My Thoughts Corner

I constantly try new products to manage my skin needs that are centered around dehydration and ageing. To tackle both I had been using quite of cocktail of several products for either concerns. Lately I came across two skin care gems that made a huge difference to my thirsty dull looking skin. Let’s take a deep look at each one of them.

La Roche Posay Redermic C Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizing Filler | No surprise that I’m obsessed with La Roche Posay.  I have been using many of their products and my skin has only been looking its best. Technically I use this product as a Vitamin C serum, despite its hydrating properties that makes it more of a moisturizer, as mentioned in their website, but not to a degree for someone with dry skin to forgo their regular one. It is a great combination of hydration and anti-aging in the form of a velvety plumping and nourishing serum. It is infused with a powerful mix of skin repairing ingredients; hyaluronic acid with a fairly concentration of 0.1%, pure Vitamin C (5%) and water binding agents to smoothens out superficial fine lines, not the deep ones, and pulls up skin for a firmer complexion which is completely essential for my dehydrated skin. Sooner than I expected, I have observed notorious improvements.  I haven’t noticed any sting with this serum, but my skin is brightened up beautifully and feels fresh and plumper and looks radiant. This stuff packs up some serious anti-aging ingredients for all of us 30+ ladies. The La Roche Posay Redermic C Anti-Wrinkle Firming Moisturizing Filler could be a little expensive but totally worth the splurge. If you are parabens concerned like myself, rest assured there are none in any of La Roche Posay products. 

The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Youth Concentrate | It is one of The Body Shop bestsellers that imparts three plant stem cells;  Edelweiss from the Italian Alps, Criste marine and Sea Holly from the Brittany Coast, to help tackle the first signs of ageing. Let me get this straight from the beginning; it is NOT as some might believe the “fountain of youth” nor some drops. It is in fact just a moisturizing serum using the Fagus Sylvatica or Beech Bud Extract as the more predominant plant based element instead of the aforementioned ingredients as marketed.  Rich in peptides, amino acids, lipids and other great stuff, the Fagus Sylvatica is believed to be a great antioxidant and useful in smoothening fine lines. One more thing worth mentioning; though alcohol appears to have the 3^rdhighest concentration in the ingredient list, my guess is, since I didn’t find the serum particularly drying; it is there to act as a penetration enhancer, nevertheless this could warrant people with sensitive and dry skin. This serum has a lightweight fast absorbing gel texture that’s made from natural origin for 99% ingredients while it’s silicon and paraben free and has a lovely floral citrus scent that doesn’t linger too long. Despite the high price tag for an average drugstore brand, the real outcome for me with The Body Shop Youth Concentrate is how my skin feels not so much how it looks; it is “instantly smoother and replenished with moisture letting it unveil a healthy luminosity and youthful bounce”. 

As we grow signs of aging skin could be difficult to manage. There are endless anti-aging creams, serums and all sort of products available nowadays that promise a younger looking skin. In reality, what really matters is to know what our skin really needs and target the root causes of aging to help us look our best while embracing our imperfections and skin changes as we age.

Thank you for stopping by. 

Hi Everyone,

2016 went crazily fast and during this year, I tried so many products and since it is December, my favorite month, I wanted to post a roundup of my favorite products of this year, mainly makeup ones. I preferred to mention the products in accordance with my order of application. Without further ado, I will be talking about base products; namely primers and concealers.

Sunscreen is always my first step that I never missed even in winter time. For years, I’ve been using my trusty La Roche PosayAnthelios XL 50+ spf. It’s a light, paraben free and non-perfumed sunblock that prevent sunspot and age spots.

For primers, my first is technically a skin care product. In other words, it’s a tinted moisturizer, namely the La Roche PosayEffaclar Duo (+) Unifiant that I picked while in Paris. Check my haul here and here. It is one of those clever products that fall in the midst of skin care and makeup that works on unifying the skin and correcting the marks.

The l’oreal Nude Magique Blur Cream is one of those late discoveries of mine. However, when I tried it, I loved it. Though I’m not a silicon base product lover, I figured that this one works perfectly underneath my powder foundation without feeling on the top of my skin like most of silicon base primers.

