This week I'm obsessed with... Fenty Beauty Soft'Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation!

As the season changes so does my foundation - gone are my summer tinted moisturizers and sheer tints - this fall I am upping my foundation game with:

Fenty Beauty Soft'Lit Naturally Luminous Longwear Foundation - 32ml - $54 - in 50 shades - so many options that you will be hard pressed not to find one to suit you: 100 - neutral, 110 - cool pink, 120 - neutral, 125 - neutral, 130 - warm olive, 140 - warm yellow, 150 - neutral, 160 - warm peach, 170 - cool pink, 175 - warm neutral, 185 - neutral, 190 - warm, 200 - cool pink, 210 - neutral, 220 - warm peach, 225 - neutral olive, 230 - neutral, 235 - warm golden, 240 - warm golden, 250 - warm golden, 260 - neutral, 265 - warm olive, 280 - warm neutral, 290 - neutral, 295 - warm neutral, 300 - warm golden, 310 - warm golden, 315 - warm neutral, 330 - warm golden, 335 - warm neutral, 345 - warm olive, 350 - warm neutral, 360 - neutral, 370 - warm neutral, 385 - warm neutral, 390 - warm yellow, 400 - warm golden, 410 - warm golden, 420 - warm golden, 425 - warm olive, 430 - warm golden, 440 - warm bronze, 445 - warm olive, 450 - neutral, 470 - warm golden, 480 - warm golden, 485 - neutral, 490 - neutral, 495 - warm bronze, 498 - neutral

 

A long-wearing, medium-coverage foundation that offers golden-hour glow in a bottle. It hydrates, brightens, and improves the look of skin tone immediately and over time, with a waterproof formula that resists sweat, humidity and transfer.

The best way I can describe it is "your skin, but better" - it feels weightless on, adds a bit of a glow without being shiny or glittery and it really does stay put for many, many hours. It is not full coverage so if you have areas of special concern it is a bit buildable but you will probably need to add some concealer as well. I especially appreciate the pump bottle - I do wish though that companies would make it so you could screw the top off so you aren't wasting the few inches of foundation that will inevitably be left at the bottom of the bottle!

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

- Lisamarie -

Make A Rare Impact with Sephora and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez on October 10th!

Feel good about looking good today - in recognition of World Mental Health Day, Sephora and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez announce the return of the Make A Rare Impact campaign, renewing Sephora’s commitment to donating 100% of global Rare Beauty sales to the Rare Impact Fund including Sephora sales in-store and online in 27 markets as well as at Sephora at Kohl’s locations across the United States. 

 

The goal of World Mental Health Day, which takes place annually on October 10, is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Rare Impact Fund currently supports 26 organizations across five continents, expanding access to mental health services and education for young people- you can find more info about it at rareimpactfund.org.

An excellent option to pick up today:

 

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Soft Pinch Liquid Blush - $32 - weightless and long-lasting with up to 12-hour wear, it blends and builds beautifully for a soft, healthy flush and comes in 9 radiant finish shades: Believe - true mauve, Hope - nude mauve, Encourage - soft neutral pink, Happy - dewy cool pink, Joy - dewy muted pink, Lucky - dewy hot pink, Grateful - dewy true red, Worth - true rose, Virtue - beige pink; and 4 matte finish shades: Bliss - matte nude pink, Love - matte terracotta, Grace - matte bright rose mauve, Faith - matte deep berry.

 

I always change to a liquid blush in the fall and this one is fabulous - I love Believe - it adds a healthy, glowing flush that looks so natural, it's my skin but better!

 

Find it and other Rare Beauty products at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

3 things worth picking up during the Shoppers Beauty+ Event from Drunk Elephant, Wella and Quo Beauty!

If you've been looking to stock up on your beauty supplies now is the time to do it so you can take advantage of the Shoppers Beauty+ Event which runs in-store and online until October 4th. You can shop more than 2,800 beauty products and earn loads of PC Optimum points on select beauty offers. It's also the perfect time to explore new brands including Tealogy, Reyal, Wella Hair Care, PMD and Drybar as well as exclusives like Kylie Cosmetics, Jason Wu and about-face. 

 

Here are 3 new-to-me products I discovered that are well worth a try:

 

Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum - 30ml - $92 - formulated with a gentle blend of 10% vitamin C and a triple-antioxidant brightening complex to fade the look of hyperpigmentation and post-breakout marks, improve skin's clarity and reduce blemishes, all while delivering hydration instantly and over time; replenishing sodium hyaluronate, squalane and marula oil nourish skin and help prevent moisture loss; while potent antioxidants fortify skin against everyday environmental stressors and collagen-depleting pollution. The result is a noticeably clearer, plumper, and more luminous complexion that looks and feels healthier with every application. 

 

This has become my new favourite night serum - I have combo skin so moisture-wise it's perfect for - me but I imagine someone with dry skin might like to layer a bit of moisturizer on top of it!

Wella Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Leave-In Treatment - 30ml - $40 - a luxury leave-on spray that repairs hair damage in just 90 seconds leaving hair visibly transformed in just one use: less breakage, 12x smoother and legendary shine that lasts up to four washes. With a formula containing alpha hyydroxy acid (AHA) - to rebuild the inside strength of the hair and omega 9 - to replenish the outer barrier of damaged hair.

