product review

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes - $12.99 - the newest addition to theVoluminous family, this defining volume mascara has a collagen-infusedformula.  The millionizer brush is designed to thicken every eyelashthanks to multiple long and short bristles that generously envelop theentire length with colour.  They keep you clump free with the specialwiper technology on the tube - it adjusts to every bristle wiping thebrush free of clumps, giving you the perfect amount of mascara!
 I've course it's easiest to just show you what 2 coats of it looks like - obviously on the left hand side.  No primer and combed between coats - if you don't comb it you get a thicker look but I prefer a fringe effect so I always comb.  I didn't have any clumping issues at all and as you can see from what my natural lases look like, it added a lot of volume.  Because of the non-clumping, you could even do 3 coats for super volume!  I also found that it got the smaller inner lases without any problem or mess.


Garnier Fructis Blow Dry Perfector - $14.99 - When I posted about this product initially, I got some feedback that this had not been good on a reader's colour treated hair so I was a little hesitant to try it -  but I decided to live dangerously so I just went for it!  I used it on Saturday, right before I went to a wedding so this could have been a disaster but I'm happy to say it was a total success.  It's a 2 step smoothing kit that's very simple to use.  First you wash your hair and wearing the gloves provided, apply the smooth-it serumthat you leave on for 20 minutes.  The serum is quite runny when you apply it so I did it over the sink. Once it was in my hair I didn't have any problems with dripping - my big complaint is the chemical like smell, it's awful! After 20 minutes you wash out the serum, towel dry your hair and then apply  the leave in heat activated perfect-it cream. Fortunately this one smelled good, kind of fruity.  It's hard to know how much to use, they tell you to use as much as needed and to lightly coat the hair from root to tip.  I decided it was better to use less because it's easier to apply more then try and get rid of too much!  After that you blow dry your hair and if you want it really straight, also use a flat iron.

Just to let you know what I was working with, my hair is fine and has a little bit of a natural wave to it but straightens out easily with a flat iron.  After using the Garnier product, it was straight after blow drying.  After using my flat iron, it was poker straight.  The best part though was how it calmed the little frizzies and gave my hair some body!  I have washed it 4 times now and I am still getting the same result so I am very happy with it - I would love to hear results from someone who used this that has curly hair!

Also keep in mind if you have shorter hair, there is enough product in the kit for two uses  - you will just need to find a second pair of plastic gloves!

Does skincare really have to be complicated to be effective?  According to Dr. Lancer, a renowned Beverly Hills dermatologist to the stars, the answer to that is a resounding NO! It's for this reason that he developed a simple 3 step daily program with products that promise to bring medical grade improvements in fine lines, texture, discolouration and pore size in roughly a week.  Here is what the three step products are:

STEP 1: Polish - Natural Sea Minerals - 60g - $50 - collagen stimulating exfoliator enhanced with magnesium oxide crystals - the directions tell you to use daily or every other day but I found the scrub quite abrasive so that seems like too much to me, I wouldn't use it more then 1 or 2 times a week!  It did do a nice job and the scrub didn't have any sharp pieces, it was scrubby, but smooth scrubby!

STEP 2: Cleanse - Extremely Pure and Detoxifying - 118ml - $50 -this was my favourite product out of the three - it did an excellent job of cleansing my skin without stripping it and I love the botanical smell!  It did a great job of removing makeup (other then eye makeup) so it was suitable for both day and night.

STEP 3: Repair - AM/PM Nourishment - 60g - $100 - full of all kinds of anti-wrinkle and skin firming peptides as well as algae and green tea extracts, Vitamin A & E which combined are meant to increase skin firmness, diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles and nourish skin.  This is quite a rich skin which can be used day and night but because I was using it during warm weather, I found it too heavy for day and just used it at night - during the winter though I think this would be a great day cream too.

If you are looking to pare down your skincare routine, this isn't a bad choice - I used the products for 2 months and I did notice that the texture of my skin was very nice and smooth, my fine lines were also improved (as they will be when you use any good quality cream) but I didn't notice any change to my pore size - to be fair, I'm not pore obsessed and don't find them particularly large to begin with!  Other then the scrub, I would totally recommend these products for daily use!

If you aren't looking to streamline your routine but would still like to try the LANCERx line, don't worry, there are lots of other products available to compliment these ones!  You can check out: www.lancerdermatology.com to view the whole line or purchase these products.

For several months now I have been drooling over the Lipstick Queen Jean lipstick and gloss on my favourite American beauty blogs - I have actually had it in the back of my mind that I needed to track down a way to get my hands on it - as it turns out, it was easier then I thought it would be - The Shopping Channel carries Lipstick Queen - hurray!

