Canadian Beauty

The Best Highlighting Concealer That’s Not Really a Concealer

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Henna

So, I’ve often said that I don’t use an under-eye concealer on a regular basis, but all that has changed.

Firstly, I’m still into contouring and highlighting. I’ve always applied a contour, but I sometimes skip out on the under-eye highlight that goes with that. I don’t need a concealer to cover darkness under my eyes, but I do need something to highlight with, and that’s what I’ve found my new favourite product for.

It’s Garnier’s new BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector Eye Roll-On.

This is a light and watery, super pigmented concealer in a roll-on tube. A few small swipes give enough product to cover your whole under-eye area, blending down into your base to give you a semi-natural look. What I really love about this concealer is that it sets quickly and then stays put for the rest of the day. It lasts on my face better than my actual foundation.

If you have super dry skin or crepe-y under-eyes, then you may want to skip out on this. It tends to emphasize fine lines and if you do want to use it on dry skin, make sure you apply moisturizer and primer.

For a drugstore product, this is an amazing one – but it’s not a BB cream, and it’s not a Miracle Skin Perfector either. Aside from the cosmetic improvements, I haven’t noticed anything long-lasting effects on my skin. It’s also not at all hydrating and I’m sure that’s what most people want for their under-eye area. It also claims to be refreshing, but I find that I need such a tiny amount to get coverage that I don’t really use enough to get a refreshing effect on my skin.

Available at drugstores for $21.99. Kind of expensive for a teeny little eye cream, but it works better than some department store concealers, so I love it for that.

Posted in Fall 2014 | Tagged concealer, Garnier, Under-Eye | Leave a comment

New! Softlips Cube Review

Posted on September 10, 2014 by Henna

All I remember, when I think of Softlips, is how it was the thing, in junior high.

Makeup was a little beyond me and my friends, so our fashion currency of choice was lip balms, and at the top of the totem pole was always Softlips because they were packaged in a pretty, slim container and were so minty that your lips tingled when you applied them.

Well, now that favourite lip balm comes in a little ice-cube looking vehicle.

The formula is light and almost oily feeling, but not at all waxy – which is what we always loved about it. They go on super smoothly (even when it’s very cold outside – and I’ve had the chance to test this out myself), and don’t drag or pull on the lips.

It’s moisturizing and stays on the lips for a long time – not through lunch or dinner, but definitely through a cup of coffee or an intense talk with your friends.

I’ll still have an original Softlips in my purse, but this is what’s at my desk.

Available in two flavours: Vanilla Bean and Berry Bliss. $4.99 at these stores.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Lipbalm, Softlips | 2 Comments

Nars Night Series Eyeliner

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Henna

I cannot live without these eyeliners!

This Autumn, Nars comes out with the Night Series eyeliners as part of their fall collection.

They’ve previously come out with the Night Series eyeshadows and these twist-up, sharpener-included, pencil eyeliners are in the same veins of the eyeshadows. They are black-bases with different coloured pearl and glitter in them. The best-seller seemed to be the Night Clubbing shadow, a gorgeous black with gold shimmer in it, and now it’s available in an eyeliner format too.

I have the Night Series eyeliners in Night Clubbing and Night Bird.

Night Bird is my favourite – it is a black base with a purple shimmer in it. I love purple against brown eyes, and I love black liner, so this is the perfect combination of the two for me.

The other colours are:

Night Flight – Black with cobalt blue pearl
Night Porter – Black with green pearl

I like these pencil eyeliners better than anything else in my makeup drawer right now. Firstly, they’re in a long-wearing waterproof formula that is awesome. Eyeliner tends to wear away quickly especially if you’re using it very close to the lash-line, and I find that I can get a full day of wear from these even if the weather outside is very humid.

They’re also not too soft and not too pigmented, so you’re really able to control where and how you apply them. It’s easy to get super close to the lash-line, and you can also smudge them with your fingers for an eyeshadow effect. The best part is that once the liners set, they don’t move, which means that if you use them with a primer you can even wear them as eyeshadow! The pencil is thin enough that you have control over exactly where you apply the liner, and then you can smudge the edges so that the liner looks blended with eyeshadow.

