LAST NIGHT I was wondering what to put in the beauty post today. I didn’t really have a clue as I stopped to wash my face with yet another hotel face wipe before bedtime. It wasn’t really washing more than it was wiping away the remains of the day….that’s why they’re called wipes. Then a little light came on...before it went out.
My stash
There comes an evening when you just don’t have the time, it’s too late or you’re too tired read LAZY to clean up properly. I’m so happy these makeup removers come in convenient non-spill travel packs and they must be more popular than I ever imagined because just take a look at all the varieties:
the varieties, and only some of them
So you can gently clean your face when you’re on the go….or not (I mean even when you’re still at home).
The Cleansing Cloths or towelettes will leave your skin feeling fresh and clean – without drying out or disturbing your skin’s natural pH balance.
The cetaphil cloths (like most of the others) are ultra-soft and gentle, dermatologist developed and tested, as well as ophthalmologist tested. So you can be confident in their ability to remove dirt and makeup without irritation. They’re also fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
So this is the next best thing to actually taking a few minutes to really clean your face. Just hoping I don’t become too dependant on them.
Skin.Hair.Nails.Bath.Candles...these are some areas of the body, places and objects used to put essential oils. Scent is powerful and important. I’ve made no secret about my love for essential oils and for mixing them up to create some outstanding allover skincare products. It helps to know what works for what area but by trial and error you can always experiment yourself.
If you haven’t already been introduced to aromatherapy, think of it as a cross between your new favorite candle and a cure to all your most annoying ailments along with the best scents nature has to offer. One of my favourite mixes to add to a diffuser is Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Orange sweet & Vanilla – it’s called “Hawaiian Escape” and it really smells like an exotic vacation. Essential Oils will trick your senses to help you escape for a little while.
Here are 5 EASY WAYS to incorporate essential oils in your daily routine.Warning: Once you start experimenting with them, you won’t be able to stop.
Jasmine: The Happy Scent
Put a few drops of jasmine, ylang ylang or rose in your hand and rub into your scalp. This awakens the senses and increases feelings of optimism and joy. I use jasmine in my facial spray.
Mint: The Pain Reliever
Add Peppermint essential oil to your lotion and rub on your feet at the end of a long day. Enjoy increased circulation and the natural analgesic. Fresh and Stimulating. Great for headaches too so if you feel one coming on rub a bit onto your temples.
Lemongrass: The Pick-Me-Up
Add lemon or lemongrass essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water and mist the carpet before you vacuum. Citrus is uplifting and invigorating. On another note it helps to relieve stomach aches if you use it as a tea. I learned this while living in Brazil. – just pour hot water over fresh cut lemongrass. Works like a charm.
Lavender: The Sleep-Time Scent
Add a few drops of Lavender essential oil to your bath to unwind, or spritz on your pillow for a restful sleep. I use lavender bath salts for a relaxing before-bedtime bath. There is nothing to do but crawl into bed as I can hardly keep my eyes open after that.
Basil: The Feel-Better Blend
Combine rose geranium, basil and sandalwood and diffuse into the air when you are grieving, stressed out or overwhelmed. Diffuse or apply topically to promote clear breathing (warning; it will make you hungry for caprese).
On a heavier note – a bitch of a spray:
A perfect blend for when you’re irritated, annoyed, tired, peeved, frustrated, enraged, or have an overall bad attitude! Spray near co-workers, friends, and relatives as needed. Try to use sparingly!
Don’t roll your eyes…because this roller from Garnier will instantly help to cool and refresh them. That’s what I’m talking about.
I keep this soothing green roller in the fridge standing among the many hot sauces and just grab it when I need a little pick me up. It has caffeine as one of the ingredients (to wake up your eyes) which is supposed to reduce puffiness and under-eye bags to brighten up the eye area.
I can’t vouch for that completely because I don’t have big dark circles (except for when I don’t sleep) but for convenience sake, and for those times when you don’t have a cucumber handy or you’re feeling too lazy to even slice one up, it works like a charm.
This gel formula with Antioxidant Vitamin C, Mint, and Caffeine has a micro-stimulating roll-on applicator to help de-puff and reduce the look of under-eye bags. Fake a more rested look!
