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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.
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I am a professional Guinea Pig

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The guinea pig is said to have crossed the sea with Spanish sailors from South America. Its squeaking sounds and appearance reminded the English of pigs. But figuratively they refer to someone who serves as a test subject. And that’s exactly what I am when it comes to beauty innovations. I am a guinea pig. I recently tested a tool with which I could easily compete with Heidi Klum at Halloween or apply successfully for a role in the next “Star Wars” film. Really spooky was the LED mask made of white, flexible silicone. From the openings for the eyes, nose and mouth glows dangerously red. The red LED light should smooth out the wrinkles. And that’s what it does if you stick with it long enough. Rome wasn’t built in a day either … When volunteer test persons were wanted for journalistic purposes, I was there – almost always. An I’ve tried a lot. Hundreds of cream pots and serums, facials and microneedling for skin rejuvenation. Ultrasound and radio frequency treatments for any sagging zones on the face and body. Sagging is what the doctor calls the decreasing elasticity of tissue. But I just think that as a journalist you can write about things better if you have experienced them first-hand. And admittedly, I am also very curious when it comes to innovations in the field of beauty and aesthetics. Curiosity is without a doubt the basic requirement for my job. Good experiences… I’ve had a lot of positive experiences as a guinea pig, but also a few negative ones. My decision to start Botox early on – always in small doses and long intervals – was a positive one. Otherwise, I would have long since inherited my mother’s legacy and today I would have a deep, one-sided frown line between my eyebrows. I remember with pleasure most of the spa stays that I was allowed to test worldwide. This also applies to the massages that my sister and I tried on us during our six-monthly world tour all over the southern hemisphere.. In particular, I think of a blind massage therapist in Lima. The petite Peruvian was to this day one of the best in whose hands I was allowed to put myself. She has made up for her lack of eyesight a thousand times over with her pronounced sense of touch. Even after a VivaMayr cure at Lake Wörthersee in Austria, I felt like I was reborn.… weiterlesen
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Tested for you: Deodorant „Aloe Ever-Shield“ from Forever

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I have a lot of trouble with finding the right deodorant, even though I’m not a type who sweats excessively. They either irritate the skin, just don’t work, or their scent offends my nose. Liquid, solid, spray, roller or alum crystal – I’ve tried every consistency. There was also a tremendous expensive organic deodorant. This served its purpose in terms of anti-sweating, but only for a short time until the cardboard tube from which it had to be unscrewed was completely softened at the edge and thus looked extremely unsavory. It may be praiseworthy for the environment, but nothing to look at. So I put it in the bin! Other products, even those specially marked for black clothing, left unsightly white residue on the fabric. Speaking of stains. I have learned that the yellowish stains in the armpit area of white T-shirts are not, contrary to what I thought, a deodorant failure, but rather arise in the washing machine. And not immediately, but only over time. This is due to the surfactants in the detergent and the lime content in the water. The minerals that precipitate in the process lead to yellow deposits in connection with sweat and sebum. You can get it out with a paste made from 20 grams of baking soda or a packet of baking powder. You rub this on the deodorant stains and let them work for 15 minutes before you put the clothes in the washing machine. Deodorant with approval Now I’ve finally found a deodorant that I like all around. A sturdy deodorant stick with nourishing aloe vera. Without the controversial aluminum salt, without alcohol, which tends to irritate the skin, and it is only scented very inconspicuously. The deodorant is so mild that it can even be used right after shaving your armpits. And the best thing about it: “Aloe Ever-Shield” is a real protective shield that lasts and lasts and lasts. Even after sweaty sports, I have smell tested myself. Not a hint of unpleasant smells. Of course, I took a shower afterwards anyway. But with “Aloe Ever-Shield” I feel safe and comfortable. And it is also very economical. I’ve been using the 92 gram stick for three months and there is still no end in sight. And: It doesn’t leave any marks on clothing. Deodorant „Aloe Ever-Shield“ from Forever, 92 Gramm, 8,34 Euro… weiterlesen

