I remember when Moroccanoil body products launched, I found the scent of them too strong, but this Moroccanoil body souffle hits all the right notes. This is a rich lotion that sinks into your skin almost immediately and leaves your skin hydrated. It’s not greasy either.
This comes in 3 scents now – original, rose, and Fleur d’Orangeur.
This is a mini travel size, but a 45ml is $20 and a 190ml is $36.
I haven’t tried all the Vice lipsticks, but I have to say that this is not one of my favs. It’s kind of a mature formula – which is my nice way of saying that it reminds me of something my mom would use. The Satin formula in Rapture (and this lipstick comes in matte, metallic, shimmer, and high shine) is thick and creamy. Considering the wide array of lipsticks available, this one isn’t something I would go for.
Ever Pure is L’Oreal’s own line of Sulfate-Free Shampoo and it’s a pretty fantastic line for the drugstore. The shampoos lather really nicely even though they don’t have sulfates in them, and they smell amazing too.
L’Oreal’s also has Everstrong – the same sulfate-free product formulation applies, but this line has ingredients said to make your hair stronger.
I’ve been testing out the line, and I found that when I just used the shampoo and conditioner, my hair was left feeling super dry. But the masque that comes with the line is amazing. When I used that, my hair looked absolutely fantastic! It was shiny, bouncy, and my curls came out super defined which is always a good sign of hydrated hair.
I’m going to stick with this shampoo and mask for the next little while because I really like the idea of everything being sulfate-free and thus less drying for my hair, but I’m going to use the mask every time I shampoo instead of using the conditioner.
Did it make my hair stronger? I’m not sure – I had the same amount of fallout as always, but it will take me going through the whole bottle to really be able to tell. As it is, I believe that taking vitamins for your hair, skin, and nails will help you a lot more than just a shampoo and conditioner can so I’m going to be sticking to that system.
$10.99 online each and in drugstores and mass merchandisers.
I adore clay masks because they absorb excess oil and make my skin look matte for the majority of the day. When I saw that Sisley had a clay mask that also promised to leave my skin luminous, I had to try it.
What I love about the Sisley Radiant Glow Express Masque is that it sets on my skin in just 5 minutes and then really leave my skin super clean-feeling. I’ve noticed that after I wipe the mask off, my skin does look more refreshed and radiant.
The greatest thing about using product that’s high-end, like Sisley’s, is that they really think about every aspect of the product – the scent of this mask is so relaxing and not at all over-powering. It lasts just briefly on the skin and then fades away quickly. The only thing that reminds you that you did a mask that day is the luminosity of your own skin!
The red and white clay that’s in this mask provides the traditional oil-absorping facilities of a mask. If you have skin that’s combination or oily, use this on a regular basis (2 to 3 times a week) and you’ll notice that your skin will have fewer blackheads and other blemishes. It’s a method that really does work and that’s why it’s always a part of a good regular skincare regimen.
You can purchase this mask and other Sisley-Paris products at Holt Renfrew stores in Canada. $165.
Last fall, Jo Malone came out with their Vanilla and Anise scent which may just be my favourite vanilla scent ever – it really doesn’t smell like traditional vanilla.
The candle has the same notes as the original, but I find that I can smell the Bergamot and Fennel a little bit more in this incarnation than I could in the original. It’s a pretty special candle, and Jo Malone keeps from making it smell too sweet, which is the case with most Vanilla scents.
You can get this at Holt Renfrew locations throughout Canada and it retails for $75. Other new products in the collection are the bath oil and body creme which are equally delightful. Beware, however, that the bath oils smell very strong and are not for the faint of heart – but if that’s what you like, or if you only plan to use it sparingly then they are amazing purchases because they truly last until your next shower.
A little help for anyone who might need it from our friends at Stride Psychology.
As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, many of us struggle with our mental health. While some love to bundle up for a walk in the fresh snow, others despise the chilly, dark mornings of winter and feel a vague sense of depression around this time of year.
Combined with a global pandemic that limits social interaction, many are experiencing increased anxiety and a lower mood. You may have found yourself feeling more sad, unproductive, or indifferent. Sometimes, these signs are more than just the winter blues.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that can impact both children and adults. SAD occurs during the cooler season and typically resolves once the weather warms up. With the increase in social isolation, job loss, virtual schooling, and other stressors you may be facing, SAD symptoms may be more prevalent this year.
Symptoms of SAD
Like major depressive symptoms, SAD signs include low mood, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and hopelessness. Those with SAD may also experience:
Excessive tiredness.
Craving carbs or overeating in general.
Physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches.
Other symptoms of depression, such as low mood, a loss of interest, or trouble
focusing.
Kids may appear more irritable, fussy, or clingy.
