Face Tonic edition *roundup*

Sometimes I get into a certain hype of something, then I buy some (and some more), and then I think "do I have enough?". Answer: "I might have too much".

 Within this edition I bring you floral waters...I gotten into them during the summer, re-introduced by Tammy Fender and her blissfully calming Roman Chamomile Tonic that was a part of her sensitive set. After that I ventured on more types of facial waters within a cheaper range and more variety in the properties of the embedded flower/plant etc. 

Here's a roundup of the ones I have:

1. Erica Rosewater:

 Erica is a Dutch brand that basically brings out simple organic products. It is made of a 100% Bulgarian Rosewater and it costs me under €2. Perhaps there are more bio-dynamical brands out there but for the purity it is simply a wonderful water that calms and is quite rejuvenating for the skin. I mix mine with OrangeBlossom water for a more diverse blend and sometimes I add some MSM powder to get an even effect in calming redness etc.

2. Erica Orange BlossomWater (Neroli)

Similar as the Rosewater only orangeblossom water has different properties and you can read several of the raves/benefits on MUA (here). I adore the scent as it is flowery-citrusy positive scent and it has adstringent qualities which works on the acne-prone parts of my face. It is still mild enough for the dryer parts. 

3.  Sana Hadanomy Mist

I have this one for more than a year and it has been a repurchase. It is supposed to have collagen inside and it is not as natural/organic as my other blends. However, I love the fact it is slightly 'tacky' or better say moisturizing and without scent at all. 

4.   Suti Peppermint Water

I got this one based on rave reviews and the fact that peppermint is known as the ultimate calming plant. Then again, I googled 100% peppermint water later and got cheaper options. I still love Suti and this blend is really refreshing on holidays or as a perk up during flying. I prefer to use the pure blend and not mix it with other waters.

5.  Melvita Eau Fraiche Micellair

Finally a more productive water: a micellair that removes makeup as well. This has also been a repurchase and I prefer it over Nuxe Micellair/Bioderma as it is natural, and effective cleanser and feels really soothing on the skin.

6.   Saniflore Aqua Magnifiqua

My original review is over here. I haven't been using it that much yet because I'm quite attached to my rosewater/neroli/MSM mixture but I still like its effectiveness on pores and congested skin. 

7. Saniflore Noble Chamomile

Original review here.  I decanted this in a tinier bottle on my lastest journey, but the passenger next to me was not so enchanted by the calming chamomile than I was. I still like it, but sometimes I prefer peppermint water for a less plant/dirt-like scent.

8. Kora by Miranda Kerr Energising Mist

I bought this one based on curiosity and the fact the model herself looks basically flawless. I am not too fond of the blend: somehow the citrusy note has too much of a herbal essence that I neither find soothing or energising. Also, the mister isn't really distributing the water evenly over the face.

 

So this is the collection of face tonics that I have right now. So do you like them and what types do you reach for?

Saniflore Aqua Magnifiqua

The Tonicum-journey continues....

Aqua Magnifica is already a good name, and one of the French magazines I bought said it was really a good tonic for combination skin. Plus the skin that has been thinking it's 18:

-> I had to buy this <-

Saniflore Aqua Magnifica feels like a zesty and slightly adstringent lotion with a dose of 9 herbs suited to remove impurities, clear pores and illuminate: such as Peppermint leaf water,  green oregano, lemon,  Rosemary and Clove.

 AQUA / WATER − ALCOHOL DENAT.* − MENTHA PIPERITA LEAF WATER / PEPPERMINT LEAF WATER* − CAPRYLYL/CAPRYL GLUCOSIDE − ARGININE − SALICYLIC ACID − CYMBOPOGON FLEXUOSUS OIL* − CITRAL − ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS LEAF OIL / ROSEMARY LEAF OIL* − MENTHOL − MENTHA PIPERITA OIL / PEPPERMINT OIL* − GERANIOL − LIMONENE − SATUREIA MONTANA OIL* − EUGENOL − CYMBOPOGON NARDUS OIL / CITRONELLA OIL* − EUGENIA CARYOPHYLLUS FLOWER OIL / CLOVE FLOWER OIL* − NEPETA CATARIA OIL* − ORIGANUM HERACLEOTICUM FLOWER OIL* − THYMUS VULGARIS OIL − THYME FLOWER/LEAF OIL* − LINALOOL − CITRONELLOL − MELISSA OFFICINALIS LEAF OIL* − CITRIC ACID 

These are wonderful ingredients to decongest skin: I already feel it has a refreshing effect upon my teenage-spirited T-zone. I guess the T stands for Teenager anyway?

I have only been using it sporadically for 3 days, hence too early for a full review. I like to use it in the morning on the T(eenage) zones, ofcourse, and sometimes I dab it on during the day on my nose and chin: if they are having a pimply time...

It smells refreshing like a zingy herbal garden: oh, how flawed I am in describing scents. It lingers for about 15 minutes if you do not apply daycream/serum etc afterwards.

Well, you notice I am quite into tonics lately, but I like to ask you if you 'believe' in tonics or you actually think they are not that necessary in skincare?

Ps: available on French website Easypharmacie.com. In a far far away past I have written a tutorial of how to order from this site, and they are still in mysterious French so you might need it, or a friend/you who will visit France soon.

Noble Chamomille: Sanoflore and the calming white flower

I've gotten this effective beauty during one of my last visits to Paris. I've visited one of their multipludituded  'Pharmacies' to pick up something from Sanoflore:

I went for the highly acclaimed Aqua Magnifica as well (about that sooner) but I'd love to discuss Chamomille first.

Sanoflore, these days a part of the L'Oreal family, believes that well-done aromatherapy  "are far more concentrated in active molecules than synthetic ingredients" and "respects sensitive skin". In that case, I have already loved the calming Chamomile in Tammy Fender's Roman Chamomile tonic but found the price of her range to be too expensive.

Sanoflore is a perfect cheaper alternative because organic Chamomille is not too difficult to find. However, for the non-French (or Swiss) it might be more difficult to track. I also like Akoma Skincare a lot and they have a pure organic Chamomile water as well (here) for 10% of Tammy's price. And there are the local (organic) healthshops too....

So, what does Chamomile water do and why it's such a bliss during weather changes like Autumn?

"Chamomile water is well known for its ability to soothe dry skin and bring it back into balance. This fragrant water has an antibacterial effect that keeps blemishes at bay while it protects the skin from dry, windy weather.

100% pure, Chamomile water restores a healthy glow to your complexion and is used by some to treat the dark circles that form under the eyes. Applied lightly to the forehead and temples, it has a wonderful calming effect at the end of a stressful day" (Akoma's site) 

Well, the change from warm to dry & windy is something that sounds Autumn/winter, right? And who doesn't have dark circles they want to diminuish these days?

I will have a whole section on facial waters soon: it's sorta my thing lately...