022815 February Favourites: Winter Edition
In my opinion, January and February are the worst months for fashion in Toronto. It's too cold to truly be excited about getting dressed and all I really want to wear is head to toe fleece. With that being said, this month's faves will be focused on beauty & accessories - my winter saviors from dry skin and shiny golds to brighten up dark, gloomy winter days.
I keep organized with this clear jewelry tree from Umbra ($20 at Target). Dangling necklaces are tempting for my cats so I keep it on a high shelf that I can easily access but they can't!
KMF Air Powered Continuous Spray lotion in Lavender Shea, Consonant HydraExtreme, It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In plus Keratin, SBT Vegan Fruit Oil & Sniffle Stick, Consonant natural sunscreen SPF 30, KMF Triple Action toothpaste, Consonant DHE Mask & Organic Face Cream for dry skin.
WINTER BEAUTY SURVIVAL KIT
Somewhere along the way I realized that even though my skin is oily, it still needs lots of moisture to keep hydrated in the winter months but it's all about finding the right skincare!
- My Consonant Skincare routine is still going strong so these products get mega shoutouts from me! I like to mix it up once a week by adding a bit of SBT Seabuckthorn fruit & seed oil to my moisturizer at night, and the next morning I wake up to baby butt soft skin.
- Exfoliating during the winter is a must and aside from dry brushing, I'm using this DHE Mask once a week to keep my face fresh.
- I recently started using this Kiss My Face spray moisturizing lotion and I love it! It's easy to use and the lavender scent keeps me hopeful that spring is just around the corner. (Please hurry! I can't take this weather anymore! *whimper*)
- Winter hair can get nuts with static and dryness and It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin is the shit! My frizz goes away and my hair is soft, shiny and manageable. I hear it's hard to find in Canada so grab it at Target before it's gone.
NYX Radiant Finishing Powder & Dewy Finish Setting Spray, Beauty Blender, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Revlon Colourstay Makeup for Normal/Dry Skin
DEWY SKIN 101 FOR DUMMIES
I have to credit my BFF Diana, for two things- 1. Introducing me to NYX (cruelty free, cheap cosmetics) 2. Korean dramas. I just finished my first K drama series and all I wanted was the young dewy skin that all of the boys and girls have!
- Go get yourself a Beauty Blender if you don't already have one. It's a must have for airbrushed makeup. Just go get one. Not the cheapie rip off kind, but the real deal. You can thank me later.
- Revlon Colourstay Makeup - I heard about this foundation on a YouTube channel and it is so good! It lasts all day and doesn't look cakey. I just wish they had more colours since the shades range from fair to medium and that doesn't include yellow based tones. (Hi Revlon, I'm Latin and my skin is olive. Remember that ethnic people like to buy makeup too!) It's too bad because the formula is great but I'm still searching for the right makeup shade.
- My Nars Radiant Concealer is still a fave and it's excellent for erasing my dark under eye circles. A light dusting of this NYX Radiant powder makes my skin a bit more lively. Finally I like to set my makeup with the Dewy Finish setting spray. It's a bit of heaven sent from the makeup gods. Canadian friends, I know there isn't much NYX left at Target these days but you can always grab it at Rexall!
Lisbeth Jewelry necklaces, OST New York bracelets and ring, Lola's Vanity brass rings, The Free Island evil eye ring, Birds of a Feather, Jenny Bird and Vitaly Design bracelets.
GO FOR THE GOLD
Like I said in the intro, getting dressed for -30 degree weather isn't always fun but accessorizing sure is! This month was all about the jewelry and even though some of these pieces are new, I know I'm going to wear them lots!
- Lisbeth Jewelry makes some of my favourite necklaces and when I see them in person for the first time, I can't get over how much better they look IRL! Worn alone or layered in 2's or 3's these pieces go with pretty much everything, including head to toe fleece!
- I met Khariz, designer of Lola's Vanity, last January before I began blogging and fell in love with her designs. I bought a few pieces from her back then that are still my faves (this knuckle ring!) and I just acquired this amazing double ring in brass. Her designs are simple and always perfect.
