THE BODY SHOP Oils Of Life™ Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion

Tags

cruelty free, essence lotion, natural ingredients, natural products, review, The Body Shop, The Body Shop Oils Of Life™ Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion

With the new Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion, The Body Shop definitely upped their skincare game. The Essence Lotion* they recently launched alongside with a full new, extremely luxurious line of products called Oils Of Life™ ( pictured above ), is a refreshing fusion of oils and water – a nod to the highly coveted Korean skincare, known in particular for these miraculous infused waters that work wonders on the skin.

It’s an essence containing an infusion of 3 cold-pressed oils and pure water that together work beautifully to give your complexion a boost of instant hydration, leaving it velvety-soft and smooth.

The three oils The Body Shop used for this infusion are:

• Black Cumin Seed Oil – known for its high concentration of antioxidants, from the exotic, ancient Nile Valley in Egipt
  
• Camellia Seed Oil – rich in extremely nourishing oleic acids*, from the evergreen trees in China
  
• Rosehip Seed Oil from the root of the Andes, in Chile – rich in Omega 3 and 6

Cold pressed oils are the most beneficial for your skin because of the process they’re obtained in. Oils obtained from cold pressed seeds will keep their natural properties unaltered, guaranteeing a closer affinity to our own skin oils which obviously makes them lighter in molecule, therefore easier to assimilate by our skin.

The Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion is a bi-phasic product ( Note: you have to shake it well before every application! ) that combines the freshness of pure water and the amazing properties of these natural oils.

It’s a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula, that melts into your skin effortlessly leaving a velvety-soft finish, without any trace of tackiness or greasiness whatsoever! It easily became an essential step in my skincare routine; I’m using it on a cotton pad, with gentle circular motions, I distribute it all over my cleansed face, wait until it dries and absorbs completely, then I go on with my serum and moisturiser of choice. I use it after cleansing instead or over my toner, as an extra-hydrating step for a velvet feel and natural glow.

I had no allergic reaction, my sensitive skin gave no signs of stress or discomfort!

As always, The Body Shop uses 99% natural ingredients and NO nasties!

In case you didn’t know, the brand is cruelty free and it is involved in so many humanitarian campaigns. Read more about their ethic “values” here!

Bottom line: I was very excited to try this product and I had high expectations from it. The one I compared it to was the Facial Treatment Essence from SK II, which is the epitome of the luxury beauty waters/essences and the most effective I have used until now. Compared to that, the Intensely Revitalising Essence Lotion performed unexpectedly well – I did obtained the results they promised in their marketing campaigns. Definitely not a waste of my money and a strong recommendation for those of you in love with face essences, that you’re not keen on spending your rent money on crazy expensive skincare…

What’s your favourite face essence/face mist/water infusion, Beautiful?

As always thank you so much for reading…

And see you soon!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

INTERESTING FACTS:

*Now, let’s make the difference between a tonic lotion and an essence. The two are ever-so-often mistaken one by the other when in fact, they couldn’t be more different.

• the toning lotion makes sure that you have cleared your face completely and the last traces of makeup and dirt you might have left on your face after removing your makeup and cleansing are gone for sure. It balances your complexion as well!
• the essence lotion has a much more concentrated formulation in the first place. It is meant to be used as an extra-step in your skincare routine after cleansing of course, but after toning as well… Because what it actually does is adding an extra-boost of hydration and nourishing elements to your skin.

*More on oleic acids, here.

 

 

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The many uses of COCONUT OIL…* an infographic for Holland&Barett

Tags

coconut oil, eco oils, Holland&Barret, multiple uses, natural ingredients, review

That I’m a big lover of coconut oil it’s no surprise for anyone, anymore!

I use it to cook but I also use it in face masks, as a cleanser, as a makeup remover ( and I recently recommended it to one of my girls, she uses it and simply loves it as well! ), as a bath oil, as a hair ( mostly in masks as it tends to weigh down the hair if used otherwise, because it’s so rich ) and body oil…

One of my first articles here on annie’s beauty… was precisely on coconut oil, with detailed benefits and how I use it. So for more “technical” details you might want to check out that post as well!

What about you, my lovelies? Do you like coconut oil? How many of its uses above were you aware of and how many are you using yourself?

