Fragrant Friday - Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum - 125ml EDP Intense - $142 - a more intense interpretation of Le Beau EDT with top notes of pineapple, iris, cypress and ginger; heart notes of coconut and wood; and base notes of tonka bean, sandalwood, amber and ambergris.

It's a fresh, woody scent that smells great - on the boy or even on you if you are partial to something less girlie! They call it a more intense version of the EDT but I don't actually find they smell that similar at all - both nice but in different ways. And of course you can't hate the bottle - a chiselled chest in deep blue with a (non-removable) golden fig leaf!

 

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart and Jean Coutu stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Humid weather must-haves from Vichy, Fruits & Passion and Physician's Formula!

Vichy Mineral 89 Probiotic Fractions Regenerating + Repairing Booster - 30ml - $49.95 - works to improve radiance, elasticity and fine lines with a fragrance-free formula of 4% niacinamide, probiotic fractions and Vichy volcanic water. It's not meant to be used all the time but rather during intense periods of stress so that it won't show up on the skin. Humidity tends to make my skin go blotchy and tired looking so this is perfect for it - when humidity is in the forecast I switch out my Mineral 89 Daily Booster for this one!

 

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at vichy.ca.

Alo Fruits & Passion Natural Deodorant - 50g - $9 - in 4 scents: Orange Cantaloupe, Ocean Flower, Pear Peony and Grapefruit Guava - an aluminum-free smooth stick deodorant with a non-whitening, odor-fighting formula that provides 24 hour protection and is even great for sensitive skin. My issue with most  deodorants during humid weather is I feel like the scent goes rancid and it ends up smelling worse then sweat would! No issues with this one - Grapefruit Guava remains regular fruity, not rotten fruity!

Available at Fruits and Passions stores across Canada and online at fruits-passion.com and avon.ca.

Physicians Formula Diamond Mascara - $17.99 - a 5-in-1 clear product that can be used as a primer, mascara, grow gel, hair gel or false lash top coat - designed to condition and provide a natural yet polished look to lashes and brows with an ultra-nourishing formula containing lash strengthening peptides, soothing mineral water, nourishing vitamin E and real diamond dust! that primes, conditions, grooms and tames. It only took the first day of humid weather this year and the raccoon eyes I came out of it with to realize that clear mascara was going to be my best friend this summer - and that little bit of shimmer you get from the diamond dust in this one makes me feel fancy!

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Avon Elastine PropoliThera Hair Deep Conditioning Treatment Cap!

Shake off the last of your winter hair doldrums by adding some warm-weather body and shine to your hair with:

 

Avon Elastine PropoliThera Hair Deep Conditioning Treatment Cap - pack of 2 - $26 - repairs and strengthens damaged hair  with a nourishing deep-conditioning treatment mask that replenishes moisture in one cap application to keep locks looking silky smooth and voluminous.

 

Made up of a blend of propolis (tree sap and beeswax), honey and royal jelly for healthy-looking body and shine with a wonderful berry, rose and peony scent.  

 

It's super easy to use: after shampooing, remove excess water and cover all your hair with cap and adjust it to size of your head. Lightly massage the cap to help for an even absorption of nutrients - leave on for 10-15 minutes and then just rinse thoroughly. You will love how soft and shiny your hair it leaves your hair! My recommendation - use it while taking a bath - it can soak in while you bathe and the scent adds a relaxing aspect to a lazy soak!

