Beauty | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

SEPHORA at Yonge and Eglinton is Now Open!

11 July, 2016 Nelia

After months of walking by the store and wondering when it’ll finally open, SEPHORA at Yonge and Eglinton (2300 Yonge St to be precise) has finally opened its doors with a little help from The Estée Edit ambassador Irene Kim. Finally, uptown dwellers have a SEPHORA store to call our own. And let me tell you, this one’s a beauty!

The new uptown location is any beautyholic’s dream come true and is the largest SEPHORA store in North America. With a bright and spacious layout, a wealth of makeup, skincare, and fragrances, a 12-seat beauty studio, and complimentary drop-in services (polished brows, blush & bronze, essential eyeliner, flawless foundation + COLOR IQ, and so many more!), this is one awesome SEPHORA location to visit…and it’s literally less than 10 minutes away from my house. So good, yet so bad!

So tell me, are you excited about the new SEPHORA store? Share your thoughts in the comments.

More after the jump!
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Beauty: #SkinActiveRetreat with Garnier Canada

18 June, 2016 Nelia

A few weeks ago, I found myself in a limo full of bloggers, headed to Langdon Hall Hotel and Spa with Garnier Canada. On the agenda was a one-on-one consultation with Skin Expert Dr. Noah Wieder to design a personalized #MySkinActiveMatch skincare routine, fancy in-room facials, learning all about new Garnier SkinActive products, yoga, and so much more!

After making new friends and settling into our beautiful rooms, the girls and I were super excited about our consultations. After I mentioned my skin sensitivities (rosacea and dryness), my “prescription” included Garnier Clean Gentle Clarifying Cleansing Gel, Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion, Garnier SkinActive Ultra-Lift Miracle Wake-Up Cream, Garnier SkinActive Micellar Water, and Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream. I was already a huge fan of both Garnier Micellar Water and BB Cream (So good! Try them both if you can!), but I was very excited to try the new moisturizers and a gentle cleansing gel.
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After using these for a few weeks now, I have a couple of favourites. Garnier SkinActive Ultra-Lift Miracle Wake-Up Cream is a dream moisturizer. Infused with 15% Hydra-Glycerin (a known humectant), Hyaluronic Acid and Antioxidant Complex of Wild Berry, Vitamins C & E, it “plumps skin reducing the signs of fatigue for fresh, youthful-looking skin”. You can use it day or night, but I prefer to apply it before going to sleep so that I wake up with dewy-looking and well-rested face.

Another product I loved is the Garnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Actively Hydrating Daily Lotion. This moisturizer has SPF15 and helps protect and defend against moisture loss. I like to wear it during the day for extra sun protection, so if you always forget to apply sunscreen before going outside, this one is for you. I love how lightweight this moisturizer is; it sinks right into my skin and creates a perfectly smooth base for my makeup.

Both of these moisturizers worked really well on my sensitive skin and come in convenient pump bottles, to reduce the chance of contamination and break-outs. These are real winners, and if you have dehydrated skin, you really need to try them!

The rest of our retreat was spent on getting to know the fellow bloggers, attending various activities, and sneaking out to hang out by the pool, because the weather was too lovely to pass up. Luckily, Team Garnier thought of everything and left some Ombrelle Sport Endurance SPF 30 and SPF 50 waiting for us in our rooms. Ombrelle Sport Endurance sunscreen is amazing for several reasons – it’s water and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes, protects from both the UVA and UVB rays, is oil-free, fragrance free, colorant free, and absorbs quickly and without the icky white residue. Since our retreat, I’ve used Ombrelle Sport Endurance sunscreen on several occasions, and haven’t been burnt once…hopefully I am not jinxing myself, but so far, as long as I’m diligent enough to re-apply every 2 hours, my skin feels happy instead of baked.

After a yoga session (outfitted by B Yoga), hanging out poolside, and a quick but delicious lunch, we all piled back into our limo, full of fun memories of our wonderful Langdon Hall #SkinActiveRetreat, and with bags full of Garnier treats. I am still testing out several other products I received on this trip and will be sure to shout-out my other faves on Snapchat (styleblogca) or Instagram (@styleblogca). Stay tuned!

In the meantime, let me know if you’ve tried any of the products I mentioned in this post. Would love to hear your thoughts!