Let’s talk about it!

See you soon, Beautiful!

xx, Annie

* This post IS NOT sponsored by Holland&Barrett in any way

** NO affiliate links are present in this post

SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil – review*

Tags

#LUNAtic, Luna Sleeping Oil, natural ingredients, review, Sunday Riley

I’ve been pretty selective with my skincare lately ( hence the lack of reviews ), as I was testing this: the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil.

I’ve been curious to test this product and its “miraculously effects” on my skin, ever since I first saw it online. So, when Addison from Sunday Riley contacted me and told me that I was selected to receive a full size of it, I was beyond excited, as you can tell!

It wasn’t long after that that I became a #LUNAtic!

But before we head onto to the actual review, let’s have a look at this luxurious packaging – a cell of cardboard, with the inside made of a spongy material all to protect this graceful bottle of miraculous oil! Just beautiful! First point taken Sunday Riley!

Among the ingredients you can find the famous blue tansy, avocado oil, grape seed oil and German Chamomile. A truly impressive list of ingredients and beneficial oils! Point two taken as well!

Luna is marketed as a retinoid treatment oil that will help with sign of ageing, size of pores and the appearance of damaged skin, while simultaneously correcting damage caused by the sun, time, and pollution. I’ve been using it for over a month now so I can definitely agree that it lives up to all these brave claims above! And now you got all the points available!

But what makes Luna this effective and in such short time?

I did a bit of a research and what I found out was that the Retinol Luna uses is not the usual Retinol/Retinoid that easily oxidizes in the presence of Oxigen!

Luna uses a Retinol called Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate that is the Trans-Retinol Ester of all retinoic acids – if you like. This is the active ingredient that fights the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of skin elasticity in your skin!

Also Luna is a water free formula which reduces the oxidation process a lot! Therefore this oil has to be massaged in as gently as possible to keep the potential risk of oxidization to a minimum. Other water-free formulas had silicones or alcohols among their ingredients – which increased the risk of dryness and irritation associated with vitamin A products. This Retinol is encapsulated with Dimethyl Isosorbide, a solvent which increases the solubility of many different active ingredients and increases their penetration into the skin, keeping the hydration levels of the skin in decent parameters.

Here’s when the other oils come in hand: Blue Tansy – heals damaged skin and contains strong anti-redness properties, also helps with eczema and dermatitis, Avocado Seed Oil: Plumps the look of fine lines and contains anti-redness properties; rich in vitamins B, C, D, E, and A, Chia and Concord grape further reduce the risk of irritation, and German Chamomile treats inflamed, irritated skin.

This is the “academic” part of this product that maybe you want to know, maybe not! What you DO need to know is that you go to bed at night to wake up to firmer, clearer skin by morning!

The first week, I was using it every night on freshly cleansed face to test it and see how my skin reacted! No painful irritations, no break-outs, no redness! My skin got brighter, clearer and more even instead! It also made the application of foundation faster and a real pleasure in the mornings!

I now use a couple of drops every other day and massage it gently into my skin, until the initial blue colour fades into… nothing, basically! This is the signal you need to know the oil works anyway!

I’ve tested it combined with the other products in my evening skincare routine as well, but I have to say that I liked it a lot more by itself! I saw better results like that!

It smells a little earthy, like wild flowers and hay and I can definitely get the smell of the chamomile oil. It’s unmistakable! But not disturbing at all!

Definitely recommend this oil even for those with sensitive skins!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Sunday Riley formulates all her products WITHOUT Parabens, Sulfates or Phthalates

• this product is made with organic, cold pressed oils

• it’s cruelty-free

• because it’s a retinol-based treatment, the use of a sunscreen during the day is MANDATORY

• NOT RECOMMENDED during pregnancies

 

 

 

 

 

 

*PR Sample. Opinions expressed here are my own. (No affiliate links)

 

 

#HEALTH: Some of annie’s beauty… healthy meals and snacks…

Tags

food, healthy, ingredients, natural, natural ingredients, natural products, personal experience, recipes, tricks and tips

DISCLAIMER: I am not a nutritionist or a health expert in any way. This is my personal experience and what I’ve learned from it!

I’ve always been a little nervous to add anything related to my fitness routine or my diet to my blog, but here I am braving myself and doing just that!

With my food, I always try to keep a certain balance! I got used to a healthy eating even before that was actually “a thing”! So this new “trend” that got everyone these past couple of years, for me was actually a life style long before.

I’m not saying that I was juicing or living on salads all the time, but I definitely still can hear my Mom’s voice in my inner ear telling me to eat all my veggies, not only my meat!

Due to the whole access to information we have nowadays, I can say that my meals have now a good variation of courses to choose from, keeping the same healthy and nutritious properties.

One more thing I need to throw in!… I’m small ( read tiny ), but very energetic and I really need nutritious food in my system periodically! Plus I go to the gym almost everyday(!?) – “not very good to your body!” some may say. I don’t care! It’s my body that allows me to do that and I sure listen to its signals! Plus being active helps me with my other issues, like insomnia.

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 I would love to write a separate post where to share my gym programme, and all the exercises I do to “spend” my energy! Would you like to read about that?

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So here you have some of those healthy meals I love! But first…

 – Pinterest

Aliments you’ll always find on my table:

– meat ( chicken, beef ), fish ( salmon, tuna, cod, etc. ) and lots of eggs ( main supplier: my own Granny )

– milk: natural whole fat milk, fat Greek yogurt and vegetal milk: almond and coconut milk, plus cheese: cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, etc.

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  I know, right!? Outrageous!!! I loooove milk… From the good old cows! The same one our parents and grand parents grew up with! Those who think it’s not a necessity for the body, will crucify me for sure! Well, I love it! And I don’t have any allergic reaction to it! I’ve heard lots of snobs saying that “we’re the only species that drinks milk from other species!”. So what?! It’s what we’ve done for ages now! It’s the world we live in! And why not make the best of whatever nature has to offer!?

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– vegetables: salads ( lettuce, ruccola/rocket, baby spinach ), broccoli, brussel sprouts, pees, pods, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms and potatoes ( sweet potatoes too ), cucumbers, spring onions and garlic

 – Pinterest

– fruits: avocado, bananas, mangoes, apples, strawberries, oranges, limes and lemon and whatever seasonal fruits I find at the market… But I live on bananas, like a little monkey! Haha!

– dry fruits: apricots, grape, figs, dates, coconut

– seeds and nuts: sunflower, pumpkin, chia, flax seed, sesame, peanuts, walnuts, almonds all eaten raw!

– spices: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, chili powder, basil, oregano and anything that makes your food taste good

– guilty pleasures: peanut butter… Crunchy!, and rye flour biscuits. YUUUM!!!

 – Pinterest

MEALS

Breakfast options:

1. Yogurt with fruits, nuts and honey

2. Poached eggs on rice biscuit with avocado

3. Fruit smoothie

4. Banana pancakes with fruits

Snacking options:

Rye flour biscuits, banana + seeds and nuts

Lunch options:

1. Stir fry

2. Rice pasta with meat and veggies

3. Eggs with greenery + salad

4. Vegetables simply boiled in hot water with salt, chili flakes and soy/oyster sauce or cooked, steamed in the oven with a bit of olive oil and some spices

2nd Snacking:

mainly nuts and maybe one banana

Supper:

1. Salad: Caesar Salad, Caprese, whatever recipe you come up with…

2. Steak and veggies, either steamed or cooked in the oven with a bit of olive oil and some spices, or simply boiled in hot water with salt, chili flakes and soy/oyster sauce

3. Fish and veggies, either steamed or cooked in the oven with a bit of olive oil and some spices, or simply boiled in hot water with salt, chili flakes and soy/oyster sauce

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post, a bit different than the usual makeup/beauty reviews! Should I continue with the whole HEALTH thing and make it a mini-series? I really need your opinion on this one…

Thanks for reading!