 

Available from your Avon rep or online at avon.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

Needful Things - Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team Face Palette

If all this wonderful warm weather has you realizing just how long it has been since you have seen sun or been on a vacation - and your skin shows it - then help is on the way - fake it until you make it with:

 

Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team Face Palette - $25.99 - achieve a gorgeous tropic glow with a palette chock full luxuriously smooth butter blended bronzers, blushes, highlighter and face powder that seamlessly work together to create the look of a tropical vacation dream. Palette includes: Murumuru Butter Bronzer in Bronze; Matte Monoi Butter Bronzer in Deep; Murumura Butter Blush in Saucy Mauve; Butter Believe It! Blush in Pink Sands; Murumuru Butter Highlighter in Champagne; and Butter Believe It! Face Powder in Translucent

 

Made with a blend of murumuru butter, cupuacu butter, and tucuma butter from the nutrient-rich Amazon, this makeup is packed with essential fatty acids and pro-vitamins that soften, condition, and moisturize the skin. As well, they are talc-free and are extra-breathable, making them a perfect match for those even with sensitive skin. A few swipes of this palette will have you looking like you just got home from a tropical vacation - the coconut-y scent will help with that feeling too!

 

Available now at drugstores across Canada including Shoppers Drug Mart.

 

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Nina Ricci Nina Soleil

Nina Ricci brings us a ray of sunshine this spring with...

 

Nina Soleil - 50ml EDT - $88 - an oriental citrusy floral fragrance with fresh top notes of bergamot and mandarin orange; heart notes of whipped cream and gardenia; and base notes of vanilla and soft cedarwood.

Let me start by saying - the bottle - delightful! If there ever was packaging that just made you happy looking at it, this is it! There is also a lot to like about the fragrance itself. On me, it's very citrusy, I do love a citrus but after the description I was hoping for a sweet citrus but it is definitely citrus on the floral side - still lovely though!

Available now at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, Brunet, Familiprix and Uniprix.

- Lisamarie -

3 steps to glowing skin with Conair, StiVectin and Alya Skin!

Start your glowing skin regime with...

 

Conair True Glow Facial Sauna - $49.99 - cleanses, hydrates and refreshes skin with a warm steam  moisturizing mist that loosens dirt, oil and blackheads for a complete deep cleansing while promoting overall skin health and protection by improving skin tone and elasticity that brings out skin's natural beauty and glow. It has 7 timer settings making it great for all skin types and is also great for reducing nasal congestion during colds and allergies.

I was a little worried when trying this, my skin is prone to redness and I thought I might turn out less glowy and more boiled lobster but no worry needed - my skin pinked up a bit but did not boil!

Available at mass retailers across Canada and online at conaircanada.ca.

After steaming, this is the perfect time to exfoliate and get rid of any lingering embedded dirt and to slough off dead skin 

StriVectin Advanced Resurfacing Pro Glowfoliant Mix-In Microderm Crystals - 36g - $49 - finely textured, dermatologist-grade microdermabrasion crystals plus a gentle blend of AHAs offer results comparable to a professional microdermabrasion treatment.

 

It's very easy and versatile - just mix a bit with any cleanser to thoroughly exfoliate dulling, pore-clogging dead skin cells for visibly renewed, ultra-smooth glowing skin in just 15 seconds without disrupting skin’s barrier. The "any cleanser" part is what I really appreciate about it - a lot of exfoliants are too thick and heavy for my taste but this one mixes easily into my light gel cleanser so I get all the exfoliating benefits in a texture of my choice!

Available at drugstores across Canada.

And now that your skin is perfectly smooth and soft finish it off with some Vitamin C to keep the glow going - I would recommend...

Alya Skin Vitamin C Supercharged Serum - 35ml - $41.99 - boosts the skin with a blend of Kakadu Plum, Desert Lime, Finger Lime Caviar and Lilly Pilly. These Australian natives are packed full of Vitamin C - a powerful antioxidant which plumps, brightens, and increases collagen production to brighten and even skin tone. 

 

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

When my skin feels this clean and soft I hate to put on makeup, but if I have to it is amazing how easily foundation glides on and how much better it looks -  just add these 3 steps to your routine twice a week and admire the glow with and without foundation! You will also definitely want to add this to your special event prep or for anytime you want to look especially good!

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Spray Conditioner!

