Caudalie | Divine Legs Collection & More | A Review
A little while ago, my beautiful friend Rhiannon, Beauty Expert for Caudalie, decided to surprise me with this package. You should have seen my face, I felt like a little girl opening her presents on Christmas day all over again. Rhiannon had picked out products perfect for my skin type, bundled them up and she even threw in the new Caudalie Divine Collection for me to try!
If you are a newcomer to this French skincare brand I shall give you a brief introduction – although you may never look at a grape the same way again, just warning you.
Caudalie started in a vineyard in Bordeaux, France. Mathilde Thomas and her husband founded this brand by simply harnessing the anti-aging properties surrounding them, the polyphenols in the grapes! They discovered, that the grape seed polyphenols are the most powerful anti oxidant in the plant world and are amazing skin youth protectors.
I haven’t been paid to tell you this by the way guys, I just genuinely love everything about this brand – and I haven’t even began to tell you about the products I received! So get comfy. This post is a bundle of skincare, body care and most importantly the NEW Divine Collection. Enjoy.
Divine Collection
The latest additions to Caudalie belong to the new Divine Collection, made up of a tinted body lotion, a body scrub and a multi-purpose oil. The idea behind this line is to help you achieve the perfect tanned legs. Now I know what you’re thinking, I live in Mallorca, how do I even need this? (A before and after picture coming up shortly will show you just how much I need this guys). I am so busy with work I really don’t get that much time to sunbathe, and when I do I slather on factor 50 because I am afraid of getting old and wrinkly. I am really fair so if I put anything less on I am guaranteed to burn. This collection is great for me because I can make all my friends who come to visit me believe I have a tan… that is until they read this blog and find out my secret.
Ah well, this secret is too good to keep to myself.
Divine Scrub
Before I used this scrub, Rhiannon text me saying, “You will absolutely LOVE the scrub, it smells amazing!” Now ALL Caudalie products smell delicious, but I am telling you now, this scrub is on a whole other level of deliciousness – is this even a word, well it is now. The fragrance is down to the brown sugar crystals and 4 plant oils: Grape, Argan, Hibiscus and Sesame. Sounds good enough to eat doesn’t it? I will also point out, the ingredients used are of 97% natural origin – bonus.
In the shower, I scooped out some of this scrub only to marvel over the moment it touched my skin. It melted into this milky residue as the sugar granules gently exfoliated away those pesky dead skin cells. As I stepped out of the shower, my entire bathroom smelt awesome, and even when I got into the car later that day to do some shopping I could still smell the delicate fragrance on my skin. I only have a sample size but cannot wait to pick up the full size at £21.50.
Divine Legs
I was a bit dubious about trying this tinted body lotion at first. Only because I am absolutely horrendous at putting on tan. I have at least 7 bottles of fake tan sat in my cupboard, all pretty much full, because I literally cannot apply the stuff without turning into a giant orange, streaky mess. (Note to self. Blog sale). Anyway, I can safely say this stuff is the bees knees. No need for gloves or socks or mitts, however you usually put tan on, as this formula washes off in water. The ulta-light texture sweeps over your skin and blends in seamlessly. As the lotion is tinted, you can see where you are rubbing it in without missing any areas. It took me just two minutes to apply this to my legs and the results are amazing. Applying this lotion, I am also stimulating my melanin, activating my skin’s natural tanning process. My legs actually looked sun kissed, the way you would expect them to look living in Mallorca. I got my boyfriend to take the before and after pictures, and his comment went something like this, “Can I have some of that stuff, you don’t look like a ghost anymore!” The great thing about this lotion, is that it is suitable for all skin tones and it dries instantly. No standing around in the nuddy pants waiting for it to soak in! The most important thing to note – NO DOG BISCUIT SMELL EITHER! As the name may suggest, this product smells Divine. Retails at £26.
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| Before and After pictures of me using Caudalie Divine Legs Tinted Body Lotion |
Divine Oil
I think the photograph above shows just how much I LOVE this stuff, as there is practically none left. I really need to buy a new bottle. The Divine Oil, is a multi-purpose oil that you can use on your skin, cuticles and hair, pretty much everywhere from head to toe. The fragrance, as expected, unbelievably good. As does the rest of the Divine range, this contains grape oil! Grape oil contains a super high concentration of Omega 6 and Vitamin E, the perfect combination of nourishing and regenerating properties. Sprayed onto your skin and massaged in, the oil is absorbed almost instantly. Sprayed onto your hair and your locks will be transformed. Glossy, healthy hair. You can even pour this into your bath. A must have product for anyone and everyone! Retail price £18.
Beauty Elixir
When I worked at SpaceNK, every five minutes I would spray this stuff onto my face. It is the most refreshing spray I have ever used. Again, I think the photograph shows just how much I love this tonic. Designed to tighten pores, smooth away fine lines and give you a more radiant complexion, plus again it smells fabulous. You can use this as a toner before moisturiser with 1-2 sprays, or simply use it to set your make-up and freshen up your skin during the day. You can get a full size bottle for £32 or a travel sized bottle to throw in your handbag at £11.50.
