My Skincare Routine
As a makeup artist, I know the importance of taking care of my skin. I can never stress enough how important it is to have a clean and smooth canvas to work with; and I’m always sure to inform my clients of this as it directly reflects how their wedding photos will turn out. I learned the hard way on one of my first ever photo shoots that the camera picks up everything!
For the most part I like to keep my skincare routine fairly simple; I have a 9 month old so it needs to be through, gentle and fast. In the morning I use the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. I love this product so much as it gently exfoliates my skin without being harsh or overly abrasive. I tone (not pictured) with some steeped Japanese Green Tea that I got from a sushi stand at Yordale Mall. Green Tea has antioxidants in it that help the skin. Next, I apply my Pure + Simple Algae serum and then my sunblock; I use the Life Brand SPF 50. I think this is meant for the body but I use it on my face and haven’t had any issues. If I need to, I’ll use a light hydrating moisturizer from Simple Skincare.
In the evening, depending on how much makeup I’ve been wearing, I like to use the cleansing oil from Origins. If I’m wearing little to no makeup, I like to just use my Pure + Simple Sensitive Cleansing Milk, followed my my green tea toner, algae serum and overnight repair serum (this is an oil). If I need it, I use the Simple Skincare night cream. For spot treatment, I reach for the Origins Spot Remover.
The combination of these products leave my skin feeling healthy and soft. It takes me about 5 minutes to complete everything from start to finish, which is perfect when you’re short on time.
What products are part of your skincare routine?
My Pure + Simple Facial Experience
Over the years, I have heard really good things about Pure + Simple Spa. I was intrigued but never booked myself an appointment to see what everyone was talking about. About a week ago or so on the Pure + Simple Facebook page, they mentioned that they had two new estheticians at the Yorkville location and that for Mondays only in July they were offering 20% off facial services with the new estheticians there. So, this past Monday, I went for my first facial at Pure + Simple in Yorkville.
Keepin’ it Simple with Simple Skincare
For the last few weeks or so I have been testing out a few products from the Simple Skincare range that just landed here from across the pond. Touted as the UK’s #1 skincare range I was immediately intrigued as to why these products are so loved.
About the brand (taken from the website): What makes Simple® experts in sensitive skin? The Simple® brand was born in the UK in 1960 and was the first to create a cleansing product with no perfume and no colour. This unique positioning was designed to care for even the most sensitive skin, as these ingredients are common causes of skin irritation.
Today, the Simple® brand is the UK’s #1 facial skincare range*. Simple® has no dyes, artificial perfumes or harsh irritants that can upset your skin. Instead, just our purest possible skin loving ingredients with added vitamins, for natural healthy-looking skin. Offering a skincare range suitable for all skin types – especially sensitive skin – Simple® has helped generations of women look and feel beautiful.
* SymphonyIRI non medicated facial skincare (units) 52 w/e 3rd Dec, 2011
My Dermalogia Facial Experience
I’m so sorry for the lack of posting that I’ve been doing on this blog. I had a baby back in October and well let’s just say that I’ve spent the last 7 months adjusting to my new way of life.
Since giving birth to my daughter, my skin has gone through some dramatic changes; mostly in that it has become super dehydrated, tight and a tad flaky at times. I’ve also seen a change in the oil that my skin produces on a day to day basis.
A while back, I was sent a lovely note in the mail from Patricia at FaulhaberPR inviting me to experience a Dermalogica facial at Toronto’s Dermal Institute. Seeing that it has been well over a year since my last facial, I wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity; especially seeing that I really enjoy using Dermalogica’s products. So today, I got to experience a Dermalogica facial courtesy of FaulhaberPR.
Now, I should mention that this is not my first Dermalogica facial but the one that I had today blew. my. mind. Amanda was my skincare specialist and I have to say that she really knows her stuff. The best part though was that she actually listened to my concerns about my skin and made some product recommendations based on my concerns.
What makes Dermalogica facials so amazing is that they do a skin map of the 14 zones on your face,every time that you go in for a facial to better assess your skin and what it needs at that particular moment in time. It’s pure genius. I’ve never bought into the one-size-fits-all type of skincare and I love that Dermalogica has a vast array of products to help you get your skin feeling healthy again. They also give you a copy of the face map along with product recommendations based on your treatment.
