London: Tea Time in Wonderland

Divine, the exact word. Voluptuous. Liquid sexiness. Such a silkiness, leaving the skin velvety, a splendid smoothness. A refined fragrance full of sun, honey, spiced wood but elegantly and discreetly. It feels like a caress, wrapping you entirely, giving you that sublime Hollywood radiant glow. With its wooden top, the bottle even look like a jewel. Try it on your hair for perfect looking curls and on your hands, just before adding a luxurious nail varnish…

Caudalie – Divine Oil
With an exceptional combination of unique oils: hibiscus, sesame, argan and grape of course, the signature of the brand, so rich in anti-oxydant polyphenols.

Caudalie. The name just brings to my mind memories of walking through vineyards, the sun  warming the grapes, adding a golden touch to the shoulders. Their products have a very unique freshness, an exceptional fragrance to them. Yet they feel so natural and bring maximum hydration. I love many brands but there is simply no equivalent to this one. I always have a mini survival kit in my handbag – the SOS thirst-quenching serum and the beauty elixir. In case of crisis, stop, open, massage, spray, breathe in. It workds real magic, helps you find an inner zen within seconds, better than  vitamin c. In my home region, Bordeaux, is one of their spas – a real haven of tranquillity. I love it best in winter – such a wonderful transition from the cold temperatures into the most fantastic cocoon. Caudalie has recently opened their pop-up spa in Harrods, right on the 5th floor, in the beauty-dedicated Urban Retreat.

I was delighted to find their whole range there – beautifully presented in wooden wine cases, framed with vine leaves. I never stop to be amazed by how wide the collection is – adapting to each need, to each skin. I just could not help trying a few. But let me tell you about the treatment. You can choose from 4 facials (Vinoperfect Radiance, Vinexpert firming, Pulpe Vitaminée anti-ox, Express D-vine), a body massage (Crushed Cabernet), a dicovery combo (D-vine facial + crushed cabernet massage).

I went for the Express D-vine. This starts with gentle yet deep cleansing in several stages – foam, peeling, spray, freshness of the creams followed by warm fabric to wash them away. As if, each carress was taking away an invisible film of pollution, stress, tiredness. As if, suddenly, it could breathe again. Follows a massage – face, nexk, shoulders – and at that point, you disconnect completely. An amusing technique is used – a grape cut in half then applied in tiny circular movements: this may bring a smile but it is heavenly indeed. Like a soft little cushion, very soothing. Arms and hands also are massaged with the latest Caudalie creation – the divine oil -  which brings a splendid suppleness to the skin. An enzymatic peel mask is also applied, with a brush: evry detail has been designed to awaken your senses.

The result? Amazing. I felt lighter, as if the weight of the day had simply been taken away. The pores were visibly tightened, I looked as if I had finally got 12 hours of sleep  in a row. I looked and felt so much younger. The treament only lasted 30mn – so easy to fit in a busy agenda – but the diffence is worth every penny. Last but not least, a touch of Teint Divin, a tinted moisturizer for a sun-kissed effect. No need for make-up at all! Many friends asked me whether I had just come back from a holiday – the best staycation ever!

Caudalie pop-up spa, Harrod’s
Express D-vine treament – £50
Until July 23 2012

Revisiting Kensington Palace recently, I fell under its charm all over again. Forget dusty old houses, no matter how royal. Here, historical anecnotes appear in old-style newspapers, irresistible. Drawers can be opened, books opened, secret messages found. Room after room art installation bring you to a dream world, waking up the whispers of the house, making emotions so much more vibrant. Magical indeed. Now, what about you? What have you planned for the week-end?

That’s art, baby:
* Can art. Yes. Using can-struction.

* Destructure architecture at the late evening of the V&A on Friday.

* Rediscover Munch’s paintings at the Tate.

Yummy time ahead:
* What a delicious idea: a cooking workshop dedicated to the afternoon tea.

* On Saturday, the Fifteen celebrates its tenth birthday with a fabulous street party.

Out of the ordinary:
* It’s party time on Charing Cross road this Saturday.

* Caudalie brings Bordeaux to London with a divine pop-up spa in Harrods.

* On Saturday, go vintage crazy with this kilo-sale.

* Play ping-pong in the streets of London. A fantastic (and free) idea.

* Feel like dancing with Havana rumba.

* On Sunday, celebrate Canada day on Trafalgar Square.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more ideas day after day…

Caudalie remains my favorite beauty brand. Create in my beloved Bordeaux region, their products are a mile ahead from the competition. Soft, delicate, divine textures, slightly fruity yet natural fragrances. A sensorial experience. Each time. No pareben nor colouring here. So what is the secret. Grape -  Merlot and Muscat to be exact, all organic – rich in polyphenols, first class anti-oxydants. In fact the whole vine is an asset to the beauty world: seeds,  stalks, sap, yeast…

And so, since 1995, Caudalie knows success after success. And there’s a lot happening this year too. First, the new Vinosource range, declined in 5 products all based on grape water. From rain bsorbed from the soil then filtered by the plant, the vine creates a soothing and highly nutritive liquid – 127% more hydratation  an 61% reduction ins sensitivity – the perfect solution for skin reacting to anything and everything. Ah, and the grape icing on the cake: it simulates the neuromediator dopamine, yes, yes, the happines hormone!

