The New Way to Cleanse Your Skin: Use a Complexion Sponge

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Henna

ecotools konjac spongeOk, if you’re already on board with cleansing oils and now you’re looking to take your skincare routine to the next level, you have to check out complexion sponges. They are sponges made from natural fibers and are easy ways to add exfoliation into your skincare routine. Made out of 100% natural Konjac root, the Konjac sponge is gentle on the skin yet able to wipe away dirt and impurities. In many ways it works just like a cleansing cloth, and you can rinse it clean when you’re finished with it and let it dry until the next use. Konjac can be infused with skin-caring ingredients such as clays and charcoals to give additional skincare properties to the cleansing experience, but I tried just the Konjac by itself.

The Ecotools Pure Complexion Sponge is hard to the touch initially – it actually looks and feels like styrofoam – but gets soft when you run it under water. Add half the foaming cleanser you would normally use, and start rubbing it all over your face. Not only do you get a nice luxurious lather, but the sponge quickly wipes away dirt and makeup while also gently scrubbing away dry skin.

This sponge is $6 in drugstores, and is a great alternative to more expensive versions by brands such as Boscia (theirs is $22). Both are made from Konjac root, so there’s no difference in the different sponges you can buy. The only difference is the shape of the sponges, and the Ecotools one has a pointy end that works well for areas such as under the eyes or around the nose, and the fatter end is perfect for the rest of the face.

Think you’ve heard of Konjac before? The root definitely isn’t new. A couple of years ago it was hailed as the best weight loss aid because companies would make noodles out of it that were fat free, carb free, and calorie free – but still filled you up. I’ve tried them – they have a weird texture and are not that tasty to eat, so I prefer Konjac for the face and not for the stomach.

The sponge does shrink as you use it, and after a while you’ll need to get yourself a new one, but it’s easy to replace and so this is worth it.

Look for Konjac sponges in your drug store and if you have flaky dry skin, definitely consider adding them to your skincare routine.

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April is Rosacea Awareness Month

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Henna

Riversol copyPersistent redness of the skin and pimples are common symptoms of rosacea, which is a condition that affects over two million Canadians. It’s also commonly misdiagnosed as adult acne…and although we realize that this isn’t a life-threatening condition (this from a blog mostly about beauty products), it is something that really affects self-esteem in those who should have no reason to feel badly about how they look.

Rosacea has no known cause and currently there is no cure.  All you can do is calm sensitive skin and hope that some of the redness that rosacea causes goes away.

Now, there is a new solution offering relief for those suffering from rosacea.

Dr. Jason Rivers is the founder of Riversol Skin Care Solutions Inc, and president of the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada. Dr. Rivers formulated a product with a natural healing essential oil that calms the symptoms of rosacea and works well on sensitive skin because of its soothing properties. The products made by Rivorsol contain this essential oil, called beta-thujaplicin, which has a powerful antioxidant derived from the Western Red Cedar tree. The products also have Vitamin C, which helps with skin clarity, and Vitamin E that calms skin. Together the products help clear skin while hydrating.

So why haven’t you heard of this new antioxidant and what it does?

It turns out, that this – like most essential oils – is difficult to extract with its purity intact.  But it’s worth the work because the oil is naturally anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal. Patients who have used Riversol noticed an improvement in their skin within three weeks! That’s pretty amazing, because my rule of thumb is that you need to use a product for at least 4 weeks before you can really note whether it’s working for you or not.

If you suffer from rosacea, check out Riversol online. There are product kits for dry, normal, and oily skin. You can also order samples if you want to test-drive it before splurging for the entire system.

A full-sized kit containing a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer is $218 while the sample-sized kit is $30.

 

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Limited Edition Philosophy Sunshine Grace

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Henna

philosophy sunshine graceEvery summer, cult skincare and fragrance brand Philosophy comes out with a summer scent, and this year is Sunshine Grace.  Part floral and part woods, this scent is a blend of heart of jasmine, orange blossom, tiare flower, and frangipani.  The drydown is solar musks and blond woods.

I really like the addition of Tiare in this scent.  It’s a more island-inspired addition, and I think with the weather we have had, everyone agrees that summer might just be found on an island somewhere.

The frangipani is also a more tropical feeling note, and so this summer scent is a little off the beaten path.

Sunshine Grace edt spray 60ml, $55.

Sunshine Grace body lotion 480ml, $44.

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How do you apply foundation?

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Henna

Real Techniques makeup spongeI just got this Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – basically a variation of the popular Beauty Blender, which itself is a variation of the original latex sponges that people used to apply makeup with.

I use it damp to apply foundation, but my one pet peeve is that sponges just absorb so much foundation that it seems like a waste to use them. Application is easy and the resulting complexion is flawless but I truly feel that I get great results with my fingers or a traditional makeup brush.

But these sponges are now everywhere and that clearly means that people are buying them. So I have to ask: how do you apply your foundation and why do you use that technique?

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The Makeover Event at Shoppers Drug Mart and Win $100

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Henna

LGFB eventOn Saturday, May 3, in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and all the Atlantic provinces, participating Shoppers Drug Mart Stores will host The Makeover Event benefitting cancer support program, Look Good Feel Better®.

Tickets to The Makeover Event are available for $10, with $5 donated to Look Good Feel Better. The remaining $5 is redeemable on any purchase made at Shoppers Drug Mart during the event.

Gala guests will enjoy complimentary makeovers, skincare consultations, as well as free samples, refreshments and snacks. Space is limited, so visit your local Shoppers Drug Mart and speak to a beauty expert to get your ticket. Look Good Feel Better offers a free 2-hour hair and cosmetic workshop for women with cancer – helping them face their cancer with confidence and courage. Visit lookgoodfeelbetter.ca to learn more.

Want to win a $100 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card that you could possibly use at this event?  Just leave me a comment about your favourite product this spring, and I’ll pick a winner next week!

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Sport style: Athletic wear has made the transition to workplace and high-fashion

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Henna

athletic wear…that’s what I wrote about in The Calgary Herald last weekend.

Read it here.

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Today in the Calgary Herald!

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Henna

The Heart Truth…read about what to expect from Calgary’s Heart Truth fashion show!

Click here to read my article in yesterday’s Herald.

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Department or Drugstore? The Thinnest (best!) Eyebrow Pencils

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Henna

brow linersWhen it comes to eyebrow pencils, the thinner the better. A thin pencil helps you make strokes that look more like actual hairs so that it’s not obvious that you’re filling in your brows. For a daytime look, this is a must, but good thin eyebrow pencils can be difficult to find (even Nars’ option earlier this year was a thicker pencil).

Estee Lauder’s brow pencil ($32.50) is amazing because one end is a very fine brown pencil and the other end is a very fine shimmery golden pencil that’s perfect for highlighting. The only problem is that it’s so fine (because the other side has to be fine) that it takes a long time to highlight your entire brow bone and the nib has a tendency to break.

Thus, I prefer using this only for the brows, but for $32, there’s another option. If you’re interested in a thin eyebrow pencil, check out Annabelle’s Skinny Brow Liner which is only $9. It doesn’t have a shimmery highlighting end, but you have enough highlighters, right? Instead, there’s a cute little plastic comb on the end, so you can brush your eyebrows into place and then fill where needed.

The Estee Lauder eyebrow pencil is available at Estee Lauder counters, and you can find Annabelle’s version at Shoppers Drug Mart locations. Both are also available online (just click the links above).

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Silk’n Flash&Go Permanent Hair Removal Device

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Henna

Silkn Flash and GoSo for $229 you could do your own laser hair removal at home. That’s what the Silk’n Flash&Go device offers you. If you’ve ever shopped around for laser hair removal, you know what a good deal this is.

I’ll cut to the chase: does this at-home hair removal device really work? Yes, it does.

The flash of the light is strong enough that it feels just like a laser treatment at the doctor’s office. In fact, if not used correctly, the laser has the potential to burn the skin as well.

But that’s why the Silk’n Flash&Go comes with a built-in sensor that actually scans the area before each laser pulse to make sure that the skin is light enough to use the laser on.

Like regular laser treatments, you need to use this repeatedly to see long-term hair removal and reduction, and the results are not often permanent. You will likely need touch-ups once a year or so. But, just like other laser treatments, you will absolutely see a difference after your first treatment and you’ll be so encouraged that you’ll continue to use this.

The Flash&Go is slightly different than the original Silk’n Sens that came out a few years ago. It has an easy-to-hold handle that lets you keep your finger on the pulse so that you’re emitting laser pulses regularly. There’s also no annoying beep after every pulse so you can do your hair removal in peace. The machine is large but it works and it works really well.

Overall, the treatment does take a little longer to do. The system recharges after each pulse of light and if you’re using it on the higher setting, then the recharging time is longer. It’s only 2 seconds between each pulse, but if you’ve been to the doctor’s office and seen how long it takes them to charge their laser, then you know that 2 seconds is a long time.

Still, in the time that it takes to drive to the doctor’s office, get the treatment, and drive back home, you could probably do your treatment area a few times over. The machine is quick and easy to use, and worth every penny.

Pick it up and replacement cartridges at London Drugs.

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New Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Limon Verde

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Henna

guerlain limon verdeGuerlain’s Aqua Allegoria line is a collection of perfumes that are light and fresh, inspired by gardens. The line has been around since 1999, and over the years there have been 31 perfumes, of which 4 have becoming permanent fixtures.

The latest is Aqua Allegoria, inspired by a Brazilian Festival. Equal parts festive and fresh, this is a sweet citrus blend.

Aqua Allegoria has notes of lime, green notes, fig, sugarcane, tonka beans, tropical fruit.

The opening of this scent is very fresh and clean. There’s a bright lime, and definite green notes. Unlike most fresh scents, the lime scent is so real that you can almost taste it. The result is super acidic smelling, but it’s still a nice change from most scents.

The lime eventually gives way to notes of fig, sugarcane, and there’s a dry down of tonka beans and tropical fruits.

Although the dry down sounds as if it should be sweet, it’s really not, and this fragrance doesn’t ever really go into gourmand territory. It remains fresh and mostly citrusy throughout its wear.

Limon Verde didn’t last a long time on me – but I like that I can get away with spraying copious amounts without offending anyone or getting sick of it, and it’s nice to be able to do that with in the warmer months. This is an eau de toilette so it is super light.

$67 at Guerlain counters.

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