- When I was a kid living in Miami I had a set of bangles that I loved. I wore them in stacks on my little arms and even at 5 years old, I knew what was hot. Then we moved to Canada and the bangles were no more. These super stunning bracelets from OST New York take me back to when I first started loving fashion. I've been wearing them non stop and love how they clink together. My 5 year old self would be proud.
*Some pieces mentioned in this post are PR samples or gifts. Read my disclaimer here.
022715 Shopping with Mendo & WoahStyle
A little behind the scenes action from my shopping day with Niki and Jessica at Mendocino. Take me back!
Monochrome racks of goodness!
These Wonderland sunglasses need to get in my life!
More Wonderland goodness. Don't mind the goofy expression. Trying to suppress my excitement for these glasses long enough to take a pic.
"What more black and white? Outrageous!"
A rack full of custom goodies chosen pour moi! In case you missed it - my faves SS15 pieces are here.
022515 Role Playing with OST New York
Working on this jewelry collaboration with Daniel Lodato OST New York designer and former Parsons student, was especially fun since we share so many commonalities! We're both visual people who consider ourselves designers, not artist, and we both gather a lot of inspiration from the world around us, especially documentaries. (I'm a Netflix junkie and I try to get my fix whenever I can. I watch movies and tv shows in the mornings as I get ready for work. I love documentaries, especially on Cosmology, but I like to savour those and give them my all.)
The bracelets that I'm wearing here, Serpent Bracelet and Screw U bangle, are from the Basics collection and are brass, plated in 22k gold. I love them for stacking or wearing on their own. They're edgy and classic, feminine and masculine. The designs have a subtle juxtaposition that work so well together, which is what drew me to them.
The Noose ring is part of the Western collection and is made out of 14k gold. I was happy to see that different sizes are available because my fingers are small and I generally have to comprise on size when I find something I like.
The jewelry is made using a 3D printing, where a mold is produced and the metals are poured and casted and then finally finished by being shined by hand. It's process that allows Daniel to focus more on designing and also means that jewelry can easily be made to order - a plus for us since we can pick our favourite metals. Another plus to 3D printing is that all jewellery is perfectly produced without imperfections and each piece is exactly the same each time - a plus when there's stunning details in the design.
I guess something about OST jewelry made me feel like a character because it's only now that I realized that I have this whole detective thing going on. I figure strong jewelry needs a statement outfit!
Thanks OST for the stellar pieces. I know that I'll be wearing them for years to come. I'm looking forward to shedding these winter layers so I can let them shine!
I don't know if you can tell but I have a few layers happening to keep me warm. It's been bitterly cold recently and even as we shot this, tons of snow was blowing off the rooftops.
OST New York bracelets and ring
French Connection fedora
H&M faux fur stole
3.1 Phillip Lim ankle boots
Jbrand Maria jeans
Aritzia Jacoby wool jacket
022415 REVIEW: Pai Skincare + Q&A with Sarah Brown, Founder
This organic, natural cream cleanser by Pai Skincare landed on my doorstep recently. I've never been keen on cream cleaners but after watching their video, I was pumped to try it for myself. Natalie Portman uses it and if it's good enough for her, it's good enough for me!
PAI SKINCARE: CAMELLIA & ROSE GENTLE HYDRATING CLEANSER, $50
PROS
- Organic, fragrance free, cruelty-free, vegan skincare! (Leaping bunny approved!)
- Very gentle on the skin. Safe for dry, sensitive skin.
- Alcohol and detergent-free formula leaves skin balanced.
- Leaves skin well hydrated and silky smooth after washing.
- The cleanser comes with a muslin cloth to help clean and gently exfoliate skin. (This cloth is my new fave! You can wash it to keep it germ-free or purchase a two-pack here.)
- Eye makeup came off beautifully using a cotton pad, just as the video promised.
CONS
- Perhaps this is just an indication of how much makeup I wear, but I found that it didn't take all of my makeup off. After washing I would run a toner soaked cotton pad over my face and makeup was still coming off. Unless you use minimal makeup or don't wear any, I would recommend using makeup remover before hand.
- This is just a preferential thing, but I'm not convinced cream cleansers are for me. I miss the suds!
You can shop UK skincare brand Pai online or at Whole Foods around Toronto. (More stockists here.)
Q&A
Sarah Brown, creator of Pai, was kind enough to do a Q&A for this post. Have a read to educate yourself on skincare and find out why makeup wipes are bad, how to prevent milia and what causes it. And if you like what you read, you can keep up with Sarah's blog for more skincare, health and lifestyle tips.
Nathalie: Why are makeup wipes bad?
Sarah Brown: Picture this - if you poured water into a tissue box and left it alone you’d be horrified at what you saw after a few weeks but a packet of damp make-up wipes can sit on a shelf for up to three years! Cleansing wipes are saturated in alcohol and harsh preservatives to keep the layers of moist tissue mould and bacteria-free. As a result, they can be very irritating and leave the skin imbalanced.
Why do we need an oil and a cream in the winter time?
SB: An Oil can’t hydrate the skin. They are brilliant for nourishing, conditioning and repairing the skin but for healthy, hydrated skin you need to be using a Cream as well. A Cream is a mixture or ‘emulsion’ of fats, water and actives that are able to hydrate skin thanks to their high water content, which is around 60-80%. A Cream drives moisture into the skin while fatty oils and ingredients like glycerine prevent the water from evaporating. This hydration boost means that skin cells retain moisture - keeping skin supple during the drying Winter months.
How often should we be exfoliating our skin?
SB: It really depends on your skin type. Typically for dry or sensitive skin once a week is enough and for more oily combination types 1-2 times per week. Exfoliating is such an important step for keeping skin healthy and clear, but the wrong exfoliator can actually do more harm than good. I always recommend steering clear of any product containing crushed seeds, crushed shell or sugar – all of these grains have irregular edges, which tear skin cells and cause a lot of damage. Our Kukui & Jojoba Bead Skin Brightening Exfoliator has perfect circular wax spheres which gently polish the skin rather than scrub it to destruction!
How does not taking off our makeup before we go to bed age us quicker?
SB: A build-up of make-up on the skin can enlarge and block pores, which can lead to breakouts as well as lackluster skin. Dull skin looks older than it is. Bedtime is the best time to apply your hardworking products that replenish and repair the skin, as they can work uninterrupted without having to protect the skin from pollution, free radicals and daily impurities. The few minutes it takes to properly cleanse in the evening is a really important skin investment.
What is the benefit of using a toner?
SB: For most people traditional alcohol-based toners conjure memories of tight, tingling skin! Our toners are very different, for a start we call them “Tonics” as they serve a very different skin nutrition function. They contain the living water from the Rice shoot and Lotus root; this is the vitamin, amino acid and mineral rich liquid that circulates within these plants and have a host of skin benefits. As well as removing remaining cream residues post cleansing, our Tonics actively feed the skin and balance pH. I don’t like to restrict using my Tonic to my cleansing routine – I also spritz it over the top of make-up throughout the day. It’s also a life-changing travel companion – especially on long haul flights when air humidity is very low.
Are eye creams necessary?
SB: Short answer – yes, but it’s all about how you apply it. The skin around the eyes is the thinnest on the body, so you need a gentle touch and a nourishing Cream to effectively treat this area. Our Echium & Argan Gentle Eye Cream is packed with one of my all-time favourite ingredients, Echium. It’s one of the best sources of Omgea-rich Gamma Linolenic and Stearadonic Acid – something you definitely want in your beauty arsenal!
Sarah's Tip to prevent milia: When it comes to applying your Eye Cream, the trick is to pat it in much lower down that you’d expect. Stick to the top of your orbital bone (it starts at the top of your cheekbone) using your ring fingers, in an anticlockwise direction. Now for the clever part – as the eye area doesn’t have any sebaceous glands, it ‘draws’ the Cream from lower down, taking in the amount of hydration it needs. Avoid applying your Eye Cream to the fleshy under-eye area – it can lead to puffy eyes and even milia if you have oily or combination skin.
