clarins – Le Beauty Journal

Current Skincare Routine

I thought I’d share my current skincare routine with you because my skin has be quite happy for a few months and I think I’ve found the key to major glow. Just so you know, my skin is slightly dehydrated but pretty normal overall, though keep in mind it’s extremely sensitive so I tend to use very gentle products.

Morning

Cleanse – Cerave Hydrating cleanser. Super light and nice to my skin. Might need something a bit more hydrating when it’ll get colder. Super affordable, great, non fragranced morning wash. If you’re on a budget, it’s the perfect morning cleanser, or second cleanse in the evening.

Serum – There’s no picture of this product because I’ve sadly finished it. Alpha H vitamin C serum has simply changed my skin. I’ve since become obsessed with Vitamin C based products and will tell you more about a new item that I’ve just started using soon. It has a light consistency, does not smell of anything, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from it. I have Vitamin C with a glass of water in the morning and I’m bored just telling you about it, so in a serum? Boy was I wrong. It gave luminosity and glow back to my skin which is all I want in life so I could not recommend this enough.

Moisturize – If I need something a bit more intense than the Alpha H serum, which is very light, I tend to use Advanced Night Repair which I’ve been in love with for years, and, even though it’s a night serum, you can most definitely wear during the day. This ANR serum has changed my skin, anytime I react to anything, it fixes my skin almost immediately. If needed, I top it off with moisturizer, this time I might use the Cerave Moisturizing lotion.

I should wear an eye cream, I don’t, sue me. Or don’t because I’ve actually just purchased some Drunk Elephant products, including the very well-known C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream. I’ll report back about that in about a month time!

Evening – First Cleanse with Origins Gentle Cleansing Oil. Lovely, affordable, effective. I have to say I’ve come to the realization that I’d rather use a cleansing balm than an oil because I find them easier to manage, the product doesn’t run between your fingers and I guess you can really work the product into the skin. However this Origins oil is doing the job!

Second cleanse with Cerave, again, this stuff’s good!

Then, I use oils. Every. Single. Night. I’ve talked about my favorites before, and they’re still the same, so instead, let me tell you about the biggest discovery I’ve made recently.
In the evening, on top of the oil, I actually NEED to add a moisturizer. I was telling a friend about this the other day and I felt a bit silly because well, it’s not a groundbreaking discovery. But to me it was. Why? Because I just thought my skin did not need it. Consequently, I would not apply anything on top, terrified of changing anything in my routine because my skin is so reactive. I was convinced it was unnecessary, even when my skin made it clear it needed more than an oil.

Ah, habits! It all shifted when I heard about the launch of Drunk Elephant in the UK, which means, thanks to the amazing Cult Beauty website that I can get it in France! I’ll write a whole post about Drunk Elephant skincare, but just so you know, I’ve purchased Lala Retro Whipped Cream which is a nourishing all-purpose moisturizing cream and it has simply made my skin look alive. I fancied adding a more luxurious step in my skincare routine and I did miss using a lovely luscious cream so I treated myself and my skin’s basically thanking me.

Do share your latest discoveries if you fancy to, I’m ALWAYS interested in your skincare advices and/or routines!

Spring struggle and a game changer

I’m not British but boy have I been talking about the weather recently! I think it’s something to do with having to use social media for the blog, those Instagram captions aren’t gonna write themselves right? Also I’ve recently realized how much everyone talks about it online as well, which I find quite nice actually. I know when it’s snowing in NYC and raining in London, when the sky’s crazy in Paris, when it’s grey in Santorini…

I like Spring, I prefer autumn if I’m honest though. I prefer the fashion in autumn/winter, the smell in the air, the colors, the general mood basically. Spring is always a bit of a struggle. Because I’ve been hiding myself under big jumpers, coats and scarves. Because I have to find clothes that are comfortable and stylish which is not my forte. Because I forget how my legs actually look. Because I never find cute summer shoes. Because my makeup’s sliding off my face after a couple of hours. YET, I have found something that really helps. It’s fragrance, light as air, fresh as flowers, just a gorgeous concoction making me feel better when I struggle with Spring.

