Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream and Complexion Brightener SPF 20

I have a skincare secret.  I spent the last two months making my skin extremely happy by sticking with a schedule alternating between a couple of products that work amazingly well. You already know that I've been using a retinol product, Paula's Choice Resist serum, about three nights a week. I'm also using a natural oil which I'll tell you about soon. Then there's Omorovicza, a super luxurious Hungarian brand, which has made a visible difference for me.

Omorovicza  has a very serious Old World spa approach to beauty. There's something extra romantic about the idea of using thermal mineral water that come from Budapest healing springs. The products are also loaded with modern ingredients such as peptides, and they feel calming and pampering.

 I was sent two Omorovicza  items: Instant Plumping Cream (a hydrating face mask) and Complexion Brightener SPF 20 (a daily moisturizer).

Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream is a luxurious treatment. It's a nighttime mask that doesn't need to be washed away. The cream replaces serums on nights you use it and has an obvious effect on the texture and feel of the skin the morning after. I've also experimented and loved it as a quick rejuvenation treatment before going out, used under an Asian paper mask (clean skin, slather with cream, cover with a water-soaked paper mask and let rest for 10-15 minutes, wipe away excess product if there's any, do your makeup). It's a quick fix as well as a long-term solution. I use it 1-2 times a week (I'd do it more often but it's such a precious and expensive treatment I'd like to make the pot last before I buy a new one).  Active ingredients: peptides, omega 6 ceramide, hyaluronic filling spheres.

Omorovicza Complexion Brightener SPF 20 is a day cream that contains light reflecting particles as well as apple pectin and apricot seed oil. I find it to be very protective and richly moisturizing. It feels great over irritated skin (allergies) and I love how the calming and hydrating effects last throughout the day. I can't really say if this adds much to heavy duty face brighteners (AHA and BHA), but I can tell that my skin loves this cream and looks less affected by the weather and the a/c. Since the brightener contains an SPF and light reflecting particles (no obvious shimmer or opalescent appearance) it does look flat in photos, unless I use a full-coverage foundation, so take that into consideration.

Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream and Complexion Brightener SPF 20, are heavily scented with a herbal-lavender fragrance. I love the scent and it adds to that very classic spa feel. The creams are very rich. If you have an oily skin these are probably not for you. The products absorb very well and have a lasting result on the way my skin looks and feels on a daily (or nightly) basis. As I said, it's been two months of regular use in rotation with a couple of other skincare items; I'm highly impressed so far and intend to keep going.

Omorovicza Instant Plumping Cream ($260, 1.7 oz) and Complexion Brightener SPF 20 ($140, 1.oz) are available from Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus (Harrods, Liberty and Harvey Nicholas in London). A smaller selection of products (including the Instant Plumping Cream) is also available at Sephora. The items for this review were sent by the company for my consideration.
Image: a vintage ad for a Hungarian beauty line from an online auction.