Holiday 2023: The Most Sought-After Gifts This Holiday, According to a Beauty Editor

NYX Cosmetics Pull to Sleigh $89.97 Cad. Sold in-store and online at Walmart Canada

• The most viral holiday gift of the season has arrived for an interactive unboxing that will bring all the holiday spirit and flamingo fun! 

• NYX’s first-ever pull-to-open surprise box features 24 best-selling, limited edition products and makeup accessories. 

• Once out of the box, hang or hold away from you and pull the strings to open for a burst of products to add to your makeup bag. From eyeshadow, to lip gloss, to blush, and highlighter, there's a surprise for everyone to create any holiday makeup look! 

• And don't forget! Look out for a secret QR code on one of the products that takes you to an interactive digital experience. Trust us- you'll wanna scan this one!

MILK MAKEUP’S PORE ECLIPSE MATTE + BLUR SET | $54

• Make your party makeup last! This is a new fave duo of mine - this set contains a full-sized Pore Eclipse Primer and a travel-sized Pore Eclipse Setting Spray. The mattifying primer and alcohol-free setting spray control shine, blur pores, and lock in makeup for up to 16 hours.

Caudalie Pores & Glow Duo Minis Set,  $27.00 with a $37 dollar value. 

• I’m all about little luxuries - even better when they’re French! This duo helps to get flawless skin. First with the pore-targeting mask that draws out visible impurities and sebum and the elixir (loved by celebrities and makeup artists for its many different uses) preps skin, sets makeup, and leaves skin looking glowing. Plus it smells amazing!

Grown Alchemist Giving Hands Set, $49. More than an $102 value.

• This is the hostess gift that will be the ultimate crowd-pleaser. This Grown Alchemist Hand and Body Set Contains a 300 mL Hand Wash (sweet orange, cedarwood, and sage) and 300 mL Hand Cream (vanilla and orange peel) 

Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick Holiday Limited Edition, $38

• I’m all about dressing up the classics for the holidays. Clinique’s cult classic lip shade, Black Honey, is now even more iconic in a limited-edition, crystal-covered case designed to dazzle!

Rouge Dior Minaudière Clutch And Lipstick Collection - Limited Edition, $370 at Holt Renfrew. 

• This is a jaw-dropping holiday gift - reserved for those on the ultra nice list! The Rouge Dior minaudière clutch, a couture case containing 1 Rouge Dior lipstick and 3 refills. Limited edition inspired by the Tuileries Garden. Dior has created a sophisticated clutch that reflects the savoir-faire of the House. 

• With a detachable chain strap for versatile wear, this refined accessory includes a Rouge Dior lipstick and 3 refills for festive holiday makeup looks. 

• This clutch contains a Rouge Dior lipstick in shade 999 velvet finish accompanied by 3 refills: 100 Nude Look matte finish: the House of Dior's contemporary nude, 772 Classic matte finish: a bold pink, and 720 Icone velvet finish: a velvety rosewood.Set Includes: Rouge Dior lipstick

Summer 2023 Beauty Survival Kit - The Musts That Keep You Looking Put Together All Summer Long

1. A smooth skin must: Gillette Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin. $31.49 available at mass market retailers. This razor-meets-trimmer is specifically designed to prevent common shaving irritations in the bikini area, like ingrown hairs and bumps, razor rash, redness, etc. It is so convenient because it’s actually a razor and precision trimmer in one. 

2. A cure for split ends: Pantene Miracle Rescue Shots. $9.99 for 4.  Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.  If you're spending a lot of time in pools or at the beach this summer,  one of these conditioning ampoules is amazing to bring hair back to life and split ends even appear silky.   Each ampoule contains the most concentrated Pantene Pro-V formula that transforms even the most damaged and dry hair into visibly healthier, stronger, and shinier hair. Helps deeply repair signs of hair damage, restore moisture and even helps prevent split ends. You'll feel see a visible transformation after just one use. Small but mighty and great for travel!

3. Keep hair frizz-free while taking a break from hot styling tools:  Herbal Essences Jojoba Oil Air Dry Shampoo and Conditioner. $9.99 each available at mass retailers and drugstores.  A budget-friendly shampoo and conditioner that's especially designed to air-dry your hair - aiming to keep your hair frizz-free without the use of any hot tools!Everyone knows how heat styling tools can really damage your hair, so I am going to give my hair a break this summer and add the Sulfate-free Herbal Essences Jojoba Oil Air Dry collection to my beauty survival kit. The products in this collection are designed to allow hair to air dry while staying smooth and healthy-looking with no frizz. It is also such a time saver! What I love about this is that it has pure plant ingredients and real botanicals and you can really feel the difference this makes on your hair – it nourishes the hair but it doesn’t weigh hair down

4. A multipurpose daily SPF: La Roche Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50. $54.95 available at all mass drugstores and larocheposay.ca  An anti-aging SPF 50 is essential for summer. This is  amazing for sensitive skin and everyday use - with the added benefit of improving fine lines and skin texture over time. The new Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50 is a daily anti-aging multipurpose cream that corrects and protects while reducing signs of aging. Formulated with Fragmented Hyaluronic Acid, PHE Resorcinol, and Niacinamide to help refine your skin's texture, reduce hyperpigmentation and replump your skin while adding an extra layer of UVA & UVB protection. When used daily the new La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF 50 is clinically proven to; provide 24 hour hydration, reduce fine lines & wrinkles, promote skin elasticity, brighten skin and reduce dark spots by 26% in 4 weeks.

