Thursday, 9 April 2015

A little bonus blog ahead of tomorrow

OK, let’s discuss my favourite skincare and body brands as they will be cropping up throughout my weekly Friday Blogs; Marks & Spencer, Superdrug, L’Occitane and Shiseido.  When I start looking for a new product, depending on how flush I am money-wise, then I always check out L’Occitane, M&S and Superdrug first.  Seeing as I recently worked for the Japanese company, Shiseido, I can't not mention them - I have a few of their products still and have seen such a difference in my skin in a short space of time. The only set-back with Shiseido is that it's expensive but totally worth it (best way to try Shiseido is to book in for a facial - Clerys and Arnotts in Dublin have their own beauty rooms so you don't need to be on the shop floor in full view of everyone!).

Primarily, I like the fact that for years now, the above mentioned companies support animal-friendly causes and don’t test on animals (they don’t test their final products or the raw materials at development/manufacturing level) and M&S and Superdrug own lines carry the BUAV logo (the leaping bunny) on all their skincare, bodycare, make-up and household products (I use M&S anti-bacterial multi-surface cleaners and washing-up liquids). Shiseido officially ended its animal testing in 2013 ahead of the European Union animal testing ban.

M&S and Superdrug seem to replicate premium brands but the lotions and potions are such good value for money and some can be quite innovative too (red wine anyone?).  Seeing as I’ve always felt that ‘French is best’ when it comes to beauty (and I used to work for Clarins), I just love L’Occitane.  The smells, the textures, the vast range that they have on offer is second to none and the products really do work.  Plus, j’adore their boutique concept, especially when they're offering customers a glass of bubbly on entering!  My first L’Occitane product I tried was a sample of the Divine Lotion and after the first application, I noticed a difference in my skin – it was much brighter, smoother and supple – I was hooked and I ran out to buy the full-size bottle!

Recently there have been two other brands that have caught my interest; REN (UK) and BYPHASSE (Spain).  REN Skincare has been out there for a while now but I was lucky enough to sample their Beauty Shot not so long ago (amazing it is!).  REN equals ‘clean skincare’ and so only use 100% plant and mineral derived ingredients (no irritating synthetic stuff!) so that it promotes healthy skin that will ‘look younger for longer’!  They don’t test on animals and you can send your empties back to REN (by FREEPOST) and they will recycle for you!

If you read my first Blog regarding my love affair with BYPHASSE’s cotton wool pads then you would know that I was dying to try some more products of theirs.  So last week, I purchased their almond body lotion and their anti-cellulite gel and have been using them since 4 April.  I will let you know how I’ve been getting on when it comes to the Body Blog!  Seeing as the EU now has regulations against animal testing after 2013, BYPHASSE state on their website that their products are 'skin friendly and subject to current European Regulations'.


www.byphasse.com



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