I had my skin exfoliated, steamed and purged of impurities that have been building up on and under my skin and I must say that I feel like a new woman. I also came home a few samples and some full-size products that were used on me during my facial. I’m looking forward to adding these products to my skincare regime as I know that Dermalogica’s products get results.
Thanks again to FaulhaberPR for allowing me to experience this wonderful facial!
Review: Bioderma Sebium H2O Micelle Solution
I’m not a fan of “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to cleansing and taking care of your skin so I was so happy to see that Bioderma made a cleansing water aka micelle solution for combination/oily skin. This solution comes in a few sizes but the one pictured above is from a starter set that includes an exfoliant and a moisturizer.
So what is a micelle solution? It’s a liquid cleanser that you don’t wash off. It can be used as a toner (depending on the brand) and it helps to cleanse the skin of dirt, sebum and makeup.
About this product (taken from the website) : Bioderm innovation, Sébium H2O gently cleanses the skin without drying it, through the micro-emulsion of impurities and excess sebum. Enriched with purifying active ingredients, Sébium H2O cleanses the epidermis in depth and regulates secretion of sebum. The patented sebo-correcting complex, Fluidactiv®, normalizes sebum quality.
How to use: Soak a cotton pad and cleanse your face. Repeat until the cotton pad is clean. It can be used morning and evening.
Overall: I really like the way that this micelle solution feels on my skin; it feels cool but not in a irritated kind of way. I also like that it doesn’t leave a residue on the skin and that I can go ahead and apply my serum and moisturizer on top. I’ve used it to remove my makeup and it removed it pretty well; I would still use an eye makeup remover though as I don’t know that this product is safe to use around the eyes. Although it removed my makeup pretty well, I prefer to use it on bare skin prior to a makeup application; which would make the perfect addition to the skin prep items that I carry in my professional kit.
Review: Consonant Body
I was first introduced to Consonant Body’s product, in particular their face wash, when I visited the fresh.beautiful skin studio a month or so ago. I liked the way that the cleanser felt that I went out and purchased the Jet Set kit. This kit contains travel sizes of the unscented body lotion, face wash, face cream and body wash. When I opened the face cream to use it, I noticed that that the cream was hard and slightly discolored so I contacted the company to find out if this was normal. They responded right away to my concern and sent me a new Jet Set along with a full-size spearmint and sage body lotion and a sample size Firming Eye Cream.
Right off the bat, I was blown away but their AMAZING customer service. I was really hoping that I would be just as blown away by their products and I have to say that they didn’t disappoint. Of the items that I tried out, by far my favourites would have to be the face wash, face cream and firming eye cream.
I would like to preface my overall thoughts on natural/organic skincare by saying that of the previous brands that I have tried, I found the results to leave something to be desired. While they did smell good, they didn’t really clean my skin; they just pushed the dirt and makeup around and left a bit of a film on my skin.
The Consonant Organic Face Wash is truly an amazing product for me. It has a nice earthy smell and doesn’t dry out my skin. I use it with a baby wash cloth to help remove my makeup (foundation,powder,blush) from my face first and then I followup with another cleanse using my clean fingers to gently massage my face.
I follow the cleanser immediately with the Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream. It has a nice soft texture and I find that it easily absorbs into the skin. At first I thought that it would be more of a night creme for me but I soon found out that it works beautifully under makeup. My skin tends to be a bit dehydrated and normally I would have to use a serum but this cream does it all for me. My face feels soft and hydrated without feeling overly greasy.
The Firming Eye Cream was another one of my favourites which I find surprising since I hardly ever remember to use an eye cream. I love that I can feel it firm up around my eye area as soon as I’ve finished tapping it in.
I should mention that although I do really like the body lotion, it doesn’t provide me with as much moisture as I like; my body tends to be super dry and flaky during the cooler months. I think that I would definitely enjoy it more during the summer.
