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Make-up & Beauty

It’s Vacation Time! Are Your Beauty Essentials Packed?

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BY DANICA SMITH

Here is a list of ten must haves to get you vacation ready:

#10 Cooling Wipes – Cooling wipers are a great way to cleanse the skin without water, not only are they convenient but they also cool you down in the summer heat as well. Perfect for a road trip or in between makeup applications. Some are fragranced with essential oils and vitamin enriched, making them calming and healthy for the skin without residue. Pacifica Purify Coconut Water Cleansing Wipes $6.99 and Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes – Night Calming $6.99.

#9 Body Spray – The majority of summer fragrances are light and airy, body sprays are perfect for vacations and hot weather as they are water based and not overbearing, unlike perfumes or eau de toilette. Body sprays with fragrances like white gardenia, coconut or a concoction of mango and pineapple are perfect for summer vacation. Bath and Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist Poolside Coconut Colada $7.00 and Calgon Hawaiian Ginger fragrance body mist $8.99.

#8 Nail Polish – An easy way to make your look seem effortless is nail polish. Opt for a bolder colour this vacation such as neon’s, bright and bold, this will help add some spunk to your look. Adding a refresher coat while on the beach never hurts, besides a dip in the ocean will help dry them faster. Ceramic Glaze Nail Lacquer, Papaya Sunrise or Exotic Dragon $11.99 and Flip Flops & Crop Tops by OPI $10.25.

#7 Moisturizer – Gel based moisturizers are great for hot weather as their lightweight formula allows it to penetrate the skin without a sticky feel. Aloe is a great way to cool off in the heat and has great moisturizing benefits. Applying to your face or body can cause instant cool relief, especially those prone to sunburn. Applying an aloe based moisturizer under your makeup or overnight can also alleviate acne prone skin and redness due to irritation. Fruit of the Earth Alcohol Free Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel $4.22 and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel $24.99 or Hawaiian Tropics Coconut and Lime Aloe Moisturizer $4.99.

#6 Sunscreen SPF – A most important essential this vacation is sunscreen, especially for us beach lovers as the sun can have damaging effects on one’s skin, making it important to protect yourself against UV rays. Dermatologists suggest an SPF 15 or over will do the trick. If you require more coverage while on vacation, please be sure your foundation or tinted moisturizer contains an SPF and it is applied to your face before your makeup application. Neutrogena Beach Defense Lotion SPF 60 $11.99 and Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion $7.99.

#5 Facial/Setting Spray -To keep your makeup from melting away in the heat, be sure to lock it in with a setting spray. Not only will it last for hours, it is a great refresher on humid days. Depending on the finish, setting spray will leave you with a dewy effect or matte look, perfect for morning and night. Evian Mineral Water Spray $15.00 or Mac Prep + Prime Fix + Spray $26.00.

#4 Powder/Bronzer – This essential product is probably the most important to keeping your make up matte all day, especially in hot climates. A translucent powder works best for something that is effortless and an easy application for a quick breakfast or a beachside brunch. However, if you prefer more coverage, a coloured powder or bronzer will do the trick and provide you with a summer glow for those sunset evenings or walks on the beach. Too Faced Candlelight Highlighting Powder $36.00 or Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer $36.00 and Make-up Forever HD Pressed Powder $45.00.

#3 Eyeliner – Just like lipstick, eyeliner can transform your look in seconds from a simple wing to a dramatic cat eye, you can make it whatever you desire. Eyeliner with 2-3 coats of mascara and bold lipstick are a maximum fifteen minutes in the mirror and perfect for on the go resort shopping or a tourist day in town. Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 77 (Black waterproof) $25.00 and NYC Liquid Liner $4.00 or L’Oréal Infallible $8.99.

#2 Mascara – Finally we can enjoy a dip in the pool without our eyes looking like a raccoon, with waterproof mascara, allowing us the freedom to sail the abyss or dive like mermaids without the hassle of our mascara dripping down our face. Just be sure to let dry in between coats and to avoid rubbing upon exiting the water. MAC Cosmetics Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash $27.00 and Too Faced Better than Sex $30.00 and Maybelline Volum’ Express The Falsies Waterproof Mascara $6.99.

#1 Lipstick/Lip Balm – This, ladies is perhaps the most important of all the essentials you’ll need on vacation. A bold lipstick can make it seem like you’ve spent hours on those quick and easy makeup, no makeup days. Liquid lipsticks are most convenient for long lasting, waterproof wear or a matte finish opaque in colour to add drama to your fiesta. Packing both a bold and nude colour will allow you to be versatile depending on the occasion, in addition, a hydrating lip balm will keep your lips moisturized as matte finishes tend to be drying. Just be sure it has SPF as well. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick, Madison and Rio $26.00 and Mac Cosmetics Heroine, Ablaze or EOS lip Balm $4.99.  

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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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