Put Your Pores on Ice with Ole Henriksen Violet Ice Cold Plunge Pore Mask!

Recently (for reasons that should be obvious) I've been trying to concentrate on things that give me cold thoughts: igloos, polar bears, frozen margaritas, Christelle’s black heart, luges (because luges), every indoor space in Disney World (why is it an Arctic tundra in Epcot??) and now… 

 

Ole Henriksen Violet Ice Cold Plunge Pore Mask - 90g - $57 - this chilly little purple powerhouse is a tube of frozen fabulousness, and let me tell you - it’s cold. It starts off: “oh, minty” cold. Moves on to:  “ooh, refreshing” cold. But the kicker is when you rinse it off and move on to: “did I just get slapped in the face by Queen Elsa?” cold. It’s like sticking your face in a snowbank and somehow walking away with smaller pores instead of frostbite!

 

What’s packed in this glacial goodness? Kaolin & Purple Clay - Like a Dyson vacuum for your pores, it sucks up oil, dirt and bad decisions;  Salicylic Acid - gives clogged pores a one-way ticket to nowhere; and Danish Purple Willow Ferment - Fancy. European. Fermented. Basically kombucha for your face. 

 

As an added bonus: no fragrance, no dyes, no BS - just pure purple marbled frosty magic that dries down like a wintry work of art and rinses off like a snowstorm in July. Especially delightful during the current  heat wave when your skin is screaming and you wish your face could live in the freezer. 

 

And as a special added bonus: there is nothing like freaking your husband out with a purple face! 

 

It’s part of the Balance + collection - aka a full-on arctic expedition for oily, acne-prone skin. The rest of the chilly crew includes: 

 

Daily D-Clog Pore-Clearing Cleanser - 150ml - $46 - a plush, creamy gel that gently exfoliates with salicylic acid while sounding very polite about it. Danish purple willow and juniper berry team up like a Nordic spa retreat for your skin. It de-gunks, softens, soothes, and somehow still leaves you feeling squeaky clean, not sandblasted. 

 

Detox Drops Salicylic Acid Toner - 120ml - $45 - this icy liquid miracle delivers immediate “ahhh” energy and visible clarity in a week. Think of it as a toner that doesn’t mess around—it clears, calms, hydrates, and could probably write passive-aggressive notes to your blemishes if asked nicely. (It’s that good.) 

 

You can grab this cool crew at Sephora stores across Canada, online at sephora.ca or at olehenriksen.com - just don’t blame me when you start hoarding it in the fridge next to your popsicles!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Rainbow Ready with Glam that Gives Back from Quo Beauty, Peace Out and HAUS LABS!

If there’s anything better than bold, beautiful Pride products, it’s bold, beautiful Pride products that give back. This month, look good, feel good and do good with these three fabulous ways to shop with purpose and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

 

Quo Beauty is turning up the joy this Pride with a limited-edition collection that’s as vibrant as a dance floor at 2 a.m. Think high-voltage colour, sparkle that won’t quit and serious self-expression vibes. 

Here's what I’m especially loving from the collection:

 

Quo Beauty Rainbow Maker - $10 - instant rainbow realness. A swipe of this and you’re basically a walking parade float (in the best possible way). 

 

Quo Beauty Gemstone Festival Headband - $20 - sparkly, colourful, and extra in the best way. It’s giving main character energy. (I may or may not be wearing mine to do laundry right now.)

 

Quo Beauty Lip Oil - $10 - nourish those lips with four juicy flavours: Mango, Tutti Frutti, Island Punch and Strawberry. Tastes like a tropical vacation. Looks like high-gloss heaven.

 

Quo Beauty Flash Dry Nail Colour - $12.49 - in 8 shades of mood-lifting magic: Sizzlin’, Afterglow, Mimosa, Banana Split, Mojito, Electric, Taro and Standout - two coats, fast dry, zero drama.

 

Even better? Shoppers Drug Mart is donating 10% of Quo Beauty Pride Collection sales (up to $30,000) to Pflag Canada, supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and their families through peer support and advocacy.

 

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

Peace Out Pride Limited Edition Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots - 16 healing dots - $26 - it’s your favourite pimple patch -but now in colour! These limited-edition healing dots are decked out in Progress Pride flag colours and packed with skin-saving goodness like salicylic acid, retinol, and aloe vera. Combined with patented clean hydrocolloid polymer technology, impurities are extracted and a barrier is created to help guard against external elements. Get clearer-looking skin overnight. Bye blemishes, hello radiant skin. 

 

And it’s not just skin-deep: Peace Out, an LGBTQ-founded and run brand, is donating $25,000 to The Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ+ youth with life-saving crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.

