Diamond Drops Perfecting Essence & DNA Shield

I've had my eye on this for a long while, it's one of those products that looks like it'll be cutting edge in every way possible, from name/concept to packaging to ingredients...not to mention a price tag to match! But I was in for a surprise when I recently picked this up in store to scan the ingredients list and discovered how few ingredients were actually in it, and mostly very standard-looking ones too. And yet funnily enough the product itself doesn't disappoint. I have no idea as to what degree it can protect from pollution and smog (as we don't seem to have much of that these days!) but it does make for a really good makeup base, better in fact than many primers I've used in the past. I apply a very small amount after my moisturizer has sunk in, and let it dry down before applying makeup - which proceeds to go on and wear much better with this on. I do feel like it adds a bit of moisture too, but it may be due to its 'sealing-in' ability which helps to reduce water evaporation from the skin. The texture is quite light and silky (even though it's silicone-free) and it smells faintly of Lavender. I did try adding a drop or two to my foundation, as suggested on the N.B website, but can't say I noticed much difference to how it looked or applied. Verdict: Not a necessity by any means, there are much better products in the N.B 'Diamond' range and this feels more like a luxurious add-on, for those with the surplus to spend. Functionality-wise it's similar to REN's Flash Defense Anti-Pollution Mist which is much more cost-effective and can reach more tricky areas. But then REN doesn't prevent water loss or help the skin stay hydrated for longer so I guess it all boils down to what you're specifically looking for in a product and willing to pay for. Unsure if I'd purchase (will mark it a 'yes' for now), but glad I finally got the chance to try out the sample size and put it to the test. -> My ‘Nordstrom Beauty Top 7 must-have list’ (My 7 favorite beauty products of all time, focusing mainly on my purchases at Nordstrom) <- < 1. Hair Loss Treatment: Divine Herbal Hair Oil < 2. Concealer: ‘Mac’ - Studio Finish Concealer < 3. Lip Gloss: Clarins Lip Comfort Oil < 4. Mascara: ‘Lancome’ – Cilis Booster XL < 5. Anti-Aging Serum: Divine Herbal Facial Treatment Serum < 6. Mask: ‘Eve Lom’ – Radiance Transforming Mask < 7. Face Scrub: ‘Sisley' - Botanical Gentle Buffing Cream

I just wish this wasn’t so expensive. It’s hard to justify spending this much on such a small product. Saying that it’s fantastic and I feel the immediate benefits and firmly believe that with continued use it can stem the ageing process and help keep your skin looking fresh and more youthful. It’s a money thing for me tho.