GIVENCHY'S PRISMISSIME - 9 COLOUR POWDER COMPACT
RRP: £29.89

- What the promo says -
"A nine colour face and eye powder giving you a sensual and radiant complexion. There are two textures: one will unify the complexion and give you a matte finish whilst the glow texture highlights specific areas for a radiant, healthy shine.
Fine and light. Soft and easy to apply. Clings well to the skin : does not crumble or « polish »."

Available in two limited edition shades : maharani pink and maharani apricot.

- Why I bought this product -

...because I was sitting on a plane and trying to pass the time (and forget the fact that I was thousands of feet up in the sky in a heavy metal machine) and this is what I fancied from the 'duty free' booklet! I have never been a 'face powder' person and thought it was about time I tried to be like a 40s/50s filmstar. The combination of colours looked innovative and different to a normal face powder and I liked the concept of blending them to create a natural look.

- Packaging -

Hooray! Just for once, a beauty product comes in a box the size of what is actually inside! When the air hostess presented it to me, I thought, "Blimey, that's small!" but it was better than being given large box only to discover the product inside was that much smaller.

The compact itself is exactly that...COMPACT...and ideal for putting in your handbag..even a small one for going out in the evening. The container itself is a thing of beauty...the whole of the lid being taken up with the signature 'Givenchy' prism design in colourful, sparkly lettering on a black surround. The compact feels solid and chunky and is both practical and pretty. Inside the case is a two-tier system where you lift up the shelf containing the colours to reveal a wide, soft brush for application. There is a mirror in the lid. So much crammed into a small space and all very nifty!

- Application -

As easy as pie...and I love Givenchy's instructions. They dispense with unnecessary words and just have three small diagrams on the lid of the cardboard box. 1) How to open the tier system and reveal the brush, 2) Circular motion of brush across all the colours, 3) Application in wide sweeps to forehead and cheeks.

- Appearance -

I loved the colours and the sparkly effect when I opened the box. Once applied, the colours blend very well to give a light and natural dusting on the face that is evenly distributed with the brush. Subtle. The 'disco' side of me wished it sparkled on my face as much as in the box.

-Scent -

Love the smell...which is hard to describe but very pleasant and makes it a treat to put on.

-Longevity -

Lasts well during the day...but so much fun to put on that you will want to re-apply.

-Value for money -

Have only just started using this so am not sure how long it will last me. Watch this space and I will up-date.

- Suppliers -

http://www.parfumsgivenchy.com/ online shopping

Debenhams

Sephora

Harrods

L'ABSOLU ROUGE LIPSTICK - LANCOME

RRP: £17

"My Lips are quenched with sublime and reshaping colour."

-What the promo says -

"Drench your lips in hydration, nutrition and colour with this “rich-as-cream” formula that pampers lips with immediate and long-lasting hydration, leaving them supple, comfortable. In a range of luminous shades to shape lips in feather-proof colour and with a silky, satin finish for a deliciously hydrated look.. "

-Why I bought this product -

As with most cosmetics I buy, I was attracted to this product for its hydrating and nutritive qualities. I do not buy many lipsticks and am satisified with around two or three colours so I therefore tend to buy quality rather than quantity. I confess that when the girl in the shop told me that this was a hydrating lipstick, the cynic inside me said, 'Oh, yeh?' but I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt and try it anyway. I wasn't disappointed.

-Packaging -

I like Lancôme's packaging...it is sturdy, classy and instantly recognisable. L'Absolu Rouge has a gold base and a tapered dark blue container with the Lancôme rose on the top. The lipstick opens and closes well and there is a good 'click' to hold both parts securely together when being jiggled around in your handbag. The lipstick stands well on a bathroom shelf.

- Application -

Glides on easily! The creamy texture slides over your lips leaving them nicely hydrated and glossy. The shaped tip is excellent for 'painting' your lips to begin with but, of course, as with all lipsticks the benefit of this is lost after continued use.

- Scent/Taste -

Very subtle. Pleasant to wear and to kiss (I am told!)

- Appearance and Texture/Consistency -

With a range of 35 colours to choose from you will certainly find one you like! The colours are good and two strokes across your lips will suffice. The colour and moisturing effect both last well and the overall effect is good. Lips do feel supple and comfortable. As for the re-shaping claim..I have never really tried to re-shape my lips so cannot say...I believe in following one's natural lipline. I am no Scarlett Johanssen and adding lipstick isn't going to change that!

- Longevity -

As stated above, both colour and hydrating effect are long-lasting. I find that one application lasts all morning. If you drink water or wine, your lipstick is not all removed instantly so there is some resistance....but I defy anyone to drink a hot chocolate and have anything on their lips afterwards! Obviously, eating a bag of chips and licking your lips removes it.

