Test Driving - Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel

Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel - available in three convenient sizes: 50ml - $9.99 - for on the go, 100ml -  $14.99 - for travel and 200ml - $24.99 - for at home - a unique gel-to-oil formulation for dry skin with a highly potent formulation that includes emollients, humectants and skin soothing ingredients also found in the original Bio-Oil Skincare Oil. These ingredients offer superior hydration to effectively treat dry skin and the unwanted symptoms associated with it such as redness, flaking, irritation and itching.

As I understand it, the problem with most body creams, lotions and butters is that they are made up of
approximately 70% water, most of which evaporates when it comes into contact with your skin so is of no benefit to really dry skin. For this Dry Skin Gel, Bio-Oil has pioneered a way to replace all but 3% of the usual water with oil, thereby creating a product that is 100% active, helping the skin retain its moisture.

What also makes it different from your usual body moisturizer is the gel texture which is really light but surprisingly you only need to use the smallest amount - and by that I mean even less then you think - the first time you will use too much, I guarantee it! Also unlike most moisturizers, it doesn't rub in and disappear but rather leaves a film behind which not only adds instant moisture but also a nice glow to my skin! I don't know that it's something I will love it in the summer when my skin goes from dry to normal but for the winter when my skin desperately wants all the moisture it can get, it's perfect!

Available now at drugstores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Show your glow with the Avon Skin So Soft Radiant Glow Collection!

The new Avon Skin So Soft Radiant Glow Collection offers 2 easy steps to glow:

1. Polish - Reveal a natural radiance with:

Skin Luminosity Polish - 200g - $14 - gently exfoliates to polish away dead, dulling layers with four nourishing oils and vitamin E.

2. Shine - Glisten all over with:

Illuminating Dry Oil Mist - 150ml - $14 - a unique blend of five nourishing oils that helps moisturize and add a soft all-over shimmer.

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

- Lisamarie -

Winter parched skin will love Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil!

One of the best things you can do for your dry skin this winter is use an oil - and don't worry, oils don't have to be heavy, sticky or greasy to be wonderfully moisturizing, especially if you pick up this favourite of mine:

Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil - 180ml - $9.99 - offers a high level of moisturization in an  advanced, skin-perfecting formula with their Natura8 Complex -  containing a blend of certified organic oils including: safflower oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and sesame oil along with moisturizing vitamin E and skin nourishing vitamin C - that calms irritated skin, improves the appearance of scars, stretch marks, redness and dark spots; helps increase the skin's elasticity and resilience; helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles - all in a super light oil that smells great, has a smooth silky finish and disappears into the skin leaving dry winter skin with a refreshed summer glow.

Available now at Walmart and Loblaws stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie - 

Ogx brings new life to bath and body!

If you love your Ogx hair products but have always wanted a bath and body line from them to make your life and routine complete - wish granted - Ogx has released a whole whack of bath and body products in different  formulas and scents to suit everyone - my favourite:

Ogx Tsubaki Blossom helps you escape into an exotic, Asian garden with sweet floral blossoms, exotic tsubaki oil and bamboo extract to tantalize the senses and leave skin petal-soft. It's a relaxing morning scent and I especially like that the body wash is sulfate free - as are all the body washes in the collection!

Available as Body Wash - 577ml - $9.99 and Body Lotion - 577ml - $9.99.

Also available in the collection:

Ogx Euclayptus Mint invigorates and cools with eucalyptus mint and tea tree oils to help hydrate and smooth  skin while calming and soothing the senses.

Available as Body Wash - 577ml - $9.99 and Body Lotion - 577ml - $9.99.

Ogx Sea Mineral Moisture with sea minerals, algae and sea kelp infused with antioxidant-rich minerals that will leave your skin feeling soft and supple.

Available as Body Wash - 577ml - $9.99 and Body Lotion - 577ml - $9.99.

Ogx Coconut Miracle Oil envelops your senses in a tropical escape with coconut oil, essence of tiare and vanilla bean extract for an island getaway in the shower.

Available as Body Wash - 577ml - $9.99 and Body Lotion - 577ml - $9.99.

