serums

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.

Do you remember the Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Night Cream that came out a couple of years ago that was impossible to get your hands on because always sold out?!  Building on its success, Olay has added a serum and a cleanser to the line:
Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum - 50ml - $39.99 - a super concentrated serum which contains Olay's hightest level of amino-peptide - it helps to visibly improve the appearance of skin across the face and neck for firmer-looking skin after five days - suitable for all skin types.  The best part of this serum is the way it feels on the skin - it's super silky!  Combined with the massage technique I've laid out for you below, my skin really does feel softer and look better!

Olay Regenerist Micro-Purifying Foaming Cleanser - 200ml - $14.99 - if you want a deep cleanser then you've come to the right place:  this one is meant to purify the skin for an ideal clean and to help prepare skin for Regenerist moisturizers and treatments. This did a great job of removing my face makeup which is unusual for a foaming cleanser so I'm on board with this one!

We were excited to be invited to an event last month for the launch of the new Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum.  The highlight of it for me was watching the demo by celebrity facialist Anastasia Achilleos as she showed us her three step massage routine.  Anastasia informed us that our skin is begging us to be touched and that most people just slap on skin products touching our skin in the process as little as possible. After trying her technique for a week, I have to admit that I could see a visible difference in how much more alive my skin looked.  It makes sense, massage is good for circulation and having good circulation makes your skin look better!  Facial massage is now a regular part of my routine, no matter what product I use it with!

Here is Anastasia's three step massage routine, I highly recommend you try it!

Step 1: TAP
- Pump two doses of Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Serum onto your fingertips.
- Warm gently using circular movements and then, to a thoroughly cleansed and dried face, apply to the forehead and tap firmly over the entire area.
- Then move your fingers to the eye contour area and pat the serum in a full circular motion. Now move fingertips up to the bridge of the nose, across to the cheeks and out to the ears - tapping firmly as you go.
- Move across to the lips and then down to the chin - tapping all the time.
- Finally cross hands over and pat the serum onto your neck and decolletage.

Step 2: PRESS
- Repeat the pattern across your face starting at the forehead but this time gently press and hold for 3 seconds - allowing the skin to absorb the serum.
- Move to the eye area and repeat the press and hold pattern, then to the cheeks - and then finally move hands to the important aging zone - the decolletage - and press and hold while you count to 3.

Step 3: SWEEP
- Apply and warm one further pump of serum to your fingertips and place them on your forehead.
- With circular movements, sweep upwards on the forehead and then sweep around the entire eye area, holding on the areas where fine lines are a concern.
- then move up to the bridge of the nose and down to the mouth. At your chin, cross hands over and sweep out towards the back of the neck and then forward across the decolletage and down as far as the breast bone.

NeoStrata All-in-One Night Serum - 30ml - $84 - For the 50+ crowd, NeoStrata has new addition to their Intense line for mature women with multiple advanced aging concerns, including wrinkles, crepiness, pore size and elasticity.  It contains the proven pentapeptide Matrixyl - which fights the appearance of wrinkles, helping to reverse the signs of aging, age-defying retinol - a form of vitamin A naturally found in the body that fights the appearance of wrinkles and skin crepiness, enhances skin tone and decreases pore size - in the highest concentration available at retail and Longevicell - obtained from myrtle, it's a cell regenerator and guardian of tissue longevity that inhibits a process called glycation.  Glycation occurs when ingested sugars trigger a chain reaction and bid collagen fibres together, which causes tissues to stiffen, leading to the formation of wrinkles.  Even better,until the end of Friday you can also get a free gift of a Moisture Infusion Cream (worth $27) with purchase of the serum at Shoppers.

I'm not in the appropriate age group to really test this serum out but I did try it to get an idea of the feel.  I like the texture of the serum, it really would be fine for any skin type although I suspect dry skin would probably want to add a little moisturizer on top of it.  I also found it a bit stingy, which I'm told is normal and you might need to start off using it every other night to build up your tolerance as it does contain very potent ingredients.  So while I can't tell you about personal results, I did find you a pic of the test results, which are quite impressive!