I wear jeans pretty much everyday so it makes perfect sense to me that I should own lip products to match them!  The colour looks quite strong in the tube but actually goes on sheer, I had to apply quite a bit just to have some colour show up in the pictures so don't be thrown when you see it in the tube by thinking it's too bright for you - on the other hand if you like a bright lipstick, you will be disappointed.
Lipstick Queen Jean Lipstick - $20 - this lipstick has a lot of moisture to it so it would also be a great choice if you like a tinted lipbalm - it's sheer so you need to build it for more colour and if you don't like a lot of colour, you will be happy with one coat!
Lipstick Queen Jean Queen Lipgloss - $20 - the gloss has more colour and is again very moisturizing but not sticky.  The only thing I'm not crazy about is the tube - it's a squeeze tube with a brush on it - I would have much preferred a brush wand or even if they had to have the brush attached, a click tube - I'm always afraid I'm going to squeeze too hard and have a gloss explosion!  (please excuse how it looks on the upper right hand side in both pictures, it looks like I didn't apply it there but it's actually just because of the way the light was hitting it)

And here's some great news and you're like me and feel you need both - The Shopping Channel offers the lipstick and gloss as a set for $26!  You can go to http://www.theshoppingchannel.com/category/beauty.do?e=1&Ne=100025&N=100038+134038 to check it out!

Elancyl Cellulite Offensive 14 Days - 100ml - $57 - triple impact for embedded cellulite.  I like the french name for this product better - "Offensive Cellulite" - because I think it really speaks to the heart of the issue for me - I hate orange peel skin and do in fact find it offensive!

So yes, you guessed it, another bottle of cellulite cream down the hatch (thighs) and here I am to give you my findings.  First off, the colour - bright green - is perfect!  I'm absolutely convinced that green products work better, I don't know why this is, just another one of my irrational notions, so just go with me on this one!  The smell is also great, very fresh and dare I say it, green!  It has a pump dispenser and what I think is very clever is the bottom of the bottle is rounded up so that you don't end up with an inch of product at the bottom that the dispenser straw can't suck up. The lotion itself is a gel/cream, not at all sticky and it absorbs quickly so I was able to get dressed right after applying.  If you have dry skin you might need to apply a moisturizer on top, it's not very thick and while it was fine for my skin during the summer, I suspect I would not find it rich enough for when it's cold out and my skin is drier.

Elancyl Cellulite Offensive promises to break the vicious cycle of cellulite in just 14 days, that it only needs to be applied once a day for 24 hour effectiveness and that it would prevent cellulite recurrence for longer lasting results.

My verdict:  In 14 days my thighs did look much smoother, not perfect mind you but I've accepted that perfection would take a miracle, lipo, or an avoidance of french fries, none of which are going to happen anytime soon.  Not only that, when my bottle ran out last week I intentionally used nothing else since to see if I would get the whole preventative benefit noted and my thighs are still equally smooth.  I'm not going to be able to hold out any longer to see how long the results will last, I'm going through cellulite cream withdrawal here!

If you really want to show your cellulite you mean business, use the cellulite cream in conjunction with this Elancyl Massage Glove and Gel - 200ml - $50.  This is a great shower tool, the massager really amps up your circulation and as we know, increased blood flow has all kinds of benefits.  You can use the massager anywhere you like (although I wouldn't recommend your face) and the gel has a great fresh scent (and it's green).

And since I know you are all wondering and dying to ask me - yes, the above picture IS me!  I really need to get out of the habit of wandering around almost naked!

You can find Elancyl products at most drugstores including my beloved Shoppers Drug Mart!

The most awesome beauty toy has finally made it's way into Canadian Sephora locations.  If you've been anywhere near a Sephora lately you can't have missed the huge displays everywhere for the TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System and if you're anything like me, you have been wondering how complicated it is to use and whether a total spazcase (such as myself) could master such a complicated looking device.  You see, I still remember the airbrush machine that they introduced at Holt Renfrew a few years back.  I can't remember what the name of it was but I knew a makeup artist that had it and she was forever having problems with it - if an expert has issues, what hope is there for someone like me?  The answer is lots, because TEMPTU is totally different from the airbrushers of years gone by!


TEMPTU AIRbrush makeup System - $265 - what is different about this system then previous ones I have seen is that the foundation comes in a little pod - no longer do you have the hassle of having to fill a reservoir with foundation and then clean it out when you want to change colours - these pods just snap in and out, no cleaning required!  Not only that, you can switch between foundation, blush and highlighter with absolutely no hassle!  It's very easy to use, just snap in the colour pod, adjust the air pressure for desired coverage (dial up for more coverage, down for less) and off you go!  The AIRbrush is light so it's easy to maneuver and it kind of feels like cool air blowing on your face, be careful if you're ticklish!  You control how narrow or wide the area you cover is by how far you hold the AIRbrush from your face which makes it easy to cover specific areas or hide blemishes. What I really like about airbrushing is how buildable the coverage really is because of all the different ways there are to control the about of foundation that goes on your face.  This is totally different from the way regular foundation is buildable since obviously when you are applying a second layer with a brush or sponge you can't help but wipe a bit of the first layer off when you apply the second - with airbrushing you never actually touch your skin so layer 1 stays put!  I found that there was almost no learning curve, within 3 uses I had the application down pat and you don't need to worry about learning how to do it, the system comes with a user guide and a how-to DVD, they are also very happy to demonstrate the system for you in person at Sephora if you buy it in-store.


The AIR pods themselves come separately:

AIR pod Foundation - $65 for 2 pods - available in 12 colours:  001 porcelain, 002 ivory, 003 warm ivory, 004 sand, 005 beige, 006 warm beige, 007 natural, 008 honey, 009 golden, 010 almond, 011 chestnut and 012 espresso

I quite like the feel of the foundation itself.  It's light and hydrating and with a primer, it has great lasting power on me and a soft looking finish.  I am still on my first pod, to be fair, I don't use it everyday - not that it couldn't be for everyday use but it does take longer to do then slapping some foundation on my face with a brush and my mornings usually are pretty rushed so I have been using it more for weekends and nights out.  I understand that a pod should last about 2 months with regular use - but I expect that would also depend on what coverage setting you use it at too.

AIR pod Blush - $36 for 1 pod - available in 4 colours: 401 pale pink, 402 soft peach, 403 washed rose and 404 sheer berry

I totally love the way airbrushed blush looks!  Having fallen in love with cream blush this summer I am really appreciating this look and again you can really dictate how light or strong the colour is!  If you are a pale face like me, check out the sheer berry, it looks gorgeous on light skin!

AIR pod Highlighter - $42 for 1 pod - available in 4 colours - 301 champagne, 302 gold, 303 bronze and 304 copper

I tried the lightest one, champagne and it was a nice highlighter, I will need to try one of the darker colours and see how it works as a bronzer, I expect it would be a nice effect!  This would also be good for contouring if that's your thing!

If you are still deciding or can't shell out the bucks for the airbrusher, TEMPTU also has a RETOUCH line with airbush quality formulas and high-definition results.  They have a water-enriched silicone formula which allows for a flawless application while moisturizing and conditioning the skin.  The system contains Ceramide 3 and an olive oil vehicle, which nourishes and protects the skin, while Vitamins C & E provide anti-oxidant protection.

RETOUCH Foundation - $56 - with a built in brush applicator it perfects, corrects and minimizes imperfections creating a flawless and radiant complexion.  Available in 12 colours: 001 porcelain, 002 ivory, 003 warm ivory, 004 sand, 005 beige, 006 warm beige, 007 natural, 008 honey, 009 golden, 010 almond, 011 chestnut and 012 espresso

RETOUCH Blush - $42 - with a built in brush applicator it provides a dose of ultra-natural and dewy colour to cheeks with a smooth and lightweight liquid formula.  Available in 4 colours: 401 pale pink, 402 soft peach, 403 washed rose and 404 sheer berry

RETOUCH Highlighter - $48 - with a built in brush applicator it adds an instant and luxurious glow to both face and body.  Available in 4 colours:  301 champagne, 302 gold, 303 bronze and 304 copper

RETOUCH Powder - $51 - with a built in brush applicator it's a lightweight, mineral-based formula that rids you of shine and provides natural looking, satin soft skin.  Available in 6 colours:  200 translucent, 201 soft beige, 202 warm natural, 203 golden honey, 204 deep tan and 205 rich brown

and if that's not enough you can even tattoo yourself with ADORN - $30 - each kit contains: 9 tattoo design sheets, 20 ADORN Tattoo Application Pads, 1 ADORN Tattoo Setting Powder, 1 ADORN Reusable Clear Bag and 1 ADORN Application Instructions & Care Card.

I haven't tried any of the products from the RETOUCH line, I would love to hear opinions about it if anyone has!  And if anyone else has thoughts about the airbrush system, I'd love to hear them too!

TEMPTU also recently launched a website - check out www.lookbookbeauty.com - a behind the scenes look at Fashion Week - where you can see how flawless runway styles are created and how you can do it yourself!  They also have Lookbook Beauty events at Sephora where you can choose your look from TEMPTU's previous fashion shows, have your VIP picture taken and have it automatically posted to Sephora's windows and lookbookbeauty.com.  You can check out their Facebook page to find upcoming Lookbook Beauty events near you.

If you can't make it to an event you can still submit your own "freestyle" look at home to participate which you can share with friends and have a chance to win a VIP ticket to attend Fashion Week Fall 2011!

Kevin Murphy Maxi.Wash - 250ml - $25 - a detoxifying shampoo that removes unwanted product residue and excess oil that can build up in your hair.  It deep cleaning brightens your limp or dull hair as well as balances sebum production.  Contains a herbal blend of lime, mint and eucalyptus to remove excess oil and tropical fruit acids and anti pollution agents to deeply cleanse your hair, while sage extracts dissolve the fats and oils.  I was told that the first time I used this, not to expect it to lather and that I would probably need to use it a second time and then it would, once all of the buildup was out of my hair and that's exactly what happened - you would not believe how clean my hair felt after using this!  It's not an everyday shampoo, you just use it once or twice a week - I will be investing in a full size of this one!  You can find Kevin Murphy products at various salons across Canada - go here to find the one closest to you.

Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In it - 115ml - $12.99 - not only is it an exfoliator, it can also do double duty as a mask!  It contains: diatomaceous earth - a highly refined and purified earth "dirt" that gently lifts dead cells and debris while scrubbing the skin and stimulation circulation; montmorillite clay - a soft, white purified clay that absorbs excess oils; and super fruit acids - to dissolve the glue that makes dead cells stick to the surface of the skin. I'm pretty picky when it comes to face scrubs - don't like apricot ones or the like because they use ground up pieces of apricot or fruit seeds which can have sharp edges and I find that sugar and salt scrubs, although great for the body, too harsh for my face.  Dirt is obviously the perfect solution to this issue because I really like this scrub!  It has the perfect amount of "scrubbiness" without being harsh or irritating.  I also tried using it as a mask on one of my oily breakout days and it did a decent job of de-shining me and making my skin feel nice and smooth.  Soap & Glory is available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

THANN Aromatherapy Salt Scrub - 450g - $49.50 - it comes in several different scents including Aromatic Wood which I tried.  It's a kind of masculine smell, which I didn't mind and if you were looking for a scrub for your guy but he complained that they all smell too girly, you should turn him on to this one.  The scrub contains moisturizing rice bran oil, exfoliating sea salt and plant essential oils: orange oil containing natural AHA clarifies and moisturizes the skin while nutmeg oil stimulates circulation.

If you are one of my hometown girls from Ottawa then you are lucky to have the flagship store right there at 312 Richmond Road - 613-216-2390 - everyone else can find it online at www.thann.ca

Vichy Podexine Kerato-Reducing Scrub - 75ml - $17.95 - the alumina micro-crystals in this scrub are 150x harder than the particles found in traditional scrubs to take care of irregularities, roughness or calluses.  This is a heavy duty scrub suitable for people with super serious foot issues so I figured that it would find my slightly flaky feet a breeze!  The scrub is abrasive but in the good way that you expect from a foot scrub - I wouldn't want to use this on my legs like they do when I have a pedicure at the spa though - it would tear them up!  The only thing I wish it had was the nice minty smell that I like in a foot product, but it really has no smell at all.

MD SkinCare by Dr. Dennis Gross Hydra-Pure Vitamin C Brightening Serum - 30ml - $112 - with an 18% Vitamin C complex - a lot of vitamin C products don't have much of the actual vitamin in them so I was happy to find this one - 18% is a decent amount!  The packaging is great, to use it the top swivels and then pops up to show the pump, when you close it, the pump swivels back down - this way no air can get in and mess with the active ingredients.  I did find it quite thick for a serum, so I actually used it in place of a moisturizer as well, which was fine for me during the summer weather, with sunscreen on top of course!  I had heard other people complain that it was very irritating, burned and felt stingy but I didn't experience any of these issues - I would recommend doing a test patch first to make sure you aren't going to react - get Sephora to make you a little sample of this first so you don't shell out big bucks for something that isn't going to work for you!  I definitely did notice that my skin looked brighter and felt smoother when I was using it, so I'm a fan!  My only disappointment with it - it doesn't smell like citrus, which I love in Vitamin C products!

And Canadians will find it easier to get their mitts on the line - The Shopping Channel is now carrying it!  They don't actually have this serum, but if you are a fan of the line, they do have some of the line's other products.  You can check it out at www.theshoppingchannel.com And of course you can also find the line at Sephora and selected The Bay locations including The Bay at 2 Bloor Street, Toronto ON - go to the store locator to see all of the other retail locations - http://www.dgskincare.com/locator_js.cfm

Avon Anew Clinical Luminosity Pro Brightening Serum - 30ml - $60 - brightening gel helps remove dull skin cells to visibly retexturize the skin's appearance.  Anti-Dark Spot helix is formulated with injectable-grade L-Aspartic acid to help inhibit pigment production that causes dark spots.  Instantly makes skin look brighter and more even-toned.  Formulated for all skin tones and types.  Use every evening after cleansing and before moisturizing.  Again I found this way too thick to be called a serum -  I never used moisturizer on top, it was enough moisture for me on its own.  I thought the texture was very silicon-like, much like a face primer.  I really like the overnight factor with this one, waking up with bright, soft skin before I even do anything to myself in the morning is a big improvement over my usual early morning look!  I did find that this serum felt very greasy on the oily parts of my face so I ended up using it very sparingly in those areas.

Available through your friendly Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca
Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner - 125ml - $34 - if you are super oily and prefer not to use serums you might want to try a toner instead.  Use it 1 to 2 times a week and make sure you use your sun protection as the AHA's in it may increase your sun sensitivity.  It also contains tamarind for gentle exfoliation and white nettle to refine enlarged pores.

