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Make-up & Beauty

A Good Foundation, For Flawless Foundation

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BY: KIZZY

A proper skin care regimen is the foundation for flawless, well, foundation. That’s right, your makeup will look as good as the base it sits on. Though it’s our largest organ, the skin is often neglected and isn’t given the proper care it deserves. Adapting a good regimen is beneficial in protecting the first layer of skin that protects us from the harshness of day to day life. A good skin care regimen consists of a cleanser, a toner and a moisturizer. That’s the basic, if you want to get more in depth you can add an eye cream, a serum, and just for fun a face mask. Not only is it important to have a proper skin care regimen before makeup application, learning to remove your makeup properly is equally as important.

A proper skin care regimen includes a morning routine and a nighttime routing. A morning routine can be as simple as cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove all the impurities from the night before and following that up with a moisturizer with or without an SPF. However, I do recommend using some type of moisturizer containing an SPF as it protects your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. There are many types of cleansers on the market, but oily or dry a gentle cleanser in the morning is best. This may seem like extra work to add to your already busy mornings, but your skin will thank you for that extra fifteen minutes.

When removing your makeup, do you only use a makeup remover and think because the makeup is no longer on your face, your face is clean? Well, I can tell you water and a rag is not going to cut it, so cut it out. Using a makeup remover or a baby wipe alone to remove your makeup is not enough, your face may look clean but there is still excess makeup on your face clogging your pores. It is best to use a cleanser that exfoliates your skin thoroughly to remove excess makeup. Using a facial brush together with your cleanser will do more to clean your skin than your hand alone, but of course, this is completely optional. Exfoliating your face too often is not recommended however, two to three times a week is good enough.

Toning your skin is usually the next step and is beneficial for all skin types especially if you have oily or acne prone skin. Toners shrinks pores, balances your skins pH, protects, moisturizes and refreshes your skin. Having oily skin myself, an inexpensive, natural toner I like to use is Witch Hazel, this can be purchased from Walmart or your local health food store. Moisturizing your skin is the next step in removing your makeup and your night time regimen. All skin types always need to be moisturized, especially oily skin, oily skin is not hydration but the lack of it. Using an oil to moisturize oily skin helps reduce the production of sebum which will result in fewer clogged pores and acne. All skin types can benefit from using an oil as a moisturizer. Although some oils can nourish the skin, others can be potential irritants so choose wisely. My favorite moisturizer to use on myself is coconut oil, it’s naturally antibacterial and antifungal which makes for a great moisturizer.

Whether you are a daily makeup wearer or a Jackie Au naturale, taking proper care of your skin can only benefit you in the long run. If you are considering adapting a new skin care regimen or revamping your old one, remember before starting any regimen it is always best to consult a dermatologist. My last piece of advice I can give you that will benefit your overall health is to drink lots of water. Yes, I cannot stress enough how imperative it is to drink your water and to never sleep with your makeup on.

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Make-up & Beauty

Keeping Your Skin Hydrated During Toronto’s Harsh Winter Season

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Photo by Audrey Fretz on Unsplash

Winters are known for being harsh in Canada, and our heavy snowfall, sub-zero temperatures and freezing winds are some of the country’s most known environmental features.

Toronto is no exception either; winter can bring difficult conditions to driving, public transit and sidewalks, and it’s also harsh on our skin.

The cold, dry air mixed with harsh winds can both work to create a tough time for your skin, and many people note that issues such as dry skin, raw skin, and itchy irritations. Many people who suffer from eczema also report that winter is their worst time of dealing with it. The problem is, keeping our skin in this state of damage for the many months that winter lasts can lead to premature signs of aging. This is likely why places like a Toronto plastic surgery clinic and dermatologists often see their patient list grow by late spring and early summer.

Here are some ways you can keep your skin protected and healthy during the harsh Canadian winter.

