Clarins Eau des Jardins

When I opened these babies from my postie last week my heart instantly sank. Not because I'm not a hoooge Clarins fan (I am) or because I don't hooogely appreciate receiving goodies to review (I do) but they brought me right back to Summer holidays 2010. I had bought a 100ml bottle of the accompanying perfume in the airport as a treat, you see, and as I went to board the plane I dropped my hand luggage. Smash! It was one of those Cher moments 'if I could turn back ti-ohme'. I had to endure the entire flight with mutters of 'What is that gorgeous smell?' Rage!

I put all that behind me last week though, popped the cap on this Uplifting Shower Gel and was instantly transported to sunnier climes. It's a fresh and zesty, citrus scent with underlying Bergamot and it smells like the holiday I wish I was on. I chanced a rub of the Smoothing Body Cream on the back of my hand and was consigned to sniffing my lámh like someone demented for the rest of the day. 

Our time together was so fleeting *sniff*

Clarins promises that the scent of Eau des Jardins ‘Uplifts, Refreshes, Captivates’ and boy does it. The Uplifting Shower Gel can be used in the bath or the shower so I chanced a bath and used the Smoothing Body Cream afterward, I'm not exaggerating when I say I spent the entire night smelling my forearms, it was almost a compulsion. 

The gel, works to a rich lather to get you squeaky clean but doesn't dry the skin, as can happen with scented gels. The cream was absorbed quickly and didn't leave a greasy sheen as a lot of perfumed or accompanying body creams can. All too often the body cream of a scent can be an afterthought to fill the gift set market but not so with Clarins.  My skin the following day was still soft and supple, though the scent had gone. Only one remedy for that.

Smoothing Body Cream €33.55, Scent €40.67 & Uplifting Shower Gel €21.35 

With Mammy's Day hurtling toward us, this would make an ideal gift and of course for those of us that want a little bit of sunshine right under our sniffer on a daily basis - say it with me 'Self - Gift'. 

I know one Mammy that'll be getting the fragrance this March 18th - even if it does have to be treble bagged to bring home! (That's me by the way. I'm getting it.)

Do citrussy scents do it for you? Have you tried Eau des Jardins?  

La Roche Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5

I mentioned yesterday a miraculous use I had discovered for this balm (It was burny balls (of the feet) and the relief was IMMENSE) but I wanted to share with you some of the intended miraculous uses so you'd understand why you'll probably be heading right out to pick up some Cicaplast Baume B5. 


I had the pleasure to be invited along to the launch last week in Trinity's Science Gallery and am not exaggerating when I say we were presented with some astounding claims regarding this product. Cicaplast Baume B5 is billed as a soothing multi-repairing balm favors the recovery for sensitive skin after irritative dermatitis and epidermic alterations thanks to its formula associating Panthenol 5% with Madecassoside with a highly-cosmetic texture. Suitable for the entire family: babies, children and adults. Sounds good, right? Maybe a little too good BUT there were two medical professionals on hand to show us the results of their clinical trials and add some proof to the pudding. 


Dr Morrow held a trial with 27 patients with varying skin issues (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, side effects of medicines, such as Roaccutane i.e extremely dry lips). The trial took place over 7-20 days and resulted in 100% of patients reporting that their skin was 'either fully repaired or very much improved'. Her results showed that while there was immediate improvement in pain and dryness, the average time for 100% recovery was 7 - 10 days. Astonishing, no?

Suitable for all skins of all shapes and sizes

Nurse Daly also held a trial with 35 patients in her paediatric clinic over 14 days. Cicaplast BB5 was used for issues such as childhood eczema, severe nappy rash and rashes on the babies' & toddlers' mouths and lips from excessive drooling and licking. Again just under 100% of patients reported significant improvement if not complete recovery within days. 


When this product was launched in France, the stock, intended to last 6 months, sold out in 2 and La Roche Posay were inundated with requests for more. It has been one of their most successful products to date. (Lovely Emma from Fluff and Fripperies had a very handy guide to their other products over on Beaut.ie)


From what I've seen and experienced with my poor, tortured feet, Cicaplast Baume B5 is going to be huge. Priced at just €12.50 from selected chemists, I can see it being a handbag and nappybag staple for quite some time. I've already caught myself saying 'I've just the thing for that' several times so far.


What say we? La loving La Roche?

Monday's Moments - 05/03

It's Monday, it's March (!), let's do this!

1. I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Mahoosive Paw Prints are Gone

Source

Following on from our boreen blitz a fortnight ago, we've been very good round these parts for keeping the place ship shape. I say we, I mean the lads & I - Diesel, the big hog has been doing no such thing. Routinely galloping into the house from the back garden and spreading muck splashes far and wide. 

Before he gets in, he likes to leap at the door with his mahoosive paws? It's literally opaque, every day. Cue me picking up a double sided squeegee that cleans the windows in seconds. Moment of awesome numero uno was the youngest becoming instantly obsessed with how quickly he can clean the windows with it. It may be short lived but, for now, the windows are glorious!

