All posts filed under: Cosmetica

Twinning is winning, even with bodycare

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DNA is a thing of wonder, often baffling me when I recognize little things my kids do or have and that I can trace back directly to me. Case in point, my daughter’s extremely dry and sensitive skin which is so much a carbon copy of mine that it is almost scary. Equally parched, itchy, reactive and prone to contact dermatitis, I am even more obsessed when it comes to keeping her skin in tip top shape as I am about my own. So far, I’ve looked at a lot of brands, tried only a few and loved even less, so you’ll understand my caution when the Dermalex Supreme Moisturizer* and the Dermalex Baby Eczema Cream* arrived on our doorstep. I know I can handle an itchy reaction or an allergic flare up, but when it comes to Little Miss C and her skin, I’d rather take no chances at all. So first I did a little pre-testing, and then, you guessed it, testing became twinning. ‘Cause twinning is winning. With years of extensive body …

Sometimes, a red lip is all you need

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No really, hear me out! As much as we like to do a full on 3-colour eyeshadow look, wing that liner into oblivion or bake ourselves in bronzer, sometimes, a clean red lip really is all you need. Paired with a flick of the right mascara and a little touch of a transparant powder, less really is more. French chic, quoi?! Over the last few weeks some Make Up For Ever bits and bobs have snuck into my daily make up bag, and even though some items are loved more than the other, they all uphold to that sacred standard of quality above all (#personalpreferencesatplay). Finally available in Belgium, I could not contain my curiosity (Curious George – the beauty edition) and started playing around with some of their classics. I start of with a little dusting of the Ultra HD Microfinish Loose Powder, and if it’s good enough for red carpets and HD movie close ups, it’s more than good enough for my day filled to the brim with pitches and meetings! This ultra-finely milled silica …

Holding On To That Summer Feeling With Le Petit Marseillais

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My Summer tan might be long gone and temperatures over 20 °C a distant memory, but at least of one my Summer favourites is crossing over into Autumn/Winter territory. A refreshing dip in the pool after work makes way for a relaxing bath and face mask session as my beloved me-time-moment, but Le Petit Marseillais stays by my side. This French brand needs no intro, and everyone who, like me, adores their products and scents will love these two new lines: the Express Body Sprays and the P’Tits Bonheurs (little bursts of happiness)? The P’tits Bonheurs really are these little bursts of soap-y happiness. Out the  4 ‘flavours’ (Au Pays du Miel & une Nuit, Ma Pause Coco-ning, Ma Vie en Rose, Croquez la Fraise à Pleines Dents), I have been savouring the Miel & Un Nuit, in which the honey from the French Alps is a one-way trip to the land of  milk & honey, and Ma Vie en Rose, more fragrant than 100 handpicked roses brightening up the room. Literally night and day, these two could not be more …

Atelier Cologne

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To be honest, a lot of foot-dragging took place before I finally decided to write this post. First up, I’ve been in this weird mood lately where I want to create a structure and post with a fixed regularity, but at the same time I just can’t bring myself to write long reviews out of fear that they would become plain boring. Second of all, my perfume collection currently houses more scents than you can shake a stick at, so I feel like a spoiled brat for adding even more fragrances in, even when they are as cute and alluring as the two mini’s laying before me at the moment, namely the Atelier Cologne Figuier Ardent and the Atelier Cologne Clementine California. Atelier Cologne’s answer to Diptique’s Philosikos, and their take on the green succulence and wild richness of figs, Figuier Ardent seems to have a more natural and green  approach. Instead of burying it amongst sweetness, the fig is being placed centre stage amongst a sirocco of spices placing a spotlight on that that central note. …

Summer Favourites

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Summer really did flew by. Seems like only yesterday I was writing my June favourites post, fully intending to do one for July and one for August as well. Family issues took over, summer did not  feel like summer and before I knew it, September 1st had come and gone. However, there were a few products that I used (and repurchased) religiously these last two months, and it’s safe to say they’ve been crowned my summer favourites. I’ve gushed about the Avène Gentle Exfoliating Gel before (see this post), and described it as ‘gentle enough not to aggravate or strip my sensitive skin but efficient in it’s exfoliating ways’. It was inevitable that this was going to be one of my summer loves, it’s been repurchased, used, loved and recommended, and between this beauty and the Pixi Glow Tonic, I’ve got my exfoliation covered. Make up-wise, I’ve been loving the Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Universal Tinted Gel, Rosy Cheeks and Lips (what’s in a name), and not much else. Remember how last year’s summer somehow …

