Fragrant Friday - Guerlain’s Florabloom: The Floral I Didn’t See Coming!

Guerlain is at it again, serving up another stunner in their Aqua Allegoria line - this time inspired by the rare natural wonder known as a superbloom. Imagine it: vast desert plains suddenly bursting into carpets of colour after a rainfall, every bloom vying for attention. That’s the magic bottled in: 

 

Aqua Allegoria Forte Florabloom - 75ml EDP - $165  - this fragrance is a lush, full-bodied bouquet that practically hums with life. It opens with the intoxicating warmth of tuberose at sunset, dances through a sensual swirl of Grasse Centifolia rose and settles into powdery whispers of violet and iris. Beneath it all, sandalwood and velvety moss lend depth and a touch of mystery - because what’s beauty without a little intrigue? 

 

Now, you’ve heard me say it a hundred times: florals aren’t usually my thing. I’m a sweet-and-fruity kind of girl through and through. But this one? Total exception. The moment I smelled it, I was transported straight back to my childhood - to a scratch-and-sniff book I adored, with a page that smelled like a flower market in France. One whiff of Florabloom and suddenly I’m transported there again, standing in front of the box overflowing with blooms, grinning like a kid. Isn’t it wild how scent can do that!? 

 

You can find Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Florabloom now at Shoppers Drug Mart stores and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca. 

Bonus: the holiday sets are in and they’re offering a gorgeous gift set featuring the fragrance, a 7.5ml mini and a 75ml body lotion - the perfect excuse (as if you needed one) to treat yourself or I guess as a gift...

 

- Lisamarie - 

Treat your hot flashes with cool products from Marcelle, Justice and Nivea!

Menopause, it's the plot twist no one asked for.... but here we are... It's a word that strikes fear into the hearts of women everywhere. Sure, there are perks. No more periods - imagine being able to wear white pants whenever you want! But then there’s the… let’s call it less glamourous side: hot flashes, mood swings, rebellious skin - you name it, it could happen.

 

Amanda Thebe, bestselling author, menopause educator and advocate for women's health offers some great advice: “The worst things you can do for yourself during menopause are to ignore your symptoms, try to power through in silence and neglect the changes your body is going through. I know from experience how isolating and confusing that can be. I spent years misdiagnosed and struggling with symptoms like dizziness, depression, dry & irritable skin, without realizing they were connected to perimenopause.” 

 

While it's true that lot of it is out of your control or at least more in control of a medical professional - the personal care side of it is something you can help yourself with, once you find the right products of course! 

 

The biggest project can be your skin which suddenly goes haywire and starts doing the opposite of what you are used to - Amanda agrees finding that her skin has lost elasticity and has become much drier, dull, and more sensitive as a result of menopause, so finding the right hydration & product was a priority. Using science-backed products designed specifically for menopause like Marcelle’s Revival+ Vitality collection has been a game changer for her. The collection uses a breakthrough formula, made with antioxidants, vitamin D, turmeric, hyaluronic acid, urea and squalane, leaving skin feeling firmer, more hydrated and just healthier overall. Amanda feels that "it’s lovely to see visible concrete results while knowing the formula was co-created with 400 Canadian women in menopause with sensitive skin."  

 

Revival+ Vitality Redensifying Day Cream - 50ml - $39.95 

This comforting, hydrating cream is like a support bra for your face - it lifts, firms and helps counteract all those delightful effects menopause brings. It’s been tested and recommended by Canadian women in menopause with sensitive skin and it helps restore comfort, hydration and bounce for plumper, happier skin. 

Also worth grabbing: Revival+ Vitality Redensifying Eye & Lip Cream - 15ml - $39.95 - because crow’s feet and fine lines have had enough fun, thank you very much.

 

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at marcelle.com. 

 

And let’s not forget the mane event - thinning hair. If you’re not ready to commit to the “re-growth journey” and just want fuller, thicker-looking hair now, reach for:  

 

Justice Hair Care Volume Boost Shampoo & Conditioner - 250ml - $28.99 each 

Specially made for fine or thinning hair, this duo cleans without weighing it down. Cotton extract, hibiscus vinegar, and soy proteins keep hair hydrated and shiny without build-up, while adding body and bounce. Think of it as your hair’s daily pep talk. 

Top it off with Volume Boost Texture Spray - 250ml - $28.99 for that “oh, this old volume? I woke up like this” finish. It adds lift from the roots, protects from pollutants, and leaves hair feeling soft, full, and alive again. 

 

Available at Healthy Planet stores across Canada and online at well.ca. 

And because menopause loves to suck the moisture out of everything - yes, even your lips - keep your lip balm close, I like: 

 

Nivea Vanilla Buttercream 24H Moisture Nourishing Lip Balm – 2 x 4.8g – $4.99 

It’s basically dessert for your lips! The shea butter, avocado, and jojoba oil formula melts in like frosting, keeping your lips soft, smooth and hydrated for a full 24 hours. Sweet, creamy, and totally mood-swing approved!

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

 

At the end of the day, you can't avoid menopause so your best defense is to arm yourself with information and educate yourself - there are so many great books and blogs out there! A few you might find useful:

 

Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! by Amanda Thebe

 

Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause and Life's Next Period by Lauren Tetenbaum, LCSW

 

The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health With Facts and Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter

 

All are available on amazon.ca.

 

- Lisamarie - 

The Glow-Getters: 3 Serums That Punch Above Their Price Tag from Nivea, Evio Beauty and Marcelle!

Despite what every glossy ad featuring a 17-year-old model would have you believe, you don’t need to auction off a kidney to afford a serum that actually works. Yes, my friends, you can absolutely snag a hardworking skin-saver for under $40. Don’t believe me? Behold these three wallet-friendly heavyweights that will have your skin glowing without your credit card catching on fire:

 

Nivea Q10 Dual Action Serum - 30ml - $36.99 - Wrinkles? Meet your match. This little overachiever comes loaded with Pure Q10 and something called Glycostop (which sounds like it should also prevent late-night snacking, but alas, only works on wrinkles). In fact, in just two weeks, 96% of women swore their complexions looked better! It glides on like a dream, plays nice under makeup and basically does everything but your taxes.  

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

Evio Beauty Revitalizing Oil Serum - 30ml - $38 - Think of this one as your skin’s green juice - but the kind that actually tastes good. Packed with omegas, vitamins and more plant-based goodness than your favourite smoothie bar, it hydrates, calms, and keeps the bad stuff out while locking the good stuff in. Bonus: it’s non-sticky, vegan, cruelty-free, and each purchase supports domestic violence survivors. Honestly, if this serum were a person, it would be the one who rescues puppies on weekends and remembers to water their plants. 

 

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

Marcelle 2% Hyaluronic Acid + Probiotic Serum - 30ml - $36.99 - Dry, dull skin? This silky potion says: not on my watch! With hyaluronic acid for plumping, probiotics for calming and niacinamide for “I actually look like I slept eight hours,” it’s basically a spa day in a bottle. Works on all skin types, even sensitive ones, and is fragrance-free so your face won’t smell unappetizing. Hydrated, radiant, soft-as-baby-skin vibes incoming!

 

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at marcelle.com. 

 

Moral of the story: amazing serums under $40 aren’t a myth - they’re just hiding in plain sight. Your skin (and your bank account) can thank me later!

 

- Lisamarie -