Review // Gravity

If there is one movie you should see in 2013, it is probably Gravity; if there is one movie you should see in 3D, it is Gravity (too).

I'm unsure I will know how to express the intensity of the feelings that overwhelmed me at the screening.

This is, in my opinion, a masterpiece, which not only offers a true technological unprecedented 3D experience, but also a great simple storyline about the human natural fear of the emptiness and the unknown.

- The 3D technology: that is probably the first time the 3D has been so well achieved, and serves the story, not being an annoying gimmick, but offering the audience the fantastic chance to be out in space, in weighlessness. I was with Sandra Bullock; I WAS Sandra Bullock.

- The cast: very minimalist, simple, excellent. Sandra Bullock has found one of her best role, that of an intelligent, courageous woman who fights for life.

- The story: again, very minimalist, simple, but therefore of an elegant sobriety. Simple and realistic dialogues. The movie held a right balance between contemplation and action. Even if the end was very predictable, it was not so much the ending that mattered than the journey itself (the rebirth of Sandra).

- The symbols: apart from being an entertaining "action" movie, this masterpiece offers plenty of space to reflection on philosophical and religious matters: life, Earth, emptiness, darkness, solitude... I'll let you discover and enjoy it by yourself (if not already).

Gravity by Alfonso Cuaron

November Empties

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

Although it's very profitable (a bottle lasts a year) and quite effective to clean up spotty areas, I still dislike its smell and would like to find a suitable and effective replacement.

Verdict: Love it!





Caudalie Teint Divin Tinted Moisturizer Light to Medium Skin Sample

When I saw the orangey tone of the cream, I was sceptical... and right to be. Indeed, although it's supposed to be a tinted moisturizer for fair skin tones, it is far too dark! I am not amongst the fairest (I would guess around 15 or 20 in MAC nomenclature), and still, this looks too orange. If I was tanned on the body, I could wear it. But as I don't fake tan, I don't want my face to look darker than my neck and décolletage! Major fail for the colour. I quite liked the texture and light coverage. However, as any new product, I feel my skin didn't like the novelty (i.e. may have some irritations and spots). Plus, I would still put a regular moisturiser underneath, as this is makeup for me, not skincare anyway.

Verdict: Leave it!





Clinique All About Eyes Rich

Lovely balmy eye contour cream. The only drawback is its price, that makes me wait for a Sephora coupon.

Verdict: Love it!





Bioderma Hydrabio Légère

A staple in my skincare kit.

Verdict: Love it!

Review // Cattier Organic Green Clay Mint Mask

Cattier Green Clay Mask

If you have been trying to mimic Shrek searching for a budget-friendly organic deep cleansing clay mask, Cattier is a brand to look into.

You may find several clay masks in the range. I opted for the green clay, although it is marketed towards oily skin. It is a traditional clay mask that you evenly spread on the targeted areas (i.e. T-zone for me).

I personally let it on about 10 minutes, but never letting it dry by spraying thermal water over it. Then I rinse it off with luke-warm water (most of the time under the shower).

It clears the skin, which feel fresh and clean. I don't feel tingly sensations. So this mask wouldn't be too harsh on very sensitive skin. However to avoid bad reactions, one may start with a milder product such as the pink clay mask. Next time, I may try the latter for the sake of comparison.

Verdict: Love it!

                                        

Updated Skincare Routine #6

As an introduction, I would like to stress several points.

1. I know you cannot see the result of products I use, on my skin, as it's been my choice not to put pictures of myself here. However, the point is I would rather share my feelings towards products (the external aspects of my skin is a detail).

2. My skin is not perfect of course, even if I praise some products. I don't believe in perfection. I would rather talk of "satisfying skin", i.e. I try to feel great in my own skin, despite some imperfections (yes, I do get hormonal breakouts like most women...). I try to take good care of what I have: clean, nurture, protect. And above all, I still feel confident to go out without a bit of makeup, in my own naked (moisturised) face. That's what matters to me.

3. Find products which work for YOU, not for others. Every skin being different, it has different needs. Side effects/allergies may occur to anyone, with any product, at any time.

4. I am not a dermatologist. Please consult a doctor if you need medical advice. That's why my posts are more to be read as testimony, never advice.