 

I love products that claim instant results: it makes it so easy to tell if they actually work or not if I don't have to wait days/weeks/months for gratification. And it's no lie, my hair really did look better with the first use and because results last up to 4 washes you don't need to use it every time - it's a small bottle but it will last!

Quo Beauty Peptide Lip Tint - $13 - in 3 shades: Watermelon, Strawberry and Vanilla Mint as well as Clear Mint if you prefer no colour - enriched with peptides that help keep lips soft and moisturized while  reducing the appearance of fine lines and adding a glossy, high-shine finish and a hint of colour.

I have been wearing it to the gym which has always been a dilemma for me - I feel stupid wearing makeup to the gym but I feel kind of naked without having anything on so this is the perfect compromise!

All available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and/or online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

- Lisamarie -

All the best in hair repair from Fenty Hair, Joico and The Rootist!

Have you heard the news?! Fenty is now doing haircare and it's everything you would expect from our friend Rihanna - innovative products, fun packaging and amazing smells - it was hard to pick a fave but out of everything I tried this is what impressed me the most...

 

Fenty Hair The Comeback Kid Instant Damage Repair Treatment - 150ml - $49, 60ml - $25 - a professional-grade bond-building hair treatment that penetrates deep into the cortex to provide instant inside-out repair, support damaged keratin structures and strengthen strands without the complicated steps or the salon price tag. It works with a proprietary bond-building formula, powered by amino acids - the building blocks of protein; baobab seed extract - to help strengthen and nourish; chia seed extract - to reinforce hair bonds and visibly repairs; and the unique complex Replenicore-5 - for hair that instantly looks and feels healthier, moisturized, softer and smoother with just one use. 

 

It's very versatile - it can be used as a leave-in or rinsed out - use in place of your regular condition, leave on for 10 minutes as a deep conditioning mask or don't wash it out at all! Fair warning - the formula is probably too heavy as a leave in for my fellow fine-haired friends - but if you do want to, use just the tiniest amount - a little will go a long way! I would be tempted to use it just for the warm, ambery floral scent with bright notes of sparkling yuzu, golden amber, soothing florals, coconut, vanilla and creamy sandalwood - yummy!

I should also give a shout out for The Side Stick 3-in1 Edge Styling Tool - $25 - a luxe three-in-one styling tool for combing, brushing, laying edges and precise parting - my good friend who knows about these things has declared it the best tool she has ever used for achieving perfect edges!

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

Or maybe you prefer to sleep off hair damage...

 

Joico Defy Damage Sleepover Overnight Nourishing Treatment - 100ml - $28.99 - powered by ingredients that help restore tired, overworked hair while you catch your Z’s, with a hard-working formula including: protective lipid - the exact kind found in healthy hair that acts as a first line of defense to help protect hair against damage; moringa seed oil -  rich source of antioxidants and vitamins A & E; silica -  fundamental to creating healthy, strong, damage-resistant hair, it helps to boost shine and softness; arginine - a naturally occurring amino acid crucial to hair’s strength; and SmartRelease Technology - a one-of-a-kind liposome delivery system that continuously releases rosehip oil, arginine and keratin to help repair, strengthen and protect hair from the damaging effects of daily styling. 

 

Just a couple of pumps spread through wet or dry hair before you go to bed and wake up to hair that is nourished, with strengthened bonds and preserved hair colour. It also reduces the appearance of split ends, instantly softens and smooths hair, boosts shine and protects against pollution. It's not a super heavy formula but again I will caution for fine-haired peoples to go easy on it if you aren't washing your hair in the morning - use too much and you will wake to shiny hair but it also might look a bit greasy :)

 

Available online at chatters.ca and well.ca.

Or check this out if you want to treat your hair and your scalp at the same time...

 

The Rootist BioBrew Fermented Strengthening Serum - 30ml - $68 - a lightweight serum spray for both hair and scalp. For hair, this leave-in serum is clinically shown to control frizz, boost shine, protect from heat, and repair damage for up to 3x stronger hair in just one use. For scalp, this serum is microbiome-friendly, derm-tested and restores balance and hydration. 

 

It's the only strengthening serum with Rootbiomic Ferment - a multivitamin superfood that’s like kombucha for hair – designed for anchored roots, a balanced scalp and stronger, healthier hair. It transforms the look and feel of hair from root to tip; repairs damage, reduces fallout from breakage, instantly detangles, boosts softness and shine, smooths frizz and protects hair from heat. Plus, it's clinically shown to hydrate and balance the scalp so healthy hair can take root; along with: Bio-Peptides (Hydrolyzed Yeast Protein) - helps to strengthen and fortify strands from root to tip by targeting collagen and keratin; and Vitamin C - supports the hair cuticle to improve vibrancy and shine. And it's free of all the nasty stuff you don't want including: parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. It is also cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. 

 

The formula is light so won't weigh your hair down but the best part is the scent - described as a complex, fresh, fizzy floral with a grounding touch of soft woods for balance, depth, and grace - it's amazing!

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

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Colleen Rothschild Quench & Shine Restorative Mask!

Every Sunday night you will find me in my bathtub with a LUSH bath bomb, a face mask and the all-important hair mask - my weekly treatment these days is:

 

Colleen Rothschild Quench & Shine Restorative Mask - 282g - $38 - a colour-safe conditioning treatment to soften, detangle and revive all hair types without weighing it down. The creamy formula contains an ultra-rich blend of kokum, shea, capuacu and bacuri butters - to quench thirsty strands and enrich hair with nourishment and hydration; along with argan and moringa oils - to smooth unruly split-ends and deliver a healthy-looking shine. Look forward to improved hair elasticity and strength which  help reduce frizz and texture, resulting in supremely soft, irresistibly touchable hair. And as an added bonus it smells amazing, like an expensive hair salon!

