Tag Archives: Beauty Review

Body and Hair Routine: Oils Tested

Posted on April 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

I’ve Still Remained Faithful To Vegetable Oils This Spring!

I like (organic) vegetable oils: easy to use, effective and multi tasks on dry skin and very dry hair. My “must have” for almost a year is the organic olive oil I add to all my beauty products: moisturizing creams, nourishing balms and of course other oils.

Here are my latest favorites, two oils and a biphasic treatment that I currently use:

1. The Delicate Dry Oil Prodigieuse of Nuxe

Very complete, this dry oil contains seven vegetable oils of natural origin (mineral oil free and silicone free): Tsubaki oil (Japanese camellia, antioxidant), sweet almond (softening), camellia (moisturizing), bourrache (anti-wrinkle), nutty (soothing), macadamia (nourishing) and argan (restorative). I apply it essentially on the body and on hair as a finish touch, to give them shine and an irresistible perfume (with orange blossom, magnolia and vanilla). As always with Nuxe products, the texture and the scent are a real pleasure!

2. The Aurora Botanica Essence d’éclat Hair Oil Mist of Kérastase

It is not exactly an oil, but a two-phase care for the hair, based on Somoa islands coconut oil (let’s travel!), Argan oil and Damascus rose water. Just like the Dry Oil Prodigieuse of Nuxe, the Aurora Botanica Essence d’éclat Hair Oil Mist includes 98% of ingredients of natural origin (silicone free, sulphate free and paraben free). I use this oil mist as a moisturizer on my curly hair, to soften and avoid breakage. Then I add a little shea butter (to seal the hydration) before styling.

3. The powerful organic Castor Oil of Physalis

Originally from Africa, this plant has soothing and moisturizing virtues on the skin and the hair. Castor oil is known to activate hair growth. I admit the very viscous texture may be unattractive, but the effects are great! I mix the Physalis castor oil with organic olive oil and sometimes with also shea butter for the before / after shampoo that I leave all night before rinsing.

3 Organic Oils For Face, Body & Hair

Posted on November 8, 2016 | Leave a comment

3 Oils, 1 Hydrating

Hello Fall! New season, new routine for the face, body and hair based on a star ingredient: organic olive oil!

1. The Organic Olive Oil

Yes, the one bought in the supermarket and comestible! If it is good for the inside, it will be good for the outside. The organic olive oil has a thousand virtues. The main ones are: anti-aging, antioxidant, nourishing… This oils also participates in the natural moisture of the skin.

The organic olive oil is the basis of all my care, before the organic coconut oil (which I also love). I use both as pure as mixed with other oils, such as the almond oil and / or jojoba oil.

That’s awesome for my super dry feet! Before massaging the heels and tops of the feet with this oil: washed your feet and thoroughly dry between the toes (to prevent fungal infections).

2. Phytosun Sweet Almond Oil

For a month and a half, I’ve added to my beauty regiment two organic vegetable oils: the sweet almond and jojoba of Phytosun (not edible!). Coming out of the shower, I apply a mixture of the organic olive oil with the sweet almond oil on wet body.

Why wet skin? I copied and pasted my dry hair routine to the skin: 1. moisten the hair and 2. to block hydration, apply an oil, shea butter or balm.

The oil bath: I mix the organic olive, sweet almond and jojoba oils in a bowl placed in a larger container which is filled with hot water to warm the oils. I apply the mix on the lengths and ends and leave it overnight (under a plastic cap and a scarf).

Not glam at all, but very effective! The next day, according to the state of my hair, I wash, rinse or leave it more. I have a thick mass of very dry hair which needs to be permanently sheathed, nourished and protected.

3. Phytosun Jojoba Oil

This jojoba oil is a real pleasure and comfort to my sensitive combination face skin. It regulates sebum, protects, nourishes, regenerates, firms and keeps the skin hydration. For few weeks, I’ve applied it in the morning or evening (like a fece cream) and my skin is bright, with fewer imperfections!

The next step would be to learn to massage my face, to optimize the firming effect. And to add a sunscreen too. You can also use the jojoba oil as a mild cleanser. And for hair as a serum on very dry ends.

With vegetable oils, you need to be regular. And I alternate with targeted products: for example some months, with oils only and followed by months with anti-aging serums and creams.

4. L’Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Toner

After cleaning and before applying the oil: I hydrate my skin. I soak a cotton with the (alcohol free) Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Tone. And I apply it all over my face and neck as a hydrating refreshing compress.

The peony scent is light and irresistible, as often with L’Occitane products.

