My affinity for Sunday Riley Modern Skincare was demonstrated in a previous post (found HERE) where I shared my daily morning routine. Juno, Cashmere and Effortless Primer…what else could a girl need each day?
When the evening rolls around, however, I use Good Genes, which retails for $105, to give my skin a restorative treatment. In the morning, my face is smoother, softer and clearer! In two months of use, I have noticed a reduction in fine lines as well as dark spots. Comprised of many healthful ingredients including Lactic Acid, this product feels vital from the moment you apply. Here is what Sunday Riley has to say about Good Genes (per the Barneys NY website):
Everyone wants the unmistakable look of having “good genes”. This amazing treatment is formulated with key ingredients which will plump fine lines, reveal brighter, newer skin, and improve circulation, offering a smooth, vibrant complexion. Long term use will help restore damaged skin, reduce hyper pigmentation and scars, reduce the depth and number of lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone and increase epidermal firmness and thickness. 1 fl oz.
Here’s how I use Good Genes: After cleansing my face with the Koh Gen Do Spa Water (reviewed HERE), I use one pump of Good Genes and apply it all over my face, avoiding my sensitive under eye area. The light texture melts into my skin quickly, leaving behind a scent that is fresh but difficult to describe (I can say, however, that it is not bothersome!)
Merrady and Suzi (pictured HERE) at the Sunday Riley Counter told me that those with very sensitive skin may want to apply Good Genes and let it steam off of the face in the shower over a 10 minute period. Valerie Plotnikova, Sunday Riley National Manager of Training and Events (also pictured HERE) shared that combining Good Genes with the Ceramic Slip Cleanser and applying as a mask, yields smooth, toned and radiant skin (she applied this combination to models’ visages during Fashion Week!)
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| Sunday Riley’s Good Genes is a white serum that is instantly absorbed into the skin once it has been rubbed in! |
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Good Genes has completely simplified my evening routine. One pump of this product (FYI, after two months of nightly use, I am only about a third of the way through the bottle) and my face feels like it is in thoroughly capable hands…I am thrilled with the benefits of Good Genes. Please don’t hesitate to comment or email me directly should you have questions about this amazing product!
Comments (43)
I am loving the Sunday Riley skincare line, but I am very new to it. Do you put a moisturizer on over the 'Good Genes'? I have been using the juno oil and then the bionic cream over it but I don't know if that is over kill!??
Great question…being clear on the order of application is key, yet a little nebulous with this line! In the morning, I do one of two things:
1. Cleanse face. Then apply Juno, Cashmere SPF 30 and primer (either Koh Gen Do or Sunday Riley) followed by foundation etc.
or
2. Cleanse face. Then apply Bionic (sometimes, for extra hydration I add a droplet of Juno to my pump of Bionic), Cashmere SPF 30 and primer followed by foundation etc.
The circumstances that dictate my choice on this are time time I have in the morning (sometime a pump of Bionic is all I have time for) or the level of humidity in the air…I don't usually gravitate toward Juno if it is super humid outside.
As of late, I only apply Good Genes at night after cleansing. Then, for an extra punch, I may follow it with the anti-aging properties of a layer of Bionic. I know that some women like using Good Genes in the day, but since I have Juno and Bionic (as well as an array of makeup to apply!, it seems like overkill to me.
Hope that helps and thanks so much for reading! Have you had a chance to try any of the Sunday Riley make up yet? If so, any thoughts?
Enjoy the weekend!
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you SO much for your reply!! It helps so much. I actually just ordered some more of the Sunday Riley skin care line and received it today, so I will be trying out some new items tonight! I am going to try your Good Genes night routine. 🙂 Have you ever tried the Skin Adrenaline before? I am wondering how to throw that into the rotation as well. I tried emailing the Sunday Riley customer service with questions but haven't gotten a response yet..
I have not tried the makeup yet. I really want to but am not sure what to start with. I'll let you know if I pick anything up! I love your blog- I just found it and I am so glad I did!
Happy to help! I have tried Skin Adrenaline in the form of samples, but do not yet use it regularly because I find that Bionic seems to serve the same purpose. A SR Specialist at Barney's told me that she uses Skin Adrenaline in the day and applies Bionic at night since it is a bit richer in texture. I'd be interested in hearing what the SR customer service response is on this product!
