Bon Vital B Spa Body Butter Review: For Fall-Winter Skincare

I know many people love warm summer weather but I prefer the crispness of fall and winter. I look forward to the end of heat-wave season, hair frizzing humidity, and melting makeup and eagerly welcome cool fall days. The good thing about this time of year is warm comfy clothes, holiday cheer and hibernating under fluffy blankets by the fire. The bad involves dry, flaky, irritated skin.

After emerging from a warm shower on a cold night there is nothing better than slathering your body in lush, conditioning body butter and slipping on your coziest pair of pajamas. B Spa by Bon Vital helps prevent dehydrated, rough, peeling skin with a selection of luscious butters that deeply moisturize.

These delicious smelling products are used by massage therapists and luxury spas and now you can get the same professional results of polished, youthful skin right at home!

There are three mesmerizing fragrances to choose from, each selected for its unique aroma therapy benefits and free of parabens, sulfates and phthalates. Enriched with cocoa butter, shea butter and sunflower oil, the creams penetrate deeply to nourish, sooth and revitalize for hours of dryness relief.

Lavender and Rosemary is sweetly perfumed and quite robust with a creamy, yogurt-like aroma. Although the lavender-herb scent is not very apparent, it does remind me of a spa. The stronger perfume notes seem to dissipate with application and fade gradually with wear.

The Pomegranate and Acai Berry Blend is my favorite! The jar is bursting with the scrumptious scent of fresh, juicy fruit and there is no underlying perfume aroma.

Pink Grapefruit has an invigorating citrus scent that smells delicious and awakens the senses!

The formula is thick, rich and smooth yet very lightweight and fast absorbing - everything a good body butter should be. They drench my skin in layers of supple, rejuvenating moisture for soft, resilient, silky skin all day and the lavish texture works wonders on dry hands, feet, knees and elbows that often require a little more attention. Each jar retails for $11.99 available at Shoppers Drug Mart. You can visit the website by clicking HERE.

Urban Decay Full Spectrum Eye Shadow Palette Review

When it comes to vibrant, show-stopping color few do it better than Urban Decay which is why the brand is one of the trendiest on the market! Today it’s time to kick-it-up a notch and get really colorful with the amazing Full Spectrum Palette! This bold, mesmerizing collection features 21 iconic shades (the most in any UD Palette) that will inspire you to create stunning looks and get really creative.

I love the sleek black packaging with flashy jewel emblem and it comes with a large mirror and double-ended brush.

The palette is organized by color family for a rainbow of ombré trios that range from pinks, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples and a wildcard row consisting of white and black. If you are looking for an all-inclusive palette for rich, vivid color this is a fabulous collection! You get all the basic primary colors plus a scintillating variation in stunning shimmers, radiant metallics, silky mattes and even a touch of glitter with deep, bright and smokey finishes!

Each shades makes its own bold statement mixed, matched or worn alone and you can always pair them with neutral palettes in your collection to help define, transition and highlight.

The color pay-off is decent but it does vary by shade. Some shadows such as Jones, Seize, Calavera, Sketch, Metamorphosis and Goldmine are quite sheer, sparse and a bit inconsistent so heavy layering may be required to intensify them to their full-potential. Minx, Hatter, Delirious, Blindsided, Platonic and Hundred are all bold and highly saturated. Not all of these shades require a base but I highly recommend the Urban Decay Primer Potion (my all time fave) to enhance application, longevity and vividness. If you like mixing sheer and high-impact pigments then you may like this type of versatility but I prefer pure, intense color throughout.

I managed to swatch most of the palette on my forearm using a primer to enhance the color.

The consistency also varies from smooth and buttery, to silky and textured and there are only 3 matte finishes with very mild shimmer. Overall the shade variation allows me to create many awesome looks so I find it very useable. Full Spectrum retails for $80.00 and is available at Sephora, sephora.ca, Urban Decay freestanding stores, urbandecay.ca and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Caravelle New York 2016 Fall Watch Collection

Tis the season to trade-in floral prints and soft pastels for rich hues, cozy fabric and a little bling! Since we are in the midst of vibrant fall color, Caravelle has released a dazzling array of new accessories to help transition your wardrobe.

The stunning gold watch below with multi-color, handset crystals is my absolute favorite! In fact I think this is one of the most beautiful watches on the market and it definitely gets a lot of attention. Although I've been wearing this glittery beauty all year, autumn calls for something dark and icy.

