Clarins Joli Rouge Velvet Lipstick: New Matte Finish

Hi beauties.

Last week, I attended a special Clarins beauty event all about lipstick.

Clarins has added to their Joli Rouge Lipstick collection, so if you’re in love with a specific shade from the Joli Rouge Lipstick collection, you can now wear it three different ways (pictured from left to right).

• Matte–Joli Rouge Velvet (new)

• Shine–Joli Rouge Brilliant (sheer)

• Satin–Joli Rouge (classic)

Here are the differences between each of the finishes.

Joli Rouge Velvet

This lipstick is the newest member of the Joli Rouge family. It creates a sophisticated matte look without drying out the lips. Clarins is always strong on skincare, so it’s not surprising that this matte lip look is different in that it’s hydrating (due to organic apricot oil).

Joli Rouge Brilliant

Joli Rouge Brilliant provides a glossy effect created by fine pearls and a Shine Booster that multiplies the reflection of light on the lips. The formula, which contains mango oil, hydrates lips for 6 hours.

Joli Rouge

With a satin finish, this is the lipstick that started it all! If you haven’t tried this classic lipstick yet, it has a rich and creamy formula with staying power that creates intense color!

The shade in the photo above is the iconic Joli Rouge (red with blue undertones). All three finishes come in 20 modern shades that suit all complexions.

Thanks to Clarins Canada for the invitation and the super cute lip bag and Joli Rouge samples.

Blushstopshere xo

Disclaimer: Media samples provided, all opinions are my own.

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Bio Marine Peptide Skin Smoothing System: Quantum Hydrox Skin Spa

Hi beauties,

Today, I’m writing about a skincare system that I’ve just started using.

I initially found out about Quantum Hydrox Skin Spa from a Beauty Boutique Manager I met at a Dermablend event.

We had a fun chat about skincare that works (or not), and she told me about an impressive product with ingredients sourced from my neighbourhood, the Pacific Northwest.

Since then, Quantum Hydrox was kind enough to contact me and sent me their one-of-a-kind Bio Marine Power Peptide Skin Smoothing System.

Update: Congrats to Quantum Hydrox for receiving another US patent for their Biomarine Power Peptides: bit.ly/2xdFwL0. In Vancouver, you can find their products at the Granville & 13th Shoppers Drug Mart!

About the Ingredients

Quantum Hydrox sources some of its most effective ingredients from the Pacific Northwest rainforest and ocean.

Deep sea marine resources have been called “blue gold on the deep sea floor” due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and natural antibiotic properties. These resources are packed with skin boosting vitamins and minerals (multi-chain peptides, chitins, glucosamine, calcium panthothenate, zinc salts, and silica).

Quantum Hydrox has created quantum biopeptide formulations merging these high potency ingredients with deep delivery of cellular stimulating agents into a skin smoothing for all skin types.

Although the Quantum Hydrox glycolic-salycylic complex has been primarily developed to address sun damaged and aging skin, it also has a strong following with teenagers and men who suffer from acne or blemishes. I have occasional breakouts, so this is a definite plus!

Product Lineup

Quantum Hydrox has a wide range of products that can be used to address different skin issues. Here`s the lineup.

1. Gel Facewash

This is a pH balanced aloe and glycolic salicylic based cleanser with chamomile, echinacea, and marine extracts. It provides deep, yet gentle and thorough cleansing without stripping skin.

I like foaming cleansers because they encourage me to take more time cleaning my face (and it’s worth it!). This cleanser also has superior rinseability.

2. Kalma Facial Toner

This aloe and glycolic/salicylic based toner preps the skin to optimal pH for other Quantum Hydrox products. It smoothes and soothes skin (without being drying!) with chamomile, echinacea, green tea, and marine extracts, while removing any traces of microexfoliation.

3. Protecta Facial Day Fluid

This light daytime moisturizer and barrier protecter (with 10% glycolic acid) is loaded with clarifying, firming, and anti-aging complexes. It also contains potent fermented mushroom sourced beta glucan amino acid peptide chains.