Clarins Eau Dynamisante is a treatment fragrance. It is meant to hydrate and tone the skin, and work, as Clarins says, in accordance with the principles of aromatherapy and phytotherapy. I believe my mum used to wear it, probably my aunts as well, the smell always makes me feel nostalgic but that’s not why I like it. I LOVE the smell because it doesn’t get fresher than that. It smells like clean laundry (but actual clean laundry, not like all those perfume that pretend they do and actually smell sweet and full of alcohol). Imagine, a few hours after sunrise, standing in a field of flowers, there’s a little bit of wind but nothing crazy you know, just the right amount. You’re wearing a linen dress but did not bother with shoes. You’re feeling great, peaceful. Well, that’s what this perfume does to me! I also enjoy Eau des Jardins which is part of the same range, a bit sweeter, lovely as well, not as iconic but it has quite a warm and rich smell if you’re more into that kind of fragrance!

What I also find interesting with this product is that it doesn’t only make you smell good, it does, weirdly, gives a sense of vitality to the skin. It’s something you could potentially spray all over your body because it’s non-photosensitizing. So there you have it. Summer, I’m ready ~~sort of~~ for you!

What’s in my handbag : the makeup edition

I don’t walk around with a ton of makeup in my bag, but I do have a few items that I’m always glad to find when I’m out and about ! My take on this is : I only need products that would help me touch up, that’s it. Therefore, being “radiant skin” obsessed, here’s what I carry around with me.

First of, I have to tell you… I don’t have a red lipstick, because I’m not one of those people who say they always need a red in their handbag because they just slap it on if they have to go out for a dinner or something that was not planned. What I do is blusher. Correction : what I need is blusher.

BLUSH My blusher of choice is Chanel Joues Contrastes in the color 72, Rose Initial. The powder is baked and the color itself is simply the perfect rose shade. It’s not crazy pigmented, it simply has the right amount so it works well to touch up, and stays on really well. The brush in the blush case is actually good which does not happen often enough to be honest. It diffuses the product nicely thanks to its natural bristles, which makes it extremely easy to use.

CONCEALER Rimmel Wake me Up in the shade Ivory is simply my best friend in a on-the-go situation. Cheap, not drying, good coverage, good for dark circles and spots, which is just exactly what you need in your handbag, isn’t it ?

LIP STUFF I only ever wear nude lipsticks, so I carry around my favorite lipgloss by Clarins in the shade 07 because it hydrates the lips and almost, temporarily may I add, erases fine lines and simply makes them look juicy. I also have the amazing – and as you can see in the pictures almost finished – Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in the shade Boy. It’s a sheer nude shade with tiny shimmers which make the lips look fuller, plumped : the perfect color for me. Though it’s a lipstick, because of how sheer and smooth it is, it’s super easy to apply and wears off beautifully which, to me, is one of the most important thing in a lipstick. That way, you don’t have to bother. Just apply it straight from the bullet and you’re done !

BROWS I take this item in my bag because I believe it has the best spoolie I’ve ever tried. It is the Catrice Slim‘Matic Ultra Precise Brow Pencil Waterproof in the shade dark. Now, I never use it at home – I should really – because the packaging is really handy for a handbag item and the spoolie is the best to brush the brows, either if you’ve applied too much product in the morning and need to rectify that, or if you simply want to brush the hair up to put them back in place ! The color’s good, I’ve seen better, but the tip is extremely precise and the consistency is lovely. Also, did I mention it costs around 3 euros ? Now, we need more shades of this !

There you have it ! Do you carry makeup around with you ?

Lip Liner Darling!

Lip liners are a thing now. They’re not brown lines around your lips anymore, they’re changing the game. As it happens, the makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury is changing the game with her lip liners. And, I think it’s fair to say, one of them has changed my life a little bit.

I’ll tell you why in a sec… Now, even though I have been lusting over Charlotte Tilbury’s products for quite some time now, I’ve only ever bought one product. Firstly because, it’s not easy to get hold of in France, and also because, it’s quite pricey, and when I invest money into makeup, I always have an other product in mind that I’m dying to try out which I can easily buy in my town. That said, I totally get the price : the products have gorgeous packaging and have some serious reputation. So, I’m planning on getting a few other items, because I feel like Charlotte Tilbury has so many cool products now, I have to try more ! Also, she’s an extremely inspiring woman, I highly recommend you watch this series she did with Sali Hughes, fascinating ! Now, the product !

