Cold weather must-have - Zorah Nita Cleansing Foam

I love a foaming cleanser but find many of them too drying for cold weather use - that is until I discovered:

Zorah Nita Cleansing Foam - 150ml - $26 - an airy textured foam that deep cleans thoroughly and gently, removing makeup to free the skin of its impurities and reveal natural brightness.

With its formula based on plant extracts, pure argan and oils including burdock extract to flush out residual makeup and impurities, detoxify and remove excess sebum - for skin that is soothed with its natural glow restored.

There's a lot to love about this product, and the whole Zorah line - best of all it's Canadian - designed and manufactured in Montreal - their mission is to make high-quality cosmetics that outperform the top synthetic products on the market, using only organic, eco-friendly and fair-trade ingredients, use recyclable materials and are certified cruelty-free by PETA.

The products don't include mineral oils (petroleum) or animal fats, parabens, GMOS, propyleneglycol, synthetic perfumes, PEG, PPG, sodium laureth sulphate, EDTA, phthalates or other ingredients harmful for health or the environment.

Available at select natural food stores across Canada and online at zorahbiocosmetiques.com.

- Lisamarie -

Absorb goodness from your skin care routine with The Care Principle!

Introducing The Care Principle - a plant-based skin care line that was  developed by media personality Dina Mirkovich as self-care in a bottle (or 4) - making it easy to do something great for your skin twice a day in just minutes with 3 essential steps:

Infinite Glo Serum - 30ml - $60 - hydrates and revives tired skin with a nourishing boost of vitamin E, marula seed oil - to target dullness, brighten skin and improve uneven texture and a blend of safflower, apricot kernel, avocado, organic jojoba seed, camellia seed and  rosehip seed oils - to keep skin soft and supple all day - with a lightweight texture that feels feathery light on the skin and makes it a nourishing primer for makeup. This is my favourite product from the line - it soaks right in and makes my skin feel perfect - during the summer I don't think I will even need moisturizer on top!

Infinite Glo Day Cream - 30ml - $40 - a lightweight, skin-repairing, anti-aging day cream that's infused with premium, organic moisturizers to soften skin and visually improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and a precise blend of fatty acids to bring out skin’s natural radiance and keep it soft and hydrated all day long - with a lightweight and velvety texture that absorbs quickly into the skin leaving a feathery light, silky finish for skin that glows.

Infinite Glo Night Cream - 30ml - $40 - an intense anti-aging moisturizing treatment that soothes, repairs, and brightens skin while sleeping with an antioxidant formula fortified with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to help smooth wrinkles, improve skin's firmness and boost elasticity - that helps detoxify and replenish the skin during sleep - when it’s most receptive to restoration and renewal - with a feathery light texture that allows the skin to breathe while eliminating dryness.

Infinite Glo Eye Cream - 30ml - $30 - with a hydrating blend of wrinkle-smoothing botanicals, antioxidants and non-irritating moisturizers that brighten and depuff to help wake up tired eyes, minimize fine lines, firm and restore a more youthful appearance - with a silky formula that feels feathery light on the skin that makes it a great and nourishing primer for eye makeup.

There's a lot to love about the line - all the products are formulated in Canada with premium, plant-based ingredients that are always free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates - no animal testing ever and are effective for all skin types: dry, oily, normal, combination and even sensitive!

I know, it all sounds great and you want it all - luckily you can pick up the whole 4 piece collection bundle for a special price of $140!

Available online at thecareprinciple.com.

- Lisamarie -

Sahajan offers natural products that help you be mindful of what you are putting on your skin!

Introducing Sahajan, a new Canadian brand with a first-of-its-kind blend of organic science along with Ayurvedic remedies - a 5000-year-old Indian system of health care embracing the spiritual, mental and physical aspects of health - developed by Toronto-based, Lisa Mattam, a former pharmaceutical executive. 

She was inspired to create the line after coming to the realization that the kind of product she was using on herself was not something she wanted on her daughter's skin so why was she putting it on herself? This inspired her to create a line of scientifically proven products with natural and plant-based ingredients found within the oils and creams of the home remedies her parents and grandparents used for their families. The products incorporate proven Indian traditions and trusted ingredients as a natural way to protect and nourish skin and hair - without having to worry about what’s in them.

Available in the collection are:

Nourish Face Cream - 50ml - $60 - with a rich, deeply hydrating formula containing triphala - richly concentrated in vitamin C to help brighten the skin; gotu kola - to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and firm skin; and coconut oil - deeply hydrates and adds a glow that makes the skin look brighter.

The scent includes a natural accord of soft cedarwood, East Indian sandalwood oil with traces of exotic warm cinnamon spice, bold geranium and soothing lavender oil topped with fresh bergamot plus lemon, lime and orange oils.

Restorative Eye Cream - 15ml - $45 - restores the delicate skin around the eyes with neem oil - helps minimize the appearance of dark circles; triphala - to brighten the look of skin; and honey - to repair and soothe dry skin.

