Enjoy the comfort of oils with A-Derma, Fresh, Kibio, Dove and Yves Rocher!

Looking for a gentle yet super moisturizing cleanser for your winter ravaged skin?

A-Derma Exomega Cleansing Oil for Face and Body - 200ml - $18.50 - offers soap-free cleansing with the utmost gentleness specifically designed for atopic and very dry skin, from babies to adults. it reduces dryness and moisturizes the skin with Filaxerine and soothes thanks to the Rhealba Oat Plantlets extract, which regulates skin irritation.


Available at drugstores across Canada.

Looking for total luxury? And you just can't beat that it's made by monks!

Fresh Elixir Ancien Face Treatment Oil - 30ml - $300 - an ultra-nourishing face treatment with the most precious blend of pure oils and restorative age delay extracts hand blended in a monastery.

Includes Sea Buckthorn Oil, Meadowfoam, Black Currant, Jojoba, and Wheat Germ Blend - to provide ultimate moisture-enriching essential nutrients and protective antioxidants; Skin Firming Amino Acids, derived from Palm Trees and Biotechnology - to lift, tone, and firm the skin. Their triple skin-firming action protects the integrity of collagen fibers, elastin, and fibroblasts, virtually resculpting the complexion, helping to correct skin imperfections and delay the appearance of wrinkles; and Commiphora Extract - a powerful resin with age-reversing properties. It penetrates the skin and creates a plumping effect, visibly reducing fine lines.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

Thirsty body?

Kibio Velvet Skin Nourishing Body Oil - 100ml - $38 - this 100% natural and 71% organic beauty oil absorbs immediately and nourishes the skin, leaving it feeling super-soft, silky and firming the skin in the process.

Contains organic sunflower and jojoba oils - rich in essential fatty acids to nourish the skin deep down and help revitalize tissues; organic avocado and coconut oils - help restore the skin's lipid-based barrier; organic sweet almond oil - soothes, softens and is especially great for dry, delicate skin; organic muscat rose oil - helps with skin's firmness; and unsaponifiables of cocoa - helps fight skin slackening and improve overall skin firmness.

Available at selected Shoppers Drug Mart stores and Murale.

You're hair wants some oil-love too!

Dove Nourishing Oil Care Anti-Frizz Serum - 40ml - $8.99 - instantly smoothes and boosts shine without weighing hair down. Best used as a pre blow-dry primer or after styling to tame frizz and fly-aways, with a lightweight formula containing a unique blend of argan and almond oils, it absorbs instantly to deeply nourish and help manage even the most unruly hair.

Want oil with an amazing scent?

Monoï de Tahiti Traditional Gardenia Oil - 100ml - $18 - composed of 50% genuine Monoï of Tahiti which is created by steeping crushed gardenia blossoms in coconut oil and renowned for its nourishing and softening properties. Can be used in a multitude of ways: to protect skin from dehydration, restore shine to hair, as a massage oil, hair conditioner, added to your bath or to add radiance to tanned skin.

The best thing about it though is the scent, it smells just like being on a tropical vacation!

Available in store and online at www.yvesrocher.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Body moisturizers from Kibio, Arbonne, Philosophy, Fresh and La Mer!

Kibio Velvet Skin Moisturizing Body Milk - 200ml - $36 - with katafray, olive and green banana, it hydrates and firms the skin in one step with a rich, non-oily texture that assures immediate and long-lasting hydration.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart and Murale.

Arbonne SeaSource Detox Renewing Body Gelee - 354ml - $56 - contains powerful sea and botanical extracts: sea kelp, algae, shea butter; botanical extract of butcher’s broom, ivy leaf, green tea as well as Vitamin E, to help restore optimum moisture and to lock in skin renewing benefits. A refreshing gel that smells amazingly fresh that cools as it nourishes, hydrates and moisturizes for skin that is soft and smooth and is excellent for use after sports, sun exposure and as a restorative at the end of the day to help comfort body, mind and spirit.

