Tag Archives: Beauty Review

Meribel, France: Skiing & Wellness

Posted on February 7, 2016 | Leave a comment

Skiing

This Morning It Snows A Lot

Taking breakfast, I doubt if I can ski for my second day in Méribel. At 10 a.m., I start my Skiing For Women lesson (to enjoy skiing in a way less based on performance and arranged for women with children too) with Cécile Crousaz, National BEES 1° Ski at the Ecole de Ski Méribel (Ski School of Meribel).

We reach the Rhodos gondola. The weather remains overcast, but visibility is better. And the pleasure of skiing is back! Same place, but the decor has completely changed … a different beauty, fog blanketed the peaks. Since the beginning of my stay (in Val Thorens), I’ve had less fear on skis and improved. Cecile is very patient and motivating too.

When we arrive for lunch at La Folie Douce Meribel-Courchevel, the fog is denser, creepy on slope (photos below). Without comparison: nothing to do with La Folie Douce Val Thorens, much more festive. Here, the atmosphere is more relaxed.

The Hotel

Back To The Hotel Around 3 p.m.

to let my equipment in the ski room and get changed for my spa session this afternoon. Le Tremplin hotel is located close to the slopes and the center of Meribel (the hotel’s facade on the first photo of the post).

The 40 tastefully decorated rooms have just been redone. Mine is simple and comfortable. And the efficient smiling service make you feel good.

On the above photo montage: my room with a really good bedding and large bathroom with Pascal Morabito products. On the bed (1), a lovely travel beauty kit that the institute My Spa by Payot Meribel offered me. I will use for sure in a future trip!

The View

My room’s terrace has two sides, allowing me to enjoy different views, both of the city (above) and slopes (below)! The hotel also offers an outdoor pool, open until 8 p.m.

The Outdoor Pool

To go to the pool surrounded by bars and protected from view by a small wooden fence, you wear a bathrobe on your swimsuit and slippers (lol). At night, while you bathe, you can see the lights of the bars and town. I really liked (photos above and below).

The Wellness

My Spa by Payot

is located in the Olympic Centre, five minutes walk from the Le Tremplin hotel. The benefit of being in a central location, you are near everything! I recommend the jacuzzi overlooking the slopes! Before my customized massage, I “navigate” between steam room, cold shower and jacuzzi.

Then I choose a relaxing neck-shoulder-arm massage: as a skiing beginner, I contract the upper body muscles too much. My therapist applies an oil with essential oils: I am pleasantly surprised, I don’t have skin reaction. This is the first time I used Payot products.

During the massage, I fall asleep (good sign). Leaving the spa, I stop at the outdoor pool of Le Tremplin to swim while it snows. Awesome!

The Exclusive

Gourmet Jars

After skiing, spa, massage and pool, I just want to stay quiet in my room. Eating a light dinner of vegetable soup and sleeping.

Looking for a soup bar, I came across the gourmet grocery store of a Michelin starred chef, Le Bokal by Laurent Azoulay. The shop opened since mid-December, has style: sober with black walls and a central wooden table for the tasting.

Informations

www.meribel.net, www.les3vallees.com

For the ski lessons (all levels), or Skiing For Women (group lessons and weekend or week packages), you can contact the ESF de Méribel : +33 479 08 6031, [email protected].

DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. Big thanks to the Hotel Le Tremplin team, Cécile Crousaz and the Spa By Payot. As always these opinions are my own.

My Summer Beauty Routine: Face & Body Care

Posted on August 2, 2015 | Leave a comment

Face: Water, Milk, Toner & Creams

Perfect for summer travel: the Eau Micellaire Thermale (Thermal Micellar Water) of Uriage gently cleanses and removes my very sensitive combination skin, providing a feeling of freshness. I put it in the fridge to multiply that feeling!

As my dermatologist prefers that I use a cleansing milk with a tonic, I also use the Nuxe Comforting Cleansing Milk and Gentle Tonic Lotion with rose petals. A caress for the skin! The Comforting Cleansing Milk doesn’t irritate the eyes.

For care, I’m minimalist in summer. In the morning, I apply the excellent Skin Contour Cream of Janssen Cosmetics, a German brand I discovered recently. Nourishing and very pleasant texture, it smoothes the skin and brightens the complexion. I also like its discreet perfume.

Before going to bed in the evening, I use the Nuxe Nuxellence Detox to repair/prevent the harmful effects of the sun on my skin. As always with Nuxe cosmetics, the smell and texture are fantastic! I love sun, sea and outdoor cafes and no way to deprive me of these, even though I avoid the hottest hours. So before and after sun exposure, I treat my skin, to heal, moisturize and nourish it!

Body: Scrub and Cleasing Gel, Foam and Balm

For taking a shower twice a day without stripping my skin, here are some the products added in my suitcase! The Rituals Wai Wang is an exfoliating body scrub made with organic White Lotus, Yi yi ren (a cereal) and really fine particles of organic Bamboo. I apply the scrub to damp skin in very light massage, then I rinse with cold water to amplify the freshness feeling.

As you may know, I’m a fan of the Rituals shower foams, including the Zensation Foaming Shower Gel Sensation with organic rice milk and cherry blossom, has an incredible good scent!

