Summer Melt-Down SOS Series {SkinCeuticals}

Last week the weather in Toronto was tropical! And when its that hot the last thing I want to put on my skin is thick creams or makeup. Typically in the Summer I prefer a light lotion but I didn't even want to apply my daily tinted moisturizer or foundation afterwards for fear of layering too much. It was that hot! And when a beauty blogger feels the need to not wear any makeup she's not suffering from an illness, just heatwave melt-down.
For this beauty blogger the only S.O.S was two products from Skinceuticals that I love. Normally I layer these two products with other facial products; but this combination skin-type gal turned to an oil-mine.

SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel:
As my skin is more susceptible to congested pores in the Summer I like products that offer antiseptic relief. The Phtyo Corrective Gel is a green gel that I apply on bare-skin, 2 drops in palm of hand and then I gently apply to skin. Let dry & apply which ever other product you like or just your favourite sunscreen.

• Excellent oil-free hydrator for acneic skin
• Contains anti-inflammatory cucumber and anti-bacterial thyme to soothe and calm irritated skin
• Helps prepare skin for rejuvenating procedures, reducing post-treatment redness
• Plant glycosides help minimize discoloration
• Optimal for sensitive or problematic skin

Lightweight, easily absorbed, and the perfect Summer skin saver for problematic skin.
Retails $65 CDN
But don't let the price tag scare you, this gel is concentrated and will last forever.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel:
This has been an old skincare staple of mine for years. I first discovered this hydrating gem on MakeupAlley (an online forum of beauty consumers who share reviews). Normally, I use the Hydrating B5 Gel layered with other facial lotions for extra moisture for my dehydrated combination skin-type (excellent for travelers) but this gel was good enough in this past heat-wave.

• Contains vitamin B5 to help with tissue repair and replenish nutrients
• Binds moisture to the skin with hyaluronic acid, a natural humectant
• Leaves skin feeling supple and smooth
• Maximizes the benefits of a daily moisturizer
• Recommended for use with vitamin C treatments
• Ideal for all skin types

Layered with the Corrective Gel, both products didn't feel heavy nor oily.
Retails $78 CDN

For store locator in Canada:
SkinCeuticals
for product info
(images: SkinCeuticals.com)

Breaking-up with High-Street fashion! {Shopping}

Confession time! We, meaning women, all do it...SHOP! However, clothing that was dispensable in our teens and twenties just doesn't cut it anymore. Atleast, for someone my age...hold on let me explain.
At 35 years old I am not old. However my body is not the same as a twenty year old either. And this my friends is where the challenge of shopping occurs.  High-street fashion; inspired clothing from designer runways and manufactured to the general public at affordable prices is manufactured to last a couple of seasons at most, depending how you take care of your clothing. Recently, I realized that these stores just aren't working for me anymore. And thus I am breaking up with you!

TopShop dress

doesn't look too bad but several factors that contributed to a no-buy:

material, fit, and length

Stores such as:

• H&M
• Top Shop
• Primark
• Forever 21

For several reasons; fit, cut, and quality.
Typically one doesn't shop at the above for quality as these stores are designed to cater to the fashion conscious at affordable prices. However, in the past I was able to find decent pieces that worked into my wardrobe and will continue to shop for the basics. Basics like; accessories, jewelry, t-shirts, tops in general work. No more; dresses, pants, skirts, and jackets.
Stores that I can still shop at;

• Zara
• MANGO
• Jacob (Canadian chain)
• Cassis (which recently closed, why? Loved that place)
• Club Monaco
• Joe Fresh (a hit & miss)

Although I am breaking up with the majority of high-street fashion stores I will continue to visit for "booty-call" because sometimes a girl just needs a little something dispensable.
Do you buy high-street?

