March 6, 2024

This week I'm obsessed with... Nivea Luminous 630 Dark Spot Solution Advanced Serum!

Nivea introduces a new revolutionary science-backed dark-spot solution that works...
 
Nivea Luminous 630 Dark Spot Solution Advanced Serum - 30ml - $49.99 - visibly reduces the look of dark spots in as little as 2 weeks, with dark spots looking less intense after each application, and then a more luminous complexion revealed in 12 weeks.
 
The formula contains patented Luminous630 - which acts on existing pigmentation to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyaluronic acid - to effectively smooth skin and intensely hydrate.
 
The serum has a thicker texture which is good for me as I prefer to wear just a serum without a cream on top, the negative though was the scent, which I found a little strong, although it did dissipate quickly so it wasn't prohibitive. After using it for 2 weeks I did find that my dark spots seemed lighter and my skin looked brighter - nothing dramatic but definitely an improvement!
 
Also available in the Luminous 630 Dark Spot Solution collection is: Even Tone Cream - 50ml - $49.99 - for face, neck and decollete - use on its own or also great for layering over the serum if you have drier skin; and Eye Cream - 15ml - $49.99 - anti-dark circles as well as containing caffeine to reduce under eye puffiness and the appearance of eye bags.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

February 28, 2024

This week I'm obsessed with... Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment newness!

Just when I thought Pout Preserve couldn't get any better...
 
Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment - $30 - an advanced lip treatment with skin-supporting peptides and kokum butter that instantly hydrates and improves elasticity; smooths, brightens and revives dull lips; reduces the look of fine lip lines and quickly, visibly plumps for fuller looking lips in just one week.

What's new is that in addition to my already beloved Original with a sheer tint and citrus scent - it now also comes in 3 new tints and scents: Strawberry Sorbet - mauve pink tint and strawberry scent; Blood Orange Spritz - red-orange tint and blood orange scent; and Cocoa Creme - chocolate brown tint and rich hot chocolate scent.

Scent-wise I think the Original is still my fave but colour-wise I am loving the Strawberry Sorbet tint - it adds just enough colour to add some polish without having to worry about it smearing or wearing off in blotches - this is something I am going to be reaching for often - Original at night, Strawberry during the day, my lips are set!

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

- Lisamarie -

February 21, 2024

This week I'm obsessed with... Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Blah 2 Bright 5% AHA Face Mask!

I have tried a lot of different masks in my skin care life but I have to admit, cherry is a first for me...
 
Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Blah 2 Bright 5% AHA Face Mask - 75ml - $53 - a  brightening jelly face mask for all skin types with Barbados Cherry - loaded with vitamin C - to reduce the look of dark spots, visibly brightening and evening skin tone; and 5% AHAs - to gently exfoliate - leaving skin visibly plump and bouncy in minutes while over time improving the look of pores, dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles. 
 
Aside from the skin benefits I loved the cherry scent - and it's not a little bit cherry, it's a bunch cherry - it reminds me of cherry chapstick which is a nostalgically wonderful scent for me!

The only thing I was concerned about was the AHAs - I have sensitive skin which sometimes will react to stronger ingredients but I didn't have any issue at all - just nice smooth skin. I did find that with the thicker, gel texture that using a washcloth to remove it was a lot more effective then the usual water splash (and added a bit of extra exfoliation) - overall, I'm a fan!
 
Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca and fentybeauty.com.
 
- Lisamarie -

January 24, 2024

This week I'm obsessed with... Korres Black Pine Up-Lift Contouring Serum!

Sick of ageing, sagging and loose skin? This new lifting and contouring serum from Korres offers targeted anti-ageing benefits to reveal tighter and more youthful skin...
 
Korres Black Pine Up-Lift Contouring Serum - 40ml - $68.00 - a targeted gel serum with a rollerball applicator designed to lift the appearance of the jaw, cheek and neck for a more defined looking facial and neck contour and a youthful-looking complexion.
 
Powered by a potent 4D BIO-SHAPELIFT complex that works to lift the skin; while antioxidant-rich black pine supports skin elasticity and firmness, helping to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Featuring a unique massaging roller applicator, it fits effortlessly into the skins natural facial contours .
 
