Sun Bum Hair Care

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Henna

Sun Bum Hair CareIf you’re planning on spending more time than usual outside this summer, you may want to up your hair care game by investing in better conditioning products.  

I’m loving Sun Bum’s Beach Formula 3-in-1 Leave-In and Beach Formula Shine On.  Both products are a blend of ingredients, including coconut oil, which help condition hair and make it healthier from the inside out.  

I not only love the formula for these two products, but I also love the beachy scent – the blend of coconut banana is tropical and reminds me of the times when people would use sun tan lotion!  Hair care meant for the sun – it’s just what we wanted for this summer.

You can get Sun Bum products online or use their store locator to find a store near you.

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The Best Sunscreen for Very Oily Skin

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Henna

I’m all about sunscreens these days – I have them in my purse and in my car too because my new thing is to apply them on my hands when I drive so that I don’t get as many age spots… it will take years to know if it’s really making a difference, but I know that not wearing any has definitely had a negative effect, so I’m taking better care from now on.

I digress…

Skinceuticals Matte DefenseNobody likes sunscreens that make your skin feel oily or greasy especially if you’re going to add foundation on top or if your skin is already oily.

So, Skinceuticals has come out with their Matte UV Defense SPF 50.  It is extremely powdery and immediately mattifies your skin and prepares it for makeup or the day. It has a whipped texture, almost like those mousse foundations that are already on the market, and it goes on super smooth. It continues to absorb oil as the day goes on and keeps your skin very matte.  If you generally have oily skin, you will love it, but it’s not for anyone with normal to dry skin because this sunscreen is extremely unforgiving to any dry spots.  You’ll notice that they stand out more and you’ll have to exfoliate well beforehand.

This sunscreen is wisely tinted so that it doesn’t leave a whitish cast on your skin.  I have medium-toned skin and besides the mattifying effect, I couldn’t really tell that I had it on.

Now, it’s pretty dry indoors where I am, so I don’t use this on most days because it’s a little too matte, but when I’m at the cottage and sitting by the lake, and I know it’s going to be humidity central, this is the one that I’ll be turning to.

Skinceuticals is usually found at medi-spas so that’s where you can find this sunscreen for $44.

In case you’re wondering, it’s very close to this Avon sunscreen that I used, but more powdery and matte.  It was SPF 20 and $11, also good to use as a makeup base, but not as matte.

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Light Summer Hydration from The Body Shop

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Henna

Vitamin E Essence LotionYes, even if you have dry skin, it’s not a bad idea to switch to a lighter moisturizer as the weather gets warmer so that you don’t risk clogging pores when sweat and humidity get added to your skin.

I’ve discovered The Body Shop’s Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion and it is life-changing!

This is an almost-watery but intensely-hydrating gel that adds a dose of moisture to the skin after cleansing.  Follow up with your regular moisturizer to really add moisture to your skin, or better yet, follow up with a sunscreen if you’re using this during the day.

If you’re like me and you have oily skin that feels dry right after cleansing, then this is the perfect addition to your routine.  A little bit will give your skin the dose of moisture it just lost, but without being at all heavy or greasy.

Ingredients include glycerine, hyaluronic acid, and a blend of oils in a blend that feels light and refreshing.

Pick it up at The Body Shop for $20.

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My Favourite Corrector: Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Palette

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Henna

This is the palette I reach for every single day when I do my makeup.  It has everything you need to make your complexion look better, and I use it even on the days that I’m not going to be wearing foundation. IMG_1122

What makes the palette so indispensable is that it has five colours of creamy correctors so that you can literally trouble-shoot your skin using makeup.  The larger peach shade is for under-eye circles – boy, am I glad that they gave us so much of this because I need it some days.  I mix it with the pale yellow and use it under my eyes to combat the darkness and brighten at the same time.  If you have darker skin tone or very dark circles, use the dark orange to correct under your eyes, and follow-up with concealer or foundation – then powder on top.  I use the pale lemon shade in the centre of my face (on top of foundation) to brighten my face, and I tap the green shade on top of any breakouts.

The pale yellow powder is perfect – it’s silky smooth and almost sheer so that it sets makeup without making it look too powdery.

