Repair winter skin damage with Aveeno Repairing CICA Hand & Fooot Masks!

If winter has left your hands and feet looking and feeling extra-dry have no fear, relief is at hand with:

Aveeno Repairing CICA Hand Mask - 1 pair - $4.99 - restores balance and essential moisture to dry hands leaving them smoother and softer in just 10 minutes.

Aveeno Repairing CICA Foot Mask - 1 pair - $4.49 - intensely moisturizes and helps repair problem skin.

Both have a paraben and fragrance-free formula enriched with shea butter and prebiotic oat that is gentle enough for dry, sensitive skin and are super easy to use. Just wash hands and/or feet thoroughly, insert hand/feet into glove/slipper, leave on for 10 minutes and remove - no need to rinse, just massage any excess product into the skin.

And if your hands/feet are especially dry go ahead and leave the glove/slipper on longer - the formula doesn't have any peeling aspect to it, just straight moisture, so it doesn't hurt to let the moisture soak in for as long as you like!

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Crabtree & Evelyn La Source offers pampering products for the perfect home manicure!

When you can't get to the spa, the spa comes to you via the Crabtree & Evelyn La Source line of products which draw inspiration from the restorative powers of the sea and are formulated with a blend of ingredients such as algae, mineral salts and seaweed to restore, condition and rejuvenate along with a sea air fragrance that will transport your mind to a tranquil summer vacation destination.

La Source Hand Recovery - 100g - $26 - deeply cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises hands with a refreshing blend of algae extract and rich shea butter. 

To use: massage Hand Recovery into your hands, front and back - then rinse for skin that feels polished, smooth and moisturised.

La Source Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy - 100g - $20 - an intensive conditioning cream that leaves hands feeling softer with each use - formulated with conditioning shea butter, algae extract and macadamia nut oil to moisturise and soften hands. 

To use: apply Hand Therapy to hands to lock in moisture and leave skin smooth and delicately fragranced. Place a dime-size amount on the back of one hand. Put your hands back to back and rub together to spread evenly, then spread remaining Hand Therapy to your cuticles and palms.

La Source Nail and Cuticle Therapy - 15g - $16 - helps strengthen the nail and reduce brittleness and breakage. Formulated with panthenol and keratin, our La Source Nail & Cuticle Therapy helps protect nails and soften dry, flaking cuticles. 

To use: apply to dry hands and massage into cuticles and nails to protect and condition.

Now that your hands and nails are beautiful and soft, finish off with some colour:

C&E Nail Laquer - $6 - in 34 shades from neutrals to lights and darks to brights: Clear, Lady Slipper, Mother of Pearl, Sugar Plum, Deep Ocean, Opal, Peaches & Cream, Alabaster, Black Tulip, Almond, Anthurium, Mocha, Cinnamon, Cobalt, Silver, Petal Pink, Wisteria, Pistachio, Pomegranate, Sand, Cardinal, Tomato, Eggplant, Sky, Blueberry, Slate, Apple, Clay, Gold, Mica, Snowdrop, Black Cherry, Avocado and Copper - that apply beautifully, dry fast and are formulated without camphor, dibutyl phthalates, formaldehyde or toluene, leaving you with a rich, eye-catching colour that lasts.

Available now at Crabtree & Evelyn stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Premier Spa Boutique has a Beautifying Nail Kit for your summer ravaged hands! Contest!

This is the time of year when my hands usually look pretty crappy - I don't know what it is about summer weather and activities but they are hard on my hands! Not this year though - my hands, cuticles and nails are beautiful and smooth thanks to:

Premier Spa Boutique Beautifying Nail Kit - $49.99 - designed to prevent roughness and cracking, while nourishing and protecting your nails and hands. It is composed with natural mineral rich ingredients from the Dead Sea and is combined with liposomes of plant extracts, Vitamins A, E, and Aloe Vera.

Contained in the kit is: Hand and Body Cream - a light lotion that absorbs easily and leaves hands so soft as well as improve the flexibility of the nails to reduce flaking and breakage. - in 3 scents: Milk & Honey, Passion Fruit and Herbal - I highly recommend the Milk & Honey, it makes my hands smell like dessert!; Mineral Rich Cuticle Oil - softens and conditions cuticles for a beautiful, smooth and firm contour to your nails; Buffing Block; and Nail File. And for those of you who like instant gratification (me) you will actually see an improvement after your first use!

You can find this and lots of other Premier Dead Sea enriched products on their website at: www.premierspaboutique.com

If your hands and nails are also suffering from the summer blahs then we'd like to send you your very own kit - hands saying yes? Then read on...

This contest is open to all our Canadian followers and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow through Google Friend Connect or Facebook Networked Blogs (if you aren't a follower you can do that now - sign up buttons are in the right sidebar).

1 entry for following and leaving a comment letting us know how this kit will help out your hands -  Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win! 

And for extra entries: 

Follow @BeautyCrazedCan on Twitter and tweet the contest.

