If You Suffer from Acne, This Video Will Inspire You

There’s Hope if You Have Severe Acne

For many years, Cassandra Bankson was bullied because of her acne.

Life in high school was so bad for Cassandra, that she once had slices of pizza thrown at her by kids who taunted her with the name “Pizza Face.”

Then the teen made a life-changing decision. She made a video called “Acne Foundation Routine For Flawless Skin,” showing how she covers her blemishes.

Originally, she posted the video hoping that it would help “just one person.” The video has since gained over 18 million views.

Cassandra’s step-by-step video on covering blemishes has given hope to even those with cystic acne. In the video, she shows how to get picture-perfect skin using primer (such as Hourglass Mineral Veil), concealer, and foundation.

Next Big Multi-Tasker: CC Cream

Self-adjusting Color that Covers Imperfections

Complexion Corrector (CC) creams are the latest skin phenom, featuring a new approach to wearing makeup.

Designed to be worn on top of your moisturizer, CC creams offer a sheer coverage that eliminates redness and dullness and evens out your skin.

One CC cream, soon to be on the top of my list, is the Almay Smart Shade CC Cream.

Packed with complexion enhancing ingredients, the tinted cream provides just the right kind of coverage you’ll need over the next few months.

You’re Going to Love This Heat Wave of Color

Luxurious Gelée to Celebrate the Sand and Sun

Estee Lauder is always ahead of the pack when it comes to summer collections, and this year’s Bronze Goddess collection is no exception.

One item in the collection that’s sure to make your temperature rise is the limited edition Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave.

This all-over bronzer is an innovative mix of liquid, powder, and gel that delivers a more sophisticated glow. The result is an all-over soft sheen that you can build to get a pearl highlighting effect.

If You’re a Busy Mom, These Tips Will Help You Streamline Your Morning Beauty Routine

How to Simplify Your A.M. Beauty Routine

Since Mother’s Day is around the corner, it’s a good time to acknowledge how busy mothers juggle their time between work, family, and personal obligations.

If you’re a time-challenged Mom or know someone who’s burning the candle on both ends, here are some tips from the founder of Skinn Cosmetics, Dimitri James, to simplify your morning beauty routine.

Skin Care Tips

• Stick to the “essentials”. Find one gentle yet effective cleanser that removes dirt, oil, makeup, and mascara and leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed. You’ll also want to use a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15.
• Use a cleansing brush or soft washcloth to eliminate the need for eye makeup removers, toners, and scrubs. To brighten your complexion, exfoliate, and extract blackheads, try is the Skinnsonic High Frequency Cleansing System. Get more details about the system here.

Firm Sagging in Weeks With This Vitamin

Vitamin C for Resilient Skin

If you want a more youthful jaw line, Vitamin C may be your best bet.

Recent studies show that Vitamin C helps build collagen, a protein that gives your skin its elasticity.

Stabilizing your skin’s levels of vitamin C can help to counteract sagging by increasing collagen production. The result is firmer looking skin.

Joannie Rochette Teams Up with Bioré for Acne Clearing Scrub Launch and 2 Step Program

Boost Your Confidence With Clear Skin

If you struggle with confidence because of skin issues, you’re not alone.

A recent study by skin care company, Bioré, found that over 80 per cent of young Canadian women say clear skin has the largest impact on their self-confidence.

As a professional athlete and Olympic bronze medalist, Joannie Rochette knows how confidence plays a part in your professional and personal life: “When you compete on the ice it’s important to look your best and feel confident in your performance. This often means wearing heavy makeup that can be seen by the crowd and cameras–which can be problematic for my skin.”

Bioré skin care experts recognize that clear skin begins with clean pores. The Bioré Skin Care 2 Step Program, which Joannie Rochette follows, unclogs pores at the source and addresses problems before they start.

The two-part program involves the daily use of  a Bioré complexion clearing product, like the new Acne Clearing Scrub, to fight all forms of acne and help prevent them from returning. It also includes weekly use of a Bioré Deep Cleaning Pore Strip to instantly pull away a week’s worth of dirt and oil.

Hello Spring, Goodbye Unwanted Hair

Two Products for Hair Removal Season

Now that the sun is out (even in Vancouver), there’s nowhere to hide when it comes to unwanted hair.

Veet has two inventive products that are easy to use and treat your skin gently at the same time.

Hair Removal Kit for Underarms

Shaving can be a quick solution for daily removal, but the nicks and razor burn that usually come with it aren’t worth it.

Veet’s Hair Removal Kit for Underarms is enriched with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E which leave your skin feeling super smooth with no risks of nicks and cuts.

The formula is sensitive (with no nasty smell) yet powerful enough to painlessly dissolve unwanted hair at the root, and it works on hair as short as .3mm.

Celebrate Earth Day with Limited Edition Ultra Facial Cream

Protects Without the Grease

In honor of Earth Day, why not make a difference in the way your skin and the world looks?

Kiehl’s has teamed up with Alanis Morissette to create a unique limited edition cover for the brand’s Ultra Facial Cream.

The 24-hour, lightly textured daily hydrator is made with Antarcticine–a Glycoprotein extracted from microorganisms sourced from sea glaciers notable for its ability to protect skin from cold temperatures. It also contains Imperata Cylindrica, a plant indigenous to the Australian desert with water retention qualities in dry conditions.

Real Housewives of Vancouver Mary Zilba Launches Buff Beauty

All Natural Colours for a Sheer Dewy Look

This season, The Real Housewives of Vancouver is all about taking sides.

Whether you’re Team Jody or Team Mary, if you love an all-Canadian beauty line, you’ve got to pull for Mary Zilba’s latest venture into the world of cosmetics.

Coming to the Shopping Channel on Friday, April 12th, Buff Beauty is all about enhancing beauty instead of covering it up. The line is designed for everyone, but especially for women on-the-go.

Why French Women Age More Gracefully

Do You Look Younger Than Your Age?

First, we find out that French women are better at managing their weight than most of us. Now, we hear that women in France don’t seem to age as fast as the rest of us.

According to a British study by Escentual.com, French women look around seven years younger than their British counterparts. Over 80 per cent of the participants also agreed that French women age more gracefully.

One of the reasons that may account for their youthful appearance is that most French women start using anti-aging products at an early age. In France, a girl will start to use anti-aging cream as young as age 15 (by the ripe old age of 20, nearly two-thirds of French women are using specialist anti-aging French pharmacy brands like La Roche-Posay).

Feel the Love with the Sweethearts by Cake Collection

Limited Edition Five-Piece Collection

If you can remember eating yummy Sweetheart candies as a kid, you’ll love the new bath and body collection from Cake Beauty  just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Cake Beauty is a Canadian company known for its indulgent products with a generous helping of 90 to 95% high quality, natural ingredients.

Each item in the Sweethearts by Cake collection has the subtle scent of vanilla candy and a printed message on the packaging just like the original heart‑shaped candies.

Come Clean, Cutie Pie Luscious Bath & Shower Froth is a rejuvenating shower froth with a scent of vanilla candy that leaves your skin silky and smooth. 

Hands Down, You’re Mine Luscious Velveteen Hand Creme is a luscious hand formula that absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving hands smooth and silky.

Fresh Start, Sweet Thing Luscious Hair and Body Mist  is a specially formulated scented mist for hair and body designed to last all day. 

Call Me, Super Soft Luscious Body Butter is a whipped body butter that soothes and hydrates skin with mango butter and macadamia nut oil. 

Kiss Me, I’m Sweet Luscious Lip Treatment is a sheer lip treatment that moisturizes with vitamin E and pomegranate extract.

The Sweethearts by Cake collection is available until May at Sephora, Murale, and cakebeauty.com,

This Foundation is Like an Oxygen Facial in a Bottle

Breakthrough in Liquid Foundation Technology

If you haven’t heard of It Cosmetics, I’m going to let the cat out of the bag.

This cosmetics brand works with leading plastic surgeons to come up with amazing, cutting edge anti-aging technology for their high-performance color cosmetics.

Their latest launch is the IT-O2 Ultra Repair Liquid Oxygen Foundation. This foundation not only provides buildable, full coverage, it’s also infused with anti-aging peptides, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolyzed collagen. The foundation, which comes in five shades, also  has light-diffusing properties that even skin tone for airbrushed-looking skin without settling into lines and wrinkles.

