Tag Archives: Sérums

My Winter Beauty Routine

Posted on January 18, 2018 | Leave a comment

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.

Ma routine beauté de l’hiver

Posted on January 15, 2018 | Leave a comment

Etape 1 : nettoyage & hydratation

Depuis plus d’un mois, je teste une nouvelle routine beauté, avec des marques françaises : Quiriness (axée sur la sensorialité et le spa), Novexpert (à base d’ingrédients 100% d’origine naturelle) et Cattier (bio et développement durable).

Le focus de cette saison, est de lutter contre le froid, la déshydratation, le relâchement cutané et le manque d’éclat. Commençons par le nettoyage et l’hydratation. Matin et soir, j’utilise sur le visage, cou et décolleté :

1. l’Huile Nettoyage Protectrice d’Uriage pour nourrissons. Légère et très agréable, elle est ultra douce pour ma peau plus sensible et réactive l’hiver. Elle mousse au contact de l’eau et laisse après rinçage, un film discret qui assouplit la peau.

2. J’enchaîne avec la Lotion Tonique Exquise de Quiriness que j’applique du bout des doigts en quantités généreuses. Sa texture aqueuse et veloutée aux reflets irisés offre une grande sensation de fraîcheur! Je masse ou tapote mon visage, le cou et le décolleté pour faire pénétrer la lotion.

3. Pour finir cette étape, je vaporise la Brume Magnésium de Novexpert que je tapote, afin de réveiller ma peau et la circulation sanguine. Cette brume est un plaisir! Je n’hésite pas à en vaporiser à nouveau avant d’appliquer mon deuxième sérum, ma crème de jour ou une huile.

Etape 2 : les sérums de jour

Jamais de routine beauté sans sérum, merci (lol)!

Chaque matin, je commence par le sérum anti-âge de Quiriness, Elixir Temps Précieux (Sérum Lift Raffermissant) qui contient l’ingrédient superstar, le fameux acide hyaluronique, mais aussi du Rétinol microencapsulé, peptites, algues, pépins de raisin, huile de coton … Très très agréable sur la peau : sa texture crème m’a un peu surprise au départ, car j’avais l’habitude de sérums gels.

Pour lutter contre l’oxydation (notamment due à la pollution) et avoir un teint éclatant, je complète avec une pompe du Booster à la Vitamine C de Novexpert. Ce sérum 100% biodégradable, contient du collagène ainsi que 25% de vitamine C, soit la dose quotidienne pour protéger la peau contre les radicaux libres (d’après Truecos).

Etape 3 : crème de jour et contour des yeux

Matin et soir, j’applique une pompe (pour les deux côtés) de Contour des Yeux Anti-âge Expert de Novexpert qui est vraiment efficace! Après chaque application, mes cernes un peu pigmentées s’éclaircissent. Le secret : cette crème comprend dans sa composition des nacres qui reflètent la lumière. Et cerise sur le gâteau, cette zone très fragile est bien hydratée et nourrie sans irriter mes yeux.

Je termine ma routine beauté du matin, avec la crème Caresse Temps Précieux (Crème Lift Régénérante) de Quiriness. Texture de rêve, odeur très discrète : le geste plaisir et réconfortant avant d’attaquer la journée. Elle donne un finit lisse, velouté et lumineux à ma peau.

Etape 4 : les soins de nuit

Après l’étape nettoyage et hydratation, identique à celle du matin.

Si j’ai besoin de me démaquiller, je mets avant le nettoyant, un corps gras (une huile végétale d’olive, ou de rose musquée) que je masse sur le cou, le visage et les yeux. Puis je l’enlève avec des cotons rincés à l’eau chaude et essorés. Nettement moins agressif qu’une eau micellaire.

Le soir, j’hydrate en profondeur ma peau avec le Sérum Booster à l’acide hyaluronique de Novexpert. Ce sérum qui est le plus concentré en acide hyaluronique au niveau européen, offre l’équivalent de 20 injections d’acide hyaluronique (d’après Truecos). Sa texture gélifiée est un peu collante mais pénètre très vite.

J’optimise avec la Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ (Emulsion Hydratante Tellement Différente) de Clinique qui est devenue un de mes basiques. Un pot me dure jusqu’à 5-6 mois!

Dernier geste beauté de ma routine hivernale, j’applique une huile végétale bio par massages spécifiques sur le décolleté puis le cou et le visage. J’alterne les huiles en fonction de leur propriétés.

Mon incontournable visage, corps & cheveux

Le beurre de Karité! Indispensable, seul ou associé à d’autres produits (notamment les huiles végétales bio), multifonctions (démaquillant, massage visage et corps, cheveux desséchés) et bio! En ce moment, celui de chez Cattier sans odeur me convient très bien.