Change Up the Skincare

During winter, you might notice that your usual routine for skincare becomes less effective than it usually is. This is because the climate around you has heavily changed, and the environmental factors that affect your skin are now different.

A light moisturizer might be good for the humid weather of summer, but during winter, a heavier duty one may be needed instead to retain hydration in the skin effectively. If too much for day use, using a heavier moisturizer at night is at least recommended to keep your skin hydrated in your sleep.

It may also be beneficial to switch any lotions and soaps over to unscented sensitive skin variants, as skincare involving alcohols and fragrances can dry out the surface of your skin even further.

Lower the Water Temperature

When our bodies are chilled from the cold weather, it can be appealing to hop in the shower and crank the temperature and let the steamy water warm us up. However, this can be detrimental to your skin. Water at too-hot temperatures strips essential oils from your skin and damages the cells on the surface. This is why you may find your skin is red and raw after a hot shower and why it may feel so dehydrated when you begin to dry off.

When drying off, it’s advised to dab yourself damp dry with a towel rather than aggressively rub and lotion your skin and body as soon as possible to lock in moisture into your skin.

Humidify the House

While the cold winds outside do a number on your skin, relief is often not found within the warmth of our homes either.

The heating in our homes uses dry blowing air, which can further dehydrate the moisture in the air.

If you spend long periods inside your house during winter, you may find your skin is dryer, itchier, and lips more frequently chap inside your house during winter.

By placing a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in during the day, whether it be the living room, home office, or at the very least the bedroom, you will help add moisture back to the room, which will help to keep the air from pulling moisture from your skin.

There are other benefits to humidifiers too. Many people who snore say their condition improves when a humidifier is present in the room, or at the very least, the dry throat and mouth associated with open mouth breathing at night is less intense.

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Make-up & Beauty

Five Winter Beauty Must Haves

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BY: KIZZY COURTNEY

Winter is one of the toughest seasons when it comes to beauty. Cold, dry winter air can easily rob moisture from your skin, causing all kinds of problems. This is especially true of the skin on your face, lips, and hands, which are most frequently exposed to the elements. Rough chapped skin becomes more common in these areas and can show visible cracks and wrinkles more easily. Do you adapt your beauty routine to the seasons? If not, you may want to consider a few new products to keep you looking great all winter.

Deep Conditioner: Add dry winter air into the mix, and it’s a recipe for split ends, dehydration, and frizz. Fortunately, a good deep conditioner keeps your hair hydrated and protected year-round. Especially if you’re a naturally curly girl. I swear by coconut oil as a deep conditioner. You can buy it at your local health food store, rub some between your palms, and apply to your hair overnight. You’ll wake up to fabulously shiny and soft hair!

Body Lotion: One of the worst things about winter is how dry your skin gets. Even those of us who never have dry skin can often get it in the winter. That’s why body lotion is a must-have to keep your skin smooth and soft. Which body lotions are the best? I love Korres body butter in basil lemon, but all their scents are to die for! Any of their body butters would make a great winter body lotion. Korres can be found at Shopper’s Drug Mart.

Lip Balm: Probably the most important item on this list for me! Nothing is worse than chapped lips – they look bad, and they hurt. Worst of all they look terrible under your favorite lipsticks. Lip balm is your chapped lips best friend!

Water: Drinking tons of water is one of the best things you can do for your body year-round, but it’s so easy to get dehydrated in winter that it’s even more important. You don’t have to drink eight glasses a day, but keeping a bottle of water near you throughout the and refilling is the best way to keep hydrated. You’ll see the benefits right away – clearer skin, less dry skin, and even more energy throughout the day.

Humidifiers: These little machines are a great way to help prevent all those damaging effects caused by winters wrath, and ensure you maintain a glowing, vibrant look throughout the colder months. Having a good humidifier in place can literally help you feel more comfortable in your skin; using a humidifier can help your sinuses, soothe itchy skin, and lessen sore throats. It will also improve the appearance of your skin and help counteract signs of aging. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of simply relocating to the tropics, try combatting old man winter’s lack of moisture with a humidifier. Just like our skin, humidifiers come in all types. Here are the basics of the three types of units you can choose from.