A Boat Ride is funny…

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… a boat ride that is beautiful, because you can see foreign countries and many other things there … At least that’s what an old Germany children’s song says. However, we do not sail on the ocean or a lake, or at least not primarily, but rather the Havel, more precisely the Upper Havel, in Brandenburg near Berlin. However, the biggest adventure for me is to spend a week with several people in a small space for the first time. We were very lucky, I have to say. Because our boat tour, which we booked in December last year, was on the brink for a long time. Only a few days before the four of us – my sister and I, each with a husband – wanted to “set sail” on the Friday before Pentecost, the state government of Brandenburg gave the go for the charter ships and outdoor catering. Everything requires a negative corona test or complete vaccination and mask requirement, of course. Also a perfect gift for cruisers “Boaters Logbook”* is the perfect log book for narrow boat owners, continuous cruisers, waterway users, holiday makers or anyone who is cruising the cut. Mark you waypoints and essential locations as you travel the canal network so you have a reminder of the best places to stop off or moor up. 120 pages, paperback £ 5,99 Boat ride with „Hilde“ “Hilde”, that is the name of our ship, is waiting for us in the old port of Zehdenick. She is a really nice boat. British Racing Green with a thick brown cord all around, polished to a high gloss. It will be our home for seven days. More of a challenge for me. I’m used to “life” on the water from sailing, but only on deck. The very idea of having to sleep in a narrow, low cabin puts beads of sweat on my forehead. I’m pretty claustrophobic and hate to remember a night at the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland. You could hardly sit up on the fur covered bed without bumping your head against the curved ice ceiling. In the middle of the night I fled the igloo to seek refuge in one of the wooden huts that belonged to it. Fortunately, there is a hatch right above my bed here on the boat. You can set it up and then straighten yourself up completely, if you haven’t hit your head beforehand.… weiterlesen
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Tested for you: Lip balm „Fruity Babies Trio“ from Lanolips

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Now that traveling is no longer a long way off, today a tip for traveling: The “Tropical Mini Trio”. There are three mini lip balms in the degradable packaging. The cute 3 mg tubes fit in every small hip bag, cell phone pocket or trouser pocket. The flavors are delicious, but not intrusive: strawberry, mint and coconutter. My undisputed favorite is coconut. I inevitably associate this scent with sun, beach and sea. Lip balm with Lanolin It goes without saying that lip balms with the main ingredient lanolin are extremely caring. The molecular structure of lanolin is similar to the lipid film of human skin. Lanolin has an effective moisturizing effect in cosmetic products. It seals in moisture so that extremely dry and chapped lips become soft and supple again. It also helps with cracked skin and dry, flaky skin, for example on the elbows or on the nail bed. I find this particularly practical when traveling. I packed all three minis for my next trip. If my favorite coconut oil is used up, I can still use mint or strawberry. Lipbalm „Fruity Babies Trio“ from Lanolips 3x3g, US$ 13,50… weiterlesen
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Fool-proof: Bronzer for Every Skin Type

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It was 1984 when Guerlain launched the first pressed tanning powder. Terracotta (Italian: burnt earth) was its name, and some woman who wore it often looked exactly like it. At that time, the powder was spread generously over the entire face. This often had the effect of tinting your skin faster than you would like, as if you wanted to perform at the Winnetou Festival. But a lot has happened in the meantime. The war path number has become a contouring and freshening miracle. When the bronzer is applied to the right places on the face, it gives the exact glow that the US make-up artist Mark Carrasquillo describes as if you had just been on a hike in the Himalayas. In any case, the winter pallor disappears, contours are accentuated. With every stroke of the brush, the complexion actually takes on the outrageously fresh radiance of mountain air. The hair color sets the tone But with bronzer you just have to be careful and careful. If you use it incorrectly, the tan immediately looks unnatural and overdone. Almost everything depends firstly on the right tone and secondly on the application technique. The color shade usually depends on the skin type. If you misjudge it, the experiment can go wrong again. The easiest way to orientate yourself is by your hair color. It goes without saying that it is natural and not the current color. Bronzer for Blondes In terms of the world’s population, less than two percent are real blondies. Around the globe, around 98 percent have dark to black hair, and less than one percent have red hair. The natural complexion of blonde women often shows a slight yellow tinge. For the tanning powder, it is therefore advisable to choose a lighter shade with pink pigments. In the case of extremely light skin, the bronzer is only – and really only – applied to the cheeks, thinly with an extra-large brush, as otherwise the face will quickly appear covered with make-up. Everyone else can add a touch of color to the forehead and bridge of the nose for contour effects. Bronzer for black hair A brown natural hair color in all shades allows a little more color. It often tends to have a slight reddish cast. For the bronzer this means: You can choose a warmer shade that contains orange pigments. For a rather cool brown, light brown nuances with a subtle gold cast are recommended.… weiterlesen
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Tested for you: Body Cream „Bom Dia Bright Cream“ from Sol de Janeiro

