SHEET MASK | Di Morelli Hydrating Face Mask

Press sample

This week's sheet mask is from Vancouver-based brand Di Morelli created by Dr. Morrell who founded the Medical Rejuvenation Centre in 1999. I am most familiar with their Vitamin C Serum for Face and Eyes as years ago, it was one of the few vitamin C serums that was potent yet gentle enough to be used around the eyes. A couple of months ago, I discovered Di Morelli had sheet masks so HAD to give them a go!

HAIR | Carina Organics Citrus Shampoo and Sweet Pea Conditioner

 

Purchased by me

Local love has been a focus of mine since the pandemic started and though I have shopped from Sephora and other American sites here and there, I have tried my best to keep it local (also I don't like the exchange rate!) and more importantly to products and brands that I truly enjoy. Carina Organics was started in North Vancouver back in 1972 and is still family-owned and run! Their claim to fame, at least when I first heard of them, is their shampoos and conditioners which are pH-balanced, vegan, cruelty-free, safe in rivers, lakes and oceans AND made with ingredients sourced locally! It really doesn't get better than that!

BODY | NEW Apothekari Spray Natural Deodorants

Press samples

I have been fairly consistent in my deodorant usage having only switched to a different brand once this year to review it because ever since my original review of the Apothekari pH Balanced Natural Deodorants, I haven't used anything else! Now, Apothekari has a brand new Natural Deodorant Spray that I was lucky enough to get a chance to review with brand new scents to enjoy!

MAKEUP | Phytosurgence Flash Florescence In Bloom Collection #LunarFebruary

I am back almost a year later with more from Vancouver-based brand Phytosurgence! This brand also fits in with my #LunarFebruary theme as it is partially Asian-owned so yay! They have launched SO MANY more products since I was here last with their classic collection of cream eyeshadows and though I have realllly been tame with my makeup purchases, the Summer 2021 "In Bloom" collection was one that I had a challenging time saying no to so I picked it up during Phytosurgence's Black Friday sale as a Christmas gift to myself!

Purchased by me

SKINCARE | Neo Naturelle C-Major 23% Vitamin C Serum, Silky Skin Natural Sugar Scrub and Aqua Harmony Moisture Infusion Complex

Science and nature are my two most favourite combinations when it comes to skincare and when a brand introduces their products by saying that not everything "natural" or "organic" is safe just because it is plant-derived or that just because an ingredient is manufactured it is toxic, I pay attention! Vancouver-based, family-owned, Neo Naturelle harnesses the power of science and lab-made ingredients to deliver maximum results from botanically-derived ingredients. Each ingredient in every one of Neo Naturelle's products has a reason for being along with a user experience that smells and feels luxurious from beginning to end!

Press samples

SKINCARE | Okoko Cosmetiques - My Latest Brand Love and It's Made Right Here in Vancouver!

This post is sponsored in partnership with Okoko Cosmetiques.

This post has been a long time in the making as I have been eyeing Okoko Cosmetiques since 2019 and telling myself that before buying something from this luxury skincare brand, I need to use up more of what I have already because I will not be able to just let these products sit on my shelf! I would not be able to wait to use them! I finally took the plunge and placed my first order in June 2020 and I cannot be more pleased with the products and my experience with them. My collection has grown since last year and I vow that eventually I will own everything Okoko makes! 

Two products are PR samples and are labeled with *

SKINCARE | An Entirely "Made in Vancouver" Skincare Routine

I never thought the day would come where I would have a full skincare routine with products not just from Canada, but specifically MADE in Vancouver! Natural or plant-based beauty has come a long way from the days of having to purchase products of Etsy that didn't have any sort of preservation system and came in packaging that, let's face it, truly felt homemade. Now, I'm fine with getting some bath salts or even a bath bomb, but when it comes to skincare I frankly want more than just shea butter and some oils. I want acids and products that generate results! Formulations are more sophisticated thanks to the help of technology and science and smaller brands can now save on traditional advertising and use social media to get their product into the hands of consumers which hopefully means being able to invest more into their products! Almost every single brand featured today was discovered through social media - specifically Instagram (I hate it and love it at the same time) and I couldn't be happier with them!

The NENA Clay Mask, Woodlot Cleansing Balm and East 29th Vital Serum are press samples. Everything else is purchased by me!

MAKEUP | Phytosurgence Flash Fluorescence Cream Eyeshadows with Swatches and Look

My love affair for Canadian products and shopping local has grown ever deeper and I have the pandemic to partially "thank" (I always feel a bit weird using the words "pandemic" and "thankful" in the same sentence) for my exuberance in trying to "keep it in the family" this year. I don't want to be one of those people who get sad when local places or businesses close having invested zero effort into keeping them afloat. Now, food is one thing since we all get hungry and need to eat, but beauty is next level for me because I need absolutely NOTHING so I'm seriously investing not just money, but space in my already overflowing drawers so the products need to hit a certain level of bougieness that I have become accustomed to.

Hi, Phytosurgence...   

Purchased by me