Estelle & Thild

När jag jobbade för LVMH och Givenchy la jag upp ganska många kosmetikatips på bloggen. Jag fick på den tiden konstant nya utbildningar om krämer, smink, hudtyper och perfymer. Jag byggde upp ett eget väldigt stort intresse kring kosmetik, hade stenkoll på vilka som var de erkänt bästa produkterna och var snabb med att testa nyanlända höjdare på marknaden.

Idag jobbar jag inom IT sektorn och mitt kosmetikaintresse har ebbat ut lite grann men jag är fortfarande noga med att använda bra produkter och nyfiken på att testa nya.

I början av sommaren fick jag nys om att Estelle and Thild skulle ha bra produkter. Det är ett Svenskt hudvårdsmärke som gör ekologiskt certifierade produkter vilka är vara baserade på naturliga och ekologiska råvaror av hög kvalitet.

Jag köpte Estelle and Thild dagkräm av serien ”Biohydrate Total Moisture” och serumet "Biohydrate Thirst relief vitamin serum" och har använt dem under sommaren. Jag har inte sett något mirakel men tycker att både krämen och serumet känns sköna på huden. Dagkrämen är inte riktigt tillräckligt återfuktande för min otroligt torra hud men har man bara 'lite mindre' extremt torr hud tror jag den här krämen kan vara super. Serumet är istället en ny favorit på listan! Utöver att krämerna är bra känns det kul att sponsra ett Svenskt ekologiskt hudvårdsmärke tycker jag!

xoxo

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I can highly recommend this Swedish organic cosmetic brand Estelle and Thild.

xoxo

Kur mot håravfall?

Nu ska jag ta den här bloggen till ett, för mig, ännu lite personligare steg. Att dela med mig av min vardag är ju i högsta grad personligt men det är ändå sällan jag delar med mig av mina personliga problem. Men jag tycker om när andra bloggare gör det så nu ska jag också göra det. Det kan tyckas vara ett ganska ytligt problem men jag har haft lite panik senaste veckorna och nådde min maxgräns för ett par dagar sedan då jag kände att jag fick nog och var tvungen att ta till mitt yttersta för att lösa det.

Jag har i över en månads tid tappat otroligt mycket hår och det har bara eskalerat sedan vår semester i Italien. Utan överdrift har minst en fjärdedel av mitt hår på huvudet fallit av vilket märks tydligt om jag sätter upp håret i en toffs eller fläta. Som om inte det skulle räcka så känns håret som sitter kvar otroligt torrt och skadat.

I förra veckan kontaktade jag vårdcentralen och fick en ny dos av min levaxin vilket kan ha varit en av anledningarna. Jag har även köpt kosttillskott som jag nu tar en gång om dagen. Jag lägger extra vikt i att få i mig den föda ryktena på nätet säger ska vara bra för hår och naglar. Jag har köpt en topprankad hårvårdsserie mot håravfall, Maria Nilas anti-hairloss och ska börja använda det.  Jag har beställt hem priorin-kapslar som ska vara någon typ av hälsosam kur för bra hår. Sist men inte minst har Jag nu helt slutat använda fön och plattång för att skona håret.

Jag kan inte göra annat än att försöka göra mitt bästa för att vara snäll mot mitt hår, istället för att gripas av panik och bara klippa av allt rakt av vilket jag var inne på i början på veckan. Jag återkommer om några veckor när jag vet om min ansträngning gett några resultat.

xoxo

Some beauty favorites 2013

One of my American readers asked me like a month ago for some beauty tips or favorites now now and here they are. It was a while ago heh? Sorry for the delay! 

1. KenzoKi Euphorisant - night cream

I love this night cream. I got it as a present and have used it with great pleasure this whole autumn. Now when it is reaching its end I started to look up where I could buy a new one and the price for it. I shouldn't had done that. The cream cost almost 100euro and I am sorry to say I won't pay that. It is good, but not that good. Then I rather go back using my old favorites from Clinique or Number7. 

2. Givenchy - Peel me perfectly 

I have mentioned this great face peeling from Givenchy before on this blog. It is back in my life and once again it has become an absolute favorite. 

3. Derma Vio Mango body butter

This is just a very simple and cheap body butter I bought at the supermarket but it is lovely. 

4. Collistar - Tridimensionale mascara

Collistar is an Italian cosmetic and make up brand which is really hard to find abroad. I guess no-one sells it in Sweden at all actually. However, I have used this mascara for so long now so even if it is hard to get I will keep getting it and using it. I believe Collistar is really good for its price. 

5. Clinique liquid facial soap

This product is expensive for being just a simple facial cleanser but I really believe it is worth its price. I have dry skin but I use the mild version of it (not the extra-mild) as it gives me a really fresh and clean sensation before I go to bed. 

6. Clinique - All about eyes rich

I used to use the normal All about eyes from Clinique but then I got the rich version and felt it love with that one too. I can't even say which one is the best, maybe the rich one gets better long-lasting results but the normal one gives an immediate smoother sensation. I would recommend them both, maybe the rich for the night and the normal as a day treatment? 

Oh sometimes I miss working in the beauty industry being surrounded by amazing products. I learned so much during my years working for Givenchy, knowledge I will carry with me my whole life :-)

xoxo 

Top and crap products I use

 

Number7 Protect & perfect night cream
This is one of my absolute favorite night creams. I have used it on and off for seven years and every time I go to London I buy it. It cost more and less half price in London comparing to Stockholm, and in Milan I guess that number7 doesn't even exist. It is that super moisturizing night cream I need but it does not feel greasy at all. I must say that quality/price is just great!

Yves Laurant mascara
(Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious Mascara)
They say it is one of the best on the market. Both my mum and I have used it and none of us liked it, it does not give any fancy effects, it is hard to wash off and it is super expensive. A big no from me.

Victoria Secret body butter
Oh I know I keep repeating myself but I can't help it. All Victoria Secret body creams are adorable. It is like a drug, I just want more of them. The body butters are much richer than the body/hand cream or the body milk. It is almost too hot in Italy for these kinds of rich creams but for now I use it and I love it. "sheer love" is a perfect mix of sweet and fresh and it is not very strong as many of the other lines are.
 

L'eau de Kenzo amour perfume
I love this bottle. And I have kept it on my table for so long just because I loved the bottle so much but I must say the perfume is far to much flowers for my nose.

Freeze face scrub
I am a true fan and buyer of Givenchy face scrub. But when that one finished I found this at home I happily started using it. It was a present from my mum some time ago and it is really good! As the name states it gives a cold (freezing) sensation that can feel a bit odd but I like it. I feel fresh and clean. It also leaves the skin very smooth and a bit oily so I love using it in the evening before putting on my night cream. Have anyone tried other Freeze products? I haven't but I am a bit curious to do so.

Givenchy No Surgetics Wrinkle Defy eye cream
This is a good one, actually really good. It smoothens well the skin around the eyes and reduces lines and bags. The only problem with this product is the price, ca 45-50euro. It is slightly over my budget for a quite normal eye cream which is too bad because it is really good. 

xoxo

Some beauty tops right now

1 Clinique Total Turnaround night cream

This night cream was great for my dry sensitive skin. It is rich but absorbs quickly. I wake up feeling my face so soft in the mornings. This for sure is a new night favorite. Now I am back using my old favorite night cream from No7 but I believe I gonna get the total turnaround again afterwards as I was very happy with it.

2 Collistar tridimensionale mascara

There are better mascaras I know. For example "Doll eyes" from Lancome is much better. But I think that the Collistar mascara is fabulous for its price. I got sensitive eyes and this mascara has never created any problems and it gives me really long and fancy lashes. I just love it.

3 This is s old limited edition 'Burberry summer' perfume.

Lately I use it daily. It freshes me up in the morning. Obviously it is not a favorite like my Chanel, Marc jabobs or Givenchy perfumes but lately I got a hit of addiction for this one. But soon it will end and I will never find it again.... hehe.

4 Bio Oil

Love it! I have tired so many body oils but no one can reach up to the bio oil. A big heart for this product!

5 Victoria Secret Mango temptation hand and body cream

I use it as a body cream on my upper body. The perfume is really strong and slightly to sweet but I really like putting this one after an evening shower before going to bed and then the whole bed smells like mango(?). I love all Victoria Secret creams actually.

6 Kiehl's olive fruit oil deeply repairative hair pak

I know, I know, I have been blogging about it at least twice before. But I am back using it. For the third time, after have been using Kerastase masque for a while, I couldn't resist not getting my magic Kiehl's olive pak again. It is just the best!

xoxo

Hot bath, self treats and a good book

Got home late from work today. First I had lots to do at work so I stayed later and then there were problems/strikes in the train traffic so it took a while to get home. Got back late enough not being able to join Silvia for the latino dance class so instead I had dinner with Luisa and then when she went out I decided to have a little relaxing self treat evening.

I started off with a hot bath with a good book. Afterwards I felt so tired so I went for a nap on my bed while letting my eyes relax under a delighted eye masque. Now I am ready to go to bed and will just read a bit before sleeping. 

Pictures above:

1. Luisa's bath gel :)

2. My new favorite schampo and conditioner. L'Oreal Expertise Ever Strong. It has really helped my dry and damaged hair to keep stronger these hard winter months. Really good. And it lasts forever. 

3. Victoria Secret body butter. I love the Victoria Secret body creams but Amber Romance is not my favorite perfume thought. Far to strong and sweet for me. But it leaves the skin very smooth like all Victoria Secret creams. 

4. This absolutely fantastic eye masque is great for tired eyes. Shu uemura repairing eye masque. It freshens up, moisturize and helps against bags and dark circles around the eyes. Shu uemura can't be find in Italy anymore. I wonder who made that stupid decision? Their products are really great.

5. Me with the masque on.

6. The book I am currently reading

xoxo

Kenzo Ki Belle du jour

Without a doubt this is one of the best face creams I have ever had and have ever used. My skin is and has always been very dry and sensitive and it is hard to find the really good products for it but in this cream I did. It is a rich and moisturizing but doesn't feel heavy on your skin at all. It is actually good even as a make up base as it leave such smoothness.

I got this as a present from my ex managers and now when I tried to find it in the store I realize that it heavily expensive and I don't want to spend those sum on a day cream right now. I might do it in the future but for now, when I actually have few other creams at home to be used and others on a list that I wanna try I push the decision if buying Kenzo Ki Belle du jour forward.

But I just did a happy discovery. When I got this cream I also got a face masque from the same line that I haven't even opened.... So that is what I gonna do now, try the Kenzo Ki Belle du hour face masque.

xoxo

Givenchy black masque

I look terrible, I know. But I just adore this black face masque from Givenchy. Now when I finished it all I am desperate as I don't wanna spend the 80 euros (or more?) that this face masque costs even if I really want it.... Luxury problems eh? :)

xoxo 

Jean Claude Biguine hairdresser

Went back at my new favorite hairdresser tonight, Jean Claude Biguine in Porta Venezia. I am so happy I finally found a hairdresser in Milan so I don't have to go to Como every time I need to cut 2 cm of my hair...  I got satisfied this time as well!

Now I am off for a little Christmas dinner with Stefania :)

xoxo

Face peeling

My two face peeling products products are both finishing and I need to get a new one. I have been recommended
- Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel 
and
- St Ives Apricot Scrub exfoliating
Have someone ever tried any of them?

The two I have been using has both been good.
- Peel me perfectly by Givenchy is my absolute favorite. It gives a great clean and smooth feeling afterwards.
- Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel has been nice too. It also leaves a soft and smooth feeling and the perfume is nicer than the Givenchy one. But I have to say that of these two Givenchy is far much better.

Now its time to get a new one. Which one should I choose?

xoxo

Estée Lauder Advanced night eye repair

 Remember I recommended the Estee Lauder advanced night repair serum once? I love it but I haven't used it for a while. Instead I have been using my day serum underneath my night cream and on top of that I have been applying Estee Lauder advanced night repair eye cream. This is real magic. I got real proof that this creams helps against dark circles and puffiness. It also made my eye area feeling much smoother. It might cost a little as well but I feel it it well worth those money.

Clinique All about eyes during the day and Estee Lauder advanced night repair eye during the night for sure are my favorite eye cream products. But at home I also have Kiehl's midnight recovery eye which is family with the other over night repair serum I tried once from Kiehl's. I got this as a present and as soon as I finish my Estee Lauder night cream I am looking forward to try that one as well. It cost less, but it might be equally good?

xoxo

Tuesday morning treat

- Givenchy Power Youth Serum - Not really sure that this serum really is for but for me it helps getting a smother skin. It is no longer on the market which is a real shame as I really like it.

- Clinique All about eyes cream - This is my absolutely favourite day eye cream. It diminishes the appearance of eye puffiness, darkness under the eyes and fine lines around the eyes. Haven't found any better day eye cream on the market so far. Have you?

- Collistar Energy + Brightness Day Cream SPF 20 - A first wrinkles line cream, created to tackle skin problems emerging when it is too soon to use an anti-age product but too late for the basic specialities. This is a cream with a good price for its quality. It is not among my favourites but I get it from time to time. My skin absorbs it incredibly fast and it gives a nice fresh and smooth sensation.

- Amour Perfume by Kenzo for Women - Very nice, fresh and light perfume perfect for going to the office.

Time to rush away to the office...

xoxo

Saturday morning treat

Weekend again. This week has just rushed by as for me it feels it was Saturday just yesterday...

Saturdays for me always means I need to catch up doing all the things I never manage to do during the week evenings as I am always out.

Today I need to do 4(!!) washing machines. Puh.

I also need to: 
- study a bit
- go to the supermarket
- go to the gym for at least one hour
- pop by the sun bed as I am already white like a ghost
- clean and organize a bit at home

But it's Saturday so now after breakfast I had put on one washing machine  had a shower with some face and body treats.

1. Amazing body cream from Victoria Secret - Secret charm
2. Givenchy - Peel me perfectly - My face peeling favorite of all time. Leaves the face soft like a baby and with a clean and fresh feeling. It is also not overly expensive so I would really recommend it.
3. Givenchy skin drink express - moisturizing face masque.
Moisturizing face masques are important for people with such dry skin as I have but I haven't found a really good one yet. This one is from Givenchy but it is no longer on the market anymore. It is ok but as it gives moisture to the face but not as much I would like it to do.

Now I think I gonna go back to bed and read for a while before I get on with all the things I need to do...

xoxo

Good morning beauty

This was my morning kit before heading to work this morning. I love changing and trying new cosmetic products and all these are new in my cosmetic collection.

The perfume; Un Jardin sur le Nil by Hermes

A fruity, floral and sparklingly fresh fragrance from Hermes. It is marked as a unisex fragrance and it is actually true that it is a gender natural perfume. It fits perfectly onto both the feminine and the masculine skin and leave a lasting freshness.

It is different from all other perfumes I got. Unfortunately I normally fall in love with the fresh commercial perfumes on the market but this one sticks out from the rest.

Un Jardin sur le Nil was created in 2005 but I bet that many of you have never even tried it. The notes includes green mango, lotus flower, aromatic rushes and sycamore woods.

This was a present from a good friend about two years ago and as you can see I am about to finish it in these days. Don't think I gonna get it again as I like changing but it was been a good one for these two years :)

Estee Lauder DayWear Plus  - day cream

I love this day cream and even if it is the first time I use it I am sure I gonna buy it again. It is not overly expensive and it leaves a very soft skin.
As you can see from the picture I got the one for normal/combination skin which is wrong and I don't really know why I bought that one. Next time I gonna get the right one which would be for DRY skin. However, during the summer the one for normal skin has been perfect. Not too fat/too heavy for warm sunny days and a plus is that it contains SPF 15 (something I make sure all creams I use in the sun does).

This is not an expensive anti age cream that they recommend for all 30+ people, but it is a protective moisturizer that help prevent lines and make the skin look and feel smooth and healthy. It also says that it protects your skin from the bad city air....

I like this cream and I would recommend it for whoever wants a good cream but don´t wanna spend too much.

Serum - Clinique Repairwear Laser Forcus - Wrinkle & UV damage corrector

As my face cream is kind of a simple moisturizer underneath I put few drops of Clinique repairwear serum.

This was another present that I think I gonna buy myself next time I pass an airport.

It says it is a potent serum focusing reducing lines, wrinkles and most of all sun damage.

I have used it since June and I don't know if it has helped or not.... But I do know that I like the feeling it leaves on the skin. My face drinks it quickly and leaves a smooth effect ready for the cream. I am out in the sun more than many other people and so far I haven't got that much sun damage on my face so maybe it helps.

Eye cream - Givenchy power youth Eye

This eye cream doesn't even exist on the market any more so no need to try to buy it. I got three of them while working for Givenchy and I am still using them. It is an eye gel that smoothes fine lines, reducing puffiness and dark circles around the eye area. For long I was against eye creams as I felt the area around my eyes got addicted to it too quickly but then I started using eye creams regulay and seeing the difference I won't stop- There are lots of eye creams for the same purposes as the power youth eye. Two of my favorite ones is from clinique and another one from Lancome, and I will add them on the blog another time.

That was some recommendations of body products that I use that some of you has been curious about.

xoxo

Daisy by Marc Jacobs

Good morning sunshine! Italy is a country where the sun never lets you down during the summer months. I love to wake up in the morning, have a quick fresh shower, just pull over a simple dress and then in 15 min I am ready for work. I normally add some mascara and a touch of a nice fresh  perfume as well to feel something extra.

This summer I don't disappoint my good friend Daisy not even for a day. Last year I used Daisy - eau so fresh which was nice too but after just an hour it was gone. The normal daisy instead keeps me nice and fresh smelling for many hours and I just love it.

As I was filled up with perfumes for a life time when working for Givenchy I have promised myself not to buy a perfume until at least the the beginning of 2013 but what should I do when my Daisy is finished? Now I am addicted too it!

I can add that, like you can see from the pics, the bottle is very beautiful too. A slight problem is that it is quite big so when travelling my Daisy friend unfortunately has to stay home..

xoxo

Some luxury after a hard day

I have closed the financial month of June and it feels great. Stressed days rushed away and now I realize that tomorrow is already Thursday and then the week is almost over. It is really true what they say that busy hours just disappears....

I am not only busy at work but also with my intensive training at the gym. Today it was time to go on with my running challenge. So far I am still just trying to get myself to be able to run longer without having to stop because I am out of breath. Today I did interval training of 7 minutes of running and then 1 minute walking and so on for 40 minutes. Felt satisfied when I reached the goal.

Then I got home and I found a box outside my room with some products I have ordered. For example this lovely shampoo, balsam and hair masque from The Nutritive series by Kerastase. I tried it already tonight and I felt in love. I am sorry to say but my Elvive Vital, that I normally like a lot got nothing compares to this shampoo series. Perfect now when my poor hair has to resist sun, swimming pool, salty sea water and so on. Some luxury is just what me and my hair needed.

xoxo

Givenchy Hydra Sparkling face creams

How can I be a regular blogger about beauty products and never have mentioned the amazing face treatment line Hydra Sparkling by Givenchy...? A good question a friend of my asked the other day and realized it was time to do it.

While working for Givenchy I gave my friends that passed the store to say hi perfume and cream samples and the product that they always asked to get more of was the hydra sparkling face cream. Now I know that Luisa, Stefania, Rosella and three more of my friends still goes back to Givenchy to buy this cream. As the cream exists for three different skin types most people can find one that fits their skin perfectly. I use the one for dry skin during the winter and the one for oily skin when going to the gym and during the very hot summer months. The one for dry skin really smooths and moisturizes my poor dry face but as it feels a little bit too heavy when sweating in the gym or in the sum I prefer the one for oily skin in those particular moments instead of not using any cream at all...

Text taking from the site; "Just like a glass of sparkling water that refreshes the body and quenches its thirst, the First Step Luminescence Moisturizing Lotion hydrates and energizes the skin instantly with the action of the Sparkling Water Complex®. The first step towards hydration, it prepares the skin and optimizes the actions of the subsequent formulas of the Hydra Sparkling range. Fresh and caressing, its non-oily, milky gel texture is a pleasure in the morning, and a soothing treatment in the evening. Makes skin is refreshed, soft and glowing. Ideally prepared for the moisturizing creams."

I use it as a day cream as I have a special night cream but it can be perfectly used day and night. The soft perfume is pleasurable and the price is great for the quality! In countries like Sweden it can be hard to be found but it can always be found on the web. Go for it girls and guys (yea it is a good cream for men too, just ask my boyfriend...:)

xoxo

Elisabeth Arden Green tea honey drops body cream.

Came home from work, had a shower and then used this wonderful body cream. It dries quickly, leaves your skin fresh and soft and ensures long lasting hydration. I read on it that it contains a blend of real honey and green tea extract. Also friends that have been visiting me have falling in love with this body cream so it is a big hit. I have never been a big fan of Elisabeth Arden products but I might have been wrong and feel I should give them an honest try... 

Elisabeth Arden Green tea honey drops body cream.

xoxo

Wellness Sunday

It is raining outside, or at least it was raining before and I am happy about it. If it would had been sunny like yesterday I would have gone out to enjoy the sun but as the dark cloud hanged over my house I stayed in and did my own little wellness spa at home.

I started of with one hour "hatha yoga" on my new yoga mat I got for birthday present from my mom. I though I would do it only for half an hour but the time just rushed away and I realsed I had been practicing for an hour when the cd suddenly stopped.

Afterwards I felt tired so I had a long warm bath with Kiehl's olive hair pack on my head and Kiehl's deep pore cleansing masque on my face. Two great products I have written about before, click here to read. I felt like new when coming out of the bath. It is hard to have a better start of a Sunday.


Now I need to hurry up and get ready and meet my boyfriend up for some shopping. 


xoxo

Hairdresser Roberto Raso Milano

Two months ago I bought a coupon on Groupon for this hairdresser, 39euro for highlights, special hair masque, cutting and styling. Very good price so I didn't have very high expectations and I got quite upset when I had to wait almost two months before I could have an appointment...

Today I went and I happily realised my expectations were wrong. The place was located central close to San Babila and it was very stylish and trendy. The people working there were very good at their job and I left happy with the result. I would love to go back even next time but I have a slight feeling the prices are quite high....

Xoxo

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