5. A way to get glowing skin from the inside out - (from a Canadian-owned company!): Bend Beauty’s Renew + Protect Softgels. $80.00 available at  BendBeauty.com   Healthy summer skin isn't just about what we put on our skin, it's also about our diet and lifestyle. Another way to help keep skin healthy from the inside out is Bend Beauty’s Renew + Protect. Most of us don't get enough omega 3s from diet alone - we know that omega 3s are key to reduce inflammation, and fight free radical damage.  This supplement uses 6 active ingredients including all-essential omega 3s, vitamin D and the beneficial antioxidants lutein & zeaxanthin. You take 4 capsules daily -  by the way it has a mint flavour!  Over time, it is clinically proven to help your overall skin barrier health, elasticity and firmes and reduces skin roughness and redness from inflammation. All that, and it's a canadian company! 

6. Get the most mileage out of your makeup: NEW Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick, $14. Available at drugstores and Amazon. These long-wear lipsticks don't fade or throughout the day so your makeup holds up to sizzling temperatures.  NEW Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink Lipstick delivers vivid, comfortable matte color in a no-transfer formula in 12 vivid shades. This innovative lipstick blends concentrated pigments and antioxidant Vitamin E with a unique longwear polymer complex.  The formula includes a built-in primer that smooths and bonds the formula to your lips, while gripping color pigments to extend wear and prevent transfer. 

The Most-Hyped Beauty Buzzwords and Products You'll See Everywhere Spring 2022

My predictions for the biggest beauty buzzwords and trends that you’re going to see everywhere this spring - and the rest of 2022!
Trending Buzzword: “Instant gratification” skincare 

The biggest innovations in ckincares this year promise to deliver results in a flash so you see results now, and in the long-run like the Dermalogica New Awaken Peptide Eye Gel. $77, Available at dermalogica spas and dermalogica.ca.  It aims to energize your eyes for a more well-rested look with a lightweight gel that hydrates, firms and smooths the delicate skin around our eyes. The gentle formula uses tetrapeptides, caffeine and soothing Rosemary Leaf Extract to minimize puffiness, dark circles and fine lines with no irritation.

Trending Buzzword: Zero-Waste haircare
“Bring your own Water” is having a moment! The latest solid shampoo bars are zero waste and are much more luxe than their “granola” predecessors. Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo Bars. $6.99, available at mass market retailers.  Offered in four key blends for each hair type, each bar is formulated with 94% plant-based ingredients and blended free of preservatives, silicones, soaps and dyes..There’s zero plastic waste and each bar is 97% biodegradable. 

Trending Buzzword: Micro-Dosing skincare 
With powerful skincare ingredients like retinol trending, beauty brands are getting more creative with formulations to “micro-dose” these potent ingredients. Micro-dosing these ingredients means they’re better tolerated, by even the most sensitive skin types. Take the Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum Capsules. $45, available at mass market retailers.  Each fragrance free serum capsule contains a precise dose of pure retinol, a dermatologist proven form of Vitamin A, and leaves skin feeling hydrated, nourished and supple. The capsules help visibly improve the look of fine lines, wrinkles, dullness and skin elasticity in 4 weeks. The lightweight non-greasy formula leaves skin feeling softer, smoother, and more radiant looking in just 1 week.

Trending Buzzword: Vegan 2.0
Gen Z is driving this trend of cruelty-free and vegan consciousness, with more plant-based cosmetics, nail polish and skincare choices than ever at the forefront.  We’ve seen this in skincare and makeup, and now we’re seeing it with nail polish, like the Quo Beauty Evergreen Plant-Based Nail Colours, 13.99. It’s an eco-friendly formula with ultra long wear that’s vegan and cruelty-free. There are lots of colours to choose from including trending colours for 2022 like purple, deep red and green, vibrant blue, orange and yellow. The Quo Beauty Ever Green Plant-Based Nail Colours are brand new this season – and are exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart (in store and online).

Trending Buzzword: Refillable Revolution 
Leading luxury brands are creating everything from refillable moisturizers to game-changing refillable lipsticks, reducing packaging and product waste.  Fenty Beauty Icon Semi-Matte Refillable Lipstick,  10 shades. Case: $15. Lipstick Refill Bullet is $25. Available at Sephora. Creamy, semi-matte finish. Curated by Rihanna—a lineup of reds & neutrals for all It’s made to be refillable. High pigment with a lightweight feel Lipstick bullet shape inspired by Rihanna’s cupid’s bow,.

Physicians Formula Butter Dream Team Face Palette $24.49  Available at drugstores nationwide

Features an assortment of six Butter formula bronzers (including OG Butter Bronzer), blushes, highlighter, and face powder all-in-1 formulated with rich and hydrating Murumuru, Cupuaçu, and Tucuma Butters that nourish and condition the skin. Lusciously creamy and formulated especially for sensitive skin, each buttery soft makeup powder applies smoothly, is easy to blend, and creates a warm beachy look any time of the year.

Fall 2021 Beauty - The New Musts for Your Beauty Bag!

It’s officially fall, so it’s time to reboot your beauty bag for this season!

