Category Archives: skincare

December 10, 2012 · 10:30 am

products: lactose tolerant hydration by korres

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a Greek girl or not,  but I’ve had a soft spot for Korres products for quite some time. The brand’s popularity has blossomed since I discovered them in a pharmacy years ago in the southern Peloponnese, yet the quality and integrity of the ingredients they use has always remained authentically…well, Greek. I can almost hear my yiayia (Greek for grandmother) telling me to use yogurt on my face to soothe it.

korres1

 

Korres was kind enough to send me a winter care package of some of their featured products to try out. In light of the winter weather ahead, and many moments of dry and irritated skin due to the outdoor cold or indoor heating, here are some winter-approved products that will make your skin say OPA!

 

korres1

 

Yogurt Instant Soothing Gel

$49.50 CAD

This moisture booster is amazing for when you need to up the ante underneath your regular moisturizer  or need a quick fix of comfort when your skin is irritatingly dry. It instantly nourishes, hydrates and relieves dry skin while providing a light cooling effect.  Works amazing underneath your favourite tinted moisturizer or BB Cream.

korres3

Yogurt Body Butter

$33 CAD

I’ve used other Korres Body Butters before and they are amazing! This time of year my skin is so ridiculously dry that I scratch to the point where sometimes it hurts. Thank you to YOGURT for being a  luxurious, moisture-rich cream, not only cooling and soothing my skin, but hydrating the hell out of it.  Shea butter softens, smooths and nourishes and helps to also improves the skins elasticity. The scent is fresh and pure, much softer than other body butters from Korres. It’s quite nice.

korres2

Milk Proteins Foaming Cream Cleanser

$26 CAD

Foam and cream come together to make a gloriously nourishing soap-free cleanser that leaves skin soft and supple. Normally, dry or sensitive skin would steer clear of anything ‘foaming’ due to it being synonymous with further drying out or irritating the skin. However,  MILK is the shining star in this cleanser which is an age old beauty secret of Cleopatra’s, who bathed in the stuff to preserve her skin’s suppleness. The ‘foam’ in this cleanser is more reminiscent of a creamy lather and feels incredible!

You can find these and other Korres goodies at select Shoppers Drug Marts and Sephora.

http://www.korres.ca/

Leave a Comment

Filed under Korres, product launch, reviews, skincare, winter

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

November 30, 2012 · 10:00 am

skincare: getting wild with korres

…wild ROSES, that is…

The colder weather makes our dull and dry skin cry for help. While this condition is more evident in those over 30 and beyond, it certainly doesn’t exclude the younger crowd from this ailment. What we need is something that will deliver not only moisture, but also a solution to brighten our lacklustre skin. Korres has hit the nail on the head with their Wild Rose brightening and moisturizing system.

The line is composed of ingredients like imperata cylindrica, a desert plant extract, to provide continuous moisturization and Wild Rose oil, a natural source of Vitamin C, to smooth and brighten dull and tired skin.

Check out some of these skin care treats to get your skin back to its hydrated and glowing state.

Wild Rose Daily Brightening & Refining Buff Cleanser

Uncover luminous skin with this daily dual-action, creamy, exfoliating cleanser. Natural exfoliants rice grain, cherry stone, and sugar-citrus extracts blend with wild rose oil, a natural source of vitamin C that is clinically proven to improve skin’s overall radiance and texture with daily use, to leave skin cleansed and fresh while instantly brightening your complexion. It is gentle enough for daily use, even for dry skin.

Wild Rose Eye Treatment

This soothing eye cream helps to add radiance to the delicate eye area while minimizing the appearance of dark circles and fine lines. Wild rose oil evens tone while adding brightness to skin and a blend of yeast, ruscus, and horse chestnut extracts minimize the appearance of dark circles and undereye wrinkles. Rose-gold toned optical brighteners add instant luminosity, revitalizing the eye area so eyes appear brighter and more incandescent after just one application. The overall results are instant luminosity, brighter eyes, and a minimized appearance of dark circles and fine lines.

Fun Fact: This was so effective, I didn’t have to use concealer on a daily basis.

Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

More than a mask, more than a night cream. This overnight facial-in-a-jar with Vitamin C from Wild Rose Oil works while you sleep to renew dull, tired skin by morning.

You can find these and the rest of the Korres Wild Rose line at various retailers such as Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora or at korresusa.com

Leave a Comment

Filed under Korres, my favourites, product launch, reviews, skincare

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 22, 2012 · 10:00 am

review: schick hydro silk razor

Like most women, maintaining a hair free body doesn’t come without its woes. Sure there are many methods to remove unwanted hair, whether it be waxing, threading, sugar, lasers, depilatory creams or (yikes!) epilators. They all carry with them great debates among our gender as to why they love it, hate it and even the odd horror story of times they’ve gone awry. The one that continues to top the list of ease and popularity is the good old shaving method.

Over the years, I have teeter-tottered between waxing and shaving. Sure, waxing offers a longer duration of being hair-free but can be uncomfortable and for some, the cost of regular waxing just isn’t in the budget. Shaving offers us a quick fix, but finding the right razor can be a daunting task and with the wrong one, can leave your skin irritated and full of unsightly nicks.

About a month or so ago, I received a little care package from the people at Schick asking me to check out their newest razor, the Hydro Silk. I’m familiar with the brand and in fact, have been quite pleased with their Intuition razor for some time. I decided to give it a whirl for a month and really test it out before sharing my thoughts.

First, a bit about the razor:

Name:

Schick Hydro Silk

Number of Blades:

Five Curve-Sensing blades with skin guards to help protect skin from irritation

Special Skills:

Water-Activated Moisturizing Serum

The ease of this razor is evident the minute you start using it. It glides easily over the curves of the body without any worry of causing any nicks. I’m normally so nervous around the ankles and behind the knee, but felt safe and secure going over these areas without a doubt.

When I first used the razor, I wasn’t sure how I would like the built in serum strips. In the past, other razors who have claimed something similar to this, have ended up being a gooey mess. The Hydro Silk proved me wrong. As soon as I ran the razor under the water stream and started shaving my legs, I could immediately feel the difference. Because I normally use the Intuition (which has a built in soap), I don’t have any shaving cream and so I’m not sure if this is a necessary need with the Hydro Silk. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think you need to. My skin is extremely dry during the cooler season and just using the razor alone nourished my skin all day with the moisturizing serum strips. I even went without my usual body cream on my legs to see how long it would last. Sure enough, my skin was still soft and (most importantly) smooth at the end of the day.

One cartridge was good (including the serum) for 3 weeks. Depending on how often you shave, you can get a good 2-4 weeks out of them.

All in all, this razor is replacing my old one. I’m extremely happy with the results and impressed with the technology Schick has used to create such a solid product. So if you’re a shaver and in the market for a new razor, definitely give this a try. I stand here with both thumbs way up!

***Please note that I only write reviews for things sent to me if I really like them. The company has not paid me in any way to write a positive review.

Leave a Comment

Filed under product launch, reviews, skincare, summer

Tagged as , , , ,

January 13, 2012 · 12:01 am

launch: marcelle bb cream

Inspired by the trends in Asia, I’m pleased to share with you that Marcelle is releasing an amazing new beauty and skin care product that is sure to make its way into your makeup cases. I had the chance to see and feel this at the Annabelle/Marcelle Beauty Premiere event in November and ever since, I’ve wanted a tube of my very own. An 8-in-1 multi-benefit beauty balm, BB Cream is a moisturizing skin care, tinted corrector and makeup base that enhances your natural beauty.

The Eight Multi-Benefits are:

  1. minimizes the appearance of imperfections and pores
  2. evens out skin tone
  3. replaces primers by providing an excellent makeup base
  4. mattifies skin and controls shine
  5. offers immediate and long-term hydrating benefits
  6. soothes and calms the skin
  7. protects from premature aging and environmental stresses
  8. promotes skin regeneration

Ideal for any age and skin type, BB Cream comes in two shades (light-to-medium & medium-to-dark) which works on a variety of skin tones due to its self-adjusting pigments. The fact that it’s hypo-allergenic as well as oil, paraben and fragrance free make this perfect for even sensitive and oily skin types.

