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.

Vacation in a Historic Austrian Castle

Dürnstein Castle was built in 1630 and converted into a five-star hotel with charm. Its location: In the heart of the Wachau with the most beautiful view of the Danube. The Wachau at the gates of Vienna is one of the most beautiful river landscapes in the world. And the Hotel Schloss Dürnstein (Schloss means castle in English) is in her heart. It is a magical place with a long history. Want to hear a little history? The building was built between 1622 and 1630 by Christoph Wilhelm von Zelking. The architect Cypriano Biasino from Krems took on the planning of the original square courtyard. In 1663 the property was sold to Conrad Baltasar, Count von Starhemberg. It remained in the family’s possession until 1937, when Raimund Thiery acquired the unique historic complex. It was also he who began the renovation into a hotel. It was finally completed by his son Johann and his wife Rosemarie. But it wasn’t until the early 1970s that Raimund Thiery opened the castle gates to guests for the first time. The Hotel Schloss Dürnstein is now run by the third generation of the Thiery family. It was one of the first members of the Relais & Chateaux association outside of France. Tastefully furnished by the landlady The castle has 47 rooms. Each one is furnished with precious antiques and exudes luxury and individuality. Old ceramic stoves have been restored down to the last detail, the furnishings – whether Biedermeier or Louis-seize – have been lovingly put together by Rosemarie Thiery, mother of the current hotel manager Christian. She sewed many curtains herself because the right ones weren’t available “off the shelf“. The rooms have a wonderful view of the Dürnstein ruins, the picturesque town of Dürnstein and the river Danube. In addition to the main house, there is a 6 person villa with three bedrooms and three holiday apartments for 4 people each with a sauna and a plunge pool in the garden. Two minutes’ walk from the castle, the barbeque restaurant “Küffer Keller” invites you with a swimming pond and lounge pavilion in the romantic garden landscape. There is space for 35-40 people. And there is also a cellar parlor including a vinotheque if the weather doesn’t cooperate. The rich and the beautiful Schloss Dürnstein’s guest book reads like a who’s who of celebrities from politics, business, society and the nobility. In addition to the dedications from tenor José Carreras and painter Ernst Fuchs, politicians such as former German Chancellor Walter Scheel and Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, former President of France, and Ronald Reagan’s Finance Minister George Pratt Shultz (stuck a one dollar bill in the guest book next to his name) have immortalized themselves to crowned heads like the Japanese Emperor Akihito, Prince Henrik of Denmark or the King of Thailand.… weiterlesen

Testes for you: Clarins „Brow Duo“

With my eyebrows, I’m pretty picky about corrective products. Yes, I have to correct them in certain places. Sins of youth Unfortunately, for years when thin eyebrows were the trend, I plucked them so hard that I had smaller holes in the arches where the hairs no longer grew back. Although my brows are naturally very dark, the correction color must not be too dark, because it looks unnatural. Most of the hairs stick together unattractively because the brush absorbs too much paint. And then I always need two products: one to fill up, one to tame the stubborn hairs. Two-in-one The new brow duo fulfills this requirement at first glance. The slim pencil has two good sides – brow powder on one side and brow mascara on the other. I apply the tinted powder with the applicator. It feels cool on the skin. How comes? The texture is formulated in such a way that when it is applied it transforms into a fresh, watery gel that can be spread perfectly – without blunders and without sticking. The color “cool brown” blends in perfectly with my brows. I start at the gap and pass it on both sides. The first step is taken. Now it is the turn of the matching mascara. The thin brush doesn’t take up too much of the texture. This allows the eyebrow hairs to be shaped and disciplined well. I always brush them lightly upwards at the roots, because that opens up the view. The result? Exactly how I want it to be. Emphasized, but not overdone. Clarins „Brow Duo“ in 03 , ca. 27 Euro… weiterlesen

