Trufitt & Hill Apsley Cologne

Trufitt & Hill has just recently come on to my radar as a British brand with heritage and top notch men’s grooming products. Established in 1805, Trufitt and Hill is known for grooming so good, that it’s preferred by members of the British Royal Court.  

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Although they focus on men’s shaving creams and brushes, as well as providing services, they also have a line of men’s colognes, some of which have been around for 200 years or more.  But this year, they launched the new Apsley Cologne for men.  

The cologne is unlike most men’s colognes, in that along with the light citrus top notes, it also has smoky wood notes that have amazing lasting power.  There’s woody vetiver along with a heart of cedar and patchouli – something that’s often not found in men’s fragrances.  There’s also a powdery undertone of musk which makes the fragrance light and fresh instead of being weighed down by the more woody notes.  

This scent is easy to wear – it warms up on the skin and doesn’t stay too powdery, but also doesn’t smell too citrusy like many men’s fragrances do. 

Pick it up this holiday season for someone who appreciates fine cologne.

$120 for 100ml online or in stores. 

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A Radiance Mask for Dry Skin

Despite having a love for exfoliating (maybe even too much sometimes), without a doubt, it’s become clear to me that the kindest thing that we can do for our skin is moisturize it.  Wrinkles soften, tone improves, and dark spots even seem to disappear just with the right moisturizer. 

I’ve recently become a fan of moisturizing masks that you leave on your skin.  They’re usually light so that you don’t clog your pores but also effective so that you end up with moisturized skin in the morning.  Makeup will go on better, and any kind of product you use during the day will just sit better on your skin. 

paulas-choice-radiance-renewal-maskI want my routines to be super fast, and so I’m loving Paula’s Choice new Radiance Renewal Mask which is pumped full of antioxidants and moisturizers to that it does double duty on your skin.  The formula is a silky smooth gel-cream that feels smooth on the skin and just locks moisture in.  It’s formulated with glycerin and olive oil, so it attracts moisture to the skin and then locks it in.  Antioxidants help reverse the damage that free radicals can do.  You can use this mask every day or just when your skin needs some extra TLC.  I’m rubbing it all over my hands too, and it’s doing a great job keeping my skin soft. 

Paula’s Choice is a brand that was started by Paula Begoun, who used to write cosmetic review books that were actually based on science.  After seeing all the skin care that she was reviewing, it only made sense for her to come out with her own line of products that perform the way that she would want them to.  

You can get the Radiance Renewal mask online for $36.

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L’Occitane’s new Shea Butter Violet Collection

I’ve been using L’Occitane’s shea butter hand cream for about ten years, and it remains one of my favourites.  It’s a simple formula – 20% shea butter makes for a super moisturizing cream but one that’s easy to apply and feels almost like a cold cream on our skin.

I love that each year, L’Occitane brings out a new scent for their hand cream and this fresh floral one is one to collect.
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If you find the hand cream too greasy, then you should check out the Ultra Soft Cream which comes in a tin and has just 10% Shea Butter.  It absorbs more readily and is better for smoothing all over the body, not just on your hands.

The packaging of the creams is now in geometric prints in honour of the Burkinabé who harvest the shea butter as part of a sustainable fair trade partnership with L’Occitane.  L’Occitane has had this relationship for 36 years – notable since the company has been around for just 40 years.

The collection includes:

Shea Violet Ultra Soft Body Cream: $28

Shea Violet Hand Cream: $12

Shea Violet Lip Balm: $12

Classic Shea Limited-Edition Hand Cream (the big tube in the image) (150ml): $32

Classic Shea Limited-Edition Hand Cream (30ml): $12

Classic SheaLimited-Edition Ultra-Rich Body Cream: $48

Classic Shea Limited-Edition Lip Balm: $12

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New Gentle Care for Curly Hair from Kerastase

If you have curly hair, you might know that it requires some special TLC.  You need to make sure that it’s clean, but not dried out, and curls need moisture but not so much that they get weighed down.  

kerastase-dicipline-curlKerastase’s new Discipline Curl line of products might just be the products I use for LIFE.  Seriously, I’ve never tried products that are gentle, but still leave my hair clean.  I’ve never had such smooth defined curls that are still soft to the touch.  

