Ah you know, with all the feasting and late nights that is wont to happen at the end of every year when people celebrate the close of yet another year, something that promises a glowing, smoothing complexion just grabs you by the lapels doesn’t it? It says “Buy Me!”
I’d heard so much about the Caudalie Beauty Elixir way before I’d even tried anything else from the brand. It is also supposed to be one of their top bestsellers and highly raved by celebrities and beauty bloggers alike. But it was only not too long ago that I eventually picked up a bottle to see what the hype was about.
The Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a face mist that contains a cocktail of other ingredients, that you mist on your face at any time you like, whether to mist your face before moisturiser or to freshen up. Based on the many many reviews I’ve read, misted over makeup, it’s supposed to give a glow to the skin. Used on it’s own, it’s supposed to smell wonderful, refresh and give skin an amazing glow.
Hmm… I therefore had to pinch myself when I didn’t get the stellar results promised. Are you a fan of this product?
I’m thankful I got the small 30ml bottle and it was during a sale online somewhere (I can’t remember which website anymore. Might have been Zuneta before they shut down) but I wasn’t sure I was ready to commit to a large bottle and I was right. I could never have.
So, what’s about it that I don’t like? Hmm… there’s quite a long list. Let me see if I can list it all down
- It feels sticky on skin
- The peppermint/mentholatum scent makes my eyes water if I get it in my eyes
- The peppermint essential oil makes my lips tingle
- The smell is too strong
- I don’t see any benefits to my skin
- It doesn’t help my makeup stay on longer
- It isn’t soothing to my skin
I went around the web to see if I was doing it wrong, but there’s no science or technique to this. Just shake it up (so you mix up the essential oils in there) and spritz on your face. To its credit, the mist is very fine and it doesn’t leave your face dripping wet so misting your skin after putting on makeup isn’t going to mess it up. The frosted glass bottle is absolutely lovely to hold and feels lovely and luxe.
But that was about it for me. I wasn’t a fan of the scent nor how it felt on my skin. Maybe I’m doing this all wrong. I’m not sure. If you’re a fan, please let me know!
In a nutshell
The Caudalie Beauty Elixir is a cult beauty product that I can’t seem to love. I find it a little too irritating to my skin especially because of the peppermint/mentholatum in there. The smell reminds me of Vick’s and it feels sticky on my skin and I haven’t seen any particular improvement to my skin or longevity of my makeup using this. I will agree that it is very refreshing especially on a hot day but that’s about it. A bit too pricey for a refreshing face mist. I think regular rose floral water will do the trick just fine as well.
Pros: Mist is very fine and does not leave face wet
Cons: List as above
Who will like this: Anyone who likes the minty, herbal scent and the tingle against the skin
Here are the ingredients, which I’ve read are actually quite irritating to sensitive skin but as with everything, take it with a pinch of salt because we never know how our skins will react to any ingredient.
Are you a fan of the Beauty Elixir? Have you tried any other Caudalie products?
I’m afraid to say I cannot join Victoria Beckham in this one because it just doesn’t agree with me. It is primarily the scent and the texture that gets to me. I don’t mind using rose water (I do use a floral water mist daily) but this just doesn’t do it for me the way other Caudalie products have. Would love to know if it does for you!
Paris B
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Price: RM160/100ml, 30ml local price to be advised Availability: Caudalie counters at Isetan KLCC, Bangsar Village 2, Kens Apothecary stores & Sephora stores
liyeun says
December 26, 2013 at 9:29 amHerbal scent, ok. But tingling feeling for a face mist? Ermmmm I have tried the long gone face mist spray from Clarins that worked much better. I wont pay rm160 for a sticky, tingling feeling. Hehehe.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:17 pmYeah, its the peppermint and menthol oil I think that causes the tingling feeling. Does wake you up though! LOL!
xin says
December 26, 2013 at 10:53 amI can’t say I am a big fan of face mist because I am lazy like that, even if it’s sitting on the desk looking at me. However, I am not sure how I feel about Caudalie products, to be honest, I am not impressed by any of their products =/
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:19 pmI like a face mist before I apply my toners. I know, sounds redundant but I think it helps my skin! I like the Vinexpert serum but this one disappointed me. Tested the famous Divine Oil and didn’t like that either 😛 I think Caudalie is ok – very basic and not too pricey so that makes that a wee bit more attractive 🙂
ishi says
December 26, 2013 at 2:27 pmI’ve tried this, the small bottle first and then i bought the big bottle. I use it as a toner for my morning regime. It doesn’t feel sticky and the minty smell wakes me up. The spray bottle is very convenient compared to using the cotton balls for the other toner. I know I know, the cotton ball helps with the face cleaning.., ah but there is no help for one who is so lazy. I agree it is an expensive product and it goes away pretty fast too compared to ordinary toner. Noted noted, will go back to ‘real’ toner for the purpose of toning.
As for the promise of radiance, deep in my brains, i don’t really believe any product could do this. Heck not even a MYR500 facial….Yes, my face looks ‘cleaned’ for a day or two, i am relaxed within an hour of facial, but that’s about it. I’ve tried quite a bunch of products in my time, and nothing had really given me the touted effects. To actually get a well rested looking skin/face, one has to be well rested and what better than some good quality shut eye, …nightly. I’d be grateful if a moisturizer could carry out its primary function; moisturize. I ask for nothing else. At this age, I don’t react to anything. So any kind of moisturizer that moisturizes gets a yay from me.
To come back to Caudalie, I’ve tried quite a few of their products such as the eye and lip serum, premier cru moisturizer, soap and shampoo with conditioner. I love the soap, my husband does not complain, so thats a keeper. I like the shampoo, it is gentle and convenient for travelling as it comes with conditioner. The eye/lip serum and premier cru, i have no complaints. They moisturize, my face doesn’t feel dry with use (but really, where is that radiance??). But nothing to keep me loyal. Nope, nothing at all.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:22 pmI have read about this finishing very quickly. I guess I just didn’t like it enough to use it often enough to notice 🙂 I think sometimes, it’s a combination of many factors that bring about that elusive “glow”. Products and facials help but I find that if I keep late nights my skin goes to hell in a handbasket i.e. now. Ugh! I am keeping to a very basic skincare routine of maintaining hydration (even if it doesn’t sound very basic) but it certainly helps the condition of my skin so at least even if I have dark spots and pigmentation, I have less to contend with lines and elasticity and texture 😀
I actually heard a lot of great things about Premier Cru – not worth the money then eh? I quite liked VinExpert but as you have said, not quite keeping me loyal although I’ll finish off the serum for now.
Effa Haniza says
December 26, 2013 at 2:54 pmI heard about this beauty elixir a lot from beauty bloggers too. Recently, I also heard another new face mist from Omorovicza Hungary Mist but it’s soo expensive! :/ I’ve only tried Body Shop Vit E face mist and I get break out every time I use it. I wanted to try this but after reading this, I’m having a second thought. :/
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:23 pmOh yes, I’ve been wanting to try Omorovicza products for a long time but they’re so pricey I dare not LOL! Maybe some day I will but I”ll hold off for now. If what you’re looking for is just a face mist then I think just plain thermal water like the Avene or Vichy sprays will do the trick. I like using Melvita’s floral water too
Arpita says
December 26, 2013 at 3:52 pmI’m so glad you feel this way because I really dislike this product! I steered clear of it for the longest time because I hate the smell of it, but I eventually caved when the L’wren Scott limited edition bottle came out. I, too, got the 30ml and I regret even that! My cousin tried it out and it irritated her skin absurdly so I’m a little disappointed that the majority of sales people actually recommend it for sensitive skin. Such an overrated product.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:25 pmAh I have to admit I felt that stirring in my chest when I saw the L’wren Scott bottle too. It looks so pretty! But thankfully I already knew I didn’t like it so I passed on it. I agree with you. This is one of the most overrated products I’ve ever used. While it didn’t irritate my skin I didn’t think it suitable for anyone with sensitive skin at all. They’d be better off using Avene or any thermal water mists.
Firn says
December 26, 2013 at 4:10 pmI tried it in Sephora and it made my skin itchy after that. Must be the high alcohol content and all the irritating and photosensitizing plant essential oils in it. It’s a terribly gimmicky product, which is a shame because Caudalie does have a few nice products like their serums.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:27 pmAbsolutely Firn. There’s a lot in there that irritates the skin – absolutely not for sensitive skins. I think just plain rosewater or thermal water does the job just as well and you’re right. It’s a pity this is a star product because I don’t think anything of it at all.
karen says
December 26, 2013 at 9:34 pmOut of curiosity i bought the 30ml when sasa was having 20% off clearance sales. I didnt like the smell and cant see what it had done to my skin after 2 weeks. Strange enough the smell grew on me and i actually look forward to using it every day especially in the morning. The bottle lasted 2 months used twice a day. I mist onto my palm, inhaled and ‘pressed; it into my skin. After about a month or so, i suddenly realized that there was a subtle glow to my skin. However, after finishing the bottle i didnt repurchase due to high alcohol content.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:30 pmAh good to know it worked out for you in the end – at least it was not money wasted! 🙂 But you’re right about the alcohol content and the skin irritating oils in there. Are you using other face mists now?
Giada says
December 26, 2013 at 10:05 pmI never tried this product, but I’m pretty curious about it. I always read amazing review about it and yours is the only negative opinion I’ve found, which I’m thankful for, since I have some doubts about it and everything seemed too nice in the positive reviews. I’m not sure I’ll try it yet, maybe I’ll pick up the small bottle in the sales, to see how my skin reacts!
x
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:31 pmYou’re right Giada. Most people rave about this which made me really curious. Perhaps it’s just me who feels this way about it though so if you have the opportunity to test it (not buy it) then try it because it may be a star product for you 🙂 Just be careful to stop using if you’re seeing breakouts! Good luck!
Sunny says
December 26, 2013 at 10:21 pmI am not a fan of this, either. This was the first Caudalie product I purchased about 10 years ago, and I really liked it. Now I am no longer a fan of toners/mists, and I’m more cautious about mint in my skincare products. Compared with all the stellar skincare products they make, this is most probably not a must-have.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:38 pmI think it’s wise to be cautious about mint in skincare. It seems to be quite an irritating product which I fully understand because if I eat mint sweets, I actually can’t stop sneezing! Haha! 😀
synical says
December 26, 2013 at 10:50 pmBeen wondering what the fuss was about, but I still can’t bring myself to pay 3 digits for erm, water and some essential oil. I’m too poor and too cheap for it 😛
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:39 pmA wiser person than I, that’s for sure LOL! 😉
Tine @ Beautyholics Anonymous says
December 27, 2013 at 12:26 pmI was expecting a lot out of the Beauty Elixir given how much Lisa Eldridge raved about it. Like synical said, it’s a lot of money to pay for water and essential oil that doesn’t smell very nice to begin with. I’m sticking to good ol’ thermal spray by Avene/Uriage/whatever is on sale for less than ten bucks.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:42 pmOh does she rave about it then? I didn’t know (coz I don’t watch Youtube) Actually a lot of people rave about it which is why I succumbed and now I feel like a tool for succumbing 😛 Don’t like it at all and you’re right, just use Avene or whatever thermal spray is out there. Cheaper and better.
Parita says
December 27, 2013 at 4:17 pmI have heard so much about this one..mmm now i’d better try a sample first!
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:48 pmIt will be advisable, Parita! Can’t tell if you’ll like it because I thought I would due to all the raves and I didn’t!
lisa says
December 28, 2013 at 12:48 amI had the small bottle too and quite enjoyed it while it lasted. I actually like the scent and texture of the water. It leaves my skin more supple and with a hint of oil to moisturize. Soothing and therapeutic in fact. But price wise it’s costly for something so basic. And i will prefer that they remove the alcohol content.
Paris B says
December 29, 2013 at 5:57 pmAnd this is probably why it’s such a hit! 🙂 But you’re right, the alcohol element is really far too high and so is the cost 🙁