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. 

I can’t deny my love for nature and facial masks. When both combined in one jar I’m totally SOLD. For ages, women were using kitchen ingredients to take care of their skin and no surprise that most current skin care products are or claim to be based on such elements too. When I spotted the Body Shop superfood masks, I was intrigued to have my hands on them but I decided to only pick the Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask for now.

First of all, can we appreciate the upscale packaging?? A glass jar, very minimalistic yet fancy… Very thoughtful!

This mask is allegedly made not only to remove dullness and unevenness but also to illuminate and revitalize the skin. It is inspired by the Chinese beauty rituals where rice and ginseng are very popular for their beauty properties, however their place in the ingredient list is lower than what you think. Instead, the clarifying abilities are largely thanks to the Kaolin, which helps soak up all impurities from the pores along with a gentle exfoliation in the form of Luffa Cylindrica Fruit. Conjointly, the sesame seed oil and rice extract help soften for a smooth complexion while the clay works its wonders.

Despite its price, this mask is a great choice when my pores and skin texture are in need of a little extra maintenance. It has a rich consistency that’s somewhat milky yet thick with fine exfoliating particles while being completely paraben, silicon and mineral oil free.

I can admit that it lives up to its claims, though the ingredients aren’t as I wished them to be; my combo skin feels silky soft, hydrated, even and bright while my oily T-zone is clear. In fact, the Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Mask always feels like a spa treatment afterwards with its typical fresh Asian scent that has a touch of orients.  It’s certainly a wonderful refreshing experience that helps slough away my dull skin. I can only be keen to try more from this range.

Hi Guys,

Welcome to my second post of Summer Picks, and today my talk is about the bronzers. I’m a huge lover of wearing bronzer daily year round. In fact bronzer is my favorite beauty product. Not only it adds glow, but it also shapes and slims your face and my focus in this post is the bronzers that only adds warmth and glow to the skin.  And before going into the details, I have medium beige neutral toned skin and I prefer warmer bronzers.

My first pick is TheBalm Betty-Lou Manizer which is my favorite shiny bronzer. It is a warm golden brown shade with just the right amount of shimmer to give a natural healthy glow. The pigmentation is incredible and just little bit is needed and as of the formula it’s effortlessly blendable and lasts a great deal of time. It is simply marvelous.

My second bronzer is The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in shade 05 dark golden matte. It is a natural matte bronze shade, perfect for an everyday sun kissed look.  The texture is soft with a velvety finish and blends easily. The color payoff though isn’t strong; however it is buildable.

My last but not least is the Catrice Mineral Sun Glow Bronzing Powder in shade 010 Golden Light. I love this mineral formula for not being completely matte or shimmery; it is just the right balance in between. The shade is a light natural tan without being overly done. The finish is matt and the pigmentation is not strong which allows an easy build up.

This is my round up summer bronzer! I hope you enjoyed reading!

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!

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!