Tag Archives: Cosmetics

My Summer Beauty Routine: Face & Body Care

My-Summer-Beauty-Routine-Face-Uriage-Janssen Cosmetics-Nuxe-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

My-Summer-Beauty-Routine-Body-Collistar-Rituals-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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.

My-Summer-Beauty-Routine-Body-Rituals-Weleda-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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.

My-Summer-Beauty-Routine-Face-Body-Sunscreen-Uriage-Collistar-Weleda-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

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My Spring Beauty Routine: Face, Body And Hair

My Spring Beauty Routine-Face-Hair-Body-Nails-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Face Brush And Anti-aging Cosmetics

My Spring Beauty Routine-Face-Hair-Body-Nails-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

It’s spring again, the cherry trees are in bloom! Happy spring! I really want to share with you my routine beauty of spring!

1. For nearly two months I used every other day, before going to bed, brush the famous face of the American brand Clarisonic. I have a very sensitive skin and my dermatologist is against any water washing on face. But I enjoy it in spring and summer, it gives me the feeling of having an ultra clean skin. So I use my brush with very soft bristles, for 60 seconds (there is a timer) after removing makeup. I finished the cleasing step with The Uriage Thermal Water and I apply the Darphin Revitalizing Oil.

2. My daily care. As you know, I’m a hugh fan of the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum & Revitalizing Supreme! Besides, this is one of my most read posts! This time I tested the Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Firming/Sculpting Face And Neck and the Estée Lauder Resilience Lift Firming Sculpting Eye CremeTwo very good creams with a really pleasant texture to apply on the skin (a treat): the face cream is slightly pearly and has a SPF15 filter. For the eye zone, very little product is enough. These two cares deeply nourish my skin and give a beautiful complexion. This is exactly what I need in spring … when my skin doesn’t shine like a sardine yet, LOL!

3. I like to combine cosmetics with trips, often to destinations I wish to visit. Recently, I add to my beauty routine the Bioeffect ECF Serum, powerful wrinkle reducer from Iceland that contains no preservative, no fragrance and no dye. I apply it only in the evening, on clean skin for optimal moisturises. Great texture, it quickly penetrates. I will update this post in a few weeks to give you the results of my test. I can not wait to see the effects …

Hair Care And Makeup

My Spring Beauty Routine-Face-Hair-Body-Nails-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Hair, LOL! Could it possible that I’ve finally found the right routine? Abracadabra!

1. For all those with ultra dry curly or frizzy hair (by nature or damaged by chemical treatment), I tested three products in the excellent HyfraR’Force range of the French brand Farida b for nearly two months. My two favorite treatments based on vegetable oils (Ximenia and Amaranth, formulated without paraben), are the Masque Restructurant de Jour (daytime mask) and Masque Revitalisant de Nuit (night mask).

For each mask, I apply the product on wet hair after the Shampoing Restructurant (a gentle shampoo silicone and paraben free). And I leave the mask (sometimes I add oil) as a leave-in conditioner during a day (no more) and then I rinse. Hair is really relaxed, soft and shiny! What a great pleasure!

2. To stimulate the growth of my hair which has suffered this winter (massive breakage of lengths). I take the Oenobiol dietary supplement for fortifying the hair and nails, Capillaire Fortifiant Beauté des cheveux et ongles for over a month. This product contains vegetable cystine (amino acid), B vitamins (including Biotin), copper, zinc and bilberry extract. The treatment lasts three months, with two pills a day.  

3. A silver eyeshadow for evening summer, it’s just WOW! The M.A.C. Mineralize Eye Shadow de M.A.C. has two shades, silver and glittery silver for a glamorous look. My current must have is the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Eye Pencil. Great nuance: for the first time, I use a dark brown for my smoky eyes! I also tried the Estée Lauder Little Black Primer. I find it not enough thick as a masacara. I prefer to use it as a base before applying denser mascara, for a longer hold.

Body and Nails

My Spring Beauty Routine-Face-Hair-Body-Nails-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

1. yes, I’m addicted to Nail polish, especially in summer! I change colour almost every day! Among my recent discoveries, the excellent Pronails, a Belgian brand. Here is a vibrant red that will make my spring-summer: the No. 345, Detonate Vie!  