5. Also, if you are interested in skincare, I recommend two great videos: SkinDeepBeauty and Caroline Hirons.

Here are some pieces of advice they share:

- Spend as much as you can afford on skincare. If you're ready to splurge on makeup, clothes, cars, etc. why not skincare.

- Keep your routine simple, otherwise you won't stick to it.

- Learn ingredients, document yourself: knowledge is power.

- Be gentle to your skin, give it some love.

In the morning

1. Cleanse

Yes, I have paired down my routine to just a light cleanse with thermal water (not tab water). Believe it or not, I haven't been using Bioderma Créaline H2O for several weeks. I really began to feel micellar water + cotton pads were stripping out my face, even if rinsed out.

Although I feel I need a cleanse before applying any product in the morning, I tried less product, less harshness. For the time being, my skin feels great.

Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray

2. Moisturise

I apply moisturiser daily. Firstly my eye contour cream, so that it may penetrate without the barrier of a face moisturiser.

Secondly, I apply face moisturiser. These days I alternate between Caudalie and Bioderma. Finally lipbalm is still a must, whether I apply lipstick or not.

Caudalie Moisturizing Sorbet / Bioderma Hydrabio Légère / Labello Lipbalm / Clinique All About Eyes Rich

In the evening

3. Cleanse

It's my will to use an oil-based makeup remover and cleanser, which cleans face and eyes all in one go. Plus I don't want to feel the urge to cleanse twice or more. I have used different makeup removers over the past years (DHC, Clarins). These days I felt like trying the Clinique cleansing balm: and fell in love.

Personally, after massaging it onto dry face, I then add a little water to my hands to transform the oil into a milk, which I eventually rinse off with lukewarm tab water (that's the same with any oil-based water soluble makeup remover).

I never felt the urge to strip out my skin with soap or any other kind of (foaming) cleanser after using oils. I feel clean but not stripped out (you don't want squeacky clean).

Out of habits, I still spray thermal water.

Clinique Take The Day Off / Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray

4. Moisturise

Nighttime is the time to regenerate and boost your skin cells. You're out of sunrays, out of pollution; nobody sees you're wearing a face mask or some facial oil, so appearances are less of a worry (I don't mind if I feel stickier than during daytime). So time to use nourishing products.

For my face, sometimes I don't use any product and let it breathe and work by itself. Some other times, I will use either a serum, a facial oil or a hydrating mask.

Lovea Argan Oil / Caudalie SOS Thirst Quenching Serum / Bioderma Hydrabio Serum / Labello Lipbalm

Once in a while

5. Exfoliate

Over-exfoliating may sensitize or irritate the skin. So better use with parsimony. I try to do it once a week; when I don't, I feel my skin is a bit clogged and dull. I've been using chemical exfoliant for over two years and wouldn't look back. Also, I stopped using mechanical exfoliants altogether.

Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant

6. Deep Cleanse

If I don't use an exfoliant, and I feel my skin needs a deeper cleanse, especially on the T-zone, I will use a clay mask. I apply it and keep a handy thermal water spray to moisten the mask and never let it dry out.

Cattier Green Clay Mint Mask

7. Moisturise

One in a while, especially during winter, my skin benefits a lot from a simple deeper hydrating mask. Generally, I put it at nighttime and instead of rinsing it, I keep it all night long and resume my normal morning cleansing routine.

Caudalie Moisturizing Cream Mask

New Stuff #17

Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray / Caudalie SOS Thirst Quenching Serum / Moisturizing Sorbet / Moisturizing Cream Mask

Zara Black Trousers / Mango Umbrella

Review // Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, 31.50 €

After getting tired of Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel, I decided it was time for a change. And Clinique Take The Day Off had been talked about quite a lot over the last few months by many people (including Ruth Crilly and Caroline Hirons). Quite tempting...

I don't regret my purchase so far!

PROS

- Oil-based cleanser: this is a balmy texture, which instantly and easily melts into oil while massaging your dry face; then you add a little water to transform it into a milk; you rinse it off eventually.

- Perfume free: great for sensitive and allergy-prone skin. One of the very rare product (if not the only one so far) which doesn't sting my eyes AT ALL.

- Effective: I love that it removes both face and eye makeup perfectly. It also leaves no greasy residue nor does it dry out the skin.

- Efficient: I think it may last, as the Clarins one, about 4-5 months (so the price per month is acceptable in my book).

CONS

- Price: a bit pricey, but I would typically purchase it with a Sephora coupon (20% off).

- Packaging: although it's very classy and luxurious, it's quite a heavy plastic jar, so not as travel-friendly nor hygienic as a plastic tube.

Verdict: Love it! In my opinion, it lives up to its promises.

October Empties

Cottage Argan Oil Shower Gel

Like the brand; disliked this scent, which is far too overpowering for me.

Verdict: Leave it!

Avène Hydrance Optimale Légère

I've been using it regularly for the past couple of years, especially in Spring-Summer. I enjoy it then; but for Autum-Winter, I feel the light version is not enough. Although I could buy the richer version, I decided to change for a while, as I've been tired of its scent; also I sometimes feel it's difficult to sink in, probably because of the SPF which layers upon the skin.

Would love to try a sheer city block (SPF) for a change...

Verdict: Love it!

Gemey-Maybelline Rocket Volum' Express Mascara

I began to really enjoy it at least a month after opening. I love the volumized lashes but still natural effect it gives. No clumps. However I am still amazed because this wand really hurts my eyes (and that is saying a lot, since I consider I am far from brutal when it comes to making myself up). Even with a gentle light hand, the wand is too harsh; especially when compared to other brands (Dior, Clinique...) or any other wand from Gemey (Colossal).

Verdict: Leave it! Altough the final effect is near perfect, I have no pleasure in being extra careful with my movements each morning.

Review // Blue Jasmine

Forget what you think you know of Allen's style. Although he is a great comedy director, he is fantastic at comedy drama. If you have been a fan of Match Point, Blue Jasmine is for you.

The movie depicts some life moments of the wife of a millionaire, from riches to rags... 

I loved the clever montage, which shows in parallel her past and present life: it begins when she is at her lowest (shabby present) and her highest (glorious past). Then, the trajectory of past and present are reversed: in the past her perfect life knows a meltdown, while her present seems to improve as she foresees a possible remarriage.

Cate Blanchett might have found her best role: she is beautiful, stunning, radiant. She plays to perfection the society woman, who is going crazy confronted to the shabby way of life of her sister.

In the end, who's lucky, who's unlucky in life? Don't we say money can't buy happiness...

Blue Jasmine by Woody Allen

New Stuff #16

Cattier Organic Green Clay Mint Mask / Lovea Organic Argan Oil

Head & Shoulders Citrus Shampoo / Toni & Guy Cleanse Volume Shampoo

Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis Cologne

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm / Chubby Sticks Intense in Curviest Caramel & Mightiest Maraschino  / High Impact Extreme Volume Mascara

Review // Georges Braque @ Grand Palais, Paris

I have been blown away by the quality of the Braque exhibition, as a huge amount of Braque's works has been gathered.

It is amazing to see all the different painting periods he explored: he was influenced by fauvism and was the forerunner of cubism (as Matisse named it); the techniques, the colours...

This event is clearly a must-see this season, if you would like to discover a major artist of the past century.

Georges Braque @ Grand Palais, Paris

18 September 2013 - 6 January 2014

Review // Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder #10

As I nearly finished my MAC face powder, I wanted to try a new one and took advantage of my Italian trip to get this newest Chanel powder, whose shade #10 isn't sold in France. Bad start...

CONS

- All shades aren't available worldwide. Chanel, Why?

- It is perfumed with the signature Chanel scent: although it smells luxurious, it's also possibly irritating for sensitive skin.

- It's eye-wateringly expensive for a compact face powder: 48,50€ in France. But as I don't change my face powder very often, I was willing to invest (in duty free).

PROS

- The luxurious packaging, which is faithful to the Chanel elegance. For a change, the compact was released in beige, instead of the usual black colour: nice change; it's perfect in my book.

- It comes with a nice half-moon brush; although I don't use it, it may come in handy.

- This powder has a very finely milled silky texture; it's almost imperceptible on the skin.

- It does provide a healthy glow, as suggest its name; not too shiny, not to flat. I personally use the lightest shade as an overall face powder. I like it so much I am actually tempted to buy a darker shade to use as a bronzer (which is its supposedly prime purpose I think).

