Beauty | Style Blog

Shopping: Philips Satinelle Soft Epilator

Since the age of 16 or so, I’ve always used epilators to remove my leg hair. Once you get used to a little bit of pain, the pros definitely outweight the cons. And though, I’ve stuck to the Braun brand in the past, when offered an opportunity to try Philips Satinelle Soft ($69.99), I decided to give it a go. And after using it for almost a month, I can honestly say that I’m a Satinelle convert!

What I really liked about Philips Satinelle Soft is the speed and efficiency of hair removal. While usually, I spend around 30 minutes on my legs, with Satinelle Soft, all I need is 15 minutes! It definitely has a lot to do with the hypo-allergenic discs for sensitive skin, which remove hair as short as 0.5 mm. But that’s not all.

If you’ve never used an epilator before, there are a few things you should know:

- Yes, it hurts a bit, but only if it’s your first time, or you haven’t used it in a while. Once you get used to it, it’s really not that bad. If you’re still not convinced, the Satinelle Soft Hair Lift & Massage attachment lifts even the short hairs for extra close epilation, while it relaxes your skin for gentler hair removal at the same time.

- Yes, it does take a bit longer to epilate your legs, as opposed to a quick shave, BUT…your legs will stay silky smooth for around 3 weeks, before you’ll have to pull out your epilator again. Also, your leg hair will become much softer and not as coarse with regular use. Think long vacations without worrying about stubble.

- If you worry about ingrown hairs, make sure to exfoliate your legs (exfoliation glove included).

- Another cool thing about Philips Satinelle Soft epilator is the Shaving Head attachment with the bikini trim option, which follows contours of your bikini line or underarms for a close and smooth shave. Comes with additional comb to cut longer hairs before epilation or to trim your bikini area.

After using epilators for over a decade, I cannot imagine shaving my legs ever again. If you hate stubble, razor burn, razor cuts, and shaving every day, I promise that you’ll love using Philips Satinelle Soft.

Photo Credits: Philips

Lise Watier Bora Bora Collection

Last month, the gorgeous ladies of Lise Watier showcased their summer collection, named Bora Bora, inspired by the gorgeous tropical paradise. We got to play with some beautiful colors for eyes and lips, and some yummy-smelling perfume to boot. And though there were so many amazing goodies to play with, here are a few of my personal favorites:

Bora Bora Eyeshadow Palette ($38): I absolutely loved this palette in exotic hues of pearly shell white, mouth-watering papaya, jungle green, golden sand and passionate purple. This eyeshadow’s creamy texture allows it to go on smoothly, without caking up your eyelids. I also loved how intense the color got after a few swipes.

Duo Shadow & Glitter ($25): Perfect for a steamy night out on the town in colors like Golden Wasabi and Blue Ray, this is not your high-school glitter. Shimmery and sophisticated, I’ll be rocking it all summer long!

Lip Kiss Crayon Gloss ($18): My absolute favorite of the entire collection was the Mango Punch lip crayon. Lightweight, high-shine, high-moisture, and super easy to apply! I’ll definitely be stocking up in case this shade is truly seasonal.

Bora Bora Eau de Toilette Spray ($50): A lovely, tropical scent, reminiscent of island vacays, sandy beaches, and fruity cocktails - it’s a perfectly light summer fragrance. “Blending the sensual, feminine notes of passion flower, jasmine and rose with the warmth of an exotic fruit cocktail and the sweet, hot traces of amber, vanilla and wood-scented musk, Bora Bora Eau de Toilette is your passport to the exotic.”

Have you tried Lise Watier’s Bora Bora collection yet? If so, what are your faves? Share in the comments.

Photo Credits: Lise Watier

Beauty: Noir Nail Bar

Noir Nail Bar

171 E Liberty St
Unit 149
Toronto, ON M6K 3P6
(647) 352-6647

Last weekend, my mom and I celebrated Mother’s Day with some brunch at yummy, yummy SCHOOL, and some pampering. After hearing many wonderful things about the newish Noir Nail Bar in Liberty Village, we decided to give it a try. And I am really glad we did!

The salon’s ambiance has a very modern feel to it, with a long nail bar, black leather chairs, and chrome finishings – very clean, and fresh – no tacky palm tree decals or dodgy jars in sight. Service was excellent at Noir, as their aestheticians were very friendly (without verging on overbearing), yet professional (make sure to tell them if anything isn’t to your liking, and they’ll make sure that you’re accommodated). The hand and foot scrubs that accompanied my mani/pedi were quite nice and relaxing, and both my manicure and pedicure are still un-chipped and going strong over a week later!