Thank you to Sarah Brown, Founder of Pai Skincare for the interview and to rock-it promotions.
022215 How To Style It: The Pastel Fluff Jacket
Cotton candy goodness with this amazing Zara coat! I got it on super sale and I honestly don't know how often I'll wear it, but I love it a ridiculous amount! Wearing a pastel turquoise-blue, fluff coat that borders on cartoonish, needs to be brought down to earth which is why I wore it with my leather leggings and black perforated Helmut Lang oxfords. The inspiration for this outfit actually came from the bracelets and t-shirt that I recently received from Vitaly, a Toronto designer with amazing unisex rock and roll inspired jewelry. I then layered in my brass double ring from Lola's Vanity and this stunning 14k gold noose ring by Ost New York. I'd like to think my take on the uber-cute fluff coat is much easier to wear than the Coach Spring 2015 collection, which is pretty awesome with monsters and clogs, but just not for me.
Vitaly Arma bracelets in rose gold & stainless steel and Cirkle bracelet in rose gold.
Fjord Munan Watch in black.
Lola's Vanity hammered double ring.
Ost New York 14k gold noose ring.
Lisbeth black onyx beaded necklace.
Zara turquoise-blue pastel faux fur coat.
Vitaly A-cut tee - men's size small.
Mackage leather leggings.
Helmut Lang perforated oxfords.
Target black floppy wool hat.
Giorgio Armani sunglasses.
PR samples. Read disclaimer here.
022015 Pretty Hardcore Jewelry with The Screw Bangle
Loving this little hardcore moment by OST New York. The brass and gold plated bracelets are delicate with plenty of attitude. Small but fierce.
Pictured here are the Screw U bracelet and Serpent bangle, both brass with 22k gold plating. The Noose ring is solid 14k gold and is even prettier and more detailed in person. It's making me realized that I desperately need a manicure so I can let these babies shine.
Thank you to the talented designer, Daniel Lodato of OST New York for sending these may way! They look just as beautiful sitting on my vanity as they do on.
BeautyBlender: Review & How To Clean
I stopped by Sephora a couple of weeks ago to return my Teint Infusion Foundation. Instead of leaving the store with my refund money in hand, I left with a shiny new BeautyBlender in the Red Carpet edition. At $28 (Canadian price and $20 USD) for a little sponge it’s pretty expensive for what it is but I was curious to see if it would add up to all of the hype.
I’m so in love with this little sponge right but there are some downsides, which I’ll talk about below. Overall it blends my foundation beautifully to a flawless finish. Even when I skip my primer, which is more often than not these days, my foundation still looks really good thanks to the BB. (In case you’re curious, I’m currently using Revlon ColourStay for normal/ dry skin in Fresh Beige. I’m really liking it and I’ll do a review later on good drugstore finds.) Since my SPF/ moisturizer combo from Consonant Skincare acts like a magnet for foundation I find it’s ideal to use the BB for everyday use.
Before washing, the colour of the Beauty Blender Red Carpet is vibrant red.
To use the BeautyBlender, just run it under water until it doubles in size and squeeze as much water out of it as you can. I like to dot my foundation on all over my face using my fingers and then I blend it into my skin using the BB. It blends my foundation without much effort which is excellent when I’m in a rush - which is most of the time. I use the round end to blend foundation on my cheeks forehead and chin, and then I use the tapered end for smaller areas like around the eyes, nose and chin.
Based on the reviews from the Sephora website, the Red Carpet edition is a bit smaller and firmer than the original. Since this is my first BB, I don’t have anything to compare it to but I totally love it. I much prefer it to the foundation brush that I was using before because it’s easier to work with.