So glad that you are enjoying the blog…thanks for reading! Keep me posted on any new Sunday Riley acquisitions and have a wonderful weekend…
–The Beauty Profeessor
Dear Beauty Professor,
I am wondering if anyone else has had a problem with getting product information from Sunday Riley's Customer Service Department. Emails seem to go unanswered and one can leave a message on the contact phone number, but no one returns the phone calls. Just wondering. As a make-up artist, I find it disheartening, that the Customer Service is lacking with Sunday Riley.
Hello and thanks for the question. Up to this point, I've only bought my Sunday Riley in person at Barneys so I haven"t had to deal with the SR customer service number or email. I have, however, heard stories similar to your's lately regarding difficulty getting in touch with th SR team so it seems that you are not alone in this frustration. I can only speculate that perhaps the line has expanded its distribution too quickly to adequately keep up with all of their customer service inquiries…which, if this is indeed the case, is a pity. Please feel free to email me directly and we can discuss this further…take care!
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you for your reply. I did finally get someone on the phone in Customer Service. The gentleman took all my information and said he would call me back and email me information. Unfortunately, he never called me back nor emailed me the information he promised. So I just hope he ships my order out. I will let you know my success with this problem…BTW, I love Koh Gen Do products. The Moisturizing Foundation makes my "A-List" clients look like I airbrushed them. Love That. Be Well!
Dear Beauty Professor,
I just called and spoke with a wonderful gentleman in Customer Service. You were right, Customer Service is swamped, but I am happy to say all is well with Sunday Riley! One has to be patient getting someone, but as of today, I did get the service I needed. I wanted everyone to know to just be patient. Thanks, again. Keep up the great site.
Hello Anonymous,
Thanks so much for the update on the SR customer service issue…I am beyond glad to hear that you finally got a hold of someone! Also, happy to hear that you love Koh Gen Do too…I just used the Moisture Foundation last week (I have a revolving collection of foundations I love) and am always so pleased with the smooth and impossible-to-detect finish! What other foundations do you like to use on your clients?
Thank you for reading and do stay in touch…xoxo!
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor
After reading your reviews of the Sunday Riley products, I am really curious to try them! I don't want to splurge straight away on a number of products so was wondering what product would the best starter one for me to try? I'm probably most interested in a serum type product. I have combination skin prone to hormonal breakout and some dehydration! Any recommendations are appreciated! I'm also keen to try the Effortless primer as I don't use a primer at the moment. I love your blog by the way 🙂
Aisling
Hello Aisling,
Thank you for your question! As with any skincare investment, I think you are wise to try products in a new line gradually…Good Genes, in my opinion, is a great place to start. It is unlike anything I have ever tried (and I've tried A LOT!)…as an evening serum, it works hard to soften fine lines and refine the skin's texture and tone. Upon application, I always wake up with smoother, more glowing skin! The only product more effective for me to achieve this kind of outcome is Retin A Micro, which is by prescription only! At $105, it is a good entry-level Sunday Riley product–I have used five or six items of her skincare and truth be told, Good Genes is my favorite, hands down.
In terms of primer, I prefer using either the Koh Gen Do Yellow Makeup Base or Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge as the layer right before foundation application instead of the SR Effortless Primer. I find that the KGD gives a great matte finish and the LMdB offers a fantastic glow (as well as skincare benefits)…both are highly recommended!!
Please let me know what you end up getting and your thoughts after receiving your product(s)!
Thanks for reading Beauty Professor and have a lovely rest of the weekend,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks so much for your reply! I think I'll go ahead and buy Good Genes now, sounds great! I'll let you know how it goes for me.
I'm an Irish girl living in Australia so unfortunately I have to pay quite a bit for shipping! I've tried looking for the Koh Gen Do base here but there's no stockists. It says on their website for international buyers to shop on Barneys but they won't ship to Australia. One website, Alcone Company, will ship but I have to pay $48 for shipping which is the same price as the primer. Oh well, the search continues for stockists!
Thanks again!
Aisling
Hello Aisling (by the way, your name is beautiful!),
I am glad you are gravitating towards Good Genes…I think you'll be happy with your choice!
Your primer situation is a bit frustrating–you'd think in this day in age, we should be able to order anything from anywhere in the world with ease! How is your access to Rouge Bunny Rouge and Hourglass? I used the Hourglass primer for years and would definitely put it in my top five primers. I have also heard wonderful things about the Rouge Bunny Rouge primer from fellow beauty lovers (though I have yet to try it for myself).
Keep me posted on your search and do take care!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Has anyone had reactions to sunday riley products? I'm always trying to use more of healthy ingredients but they tend to break me out.
I wouldn't say I have full on acne but once a flawless skin has been breaking out for the past 2 years and nothing seems to work!