Small touches like a selection of beverages, and sweets, made our visit even more special. Which just goes to show, that if you feed me chocolates, there’s a good chance I’ll be using your services again. And I will definitely be coming back to Noir Nail Bar for my next pampering session!

Beauty: Beautyphica Online Boutique

In a world where vacuous starlets and reality TV idiots are widely celebrated, meeting someone as accomplished and as inspiring as Solange Strom is incredibly refreshing.

Solange Strom is a woman with a can-do attitude and a youthful, enterpreneureal spirit. A few years ago, a mom to two kids under the age of 4, Strom decided that she craved something more out of life. As a result of this craving, a company was born. L’Occitane - you might’ve heard of it? After turning the brand into one of the most well-known skincare lines in the world, Solange sold the company, and thankfully, got restless again.

Her new venture is called Beautyphica. Not a fan of cosmetic surgery, Solange firmly believes in using the right products for your skin, and before offering said products to her customers, she first has to be a fan herself. Beautyphica, though a Canadian company, has a very French approach to beauty – focus on skincare first, makeup second. Solange shared that she wants to make her customers feel beautiful on the inside, as well as out.

With a strong focus on exceptional skincare lines, Beautyphica finally offers Canadian (and US) shoppers, what for the longest time was nearly impossible to purchase in North America – über-exclusive International skincare brands (think Katima’A, Apot.Care, Lostmarc’h, Nuxe), well-known for their quality, “miraculous” results, and cult-like following, just a click or a phone call away.

Since customer service is one of the top priorities for the company, Beautyphica will offer free consultations, and with every purchase, consumers will be able to select 3 products through an exclusive trial program! Couple that with fast (and oftentimes free) shipping, and it’s easy to see why Beautyphica is already causing a stir among! With so much to offer, I hope that Beautyphica will soon become a premier shopping destination for North American beauty junkies. And with someone like Solange Strom at the helm, I am expecting nothing less.

Wishilist: Banana-nails

My morning today was the opposite of good. Had to drag my butt out of bed extra early, so that I could stand in line for over an hour at some Civic Court, in order to set a trial date for my traffic infraction. Buckets of fun, right? Not!

Well, at least something made me smile this morning – these Prada Spring 2011-inspired nail designs by WAH Nails. What at first seemed like a pretty complex thing to do, turns out is super easy to recreate! All you need is: yellow nail polish, nail art pens in black and white, and a shiny top coat – c’est tout. If only getting Gwen Stefani’s “B-A-N-A-N-A-S” song out of my head was this easy.

Photo Credits: Prada, WAH Nails

ck one Reinvented

You might already know that ck one has been around for YEARS now, but…this year, the company’s best-seller is evolving. ck one is now ONE brand for a few different products – fragrance, underwear, and clothing. Talk about multitasking! And to drive the point home, they’ve launched a brand new ad campaign, featuring many of the world’s top models, and shot by Steven Meisel (the original ck one photographer). In addition, the ck one website features interactive model confessions (answering questions like “What’s the best way to get over a broken heart?), and if you’re brave enough you can even upload your own!

If you haven’t tried ck one for yourself, there’s a great promo at The Bay right now – if you sign up for their Beauty Newsletter, you get a sample of ck one free! Easy as that. I, myself, haven’t really tried ck one in the past, mainly because I’ve always thought of it as a men’s fragrance…and boy, was I surprised when I actually got a chance to try it! I’m so obsessed with it, that parting with my bag of samples proved to be an exercise in self-control.

ck one is a perfect unisex daytime fragrance – it’s fresh, not at all overpowering, with subtle citrusy notes. Go ahead and give it a try, it might just be THE ONE fragrance for you.

Photo Credits: Calvin Klein

Lise Watier Duo Glam Spring 2011 Launch

I don’t know about you, but I am not someone you’d call a makeup junkie. I like beauty products, but when it comes to my own face, my makeup regimen is pretty simple: concealer, eyeshadow, mascara…sometimes a bit of blush and powder, and some lip balm or lip gloss to pull it together.

One product I’ve had a love/hate relationship with for a while now is lipstain. I am not big on lipsticks (reapplying is a bitch), and lipgloss just doesn’t have that pop of color that my face often needs. And though lipstains offer longevity of application, what I really hate about most lipstains is the alcohol that dries out my lips, leaving them chapped and flaky! I’d rather have blah lips with no color than turtle lips. Am I right?

So when I heard that the new Lise Watier Duo Glam Rouge Infini lipstick/lipstain combo didn’t contain alcohol, but was water-based instead, I leaped for joy! Rouge Infini is lipstain on one end (1), and lipstick on the other (2). The lipstain side feels like water gliding on, and has a bit of a sparkle to it. With some lipstick on top, the final result is matte and long-lasting. 1 and 2 – it’s that easy. Two weeks later, and I am happy to report that my lips aren’t dry, and the color stays and stays and stays…all day long. Perfect for a lazy makeup reapplier like me!

Read more about Lise Watier Duo Glam Spring 2011 products after the jump!

Giveaway: Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil

Every year, without fail, I find my skin crying out for moisture at the end of each winter. No matter what I do, no matter how much lotion I use, my ankles (yes, I know it’s weird) always end up chapped and dry. The new solution? Palmer’s new Skin Therapy Oil! This product targets some of the most “troublesome” skin care concerns. The major benefits include prevention and treatment for the appearance of stretch marks, discolouration and scars, but it also promises to instantly hydrate, smooth and soften skin. Skin Therapy Oil is a preservative free, lightweight oil that absorbs rapidly into the skin to help combat major skin concerns and is safe to use all over, including the face. This is a brand new product in Canada, and will be available at Walmart, starting March 15th for $9.99.

But that’s not all, thanks to MB Communications, Style Blog will be giving away a bottle of Skin Therapy Oil, along with Palmer’s Swivel Stick, and a travel bag (which includes an eye mask and a blanket) to one lucky reader! A perfect gift for a spring break getaway!

To enter, follow these simple steps:

1. Leave a comment (1 per person, please)

2. Tell me whether you’ve tried/loved any other Palmer’s products in the past

3. For extra entries, please RT the following: “@styleblogca I’d love to win @PalmersWorks Skin Therapy Oil http://styleblog.ca/?p=9147”

4. Again, you don’t have to be a follower, but it’s always appreciated

5. This giveaway is open to Canadians only

6. C’est tout

~~This contest closes on March 25th. Good luck!~~

And the winner of Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil pack is ERIKA, who has never tried Palmer’s products! Well, lady, now is your chance to fall in love with them! For all those that entered, don’t fret…another giveaway is starting this week!

Beauty: Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth

A few weeks ago, I was sent a Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant kit. Not wanting to write about something I haven’t tried, I decided to postpone this post until I’ve had the chance to try it and see for myself whether this deodorant delivers on its promise. What promise?

Well, Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth anti-perspirant promises to “minimize the visual appearance of hair over time”, while providing 24-hour wetness protection. “For under arm hair that feels softer, finer and easier to remove”.

First of all, I could feel the deodorant’s moisturizing effects upon the very first application. It glided on smoothly (as promised), and didn’t leave any residue behind. The scent was fresh and very subtle. Over time, I definitely felt my skin and hair become softer…but I am not done yet. I am still using Dove Visibly Smooth, as most benefits can be seen/felt after about four weeks of use. But what I’ve felt so far – I absolutely love.

As I’ve been given one extra anti-perspirant to share with a friend, I’ve decided to give it to one of my readers. If you’d like to try Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth, leave a comment below, or tweet at me, and I’ll pick a winner by the end of next week. Good luck!

Photo Credits: Dove

Valentine’s Day: Gift Guide For Her

Valentine’s Day is less than 2 weeks away, and I am still stuck on le boyfriend’s gift! What to get for a man that has (seemingly) everything? Well, that’s my problem to solve (unless you have some helpful advice). And though I won’t likely be doing a men’s gift guide this year, here are a few gift ideas for the guys that might also be struggling with what to buy for their beloved (obsessed with that word).

I am always happy to get a perfume for any occasion, and if you know your girlfriend well-enough, a sexy fragrance might just be what the doctor ordered! My current faves are below.

1. Coach Poppy Perfume ($60)

Recently launched, Poppy is simply lovely, with notes of jasmine, gardenia, cucumber, and rose petals. I got a chance to try it for myself, and I must admit that I really liked it! It’s light and fresh…and simply amazing!

2. Calvin Klein BEAUTY Perfume ($89-$115)

I’ve said so much about BEAUTY already. Read all about it here to decide whether your girlfriend might love it, or check out a tester at the mall.

3. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb ($105-$185)

This is the one I use right now. The fragrance is sweet and feminine, the bottle is all glitter and glamour – the best of both worlds!

If perfume is not your (or your girl’s) thing, a few other gifts might sweeten her day.

4. Danier Red Clutch/Wallet ($39 on sale)

Perfect for a romantic dinner out, this leather clutch will hold all of her essentials and spice up her outfit.

5. Louis Vuitton Heart Coin Purse ($455)

Penny-pinching has never been so stylish! Also comes in a showstopping leopard print!

6. Banana Republic Bracelet ($50)

Don’t buy her earrings or a cocktail ring for Valentine’s Day, lest she confuse the small box with an engagement ring! That one might create some awkwardness. Get her a bracelet or a necklace instead. Banana Republic has a really lovely selection (at amazing prices).

7. Locher’s Necklace ($53-$71)

Speaking of necklaces, I’ve been a Locher’s fan for years! The designs are cute and sassy. And if your girl has a sense of humour, I guarantee that she will love it!

8. Heart-shaped Macarons ($4 each)

They are macarons, shaped as hearts. Go get ‘em NOW at my fave MoRoCo Chocolat.

9. Your Love (priceless)

If all else fails, a simple I LOVE YOU should do. Adding “just the way you are” at the end will earn you some brownie points. It is a day to celebrate your love, after all…not some materialistic holiday, masterminded by Hallmark to bilk you out of millions of dollars!!!

10. A Card

Even though I said that thing about Hallmark, most of us (ladies) would still like a card. So make sure to get her one (Papyrus cards are amazing)! The one I got for le boyfriend this year kicks ass!

So this little post might or might not have been helpful in your search for a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. If it wasn’t very helpful, I am sorry…email me for more genius ideas. Happy Shopping!

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Style Blog, February 3rd 2011 | Tags: Banana Republic, Beauty, Calvin Klein, Coach, Danier, Flowerbomb, Gift Guide, Gifts, Locher's, Louis Vuitton, MoRoCo Chocolat, Papyrus, Perfumes, Poppy, Valentine's Day, Viktor & Rolf
Posted in Beauty, Fashion

Rimmel London Spring 2011

A few weeks ago, I was invited to check out Rimmel London’s Spring 2010 collection at the Windsor Arms Hotel. As it turned out, the presentation was one of the most creative previews I’ve ever attended.

Attendees were given a tour of the three rooms at the hotel, each inspired by a Brit celebrity: Kate Middleton, Kate Moss, and Peaches Geldof. Each celebrity (and room) represented a certain part of the collection showcased. Future Mrs. Prince William was all about a clean fresh look – a no-makeup-makeup, featuring Match Perfection Concealer. Kate Moss’ room was littered with Coke cans (tee-hee), rock star tees, and glam eye makeup. And Peaches was all about glossy lips.

It was great to see such a creative collection preview, and having models, representing a celebrity in each room, wearing the makeup made it that much cooler!

At the end of the tour, I was given a box of goodies to try at home. And ever since then, I’ve been addicted to Rimmel’s concealer! It’s so light (the complete opposite of cakey), and yet it still manages to cover all of my blemishes. The eyeshadow palettes were also pretty amazing! The color stays on all day and all through the evening, with vivid pigments in each palette. I also really REALLY like the fact that they are nice and soft, and very easy to glide on.

And last, but definitely not least, the Lash Accelerator Mascara, which I included in my Christmas gift guide, is truly fantastic, especially considering the price! Not only a mascara, but a lash treatment that helps lashes grow longer and stronger. It takes a while to dry, but once it’s on, it really makes your eyes pop!

If you haven’t tried Rimmel in a while, I think you should give them a chance…the quality of their products definitely made me reconsider drugstore brands.

What about you? Where do you usually buy your makeup? Let me know in the comments, and I might send a little something from Rimmel your way!

Giveaway: Glowing Beauty

Today’s giveaway is courtesy of www.glowingbeauty.ca! The prize? $25 gift certificate, to buy anything your heart desires. If you still have some last minute Christmas shopping to do, this gift certificate would make a perfect stocking stuffer for that beauty-lover in your life.

Glowing Beauty carries skin care, makeup, hair and nail products, including such brands as Essie, OPI, and one of my personal faves – Pupa!

Here’s what you need to do to win!

1. Leave a comment below (1 per person, please)

2. State your name, and what you would like to buy with the gift certificate

3. For extra entries, please RT the following: “@styleblogca I want the Glowing Beauty Gift Certificate”

4. You don’t have to be a follower, but it’s certainly appreciated

5. This contest is open to Canadian readers only (International contest is coming tomorrow)!

6. C’est tout!

Good luck! I will announce the winner on Tuesday (December 21st, 2010).

And the lucky winner is…ElaineA! Congrats, beauty! Email me your address, so that I can send you your gift card! And for those that didn’t win…you can still enter the Gap Giveaway here. Good luck!

Holidays 2010: Clinique Beauty Essentials

Tis the season to be jolly! But all the fa-la-la-la-la-ing aside, the partying, unhealthy eating, and not enough sleep that come along with the holidays, can wreak havoc on one’s skin. Which is why we asked a Clinique skincare specialist to give us her top three “holiday survival” must-haves.

1. Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($57.50) is perfect for any skin type. It’s an oil-free, multi purpose cream gel that quickly delivers long-lasting hydration. Moisture Surge provides immediate and long-term hydration boost, perfect for the cold winter weather (as well as post-champagne skin relief). It hydrates the skin correctly so make up goes on flawlessly.

2. 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula ($22) is a water-rinsable, manual exfoliator in a lightweight cream base. Suitable for any skin type. For dry to combination skin, it polishes and refines skin’s texture, allowing for make-up to wear better. For oily skin types, it refines texture, leaves skin clearer, dislodges impurities to help control breakouts, while allowing for smoother makeup application. This scrub brings out the radiance within, and who doesn’t want glowing, healthy-looking skin for the holidays?

3. Pretty Day Into Night Looks Makeup Set ($43) includes such necessities as eye and blush palette, High Impact mascara, Different Lipstick/Long Glosswear, Cream Shaper for eyes, as well as a full-sized tube of All About Eyes cream. Everything you need to look your best at the office and the office party is right there in the kit, all for a fraction of the price (value of $111).

And if that wasn’t enough, The Bay Yorkdale will hold its Showtime holiday gala on November 27th (12-9pm). Tickets are $10, with $8 that can be spent on any beauty product in the store, and $2 going towards the Look Good Feel Better foundation, which helps women whose appearance had been affected by cancer, learn how to look and feel a little more like themselves again.

Clinique will also offer a free 5 piece gift set with any purchase of $50 or more, and an additional silver tote bag with a purchase of $75 or more (perfect for stocking stuffers!). Couple that with food, drinks, and beauty tips, and you’ve got yourself a party to remember! See you there?

Calvin Klein BEAUTY Giveaway Winner Is…

Miss T!!!

Congratulations and don’t forget to email me your mailing address!!! Hope you enjoy the BEAUTYful fragrance!

Thanks to everyone for entering! More contests are on the way!

Calvin Klein BEAUTY Giveaway

A few days ago, I wrote about a wonderful surprise that’d arrived at my door earlier this month. Style Blog was one of only 10 Canadian blogs to be offered a wonderful opportunity to share the news about FASHION magazine’s Calvin Klein BEAUTY It Touches Everything Contest, as well as to offer my readers a giveaway of my own!

If you’ve always wanted to smell like the lovely Diane Kruger, now is your chance! All you need to do to get your very own 50ml bottle of Calvin Klein BEAUTY is leave a comment below with the following info (please read very carefully):

1. Name

2. Your favorite Calvin Klein perfume/cologne to date

3. Your Twitter or Facebook username (must be a follower of Style Blog either on Twitter or Facebook)

4. For additional entries, tweet about this contest (#CKBeauty), or re-post it on your website/blog

This contest is open to Canadian residents only. One comment per person, please (all extra entries will be disqualified). Contest opens on October 28th and closes on November 11th. Winner will be chosen at random and will be announced on November 12th. Rules are subject to change by Style Blog.

Please make sure to leave a correct email address, so that we can get in touch with you, if you’re the winner.

Huge thanks to Matchstick and Sumaya for this lovely giveaway!

That’s it…and GOOD LUCK!!!

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