There are a few things that really annoyed me about this product. Aside from the fact it’s a $30 sponge, it’s delicate (because it’s a sponge!) and the first time I used it, my earring pierced the sponge and took a chunk out of it. Whoops. It’s also very difficult to clean. I’m really anal retentive about cleaning my makeup brushes so after the first couple of times I used the BB, I wanted to give it a wash. Instead of foundation washing off the sponge, I was horrified to find that it was bright red dye coming off my BB! Why did the manufacturer think that dying it in such a manner where the colour runs off was a good idea? As I kept washing it, with soap under running water, I noticed the foundation was budging.
CLEANING YOUR BEAUTY BLENDER
I did a lot of research to figure out how to clean the Beauty Blender and this is what I came up with that finally worked!
- Pour some boiling water into a small container and put your Beauty Blender in. Let it sit for a few minutes to sanitize and remove it from the water and let cool for a bit before handling.
- Remove the hot water from the container and fill with new warm tap water and some dish soap. (I used Seventh Generation Free & Clear.)
- Place your BB into the container and keep squeezing the sponge to get rid of all of the makeup. Be patient because this takes time. I had to empty the container and refill it with new water about 3 times to get it totally clean but that’s just me being OCD. It took about 10 minutes to wash the BB but I finally got all of the foundation out along with a lot of the red dye. After my BB was clean it was no longer bright red but more orange. At least it was clean and germ free!
BB does have an official cleaner but apparently it works as well as regular soap. I think the secret to getting the BB clean is in the method as per my above directions. Make sure you take the time to clean it properly and sanitize it because germs thrive in dirty wet sponges.
PROS
Blends foundation easily and quickly.
User friendly.
Leaves makeup looking FLAWLESS.
CONS
Pricey.
Very difficult and annoying to clean.
Can be a breeding ground for germs if you don’t care for it properly that can cause pimples and cysts.
It can tear if you’re not careful.
Saturated with dye.
Theo approves of my love for the BB!
Overall, I really like this product. I’ll probably get the Beauty Blender Micro Mini next because I find the tapered end of the full sized BB is still too big to blend concealer around my eyes properly.
021715 Mendocino SS15 Shopping
I stopped by Mendocino the other day to check out their spring collection and to take advantage of their complimentary personal shopping service. As you guys know, I'm an online shopper and to be honest I can get overwhelmed stepping into a store. I'm not talking about the shoe or handbag department here. I'm talking about sifting through racks and racks of clothing. Shopping with the ladies at Mendo made my experience easier and really fun! The best part was trying on different things that I wouldn't normally go for, like the harem pant jumpsuit and the highly coveted One Teaspoon super ripped denim.
I've been seeing these One Teaspoon jeans all over IG and I was super excited to try them on but sadly they're not for me. I wanted to love them but I felt really out of my element. This Wilfox shirt on the other hand is perfect. Sheer, black and cute. I can see myself wearing this a lot!
MENDOCINO: One Teaspoon jeans, $126. Wildfox tee, $80.
MY PIECES: Mackage jacket. Miu Miu slip ons.
Hello date night! When Niki picked out this cute Free People top, I wasn't all that sure but once on, I really liked it. The beaded kimono is by Glamorous, which is totally how I felt. You guys know how much I love mixing textures and that's exactly what i did here with the beading and lace.
MENDOCINO: Free People top, $88. Glamorous beaded kimono, $255. St. Xavier beaded clutch, $165 (Australian brand new to Mendocino.). Wonderland sunglasses, $210 (From California. New to Mendocino.)
MY PIECES: Jbrand jeans. Givenchy heels.
This adorable Wildfox bunny in pocket tee was my pick because It's too damn cute to pass up! I'm feeling spring-ready here even though the temperature outside was more like -20 but oh well. I'm wearing the same style in Wonderland sunglasses but in brown to go with the Mackage trench.
MENDOCINO: Mackage trench, $390. Wildfox tee, $90. Jbrand jeans, $235. Wonderland sunglasses, $210. Mendocino cranberry coloured hat, $65 on sale!
MY PIECES: 3.1 Phillip Lim boots.
