December 30, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Korres Black Sugar

Looking for something sweet to start off your New Year's with? How about...
 
Korres Black Sugar - 50ml EDT - $65 - an amber vanilla scent with top notes of Oriental lily, caramel and heliotrope; heart notes of rose, black sugar and Brazilian rosewood; and base notes: amber, vanilla bean and tonka bean and musk.

I believe overall the Korres scents are meant to be unisex but this is a very feminine fragrance and not something I would want to be smelling on my husband - but if you like your man to smell sweet then go for it! I love a vanilla scent personally and this is one of the better ones that I've smelled in a long time - nothing cloying about it thanks to a musky undertone that saves it from girly-sweet into something sexy - and it has some great staying power!

There is also a matching body wash and butter if you like to layer.
 
Available online at korres.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -


December 23, 2022

Fragrant Friday - easy ways to choose a fragrance from Shoppers Drug Mart and Wikiparfum!

Whether you are still doing some last minute shopping or looking for a New Year's fragrance for yourself, you can't go wrong with:
 
Shoppers Beauty Women's Luxe Fragrance Discovery Collection - $115 - includes deluxe samples of 7 sensational fragrances and once you try them all and pick the one you like best you can use the certificate inside to get a full-size bottle! 
 
Choices include: Marc Jacobs Perfect 5ml, Chloe Signature 5ml, Gucci Bloom 5ml, Versace Bright Crystal 5ml, Lancôme La Vie Est Belle 4.5ml, Ariana Grande Cloud 2.0 Intense 7.5ml and Juicy Couture Oui 5ml.
 
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada - I've still seen them in store but they are sold out on the website so I don't imagine there will be any left in the stores for long! And there is also a men's version just in case you need to re-smell the man in your life!

Or if you want to skip the set but need some fragrance help? Then you are going to love yourself some Wikiparfum - an encyclopedia for perfume lovers created with the aim of helping you find your perfect scent! You can use it to search for thousands of perfumes by brand or name and immerse yourself into the world of scent with expert content by professional perfumers and scientists. You can also create a scent profile with the notes that you love the most and it will recommend fragrances containing them - helping take some of the guess work out of standing in front of the daunting fragrance wall trying to figure out which scent you might like!

Discover, learn and become an expert at wikiparfum.com.

- Lisamarie -

December 21, 2022

Great Gifting - Alterna Haircare Hair Care Holiday Gift Sets

Alterna Haircare, known for their transformative formulas based on the science of skincare is offering up 5 limited-edition hair care sets containing a luxurious cleaning and conditioning system paired with a complimentary styling gift - and in such a pretty box, no additional gift wrapping needed! The perfect gift for the hair lover in your life or to revive your own holiday tired locks:
 
My newest fave: CAVIAR Anti-Aging - Restructuring Bond Repair Holiday Set - $94.00 -  Featuring a new formula with sustainably sourced Maracuja Oil, clinically proven to reduce breakage & split ends by up to 99% with exclusive Caviar Bond Enforcing Technology that helps mend damaged strands to restore hair to its healthiest look & feel. Best for weak/damaged hair. Includes a free gift of Caviar Professional Styling Rapid Blowout Balm.
 
You won't believe how soft and smooth your hair will feel after just a week or two of using - split ends? what the heck are those?!
 
My Hair. My Canvas. Holiday Set - $86.00 - a gentle vegan moisturizing shampoo & conditioner that enhances shine, adds smoothness and improves manageability. For most hair types. Includes a free gift of Any Way Texture Spray - a vegan texturizing spray for effortless natural waves, frizz-fighting & humidity protection for up to 24 hours. 
 
CAVIAR Anti-Aging - Smoothing Anti-Frizz Holiday Set - $94.00 - effortlessly control the level of humidity affecting your hair with a blend of Caviar extract and nourishing oils. Best for medium to thick hair. Includes a free gift of Caviar Professional Styling Rapid Blowout Balm.

CAVIAR Anti-Aging - Multiplying Volume Holiday Set - $94.00 - create instant volume and thickness with the help of the unique Marine Plumping Complex. Best for fine, thin hair. Includes a free gift of  Caviar Professional Styling Rapid Blowout Balm.
 
CAVIAR Anti-Aging - Replenishing Moisture Holiday Set - $94.00 - infuse your moisture-starved strands with outstanding manageability, shine and texture to achieve youthful and healthy locks. Best for dry and brittle hair. Includes a free gift of Caviar Professional Styling Rapid Blowout Balm.
 
Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -

December 16, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Good Girl and Bad Boy: Gold Fantasy

For the holidays, Carolina Herrera has taken the Good Girl and Bad Boy fragrances we love so much and dipped them in gold to offer up a gilded collector's edition bottle.
 
For this limited release, the emblematic Good Girl high-heeled shoe and Bad Boy lightning bolt bottles are both entirely doused in perfectly polished gold. With the stiletto getting an added layer of glistening paillettes on the toe to really make it sparkle!

The perfect holiday gift for that golden girl or boy in your life (which also might of course be you)!

Good Girl 80ml EDP Natural Spray - $165
Bad Boy EDT Natural Spray - $132

Available while they last at Hudson's Bay, Shopper Drug Mart, Jean Coutu stores across Canada and online at Sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

December 14, 2022

All the best in Vitamin C serums that won't break the bank from Marcelle, Stratia and Skin Republic!

Vitamin C is a powerhouse skin care ingredients that you really need more of in your life. Not only does it do all the wonderful things that you would want - hydrate, brighten, promote collagen production, help fade hyperpigmentation, protect against sun damage - it is also totally compatible with other skin care actives, so you can add it to your routine without having to take anything away that you might already love. Of course the downside to vitamin C products is that the ones that work best can also often be expensive - totally worth it, but not in everyone's budget - so here are a few of my faves that won't break the bank:
 
Marcelle 10% Vitamin C + Probiotic Serum - 30ml - $39.99 - with a unique clean formula that combines the antioxidant power of vitamin C with the soothing benefits of probiotics to improve the skin's natural glow, even skin tone and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
 
The formula contains 10% stabilized Vitamin C which helps to smooth the skin and revive its radiance along with probiotics to strengthen the skin's microbiome and protect the skin barrier, restore the skin's instinctive defense and enhance the resilience of sensitive skin for a complexion that is radiant and bright.
 
I especially like the dropper format that it comes in which makes it very easy to control the amount of product used and absolutely no weird vitamin C smells!

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.
Stratia C+C Serum
- 30ml - $25 - a silky smooth, water-free formula that brightens, smooths and firms skin with a daily antioxidant boost featuring 15% vitamin C to brighten; ascorbic acid to help prevent premature aging by neutralizing free radicals caused by UV damage and pollution; ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate, an oil-soluble vitamin C derivative that fights free radicals and brightens skin tone; and CoQ10 to promote healthy, youthful skin.
 
Skin Republic Vitamin C 6% + Alpha Arbutine Brightening Serum
- 30ml - $20 - helps visibly even pigmentation and reduce the visible appearance of dark spots, leaving skin with a bright and luminous complexion. 
 
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and theskinrepublic.ca.

- Lisamarie -

December 7, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Olay Regenerist Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Gel!

The cold weather is back (boo!) and my skin sure is feeling it so this is the time of year that I switch my summer/fall serum up for a full-on moisturizer. My skin is picky of course and wants moisture that isn't too much moisture - so I find a hydrating gel is usually the way to go - and this one doesn't disappoint!
 
Olay Regenerist Hyaluronic + Peptide 24 Hydrating Gel - 50ml - $44.99 - with a fragrance-free, hydrating and clean gel formula that feels smooth and absorbs quickly, penetrating up to 10 surface layers of the skin, with no sticky or tacky feeling so it can be worn seamlessly under makeup.
 
The formula is chock-full of hyaluronic acid along with niacinamide and peptides for instant hydration that lasts 24 hours, visibly healthier-looking skin after 2 weeks and supple and radiant skin that glows after a month! 
 
Also available in the collection is a Serum ($44.99), Eye Cream ($44.99) and Cleanser ($15.99)
 
And if you are looking to try it out or to gift it to a bestie whose skin needs a good drink there is a great gift set at Shoppers Drug Mart that includes the cleanser and moisturizer for $55.99!

Available now at drugstores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

December 6, 2022

Great Gifting - Physicians Formula The Greatest Hits Butter Bronze & Glow Face Palette

Physicians Formula The Greatest Hits Butter Bronze & Glow Face Palette
- $14.99 - with 4 fan-favorite bronzers, blush and highlighter from the Butter Collection including: two Murumuru Butter Bronzers in Light Bronzer and Deep Bronzer; a Murumuru Butter Blush in Vintage Rouge; and a Murumuru Butter Highlighter in Tropical Sands so you can smooth, sculpt, and contour to your heart’s content. 
 
Not only do the powders look great, they also feel amazing - made with a blend of murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter and tucuma butter from the nutrient-rich Amazon, this skin-loving makeup is packed with essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins that soften, condition and moisturize the skin.
 
You can find some of the Physicians Formula holiday gift sets at Shoppers - but this one you will have to order on Amazon - but there is still lots of time to do it before Christmas! (or if you are in the US you can get it in person at Walgreens)
 
- Lisamarie -

November 23, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... the Quo Beauty Holiday Collection!

The Quo Beauty holiday collection never disappoints and 2022 is no exception! From luxe sets and palettes to tiny treasures to stuff your stocking with, you can find it all!
 
My fave item this season is the All The Glam Brush Set - $26 - six travel sized brushes with glitzy handles and luxurious, easy to clean 100% synthetic fiber bristles that fit perfectly into the tin canister to provide a chic way to store and protect them at home or on the go - including: Powder Brush,  Foundation Brush, Crease Brush, All-Over Shadow Brush, Smudge Brush, Pointed Liner Brush and a Tin Canister.  