As for how long the product lasts, well I suppose it depends on how many colours you have and how often you re-apply your lipstick during the day. I only have two colours and these last me a couple of months. I am never seen without lipstick and always re-apply it after meals and so I guess this means I use it quite a lot.

**** SARAH'S HANDY TIP TO MAKE IT LAST! ***

When you buy a quality lipstick it is a shame to throw it away when the lipstick is not longer protruding from its case. There is still quite a lot of product left in there! When my lipsticks get to this stage they are no longer allowed out for trips in my handbag but are relegated to the retirement home of my bathroom. There I use a lipstick brush to apply lipstick in the mornings...until there is literally no product left. I get a few more weeks out of them this way.

-Short term/Long term effects -

This product really does hydrate your lips....not just when you first put it on but all the time you are wearing it. I don't go anywhere without it. Whale and dolphin watching on a boat....snowshoeing up a mountain...my lipstick is always by my side. It seems to both hydrate and protect the lips at the same time. Excellent! I have taken to using it instead of the revolting products they sell for lip sunscreen.

- Value for Money -

If you use it all.....good.

-Suppliers-

http://www.lancome.co.uk/ online shopping

Debenhams

Boots

LANCOME - ABSOLUE TEINT Revitalising Nourishing liquid foundation

RRP : £44.95

- What the promo says -
"The light, creamy texture of this skin-caring foundation blends in evenly to brighten your complexion, while giving an instant sensation of comfort that leaves your skin feeling velvety soft. It provides hydration and nourishment to help your skin regain the suppleness of its youth. Your complexion looks natural and even. It glows with absolute beauty!"

- Why I bought this product -
I have always had dry skin and, as the years go by this is not something that improves with age. My beautician took one look at my complexion and muttered something like, 'Well, Sarah, if you want to rescue your neck there is only one solution!' She is French....and honest! And, no, I do not want 'tortoise neck' quite yet, so I listened to her. Her remedy for this latter was Lancôme's NUTRIX, and, for my face, she recommended ABSOLUE TEINT. She told me that this foundation was 'magic', that it really did hydrate and nourish and, what is more, she said, 'It goes on like a dream!' At £44.95 (cheaper in France where I live) it had to be good, as this is far more than I would normally spend on a foundation.

- Packaging -
The foundation comes in a clear frosted glass pot that allows the colour to show through and it has an attractive gold lid with the Lancôme rose. It is quite heavy for travellers. The pot opens and closes easily and there is no danger of the lid deteriorating with time and frequent use. The product also comes with a small plastic disk containing a miniature spatula for application. My only critcism would be that I wish this was square as I have difficulty propping it on my bathroom shelf.

- Application -
My beautician was right...it goes on like a dream. Whilst it might seem 'a bit of a fag' to have to use the mini spatula each time, it is well worth doing so as, not only does it help to keep the product germ-free, it also serves to limit the amount of foundation used each time. You really do only need enough to cover the spatula to make up your whole face. Once you have applied small spots of the foundation on forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, you simply blend in with your fingertips.

- Texture/Consistency/Scent -
The texture is perfect. Not too watery and not too thick. It provides good coverage and is smooth and easy to blend. Good results in only minutes. It has virtually no scent, so does not interfere with your perfume.

- Longevity -
One application lasts all day and all evening. If you use the product as sparingly as suggested then a pot really does last a long time. I use a different colour foundation in the summer and I generally find that a pot of Lancôme lasts me the 'winter season' here in the South of France, which means around 4 - 5 months.

- Short term/Long-term effects -
Lancôme's claims for this product are fulfilled. My skin feels instantly smoother after application and the overall effect is a homogenous, glowing complexion. Long term I feel sure that my skin benefits from the moisturing effects all day long and, having once started to use this product, I am hooked. The combination of this and Lancôme's NUTRIX has made a visible difference to my skin and.....thank goodness....my neck! Thank you, Lydia, for recommending them to me.

-Value for money -
Despite being costly, I feel this product is worth it. It does what it claims to do and the pot lasts a long time. I like the fact that it is in an ordinary glass pot and not a pump action dispenser because I am able to get every last smidgeon of foundation out and none is wasted.

- Suppliers -
http://www.lancome.co.uk/
Boots
Debenhams

Products to be reviewed soon.....