Starting with 4 creams, one per skin type:
* Moisturising matifying fluid, very efficient, you can see the difference from the very first day.
* Moisture recovery cream, ultra-hydrating which skin just seems to drink with relief
* Moisturising sorbet, a cream-gel version that suddenly melts when in contact with the skin. Beautiful texture, refreshing and fortifying
* Intense moisture rescue cream, soothing, a comfort blanket for the skin

Another must completes them -  the SOS thirst quenching serum. The miracle product for skins like mine, that seem to dry from heat, cold, wind, pollution and even transitions between each zone. A heavenly concentrates that infuses the skin constantly and is to be used with your usual cream – the most wonderful team. The public loved the idea so much that after reading about it in blogs and magazines, the demand was already important before the official launch. And, trust me, try it and you will adopt it instantly.

More good news – the April Glossybox  will be dedicated to Caudalie and I just cannot hide my enthusiasm. An evening was organised last week celebrating this wonderful association. Mathilde Thomas, the founder, had come from France to introduce the range, butterflying from one guest to another, giving tips and explanations. The perfect occasion too to try the whole family of beauty treats. I have my favourites and tend to go back to them instinctively. Oh, Caudalie does tinted moisturisers now? How did I miss this? And this beauty elixir, what a gem, you feel radiant in a matter of seconds.  We all indulged, loving the subtile perfume, falling for the hand cream, the firming Vinoperfect serum, the refined cleansing vine flower collection. A touch of cheerful softness in such a touch world…

Very French chic! And, I  hear, another launch for May (What will it be? Any chance for a men’s range too?) and an association with British spas this summer… To be followed! meanwhile, until April 07th, if you buy a Vinosource product in your nearest shop, you will received one of those adorable totes illustrated by Cécile Mancion. Very French chic!

Being from Bordeaux, wine has always been part of my life. We are proud of our region, of the values of this terroir. We understand a vineyard is to be loved and respected, a skill that often is transferred whithin a family. Un art de vivre…

Caudalie‘s story starts with Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, at the heart of my home region. Mathilde, daughter of those reknowned wine growers, meets Doctor Vercauteren in 1993. Key moment -  he explains that grapes are extremely rich in polyphenols. Guess what? Those anti-oxydants are fab for fighting against ageing.

A so the vinotherapy adventure begins. First with a range of products which the public absolutely love. Then with spas which specific treatments are based on the same concept. I tested the Bordeaux one on several occasions – such an escape from life. Contrary to anything you have tried in a city, the stay is a formidable experience. You can walk through the countryside, caressing the vine leaves, enjoy the most refined decoration, each room being dedicated to travels and colonies, shapes reminding you of the roundness of barrels. The two restaurants are the most gourmet you can imagine and people come from far to have dinner there. Of course, there also is plenty of relaxations with massages and drinking fresh grape juice. Even Vaness Paradis is a fan.

Whenever I go back to France, I pick a few of my favourite creams. Premières Vendanges leaves the skin ever so supple and smell divinely of orange and lemon. Caudalie product, you see, are a feat for all senses. The Pêche de vigne shower gel is a wonderfully fragrant treat too.

It is summer time and this called for delicious frangrances – lucky us, they have thought of 3 but beware, those are limited editions so don’t wait too much! No need to jump in a Eurostar to collect them, just go to Space NK (£25 each)

Each proposes a walk through the vineyard at a different time of the day (dawn, zenith and dusk):

- Fleurs de vigne – Precious and inspired by the flower which blooms only a few days in the year. Fresh, refined, this will wrap you in tender notes of grapefruit, tangerin, white rose… Better than any Vitamin C dose to start the day and vital on a Monday morning. A creation by Anne Flipo who invented, amongst others L’Homme for Yves St Laurent and Rykiel Women.

- Zeste de vigne – Imagine a summer day, the hot sun cooking the earth, fragrances flying free under the warmth… This will give you your energy back, will sing of lemon and bergamot. Some would call it a poem – Francis Kurkdjian balanced it perfectly. You know him for Le Mâle (Gaulthier).

- Thé des vignes – Breathe in, close your eyes. This is the perfect summary of a pink-purple sky at dusk, almost painted above, the soothing quietness of the combed vineyards. You’ll stop thinking and start enjoying. Here, jasmine, ginger and musc provide the softest cocoon. Jacques Cavalier is quite a genious who also thought the famous Eau d’Issey.

I love best their generous interpretation of my region, their authentic touch. No feeling of a mass produced product, of too chemical, forced notes. The perfume infuses very naturally your skin like a coat, fitting your different moods even through the same day! I tend to altern them according to my agenda.

Don’t miss the work of Bénédicte de Lescure on the packaging – elegant explosion of colours, nice cuttin effect which highlights the natural tones. The bottles are from her too. Modern and soft at the same time, they are very pleasant to hold. Even better: you can let them in full view. actually, you probably will make sure they are!

The Vinoperfect range also has been improved – Caudalie is always eager to make them more efficient while respecting their ethics. Don’t miss the perfecting fluid (£38 – worth every penny) which combines the best of grapes (vineferin reduces skin imperfection and tightens pores) and papaya. Result: you seem to be glowing with a renewed happiness. Takes years of you. The texture is nice and fluid ans is absorbed immediately -  exactely what you need in the morning rush. Your skin looks so radiant that it doesn’t even need foundation…

To be tested to: the peel mask – a soft but deep action. The skin seems to breathe again. Amazing for a quick fix before going out to party. My best tip would be complete it with the night cream -  much richer, it nourishes the skin wonderfully., helping it to regenerate and look rested. With its orange blossom fragrance, relaxation is immediate.

Verdict : quick, a fidelity card!