Clarins anti-ageing skincare duo – Multi-Active Day and Night Creams

Welcome to your 30s, an age where you’re probably feeling at you most confident, reaching new heights in your career, free of the insecurity of your 20s and … looking at ways to keep yourself looking as fresh-faced as you did when your age was a double digit starting with the number two. Those pesky fine lines – it’s a good thing they start appearing during a time in your life when you’re, rather conveniently, feeling the most comfortable in your own skin.

30 Years after the original launch of the Multi-Active line, Clarins has reformulated the day and night cream duo with the addition of teasel extracts. Encapsulated to target fibroblasts in the skin, the teasel extract works as an antioxidant to combat free radicals that damage the fibroblasts. Additionally, Multi-Active Jour is formulated with myrothamnus plant extract which promises to absorb effects of daytime environmental stress while the Multi-Active Nuit is infused with golden poppy extract that claims to boost collagen production (reduces the appearance of fine lines).

Lack of sleep and stress are likely to blame for the changes you’ll be seeing on your face. The science behind it? Not enough zzzs and escalating life pressures lead to an overproduction of free radicals, which affect skin’s fibroblast, the key cells responsible for youthful skin. When a fibroblast becomes worn out, it no longer plays its part in maintaining the skin’s production of collagen, leading to fine lines and a dull complexion – the first visible signs of ageing.

Clarins Multi-Active Jour (Day Cream)

In an effort to counteract those effects, French skincare brand Clarins has launched its new Multi-Active Day and Night Creams – both of which harness the power of plants. Whether it’s the Teasel extract in both, which helps to revitalise and protect tired skin; the day cream’s use of myrothamnus, a flowering shrub indigenous to South Africa and Madagascar that can tolerate  – and flourish in –  extremely dry conditions; or the night cream’s California Poppy, a flower that regenerates itself at night.

Clarins Multi-Active Nuit (Night Cream)

In real life, this translates to day-to-night products effective in restoring skin’s brightness and plumping fine lines worsened by dehydration. As a Londoner, Clarins’ exclusive anti-pollution complex, designed to fight premature signs of ageing and loss of radiance linked to pollution, is also a big draw – they don’t call this city the Big Smoke for nothing and it often shows on my skin.

On the downside, both the day and night creams are natural fragranced with cherry and white lily alongside jasmine, freesia and heliotrope, which reminds me of the flowers you smell in the hills above Cannes.

Having finished the Multi-Active Night and at almost finishing the Multi-Active Day, I have to say that I am overly impressed by both products. I’ve seen visible improvements in both skin texture and glow. My complexion just looks healthier and more glowy. The night cream, especially, makes my skin look super nourished and plump when I wake up in the morning.

Both, Multi-Active Jour & Nuit, come in different textures for different skintypes.

Come into the world of Clarins

 

 

 

Revitalift celebrates its 20 years anniversary

Thanks to 35 years of expertise of skin biology and the creation of worldwide renown and validated reconstructed skin research model, L’Oréal Paris deeply understands the skin of every woman, and knows how to preserve its beauty. From selection to creation of powerful actives, L’Oréal Paris finds the right dosage to offer trust worthy skincare products, always with a proven performance.

Since 1995, L’Oréal Revitalift is the result of this highly expert Research. The Anti-aging icon has been a constant pioneer for 20 years in order to fight all signs of ageing and unveil every beauty, at any age. Indeed, from the first wrinkles to the more installed ones, from loss of skin’s volume to the appearance of dark spots, Revitalift walks along women in their daily life by answering each one of their needs.

 

 

 

Make the most out of your beauty sleep with Vichy Idéalia

There’s a new night cream on the block ladies… say hello to Vichy’s Idealia Skin Sleep recovery night gel-balm. The idea behind this one is that it aims to stimulate the skin’s own deep sleep mechanisms, so even if you don’t get much sleep, skins nightly functions will remain at their optimum, meaning you make the most of your beauty sleep.

In reality, this stuff is pretty unusual. The texture is a very cooling and soothing gel, as opposed to a traditional creamy formula and as such is something that’s probably going to appeal to those who might be considering their first night anti-aging cream.

Ingredients wise it’s got a dreamy green tea and jasmine fragrance that’s actually lovely for bed time. It’s also got skin loving Hyaluronic Acid to help stimulate cell regeneration, LHA to help smooth and even out the skin, as well as caffeine and Vitamin B.

 

Overall I quite liked this one and its unique light texture. At first it feel right for night time, it was so refreshing on the skin, and the subtle scent and softening feel really made it a hit. Vichy Idéalia Skin Sleep is available in a 50ml jar.

 

 

 

Goodbye pores

Fans of the Olay Total Effects range will be happy to hear that the whole range has got a major upgrade with now 40% more vitamins and optimised levels of Niacinamid (Vitamin B3) in the products. New on the block is also their Total Effects Pore Perfector which blends all the things you loved about the regular daily moisturiser but with added pore minimising properties.

Pores for me are starting to become a real problem, and apparently it’s something that happens with age (eeeek!). Yes pores often become larger and more visible with age and yucky pores just ain’t a good look at all.

So I was excited to try out the new Pore Perfector, especially on my nose and forehead area. It feels creamy and dreamy, yet a little goes a long way. It disappears into the skin in a flash and is a fantastic base for you foundation, indeed you wouldn’t need a primer on top of this unless you were heading somewhere very swish.

 

All in all, it was a fab everyday product for me, my pores were filled in and evened out with it and it left my skin feeling super soft

Olay Total Effects 7 In One Pore Perfector comes in a 50ml flacon with handy pump.

