Canadian Beauty

$ vs. $$$: Hair Gloss

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Henna

The latest in hair styling products is a new gel-type product that has virtually no stickiness and is super light in the hold department. As it happens, my favourite hair care brand, Shu Uemura has its version – Touch of Gloss Hair Wax but at $42 it’s kind of pricy.

Joico (also a salon brand) has its own version – Super Shine Glossing Polish. The kicker is that the Joico version costs about $16.50.

Both are meant to be used on dry hair – either at the ends to add shine to the hair, or sparingly and meticulously applied to longer locks to create definition.

I used both my own way: I applied to almost dry hair, braided it, and left it to dry overnight. The effect was defined ringlets if I did the method on curly hair, and wavy beachy hair if I used the method on straight hair. In both cases, my hair was super shiny and healthy looking (even the ends!).

So which product did I like better?

Truth is that there isn’t much of a difference between the two of them, but the Shu Uemura one wins by a hair. The Touch of Gloss Hair Wax is a little less stickier and so a little easier to apply. It also dries a little less crunchy than the Joico Glossing Polish, although I have to say that both products are not like typical gels and are definitely on the little to no crunchiness side.

However, I just loved how super shiny my hair looked after using the Shu Uemura Touch of Gloss Hair Wax, and so it’s the one that I keep reaching for. Is it worth almost triple the price of the Joico product? Definitely not, but if you were going to pick up one product for making your hair look good this summer, that would be the one I’d splurge on.

You can get Shu Uemura’s Touch of Gloss on their website, and Joico’s Super Shine Glossing Polish is available at SpaBoutique.ca or check their website for a retailer near you.

Posted in Styling Products | Tagged High vs. Low, joico, Shu Uemura, steal vs. splurge | Leave a comment

Liquid Pore Strip

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Henna

If you browse around on various skincare forums and such on the Internet, you can find recipes for making your own pore cleansers – they’re usually a mix of starches and gelatine. I’ve never tried any of them myself because the entire process seems too messy – I’d rather just use a nice ready made pore strip that comes off easily and lets me see the dirt I’ve captured. Still, I can see the value in making your own pore cleansers – they don’t come in just one shape so you can use them on different parts of your face, and not just on your nose. Also, because it’s a liquid, they can get into crevices and really do a thorough clean.

Thanks to Avon, now there’s an option for a liquid pore cleanser that you don’t have to make yourself. The answer is the Clearskin Professional Liquid Extraction Strip. It goes on as a thick gel that dries so that you can peel it off. It takes off any pore-clogging dirt with it just like a regular pore strip.

Although it seems easy to use, I have to admit that it took me a few tries to get this to work perfectly. There’s a fine line between applying too much gel and not enough. If you apply a too thick layer (the instructions do say to apply it thickly), it ends up running down your face. If the layer you apply is too thin, it’s hard to peel off when the mask is dry.

I also found that it took a long time for the Liquid Extraction Strip to dry: the instructions said to leave on for 20 minutes, but I couldn’t peel mine off for almost half an hour.

Still, the end result is the same as a pore strip and so if you have pores that need unclogging, you have to try this stuff.

Available as of July 2013 through Avon Independent Sales Representatives, 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca for $14.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Avon | Leave a comment

Just in Time for Summer: Philosophy Total Matteness

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Henna

There used to be a time when I could count on my skin breaking out in the summer time, so much so that it used to take me to the ProActiv counter – that was the only way that I could count on my skin staying clear.

Now, I don’t have that same problem with acne, but I still have combination skin, which means that once warmer weather is here, there’s just more oil and that really doesn’t do great things for large pores.

This summer, I’m turning to the Philosophy Total Matteness line for help. Formulated with special ingredients especially to absorb oil and keep skin matte, this line is for anyone who wants more matte, virtually poreless skin any time of year.

The superstar of the line is their Total Matteness Pore-Minimizing & Mattifying Cleanser + Mask ($29). Like most oil-absorbing masks, this cleanser is made of kaolin clay which is amazing at absorbing excess oils, but unlike most masks, it also foams which means that it’s great at really giving you a nice deep clean. The Cleanser + Mask can be used both ways – as an actual cleanser or as a mask when you have more time. Regardless of how long you leave it on your skin, you can be sure that it’s going to absorb oil, and give your skin a nice clean.

The line also contains a Mattifying Pore Refiner ($29) which is much like a toner. It not only takes care of any residue but gives your skin an extra dose of oil absorbing ingredients. As much as I really enjoyed using this toner, I did find that it did not work well with my Obagi sunscreen – it made it clump up, and since I had to pick either the sunscreen or the toner, I picked the sunscreen.

