Canadian Beauty

Currently Using: The Clarisonic Radiance Brush Head

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Henna

A pet peeve of mine is when skin is slightly bumpy and you can see foundation sitting on top of it. I find this is something that I struggle with in hot weather – my skin just isn’t designed for it, and lots of people with oily skin are in the same boat.

The only remedy is to exfoliate all the time and stay out of the sun.

If you haven’t bought yourself a Clarisonic to help with the exfoliation, then do it now – it’s well worth the investment. You’ll try to get a better foundation or primer to help with pore problems, but they’re worth nothing without good skin, and a good scrub goes a long long way.

I’ve invested in a Clarisonic Radiance Brush Head for the summer, and I can tell the difference. It’s slightly more scratchy on my skin and I can feel and see it working. Two weeks in, and I can see that after using it, my skin is so smooth that it glows without any strobing.

Nothing more to say about it other than it really really works and is perfect for taking your skincare game to the next level.

$30 where Clarisonic products are sold including Sephora and The Hudson’s Bay Company. Or online at Clarisonic.ca.

Posted in Cleansers | Tagged Clarisonic, Tools | Leave a comment

OPI’s Nail Envy Line Expands

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Henna

So the pink in the manicure you see above is actually OPI’s Nail Envy Treatment in Hawaiian Tropic.

Truth be told, I’m a newbie to Nail Envy but there’s lots of anecdotal and photographic evidence floating around on the Internets toting its actual magic, and now here’s mine.

Nail Envy used to be just clear and comes in different formulas – there is one for making nails stronger, and another for making nails longer.

Now, it comes in four different colours too so that you can add colour while treating your nails.

Generally speaking, my nails are pretty healthy but they do break because of all the typing I do… that probably makes sense. That said, I really like the long nail trend and am not going to invest in gel nails, so it seems that a nail treatment is something I need to add to my regimen. I was pretty happy to try the different shades of Nail Envy to do this.

The new colors are:

Hawaiian Tropic – the pretty mauve/pink above. This is full coverage opaque cream.

Bubble Bath – sheer pale pink. Easy to wear and good to use as a base.

Samoan Sand – very versatile sheer beige and a favourite for many.

Pink to Envy – clear pink

I like opaque polish so it goes without saying that Hawaiian Tropic was my favourite colour and one that I’ll wear again and again. It’s just so pretty and perfect for so many occasions. I’d use the other colors as base so that I can get the treatment and then apply some nail polish on top.

I have found that using Nail Envy has helped me to grow longer nails without breaking them – I feel like I may be jinxing myself in writing that statement but my nails wouldn’t be as long as they seem above without Nail Envy! They usually break by now and they haven’t yet! I’ve only used it for about 3 weeks but I’ve seen a difference, so I’m liking these polishes.

They retails for $22.50 at nail salons only so look for them there, or ask for your manicures be done with them.

Posted in Summer 2015 | Tagged Nails, OPI, Treatments | Leave a comment

Chic Overload with Givenchy’s New Le Rouge-À-Porter

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Henna

Truly, you’ve never had a lipstick this chic: Givenchy’s new Le Rouge-À-Porter lipstick is housed in a leather encased cap. This sheer lipstick is perfect for the summer because it gives a pretty wash of colour that’s not too much.

Even though this lipstick is sheer, the lasting power is awesome and I love the almost stain-like quality of colour that this brings.

It’s not a moisturizing formula, but has more of a true lipstick-like waxy feel, which is great. I prefer this to many sheer lipsticks or “balms” that feel moisturizing but leave lips dryer than ever before.

Pick it up at Givenchy counters for $40.

Posted in Spring 2015 | Tagged Givenchy | Leave a comment

Nars New Audacious Mascara

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Henna

Nars has a new member in the Audacious family and it’s a mascara. New, Nars Audacious mascara is a volumizing formula that layers and layers to give you really intense amazing lashes.

The wand is a little spiky and has over 200 bristles that really catch the lashes and coat them with product. The wand even has bristles on the very tip so that you can also get to your lower lashes without mascara getting on your face.

The formula is a rich black, not too wet, and sets on the lashes without being clumpy. It lasts the whole day without smearing or smudging, and washes off at the end of the day without any flaking either.

Truly, this is now my go-to mascara, and if you’re into Nars or mascaras, then this is a must try.

Available in just one colour: Black Moon, which is a rich satin finish black.

Get it at Sephora August 1, and September 1 at all other retailers.

$34.

Posted in Search for the Perfect Mascara | Tagged Mascara, Nars | Leave a comment

New Cleansers from Soap and Glory

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Henna

British beauty brand Soap and Glory comes out with two new cleansers this summer: Peaches and Cream Cleansing Milk, and Face Soap and Clarity.

Both cleansers are strongly scented – something the brand is known for – and they smell great: powdery and floral at the same time.

Peaches and Cream is pretty much a traditional cream cleanser: it’s awesome for taking off makeup because it really melts everything and then emulsifies with water when you rinse your skin. Like most cream cleansers, it can leave a bit of a residue on your skin, so it’s best for people with dry skin who like that extra layer of moisturizer left on their skin after cleansing. It’s definitely not thick and heavy like some cream cleansers, and mixes with water very easily. I like using it on wet skin, but you could also pump it on to a cotton pad or makeup wipe, and wipe away your makeup very easily.

