Tag Archives: Exclusive Photos

Summer Beauty Routine: Face & Hair

  

Never Without …

For few days in the Mediterranean, I chose effective “basic” products but not irritating. Because my combination skin is more reactive in summer and quickly warms and tolerates almost nothing.

1. I recently discovered the Decléor Aroma Cleanse 3-in-1 Hydra Radiance Cleasing Mousse with Neroli essential oil. Grea! Although it rinses with water, it doesn’t dry the skin. Its melting texture with a very light fragrance are very pleasant. Gentle, it cleans my sun creams perfectly. As very little product is enough to wash your face, this minidose of 50 ml lasts quite a long time. And the most important for me, I made no reaction to the essential oil of Neroli. 

2. Mon huile d’olive bio (pas de marque précise, juste première pression à froid). Mon huile à tout faire! Je vous en ai déjà tellement parlé qu’inutile d’en rajouter. Je l’utilise pour tout et avec tout! My organic olive oil (no precise brand, just a first cold pressed oil)  does everything! I’ve already told you million times, I use it for everything and with everything!

3. I was looking for a product with a high sun protection factor (without the ugly plaster effect) that suits my irritated mixed skin. And allows me to avoid to aply a day cream. A sunblock extremely moisturizing. And the big winner is the Uriage Fluide HYSÉAC SPF50+! It is very difficult then to use other sunscreens as its texture is awesome! 

4. Among my other favorites: the Novexpert Gommage Douceur Hydro-Biotique au Magnesium (a very gentle scrub with magnesium). Once or twice a week, in the evening, I need to cleanse my skin more deeply. In general, I then apply as a night cream, the great Qiriness Le Wrap d’Eau, a moisturizing balm with a velvety fresh texture. Pure pleasure! I apply a thick layer and let it dry one hour before going to bed without rinsing it. And the next day I have a bright plump baby skin.

  

The Hydration Boost

In the summer, I am obsessed with hydration. I drink a lot of water and eat more fruits and raw vegetables. Morning and evening, or as soon as I come back home after a day in the sun, I wash my face and apply on the face, neck and décolleté the Uriage Crème d’Eau Riche (Rich Water Cream) with Uriage thermal water and shea butter. I really like both texture (almost whipped) with a matte finish and discreet flowery smell.

Recently, I started using sheet masks more often thanks to the Qiriness Wraps. Initially, it was just for my long hauls to Asia, because they are easy to use while travelling. For face, I use the Wrap Hyal-Aqua, a micro fiber mask, impregnated with serum (with Hyaluronic Acid among others). And for my eye area (that as soon as I’m tired darkens): the Wrap Hyal Eyes. For a tenfold “freshness-firmness” effect, I put both patches in the fridge before using them. Top!

 

Hair and Sun Care

Well, my hair! Now that they grow from mid-long to long, I daily struggle with the knots and therefore a lot of breakage (scary!). So this summer, I do a minimum. As a daily care: a mix of thermal water with a little bit of organic olive oil and organic shea butter. Plus: disentangling by hand with infinite patience! Ah, mes cheveux, un vrai poème! 

For the shampoo, I remain faithful to the natural Kérastase Aura Botanica range. I really like the new Bain Micellaire Riche (1) with Amazonian Brazil nut oil, for dry and very dry hair. A clean composition with 96% of natural ingredients, without silicone, sulphate and paraben. A lovely texture with a little bit of foam and strong smell of plants. My must have! 

To lighten my suitcase, I preferred taking a half-empty pot of the Garnier Fructis Smoothing Macadamia Hair Food (2) with 98% of natural ingredients. I use it both as a conditioner mask, leave-in conditioning and a detanglling daily care. To be honest, I am desappointed. During the application, it seems to work miracles, but very soon as soon as my hair dries (rinsed or not), I find them even drier than before the treatment. 

This summer, I wanted to change my darling sunscreens (La Roche Posay’s Anthelios range and Vichy Idéal Soleil). And I’ve selected two products in the Garnier Ambre Solaire range. For the face, I use the Kids Sensitive Expert + SPF 50+ (2) and for the body, the Sensitive Expert+ FPS 50+ (3). My only concern: they leave big white marks on the skin and wherever I sit (lol)! When I’m too hot, I spray the Uriage Brume d’Eau SFP30a water mist (1) whose small size is very practical.

To be contued… Next: summer body routine! Enjoy summertime!

