GATINEAU GENTLE SILK CLEANSER {REVIEW}

I can't deny that I have a soft spot for Gatineau products it was a French skincare brand that I worked for over 30 years ago and back then Jeanne Gatineau,

as it was known, was held in high regard amongst skincare boffs and nothing has changed.

I recently opted to revisit three of their products and so far I haven't been disappointed.

Last month I reviewed the Floracil Eye Make-up Remover

today it will be their Gentle Silk Cleanser and tomorrows post will be on the

corresponding Gentle Silk Toner, so if you have ever been tempted to try Gatineau products these 3 products maybe a good place to start your 

Gatineau skincare encounter. 

Founded in 1932 by acclaimed Parisian skincare expert Jeanne Gatineau, they are celebrating 85 years as leading specialists in anti-aging skincare.

  Gatineau combine natural ingredients with cutting edge bio-technology to create

 highly effective skincare that delivers visible and lasting results.

The Gentle Silk Cleanser is enriched with delicate Silk and Cotton Extracts, this luxurious milky cleanser gently dissolves all traces of make-up and impurities whilst conditioning the skin. This salon-grade formulation is the most important step in the skincare routine to allow maximum absorption of other products and is suitable for all skin types, 

even the most sensitive.

Can be used both AM & PM and can be rinsed off with water or removed with cotton wool which is my preferred way.

The ingredients include:

Silk Extracts – promote cell regeneration and improve elasticity

Cotton Extracts – leave the skin soft and comfortable

Sweet Almond Oil – nourishes and softens the skin

After using this cleanser all those memories of my time with Gatineau came flooding

back and it's easy to see why this cleanser is one of their Best Selling products and 

if unlike me, you have a sensitive skin, then I highly recommend this soothing cleanser, 

as it left my skin feeling wonderfully soft, comforted and cocooned.

GATINEAU

GENTLE SILK CLEANSER

200ml

R

310

£

22.00

GATINEAU GENTLE SILK TONER {REVIEW}

If you haven't read my review on the Gatineau Gentle Silk Cleanser that I posted yesterday, then here's the link Gentle Silk Cleanser Review

As promised today I'm reviewing its partner the
Gatineau Gentle Silk Toner 

An alcohol-free toner designed to remove all traces of cleanser whilst respecting the skin’s pH and moisture levels. Formulated with soothing extracts of Silk and Cotton, pores are refined and the skin is left feeling refreshed and radiant.

Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive.

The Gentle Silk Toner contains the same 3 core ingredients as the 

Gentle Silk Cleanser:

Silk Extracts – promote cell regeneration and improve elasticity

Cotton Extracts – leave the skin soft and comfortable

Sweet Almond Oil – nourishes and softens the skin

Having now tried and reviewed 3 cleansing products from Gatineau it's just as I remember,

 a good quality French skincare brand and if you are looking to introduce some luxury cleansing into your life then I can highly recommended my old friend Gatineau.

The Gentle Silk Cleanser and Toner make a perfect duo

and I must say it's a duo that, after all these years, I've fallen back in love with.

GATINEAU

GENTLE SILK TONER

200ml

R

310

£

22.00

To read my review on the Gatineau Floracil Eye Make-up Remover


Gatineau products are available from selected
Woolworths/Dischem/Truworths counrtywide.

GATINEAU FLORACIL GENTLE EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER {REVIEW}

Having worked, many years ago for Gatineau or Jeanne Gatineau, as it was named back then, using this FLORACIL Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover was a real "Blast from the Past"

and I had forgotten just how good this product was.

This Original Floracil Gentle Eye Make-up Remover is just as cooling and refreshing as I remember. Its non-oily, non-drying and non-irritating liquid is highly effective.

I was impressed with how quickly it dissolved my eye make-up, even the most stubborn 

of my mascaras,whilst leaving no residue behind rendering it an absolute breeze and pleasure to use.

 Floracil is extremely gentle with the same pH as tears; which means, no stinging, irritation or puffiness. Its also Dermatologist tested and Fragrance Free.

I'm so happy to have re-discovered this blue bottle of soothing effectiveness...

GATINEAU 

Floracil 

Gentle Eye Make-up Remover

200ml

R

395

 £

22

Gatineau is available at selected Dischem's

Woolworths and Truworths.

GATINEAU FLORACIL PLUS GENTLE EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER {REVIEW}

 I was recently re-connected with an old beauty favourite of mine

from the French skincare brand Gatineau, the Floracil Eye Make-up Remover

 and it was my eye remover of choice for many years.

To read that review

Having added another eye make-up remover back in 2017 in the form

of the GATINEAU FLORACIL PLUS 

I thought I would put it to the test and see which I prefer.

This bi-phase updated formula has been formulated to instantly cleanse the 

delicate eye area of all traces of make-up, including long wear and

 waterproof mascara. 