Quo Skin Care - already love Quo cosmetics?  Seems that Quo wants more of your love and have just launched a line of skin care products - here's what they have:
Gentle Gel  Cleanser - 95ml - $15 - gently cleanses skin, without irritation and can be used both morning and night.
Facial Polish - 175ml - $15 - cleans pores with mild exfoliating beads leaving your skin feeling both polished and fresh.
Brightening Serum - 50ml - $20 - evens and brightens skin's overall complexion.
Daily Moisturizing Lotion - 95ml - $20 - easily absorbs, leaving skin moisturized all day long without signs of dryness.
Intense Eye Cream - 14.5ml - $18 - soothes and moisturizes the eye area while decreasing puffiness and signs of redness.
Hydrating Night Cream - 50ml - $20 - light formula replenishes skin's moisture without clogging pores.
Refreshing Facial Mist - 145ml - $15 - soothes and refreshing skin, best used after cleansing.

I haven't actually tried anything yet, just played with the testers - I really like the texture of the daily moisturizing lotion and I like all the pump bottles.  The shiny silver is pretty but it's not very practical since it will get covered in lotion and fingerprints - they were smart though and put a clear strip on the side of each bottle so you could see how much product is left!  Would love to hear opinions on the line when someone tries it!
Peace Love & Juicy Couture - 50ml EDP - $76, 100ml EDP - $99, Body Lotion - 250ml - $56, Body Creme - 200ml - $64 - The notes include Meyer lemon blossom, wild hyacinth, sweet apple, black currant, sambac jasmine, star magnolia, Malibu poppy, honeysuckle, linden blossom, orris, patchouli and musk.  I actually don't mind the scent, if find it a lot greener then the usual JC offering - and the bottle is so fun!

Nicole by OPI matte - $10.99 - No Limits - navy, Positive Energy - silver, Razzle Dazzler - black, Stolen Kisses - pinkish red, Virtuous Violet - purple, Respect the World - blue, Yellow, It's Me - yellow - If they didn't say matte on them I wouldn't have believed they were - they all look so sparkly in the bottles!

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

If there's anything better then spending a few hours at the salon being beautified, I can't think of what it might be! Two weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of hanging out in Yorkville at the Tony Chaar Salon and being one of the first to enjoy the fruits of the relaunch of Essensity Colour from Schwarzkopf Professional.  If you are a regular colour user who is so over the smell and burning you need to check it out - 0 smell, 0 pain, 0 ammonia and 100% grey coverage! Better still, it actually contains  90% naturally derived ingredients!

If you like the scientific crap, here it is: The uniqueness of ESSENSITY Colour is in its innovative patent-pending technology. Changing a natural hair colour to a different shade relies on the oxidative reaction of hydrogen peroxide on the natural melanin pigment. Rather than using ammonia to lift out the natural pigment to make room for the new one, ESSENSITY is powered by AMEA Technology. AMEA stands for the synergistic combination of two very gentle alkalizing agents: Aminomethylpropanol and Monoethanolamine. By combining these two gentle alkalizing agents, AMEA technology is able to breakdown the natural melansome layer, making the melanin pigments susceptible to hydrogen peroxide. Although the lifting power of AMEA is not as strong as ammonia, the lifting power is impressive and it's done in a gentle way, ensuring a vibrant colour every time. In addition, ESSENSITY colour delivers superb colour performance and leaves the hair shiny and in great condition.

So why have I waited 2 weeks to tell you all about it if it's that wonderful? Well, first I wanted to see how much it would fade before I decided how I really felt about it  - and red is the perfect test for this as it fades the quickest of all the colours!  After 2 weeks I am happy to say that while there is some fading - the tone is slightly lighter and the colour is not quite as vibrant as it was to begin with, it's still plenty red so I'm happy!  I also want to mention my lovely hairdresser for the day at Tony Chaar - Fouad - he gave me exactly the colour I asked for even improving on it a bit by adding a little violet to the mix.  Apparently when you add violet to red it will fade more brown then orange - who knew?! Fouad also gave me the cutest little cut - which I am fondly calling my hot Asian chick look - even if he did try to insist that I'm not edgy enough for the cut - that's what you know Fouad - I am too edgy(ish)!
Schwarzkopf also added some new products to the Essensity line:

Essensity Colour Shampoo - $16.25, Colour Conditioner - $17.25 and Leave-in Mask - $24.75 - are formulated to seal in colour vibrancy and to ensure a healthy and radiant shine.  They contain: Acai - know for providing a rich combination of vitamins, proteins, sugars and anti-inflammatory properties; and Fire Tulip - known for having anti-oxidant, astringent, soothing and anti-bacterial properties.

