Lifting and firming for the face with RoC, StriVectin and Life Brand!

Roc Pro-Define Anti-Sagging Firming Fluid - 40ml - $49 - a light fluid that helps tighten and enhance skin's firmness through boosting elastin production to restore skin tone and elasticity levels. Contains THPE and bugrane - to influence the visible effect of elastin levels in the skin, helping th hold and tighten the skin; shea butter - to provide comforting moisture; zinc gluconate - to promote healthy looking skin and visibly reduce skin imperfections; copper gluconate - enhances visible effect of fibroblasts responsible for collagen synthesis; magnesium aspertate - acts as a skin conditioner that aids inthe absorption of other minerals; and ononis spinosa - helps reduce the appearance of inflammation, calming the skin. To leave skin looking tightened, contracted, toned and lifted with a soft, velvet surface.

Works great under your regular moisturizer or it also comes in a cream format that dry skins will especially enjoy.

Available now at drugstores across Canada.

StriVectin-TL Tightening Face Cream - 50ml - $99 - instantly tightens skin and improves tone and texture with cumingil leaf extract, pullulan and sorghum; an exclusive blend of peptides and algae extract stimulates collagen and elastin in the long-term to fortify and firm the skin's foundation; while NIA-114 offers on-going benefits by strengthening the skin's barrier to tighten its hold on improved collagen and help regain skin's lift and contour. Week by week, skin is firmed and lifted while texture and skin tone is improved.

Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, London Drugs and Hudson's Bay stores across Canada.

Life Brand Eye Lifting Serum - 15ml - $25.99 - a hydrating and firming serum designed to smooth and brighten the skin around the eye area and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

- Lisamarie -

Mascara Monday - Rimmel SuperCurler 24HR Mascara

Rimmel SuperCurler 24HR Mascara - $7.99 - a volumizing mascara with built-in lash curler power to build a dramatic curl that will last all day.

With a buildable formula that contains a curl fixing polymer that instantly pushes up lashes to a 90˚ curve that stays put for up to 24hrs.

While the eye-shaped curved fiber brush hugs each and every lash from root to tip for a full body, curvaceous volume.

I had mixed results with this one. I tried to build volume on the left hand eye and as you can see, it turned into kind of a mess - the problem was that I didn't apply the layers quickly enough and it did not want to build volume once the lashes were dry - everything just went weird and clumpy. I learned my lesson and on the right eye did my layers faster with much better results.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Eyes revive with Caryl Baker, Bio Beaute by Nuxe, Avene and Kosmea!

Caryl Baker Papaya Perfecting Eye Awakening Treatment - 15ml - $38 - with a rich, creamy gel texture that moisturizes, nurtures, firms and conditions the delicate eye skin area. It soothes and softens fine lines and wrinkles while reducing puffiness and the appearance of dark circles.

Contains papaya extract - to help boost skin renewal and radiance; tripeptide-5 - to reduce puffiness and dark circles; a multi-fruit acid complex - with sugar cane, lemon, orange and apple extracts to promote cellular turnover for smoother skin; collagen amino acids - enhance moisture penetration and deeply condition skin; malic acid - a mild AHA that gently renews to help skin look younger and firmer; biotin - to help fortify skin against water loss; chamomile extract - to calm and soothe; and caffeine - to energize tired, lackluster skin for refreshed, younger looking eyes.

Available now at Caryl Baker Visage locations across Canada - find one near you at www.carylbakervisage.com.

Bio Beaute by Nuxe Energizing, Anti-Puffiness, Anti-Aging Eye Contour Care - 15ml - $25 - a light cream that smoothes away signs of tiredness and reduces puffiness with wheat wax, corn and beet sugar derivatives while it lightens dark circles and protects the skin from premature aging with clementine cells and bilberry extract. for an eye contour that is moisturized, relieved of puffiness and free of visible fatigue.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Avène Serenage Revitalizing Eye Balm - 15ml - $44 - a comfortable balm that offers rejuvenating care for mature, sensitive eye contours and eyelids with a combination of a natural firming agent and a soft-focus agent that offers an immediate firming effect.that redensifies the eye contour and makes eyes look immediately lifted.