These ingredients help to clarify the skin, and progressively smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

4. Repair Skin Fuel Night Creme Gel

This nighttime cream gel (with 10% glycolic acid) is infused with fermented nutrient dense BC marine vegetal mineral peptide plasma. It fortifies its potent nighttime restorative action with stabilized vitamin complexes that help to accelerates the repair process, while rejuvenating skin appearance.

5. Exfolipac VitaMarine Mud Masque

This mineral mud masque offers a spa-type clarifying and rejuvenating treatment that you can indulge in weekly.

The masque formula is a step up from usual mud masques, since it combines kaolin and bentonite clays and glycolic acid (10%) to amplify treatment.

6. Eye-C Eye Zone Vitamin C Creme Complex

This eye cream with a fully stabilized vitamin C complex diminishes the appearance of fine wrinkles and undereye skin discoloration. It also contains a marine peptide complex supplemented with soothing botanicals like aloe, soy, green tea, ginseng which balances out the formula.

7. Collagen C Intensive Vitamin C Serum Complex

Collagen in skincare is a very potent ingredient that stimulates smoothing of fine wrinkles and rejuvenates athe skin’s appearance.

This collagen serum also contains 20% magnesium ascorbyl phosphate (MAP), a fully stable, deep penetrating vitamin C. This is the only form of vitamin C, reported by the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, to be absorbed and retained in the skin.

8. RAMP Facial Day Fluid

The Rainforest Amino Mineral Peptide (RAMP) Moisture Lotion is extremely soothing and moisturising for all skin types.

For new users of the system, this moisturizer cuts the potency of glycolic-salicylic action (in the Protecta / Repair / Exfolipac products). It contains glycine soya, green tea, and beta thujaplicin (from Pacific red cedar – even more powerful and soothing than pycnogenol).

Usage

The Quantum Hydrox Luxe Skin Smoothing System is suitable for normal, oily, dry, or acnied skin types (for rosacea-prone skin, only Collagen C is suitable).

According to Quantum Hydrox, daily use results in a revitalized appearance as newly emerging cellular layers are smoothed, firmed, and resurfaced. The results and the effects are cumulative.

Quantum Hydrox recommends introducing their products to your skincare regime one item at a time. Depending on your skin type (oily vs. dry), Quantum Hydrox provides a strategy for incorporating these products into your routine.

First Impressions

Since I’m getting to know the products (and results are cumulative), I only have first impressions at this stage.

I love the idea of using a system that addresses all of my skin issues with nature-based complexes that exfoliate, brighten, firm, and fight aging skin. So far, I`m loving the Gel Foaming Facewash and the RAMP moisturizer. I can’t wait to incorporate the Collagen-C Serum into my routine!

The products that I’ve tried so far have unique oil-free and alcohol‑free textures, which help with application and absorption. The down‑to-earth packaging offers generous sizes at reasonable prices (from $18.99 for the Gel Facewash to $65.99 for the Collagen-C Serum Complex).

I’m so glad that the products are available in drugstores that I have easy access to, but I wouldn’t hesitate to order them online.

Quantum Hydrox Skin Spa products are available at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations (including Granville & 13th in Vancouver) and Pharmasave locations. For online orders, visit https://www.cloverdatewellness.com.

x

Disclaimer: Media samples provided, all opinions are my own.

Phillip Adam ACV Shampoo & Conditioner

Hi beauties!

I’m always on the hunt for natural-based beauty, so I was happy to try out a few hair care products from Phillip Adam.

About Phillip Adam

Before starting his own line of natural products, Phillip Adam worked as a hairdresser for nearly 50 years. A desire to work with clean, high‑performing products led Phillip to create a line of hair care products made of all‑natural based botanical ingredients, including Apple Cider Vinegar.

Phillip Adam Inc. is a family-run company based in Vancouver. Their hair and body products are biodegradable, vegan, paraben free, cruelty free, gluten free, and gmo free.

Phillip Adam ACV Shampoo

I’ve read about the benefits of using apple cider vinegar from healing a sunburn to clearing up skin, so I was curious as to how it worked in hair care.

This all-natural shampoo, which is Phillip Adam’s No.1 selling product, balances the ph level of your scalp, keeping it healthy. You want to make sure your scalp is clean and balanced, as product buildup makes it difficult for new hair to push through for hair growth.

