Missoni and Missoni Acqua

I think that the concept of a variation on a fragrance is a great one. The result is two scents that are similar but not the same – sister scents, as I like to think of them. Missoni is one of these. The original perfume was launched last year and though I didn’t hate it, it wasn’t something I would wear. It smells just like chocolate on me, but it’s a soft chocolate and not overly sweet. The chocolate notes were understandable though, as this scent is for the younger customer, although I feel that if you’re older and you want a grown-up chocolate fragrance, this would work very well.

In any case, earlier this year, Missoni introduced Missoni Acqua, a fresher take on the original. This version was supposed to be beachy, but it’s not the typical suntan oil beach scent. Instead, it’s a foody beach. I definitely smell a melony fruit smell in this fragrance but it’s still fresh! Still, this isn’t a favourite of mine and I think that it’s still for a much younger customer. Overall I like how they’ve done the variation – they keep it foody and tone down some of the notes.

Launched in 2007 and available online. Ultimately this didn’t end up being a fragrance that I held on to because of the gourmande notes in it.

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The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% and Zinc 1%

This is one of my favourite acne treatments and it’s made my skin look so good, but I can’t believe I haven’t written about it.  Take a look at the bottle: it’s almost done, and that’s because I use this almost daily.

Niacinamide is the acne treatment I wish I had discovered a long time ago.  It reduces oil production so it helps make your skin more matte and less prone to clogged pores.  You break out less, and it also helps lighten acne scarring, so if you have acne-prone skin or you’ve suffered from breakouts, it’s basically indispensable.  Oh yeah, and it does all that without the crazy side effects of making your skin super dry or flaky.

The Zinc in the formula helps absorb excess oil, and makes your skin look nice and matte.  The formula is entirely clear.  It’s amazing.

The reviews I read of this said that it pills under makeup or moisturizer, but I haven’t found that to be the case.  In the months that I’ve been using this, I’ve gone through a bunch of sunscreens and moisturizers with this and none of them pilled.

I use the Niacinamide in the day time – I like that it makes my skin more matte so that’s a daytime benefit for sure.  Nights are for retinols and glycolic acid.

Pick it up at The Ordinary for $5.90.

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Life Hack: Tinted Sunscreen

This is a life hack of the best kind: it uses products that you probably already have in your beauty drawer.  Sometimes when I want to wear foundation but I also need to use a ton of sunscreen because that’s the kind of day it’s going to be, I mix together the sunscreen with a super pigmented concealer in a shade darker than what I would normally use. Because concealer is so pigmented, you only need a drop of it mixed into anything.  I mean, you could do this into moisturizer for the winter but somehow I never do that.  What’s more important is a sunscreen that has the perfect tint to it.

In this case, I’m using MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in the shade NC 42, which would probably match the darkest parts of my face, like my nose and my forehead.  It’s super long-wearing and mixes into anything so easily.

It’s a way to make a tinted sunscreen that’s just for you.

Set with powder and get on with your routine, or day.

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Kerastase Resistance Serum Extentioniste

Kerastase’s Resistance line has been my go-to since February to take care of my hair and keep is healthy so that it grows longer.  I’ve been getting monthly treatments at Jerome Salon, and at home I’m using Kerastase’s Resistance Serum Extentioniste.

This is a serum for your scalp, as opposed for the lengths of your hair.  You put it on using the dropper (10-12 drops) and then massage it in with your fingertips.

It’s a leave-in formula that’s absolutely non-greasy and feels like nothing on your hair.  There are ceramides to help protect and moisturize the skin on your scalp, and help you grow healthy long hair.

I’m about half-way done the bottle.  Truth be told, most days I forget to put this on, but I do use it and I think it’s making a difference.  Hair grows more on a clean healthy scalp than on one that’s oily or dry, so scalp health is important and this is one step that can help.

Available at salons or online for $57.

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Lush Gorilla Perfume Imogen Rose

I first got @LushCosmetics Imogen Rose perfume 9 years ago when it first launched.  The perfume is discontinued now and Lush has new scents out in different packaging – the bottles actually have labels stuck on to them now, because as you can see, I lost the Imogen Rose label at some point, leaving me with a plain black bottle.

On to the subject of Imogen Rose, which I’ll review in the 30 ml atomizer spray.  I’m a sucker for rose scents and this one is beyond perfume perfection.  Even after 9 years, the perfume inside the bottle smells amazing, because this is a bottle that doesn’t let in any light!  I’ve also kept it in my basement away from any sunlight, so the juice inside should be good!  I can’t see how much of the perfume is left, but because it’s so strong and concentrated, I only need one spray of this and it lasts the whole entire day.

