Good-bye Nail Polish?

    So I picked up a copy of Nail Pro Magazine which is a professional nail and esthetic magazine recently and couldn't help but notice that EVERY single advertisement was of a different gel lacquer product! Everywhere you go, the talk of the town is gel polish (More so "Shellac" by CND. Shellac is actually the "Kleenex" brand of facial tissues.). There are even brands out there that allow consumers to do gel polish with a U.V. lamp right from their home so that a trip to the spa or nail salon isn't necessary. Does this also mean the day of nail lacquers and polish bottles has come to end?

   You paint your nails or head to the spa for a manicure for that special event or just to jazz up your outfit and by the end of that day or even the very next day, it chips. You were so careful trying not to ruin your nails after that spa visit only to think they were dry enough to dig into your bag for those keys. The beauty of gel polishes is there is no dry time and it can easily last 2 weeks or even longer. CND's Shellac is probably the most well-known and popular but what about your regular polishes?

  Nail polish companies such as CND, OPI, SpaRitual, Zoya, Orly all carry gel polishes however, they haven't discontinued or stop promoting their regular polish lines. These big brand names are still releasing beautiful seasonal collections based on current trends. This just means that there are still consumers out there that love the simplicity of applying regular nail polish. There is a wider range of colours to be chosen and there isn't a 2 week commitment to having that same colour on your nails.

  In my opinion, I love gel polishes especially Shellac which I must mention has some really great additions to their colour roster. I love the fact that I don't have to dedicate so much time out of my day to make sure my nails are well manicured without any chips. As for regular polishes? Still a fan especially for special occasions where I only want a specific colour for the night.


   

Fairmont Willow Stream Spa

Willowstream in Mayakoba was my most recent winter getaway! The spa was one of the best features in the resort. It was on two levels and included several relaxation lounges, a hot tub steam room, salt water pools, and a mineral bath.  All the rooms were super private and the staff was excellent.

The resort itself was massive and had golf carts to take you around the resort.  It was surrounded by a golf course, lush trees, and a forest.  The golf is supposed to be great-ocean views and wonderful weather. We were fortunate to stay in one of the huts which was very private and luxiourious.  The food was also excellent (a couple of them had AAA Four Diamond Awards) For those of you who like eating healthy on vacation..they also offered healthy menus for anyone that is interested at all of their restaurants. This is not all inclusive however was worth spending the extra money. 

Hint of Tint!

First, let me start by saying the weather here in the Greater Toronto Area has been AMAZING this week. Plus temperatures, sun shining, stowing away the winter attire and dark colours means it'spring and summer are just around the corner.

My skin tends to get super dehydrated in the winter and with the transitioning weather from cold to warm, my skin has been in need of some tender love and care. I've never been a fan of thick or heavy foundations so trying to brighten up my extremely olive skin tone can be quite the challenge.

So in efforts to try and freshen up my skin tone especially now that our days are getting brighter, I found the perfect solution! By mixing a little bit our your foundation in with your moisturizer/ day cream in the morning, not only does it provide you with moisture and protection, it also evens out your skin tone without the heavy feeling a foundation on its own would do. After I cleanse my skin in the morning, I take about a dime size of my moisturizer Eminence Organiqs "Eight Greens Whip Moisturizer"into my hand. Then, I mix in about a pea size of my foundation Benefit Cosmetics "Hello Flawless!" Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation. It feels weightless and gives me such amazing coverage.

A Great Makeover Experience!

One of my favorite things that I like to do before I go out is get my make-up done. I wanted to try something new so I decided to venture to Holt Renfrew's flagship store on Bloor Street and book a Shu Uemura make-over.  I didn't realize they were having an event, so it was a little too busy for my liking.

I got to try out their whole line, and discovered they have much more than their famous Toyko eyelashes.

 

A Great Night Mask-Part of the "Depsea Hydrability" collection, is a great mask that you put on for 20 minutes which feels like a silky coccoon on your face. My skin felt softer and cleaner within minutes.

Tokyo Lash Bar- Of course I had to get my lashes done! They have dozens of different shapes and colors of lashes but I decided to go with the natural individual ones. Good tip-With any lash purchase they put them on for free!
This line is only found at Holt Renfrew in Canada, however much more common in the US.

 

"They're Real,"... I mean the lashes!

So if it isn't obvious by now, Jenn and I have an obsession for eyelashes. From extensions, enhancements, to the most effective mascaras, I'm almost positive that between the two of us, we've tried them all!

In conjunction with my Fusion Beauty StimuLashFusion(TM) Intensive Night Conditioning Lash Enhancer  ($99), I've been using Bad Gal Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics ($25) for a while now and I love it! It keeps my lashes soft and doesn't clump at all. I've recently finished another tube of this amazing product so off to Sephora I went to replenish my mascara. 

I've recently been hearing about Benefit's latest mascara craze They're Real! Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics ($29)  and thought Since I loved Benefit Cosmetics so much, it wouldn't hurt to try it.  Let me tell you that this has got to be the absolute best mascara that has ever touched my lashes. My lashes are thin, short, and sparse and this product after one application drastically lengthens and thickens them instantly!I found that one coat was all I needed.

Benefit Cosmetics is a really cute and girly brand and can be found at any Holt Renfrew or Sephora location. 

Try it out! I promise you will not be disappointed!

A Perfect 10!

Recently went to a new hair colourist. As they all do, he recommended a new product that will change my hair forever....and of course I agreed that I needed to have it!

I purchased It`s a Ten Miracle Leave In.  It claims to do ten things which are:

1. Detangles

2. Nourishes

3. De Frizzes

4. Softens

5. Smoothes

6. Restores Moisture Balance

7. Instantly Restores Elasticity

8. Improves Color Vibrancy

9. Restores Moisture Balance

10. Enhances Natural Body

 

It has many natural ingredients such as sunflower extract, green tea, and citric acid. I have very thin hair and I found that it didn`t weigh it down or give my hair a greasy look. I could also see that my hair had a different shine to it. This is a great detangler. If you like to comb your hair when it's wet, this stuff will make the comb glide right through your hair.
 It was very simple to use and I only needed a couple of sprays. Caution- The first time I used it I sprayed it 5 times and my hair was weighed down and greasy...Less is more! It is found at your local hair salons @ approx $25 for the small bottle. If you are getting sick of Moroccan Hair oil I would definitely suggest giving this a try. Next on my List- It`s a Ten Leave in with Keratin!