Containing hyaluronic acid fragments that boost the skin's natural synthesis of hyaluronic acid while it lifts the eyelids and enhances eyes; reduces puffiness and revitalises eyes thanks to the decongesting action of dextran sulfate; smoothes, nourishes and protects the fragile skin around your eye contour with nourishing and lipid-repleneshing glycoleol and pre-tocopheryl, a powerful cellular anti-oxidant; and immediately soothes and comforts the skin with the natural soothing and anti-irritating action of Avène Thermal Spring Water -  for a powerful rejuvenated and visibly radiant look.

Available at drugstores across Canada.

Kosmea Apple Of My Eye Cream - 15ml - $39.99 - a light cream that leaves skin feeling brighter, reinvigorated and looking younger. Formulated with certified organic rosehip oil and white tea extract to visibly brighten dark circles and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles along with a clinically-studied, exclusive apple stem cell complex - PhytoCellTec - to actively combat the signs of aging skin and leav it feeling refreshed, brighter and younger looking.

Available online at www.abundancenaturally.com and well.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Klorane Conditioning Balm with Desert Date

For hair showing the effects of cold, dry winter weather - a saviour in the form of a deep conditioner:

Klorane Conditioning Balm with Desert Date - 150ml - $14.95 -  with a rich and supple silicone-free formula that works at the heart of the hair fiber, supplying essential nutrition and strength. Contains a unique combination of date palm and a botanical restructuring active to smooth dry, damaged, and brittle hair and  detangle without weighing it down. For hair that appears nourished and strengthened with better elasticity and flexibility.

And just so there is no confusion, this is a rinse-out formula, not a leave-in - don't want you walking around with crunchy hair!

Available now at drugstores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Derek Lam 10 Crosby Fragrance Collection

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Fragrance Collection Gift Set - 10 x 7.5ml EDP - $115 - featuring 10 distinctive, modern fragrances all inspired from the world seen and imagined outside Derek Lam’s window at 10 Crosby Street.

Each fragrance features the true form and essence of its raw ingredients. The scents are constructed to wear beautifully from day into night, and they have a balance of diffusion and tenacity. From fresh and floral to deep and oriental, the constructions vary from simple and chic to complex and sophisticated, yet all are modern and unique. The set includes:

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Silent St. - with notes of white musks
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Looking Glass - with notes of Chinese magnolia and Madagascar tonka bean
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Hi-Fi - with notes of pink peony and French narcisse
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Drunk On Youth - with notes of crisp apple and honeysuckle
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Afloat - with notes of white mimosa and orris
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Rain Day - with notes of Tunisia neroli and Haiti vetiver
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Something Wild - with notes of cedarwood and Madagascar vanilla bean
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Ellipsis - with notes of Australian sandalwood and jasmine
Derek Lam 10 Crosby Blackout - with noes of osmanthus and chai tea essence
Derek Lam 10 Crosby 2am Kiss - with notes of salty wood and crystalized amber

The perfect way to acquire a fragrance library to have a scent on hand for every mood!

Available now at Sephora and sephora.ca - but only for a limited time so jump on this one if you want it, I don't expect it will last long!

- Lisamarie -

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate

Caudalie Contouring Concentrate - 75ml - $37 - a 100% plant derived body treatment designed to teat stubborn areas including thighs, hips and buttocks to visually smooth,contour and decongest cellulite prone areas by promoting natural drainage so skin is smoother and more toned.

The lightweight formula is made up of 6 organic essential oils including: lemongrass and lemon organic essential oils to drain; juniper berry, rosemary and geranium organic essential oils to tone; and cypress organic essential oil to sculpt along with ultra-nourishing grapeseed oil.