It shares the same scent as Protective Face Serum and Nourish Face Cream to enhance the Sahajan experience, but in a lighter formulation for use around the delicate eye area.

Ritual Body Oil - 100ml - $55 - pampers dry skin and restores its natural glow while soothing away tension with coconut oil - deeply hydrating and perfectly absorbed to protect skin against dryness; almond oil - to add a beautiful glow while soothing, moisturizing and softening the skin; sesame oil - with properties that can help treat dryness, hydrates, nourishes and protect the look of skin; along with avocado, sunflower, jojoba and camellia oils.

Scented to help promote a sense of well-being through a soothing and relaxing experience with a lush combination of floral oils including rose, lavender, violet and geranium, enhanced by notes of sweet ylang ylang and fresh lemon.

Nurture Hair Oil - 52ml - $50 - helps nourish and repair hair with a silicone free formula containing eclipta alba - helps to repair dry, damaged hair and protect against excessive styling; amla oil - nourishes hair as it grows and helps to maintain hair colour and shine; coconut oil - offers both protection and repair for the hair from environmental impacts such as excessive styling, harsh weather and continued colouring; and almond oil - to add sheen while moisturizing, soothing and protecting.

Soothingly scented with a blend of rich essential oils including velvety Indian sandalwood, cedarwood oil and calming rose oil topped with a hint of warm amber oil and sweet ylang ylang.

And my favourite product from the line:

Protective Face Serum - 30ml - $70 - with a concentrated formula containing triphala - richly concentrated in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps to brighten the look of skin; gotu kola - reduces the appearance of wrinkles and firms the skin; and hyaluronic acid - increases hydration, improves elasticity  and smoothes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

The scent includes a natural accord of soft cedarwood, East Indian sandalwood oil with traces of exotic warm cinnamon spice, bold geranium and soothing lavender oil topped with fresh bergamot plus lemon, lime and orange oils.

You can also try a little bit of everything with the Discovery Kit - $50 - a tasting-menu-experience of the entire Sahajan Collection with five mini products plus a natural wood compact mirror in a stylish linen makeup bag.

I love the scent of the whole line, it smells like an expensive spa. The textures are also great - with all the oil based ingredients you might expect them to be greasy but they are anything but - the products are smooth, silky and quickly absorbed. I'm loving the Protective Face Serum - it's perfect on it's own on my combination skin right now and once it gets colder and my skin becomes drier, I can layer it under the Nourish Face Cream.
 
All of the Sahajan products are formulated to meet both natural and organic certification standards, which require the use of 80% organic ingredients from environmentally friendly practices and also that 95% of the ingredients come from natural origins.

Sahajan products are now available online at www.sahajan.com, at Homesmith in Toronto, Bhavana Yoga Boutique in Halifax and across the U.S. at www.joyus.com.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Cocoon Apothecary Ancient Mud Facial Mask!

Going organic never felt or smelled so good thanks to:

Cocoon Apothecary Ancient Mud Facial Mask - 100g - $24 - a 100% natural product that detoxifies, exfoliates and tightens with: Dead Sea mud - to re-mineralize the skin with essential nutrients and purify pores of toxins and pollutants; Canadian glacial marine clay from the coat of British Columbia - that absorbs deep into pores to pull out contaminants and excess oil; and orange blossom and rose essential oils that contain antioxidants to nourish skin deeply and also make the mask smell great!

My skin tends to be less flaky during the summer when it becomes a lot oiler and because earlier and extended daylight hours means I am wearing a lot more sunscreen, my skin feels really gunky by the end of the week - this mask is perfect for pulling all the yucky crap that has accumulated in my pores and leaving it feeling fresh and clean!

I like it's a Canadian home-grown line from Kitchener, Ontario and free of all those nasty petroleums and parabens that nobody wants in their products anymore! There's a whole range of skincare products - and of the ones that I have smelled, have a rose element to the scent which I'm not normally a big fan of because I don't like artificial floral scents but the Cocoon rose scent is very soft and natural smelling so I'm digging it!

Available at The Big Carrot in Toronto and other natural health retailers and online at www.cocoonapothecary.com, well.ca and amazon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Lise Watier Portfolio Professional Corrector turns 15!

Canada's #1 corrector - Lise Watier Portfolio Professional Corrector - $31 - celebrates its 15th anniversary and it wants to have a party on your face! With 5 different shades of concealer, it's designed to correct and perfect your skin including: hiding under-eye circles, imperfections, signs of fatigue and redness; sculpting and redefining; and brightening the complexion.

It all sounds easy but if you don't know what each colour is meant to do it's just a pretty wheel of colours so here's the cheat sheet on what each shade does clockwise starting top right:

Yellow Beige - hides blue veins and under-eye circles.
Lilac - gives a radiant effect.
Brown - sculpts.
Ivory - hides under eye circles.
Green - camouflages redness.

The shades can be mixed and matched to customize your look and apply using your fingertips or brush - they work best when warmed up so dab the colour on the back of your hand before applying .

Available at drugstores and online at www.lisewatier.com.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... TAJ10 Vanilla Bliss Shampoo!

I admit it - I'm sometimes guilty of buying things just for the smell - I don't care if they're sensible, suitable, useful or even good for me I just can't resist wonderful scent!

Such was the case with:

TAJ10 Vanilla Bliss Shampoo - 237ml - $18.50 - contains organic organic and natural ingredients including coconut oil and soy bean to leave the hair strong, revitalized, nourished and protected from the effects of aging - and I will admit that having used it for a bit now, my hair is soft and shiny, even my hairdresser commented on my last visit that my hair was looking nice and healthy!

Of course all of this is good but I must admit, the best part of this shampoo is the smell - infused with vanilla beans it has the most wonderful, sweet-but not too sweet, vanilla-y scent ever! This is one of those things I would have bought for the smell alone so it's a wonderful surprise to have it actually be such a great product too!

Last but not least are all the things you don't want that it doesn't contain including parabens, laureth, laurel sulfate and petroleum products.

Also available in the line is a companion conditioner and texturizer ($18.50 & $12) or go crazy and buy the whole set for $41!

Available at selected salons and online - go to www.taj10.com for more info.

- Lisamarie -

ArteStile wants you to feel the difference and then become a designer and enter their contest!

If you're anything like me (and as much as you fight it, you know you are) you have a graveyard drawer in your bathroom full of old tweezers. Tweezers that were bought with all the hopes and dreams that come with such a purchase and ended weeks later with heartbreak and disappointment when the stupid things stopped working properly!

Mourn for them no longer my friends - ArteStile is here and they want you to feel the difference between the competition's tweezers and theirs! This Mississauga based company offers professional, uniquely designed beauty tools (nail trims, files, scissors and tweezers), handmade in Italy from the finest stainless steel with tips and blades that are perfectly aligned and hand filed for lasting performance. Not only do they work well, they look good - in a variety of colours and designs - with a patented baked enamel finish for an exceptional in-hand feel. Better yet all their products are lead free -no nickel or chrome used - helping to avoid the most common irritants to sensitive skin.

All the ArteStile tools are $24.97 but be sure to grab yourself a $5 off coupon from the website before ordering (you have to "like" ArtStile on Facebook to get one) to make it a very thrifty $19.97 (only in November so get cracking!) - you can get the coupon and order at , ArteStile.CA for Canadian shoppers, and ArteStileUSA.com for American shipping.

Always wanted to be immortalized in tweezers? The ‘What’s Your Stile?’ design contest is now open on both websites. Log in, create a repetitive graphic or design using the guidelines provided, upload it, and submit it by December 10. Starting December 15 until January 7, users will be able to vote on their favorites. The popular winning selection(s) will receive a limited run as part of the 2013 Collection due out in late winter. Visitors who like the Facebook page, enter the contest, and/or subscribe to the newsletter will be the first ones to be able to purchase the 2013 Collection, including the winning design, before it’s available to the general public.

Be sure to visits the websites - ArteStile.CA and ArteStileUSA.com often - they will offer beauty tips and will feature a subscription option for the newsletter which will include coupons, tips, and more on a monthly basis.

And let us know if you enter the contest so we can vote for your design!

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Bomb la Bon Bon Bath Donuts!

If I've ever met a donut I didn't love I can't recall when that would have been and I've got nothing but love for:

Bomb la Bon Bon Bath Donuts - $5 - melt into your bath to turn it into a yummy smelling bakery that will leave your skin soft and moisturized - they may cost a little more then the ones I'm used to picking up at Tim Hortons but these ones won't leave anything but good smells on my hips so I really should reach for them instead more often!

Handmade with high quality ingredients right here in Ontario, not only are they a sweet and delicious treat but they are free of all of the nasty stuff that you don't want joining you in your bath including Parabens, Phtalates, Propyl Alcohol, Mineral Oil, Sulfates or Artificial Preservatives.

Check out their other products while you are at it, I also really enjoy the Whipped Body Soap that comes in delicious scents like Sweet Watermelon, Birthday Cake and Chocolate Covered Cherry!

You can find these and even more goodies at: http://icraft.ca/bomb-la-bon-bon

- Lisamarie -

Dot & Lil - bath products that probably speak with a french accent because they're hand made in Montreal!

If simple, hand made bath and body products are your thing - you need to check out Montreal based Dot & Lil! With cute and simple packaging, preservative free products and natural fragrances - the products look good, feel good and smell delicious!

I have a few favourite products including: 

Satsuma Soap - $7 - with a vegetable soap base and a wonderfully citrus scent that's like sunshine in your shower. If you like the idea of satsuma but find the satsuma scent at The Body Shop too strong - check this one out, it's much less intense!