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS, INTERESTING FACTS and some TRICKS:

• I really don’t get it how some say that a smoothie in the morning can be so “satiable” and “fulfilling”, when I , if I don’t get to “chew” on something consistent so that my brain gets the idea that I’m actually eating , I turn berserker in less than 2 hours. Therefore a smoothie, although it’s an important part of my diet, will almost always accompany a main course from my Breakfast or Lunch, or it will be a Snack in between .
• remember to eat your fruits/drink your juices or smoothies in the first part of the day to benefit 100% from their nutritious and energetic power! If you drink them at night, you might find yourself bloated, and without any will to sleep, which will cause a long night, therefore a zombie-like portrait when you look in the mirror the following morning!
• for a better digestion, don’t drink water 30 minutes before and after your meals and by any mean, DON’T drink any water WHILE you’re eating!
• the good, old, plain water is your best friend, so drink as much as you can!
• eat in small portions, you can always come back for more
• your body/mind will usually give you signals before you finish everything in your plate… THAT is when you HAVE to stop! Remember, you can eat/snack later!
• try to eat your foods as freshly prepared as possible

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream* – Simple Things that simply work!…

Tags

Balance Me, Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, eye cream, natural ingredients, skincare

I was happy to receive another product to test in the comfort of my own home, thanks to the lovely people at Debenhams UK. Thank you once more Alina!

Founded in 2005 by British sisters Clare and Rebecca Hopkins, the Balance Me story begun, as all great stories do, in the kitchen of the family house where the two sisters, using a holistic approach on Chemistry on a base of  naturally active botanicals and pure grade essential oils, came out with amazing “clean” skincare products.

They also state that:

Working to enhance your skins’ natural radiance, whilst effectively cleansing, the luxurious skincare brand boasts multi-award winning products that really work to bring your skin back to life. Offering an infusion of sophisticated textures and aromatherapy-inspired active aromas, Balance Me products really are a treat for skin, and are suitable for all skin types.

… and I can confirm that Balance Me products are definitely a treat for your skin.

The Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream is a triple action product: a skin brightening treatment, smoothes away dark shadows and fine lines and hydrates and nourishes your skin.

Made with 99% natural ingredients, the delicate, easily absorbed formula contains calming Roman chamomile, skin-brightening lemon, cucumber oil and witch hazel, hydrating hyaluronic acid, anti-oxidant spruce knot, softening and smoothing virgin coconut, rosehip and carrot oils. A magic blend of Mother Nature’s best assets for the most relaxing and effective skincare experience.

To be used twice a day after moisturizing.

 

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

Although I haven’t really noticed ( yet! ) improvements in the whole “smoothing fine lines” area, I have to admit that the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream is a lightweight, fast absorbing moisturizer that feels comfortable on the skin.

Made with non-irritant natural ingredients, I can messily apply it and it won’t hurt my eyes or the sensitive skin around them.

It hasn’t a strong scent, like some of the skincare products made with natural ingredients tend to have. It does have a fainted herbaly and earthy scent though, non offensive at all!

I can be easily used under makeup without causing any ungraceful slipping or sliding of your foundation or concealer.

Definitely recommend it if you’re on the marked for a simple moisturizer that… simply works!…

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

 

 

*PR Sample. Opinions expressed here are my own. (No affiliate links)

NEW SKINCARE PRODUCTS in the L’Occitane Shea Butter range!

Tags

dry skin, intense hydration, L'Occitane, L'Occitane Cleansing Milk, L'Occitane Cleansing Oil 5% Shea Butter, L'Occitane Gentle Toner, L'Occitane Ultra Rich 25% Shea Butter Comforting Cream, natural ingredients, review, sensitive skin, shea butter

NEW products in the L’Occitane Shea Butter skincare range! The same old me who’s always eager to try them, especially at this time of the year!

 

Before starting this review, I would like to throw in a little DISCLAIMER!

My skin type is overall normal but tends to get a little dry at this time of the year! I too deal with occasional breakouts and clogged, enlarged pores and blackheads on my nose and forehead.

The really messed up part is that my skin is highly sensitive to certain minerals and oils also, which could mean that the skincare products I might use and work for my skin not to offer the right results for your skin type.

We have to agree on one more fact: skincare is a personal matter and as much as I love a product it might just not work for you! So I’d rather recommend to get to really know your skin and its issues and then try some products made specifically for your skin type.

Sensitive skin skincare is commonly known to be generally tolerate by all skins, but you never know!