Others you need to check out include: Deluxe Lip Gloss Set - $20.00 - with 8 shades from peach to plum to make it easy to find the perfect lip gloss shade for your everyday wear or evenings out; Fresh Start Hydrogel Eye Patches - $12.00 - a pair of hydrogel eye patches that help keep the under-eye area bright and moisturized; and the always favourite Quo Beauty Cosmetic Crackers in Red or Gold -  $18.00 - a six-piece set of holiday crackers - crack one open for a glossy surprise!

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

- Lisamarie -

November 11, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Le Parfum

Jean Paul Gaultier has brought Scandal back and it's more intense than ever with...
 
Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Le Parfum - 50ml - $122, 80ml - $158 - an amber floral fragrance with top notes of radiant jasmine and sparkling mandarin; a heart of indulgent salted caramel; and a sweet base of black vanilla.
 
The fragrance has a nice sweetness but has a little too much floral in it for my taste - but the bottle is unforgettable - shiny, lacquered red with silver accents including a pair of up-in-the-air legs - even the box is luxurious and different - all draped in vermilion velvet!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

November 2, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Stratia Interface Firming & Repairing Peptide Cream!

Stratia Interface Firming & Repairing Peptide Cream - 50ml - $25 - a quick absorbing, daily moisturizer enriched with barrier-strengthening peptides upregulate filaggrin, loricrin and keratin -  to keep skin strong and resilient while reducing transepidermal water loss; along with panthenol, rosehip seed oil, hyaluronic acid and squalane - to nourish, moisturize, and plump; while licorice root and allantoin gently brighten and even skin tone - combined in a luxurious formula that melts into your skin to help hydrate, firm and repair with each use for healthy, bouncy, rested skin.
 
What's interesting to me is that these aren't your  ordinary peptides, but actually encapsulated and lined with targeting peptides strategically engineered to release when and where they’re supposed to, to reduce wrinkles and stimulate the production of essential proteins for healthier skin from this inside out. Sounds like science fiction - but unlike time travel, I actually kind of understand it (and doesn't have the potential to wreck everything)! I also really like the weight of the formula, it soaks right in and my foundation goes easily over it without piling. If you like to layer it also works well with other products.  
 
Best of all, no weird smells, which at the end of the day is what really makes or breaks a product for me!
 
Formulated and bottled by hand in Los Angeles, it's vegan, cruelty-free and free of common irritants like fragrance, alcohol and essential oils.
 
 
- Lisamarie -

October 21, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Le Parfum

Carolina Herrera redefines the iconic Bad Boy scent with an electrifying new formula that's bolder than before...
 
Bad Boy Le Parfum - 50ml - $102, 100ml - $138, 150ml - $180 - with top notes of grapefruit and hemp; heart notes of black pepper and geranium; and base notes of leather and vetiver for a scent that is unapologetic, authentic and mysterious.
 
I'm a fan of men's fragrance with grapefruit in them so I was already prepared to like it, although I do find that grapefruit tends to fade quickly - but not in this case - the grapefruit lingers while the spicy heart notes gives the fragrance some real kick with the vetiver adding some soothing green notes - overall I am loving this one - and the lightning bolt bottle is just cool!
 
Available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Jean Coutu stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

And of course there is a fun commercial to go with it...

- Lisamarie -

October 12, 2022

The latest and greatest in serums from Avon Anew, Trinny London and Vichy!

Help keep time at bay with:
 
Avon Anew Platinum Age Delay Serum - 30ml - $84 - a fast penetrating serum that visibly minimizes multiple signs of aging with an innovative antioxidant technology containing niacinamide (vitamin B3) and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) plus collagen-stimulating peptides. Use morning and night before moisturizer or great on its own if you have oily/combo skin. And if you are fancy and like a separate night serum, check out the new Avon Anew Ultimate Repair Night Serum - 30ml - $84 - with an advanced restorative formula that diminishes the appearance of fine lines and visibly improves skin and tome and texture.
 
Available online at avon.ca
Give your skin back it's bounce with:
 
Trinny London Plump Up Peptide HA Serum - 30ml - $118 - a lightweight yet intense treatment with a high-tech formula chock full of  advanced peptides - that help champion your skin’s collagen and elastin production to plump skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines; hyaluronic acid - brings hydration to quench skin’s thirst and restore bounce - which are clinically proven to visibly firm and lift, the ultimate miracle worker for plump, hydrated skin. 
 
And the nice thing about it, as with all Trinny London products, it's refillable - so when you need a new one, the refill will only set you back $94!

Available online at trinnylondon.com/ca.
Get your glow back with:
 
Vichy Liftactiv Supreme Vitamin C Serum - 20ml - $59.95 - a pure and powerful formula with 15% pure vitamin C, vitamin E, hyaluronic acid and Vichy volcanic water to hydrate, brighten, illuminate, even skin tone, firm and visibly reduce fine lines. In just 10 days of use, you can look forward to a complexion that looks brighter, more even and your fine lines will appear reduced.

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at vichy.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -

September 30, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne Fame

Paco Rabanne introduces a new fragrance for the woman that is  playful, sensual and empowered:
 
Paco Rabanne Fame - 50ml EDP - $122, 80ml EDP - $158, 200ml EDP - $212, 200ml Body Lotion - $54 - an irresistible floral, woody musk fragrance with top notes of mango and bergamot; heart notes of jasmine and incense; and base notes of sandalwood and vanilla that  combined radiate joy and audacious sensuality. Made in France of 90% natural origin and 100% crafted in Grasse from sustainable ingredients.

The scent is fresh and spicy from the combination of the mango and incense which is what I smell the most on me to start with and then it dries down to really get the sandalwood and vanilla creaminess - a lovely fragrance for fall!
 
The avant-garde bottle is of course all kinds of adorable - from the dress of silver pastilles to the cat's-eye sunglasses to the edgy piercings - like jewelry for your dressing table!
 
Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Jean Coutu and Nordstrom stores across Canada.

There's also a commercial to love starring Elle Fanning - and of course you'll never guess what the song it uses is...
 
  
 
 - Lisamarie -

September 14, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Perfecting Lip Sugar Scrub & Quo Beauty Lip + Cheek Stick!

I have to say, masking sure was great for hiding sins of the mouth such as dry, flaky lips! Now that there is less masking going on and lips are on full display there is a delicious way to solve that problem at least:

Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Perfecting Lip Sugar Scrub - 14.2g - $13.99 - buff, smooth and nourishes dry flaky lips with a formula that contains a sweet blend of upcycled pomegranate seeds - to fight free radicals and exfoliate; sugarcane infused with naturals AHAs polishes away dull, dry surface cells to reveal youthful texture; and organic rosehip oil Alpine Rose Stem Cells help boost vitality and longevity of the lips sensitive surface - for a polished and soft look and a perfect pout.

Available online at andalou.com and amazon.com.

Perfectly smooth lips means that colour will go on evenly and last longer so a great lipstick is now in order such as:
 
Quo Beauty Lip + Cheek Stick in Fantasea - $14 - infused with golden seaweed & algae extract, use on cheek or lips or both to create a soft, fresh-faced look. Housed in a stick applicator made from 45% Ocean Works materials to help you feel and look good while helping remove plastic from the ocean!
 
Part of the Quo Beauty summer collection that you can still find it online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and in Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada - it also comes in Sail Away - a perfect coral shade that works for just about everyone!

- Lisamarie -

August 31, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint and Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer!

 Looking for the perfect go-to complexion product for a “no-makeup” makeup look? Then look no further...
 
Fenty Beauty’s Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint - 32ml - $42 - in 25 flexible shades: 1 - light with cool neutral undertones; 2 - light with neutral undertones; 3 - light with warm neutral undertones; 4 - light medium with cool undertones; 5 - light medium with warm yellow undertones; 6 - light medium with cool neutral undertones; 7 - light medium with warm neutral undertones; 8 - light medium with warm undertones; 9 - medium with neutral undertones; 10 - medium with warm yellow undertones; 11 - medium with neutral undertones; 12 - medium with warm golden undertones; 13 - medium with warm undertones; 14 - medium with warm olive undertones; 15 - medium  with neutral undertones; 16 - medium with neutral olive undertones; medium deep with warm neutral undertones; 18 - medium deep with warm yellow undertones; 19 - medium deep with warm undertones; 20 - deep with warm golden undertones; 21 - deep with warm neutral undertones; 22 - deep with warm undertones; 23 deep with neutral undertones; 24 - deep with warm bronze undertones; 25 - deep with neutral undertones -  with light-to-medium coverage that adds a blurring, flawless filtered, and natural effect to the skin without the heavy, cakey look and feel of a traditional complexion product and contains sodium hyaluronate to nourish the skin leaving it soft, hydrated, and smooth without clogging pores and settling into fine lines. 
 
Up to now my go-to has been Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation because I like a very light feeling product, especially during the hot months. Eaze Drop has the same light feel but a much softer finish and a way less annoying bottle so sorry Benefit, I think you have been knocked out of first place! 
 
Moisturizer that pairs well with my foundation is also important especially because I often either mix them together for a sheerer look or realize that I forgot to put moisturizer on altogether (in my defense, morning...) and end up applying it on top of the foundation - this one is a winner, smooth and sheer with no piling or flashback...
 
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Fragrance-Free Invisible Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen - 50ml - $49 - an everyday hydrating, light as air, invisible moisturizer infused with sun protection with a unique pink tint that allows it to work beautifully on all skin tones and a formula containing: niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) - helps reduce the look of dark spots, even skin tone, and fight excess shine; hyaluronic acid and aloe - helps hydrate, soothe and condition; and kalahari desert melon (wild watermelon) - rich in antioxidants and vitamins to help hydrate and make the product smell clean and fresh. A true multi-tasker that brightens skin, reduces the look of pores and dark spots and makes fine lines and wrinkles less visible, instantly and over time - what's not to love?!
 
Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca and fentybeauty.com.
 
- Lisamarie -

August 17, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Florence by Mills Mind Glowing Peel Off Mask!

I just loves me a mask that peels off - add glowing and pink to the equation and you can sign me right up!
 
Florence by Mills Mind Glowing Peel Off Mask - 50ml - $29 - an iridescent peel-off mask with a paraben free, vegan and dermatologist tested formula containing purifying charcoal powder - an oil magnet that draws out dirt and oil from the pores for the ultimate detox; witch hazel - an oil-balancer that helps soothe skin and keep pores clear and happy; and lavender oil - to soothe and calm skin - to leave skin feeling refreshed and glowing.  
 
Just apply a thick, even layer to the entire face avoiding eyes (and hair, it's super sticky) - wait 20-30 minutes for it to dry and then starting at the edges, peel it off - and don't forget to admire the glow!
 
Follow up with Dreamy Dew Moisturizer - 50ml - $22 - an oil-free featherlight hydrating lotion that uses clean ingredients including willow bark extract to control oil and soothe and leave skin feeling dewy fresh.
 
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -

August 12, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Ariana Grande Cloud 2.0 Intense


Ariana Grande Cloud 2.0 Intense
- 100ml EDP - $80 - a sweet gourmand fragrance with top notes of  lavender blossom, juicy pear and bergamot; heart notes of crème de coconut, indulgent praline and vanilla orchid; and base notes of sensual musks, creamy blonde woods, dry cashmeran and ambrox.
 
I love the fruity notes and really love the sweet ones but I could really do without the coconut, of which I am not a fan. I was hoping it would dissipate during the dry down but it really seemed to want to stick around so if you like coconut in your scent, you're going to want to check this one out. The bottle is fun enough though to stick around and take a place of pride on my dresser! 
 
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -

August 3, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Farm Rx Super Greens Refreshing Gel Cleanser Refill!

Farm Rx Super Greens Refreshing Gel Cleanser Refill - 500ml - $53 - an 85% natural origin ingredient foaming gel cleanser containing natural nourishing ingredients including broccoli and brussel sprouts (this is the only time brussel sprouts get anywhere near me) - super greens rich in antioxidant vitamins A, B, C and E; a blend of  green tea extract and moringa oil - to help protect the skin's moisture barrier - removing makeup, impurities and oil, for skin that looks softer, brighter and healthier. 
 
The gel has a light fresh scent and a very mild foam that is a perfect morning pick me up and/or to wash the sins of the day off in the evening.
 
Good for your skin and good for the planet, the pouch is made of 30% post-consumer recycled material.
 
I use the refill in a plastic pump bottle that I already have because I am way too much of a klutz to be trusted with glass in the bathroom - which is what the original cleanser comes in - but if you can keep your bottles in one piece and don't already have a bottle to recycle:
 
Farm Rx Super Greens Refreshing Gel Cleanser - 240ml - $37 - after that you can grab the pouch which will refill your bottle again twice over!

Available online at avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

July 29, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Glam

There's a new Very Good Girl in town... Very Good Girl Glam which is a tribute to a woman who radiates a zest for life and who has the self-assurance to stand up for herself and for the planet that she inhabits:
 
Carolina Herrera Very Good Girl Glam - 80ml EDP - $168 - a deeper and more intense fragrance then it's predecessor: with intense black cherry and bitter almond top notes; while lily and upcycled rose water amplifies the feminine heart of the fragrance, elevating it from an Eau de Parfum to a concentrated parfum; finishing with a base of sustainably sourced vetiver and vanilla bourbon to intensify its depth and lend contrast.

I am a big fan of fragrances with cherry so I was already prepared to love it - a little sweet, a little fresh and a lot beautiful! It comes in the same stiletto bottle we have grown to love but this one is pink - and sparkles - so this is a win all around!
 
Available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.
 
- Lisamarie -

July 20, 2022

Get your skin's glow on with Vitamin C from Trinny London, Bliss and Honest Beauty - and protect with Blue Lizard!

Trinny London Boost Up 30% Vitamin C Serum - 30ml - $115 - targets dullness, uneven skin tone and dark spots with: Vitamin C - to brighten; plankton extract - to fade dark spots; and lemon peel ferment - to even skin tone - for visibly brighter, glowing skin. 
 
Now I love a Vitamin C product but I have to admit, most of them smell gross. My C of choice up to now has been the SkinCeuticals one which smells like hotdog water and is not necessarily the greatest thing to smell on your face... On the other hand, his Trinny one however smells slightly fresh but not really like anything at all. In a perfect world, Vitamin C would smell like citrus but in a choice between hotdogs and nothing, I choose nothing! The texture is also a bit thicker then your usual serum so my combination skin doesn't need anything else on top during these hotter months (other then sunscreen of course - more on that later)!
 