Ogx Extra Hydrating Argan Oil of Morocco gets you glowing with a radiance-enhancing blend infused with miraculous argan oil that feeds thirsty skin and gently cleanses to leave skin feeling soft and touchable all over.

Available as Body Wash - 577ml - $9.99, Body Lotion - 577ml - $9.99 and Body Oil Mist - 200ml - $9.99.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

The Body Shop Spa Of The World Firming Ritual

The Body Shop has added a new regime to their Spa of the World range: the Firming ritual - infused with a blend of fruit extracts from forests and vines and blended into refining textures and invigorating fragrances for an uplifting regime designed to empower skin, body and mind.

Available in the collection:

Ethiopian Green Coffee Firming Body Cream - 350ml - $36 - a silky, soft cream with the refining, firming and toning properties of caffeine from organic Ethiopian green coffee along with community trade organic olive oil from Italy that leaves skin feeling firmer and more refined with a satiny smooth finish.

French Grape Seed Refining Body Scrub - 350ml - $32 - infused with grape seed powder from France and community trade organic sugar from Paraguay to help invigorate, exfoliate and refine skin, stimulate circulation and promote even skin tone and a fresh and delicate fruity fragrance that helps awaken and revive the senses. This is my favourite product from the line, not only does it leave skin amazingly silky and smooth, it leaves it smelling amazing too!

Thai Makrut Lime Firming & Toning Body Oil - 170ml - $24 - a toning and firming oil enriched community trade marula oil from Namibia to nourish skin and infused with zingy makrut lime with a stimulating and uplifting scent.

Indian Turtle Body Massage Tool - $18 -  a sleek turtle-inspired tool, developed with community trade craftsmen in India, that gently pinches the skin to stimulate blood flow when used with a rolling massage technique to help increase skin elasticity.

Available at The Body Shop locations across Canada and online at www.thebodyshop.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Avon Planet Spa Heavenly Hydration Bath & Body Collection

Avon Planet Spa Heavenly Hydration with Mediterranean olive oil indulges your skin in the Mediterranean beauty secret of ultra-moisturizing olive oil while basking in the refreshing scent of crisp greens and sandalwood.

Available in the collection:

Body Scrub - 200ml - $12 - an invigorating scrub that leaves skin feeling energized.

Dry Oil Body Spray - 150ml - $12 - absorbs quickly and leaves skin feeling velvety smooth.

Body Cream - 200ml - $12 - contains moisturizing beads infused with olive oil to leave skin silky soft with no greasy after-feel.

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

- Lisamarie -

Body loving oils from Nivea, Nuxe and OGX!

Nivea Q10 Firming Body Oil - 200ml - $13.99 - evens the look of skin tone, reduces the look of stretchmarks, nourishes intensively while leaving you with firmer feeling skin in just 2 weeks thanks to a formula containing co-enzyme Q10, avocado oil, cottonseed oil and macadamia oil.

I like how easily it soaks in without leaving any kind of greasy film or residue, which means I don't have to wait to get dressed and it has a lovely soft scent - so I look good and smell good!

Available now at major drugstores and mass retailers across Canada.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil - 100ml - $46 - this multi-usage oil has a reinvented formula in honour of its 25th birthday - now with 7 precious plant oils to nourish, repair and soften skin and hair including two new additions: tsubaki and argan, along with macadamia, hazelnut, borage, sweet almond and camellia oil and vitamin E. The formula contains 98.1% ingredients of natural origin and is still preservative and silicone free and with its recognizable scent  of orange blossom, bergamot, rose, magnolia, coconut and vanilla.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix, Jean Coutu, Familiprix, Uniprix, Brunet and Hudson's Bay stores across Canada.

OGX Extra Hydrating Radiant Glow + Argan Oil of Morocco Body Oil Mist - 200ml - $9.99 - with an indulgently hydrating formula containing argan oil of Morocco and silk proteins that intensely nourishes skin to leave it feeling silky-soft and lightly scented for an extravagant and alluring radiant glow.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Avon Skin So Soft spring inspired Limited Edition Design Original Bath Oil

Avon Skin So Soft Limited Edition Design Original Bath Oil - 739ml - $28 - with a jojoba-infused formula, an uplifting botanical and herbal scent and beautifully decorated floral bottle that makes it a perfect addition to your spring beauty routine! Add it to your bath or apply it directly to wet skin to lock in moisture to leave skin feeling soft and smooth all day.

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

- Lisamarie -

Crave-worthy oils from Hard Candy, Kerastase and Neutrogena!

Hard Candy Blooming Lip Oil - $7.48 - in 2 shades that go on clear and react with your pH to create a unique hue: Zen Strawberry - pink tint and Blooming Peach - coral tint - a hydrating oil-gel lip treatment that instantly melts to quench dry, chapped lips for up to 8 hours with an ultra-shiny formula packed with 10+ essential oils, that penetrate beneath surface to repair and heal. 

I love the wet shine gloss finish - it's a little colour and a lot of moisture and shine!

Available exclusively at Walmart stores across Canada.

Kerastase Elixir Ultime Voluptuous Beautifying Oil Mist - 100ml - $56 - a lightweight, bi-phase oil for hair in need of shine and volume but don't want to weigh down hair with typical oils. Its Oléo-Complex offers regenerative and antioxidant properties for hair that appears strenghthened, reinforced and volumized with enhanced shine. Hair is nourished and protected with a lightweight finish and a soft touch thanks to this combination of active oils while frizz is also tamed. 

My fine hair loves this oil - it's so light that it doesn't take away what sad bit of volume I have and adds fabulous shine!

Available now in Kérastase salons across Canada and online at kerastase.ca.

Neutrogena Sesame Body Oil - 250ml - $11.99 - a lightweight, fast absorbing oil with a delicately light sesame formula that glides on easily to moisturize skin. It's so sheer it vanishes into shower damp skin with no residue to seal in moisture and leave skin soft and silky with a radiant, healthy-looking glow. 

I like to add a few drops to my bathwater to soften my skin while I bathe - just keep in mind that if you are adding bubbles too, not all brands react well with oil and might refuse to bubble!

Available at drug, grocery and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Discover the power of precious oils with Avon Skin So Soft Supreme Nourishment Triple Phase Body Oil!

Avon Skin So Soft Supreme Nourishment Triple Phase Body Oil - 180ml - $22 - contains 3 oils: argan, babassu and macadamia - that work together in 1 unique formula to nourish and moisturize the skin for an instant feeling of touchable softness that lasts throughout the day.

Shake to blend all three oils and massage into cleansed, damp skin to protect and hydrate skin and leave is smelling great. I like that you can actually visibly see the 3 layers - which all have their own purpose:

Top layer : Moisture-supplement layer acts like skin's natural oils to nourish.

Middle layer : Protective layer helps seal in moisture and lock it in all day.

Bottom layer : Moisture-boosting layer for rich, instant hydration.

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

- Lisamarie -

Your fave products sized to travel from Weleda, Avon Anew, Tweezerman and Sephora!

Weleda Travel Sized Beauty Essentials - with 4 essentials that will help you stay naturally beautiful:
Everon Lip Balm - 4.8g - $10 - keeps lips soft and healthy with rose flower wax, vanilla planifolia and shea butter.
Wild Rose Deodorant  - 30ml - $13.25 - an aluminum salt free way to eliminate unwanted bacteria with organic wild rose and organic orange blossom.
Skin Food - 30ml - $4.50 - a nourishing whole body cream with sunflower seed oil, pansy extract and rosemary leaf oil - perfect after a shower or a day in the sun.
Lavender Relaxing Body Oil - 10ml - $4.50 - with a calming blend of lavender oil, sweet almond fruit extract and sesame oil that restores essential moisture balance to soften skin and melt away the stresses of the day.

Available now at amazon.ca, well.ca, Whole Foods Markets and select independent natural health shops across Canada.

Avon Anew Clean Mini Cleansers - 30ml - $6 - available are: Cream Cleanser & Mask for normal/dry skin - restores moisture to dry skin; Rich Cleansing Foam for normal/combination skin - balances skin by removing oil without stripping moisture; Gel Cleanser for oily/combination skin - helps eliminate excess oil for a shine-free look; Daily Scrub - exfoliates to visibly improve texture; Cleansing Water - cleanses, hydrates and tones with no water needed; and Toner - to condition skin.

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

Tweezerman Brush IQ Mini Face Contour Brush Set - $45 - a must have set made with DuPont Natrafil filaments that feel like and perform better than natural hair fibers that includes a Mini Pointed Foundation Brush - glides around the natural curves of the face for precise coverage, Mini Contour Foundation Brush - with a unique angle that allows for seamless blending along the angles of the face making it perfect for blending and contour lines and a Blending Foundation Sponge - for flawless foundation application and fool proof blending - that work together or separately to help you achieve a perfectly sculpted makeup look and flawlessly contour the face.

Available online at www.tweezerman.ca.

Sephora Confetti Set of 5 Mini Sponges - $15 - contains 5 uniquely shaped makeup sponges uniquely designed to buff into the smallest corners of the face, or apply a full face of foundation depending on the desired effect. They work well with liquids, powders, creams, and mineral pigments to provide sheer, buildable coverage. Each sponge allows for both detailed application - such as concealing and blending in hard to reach places - and smoothing and buffing product all over the forehead, cheeks, and chin.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Hand Chemistry Retin-Oil - a body skin perfector!

Hand Chemistry Retin-Oil - 100ml - $20 - with a retinoid complex - a multi-vitamin dry body oil, which targets scars, stretch marks, aging dehydrated skin, surface irregularities and discolouration, to show a difference to the skin's surface in just two weeks thanks to a next-generation innovation in Vitamin A technology that helps skin look smoother, and visibly reduces pore size and wrinkles without causing irritation.

This innovative complex also includes Vitamin C to help improve collagen production and sun-induced aging; a unique blend of skin enhancing Amazonian oils that leave a dry and happy protective barrier on the skin's surface; and an oil-derived Deep Sea Algae Complex targets stretch marks. Over time you can look forward to a general improvement in skin's visible condition and texture.

It does a lovely job making everything smooth and lovely so most of the time I say to go ahead and use an oil - even one meant for the body - anywhere you want including the face - this one I wouldn't though - body, hands, even hair it's great but there is something about the dry texture that I just don't like on my face. I didn't find it soaked in as much as I would want a face oil to in order to apply makeup over it so I am keeping this one to use strictly below the neck!

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and online at www.deciem.com.

- Lisamarie -

Sahajan offers natural products that help you be mindful of what you are putting on your skin!

Introducing Sahajan, a new Canadian brand with a first-of-its-kind blend of organic science along with Ayurvedic remedies - a 5000-year-old Indian system of health care embracing the spiritual, mental and physical aspects of health - developed by Toronto-based, Lisa Mattam, a former pharmaceutical executive. 

She was inspired to create the line after coming to the realization that the kind of product she was using on herself was not something she wanted on her daughter's skin so why was she putting it on herself? This inspired her to create a line of scientifically proven products with natural and plant-based ingredients found within the oils and creams of the home remedies her parents and grandparents used for their families. The products incorporate proven Indian traditions and trusted ingredients as a natural way to protect and nourish skin and hair - without having to worry about what’s in them.

Available in the collection are:

Nourish Face Cream - 50ml - $60 - with a rich, deeply hydrating formula containing triphala - richly concentrated in vitamin C to help brighten the skin; gotu kola - to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and firm skin; and coconut oil - deeply hydrates and adds a glow that makes the skin look brighter.

The scent includes a natural accord of soft cedarwood, East Indian sandalwood oil with traces of exotic warm cinnamon spice, bold geranium and soothing lavender oil topped with fresh bergamot plus lemon, lime and orange oils.

Restorative Eye Cream - 15ml - $45 - restores the delicate skin around the eyes with neem oil - helps minimize the appearance of dark circles; triphala - to brighten the look of skin; and honey - to repair and soothe dry skin.

It shares the same scent as Protective Face Serum and Nourish Face Cream to enhance the Sahajan experience, but in a lighter formulation for use around the delicate eye area.

Ritual Body Oil - 100ml - $55 - pampers dry skin and restores its natural glow while soothing away tension with coconut oil - deeply hydrating and perfectly absorbed to protect skin against dryness; almond oil - to add a beautiful glow while soothing, moisturizing and softening the skin; sesame oil - with properties that can help treat dryness, hydrates, nourishes and protect the look of skin; along with avocado, sunflower, jojoba and camellia oils.

Scented to help promote a sense of well-being through a soothing and relaxing experience with a lush combination of floral oils including rose, lavender, violet and geranium, enhanced by notes of sweet ylang ylang and fresh lemon.

Nurture Hair Oil - 52ml - $50 - helps nourish and repair hair with a silicone free formula containing eclipta alba - helps to repair dry, damaged hair and protect against excessive styling; amla oil - nourishes hair as it grows and helps to maintain hair colour and shine; coconut oil - offers both protection and repair for the hair from environmental impacts such as excessive styling, harsh weather and continued colouring; and almond oil - to add sheen while moisturizing, soothing and protecting.

Soothingly scented with a blend of rich essential oils including velvety Indian sandalwood, cedarwood oil and calming rose oil topped with a hint of warm amber oil and sweet ylang ylang.

And my favourite product from the line:

Protective Face Serum - 30ml - $70 - with a concentrated formula containing triphala - richly concentrated in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the look of skin; gotu kola - reduces the appearance of wrinkles and firms the skin; and hyaluronic acid - increases hydration, improves elasticity  and smoothes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

The scent includes a natural accord of soft cedarwood, East Indian sandalwood oil with traces of exotic warm cinnamon spice, bold geranium and soothing lavender oil topped with fresh bergamot plus lemon, lime and orange oils.

You can also try a little bit of everything with the Discovery Kit - $50 - a tasting-menu-experience of the entire Sahajan Collection with five mini products plus a natural wood compact mirror in a stylish linen makeup bag.

I love the scent of the whole line, it smells like an expensive spa. The textures are also great - with all the oil based ingredients you might expect them to be greasy but they are anything but - the products are smooth, silky and quickly absorbed. I'm loving the Protective Face Serum - it's perfect on it's own on my combination skin right now and once it gets colder and my skin becomes drier, I can layer it under the Nourish Face Cream.
 
All of the Sahajan products are formulated to meet both natural and organic certification standards, which require the use of 80% organic ingredients from environmentally friendly practices and also that 95% of the ingredients come from natural origins.

Sahajan products are now available online at www.sahajan.com, at Homesmith in Toronto, Bhavana Yoga Boutique in Halifax and across the U.S. at www.joyus.com.

- Lisamarie -

Affordable, fabulous smelling oils for the face, hair and body from Palmer's, Lipidol and The Body Shop!

All skin loves an oil cleanser even oily and especially sensitive as traditional cleansing methods can dry and strip skin of healthy natural oils and disrupt pH, causing an over-production of oil - that's right if you have oily skin, overly-aggressive cleaning will only make it even more oily! 

Palmer's Skin Therapy Cleansing Oil - 190ml - $7.99 -a one-step facial cleansing oil that deep cleans, brightens complexion and balances skins pH. Our exclusive blend of key ingredients removes make-up & impurities, is non-stripping, non-drying, won’t clog pores and The formula combines antioxidant-rich pure cleansing oils: grapeseed, jojoba and rosehip oil along with cocoa butter and vitamin C, to deep clean and purify without stripping or drying the skin or clogging pores for cleaner, clearer, softer-looking skin that will smell good thanks to the rosehip fragrance..

Available now at Walmart stores across Canada.

Oil moisturizers are especially great going into the coming cold season - if the idea of wearing oil on your face during the day freaks you out then do it overnight when your skin is at it's optimal repairing level with:

Lipidol Overnight Face Oil - 50ml - $8.97 - supplements the skin's natural oily layer while increasing moisture retention and enhancing overnight rejuvenation. Lightly fragranced with the essential oils of ylang-ylang and black pepper.