If you have the curiosity to check, one of my first posts on annies beauty… was about this L’Occitane Shea Butter Serum. I also wrote in detail what shea butter is and how is made ( read review here ). I remember this light serum helped me improve the poor condition my skin was in at the time. Now, a year later, I’m in the same place writing again about this skincare range… I have to admit though that my skin is nowhere close to as bad as it was last year because I’ve learned a lot about it and what products work better with it!

Now let’s move on with the actual review…

The L’Occitane Shea Butter line addresses dry and very dry skins and it’s meant to be tolerate by all skin types, sensitive skins included. It’s an affordable and highly effective line of products which my sensitive skin seem to approve with ( or maybe my skin had recovered in the past year and stopped being so sensitive after all ) and which I’m gladly revisiting whenever I feel the need to! 

This skincare has now in the range: a makeup remover ( new in the line ), an oil cleanser ( new ), a toning lotion ( also new ) a light and more dense moisturizer, an ultra rich eye cream and a lip balm. I was more excited to try the new products, as I’ve used a couple of the old ones and really liked them.

The new L’Occitane Cleansing Milk is an excellent first step in cleansing your face daily routine. It’s a soft cleansing product enriched with shea butter and liquorice, which is known for its calming effects on the skin. It will gently cleanse your skin even of your most suborn makeup, maintaining its natural hydration.

The new L’Occitane Cleansing Oil 5% Shea Butter is a silky soft oil which works the same way all the cleansing oils do. Applied on the dry face, in contact with water it emulsifies and help you clean your face keeping it hydrated and nourished.

The new L’Occitane Gentle Toner contains no alcohol and it’s also enriched with shea butter extract and floral waters ( orange blossoms and cornflower ). It completes the makeup removing ritual, with a toning effect on the skin.

The last product I will show you in this post is the final step in any skincare routine: the face cream. This is the L’Occitane Ultra Rich 25% Shea Butter Comforting Cream. This is more of a treatment cream and it is advised to be used only for “emergencies”, when your skin is extra-dry.

It contains the highest concentration of shea butter and it was proven that it will manage to keep your skin hydrated, supple and nourished for a whole period of 72 hours. It also acts like a barrier against harsh environmental factors which might damage your skin.

Though, if you have a certain sensitivity to your skin or it’s prone to acne, keep in mind that you’d better AVOID MOISTURIZERS CONTAINING SHEA BUTTER. Yes, shea butter is a natural oil but it’s harder than most oils for the skin to break down, therefore tends to clog pores and give unesthetic whiteheads.

Overall thoughts:

I’m pleased, yet not wowed with the cleansing products. The Gentle toner tends to dry my skin a bit – so I might go back to my beloved and flawless Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Face Mist! The Comforting Cream I find it to be a bit too much at times, as I feel it just sits on my skin which might clogg my pores and cause makeup to slide. So it is definitely the one product to be used overnight! 

They do not contain alcohol, minerail oil or parabens, but they do contain PEGs, fragrance  and obviously Shea Butter which can definitely act as allergens for some sensitive skins! 

They use natural ingredients ( see more about that here ) and they also do not test on animals! 

Have you tried any of these products yet? What are your most loved L’Occitane products?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

Paula’s Choice Resist Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Retinol review

Tags

anti ageing, bio, cruelty free, moisturizer, natural ingredients, Paula's Choice, Resist Barrier Moisturizer with Retinol, retinol, review, skincare

Paula’s Choice is a brand I never had access to until recently. But the reviews I got the chance to see and read online were amazing!

A natural, organic skincare line suitable for all skin types and able to gently take care of every skin problem, well… I had to try it! My skin is pretty good at the moment, no major break ups, a bit of irritation and redness and the dullness characteristic to the transitional season period, was something I learnt to live with throughout the years… I just switch my skincare routine to a more nourishing one and I’m good!

So when I discovered that Paula’s Choice was available for purchase in my country, I thought I should give it a try! And I was not disappointed!

I was on a hunt for a good moisturizer for the colder seasons, so I ordered the Resist Barrier Repair Moisurizer with Retinol.

This moisturizer contains a specialized complex of ingredients proven to remodel aging skin, bringing it to a healthier, more youthful state-really. The formula is packed with ingredients that work to build and preserve collagen ( you know aging is not the funniest of processes ), prevent moisture loss ( which I completely needed ), restore essential ingredients to protect skin’s barrier function, and reduce inflammation with potent antioxidants. It suitable for all skin types and targeted towards aging and Rosacea.

