INSTITUT ESTHEDERM OSMOCLEAN HYDRA CLEANSING MILK {REVIEW}

Sometime back I spotted the Institut Esthederm range of skincare

 products in my local Dischem and whilst I haven't 

previously used any of their products this brand is quite prevalent 

in French pharmacies and that's where I've seen it before.

As always when I review a product from a brand for the first time

I like to give you some of their backstory and this one is slightly

different, as Institut Esthederm is a NAOS brand.

What is a NAOS brand you may well ask, well simply put 

NAOS is a purpose-driven company with a mission.

NAOS sees the skin as a living ecosystem that constantly interacts with 

its environment and that changes over time. 

Ecobiology was born from this dynamic vision: radically different to 

traditional cosmetics, this scientific approach is based on respect for the 

skin and knowledge of its biology.

Rather than over-treating the skin, you have to teach it to live...

The brands Bioderma, Esthederm and Etat Pur

were all born from this idea.

Bringing together health, beauty and well-being, 

Institut Esthederm Paris 

presents a range of luxurious skincare products with research 

and innovation at its core.

In treating skin as a unique eco-system, Institute Esthederm respects 

and re-educates your skin, with products and treatments that protect 

it from the environment while maintaining the skin’s optimal state 

as it evolves.

I recently purchased the 

Institut Esthederm Osmoclean 

Hydra Cleansing Milk, 

which is a soft, moisturising cleansing milk that comforts the skin

 as it cleanses.

A cleansing milk has always been my first choice in cleansers

and this particular cleanser is my type of product.

This high-tolerance cleansing base cleanses thoroughly 

while protecting the hydrolipid surface film and you can feel that

 immediately, as it provides both immediate and lasting comfort.

Enriched with Coconut, Palm and Almond Plant oils work to

 moisturise and soften the skin.

Suitable for all skin types, especially dry, mature skin and fragile skins

that suffer from discomfort associated with cleansing.

You can apply either with a cotton wool pad or with your fingers and if 

you like to remove with water, its water soluble, but my preference

 is to apply with a cotton wool and remove with a toner.

 Esthederm is dye, fragrance and paraben-free.

In a blindfold test I would have picked out this cleanser as being one 

from a French brand.

This product is exactly what you'd expect from a traditional French

 type of cleansing milk, as this gentle creamy milk worked its magic in 

one swift move whether it be on bare skin or on a full face of make-up.

It respected my skins barrier and left it feeling comforted and soft 

and all in an easy "fuss free" manner leaving your skin fully prepared to 

absorb the benefits of your remaining skincare

and I thoroughly loved it...

 

ESTHEDERM

OSMOCLEAN

HYDRA CLEANSING MILK

200ml

R

317

£

18

$

29

Available from selected 

Dischem

SUNDAY SAMPLE

After working for the french brand L'Occitane for many years, 

I reckon I've tried most of their products, but this is one of the newer 

additions to the Shea collection that I haven't had the pleasure of using,

 so this coming week I will try out a L'Occitane shower product, 

in the form of

Shea Body Shower Oil

This deluxe sample size of 35mls will keep me going for the

next 7 days I'm sure.

The Shea Body Shower Oil promises to gently cleanse and help

 nourish dry skin, whilst its rich texture will leave a nourishing, 

protective film, which helps soften dry skin.

As with all L'Occitane products I'm sure this product will deliver

on the above, but pop back next Sunday to see how I rate

this Shea Body Shower Oil.

To read my previous reviews on L'Occitane products, but I warn you

there are many, then

Click Here

ELEMIS PRO COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIX [REVIEW]

I have been using the 

ELEMIS PRO-COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIX 

for what seems like forever, so I thought it was time that I give you

my thoughts on this Wrinkle Smoothing Night Cream now, 

after 3 months of using, rather than wait for my jar to finish.

Plus I'm so excited to tell you about this product, as it delivered on 

everything it promised and I love it...

