NUXE PARIS

I discovered Nuxe Paris for the first time last year and quickly fell in love with this wonderful brand. Consequently, it made my list of "Best Beauty Discoveries for 2009".  What drew me to the line was the fact that it was pure and natural, not tested on animals, and based on essential oils and plants. The line contains natural vital ingredients and contains no mineral oils, animal ingredients, and no harmful parabens or phenoxyethanol. (Rule of thumb: if you can't pronounce it, don't put it on your skin). Rather, Nuxe is based on nourishing plant oils such as Borage, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut and Macadamia. These oils contain anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties and moisturize, nourish and tone the skin naturally.  The products are also formulated with essential oils such as neroli, petigrain, orange and pine, that not only smell blissful but add healing and energizing properties, as well. 

 

 Nuxe Products

There are several ranges within the line, an extensive face care range targeted for different stages of skin care, from youth to anti-aging; Reve de Miel, a nourishing range based on honey; a range of body products, including toning and firming products; and a multi-purpose range that includes the multi purpose Huile Prodigeuse and a wonderful bronzing tint and powder.

Huile Prodigieuse

One of my must-have products that gets me through the winter is Huile Prodigieuse which is a multi-purpose dry oil.  A "dry" oil meaning one that is formulated with oils that sink into the skin quickly without leaving a heavy or greasy residue. It is a wonderful product to use on the face as a moisturizer, as a make-up base, a hair oil and a body oil.  I love the comforting feel of the oil as I use it all over my face on it's own or as a base under make-up.  With any residue on my hands, I run my fingers through my hair to give my hair some moisture before styling.  It is a morning ritual that I love and it helps me get the day started before facing the cold morning air and the commute to work.

Two other products that I love for the winter are the Reve du Miel lip balm and Ultra Comfortable Face Cream.  These products contain fir honey, acacia honey, shea butter and mango butter,  that nourish and protect and are especially good for sensitive skin, like mine. The lip balm is said to be tested "in cold Canadian winters" and going through long, cold, snowy winters in Toronto, puts any moisturizing product to the test.  The texture of the lip balm is like coating your lips with a spoon of honey  It sinks in immediately and leaves my lips soft and nourished. To get a gloss effect, I apply a light layer of the balm and then follow with lipstick.  This gives a wash of colour with a dewy finish. Another great beauty tip is to apply a thicker coat of lip balm, really massaging into the lips, and leave on overnight so the ingredients can really sink in and nourish the lips while you sleep.

Reve de Miel Lip Balm

Ultra Comfortable Face Cream

I love the texture of the Ultra Comfortable Face Cream.  It glides on like silk and leaves my face feeling nourished and moisturized. I use this as a nourishing night cream or over a few drops of Huile Prodigieuse in the day. The rich ingredients not only moisturize but also nourish the skin.

For me, the Nuxe Paris line is a real find as it combines quality ingredients sourced from nature together with the latest research.  It is truly a luxury line, at a very affordable price point. 

In Ontario, Nuxe Paris is sold at Shoppers Drug Mart and the Bay.  On line it is available through beautyhabit.com.

Best Beauty Discoveries of 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS!

2009 was a year for a lot of new spa experiences and discovering some very exciting beauty lines and products, so in no particular order, here they are.  I will be reviewing some of them in greater detail in posts to come.

1.  Experiencing an authentic Hammam in Morrocco. The ultimate exotic experience.  An ancient beauty ritual of steaming and exfoliating the skin.  Discovering the amazing exfoliating properties of Moroccan black soap and scrubbing gloves.  

2.   Going to Blue Mountain Resort in the early Fall to the Scandinave Spa.  It was incredibly relaxing soaking in the outdoor pools and enjoying the Fall colours against a backdrop of a bright blue sky.  The weather was still warm enough to sit outside in the sunshine and going between the different heated pools was beyond bliss.  After the hot pools, having a nutritious lunch overlooking the pools and a relaxing massage.  A wonderful outdoor spa experience.

3.  Visiting the new Murale beauty product store for the first time.  So many hard too find brands of make-up, perfume, skin care and body products all under one roof.  A candy store for the beauty product lover.

4.   Having my make-up done with the NARS Fall collection at Holt Renfrew in Yorkdale and then going with friends to have our make-up done at the Bay with a visiting NARS rep.  NARS products are amazing, the colours are beautiful and most importantly their reps and customer service is hands down, the best.  A visit to a NARS counter is a fun experience.

5.  Being introduced to a myriad of wonderful lines at Sephora.  Korres make-up primer, Juice Beauty tinted foundation, Serge Lutens perfumes, the list goes on.

6.  Urban Decay, 24/7 pencils.  The texture is soft and goes on like velvet.  The range of colours is extensive. Urban Decay is vegan friendly and not tested on animals.

7.  Argan Oil for face and hair.  I had the good fortune of visiting an Argan oil cooperative in southwestern Morocco.  The Berber women produce the oil using traditional and very labour intensive methods. Even purchasing the oil directly from the cooperatives is still expensive as Argan oil is a costly and precious commodity. A little of the oil goes a long way.  It can be used on the face, the body and hair to moisturize and renew.  A rare and incredible product.

Beladi, Women's Argan Oil Collective, Essouiria, Morocco

8.  Discovering Julie Hewitt's Noir collection lipsticks.  A line of vintage red lipsticks, you can't just buy one, you will want to have them all.  Film Noir is a sheer all purpose red, good for all occasions.

9.  Diving deeper into the wonderful world of perfumery, through blogs like the Perfume Posse and Perfume Shrine, discovering L'Artisan, Serge Lutens, Andy Tauer and Amouage.  Although Oud was the fragrance du jour of 2009, I will always love Gardenia.

10.  Nuxe Paris, a wonderful line formulated using pure plants and essential oils. A historic line ahead of its time.  I will be writing lots and lots on this wonderful line in my Winter Moisturizing series.

11. Chantecaille Aromacologie products, a beautifully formulated luxury skincare line. Launched this Fall at Holt Renfrew in Toronto.  The products are formulated with rose and other essential oils.  The Nano Gold Energizing Cream actually contains particles of 24-karet gold.

 
12.  Having fun with all the new colours, sparkle and glitter in the world of nail polish.  Nail art is alive and well, the more bling the better, and yes Zoya was the original "3 free". Can't wait for the China Glaze re-launch of the Wizard of Ooh Ahz this Spring and Up Up and Away.

13.  Paul and Joe Make-up.  The packaging is just too adorable and retro.  You feel like you are in a scene from a 1940's movie, applying your make-up in a stylish ladies lounge while Humphrey Bogart waits at the bar.  Great discovery to find it for sale in Toronto at the George Brown School of Make Up and Esthetics.

14.  The George Brown Yorkville School of Make Up and Esthetics.  A teaching school with a small store filled with amazing hard to find, niche lines, including Paul and Joe AND budget priced treatments done by senior students.

MORE TO COME...

Although they are not yet available in North America, reading about the Illamasqua and Rouge Bunny Rouge make-up lines on the British blog sites, they both look like wonderful lines.  I can hardly wait until they are available in North America.  For now, North Americans will have to make do with on-line shopping.  Illamasqua is available on-line from Sephora U.S. and Rouge Bunny Rouge from Zuneta.com based in the U.K.

Lipstick Queen Lipsticks.  Although available in the U.S., Unfortunately they are not for sale on-line to Canada, however there are a few exclusive stores that carry them in Canada.  The Spa Travellers will shortly be going on a small shopping spree and will report back.  Stay tuned.

Wishing each and every one of you a very healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous 2010.

PEACE.