More points from me because this moisturizer also doubles as an eye cream. So, one step minus in my skin care routine? Yes, please!

It is a light moisturizer which absorbs extremely well, leaving the skin extremely soft, fresher and the aspect of the fine lines around my eyes seem diminished. Even if people shy away from products containing retinol, the retinol in it is not irritating my sensitive skin at all. I use it as a part of my daily skin care routine, under my usual SPF, and because it absorbs in a couple of seconds it acts as a great primer too, and makes makeup application easier.

Here you have the complete list of Ingredients:

Overall, I am pleased of how this product makes my skin feel and I will definitely keep using it!

Have you tried any Paula’s Choice product? What else should I try next?

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

 

 

CAP Cosmetics – BIO skincare made in France with Hyaluronic Acid for a younger-looking skin

Tags

anti ageing, bio, CAP Cosmetics, ECOCERT, hyaluronic acid, makeup remover, micellar water, natural ingredients, review, skincare

CAP Cosmetics is a small family business established in 2008 in SV of France, in the small city of Montauban, 50 km away from Toulouse, by a young dreamer called Paul Epinette. The brand stands out throughout the quality of their products, ethic and the respect for the ingredients they use, most of which come from Fair Trade Market ( like the beurre de Karite, a BIO product originated from Mali ).

They offer a complete range of skincare BIO certified by ECOCERT for us to take care in the best and healthiest way possible of our skin, eyes and body!

My two picks are the makeup remover: Lait Démaquillant Bio à l’Acide Hyaluronique and the micellar water: Eau Micellaire Bio à l’Acide Hyaluronique.

The Lait Démaquillant Bio à l’Acide Hyaluronique is a makeup remover which gently takes away all your makeup without rinsing. It can be used morning and/or evening on a cotton pad for a fresh and glowy skin.

99,3% of its ingredients have natural origins and 27% of its ingredients come from biological agriculture. Those are: Argan Oil, Sweet Almond oil, Calendula ( marigold ), Aloe Vera, Karite, Hyaluronic Acid. The alliance between the benefits of the Sweet Almond oil and the replenishing and hydrating virtues of the Hyaluronic Acid give you an amazing experience and a complection which is clear, soft and bright. The other ingrediens work together to help your skin regenerate and to correct any imperfections.

At a first look the Eau Micellaire Bio à l’Acide Hyaluronique might seem to you just an average cleansing water/toner. But at a closer look you will discover a concentration of floral waters BIO rich in Hyaluronic Acid which softly purifies and hydrates your skin. Contains Hamamelis, Calendula, Oat, Imortelle, Cornflower, Aloe Vera and Hyaluronic Acid. The Aloe Vera and the Hyaluronic Acid are excellent hydrating agents, the Cornflower is amazing at decongesting puffed, tired eyes and calms “angry” skin and the mix of Calendula, Imortelle and Hamamelis work together to heal redness by stimulating the periferic microcirculation, and they are also great antioxidants. Lastly, the oat infused water helps your skin by giving that fresh and healty-looking aspect to your complexion. 

The ingredients in the Micellar Water are also in 99% of natural origins and 30,4% obtained from biological agriculture. 

My experience:

With the changing of the seasons my skin “developed” a certain “bada*s personality” which made me immediately reconsider my skincare routine. Now, with the help of these two Cap Cosmetics products ( …and a few other amazing ones! ) my skin is happier. The process of removing my makeup is not that annoying anymore because it’s faster and the scent of thse two products is so recomforting and natural, seems like I am having a SPA treatment at home everyday. By using the micellar water morning and evening on a cotton pad, as recommended, I noticed that my complexion wasn’t dull anymore, my pores aren’t that obvious and the blackheads that I hate so much cleared up noticeably. The skin is hydrated thanks to the Hyaluronic Acid which makes the makeup application a lot more esier. Good bye dry patches!

You can order yours directly on Cap Cosmetics website and for my lovely Romanian readers from Petite Provence. Also, petite Provence has amazing offers and gifts-with-purchase for their CLUB Members, plus FREE Shipping! Oh, and an excellent Customer Service! Monsieur Ovidiu will answer your every question with so many amazing details and the patience of a saint! 