And if you're still looking for more brightener reviews you can check out a couple of my other favourite brighteners which I reviewed previously:  NeoStrata Intense Skin Brightener and Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

I totally love foundation and there is just something about a luxe brand of foundation that really makes my heart sing!  Of course foundations are the beauty product that most often turn out to be a disappointment for me because they usually don't have a light enough shade for me.  Strangely, this problem seems to happen more often with the drug store brands, even though they usually have a larger colour range!  Expensive foundations that generally have a limited range of colours usually have a good pale colour - does this mean rich people stay inside too much?  Could be, I'm just happy they do! So I thought I would try a new foundation from an established line as well as a foundation from a new line - Guerlain and Burberry Beauty, check it out:

Guerlain Lingerie De Peau - Invisible Skin-Fusion Foundation - 30ml - $62 - in 6 shades:  02 Beige clair, 03 Beige naturel, 04 Beige moyen, 12 Rose clair, 13 Rose naturel and 23 Doré naturel - The spiel is that it "contains Bio-fusion micro-mesh for a unique affinity with the skin.  Unprecedented association of natural textile fibers and synthetic polymers to unify, smooth and shape the complexion"  Which sounds good and I took it to mean that I would put this stuff on my face and it would be so perfect and weightless that I wouldn't even know it was there - and I'm assuming that's what it means because that's exactly what it does!  I am using the lightest colour - Beige clair and it might be just the slightest bit too dark but it's really close and as long as I blend it well along the jawline, it disappears completely, so I'm happy with the colour.  But seriously, after you blend it into your skin you absolutely don't feel like there is any foundation on your face, which is my definition of the perfect foundation!  It has buildable coverage which is great and as I usually prefer a light coverage, it takes very little product to achieve that.  One pump is enough for medium coverage over your whole face so if you want light coverage, go with just half a pump.  And of course the bottle is beautiful - and heavy - if anyone breaks into my house I plan on winging this thing at them!

Available now at Guerlain Boutiques, Holt Renfrew, Ogilvy, Murale, The Bay, Sears and selected Shoppers Drug Marts.
Burberry Beauty Luminous Sheer Fluid Foundation - 30ml - $66 - in 9 shades and is intended for normal to dry skin.  Of course this is totally not meant for my combo skin - they have a powder foundation for that skin type, but I am simply not a fan of powder foundation, I like liquid, so I ignored their intentions and did what I wanted!  Again, it comes in a beautiful heavy bottle - I would buy this just to display on my dressing table even if they didn't have the right colour but thanks to the pale rich people, the lightest colour works well for me.  The formula is very buildable so unless you want full coverage and plan on layering it, a full pump is way more then a normal sized face would need, even half a pump was too much for a sheer look, I used about 1/3 of a pump for the perfect amount!  As the name would have you believe it goes on both luminous and sheer - there was a noticeable brightness to my skin where it was applied and it didn't look at all cakey.  Unfortunately it really is meant for normal to dry skin - while it wasn't heavy feeling it really does have some moisturizing properties to it because it made my oily areas look and feel oilier.  On my normal areas it was perfect so I have put this one aside to take out again in the winter when my skin goes from combo to normal/dry.  Normal to dry skinned ladies will want to take a look at this one though, especially if you are looking for a foundation to add a little moisture to your life (and face)!

Available at Holt Renfrew.

You'll do yourself a world of good if you start moisturizing your neck and decolletage area now - along with your hands, it's one of the areas that can really show your age even if you have taken great care of your face.  You can use your regular moisturizer or if you feel like getting fancy, there are special creams especially for these areas, here are a few that I've tried, with mixed results:

Avon Solutions Neck & Chest Perfector Refining Cream SPF 15 - 100ml - $20 - It says it helps reduce signs of sun damage, blotchy discolourations and fine wrinkles in the delicate neck and chest area. It is a lovely thick lotion that is very moisturizing - be careful about how much you pump, I found a full pump was way too much - half was just right!  What I really like is the SPF that is in this product - if you are wearing a top that exposes your neck and chest you should be using sunscreen on those areas too but who ever remembers to do that? So by using this cream not only will it help me fix any damage already existing, it will also protect me from future damage, perfect!  And of course you can't beat the price!

Get it from your Avon rep 1-800-265-AVON, or if you are in the Montreal area - one of our readers is a rep there and would be happy to help you out, you can contact Stacey:
stacey.johnson@interavon.ca
interavon.ca/stacey.johnson
and of course online at www.avon.ca
Biotherm Décolleté Laser Anti-Aging Corrective Serum - 50ml - $55 - It claims that it firms the appearance of skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles, moisturizes and plumps skin as well as works on age spots.  If you like a lighter serum rather than a cream, you will like this one - and the serum seems to have a bit of shimmer to it so it looks really flattering on the skin.  It actually made my skin feel firmer and my skin looked smooth and moisturized so I would definitely repurchase this product.

StriVectin Neck Cream - 40ml - $113.99 - It claims to visibly firm and tighten the neck area, reduce the appearance of sagging "turkey neck", improve the look of neckline and décolletage, even out skin tone and discolourations.  I really wanted to like this just for the sake that the term "turkey neck" makes me laugh, I'd love to be able to tell you it's worth the money and did everything it said it would, but alas, it's just a jar of overpriced moisturizer - not even good moisturizer at that, it felt kind of weird on my skin, like it wasn't sinking in properly or something.  If you have a lot of money and like to spend it on overpriced cream that doesn't live up to it's claims, then by all means pick up a case of this stuff, otherwise save yourself the money and effort of rubbing it in, and buy 5 of the Avon ones or 2 of the Biotherm and consider it money much better spent!