La Roche Posay - Lipikar emollient moisturising emulsion for dry skin
Sephora's Colour Pro Palette for Green Eyes
Lancôme - Virtuôse mascara
More CAUDALIE PRODUCTS.....
Beauty Elixir (Eau de Beauté)
Vinosource Rich Anti-wrinkle ultra-nourishing cream
Pulpe Vitaminée Regenerating concentrate
Vinosource Moisturising cream mask
MELVITA Products...
Melvita is a natural cosmetics and beauty products firm based in the Ardèche, close to where I now live. Their products are soon to be launched on the web for the international market.
Apicosma - Baume fondan pour le corps
Apicosma - Cleansing cream for dry skin

WATCH THIS SPACE!

BEAUTY IS MORE THAN SKIN DEEP!

OENOBIOL FEMME 45+ FLAT TUMMY CAPSULES

'rondeurs abdominales'

RRP: £21

-What the product claims -

After 45, the body has a tendency to accumulate surplus kilos. The stomach becomes rounder and the waistline thickens. Oenobiol Femme 45+ Flat Tummy capsules combine bio-active extract of linen, carthame and chrome. They help to reduce localised fatty deposits on the stomach. Results are visible from the sixth week.

-Dosage-

3 capsules, twice a day, with meals.

Being a natural product, these tablets can be taken all year round.

-Why I decided to take these tablets -

I have never had a problem with weight. I have always exercised, danced, done sit-ups etc. Just recently, though, (and I'm sure I don't have to say my age because the product sort of gives it away!), I have noticed that the localised fat on my lower stomach is harder to shift, no matter what I do. I was told by a friendly beautician that this is common at this time of life when one's hormones start to 'slow down'. So, along with exercise and massage oils, I started taking these tablets.

- DO THEY WORK?-

I thought I noticed a difference after a few weeks....but how was I to know for sure? When questioned by the lady in the pharmacy as to whether they worked, I replied that I didn't know because I didn't know what I would be like if I wasn't taking them!!

I stopped for a brief period and did notice a difference, though, so have begun taking them again. One of the rare things for this problem that actually seems to work! Well done, Oenobiol.

-Value for money-

Both my pharmacist and I think that six tablets a day is rather a lot and we have sent feedback to Oenobiol to suggest that they alter this. Taking this amount a day means that a box containing 60 tablets only lasts 10 days and this makes them rather costly. However, one does not need to take the tablets forever. The idea is that you take them for a three-month period, the French idea of a 'cure', and then have a break. Still an expensive option, in my opinion.

Oenobiol are running a good system where you cut out points on the bottom of the box and stick them to a leaflet provided inside. Once you have bought five boxes, you can send for a box for free.

- Suppliers -

The Garden Pharmacy, London

http://www.garden.co.uk/

Contact sales@garden.co.uk

VINOTHERAPIE by CAUDALIE

VINOTHERAPIE by CAUDALIE

CONTOURING CONCENTRATE thighs - hips - buttocks

Anti-cellulite - Draining

Targeted slimming and firming regimens

Inspired by the treatments of the Vinothérapie Spa

RRP: £24

- Product claims - helps to refine the silhouette and reduce the appearance of dimpled skin. It provides an immediate sensation of lightness. Your skin retains elasticity, tone and texture.

- Packaging -
Comes in an elegant green box that is much larger than the actual product within (as is so often the case!) and includes an instruction leaflet for application. The product itself is in a slim, clear cylinder that allows the golden liquid to show through and looks attractive on your bathroom shelf. It has a silver pump-action top under a clear lid. Travels well and, being slim, doesn't take up too much space in your washbag.

- Application -
Easy-to follow instructions...you pour a small amount of the liquid into your palm to warm it, then apply in upward, vertical strokes with a closed fist to stimulate circulation.
A practical touch: doses are marked on the side of the product so that you know how much to use.

- Scent -
I bought this product for how delicious it smells on my body and the 'feel-good' factor it gives me in the morning! Fresh and lemony. I could eat it! Contains the following essential oils: juniper, geranium, rosemary, lemon, lemongrass and cypress.

-Appearance and texture -
Product is an inviting gold liquid that warms quickly and feels smooth but not too oily. It feels good when applying and is quickly absorbed into the skin. Circulation is stimulated but the slight redness caused by efficient massaging soon goes away.

- Longevity -
One of the rare products where they actually encourage you to use only a small amount. The cylinder has marks for thirty doses, so provides a month of treatment if used daily. I find that I sometimes use even less than the marked dose...it depends how much of your body you are treating.

- Effectiveness -
The skin feels instantly smoother following application and the concentrate definitely has a moisturising and toning effect long-term.

-Value for money -
Compared to other similar products on the market I feel that this provides good value for money....especially as, in my case, it lasts me longer than a month.

-Other complementary products in the range -
Crushed Cabernet Scrub
Draining Organic Herbal Teas

- Suppliers -
http://www.caudalie.com/
Chemists all over the UK (see website for details)
SPACE NK
Debenhams