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Author: Margit Rüdiger

CultureAndCream Author from Munich To travel during my profession as a beauty journalist was never enough for my. Also my six month on a world trip didn't do it. It always attracts me to other cities, foreign countries, on roadtrips and places I don't know yet. But I am not only interested in "culture" and "cream", I am also fascinated by people who have stories to tell .  Such unique experiences I want to share with you.

Does A Gender-Neutral Lipstick Really Exist?

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Beauty brands that offer gender-neutral makeup are mushrooming. Gender freedom may make sense in other areas, but isn’t a bit excessive when it comes to makeup? The question arises, what distinguishes a lipstick for women from a lipstick for each sex? Does that make sense or is it all just marketing again? When it comes to defining gender, fine distinctions are made today. We no longer simply speak of women and men, but are cis-women and cis-men. These are those who identify as “male” or “female” with the gender recorded on their birth certificate and clearly say of themselves “I am a woman” or “I am a man.” “Cis-“, by the way, comes from Latin and in this context means, this side, within, inside, and is thus the opposite of trans-, on the other side, over, across. In addition to these cis people, there are trans male/trans man (trans man, born a woman, now a man) and trans female/trans woman (trans woman, born a man, now a woman), also gender queer/gender non-conforming (gender neutral, without gender role) and finally different identities. Cosmetics was long female occupied You have to admit that all PR campaigns and commercials released by cosmetic companies in the last decades have been female-centric. The target group clearly defined: Woman between 18 and 36 years, good income and in the background a husband (it was always a husband!), whose beauty shopping, she did at the same time. At the same time, the use of makeup is in no way traditionally female. In fact, men were the first users of cosmetics. As early as 4000 B.C., rulers and members of the nobility in ancient Egypt painted their faces with dramatic black cat’s eyes, because they used them to demonstrate their prosperity and also believed that they were closer to the gods in this way. Romans practiced manicures with pig’s blood, and the British smeared themselves with blue paint as a deterrent. From the 20th century onwards, the use of make-up was considered transgressive for men. Nevertheless, even in this period there were notable exceptions, true icons like David Bowie or Prince, who underlined their uniqueness through make-up. In 2003, the first make-up collection for men was launched. Enfant terrible Jean Paul Gaultier then launched his “Le Mâle Tout Beau Tout Propre” collection consisting of moisturizer, bronzing powder, lip gloss, nail polish, brow and eyelash care, concealer and eyeliner. Metrosexuality was the name given to this change in gender perception.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Natural lipstick from marie w.

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With natural lipsticks, I am always somewhat reluctant to buy. They usually lack color brilliance and intensity, especially with red tones. Therefore, I was curious how the new color “Rosentango” by Marie W. looks on my lips. A few more words about marie w. The founder behind is Maria Wißler. She describes herself as a quality fanatic and pioneer when it comes to plants, animals and cosmetics. 22 years of pioneering work for natural cosmetics lie behind her. After “green” studies, she founded the first mail-order natural cosmetics business. Her principles are still valid for her today: care with plant extracts, preferably from organic cultivation, free from synthetic preservatives and petroleum chemicals. Her raw materials, such as organic shea royale from Uganda or organic argan oil from Morocco, come from fair trade sources. In this way, she supports women’s projects in the respective countries. When it comes to her lipsticks, Marie Wißler is also committed to sustainable business, protection of the environment, nature and climate, and fair and social production conditions. The natural lipsticks contain only a few, but highly pure ingredients. Real gold, for example, and precious, hand-pressed organic vegetable oil from African fair trade women’s projects. The pencils are packaged in an environmentally friendly manner in sleeves made of the renewable raw materials wood and paper. The brochure is printed with mineral oil-free inks. A combination of highly pure iron oxides, as found in the earth, is used for the colors of the pencils.noxide verwendet, wie sie in der Erde vorkommen. Natural lipsticks with real gold But back to “Tangorose”. The first thing that strikes me is that the application is easy. The pencil is designed so that I do not need a contour pencil, which I usually use. So I trace the mouth contour with the pen tip and then paint the entire surface of the lips with color. I’m surprised at how intense the red tone turns out. It also feels feather-light on the lip skin and is perfectly blended with the natural tint after 1-2 minutes. The gold content in the texture gives a matte shine without being obtrusive. It also creates a pleasantly cool feeling on the lips and, together with the nourishing plant oils, acts as a moisturizer. The natural lipstick also passes the durability test with flying colors. It’s long-lasting and stays where it should be, namely on the lips. It neither settles in the lip wrinkles, nor on cups, glasses or the cheeks rather friends.… weiterlesen

Vigilius Mountain Resort: By Cable Car To The Hotel

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The Vigilius Resort in South Tyrol has a lot to offer. Not only that a time-out in the green is in vogue at the latest since the forester and nature lover Peter Wohlleben launched his book “Forest without guardians” in 2007. Strolling along spruces, larches and pines has been proven to reduce stress levels and clear the mind. The 5-star Hotel Vigilius Mountain Resort in South Tyrol is all about this sustainable lifestyle. From the pretty village of Lana near Merano, the cable car takes you up to the idyllic Vigiljoch, where the sustainable, green hotel is perched at a lofty 1,500 meters above sea level. The motto there: less is more. Guests can expect birdsong, mountain panoramas and wonderful peace and quiet – cars are only allowed to drive in the evening and only to a limited extent. A refuge above the clouds that stands for deceleration with heart. Because the spirit among the staff is familiar, the contact with the guests friendly. Aperitivo on the piazza In the evening, before dinner, guests meet for the obligatory Italian aperitivo in the Piazza, an elegant and cozy lounge area with the character of a living room and access to one of the hotel’s three panoramic terraces. Aperol Spritz, sparkling wine, non-alcoholic cocktails and wines are offered along with finger food – free of charge: the unobstructed view of the magnificent silhouette of the Dolomites. Right next door, in the library room with its ceiling-high shelves, the screen is regularly lowered to make all those guests happy with movie nights who are missing a TV in their room. Fascinating architecture At the Vigilius, nature plays the leading role. This is ensured by the unique architectural style of South Tyrolean star architect Matteo Thun. In 2003, he created the beautifully designed complex, which resembles a reclining tree, with 41 rooms and a chic spa area, where treatments such as the new 80-minute Signature Treatment with sheep’s wool followed by a full-body massage enhance the wonderful feeling of absolute relaxation. The minimalist yet homey décor of the Klimahaus-A certified design hotel is also made entirely of renewable resources such as wood, stone, clay as well as glass. Small-figure women’s sculptures and red color accents are the only standouts in the timeless building, which is also fondly referred to as an “island in the mountains”. Exquisite dining Absolutely worth mentioning: The creatively arranged food at Vigilius immediately catches your eye.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: “Hairgrowth Serum” by ONNI Organic Luxury Haircare

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My new hairgrowth serum by Onni. Onni means happiness in Finnish. Suitable for a care series that supports hair growth. Because when hair naturally starts to decrease, in women around the age of 40 and in men often from the age of 25, this causes problems for many. After all, hair is a symbol of youthfulness, health and attractiveness. “Hair is everything!” also says the heroine of the british cult series “Fleabag” when she explains to a hairdresser in a rage how hair affects life. And she’s right! Even the venerable Yale University in New Haven (Connecticut) has produced a study on this subject, which proves that self-confidence drops noticeably on a bad-hair day. Support hair growthvollere Haare According to a survey by Apotheken Umschau, at least one in six women and one in two men are dissatisfied with their own hair structure. I’m not one of them, I have to admit. My hair is strong, full and healthy. But of course I want it to stay that way. That’s why I like to support them from time to time with a hair growth serum. Especially in the summer, the intense sunlight gets to them. This is also the reason why most people lose more hair in late summer and fall. There is an accumulation of telogen hair. It is also called seasonal hair loss. This year, I have therefore taken the “Hairgrowth Serum” from Onni I use it daily in dry or wet hair, depending on how it just fits. The bottle has a handy dosing nozzle that makes it easy to apply the watery liquid to the scalp parting by parting. It is not greasy, has a rather refreshing effect and has a pleasant, natural smell. Afterwards, the hair can be styled as usual. Mine always feel much more vital, especially at the roots – or am I just imagining it? Hair loss – not an issue, and my scalp remains healthy. Don’t panic it’s organic! This is the principle of ONNI Organic Luxury Haircare. For the formulas of the four products – shampoo, conditioner, mask, serum – only natural, healthy and organic ingredients are used such as castor oil, aloe vera and papaya extract. All valuable ingredients are included in the largest possible dosage and critical substances such as silicones, parabens, dyes, synthetics, hormones or hormone-altering agents are completely avoided. ONNI also attaches great importance to the sustainability of its packaging.… weiterlesen