Part of a new Lipidol line of very affordable oil products which also includes: Cleansing Face Oil - 125ml - $8.97, Cleansing Body Oil - 200ml - $8.97, After Shower Oil - 175ml - $8.97, After Shave Oil - 100ml - $8.97.

Available exclusively at Walmart stores across Canada and online at walmart.ca.

The Body Shop Spa Of The World Polynesian Monoi Radiance Body & Hair Oil - 170ml - $20 - a scented blend of coconut oil and tiare flowers that gives a glow to skin and lustre to hair. Massage into damp skin or comb through damaged hair when dry.

Part of the new The Body Shop Spa Of The World collection where you can also travel to all kinds of exotic places: Egyptian Milk & Honey Bath - 250g - $20, Himalayan Charcoal Body Clay - 200ml - $22, African Ximenia Scrub - 350ml - $30, Japanese Camellia Cream - 350ml - $35, French Lavender Massage Oil - 170ml - $20, Dead Sea Salt Scrub - 350ml - $30, Moroccan Rhassoul Body Clay - 200ml - $22, Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil - 170ml - $20, Hawaiian Kukui Cream - 350ml - $35, Tahitian Orchid Massage Oil - 170ml - $20

Available at The Body Shop and online at www.thebodyshop.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Body loving oils from Live Clean, mark. and c. Booth!

Live Clean Sheer Light Skin Perfecting Dry Body Oil - 180ml - $9.99 - offers a high level of moisturization in an  advanced, skin-perfecting formula with their Natura8 Complex -  containing a blend of certified organic oils including: safflower oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, avocado oil and sesame oil along with moisturizing vitamin E and skin nourishing vitamin C - that calms irritated skin, improves the appearance of scars, stretch marks, redness and dark spots; helps increase the skin's elasticity and resilience; helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a super light oil that smells great, has a smooth silky finish and disappears into the skin.

Available now at Walmart and Loblaws stores across Canada.

mark. Body Oil - 200ml - $14 - in 4 scents: Crushing On Coconut, Sweet On Lemon Sugar, Dreaming Of Jasmine and Passionate For Plumberry -  that is fast-absorbing and lightly moisturizes for silky-smooth skin without the weight of a lotion or cream and with no greasy feel or residue left behind.

Available for a limited time from your Avon rep - 1800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca. 

c. Booth Original Bath & Body Oil - 473ml - $9.99 - can be used as a softening bath infusion, an intense skin conditioner and even in the hair - with a formula that contains sunflower oil - with essential fatty acids that easily absorb into hair and skin to leave them conditioned and moisturized; sesame oil - acts as a natural sunscreen while it hydrates, softens and rejuvenates the skin; olive oil - a hypoallergenic skin moisturizer with antioxidants vitamin A & E to repair and renew skin that has been damaged from overexposure to sun, air pollution and other environmental hazards; and evening primrose oil - aid in skin cell restoration and contains a high percentage of gamma-linoleic acid, a natural fatty acid that maintains healthy skin and repairs tissue damage - to leave skin with a nourishing, healthy glow.

Available now at Walmart stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Add a golden glow to your skin with Cake Beauty, Nuxe and Physicians Formula!

Whether you are putting on a skirt for the first time this year and realizing your legs are pasty white or are a dedicated self tanner user that just wants to add some extra wow shimmer to your skin - you are going to love these! Also keep in mind if for some reason you want all the benefits without the golden glow (crazy talk I know), all 3 come in a non-tinted, non-shimmery version!

Cake Beauty Delectable Skin Perfecting Bronzing Body Lotion - 100ml - $18 - a naturally beautiful sheer bronzing body lotion with no orange undertone that is luxuriously conditioning to the skin. With a blend of argan oil, shea butter and aloe vera it provides as much moisture as a daily body lotion while adding a skin-perfecting glow.

Available now at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada.

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or - 50ml - $39 - with a 98.1% natural formula that's enriched with Vitamin E and six precious plant oils: Macadamia, Hazelnut, Borrage, Sweet Almond, Camellia and St. John's Wort to help nourish, repair and soften the skin while adding radiance thanks to the presence of fine pearly particles that adorn the skin with a subtle iridescence.

Available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Uniprix, Familiprix, Brunet and Murale.

Physicians Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Illuminating Argan Oil Touch of Gold - 30ml - $19.99 -rich in conditioning benefits that improve skin's brightness, tone, texture and elasticity, tranforming skin by boosting moisture levels with a luxurious formula that melts into the skin instantly locking in moisture for a lit-from-within glow and the added bonus of golden shimmer to help even skin tone and add even more brightness.

Available at fine drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Weleda Evening Primrose Age Revitalizing Collection

Weleda introduces the Evening Primrose Age Revitalizing Collection for the 50+ crowd which features facial and body care products made with a special selection of nature’s most effective ingredients to address the multiple concerns of aging skin.

The range is formulated to restore radiance and firmness to mature skin, to strengthen the skin’s resilience and improve elasticity. The formulations intensively moisturize, plump, firm and help protect skin that is becoming less resilient at this age. The star ingredient, oil from the evening primrose seeds, contains high concentrations of essential fatty acids which play a key role in the skin’s natural barrier function. Evening primrose protects against moisture loss, smooths dry or rough patches, and promotes cell regeneration.

The ingredients in the formulation work together to support skin renewal and strengthen the skin’s structure and include: evening primrose - helps skin regenerate by promoting renewal and supporting its metabolism; gotu kola extract - supports collagen production; inca nut oil - with vitamin E to support cell activation; wheat germ oil - antioxidant rich to firm mature skin; shea butter - smooths and replenishes dry skin; jojoba seed oil - smooths and hydrates; and macadamia nut oil - nourishes and moisturizes to help protect skin.

The products are beautifully rich and even though I am not the right age group to reap the full benefits, I would use them just for the fragrance - with a top note of cardamom, a heart of magnolia and a base of sandalwood - meant to bring concentration, clarity and balance!

With a body collection that: revitalizes dry, dull skin and promotes radiance; increases skin’s elasticity leaving it soft, smooth and supple; and provides intensive, long-lasting nourishment and hydration - available in the collection:

Evening Primrose Revitalizing Body Wash - 200ml - $15 - a vegan and gluten free 85% organic body wash that gently cleanses and provides a surge of moisture to dry skin.

Evening Primrose Age Revitalizing Body Lotion - 200ml - $20 - an invigorating 92% organic lotion that firms, increases elasticity and stimulates the skin’s regenerative processes. The refreshing scent lingers on the skin while it provides longlasting nourishment and hydration.

Evening Primrose Age Revitalizing Body Oil - 100ml - $30 - a deeply moisturizing and firming 87% organic oil thatrevitalizes dry, dull skin and promotes its natural radiance. Skin is left feeling soft, supple and smooth. For best results, apply the oil onto damp skin after a shower or bath to lock moisture into the skin.

Evening Primrose Age Revitalizing Hand Cream - 50ml - $17.50 - An intensely hydrating 91% organic cream thatfirms and restores, leaving hands silky smooth and soft.

While the facial line balances skin while reactivating its skin-renewing properties; lifts and tones to define facial contours; and supports skin’s collagen production to strengthen its structure - available is:

Age Revitalizing Day Cream - 30ml - $43 - an antioxidant-rich and intensely hydrating 81% organic cream that protects skin against environmental stressors, plumps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and stimulates skin’s vital functions while it improves skin tone and firmness.

Age Revitalizing Night Cream - 30ml - $45 - supporting the skin’s restorative process throughout the night, this revitalizing 86% organic cream strengthens skin and support cell activation so you awaken to deeply nourished, plumper-looking skin with improved tone and firmness.

Age Revitalizing Eye & Lip Cream - 10ml - $38 - an antioxidant-rich,  87% organic, 2-in-1 cream targets deep lines and wrinkles around the eye and lip area. It also helps reduce puffiness and define contours around the eyes.

