Did you miss me on BT Calgary this week? I was talking about beauty products that will last through Stampede!
You can watch the whole thing here.
What would you like to see me cover?!
Make Up For Ever Aqua XL
I’ve been using Make Up For Ever products long enough to know that they’ve had an Aqua eyeliner before – it’s their long-wearing, easy to apply eyeliner in so many colours so that you can use it like eyeshadow and create looks that just stay put on your eyes.
Now they have their Aqua XL eye pencils which come in a range of colours and finishes – my favourite being the matte black, and the D-62 a diamond brown that works great to do a smudgy smoky eye. Those two pencils used together do an easy enough makeup look that doesn’t even need the help of a primer to last. Layer with your favourite powder eyeshadow on top, and your look will really stand the test of a hot humid day.
The pencils are also waterproof, which makes them perfect for a day at the pool too.
Check out the whole range in person at Sephora stores – the texture is worth trying yourself and the pencils come in a range of finishes – matte, diamond, satin, iridescent, and metallic.
$21 each.
Rescue Your Nails – Without Going Into a Salon!
My rescue kit for my nails right now.
- CND Cuticle Eraser. This cuticle cream contains AHA to help exfoliate dead and dry skin. I found that this cream worked well but it didn’t smell great, and so it was best used sparingly. It’s interesting to see that it uses ingredients that are in skincare too, which explains why using skincare feels so good on my nails.
- CND Rescue Rxx Daily Keratin Treatment. This is a treatment for bare nails to help make them stronger and it really works. It’s a keratin-infused oil that’s easy to rub into your nails. Just use it twice a day to help your nails become stronger. You’ll notice a difference within a week of use – if you can leave your nails bare for that long.
- CND Scrubfresh. This is a nail cleaner and a nail polish remover in one. It contains acetone which is drying but super effective at getting nail polish off quickly.
- CND Solaroil. After you put nail polish on (and even if you don’t), coat your cuticles with CND Solaroil. It has pure almond oil in it so it moisturizes and makes your cuticles look super healthy. I keep this on my desk and apply it daily to keep my nails looking great.
- CND Vinylux Weekly Polish and CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat. This is a winning combo for having your nail polish last a long time. There’s no scratching, denting, or chipping for up to seven days – I’ve tried it and it really does last!
These products have made my nails look and feel healthier – and the Rescue Rxx and the Solaroil have made their way into my daily routine because they’re so easy to use.
CND can be purchased at your local Trade Secrets or Chatters. They are salon quality products (CND also makes Shellac) so they work better than your average drugstore competitors.
A New Natural Solution to Thinning Hair
Post-baby hair loss is the worst thing ever. You have all this hair, and then suddenly you don’t. A shake of the head results in tons of hair falling out, and a simply hair wash means even more hair gone. It drove me nuts to watch it all go down the drain, so when I heard about Kermax, I wanted to try it.
Kermax is different from the ever popular Nioxin because it contains natural ingredients to help take care of your hair. It also focusses on good hair and scalp hygiene to combat hair loss. The best way to promote hair growth is to have a clean and healthy scalp, and Kermax’s Volumizing shampoo ($24.99) washes clean, but doesn’t dry out your hair either. It’s best paired with the Volumizing Conditioner ($24.99) which is super hydrating and leaves hair soft and silky so that it doesn’t tangle as easily.
There’s no crazy claims with this brand – the packaging is simple and it simply promises that you’ll love your hair again, and it’s true. I loved how my hair felt after using the shampoo and conditioner, and so I’ve been using them for the last four weeks.
I’m also using the Kermax Thickening Serum ($49.99) which you apply directly on your scalp and rub in with your fingertips. It’s made a difference and I believe it helps my hair actually stay on my head.
Kermax is totally new to the haircare scene and so you won’t see it at your local drugstore. You can find out more about the products online and also purchase them on the website. Right now, you can find it exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart (Pharmaprix) in Canada, and at CVS in the U.S.
Tanning without the Streaks (or the Burn)
A nice tan can do so much for helping skin look healthier, and if you’re new to the look, or are revisiting it after a long winter, a gradual tanning lotion is the way to go because it gives you a golden glow but without the streaks.
It works because it has less of the active ingredient in it that makes your skin more tan. Less of that means that it works more slowly and so any spots that you missed aren’t noticeable right away and get covered up the next time you use the product.
Helping even more with the look is St. Tropez’s new Gradual Tan Everyday Tinted Body Lotion. This body lotion has hydrating ingredients but also a hint of tint to help your skin look already tan, before the actual tanning begins. I found that the self-tanner in this worked very well and within hours I could see a tan developing – pretty neat for a lotion that’s supposed to offer just a gradual tan.
