A balm for your soul (and your face) from Grace & Stella, Naturium, Trinny London and Farmacy!

With warm weather finally showing up (occasionally, between the rain and emotional instability of spring weather), most of my skincare and makeup routine starts getting a little lighter and less “full glam survival mode.” Heavy foundation? Out. Thick creams? Also out. But there is one category where I actually go heavier in the summer - cleanser. Specifically adding a cleansing balm to my routine.

 

I know. It sounds backwards. Why would I smear what feels like butter on my face when it’s already 30 degrees and humid enough to qualify as soup outside? But there is a method to my madness. Summer also means I’m piling on way more sunscreen, waterproof mascara, sweat-proof makeup and products that cling to your face like a toxic ex. My regular cleanser taps out halfway through the job, while a cleansing balm takes everything off in seconds like it’s performing a magic trick. 

 

A cleansing balm starts as a solid balm or wax and melts into a silky oil when massaged into the skin. It breaks down makeup, SPF, oil and grime without stripping your face or making it feel like you washed it with dish soap and regret. Honestly, once you start using one, aggressively rubbing your eyes with a makeup wipe starts to feel very 2012!

 

There are a bunch of reasons why cleansing balms deserve main-character energy:

 

• Effortless Makeup & SPF Removal - Long-wear foundation? Waterproof mascara? Sunscreen that claims it can survive a tropical storm? A cleansing balm dissolves it all without needing to scrub your face like you’re sanding furniture. 

• Hydrating Instead of Horrifying - Unlike some foaming cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight enough to bounce a quarter off it, balms are packed with nourishing oils and butters that help support your skin barrier instead of personally attacking it. 

• Deep Cleansing Without the Drama - It sounds counterintuitive, but oil-based cleansers actually help lift excess oil and buildup from pores. Basically fighting oil with oil. Science is weird but beautiful. 

• Perfect for Sensitive Skin - No aggressive rubbing, no stinging, no “why is my face suddenly tomato-colored?” situation. Cleansing balms tend to be super gentle and soothing. 

• Travel Friendly - Unlike cleansing oils, these won’t explode all over your suitcase and coat your vacation wardrobe in expensive skincare slime. We love a stable queen!

So I got to testing to figure out which of the multitude are the best and here's my top 4:

 

Grace & Stella F Balm, This Works! Cleansing Balm - 125ml - $39 

This one is for anyone who wants taking their makeup off to feel less like a chore and more like a tiny spa moment. It melts away stubborn makeup, waterproof mascara, sunscreen, oil and dirt without requiring Olympic-level scrubbing. The formula is vegan, paraben-free and sulfate-free, and unlike makeup wipes, it won’t make you feel like you’re exfoliating your face with light grain sandpaper. Bonus points for including a spatula because nothing says “luxury” like not digging your fingers into a jar like a raccoon in a trash can. And damn I love the name!

 

Available at amazon.ca. 

Naturium Purple Ginseng Cleansing Balm - 88ml - $33.99 

This one has that dreamy sorbet texture that feels amazing. Formulated with purple ginseng, nourishing oils and plant-based esters, it melts down makeup, sunscreen and grime while still feeling lightweight and fresh. It emulsifies beautifully with water and leaves skin soft instead of greasy - which is important because nobody wants to feel like a buttered dinner roll before bed. 

 

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

Trinny London Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser - 80ml - $67, 80ml refill - $55, 19.5ml mini - $28

This cleanser is basically skincare wearing a silk robe and and eating bonbons - it just feels fancy! Along with removing makeup, SPF and pollution, it also contains pineapple enzyme for gentle exfoliation, plus nourishing oils and a prebiotic complex to support the skin microbiome. Which sounds very scientific and impressive and honestly makes me feel like my face is getting a wellness retreat instead of just a cleanse. I also really like that it's refillable so I can be clean and environmentally responsible! 

 

Available online at trinnylondon.com/ca.  

Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm - 200ml - $92, 100ml - $52, 30ml - $25

This one has reached borderline cult-status for good reason. The sorbet-like balm melts instantly into the skin and somehow removes approximately seventeen layers of sunscreen and waterproof mascara without leaving behind residue or greasy film. Packed with sunflower oil, papaya extract and antioxidant-rich greens, it leaves skin clean, soft and happy instead of stripped and angry. Having such soft clean skin really does make me feel like I have my life together, even if there are currently cracker crumbs in my bed. P.S. I like the smell but if you aren't a fan or are sensitive to scents it also comes in a fragrance-free version!

 

Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca. 

 

I do tend to double cleanse when I use a balm, usually following up with a light gel or foaming cleanser or a micellar water. Is it absolutely necessary? Maybe not for everyone. But once the weather gets really hot and I’m layering sunscreen like I’m preparing for battle, I personally enjoy the extra clean feeling. Plus it gives me the illusion that I’m the kind of person who has a proper skincare routine and not someone applying products while half-asleep and watching reality TV - which of course I have never done! 

 

So at this point, cleansing balms have fully earned permanent residency in my heart - and summer skincare routine. They remove sunscreen, sweat, waterproof makeup and all the questionable decisions of the day without turning my face into a dry, angry mess. Plus there’s just something deeply satisfying about watching a full face of makeup melt away in seconds - like tiny skincare sorcery. Honestly, if summer insists on making me sticky, sweaty and aggressively shiny, the least it can do is let me wash it all off with ease!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Great Gifting - Trinny London Cyber Weekend Sale and a few of my favourite things!

Get ready to glow this holiday season! Trinny London is bringing you its highly anticipated Cyber Weekend Sale! Enjoy up to 40% off  best-selling beauty and skincare essentials. Whether you’re shopping for glow-boosting makeup, award-winning skincare, or the ultimate joy-inducing gift sets, this is your chance to stock up on must-haves at irresistible prices. 

 

A few things I love that are worth checking out:

Trinny London Take Back Time Miniprotein Eye Treatment - 15ml - $117 (on sale for $105.30) - state-of-the-art eye cream that targets fine lines, crow's feet, dark circles, eye bags, puffiness and tired-looking skin for lifted, open eyes. The star ingredient is the conotoxin miniprotein that helps slow down the signals that lead to the formation of lines around the eyes and the formula also includes: TGF-beta miniprotein to trigger skin's natural regeneration processes; pro-derma hyaluronic acid which penetrated twice as deep as standard hyaluronic acid that offers 24-hour hydration and visibly softens lines in just 7 days; hexapepitide-8 to work against inflammation and improves daily signs of fatigue; and ashwagandha restores skin health on a cellular level for a well-rested look.

All I know is that my dark circles look so much better after using this for the last month! I also really appreciated the little spoon that comes with it so I know exactly how much I am supposed to be using - I always feel with jars of eye cream that I never know if I am under or over using the product!

Trinny London Just Joyous High-Shine Lipstick - $46 (on sale for $41.40) - in 11 shades: Mitra - soft nude brown; Jessica - soft nude pink; Charlotte - light nude pink; Martha - soft rosy nude; Maria - fresh pink; Holly - fresh muted orange; Valerie - coral pink; Poppy - vibrant orange red; Paris - vibrant pink red; Faustine - deep fuchsia pink; Eden - deep berry - that offer buildable colour, intense moisture and glossy sheen. The cruelty-free and vegan formula contains triple-action hyaluronic acid for 24-hour hydration, replenishing peptide for a plumper look over time and moringa and maracuja oils for nourished lips. 

This is my favourite kind of lipstick - because it's buildable the first coat goes on fairly sheer which means I can apply it without a mirror - there is never a mirror around when I need a quick lipstick fix - which gives you the polished without looking like you are wearing a ton of makeup look - my fave for this is Valerie - coral is just one of those universally flattering shades. When I have a mirror and am wanting something more dramatic Poppy is my pick! But you find your own favorite, you really can't go wrong with any of the shades...

Trinny London Non-Negotiables Gift Set - $52 (on sale for $46.80) - a festive cracker containing 2 stackable skincare faves: Be Your Best Enzyme Balm Cleanser - 19.5ml - an oil-based transforming cleanser for clean, nourished skin, suitable for all skin types and Bounce Back Intense Peptide Moisturiser- 14.5ml - for plump, bouncy skin, suitable for normal to dry skin. 

