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Bonjour Gatineau, Welcome to my Skincare Regime

gatineauBonjour Gatineau,
Welcome to my Skincare Regime

My love affair with French skincare started around five years ago. At the time I was travelling to-and-from France on a regular basis, and I was enthralled by the products that lined pharmacy shelves. They promised quality over quantity,  unlike a lot of British & American beauty brands that churn out product after product. Not only that but most of the brands had reassuringly been around for years. One of these brands was Gatineau, founded back in 1932 by beauty therapist, Madame Jeanne Gatineau.

C’est Gatineau

Over the years Jeanne Gatineau’s pioneering research and development has resulted in cosmetic breakthroughs that have been stepping stones for the entire beauty industry. Par exemple, Gatineau were the first beauty house in the world to develop an exfoliator and alcohol-free cleansers and toners – I bet you didn’t know that.

Back to 2018, and Gatineau very kindly offered to send me a selection of their products to try, which I was happy to accept. After all I had been longingly staring at them for several years now, and I was dying to try out more than the travel size companions (body lotion, and hand cream) I had in my beauty cabinet.

I’m currently using the Perfection Ultime Beauty Cream, and I’m completely in love with the texture and scent of the product. I recently had a bad breakout and this has helped bring back some luminosity to my skin. Alongside this I tried the Collagene Experte Eye Pads in my bi-weekly routine., which have been freshening up my tired eyes. I’ve yet to try the other items I received, but if this experience is anything to go by then I can’t wait. Gatineau’s products look, feel and ooze quality – exactly what I’d expect from a luxury skincare brand.

Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!gatineau gatineau

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A Rather Bazaar Beauty Box | Review

Bazaar Beauty BoxBazaar Beauty Box by Latest In Beauty

Remember when beauty boxes were a thing? It’s been a while since it was popular for companies to charge us an arm and a leg for travel size samples; you were one of the lucky few if you found a rare full size product in your box. After the hype died down, I personally took to researching products and buying the full size versions. And I was happy. But then VA went and sent me a link to the latest ‘Latest in Beauty’ box. It included a collaboration with none other than Harper’s Bazaar – a brand that had won me over previously with their Birchbox collaboration. I couldn’t resist finding out more.

So what’s inside?

The limited-edition Spring/Summer beauty edit features high-end favourites from the likes of Laura Mercier, Elemis, Dermalogica, and many more.

  • Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant (full size)
  • Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder (full size)
  • MAC Prep + Prime Fix + (full size)
  • Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair  (full size)
  • Benefit They’re Real Mascara (full size)
  • Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream (15ml travel size)
  • Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Essence (50ml travel size)
  • Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask (15ml travel size)
  • Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (30ml travel size)
  • Alpha H Liquid Gold (50ml travel size)
  • Shavata Complimentary Brow-Shape (gift card)

Bazaar Beauty Box – final thoughts

This box is worth an incredible £224! But is it worth £50 (that’s the RRP) of your hard earned cash? Well quite frankly, yes it is. This box includes some amazing – and expensive – products. I already had plans to repurchase the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, and the MAC Prep + Prime Fix +. So straight off I’d saved myself £18, and that was without counting all the extra products that came in the box.

The amount of full size products is way more than most beauty boxes. And these are popular products, they’re not just cast offs from some company you’ve never heard of. I’ve already started using a few of the items, and I’m excited to try out all of the others (yes, all of them). £50 is a lot of money, but I am so glad I splurged on this.

You can purchase the Bazaar Beauty Box at Latest in Beauty.
Check out more of my beauty must-haves now!

Bazaar Beauty Box Bazaar Beauty Box Bazaar Beauty Box

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Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Cream | Review

dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream*

French skincare products proudly sit in my top 3 (next to Korean & Japanese). However it’s fair to say I stick to the same brands I know and love. Recently I changed this, with the introduction of a few Dr Pierre Ricaud products. You may recognise the brand, as it is a part of the Yves Rocher family – yes, the same as Petit Bateau. With such well known parents, I was eager to see what this new (to me at least) brand had to offer.

Pros:
– On/Off head function
– Brush applicator
– Soothing and gentle on skin

Cons:
– Brush applicator can become dirty
– Higher end price point

Notes:
First off, packaging. This little cutie is compact and easy to travel with. The brush applicator attached to the tube is great, and isn’t something I see very often in eye creams. I found this much better than applying on to the skin with my finger. Honestly I’m going to be sad when I have to go back to regular tubes. Every eye cream should have one of these! The on/off function means you won’t accidentally waste any product, and supposedly stops contamination. That said, I found that if I had not removed every single inch of my eye make-up – it happens to us all – then the brush becomes dirty. This can be remedied by gently cleaning it on the back of your hand, but it does make me wonder if this is why more brands don’t use brush applicators on their tubes.

I love this eye cream. It’s soothing and gentle on my skin, and it lifts my eyes when they’re feeling a little down. I find this particularly useful in the morning, when my eye bags are a little more puffy than usual (hello restless sleep). At £23 this is on the higher end of the skincare price point. I really like the product, but the price would definitely have me thinking before I purchased it.

You can purchase Dr Pierre Ricaud Collagenes 9 Eye Lifting Treatment Cream online at Dr Pierre Ricaud.
It is currently half price at £12.50 (was £23)!

dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9 dr pierre ricaud Collagenes 9

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Review: Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum

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Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum*

It’s been a while since I reviewed a new Avène product, hasn’t it. That’s not for lack of trying though, she says as she furiously writes an email to Avene HQ, begging them to release new products. Joking aside, I actually spotted the Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum at a beauty showcase last Summer, and I made a mental note that I would have to try it during the harsher Winter months. After doing just that I thought now was as good a time as any to review it. I mean, this review was inevitable, right?

Pros:
+ Good consistency
+ Feels soothing on skin
+ Nicely packaged
+ Works well as a primer
+ Mildly hydrating


Cons:
– A bigger bottle would be nice

Notes:
This is a good, trusty facial serum. I’ve been applying it in the morning and sometimes in the evening, and I have yet to say anything bad about it…apart from the size of the bottle being too small for my liking. At £17 though I’m really not 100% certain that I would purchase this. It’s a nice serum, but it just doesn’t have that wow factor. Yes, me the Avène fangirl hasn’t fallen head over heels for one of their products. I think that says enough really. It’s a good product, but I honestly can’t say there is any reason for me to purchase it over another facial serum.

You can purchase Avene’s Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum at Boots.

bloomzy /

Christmas Gift Guide: Skincare

avene_anti_aging_eye_and_lip_contour_care_cream_ave_ne_hydrance_optimale_serum_hydratant_christmas_gift_guide_bloomzy

What? Avène YsthéAL Anti-Aging Eye & Lip Contour Care*
Who for? Mum
How much? £19.50
Where from? Boots
Why? My mum is now at the age where she is looking for “that little miracle” to help keep her skin firm and smooth. YsthéAL Eye and Lip Contour revents and corrects the appeareance of signs of skin ageing: wrinkles, loss of elasticity in the eye and lip area. YsthéAL Eye and Lip Contour has a fine smooth texture, perfectly adapted to the most delicate areas of the face. The eye contour is smoother, and eyes appear fuller and well-rested, and the lip contour regains tone and elasticity. Good tolerance, tested on sensitive skin. Fragrance and paraben free.

What? Avène Hydrance Optimale Hydrating Serum*
Who for? Dad
How much? £17
Where from? Boots
Why? My dad has sensitive, dry skin. This is something which I’ve noticed a lot of men suffer from, especially in the harsh Winter weather. This intensely soothing formulation is ideal for sensitive skin, or skin that is easily affected by stress, pollution, or irritation. With its high concentration of Avene Thermal Spring Water, the serum works to hydrate and heal the skin with each and every application. Added Glycerine provides deep nourishment, hydration and comfort for the complexion. The silky serum glides on luxuriously, leaving skin feeling supple, smooth and soft.

 
What? Manuka Doctor Replenishing Facial Oil*
Who for? Beauty conscious friend
How much? £13.32 (currently on sale from £19.99)
Where from? Superdrug
Why? Facial oils can seem intimidating, especially to those who are new to skincare. However my beauty conscious friends would definitely appreciate one. The Normalising Manuka Facial Oil is a balancing formula rich in powerful plant extracts designed to help reduce sebum and refine skin’s texture. Just a couple of drops applied daily will visibly hydrate, revitalise and even skin tone whilst essential oils restore skin’s suppleness – all without greasy side effects. Achieve a brighter, fresher and more youthful looking complexion with Manuka Doctor Normalising Facial Oil – featuring hero ingredient Manuka Oil
 
What? Manuka Doctor Purifying Face Mask*
Who for? Sister
How much? £16.66 (currently on sale from £24.99)
Where from? Superdrug
Why? This one is a favourite of my sister’s so it’s an easy go-to product. Manuka Doctor’s new highly effective deep cleansing mask withdraws impurities and cleverly balances the perfect amount of oil and moisture for a smoother, more radiant looking complexion. It harnesses the power of natural active ingredients – Grape Seed Oil, rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, to help clean pores and even skin tone, Aloe Vera Juice to help reduce redness and remove excess oil and dirt from the skin, Witch Hazel and Kaolin Clay – a light mineral clay to help draw impurities from the skin. Manuka Doctor’s hero ingredient Purified Bee Venom (PBV) and its antibacterial properties, help fight blemishes and Manuka honey known for its known skincare benefits, assists hydration.
 
What? The Harley Medical Group Anti-oxidant Oil Free Moisturiser*
Who for? That special work colleague who has helped you out all year.
How much? £35
Where from? The Harley Medical Group
Why? Working in an office means air conditioning during the Summer, and heaters on full blast during the Winter. It easily wears skin out, so a decent moisturiser is well worth keeping on your desk. It is so important to soothe & clear congested skin. This moisturiser will do just that. It also leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky to the touch. An anti-oxidant oil free moisturiser that helps promote a smooth, matte complexion. Incorporating patented anti-ageing ingredients clinically shown to penetrate the skin and help reduce visible signs of ageing while stimulating collagen production. With the added benefit of Vitamin E, a powerful anti-oxidant that will help improve the overall texture of the skin.
bloomzy /

French Pharmacy Favourites

french_pharmacy_skincare_travel_size_products_favourites_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_avene_ave_ne french_pharmacy_skincare_travel_size_products_favourites_beauty_blog_blogger_bloomzy_avene_ave_ne_1

It’s safe to say that when I’m travelling I have my go-to favourite French pharmacy beauty products. French skincare is renowned as some of the best in the industry, and I’ve been swearing by it for years. So it only made sense that on my recent trip to France I took along some travel size versions.
I brought products from Avène, Klorane and Nuxe, all of which are brands I’ve featured on the blog before. Spoiler alert: they all came from UK stores.

My French pharmacy travel size favourites:
Avene Light Hydrating Cream with SPF20*
Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray
Nuxe Reve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream
Klorane Extra-gentle Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk*