Sensitive Skin? Ten Things You Need To Know

–by Caroline Hastings-Brown–

People bandy the term ‘sensitive skin’ around a lot, but how do you know if your skin really is sensitive? The truth is, all of us will probably have a skin reaction at some stage of our lives, but some people experience severe and annoying skin reactions due to an underlying condition such as eczema, environmental elements or a genetic predisposition. So, to preserve your gorgeous skin, it is worth knowing more about what can cause the uncomfortable symptoms, and finding a skin care routine you can follow to relieve them.

What are the causes of uncomfortable or sensitive skin?

• The skin has a natural protective moisture barrier, and when this is messed with, it leaves your skin vulnerable to many of the symptoms of ‘sensitive skin’ such as rashes, redness, roughness, blotches, itchiness, burning and stinging.

• Some of the symptoms of sensitive skin are caused by an underlying condition such as rosacea, acne, atopic dermatitis and allergies to food which cause inflammation, such as gluten or dairy.

• Skin sensitivity can be caused by the environment – such as cold weather and central heating in winter or warm weather and air conditioning in summer. Both these situations deprive the skin of moisture, and dry skin is prone to the symptoms of sensitive skin. Environmental factors such as pollution from exhaust fumes, smoke and dust also weaken the skin’s natural protective barrier.

• Hormonal factors can also influence skin behaviour and cause breakouts. This can happen anytime a hormonal imbalance takes place, such as excessive stress, the menstrual cycle, puberty and menopause.

• The ingredients in products that you use in makeup, skin care, hair care and laundry detergent may be too harsh for your skin, and cause bumps or itchiness.

• Lifestyle factors such as if the body is not provided with adequate nutrition and hydration through diet and water intake, it can also lead to stressed, dehydrated skin.

How can you combat the symptoms of sensitive skin?

• Make sure your skin care routine includes products that are appropriate for sensitive skin, leaving out harsh soaps, scented products and products containing alcohol. To cleanse, use a product like SkinMedica Sensitive Skin Cleanser – a gentle, non-irritating cleanser containing soothing botanical extracts, including cucumber and chamomile. The product is specially formulated with anti-irritants to protect highly sensitive or inflamed skin.

SkinMedica Sensitive Skin Cleanser

• When trying a product for the first time, do a patch test by dabbing a little behind your ear or on your forearm and leaving overnight to see if a reaction occurs. For very dry and sensitive skin, try Sisley Confort Extreme Night Skin Care (Very Dry and Sensitive skin) – a rich, emollent cream with Arnica and Echinacea extracts. It provides enough nutrients to hydrate, soften, soothe and comfort skin. It is recommended for use in extreme climates and even after a face lift!

Sisley Confort Extreme Night Skin Care (Very Dry and Sensitive skin) 

• Choose soft, loose clothing, ideally made from natural fibres such as cotton or silk. Some skin conditions could be the result of tight, synthetic fabrics that irritate the skin.

• Protect your skin in extreme weather – by wearing gloves and scarves in winter and an SPF all year round. Preventing sun damage also means preventing dryness. Make sure your skin is always adequately moisturized, as preventing dryness in the first place is one of the best ways to avoid sensitive skin reactions.

• Visit your doctor or dermatologist if the skin symptoms you experience persist or you are unsure as to what is causing them.

A few little extra precautions mean your skin can stay free of any discomfort and still look beautiful and radiant!

Fill This Weekend With Pleasure And Surprise!

-By Kylie Tang-

You must have experience this: hectic weekdays always frustrate you, making you feel that Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are gifts from God. When time files and Friday finally comes, we cheer for the holiday and all tiring things can miraculously disappear!

We All LOVE Weekends!

Nobody would disagree that “We love weekends!”. No matter what age and what your jobs are, I suggest you release your pressure and forget things that upset you. You don’t need a big gift but you have to put “pauses” to your hectic schedule. Great opportunities and surprises come when you’re in a peaceful state, and you will find these chances particularly pleasing and amazing.

Seize The Chance Between 24^th And 26^th February

If you really like to go for a real shopping, I recommend you to do so. And weekends are designated for taking a walk, short journey or anything that differ from your weekday routines. For beauty and health care items, I think you can just obtain those products at COSME-DE.COM which provides what you need. We care about your beauty needs and we fill your weekends with great deals! Get up to a 22% off for this weekend, between 24^th and 26^th February:

l   Use code SURPRISE at check out for USD 12/ AUD 16/ HKD 100/ £10 off when you purchase USD 150/ AUD 190 / HKD 1150 / £120 or above.

l   And use code SURPRISE20 at check out for a 20% off on orders USD 260/ AUD 340/HKD 2000/ £190 or above.

l   Enjoy 22% off on orders USD 320/AUD 410/HKD 2400/£230 or above, and remember to apply code SURPRISE22 at check out!

We all treasure vacations and great discounts! Apart from taking a break, get attractive skincare and makeup products that you might have missed before.

I can tell you some reasons why you have to get this: LUNASOL Selection De Chocolat Eyes. It represents the world of delicate and rich chocolate. This four-color eye shadow set creates an alluring look. Its bitter-sweet scent would unwind your soul every time you use it. In one price you can get layering chocolate colors in different textures for sheer yet deep, dramatic-looking eyes. And why LUNASOL? Sure we shall select from an expert eye makeup brand.

LUNASOL Selection De Chocolat Eyes

You certainly need a sunscreen in spring. It postpones aging, protects skin from sunburn, combats pigmentation… (smart ladies carry a sunscreen all year long). Visit http://cosme-de.blogspot.hk/2016/12/why-you-should-wear-sunscreen-in-winter.html for more information about the importance of sunscreens. This LANCÔME sun block provides 12-hour UVB protection while shielding skin against long UVA rays. The SPF50 / PA+++ sun protection is excellent for your daily outdoor life. And, as for LANCÔME, you don’t need me to explain how premium and luxurious it is. 

LANCÔME UV Expert Ultimate XL UV Protection 12H Active Beauty Shield SPF50 PA+++

Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary's famous elixir of youth, Beauty Elixir is formulated with Grape Extracts and clarifying ingredients to provide an immediate burst of radiance. You may use it to moisturize skin, set makeup or as a pick-me-up mist throughout the day. Yes, toners can be so multi-functional and .work perfectly as a moisturizing mist or add a finishing touch to your makeup. 

CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir

Ladies, don’t start countdown for weekends to come. Enjoy your every good moment! And don’t miss any great deals on COSME-DE.COM~  

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Cream Review ft. Chelsea

–by Caroline Hastings-Brown–

Watch Chelsea gives us a review on the DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Cream. While she is adamant that she can’t speak French, she does go through the amazing ingredients, such as black truffle and amino acids that give the skin smoothing, refining and radiance-promoting qualities. She also shows us the cool “puzzle box” packaging and the special applicator and massage ball that comes with this product. Enjoy the review!  

Product Recommendation:

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Cream

Ultimate French Skincare DIAMBEAUTÉ

–by Caroline Hastings-Brown–

Ah, the glamor! Who has said the best stuff about diamonds? Well, it’s those ladies with the ultimate style. Those starlets of yester-year who embodied all that it is to be utterly fabulous. Take a look…

“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.” 

― Mae West

“It’s hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world.” 

― Dolly Parton

“Big girls need big diamonds.” 

― Elizabeth Taylor

Having been engaged rather a lot of times, Zsa Zsa Gabor was asked whether a lady should give back the ring. Her answer?

"Of course dahlink, but first, you take out all the diamonds.” 

― Zsa Zsa Gabor

So, what Mae, Dolly, Zsa Zsa and Elizabeth are saying, was summed up perfectly by the quintessential sex symbol of all time…Marilyn Monroe…to quote the legend ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!’

Whether you agree, or are a little more spiritual about what makes the world go round, (I believe it is love, but hey, that’s just me J) you cannot deny the power, strength and clarity of that magical gem, the diamond!

French brand DIAMBEAUTÉ has harnessed this with their luxurious skin care collection. For vividly renewed, sculpted and luminous skin, the main ingredient in this amazing cream is black truffles, also known as Black Diamond. Research has shown that black truffle has 18 kinds of amino acids (including 8 essential amino acids), which are effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It also contains a rich blend of vitamins, antioxidants and trace elements, which promotes skin renewal for a more radiant, translucent and youthful complexion. 

Who can say no to that? DIAMBEAUTÉ also introduces three other ingredients which have been acknowledged by scientists for their skin beautifying effects – diamond powder, 24K gold and SEPILIFT™ DPHP. Extra-fine diamond powder penetrates into skin to stimulate skin cell renewal, revealing glowing, younger-looking skin; 24K gold helps revitalize skin, improve dullness, and promoting skin metabolism to fight against free radicals and delay aging; SEPILIFT™ DPHP, one of the most powerful patented anti-aging ingredients in the 21st century, triggers collagen remodeling and collagen fiber contraction to deliver instant lifting and wrinkle-smoothing effects as well as excellent hydrating capability.

I hear your question – how do I get me some of THAT? Easy. Go to COSME-DE.COM and order:

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Mask (4-Piece Set) – A luxurious, rejuvenating mask infused with the potent ingredients to instantly reveal a younger, smoother, hydrated, and more radiant complexion.

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Mask (4-Piece Set)

OR:

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Cream – A highly effective, luxurious cream infused with potent ingredients to smooth wrinkles, restore radiance and moisture to skin, revealing a vividly renewed, sculpted, luminous and younger complexion.

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Cream

OR:

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining 7-Day Treatment Set, which includes a DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Mask and 7 DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining Cream samples (2ml each).

DIAMBEAUTÉ Supreme Refining 7-Day Treatment Set

There you have it glamor girl! Viva the full glamor days!

2017 Spring Makeup Trends

- by Brenda Chan -

As we entered the new year, it’s time to bid farewell to an epic year in makeup in 2016: red bold lips, arty eyeliners, and blue eye shadow seen on the runways. We’re happy to be putting away those memories as we approach the spring / summer season, which is all about fun and colorful makeup. And this year we’re bringing the 80’s trend back – lip gloss, sheer foundation, pink color, and go heavy hand with your blush!

Lip Gloss

Last year was all about matte lips, but this spring we’re bringing back the days when your lip gloss was popping. Lip gloss is a refreshing change to the matte lip trend that dominated the last couple of years. It gives your lips dimension, youth and shine. Remember those days when everyone’s obsessed with lip gloss? Now I want to relive those days! 

Givenchy Gloss Revelateur Lipcolor Enhancer Crystal Shine is my go-to for creating the perfect sheer, glossy pout. This unique color-enhancing gloss works like a magic wand, tinting lips from light pink to transparent fuchsia – depending on each woman who wears it. It leaves a sheer finish on your lips that is always transparent and totally wearable. Perfect for delivering a fresh and luminous look.

Givenchy Gloss Revelateur Lipcolor Enhancer Crystal Shine

Skin that Glows

In 2017, we’re going back to the most important step – creating healthy, glowy and conditioned skin. Let your skin breathe – no more contouring or strobing. Fresh skin paired with color wash eyes is the trendy makeup look this coming season.

A featherlight foundation that achieves virtually imperceptible yet totally perfect complexion. With every stroke, the ingenious brush of By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Illuminating Flawless Foundation Brush guarantees flawless skin. This anti-aging foundation is formulated with skincare ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid microspheres that plump up wrinkles for an instant lifting effect.

By Terry Light-Expert Click Brush Illuminating Flawless Foundation Brush 

Watch Out for Blush Bomb

If there is a part that’s going to be the focus of your makeup this spring, that’ll undoubtedly be your cheeks. The 2017 spring/summer backstage makeup trends are all about bold blush color worn with fierce confidence. 

Like at the Kenzo fashion show, a model wears a red-hued blush blended from cheek to temple.

If you are after a more subtle effect, you can trace a pink multipurpose cream color across the cheekbones, up towards the temple and over the eyelids, finally dabbing some on the lips. Using the same color tone for cheeks, lips and eyes is the trend to look out for this spring-summer season. 

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks is a blendable air-whipped mousse that beautifully highlights your lips, cheeks and eve eyelids with a sensual soft matte finish.

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks 

Color Wash Eyes 

Eye makeup is always fun and colorful in spring and summer. For 2017, the bolder the eye color, the better. Dab gorgeous washes of eye shadow onto your eyelids.

Founded by internationally-famed Japanese makeup artist AYAKO, ADDICTION creates beautiful makeup for women to achieve their own individual style. Its eyeshadow features delicate gradations and texture that enhance the beauty of your eyes. 

ADDICTION The Eyeshadow 

Straight, Boyish Brows

Dramatic, arched brows are dated. Straight, naturally groomed brows are on-trend for 2017 spring. To achieve this look, use a tinted gel to hold brushed brows and fill them lightly.

bbrowbar Eyebrow Gel 

Award-winning bbrowbar Eyebrow Gel keeps your eyebrows in place and color in any sparse areas. Formulated to nourish and condition while providing rich, glossy coverage, it doubles up as a great mascara, too.

Girls, try out these makeup trends this spring/summer and create a makeup look that is beautiful and on-trend!

2017’s Biggest Fitness Trends

- by Caroline Hastings-Brown –

Hey my hearties! Now that 2017 is truly on its way, it’s time to talk exercise goals and fitness fabulousness. Don’t you do that at the beginning of the year? Yes, most people do, but that can be a trap! What with the stress and all of January, I find it better to focus on fitness once the year has been worn in and tried on. Less stressful that way!

I don’t know about you, but as a very busy individual (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) I am all for getting as much as possible accomplished in a day, with the least amount of stress! So, I have found that flexible, effective workouts that don’t require trekking across town and spending extra time commuting work well for me. I also have a short attention span – get me bored, and I’m lost, so I need to shake things up, do different things and adapt my workouts to how I am feeling on a particular day.

And as we all know, exercise is absolutely key to living a healthy, long and happy life. The many benefits, from weight loss, increased muscle mass, endorphins and fresh, glowing skin are well documented. So, here are a few of my tips and tricks to ensure that the workout is worked in to your daily schedule, no excuses! Believe me, I have tried them all!