Best of all, IT-O2 is formulated to deliver oxygen to the skin and is clinically proven to increase skin hydration by 71% after just 10 minutes of wear.

Would You Wear Moisturizing Jeans?

First Ever Line of Moisturizing Skinny Jeans

Does your skin get super dry during the winter?

Well, forget about slathering on boring body lotion because now you can slip into a pair of jeans that will do the trick.

Wrangler is launching the Denim Spa line of jeans, which contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, olive extract, or a special Smooth Legs formula infused within the fabric. The moisturizing jeans hydrate your skin while you wear them (and maybe help reduce cellulite). The moisturizing effect lasts for 15 day, after which you can re-activate it with a spray.

Bump Up Your Daily Skin Cell Renewal Rate

Stimulate Skin Cell Viability

L’Oreal Paris is launching a new skincare line called Age Perfect Renaissance Cellulaire.

The French cosmetic brand has created the new line to target women whose epidermal cell renewal rate is slowing down dramatically.

The collection includes a powerful serum, day cream, and a night cream tonic.

L’Oreal Paris claims that with use of their Age Perfect Renaissance Cellulaire collection, four million new cells will reach the skin’s surface faster each day. The formula is also enriched with reflective micro-particles that instantly help reverse a dull  complexion.

Actress Julianne Moore will be the face of the campaign for this revolutionary anti-aging product, which will launch later this month. At 51 years, she’s a good choice since she represents the anti-Hollywood beauty (that is, no fillers or surgery).

Exceptional Colour and Coverage With New Additions to MAC Studio Collection

Studio-Quality Perfection

If you’ve used any MAC Studio products, you know that the finish in these products is unbeatable.

MAC has added to the collection with new shades of Studio foundation with enhanced colour and coverage.

The new foundation, which features formulas enriched with antioxidants, is suited for all skin types.

Don’t Keep Your Arms Under Wraps This Holiday Season

Do Your Upper Arms Need Tightening?

If you’ve been doing some “planking” to tone your upper arms for your holiday sleeveless looks, you can now combine Yoga with a new lotion designed to get rid of that nasty flab.

NIP+FAB Upper Arm Fix contains natural ingredients designed to target the fatty acids in your arms and firm and smooth the skin.

The clear sculpting gel with prickly pear and blue lotus flowers dries quickly to “redefine” the upper arm area as you massage it into your skin using circular motions.

Make a Splash with Limited Edition Holiday Accessories from H2O Plus

Stocking Stuffers with Sea-derived Ingredients

If you’re stumped for a holiday gift this season, be sure to check out some of the holiday accessories from H2O Plus.

All of their products are water-based and oil-free with natural ingredients derived from the sea.

H2O Plus Bath Fizzer Gift Set

This gift set, which is one of Oprah’s favorite things for 2012, includes mineral-rich sea salts that purify skin and soothe aching muscles.

Infused with essential oils, the tablets have a fresh scent that will definitely ease your holiday stress.

The set includes:
3 – Sea Salt Bath Fizz Tablets (Gold Foil)
3 – Sea Marine Bath Fizz Tablets (Silver Foil

Lather Up in Purple with Twilight Shower Gel

Sweet Dreams are Made of Lavender Bubbles

Our favorite vampires will be hitting the screen soon in Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 so it’s time to channel your inner Bella Swan.

To help you get there, Lush has introduced Twilight Shower Gel to make you sparkle.

The limited edition shower gel lathers up in iridescent purple with a subtle scent of lavender and Tonka bubbles.

No Pain, No Needle Solution for Facial Lines and Wrinkles

Inject New Life into Your Skin

As a fan of the NIP+FAB skin care line, I’m looking forward to trying out their latest innovation which has just landed at Shoppers Drug Mart Canada.

This product is so popular in the UK that 10,000 people put their name on a waiting list before it went on sale at Boots.

Nip + Fab No Needle Fix Serum is a lightweight serum that instantly hydrates skin and improves elasticity and tone (minus the needles).

The key ingredient in this serum is an oat-based compound called Osilift which acts as an instant tensor, blurring imperfections and keeping makeup in place. Another ingredient called Indinyl conditions skin and prevents it from drying out.

Vaseline Introduces the Newest Edition to Their Line-Up in Mini Sizes

Vaseline Mini Lip Therapy

Nothing beats Vaseline for soothing dry, chapped lips.

When it comes to portability, though, Vaseline hasn’t always passed the “does it fit in my bag” test.

Now, you can treat your lips wherever you go because Vaseline has just introduced Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm, nicknamed the “mini”.

The line includes two versions that come in a mini tub: Original and Cocoa Butter.

Anti-Fatigue Foundation for Insomniacs

Wake-up Call for Your Skin

Having trouble sleeping? (I know all about it.)

The 10hr Sleep Effect Foundation from Bourjois won’t help you get to sleep, but it will help you look better if you’ve been tossing and turning all night.

The anti-fatigue foundation hides nasty signs of tiredness like dark circles, skin imperfections, and a dull complexion with light to medium coverage.

The oil-free formula contains a high concentration of brightening ingredients like minerals and vitamins (E,F, and B5). It comes in a  pump bottle to give you just the right dose so you’ll look fresh and rested even after you’ve pulled an all-nighter.

Don’t Forget Cranberries for Thanksgiving

Philosophy Learn Cranberry Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath

Cranberries aren’t just for dressing your turkey slices on the holidays.

Philosophy’s Learn Cranberry multitasking 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath can help you cleanse and condition your hair and body in a jiffy, so you’ll have plenty of time to get spruced up for Thanksgiving dinner.

Like all Philosophy shower gels, this one has great lather that will also keep your skin soft and hydrated. The light and fresh berry scent is also a nice touch for the holiday season.

Burt’s Bees Has All the Buzz on Holiday Gift Ideas

New Burt’s Bees Holiday Gift Sets

Even though it’s only October, it’s never too soon to check out the latest holiday gift collections.

If you have friends or relatives who have just about everything, Burt’s Bees has brand new holiday kits that will definitely hit the right spot on your holiday shopping list.

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm Duo

This holiday set contains two powerhouse tinted lip balms that care for your lips with sheer color. These lip balms give you a flush of color but still provide your lips with natural ingredients that moisturize and condition.

Gotta Have This: Sibu Beauty Cellular Support Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsules

Help Fortify the skin and Aid in Cell Turnover

Nothing beats eating right and living healthy for great skin and health. But, sometimes we need a little push in the right direction.

I’ve been curious about beauty supplements for a while but Sibu Beauty Cellular Support Sea Buckthorn Oil Capsules have me convinced that I need to test the water. These softgel supplements nourish and protect the body while promoting healthy hair, skin, and nails from the inside out.

Will This Candy Make You More Beautiful?

A New Dimension to Your Beauty Routine

What’s the latest way to improve your looks?

Beauty Candy is designed to increase your energy, improve your skin, and slow down the aging process.

Free of preservatives and fat, the skin-enhancing candy has only a few calories and contains key ingredients like collagen and vitamins to bring out beauty from within.

Three Blush Products That Can Help You Get the Rosy Cheeks Trend This Fall

A Rosy Glow is a Must

Nothing says fall more than a crisp chill in the air: the kind of chill that leaves a natural flush on your cheeks.

One of the hot makeup trends for the fall is a rosy looking flush on your cheeks.

To get the illusion of healthy cheeks, the best bet is to use a cream blush. These type of blushes let you build up colour and leave a translucent finish that lets your natural skin shine through.

Skinn’s Colour Touch Eye, Cheek, & Lip Glow in Winterberry is a rich, creamy blush that adds a natural touch of colour to cheeks. The creamy formula makes it simple to apply any time you want to add a natural hint of colour.

What Causes Undereye Circles and What You Can Do about Them

Treatment for Dark Undereye Circles

Before you can figure out what to do about dark circles under your eyes, you have to know what’s causing them.

Reasons for undereye circles may include allergies, fatigue, anemia, even PMS which can be treated by using an antihistamine, getting undisturbed sleep (I wish), or even changing your diet.

However, the most common culprit of undereye circles is age. As you get older, the skin around your eyes gets even thinner and accumulates melanin making it appear older.

You can diminish the appearance of discoloration under your eyes by applying concealer or using a gentle formula designed to lighten the eye area.

Clinique has recently introduced Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector which has been proven to visibly reduce dark circles by approximately 30% in 12 weeks.

Quench Dry Skin with This Intensely Hydrating Collection

Give Your Skin the Gift of Hydration

Burt’s Bees is always coming up with innovative and natural anti-aging solutions to improve your skin’s health.

The new Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration collection features the clary sage plant, found in the hills of the Mediterranean.

The resilient botanical is the star of this collection because it not only thrives in a harsh environment, it also traps and retains moisture.

Enhanced with probiotic technology, the formula in the Intense Hydration collection also includes key ingredients like orange peel extract to help refine skin and moisturizing mafura butter to provide essential fatty acids.

Benefit Has the Deets on How to Look the Best at Everything

Benefit Writes the Book on Complexion Perfection

When it comes to looking our best, we all could use a little help.

Benefit has been helping makeup fans with their customized palettes since they showed up on the makeup scene.

Now, their four-piece flawless complexion makeup kit can rescue you from complexion imperfections.

The How to Look the Best At Everything kit contains Benefit’s skin perfectors to give you an even, luminous complexion.

You can blend away imperfections and minimize the appearance of pores with the must-haves in this flawless complexion collection (in either light, medium, or dark).

Keep a Fresh Face for the Rest of the Summer

Skin Care Tips for Glowing Summer Skin

Even though we’re coming up to the dog days of summer, this is no time to abandon a good skin care regime.

Take care of your skin now, and you won’t be looking at dull, dry skin in the fall.

Control Shine and Refine Pores

Don’t overreact to oily skin in the summer by overwashing. The truth is even oily skin needs moisture.

That’s why Clinique developed a way to control oil production and provide necessary moisture. Pore Refining Solutions Stay Matte Hydrator is a moisturizer that mattifies the skin, controls excess oil, and provides oil-free hydration throughout the day. Skin refining and pore minimization also help keep pores clean and skin looker more refined.

Hold Off Skin Discolouration with Clinique Even Better Hand Cream

Damage Eraser for Hands

You may have gotten the message about protecting your face and body from the environment, but what about your hands?

The truth is that your hands give your age away. Even if you have a youthful face, most people can accurately tell your age by viewing only your hands.

Clinique Even Better Hand Cream SPF 15  has a potent blend of ingredients that diminish the appearance of dark sports, while protecting your hands against environmental damage.

Summer Shine Patrol: 3 Products for Fighting Oily Skin

Fixes for Oily Summer Skin

Even if you’re not prone to oily skin, the hot humid weather can bring out the shine on your face (especially the
T-zone).

Here are three products that can help you fight oily skin during the summer months.

Bobbie Brown Blotting Papers

These powder-free tissues are perfect for absorbing excess oil and perspiration during the summer months, without removing makeup.

The tissues (100 per pack) come in a refillable black faux-leather case with a mirror that can fit in a back pocket (and as one reviewer on the Bobbie Brown site mentioned, they’re not your Grandma’s blotting papers).

Canadian Clay Can Save Your Skin

Powerful Skin Detoxifier

Our home and native land is famous for back bacon, maple syrup, and lager beer.

But, did you know that Canada is home to skin‑saving clay that can clear up your skin in a flash?

Bentonite, found in Canada, is an aluminum silicate clay. Its powerful properties make it the ideal ingredient for various skin care formulas, including facial masks, that absorb oil and reduce shine.

One mask you can find this Canadian ingredient in is Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque.

The cleansing mask, which helps purify and detoxify skin, also minimizes the appearance of enlarged pores (without irritation).

Take it Easy with the MAC Casual Colour Collection

Limited Edition Summer Makeup Collection

MAC Cosmetics has just what you need for your days off.

It’s called the Casual Colour collection complete with all of these barely there products:

• All-in-one Lip and Cheek Colour Pots
• Prep + Prime Highlighter, Studio Fix Mascara
• Mineralize Skinfinish
• 187 Duo Fibre Face Brush

The light formulas of this collection are designed to feel like you’re wearing nothing all.

Two Warm Weather Makeup Essentials from Clinique

Oil-Free Makeup and Superbalanced Bronzer

Staring this month, Clinique is introducing its Summer Trend 2012  collection.

The warm weather additions include two makeup essentials to help keep your summer look fresh all day.

Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup 

If you have oily skin, you know what summer means: makeup that runs or doesn’t last very long. Clinique’s Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup offers long-lasting, buildable coverage without looking or feeling heavy.