I really like how shiny and moist feeling they are and how easy the pencil format makes them to apply - I can see myself picking up a couple more of these!

I was having a particularly bad day yesterday - maybe it was the wind but everything on me felt super dry!  That of course is the perfect time for product testing and I found two that really stood out!


Phyto Paris Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask - 200ml - $42 - specifically designed to intensely hydrate and protect dry hair.  Contains jojoba oil for softness and well as its regenerative, emollient and protective properties; angelica seed and root extract for tonifying and purifying; and South African sweet orange essential oil to provide shine and vitality (and also makes it smell amazing)!  There is a natural gum derivative in the formula to help instantly detangle hair without weighing it down.

I put my chilled self into a bath for 20 minutes last night with a small amount of this mask combed through my towel dried hair and just let it soak in.  After I washed it out and my hair had dried you would never know that it had been a mess of winter frizziness not an hour earlier - it looked perfectly smooth and felt so soft!

You can find it at various spas - check out the website http://phyto-canada.ca to find the one closest you or you can buy it at Sephora and sephora.com.
Gehwol Med Salve For Cracked Skin - 75ml - $16.73 - protects the skin and allows it to regain its natural elasticity and resistance - helps protect against the symptoms linked with cracked skin and inflammation.  Medicated soap, lanolin and vaseline soften hard skin quickly and keep it smooth.  Bisabolol and panthenol help to clear up small skin cracks.  The blood flow to the skin is stimulated by oils of eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary and camphor.  Menthol cools and refreshes and the zinc oxide has a mildly disinfectant effect.

Last night I slathered on a thick layer, put a pair of cotton socks on my feet and went to bed that way - you would not believe how soft my feet are this morning, it's like I've never even walked on these babies! The smell is a little medicinal and the texture is pretty greasy so I probably wouldn't use this without the sock trick or I would leave snail trails everywhere I walked! This salve is designed for severe hard skin or very cracked, dry or rough skin - I really only had the dry and rough part and it worked a charm - I would love to know if anyone else has used it for the other issues and how well it worked!

You can find it at various retail locations or online at www.gehwolonline.com

Sick of the cold yet?  I am - especially for what it's doing to my hair!  Calling it straw-like would be an insult to straw, so let's just go with craptastic!  The only thing that makes it looks halfway decent these days is a liberal dose of deep conditioning a couple times a week and here's what I've been loving lately:

AG Hair Cosmetics Conditioner Deep - 178ml -  $19 - reconstructing treatment for hair intensely damaged by over-processing and go-deep down to restore protein, moisture strength and shine.  Contains high concentrations of protein, amino acids and humectants to bring life back into dry, coarse or damaged hair.

Massage into clean, damp hair for 3-5 minutes, comb through and rinse.  This one has my favourite smell - fresh and kind of fruity - I also prefer the packaging, it's much easier to squeeze product out of a tube when you are in the shower then unscrew are jar and scoop it out!







The Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Hair Butter For Dry Hair - 200ml - $14 - luxuriously rich and intensive conditioning treatment for soft, smooth, glossy and tangle-free hair.  Contains pracaxi oil which is sourced from the seeds of the pracaxi tree which is grown organically in the Amazonian rainforest as well as Community Trade ingredients: organic olive oil from Italy, brazil nut oil from Peru and honey from Ethiopia.  What it doesn't contain is silicones, colourants, parabens or sulphates.

Work through damp hair and leave on for at least five minutes.  Massage with warm water then rinse out thoroughly.  I love how incredibly soft this leaves my hair so much that I am willing to overlook the smell which is a little to perfumey for my taste.
Nexxus Humectress Hydrating Treatment Deep Conditioner - 156g - $14.99 - helps to strengthen dry hair with ultimate deep hydration and moisture-repair technology.  Formulated with avocado and honey extracts it replenishes vital moisture and leaves hair 10 times stronger in one use. It also reduces breakage and reduces frizz.

Apply to damp hair and comb through evenly from root to tip.  Leave in for 3-5 minutes and rinse out.  Can be used once a week in place of your regular conditioner or more often as needed.  A little goes a long way with this one, I find if I use to much that it's much harder to get it all out and it feels like there is a film on my hair!

I haven't posted about cellulite creams in quite awhile and you were probably thinking that I finally got over my obsession with them...no such luck!  The obsession lives - in the winter it calms down a bit though as I am always so bundled up - so I only use it once a day instead of twice so I don't go through it quite as fast!  Not to worry, with spring on the way I will be upping my usage again so you can look forward to lots more lovely cellulite cream reviews!  Here's the one I most recently finished:

Lierac Paris Morpho-Slim Anti-Cellulite Concentrate - 200ml - $62 - for recontouring and firming it contains a combination of ultra-concentrated active caffeine (10%) and glaucine complex (2.5%) for simultaneous action on the appearance of cellulite and skin firmness.  Gel serum texture that is non-sticky and alcohol free.  In just 15 days, the look of dimpled skin is reduced and your skin feels smoother and your thighs appear more refined.