Close Brussels

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Belgitude – not just an attitude but a way of life.  Being Belgian, you’re constantly aware that in the grand scheme of the world, your country is but a tiny dot, but when it comes to attitude, excuse me, Belgitude, we sure kick some global ass. Kings and Queens of contradictions, bipartite conundrums and a big love of quality over quantity, we take everything seriously except ourselves and we’ve got balls but manners rule the roost. If ever there was a brand that personified Belgitude, all of the above and so much more, Close Brussels would be it! The proof is in the pudding on this one! Founded by strong women for strong women, Close Brussels is the brainchild of Tineke Bracke and Charlotte Walckiers, a gorgeous Flemish brunette and a stunning blonde francophone. The perfect Belgian yin & yang, so to speak. Tapped by Planet Parfum to rebrand and –launch their in-house line Close, they stripped it bare and kept nothing but the name, and started afresh. Result: Close Brussels. Luxurious but affordable, quality …

When In France….

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You do some pharmacy damage… It’s like an unspoken law that, whenever I (or just about any other beaty blogger for that matter) am in France, I feel this urge to plunder the biggest ‘pharmacie’ I come across on that trip. Sure, I need to show some restraint, otherwise my family travel budet is blown to pieces, so I draw up a ‘must have’ and a ‘would be nice to have’ list before, but it is a given that, whenever I am in France, even for a few hours, a local ‘pharmacie’ will be visited, and some hauling will be done. Here’s what I brought home this time: Biafine, known and loved by everyone, is a lifesaver in my household. My sensitive skin yearns for a touch of this ointment whenever I react badly to another product, burn my self whilst cooking or even when I get sunburned. Another product that I repurchased for the gazillionth time is the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Spray, the simple formula of Zinc Sulphate, Sodium Chloride and the La Roche-Posay Thermal …

Grown Alchemist Deep Cleansing Facial Mask – Detox à la LeenLovesStyle

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Grown Alchemist has earned a spot in my skincare routines, there’s no doubt about it. The Antioxidant+ Facial Oil is my go-to morning facial oil ever since I discovered it (bottle nr 3 and counting), the Tinted Hydra-Repair Day Cream is turning out to be the perfect summer base, both in terms of hydration levels and coverage, and the Grown Alchemist Deep Cleansing Facial Mask joined my, ahem, rather extensive mask collection earlier this year. The Australians sure know the power of nature, and wheatgerm, white clay, gingko and cranberry formula of this mask is the proof in that proverbial pudding. Cleansing masks usually have me running for the hills, especially the pink clay ones, as they’ve created horror scenes on my skin more than once. Think Hellraiser, but more blotched… Fancy! Imagine my surprise (and relief) when I felt (quite literally) that the super fine white clay in this mask surprisingly makes for an extraordinarily gentle — yet effective — treatment. The white clay functions like a hoover on blemishes, clogged pores and all kinds of gunk hiding …

La Roche Posay Eau Micellaire Ultra

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Sometimes, bigger really is better! Just have a look at this beauty… Or beast, depending on how you look at it. 400 ml of translucent goodness, designed to soothe even the most reactive and sensitive of skins, the La Roche-Posay Eau Micellaire Ultra* takes micellar waters to the next level. But is it the right level? Tried and tested, my skin never reacted of acted up after using this, nor did it feel itchy or tight. The description says that the Eau Micellaire Ultra can be used for cleansing, taking of your make up and soothing your skin. I can vouch for the soothing your skin part and for the cleansing bit (as in the 2nd part of a double cleanse), but the taking my make up off and cleanse in 1 go was a bridge too far for me, so I did what I always do with micellar waters, and I treated as a toner. In that perspective, it really did pass the test with flying colours. No stripping the skin of the softness …

June Favourites

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6 months have come and gone, 2017 is halfway, and it’s time for something new on this blog! I’ve been blogging for over 4 years, and in all those years, I’ve never done of the great classics of beauty blogging, the ‘Favourites’ post. Never one to let something go by untried, I realised this was the perfect moment to line up my favourites as I discovered some exciting products! The DHC Deep Cleansing Oil, I must admit, has been a favourite of mine for a long time (check this article!), and after a litle time apart, I fell in love with this golden beauty all over again. Nothing takes away my make up like this one, and not a dry skin-moment in sight. I’m on my 4th bottle, and nr 5 is already waiting it’s turn. All the next bits really are brand spankin’ new ones, pinky swear! It wouldn’t be the LeenLovesStyle favourites if it weren’t filled to the brim with skincare, and my skin has been particularly loving the Uriage Eau Thermale Water …