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I love Rio de Janeiro, a city full of joie de vivre. For that reason alone, the Sol de Janeiro brand has always had pluses for me. And then the design. The brightly colored pots, which lie so nicely in the hand, simply put you in a good mood. So I am not entirely objective as you can see. But there is always a subjective feeling when it comes to beauty. Or is it not? You like the feel and smell of a product, or you just don’t like it. Bom cheiros Whereby we would be right at the scent of the new Sol de Janeiro body cream. “Cheiros” (smell) as it is called in Portuguese is a very important factor in Brazil. Smelling good is a must in a country where life for many people – more or less less clothed – predominantly takes place outdoors and then on the beach. That’s why the “Bom Dia Bright Cream” got a very special signature fragrance. “Cheiros ’40” combines the oriental gourmand notes of black amber, plum and dark-sweet cremé de cassis with the delicate aromas of Brazilian orchid, jasmine and vanilla. Body cream with mango and banana The texture is deliciously creamy and has a delicate soft pink color. The scent is subtle, as it should be with a skin care product. Applied to the body, I immediately feel a pleasant moisturizing effect of the skin. After a few days, it looks more even. Especially on my shins, which are extremely dry areas for me. The smoothers are called alpha-hydroxy fruit acids, known as AHAs, from banana and mango. Like a peeling, they promote cell renewal for a smoother complexion. But they are so gentle in their effect that you can go into the sun with them without worry – with UV protection, of course. Free radical protection and pore cleaner There is also vitamin C ester. It is a quickly absorbed form of vitamin C that is released with a delay, providing constant protection against free radicals. Cajá, a tropical fruit rich in vitamins and minerals, stimulates collagen and elastin production, while Cupuaçu butter, rich in essential fatty acids, promotes the elasticity of the skin. And then the body cream has another benefit: thanks to willow bark extract and its anti-inflammatory, pore-cleaning active ingredient salicin, the hair follicles are kept free and hair ingrown is prevented. Unfortunately, I cannot confirm this from my own experience, as my legs have been lasered hair-free for years.… weiterlesen
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A cat called Franz!

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He is coal-black except for the five white hairs on the chest and extremely stubborn. You could never actually describe Franz as a cuddly kitten. He likes to stick out his claws when something doesn’t suit him. How old is he? No idea. Sometime a few years ago he suddenly appeared in our yard. We live in an old farmhouse and are a small, familiar community. Many say an idyll – with dogs, all kinds of poultry and forest animals Cat missed? When Franz showed up with us, we also knew where we actually belonged. Namely down to the village on a farm. There he also has a twin brother who is exactly like him. Our farm owner brought him back there three times. He kept coming back. The third time it was too colorful for the farmer and he grumbled: “You can keep that one, he doesn’t get along with his brother.” You can see how clever Franz the cat is. You can choose not only friends, but also family. Cat is looking for a new family We are his family now – all of us who live here on the farm. He’s still an outdoor cat – as I always say – that is used to living outdoors, hunts mice and sometimes dormice who make noise in the attic. Franz attacks birds less often, which I resent him very much. But he’s a little predator. If I scold him for it, he just turns around and walks away with his tail held high. He is never offended for long. He often puts a mouse in front of the door of one of us as a thank you. Then he wants to be praised for it. The fact that the neighbour from the first floor screeches angrily when she finds such a gift on the doormat doesn’t stop him from continuing to give us „presents“. Like God in France I have to admit. Franz lives with us like “God in France”. The saying “Dogs think they are Human, Cats think they are God” must have been invented especially for him. He chooses the best from his feeding stations at the various farm residents. It is as if we humans have four restaurants right on our doorstep where we can feast as we please every day. Punctually at 6 p.m. he always stands in front of the door and meows until I open it.… weiterlesen
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Tested for you: Face Mist „Respure Breathable Mist“ from Orveda

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A face mist is my new best buddy in the handbag. It is green and chic in its sleek glass bottle. With 30ml it’s not too heavy either. Why did I find my love for this moisturizing spray in particular? The impetus was an interview that I did recently with the Hamburg cosmetologist Dr. Sabine Guett. She emphatically explained to me that nowadays there is almost no skin in equilibrium, i.e. homeostasis is disturbed. This can be age-related, but also, for example, through too frequent, aggressive cleaning of the skin. Microbiome skincare Prebiotic technologies can help restore order to our skin’s microbiome. Because radiant and healthy skin depends directly on a strong skin barrier and a diverse microbiome. And this is exactly what the innovative US brand has specialized in under founder Sue Nabi, formerly CEO of Lancôme/ L’Oréal and since August 2020 CEO of Coty. With Orveda she proved to the best that luxury and organic standards do not contradict each other. Modern, hand-picked dermatological active ingredients in the formulas support the natural skin barrier instead of attacking it. Compensation for the pH The new prebiotic face mist is perhaps my entry point into the benefits of microbiome skincare. Incidentally, “breathable” does not mean that we should inhale the spray mist. Rather, it ensures that after its application there is no change in the transepidermal water loss (TEWL). This is often the case when you spray water on the skin, it evaporates there and it loses additional skin moisture. In this case, a complex of amino acids hydrates the skin. A natural prebiotic with the help of minerals and amino acids restores the homeostasis of the skin barrier and the skin tone and promotes the self-healing process. In addition, capryloyl glycine balances the pH value, reduces sebum production and corrects impurities. An algae extract ensures that no harmful substances adhere to the surface of the skin. Face mist: freshly sprayed TIn fact, after the spray, the skin feels fresh and well-moisturized, without the feeling of tension soon afterwards, as I have noticed with so many facial sprays. “Breathable Mist” is a real beauty shield, of which I treat myself to two pumps several times a day. Often in the morning as the end of my usual care ritual and in the evening after removing make-up I spray it over face, neck and décolleté. And then of course at least once a day in between.… weiterlesen