For every Wrinkle the Right Hyaluronic Acid Filler

The nasolabial fold bothers you? Or the little hanging cheeks? With the right hyaluronic acid fillers, wrinkles can be smoothed and contours improved – and thus completely natural-looking results can be achieved. What many do not know: It is not necessarily the annoying wrinkle that is treated, but a completely different part in order to get the desired result. Dr. Isabel Edusei, a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery from Berlin, explains what she means by modern filler treatments. Why is it no longer directly injected under the fold, but mostly treated with hyaluronic acid in completely different places? Dr. Isabel Edusei: The nasolabial fold is a very good example of this. It is an expression of a structural weakness in the cheek region. To put it simply: the soft tissue sinks here with the aging process, but is held up by a cord of connective tissue that extends from the nostril to the corner of the mouth. This results in a contour jump that we classically call the nasolabial fold. If we want to smooth this wrinkle, we have to treat the cause of what happened, that is, first fix the soft tissue on the zygomatic bone again and thus stabilize the midface. I use so-called structure fillers from the Vycross collection such as Voluma and Volux from Juvéderm. The term Vycross Technologie is based on a special, patented gel formulation that ensures that the filler is quickly integrated into the skin tissue and that the result can therefore appear particularly natural. Are there more such surprising effects? Yes, a lateral straightening of the eyebrows and upper eyelids can be achieved by working in the temple area. When the chin is raised, the neck tightens. And when hyaluronic acid filler is used on the lateral arch of the jaw approximately below the ears, the lateral lower jaw line tightens. Can individual areas such as the chin be treated specifically or should the entire face always be included? First of all, it is important to analyze exactly which areas of the face are suffering from structural weaknesses, what are the causes and how they can be treated. For example, a 20 year old woman may have problems in the same facial area as a 45 year old. The treatment in this case is identical and it does not always have to include the whole face. If there has not yet been any significant structural breakdown in the face, it is of course also possible to set special accents.… weiterlesen

Testet for you: Grn „Anti-Wrinkle Mask“

The name reads a bit awkward: GRN, because the “ü” has been replaced by a leaf. The German word „grün“ means „green“ in English. The design makes sense when you know that it is a certified organic cosmetics brand from Germany that only came onto the market last year. Now I’ve got it too. I like that all Grün Elements masks are packed in handy pouches with a practical screw cap. This not only saves waste compared to conventional tubes and pots, but is also perfect when traveling. Apply mask and close again. There are three variants: Calm & Clear with yellow clay against impurities, hydration with honey & hemp for dry skin and rejuvenation with grape & olive for firming. The three can also be used for multimasking in order to tailor them precisely to the current needs of the various areas of the face. Especially those who have to wear the protection face mask for many hours every day know the problem that the region in the mouth and chin area reacts differently than, for example, on the cheeks. For me personally, however, this is too much “blotchy” on the face, so I limit myself to the latter for demanding skin. The smell test first The mask smells pleasantly “green”. I smell more grapes than olives, but the beeswax is the most intense. The texture is pleasantly rich and creamy. It is easy to spread and is so extensive that the resealable 40ml sachet is safely sufficient for four applications on the face and décolleté. I leave out the eye and mouth area. The mask is not tight on the skin, but you can tell that something is happening under the layer of cream. After a good 10 minutes, the skin has already absorbed it in many places. I remove the remains with a damp cloth. The complexion is even, feels soft and slightly plumped up. It’s just a shame that the beautiful result cannot be preserved longer than a day. But unfortunately that doesn’t work with any cosmetic product. Grn „Anti-Wrinkle Maske“ , 40 ml, ca. 6 Euro… weiterlesen