First off the three things I liked most about this product, the smell (fresh, kind of citrusy), the pump and the firming effect!  After applying this my skin immediately felt tighter and firmer which of course makes the little dimples look less obvious!  The texture is nice - a gel serum that absorbed quickly and wasn't sticky.  The downside of course is that as soon as you stop using it, the problems are all back!

If they would just make this is a vat size - I would just soak in it everyday - what do you say Lierac?


You can find Lierac products at Rexall or go here to find locations to purchase nearest you.

To celebrate the launch of Perricone MD Super Berry with Acai Dietary Supplement on The Shopping Channel January 21st, I was asked to participate in a 30 Day Super Berry Challenge which I began about 2 weeks ago.


I have one thing to say for starters, the stuff might make you live longer, but the taste will make you wish for a quick demise.  You are supposed to mix it with water (I've heard that it dissolves better/faster in warm water) and drink it like that, which I did the first day but it took everything in me to choke it down so since then I've been cutting it with juice, about half a glass of water, the other half juice.  My husband suggested adding Raspberry vodka but I pointed out that it might negate the healthy attributes - he's not convinced.

So after two weeks is it working?  I have to admit that I do feel more energetic, especially in the morning when I would normally drag a little - I will get back to you on the 21st when I have finished them all and give you my final thoughts and if anyone else has tried it, I would love to hear what you think!

About a month ago, I was asked to take part in the Crest and Oral-B 3D White Before and After Smile Challenge.  I was happy to do it, the holidays coming up are the perfect excuse for some smile whitening!  As you can see from my before, my teeth aren't too bad but they are a little stained on top from my devotion to coke (drinking kind) and blueberries!
And here's after - please excuse the weird mouth thing I'm doing, I realized that a real smile hides part of my front teeth and since that's what I really wanted you to be able to see, I did my "I'm so happy to see the in-laws" smile instead!  I also meant to wear the same lipstick but couldn't remember what shade the before one was!  This one is close anyhow!  Here is everything that I used:
Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips - with Advanced Seal no slip technology - $59.99 - I first tried whitestrips when they first came out years ago and I hated them - I couldn't get them to actually stay on my teeth, I remember giving up before even finishing half the box so I'm happy to report that they really have improved the technology!  If you dry your teeth off a bit first before applying they really stick well and I found even if my teeth were a bit wet, they would slide around a bit at first but would eventually stick on and stay.  I will say though that they made my teeth quite sensitive, especially now that the weather is so cold. I found the best method for me was to use them for 30 minutes once a day for 2 or 3 days and then take a day off.  It stretched the time period out, I should have been through them in 20 days and it took me close to a month but if time isn't an issue and you are sensitive, this is the way to go!  I also noticed on the first day after using the strips that I had small white dots on my gums but they didn't hurt and it only happened the first time so I guess it wasn't anything to worry about.
Oral-B Pulsar 3D White Advanced Vivid Toothbrush - $6.99 - it does this vibrating thing that is supposed to disrupt plaque and stimulate the gingival margin.  I am used to a full on electric Oral-B so this didn't feel like it was doing much of anything at all but I would use this for traveling as it is much more portable!  This would probably be more impressive if you were trying it after being used to a regular manual brush!
Crest 3D White Vivid Toothpaste - 165ml - $3.88 - I'm not generally a big fan of whitening toothpastes as I find they usually have kind of a chalky feel but this one's texture is like a regular toothpaste.  I only ended up using this once a day and I used a toothpaste for sensitive teeth the rest of the time to help with the sensitivity I was experiencing from the strips, but I would use the toothpaste now to help combat staining!
Crest 3D White MultiCare Whitening Rinse - 473ml - $6.49 or 964ml - $8.99 - I really hate alcohol in mouth wash so I was really pleased to see that this one is alcohol free.  I found the taste really pleasant and my husband hated it - and since he is addicted to Listerine, I knew this was a good sign, it wasn't medicinal tasting enough for him!  It contains hydrogen peroxide to whiten teeth by removing surface stains and sodium hexametaphosphate to help protect against future surface stains.

I actually bought my husband a box of the strips and made him do the challenge with me but he refused to let me take a before or after picture which is too bad as his teeth were much worse to begin with and they have whitened up to about the same shade as mine.  But at least that proves that it will work for you whether you need to whiten a little or whiten a lot!

Has anyone else tried any of these products?  Would love to know what you thought of them!

Oil seems to be a dirty word in some beauty circles but when the right type is used in the right place and at the right time, it can be the most wonderful thing ever!

Moroccanoil Light Oil Treatment for fine and light-colored hair - 100ml - $37.50  - It's alcohol free and absorbs very quickly while it adds shine and long term conditioning benefits without a sticky residue.  Apply a small amount through damp hair and style as usual.  I have been wanting to try Moroccanoil for ages but knew that the original formula would be too heavy for my fine hair - was I ever happy to hear that they had been listening and created a light version to combat this very issue!

