Canadian Beauty

Currently Using: Joico Color Balance Shampoo and Conditioner

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Henna

I wish I had known about Color Balance a long time ago. My naturally warm hair, which I now color regularly, has a tendency to get orange or even reddish really quick. Literally a few shampoos after dying my hair, I could see the orange tones kind of come out.

Actually, when I mentioned them to my hair dresser, she said that it wasn’t a big deal. Truth be told, warm hair is pretty flattering on almost everyone and I have a neutral complexion so I can pull off warm shades quite easily… but I just wasn’t satisfied with my ends which really did look brassy.

That’s all over thanks to Joico’s Color Balance shampoo and conditioner. I use the blue one which has specially been made for brunettes with ombre hair – and it works like a charm since the very tips of my hair were still ombre’d. You use massage the shampoo into your hair and let it sit for a few minutes so that the blue has a chance to do its thing. Then you follow up with the blue conditioner. They say that you only need to use this once in a while, (every 2-3 shampoos) but I find that it works best when I use it once a week (so, every other shampoo for me).

This duo also comes in a purple version for blonde and silver/grey hair.

Pick it up in salons and online – about $15 each or even less when sold as a duo!

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

Halloween in the Shower Thanks to Lush

Posted on October 30, 2015 by Henna

Happy Halloween Eve, everyone, and I have to say that this holiday has taken on a whole new meaning for me since I’ve had kids. I actually care more about it than I ever have before!

Great finds this year come thanks to Lush. Seriously, who knew that bath products could be so fun and smell so good?

I’m loving the Lord of Misrule shower gel, and even if you’re not into Halloween, you should pick up a bottle of this because it smells so good. Patchouli, pepper, and vanilla are in the scent and make my whole bathroom smell absolutely amazing. It’s got lots of colour in it – intense green, which makes it easy to inspire my little one jump into the shower, but if you colour your hair, I’ve found that it doubles as a great shampoo because the green dye cuts down on brassiness in our hair! Yes! No more orange hair and it will smell amazing.

Also, Nightwing Shower Jelly, which is referred to in my house as the black soap. It smells like lemon candy, so there’s that, but it also makes lots of lovely bubbles and the jelly texture is fun (albeit a bit slippery) in the shower.

Pick both of them up at Lush stores or online.

Posted in For the Body | Tagged Lush, Shower Gel, Soap | Leave a comment

In-Shower Hydration for Your Hair

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Henna

So I’m suffering from a majorly dry hair moment right now and trust me when I say that I’ve tried everything and it’s just not getting better.

The one one product that is giving me a bit of temporary relief is OGX Hydrate and Repair Argan Oil or Morocco Miracle In-Shower oil. Yes, it’s like VO5 for your hair, to use in the shower, and then potentially rinse out, but unlike VO5, you don’t have to heat it up and it’s not as thick.

This oil is quite light so you can even use it when you’re out of the shower, or apply it on to skin when it’s damp. I love that it’s a multi-tasker. It’s left my hair shiny and less tangled at the ends which is great since lately the texture of it has changed and it tends to get tangled all by itself.

I’ve gone through a whole bottle already and am on to another one.

Pick it up at drugstores for about $11.

Posted in Shampoo and Conditioner | 2 Comments

New Favourite: Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Petal

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Henna

I had yet to try Fresh’s Sugar Lip Treatment in Petal, but now that I have it, it’s a new favourite. This colour in the Lip Treatment family has a nice dose of creamy muted pink lip colour that looks so natural on lips. It provides tons of emollient moisture to the lips and makes them feel super soft over time.

It’s the perfect lip treatment to use over the winter. These are usually super soft, so they’re great to use over the winter when there’s no chance of them melting.

$26 at Sephora.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Fresh, Lip Balm | Leave a comment

Everyday Flawless Skin with MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Henna

Ok, so the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation is my fancy foundation and it photographs so well, but for everyday, easy-to-use foundation I use MAC Studio Waterweight foundation because it has a light serum-like consistency that spreads easily with my fingers. It is also SPF 30 so it’s great to have on during the day.

The foundation is also hydrating and so it’s great to use for every type of skin – but people with oily skin (like me!) will find that it wears off as the day goes on – even with the use of a primer and powder.

But, when you’re mostly at home with short jaunts out and about, you don’t really need a foundation that lasts 12 hours, and in that case, a simple 8-10 hour foundation will do.

The coverage is light-medium and can be layered a bit to get up to the medium coverage. I use a concealer under my eyes for extra coverage, and highlighting but the foundation is great for evening out my skin all over.

It’s a very thin foundation so it’s best to apply it with your fingertips or with a foundation brush. A sponge would just soak it all up.

There are tons of fluid foundations out now – one from nearly every brand. My advice is to go with the brand where you can find a good match for your skin tone. I found the Nars one to be too yellow for my skin but it was super pigmented. The Make Up For Ever foundation has the most colour options and if you find that it’s hard to find a perfect match for your skin, then check that one out. Dior’s was also medium/light coverage but the colour options aren’t there. L’Oreal and Lancome’s versions are super light (actually, very watery) and leave skin silky smooth and also have great colour options. If you’re in your twenties and don’t need much coverage, those ones are the ways to go.