A huge trend for fall 2021 are hybrid complexion products -- ones that marry skincare and makeup together for a flawless face. Think of it like tinted moisturizer 2.0. One to try is the Quo Beauty Unisex Tinted Hydrator. $20 Available at Shoppers Drug Mart. Available in 4 shades: Light, Medium, Tan, Dark. It is the perfect blend of skincare and makeup – it moisturizes, brightens, and evens skin tone with plant-based phytopigments for a sheer, lightweight natural finish. This multitasker product is ideal for the upcoming fall and winter seasons – it includes ingredients such as shea butter, squalene and hyaluronic acid for skin that is left plump, smooth, and hydrated. Vegan and cruelty free 

For Fall 2021 - there’s a new era of the proven anti-aging ingredient retinol.  Revamped versions are easier to tolerate and make quick work of wrinkles with no irritation like the Strivectin NEW Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturizer, $89. It’s really the next generation of retinol. StriVectin’s new Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturizer is a powerful night-time formula that features Retinol and Retinal - one of the most potent forms of Retinol – for visible improvement in fine lines, wrinkles, texture, radiance and even enlarged pores. Retinol is one of the most studied and most popular skincare ingredients thanks to its proven efficacy. But some avoid retinol because of irritation concerns. Not an issue with Advanced Retinol Nightly Renewal Moisturizer. Thanks to StriVectin’s patented form of Niacin (NIA 114) and other skin-soothing ingredients, the formula is gentle enough for nightly use. In clinical trials, 100% of respondents reported that their skin did not look or feel irritated.  

Layering skincare products is the best way to get potent anti-aging benefits. Thankfully you don’t have to break the bank to get smooth, hydrated skin. One of the biggest trends we’re seeing this fall is affordable skincare serums like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Midnight Serum. $48, available at mass-market retailers. It’s preferred to the Number 1 Luxury Night Serum (aka effective skincare can be affordable!). Plus it reveals younger-looking skin, stat. In just 1 week – you can wake up to smoother, firmer, more radiant skin with the look of wrinkles. This Anti-Aging Serum that’s dermatologist-backed ingredients and allergy-tested which means it’s Effective for all Skin Types and Tones, including sensitive skin. The star ingredients are antioxidant complex featuring Vitamin E and Hyaluronic Acid. It’s also Lightweight fast-absorbing 

Another big trend for 2021 is waterless beauty products that contain concentrated ingredients with little to no H20 so you’re saving on packaging size and water waste. Here’s a sneak peek of the Duckish Body Wash Bar. $9.99. Available for pre-order on duckish.ca. Available in early October. (scents: citrus, lavender, and unscented). Duckish is an east coast waterless skincare company and they believe water should be used for the essentials - not as filler in beauty products. The formulas use gentle coconut cleansers, organic shea butter, rice protein and panthenol to clean and moisturize your skin, leaving it soft and hydrated. Plus The eco-friendly 60 g bars last for 50-75 washes and can replace up to 3 16oz body wash bottles. These natural, concentrated skin and body products help reduce water and plastic consumption - which is a win for the planet. 

ONe to watch: Cheek out Cheekbone Beauty, which just dropped at Sephora today! Their new sustainable Cheekbone Beauty Blush/Bronzer Duo, $24 comes in three shades (Fair, Medium and Deep). It’s a talc-free blush/bronzer duo with sheer, buildable coverage that leaves the skin looking naturally sun kissed. Available in: Fair, Medium, and Deep. Launching this week at Sephora Canada. Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded, digitally-native, Canadian cosmetics company established in 2016 by Jennifer Harper. Cheekbone Beauty is known for creating high quality, cruelty-free beauty products such as liquid lipsticks and complexion products including contour and highlight palettes. Keeping in line with her Anishinaabe roots, Jenn’s Cheekbone Beauty launched a less-waste line of lipsticks in 2020, called SUSTAIN, with zero-waste goals for 2023.  Cheekbone’s aim is to not only make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth through our donations addressing the educational funding gap. But mostly to create a space in the beauty industry where Indigenous youth feel represented and seen. 

The Most Googled Summer 2021 Beauty Questions, Answered

Inquiring minds want to know the answers to these beauty queries!! Read on for the solution to some of the most Googled Summer 2021 beauty topics.

Googled topic: How to use retinol?
By now we know that retinol is a super buzzy skincare ingredient du jour, but not knowing how and when to use it can be confusing - so no surprise that it’s an often-Googled topic. A great budget-friendly retinol find is from L’Oréal Paris - it’s their Revitalift Night Serum with Pure Retinol ($44.99 available at mass retailers).
The formula has 0.3% retinol and iteduces wrinkles, even deep ones. With 0.3% PURE retinol, it’s recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association. Plus it contains no fragrance, no parabens, no mineral oils, no colourants and no silicone - so it’s potent anti-aging without the extras.

Googled topic: What is the best lightweight and hydrating foundation?
Summertime means that we want glowing, gorgeous skin that looks flawless. Enter L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Foundation ($19.99 available at mass retailers.)  This is basically a moisturizer in a foundation thanks to it’s 80% moisturizing care with hyaluronic acid. It seamlessly blends with skin – don’t see where your foundation starts and ends. Plus it’s available in 45 shades to perfectly match skin tone + texture.