Available from your Arbonne rep - locate a consultant or shop online at www.arbonne.ca

Philosophy Hope In A Jar Advanced Skin Smoothing Body Lotion - 240ml - $33 - a lightweight, fast absorbing lotion for total body hydration that helps maintain skin's natural moisture barrier, while the ester of lactic acid provides a gentle exfoliation to help promote smooth, healthy-looking skin, as well, the formula is antioxidant enriched to help protect skin against environmental attack - look forward to skin that feels noticeably softer and more supple.

Available exclusively at Sephora and sephora.com

Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream - 240ml - $32.50 - with an ultra-nourishing formula and creamy rich texture that moisturizes and soothes dry, itchy skin with  a high concentration of seaberry oil (also know as seabuckthorn), a super restorative oil packed with powerful antioxidants rich in omegas 3, 6, 7 & 9, extracted from the berries of a plant native to Russia that contain "survival proteins" - nutrients that help them withstand 100-dgree temperature changes. As well the cream contains: cranberry seed oil; sea lavender, sal seed butter, apricot kernel seed oil and jojoba seed oil.

The cream feels great but it's the smell I especially like - it's hard to describe - a little bit fruity and little tart - it's very unusual!

Available at Sephora and sephora.com

La Mer The Reparative Body Lotion - 200ml - $165 - delivers the anti-aging power of a serum to the body, renewing and smoothing on contact. Contains the signature La Mer nutrient-rich Miracle Broth along with The Reparative Ferment - a careful bio-fermentation of clarifying algae, marine peptides and rock samphire to accelerate skin's natural renewal while helping erase the signs of damage and age; and a unique Marine Ferment - a deeply nourishing lipid-rich supplement derived from marine microorganisms that helps prevent dehydration and strengthen the skin's moisture barrier - to help visibly firm and revitalize skin. Skin is instantly hydrated and luminous as dryness is healed, visible damage is repaired and irritation smoother. Over time, age spots are brightened, texture is smoothed and lines and wrinkles appear diminished - skin looks firmer and more radiant for a more youthful appearance.

Available at Holt Renfrew and www.lamer.com

- Lisamarie -

Let the sun shine! - Green Beaver, Biotherm, Avon Anew and Kibio

Finally a sunny day!  Which gets me thinking about going outside, which then gets me thinking about sunscreen.  A perusal of last year's crop of lotions informs me that everything I had has expired (very important to check after a nasty sun stroke incident a couple years back from using sunscreen that was dead) - so what better excuse is there for a post about old favourites and new loves!


Green Beaver Certified Organic SPF 30 Sunscreen - 90ml - $19.99 - a certified organic, 100% natural sunscreen that uses mineral zinc oxide - which sits on top of the skin creating a natural physical barrier blocking both UVA and UVB rays for broad spectrum protection, instead of chemicals. It's also free of petrolatum, synthetic fragrances, dyes, phtalates or any other chemical ingredients.
 
If you like organic, you can't beat Green Beaver!  But what I really find astounding about this sunscreen is that it really has almost no smell at all - those sensitive to scents will want to jump on this one! It absorbs easily, feels comfortable and I'm going to say it again, smells like nothing!

Also available: Certified Organic Kids SPF 30 Sunscreen - 90ml - $19.99 and Certified Organic SPF 15 Lip Balm - $6.99

Check out www.greenbeaver.com for more info about the line and for retail locations.

Biotherm Sun Ultra-Fluid Body Milk Sun Protection SPF 30 - 200ml - $35 - offers optimum sun protection thanks to an "intelligent sunscreen system combined with Pure Thermal Plankton.  For all skin types, it offers anti-dryness protection with a formula that contains hydrating agents that work for 8 full hours. The sensorial, moisturizing texture is easy to apply and the delicate fragrance combines the scent of fresh, cool water with light citrus notes. Non-sticky and non-greasy, it melts softly onto the skin.

This is a long time favourite of mine. It smells amazing, absorbs so easily and never feels dry!

Also available: Eye Contour Multi-Protection Sun Care SPF 30 - 15ml - $30, Ultra-Fluid Body Milk Sun Protection SPF 15 - 200ml - $35, Anti-Wrinkles Sun Cream Multi-Protection SPF 15 or 30 - $35

Avon Anew Sun Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30 - 150g - $39 - broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Lightweight, quick-absorbing and water-resistant it helps skin to look and feel dramatically tighter and toned and help reduce visible signs of aging on the body.