If the glitter works for you – it adds a touch of something extra if you’re normally wearing black liner – then these are totally worth checking out.

The liners are $28, and available now at select NARS retailers (including Sephora, Hudson’s Bay, Holt Renfrew and Murale).

Posted in Fall 2014 | Tagged Eyeliner, Nars | 3 Comments

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Compact Foundation Review

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Henna

Okay, so I know that there have been a lot of foundation reviews recently, but I’ve gotten bit by the foundation bug, and am in the new for something new… I’ve found different foundations for different days, and am still on the search for something perfect.

Guerlain’s new Lingerie de Peau Compact Foundation is a new powder formula that’s worth checking out if you have combination or oily skin.

It is medium coverage and has a very light texture and feel. It reminds me of why I love wearing powder foundations – they usually give amazing coverage and you can’t even feel that you’re wearing them. This one is also great for those who have oily skin – not because it holds up like a long-wearing foundation, but because it is so easy to re-apply and looks matte but with a slight radiance. It is my go-to touch-up foundation and one that I carry with me at all times. It’s perfect in the middle of the day or for applying just as you’re leaving work so that your skin looks great for the rest of your day.

The feel is smooth and very velvety. Like many powder foundation, this can look cakey if you over-apply so one layer is enough.

The other most amazing thing about this foundation? It photographs beautifully so it’s a must-have for a night out on the town!

$72 and on counters now.

Posted in Fall 2014 | Tagged Foundation, Guerlain | Leave a comment

New Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil

Posted on September 5, 2014 by Henna

If you’re into beauty, you know that the face care product of choice these days is a face oil, and it turns out that face oil isn’t just for dry skin anymore. A great oil is light and absorbs easily, and is as much about hydration as it is about making skin comfortable.

But this fall, facial oils go to a whole new level with the addition of Rosehip or Rose oil (they’re not the same thing, but they’re both wonder ingredients when it comes to skincare).

This month, you need to head to the Sisley counter and try out their Black Rose Precious Facial oil. It is at once everything a luxury facial oil should be. It has an extremely smooth feel and is light yet hydrating.

In addition to the rose oil, this face oil also has magnolia and geranium essential oils, plum oil, and camelina oil.

If you haven’t added an oil to your routine, know that it goes on after your serum and before your moisturizer – and yes, you may still want to use both of those in your routine. It’s an extra step in hydrating and treating, but if you have aging skin, it’s one that you may want to take.

That being said, I actually don’t use a serum so I apply this after my toner and only use moisturizer if I have really dry skin. For my combination skin, this is just enough at bedtime, and in the morning I use my regular sunscreen/moisturizer. It’s also great mixed into a moisturizer to add extra benefits to it! Don’t be afraid to play around with the oils – they’re versatile and great to use.

Available at Holt Renfrew now for $267.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Sisley | 1 Comment

How to Wear Any Color and Look Gorgeous

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Henna

You’ve probably heard the “rules” that blondes shouldn’t wear yellow, or that darker complexions shouldn’t wear nudes. But the great news is that anyone, regardless of skin tone or hair color, can pull off the entire rainbow of colors — you just have to know what to look for.

See how to pull off any color

Posted in More Than Beauty | Leave a comment

Spa My Blend by Clarins

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Henna

Last month, while I was in Toronto, I had the opportunity to check out the Spa My Blend spa by Clarins at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Let me just say that I’ve been to a lot of spas around the world, and this is the nicest one that I’ve ever been to.

In fact, last winter, my sister and I were planning a girls spa day and we were undecided about whether to go to the Trump, the Ritz, or the Shangri-La. In the end, we chose the Trump, but looking back, I know that we totally made the wrong choice.

I went there for a custom-blended Clarins facial.

The facialist at the spa uses a computer program to conduct a survey about my skincare. I answered questions and then she also took photos of my skin to let the computer program determine the level of sun damage I had (not very much) and the amount of wrinkles I had (also not very much). The facialist then used a special sensor to detect the hydration level and oiliness of my skin (dry yet oily) and then the program compiled all the data to make suggestions on the products that should be used on my skin.

Now, having had many facials before, I’m sure that my facialist, after all her years of experience, could have come to the same conclusions and recommendations herself, but I think that sometimes (maybe just in this day and age) people are more willing to trust a computer program.

The facial was great – it included lots of massage and special aromatherapy, as well as extractions. I fell asleep towards the end of it which is always a sign of how amazing the facialist is.

Know that when you get a treatment done at the Spa My Blend, you’re not just going in for the treatment.

The spa has special relaxation rules where you can forget about the rest of your world. You can order food from the hotel restaurant or go for a swim in the swimming pool. There’s even a green-tea infused bath that you can dip into for some real revitalization. There’s also aromatherapy steam rooms and a sauna.

It’s truly a place where you could easily spend the day and enjoy yourself – perfect for an in-city vacation.

To learn more about the treatments available at the spa head to their website.

Posted in Your City | Tagged Clarins, Facial, Spa | Leave a comment

Clinique’s New Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm Review

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Henna

…it was only a matter of time, I suppose.

Clinique’s Chubby Stick lip colours are amazing. Super moisturizing and in tons of beautiful colours, Clinique gives us a blush with the same glowy finish but with a bit of a more powdery finish.

My favourite colour is Amp’d up Apple and I think it’s the most universally flatting one. It’s a medium-toned pink that’s not cool or warm. It’s the perfect neutral that works as a lip colour too.

It’s no surprise that this doesn’t hold up on oily skin – it’s just too emollient. If you have dry skin, then this is the blush for you.

At Clinique counters for $24.

Posted in Fall 2014 | Tagged Blush, Clinique | Leave a comment

New Calvin Klein Reveal Perfume

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Henna

This is the only scent I’ve heard of with a salt accord.

Reveal is the new scent by CK, and is for the confident perfume wearer.

It’s definitely more of an evening scent, and it has a beautiful warm and woodsy sandalwood drydown.

Official notes are:

Top: raw salt signature, pink pepper, black pepper, white pepper
Heart: orris, ambergris, solar accord
Dry: sandalwood, cashmeran, vetiver

The packaging is beautiful. It looks almost like a square glass pillow with the dispenser being on the corner. So pretty and heavy in your hand.

REVEAL Calvin Klein will be available across Canada beginning September at Hudson’s Bay, Sears, Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, London Drugs and Jean Coutu.

eau de parfum spray 100ml $110.00
eau de parfum spray 50ml $85.00
sensual body lotion 200ml $49.00
sensual shower gel 200ml $45.00
rollerball 10ml $25.00

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged Calvin Klein, CK | Leave a comment

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation Review

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Henna

I’m going crazy with foundations these days! I think this happens with me every fall – I feel a need to discover something that’s going to make my face look amaaaazing.

Anyway, I’ve been dying to try this foundation since it came out, and I finally bit the bullet. Everything about it was calling to me: the name, the gorg packaging, the idea that my skin could look amazing but that it wouldn’t look like foundation… I had to try it.

The pump dispenser is great and a little bit goes a long way – one pump was enough for my whole face, and I could just use my fingers to easily spread this foundation.

The foundation does apply really nicely. It feels weightless, blends in seamlessly, and the colour selection is amazing. It comes in warm and cool shades and there’s enough of a selection that I was able to match my skin exactly.

It looks great, has medium buildable (but also sheer-able) coverage, and photographs well, but I have to say that if you have any uneven-ness, this just emphasizes it.

The finish is glowy but not dewy. It holds up on oily skin, although it doesn’t totally absorb oil throughout the day. It is a natural finish foundation – yes, it looks like your own skin.

And guess what?

Of course, it just doesn’t work for my skin. I think it’s the high silicone content, or maybe just a combo of ingredients, but this foundation almost over-hydrated my skin. I didn’t have break-outs but just little bumps that I sometimes get when I use too much moisturizer.

Try before you buy is my advice.

Find it at Sephora or Murale for $26.

Posted in Fall 2014 | Tagged Foundation, Review, Urban Decay | Leave a comment