Canadian Beauty

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

Nars Fall 2015 Color Collection

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Henna

Nars’ colour collection for this Fall is right on trend, with a mix of products that help you strobe and add colour to your palette.

The literal highlight of the collection is the blush in Tribulation ($37) which is a shimmering rose-gold. It’s definitely more on the gold side, and it’s really a perfect highlighting powder rather than a blush. The texture is soft, silky, and smooth and because it’s a blush, it’s not as shimmery as a highlighter so you can put on just a little or a lot.

See how it looks like a beige rose in the pan?

But this is what you get with one pass of your finger:

It’s such a pretty colour but definitely not adding any “blush” to your look. As you can see from the picture, I’ve used it lots – that’s because it doubles well as a shadow!

My second favourite products are the new Dual Intensity Eyeshadows ($36):

Telesto Brown with gold shimmer
Pasiphae Shimmering peacock burgundy

Pasiphae is my favourite because it makes for a pretty unique smoky eye, and Telesto works great as a crease colour, although if you have blue eyes, it would definitely work well as a smoky base.

Look at the gorgeous duochrome nature of Pasiphae. So pretty.

The collection also includes a whole new set of Velvet Shadow Sticks ($35 each). These are amazing for quick makeup because they completely stick to the eyelid and don’t budge – you don’t even need to use a primer with them. Plus, they are so soft, that you can even dip an eyeliner brush into them and use them at the base of your lashes.

The light shimmery colours were almost metallic on my eye, so I preferred the darker colours.

Colours are:

Hollywoodland Pale gold
Aigle Noir Black infused with gold shimmer
Glenan Navy
Goddess Pink champagne
Oaxaca Quartz
Sukhothai Shimmering peacock
Filbuste Black
Reykjavik Grey

Sukhothai (second from left) was one of my favourites to use as an accent colour, and Oaxaca (in the middle) is a gorgeous shimmering mushroom colour that works so well as a neutral.

The collection also includes a lipstick ($34) in VIP Red (brick red), and two lip glosses ($32) – Chelsea Girls, which is a pink beige, and Baby Doll, which is is a shimmery candy pink.

The entire collection is available now at all NARS retailers (Sephora, Hudson’s Bay, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and Murale) and www.narscosmetics.com.

Posted in Fall 2015 | Tagged Nars | Leave a comment

New Lipstick! MAC Pillow Talk – The Nude You Need

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Henna

Ok, I’ve become a lipstick lover and I’ve been heading on over to the MAC counter to stock up on some favourites and must-haves, when this caught my eye:

You’re looking at Pillow Talk Creamsheen lipstick which is part of the MAC Veluxe a Trois collection.

Described as a Malty Warm Nude, it looked like… yep, it was, the perfect nude lip colour. It’s just the right blend of pink and beige and because it’s a Creamsheen formula, it has a bit of depth to it and doesn’t look completely flat on your lips. Because of the amount of beige in this lip colour, it really does look more like a nude than a pink, and is best worn with a smoky eye or lots of black eyeliner. It just doesn’t wear that great by itself and isn’t a colour you can just throw on, but if you like nude lippies, it’s beyond perfect.

I will say that this wears differently depending on your colouring – I’m warm-toned already, so the pink in this lipstick did show up on my lips. If you have very fair skin, it will be more brown but that’s very trendy right now, so feel free to rock a brown lip!

It is quite pigmented with medium coverage. I needed two coats to get full coverage, and it wore evenly throughout the day although it did get more dry as the day went on.

The colour is limited edition, so if you want it, you should get it before the collection is gone. That said, it’s a repromote which means that they’ve brought it out before.

It’s my new fave lipstick.

Posted in Fall 2015 | Tagged lipstick, MAC | 1 Comment

Currently Using: Hourglass Ambient Bronzer

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Henna

Bronzer is perfect for those times that your skin might look too flat. It adds a little something without being as obvious as blush can be.

Subtly is key, and that’s why I’m loving Hourglass’s Ambient Bronzer (I have it in Radiant Light). This bronzer is mixed with Hourglass’s Ambient Lighting Powder so it makes skin look better as it adds warmth to the face. The coverage is sheer so you’ll never apply too much bronzer and the lighting powder mixed in makes it so that colour applied is just perfect. Yes, it’s slightly shimmery, but only in direct light so if you’re indoors, your skin is going to look amazing.