 

The perfect way to gift a friend an introduction to the brand or a way to score travel sizes for yourself!

 

Sales is on now until midnight on Monday 2nd December,No promo code needed - discounts are automatically applied at checkout. Shop the full sale at www.trinnylondon.com/ca. 

 

- Lisamarie -

I'm just bananas for the new Quo Beauty Banana Cleansing Balm!

Quo Beauty Banana Cleansing Balm - 50g - $20 - packed with skin conditioning and hydrating agents such as banana extract this transformative formula melts away make-up and moisturizes thirsty skin - to leave it feeling deeply cleansed, hydrated and feeling soft and smooth with a visibly fresh and dewy glow.

 

You use it a bit differently then your usual cleanser - it's applied to dry skin, not wet and you just need a tiny dime-sized amount of product gently massaged into dry skin - rinse well with water and pat dry - and it really does just melt away dirt and makeup!

 

My skin feels so moisturized afterwards that I've given up moisturizer and moved to a serum instead - this new one from Quo Beauty does the trick:

Quo Beauty Hydrating Facial Serum - 30ml - $20 - with a lightweight texture that leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with a velvety finish. The formula contains vitamin C - to help even out the skin tone while helping diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; sodium hyaluronate (a derivative of hyaluronic acid) - penetrates deeper layers of the skin to attract and hold moisture which, overtime, works to enhance and replenish skin.

 

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

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Belif Aqua Bomb Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm!

Belif Aqua Bomb Makeup Removing Cleansing Balm - 100ml - $45 - with a unique texture like sherbet, this balm literally melts onto your skin, gently removing stubborn makeup and impurities to leave skin hydrated with a beautiful supple glow.

With a hydrating herbal formula containing: lotus flower - to cleanse dirt and provide radiance; marshmallow root - to protect and moisturize skin; and lady‘s mantle - to provide antioxidants and pore-minimizing effects.

What's really fun about it though is how the formula changes when it comes in contact with skin - it goes  from being a balm, turns creamy and then melts into an oil - making it perfect for effective cleansing and hydration! It's easy to use: just take a scoop of the balm with the enclosed spatula and roll onto dry skin, allowing the formula to melt into oil. Continue to massage on skin until all makeup traces are removed. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat skin dry. I was happy to discover that not only does it do a great job removing makeup, it also takes care of sunscreen which I usually have to double cleanse to get rid of! Follow your cleansing with one of the Belif moisturizers - I'm a fan of The True Cream Aqua Bomb Aloe Vera.

Available now exclusively at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca. And you'll be happy to know it is part of the Clean at Sephora program which means it is formulated without a list of over 50 ingredients, including sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates and more!

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Indeed Labs Watermelon Melting Balm!

Indeed Labs Watermelon Melting Balm - 100ml - $24.99 - an oil-based cleansing balm that melts onto the skin and creates a gentle lather when mixed with water to break down and  dissolve makeup, dirt and oils

without stripping or irritating

skin’s natural barrier, all while nourishing dry and dehydrated skin.

The formula is chock-full of antioxidant-rich ingredients including:

refined hemp seed oil - due to its rich concentration of fatty acids and antioxidants, it provides deep nourishment to skin, leaving it healthy and glowing;

watermelon seed oil - a concentrated source of antioxidants, vitamin A and vitamin E, it helps to condition and brighten skin;

bisabolol - a natural, powerful remedy for very sensitive and easily inflamed or irritated skin, it helps to address common concerns like premature aging, lack of moisture, sebum oxidation, sensitivity and skin discoloration; and

ethyl panthenol - also known as vitamin B5, it acts as a humectant to condition dehydrated skin - with continued use, skin will appear plump and healthy.

Ideal for all skin types including sensitive and acne-prone, it works to improve skin tone while leaving skin replenished, moisturized, and brightened.