These sound amazing though…
Thanks for your question, Anonymous. I have VERY sensitive skin and have not had any poor reactions to the Sunday Riley products reviewed on my blog. The Good Genes is the only treatment that I use at night to keep my skin smooth and clear. In the morning, I cleanse with the Koh Gen Do Spa Water and at night, I wash with Ivory soap. I have to keep my product usage to a minimum to keep my skin happy. I also am wary of fragrance in foundation and shampoo, since both seem to irritate my skin.
Although Sunday Riley Good Genes is not specified as an acne treatment, it has definitely kept my skin healthy and clear.
Thank you for reading and don't hesitate to post or email if you have other questions…I wish you the best!
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for such a quick response! Actually, I couldn't wait and caved in…
Went to Barney's and got Juno and Good genes. The sales lady had to actually stop me because I was ready to buy the whole line. lol
I wanted to start with these two to see how I do and looking forward to buying tinted primer and cleanser.
Have you tried the ceramic cleanser?
Thanks for your feed back!
My pleasure, Anonymous! I am happy you were able to get Juno and Good Genes…they are definitely two of my favorites (with Good Genes at the top of my list). You'll have to let me know what you think after trying them for awhile.
As primers go, I am very much in love with my Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge which is a tinted skin treatment that also acts like a (very expensive, at $125!) primer. It is pricey, but entirely worth it for the smooth, glowing finish it yields…I need to do a review soon! I haven't tried the ceramic cleanser (beyond a sample) because I basically bounce between Ivory and Koh Gen Do's Spa Water but have heard good things about it overall. Sorry I couldn't be of more direct help in those areas!
Take care and keep me posted,
–The Beauty Professor
I picked up Cermaic Slip and Good Genes after walking into Bergdof with jacked up skin. (I received samples of Natura Bisse AHA cleanser and mask and had subjected my poor sensitive, oily skin to the worst 4 days of treatment in its life. Dehydrated, flaky skin and a giant crater of a dark spot that was never there before!).
The SA hooked me up with a free facial, a simple lesson about the Sunday Riley line and I must say even after two days I can see the difference. I hope to pick up more from the line.
Thank you for sharing this great little story…I am so glad that your experience with some SR products helped to heal your irritated skin. As someone with very sensitive skin, I can completely relate to having a terrible reaction to something that is actually supposed to be "skin care!"
Good Genes is still my nightly ritual and I am never disappointed with my skin in the morning…smoother, clearer and with tighter pores, I hope this product and its efficacy with my skin never changes!
Take care, thanks for reading and keep in touch,
–The Beauty Professor
hello, beauty professor!
do you think good genes would benefit acne prone skin?
i love reading your blog! thanks 🙂
girlygal
Hello Lyndsay,
Thanks so much for the comment…I am glad you found my blog! In regards to your question, yes, Good Genes is effective for acne prone skin…my skin stays clearer and smoother when I use it regularly!
Hope that helps…don't hesitate to let me know if you have other questions…
xo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor
Do you have the contact number of Sunday Riley's customer service department? I have emailed them a few times but have not received any response to date. Thanks!
Hello Anon,
I am so sorry that I don't have a number for you as of yet! I put a call into my Sunday Riley counter at Barney's in Beverly Hills and someone (they have a new specialist there now) is supposed to get back to me. As soon as I get some concrete information, I will make sure to post it here for you!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Many thanks in advance! xoxo
My pleasure…I contacted a specialist at Barney's and she is looking for the number; she said she'd call me back when she gets it (at which point, I will post it here!).
Have a lovely week,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi beauty professor
Any luck getting Sunday Riley's customer service number? I'm trying to contact the Sunday Riley customer service pretty urgently. I purchased some products via their website and they mailed me all but one product (the Stim III); and they have not credited the refund into my credit card yet…It has been 2 months!!
I will never purchase from their website again. Next time I'll try Barneys directly.
Hi Anon,
Thanks for checking in again…I just got in touch with the Sunday Riley rep at Barney's in Beverly Hills and her name is Mariah Broad. She said she'd be more than happy to try and help you and she can be reached via email at: mariah.broad@sundayriley.com or via phone at: (323) 599-2101. I hope that helps and that you get the answers you are looking for.
Warm regards,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi there!
Wondering if you ever did a review on Bionic? Would love to hear your thoughts on that product specifically, as I am thinking of adding it to my new and growing collection of Sunday Riley products. Thanks and love your blog!
