The Inkey List Lactic Acid Review

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Henna

I love putting acids on my skin – my skin is very oily and has been acne-prone, so a good acid can help lighten old scarring and just makes my skin so much smoother.  If you’re wondering why you should get this exfoliating acid over glycolic acid, know that Lactic Acid is meant to be more moisturizing than glycolic acid which makes it perfect for people with dry skin.

I like a serum that can cut down on the amount of oil my skin is producing, so this isn’t my go-to all the time, but I do like it for when I want smoother skin.  It just makes your skin so much less bumpy especially when you use it everyday.

This is 10% lactic acid, so it’s pretty potent.  That’s perfect, because you want this ingredient to be at a concentration that works.  It’s a serum, but it’s so watery that you might use it like you would use a toner – put it on a cotton pad and then wipe it all over your face.  It really works well when you do that.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart. $12.99.

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Summer Must Have: Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad for Body

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Henna

Nothing makes me like I’m ready for summer than a nice fake tan. It makes me golden and like I’ve spent a day at the beach, but without any sun damage. Plus, a tan makes you look more toned and healthy, so it’s a win-win no matter how you look at it.

I’ve usually used gradual self-tanners, but after trying Dr. Dennis Gross’s new Alpha Beta Glow Pads for the Body, I’m officially hooked. These are large pre-moistened towelettes that are soaked not only with self-tanner but also with glycolic and lactic acid. Used over the body, they visibly reduce ingrown hairs and any other bumps on your body because they’re helping your skin exfoliate quicker. I found that even the Keratosis pilaris on the back of my arms was greatly reduced after using the Glow Pads once or twice a week.

As for the tan – well these work for that too. I noticed a visible glow after using them once, and I was able to maintain that if I kept using them at least once a week. I was more than happy with those results, but if you want the glow to be darker, just apply on consecutive days until you’re happy with the colour you get.

Because the towelette is pre-moistened and there’s no tint, you can’t see where you’re applying, but the solution is quite wet so you can definitely feel whether your coverage is uniform or not. I wait for the solution to dry on my skin, and then apply a light lotion on top so that I can be absolutely sure that everything is blended well.

Pick these up for $59 (for a box of 8) at Sephora, and after using them, you’ll definitely feel like you’re ready for the warmer weather and the clothes that come with it.

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Self Tanning Tips

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Henna

Hey all you cool cats and kittens, sometimes I like to use self-tanner and if you’re like me, there’s never been a better time to perfect your home application technique. I’ve picked up a lot of tips along the way. I will say that for the most part I didn’t have many bad experiences and that the products are easy to use if you’re careful.

Of course, if you’re just an accident-prone person who does things in a hurry, I would recommend that you use the moisturizers with self-tanners in them, rather than something that’s full strength. If you’ve already bought something that you find to be too streaky, mix it with moisturizer in your hand and see if that helps tone down the streaky effect!

So I hope that most of you already know the basics of self-tanning: exfoliate beforehand, and use on well moisturized skin so that you have a nice even tan.

If you use the tanner long-term, I will say that you can in fact exfoliate in between applications. This will make the wear of the tanner even, and you’ll find that there will be less splotchiness. Of course, the tan may wear off a little bit more quickly but that’s really a small price to pay. When I’m exfoliating on a regular basis, I like to use a product that’s not too scrubby and a good cleanser.

To avoid looking orange, don’t use too much and don’t use a colour that’s too dark because it has too much of the active ingredient.

I think that’s it for now! Self-tanners are pretty easy to use if you get the hang of them, and I particularly like the moisturizing ones because they’re easier to use. Make sure you let the product dry before getting dressed and if you hate the smell of the, use them at night time so that you don’t have to smell it during the day.

Got questions or something to add? Leave a comment!

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You Think You Love Lipstick? Well Meet Poppy King…

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Henna

You think you love lipstick? Well meet Poppy King, the Australian who launched her first cosmetic company at the young age of 18. Poppy Industries consisted of mostly lipsticks and Poppy has forever been obsessed with finding the perfect formulation and colours of lipsticks.

Lipstick Queen is Poppy’s latest incarnation and it is really a lipstick collection to end all collections. Why? Because every colour that she’s put in her collection is perfection. The red is a true red that will look good on a lot of people, the nude isn’t a dead nude but a perfect browny pink nude, and the berry really does remind you of actual berries. From rust to red there’s a colour for anyone and everyone. Best of all: each colour comes in two versions. A Sinner version that has 90% pigment and a Saint version that has just 10% pigment. Basically, one’s a long-lasting matte version and the other’s a sheer lip tint.