Philips Ladyshave Sensitive review {Hair-removal series}

Ladies, let us all go to the powder room and talk body hair! We all do it, unfortunately its part of being a woman. There are the painless and not so-painless procedures! This post fortunately is the painless method of hair removal; the Philips Ladyshave Sensitive shaver. The perfect shaver for legs as it can be used wet or dry, fits in hands comfortably, and so easy to use.
Features:

• double foil shaving head that pivots
• up to 40 minutes wire-free shaving (easily rechargeable)
• aloe-vera strip for better hydration

Usage tips:
I was given the Philips Ladyshave Sensitive shaver for review and being a fan of the Philips SatinPerfect Epilator (which doubles as a shaver) I knew I'd love this shaver too. Actually the Philips Ladyshave is easier for travel and perfect for when you don't have time for other hair removal methods. Depending on hair type, shaving is not an option for everyone, for myself who has fine leg hair the Philips Ladyshave is so pratical and easy to use on my legs.

Methods (wet or dry usage):
For best results on my legs I found that using it dry was not only easier, mess-free, but also the closest and smoothest shave. For the best shave; apply baby oil first (my tip & no suggestion by Philips to do so) but I found this hydrated the skin better, not too oily but enough to rid of flaky skin. Also, hold the skin taut so that you get a closer shave!
This cute little shaver will be travelling with me this Summer!
For  more info:
visit Philips.ca
Do you shave your legs? If yes, do you use a razor or electric shaver?
(images: philips.ca, disclaimer: read blog footer disclaimer policy)

Flower Power {Spring/Summer 2012}

flower power pants by beautyparler featuring floral pants

This past Spring the flower pant trend was everywhere, atleast on the fashion blogs! And although trendy on the net I've seen very few people wear them in real life. The most popular & worn by all the bloggers;
(1) the most coveted & affordable were the H&M version

via H&M

(2) ZARA also carried their version

via ZARA


Paired with high-heels or a wedge sandal the flower pants are perfect for a night out with the girls. Will you be wearing floral pants this Summer?

Hairstyles from the Resort 2013 Fashion Collections

wash & go (although for me this look involves a bit of work on my unruly hair)

10 Crosby Derek Lam

via style.com

the effort-less middle part low ponytail + if all else fails wear a hat

Alice + Olivia 

via style.com

pin-straight hair is back, take out those flat irons again

BCBG Max Azria

via style.com

What's your easy-do hairstyle? For me the middle-part low ponytail has been my savior in these hot humid days we've been having in the Toronto area.

routine stop, Brazil! {Travel Tuesday}

Today I contemplated blogging as I have a massive migraine but I didn't want another week to go by without a Travel Tuesday post. Most flight attendants (more likely all) will tell you they have their layover system, meaning their usual stuff-to-do list. This could include hanging out at their usual restaurants and shopping areas. I guess by hanging out at our favourite places and doing the usual stuff on our layovers gives our job and lifestyle a normalcy. A routine! Last week while in Brazil I snapped a few images on my cell while doing my usual routine.

so in the land of coffee I head to Starbucks, not all the time as there are amazing coffee shops throughout Sao Paulo but I needed wi-fi + that little cute dessert Brigadeiro is so good!

O Boticario, a popular cosmetics line in Brazil

can't go to Brazil without visiting a Havaianas store

a late-night snack

shoes from Dunes

Hope you enjoyed my Brazilian shopping routine!

Givenchy Very Irrésistible Electric Rose {Fragrance}

Fresh, sweet, and tangy is what I'll be wearing this Summer. Givenchy Very Irrésistible Electric Rose is the newest fragrance addition to my collection. At the forefront of its campaign is the gorgeous Liv Tyler, who not only is the face of the fragrance but also sings! Which is no surprise considering her Rock n'Roll genes and upbringing. Tyler takes on a classic INXS song Need You Tonight with a new twist as does Givenchy with a new interpretation of Very Irrésistible.


What will you be wearing this Summer?
Available in Canada at:
The Bay
Shoppers Drug Mart
Sephora
(image via givenchy.com)

ElevenSkin Review

(image: ElevenSkin)

The power of the blogger; a few months ago while reading one of the many blogs I follow, Andi from Salt Water Dreams raved about a skincare line called ElevenSkin. After reading her review I was intrigued, naturally as any beauty blogger would be. I had never heard of ElevenSkin, and Andi was kind enough to send me a kit. The ElevenSkin Anti-Aging kit includes:
ElevenSkin Refresh Cleanser
ElevenSkin Hydrate Serum
ElevenSkin Protect Day Créme/SPF 18
ElevenSkin Smooth Eye Créme

ElevenSkin was created by Nicole Oden, having worked in investments for 12 years Oden changed her career path. Going from a predominately "Man's World", Oden's true passion was in skincare and her belief that one's skin is the "first layer of confidence" became her driving force in creating ElevenSkin. The basis of ElevenSkin is the Sea, Oden realized the benefits marine extracts had on the skin from an early age from vacationing seaside.
First, before getting into the actual products. I have to add that I love the simplicity of the packaging. Easy to read, not too much jargon and looks lovely on the bathroom vanity. Aside from the look, the easiness of the four-step skincare process is a bonus. There were a couple of favourites and not-so favourites from the line.
ElevenSkin Faves;
Refresh Cleanser- Love the cleanser!! Non-drying, washes all makeup off including mascara and leaves skin hydrated. A natural light refreshing scent and doesn't irritate the skin. Its a watery-based gel cleanser that contains several natural oils such as; olive, jojoba, sage, cypress, and green tea extract. Reminds me of Japanese Oil Cleansers that emulsify with water but not as oily. Would purchase in future!

Protect Day Creme/SPF18- a creamy lotion, looks thicker than actually is but goes on like a lotion which I prefer. Hydrates my combination skin wonderfully, works well under makeup and I don't look like a grease-ball afterwards. For beach-side, I'd prefer a higher SPF factor but as a daily SPF cream I really like the texture and feel on skin.

ElevenSkin not so-faves;
As all my reviews, this is based on personal preference of texture, feel of skincare and skin reactions.
Glad to report that my skin did not react badly to any of the ElevenSkin products! Overall, my skin liked the ElevenSkin skincare line.
Hydrate Serum- I had high expectations of the Hydrate Serum as it was one item that continuously gets high reviews across the internet. Reminds me of the cleanser; in terms of scent and colour (milkier) also contains a few of the same essential oils. My only dislike of the serum was that I found it sticky on the skin otherwise the gel-like milky serum would be great for me if not so tacky-feeling.

Smooth Eye Créme- as I prefer gel/lotion type of eye creams I found this to be slightly thick for my eye area. For that reason alone this didn't make my favourites list. Would work nicely for those with drier eye areas though! Didn't irritate eye area and I was able to take it all the way up to brow bone area.

For more information on ElevenSkin;
ElevenSkin
on Facebook
Thank you Andi for introducing me to ElevenSkin!
Have you heard or tried ElevenSkin? Share...
(images: ElevenSkin)

Sulfate-Free 101 with Eva Therese {haircare}

sulfate-free shampoo by beautyparler featuring a hair shampoo

By now most of you have heard of sulfate-free shampoos. But, do you know what sulfate-free actually means. I posed the question to my hairdresser Eva Therese, who not only is the most knowledgeable hair guru I know but is in the process of developing her own all-natural sulfate-free haircare line, LOVE MY. Whenever Eva and I get together we can talk for hours, her about hair and me about beauty products!

(1) The most obvious and basic question, what is sulfate-free?
Sulfate-free are shampoo's or cleaning products created without the use of sulfates. Sulfates are detergent's that create the foam we are accustom to associating with clean hair. It is a very inexpensive way for shampoo companies to create a product that people see as cleaning their hair. Sulfates create dry scalp, itching, excessive oil production, and have been linked to cancer with long-time use. The same product with sulfates you are using to clean your hair, is actually damaging your hair and scalp.