My favourite product from the whole line has to be the Curl Ideal Cleansing Conditioner ($69).  It’s the best cleansing conditioner that I have EVER used, and I have them on the go regularly. What makes this conditioner special is that it’s got a super soft and light texture like a lotion, rather than a cream.  It feels like conditioner going on to your skin, but because it’s like a lotion and a little more fluid, it’s easier to rub it throughout your hair, with a little water.  The bottle recommends using about 4-6 pumps, and I’ve been getting away with just 4 and using it almost exclusively on my scalp.  This cleansing conditioner is sulfate and silicone free so while it’s gentle on your hair and moisturizing, it also doesn’t add build-up, but it also manages to get my hair clean.  It’s not as squeaky clean as it would be if I used a shampoo, but it looks nice and clean and shiny, and feels super soft. 

While the shampoo sits and does its job in my hair, I use the Curl Ideal Masque ($66) on the length of my hair.  This mask is super thick and perfect for hydrating my ends. 

After shampooing and conditioning, I mix a bit of Elixer Ultime with the Oleo-Curl cream ($56).  It also feels like a lotion and is super light, but I need a touch of the serum to really define my curls.  I tried the Mousse ($46), but like most mousse products it had a slight cruch to it, so it’s not something that I find myself reaching for.  If I need a touch more hydration, I’ll use a bit of coconut oil but otherwise, I just let everything air dry and I’m pretty happy with  the look and feel of my hair the next day. 

Of all the products, I’m loving the Oleo-Curl cream and the Curl Ideal Cleansing Conditioner because they seem to be way better than anything else I’ve tried.  I like that the conditioner cleans but doesn’t dry out your hair.  With most cleansing conditioners, I find myself reaching for a normal shampoo after about two days, because I can notice the build-up, but not with this one.  I haven’t touched a foaming shampoo for weeks now and I may never go back.  

If you have curly hair, check out this line at your nearest Kerastase salon or purchase online.

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New Favourite Foundation: Vichy Teint Ideal

You know you’ve found your favourite foundation when you don’t even want to turn to anything else, and you decide to clear out your makeup stash so that there are no other foundations on the horizon. That’s how I feel about Vichy’s new Teint Ideal Fluid Foundation which is part of Vichy’s new line of coverage products.  The collection includes a Fluid Foundation for combination or oily skin, a Cream foundation for dry skin, a Powder Foundation available in three colours, a highlighter, a concealer, and a bronzer.

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The Fluid Foundation is what I most wanted to try and what I’ve liked the best so far.  It’s available in five colours (I’m number 45, honey) and offers 14 hour wear with SPF 20.  I have to say that it really does last for 14 hours, because if I use a wipe at the end of the day, I can see the foundation has come off on it.  The coverage is light and this foundation definitely looks dewy on the skin thanks to a certain amount of light-reflecting particles in it.  Yes, I’m going to call them light-reflecting instead of shimmer because shimmer would be too pronounced.  This foundation just reflects light to make your skin seem super healthy without making it look oily.  Unlike most long-wear foundations, this looks natural and feels comfortable which is key.  You don’t know you’re wearing it until you see your radiant self in the mirror.

Aside from the long-wear of it, my other favourite part is that it is so radiant but also matte to the touch.  In no way does this feel dewy.  It goes on powdery matte, but looks like moisturized skin.  It’s quite a feat and it really works.  No highlighter needed for me, because of how amazing this actually looks.

There’s also the a thicker cream version of this foundation that is for oily skin – it’s more moisturizing but still sticks to the skin and looks natural.  I like the look of both foundations, but the Fluid foundation is easier to blend into my face in the mornings.  I use the cream only when I’m really concerned about dry skin or on the weekends.

The powder version of the foundation is similarly infused with light-reflecting particles so that it doesn’t look dull or obviously powdery.

There aren’t lots of colours available in the foundation, but the colours are quite forgiving because they let the skin shine through.  Check it out at Shoppers Drug Mart.

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Today’s Inspiration

In case you’re looking for some inspiration, watch this interview with Wendy Rowe, who’s the lead makeup artist for Burberry makeup.  She talks about how she developed her style and what she learned along the way. I loved watching this and love hearing stories like these!

Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

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Givenchy Gentlemen Only

So the holidays are coming, and you’re wondering what to possibly get for that male in your life.  It might be cliched but actually, after speaking to a few men, they do appreciate getting perfume as presents.  It saves them a trip into the mall, and they’re getting something that at least one other person in their life likes the smell of.

givenvhy-gentlemen-only-parisian-breakI have to recommend Givenchy’s Gentlemen Only Parisian Break, which is a flanker that came out this summer.  I love it because it has notes of vetiver in the dry down (and that’s one of my favourite notes ever) and opens with minty and lemony notes. There are also notes of amber in the base, which lends a nice warmness on the skin, but it’s not a note that’s too sweet or immediately apparent in the scent. The middle notes have sage in them which adds a powdery herbal touch before you smell the grassy fresh vetiver.

In case you’re interested: it’s actually a best-seller at the Hudson’s Bay and it was so popular in Calgary that it sold out immediately!  It’s been restocked now, so go have a sniff and see if it’s for you or the man in your life!

$96.

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Innovative Toner from Rocky Mountain Soap Company

I love using a toner on my skin after I wash it, but I hate all the waste that cotton pads can create especially when you apply a toner twice a day.

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Now, I’ve discovered the toners from Rocky Mountain Soap company which actually come in a convenient spray bottle.  Made with a blend of extracts and oils, you just shake the bottle to blend the oils, and then spray on your face after cleansing or any time during the day.  Wait for the toner to sink into your skin, and then proceed with your regular skincare routine.  It’s nice to have a cotton pad to take care of residue left over from cleansing, but if that’s not a concern for you then the spray is the way to go.

I’m particularly impressed with the Purifying Toner.  It’s got Tea Tree oil which helps keeps skin clear without drying it out the way that drugstore acne ointments can.  And if you need more of the active ingredients, then you can use the Purifying Serum which has similar benefits but in a serum form.  I also love spritzing the toner on my face throughout the day and I know that I’ll be getting the benefits from it but without ruining my makeup.

If you’re unfamiliar with Rocky Mountain Soap Company, know that they’re a brand from the West Coast that believes in toxin-free skincare.  They use natural ingredients that have proven skincare benefits, and aim to make products that are safe for your whole family to use.  If you have little ones in your life, you know how important this can be and how difficult to find!  I’ve loved finding out about their sunscreen, which is unlike anything I’ve used from the drugstore and actually smells better too!  I’m also now a fan of their face care products which promise to take care of my skin in a gentle yet effective way.

Find them online or at their stores.

 

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Holiday 2016: True North Beauty from CBV

cbv-truth-north-beauty-collectionI love the name of Caryl Baker Visage’s new holiday collection, True North Beauty.  If it makes you think of twinkling lights shimmering in the night, then you’ve got the right idea for the look and feel of this collection. The colours for the eyes are warm neutrals and are paired with juicy berries for the lips.

There’s a new line of lip lacquers ($24) is meant to give lips glossy shine with a punch of colour.

There’s also the North Lights Glow palette ($46) which is a group of three highlighters for the face. There’s diamond for a shimmery pale glow, Rosy Quartz that’s more for a flush, or Golden Mist for a bronzy glow.

Check out the entire collection at CBV locations.

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Major Blush this Holiday Season from Nars

Check out the two blushes that are part of the Sarah Moon x Nars collection.

img_2846Impudique (left) is a pinkish red with shimmer that would well with red lipstick.

Isadora (right) is slightly more subtle by being a lavender pink with sheen.  It works better if you like more subtle blushes, but I have to admit that I tone both of them down with powder because I don’t love tons of blush on my for a daytime look.

Both have fantastic wear and have just the right amount of shimmer.  They highlight the cheeks but they only really pop in direct light.

Pick them up at Nars counters – the entire Sarah Moon x Nars collection is out now!

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