Something else to love - Trinny London products are refillable! Help save the planet and your wallet - a 30ml refill will set you back just $92!

Available online at trinnylondon.com/ca.

Bliss Bright Idea Vitamin C + Tri-Peptide Collagen Protecting and Brightening Moisturizer - 50ml - $34.99 - a vegan, high-tech moisturizer that contains 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid - the most effective, non-irritating form of vitamin C and a patented tri-peptide to boost skin's natural elasticity to brighten, plump and proect collagen while defending from future free radical damage.
 
Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.
Honest Beauty Vitamin C Radiance Serum
- 30ml - $39.99 - a brightening serum with Vitamin C, Diglucosyl Gallic Acid and Artichoke + Clover extracts - to help skintone appear more even and radiant; light reflecting pearl - brings instant illumination; while hyaluronic acid boosts hydration for plumper-looking skin.

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

And of course don't forget your sunscreen - these days I am rocking:
Blue Lizard Sheer Lotion Face Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 - 48ml - $21.99 - rubs in smooth and dries clear for sheer mineral sun protection with 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance. The protection part comes from zinc oxide with plant extracts while a super blend of hydrating hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, vitamin E and shea butter moisturizes skin. It’s also paraben free and fragrance free making it ideal for sensitive skin. Blue Lizard’s We Love the Reef sunscreens are Oxybenzone free and Octinoxate free for a beach sunscreen that has delicate coral reefs in mind.
 
Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs stores across Canada and online at well.ca and amazon.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -

July 15, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Paco Rabanne Invictus Platinum

Paco Rabanne has added a new winning fragrance to their Invictus line for those always ready to take on a challenge that is an expressive interpretation of the original: 
 
Paco Rabanne Invictus Platinum - 50ml EDP - $95, 100ml EDP - $125 - a woody and aromatic scent with pure power and elegance featuring top notes of absinth and invigorating grapefruit; heart notes of elegant lavender and fresh mint; and base notes of woody cypress and patchouli - and the trophy-shaped bottle now sports silver wings so you can fly away knowing you smell better then everyone else! I'm actually a big fan of men's fragrances that include lavender (depending on what it is paired with of course) - I just like that unexpected hint of something unexpected and it works really nicely here!
 
Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora, Nordstrom, Jean Coutu and London Drugs stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

June 29, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with (and get it while you can) - Dove Hair Mask + Minerals!

Dove Hair Mask + Minerals - 113g - $10.99 - in two nourishing formula choices infused with minerals to moisturize every strand and leave hair looking as healthy as it feels in just 5 minutes:

+ Pink Clay - to smooth - with 24-hour frizz protection, and infused with pink clay, this frizz reduction hair mask nourishes and smooths flyaways, combating unwanted frizz as it works.  
 
+ White Clay - to strengthen - helps nourish and strengthen strands damaged by heat, UV rays and everything else we do that can weaken it and cause hair breakage and leaves itn with up to 99% less hair breakage. 

As an added bonus, the containers are made from 100% recycled packaging, so you can care for the environment while you care for your hair – perfect if you're trying to make your self-care more sustainable.
 
I'm saying get it while you can because I found it on clearance at Walmart which usually means that it's being discontinued - hopefully just reformatted but who knows so I stocked up! I am still finding some online at different places like iHerb.com so that's an option too if your Walmart is all out...

- Lisamarie -

June 24, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... LUSH Rose Butterfly Bath Bomb - for a really good cause!

Lush Cosmetics is on a mission to  educate customers on the critical role pollinators play in the food supply and ecosystem, and draw attention to habitat loss from pollution, the misuse of chemicals, and climate change. 
And if you didn't think taking a nice long soak could help, you're wrong...
 
LUSH Rose Butterfly Bath Bomb - $6.95 - containing Sicilian lemon oil, which Lush buys from a family-run business in Sicily, Italy. The lemons are grown without pesticides and collected and pressed by hand entirely with their peel. Best of all,100% of the sales price (minus the tax) will go towards raising $150,000 for Pollinator Partnership and other organizations working to protect pollinators as these threats to pollinators are contributing to shrinking and shifting pollinators populations, which literally keep food on our plate. You can find more info on the campaign here.
 
Available now online at lush.ca and in LUSH stores across North America  but only while quantities last! 

While you are at the store be sure to pick up a take-away seeded paper, which is a mix of non-invasive plants including Bird’s Eye, Clarkia, Black Eyed Susan, Catchfly, Snapdragon and Sweet Alyssum, and can be planted to add natural habitat to attract pollinators. And if you drop by your local Lush tomorrow (Saturday June 25th) they are hosting free seed bomb making parties in 265 shops across North America starting at 12:00pm local time. 
 
You can find the Lush shop locator here to find the store closest to you that will be holding the event. Between the seeded paper and the events, new habitat for pollinators the size of almost 32 football fields will be created!

- Lisamarie -

June 22, 2022

Show your PRIDE with Quo Beauty!