Face Soap and Clarity is the cleanser that’s for those of us who like a squeaky clean face. I use this after using Peaches and Cream and I get really clean skin. The small amount of exfoliating beads in this face wash are pretty to look at, but don’t add anything in the way of exfoliating, making this a pretty basic face wash – but I think that’s ok. Basics when it comes to cleansers is great, because really, all you’re looking for is for something that will take your makeup off easily and without leaving your skin too dry, and this does the job.

Pick up Soap and Glory products at Shoppers Drug Mart!

Posted in Cleansers | Tagged Basics!, Cleansers, Face, Soap and Glory | 3 Comments

Dior’s Cool New Brow Gel

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Henna

If you’re into doing your brows (and really… most of us should be), you’ll know that if you’re in a hurry it can be a time suck to fill them in and then apply a wax or gel on top. It’s the right way to do your brows, but you’re not thinking of that when you’re in a rush. In that case, you choose one or the other – either the fill or the neatness of the setting product – or maybe you opt to just forget about the brows all together this time.

Well, thanks to the Diorshow Brow Gel you don’t have to decide. This tinted gel has the effect of filling in your brows without actually filling them in. The gel darkens places that might be sparse, and sets the hairs so that they look groomed.

The dispenser is a comb that releases brow gel as you click the pen, and then you can brush it through your hair. It works like a beauty, applying gel just to the hair and not to your skin. The gel isn’t stiff but feels soft after it dries but it works too – and for the price, I wouldn’t expect anything less.

The gel is available in dark brown, blonde, and transparent. The dark brown works well on black brows too so that’s what I use.

Pick it up at Dior counters for $30.

Posted in Summer 2015 | Tagged Brows, Dior | Leave a comment

Natural Bug Spray from Modern Apothecary

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Henna

The inclusion of kids into your life is enough to make you go natural with so many products, and today we tackle bug spray.

If I were going into the Amazon forest I wouldn’t think twice about using DEET on my whole family, but I’m not as keen to use it for a picnic in the park or summering at the cottage.

It turns out that a whole host of essential oils has been found to be effective in the fight against mosquitos, and those include lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, rosemary, cedar, and mint, but if you’re not an essential oil mixologist, it helps to know that you can buy Modern Apothecary’s Outdoor Body Mist that has the essential oils already blended for your convenience.

Housed in a hefty glass spray bottle, this not only works, but also looks pretty sitting near your front door.

$12 online or wherever Modern Apothecary products are sold.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Modern Apothecary | Leave a comment

Wild Blueberry Vanilla from Upper Canada Soap

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Henna

I love fruit-scented products over the summer, and Upper Canada Soap Company’s new Wild Blueberry Vanilla is hitting all the high notes for me this summer.

Made with blueberry extract and a slight vanilla base, this scents their bath and body products such as body butter, hand and body wash, body lotion, and hand cream. The products are paraben free, mineral oil free, phthalate free – but are still super hydrating and gentle on skin.

The wild blueberry scent smells like actual blueberries (or maybe like blueberry candy) and is a refreshing change from the coconut and lemon scents I usually stick to in the summer.

Pick them up online, or at Indigo, Well.ca, Home Outfitters, and Sears.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Upper Canada Soap Company | Leave a comment

Poolside Essentials for Your Hair

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Henna

I went through a phase not too long ago where I went swimming almost everyday, which is super ironic because I absolutely hated swimming growing up.

Turns out that my hating the activity had more to do with my own body issues than with anything else, so once those were taken care of, it turns out that swimming wasn’t all that bad!

Anyway, during that time I learned a thing or two about what to pack before venturing out on a trip to the pool. Of course you’re going to take a shower gel and moisturizer to combat the chlorine smell and feel from the pool water, but I learned the hard way that there’s no way I can skip washing my hair afterwards and I can’t be cheap about a shampoo.

After swimming you have to use a super gentle and moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to combat the time spent in the harsh environment of the pool. One way to do it is to apply lots of coconut oil in your hair so that the water doesn’t even have a chance to penetrate your hair.

I also prefer using a cleansing conditioner instead of a regular shampoo. I find that it’s much more gentle and because it’s like a shampoo and conditioner in one you save time in the shower too. I’m partial to Pantene’s Damage Repair Cleansing Conditioner. It’s super gentle and hydrating and the huge bottle might be unwieldy to put in a gym bag, but it lasts a long time and you can completely slather your hair with it.

The other shampoo you need is Live Clean’s Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo. This stuff is the opposite of hydrating but it will absolutely take all the build-up your hair might have acquired over the summer and will leave it super clean and shiny. I wouldn’t use this more than once a week, and it’s an essential if you’re using the above cleansing conditioner because it’ll leave everything squeaky clean whereas the conditioner wouldn’t have.

Pick both up at drugstores – $9.99 for the Pantene Cleansing Conditioner and $6.99 for the Live Clean Shampoo.

Posted in Shampoo and Conditioner | Tagged Live Clean, Pantene, Shampoo | Leave a comment

Currently Using: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Henna

I first got a tube of this mascara back in March, and although I loved it, my issue was that it seemed to smear on me.

Despite the fact that it wasn’t perfect, I kept seeing amazing reviews of it on social media, so I was intrigued to try it again.

Fast forward to this month, while the weather has been hot, slightly humid, and I spend most of the day sweating, it seems that my brand new tube of this mascara has been holding up just fine, despite my applying sunscreen during the day!

I love the waxy, slightly dry formula, and the brush makes it so easy to apply mascara just on the lashes and not my eyelid.

The final finish is intensely black and volumized lush lashes.

$30 at Sephora.

Posted in Search for the Perfect Mascara | Tagged Too Faced | 1 Comment