When Charlotte Tilbury released lip liners, my attention was immediately drawn to it because she came out with quite a few nude shades. As you may now know, I’m really into nude lipsticks. My issue with them is that I don’t tend to wear matte lipsticks, I like a satin, balmy finish which looks great but does mean that the application is not as precise. Therefore, I always feel like I need a bit more definition around the lips. That’s exactly what Pillow Talk, one of CT’s bestsellers, does. It’s a browny-pink-nude, perfect for overlining the lips, making them look fuller, perkier and simply very defined. To me, it’s a very sexy product because it gives me the ability to perfect the shape of my lips without it being too noticeable.

It’s matte, but I always apply something else on top : I really use it like a base. The range is called Lip Cheats, I could not have said it better myself.

Pillow Talk + Dior Lip Glow

fullsizeoutput_26a5 — Pillow Talk + Chanel Adrienne

fullsizeoutput_26b1 — Pillow Talk on its own

Here are my three favorite combinations :

Pillow Talk + Dior Lip Glow
Pillow Talk + Chanel Adrienne
Pillow Talk + Clarins Instant Lip Perfector in shade 7

It’s the only lip liner I own, and though I’m tempted to get other shades in the same range, I’d be happy to only have this product with me forever ! It’s that good.

The Only Lipgloss you’ll ever need

Let’s talk about lipgloss for a second. I’m pretty sure this product is a lot of people’s first step into the beauty world. Why though ? When I was a teen, and I could not stress this enough, things have definitely changed for the best… But back then, wasn’t it the most useless product ever ? My hair would get stuck in it, the product itself would disapear after a few minutes, it almost always was kind of transparent, pink-ish or glittery. A confusing item if you ask me, and until NYX brought out the Butter Gloss, which are really pigmented, buttery and smell incredibly nice, I had never tried a lipgloss I was even remotely keen on. But like I said, things have definitely changed. And the lipgloss which have won my heart, is the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector.

This thing amazes me. I have to say first, I bloody love Clarins. I have never really tried anything from the brand I did not like. No exception with the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector. I love it because…

It smoothes the lips and make them plumper without actually being one of those lip plumpers that tingles
It coats the lips in a creamy but not sticky, balmy layer
The colors are lovely
There’s a subtle yet definitive smell of vanilla but in a nice not too overpowering way
The application could not be easier. It has this doe-foot applicator where product comes out, which allows you to distribute the product evenly AND to smoothe the lips thanks to the texture of the applicator
You don’t have to have a mirror to apply it, honestly, slap it on, bam, instant glow !

My favorite is n°7 which is a mauvy-nude. It may sound horrendous but it’s actually the best color for me to pretend like I naturally have full, juicy lips. It’s quite close to my natural lip color, so it simply enhances them beautifully and adds definition. I also love the n°5, which is the perfect pink. And as you can see in the picture, after finishing the n°5 – I mean, that’s how much I love it, I’ve finished an entire tube -, I got the shade n°3, called nude shimmer. Extremely subte shimmers though, packed in a lovely pale peach balm.

A hint of color, gorgeous full lips, and a divine smell : I specifically remember one day this winter, walking down the streets, feeling cold and wishing for spring… I applied Clarins Lip Perfector, a whiff of the very distinct smell warmed me up, and I just felt more put together, though I had not really done much. Here you go, that’s what it does.

Facial Oils : Why, how and which ones ?

I have been using oils at night on my face for as long as I can remember. When I first got into skincare, I was immediately drawn to them because of how luxurious they sounded.

WHY

I have combination/dehydrated skin. My t-zone sometimes gets oily so why would I you might think ? My skin truly benefits from the use of face oils. First I have to say I use them at night because I have combination skin. If I were to apply an oil during the day, it would be too much and probably sit on my skin. But in the evening, it calms my skin down, nourishes it which tends to make my face product less sebum and helps it recover from any reaction… i.e if I’ve tested too many different products which I’m often guilty of, or simply had a reaction because my skin’s extremely sensitive.

HOW

I cleanse my face, spray thermal water, sometimes use an acid exfoliant (thought I haven’t lately because it’s too much for my skin) and then, take whatever oil I’m using, apply a few drops in the palm of my hands, and rub that on, gently. Here’s the secret : I have recently come across for the second time (can’t believe I forgot the first time I saw this), a video of Caroline Hirons explaining how to massage your face with an oil. I have been doing this technique for a few days now, and it has simply changed the way my skin look when I wakeup. I’ve talked about Caroline Hirons before, she’s simply the queen of skin. Her blog and videos are no non-sense, no bullshit, you will learn from her, I know I have ! Watch this, and do it tonight, and go thank her !

