elect to return the entire set. In this case, you will receive a full refund equal to the entire purchase price of the full kit. You may also wish to exchange the product for an equal and full refund- or opt for a single product you prefer.

One must bear in mind that you will need to return the entire set, as individual items within the kit are not available for return. It may assuage fears to know the product is formulated with safe, natural ingredients, is free of parabens and sulfates, making (most) of the products suitable for even the most sensitive skin, barring any specific allergy to an individual ingredient.Sephora Skin Wonderland Feature

Image Credit:Sephora

Review: Skin Wonderland Favorites (Perfect Holiday Gift?) 1

The Final Verdict

Out of all of the sets and kits I have reviewed over time, this one has proved to have the most variety, value, and best benefits with daily use, in terms of all of the included products.

If you are looking for a gift for a recipient who enjoys skincare products, or want to try out a variety of products at an incredible discount compared to retail value, I would recommend this set without any reservations. You may also wish to purchase this to break down the set into smaller “stocking stuffer” type gifts for different people over the holiday season.

All of the products provided excellent skincare benefits, including brightening, anti-aging benefits, hydration, and improved radiance in dull skin. The products should also last for quite some time, adding further value to an already very discounted kit.

Highly recommended!

SkinCare Wonderland Set

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