Shea Rescue Butter For Lips & Nails - 10g - $8 - not only is it a great lip and cuticle balm, I also keep it in my purse to use on any sudden dry bits - elbows, knees or whatever as well as to tame flyaway hairs!


Grapefruit Perfume Oil - 33ml - $20 - it's a dry oil with grapefruit and tangerine essential oils so it smells citrusy crisp which you can use as a regular fragrance or I like to add to my bath and unscented lotions!


If you're in a major city, you can probably get your Dot & Lil fix at the One of a Kind show - if you're not, no worries - it's available at shops and boutiques across Quebec, a couple in Ontario and of course online at www.dotandlil.com

This week I'm obsessed with... Smith Farms Marshmallow Face Cream!

Smith Farms Marshmallow Face Cream - 60ml - $26 - this Canadian made cream contains 47% organic ingredients including: aloe vera; sunflower, rice bran, jojoba and avocado oils; sugarmulse; shea butter; and mallow root extract.

A rich and fluffy cream that applies smoothly and absorbs quickly, leaving skin hydrated and protected without making it greasy. Mallow root extract gives the cream its mousse-like texture and most importantly, softens skin giving it a smoother, healthier feel. The addition of yeast derived collagen further moisturizes and helps strengthen skin while antioxidant rich rice bran oil helps heal and regenerate.

As a combo skinned person, I don't often use super moisturizing creams - the only exception to that is during the winter when the normal parts of my face tend to go dry and a little more moisture is in order! Even then, I avoid anything too thick or heavy because I hate the way that feels on my face.

Which is why I am totally in love with this cream, it really is fluffy like marshmallow whip without being the least bit heavy or greasy - score!

The only thing that might make it even better is if it smelled like marshmallows - they can work on that for the new and improved version...

Pick up your own online at www.smithfarmsproducts.com

- Lisamarie -

Get Creamed Body - getting creamed has now become something to aspire to!

If you've been looking for bath & body products that are not only luxurious but also truly all-natural and chemical-free you will be thrilled with our very own Canadian Get Creamed Body! Developed to provide a fresh alternative to the chemical-laden beauty products typically found at beauty departments and drug stores they are proud to manufacture all products fresh, in small batches on a regular basis to provide their customers with the highest quality products possible.

Knowing how much I love natural products as well as yummy scented products, you can imagine how thrilled I was to discover this line!

Inside each product you'll find only high quality natural ingredients such as: creamy cocoa butter; nutrient rich shea butter; vegetable or fruit source oils; antioxidants such as vitamin E, rosemary extract and others; and natural essential oils or natural food flavourings (if scented)

And you'll also be happy to know that none of the products contain: parabens; synthetic fragrances or parfum; phthalates, SLS or sulfates; chemical preservatives; phenoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol (all forms of anti-freeze!); alcohol (which can cause long term skin damage); or mineral oils or petrochemicals

Whipped Body Cream - 225ml - $28 - if you're looking for super-duper moisture, you've come to the right place. Not only do they moisturize like a dream though, they come in amazing scents! I am absolutely in love with Pink Citrus Paradise, with Orange U Smellin Good running a close second (I know, go figure) - if you are less of a citrus fanatic check out Killa Vanilla and Coconut Cream Pie - and if you just aren't fan of fragrance (the horror!) there is also a Bare Naked Natural unscented one!

Moisturizing & Detoxifying Spa Body Scrub - 225ml - $26 - contain Dead Sea Salts to clean, detoxify the skin and impart vital minerals as well as shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba and natural antioxidants which all get together to polish and clean the skin leaving it hydrated and silky smooth! It comes in Macha Grapefruit (yes, more citrus) with grapefruit and green tea is absolutely decadent or you can check out Purple Zen with lavender and bergamot or Vanilla Cocoaccino with vanilla and coffee.

What I really like about the packaging for both the scrub and cream is that each jar comes with a spatula so  you don't have to stick your fingers in the jar - no worries about contaminating the product that way. Even cleverer, there is a spot in the cap to keep said spatula so you don't have to worry about where to keep a sticky spatula!

This Is The Balm - 70g - $22 - a multi-functional solid moisturizing balm that soothes any place you have dry skin - feet, hair, body, you name it - and it has no scent so it can be used in even the most sensitive of places - and of course the format makes it perfect for throwing in your purse or gym bag!

Get Creamed Body also offers Lip Balms - 10g - $12 - in Loco for Coconut, Peppermint Twist and Raspberry Chocolate Truffle and Cocoa Butter Bath Chocolates - 42g - $24 - a package of 5 chocolates that can be added to your bath to add moisture and a light scent.

Available at some retail locations in Vancouver and online at www.getcreamedbody.com.

- Lisamarie -

Tinted lip balms from Fresh, Smith Farms, Hard Candy and Maybelline - swatches!

