The 2 best facial cleansing oils that you can't buy (and one you can) from Simple, Neutrogena and Burt's Bees!

there's nothing like a cleansing oil to easily rid the skin of dirt and makeup but as it seems that every beauty product I fall in love with is discontinued - my two favourite and extremely reasonably priced cleansing oils are no exception - if you find them kicking around anywhere I highly recommend you snag them while you can!


Simple Hydrating Cleansing Oil - 125ml - $10.99 - with a light-textured gentle, soothing 100% natural grapeseed oil formula enriched with skin-loving vitamins that easily dissolves makeup and deeply cleanses pores without irritation and easily rinses off to leave skin cleansed, hydrated and soft with no greasy finish or sticky residue.

As well, it contains no upsetting colours, dyes or artificial perfumes making it perfect for even sensitive skin.

Neutrogena Ultra Light Cleansing Oil - 133ml - $15.99 - with an ultra-lightweight formula that is a blend of fine oils that act like a magnet to effortlessly and effectively extract oil and impurities from the skin as well as removes make-up, even waterproof mascara without stripping, leaving skin clean and feeling soft with no greasy residue left behind.

Both products seem to have been discontinued in Canada but I am still seeing signs of them in the States so be sure to pick them up on your next cross-border trip!

Or stay closer to home and try out my latest find:

Burt's Bees Cleansing Oil with Coconut & Argan Oils - 177ml - $16.99 - gently removes dirt and makeup and softens skin with a 100% natural formula of a unique blend of natural moisturizers and antioxidant rich ingredients, including coconut and argan oils to help keep skin soft, clean, and beautifully nourished without leaving an oily residue. Best of all, it's dermatologist-tested and contains no parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS.

Available (no, really) for your cleansing pleasure at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Shiny skin is banished with Neutrogena, Simple and Olay!

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Oil-Removing Foaming Cleanser - 175ml - $10.99 - for fresh skin that's visibly shine-free for hours thanks to an effective oil-removing formula that lathers into a rich, creamy foam that quickly dissolves pore-clogging dirt, oil and even makeup without over drying and then rinses thoroughly clean, leaving skin free of greasy residue.

Olay Fresh Effects Clear Skin {Swirled Mattifier!} - 40ml - $12.99 - offers just the right amount of  hydration as it mattifies skin to instantly reduce the look of pores, shine and redness, brightens, smoothes, evens out skin tone and primes skin for makeup leaving it instantly looking beautiful and shine free.

This moisturizer is formulated with 10 complexion benefits in one bottle to leave your skin instantly looking beautiful and shine-free.

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes - 25 wipes - $9.99 - gently cleanses and refreshes skin while removing excess oil and shine without leaving any sticky residue behind or drying out skin. With a 100% alcohol free formula that combines pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E with skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin, zinc PCA and phytosphingosine to protect the skin's moisture barrier while helping reduce surface oil and control shine.

All are available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

First I'm living like a star at the 2015 Elevate Lounge - then you're winning like one with our contest!

TIFF is back in town to remind us that being a celebrity is hard work - getting your hair, makeup and nails done all the time, having people constantly tell you how fabulous you are - it's a rough life! Being the trooper that I am though I was willing to give it a whirl and headed over to the Elevate Lounge 2015 for some star treatment!


 

You can't be feted without great hair and as mine is anything but, I let the Nexxus stylists work their magic - within 10 minutes I went from limp to luscious with only 2 products - Nexxus Mousse Plus - to add some lift and volume to my roots and Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist - feels super-light on the hair and offers flexible hold and natural control that lasts.

Lesson learned - no matter how hard I try I can never make my hair look as good as a stylist can - I wonder if that's just a thing and even if you are a stylist who can make other people's hair look good, you can't do anything with your own...must remember to ask next time I'm at the salon.

And you certainly can't run around with no makeup - you just end up in the "Celebrities with no makeup" issue of the Star - and I wouldn't be one of the ones that they marvel at looking so good with no makeup either! Of course makeup applies better to a nice, clean canvas so Simple Skincare was on hand with their Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes to refresh and hydrate skin while removing grime, makeup and even waterproof mascara! My skin felt so good after cleansing that I really didn't want to put any makeup back on - but a star's gotta do what a star's gotta do!

Lesson learned - there is probably a giant ball of foundation in my head - I put on a full face of makeup this morning but there was hardly any foundation on the wipe - where did it go? I'm almost positive that it's being sucked in through my face and stored somewhere inside me for some evil purpose that my body hasn't informed me of yet... I don't actually need to lose 10 pounds I just need to stop retaining foundation!

All that pampering has sure is tiring so thank heavens that Dr. Scholl's has foot massages on the offer - but first they get rid of all my dry and calloused skin with their new Dr. Scholl's Express Pedi Foot Smoother - dammit this thing tickles! After much giggling I do have beautifully smooth feet - and laughter is supposed to be good for you...

Lesson learned - heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheeheh - tickles!

If I was a real celebrity I would skip the food part of the lounge or maybe just look at the food (from a distance) and if I was feeling really crazy possibly sniff it:

First I met with Gay Lea who has finally realized that cottage cheese is a disgusting lumpy food not fit for human consumption, got rid of the lumps, added some flavour and Nordica Smooth Cottage Cheese was born! It comes in 2 flavours: Salted Caramel and Vanilla Bean and to me tastes pretty much like Greek yogurt - with the added benefit of having 10 grams of protein.

On to Magnum who makes premium ice cream bars that are full of chocolatey, caramely and now double peanut buttery deliciousness - Belgian chocolate, vanilla bean ice cream.... I don't think I need say any more...

Lesson learned - companies have finally figured out that nobody wants to eat food that looks like their thighs but they are fine with eating the (delicious) food that made them look that way to begin with.

Then I met the rep from VOSS - an infusable artesian water from Norway which can be infused with all kinds of things - infuse it with fruits, infuse it with vegetables, infuse it with herbs - you name it, you can infuse it - infused must have been on his word-of-the-day calendar and he was making sure he got his money's worth - I get it, it must be hard to find a lot to say about water even if it is super pure and low in minerals.

Finally I met the Lipton's lady for something else you infuse into water - tea - these guys really should have teamed up.

Always thinking, I took my Voss water home, infused the hell out of it with a Lipton Green Tea with Mandarin Orange teabag and some ice and amazing iced tea was born! Infuse that bitches!

Lesson learned - once you stuff fruit into a water bottle it is not coming out again unless maybe you have really long frog fingers - if you insist on infusing be prepared for your recycling depot to hate you.

After all that I was understandably exhausted and headed home for a celebrity-worthy nap which obviously involved satin sheets, a mink sleep mask and shirtless, oiled-up fireman fanning me - I don't know how the rich and famous do this everyday!

- zzzzzzzz Lisamarie -

Wait, before I go take that nap - we're giving away 3 Elevate Lounge prize packs with all of the products I was pampered with and more! Just tweet us at @Beautycrazedcan with a link to this post, hashtag #elevateLoungeTO and tell us what you think would be the hardest thing about being a celebrity! Canadians only and you have until September 22nd to enter! Good luck!

This week I'm obsessed with... Simple Cleansing Micellar Water!

Never tried a cleansing water? What the heck are you waiting for?!  Not only do they do an amazing job of removing dirt and makeup, they do it so gently that it's perfect for sensitive skin!

Basically micellar water consists of tiny oil molecules suspended in water. The oil molecules quickly adhere to and absorb dirt and make-up molecules on your skin - so you aren't rubbing the dirt around on your face like you do with most cleansers, it gets trapped in the molecule and wiped away.

Of course there are lots of different cleansing waters available but if you're looking for one that works great and doesn't cost the earth then check out:

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water - 198ml - $9.99 - an effective yet gentle cleanser made with triple purified water and containing a blend of vitamin B3 & C and other skin-loving ingredients that thoroughly cleanses skin and instantly hydrates with no residue left behind.

You basically use it like you would a toner - just apply a generous amount to a cotton pad and wipe it around the face and eyes - no need to rinse - just enjoy your beautifully clean and hydrated skin!

Contains no artificial perfume, dyes or harsh chemicals so there's less chance it will piss off your skin too.

Available at drugstores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Wipe away the day with Soap & Glory, Amie and Simple!

Soap & Glory The Fab Pore Cleansing Cloths - 25 cloths - $10 - triple action, purifying t-zone cloths that cleanse, tone and exfoliate to leave skin feeling smoother, clearer and fresher in one quick swipe. Contains Poreshrink-4 - a slow-release salicylic acid complex that helps clear away spot causing impurities to instantly refresh oily, combination or clogged-pore complexions; aloe vera juice and antioxidant white tea extract to soothe, hydrate and protect; and babassu oil to gently clean.

I like the honeycomb texture of the cloth which is where the exfoliating action comes from - it's a super gentle way to exfoliate and a lot less messy then gritty scrubs!

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Amie New Bloom Gentle Facial Cleansing Wipes - 25 wipes - $6.50 - these fragrance-free wipes instantly wipe away dirt, oil and make-up leaving skin clean and feeling toned and moisturized and contain skin-reviving natural ingredients including natural extracts of pomegranate, cranberry and green tea to refresh and revitalize for a beautifully clear, soft and radiant complexion.  

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Simple Oil Balancing Cleansing Wipes - 25 wipes - $8.99 - 100% alcohol-free wipes that gently cleanse skin while removing excess oil and shine that won't leave behind any sticky residue or dry out your skin and work in just one step with no rinsing required. With pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E - and skin-loving ingredients such as glycerin, zinc PCA and phytosphingosine to protect the skin’s moisture barrier and help reduce surface oil and control shine.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Light lotions with light protection from Murad, Artistry and Simple!

Murad Sheer Lustre Day Moisture SPF 15 - 50ml - $70 - instantly hydrates and protects hormonally aging skin. A blend of essential fatty acids and starflower oil provides and locks in intense hydration to combat dry, lackluster skin as luminescent minerals give skin a youthful glow; phytoestrogens and retinol improve elasticity and help smooth skin.

It also contains a couple of interesting ingredients: RepleniCell, Murad’s patent-pending, proprietary technology - helps skin act younger in three ways: it helps skin attract water; it binds water to the skin; and it helps skin retain water; and Murasol -  provides an advanced level of sun damage defense that preserves a glowing, youthful complexion. It protects skin against both broad-spectrum UV rays and free radicals by penetrating skin’s top layers and creating a protective barrier of encapsulated free radical neutralizers.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

Artistry Youth Xtend Protecting Lotion SPF 15 - 50ml - $100 - addresses the first visible signs of aging including fine lines and wrinkles, crow's feet and loss of skin clarity and radiance caused by UV exposure, free radical damage and lifestyle to help repair the appearance of past damage as well as protect it against future damage. Contains African baobab fruit extract, plus black currant, green acerola cherry, powerful antioxidants and other botanicals to help protect from environmental stressors and add all-day moisture for more radiant-looking skin.

Available through an Amway Independent Business Owner or at Amway.ca/Artistry

Simple Protecting Light Moisturizer SPF 15 - 124ml - $16.99 - an oil free blend of skin-loving ingredients and added vitamins, moisturizes with a light, non-greasy feel and helps protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays that's perfect even for sensitive skin because there's no artificial perfume, dyes or harsh irritants that can upset your skin.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Clean up with new cleansers from Lise Watier, Garnier, Boots No7 and Simple!

Lise Watier Prebiotic Micellar Water - 200ml - $25 - a 3-in-1 cleanser makeup remover for face, eyes and lips with a no-rise formula making it great for all skin types, even sensitive.

What makes it different from your typical cleansing water is the prebiotic formula which helps optimize the balance of good and bad bacterias that are essential for healthy skin and act as a defense shield against infection - it stimulates the growth of good bacteria at the expense of bad bacteria - and since pollution, temperature fluctuations, humidity, stress and even lifestyle habits can disrupt the balance it's great to be able to do this while cleansing away dirt and makeup.

I've been a big fan of cleansing waters ever since a facialist introduced them to me as a great first cleansing step before using my Clarisonic so the brush doesn't get all gunked up with makeup and this is a great one! It does a great job removing makeup, it doesn't dry out my skin and I like the idea that it is doing great things for my skin!

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, The Bay, Sears, London Drugs, Jean Coutu and Pharmaprix.

Garnier Skin Renew The Radiance Renewer Cleansing Gelee - 236ml - $10.99 - a uniquely textured cleansing gelee that transforms when it comes in contact with water to a foam that effectively removes dirt, oil and makeup. With a paraben free formula enriched with naturally brightening citrus extract and hydroxy acid to help boost skin's natural cell renewal for skin that looks fresher, smoother and more radiant from the very first use.

I love the fresh, citrusy smell and come the hotter months I will be storing this in the fridge for a cooling, cleansing sensation at the end of a long, hot day!

Available now at drug and mass retailers.

Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser - 150ml - $13 - it's like a facial in your own home when you combine the rich indulgent cleanser with the gentle exfoliating muslin cloth that removes dead skin cells and daily grime while stimulating circulation, leaving the skin deeply clean, soft and radiant.

One of several new products that are part of the brand's new look - which isn't technically out until March but my Shoppers already has it so yours might too - the next time you are at the store go and admire the pretty new, sleek packaging if they do!

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Simple Foaming Cleanser - 148ml - $8.99 - a rich & mild cleanser with a gentle foam formulation to clean gently and effectively and glycenate technology to enhance mildness. Contains Pro-Vitamin B5, Chamomile, Geranium and Glycerin and is pH balanced, with no irritating perfumes or dyes making it great for all skin types including sensitive and will have your skin feeling cleansed, refreshed and moisturized.

Available now at drug and mass merchandisers.

- Lisamarie -

Cleaning up made easy with Burt's Bees, Skyn Iceland, Olay and Simple!

Do you ever get half way through the day and get this overwhelming feeling that you absolutely must stop everything and clean your face? Once the weather gets warm, this happens to me all the time. A combination of sweat making my makeup feeling all gross combined with sunscreen, smog and who knows what else, culminates to make cleansing a necessity! Of course this usually happens when there is no sink handy but thanks to the wonders of cleansing cloths, the water is already built in and ready to go! Here are the ones you are likely to find in my purse at any given time this summer:

Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes - 30 towelettes - $12.99 - pre-moistened, natural fabric towelettes infused with White Tea Extract, a powerful antioxidant and cucumber extracts to remove dirt, oil and make-up in one easy step. With no petrochemicals, phthalates, parabens or sodium lauryl sulfate.

Available at select natural, grocery, drug and mass retails as well as online at www.burtsbees.com

Skyn Iceland Glacial Cleansing Cloths - 30 cloths - $16.50 - cleanse and detoxify stressed skin with these foaming clothes that are infused with Icelandic glacial waters and beneficial natural extracts to sweep away dirt, oil and other impurities while refreshing and soothing skin as well as maintaining its natural moisture balance. Free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oil, sulfates, phthalates and synthetic dyes.

Available at The Bay, thebay.com and The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

Olay Wet Cleansing Cloths Sensitive - 30 cloths - $9.99 - pre-moistened cleansing cloths that thoroughly cleanse skin with a "lift and lock" texture that holds onto dirt and makeup - even waterproof mascara - with aloe, light Olay moisture and vitamin E to soothe sensitive skin while leaving it soft.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes - 25 wipes - $7.99 - with pro-vitamin B5 to refresh your skin with moisture and also remove waterproof mascara with no alcohol, oil or greasy residue. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

- Lisamarie -

Simple Skincare - add some ease to your skincare routine!

Simple Skincare - the UK's No. 1 skincare range has arrived in Canada - with a line of products suitable for all skin types including sensitive. The products have no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh irritants that can be upsetting to your skin. As well, all products are dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and pH balanced.

Cleansers & Wipes - $7.99-$10.99 

Moisturizing Facial Wash - 150ml - with pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E and chamomile to leave your skin thoroughly cleansed and nourished with moisture and bisabolol to help soothe and calm.

Refreshing Facial Wash Gel - 150ml - with pro-vitamin B5 cleanses and revives without soap or drying.

Smoothing Facial Scrub - 150ml - with pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E and rice particles to gently exfoliate and help your skin look brighter and more evenly-textured.

Soothing Facial Toner - 200ml - with chamomile and allantoin to leave your skin feeling clean and refreshed as well as witch hazel to tone and tighten pores.

Cleansing Facial Wipes - 25 wipes - with pro-vitamin B5 to refresh your skin with moisture and also remove waterproof mascara with no alcohol, oil or greasy residue. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Exfoliating Facial Wipes - 25 wipes - with pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E and aloe vera to gently lift dead skin cells to leave your skin exfoliated and revitalized.

Moisturizers & Eye Care - $12.99-$17.99 

Replenishing Rich Moisturizer - 125ml - with pro-vitamin B5, chamomile oil and allantoin to leave your skin replenished and nourished with moisture all day long and glycerin to hydrate your skin.

Hydrating Light Moisturizer - 125ml - with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E to leave your skin hydrated all day long and glycerin and borage seed oil to moisturize your skin.

Vital Vitamin Moisturizing Day Cream SPF 15 - 50ml - with pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, chamomile oil and allantoin to provide all-day moisturization and glycerin to hydrate your skin as well as SPF 15 to protect. 

Vital Vitamin Restoring Night Cream - 50ml - with pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, chamomile, glycerin and borage seed oil to help restore and replenish your skin's moisture balance throughout the night.

Revitalizing Eye Roll-On - 15ml - with pro-vitamin B5, cucumber extract and glycerin to help reduce the look of puffiness and revitalize tired eyes by instantly cooling and gently massaging the delicate eye area without drying or greasy residue. Ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Soothing Eye Balm - 15ml - with pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, chamomile oil, shea butter and jojoba oil to soothe and relax tired eyes with moisture. Ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

Eye Make-up Remover - 125ml - with pro-vitamin B5 to effectively remove makeup even waterproof mascara. Ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

My faves from the line include the Cleansing Wipes (more to come on them soon) and Eye Roll-On which I have been keeping in my desk drawer and rolling on during the day when my eyes are tired from staring at the computer screen!

Available in stores now so go check it out!

- Lisamarie -