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Decleor Tonifying Lotion
by ALM1
Some months ago I felt like a change in my night-time cleansing and toning routine. Let's call it boredom. So, on a shopping trip to replenish my bathroom cabinet stocks I found myself examining the wares on the Decleor counter in a local department store. I had noticed previously that this counter always had an impressive look about it ... - clinical looking and orderly. The published policy of this company includes a statement that it "combines the purest, most potent and natural ingredients". This seemed a reasonable place to seek out something new. The "Lait Démaquillant" and the "Lotion Tonifiante" were recommended for my skin type and so I left the store clutching a bottle of each.
The idea of a toning lotion which contained lavender, kiwi, petitgrain, orange, lime-tree and mallow extracts sounded very appealing. I adore any cosmetic or toiletry product which contains lavender - not only for that distinctive, restful fragrance but for the impressive range of benefits this plant provides. It has anti-septic, anti-inflammatory properties and helps to soothe and heal skin. Mallow too, is a favourite ingredient of mine. This plant also has healing and soothing properties. Orange oil has been described as nourishing and hydrating by some skin-care companies. Petitgrain essential oil is extracted from the leaves of the bitter orange plant and this is said to be useful in treating greasy skin. Lime tree essential waters will soothe the skin. Kiwi fruit contains a high level of vitamins C and E and so can contribute to skin moisture and also has antioxidant properties. This content list seemed very promising.
The bottle (250ml) is a simple and attractive tear-drop shape and is easy to hold. The small dispenser insert in the bottle top allows you to squeeze or shake a very small amount at a time onto a cotton pad. The transparent bottle is a pretty pale shade of pink but the liquid is so pale as to appear almost colourless. The smell surprised me. I had expected lavender to be the dominant scent and at first I found it difficult to identify the fairly strong, herbal smells from the bottle. Then I remembered that distinctive aroma - it reminded me of orange flower water. Not sweet, not floral but fresh.
One of the claims made by the manufacturer is that this toning lotion will "complete the effective removal of make-up and impurities from the skin". I have no way of measuring the removal of impurities but it certainly does remove last traces of make-up. After using the cleansing lotion thoroughly - or so I had thought - I was amazed at the colour of the cotton pad after using this toning lotion. Very make-up coloured! It was extremely effective in getting the last remains of make-up removed. There is a lovely cool, clean feeling when you are actually using the lotion and then, for me at least, a very slightly tingly sensation as the lotion is evaporating. I was a little less enthusiastic about the way my skin felt after the lotion had dried. I thought there was a feeling of tightness in my skin. This product does not contain alcohol so you might expect it to be quite gentle - in fact it is recommended by Decleor as being suitable for all skin types. I wondered if it was just not gentle enough for my needs. I persevered with it and now after a few months of use I can give a more rounded opinion. My skin has remained clear, blemish-free and appears very fresh and healthy looking. The promise of a refreshed complexion is delivered without a doubt, and of course very clean skin is the best foundation (if you'll pardon the pun) for any skin-care routine. I noticed as the year progressed that I felt differently about the lotion in different seasons. In hot, sticky weather - either in England or while abroad in warmer climes - the feeling of freshness was lovely. In winter I liked the feeling rather less. I felt that the toner was just a little too ....how can I describe it....robust when my skin was in need of a gentler approach.
I have friends who are keen to know about the presence of parabens in cosmetics and they may be pleased to learn that Decleor promise "Minimal use of Parabens" in their products. However, I must concede that this does not help anyone with an allergy to these components as they are present in this lotion.
A list of ingredients can be found on the rear of the bottle but the print is extremely small. The bottle is clear and coloured and the content is also clear and this combination forms the background which makes it really difficult to read the information. Decleor's website has an information page which lists the active botanical ingredients of this product but this is by no means a complete list of ingredients. So if the ingredients are important to you, you will have to get out your magnifying glass!
So will Decleor's Tonifying Lotion take over as a permanent resident in my bathroom cabinet? Maybe not. I have used other products which have suited my skin better. I would recommend anyone with normal to oily skin to at least give this product a try. For anyone with a more sensitive or dry skin I would suggest asking for a sample before purchase or maybe trying another product from the range designed for sensitive skin.
The recommended price for a 250ml bottle of the Tonifying Lotion is £19.00. I wouldn't call this cheap but it is a quality product. You may be able to get the product for less from some outlets but please be aware of a warning currently being issued by Decleor on their UK website - that counterfeit goods with the 'Decleor' label are currently being offered for sale in the UK.
(NB: this review has appeared previously on other sites under the same username.)
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Decleor Hand Care Cream
by belglen
I received some Decleor nourishing and soothing hand cream as a Christmas present from my sister-in-law. I am at an age when my skin is beginning to change and I need to take care of it to avoid it looking too old too soon. I have noticed that the skin on my hands seems to be showing signs of ageing - dryness, wrinkles and pigmentation ... changes.
I use the Decleor hand cream at night before I go to bed, perhaps I should use it more often. I haven't really noticed much difference in my hands, but perhaps the secret is that it will slow the signs of age rather than reverse any existing signs.