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Beauty: YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture Collection

13 June, 2016 Nelia

Last week, I got a chance to preview the new YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture ($39) collection, and as someone who loves colour, I fell head over heels immediately. Of course, I’ve tried colourful mascara in the past, but I’ve never encountered a formula as vibrant as YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture. This mascara comes in 9 shades – from electric pink to bright blue to gold sparkle top coat, and all variations are super fun to play with. At the event, I saw some girls wear two different colours on their top and bottom lashes, while others tried the pop of colour just on the tips, leaving the rest of their lashes black.
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For my look, I went with pink lashes, because while I’ve tried blue before, pink was totally unchartered territory, so why not?! After a couple of swipes of pink mascara, my lashes definitely stood out – the effect was pretty dramatic, yest still wearable. The formula felt very nice on my lashes, gave it extra length and volume while adding a pop of colour to my look. And it stayed put all day long – no flakes under my eyes!. Colourful mascara is such an easy way to be playful this summer that I’ve been trying different variations ever since the event! Needless to say, I am a huge fan of YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture collection.

If bright blue or pink are just too much for you, I’d suggest trying green or purple for a more subtle effect, or perhaps a glittery silver top coat for that extra sparkle for a night out. Whichever shade you end up picking, I’m sure you’ll be hooked!

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Beauty: Shoppers Drug Mart To ‘Do List

30 May, 2016 Nelia

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Dove, Nexxus, TRESemmé and Shoppers Drug Mart via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, who is a paid influencer, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove, Nexxus, TRESemmé and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Summer is almost here, and if you have long hair, you’ll need an up-do or two to keep your locks looking good even on the most humid of days. For a few years now, my go-to has been a braided crown – not only is it super easy to achieve, you can wear it for any occasion – from summer weddings, to music festivals, to brunch. And thanks to Shoppers Drug Mart, Nexxus, and Dove, I’m going to share The To ‘Do List for achieving this perfect summer hairstyle with you. As I mentioned, this is a pretty easy look to create. It works best on dirty-ish hair, so it’s a great hairstyle for those bad hair days.

To start, spray Dove Invigorating Dry Shampoo (must-have product for the summer!) on the roots to refresh, absorb oil, and add a bit of texture to your locks. Next, part your hair in the middle and split it in two sections. Braid each section (I prefer the fishtail braid, but any braid style would work), pulling hair away from your face. Once you’re done braiding, loosen the braids a bit to create more volume. This look works best when it’s a little messy, so don’t worry if a few locks are out of place. Grab one braid and wrap it over the top of your head, pinning until it’s secure. Take the other braid and do the same thing, tucking the end under the first braid and pinning in place. Spray Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist to secure the hairstyle. This hairspray is amazing because it doesn’t leave my hair feeling stiff or looking flaky, but still holds all of my favourite hairstyles in place. Once the braids are secure, you’re all done and ready for anything summer throws your way!

If you follow me on Snapchat (styleblogca), you already know that I have a bit of a Shoppers Drug Mart addiction. I probably end up stopping in at least 5 times a week for most of my household, beauty, and grocery shopping. It doesn’t help that the Shoppers App is so good at personalizing my coupons, and helping me rack up those Shoppers Optimum Points. If you’re not using the app, I can’t recommend it highly enough – it’ll help you save a ton of money while keeping your hair looking great. So tell me, do you have a go-to summer hairstyle? Share in the comments!

TRESemmé, Nexxus and Dove, all available at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, have all the right products to help me get all the latest summer trends. Whether it’s a braided up-do for the local patio or loose tousled waves for that effortless beach look, they have everything I need. To check out more looks and complete your To ‘Do List this summer go to ShoppersDrugMart.ca

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Beauty: Revlon Mascara Revolution!

5 May, 2016 Nelia

Sponsored Post
Are you ready for a mascara revolution? Because Revlon’s got you covered! The newly launched mascara collection has a formula for whatever your heart (and lashes) desire – from length to volume, to I-want-it-all.

There are 5 new formulas:
-REVLON ULTIMATE ALL-IN-ONE™ MASCARA
-REVLON DRAMATIC DEFINITION™ MASCARA
-REVLON SUPER LENGTH™ MASCARA
-REVLON ULTRA VOLUME™ MASCARA
-REVLON VOLUME + LENGTH MAGNIFIED™ MASCARA

I tried them all and here’s what I thought:

Without makeup, my eyelashes are medium-length, not very full, and if I’m being honest – pretty average (see below). And though I personally prefer natural-looking lashes, who wouldn’t like more fullness and length? This is where the Revlon Volume + Length Magnified Mascara worked its fiber magic – my lashes looked longer, fuller, and not at all clumpy. I didn’t need to apply a lot of product, and after just a couple of swipes with Revlon Magnifying Lash Brush™, I was staring at a doe-eyed me. This was my personal favourite formula, followed closely by Revlon Ultra Volume Mascara. This mascara was definitely a lot more subtle, which is perfect for the everyday eye makeup look. I loved how natural this mascara made my lashes look – natural yet still a lot fuller. I did have to use a few swipes to achieve the desired effect, but I personally prefer to build up instead of applying too much right away.