 

I like it as an intensive weekly treatment, but it can also be used daily as a conditioner - pair it with the Quench & Shine Restorative Shampoo - 400ml - $30 for a daily dose of shiny goodness!

Available online at colleenrothschild.com - they do ship to Canada and if you stock up on some skincare or cosmetics as well you can get free shipping with a $199 order!

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in new Creme Brulee!

Your lip routine just got a lot sweeter thanks to...

Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment in  Crème Brûlée - $30 - powered with advanced, skin-strengthening peptides and indulgent kokum butter to instantly plump lips with hydration and smooth fine lines with the flavour of vanilla brown sugar and a universally flattering, subtle nude tint. 

 

There is a whole family of shades and flavours to enjoy:

Crème Brûlée: Beige nude tint with a vanilla brown sugar flavour 

Strawberry Sorbet: Pink mauve tint with a strawberry flavour 

Cocoa Crème: Brown mauve tint with a chocolate cookie flavour 

Citrus Sunshine: Sheer tint with a fresh citrus creamsicle flavour 

 

The formula contains lip-specific peptides - firms, plumps and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; botanical oils and butters - hydrates and softens lips; açai sterols - strengthens the skin barrier while protecting against environmental stressors; and vitamin E - nourishes and conditions skin.

 

Available now online at olehenriksen.com and ulta.com and in-store at Sephora later this month.

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil!

I am a big fan of all the benefits of retinol but have a hard time finding a retinol product that my sensitive skin will tolerate. There was a NeoStrata one that I used to love so of course it was discontinued and I have been on the hunt for something comparable ever since. To my delight I have found something not just as good as but actually  better with:

 

BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil - 50ml - $24.99 - an ultra-soothing, lightweight oil-based retinol for sensitive skin and first time users that absorbs quickly into the skin. With a proprietary barrier lipid complex - that helps restore skin barrier; hydroxypinacolone retinoate (Vitamin A) and Squalane - to improve skin's tone and texture without stripping - giving it all the benefits of a retinol with none of the drawbacks. Consistent use results in softening the appearance of fine lines, blemishes and pores, while brightening dark spots and evening skin tone. It's the perfect addition to your night time beauty routine - just note that even though it is meant for sensitive skin you should still start slowly - a couple of times a week and work your way up to every other day.

 

You can also feel good that it is part of the Thoughtful Choices at Shoppers Drug Mart lineup - it has no animal testing and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, triclosan, formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasing agents or hydroquinone.

And if you aren't familiar with the BYOMA lineup or are looking for skincare to go back to school or even on a trip check out:

 

BYOMA So Hydrated Set - $29.99 - contains a mini cleanser, mini gel cream and mini hydrating serum all in a cute little case that fits seamlessly into every backpack. This trio of dermatologist-approved hydrating essentials are the building blocks for the ultimate hydrated and dewy skincare routine and, are soap-free, non-comedogenic, alcohol and fragrance-free, as well as vegan and cruelty-free, making it perfect for school. Included are: Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser - 15ml - offers intense hydration and is perfectly pH-balanced. Infused with antioxidant-rich licorice root and green tea, it rejuvenates and brightens the skin, leaving it refreshed and clean; Byoma Hydrating Serum - 30ml - delivers a strong moisture boost with a dynamic blend of squalane and glycerin. This powerhouse duo effectively prevents water loss, ensuring long-lasting hydration; and deeply hydrating, lightweight Byoma Moisturizing Gel-Cream - 15ml - is made with Niacinamide and Green Tea that brightens the skin and reduces redness while supporting the skin barrier function for hydrated and healthy skin. 

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

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Stik (and Trace'd Out Liner)!

Fenty Beauty has your lips covered in a new and wonderfully shiny way...

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick - $34 - in 10 shades: High'Biscus - pink rose, Fenty Glow - rose tan, Sorta $Elfish - honey brown, Two'Lip Kiss - light peach, Blaz'D Donut - light pink beige, The MVP - blue red, Riri - rose mauve, Fu$$y - dusty pink, Sp'Ice Cold - pink brown, Hot Chocolit - rich brown - a glossy, medium-pigment lipstick with luscious shine and a big dose of nourishing ingredients including vitamin E and shea butter to lock in moisture for up to eight hours and keep lips looking plump.

 

I'm partial to rosy colours so I tried out Riri and it is really lovely! Expect super-shininess to start with - which depending on what you are doing with your mouth, can wear off fairly quickly leaving the lipstick part behind. The lasting power for the lipstick is pretty good but even better if you layer one of the new lip liners underneath...

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Trace'd Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner - $27 - in 10 shades: Riri - rose mauve, Thugz Blush Too - dusty rose, Satin Panty - warm peachy pink, Pnut Butta - light beige, Rubbabandz - warm beige, Extra Thigh - cool brown, Woodn't - netural brown, Brown'd Out - rich brown, Coal Blooded - black brown, MVP - blue red -  a long-wear, creamy pencil made with pure pigments that glides on effortlessly, sets like a liquid for a smooth, velvet-matte finish and lasts up to eight hours without transferring, feathering or fading and delivers true-cast color for every lip tone, without looking ashy - to  precisely line, define and fill with its sharpenable tip.

 

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

 

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - Sahajan Golden Glow Eye Balm

The skin around the eyes is more fragile, delicate and up to 5 times thinner than the rest of the skin, as well as being more prone to dryness and quicker to show the signs of fatigue, stress and environmental factors - so you really need to treat it with special care - like with a super-hero ingredient - enter Ghee, Ayurveda’s liquid gold, rich in fatty acids and antioxidants and revered for its ability to soften dark circles and help soothe the under eyes - it's no Deadpool but still pretty good...

 

Sahajan Golden Glow Eye Balm - 15ml - $70 - with a thick, masque-like texture that has harnessed the power of ghee - to hydrate, soften and smooth to minimize dark circles; eyebright - helps reduce signs of fatigue and aging; rose oil - improves redness and promotes skin elasticity and firmness; and gotu kola - to help visibly reduce the signs of fatigue and diminish the dark circles. 

 

I love the texture and I especially love the brightening boost it adds to my under eye area. I have been using a Smashbox under eye brightener - it's almost empty and it's discontinued so I was already looking for something to replace it - this balm is actually better because I can get my glow and moisture all in one product - the less steps the better as far as I'm concerned!

Available at sahajan.com and thedetoxmarket.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Trinny London The Elevator Neck & Decollete Concentrate!

Get all the botox and fillers you want but nothing gives away your age faster then your neck! Hardly surprising as the skin on the neck is thinner, drier and has less collagen than the face meaning it needs some special attention to keep it smooth, firm and visibly lifted - like the attention it would get from...

 

Trinny London The Elevator Neck & Decollete Concentrate - 50ml - $122, 50ml refill - $104, 14.5ml mini - $50 - a rich and balmy cream that targets and helps prevent the factors that lead to accelerated aging with an innovative formula that contains: cohesion technology that draws its power from the isodonis japonicus plant and  works to strengthen the ‘glue’ holding the skin layers together, helping to lift sagging skin; supercharged decapeptides that focus on organizing loosened dermal fibres, filling in any gaps and giving skin its structure back; oligo + nonapeptides rebuild the skin's scaffolding and boost collagen production to restore lost volume; and encapsulated alpha arbutin slows the production of melanin, preventing age spots from forming and darkening.

 

I've been using it for about 5 weeks now - and while I am fortunate that I don't have a lot of sagging I didn't realize how rough the texture was until the cream smoothed it out and I could visibly see how much better it looks - as well the skin on my decollete was starting to look slightly crepey (which it no longer does) and as an added bonus I smooth the excess cream onto the backs of my hands and they are looking smoother too! The takeaway for me is how even something subtle can make a big overall difference - I never use skincare expecting dramatic results - it's cream, not magic - but even small improvements make for a better overall appearance - and it sure beats plastic surgery! I usually like to try things for at least a couple of months so I am expecting a few more weeks to smooth things out even more but I didn't want to wait any longer to give you the heads up on this one!

Available online now at https://trinnylondon.com/ca/.

And just in time for summer holidays - all your Trinny London faves including The Elevator come in travel sizes that are portable, stackable and versatile so you can forget overflowing makeup bags - easily take your skincare with you wherever you go! Find your own Mini Skincare Stack Builder here!

- Lisamarie -

Hot weather and/or gym essentials from Origins, Flexitol, Rare Beauty and Tanologist!

It may be summer but there is no reason to get all hot and bothered about your skincare - a few tweaks will have over-heated skin ready for the rise in temperature! FYI - these are also the same products I use for gym visits in all seasons...

 

Origins Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins Mega-Mushroom Fortifying Emulsion - 100ml - $58 - a skin-quenching, fortifying lightweight gel moisturizer that supports all skin types against the visible effects of free-radical damage, dryness, redness and loss of firmness and elasticity with a vegan formula containing: mushroom complex - soothes skin and reduces the look of irritation; naturally derived hyaluronic acid - hydrates skin; naturally derived squalane and certified organic olive oil - supports skin’s moisture barrier to help prevent moisture loss; planti-oxidant sea buckthorn -  discourages production of blue-light-induced free radicals;  and reishi and fermented chaga - reduces visible redness. 

 

Lightweight enough that it doesn't feel like your pores are all clogged up when you sweat but at the same time you don't feel like it is so light that you have sweated it all off - and as it offers 48 hours of moisture, your skin won't feel dried out even hours later!

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

Flexitol Lip Balm Ultra-Moisturizing - 10g - $6.49 - good for even severely dry lips it contains 2.5% urea enriched with cacao butter, lanolin, menthol and clove oil to effectively condition and relieve severely chapped lips - with results in just one day.

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at shoppersdrugmart.ca, well.ca and amazon.ca.

 

Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Always an Optimist 4-in-1 Mist - 85ml - $37  - an ultrafine, glow-boosting mist that hydrates, primes, sets and refreshes skin. The big-phase formula contains: niacinamide - helps improve the appearance of skin; sodium hyaluronate - helps to keep the complexion looking hydrated and plump; botanical blend of lotus, gardenia and white waterlily - soothes, calms, and nourishes the skin. Layer this all-in-one mist under or over makeup for a refreshed complexion.

 

It smells great but it is a natural kind of great as the vegan formula contains only 1% of synthetic fragrances. You can layer it over or under makeup for a refreshed complexion but my little tip - store it in the fridge and it will feel amazing when you spray it on - even better, tuck the cold bottle into your gym bag for a refreshing spritz during your workout!

 

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

Tanologist Daily Glow Hydrating Gradual Self Tan Lotion - 250ml - $15.99 - in Fair to Medium Skin Tones and Medium to Dark Skin Tones - a daily moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, squalane and beta glucan to deeply nourish skin while delivering a gradual, sun-kissed glow with advanced tanning technology.  Use as daily body lotion to gradually build and maintain a flawless, natural-looking glow - I try to remember to at least use this on my lower legs and feet so I don't feel so conspicuous in yoga where I can't hide my pasty white legs and feet under socks!

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

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Instant Glow Moisturizer!

Looking for the perfect summer moisturizer that is thick enough to return moisture to sun and wind ravaged skin without being pore-clogging heavy? Look no further than...

 

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Instant Glow Moisturizer - 50ml - $70.50 - One-step makeup prep and visible brightening in every jar. This lightweight, ultra-hydrating moisturizer quickly illuminates and visibly brightens over time. It visibly firms and reduces fine lines and wrinkles and preps skin for smoother makeup application while giving the complexion an effortlessly warm, golden glow. a daily moisturizer for all skin types, powered by Gold-Complexed Vitamin C - visibly enhances brightness and elasticity; Banana Powder-Inspired Pigments - to quickly illuminate, blur and visibly brighten; Niacinamide - visibly brightens and reduces dark spots; Hyaluronic and Polyglutamic acid - to bind moisture and visibly plump skin with hydration; and  Scandinavian Cloudberry Seed Oil - nurtures and conditions.

 

You can also appreciate everything it is free of  including: parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. As well, it is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging. 

 

I'm a fan for a few reasons: the scent - amazingly citrus-y without being overpowering; the look - it has a little bit of a glow to it so it looks great as a base under makeup or even without makeup which I tend not to wear in hot weather and this adds a little something-something to bare skin making it look more even and glowy; and the feel - a little thicken then a water cream but not thick-thick which my skin does not want during the summer - a good amount of moisture without the heft! 

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

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Demi'Glow Light-Diffusing Highlighter!

Nothing hides a multitude of skin and lifestyle sins like a good highlighter - which these days is...

 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Demi'Glow Light-Diffusing Highlighter - $54 - in 9 shades: 01 Pretty Purlz - soft pearlescent shimmer; 02 Prosecco - soft light gold shimmer; 03 Tutu Much - soft pink shimmer; 04 Loo$e Change - soft light copper shimmer; 05 Yum Rum - soft rose gold shimmer; 06 Rich Hunnie - soft golden honey shimmer; 07 Trophies In Truffle - soft deep gold shimmer; 08 That'$ Rich - soft warm bronze shimmer; 09 Java Jitt'rs - soft deep bronze shimmer

- a long-wearing, natural looking formula with a silky-soft feel that’s infused with superfine pearls, designed to flatter every tone for a low-key glow along with butterfly lavender extract to improve the appearance of fine lines. The smooth-glide, no-grit feel blends into skin without disturbing makeup and resists sweat and humidity.

 

I don't usually love powder highlighters because I always feel like they are just sitting on the top of my skin and look unnatural - but this one feels like it is soaking into my skin and just leaving a radiant finish behind - almost like a wet powder if that makes any sense! It has a skin-tone based shade range so that probably also helped with it giving a more natural look. My only complaint would be that the powder is super-delicate, I dropped the case a couple of feet into the sink and cracked it so I would recommend keeping and using the plastic cover that goes over the powder inside the case to help protect it.

Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca - the Sephora website says they are limited edition, I hope that's not true but in case it is, don't wait to grab yours!

- Lisamarie -

Show your PRIDE with help from Shoppers Beauty, Quo Beauty and Jean Paul Gaultier!

You know I loves me a sample set so I was all over this special edition Pride one: Shoppers Beauty All You Need is Love Beauty Bundle - a carefully curated set, containing 6 minis and 2 full-size products valued at over $140. 

This gift set includes deluxe sample sizes of: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick, Too Faced Shadow Insurance Revamp Beautiseal Blue Light, Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense BlackL, It Cosmetics Superhero Voluminizing Mascara, Clarins Lash & Brow Double Fix' Mascara and Lancôme Blush Subtil in Rose Fresque - along with a full sized R.E.M. Beauty Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eye Shadow in Fembot and Vasanti Astro Highlighter in North Star. And comes in the most adorable heart-shaped, rainbow, paper pinata type box - too cute!

Quo Beauty is helping celebrate Pride with another cool limited-edition Pride Collection with bold and playful beauty products and accessories that inspire vibrant looks and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and you can feel good with your purchase knowing that Shoppers Drug Mart will contribute 10% of sales of the Quo Beauty Pride Collection up to a maximum $30,000 to Pflag Canada, which helps provide peer support, education and advocacy of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

 

There is lots to love in the collection but a few of my faves include: Love Is Love Eyeshadow Palette - $25 - featuring 9 high impact shades to create bold looks that show your Pride. Along with a cream base to intensify the colour and lock in your look.

Water-Activated Eyeliner - $16 - in Electric Sunset and Twilight Haze - with super high-pigment and vibrant colours to add a really fun look to your liner! 