 

Self expression has never been so glam thanks to the Quo Beauty pride-inspired limited edition collection - chock full of over 60 choices in makeup, tools and accessories to help everyone celebrate Pride Month with colour and confidence - a few of my faves:
 
Quo Beauty Love Is Love Eyeshadow Palette - $25 - contains 12 vibrant shades of pressed powder to create a multitude of looks to be proud of! 
Quo Beauty Paint My Pride Brush Set - $35.99 - revel in five cruelty-free, rainbow-inspired makeup brushes including: Powder Brush, Foundation Brush, Blush Brush, All Over Shadow Brush and Angled Shadow Brush.
Quo Beauty Rainbow Blending Sponge - $9 - achieve an airbrushed, consistent finish to your liquid and cream makeup products with this soft, expertly shaped blending sponge that is as pretty as it is useful!
 
Everything is limited edition and much of it is sold out on line but if you pop into your local Shoppers Drug Mart store I am still seeing it on the shelves - but probably not for long! Happy Pride!
 
- Lisamarie -

June 10, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum
- 125ml EDP Intense - $142 - a more intense interpretation of Le Beau EDT with top notes of pineapple, iris, cypress and ginger; heart notes of coconut and wood; and base notes of tonka bean, sandalwood, amber and ambergris.

It's a fresh, woody scent that smells great - on the boy or even on you if you are partial to something less girlie! They call it a more intense version of the EDT but I don't actually find they smell that similar at all - both nice but in different ways. And of course you can't hate the bottle - a chiselled chest in deep blue with a (non-removable) golden fig leaf!
 
Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

June 8, 2022

Humid weather must-haves from Vichy, Fruits & Passion and Physician's Formula!

Vichy Mineral 89 Probiotic Fractions Regenerating + Repairing Booster - 30ml - $49.95 - works to improve radiance, elasticity and fine lines with a fragrance-free formula of 4% niacinamide, probiotic fractions and Vichy volcanic water. It's not meant to be used all the time but rather during intense periods of stress so that it won't show up on the skin. Humidity tends to make my skin go blotchy and tired looking so this is perfect for it - when humidity is in the forecast I switch out my Mineral 89 Daily Booster for this one!
 
Available at drugstores across Canada and online at vichy.ca.
Alo Fruits & Passion Natural Deodorant - 50g - $9 - in 4 scents: Orange Cantaloupe, Ocean Flower, Pear Peony and Grapefruit Guava - an aluminum-free smooth stick deodorant with a non-whitening, odor-fighting formula that provides 24 hour protection and is even great for sensitive skin. My issue with most  deodorants during humid weather is I feel like the scent goes rancid and it ends up smelling worse then sweat would! No issues with this one - Grapefruit Guava remains regular fruity, not rotten fruity!

Available at Fruits and Passions stores across Canada and online at fruits-passion.com and avon.ca.
Physicians Formula Diamond Mascara
- $17.99 - a 5-in-1 clear product that can be used as a primer, mascara, grow gel, hair gel or false lash top coat - designed to condition and provide a natural yet polished look to lashes and brows with an ultra-nourishing formula containing lash strengthening peptides, soothing mineral water, nourishing vitamin E and real diamond dust! that primes, conditions, grooms and tames. It only took the first day of humid weather this year and the raccoon eyes I came out of it with to realize that clear mascara was going to be my best friend this summer - and that little bit of shimmer you get from the diamond dust in this one makes me feel fancy!

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

May 25, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Avon Elastine PropoliThera Hair Deep Conditioning Treatment Cap!

Shake off the last of your winter hair doldrums by adding some warm-weather body and shine to your hair with:
 
Avon Elastine PropoliThera Hair Deep Conditioning Treatment Cap - pack of 2 - $26 - repairs and strengthens damaged hair  with a nourishing deep-conditioning treatment mask that replenishes moisture in one cap application to keep locks looking silky smooth and voluminous.
 
Made up of a blend of propolis (tree sap and beeswax), honey and royal jelly for healthy-looking body and shine with a wonderful berry, rose and peony scent.  
 
It's super easy to use: after shampooing, remove excess water and cover all your hair with cap and adjust it to size of your head. Lightly massage the cap to help for an even absorption of nutrients - leave on for 10-15 minutes and then just rinse thoroughly. You will love how soft and shiny your hair it leaves your hair! My recommendation - use it while taking a bath - it can soak in while you bathe and the scent adds a relaxing aspect to a lazy soak!
 
Available from your Avon rep or online at avon.ca.
 
