Kerastase Elixir Ultime Shampoo And Conditioner

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Henna

Kerastase Elixir Ultime CollectionReaders, I’m a huge fan of anything infused with oil when it comes to hair.  I’m finding more and more that these products that have oil in them leave your hair softer and shinier than ever before, and rarely do they weigh down hair the way a regular oil would.

I’ve mostly stuck to styling products, but now I’m using Kerastase’s Elixir Ultime Shampoo and Conditioner and it’s just what my perpetually dry hair needs.

What makes the shampoo ($42) different from other moisturizing shampoos is that it’s clear instead of being creamy, so it hydrates your hair with the oil but also leaves it really clean.

I follow up with the Masque Elixir Ultime ($61) which is made with argan, camelia, corn, and pracaxi oils so it’s super hydrating.  Like the shampoo, the mask doesn’t weigh hair down and it’s actually slightly less thick than most moisturizing/hydrating masks.

This line is made for all hair types, so it makes sense that it’s hydrating but also not super heavy.

Follow up with the original Elixir Ultime serum ($55) which is also made with the same four oils and can also be used as a pre-treatment.

Available at salons or online.

 

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Too Faced Bronzer Sampler Kit

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Henna

Lots of people are new to bronzer – or scared of it because it might look overdone or orange.

Too Faced Bronzer and Kabuki Brush

If that’s you, then you need to check out Too Faced The Little Black Book of Bronzers ($60).  This palette contains 8 of Too Faced bronzers – including Milk Chocolate Soleil, Chocolate Soleil, and Dark Chocolate Soleil, which are cult favourites (try searching for them in Instagram and you’ll find lots of make up artists and Youtubers that use them).

The other bronzers are Pink Leopard, Beach Bunny, Endless Summer, Sun Bunny.  Besides Endless Summer (which is a long-wearing bronzer), the other bronzers are shimmery and can also be used as high-lighters or blushes, which makes the palette really versatile.

The palette is a great intro to bronzers in general and will help you find something that works for you as a contour and/or true bronzer.

I’ve discovered that Endless Summer and Milk Chocolate Soleil are my favourite bronzers – they’re matte and just the right shade of brown for me to use them as contour.

I’ve also been using the Too Faced Kabuki brush ($40) to apply a dusting on my whole face from time to time, and I love how perfectly it buffs all my makeup so that it is seamlessly blended.

Pick up the both at Sephora.

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Perfect For The Beach or Weddings: MAC’s new Pro Longwear Waterproof Foundation

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Henna

MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof FoundationMAC Pro Longwear Waterproof FoundationThis launched just in time for beach, pool, and wedding weather: if you’ve ever wished for some coverage that would stay put, if for no other reason than to take better selfies, then this new foundation is for you.

Offering medium to high coverage, MAC’s new Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation offers longevity and the ability to resist running when water is thrown at it.

Because the foundation can be high coverage if you layer it, you can use it as a concealer, or apply it all over your face as a regular foundation.

Pro Longwear foundation is my most favourite foundation from MAC because it holds up so well on oily skin, and I think that this one is even better than the original.  It doesn’t set as quickly so it gives you a chance to really blend it well, and the finish isn’t as matte, so it looks a lot more natural than the original.   The finish is a satin one so it looks more natural – especially if you finish your makeup with some contour and blush.

Even if you don’t need something long-wearing and waterproof, this would be my pick for favourite foundation right now because it just looks amazing.  It doesn’t have SPF in it so photographs exceptionally well too!

Pick it up at MAC counters for $38.50.  Available in 16 colours.

 

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New Limited-Edition Kendall Jenner Lipstick from Estee Lauder!

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Henna

Signing Kendall Jenner as spokesperson has been one of the smartest things Estee Lauder has done recently.  It makes the brand seem hip and cool again, and slightly more relevant to a whole new generation of makeup lovers.

Kendall Jenner Restless

Now, Estee Lauder has come out with a limited-edition shade of lipstick created with Kendall Jenner in mind.  The shade is Restless and it’s part red, part orange.  I haven’t tried it yet, but if you have, let me know what you think!

The packaging even has Kendall’s name on it, which is a nice touch.

$34 at EsteeLauder.ca.

 

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Kid Approved Hand Soap from Sleepy Owl

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Henna

Sleepy Owl hand washI don’t know a kid that loves to play with water, but getting little toddlers to wash their hands properly is always a challenge.  But now, we have Sleepy Owl Baby’s Gentle Foaming Hand Wash and so far it’s a game changer because it appeals to kids and parents.

My little one loves it  because it’s self-foaming so it’s fun to make it come out of the dispenser.  I love it because the foam means I’m not having to constantly remind her to scrub her hands.  She’s already busy rubbing the foam all over (while playing) and so hand-washing isn’t such a chore for the two of us.

In fact, she loves the hand wash so much that for the first couple of days she pulled a stool up to the sink and just spent an hour playing with the water and the hand wash.

