October 31, 2014

East meets West at the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie!

If you've been looking for a cultural experience in a spa environment without ever having to leave Toronto then a visit to the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie at the Shangri-la Hotel is in order!

I visited the spa early last week and it was a welcome and peaceful break from Fashion Week let me tell you! Before my treatment I had a chance to chat with owner Surinder Bains who I have to say is one of the nicest people I've ever met and so passionate about wanting to give everyone who enters one of her spas the best, most relaxing experience possible.

Surinder and I sat down and just chatted like girlfriends about all things spa and most importantly, what we think makes a great spa - and were in total agreement that the most important thing is that it not be intimidating - nobody wants to pay money/get naked/try and relax someplace where you don't feel comfortable. A spa should have a friendly, warm, nurturing and healing environment - if you also agree then you will love it at the Miraj Hammam!
Surinder's first Hammam spa in Vancouver, was inspired by her love for the hammams she visited in Paris. She then by request, brought the experience to Toronto a couple of years ago. Her spas specialize in a westernized version of a Middle Eastern Hammam Gommage Treatment. Traditionally it's a communal thing but since most North Americans don't really go in for group nudity, instead you have it solo or in the company of the person/people of your choosing. As well, her spas offer the usual spa treatments - facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. Surinder has also added a couple of new treatments to the spa's menu including Thai Massage and an Oxygen Facial Treatment.

Since I'm super North American and don't like strangers (even spa employees) touching me when I'm naked, I opted to check out the new Oxygen Facial Treatment instead (I love people touching my naked face)! It's an add on to whatever facial you choose to have where at the end of it, oxygen is used to infuse serum deep in the skin to give you an instantly plumped up and glowing complexion. This would be a great thing to do before a special event or if you just feel like your skin is looking drawn and sallow! I had a 60 minute Grand Caudalie Facial ($165) with the Oxygen Facial Treatment ($65) and left looking refreshed and feeling ready to take on the rest of Fashion Week!

The Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie is open 7 days a week and is located on the 5th Floor in the Shangri-la Hotel - 188 University Avenue in Toronto. Contact them at 647-253-5770 or book online at www.mirajcaudaliespa.com - and if you're booking a facial, be sure to ask for Tina, she does the least painful extractions I've ever had!

- Lisamarie -

Ours by Cheryl Hickey introduces a line of safe and healthy skin care for the whole family!

As if Cheryl Hickey didn't have enough to do with er Entertainment Tonight Canada hosting gig, she has now gotten together with Rexall to launch a new line of family friendly body and skin care products - Ours by Cheryl Hickey.

A passion project of Cheryl's, Ours is an all Canadian line make from natural, simple, gentle and safe ingredients to nurture and protect the skin of babies, children and adults - free of parabens, silicones, SLS/SLES, artificial fragrances and colours - and was inspired by Chery's desire and sometimes frustration in being able to find healthy products for her own family that she felt good about them using.

If you aren't a fan of overly-fragranced products, then you will appreciate how faintly these smell of pretty much anything - other then the lavender scent of the hydrating oil. I love the colourful packaging and the fact that they have put a pump bottle on everything that can have one - pretty and convenient!

The lineup consists of 8 products, most of which do double duty so if space on your bathroom counter is an issue, these will help ease the congestion:

EveryBody Lotion - 480ml - $11.99 - a deeply hydrating and nourishing everyday moisturizer with natural coconut and olive oil to protect, strengthen and moisturize sensitive skin while aloe and cucumber extract gently soothes and softens.

Head to Toe Wash - 480ml - $11.99 - with a comforting formula that is perfectly balanced for sensitive skin to gently, yet effectively clean the hair and body. Mild enough for new skin and colour treated hair while still being strong enough to deeply clean all the dirt and grime from everyone's bodies from babies, moms to dads.

2-in-1 Conditioner - 480ml - $11.99 - a quick ouch-free detangler and deeply moisturizing five-minute conditioner in one bottle. Smooth it through to ensure a quick comb through or leave it in longer for the added benefits of nourishing shea butter and olive oil. Also contains meadowfoam seed extract for shiny, healthy looking hair.

3-in-1 Hydrating Oil - 240ml - $14.99 - deeply nourishing and protective for both skin and hair with a formula of natural oils and essential vitamins for hair that looks silky and shiny and skin that feels soft and hydrated. Contains soothing lavender which makes it great as a massage oil or as a bath oil to encourage calm and peaceful sleep.

Face & Body Exfoliator - 240ml - $11.99 - moisturizes and smoothes with no harsh scrubbing thanks to natural ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa butter, cucumber and aloe vera. Apply and wash off or leave on the skin for 10 minutes as a calming and conditioning mask to ensure brighter toned looking skin with every use.

3-in-1 Cleansing Oil - 240ml - $14.99 - a light oil that gently cleanses the skin by lifting away dirt, oil and makeup while providing hydrating care to even the most sensitive and irritated skin types. Formulated with Vitamin E and coconut oil it smoothes and tones the look of skin and also makes a great shave lotion for face and body!

Anything Balm - 100g - $11.99 - an all natural, miracle balm that you can use pretty much anywhere for anything - diaper balm, face and body moisturizer, extra dry bits like elbows, knees and cuticles, stretch marks - whatever you want! With natural oils and vitamins to help relieve, calm and hydrate skin and acts as a barrier to protect skin from moisture and chapping to ensure that it stays soft and smooth.

24 Hour Face Cream - 120ml - $14.99 - offers long lasting protection, hydration and nourishment for all skin types. Rich in natural extracts, it works throughout the day to make skin look and feel smooth, soft and plump - with pear extract to soothe the look of skin and rose hip oil to protect and repair skin's appearance.

Available now exclusively at Rexall stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - B. Balenciaga

B. Balenciaga - 50ml EDP - $120, 75ml EDP - $155 - inspired by the marriage of old and new, a green wood fragrance with top notes of lily of the valley, violet leaves and green accords of edamame peas; heart notes of orris and cedar; and base notes of ambrette seed and cashmere wood.

Reflecting back on the fashion house’s classic heritage in a modern way, the bottle’s frosted glass has a unique crackle texture, inspired by the marble tiling of Balenciaga’s original 10 Avenue George V Paris salon.

I can totally get the green and wood from the fragrance, it's an interesting smell, but not really me - I think it's one of those scents that either smell really good on someone or turn into something unpleasant - so a good idea to try before you buy!

 Available now at Holt Renfrew, Sephora and select Hudson’s Bay stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

October 30, 2014

Have a Clinique Black Honey Affair at Sephora (which sounds a lot dirtier than it really is) - with swatches!



Everybody remembers their first something - for me it's my first department store lipstick - and I guess judging by how many of these things Clinique has sold since the colour released in 1971, it shouldn't be a big surprise that my first was Clinique Black Honey! It's one of those colours that you would look at in the tube and say "no way!" But when you put it on you see how the shade merges with the natural tone of lips and bumps up the colour creating a hue that is perfectly unique for every woman. No wonder everyone loves it regardless of ethnicity - it really does flatter every skin tone!



Inspired by this cult classic hue, Clinique introduces the limited edition A Black Honey Affair All About Shadow Palette - $40 - which includes a range of shades from light browns to deep purples making it a perfect palette for all skin tones. The first four shades can be worn together or alone to create a neutral daytime look. The four purple tones can be paired with the neutral hues for a playful pop of colour, or layered together to create a smoky violet eye look. Or do whatever you want, it's your palette so no rules!

And it goes perfectly with other favourite Black Honey products - I love it with my:

Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins in Black Honey

also available in the Black Honey shade is: Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss, Quickliner for Eyes Intense or Brush on Cream Liner.

Available now exclusively at Sephora - get the palette while it lasts!

- Lisamarie -

30 Days of BCA - Day 30 - La Mer The Hand Treatment

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month when all our favourite brands will be coming out with special edition products that in some way, will benefit charities associated with the disease.

A great thing all on its own - add in that many of the products will be pink and you've got something well worth talking about!

It's Day 30 and we hope that you have enjoyed the series and found lots of products to make you look good not to mention feel good about helping!

La Mer The Hand Treatment - 50ml - $50 - with healing moisture that soothes hands on contact, working to help protect and rejuvenate even the driest hands while diminishing the look of age spots so hands look younger and feel softer.

$10 from the purchase price will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation with a maximum donation of $45,000.

Available at Holt Renfrew stores while supplies last.

- Lisamarie -

And don't miss out on the other great days:
Day 9 - Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum
Day 10 - Marc Coblen Pink Ribbon Watch
Day 11 - Bobbi Brown Pretty Pink Ribbon Lip Gloss Collection
Day 12 - Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Rollerball Duo
Day 13 - OPI Pink Of Hearts 2014
Day 14 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink Collection
Day 15 - Vitabath Goes Pink
Day 16 - Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Promise  
Day 17 - Causemetics 
Day 18 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact
Day 19 - Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne 
Day 20 - AG Hair Cosmetics Ultradynamics
Day 21 - Avon Love Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace 
Day 22 - Origins Drink Up Hydrating Lip Balm 
Day 23 - Estée Lauder Modern Muse Solid Perfume Compact 
Day 24 - Scentsy Ribbons Of Hope Warmer
Day 25 - Lab Series Skincare For Men Pro LS All-in-One Face Treatment 
Day 26 - Clinique Great Skin, Great Cause Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Day 27 - Cancer Appeal F*CK Breast Cancer Shirt 
Day 28 - Chamilia Give Back Breast Cancer Collection 
Day 29 - Joico Power Spray and Power Whip

MAC Ultimate Lipstick - with swatches!

MAC Ultimate Lipstick - $28 - combines an innovative design aesthetic with a sumptuous formula in 10 shades:

Soft Pout - sheer pink peach with white pearl
Marque - soft light neutral pink
Ravishingly Rich - bright mid-tone orange
Catharina - fuchsia
Audacious - warm mid-tone red
Dangerously Chic - cool mid-tone red
Vogue en Violet - cool mid-tone violet
The Scene - deep berry

And of course I was all over the pinks... they have a great, richer feeling formula then the regular lipsticks but still have the same vanilla smell that I love - I'm a fan!
To Savour - light cool pink
 
Femme-de-Luxe - bright pink

Available now for a limited time at select MAC counters and online at www.maccosmetics.com.

- Lisamarie -

October 29, 2014

Eye Love Wednesday - brow gels from GOSH, Annabelle, Maybelline and Suncoat!

GOSH Defining Brow Gel - $15 - in 3 shades: Black, Brown and Light Brown - it offers colour and gel in one easy step with a formula that shapes, lifts and defines brow hair while adding just the perfect colour to accent your brow look.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Annabelle Instaglam Brow Design + Fix - $12.95 - in Light to Medium and Medium to Dark - a double-sided brow savior with one side that offers a marker-pen with a sheer, long-lasting formula designed for ultimate precision, control and versatility to achieve thin natural brow lines. While the other side contains a small brush with a natural-hold transparent gel formula to groom brows into place.

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at www.annabelle.ca.
Maybelline Brow Drama - $11.99 - in 3 shades: Blond, Soft Brown and Deep Brown - a coloured gel that tints brows with a natural, comfortable hold with no smudging, clumping or flaking and a sculpting ball brush to define arches in one easy step. Just brush onto brows in light upwards strokes, following the brow contour for a natural look, or for a more dramatic look, use a darker tint then your natural brow shade.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.
Suncoat Natural Brow Fix & Fill - $11.99 - in Clear and Brown - a natural, sugar-based gel enriched with vitamin E that defines and holds brows in place all day long with no chemical polymers.

Available online at www.suncoatproducts.com.

- Lisamarie -

30 Days of BCA - Day 29 - Joico Power Spray and Power Whip

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month when all our favourite brands will be coming out with special edition products that in some way, will benefit charities associated with the disease.

A great thing all on its own - add in that many of the products will be pink and you've got something well worth talking about!

Be sure to come back everyday at 11:30am when we will be featuring a new BCA product!

Joico Power Spray and Power Whip - 300ml - $14.95 - both award winning products have undergone a pink makeover from artist Bella Pilar with artwork that depicts whimsical women who evoke a fashion-forward andinspirational ethos in support of Look Good Feel Better to raise awareness for women’s cancer.

Bella Pilar’s artwork and Joico’s Power Line will give women
fighting cancer the power to transform, look good and feel better along with the $7,500 contribution to Look Good Feel Better.


Available now at select professional salons across Canada. Visit www.joicocanada.com for a salon near you.


- Lisamarie -

And don't miss out on the other great days:
Day 9 - Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum
Day 10 - Marc Coblen Pink Ribbon Watch
Day 11 - Bobbi Brown Pretty Pink Ribbon Lip Gloss Collection
Day 12 - Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Rollerball Duo
Day 13 - OPI Pink Of Hearts 2014
Day 14 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink Collection
Day 15 - Vitabath Goes Pink
Day 16 - Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Promise  
Day 17 - Causemetics 
Day 18 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact
Day 19 - Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne 
Day 20 - AG Hair Cosmetics Ultradynamics
Day 21 - Avon Love Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace 
Day 22 - Origins Drink Up Hydrating Lip Balm 
Day 23 - Estée Lauder Modern Muse Solid Perfume Compact 
Day 24 - Scentsy Ribbons Of Hope Warmer
Day 25 - Lab Series Skincare For Men Pro LS All-in-One Face Treatment 
Day 26 - Clinique Great Skin, Great Cause Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Day 27 - Cancer Appeal F*CK Breast Cancer Shirt 
Day 28 - Chamilia Give Back Breast Cancer Collection

This week I'm obsessed with... Cole & Mason Derwent Gourmet Precision Pepper Mill!