Fleur de Vigne Shower Gel
I never really indulge in shower gel, I just pick up any from my local supermarket. So to use this one from Caudalie felt like a luxury. I looked into the ingredients of this soap free formula, to find it is enriched with Aloe Vera. This is great for my skin, as if I do ever go out into the sun, I want something to soothe it afterwards. Plus my boyfriend is forever burning his skin. Aloe vera has amazing healing properties and having this in a shower gel helps restore the pH balance of our skin. It has a very light floral fragrance, nothing over powering, great for a relaxing shower experience.
Hand and Nail Cream
This is a product that I buy my mum every year. She suffers from really dry hands and this cream is just what she needs. Some hand creams can leave a greasy film behind but this one soaks straight into the skin, nourishing it with lots of anti oxidants and other good stuff. It contains Grape Oil, Shea butter and Grape-seed polyphenols.
Nourishing Body Lotion
If you want more than hydration from your body lotion, then maybe try this. This not only gives the skin intense moisture treatment, it nourishes it with anti oxidants and softens the skin. The magic polyphenols, natural oils and gingko biloba work together to create micro circulation which firms the skin. It’s not going to get rid of cellulite (although they do have something else to help this) but it will certainly help tone.
Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet
I have to admit, I forgot all about this little beauty. I used to use this moisturiser a few years ago, and when it ran out I just continued using whatever else I had lying around. I was over the moon to see Rhiannon had packed this in with the bag of treats. Perfect for sensitive skin, a super hydrating, lightweight moisturiser. I also recommend this for oily skin, as the formula is so light you don’t have to worry about it making your skin more oily. This is different to the way other hydrating moisturisers work because it actually reactivates your skin’s hydrating mechanisms, restoring your skin and making it feel more comfortable. When I apply this, I actually feel like I am rubbing water into my face. Fantastic product.
Vinoperfect Cell Renewal Night Cream
Asides from the Divine Collection, this is something I hadn’t tried before and was super excited to slap it on my face. I have been a bit scared of night creams, paranoid that my skin will erupt into Spot Mountain, but since using night oils and trialing a few creams I am getting more used to the idea of having them in my routine. For starters, anything that has “Cell Renewal” in the name, I know I am going to like. Paranoid about getting old, I always look out for natural skincare that can help fight those lines. Containing some of my favourite ingredients, Glycolic acid and Papaya enzymes (great for combination/oily skin types) this night cream stimulates cell renewal to reduce pores, correct dark spots and smooth out imperfections. I wake up the next day looking like a goddess. Ok that is an exaggeration, but my skin really does look more AWAKE, really healthy and radiant. I used this in conjunction with the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (see below) and my skin was glowing. These two products have become a staple part of my skincare routine, and I could not be without either. Suitable for all skin types and retails at £38.
Vinoperfect Radiance Serum Complexion Correcting
I have been needing a serum in my routine for a little while now, and was planning on buying one right before this little fellow fell into my lap. Thanks Rhi! The picture shows how much I love it, third of the way down already, and you only need two tiny drops – half the dropper. This product has been designed to correct dark spots, which I don’t actually have, but the over all formula is to brighten your complexion, so anyone can use this really. I think this is the product that has really made a difference to my skin. The last month of me using this, my skin really has changed. I don’t feel the need to wear foundation and I also feel confident going out the house without any make-up on at all. My skin really is so much better because of this. The formula is oil free, is super light weight and my skin absorbs it instantly. I put this on underneath my day/evening moisturiser and I have even put it on underneath a night oil just because I love it so much. I have been scared in the past to layer on products because of my oily skin, but since getting over this fear and using the right products my skin is now pretty much normal. I would highly recommend my readers to try this out of everything I have reviewed today. Borderline luxury, retailing at £45 but this will last you months.
Premier Cru Eye Cream
Last but not least, an eye cream. Here is a very short story for you, I know you are all probably falling asleep by now. When I used to work at SpaceNK, I would buy my mum Revive skincare, a luxury, high end skincare brand, that would cost me a small fortune even with a staff discount. When I left, I simply could not afford to get her this anymore, so I then decided to go with the Caudalie Premier Cru range. This line contains all 3 of Caudalie’s patents so I was confident my mum would like it. My mum said to me, after using it for a month or so, that even if she had the choice to go back to Revive, she would chose Caudalie every single time. She much preferred these products and the results were even better.
This eye cream is the ultimate in anti aging eye care. It diminishes dark circles, reduces puffiness and the eye area is left brighter. You can also use this on the lip contour area. I use it morning and night and can honestly safe it is brilliant.
Ok, congratulations guys, you have reached the end of this very lengthy post. I do hope you enjoyed this and even found some products that you want to try. I am not sure if this is still the case, but last time I checked Caudalie was the No1 skincare in France. You will not be disappointed with whatever you buy!
See you soon,