 

 

Dior beauty unveils its Hydra Life Close-up moisturiser

The new skincare product hydrates and treats visible pores by targeting their causes, whether it’s dilated, blocked or slackened, all three types of pores are corrected thanks to a deep, targeted action.

The treatment gives a flawless, rebalanced and moistured glow – as pores are tightened– leaving you with a smooth and even skin.

Hydra-Life’s Close-up rosy-colored aqueous gel gently glides comfortably onto the skin and offers a dual sensation of powdered freshness and improved makeup hold throughout the day.

All Hydra-Life skincare products are infused with a flower concentrate from the Dior Gardens, with a unique formula that is composed of three flower extracts, which have become the key to Hydra Life’s immaculate performance.

Dior Hydra-Life Close-up is now available in stores.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream

Popular beauty brand Fresh has launched the latest in a line of anti-aging skincare, the Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream.

The daily moisturizer will improve the skin’s radiance, clarity and elasticity, as well as providing 24 hours of moisture. This is due to a Super 7 Complex used in the cream, which was developed in LVMH’s research labs, proven to maximise hydration, boost radiance and also contains the benefits of lotus flower extract, blue-green algae, hibiscus fruit extract, fig fruit extract, Vitamins C and E and vegetable glycerol.

The ingredients contain powerful antioxidants, and are rich in amino acids (to help preserve collagen, elastin and vitamin B to enhance microcirculation), minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, carotin, and Vitamins B1,B2 and C, which help promote the production of hyaluronic acid. Sugars and pectin from the fig fruit extract preserve moisture levels, while Vitamin C and E aids collagen synthesis and helps soften the skin. Finally, vegetable glycerol attracts water and seals moisture, highlighting that the Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream provides the optimum conditions for skin to lock in moisture and maximise hydration. The formula is enriched with maca root extract, which enhances luminosity and cell turnover.

The lotus is a powerful symbol in Asia, having been around for more than 3,000 years and having many applications and properties. It is used to make oils and perfumes; parts of it are edible, while other parts are used to make herbal medicine. It also represents healing, enlightenment, divinity, paradise, and the universe. Fresh used the lotus not only as a symbol of purification, but also due to their numerous benefits, according to Lev Glazman, Fresh co-founder and director of Research and Development: “After doing clinical tests, we were stunned at this ingredient’s high levels of polyphenols, the most powerful antioxidants known to defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals”.

 

The light summery gels is what I’ve been turning to lately, but when I need something that’s a bit more heavy duty, I’ve been turning to this cream. It’s heavier than a gel, but it still absorbs into skin super quickly and relieves any dryness. Let it sink in – and it will – and then go ahead with face oils, sunscreen, or foundation. There’s no greasiness or pilling (or you used much too much), but just nice smooth skin that doesn’t have any more dryness. It smells like fresh cut cucumbers which makes it refreshing to use.

Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream will be availble in March in a 50 ml jar.

 

 

 

 

Le Lift by Chanel

Chanel launches a new skincare line, ready to firm things up in the complexion department.

When a French fashion and beauty powerhouse like Maison Chanel introduces a new skincare line, it is of course, a very well thought out process. Typically, years of research go into such products, and by the time they hit beauty counters there can be little doubt when it comes to proven results.

The label’s latest offering is called, simply, ‘Le Lift’. After 12 years of research, Chanel has settled on an extract from the Edulis plant, and in doing so, promises to deliver a formula which will promote elasticity by targeting natural youth proteins in the skin.

There are three formulas available, ‘crème fine’, which is oil free, plain and simple ‘crème’ for normal skin, and ‘crème rich’ for those who suffer from dry spells.

Le Lift by Chanel is available to buy now.

 

 

 

 

Creme de la Creme La Mer by Boucheron

Only users of Crème de La Mer, will understand the magic in a pot of face cream. A regular jog of the cult face cream, will set you back £105 ($168). But there’s always something a little more exclusive for those who can afford it, isn’t it? Well, the makers of the magic cream launched this precious offering retailing at a astounding £12,500 ($20,000). Yes, for just a pot of cream, no face-lift on purchase.

But what makes it so expensive? Well, ‘sadly’ just its packaging! This special Crème de La Mer was designed by Maison Boucheron, the famous fine French jeweler. Keeping with Crème de La Mer oceanic theme, Boucheron chose mother-of-pearl for the precious case, going on to embellish the jar with their Clous de Paris motif (think about there famous rings!) in gold and a clear sea blue saffir cabochon. For a cream that was created by an aerospace physicist, the cream has a fan following including celebrities like Sienna Miller, Yasmin Le Bon, Kate Moss, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez. And what’s $20,000, if you could look like a star?

 

Designed to house the original, coveted Crème de La Mer Moisturizing Cream, this striking jar is a limited edition with only ten numbered pieces in the world. But maybe, maybe there is still one availble for you…..

 

 

 

 

 

Biotherm Aquasource Nuit

This is the coolest moisturizer to come out in a while. It’s a gel that’s super light but very potent in its moisture. It absorbs into your skin almost instantly and goes to work for the entire night. It provides extremely long-lasting moisture to the skin. Meant to be used on the face at night, but I found myself putting this on hands and elbows and it totally works!

One pump is enough for the entire face, and because you won’t be reapplying your moisturizer, a little will go a long way.

 

 

 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Fragrance Free

Eight Hour Cream is Elizabeth Arden’s holy grail for many decades! It turns out that this cult favourite is actually the real deal. All year long, but perfect for cold winter days. As a face cream, or for any dry spot on your body. The cream absorbs into your skin almost instantly and goes to work for the entire day. Now, Elizabeth Arden has the cream in a fragrance-free formula so that everyone can use it.