Nannette de Gaspé: Art of Noir
I am a firm believer that we should tend to our beauty. This does not mean that I lead with vanity and a misguided sense of beauty as commodity. No. What it means is that my body is my temple, the same way I nourish it with healthy foods and healthy thoughts, so too do I nurture my skin from the outside in. I use clean products that are made up of natural ingredients and I relish in the ritual of day and night skincare.
My views on skincare rituals are super in line with Nannette de Gaspé. I love the products she’s created and I also love the philosophy that guides her process. Standing in front of the mirror every morning and night, I maintain a beauty ritual that cultivates a little me time every day. I clean my skin, removing toxins and any dirty build-up from the day, and then I massage my face and neck with healthy creams and polishes to sustain vibrant and youthful skin.
Here are my top 5 Nannette de Gaspé products from her Collection Noir:
Essence Noir Cleanser
A mix of detoxifying clay from Brazil along with a Kakadu Plum Extract, the Essence Noir Cleanser will brighten and purify your skin. It feels both hydrating and soothing – which is a powerful combo when you are washing the day off your skin. Infused with aromatherapy benefits, the Cleanser is the perfect way to take a calming pause and relax before bed time. I usually lather the cleanser with my fingers first before I smooth all over my face and neck. I then rinse with tepid water.
Essence Noir Polish
An exfoliating polish created to smooth, refresh and hydrate, the Essence Noir Polish removes dead cells while also refining pores. The activated charcoal detoxifies the skin and removes any micro-pollutants and impurities. The Bamboo and volcanic Sand Extracts polish and refine the texture of your skin. It’s such a unique product and has become so vital to my skincare ritual. I use it right after the cleanser and before the tonic. I apply pressure when I smooth it on and I love the warming and cooling sensation I feel right before I wash it off.
Essence Noir Tonic
A toner that restores your natural PH, the Essence Noir Tonic hydrates and brightens, while also making your skin glow. Using naturally derived fruits acids, Silver Mushroom and Beetroot extracts to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, this Tonic is great for all skin types to protect against our harsh environment. It’s important to apply a sunscreen or moisturizer that is blended with SPF when using this tonic, because the AHA (which helps remove dead skin cells and dark spots) used in the Tonic can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. I love the tingling sensation I feel when I apply the Tonic, I can really feel it working.
Baume Noir Eyes
The Baume Noir Eyes is such an incredible cream – it is packed with green tea extracts, pomegranate and caffeine all working together to smooth fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark under-eye circles. It strengthens and firms the skin and makes me feel instantly awake. I alternate between circular motions under my eye and lightly pressing the balm into my skin. I love the smell too!
Baume Noir Face
The Baume Noir Face is a powerful blend of 21 active ingredients to target multiple layers of the skin. Firming and exfoliating the skin, the complex gives an ageless-looking velvety glow to my skin. Smooth and soft, the Kakadu Plum Extract revitalizes dull-looking skin, the hyaluronic acid plumps, and the Indian Gentian Leaf Stem Cells re-densify the skin. Here’s a fun tip about moisturizing face cream – did you know that the best way to apply is a combo of circular motions, light dabbing, and a continuous upward motion from neck to face.
Nannette de Gaspé stands firm that her creations spreads an empowering message of a skincare line that delivers on its promise to rejuvenate skin without an overcomplicated routine. Each product comes complete with application rituals (a great twist on the term “instructions”). Each ritual slowly integrates into your life creating good habits of self-care.
Also available at www.globalglow.com
Photography by Patricia Brochu