You know you love a lipstick so much that you want it in as many colours as it comes in? Well that’s how I feel about the Saint series of Lipstick Queen. I have Saint Nude and I absolutely love it because it’s one of those colours that matches all my makeup, looks natural and pretty, and wears incredibly well.

Saint Berry is a winner as well and if you’re too timid to wear red lipstick, you should pick up the Saint Red and sport red-stained lips which would look especially great in the summer. The lipsticks have no shimmer or glitter and are just great colour through and through.

Here’s how you can find a store near you wherever in the world you live.

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Vivier C+E Antioxidant Serum

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Henna

Will this go down as the time that we really treat our skin right?  Maybe we tried that peel that made us turn red, but we could because we knew we weren’t going out the next day.  I don’t need social distancing to add vitamin C to my routine, but if you have sensitive skin, this Vivier 10% Vitamin C serum might cause some dryness.  

I’m using this Vitamin C serum in the morning since Vitamin C is supposed prevent against environmental damage.  I don’t notice any lightening of sun spots or acne marks because it won’t be strong enough for that, but it’s definitely great at preventing further damage.

Are you adding anything to your routine while you’re at home?  It would also be a great time to use retinol if you’re worried about peeling skin.

Hope you are all staying safe!

You can find this serum at medical spas – usually for around $175.

 

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Vichy Aqualia Thermal Empty Video

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Henna

A lot of my friends use Vichy products so I know that they’re always interested in knowing which products are good or not. Vichy Aqua Thermal is the perfect rich moisturizer that’s not greasy. Try it if, like me, you have some dryness. I know my skin is a little flaky because of retinol and this is great on it. Watch the video for my full review.

$40 at Shoppers Drug Mart or online.

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How To Fill In Your Eyebrows Video Tutorial

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Henna

I thought I would make a tutorial showing you how to fill in your eyebrows.  It’s really quite easy, and I use my Guerlain Eyebrow Kit, but you could use whatever dark shadow you have in whatever eyeshadow palette you’re using.  Just don’t use black and don’t use black eyeliner!  I like using a medium brown because it looks more natural, but the darkest brown photographs really well!

If you have ideas for what kind of videos you want me to make, leave me a comment and I’ll try to do them!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B_A-fM1ppZJ/

@guerlain Eyebrow Kit.
@narsissist eyebrow brush
@sephoracanada eyebrow brush

You could use whatever flat slanted brush you have, but eyebrow brushes tend to be a bit thicker. Even a drugstore brush would work.

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A Bronzer for the Faint of Heart

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Henna

If you’re the type that doesn’t like a very dark or very brown bronzer, you have got to get your hands on Pur Minerals Mineral Glow bronzer.  I’m not usually a fan of Pur Minerals products (and I realize that I’m in the minority here) because their colours go on quite ashy on my skin and some of the powders contain cornstarch which is terrible for acne prone skin.

However, the Mineral Glow bronzer isn’t one of those products.  It’s just a lovely sheer glow of a powder that adds an extra oomph to your skin and your look.  You’d put it on the same way that you would use any other bronzer, but the effect is decidedly more subtle.

You can get Pur Minerals product from home shopping channels or from the Pur Minerals Website.

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Donna Karan Be Delicious Night

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Henna

Donna Karan’s Be Delicious Night is so different from the original Be Delicious which was bright and fresh.

This version is a different take from Karan’s original inspiration – it’s still full-bodied and made to represent full fast New York living – just at night, so it’s smoky. It smells more like incense with a touch of blackberry, and like I said, it’s a far cry from the original.

I wear it during the day which leads me to ask you – do you wear certain scents only at night and other scent just during the day?

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Antique Gold Pigment from MAC

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Henna

Many women and makeup artists love to shop at MAC because their products let you be as creative as you want to be.  MAC’s Chill collection is exactly in that line of thinking and offers products that are in stark contrasts of one another.  See white eyeshadow meets black eyeshadow with a look that’s finished off with wintery pale lips.  If you’re looking for everyday makeup, you won’t find it here.

My favourite items are the pigments offered with this collection.  The Antique Gold glitter is in my makeup bag right now and it’s perfect for wearing wet for a dramatic night out, or sheer for just enough glimmer to make you stand out from all your friends.

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Posted in Spring 2009 | Tagged | 2 Comments