Next up, I tried the Revlon Ultimate All-In-One Mascara, and I absolutely loved it…except for one thing. This mascara promises 5 benefits in 1: volume, length, definition, lift, and rich, intense colour. The Revlon Power Mini Brush™ may seem like it’s too tiny to get the job done, but it actually works, you guys. I found the brush to be pretty user-friendly, and the small size helped me avoid smudging the mascara on my eyelids – bonus! This formula goes on quite wet (so don’t blink or sneeze while applying), but dries fairly quickly. And while this mascara delivered great-looking lashes (long, defined, full, lifted, and intense), it flaked quite a bit more than the other formulas I tested. I tried applying Revlon Dramatic Definition Mascara over All-In-One as a top coat of sorts and it actually helped, but didn’t completely solve the problem.

More after the jump!
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Shopping: Sephora Summer 2016 New Arrivals

28 March, 2016 Nelia

Last month, I got a chance to stop by the Sephora Spring/Summer 2016 preview to check out the upcoming new arrivals. With Sephora being the ultimate destination for all things beauty, the preview was chock full of cute makeup bags, delicious perfumes, innovative skincare, covetable palettes and so much more! Knowing how overwhelming sorting through a ton of new arrivals can be, I chose my top 10 fave new products that will be hitting the shelves this spring.

There’s the diverse fragrance collection from Derek Lam, the ingenious Formula X nail polish remover (insert all 5 fingers, and remove them polish-free – works like magic!), the super-versatile Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE concealer palette, and the magical Bliss Climate Control wand that will help reduce redness and puffiness when used cold and boost absorption of products when hot. The new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea collection is full of must-haves, but the lip colours were my personal fave! I was also lucky enough to preview the Minnie Mouse x Sephora collection, and let me tell you – it’s adorable! From uber-cute packaging (once you use up the eyeshadow palette, you can use the case as a clutch!), to the most perfect red lipstick, this is one lovely collaboration! Check out my top 10 Sephora new arrivals below.
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1. Derek Lam 10 Crosby Fragrance Collection Gift Set ($115)
2. Formula X Delete All 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover ($18)
3. Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Correct + Conceal Palette ($61)
4. Marc Jacobs Beauty Cover(t) Stick Color Corrector ($52)
5. Tarte Rainforest of the Sea™ Drench Lip Splash Lipstick in Wet Suit ($26)
6. The Estée Edit by Estée Lauder Mattified Lipstick ($26)
7. Sephora Collection Breakups to Makeup Bag ($33)
8. Bliss Climate Control ($169)
9. Origins Maskimizer Skin-Optimizing Mask Primer ($27)
10. Minnie Mouse x Sephora Collection

You Are Invited: CHANEL All Access Beauty Event at Holt Renfrew

19 March, 2016 Nelia

I am not a morning person, but I sprang out of my bed bright and early to preview the new CHANEL All Access Beauty Event at Holt Renfrew earlier this week. Located on the Concourse Level of the Bloor Street flagship, the CHANEL space is as chic as it gets. Don’t call it a pop-up shop, but it certainly feels like one!

Running until April 10th, this is definitely one of those “RUN, DON’T WALK” events. Not only can you choose from a selection of complimentary services* (Makeup Master Class from a CHANEL pro, anyone?), but there’s a “create-your-own-gif” photobooth, complete with cool props like the lipstick piano and drum set. And if that’s not enough excitement for you, cocktails will be served every Thursday from 5pm-7pm. Magnifique!

The space itself is a visual gem – with rows upon rows of lipsticks and nail polish in various poppy shades, glam vanity mirrors, and other très CHANEL details. At the end of my visit, I walked out with the new Rouge Coco Stylo, which quickly became my new favourite lipstick/balm. It’s super moisturizing, glides on for a smooth and creamy application with a superb colour pay-off – a must-have summer lipstick.

CHANEL All Access Beauty event at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street will be held until April 10th, so make sure to stop by and find your own perfect lipstick and nail colour, or simply pretend to be in a CHANEL band. You know you want to!