Rainbow Maker - $10 - makes it super easy to draw a rainbow anyplace on your face or body!

Brow Stickers - $6 - peel and press gems that make it easy to add bling to your eye look!

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique & Le Male Pride Edition - 100ml EDP - $172/ 125ml EDT - $146 - Be free to be your true self! With these new PRIDE editions, Jean Paul Gaultier is campaigning for freedoms alongside The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York, a fervent defender of the right of every individual to assert their identity and be accepted as they are. This shared commitment honours the activist artist Keith Haring and his famous manifesto mural "Once Upon a Time," painted in 1989 on the walls of the Center. A powerful symbol of the liberation movement that began twenty years earlier with the Stonewall riots. Inspired by its black-and-white depictions of passionate scenes, PRIDE bottles reclaim the liberated beauty of our bodies and resolutely spread the same message of diversity and tolerance for all. 

 

Everything here available while they last at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Tanologist Face & Body Self Tan Drops!

Getting rid of your pasty-white, sun-starved skin just got a lot easier with...

 

Tanologist Face & Body Self Tan Drops - 30ml - $27.99 - in Medium and Dark - concentrated tan drops designed to be mixed with your favourite  skincare, makeup or body care. They are super easy to use and best of all they are totally customizable - just mix 2 - 12 drops with your desired product in the palm of your hand - the more drops the deeper the shade will be - then just apply it like you would your regular skincare - shade not deep enough? Just reapply another layer for a deeper glow - and of course make sure you wash your hands after application or you will end up with tanned palms!

There didn't seem to be a Light shade so I tried the Medium and while I was a little concerned that it would turn out too dark and unnatural looking on my fair skin I was pleased to discover that it really is customizable - 2 drops with my usual serum gave me a nice healthy glow (even better if you use with with your night cream, then you wake up to a healthy glow), 3 1/2 drops had me looking like a had spent the day in the sun (minus the harmful UV rays) and 4 drops with my body lotion had my pasty white calves skirt ready for a special event - I am really pleased with how versatile this little bottle is! The colour also wore off very naturally with no weird patches, it just kind of faded away, you can also help it along by exfoliating if you do find it is not going away evenly or just keep applying to maintain your colour. Best of all there is no gross self-tanner scent - it's very light, fresh and it's vegan!

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

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - Trinny London Line2Define Eyeliner

Trinny London Line2Define Eyeliner - $40 - in 6 universally flattering shades: Levy - champagne shimmer; Chantelle - bronze shimmer; Bonzo - dark green; Samantha - deep indigo; Sabrina - rich brown; Shahroze - inky black - an

intensely pigmented, retractable eyeliner that is ultra-creamy on application but smudge-proof once set for instant and effortless definition. 

 

With a varied selection of neutrals and colours, there is something for everyone to love. I like the way they glide on smoothly - just keep in mind that if you want to smudge the colour you need to do it right away, when it sets, it really sets! I didn't have any issues with it lasting all day without moving or smearing but my friend who has an oily eye area tried it out and it would not stay put on her. She had to make sure to use an eye primer underneath in order to get the same lasting power so keep that in mind!

 

Available online now at trinnylondon.com/ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Contain Extreme Steam Power Steam!

Would it surprise you to know that I hate to iron? I've mostly solved that problem by just not doing it, I purposely buy clothes that don't require it or if there is no option, off to the dry cleaners it goes! I was aware of the joy of steaming but steamers I have tried in the past have been large and unwieldy and I quickly lost interest, that is until I tried:

Conair Extreme Steam Power Steam - $69.99 - a handheld garment steamer with a small size and 1200 watts to power away wrinkles with high heat and high-velocity steam. It heats up fast, just 35 seconds, has an easy-fill removable water tank and steams in multiple positions to easily reach wrinkles at any angle.

 

Travel near or far - with just a simple switch, the power adapts automatically for worldwide usage and it folds flat for easy packing.  

 

So quick and easy this is a must have for anyone who travels, wrinkles or likes things that hisssss at you!

 

Available at conaircanada.ca, amazon.ca and other online retailers.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Kerasal Nighttime Intensive Foot Repair!

I don't know what is wrong with my feet these days - I'll do a peel and they look great but within a week they are a mess again - and since weekly peels seem kind of excessive I was so happy to discover...

 

Kerasal Nighttime Intensive Foot Repair - 30g - $11.97 -

a skin healing ointment that works while you sleep to loosen hard, dry skin to exfoliate while deeply moisturizing and softening severely cracked heels and dry skin with a combination of ingredients including salicylic acid, urea, soft white petrolatum and relaxing lavender and chamomile promising results in just one night.

The tube is small but it's an ointment so you only need a tiny bit and my feet really did look and feel better after just one use but after a week, holy crap, they were perfectly smooth and soft - I'm a fan!

 

It also smells soooooo good - up until now I would have said that foot cream should smell like mint but I have revised that opinion now to all foot cream should smell like lavender! If for some crazy reason you prefer yours to be scent free then check out the non-night version which smells like nothing.

 

You can find all of their products at the Kerasal amazon.com store and a more limited selection at amazon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... double cleansing with Sahajan Ayurvedic Blend Essential Cleansing Oil & Golden Milk Cleanser!

Heads up, double cleansing season is upon us again! Makeup + sunscreen + heat = a big gooey mess by the end of the day that one cleanser just doesn't completely remove. To combat this, I reach for an oil cleanser to break up the dirt, oil and products and then follow up with a milk cleanser to take care of the remnants. This year I will be reaching for a brand I already love, Sahajan, with new to me face products that are now easier then ever to get my hands on:

 

Essential Cleansing Oil - 120ml - $54 - a gentle cleanser for all skin types containing: moringa oil - a proven anti-pollution cleansing benefits and rich in antioxidants to visibly brighten; squalane oil - balances the skin's natural oils while visibly brightening and protecting; and rose oil - revered in Ayurveda for its calming and moisturizing capabilities - that melts through even the most stubborn makeup, SPF and daily grime, leaving skin visibly glowing. 

 

Golden Milk Cleanser - 120ml - $51 - a purifying and gentle cleanser for all skin types containing: turmeric - revered in Ayurveda for visibly brightening and improving skin texture; black cumin seed oil - unclogs pores and fades the appearance of hyperpigmentation; and oat milk - protects and replenishes the moisture barrier - to help unclog pores, deliver visible brightness and support the skin barrier. 

And for those days where there has just been too much sun/work/life - give your skin a treat with:

 

Brightening Mask - 50ml - $73 - a brightening and exfoliating mask that contains: non-staining turmeric - antioxidant-rich it, visibly improves redness and brightens; hemp seed oil - an amino acid rich oil that relieves dryness due to redness and imparts a visibly glow; and AHAs/Glycolic Acids - from orange, lemon and bilberry to exfoliate and resurface - to together promote a visibly smooth, glowing complexion and fight dark spots, dullness and uneven texture/

 

As a bonus, Sahajan is a friendly brand free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance. It is also cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging - hurray!

 

Available at stores and salons across Canada and online at ca.sahajan.com and now it's also available at sephora.ca.

 

- Lisamarie - 

Eye Love Wednesday - Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin CC Stick

 

 Tired of looking tired? You need this in your life...

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Vitamin CC Stick​ - $47.50 - Banana - for purple dark circles on light to medium skin tones; Pumpkin - for blue dark circles on medium deep to deep skin tones; Apricot - for blue/purple dark circles on medium to medium deep a colour-correcting eye-cream stick that diminishes the look of dark circles, visibly brightens and hydrates with a formula containing enhanced vitamin C, caffeine and makeup-inspired illuminating pigments.

I've been testing out Banana and while it does an excellent job of hiding dark circles, it is a bit too dark for my skin tone and I was thinking "I wish this came in a lighter shade..."

which made me realize that I should pay more attention to my emails because then I would know that they just released a new lighter shade: Guava - for green and blue dark circles on fair to light skin tone - sold!

 

My under eye area tends to be dry so my best advice for anyone who is also dry: moisturize first - I find stick formulas don't blend as well on me but a little eye cream first and it spreads like a dream without looking cakey or settling into fine lines. An excellent choice is the Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin C Brightening Eye Creme - 15ml - $59.50 - which will also help out with dark circles as well as fine lines and brightness.

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

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Palm Royale inspired Scentbird Collection!

In celebration of Apple TV’s original series, Palm Royale and Scentbird are taking you to the heart of fragrances inspired by the 1969 Palm Beach High Society. Discover the Palm Royale collection that represents scents that will transport you directly into each scene.

 

There are 6 fragrance collection themes including: 

CRÈME DE LA CRÈME - sweet, minty, and exclusively top-shelf.

DIVINE DEVIANCE - vibrant and rebellious, these scents don't play by the rules.

SUNKISSED - fresh, airy, and perfect for the outdoors.

SOPHISTICATED - classic, beautiful blends fit for the queen of the season.

LEGACY - bold, ambitious scents that scream old money.

OPULENCE - live in abundance with luxurious blends fit for high society.

 

With each theme offering several fragrance choices - with a few of them also being offered in a full size bottle (if you need a refresher in how the Scentbird subscription service works you can find it here)

With so many choices it's hard to narrow down which one I loved best but decided the Sunkissed collection seemed the most like me and from that what scent that was totally me was: Goodhabit Ignite - 50ml EDP - $90 - bold, energizing, and citrus-forward, the scent opens with a splash of clementine, complemented by fresh-squeezed grapefruit and a twist of blood orange. Hints of skin musk and creamy peach rise to the surface as the scent warms, grounding the vibrant elements. It smells like sunshine on my skin! This is a new-to-me brand but I will be trying more of it to be sure - I love how Scentbird makes it so easy to try brands that you just don't see in the stores here!

Enjoy some high society yourself (without the annoying people) now at scentbird.com.

- Lisamarie -

Love your planet with Shoppers Drug Mart Quo Beauty and TerraCycle!

Welcome to Earth Month and can I just say that I love it when companies do more than just pay lip service to environmental commitment!

 

Such is the case with Shoppers Drug Mart - just a little under a year ago saw the launch of “More Planet Love” by Quo Beauty which includes over 500 products with more sustainable packaging, using recycled plastics, mono-materials and reduced plastic packaging. Additionally, the entire Quo Beauty lineup is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-certified, further contributing to a more sustainable planet. 

 

If you are looking for a great intro to the products check out: 

Quo Beauty More Planet Love Picks - $29.99 - a curated set of products include a shimmer lip oil, mascara and eyeliner made with a minimum 70% naturally-derived ingredients and 30% recycled plastic.