The minute I had the BB Cream in my possession, I had to put it to the test. Although I’ve been blessed with decent skin, without a little foundation, I do have some slight redness and uneven tone. There are three ways to use Marcelle BB Cream. The first is on cleansed skin as a corrective tinted moisturizer. The second is to use it alone or over your moisturizer to unify your complexion. Finally, use it as a makeup base under foundation for total coverage and improved staying power. I opted for the first.

The before and after photos were taken in natural light and are untouched.

I instantly noticed a difference in how supple my skin felt and how even my complexion looked. Please know that this is ALL the BB Cream’s doing! I have no concealer or foundation on. Heck, I didn’t even apply any moisturizer! It’s like I’ve been Photoshopped! I have a feeling this is the beginning of a beauty-ful love affair.

You can get your hands on your very own tube of BB Cream as of February 6, 2012 when it’s launched at pharmacies and mass retail stores across Canada.

—————————————————-
Marcelle BB Cream
$22.95 CAD – 45mL
www.marcelle.com

3 Comments

Filed under foundation, Marcelle, product launch, reviews, skincare, spring, swatches

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , ,

January 10, 2012 · 9:41 pm

skin: going greek with korres

I’m not unfamiliar to the awesomeness that is KORRES. Almost ten years ago on a trip to Greece visiting family, I walked into a local pharmacy, saw this cutely packaged Greek brand and just couldn’t help myself. I’ve been a fan ever since. Ten years since my open relationship (only because I’m a creature of variety) with KORRES began, here I am finally reviewing some goodies properly.

Just before the holidays, the lovely folks at KORRES sent me a little care package. Inside was a selection of some of their popular products to help the skin fight the winter blues (and dryness). I hadn’t used much of the line in the past few years other than their White Tea Cleanser (amazing product, by the way). After a few weeks using these goodies, I thought I’d share with you my two cents of what I thought of them. It’s quite fitting that a Greek girl review some Greek products.

{WILD ROSE FACE + EYE SERUM}

WHAT IT IS: An ultra concentrated serum that refines and brightens the look of fine lines around the face and eyes. It is suitable for all skin types.

HOW IT DOES IT: Wild Rose Oil is quite rich in vitamin C which aides in reducing the look of fine lines and breaking down unsightly hyper-pigmentation. It’s also rich in linoleic and linoleic acid which provides an intense moisturization and protection of the skin. Baobab-tree polysaccharide is another ingredient in the serum that provides a line smoothing effect while reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

WHEN YOU USE IT: After you’ve cleansed your face, apply to the face and eye area. You can use this alone or before a moisturizer. 

COST: $49 CAD

WHAT I THOUGHT: After two weeks I noticed my skin was a lot more even and brighter. I have a small sun spot on my cheek that has diminished since using it. I would recommend this to anyone dealing with pigmentation issues or sun damages skin. I adored this under my eye cream as well. It works amazing under concealer and foundation.

{QUERCETIN & OAK ANTIWRINKLE/ANTIAGING EYE CREAM}

WHAT IT IS: An amazing power-eye cream that smooths, hydrates and minimizes the appearance of under eye darkness and puffiness. Suitable for all skin types.

HOW IT DOES IT: Using a NOBEL-awarded discovery on cell aging as inspiration, KORRES used the most powerful anti-aging duo of ingredients, Quercetin & Oak as a natural alternative to Retinol. Mixed with this is Myrtle Extract (improves skin elasticity), Mourera Fluviatilis Extract (helps maintain skin’s water levels), Baobab Polysaccharides (skin is left looking and feeling firmer) and Rhodiola Rosea Extract (helps prevent the appearance of dark circles and eye puffiness).

WHEN YOU USE IT: After you’ve cleansed your face, apply to the eye area around the orbital bone. 