I know kitchen wear is not the kind of thing that you are used to seeing me obsess about and to be honest, this should probably more accurately be my husband's weekly obsession but since he doesn't have a blog and I'm the reason he has this pepper mill to be so strangely excited about I am taking it on myself to write about it so he can stop telling me how wonderful it is and tell you instead...

Cole & Mason Derwent Gourmet Precision Pepper Mill - $49.99 - has put to rest my assumption that one shakes a container, pepper comes out and that's the end of it - I have now learned that to experience the true flavour of pepper, it needs to be ground right before you use it - and the machine-cut, hardened carbon steel mechanism in this mill is the one you want doing it as it ensures that grains are first cracked and then sliced to release more flavour and aroma with complete control of the grind thanks to six grind settings.

They are available in a variety of materials and styles but I am partial to this sleek looking stainless steel and acrylic one. Also available are mills to grind salt, herbs and spices - more things I never knew you were supposed to grind!

Available at fine gourmet and housewares stores across Canada - check out www.danescoinc.com to find one near you.

- Lisamarie -

October 28, 2014

Give hair great texture with Shu Uemura, L'Oréal Professionnel and Schwarzkopf Professional!

Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Texture Wave Dry Finishing Spray - 193g - $42 - offers natural-looking styling with a formula that offers not just shape but also texture so buildable that it infuses the hair with volume and freedom of movement.  

What's nice about it is how versatile it is for all hair types - from adding a natural bend to free-flowing hair, transforming spiral ringlets into ruffled waves or to undo an updo - it works for anything from curly to straight hair - and especially great for fine hair as it adds texture to make more styles possible!

Available now at participating Shu Uemura Art of Hair salons and online at www.shuuemura.ca.
L'Oréal Professionnel Wild Stylers by Techni.Art Next Day Hair Micro-Propelled Texturizing Powder - 250ml - $23.50 - has a non-ionic setting polymer that leaves no residue and instantly creates a light tousled look for that sexy "rolling around in bed" hair even if you were only doing it because of bad dreams!

I like to spray it in with my head tipped upside down to give my fine hair some extra volume!

Available at L'Oréal Professionnel salons across Canada -  find one near you at www.lorealprofessionnel.ca.
Schwarzkopf Professional Osis+ Whipped Wax Texture Wax Souffle - 75ml - $21 - gives strong structure and separation with a mousse-like texture to provide ultimate styling flexibility and give hair great natural shine. Specially formulated with beeswax, hair styles remain remouldable without looking greasy or unnatural while giving incredible texture and strong style control.

This one is especially great for adding texture to the ends of short hair to give it that flippy look - you just need the tiniest bit on the end of your fingers brushed through the ends - so easy!

Available at Schwarzkopf Professional salons across Canada - for one near you go to http://www.schwarzkopf-professional.ca.

- Lisamarie -

30 Days of BCA - Day 28 - Chamilia Give Back Breast Cancer collection

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month when all our favourite brands will be coming out with special edition products that in some way, will benefit charities associated with the disease.

A great thing all on its own - add in that many of the products will be pink and you've got something well worth talking about!

Be sure to come back everyday at 11:30am when we will be featuring a new BCA product!

Chamilia Give Back Breast Cancer Gift Set - $75 - includes a bright pink leather bracelet with sterling silver lobster claw and extender chain and the Chamilia “Gift of Strength” charm
Give Back Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon - $40 - a hanging ribbon charm made of sterling silver featuring the highly recognizable pink enamel color. 

Give Back Breast Cancer With Murano Glass - $45 - features a pulled glass pink ribbon design at the base with pink petal flowers and Swarovski Zirconia accents encased in an arena of Murano Glass and finished with a sterling silver core.

Give Back Breast Cancer With Light Pink CZ - $45 - the awareness symbol sliding ribbon charm made of sterling silver and featuring a light pink Swarovski Zirconia at its center.

A portion of the proceeds from the Give Back Breast Cancer collection will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

The collection is available at more than 2,000 retail partners worldwide and on the Chamilia website at: www.chamilia.com.