Tips for managing SAD
Whether you have a history of seasonal affective disorder or a family member is experiencing it for the first time, here are a few suggestions for managing the symptoms.
1. Practice sleep hygiene.
On those cold winter mornings, it’s undoubtedly more challenging to get out of bed. Oversleeping or getting up at different times of the day can impact anyone’s mood. Consider setting a sleep schedule or using a kid-friendly meditation app to promote quality of sleep.
2. Communicate virtually.
Even the most introverted people need to socialize. While it may not feel the same to interact virtually, it’s essential to stay connected to others. Invite your relatives to play a game via Zoom or set up a phone call with friends.
3. Maximize natural lighting.
Whether you open all of your blinds or read a book by a window, natural light can work wonders on your mood.
4. Consider light therapy.
Exposure to artificial bright light on gloomy mornings can be extremely useful in treating SAD. Talk to a mental health professional to decide if light therapy is right for you.
5. Get professional help.
If your symptoms interfere with your day-to-day responsibilities, or if your child has a history of SAD, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.
Contact Stride Psychology at (403) 768-2208 to learn more or to book your appointment.
Is your face extra dry and overall unhappy because of wearing a mask? SAME!
I’ve been finding that face masks have been helping a lot. They just calm everything down and my skin is generally happier after I use one. These days I’m reaching for this Vichy Soothing Aloe Vera face mask.
You can see that it’s kind of a thick green goo, but it feels very refreshing and nice on my skin. I just let it dry and then wash off. Of course it has Vichy thermal water added to the formula, but there’s also Aloe Vera in it which is very soothing.
Pick it up in pharmacies and online. $35.
Firstly, lets just talk about this packaging. I love the Glossier bubble bags that they send product out in and I hope that they never get rid of them. They’re more than perfect for traveling with because they protect everything that’s inside. If you’ve traveled and had a serum bottle break on you, then you’re going to appreciate these like I do.
Moving on.
I loved the Glossier Hand Cream that came out this May, so much so that it’s already finished. What made me love it so much was the beautiful scent, that I found to be so addictive. Glossier said that they based the scent of the hand cream on the scent of Glossier You, so I had to buy the perfume.
It doesn’t smell like the hand cream. Which is unfortunate. For me.
But again, can we take a minute to appreciate the packing. On brand and the foam padded the perfume so well. I have never received a perfume with this packaging and I’ve gotten many. I had to take pictures of it. It looks so good.
I like Glossier You but it’s not my kind of scent, because it’s a bit warm, but that being said, it’s not gourmand or cloying. It really is a pretty skin scent and immensely wearable and likeable. It smells creamy and fresh at the same time – it would work for daytime and for night time.
Although this isn’t what I expected it to be, it’s on my vanity and I do reach for it from time to time. $75 is not exorbitant to spend on perfume and if you’re curious about it, order it! It’s a crowd pleaser.
$75 on the Glossier website. If you use the link you get a 10% off code. Enjoy.
I know that many of you are reading more during the holidays, so here is a quick book review. I just finished reading The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin and I really enjoyed it!
This is a fictional story about 4 siblings who go see a fortune-teller, and then each part of the novel is dedicated to what happens to them after. I didn’t think I would like this book, but Chloe Benjamin really brings these characters to life, and you can see how siblings are never far from each other even if they’re off living their own lives.
This book is for you if you like “human” stories. By that I mean stories about people, and if you just like to lose yourself in that type of a novel. It’s definitely the kind of story I love, so this was a good one. It wasn’t difficult to read, and I was able to finish it in about 4 days.
Next, I’m reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and it’s more like attending a lecture given by a professor. It’s a much longer book and I’m trying to read it for an hour a day, but even then it’ll take me over a week to read. I will do a few more book reviews over the next few days!
Oh gosh. This toner has been repackaged, and this is the old packaging but I thought it was worthy of a discussion on toners. When most people thing of a toner, they think of something that’s going to wipe residue off your face – often toners are astringent and great at normalizing pH. That’s what I expect when I get a toner – I want something acidic that’s going to prep my skin for my skincare or I want a dose of actives.
This Skinceuticals Equalizing “toner” has none of these things – no acids or astringents, this is basically a dose of moisture for your face which is why it’s in a spray bottle. And it does feel refreshing on your skin – a blast of moisture. But they don’t need to call it toner – it’s just a mist.
It’s also packaged the same as this Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner which is great at adding a dose of antioxidants but it doesn’t need to be called a toner. It could be called a mist.
The worst would be to spray this on to a cotton pad to wipe it on your face, thinking it’s going to get rid of residue and such, but it’s not going to do any of those things.
Skinceuticals toner is $52 online and the Dermalogica toner is $57. Honestly, I don’t think either is really worth the price.