What are your favorite oils? And which ones do you recommend me to test next?

My Summer Skin Care Essentials

Posted on July 13, 2016 | 2 comments

I Really Like Oils!

Here are two super gentle oils to cleanse and remove makeup that I apply with light massages and rinse with cold water. I try not to use cotton except when I have to remove heavy make-up.

L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Oil (above left picture, 2) and the Huile Fondante Démaquillante (Milky cleansing oil with avocado oil extract) of Payot (above left picture, 3), in handy travel size. This mini product lasts I brought with me in several short trips recently.

Last winter, after a treatment, the My Spa By Payot in Meribel (French Alps) offered me some products, including a travel kit. I knew the brand by name. The products are excellent, with dreamy textures and scents. They perfectly match the needs of my skin!

As a moisturizing tonic, I spray all over my face the Eau thermale minéralisante de Vichy (a pure mineral-rich water / above left picture, 1). Without waiting for the water to completely dry on the skin, I apply my cream mixed with little shea oil, organic olive or coconut oil. I use this mist anytimes of the day.

Targeted Skincare

In Summer, My Combination Skin Overheats

between sun, sweat, sea water, sand, dust, sunscreen applications and cleansing in the morning+before and after the beach+evening (too much!). So I need to boost my routine with a gentle peeling and a recovery mask.

I have finally discovered the famous French brand, Garancia, with the Pschitt Magic New Skin (above left picture, 1). This micropeeling without abrasive particles nor glycolic acid is a foam for daily use to cleanse and refine skin texture. “Its active ingredients “melt” the dead cells and give the skin the ability to regenerate itself from the inside out.“

As I have a very sensitive skin, I prefer to use it 2-3 times in the week, usually at night after removing the make-up. Or before going to a dinner. In this case, after applying my moisturizer, I add the new Garancia Hallucinogen, 4-in-1 Sheer Veil Foundation – Liquid powder (above left picture, 2) to brighten the complexion.

Good base for a light makeup that I finalize with the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer. And the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes – Pure Color’ All-Over Illuminator (above picture right, 2) which is also my subtle pearlescent pink lipstick and eye shadow. A little bit of black mascara and pencil and basta! I’m not into I don’t do contouring makeup, nor Cleopatra eyebrow.

When I do a peeling, I like then to apply a mask. So I tested the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Powerfoil Mask with 2X Hyaluronic Acid. La pause du masque demande une certaine dextérité (c’est mon premier masque façon “coréenne”). Putting the mask requires some dexterity (well, it’s my first “Korean style” mask). The texture is thick and the skin tingles during the 10 minute pause (!). But what a surprise by removing the mask! My skin is plumped like a baby.

Serums and creams

I simplify

I love to test many products of the same range. So let’s start with two moisturizing creams for day and a night, with very pleasant textures and discreet scents : L’Occitane Shea Face Soothing Fluid (1) and La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care (2).

I use them all the time! And when my skin is reactive, I stop everything except La Roche-Posay Toleriane (specific for intolerant sensitive skin). I also like their airless container, more hygienic.

I’ve almost stopped using my anti-aging cosmetics for few weeks. I will go back to my anti-aging routine next fall, to repair the sun damage. Nevertheless, several times a week, I apply the Estée Lauder New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum and Expert Liquid Tape. They have a firming effect and I remain faithful to Estée Lauder.

Sun, Sun!

Please, I Need Sun Without Wrinkles!

I am both lazy and active and I really enjoy outdoors activities and water sports! My selection of sunscreens is very limited but super effective. I’ve almost never travelled without a sunscreen of La Roche-Posay Anthelios (thanks to my acne past!) or Vichy!

My favourite for the face is the Anthelios XL SPF50+ Gel crème Anti-brillance de La Roche Posay (in Belgium and France) / La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Face Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60 (in the US / picture below, 1). Great for my combination skin that turns oily in summer!

I also really like the body sunscreen Anthelios XL SPF50+ Spray Ultra Légère de La Roche Posay (in Belgium and France) / Anthelios 60 Ultra-light Lotion Spray (in the US / picture below, 2). Nice texture, easy to apply and no white marks.

For the late summer, I also added in my bag two new products of the Vichy Ideal Soleil range : for the body, the Gel de lait ultra-fondant sur peau mouillée ou sèche SPF30 (in Belgium and France). And for the face, the Soin anti-taches teinté 3-en-1 SPF50+ (in Belgium and France, photo below 3). As always with Vichy, textures are really nice to apply.