New Matrix Biolage Aqua-Gel Conditioners

If you have fine straight hair, then you know how easily it can be weighed down by heavy conditioners.  Now, Matrix Biolage has four new conditioners that are made especially for fine hair.  Their Gel consistency means that they don’t feel heavy and although they help detangle wet hair, they also wash out easily and don’t leave a residue in your hair. 

There are four kinds: Hydra Source, Smooth Proof, Color Last and Volume Bloom.  The Volume Bloom and Color Last are probably the lightest feeling of the four.  Smooth Proof , and Hydra Source have more slip and are more hydrating and very light.

They go on smoothly and wash away quite clean.  The scent for all four is clean and fresh without being over-powering.  

They are also silicone-free, oil-free, and paraben-free. 

Pick them up at salons or online for $20 each.

Posted in Shampoo and Conditioner | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New Nars x Charlotte Gainsburg Hydrating Skin Tint Review

The Nars x Charlotte Gainsburg collection is amazing.  It’s maybe my most favourite Nars collection to date because every piece is designed to be worn in a lived in kind of way which makes this a great collection of products to use in the summer.

Part of the collection is the Hydrating Skin Tint which comes in 4 colours: Fair, Light, Medium, and Medium-Dark.  Thankfully, I’m a medium-toned gal to a T, and so Medium in this tint matches me perfectly.

I love the Velvet Matte Skin Tint (it’s been my foundation every day since I got it last spring), so I was excited to try this too.  It has the same sort of texture as the Velvet Matte Skin Tint but with a glowy finish, instead of a matte one.  Both look just like skin: one like satin-matte skin, and one like glowy moisturized skin.

I have to say, although I love them both, I have to say that the lasting power on these is not great.  They do wear off by the end of the day unless you set them with powder.  That’s not so bad for the matte skin tint, but for the glowy one, it definitely takes way from the glowy look of the skin tint.  I set it if I use it before going out, but if I’m using it on the weekend, I skip the setting part and it just gives me the nicest moisturized skin.

The best part of the Hydrating Skin Tint is that it’s best applied with your finger tips like moisturizer and that means that you can really blend it into your skin to make it look natural.  It has light coverage but enough to make skin look more clear and healthy.  It also photographs really well, which is another plus point for it.

The Hydrating Glow Skin Tint is available online and at Nars counters, and if you’re interested in it, check it out quickly before it sells out, because it’s been selling out so fast.

$45.

Posted in Summer 2017 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

AlumierMD Sunscreen

On the radio this morning, a listener called in and said that if you want it to feel like summer, you should just wear sunscreen that smells like that beachy coconut scent so that you feel like it’s hot enough for it, even though it’s not.

This listener obviously isn’t a regular sunscreen wearer, because if they were, they would have known that the latest sunscreens actually don’t smell like anything and that’s partly why they’re so easy to wear.  I mean, yes, Coppertone still exists, but even they have sunscreens that don’t smell like they used to.

Sunscreens have come a long way.  Now there are mineral-based sunscreens and there are chemical-based ones. The problem with the mineral-based sunscreens is that they usually go on quite white on the skin and therefore, aren’t great for the face because they can make you look ghost-like. Chemical-based sunscreens aren’t always good for your body because there are sometimes ingredients that are easily absorbed and can be harmful.

AlumierMD is a new brand of sunscreen available in Canada that is mineral-based and elegantly formulated so that it suits almost any type of skin. There’s no annoying scent, and the formulas go on so smoothly that you can apply makeup on top.  There are a few difference formulas available, and it’s available in a variety of tints too so that you can truly wear it without worrying about it looking obvious.

There’s MoistureMatte (available in 3 colours, SPF 40), Clear Shield (SPF 42), and Sheer Hydration (available in tinted and untinted, SPF 40). I really wanted to like the MoistureMatte, especially because there are a variety of tints available, but the problem was that Sand – the colour right in the middle, which would be the closest to my foundation shade – wears a little on the salmon side, instead of being warm, and so I can’t wear it in place of my foundation.  If anything, I can wear foundation on top of it and the extra layer of coverage makes my skin look extra good. Still, I like to wear a sunscreen that I can apply without thinking too much about blending it out, and so the MoistureMatte isn’t for me.

I really loved the Clear Shield and the Sheer Hydration.  The Clear Shield really does go on almost clear, and there’s a tiny bit of whiteness that I can see, but I apply sunscreen all the way down my neck too, so it wasn’t too noticeable.  It has a satin finish and doesn’t feel greasy but it’s not super dry either.

Sheer Hyration in the tinted and untinted formula is awesome too.  It is slightly hydrating but not so much that it feels greasy.  I apply foundation and powder on top and my makeup seems to last the whole day, so I was happy with this sunscreen too.

If you’re looking for a line of elegantly-formulated sunscreens, check out AlumierMD.

You can purchase the sunscreen through skincare professionals – go online to find one near you.

 

 

Posted in Sunscreen | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Bareminerals Invisible Glow Powder Highlighter

Highlighter: it’s about as polarizing as contour, because people either love it or hate it.  For some, it’s way too obvious and for other’s it’s the perfect finishing touch to a makeup routine.  I agree that it can be a bit much for daytime, and I’d rather use it just on special occasions.  Most of the time, it just looks way too obvious to even look like you’re really glowing.

But now, Bareminerals, the brand that really focuses on skin-like makeup, has come out with their own highlighter that’s more subtle than almost everything else that I’ve tried.  The highlighter comes in four colours: opal/beige for light skins, gold and rose for medium skins, champagne/copper for tan skins, and bronze and coral for darker skin tones.

I have the gold and rose and it’s below.  It’s light and powdery and actually does wear more pink than gold.  It’s easiest to tap it on top of makeup and it’s so powdery that it works well as an eyeshadow too.  Because this one is so pink, I think that it works better on top of blush, and for my skin tone (which is actually medium) I think it would be better to go one shade lighter or darker.  I like my highlight to look like real “light” shining on my face, and that’s either white light or golden light.

 

Available at Sephora.  $35.

Posted in Summer 2017 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New Live Clean Extra Body Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner

Friends, Biotin is a buzz word in the hair industry right now.  It’s in Viviscal and other supplements that promise to fix your hair, skin, and nails.  Guess what?  I’ve been taking Biotin pills daily since September and I haven’t noticed any difference but that’s just me.  Still, there’s gotta be proof that it works, because it’s an ingredient found in seafood, and seafood promises to help your hair grow too.  Biotin is so popular, that I’ve seen a warning on my blood-test form that you have to disclose that you’ve been taking it because it can interfere with some tests that they give.

Anyway, Biotin is the key ingredient in Live Clean’s Extra Body Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner, and the line doesn’t promise to make your hair grow, but it can make it more voluminous.

I love Live Clean’s shampoos and conditioners.  They’re among the best you can get at the drugstore because they wash away clean but still moisturize.  The Biotin shampoo and conditioner is no different.  That shampoo is light because it’s not meant to weigh down your hair, and the conditioner is light but still gets out the major tangles that I have.  The line is so light that it really does make your hair more airy and voluminous.

I love both of them, and as always, I’m using the conditioner as a cleansing conditioner every other day because I find that my hair doesn’t like being shampooed too much.  The Live Clean conditioners work best for this because they’re just so light and if you don’t use shampoo, then they’re the best kind of cleansing and conditioning in one.

You can find the Biotin line at drugstores now.  $7.99 each.

 

Posted in Shampoo and Conditioner | Tagged | Leave a comment

Beautycounter for Mom and Baby

If you’re looking for natural, “safe” products, then turn to Beautycounter, a brand that I’ve mentioned in the past – and if you’re looking for a great present for a new mom, then their Baby Soothing Oil ($28) paired with their Body Oil in Citrus Rosemary ($89) is a great option.  

The Baby Soothing Oil is made up of organic coconut, jojoba, and sunflower seed oils.  It’s moisturizing and nourishing and just feels so good on the skin.  I’ve been using oils on my kids since they were babies, and they both still love a good massage.  This oil glides on but then absorbs easily, so they can hop into their pajamas right after.  

The Body Oil in Citrus Rosemary is freshly scented and is more for adults. It contains 13 different oils: Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Peel OilHippophae Rhamnoides (Sea-Buckthorn) Fruit Oil,Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed OilPrunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil,Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel OilRosa Damascena (Rose) Flower OilRosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf OilSimmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilVitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed OilCitrus Grandis or Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Peel OilRosa Canina (Dog Rose) Fruit OilSclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Oil.  

Both oils are available online at Beautycounter.com.  

Posted in Skin Care | Leave a comment

Celebrate Mother’s Day with L’Occitane!