Autres articles : BEAUTE

My Summer Skin Care Essentials

Posted on July 13, 2016 | 2 comments

I Really Like Oils!

Here are two super gentle oils to cleanse and remove makeup that I apply with light massages and rinse with cold water. I try not to use cotton except when I have to remove heavy make-up.

L’Occitane Shea Cleansing Oil (above left picture, 2) and the Huile Fondante Démaquillante (Milky cleansing oil with avocado oil extract) of Payot (above left picture, 3), in handy travel size. This mini product lasts I brought with me in several short trips recently.

Last winter, after a treatment, the My Spa By Payot in Meribel (French Alps) offered me some products, including a travel kit. I knew the brand by name. The products are excellent, with dreamy textures and scents. They perfectly match the needs of my skin!

As a moisturizing tonic, I spray all over my face the Eau thermale minéralisante de Vichy (a pure mineral-rich water / above left picture, 1). Without waiting for the water to completely dry on the skin, I apply my cream mixed with little shea oil, organic olive or coconut oil. I use this mist anytimes of the day.

Targeted Skincare

In Summer, My Combination Skin Overheats

between sun, sweat, sea water, sand, dust, sunscreen applications and cleansing in the morning+before and after the beach+evening (too much!). So I need to boost my routine with a gentle peeling and a recovery mask.

I have finally discovered the famous French brand, Garancia, with the Pschitt Magic New Skin (above left picture, 1). This micropeeling without abrasive particles nor glycolic acid is a foam for daily use to cleanse and refine skin texture. “Its active ingredients “melt” the dead cells and give the skin the ability to regenerate itself from the inside out.“

As I have a very sensitive skin, I prefer to use it 2-3 times in the week, usually at night after removing the make-up. Or before going to a dinner. In this case, after applying my moisturizer, I add the new Garancia Hallucinogen, 4-in-1 Sheer Veil Foundation – Liquid powder (above left picture, 2) to brighten the complexion.

Good base for a light makeup that I finalize with the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer. And the Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Shimmering Nudes – Pure Color’ All-Over Illuminator (above picture right, 2) which is also my subtle pearlescent pink lipstick and eye shadow. A little bit of black mascara and pencil and basta! I’m not into I don’t do contouring makeup, nor Cleopatra eyebrow.

When I do a peeling, I like then to apply a mask. So I tested the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Powerfoil Mask with 2X Hyaluronic Acid. La pause du masque demande une certaine dextérité (c’est mon premier masque façon “coréenne”). Putting the mask requires some dexterity (well, it’s my first “Korean style” mask). The texture is thick and the skin tingles during the 10 minute pause (!). But what a surprise by removing the mask! My skin is plumped like a baby.

Serums and creams

I simplify

I love to test many products of the same range. So let’s start with two moisturizing creams for day and a night, with very pleasant textures and discreet scents : L’Occitane Shea Face Soothing Fluid (1) and La Roche Posay Toleriane Ultra Intense Soothing Care (2).

I use them all the time! And when my skin is reactive, I stop everything except La Roche-Posay Toleriane (specific for intolerant sensitive skin). I also like their airless container, more hygienic.

I’ve almost stopped using my anti-aging cosmetics for few weeks. I will go back to my anti-aging routine next fall, to repair the sun damage. Nevertheless, several times a week, I apply the Estée Lauder New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum and Expert Liquid Tape. They have a firming effect and I remain faithful to Estée Lauder.

Sun, Sun!

Please, I Need Sun Without Wrinkles!

I am both lazy and active and I really enjoy outdoors activities and water sports! My selection of sunscreens is very limited but super effective. I’ve almost never travelled without a sunscreen of La Roche-Posay Anthelios (thanks to my acne past!) or Vichy!

My favourite for the face is the Anthelios XL SPF50+ Gel crème Anti-brillance de La Roche Posay (in Belgium and France) / La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Face Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60 (in the US / picture below, 1). Great for my combination skin that turns oily in summer!

I also really like the body sunscreen Anthelios XL SPF50+ Spray Ultra Légère de La Roche Posay (in Belgium and France) / Anthelios 60 Ultra-light Lotion Spray (in the US / picture below, 2). Nice texture, easy to apply and no white marks.

For the late summer, I also added in my bag two new products of the Vichy Ideal Soleil range : for the body, the Gel de lait ultra-fondant sur peau mouillée ou sèche SPF30 (in Belgium and France). And for the face, the Soin anti-taches teinté 3-en-1 SPF50+ (in Belgium and France, photo below 3). As always with Vichy, textures are really nice to apply.