August favourites

An amazing treat yo’self moment, a mascara that makes my lashes incredibly long without looking fake and a great daily sunscreen with skincare benefits: these were my favourite beauty products/treats this month.

City Total Relax arrangement at Studio A, 210 €

My last facial, a Hydrafacial at Carpe, dates from a month before Belgium went into lockdown for the first time. Since then, I regularly – read: when the government decided beauty and hair salons could open again – went to see my hairdresser and House of Brows and I got two professional pedicures. But I hadn’t treated myself to a facial or a massage.

Because I was in desperate need of some well deserved me time that combines pampering with visible results, I booked this 3,5 hour long arrangement at Studio A at the Eilandje in Antwerpen. (Good to know. The beauty salon works with Babor products. I tested a very good facial two summers ago, getting rid of comedones and a great foot massage included. So I knew I would be well taken care of.)

The arrangement includes a total body massage, a Skinovage Premium facial, a medical pedicure and a manicure. Irina worked her magic on me and had been so sweet to adapt the Dr. Babor products used during the facial to my allergies. (Which is a pretty tough job, I can assure you.) When I booked the arrangement, I had mentioned the cosmetics ingredients I am allergic to and had asked whether they could, if it was at all possible, take them into account. But if they did not have allergy-proof products, they could use other ones as I normally don’t get a rash from using a non-allergy proof product once.

I left Studio A feeling completely relaxed, with glowy skin and well-groomed hands and feet. (Almost three weeks after the arrangement, my feet and toe nails still look great by the way.)

I can only recommend Studio A: the three ladies that give the treatments are extremely well trained and good at their job, you immediately feel at home and the treatments are as they should be, with an eye for detail.

(Just so you know: I paid for this treatment.)

Lancôme’s Hypnôse L’Absolu de Noir Custom-Wear Volume Mascara, 32,50 €

I tried a new mascara every day for a week and shared those results on my Instastories this month. This new one by Lancôme might be my favourite of the 7 mascaras I tried. The formula and wand make my lashes incredibly long (they are pretty long to start with) without looking fake and separate them well without feeling heavy.

Vichy’s Capital Soleil UV-Age Daily SPF50+, 19,96 €

This month I finished this bottle of Vichy’s daily sunscreen for the face with extra skincare benefits. The very fluid, serum-like texture is easy to apply, is invisible on skin and feels weightless. (Just make sure you apply enough of it so you get the best sunscreen protection. You tend to use less of products that are easy to apply.) No stickiness, just a pretty glow. UV-Age Daily works well under make-up, too.

This is a great product if you are looking for a daily sunscreen to use all year round as it offers great protection from the sun and has some extra skincare benefits. The formula has an SPF50+ and a very high UVA protection so you are well protected from UV. Its Netlock technology means the sunscreen filters form a stable and even protective shield on skin that is resistant to water, sand and sweat.

I used it without moisturizer underneath, just my daily antioxidant serums as I felt the formula was hydrating enough for my skin. (I might add a separate moisturizer in winter, if my skin becomes more dehydrated.) It also contains peptides, thermal water, probiotics and niacinamide to give your skin some extra anti-ageing and soothing benefits.

The only downside for me: it has fragrance in it but it is hypoallergenic. I did not seem to react to it but I do prefer fragrance-free just to be sure my skin does not react to it.

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