Martha Stewart Living Cookbook – The New Classics

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Henna

More than 1200 recipes in one book; that’s what Martha Stewart Living New Classics Cookbook says you’ll get. It’s amazing the range that this huge tome provides and rest assured there’s a nearly fool-proof recipe for almost everything.

The New Classics series references the Old Classics, by giving you new versions of the old basics, and the back of the book has an index that tells you all the recipes in both books combined. The Old Classics book doesn’t do this.

 

I find that both the books are handy to have around because they have so many recipes together that you’ll never run out of ideas on what to make.

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Thursday Threes: Holy Grail Volume from Dove’s Oxygen Moisture Line

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Henna

Dove Oxygen Moisture LineSpecifically made for fine and flat hair, Dove’s Oxygen Moisture Line was calling out to me. My curly super dry hair needs an oomph every now and then so that it looks more full. As every hair stylist I’ve ever been to says to me: I have lots of hair, but it’s hard to tell because it is so fine. I just need to get it up and out so that every single strand is on display.

The problem, however, with most mousses and volumizing products is that they can be a little drying, or they don’t deliver any moisture to hair.

And now there’s the Oxygen Moisture Line which consists of a shampoo & conditioner, a leave-in foam, and a root lift spray.

The product I was drawn to right away was the Oxygen Moisture Leave in Foam ($7.98). Said to moisturize while adding up to 95% more volume, this sounded like a winner. What you need to understand is that Dove is the master of making moisturizing foaming product. Remember the Dove Style+Care Nourishing Curls Whipped Cream Mousse? It was a mousse and serum in one and needed to be tried to be believed. I knew that if they could make a product like that once, they could do it again, and the Oxygen Moisture Leave-In Foam does not disappoint!

This product does dispense like a foam (rather than a mousse) in your hand, but when you apply it to your hair you can feel the slickness that’s in this product and is being applied to your hair. There’s no stickiness or tackiness, and the product is almost like a very light serum or styling cream. My curls dried shiny and defined which was exactly the effect I’ve been looking for. I do find that I need to add a couple of pumps of serum with this cream but that’s because my hair is extremely dry and damaged right now. The best part is that my hair is super soft after using the whole entire line.

If you want volume close to the roots, then you have to try the Oxygen Moisture Root Lift Spray ($7.98). Apply it just to your roots and dry your hair using the method of your choice. Somehow, you’ll find your hair lifted off the scalp – I found this to be the case even when I air-dried my hair.

The shampoo and conditioner in this line are also great – moisturizing without weighing hair down ($6.75 each).

You can find the entire Oxygen Moisture line at drugstores now.

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The Best Dry Shampoos

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Henna

I’ve tried so many dry shampoos and these are my favourite ones – points go to ones that smell really good, and points for formulas that are clear – and these are – so that I can use them on my dark hair.  Don’t put them directly where you part your hair – create new parts, spray the dry shampoo, rub it in, and then fix your part to where it originally was.

  1. Bumble and Bumble Pret-a-Powder Post Working Dry Shampoo Mist.  This is the latest on the dry shampoo scene, and it’s a wet product that you spray on to wet hair.  It absorbs quickly (within 30 seconds) and doesn’t leave a white residue at all, so it’s worth checking out if you haven’t had luck with dry shampoos in the past!
  2. Drybar’s Detox Dry Conditioner. Smells amazing – like expensive perfume – and I always get compliments on how good I smell when I use it.  I actually finished a bottle which never happens.
  3. Colab Dry Shampoo.  Also smells amazing, and they have a version that smells like roses.  Also, there’s an extra strength version which is amazing.  This is at the drugstore so check it out!
  4. Marc Anthony Grow Long 2-in-1 Dry Shampoo and Conditioner.  This smells like berries and you can use it on the lengths of your hair to actually make it shiny and smell good.  It’s the product I like to use on my hair after cooking because I feel like it takes out the scent of food and makes my hair smell good.

And those are my favourites!  The Drybar Detox is definitely an all-time fav that I would rebuy because it smells the best.

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Beginner’s Guide to Retinol Video

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Henna

This is the first in a series… and I realized that I could really talk forever about retinol and what you should do.  So this is the first in a series, and I hope you enjoy it. Are you using retinol?  If you wanted to start, this might be a good time because we’re all home right now so you can deal with any peeling and dryness without feeling that everyone’s going to be look at it when they’re talking to you.

Anyway, here’s the video, let me know what you think!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B-FrKo-JpLN/

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Givenchy Blooming Fuschia Blush

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Henna

I’m going through my old makeup while I can, and I came across this Givenchy Blooming Fuschia blush from 2011. It was basically not used, but it’s the most pretty bright pink and perfect to use in these times. This is the blush that I’m using all the time now – it’s cheerful and perfect for spring even though I’m just staying at home.