- Lisamarie -

May 11, 2022

Needful Things - Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team Face Palette

If all this wonderful warm weather has you realizing just how long it has been since you have seen sun or been on a vacation - and your skin shows it - then help is on the way - fake it until you make it with:
 
Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team Face Palette - $25.99 - achieve a gorgeous tropic glow with a palette chock full luxuriously smooth butter blended bronzers, blushes, highlighter and face powder that seamlessly work together to create the look of a tropical vacation dream. Palette includes: Murumuru Butter Bronzer in Bronze; Matte Monoi Butter Bronzer in Deep; Murumura Butter Blush in Saucy Mauve; Butter Believe It! Blush in Pink Sands; Murumuru Butter Highlighter in Champagne; and Butter Believe It! Face Powder in Translucent
 
Made with a blend of murumuru butter, cupuacu butter, and tucuma butter from the nutrient-rich Amazon, this makeup is packed with essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins that soften, condition, and moisturize the skin. As well, they are talc-free and are extra-breathable, making them a perfect match for those even with sensitive skin. A few swipes of this palette will have you looking like you just got home from a tropical vacation - the coconut-y scent will help with that feeling too!
 
Available now at drugstores across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart.
 
- Lisamarie -

May 6, 2022

Fragrant Friday - Nina Ricci Nina Soleil

Nina Ricci brings us a ray of sunshine this spring with...
 
Nina Soleil - 50ml EDT - $88 - an oriental citrusy floral fragrance with fresh top notes of bergamot and mandarin orange; heart notes of whipped cream and gardenia; and base notes of vanilla and soft cedarwood.

Let me start by saying - the bottle - delightful! If there ever was packaging that just made you happy looking at it, this is it! There is also a lot to like about the fragrance itself. On me, it's very citrusy, I do love a citrus but after the description I was hoping for a sweet citrus but it is definitely citrus on the floral side - still lovely though!

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

- Lisamarie -

April 29, 2022

3 steps to glowing skin with Conair, StiVectin and Alya Skin!

Start your glowing skin regime with...
 
Conair True Glow Facial Sauna - $49.99 - cleanses, hydrates and refreshes skin with a warm steam  moisturizing mist that loosens dirt, oil and blackheads for a complete deep cleansing while promoting overall skin health and protection by improving skin tone and elasticity that brings out skin's natural beauty and glow. It has 7 timer settings making it great for all skin types and is also great for reducing nasal congestion during colds and allergies.

I was a little worried when trying this, my skin is prone to redness and I thought I might turn out less glowy and more boiled lobster but no worry needed - my skin pinked up a bit but did not boil!

Available at mass retailers across Canada and online at conaircanada.ca.
After steaming, this is the perfect time to exfoliate and get rid of any lingering embedded dirt and to slough off dead skin 

StriVectin Advanced Resurfacing Pro Glowfoliant Mix-In Microderm Crystals - 36g - $49 - finely textured, dermatologist-grade microdermabrasion crystals plus a gentle blend of AHAs offer results comparable to a professional microdermabrasion treatment.
 
It's very easy and versatile - just mix a bit with any cleanser to thoroughly exfoliate dulling, pore-clogging dead skin cells for visibly renewed, ultra-smooth glowing skin in just 15 seconds without disrupting skin’s barrier. The "any cleanser" part is what I really appreciate about it - a lot of exfoliants are too thick and heavy for my taste but this one mixes easily into my light gel cleanser so I get all the exfoliating benefits in a texture of my choice!

Available at drugstores across Canada.
And now that your skin is perfectly smooth and soft finish it off with some Vitamin C to keep the glow going - I would recommend...

Alya Skin Vitamin C Supercharged Serum - 35ml - $41.99 - boosts the skin with a blend of Kakadu Plum, Desert Lime, Finger Lime Caviar and Lilly Pilly. These Australian natives are packed full of Vitamin C - a powerful antioxidant which plumps, brightens, and increases collagen production to brighten and even skin tone. 
 
Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

When my skin feels this clean and soft I hate to put on makeup, but if I have to it is amazing how easily foundation glides on and how much better it looks -  just add these 3 steps to your routine twice a week and admire the glow with and without foundation! You will also definitely want to add this to your special event prep or for anytime you want to look especially good!
 
- Lisamarie -

April 20, 2022

This week I'm obsessed with... Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Spray Conditioner!

Anyone with fine hair knows that too much or too heavy a conditioner will just leave hair  looking greasy and limp, while no conditioner leaves us with a tangled, flyaway mess! Our conditioning woes are now over thanks to...
 
Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Spray Conditioner - 200ml - $15.99 - with a bi-phase, leave in formula perfect for fine to normal damaged hair that combines an efficient concentration of ingredients that instantly improve the feel of the hair, leaving it soft and supple. 
 
The benefits are immediate - moisture and elasticity are vastly improved bringing instantly enhanced manageability and vitality - and it detangles like a dream! It's easy to use, just make sure you give it a good shake so the two parts mix together and spray on towel tried hair - style as usual and prepare to be amazed! 
 
There is a whole line of products to compliment it I also love the Peptide Repair Rescue Micellar Shampoo - and if you don't have the fine hair issue, there are also products for thick to normal damaged hair so you don't need to feel left out!
 
Available at salons across Canada as well as a bunch of online retailers including Matt&Max, Chatters and Amazon.
 
- Lisamarie -