2. OMG, It's You! In the Actual Flesh!

Since starting this blogging malarkey I've met some pretty brilliant people. Although there can be a lot of drama on the Twitter machine created by and aimed at beauty bloggers, I've found the community to be one of the most supportive, friendly and welcoming places online. Shockingly so. That being said I don't go in for BS or pseudo online drama, life is waaay too short and I haven't got the time so I tend to surround myself with the positive, hilarious girlies. 

Imagine my delight when I got to meet one of the nicest of the lot. Kat from DollyRouge.ie is one half of the gorgeous Dolly Rouge gals, who have been nothing but supportive of others and I got to meet & chat with her at an event this week. I can confirm, folks, she's just as lovely (maybe even lovelier) in real life. Isn't it fabulous when that happens?

3. I'm Walking in Sunshine - Woooaahooohhhh

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The weather has been unreasonably & unseasonably fabulous this past few weeks. There's nothing I enjoy more than a bit of sunshine to heat mah bones. Not quite sure what Lord of kismet deigned that I be born in Ireland but here I am (usually perished). 

When I finished up in town on Wednesday evening though the sun was out in all it's glory. When I sat at the bus stop the breeze was blocked entirely and I could have been anywhere in the world. A few warm rays on your fizzog really are all you need to perk your day right up. 

4. Unexpected & Wonderful

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This past week I've been serving on jury duty and will be for another little while. Because of this I've been unavailable to the mad house that is my job. Out of Office is on my emails and an apologetic voice mail redirecting calls is live on my phone. 

Because I've been so caught up, I haven't actually noticed the peace, that was until Thursday. We got an unexpected day off. Now normally I wouldn't know the meaning of the word and mails, calls and messages still mount up but because I've been incommunicado, nobody called. Nobody called, nobody mailed, nobody texted and it was heaven. I snuck back to bed for an hour and got up to a leisurely brunch on my ownio. The sound of silence, it's totally underrated. 

  

5. Great Balls of Fire

I'll have a post up on this balm tomorrow but today I want to share one of the greatest discoveries of my grown up lady life. At the La Roche Posay launch on Wednesday we were given the low down as well as some astounding claims for Cicaplast. It was explained how it can instantly calm and cool dry, cracked and sore skin. 'Wonderful' thought I, if only I had need to test it. 

I'm blaming exhaustion on the fact that I got on the wrong shaggin' bus to pick up my car afterward. I was left over a mile from where I needed to be with no option but to hoof it the rest of the way. In heels. Only a woman will truly understand the torture of burning balls, footballs, balls of your feet from walking long distances in heels. Hot Hooves R Us. But when I sat into the car, inspiration struck. One rub of Cicaplast on my poor tootsies and the burn was gone. Instantly. Gone. The relief was immense. Though they were still slightly tender, I could drive home in relative comfort. It wasn't LRP's intended use, I'm sure but by jove I'll be using it again! Genius. 

Et voila, 5 moments that have floated my boat and made my week. What's going on in your neck of the woods? 

Cherry Pick of The Week - Had Enough - Nu Centz ft Lupe Fiasco

Behold yet more home grown talent. Tallaght born Nu Centz (from his mother calling him a Nuisance, ah mammies) won a competition with Spin 1038 to have Lupe Fiasco feature on his track and this is the final result. 


Catchy eh?

Estée Lauder - Intense Kajal Eye Crayon

When I first clapped eyes on the Estée Lauder Topaz Collection courtesy of make up & Youtube guru Dustin Hunter, the Dramatic Teal Intense Kajal Eye Crayon almost lept from the screen at me. I'm a big fan of teal liners and an even bigger fan of kajal liners as they're so easy to use. Off I jolly well popped to Debenham's to have a little peek. 

Kajal Eye Crayon and chunky sharpener that's included (phew) €25

As soon as the sales assistant swatched this beauty on her hand I knew I had to have it. It's soft, vivid and has the most beautiful formulation that gives you two minutes to blend out and wear as a shadow or leave as is and it will dry and not budge for the day. 

One line dried as is or blended out to a soft teal base or all over shadow

I'm absolutely in love with this product and have used it to recreate the stunning smokey peacock look by Sara over on Beaut.ie but have also used it in everyday wear.

Although I have a huge fondness for Estée Lauder and their elegant ways, if €25 for a liner makes your eyes water I have found two beautiful tealy alternatives.

Rimmel Soft Kohl in Jungle Green is €4.67 from Boots, it's soft and pliable and once in place stays put all day long. It leans more to the green side of teal but is a very flattering shade.

Bourjois Kohl and Contour in Bleu Virtuose is €6.60, also from Boots, it's a vibrant teal that promises 16 hours wear and more than delivers. Bourjois is closer to the formulation of Estée's crayon as it can be smudged and blended before it dries for a softer look.

So what do we reckon? Have you made any purchases from the Topaz collection? Is teal your thang?