Whilst I don't generally wear waterproof eye make-up, I do find that some

"Long Wear" eye products can be extremely difficult to remove, due to the 

richer pigments and more sophisticated formulas and often

require some extra help and this is where the Floracil Plus comes in.

There's no tugging or pulling on the delicate skin around the eye area

 and take it from me, for the more mature of us, we only want 

gentle when it comes to our eye make-up removal.

 

The Plus contains Aloe Vera,Hyaluronic Acid, Witch Hazel and Vitamin E 

to protect and hydrate the eye area, whilst helping to condition the lashes.

Floracil Plus:

Deeply hydrates the eye area

Protects the skin

Decrease in puffiness and dark circles

Ophthalmologist tested

Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers

 Fragrance Free

The Bi-phase formula is made up of 2 separated phases : Aqueous and oily.

Thanks to its light formulation, Floracil Plus will not leave a heavy, 

oily residue around the eye.

As with all Bi-phase products you must shake the product well before use. 

Pour onto 2 dampened cotton pads and place over each eye. 

Allow make-up to dissolve and wipe away.

Wipe the upper lid clean with downward movements to minimize eye-lash loss. 

Use upward movements to cleanse the bottom eye.

Whilst both Floracil options do a fantastic, yet gentle job at removing

 eye make-up, the Plus version does seem to have an edge, as it 

effortlessly melts away all traces of make-up .

I really think the decision, as to which you buy, would depend on a couple

of things:

 1.

Whether you enjoy a Bi-phase formula, as I know some people don't.

2.

How much eye make-up you wear

 3.

Is it waterproof or long wearing or normal.

 However I can highly recommend both and considering that I now 

have both, 

I think that's how it will stay and I will switch between the 2, 

as and when needed.

GATINEAU

FLORACIL PLUS

EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

118mls

R

230

£

19

BEAUTY PRODUCTS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW {FEBRUARY 2020}

On the one hand January seems to have been one looong month, but on the other

it doesn't seem so long ago that I was writing my first "Currently Under Review"

of the year and here I am busy compiling my second.

1.

GATINEAU

FLORACIL

GENTLE EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

This is a re-visit for me, as I used Gatineau's Floracil Eye Make-up Remover 

 back in the day the brand was called Jeanné Gatineau.

 I not only used this product for many years, I also worked as a rep for the brand.

I remember this eye make-up remover as being not only gentle, but very efficient.

I do hope this remover is as good as I remember.

2.

FIRST AID BEAUTY

FACIAL RADIANCE PADS 

This tub of FAB Radiance Pads were an inclusion in my recent 

Beauty Advent Calendar

and as I'm a great believer in exfoliating and peeling products I'm looking

forward to putting these to the test.

3.

MAYBELLINE

DREAM

URBAN COVER

FOUNDATION

Not yet launched in South Africa I had my son being this over for me

 in December. I hope the shade is correct as there are several in this foundation

range to choose from.

If I'm not mistaken this is the first foundation from MAYBELLINE that I've tried.

I was drawn to it as many have made the comparison between this foundation

and the IT COSMETICS CC+ CREAM SPF 50 which I have reviewed

To read my full review

 It wasn't love at first sight with this product, as I felt it was too much coverage

 and quite a thick cream, however I did fall in love and highly rate it,

so it will be interesting to see how if this MAYBELLINE compares.

4.

JULIETTE HAS A GUN

"IN THE MOOD FOR OUDE"

I was recently sent this fragrance, so I thought I would review 

during Valentines Month.

Not a mainstream fragrance brand and one that I had to do some research on.

JULIETTE HAS A GUN 

is available exclusively at Metropolitan Cosmetics in Johannesburg and I'll

bring you more info on this brand with my review of the fragrance early next week.

*NOW POSTED*

To read my full review

5.

VITA LIBERATA

BEAUTY BLUR

VITA LIBERATA is the "crème de la crème" range when it comes to all things

 "Self Tan" related and this newly launched "Beauty Blur" has been on my Wish List 

for some months.

I was fortunate to receive a 10ml tube in a LOOKFANTASTIC subscription

Beauty Box that was sent to me as a free gift with an order back in November and again

my "London Kiddiewink" was my cosmetic mule.

I couldn't believe my luck when I opened the surprise box and found this generous

 sample size of the Beauty Blur product to try.

MY FAVOURITE EYE MAKE-UP REMOVERS {2022}

 With the advent of Micellar Waters, Cleansing Balms and other

 multi functional cleansers, the use of eye make-up removers

seems to be on the decline.

I for one have always been a fan of using a separate product specifically

 to remove eye make-up, especially when it comes to mascara.

Over the years I have used so many and I have never written a dedicated

post re my favourites.

From all the options available whether it be a lotion, gel, micellar,

pads or bi-phase my personal favourite type of remover is the latter.

(I must make mention though that I do not have a sensitive eye area)

I will post the Pink Links below which will take you straight to my

 original reviews.

~~~~~~

LANCÔME

BI-FACIL

MAKE-UP REMOVER

I'm starting with a high-end favourite of mine

the Lancôme Bi-Facil Make-Up Remover.

The lipid phase lifts off eye makeup, while the water phase contains

 special emollients to refresh and the condition skin, which I have found

 has become more important to me with age, as the eye area always 

requires more TLC.

What I enjoyed is that despite being non oily, it still did a good job of 

instantly removing not only my eyeshadow and mascara, but made 

light work of my Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner, which is

 always my benchmark as to how good an eye make-up remover truly is.

This very effective product is worthy of all its accolades and if

 your budget allows, then this is without a doubt an eye make-up to

 seriously consider.

125ml R550

To read my original review

~~~~~~

GATINEAU

FLORACIL

EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

The GATINEAU Floracil Gentle Eye Make-up Remover was my "go to" for 

many years and I revisited the product a couple of years ago

and it was just as good as I remembered and has since become my

"go to" once again.

 This non-oily, non-drying and non-irritating liquid is highly effective.

I was impressed with how quickly it dissolved my eye make-up, even the

 most stubborn of my mascaras, whilst leaving no residue behind rendering

 it an absolute breeze and pleasure to use.

As with most eye make-up removers Floracil is extremely gentle 

with the same pH as tears; which means, no stinging, irritation or puffiness.

 It's also Dermatologist tested and Fragrance Free.

R465 200mls

To read my original review

~~~~~~

YVES ROCHER

EXPRESS

EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

This remover from YVES ROCHER is without doubt my favourite and my most purchased remover all of time and unfortunately since YR withdrew from South Africa I now have to stock up when on my travels and sadly due to covid my 

stash has depleted.

This is a bi-phase eye makeup remover, so expect to see the two phases

 separate out and remember to always shake well before use, otherwise 

the product will be imbalanced and not be as effective. 

The one ingredient is the Organic Cornflower Water which is renowned for being gentle on the skin round the eye and having soothing properties and 

both are often found in many eye products. 

This product is super quick and easy to use and leaves the eye area feeling refreshed, there's no stinging and no real fragrance to mention 

with this product.

For me it's a winner and I highly recommend if you have easy access to 

Yves Rocher.

To read my original review

~~~~~~

GARNIER

MICELLAR WATER

If you are looking for a very affordable, yet effective product to remove both

face, eye and lip make-up then you cannot go wrong with the

Micellar Water from GARNIER.

The Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water is a multi purpose product, 
as it removes make-up, cleanses the face,eyes and lips, 
all without having to remove or rinse off. 

How can one product achieve so much...Well it's all down to the

 Garnier Micellar technology in this all-in-one cleanser. 
The cleansing agents attract and capture the make-up and impurities lifting 
them away from skin, leaving it perfectly cleansed and refreshed.

GARNIER now have a couple of variants, but my review was on the original

 pink packaging for sensitive skin.

R75 400mls 

To read my original review

There you have it my favourite tried and tested Eye Make-Up Removers

and there's one for every budget.

Let me know in the comments below if any of these are your "faves" also.

Here's a link to all my Eye Make-Up Remover posts/reviews

 Here

RECENT EMPTIES {APRIL 2021}

 This is my 2nd Recent Empties post of 2021, so I think it's

fair to say that I am getting better with saving my empty beauty products.

Today I have 6 empties 2 of which I have mentioned in past empties post,

but I wanted to mention them again as they're products I use all the time.

L-R

1.

AVÈNE

Eau Thermale

This is an "oldie but goldie" and I have mentioned it several times in

 previous empties posts.

This thermal spring water spray has been part of my beauty life

for many years and it's still the best water spray to calm and soothe 

the skin or to just refresh the skin during the hot days, hence why I

go through so many.

If you haven't tried this product yet I highly suggest you add it to

your beauty regime.

To read my original review 

click here

 

2.

BY TERRY

BLACKSTAR

EYE LINER

I purchased this BYTERRY eyeliner during lockdown last

year and sadly it's finished already, which I'm a little surprised at, especially

as I haven't been wearing eye make-up everyday.

Whilst I enjoyed this product I doubt I would repurchase

based on the simple fact that I just love my favourite of many years the

STILA Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner.

This liquid liner is, in my opinion, the best liquid eye liner out there.

 The STILA liner definitely lasts way longer than the BYTERRY

To read my original review 

click here

3.

WHITE BARN

ROSE WATER & IVY

GENTLE FOAMING HAND SOAP

White Barn products are available at Bath&Body Works and not having

a B&BW here in South Africa I was able to pick up several liquid soaps 

in Dubai back in early 2020.