(2) What are the benefits of using sulfate-free hair products?
The benefits I have observed from using sulfate-free are; increased softness, healthy and beautiful hair. The clients that have followed through with religiously using sulfate free tell me that they no longer get dry scalp, their hair is shiny and healthy and no longer gets excessively oily. Also, their colour lasts very well because it is not being stripped by the sulfates. The biggest hurtle is training your mind to understand that lather doesn't equal clean hair. All the years of watching ads with heads full of suds and the correlation to clean hair is hard for some people to get past. When you use sulfate-free, it leaves the hair healthy because hair need some of the natural oils to lubricate the scalp and hair so you don't get dry-scalp and dry brittle hair. They are there for a reason. Lather rince and repeat means more shampoo used by consumers and more money for the company. That doesn't mean it is best for healthy hair and scalp.

(3) Is there a sulfate-free adjustment period? The concept of little to no suds is a bit weird because for years the idea of clean hair has been connected to soapy bubbles. Any sulfate-free hair products you recommend?
It takes a few weeks for your hair to adjust to using sulfate-free before your hair to balance and your scalp to stop over-producing oil. My favorite sulfate-free is DermOrganic shampoo. It is the only one I love enough to retail in my studio. Everyone that has bought it raves about their hair!

(4) What is the most asked hair question from your clients?
The most-asked question from my clients is regarding the foam. They're worried that their hair is not clean without the foam. I advise them to extend the time between shampoo's by a day at a time, until they are only shampooing 1-2 times per week, 1 time max for curly hair as it tends to be drier. Then I tell them to give it a chance, and stick with it. All who have rave about how they can't believe how much healthier their hair is, and they just have to think of the product as cleansing their hair and not stripping it. It takes 2 weeks to 1 month to see true results.

Thank you Eva! It was a pleasure interviewing you and I know my readers will enjoy reading about sulfate-free too.
For more information about Eva Therese;
visit her blog Eva Therese Studios
or on her facebook page, my favourite is looking over her before/after pictures of hair

As for me, although I've tried a few sulfate-free shampoos in the past the stand-out winners at this time are;
Live Clean haircare products; in general, they are budget-friendly and free of many harsh chemicals and use organic botanical ingredients
Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo; recently purchased this at Walgreens (also available at Target, not sure where in Canada-Walmart does carry a selection of Shea Moisture products). Love the natural ingredients in this product! Hair feels soft and healthier.

Do you use sulfate-free haircare products? What are your favourites?

Karl does Shu {Lagerfeld & Shu Uemura Holiday 2012}

Normally artists just buy their art supplies from a local craft store but in this case this artist happens to be fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld.  For the last two decades Lagerfeld has been using Shu Uemura eye shadows in his fashion sketches. For the basic reason that Shu Uemura shadows are beautiful.

I design with Shu Uemura make-up because other manufacturers do not offer such beautiful colors.
-Karl Lagerfeld

Yup, that seems like a logical reason. Using makeup to illustrate fashion sketches, love it! The Karl Lagerfeld For Shu Uemura collection has been entirely designed by Lagerfeld, from color selection to packaging design and he also photographed the visual campaign.

Available November 2012
(photographer: Stephane Fuegere, with permission via loreal.com)

Wish I was at the Beach {Travel Tuesday}

Wish I was at the beach or atleast near an ocean beach....oh how I miss the sand, water, and cool drink in hand. What are your plans this Summer? Mine will hopefully include a sunny destination. But don't forget your sunscreen, I'll be posting my favourite SPF's this month!

 Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Miami Beach, Florida-USA

Amorosa Beach, Northern Portugal

TelAviv, Israel

Cancun, Mexico

(images: property of beautyparler.ca)

my new BFF {HANA Air Professional Hairdyer}

I have a confession...my coarse thick hair is the least of my beauty priorities. Of course if you stopped by my house you'd never know that, my "little" beauty salon is stocked as well as any hair salon. The issue I have with my hair is *cough* laziness. Yes, that's my hair confession! OK, in all fairness my hair is up 90% of the time due to my job. Working as a flight attendant doesn't allow me to get too creative with my "do"! However, this hair laziness is not due to lack of hair product knowledge. I just can't bother styling my hair everyday. I digress...the value of having the proper hair tools is essential. For those days that I must have perfectly coiffed hair (basically a great blow-out) I prefer a professional hairdryer. My old Avanti hairdryer still worked well but this wouldn't be a beauty blog would it if I never reviewed new items. For a vast selection of salon quality hairstyling tools Misikko offers some of the top products and at very reasonable prices. 
Move-over old hairdryer there is company and her name is HANA Air Professional Hair Dryer.

