Sunscreen for Your Face

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Henna

I have been receiving many emails from readers asking me to recommend a sunscreen for their face. Some of you may be wondering why you even need a different sunscreen for your face, and the answer is that sunscreens that are formulated especially for the face are often less greasy, stay on better, and tend not to wash out your complexion. They will probably also work better with any makeup you choose to wear on top.

One of the best-loved sunscreens on the market is the Elta MD sunscreen and I’ve tried it.  It is the OG of sunscreens and it’s highly recommended by lots of dermatologists and skincare specialists.

I have to say that I really love the texture and feel of this sunscreen. It’s oil-free and sets to a matte finish. If you’re looking for something that’s specifically for your face and you have oily or combination skin, you should try this sunscreen.

The sunscreen is about $40 online and in dermatologists’ offices.

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La Mer

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Henna

La Mer moisturizer is pretty expensive for most people and so I’m expecting that many of you are going to be looking forward to this review.

Go to any department store, and when you ask for a top-of-the-line moisturizer, they’ll try to sell you on La Mer. There is just so much hype about this product. Jennifer Lopez uses it by the boatload and if it’s good enough for her, well…

The great thing about the original Creme de la Mer is that it’s good for every skin type. Even a combination-skinned gal like me can use it, and I know that people with very dry skin love it as well. It makes a great base for makeup and does moisturize all day. It’s a great barrier for you skin and helps protect it against the elements.I think that a jar of Creme de la Mer would make a great Mother’s Day gift if you can afford it. It might be something your mother wants to try anyway, and it’s a luxurious product both in feel and in touch.

It absorbs and then just leaves your skin so nice and smooth.  It’s not greasy but it’s definitely meant for drier skin and not oily skin.  It’s not something I need to use everyday but I’ll reach for it if my skin is dry.

Available at La Mer counters in department stores.

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Boscia Botanical Besties Gift Set

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Henna

Got this Boscia Botanical Besties Gift Set from Shoppers Drug Mart and it is the best thing ever. Proof that the best time to try new skincare is in December when all these gift sets come out.  The set includes travel sizes of: Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil, Purifying Cleansing Gel, Luminizing Black Mask, and the Charcoal Pore Pudding.

If you have problematic skin then these products are amazing. They seem to help clean your skin so that it’s not so oily and they decongest pores so that you’re not breaking out as often.

The Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil didn’t really feel cooling on my skin but it’s a nice liquidy oil that does break up any and all makeup and then washes it away completely clear.

The Purifying Cleansing Gel is a warming foaming but slippery gel cleanser that takes off all oils on your skin but conditions it too. This was my favourite product in the set. It smells amazing and leaves a bit of moisturizer behind on your skin even though it’s foaming and cleansing. I also like that a little goes a long way with this cleanser. You need half a pump on your whole face, whereas I like to use 2 pumps of the Cleansing Oil to make sure that it really does a good job.

The Luminizing Peel of Mask is also nice but I find peel off masks such a pain to use. They need to dry for at least 20 minutes (the instructions on this one says 30 minutes) and then they only peel off if you’ve applied them thickly enough. This one left my skin noticeably smoother and brighter, so taking off that top layer of dead skin isn’t a bad thing, if you can stand the tugging and the mask itself.

The Charcoal Pore Pudding is basically another mask that helps draw impurities. It really makes your skin feel super clean.  You can see that it’s a beautiful blend of charcoals that go on to skin smoothly and absorb oil.  Charcoal is a great ingredient for oily and blemish-prone skin because it really absorbs impurities.

The mask also smells amazing so it was beautiful to put on to your skin and have it on for the 20 minutes required.  I jumped into the shower afterwards and washed it all off and my skin felt so much smoother and cleaner.

You can get the entire kit and all Boscia products at Shoppers Drug Mart.

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Hudson’s Bay Les Essentiels Video

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Henna

#HBBeauty is here, and that’s the Les Essentials collection from The Hudson’s Bay Company.  Each product is between $35 and $60 and there are some neat products in the collection.  See what they are in the video!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B6HGq4hBSg7/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

Available now, online and in stores.

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Best-Sellers Gift Set from Woodlot

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Henna

Beautiful presents like this one never go unappreciated.  This would be the perfect present for a significant other, a boss, or as a hostess gift.  Woodlot is a Canadian company that makes all their products by hand, and each one has so much thought put into it.  The candles are sustainable coconut wax mixed with soy wax, the essential oils are strong, and Rose and Palo mist is just pure luxury in a spray.

The packaging is heavy glass and everything feels luxe.

Even the inside of the boxes have beautiful gold printing inside them.  They’re heavy and sturdy and feel reliable in my hands.  They’re as nice to unbox as they are to use.  I’ve been burning the Original candle all weekend, and I love that it smells earthy and fresh at the same time.

Woodlot is one of the brands that’s part of Holt Renfrew’s H Project, and you can check out more of the line there.  This best-sellers gift is $59.