Fresh Sugar Passion Lip Treatment SPF15 - $26 - is formulated with an array of ingredients that nourish and protect the lips: Sugar, a natural humectant, ensures long-lasting moisture; while hydrating meadowfoam, passionflower and black currant seed oils as well as avocado oil moisturize and condition the lips; carnauba wax seals in moisture and acts as a protective barrier to prevent dehydration; and Vitamin A to help firm, retexturize and smooth the skin by promoting cell regeneration. The treatment is further enriched with antioxidant-rich vitamins to defend against wrinkle-causing free radicals and provides year-round protection from damaging UV rays. All topped off with beeswax which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to soften the skin and enhance elasticity. Available at Sephora and sephora.com

If you like the idea of red lips but can't commit or bring yourself to go with full on red lipstick, this tint is a nice compromise. The colour is also buildable so you can have a sheer or rich hue on a whim. It smells great like all of the Fresh Sugar products and I especially appreciate the screw on cap so it can't accidentally come off in my purse!

Smith Farms Lip Tint - $6 - contains Organic Beeswax, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Avocado Oil and Vitamin E along with the addition of all natural alkanet root gives this balm a rich berry hue. Available online at www.smithfarmsproducts.com

Scented with sweet orange essential oil, it smells great - the colour looks super dark in the tube but don't be scared, as you can see it adds just a bit of a tint!

Hard Candy World Balmination Glossy Tinted Lip Balm in Vampire Bite - $3 - a glossy tinted lip balm that will leave your lips soft, moisturized and looking flawless. The nourishing formula protects, repairs and soothes. Available at Walmart.

With a hint of colour, a fabulous moist feeling texture and a delicious sugar and lemon scent it's perfect for lip balm and colour lovers alike!

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me - $4.99 - offers 8 hours of hydration, an SPF of 20 and the promise or reborn lips in just 4 weeks. The formula is infused with exclusive Botanical Cellular Repair Concentrate extracted from the miraculous Centella Asiatica plant as well as Vitamins C, E and B5 to deliver moisture, softness and repair.

This is my favourite out of all the Baby Lips colours, it also smells just like cherry - and I can't argue that this is a super nourishing balm!

- Lisamarie -

Erin the soap guy lathers up with Smith Farms Beer Soap!

You had to know that our beloved Erin would not be able to resist the lure of soap + beer

I have been using the Smith Farms Beer Soap for a couple of weeks now and must say that I love it. I was concerned originally that I was simply loving it because it had “beer” on the label but that proved not to be the case. In fact I was a bit skeptical after my initial use because of the lack of discernible beer smell but as it turns out, this is an excellent (albeit non-alcoholic smelling) product. The soap left a very “clean” feel which made up for the fact that there is almost no scent associated with the soap (I generally prefer some fresh scent in my soaps). I was also happy to discover that the natural moisturizing ingredients solved some change of season dry skin issues. On a final note, being a beer product, you will be quite proud (and amazed) that I resisted the urge to taste it ;)

Smith Farms Beer Soap - 100g - $5.50 - made with 66% organic, all natural ingredients including cocoa and shea butter, beeswax,  and Bierbrier Ale.

A perfect stocking stuffer for your very own beer-loving Erin (or whatever you call him at home)!


Available on-line at www.smithfarmsproducts.com

- Erin & Lisamarie -

Now when you're at Murale, you can have your Cake (Beauty) and eat it too!

What does one do when one loves the beauty industry, loves natural products and sees a glaring absence in the market? Well if one is Heather Reier, founder of Cake Beauty - you just go to your kitchen whip up a bunch of fantastic smelling products and start a company! Okay it probably wasn't quite that easy but when I met with her a couple of weeks ago to celebrate the line's launch at Murale, she looked so polished and calm, she made me believe it could be!

We chatted about the origins of the Canadian company - back in 2003, Heather was a product junkie (we can relate to that) who was tired of putting junk on herself and wanted things with natural ingredients, that smelled and felt good. Since they didn't exist in the marketplace what else was a girl to do but make them herself - from this, Cake Beauty was born!

And who better to ask about is her must have products from her line - it took a little bit of prodding since a mother doesn't like to reveal her favourite but she finally admitted to a Satin Sugar Hair Powder addiction - it's a talc free dry shampoo which enables her to only have to wash her hair every 4 days, it adds lasting volume and can also be used as a body powder - Heather went so far as to say that it changed her life and she gets nervous when she gets down to less then half a bottle of it left! Her favourite new product is her new (and first) fragrance - Indulge - which she let me smell and I have to agree, it's delicious!

We can expect new and exciting things coming from Cake in the first half of the year including a twist on her fave dry shampoo product but if you are looking for gifts or want to try the Cake line now, here are a couple of great gift sets that you should check out:

Holiday Handful - 3 x 100ml - $36 - Includes Milk Made - whole vanilla milk and baked raspberry, Vanilla Snow Woman - sweet vanilla cream and UnSweet - un-coloured and un-scented - hand creams blended with shea & mango butters, whole milk, marshmallow extract and just the right amount of glycerin to lock in moisture and protect your winter-worn hands

Winter Wonderlips - 3 x 11ml - $30 - in: vanilla frost - creamy pearl with opalescent shine; pink icicle - sheer pink with diamond sparkle; and gold glimmer - glistening nude - a golden sheen trio of creamy and delectably flavoured lip gloss will nourish and hydrate lips giving you a wash of colour and loads of shine. Blended with natural emollients and infused with antioxidants to leave your lips smooth, shimmering and looking winter wonderful all season long.
You'll now find the Cake Beauty line at Murale and you can still find it at Sephora, eBeauty.ca and cakebeauty.com - and if you're shopping at Cake Beauty online, be sure and take advantage of the Topbox 30% off Promo Code - TOPBOX when checking out!

- Lisamarie -

Topbox.ca sends top brand samples right to your door each month!

Topbox.ca is the latest contender in the Canadian sampling market and with so many choices already, you may wonder if there is room for another. Like Glymm and Luxe Box - Topbox.ca is a monthly service that offers cosmetic samples sent right to your door for $10 a month. So what makes it different you may ask? Well according to Topbox.ca they are committed to providing only the top brands each month. Now I'm no beauty snob and I've found great products in all kinds of lines but there is a certain appeal to knowing that you are only going to receive the best of the best every month!

To give you an idea of what they mean by top brands, included in the November Topbox is: Cake Beauty It's A Slice Velveteen Hand Creme - 100ml - (retail $18) - a wonderful smelling hand cream infused with mango & shea butter.
Deborah Lippman full sized nail polish in Some Enchanted Evening (retail $19.95) - a wonderfully sparkly pink.
Dr. Brandt Time Arrest Eye Serum - 2.5ml sample - to smooth and help prevent lines around the eyes as well as optimize hydration by providing long lasting protection from moisture loss.
Stila Lip Glaze in Raspberry sample - this is the first high end lip gloss I ever bought so it holds a special place in my heart!

Am I impressed? Damn straight I am! I've never tried the Glymm service and I've only received the Luxe Box once but the one time I did it contained a full sized hand cream in a brand I had never heard of which I ended up giving to Christelle because I don't care for cocoa butter, and samples of cleansing cloths in a brand I knew and liked, a lip plumper sample and a fragrance sample that I liked so much that I am using the full size of it now as my fall fragrance. So it wasn't a total loss, I discovered a new fragrance from it but you could probably only say that 1 or 2 of the products from that sample lot would be considered top brands.

I didn't actually receive the October Topbox last month but I understand it contained a full size Lise Watier Eye Shine, Benefit Benetint sample, SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum sample and a Shu Uemura Art of Hair Full Shimmer Shampoo sample - so it sounds to me like so far they are on the right track of delivering on their promise of top brands!

Check it out for yourself and/or sign up for the December box at www.topbox.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Upper Canada Soap now offers you easy shopping right at your computer! Contest!

I'm a long time fan of Upper Canada Soap products and I'll tell you what the worst thing about them is - trying to find them to buy them! They are carried at various department stores in Toronto but it's difficult trying to hunt down a particular product when I want it, the displays always seem to be hard to find or horribly picked over. 

I'm happy to say it's no longer an issue - Canadian and US fans of the line will be happy to know that Upper Canada Soap as well as Danielle Creation products can now be easily purchased at their brand spanking new online store! Check it out at www.uppercanadasoap.com - the site also offers free shipping on orders over $50, a free gift on orders over $75 and free samples!

And what better way is there to celebrate fabulous news than with a fabulous contest - so how would you like to win Upper Canada Soap's top 11 best sellers from both the Upper Canada Soap and Danielle Creation lines?! 

What's in this bag full of wonderfullness? Check it:

1. Naturally Golden Maple Sugar Bubble Bath - $12 - One of their best selling items and Kathie Lee Gifford’s Favourite Upper Canada Soap product (I don't know if that's a plus or what). Relax and immerse yourself in the most deliciously scented bubble bath around! Nourishing extracts and ingredients: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Sugar Maple Extract. The most fun about this product is taunting your husband with it - mine loves maple syrup but I never buy it because it's so expensive - the first time he saw the bubble bath he thought I was being nice and had bought him maple syrup - sucker!

2. Naturally Signature Hand and Body Lotion - $16 - Nourish hands and body with this lightweight lotion formulated with Shea Butter, Ginger and White Tea Extracts containing powerful antioxidants to keep skin soft and healthy.

3. Naturally Lip Balm - $5 - Get addicted to this soft and ultra-moisturizing lip balm that contains rich emollients such as Shea Butter, Beeswax, Cocoa Seed Butter, Vitamin E. Your lips will never stop asking for more!

4. Naturally Honey and Oat Soap Bar - $10 - A triple-milled soap that is specially formulated with tea leaves to gently exfoliate while natural White Tea Extract containing potent antioxidants protects skin from free radicals. The formulation also contains Glycerin to nourish and moisturize skin.