The MAC Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation

Posted in Fall 2015 | Tagged Foundation, MAC | Leave a comment

Joico Tint Shot Root Concealer

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Henna

…where has this product been my whole life? Seriously, if you colour your hair at home and dont’ have a ton of greys, this is a game changer and when you have little children and not enough time, it’s a total life saver.

Basically, the tint Shot Root Concealer is like a targeted tinted dry shampoo that you can spray directly on your roots to cover up new growth. It has special polymers that adhere to hair so it works a little better than a dry shampoo but it isn’t like a hair spray because there’s no tacky feeling aftewards. It washes out easily and if applied at the right places, it won’t rub off on your pillows. Case in point: I apply just at my part where the grey is obvious and easily covered up. It can buy me at least a couple of weeks more before I have to go colour my hair again!

Also, if you have thinning hair, you can also apply to areas where hair is a little bit thinner and it gives the appearance of thicker hair. It really does work like a dream.

The Tint Shot comes in black, brown, blond, and light brown. I’ve been using brown and light brown and I’ve found that although I can get away with using either, actually the brown is the most natural to my real hair colour so it works better.

Pick it up online or at a salon near you.

Posted in Styling Products | Tagged joico | Leave a comment

eos Visibly Soft Lip Balm in Blackberry Nectar

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Henna

Happy Thanksgiving again! I’m stuffed full of turkey right now and can’t even think about food, but after a long day it’s nice to pop open something new. Just a public service announcement for all of you who love eos lip balm as much as I do: their Visibly Soft lip balm now comes in a Blackberry Nectar flavour.

I would say that this is a great flavour to try if you like fruity flavours. It doesn’t smell exactly like blackberries (a taste I know well since we used to have a blackberry tree in our yard!) but has kind of a generic berry kind of scent that’s nice. These don’t have much of a taste but they do smell nice.

I love the original eos lip balm, but the Visibly Soft one is even better because it’s much more creamy and hydrating.

Like all the eos lip balms, this is

99% natural
Petrolatum-free
Paraben-free
Gluten-free
Phthalate-free

The natural bit is why I started using them in the first place, and why I continued using them.

In stores for $3.99.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged EOS, Lip Balm | Leave a comment

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Skin Thanks to NeoStrata

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Henna

Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everyone! As I sit here, I still have to go grocery shopping (and I know the store will be an absolute zoo), and lots of prep work to do. Stuffing ingredients to chop up, punch stuff to buy, salad dressing to make…. Of course, the big day of cooking will be Sunday and it’s allll looming ahead of me.

But on to happier topics. Like the fact that my skin is looking great these days thanks to NeoStrata’s new Acne Clear line which is a definite winner thanks to the combo of Salicylic and Glycolic acids used in the routine of products.

The line has a cleanser ($24.50), a Salicylic Acid toner ($29.50) (that comes in 2%) and a Glycolic Acid cream ($39) (in 5% or 10%).

Why two different acids, you ask? The Glycolic acid exfoliates the surface of the skin, while the Salicylic Acid goes inside pores and exfoliates from the inside. Salicylic acid will help clear up existing break outs but the Glycolic Acid keeps skin clear.

Points to note:

• Non-irritating, non-comedogenic, paraben-free

• Effective for both teens and adult acne break-outs

• For all skin types

•The Acne Clear Clarifying Gel Cleanser is the only cleanser within the dermocosmetic section with a NPN authorization from Health Canada

• All three products have verified clinical claims by the Dermatology Review Panel

I will say this: initially, I didn’t feel any tingling or irritation when I used the system, but after about three days where was a slight burning sensation when I used the toner so I had to cut back to using it every other day. That said, the system totally works at exfoliating your skin and makes it more smooth. It nipped a couple of potential break-outs in the bud, and has nicely cleared some small bumps.

If you like peels and salicylic acid or glycolic acid toners and the like, then Neostrata is the absolute best brand to go to and easily available at Shoppers Drug Mart. Their products worked and I’ve used lots of them myself.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Neostrata | 2 Comments

Currently Using: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light sunscreen

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Henna

Check out the picture – it’s SPF 60. I’m trying to get more physical activity in and so I walk every day. I’ve always worn sunscreen but when you’re out and about for an hour or so, you need something a little more powerful.

I’ve always loved the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water-Light Sunscreen and come back to it again and again because it’s super light, not white on my skin, and makes a great base for makeup.

I will say that it’s not super matte – I find my my makeup is a bit more shiny on the days that I’ve used it and doesn’t set as well as normal. I’ve always found that my bare, moisturized skin takes foundation the best, but sunscreen is a must and this one is great.

About $15.

Posted in Sunscreen | Tagged neutrogena | 2 Comments

Fresh Lush Cup O’ Coffee Mask

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Henna

Yes, I’m a coffee person most days, and so coffee masks and scrubs are totally my thing.

Lush’s Cup O’ Coffee mask is one of three new fresh masks – the others are Rosy Cheeks for sensitive skin, and Don’t Look at Me to cleanse and brighten.

The Cup O’ Coffee smells like a blend of vanilla and cocoa coffee – more like a Starbucks formulation rather than something we brew at home. It also has crushed up coffee beans in it so provide light exfoliation – though these are larger in size they feel almost smooth on the skin and are quite gentle.

The base itself is mostly Kaolin which is great for absorbing excess oils and leaving skin nice and matte, so this is a great scrub for those of us with oily skins. I loved this mask for my body but I loved it even more for my face.

Pick it up at Lush stores.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Lush | Leave a comment