Canadian Beauty

Sapphire Hair Straightener

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Henna

In some way we live in the best of times. Trends like foundation shades in lots of different colours, and “boss babes” taking over the world means that the media is reflecting the real world back at us in a more authentic way, and we are here to be part of the revolution. That’s why it’s so inspiring to learn about indie brands – without big marketing budgets, a team of experts, or even seed money, these brands are making a mark in their industries.

Case in point is Sapphire Hair, which (full disclosure!) was started by my friends Monica and Neelam, seasoned beauty entrepreneurs from Calgary. They started offering their own hair and beauty services years ago, and their style became so admired that clients were asking them to teach lessons so that they could replicate their looks at home on their own. The classes were a huge success, but the sisters realized that they needed professional-quality tools that didn’t have to cost an arm and a leg – and they decided to make the tools themselves.

I’ve had a chance to check them out in person – not only are the flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryer beautiful, but they are all quick to heat up, easy to use, and have digital displays so you know exactly how hot or cool they are.

I even had some friends come over and try the hair straightener and they were duly impressed by how quickly and evenly they were able to straighten their hair and how shiny it was afterwards.

You can order Sapphire Hair styling tools online and they ship to Canada and the U.S. $160.

Posted in Tools | Tagged Hair Straightener | 3 Comments

Winter Skin Savers

Posted on October 29, 2018 by Henna

It’s Pumpkin Spice Latte time, but some days it feels like winter is closer than ever, and so I’ve been layering up the moisturizer. Starting with body oil and ending with a body butter.

When my skin is damp, I put on some Bio-Oil. It’s been around for age, and it works better than any other dry oil because it’s nice and thick and it really sticks to your skin. It basically seals in moisture, and I let it absorb as much as possible instead of towel drying.

And guess what? Body Butter goes really well on top of oil. It just slides on and really makes your skin feel comfortable. I’ve been turning to Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics Body Butter, which is 98% natural and is a blend of oils so it melts into your skin rather than just sitting on top of it and being tough to rub in.

I’m also reaching for my new Blistex Conditioning Lip Serum which is more like a heavy moisturizer for my lips than a traditional lip balm. Where lip balm can be waxy and just sit on top of my lips, this actually needs to be rubbed in and then really makes everything feel soft and smooth over time. I put it on after I’ve been wearing lipstick all day because it just repairs my lips after they’ve had a matte lippie on them.

I’m also loving a single serving of this Yes to Coconuts Moisturizing Mud Mask. Yes, you read that right, this is a mud mask that will absorb excess oil but won’t leave your skin feeling tight thanks to the addition of real coconut oil in it. It’s exactly as awesome as it sounds.

And after all that, I put on my pajamas and go to bed. Because the best way for all that treatment to really do a body good is if I get my rest too.

What are you loving this winter?

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Bio-Oil, Blistex, body butter, Cheeky Monkey, Dry Skin, Lip Balm, Moisturizer, Skin, Winter, Yes to Coconuts | Leave a comment

Buxom Lip Powder and Matte Lips

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Henna

Matte lips will always be my favourite look to wear. The colour lasts longer, and it’s a true bonus if I can find a lippie that leaves a bit of a stain on my lips too. I like a lippie that I put on first thing in the morning and forget about until lunch. I don’t want smearing or smudging, I just want to be left with a nice lip. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with lip creams – they’re nice because they last a long time, but they definitely don’t look natural. I like my look to be a little undone.

These BuxomPillow Pout Creamy Plumping Lip Powders give lips a little tingle when you first apply them but then settle into a slightly undone matte finish. They are perfect for an undone lip look especially if you’re done with the tattoo-like lip cream trend.

Pick them up at Sephora. $26.

Posted in Fall 2018 | Tagged Buxom, lips, lipstick | Leave a comment

Fragrance Friday: Fall Scents with Tom Ford Tuscan Leather

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Henna

Time to change up the fragrance game and wear something a little warmer for fall. In my case, it’s Tom Ford’s Tuscan Leather which I just got. I’ve got Champaca, and Cafe Rose, and they’re my favourites, so the people at the counter suggested Tuscan Leather and although it has notes of amber and vanilla in it which I normally avoid, I love this scent now that the weather is cooling down.

Firstly – omg – the longevity. Rare is a scent that lasts all day on me, but goodness, this sticks to my skin and I’m liking that. I can still get a hint of it on my clothes at the end of the day and there’s nothing more delicious than walking into a closet that smells like Tuscan Leather.

Opening notes smell exactly of leather. Think, new car smell, opening up a new wallet, getting a new purse. It’s weird, but the leather scent is accurate. The middle notes – and what I smelled for the majority of the wear time – is smokier amber. It’s sweet but not cloying. It reminded me of s’mores – you know when your marshmallow catches on fire? That’s what this is but somehow the leather is still in the background so the overall effect is a refined memory.

Finally, the dry down is smoky balsam. It’s dry, woody, and what I can smell at the end of the day and that also reminds me of incense in the best way.

Pick it up at Tom Ford Counters – $175 for 30mL.

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged Perfume, tom ford | Leave a comment

Empty: It Cosmetics Confidence in a Cream

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Henna

I’ve reviewed Confidence in a Cream before but the fact that I kept coming back to it and now it’s finished shows how much I really liked this moisturizer.

Confidence in a Cream absorbs quickly and makes your skin feel hydrated – and that’s a feeling that lasts. It’s thick and rich for a moisturizer, but works well on my oily skin thanks to the smooth almost-powdery finish. Minor irritations are cleared up and my skin is just happy when I use this moisturizer.

I mean, the brand says that it transforms your skin and that hasn’t been my experience, but I will say that the glowy finish and the yellow tone makes it absolutely perfect for layering foundation on top – it really makes it look natural and with a satiny smooth finish.

$62 at Sephora.

Posted in Moisturizers | Leave a comment

Kariderm – Shea Butter for Your Hair

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Henna

I have a love/hate relationships with natural shampoos and conditioners. I like that they’re supposed to be good for your hair – soapless, silicone-free, natural ingredients, even good for the environment – but they just don’t feel like they’re cleaning my hair the way that other shampoos do and I really like my hair to be squeaky clean.

Kariderm’s Shampoo ($11.95), conditioner ($11.95), and hair mask ($21.95) all have shea butter in them which makes them all super hydrating, but because there’s no silicone in them, these products are missing the traditional slip that other hair products give to your hair. After using the shampoo, your hair feels squeaky clean but not smooth. The conditioner seems to absorb into your hair almost instantly, and even leaves a bit of a residue that makes hair feel conditioned and maybe a bit heavier.

To be honest, the real results are seen only when you stick with using this product line. A few weeks in and my hair is noticeably less frizzy even though I haven’t been using a hair serum in it. It took a few shampoos to wash the hair dye out of my hair when I had put it in, but weeks after that, I’ve noticed that my hair colour hasn’t faded thanks to the shampoo being free of Sodium Laureth Sulfate. It hasn’t even gone orange and I haven’t need to re-tone it which is something that I usually do once a week. The results are worth the change in feel. My hair curls better on its own – the curls are springy and bouncy – and I’m using less product to make my hair feel put together. I can even blow-dry it easily or use a straightener in it.

Available online.

Posted in Deep Conditioner, Shampoo and Conditioner | Tagged Hair products, Kariderm, Review | Leave a comment

Dior Dream Skin 1-Minute Mask

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Henna

I don’t have time for masks these days. If it’s not giving me results like peeling which is really what my skin needs and likes to look its best, then I’m not really into it.

Dior Dream Skin 1-Minute Mask is a mask I can get behind. It has glycolic acid in it but in tiny amounts so it exfoliates gently without really irritating skin. The mask is actually super moisturizing so there’s no drying after you use it but after using it for a few weeks, the brightening effect thanks to the peeling is noticeable.

And I don’t really put this on and leave it – instead I use it as a cleanser by rubbing it into my skin every morning and then rubbing it into my hands while it sits on my face, and then rinsing away. 1 minute goes by pretty quickly and the results are worth it.

Pick it up at Dior counters – $90.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Dior, Mask, Peel | Leave a comment

Just Finished: Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream and Creams I’ve Loved

Posted on October 2, 2018 by Henna

I really wish I had taken a picture of the empty jar, but I just forgot. I know, I’ve reviewed a whole bunch of face creams lately. There was the Sothy’s Noctuelle which has vitamin C in it and is meant to be used at night time. This was really the most lusciously moisturizing cream I’ve tried in a long time. It’s best for those with dry skin.

There was also It Cosmetics’ Secret Sauce which was also moisturizing but known for having lots of antioxidants in it. The texture was on point and it was great to use any time of the day.

But none of those were exfoliating and sometimes that’s just what your skin needs, and if you have oily skin like me, you need that more often than not. So I love Neutrogena’s Rapid Repair line and I’ve written about it a ton because I’m a Neutrogena “Skincare Expert” and their Rapid Repair moisturizer with SPF is my all time favourite day cream because it has a bit of retinol but also SPF 30!

The cream has hyaluronic acid and retinol in it to help moisturize and exfoliate your skin, and although it’s a nice thick cream, it’s not so thick that it bothers my oily skin. It still sinks in very easily and makes my skin look slightly glowy.

Pick it up in drugstores for $38.99.

Posted in Moisturizers | Tagged Cream, Face, neutrogena, skincare | Leave a comment

Defend Your Skin with Vitamin C from Avene

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Henna

At about this time of year, your tan’s faded, and maybe you’re left with some freckles from a good summer. Maybe it’s just time to get that brightness back that you feel like you might have lost. I know that for myself at this time of year, I always contemplate laser, peels, scrubs, anything to bring back more of a clean slate for my skin. It’s good to know that there’s one ingredient that you can add that helps prevent all kinds of environmental damage, and that’s Vitamin C.

Worth checking out is Avene’s A-OXitive serum ($50) and water-cream ($48), both of which are formulated with vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid to help skin hydrate and defend itself against environmental damage. I love the Water-Cream because it’s a little thicker and keeps my skin hydrated for a longer amount of time. It also has a bit of shimmer in it which makes my skin look more glowy. I’m wearing this under SPF and makeup but I still like that there’s a bit of a glow.

Available at pharmacies and drugstores now.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Avene | Leave a comment

Another Day, Another Clear Sunscreen Everyone Can Use

Posted on September 29, 2018 by Henna

It might feel like summer’s on its way out, but I’m not done with these sunscreen reviews! Here’s another option for those of you who are looking for something that’s completely clear, and this one is SPF 30.

Aveeno’s Positively Radiant Sheer Daily Moisturizer has a light, almost gel-like consistency that feels incredibly hydrating on the skin. Although it says Positively Radiant, there’s no shimmer or shine in this sunscreen, but there is the usual and slight sunscreen sheen that ends up on your skin. Smooth it on, and the sunscreen disappears into your skin completely, which makes it perfect for everyday. It absorbs quickly leaving time to put makeup on, if that’s your thing.

$20.79 at drugstores and mass merchandisers.

Posted in Moisturizers, Sunscreen | Tagged Aveeno, Moisturizer, Review, Sunscreen | 2 Comments