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and if you’re stuck for what to get your mom, I’ll tell you right now that what almost every mom really wants is a day off. 

After that, she’d probably like an hour or two in the bathroom without anyone knocking, and while she’s in there, I’m sure that she’d be thrilled with anything from luxury skincare brand L’Occitane.  The French brand makes only the best in beauty, and with lots of boutiques open, they’re relatively easy to find in terms of luxury.

My favourite things from them is their skincare boxes.  There’s one filled with Nourishing Shea Butter products, Almond skincare products, aromatic lavender products, the Immortelle collection for the face, or with the fresh Verbena line.  All the body care boxes are $78 but filled with $108 worth of products, while the Imortelle box is $195 and filled with $244 worth of products.  Some of the products are special sizes so they’re a great way to test out the line before investing in full sizes, but there are full-sized products in the boxes too.

That being said, there are certain items that are always a hit – the hand creams in the boxes all contain real shea butter in them, and they work so well that they’re a staple in my bag.

The Mother’s Day presents are already boxed up tidily and need no wrapping.  You can pick them up in store or online.

Posted in Skin Care | Leave a comment

CoolSculpting at Sante Medical

If you’ve ever wanted to target a problematic part of your body that seems to accumulate fat, you know how difficult it can be to target it with just exercise and diet. I know that I’ve worked out diligently for years and still have areas that I just can’t seem to tone.

Well, now the easy way to get rid of unwanted fat in targeted areas is CoolSculpting. I went to Sante Medical here in Calgary to find out all about it. No, I didn’t have a procedure – they can be from $500-$700 per session, but I did see some before and afters of people that I actually know, and yes, this actually works.

CoolSculpting is non-surgical, but instead it freezes the fat cells in the areas you choose, and then your body naturally washes them out of your system. Because you’ve gotten rid of the actual fat cells in the area that was targeted, there’s a good chance that the fat won’t come back – unless you gain a great deal of weight. CoolSculpting works by sucking the flesh into a special device that applies an intense amount of cooling to it. It cools the area for 2 hours so that the fat cells are actually frozen.

The entire process is scientifically proven to work, and results are permanent.

Here’s the machine that the treatment is done with.  It looks big, but it’s actually pretty quiet. (And yes, that’s me taking a picture of the machine.)

And here are the devices that the treatment area gets put into for the actual cooling.

Here are the difference sizes of treatment available.  

There is mild discomfort – your skin gets tingly and numb, and it needs to be massaged after the treatment. But aside from that, there’s no down-time and you’re back on your feet after the treatment. The fat isn’t gone right away, but gets expelled out of your body over weeks, and should be gone after about 6 weeks. You’d need more than 1 treatment to get rid of most of the fat, but people often see results after the very first treatment.

These before and afters are from Sante Medical – they offer the procedure and have done for years, so if you’re interested in it, give them a call!

Sante Medical
1451 – 14 Street SW
Calgary, AB T3C 1C8
Phone: 403 245-8008

Posted in More Than Beauty | Leave a comment

Diorskin Nude Air Summer 2017 Powders

Two favourites from my summer arsenal: Diorskin Nude Air Luminizer Powder (in 001), and Diorskin Nude Air Glow Powder (001).

One gives a subtle bronze glow while the other highlights.  I use one in the contour and the other on the tops of my cheekbones for an easy summer look.  

The Luminizer also doubles as an eyeshadow, or it’s perfect added to the inner corners of the eyes.  It comes in four colours.

$68 each at Dior counters.

Posted in Summer 2017 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New L’Occitane Cleanser with 5% Shea Butter

So this cleanser has 5% shea butter in it but it didn’t break me out, so there’s a good chance it won’t break you out either!

I’m using peels and acids on the regular, so if I wash my face with something too soapy, it leaves my skin dry and tight which just means that I have to use more moisturizer afterwards instead of my beloved serums, so instead, I’m washing my skin with something more gentle and it’s totally working. 

L’Occitane’s new Shea Foaming Cleanser contains 5% shea butter, but it’s still soapy and foaming so it actually does wash your face without any build-up or residue.  But, because it’s got the creamy shea butter in it, the cleanser also doesn’t strip your skin of any and all moisture and just leaves it soft and clean. 

Check it out at L’Occitane boutiques for $28 or online.

Posted in Cleansers | Tagged | Leave a comment