Of course, because of the shimmer, I wouldn’t use this as a contour powder – plus, it’s not the right shade and is a touch too warm to look like a shadow, but it is perfect for putting on the cheeks, nose, and forehead as if to make it look like you got some sun.

Pick it up at Sephora stores for $50. It also comes in a lighter shade.

Posted in Make-Up | Tagged Bronzer, Hourglass | Leave a comment

Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Henna

What makes Live Clean unique is that they always have natural ingredients in their formulas – so when I use their new Dry Body Oil, I know that there’s going to be a blend of organic oils in the bottle, not just scented mineral oil (which, I would use, but it wouldn’t be anything special).

The Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil is awesome – it’s a blend of Safflower, Avocado, Coconut, Argan, Jojoba, and Sesame oils along with a dose of vitamin E and C.

The oil also has a light citrusy fragrance that isn’t too sweet or too strong. The oil is super smooth and goes on so nicely giving skin a nice sheen. I use it straight out of the shower and then gently pat skin with a towel.

Available at Walmart and Loblaws for $9.99.

Posted in For the Body | Tagged Live Clean | 3 Comments

Fall’s Nail: Dior Hypnotic

Posted on September 22, 2015 by Henna

This fall’s nail is dark but not too dark. I’ve been using Dior’s Hypnotic pretty consistently – it’s a nice change from the deep dark reds that normally go to and a bit of brown is so in right now.

I really love Dior’s nail polishes because they always deliver pigmentation, shine, and staying power and this colour is no exception. The swatch you’ve see above is just one coat and the colour is so rich.

The formula is exceptional and is free from phthalates, toluene, formaldehyde and synthetic camphors. The brush is wide and distributes just the right amount of pigment to the nails without pooling at the base.

Posted in Fall 2015 | Tagged Dior, Nails, Swatch | Leave a comment

Oily Skins Need Clinique’s Charcoal Mask

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Henna

I guess I’m on a bit of a mask kick today because I’m finally feeling a little bit better and can take care of myself. I’ve told you how to hydrate, but if you have oily skin, you’re going to want to check out Clinique’s new Pore Refining Solutions Charcoal Mask. Charcoal is a bit of a hit ingredient right now, and it really does work.

Charcoal Powder in this mask absorbs excess oil and as you wash it off, it’s lightly yet smoothly exfoliating so helps skin look and feel refined. The mask is oil-free and also has clay in it so it’s perfect for combination or oily skin. The mask goes on like a gel and is fragrance-free so it’s quite gentle on skin!

I recommend applying this mask 10 minutes before jumping into the shower so that it has time to dry and then rubbing it off once wet so get the oil-absorbing effect and use it as an exfoliator.

Available at Clinique counters for $27.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Clinique, Mask | Leave a comment

Brows on Fleek Thanks to Caryl Baker Visage

Posted on September 21, 2015 by Henna

Me After Getting My Brows Done!

So Caryl Baker Visage was the first place I ever got a makeover and I used to frequent the location at my local mall all the time! Yes, I was even a Beauty Club Member!

Sadly, when I moved to Calgary, there were no Visage locations here, and so I stopped frequenting them – until now. This summer, Caryl Baker Visage opened up a location in Calgary’s Sunridge Mall, and wow, I have to say that the store itself has received a major makeover in the past few years!

The new stores are nice and bright and look inviting and chic.

Not only do they look different, but they’ve updated their offerings too! There’s now makeup for women of colour, as well as top of the line skincare (think peels, vitamin C products, and organic ingredients) as well as lash extensions.

They’ve even taken the plain ‘ol brow wax and upgraded it to the HD brow service. This service includes an initial brow tint so that sparse areas look filled in. Then the brows are groomed – the result is a super-polished brow that needs less filling in because the tint does it all. This service is also for men and is perfect for taming the brows!

Also, a huge thank you to the super sweet team at the Sunridge Mall location of Caryl Baker Visage – they held on to my 6 week old baby while I had my service done and toured the store. It’s always nice for a new mom to get a bit of a break and it was such a relaxing experience for me.

Check them out at Sunridge Mall – more Calgary, and Western Canada locations coming in the following year!

Sunridge Mall – upper level, center
2525 – 36th Street NE
Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5T4, Canada

Ph: 403-285-1120

Posted in Your City | Tagged Calgary, Caryl Baker Visage | Leave a comment