Photos articles (hors miniatures) : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Related articles : Beauty

Japan: Shangri-La Tokyo

The Horizon Club Lounge

Tea time & Breakfasts

After a few days in Hakone, we are back in Tokyo at mid afternoon. It is the end of this exciting traveling trip to Japan. We will spend our last two nights in the Shangri-La Tokyo.

Notre chambre, une Horizon Club Deluxe est située dans les étages les plus hauts de l’hôtel. Et dans l’ascenceur, j’admire l’impressionnant lustre (photo ci-dessus), dont les cristaux viennent de République Tchèque. Les lustres sont la signature des Shangri-La.

We have access to the Horizon Club Lounge which offers, among other things, a concierge service as well as a very pleasant private lounge with a panoramic view of Tokyo. We like having our snacks and breakfasts in peace.

      

The Room With A View

The Skyline

As soon as we entered our room, I was blazed by the scenic view of Tokyo, just like in our previous hotel, the Capitol Hotel Tokyu. Sat on the sofa facing the urban jungle, you can lose yourself in contemplation of the tall buildings rooftops. I really like Tokyo.

But right now, we have to quickly get ready, before crossing the city for our tour of Tokyo by helicopter (article to come). The second time in my life that I will be in helicopter!

We will really enjoy our spacious comfortable room on our return (some photos below). Here too, difficult in the morning, to get out of bed (lol).

  

The Gourmet Lunch

Nadaman

Our agenda in Tokyo is so busy (soon the article) that I did not have time to swim in the hotel’s beautiful pool on the 29th floor, or even test a treatment in the CHI The Spa!

Fortunately, we took the time to discover Chef Takehiko Yoshida’s fine cuisine at Nadaman, the Japanese restaurant at the Shangri-La’s 28th-floor. We chose the Celebration Kaiseki menu (made with seasonal ingredients) as visually beautiful as delicious on the palate (photos below)!

Japanese cuisine is also compositions with different textures of food (like the gelatinous texture, quite surprising). A portion of menu items, in photos below. Photo above: The Lobby Lounge, the bar of the Shangri-La.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Shangri-La Tokyo

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of the Hakone Suishoen, for this beautiful invitation. As always theses are my opnions.

Japan: The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

A View To Fuji San

Our Second Stop in Hakone

We arrive at the very exclusive Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, near Hakone, in the middle of the day, after many adventures on the road (we lost ourselves several times! Lol). This small establishment of 11 gestrooms with a modern architecture, is a real art museum.

In a refine decoration with many elements from Italy, I discover paintings, draws and serigraphs numbered of Japanese and Western masters (Kataoka Tamako, Chagal, Buffet, Miro …). The owner of Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts, a fine art collector wanted this hotel to be dedicated to gastronomy and farniente.

Here, no long list of activities: our private onsen with water from either Ubako spring or Owakudani spring (both having beneficial effects on the skin) is in the center of our large bathroom / terrace overlooking Fuji San. Early morning, the view is stunning (photo above taken from our room). A feeling of euphoria floats in the air …

  

Beauty is Everywhere

The elegant suite-sized room is a haven of “luxury, calm and pleasure” (Beaudelaire). For a better soundproofing, in front of each room, a private glass corridor and carpet insulate noise (7th picture below).

And if like us, you are fond of beauty and space, this bathroom is a dream! I don’t leave my onsen anymore, staring at the top of the trees, Fuji San and the horizon (photo above). 

I also liked the sliding panels that allow you to modulate the space and hide things like TV. The wide and leather sofa design is a monster of comfort. I don’t even talk about bedding! Everything, every detail is perfect!

     

The Gourmet Restaurant

  

The Dinner

On the two photos above: the view from our room of the garden at night and in the background, the silhouette of Fuji San. Picture below: the stretch of water seen from the main hall of the restaurant. The cuisine of chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi is as captivating to see as to taste. 

At dinner, the plates looks like paintings. The pleasure of sight associated with that of taste, with an exciting experience of flavors and textures, colors and shapes. Rarely, I have seen such beautiful and good dishes. For example: on the second and third picture photo below, the “Spaghetti puttanesca with marinated abalone“. In fact, the chef specialized in Italian cuisine, recommends mixing spaghetti with the whipped white sauce. It’s divine, so inexpected, top!

I will be able to list all dishes served, with my lean culinary vocabulary (I am not a food critic). But I just want to add that Chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi’s cooking is art. His cuisine is hedonistic, generous and cheerful. 

Like the chef, his cuisine excels without pretension. As just as all the people who work in this hotel. The service is amazing and very warm. Domo arigato gosaimasu to all the (last picture)!

    

The Breakfast

  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, for this beautiful and warm invitation. As always theses are my opnions.