The stand out product for me is the:
Natural Shine Serum - $21.25 - a feather-light serum that gives a natural velvet shine to the hair surface.  Smoothes the hair while leaving it feeling naturally soft and touchable.  Tames and controls frizzy and flyaway hair without weighing down even the finest of hair and is formulated with natural UV-filters, which provide additional protection.  Contains: Sesame Oil - known for a high content of Vitamins A,B and E and Calcium.Both nourishing and smoothing, it contains a natural antioxidant system that can significantly reduce the rate of oxidation and increases longevity of the colour.  Also acts as an anti-humectant which prevents the hair from absorbing moisture from the atmosphere; and Linseed Oil - known for being a rich source of Vitamins A, E and F (an essential fatty acid) which helps improve the quality of hair.

The products are all 100% free from artificial fragrances, colorants, silicones, PEG's, paraffin/mineral oils and parabens.

You can check out the website to find a salon near you that carries the line:
http://www.schwarzkopf-professional.ca/  and if you're Toronto feel free to go see my friends at Tony Chaar Salon - 11 Hazelton Avenue, Unit 9, Toronto - 416-920-9965 - tell them the very edgy Lisamarie sent you!

According to Armani, there is skin, and then there is Armani skin - skin that you want to touch, a skin that you won't forget, a skin that appears luminous, youthful, desirable.  Beyond youth, it is a quest of perfection and beauty. A skin all women crave for.  This is the skin dream that Giorgio Armani wants to offer to every woman.  Armani incorporated the cutting edge science of Regenerative Medicine to facilitate skin's regenerative potential and to prevent it from signs of aging.  The [3.R] Technology is inspired by Regenerative Medicine and is a unique combination of 3 powerful regenerating molecules to target the three main elements involved in the skin regeneration process: Linseed extract for regulation of cellular communication; Proxylan for remodeling of the extra cellular matrix (ECM); and Vitamin C for the reactivation of biomechanical forces

[3.R] Regenessence Youth Regenerator - 30ml - $145 - with the three powerful regenerative ingredients in clinical doses: Proxylan, Linseed extract and Vitamin C  - to target the three layers of the skin for an overall skin regeneration. In six days you will achieve skin that is rebounced, refined and radiant and in one month you will see an improvement in the appearance of crow's feet.

I have been using the serum for several weeks and am very pleased with how soft and radiant my skin is.  I especially like the light texture, how little of it you need to use (just one drop) and how lovely the fragrance is - a citrus top note, mid notes of jasmine and orange blossom and base notes of santal, vanilla and musk.  Essential Oils have been used in the fragrance for their stimulating, energizing, sensorial, relaxing, restorative and sophisticated properties. It's not a cheap serum but considering how little product is needed per use and how great my skin looks, I consider it a good value.

Also available in the line:

[3.R] Regenessence Multi Corrective Rejuvenating Cream - 50ml - $135 - an advanced regenerative cream to correct wrinkles, texture and tone for a global rejuvenating effect.  With two active ingredients: chestnut extract and LHA.  Made up of a reverse emulsion (water in oil) formula. The active ingredients are captured in the water drops which are suspended and protected in the oil. Once applied to the skin, the water drops break and release the actives. This formulation ensures that the cream feels as light as silk and leaves an incredible velvety touch on skin.


[3.R] Regenessence Eye Rejuvenating Serum - 15ml - $90 - comes in an easily portable tube that boasts a silver beveled applicator to ensure a good delivery of the product to the eye area as well as offering a means to improve circulation and reduce puffiness and eye bags.

The Giorgio Armani Regenessence line is available at Holt Renfrew.

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus - 30ml - $53.50 - wrinkle and UV damage corrector that has a patented enzyme blend that works to mend sun's visible damage - the breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture and the early appearance of lines and wrinkles.

The serum address 3 main areas of concern:
UV Damage:

UV is still one of the leading causes of accelerated aging.  Harmful rays penetrate deeply into skin causing direct damage to cellular DNA and distortions in the skin’s regeneration process, and indirect damage from the release of free radicals. The visible results of sun damage include: breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture and the early appearance of lines and wrinkles, the “solar scars” that are the noticeable proof of collagen loss from extended UV exposure.
A potent blend of three patented repair enzymes encapsulated in a liposome delivery system work to help visibly reverse UV damage and mend “solar scars.”  This technology represents 20 years of clinical study into molecular delivery systems and aids penetration deep within the surface of the skin to dramatically revitalise the appearance of photo aging.

• Micrococcus Luteus (Ultrasomes V) – these liposomes work best at night to intensify the skin’s ability to visibly repair sun-inflicted damage from UVB rays.
• Photolyase Fermentate (Photosomes V) – absorbs visible light to promote natural cellular repair, working efficiently during daylight hours, to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin over time.
• OGG-1 Fermentate (Roxisomes) – derived from the mustard plant, protects cells from oxidative damage resulting from UV and intrinsic ageing.

