Warm weather must haves from Marcelle, Trinny London, Tanologist, Klorane and AlumierMD!

Spring has sprung, the sun is out, and your winter moisturizer will soon be  sweating like it just ran a marathon. As the temperature rises, it’s time to break up with those thick, heavy beauty products that got you through the cold months and make room for warm weather flings with lighter, fresher formulas so let’s talk about giving your beauty routine a warm-weather glow-up before your foundation starts melting faster than an ice cream cone on the dashboard!

 

Personally I do a change-up of most, if not all of my beauty products but there are 2 things I change as soon as the weather starts to turn even a bit warm: 

 

My rich winter moisturizer did a great job - kind of like a cozy blanket for my face. But now that the weather’s warming up, it’s time to lighten the load. Enter gel-cream moisturizers. These cooling, breathable hydrators give your skin all the moisture without the grease, leaving you fresh-faced instead of glazed-donut-shiny. Perfect for sweaty days, oily T-zones and anyone who’s ever felt like their face was melting by 2 pm. As an added bonus - they absorb fast, so your SPF and makeup won’t slide around.

 

On my face now because I am blessed not only with wrinkles, but also  sporadic acne, especially in the warmer months:

 

Marcelle Clari-T Skin Balancing Gel-Cream With 2% Salicylic Acid + Niacinamide - 40ml - $22.95 - a lightweight moisturizer that reduces the appearance of imperfections and pores while balancing moisture levels. Used morning and night, its concentrated formula gently exfoliates to reveal more even, smoother and more comfortable skin - and you can expect to see a reduction in the appearance of blemishes and acne marks in 4 weeks!

 

Key ingredients include: Salicylic Acid - gently exfoliates skin, unclogs pores and reduces excess sebum; Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) - helps reduce the appearance of pores, calm redness and boost skin hydration; Bakuchiol - helps reduce the appearance of imperfections while improving skin texture and tone; and Hyaluronic acid - provides long-lasting hydration.

 

And if you are the type of person that likes to use a whole collection, also available is: Purifying Cleansing Gel With 1% Salicylic Acid + PCA - 200ml - $16.95 and Soothing Purifying Lotion With Salicylic Acid + 15% Aloe Vera - 200ml - $19.95.

 

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at marcelle.com.

Say hello to warm weather face perfection that is fast, fuss-free and flattering - this little wonder does it all - eyes, lips, cheeks - with one swipe and zero drama - these creamy sticks save space, time and most of all, my sanity. It’s the lazy-girl beauty hack that makes you look like you tried way harder than you did. One stick, two shades and a million possibilities. My multi-stick of choice:

Trinny London Trinity Lip + Cheek + Eye - $65 - in 3 shade duos: Venice - golden pink glow + soft dusky rose; Mustique - sunset bronze glow + fresh petal pink; and New York - rose gold glow + brownstone brown - silky soft formulas with a dual-ended design: one end for glow: a sheer, dewy balm formula that adds subtle glow wherever you want it., the other end is a matte:  pigmented, beautifully creamy matte formula. Both sides are blendable, buildable and silky soft.

 

They are all lovely but I am especially partial to Mustique - it gives you the bronze shade to add a sun-kissed look and a lovely pink to add freshness and colour - which can all be done with your fingers if you aren't a fan of brushes!

 

Available online at trinnylondon.com/ca.

Let’s be honest, my winter skin tone is probably closer to “uncooked pancake batter” than “sun-kissed goddess.” But fear not: self-tanner is here to save you from my blinding you with my legs! A good self-tanner lets you skip the UV damage and go straight to the glow-up. Whether you want a subtle sun-kissed sheen or full-on “just got back from the Maldives” vibes it’s like confidence in a bottle - with none of the awkward sunburn peeling. My main requirement for self-tanner is it must be easy to apply - let's face it idiot proof - so this idiot is in love with:

 

Tanologist Express Tan Self Tan Mousse - 200ml - $24.99 - in Medium and Dark - with an express transparent water-to-foam formula: More time = deeper tan  and is suitable for use on face and body and has hydrating ingredients: pink grapefruit, goji berry and juniper so skin is not only glowing but also softer, brighter and ultra-hydrated. The lightweight foam glides onto skin- for a tan that’s both fast-drying and mess-free - it doesn't streak and works in 1-4 hours. 