Googled topic: How to shave your legs fast? 
Last minute cottage invite? No problem. Get your legs smooth in a hurry with the Schick Intuition Razor ($14.99 at mass-market retailers). It lathers and shaves in one simple step (no need for shave gel) so you have more time for “me time.” 

Googled topic: How to fight frizz  
When the humidity hits, it’s no surprise that
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo for Frizzy Hair ($5.97 available at mass market retailers).  Formulated with marula oil and keratin protein, TRESemmé Expert Keratin Smooth provides long lasting frizz control – up to 72 hours – and leaves your hair looking and feeling super smooth!  The anti-frizz formula is perfect for those humid summer days where you can’t seem to get those fly aways under control and together, the shampoo & conditioner will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and super light.

Googled topic: How to Treat Skin Redness
In light of the pandemic, many people are dealing with new-to-them skin irritations like bumps and whiteheads which usually ends up with them trying to play Dr. Google and self-diagnose that they have mask-ne or acne. But the truth is that it could actually be rosacea causing redness, bumps and more, and treating it as acne could potentially cause more flares. A great resource is FaceUpToRosacea.ca - they have great info to help you get a personalized guide that will help prepare rosacea sufferers for their next conversation with their doctor or dermatologist. 

Googled topic: What’s the best eye cream?
We all want an eye cream that can do it all so no surprise that “best eye cream” ranks as one of the most consistently searched beauty terms.
The latest offering from StriVectin Intensive Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles PLUS. ($75 available at Shoppers Drug Mart, beautyboutique.ca and at strivectin.com) really does the most. It’s formulated to address all types of lines in the eye area including crow’s feet, under-eye lines and even those “elevens” (vertical lines between the brows) which are notoriously difficult to mitigate. And this eye cream gives results ASAP - in clinical testing, the eye cream demonstrated visible improvement on wrinkles, puffiness, luminosity and overall eye appearance starting in as little as five days.

Holiday 2019 Beauty Musts!

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or for a loved on your list, here are some some great beauty gifts that won’t break the bank!

Too Faced Gingerbread Extra Spicy Eyeshadow Palette at Shoppers Drug Mart.  $59.00. When it comes to creating holiday eye looks – this season we’re seeing a lot of gold and copper smoky eyes. I love this limited-edition Gingerbread Extra Spicy eyeshadow palette from Too Faced that I picked up from Shoppers Drug Mart. It has 18 matte and shimmery shades – it’s perfect for creating warm and rich, holiday inspired looks. Plus it comes in this cute tin and smells like gingerbread, so it makes a great holiday gift for the beauty lover!  

Batiste Dry Shampoo Holiday Pack. $14.99, available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart. 
Batiste Dry Shampoo is the perfect fix for an instant hair refresh and this duo is perfect for holiday season. I love the cult classic Original scent for daytime and limited-edition Luxe scent for nighttime refreshes (keep it in your desk drawer at work!). Perfect gift or stocking stuffer for the hair-lover in your life!

FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Glossy Posse Mini Gloss Bomb Set. $56.00 available at Sephora and sephora.ca 
It’s a limited-edition collection of five mini Gloss Bomb Shades featuring bestselling FU$$Y and four brand-new shades that have Shea butter as the star ingredient to help hydrate and smooth that lips. Sold at sephora and sephora.ca 

LANEIGE Hydration Dream Team. $51.00 ($67.00 value) available at sephora and sephora.ca
This blockbuster four-piece set of hydrating fan favorites is the perfect gift from LANEIGE! It’s a great value because it contains a full-size Water Sleeping Mask (full size; 70ml) a deluxe sample size of Cream Skin (50ml), a deluxe sample size of Water Bank Moisture Cream (10ml) plus a deluxe sample of the Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry. Use Cream Skin 2-in-1 Toner & Moisturizer on-the-go, or pair it with mineral-rich Water Bank Moisture Cream for an extra dose of moisture throughout the day. Recharge skin in the PM with Water Sleeping Mask, infused with apricot and evening primrose to help brighten and purify. Then protect that pout with Lip Sleeping Mask, and wake up to soft, supple lips. This set is suitable for all skin types.

NEST Spiced Orange & Clove Classic Candle. 230g for $56.00, 600g for $90.00. NEST Spiced Orange & Clove Reed Diffuser.$64.00 (lasts about 90 days). Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.
It’s a perfect gift for hostesses! Ideal to set the mood in your house to get in the Holiday spirit and showcase a celebratory ambiance when hosting festive gatherings. The scent is festive and spicy but not overwhelming or sweet.

No Beauty Buyer's Remorse: Beauty Editor Approved Budget-Friendly Picks for spring 2018

Aveeno Positively Radiant Body Lotion & Exfoliating Body Wash. $11.50 (wash), $14.50 (lotion). Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Traditional Chinese medicine has used soy for thousands of years to reduce the appearance of blotchiness and discolouration, but AVEENO scientists devised a way to process soybeans that retains the integrity of the proteins to provide immediate and long-term skin benefits for brighter, more radiant looking skin is now available for the first time in a body lotion and body wash and works to visibly improve the look of tone, texture, dullness, blotchiness and brown spots — to leave your skin looking fresh, awake and radiant. Formulated with Active Naturals Total Soy Complex, the new body wash is enriched with natural exfoliants to gently wash away dry, dull skin while the new body lotion contains rich emollients lock in moisture for a full 24 hours to leave skin softer and smoother!