Doctor, a new hip please!

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I will never forget the memory of standing by my younger sister’s crib when she was five years old. I felt so incredibly sorry for her when she cried out of desperation because she couldn’t kick. I didn’t understand why the adults allowed such a thing. The little one lay in a plaster shell covered with gray felt. Her legs were turned outwards and fixed with leather straps. My little sister had a congenital hip joint dysplasia, i.e. the joint socket is too small or not deep enough, so that the femoral head of the thigh does not lie firmly in it. At that time, I had no idea that I had also been born with this problem, which is hereditary and mainly affects female offspring. It was not until much later that the dysplasia became noticeable in me. Why did it remain undetected for so long? I have done a lot of extreme sports all my life. That’s why my muscles were so strongly developed that they were able to compensate for the birth defect for decades. At some point I had pain in the groin area from time to time. Physical therapists treated the trochanter. This is a muscle that attaches from the inside of the sacrum outward to the lateral bony prominence of the femur (thigh bone). An orthopedist, in turn, tapped the lumbar spine and sclerosed nerves in my lower back – extremely painful because only possible without anesthesia. When the pain in my leg became stronger again, I called him and often had myself injected fit for a flight – I had to travel a lot for work. When the pain remained It is about three years when the pain became more and more severe. I needed painkillers all the time. I went to see a well-known orthopedics professor in Munich, whom a friend recommended. The MRI was clear. Dysplasia of both hip joints, left worse than right. He said that surgery and an artificial hip joint were inevitable at some point. For me a horrible idea, so we decided to delay the operation and to fight the pain conventionally for the time being. With an autologous blood injection. Long since a standard procedure. For this procedure, venous blood is taken and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), as also used in aesthetic medicine for the so-called vampire face lift, is extracted from it. When mixed with hyaluronic acid, the growth factors contained in the blood plasma are injected directly into the hip joint to reduce bone-on-bone friction.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: „Daily Tan Activator“ from Evy

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What are the benefits of a tan activator? It’s clear that you can get a tan if you expose yourself to the sun long enough. But to get a nice bronze skin without spending a lot of time and especially without exposing yourself to dangerous UV radiation, there have only been self-tanners so far. Evy Technology has developed a foam that stimulates the production of melanin in the skin, similar to the sun’s rays. To achieve this, the formula enhances the effect of antioxidants as well as active ingredients such as Dihydroxy Methylchromonyl Palmitate. The natural tanning process is mimicked, so to speak. The effect unfolds after about a week of daily use. How do I use the tanning activator? Shake the bottle well and turn upside down, the instructions says. A handful of mousse is enough for a leg, I need correspondingly less for the face and neck. The texture is super creamy and can be distributed nice and evenly without leaving any residue. It can be applied on excellent under a foundation. The soft foam also does not clog pores. What the tan activator can’t do is act as a sunscreen. That is also not its task. When sunbathing, I also use a sunscreen. After a week, my skin has taken on a slight tint wherever I applied the “Tan Activator”. With the mousse, my skin is optimally prepared for the summer. I also find it good that it can counteract the so-called “Mallorca acne” – also called sun acne – if you are prone to it. In addition, it is suitable for all skin types. The technology behind The Swedish brand Evy Technology has been dealing with the effects of UV rays on skin and hair for over 20 years. Their gentle formulations are specially designed for sensitive and hypersensitive types, so even people with sun eczema, sun allergies or albinism can use them.en. Also behind the “Daily Tan Activator” is a unique patented technology. It penetrates deep into the skin and forms a protective membrane against external stress factors as well as irritants. In this way, the natural skin barrier is strengthened and the skin is brought into balance. „Daily Tan Activator“ from Evy, 150 ml, £ 27… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Lily of the valley fragrance by Guerlain. The latest: „Muguet“

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This Lily of the valley fragrance really does not need a test, because it is an icon and one of the most exclusive creations from the French perfume house Guerlain. More than 110 years ago, this wonderful lily of the valley fragrance was created. Muguet (french) means lily of the valley in English. Every spring, therefore, there is a new edition in May in collaboration with an artist, which makes collectors’ hearts beat faster. 114 years Lily of the valley fragrance In 1908, the Lily of the Valley fragrance was first created by Jacques Guerlain, followed by Jean-Paul Guerlain in 1998. Since 2016, “Muguet” bears the signature of Guerlain’s master perfumer, Thierry Wasser. His interpretation is a floral fresh eau de toilette from the freshness of green leaves and twigs with rich floral notes of Arabian jasmine and rose essences. “There’s something so charming about the flower that was once worn by dandies as a boutonnière. It speaks of happiness, of spring, of rebirth…” Thierry Wasser An exquisite piece of jewelry At the same time “Muguet” is not only an olfactory jewel. Even those who are not fans of lily of the valley must be charmed by the bee flacon. This year, the limited edition has been transformed into a precious jewel by the Parisian jewelry atelier Truscelli, with which the house of Guerlain has a long association.. A true master of his art, Italian jeweler Francesco Truscelli has crafted this delicate lily of the valley branch into a true jewel. Its tiny bells are set with glittering crystals and the leaves were enameled in bright green. Each ornament is a handmade masterpiece of sophistication and requires several hours of meticulous work. In “Muguet” the highest perfumer’s art is combined with the creations of a most talented artist. Each 145 ml bottle is accompanied by a 20 ml travel size and a noble white leather case. This special edition is limited to 5,000 precious pieces. MUGUET will be available from 01 April 2022 in selected perfumeries and on Guerlain for 600 € erhältlich… weiterlesen
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Blackout: A View Into Complete Darkness

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Corona is nothing more than a kind of flu. And if you are vaccinated and boosted, it won’t be so bad if you catch it despite all the vaccinations and precautions. That’s what I thought, too. When I caught Corona, the course of disease was actually not so bad. The worst part came afterwards. Despite all vaccinations, boosters and hygiene rules, I contracted SARS-CoV-2 b this year in April. What the alpha and delta variants had failed to do, Omikron managed to do for me. I was lucky, I thought. My course of the disease was mild. I had severe headaches, which was a completely new experience for me. I only knew headaches from close up, never on me. As a child, I suffered with my little sister whenever she lay in a darkened room with her terrible migraine. Now, during Corona, I experienced what that felt like on my own head. I thought my brain was dancing cha-cha-cha until my head burst. On top of that, I had a sore throat and a cough. I was in bed for three days and spent the rest of the quarantine indoors, but at least I was able to get up. In retrospect, I found that I actually got off lightly. I didn’t notice that anything had seriously changed in my body. I did get tired more quickly and slept even worse than usual – which I chalked up to stress. Then four weeks later on a Saturday something strangely frightening happened. My younger sister and brother-in-law from Berlin were visiting. The day went comfortably and harmoniously. We were shopping together for our barbecue evening and drank espresso outside the door at my favorite little Italian store in my hometown. To give us and especially me some rest, my husband had meanwhile taken over our extremely active young dog Byron and made an extensive hike with him. My memory was like wiped out In the afternoon at home on our terrace it was fantastically warm. I decided to do what I had wanted to do for a long time, paint a small drawer cabinet where the garden utensils are stored. It should get the gray color of a large Indian Garuda figure, which has its regular place on it. It represents the mount of the main god Vishnu. I had already bought the paint and the necessary painting utensils last year, but it had never worked out time-wise or weather-wise.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Sunprotection „Fotoprotector Hydro Oil LSF 30“ from Isdin

