Here is an article on the beauty theme, which allows me to tell you about brands and beauty products that I have tested and that I recommend to you. On the agenda: beauty boxes, several new-generation facial skincare tests, a small brand that smells like the South, CBD skincare, online sites for cheaper shopping, special foot care…
In short, a selection of tips and recommendations as I like them, which I supplement over time and as I make discoveries, to share as many good deals with you as possible.
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Table of Contents
The Belle au Naturel Beauty Box
This beauty box, which has been around for 5 years, offers organic, natural, cruelty-free, and made in France certified products (makeup, cosmetics, and wellness products). Every month, we receive 4 to 6 full-sized organic products, selected for their effectiveness from among the best French brands. The box is obviously very advantageous, because as you can see below, the value of the products sent monthly is much higher than the subscription price! And besides, Belle au Naturel promises a minimum -50% discount per box!
For my part, I tested the “Simply Irresistible” box from April 2021. Inside, you find 4 products (for a total value of €83.60):
- An organic hyaluronic acid eye contour Roll-On from the brand Olala! Cosmetics (value €27.80)
- An organic nourishing, moisturizing, and revitalizing body cream from the brand Les HappyCuriennes (value €33)
- An organic aloe vera radiance serum from the brand Biophytum (value €12.90)
- An organic black eyeliner pencil from the brand Couleur Caramel (value €9.90)
Here is also an overview of the May 2021 box on the theme: “Moment of Softness” for a cocooning time. Inside, you find 4 products (for a total value of €82.55):
- An organic shea night cream from Défi Forme (€38.50) to nourish and detoxify your skin during the night
- A comforting organic foot treatment from oOlution (€18) that nourishes, repairs, and refreshes the skin of the feet
- An organic pineapple sorbet cleansing and exfoliating foam from Karethic (€18)
- An organic coconut oil with multiple benefits from Herbes et Traditions (€8.05)
Here is also an overview of the August 2021 box on the theme: “Summer Getaway” for a great summer. Inside, you find 4 products (for a total value of €77.35):
- An organic quenching eye contour mask from Kadalys (€29) to hydrate and revive the eyes
- A 100% natural solid after-sun balm (€16) from Kimber Cosmetics to soothe and nourish the skin after sun exposure
- An organic fortifying shampoo (€12.50) from Biophytum to nourish and repair damaged hair
- An organic hammam soap with lavandin and its loofah glove by Olive & Moi for a traditional scrub with the scents of Provence
Finally, here is an overview of the December 2021 box on the theme: “Christmas Magic,” ideal for winter but also for the holiday season. Inside, you find 4 products (for a total value of €139.80, and yes, it’s a great gift for the holidays):
- An organic hydra-booster treatment with hyaluronic acid by Shigeta Paris (€65) to deeply nourish and smooth facial skin.
- An organic soothing night cream by Esthética Pure Nature (€23) to soften and soothe facial skin.
- An organic energizing eye contour gel by Patyka (€34.90) to provide an anti-fatigue radiance boost and brighten the eyes.
- An organic beeswax hand cream by Folies Royales (€16.90) to repair and nourish damaged hands.
Monthly subscription price: €34.90 / month
The great deal: with my referral code GPHR5AKC I offer you a €80 voucher to compose your 100% personalized beauty box for any order of a monthly subscription (and it also works with the monthly subscription without commitment)
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Pure Obagi
Pure Obagi, an American luxury skincare brand with a long heritage of science, research, and innovation. The brand believes that skincare is not just about correcting or preventing, but that you must also optimize the full potential of the skin. That is why Pure Obagi creates inclusive products that highlight the diversity of different skin types.
I personally tested Obagi ELASTIderm® Eye Complete Complex Serum (the Pure Obagi eye serum) which has been specially formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. This serum also contains caffeine to help reduce the appearance of puffy under-eyes. The product combines the patented Bi-Mineral Contour Complex with rollerball technology (very simple and pleasant to apply) and caffeine to repair the effects of aging on the eye contour, soothe the skin, and reduce the appearance of bags.
Indeed, as time passes (a nice way of saying we are getting older), the tissue around the eyes weakens and swelling and discoloration (also called “puffy eyes” or “under-eye bags”) set in. For my part, I really noticed this with an acceleration of the process since the lockdown. These can become common.
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The Quejadore Box
The women’s webzine Quejadore has been offering beauty, wellness, and culture boxes for over 1 year, each containing 6 items inspired by Parisian themes: organic products, cosmetics, accessories, geek gadgets or decor, cultural assets, surprises, and bonuses. I had already introduced one of these boxes last summer in a wellness article.
To match the theme of this article, I discovered the Pretty Woman Box, which offered everything the active woman needs to get back into the post-vacation rhythm.