*Check out the list of complimentary services after the jump!
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Beauty: Kristen Stewart for CHANEL Makeup

2 February, 2016 Nelia

It’s been announced this morning that Kristen Stewart is the newest face of CHANEL Makeup – more specifically – the Eyes Collection Campaign! I think it’s a spot-on partnership, as Kristen’s signature makeup look is the effortless smoky eye, and she’s been working with the brand for several seasons now. Unsurprisingly, the first image of the campaign focuses on Stewart’s eyes, perfectly framed by her long lashes and thick brows.

“With her modern, magnetic beauty, and free spirit, Stewart appears in a series of portraits embodying various facets of the contemporary CHANEL woman” states the press release, and I, for one, can’t wait to see the rest of the portraits photographed by Mario Testino.

What do you think of Kristen Stewart’s latest collab with CHANEL? Share in the comments.

Photo Credits: CHANEL

Beauty: La Solution 10 de CHANEL Sensitive Skin Cream

4 January, 2016 Nelia

I’ve written about my reactive skin before, and while I’ve found a few non-irritating products that have worked for me in the past, I am always on the lookout for awesome sensitive skin finds. So when I heard about the new La Solution 10 de CHANEL ($106) specifically formulated for sensitive skin, I was intrigued and excited. Only 10 ingredients (carefully selected after 117 trials over the past 4 years), each chosen for its optimal skin tolerance and efficacy, put together in one classic package. Alcohol-free, fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic, anti-pollution, dermatologist-tested…sign me up!

So, a couple of months later…does it live up to the hype? For me, it 100% does. After using La Solution 10 de CHANEL each and every morning, my skin feels and looks good. I absolutely love how soft my face feels after application. The cream soaks right into my skin, without leaving any greasy residue, and my makeup glides on smoothly. I also love that the cream has a mattifying effect, reducing shine and making pores look smaller. Now that the temperatures have dropped, I’ll begin layering a hydrating serum before application for an extra kick of moisture, but for now, La Solution 10 de CHANEL has been providing just the right amount of hydration, without irritating my skin.

As far as value goes, it’s certainly not cheap, but a little goes a long way, and I am still on my first bottle two months in. All in all, La Solution 10 de CHANEL is a keeper, and I’ll continue using it as part of my daily skincare regimen.

Have you tried this sensitive skin moisturizer? Share your results in the comments!

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Style Days of Christmas: Laboratoire Dr Renaud Gift Pack

14 December, 2015 Nelia

We’ve had some great beauty giveaways this holiday season, but in case you wanted even more goodies to pamper your skin, Day 10 giveaway will take care of that. Today’s prize is a gift pack from Laboratoire Dr Renaud – with all products made in Canada, this company has been a leader in innovative skincare and cosmetology for over 50 years!

If you love to have a healthy glow all year long, but don’t want to expose your skin to the sun’s harmful rays, then Laboratoire Dr Renaud Liquid Sunshine Self-Tanner ($40) is the product for you – it gives a natural “healthy”, personalized golden tan, evens, intensifies and extends your natural tan, and is ideal for anyone wishing to avoid sun exposure. Laboratoire Dr Renaud CC Cream Instant Eye Multi-Corrector ($49.95) is formulated with high-definition pigments and ultra-performing, anti-ageing cosmetic ingredients. This CC cream illuminates and decongests the eye contour, stimulates and instantly refreshes thanks to its cool ceramic tip, reduces the appearance of dark circles and shadows, erases signs of fatigue, diminishes the look of wrinkles and fine lines, and detoxifies – so many awesome benefits in one tube! Laboratoire Dr Renaud ExCellience CellClock Cellular Youth Serum ($110) uses the exclusive CellClock Technology, to increase cellular youth and optimize skin regeneration. It promises to reduce the look of wrinkles, improve complexion, firmness and elasticity of skin, all this while regenerating the skin and making it look visibly younger.

Sounds like a prize pack you’d like to win? Enter below!

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SEPHORA at Yonge and Eglinton is Now Open!

Beauty: #SkinActiveRetreat with Garnier Canada

Beauty: YSL Mascara Vinyl Couture Collection

Beauty: Shoppers Drug Mart To ‘Do List

Beauty: Revlon Mascara Revolution!

Shopping: Sephora Summer 2016 New Arrivals

You Are Invited: CHANEL All Access Beauty Event at Holt Renfrew

Beauty: Kristen Stewart for CHANEL Makeup

Beauty: La Solution 10 de CHANEL Sensitive Skin Cream

Style Days of Christmas: Laboratoire Dr Renaud Gift Pack

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