The information on the back of the packaging states that the cream will "nourish and smooth", "helps reduce signs of ageing" and helps "reduce excessive perspiration". The ingredients include:
* Meadow foam oil;
* Shea butter;
* Parsley;
* Dyer's weed;
* Bearberry plant complex;
* Vitamin E Ester;
* Cypress essential oil; and
* There is a host of other ingredients and chemicals, but I will not list them all.
It only takes a little of the cream to cover the hands, it is quite a fluid cream, not runny but has quite a wet feeling. It has a very distinct smell, quite a manufactured smell, not natural, this is pleasant but could be a little overpowering if you apply too much. The cream soaks into the skin very easily and it doesn't leave the skin feeling greasy. The directions advise to apply everyday, and I assume this is just once a day. This is not a moisturiser that I would want to apply throughout the day as the smell would be a little overpowering.
The Decleor cream is packaged in a very distinctive bright yellowy/orange plastic tube with a screw top lid and then enclosed in a box, the box is just pointless and a waste of packaging. My tube of the cream is 50ml/1.69 fl.oz. There is a large range of Decleor products to choose from and more information can be found at www.decleor.com
I do find this is a good general hand moisturiser but I do not think it merits the price that it has, I have seen prices ranging from £10.00 to nearly £20.00. I have been using the cream for a number of months but do not really see any difference. It was nice to receive this cream as a gift and if I received it again I would use it but it is not something I would buy for myself even as a treat.
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Decleor Alguaromes Toning Shower and Bath Gel
by mrshez
I have always been a fan of decleor products and have been lucky enough to use them on many occasions in my previous career as decleor is a brand often used in salon and spas. It is a high end brand and therefore it is quite expensive and I often got lots of little sample pots which was just as well as I couldn't afford the full ... size!.
As my hubby know I love the brand I quite often get the odd product for Christmas and birthdays and the bath foam was one of my recent ones.
I love a good soak in the bath and I make it a proper event, lock the door, light my candles a nice coffee and my favourite magazine or latest blockbuster book and I always need bubbles and lots of them and preferably ones that last and don't disappear the second I get in!.
======= The Product ======
The decleor gel comes in the classic bottle shape of decleor bath products and has a screw off lid.
The product is marketed as a toning shower and bath gel with plant extracts. The colour of the gel in the bottle has a gorgeous turquoise hue and looks like the Caribbean sea.
It claims that it "removes impurities and neutralizes the effects of hard water. The specific properties of the Laminaria algae extracts with their trace elements together with the essential oils of ALGUROMES gives the shower gel soothing , relaxing and invigorating properties." I have to say that I have worked in the beauty industry for a long time and in all honesty I have no idea what that means apart from the ability to soften hard water!.
======= The Scent ======
When I unscrewed the cap and sniffed the bottle as you do I was greeted with a very strong scent that filled my nose and nearly brought tears to my eyes!. After using high brand products in salons for years you think I would have learned that the high brand products if they have a scent it is usually quite strong and because the quality of the ingredients are high it is usually very potent.
The ingredients used in this gel include essential oils of Rosemary, Lemon, lavender, Marjoram and Laminal Algae extract.
The scent is well balanced between all the essential oils and although I am not a fan of Lavender it does mix in well with all the others and producing a very refreshing and uplifting scent.
======= Using The Gel =====
I have to be honest and say that I tend to use it as a bath gel rather than a shower gel as for that price I want my moneys worth!.
When you pour it into the bath the gel has quite a fine gel quality to it and if you are using it in the bath I would recommend using only a capful or maybe two. As soon as the gel hit the running water the scent really did fill the bathroom and the gel started to bubble straight away.
As soon as I got into the bath the water did feel very soft and smooth and the bubble were really creamy when I rubbed them on my skin. I did notice that the bubble lasted longer than a cheaper brand but not really long enough to warrant the price based just on the bubble factor.
I did notice that after the bath my skin felt very smooth and moisturizer and the scent stayed on my skin but only in a very subtle way and I don't think that anyone else would have noticed it.
======= My Conclusion ======
I am not sure that it is the best bath gel to use at night as the scent is very refreshing and invigorating and I think is better suited to the morning as it really does wake you and clears your head.
I would also recommend using it if you are blocked up or suffer with blocked sinus as it really cleared my nasal passages (Sorry but it really did and I think it's great for that purpose alone!)
I have mentioned that I suffer with migraines and I find that if I am having a mild one (Doesn't happen often!) a bath with this can help alleviate some of the pressure and tension.
I am not convinced that the gel has any toning benefits though and if you are considering buying it for this reason that I would save the money and buy some trainers to go running!.
It will last a long time as you only need a capful or if using in the shower only a small drop on the sponge. At that price it's best saved for special occasions or when you want a treat.
====== Cost And Availability =====
Decleor products can be purchased at some department stores such as larger Boots, John Lewis and others. It can also be purchased through spas and also online at decleor.co.uk
For a 250ml bottle the price is £20.50 at decleor.co.uk
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