No, it is not champagne! It’s Caudalie, of course, silly!
When the weather changes, my skin tends to suffer. I did talk about it a while back, but twice a year history repeats itself so I’m always on the lookout for new products to restore the glow through the transition phase and if they have pollution protection, even better.
Enter Caudalie Vine[Active], a collection of four products designed to support the skin and help prevent cell burn-out, which accelerates close to out mid-thirties.
The Anti-Cell Burnout Complex has vitamins E and C, stabilised grape seed polyphenol, and spruce extract to, respectively, maintain radiance, boost collagen and maintain melanin productions, preserve collagen and natural hyaluronic acid and stimulate cellular defense and, protect skin against oxidation.
Obviously I’ll start with the oil. The Overnight Detox Oil (£36) is 100% natural with omega 6, vitamin E and six essential oils (carrot, grapeseed, lavender, white sandalwood, sweet almond, rose, musk and neroli).
It’s a luscious oil that sinks well on the skin; which wakes up plump and healed. I love the distinctive herbal smell this oil has.
The VineActive Glow Activating Anti-Wrinkle Serum (£36) is another favourite. So light in contrast with the oil, it is great for wearing under makeup.
It has the Anti-Cell Burnout Complex together with hyaluronic acid in low molecular weight. It helps with skin ageing prevention and pigmentation.
Again, I use it in combination with the oil, at night and the VineActive 3-in-1 moisturiser (£32) during the day, which contains the same ingredients of the serum, for added plumping, plus anti-pollution polysaccharides and soft focus mattifying powders making it a great day cream, nourishing and creating that protection barrier. An SPF wouldn’t go amiss!
Finally, another obsession of mine: eye creams. The VineActive Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream (£27.50) also carries the anti Burnout complex together with peptides, fern and liquorice extracts and horse chestnut to lift, combat puffiness and dark circles.
Very light and quickly absorbed, I feel this eye cream is suitable for day or night. It also doesn’t upset my sensitive eye, which is a bonus!
The range is available from the Caudalie website and shops, as well as selected retailers.
And there’s also the purifying VineActive Facial Treatment available at the Caudalie spas, which deep cleanses and detoxifies. It includes thorough cleansing, deep exfoliation, detoxifying mask and moisturising, with a lymph and blood circulation activating facial massage.
Oil on my face. That is something I never thought I’d put on deliberately. Having had problematic, blemish skin all my life, I always struggled with the oiliness of my dry skin.
And now, I cannot live my life without it. For those that like me ran away from facial oils, give it a go. The reasoning behind it is that if you provide oils to the skin, it won’t produce, or produce much less of it.
The this works stress check face oil is a bliss, I’ve been loving it recently. On top of its redness relief, calming and hydrating properties, thanks to its botanical oils, vitamin C, E and omega 3, it has the most calming neroli, patchouli, lavender, vetivert and camomile fragrance. A treat for face and mind.
It is 100% natural and works towards detoxifying and regenerating stressed skin. Full review coming soon!
I love that Dr Jackson’s everyday oil also comes in a handy roll on, perfect for travelling, and perfect to carry on the plane. Definitely one to invest on for the holiday season, for its portability and to help sun exposed skin heal!
For more specific needs, the 
The market is brimming with great products, for all budgets. It is a great time for facial oils. And my skin is grateful!
Imagine a gorgeous place where your favourite beauty brands come together. That would be enough, right?
Then, top it off with a real shop full of friendly and approachable professionals in the counters.
I was about to place my order at 
Now to the order. The site is clean, well categorised, so it is easy to use and find what you’re looking for. You can also look for specific brands, skin concerns, the Marie Claire edit and specific filtering within categories.
At 
When Caudalie invited me for a pink night of cocktails and canapés to celebrate their new hydrating skincare range, I was very excited.
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.
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.
In 2015 I fell in love with skincare even more. I really drilled onto the nurturing aspect of dealing with my difficult and acneic skin, and the results, overall, are amazing.
Dr Jackson Facial Oil
Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Broad Spectrum anti-wrinkle protect cream:
This works light time skin plumper
Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus
Liz Earle Superskin Face Serum
Bee Good Hydrate, Smooth and Prime Serum:
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster
Nivea lip butter
Dermalogica intensive eye repair
S5 renew eye cream
S5 Clarity Cleanser:
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream
Caudalie Instant Detox Mask: a pink clay mask that purifies and tightens without drying. In fact, all Caudalie masks are ace, I also use the Glycolic Peel and the Moisturizing mask which are fab.
I love a good toner, and the Pixi Glow Tonic is just that. Slightly exfoliating, it delivers radiance within days of use. And has a great price.
I wasn’t sure how to call the 
Can’t live without a face mist, and in the winter even more so. The 
2015. What a fabulous year for the blog. I never expected all the amazing things that happened, brands, products and, above all, people I met.
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Love bite lipstick: usually a finish I don’t go for, a kind of lustre, but oh, boy, this is pretty. An orange red, with a fab sheen, but not too much, and great durability.
And a special mention to my favourite budget highlighter: 
So Many Lovely Things 