I also love that the hand wash is made with essential oils and is coconut oil based so it’s not that drying and really smells lovely.

Available at drugstores for $12.

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Moroccanoil Fleur de Rose Collection

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Henna

Moroccanoil fleur de roseYou’re probably already familiar with Moroccanoil’s lineup of awesome hair care products, but they also have highly moisturizing bath and body products.

This spring, the brand has come out with their entire lineup of body products scented with Fleur de Rose.

The Fleur de Rose scent is fresh and clean and smells just like fresh real roses from the garden.  The moisturizers actually leave a lasting rose scent on the skin, and I’m finding that using them means that I can definitely skip on my perfume because my skin already smells like roses.  In actual fact, I can use the products quite sparingly and still get whiffs of the scent throughout the day.

The collection includes:

The Body Buff (body exfoliator) ($52), cleansing bar (body soap) ($12), shower milk ($30), body souffle (light moisturizing cream) ($56), body butter ($56), and hand cream ($32).

Available at salons and spas that sell Moroccanoil products.

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Hats off to Loblaw Companies

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Henna

A summer of this story from the Financial Post earlier this week: Loblaw Companies Ltd. has decided to stop manufacturing products with Triclosan, Phthalates, and Microbeads by the end of 2018.

Triclosan is antibacterial and is thought to encourage antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Phthalates are used to add fragrance and could interfere with the body’s endocrine system, and Microbeads are not biodegradable.

Loblaws has its own brands – Life Brand and PC products, and those are the ones that will not have those three ingredients.

It’s a great move from the giant of a company – and it seems to be setting the precedence for other companies too.

Loblaws has already phased out artificial colours and flavours from their own brands, and many other big companies followed after, so there’s a chance that other brands will follow in Loblaw’s footsteps after this move too.

What do you think?  Does the inclusion of those chemicals affect your decision to buy products?  I really look at whether the product works or not, and try to stay away from hand sanitizers and the like. I’d love to know how you shop so let me know in the comments!

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New Diorshow Waterproof Pro Liner – The Pencil that Wants to Be a Liquid

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Henna

Diorshow Pro Liner… at least that’s what Dior was thinking when it designed this liner.

Created with a slanted tip, the idea is that you can hold the liner horizontally up against your lashes and then tightline, creating the look of more lush lashes.  The only problem is that the liner just isn’t thin enough and if you’re not careful, you can end up with a thick line that looks very obvious instead of a nice thin line usually achieved by using liquid liner.  … and as full disclosure, I have to say that I wear liquid or gel eyeliner almost every.single.day and so the effect I get with that is unmatched by this liner.

HOWEVER….

This being Dior, the liner works great as a pencil because the formula is unparalleled.  It’s waterproof, smudgy but long-wearing which is particularly perfect for achieving a worn-in eyeliner look.  Simply apply to the top or bottom lashes, smudge gently with your fingers and then be on your way.  The liner will stay the whole day, and needs serious make-up remover to come off.  Personally, I don’t scrub at it too hard because I like the look of it the next day.

If you must do a wing tip, simply line your lashes with the liner, grab your eyeliner brush and go over your line, continuing to make a flick with the excess product.  Because the liner is so smudgy, you’ll have enough on your brush to do this once you’ve gone over your line.

Pick it up at Sephora or a Dior counter for $32.  Definitely one to try before you buy – ask a Dior sales associate for a demo.

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Kerastase’s New Dryer Sheets For Your Hair

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Henna

carre lissantIf you’ve struggled with static in your hair, then you’ve come across the easiest and cheapest solution: just rub a drier sheet on the static and it goes away!

Well Kerastase took that idea, and created Carre Lissant – their own anti-frizz smoothing sheets.

The sheets come in a small purse-sized box that contains 50 sheets.

Each sheet is coated with a light wax that slowly rubs off on your hair as you run the sheets over it.  The wax not only gets rid of the frizz, but protects your hair from humidity and adds shine to your style without weighing it down like a serum would.

The sheets also smell much nicer than the average dryer sheet thanks to a fruity musky perfume blend.

$35 a box at salons.

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New Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi-Gloss

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Henna

plexi glossMake Up For Ever has launched a brand new gloss that promises shine, colour, and lasting power.

Available in 35 shades, Plexi-Gloss is a pigmented-filled gloss that sticks to the lips.  It has a thick texture and is more like a lacquer than a gloss because of its pigmentation and shine.  Because it’s so thick, it does stay on the lips longer than the average gloss as long as you don’t touch it.

I love that Make Up For Ever offers so many shades of every product, whether it’s foundation, gloss, or eyeshadow.  This gloss comes in 10 pink, 7 red, 7 coral, 6 beige, and 4 artistic hues.  That means that there’s something for everyone. Many of the shades are opaque creams, although there are some sheer shimmery shades and some glossy sheer shades as well.

Look for it at Sephora for $23.

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