September 30, 2020

This week I'm obsessed with... Bite Beauty Yaysayer Plumping Lip Gloss!

Bite Beauty Yaysayer Plumping Lip Gloss - $33 - in 8 shades: Rose Mernigue - shimmering warm rose; Guava Puff - shimmering nude pink; Lavender Cookie - sheer lilac; Plum Tart - deep berry; Raspberry Swirl - shimmering hot pink; Cinnamon Twist - shimmering deep brown; Sugar Drizzle - clear with gold shimmer; and my fave:
Cider Donut - shimmering golden cocoa - such a pretty fall colour!

A clean, visibly plumping lip gloss with antioxidant-rich cinnamon oil - to give the gloss its spicy yet sweet flavor while helping to deliver a fuller and healthier-looking pout; along with sodium hyaluronate - to keep lips feeling hydrated and nourished.
I especially like the applicator - unlike most lip glosses that have a doe foot applicator, these lip glosses come with a plastic tip that helps the formula glides on effortlessly and just wipes off when you are finished so you can start with a clean applicator next time. I also like that it plumps without burning, just a nice little tingle and bam! - fuller lips!

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

- Lisamarie -

September 28, 2020

Wake up to better skin thanks to overnight formulas from No7, Versed & Pixi!

No7 Advanced Retinol 1.5% Complex Night Concentrate - 30ml - $44 - works night after night to deliver visibly younger looking skin with 5 in 1 action: lines look smoother; skin tone looks even; skin appears firm and lifted; skin appears brighter and more radiant; and pores and texture look refined.

The expert formula contains two powerful age-defying technologies: retinol - reboots skin, helping it to act like younger, healthier looking skin; and Matrixyl 3000 Plus - renews skin, kick-starting its natural repair process - delivered in a retinol optimiser - an intelligent slow-release oil encapsulation system for enhanced delivery throughout the night and helped along by a retinol soother - that helps to calm skin - for visible skin transformation.

I will caution that sensitive skin can find retinol uncomfortable so if your skin does anything more then tingle a bit when it's applied, start off by using it every other night for the first week or so until your skin gets used to it.
Versed The Shortcut Overnight Facial Peel - 30ml - $26.99 - a resurfacing peel that works overnight on dull and aging skin to gently smooth and renew with with an exfoliating and brightening blend of lactic acid, glycolic acid and vitamin A to refine texture and tone. 
Pixi Dream-y Overnight Mist - 80ml - $20 - a deep sleep enhancing elixir that is packed full of natural aromas, well known for their relaxing qualities and infused with humectants and antioxidants for maximum restorative benefits. Mist onto over regular nightime skincare to hydrate and seal it in - then mist onto pillow before sleep for added aromatherapy benefits.

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

- Lisamarie -

September 21, 2020

Combat the havoc Covid-19 plays on your face, hair and body with Vichy, Nioxin and St. Tropez!


We are living in Covid times my friends and along with all the other crap it's flung our way, we are also having our personal beauty routines messed with too...

Wearing a mask is the socially responsible thing to do but your skin might not thank you for it - it gives dirt and oil a nice warm place to hang out undisturbed in your pores creating mascne! Keep its breeding ground nice and clean with:

Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Gel Cleanser - 200ml - $19.95 - the gentle oil and soap-free cleanser you already love has been improved and reformulated -  now charged with 0.5% salicylic acid along with active ingredients to not only target pimples, acne breakouts, pores and oily skin - but also to reinforce skin barrier function.

Vichy Normaderm Phytosolution Double Action Anti-Acne Lotion - 50ml - $29.95 - with a lightweight, serum texture  packed with 2% salicylic acid, probiotics, hyaluronic acid and mineralizing thermal water to help clear up acne concerns, such as pimples, pores and shine, ensuring 24-hour skin hydration.

Available now at drugstores across Canada and online at vichy.ca.
Whether isolation has you pulling your hair out or stress has it falling out - you need something that can help hair regain it's thickness and fullness:

Nioxin Hair System Kit - $59.95 - uses advanced technologies to deliver thicker, fuller, denser-looking hair with 6 sets which include a Cleanser - cleanses to provide thicker-looking hair while it helps remove follicle-clogging sebum, fatty acids and environmental residues from the scalp skin and hair; Scalp Revitaliser - a lightweight conditioner that helps provide hair resilience and control moisture balance; and Scalp Treatment - contains antioxidants and botanicals that help to provide a refreshed scalp environment.

With a different kit suitable for each hair type:

System 1 is specially designed for normal to thin-looking, fine, natural hair. It amplifies hair texture while protecting against breakage, refreshing the scalp and delivering a healthy shine.

The technologies include:
BioAMP - Cystine amino acids and lightweight conditioning and treatment ingredients increase the fullness of each hair strand, reducing hair loss by strengthening against damage and breakage
Transactive Delivery System - Antioxidants, botanicals, vitamins, and purifying agents help clean away follicle-clogging sebum and environmental residues from the scalp skin, giving a clean and refreshed feeling
Activ-Renewal - White tea extract, peppermint oil and cleansing agents help provide a refreshed scalp environment and healthy shine to natural hair.

System 2 is specially designed for noticeably thinning, fine, natural hair. It delivers denser-looking hair and a healthy shine while protecting the scalp and strengthening against damage.

The technologies include:
BioAMP - Cystine amino acids and lightweight conditioning and treatment ingredients increase the fullness of each hair strand, reducing hair loss by strengthening against damage and breakage
Activ-Renewal - White tea extract, peppermint oil and cleansing agents help provide a refreshed scalp environment and healthy shine to natural hair.
Scalp Access Delivery System - Vitamins, botanicals, SPF 15 sunscreen, and purifying agents help clean away follicle-clogging sebum and environmental residues from the scalp skin, while providing sun protection for the scalp.

System 3 is specially designed for normal to thin-looking, fine, chemically treated hair. It amplifies hair texture while refreshing the scalp and providing moisture balance to coloured hair.

The technologies include:
BioAMP - Cystine amino acids and lightweight conditioning and treatment ingredients increase the fullness of each hair strand, reducing hair loss by strengthening against damage and breakage
Glyco-Shield - White tea extract, humectants, peppermint oil and protective conditioning agents help provide protection and moisture balance to colortreated hair, and leave the scalp feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Transactive Delivery System - Antioxidants, botanicals, vitamins, and purifying agents help clean away follicle-clogging sebum and environmental residues from the scalp skin, giving a clean and refreshed feeling.

System 4 is specially designed for noticeably thinning, fine, chemically-treated hair. It delivers denser-looking hair while protecting the scalp and providing moisture balance to coloured hair.

The technologies include:
BioAMP - Cystine amino acids and lightweight conditioning and treatment ingredients increase the fullness of each hair strand, reducing hair loss by strengthening against damage and breakage
Glyco-Shield - White tea extract, humectants, peppermint oil and protective conditioning agents help provide protection and moisture balance to colortreated hair, and leave the scalp feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Scalp Access Delivery System - Vitamins, botanicals, SPF 15 sunscreen, and purifying agents help clean away follicle-clogging sebum and environmental residues from the scalp skin, while providing sun protection for the scalp.

System 5 is specially designed for normal to thin-looking, medium to coarse, natural or chemically-treated hair. It delivers smoothing control to hair while refreshing the scalp and restoring moisture balance.

The technologies include:
Glyco Shield - White tea extract, humectants, peppermint oil and protective conditioning agents help provide protection and moisture balance to colortreated hair, and leave the scalp feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Transactive Delivery System - Antioxidants, botanicals, vitamins, and purifying agents help clean away follicle-clogging sebum and environmental residues from the scalp skin, giving a clean and refreshed feeling.
Smoothplex - Silk amino acids, kukui nut oil and protective conditioning agents help provide moisture balance and smoothing control, reducing loss by strenghtening against damage and breakage.

System 6 is specially designed for noticeably thinning, medium to coarse, natural or chemically-treated hair. It delivers smoothing control to hair while protecting the scalp and restoring moisture balance.