 

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

HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick - $47 - Mother Monster delivers once again! In 12 shades with a high shine finish: Glassy Ginger - dusty pink, Glassy Cayenne - deep rose, Glassy Cinnamon - beige pink, Glassy Cove - brownish red, Glassy Hibiscus - deep mauve, Glassy Rosette - rose, Glassy Pomelo - peach pink, Glassy Pitaya - cool pink (my fave), Glassy Lilac - lavender, Glassy Watermelon - ruby, Glassy Tangelo - orange, Glassy Acai - black cherry - your new best friend for juicy, dewy, glassy colour that lasts all day. Packed with skincare superheroes like fermented arnica, goji berry complex, and fermented shiunko, it plumps, soothes, and brings that born-this-way glow. 

 

For every HAUS LABS item sold during Pride, Sephora is donating $1 to the Born This Way Foundation, supporting mental health and wellness initiatives for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.  

 

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

 

However you show up this month (and every month), these brands are making it easy to do it with style, heart and rainbow energy to spare. 

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Glow Island USA: Meet the Tools Turning Heads from Conair, pmd Beauty and GESKE!

There are a couple of things I’m obsessed with these days: Love Island USA and the demise of my once-beloved Clarisonic. 

 

I’ll admit, I don’t usually mix up my cleansing routine. Most days I’m loyal to the facecloth + cleanser combo (safe, reliable, but a little vanilla). But a couple times a week, I throw in a tool for that villa twist - gotta keep the pores on their toes, yeah? 

 

For ages, I was wholeheartedly devoted to my Clarisonic. We were so coupling - we had a thing. But let’s be honest: it’s been high-maintenance, it keeps ghosting me (RIP to the fourth one that just broke) and for something I only use twice a week, there really shouldn’t be this much drama! 

 

When my latest one bit the dust, I realized I was tired of something that works like Ariana does as a host - shows up for a few minutes in a great outfit, causes a little chaos and then disappears without explanation. I needed a dependable new bombshell who looks good and relentlessly does their job of seducing/cleaning my face. So I went on the hunt for a rebound: something more reliable, more vibey, less likely to spontaneously die mid-cleanse. 

 

Here’s what I found - ranked by how well they understood the assignment, let's go up to Soul Ties and discuss: 

Conair True Glow Sonic Facial Brush - $59.99 

The No-Nonsense Grafter 

 

She’s affordable, dependable, and doesn’t need constant attention - basically Austin in brush form. This little babe (shoutout Amaya!) delivers 300 sonic oscillations per second (faster than some Islanders switch couples), three speed settings and even shuts off after 60 seconds - just enough time to get in, get clean, and not overdo it. 

Specs: 

- Waterproof Rechargeable with charging base (no batteries? It’s giving eco.) 

- Clinically proven to reduce redness, shrink pores by 30%, and make skin glowier 

- Removes 98% of environmental toxins—because city skin needs a detox too.

 

Available at conaircanada.ca.

pmd Beauty Clean Smart Facial Cleansing Device - $139 

The Fancy One Who Does Pilates 

 

She’s sleek, she’s silicone, she vibrates at 7,000 times per minute (don’t get cheeky) and she’s all about lifting, toning and being extra extra. If Conair is your steady relationship, PMD Clean is the fit, mysterious bombshell who turns every head at the fire pit. Comes with four customizable modes, a built-in anti-aging massage feature and bristles so soft they could sweet-talk Hannah (not that that’s hard…). Perks: 

- Ultra-hygienic + waterproof silicone 

- Boosts elasticity like it’s on collagen crack 

- Reduces fine lines while cleansing deep - a multitasking queen! 

- Suitable for all skin types

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart in a very cute Blush with rose gold finish, or online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca. (Yes, it’s also on the PMD site in other colours—but why bother? Converting USD is the real villain here.) 

GESKE Sonic Facial Brush 5-in-1 - $39.95 

The AI-Loving Pocket Rocket

 

She’s tiny (like Ace, but not an asshole) and mighty. With AI-powered skin scanning and a full skincare game plan via app, this is basically the Huda (feed that girl a proper pancake!) of cleansing tools - dramatic, tech-savvy, maybe a little unhinged, but ultimately very helpful. 

Features: 

- SmartSonic pulsations for deep cleansing 

- Eye-nose area precision (say bye to congestion in awkward corners) 

- Youthful Glow massage to fake 8 hours of sleep 

- Ultra-hygienic and great for textured, oily, or stressed-out skin 

- Comes in aquamarine, pink, and black

 

Available online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and amazon.ca.