As skin ages, it begins to lose the solid architecture of its youth

Pro-Collagen was created with this in mind. 

Developed with incredible, ultra-hydrating marine actives and 

cutting-edge science, these formulas deliver intense, skin-plumping 

hydration to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles. 

World-renowned for having heavenly textures and surreal results, this

 award-winning range leaves skin looking and feeling more youthful 

than ever.

Part of the Pro-Collagen range, this overnight cream is the 

next generation Pro-Collagen with Smart Technology targets the signs of 

skin ageing caused by stress. 

This clinically proven overnight treatment moisturiser uses ground-breaking 

Drone Peptide Technology to visibly bring back the bounce to your skin, 

so you wake up with a visibly firmer, less creased and a more 

youthful complexion.

Harnessing a powerful blend of Padina Pavonica, 

NEW Drone Peptide Technology, Microalgae 

and 

Wild Indigo Oligosaccharides, 

Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix's revolutionary formula creates a protective 

matrix to seal in hydration and works throughout the night to help restore

 the natural balance to stressed-looking skin.

How to use:

Apply to a cleansed skin every evening.

Warm between the palms, breathe in the aromas and smooth over the,

 face, neck and décolleté

Avoid direct contact with eyes.

The

PRO-COLLAGEN OVERNIGHT MATRIX

has been a dream to use.

I agree 100% on all of the above and I must also make mention

how wonderful this night cream smells, as it has that beautiful

 ELEMIS

 "Spa in a Jar" aroma.

As you would expect from a night cream I found the formula to be

 a heavier one, yet it was non oily and not occlusive on the skin at all.

It glides onto beautifully and despite using nightly for

the past 4 months I have perhaps just over a 1/3 of my jar left, which

make me happy, as this night cream carries a premium price tag!

Personally my skin has never felt and looked so smooth, nourished, 

firm, yet relaxed and dare I say it "more youthful" & "bouncy"

since using ELEMIS consistently for the past 6 months.

Simply...this #1 British skincare brand makes my skin happy

 and in turn that makes me very happy.

My skin is looking great for it's age, so really what more could

I ask for from skincare products.

P.S This has to be, maybe, my 12th ELEMIS product review

and non of them have been PR Gifts (I wish they were)

all have been purchased, so these reviews are totally unbiased

and authentic.

If you would like to check out all my ELEMIS reviews

Here

ELEMIS 

PRO-COLLAGEN 

OVERNIGHT MATRIX

50ml

R

3,100

$

230

£

148

ELEMIS 

is now easily available on several websites here in

 South Africa.

One SKIN.emporium

RETAILBOX

SUPERBALIST

BRITISHBESPOKE

Let me know in the comments below if you are also an ELEMIS fan 

and which products are your "faves".

ON MY BEAUTY RADAR {JUNE 2021}

I'm excited to bring you this updated On "My Beauty Radar"post

as I have managed to purchase 3 products that have been on

this list for a couple of years now.

I ordered the following via 2 different online 3rd retailers

here in SA and due to both having sales on I secured prices that were either

 on a par with overseas or slightly cheaper and as you can imagine

 that made me very happy.

1.SUMMER FRIDAYS Jet Lag Mask

2.LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask (Berry)

& the

3.LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask (Original)

So I think it's time to add some more products onto my wish list,

so expect another updated post soon.

{PURCHASED}

SUMMER FRIDAYS

Jet Lag Mask

This much raved about Jet Lag Mask from SUMMER FRIDAYS is not available 

in SA and since there's been no travel, I still haven't purchased it, so

 On My Beauty Radar it stays...

