Empties | June

Another month, another empties post!

This month, I finished a couple of items I've already reviewed and am in the process of replacing and repurchasing.

1. Thayer's Witch Hazel with Aloe toner: This has two of my favourite products to calm and moisturize my skin: witch hazel and aloe. This toner is great at toning my face and picking up leftover makeup and dirt that cleansing leaves behind. It's also great at prepping my skin for my serum and regular moisturizer and can be used as a spritzer to refresh skin throughout the day.

Thayer's toners can be found at Whole Foods, natural health stores and online.

2. Aromatica Rose Absolute First Serum: This is more of a two-in-one product because it feels like a toner and a serum. And, if you're so inclined, you can even use it as a moisturizer for the warmer months. I like almost everything about this product – it calms my skin, is gentle, has natural ingredients, chic packaging, multiple uses and it lasted a long time. What I don't like about it now is its cost and accessibility.

Outside of Korea, it can only be bought online at a small number of retailers.

3. Coconut oil: I love coconut oil! I've forgotten which brand this used to be – the label got rubbed away by the oil – but it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that the oil has to be cold-pressed and organic. I've used this as an allover moisturizer, face cleanser, hair treatment, eye makeup remover and to keep my teeth super white (oil pulling). I could go on, but I love coconut oil's many uses so much it deserves its own post.

Can be found at most grocery stores.

4. Nature Republic pearl de caviar cleanser: I talked about this cleanser before. It was a pretty good cleanser and had good value. This is a deluxe sample size (50 ml) and it lasted an insane amount of time. Several months, with twice daily usage. I didn't need to use a lot of product because it foamed up really well. And I really loved the scent. It didn't smell so much to be overpowering; it was just enough to leave a subtle scent which washed away pretty quickly.

Pearl de Caviar cleanser is sold in 150ml bottles at Nature Republic stores and online.

5. Skinfood 40 percent shea butter body cream: This really helped to soothe and moisturize my dry skin last winter. I mostly used it on my hands and took it everywhere with me. The tube, which is so convenient, lived almost exclusively in my purse. It's a nice, rich cream that left my skin moisturized even hours later.

Skinfood can be purchased online.

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Summer skin care swaps

Summer is just around the corner (Saturday, woot!) and I've been preparing for its imminent arrival. Last weekend I put most of my sweaters away – three out of five of them! I tucked a good chunk of my scarves into storage, too (way more than just five, if you're curious). But summer preparations aren't just limited to my wardrobe. Nope! I've swapped my skincare routine too.

A newbie's guide to…chemical vs. mineral sunscreens

I take sun protection very seriously. Every day, without fail, I put sunscreen on my face, neck and chest. I amp up my sunscreen application during the spring, summer and whenever I'm out in the snow.

I'd like to say it's because I'm health conscious, but it's mostly because I want to stave off wrinkles and age spots.

In my quest to find my perfect sunscreen, I've done some research on different types and want to share that knowledge.

Before heading straight to my sunscreen reviews, here is a quick primer on the topic.

What's the difference?

Putting it really simply: chemical sunscreens absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays; mineral sunscreens protect the skin by sitting atop and bouncing UV rays away from the skin.

Chemical sunscreen: at a glance

There are lots of chemicals that can go into chemical sunscreen. Some of which are Octisalate, Mexoryl XL, Mexoryl SX, Octocrylene and Avobenzone.

Chemical sunscreens tend to be a bit runny. And they definitely sting when they get into your eyes. From personal experience, save for one bad batch of sunscreen, chemical sunscreens have never left my skin looking all white and ghostly.

Mineral sunscreen: at a glance

There are two minerals that make up mineral sunscreen: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. An important advantage mineral sunscreen has over chemical sunscreen is immediate efficacy. Once you put it on, you're protected. No more waiting half an hour before venturing out!

On the other hand, for anyone with darker skin or a tan, watch out! Mineral sunscreens can leave your skin with a ghostly pallor. Make sure to rub it in real nice, if you don't want to look like a ghost.

Again, drawing from personal experience, I can say walking around like Casper is not my idea of a fun time.

Bottom line

Whichever type of sunscreen you do use, it'll be 100 per cent better than going without sunscreen. Application is important; apply every couple of hours and whenever your skin turns red or feels itchy. Extremities need love, too – don't forget the backs of hands, tops of feet, ears, the back of your neck and your nose.

Adventures in…facials!

A couple of weeks ago I treated myself to a facial. I decided this was necessary when I stumbled upon a sign: gift certificates to Skoah hidden amidst a load of paperwork.

This wasn’t my first facial. Nor was it my first time at Skoah.

But it was my first time in a long time, so I thought I would visit and try the very first thing I had.

The quickie facial.

Haul | Lush

I've always been intrigued by Lush.

It always smells amazing every time I walk by! And I've never seen soap in those shapes and colours before.

On a whim, I went in and ended up buying a couple of things. I didn't count on walking out with so much; luckily it was all stuff I was running low on.

Special thanks to the nice woman at Lush who demonstrated most of the products on me.

1. Herbalism cleanser – This cleanser is not like any other cleanser I've ever used. It's green, for one. And clay. And stored in a tub.