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Sunprotection for the body that simultaneously stimulates melanin formation and is thus supposed to increase the natural tanning of the skin by 43 percent. That sounds promising to me. Sunprotection plus tanning booster I’m actually always a bit skeptical about oils. I like neither the greasy feeling on the skin when oil is not absorbed well, nor stains on the bathing suit or sticky hands. None of that happens with Isdin’s Hydro Oil. After I shake the bottle for five seconds, the two phases for protection and tanning are perfectly mixed. Once generously sprayed on and evenly distributed on the skin, the light texture is also already absorbed, without any residue. What it leaves behind is a pleasantly moisturizing and refreshing effect. Reddening of the skin or even sunburn – no chance. An innovative combination of filters and antioxidants protects perfectly with a high UVA/UVB sunprotection factor SPF 30. The formula is waterproof and sea friendly. I actually also have the impression that the tan becomes more intense with the Hydro Oil. The Pro-Melanin Technology (TM) is responsible for this. It increases the concentration of melanin in the basal cell layer and causes a lengthening of the branching (dendrites) on the pigment-forming cells, the melanocytes, and their connection with surrounding keratinocytes. This promotes and prolongs the tanning of the skin. Shake well! It is important to shake the spray sufficiently before use and distribute enough of the product. Otherwise, the protection factor will be reduced. Apply one hour before sunbathing and reapply every two hours or after swimming, drying with a towel or when you sweat heavily. The oil spray should not be sprayed on the face. The only thing I had some bad luck with was ordering my Isdin products through the pharmacy. The Isdin website says, “Order now and receive your order tomorrow from a pharmacy near you.” I then chose the pharmacy closest to where I live. Unfortunately, I did not receive the products the next day or the day after, and then ultimately, after persistent asking, I received only one of my two ordered items. The pharmacist was also exceptionally unfriendly. So best to order from a pharmacy that you already know. Sunprotection „Fotoprotector Hydro Oil LSF 30“ from Isdin, 200 ml, 24,90… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Facial Mist „Ultra Revitalising Elixir“ from Twelve Beauty

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Especially when the outside temperatures rise, then I love a “sprizz” on the face and décolleté. These sprays are also called face tonic, mist or facial mist. I have a few of these refreshing sprays in use, a small one always in my purse. My newest one is from the organic skincare brand Twelve Beauty. It looks chic in its black glass bottle, I must admit, but has the downside of being too heavy for traveling. But you can not have everything. Behind the brand and the “Ultra Revitalising Elixir” is Dr. Pedro Catalá, pharmacologist, botanist and cosmetologist with his 20 years of expertise. Pedro’s passion for natural active ingredients in skin care led him to a Master’s degree in “Science and Technology of Cosmetics” at the University of Siena/Italy and a PhD in Natural and Formulation Technologies in 2007. He dedicated another five years to his extensive research, constantly expanding his knowledge of plant extracts from around the world. This eventually resulted in “Twelve Beauty” – organic products for various skin needs from stressed, to sensitive, to skin that is often allergic. He says, “Formulating natural products is a science, not an experiment.” What does the “12” stand for? “Twelve is the result of my years of research to filter out the world’s best botanical actives that can improve even the most sensitive skin. My 12 hand-picked ingredients, tested to exhaustion, are all 100 percent natural, ethically sourced and completely skin-friendly, even in the highest potencies,” explains Twelve Beauty founder Dr. Pedro Catalá. The main active ingredients in the “Ultra Revitalising Elixir” facial mist are extracts of silver rue and summer lilac, which soothe the skin. In addition, there is masterwort extract, which helps the skin to restore its elasticity and health. At the same time, it supports the healthy pH balance. Rice starch protects the skin with a strengthening film, while cucumber extract refreshes and allantoin promotes natural regeneration and counteracts irritation. Facial mist – freshness plus care I, for my part, like the refreshing and nourishing feeling and the light, botanical aroma of freshly sliced cucumber. The facial mist simply does my skin good. That’s why I use the spray not only in the morning and evening after cleansing, but also – as I said – like to use it in between. „Ultra Revitalising Elixir“ from Twelve Beauty, 3,38 oz, 55 US$… weiterlesen