On the agenda:
- A Zao Make Up 100% natural origin lip pencil (value €6.80)
- A Kathleen hair clip from Choux Cailloux (value €7.90)
- A scented apple bath oil from the brand Huile sel de bain (value €9.90)
- A Merci Handy cleansing hand gel, super practical, it never leaves my bag! (value €3.00)
- A small mental exercise and wellness notebook (value €6.90)
- An organic exfoliating jelly from Jamal Paris (value €24.90)
Like all boxes, the problem remains that even if there are very nice things, there are always others that one will never use, but hey, you have to assume that a box is made for discovery.
Price: €24.90 (for a real value of €50.99)
News: the March/April box has just been released on the “Bohemian” theme
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Beauty ritual by Peace and Skin
This brand of organic, natural, and vegan cosmetics offers anti-stress products based on CBD (cannabidiol is a cannabinoid present in cannabis and derived from the hemp plant, but unlike THC, its use is legal and it is recognized for its therapeutic virtues and presents no danger to health) and adaptogenic plants.
I tested the 4-step beauty ritual for a moment of relaxation and beauty:
- cleanse with the Gentle Cleansing Gel
- intensify with the Ideal Serum (I don’t know about you, but I like its green color)
- protect with the Essential Care (very pleasant texture and smell)
- strengthen with the Radiance Mask
Price: €100 for the full ritual with 4 products
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The Lothantique brand
The family adventure of this house began in the 20s on Pagnol’s land and today it is a beautiful Provençal brand inspired by the land of cicadas.
For my part, I adopted the Marcel perfume from the Marcel Pagnol range. It is said to be a men’s perfume, but I find that it speaks to me more than the house’s range for women. In short, I liked it so much last summer that I practically only wore this one (and yet I am not usually very faithful in terms of perfume…).
Lothantique Parisian store
17, rue Ferdinand Duval 75004 Paris
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The beauty ritual at Sabon
If you have never set foot in a Sabon boutique, I advise you to make up for this as soon as you can! Already because they are always very beautiful places and also because the products are of high quality.
But the little extra of the brand lies in the hand beauty ritual (with a scrub and moisturizing) which is graciously offered in each of the Sabon boutiques around the Jerusalem stone fountain. If you want to find the Sabon boutique closest to you, you can take a look here.
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Santé Discount, good health at discount prices
Here is a very good beauty deal. This website, thought up by 2 pharmacists, friends from faculty, is an online e-parapharmacy that offers more than 15,000 references from the largest parapharmaceutical laboratories, at very attractive prices.
The plus: you can book a phone appointment with the site’s teams (available Monday to Saturday) to get advice from health experts, who will select products adapted for you according to your needs and desires.
My kit:
- a quinine and vitamin shampoo from Klorane in 400 ml, to strengthen hair (recommended retail price €9 / SantéDiscount sales price €8.95)
- a biphasic nutri Re-source AlgoHydra serum from Algotherm in 50 ml with an oily phase and an aqueous phase (recommended retail price €40.20 / SantéDiscount sales price €39.90)
- a nourishing honey hand and nail cream from Sanoflore, because it’s a brand I appreciate a lot (recommended retail price €9.80 / SantéDiscount sales price €8.25)
- a lip balm stick (my everyday ally for all seasons) phyt’issima from Phyt’s (recommended retail price €5 / SantéDiscount sales price €4.80)
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Foot Fetish by Bastien Gonzalez
I had already told you about this famous pedicurist-podiatrist in a previous article and today I present his box to use at home to have celebrity feet! Based on the principle of water pedicure and Do It Yourself, this new line of products is the right solution for maintaining your own little feet at home.
In this chic box, you find 5 products:
- The Heel Renaissance, an emollient cream for super hydration, especially on the heel area.
- The Scrub Sensation, a foaming mineral exfoliant to apply on damp feet, to remove dead cells.
- The Bliss Balm, to massage and deeply nourish your feet after exfoliation.
- The Nail Elixir, an ointment of essential oils and medicinal plants to nourish cuticles and nails.
- The Vibra Toes, for muscle stimulation by vibration (yes, I know it reminds you of something else, but let’s stay serious for 2 minutes ladies!).
Price: Foot Fetish box €49.90 for an online purchase on the brand’s website
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The Karin Herzog Anti-Aging Discovery Kit
Inside you find 1 Vita-A-Kombi anti-aging treatment with 1% oxygen in a 25 ml version + 1 Additional Sweet nourishing cream in a 25 ml version + 1 face brush, all for the price of just the anti-aging treatment! The combination of vitamin A and 1% oxygen boosts collagen production, fights signs of aging, and brightens the complexion.
The price: €39
The great deal: for Mother’s Day with the discount code Maman2016 the kit will also be €29.90 from May 1st to May 31st, 2016 on the brand’s website
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And you, what are your current beauty shopping tips?
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization mandatory before any use