I love a good white shirt and this one is a tunic style with side pockets. The textured jacket is perfect for throwing on overtop of any outfit and can be easily dressed up or dressed down. I opted for a more casual look here that's totally office appropriate.
MENDOCINO: Beulah jacket, $110. Love + Love tunic, $88. Tantrum ponte moto pant, $92.
MY PIECES: Chanel glasses and loafers.
I keep saying this is the year of trying new things and man is this ever new to me! A crop top (gasp!) and a fringe skirt! You know what, I'm happy I tried them on because I really like this look. It's fun and flirty and totally show stopping but at the same time, I still feel it's very much true to my personal style.
MENDOCINO: Moon Collection skirt, $98. BLQ grey crop top, $78.
MY PIECES: Givenchy heels. Mackage jacket.
This beautiful crop top has a matching pencil skirt, which I tried on and didn't like. Geoff (my hubby and photographer) said to me "why not just wear it with a pair of jeans?", which is when I reached for these high waisted Maria Jbrand's. I love this look so much! I never thought myself to be a crop-top-kinda-girl but you know what, I'm really digging it! #neversaynever
MENDOCINO: Finders Keepers crop top, $150 (Australian brand). Jbrand jeans, $235. Wonderland sunglasses (I NEED THEM ALL!), $180.
MY PIECES: Miu Miu slip ons. Mackage jacket.
This soft jersey jumpsuit by Gilbert has a harem pant that just drapes perfectly down the body. It almost looks like a dress until you stand legs-apart and that when it's noticeable that it's a jumpsuit. I would totally wear this during the summertime in the hot months for a chic, relaxed weekend look. It is a versatile piece though and I dressed it up with nude heels and a beautiful statement necklace.
MENDOCINO: Gilbert jumpsuit, $75 (exclusive to Mendocino). Mendocino necklace, $45.
MY PIECES: Givenchy heels. Mackage jacket.
MUST HAVES:
- Wonderland sunglasses! The shapes of these glasses are so flattering and look incredible on. I want them all!!! (Filled with my prescription of course!)
- Wildfox bunny in pocket tee. Super cute! Now if only it was a cat!
- Gilbert jumpsuit. Perfect summer time wear but still versatile for the spring!
- Finders Keepers crop top. It's tres hot but still feels sophisticated.
CREDITS
Personal Shopping by: Jessica and Niki at Mendocino.
To book a complimentary personal shopping appointment, contact jessica@mendocino.ca.
Styling: Nathalie Shible Martin
Photography: Geoff Martin
*PR post. Read disclaimer here.
021315 REVIEW: Consonant Skincare
A couple of weeks ago I had a chance to visit Bill and Kristina of Consonant Skincare, at their Yonge Street location. We chatted about their natural products and ideal skincare routines. If you haven’t heard of Consonant before they are 100% natural, organic and based out of Toronto.
Bill, Kristina and Anna (one of their associates) have the most beautiful skin! I understand where the term “healthy glow” comes from now because they have it! I was excited to see if their products would do the same for me so I decided it would be fun using only their skincare and following their regimen and using as recommended.
Consonant recommends using their products for a month so the skin can adjust to the natural products and have a chance to detox. It’s almost similar to a diet. If you’re going to be eating clean, it takes about a month for the body to adjust to the diet and detox before you see results. Remember that your skin is your largest organ so what goes on it is just as important as what you put in your body.
Since I was previously using only natural skincare I thought a 2 week Consonant Skincare challenge would be beneficial for me. With my bag of skincare staples, I went home excited to wash my face that night and get glowing!
THE PRODUCTS
For the next two weeks I used five Consonant products for day and night:
HydraExtreme, $72 for 10mL
Ultra Moisturizing Face Cream for Dry Skin, $54
The Perfect Sunscreen SPF 30, $45
Ultra Firming Organic Eye Cream, $36
Natural Foaming Face Wash, $18
Their skincare line up is really simple and straight forward and their formulas are suitable for all skin types and age groups.
THE REGIMEN
I asked Kristina what skin care regimen is best for oily skin (my skin type) and she recommended cleansing my face once a day, moisturizing twice daily, and exfoliating once or twice weekly.