Villa Fracanzan – Discover the famous Splendor of the Veneto in Italy

For anyone interested in Venetian villas, Villa Fracanzan Piovene in northern Italy, about 30 kilometers from Vicenza, is an indispensable travel destination. A place with a lot to see and a long history. There is also a lot to discover in the area. There is a lot to see in the villa. The furnishings are evidence of the lifestyle of the respective residents in the past centuries. The ground floor is dominated by an imposing columned hall, which is surrounded by various rooms. Including a billiard room, a collection of historical objects, the dining room with an antique porcelain service. In the renovated kitchen with old copper pans and cooking utensils there is an original washbasin from the 16th century. The Veronese architect Paolo Farinati designed it from red Verona marble. When emperor Napoleon stayed in the villa, he is said to have been so enthusiastic about it that he immediately wanted to take it with him to the Louvre in Paris. Napoleon’s bed Also impressive is the historic furniture on the first floor with the huge ballroom, a wonderful porcelain collection and a large, traditional ironing room with old linen and antique iron. There are also old-fashioned bathrooms and bedrooms with four poster beds. Napoleon is said to have slept in a particularly magnificent one with blood-red curtains when his troops occupied the villa after the battle of Arcole in November 1796. Next door in an elongated farm building called barchessa (english: shed, warehouse) is a museum that deals with daily life and work in the villa. The old carpenter’s workshop houses all kinds of antique tools such as saws, gouges and drills. Outside you can admire a rare collection of agricultural machines and tractors. The splendid Venetian villa from the 18th century is surrounded by a meticulously designed typical Italian garden and a spacious park, one of the largest in the Veneto. Long history Incidentally, the Fracanzan family began buying land and buildings in Orgiano, today a municipality with 3,055 inhabitants in the province of Vicenza, around 1316. These formed the core of today’s complex. At the beginning of the 18th century, Giovanbattista Fracanzan commissioned the architect Francesco Muttoni from Lugano to build the villa, the adjacent farmhouses and a wonderful park. Around the middle of the 19th century, the villa and the surrounding land then came into the possession of the Orgian family.In 1877 Countess Elisa Piovene, wife of Orazio Orgian, became the owner.… weiterlesen

Testet for you: Estée Lauder „Perfectionist Pro Aqua UV Gel SPF 50“


With UV filters, my skin has its problems. Depending on them more than they irritation speak small red spots and clogged pores. I would take that as proof of just how stressful chemical filter systems are on the skin. My beautician Julia has to fight the consequences every time again and again. But because uv protection is a must, I’ve tried countless products. Including mineral filters. Nearly none of them passed the test. If they don’t cause pimples, they leave white traces or an unsightly greasy sheen in the higher filter area, which I don’t even tolerate on the beach. For this reason, I was extremely excited about the new product from Estée Lauder’s Perfectionist series. So light on the skin The “Aqua UV-Gel” lives up to its name. The gel emulsion comes out of the tube whitish, but is water light and becomes immediately transparent when spread on the skin. In addition, it leaves the face with a pleasantly refreshing feeling of moisture. No ugly whitening effect despite SPF 50. The 100% mineral-based light protection creates a silky veil that protects the skin from UVA / UVB exposure. The light glow makes the complexion beautifully summery. Anti-irritants like algae extract and caffeine prevent stains and blemishes. They help my skin feel relaxed and calm. What I also like is that the gel formula not only prevents UV damage, but is also equipped with eight anti-oxidants such as tiger lily extract, vitamins C and E, resveratrol and green tea extract. As a result, the skin is protected from environmental pollution such. B. effectively protected by ozone, smoke, infrared and fine dust. I’ve been using the Aqua Gel for four weeks now and applied it every morning as the last step in my skin care routine.No sticky feeling, no clogged pores. I’m curious what my beautician will say at our next appointment. Estée Lauder “Perfectionist Pro Aqua UV Gel SPF 50“, 30 ml, 45 US $… weiterlesen