This plain looking hairdryer is exactly what I love about it, simple design but salon quality. Obviously, you can walk into a mass merchandise store to pick up a "so-so" hairdryer but there are several factors I look for.
(1) Wattage! Depending on your hair texture the higher the wattage the hotter the airflow will be. Look for hairdryers with atleast 1800 watts (if your hair is coarse like mine), the Hana is equivalent to 2300 watts.
(2) Hot/Cold buttons; Hana has 3 heat settings, 2 fan speeds and a cold shot button which I like to use at the very end. Seals my hair & makes it shiny.
(3) the Nozzle! For straightening I prefer thin nozzles, so the airflow is more concentrated but don't place the nozzle directly on hair shaft. You want to keep the nozzle moving downwards a few centimeters away, starting at roots to end.
(4) Bonus! Technology. The Hana has Tourmaline and Ion technology; helps reduce static and frizz, makes hair softer and shiner.
I do find the Hana slighter heavier than my old hairdryer but the results are worth it! So, on my non-lazy days I now turn to my Hana Air Professional Hairdryer. The overall shopping experience from  Misikko is great! Fast delivery, solid sturdy packaging and a free heat proof mat.
For more info:
Misikko.com
Hana air Professional Hairdryer

What do you look for in a hairdryer? And which is your favourite?
(images: top-photobucket.com, bottom-misikko.com)
(disclaimer: item was received for review, no financial compensation has or will be received. Review based on personal experience)

Spring turns to Summer {Makeup Trends 2012}

Where did the sun go in the Toronto area? These last few days in Toronto have been chilly and wet. We had a tease last week with the hot sunny weather, sure doesn't feel like Summer is around the corner. Atleast we always have makeup to brighten up our spirits! The following makeup trends are classics; Spring to Summer makeup is not a big transition, so no need to go on a makeup shopping haul (unless your an addict like me). Do you switch your makeup seasonally?

a wash of green eyeshadow

Armani Privé-Spring Couture 2012

(photo: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway via style.com)

natural thick eyebrows and lashes

Christian Dior-Couture 2012

(photo: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway via Style.com)

fresh faced, using bronzer on lids

Burberry Prorsum-Spring Ready-to-Wear 2012

(photo: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway via style.com)

a New York State of Mind {Plush Skin}

Have you ever associated a scent with a memory? A place, your past, a person...Erica Marie Wigley is the creator of Plush Skin. Wigley created a skincare line that not only was cultivated by her memories of her father making soap in her childhood kitchen but whilst researching natural and organic ingredients she combined the two. Being a native of New York, Wigley wanted to share that New York state of mind; BRash, BRight and Brillant! Thus, Plush Skin embodies those memories in a luxurious skincare line that conjures up my memories of posh New York hotel spas. I love the scent of these products. Not only are the scents unisex but natural. Rich, hydrating, organic ingredients have been carefully selected in the Plush Skincare lineup.

Plush Skin 5th Avenue's Finest Body Silk

Plush Skin Greenwich Village Scrub Down

Plush Skin SoHo Chic Body Oil Elixir

(my absolute favourite; a light watery-oil, not thick at all making it easy to apply onto skin. Tip: use the left-over from hands & apply to tips of hair) 

Have you recently discovered any new skincare brands? Share.

More info & where to buy Plush Skin;
Plush Skin

(disclaimer: products given for review, opinions expressed are mine and not influenced or financially compensated. Images; PlushSkin.com)