Finally, there is the Mattifying Pore Eraser ($42) which you layer on your skin or even on top of foundation to absorb oil and excess shine. It also contains salicylic acid to help with exfoliating dead skin cells. I like to apply this on top of foundation throughout the day to absorb oil – I use it like a powder but it’s not cakey so it doesn’t look like a powder.

All in all, the line is a must have this summer especially if you have oily skin. Check it out now at Sephora and select The Bay and Shoppers Drug Mart stores

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Philosophy | Leave a comment

Long Weekend Must-Have Sunscreen

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Henna

If you’re reading this, maybe you haven’t left the office for the cottage, or maybe you’re on your way, and maybe you still have time to stop at the drugstore and pick up the sunscreen so good that you’re going to want to use it and it’s quite possibly going to be finished by the end of the weekend because it’s that good and everyone keeps borrowing it.

The sunscreen is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Fluid Lotion which is a liquidy-milky sunscreen so light and weightless that you apply palmfuls and wonder where the heck it went. This is nearly unheard of for sunscreens that happen to be SPF 60 UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, but it’s true of this gem, and that’s why you need it for the weekend. It also doesn’t have any ingredients that give it a whitish cast, which means you’ll forget you ever applied it and you won’t be able to tell in all those photos you’ll be taking. You’ll have no problems applying this to your face, neck, arms, hands, legs, on yourself, your kids, your dog, etc. because it’s ultra-gentle being fragrance and paraben free.

It’ll be the best $30 you ever spend on skincare.

Posted in Sunscreen | Tagged La Roche-Posay | 2 Comments

Waterproof Any Mascara

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Henna

… that’s the claim made by Anastasia’s Lash Genius. It promises to instantly waterproof, refresh, and protect any mascara all day. Moreover, it promises no drying or clumping that the typical waterproof mascara can cause.

So I gave it a test run for a 45 minute aquafit class at the pool. I used it on top of L’Oreal Telescopic Shocking Extensions mascara and true to its claim there was no clumping when I applied Lash Genius. It even separated my lashes nicely and my mascara did look freshly applied. I made sure to use copious amounts of the mascara – applying and reapplying – so that no part of my lashes were without the top coat that was going to keep my mascara from running.

That said, it did not last a vigorous aquafit class and the shower that came after. I didn’t have any running mascara like I would have had if I hadn’t used Lash Genius, but there was definitely major flaking and smudged mascara under my eye. The look wasn’t pretty, and I would have preferred to wear no mascara or maybe a typical waterproof mascara instead.

Because this is a clear product and does give lashes some hold and definition, it might be great to use on its own at the pool or the beach, but I wouldn’t count on it to keep my mascara pristine this summer.

$21 at Sephora.

Posted in Summer 2013 | Tagged Anastasia | Leave a comment

Thursday Threes: Three Ways to Take Care of Your Hair This Summer

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Henna

Heat styling is a way of life, but add major sun exposure, chlorine, and salt to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for damaged hair. Here are three ways you can make all that go away this summer:

1. Pantene Overnight Miracle Repair Serum. I love this serum because it absorbs into your hair and doesn’t leave a residue on your pillow. It’s completely weightless which means that your hair actually looks fresh and shiny in the morning. And if you want to wash it out in your morning shower, you’ll see how moisturizing it is because the lather from your shampoo will suddenly be rich and super thick. This is a must for those of us with busy summers.

2. L’Oreal Evercreme Conditioning Cleanser. This is the ultimate in gentle hair care. This Conditioning Cleanser turns the shampoo-conditioner 2-in-1 formula on its head by being conditioning first and cleansing second. It’s a super thick cream that has low lather but does clean your hair. It’s not great if you’re looking for a squeaky clean, but if you wash your hair daily, then this is a must. Throw it into your shampoo rotation to clean your hair gently (maybe use it Monday to Friday and use regular shampoo on the weekend). Your hair will be shiny and super moisturized because of how gentle this cleanser is.

3. Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Repair and Finish Spray. Give beachy waves a mist of moisture with this super hydrator. Because it’s a spray, this repair product is super light-weight which means that it’s perfect for the summer. Mist it into your hair before you let it air dry, or use it on already dry hair to refresh your style.

Posted in Hair, Shampoo and Conditioner | Tagged L'Oreal, Pantene, Vidal Sassoon | Leave a comment

Givenchy Dahlia Noir L’Eau

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Henna

This summer, Givenchy came out with a lighter, fresher take on its fragrance Dahlia Noir.

Notes are: citron, neroli, rose, patchouli, cedar and musk.

