Gatineau Skincare Vaganza

Christmas is just around the corner, and apparently it has been even since before Halloween in some shops... If the amount of Christmas food, beautiful wrapping paper and dazzling Christmas lights didn't give it away - the amazing beauty gifts currently on offer everywhere you look certainly do. As you know I'm a bit of a skincare addict and this is the best time of year to stock up on beautiful little jars and bottles and a set I definitely can't resist is the amazing Gatineau Skincare Experts Collection*. It's a luxurious, full sized 5 piece collection which contains 2 bottles (!) of skin serum, a neck cream, a wrinkled corrector, and an anti-ageing moisturiser of your choice to suit your skin type - who can say no to that?!

So let's have a look at the products, starting with the Collagene Expert Targeted Wrinkled Corrector (£39.50), which is a bit of a Cinderella product as I like to call it. It's the type of product that produces great results, and that although you definitely can use it every day, I choose to save for those occasions when I need a Fairy Skin God mother to do some magic. It contains a marine collagene formula which not only adds hydration to the skin, but also helps to retain it for a plump and rested look. Even though the formula almost instantly smoothes lines and revives the skin, it's very light, completely without any scent and it absorbs quickly, which is why I sometimes even apply it over my make up on days when I look especially tired. It comes in a slim tube with a very handy little roll on applicator, which not only makes application quick and easy, but it's also great for carrying with you in your bag. So if you're going to a ball, maybe this is the product for you!

Next up is the Age Benefit Perfect Skin Serum (£49), which is a day version of the Age Benefit Ultra Regenerating Night Elixir. Since I've used this serum on and off for the last 2 years, I think you could say that this is an old friend of mine and I especially like to use this in the winter time since it's great for tired and dull looking skin or if the tone and texture needs to be refined. It comes in a sleek and elegant looking bottle with a pump function to make it easier to control the amount you dispense. Good start right?! The first thing you'll notice about this product is the beautiful pale lilac colour and a very subtle scent that reminds me a tiny bit of violet, but no need to worry -  there's no hint of purple left when your skin has absorbed the serum. The texture is creamy but light, and a little bit thicker than most serums and it leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and radiant. The serum is super intensive, which is why it also shows results very quickly, however that means that you should use it as a treatment for a month, and then let your skin rest for at least another month before you use it again.

I mentioned that you get to choose a moisturiser that fits your specific skin needs, from 3 Gatineau ranges which all include anti ageing properties but have slightly different focus areas; Melatogenine which is for smoothing lines and wrinkles, Defilift which targets slack or sagging skin and Age Benefit which targets the 5 signs of ageing (lines, sagging, hydration, pigmentation and radiance) and is great to combat dry skin. My skin tends to get dehydrated even though I consume water like a camel, so the Age Benefit range is a great option for me. The Age Benefit Integral Regenerating Cream (£85) contains artichoke leaf and extracts from Hibiscus seed. In addition to sounding like a delicious salad, these ingredients have qualities to help the skin cells to regenerate and to protect them from early ageing. Thank you Gatineau! The formula is quite rich but it just melts into the skin, giving it a mega boost of moisture, making the skin feel thoroughly hydrated and smooth. This feeling lasts all day, without the skin turning sticky or greasy, and there's no need to to worry about any dry patches showing through your makeup. Although all of Gatineau's products smell lovely in their own ways, this one smells simply divine; it's a clean, natural but elegant scent that makes this cream a delight to wear. For me this is the most luxurious cream from Gatineau's product range and it's worth every penny - not just because of the actual results, but how it makes you feel. So Santa, please get me a barrel of this amazing cream for X-mas, I've been very good...

Last but definitely not least is the wonderful Strategie Jeunesse Firming Throat Gel (£42). I know that there are different camps when it comes to neck and decolletage products, but I'm definitely in the camp of frequent and dedicated users, and since I'm such a fan I have also mentioned this little gem previously. This product is more of a gel than a cream, with a lovely light weight consistency that sinks into the skin making it feel toned and refreshed. It contains vitamins, minerals and protein extracts with powerful anti-oxidants that help to tighten up and lift the skin of the jawline and smooth the delicate area of the decolletage.

The total value of this wonderful collection is over a heart stopping £260, but you can get it on special offer at QVC.com as of this weekend for an incredible £61.92! This is a great gift for someone - don't forget about yourself, we all know a little pampering, especially in the busy weeks leading up to Christmas!