Up The Intensity To Up Your Results

One of the most effective training methods, whether you love walking, running, cycling, swimming or weight training, is to use HIIT – High-Intensity Interval Training methods. Instead of spending a long time exercising at a moderate pace, with HIIT, you’ll use short bursts of exercise at maximum or near-maximum heart rate. Most of us are short on time these days, so it’s no wonder that High-Intensity Interval Training, or HIIT, is one of the major exercise trends of the coming year. That means you’ll burn more calories in 20 to 30 minutes than you would in a longer session. The best bit – results are so quick – just two months of regular HIIT training and your endurance and fitness are markedly increased!

Bring The Professionals Home

Another favourite training method of mine – bring a professional into your home, for free! Yes, the wealth of fitness videos and professional workout routines available on YouTube, or Netflix, is astounding! In the mood for yoga – find a workout that suits you. Feeling like a bit of booty shaking today – grab a Zumba workout. You see, it’s free, you can do it at home and you can tailor it to your exact needs, every day. You never have to repeat the same workout, if you don’t want to that is!

Reward yourself

And one of the best bits about working out? Congratulating yourself once you are done! A soothing shower or bath after a workout is one of the best treats, and you can make it even better by treating yourself to a delightfully fragrant shower gel such as Clarins Relax Bath and Shower Concentrate.

Clarins Relax Bath & Shower Concentrate

Specifically formulated to calm both body and mind, the fine, creamy foam very gently cleanses the skin and helps relieve stress and fatigue. It also helps relax the body after exercise.

So, get on your bike, take a hike, HIIT the gym or bend, twist and booty shake your way to great health in 2017, and make sure you LOVE what you do!

Pick Your Love: Enjoy Up to 22% Off Sitewide Discount this Valentine’s

- by Caroline Hastings-Brown –

OK, I am just going to come right out and say it! I don’t really like Valentine’s Day in its standard form. It’s become too commercial, and I don’t find it romantic to be desperately trying to get a reservation in a good restaurant, or paying inflated prices for a few blooms, or eating loads of chocolate that quite frankly, just makes you fat.

So, before you call me the Valentine’s Grinch, let me say I LOVE love! I am a hopeless romantic with a wild imagination, so I suppose the ‘plannedness’ of romance on Valentine’s Day just doesn’t ring true. It’s almost like you HAVE to express your love, which makes it a bit strange.

Share the love, it’s for everyone!

So, on a far more practical and exciting note, COSME-DE.COM is not going to be sending just a few people a few roses and chocolates. No siree, we have the right idea by sharing the love, with all of you, no matter what! And how do we do that? By giving you all sitewide discounts on ALL your purchases! No discrimination, no discounts only for the popular, pretty girls – EVERYONE gets to feel the love. So that’ll get you in a much better mood then!

Yup, for 3 days between 11 Feb and 14 Feb 2017 you will get a percentage off your order!  

·        For 15% off on orders, spend USD 220 / USD 220 (around RMB 1,523) / AUD 270 / HKD 1600 / £ 150 or above, and use the code WITHLOVE15 at checkout.

·        For 20% off on orders, spend USD 260 / USD 260 (around RMB 1,800) / AUD 340 / HKD 2000 / £ 190 or above and use the code WITHLOVE20 at checkout.

·        For 22% Off on orders, spend USD 320 / USD 320 (around RMB 2,215) / AUD 410 / HKD 2400 / £ 230 or above and use the code WITHLOVE20 at checkout.

So, I am going to use the opportunity try out some new stuff, and I suggest you do the same!

Like Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base. The iconic foundation is a cult favorite with professional makeup artists. It instantly illuminates the complexion with a subtle halo of light and perfectly evens out the skin's texture. Facilitating the application of foundation and prolonging its hold, this base is infused with Witch hazel extract to reduce the appearance of pores. It also contains silica and mica powders of mineral origin to mattify the complexion. Enriched with a moisturizing complex, it restores softness and absolute comfort.

Chanel Le Blanc De Chanel Multi-Use Illuminating Base

And, seeing as now is my chance, I am going to snap up the Christian Dior Hydra LifeClose-Up Pore Reducing Pro-Youth Moisturize. It moisturizes and treats the causes of visible pores by targeting them at their source. The skin is perfectly moisturized and mattified and the skin's texture is smoother, while the appearance of all types of pores is deeply corrected, instantly and lastingly. The effect is a silky, subtly glowing finish. The skin's texture no longer has anything to conceal, even close-up, with no need for tricks or operations. Its rosy-colored aqueous gel glides comfortably onto the skin and offers the dual sensation of powdered freshness and improved makeup hold throughout the day. Now, that’s romantic if you ask me!

Christian Dior Hydra Life Close-Up Pore Reducing Pro-Youth Moisturize

So, get your browsing hat on and get romantic, for yourself or the significant ones in your life!