I only wish they had a Light shade for us especially pale people but the Medium works fine - just limit the amount of time you leave it on for a less intense colour! My other best tip it to exfoliate first or your dry parts will pick up more colour and leave you looking patchy - do I know this from experience?....probably...

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

Between sun exposure, salty ocean dips, pool chlorine and the eternal war with humidity, your strands go through it so thank heavens for the hair mask! These deep-conditioning heroes swoop in to replenish moisture, repair damage and tame the frizz that warm weather so lovingly gifts us. A weekly mask can keep your hair shiny, smooth and strong enough to survive whatever the heat throws at it - one I am particularly enamored with right now:

 

Klorane 72H Hydration & Shine Plumping Mask - 250ml - $32.50 - formulated with 96% natural-origin ingredients including prickly pear - a plant with moisturizing properties superior to glycerin. Its creamy texture hydrates, plumps and makes hair 2x shinier in less than 5 minutes and leaves it smelling soooo good!

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

And let’s not forget the real MVP of your warm weather beauty bag - sunscreen! Because nothing says “I love my skin” like protecting it from turning into a leather handbag by August. I prefer a lighter formula that is oil free and has a good amount of SPF in it so this season I am slathering my face and other exposed bits in:

 

AlumierMD Clear Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 42 Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion - 60ml - $58 - with a formula that is lightweight, oil-free and invisible on application and has 100% mineral-based filters so no chemicals to worry about and a sheer, non-chalky texture that works on all skin tones. Along with protecting from UVA/UVB rays, the antioxidant-rich formula also help repair the skin. Ideal for acne-prone, reactive or sensitized skin. 

 

If you like to add a bit of colour or moisture with your sunscreen there are also a couple of other good choices:

 

Moisture Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 40 - $58 - Tinted, mattifying, and perfect under makeup or Sheer Hydration Broad Spectrum SPF 40 - $58 - available in tinted or untinted, delivers hydration and glow

 

Available online at www.alumiermd.ca or in person at authorized skincare professionals. 

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Briogeo Style + Treat Dry Shampoo Puff!

I am a long time user/lover of dry shampoo - even back to the days when there really was no dry shampoo so we would sprinkle baby powder in our roots - we've come a long way baby!

 

Briogeo Style + Treat Dry Shampoo Puff - 15g - $38 - Available in two shades for all hair colors: translucent clear and tinted for dark hair - a finely milled, aerosol-free dry shampoo powder that refreshes roots, making them less oily over time, with a mess-free compact puff applicator for convenient, on-the-go touch-ups. As an added bonus, the talc-free formula is infused with copper peptides and an energy complex to support scalp health.

 

In my opinion the problem with most dry shampoos is the application method - they either come in messy shakers or hard to control sprays so I really appreciate that this one has a puff - which makes it easy to apply the powder exactly where you want it - then you just massage it in, give your hair a fluff and you are good to go! And if your hair is fine like mine you will especially appreciate the volume you get from dry shampoo, as soon as my roots get even a bit oily my hair just falls and looks limp. Bonus points: I experienced none of the gritty residue you usually get with dry shampoos! 

 

The packaging makes it easy to take on the go in your purse, gym bag or glove box - and if you have darker hair and a bit of grey - using the tinted option will help hide the greys while fighting oil!

Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Evio Tear Catchers Hydrogel Eye Therapy Patches with Retinol & Vitamin C!

I loves me some skincare, and I especially appreciate it when there is something inspiring about it! In the case of Evio it would be the founder, Brandi Leifso who went from living in a domestic violence shelter at 21 to leveraging $15 and a laptop to teach herself Photoshop, create product mock-ups and pre-sell them to local boutiques. This helped her get back on her feet and employ other women in shelters before growing Evio to a multi-award winning brand - who better then someone who has faced serious stress and the effect it has on your skin to formulate products to help minimize the damage! 