Overall, I was really impressed by the Consonant Body products that I tried and can see myself repurchasing the face wash, face cream and eye cream in the future. The only thing that I feel is missing would be some kind of an exfoliant but because I use the baby wash cloth to remove my makeup, I do get a light exfoliation from that. If you get a chance or have had a chance to try out their products, I’d love to hear your thoughts on them.
*pictures courtesy of ConsonantBody.com*
A Great Cleanser for Combination/Oily skin
I really love this cleanser and I’m glad that I rediscovered it on a recent trip to Kiehl’s at Yorkdale Mall. The Foaming Non Detergent Washable Cleanser lathers enough to cleanse the skin but not enough to strip it and cause it to feel dry or tight; which is perfect for my combo/oily dehydrated skin. I like to use this cleanser after I have removed my makeup with a cleansing oil such as MAC’s Cleanse Off Oil or Dermalogica’s Pre Cleanse.
Spring Skin Shape-Up
When the sun finally begins to warm our faces again, and the world slowly looks a little greener, we always feel the need to freshen up our looks a bit. In an enthusiastic hurry to apply this season’s bright makeup colors, we may forget to stop and realize that the most important step is good skincare for a clean, smooth base. After the cold wind, dry heating systems, and dark days are done with our faces, most of us go into springtime looking a little dull.
To bring your face back to life, there are some basics that always help whether you’re at a spa or your bathroom sink. Firstly, be sure to exfoliate: it can be as simple as adding salt (for oily skin)or sugar (for dry skin) to your face wash or buying one with exfoliating beads in it. It always helps to add a product with something like fruit enzymes or hydroxy acids into your regimen for added results. Going to get microdermabrasion at a local spa is a great choice for deep exfoliation that will be noticed right away. Any of these options will reveal fresh skin that is glowing and smooth.
photo courtesy or internationalorange.com
Second, you need to moisturize (regardless of your skin type) and you’ll want to be sure you’re using a formula appropriate for your skin type, like a gel for oily skin, a richer cream for dry skin, or something in between if you have combination skin. Booster products like serums are a great way to re-hydrate your skin at a deeper level and can be layered on top of other serums, worn underneath or mixed into your regular moisturizer. Some of the face lotions with radiance/skin brightening ingredients are perfect for dewy spring skin, and are a nice boost for any look.
If we just take a little extra care in reviving skin at this time of year, the reward will be a complexion that’s more awake and well-textured. Your face will look flawless all season long!
Content provided by Sarah Logan on behalf of Aesthetic Science Institute (ASI). ASI is a beauty school for new students interested in a career in aesthetics and licensed aestheticians interested in advanced aesthetics training and certification.
Caudalie Cleansing Water
I’ve picked up a sample-size bottle on the Caudalie Cleansing Water a while back while shopping at Sephora. This stuff is amazing. I love products that multitask. I wouldn’t recommend it if you wear heavy makeup but it’s perfect for those that wear little to no makeup. Also, you can use it as a toner; which is the way that I’ve been using it. It has a light fresh scent and doesn’t irritate the skin.
Have you tried any cleansing waters? I’d love to know what you thought of them.
Bioderma Antoderm Ultra-Rich Foaming Gel
As a beauty blogger, makeup junkie and mua, I’m always trying out new products. Last week I was trying out the Dr. Wexler skincare range that I picked up a while ago and one of the products that I was testing out irritated my skin so badly that it was red, hot and burning. Once the burning and the redness subsided, I noticed that my face was covered it what can only be described as a mild diaper rash.
I immediately stopped using the skincare that I was testing out and went back to my Dermalogica products but my skin was still irritated from the products that my special cleansing gel was further irritating my skin. On a whim, I ran to the SDM near me and asked the cosmetician what I could use to wash my face that wouldn’t burn, or further irritate and strip my skin; she recommended the Bioderma Antoderm Ultra-Rich Foaming Gel and advised me that I could use it on my body as well. Fast forward a few days later and the “rash” that was on my face has just about cleared and the burning sensation has dissipated. This cleanser has helped me immensely and now I don’t think that I could be without it.
Has something like this happened to you? What were the products that you reached for to help you get your skin back on track?