Aloe vera. The Clean9 program says goodbye to the corona pounds. Ingeniously simple!

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Feel Better. Look Better. Feel Better. Look Better. This is the slogan for the Aloe Vera Forever Clean9 program. A real fat burner, especially in times of long lockdowns, without the usual training routine in the gym. And the spring cleaning for the organism is also on my agenda. I wanted to lose two kilos I put on during Easter holidays. My sister just cooked too well again. Why did I choose this concept? Because it promises relief for the entire organism and support for the internal cleansing processes and, moreover, it should make the body noticeable again. To be honest, I’ve lost this feeling for myself a little lately. What I also like about the Clean9 program is that you don’t have to cook or prepare any dishes. Thanks to Corona and Lockdown, I’m happy when I don’t have to stand in the kitchen. I am also a real Aloe Vera fan because of the many benefits for health and well-being of this desert plant. And the Forever Living products are based on Aloe Vera, namely on Aloe Barbadensis Miller the best of the approx. 400 species. 30 million plants grow on the company’s own plantation in the Dominican Republic. The purple box with the Clean9 program will be sent by post. It contains the basic equipment: 2×1 liter Tetra Pak Aloe drink, 1 bag with 15 servings of Ultra Shake Mix (I chose vanilla because I don’t like chocolate), 18 Therm tablets, 54 Garcinia Plus capsules, 9 fiber Pouches, a tape measure and a shaker. And here is the diary our test subject kept during the nine days: The first day It’s the Tuesday after Easter. To get in the mood for my cure, I have already canceled dinner the day before. The first two days are very strict. Apart from powders, drinks and capsules, no add-ons are allowed. Breakfast is accordingly meager: 2 softgel capsules with chrome so that the blood sugar level does not drop. Drink at least 240 ml of water. Then I have to pause for 30 minutes until there is 120 ml of the aloe drink, again with 240 ml of water. There should be eight large glasses of water a day. I am brave and drink the aloe gel pure. It just tastes awful like old socks. I take the Therm-Pressling again with a lot of water. Then I have rest until the morning snack.… weiterlesen
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Breakfast digital: Invitation on a Sandwich

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In normal times it would be nothing special and nobody would scream hurray if you were invited to a sandwich. At best, spoiled journalists would have just shaken their heads and mocked each other about whether they couldn’t afford anything better. The hosts, we are not talking about any private persons, but about super professional PR agencies and their press presentation dates for new products. In my journalistic case, these are innovations in the field of skin care, make-up or fragrances. Even before Corona, we journalist pack were pampered until we couldn’t do it anymore. The whole party was flown in to Paris for the presentation of a single (!) new lipstick or has been transported to a perfume launch in the desert. And if – yawn, how unimaginative, some colleagues complained – the event took place in your own country or city, the location had to be at least a new hotspot (the term had a completely different meaning before Corona!), a gourmet temple or an ultra cool loft. I have to admit that that was often exaggerated. One event chased the other. Every industrial group wanted to outperform the competition with its luxury brand. Greater. More luxurious. More unusual. That was the concept. And when you consider that between 300 and 400 new creations come onto the market every year in the perfume sector alone, you can imagine how hot this competition is when, in the end, a maximum of 50 of them can establish themselves. But back to the sandwich Travel has not taken place at all since the virus overran the world. There are hardly any attendance appointments, and if they do, then as a single meeting after a previous corona quick test. For most companies, this is far too time-consuming, cumbersome and ineffective. Incidentally, so do think many journalists. But what is the alternative to reach as many magazines and their editors as possible and arouse their interest? After all, the life of the beauty industry must go on. The heads of the PR people were smoking. What to do to get your news to the journalists and stand out from the flood of digital meetings that are now scheduled daily via Zoom, Microsoft Teams or the like. These virtual meetings often refer to themselves as webinars, even if only a new toothpaste is to be launched. When a product presentation gets too boring, many colleagues turn off their cameras.… weiterlesen