I'm a fan of the packaging - most cleansing balms come in a tub which seems unhygienic to me - but this one is in a tube - making it less messy and a lot more portable! Also keep in mind that as a balm, the formula contains no water and therefore the texture of this product changes in different temperatures - so try and store it in a warm room to make it easier to use.

Simply warm up in dry hands and massage onto a dry face. Take your time with this step, and luxuriate in a little extra “me time” while you massage! Add a few drops of warm water and watch as the product starts to lather and makeup melts away right before your eyes!

To use - warm up in dry hands and apply onto dry skin and massage to dissolve makeup and dirt. Add warm water to lather, and continue to massage for 1 minute. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. May also be removed with a soft, damp cloth.

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

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Rodial Pink Diamond Cleansing Balm!

Rodial Pink Diamond Cleansing Balm - 100ml - $59 - a melting makeup remover that removes the remains of the day with a luxurious formula infused with vitamin E - to nourish; signature soft-focus diamond powder - brightens and evens the complexion; and a blend of natural oils - hydrates and conditions - to vanquish all traces of makeup and dirt from the face while visibly transforming all  skin types without stripping or drying. As an added bonus it also comes with a muslin cloth to exfoliate the skin and leave it glowing!

Available at Murale and Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

Beautycounter takes a stand for better beauty - in Canada!

Beautycounter has arrived in Canada with a mission to get safe products into the hands of everyone!

Hailing from Santa Monica and offering a line of safe and high-performing skin care and beauty products that restrict over 1,500 harmful  ingredients linked to cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive toxicity and other health impacts - they are committed to bringing an unprecedented level of transparency to the beauty industry.

Founder Gregg Renfrew believes products can be beautiful, effective and safe and is fully dedicated to safety and performance in the Beautycounter line of products.

I have been trying a few of the products out and so far my biggest love is:

Cleansing Balm - 78g - $94 -  a fragrance-free cleanser that melts into the skin to hydrate while it cleanses, removing makeup and other impurities without stripping away moisture. Contains vitamin C to brighten skin and raspberry and cranberry seed oils to hydrate.

The texture is really luxurious and my skin feels clean without being the least bit tight after using. I especially love the scent - it's fragrance-free but the scent of the raspberry and cranberry ingredients give it a slight tart fruitiness that I love!

Also available in the Canadian collection:

Nourishing Cream Cleanser - $32, Nourishing Cream Exfoliator - $41, Nourishing Eye Cream - $43, Nourishing Day Cream - $52, Nourishing Night Cream - $57, Nourishing Rosewater Mist - $43, Soothing Face Oil - $79, Hydrating Face Oil - $79, Balancing Face Oil - $79, Rejuvenating Face Cleanser - $52, Rejuvenating Treatment Pads - $55, Rejuvenating Day Cream - $87, Rejuvenating Radiance Serum - $77, Rejuvenating Night Cream - $89, Rejuvenating Eye Cream - $69, Tint Skin Hydrating Foundation - $51, Mattifying Powder - $45, Lip Conditioner Peppermint - $24, Retractable Foundation Brush - $43, Powder Brush - $47, Body Wash Citrus Mimosa - $30, Hydrating Body Lotion Citrus Mimosa - $30, Sugar Body Scrub Lemongrass - $49, Body Oil Citrus Rosemary - $89, Hand Cream Citrus Mimosa - $21, Body Butter - $44, Daily Shampoo - $29, Daily Conditioner - $32 - and there's even a kid's line: Super Duper Clean Kids Body Wash - $22, Nice Do Kids Shampoo - $22 and Not a Knot Kids Conditioner - $22.

Available online and through independent consultants - check out www.beautycounter.com for more info.

- Lisamarie -

Deep cleaning with a cream from Nip + Fab, Avon Anew, Neutrogena and The Body Shop!

Nip + Fab Deep Cleansing Fix - 300ml - $12.95 - a multi-purpose cleansing cream with an uplifting eucalyptus fragrance which melts away make-up and deeply cleanses pores for a clear and fresh complexion. Infused with sweet almond - to nourish and smooth and tea tree oil to cleanse pores. Not only can it be used as a cleanser, but you can also leave it on for 10 minutes as a face mask, apply a thin layer overnight as an intensive hydration treatment or apply a small amount directly onto blemishes as a spot treatment.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Avon Anew Ultimate 7S Cleanser - 125ml - $16 - removes impurities, leaving skin softer, smoother and radiantly clean while boosting essential youth proteins.

