Caudalie Vinotherapy

I've just placed another of my regular orders with the Caudalie website, so I thought it was time for a post about this brand. Caudalie is a French company which has been producing skincare based around the humble grape for over 10 years now. Grapeseeds contain polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that can help protect the skin against free-radicals, and Caudalie skincare is packed with these little gems. And it's not just the seeds which are used - the grapevine stalks themselves are full of something called "resveratrol", which works to stimulate cell renewal, and this is also used in Caudalie's anti-ageing products.

I've been using Caudalie skincare for around 6 years now, and coming from someone who loves to try out the latest new skincare products, this brand loyalty really says something good about the line! My favourites are the Gentle Cleanser (a mild, creamy cleansing milk which keeps my skin soft and clear), Instant Foaming Cleanser (a gentle, refreshing and non-drying foaming cleanser), Eau de Raisin (a soothing and refreshing water spray which I use after cleansing), Anti-Ageing Serum for Eyes and Lips (an easily-absorbed serum which works wonders on my under-eye circles), Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (a milky serum which is perfect for reviving a dull complexion) and Lip Conditioner (my must-have lipbalm, I carry this everywhere).

In Ireland, Brown Thomas has recently started to stock Caudalie's bath and body line and as far as I know Therapie on Molesworth Street still stocks the facial skincare. But I usually order directly from the Caudalie website - delivery is free on orders over €50, products are reasonably priced in Euros and orders are usually delivered in around a week.

Image courtesy of http://www.caudalie.com

Louis Vuitton Neverfull

I've never been particularly attracted to the Louis Vuitton monogram bags, but the new Neverfull range, artfully modelled by Scarlett Johansson in the Autumn/Winter 2007 advertising compaign, has grabbed my attention. Available in three sizes, these totes would be perfect for travel - no heavy hardware to eat up your cabin baggage weight allowance and plenty of room for all the little necessities to keep you comfortable while flying. You could probably even fit enough for a weekend city break into the large model and avoid baggage reclaim altogether.

Priced between €390 and €450, these are at the more reasonable end of the LV price spectrum and should be available from the Louis Vuitton store in Brown Thomas in Dublin.

Images courtesy of http://www.louisvuitton.com

Aveda Smooth Infusion

If I was granted a wish to change just one thing about my appearance for good, it would be my hair. It has always been my dream to have the kind of smooth, sleek, super-straight hair that requires no styling - to just be able to come straight out of the shower after washing it and let it dry naturally and not have to do battle with hairdryer, brushes, serums and straighteners to get it under control. Until I find the magic bottle containing a genie to grant my wish, however, I'll have to rely on a different type of bottle - two in fact - the new ones from Aveda containing their Smooth Infusion shampoo and conditioner.

The Smooth Infusion line promises that hair will be up to 60% smoother and softer after using both products, and while I haven't figured out how to quantify it to a precise percentage figure, I am definitely impressed with what these products are doing for my hair. I do still need to style my hair after washing, but the process is much quicker, and from the first use I could see how much smoother and sleeker my hair looked. The products don't weigh my hair down, either, and I love the extra protection they give against heat-styling.

Smooth Infusion Shampoo and Conditioner are available from Aveda counters and salons now, and if you're lucky you might even be able to get your hands on a sample to try out first. The 250ml bottle of shampoo is priced at €20.50 and the conditioner at €22.00.