Tag Archives: Moisturizing

My Beauty Routine in Japan

A Cologne in Tokyo

I like to associate a fragrance with a trip. So for my last trip to Japan, I took with me one of the Hermès latest creations, the Eau de Citron Noir created by the nose Christine Nagel. I was immediately intrigued, because I love citrus scents (like yuzu, grapefruit and lemon) and I’m huge fane of Le Jardin de Mr. Li of Hermès.

“Citrus caviar, Buddha’s hand citrus, Eureka lemon …So many original lemons have challenged me, but it is the black lemon, so smoky, so racy, which finally became the one” explains Christine Nagel. Lemon is a lime put in brine and then dried, hence its brown color. Iran’s black lemon is a traditional condiment of Persian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Present in many dishes, its scent is rich with fresh and powerful notes of traditional lemon, but also sweeter.

During this trip I was a lot outdoors. And I especially wore this Cologne at night. I found it both light and a little “dense” without being ostentatious. Perfect for dining in an intimate place. This unisex fragrance has a beautiful dark blue glass bottle. Simple and so chic! 

  

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The Skin Cares

While Traveling,

I try to take only essential: multifunctional nomadic products focused mainly hydration.

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On the photo above taken at Hakone Suishoen (near Fuji san): the awesome Decléor Aroma Cleanse 3-in-1 Hydra Radiance Cleasing Mousse with Neroli essential oil. I mainly use this delicate melty cream that effectively and smoothly cleanses (including sunscreen) at night. It rinses with water. Surprinsingly, my sensitive skin had no problem with the Neroli essential oil.

In the morning, Uriage’s Light Water Cream SPF20 is refreshing (yes!), antipollution and very pleasant when my combination skin overheats. Light enough to then apply sunscreen without gleaming like a sardine. I alternate with the excellent Uriage’s Fluide HYSÉAC SPF50+ (photo 2 below). As a day serum with hyaluronic acid to boost hydration: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. Moreover it gave me very much want to test other products of The Ordinary and Deciem (to follow …).  

In the evening, after cleansing my skin and using an essence, I apply a thick layer of Qiriness Wrap d’Eau Baume Extreme Moisture Balm, a velvety gel-cream texture mask with algae, plants, watermelon, white flowers and lipids. Very very fresh (thanks to its gel texture) and super moisturizing. I go to bed without rinsing and the next day, using a damp cotton I remove the excess product. My skin is plumped and bright, ready to welcome the care of the day.   

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Dans l’avion

  

Sheet maks, yes please!

As any self-respecting beautista (lol!), I took a slew of face, eye, hand and leg sheet masks for my long flights back and forth between Brussels and Japan. And my favorites are: Qiriness Wrap Yeux Hyal-Eclat Eyes Radiant Eye Patches including vitamin B3, gold, caffeine, green tea, hyaluronic acid, rooibos and Aloe Vera (for the best known ingredients). In short, a dressing for my dark circles!

I also really like the Qiriness Wrap Mains Hydra-Repair Masque Soft & Smooth Hand Mask with (among other ingredients): Hyaluronic Acid, Macadamia Oil Nut and Shea Butter, Grapefruit, Honey and Vitamin E (pictured above). As I wash my hands very often, they are super dry. This mask soothes and nourishes them deeply. They look better and feel more comfortable!

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Related posts : Beauty & Destinations

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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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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