Evio Tear Catchers Hydrogel Eye Therapy Patches with Retinol & Vitamin C - 6 pairs - $22 - helps reduce the appearance of hyper pigmentation, dark circles, fine lines and crows feet and visibly de-puffs under eyes with a targeted formula that combines vitamin C - to brighten dark circles and even skin tone; with retinol - to smooth fine lines and boost cell turnover; while hydrating jojoba and coconut oils - lock in moisture, delivering instant hydration and long-term skin renewal. 

 

They work best when you keep them on for at least 20 minutes, I have been known to forget they are there and have a nap with them on and what is most impressive to me is once they are on, they don't move so even after a nap they were still where I put them. They also have a nice cooling effect that is amplified if you leave them in the fridge for a bit before applying!

 

And for even more inspiration, Brandi continues to make a difference by having made Evio an impact led brand defined by three core pillars: Educate, Donate, and Advocate. They are dedicated to supporting women, men, and children affected by domestic violence. 

Educate: They are partnered with FreeFrom.org to continuously educate themselves and the community, gaining insights from the diverse experiences and perspectives of survivors. 

Donate: To date, they’ve contributed over $500,000 to more than 28 shelters and nonprofits across North America, helping survivors heal and thrive. 

Advocate: They actively push for domestic violence leave policies with all of their partners, striving to break the cycle as a community. 

 

A Shoppers Drug Mart online exclusive - find them now at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca. 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum!

You have probably noticed the shiny look that everyone on screen and in the magazines seems to be sporting these days. I thought it meant that they weren't getting enough powder touch-ups but apparently looking shiny is a thing. 

I'm always willing to give a trend a try so I've been testing out different products that promise the "glazed donut" look and have come to the conclusion that I want to glow, not shine - which makes this new serum from Clinique perfect for my needs:

Clinique Moisture Surge Active Glow Serum - 30ml - $65, 50ml - $86 - a lightweight serum with a milky texture that gently exfoliates, hydrates and boosts radiance with a formula powered by 5% lactic acid (AHA), hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

 

Exfoliates: promotes skin’s natural cell turnover to reveal fresher, smoother skin and help other ingredients absorb more easily. 

Hydrates: plumps up skin with a clinical increase in hydration. 

Brightens: helps boost skin’s glow.

 

I loves me a serum and a serum that does a whole bunch of things in one easy formula has a special place in my heart because it appeals to my innate laziness. It soaks in easily, gives a nice glow that looks healthy, not like I ran out of powder, and layers perfectly under makeup without piling. If you have dryer skin you can add a layer of Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator on top but my combination skin didn't need to, the serum added plenty of moisture that lasted all day. And of course as I expect with Clinique products it is allergy tested, 100% fragrance free and safe for sensitive skin.

 

Available now at Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores across Canada and online at clinique.ca and amazon.ca. 

- Lisamarie -

Discover beauty newness at The All About New Event at Shoppers Drug Mart - including Bubble Skincare, Marc Anthony and Aveeno!

New brands and new products are yours to discover at The All About New Event at Shoppers Drug Mart - not only are there more than 100 NEW products on the offer, there are also tons of bonus PC Optimum points on them as well! A few of the many I think worth checking out are:

 

Bubble Skincare - a new brand that offers affordable, clinically proven skincare known for its good vibes and glowing results - my faves from the line:

Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides - 30ml - $24.99 - a hydrating serum with a milky gel texture that draws more water into your skin and renews your skin barrier, closely mimicing skin’s lipid content to give you a fresh, plump and dewy look. It calms and revitalizes irritated, dry and flaky skin, reduces skin’s sensitivity by acting as a barrier that can protect your skin from more aggressive active treatments. The formula contains: hyaluronic acid - helps skin draw in moisture and retain hydration; peptides - help reduce skin damage and support skin repair; and niacinamide - hydrates, calms irritation and boosts skin barrier function; and  

Over Night Hydrating Sleep Mask - 50ml - $26.99 - a creamy, all-night mask for all skin types that smooths, soothes, brightens and hydrates skin while you sleep without clogging pores. The fragrance free formula contains maple sap - helps protect  skin barrier; mandelic and kojic acid - gently exfoliate to reveal brighter, glowing skin; sodium PCA - helps to bind moisture to skin cells; biosaccharide gum - creates a moisture-binding film over the skin for a soft, smooth feeling; and arnica - helps soothe red and inflamed skin. 

+3,000 bonus Optimum Points when you buy 2 Bubble products.

Marc Anthony True Professional Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout - 198ml - $15.49 +2,000 bonus Optimum Points - an innovative spray that creates a lightweight, hydrophobic anti-frizz shield around each strand that repels humidity and locks in sleeknes for up to 72 hours even in 80% humidity. The heat activated formula helps to reduce blow drying time and protects from heat up to 450°F. Infused with a blend of Caffeine, Biotin and Ginseng condition to help reduce breakage for stronger, longer hair.

Aveeno Calm + Restore Age Renewal Cream - 50ml - $38.99 +5,000 bonus Optimum Points - a fast-absorbing face cream formula with oat, niacinamide, and cranberry extract that leaves skin feeling smoother and more radiant in just one week.

 

The All About New Event runs in-store and online from February 22nd to March 21st.

 

- Lisamarie -

My top 3 picks from the Shoppers Beauty+ Event with bonus Optimum Points galore!

There's not a lot I love more then Optimum Points - George Clooney, world peace, Donald Trump falling into a bottomless hole - but Points are way up there! Making Shoppers Beauty+ Event equivalent to Christmas in my books. If you never met a bonus point you didn't love then you need to get yourself over to your closest Shoppers store (or the website) before the 21st so you too can take advantage of all those lovely bonus points just waiting for you! A few products worth picking up (even without the points):

 

10000 bonus points when you buy the 30ml or 50ml! 

Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum - 15ml - $77, 30ml - $139, 50ml - $205 - with a unique, deep diffusion texture infused with melt-in micro-beads designed for all skin types that penetrates deeply into the skin's layers targeting the heart of the epidermis, multiplying skin's self-repair mechanisms and delivering powerful age-defying benefits to help with dullness, fine lines and wrinkles and loss of firmness and elasticity. 

 

The 99% naturally-derived ingredients formula draws its repairing power from three honeys produced by the black bee, a species selected for its rarity and the power of its honeys: Trogstad honey from Norway - revitalizes skin and corrects visible signs of aging; Ouessant honey from France - supports skin youth repair with an abundance of amino acids;  Connemara honey from Ireland - visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Deeply repaired, skin regains plumpness and radiance while wrinkles are visibly filled. 

 

It feels great on the skin but even better is the scent - perfumed with a sun-drenched nectar by Thierry Wasser, it reveals fresh, light, and honeyed notes. My only complaint is it doesn't come in vat form that I can pour in my bathtub and just soak in...

10000 bonus points! 

Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir - 30ml - $43 - in 24 C = Cold, N = Neutral or W = Warm shades : 1N, 1WN, 2.5N, 2C, 2W, 3.5W, 3WN, 3W, 4.5WN, 4W, 5N, 5W, 6.5WN, 6N, 6W, 7W, 8.5W, 8W, 8WN, 9.5W, 9W, 10C, 10N, 10W - a fluid tint foundation with buildable light to medium coverage  and a natural, second-skin finish that works for all skin types. 

 

The breathable vegan formula has a silky, fluid texture the effortlessly blends into the skin to instantly even skin tone while the hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration and moisture and also smooths pores, fine lines, and texture with up to12 hours of weightless wear that doesn’t separate or get patchy.

 

I don't even bother with a foundation anymore that isn't buildable - Urban Decay discontinued my favourite concealer so now I expect to be able to double up my foundation to act as concealer too - I'm very demanding I know - and this one does a great job - goes on light but easily builds to medium coverage in any problem areas! And it stays put without separating or getting patchy, clinging to dry patches or settling into fine lines - sold!

4000 bonus points! 

NYX Cosmetics The Face Glue Gripping Primer - 35ml - $14.99 - adds grip for all of your face cosmetics and hydration for up to 24 hours - all the glue with none of the stickiness. The formula contains polyglutamic acid - known to be extremely hydrating; and maple syrup - known for grip that's extra AF. This non-comedogenic primer feels comfy on the skin, breathable all day, and gives a soft-focus finish.

 

It's easy to use - just spread a dime-sized amount of product evenly on the face and see the transformation as the white gel blends seamlessly with no cast into all skin tones - then just slap your makeup on top, no need to wait! If you want a whole Glue routine, also available is The Face Glue Setting Spray as well The Brow Glue

 

Even if it didn't work as well as it does (and it does!) I would still love it for the packaging and how it brings back memories of dousing my hand in white glue so I could peel it off when it dried - clearly these were early exfoliation techniques...

Grab these amazing products and so many more at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada or online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and take advantage of the special bonus points until February 21st.

- Lisamarie -

Cold weather saviours for body and face from Bio-Oil, CeraVe and Origins!

The weather is in a deep freeze this week and my skin is feeling it so this is how I've been dealing...

 

Bio-Oil Body Lotion - 250ml - $19.99 -  supplements the skin’s natural oils which can be stripped away by factors such as extreme weather, water with high chemical content, frequent bathing and the drying effects of central heating and air conditioning with a unique formula containing 42% oil (which is double the about of oil typically used in a lotion) offering intense hydration in an incredibly light texture that absorbs almost instantly to help lock in moisture and reduces the rate at which water vapour is naturally lost through the skin’s surface. 

 

The super light formula contains a blend of vitamins A, E and F along with rosehip, sunflower seed, jojoba and shea oils as well as calendula extract and hyaluronic acid. The special formula also means you need to treat it special and gently shake before you use to disperse the oil layer back into the lotion. You will be amazed at how moisturizing such a light product can be - and if you aren't a fan of fragrance, no worries, it has very little scent to it.

 

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at amazon.ca. If you are a Costco member that would be an excellent place to get it too - a 2 x 250ml pack is only $26.99!

On my super dry areas - elbows, knees, heels, ears and shoulders I add a layer of:

 

CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Lotion For Dry to Very Dry Skin - 237ml - $29.99 - a rich and repairing lotion with 3 essential ceramindes that continuously hydrates, reduces itch due to dryness and helps restore the skin barrier with a formula containing hydro-urea and shea butter and MVE Technology which offers controlled release for long lasting hydration. The lotion is rich but not greasy or sticky, it just soaks right in - it's also pH-balanced, fragrance-free and allergy tested. You're welcome.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

And for the face:

 

Origins Ginzing Ultra-Hydrating Energy-Boosting Cream - 50ml - $53 - a super-rich, energy-boosting moisturizer formulated to help wake up dull, lackluster, extra dry skin with 72-hour hydration. The formula includes caffeine from coffee - naturally energizing, it helps to refresh and recharge skin; ginseng - helps increase skin’s natural energy; hydra hug technology - helps bridge the gap between skin cells so they "hug" to prevent moisture loss. I was a little bit skeptical at the idea of skin coffee to wake up my skin - but I was wrong - I might not like coffee but my skin sure does - it gives it an energized look even when I don't feel that way!

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream!

It's that time of year again where my regular body lotion just isn't cutting it and my thirsty skin wants more...

Fenty Skin Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream - 200ml - $62, refill - $55 - available in Fenty Fresh: infused with a light, fresh and fruity blend of bergamot, jasmine and white orchid scent and a glossy sheen or Fenty Fresh Shimmering: which is the same scent but also has a soft gold shimmer - a refillable whipped oil body cream that deeply hydrates both instantly and all day with a formula  loaded with 7 luxurious tropical oils: Kalahari Melon, Sorrel, Baobab, Sunflower, Rice Bran, Coconut, Jojoba - to help nourish skin and deliver luminosity; antioxidant and vitamin C-packed cherry extract - helps restore vibrancy; Shea Butter - helps to visibly condition and repair the moisture barrier; and glycerin - provides hydration, comfort and leaves skin with a glossy-looking sheen that's never sticky.

 

You can also feel good that the formula is gluten-free, cruelty-free, vegan and comes in recyclable packaging.  

 

I would also highly recommend checking out the Fenty website and your local Sephora to see if you can still snag the holiday scents (on sale!) - Toasted Marshmallow and Warm Cinnamon - yuuuuummmm! Need I say more...?!!

 

Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at fentybeauty.com/en-ca and sephora.ca. 

- Lisamarie -