With Beauty Elixir currently celebrating its 20th year on the market, it would be unthinkable not to pick up a bottle during my recent trip to Paris (from City Pharma of course but more on that another time). It's an item that's been on my radar for a while but as people have labelled it a 'princess product' I've found it pretty easy to resist the hype. For me a mist should do more and so I've always sought out La Roche Posay's Serozinc instead.
So what made me finally cave? A combination of feeling very spendy whilst on vacation, coupled with the desire to understand why people the world over love it so much. The last product I tried that had such hype around it was the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, and we all know how that one ended.
In terms of claims, Caudalie actually set the bar quite high in terms of what their Beauty Elixir can do. It supposedly tightens pores; boosts radiance and softens the skin. If I can simply spritz my face and all this happens, consider me converted.
Ingredients wise I could have a bash at breaking it down myself, but here's what the brand themselves have to say about what it contains.
"Grape extracts for radiance
Pore minimizing and astringent myrrh, benzoin essential oils of organic balm mint, mint
Toning rose extract
Softening and hydrating orange flower water
Strengthening and rejuvenating rosemary essential oil"
That's obviously not the full ingredients list, but as you can see it's largely plant based goodness and who can complain about that. As someone that doesn't lean either way in the whole chemical vs natural debate I'm more than happy to use whatever works, so did it?
The first thing that hits you about this product is the scent. It's a minty; fresh, herbal concoction that definitely took me a little while to warm to. Subtle it is not; so if you do plan on misting yourself on public transport please be mindful of those around you.
Scent aside the rest of the beauty elixir experience is as indulgent as you would expect. A couple of spritzes and your face will be occupying a self-induced spa space; thank you Caudalie.
As one of the more indulgent items in my skincare stash, I try to use this sparingly as my 30ml bottle doesn't seen to be lasting long at all. To keep it as a treat, I tend to use it either when I'm on flights or after I've done an exfoliating mask (i.e. the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask) and so far so good. Can I say that I've now got the most radiant, smooth, hydrated complexion, no. But when I do use it, my skin definitely looks and feels better for it.
Given the price tag, this is either going to become an expensive habit or the only thing I ask for at Birthdays and Christmas. Or both.
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