BellaSugar

The Simply Surprising Reasons French Women Have Enviably Glowy Skin

Jaime Richards — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:02:00 PST

When Bertrand Thomas and his wife, Mathilde, (pictured above) launched Caudalie in 1995 with just three items on the roster, it was the first company to use the antiaging benefits of grape-seed polyphenols in skin care. Since then, the vinotheraphy-based brand has launched a full range of products, using practically all parts of the grape, from skin to stalk. In fact, its radiance-boosting Beauty Elixir ($16 to $46), which contains grape fruit extract, is so popular, even Victoria Beckham has been tweeting about it.

But what is it about French women that makes them seem so pleasantly content and perfectly complected? In the NYT best-seller, French Women Don't Get Fat, author Mireille Guiliano describes a lifestyle that is full of variety, where deprivation is replaced by savoring things to the fullest. And when it comes to beauty, Thomas explains it's a similar mindset: "Balance is the key word: French women balance food their food and balance their lifestyle." To see just what Thomas means on how French women get it right, keep reading.

Reader Review of the Day: Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum

BellaSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:00:58 PST

I like to think of serums as vitamins for the face - like magical potions that help make the skin glow. Recently, an anonymous reader tried Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum ($79), and was none too pleased with the sticky and shiny results. Take it away, mystery reviewer:

"Apparently people swear by this, but after a week using it, I saw absolutely no difference other than the fact that it left my skin a bit sticky and shiny, even underneath my moisturizer. I will say that my skin felt tighter - which for me, with dry skin, was a negative, but might be a plus for others. I can't see how it's worth the price."

Do you have a product you'd like to review? Just head over to our Product Reviews website, type up your opinion, and maybe I'll feature you on this daily post for all to see.

Product Review: Caudalie Purifying Concentrate

BellaSugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:00:49 PDT

It looks like oil is all the rage for skin, but if you're not interested in cleaning your face with it, there are still other ways to take advantage of its benefits. Since I had mixed results with oil-based cleansers, I was looking forward to experimenting with oil in a different type of product.

Caudalie Purifying Concentrate ($39) is a face oil specifically for oily skin. You apply it after cleansing and leave it on, like a serum, and can apply a moisturizer on top if you like. It supposedly purifies the skin and reduces excess oil in your pores using grape seed, catnip, lemongrass, hazelnut, and carrot oils. The idea behind using these oils to purify is that their molecules are small enough to penetrate your pores, rather than getting stuck in and clogging them. The product comes in a tiny bottle with a dropper that makes dispensing the recommended six droplets a snap.

The first thing to note about this product is the smell. It's clean, tart, and faintly lemony. Very refreshing and in no way overpowering. It takes a while to sink in - at least 20 minutes. Until then, your face does indeed feel like an oil slick. For this reason, I would not recommend this for the morning, unless you have 20 minutes to kill before applying your makeup.

Besides that, I have no other gripes with this product. The smell is addictively intoxicating, and while I won't be using it in the morning, it is now a staple in my nighttime routine. When it finally does settle into your skin, your face feels soft, smooth, and hydrated. My skin has been feeling and looking more supple in the morning, and the breakout I was anticipating has yet to arrive. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't, because I don't want to give up this product!

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Fantastic Firming Creams, Part IV: Lips

BellaSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:00:52 PST

Since your lips and eyes have thin skin, they tend to show signs of aging more quickly than other areas of the body. Lip-firming products contain high concentrations of vitamins and anti-inflammatory agents, and they lessen the look of enlarged pores. Here are three products that have been recommended to me.

Pevonia Botanica Youthful Lip Cream ($46) sounds like the end-all, be-all lip-firming treatment. It's a great product for anyone who has yellow stains and/or fine wrinkles around their mouth from smoking. It contains SPF, timed-release retinol (to plump and smooth), shea butter (to moisturize and heal), and azelaic acid (to slightly lighten). Apparently, it also works great as a lipstick base. Apply twice daily and gently massage into the skin.

For two more firming and line-reducing lip creams,

read more. ($33) is a great product for those of you with dehydrated crepey skin around your mouth. It has an intense moisturizing effect and is formulated with vitamins C and E and topical polyphenols to help firm and rejuvenate your skin.
Caudalie Anti-Aging Serum Eyes and Lips ($70) claims to firm the skin around your eyes and lips, de-puff, diminish fine lines and wrinkles (and even help with dark circles). It should also smooth out the texture of your skin and help seal in much needed moisture.

Cheers To Vinotherapy!

BellaSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:00:22 PDT

Vinotherapy is a term coined by Caudalie founders Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas. It's the process of pampering your skin with products made from grade seeds and grape skins. Grape Seed strengthens blood vessels as well as contains polyphenols (antioxidants that combat free radicals).

Other properties of vinotherapy include reservatol, which promotes skin cell renewal and viniferine, an ingredient that reduces dark (liver or sun) spots. Here are a couple of products from the Caudalie product range that contain vinotherapeutic properties. The best part is that there's no hangover whatsoever!

Caudalie Sauvignon Scrub ($35) is a soft, whipped, creamy scrub that smells like grapefruit, essential oils and honey. It provides a matte finish. It's great for sensitive skin (since the formula is very gentle) and it is safe for both the body and the face. Use up to twice a week on wet skin for a buffed, silky smooth and glowing complexion.

For one more vinotherapeutic product,

read more Merlot Shower Gel ($19) is a skin-softening body cleanser that leaves a gentle smell of blackberry, blackcurrant leaf, tarragon and fresh bergamot behind. It is paraben-free, phenoxyethanol-free and soap-free, so it won't irritate sensitive skin.

Thursday Giveaway! Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser

BellaSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:30:00 PDT

Do you, like us, obsessively inspect your skin in the mirror, and at the site of a new blemish, wrinkle,or age spot, lament, "Why? Why me?" Sephora is here to tell you exactly that. From the "whys" to the "hows" to the "what-ifs," they're answering all of your frequently asked questions-even those you're embarassed to ask. Even better, every day we're giving away one product to help you implement their expertise. Congratulations to Tickintime, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel.

Today's question: Can my beauty routine be 'green'?

The answer: Absolutely, and you'll still get great results. Caudalie Instant Foaming Cleanser is not tested on animals, and it has no animal ingredients or artificial colorings. Designed to make the most of normal to combination skin, it transforms into an airy mousse that cleanses (gently and effectively) without soap. So you can be clean and green at the same time!

To enter today's giveaway for this virtuous vegan cleanser, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 12, and we'll announce the winner tomorrow when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here.

Saturday Giveaway! Caudalie Scrub Trio

BellaSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:30:00 PDT

Thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora, we're giving away a different product every day throughout the month of June. Congratulations to Meekie53, who won yesterday's giveaway for Stila All Over Glow in Peachy Keen.

This week, we're featuring products exclusively available at Sephora, such as Caudalie Scrub Trio ($32). These straight-from-the-vine scrubs whittle your body into beach-worthy form, leaving you with nothing to "wine" about. Gentle Sauvignon lightly buffs face or body, Merlot firms from the waist down and Crushed Cabernet has a slimming and toning effect.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Saturday, June 23, and we'll announce the winner on Monday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Good luck!

Bellissima! Caudalie Crushed Cabernet Scrub

BellaSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 11:19:28 PDT

This body scrub won't get you drunk, but it will delight the oenophiles in your life. Crushed Cabernet Scrub by Caudalie ($35) is one of the signature offerings from the French brand that crafts skincare and bath products from vineyard-grown ingredients. (Thanks to user Kbella for the tip!)

The Crushed Cabernet Scrub is made from organically grown and very French ingredients, including crushed grape seeds, brown sugar, and honey harvested in Gironde. The formula also contains essential oils of juniper berries, lemongrass, and four other botanicals. It promises to smooth rough skin as well as cellulite. If you're not a Cab fan, fret not: Caudalie also makes other varietals, including Merlot Friction Scrub and a Sauvignon Scrub.