Verdict: Love it! I might be tempted to invest in a darker shade.

September Empties

Klorane Soothing Shampoo with Peony

It's quite effective at soothing the scalp. However, I would alternate with a more nourishing softening shampoo, as this one tends to dry out the hair a bit. I also need to remember to buy small bottles. Clearly, 400mL is too much for me, as I get tired of products quickly: I feel they aren't as effective as they used to at first.

Verdict: Love it!

Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo with Oatmilk

Perfect on the last day before shampooing again. It's easy to brush away the white residue. The smell isn't too overpowering.

Verdict: Love it! Would purchase again.

Bioderma Créaline H2O

The cult product. I've used countless bottles of it for the last couple of years. However, could you believe this: this has been my last bottle and I haven't repurchase it. I want to pair down the amount of products I put on my face and try fewer and better products. Micellar waters are popular products indeed. But I began to feel the combo (micellar water + coton pads) was still too harsh on my face (I shall do a post on my skincare routine). 

Verdict: Love it! But I try to change my routine.

Labello Classic Care Lipbalm

A staple in my makeup bag. I like this one, as it is clear, a little shiny, not too sticky, not thick at all. However, I would like to try a more organic brand. Any suggestion?

Verdict: Love it!

Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray

Although it might only be water in a can, I like it very much as a morning cleanse, as well as in the evening, after makeup removal.

Verdict: Love it!

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

I really enjoy the concept: a melting oil (my favourite makeup removal technique)in a practical travel-friendly hygienic tube packaging. However, this texture really feels more tedious than with oil, as it takes some time to properly melt and rinse off.

Verdict: Love it! But I am trying something else next.

Jo Malone Wild Fig & Cassis Cologne

A great discovery from last year. It's classified as a "woody" scent in the Jo Malone range. Indeed, it's quite woody, peppery but also fruity. It's striking, but not too overpowering to my linking. I couldn't do without it, so I purchased it again as soon as I could (be anywhere near a Jo Malone store in Paris).

Verdict: Love it!

Review // Korres Fig Body Scrub

Korres Fig Body Scrub

I have been tempted to try the fig range of Korres for so many months: I finally placed an order. As I ran out of body scrub, that was the first type of product I decided to try, being unfaithful to my beloved The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub.

I really love the Korres one for several reasons:

- I fell in love with the scent: it's fresh, smells natural, fruity and green at the same time. Not overpowering.

- The texture is fine: a little creamy with gritty beads, as effective as The Body Shop one.

- Love the tube packaging with a bottom opening: the best! It's hygienic, travel-friendly, easy to manipulate and open under the shower.

- Also love the "vintage" chic minimalist look of the brand (and typo!).

- Like that the ingredients are natural for the most part.

- The price tag is affordable (I also benefited from a temporary sale on Feelunique).

Verdict: Love it! I will totally keep trying the fig range. When I finish my bodycare, I am willing to try out the Body Milk next.

What are your favourite products from Korres?

New Stuff #15

Bioderma Créaline H2O / Dr Bronner Baby Mild Liquid Soap / Korres Fig Body Scrub

Zara Oxford Shirt / Black Pencil Skirt / Naf Naf Animal Print Silk Scarf

Minelli Fiorella Black Court Heels

August Empties

Bioderma Créaline H2O x2

Very practical on the go, however I wish to try something else on an everyday basis...

Verdict: Love it!

Le Petit Marseillais Fig and Shea Butter Body Lotion

Whilst the texture is very light and perfect for summertime, I absolutely loathed its smell: it just smells like chemical/alcohol to me...

Verdict: Leave it! Because of the smell and the parabens.

Cottage Mint & Strawberry Shower Gel

Enjoy the smell and texture, but again, I wish to try something different for a change!

Verdict: Love it!

Yes To Carrots Daily Pampering Shower Gel

To be honest, I couldn't wait for this product to be OVER! I couldn't bear its scent: it was so heady that I ended up only using it to shave my legs... Plus, this is a breaking-neck hazard in the shower: this texture is slippery like hell!

Verdict: Leave it!

Venezia! #2

Venezia! #1