I hope you enjoy my new skincare discoveries because I have quite a few more to share with you! 

See you soon, beautiful! 

xx, Annie

 

OMOROVICZA Hero Kit – the best skincare products for travelling and not only…

Tags

Hungarian Moor mud, Hydro Mineral Transference™ system, Illuminating Moisturiser, natural ingredients, Omorovicza, Queen of Hungary Mist, Rejuvenating Night Cream, review, skincare, Thermal Cleansing Balm, thermal water

The Omorovicza Hero Kit came at my doorstep literally the day before I had to leave for Milan. It is not very safe to take with you when you travel products that are new to you and you have never tried before. But, hey, Omorovicza products have the best reviews on the Internet! And if something went wrong, what better excuse for some more shopping, right?,

Omorovicza is an South-Eastern European skin care company, based in the amazing city of Budapest, Hungary.

But “The Omorovicza story begins over 2,000 years ago, when the healing properties of Hungary’s thermal waters were first discovered. In the 1800s the Omorovicza family built the beautiful Racz spa in the Hungarian capital city Budapest, on the site of a medieval healing spring. Two hundred years later, descendant Stephen took his future wife Margaret to the baths in Budapest. Amazed at the transformation of their skin, they enlisted the help of a Nobel prize-winning laboratory to harness these healing waters into a pioneering new skincare range.” Read more about this skincare brand, the Hungarian Thermal Healing Waters and their founders Stephen and Margaret on Omorovicza website.

All the Omorovicza Budapest products are made of natural ingredients. They DO NOT contain parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrochemicals, silicone, PEGs (polyethylene glycol), synthetic colors, or artificial fragrances.

Skin types which can use Omorovicza Budapest products: Sensitive, Dry, Oily, Combination/Normal.

 

The set came in this nice blue and white box with the Omorovicza logo on it. It contains four travel sized products, an amazing selection of their best selling products: the Thermal Cleansing Balm, the Rejuvenating Night Cream, the Queen of Hungary Mist and the Illuminating Moisturiser.

The Thermal Cleansing Balm is Omorovicza’s best selling product next to the Queen of Hungay Mist. It came in a 15 ml glass container and it is a the best cleansing balm I have ever used. At the end of the day it removed any impurities or makeup without stripping the skin, thanx to Omorovicza’s patented mineral delivery system, called Hydro Mineral Transference™, a complex process which ensures the absorption of the minerals from the product by the epidermis and dermis. The Thermal Cleansing Balm is an unique black balm which contains Hungarian Moor mud harvested in Lake Heviz, the largest thermal lake in Europe. This mud has been used in medical treatments at Heviz for several centuries. It contains very high levels of calcium and magnesium carbonates to cleanse and detoxify the skin.

How I used it. I took a small amount of product and worked it between my fingers to activate it. Then I applied it all-over my face, eye area included ( it did nothing to harm my sensitive eyes ), gently massaged it in with circular motions, then cleaned everything from my face with warm water and a cloth.

It is the beast cleansing balm I used so far! Way better than The Body Shop Sumptous Cleansing Butter or the Diptyque Nourishing Cleansing Balm for the Face previously reviewed. With The Body Shop one I absolutely had to double cleanse; with the Diptyque one I couldn’t skip the moisturizer. With the Omorovicza nothing like that happened and I wasn’t noticing any breakouts or irritations.

Not only it removed my makeup immediately but it also left my skin hydrated, nourished and silky smooth thanks to the Sweet Almond and Orange Blossom Oil. And the scent – ah-mazing!

The Rejuvenating Night Cream – a 15 ml glass bottle of rich, luxury feeling, anti-ageing night cream that restores and rejuvenates the skin overnight, nourishes and strengthens it during sleep. The Hazelnut peptides and the Carrot oil in it support the natural production of collagen and elastin for firmer, more youthful-looking skin, regenerated during the night.

How I use it. After cleansing with the Thermal Cleansing Balm and after applying the Queen of Hungary Mist as a toner, I apply the cream evenly to my face and neck, massaging it deeply into skin in circular motions. The cream is absorbed instantly and I feel relaxed and ready to go to bed.