5. Shower Queen Cap - $12 - Upper Canada is adding style to the shower! Featuring trendy, chic, and unique shower caps for fashionistas everywhere. From shiny sequins to colourful patterns, there is a fashion-forward shower cap for everyone. Keep hair dry & fabulous when there is no time to wash your hair!

6. Fruit Frappe Foaming Shower Gel - $12 - Too much fun!  Comes out as gel and transforms into foam in seconds.  Add some water for some super foamy and sudsy action. Enjoy! This is my particular fave product - you know how I love things that are fruity!

7. Fruit Frappe Dry Oil Lotion - $14 - Too beautiful to use … too amazing not to!  This 2-phase dry oil is the perfect super moisturizing nourishment after a hot shower.  Spray all over your body and feel your skin transform into soft silk, as it gets absorbed like a deep moisturizer. With Vitamin E Oil too!

8. Royal Envy Mirror - $10 - This stunning royal inspired compact features 2X magnfication and true image, plus a gorgeous pattern of jewels on the lid. Be the envy of your girlfriends!

9. “My Case” Mobile Phone Case - $12 - This personal mobile phone case can hold your phone, some taxi money and lip gloss, and comes with a touch mirror. The attached wristlet allows you to clip it on and go!

10. Peek-a-Tweeze - $13 - Tweezing emergency? They’ve got you covered! This fabulously discreet & sneaky tweezer set is perfect for on-the-go use. The set includes a precision tip tweezers with LED light and a 3x magnification mirror. Its cute compact case comes on a hook keychain.

11. Mirror Ring - $10 - The ultimate diamond ring … for your purse! Check your make-up wherever you go with 2x magnification and true image. It also stands upright for your convenience!

This contest is open to all our Canadian and US followers and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow (if you aren't a follower you can sign up through Google or Facebook - signups are in the right sidebar)

1 entry for following and answering the question - Which product from the prize are you most excited to get your hands on? Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win!

And for an extra entries:

Visit the Upper Canada Soap Facebook page and "like" them - www.facebook.com/uppercanadasoap
Follow @BeautyCrazedCan on Twitter and tweet the contest.
Follow @UpperCanadaSoap on Twitter and tweet the contest. 
 

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Upper Canada Soap Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave the post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until November 18th to enter. Good Luck!

- Lisamarie -

Penningtons - Styled to Surprise....and win! Contest!

If you were near the Penningtons at the Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga in the past month you might have had a chance to check out the interactive mirror installation that they had going on there - I won't spoil the surprise except to say if you like firemen (and let's face it, who doesn't) than you liked this mirror! If you didn't see it, you can check it out on the Penningtons Facebook page as well as in an upcoming online video and television commercial!

I had a chance to visit the firemen myself and check out what Penningtons has to offer these days and I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised. I have a vague recollection of being in one of their stores a few years back with a friend who was looking for a wedding outfit - we didn't stay long because the clothes all seemed old-ladyish. I can now report from my recent visit that they have upped their game and I saw several pieces that were very fun and on-trend! I was actually quite disappointed that they didn't come in smaller sizes!

Since they didn't, my new friend Franceta was kind enough to model this super cute Quilted Pleather Moto Jacket - $119.99  (and if you're looking for a great style blog you should check her out at www.franticdreams.com)

Of course you shouldn't take my word for it, go check out Penningtons for yourself - better yet, do it with a $150 gift card! Wanna win? Go for it!

This contest is open to all our Canadian followers and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow (if you aren't a follower you can sign up through Google or Facebook - signups are in the right sidebar)

1 entry for following and leaving a comment answering the question - Have you been to a Penningtons store lately - if so, what did you think? Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win!

And for extra entries you can do one or both of the following:

1 entry for following @BeautyCrazedCan on Twitter and tweeting the contest.
1 entry for following @penningtons on Twitter and tweeting the contest.
1 entry for "liking" Penningtons on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/penningtons

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Penningtons Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave the post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until October 14th to enter. Good Luck!

- Lisamarie -

Luxe Box by Loose Button helps you sample your way to beauty!

Is there anything better than getting mail? Why yes indeed, that would be makeup mail! If you sign up for Luxe Box every month an adorable box containing 3-5 deluxe samples will show up at your door! It costs $12 a month or if you sign up for and pay for a year at one time it costs $10 a month!

Now I'm one of those people that won't order from Sephora unless I have a code for a deluxe sample and I have often been envious of the US sample services like Birch Box so it's nice to see a comparable service here - of course the downside to a service like this is that you don't get to pick what you get - so it could be something great or it could be something of no interest to you. As a beauty junkie I love the idea of samples of things that I might not have heard of or wouldn't normally buy so this is great for me, but if you are less adventurous, don't like surprises or are a total control freak, maybe you'll want to avoid.