To compliment my fall wardrobe I chose this gorgeous black watch with dazzling crystals from Caravelle’s new collection. The style and color combination is quite captivating, especially if you love dark colors and diamond embellishment.

This jaw-dropping watch is expertly crafted with the perfect balance of playful elegance and trendy flare. The woven black band is sleek and modern with a shiny finish that accentuates the classic pattern. As we approach the holiday season, the mesmerizing shimmer adds a glamorous touch and it's true what they say - black does go with everything!

Around the large face you will find a ring of small black crystals which create an exquisite frame for the beauty within. Inside there are 60 handset, translucent silver crystals and layers of multidimensional prisms that reflect light and sparkle brilliantly!

If you look closely, you will notice that the overlapping, intricate design of the crystals and prisms resembles shards of diamond to create a unique, multifaceted texture. The shiny silver dials are a bit difficult to see against the busy backdrop but I wear watches to make a fashion statement so this doesn’t bother me.

If you are on the hunt for an extraordinary piece of jewelry for yourself or a loved one, I highly recommend this distinctive collection. This design is also available in pink and deep blue. The black watch retails for $175.00 (product code 45L160) and the gold crystal watch retails for $140.00 (product code 44L184). Visit the website by clicking HERE.

Matrix Biolage R.A.W. Hair Care Review

Many of us strive to live a healthy, active lifestyle. We eat right, invest in skincare, get our beauty sleep and workout, so the products we use should reflect those values. Think of the new Biolage R.A.W collection as a nourishing, healing smoothie for your hair! The products are 95% natural with no sulfates, parabens, silicones or artificial colorants and the formula is 99% biodegradable.

Now you’re probably thinking that anything this natural might not be as effective for cleansing and conditioning but you’d be completely wrong! The shampoo is made of plant-based surfactants, natural thickeners and emollients while the conditioner contains fatty amines, natural oils, clay and waxes which cleanse, soften, shine and rehabilitate damaged strands for salon quality results.

There are 3 collections to choose including: Nourish (for dry, dull hair), Recover (for stressed, sensitized hair) and Uplift (for fine, flat hair). Each range utilizes a special blend of unique ingredients that target specific concerns and rejuvenate your tresses from root to tip!

Today I will be reviewing the Recover line which is great for hair exposed to environmental stress, repeated heat styling and harmful chemicals including dye. Using these nutrient-rich products is like having a hair makeover to undo external damage, dryness, brittleness, breakage, split-ends and roughness. The shampoo is infused with yucca, goji berry (which is a super food) and coconut which creates a delicious, sweet scent reminiscent of a ripe berry cocktail! Although it is void of all harsh soaps and drying sulfates, the formula lathers into a light foam that cleanses very well and removes build-up, excess oil and follicle blocking gunk that may cause dandruff and flaking. After 2 shampoos my hair and scalp feel fresh, revitalized and squeaky clean and the amazing aroma envelops you in a bubble of fruity bliss!  

The conditioner looks like a scrumptious strawberry smoothie and smells like fresh herbs and yummy ginger which I assume is really the coriander oil. Don’t let the spice infusion scare you off, the aroma is very light, healthy and fresh with a nice balance of kaolin clay and soybean. The creamy consistency reinforces moisture to restore, soften, smooth, shine, strengthen and thicken. The formula is able to tame my long, thick, natural curls without weighing them down or causing limpness and I can comb it through for even distribution and loads of silky hydration. After conditioning, my hair feels bouncy, manageable and resilient and I experience no scalp or skin irritation.

If you are looking for natural, non-damaging, eco-friendly hair care I highly recommend trying Biolage R.A.W. The shampoo and conditioner retail for $25.00 each at a variety of salons. To find a retailer near you click HERE and visit the website at biolage.matrixcanada.ca.

Shiseido Rouge Rouge Lipstick Review

There is nothing more timeless and classic than a gorgeous red lipstick and if you’ve already found your signature shade you understand how bold, fearless and confident it can make you feel. The color red energizes the spirit, engages the senses and boosts energy which is why it signifies luck and fortune in some cultures. Because red is an important element in all Shiseido’s global product lines, they have recently launched the Rouge Rouge Collection - a beautiful spectrum of red hues in various finishes, undertones and intensities.

There are 16 shades ranging from subtle, vibrant, deep and bright so it's easy to find a color that compliments your complexion, style and mood.

The new formula is rich and luxuriously creamy for superior glide and loads of vivid, high-impact color that accentuates the lip contour. The nourishing, lightweight oils also provide alluring luster and the smooth, comfortable texture adheres well to prevent bleeding, feathering and transfer for hours of wear.

I chose Bloodstone - an intense red-brown with flecks of brilliant gold for gorgeous illumination. This shade is very unique and I can also detect hints of bronze and glistening garnet. The golden tones create a natural highlight on the inner lip for a trendy gradient effect.

Rouge Rum Punch is a red violent that blends beautifully to create a deep plum that is perfect for fall!

The lipsticks retail for $35.00 ea and are available at: Hudson’s Bay, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, London Drugs, Rexall, Nordstrom, sephora.ca and shiseido.ca.

Coach New York Eau De Parfum Review

When I was a teenager just starting to embrace the trend of designer handbags, Coach was one of the first high-end brands that caught my eye. Their simple emblem, clean designs and classic style was appealing and my first $600.00 purse was so well made that I used it for years. This year Coach is celebrating their 75th anniversary with the launch of a timeless new fragrance inspired by the energetic, urban ambiance of New York. The scent evokes the brand's elegance and heritage with a fresh, modern twist on femininity.  

The bottle is simple yet sophisticated, etched with the iconic emblem Coach fans have come to know and love including gold embellishments and black leather tag reminiscent of their famous bags. I like the sleek design but there is no cap which would have been handy for storage.

Although this is my first Coach fragrance the scent is very familiar. It reminds me of the trendy, youthful perfumes I grew up wearing and I think its chic simplicity will appeal to a wide variety of women regardless of age. The pump on my bottle is a bit stiff and instead of distributing a light mist, it comes out quite strong and direct which means a little more vigilance when spraying.

The fragrance opens with juicy raspberry, pink pepper and sparkling pear followed by heart notes of Turkish rose, smooth suede, gardenia and sandalwood which symbolizes the brand’s popular leather accessories. The base notes include: musk and sandalwood which balance the sweeter notes for refinement and depth. The scent is light, mildly sweet, vibrant musky and beautiful!

Coach Eau De Parfum is a fabulous everyday fragrance and as it fades and mingles with my body chemistry it softens and smells even more alluring and sexy. Because you can wear it all day, every day anyone can pull it off and it makes a great gift!

The 90 ml bottle featured here retails for $115.00 and is available at Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sears, Jean Coutu and Murale. 

Too Faced 2016 Holiday Collection: Grande Hotel Cafe Review

Have you ever wanted to spend Christmas in New York gazing up at the giant Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree while sipping hot cocoa as the snow flutters down around you? Well I have and even though I may not get around to it this year, the adorable Grande Hotel Cafe has already put me in the holiday spirit!

I have come to expect nothing but the most decorative packaging from Too Faced and this year they did not disappoint! This magical set includes three deliciously scented palettes inspired by the season including: Gingerbread Cookie, Peppermint Mocha and Eggnog Latte plus a Better Than Sex Mascara. Now if that isn’t enough to make you want to deck the halls and belt out carols I don’t know what will!

The palettes are cute booklets resembling cafe menus and they come tucked away inside the Grande Hotel - a beautifully decorated box commemorative of New York City's famous Plaza Hotel.

As you open the doors and remove the palettes, you will find a cute cafe with stools, cappuccino machine, Christmas trees, tables and even a chalkboard menu! It seems that Too Faced aimed to completely delight and appeal to our playful side by creating this dollhouse-like makeup box and you can even use it to enhance your bedroom decor for the holidays.

The Peppermint Mocha Palette includes two mattes and four shimmers in stunning garnet, gold, bronze, baby pink and cream. Although some shadows range from light, medium and full-coverage, many start off sheer so I recommend using a good primer to make them pop. The shimmers aren't ultra smooth, saturated or creamy and they do create a bit of fall-out but once layered and intensified the effect is gorgeous! The bubble gum pink blush provides a wintery flush but I tend to use this type of pink very sparingly.

Eggnog Latte smells like one of those comforting hot drinks you’d enjoy on a cold December night. The range of matte, shimmer and glitter is gorgeous and I’m digging the gold, deep green and champagne combo! I don't think another light cream highlight was necessary but it doesn’t take an expert to make these pigments look amazing. Like the other palettes, the color pay-off and consistency varies by shade and some start off quite sheer with the ability to be intensified for a brilliant finish. I suggest patting on the shimmer and glitter and keep layering until you reach the level of saturation you desire. The peachy-pink blush is very light and silky but a deep berry tone would have added more variety and depth.

