I’m honoured to be working with NIVEA, one of my all-time favourite skincare brands, reviewing their NIVEA Q10 anti-aging collection and also appearing in their latest campaign film with my kids.
I use their products day and night as part of my skincare routine before applying make up and once I’ve cleansed. They even came with me on my recent holiday to Jamaica and I applied their products on the plane journeys.
Although I’m yet to have wrinkles and fine lines (crosses fingers it lasts), I’ve noticed the dark circles under my eyes thanks to my sleep raiders, have definitely diminished since I’ve started using them, and my skin is generally more even and most importantly (and no easy feat with sensitive skin) loves this range, leaving my face nourished, soft and clean…
For those not in the know (Where’ve you been people!) here’s some info on NIVEA-it was created in 1911 (wow) making it one of the most recognised and trusted skin and beauty care brands in the world, pure without parabens or nasties and ideal for sensitive and delicate skin. Check out the timeline below.
It was a great honour to be asked to feature in the film below with bloggers from the UK and Europe, NIVEA selected to represent their brand (I’m officially a NIVEA woman now).
…It was actually my Dad, George, who first introduced me to NIVEA, the round shiny navy tub that sat on my mother’s dressing table, that signature silver foil that covered the thick, white cream beneath, was always used by him (and still is today), my Mum too- a distinct and happy memory of my childhood and a simple message too, to always look after my skin.
For those who read my blog know, family means everything to me, my large extended family whom are Greek and English, living both here and abroad, my husband Peter, and the 2 most important people in my life, very own children: my sons, Oliver and Xander are my absolute ‘reasons to smile’, the theme of this campaign.
The concept of the film is based on research NIVEA conducted which found that, ‘the simple act of smiling takes an average of two years off a person’s age’. How amazing is that?
Smile and laugh more, people, it’s good for your soul and stops aging in its tracks.
My Grandma Vikentia, my father’s Mum, whom I’ve mentioned before, lived until 96 without a single wrinkle.
A worrier yes (she said her job was to worry about her family) but such a happy, strong woman, always laughing, smiling and so content, with a mostly vegetarian Mediterranean diet and great genes. A winning combination.
She would always tell me how much I looked like her as a girl and how similar we are personality-wise.
I miss her everyday and like she did with my brother and I, and later my own children, kissing our photos by her bed as we were separated by oceans, I now kiss her picture by mine…
Making this film was a joy, shooting at my parents’ house before a Sunday lunch there, I read favourite fairytales to my boys, the Brothers Grimm storybook book was the one my own Mum read to my brother and I as kids, and is kept at her house.
One of the most wonderful parts of parenting for me is being able to pass down my own childhood memories and rituals to my kids, reliving my own youth and sharing what made me happy as a child from books to kids’ films and TV, as well as retracing my own steps in parks and on holidays I loved.
As always, while I read to my boys, we laughed lots, the boys argued over who would turn over the pages (as they always do) as my husband Peter, this family’s very own in house production company, filmed us.
You can watch the full, uncut version here too if you like:
The beauty of my husband working with me on filmed and photographic projects, particularly with my kids, means we’re always so relaxed. It’s quick and fun. My boys, as I did at their age, really love being in front of the camera.
I used to beg my Dad to hire VHS cameras as a kid and would pretend I was Kylie Minogue and my brother was Wogan interviewing me. It’s clearly in the blood.
We’re a fun-loving, pretty loud (bar my husband Peter!) family, who are tactile and happy. We love life and live it to the full, and these kids of mine give me real purpose, and unflinching confidence and ambition to do my very best in life and make it the happiest I can for them and for all of us.
Thank you NIVEA for giving me the chance to share what makes me smile.
…Excitingly, NIVEA are hosting a competition on their Facebook Page as part of #makemesmile where you can win a Q10 product hamper (what a smile-maker if I ever saw one).
Simply submit what makes you smile with confidence HERE with the hashtag #makesmesmile for your chance to win.
Good luck
V
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nice video , good luck for u
Great video 😀
Thanks
A great brand, and well done you.
And how fab is it that smiling makes you look younger – I shall have to smile more!
Love that too 🙂 x
As a psoriasis sufferer Nivia has in the past been like a god send to me, easing the soreness of an attack.
Sorry to hear that and glad to read NIVEA helps, it’s so gentle and really works.
Just perfectly lovely. I am a huge fan of Nivea too #brilliantblogposts xx
Thanks darling, fab brand x
Great video – aren’t your boys naturals in front of the lens? If Nivea ever does a similar campaign with the Nivea Men range, I’m here! Look forward to seeing you later. #BrilliantBlogPosts
You would rock a NIVEA men’s campaign John! They do love being in front of the camera!
Congrats for being the face of Nivea, a lovely video of you all! 🙂 x
Hehe Jenny, I wish I was the face of NIVEA, one of 6 women for their latest campaign, one day-dream big hey, thank you xx
That is awesome you are a Nivea Woman!! Well done on that, but also using Nivea for most of your life. No wonder you don’t have any lines or wrinkles. xo #brillblogposts
Thanks so much Kelly, their products really do work xx
That’s such a sweet memory of you and your brother playing with the vhs. Your grandma sounds amazing, no wrinkles! I’m sure it is the Mediterranean diet that helps,. I love the smell of Nivea, it reminds me of my nanny. Fab videos too, you’re flying at the moment! #brilliantblogposts
Thanks darling Ali, your words mean a lot, isn’t it amazing how many memories and what history NIVEA has x
Thats a great campaign video Nivea is running. Congrats on being an ambassador. Lovely video of you and your children #brilliantblogposts
Thanks very much, it was wonderful to work with them x
Thanks darling x
Lovely theme for a campaign and so gorgeous that you could do it all with your family. I had no idea Nivea had been going since 1911, good fact. And I particularly like that you made your brother be Wogan and interview you, that’s a great image!
Haha thanks Lucy, poor brother, we still laugh about it now, NIVEA have been around for years and years and I love them with all my heart, fab products x
Hehe thanks, now if only I could find that video xx
Such a classic brand. You can definitely rely on them for quality and results.
#brilliantblogposts
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
Really are, love them and was honoured to work with them x
What a great campaign to be involved in! Nivea is a classic and one you can always rely on their products to deliver good results. I have always been lazy when it comes to my skin, but it’s good to have a handful of essential products that will keep your skin going and save you on those seriously sleep deprived days! x
They really are wonderful aren’t they Gemma, my go-to products, it was an honour to work with them x
What a wonderful campaign to be involved in. So nice you can link it to your family too. Your Grandma had no wrinkles at 96! BLIMEY!
I know, so lucky, hoping I take after her! x
My mum swore by Nivea and old school Ulay. It’s great that these brands are still there and as good as ever.
Really is huh x
The video is lovely. It’s funny what you said about your Dad introducing you to Nivea, it was the same here. My Dad is 74 now and all he’s ever used is the classic, old school Nivea in the dark navy aluminium tub, to this day, and his skin is amazing. And my Grandma did the same before him. Nivea has been such a big part of peoples’ skincare for generations, and even though I use different products and brands over the years, I do always revert to Nivea in between. Hopefully, we’ll manage to keep wrinkles at bay for a lot longer! 🙂 x #BrilliantBlogposts
Yay, love this comment so much and the fact that it’s the men in our lives that introduced NIVEA to us, it’s a brand that truly speaks to both men and women and is still as good today as it always was. Thanks for your comments, really touched me x
I loved the image with the nivea tin timeline! I used to love peeling the silver paper on top, trying not to make a mess. My aunt liked to leave the silver paper and it would always get all messy in there! jajaja
Oh sweet, so many NIVEA memories x
Fabulous! Congratulations on being a ‘Nivea Woman’!! I loved your video especially when you had to explain you were talking to the camera! 🙂 x
Haha thanks Michelle, it was so much fun xx
I’m definitely going to smile even more if it makes you look younger! Congrats on a fab opportunity.
Yay it does, thank you x
Oh I love that Vicki – two years off a person’s age just by smiling 🙂 gorgeous post xx
Thanks sweetie, so lovely, that’s why we’re so youthful girl xx
My nana used Nivea every day. One of my most vivid memories is the navy blue pot of Nivea that always smelt so wonderful. She was totally beautiful and glamorous & had the softest skin until her last breathe this March at age 93. I love Nivea.
Oh that just brought tears to my eyes, amazing x
What a fantastic opportunity, congratulations! Loved the video of you and the boys:) Thanks for hosting #brillblogposts
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Thanks Debbie xx
If Thailand, ‘land of smiles’ and baby faces is anything to go by I’d definitely agree with that finding.
#brilliantblogposts
Aw definitely x
Looks like lots of fun filming with your kids! Will have to check out the Nivea – definitely need dark circle help! #brilliantblogposts
It’s really helped my under eye circles and love how gentle and kind the products are too x
You are just beautiful! No wonder they asked you to be in this film ; ) Love that they captured you reading to your kids – that is what makes me smile too. I can’t believe your grandma had no wrinkles at 94!
Thank you so much Joann, it was such an honour to work with a brand I’ve always loved, blogging is truly brilliant. I know my Grandma was a beautiful lady inside and out xx
I love Nivea too! And that video of you and your boys is adorable! x #brilliantblogposts
Thanks Emma x
I have sensitive skin and the only moisturizer I use on my face is Nevea. It is very true, smiling does take away the years from ones face. 🙂 #brilliantblogposts
So true and I’m the same, I have sensitive skin and it really works x
I love Nivea congrats, thanks for hosting #brillblogposts x
Thanks Jemma, me too and my pleasure x
That smell is so evocative of my grandmother, everyone has a Nivea memory!
Aw they really do and the products have stood the test of time x
Love their products – I had a great aunt who lived until 96 and she swore by Nivea – her skin was amazing ! #brilliantblogposts
Oh how lovely x
Oh the blue tub- so iconic and a lovely product!
Amazing isn’t it x
That iconic smell!!!! Instantly transports me back to being five or six years old, and pinching the Nivea Creme from Mum’s vanity because I wanted to be a grown up. xxx
So sweet, NIVEA holds such a special place here and I use the products daily x
Huge fan of Nivea, have used their stuff forever! Brilliant model for a fab brand!
Aw thanks so much Kellie, was honoured to work with them xx
That little blue tub is part of my travel essentials, and it is so wonderful to see a brand with such heritage continuing to move with the times while retaining its legacy and integrity as a brand! Such a rare thing! So delighted to see that they have chosen fabulous real women to represent them in their videos, and you are such a camera natural, as are those adorable boys of yours! Love your family and love you darling, beautiful evocative and informative post xxx
Thanks so much sweetpea, your comment means a lot, an incredible brand to collaborate with and one that means so much to my family and I as we’ve always used their products, thanks for your touching words, love you too x
Vicki I’m so honoured to have featured in this video with you!! I was wondering if you were going to publish your film…? (My embarrassing bongo-playing skills are up on my blog!) I’d love to see your film of you reading with the boys in full 🙂
Catherine x
Hey gorgeous, you too, we are representing the UK baby! Can we share our whole films, ooh would love that, will contact them, off to check yours out too (you are so cool with your bongos), hope we get to meet up soon x
Looks like we have the same memories. Even in the old communist Czechoslovakia we loved Nivea, and I still remember as a kid watching my dad getting some cream from under the tin and spreading after shaving his face… this brings tears to my eyes as you know he is no longer with us. My mum still uses only NIVIA!!! Well done on working with this fabulous brand xxx
Thanks so much sweetie, your comment has brought tears to my eyes too, sending you lots of love x
I love that you are a Nivea girl – they’ve chosen a brilliant model! Well done gorgeous xx
Thanks so much beautiful, a real honour working with this brand. I’ve loved NIVEA forever xx
Lovely blog and such a wonderful video of you and the children. I’ve been using Nivea since 1979 and I still love it to this day. I’m 52 and so far, I’ve managed to keep the wrinkles at bay too x
That is just wonderful Debbie, love the products, they really work x