Beauty

Light Blue Shade

Today I am sharing my best kept secret with all you beautiful blondes. I just hope my hairdresser doesn’t kill me. 🙂 (Sorry Olivia!)

I’m sure many of us can agree that our aim to be blonder can be categorized as a sickness (comically). It’s that feeling of when our roots start to grow out and we basically think we’ve become brunette and stress on when we can book our next appointment. It’s actually pretty funny when you think about it.

The only thing is, we all hate paying $150+ every 8 weeks to keep that sun-smacked look, plus that $30 bottle of purple shampoo, that lasts like 2 weeks. (Yes, I know it should last longer!) Not to mention the time to revisit the salon again and again for that brightening touch up that we live for.

If you feel the pain, you’ll be happy to hear how I have been able to minimize my colour treatment to once every 5 months. And not to brag but when people ask and I tell them this, their eyes pop out of their heads they are so stunned. Granted my colourist does an AMAZING job, but I do my own maintenance along the way to help prolong. She might think it’s terrible (I am always scared to ask), but my fellow blondes always ask for the secret, and coincidentally it’s usually the day after I wash my hair using this cheap and cheerful solution.

So here it is – Light Blue Shade Shampoo & Conditioner. Yes that is the actual name and brand. Designed for white, silver and blonde hair, this formula will instantly liven up your blonde when it begins to get a bit brassy and dull looking.

Light Blue Shade Products

I don’t use it everyday, but both together at least once a week and alternatively, the shampoo or the conditioner coupled with other premium products to ensure my hair keeps strong and healthy looking. Do note that if left on for more than 4 minutes or so (probably depends on each person) you may actually notice a white purplish tone to your hair. This has happened to me a few times but I’ve still always received compliments and within a wash or two it fades out.

You can find this hidden gem at Shoppers Drug Mart (bottom shelf near the hair colour) or on Well.ca  for just under $10.00 CAD. Or if you get so lucky you can find it at Walmart for just under $7.00 CAD! It isn’t always the easiest find, so when you do stock up or do yourself a favour and just order it online.

Lighten Up. xx

The Best Nudes

I love a bold lip and have my favourite hues in constant rotation. However, this summer I have embraced the nudes to change things up. It’s important when choosing a nude shade to not actually go for the naked look but to find the perfect balance for your skin tone, avoiding looking ghostly pale or washed out and tired. Here are some tips when picking the right hue to lighten your face.

Marc Jacobs recently released a gorgeous 7 shade collection called New Nudes, which peaked my interest in experimenting a more subtle lip. There are some great options and a shade for everyone in this collection, so be sure to check it out!

Keep it Nude with my top picks for your lips-

 Role PlayMarc Jacobs Role Play

Please Me

Mac Please Me

UnderstudyMarc Jacobs Understudy

Pink PlaidMac Pink Plaid

Pago PagoNars Pago Pago

Kisses. xo

Summer Essentials

The Canada long weekend is upon us and I am heading to the cottage! I can’t wait, sunny or not, it will be refreshing to escape the city. Nothing beats some sun, swim, sand by day and sunsets, bon fires, star gazing by night. Hitting the beach means keeping things simple, packing light, and drowning yourself in a book or two. Here are some of my essentials. Nothing out of the ordinary, just your basic essentials. Shades, sunscreen, surf spray, bikini, books and good tunes. I am half way through each of these reads, so I am hoping to get through them all this weekend, will keep you posted with my review in my book club section.

The main purpose of today’s post is to share my favourite SPF products this year. Again, huge thanks to The Cure for educating and supplying me with some great product for the summer. Seriously guys, you have to check out this shop – be warned you will not leave empty handed. 🙂 Summer Essentials

 

John Masters Suncare Natural Mineral Sunscreen – A certified organic, vegan, mineral sunscreen that is light and non-greasy. Antioxidant-rich organic green tea extract gives skin an anti-aging boost, aloe calms skin, and jojoba and shea butter moisturize and help balance skin’s oil production. This sunscreen is free of paragons, phthalates, fragrances, and nano particles. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but in my opinion worth every cent to ensure healthy protection for your beautiful face.  Also, note that a little bit goes a LONG way with this one.