Hello MD,
Thanks for the question and kind word about my blog! I actually never ended up doing the full review on Bionic but, in short, it was a great moisturizer. However, between beauty oil, my favorite primer (Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge), sunscreen and foundation, I found Bionic to be an excessive step in my routine. I still use Good Genes every night and absolutely love it as much as when I started ; )
Hope that helps…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for your response! I feel like it might be the same for me. Do you use the Skin Adrenaline? Curious about that one, too. Loving Good Genes as well – makes my skin glowy and my pores small! The eye cream works wonders on my fine lines too.
Of course, MD! I don't use the Skin Adrenaline either (I've tried samples, but just couldn't work it into my routine in a meaningful way)…so glad you adore Good Genes. It never ceases to make me happy ; )
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi Beauty Professor, I recently splurged on the Good genes after your recommendations. I am a nursing mum, well my son now is 20 months ( I breastfed my first also 2 years). I mention the age because this is what I want to say: the last time I give him the breast is at night, and the next feeding is in the morning. I am saying this, because I always heard that Glycolic acid and Lactic acid were not OK to put on your skin when you are breastfeeding. Finally my question to you is since the is the night as a lapse of time between the 2 feedings, and since I am considering putting my cream after my last feeding, do you think there is any issue for me, putting this on my face? Do you think it will go in my stream in the 1st feeding for my son? I am sorry if I am all over the place, I just always held myself putting all this kind of glycol, AHA, Retinol, all this kind of stuff while I was pregnant, and while breastfeeding, and I have an acneic skin, so I would definitely beneficiate of those sometimes, but yes, that was my question. Please don't hate me, hopefully you'll understand. Thanks so much!!!!! Love your blog and youtube videos!
Hi Virginie,
Thank you for your comment and sweet words about my blog and videos! So glad you were able to pick up Good Genes (it is still one of my favorite skincare products!). I so wish I could give you expert advice on whether or not Good Genes is safe to use while nursing, but unfortunately, my medical knowledge in this area is extremely limited. The best thing I can suggest would be to follow up with your doctor or son's pediatrician; I am sure they would know better than I. Good skin is wonderful, but a healthy baby is much more important!!
If you find out, please let me know…that way I can share your discovery with my readers ; )
xoxo and have a lovely weekend,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks I will! Have an excellent too!
Thanks!
xo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for your review. I've just got GOOD GENES and I'm going to try it out tonight! By the way, love your blog!! 🙂 xx
My pleasure, Pianisteph! I am so glad you are enjoying my blog and am thrilled that you are trying Good Genes. I just applied some before typing this comment…seriously, nothing performs like this does on my skin at night! Enjoy and keep me posted on what you think!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks for your quick reply, Beauty Professor! I put a pump of Good Genes on my face before bed last night and am really pleased with the result. The size of my pores does seem a bit smaller and my skin feels nice and smooth. Just one thing though, I applied it onto my face after toner and it was slightly stinging my face. Is it because it's an exfoliant? The stinging kind of feeling is identical to applying Alpha-H's liquid gold onto the face. I just hope that's normal. Other than that, I'm really pleased with the result and I think I'll keep using it.
Steph xx
Of course! It's great to hear that you are loving the Good Genes so far! Yes, the Lactic Acid concentration in the formula can cause slight tingling/stinging…it is completely normal in my experience (and I have sensitive skin!) and I always feel like it let's me know the product is working ; ) For those who find the stinging too much, a Sunday Riley specialist told me that it can be applied for a few minutes and steamed off in the shower (rather than being worn all night). This seems to lessen the potential irritation for extremely sensitive skin!
Do please continue to keep me posted and have a wonderful week…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP-
I looked up your review because I finally had a chance to try good genes and I love it! I ordered the twig eyeshadow (at your suggestion) and the blushing blush so I got a sample with those. However they sent me the wrong blush (honest) and I did have a little trouble with customer service. Anyway – I'm wondering if you are still using this or if you have found something even better?
Thanks for your question, Amy! I still use this occasionally (I've run through 3 bottles) as a treatment but I also use skincare from a few other favorite lines.
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
hello, I really like your post. It keeps me updated. I wanna ask you about the good genes, do you use GG every night or just in a certain period of time? and when exactly do you use it? only on night time?
Because now I'm considering to buy GG and use it as daily serum since but a few people said it better be exfoliating serum that be used just in a certain period of time. I hope you can help me, big thanks!
Hello,
Thank you! With regards to your question, I only use this at night and now, just as a special treatment for my skin!
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor