3 Reasons to Love Clarins Renew-Plus Body Serum

Body lotions are generally not something I give that much thought to (I'm more of a facial skincare person you know) but there is one particular body-beautifier that I firmly consider as a desert island staple. Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum does it for me every time and is one of those products I have and will continue to purchase myself/ request from Santa for three very good reasons:

It makes my skin feel great

The gel-creme texture of the concentrated serum sinks into my skin almost instantly and has a welcome cooling effect that's perfect after a hot shower or bath. I hate the feeling of heavy lotions on my body during summer so Renew Plus is an ideal option for warm weather - it really does absorb so quickly that there's no waiting around in the nude, willing it to dry so I can put clothes on! That's not to say I don't use it equally as much when it's cold though. Once applied, the result is smooth, silky feeling skin that almost rivals my 4 month old in terms of softness. Almost. 

It smells gorgeous

Ok, I know that scent is a very subjective thing and I'm sure that there are some people who don't love the delicious fragrance of Renew Plus. Personally, I adore the powdery, timeless scent of the Serum and feel like it adds a glamorous touch to the act of moisturizing my limbs. If you don't like fragrance in your body products, this probably won't be your cup of tea, but personally I really like the scent and feel like it is just as wearable for an eighteen year old as it is for someone in their seventies.  The lotion also makes my pajamas (read: one of Rich's old shirts) smell lovely too as the scent tends to transfer slightly.

It improves the texture of my skin

Many people rave about Clarins Renew Plus Body Serum as a solution to rid themselves of Keratosis Pilaris and I've got to say the rumours are true. After a couple of weeks of using Renew Plus, my upper arms are significantly smoother with just a few chicken-skin-esque spots remaining- and that's not even using it every day. The serum effectively combats KP because it contains a pre-retinol and Wintergreen extract which both work to gently remove dead skin cells. In other words, it sort of 'unplugs' the keratin build-up from the hair follicles that cause the little raised bumps.

Because the Body Serum is quite concentrated, I don't use a lot at a time and only really reserve it for my arms. It's not exactly cheap but it is certainly cheerful so I'll continue to use it both for its beautiful scent and skin smoothing effect- it really is a little luxury for the body.

Biologique Recherche Facial at Aesthetics Lab

Finding the balance between relaxing and effective beauty treatments is a true skill and Primrose Hill clinic Aesthetics Lab have certainly mastered it. I was recently invited along to try one of Aesthetics Lab's coveted facial treatments, so armed with high expectations and overwhelming excitement at the prospect of lying down for an hour sans baby, I popped down to find out what all the fuss is about.

Nestled among the cafes and boutiques of Primrose Hill's Regents Park Road, Aesthetics Lab offers a range of beauty treatments and procedures for the face and body. From facials and peels to semi-permanent makeup, nose reshaping, lip enhancements and vaginal rejuvenation, Aesthetics Lab is the one-stop beauty destination for the who's who of North West London and beyond. My visit on this occasion was all about the face - an area I have admittedly neglected a bit since having my baby- so I was more than a little happy to have a professional assess my skin and give it some much needed attention. 

The front of house area is chic, clean and modern.

The Treatment

On arrival, I was given a warm welcome and offered refreshments while I filled out my pre-consultation form before my Aesthetician for the day, Joanna, came to collect me and showed me the way to one of the treatment rooms. After a thorough consultation in which we discussed what I wanted to gain from the treatment, I was left alone for a few minutes to get comfy. After analyzing my skin, Joanna commented that she could tell I sleep on my right side as I had deeper lines on that side of my face (I know right!) and recommended we try the Biologique Recherche facial. Now, I'd never tried any Biologique Recherche products before but had wanted to for years, so I was really happy my maiden voyage with the luxe French skincare brand was going to be via a pair of skilled and professional hands. The facial began with the gentle removal of my makeup using Lait VIP O2 and introduction massage (which nearly resulted in me falling asleep five minutes in) followed by application of the coveted lotion P50V to exfoliate. 

L'Eauxygenante was then misted over my face to hydrate and oxygenate the skin. Following this, my Aesthetician applied a mixture of Soin Lissant lotion and powder using the unique Biologique Recherche application technique. Made up of sculpting movements, combined with quick pulsing strokes, the sensation was unlike anything I'd experienced before in a facial. The technique is like an amazing sort of facial massage and there's nothing dainty about it. It's not delicate but I didn't find it uncomfortable in the slightest, it does definitely feel like it's actually doing something though!

Biomagic and Biosensible masks were then applied ( I love the feeling of a mask being brushed expertly onto my face) and I was treated to the most beautifully relaxing neck and shoulder massage while my skin absorbed the goodness. Once the masks were removed, Serum Extraits Tissulaires provided the perfect finishing touch before I was put under an LED light for an extra boost.

One of the beautiful treatment rooms at Aesthetics Lab

Time flies when you're completely blissed out and before I knew it, it was all over and it was time for me to check out the results in the mirror. I came to Aesthetics Lab as a sleep-deprived, rather shabby looking new mother with dark bags under my eyes and left with a brighter, tighter, lifted complexion. My cheekbones were suddenly visible and I could totally see why A-list Londoners visit Aesthetics Lab for a pre-red carpet treatment. Aesthetics Lab certainly proved that facials can be effective and still be wonderfully relaxing. I'll certainly be back!

For more information and to read about their range of treatments, visit the Aesthetics Lab site or drop in to see the team at 128 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XL. You can read about the facial treatments they offer here.

Bio-Extracts Eye Contour Collection

I love the concept of bespoke skincare so the Eye Contour Collection from vegan brand Bio-Extracts really appeals to me. The idea of this little set is to personalize the eye contour cream to suit your needs by using the 'boosts' and mixing them with the cream.

The boosts are Brightening Boost and Lift and Firm Boost and are packaged in cool syringe-style tubes that deliver a shot of serum to be mixed in with the cream.
Contained in a sturdy tub with a clever and hygienic dispensing mechanism in the lid, the Eye Contour Age Defying Cream has been designed to bring instant hydration to the eye area and is said to even be effective on very dry or mature skins. It also happens to smell spectacular. I realize how odd that may sound- after all, eye care products aren't usually renowned for their fragrance, but this just smells so great (kind of fresh and fruity) that I couldn't not mention it. The cream features the brand's signature Multi-Lamellar System® which Bio-Extracts explain as: 'Liquid crystals (100% vegetal origin) which match the lamellar structure of the skin itself. They act as a ‘second skin’ and help to restore the barrier of damaged skin. Ultra-mild and highly pure, they build an excellent tolerance for even the most sensitive skins. Strong water binders, sugar esters bring natural moisturisation to the skin.'
As well as smelling amazing, the cream is non-greasy and absorbs beautifully. It also has a slight yet very welcome cooling effect. A lovely product in its own right, the cream acts as the base to which you add the booster serums- as mentioned the cream and serums are mixed on the lid before application.

Back to the Boosters - thin and watery in consistency, the serums can be mixed with the cream one at a time or blended together. The Brightening Boost is recommended for use in the morning as it's designed to create a wide-awake, refreshed look. The serum contains Elderberry Flower which aids in pigmentation reduction and has anti-oxidant and anti-inflamatory properties.
Designed for use at night, the Lift & Firm Boost has been formulated to increase the elasticity and firmness of the skin. The serum features Snake Flower extract (a succulent similar to Aloe) which has been shown to boost collagen.
For more information about the Eye Contour Collection and the other Bio-Extracts products, visit the Bio-Extracts site. 

Dermatude Meta Therapy Skincare

Meta Therapy is a 'facelift alternative' that combines skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, hydration and recovery in one unique treatment. Standing for Medical and Esthetical Tissue Activation, Meta Therapy is 100% natural and offers visible results without the use of fillers, botox and other invasive techniques. The brand behind the Meta Therapy concept is Dermatude and they've also developed a range of skincare products to both complement the Meta Therapy treatment and use as stand alone products. I have the Dermatude Stem Cell Reactivator Serum and Active Hydra Booster Cream and have dipped into both on and off for a good few months now. For some reason I had assumed that as they are complementary to the professional Meta Therapy treatment that they would feel a bit 'clinical' to use, but they are actually quite luxurious!

Dermatude Stem Cell Reactivator Serum

The concentrated formula contains PhtyoCellTech Malus Domestica - which is a 'liposomal preparation' of Swiss apple stem cells - and Q10. The apple stem cell preparation stimulates the production of new skin cells and provides a firming effect while antioxidant Q10 works to reduce signs of aging. The Reactivator Serum feels like water on the skin and contains tiny micro-capsules that burst on application.

It's unscented, so suitable for people who are irritated by fragranced skincare products. The serum can be used anytime but I mainly put on a pump or two at night under my night cream. It has an instantly quenching effect which is very, very welcome at the moment because my skin has been unbelievably dry since I had my baby three months ago. You can find out more about the Stem Cell Reactivator Serum here.

Dermatude Active Hydra Booster Cream

This rich cream is another total skin thirst quencher. Delectably thick, the cream is packed with Sodium Hyaluronate which is similar to Hyaluronic Acid but has a smaller molecule and is therefore absorbed into the skin more easily. Ideal for dehydrated skin (like mine *cough*), the rich cream contains Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil and is also fragrance free.

 

I reach for this cream when my skin is feeling really tight and dried out and it's just like giving it a big glass of water. You can find out more about the Active Hydra Booster Cream on the Dermatude site.

For more information about Dermatude as a brand as well as their innovative Meta Therapy treatments, visit the website here.