RAU Cosmetics

A few weeks ago, I received a package of RAU Cosmetics. RAU Cosmetics is a cosmetic brand that is new on the Dutch market. They aim to make clean, high quality beauty products with low to zero additions of mineral oil, silicon oil, parabens and PEGs. And most important; they offer this for a reasonable price. I am not such a big fan of extremely priced cosmetic products, but do like cosmetics that that fit my own way of healthy and clean living. That is why I find myself supporting the approach of this new brand. But of course, apart form the high-quality ingredients, the good price and the clean look & feel of the products, the effects of the product is what counts.

I started with the tri-peeling. I must say I am always very reluctant with using scrubs or peelings. I find scrubs mostly being too harsh on the sensitive skin of your face. But I was open for trying a peeling once. The tri-peeling is part of the white tea series from RAU cosmetics, focused on anti-aging for the young and/or sensitive skin. The tri-peeling works with three different fruit acids, and you definitely feel that. It is a bit stingy on the face, but not unpleasant. After 20 minutes I washed it off thoroughly. I did not see a lot of difference, but my skin felt very smooth and soft for the rest of the day. I must say I do not have a lot of skin problems so my expectations were not too big, so I was surprised by the smoothening effect it even had on a non-problematic skin. 

The tri-peeling, €16,95 for 30 ml.

Ususally, I do not use a washgel, just a tonic and a make-up remover, afterwards I wash my face with warm water. I choose for washing my face with warm water because I am afraid to dry out my skin when I use soaps with perfumes to wash my face every night. This washgel is part of the Silver series of RAU, which help the problematic skin. It is anti-inflammatory and specializes in moisturizing your skin, getting rid of red spots and helps against an oily skin. I find myself using the washgel on days when my skin feels a bit oilier, may it be because of hormons or external effects. It really helps in getting you skin thoroughly clean, instead of a tonic, and with help of the nice smell, you experience you skin being very clean as well.
Silver Facial Washgel, € 9,80 for 100 ml.

The white tea cream was my favorite product. I really like that it is both a day an night cream, just makes it easier in use, especially when you are traveling.  The cream is not oily, but gives you a great moisturized feeling and the scent is incredible; not too forthcoming, very subtle but feminine.

White Tea Cream, € 9,95 for 15 ml.

The Orient's Secret is also both a day and night cream. It focuses on strengthening and calming the skin, while reducing the signs of aging. I can image it focuses on strengthening and anti-aging, since the cream is a bit thicker and oilier than the white tea cream. Not my type of cream, but I can imagine it would be very pleasant for a bit older and more oilier skin. The smell is again very pleasant though.

Orient's Secret, € 24,95 for 50 ml.

Another pleasant finding was the White Tea Eye Gel. Especially after some hard days of work (read: partying ;)), I notice that I am not 18 anymore and my eyes get swollen. The white tea eye gel really helps diminishing the effects of these hard nights on you eyes. It helps to calm the eyes, reduces the hard lines and in general helps the sensitive skin to be better moisturized. 

White Tea Eye Gel,  € 9,95 for 5 ml.

RAU Cosmetics has lot's of more products in different series, for different ages and types of skins. Want to know more about these friendly-priced, high quality products? Have a look at their facebook or website.

Panama: Off the beaten track

After crazy times at work during EMAs, followed up by the christmas season, January was finally there and we booked ourselves a holiday away from the cold weather, towards.... Panama! Why Panama? Well, I never visited Central (nor South) America before. But then again, you might ask; why Panama? Since we found ourselves a return flight for only 450 euro! One tip: when you are planning to fly away far for holidays and try to save some money, keep a track on ticketspy, they search the web for the best deals and post them on their facebook wall. The deals are incredible, but you have to be willing to make a transfer (or two;)). But back to Panama again. Next to the nice deal, I also wanted to visit the country since many people were crazy enthusiastic about it, especially as it is not as touristic as Costa Rica and saver then, for instance, Guatemala. Foremost, Panama has a great combo of beautiful city, intense jungle, paradise islands, high mountains and great wildlife. Only thing that disappointed me, was the food. If you're up for rice and beans with fried fish or chicken, then this is your place. But the beers tasted as good as anywhere, and luckily, their lack of an own kitchen gets compensated with the massive offer of seafoods, with the atlantic and pacific ocean surrounding this country. So; my top 5 of Panama:

1. Panama City: As in many cities, you've got to know where to go. And that is Casco Viejo. Although very touristy, it still is a beautiful colonial part of the city where you can see how Panama City started in 1670. The neighborhood was impoverished during the 20th century, until it was declared Unesco World Heritage. The buildings are still being restored, and it is beautiful to stroll around and see the crumbled and sometimes abandoned houses. During the day, take a beer at La Rana Dorada and at night, visit the exciting roof terrace of Tantalo.