2. A “Traveler” format for these nail polish! A mix that I enjoy a lot, fingernails in natural colour (nude, beige or taupe) and bright red feet: Amber Stone (9443) and Ruby Red (2581) of Rituals.

3. Also at Rituals, I really liked the delicious body cleansing foam, Yogi Flow and the Hammam Body Mud (a Rasul scrub), its Eucalyptus strong smell has a tonic effect on my mood! Both products cleanse without stripping, making the skin soft as silk.

And what about you? Let me know your spring beauty routine! What your fav products right now? Give me some ideas for my next tests! 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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Germany: Wellness and Spa in The Black Forest

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Perfect Massage at The Erfurths Bergfried

I discovered this small cozy boutique hotel during a long weekend in Bade-Wurttemberg (where is the famous Black Forest, picture 2). The smiling welcome in the beauty area (and throughout the hotel) is really pleasant and makes you feel at home. The setting is modern, with Babor, the German high end cosmetics. I am intrigued by the Herbal Stamp Massage..

Lying on my stomach, the massage begins with the application of one hot herbal stamp on the right foot (picture above, on the top right). Alternating hot herbal stamps and manual massages (with warm oil), Clea, my therapist releases the body tensions. Her movements are firm and soft and the whole body is treated.

The feeling of warmth spreads on the meridians which is extremely relaxing. I doze, the massage lasts 50 minutes plus 5 minutes of rest at the end of massage. Followed by tea at the reception, where I found my girlfriends (lol). I would liked to know what herbs and oils were used … Excellent massage lavished by expert hands, you have to try it! Thank you Clea! 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Black Forest-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photomontage above: the attic suite 302 in which I slept, is really nice and comfy. Large and bright, spotless bedding and bathroom, with a large dressing room, nice view (photo below) and gifts (Babor products offered). 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The service is efficient, smiling and discreet. The food is simple and good (photo montage below): delicious breakfast. The wellness area is small but offers an outdoor foot spa (a trail with different grounds). I especially enjoyed the steam room, my skin and hair were thrilled! LOL!

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Black Forest-Bergfried-Wellness-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Nice Spa in The Wadhotel Grüener Baum

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

This small hotel offers a friendly modern spa with a salt room and two saunas, including one at 65 degrees. A spa route is suggested on a poster written in German only! An English version would be welcome (last picture). The spa area and the indoor pool open onto a beautiful garden. The setting is bucolic like in a country house.

I swim overlooking the flower Japanese cherry trees (Photos 1 and 3). Particularly invigorating early morning: a real treat! Then I spent a long time in the jacuzzi. And I also tested a facial massage for 20 minutes in the beauty salon (with Comfort Zone products). 

I really liked the modern amenities of the spa and the indoor pool, the garden and the beautiful surrounding countryside. But I found the hotel room not my taste: a single bed, furniture and decor. 

Germany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KGermany-Baden-Wutemberg-Wadhotel-Gruener-Baum-Wellness-Spa-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Swimming opposite the hills of the Black Forest in the Elztalhotel

Germany-Baden-Wurttemberg-Black Forest-Elztal-Hotel-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The view from the Elztalhotel is relaxing: beautiful panorama with green hills covered with trees. The 25 meters long outdoor swimming pool overlooks a peaceful natural setting (above photo). The hotel is surrounded by nature. To swim and enjoy the outdoors. 

The 6000 m2 wellness area, in textile-free part, offers various “saunas of the world”. Photomontage below: rustic cottage and chair in the nudist part of the spa. And some decorative elements of the hotel: sofa in my room and dolls in the buffet room.

Germany-Baden-Wurttemberg-Black Forest-Elztal-Hotel-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés  

Informations 

Wellness Stars, The German National Tourist Board, the hotels : Erfurths BergfriedWadhotel Grüener Baum & Elztalhotel

Related posts : BEAUTY, HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Wellness Stars and The German National Tourist Board for the invitation and the Erfurths Bergfried’s team too. As alwyas these are my opinions.