Wrinkles:
A high-level peptide complex boosts natural collagen production and helps maintain existing natural collagen with essential ingredients. Skin becomes more firm, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles is diminished.  Targeted for application around the entire face and especially the delicate eye area, it works to help reverse one of the most visible signs of ageing by effectively smoothing and softening the appearance of eye creases.

• Whey Protein – a natural, amino acid rich, polypeptide helps skin look and feel more firm and resilient while minimising the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) – helps to plump the skin and increase natural collagen production, resulting in firm skin and minimised appearance of lines and wrinkles.
• Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 – this bio-peptide helps prompt natural collagen production.

Free Radical Protection:
Additionally, a cocktail of ingredients work to protect skin by helping to fight free radicals from environmental aggressors and to prevent future damage to the skin.

• Vitamin C and E (Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate and Tocopheryl Acetate) – provide antioxidant protection from free radicals induced by UV.
• Ergothioneine – this naturally occurring amino acid is a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect skin from environmental aggressors. Works with Vitamin C and E, helping to provide balance to the skin and helping to re-activate each other.
• Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice Extract – contains Ellagic Acid to help protect the skin and defend the skin against visible damage.

The promise is that just 3 drops twice a day and in 12 weeks achieve 63% of the visible wrinkle reducing power of a laser. Having finished my bottle now I can't tell you about any dramatic results like that but to be fair, I am a sunscreen nut and don't have any serious sun damage to contend with.  I can tell you that the small lines around my eyes have disappeared and and my entire face feels firmer. What I really enjoyed was the texture of the serum itself, evidenced by the fact that I finished the entire bottle and you can imagine that finishing something almost never happens around here!  The only thing I didn't like about it was the dropper format - I would have much preferred a pump!  Should I ever run out of serums and be in the market for one, I would use this one again!

The other issues with getting too much sun are dark spots and uneven skin tone - Clinique has a product to deal with that too - Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector - click on the link to find my past review on it!  The good news is that it now comes in a 50ml size which makes it great if you want to also treat your hands, neck and décolletage at the same time - 50ml - $93 - 30ml - $63

Both products are 100% fragrance free, oil free, non-acnegenic, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.


And of course the best thing you can do to avoid having to use either product is to wear your sunscreen!

Dior's age-defying range Capture Totale is celebrating its silver anniversary with more innovations and discoveries to improve the line.  The new fundamental discovery in 2011 is that the influence of stem cells is not limited to the epidermis, as we now believe, but extends to the dermis as well, the area where all deep-set and visible signs of aging originate.  Dior has partnered with the Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine with the aim to elucidate the deep causes of skin aging and to develop, for the future, an ensemble of new solutions based on stem cells

Today, to target stem cells, all of the Capture Totale products feature a new synergy of super-activated ingredients in the Longoza-Cellular Complex - all of the great historic active ingredients that ensured the success of Capture Totale, backed by a newcomer - TP Vityl which plays the role of a super bodyguard for the stem cells.  The Dior Capture Totale lineup includes:

Dior Capture Totale Serum - 30ml - $140 - 50ml - $195
Dior Capture Totale Creme Multi-Perfection - 50ml - $135
Dior Capture Totale One Essential - 30ml - $100
Dior Capture Totale Radiance Restoring Serum Foundation SPF 15 - 30ml - $85

You can check them out at your local Dior counter.