Follow @PremierSpa on Twitter and tweet the contest

Like Premier Spa Boutique on Facebook - www.facebook.com/PremierSpaBoutique.com

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter with your answer to the question and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Premier Contest" in the subject line. Remember to leave the post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winners to be decided by random drawing and you have until September 14th to enter. Good Luck!
 

- Lisamarie -

Julep Maven makes going to the mailbox a lot more fun! Contest!

The Julep Maven program was created because of the apparent desire of every women to be a beauty editor. When launching new products, Julep start out by creating beautiful sneak peek sets to send out to the top beauty editors and celebrity trendsetters across the country for their consideration and review. And of course that meant that their friends were always asking to sneak them an extra set.

Sneaking is no longer required since they launched the Julep Maven program which gives all beauty enthusiasts access to the beauty editor Sneak Peek Box they create every month. As a Julep Maven, you will have access to the hottest trends in nail colour and the latest Mani Care and Pedi Care products - delivered right to your doorstep, just like the beauty editors do. And you'll have access to these trends and products before anyone else. And at $19.99 a month it's a great deal considering the polishes on their own run $14!

Every Sneak Peek Box sent to you will be tailored to your needs and preferences by taking the Julep Maven Style Quiz to help them understand your style profile.
What makes it better than all the sample services out there is each month, they'll send you an email to let you know what has been curated for you in your customized beauty editor Sneak Peek Box. If you don't like what you see, you can request another "shelf pull" - so no getting stuck with products and colours you don't like and won't use. Or choose to send your Sneak Peek Box to a girlfriend as a gift - every month's set comes beautifully packaged and ready to gift.

In my first box I received "Classic with a Twist" which included: Nicole Julep Nail Vernis - shimmery brick red and Whitney Julep Nail Vernis - mushroom greige; and

Julep "Facial for Hands" Glycolic Hand Scrub - 89ml - a potent glycolic acid combined with apricot seeds to provide powerful double exfoliation that leaves your hands feeling noticeably softer and looking younger after just one use. Naturally scented with orange oil for a refreshing aromatherapy boost with each use. Great for anyone battling dry, dull skin, age spots and fine lines on your hands.

You can check out the whole deal at www.julep.com - And should you decide to sign yourself up - feel free to use the code BEAUTYCRAZED at checkout, you will receive your first Julep Maven Sneak Peek Box for just $9.99! (valued over $40)

Of course it's easy for me to go on and on about how much I like something and how you should try it but in this case you really should try it! And to help you out with that, we are giving one away! You can choose to receive the same Classic with a Twist box that I got or take the quiz to decide for yourself which maven you are!

This contest is open to all our Canadian and US readers and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow (if you aren't a follower you can sign up through Google or Facebook - signups are in the right sidebar)

1 entry for following and taking the Julep Maven Style Quiz (it's quick) and leaving a comment letting us know what your style profile is! Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win!

And for extra entries you can do one or both of the following:
1 entry for following @Beautycrazedcan on Twitter and tweeting the contest

1 entry for following @JulepMaven on Twitter and tweeting the contest

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Julep Maven Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave a post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until January 13th to enter. Good Luck!

- Lisamarie -

La Mer has great gift ideas for Holiday 2010!

It's cold enough outside now that I don't mind talking about the holidays - it sure is starting to feel like winter!  Which is good because a line I adore, La Mer has introduced their holiday offerings - love them !

The Lip Balm - $65 - goes glam for the holidays with a classy silver toned cap.  Fortified with a potent concentration of La Mer's original Miracle Broth, this balm will soften roughness on contact, relieve discomfort and help seriously dry lips.  Perfect for the lip balm addict on your shopping list!

The Essential Body Collection - $340 - La Mer's signature body treatments all together in one happy place:  The Body Refiner - 200ml, The Body Crème - 200ml, The Hand Treatment - 30ml, and The Lip Balm - 9g Anyone (including yourself) would be thrilled to receive this!

The Luxury Essentials - $505 - For someone you really like (like yourself), all the essentials of life in one place: Crème de la Mer - 30ml, The Eye Concentrate - 15ml and The Regenerating Serum - 9ml

The Hand Treatment - $100 - the perfect gift for those impossible to buy for people, who doesn't love an ultra luxe hand cream?!

Sets are available in limited quantities and you can find everything here at Holt Renfrew.

- Lisamarie -

Hand Perfection just became a little bit easier...

You know how I feel about hand care products - maybe a little bit obsessed!  So you can imagine how thrilled I was when I discovered a new line exclusive to The Shopping Channel in Canada - Ellen Sirot Hand Perfection!  The name Ellen Sirot might not be ringing any bells with you and her face probably wouldn't either - but you've seen her hands and feet in numerous editorials and advertisements as she is a supermodel in the world of hand modeling!

With all this hand expertise it would wrong of her not to share her knowledge which she has done through her Hand Perfection line.