I've always washed my face twice daily so this was going to be different. It was a bit odd not lathering up in the mornings but I soon got used to it. I found that my face was less oily throughout the day and I didn't need to touch up my makeup with powder anymore.
TIP: Over cleansing our faces as we've been told to do by pretty much every magazine and skincare product out there is not necessary. It can lead to the skin producing more oil, which can be more annoying and noticeable on oily skin.
THE MORNING ROUTINE
I would rinse my face with water, pat dry and mix the most amazing concoction of sunscreen and moisturizer that Kristina taught me: 1 pump of the Perfect Sunscreen, 1/2 a pump of Ultra Moisturizer and 1 (or 2) drops of HydraExtreme. Mix together and apply. With the eye cream I just patted it around my eyes with my ring finger.
The moisturizers absorb into the skin quickly so I like to work fast when applying it. The sunscreen leaves a nice matte finish on the face and acts like a primer with makeup, so I completely ditched my Nars primer during my two week challenge. Makeup applies beautifully on top of these products but the big change was in my skin itself, which was more even, hydrated and calm since using Consonant.
THE NIGHTLY ROUTINE
I loved washing my face with the Consonant Natural Foaming Face Wash! Kristina told me that this stuff is so good and would wash away all of my eye makeup so I ditched my eye makeup remover during this time. Let me tell you that it works so well! I start by rinsing water on my face with water and use a pump of this foam cleanser on my eyes and rub it gently into my lashes. My liquid eyeliner and mascara would just come right off. If I wore a lot of eye make up, I would have to repeat the process but one rinse is perfect for daily makeup removal. Then I would use another 1-2 pumps to wash the rest of my face, pat dry and moisturize. Similar to the morning routine I would use the eye cream and then moisturize the rest of my face and neck with a mix of moisturizer and HydraExtreme.
I followed this routine religiously during the course of two weeks. My skin tone and texture were more even and the small dry patches I had on my cheeks went away. I felt more confident with my skin during those two weeks than I had in a while. It's not to say there was anything wrong with my previous skincare but I think my skin reacted really well to the super hydrating products since our winter has been so cold. Even Geoff, my hubby and photographer, enjoyed using their skincare and felt a difference.
PROS
- 100% natural and organic, quality skincare.
- Unscented. (YAY!) Though it does have a faint natural scent that is pleasant and relaxing.
- Non-greasy moisturizers that absorb quickly. No parabens.
- Detoxifying skincare.
- Their products work beautifully. I no longer needed eye makeup remover, makeup primers, toner, cotton pads and facial sprays which means the money saved there could easily go into my skincare.
- Online shopping for those not in the Toronto area.
CONS
- Can be expensive.
Consonant does offer skin care kits and have some very affordable products. It just depends on what your needs are so be sure to have a chat with them if stopping by the store.
MUST TRY'S
- Natural Foaming Face Wash
- The Perfect Sunscreen, SPF 30
- HydraExtreme - a 100% natural serum.
- Kristina recommends the Healthy Skin Care Detox Kit for beginners. It contains full sized bottles of the Foaming Face Wash, Lip Conditioner, Eye Cream and Face Cream.
HEALTHY SKIN TIPS
- Stay hydrated and drink lots of water.
- Eating a healthy diet rich in veggies and fruits and avoid processed foods.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Cleanse once daily. (Unless excessively sweating, once a day should be sufficient.)
Kristina recommends exfoliating with gentle clay particles or fruit enzymes.
"We actually avoid micobeads because they are typically made with plastic which doesn't dissolve and can get into the water systems and be dangerous for the ecosystem." -Kristina, Consonant Skincare
Sugars and nut shells in facial exfoliators can harm the skin by causing micro-tearing.
GIVEAWAY!
Be sure to enter the Ultimate Consonant Experience for you and your friends for $5,000 worth of pampering. More on how to enter here.
Special thanks to Bill and Kristina of Consonant Skincare for their hospitality and to rock-it promotions.