Antioxidants – why we can’t do without

A topic that is in the truest sense of the word brand new in these sunny months: free radicals and their antioxidants. Even without sunburn, UV radiation can create huge amounts of free radicals in the skin. In order to combat these extremely aggressive cell destroyers effectively, antioxidants from the inside and outside are required. If we would qualify free radicals exclusively as “bad”, that would be wrong. It is not for nothing that the body produces it itself during various metabolic processes. He needs them, for example, so that the immune system can keep bacteria, viruses or inflammatory press under control. Normally, the human body’s defense mechanisms are equipped to deal with a certain excess of free radicals. But our modern lifestyle is overwhelming. In addition to UV radiation, alcohol, smoking, the inhalation of environmental toxins and even blue light from smartphones, tablets and the like all promote the formation of these molecules that damage the cells. The body’s own defense system can no longer adequately eliminate the aggressors. Oxidative stress occurs. The cells become inoperable. Not only premature aging of the skin, but many health problems begin with it. Desperately looking for an electron If you want to understand the importance of antioxidants, you have to understand how free radicals work. The chemical structure of these oxygen-containing molecules is unstable because they lack an electron. In their search for a replacement they are extremely aggressive and extremely fast. It only takes 10-11 seconds (0.000 000 000 01 seconds) to find a suitable binding partner. They snatch the required electron from this intact molecule, which can be from the cell membrane, from a protein or from DNA. This electron robbery is known as oxidation. A chain reaction starts. The stolen molecule is now also a free radical and is looking for a victim. The higher the concentration of these killer molecules, the more massive the oxidative stress and the damage in the body. Depending on which molecules are affected, cell functions are impaired, and if the membrane is damaged, even cell death occurs. With DNA damage, uncontrolled cell division (development of cancer) is the result. And much more. The radical scavengers The power of antioxidants is that they make free radicals inactive and thus harmless. How? They add the missing electron to them. These radical scavengers are divided into five groups: vitamins, minerals, enzymes, trace elements and secondary plant substances (phytochemicals).… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Less is More „Phytonutrient Caffeine Infusion“

Anti-aging is still a tiresome problem. But no one is spared. And not only when it comes to the skin. Hair also ages when the roots and scalp slowly get tired. They become thinner, drier and unruly white. The Austrian brand Less is More has dedicated itself to the subject of hair anti-aging – with two organic certification (“Peta” / “Cosmos Organic”). Scalp rejuvenation Now I am blessed with an abundant amount of hair myself. But even those sometimes lack vigor, which suggests tired follicles. I also notice how my scalp reacts increasingly bitchy, especially to chemical treatments at the hairdresser. Say she is somehow out of whack. That’s why I wanted to know whether the “Caffeine Infusion” can help me too. For six weeks now I have been giving a few puffs a day on the scalp, parting part at a time, which I then massage in with my fingers in a circular motion. I do the same thing as the last step after every hair wash, because the product should not be washed out, but should remain on the scalp. The liquid, which smells pleasantly of herbs, feels light and fresh like a toner and does not burden the hair. They can be styled as usual. Green caffeine and coffee extract have an anti-oxidative effect, while the candle bush (Cassia Alata) has a natural anti-aging effect with UV protection. In fact, my hair has lost less color in the sun. I am particularly surprised, however, at how much more stability every single hair has got. What about my scalp? It feels amazingly healthy and revitalized – no more itching, no dryness and no more feeling of tension. You can invest a few sprays every day for that, I mean. Because nothing is forever. If you stop the treatment, the original condition will be restored after six weeks. Keep on spraying! Less is More, Phytonutrient Caffeine Infusion“, 100 ml, 37 Euro… weiterlesen