The tint in the body lotion is a beige shade that would work with almost any skin tone to help make skin look better. It dries to a smooth slightly satin-looking finish, and doesn’t rub off on clothes, but I did notice it on the waistband of a skirt I was wearing, so it’s not totally transfer-proof. It truly works best used sparingly and on those areas of your skin that are not going to be touching clothing – most likely your legs and arms only.
$38 available at Shoppers Drug Mart & beautyboutique.ca Murale, London Drugs & londondrugs.com, Hudson’s Bay & thebay.com, Uniprix and Nordstrom.
Right Now’s Beauty Craving: YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture
Right now, I’m dying to try YSL’s Mascara Vinyl Couture. It’s supposed to be super pigmented and super shiny – a look that I want to try since I think that even in the black version, this will make a major impact on eyes.
It comes in lots of colours (I have my eye on the black), but I’m wanting to try the black sparkle top coat too because how cool would that look at night time?
Available at YSL counters for $39.
These Cleansing Pads Give You The Smoothest Skin Ever
Although they’re labelled as cleansing pads, the directions on Neutrogena’s Rapid Clear Cleansing Pads say to use them after you already cleanse your skin, so they’re more of a treatment than a cleanse.
Soaked with a solution containing salicylic acid, these pads deliver a dose of exfoliating serum that helps prevent breakouts and keeps skin clear. Unlike manual exfoliation, salicylic acid exfoliates from inside the pore, which is what helps keep skin more clear.
Salicylic Acid has to be one of my favourite skincare ingredients simply because my skin doesn’t find it irritating and the light exfoliation makes my skin super smooth – and that’s what I got after using these cleansing pads. Not only did they clear up my skin but they also left it smoother and healthier – and lightened dark spots a bit too. The pre-soaked pads make them convenient too and so I found myself reaching for these all the time.
… and I confess, sometimes I even used them in place of cleansing so that I could combine skincare and cleansing in one step, even though that’s not what you’re supposed to do… oh well.
Did I have results in 8 hours? No, but definitely after three days of using the pads.
Pick them up at drugstores. Each jar contains 60 pads.
The MicroPedi Man
Now Dad can have nice clean feet too thanks to the MicroPedi Man.
The MicroPedi Man is black and grey making it approachable to men. It has a smaller, more compact size making it convenient to hold in your hand and guide it across callouses and dry areas. Because there’s no metal scrapers or blades, it makes it safer to get rid of dry skin, and leaves feet noticeably smoother and more soft.
The MicroPedi Man comes with a coarse roller that sands away rough spots and is water resistant so that it can be used when slightly wet, making it even easier to get rid of dry skin.
Simply soak feet in water, use the MicroPedi, dry feet, and follow up with a rich cream or lotion to get super clean feet.
The MicroPedi man is the perfect accessory for men this summer, and at only $50, it’s about the cost of a pedicure but will last way longer.
Pick it up online or at these retailers.
The Best Tasting Protein!
Now that summer is here and things are slowing down a little bit for me, I’m pushing myself to work out more often and that means that I’m into eating better too! Protein is something that I struggle to include in my diet, but I’ve discovered the BEST tasting protein I’ve ever tried, and it’s made from Greek Yogurt too!
I’m talking about the Genuine Health Fermented Greek Yogurt Proteins+ which comes in powder or bar form. Personally, although I love a protein smoothie, I’m really loving the bar version of this protein. It’s yummy and portable which kind of makes it a perfect breakfast.
What’s even better about this protein is that it’s made from protein from grass fed dairy, and is also non-GMO and antibiotic-free.
The protein bars have about 200 calories and 15 grams of protein which make them a filling and satisfying snack. The flavours are pecan cinnamon, or cherry almond vanilla, and they both taste amazing. They are made with a variety of proteins (pea and whey) and sweetened with cane sugar, agave syrup, and brown rice syrup. It’s a nice formula that doesn’t compromise on taste and still gives you protein.
Pick them up at your local grocery or health store. To find a store near you that sells Genuine Health products, just head over to the Genuine Health website.
OPI Retro Summer 2016
OPI’s new collection for this summer is a throwback to the bright colours of the past. Think: less black and white mod, but more coral, blue, and yellow brightness to get you in the mood for summer. The colours are creamy and pretty and wonderful if you like polishes without shimmer in them, but I found that I needed three coats to make them go on without any streaks. 
Colours are:
Towel Me About It – light yellow cream
I’m Getting a Tan-Gerine – pale orange cream
SPF-XXX – orange-red
What’s The Double Scoop – cotton-candy pink. Super pretty, and my favourite from the bunch.
Flip Flops and Crop Tops – bubblegum pink.
Sailing and Nailing – Elsa blue. If you have a little person in your house, you’ll know this colour when you see it.
This is a super pretty collection and worth checking out if you like bright colours on your nails.
$12.50 each.