COST: $55 CAD

WHAT I THOUGHT: Using this layered over top of the Wild Rose serum was a powerhouse eye regimen! I may be in love with this combination, I must say. My delicate eye area is subject to my constant abuse and has a tendency of showing it. With this, it’s like the perfect remedy. On a side note: LESS is more with this eye cream. A little goes a heck of a long way so be frugal.

{QUERCETIN & OAK ANTIWRINKLE/ANTIAGING NIGHT CREAM}

WHAT IT IS: A face cream that provides intense nourishment and repair throughout the night. Suitable for all skin types.

HOW IT DOES IT: Using the anti-aging ingredient duo of  Quercetin & Oak as a natural alternative to Retinol. This combination has been clinically proven to provide faster results than leading luxury department store brands. It also contains a blend of Myrtle Extract (anti-aging booster to help skin’s elasticity), Mourera Fluviatilis Extract (moisture binding activity to maintain water levels), as well as Jojoba, Grape and Pomegranate Oils (provides nourishment and reparative properties).

WHEN YOU USE IT: After you’ve cleansed your face, apply to the face and neck.

COST: $59 CAD

WHAT I THOUGHT: Aside from the woody smell (which thankfully dissipated quickly), I was impressed with how this treated my skin throughout the night. From prior experience, night moisturizers have been synonymous with thick, heavy old lady creams. This is not the case with this little jar. My dry, winter-abused skin was quenched thoroughly and left supple and smooth. It was almost a shame washing my face in the morning.

All of these as well as other products from KORRES can be found at Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart retailers.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Korres, my favourites, reviews, skincare, trends

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

November 28, 2011 · 6:57 pm

events: annabelle + marcelle beauty premiere

If anyone knows how to throw a killer party, it’s the fabulous team of beauty connoisseurs at Annabelle and Marcelle Cosmetics. I was excited to be one of a handful of Toronto based beauty bloggers to receive an invitation to their Beauty Premiere, held at the Thompson Hotel rooftop on November 16th. The evening was drenched with the chatter of beautiful people, bubbly champagne, oodles of amuse bouche and an amazing showcase of some of Groupe Marcelle’s upcoming launches for 2012.

Here you have Annabelle Big Show lipgloss. This non-sticky and silky lipgloss comes in so many beautiful shades and hydrates your pucker like a wearable treatment.

An amazing detail (and quite possibly the most brilliant idea) was the lipgloss bar set up in one corner of the party, where attendees had the opportunity to mix their own customized hue of one of the Big Show glosses. With the help of Annabelle’s official lipgloss mixologist, each one of us left with at least one of our personalized shades. I chose to make both a cool and a warm colour. Is it in bad taste to call them both ’whiplashes’? I digress.

Some of my favourite beauty items were in attendance, such as my go-to Smudge Paints and Glitterama Liquid Liners (which are coming in a few new shades next year).

There are three new skin care products being launched by Marcelle next year. One is the Renforcils Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover, which is a gel formula that not only gently removes all eye makeup but also contains lash conditioners to help strengthen and promote lash growth. Another is a family of moisture care called Gene Youth, designed for all skin types as an anti-aging line composed of a day, night and eye cream.

A divine item was the Beauty Balm (which comes in two tones),  a gorgeous skin enhancer to add a luminosity to the skin. For all the mascara junkies, Marcelle will be releasing a new formula called Xtension Plus Mascara that not only lengthens but curls the lashes. I recieved this in my swag bag and have been using it ever since. I can’t deny that it definitely lives up to its claims.

Of course a party wouldn’t be complete without a good dose of cocktails and mingling with other beauty loving gals. It’s always a pleasure catching up with the Toronto bloggers and even posing for a picture or two. Please excuse the less than perfect quality of the photos – my iPhone and low light conditions were not the ideal combination.

The lovely hostess, Isabel Picard and I

Miss Robyn from fashionista514 and I taking a break from Dirty Vodka Martinis

Striking a pose with sweetheart Ande from Make Me Over Ande

A blurry but cute pic of darling Anjali from Rock That Look and I

A quick blogger huddle with Farah from Faces by Farah, Tamara from Beauty Thesis and Arianne from Glitter Geek

How many beauty bloggers does it take to have a blast?