Available now at weleda.ca, well.ca, Whole Foods Market and select independent natural health shops across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Oils that work hard for your skin from Clinique, Tata Harper, Caudalie and Jergens!

Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing Treatment Oil - 30ml - $51 - a silky, luxurious, lightweight oil that nourishes and hydrates skin while creating healthy-looking radiance and a youthful glow. Great for all skin types, it locks in revitalizing moisture and refines texture for a supple look and softer feel for skin that looks plumped, smooth, and lit from within.

Available now at Clinique counters across Canada.

Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser - 125ml - $80 - with a gentle formula that thoroughly cleanses skin and dissolves makeup and daily impurities from pores while leaving skin's moisture barrier intact. It purifies with a silky blend of biocompatible oils and esters while helping to condition skin with beta carotene, vitamins A, C, and E, lycopene, and omega 3. It softens for improved texture and leaves a refreshed, non-greasy feeling. Ideal for dry skin types, it provides a perfect, smoothed surface for makeup application.

Available at Murale, Sephora and sephora.ca.

Caudalie Polyphenol C15 Overnight Detox Oil - 30ml - $55 - a lightweight, 100% plant-based dry oil that helps support natural cell renewal and protect tired-looking skin while you sleep when cells are most efficient at healing. Skin is left smooth, hydrated, and youthful-looking.

Available now at Murale, Sephora, Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie at the Shangri-la Hotel in Toronto, as well as Jean Coutu, Square DIX30 and Ogilvy in Quebec.

Jergens Shea Beauty Oil  - 150ml - $10.99 - has a deeply hydrating formula that enhances skin's radiance and beauty with a blend of pure African shea butter and argan oil. It's lightweight and absorbs fast - I like it best used straight out of the shower, just apply to damp skin, massage thoroughly and it dries in a few seconds - it also leaves a really light, lovely scent behind!

Avaialble now and drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Yves Rocher Beautifying Dry Oil!

My legs get so incredibly dry in the winter that I really should be using a thicker moisturizer but I just don't like the heavy way they feel. Then I discovered the joys of layering - it works with sweaters and moisturizer! I had never thought of layering with an oil because I figured oil = greasy so won't allow for another layer to go on top of it - but all along what I needed was a dry oil to soak right in allowing me to layer to my heart's content - with a perfect option being:

Yves Rocher Beautifying Dry Oil - 100ml - $20 - with 99% natural ingredients including sesame seed oil and andiroba nut oil from Brazil which is highly concentrated in Omega 9 and has extraordinary nourishing properties for the skin.

Free of preservatives, parabens and mineral oil - and you can feel good that the andiroba nuts are harvested by a women's collective in Brazil - keeping you looking good and them employed!

Available now at Yves Rocher stores across Canada and online at www.yvesrocher.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Give the gift of relaxing bathtime with Arbonne, Bliss and Avon!

Arbonne Twinkle and Shine Sparkling Citrus Luxury Gift Set - $96 - includes 453g Sugar Scrub, 354ml Shower Gel and 340g Body Butter - bursting with bright natural notes of mandarin orange, lemon and Italian bergamot essential oils and is formulated without animal products or animal by-products, parabens, PABA and petroleum-based ingredients.

Available now from your Arbonne rep - you can locate a consultant or shop online at www.arbonne.ca -  until December 31st or while supplies last.

Avon Skin So Soft Luxurious Bliss Aroma+ Therapy Collection - with the blissful warmth of lavender, black fig, sandalwood and creamy vanilla and is available as: Hand Souffle - 100ml - $4.99, Body Wash - 200ml - $9.99, Body Oil Spray - 150ml - $12.99, Body Souffle - 200ml - $12.99.

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

Bliss Lemony Trinkets - $13 -  includes a bath time duo to refresh and hydrate of spa-inspired lemon and sage bath and body blends for clean, smooth skin with a fresh, citrus scent with a 30ml Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds and 30ml Lemon + Sage Body Butter.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca. 

- Lisamarie -