{PURCHASED}

LANEIGE 

LIP SLEEPING MASK

The Korean Beauty brand LANEIGE formulated this, now infamous, award

 winning leave-on lip mask that soothes and moisturizes for smoother, 

more supple lips overnight and being slightly Lip Balm obsessed

 I had to add to my list.
I was so close to buying earlier this year, at Dubai Duty Free,unfortunately
they don't sell the individual loose items, only a Duty Free exclusive pack

 of 4 and even for me 4 was way too many.
Retails $20 and available in 4 options:
 Original
Vanilla
Apple Lime
Berry




{PURCHASED}

LANEIGE
WATER SLEEPING MASK

Now I do enjoy a good "leave on" face mask and thoroughly enjoyed my 

recent LUMENE NORDIC HYDRA AERATING GEL MASK 
and I'm assuming this maybe quite similar, as it's an overnight, 

moisture-recharging gel mask that quickly absorbs while you sleep 

to deeply hydrate skin. 
Again I missed out on this award winning mask as Duty Free only sold
packs of 2 and it was one too many, as it meant double the price.
Retails for $25 and is available in 2 variants:
Original
Lavender

{STILL ON MY LIST}

BYTERRY 

HYALURONIC 

HYDRA-CONCEALER

I'm a huge fan of French Luxury brand BYTERRY and my collection

 is building up nicely, however

they have very recently launched a couple of products that

have caught my eye and knowing how I love the items I already have, I'm

confident that I'll also love these new additions, but I'm not

sure my wallet will...

Their new Hyaluronic Hydra Concealer is 87% skincare based formula

and it promises to:

 Hydrates. 

Disguises dark circles

Plumps and blurs

Brightens and protects

 Buildable coverage 

Long-Lasting.

I always prefer my make-up to be more skincare focused and I cant wait to 

get my hands on this concealer.

BYTERRY

HYALURONIC

GLOBAL FACE CREAM

Another new launch that has me intrigued is the 

BYTERRY Hyaluronic Global Face Cream

A powerful Global Face moisturizer with 8 hyaluronic acids for intense hydration. Plumps, smooths and illuminates skin. 

Clean, vegan formula. Fragrance-free. All skin types.Can be used am & pm.

I fear this one will be the wallet "attacker".

URBAN DECAY
STAY NAKED HYDROMANIAC
Tinted Glow Foundation

Sadly URBAN DECAY are no longer available in South Africa and they 
just so happened to have recently launched two products that have
caught my eye and would love to try.
It's a longwear, tinted glow foundation infused with kombucha filtrate and 
marula oil for up to 24-hour hydration, coverage, and fresh glow.
£29

URBAN DECAY
LASH FREAK
MASCARA

As you know all too well I'm a bit of a mascara addict and this one really
 appeals to me, as its an intensely volumising mascara with an 
asymmetrical brush that lengthens, lifts, and curls lashes for a dramatic, 
wide-eyed effect.
£22

AZZARO CLUB MEN EDT #TBT REVIEW

My hubby helps me occasionally with product reviews and as you can

 read from his input below that he wasn't taken with this fragrance.

Dating back to April 2014 it's hard to believe this original review was

 posted7 years ago.

Also note the price back in 2014 was R655 for the 75ml and today it

 retails for R1025 for the same 75mls.

~~~~~~

I was recently given a sample of both 

AZZARO CLUB Men and AZZARO CLUB Woman, 

hence it was at the top of my sample jar. 
Both of these fragrances were launched in South Africa during

 February 2014.

Both my hubby and I are not of an age to be embroiled in the 

clubbing scene, but as I have learnt over the years, all the 

promotional and marketing

 "bumph" goes out of the window, if the fragrance is enjoyed by a

 person that doesn't actually fit the brief.

This is what AZZARO say about their latest launch:
An explosive composition that is simultaneously tonic, aromatic and

 sensual, AZZARO CLUB Men unravels in two facets; to spray endlessly

 to keep up the pace all night long: 

Aromatic Electro facet: 

sparkling and bursting with freshness, from the very first notes… 

A bold fusion awakens our curiosity: energizing lemon sorbet and biting 

green papaya. A sassy duo for a concentrate of positive energy. 

Nocturnal facet:

 the richness of hemp with the voluptuous woody notes and aromatic 

aroma of Hinoki wood (native to Japan).

 The radiance of crystal musk leads us into a sensual and luminous world,

 in which the first glimmer of daylight appears.

So undeterred by either the name or the target market,

 my "50" something hubby tried the sample and gave his opinion 

and simply put he:

1. 

Didn't care much for the name.
2. 

Enjoyed the initial top notes of fruitiness

 (he enjoys a fresh lemon fragrance)
3. 

Didn't enjoy the woody elements of this fragrance.
4. 

Felt that it didn't really have any staying power on his skin, 

contrary to the marketing blurb.
5. 

Wouldn't buy a bottle.

Thank goodness for fragrance samples, as I now know... 

not what to buy my "Non Club Man".

LETS TALK ABOUT - NEW MENS FRAGRANCES

Fragrance has always been a huge part of my life and keeping

up with all the latest fragrance launches was not only a part of

my work but it was also a great passion. 

Sadly I've lost touch a little with what's new and seeing that Fathers Day

is on Sunday I decided to check out the more recent mens fragrances

that have been launched here in SA.

Here are 4 that piqued my interest for one reason or another.

Enjoy!

1.

Emporio Armani

STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY

This new, masculine fragrance pays tribute to the absolute

power of love.

STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY 

is a Fougère

Oriental Ambery scent for men that is invitingly liquorous, 

sensual, and addictive.

This powerful and sensual fragrance is boosted by an 

addictive new rum accord, while

lavender is irresistibly enhanced with liquorice and fruity facets. 

Warm vanilla and

smoky cedarwood round up this powerful scent.

If your man loves to make a sensual and bold statement then this 

could be one to consider.

With the introduction of STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY for him,

the Emporio Armani fragrance collection available in South Africa

now encompasses three masculine scents:

STRONGER WITH YOU

STRONGER WITH YOU INTENSELY

STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY

Emporio Armani 

Stronger With You Absolutely 

50ml/100ml

R

1625/2120

available from

18 June 2021 

at all major retailers.

~~~~~~

2.

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN 

AQUA VITAE

COLOGNE FORTE

If heavy scents are not for you or your man then this freshly launched

Maison Francis Kurkdjian 'Aqua Vitae Forte' fragrance could be more

up your "fragrance Street" and is suited to both men and women.

As the colour suggests this fragrance is a sunny, fresh, bright yet

sensual fragrance with

 Top notes:

Mandarin Orange and Bergamot

 Heart and Base notes:

 Sandalwood and Musk

There are 3 fragrances in the Forte Cologne Collection and all feature 

Bergamot as the core ingredient which gives a fresh citrus depth.

I personally love Bergamot in fragrance, so one of these could be

just perfect for me...

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN 

AQUA VITA

COLOGNE FORTE

 70ML

R3,530

Available in South Africa at

 Skins Cosmetics

~~~~~~

3.

AZZARO 

MOST WANTED

 Is another bold, intense fragrance and one for a daring man, 

with an infinite power of attraction.

 Described as a Fougére Oriental and Woody fragrance.

A rather complex fragrance consisting of :

CARDAMOM

The dried bark and seeds of cardamom are distilled in

Guatemala, releasing a range of

complex notes, alternately spicy, green, balsamic or lemony.

CARAMEL

Evoking burnt sugar, vanilla or milky notes, caramel provides a 

balsamic and gourmand tone. Both warm and deliciously sensual.

WOODY AMBER

This bourbon vanilla and vetiver accord offers a complex sensation

 of softness and power.

Azzaro 

The Most Wanted 

EDP Intense 

50/100ml

R

 1490/1880

Azzaro The Most Wanted 

was launched on 10 June 2021 

and is available at all major retailers.

~~~~~~

4.