This liquid hand soap smells amazing and it will be added to my 

overseas shopping list for sure, when we can finally get to travel again.

I haven't actually reviewed this product on my blog, so here is a mini review.

This Gentle Foaming Hand Soap with natural essential oils combines nourishing vitamin E with softening shea extract & aloe to deliver a rich luxurious

 rose fragranced foam that gentle washes hands clean.

 Having used liquid hand soaps for 20 or more years this is possibly

my all time favourite.

4.

URBAN DECAY

ALL NIGHTER

MAKE-UP SETTING SPRAY

I've also included this setting spray in a previous empties post, as it

has become a permanent fixture in my life.

Sadly URBAN DECAY are no longer available in South Africa, luckily 

I did manage to buy a couple of back-ups, but unfortunately I have been 

going through them so much quicker than normal due to wearing face masks. 

It really does help to set and fix make-up in place ensuring 

that less comes off on the inside of my face mask.

To read my original review 

click here

5.

GATINEAU

GENTLE SILK TONER

I finished this toner many months back and I've only just found the

empty container now, so better late than never.

I enjoy GATINEAU products and this toner compliments the 

Gentle Silk Cleanser well and makes a good cleansing and toning duo.

To read both original reviews

Cleanser Review

Toner Review

 

6.

JO MALONE

WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT

Cologne

I have a couple more spritzes left in my bottle and as always a 30ml

size didn't last too long with me, considering that I just love this fragrance

 so much and its been my go to all summer.

The 100ml size is a better option value wise, so its on my shopping

list, as I really can't be without. In the meantime I've switched to my

 other fave JO MALONE fragrance Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne.

To read my original Wood Sage & Sea Salt review 

click here

To read original Earl Grey & Cucumber review

click here

MONTHLY FAVOURITES {JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2020}

Just to clarify that I try many beauty products over the course of a two month period

 most of which I purchase myself, so I'm not obliged in anyway to write a glowing review. 

Due to this you can be assured that I only include the stand out products in my 

Monthly Favourites post and ultimately they're the ones that I recommend

you to check out or those that I personally rate and would repurchase again.
As always I have included the original full reviews (links in pink)

Over January and February I have reviewed slightly less products than normal

due to me posting my annual "Top" posts and if you missed those, check out which

beauty products I highly recommend a spend on.

My Top 10 Skincare Products 2019

My Top 10 Make Up Products 2019

My Top 6 Hair & Body Products 2019

*Spoiler Alert*
Several of the products below have already been added to my 
"Top" product list for 2020

1.

VITA LIBERATA
BEAUTY BLUR

I find myself reaching for the Vita Liberate Beauty Blur so often and whilst 

my generous 10ml size has lasted far longer than I thought it would,

 I'm now down to scraping out the insides of the tube.

Its been such an easy to wear face product, especially for those no make up days 

as it miraculously blurs, tints and corrects whilst giving my skin a radiant glow

and I know its expensive, but I'm going to have to take that plunge and purchase

when Woolworths have their next beauty 25% off promo , as that will ease

the pain.

To read my full review

2.

LUMENE

NORDIC HYDRA

AERATING GEL MASK

This face mask from the Nordic skincare brand LUMENE has been an absolute

pleasure to use and I'm so disappointed that my deluxe sample has finished.

The cooling gel formula not only felt great on my skin but it instantly

gave a surge of hydration and I loved this product.

This range is not available in South Africa, so its been added onto my overseas

 beauty shopping list.

To read my full review

3.

GATINEAU

FLORACIL

EYE MAKE-UP REMOVER

This was a product that I re-visited after being a huge fan of the 

Gatineau Floracil Eye Make-Up Remover many years ago and I have fallen in love

with it all over again, as it ticks all my eye make-up remover boxes,

its effective, soothing, gentle and fragrance free.

To read my full review

4.

OSKIA

RENAISSANCE

CLEANSING GEL

I was really hoping that this OSKIA RENAISSANCE CLEANSING GEL would be good

 and not disappoint, as so many of the super hyped beauty products do 

and guess what...

it's just as good as all the beauty editors and bloggers say it is, so much so that I can already 

announce that this will make it onto my Top 10 Skincare product list

for 2020 and to find out why just click on the pink link.

To read my full review

5.

BYTERRY

BLACKSTAR

BYTERRY is a French brand that I have bought a couple of products from, 

so as you can imagine I was super excited when I received a couple of PR gifts.

I was blown away by this cream eyeshadow, its creamy, easy to apply, blend

and long wearing.

I would go as far to say that if you're looking to simplify and streamline 

your eyeshadow wardrobe, then this is THE product that can give you 

that freedom, as you only need a couple of shades of these 

BYTERRY BLACKSTAR COLOUR FIX CREAM EYESHADOW 

to cover all your eyeshadow/liner needs and I will be purchasing another 

shade soon.

To read my full review