The technologies include:
Glyco Shield - White tea extract, humectants, peppermint oil and protective conditioning agents help provide protection and moisture balance to colortreated hair, and leave the scalp feeling rejuvenated and refreshed.
Transactive Delivery System - Antioxidants, botanicals, vitamins, and purifying agents help clean away follicle-clogging sebum and environmental residues from the scalp skin, giving a clean and refreshed feeling.
Smoothplex - Silk amino acids, kukui nut oil and protective conditioning agents help provide moisture balance and smoothing control, reducing loss by strenghtening against damage and breakage.

Available at salons and retailers across Canada - check out www.nioxin.com to find one near you.
And since it's very unlikely we will be seeing a tropical vacation this year thanks to travel restrictions - treat your sun-starved skin to a faux getaway with:

St. Tropez Self Tan Express Bronzing Gel - 200ml - $54 - an advanced three-in-one hydrating, lightweight gel containing 100% natural DHA along with a hint of translucent, instant bronzer to guide application for a streak-free, natural-looking tan and hyaluronic acid to provide up to 72 hours of hydration. What's nice is it's great for any mood or skin tone - just rinse off after 1 hour for a light tan, 2 hours for a medium tan or 3 hours for a dark tan!

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

- Lisamarie -

September 16, 2020

This week I'm obsessed with... LastObject LastTissue!

It's kind of hard to remember pre-pandemic days now but in my foggy memories I seem to recall Greta dressing down world leaders and a big push towards eliminating one-use plastics. These days it's disposable masks as far as the eye can see which is a little disheartening. But not everyone is on the use it and toss it bandwagon...

LastObject has come up with a few ways to school a disposable society into reusing things we're all conditioned to see as garbage.

Items include LastRound cotton pads; LastSwab cotton swabs, with both hygenic and beauty options; and my particular fave - LastTissue - 6 tissues in a silicone case - $33 - old timey handkerchiefs for the modern world made from 100% organic cotton.
The case they come in has a clever design - clean tissues are separated from dirty ones and even the case itself can go in the dishwasher. Each tissue can be used and reused 120 times and there is no need to buy the whole thing again - refill packs are available for $17! I recommend washing them before using the first time, I found them a bit scratchy at first but they softened right up after washing - you will also want to throw them into a lingerie/delicates bag or it becomes a treasure hunt trying to find them among your clothes afterwards - and actually after taking a look at the site I realize that they also sell a laundry bag for them ($11) so they obviously already knew this would be a thing!

Available now at lastobject.com.

- Lisamarie-

September 14, 2020

The best in oils for your hair, face and body from Sebastian, Neutrogena and Burberry!

Sebastian Dark Oil - 95ml - $26.99 - infused with a special blend of oils for lightweight texture and shine that replenishes hair from the inside-out to smooth the cuticle and add body as well as protect against UV damage.

This is my favourite product from the Dark Oil line which also includes a Shampoo, Conditioner, Silkening Mist and Mask - not only does it make my hair look super shiny and frizz-free, it also smells amazing!

Available at salons across Canada - check out sebastianprofessional.com to find one near you.
Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Oil - 30ml - $35.99 - an overnight treatment that reduces the appearance of stubborn crows feet and deep wrinkles using concentrated, intensely nourishing Retinol SA oil that intensely nourishes and replenishes dry skin for radiant, younger looking skin and visible results in just 1 week.

I have combination skin and find it plenty moisturizing so I don't feel the need to use anything with it - if you are dry though, you might want to use your regular night cream on top.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.
My Burberry Shower Oil - 240ml - $72 - a nourishing shower oil infused with My Burberry Eau de Parfum and almond oil to leave skin moisturized, nourished and fragrant with notes of: sweet pea, bergamot, geranium, golden quince, freesia, patchouli, rain-tipped damask and centifolia roses.

What's nice about this is not only does it leave your skin silky smooth, but leaves a subtle fragrance that lingers so there is no need to put on your usual perfume if you don't want to!

Available at department and drug stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

September 9, 2020

This week I'm obsessed with... Benefit Hello Happy Air Stick Foundation!

Benefit Hello Happy Air Stick Foundation - $44 - in 12 shades: 1 - fair cool, 2 - light warm, 3 - light neutral warm, 4 - medium neutral, 5 - medium neutral warm, 6 - medium warm, 7 - medium tan neutral, 8 - tan warm, 9 - deep neutral, 10 - deep warm, 11 - dark neutral, 12 - dark warm - if offers medium coverage and 16 hour wear that glides on silky-smooth and dries down to a natural matte finish. The waterproof formula contains soft lightweight powders and shea butter to give it a weightless and breathable feel, blends and builds seamlessly for a natural looking - not cakey - complexion and includes a happy blend of chamomile and botanical extracts and a light lavender scent.

I have never been a foundation stick devotee before but this one is a game changer for me! I normally use a liquid foundation so I was finding the stick formula a little heavy until I discovered that it was a lot less messy to use the stick to make my own tinted moisturizer! On a clean face, I just swipe the stick down both sides, nose, chin and forehead and then apply my moisturizer - rubbing it in spreads the foundation around and dilutes it and then I finish with a quick once over with a foundation brush to smooth everything out. But it gets better - then in lieu of a concealer, I use the stick directly on anything that needs some extra coverage - blemishes, dark circles, redness - presto gone - I love this freakin' stick!

Score your own miracle stick at Benefit counters across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

September 7, 2020

Keep summer going with Catrice, St. Tropez and Maison Margiela!

Catrice Sungasm Face & Body Highlighter - $11.99 - a generously sized, silky soft powder with light reflecting pigments for flawless, radiant looking summer skin all year round. just dust it onto high points of the face, collarbone and neck or wherever else on the body you want a shimmering glow!

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
St. Tropez Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Body Mist - 200ml - $54 - a lightweight and easy-to-use clear self tanner that simply spritzes onto skin for a supercharged glow and is infused with 95% natural skincare ingredients, hydrating hyaluronic acid, refreshing green mandarin water and vitamin C and D boosters to mimic the effects of the sun, without the damage. Apply day or night with no need to rinse and no transfer onto clothing or bed sheets - Simply spritz and blend with the Self Tan Double-Sided Luxe Velvet Applicator Mitt ($10) - for a sunkissed glow that will develop over 4-8 hours and fade evenly over time.

Also available in a Bronzing Water Serum - 50ml - $39 - designed especially for the face with a water-based texture and powder soft finish that is packed with hyaluronic acid, peach flower extract, green mandarin water and vitamin C and D boosters - known to brighten skin, protect from external aggressors and mimic the effects of the sun, without the harmful effect of UV rays. Apply directly onto skin as a primer or mix with your usual moisturizer/SPF for weightless, golden glow that develops over 4-6 hours.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Jean Coutu, London Drugs and Rexall stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca, sephora.ca and londondrugs.com.
Maison Margiela Replica Beach Walk - 100ml EDT - $159, 10ml EDT - $38 - a fresh floral fragrance with the scent of salt air, the perfume of sunscreen and the glow of sunkissed skin to evoke the memory of endless summer days with the radiant perfumes of bergamot, lemon, heliotrope, coconut milk, and musk.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

September 2, 2020

This week I'm obsessed with... Mary Kay Unlimited Lip Gloss!

Mary Kay Unlimited Lip Gloss - $18 - in 14 stunning shades and 3 high-shine finishes - 6 cream: Iconic Red, Pink Fusion, Unique Mauve, Nude Blush, Tawny Nude and Chocolate Nude; 4 pearl: Pink Ballerina, Berry Delight, Evening Berry and Soft Nude; and 4 shimmer: Fancy Nancy, Sheer Illusion, Beach Bronze and Copper Aura - with lightweight formula containing high-moisturizing technology that glides on to immediately moisturize and leave lips looking healthy.

The gloss really does have a great feel and I especially like the applicator’s unique reservoir that picks up and distributes the perfect amount of product so you don't have to keep digging in the tube.
Fancy Nancy - with a name like that, how could you not love it?! And while I do love the colour, I prefer the cream and pearl formulations - this one is a shimmer and has a bit of a gritty feel.

Berry Delight - on the plus side it's super shiny - which meant I could not get a uniform picture of the colour on my lips, the light just kept bouncing off it and making the colour look uneven on my lips so this is a better representation of shine then shade - you'll have to take my word for it that it is a very bright and pretty berry!

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


- Lisamarie -