 

Following that up, Shoppers Drug Mart is launching the new Quo Beauty Cosmetics Free Recycling Program in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle which introduces a convenient solution for customers to recycle empty Quo Beauty cosmetics components and keep plastic packaging from going to landfills and incinerators. For each pound of cosmetics waste shipped in through the recycling program, $1 will be donated to Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health - which creates equitable and accessible care for all women in Canada, empowering them to lead healthier lives. 

 

How does the TerraCycle program work? It's easy peasy - just collect your eligible empty Quo Beauty and get a prepaid shipping label to send them in by signing up on the TerraCycle program page here. Once collected, the cosmetic packaging is cleaned and separated by material type, and then recycled into raw formats that manufacturers use to make new products. 

 

The Quo Beauty products that can be recycled include: plastic and glass tubes, pots, pumps, sprays and jars; lipstick, lip balm, lip gloss tubes and wands; mascara tubes and wands; eyeliner pencils and components; eyeshadow and bronzer components; foundation packaging; powder components and concealer tubes and sticks.

What can't be recycled: nail polish bottles; nail polish remover bottles; makeup wipes and sponges; makeup brushes and pressurized canisters (including aerosol cans).

 

The Quo Beauty Cosmetics Free Recycling Program is open to any individual, school, office or community group. To learn more about TerraCycle’s recycling process for cosmetic packaging, please visit www.terracycle.ca/how-terracycle-recycles-beauty-products.  

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild

Melting snow, crocuses and longer days are all signs that spring is on it's way but the real harbinger of spring for me is the arrival of the new Daisy fragrance from Marc Jacobs that appears in stores every year around this time....

Marc Jacobs Daisy Wild - 30ml EDP - $120, 50ml EDP - $151, 100ml - $194 - a floral scent

reminiscent of a bouquet of wildflowers with a top of banana blossom accord; heart notes of  jasmine and macadamia accord; and base notes of sandalwood and vetiver des sables. 

 

If a floral fragrance is your springtime bliss then this one is going to be your jam. I was hoping the macadamia and sandalwood were going to make it a warmer fragrance but it smells totally fresh and floral-like on me - with the jasmine being the most prevalent note.

 

What I really adore though is the bottle, a wild daisy has been added to the bouquet on the cap and there are flower stems peeping through the light green juice in the bottle making it beautifully decorative on your dressing table.

 

Also, for the first time ever, this Daisy fragrance is fully refillable - with a 150ml refill format for $215  that you can use to top up any of the bottles.

 

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... Shoppers Beauty Bundles!

If you love a sampler set as much as I do be sure to check out your local Shoppers Drug Mart right now for several bundle options including the one the skincare junkie in me loves the most...

 

Shoppers Beauty Skin Protect Beauty Bundle -  $70 - a curated kit chock full of 15 deluxe samples that will help protect skin and act as a barrier against environmental aggressors like sun damage, pollution and blue light - valued at over $175 including: Biotherm Cera Repair Barrier Cream with Ceramides, Clarins Hydra-Essential Silky Cream, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum, Estee Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask, It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser Cleansing Gel, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, Lancôme Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Serum, Nudestix NudeSkin Citrus-C Mask & Daily Moisturizer, Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores, Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer + Hydrating Primer, The Body Shop Edelweiss Daily Serum Concentrate, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and Lise Watier Sublimessence High Hydration Probiotic Serum. 

 

Each sample contains enough product to be able to try it out for a week or two to give you get a good idea of how well it works for you before springing for the full size - so far the Estee Lauder mask and The Body Shop serum are on my to-buy list! And if your skin leans more towards the sensitive, there is also a Shoppers Beauty Derm Sensitive Skin Beauty Bundle for $45 full of products to nurture and soothe.

 

If you want to try the latest and greatest products of the year then check out the Shoppers Beauty Viral Trends Beauty Bundle -  $70 - containing 10 beauty products: 1 full-size lip oil, and 9 deluxe samples including: Butter London Mellow The Yellow Nail Brightening Treatment, Buxom Power Line Plumping Lip Liner, Clinique Almost Lipstick In Black Honey, Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops, Kylie Cosmetics KyLash Volume Mascara, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Ultra-Blur, Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau De Toilette, NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder, R.E.M. Beauty Essential Drip Lip Oil (FULL SIZE!) and Virtue Labs Virtue Healing Oil. 

 

Or if you are looking to spread the beauty love grab a Shoppers Beauty 7 Days of Love Beauty Bundle -  $55 - which contains 7 Hearts, 7 Beauty Products and 7 Notes of Gratitude to Express Your Love - whether you gift it to one special person in your life or unpack the gift set and gift it to 7 special people in your life! Each heart contains one deluxe sample of the following: Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara; Smashbox The Original Smooth & Blur Primer; Too Faced Deluxe Lip Injection Extreme In UC; Lise Watier Waterproof Eyeliner Brun Noir; NARS Orgasm Blush 1.2g; Shisiedo ModernMatte Powder Lipstick; and Nudestix Mini Nudies Matte All Over Face Bronzer - SunKissed. You can also feel good that 10% of the proceeds of this Beauty Bundle will go towards supporting Shoppers Foundation For Women's Health - which is committed to fostering health equity for all women in Canada in collaboration with over 360 charities by increasing awareness of women's health issues and ensuring equitable and accessible care so all women in Canada can live healthier lives.

 

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

 

- Lisamarie -