Summer cocktails that are also good for the skin

In these hot days, cool drinks have high season. Why not mix something that not only tastes delicious but also benefits the skin? Here are two summer recipes from dietary supplements to try out. I have already reported on Regulatpro Hyluron in previous stories. I always take the cascade-fermented regulatory essence as a cure when my skin looks tired and can once again tolerate a moisture booster from the inside – like now in summer with lots of sun and dry heat. But why not combine the useful with the pleasant? That’s why I made a summer berry smoothie with hyaluronic acid based on a recipe from German nutritionist Adaeze Wolf (check out her blog Naturally Good). What you need for the berry smoothie: 200 g berries (raspberries, currants, blueberries)1/2 pineapple1 piece of fresh ginger (about the size of a thumb)1 sliced ​​apple1 sprig of mint2-3 ice cubes500 ml of water1 shot of Regulatpro Hyaluron The preparation is very simple: You cut the pineapple and ginger (peel beforehand) into pieces. Put in the blender along with the other ingredients and mix well. Fill into glasses and add the ice cubes. Enjoy it immediately! The little hottie My second tip for everyone who likes it a little spicier: a Mochi_ to, alcohol-free of course, from the chi _ by Ringana. In addition to ginger and ginseng root extract, it contains lots of useful nutritional supplements as well as natural caffeine and vitamin C from the acerola fruit. The taste is slightly sour and spicy. What you need for the Mochi_ _to:: 8 mint leaves2 cl lemon juiceMineral waterIce cubes1 bottle of Ringana chi_ _ (30 ml) To prepare, put the mint and lemon juice in a glass with ice cubes. Then pour in the chi_ , and finally top up everything with mineral water. If I like it a little spicier and don’t feel like mixing or don’t have the necessary ingredients at hand, I just put two ice cubes in a glass and pour the chi _ with it. Salud! Also delicious and it fits in every season: Pour a chi_ _ portion over the already cut fruit salad and mix in as a dressing.… weiterlesen

Tested for you: Augustinus Bader „The Cream Cleansing Gel“

I have to admit that I am very benevolent to Professor Augustinus Bader. Not only he is one of the globally recognized leaders in stem cell biology. He is just an outstanding personality, a very humane, responsible person as I found out in an interview with him. As head of stem cell research at the University of Leipzig, he spent 30 years focused on perfecting the healing process and uncovered how to reawaken these cells, which go dormant over time due to aging or trauma. He clearly explains to me what makes many skin care products lie, “that you can’t add stem cells to your skin, you can only wake up the inactive cells in your body.” Professor Bader’s mission started with the intention to help burn victims, particularly children with traumatic injuries. In 2008, he formulated a groundbreaking wound gel that heals even third-degree burns without surgery or skin grafts. It works by carrying a set of healing signals to the site of the wound or burn, triggering the damaged skin cells and facilitating perfect healing. This gave him his idea for skin care with the patented TFC8® (Trigger Factor Complex) technology. His approach: what helps damaged skin can only do good skin good.In 2018, he launched a single product – „The Cream“ – with the goal to leave the skin smoother and regenerated. It was followed by “The Rich Cream” and a body cream. A complete care line should be out by the end of this year. Cleansing without feeling tense All Bader products are based on the Trigger Factor Complex (TFC8®). It consists of natural amino acids, high-quality vitamins and synthesized molecules that also occur in the skin. This guides important nutrients and powerful natural ingredients into the skin cells, creating an optimal environment for the body’s natural repair and regeneration processes. And because beautiful skin starts with a thorough cleansing, the first thing I decided to do was “The Cream Cleasing Gel”. What comes out of the dispenser in a good dose is a white cream-gel texture. It feels light and fresh on the skin. No fragrances are included. The smell is pleasantly natural, maybe a little „medicinal“. Emulsified with water, it does not develop foam, which I like. The eye and waterproof brow make-up can also be easily removed without burning your eyes. And most importantly, normally my skin tends to feel uncomfortable after cleaning, so I can’t apply a serum or cream quickly enough.… weiterlesen

Traveling and Beauty are my passion.
More about me and cultureandcream

Subscribe to Culture & Cream.

    Yes I want to subscribe to the english version of CultureAndCreme's newsletter. (No worries, we only send once a month!)


    Explanations regarding through your consent accepted terms about success measurement, our use of MailChimp and your right of withdrawal, you can find in our Privacy Policy.

    Instagram.

    Pinterest.

    © 2020 Margit Rüdiger | Impressum | Privacy Agreement| Cookie Policy