Chanel No. 5 and My Experience with the Sofwave Ultrasound Treatment

Posted on November 12, 2024 by Henna

Oct. 30
Ow ow ow! I was wearing Chanel No. 5 edp, but even that couldn’t distract me from the pain of Sofwave, the last collagen-inducing treatment I had.

Yes, last week I visited the lovely people at Xthetics YYC to test out this treatment that uses ultrasound waves to heat up your skin below the surface in order to stimulate collagen production. The treatment itself doesn’t take long, but results are visible after about three months. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I only had the treatment on my forehead, and maybe because that’s such a bony part of anyone’s face, I found the treatment to be incredibly painful. This is one treatment that numbing cream doesn’t work for because numbing cream works on the surface of your skin, and this treatment penetrates under the surface. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being not painful, I would give this treatment a 10. You can get laughing gas to distract you from what’s happening, but I opted not to get any of that – and consoled myself by squeezing a stress ball instead. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

But – hear me out – it does work, and again, the science, as well as before and afters, are compelling. There’s also no downtime, despite the pain involved in the treatment. There’s no redness, no swelling, not even any tenderness. This technology (the Sofwave machine) can be used to treat cellulite too, and when used on parts of your body that have more cushioning, the treatment is not as painful. For the face, I’d suggest it after you’ve tried other options and there are many out there now. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Questions? Leave them in the comments. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Will wearing Chanel no. 5 remind me of the treatment? Not likely… we go way back…

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Rochas Femme and Mattifying Skincare from La Roche Posay and Vichy

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Henna


Did you read the profile of Francis Kurkdjian in the New Yorker? His mom wore Madame Rochas. Yes, the man who created Baccarat Rouge, maybe the most iconic scent in recent history, grew up with this aldehydic powder-heavy lady-like perfume, so I had to pull it out and wear it again. I love how long-lasting and concentrated it feels for an eau de toilette, and the soapy sandalwood in the base. This is a nostalgic forgotten classic scent but refreshing after a week of heavier ambers. Trends always go from one extreme to another, so maybe one day the pendulum will swing the other way. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

It certainly has in skincare. If you’ve been following, for the past couple of years, we’ve been seeing the glass skin trend. You can’t miss it if you spend a minute on the clock app. A 20-year-old with glossy skin, ring light on, sharing the skincare routine. If you’ve heard of the glazed doughnut skincare, you’re on the right track. But now recently, I’ve been seeing the release of more mattifying skincare too. Have people finally realized that what looks good on camera, maybe isn’t practical for real life? Maybe. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

My favourite is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+ lotion. It hydrates but a tiny bit of salicylic acid in the formula keeps my skin for getting greasy even with sunscreen on. Makeup on top seems to last and last. The cleanser is great but the moisturizer is my favourite. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Vichy Laboratories had a Mineral 89 Hyaluronic acid serum, but now they’ve got a matte sorbet too. In the past, creams of this type have pilled, but skincare technology has come a long way, and while this cream looks matte, it goes on like water and absorbs into your skin.

Usually, matte textures were created thanks to a silicone that sat on top of your skin and blurred any pores, but this cream is actually a moisturizer – it’s perfect for light hydration.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Let’s see if this trend makes it to real life.

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The Root-ist Exosome Hair Growth Line

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Henna

Beauty has a new buzz-word: Exosomes. I first heard it when I went for a a skincare treatment, but now this new haircare collection has landed on my desk and it’s here again: Exosomes. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Oct. 2

Exosomes are molecules derived from stem cells and help regenerate and heal skin when applied topically. They are often animal-derived, but they can come from plant material also. The exosomes in The Root-ist’s haircare collection come from turmeric and can help skin with wound repair and aging. The serum is scentless (thank goodness, because turmeric smells like fenugreek sometimes and that’s not a scent I want to carry around in my hair all day). Applied to the scalp, the serum can reduce hair fall, meaning that the hairline looks more dense. Of course, you use this scalp serum the way that you use mot scalp serums. Apply and massage in so that your scalp reaps the benefits of the ingredients. Research has also shown that 4 minutes of massage can help hair growth so that’s a good place to start even if you don’t have the serum. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The shampoo and conditioner are concentrated and they smell amazing. Like patchouli and vanilla mixed together – it’s the most luxurious scent, and I wouldn’t be mad if it lasted in my hair. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I’m keeping this collection within reach and using it regularly. If nothing, it’s going to keep the hair I have on my head and maybe I’ll get some extra hair appear.

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Guerlain Shalimar Millesime Jasmine Perfume Review

Posted on November 7, 2024 by Henna

Oct. 2
Green stemmy jasmine, a syrupy floral mix, vanilla jam. This Shalimar Millesime Jasmine is maybe not groundbreaking enough to fly off the shelves, but the contrast of the cool jasmine with the warm vanilla and leather base makes this different enough that this will be the Shalimar I wear the rest of the year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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New SkinCeuticals P-Tiox Serum Review

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Henna

Oct. 2
Yes, I’ve been a little MIA lately, but I’m still here. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I have some fancy new skincare, I’ve been doing some fancy new treatments, and they all go great with my fancy new perfume. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The latest obsession is Skinceuticals P-Tiox which they’re trying to tell us is giving the effect of Botox in a bottle – meaning that it can soften the look of wrinkles. I don’t have to tell you that the claim is bogus, you already know, but we live in a world of dupes, so here we are. The irony is that this serum costs close the same amount you would pay for 10 units of botox in your face ($180 on the Skinceuticals website, last I checked), and it’ll last you 6 months just like your Botox. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

BUT! Claims aside, I love this serum and the fact that it cocktails ingredients to give you a multitude of benefits, which is what makes it worth its price. I’ve been using some cheaper skincare recently, and layering the serums one active at a time is not fun, but P-Tiox already has peptides for softening fine lines, niacinamide for brightening, and a poly-hydroxy acid that helps with skin texture. You can get everything in one little bottle, it’s scientifically blended to work together, and there’s no more layering needed. I use this in the morning after vitamin C, top with sunscreen, and that’s it. It does actually improve skin texture and radiance, so I’m sticking with it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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Makeup Artist and Influencer Katie Jane Hughes’ Makeup Line

Posted on November 5, 2024 by Henna

Oct. 30
It was only a matter of time… Katie Jane Hughes has her own brand and I couldn’t be more interested in it. Just like I love when a perfume lover launches their own brand, I love with actual beauty pros come out with something. When you’re creating content for social media, you tend to try a lot more until you try it all – in perfume and in makeup – and finally, you see an opening to make your own product and that’s what we have here. While the rest of the world goes right, a new brand will go left. ⠀⠀⠀So we have KJH Brand and a new line of Soft Smudge Lip and Cheek sticks. These are way drier and more powdery than any other item I’ve come across, with a buildable amount of pigment. I’ve swatched my three favourite colours on my hand: Soft Tomato, Soft Pink, and Soft Coral. Soft Coral is likely too light for me, but I like Soft Pink and Soft Tomato. I wore Soft Tomato to an outing last week and I might actually wear it during the day too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Because of their powdery finish, I found that I couldn’t really use these directly on my face. They picked up too much of my base. I had better luck using a brush and picking up pigment off the back of my hand. On my lips, these were so rounded that I couldn’t get a fine enough line around the edges, so I’d use these after after lining with a lipliner first. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If you like a matte lip, then this is a dream come true for you – and I’m a fan. The driest lipstick I’ve found is the MAC Retro Matte, and these are even drier than those. That means that lasting power is amazing and I do prefer that. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If you like the finish to be a little shinier, you could use with the KJH serum… it’s like a gloss but moisturizing.  But Katie Jane Hughes wanted these to be matte, I’m guessing they were launched intentionally because the makeup stores are full of glossy lipsticks, and there’s not much competition for matte products. I say try them. They stain the lips a bit but look fantastic.  See what you think. I always feel that if they can last through a morning cup of coffee, then we are winning.

Well done, Katie Jane Hughes!

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Bon Parfumeur 303

Posted on November 4, 2024 by Henna

Who’s excited to wear their ambers as soon as it snows?

Bon parfumeur 303 is a spicy amber that’s perfect for cooler weather.

Cardamom and peppers on top, vanilla, patchouli, and benzoin at the base with lots of lasting power. I’ll be reaching for it during the cooler months.

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Diptyque Holiday Candle Collaboration 2024

Posted on November 1, 2024 by Henna

Oct. 30
Diptyque’s holiday collection is now out and this year’s collection is designed by felt artist Lucy Sparrow which is why the candles have a pretty felt detail on them. The scents aren’t new but the candles look different making them perfect for gifting to a Diptyque aficionado. They’re more of what we already know and love but in a new package. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

You can check out Lucy Sparrow’s art on her page. It features brightly coloured everyday objects recreated with felt. They remind me of the felt ornaments we made in elementary school as kids, but… for adults who want a $400 felt recreation of a box of doughnuts… ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

I have these rich jewel tones in my house already – the velvet couch in my family room is pretty close in colour to the blue of the Etoile candle so these fit right in – and if you’re looking for a way to add some colour to your other Christmas decor, you can look here. The red and green are classic but how pretty do they look with the blue?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The holiday collection is now in stores and online. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Holiday candles retail for $115 Canadian, each.

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Fenty Beauty Lip Liners

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Henna

Oct. 30
In case you’re wondering what to get during the Sephora sale which starts on Friday: Fenty lip liners. These are perfect for those of us who use lip liners as lipsticks. They’ve taken a long-wear lipstick formula and put it in a pencil. Yes, they’re super creamy so they run out faster but they also apply without tugging and much thought. I like them, they’re my favourites right now.

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Atelier Des Ors Rouge Saray Perfume Review

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Henna

I’ve been feeling a bit zapped of inspiration, of creativity, of motivation to post. I’ve taken pictures but they sit on my phone. I’ve got video recorded but I never get around to editing it. I’m still here though… September has just sapped all my energy. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

But today there’s a distinct chill in the air and even with lots of chili crisp oil on my eggs, I can’t warm up, so it’s the perfect time to write about the perfume that I’m obsessed with right now. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

August 19

It’s the perfect weather for Rouge Saray by Atelier des Ors. The plum warms up and becomes almost jammy, the spices remind me of mulling spices. There’s a bit of leather, and a warm woody, vanilla base. This is so easy to wear and has the perfect amount of sweetness. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If you liked the dates in Zoologist Camel, you’ve got them here but without the animalic aspects of that scent. If you like the plum and spices of Serge Lutens Feminite du Bois, this has all of them but with the volume turned way up and with a warmth thanks to vanilla. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

If you thought the gold flakes were over the top, just close your eyes and smell. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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