While Herbalism is a cleanser, it's got some exfoliating properties with the ground almond base. So excited to try this out!

2. Mask of magnaminty (sample) – It's a cleanser and it's a mask. Beyond that, I don't know much else about it. I'm excited to try this out also!

3. Mint Julips lip exfoliator – A sugary base that you can lick off after you rub onto your dry lips.

4. Full of grace serum – Don't let the bar shape throw you, it really is a serum. Just rub onto palms or rub directly onto the face and massage the serum into your skin.

Reviews to come soon!

Three things…for the days when you can't be bothered to cleanse

Attaining – and maintaining – good skin isn't rocket science. It requires a good diet, adequate sleep, hydration and daily cleansing.

But there are some days when I can't be bothered to cleanse properly.

Just like there are some weeks where I can't be bothered to post.

Life happens. Sometimes you stumble home late at night from work or a party. Sometimes you collapse into bed after work for a nap, only to wake up at 2 a.m. and can't be bothered to get back up.

Those days happen!

I've stocked up on some heavy-duty cleansers and makeup removers, in preparation for those very days.

While these three products can't compare to my regular skin care routine, these do fine in a pinch.

1. Bioderma Créaline: Créaline isn't the only cleanser of its kind, but it's the one that is shown the most love. Bioderma offers this cleanser in two forms, though Créaline (Sensibio) is definitely the one to get. It's gentle on skin, yet powerful at removing makeup and cleansing. Arm yourself with some cotton rounds, cleanse to your heart's content, and be prepared to see how much comes off. An added bonus – no rinsing required.

Runs for $22CDN for a 250mL bottle and available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale and London Drugs.

2. Etude House Wonder Pore freshner: This "freshener" from the Wonder Pore line can do a lot of things, cleansing being one of them. Wonder Pore is similar to Créaline, with a few exceptions. It contains alcohol and is a teensy bit harsher than the Créaline. It also has a convenient pump – something lacking with Créaline. In similar fashion to Bioderma, arm yourself with cotton rounds and prepare to wipe off all that makeup and grime. Again, no rinsing is required.

Find this online in a variety of sizes.

3. Olay cleansing wipes: I reserve these for especially lazy days when I can't be bothered to use cotton rounds. Or, for that matter, find them to use with the other two cleansers. These are pretty good, despite the heavy alcohol smell. Oddly, my skin doesn't feel at all taut or dry afterwards. The sheet is pretty generous and it's possible to use both sides – great if you're wearing a lot of makeup. Its texture reminds me of a Swiffer cloth and it's just as effective at catching dirt and makeup. This is strong enough to easily take off eyeliner, ditto Créaline and Wonder Pore, but I have to tread gently while taking off my mascara.

Still possible, though!

Olay wipes come in a pack of 30 and retail for $8CDN and can be found at London Drugs.

 

Three things…for the days when you can't be bothered to cleanse

Attaining – and maintaining – good skin isn't brain science. It requires a good diet, adequate sleep, hydration and daily cleansing.

But there are some days when I can't be bothered to cleanse properly.

Just like there are some weeks where I can't be bothered to post.

Life happens. Sometimes you stumble home late at night from work or a party. Sometimes you collapse into bed after work for a nap, only to wake up at 2 a.m. and can't be bothered to get back up.

Those days happen!

I've stocked up on some heavy-duty cleansers and makeup removers, in preparation for those very days.

While these three products can't compare to my regular skin care routine, these do fine in a pinch.

1. Bioderma Créaline: Créaline isn't the only cleanser of its kind, but it's the one that is shown the most love. Bioderma offers this cleanser in two forms, though Créaline (Sensibio) is definitely the one to get. It's gentle on skin, yet powerful at removing makeup and cleansing. Arm yourself with some cotton rounds, cleanse to your heart's content, and be prepared to see how much comes off. An added bonus – no rinsing required.

Runs for $22CDN for a 250mL bottle and available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale and London Drugs.

2. Etude House Wonder Pore freshner: This "freshener" from the Wonder Pore line can do a lot of things, cleansing being one of them. Wonder Pore is similar to Créaline, with a few exceptions. It contains alcohol and is a teensy bit harsher than the Créaline. It also has a convenient pump – something lacking with Créaline. In similar fashion to Bioderma, arm yourself with cotton rounds and prepare to wipe off all that makeup and grime. Again, no rinsing is required.

Find this online in a variety of sizes.

3. Olay cleansing wipes: I reserve these for especially lazy days when I can't be bothered to use cotton rounds. Or, for that matter, find them to use with the other two cleansers. These are pretty good, despite the heavy alcohol smell. Oddly, my skin doesn't feel at all taut or dry afterwards. The sheet is pretty generous and it's possible to use both sides – great if you're wearing a lot of makeup. Its texture reminds me of a Swiffer cloth and it's just as effective at catching dirt and makeup. This is strong enough to easily take off eyeliner, ditto Créaline and Wonder Pore, but I have to tread gently while taking off my mascara.

Still possible, though!

Olay wipes come in a pack of 30 and retail for $8CDN and can be found at London Drugs.