SKINCARE | My Summer Skincare Routine (Other than Sheet Masks!)

Gone are the days where I used to do single skincare product reviews! I personally have found round-ups a bit more helpful unless it's a single amazing product that can truly stand on its own because of the price, ingredients or mode of operation.  I also like seeing how people are using various types of products together and now that I am older and more proactive about my skin and health in general, I am hoping some of you might find my skincare routine interesting too! 

PR samples marked with *. All other products purchased by me. 

EXPERIENCE | Pop-In with Aesop x Nordstrom Vancouver

Did you know that Vancouver has a stand-alone Aesop store in Gastown? Not a lot of Vancouverites did when I spoke with the consultants manning the temporary Pop-In Aesop shop at Nordstrom this month. I can't tell when in my skincare love affair I had heard of this Australian-based brand, but every time I walked past the store in Gastown I'd tell myself that one day I would spoil myself! 

SKINCARE | Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist Review

I picked up my very first Tatcha item back in 2013 and right away fell in love with Victoria's story and Tatcha's philosophy which is rooted in Japanese skin principles. At the time, Tatcha was only available online for Canadians, but it was only in the last year that I started seeing Tatcha on the Sephora Canada website. I have hopes that eventually the entire line will be available for us (sans the SPF items of course) because paying duty and shipping from the US gets painful. If you have not tried Tatcha before, a good place to start is in the cleanser/toner step as the serums and moisturizers are quite a step up in price.

SKINCARE | Les Soins de Jacynthe Cleansing Oil, Eau Florale de Rose & Le Sérum Review

I swore late last year that I would be much more selective about the skincare that I use and review, but when I was faced with reviewing a few products from Les Soins de Jacynthe, I was immediately intrigued by the fact that the products are 100% natural and created by Quebec-based health and beauty guru, Jacynthe Rene. I was not familiar with Jacynthe or the brand and finding information and/or reviews proved to be quite difficult. The main resource I had were reviews from other blogs and at the time I was asked to review even those were scarce. Thankfully a number of Canadian beauty bloggers have given the lowdown on this brand and the results are overwhelmingly positive!

SKINCARE | The Face Shop Real Nature Hydro Gel Mask in Green Tea Review

Korean beauty is taking over North America with some big players like entering the Canadian market last year. The Face Shop was one of my all-time favourite places to visit when I was teenager way back in Backstreet Boys days and when it disappeared from Metrotown mall, I was devastated. The recent reboot of TFS in a number of major malls has now given me a place to spend all of my money during my lunch breaks.

One thing I have a penchant for are sheet masks. I have 75 right now and I don't think that number is going to dwindle anytime soon! The newest types of sheet masks are no longer made of paper, but of hydrogel, a synthetic polymer that is able to hold an incredible amount of water while remaining elastic and pliable like skin. Hydrogels have a variety of uses, but in the realm of skincare it is the property of healing and targeted substance delivery that we most like! New to TFS this year are the Real Nature Hydro Gel Masks in Red Ginseng*, for anti-aging, and Green Tea*, for brightening.

SKINCARE | La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Eye Cream Review

It has been about 6 months since I last mentioned La Prairie (here) and ever since my first experience with a number of their products, I have been itching to try more. I immediately fell in love with the Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal (CSIC) Dry Oil. I also enjoyed the CSIC Cream moisturizer. How I happened upon the La Prairie Cellular Swiss Ice Crystal Eye Cream* (20mL/$350.00 CDN) was my seemingly odd reaction to the Essence of Skin Caviar Eye Complex. La Prairie was generous enough to send me a "second chance" at eye cream and I was determined to make sure it worked! I made sure there was no lactose in the ingredients list and then started my new eye care journey!

SKINCARE | Eco-Certified and 100% Naturally-Derived with Schaf Skincare #PracticeSafeSkincare

This year I am saying "YES" to good skincare. For the past year, I have been making a conscious effort to limit "random" skincare on my face and keep it as efficient as possible while keeping it interesting since I do appreciate the technology that goes into developing a good skincare product. I especially pay attention to Canadian skincare companies and even more so ones that have Eco-certified products (more about Ecocert here)!