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

Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser - 200ml - $9.99 - this oil-free penetrating cleanser cleans deeply to improve the look and feel of skin - with hydroxyl acid that penetrates deep into pores, dissolving dirt, oil and makeup and removing dead surface skin cells that can cause skin to look dry, rough and dull leaving it looking fresh and healthy and feeling smooth and soft.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter - 90ml - $16 - an indulgent make-up remover for the whole face that gently and efficiently melts away make-up and impurities, leaving skin feeling clean, soft, refreshed and pampered.

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

For any of these cleansers I recommend using a muslin cloth (I like the ones from The Body Shop and Eve Lom that you'll find here) to make it much easier to remove then just using your hands and water - or if you have a Clarisonic or similar device that will do the trick!

- Lisamarie -

L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Cellular

If your hair is very dry or damaged you probably spend a lot of your money, time and energy trying out products that promise to make your hair look and feel soft and healthy. If this sounds like you then you owe yourself a look-see at the Absolut Repair Cellular line which targets and addresses issues with all 3 zones of the hair: Zone A - Surface - the scales come apart and the edges are lifted and chipped - hair is brittle, rough and dull; Zone B - Cuticle - the intracellular cement is gradually depleted and can no longer act as a natural protective barrier - hair is porous and dry; and Zone C - Cortex - the core of the hair fibre is comprised of a complex network of cortical cells bonded together by ionic junctions - chemical aggressions weaken or break these junctions and compromise the hair fibre. Available in the line:

Cleansing Balm - 250ml - $21.35 - a gentle foaming balm that deeply repairs hair fibre and cleanses without friction - I have been alternating it with the shampoo/masque duo as recommended and you actually can really see the difference to the frizzies when you use a shampoo that relies on friction to clean as opposed to this balm!
Leave In Repairing Cream - 150ml - $21.35 - provides nutrition, instant softness, suppleness, control and protection for the hair ends for hair that is manageable, visibly soft and shiny.
Thermo Cell Repair - 150ml - $21.85 - activated by heat, it helps repair and protect the hair fibre and facilitate blow drying.
Serum - 50ml - $26.50 - super light with a silky texture, itrepairs damaged ends and smoothes the hair fibre leaving the hair looking and feeling more healthy.

The products that I'm really enjoying (including the Cleansing Balm) contain a new Lactic Acid technology that repairs the hair in all three zones by penetrating deeply into the core of the hair fibre to repair hair from the inside out bringing hair back to a healthy state in only 10 days!

Shampoo - 250ml - $17.65, 500ml - $24.40 - restructures the hair fibre and restores strength, resilience and shine to very damaged hair while it cleanses.
Masque - 200ml - $28.10 -  deeply repairs, nourishes and instantly conditions and leaves hair feeling stronger, more supple and looking shiny and transformed.

Something I have noticed in the last few brands of shampoo/conditioner that I have tried is that there seems to be this trend towards the shampoo being thicker than the conditioner. I don't like this - in my little world, the conditioner is supposed to be thicker than shampoo, that's just the way it is - so I really appreciate how nice and thick the masque is, way better than the typical wimpy conditioner. Unlike some masques you may have used that have to stay on for 10 minutes or so, this one only needs to be on for 2 minutes - the same as a normal conditioner.

The other thing that is great about these products is that they don't weigh my fine hair down. I don't find that I am able to use a lot of products that are meant for fine hair because they are too heavy and just end up making my hair look greasy. No greasy looking locks with this one, just soft, smooth and healthy looking hair!

The only thing I'm not overly fond of is the scent - a little too floralish for my taste, but since it doesn't linger, I can live with it.

L'Oréal Professionnel products are available in salons only - find one near you at www.lorealprofessionnel.ca

- Lisamarie -