A Guide to Vichy

A Guide to Vichy

 

Vichy Idealia Illuminating Cream

I’ve talked about my admiration for this cream many times before, but it definitely deserves another bit of love. Vichy Idealia is an illuminating formula that works to brighten and even the skintone. Lots of people (including myself) don’t have specific pigmentation concerns, but rather an irregular complexion and patches of high colour. For me, that includes areas of darkness around the eyes and nose, lightness around the mouth and high colour on the cheeks. I normally slather on high coverage foundation to give me an even complexion, but it was starting to clog my skin – I needed a better alternative.

I started using this cream after a recommendation from another Escentual team member, and I haven’t looked back since. I use it in the morning after cleansing and a spritz of the Vichy Thermal Spa Water Spray, which makes it sink in more easily. It has a semi-matte finish and it makes for a very nice make-up base. Plus it has the most delicious fruity tea scent!

I’ve been using this cream for weeks, and my skin looks so lovely. My uneven tone isn’t completely gone, but it’s even enough now to allow me to go without make-up quite confidently every once in a while. When used in conjunction with the Vichy Idealia Pro Dark Spot Corrector, I’ve seen some really impressive results from bloggers and customers!

 

Vichy LiftActiv Cream

Now, I have a really daft concern: I have a bit of a wrinkly forehead! This stems from having had a blunt, heavy fringe for years. I used to hate getting moisturiser stuck in my hair, so I avoided moisturising my forehead completely.  This has resulted in a series of dehydration lines spanning the mid-section of my forehead which I didn’t notice until I started to wear my hair off my face.

I didn’t want to go down the avenue of targeted treatments or heavy duty anti-wrinkle creams as I’m in my early twenties, so I opted for the much-lauded Vichy LiftActiv Cream. It uses a plant derivative to gently plump the skin and reduce the appearance of lines, and the effects on my skin have been pretty amazing. I pop a small amount on my forehead every evening, and already my fine dehydration lines are completely minimised. Most of this can be attributed to a targeted dose of hydration, which the LiftActiv cream REALLY delivers on,  but a lot of it (particularly how wonderfully plumped my skin feels after application) is down to its effective blend of science and plant power. If you’re looking for an entry-level anti-ageing cream, I couldn’t recommend this more.

 

Vichy Thermal Spa Water Spray

Finally, I reviewed the ever-popular Vichy Thermal Spa Water Spray, a multipurpose skin hydrator and soother that I use for pretty much everything. Toning, calming, cooling, make-up setting, dry skin soothing… this versatile product does it all. The mineral-packed water is a pH neutral and is great for all skin types, though it’s particularly good for skin that experiences periods of sensitivity. Mine, for example, always gets irritated after cleansing. No matter how gentle the formula is, it always gets a bit angry and red. After cleansing a few quick sprays of the Vichy Thermal Spa Water really calms it down and makes it feel balanced before moisturising.

It’s one of those products that is so versatile that its usefulness changes from person to person. I use the spray mostly for cosmetic reasons: before moisturising, before applying my Dermablend foundation, and after application to ‘set’ the make-up. I use it on the dry patches on my arms, during the summer to cool my skin, and even on my hair to restyle it if I’m going out after work. On the other hand, I know people who sing its praises as an eczema soother and skin re-balancer. Try it for yourself – it’s hard not to fall in love.

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