The Best $15 I've Spent This Summer: Nuxe Skincare Delights

I was wandering the aisles of the mothership, I mean the drugstore, the other day, looking for some mini sized product faves to take on an upcoming trip out west. I just happened to spy this darling little kit of Nuxe delights in wee travel sizes for $15. I had heard a bit of chatter on Twitter about this little kit so obviously I grabbed it right away.

It has a mini bottle of Nuxe Huile Prodigeuse, which is one of my favourite skincare products of all time. It makes my skin silky, touchable and smell like honeyed jasmine. I can now take it with my when I travel with only a carry on, and will use my full sized bottles to refill the wee one. There were also some products I had not tried before.

Rêve de Miel Rich Cleansing Gel for Face & Body: I took this for a test drive today in the shower. It may well be the yummiest honey scented product I have ever used. Besides the beautiful and amazing scent, it had a mild gentle lather, and left my skin feeling soft & clean. Definitely getting more of this.

Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream: Again- the scent of this honey product is so lovely. Delicate and lightly sweet, it feels rich and emollient yet not greasy at all. Nuxe says it will soften cuticles and strengthen nails, so here's hoping. No wonder this is a best seller. I'd buy this simply because it smells and feels amazing. Full size of this in my future.

Créme Prodigieuse: This is a matte effect cream for normal to oily skin, and is recommended for day time use. I haven't tried this yet, but it is an "anti-stress" product that sounds pretty good to me. I am super picky about what I put on my face, so I will likely use this on my decolletage, to avoid any breakout risks.

Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Petals: Well, they had me at rose petals. I used this last night and LOVE it. I used a little water with my Cetaphil to remove my make up and sunscreen, then used this to remove anything left behind. It left my skin dewy and radiant, and almost "plumped". I swear I could use "rose everything" on my skin. Full size of this in my future for sure.

Perhaps there is a promotion going on now? I'd say check your local drugstores and pharmacies, or wherever Nuxe is sold near you. Maybe you will find one too!

My Skin And Hair Are Soft & Smell Like Flowers

My favourite season is upon us. The sun is shining, the air is shimmering in the humidity, and we have no choice but to slow down and enjoy it. And, what could be easier than dressing for summer? A fresh mani-pedi, hair pulled up, lots of sunscreen and soft skin...all you need is a simple sundress, a few dabs of your favourite perfume and you are ready to go. Ok, maybe a little more than that...

So I will share one of my most treasured skincare secrets...I've mentioned it in passing here before but it is so lovely and luxurious I just had to share it again. So you've done everything you need to do, right? Exfoliated to get rid of dry, ashy skin- check. Used a simple & gentle soap ( Dove! ) or a moisturizing shower gel ( L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Shower Cream! ) - check. Applied your daily moisturizer? Make sure your feet are sandal ready ( do I really need to remind you again? ) & your hands have clean, bare nails or a fresh mani. No chips please! Have you had your summer trim & deep conditioning treatment? Because that is a good thing to do before spending time in the sun & humidity, not to mention swimming. 

Now that you have done these things, you need to do one more thing before slipping into that lovely sundress. Get some Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi Use Dry Oil and get it now. There is almost nothing that cannot be made better with a bit of this miraculous multi-tasking nectar. It really is multi use- I use it on my skin and my hair, and it's so effective and incredible it *almost* makes me a better person. It is like pure silk on your skin, and being comprised of 98.1% natural ingredients, there no overly greasy feeling left behind. Your skin drinks it up. And, when applied sparingly to wet hair, it smooths & softens. Now. Can we talk about how it smells please? Nuxe doesn't discuss the scent on their website but here is what I think. Jasmine, orange blossom and honey- otherwise known as heaven.

So. Get some. You're welcome.

Nuxe is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Murale in Canada. US shopping information is available here. And, how beautiful is this 20th Anniversary edition bottle?

Guerlain Terracotta Eau Sous le Vent, Quiet & Gentle Beauty

Guerlain’s famous and fabulous bronzing line, Terracotta, of which I am a huge fan, has a “perfume” to go with. I say perfume in quotes because it isn’t really sold as such- it is summer skin conditioner that has a beautiful subtle perfume. According to Guerlain's website, Terracotta Eau Sous le Vent is a mist that moisturizes, “enhances the tan and delights the senses” and is sold under the category of "well being". It apparently contains a vegetable protein which protects the skin from dryness and environmental (sun, wind etc) issues. I can’t really attest to those benefits but can say it does leave a soft glow where you apply it. And, because it is so softly scented, you can apply liberally. It is suggested that you buy the Guerlain accompanying skin oil that has a bronzing effect and also smells quite good. I like it, but have 2 issues with it. I don’t need the bronze colour in the oil, I use self tanners which are enough. I also do not like the application which is basically pouring it out of a 100 ml bottle into your hand through a wide mouth top. If they made it a clear oil, with a spray applicator, I would have bought both items. But, as it stands, the Guerlain oil is no competition for my Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse with its delicate texture and spray application.

Interestingly, the scent of Terracotta Sous le Vent is evocative of my beloved Nuxe and they layer beautifully! Intoxicating, actually. There is no solid information anywhere regarding the notes of this perfume. I will go out on a limb and say tiare, but the most delicate tiare I’ve ever sniffed. No monoi oil coconut confection scent in this beauty though. This is a delicate, soft tropical white floral that begs you to lean in closer to smell it. You almost have to touch the skin to get the effect. There is something tactile and satisfying about the wooden cap as well. It has a feeling of days gone by quality that the plastic caps of today just don't provide. I love it.

How gorgeous is this bottle! WANT

The name, Sous le Vent, is actually borrowed from the classic Guerlain Sous le Vent from the 30s which has a dry green scent and was the perfume of the fabulous Josephine Baker. Sous le Vent is French for "leeward" and is also the name of the tropical Leeward Isles in the French Caribbean. After her performances at Theatres des Champs-Elysees, Josephine Baker would apparently retreat to her dressing room and reach for Sous Le Vent, the perfume Jacques Guerlain had created for her. Wrapping herself in its intoxicating fresh and green fragrance, she would be transported from the wild streets of Paris to the peace and tranquility of the faraway islands Sous Le Vent promised. I ADORE Sous le Vent, it is crisp, slightly bitter and green yet soft and fresh. One day I shall get one of those glorious bottles for myself.

Terracotta Eau Sous Le Vent translates slightly differently, to “water in the wind” and makes me think it is a play on words. The tropical island pictured on the bottle implies that gorgeous tiare scent, but rather than wearing a highly scented bouquet of them, you are on the deck of your boat after a day of sailing in the tropics, while the sun sets, and the warm island breezes are carrying the scent of the native flowers and wrapping around you. Yes. That works.