A beyond amazing night to say the least. Also, quite smart to stick to a Wednesday to throw the party. After all, you know what they say about girls, makeup and a few drinks…there might have been some troublemaking if it were the weekend.

Thank you again to Groupe Marcelle! xo

2 Comments

Filed under Annabelle, events, Marcelle, product launch, skincare, spring

Tagged as , , , ,

June 14, 2011 · 12:30 am

stay put! – makeup setting sprays

Summer’s almost here and with it comes a good dose of humidity. For us makeup lovers and wearers, this means the struggle for long lasting makeup that can withstand all the moisture in the air and sweating that tends to make everything melt away throughout the day.

There are a few products on the market at the moment that are the perfect solution. More specifically, the notorious setting spray. I know that these have been around for quite some time now for makeup artists to use professionally, but older formulas had the reputation of being heavy and sticky which certainly didn’t go over well with the everyday lady. New formulas are now abundant, and bring a refreshing re-vamp to how they feel and wear over our makeup.

Here is a small compilation of some makeup setting sprays that I think are worth a try.

[MAC FIX +]

This water based toning mist is infused with vitamins and botanicals to hydrate and calm the skin. It makes for a very lovely gentle setting spray as well as a great addition to your skincare regimen.

Skin Type: ALL

$22.50 CDN

[MAKEUP FOR EVER MIST & FIX]

This spray mists a weightless and invisible film on the skin that protects makeup from environmental elements. This works great for everyday as well as photoshoots, allowing makeup to stay in place and spares you from constantly powdering.

Skin Type: ALL

$27 USD

[URBAN DECAY SETTING SPRAYS]

DE SLICK

Skin Type: OILY

This weightless formula is great for oily skin because of its ability to absorb excess sebum and control shine on the skin. Urban Decay’s unique Temperature Control Technology actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to hold everything in place. A simple misting of this over your makeup and it won’t budge all day.

$29 USD

DEW ME

Skin Type: DRY/COMBINATION

For those on the drier end of the spectrum, this spray moisturizes while it keeps makeup in place. The lightweight formula feels amazing on the skin and helps prevent makeup from settling into fine lines and powder from feeling cakey. It leaves your skin looking radiant, glowing and hydrated. This spray also contains the Temperature Control Technology like the De Slick, which lowers the temperature of your makeup for longevity.

$29 USD

ALL NIGHTER

Skin Type: ALL

Urban Decay collaborated with SKINDINÄVIA to make this brilliant setting spray that keeps your makeup on for 16 hours. Makeup withstands humidity and doesn’t dry you out in the colder weather – a good all around product for any occasion and skin type. This also incorporates UD’s patented Temperature Control Technology found in its trilogy of setting sprays.

$29 USD

Leave a Comment

Filed under foundation, MAC, makeup accessories, Makeup Forever, photoshoots, reviews, skincare, spring, summer, tips + tricks, Urban Decay

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

May 9, 2011 · 12:31 pm

vlog: l’moor pumpkin peel exfoliating masque

The lovely Bonnie and Will from L’Moor gave me a few samples of some of their amazing natural skin care products to try after expressing to Bonnie about some dry patches I was suffering from. I decided to give the Pumpkin Peel a whirl later that evening and was incredibly impressed at the immediate improvement of my skin’s texture.

The peel is an exfoliating masque that uses the enzyme power of papain (papaya) and bromelain (pineapple) to refine and remove dead corneum cells (a.k.a. dead skin) while the pumpkin pulp renews and heals the skin. A must for those in need of a good instant fix. Beware to those with sensitive skin, though. This peel is very active and tingly which will cause temporary redness due to the potent effectiveness of the ingredients which will cause blood flow to the surface of the skin. Anyone with sensitive skin might react to this product because of this. Besides that, this is a must for an amazing anti-aging regimen and I am very much looking forward to using this again. Note that, as with any other exfoliating product, you shouldn’t use this daily. My suggestion is to exfoliate ONCE a week. Any more than that could cause your skin to react and be prone to sensitivity. Too much of a good thing is NOT better in this case.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Moor Spa, reviews, skincare, spring, youtube

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

April 27, 2011 · 10:05 pm

review: marcelle essentials foaming cleansing gel

The esthetician in me is always willing to try new skincare products and I was stoked to receive one of the more recent additions to the Marcelle Essentials Line – the Foaming Cleansing Gel. I was immediately intrigued by the fact that it is free of soap, oil, alcohol and parabens. Reason enough to give this cleanser a go. I promised myself that I would use the entire bottle (providing it didn’t freak my skin out) before blogging about my thoughts.