Gingerbread Cookie consists of darker crease colors, a glamorous gold glitter with metallic finish, silvery-purple, cream, deep beige, classic black and a deep, sultry plum. Instead of blush you get the Gingerbread Bronzer which is too light for contouring my skin tone but functions as a subtle highlight.

All 18 shadows are very festive and quite dazzling so overall I think Too Faced fans will like this set. Although the glitter pigments may be a bit finicky to work with (as most glitter is) each collection is expertly coordinated to inspire beautiful creations and there is enough here for parties, events, day wear and a night out. The Grande Hotel Cafe makes a great gift for any makeup lover and retails for $62.00. Too Faced is available at Sephora and at toofaced.com.

THEFACESHOP Collagen Ampoule Lipstick Review

While browsing the THEFACESHOP store for trendy new items, I've tried and tested much of the makeup collection but the Collagen Ampoule Lipstick is by far my favorite! The brand has excelled to new levels with these luxurious, show-stopping pigments and with 16 brilliant shades to choose from, there is something for everyone!

It may be difficult to choose just one but the collection mainly consists of pink, coral, orange, and red with a mix of subtle tones, deep vivid hues with darker finishes and of course bright, bold color for a pop of summer all year round. Since I love rich, glamorous tones, I couldn’t resist the beautiful red hues and the deep wine called Blood Red is perfect for fall!

The formula is what really sold me because the lipsticks glide on smooth and creamy with full-coverage, intense color pay-off and a luminous satin finish. The consistency is lightweight, velvety and quite moisturizing so lips stay soft and healthy. The mild fruity scent smells great and the infusion of macadamia seed oil and flower extracts nourish and soothe parched skin.

As an added bonus the formula also contains a blend of anti-aging ingredients that help reduce the appearance of fine lines so lips may appear youthful and plump. In terms of staying power, the pigment holds up for hours of smudge-proof wear but like most lipstick they do fade during meals and transfer with contact. The quality reminds me of high-end lipsticks and the plush comfort and glistening layers of hydration is something I think everyone will enjoy. 

If you examine some of the shades closely you will notice micro-fine shimmer particles that help create layers of vibrant radiance but once applied you can’t see or feel the fragments which I love!

Swatches from left to right: Blood Red, Rhythm Pink, Killer Brown and Signature Red

I highly recommend stopping by one of the many FACESHOP locations and checking out these beautiful lipsticks. You can also find them online at thefaceshop.ca.

Kat Von D Hello Canada! Set: Review & Swatches

When one of my favorite makeup brands decides to release a cute set exclusively for Canadians I just had to have it! You’d think that bordering the U.S would give us access to all the new launches but that isn’t always the case. Many beauty products take ages to get here (if they make it at all) and often times I have to travel in order to get my hands on specific items. Thankfully Kat kept us Canucks in mind by creating a trio of her most coveted items just for us!

The collection includes a vegan leather clutch complete with trendy zipper detailing, fringe tassel and Kat’s signature stamp. The pouch is thin, light, good quality and fits all your essentials for a night out with the girls.

Inside the bag you will find Kat’s go-to Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Double Dare which is a pretty neutral rose. Even though this hue is in the nude range it isn't flesh tone which makes it soft, fresh and flattering on most complexions. The formula is full-coverage, smooth, creamy and rich with a luminous, moisturizing finish and superior glide.

The collection also comes with the Studded Kiss Lipstick in the shade Lolita, another dusty rose hue with a deeper matte finish. I love the shade selection Kat went with here because it compliments all skin tones and isn't too dark or bright. Although the lipstick is quite small, it is still easy to manoeuvre around the lip contour for shaping and definition plus it slips into pockets and small handbags. The formula is a tad creamy so it doesn't dry out the lips and provides loads of buildable pigment.

Last but not least is the Tattoo Waterproof Eye Liner in the shade Trooper which is classic black. The thin applicator was inspired by the finest artistry pens for control, fluid lines, buildable coverage and 24 hours of water resistance. I like that the tip is flexible which makes gliding over the lid curvature and flicking out the perfect wing quite easy and it dries quickly to prevent smudging. If you are new to liquid liner it may take some practice with this little guy but the results are bold, sharp lines and one hell of a cat eye!

I wish Kat had included one of her amazing eye shadow pigments to complete the collection but hopefully her next set will be even bigger!

This collection retails for $45.00 at Sephora stores across Canada