Schaf Skincare is based in Toronto, Ontario and is all about using a unique blend of plant extracts to nurture and protect the skin. Intended for use by ALL skin types, Schaf products are individually eco-certified which is the ULTIMATE stamp of natural approval. Ecocert originated in France and is an independent body that meticulously researches the origins of every ingredient. They visit the facilities where products are made and ensure that ingredients and the steps taken to product the products are indeed "all-natural". You can imagine how much this must cost in terms of time and money so for a cosmetics company to submit themselves to such an audit is what set Schaf apart from a number of other companies in my mind. It is also interesting to note that it is NOT companies that are Ecocertified, but individual products so you might see some companies certifying only certain products in their product lines if there are 100 products.

EVENT | Getting Face Mapped at Dermalogica #FaceMapNation

Way back in April of this year, the Dermalogica launched a worldwide skincare campaign called "Face Map Our Nation" using Dermalogica's zone-by-zone approach to skin analysis. The Dermalogica Institute in Vancouver hosted a face-mapping event that I unfortunately could not attend because I was in Calgary for work, but the folks at Faulhaber were kind enough to book me in last month so I could experience a face mapping session!

SKINCARE | PMD Personal Microderm Device Review

As I have gotten older, I have become more and more open to trying new skincare techniques and tools. After having my first microderm abrasion experience earlier this year (here) and loving the results (but not really the price), I set out to emulate what had been achieved from that one microderm session. Although it isn't feasible at times, I do read what the celebs do to keep their skin looking Hollywood-fabulous despite the amount of partying and other "habits" they get up to. The PMD Personal Microderm* ($159.00 USD) is a skincare gadget I kept reading about before every red carpet event and was a YouTube favourite. With the holidays and soon to be NYE and Chinese New Year, having "skin on the glow" is more than welcome in this season of non-stop activity!

SKINCARE | Getting “Fillumed” with Indeed Labs Volumizing Moisturizer and Serum! #IndeedLabsxCBB

Exclusive to Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, Canadian skincare company Indeed Labs has been on my skin radar for about 2 years. From the straightforward, attractive packaging to incredibly reasonable pricing for what looks to be some cutting edge skin technology, getting “fillumed” sounded like an awesome skin weekend! With the goal to get rid of marketing jargon and focus on skincare that delivers nothing but real results at a cost-friendly price, Indeed Labs sounded like a company I NEEDED to get to know. With a couple of well-loved products in its assortment, like Nanoblur and the Hydraluron series, already it seemed like the right time to launch not just one, but TWO other must-have products! Launched this September, the fillume Volumizing Duo focuses on those whose main skin concerns are loss of volume and elasticity. The word “fillume” almost makes sense now that I know what the line is intended to do!   

SKINCARE | Gettin' Oiled Up with New Lipidol Skincare Oils!

From the makers of the cult healing oil Bio-Oil, come six new skincare oils for the face and body from Lipidol! We are now seeing how amazing oils are for the skin and that even oily skin types should embrace the fact that oils are good! The can both lift dirt and makeup from the skin and prevent stripping of the skin's natural oils. Lipidol combines this plus the healing aspect that Bio-Oil was so well-known for. Each skincare oil contains anti-flammatory ingredients like chamomile as well as essential oils shown to have functional skincare benefits. Sounds amazing, right? What's even more amazing is that nothing in the collection is more than $8.97. Crazy!

SKINCARE | Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Combination Antioxidant Serum Review

Over the summer, I have had the pleasure of trying a number of new skincare products. There are times when I feel like I am in lab with my potions and lotions cocktailing what will be going on my face. Skincare comes in a range of comfort levels and when I first started taking my skin more seriously, I wanted a routine that was easy and didn't require too much thought. Now that I have the main parts of the routine figured out, it's time to mix things up! I have dabbled with treatments like chemical peels and microderm abrasion, but when it comes to "scientific skincare" Skinceuticals has always at the forefront. My first exerience with Skinceuticals was in 2011 when I received a sample of the Hydrating B5 Gel in a Topbox. It was the most fascinating thing in the world because it was a gel and yet when I applied it to my skin, every crack in my skin seemed to fill up and look seamless. Scientific sorcery is what that was!

