Posts Tagged ‘beauty’
Melvita – milky cleansing oil
The day is finally finished, you can relax. There is no need to keep appearances anymore, you can switch to more fluid clothes, remove the make-up. Once cotton ball, two, three. You wanted that mascara to resist to any kind of challenge: it does. Stubbornly. Maybe add a tonic for a refreshing feeling. You have tried cleansing foams but they tend to leave the sky a little dry. Wouldn’t it be nice, though to find something simple, a touch of cocooning?
Try Melvita’s milky cleansing oil, enriched in Damask rose essence, rosehip oil from Chili. Pump just a hazelnut of it, take the time to fully enjoy the fragrance. memories of british rose gardens in June, of flowers opening under the sun, of gorgeous bouquets in old fashioned vases in the house…
Silky to the touch, liquid gold catching the light most beautifully.
You only need to use your fingertips and massage it gently. It dissoves the most reticent make-up in seconds, yes, even that most annoying waterproof mascara. No need to rub, to pressure at all. Just rinse it with water. Oil and water, really? Oh yes: this one instantly turns in a milky cloud and leaves your skin breathing again, ever so soft and sweetly perfumed…
A divine moment, really.
Melvita – Nectar Bright
I remember, as a child, watching my grandmother cutting white lilies in the garden. The petals were to be infused in oil until turning almost transparent and later used to soothe skin, fade dark spots creates by the sun, even treat smalls cuts and burns. The healing powers of that plant are simply amazing. To this day, I can picture the gorgeous jar, hundreds of translucid petals looking almost like feathers, suspended.
Melvita just launched a new range called Nectar Bright, using 5 exceptional white flowers: wintergreen, narcissus, bellis, white lupin and white sea lily. It is immediate - just by opening the tube I was transported 30 years back, the same floral bouquet that my grandmother used to make, a garden in the summer.
How better to explain Nectar bright than by the word illuminating? Fascinating plants, by the way, that learnt to protect themselves form the sun by playing on day and night cycles. Inspired by this synergy, this range brings radiance back to the skin by encouraging skin renewal but also slowing down the process leading to pigmentation. As the skin will not overproduce melanin, the tone will look even.
And so I tested the Brightening cream which seems to erase greyness (the Monday morning one or the ones of too short nights). Magic. Behind a simple hazelnut of cream, there is so much technic and research, though. It includes low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (meaning: regenerating and smoothing), a lactic acid complex for ultra-gentle enzymatic exfoliation (understand super smooth skin) as well as mineral powders for a light-reflecting effect. It makes you feel really wow.
My favourite? The brightening exfoliation mask. Velvety, fine grain – silica microbeads, no less – and the skin absorbs it easily. The illuminating effect is – no kidding - immediate, as if you had applied a foundation. you look as if you had slept a whole week, the skin just perfect. Being a fan of flashy nail varnishes, I even use it on my hands for a perfect finish…
Ecotools new brushes
Some brands you fall in love with in seconds. With Ecotools, it was with a single carress. After trying one, you never look back, never consider any other brush at all, become exclusive. The softness is simply incredible. I could not believe it was made of synthetic taklon rather, this felt so very natural.The eco-thinking of the brand goes further - stylish bamboo, recycled aluminium, reuseable packaging as transport pouches…
The range has some new additions this season but these two are my favourite, must have now that we are finally having a few warm(er) days and can use more bronzer, gold touches, copper powders to highlight a sun kissed skin. For this, you will want the Face and body sculpting brush. The shape is brilliant, allowing you to play with both angles and curves on the neck, shoulders, décolleté in a few elegant gestures. It reminds me of Japanese brushes and is so design you almost want to leave it as decoration.
For the most beautiful blush, try the deluxe fan brush. A lovely width speading poweder in the most beautiful way. Yet, it is multi-task, allowing you to built perfect angles on the cheekbones or work a superb air-blush effect. Perfect for handbags and almost an artist’s tool.
Have a look at the rest of the Ecotools collection here.
Mavala – Amsterdam
Neon colours are so trendy this season - punchy, energetic colours. Leave your usual red aside and try this vibrant orange by Mavala, called Amsterdam, reminding of the tulips fields: simply superb on a leather jacket, a rock’n’roll style or even to make a severe suit look so much more interesting…
Moroccanoil
Ah, beauty oil, this voluptuous carress, these honey or amber hues, this silkiness… In my quest for the perfect one – I’m hooked – I have to give a special mention to Moroccanoil Treatment, a gem. Thought for hair, its texture is heavier than usual but is also much richer in proteins, in fatty acids, in vitamins, in anti-oxydants. It wraps the fibers so perfectly, leaving no gap, protecting it really efficiently from pollution and over-heating. You can us it on dry hair for a shiny finish - I much prefer it as a mask for 30mn then rinsed. One of the only products that can tame my rebelling hair yet prtect the dark red (meaning ultra-sensitive) colour. Another version is available Morrocanoil treatment light, a little less intense, more fluid too, really ideal if you want to use it everyday. And such a perfume too, reminding you of rituals and massages.
Morroccanoil treatment
Morrocanoil treatment light
I tried the moisture repair shampoo, a pearly tint, a lovely lather leaving the hair really supple and satin. Follow with the moisture repair conditioner, creamier, that gives it its strength back. The formula includes argan oil, keratin and fatty acids, a perfect healthy cocktail. Oh, if only they could do a special suitcase with a sample of each of their products to travel with, my ligfe would be so easier!
Rox in a box
From her travels in the Middle-East, Diana shares a different look on the world, amazingly bright colours and polished gems. In her hands, they come alive, tell a story - soothing deserts, simple people with a heart of gold, met along the way and nevre forgotten, gorgeous landscapes. She has a real gift, beautiful Diana, to put together round and angular beads, making each jewel unique, calling for a touch, a carress. The kind of jewel that needs a special dress - not a simple accessory. The kind of jewel that will make you want to throw a party and dance and jump in joy. Like this one, made for me from a few dream words and just perfect, inspired by the 1930ies style and vintage fashion. Look at those curves, those ever charming curves and you’ll just fall in love…
Melvita – Prosun
A couple of weeks ago, I left London under the snow and indulged in a few sunny days in Seville. 19 degrees. No need for a coat. Summer dresses out. A wonderful feeling of freedom. I suddenly realised how pale I was too, dreamt of golden touch, a summer caressed skin…
I have to confess - patience is not one of my skills. You will not see me on a beach waiting to get a toffee colour. Nor can I be convinced to use self-tanning product that require a glove, a meticulous method unless you want to look orangy or marbled. Call me lazy – I love simple, efficient, practical beauty lotions that do not require much thinking. I am in luck, though: Melvita has in its range a gorgeous cream called Prosun that leaves the skin silky… and gives it a progressive tan. Day after day, gently, I switched from aspirin to a lovely honey/light caramel and it did look very natural. The magic ingredient is Erythrulose, a bronzing agent derived fom sugar cane. No streaks – guaranteed. Just apply it as you normal body lotion. Friends noticed I looked good, radiant but could not explain why, nor that I had cheated. Brilliant.
Another good point – intense moisturising thanks to Safflower, Buriti and coconut oils. The skin is rebuilt and protected. The bonus? It’s organic. And as always in the Melvita family, the fragrance is superb: vanilla and orange flowers. Holiday in a tube!
Superdry make-up collection – pearl highlighter
This is quite a gem in the so very trendy Superdry make-up collection. We already loved the vibrant colours and fantastic textures, we are now addicted to this more discreet yet vital addition. This highlighter works like a nail varnish, glass bottle and brush for a precise application. Just a slight lined on the cheekbones, above your blush or stright on the foundation, will add a light, satin, adorable pink and more importably a radiant touch. Immediate feel-good effect, even if you have spent the night partying! Try it on the shoulders or even on the lips… A must have in your handbag.
L’Or bio by Melvita
On grey days, I feel particularly blue, with a strong urge to pack a suitcase and head straight to a tropical beach.
Given that I am yet to win the lottery jackpot, I use my secret weapon, l’Or bio de Melvita, literally, organic gold. Or you could call it sunshine in a bottle, really So cheerful a mist, so silky. The natural fragrance is blended in Grasse and wrap you with Siciliam bergamot, lemon, orange, jasmine and fig, cedarwood and vanilla. Close your eyes and pretend you are on that lovely countryside road in Italy…
And on the skin? Satin like. The secret? 5 exceptional oils: the famous Argan one, but also Kendi (Indonesia), Inca Inchi (Amazonia), Burti (Brazil, rich in beta-carotene to nourrish deeply) and Pracaxi (Amazonia, ideal to make your hair stronger and shinier).
The result? A product between aromatherapy and beauty treatment, that can also completely replace your perfume. It should be made mandatory every Monday morning. You will feel… radiant asif you had a holiday in the sun.
Wild about beauty – mattifying balm
In the natural beauty family, Wild about beauty is one of those precious gems you discover and never let go of. It is a girls’ story, of course, the one of Louise Redknapp internationally known make-up artist Kim Jacob. A meeting on a photo shoot, a friendship, the need for simple, fresh products offering a radiant yet uncomplicated style and the collection was born. No paraben here but essential oils, Winter Cherry Extract, German Chamomile and Organic Rose Water that work in harmony to enrich and care for your skin.
I tested their mattifying balm, ideal for sensitive skin that usually react to mainstream products. This one is to be applied with a sponge and what a difference it makes with your usual primer! Silky like a serum but so, so light, letting your skin breathe and a perfect base for foundation. The face looks more restes, the small lines and wrinkles smoothed and now way you will shine at all. Go on - it’s good for you!
Wild about beauty – mattifying balm
