Striking: A Review and a Giveaway

Recently I was contacted about reviewing Striking. This product is described as being a new skin care line designed for women over 40. Clearly this was a product that SimplyForties readers might be interested in so I agreed to give it a try. I received a starter kit which I used every morning and night until they were gone.

Multivitamin Crème Cleanser -

Even at forty-eight I still have oily skin and normally use an exfoliating cleanser. I’ve never been a huge fan of cream cleansers, feeling like they don’t clean well enough. I was pleasantly surprised by the Striking Crème Cleanser. It has a luxurious feel, an inoffensive smell and left my skin feeling clean and soft. Striking’s literature states that the, “skin is left clean and comfortable without feeling dry or stripped from moisture loss”, and that is precisely how it felt. Also according to their literature, the cleanser contains age-fighting vitamins, which help to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier.

Restorative Moisture Crème –

Again, no scent here, for which I was grateful. The moisturizing cream was light and left my skin feeling soft without being greasy. One of my personal pet peeves is moisturizers that don’t contain a sunscreen. I believe that skin care products should all contain a sunscreen. A line designed specifically for the over-40 crowd really should have a sunscreen. I’ve always had a sneaking suspicion that the only explanation for the lack of sunscreen in many skin care products is that the company wants us to have to purchase a separate sunscreen. After I received the product I contacted Striking’s marketing manager and asked her about the lack of sunscreen. She responded thusly:

“The problem with having a sunscreen in a moisturizer is the consumer assumption of how high or low the SPF should be. If you look at many moisturizers with SPF included they are low ranging from SPF 9 to SPF 20. Since there is such a variant with climates the need for SPF does vary in areas. Also when adding the sunscreen it can change the luxurious feel of the products on the skin. At this time, we do not have it included but it is on the list of line extensions and I appreciate your feedback”

Although I think any SPF would be better than none, I felt like her response was an honest answer and it made sense to me. She is certainly right in describing this moisturizer as luxurious feeling. I really enjoyed using it.

Rejuvenating Eye Crème –

Another light, clean, unscented moisturizer described as being an “ultra-moisturizing eye crème that hydrates the delicate skin around the eyes and helps to minimize puffiness and dark circles”. I can’t really address those claims as they are not issues with which I currently struggle. I can say that this eye cream felt wonderful, didn’t run into my eyes and was a pleasure to use.

Multi-Peptide Serum –

I have to say I didn’t quite get this product. It is described as, “A fast absorbing serum that provides hydration.” To me, this is one of those products that is difficult to see what it’s really doing and you have to take it on faith that it’s doing anything at all. According to the literature, “two SmartPeptides have been added to target the signs of aging. Fine lines and wrinkles are less noticeable, skin feels firmer and looks radiant.” It left my skin feeling a little sticky, as opposed to soft and supple. I used it underneath the moisturizer, as instructed, which took care of the slight stickiness.

I'm always looking for new ways to deal with the various issues I have with my skin. I hope the products will live up to their claims and generally give them two tubes before I write them off and try something else. From Chanel's $75 an ounce age-spot lightening cream to inexpensive grocery store cleansers, I have never seen any difference in how my skin looked by the time the two tubes were empty.

A most astonishing thing happened during the time I was using the Striking products. After I’d been using them a couple of weeks I happened to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, without makeup, and was surprised to note that my skin looked unexpectedly, noticeably good! I didn’t put it together at first and over the next few days kept noticing how good my skin looked. Then, like a light bulb going off over my head, I remembered that I had been using these Striking products. I don’t know which product gets the credit or if it is a combination of all four but what an incredible thing!

Beauty product manufacturers always talk about things happening on a cellular level, which are very hard to prove or disprove. I would conservatively say that since I began worrying about my skin, around the age of thirteen or so, I have probably used hundreds of different products and this is the first time I have ever been able to notice an appreciable difference in my skin and I’m am very happy to be able to tell my readers about it!

Striking is not an inexpensive product. If you are like me, though, if it works, it’s worth it. Striking is a new product line and is currently available through:

The Striking website http://www.strikingskincare.com

Tips N Trends - http://www.tipsntrends.com/products/striking-multi-peptide-serum

Gold Violin - http://www.goldviolin.com/Striking_Skin_Care_Products_p/91866-fslash-9.htm

Norm Thompson - http://www.normthompson.com/jump.jsp?itemType=PRODUCT&itemID=13816

According to their marketing manager, Striking is currently looking into other online and brick and mortar retailers.

Now for the giveaway part –

Striking has agreed to give one lucky SimplyForties reader the Striking Daily Duo Product set, which includes both the eye and the moisture crème and is valued at $77.00.

In order to get an entry in the giveaway, comment on this and any post running on SimplyForties this week. One comment per person per post will count. So if you comment on every post this week, starting with yesterday’s recipe post, you would get six entries in the giveaway. If you Tweet about the giveaway (being sure to include @SimplyForties in your Tweet so I will be sure and get it) I’ll give you another entry, for a possible seven entries. I’ll use a random number drawing on Saturday, January 16th and your prize will be shipped directly from Striking. Be sure to use a valid email address when you comment so I will be able to get in touch with you.

I’m really impressed with this product and hope that, if you don’t win it, you’ll give it a try anyway. The Striking Daily Essentials set, which I received and recommend, is currently $24.99 (normally $49.99) through the Norm Thompson link.