Garnier Skinactive 3-in-1 Soothing Balm (rose one). $21.00. Available at mass market retailers. With 96% Naturally-Derived Ingredients. New high-performance skincare formulas to soothe, refresh and mattify skin. Free from parabens, silicones, dyes, sulfates and mineral oil. 3 ways to use it (Day, Night Cream + Mask) with one main natural ingredient for each skin type. Aloe Leaf Juice for Normal to combination;  Green Tea Extract for Oily; Rose Water extract for sensitive dry skin

John Frieda Dream Curls Air Dry Waves Styling Foam $12.99. Available at mass market retailers.
The newest innovation from John Frieda, it's a lightweight non-sticky foam that enhances waves for a tousled look for summer. Dispense into palms and work through we hair from root to tip, scrunch a bit and let air dry. John Frieda updated the Dream Curls line to now included Abyssinian Oil, which provided light, non-greasy frizz control to nourish without weighing down

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sunless Tanning Mousse. $13.99. Available at mass market retailers. Create flawless, natural-looking colour instantly with this airy mousse that applies evenly and dries in just 60 seconds. Colour is visible instantly and will develop over the next four hours. Works with your skin tone to mimic the colour results you would get from natural sun, with no orange hues.

Beauty Blender, Beauty Queen. $20.00. Available Sephora (online only) and beautyblender.com.
Replace all your makeup brushes with this one tool. Wet squeeze bounce. Main thing people don’t know is that it needs to be used wet. Wet with water, squeeze out water, bounce foundation, BBcream, for flawless results. Category creator - first elliptical shape, aqua-activated material, reusable makeup sponge. First reusable sponge. No microwave

6. L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion $19.99, L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops $18.99,  L’Oreal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette $20.49.  Available at mass market retailers. . 
3 levels of glow:  adding a glowing look to your beauty routine. Customize your highlight - from beginner to a more expert application. Glotion *low intensity can be put on its own for a healthy glow use it as a primer or use it on top to highlight. 4 shades (white one is a bit more purple - more charismatic) other three more natural glow. Works on any skintone. Glow boosting drops has medium intensity. Apply on cheekbones, cupids bow or mix in with foundation. Glow nude highlighter palette is high intensity as an all in one. Also using as eyeshadow and sunkissed look overall.

Holiday 2017 Hottest Beauty Gifts!

Never too early to start your beauty holiday shopping for your loved ones - or grab some new beauty musts for yourself  *adds to cart*. Here, a few of my holiday favourites!

Oral B Genius 8000. $269.99. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart and Amazon.ca.

Give the gift of a super bright smile. This Oral B Genius 8000 -- now in Rose Gold!-- comes with three brushheads and has a stylish travel case.  It has a new whitening setting and whitening brush head as well as a pro-clean mode. The app encourages you to brush for a full two minutes -- just like dentists recommend -- people who brush manually often only brush for less than a minute. Makes a great gift for someone looking for a beautiful white smile. It has whitening mode to get that bright white smile for the Holiday season. Pair it with Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste to get your whitest, brightest smile. It has 7 benefits in one and contains fluoride to help protect against enamel erosion - super important when we're indulging a lot during the holidays. 

Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint Toothpaste $4.96. Available in mass retailers in Canada

Silk’n Titan $299.99. All major retailers including Shoppers Drug Mart and London Drugs.

Three different types of energy: LED, Radio Frequency and Infrared

 This anti-aging device using the same technology developed for leading dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, but redesigned for you at a fraction of the price! Used twice per week for 10 weeks (15 minute treatment time), the Titan is a breakthrough technology skin tightening device that activates your body’s own natural restoration process. For the first time ever, 3 forms of energy (Infrared, LED, and Radio Frequency) have been harmonized to penetrate deep beneath the skin, tightening elastin and strengthening collagen, to reveal tighter, younger looking skin on the face and neck. Simply apply a water-based gel on the skin so the device can conduct its energy to the skin and select the setting that works for you. It doesn't hurt and can be used on any skin type.
 

Smashbox Travel Primer Set. $28.00. Available at Shoppers drug mart and Sephora.

Smashbox is the primer authority and this kit contains three of our most-loved and best-selling primers – Classic Photo Finish, Pore Minimizing and Primer Water - all in travel size. Great gift for anyone on your list since you don't need to worry about shade preferences, colour matching etc. Love the package too - Smashbox collaborated with editorial illustrator, Ana Strumpf  - who turns photos into new works of art with her playful sketches.

KNOW Cosmetics No Bleeding Lips, $20.00. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Hudson’s Bay, Beauty Boutique.

This invisible lip liner is your lip colour's BFF for the holiday season (hello, mistletoe moments!) It can help stop bleeding can be worn with any shade of lipstick (including liquid) and perfect for holiday lip looks. 

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore Collection. $10.97 - $12.99. Available at Mass retailers.

The John Frieda Luxurious Volume collection is perfect for those that fear flat hair.  The formula is made to strengthen hair from inside out and my fave is the Clear Conditioner - first of its kind - it detangles and weightlessly absorbs into hair without coating it.  The Advanced Protein Volumizer - apply this to wet hair and blow dry to get the full effect, this treatment strengthens hair from within to create soft, touchable volume. 

Dove Shower Foam. $7.97. Available in mass market retailers.