Biotherm Skin Ergetic - a new product line that is paraben free and contains ingredients that are 99% of natural origin - the tag line sums it up - "So signs of fatigue don't turn into signs of aging" Sign me up!
Energy Up Complex Signs of Fatigue Repairing Concentrate - 50ml - $58 - contains broccoli, soy apple, lemon and sugar cane - the most interesting part of this product is the fresh cosmetics technology that makes it possible to optimize the effectiveness of the active ingredients via last-minute activation - the broccoli extract in this product is one of the best ingredients for fighting skin fatigue but is unstable when added to a skincare formula.  To solve the problem, Biotherm decided to isolate this ingredient in a capsule so that it could be activated at the last minute, immediately before the first application.  You release the powder into the rest of the concentrate and it will retain optimum stability for three months - so don't forget to use it every day!
Anti-Ox Complex Non-Stop Anti-Fatigue Moisturizer - 50ml - $49 - in a rich creme for dry skin or cream gel for combination skin - contains tomato, apple, bitter orange, grape and pomegranate - the cream gel smells amazing, this one is on my shopping list!
D-Tox Complex Overnight High-Recovery Moisturizer Night - 50ml - $51 - contains buckwheat, tea, ruscus, soy and cranberry
Lise Watier Eye Quartet - $31 - if you are already a fan of her quads you will be pleased to know they now come in 4 new gorgeous colour combos:  Les Violets, Les Bleus, Les Verts and Les Rosés.
Elizabeth Arden Petty Hot - 50ml EDP - $63 - with top notes of red currant, fresh mandarin, blood orange, red apple and freesia; heart notes of Queen of the Night, peony, pimento blossom as well as Petelia and Georgywood molecules; and a base of amber, white patchouli, tonka bean, sandalwood and musky Cosmone molecule.  I gave it a sniff and I like it when I first spray it because of all of the fruity top notes, but once it dries down it turns very floral on me so I'm not such a fan.
Vichy NeoVadiol Gf Eye and Lip Contours - 15ml - $39.50 - with a cooling eye and lip contour applicator for menopausal skin it is said to have a crease-smoothing effect and will make eye and lip contours appear defined.
Ed Hardy Born Wild for Women - 50ml EDP - $62- with top notes of blackberry and black currant buds; heart notes of magnolia and peach blossom; and base notes of lily of the valley, sandalwood and musk.
Ed Hardy Born Wild for Men - 50ml EDT - $62 - with top notes of cara cara orange, spicy cardamom, ambrette seed and papple,; middle notes of jasmine, neroli, ozone and pink perppercorn; and base notes of California Palo Verde and sandalwood.

Ed Hardy reminds me of the Rock of Love episode where Bret takes the skank de jour to the Ed Hardy store and gets her slutted out - since then I haven't been able to take the brand seriously - but I'm sure there are lots of Ed Hardy fans out there that are thrilled by these new fragrances!

L'Oréal Magic Smooth Soufflé - 20ml - $21.99 - in 12 shades: 510 Light Ivory, 512 Classic Ivory, 514 Natural Ivory, 516 Nude Beige, 518 Natural Buff, 520 Creamy Natural, 522 Natural Beige, 524 Buff Beige, 526 Sand Beige, 528 True Beige, 530 Sun Beige, 532 Classic Tan - if you've been thinking about a new foundation this is one to check out - the texture of the foundation is amazing and feels so light on the skin that if feels like you aren't wearing anything.

But the best part is the finish, the foundation contains a new technology called mati-crystal which is an active mattifying gel which has a transparent structure that absorbs shine to mattify the complexion and lastingly maintain clarity - never before have you been able to have a foundation that is both matte and luminous. Ordinary mattifying foundations contain mattifying powder that absorbs the oil found in sebum to provide matte results but the complexion stays dull.  The mati-crystal technology in Magic Smooth Soufflé allows light to pass through and captures sebum to restore exceptional luminosity.

The best comparison I can make from foundations I have tried is the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation except the texture and coverage is way better.  I am also pleased to note that the Magic Smooth Soufflé doesn't turn orange on me the way the Maybelline Mousse is prone to do.
Maybelline Volum' Express One by One Mascara - $9.49 - one-on-one attention to every lash at every angle.  The brush has over 300 elastometic bristles that work together to grab and detangle every single lash and the formula contains Vitamin C and fruit AHAs that condition the lash cuticle for smooth, silky, flawlessly voumized lashes
Escada Taj Sunset - 50ml EDT - $61, 100ml EDT - $80 - Escada's summer offering is Indian inspired this year. It has top notes of Alphonso mango, nectarine and blood orange, a heart of aquatic flowers with raspberry, pomarosa and Malay apple and a base of coconut, sandalwood and musk. I look forward to the Escada fragrance every year and this one does not disappoint me for it's super fruity wonderfulness, this is most certainly on my shopping list!
Dermaglow Wrinkle Release Serum - 30ml - $70 - up to 50% reduction in appearance of wrinkle depth for - deep wrinkles and expression lines - significantly reduces appearance of deep wrinkles in only 30 days and instantly relaxes the look of expression lines and wrinkles especially in the forehead and around the eyes.
CoverGirl NatureLuxe Collection - Gloss Balm - $9.49 - SPF 15 in 12 sheer colours with a hint of shine - Silk Foundation - 30ml - $17.49 - in 12 shades that are infused with jojoba and cucumber.

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?!