New Sisley Black Rose Precious Face Oil

sisley black rose precious face oilIf 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 | 1 Comment

How to Wear Any Color and Look Gorgeous

How to Wear Any Color and Look Gorgeous

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

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Spa My Blend by Clarins

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.

Clarins Spa My BlendIn 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.

Relaxation Room Spa My Blend

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.

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Clinique’s New Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balm Review

Clinique Chubby Stick Ampd Up Apple…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 , | Leave a comment

New Calvin Klein Reveal Perfume

Reveal CKThis 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

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Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation Review

Urban Decay Naked Skin FoundationI’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 , , | Leave a comment

The Wild Rose Beauty Balm from Neal’s Yard Remedies

neals yard remedies wild roseOk, anyone read The Goldfinch?  And did the constant mention of locations, brands, and other real-life details hook you as it did me?  And did anyone catch the mention of Neal’s Yard Remedies?  Just me?  Maybe it’s because I’ve had their Wild Rose Beauty Balm on my bedside table for the past month, and it’s turned into a product that I turn to for absolutely everything.

First, let me back up a little.

Neal’s Yard Remedies is an ethical and organic brand from England which, until now, has not been available in Canada.  They opened their first store in Calgary last month, and it’s a wonderful place to get organic and ethically-sourced beauty products as well as made-to-order tea blends and custom oil blends.  If you don’t live in Calgary, don’t worry – you can also check them out online at www.nealsyardremedies.ca.

The Wild Rose Beauty Balm ($69) can be used as a moisturizer, a cleansing balm, or even applied with a wet cloth to use as an exfoliator.

It is so rich in Rose Seed Oil that it’s the first ingredient on the list, followed by Jojoba Oil, Beeswax, and Shea Butter.  It’s rich and hydrating and lasts on your skin for a long time.  After spending the summer in the sun, it’s just the thing my parched skin needs, and I make sure to apply it to overly dry spots before I go to bed.

The Calgary location of the store also offers facials and massages, and has many products including options for men and baby.  The store is located at:

#130, 2207 4th Street SW
Calgary AB T2X 1S1
403.460.8400

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Schick Intuition Advanced Moisture Razor Reader Reviews and Winner

Schick Intuition Advanced MoistureOk, so thank you SO MUCH to all my readers who won the razor and then sent me their feedback on the Schick Intuition Advanced Moisture Razor.

In case you’re interested in trying it, here is a snapshot of what people thought:

B.G. said:

“…it reminded me of old skool electric shavers from the 70’s.”

In fact, most of my readers thought that the shaver was rather bulky and not something they could easily store, but many conceded that it was easier to have around than a can of shaving cream.

but

“…it is a nice shaver to take travelling since you don’t have to carry along a can of shave cream.”

Another reviewer said that:

“The actual razor itself is very ergonomical and the weight was distributed nicely. I have arthritis in my hands, so this is very important to me. I had no issues holding this razor!”

But some A.C noted that it was:

– awkward in some areas, i.e. knees
– did not give a close shave

In fact, some other people also said that they didn’t get a close shave, while some said that they had no problems and had smooth skin afterwards.

D.D. put it best when she said:

“Overall though, I would definitely purchase this razor. I loved the time-saving aspect in not having to utilize shave cream and I loved the way my legs felt after using it. ”

And now for what you all have been waiting for: the winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card!

The winner is Elisa! Please check your email and thanks again to everyone who entered this contest.

Posted in Summer 2014 | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

14 Best Face Scrubs

14 Best Face Scrubs

Exfoliation is a key step in any good skin care routine. Not only does it get rid of dead skin cells, promoting smoother, more even-toned skin, it also can help your other skin care products work better. To make it easy for you to choose one, we rounded up a list of the best face scrubs, according to our reviewers.

See the best face scrubs now

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Splurge vs. Steal: The New Liquid Foundations from Lancome and Maybelline (and others)

…or why you need to spend less for a better foundation.

Ok, so I have to admit that I’m totally a department store foundation girl, by which I mean that foundation is definitely a justified splurge for me.  But then I tried the Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid foundation, and so things have changed some.

Check out the video I made describing the foundation and how it compares to Lancome’s Miracle Air de Teint.

Posted in Fall 2014 | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments