Kohdo Wood Collection from Jo Malone

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Henna

In May 2009, Jo Malone launched 2 scents: Lotus Blossom & Water Lily, and Dark Amber & Ginger Lily. The former is light and airy while the other is dark and has heavy incense notes.

It makes sense, really, because this collection is inspired by Kohdo, the ancient Japanese art of incense appreciation. If you loves the Armani Prive smokiness, like I did, then you’ll be an instant fan of this collection.

I have to admit, that I didn’t immediately love the Lotus Blossom scent. There’s something in it that I just don’t like to smell and I’m not even sure how the scent smells on me because all I can focus in on is that one note. I do however, LOVE the Dark Amber. It is terribly smoky and dark but retains a certain freshness. That freshness is increased if you wear the scent with the Lotus Blossom one, and if you know Jo Malone, you know that she loves to do scent pairings.

 

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Marcelle Ultimate Volume Waterproof Mascara Review and Demo Video

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Henna

I like dramatic lashes, and so I really loved this Marcelle Ultimate Volume Waterproof Mascara.  Usually, I don’t love waterproof mascara because it’s so difficult to take off, but I’ve been using the Marcelle Micellar Water to remove and it comes off so easily.  The mascara is $11.95 at Shoppers Drug Mart or online so it’s very affordable!  I also had no smudging when I used it, even if I was wearing a mask for a long time!

The Micellar Water is like a biphase makeup remover, and you shake it up before you use it.  This fall, Marcelle introduces a range of Micellar Waters – for dry skin, oily skin, normal skin, and then for waterproof makeup, and the waterproof makeup is the one that I have. $14.95, again online.

You can watch me try on the mascara in the video below!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CE5chxRBU7v/

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Morning Routine

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Henna

Just a couple of new products in this morning routine – and the order of use is from left to right.

I start with the Ole Henriksen Glow2Oh toner on a gauze pad.  Then spritz the Oh K! spray to add some niacinamide to my routine.  You can get this from Shoppers Drug Mart. It has really cut down on any breakouts.

The Heavy C Vitamin C serum is new, and from XO Treatment room here in Calgary, and finally, I finish with the Glossier Priming Moisturizer which is matte.  Top it all off with sunscreen which changes all the time.

If you want a Glossier code to save 10%, you can use this code.

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The Ordinary Peeling Solution on Amazon

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Henna

Soooo, I’ve seen that the much-hyped and highly controversial, The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30% AHA is available on Amazon even though it is illegal to sell it in Canada, and so you can’t order this one off the Deciem website.

Sooo what gives? Is it real? Counterfeit?

We have no way of telling unless Deciem lets us know and goes after these guys. But I checked their website and there’s nothing on there.

This is $7.20 on their website and $13 on Amazon… maybe it’s more expensive because it’s coming all the way from China. It also has no safety seal. You have no idea what you’re really getting.

What do you think?

 

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Smell Different Thanks to Ormonde Jayne

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Henna

I love my friends, but I don’t want to smell like them.

It’s not that my friends smell bad – they have great taste in perfume and most have their own signature scents. The fact is that I like to smell unique. I like people to think about what they’re smelling and I like when people can’t identify notes right away. Yes, I love Jo Malone and her set of enticing scents, but I like to mix those one-note wonders in ways that are unexpected so that they make up a scent all my own (and that’s something that’s definitely encouraged at Jo Malone!).

If you want something unique already made for you, you must check out scents by Ormonde Jayne.

ormondejayne

Ormonde Jayne is a boutique perfumerie started by Linda J. Pilkington. Linda had been mixing her own scents in different media for years, and she got her break making candles for a friend who ran a Chanel boutique in London. The candles were a huge hit and soon Linda found herself making scents for all sorts of people and businesses. A line of fantastic luxury perfumes came naturally and now everyone can smell her creations.

To decide which Ormonde Jayne perfume you will like the best, you need to smell them all. I’m a huge rose fan, but the Ormonde Jayne perfume that had a rose note, Ta’if, wasn’t my favourite. I usually like woody scents but the smokiness of the Ormonde Jayne Woman wasn’t for me either.

Instead, I surprised myself and picked the Ormonde Jayne Osmanthus as my favourite scent. It’s a citrusy floral and usually I’m not the biggest citrus fan, but this is paired with floral notes and is a light scent that has surprising tenacity and lasting power.

Osmanthus is the name of a Japanese white flower and I don’t think I’ve ever smelled it before. It’s light and fresh and I think what I like so much about it is that it’s different from most white floral notes that other perfumers use (jasmine, tuberose, etc.). The base is a combination of musk and vetiver, but the vetiver is light and well-done as a compliment rather than as the main base.

You can check out Ormonde Jayne online.

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Glossier Priming Moisturizer Review

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Henna

This Glossier Priming Moisturizer Balance has niacinamide which really helps balance the skin’s oil production. Any time I use something with this ingredient on my face, I notice that my skin is really a lot less oily.

I love that. It also has a bit of silicone in it so you’re left with a smooth powdery finish when you use it, and it seems to instantly mattify your face without leaving it dry.

As someone who has always had oily skin and who previously ran away from moisturizer, this gel cream is one that I can really get behind. It’s light and I use it before my sunscreen and it’s the perfect thing to use before sunscreen because it makes your skin so nice and smooth.

Pick it up on the Glossier website. $30.

If you want a Glossier code to save 10%, you can use this code.

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Flashback: Best Emmy Makeup Looks from 2009

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Henna

I caught most of the Emmy’s last night and even though there was no red carpet, there was plenty of sartorial flair. But I thought I would show these timeless looks from 2009.

emmys makeup looks

What do these makeup looks have in common?

Take a look at the lips and then the eyes.  The lips are a pinky nude colour, and the eyes are devoid of any eyeshadow.  Yet, the face is anything but washed out and all the stars look pretty?

The secret seems to be lining the eyes with a black liner to make them stand out more, and having long lush lashes that veer to the spiky side.  This draws the focus to one area of the face by highlighting it ever so slightly!

Depth in the face is also key.  Yes, these ladies are all beautiful, but check out Debra Messing (in the red): she’s sporting bronzer so that her cheekbones stand out a little more.  With a bright dress like hers, bronzer is a good alternative to a pink blush (which might clash with the dress).

And while we’re on the topic of sameness, another trend seems to be dangly sparkly earrings which are pretty but don’t add too much to the entire look.

I loved Olivia Wilde’s look the most (far right).  She’s wearing a sheer wash of navy eyeshadow on the lids so it’s like a smoky eye but dramatically muted. The addition of the shadow makes her entire eye area look larger than it is but doesn’t add much to the overall look.  Going bare on the eyes is great, but all these ladies must be wearing a neutral or gold shimmery shadows on the inside corner of their eyes to make them look wide awake, and that’s probably the only thing that I would do if I were sporting this look.

It seems like you can do nude lips and eyes without looking like you need a vacation and this is something that I’m going to try – what do you think?  Did you have any favourites from the Emmys?

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Maskne Solutions and Skincare Routines

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Henna

Check out this new IGTV I made about taking care of your skin with the threat of maskne, and how to go about your skincare routine. My personal routine focusses on brightening and balancing because I’ve always had oily skin, so there are some ingredients that I like to incorporate into my routine. AT night time, I really focus on taking care of that barrier and pampering my skin a bit more.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/CE-nc5XBQBw/

A few things I’m obsessed with: Antipodes night cream and Divine Face oil, Glossier Priming Moisturizer, Oh K Chok Chok mist, and Zero Face Wash from Shoppers Drug Mart.

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Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Henna

Olaplex is one of those brands that I really love and whose products I really believe in. The technology they’ve found has been proven to actually fix hair that has been damaged because of colour and bleaching. This is a very specific kind of damage, so if you’ve damaged your hair in another way (straightening, diet, etc.) then this won’t fix that.

That being said, I am less than impressed with this Olaplex Bonding oil. I wanted it to feel rich and nourishing but it really felt like a dry oil to me. I console myself with knowing that at least it’s still got the Olaplex technology behind it so it should be doing my hair some good when I use it.

Olaplex saw my insta post and responded defending their product – again they pointed to their use of their own technology in the oil, which has been proven to help hair. My issue is that it doesn’t feel nourishing – I’m sure that it’s working but the fix is incremental whereas the feel of the hair is immediate, so I’m going to stand by my review.

I love Olaplex Number 3 and I love Number 6 which is a leave-in conditioner.

You can get Olaplex No. 7 bonding oil at Sephora and salons. $38.

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3 Favourite Cleansers

Posted on September 21, 2020 by Henna

3 new cleansers I’ve added to my routine.

Altilis Beauty cleanser uses an extract from Breadfruit that has great antioxidant capabilities.  This is the most gentle of the bunch, and it’s not great for taking off makeup.  I use it on my face after I work out, when there’s just sweat to take off.

The Zero Beauty Face Wash is my favourite because of its slippery texture. You can find the brand at Shoppers Drug Mart.  This face wash really reminds me of the Fresh Beauty because it’s gentle on your skin.  I reach for this morning and nice, and it’s such a pleasure to use.  Did I say I love it? I do love it.  $26.99.

Aveeno Positively Radiant cleanser foams but isn’t drying. It’s the best for all occasions, and it takes off makeup really well too, and it is very affordable $8.97 online.

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