Specially formulated to combat the signs of aging on the delicate skin of the hands, Hand Perfection combines skin-friendly omega-3 fatty acids, with protective anti-oxidants and exceptional technologies in ultra-hydrating formulas which are clinically proven to deeply nourish, tone and tighten skin, diminish the appearance of wrinkles and reduce visible age spots and is formulated without parabens, sulfates, fragrance or petroleum by-products.

There is a whole line of products including a moisturizing cleanser, complete day cream, nail & cuticle treatment and night solution.

If you like the sounds of that, The Shopping Channel has a great introductory price on a set with a 50ml Complete Day Cream and Nail & Cuticle Treatment (pictured above) for $33.86.  If you decide you love the Day Cream it will set you back $50 for 100ml.  The really nice thing about the larger size is it comes in a pump - which is so much easier to use when your hands are covered in cream!  My Canadians friends can head over to The Shopping Channel here and check it out.  My other friends are not out of luck - check out Ellen's website here where you can order her products.

- Lisamarie -

Mary Kay makes my hands happy!

My obsession with hand cream continues and this time Mary Kay is my enabler with their Fragrance-Free Satin Hands Pampering Set - $51.  Imagine my delight at a whole SET for my dainty little hands!  Here's what you get:
Satin Hands Softener - 60g, Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub - 220g and Satin Hands Hand Cream - 85g all in a cute reusable bag.

Here's how it works:
You squeeze a small amount of the Hand Softener into your palm and rub it in.  This helps maintain the natural moisture in the skin and replenishes dry areas.
Next, cleanse and exfoliate with one pump of Satin Smoothie Hand Scrub and warm water.
Dry your hands thoroughly and apply a small amount of the Hand Cream for instant moisturization.

I must admit I found the instructions a little confusing and couldn't understand why I was softening and then scrubbing my hands but I'm a crazy risk taker and decided to just go with it!  I still don't necessarily understand why, but I definitely liked the results - I am guessing that by softening the skin first, it makes it easier for the scrub to get rid of all the dry flaky bits.  And I really like the texture of the scrub, there are no sharp pieces, it contains peach and apricot seed powder to exfoliate.  Best of all, the Hand Cream was absolutely not greasy, soaked in quickly and lasted through a bunch of hand washings before I had to reapply.  It's main moisturizing ingredient is sesame seed oil.

Now Christelle and I were arguing about how convenient Mary Kay really is or isn't - and I maintain that for busy people, Mary Kay is a godsend.  Consider it, you are a stay at home mom or maybe an agoraphobic, you don't have time to (or can't) go running around town tracking down the perfect beauty item.  How awesome is it that someone will come to you, find out what you need and get it for you!  It's like having your very own magic shopping fairy!  You can locate your very own magic shopping fairy (Independent Beauty Consultant) Locator at www.marykay.ca or call 1-866-455-5454. 

As usual, you can count on Youtube to prove any point you want, suck on this Christelle!

- Lisamarie -

La Mer - the hand treatment - hands down, the best hand cream ever!

There is something about the name La Mer that for me, conjures up images of glamour and style.  I love celebrities, celebrities love La Mer so it stands to reason that I will love La Mer too!  With amazing reasoning like that it is astounding that I wasn't a better math student!  I thought the perfect way to start off my La Mer education was with a product I obsess about endlessly in the winter - hand cream!

When I first read on the back of the tube that the hand treatment is so lastingly hydrating, morning and evening application may be all that is necessary, I thought the La Mer people must be on crack.  Do they not know about Canadian winters or my 20X a day hand cream habit?!  I was sure there was no way this was possible and that the "may" part was the out clause for when the twice a day deal didn't work - which just goes to show what I know - Nothing!

I approached this very scientifically, 2 weeks - only apply it twice a day but take normal winter precautions such as wearing gloves.  The results?  Impressive!  I was expecting my hands to be drier by the end or at best, the same.  Nuh uh - they were not just better, but so much better!  Soft, supple, smooth...I'm trying to think of more "s" adjectives here, how about succulent, that works!  The lotion itself is not at all greasy, it takes about a minute to soak in and then it's gone leaving just a nice smooth feeling behind.  It has the La Mer scent which is light and pleasant - it's really just all around awesomeness in a tube!

Of course awesomeness doesn't come cheap!  La Mer hand treatment 3.4oz is $100.  I agree, $100 hand cream isn't for everyone.  University students existing on ramen noodles and ketchup soup should definitely not attempt this (but I highly recommend it for when you graduate and have your kickass, high paying job). Octomoms with 8 mouths to feed and no reality TV show on the horizon should also stay away.  But anyone else with a passion for hand cream and a bit of money burning a hole in their pocket should certainly give this a try.  I also think this would make a fabulous gift from a (generous) friend for a birthday or wedding shower!

Needless to say, I am kicking my hemp protector to the curb, La Mer hand treatment is my new go to guy!

La Mer is available at select Holt Renfrew stores in Canada.

- Lisamarie -