Advanced new formula and self-foaming pump. Light and airy foam with NutriumMoisture technology (a blend of moisturizing ingredients including stearic acid, a fatty acid found naturally in your skin) leaving it feeling light, hydrated and healthy. A first-of-its kind body wash from Dove

The Best Beauty Buys for Fall 2017

The Best Beauty Buys for Fall 2017 

With fall upon us, I've rounded up some of my new faves to ease into fall! (#winteriscoming). 

EOS CRYSTAL, $7.99. Available at drugstores and select mass-market retailers. 

The EOS Crystal is the best conversation-starter lip balm to ever land in your makeup bag. The balm itself is completely clear and wax-free with five nourishing oils (like coconut and aloe oils) so it's weightless hydration to soothe chapped lips. I love it as a base for my lipstick. Plus it's vegan too.

Glam Glow Galactic Cleanse, $46.00. Available at Sephora and sephora.ca

This is the most fun to wash your face! With this jelly to balm cleanser that you apply on dry skin, makeup melts away and when you add water, skin feels totally fresh but not stripped.  Charcoal draws out impurities while tea offers anti-oxidant protection.

KNOW Cosmetics No Dark Shadows Complexion Enhancer, $20.00. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Hudson’s Bay, Beauty Boutique

I love when a product tells you exactly what it's going to do! The No Dark Shadows Complexion Enhancer using light-reflecting pigments in a brush on applicator to erase undereye bags and blemishes. eliminates darkness around the eyes  

Prada La Femme Intense Eau de Parfum, $180.00 for 100mL and  Prada L’Homme Eau De Parfum, $130 for 100mL.  Both available at Hudson’s Bay.

Prada has a way to draw you in with its scents and these two are no different - L'Homme Intense -- with its tonka bean and patchouli -- and La Femme Intense with ylang land and tuberose. If you could touch these two scents, they'd feel like soft suede.  

Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Regenerating Cream, $36.99. Available at drug and mass retailers

When summer's fun-in-the-sun ends, usually we're left with some unwelcome souvenirs (dark spots, crow's feet ugh!) This regenerating moisturizer works super quick thanks to retinol and hyluaronic acid -- it reduces the look of wrinkles up to 5X more than a leading prestige anti-aging serum. 

KISS Lash Couture Faux Mink Collection, $9.99. Available at London Drugs and londondrugs.ca

Lashes are the one non-negotiable makeup item when I do TV. I love this ones from KISS because they're faux minx - so you get that fullness that celebrities love with a knot-free, invisible band that's a cinch to fit your natural lash line. They have naturally tapered ends designed to mimic the natural lash to deliver the most natural look.

John Frieda Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Colour Deepening Treatment, $12.99. Available mass market.

This fall, unicorn hair is officially passé and no one is happier than me to go back to basics with rich, vibrant,  hair colour (the best version of your natural hue). To refresh between salon appointments, I love to use this John Frieda Deepening Treatment - it brings back colour vibrancy and subtly blends grey hairs.

Summer Beauty Countdown: all the beauty musts to stay cool this summer

Burt’s Bees - Kisses for Bees, $9.99 each. Available at select natural, grocery, drug and mass retailers

Pucker up with these Burt's Bees Lipsticks - the 18 shades are 100% natural lipsticks. Thanks to #KissesforBees,  in partnership with Wildlife Preservation Canada, for a limited time, the purchase of each lipstick  goes towards the planting of 100 wildflowers. You're protecting your lips and bee habitats :)  

Biore Baking Soda Cleansing Scrub, $15.99. Available at select food, drug and mass retailers.

Ideal for combination skin - this  baking soda-based powder scrub will not dry out your skin as it purges pores from impurities. It cleanses skin 2.5x better than your basic cleanser - Great for travel as it is liquid free.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Coconut Collection - Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter, $55.00. Available at Sephora and sephora.ca

When worn directly on skin or mixed with foundation, this gel cream highlighter makes skin look like it's  hyper healthy, glowy and hydrated. 

Nair WAX READY-STRIPS, from $9.00. Available at select food, drug and mass retailers.

 A first of its kind, these super easy wax strips have cold wax that require no rubbing or warming up. You simply, peel and place. It removes even short hair (as short as 2mm) and lasts up to 4 weeks - No after care required and will leave you feeling moisturized

Garnier Ombrelle Ultra Light Advanced 100% Mineral Tinted Face Lotion with SPF 60, $17.99. Available pharmacies and mass market retailers across Canada.

New 100% mineral tinted SPF 60 provides a weightless, broad spectrum protection. It's ultra lightweight and does not clog pores. Plus it's fully mineral block using titanium dioxide so it's ideal for even sensitive skin. 

Degree Women Ultra Clear Black + White Antiperspirant, from $4.00. Available at drug, mass and grocery stores nationwide.

THis is your go-to antiperspirant  -- it has Anti-white and anti-yellow stain technology - Provides 48 hour protection.

Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Colour Collection - Shampoo, Conditioner and Smoothing Cream, $6.99. Available at drug, mass and grocery stores nationwide.

