Canadian Beauty

Hand Cream That’s Not Greasy from Cerave

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Henna

First of all, to be honest, I don’t mind a greasy hand cream. If I’m on the computer anyway, a greasy cream isn’t going to get in the way of what I’m doing. If I’m watching TV or a movie, then I don’t mind a bit of grease on my hands, but for those of you who aren’t in that boat, who like to use your hands more than I do, then this is the hand cream for you.

Cerave – a brand that has quickly become one of my favourites – has based their skincare products with including ceramides in them. Every productincludes Ceramide 3, 6, and 1, to help replace lipids lost due to weather or washing. Basically, these are oils that are lost in day-to-day activities and need to be replaced. The products also include Niacinamide which addresses skin concerns such as fine lines, dullness, and weakened skin. Finally, there’s hyaluronic acid, which is great for boosting skin’s water content.

Cerave’s Therapeutic Hand Cream has all these ingredients in a formula that also has silicone in it for dry slip. The silicone seals in the hyaluronic acid, the ceramides and the niacinamide, but it also “absorbs” so that your skin isn’t greasy after you use this hand cream.

Pick it up at the drugstore. $13.99.

Posted in Hand Cream | Tagged CeraVe, hand cream | Leave a comment

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Line

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Henna

I’ve used Neutrogena’s Rapid Wrinkle Repair line for years, because when my skin is dry, this is a nice option that moisturizes but doesn’t feel heavy and greasy. These are some of the few moisturizers that don’t make me break out, and I can use them alongside of my regular actives such as my Neostrata Glycolic Acid toner and my vitamin C serum.

The line includes a cream, which is heavier, a night lotion, a day lotion with SPF 30 in it, and a serum. All the ingredients are formulated with what Neutrogena calls Accelerated Retinol SA which is a combination of their Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid. The concentration of retinol is not very high (it’s appears later on in the ingredient list), but the Hyaluronic Acid and other moisturizers keep skin plump and smooth.

Really, I use this line all year round, and the day lotion is my most favourite product of all because of the SPF, plus other ingredients. It’s not too greasy as a sunscreen and lets makeup go on nicely too.

Pick it up in drugstores.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Anti-Aging, neutrogena | Leave a comment

The Prana Ionic Dry Brush

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Henna

If you’re trying to take better care of yourself now, and at all times, then one thing that you can add to your wellness routine is dry brushing, and instead of using those rough sisal brushes, which I could really never get behind, I suggest trying dry brushing with the Prana Ionic Brush.

Prana brushes are made in Canada, and are made up of copper bristles surrounded by boar bristles. Dry brushing feels kind of scratchy on the skin, but it’s not painful. You move the brush on your skin in long even strokes, working from the outside of your body in towards your heart. As you do this, you’ll see great plumes of dry skin go into the air (especially, if you’re new to dry brushing).

Truly, I don’t even care about how my skin looks and feels afterwards, it is the most satisfying thing in the world to see the dry skin fly up in the air off my body. It makes it seem like I’m actually doing something! So much of wellness and self-care is a slow process that takes time to see results, but dry brushing offers immediate gratification. Dare I say, it’s almost addictive to keep brushing your skin so you can get rid of that dry skin.

The entire process, from toes to tips takes just minutes, after which I jump into the shower and wash it all away. I follow up with body oil, comfy pyjamas, and call it a night. My skin loves the treatment and I love it too.

The Prana brush is available online for $44.50. I love it so much that I’m taking it on vacation with me.

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Laneige Water Pocket Sheet Masks

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Henna

Sheet masks: they have become a weekly thing for me and I truly believe that they’ve made my skin so much brighter. I totally didn’t believe in them at first. I figured that they were just regular serum and that this was just a beauty phase, and maybe it is, but these types of masks have been around for years now and I think they’ve stayed around because something in them works. I think leaving the serum on your skin for 10-20 minutes and keeping it wet, which is typical for these masks, really helps it be activated for a longer amount of time while it’s on your skin and then helps it do a better job.

That’s why I was so excited to find out that Laneige has Water Pocket Sheet Masks that are sold individually. There are 6 types of masks: Soothing, Brightening, Moisturizing, Firming, Replenishing, and Nourishing.