 

💞 Final Recoupling Thoughts: If you’re done with the drama of overpriced, high-maintenance skincare gadgets that abandon you when you need them most (yes, I'm looking at you Jeremiah), it’s time to pick a cleansing tool fit for your villa. Whether you want a no-fuss grafter, a bougie anti-aging boss babe or a tech-savvy glow-getter, choose your island vibe - and let your skin find its perfect coupling. 

 

Your skin? It’s definitely getting a text!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Yay or Nay? Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum

You'll have to excuse me - I meant to post about this weeks ago, but the thing is… I have a system. I test a product, I write about it, I stop using it so I can start testing the next shiny serum in my lineup - rinse, repeat, glow (or not). But then Shiseido Ultimune came along and totally messed with my skincare commitment issues. I didn’t want to stop using it, so I just… didn’t post. No post, no reason to move on, right? (Think like: “If I don’t define the relationship, I can still text my ex.”)

 

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum - 50ml - $150, 75ml - $195, 75ml refill - $172 - This powerhouse boosts your skin's resilience against aging and environmental damage, while serving up hydration, glow, and smoothness like it’s hosting its own Canada's Got Talent variety show. 

 

The silky-smooth formula is basically a botanical Avengers team-up with high-tech backup, featuring: Fermented camellia flower extract - bringing over 14 amino acids to the party to power up skin regeneration like it’s chugging collagen lattes for breakfast; Camellia seed oil - the moisturizing MVP; Camellia leaf extract - helps suppress inflammation like a therapist with a skincare license; Heart leaf extract - sounds cute, works hard, boosts skin immunity and restores rhythm (Beyoncé would approve); and of course, the brand's own ULTIMUNE complex – like a bodyguard for your skin, slowing the aging cycle and leaving your face looking healthy, happy and suspiciously well-rested.

 

Now listen, I try a lot of serums. For most of them, I talk about texture, scent, and what they say they’re supposed to do, because I'm usually on to the next one faster than a Love Island contestant in week 2 (who are we kidding, DAY 2). But Ultimune had me locked in. I kept using it longer than I typically do, but - plot twist - I didn't even have to, I actually saw results within a couple of weeks: more radiance, smoother texture, deeply hydrated skin and dare I say it, the fine lines around my nose? Practically ghosted me! 

 

So is it a Yay or Nay? 

 

It’s a Hallelujah, take my money YAY!

 

Bonus round: when I’m ready for a top-up, I don’t have to rebuy the whole fancy bottle. There’s a refill that saves money and the planet - and if that’s not self-care-meets-sustainability, I don’t know what is! 

 

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

 

- Lisamarie - 

Glow Up Without the Gag: Top Vitamin C Serums That Won’t Offend Your Nose from Avene, Naturium and Bubble Skincare with a Hello and Orange Naturals bonus!

Vitamin C serums are like a tall glass of OJ for your face - packed with brightening power, antioxidant protection, and anti-aging magic. They help even out skin tone, fade dark spots, boost collagen and give your complexion that elusive lit-from-within glow. 

 

But here’s the weird part: for something loaded with Vitamin C, they never smell like oranges. Or lemons. Or anything remotely citrusy. No, generally your face ends up smelling like hot dog water, old coins or something mysteriously metallic from a sci-fi lab. I accept that I am never getting orange zest but I got tired of mystery meat so went looking for some great Vitamin C options minus the gross smell and here are my top 3 picks:

 

Avène Vitamin Activ Cg Radiace Concentrated Serum - 30ml - $77 - a powerful solution for dull skin, pigmentation and signs of aging with a 94% naturally derived and 100% vegan formula containing three highly effective dermatological ingredients: Vitamin Cg (1.8%) - a stable and slow-release form of Vitamin C that offers antioxidant and brightening benefits equivalent to 20% pure Vitamin C; Niacinamide (3%) - works to regenerate the skin over time and visibly reduce dark spots; and Bakuchiol (1.5%) - a plant-based alternative to retinol, helps smooth wrinkles without irritation. 

 

The serum provides an instant glow, and within just 15 days, skin feels smoother and more plumped. After one month of use, dark spots appear diminished.

 

It comes in a glass bottle with a dropper and has a light texture that layers under makeup and sunscreen without pilling. Great for all skin types, including sensitive. Best of all is the scent - sadly not citrus - but it is light and delicate and totally un-offensive!

Available now at drugstores across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and well.ca.

Natrium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus - 30ml - $40.99 - a supercharged, multi-benefit serum that is formulated with vitamin c, retinol, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and salicylic acid to help improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth and brighten the appearance of skin, while also helping protect skin from environmental stressors. And formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, triclosan, formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasing agents, hydroquinone or animal testing.