It works most effectively when massaged into still-damp skin to help it absorb faster, concentrating on problem areas.

Available now at Murale, Jean Coutu, Ogilvy, Sephora and Caudalie boutiques across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick - with swatches!

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick - $30 - in 34 dimensional shades: Sugarcane - pale pink, Souffle - marshmallow pink, Meringue - peachy nude, Honeycomb - beige nude, Molasses - rich toffee, Chai - mauve brown, Verbena - rose terracotta, Rhubarb - rich plum rose, Sake - dusty mauve, Sorbet - juicy watermelon, Fig - nude rose, Gingersnap - fresh peach, Sweet Cream - sweet peach, Cotton Candy - blue-toned violet, Gin Fizz - orchid pink, Spritzer - plum rose, Kimchi - shocking pink, Sangria - rich fuchsia, Eggplant - smoky plum, Pickled Ginger - electric coral, Dragonfruit - magenta violet, Gazpacho - true blue-red, Cayenne - bright red, Persimmon - intense red-orange, Sour Cherry - maraschino red, Jam - rich merlot, Radish - deep magenta, Beetroot - bold berry, Pepper - dusty rose, Maple - brick red, Liquorice - oxblood, Tannin - poppy red, Black Truffle - black violet, Nori - deep brown-red - that have been handcrafted to deliver extreme moisture, soft texture, and creamy wear.

Created and crafted by hand in my batches with a low-heat process that preserves a balanced blend of lip-quenching nutrients, vitamins and omega oils that are essential for achieving healthy-looking lips. Made with 12 edible oils and triple milled pigments, this lipstick provides saturated lip color with weightless coverage and a citrus flavour made from fresh pressed fruit. 

Spritzer - plum rose

Chai - mauve brown

Available now at Sephora and sephora.ca.

The pigmentation is impressive and also gives the lipstick better wear, even after eating and drinking I still had some colour left - and I really love the fruity scent - delicious!

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - Kiss Blooming Lash

Kiss Blooming Lash - $7.99 - in 6 styles that flawlessly blend with your natural lashes to deliver volume while maintaining a natural look and adding layers of length and dimension.

Specially designed with Multi-Angle Technology combined with Tapered End Lash Technology to create lashes that bloom in multiple angles, with levels of vertical variation for fuller volume and a more natural look.

I'm kind of a false lash idiot so I have discovered a couple of tricks to make it easier - I cut the lash in half - sometimes I just use half on the outer side, sometimes I use both all over but I find it much easier to apply in two parts then trying to maneuver the whole strip in one go. The other thing is to let the adhesive become a bit tacky once you apply it to the lash before applying it to the lash line - that way it won't slide around when you're putting it on!

Available now at Walmart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... L’Occitane’s 2016 Women’s Day Solidarity Balm

L’Occitane’s 2016 Women’s Day Solidarity Balm - 20g - $6 - containing the shea butter produced by the women in Burkina Faso and has a unique tin design inspired by African Wax Fabrics in line with their traditions.

Not only will you benefit from soft skin, 100% of the proceeds from the balm will finance NGO projects for women’s leadership in Burkina Faso, with the support of the L’Occitane Foundation and they hope to raise 281 000 euros worldwide to promote women’s entrepreneurialism for Women's Day and every day.

Available now at L'Occitane stores across Canada and will remain past International Women’s Day on March 8^th, 2016. 

- Lisamarie -

L'Oréal True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation

L'Oréal True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation - $24.99 - in 8 shades formulated with Precise Match Technology to match your skin's tone and texture: Light Ivory, Classic Ivory, Creamy Natural, Classic Buff, Buff Beige, Creamy Natural, Nude Beige, Perfect Beige, Suntan - that offers sheer to medium buildable coverage for all skin types with a fresh and luminous finish.

With an innovative micro-aerated
cushion drenched with water enrobed pigments delivered in a liquid foundation that glides onto skin effortlessly. Then you just press the sponge onto the foundation cushion to lightly release the foundation and gently tap the sponge onto your skin to build the desired coverage - tap a little for a fresh natural glow, tap on more to build a new level of luminous coverage - for skin that feels fresh and hydrated and glows.

While I like the foundation I don't love the sponge applicator - application is easy on the large parts of the face - cheeks, chin, forehead but it takes a lot more effort to get into tight areas like beside the nose or inner corners of the eyes - if they had made the sponge square it would be a lot easier!

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Mary Kay Into The Garden Nail Lacquer - with swatches!

If you're going Into The Garden with Mary Kay this spring, be sure not be miss out on the Nail Lacquers - $10 - with romantic, ladylike shades that are not to be missed!

Sweet Lilac

Pink Magnolia

Coral Blossom

And you can really dress up the polishes with the Into The Garden Nail Appliques - $10 - beautiful over all of the shades or on their own!

Available now while supplies last through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can find one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

- Lisamarie -

Moisturizers that nourish thirsty skin from Filorga, Neutrogena and Bioderma!

Filorga Nutri-Filler Nutri-Replenishing Cream - 50ml - $95 - with a non-greasy formula that deeply nourishes and replenishes extremely dry skin while redefining the contours of the face for skin that becomes denser day after day. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, shea butter, argan oil, davilla rugosa and red algae to instantly soothe dry skin and leave it smooths and nourished.

Available at Murale, select Shoppers Drug Mart, Holt Renfrew and Nordstrom stores across Canada.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream - 47ml - $24.99 - with a refreshing, lightweight, fast-absorbing, oil-free formula that instantly hydrates skin to keep it looking visibly smooth, supple and healthy. The formula includes purified hyaluronic acid - which absorbs up to 1,000 times its weight in water to keep skin hydrated and supple; glycerin - to strengthen the moisture barrier; and olive extract - helps fortify skin's natural moisture barrier and lock in hydration. Also available in a Gel Cream for Extra Dry Skin formula.

Available now at food, drug and mass retailers across Canada.

Bioderma Hydrabio Riche - 40ml - $33.95 - offers in-depth hydration for dry to very dry, sensitive and dehydrated skin that leaves it feeling comfortable immediately as well as teaches the skin to moisturize itself again with aquagenium hydration-generating care to restore skin's suppleness, softness and radiance

Available at drugstores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Mascara Monday - Pupa Vamp! Extreme Mascara

Pupa Vamp! Extreme Mascara - $25 - offers immediate extreme volume for fuller, thicker lashes from the first stroke.

With an elastomer applicator featuring an innovative design and sinuous shape with a double curved cross section to pick up as much product as possible and release it immediately, coating lashes to perfection.

The formula contains powerful structuring waxes and an aqueous gel allowing it to fill, envelop and intensify lashes with a soft, flexible film while the high concentration of pure, deep black pigments delivers instant colour payoff with long-lasting, smudge-free wear.

As you can see, it has a bit of clumpiness to it but I have yet to find an ultra-volumizing mascara that doesn't - it's the only way to get that kind of volume - I wouldn't wear this during the day but a great one for going out!

Available March 9th at Rexall stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Mary Kay Into The Garden Spring 2016 Collection

Mary Kay welcomes you to embrace spring’s soft romantic looks with their limited edition Into The Garden Collection inspired by acclaimed fashion designer Patricia Bonaldi - with beautiful, vintage-feeling  packaging that makes everything perfect for gift-giving too!

Into The Garden Lip & Eye Color Compact - $45 - an all-in-one mirrored compact that features four garden-inspired eye shadows in violet, natural taupe, pink and plum brown and three ultrasheer lip glosses in nude, pink and coral along with a dual-ended applicator for endless colour possibilities.

