Canadian Beauty

Benefit Dallas

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Henna

@BenefitCanada’s Dallas Blush is still one of the best blushes I’ve tried – simply because it looks so good on my tan skin and I can take it from summer to winter without trying really hard, and I can even use it as a light contour if I’m just sticking to the hollows of my cheeks.

Girls with tan skin – such as myself – sometimes have trouble finding the perfect shade of blush.

You want something natural, but go too light and it doesn’t show up on your skin, go too dark and it can look obvious and unnatural. Yes, it looks sort of bronzy mauve in the box and I’m not a fan of the packaging, but it really is the perfect colour and makes you look as if you’re glowing.

$38 at Sephora.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged Benefit, Blush | Leave a comment

For the Love of Lush

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Henna

Here’s a little letter in defense of one of my favourite stores – @LushCosmetics.

Lush is one of those stores that people either love or hate. I love it. I suspect that the people who hate it just haven’t tried the right product, and yes I’m talking to those of you who don’t like strong smells too. I really do believe that there’s something for everyone in that store – it’s just about being brave and trying something new.

But why do I love Lush so much?

Well I’ve loved Lush for almost 20 years now and I still remember going into a Lush store for the first time. I read about Lush products in fashion magazines – I still remember when Dream Cream was advertised as being used by Halle Berry back when she was really famous. I also remember being aware that they were British because celebs used to show up at their British stores a lot, it seemed. That was back when I read gossip mags.

Then, while walking around downtown Toronto with a friend when I was in highschool, I encountered my very first store and it was like a magical experience. The thing about Lush shoppes is that you can smell them all the way down the street. The fragrance lingers in the air inviting you in to touch and see the products up close.

To me, the smell inside the shop was a mixture of old and new. In some ways it smelled a lot like the Indian incense my parents lit on weekends. In other ways, it smelled fruity and new and very… fresh.

Yes, that’s the main difference between Lush and other brands like The Body Shop and Crabtree and Evelyn. Lush makes products so fresh that they come with their own expiry date. The only products that you have to be especially careful about is the face masks that are made fresh in the store. So committed are the Canadian stores that you can’t purchase these masks over the Internet for fear that they will go bad before they even reach you.

The question isn’t whether Lush’s products work or not – most of these products make no special claims. The fact is that Lush’s products are fresh, contain many natural ingredients, most are vegan, and all smell different. You won’t find any popular or run-of-the-mill scents at this store, so don’t go in looking for a regular coconut body wash. Instead, you’ll find one that mixes coconut with other ingredients to give you something truly unique. And most of the products aren’t merely scented, they actually contain some of the ingredients from which they are inspired. For example, an orange-smelling soap will have orange essence in it.

It’s a combination of the things I mentioned above that makes Lush special – freshness, real ingredients, and special scents. If you want to try something new, go to Lush. Be brave and you won’t be sorry. Lush has stores in Canada and also has its own Canadian website where you can place orders. Check out Lush.com to find a store in your area or country.

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

Skindinavia No More Shine Makeup Finish Setting Spray

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Henna

Makeup, powder, and now setting spray too? It might seem like a lot, but if you want your makeup to last then setting spray is a step that can add hours to the wear of your foundation, and it helps powdered skin look more natural. It just kind of blends everything together and kind of sets everything with a sort of light glue. Kind of how hairspray can help your hair style last longer but just adding a touch of veneer.

I’m using Skindinavia’s No More Shine Makeup Finish setting sprayfor oily skin, and definitely keeps my skin looking more fresh. I just spritz it on all over and then let it set – and it sets in seconds.

If you’re looking to have your makeup last longer, then try it!

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

L’Occitane Immortelle Divine Cleansing Balm and Foaming Cleanser

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Henna

I’ll admit this: I’m a skincare junkie but this is my first time trying a cleansing balm. I’ve tried a cleansing oil and cleansing gel, but a first for the balm, and I’m so glad that the first one I’m trying is by L’Occitane, a brand that does really nicely formulated skincare.

L’Occitane’s Immortelle Cleansing Balm is new to the boutique, and it’s all kinds of wonderful. Moisturizing, soft, and easy to apply.

It’s the same idea as a cleansing oil or gel, really. You take the balm and smooth it on your skin without getting it wet, and rub it in. As your hands and face warm it up, it kind of melts into an oily consistency and melts makeup – even long-wearing (and sometimes even waterproof) mascara. And when I say that it melts everything, I meant that it really does melt it all. Then you start splashing your face with water, and it all just washes away – it turns into a milky consistency, and you see your makeup going into the drain with it.

Now, the beautiful thing about a cleansing oil, a cleansing balm, and a cleansing gel is that they’re not drying. In fact, they don’t wash away 100% which helps them be moisturizing on the skin. But I like to wipe away everything with a wet washcloth, and then follow up with the L’Occitane Immortelle cleansing foam. A tiny bit mixed with water turns into a creamy foam that really washes everything away. This is more like soap, so you don’t want to be rubbing your eyes with it, but it’ll wash away any makeup or cleansing balm residue.

This, my friends, is known as double cleansing and when you do it right, you’ll have no makeup or dirt on your skin and over time, your skin will be more clear and will feel better because it won’t ever still have makeup on it when you go to bed. Follow up with moisturizer or treatment and you’re ready for bed.

$49 for the balm and $44 for the cleansing foam. Available online and at L’Occitane Boutiques.

Posted in Cleansers | Tagged l'Occitane | 1 Comment

Vivier Skin Sheer Sunscreen Review

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Henna

I love trying new sunscreens, and it’s always a mission of mine to find one that’s not only good for my skin but also effective and sheer.

Well, Vivier Skin Sheer is the latest sunscreen to join my rotation.

Made with Zinc Oxide and other sun protection ingredients, this sunscreen also has silica to create a feather-light powdery finish on the skin, but also shea butter to help moisturize and keep the sunscreen from being too drying.

True to its name, it is absolutely sheer. In fact, it has a markedly less whitish cast than other zinc oxide sunscreens that I’ve tried and it goes on like a lotion rather than a cream, so it’s not at all heavy or thick on your skin. It blends flawlessly and even makes a great primer for makeup.

If you’re of a medium skin tone or darker, you will notice that this sunscreen does make your skin appear lighter. It’s sheer, and not whitish, but there is some colour simply due to the zinc oxide. It’s not a problem for me because I apply foundation on top anyway, and it blends foundation so well that the final effect is nice. The sunscreen is sheer – but not transparent, and that’s important to know.

Pick it up in doctor’s offices and authorized retailers.

Posted in Sunscreen | Tagged Sunscreen, Vivier | 2 Comments

Neutrogena Deep Clean Oil-Free Make-Up Remover Wipes

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Henna

Neutrogena has probably the most popular wipes at the drugstore, and I turn to them because they’re effective. I’ll admit that I don’t use them to take off all of my makeup. A bit of a pre-cleanse is essential, but I do use them to get rid of any residue and to really get the mascara off from under my eyes. It just tends to smear all over when I taking makeup off. They’re also great to use when you’re trying to preserve your blown out hair – my hair is super curly, and the little bit of water I might get on my face while I wash it is effectively enough to cause a kink or wave of hair right at the hairline. So I turn to these wipes instead.

Now, I’m using the Deep Clean Oil-Free Make-Up Remover Wipes, which have a touch of mint in them which feel refreshing as the cleansing solution dries on my skin. The finish is a little lighter and more watery than most other makeup wipes I’ve tried, and I can see how these wipes would be better for those with problematic skin. They get off everything and I simply follow up with my regular skincare.

Available at drugstores and mass merchandisers.

Posted in Cleansers | Tagged neutrogena, Wipes | 1 Comment

What I’m Using Now

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Henna

…otherwise known as Hero Products. Because this is obviously a super condensed list of what I’m using right now and I thought I’d share.

The purple tube is Urban Decay Primer Potion because it makes sure that my greasy eyelids don’t smudge my makeup. When I posted this picture on Instagram, someone recommended that I try a MAC Paint Pot as a primer and I’m going to try that next. Going to have to dig up some pain pots!

Urban Decay pressed setting powder in Banana. Super light and finely milled, this leaves your skin feeling silky smooth and helps makeup last longer. I use it before my powder contour and it helps that go on more smoothly too.

Beautycounter Skin Tint Foundation is light and luminous. I’m actually only applying it under my eyes and it works well and highlighting the high points of my face.

Sothy’s grey eye pencil lasts a long time and is luminous enough to look pretty day or night. It’s part of their fall beauty collection.

and that’s it!

What are your favourite products right now?

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Beautycounter, MAC, My makeup, Sothys, Urban Decay | Leave a comment

Sothy’s Paris Fall Colour Collection

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Henna

Here’s a picture of this fall’s new red lip.

Pretty, right?

It’s the perfect neutral red. Not too blue, and not too orange, just right. It gives a pop of colour and lots of pigment without too much trying. It’s matte but not dry, and has amazing staying power. I loved wearing it and I’m going to be reaching for it again and again.

The colour is called Beaux des arts from the Sothy’s fall colour collection, and so this shade is limited edition.

For the eyes, there are metallic shades of grey: an eye crayon and eye liner, both pretty and easy to use, especially when topped with lots of black mascara. The eye liner has some subtle blue shimmer in it which helps make eyes pop and keeps the grey from being boring.

The colours are not only pretty and easy to wear, but they’re also super long-wearing and and comfortable.

Pick them up at Sothy’s counters.

Posted in Fall 2017 | Tagged Sothys | Leave a comment

NYX Pin-Up Pout Lipstick

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Henna

NYX’s new lipstick is super basic but it’s just what we need right now as a relief from tattoo mattes that last and last but don’t look natural.

The Pin-Up Pout lipstick is a satin finish that’s pigmented but lets your natural lip colour show through. That’s perfect, especially, for natural-looking colours.

Here’s Almost Famous on me. It’s the perfect natural pink colour and the satin finish really makes it look natural.

Just $10 at drugstores and mass merchandisers.

Posted in Fall 2017 | Tagged NYX | 1 Comment

Dior Lash Primer

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Henna

I resisted using Dior’s Maximizer 3D Triple Volume Lash Primer for so long because I felt that I couldn’t get the coverage I wanted and so it didn’t make a difference. Then I figured out how to use it.

You simply use the pointy end to get the primer all over the lashes, and then use the rest of the brush to really smooth it on the lashes and coat them evenly. I quickly do both sets of lashes, and then follow up with regular mascara, making sure to cover all the white, and the result is awesome. Thicker lashes immediately and no flaking or smudging either.

It also helps that the formula goes on smooth and is fortified with a serum that helps improve the condition of the lashes – you could even put it on at night to help take care of your lashes as you sleep!

Pick it up at Dior counters for $37.

Posted in Fall 2017 | Tagged Dior, Lash Primer | Leave a comment