It's always fun testing skincare lines with claims as lofty as those of Miracle 10, whose multi-step skincare systems tackle concerns for three major skin types (normal/maturing, acne-prone/oily, delicate/dry). Each of Miracle 10's products is a cosmeceutical cocktail that purportedly delivers visible results in 10 hours, 10 days, and 10 weeks. I had to put these claims to the test and see for myself.
Experts are always touting the importance of sleep—small comfort if, like me, you struggle to clock the requisite 7-8 hours every day. I've had intermittent insomnia for as long as I can remember, and oftentimes I find myself going to bed and staying up to the wee hours because my mind and body are still wired. In honour of May being Better Sleep Month, sleep startup and comfy mattress purveyor Casper has asked me to share my tips for a better night's sleep. Read on to find out what works for me!
Things I Bought That I Love highlights the (hopefully) rare, carefully considered new purchases that spark joy in this aspiring minimalist.
My style has changed a lot since we KonMari'd our condo and I stopped posting outfits. It's more casual, streamlined, neutrals-heavy—and I'm almost always wearing denim. With denim playing such a crucial role in my everyday looks, it seems inevitable that I would be replacing and adding a few basics to give my spring/summer wardrobe much more mileage.
Lazy Girl Approved highlights long-lasting, goof-proof, fuss-free products that can fit into the most minimalist of regimens. If you consider yourself a low-maintenance beauty lover, these product reviews are for you!
Lazy Girls always seem to have some excuse for skipping post-shower moisturizer, whether it's the fact that lotion can take a long time to rub into skin and absorb properly, one too many snooze alarms in the morning, or a speedy gym-to-cocktail-hour routine that leaves little time for "non-essentials." Well, no more: Jergens Moisturizer For Wet Skin ($9.99 at London Drugs) has been out for some time now and it's safe to say this product is a game-changer.
For years now, I've entrusted Kathryn Sawers when it comes to facials. Kathryn boasts 14+ years in the skincare and spa industry, and her spa-in-shop Collective Skincare (located upstairs at BeautyMark) takes a holistic approach by addressing diet and lifestyle factors as well as skincare. Facials at Collective aren't just facials: depending on the treatment, they often involve potent natural products (they're the only ones to do Tata Harper facials in Vancouver), acupuncture, and facial massage. With such a breadth of experience and knowledge, I had to pick Kathryn's brain about getting one's complexion ready for the big day. Consider this Q&A everything you've ever wanted to know about bridal skincare!
When it comes to hair dryers, my game has always been bleak at best. My hair broke so many while I was growing up (fans and long locks just don't mix), my mom resorted to buying the cheapest ones she could find at the drugstore. When I moved out, the hair dryer I took with me was a pathetic folding travel model. That's why I inwardly yelped with glee when I saw the press release for the new Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($499.99; available August 2016 in Canada). A lightweight, highly effective hair dryer that's also quiet, ergonomically balanced, and tangle-proof? Sign me up, please! I chatted with Dyson Global Product Development Director Tom Crawford to find out exactly what went into the making of the new Dyson Supersonic.
As if UVA/UVB rays and pollution weren't enough to contend with skincare-wise, did you know you should also be worried about High Energy Visible (HEV) light? HEV light is the blue light emitted from the screens on your devices, and it inhibits your skin's ability to self-repair and accelerates aging. This is bad news if, like me, you can't seem to put down your phone or iPad, you're addicted to Netflix, and you log countless hours in front of a computer at work or blogging. Normal sunscreens won't block out HEV light—you'll need antioxidants for that—which is why Dior One Essential City Defense SPF 50 ($74) is pure genius.
Lazy Girl Approved highlights long-lasting, goof-proof, fuss-free products that can fit into the most minimalist of regimens. If you consider yourself a low-maintenance beauty lover, these product reviews are for you!
I have a tendency to pick at manicures as soon as they start to chip or peel—not too bad when it comes to regular nail polish, but devastating where a Shellac gel manicure is concerned. That's why for the past few weeks I've been laying low on the #manimonday Instagram posts and using Revlon Treat & Boost ($6.99 on sale for $3.99 at London Drugs) instead as I grow out the self-inflicted damage. Then I kind of got hooked on the Revlon nail treatment out of sheer laziness and began neglecting nail polish altogether; you'll see why it's easy to do so after the jump!
As far as forays into Korean beauty go, you may have tried a sheet mask or come across Laneige skincare while browsing your local Sephora. But if you crave a more immersive experience I have exciting news: Vancouver's first Aritaum store has recently opened in Richmond's Aberdeen Centre. Aritaum (whose name means "place of beauty" in Korean) is owned by AmorePacific, the same Korean cosmetics and skincare juggernaut that owns well-known brands such as Laneige, Iope, Mamonde, Sulwhasoo, and Hanyul. Think of Aritaum as a Sephora-like, one-stop shop that showcases the best AmorePacific has to offer, in a 1400 square foot space where you can explore and and test to your heart's content. I was invited to check out Aritaum in person last Friday and was pretty excited with what I saw; more photos after the jump!
Here in Vancouver the past couple days have felt downright summery, so what better time to take a deep dive into Dior's latest beauty collection? For the Dior Summer 2016 Milky Dots Collection (available in stores nationwide this month), Creative and Image Director Peter Philips looked to the enduring appeal of polka dots, which happens to have been one of Christian Dior's favourite motifs. (Dior once said of polka dots: "They offer charm, elegance, relaxation and are always fashionable, I never get tired of them.")
The result is a vibrant collection that mixes wearable sand, rose gold, and milky hues with splashes of bright colour. Whether you're looking to upgrade your summer beauty game or you adore polka dots as much as Dior did, there's definitely something for everyone. This is an epic post full of photos and in-depth details, so you might want to grab a snack and maybe stretch first. Okay, ready for a closer look?