The lluminating Moisturiser came in a generous 20 ml plastic container provided with a little pump/dispenser thingy. It is a rich, everyday moisturiser targeted mainly towards dry skin that needs a daily moisture boost, providing a light-diffusing effect. It provides ample hydration whilst absorbing instantly. I have normal to combination skin and it was no problem for me to use it as my daily moisturizer. No excessive oiliness, no breakouts, no irritations although I am allergic to certain thermal waters…  My skin felt moisturized and supple.

The Queen of Hungary Mist is another best seller and very hyped product. A gentle, aromatic toner for a hydrating energizing burst when needed. It came in a 30 ml plastic bottle with a convenient spritzer. It purifies and tones while providing lasting hydration and restoring suppleness to your complexion. It basically is a neroli and rose-scented face mist you can use as a next step after cleansing in your makeup routine, but you can also spritz it anytime you want to refresh yourself. I had the mist with me on my hand luggage and even if the flight wasn’t too long, my skin felt the dryness of the air conditioner from the plane. I took this out… Pouf! Pouf!… And it refreshed my face in a second! I am sure that it helped me reduce the stress of the flight too, so for longer flights I think it would come handy! A beautiful product – super luxurious and heavenly smelling!

I gladly recommend Omorovicza skincare products to everyone. They can be found on their online store, where they will surprise you with amazing offers: discounts, perk points, free shipping – which is always good, thinking that the products are quite expensive ( but worth every penny! ), at Sephora online stores too.

Try them in travel size, like this it will cost you less and you will get to play with more than one item! Then you can splurge on your favourite anytime you want! I have a few in mind as we speak!…

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

INTERESTING FACTS:

The Hydro Mineral Transference™ is a complex process, patented by Omorovicza. The “key dermatological benefits of this enhanced delivery include: the support of natural collagen and elastin, a tighter lipid matrix to lock in hydration and protect skin from micro-damage, and improved antioxidant defense against free radicals”

The Queen of Hungary Mist was inspired by the Queen of Hungary Water, the world’s first recorded perfume, formulated for Queen Elisabeth of Hungary in the 14th century.

The Omorovicza rewarding point system is called Pengo. “Paying tribute to the Pengo – Hungary’s former currency – our exclusive loyalty scheme lets you earn Pengo Points with every Omorovicza purchase made online” this is the description you will find on their website.

 

 

 

Ambre Rhassoul Clay Face Mask review

Tags

Ambre, Ambre Botanicals, Atlas mountains, Morocco, natural ingredients, raw ingredients, review, Rhassoul Clay, skin care

The Ambre Rhassoul Clay Face Mask is a face mask which contains Rhassoul (or Ghassoul) clay which comes from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. It is a highly esteemed and popular SPA treatment known around the world for its rejuvenating, cleansing and nourishing properties. Rhassoul is extremely high in minerals such as Silica, Magnesium, and Calcium, which are known to help tone the skin and improve its resilience. With a high absorption ratio, this clay is a superior detoxifier and efficiently draws toxins, absorbs excess oils and impurities from the skin. I used this mask for three treatments. Suitable for all types of skin, including sensitive, for vegetarians and vegans.

To apply it they advise you to add water until the clay turns into a thin paste. What I used instead of normal water was rose infused water because my skin is very sensitive. Then I applied it on my face with a brush and wait until the mask dried ( 10 – 15 minutes ). I rinse everything off with warm water then I applied the Luxurious Oils Blend Vitamins & Fatty Acids Rich Face Serum, previously reviewed here.

– oh, look! there’s a little troll with a mask on her face! classssy!

This mask really smooths the skin and absorbs all the impurities, and if you have any spots at their incipient stages, this will bring them to the surface immediately and allow a faster heal time. It also brightened up my dull face. This has successfully replaced my favourite REN clay face mask.

See you soon, beautiful!

xx, Annie

INTERESTING FACT: Disambiguation. The complete name of this brand is Ambre Botanicals but if you find it only as Ambre it is ok because it is the same. It is just that Ambre alone was already a registered name so they had to call it Ambre Botanicals. You can read more on this independently owned raw skin and body care brand on my previous posts here and here.