During my recent trainings with Caudalie, I fell even more in love with the company and their philosophy.  In 1993, a young, beautiful couple was giving a tour of their vineyard to Professor Vercauteren, a professor of the Pharmacy Faculty of Bordeaux.  On this tour, the professor had asked the couple what they did with the unused grape seeds from their harvest and proceeded to explain to them how these seeds contained polyphenols, the most powerful antioxidant in the plant world.  With the professor’s anti-aging research, and Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas’ passion for skin care and their vineyard, Caudalie was born.

What most people don’t know about Caudalie is that they were the first company to discover and use stabilized polyphenols in cosmetics.  In addition to this groundbreaking patent, Caudalie also has patents on Resveratrol (which stimulates cellular renewal) and Viniferine (which promotes radiance and treats dark spots).  Another fascinating fact about the company is that they were at the forefront of eco-beauty before it became what it is today.  Their products are free of parabens, phenoxyethanol, mineral oil, artificial colorings or sodium laureth sulfate.  In addition, no ingredients of animal origin are used, products are not tested on animals and a maximum of natural active ingredients can be found in all of their products.

With their devotion to skin care research and the environment, Caudalie has not only grown to be my favorite eco-beauty line, but a part of my life now as well. 

So without further ado, I would love to present to you the THREE prizes I have to offer for Big City Beauty’s End of the Year Giveaway:

First Place

Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa in a Box

Second Place

Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Fresh Energizing Fragrance

Third Place

Caudalie Beauty from the Vine Sample Pack

For a chance to win one of these fabulous prizes, pay close attention to the following:

Big City Beauty is in search of a green charity to partner with.  So I am leaving it up to you guys to help me find the perfect match.  Submit your ideas by clicking here by December 25^th at 11:59pm EST and the top three charities I think will be just right for BCB will be considered for these three prizes.  After I do my own research on these submissions, the winners will be announced on January 1^st, 2010.  And like all contest held here, you must be either a Fan on Facebook or a Follower on Twitter to qualify.  So don’t forget to give me your Facebook or Twitter name with your entry.

The best of luck to you all!  And thank you again for being such wonderful and supportive readers.

Until next time my pretties…  xoxo

P.S. – To book a facial with yours truly in the new year and experience the magic of a Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa Treatment, call 212.265.3182 and request a facial with Lia!

For those of you that are new to the brand Philosophy, this is the perfect starter set for you.  It is an effective skincare line and comes at a completely affordable price.  This set includes Philosophy’s best-selling skincare products all designed to promote radiantly clear and smooth skin.  And coming in fairly large sizes, The Miracle Worker will last long enough for you to see real results.  I highly recommend it to those of you looking to try a new line but don’t want to spend a ton on purchasing an entire skincare regimen.

The Miracle Worker contains:

• 8 oz Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser
• 8 oz The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash
• 2 oz Hope In A Jar
• 0.5 oz Hope In a Tube
• 1 oz The Microdelivery Peel Crystals
• 1 oz The Microdelivery Peel Gel

Do any of you use Philosophy products?  I’m a huge fan of their body care line and especially their holiday sets. Check out my previous post on another Philosophy holiday gift set I’m definitely picking up!    And head over to Sephora.com to see more from their holiday collections.

Until next time girls and boys…  xoxo

Many skin care companies are coming out with lines specifically geared towards sensitive skin, which is great news.  It can be difficult finding the right treatment choices when dealing with sensitive skin.  However, just because a product line claims to be for sensitive skin, I always recommend doing a test patch first.  It’s better safe than sorry when dealing with a condition like this.  The primary goal for treatment of sensitive skin is to calm and cool the skin while increasing the skin’s ability to create a barrier from the environment.  When purchasing a product, stay on the lookout for ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, allantoin, azulene, and licorice extracts which help to calm and soothe the skin.

One skin care line that I’ve always been a true fan of is Origins.  Origins teamed up with Dr. Andrew Weil, the foremost authority on integrative health, and developed a collection of sensitive skin treatments that optimize the skin’s defenses while targeting a wide array of skin concerns.  Made of a potent blend of health-promoting plants and herbs, this line has shown to be a promising treatment for those with sensitive skin.  The entire line includes:

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Face Serum

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Face Cleanser

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Face Cream

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Treatment Lotion

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Eye Serum

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Face Lotion

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Eye Makeup Remover Pads with Therapeutic Benefits

Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins™ Conditioning Lip Balm with Turmeric

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Body Cream

Plantidote™ Mega-Mushroom Skin-Calming Face Mask

In addition to being a great line, Origins still holds true to their Recycling Program taking any empty beauty container (Origins or not) and recycling them for you.  Dr. Weil has also promised to donate all profits from his line of products with Origins to the Weil Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting integrative medicine through training, education and research. And as if this couldn’t get any better, Origins is offering a free Skincare Set with any skincare order until October 3^rd on Origins.com.  With four different sets targeting aging, brightening, firming, or repairing you get deluxe samples of a cleanser, serum, and Origins popular Modern Friction gentle dermabrasion.  How great is that?

So to all my sensitive skinned beauties, I feel your pain but stay positive.  There are so many promising products out there! 

Until next time everyone…  xoxo