My second product category is concealers and I’ve got to admit is my second favorite beauty product after bronzers. I will start with a staple one; the Mac Pro Longwear Concealer. It is long wearing with a creamy liquid consistency and offers medium to full coverage.

My second under eye concealer is the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind, which I believe is a great one for a drugstore. Though its thin consistency that doesn’t settle into the fine line, it gives good coverage and impressive staying power.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer is again another staple with a lot of hype but it’s for a reason. It’s a lightweight concealer with a medium coverage and creamy velvety texture. The product brightens up the under-eye area without accentuating the fine lines.

Last but not least is the Mac Prep and Prime Highlighter. It is a beautiful concealer that I particularly like to use along with my Mac Pro Long Wear. It is lightweight yet creamy with a good pigmentation and doesn’t crease.

This is my first part of the base products and I will shortly be back with the second part that covers foundations and setting powders.

What’s your favorite products? Please comment below if I should try any of it.

Hi Guys,

I’ve been so eager to post this review for weeks but I was lacking the time. Today, as the title states I’m talking about the new addition to my skin care regimen; the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream. As I’ve mentioned in my summer edition skin care routine post, I’m all about hydration as my skin tend to look tired and dull in hot and humid summer days. Now let me clarify that dehydration is NOT a skin type as much as a skin condition.

I’ve been looking for a moisturizer to replace my Clinique one for ages until I popped at my local pharmacy and got this one by chance occurrence. It comes in a lovely light blue glass jar that could be a downfall for some but I personally like it.  

This moisturizer has a gel cream texture that settles into the skin immediately without greasiness. Though the cream is rich with amazing ingredients such as Vichy Thermal Spa Water and Hyaluronic acid, it remains extremely light in formula which offers up to 48 hours hydration, protection, smoothness and plumpness.

I’ve been using the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream in mornings and it definitely helped improve my complexion, leaving my skin, with no overstatement, brighter and fresh. As I mentioned in my skin care routine post, I love the old school scent this moisturizer has; it is light and takes me back to great memories with my auntie who had the exact lovely smell.

We’ve got a winner here people! The Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light Cream is an amazing moisturizer that sticks to what it claims. I’m glad I’ve picked it up. If your skin lacks life like mine used to, give this gem a try…

Have a great day!

Hi Everyone,

Today I will take you through my summer morning skin care routine and if you are new to my blog, I have normal to dry skin and I live in very hot and humid Dubai. In my choice of products here I mainly focused on hydrating and protecting my skin as it gets unbelievably dehydrated and tend to look dull due to high temperatures and continuous running AC everywhere. Saying that, lightweight products are definitely my picks.

It is a very simple and minimal regimen featuring some nice products I have been lovin’ lately. I first start by splashing cold water on my face and brushing my teeth of course and I will then grab my Garnier Smoothing Cream Cleanser. This is a gentle and creamy cleanser that helps restore the softness of the skin without drying it out. It contains Jojoba and Macadamia Oils and I really enjoy it however I won’t be repurchasing it as it has paraben.  Right after, and it’s probably my favorite part, which is toning. For that, I spritz my DIY toner or facial mist, whatever you wanna call it, which consists of ½ cup Organic Witch Hazel, ½ cup rose water and lavender essential oil (you can add any essential oil of your choice). I’ve got to say that I’m so in love with this toner, it’s so refreshing and the smell is just stunning; it’s exactly what you need to start your day.

Next, is a step I’ve been re-applying lately and I’m really lovin’ it. It is the serum and I’m using the organic Argan Oil for that. I don’t think I need to talk any further about how amazing this oil is; it helps keep my skin incredibly hydrated and supple throughout the whole day. The last step is moisturizing and I start by applying the Clinique Superdefense SPF 20 age defense eye cream, which is my favorite because it’s so lightweight and has SPF 20 which is really rare finding in eye creams and coming to my face and neck I applied for the past couple of months the Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream, which I reviewed here but for the past week or ten day I’ve been enjoying the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Light. I’m really liking this one because it’s so lightweight with a typical scent of the french skin care products, as I believe is based on water and sinks immediately into the skin providing the necessary hydration you need for the day. Another reason why I love this moisturizer is because it reminds me a lot of my adorable auntie Latifa in Paris as she used to have exactly the same scent and I just wonder if she wasn’t using the same cream???  

Last but certainly not least, and this step comes just before applying my makeup, I apply a sunscreen, even if I’m not leaving the house and my go-to one is the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Comfort Cream. I’ve got to say that it’s NOT a lightweight one. It gets a tiny bit sticky on the face and has a thin white layer, just like most of sunscreens but for a maximum protection of SPF50+ I don’t really mind that. Not to forget my lips, I’ve been using the Avene Cold Cream Lip Balm which kinda works for me only in hot months and I can’t stand it in winter. Weird No????

This is it for my morning summer skin care routine. Hope this post was helpful and stay tuned for the evening one. Have a great day!

Hi Guys,

After I ran out of my Origins High-Potency Night-A-Mins, which I really loved, I was looking for a new moisturizer; as I like to try new products from time to time and that’s when I decided to go for L’Occitane Pivoine Sublime Perfecting Cream which I got as a gift from my husband for my birthday along with a lot of other goodies.

The Pivoine Sublime range is formulated with peony extract for an intense hydration and an even skin tone. Suitable for all skin types, the perfecting cream aims a fresh and perfect looking skin through refining the pore, fine lines and complexion.

The packaging is so beautiful and classy; a pretty red pink pot which would certainly be a cute on the top of any vanity. The ingredients of this cream are the best part being all naturally derived with no parabens just like all L’Occitane products but that’s not all. The smell is simply divine; I would describe it as freshly cut flowers; peonies of course.  

I chose to use the L’Occitane Perfecting Cream as a night cream for 5 to 6 weeks now and I’m in love with the texture that lies between a gel and a cream making it a perfect treat for hot summer nights. In fact it is so refreshing and leaves the skin so supple and velvety with an immediate radiance boost. However, it could easily be used as a day moisturizer or a primer.

Though I’ve been applying this cream only in evenings, I’ve noticed a difference in my skin. It is definitely smoother, radiant and fresh. However I won’t say it’s a must have product but it’s a lovely delicacy for pampering the skin once in a while.

Until next time.

HIIII GUUUUUUUUUUUUUYS,

It’s been a while or actually a long time since my last post and believe it or not I so miss this corner. Few months back I was in the quest for a new moisturizer after I ran out of my Clinique one. I needed something light and pocket friendly for my morning routine as the weather started to get hot and humid and that’s when I randomly picked the Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream.

We’ve all heard and read about the benefits of Vitamin E and its key roles for the skin and I won’t focus any further into this. That being said, the Vitamin E Moisture cream is one of TBS bestsellers worldwide. It’s a very lightweight cream that absorbs quickly and easily without being greasy. Just a little bit is enough to balance the moisture of the face and neck, letting the skin feel plumper, softer and hydrated.

The smell of the cream is a lovely light perfume-y scent that fades away sooner after application. TBS claims that it’s an all skin type cream which I agree however I would clarify that it’s actually depending on the weather. In other terms; those with normal to dry skin can enjoy it all year round, the very dry skin people can have in hot summer months and those with oily skin could give it a try only in colder months.

The Vitamin E Moisture Cream keeps my face so hydrated that I never felt the urge to reapply it in middle of the day. The cream is housed in a 50ml tub, which might not be convenient for those being particular in dipping their hands in this packaging form.  

When I just got it I did a little research about this product and I noticed that when it was first launched, the cream contained parabens which was a con for many people. BIG THANKS TO THE BODY SHOP who considered that fact and formulated a paraben free version and you can’t imagine my happiness for this fact.

TBS Vitamin E Moisture Cream is a great basic moisturizer which I honestly can’t call it a holy grail but it’s nice to have it as a backup especially when travelling.

Thank you for taking time to read this post which I hope was helpful for many of you!