Product Review: Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask

Pandemic living hasn't been kind to my skin, what with all the mask-wearing, over-working, and up-and-down stress and hormone levels. No wonder I've been dealing with more breakouts than usual! Fortunately, using my topical skin prescription twice daily as prescribed helped a lot, as did streamlining my skincare and minimizing potential irritants. The happy result is that the frequency and severity of new breakouts have decreased dramatically in the last few months, so much so that I'm now focusing my full attention on fading the hyperpigmentation and scarring left behind by old blemishes. I've been applying SPF and niacinamide serum daily, and twice weekly I exfoliate and apply the Fresh Vitamin Nectar Vibrancy-Boosting Face Mask ($35 to $83 for various sizes, purchased by me).

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Product Review: AG Hair Natural Collection

While WFH and riding out summer's heat waves sans air conditioning, I've been air-drying my hair whenever possible, and reaching for the AG Hair Natural To Go Kit ($29.95) to keep it from turning into a frizzy mess. Full disclosure: I received this gifted PR sample ages ago—so long ago, in fact, that AG has since changed the mix of products in their Natural To Go Kit. (The newer version includes the same shampoo and conditioner, but different styling products.) This kit may have languished in my beauty stash for eons, but good products speak for themselves no matter when you get around to testing them and these AG haircare products are incredible.

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Product Review: Mamonde Rose Skincare

In mid-July we were lucky enough to go to Tofino, where we stayed at the Wickaninnish Inn and celebrated Lawrence's birthday in style. Long walks on the beach, a couples hot stone massage at the spa, a romantic dinner and brunch at The Pointe and room service in between...it was exactly the restful and luxurious reset we craved. (The trip highlights are saved on my Instagram if you want a peek!)

When it was time to pack skincare for the trip, I reached for the Mamonde Rose Trial Kit ($22). This trio of mini K-beauty skincare goodies seems tailor-made for summer weather thanks to lightweight textures and rose-infused scents. I'd originally bought the kit for my workout bag, but with the pandemic and my barre studio closing, I stopped using the products in mid-March and hadn't had a chance to revisit these products until now.

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Product Review: Megababe Deodorant

What does self-care look like while in quarantine? For me, it has been sweaty Bar Method classes via Zoom, followed by a refreshing shower that feels oh so good and a few swipes of Megababe Rosy Pits Daily Deodorant ($14). In my quest to try different natural deodorants, I picked up this new-to-me product during my last trip to Seattle, before COVID-19. Megababe Rosy Pits has since become one of my favourite body care essentials.

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Product Review: Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Capsules

Here in Vancouver the weather has been crisp, cold, and sunny with temperatures hovering around freezing. Great for putting me in the holiday spirit (I just started Christmas shopping last weekend!), but not exactly stellar for my skin. My face can get so dehydrated in dry cold that my cheeks and forehead become red and sensitive. Serums and moisturizers that are normally fine begin to sting and itch. That's when I turn to ceramides like the Elizabeth Arden ceramide capsules, which I received for review from past and current #LDBeauty events. So what do ceramides do? Why capsules? And what's the difference between all of the Elizabeth Arden ceramide capsules pictured above? All the answers after the jump!

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Product Review: Meow Meow Tweet Deodorant

When I first began testing natural deodorants three years ago, I didn't anticipate saying goodbye to conventional antiperspirants for good. As concerns rise about controversial ingredients like aluminum, parabens, and artificial fragrance, new brands have emerged to meet the growing demand for natural deodorants, which means there's always a new one to try. I've already reviewed five of them (see here, here, and here) and racked up a few reliable standbys (Schmidt's, LaVanila, and Agent Nateur FTW). The latest one to take up valuable real estate in my medicine cabinet? Meow Meow Tweet Grapefruit Baking Soda Free Deodorant Stick ($13.99), which I spotted at Target during our last cross-border shopping trip.

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Product Review: Maybelline Tattoo Brow Long Lasting Tint

When I first read the packaging for Maybelline Tattoo Brow Long Lasting Tint after plucking it out of my #LDBeauty PR sample stash, visions of having microbladed brows without the microblading danced in my head. This paint-on, peel-off brow tint promises natural-looking results that last up to 3 days. I got very excited about being able to do my brows at night twice weekly while I was masking or watching Netflix and then being able to skip this step during mornings. What's more, these brows would stay put through exercise classes, showers, and facial cleansing. I mean, this product practically has Lazy Girl Approved written all over it! Alas, reality did not quite live up to fantasy in this case.

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Product Review: Rocky Mountain Soap Company Sport Massage Butter

I've been hitting Bar Method often since returning from Paris and eating all the food. This uptick in exercise has been great (yay muscle tone!) and not so great (hello pain, particularly in my left tricep and elbow). Thankfully the new and improved Rocky Mountain Soap Company Sport Massage Butter ($17), which I received as a PR sample in June to test and review, promises to be the perfect remedy for all my body's aches.

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Product Review: Milk Shake Leave In Conditioner

My summer thus far has been work, barre and lazy weekends on repeat, which kind of shows in the beauty reviews I'm planning for this month; all of August's product picks are low-key and fit into an athleisure-y niche. First up? Milk Shake Leave In Conditioner, which costs a little less than $20 a pop.

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Product Review: Lavanila Natural Deodorant

With so many natural deodorant options on the market and more introduced every day, isn't it time to ditch your conventional deodorant or antiperspirant and give natural deodorants a whirl? Even mainstream companies like Procter & Gamble (who owns Secret) and Unilever (who owns Dove) have jumped on the bandwagon by launching aluminum-free formulas. I myself am no stranger to natural deodorants, having reviewed different ones here, here, and here. However, this was my first time trying Lavanila Deodorant in Vanilla Grapefruit ($14). Lavanila is a natural deodorant much loved by its devotees for its long-lasting and effective odor protection and I was eager to see how it measured up to its competitors.

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Product Review: Kocostar Foot Therapy

Spring has sprung in Vancouver and I couldn't be happier about it! I've packed away my winter boots and am wearing sneakers on the daily while daydreaming about the start of sandal season, which makes this the ideal time of year to do a foot peel mask like Kocostar Foot Therapy ($10).

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Product Review: Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Body Wash and Body Lotion

These days I prefer 100% natural or naturals-heavy body care, but I made an exception this winter when I reached for my review samples of Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Body Wash ($26) and Body Lotion ($32). Such is the allure of Crabtree & Evelyn, a brand synonymous with luxurious moisturizing products that come in a variety of botanicals-inspired scents. I knew that no matter what, the Crabtree & Evelyn body wash and body lotion would smell good and leave my skin feeling soft, and I was right.

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Product Review: Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm

File this product review under "nearly empty product I'm finally writing about" or under "pre-vacation blogging." Either way, I have a backlog of beauty posts to work through before taking off for Paris at the end of March and I'm starting with Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Hyaluronic Acid Eye Lifting Balm ($72)! I've always liked this all-natural French brand's skincare and how it uses different parts of the grape plant—the grapes, the grape skins, the leaves, the vines—in formulas for their antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. I couldn't resist picking up this eye cream at Sephora a couple months ago; the adorable 15 ml millennial pink tube just sealed the deal.

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Product Review: Nurse Jamie Uplift Massaging Beauty Roller

Have you jumped on the facial roller bandwagon yet? Facial massage devices are a trend that shows no signs of slowing down in 2019, and I am all for it. A few minutes with a facial roller after applying all your serums and lotions makes a nighttime skincare routine feel that much more spa-like, relaxing and luxurious. Not all facial rollers are created equal though. Case in point: The Nurse Jamie Uplift Massaging Beauty Roller ($86), which I received as a sample last December and have been increasingly favouring over my rose quartz facial roller.

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Product Review: L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara

Mascara used to be one of my favourite beauty products to experiment with. They need to be replaced every 3 months anyway and there are so many affordable and terrific options at the drugstore level, so why not try a new one each time? Lately though it seems like every new mascara I test equals Smudge City. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case with L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara ($16.99 at London Drugs), which I spotted at the #LDBeauty preview and was very excited about. At first I thought the "Unlimited" part referred to how much product was in the surprisingly bulbous tube, but nope, it refers to the limitless lash-lengthening and lifting benefits that this product promises.

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Product Review: Veriphy Skincare

Having more natural beauty options is never a bad thing, especially when these options come in the form of a new Canadian luxury skincare line. Just before the holiday season, I had the privilege of previewing recently launched Veriphy Skincare and I've been testing their products on and off for the last few weeks. Here's what you need to know!

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Product Review: NeoStrata Enlighten Dual Acid Brightening Peel

Did you know that the lower-than-average UV rays during winter make this an ideal time to try a peel? This is just one of many fun facts I learned during the NeoStrata session at this year's #LDBeauty event. NeoStrata has gone through a bit of a makeover recently, with new branding and Instagram-friendly white packaging, as well as revamped formulas and an overhaul of their entire product lineup. Now their collections are organized by primary skincare concern, clearly labeled and easier for consumers to navigate. But at its core NeoStrata remains a science-forward brand devoted to proven results and effective ingredients; this was the skincare brand that first pioneered the use of AHAs, after all!

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Product Review: Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm & Queen Of Hungary Mist

As temperatures drop and the days get shorter, I've noticed a definite shift in my mood. I'm craving cozy and quiet evenings at home, either trying new recipes and cooking up a big batch of soup, stew or chilli in the kitchen, or indulging in a bit of self-care à la skincare. Lately two new-to-me products have made this at-home skincare routine feel a little more luxe and spa-like: the Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm ($135) and Queen of Hungary Mist ($110).

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Product Review: Silk'n Silhouette Body Contouring & Cellulite Reduction Device

I try my best to live a healthy life: eating nutritious foods, tracking and limiting my consumption of not-so-good stuff, going to barre classes, getting enough sleep. But sometimes these efforts don't feel like enough, especially as I get older and time and gravity start taking their toll. I'm definitely not as slim as I used to be 10 years ago, nor as firm! Cue cosmetic devices like the Silk'n Silhouette Body Contouring & Cellulite Reduction Device ($289.99 on sale for $249.99 at London Drugs), which promise to step in and be that little bit extra that will give us the firmer, slimmer silhouette of our dreams. I received one of these devices for review and I've been testing it on and off for the past two months. Here's what you need to know about it!

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Product Review: Biore Cleansing Micellar Waters

I'm no stranger to micellar water (see this post and this post for evidence), but the new Biore Charcoal Cleansing Micellar Water ($9.99 on sale for $5.99 at London Drugs) and Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Micellar Water ($9.99 on sale for $5.99 at London Drugs) instantly piqued my curiosity with their novel twists on what's more or less a classic formula. So how do they stack up against other ones I've tried? All the details after the jump!

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