Body lotion and sunscreen is a brilliant idea and I can see this being a weekend staple! The only thing I'm not crazy about is the smell, I like my body lotions to be a little bit more fragrant and I'm not sure if I add some essential oils if that will somehow screw up the sun protection ingredients.  It's not a bad smell so I can deal with it for the convenience factor!

Also available: Anew Sun Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 45 - 75g - $39

Available from your Avon sales rep 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca

Kibio Medium Protection Body Lotion SPF 20 - 100ml - $28 - water resistant, allergy-tested formulas with mineral sunscreens that are non-oily with a delicate island fragrance. Contains: Tamanu Oil which protects cellular DNA when exposed to UVB rays and free radicals as well as helps prevent premature signs of aging, wrinkles and brown spots; Coconut Oil to soothe dry and irritated skin; and Vanilla Essential Oil to stimulate and lightly perfume the skin.

I really like the Kibio line, so I hope they come out with a higher SPF - I passed on buying it because I'm too fair to wear less than a 30 SPF, but I love the way it smells and feels so if you don't require as much protection, check this one out!

Also available: High Protection Face Lotion SPF 30 - 40ml - $16 and Medium Protection Face Lotion SPF 20 -  40ml - $16

Available at selected Shoppers Drug Mart locations.

- Lisamarie -

New and Notable at Shoppers Drug Mart in Body Care - Etival, Kibio and Nuxe!

Etival Body - a range of luxurious products formulated to nourish, revitalize and help maintain skin's moisture balance with a wide blend of naturally-derived oils and butters while a blend of vitamins A, D, E, K, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Coenzyme Q10 work together to provide strong antioxidant protection, nourishing skin and protecting against drying effects of environmental stressors.  The line includes:
Etival Body Wash - $18, Etival Soothing Body Lotion - $25, Etival Rich Body Cream - $30 Etival Hand Repair Cream - $20, Etival Advanced Slimming Concentrate - $35

Kibio Fit by Nature Lifting Cream Gel - 150ml - $35 - a fresh and delicately naturally perfumed non-sticky gel that shapes the body and helps reduce the appearance of cellulite with an invisible veil.  With a new exclusive body contouring complex Helioslim, based on natural caffeine combines with other ingredients of natural origin including Sunflower phospholipids to enhance the absorption and action of caffeine and Extract of coffee, rich in phenolic acids which help boost the action of caffeine.  Even better, it's 99.4% natural and 84.5% organic.

Nuxe Body by NUXE - body care range with the soothing and softening benefits of Almond and Orange Blossom Petals. And the smell is amazing with notes of Coconut Sorbet, Orange Blossom and Wild Vanilla.The line includes:
Fondant Shower Gel - 200ml - $15, Fondant Body Scrub - 200ml - $26, 24 HR Moisturizing Body Lotion - 200ml - $25, Fondant Firming Cream - 400ml - $49, Body-Contouring Serum Stubborn Cellulite - 150ml - $39, Body-Contouring Oil Infiltrated Cellulite - 100ml. - $38

- Lisamarie -

New and Notable at Shoppers Drug Mart - L'Oréal, Olay, Kibio, göt2b and Rhianna!

L'Oréal Infallible Le Rouge Lipcolour - $12.99 - luxurious, comfortable and long-wearing that stays fresh and vibrant looking for up to 10 hours without feeling sticky, tacky or dry.  Enriched with Vitamin E for moisture and Ceramide 5 for conditioning it applies evenly on lips and feels completely natural without flaking or fading out.

 

In lots of pretty colours (30 to be exact) in shades of red, pink, nude and brown to make it easy to find your perfect colour: Unending Kiss, Perennial Pink, Beyond Blushing, Enduring Pink, Forever Fuchsia, Satin Rose, Eternal Rosé, Intensely Mauve, Tender Berry, Charming Lilac, Charismatic Coral, Perpetual Peach, Always Apricot, Ravishing Red, Refined Ruby, Everlasting Plum, Blazing Sangria, Mesmerizing Merlot, Persistent Plum, Bold Bordeaux, Opulent Organza, Forever Frappe, Lingering Mocha, Rich Topaz, Infinite Spice, Resilient Raisin, Unending Amber, Brazen Bronze, Molten Caramel, Java Jolt - stay tuned for swatches!

Olay Total Effects Line & Dark Circle Minimizing Brush - $29.99 - features a smooth brush applicator that instantly provides tinted coverage and continues working to help fight seven signs of aging for younger, brighter-looking eyes: immediately reduces the appearance of dark circles; reduces the look of wrinkles; combined with massage, instantly reduces the look of puffiness; hydrates for firmer skin appearance; visibly renews skin texture; helps even skin tone; and provides nourishing moisture - this is freaking brilliant, I don't know why someone didn't think about doing this sooner! The brush is a great applicator, but I also found that I had to rub it in with my finger, to distribute it evenly - I normally use an undereye illuminator to hide darkness but I like it so much better with a little moisturizer thrown in!

 

Kibio Gentle Creamy Cleanser - 125ml - $18 - 99.8% natural and 66.8% organic - suitable for all skin types, it hydrates, nourishes, refreshes and soothes the skin - contains: cotton extract - which are rich in protein content and offer skin-smoothing and soothing properties; organic orange flower floral water - for it's calming, soothing and fragrant properties; jojoba oil - hydrates, nourishes and helps preserve soft skin and is also rich in vitamin E known for its anti-aging properties; and organic sweet orange essential oil - for radiance.

göt2b Powder'ful - $7.99 - styling powder that gives you volume in just 10 seconds.  Part the hair to expose the root, sprinkle the product, massage to the root and start on the next section of hair.  Perfect for amplifying fullness after blow-drying or building body in next-day hair. As a fine haired girl, I can't tell you how hard it is to find a volumizing product that doesn't weigh your hair down and a powder is perfection!  If you've been eying volumizing powders but haven't leaped because of the salon prices, this is your lucky day!

Rihanna Reb'l Fleur - 50ml - $59 - The fragrance is a fruity chypre, composed of sophisticated floral notes: tuberose, violet and hibiscus, with a splash of coconut water, over the light and smooth base, the combination of the final notes evokes the impression of warm skin. It took me a minute to realize that the bottle is designed to look like the heel part of a high heel shoe - there was no tester so I couldn't smell it, so you tell me if it's good!

- Lisamarie -

Scrubs to lub - or love but that doesn't rhyme - from Kibio, Lise Watier, Olay and Biotherm!

Kibio Soft Scrubbing Cream - 50ml - $22 - a creamy foam with a sweet almond fragrance that gently scrubs and refines the skin's texture.  Contains apricot kernel powder to gently refine the skin's surface, verbena floral water to soften and soothe and bitter almond essential oil for fragrance.  It's 98.7% natural and 89.2% organic and what makes it really environmentally friendly is the jar it comes in which is made from 100% recycled glass.

I wasn't sure that I was going to like it as I'm used to using gels but it's such a  light cream and feels so soft that I couldn't help but love it - the smell is really nice - fresh and sweet - too!

Available at selected Shoppers Drug Mart stores.

Lise Watier Skin Radiance Smoothing Exfoliating Gel - 75ml - $27 - for normal/combo skin - with grapefruit and jojoba, it smells good and feels great! It's scruby without being harsh and rinses off really easily.  If you have dry skin and prefer a cream exfoliant - they have one of those too!

Olay Total Effects 7-in1 Anti-Aging Cleanser Refreshing Citrus Scrub - 192ml - $14.99 -more than just a scrub it also: thoroughly cleanses, minimizes the appearance of pores, brightens skin's appearance, gently exfoliates, smooths skin's texture and minimizes the appearance of lines.  The scrub itself is super mild so if you like to scrub every day, this would be a great choice - what I love most about it... the smell!  It's super citrusy!

Biotherm Biosource Clarifying Exfoliating Gel - 75ml - $30 - for normal/combo skin - enriched with mineral salts and essential trace elements, it provides two-way exfoliation in order to cleanse the face deep down for a more radiant complexion - it has a nice clean scent, a light texture and just the right amount of scrub to it.  There's a cream version as well for dry skin.

With all the scrubbing I do it's a wonder that there's any skin left on my face!  Have a favourite scrub that I need to try - do tell!

- Lisamarie -