The creamy correctors blend beautifully and look natural – but if you’re prone to creasing makeup, you will likely find that these crease too.  I find they sometimes crease slightly but I usually use on top of a primer and set with powder so I haven’t found it to be too much of a problem.

Also, a genius touch: covering the creams with a plastic cover so that none of the powder gets on them when you use it.  My creamy correctors have stayed very clean and neat thanks to the cover.

Notice, too, the large mirror inside the palette.  It’s thoughtful, high-end packaging, and I usually hold the palette in one hand while I do my makeup with the other, right by the window in my bathroom.

If you’re new to correcting, I would suggest picking up this palette so that you can experiment with different shades of correctors to see the difference they can make on your face.

Pick it up at Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, beautyBOUTIQUE.ca, Sephora and Sephora.ca for $59.

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New CoverGirl Katy Perry Matte Lipstick Review

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Henna

Katy Kat Matte - CDN Line upKaty Kat Matte lipsticksKaty-Kat-MatteI love a good matte lipstick. The staying power is usually better than your average lippie.

Now, matte lipsticks aren’t the easiest to wear. Because of their inherently dry texture, they end up being drying on the lips, and will accentuate any already dry spots. Needless to say, although the Covergirl Katy Kat matte lipsticks are more forgiving than your average matte, they still look best on lips that are already hydrated.

The formula is specially created by Covergirl for these lipsticks, so that they’re not a dry matte but more of a satin matte texture. That means that some of the colours have a bit of shine to them, which makes them look better on your lips. You won’t see every single fine line accentuated thanks to the bit of moisture these have in them. Though they’re mostly matte, the texture and feel has a bit of slip so that they’re moisturizing and comfortable to wear. It also means that the colour wears off on coffee cups and the like, but reapplication is so much easier than with a traditional matte lipstick.

Truly, Covergirl has hit it out of the park with these lipsticks and they are so fun.

Of course, the colours offered are to die, including a black colour – which, I did not try.

The colours I have are mostly pretty basic pinks. They are:

Sphynx (a nude pink so pretty and easy to wear that I keep it in my purse)

Pink Paws (light pink but with too much white pigment to really look good on my lips. It is really pretty on fair skin tones)

Catoure (brownish pink that reminds me of Kylie Jenner’s lip choices)

Kitty Purry (lilac pink).

All the colours were easy to wear with more of a moisturized matte finish. They looked slightly glossy when I swatched them on my hand, but were more matte when I put them on my lips. The colours glide on easily have have good pigmentation.

These lipsticks also have a lovely vanilla cupcake scent that you’re either going to love or hate… I love it and think it smells yummy without being cloying.

They are on par with most drugstore lipsticks, and give my Rimmel Kate Moss Matte lippies a run for their money! I actually loved Sphynx so much that I considered buying a backup.

Pick them up at drugstores.

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Video: Nars Tahiti Bronze and Under Cover collections

Posted on May 7, 2016 by Henna

I’ve already written about the Tahiti Bronze collection, and the Under Cover collection, but here’s a video where I show you some of the products.

Enjoy!

 

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Posted in Spring 2016, Summer 2016 | Tagged | 1 Comment

Hydration with a Dose of Sunscreen

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Henna

Neutrogena Hydro BoostI really love Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost moisturizers because they’re light and absorb quickly, and so I’ve added their latest Hydro Boost Gel Cream with SPF 15 into my skincare regimen.  Normally, I prefer formulas that have more than spf 15, but I’m not minding using this one right now because it hydrates so well.  Literally, this is the lightest sunscreen-containing moisturizer I have ever used, and of course, it doesn’t leave a whitish cast on your skin because it’s so light.  

The key is in the hyaluronic acid which boosts moisture in the skin but without being heavy.  It feels like water going on but the hydration lasts and lasts. 

1 pump on my face and one on my neck and I’m good to go.  I ever layer it on to my hands so that I’m protected during the day.  And extra bonus?  It’s so light that it absorbs quickly and because it’s not at all greasy, it works rather well under makeup.  Will it get rid of really dry spots?  I’m not sure, since I don’t have any, but it relieves the temporary dryness you may feel after washing your face, and I’m a fan of that.

Pick it up at drugstores for about $20.

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Oxygen and Vitamin C Make My Skin Very Happy

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Henna

So, I’m enjoying my re-acquaintance with Caryl Baker Visage ever since they opened up in Calgary.  I’m still a fan of their HD Brow service which combines an eyebrow tint with traditional shaping so that your brows look fuller and groomed.

Now, I’ve gone back for their facials and they were just thing thing I needed to get my dry skin back to its glowing self.

CBV Facials imageI went in not knowing what I really wanted, but knowing what I needed.  I knew that my skin had been feeling rather parched and unmanageable even with the addition of regular moisturizers and scrubbing.  So with the help of my facialist at CBV, I got the Deep Sea Purifying Facial ($110) combined with an Oxygen Facial.  With the added benefit of Spirulina to moisturize, and a Vitamin C mask to brighten, this mask hydrated my skin like nothing else.

The Oxygen Facial ($110) is refreshing like nothing else.  It was relaxing and I wanted to fall asleep during it, but it also was so cool and fresh that I just loved being awake to enjoy it.  It feels almost like a stream of water is being sprayed at your face, and your skin just soaks up the oxygen from it.  The oxygen helps your skin look clearer and brighter, can get rid of rosacea, lightens hyperpigmentation, and plumps up the skin – all naturally!  It’s followed by a rich Azu-Zinc Soothing Mask which seals in the moisture and leave it feeling hydrated.

I walked out of there feeling refreshed and like I had new skin.  Gone was the tightness and dryness but in its place was a glow.   And no.  You should not break out after a really good facial.  That does not mean that it’s working.  All it means is that your pores have been clogged and very likely you’ll suffer more redness and hyperpigmentation thanks to the breakouts.  Five days after the facial, and my skin still looks and feels great, and that’s exactly as it should be.

I’ll go back in a month or two for another treatment and to keep my skin looking great.  They also do more intensive therapies such as microdermabrasion and enzyme peels.  Their only location in Calgary is at Sunridge Mall.

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Nars Summer 2016 Colour Collection: Under Cover

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Henna

Nars Under Cover collectionYep, totally on Team Nars these days. Their products and formulas continue to be easy to use and just what’s needed for each season.

The Under Cover collection is new for Summer 2016 and it has some versatile and on-trend shades for eyes, lips, and cheeks.
Nars under cover blushes
First: two blushes. Liberation and Sexual Content Dual Intensity Blush duos.

I gotta say that I have Liberation and I couldn’t get it to work on my skin tone. The lighter shade didn’t show up much, and the darker one was too orangy for my already yellow-based skin. If you have more fair skin, these will look great and add warmth and colour.

The eyeshadows have a place in my makeup kit.
nars under cover eye shadows
Colours are: Deep End, Pool Shark, Tan Lines, and Topless Dual Intensity eyeshadows.

I have Pool Shark and Tan Lines and I am reaching for them all the time. Tan Lines seems like a dark colour, but it’s a pretty cocoa brown that’s only slightly darker than my skin tone and makes for a pretty warm smoky eye. Brownish smoky eyes are the way to go these days, so I’m loving it. When I want a bit of a punch I add a tap of Pool Shark to the center and it just brightens everything up. I normally don’t reach for blue shadows, but this is such a pretty glitter shade that it’s fun to wear even in the daytime.

The Dual Intensity shadow formula is awesome. They are less prone to creasing than other shadows and go on wet or dry. I use them dry in most instances and love to tap them on with just my fingertips.
Nars Lip Covers
There are four lip products: Members Only, Do Not Disturb, Overheated, Get Dirty.

The lip colours are super pigmented gloss/stains. They wear like melted lipsticks but leave a stain on the lips when they wear off. The nude shades are to die for and definite keepers, but Do Not Disturb is also a pretty orange/red that’s perfect for summer nights.

Check out the entire collection online and in stores.

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New video: April 2016 Favourites

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Henna

Wow, April went by so quickly!  I definitely meant to do a whole ‘nother skincare video, but my favourite skincare products are mentioned in this favourites video instead.  And as you can see, I’m going to be changing everything up soon, so stay tuned.  Let me know what you want to see next!

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