- Lisamarie -

And don't miss out on the other great days:
Day 9 - Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum
Day 10 - Marc Coblen Pink Ribbon Watch
Day 11 - Bobbi Brown Pretty Pink Ribbon Lip Gloss Collection
Day 12 - Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Rollerball Duo
Day 13 - OPI Pink Of Hearts 2014
Day 14 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink Collection
Day 15 - Vitabath Goes Pink
Day 16 - Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Promise  
Day 17 - Causemetics 
Day 18 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact
Day 19 - Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne 
Day 20 - AG Hair Cosmetics Ultradynamics
Day 21 - Avon Love Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace 
Day 22 - Origins Drink Up Hydrating Lip Balm 
Day 23 - Estée Lauder Modern Muse Solid Perfume Compact 
Day 24 - Scentsy Ribbons Of Hope Warmer
Day 25 - Lab Series Skincare For Men Pro LS All-in-One Face Treatment 
Day 26 - Clinique Great Skin, Great Cause Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+
Day 27 - Cancer Appeal F*CK Breast Cancer Shirt

Yves Rocher Holiday 2014 Shimmery Makeup - with nail polish swatches!

Yves Rocher is set to get you shimmering for the holidays with an Eye Pencil - $5.95 - in green and silver, Glitter Mascara - $4.95 - in silver, Gloss - $4.95 in sparkling coral and my favourite part of the collection - Nail Polish - $2.95 - with tons of sparkle in tiny bottles so you don't get bored of the colour before the polish is done!
Sparkling Silver
Sparkling Green
Sparkling Coral
Sparkling Pink

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

- Lisamarie -

October 27, 2014

Mascara Monday - Maybelline Great Lash Real Impact! Mascara

Maybelline Great Lash Real Impact! Mascara - $6.49 - in Blackest Black and Very Black a new and more natural version of the classic Great Lash.
Developed with 70% natural origin ingredients including: shea butter - to naturally condition and thicken lashes; candelilla wax - adds and locks in a natural looking curl; and acaciagum - provides a creamy, thick texture - and no artificial waxes with a fluffy cream-whip formula that nurtures lashes on contact.
For lashes that are never stiff or cakey, that are left soft with no smudgy residue.
I'm all about the natural mascara look so I'm a big fan of the formula - I did try layering it to build some volume and it simply won't do it so if volume is your thing, you'll want to stick with the original Great Lash.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

30 Days of BCA - Day 27 - Cancer Apparel F*CK Breast Cancer Shirt

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month when all our favourite brands will be coming out with special edition products that in some way, will benefit charities associated with the disease.

A great thing all on its own - add in that many of the products will be pink and you've got something well worth talking about!

Be sure to come back everyday at 11:30am when we will be featuring a new BCA product!

Cancer Apparel F*CK Breast Cancer Shirt - $30.95 - in adult sizes S - 2X and your choice of t-shirt colour - the logo really says it all!

The website doesn't indicate exactly how much of the proceeds go to cancer charities - just that they proudly donate to cancer research - but as everything they carry is cancer related, I'd say that's a pretty good indicator that they are committed to the cause!

Available online at www.cancerapparelgifts.com and in Canada at www.zazzle.ca.

- Lisamarie -

And don't miss out on the other great days:
Day 9 - Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum
Day 10 - Marc Coblen Pink Ribbon Watch
Day 11 - Bobbi Brown Pretty Pink Ribbon Lip Gloss Collection
Day 12 - Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Rollerball Duo
Day 13 - OPI Pink Of Hearts 2014
Day 14 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley Dream Pink Collection
Day 15 - Vitabath Goes Pink
Day 16 - Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Promise  
Day 17 - Causemetics 
Day 18 - Estée Lauder Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact
Day 19 - Jo Malone London Red Roses Cologne 
Day 20 - AG Hair Cosmetics Ultradynamics
Day 21 - Avon Love Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Necklace 
Day 22 - Origins Drink Up Hydrating Lip Balm 
Day 23 - Estée Lauder Modern Muse Solid Perfume Compact 
Day 24 - Scentsy Ribbons Of Hope Warmer
Day 25 - Lab Series Skincare For Men Pro LS All-in-One Face Treatment 
Day 26 - Clinique Great Skin, Great Cause Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+

Great Gifting - Quo by Orly 18-Piece Mini Nail Lacquer Set

It's that wonderful time of the year when all our favourite brands start to offer up their holiday gift sets! So be sure to check back every Monday at 10am from now until Christmas to see which one I am lusting after this week - right now it's:

Quo by Orly 18-Mini Nail Lacquer Set: The Nudes, The Pinks, The Glitters - $43 - with 18 mini polishes that you can keep all for yourself, give as a big gift or separate to share into three 6-piece mini kits that represent a family of best-selling colours - The Nudes - for a classic, neutral look, The Pinks - for your inner (or not so inner) girly-girl and The Glitters - for that all-important holiday bling!

Available while supplies last exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

- Lisamarie -