After a quick consult via email of my skintype and concerns, I was sent three products in the summer to try out. Each product deserves their own review because I guarantee, if I try to talk about all of them in one post I would be cheating you of what they are all about. Skinceuticals is most well-known for its "antioxidant science", being the first cosmeceutical company to have a clinically proven topical vitamin C formulation. Much of the motivation behind their, now extensive product line, is that sunscreen is not enough. Photoaging is caused by free radicals that still make their way into our skin which lead to signs of aging. Antioxidants are able to neutralize them which is why we are always on the hunt for the next free radical fighter! Vitamin C is the current craze in the world of skincare now so the Skinceuticals C E Ferulic* (30mL/$162.00) was the first product that I absolutely had to try. 

"C E Ferulic is a revolutionary antioxidant combination that delivers advanced environmental protection against photoaging by neutralizing free radicals that can accelerate the appearance of aging."

SKINCARE | *First Impressions* of the Dr. Wu Hyalucomplex Hydrating System

When it comes to skincare, Asia is always 10 steps ahead than the North American market. During my stint in the skincare world, I rarely would come across an Asian client who didn't already have a fairly rigourous skincare routine. Being Asian myself, I can tell you that I take it all very seriously and I am curious to see whether any of this pays off in the next 10 years!

I am not one to rush skincare reviews, but there is a promo going on for the renowned Dr. Wu this Thanksgiving long weekend that you should ALL definitely take advantage of so let's DO this first impressions review! 

EXPERIENCE | Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Hammam, Gommage and Grand Caudalie Facial

As many of you know, I was recently in Montreal and Toronto for a much needed vacation and while I was on the train to Toronto, I remembered that I was headed to the land where the Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie resided. After reviewing and LOVING the original hammam in Vancouver (here), I was given the opportunity to visit its much bigger sister at the Shangri-La Hotel in downtown Toronto. I was actually flying back to Vancouver at 6pm and being an extremely nervous flyer, I booked a hammam, gommage* (30min/$135 CDN) and Grand Caudalie Facial* (60 min/$170 CDN) in the hopes that I would be a bowl of unanxious jelly by the time I was boarding the plane.

Photo credit: MacIntyre Communications

I can’t even type how I felt after the treatment so I will convey it was this photo of Hugo. I was just MELTY! Read on to find out about my experience because there are a few notable differences between the two locations.

SKINCARE | New Fresh Face Masks from LUSH! Mini Reviews of Rosy Cheeks, Don’t Look at Me and Cup O’ Coffee

Lush’s Fresh Face Masks are one of my FAVOURITE indulgences because they are made so freshly that you pretty much have to pamper yourself every day in order to finish the masks before the two week expiration date hits! I have tried almost all the Fresh Face masks thanks to Lush’s “return 5 black pots, get one Fresh Face mask” policy with my current favourites being: Oatifix, Brazened Honey and Cosmetic Warrior (I LOVE garlic!). WELL. I now have a few more favourites to add! Not only is there ONE new Fresh Face mask, but there are THREE new masks to amaze and grace your skin: Don’t Look at Me* (60g/$10.95CDN), Rosy Cheeks* (60g/$12.95 CDN) and Cup O’ Coffee* (150g/$10.95CDN). Each of these masks is made with natural butters, clay and essential oils that will have your skin feeling nourished and excited for the next mask session!

SKINCARE | *Guest Post* Estee Lauder Clear Difference Oil Control/Mattifying Hydrating Gel Review

As a beauty blogger, I want to review EVERYTHING that comes my way, but sometimes products just aren’t for my skin type or colouring. Normally, I would have just given these products away, but this time around I sought help from a beauty loving girlfriend of mine whom I met in my computer science classes and also has a biology background like myself. I trusted that she would give you guys the same unbiased reviews as well as a bit of sass. Everyone, please welcome the lovely Jessie!

I've had... a difficult relationship with the class of moisturizers known as "hydrating gels". It's an enticing concept with the promise of all the quenching hydration, and none of the grease. Sadly for me, it only delivers on the latter. My skin was always left lackluster, and robbed of its bounce. In my skincare pantry, I keep the gels at the back, and only reach for them on those hot, humid, summer days when nothing else can get absorbed. So when I got to try the Estee Lauder Clear Difference Oil Control / Mattifying Hydrating Gel*($55.00 CDN), I was like, "Girl, you serious?" Simply put, I was expecting disappointment.

SKINCARE | Guerlain Blanc de Perle Essence in Lotion Review

Oh my has it been that long since my last skincare review? I had wanted to do week by week reviews of the Guerlain Blanc de Perle line, but work is still kicking my ass when it comes to fatigue so I haven’t been able to write all that much. If anyone has tips to gain energy (other than caffeine) please enlighten me!

I need to admit that I didn’t quite read the instructions when it came to this skincare line. I assumed that I was skincare savvy enough to figure out what all of the pieces meant, but for the first week I was using the White P.E.A.R.L. Essence in Lotion*(200mL/$78.00 CDN) almost like a moisturizer if you can believe it! It does say “Brightening Lotion” on the bottle so I figured lotion = hydration. Then when I looked at the side of the box, I saw the phrase “facial toner” which after experiencing the consistency of the product, made MUCH more sense as a HYDRATING toner. Although it actually did work as a moisturizer too when applied after serum!

SKIN | 5 Facial Sunscreens Everyone Should Have!

Either sunscreens seem to be more in fashion this year than last OR I am just extremely aware of different sunscreen options this year. Maybe it’s a bit of both, but everyday I have found myself swimming in a variety of options for both the face and body so because I couldn’t narrow down my favourites into one post, part one will be all about the face and part two will focus on my must-have body sunscreens. I have personally discovered so many lovely brands this year thanks to being a vendor in Sephora and having cast members share their favourites so thank you to all of the West Coast Sephora girls for giving me some lifelong sunscreen favourites!

SKINCARE | Results from the La Prairie “2 Week Program to Lineless Beauty” ft. the Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster

At the end May, I embarked on a 2 week journey with the creme de la creme of skincare – La Prairie with a focus on their latest innovation, the Anti-Aging Rapid Response Booster ($335.00 CDN/50mL). At such a luxurious price point, I am expecting luxurious results, but let’s have a look at the rest of the products I was using too because I definitely had my favourites! 

SKINCARE REVIEW | The Perfect Tan Without the Damage with Paula’s Choice Skincare!

Please note that the following is a sponsored post for Pretty in my Pocket. All opinions are my own.

I was a skincare junkie before, but now that I have worked in the industry for over a year (I use past tense as this will no longer be the case in a few weeks) the addiction has intensified and I have learned so much about the skincare industry, ingredients and obviously what’s great and what’s not. I have been following the infamous “Cosmetics Cop”, Paula Begoun, for a few years and have been wanting to try Paula’s Choice products for awhile considering her stance on effective ingredients in skincare products. The Beautypedia is a reference of sorts for me and I am always curious to see what she and her crew think. Sometimes I agree and sometimes not, but either way I am grateful to have someone like Paula around who can reference medical journals for her reasoning and basically take the BS out of skincare marketing jargon for the average consumer.

Since it’s the first day of summer today, I have been wanting to be tan ready since February, but I am opposed to tanning beds and long-term sun exposure as I think most of us are nowadays with the higher incidence of skin cancer. In addition to skincare for every possible skin type and concern, Paula’s Choice also offers a self-tanning regime without the damage and is one that can be easily integrated into your existing skincare routine. After a consultation with a Paula’s Choice skincare expert, I received a regime of products best-suited to my skin type (normal, dehydrated, no sensitivities) as well as a new found love for glycolic acid peels!