I’ve tried them and I have to say that they work. Maybe it’s because hydrated skin looks plumper and more fresh, and that’s why I think these just make me look well-rested and glowy, or maybe they’re just super soothing on my skin. Whatever the reason, they are a must-have in any skincare kit because they can really take your skin from 0 to 10 in one night. After the 15 minutes of wearing this mask is up – and it’s kind of dry after that amount of time – you throw the film in the garbage and massage the leftover serum on to your face. And then go to sleep.

Try them for yourself! $8 at Sephora.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Laneige, Masks, sheet masks | Leave a comment

Vichy is Having a Sale and a review of Their Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Henna

I’m a fan of Vichy – they make some of the best moisturizers on the market and they make formulations for all skin types! Dry skin! Gels for combination skin! Serums for oily skin! You name it, they have it.

It happens to be -10 degrees Celcius here today, and so my skin is not happy. It’s dry, feels tight, and so I’m reaching for this old standby which also happens to be on sale on their website ($31.96 instead of the usual almost $40).

The Aqualia Thermal Rich Cream is still made with hyaluronic acid and mineral water, but in a thick cold-cream like formula that sticks to the skin and then sinks in. It makes skin look luminous and hydrated and because it’s so thick, the comfortable feeling lasts for the whole day.

Pick it up at drugstores, or online.

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MAC Sheer Mystery Powder and No Foundation in 2019

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Henna

It’s the days of no foundation. I know. I’ve been a religious foundation wearer for the better part of two years, and my skin isn’t better now than it was then, but I found that I just wanted to be more low maintenance and cut the habit. So here’s how I did it: I went on vacation and purposely didn’t pack foundation with me. I wore it the day I left: to the airport. But then I didn’t apply any while I was gone for ten days because I hadn’t packed it.

What I took with me was this: MAC Sheer Mystery Powder from aeons ago.

I went on a “shop my stash” binge, and got rid of molding lipsticks and got out some stuff that I could be using but wasn’t. The Sheer Mystery Powder in Medium Plus which is just a bit darker than a yellowish-medium but not as dark as medium-deep. This was limited edition and is only available in Deep Dark on the MAC website.

It’s sheer coverage and very natural looking, which makes it perfect for everyday. I can apply it on my dry skin, but to be honest, if I’m using a powder I use a very moisturizing primer beforehand, or even a facial oil because I find it makes the powder stick better to my skin.

This particular powder photographs beautifully, and looks very natural in every light. It lets your skin shine through – you can’t hide freckles or scarring with this, but I’m ok with that. I think 2019 is going to be the year of more natural makeup, and I’m here to celebrate that.

I think you should join me. Would you go without foundation?

Sheer Mystery Powder is $72. I apply with a big buffing brush and really pile on as much as I can. I like the hefty palette and the pretty packaging, and I think I’ll keep it around even when the powder is done. I’ve thrown out the little puff that it came with because I only apply this at home. The powder doesn’t last that long on your skin – I was oily after lunch – but that’s just me. I’m sure if you use it with a primer you could make it last longer, or you could top this with a setting spray to really seal it in. I’m trying to make mornings as quick as possible, so this is the last step in my skincare, after sunscreen, and then I’m out the door.

Anyone else have resolutions for 2019? Or new habits?

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged Foundation, MAC, powder | Leave a comment

The Ordinary 1% Retinol in Squalene

Posted on January 8, 2019 by Henna

I wrote about my The Ordinary Haul, and the first product that I opened right away was the 1% Retinol in Squalene. Squalene is a plant-based oil that’s often found in skincare. It’s light and feels comfortable on the skin.

I’ve used retinol before and I know that it can make your skin feel a little dry and tight because of the intense amount of exfoliation that’s going on. I can feel it after I wash my skin and I know thatbefore I put on a retinol, I can use a very basic moisturizer to put back in what my skin might have lost in the cleansing process, but with the Retinol in Squalene, I actually don’t have to do that. The squalene immediately makes my skin feel so comfortable and the retinol goes to work speeding up the exfoliation of my skin.

Did I get the flakes when I was using this serum.