I really do appreciate how the light serum texture means that it easily goes under my regular moisturizer so I don't have to replace a favourite product, I can just add on the benefits and the roller applicator is very cooling which helps add an instant tightening effect!
 
Available online now at korres.com.
 
- Lisamarie -

January 19, 2024

Fragrant Friday - Gucci Flora Gorgeous Magnolia

Floral fanatics rejoice,  there is another addition to the Gucci Flora lineup:
 
Gucci Flora Gorgeous Magnolia - 10ml EDP Mini - $45, 30ml EDP - $120, 50ml EDP - $153, 100ml EDP - $206 - a chypre floral fragrance with top notes of dewberry and coconut; heart notes of magnolia, jasmine sambac and clary sage; and base notes of musk, patchouli and blonde woods.
 
Floral scents really aren't my thing - I can say it's not a cloying or overpowering floral but what I can comment on is the bottle - love it! It is so pretty and the purple really makes it stand out - am I one of those people who will buy a fragrance just for the bottle? I admit to nothing!
 
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.
 
- Lisamarie -

January 10, 2024

This week I'm obsessed with... Joico KBOND20 Defy Damage Power Masque!

What do you get when you combine a legacy of hair repair with the power of damage control in a single, extraordinary product?...
 
Joico Defy Damage KBOND20 Power Masque - 150ml - $44 - a transformative masque that rebuilds, strengthens and protects while providing rich hydration, instant detangling and normalized pH with innovative bond-building technology that allows you to experience 5X stronger hair in just a single treatment.
 
The formula contains K-Pac keratin technology - for strength and resilience; protective lipids - acts as a first line of defense against pollution; 18 essential amino acids - including arginine, found naturally in healthy hair; and moringa seed oil - an antioxidant rich in vitamins A & E, plus silica. As an added bonus, it's colour-safe, animal-test-free and paraben-free!  

I admit to being skeptical of products that claim one use results but in this case, they aren't wrong - after just using it once my hair really did look and feel better - it has definitely going to become a regular in my hair care routine - once or twice a week should have my hair looking even better in no time!
 
Available at participating Joico salons across Canada and online at amazon.ca and chatters.ca.
 
 - Lisamarie -

December 15, 2023

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Good Girl Dazzling Garden Holiday Collector

Carolina Herrera introduces the Holiday collector's edition bottle that is sure to be on every fragrance lover's wish list...
 
Good Girl Dazzling Garden - 80ml EDT - $178 - the stiletto shaped bottle is shimmering in metallic deep purple and accessorized with a festive glistening gold flower. With the same sweet but sensual scent that blends the aromas of jasmine, cocoa, tonka bean, almond and coffee to create a feminine yet mysterious bouquet. It's what holiday dreams are made of!

Available while they last at Sephora, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

December 8, 2023

Fragrant Friday - Nina Ricci Nina Le Parfum

There is a new intensity of Nina in the Nina Ricci range:
 
Nina Le Parfum - 50ml EDP - $112, 80ml EDP - $132 - a fruity woody floral fragrance with crisp top notes of red apple, apple, green Apple and Italian lemon; white flower heart notes of orange blossom, tuberose and gardenia; and warm base notes of vanilla and amber wood.
 
The first time I ever smelled the original Nina was years ago in the duty free at the airport - we were going on a cruise and I realized that I had forgotten to bring any perfume with me which of course would not do - it was love at first sniff for me and Nina! What I didn't know was that the signature component of the original Nina fragrance is recycled Italian lemon. The fruits discarded from the food industry due to their size or appearance are repurposed instead of being destroyed, serving as raw fragrance materials. Every part of the lemon, from the flesh to the peel, is utilized, achieving an extra tangy, citrus scent - no wonder I like it so much!
 
Nina Le Parfum still has the original lemon but the addition of apples gives it some tanginess, while the vanilla and amber wood give it some sweetness and warmth - all of which I like! Crafted of 91% naturally derived, vegan ingredients and in the classic apple shaped bottle which is 20% recycled glass - there is lots to feel good about with this fragrance!
 
Available now at Shoppers Drug Mart, Hudson's Fay, Jean Coutu, Familiprix, Uniprix and Brunet stores across Canada.
 
- Lisamarie -