Have you pulled out any makeup goodies from the past?

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Fashionopolis by Dana Thomas

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Henna

I read this book while I was on vacation this December, and it’s definitely one that has stayed with me.  Might be a good one to pick up while you’re at home!  Order online and don’t go out if you can avoid it!

Fashionopolis is about the impact that the fashion industry has on the environment and the people who work in it.  Only 2% of people who work in the fashion industry earn a living wage, and a lot of that is because of fast fashion.  The book is an investigative report into the way that clothes are made, but also takes a look at the people in the industry who are trying to do better and have invested in leaving this world a better place through their work in the fashion industry.

The book features interviews with Stella McCartney, whose designs are vegan.  It also takes a look at the brand Reformation, which is a place where I like to shop.  And it visits other brands who are manufacturing materials that are better for the environment via using less water or producing less waste.

This book inspired me to shop less, to recycle, and really be mindful about how I shop.  We vote with our dollars, and so I’ve made a commitment to make less fast fashion purchases and really think about what I need, versus what I want.

I hope you read this book too!

 

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Indeed Labs InDefense 30 Sunscreen Review Video

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Henna


Want to know if this sunscreen leaves you looking like a ghost? Watch the video!

http://www.instagram.com/p/B-CkY2-JaN3/

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Indeed Laboratories inDefense30 Sunscreen

Posted on March 22, 2020 by Henna

Finding a good sunscreen for the summer is essential because if you find one that you love and can afford, then there’s a good chance that you’re going to use in on the regular and prevent sun damage.  The year that I said “to heck with it” one summer in Toronto and spent loads of time in the sun was the year that I got the most freckles from the sun, so I’m not doing that again, because I’ve found that the damage is pretty much there for a year if not more. 

I like Indeed Laboratories inDefense30 sunscreen.  It’s a from the Toronto brand, and it’s more moisturizing than the other sunscreen lotions that I’ve tried.  It actually has antioxidants in it which are supposed to help prevent environmental damage anyway.  It also has 7% zinc oxide as the physical sunscreen barrier, and that helps prevent the sun damage.  

Truth be told, the zinc oxide makes for a slight whitish cast on the skin, but I avoid this by making sure that I put this on my neck and my face, and when there’s foundation on top, the resulting effect is just more coverage instead of less.  I also make sure that I blend blend blend, and I don’t use this at night time.  It’s not a sunscreen that I would use on my whole body, but I like it for daily use.  

The ingredients include mica and dimethicone which is nice because one helps reflect light, making your skin look better than ever, and the other one makes for a really smooth application. 

Pick it up at Shoppers Drug Mart here in Canada, or look online to see where they sell it near you.  You can also purchase it directly from their website ($17.99), and if you subscribe to their emails you can get 15% off!

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How I’m Doing My Makeup Even Though I’m at Home Video

Posted on March 21, 2020 by Henna

I mean, ya gotta look good for conference calls and Facetime right?

Also, I’m still using sunscreen every day because my house is pretty sunny and I want to come out of this with better skin, not worst.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B99bFZLJQzX/

A huge thank you to Makeup For Ever for gifting me this foundation and sending it in the colour that I requested. It makes it so much easier to review products when brands send makeup in your colour – it’s not always possible but at least they try.

This is the Reboot foundation in the colour Y365. It’s the perfect medium with golden undertones.

What I love about this foundation is that it goes on like a light lotion, and moisturizes your skin while making it look nice and healthy.  I’ve got oily skin so I don’t always go for the moisturizing foundations but this is making my skin look so good that it’s hard to avoid.

The only thing I don’t like is that there’s no spf in this foundation so I’m using my own spf underneath it.  These days it’s Indeed Labs spf 30, although in the video I used Neutrogena Hydroboost.  You could use whatever you have, to be honest.  You could even use one that’s mineral because the foundation will cover up even the slightest white cast that’s in the foundation.

I finished off with Essence mascara, which I’ve reviewed here. I also used this Dior palette for the shimmer eyeshadow and for filling in my brows.  But now I’m using something a little different which I’ll share with you soon.

How is everyone else doing during Covid 19?  Are you getting better at your makeup or are you giving it up for now?

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Dior Brush Cleanser Video

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Henna

We made a little video about how to clean your brushes using Dior Brush Cleanser.  It’s not great for getting your brushes squeaky clean but it does disinfect so it’s great for using when you’re in a rush or just in between uses.

Enjoy and happy social distancing!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B9xFSzYpXIb/

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