Finally I discovered the famous italian brand Collistar! Two products especially for beach: the Moisturizing restoring after sun body balm in the shower. This balm cleans, moisturizes, firms and refreshes, amazing! And the After sun shower-shampoo moisturizing restorative for all those who wish to keep their holiday tanning back home.

Body: Oil & Creams

I really enjoy natural oils and I’ve been addicted to Weleda body oils for months! This time, I really liked the 100% natural Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil that activates cell renewal. A blessing for my skin! And the pomegranate fragrance is awesome! I apply the oil all over the body, just after the shower on damp skin with circular massages from bottom to top and then I rinse with cold water. Tonic effect and good mood guaranteed! As it contains essential oils, I use it in the evening only to avoid skin reaction in the sun (photosensitizing).

I sometimes change by applying the velvety cream, Mandi Lulur of Rituals, that contains rice milk and frangipani fragrance.

I am obsessed with feet. What a pleasure in summer to let them breathe! But often they overheat with friction. So in the evening, So in the evening, I refresh them with a jet of cold water, or I plunge them into a tub of water filled with ice. And then I apply the Rituals Tao Loa Tze Cooling foot balm, with China mint and Yi yi ren. And the feet are soothed and fed.

For hands, I always have with me the Rituals Ginkgo’s Secret cream with ginseng and ginko biloba. The nourishing light texture softens my hands. I really like its discreet perfume too.

Specific Care and Suncare

Recently I use ultra concentrated serum, Pure actives collagen + hyaluronic acid of Collistar, to prevent sun damage on the décolleté and breasts. With its high performance ingredients, I find this serum full of promise, but I can’t tell you more now, I’ve just started. I will update the article in a few weeks.

My darling sunblock is the Uriage Bariésun Stick SPF50 + that I apply on the face (no ugly white layer), décolleté or hands. Super practical and hygienic, I slip into a pocket, it weighs nothing!

Usually I don’t use an after-sun care on face. But conquered by the Bariésun Stick SPF50 +, I tested the Bariésun Soothing Cream After Sun after a long exposure to the sun. And guess what? It really calmed and deeply moisturized my skin.

Last and not the least! I decided to get back to sport (yes I know I say it often !!!). 10 000 resolutions later: a bit of running, hiking and a Bikram yoga class (yep). So for dealing with aches, my miracle product is the Weleda Arnica Massage Oil.

Do you use these products? If yes I’d really like to know your opinion! And what is your summer beauty routine? I enjoy discovering new products!

Four Amazing Oils For Hair, Body and Face

Posted on April 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

THE DRY REMEDY OIL, AVEDA

The revelation. At first I was a little skeptical, seeing the size of the bottle. Ultra concentrated, this silicone free oil and 99.9% natural, contains Buriti oil. A few drops to deeply care and tame my mane.

The heady scent of aromatherapy connects me to nature. I daily use the Dry Remedy Oil on slightly damp hair to keep moisturizing, nourish and disentangle without breaking them.

I also added the oil in my care (masks). And when I make a pre-shampoo treatment: once my towel-dried hair, I apply the oil all over the hair, strand by strand and then I make a bun to let them dry naturally.

THE REPAIRING OIL “FANTASTIC OIL”, ACTIVILONG

I have a lot of hair which require constant cares. This oil has quickly become my essential care to restore and revitalize my thirsty weakened hair, while making them silky.

This winter, my ultra dry hair was very brittle: dull without smoothness or strength. And I lost a lot of my lengths. Formulated mineral oil free and silicone free, with 98% of plant ingredients (organic avocado and olive oils), the Fantastic Oil sheaths the hair to protect it from drying out.

I use the oil alone. Or I mix it with various masks and styling products to provide more flexibility and shine and nourish the scalp. But its thick texture also allows to leave it on the hair, without using additional products during few days.

THE BIRCH CELLULITE OIL, WELEDA

Good news, this oil really works for me (don’t drink it, it’s a body oil)! To optimize the effects, I dilute in my daily liter of water, a small spoon of the Weleda Birch Elixir to drain and detox the body.

The Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil is 100% natural: fragrance free, silicone free, no dyes or synthetic preservatives, no mineral ingredients or genetically modified ingredients. You can apply the oil on a damp skin after showering.

Followed by a jet of cold water from the bottom up along the legs. And for the most courageous, wet the whole body! Cold water tones and puts in a good mood (yep!). After a month of use, the effects are seen, my legs get thiner and toner: better blood circulation and less swelling.

THE REVITALIZING OIL FOR FACE, BODY AND HAIR, DARPHIN

Extremely pleasant to apply (fantastic texture) and smell, I use it as a night face cream after a scrub or a slightly abrasive cleansing / removing make-up. It quickly penetrates, soothes redness and the next day the skin is soft and fragrant like a baby.

I mix a few drops with a moisturizer to nourish and soften my hands and feet. The oil leaves a slight iridescent layer on the skin, like a summer fragrance …

Finally, when I want to add an extra shine on my hair (with an irresistible smell), I use the Revitalizing Oil as a finish touch only. It is not enough for nourishing my hair type. Definitely this oil is THE chameleon product to slip into your bag!