Geared toward colour treated hair, hair is smooth with movement and protects against frizz - Gives you a polished finish without having pin straight hair - Keratin protein and moroccan argan oil smooth each strand and revitalize colour

Bomb's Away

***in partnership with belif Skincare
For the plumpest, softest skin ever, get your hands on these hydration helpers. Minimalism is having a moment – between the slew of documentaries, bestselling books and #hygge design trends, I’ve been inspired to cut the clutter, especially on my bathroom vanity. Paring down the plethora of lotions and potions in favour of a do-it-all moisturizer straight from the #topshelf of Korea’s beauty insiders. 

belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb, $47 (left)
belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb, $47 (right)
Photography: Marrin Hicks Creative

Photography: Marrin Hicks Creative

As someone who can’t get enough exfoliation, I usually end up over-doing it, irritating my skin, and need to reset my routine with a super hydrating moisturizer that won’t make my sensitive skin unhappy. Right now I’m digging belif The True Cream Aqua Bomb. It contains lady’s mantle, a powerful plant (with the best name) that helps to shrink the appearance of pores, oat husk, prized for its ability to boost moisture in the skin and free-radical fighting malachite – a copper mineral that puts the brakes on free radical damage (the invisible damage we can’t see from UV rays, pollution and more). The result is skin looks super fresh, hydrated and I swear it has more spring to it. One of the biggest things I look for in a moisturizer is that it’s not too thick or heavy as I’m prone to shine and thanks to the gel-like texture it absorbs right away so it never “pills” when you put makeup on top. 

Photography: Marrin Hicks Creative

If you want skin to be even more satiated with moisture, opt for the belif The True Cream Moisturizing Bomb. I’ll reach for this one if I’m travelling a lot and my skin looks weathered. It’s free of parabens, mineral oil so you get the most from its key moisturizing ingredients like glycerin. 

www.belifcanada.com
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Enter for a Chance to Win a Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer!

I test out the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $500 to see if it's worth the hype.  The best part is that I'm also giving one away!! 

To enter for a chance to win:
Subscribe to my YouTube: YouTube.com/JillDunnBeauty
Follow me on Instagram: @jilldonbeauty  

Winner will be announced the week of March 20th. Good luck! See video below for the full review.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer, $500. dysoncanada.ca for more retailers

Best in show

It's red carpet season! Get ready like a celeb with these new beauty innovations. 

PHILIPS  Philips goLITE BLU, $199.  Available at London Drugs, Jean Coutu, Shoppers Home Health Care, B x3, Walmart and amazon.ca. 

Portable light therapy device, designed to fight jet lag, boost mood and energy levels and to help you feel more rested with the winter blues. Substitute for the sun, this light is scientifically proven to help keep our body clock properly aligned, and help us feel good and ready for the day, and help to fight SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Portable with a travel pouch and is cordless. LED technology. 

Pixi Beauty Peel & Polish Resurfacing Concentrate, $34 . Available at Shoppers Drug Mart. 

Beloved by beauty editors, Pixi is back in Canada and its latest launch is the best thing ever to get your glow on. Used once or twice a week, this formulas has lactic acid, papaya fruit enzymes and sugar cane to slough away dry dead skin. Apply on dry skin, leave on for 5 or 10 minutes and then wipe away with a damp washcloth. 

The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Soothing & Restoring Body Lotion, $15. Available at The Body Shop

Almond milk and honey collection works with any skin type, but is especially awesome for dry and sensitive skin. Smoothes scaly skin bits in a flash and smells divine. 

KNOW Cosmetics No Bare Brows - Universal 4-in-1 Brow Fix $24.00. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart; knowcosmetics.com.

Customize your brow colour with this 4-in-1 - brow colour pencil, taming wax, sharpener and brush. Works with any brow colour and skin tone so it takes all of the guesswork out of having to fill in your arches. 

TRESEMMÉ  Repair and Protect 7 Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling Spray and Mask, $6.99 each. Available at mass drug and grocery stores across Canada

If you're used to brushing, braiding, blowdrying, curling, flat ironing, bleaching and colouring your hair, you're subjecting it to a lot of wear and tear.  This Repair and Protect range address all of our hair sins in one wash - the biotin addresses hair condition to fix dryness and frizz associated with styling damage. 

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb - Hydrating Gel Cream, $19.99. Available at drugstores and mass-market retailers. 

If you want a moisturizer that drenches skin with hydration, but that doesn't pill under makeup, this is the one for you. Suitable for all ages, Moisture Bomb has hyaluronic acid, glycerin to smooth skin and antioxidants like goji berry to fend off free radical damage. 

Lip Service: Ace your best selfie smile

***in partnership with eos

Smooth & exfoliate

An HD lens can be unkind to winter-weary lips, exposing every crack and line and magnifying any flakiness (which is downright cruel if you’re wearing dark lipstick!). Perfect your pout with a DIY lip scrub before you slick on lip balm, gloss, lipstick. Mix sugar with coconut oil, smear on to lips, leave for a minute or two and then use damp washcloth to massage lips. Voila - watch dry skin slough away.

Condition before colour
Our lips are the thinnest skin on our whole face, so when they’re exposed to the elements like wind, sun and dry indoor air, they can look weathered, fast. That’s why it’s always a good idea to double-down on moisture to keep your pout plump. Post-DIY scrub, slick on an clear lip balm like eos Organic Smooth Sphere Lip Balm to help combat shriveled lips – it’s petrolatum-free and packed with all-natural coconut oil that acts like a barrier to lock in your lips’ natural moisture and all-natural jojoba oil, known to be rich in vitamin E and B-complex for an antioxidant boost. And all-natural shea butter drenches lips with moisture so they feel super soft. Sweet Mint is a personal fave – moisturizing but doesn’t feel “medicated.”