Of course I did.

It’s potent, and I hadn’t been using a retinol regularly before I was using this. I had used the A313 for a bit but I had stopped for a week or so. I much prefer the texture and feel of this retinol and because it makes my skin feel so comfortable when i put it on, I know that I’m going to keep on using it. I also didn’t have any itchiness when I used it, and I think that’s a really good sign. It means that my skin wasn’t that sensitive to the feeling of retinol and that also made me want to keep using it, hopefully giving me better results.

You can get this retinol online and if you’re new to the retinol game, I recommend that you get one at a lower percentage so that your skin can get used to it. Once that’s done, then you can work your way up to a higher percentage of retinol.

The Ordinary Retinol serum is remarkably affordable. This serum is less than $10.

Posted in Skin Care | Leave a comment

Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Henna

Having a definite Serge Lutens moment over here too, and I highly recommend you check out the Serge Lutens counter at Sephora or Holt Renfrew. The scents are wearable, pretty, and have major staying power if they’re not necessarily all that unique.

La Fille de Berlin is a simple scent – rose, and pepper. The freshness of roses, combined with a tiny bit of spiciness from the pepper. This scent doesn’t knock you off your feet. It is pretty and fresh and because it’s an Eau de Parfum it’s got some depth instead of being fleeting. Think of a classic red rose scent and that’s what you’ve got here.

$255 for 100mL.

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged Serge Lutens | Leave a comment

The Holy Grail Nail Trio

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Henna

This is a nail look I’ve done so many times that it’s become my go-to. I really love understated super long nails – as long as they’re actually my real nails and I can grow them long enough to my liking. The polish needs to be a safe pink that’s not nude or neutral. Dior Lady fits the bill.

I’ve worn it in so many Instagram posts and it really fits any nail shape. Long, short, square, or oval, this colour just looks polished and fresh.

I use a tinted Nail Envy base coat underneath. I started using Nail Envy a couple of years ago, because I saw pictures posted of people with really long nails, and Nail Envy seems to have made the difference. I do notice that my nails are less prone to peeling but I don’t know whether that’s Nail Envy or not. What I like is that it actually makes a great base coat, so I keep coming back to it.

Finally, the piece de resistance is the top coat, because all this effort is only going to last as long as your top coat is the best, and in this case, it is. I love the Infinite Shine 3 because it gets harder and harder with the UV rays of the sun, and so it’s a fantastic top coat. It’s also super duper shiny. I can’t promise 10 day wear, but I can easily get through a 5 day week, and stretch it out to 7 days if I need to.

But sadly, after years, I’m out of Dior Lady and I’m out of my second bottle of the Infinite Shine 3 top coat, so it’s time to say bye bye.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged Nails | Leave a comment

Bumble and Bumble Go Big Treatment

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Henna

I’ve been on a bit of a blow-drying bandwagon this month. I think there’s just something about wearing winter hats that makes me want to be more polished, and have nice smooth locks, which takes a lot of work for someone with curly hair. So I’ve been test-driving all kinds of treatments before I blow-dry my hair to see what works best for it.

To be honest, I think the best thing is just not blow-drying. I really like my hair to air-dry mostly and then go through it with a straightener.

No matter what I’m doing though, I’m liking the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Go Big Treatment ($34) which is a new addition to their Thickening line of products. It’s perfect for people like me who have fine hair. I spray it on my roots (just like I’ve seen my stylist do) and then blow-dry with a round brush trying to go away from the roots. The result is a lift and thickening of hair that really seems to last and last. And the best part is that it feels natural and fresh and not crispy like some volumizers can.

If you have dry hair then there’s also the Thickening Great Body Blow Dry Creme ($38) which is emollient but also has some hold and gives hair some weight. So it’s volumized but not as fluffy as it would be with a spray. I found that just a tiny amount was what I needed for my hair, and it had enough hold that it made blow-drying easier than it were usually.

Oh, and if you’re really into bigger hair, you could use the Go Big Treatment before the Blow Dry Cream and really get your hair to stay.

Available at salons and Sephora.

Posted in Styling Products | Tagged Bumble and Bumble | Leave a comment