Along with its refreshing green apple scent (which I’ve found to be addicting), the shampoo has just the right amount of lather to make my hair feel clean and look shiny. Whether you have highlights or color-treated hair or you want your kids to use this shampoo, it’s safe for all hair types and  ages.

If you prefer to wash your hair every day (especially when it’s hot), it’s also safe for daily use!

Phillip Adam ACV Conditioner

This Apple Cider Vinegar conditioner works hand in hand with the shampoo by controlling static electricity, maintaining ph balance, and gently detangling hair. Since it detangles, you can skip a detangling spray.

I found the consistency of the conditioner complemented the shampoo: it’s not overly thick but added enough moisture.

Tips from Phillip Adam

• Apple Cider Vinegar, which is the primary cleansing agent in the shampoo, dissolves oil and rinses out quickly. You don’t have to rinse and rinse to remove the shampoo, so you can save water (and the environment) and time!

• With its gentle. non-irritating formula and quick rinsing ability, you can save even more water/time by using the shampoo as a body wash.

If you want to check out more tips, sign up to receive a newsletter here.

Where to Buy

Thanks to Phillip Adam for the travel-sized samples (60 ml) of their ACV products (enough for short or long trips)! You can find their clean, beauty products online and at Canadian and U.S health food locations.

Disclaimer: Media samples provided, all opinions are my own.

Farleyco Spring into Summer Beauty Box 📦

Hi beauties!

Last week, I received a summer beauty box with products that are perfect for the warm weather we’re having in Vancouver.

Beauty Box Details

Here’s an overview of the products in the Spring into Summer beauty box courtesy of Farleyco, who represents brand names found at major chains and independent drug stores across Canada.

Flexitol Heel Magic

If you’re like me, you’ve tried a lot of products to treat dry, cracked heels that don’t do the job.

Flexitol Heel Magic features an easy to use, stick format with a unique blend of moisturizers including Shea Butter, Vitamin E, and Olive Oil.

This combination of ingredients goes beyond moisturization by helping the skin’s natural healing process to repair dry, scaly, and cracked heels and feet.

You can find Flexitol Skin Care at London Drugs, Rexall Pharma Plus, Walmart, and more.

COLAB Dry Shampoo

When the weather is super hot, the last thing I want to do is blow dry my hair.

COLAB award-winning dry shampoos were created by a team of beauty insiders, including blogger Ruth Crilly (A Model Recommends).

I received a sample of COLAB Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo +, which adds body and height while refreshing hair. The formula features an extreme plumping powder that absorbs oil without creating white residue.

You can find COLAB Dry Shampoos at London Drugs, Brunet, Rexall Pharma Plus, Guardian IDA, and more.

So…? Fragrance

Instead of a heavy fragrance, I love using a body mist during the summer.

I received a sample of the So…? Pink Grapefruit Body Mist, which is a combination of citrus and fruity notes of mango and passion. It’s light and fresh, and smells delicious!

You can find So…? Body Mists at Pharmasave, Familiprix, Guardian IDA, Pharmachoice, and more.

INKredible Tattoo After Care Cream

If you plan on getting a tattoo in the near future and worry about skincare after the procedure, INKredible After Care Cream offers two benefits:

• It promotes a speedy healing process.
• It helps to keep newly tattooed skin soft and smooth.

You can find INKredible Tattoo Care at Shoppers Drug Mart, Guardian IDA, and Pharmasave.

Perspirex Plus

For excessive perspiration, Perspirex Plus Antiperspirant is a unique clinically proven solution that provides lasting protection from sweat and odour. The formula, which is perfume-free and non-staining, also minimizes irritation commonly associated with other aluminum chloride based antiperspirants.

To use Perspirex Plus, you apply it just before going to bed to completely dry, unbroken skin. You can shower as usual the following morning without re-applying.

You then apply Perspirex Plus every 3 to 7 days until you obtain the desired effect. Once the sweat is reduced, the frequency of application can be reduced to 1-2 nights a week, as necessary.

You can find Perspirex at Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs, and most drugstores.

Thanks to Farleyco for all of these samples to get me through the summer months!