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4VpzSWd0uo%5D

Which Ones

The first one I got, that I should repurchase quite soon, is the Paï Roseship BioRegenerate Oil. I would highly recommend this if you have sensitive skin, that tends to take ages to heal and recover from spots and scars. But Paï says it works on all skin-type, so honestly, if you want to try a face oil, this could be it ! The smell is quite intriguing but in a nice way. The texture is lush, and it absorbs really quickly into the skin. It’s also a good yet reasonably priced product, and you really need the tiniest amount.

Next up, Clarins. Clarins is a brand that I deeply trust and I haven’t yet come across a product of theirs I don’t absolutely adore. So, there’s that. Their oils, are no exceptions. Story time : I, when cleaning my bathroom last week, smashed a full bottle of the Lotus Oil on the floor. My bathroom floor’s now looking very hydrated and plumped… Anyways, the two face oils I’ve tried (they have three in total) worked wonders. I alternate between the Lotus Oil which is targeted towards “Oily/Combination skins”. Clarins says “this face oil is Clarins’ exclusive blend of Rosemary, Geranium and Lotus extracts, which purify the skin, tighten pores and refine skin texture. Hazelnut Oil softens, soothes and seals in moisture to prevent fine lines and moisture loss.” I could not have said it better myself. Whenever I’m a bit hesitant on what to use if my face’s erratic, I slather my face in this and it instantly feels happier.

The other one I use, less often nowadays because my skin’s more in need of the Lotus one, is the Blue Orchid. The smell of this one is to die for. It is soothing, hydrating, and helps fight fine lines.

The last one, is a recent discovery. A friend gave this to me, and thought it’s not as pleasant to use as the ones I already mentioned, it’s lovely enough. It is the Overnight Detox Oil by Caudalie, aimed to detoxify and regenerate the skin. The texture is very light, which you might like if you’re scared of oils (but honestly, don’t be).

A similar one that I’ve been enjoying for years now, is the Aesop Parsley Seed Anti-oxidant facial treatment. It’s thicker, and gives you a little more playtime if you want to really massage your face. It’s quite intense so I would not use it every night, whereas I do use the others every night, not at the same time of course !

So, there you have it ! I would never be without a face oil, they’re a true game-changer, and they add that little something to the actual application of products. The smells, the textures are really comforting and luxurious, making it nicer to actually apply skincare when all you ca think about is your bed…

Do you use face oils ? Would you be kind enough to share which ones ? I’m always up for trying a new one !

Why I never buy lip balm anymore

I never buy lip balm anymore since I’ve discovered THE one.

I tried so many. From drugstore vaseline to the organic Weleda one. From tube to pot, old recipe, new ones… But none would actually work.

I’d feel relieved for maybe an hour, and had to reapply. All day long. And had really chapped lips.

After reading quite a few articles about lip balms, I realized that more often than not lip balms have a petroleum base. Which I believe means it protects your lips but does not give it actual moisture. It retains it basically.

When I was little, I’d wear ski lip balms… You know the white chalky ones ? Yeah…

Then, I found the LHF calendula pommade. It does contain vaseline, but its main ingredient is lanolin aka wool wax which is made from raw wool. I used that first around my nose when I had a cold, then thought why not use it on my lips. The texture is very nourishing and quite thick, and lanolin is often used in baby products so I reckon it’s meant to be extremely gentle.

It really had an amazing effect on my lips, almost right away. I use it every night, and sometimes in the morning before applying lipstick.

When I was little, I’d wear ski lip balms… You know the white chalky ones ? Yeah… In my mind I looked really cool, now when I think about it, I don’t believe I did. But they were the strongest ones to soothe my lips. Oh and did I mention I thought I looked very cool ?

The LHF calendula pommade is quite thick but not too shiny and does not smell of anything. Also, in my local french pharmacy, it costs 2.20 € for 20g of product.

I basically never have chapped lips anymore. Period.

You can find it here.

What lip balm is your fave ? Have you experienced the same issue as I have had ?