Right off the bat, you can smell the citron although it’s quite fruity and almost smells like a ripe mango. Later, you the floral notes: neroli and rose which are super pretty and intensely floral. Truly, you feel as if you’ve stuck your nose into the flowers and are smelling them at their freshest.

The patchouli, cedar, and musk aren’t overwhelming in this scent but they do ground out the floral notes and give the scent some depth.

Dahlia Noir L’Eau is a very pretty scent for the summer. It’s light and fresh, and different from a lot of scents out there. I like that they added fruity notes but they’re not overly sweet.

Dahlia Noir L’Eau EDT is available at The bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Sephora. $71 for 50ml and $95 for 90ml.

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged Givenchy | 1 Comment

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things: Nail Art + Food

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Henna

We’ve stumbled upon a killer combo — one that kills the time, that is. If you need get you through your afternoon, chances are you’ve bookmarked a blog or Pinterest board filled with some pretty distractions. Our distracting eye candy of choice? Either yummy food snaps, or “how did she do that?!” nail art. Well this is even better: stunning nail art pictures combined with mouthwatering food. Oh, and they match.

Be amazed

Posted in Summer 2013 | Leave a comment

The Benefits Of Choosing Dermal Fillers

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Henna

Naturally, a lot of people are wary of plastic surgery. Invasive procedures that curb the trademarks of aging aren’t for everyone. Fortunately, there is no reason to go under the knife for younger looking skin any longer. In fact, many people are gravitating towards dermal fillers as a non-surgical option. Dermal fillers, also known as injectable fillers, use an FDA and Health Canada approved gel to fill in the lines beneath the skin. As an added benefit to this non-invasive procedure is that the injections are done on an outpatient basis.

Skin Vitality Medical Clinic is one of the top providers of Juvederm and skin rejuvenation. They specialize in youthful looking skin without the pain of surgery. Generally, before your procedure, your doctor will give you a skin test to confirm that you aren’t allergic to the filler. Then, the injections themselves are relatively painless. In order to avoid as much discomfort as possible, small needles are used. Of course, the amount of injections you receive are dependent on the look you are trying to accomplish. Your physician will be able to offer the details of your specific procedure before it begins.

Even the aftercare of injectable fillers is relatively simple. A great advantage to Juvederm is that there is little to no downtime. Although you can return to your normal routine right away, you don’t want to massage the injection site or expose your skin to the sun. Also, it’s suggested that you take it easy for at least 24 hours. Some doctors might ask you to work out the treated muscle group, but most of the time you can jump right back into your normal activities.

Not only is the procedure relatively painless, but the benefits are worth it. Dermal fillers are used for a variety of reasons. The injections return a fullness and elasticity to your face. This is what makes you look and feel younger. Most commonly, the injections are used to fill in wrinkles and scars. Whether you’re troubled with fine lines or deep creases, Juvederm can cure both. Not to mention, it is great as a plumper for lips or cheeks.

Injectable fillers make it easy for you to look young again. The procedure and recovery is nothing like surgery. When it comes to enhancing beauty, dermal injections are a quick and easy step in the right direction. You don’t have to risk invasive surgical procedures for a youthful look. Skin Vitality Medical Clinic is there to help you feel more beautiful without the dangers of plastic surgery.

Author Bio:

Brooklyn Donaghue knows how to look her best and in her blogs you can get information and pointers on the latest non-invasive cosmetic procedures that both woman and men can take advantage of to help them look their best! After she decided to follow Skin Vitality on Facebook she was thrilled with the information and options she found and was even happier with the results after getting her treatments performed at her local Skin Vitality Medical Clinic.

Posted in More Than Beauty | Tagged Sponsored Post | Leave a comment

On Counters Tomorrow June 20: MAC Veluxe Pearlfusion Palettes

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Henna

Today MAC releases their new Veluxe Pearlfusion palettes. Theses are made up of an eyeshadow formula that’s super creamy, highly pigmented, and with an intense amount of shimmer. You can apply the shadows wet for a metallic look, or dry for a look that’s so shimmery especially when the pigments catch the light.

The six shade combos offered are: Pinkluxe, Bleuluxe, Pastelluxe, Greenluxe, Smokeluxe and Brownluxe.

Being a lover of the smoky eye, I of course, have Smokeluxe. It’s a combo of smoky brown and smoky grey shadows, along with a matte black to line with, and a shimmery peach to highlight with.

Each compact is $47.50 and available while supplies last at MAC.

Posted in Summer 2013 | Tagged MAC, Pictures of My Makeup, Swatch | Leave a comment