My freezing temperatures make-up and body care routine

As I promised, today I'm back with the second part of my go-to products for use in freezing temperatures. The previous post was dedicated to face care (make-up removal, face creams, face masks, SPF and lip care), today's post will be dedicated to my body care routine and my make-up essentials in the winter time.

My freezing temperatures face care routine

It is winter here in Bucharest, freezing temperatures, high snow, weather forecasts predicting even more snow and low temperatures. Until about one week ago the winter was mild and warm. Now it has arrived with a bang! The temperatures are -20,-15 or less at night and -10 or less at day. And my skin is not taking it well. It has become dehydrated, dry, brittle and I got out of my stash the heavy guns : the products which are the most moisturizing and thick and creamy and comforting. So I decided to share them with you. Today's post is all about the face care routine (make-up removal, face hydration, face masks and make-up products). I'll be back with another post on the body care for these freezing temperatures. Let's begin!

Most loved in 2015

I haven't posted a monthly favourite type post (very popular right now) before because I don't change my favourites every month. I test a product for a longer period of time and if I really like one and use it all the time it enters in my favourite category. Therefore I will post my favourites every season or more. I decided to start the favourites category on the blog with a bang, with the Most loved in 2015 ! Let's see them !

Monica's empties #4 part 2

I'm back, as promised, with the second part of this large empties post. If you like to see the first part check it out monicas-empties-4-part-1. Let's begin!

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil (refill) - review

Another product I have finished and I'm heartbroken to let go. It is by far one of the best shower oils I have ever tried. One of the cult products of the L'Occitane brand, well loved and very expensive. You guessed : it is L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil (refill). I bought it a while ago at an offer : if I bought the normal full size of one shower gel and the refill in any other showel gels, the amount paid was cheaper than in the full size. Of course I bought my beloved Verbena Shower Gel in full size (I adore it, it's perfect for the hot summer days - review soon) and I bought the L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil in refill to try. I was curious to see what was the hype about and if indeed it was worth the money. 

Haul again : Sephora, Sabon, L' Occitane en Provence, Anastasia Beverly Hills

As you already know by now the sales season is in full swing ! Of course I couldn't help myself to check them out! So yesterday, together with Andreea from ZonaMov (to whom I had promised a visit to Inglot), we set out to conquer Baneasa Shopping City mall with our eyes set on beauty and cosmetics, as beauty bloggers that we are. It was a very fun and interesting experience!

A little chat about Make-up Removal and Face Cleansing part 2

I talked about the importance of properly cleansing the skin in the previous post, now it's time to see what types of make-up removers are there. The most important thing you should know, is that you must choose the make-up removers according to your skin type and needs. Every make-up remover should clearly state the type of skin is designed towards. In addition to this, the strength of the make-up removers depends on the type of make-up products you use and their number.

A little chat about Make-up Removal and Face Cleansing

One of the most important step in our daily face routine, besides putting on SPF, is the cleansing routine. It is a MUST, every day, in the evening and in the morning, no matter if you had any make-up on or not!

Not removing make-up means congested skin and clogged pores which will lead to breakouts, puffiness around the eyes and fine lines – in short, a proper cleansing makes your skin look younger and healthier for longer!

my current make-up removers and cleansers stash

A day at the Summer Beauty Tunnel in Plaza Romania

This weekend Plaza Romania mall hosted an must-go-to event for all beauty and health lovers: Summer Beauty Tunnel.

A perfect day

Sunday I felt it was one of those days that are just perfect, unforgettable, filled with the right people and the right feelings and emotions. I started my day early in the morning with Beautybarometer's 3rd blog anniversary. She is one of my inspirations and a lovely person from whom you can learn a lot.

Fight the skin's aging process with L'OCCITANE IMMORTELLE DIVINE RENEWAL PROGRAMME

... Forever young,
   I want to be forever young ... Alphaville sang in a song

One of humanity's greatest wishes is to turn back the clock, to stay forever young and beautiful. Our body and skin grow old with each single day that passes and we try with the latest discoveries in science, research and tehnology to stop it or at least to delay its effects.
   
It is a scientifically proven fact that the skin's cells are continuously regenerating themselves each 28 days (4 weeks). Due to our lifestyle filled with stress, pollution and other external factors, this regenerating cycle of the skin becomes slower and slower and in time the skin becomes older and older.
   
So we fight the aging process by taking care of our nutrition, our health, by having an active lifestyle filled with sport and by taking good care of  our face and body. L'Occitane en Provence has devised a programme through which we can regenerate our skin in only 4 weeks by associating a very concentrated essential immortelle oil in active molecules (neril acetate) and a complex mix of active ingredients from maquis. After the treatment the skin feels regenerated and glows from within.

Oldie but goodie: L'Occitane en Provence 20% shea butter hand cream for dry skin

One of my favourite hand creams for the colder seasons is L'Occitane en Provence 20% shea butter hand cream for dry skin. In the colder seasons I like thicker body and hand creams with a plus of moisturization and protection against the cold temperatures and wind. But first something about the brand:
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With nothing but an alambic, a small truck and a solid knowledge of plants, Olivier Baussan, at the age of 23, distills Rosemary essential oil which he sells on the local markets of Provence. The L’OCCITANE journey begins.

1976 - Using an old soap factory, Olivier revives the traditional art of Marseille soap-making.

1977 - L’OCCITANE reserves its first harvest of lavender, the fragrant and iconic symbol of Provence.
1980 - While exploring the world for new ingredients and traditional techniques, Olivier learns about the women who produce shea butter in Burkina Faso, Africa. After discovering its incredibly nourishing qualities, he places a large order before returning to Provence, and the adventure in Burkina Faso begins.
1981 - The first L’OCCITANE factory and store open in Volx, Provence.
1990 - L’OCCITANE becomes a fragrance merchant, buying a barge to distribute its products, speading the aromas of the gardens of Provence.

1992 - The first L’OCCITANE boutique opens in Paris on Rue Vavin.
1997 - As a sensorial brand, L'OCCITANE is one of the first companies to feature Braille labeling on its products.

1999 - The verbena harvest collection launches.
2001 - The first L’OCCITANE Spa opens in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
2002 - International launch of the Immortelle Skincare Collection.
2009 - In order to benefit both our customers and the environment, L’OCCITANE begins to offer eco-refill packaging.
2011 - Immortelle Divine Cream receives the “Best Miracle Cream” award following user trials organized by the Anti-Aging Beauty Bible.

2012 - L’OCCITANE now has over 2,000 stores all over the world.         source: loccitane.com
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I now have the mini 20% shea butter hand cream from my earlier journeys, but as soon as I finish it, I will buy the normal sized one. My mini comes in a 10 ml/ 0.3 oz recipient.

Enriched with 20% shea butter, this super-creamy hand cream penetrates quickly to protect, nourish and comfort hands. An international customer favorite, one Shea Butter Hand Cream is sold every three seconds - 2012-2013. The formula includes honey and almond extracts, and coconut oil blended with shea butter for extremely effective hand care. The cream's rich texture is rapidly absorbed to leave the hands soft and smooth with no oily traces. 

Ingredients : 
Shea butter: nourishes, softens and protects (rich in vitamins and fatty acids)
Coconut oil: nourishes, rich in fatty acids
Extract of honey: softens
Extract of marshmallow root: softens
Flaxseed extract: nourishing and softening  
 
It has a valability of 12 months. There are also 30 ml (33 ron) and 150 ml ones (95 ron).