When Caudalie invited me for a pink night of cocktails and canapés to celebrate their new hydrating skincare range, I was very excited.
Caudalie has fabulous products and everything I try agrees with my skin; the new Vinosource skincare range.
There are four amazing new products, all in different shades of pink and harnessing the power of organic grape water, which contains antioxidant polyphenol and polysaccharides, to prove that life is, indeed, better in pink.
The moisturisers, which offer different levels to cater for hydration and finish needs.
From the lighter pink, the Moisturizing Sorbet is perfect for dehydrated sensitive skin. It’s light in texture and melts upon contact, being absorbed in seconds.
Soothing, moisturising, protecting and strengthening, thanks to the grape water, Vinolevure, chamomile, polyphenols and aqua-regulating complex. Ideal for warmer days.
One of my favourites, the Moisturizing Mattifying Fluid combats shine. It has a fluid consistency, absorbs well and sits wonderfully under makeup, blotting, even in warmer climates (I took it to Brazil with me), and delivers a matte, velvety finish.
Of course, it contains grape water, Vinolevure, Java tea leaves extracts, flax powder and Polyphenols. It is 92% natural ingredients, oil-free and does not cause acne, which is very important for me.
The Moisture Recovery Cream is smooth and soothing for skin to heal. I also took this one on holidays to help my skin overnight, as sun exposure is higher.
The fact it is delivers that extra care and is really light is a huge bonus for me, as my skin does not like rich creams.
Grape and borage oils, Vinolevure and Polyphenols make this one pack a punch. 
Finally, the Vinosource Riche Intense Moisture Rescue Cream. Although it says intense, I didn’t feel heavy, although thicker than the others. I like using this one at night.
It has a “bandage effect”. Confused? I’ll explain: it really does acts as a bandage to replenish lipids in the skin, immediately making it more comfortable, soft and supple.
Grape oil, chestnut extract, organic and fair trade shea butter, Vinolevure and Polyphonols work together to deliver all promises. Aand it’s 92% natural.
And addition to the range, not new, is the Grape Water (in pink, is special edition). Feels great on the skin; it is soothing, refreshing and moisturising.
The fine mist is suitable for all skin types, with no fragrance or preservatives, just 100% organic grape water. Perfect all year round, either to refresh in the summer or soothe in the winter. Better still, only £6 for 75ml.
Honestly, a range that is a joy to mix ad match. My skin thanks me (and Caudalie) for the pink love!
Each moisturiser costs £23 for 40ml and you can get them from the Caudalie website, shops (including the pretty Covent Garden store) and other online retailers.
Read about other Caudalie products I love:
Caudalie Polyphenol C15 face moisturiser (I explain more about polyphenols here)
Caudalie Glycolic Peel Mask (all their masks are fab!)
This post contains PR samples. This review, however, is based on my experience with the product and reflects my honest opinion on them.
Difficult. That’s how I’d describe my skin on the best of days. It’s rarely happy – it’s always either dryness, sensitivity or breakouts.
Very mild and gentle on the skin, the Dermo Purifyer Clenaser does not contain soap or fragrances. It lathers well and does a great job removing makeup.
The Toner is slightly exfoliating with lactic acidd and it’s not drying. Skin feels comfortable and fresh after use.
The Adjunctive Hydrating Care day moisturiser is a star. With SPF30, it feels thicker than my usual, but is well absorbed by skin and behaves very well under makeup.
The Active Night Care moisturiser has extra strong ingredients to work while you rest and feels good on the skin. I wake up fresh and plumped.
For those extra stubborn spots, the Active Concentrate gel, also very mild and not tingling, contains lactic acid and decandiol and can be used many times a day.
Finally, for a more deep cleanse, there is the Scrub, which is not too abrasive but has a good grit to it. It also contains lactic acid and pore-refining particles that get deeper into pores.
I am a huge fan of colour and my nails are usually the place this love manifest itself fully.
To be in with a chance, just enter the competition by the 28 April – it’s easy:
Most of us know too well the small desk to dance floor struggle.
Admittedly, the brushes are not amazing, they do the job ok but I prefer taking my MAC handbag sized ones.
God do I like a good contour. Not just the crazy-85-layers-of-30-product contour, but also an everyday, quick and efficient one that gives you just that extra oomph – definition and fierceness.
For this review, I used them all, as instructed on the guide, plus a little bit of shade 1 over my cupid bow, down my nose too and brow bones.
I first did my base with my usual primer and foundation, then using the medium palette, added the colours in the respective areas with a duo-fibre applicator brush (I used MAC 282).
Then I blended quite a bit with a very light touch, starting with my lighter colours to the darkest, using another duo-fibre brush (MAC 130 which I highly recommend for flawless cream/liquid blending; I use with concealer a lot).
To finish off, I set with a translucent powder (coloured powder can mask the contouring, I used GOSH prime ‘n set), a little bit of blusher (Charlotte Tilbury First Love), subtle mascara (Benefit They’re Real Lash Primer used solo, as a brown mascara) and a lipgloss (yes, a lipgloss! Lancôme Juicy Shaker in Apricute) .
That my skin is problematic is no news. I am always on the lookout for products that will give my skin what it needs – hydration, radiance, exfoliation, whatever – without aggravating it or breaking the delicate balance between an ok skin day and weeks of awfulness.
While I can see immediate results – more even skin tone, less shine – the effects are meant to get better over time. I have to say that my monthly breakouts did not make an appearance, so thumbs up!
Lipgloss hasn’t been a thing for me in a long time.
The classic Lancôme Juicy Tubes were an integral part of discovering makeup for me, but I felt I grew out of them, in a way.
Start with the packing, a cute bullet that keeps a surprise: a ridiculously soft sponge applicator in a conical shape, which delivers the right amount of product and helps contour the lips.
I tried Apricute and Cherry Symphony and the pigmentation is very decent: a somewhat buildable tint (which is said to get more intense the more you shake the bullet) with a lovely sheen that is in no way sticky. My hair hasn’t caught once!
So good tat even my little forest friend wanted a piece of it – I had to be pretty nifty in removing them from the tray! 😀
They come in an amazing 14 shades, including the limited edition Mint to Be, cost £18 each and can be purchased online and at retailers nationwide.
Skin hydration as become a huge issue for me and I am always welcoming products that not only deliver that but also maintain it.
I do love a serum, and this one has a water-like consistency and applies extremely well, being absorbed really quickly by the skin.
Always worth remembering La Roche-Posay cares for sensitive skin types. It contains thermal spring water associated with hyaluronic acid fragments alongside arginine and serine. It does not contain parabens.
Love at first spray: Dove Soft Feel has been my deodorant since I tried it for the first time, when it launched last year.
The stunning powdery fragrance, developed exclusively for Dove with French fragrance house Givaudan, for me is the perfect way of celebrating today (21 March), World Fragrance Day.
I’ve been using it since June last year and the effects of that extra moisture boost really show; my underarms not only smell great but feel fab!
Because I love this aroma, Dove has challenged me to guess which notes are part of Soft Feel fragrance.
Soft Feel comes in three sizes: Compressed 125ml (£3.79) and 75ml (£2.99 and perfect for flying!) and roll on 50ml (£2.39, also great in-flight).
So Many Lovely Things 