Tag Archives: Hair

My Winter Beauty Routine

Step 1 : Cleansing & Moisturizing

For over a month, I have been testing a new beauty routine, with the French brands Quiriness (sensory and spa-based), Novexpert (cosmetics devlopped with 100% natural ingredients) and Cattier (organic and sustainable). 

My focus for this season is : fighting against cold, dehydration, sagging skin and lack of radiance. Let’s start with cleansing and moisturizing. Morning and evening, I use on my face, neck and décollete: 

1. The Uriage 1st Cleansing Oil. Light, very pleasant and ultra soft for my skin more sensitive and reactive in winter. It foams in contact with water and leaves after rinsing a discreet film that softens the skin.

2. Then I apply the Quiriness Lotion Tonique Exquise (Gold Softening Toning Lotion) with the fingertips in generous quantities. Its velvety watery texture with iridescent reflections offers a great feeling of freshness! And I massage or tap my face, neck and décollete to penetrate the lotion.

3. To end this step, I spray the Novexpert Brume Magnésium (magnesium mist) that I tap, to wake up and activate my skin and blood circulation. This haze is a treat! I do not hesitate to spray again before applying my second serum, day cream or oil. 


Step 2 : Day Serums

No beauty routine without serum, thank you (lol)!

Every morning, I start with the Quiriness Anti-Aging Serum, Elixir Temps Précieux (Perfect Lifting Essence) which contains the superstar ingredient, Hyaluronic Acid, but also Microencapsulated Retinol, Peptites, Seaweed, Grape seeds, Cotton oil … Very very nice on the skin: the lovely creamy texture surprised me a little at first, because I got used to watery serums.

To fight against oxidation (especially due to pollution) and have a radiant complexion, I add a pump of the Novexpert Booster à la Vitamine C. This 100% biodegradable serum contains collagen and 25% vitamin C, the daily dose to protect the skin against free radicals (according to Truecos).

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3 : Day and Eye Creams

Morning and evening, I apply a pump (for both sides) of Novexpert Contour des Yeux Anti-âge Expert which is really effective! After each application, I’ve noticed that my (slightly darker) dark circles under eyes disappear. The magic happens thanks to nacres that reflect the light. And best of all, the cream moisturizes and nourishes this very fragile area, without irritating my eyes. 

I finish my morning beauty routine with Quiriness Caresse Temps Précieux (Perfect Repair Cream). Dream texture with a very discreet scent: the comforting gesture to start the day! It gives a luminous velvety smooth finish to my skin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4 : Night Treatment

I do this after the same cleansing and moisturizing step than in the morning.

If I need to remove makeup : before the cleanser, I apply a greasy substance (a vegetable oil of olive or musky rose) that I mass on the neck, face and eyes. Then I remove it with cottons rinsed with hot water and wrung out. Much less aggressive than a micellar water.

In the evening, I deeply moisterize my skin with Novexpert Sérum Booster à l’acide hyaluronique. This serum is the most concentrated hyaluronic acid in Europe. It offers the equivalent of 20 injections of hyaluronic acid (according to Truecos). Its gelled texture is a bit sticky but penetrates very quickly.

I optimise with the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+. It become one of my basic. A pot lasts me up to 5-6 months!

Last beauty gesture of my winter routine, I apply an organic vegetable oil by specific massages on the décolleté, neck and face. I change the oils according to their properties.

 

 

 

My Face Body and Hair Must Have

Dear shea butter! Organic, alone or mixed with other products (like organic vegetable oils), multifunction (make-up remover, face and body cream, or moisturizer for super dry hair)! At the moment, the odorless shea butter of  Cattier suits me very well.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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Body and Hair Routine: Oils Tested

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.

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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My Routine For Dry Hair: Scrub, Shampoo and Care

My-Routine-For-Dry-Hair-Scrub-Shampoo-&-Care-Aveda-Activilong

The Scrub and Shampoo

Recently, I tested the Matrix Biolage ScalpSync exfoliating treatment (1). As I often use hair care and oils, I want to clean my scalp without stripping once every 2-3 weeks, to let it breathe.

The product is like a traditional body scrub. You have to apply it before the shampoo, with light massage on the moistened scalp. In fact, I take time to perfectly rinse my hair and scalp before applying the exfoliant, because the day before I often make an oil bath.

Then I use the Repairing Shampoo 2 in 1 ACTIREPAIR of Activilong with avocado and organic olive oils (paraben free and silicone free (2), it makes more foam than usual. Proof that the exfoliant took away all product residue in the hair? I think so. This shampoo is very soft and creamy, so pleasant to apply!

The Excellent Care

I don’t use conditioner, I prefer masks for deep care. I leave the mask to damp hair as a leave-in conditioner for one or more days. My SUPER powerfull mask that dramatically softens my curls, Smooth Infusion – Smoothing Masque of Aveda (3). This product is fantastic!

This mask has a very strong smell like aromatherapy. Great! I add a few drops of: the Dry Remedy Oil of Aveda, or Repairing Oil “Fantastic Oil” ACTIREPAIR of Activilong. And I make Bantu Knocks. The result has an incredible flexibility and lasts up to 5 days, without adding product.

My other favorite is Dry Remedy Masque Hydratant of Aveda (4), when my hair is really thirsty. I don’t use as a leave-in conditioner. I keep it a few hours, sometimes overnight and I rinse and apply a styling product with a few drops of oil.

The Super Styling

Super effective on very dry, damaged and curly hair, the Repair & Styling Cream ACTIREPAIR of Activilong feeds and gives gloss to the hair (5). As it is very rich, very little product is enough. I prefer applying it to damp hair. Because I almost never use blow dryer to dry my hair.

Another option when I want to smooth out naturally, I apply to damp hair the Smooth Infusion style-prep smoother of Aveda (6). I comb the hair in a bun and let it air dry.

Do you know these products? I’m curious to know what do you think about them and how you use them for a better result? And what are your favorite products for dry, very dry, frizzy or damaged hair?

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