Anyone with fine hair knows that too much or too heavy a conditioner will just leave hair  looking greasy and limp, while no conditioner leaves us with a tangled, flyaway mess! Our conditioning woes are now over thanks to...

 

Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Peptide Repair Rescue Spray Conditioner - 200ml - $15.99 - with a bi-phase, leave in formula perfect for fine to normal damaged hair that combines an efficient concentration of ingredients that instantly improve the feel of the hair, leaving it soft and supple. 

 

The benefits are immediate - moisture and elasticity are vastly improved bringing instantly enhanced manageability and vitality - and it detangles like a dream! It's easy to use, just make sure you give it a good shake so the two parts mix together and spray on towel tried hair - style as usual and prepare to be amazed! 

 

There is a whole line of products to compliment it I also love the Peptide Repair Rescue Micellar Shampoo - and if you don't have the fine hair issue, there are also products for thick to normal damaged hair so you don't need to feel left out!

 

Available at salons across Canada as well as a bunch of online retailers including Matt&Max, Chatters and Amazon.

 

- Lisamarie -

A few of my favourite things from Vasanti, Alya Skin and Le Mieux!

Vasanti Liquid Cover Up Oil-Free Foundation & Concealer - 16ml - $27 - in 12 shades made to mimic skin and deliver a natural finish: V0 - Fair; V1 - Fair to Light; V2 - Warm Light to Medium; V3 - Medium Neutral to Medium, V4 - Medium Golden to Tan; V6 - Tanned to Medium Deep; V8 - Medium Deep Warm; V10 Medium Deep Golden; V12 Deep Golden; V13 Deep Golden Red; V14 Deep Golden Yellow; V15 Deep Rich - with a lightweight formula that blends into skin and buildable coverage that evens out skintone while disguising under eye circles and camouflaging blemishes - a moisturizing, brightening concealer and foundation in one!

 

The brush applicator makes it very easy to apply and especially helpful under the eyes - it's a pretty small tube though to use as an all-over foundation every day. What I have been doing is drawing a line down each cheek and then applying my moisturizer - instant tinted moisturizer - then I apply under my eyes and on any problem spots that need covering and lastly finish off with the Vasanti Lotus Brightening Powder - $25 - in 4 shades: 100 Volts - Fair to Light; 200 Volts - Warm Soft Yellow; 300 Volts - Warm Peach; 400 Volts - Golden to Deep - it brightens the skin under eyes and blurs the appearance of pores, fine lines and wrinkles - the whole process takes less then 5 minutes and my skin looks flawless without any obvious makeup!

Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at vasanticosmetics.ca and amazon.ca.

If you haven't tried anything from the Alya Skin line yet, it has become a lot easier - Shoppers Drug Mart is now carrying it! There are many wonderful products available that your skin will love but if your budget doesn't stretch to getting one of everything, I highly recommend you start off this:

 

Alya Skin Pink Perfect Australian Pink Clay Mask - 120g - $51.99 - specifically formulated with Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, Witch Hazel and Australian Kaolin Clay - a natural, gentle, soothing ingredient composed from a mix of incredibly natural minerals including quartz, mica and montmorillonite. Used every other day, this unique treatment defends the skin against the pollutants of oil, dirt and toxins, cleansing and revitalizing for bright, beautiful skin - that will feel so soft and smooth you won't believe it - best of all, unlike some clay masks, this one doesn't dry into a hard uncomfortable lump that has you running to wash it off!

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

Le Mieux Exotic Blossom Hand Cream - 40ml - $8 - with a velvety soft formula enriched with exotic cupuacu and kukui butters along with macadamia and cannabis oils work together to soothe, protect, and deeply moisturize dry hands and fingers while the rich aromas of Bulgarian rose, helichrysum, and chamomile flowers unfold and linger. For some reason my hands become drier with the season change from winter to spring then they are during the coldest days of winter - this softens them right up and makes them smell sublime!

Available online at lemieuxskincare.com.

- Lisamarie -