Canadian Beauty

The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Review

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Henna

I’ve put this amazing toner into a spray bottle and now I’m getting so much more use out of it. I feel like I’m not wasting any that’s left on a cotton pad, and I spray all the way out to my shoulders. Just remember to keep your eyes closed!People keep asking me if I like the Inkey List, and the answer is YES! It’s an awesome brand: affordable, and basic ingredients that have science behind them proving that they work. And they’re easy to find.

I’ve added their Glycolic Acid to my skincare routine.

My skin loves glycolic acid. The increased exfoliation is gentle but so effective. My skin gets visibly smoother when I add it to my skincare routine. I actually miss it when I’m not using it because my skin just won’t be as smooth. It’ll be a little bumpy, especially in pictures.

Instead of doing peels regularly, which is giving me a bit more dryness than I like, I’m adding the Inkey List Glycolic Acid toner to my regimen. I let it absorb, and then follow up with a serum or just sunscreen. Sometimes I use it morning and night. Sometimes just in the morning, depending on whether I’m using a retinol or another active at night time. Sometimes I follow up with a vitamin C.

Get it at Shoppers Drug Mart for $12.99.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged The Inkey List | 4 Comments

Fall Beauty: Beautycounter Tint Skin Foundation Swatch and Video Review

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Henna

I got this tinted moisturizer almost two years ago, and I still turn to it when the weather gets a little bit cooler. Check out the full video review below – and I’m wearing it in the color Honey!

http://www.instagram.com/tv/B1_9Rf-BSM0/

I really fluctuate between tinted moisturizer and foundation. I definitely like the look of foundation, but in the summer, and when I have dry skin, tinted moisturizer is better.

Beautycounter’s Tint Skin Foundation hits all the marks with my skin – it helps it by moisturizing but gives it the great coverage that foundation should. The formula is dewy and pretty and the colours are wearable.

I colour I’m wearing is Honey, and you can see that it’s a nice warm tan colour.

The coverage of the foundation is light/medium, but it can be layered for more coverage. I apply it thickly where I need it, and blend it out to be actually sheer. I’m using my sponge to get the coverage I need, but because this is a moisturizing formula, you could apply it with your fingers too.

The foundation as sodium hyaluronate which helps skin hold on to moisture.

The finish is a dewy one, especially if you’re wearing it with sunscreen, and I like to set my t-zone with powder so that it looks less dewy and lasts longer on my skin. I also set it with a setting spray on most days and that makes a difference too.

The foundation comes in 10 colours.

$42 on Beautycounter.com.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged Beautycounter, Foundation, Review | Leave a comment

Cilque Silk Pillowcase

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Henna

If you’re into taking care of your hair, or you follow any kind of hairstylist, salon, hair enthusiast, then you’ll have heard about Silk pillowcases. Silk – because it’s so smooth – is much more gentle on your hair and skin than cotton. Most people have cotton pillowcases, but even the highest thread count of cotton isn’t going to be as smooth as silk.

You can find silk pillowcases at some salons, but I got mine from Cilque.com. Don’t be like me and just get one – it looks weird on a big bed to see one pink silk pillowcase, and the other one plain cotton. Get two pillowcases – even if nobody sleeps on the other side, it’ll look way better.

The Cilque pillowcases are 100% silk and are machine washable, so they’re really not much more work than your regular cotton pillowcases. They really do feel nice and smooth and I had a comfortable sleep on them at night time.

Here’s me lying on my new pillowcase after a blow out. My hair looked great in the morning, but truth be told, I’m usually a pretty sound sleeper and I can have a blow-out last a long time.

I do feel that the silk was very gentle on my skin and not as hard as cotton. I also wasn’t prone to getting sleep lines on my face that I can sometimes get from cotton pillowcases.

I have to say that in the case of silk pillowcases, I’m a believer. They do feel so gentle on my hair and skin and I had a great sleep with them.

Cilque pillowcases are available at Cilque.com. They’re available in a range of colours – light pink is the one that I have. I just wish they sold them in pairs! Prices range from $59 – $99 depending on the size and colour you get.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Cilque | Leave a comment

Kellett Skincare – Acne Free

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Henna

The latest to come my way is a system for adult acne plagued skin which has its own needs – adults want to make sure that the products they use won’t cause wrinkles and at the same time, they want to be acne free. If you’re over the age of 18 and suffer from adult onset acne, then this might be the system for you.

Kellett skincare goes to the next level by being free of parabens, synthetic fragrances and dyes, and any kinds of petrochemicals.

It’s formulated by a doctor (Dr. Kellett!) and so it contains the best ingredients for ideal skin care. Dr. Kellett studied at the prestigious University of Toronto med school, and specializes in dermatology. Her adult patients kept asking for products that could help acne and wrinkles, and so she created something herself!

The system works because it is so well thought out. It contains a polishing cleanser – with little scrubbing beads, this is great for skin with acne, because it’s often oily and could use a good scrub to get rid of dry and dead skin cells as well as scarring. It also contains a gel with 5% benzyl peroxide – proven to kill the germs that cause acne. Finally, it has a sunscreen spray. With spf 30, the spray is light and can even be used on top of makeup which makes it ideal for any kind of skin. Plus, protecting your skin from sun can ensure that scarring is minimized and skin remains clear and fresh.

You can find the system online.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Acne, Kellett | 3 Comments

Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum

Posted on September 6, 2019 by Henna

Bottega Veneta shoes are having a moment today, and maybe that’s why I’ve reached for this beautiful fall fragrance. I have finally found my favourite fall scent and it’s from 2010. It is quiet, yet there. You smell it if you hug me or not at all. The scent is warm and comforting without being sweet or smelling like a Christmas tree or pumpkin pie. Thank goodness.

Check out the beautiful bottle. There’s a leather collar around the bottle’s neck, and a quilted bottom that you can’t see or feel until you pick the bottle up in your hand. All of them hark back to Bottega Veneta’s simplicity and elegance. The fact that there are these beautiful details tied into the bottle design shows their link back to the leather goods that they are known for.

Bottega Veneta’s Eau de Parfum is amazing and the perfect scent for cool weather. Head to your local department store and smell for yourself.

The notes are: Italian Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Indian Sambac Jasmine, leather, Oakmoss, and Patchouli. Somehow, the scent is super warm and comforting, and what I can smell the most is the leather, oakmoss, and patchouli in the drydown. There’s a bit of warm jasmine but not the zing of bergamot or the spiciness of pink peppercorn.

Like any good fragrance, you can smell none of those and all of those notes at the same time, which is nice.

The scent is officially a leathery floral chypre, and just like the actual fashion house, the theme is laid back luxury. It is sophisticated and approachable. This scent is like wearing a cashmere scarf – only the wearer knows of soft and truly luxurious it is and the rest can only admire from afar. That is what this scent is. If you wear it, you can enjoy it the most because you get to smell how it changes throughout the day, and that is truly wonderful.

The scent is $145 for 50mL at Holt Renfrew and select The Bay stores.

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged Bottega Veneta | Leave a comment

The Smoky Eye Tutorial Video

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Henna

I’ve been sitting on this video for a while – I took it during Fashion Week and finally had time to edit it properly. All the steps are there and I only taped her doing one eye so that the video was more concise. Note that all makeup is L’Oreal and easily found at the drugstore. Also note that the makeup artist used both pencil and liquid eyeliner and that she still used a light coloured eyeshadow as a base.

Enjoy!

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Eye Makeup, Eyeliner, L'Oreal, Smoky Eye | Leave a comment

Wordless Wednesday: Back to School

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Henna

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Sally Hansen Grape Gatsby Swatch

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Henna

This is definitely one of my favourite fall colours – I even have it on right now.

I really love the Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure formula – it is so smooth and streak-free, and this creamy shade looked good in even one coat.

Find it in drugstores. $9.95.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged nail polish, Sally Hansen, Swatch | Leave a comment

Back to School Wellness with Saje Natural Wellness

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Henna

While the fall is an exciting time for some, the truth is that with change comes stress as well.

There are lots of ways to deal with stress, but one that’s new to me – and becoming more and more popular – is that of using essential oils and aromatherapy. So when a new location of Saje Natural Wellness opened near me in Southcentre Mall (here in Calgary), I had to check it out to see what the fuss was about.

The appeal is apparent right from the time you enter into the store. You’re greeted with a live plant wall display, and you can hear water trickling. The scent, as you enter the store, is what adds to that immediate sense of wellness. The blend of plant botanicals and natural notes is a scent that’s at once grounding and uplifting!

Saje uses 100% natural products and remedies and there’s a variety of essential oils to choose from; you can search either by what appeals to you, or by what ails you.

And the remedies are really what Saje seems to do best – you can buy a first-aid kit that includes oils that can treat headache or indigestion, but also mood uplifters or relaxers. For those heading into stressful situations, a drop or two of the right oil applied on a pulse point can really go a long way towards improving mood and shifting focus towards deep breathing and personal wellness.

My favourite way of using essential oils is by applying them on my neck or the inside of my elbow – those are spots where others can’t smell them, but I get a whiff of them every now and then, helping to align my focus on to what’s most important.

I also love the idea that you can buy the pure oils and then blend them into carrier oils at home to create your own massage and body oils. It means that you control the strength of the scent so that it’s not offensive to you.

If you’re interested in Saje Natural Wellness, check out one of their many locations across Canada.

The Night and Day Remedy Bar shown above is $47.95 and available online.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Saje, Saje Wellness | Leave a comment

The Mystery Collection

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Henna

Flashback to a beautiful makeup collection from @LancomeCanada – this was Fall 2007! Anyone remember it?

In just a few short weeks, the Lancome Mystery Collection will be on counters. I’ll just give you a minute to soak in the amazing picture below. Model Daria Werbowy showcases the collection.

Daria’s holding the Destiny Cube which you can see above and below.

The Mystery Cube comes in two colour collections – the one pictured above, called Charisma, and then the one below, called Deep Fascination.

The lighter colour of the lip duo in both colour collections is the lipstick and the dark colour is a sheer lip gloss. The duo work beautifully together, of course, and they give your lips just the right colour wen worn together. Natural and nicely coordinated with the eyeshadow.

I’m sure, though, that the product that will create the most curiosity is the Baisser Baume. This is a lip balm! If you’re wondering what the texture of the balm is, imagine one of those little rubber balls that are used to play jacks with. Now imagine that every time you touch this rubber ball you get a moisturizer residue. Not only is it cool but it has a very faint sweet smell and taste.

Also part of the collection are a pair of Kohl pencils and lip glosses. The Kohl pencils aren’t “normal” either, of course, and they come with a twist. One side of the Kohl is a gold colour while the other is a dark black or dark brown. The Kohl pencils are super-pigmented and really stay on. Using the gold and the darker colour, I was able to do a perfect smoky eye by blending the two colours.

See the funny shape of the Khol pencil? That’s so you can use it as a hair accessory! The entire collection is inspired by The Orient Express and to me it reflects some of the Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear collections that were also inspired by the orient.

Also, this August’s Vogue featured a story with Amber Valetta, and her look is definitely one that you could achieve with the Charisma Destiny Cube. The grey eyeshadow all over the eyes and the neutral lips with a mostly plain face are easily attainable, and the gloss provided makes sure that you can make your lip colour as pink as you prefer.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged Lancome | 5 Comments