Layer on lipstick

This season’s must-have is a long-wear lipstick formulation – from pigment-packed matte lipsticks to will-not-budge liquid lipsticks. These can look cool, but sometimes severe. A little trick to add fullness and life to the lips to swipe a shine-enhancing lip balm with pearlized pigments (try the eos Shimmer Lip Balm in Pearl) right in the centre of both your top and bottom lip. When your lips catch the light from your Lumee case, they will look plush.  

Shine on
Sometimes you’ll want to opt for no-makeup makeup – like when you’re bored in an Uber and take a few selfies (#beenthere). If you want a trick for brighter, whiter smile, try eos Shimmer Lip Balm in Shimmer Pink. It will make your lips look rosy and that subtle contrast will make teeth look brighter, no FaceTune necessary.  

Movember Must-Haves: No-Fuss Men's Grooming

Movember manscaping!

Shaving Cream, Les industries Groom, $24. Available on www.lesindustriesgroom.com and select RW&CO stores across Canada.
Consider this new line like the craft brewery of your grooming routine. Hand-made in Montreal with all-natural ingredients like cocoa butter and coconut oil, plus fresh subtle scents like clary sage and juniper - it's definitely one to watch. Use this shaving cream with a brush to get a super creamy lather and closer shave. 

Dove Men + Care Clean Comfort Dry Spray Antiperspirant, $5.99. Available at drugstores.
Never stain your favourite shirt again - this spray goes on clear, dries instantly and stands up to 48 hours. 

Philips One Blade, $44.99. Available at Loblaws, London Drugs, Canadian Tire, Jean Coutu, Amazon, Centre De Razoir, Walmart, Sears
With a blade so quick that you can barely see it move with the naked eye, the Philips One Blade reinvents morning routines. You can trim, shave or style with just one blade. Used wet or dry, the blade cuts 200 times per second so no hair is left behind.  

John Varvatos Dark Rebel Rider, Eau de Toilette, $89 for 75mL.  
Available at Hudson’s Bay, London Drugs, Nordstrom, Sephora and Shoppers Drug Mart. 
Biker chic, bottled. This addictive blend has Russian leather, bitter orange citron and black violet that blend to keep you coming back for more.  

Dove Men+Care Clean Comfort Micro Moisture Body & Face Wash, $5.99. Available at drugstores. 
Retire your soap on a rope in favour of this gel wash that gets you squeaky clean from head-to-toe. Simply suds up the lather leaves skin soft and hydrated with zero residue.

Fall Beauty UpgradeS - new products to refresh your routine

This amazing straightening brush heats up in less time than it takes to pour your coffee (think paddle brush meets ceramic flat iron). In 30 seconds flat it peaks at 400º so you can manage frizz, flyaways and get on with your day. Plus, the shine is next level. 

Infiniti Pro by Conair Ionic Straightening Brush, $69.99 - $89.99. Available at drugstores & mass market retailers across Canada.

Revamp your brunette with the in-shower Colour Deepening Treatment. It lets you go from dull to deep in just five minutes. It instantly bonds to damaged areas to produce an all over colour, up to one shade darker. Works on both colour treated and natural hair - I always use between regular salon visits to blend away greys.  

JOHN FRIEDA Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Colour Deepening Treatment and Brilliant Brunette Visibly Deeper Colour Deepening Shampoo and Conditioner, $12.99 each. Available at drugstores & mass market retailers across Canada.

Soothe shrivelled skin with this tag team body wash and moisturizer - the coconut scent (just as gentle as fragrance free) lets you pretend the weather is balmy even when it's not. 

Aveeno Skin Relief Gentle Scent Coconut Lotion and Body Wash

It's red wine season, so I need a trusty whitening toothpaste. This Arm & Hammer version has baking soda and a zingy fresh mint flavour that gives you whiter teeth in five days. 

Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Clean & Fresh Toothpaste & Arm & Hammer Battery-Powered SpinBrush $3.99. Available at drugstores & mass market retailers across Canada.

After the summer, i need to perk up dull skin and tackle fine lines. This contains brightening vitamin C and glycolic acid so it's brightening and anti-aging in one! 

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Peel Pads, $18.99; L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Daily Lotion SPF 30, $31; L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Dual Overnight Moisturizer, $31; L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Bright Reveal Brightening Scrub Cleanser, $12.99. Available at drugstores & mass market retailers across Canada.

Bold lipstick is back - shades like Bordeaux, oxblood and poppy ruled fall runways so there's never been a better time to find your perfect red. Love this wardrobe of 16 reds from Shiseido - flattering colours that have staying power to keep the same, perfect lip throughout the day. 

Shiseido Rouge Rouge Lipstick, $38. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and The Bay. 

Micellar cleansers act like magnets for dirt, oil and makeup. I love that these wipes aren't saturated with oil, so your skin feels fresher and fully clean with no residue left behind. Simple is all about treating sensitive skin kindly, so these wipes are tough on makeup not on skin. 

Simple Skincare Micellar Make-Up Remover Wipes, $10.99. Available at drugstores & mass market retailers across Canada.