It's sold in salons and you can check out the website to find the location closest to you - www.moroccanoil.com


shu uemura cleansing beauty oil premium A/O advanced formula - 150ml - $40 - suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin - if you have ever had trouble with your usual cleanser at getting all of your foundation, lipstick or eye makeup off, you will want to try this! The natural oils contained were specially selected to solubilize stubborn waxes and oils in waterproof mascara, foundation and lip colour as well as oxidized sebum, which accelerated the aging process.  As well, it contains green tea - an anti-oxidant and ginko leaf - to stimulate micro-circulation - extracts.  The only tricky part for me was learning how to use it correctly.  I am used to wetting my face and then rubbing in a cleanser but with this you smooth over a dry face and then wet your face to emulsify the oil.  Available at select Holt Renfrew stores.
Body Blitz Argan Oil Face Serum - 30ml - $65 - From Canada's first authentic water spa for women comes a line of products to give you the Blitz experience at home. All of the Body Blitz products are made with 100% essential oils and are free of parabens, artificial colours and detergents to reflect the company's on-going commitment to a healthy body and a healthy environment you would expect the product to feel less luxe and more granola - not so!  The serum is my favourite of the line and is made from 75% organic argan oil, organic olive oil, organic aloe vera, rose damask and organic lavender, not only does it feel good, it smells good too!

Not to worry if you aren't in Toronto and can't go to the spa to buy your products - Canada and US spa-ers can now buy the Body Blitz products online! Check it out at www.bodyblitzspa.com - if you are in the area and want to swing by you can find them at 471 Adelaide Street West - 416-364-0400 - and while you are at it, book yourself a treatment!

Argan Magic Nourishing Bath Oil - 236ml - $25 - naturally fragranced with orange blossoms and white rose petals which would make you think it would smell floral but there is also pomegranate, which gives it a wonderful fruity smell.  If you love to soak in a tub as much as I do you will love the way it soaks into every little bit of dry skin and makes it silky smooth!  If you want bubbles you can add a bit of bubble bath with it, I didn't find it changed how well it worked at all!  Available from The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com
Neutrogena Body Oil - 250ml - $12.99 - if you're more of a shower girl, your thirsty skin will appreciate this light sesame seed oil.  I find it works best if I apply it while my skin is still a little wet and I also love applying it before I go to bed to wake up to super soft skin!

What about you guys - are there any oils that you use that you can't live without?!

It occurred to me a couple of months ago as I was removing my eye makeup one night that for a product junkie, I was not being very adventurous with my makeup remover and in fact had been using the same one for years!  Not that it's a bad thing to find something that works and just stick with it, but for me this is crazy talk and what if something much better had happened in removers and I had totally missed it?!  The horror!  So of course I immediately set out to try some new (to me at times) removers.  Here are the ones I liked best:

Biotherm Biocils Lash Optimizer Eye Make-Up Removal Care Lash Condition & Beauty Waterproof - 125ml - $31 - a makeup remover that works to prevent loss and thicken lashes with three active ingredients: madecassocide, L'arginine and citric acid.  Suitable for sensitive eyes and for contact lens wearers.  I have noticed that I do tend to lose lashes when removing my makeup, I've always chalked it up to my being too aggressive with the cotton pad but a remover that would also help with this issue seems like a good idea to me!  It removed waterproof mascara and liner easily and didn't leave an oily residue - just remember to shake it before use!




Isomers Totally Tugless Multi-Use Make-Up Remover for eyes, lips and more... - 240ml - $25 - paraben and fragrance free - helps calm, soothe and soften the skin while cleaning.  This one is a little bit different as it requires more work but if you are very sensitive, you will probably prefer this to the oil based removers.  One area at a time, you apply and hold for several seconds, this helps lift the makeup up and off the skin.  Wipe skin clean with downward strokes.  Repeat if necessary and rinse with tepid water.  The Shopping Channel carries the whole Isomers line, you can check it out at www.theshoppingchannel.com
Marcelle Essentials Gentle Make-Up Remover for Sensitive Eyes - 150ml - $14.25 - half oil, half water, all effective.  It contains green tea and cucumber extracts and is hypo-allergenic and perfume free. This one also easily eliminated waterproof product, I did find it a bit oily then the others but since I always wash my face after removing eye makeup, this wasn't a big deal to me.
Also available in the Marcelle line is an oil-free remover - 150ml - $12,25, a remover gel - 100ml - $12.25 and remover clothes - very cleverly packaged as 2 packs of 15 cloths which make them great for travel - $12.25.
If you're wondering what my "go-to" product has been for all these years, it's - Lancôme Bi-Facial - 125ml - $34 - gets off makeup, including waterproof, with ease - suitable even for sensitive eyes and for contact lens wearers.  It's the priciest of the bunch but it need not worry, our love affair isn't entirely over, I just can't promise not to ever stray...