  • Warm Mist: Warm mist humidifiers add moisture to the air with steam. They do not require filter replacements, making them a great low-maintenance option.
  • Cool Mist: Cool mist humidifiers disperse a comfortable stream of room-temperature mist throughout a larger space.   
  • Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic humidifiers are available in both cool and warm mist options. They are also the quietest type, making them ideal for light sleepers.

With colder temperatures, dry air, and so much time spent indoors, your skin, hair, and nails are faced with a new set of circumstances. Adding these products to your daily winter beauty routine will keep you glowing all winter long. I hope this helps you decide how best to combat the winter temperatures because ain’t nobody got time for dry or dull skin!

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Make-up & Beauty

Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas for Beauty Lovers

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BY: KIZZY COURTNEY

Have you left your Christmas shopping for the last minute? If you’re anything like me, then despite all the planning and preparation you do during December you still find yourself needing to pick up some last-minute presents before Christmas. Luckily, if the person on your list is especially into all things beauty and makeup related, there are plenty of easy, inexpensive gifts you can pick up that they’re sure to love. Choosing the right gift doesn’t mean you should spend hundreds of dollars. It’s the thought that is put into your gift that truly makes the difference. Here are a few examples of last minute gift ideas that anyone will be sure to enjoy.

Beauty Gift Sets: Christmas is fast approaching which means there are beauty gift sets galore from amazing brands including Nuxe, Avene, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Nars, MAC, etc. etc. etc. There are way too many to name them all but it sure is fun admiring them.

Bath Bombs: Of course, LUSH makes the best ones, but sometimes you don’t have time to make it to the mall. Amazon has an array of bath bombs to choose from that I hear are very good, and many come in pretty gift boxes. If you’re a Prime member and have one-day shipping, then there’s no need to worry about your gifts not arriving before the Big Day.

Makeup Brushes: Everyone needs makeup brushes but rarely thinks about buying them for themselves. A set of brushes to do a complete look will be much appreciated by any makeup lover. Luckily, we have some brands that offer inexpensive brush sets to choose from. BH Cosmetics and E.L.F are a few brands that offer great brushes at great prices.

Spin Brush: Skincare is very important, so gifting someone with a spin brush such as a Clarisonic Mia Fit or a Spin For Perfect Skin brush from Vanity Planet is always a good idea. These brushes are ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hands and take up little space. Adding a spin brush to their regular skincare routine will boost the cleansing power and allow the products to work deeper. These brushes are also a perfect gift for the traveler in your life.

Gift Cards: This isn’t always seen as an easy way out. Gift cards for services you wouldn’t splurge on yourself, like a manicure or facials, are always welcome. For the makeup obsessed, MAC and Sephora gift cards are always a good choice. Knowing the gift receiver’s current needs will help decided the perfect gift card to give them. Did your friend just move to a new place for instance? Then a gift card to Homesense or Pier One will be the perfect gift to give.

Fragrance Sampler: Let’s face it perfumes are expensive. If you have a perfume lover in your life then a fragrance sample set is the best gift to give them. Shopper’s Drug Mart carries a fragrance sampler set that contains a gift certificate that your fragrance lover can redeem for a full-size bottle of their favourite sampler scent. Usually, these sampler sets come with 8-10 perfumes samples to choose from which I’m sure they’ll love.

I know it can be difficult trying to find the perfect gift for someone, so these are great ideas if you’re stuck on what to buy a friend or family member who enjoys trying out new beauty products. And if you’re buying for someone who really has got everything, why not book them a luxurious spa break? This is a Christmas gift idea I’d love to wake up to on Christmas morning! Hope these holiday gift ideas help take some of the stress out of shopping this year!

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