Into The Garden Beauty Blotters Oil-Absorbing Tissues - 75 tissues - $8.50

Nail Lacquer - $10 - in Sweet Lilac, Pink Magnolia and Coral Blossom and Nail Appliques - $10

Into The Garden Soap Set - $20 - with 3 individually wrapped bars packaged in a beautiful gift box with a fresh, garden-inspired scent.

Into The Garden Pedicure Set - $35 - includes Satin Feet Foot Scrub and 10 foot fizzies that feature a fresh, garden-inspired scent along with one pair toe separators and emery board all inside a mesh collection bag.

As a bonus, The Into the Garden trend-inspired cosmetic bag is yours free when you purchase $60 in products (not including the pedicure set) from the collection!

Available now while supplies last through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can find one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

- Lisamarie - 

Garnier Whole Blends introduces a recipe for naturally beautiful hair!

Hungry hair can now be satiated with their new Garnier Whole Blends collection - with a full range of repairing, hydrating and protecting formulas blended with natural extracts sourced from around the globe.

They promise to be great for your hair with paraben-free, natural blend formulas containing gentle and effective sulfates; help communities with their Whole Trade Community Source Program that sources Argan from Morocco, Honey from Cameroon and Cocoa from Ghana; and the world a greener place by making the bottles from 30% post-consumer recycled waste in a facility committed to sustainability by reducing waste and water consumption - and to top it all off, they smell great!

There are 6 blends available:

Nourishing Avocado Oil & Shea Butter - enriched with a rich blend of ultra-moisturizing South African Avocado Oil and restoring Shea Butter from West Africa to deeply replenish and restore hair.

Shampoo & Conditioner - 370ml - $5.99, 650ml - $8.99
Rinse-Out Mask - 300ml - $8.99

Smoothing Coconut Oil & Cocoa Butter - infused with South Pacific Coconut Oil, India's original hair secret for smoothness, and Cocoa Butter from West Africa renowned for it's nourishing virtues to tame and control frizzy hair.

Shampoo & Conditioner - 370ml - $5.99, 650ml - $8.99
Leave-In Conditioner - 300ml - $8.99
Smoothing Oil - 100ml - $8.99

Hydrating Coconut Water & Vanilla Milk - with Indian Coconut Water, known for its replenishing properties, blended with Madagascar Vanilla Milk, celebrated for its smooth, silky texture, to quench and soften hair.

Shampoo, Conditioner & 2-in-1 - 370ml - $5.99, 650ml - $8.99
Rinse-Out Mask - 300ml - $8.99
Repairing Honey Treasures - enriched with a delicate blend of intensely nourishing Honey, revitalizing Royal Jelly and protecting Propolis to strengthen and heal damaged hair.

Shampoo & Conditioner - 370ml - $5.99, 650ml - $8.99
Rinse-Out Mask - 300ml - $8.99
Colour Care Argan Oil & Cranberry - infused with Argan Oil, native to Morocco and Cranberry Extract bursting with protective antioxidants to protect colour and reveal radiant hair.

Shampoo & Conditioner - 370ml - $5.99, 650ml - $8.99
Rinse-Out Mask - 300ml - $8.99
Refreshing Green Apple & Green Tea - East meets West with a good for you combination of hand-selected North American Farm Harvest Apple and invigorating Chinese Green Tea to revitalize and boost shine.

Shampoo, Conditioner & 2-in-1 - 370ml - $5.99, 650ml - $8.99
5-in-1 Lightweight Spray - 300ml - $8.99

Available now at drug and mass market retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Mary Kay Forever Diamonds

Mary Kay introduces a new limited edition fragrance inspired by the special moments in a woman's life:

Mary Kay Forever Diamonds - 50ml EDP - $50, 133ml Shower Gel - $22, 133ml Body Lotion - $22 - a sophisticated floral-fruity fragrance with top notes of jasmine petals, golden peach and "diamond" orchid scent trek; heart notes of tuberose absolute, delicious apricot and heliotrope; and base notes of white amber, radiant musk, Madasgascar vanilla bean and soft woods.

It's a lot more floral then fruity on me in the beginning with but it does dry down to become a very warm and vaguely sweet scent that is romantic but subtle and I quite like. Others must agree because I've gotten tons of compliments - from people I know as well as strangers - when wearing it!

You can also nab yourself a deal and enjoy the whole set for only $82!

Available now while supplies last through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can find one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

- Lisamarie -

Lush Hand of Friendship Soap - do good, smell great, in support of Syrian refugees

Lush Hand of Friendship Soap - $5.95 a delicate floral scented,
heart-shaped soap of two hands embraced as one that symbolizes an  open welcome of Syrian refugees into  Canada. 

100% of the sale of the soap will go towards the Friendship Fund which will benefit organizations working to help Syrian refugees and their families settle into their new lives far away from the world they have known.

Through the sale of the soap, Lush aims to raise $450k towards the Friendship Fund directly benefiting Syrian Refugees resettlement efforts. The Friendship Fund will be distributed to Lush’s campaign partners, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Amnesty International Canada, and other groups working toward refugee resettlement in North America. In addition to purchasing the soap,
customers can show their support by visiting Lush Cosmetics stores to send a postcard to personally welcome refugee families. Online shoppers will have the option to send a warm welcome message via  Lush.ca. Customers are also encouraged to show their support socially by using #RefugeesWelcome and by visiting www.amnesty.ca/lush to sign the online petition to the Canadian government, urging them to keep their commitment.

Available now exclusively at Lush stores across Canada until February 28th, 2016.

- Lisamarie -

Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze Prismatic Lip Gloss - with swatches!

The Elizabeth Arden Sunset Bronze Color Summer 2016 Collection is full of all kinds of shimmering wonderfulness including the Sunset Bronze Prismatic Lip Gloss - with a conditioning formula containing aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E to soothe, protect and nourish lips with moisture and packed with lustrous pigments and multidimensional pearls to provide a prismatic effect and color-changing capabilities created by light reflecting on the lips.

Midnight Kiss - soft pink

Moonlight Kiss - lavender

Sunset Kiss - champagne

There isn't a big difference between the colours as you can see so don't feel like you have to buy all of them - if you are wearing on it's own then Midnight Kiss has the most pigmentation or any of them look great over lipstick!

Available at select Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - brow gels from Avon, Clinique, Marcelle and Hard Candy!

Brow powders and pencils can be great for adding colour but if your brows need taming and are lacking volume and fullness then you need a gel to add colour and oomph - some great choices are:

Avon Perfect Brow Gel - $10 - in Light Brown and Dark Brown - fills in, defines and shapes brows with a sweep on brush-on gel containing colour-matched fibers that blend easily with natural hair to shape and set and make brows look naturally fuller.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Clinique Just Browsing Brush-On Styling Mousse - $19 - in Blonde, Light Brown, Deep Brown and Black/Brown - a 24-hour-wear, water-resistant mousse that tints, tames and fills-in even the sparsest arches with a mini applicator that allows you to easily brush on natural-looking color for thicker, fuller brows.

Available at Clinique counters across Canada.

Marcelle Perfect Brow Sculpting & Enhancing Brow Gel - $12.95 - in Light to Medium, Medium to Dark and Clear - sculpts and fills in brows with an ergonomically designed unique angled brush that allows for an expert application to leave brows well-defined with a natural look and hold that helps them stay in place all day long. 

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

Hard Candy Brows Now! Fiberized Brow Gel & Brow Highlighter - $6.98 - in Light Medium and Medium Dark - with a precision tip brush  that helps instantly shapes brows into thick arches with a volumizing fiber gel that has a no-budge, long wear formula that allows for buildable coverage resulting in natural looking brows. Then use the highlighter above and below brow for an instant lift!

Available exclusively at Walmart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -