Maybelline Color Jolts

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Henna

Finally, a drugstore equivalent to your favourite expensive Melted Lipsticks!  Maybelline Color Jolts offer amazing colour payoff without breaking the bank.  They come in neutral and super bright colours, most of which are surprisingly wearable and flattering.  Cool bright colours always look great because they make your teeth look whiter.  img_2754

I love using Stripped Down (it’s the perfect brownish pink) because it makes for a great neutral lip, but I also love using Orange Outburst or Talkback Red smudged on with my fingers to use as a stain.  These last and last the whole day.

The applicator is very similar to the other melted lipsticks’ – it’s a felted tip that makes application smooth and yet precise because the lipstick isn’t sliding all over the applicator.  

These are my go-to lipsticks right now for a night out – even though they’re not lipsticks – because they deliver such a punch of colour and make for a great dramatic look.  Pick them up at drugstores now.

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Yes to Coconut!

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Henna

fullsizerenderIf you have oily skin, it can easy to think that you need to stay away from moisturizing products, but once you actually add them into your skincare routine, it can feel so refreshing!

I love washing my face with something more creamy because creamy cleansers really emulsify oils and makeup together and then wash everything clean.  My latest discovery is the Yes to Coconut line – I’ve been using the cream cleanser and the ultra hydrating facial mask – both are super creamy and made with coconut and avocado oils. In fact, the ingredient list also includes Chia Seed oil, avocado oil, and apricot oil, meaning that this is truly a moisturizing and creamy cleanser.

The Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser really is for dry skin because it does leave a film on your skin when you wash it off.  If you’re used to having your face be squeaky clean then you’ll have to follow up with something foaming.  It feels like a thick rich cream going on and there’s a scrumptious coconut fragrance that goes along with it.  The mask feels very much like the cream – I didn’t dislike it but it was too rich for me.

Check out both products at Shoppers Drug Mart stores near you.

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Moisturizer For the Fall: Vichy Aqualia Thermale Light

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Henna

Every kind of skin needs a moisturizer for the colder months, and if you’re looking for something truly light, it has to be from the Vichy Aqualia Thermale line. This moisturizer goes on feeling light and fresh but coats skin, locking in moisture.

vichy-aqualia-thermale-lightAlthough I have oily skin, it can get a little dry in the winter and when I use retinol on it, so I like a light and fresh moisturizer during the day because it won’t clog pores.

It’s a pretty basic moisturizer with no fillers and also nothing fancy but it just feels so darn refreshing on dry skin and it literally feels as if my skin is drinking water when I put it on.

This is a fall must-have.

$39.95 online or in stores.

 

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Marc Jacobs Goes All Out With Their Colour Correctors

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Henna

Look at how swirly and pretty these Marc Jacobs Cover(t) Stick Color Correctors are.  Available in three colours – swirly green and yellow to neutralize redness, pink and blue to make skin brighter, and peach and caramel to help cover dark circles and hyperpigmentation – these are the prettiest colour correctors I’ve seen.

img_2693The formula is just as soft and mellow as the swirls suggest.  These go on super smooth with dimethicone to help with the slip, and aluminum starch in the formula so that they feel dry and powdery to the touch.  Foundation goes on super smooth on top, as does concealer, but I’ve found that I can use these on their own just to spot treat as well.

Available at Sephora stores for $52.

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Avene Sunscreen

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Henna

avene-sunscreen

I’m getting to the point where I hate using sunscreen in the winter.  My skin is dry right now and all I want is a dose of good moisturizer, but layering serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, and possibly foundation is getting to be a bit much for my skin.  It’s product overload for sure, and I don’t always have the time to invest in all those things in the morning.  I try to give myself extra time, but with a baby that still wakes up at night time, it’s sometimes more important (mentally!) to get those extra minutes of sleep and not worry about hair/makeup/skincare. 

But suncreen is a must… I try not to skip it and when I do, I’ll always regret it because it’ll be the day that I’m in the sun for too long.  Sunspots are hard (impossible) to undo, and it’s better just not to get them at all. 

Right now I’m using the Avene Very High Protection Creme SPF 50+ because it’s perfect for fall days at the park.  It’s slightly watery going on, but it has the grease factor which actually works on me right now because it’s keeping the dry spots in check and not obvious.  The bottle actually has a pump dispenser which is great for giving just the right amount of product.  It has a slightly white (very faint) cast, but I mix it with a little bit of foundation and then apply the whole mix all over my face.  I then top with a powder just to really get a more satin finish look and then go in with my blush, contour, or whatever I’m feeling for that day. 

It’s not my favourite part of my skincare routine, but one that’s so important… 

Avene is a French pharmacy brand and can be found at Shoppers Drug Mart.  

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Your Favourite Nude Lipsticks are Here

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Henna

Gosh – the makeup line available only at Shoppers Drug Mart locations – now has some great new lip products that are so on-trend but completely wearable.

gosh-velvet-mat-lip-products

I’ll start with the Velvet Touch Lip Liners ($10, each) available in Nougat (neutral beige) and Raisin (burgundy) which go on super smooth and are pigmented enough to wear as lipsticks. They are super dry once they set and don’t wear off easily. I use them underneath any lipstick I’m wearing because they just stick on to my lips and make everything last longer and longer.img_2746

There are also the Velvet Touch Lipsticks ($14) which are similarly dry once they’re on and just set on your lips. They don’t smudge once they’re on and can last through a cup of coffee which means you could probably make it to lunch without reapplying! Colours are: rose, nougat, cinnamon, and cranberry. Rose and Nougat are my neutral shades that I can’t stop reaching for. They are just so wearable.

img_2743You might also want to check out the Contour ‘n Strobe kits ($32, each in light and medium) which are all kinds of wonderful. I have the medium one and it comes with two contour colours (both are quite warm but matte, so they work), a pale gold shimmer highlighter, and a peach blush that reminds me so much of a popular one by Nars (I’m sure you can figure out which one). I, personally, find the blush a bit too glittery but it does add a pop of colour to the cheeks, and I’ve been enjoying wearing a shimmery blush which is a change-up from the matte ones that I gravitate to. The powders are silky smooth and not too pigmented so they are easy to blend. I’m loving wearing them. I am waiting for the dark version of this palette, because I’m sure it’s going to be all kinds of awesome.

Check out the new products, the lipsticks are worth having.

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Kerastase Personalized Hair Care Tool

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Henna

I love shopping for beauty products, but nothing is more daunting than being at the salon and seeing a whole wall of Kerastase, all of which promises to make your hair shiny, nourished, and smooooth.  WE all want all of those things, but how do we pick the right products for our hair, really.

Kerastase must have known what we are up against, because they’ve launched an online diagnostic tool that lets you figure out what you should be using with just two simple steps. 

fullsizerenderIn my case, because I colour my hair and need products that can hydrate it without build-up, the tool suggested that I use the Bain Elixer Ultime, the Masque Ultime, and the Elixer Ultime Imperial Tea.  All of those are super hydrating but not so much that they’re going to weigh down my hair and cause it to lose its lustre.  

The Elixir Ultime Imperial Tea has to be my favourite product.  A variation of the original Elixer Ultime oil, (which I haven’t used since 2011!) this is a thicker version infused with tea to help prolong brilliance in color-treated hair.  It’s easy to use – just like any serum – and smells so good (floral).  Like the original Elixer Ultime, it leaves hair super soft and easy to manage without weighing it down. 

The Bain Elixer Ultime and the Masque Ultime are great – they are super hydrating but not heavy.  I love that the shampoo is clear so that it’s an effective cleanser and gets the gunk out of your hair. 

Head over to Kerastase’s Diagnostic Tool site to try it for yourself and find the perfect hair products for you.

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Nars Fall 2016 – Powerfall

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Henna

Pops of colours and contour in new shades, the Nars Powerfall collection helps you break out of your comfort zone. 

nars-powerfallPowerball makes its focus the red lip, with two new shades of the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil – Infatuated Red and Consuming Red.  Infatuated Red is a brighter shade, while Consuming Red is deeper.  They’ll both work for any skin tone. nars-powerfall-collection-image

The collection also has the new Velvet Eyeliners. 

nars-velvet-eyelinerThese are stay-put matte pencils that blend easily but deliver rich and intense colour.  My favourite is the black – it’s deep and matte without a touch of blue in it.  I use it under the Unrestricted Satin Eyeliner Stylo so that I don’t have to worry about putting on a perfect line and can just focus on the end flick that I like my eyeliner to do. img_2805

The Dual-Intensity eyeshadows in this collection are super shimmery – almost metallic – so they’re more suited for a night out.  A rose gold, a white gold, and a deep royal blue make for a dramatic eye that’s definitely not subtle.  Wear them together or wear them sparingly tapped on with just your fingertips.  I love the formula of the Dual-Intensity eyeshadows because there’s no fall-out and they go on like watercolours if you wet your brush before dipping them into the shadow.  

Check out the collection online – and let me know if it appeals to you!

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New From Live Clean: Vanilla Oatmeal

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Henna

My favourite affordable clean brand – Live Clean – has two new products: Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Body Wash ($6.99) and Vanilla Oatmeal Soothing Liquid Hand Soap ($4.99).

live-clean-vanilla-oatmealBoth come at a time when dry skin is beginning to be a problem.  They contain oatmeal, which is known for its soothing properties as well as a blend of Vitamin E, Panthenol, Certified Organic Botanicals of Vanilla and Chamomile. Like all Live Clean products, these are completely vegan, with no animal products or animal by-products used in the formulations.

They are:

98% Plant Derived
SLS/Sulfate Free
Phthalate Free and Petrolatum Free
Silicone Free
Dye Free
Paraben Free, DEA Free and Phosphate Free
Never Tested on Animals
Pure Vegan
Contains Biodegradable Ingredients
Packaging Recyclable

Already, these are a hit in my home, where we go through hand wash like anything (two little kids in the house), and I can vouch that they are very gentle on skin.

Pick yours up at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, London Drugs, Amazon.ca and Well.ca.

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August Favourites Video is Now Up!

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Henna

august-favourites-image… I filmed this right at the end of August and then never got a chance to post it… so there you go.  But check out my favourites for the month of August.  They include lots from the latest Dior collection, as well as a wonderful fall lipstick that goes on as a very wearable colour.

 

As always, I’d love to know what you think, so please leave me a comment either here or on YouTube!

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