2. San Blas Islands: I am lucky to say that I have been to multiple beautiful, white sand beaches in the world, but I have never seen anything so beautiful as the San Blas Islands. The water is so blue and the sand is so white, it hurts your eyes looking at it! But, you need to lose your expectations on luxury, since sleeping is done in hammocks with multiple people in one hut and you will eat rice, beans and fish or chicken every day. But wow, you are in paradise! Coral reefs are right at the beach, so you can snorkel the day away.

3. Parque Internacional La Amistad: Intense jungle, thick lianas, small streams and views from the top that take some serious hiking. If you like adventure, then Parque Amistad is where you want to be. We walked for hours, without seeing anyone. A bit scary sometimes, with Panama having 25 species of (some very venomonous) snakes, but also so crazy beautiful! We braved lots of rain and mud, but it was all worth it when you encounter green leaves with the size of your own body and streams so clear you want to drink the water. Beautiful!

4. Punta Burica: When you like off the beaten track places, then Punta Burica is a definite must-go.  It's the most Southern point of Panama, nearby the Cost Rican coast. Although many websites state you can only get there by 4WD, we managed with a Kia Picanto (ok; where we had to ditch the car 30 mins before getting there). There a no places to stay except for Mono Feliz; a paradise in the middle of the jungle & right at the beach. It is run by an American old sailor with his Panamanian wife. They build some small (open!) cabins at their beautiful property, which also contains an open kitchen (where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner) and a natural swimmingpool with water from the mountains. 

5. Santa Catalina: If you like surfing, a laidback atmosphere, great pizza's, nice beers and mind-blowing breakfasts, go to Santa Catalina. At this cozy beachplace you wander around other laid back, international tourists, who are all in for a corona and a talk while watching the sunset from one of the nice open bars. Great place to end your holidays!

 

 

 

EMA 2013 Live from Amsterdam!

Since I work for Viacom International Media Networks (formerly know as MTV Networks) I was one of the happy few to help organizing the biggest European award show of the year: the MTV EMA, this year live from Amsterdam. It was the second time the awards were in the Netherlands and the first time they were organized in my hometown! Also, it was the 20th edition, so all in all an extra, extra special edition for us :) But it wasn't all glitz and glam, because organizing such a big event meant HARD WORK. But it paid off, and how!! Our department invited clients from all over Europa and we organized a client event program which started already on Saturday. We kicked off with some drinks at our hotel, the super new, hip & happening Art' Otel (please check out their restaurant: 5&33: so lovely!) and after that went by two touring cars to the Transformatorhuis for a  beautiful dinner. Tablesetting with award names on big black balloons (' best world stage',  'best live act'), EMA branded Heineken beers and even a tournedos with the MTV logo grilled in it (sorry, picture was unsharp). After that, we went to Club Air for a intergalactic pre-party with DJ Afrojack live on stage. On Sunday, we started with a big brunch before a large brand conference at our office. In the two hours spare time, people could dress up to get ready for the EMA 2013! Especially the girls went crazy, spray tan, nail designers, stylists and hairdressers: it was the real deal. Unfortunately I was stressed out with EMA tickets, seating plans etc. so had only 30 minutes to change. Luckily I threw three different new Zara outfits in my suitcase, so I could choose :) We went for dinner at the tropenmuseum, with all the BN' ers (famous dutchies) present and even our mayor, Eberhard van der Laan, visited.  Then we headed off to the EMA show at Ziggo Dome, which was fan-tas-tic!! To top it off, we enjoyed ourself at the afterparty at Paradiso, where I could finally, finally have some drinks. Cheers to a fantastic weekend (I am literally still recovering...;))

EMA ticket stress...

Music Week touringcar

tablesetting at Transformatorhuis

intergalactic preparty @ Club Air

DJ Afrojack

Selfie

EMA 2013 show @ Ziggo Dome

afterparty @ Paradiso

last picture: Dennis Bouman