 

Best of all it is formulated without a weird scent - it actually doesn't smell like much of anything at all - acceptable! The texture is super smooth and light so great for layering under other creams and won't upset  skin that is oily and likes to rebel at multiple products.

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart Stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and natrium.com.

Bubble Skincare Day Dream Tone and Texture Serum Vitamin C + Niacinamide - 30ml - $24.99 - evens tone, reduces scarring and dark spots with a powerhouse formula containing: vitamin C - to promote a bright, smooth, even complexion and reduce sun damage; niacinamide - to hydrate skin, calm irritation, improve skin barrier function and reduce signs of aging; plant derived ceramides - to replenish the natural building blocks of your skin barrier for healthier skin; and alpha arbutin - works to visibly reduce the appearance of spots & uneven skin tone

 

This one also features a super-light texture and is specifically formulated without fragrance so has almost no scent at all - so layer away and no need to worry about nose wrinkles from an unpleasant smell!

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

These days you won't just find your Vitamin C in skin products - turns out, it's also good for other stuff...like your teeth!

 

Hello Super Mega Whitening Powered by Vitamin C Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste - 82ml - $8.97 - a whitening mint toothpaste infused with naturally derived vitamin C, an alternative to peroxide for whitening teeth, it removes 94% of surface stains for teeth that are 2 shades whiter in 6 weeks and freshens breath with natural peppermint flavor and that is safe for everyday use.

 

It has a nice minty flavour that confuses me daily - my half-awake self sees the orange tube, registers Vitamin C and is expecting that citrus flavour and instead gets mint - don't get me wrong, toothpaste should taste like mint but early-morning Lisamarie is not a good rememberer...

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart stores across Canada and online at amazon.ca and helloproducts.ca.

And while, slathering Vitamin C on your face is great for that radiant glow, let’s not forget the OG use: not dying of scurvy. If your diet’s slacking on the citrus (no judgment), a good supplement can be your immune system’s best friend - especially during cold season. Personally, I pop Vitamin C the second I feel a throat tickle - because glowing skin means nothing if you're sneezing all over it...

 

Orange Naturals Vitamin C 1000mg - 120 vegetable capsules - $24.99 - an antioxidant for the maintenance of good health, it helps to prevent vitamin C deficiency and metabolize fats and protein - as well, it helps in wound healing, connective tissue formation and the development of bones, cartilage, teeth, and gums.

 

They do have some children chewable options if you aren't a great pill taker but I actually found these nice and smooth so they go down easily!

 

Available at drug and grocery stores across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall and online at orangenaturals.com and well.ca.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm (really) obsessed with... Briogeo Superfoods Acai + Passionfruit Lightweight Hydration Hair Mask!

Anyone who knows me even a little knows I have a borderline unhealthy obsession with beauty products that smell like food - preferably fruit, because who wouldn't want to smell like a tropical snack bar? I’m convinced the folks at Briogeo hacked into my brain, did a little aromatherapeutic mind-reading, whipped up the exact scent I’d lose my mind over and then bottled it in the new Superfoods Açaí + Passionfruit Lightweight Hydration Hair Mask. It’s like a smoothie for your hair - and yes, I’ve thought about tasting it. (No, I didn’t. Okay, maybe just once...)

Briogeo Superfoods Acai + Passionfruit Lightweight Hydration Hair Mask - 240ml - $53 - a lightweight, superfood-infused mask with a water-cream texture to deeply hydrate fine strands without sacrificing volume or weighing hair down and infused with a juicy, tropical, passionfruit-inspired scent (which is amazing!)

 

It's perfect for fine and medium hair - be it straight, wavy or curly - to sort out dryness, frizz and add shine. The vegan formula contains a concentrated blend of phytonutrients that nourishes hair without sacrificing volume including: acai extract - to protect strands from environmental aggressors; passionfruit oil - to boost moisture and add shine; and hydration complex - to deeply hydrate parched hair.

 

Okay, I know I keep going on about how good this smells (and yes, you're probably over it), but honestly  it smells so incredible that I wouldn’t even be mad if it didn’t work. I'd just walk around huffing my own hair like a weirdo. But plot twist - it actually works really well. Now, I love a good hair mask, but most of them are so thick and moisturizing that they leave my fine hair looking less like a shampoo commercial and more like I lost a battle with an oil slick. This one, though - total game-changer! It's got this light-as-air, water-cream texture that leaves my hair softer, smoother, shinier without even a hint of grease. And the scent? Ohhh the scent... It's described as sweet, slightly tart berries meeting fresh, crisp greens with a juicy, tropical finish - and honestly, that’s poetry. It’s like a fruity vacation in a jar. 10/10, no notes.

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

 

- Lisamarie - 

BTW, did I mention that it smells amazing?!

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, 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 helps 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 -