Sun Bum SPF 30 -This high quality product is 100% vegan, hypoallergenic, photostable,  and rich in Vitamin E, which helps neutralize free radicals, preventing premature skin aging. This sunscreen is broad spectrum UVA/UVB Protection / Parsol® 1789, paraben free, PABA free, and oil free. I love that this lotion is non-greasy which is key for every day wear. And a major point to note with Sun Bum, is that this sunscreen is tested and approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Most importantly, be sure to protect your skin and when looking for sunscreen, do your research, consult with someone you trust and find what works best for you.

Happy long weekend! xx

One Love – The Konjac Sponge

The Clairsonic Mia was life changing to my facial cleansing routine, talk about a deep love, I mean clean – deep clean. I did not regret that pricey purchase one bit, until recently, as I was starting to feel it was a bit abrasive and began the hunt for a more natural exfoliating product. And then she died on me, RIP Mia.

Luckily and coincidentally, during one of my regular stops at The Cure I was introduced to this amazing alternative. One Love Organics Konjac Sponge. For those of you who are not familiar, please allow me to introduce you to this must have product.

Made from the root of the Japanese potato-like plant, Konjac. This sponge is a natural, fully sustainable, biodegradable, preservative free product that is used as a calming, exfoliant for all skin types. Helping to dislodge dirt, oils, blackheads, while balancing the acidity of the skin’s impurities.

Once wet, the stiff sponge transforms to a soft and pillowy sponge. I like to think of it as the loofa for your face, it feels so good! Once wet, apply your favourite cleanser (I am loving Skin Essence Organics, Fresh Facial Cleanser right now), massage onto your skin using circular motions, and rinse.

There are three sponges types to choose from (to test my decisiveness or lack thereof):

  • Rose Clay: for rosacea, sensitive, mature and dry skin
  • Bamboo Charcoal: for oily, combination and problematic skin
  • Original: for normal and all skin types

Even though I have sensitive dry skin, I decided to go big or go home and went with the Bamboo Charcoal. Naturally antibacterial and antifungal, the Bamboo Charcoal contains activated carbon and minerals which absorb toxins, remove excess oils and fight hard to reach bacteria. I’m on week three and no regrets!

If you are looking for a new way to perk up your skin regime, grab yourself a Konjac Sponge.

One Love Organics

 One Love. xx

Skin Essence

Sorry for the hiatus folks. I have been in the midst of moving and unfortunately blogging has taken a backseat, but don’t fret I am back! While living out of boxes for the past month between the old place and the new, life just hasn’t had its regular routine. Thank goodness we are almost settled in at CasaDelSal and things can finally get back to normal.

While things have been a bit out of whack over the last little while, my skincare routine has fortunately stayed in tack and thankfully so with the colder weather hitting the skin. Many of us make it part of our daily routine to eat well and keep active to maintain a healthy lifestyle, while not thinking twice about what we put onto our skin, our largest organ. A couple months back at The Cure Apothecary, I instantly fell in love with the organic skincare line Skin Essence. This company and product line has educated me on the importance of using organic product and being just as mindful about our skincare routine as we are with our diet and fitness.

Skin Essence uses nature’s extracts, essential oils and minerals to nourish and keep our skin healthy. My daily regime consists of three of their high quality products,  Nourish facial moisturizer, Ocular eye serum and Rosehip Seed oil. All of which work easily together to provide my skin with the nourishment and protection it needs. Within days I noticed an improvement of my skins tone and texture.

The must have item is definitely the Rosehip Seed oil. It is the one product I swear you will not want to live without. This oil is extracted from the seeds of a native rose plant and is one of nature’s richest sources of essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants. It feels like silk on your skin and helps with restoring moisture, toning, reducing wrinkles/fine lines, minimizing scarring, and healing and rejuvenating skin cells and tissue. It really is the miracle oil.

Add it to your wish list this Christmas or for those looking for gift giving ideas, this is a great option!

Skin_Essence460xrosehip

Nourish & Protect. xx