Check them out online.

 

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Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara Video

Posted on December 15, 2019 by Henna

Watch me apply one of the best mascaras I’ve ever used.  You just have to look at how nice and thick this makes my lashes to see why it’s a cult favourite mascara.

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B6Ce5bnpPf0/

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.  Normally $30 but sometimes it’s on sale.

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Beautycounter Countertime Collection

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Henna

I feel like I talk about retinol a lot, but if you’re nursing or pregnant, or have very sensitive skin then retinol might not be for you. Luckily there’s a retinol alternative called Bakuchiol, which is plant-derived and when used twice a day, has been shown to have anti-wrinkling effects similar to retinol. That’s the active ingredient in Beautycounter’s Countertime collection. Each item in the collection – the serum, soft cream, and day cream – has bakuchiol in it so that you can incorporate it into your skincare regimen in a variety of ways.

What I have is the Countertime Cleansing oil, the Serum and the Soft cream.

The Cleansing oil is great, but really not that different from other cleansing oils that I’ve used before.  If you’ve used other cleansing oils, then I don’t know if you really need this one too.  What I do love is the heavy pink glass bottles that all the products are packaged in. They’re not great for travel but they do look so pretty on the counter.

The radiance serum and the soft cream were really my favourites. The serum absorbs into your skin but it has a sheen to it so it really made my skin look glowy.  The cream is light and absorbed into my skin nicely too.  I used the serum during the day under makeup, and the cream was something that I enjoyed using at night time.

I’m done using the products now – I actually finished both the serum and the cream, but still have lots of the cleansing oil left.  Did I like it as much as I like retinol?  Maybe.  When my skin is sensitive and I need something gentle, then the Countertime collection is perfect, but if I really want to get rid of acne scarring then I need retinol for its cell turnover capabilities.  I’m not really too concerned about getting rid of wrinkles at this point, but I want smoother and clearer skin so I turn to retinol.  I did actually find that I could use both the serum and the day cream with my existing retinol.  I layered them on top like moisturizers and there’s nothing in them that will prevent the retinol from working.

Beautycounter Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil – $49.

Beautycounter Countertime Antioxidant Soft Cream – $79.

Beautycounter Countertime Tripeptide Radiance Serum – $79.

Available online or through your Beautycounter representative.

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Reversa Retin[A]List 0.3 Retinol Cream

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Henna

This is the retinol that you want if you’re a beginner to retinols – and truthfully, it’s the one that I’m using right now too because it’s so gentle that it makes my skin feel so good.  Reversa’s Retin[A]list has just 0.3% retinol which means that you’ll get all that retinol exfoliating goodness but none of the dryness and peeling that comes with it.

If you’re already using a stronger retinol, there’s no reason to switch to this one but if you’re new to retinol then this might be the one to start with because it’s not too strong.  Starting with a strong retinol can cause major redness and irritation and it can even ruin your skin barrier.

The Reversa retinol has a moisturizing gel formulation which makes it easy to use with any other skincare ingredients.  It feels like more of a serum than a cream, but it’s moisturizing and not watery.  I use it on top of my vitamin C serum, and so far so good.  I’ve actually been using it for about 2 months and my skin loves it because it’s so gentle.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart for $44.99.

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Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Henna

This is actually my favourite Dermalogica product because it’s the most unique.

This is basically a serum and the great thing about it is that it actually moisturizes but it’s totally weightless! You can layer it with other products you’re using, and I use it before I put sunscreen on and it’s perfect because you can moisturize without putting too much stuff on your face.

The product is meant to immediately relieve skin and get rid of fine lines. The best part is that it absorbs into your skin immediately and makes it look and feel nice and plump.  If you suffer from occasional winter dry skin, check this out.

$89, where Dermalogica products are sold.

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Diorshow Mascara

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Henna

I’ve tried the Christian Dior Diorshow mascara many times before, but never written a review about it, so here goes.

dior diorshow mascara
Let me start by saying that there’s a reason that this mascara ends up on all the Editor’s lists but never in the hands or makeup bags of most makeup artists. On top of being one of the more expensive mascaras on the market, it really doesn’t deliver anything that a drugstore mascara can’t. Add that to the fact that it’s a little difficult to use on account of the massive wand.

Want to know how large it really is? Check out the picture of it next to a wand from CoverGirl VolumeExact Mascara.

mascara wands
The wand on the left is the VolumeExact, while the right one is the Diorshow wand. The Diorshow wand is huge which makes it a little difficult to use. It’s hard to get mascara on every single lash and not have a little bit smear on your eyelids.

I have to say though, that once I got used to the wand, this was not a terrible mascara. I was able to build volume with two or three coats, and the formula is stellar. I didn’t see any flaking but it washed off very easily at the end of the day. I even fell asleep with it on one night and woke up surprised to see it was still there, so it does wear very well.

$39 at Dior counters.

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