Category Archives: Beauty & Health

The Miraculous Materna (And no, I’m not pregnant)

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Five months ago, my cousin who had recently given birth was raving to me about a prenatal vitamin called Materna and the wonders it did for her hair.

Later that day, I was watching one of my favourite bridal shows, Randy to the Rescue, where wedding hair sylist Paul Norton advised a client to start taking prenatal vitamins to make her hair shinier, healthier and grow faster.

Two people on the same day with the same advice? I was sold.

I have been taking Materna ever since and am absolutely amazed at the results! I abuse my hair with heat (blow dryer, straightening iron, curling wand…) but have still noticed a HUGE difference! My naturally curly hair is way smoother, shinier and healthier!

My observations were confirmed last week after my hair dresser, not knowing I’ve been taking Materna, said to me “your hair looks and feels so much healthier than the last time I saw you!” I squealed with excitement. MATERNA IS A MIRACLE!

So, if you are looking to seriously improve the health of your hair, try taking Materna or a similar prenatal vitamin. (I’m no doctor or health expert, so check with your doctor first!)

Now that I can finally say I have healthy, shiny hair, here are some other products that are working well for me:

Garnier Anti-Dandruff Shampoo - Scrub this deep cleaning shampoo in your hair and let it soak in for a few minutes. This stuff is great for getting rid of oil buildup and dandruff, and really leaves your scalp feeling clean.

Redken Iron Silk 07 Ultra Straightening Spray I cannot live without this product. Lightly spray and rub this in your hair before straightening. It protects your hair from heat, makes straightening a lot easier and instantly improves the texture of your hair.

Moroccan Oil This oil is all the rage these days, and for good reason. I like to put a touch in my hair after straightening to help smooth out fly-aways and add more shine.

Batiste Dry Shampoo The best dry shampoo on the market! This dry shampoo works wonders on absorbing oil and makes your blowout last an extra day. I use the one for black hair but I’m sure the original is just as great.

So, have I convinced you to start taking prenatal vitamins? Give them a try and you will thank me later! (I also recommend hiding the bottle – don’t want anyone to assume you’re pregnant!)

L.

Pretty Pink Pouts

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In the spring and summer months, one thing I despise is heavy makeup – especially during the day. I particularly don’t like bold lipsticks that look dry and caked onto lips.

Recently, I discovered two lightweight and hydrating lip products that I have become obsessed with: Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter and Maybelline Baby Lips.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter

Why I love It
It comes in 20 shades and includes a great selection of pink and peach pigments. Made with mango, shea, and coconut butter, the product goes on smoothly and can be worn sheer or saturated when layered.

What I’m Wearing
I purchased Strawberry Shortcake and absolutely love it. I’m also a fan of Sweet Tart, Cupcake and Peach Parfait.

Maybelline Baby Lips

Why I love It
It has SPF 20 and hydrates lips for a long time. The name “Baby Lips” is fitting for this product.

What I’m Wearing
There aren’t many shades to choose from but I am happy with Pink Punch. The colour is surprisingly saturated for a tinted lip balm.

If you want a pretty pink pout, I encourage you to give either of these products a try. Their hydration and pigments make them sumer-friendly and they are wallet-friendly, too. You can find both at your local drugstore for under $10.

Always chic,

L.

‘Canada’s Best Beauty Talent’ Premieres

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We love Canada, and we love beauty. So we especially love how these two things have come together in a new online reality show, ‘Canada’s Best Beauty Talent.’

The show brings together 12 of Canada’s top beauty artists in a competition to decide who will be named the country’s Best Beauty Talent- and it’s hosted by Canadian supermodel  Coco Rocha.

CBBT host Coco Rocha

The judging panel is made up of our country’s top beauty experts, including Eden Bluestein and Eddie Malter, with Flare’s editor-in-chief Lisa Tant presiding over every challenge as resident judge. Former Fashion Television host and current Citytv News entertainment anchor Mary Kitchen is one of the media experts and also voices the show.

Mary Kitchen on CBBT

The judges and experts obviously know their stuff- it will be interesting to see just how much the contestants can bring it in each challenge.

What is most exciting to us is the idea of Canadian beauty talent getting exposure, and also having a Canadian variation of the reality shows we see coming from our Southern neighbours so often. Just some crazy.classy.chic Canuck patriotism.

You can watch the show here:

http://www.bestbeautytalent.com/ep.php?w=1

Stick a sock in it: an un-bun-lievable hair trend

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Last night, I went rummaging around my dad’s sock drawer.

Why? I was looking for the latest hair accessory – a pair of sports’ socks.

The sock bun, as the name suggests, actually requires putting a pair of rolled up socks in your hair.

I was in disbelief, until I saw this YouTube tutorial and tried it out myself. I was amazed by the results!

My only suggestion is to avoid using white socks. The white, especially if you have dark hair, may show if your hair isn’t thick enough or placed tightly enough around the sock.

You wouldn’t want anyone to know you have a pair of socks in your hair, right?

Socks aside, the bun,  typically seen as a glamorous evening look, is making daytime appearances everywhere – making girls look a little more chic and put-together – and you can thank the Kardashians for that.

Kourtney and Kim frequently model a variety of buns on Kourtney and Kim Take New York. Want the look? Just search Kourtney or Kim’s bun on YouTube and you will find hundreds of tutorials!

Try out the sock bun for starters – if I can do it, I’m sure you can – and tweet me some feedback.

Always chic.

L.

Polished Tips: A Staple Accessory

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Before this winter season, pinks were the only polish you’d ever find on my nails.

Essie changed everything.

It’s all about bold, saturated colours now – colours that add the perfect touch of glamour to every outfit.

Lately, when I am in front of a nail polish stand, my eyes eagerly scan the shelves to find the most luscious colours. The idea of leaving a fabulous colour behind makes me panic, so I search a little harder.

Polished tips work as a wear-anywhere accessory. And at $10-12 a bottle, they’re inexpensive to collect.

Here are some of my latest picks:

From left to right: An Affair in Red Square, Merino Cool, Siberian Nights, Bahama Mama, You Don’t Know Jacques

Invest in good quality polishes like OPI and Essie- and don’t forget to use a topcoat to seal in the colour.

Always chic.

L.

Twists, Braids, and Waterfalls

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Between layering on bangles and rings, jabbing in earrings, and matching our nail polish to our outfits, we often forget about one of our greatest, and most malleable, accessories: our hair.

And there is no end to the possibilities of what we can do with our tresses (unless, of course, you are sporting a super chic pixie cut). Up or down? Straight or curly? And if curly, what kind of curls?

Hair trends have a rich history, from bobs to beehives to poodle perms to sleek and straight. Last year was very much The Year of The Braid… and, with all of its variations, I’ll be sad to see it replaced.

Some of the best braided looks:

Fishtail braids are always a winning style- super unique, they add flair that an ordinary braid just can't pull off.

Adding a side braid that flows into an updo adds a chic element.

Waterfall braids are a gorgeous play on the typical wrap-around braid.

So if you want to switch up your look…try out a new ‘do!

M.