VIKTOR & ROLF

SPICEBOMB

INFRARED

The popular Spicebomb collection by Viktor & Rolf has a blazing 

hot new men's fragrance inspired by the intensity of a red habanero 

chili pepper with a sharp, piercing burn. 

Around this fiery pepper, red berry oil and tobacco, create a halo of

blazing warmth and magnetism.

Top notes:

 pink pepper, red fruits & cinnamon

Middle notes: 

red chilli pepper Habanero

Base notes: 

benzoin & tobacco

VIKTOR&ROLF

SPICEBOMB

INFRARED

EDT

 50/90ml

R

1640/2050

Launched on the 17th May 

and is available from selected

Edgars & Truworths stores.

~~~~~~

TATA HARPER PURIFYING CLEANSER {REVIEW}

At the end of 2020 I was invited to experience a Tata Harper facial

at the

 Oyster Box Hotel Spa.

The Red Carnation Hotels Collection, Southern Africa, is proud to announce 

that all four of its hotels, will be the first on the continent to offer the

 renowned USA Tata Harper range of skincare products and treatments.

I did write a blog post about my wonderful treatment at the spa,

so if you would like to catch up on that Click here

A pioneer in natural luxury skincare, Tata Harper herself couldn't find

 100% natural products that were up to her impeccable 

standards of efficacy, quality, and purity. 

So she started Tata Harper Skincare to make them - for herself, and for 

women like her who refuse to risk their health for beauty. 

If she doesn’t feel that a product is perfect, she won’t launch it.

Tata Harper’s botanical ingredients have pioneered the ‘farm-to-face’ trend,

 offering a premium, sustainable line of products and accompanying

 treatments. 

Each Tata Harper product contains biodegradable ingredients which meet

 COSMOS and EcoCert standards, and are packaged with fully recyclable

 and sustainable materials. 

Tata Harper is also certified by the American Vegetarian Association 

and is 100% cruelty free.

I was kindly gifted a couple of their skincare products and over the

past few months I have been trying the 

Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser

Whilst a purifying cleanser isn't possibly skin type appropriate for me

I did read up on Tata Harper website 

"Which Cleanser is Right for Me" 

and this cleanser is suitable for all skin types and I incorporated

into my skincare regime for occasional use.

The Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser combats the daily wear 

and tear of environmental exposure and pollution.

A powerfully purifying cocktail of sugars, Broccoli extract and 

fruit enzymes thoroughly cleans the skin and refines pore appearance, 

while an invigorating blend of essential oils helps flush away impurities 

for a deeply refreshed feel.

This luxurious soap-free cleanser has a cooling effect on the skin and 

focuses on removing the toxins that our skin comes in contact with

 every day, such as pollution and other debris.

The ingredients draw out impurities, clear debris off skin surface and pores,

This gel-to-oil cleanser is a daily or occasional detox treatment. 

For best results, massage onto dry skin and avoid direct contact with eyes.

 Rinse thoroughly with cold water. 

Use daily AM & PM.

Due to their cleansers being treatments, they recommend massaging 

them onto dry skin for maximum results and I found myself doing

just that.

When applied to dry skin the gel turns into a luxurious oil and once water

is added it turns into a rather refreshing foam that leaves

your skin feeling incredibly clean yet soft and not feeling stripped.

The fragrance of this cleanser is both clean and fresh and it's

one of the nicest smelling cleansers that I've tried.

Despite not being my first choice in their 5 cleanser product line-up

there are times where I feel my skin needs a deeper cleanse and

I found it to work very well.

I can only imagine how wonderful this product would feel and how 

effectively it would deep cleanse a blemished, oily or congested skin...

TATA HARPER

PURIFYING CLEANSER

50/125ml

R

Tata Harper retail products and treatments are available at all the

 following Red Carnation properties:

 The Oyster Box

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Spa Wellness Retreat.

Xigera Safari Lodge (Botswana)

£

30/66

$

35/76