The last little squirt of product was used up today and so I find myself writing away…

Let’s start with the packaging. I love the fact that it isn’t in a glass and/or breakable container. I’m a klutz in the shower so durability is a must. Thumbs up for this!

My experience using this? My skin is on the slightly drier side and I’m always hesitant with anything with a ‘gel’ consistency and that foams a lot. Usually these skincare stereotypes leave my particular skin type feeling dried out and stripped of any natural oils. I was pleased that this cleanser left me feeling surprisingly fresh and soft. You don’t require a lot of product and the cleanser emulsified into a rich lather. The final result was balanced, clean and supple skin ready to be moisturized.

My overall thoughts about this product would be that it would be best suited for dry/normal/combination skin types. My professional opinion would lead sensitive folks toward more of a milk or cream based cleanser to provide a soothing and calming effect. Those with really oily skin or sufferers of acne, there are probably better options within the Marcelle family for you. In fact, I was also sent the AC-Solution Daily Purifying Exfoliating Gel which I have gotten my roommate to start using. She has blemished skin and would benefit from this more than me. I will definitely update you at a later date on her feedback on this cleanser.

The Marcelle Essentials Foaming Cleansing Gel is available at Shoppers Drug Mart and retails for $14.50


1 Comment

Filed under Marcelle, reviews, skincare

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 3, 2011 · 11:35 pm

brand: tokyo milk

I recently fell in love with a new brand that came into my work. The New York City based company, Tokyo Milk has got to be the most brilliantly packaged/marketed lines I have seen to date. It oozes with a vintage style that is appropriate for young and old, while offering a variety of fragrances, lotions, soaps and more for a decadent sensory experience.

While I’ve only gotten to see and play with a fraction of what Tokyo Milk has to offer, their website boasts a delectable catalogue of beauty goodies which I highly recommend you check out.

Of the products I HAVE tried, some of my favourites are as follows:

Parfum

$28

  • Dead Sexy – A ‘romantic & ethereal’ scent of Deep Vanilla, Exotic Wood, White Orchid & Ebony
  • Lotus Sake - A sparkling bouquet of Crisp Greens, Plum, Green Lotus, and Warm Sake
  • Le Petit – A gently opening fragrance of Lily, Peony, Vanilla Bean & Violet Petals
  • Kabuki – A sweetened citrus blend of Sugared Grapefruit, Lychee & Sweet Jasmine

Handcremes

$18

  • Let Them Eat Cake - The sugary decadence of Sugar Cane, Coconut Milk, Vanilla Orchid & White Musk
  • Gin & Rosewater - A beautiful balance with notes of Citrus Zest, Rosewood, Mimosa & Mandarin
  • Honey & The Moon – A subtly sweet blend of Honey, Sugared Violet, Jasmine & Sandalwood

Bon Bon Lip Balms

$10

 

  • Iced Green Tea - Candied lemon imparts a hint of sweetness upon delicate Mountain Green Tea, a refreshing drink for the thirstiest of lips.
  • Petit Fours – Our rich formula is imparted with the flavor of delicate pastries filled with caramelized Pear and candied Lavender Your lips will feel deliciously soft.
  • Honey Blossom - Sweet Clover Honey and decadent Poppy Nectar sweeten your lips for a coming kiss
Tokyo Milk – www.tokyo-milk.com
For those in the GTA East area, you can find select products by Tokyo Milk at Aquilibrium Salon & Spa.
http://www.tokyo-milk.com

2 Comments

Filed under my favourites, product launch, reviews, skincare, spring, style, Tokyo Milk, trends

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,