I'm no longer a Luxe Box virgin - the August box came last week beautifully wrapped which make it feel like a birthday present and contained:

Proclaim Cocoa Butter Hand & Body Lotion - 88ml (received full size) - $8 - for dry irritated skin, it restores lost moisture and soothes dry, tight skin to leave skin feeling smooth and soft without feeling greasy.

Kaia Bamboo Facial Cleansing Cloths - 30 cloths (received sample) - $18 - these are a long time favourite of mine and you can see my past review for them here. Great for lazy people like me who like things that are 100% biodegradable.

City Lips Lip Plumping Treatment - 5ml (received sample) - $35 - increases collagen production in your lips resulting in greater lip volume and a decrease in wrinkles and lines around the lips.

Calvin Klein Forbidden Euphoria Fragrance - 50ml - $78, 100ml - $102 (received roller ball sample) - a younger interpretation of the iconic Euphoria fragrance - modern, fresh sexiness with a mysterious twist.

And a bonus pair of handmade earrings from Sheyna Jewelry - www.sheyna.com - which a very cute!

The hand & body lotion has found a new home with Christelle because I am not a fan of the smell of cocoa butter (she loves it). On the other hand, Forbidden Euphoria is a scent I've never smelled and probably wouldn't have if I hadn't received this sample and I love it so as you can see, some things will work, some won't and you might find something you love that you never would have discovered otherwise.

You can get more info and sign up for your own Luxe Box at - http://loosebutton.com/

 - Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... KlaraCoco Rendez-vous Bath Truffles!

KlaraCoco Rendez-vous Bath Truffles - 170g (10 truffles) - $18.95 - scented with a blend of vanilla and grapefruit essential oils they contain pure Cocoa and Shea butter to soften and moisturize your skin.

Just add one or two to warm bath water and they do a lovely fizzy thing and make the bath smell amazing! Even more fun, they are wrapped up individually like real truffles so if you leave the container on the kitchen counter your husband will probably try to eat one - the face they make after putting one in their mouth - priceless!

Not only are the products lovely but the packaging is really special - from the fancy labels to the wax seals not only are these great to buy for yourself, but also incredibly giftable!

You will also appreciate that the whole line is made with natural preservatives and 100% pure essential oils. They contain no parabens, artificial colourants, synthetic fragrance petroleum-based ingredients, sodium lauryl of sulfates.  Best of all it's a Canadian company!

You can check out the whole line and order from the website at www.klaracoco.com

- Lisamarie -

Happy Canada Day to our favourite Canadian beauty brands! Marcelle, Lise Watier, NeoStrata, Cover FX,Dermaglow, Annabelle and Vasanti Cosmetics!

Canada Day seems like a great day to not only proclaim your love for our country, but also your favourite Canadian cosmetic companies!  Hope everyone is enjoying a great day, so put down your drinks for a minute (or drink while you read) and check out my most beloved product pick (right now) from each great Canadian company!

Marcelle - not only do they have a kick-ass blog but great limited edition collections and skin care products at incredibly reasonable prices! My newest love is the Lux Gloss Creme - it's shiny like a gloss but with more pigmentation like a lipstick! Check out the whole Marcelle line at: www.marcelle.com

Lise Watier - make my heart sing every time a seasonal collection comes out - they are so clever and innovative and of course pretty! I am absolutely obsessed with the fragrance from the summer collection - Bora Bora - it smells sweet and delicious, just like summer! To make it even easier to get your Lise Watier fix, you can now order online - www.lisewatier.com

NeoStrata - comes out with the most innovative skin care products - just about any skin care concern or issue you might have, they have a product to fix it. My true exfoliating love is still their Skin Resurfacing Duo - the two step process gives you smooth skin worthy of a baby's butt! Find out more at www.neostrata.ca

Cover FX - really understands that there are more skin tones out there then most companies care to admit to and offer a really great range of options! I am in love with Natural FX Water Based Foundation these days, it is the perfect texture for hot, sticky summer days! Find all the info at www.coverfx.com

Dermaglow - has a fresh new look for their product line and I have been happily discovering their cleanser line!  I'll have a post on all of them soon but here is my fave cleanser right now the Exfoliating Cleanser, a gel cleanser which has been helping me deal with the summer oilies without drying out my skin! You can check out their website at www.dermaglow.ca

Annabelle - if you are looking for on-trend, colour cosmetics at a totally reasonable price point this is the place to go.  As a pale person I've tried a lot of really unsuitable bronzers and I always end up coming back to my Zebra Bronzer! Check out all their pretties at www.annabellecosmetics.com

Vasanti Cosmetics - not just a Canadian company but the products are even made here - you don't see that very often any more so I was happy to discover they aren't just Canadian products but GREAT Canadian products including this perfect shade of coral - Rockies Micronized Silky Blush!  Check out the whole Vasanti line at: http://vasanticosmetics.com/ca/

Is there anything more patriotic than makeup? I think not! What are you up to for Canada Day?

- Lisamarie -