Imogen Rose is a fresh lusty rose that smells real.  You can smell a whole entire rose garden in just one spritz.  You get hints of green leaves and stems, dew, and even dirt in the whole mixture. The drydown has a bit of spiciness and a sweetness thanks to the amber, and it that warms on the skin and is absolutely a wonderful finish to the perfume.  Because the 30 ml size has 20% perfume materials, it is quite strong and very long lasting, a feature that I love.  I could smell this on me the whole entire day and that’s definitely a plus.

I loved this perfume when I first got it, and I still love it today.  It smells like a Lush store would, and if you like that scent then you’ll like this perfume too.

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Viviscal Hair Nourishment System

I’ve posted about @Viviscal_US a few times, and I have to say that I’m back on it.  I really notice a difference when I don’t use it – I seem to shed way more hair, and that’s a key to my personal hair density.  So when I start using it again, in a few weeks, the excessive shedding goes away and I find that my hair is a little bit thicker. 

Going back to something new this new year – I’m restarting the whole Viviscal Hair Nourishment System which is vitamins you take daily to help get thicker and fuller hair.  My experience in taking supplements is that you don’t notice a huge difference but they do work.  What I notice is not that my hair is growing more.  But that it seems to fall out less.

The only issue is that it takes 3-6 months to really see results, and results are going to vary.  As always, don’t take supplements without consulting with your doctor first. Viviscal has Biotin, Iron, Vitamin C, and Zinc in it, along with their own Amino Mar CTM Marine Complex.

You can get it online or through their retail partners.

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Spring Skincare

It’s about time I wrote something about updating your skincare routine for the spring, and a video is coming soon!  That being said, I was taking a break from my retinol, and got told to just get back on it, because now that my skin has adapted to the side effects of it, I may as well keep using it to keep seeing the benefits. In fact, did you know that you can keep using most of your actives throughout the warmer months as long as you also wear sunscreen each and every day.  Wearing sunscreen will prevent any new pigmentation issues from forming, and in the long run, it will actually mean that you need to wear less makeup!

So I’ve turned back to SkinCeuticals which is one of my favourite skincare brands – and I’m into their retinol cream ($70).  It is 0.3% which is very concentrated so I did see some peeling and redness when I started to use it.

But I’m topping it with a rose hip oilto keep my skin feeling comfortable and if you’re not into the oils, you could for sure do a moisturizer.  You can see it in the picture above – I’m also using Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C) at least a few times a week, and washing off the day with an oil-based cleanser because it seems to get everything off.

Finally – if you’re really taking care of your skin, you need to be wearing sunscreen daily.  Not just when you anticipate being in the sun, but you need it for those times that you’re sitting by the window, or have direct exposure while you’re in your car.  Basically, incidental exposure to the sun is unavoidable and you’ll notice the effects of daily sunscreen in a few years.

I’m loving this Vichy Ideal Soleil sunscreen in SPF 60.  I use the tinted formula and it’s absolutely amazing.  It’s giving me a bit of coverage, and I top it with a powder to set it.  This has lasted me through the most intense workouts and the longest days ever. It comes off when I wash it off at the end of the day.

How are you updating your routine for spring?

Incidentally, if you want to see my whole skincare routine right now: it’s on my Insta…

http://www.instagram.com/tv/Bxv4XfRFgDp/

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MAC Chic Trick Lip Pencil

I’ve had this MAC Chic Trick lip pencil since 2015, and took it out of my stash because it seemed like such a bright pretty fuschia that’s perfect for spring.

And you can see in the picture that it is a nice bright colour.  But the pencil wasn’t as pigmented as I would have liked, and it was so hard that it took many passes to get the colour to where you see it on my lips.  I like to use lip pencils to line and fill my lips, so there’s a lot of tugging if the pencil is dry and unusable. I like pencils because they’re matte and usually last a long time on my lips and this one was too pretty not to use, but I definitely wouldn’t say that it’s my favourite brand of lip pencil.

 

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Wordless Wednesdays: Lips

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The Ordinary Rose Hip Seed Oil

For those times when you’ve completely overdone it and your skin needs some TLC, there are oils that you should have on hand and lately I’ve been trying The Ordinary 100% Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil.  It is $9.90 (just a little more than your fancy coffee) which makes it an affordable choice as something to try in your skincare routine.

The Rose Hip Seed Oil is perfect for dry skin – it’s thick and heavy and it really stays on your skin making it feel nice and comfortable.  Because I have oily skin, it’s not one that I use every day, but I keep it on hand for those times that my skin needs some calming.

It’s not a life-changing product but one that I like to have on hand. Use it after any of your other treatments – it could be the last step of a moisturizing routine, or even used on top of actives to help your skin feel comfortable while they do their work.

Available online or at The Bay.

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