There are many well-known and, dare I say, hyped brands out there that I have been meaning to try for a while now. I fall for anything that gets a lot of attention on the blogs quite easily and have a obscenely long “wish list” on my Pinterest featuring products that most likely cost more than my annual salary when added up.
Every once in a while I will take the plunge and get some stuff to see for myself what all the fuzz is about.
And every once in a while I am left pretty clueless, wondering: What am I missing?
The last time that happened was with the brand Caudalie. Of course I try different products, as there is no “one size fits all” in skincare, and today I will be showing you the two latest I put to the test. The “Eau de Beauté” facial mist (listed among the “Cult products on the website) and the Instant Foaming Cleanser.
What Caudalie claims:
Instant Foaming Cleanser: This soap-free liquid cleanser turns into a generous, airy foam for gentle, effective cleansing. A blend of grape extracts, sage and chamomile removes make-up and impurities, while soothing skin.
Eau de Beauté: Inspired by Queen Isabelle of Hungary’s elixir of youth, this treatment smooths away fine lines, tightens pores and gives the complexion an instant boost of radiance. Beloved by beauty addicts, celebrities and make-up artists alike.
Facts:
Prize and size
One bottle of the Instant Foaming Cleanser contains 150 ml and retails for 28 $ here. I had a travel size containing 50 ml and it lasted me three months of daily use.
The Beauty Elixir contains 100 ml and retails for 36 $ here. You need to shake it before spritzing it on your face to make the oils mix in. My bottle lasted me around eight months.
Texture and smell
The Instant Foaming Cleanser has a very light floral scent that I do enjoy. The foam the pump produces is easily smoothed on the skin and feels lightweight.
The smell of the Beauty Elixier is pretty strong, as was to be expected by a blend of essential oils, and is floral without being sweet. I would describe it as refreshing. It tingles quite a but when sprayed to the face, even though my face isn’t sensitive at all.
Application and effects
One and a half pump of the Instant Foaming Cleanser massaged into my skin and then taken off with a wash cloth left my skin feeling clean, but also a little tighter that I would have wanted. It worked okay at taking off makeup, but I preferred it as a morning cleanser for a fresh faced feeling.
The Beauty Elixier on the other hand, after the first feeling of refreshment, did absolutely nothing for my skin. It didn’t feel hydrating, I didn’t notice any difference in my fine lines or pores or any improvement in radiance. The mist it distributes is very fine though and a pleasure when compared to many other face mists out there.
Favorable ingredients:
Instant Foaming Cleanser:
- Glycerin: Moisturizing
- Sage leaf extract: Regulating sebum production, antioxidant
- Chamomilla flower extract: Soothing
- Grape fruit extract: Moisturizing, rich in antioxidants
Beauty Elixier:
- Bitter Orange flower water: Controls sebum production
- Rosemary leaf oil: antiseptic
- Glycerin: Moisturizing
- Peppermint oil: Controls sebum production
- Styrax tonkinensis resin extract: aromatherapeutic
- Commiphora Myrrhe resin extract: antibacterial
- Balm mint leaf oil: antiseptic
- Rosa damascene flower oil: skin toning, improves texture
- Grape fruit extract: Moisturizing, rich in antioxidants
Unfavorable Ingredients:
Instant Foaming Cleanser:
- Perfume
- Fragrance from natural origin
Beauty Elixier:
- Alcohol (second on the ingredient list)
- Perfume (fourth on the ingredient list)
- Fragrance from natural origin
It is necessary to mention that most of the essential oils used in the Beauty Elixier can be pretty irritant (all the mint oils for example), and that they only make their appearance after the alcohol and the perfume on the ingredient list.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes for the Instant Foaming Cleanser. Even though it is a little more drying than I would have expected, it is a nice cleanser.
No for the Beauty Elixier. The only effect I can vouch for is the “tightening”, most likely due to the alcohol.
Will I rebuy?
No.
The Instant Foaming Cleanser is merely okay I have tried other ones I much prefer and would rather recommend (like this one).
The Beauty Elixier is basically alcohol and perfume with a few added essential oils to spritz on your skin. I just don’t get why I should do this.
Who do I recommend it to?
The Instant Foaming Cleanser to anyone looking for foam without the soap, most likely combination/oily skin types, through the summer months or in a hot and humid climate.
The Beauty Elixir to no one. Don’t spritz alcohol and perfume on your face, and if you want the smell, spread some essential oils in the palms of your hand and inhale deeply. Way less irritating in my opinion!
Have you ever wondered what the hype of a product is all about?
And if you actually enjoy the Beauty Elixier, can you please tell me what I am missing?
If you want to read more about skincare, please check out the „Skincare Reviews“ category in the side bar.
This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are honest and my own.