You can purchase this product in almost any drugstore – USD $12.99 (price may vary).
It’s pretty common at this time of year to experience chapped lips. It doesn’t feel good and it doesn’t look good when your lipstick flakes because your lips are too dry.
What RED suits you best?
We’ve spoken about face scrubs before and the importance of exfoliating to keep our complexions looking dewy and glowy and perfect (ha ha) as much as we can. What about our lips? We shouldn’t forget about them….especially with Valentines Day around the corner. Get them REDdy!
I’m not so sure if Benefit Cosmetics still sells their lip duo (a balm and exfoliant which I bought years ago and still have – see photo) which is a natural more gentle exfoliant geared specifically for lips with little beads packed with AHA and jojoba to scrub away chapped lips and dry lines.
Beauty with Benefit – tubes of Dr. Feelgood
If you can’t find this product then you can use any regular face exfoliant but don’t rub so hard over your mouth. It should work almost as well. It’s just that the little tube from Benefit is so convenient to carry around and for travelling. I think the cute packaging is what drew me to the product in the first place.
It really helps to smooth the lips, make them softer so lipstick applies easier and lasts longer and your lips...well they’re much more kissable this way.
Well; why not? There may be more competition in the skincare department but when the packaging has Suzanne Somers cred, listen up ladies.
I haven’t tried or even seen the skincare line but a friend of mine let me try her coco mango body butter and let me tell you….it was simply divine… I immediately felt like I was somewhere tropical. Actually we were somewhere tropical but never mind those details. It really felt luxurious and moisturizing. And well…mango & coconut – what’s not to love? These are two of my favourite ingredients in frozen yogurt & gummies too. There is also Peppermint Cream and Rain Body Butter (which more than likely includes actual rain – well, living in Vancouver I could have made that one). Apparently they’re all food grade, so you know……extra benefits there.
Coco Mango, Peppermint Cream & Rain
Here is all the nitty gritty:
BENEFITS
SUZANNE Organics utilizes a natural, non-GMO (not genetically modified) new generation thickener and stabilizer derived from olive oil. Richly hydrates and protects skin, allowing it to retain moisture without clogging pores.
This luxurious, moisturizing body butter nurtures your skin. Abundant rich moisturizers create the look of smooth, beautiful skin rich with antioxidants.
Your skin’s barrier is fortified by this formula to prevent loss of important moisture. *The aging process is affected by moisture loss.
Enjoy a healthier, more youthful appearance on your skin with a natural scent that will make you feel like you are on vacation (yeah!).
No synthetic, toxic fragrances based on phthalates.
Created with certified organic, therapeutic grade essential oils and fruit juice essences. The essences are certified organic flavors used by organic juice, ice cream, yogurt, etc. manufacturers.
Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Oil supports the look of healthy skin, softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking. Helps improve the look of sagging skin, and age spots.
Shea Butter (Butyrosperum parkii) is a superior moisturizing agent. It contains a vast quantity of Vitamin E, and aids in the look of optimal skin health.
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Oil is high in oleic oil with balanced amounts of high oleic acids, vitamins and minerals. Provides high performance moisturizing benefits to soothe, nourish and soften the skin.
Made in the United States.
TO USE:
Apply liberally wherever skin is dry. Glide over skin and rub in lightly. Excessive “rubbing-in” is not necessary as this formula is designed to leave a layer to help promote moisture into the skin. Can be used as a hand cream and foot cream as well.
Celebrating the Chinese calendar has become a more common practice all over the world, and many artists, designers and beauticians like to pay homage to the New Chinese Year, too. After all, it’s another good reason to party!
Giorgio Armani highlighting Palette
And now, Italian brand Giorgio Armani is offering us something new to celebrate with – with an exclusive, limited-edition Year of Monkey Face Palette for 2016. Showing the red tradition festive colors the new palette reveals on the top lid the two traditional Chinese symbols for Fortune and Luck.
The Face Palette comes in a nude satin hue with two types of light-reflecting pearls to enhance illuminating effects, which makes it (almost) perfect for every skin tone. With its highly sophisticated packaging and versatile formula, Giorgio Armani’s Monkey Palette definitely represents a good way to start off this upcoming year.
Although the palette will be mainly sold in Asian countries, it will be available in Europe and in the United States as well. Priced at €85, it will be sold from January 2016 at select retailers, like Nordstrom. If you want to celebrate this thrilling New Year with a touch of luxury, Giorgio Armani’s new face palette might be the best option!
Ever since the time I set foot in the original Kiehl’s homeopathic pharmacy in NYC
people are starting to go for a more natural approach – not tested on animals is a good start
I was in heaven; hooked on the clean simplicity of the packaging and their natural old-fashioned appeal. Plus I actually loved a lot of the product line and it was a special treat to not be able to find it everywhere. As in “I went to New York and brought you back this special “ultra-facial” moisturizing cream, blah, blah.” But that was before it was purchased by L’Oreal and started to become mainstream and now sold in independant retail and high-end department stores including select airport locations world wide. You can’t blame them for selling out but it was more of a unique shopping destination at the time.
Several hundred years ago, you’d go to an apothecary to pick up medicine or to seek medical attention. Those jobs belonged to pharmacists and general practitioners, but now apothecaries are popping up again, just in a slightly different capacity. Back in the day, an apothecary treated all different ailments, now the term encompasses beauty products, home goods, natural stuff and the like. What’s old is new again?
But in line with the apothecaries of old, a lot of beauty products are medicinally focused. Things to help with thinning hair, dry skin and scalp, eczema and the like. It’s all need-based and since the products are packaged fairly simply, the prices are usually lower – but not always.
A lot of these products are made with herbs and essential oils – but there are herbs that are good for your skin and there are others that are not depending on your problem area. You should do a little bit of homework beforehand even though sales people should be aware of what will work for you. Don’t always count on it.
Most of the apothecary products selling now are very good, clean products and they have a lot of heart behind them. If you look closely you’ll find that the bottles all look the same or very similar – it’s the label that sets them apart (of course, what’s inside is what really counts). The focus being that a certain care and quality is infused (and expected) in products which are made in small batches.
If the recent shift in the beauty market towards transparency and awareness is any indication, this is the kind of shopping experience consumers are starting to be attracted to again. Customers now are more educated and come in with the right questions and they know what they’re looking for. You have to because there’s much more to choose from but isn’t that a lot better than not having any choices?
WANT Apothecary has launched its first West Coast boutique in Vancouver’s South Granville neighbourhood.
Montreal-born clothing and lifestyle boutique WANT Apothecary has opened its first West Coast outpost in Vancouver. Nestled among the art galleries and shops on South Granville, WANT Apothecary (2956 Granville Street) fits right into the neighbourhood with its charming boutique storefront and European flair.
What kind of skincare products are you using? Do you stick to the same line, mix it up or go for something totally different each time?
A Christmas party is a good excuse to go full on GLAMOUR
with products to help you out
These six will help to put your best face forward so you can go from the desk to the dance floor
1) Show some polish
Dazzle them with this new fabulous glitter crimson shade from Essiethat looks good on everyone.
2) Silver/Gold
Dior’s Grand Bal makeup palette will add some zing to your lids and comes enclosed in a beautiful gold case with a jet-black eyeliner pencil and 2 shimmer glosses. Bonus: it fits perfectly in your purse.
3) Diamond Dust
Guerlain’s Limited Edition Liu Perfumed Body Powder lightly dusts on glitter in a glamorous fashion – in a spray bottle. Looks indulgent and smells fantastic.
4) Smoky Hot
This new limited edition palette from Georgia Armani has a gorgeous silver highlighter, sophisticated grey eye shadow and a red-hot lip to give you a sexy beauty look – in one go. Go for it! Giorgio Armani Moonlight White Palette
5) Golden Goddess
Clarins limited edition Christmas face palette has gold coloured mother-of-pearl to give you a sexy goddess glow.
6) Silver Star
This intense cream formula from Estée Lauder has staying power without creasing so it’s perfect for an all-nighter. It can be worn as a base, highlighter or eyeliner. Estée Lauder – Pure Colour Shadow PaintReally, you don’t need much. You’ll look BEAUTIFUL with just a little extra effort!
The following recipes come courtesy of my good friend Kaeli Bauman who, as a holistic wellness coach helps women the world over tackle their nutritional demons so that they can live a healthy, vibrant life. Kaeli says:
What you put inside your body for beauty is far more important than what you put on the outside. Breakouts and sluggish looking skin are usually caused by an overburdened digestive system due to less than optimal food choices like heavily processed sugar and rancid fats. This is something that even the most expensive, highest quality skin product couldn’t repair. These quick little beauty elixirs are simple to make and have immediate healthy, beautifying benefits. When taken in the morning on an empty stomach or with breakfast, they absorb right into your bloodstream working their magic – detoxifying, energizing, regenerating, and adding a sweet glow to your skin.
Kaeli Bauman
Glow
(I’ve been making a very close version of this simple recipe every day for almost a year now. Only difference is that I slice a few pieces of ginger very thinly & add less than a tsp. of virgin coconut oil and a little honey. Sometimes I even add a tsp. of apple cider vinegar). Didn’t realize I was concocting a revive/glow mix but in any case it gives a good start to the day & gets me glowing (ha, ha).
Ingredients:
1 Lemon juiced
Dash of cayenne pepper
1 inch of juiced ginger
Dash of cinnamon
Why? Cinnamon controls your blood sugar levels, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, cayenne revs up your metabolism, and lemon is an awesome liver detoxifier. Together they create a magical potion that will have you glowing all morning.
Revive
2 Tbsp of Apple cider vinegar
Dash of turmeric
1 tsp of raw honey
1 lime juiced
Why? Limes are full of citric acid which help detox the kidneys, raw honey is rich in minerals, turmeric has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging compounds, and apple cider vinegar has a pH similar to skin, which helps restore and balance your skin.
Skin
1 tbsp of raw cacao
1 tsp of maca
1 tbsp of maple syrup
1 tbsp of flax oil
Why? Cacao contains antioxidants which help protect collagen in the skin, maca helps balance hormones (which can contribute to breakouts,) Maple Syrup contains active ingredients which help skin cells regenerate, and flax oil is rich in omega-3’s which help maintain skin’s plump structure.
From Pantry to Personal use. COFFEE and COCONUT oil are two natural ingredients with many benefits that most people have in their kitchen and use on a regular basis.
Smart women know that the secret to soft beautiful skin besides lathering on a winter rich body lotion is to exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate! At least before applying your special brand of body lotion, cream, oil or body butter. It makes skin soooo much smoother and you need to do this especially if you plan on using a self tanner. Did I make that clear?
Okay, so I was having coffee with my sister this past weekend and we were using colourful one-cup bodums. My sister asked me what I plan to do with the coffee grounds after. What I don’t use to fertilize plants I put into a recyclable container which eventually gets disposed of. She asked if I have coconut oil. Of course I do, doesn’t everyone?
Then she asked me for a jar and before we even had a second cup of coffee she whipped me up a delightful and very useful personal body scrub using both the coffee grounds from the bottom of my bodum and some melted coconut oil. I tried it first by massaging it on my legs in the bathtub and it worked amazingly well – as good or better than any other I’ve ever used – even the most expensive ones! She added that we can double it to use as a face mask, just by adding a bit of honey to the mix. Hey, sounds delish! So I say save money where you can and splurge on other products.
BENEFITS
A coffee scrub is not only packed with antioxidants making it anti-aging and detoxifying, it is a natural astringent that temporarily makes your skin tighter and firmer. Exfoliating with coffee grounds improves circulation, leaving you with smooth, glowing skin. Coffee helps to break down fat cells and gets rid of toxins.
Coconut oil has tons of Vitamin E, which is the ultimate anti-aging vitamin. It is a great moisturizer that delays wrinkles and sagging, plus it has antibacterial properties. I would advise using this scrub in the shower, first thing in the morning for an added buzz!
COCONUT & COFFEE BODY SCRUB
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup of coconut oil
1/2 Cup of ground Coffee
INSTRUCTIONS
Add coconut oil (if it’s solid melt in a sauce pan or microwave) and coffee into a mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
Keep it stored in a jar in the fridge – take it out to come to room temperature before using.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.